asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the total cost of Pembroke Dockyard for the year 1921–22; what work was carried out there during that period; and whether it would have been possible to carry out the work at any other yard?

The total expenditure at Pembroke Dockyard on Naval Services during the year 1921–22 was, approximately, £716,000. This figure covers the cost of new construction and repair work on ships, the cost of the Fleet fuelling services carried out from the dockyard, works expenditure on the piers and slipways, and the general maintenance of the dockyard, the signal station and local yard craft.The principal work carried out during the year was the following:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of previous statements, he can now say if the forthcoming exihibition at Rio de Janeiro is regarded as a suitable opportunity to send a representative squadron under a flag officer to those waters?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the withdrawal of the South American Squadron was decided on with great reluctance, owing to the stringent financial conditions. There are, therefore, no ships now stationed in South American waters. As the sum allowed in the Estimates for oil fuel is barely sufficient for the war training of the Fleet, a Supplementary Estimate would be necessary in this respect if a squadron were sent to Rio de Janeiro on the occasion referred to. Even for such a desirable object, the Board of Admiralty do not feel justified in asking for a Supplementary Estimate at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that at Pembroke Dock painters have been given notice of discharge to take effect on the 2nd June, and at the same time have been offered employment as from the 3rd June as painters' assistants at lower wages; whether this method of lowering the status of a craftsman to that of a skilled labourer is sanctioned by the Admiralty; and whether, in view of the fact that there is ample work for painters at the Pembroke Dock, as, for instance, on His Majesty's Ship "Wren," and that these discharges will take effect before the matter can be raised at the industrial council, he will give instructions to suspend the discharges pending further consideration?

A number of painters at Pembroke Dock have been given notice of discharge as stated by the hon. Member. There is not sufficient painters' work at present to keep the painters employed and the redundant men have been given notice of discharge. At the same time, there is sufficient work of a lower grade on which "painters' assistants" are usually employed to enable the discharged men to be employed as "painters' assistants" if they so desire, and they have accordingly been given the opportunity of employment in the lower grade if they like to take it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the pay and retired pay for officers commissioned from the lower deck was reviewed about two years ago, and was based on retirement at the age of 55 years, and also that maximum pay could not be reached much under that age, nor could maximum retired pay be gained unless 55 were the age for retirement; and, as 50 and not 55 is now to be the fixed age for retirement, if the pay and retired pay of these officers will he remodelled forthwith on the new basis?

The rates of pay of the officers in question depend upon rank and seniority and in view of the varying ages at which promotion takes place, have no close relation with age. Although retirement in the branches affected will in the future take place at an earlier age, promotion will, in the great majority of cases, also take place at a correspondingly earlier age, and the matter will, therefore, to a great extent right itself. In these circumstances the Admiralty do not see sufficient reason for altering the present rates.

asked the Minister of Pensions if there is serious dissatisfaction among the patients at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital at Moss Side, Maghull, near Liverpool, owing to conditions being imposed upon them which do not apply at other hospitals at Knotty Ash. Mossley Hill, or Lower Buck Road, Liverpool;; and whether he will have inquiries made into the regulations at present in operation, and if he finds that they are more stringent or oppressive than at other Ministry of Pensions' Hospitals mentioned, will he have them modified and the patients given the same freedom and liberty as all the hospitals mentioned?

The conditions as regards passes out of hospital, which I gather my hon. Friend has in mind, are as favourable at Maghull as at the other hospitals named, except in so far as special precautions have to be taken to safeguard the patients treated there against risks arising out of the unfortunate disability, epilepsy, from which they suffer.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Robert Lockett, late private in the West Yorkshire Regiment, No. 915, and afterwards in the N.C.L.C. Labour Corps, No. 110,543, was discharged on the 6th March, 1919, through impairment attributable to war service, on a pension of 5s. 6d. per week, which was discontinued after 46 weeks by the appeal tribunal, on the ground that the disability was not attributable to or aggravated by military service; that after trying a light job at the local colliery the man has had to give it up and seek maintenance by the Hunslet Guardians; that the union medical officer finds considerable wasting of muscles of both arms, with deformity of both hands, and impaired use with some weakness of legs, which renders him totally unfit for work, which the man says was not in existence when he joined the Army in January, 1915, but was the result of frostbite in the trenches; and whether, under the circumstances, he can see his way to secure a reconsideration of the case, with a view to the removal of the injustice from which the man is evidently suffering?

I regret that I have not yet been able to complete my inquiries into this case, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend in the course of a few days.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Horace S. Myers, 12, Marlborough Place, N.W.8, was granted a pension at Class IV rate on 26th February, 1918, which was continued until 22nd February, 1922, when he was informed that he was only entitled to a pension at Class V rate, and that deductions of 5s. weekly are now being made in order to recover the excess paid during the four years; and whether he is prepared to consider some means of mitigating the hardship to the pensioner owing to the mistake of the Department?

In view of all the circumstances, I have decided to waive further recovery of the overissue in this case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, under Section 2 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, he took steps to consult any persons or bodies locally before closing down the Pensions offices at Brixham and Paignton, and thereby necessitating the journey to Torquay and back by the pensioners, many of whom are unfitted to undertake it; and whether local opinion supported the closing down of these offices?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scheme for the reorganisation of this district was not decided upon without the fullest consideration of all relevant circumstances, including local opinion. The position is being carefully watched, and should experience show the necessity for the occasional attendance of an officer at Brixham and Paignton, arrangements will be made to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his Department is giving preference to the products of the Empire in placing orders for Army supplies; and has his attention been called to the statements made in Australia and New Zealand that orders for Army meat are going to foreign rather than to British sources?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 6th March last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Henley (Captain Terrell).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Pile, Mr. H. L. Whitman, Mr. J. Clark, Mr. H. G. Starling, and others of Aveley, Essex, who suffered considerable loss on the occasion of the military riot on the 21st May, 1921, have not yet received any settlement of their claims, nor can they obtain any definite reply to their repeated applications; and whether, as his Department have been in full possession for 12 months of the details of the loss sustained, he will now give instructions for an immediate settlement?

This question, which is not a simple one, is still under consideration, but I hope that a decision will be reached shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the method of selection for dismissals from the Government factory at Waltham Abbey: whether he is aware that out of the 230 men retained, only a very small proportion are ex-service men; and whether, in view of the pledge of His Majesty's Government, he will inquire into the matter?

The numbers at Waltham Abbey are being reduced, in the interests of essential economy, to a nucleus establishment of 250, and in these circumstances it is necessary to retain only those men who are thoroughly experienced and expert in the manufacture of cordite. The selection of men for discharge has been regulated by this consideration; any other system would destroy the efficiency of the factory, which it is essential to conserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons employed in Army canteens and institutes and how many of these are ex-service men and women, respectively?

The number of persons employed by the Navy, Army and Air Force institutes in institutes in the United Kingdom is as follows:

Ex-service men	…	739
Nan ex-service men	…	443
Women	…	1,344
Total	…	2,526

The corresponding numbers employed overseas could only be ascertained by inquiry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when it is proposed to hold the next open competitive examination for the clerical class of the Civil Service; and whether, in view of the number of ex-service men so employed in a temporary capacity, he will consider the desirability of postponing such examination until all such ex-service men have been absorbed into the permanent staff?

No arrangements have been made for an open competitive examination for the clerical class (men) to be held this year. A further limited competition for the class, open only to ex-service personnel temporarily employed in the Government service, is to be held this summer. I hope that all ex-service candidates who qualify at this examination will be absorbed within a reasonable period.

asked the Minister of Labour if a sum of £9 is due to H. Preston, of 39, Wright Street, Stafford, late of King's Shropshire Light Infantry, No. 17,046, for training bonus under the Ministry of Labour scheme for training ex-service men; and when is it proposed to pay this money?

The circumstances under which training bonus due to Mr. Preston has been withheld, were explained in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions to the hon. Member for West Bromwich on the 25th May.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether persons claiming the return of arms in Ireland have been informed that these arms have now been despatched to England; and what steps are being taken to restore them to their owners?

In reply to the first part of the question, these arms are at present in the custody of the British military authorities, and some of them were despatched to England with other stores on the evacuation of military barracks. It is for the Provisional Government to decide if and when they can authorise the possession of arms by private individuals in Ireland but as soon as that Government authorises such possession the necessary steps to return the arms to their owners will be taken.

asked the Chief Secretary whether constables who retired in August, 1916, as being unfit for service owing to injuries received on duty have been refused the increase of pay as from 31st March, 1916, authorised by Section 1 (2) and Section (4) of the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1916, such refusal being based on the ground that they were not constables on 22nd December, 1916, the day of the passing of that Act; and whether he will reconsider that decision and, if necessary, take the opinion of the Law Officers on the point?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part of the question, I have adopted the hon. and learned Baronet's suggestion and am informed that Section 1 (2) of the Act of 1916 applies only to persons who were constables on the 29th December, 1916.

asked the Chief Secretary how many members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have accepted positions under the Provisional Government; and how many have expressed a desire to come to this country?

asked the Chief Secretary what was the total number of officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary when acting under his Department in Southern Ireland; how many decided to continue to act under the Provisional Government for Southern Ireland; how many of those not so acting have decided to remain in Ireland; and how many desire to leave Ireland and come to this country or go to other countries?

The total number of officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Southern Ireland prior to the commencement of disbandment was approximately 10,000. So far as I am aware, no disbanded member of the force has been offered or has accepted employment under the Provisional Government. Of the 8,000 men who have already been disbanded, at least 5,200 are known to have left Ireland, but of this number about 3,200 represent men who were enlisted in Great Britain and about 300 men who have since joined the Palestine Gendarmerie.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the actuarial inquiry into the state of the funds of the Constabulary Force Fund (Relief Branch) and the Queen's Jubilee Fund is now completed; and when he will lay it upon the Table of the House?

This matter has been referred to the Government Actuary, but in view of the complexity of the inquiry and the amount of material that is necessary for the purpose of the investigation, it is not anticipated that the report will be received for some weeks. The second part of the question, therefore, does not as yet arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of British troops in Northern Ireland and what is the procedure adopted in calling for this assistance by the civil authorities?

There are at present nineteen battalions in Northern Ireland. These troops are available, if called upon by the Northern Government, to act in aid of the civil power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the fate of the three British officers and a British soldier who were seized and disappeared near Macroom, County Cork, on the 27th April last?

No, Sir, I very much regret that I have no further information to give to the House. Hon. Members can rest assured that they will receive without delay any further information which reaches His Majesty's Government concerning the fate of these men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and how many ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary have been murdered in Ireland since the signing of the treaty with the Sinn Fein party; and what were the religious denominations of the members and ex-members thus murdered?

The number of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary murdered in Ireland since the signing of the Treaty on the 6th December, 1921, is 26, of whom 15 were Roman Catholics and 11 Protestants. The number of ex-members of the force murdered since that date is eight, of whom five were Roman Catholics and three Protestants.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Grants Commission have yet considered the case of the widows and orphans of the officers and men of the hospital ship "Llandovery Castle," which was torpedoed by a German submarine on 27th June, 1918; and, if so, when the dependants of these victims are likely to receive reparation?

I have been asked to reply, and would refer to the answer given last Thursday to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that beer buyers feel that they are being unjustly taxed and unfairly treated, inasmuch as beer is often retailed in glasses containing four-fifths of half a pint, resulting in beer consumers paying tax on five barrels of beer where only four are consumed; that if a standard half-pint measure was universal the Revenue would gain considerably; that spirits are often retailed in varying measures, to the disadvantage of the consumer regarding quantities; and if he will take steps to protect the Revenue and the consumers of beer and spirits by providing for standard measures only being used in the retail trade in the same way as is proposed in the case of tea?

In the interest of national economy, the staff engaged in enforcing the Beer and Spirits (Prices and Description) Orders was disbanded last August, and the Orders, which contained provisions as to standard measures, were revoked. The present time is not opportune for re-introducing control and re-engaging the staff necessary to make it effective.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the relative retail prices of beer in Germany and in this country?

The prices at which beer is sold vary with the quality of the beer, and there is not available from official sources sufficient information as to the prices and classes of beer sold in Germany to enable me to make the comparison for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Board of Inland Revenue intend to carry out their intention of closing the stamp office at Sunderland on 1st July; and whether, since this proceeding will be extremely damaging to Sunderland, with its great shipping and business interests, he can see his way to keep the office open?

Revenue arrangements at Sunderland have recently been modified in the interests of economy, and under the new conditions I cannot authorise the expense which would be incurred in continuing a separate stamp office there. Steps have been taken to minimise any inconvenience which might otherwise result in that city from the closing of the Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any representations from any borough in Scotland, which is issuing housing bonds, to reduce the rate of interest on these bonds; whether he is aware that the bank rate on overdrafts is 4 per cent., thereby making it possible for borrowers to get money from the bank at this rate of interest and lodge it with the municipality at the higher rate; and whether, in view of this possibility, he will authorise the municipalities to pay interest on housing bonds at the same rate as that paid upon bank overdrafts?

I have received no recent representations with regard to the rate of interest on new issues of local Housing Bonds, which is now 5 per cent. I do not think the hon. Member is correct in what he says as to the effect of bank rate. In any case, the rate for temporary overdrafts has little relation to the rate for bonds with a currency running over a period of years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give instructions that when in the present financial year demands for Supplementary Estimates are laid before the House there shall be printed prominently on each Demand Paper a statement of all the similar demands hitherto made and granted, so that the House may know the fashion in which, and the rate at which, the £25,000,000 set aside for the purposes of these Estimates is being absorbed?

If such a course would be convenient to the House, I will give instructions for a statement to be attached to any further Supplementary Estimate presented during the current financial year showing the amount of the Supplementary Estimates to date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend to private firms the same conditions regarding Super-tax on sums placed to reserves as those provided in Clause 14 of the Finance Bill for private companies?

Clause 14 affords, in my judgment, no ground for legislation in the direction suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. This Clause is designed only to prevent avoidance of Super-tax, which is being practised in a limited number of cases, contrary to the plain intention of the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the debt owed by Great Britain to America is additional to the sum of about £8,000,000,000 at which the National Debt approximately stands, or whether it is included in that figure?

The debt of Great Britain to the United States of America is included in the figure of £7,654,500,000 given in this year's Budget Speech as the total dead-weight debt on 31st March, 1922.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the interest on national savings certificates is met out of the Consolidated Fund only at the expiration of the period of years for which they run; whether the interest is met when these certificates are renewed or only when they are not renewed; how much was, in fact, paid out as interest and arrears of interest on national savings certificates during the last financial year; how much is estimated to be paid out in this financial year; and what total amount of national savings certificates are now current?

Interest is charged on the Consolidated Fund as and when savings certificates are paid off. £6,566,000 was paid for interest in 1921–22; £8,000,000 is estimated for interest in 1922–23. The total amount of certificates now current is approximately £342,000,000 (at issue price).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the duty of 72s. 6d. per gallon on spirits yielded last year £7,500,000 less than was anticipated owing to decreased consumption; and, if so, whether he will take steps to

			Year 1919–20.	Year 1920–21.
			£	£ (Estimated.)
Gross income	…	…	2,970,604,036	3,000,000,000
Deductions (necessary to reduce the gross income to the actual income liable to tax) for exemptions, repairs to property, wear and tear of machinery, overcharges in assessment, etc.	…	…	423,424,213	500,000,000
Actual income liable to tax before deduction of personal or family allowances and reliefs	…	…	2,547,179,823	2,500,000,000

My hon. Friend will see that the gross income is subject to considerable deductions of the nature stated in order to arrive at the actual income assessed. It

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot accept the Noble Lord's suggestion that a reduction in the rate of duty would necessarily increase the revenue from spirits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the difficulty of obtaining correct information from the Inland Revenue offices as to where Income Tax rebate claim forms can he procured; and whether it is possible in each locality to assign one district office where specified Inland Revenue forms shall be available?

I was not aware that any difficulty had arisen as suggested in the question. If the hon. and gallant Member, however, has any individual ease in mind, and will let me have particulars, I will see whether any improvement in the present arrangements can he made to meet it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the gross assessment to Income Tax for the financial years ending 31st March, 1919–20 and 1920–21?

The income assessed in the United Kingdom for Income Tax purposes was as follows:will be appreciated also that, owing to changes in Income Tax law, the basis of computation of the actual income is not the same in both years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in what way the receipts on the beer duty are affected by the new financial arrangements with Ireland; how much the anticipated decrease of revenue from the beer duty is due to this cause; whether the duty on Dublin stout consumed in this country will benefit Great Britain in the same way as imported beer; and, if so, where can the estimate be found in the published figures?

Receipts from beer duty in the current year will not be credited to the Imperial Exchequer so far as they are derived from beer consumed in the Irish Free State. The reduction in the Budget Estimate of the receipts from the Excise Duty on beer for the current year (£94,480,000) as compared with the receipts for the last financial year (£121,865,000) is due in part to an anticipated fall in consumption and in part to the revenue which is now attributable to the Irish Free State. In arriving at these figures the sum of £5,500,000 has been taken as the best estimate which can be

Calendar Year, 1921.
Description.	At Full Rate.		At Preferential Rate.
	Quantity.	Amount of Duty.	Quantity.	Amount of Duty.
	Cwts.	£	Cwts.	£
Imported, refined	9,019,413	11,567,737	367,808	392,869
Imported, unrefined	871,947	816,741	1,767,381	1,633,553
Refined in bond from imported material	10,532,937	13,022,766	5,218,509	5,555,652
Total entered	20,424,297	25,407,244	7,353,698	7,582,074
Deduct drawbacks	150,590	192,604	85,524	91,425
Net retained for home consumption	20,273,707	25,214,640	7,268,174	7,490,649

January to March, 1922.
	Cwts.	£	Cwts.	£
Imported, refined	1,699,182	2,179,730	18,503	19,788
Imported, unrefined	229,790	221,820	550,678	556,480
Refined in bond from imported material	3,128,307	3,866,001	1,376,701	1,459,175
Total entered	5,057,279	6,267,551	1,945,882	2,035,443
Deduct drawbacks	42,324	54,321	12,496	13,361
Net retained for home consumption	5,014,955	6,213,230	1,933,386	2,022,082

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the quantities of refined and unrefined sugar imported into the United Kingdom for consumption during the year 1921 and during the first quarter of the year 1922 under the general and the preferential tariffs, respectively, and the amounts of duty received on the same under the relative tariffs?

The following statement shows the quantities of imported refined and unrefined sugar retained for home consumption in the United Kingdom and duty paid, at full and preferential rates of duty, during the year 1921, and during the first quarter of 1922, together with the amount of duty paid thereon:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and value of aluminium and enamel hollow-ware im-

STATEMENT showing the Weight and Value of certain descriptions of hollow-ware consigned from Germany, imported into the United Kingdom during the years specified.
Commodity.	1913.		1921.
	Quantity.	Value.	Quantity.	Value.
	Tons.	£	Tons.	£
Hollow-ware, cast or wrought (except of tin-plate)—
Enamelled	12,766	489,470	7,901	457,573
Not enameled—
Aluminium	278	7,642	659	130,828
Other sorts (except of tinplate).			836	35,828

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and value of optical field glasses imported into England from Germany from 1st October to 30th April?

Importers are not required to declare separately the number or value of field glasses imported, and the desired particulars are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the £175,293, the value of the optical and scientific instruments and appliances imported during the six months ending 31st March last, was imported from Germany?

I have been asked to reply. The duty collected on the goods in question under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act during the six months ended 31st March last amounted to £48,057 only. The balance of the sum of £175,293 referred to in my right hon. Friend's reply of the 16th instant to the hon. Member for the Western Isles is the duty collected on cinematograph films under the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915. Of this sum of £48,057, approximately £20,000 was collected on goods consigned from Germany.

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member, as far as the particulars are available:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many articles have been removed from the list of 6,300 chargeable with duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act by the decisions of the referee and for other reasons; whether at least another 6,000 articles are liable for duty, for instance, dolls' eyes, hooks for toy-fishing games, and children's bead necklets, although not specified in his list as such; if he can give the exact number of articles upon which duty is charged; whether he will give an approximate number; and whether, to avoid much confusion and delay at the different ports, he will issue a definite list of all the taxable commodities, instead of leaving it to the individual officer of Customs?

In amending the lists of goods dutiable under the Safeguarding of Industries Act some 34 commodities have been removed from the scope of the list, and the particular grade liable to duty has been changed in 17 other cases. Dolls' eyes, hooks and necklets are not, as such, liable to duty under the Act, although certain types of these articles fall within the scope of one or other of the general headings in the Schedule of the Act. I am unable to give even an approximate estimate of the number of articles which may contain a dutiable ingredient or part.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of wire nails imported into this country from America, Germany, and Belgium, respectively, for each of the years 1910 to 1914, inclusive?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member:Statement showing the quantity and value of wire nails imported into the United Kingdom during the undermentioned years and consigned from the countries specified:—

Year.		Imports consigned from—
		United States of America.	Germany.	Belgium.
		(a) Quantities.
		Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
1910	…	4,244	17,844	19,458
1911	…	4,744	19,622	21,862
1912	…	9,974	19,726	24,962
1913	…	6,663	19,959	22,887
1914	…	12,987	13,087	18,184
		(b) Declared Value thereof.
		£	£	£
1910	…	41,184	175,518	204,026
1911	…	43,622	192,082	224,484
1912	…	91,484	195,144	254,612
1913	…	64,693	196,711	235,060
1914	…	123,824	126,167	186,082

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered that though Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act protects his Department against any action for damages or otherwise from importers whose goods may have been improperly detained and taxed during the period from 1st October to the date of the referee's judgment ordering them to he deleted from the Board of Trade lists, nevertheless, on grounds of equity, it is incumbent upon the Department to consent to a refund of such duties, if claimed; whether, in particular, his attention has been drawn to the complaint of a firm who paid a sum amounting to over £2,900 in duties on consignments of sugar milk, which the referee has decided to have been improperly listed by the Board of Trade under the Key Industries Schedule; and whether he is prepared to recommend a refund of this sum, especially in view of Section 31 of The Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, whose provisions are declared by the Safeguarding of Industries Act to obtain in cases of disputes under its Section 11?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As has been stated in reply to previous questions, in view of the terms of Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, these sums are not repayable, and I regret that I am unable to make any exception in the case of the firm referred to I may point out that the application of Section 31 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, to disputes under Section 11 of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, in which the Commissioners of Customs are concerned, does not extend to disputes under Section 1 (5) relating to disputes in regard to the lists issued by the Board of Trade.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of years in which a Note, stating that the regrading of this staff is under consideration, has been attached to the details under the Stamp branch, as set out in the Estimates for Revenue Departments; whether he is aware that this staff has had no improvement since 1906, and that the senior officers have received no increase of salary for over 12 years; and whether, in order to take the matter in hand at once, he will set up a committee of the Post Office Departmental Whitley Council to deal with the question in response to the requests of the staff concerned, which were put forward in the early part of 1920?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to his similar ques- tion on the 4th instant. I understand that a Whitley Committee is about to be appointed to deal with this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the practice of the Department to charge the new tenant of a house requiring a telephone, where the installation is already fixed the full initial charge of such installation as though is were non-existent: and why this is clone, seeing that considerable revenue is being lost in consequence?

It is not the practice to make an initial charge for the installation of a telephone service in any circumstances. The only charge associated with the apparatus is a quarterly rental to meet the cost of maintenance and renewal, and this is a uniform amount payable by every subscriber so long as his agreement continues in force.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the authorities in Edinburgh post office have stated that they have considered the passing of the efficiency bar for women clerks in the nature of a promotion, in contradiction to the answer of the Financial Secretary in this House on the 31st October, he will reconsider the cases of the 11 women clerks stopped at the bar under this misinterpretation, especially as it is generally recognised that the work of the Edinburgh office is of a very high standard?

As stated in reply to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Hogge) on the 23rd instant, my right hon. Friend is not aware that any statement has been made -by the Post Office authorities in Edinburgh that the passing of the efficiency bar for women clerks is in the nature of a promotion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the general dissatisfaction prevailing among the residents of Treorchy, Rhondda Valley, against the present post office premises; that such premises arc unsuitable and inadequate to meet the local needs; that the increased work resulting from the payment of War pensions, etc., in addition, and the increasing of the usual and ordinary postal work, is such that makes the work very congested and does not ensure any measure of privacy to the pension recipients; and that, notwithstanding the admirable attempt of the staff to cope with the work, it is impossible to render efficient and necessary service; and whether he will take immediate steps to provide other and more suitable premises or, as an alternative, extend the present?

I am aware of the unsatisfactory nature of the accommodation at Treorchy Post Office and the question of effecting an improvement is at present under active consideration. It is hoped by a reorganisation of services in the Rhondda Valley to release space in the Treorchy Post Office which will be utilised to improve the present conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount and the details of any amounts paid by local and other public bodies from local rates for expenses in relation to the administration, or upkeep or charges on land required for allotments under the Land Facilities Act?

I regret that there are no returns available showing how much of the total expenditure on allotments has been incurred under the particular Act referred to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress is being made and what sympathetic assistance accorded to efforts to bring together all classes connected with the land, so that there may be resultant common action on all possible matters for the good of agriculture?

Certain proposals have been made by the Central Landowners' Association and the National Farmers' Union for united action by all classes connected with the land, but, so far as I am aware, no definite scheme has yet been settled. The proposal has my personal sympathy, but I do not think it would be advisable for the Government to intervene in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the preliminary Report of the Committee investigating the poisonous effects of road tar, which proves that tar is highly injurious to fish, as it has been proved injurious to watercress beds; whether he is aware that the road from Hungerford to Marlborough, which runs alongside the River Kennett, with its valuable fisheries and watercress beds, is now being tarred; that a single shower of rain may do damage which it will take years to replace; and whether he will take steps to compel the road authority concerned either to stop the tarring or to use bitumen, which is known to be harmless?

I am aware of the Report and of its conclusions. The effect of the Report has been circulated by my Noble Friend the Minister of Transport to all Highway Authorities, who are thus clearly warned as to the damage which may result co fisheries from road tarring. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that parts of the road in question have been or are about to be sprayed with tar, and that tar spraying has been carried out on this road for the last eight. or nine years. With regard to the last part of the question, neither I, nor, so far as I am aware, any other Minister has any power to compel Highway Authorities to adopt any particular form of road surfacing.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the dangerous condition of the River Lea at Ferry Lane, where it divides Tottenham and Walthamstow; if he is aware that on dark or foggy nights there is not sufficient. protection to prevent people walking into the river, as reported at the coroner's inquest concerning the drowning of the late Mr. Powell on the 24th December last; whether anyone is responsible for erecting sufficient fencing at this particular spot; and, if so, who; and whether the owners of the strip of land adjoining Ferry Lane and the towing at this dangerous place deny responsibility?

This matter has not previously been brought to my notice, but I am having inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give any information in the case of Doris Cowan, now at Darenth Colony, Dartford, and who desires to return to her home, and whose parents desire her return; and if he is aware that this case was first brought to his notice some three months ago and that no information whatever has been given by him or his office?

Doris Cowan was sentenced to two years' Borstal detention at Portsmouth Quarter Sessions on 3rd January, 1918, for stealing jewellery. She was found to be mentally defective and not suitable for Borstal training, and was transferred by order of the Secretary of State to an institution for mental defectives. On the 21st of last month the Board of Control were asked to consider whether she might now be discharged to the care of her parents. The Board have made special inquiries as to the home conditions and the mental condition of the patient, but they are advised that in her interest it would be inadvisable to discharge her at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficult position in which boards of guardians are placed in consequence of the Relief Regulation Order, 1911, what is known as the Merthyr Tydfil judgment, and the vague replies which have been sent by the Ministry of Health to boards who are in doubt as to whether they can expend the money of the ratepayer in supporting men or the wives and families of men who declare themselves to be on strike or consider that they have been locked out of their ordinary employment; and will he bring in a short Bill to let the ratepayer know his position and provide against the danger of members of boards of guardians being surcharged through their inadvertence of the law?

I do not think there would be any advantage in further legislation on the lines suggested. Boards of guardians are generally well aware of the Judgment of the Court in the Merthyr Tydfil case, and the difficulty with which they are confronted is not that of interpreting the law, but of ascertaining the facts in the particular cases which come before them.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in any Bill which the Government introduces for the transfer of the functions of Poor Law authorities in England and Wales, he will preserve the legal rights of destitute and necessitous persons to relief given by 43 Eliz., c. 2 (The Poor Law Relief Act, 1601)?

In the event of any proposals being made for legislation transferring the functions of boards of guardians to other authorities, this point would not be lost sight of.

asked the Minister 11 Health whether, in view of the fact that ever since the 24th April his Department has been asked to inquire into the. eases of diphtheria at Olney, Bucks, and that during the last two weeks there have been two more deaths, he will say how much longer it will be before this urgent matter is dealt with?

I have been in communication with the county council and the. rural district council in regard to this outbreak of diphtheria, and regret that there has been some delay consequent upon the necessity of obtaining reports from the medical officers of health of both authorities. These reports have now been received, but as further cases of the disease have recently been notified, one of the medical officers of the Ministry has now visited Olney and conferred with the local authorities as to the measures which should be adopted.

asked the Minister of Health if he can name a date for the introduction of the promised Bill this Session to deal with the question of impure milk supplies in this country?

I regret that I cannot yet fix a date for the introduction of the proposed Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has issued any instructions to boards of guardians to reduce the scale of relief to unemployed persons; and, if so, the nature of these instructions, and his reasons for issuing them?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Circular Letter which I issued to Boards of Guardians last September indicating the general principles which should govern the administration of relief. For the reasons explained in this Circular, action has also been taken from time to time in particular unions to check the granting of relief Dui a higher scale than the earnings of independent workmen, it being a fundamental principle of the administration of relief that the amount of relief given should be calculated on a lower scale than the earnings of an independent workman who is maintaining himself by his labour.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the case of iss A. C. Phillips 17a, Wellington Road, Bow, whose claim for unemployment benefit has been disallowed at the Stratford Employment Exchange?

I have made inquiries and find that Miss Phillips' claim to further uncovenanted benefit was disallowed by the local Employment committee on the ground that she is living with an adult relative w ho is in employment. I am also informed that she has paid 34 unemployment insurance contributions, and has drawn in all 132 days benefit, which is, of course, greatly in excess of the covenanted benefit due in respect of this number of contributions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many men in the china clay industry in Cornwall are working half-time: that the full-time wages of these men do not exceed £2 per week, and, in consequence, their present earnings are only £1 per week, upon which they have to support their families; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will reconsider the Regulation whereby men working on short-time are disqualified for unemployment benefit?

The instructions are that incovenanted benefit should not, as a rule, be recommended by the local employment committees in the case of persons on short-time earning on the average half, or more than half, the normal earnings for a full week. My hon. Friend will see, therefore, that certain discretion is allowed to the committees. I am making inquiry into the cases to which he refers in order to ascertain whether the disallowance of benefit causes substantial hardship.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to resolutions passed at the meeting of the North Staffordshire Trades and Labour Council, representing about 80,000 organised workers, protesting against Section 8 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, respecting persons who may be indirectly affected through a stoppage of work, and claiming that where a person has been partially employed previous to any dispute, such person shall be entitled to benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act, and also protesting against the delays involved in the manner in which Courts of Referees are held in this district: and whether he will inquire into the matter?

I have seen the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. Friend has already undertaken to appoint a Committee to consider the operation of Section 8 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. As regards the disqualification of persons partially employed prior to the dispute, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. R. Young) on 3rd May, of which I am sending him a copy. I am making inquiries in regard to the alleged delays in holding the Courts of Referees in the North Staffordshire district.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the distress at Blaina, Monmouthshire, due to the closing of the mines since February, 1921, he can state if there is any immediate prospect of these mines being re-opened, in view of the reported revival in the coal trade since his visit to Blaina and his consultation with the representatives of the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron, and Coal Company; and if he is in a position to state the result of the inquiries he was making on 9th February last into the question of finding employment for these people?

I am informed that since my visit to Blaina in February last the double-shift system has been introduced at the North Blaina and Lower Deep pits, and that these two pits are now employing about 1,200 workpeople. The company are also sinking a new shaft in the lower part of the district and are driving a main heading from the Rose Heyworth pit in order to reach some of the workings in the South Griffin pit, which has been closed for sonic time. T fear that the other pits in the Blaina district must be regarded as permanently abondoned, but I am assured that the company are doing all that is possible by way of new developments at the continuing collieries to absorb as many as possible of the workpeople who are unemployed.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the baton charge by the police in the Smethwick and Langley area upon a section of unemployed workers; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

I have communicated with the Chief Constable of Worcestershire and understand from him that on 19th instant a considerable body of men from the Smethwick district marched to Langley and on being met by the police expressed their intention of bringing out some workmen employed at a local factory. On being informed that they could not be permitted to go to the factory for this purpose, they attempted to rush the police, some of whom were obliged to draw their batons in self-defence. The incident appears to have been over in a few minutes, and it does not appear to call for further inquiry on my part.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the official times of opening and closing at the Employment Exchange, Chester; and what are the daily office hours of the officials and staffs employed at the Employment Exchanges throughout the country?

The Chester Employment Exchange is open to the public from 9 to 4 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 9 to 7 on Friday, 9 to 12 on Saturday. The staff is in attendance until 5 o'clock on the first four days of the week and until 1 o'clock on Saturday. The office hours of the exchange staff are 44 per week,i.e., eight on five days of the week and four on Saturdays.

asked the President of the Board of Education what amount was received from the primary teachers during the existence of a contributory pension scheme extending from 1899 to 1918; and what amount of the money so contributed has been returned to the widows or next-of-kin of teachers who died before reaching the pensionable age of 65 years?

The total amount of the contributions paid by teachers (including Scottish teachers) under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, to the deferred annuity fund up to the 31st March, 1922, is £4,925,842. These contributions provided for annuities payable from the age of 65 and were not returnable on the teacher's death to his widow or next-of-kin. The teachers who contributed to this fund will, on retirement, receive annuities in respect of their contributions in addition to any benefits to which they are entitled under the Act of 1918.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children under the age of 11 attending secondary schools in England; and, seeing that these children are receiving an education which is equivalent to that taught in elementary schools, and that the average cost in elementary schools is £12 per child and in secondary schools £27 a year, what economy will be effected by the transfer of these children to elementary schools?

On the 1st October, 1921, the number of pupils in grant-earning secondary schools in England and Wales who were under eleven years of age on the previous 1st August was about 49,500. When allowance is made for the fees now paid by these pupils, and the lower cost of their education as compared with that of older pupils, taking the country as a whole, I am doubtful whether any substantial saving, or, indeed, whether any saving, would be effected by their transfer to public elementary schools. I recognise, however, that the occupation of so large a proportion of the available school places in public secondary schools by young children raises problems of special importance at the present time, and I am giving them my careful consideration in connection with the next issue of the Secondary School Regulations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the British representative abroad in all the chief European countries to supply for publication in a White Paper detailed information in local currency of the average weekly working-class expenditure on the necessities of life?

I am afraid that an investigation on the lines indicated by my hon. Friend would impose a heavy burden upon our Commercial Diplomatic and Consular officers in European countries, whose staffs in many cases have been recently reduced in the interests of economy. It would also appear doubtful, from enquiries which I have made, whether the results obtained would be of real value for comparative purposes owing to variations in the standards of living and fluctuations in the internal value of the currencies of many European countries. I trust, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press his request.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an invitation has been received from the Royal Danish Government for a delegation to attend an international congress against alcoholism, to be held in Copenhagen next year; whether the invitation has been accepted: and whether it is proposed to defray the cost out of public moneys?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second and third parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the result of the recent meeting of the China Bank Consortium in London: whether its policy is in any way affected; and whether during the la months of its existence any application for its aid has been made by the Chinese Government?

I understand that the consortium propose to publish a report on the recent meeting in London which will, no doubt, give the hon. Member the information he requires regarding their policy. As regards the last part of the question, the Chinese Government approached the consortium in January last for a loan, but the negotiations proved abortive.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that con- siderable difficulty is experienced by persons in London, unprovided with telephones, in obtaining taxi-cabs, and that those with telephones have to pay an increased fare according to their distance from a cab rank; and whether, in view of the fact that the greatly increased number of cabs now available would reduce any nuisance caused by whistling to a. minimum, he will now permit cabs to be called by whistle between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11.30 p.m.?

Whistling for cabs is forbidden by a byelaw made by the London County Council under Section 16 of the Local Governmet Act, 1883, and the question of revoking or amending the byelaw is one for the discretion of the London County Council. I have no power to take any action of the nature suggested.

asked the Home Secretary on what day the Second Reading of the Government Bill dealing with legitimation will be taken?

I am not in a position to give a date for the Second Reading, but I hope to introduce the Bill soon after the Recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether armed men from Ireland are landing in English ports; and if he can give an assurance that every effort is being made to prevent persons from illegally importing arms into this country?

I have no evidence that this is so. It is illegal to possess firearms without a certificate or other authority under the Firearms Act, 1920, and the police enforce the Act if it is found to be infringed.

asked the Home Secretary the date of the introduction of the Industrial Assurance Bill?

I hope to introduce the Bill soon after the Recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether the. Government has considered the reduction of unnecessary assizes with the object of saving public money?

The matter is now under the consideration of a Committee appointed by the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport 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 the various classes of road-users?

The Minister of Transport has always under consideration the points raised by the hon. and gallant Member's question, and, as he is aware, a Departmental Committee is now examining the present. system of taxation of road vehicles. I do not think that at present any further inquiry would be likely to be productive of any useful result, but I am willing to reconsider the matter when the Committee has reported.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if many workmen employed in the London district have to pay as much as is. to 8s. per week in travelling by rail to and from their work; and whether, in view of the general and considerable reductions which have taken place in their wages, he can see his way to approach the various railway companies with a view to some reduction being made in workmen's fares?

The fares at present charged were limited by the Government after full inquiry. Any application for their reduction should in the first instance be addressed to the companies concerned. My right hon. Friend is aware of the provisions of the Railways Act, 1921, dealing with such matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of His Majesty's Dominions, Colonies and Possessions have now adopted the combined certificate of value and of origin recommended by the Imperial Customs Conference in their Report (Geld. 123), presented to Parliament in 192] for adoption throughout the Empire in connection with British preferential tariffs?

The Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Newfoundland have decided to adopt the certificate recommended by the Conference, and in the case of New Zealand and Newfoundland, I understand that it has already been brought into force. Of the Colonies which do not possess responsible Government. it has been decided to adopt the certificate in Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, British Honduras, Jamaica, Mauritius, Seychelles and Fiji and the territories of the South African High Commission will follow the Union of South Africa. I am waiting to hear from the other Colonies and Protectorates, which have been invited to adopt the certificate.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First. Commissioner of Works, whether in the Electrical Engineering Department dismissals of workmen since the Armistice have exceeded 200 in number; and if this be so, whether any corresponding reduction has been made in the Superintending staff?

The number of workmen discharged from the electrical department is 189 out of a total of 465 at the time of the Armistice; the supervisory staff at that date numbered 16 and has been reduced to 11.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to bring about a settlement of the dispute in the engineering industry?

The Unions, other than the Amalgamated Engineering Union, are taking a ballot on the modified proposals made by the employers at the conferences which ended on the 20th May. The Amalgamated Engineering Union, after an unsuccessful conference with the employers, have decided to call a national delegate conference on Friday, 2nd June. Until the results of the ballot and of this conference are known, I do not see in what way the Government can usefully take action.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a Select Committee of the House to consider the whole question of payment of pensions by the State, more especially in the direction of ascertaining whether it would be to the advantage of the community as a whole that a full and just market wage should in future be paid to all its employés and that pensions should be entirely abandoned?

The answer is in the negative. The system under which the remuneration of permanent servants of the State includes, as a rule, provision for superannuation is based upon long experience, and I do not think that it would be in the public interest to reconsider it in present circumstances.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, as a result of the withdrawal of the Government of Wales Bill from the Order Paper of the House, the Government contemplate bringing in a Welsh Home Rule Bill as a Government Measure?

I understand the Government of Wales Bill has been withdrawn in virtue of an arrangement between hon. Members from Wales and Scotland to proceed with a joint Bill on similar lines dealing with the two countries. There is no present intention of introducing a Welsh Home Rule Bill as a Government Measure.