asked the Minister of Labour what are the total receipts into the Unemployment Fund from workmen's contributions, employers' contributions, and State contributions, respectively, between 1st April, 1919, and 15th July, 1922, or the latest available date; and the amount paid out of the fund for unemployment benefit and for administration, respectively?

For the period between the 1st April, 1919, and the 15th July, 1922, the information asked for is approximately as follow:

	£
Receipts from workmen's contributions	22,100,000
Receipts from employers' contributions	26,100,000
Receipts from State contributions	14,700,000
Unemployment benefit paid	90,100,000
Contribution from the Unemployment Fund towards the cost of administration	6,800,000

The figures include receipts and payments under the Dependants' Grants Scheme since November, 1921.As my hon. Friend may not understand how over £90,000,000 of benefit could be paid out of the contributions indicated, I would remind him that on 1st April, 1919, the. Unemployment Fund had a balance in hand of about £17,000,000 which has been exhausted and a debt to the Treasury of about £14,500,000 has since been incurred.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of local men employed by the contractor in the carrying out of the work on the new sea wall and esplanade at Kirkcaldy; what number of unskilled workers from Ireland and other districts have been, and are, engaged on the work in question; and how many men are now in receipt of unemployment benefit within the district of the Kirkcaldy rating authority?

From inquiries which have been made locally, it has been ascertained that a number of Irishmen are employed on the scheme in question. As the work is being carried out by contract, it is not a condition of the grant that labour should be recruited through the Employment Exchange. The attention of the Unemployment Grants Committee has, however, been drawn to this matter, and it is understood that they are in communication with the local authority in regard thereto. The number of men in receipt of unemployment benefit within the district of the Kirkcaldy rating authority is 1,590.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants whose cases have been refused benefits during the last three months in the Erith and Dartford Labour Exchanges?

The numbers of cases in which uncovenanted benefit was refused during the period 6th April to 17th July were 660 at Dartford and 138 as Erith. Corresponding statistics with regard to covenanted benefit are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of quarrymen out of employment; and whether by stimulating road reconstruction he will absorb some of this labour as well as provide other work for the unemployed?

The number of quarrymen registered as unemployed at 26th June was 3,565. This figure excludes irons-Cone quarrymen. Since the autumn of 1920 a sum of between 40 and 50 millions has been provided by the Government and by local authorities, with Government assistance, for relief works for the unemployed; much of it road work. The Ministry of Transport have invited local authorities to submit particulars of suitable road works which could be undertaken, with the assistance of State funds, during the autumn and winter.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds unemployment pay has been refused at the Dickenson Street Labour Exchange, Manchester, to Miss May Connolly, of 39, Inkerman Grove, Greenheys; and whether he will have her case inquired into?

I am making inquiries locally in this case, and will communicate the result to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of their importance in all inquiries into industrial affairs, he will reconsider the decision to discontinue the compilation and publication of the detailed reports and statistics relating to the state of employ-men in 21 important industries, which have appeared for so many years in the Ministry of Labour Gazette?

The decision to discontinue these reports and statistics was taken, after careful consideration, with the object of reducing expenditure on the Ministry of Labour Gazette, and on the statistical work generally of the Ministry. In view of the need for economy, I am not prepared to reconsider the matter. My hon. Friend will, however, observe that detailed reports and statistics, relating to 13 of the principal industries are being continued, and such information as is still available, with regard to other industries, is being incorporated in a general article on Employment in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to keep the Labour Gazette to its present curtailed form or to reduce the statistical organisation of the Ministry of Labour; and whether the issue of the annual Reports, suspended during the War, is to be resumed?

In view of the need for economy, it has been necessary to restrict the Ministry of Labour Gazette to a maximum of 40 pages monthly, and to effect a substantial reduction in the statistical branch of the Ministry. The question of resuming the annual Reports which were suspended during the War is still receiving consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will invite the Ministers dealing with industrial labour in France, Germany, Italy and the United States of America to participate in a conference with the official leaders of organised labour and employers in all five countries in the engineering, coal mining, cotton and wool textile trades, with a view of formulating plans to deal with, in equal co-partnership method together, the trade in these sections of Siberia, Russia, Austria, and Tibet?

I do not think that any practicable purpose would be served by the adoption of this suggestion as I understood it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the wages of workers in the laundry trade are governed by a trade board; and how the average existing wage compares with the average wage paid in 1914?

A Trade Board was established for the laundry trade in Great Britain on 1st May, 1919. The minimum rates at present in operation per week of 48. hours are

	General minimum time-rate.	Basis Tate for pieceworkers.
Men of 21 and over	54s.	54s.
Women of 18 and over	28s.	34s.

There is no information available as to the average wages actually earned by workers in the trade.The only comprehensive information available as to the average wages earned by workers in the trade before the War is that contained in the Report of the Earnings and Hours Inquiry of 1906, which showed the average earnings of full-time workers in the United Kingdom, per week of 55 hours, to be

	Factory laundries.		Workshop laundries.
Men of 20 and over	26s.	2d.	22s.	6d.
Women of 18 and over	12s.	10d.	12s.	9d.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Mrs. McMillan, of 22, Bearhope Street, Greenock, is drawing no pension whatever in respect of the loss of her husband, Able-seaman Richard McMillan, who died in December, 1920, while on duty on the s.s. "Oriflamme," an oil tank under naval command; and will he have inquiries made into this case?

The s.s. "Oriflamme" was not chartered by the Admiralty nor were the crew in Admiralty pay. The question of compensation, or of payment of an allowance, consequent on the death of any member of the crew, is not, therefore, a matter for the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the delay in the distribution to ex-service ratings of the second and final instalment of prize money; that since April, 1922, only ex-service naval men whose names begin with the letters D, J, K, Q, R, X, Y, Z, have been asked to submit their claims; and, in view of the very small number of surnames commencing with Q, X, Y, Z, will he take steps to expedite payment to all concerned?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my remarks of the 18th instant. Since that date, claims have been invited from those whose names begin with the letters H, N, and V, but the number of cases in which specially necessitous circumstances are represented is so large that the, normal course of issue is seriously impeded.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the total cost for clothing provided to the reservists who were called up for six weeks during the coal lock-out; whether all such clothing was handed over to the Disposal Board and new articles provided in their place at the termination of the reservist period of service; whether the order for the replacement for new clothing was issued by the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Corps; and the money received by the Disposal Board for these articles?

The clothing issued to reservists was the clothing already in store for the purpose. The men were allowed, on demobilisation, to retain certain articles of underclothing. The remainder was returned to store to be held for the purpose for which it was originally intended; some of it had to be repaired and cleaned before being returned to store, and a small portion, unfit for re-issue, was thrown up for disposal. It was not necessary to provide new clothing in replacement. I have no information regarding the sum realised by the Disposals and Liquidation Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Scots Greys are not to return to Scotland after their tour of duty in Palestine and Egypt, but are to be sent to India, he is aware that much indignation is felt in Scotland on account of this proposal; and whether he can see his way to allow Scotland to have its cavalry regiment again, as has been so often promised?

I am aware of the circumstances of the case, but, in view particularly of the recent necessary reduction in the number of cavalry regiments, it is impossible to exempt any one line regiment from taking its turn in the roster for foreign service. To take such a, course would be very unfair to the other regiments concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what local authorities in Great Britain have adopted the model bye-laws of the Ministry for slaughter-houses; and whether the Ministry proposes to take steps to require the use of a humane killer for the slaughter of animals in the slaughter-houses of local authorities who have failed to adopt the Ministry's model bye-laws?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Monday last to the hon. Member for Wirral (Mr. Stewart).

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the movement in favour of holding local conferences of all bodies interested in the question of smoke abatement; and whether he will suggest to the town councils of industrial districts the desirability of copying the example just set in this respect by the mayor of Oldham?

I am aware of the Conference proposed to be held at Oldham, and have arranged that a representative of. the Ministry shall attend. I shall be glad to encourage conferences on this subject where they are likely to serve a useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he cancelled recently the licence granted to the Express Dairy Company to sell the milk they produce at their farm at Finchley as Grade A certified milk; if so, the date that such licence was cancelled and the grounds given to the Express Dairy Company for such action; if a new licence has now been given to the company, the date of such licence, and the reason why such a licence has been granted?

Yes, Sir; the licence was revoked on the 4th July because the company had committed a breach of one of the conditions by retaining in the herd animals which had reacted to the tuberculin test, and had misinformed my Department as to the facts. I was subsequently satisfied that the restrictions imposed upon the movement of cattle, in consequence of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, rendered the observance of the condition in question extremely difficult, and that the misstatement of facts was not made with any intention to mislead, but was communicated by a clerk who acted without proper authority. A new licence was, therefore, issued on the 15th July upon an assurance being given by the company that all the prescribed conditions would be strictly complied with in future, and that steps had been taken to ensure that all communications addressed to my Department would be authorised and signed by a responsible official of the company.

asked the Minister of Health if, during the last 12 months, any guardians or ex-guardians have been appointed by boards of guardians to positions as relieving officers or temporary relieving officers; and if he has satisfied himself in every case that there were not other applicants for the positions who had greater experience of and qualifications for the work involved?

I am aware of only two such cases, and in both instances I have pointed out to the guardians the objections to such appointments. My approval is not required, however, to the appointments of individual officers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in consequence of the large reduction in wages, the tenants of the Casino Estate, Dulwich, who are practically all ex-service men, are handicapped by the heavy rent they are called upon to pay, and that there has been a reduction in the cases of the houses constructed under Government subsidies at Hartlepool, Brighton, and Lewisham, ranging from 25 per cent. to 33⅓ per cent.; and whether, taking into consideration the great hardship which the high rents of Government houses impose upon the tenants referred to on the Casino Estate, he will take the matter up with the local authorities concerned, with a view to a reduction in the rents being granted?

I am unable to agree to a reduction of rent. at the Casino Estate, as I am advised that the rents are fully justified by the level of rents prevailing in the district. It is open to the local authority to have the question in dispute referred for decision to the independent tribunal set up for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the absence of housing accommodation for the workmen employed upon the reservoir works of the Metropolitan Water Board at Ashford Common, Middlesex; is he aware that the accommodation provided is for 300 men, while the number at present employed upon the works is 1,160; that Mr. C. Rodgers, the local sanitary inspector, has repeatedly called the attention of the local authorities to the subject without result; and what action his Department is taking in the matter?

I am investigating this matter and will communicate further with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that rural postmen when on their rounds are required to carry a weight extending to 35 lbs., inclusive of letters, parcels, and waterproof cape, he will consider the advisability of providing that the conditions shall be less onerous, especially in such a hilly country as Devonshire?

Thirty-five pounds is only a, maximum limit of weight. It is already the practice to provide for a suitable reduction in the weight to be carried when the route is unduly arduous or there are any special circumstances justifying such a reduction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the Postmaster-General in 1906 stated that he was prepared to recognise any duly-constituted association or federation of postal servants and that the National Federation of Postal and Telegraph Clerks has applied for recognition, he will state the grounds why such recognition has been refused?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to questions on this subject on the 14th February and 9th May last.

asked the Postmaster-General how many sorter tracers are employed in the Post Office service; what is their aggregate rate of annual payment; what is the minimum and maximum payment; and what is the approximate annual amount of revenue realised by their detection of mistakes in charging for telegrams?

The number of sorter tracers at present employed is 132, of whom 32 are performing clerical duties. The total annual payment is at present at the rate of £37,769, but will be considerably reduced when the cost of living bonus drops on the 1st September. The minimum rate of payment is 49s. per week and the maximum 110s. per week, inclusive of bonus, both amounts being subject to reduction on the let September. Sorter tracers are not employed in detecting mistakes in charging, but in handling telegram forms for the purpose of audit and account.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that £278,000 was spent in 1921–22 for the relief of Armenian refugees in Iraq and previous to that date £900,000, he will say what sum has been spent in relieving the necessities of penniless British subjects resident within the Turkish Empire during the same period?

The expenditure defrayed in the year 1921–22 for the relief of distressed British subjects in Turkey was £17,640. Of this sum £2,850 has been repaid by the recipients.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that at the recent Assize at Lincoln city jurors were compelled to leave their business and attend the Court. from Thursday until Saturday, and that there was only one city case, of comparatively minor importance, which it was known could not be taken until the following Monday at the earliest; and whether, in view of the inconvenience and loss sustained by petty jurors by the present arrangements at Assize Courts, he will have the question reconsidered?

I am informed that the city jurors were in attendance every day from Wednesday to the following Monday and that the case in question would have been dealt with on the first day of their attendance but for the fact that some of the formalities connected with the calling of the jury had not been completed. It was not known that the case could not be reached until the following Monday and the jurors were released each day when it appeared that their services would not be required. There is always a possibility of some of the cases in the list coming to an abrupt ending and, although it may be irksome to the jurors to have to attend daily, it is frequently impossible to avoid this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that upwards of 1,000 acres of land in the parishes of Barton Stacey and Wonston, in Hampshire, have been allowed to become derelict and that noxious weeds on these lands are imperilling the cultivation of surrounding farms; and whether he will take action to ensure that immediate steps be taken to cut and destroy the weeds before they seed over the adjacent country?

The condition of the land in question has not been brought to my notice recently. I will ask the Hampshire Agricultural Committee to make an inspection and to consider the advisability of serving a statutory notice on the occupier requiring him to destroy the weeds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will invite representatives of the British Chambers of Commerce to meet representatives of German trade and banking interest in London to discuss under his chairmanship the internal and external valuation of the mark, with a view to recommending to the Reparation Committee methods of fixing German prices on a world level, and to stabilise the mark and pound values in Britain and Germany, thus improving manufactures in this country and to ensure the absorption of the unemployed in British industry?

I do not think the specific objects which my hon. Friend has in view are sufficiently practicable to justify such an invitation as he suggests.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has during the current year made any representations to any Department either as regards the numbers of the staff employed or the payment to the staff; and whether, in that case, he will state the Departments affected and the action taken as a result of the representations thus made?

As to the first part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative. The Treasury has constantly under review, in consultation with the Departments, the numbers and rates of pay of Government employés; as to the second part of the question, it is quite impracticable within the limits of this answer to give details of the actual communications which pass or of the action finally taken as a result thereof. As stated in reply to the hon. Member for Mosley on the 4th instant, the staffs of Government Departments have fallen from 386,000 on 1st June, 1921, to 350,000 on 1st June, 1922.

asked the Prime Minister what policy is adopted by the various Departments of State towards the different Reports of the Committee on Estimates; whether the economies suggested are considered; if so, by whom; how the House of Commons is to know the exact result of the recommendations of its own Committee; and whether he will give instructions that each Department is to report to the House the result of its consideration of the Report affecting its administration?

The recommendations of the Committee receive full consideration by the Departments concerned and by the Treasury. The three Reports issued recently make recommendations on one or two points only, and in due course I shall take steps to inform the House how far it has been practicable to give effect to these suggestions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the claim of Mrs. Helen B. Livingstone for compensation for the loss of her husband, who died after discharge from the mercantile marine, death being due to the effects of his vessel being torpedoed; whether the claim has been under consideration by the Treasury, to whom it was referred for decision, since 24th March last; and when a settlement may be expected?

Authority has now been received to continue the payment of a pension to Mrs. Livingstone, and she is being informed accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantities and values of the articles comprised in the Schedule to the Draft Order made by the Board of Trade in exercise of the powers conferred upon them by Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, which were imported into the United Kingdom from Germany in the months of June, 1913, and June, 1922, respectively; and the number of workers employed at home in the manufacture of the same or similar articles to those comprised in the five classes of the said Schedule, respectively, for the months of June, 1913, and June, 1922?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the weight and quantities of wrought enamelled hollowware imported into Great Britain for the years 1913, 1920, 1921, and the first half of 1922; and what proportion of these totals was of German origin;(2) the weight and quantities of glassware imported into Great Britain for the years 1913, 1920, 1921, and the first half of 1922: and what proportion of these totals was of German origin?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the total imports of aluminium ware during the first six months of this year; what proportion of these imports is of German origin;(2) how many gallons of benzole were produced in the United Kingdom during the last 12 months?

I will have the desired information circulated, as soon as it is available, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information to the effect that, without financial assistance from this country, Kenya Colony would be unlikely to be able to pay interest and sinking fund on its loans; and if he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

I have no such information, and I deprecate any such suggestion, which can only be prejudicial to the credit of the Colony at a time when, like most other parts of the world, it is feeling the effects or economic stringency and depression. The loan charges will, of course, fall to be met out of the revenues of the Colony, including that of the Uganda Railway, and, as has been previously stated, drastic steps have been and are being taken to curtail expenditure and maintain revenue. I may add, for the information of my hon. Friend, that the Kenya loan, floated last November at 95, to-day stands at 111.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state in figures what effect increased borrowings in London by foreign and Colonial Governments during the last six months has had upon our exports; and whether he will cause representations to be made to the Treasury, the Bank of England, and the London Joint Stock Banks to co-operate, and by the usual financial processes to encourage, firstly, Colonial and Empire trade, and, secondly, Allied trade before offering similar facilities to foreign countries?

It has been computed that during the first six months of the current year foreign Governments borrowed in this country only £13·1 millions as against £41·6 millions borrowed by Governments within the Empire. In the same period British exports amounted to £351·7 millions. My hon. Friend will, therefore, appreciate that the volume of capital borrowings on the London market by foreign and colonial Governments is small in relation to the value of exports, and variations in the latter totals depend on many factors. Consequently no statistical correlation can be established between the fluctuations in the two sets of figures. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it necessary to make the representations suggested by my hon. Friend, since there is no reason to suppose that the raising of loans by foreign Governments in the London money market has any prejudicial effect upon Imperial trade.