asked the Under-Secretary of State for War? whether certain officers and depots for militia units are still maintained; and what is the Government's intention in regard to the militia?

The Infantry Depots perform the combined functions of training regular and militia recruits and of providing a nucleus for militia battalions during their annual training and for mobilisation. The establishment of Infantry Depots is now under consideration in conjunction with the question of the future of the militia, as to which I am not at present in a position to make a statement. In the meantime, in view of the abnormally large number of regular recruits taken since the end of the War, the depots have been retained approximately at their pre-War establishment of 98 all ranks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any economies have been effected by the amalgamation of regimental depots; and whether further amalgamations, resulting in further economies in depot personnel, are contemplated?

The Royal Artillery Depot and Reserve Brigades have been amalgamated into one Royal Artillery Depot at Woolwich. It has been decided to amalgamate similarly the five Cavalry Depots into a combined depot at Canterbury. These amalgamations will improve the training of artillery and cavalry recruits, and at the same time effect considerable economies. The possibility of amalgamating certain Infantry Depots will not be lost sight of. In most cases, however, such amalgamation would involve large initial expenditure on building which would not be justified by the immediate savings in personnel.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what progress has been made with the provision of headquarters for the London antiaircraft brigades?

Accommodation for the artillery of one brigade remains to be provided at Putney, but otherwise sufficient accommodation is already available to enable both brigades, when recruited, to start work. The provision of the additional accommodation required at Putney and the necessary adaptation and improvement of the existing accommodation elsewhere are actively in hand.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the precise significance of the title Army agent; and whether he will consider the advisability of prohibiting its use by any banking firms, in view of the fact that the War Office has repudiated all legal responsibility for any banking business conducted by Army agents?

The present public duty of an Army agent, which is a term of very old standing and long historical development, is, broadly speaking, to distribute pay to those officers who desire to receive their pay through the agent rather than from the Paymaster. There is no necessary inconsistency 'between this public function and the private function of acting as a banker for those officers who desire it, and there is therefore no intention of forbidding the present Army agents, Messrs. Cox and Messrs. Holt, to continue to use a title which is long established and which expresses quite accurately their relationship to the War Office.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women to whom unemployment benefit was paid in the week ending on 24th November, and the total amount paid in such benefit?

Figures for 24th November are not yet available. The estimated number of males and females to whom unemployment benefit was paid in the week ended 17th November was about 980,000 and 130,000 respectively. The total amount of unemployment benefit paid in that week was £888,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Mr. William M'Canville, 64, Albert Street, Govan, has had no money from the Employment Exchange for three weeks, and has been told that he is not entitled to benefit during the fourth special period: and the grounds for refusing this man benefit?

I am making inquiries locally at once and will communicate the result as soon as possible to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether James Tiffney, 5, Sharp Street, Govan, has received no unemployment benefit since the 15th September; and whether this man is entitled to benefit under the fourth special period, as he still has 218 stamps to his credit on his U.A.I. 216 form?

I am making enquiries locally at once and will communicate the result as soon as possible to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Patrick Coyne, 800, Govan Road, Govan, has been refused benefit during the fourth special period on the ground that he did not prove to the satisfaction of the committee that he was normally employed in an insurable occupation; that this man only received five weeks' benefit during the third period, and that he is employed, when working, as a driller in Messrs. Harland and Wolff, shipbuilders, Govan: if a shipyard worker is not employed in an insurable occupation; and, if it is an insurable occupation, the reason given by the local employment committee?

I am having enquiry made at once into this case and will communicate the result as soon as possible to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can give any figures showing the loss of contributions to those approved societies covering persons engaged in segregated trades and occupations: and whether he proposes to take into consideration the serious position of such societies when the next valuation takes place?

Only a small proportion of the fifteen million persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts are members of approved societies which are confined to persons engaged in certain trades or occupations. I am aware that in some of these societies the average number of contributions per member has, during the last two years, fallen below the normal by reason of unemployment amongst the members, but the actual figures for individual societies cannot be published. The position has already been met to some extent by the National Health Insurance Act, 1922, under Section 3 of which a sum of about £250,000 will be made available to societies out of the Unclaimed Stamps Account. If, on the next valuation, a society has a deficiency which can be shown to be attributable to loss of contribution income by reason of serious unemployment amongst its members, it will be open to the society to make a claim for relief from the Central Fund.

asked the Prime Minister whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken by the Cabinet to prevent the extension road-making programme from being exploited by and in the interests of landlords whose land appreciates owing to the construction of such roads?

I have been asked to answer the question. All steps possible under existing enactments have been taken to prevent these works of public utility conferring undue benefit on adjoining landowners. As the hon. Member is aware, extensive use has been made, both by local authorities and by the Ministry of Transport, of the powers conferred by the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, under which Act regard may be had in certain cases, in the assessment of compensation, to the benefit conferred upon contiguous lands by the construction of the roads.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, the total assistance from the

		Road Fund.	Exchequer.	Local Authorities	Total.
		£	£	£	£
1920–21 Programme	…	2,790,400	1,065,800	3,205,200	7,061,400
1921–22	…	2,945,000	563,000	2,255,000	5,763,000
1922–23	…	3,816,765	—	3,816,765	7,633,530

The figures given above do not include the assistance to road works, provided from the funds at the disposal of the Unemployment Grants Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport how many road schemes for the assistance of the unemployed have as yet been authorised; and in which cases have any steps been taken to obtain the increased land values along the roads for the public?

Since the beginning of the winter of 1920–21 approximately 900 road schemes have been authorised to be put in hand for the relief

A sum of £5,350,000 has already been earmarked from the resources of the Road Fund towards the initiation this winter of new schemes which are estimated to cost in the aggregate £10,700,000. This programme has involved, not only the full commitment of existing funds, but a very substantial anticipation of future revenues.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what is the total sum spent, or authorised to be spent, for the construction of roads in connection with the relief of unemployment up to 1st November, including the amounts spent, or to be spent, by the local authority, as well as the sums advanced from the Exchequer?

The sums authorised to be spent under the existing Unemployment (Road Fund) programmes are shown in the table which follows. It should be explained that the expenditure on the part of local authorities on these schemes can only be estimated very roughly:of unemployment with assistance from the Road Fund. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question I would refer him to the answer which I have given to the hon. Member for the Burslem Division (No. 49).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, with reference to the proposed road between Liverpool and Manchester, what is the estimated cost of the land, of the labour, of the materials, and other charges: what is the length of the road; and what steps are proposed to recover for the community the increased value of the land along the road?

A rough estimate of the total cost of the proposed road, which will be nearly 27 miles in length, is £3,065,000, of which £218,000 is the estimated cost of the land. Between 50 and 60 per cent, of the total cost may be taken as representing wages paid directly to men on the work, apart from the labour engaged indirectly in the supply of materials. Should it be decided to construct the road it will probably be necessary to make use of the powers conferred by the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, under which Act regard may be had in certain cases in the assessment of compensation to the benefit conferred upon contiguous lands by the construction of the road.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, what steps the Government are taking to recoup the parish councils in Scotland for payments made to the unemployed, in view of the burden on the Poor Rate in industrial centres?

While the Government are not prepared to recoup Poor Law authorities for payments made to the unemployed, the following measures have been taken to assist them in the relief of able-bodied unemployed, namely:—

(a)Under Section 2 of the Poor Law Emergency Provisions (Scotland) Act, 1921, parish councils in Scotland are enabled to borrow, on the security of the rates, such sums for the relief of unemployment as the Scottish Board of Health may-approve, and, with the like approval, to spread the repayment over a period not exceeding five or, in very exceptional cases, 10 years.

(b)Loans from public funds may be made on the recommendation of the Goschen Committee to such councils as are unable, owing to financial difficulties, to raise the money locally. In specially hard cases a suspension of payment of interest on such loans may be allowed for a period not exceeding five years.

In addition to the foregoing direct assistance, parish councils have obtained substantial relief through the extension of unemployment benefit and the estab- lishment of relief works by local authorities, with the assistance of contributions from public funds. But for these measures the burden upon parish councils would have been much heavier.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware of the charges and assessments and the almost unanimous refusal of the citizens of New-castle-on-Tyne to meet the demands made by the water company: and if any action is being taken to inquire into this matter, so as to adjust fairly a serious grievance of the Newcastle residents?

My right hon. Friend has not received any complaints in this matter. The present charges were fixed by Parliament in an Act passed this year, and under the Act the charges cannot be revised for three years.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can state for 1914 and for 1921 the average weekly cost per head of children in workhouses and children in cottage homes, and the average weekly amount granted by way of out-relief in the case of children?

I regret that the information available is not sufficient to enable me to give a complete reply to the hon. Member's question. The average weekly cost of relief in general Poor Law institutions, as calculated per head of the inmates (children and adults), was, in the year 1920–21, 30s. 2½. The comparable amount for children, in separate institutions for children, was 28s. 4½. These sums include the cost of accommodation, food, clothing, nursing, education and the salaries, etc., of officers and attendants. Exactly comparable averages for 1913–14 are not available. The average weekly cost of out-relief as calculated per head of all persons (children and adults) in receipt of it, was, in 1913–14, 3s. O½ and in 1920–21, 7s. 4½. These averages include certain costs of administration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any resolutions protesting against the proposed Order of the Retail Bespoke Tailoring Trade Board to reduce the minimum rates of wages for male workers by 10 per cent; whether he is aware that the present wage-earning capacity of a journeyman tailor, taking a full year's working, has already reached the minimum stage; that in most cases the present log rates do not yield the Trade Board basis minimum price rate to the ordinary worker in a week of 48 hours, and that the wages have already been considerably reduced; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will withhold his sanction to the proposed Order?

The proposals to which the hon. Member refers are still under consideration by the Trade Board and it would be improper for me at this stage to express any opinion on their merits. I will, however, consider the points raised in the question, along with any others, if and when the rates are submitted to me for confirmation.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is aware that at a meeting of the Hemsworth, Yorks, Urban Council it was reported that a child had died in a house in which four families lived, and that the sanitary inspector had not served the statutory notice on the tenant of the house to abate the overcrowding because there was no other place to which the people could go; that there were 19 people living in the house, which consisted of five rooms; and what steps he proposes to take in order to enable the local authority to supply houses and avoid this overcrowding?

My attention had not previously been drawn to the case in question, but I may say that the Government are already giving financial assistance to the erection in this district and the adjoining rural district of approximately 1,200 houses of which some 350 still remain to be completed.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, when he will be in a position to state to the House the detailed policy of His Majesty's Government as to housing; whether housing will form any part of the emergency measures to deal with unemployment this winter; if so, to what extent and in what direction; whether he is aware of the serious housing conditions prevailing in Shrewsbury, as reported to the Ministry by the town council, and in other towns; and what steps he proposes to take to meet this situation throughout the country in view of the deplorable effect it is having on the rising generation, born and brought up under such conditions?

The Government have the question of policy under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to it. As regards the emergency Measures to deal with unemployment during this winter, a statement will be made in the course of the Debate on the Address.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether a number of local authorities have made use of imported tiles in the erection of houses built under the assisted housing scheme; and whether, in view of unemployment in the tile manufacturing trade, he can take steps to ensure that the use of English tiles shall be encouraged?

My right hon. Friend is confident that local authorities will realise the desirability of using English materials where they can be obtained at a price and of a quality which compare favourably with the foreign article. They will certainly receive the support of my right hon. Friend's Department in doing so.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Alfred Morris, a working man, who was ordered by the Shoreditch County Court, on account of a technical error in the notice of increase of rent, to repay many months' overcharge of rent to his tenant; whether he is aware that the judge strongly condemned the present provisions of the Rent Restrictions Act, which compelled him to order the repayment of rent justifiably charged and paid many months ago; that unless help is forthcoming Mr. Morris will have to break up his home and sell all that he possesses; and whether he can hold out any hope of an early amendment of the Rent Restrictions Act?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to this case. The Government hope to be in a position to make a statement on the general question at ah early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions how long a disabled soldier can draw a conditional pension; and what statutory limitation exists?

No statutory limitation exists as regards the renewal of pension on a conditional or temporary basis. Parliament, however, gave me power in the War Pensions Act of last year to make final awards, and decreed that every case in which a conditional pension had been drawn for four years or more should be considered for a final award. This is now being carried out, and a large number of final awards have been made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the battleship "Hibernia," of the King Edward VII class, which cost upwards of a million sterling to build and equip, has been sold to Germany for breaking up; if there are a number of well-qualified firms in this country who could have undertaken the work, which would have been the means o of finding employment for a number of British workmen; and if he will take action in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of to-day to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the statement on page 156a of the current Navy Estimates, that the scales of salaries and allowances at the Admiralty are fixed by the Treasury, he is aware that, according to page 171 of the same publication, the Deputy-Director of Dockyards, who is a civil servant, is paid a salary less by approximately £600 per annum than that of the Assistant Director, who is a naval officer; whether the grade of Deputy-Director is superior to that of Assistant Director; whether this anomalous state of affairs, whereby the junior official receives a remuneration greatly in excess of that paid to his senior, is due to the much larger increases over pre-War rates of pay which naval officers have received as compared with civil servants: and, if not, to what cause is it to be attributed?

I have been asked to reply. The appointment of Assistant Director of Dockyards is at present held by an engineer rear-admiral, whose emoluments exceed by, approximately, £600 a year the salary payable to the Deputy Director, who ranks as superior to the Assistant Director for administrative purposes. It is the fact, as the hon. Member suggests, that the average increase over pre-War rates payable at present to naval officers is in excess of the average increase payable in the case of the administrative and clerical Civil Service. In the present instance, however, the primary explanation of the apparent discrepancy lies in the fact that naval officers employed at the Admiralty are paid on the basis of the emoluments appropriate to their naval rank rather than salaries fixed solely on the basis of the importance and responsibility of their posts: and the comparison would, therefore, vary according as the naval engineer officer appointed as Assistant Director of Dockyards happened to V of rear-admiral's or lower rank.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many arable dairy farms his Ministry is now carrying on; and what profit or loss was shown in their balance sheets in the aggregate for the year 1920–21 and 1921–22 on all the arable dairy farms which his Department has had in hand during that period?

Three arable dairy farms are now being conducted for experimental purposes by the Ministry. The balance sheets for these farms for the two yeans 1920–21 and 1921–22 show an aggregate loss of £6,631 13s. 3d. Six similar farms which had been started by the Ministry were given up in 1920–21, owing to the necessity for economy in public expenditure and to the difficulty and expense of erecting buildings. The total loss shown by the final balance sheets of these six farms, which were given up in their initial stages, was £6,569 11s. 1d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give figures showing to what extent the lowest rate paid to farm labourers in the Eastern Counties is lower in purchasing power than the rate paid to the same class of labourers in 1913?

The lowest rate commonly paid in certain Eastern Counties at the present time to ordinary agricultural labourers is 25s. per week which, taking the cost of living at 80 per cent above the pre-War level, is equal to about 14s. in 1914. The wages in 1913–14 in these Eastern Counties are believed to have averaged about 14s. 6d. including allowances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will recommend the advisability of exempting agricultural machinery and implements from the operation of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

It would not be practicable to make the suggested alteration. But if any application of the kind were to be received and referred to a Committee, the Board of Trade in considering the Report of such Committee would of course take into account the effect of an Order upon British agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport when the electrification of the Midland line to Tilbury and Southend will commence?

This important matter has been under consideration, but the railway company are not in a position to make any definite proposals. In any case, the Minister of Transport has no compulsory powers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, in considering relief works to be undertaken to relieve unemployment, he will consider the restoration of the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway, seeing that the closing of this line has seriously affected the agricultural industry in the district and added to unemployment, and that profit on the working of the line would be assured by running it as a motor halt service thus saving the cost of staffs at the stations on the line?

I have carefully considered this question, but, as the hon and gallant Member was previously informed, this line was run at a loss during the whole of the 16 years that it was in use. During the period of Government control it was considered that the Minister would not be justified in pressing the company to restore the services. The company have now given notice of a Bill for the abandonment of this section of the undertaking, and I do not feel able to ask them to reconsider this decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the dangerous overcrowding which prevails, morning and evening, on the District Railway from Barking to the City; and whether, in order to put an end to this condition of affairs, he will ask the Treasury to find the necessary capital for enlarging the present railway and also construct a new tube from the City to Poplar, Canning Town, and North Woolwich, and thus remove the present congestion and also provide employment for the workless?

I have been asked to answer this question. As the hon. Member is aware, the Underground Railways are making every effort to reduce overcrowding. I am not aware that any scheme such as that proposed has been prepared.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Irish civil servants who have not resigned before the 6th December will have the benefit of a British guarantee for their pensions?

On 19th December last the then Leader of the House gave an undertaking, in reply to a question addressed to him in this House, that His Majesty's Government would be the guarantor of the pensions awarded to civil servants and other officials who might come within the terms of Article 10 of the Treaty. I am not aware of any words in that Article which could be held to require that, in order to benefit by its terms, a civil servant must resign before 6th December next.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the approximate total sum of pre-truce claims and post-truce claims, respectively, in Southern Ireland; what is the total amount actually paid by the Provisional Government or Irish local authorities to date; what, if any, amount has been paid by the British Government in respect of damage done by British forces in Southern Ireland; and what guarantee has been given by the Southern Irish Government with regard to the payment of any claims still outstanding, and when will such claims be paid?

As regards pre-truce claims, I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement which I made in reply to questions on this subject addressed to me on the 27th instant. I have no information regarding the approximate total sum of post-truce claims.

asked the under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that ex-service men appointed by examination to the position of officers of Customs and Excise in Dublin were, upon the signing of the Irish Peace Treaty, given a definite promise that they were to regard themselves as acting temporarily for the Free State Government, and that upon ratification of the Free State Constitution they would be allowed to choose between taking permanent service under the Irish Free State or of continuing elsewhere under the jurisdiction of the English Government: whether English Customs officers in Dublin are now being given to understand that they will have no choice whatsoever in the matter of transfer back to this country, and that they will, as from the 6th December, be permanently assigned to the Free State Government: and whether, if the promise were made as alleged, he will see that the pledge is kept to the English Customs officers serving in Dublin?

In view of the special position of officers of Customs and Excise as a "common service" class, the members of which are removable from time to time from one part of the United Kingdom to another as required, it is not proposed to transfer permanently to the service of the Irish Free State those officers who are now employed in Southern Ireland and who have declined to volunteer for such service. Such officers will be lent to the Irish Free State for a term and will thereafter be taken back into the Imperial Customs and Excise Service. I am not aware of any promise such as that referred to in the first part of the question by my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the conflicting reports received from Australia in connection with immigration schemes; and whether he has received any reports to the effect that trades and labour councils throughout Australia have issued protests against these schemes on the ground that there is already unemployment in that country?

I am aware of the criticism of certain trades and labour councils in Australia on immigration schemes, but I believe this criticism is based on a complete misapprehension as to the scope and policy of the Empire Settlement Act. Under that Act it is not proposed to assist industrial workers to proceed overseas in search of industrial employment in towns, but is directed to the settlement of suitable persons on undeveloped land. All such schemes are undertaken on the recommendation of, and after full consultation with, the responsible Governments of the Dominions concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a bookmaker's business has been registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts under the title of the National Co-operative Turf Association, Limited: whether he is satisfied that the objects of this association are such as properly come within the terms of the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts: and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The association referred to was registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, on 14th September, 1922, for the purpose of carrying on the businesses of commission agents, bookmakers and turf accountants, and of betting at starting price odds or any other system. The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies informs me that he gave this case the most careful consideration, and came to the conclusion that there was no legal ground on which he could refuse to register it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the pension and the War bonus paid to Consuls-General who retired before 1917?

A Consul-General who retired before 1917 would be entitled to superannuation under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1914, based on his salary (i.e., in most cases on a salary of £900, £1,000 or £1,200) and on his years of service. He would not be entitled to any supplementary pension.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the agreement between staff associations and the Treasury in regard to the employment of writing assistants in the Civil Service provided that where arrangements could be made so as to secure that clerical officers should not be employed on mechanical work for more than 12 months writing assistants need not be employed, he will say why in the Tea Accounts Branch of the Customs, where this condition is fulfilled, it has been decided, despite the disagreement of the staffs affected, to introduce writing assistants; and whether the Treasury will see to it that the terms of the agreement made by the staffs are honourably carried out?

I am informed that it is not practicable to arrange the work in the Tea Accounts Branch of the Customs so as to secure that clerical officers should not be employed on mechanical work for more than 12 months, and that accordingly the condition referred to by the hon. Member is not fulfilled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has agreed to meet a deputation from the Temporary Staff Confederation (Civil Servants): if so, when: and whether he will agree to the appointment of an arbitrator to decide the matter in dispute unless settled by agreement?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have decided that no useful purpose would be served by my receiving the deputation referred to, and the Temporary Staff Confederation has been so informed. I am not-prepared to agree that the matter in dispute should be referred to an arbitrator.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Industrial Court has recently been permitted to hear an appeal from His Majesty's dockyard manipulative workers against wage cuts, which was dismissed by that court; whether up to now the Treasury has refused to allow a similar appeal from the professional and clerical temporary women civil servants to go before the Industrial Court; and upon what grounds this distinction has been made, in view of the fact that the latter appellants have in many cases to support others on even lower wages than those paid to the former?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As stated by my predecessor in this House on the 27th July last, the Industrial Courts Act, as applicable alike to workmen in outside industry and to civil employés of the Crown, provides for arbitration by consent of both parties. The circumstances of the two cases referred to by my hon. Friend and of the proceedings which led up to a request for arbitration were widely dissimilar: and I can discover no reasonable foundation for an assumption that, because in one of the two cases it was decided to agree to arbitration, the same procedure should necessarily or appropriately have been adopted in the other case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury will accept and act upon the recommendation of the Select Committee on Public Accounts, and require all Departments to furnish to their Lordships and the Comptroller and Auditor-General annual lists showing the amounts outstanding in suspense accounts at a given date, in order that this matter may be kept under special review?

Steps have already been taken to carry into effect the recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in respect of the taxation of salaries, wages, houses, land, etc., arrangements will be so re-organised as to secure upon one form the total liabilities of the taxpayer, and such arrangements as will ensure against such overlapping as at present exists by demands from differently situated Income Tax offices for the same tax?

The case which my hon. Friend has in mind is presumably that in which a taxpayer has several sources of income—possibly in different parts of the country—and therefore receives a number of demands for the payment of Income Tax. The issue of more than one demand in such circumstances is rendered necessary by the system of taxation of income at the source which, as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, is a vital factor in maintaining the yield of the Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average age at which civil servants of the higher division and naval and military officers, respectively, commence to draw pay from public funds; and whether the greater part of the cost of educating a naval or military cadet is borne by public funds, whereas candidates from the higher division of the Civil Service have normally to be maintained at a university until the age of 22 at their parents' charges?

The average ages at which civil servants of the first division and naval and military officers, respectively, commence to draw pay from public funds are as follow:

• Civil servants, 23 to 24.
• Naval officers (midshipmen), 18.
• Military officers, 19 to 20.

The greater part of the cost of the naval or military education of a cadet is borne by public funds. No charge falls on public funds in respect of first division civil servants as prospective candidates for the Civil Service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any proposals in mind for obtaining by direct taxation revenue necessary to meet tho burden of the National Debt, reduce the volume of the National Debt so as to relieve trade and industry of the heavy burden of taxation, direct and indirect, and relief of the poor from indirect taxation on food?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the Budget statement for next year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the quantity of the various cloths, woollen and cotton, recently placed on the market by the Disposal Board; what was its original value; and what is the price now received for if?

I would refer the hon. Member to Command Paper 1640 presented to Parliament in June last, from which it will be seen that the bulk of the textile goods surplus, and to become surplus up to the 31st March next, were sold in September, 1921. Apart from the stocks sold under the above contract, certain textiles have become available owing to the default of a contractor whose deposit has been estreated, and these textiles are now being sold. The preparation of the return required by the hon. Member would necessitate considerable clerical labour, involving expense which, with the depleted staffs now available, could not be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the statement published in the Auditor-General's last Report that the State printing factory at Harrow has sustained a loss of £32,000 in 9$ months, it is proposed to continue this establishment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 27th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridgc (Lieut.-Colonel Spender Clay) on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money that has been advanced by this country to Austria since the Armistice; and whether it has been advanced as a gift or as a loan, if the latter how much interest has been paid thereon, and what security is held in this country for the capital amount?

Loans amounting to approximately £12,200,000 have been made to Austria by this country since the Armistice against bonds in the form approved by the International Committee for Relief Credits or as regards £2.250,000 on Austrian Treasury Bill. The advances; are secured on the revenues and assets of Austria and as regards the £2,250,000 specifically on the Gobelin Tapestries. In view of the financial condition of Austria no interest has been paid.

asked the. Prime Minister if he will give the instances of gifts of public property, made under Parliamentary or other authorities since November, 1918, specifying the character of the gift, giving the name of the recipient, and the capitalised value of such gift?

Information as to all gifts made otherwise than under direct Votes of Parliament is included on the Appropriation Accounts of the respective Departmental Votes. In the circumstances it does not seem worth while to compile a return, covering the past four years, which would involve considerable research.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the 27 men in certain cantonments in India who, according to the published communiqué of the Government of India of August last, were found tampering with the loyalty of Indian troops, were simply expelled from those cantonments instead of being tried and sentenced by the cantonment authorities?

I regret I am unable to inform the hon. and gallant Member why the authorities did not try the 27 men who during the last three years were expelled from cantonments. There is, however, no doubt in my mind that they must have considered whether trial or expulsion was more suitable, and have exercised their discretion accordingly. If the hon. and gallant Member has any evidence that in any particular case criminal prosecution would have been more appropriate than mere expulsion, I shall be prepared to forward it for the consideration of the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Legislative Assembly, as stated in the Indian Press, have so altered the Government Bill providing penalties for inciting to disaffection among the Indian police as to render it practically useless as a deterrent, he will say what steps it is proposed to take in the matter to secure due punishment to those convicted?

The Legislative Assembly have, as the hon. and gallant Member states, passed the Bill in a less drastic form. I consider it would be improper for me to criticise their action in doing so. I may add that the Governor-General has assented to the Act as passed. If the Government of India find it inadequate in its working, they will presumably take steps to introduce an amending Bill.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that British journals of 14th October were only delivered in Toronto on 8th November: what was the reason for the delay; and what steps are being taken to prevent its recurrence?

British newspapers of the 14th of October, which were sent at the printed papers' rate, were despatched by the "Majestic" on the 18th of October, and arrived in Toronto on the 25th: while those newspapers, which were prepaid at the cheap magazine post rate, were sent by the "Empress of Britain" on the 19th, and arrived in Toronto on the 28th of October. I regret that the delay of the individual packets to which the hon. and gallant Member refers cannot at present be accounted for, but the matter is being further investigated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will authorise local postmasters to deliver letters and parcels addressed to Parliamentary candidates and election agent^* on Sundays, upon their application at the post office during the period of an election?

The delivery of letters and parcels on Sunday, either from house to house or to callers at the post office, has been wholly discontinued. I regret that I cannot make any exception in the case of correspondence addressed to Parliamentary candidates or their agents, as it would necessitate opening, specially the offices concerned, on Sunday morning and sorting the whole of the mails on hand.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government is now in a position to introduce at an early date a Bill to deal with industrial assurance on the lines of the Report of the Parmoor Committee?

This question will have to be considered by the Government, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the values of the imports and exports in 1913 and 1921 between the United Kingdom and Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, respectively, in the case of Austria-Hungary giving the figures for 1921 for the States which were formerly within the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

In order to furnish the particulars of trade between the United Kingdom and the States which have been constructed from the territories of the former German, Russian and Austro - Hungarian Empires, it is necessary to extend the scope of the statistical survey so as to include Rumania and Serbia. The following statement presents particulars of imports and exports from and to these countries in 1913 and 1921. The trade with Alsace-Lorraine, with southern Slesvig, and with the Trentino, included in the figures for 1913, is not included in those for 1921.In considering these figures, it must be borne in mind that, for 1921–

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the export trade in yards of cloth known as low woollen cloths and in tons of rags and shoddy were in the months ending October, 1920, 1921, and 1922?

It is not possible to give particulars of exports of low woollen cloths, as exporters are not required to specify such cloths separately. During the 10 months ended October, 1920, 1921, and 1922 the quantities of rags and shoddy registered as exported from the United Kingdom were as follow:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the sums advanced by the Government under the Export Credits Scheme has actually fallen or is estimated to fall as a liability upon the Government?

The total of the advances made under the Export Credits Scheme amounts to £1,750,154, of which £193,309 has been repaid up to the present date, while a considerable proportion of the remainder is not yet due for repayment. No advance can yet be stated to be definitely irrecoverable. A reserve fund against eventual losses under the scheme (including guarantees as well as advances) has been formed out of commission and premia, and now amounts to about £200,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the needs of fishermen and others, he will take steps to have a buoy replaced on the Rannie Rocks, off Looe Island, near Looe?

I understand from the Corporation of Trinity House that a buoy to mark these rocks would be of no benefit to general navigation. The cost of placing and maintaining it could not therefore be imposed on the General Lighthouse Fund, but is a matter for the consideration of the local authority, the Looe Harbour Commissioners, with whom, I am informed, the Corporation of Trinity House are in communication.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take with reference to the representations made by the Devon Sea Fisheries and other bodies protesting against the proposed new by-laws relating to the Penlee and Bovisand artillery ranges; and whether he will secure modification of these by-laws so that the interests of the fishermen of Cawsand, Looe and Polperro might be properly safeguarded?

I have been asked to answer this question. Enquiry is being made of the local military authorities, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the President, of the Board of Trade whether a tax is imposed by certain foreign Governments upon foreign shipowners who have ship repair work earned out in British shipyards; if so, what is the percentage; and will the Government consider the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry into the possibility of effecting a speedy return of British ships to British yards for their repair work and so at once absorb a considerable number of unemployed workmen?

In some foreign countries, including the United States of America, France and Spain, a special duty is charged on repairs to national ships effected in non-national yards. The amount of the duty varies. Since the relevant facts are known both to the trade and to the Government. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a Special Committee of Enquiry, but I should be much obliged if my hon. Friend would furnish me with any suggestions he has to make on the matter.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Committee set up under the chairmanship of the Hon. Mr. Justice Rigby Swift to consider the question of taking away the assizes from certain towns will continue to function; and, if so, whether he will undertake that, when the case of removing the assizes for the North and East Ridings of the County of York from York to Leeds is under consideration, the chairmen of quarter sessions for the said Ridings may be heard by the Committee in opposition to such removal?

In answer to the first part of the question, Mr. Justice Rigby Swift's Committee was appointed to consider what re-arrangements of the Circuits of the Judges can be effected so as to promote economy and the greater despatch of the business of the High Court. The Government have requested the Committee to continue its duties. In answer to the second part, the Government cannot give an undertaking as to what evidence the Committee will consider it necessary to hear, but I am confident that before reporting they will take all such means as are available for informing their minds upon the subjects of their reference, and if the hon. Member anticipates that any such proposals as those which he suggests are likely to be considered seriously by the Committee, his best course would be to communicate with the secretary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the Miners' Welfare Fund, the Mines Department issued an inquiry concerning banking facilities, which was sent only to Messrs. Barclays, Lloyds, the London County, Westminster, and Parr's, the London Joint, City, and Midland, the National Provincial and Union, the Liverpool and Martin's, and Williams, Deacons banks; whether, subsequently, a circular was issued to district welfare committees giving the terms proposed by these banks; and on what grounds the inquiry as to banking terms was confined to the five banks in question?

The facts are as stated in the question. The banks named were selected as being representative of the banking interest in order to ascertain whether certain banking facilities (including the allowance of interest on credit balances on current accounts) could be secured for local allocations from the Miners' Welfare Fund;? it would obviously have been neither possible nor desirable to address an inquiry to every bank in the Kingdom. But district committees have been informed that accounts may be opened with any bank that will accord the same facilities.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many mines were Hooded on the occasion of the great coal strike, and how many have since been brought into operation again; and whether any computation has been made as to the number of working days lost through this destruction of property?

The damage to coal mines from water on the occasion referred to varied widely in extent and no precise figure can be given of the number of mines flooded. According to the information in my Department, there are still about a dozen mines affected by water trouble during the stoppage which have not since been reopened. I am afraid it would be impossible without elaborate inquiry to compute the working time lost.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will give a return showing the nationality of the men working in the Scottish mines?

The information desired is not at present available, and, until the work on the recent census is further advanced, it could only be obtained at a trouble and expense which could hardly be justified by the value of the result From figures which may be taken as approximately correct,' the proportion of miners in Scotland of alien nationality appears to be slightly in excess of 1 per cent.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the wages cost per ton of coal disposable commercially for each month and for each district since the present mode of regulating wages in the mining industry was established: and will he give the alterations in wages that were made in each district and at each ascertainment?

As regards the first part of the question, the only information available is published in the Quarterly Statistical Summaries Com: mand Papers numbered 1597, 1720, 1726 and 1759, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member. A similar statement for the quarter ended 30th September, 1922, will be available shortly. The second part of the question involves a long statistical statement, and I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, include it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.