asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that there are a number of retired senior officers of His Majesty's forces with considerable service pensions employed in administrative positions in the Ministry of Pensions, carrying full-time administrative salaries, he will now give instructions that ex-officers and men who have fought in His Majesty's forces during the War, who have held administrative posts for several years in other Government Departments, and whose services are now, or will shortly, become redundant, shall be considered with a view to immediate substitution in such posts where their past successful administrative abilities might render them specially suitable?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The retired senior officers mentioned are employed in responsible positions for which they are specially suitable. Proposals are under consideration which may lead to a reduction in their numbers in the near future, but I am satisfied that any further change, such as their substitution by persons who have no experience of pensions administration, would at this stage not be in the interests of the pensioners.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he> is aware that, in the case of Service patients, the Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the machinery of administration of the Ministry of Pensions specially stated that in the matter of food county and county borough asylums will not compare favourably with Ministry hospitals, and that the same Report recommended that ex-service wings should be provided at such asylums as if the separate wing were a military hospital; what measures have been taken to meet these recommendations, dated January, 1921; and what would be the estimated annual expense of retransferring and maintaining mentally afflicted patients recently transferred from the Ministry of Pensions to the Poor Law guardians?

I understand that, since the date of the Report of the Departmental Committee, there has been a very satisfactory improvement in the quality of the food supplied to patients in these asylums. With regard to the reservation of separate wings of asylums for Service patients, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the Debate in this House on the 29th November. I am not in a position to answer the last part of the question until I know the precise number of cases involved.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that disabled ex-service men are being dismissed from the Accountant-General's department of the Admiralty in priority to non-disabled men, contrary to the recommendation of the Lytton Committee, thus causing hardship to the men during the period elapsing before re-allocation; and whether he is prepared to inquire into the matter with a view to ensuring that the recommendations of the Lytton Committee are carried out?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 6th instant to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Cassels).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of ex-service men placed on the land in connection with the various Government schemes, and the number who still remain there; and whether he has data to show that any of them and, if so, how many, have succeeded in making a livelihood?

The total number of ex-service men placed on the land by the Ministry and by local authorities since the Armistice is 16,493. As regards the Ministry's farm settlements, 21 ex-service men out of 485 provided with land have given up their holdings. The Ministry has no precise information as to how many of the ex-service men settled by local authorities have given up their holdings, but it believes that the proportion is considerably smaller than on the Ministry's own estates. Although the bad seasons and the agricultural depression have unfortunately placed smallholders, in common with all agriculturists, in an exceedingly difficult position financially, the Ministry has every reason for thinking that the large majority of the men settled will succeed in making a satisfactory livelihood.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of ex-service men settled on the land under the Land Settlement Act; the conditions as to rental under which such men have been settled; the average size of holding; and the number of applications not yet dealt with?

In reply to the first and last parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given yesterday to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Simpson). In reply to the second part of the question, the rents of the holdings have been fixed in accordance with Section 11 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act at the best sum that can reasonably be obtained. This, in effect, is the fair rent for the holding, irrespective of the expenditure incurred in the purchase of the land or the provision of the house, buildings, water supply, fencing, etc. The average size of the holdings provided is 14·3 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, owing to the fall in value of all agriculture produce, the rents charged the ex-service smallholders are out of all proportion to the present value of their holdings, and that their financial position is desperate; and if, in order to prevent the land settlement scheme from becoming a complete failure, he will cause these holdings to be revalued?

I am aware that, in common with other tenants of agricultural land, ex-service smallholders are suffering as a result of the agricultural depression. To meet the situation, councils, with the Ministry's approval, have granted, and are granting, abatements of rent whenever they consider that such relief is desirable. In addition, a large number of holdings in different parts of the country, including those in my hon. and gallant Friend's constituency, have been, and are being, re-valued and the rents reduced. The conditions vary considerably from county to county, and the Ministry has accordingly left to the discretion of each local authority the date at which revision, where necessary, should be carried out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that His Majesty's Treasury adopted in August, 1921, the recommendation of Lord Lytton's Committee that a competition should be held in the summer of that year for ex-service candidates, between 30 and 40 years of age, at present temporarily employed in Government Departments, with a view to the selection of some of them to fill vacancies in the administrative class, but that this competition has not yet been held, although vacancies in this class have since been filled from other sources, and some of the temporary administrative officers in question are at present under notice of dismissal, he will now cause this competition to be held without further delay, in order that a list of successful candidates may be prepared in order of merit, as selected, and that from this list may be filled vacancies in the administrative class, as and when they occur, up to the number of vacancies in this class which have already been filled from other sources since the date of the adoption of the Lytton Report, 1921?

I beg to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the' answer which I gave him on the 28th Nov ember. I need only add that it is undesirable to hold a competition until vacancies are in sight, and that the claims of any of the officers concerned to compete for permanent appointment will not be prejudiced should their temporary employment come to an end.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to his statement that three fresh appointments of women are about to be made to fill vacancies in the administrative class of the Civil Service, he will state what precisely in the nature of the duties attaching to these three vacant posts renders them appropriate to be filled by women, but not appropriate to be filled from the class of ex-service temporary administrative officers, between 30 and 40 years of age, some of whom are at present under notice of dismissal, and the selection of some of whom by means of a competition to fill the vacancies in the administrative class, in accordance with the recommendations of the Lytton Report, 1921, as adopted by His Majesty's Treasury, is now long overdue?

It is impossible within the limits of question and answer to describe satisfactorily the duties of particular posts, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the three posts concerned are specially appropriate to be filled by women. The extent to which the claims of women to equality of opportunity have to give way to those of ex-service men is shown by the fact that of some 200 vacancies since midsummer of 1919 it has only been possible to fill a maximum of three by women.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the question of married women employed in Government Departments whose husbands are in full-time occupations; and whether he will exercise such discrimination as will lead to the employment of many ex-service men who are now idle?

Established women officers are, under the Regulations approved by this House on the 5th August, 1921. normally required to resign their appointments on marriage. The Lytton Committee, in paragraph 14 (3) of its First Interim Report, recommended that, save where such action would entail considerable hardship or be seriously prejudicial to the efficiency of the Department, the services of all married women, temporarily employed, should be dispensed with. Action has been taken on these lines, and I am not aware of any cases of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to give the public an easy means of knowing which employers are and which are not on the Roll of Honour, he will make arrangements with the Post Office authorities whereby a distinguishing mark should in future be printed in all telephone directories opposite the names of members of the Roll of Honour?

This suggestion has previously been investigated, and I am afraid it is not a practicable one.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as four years have now elapsed since the Armistice was signed, it would be possible to finally examine all service men in receipt of disability pensions so that the pensions to which they are entitled may be made permanent, thus saving these men from the anxiety of repeated examinations by medical boards; and whether these medical boards and the staffs employed to issue the pensions could then be dispensed with, and the pensions paid to the recipients through the Post Office?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Stone Division of Stafford (Mr. Lamb) on the 30th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Gunner William Benn, No. 216287, of the Royal Field Artillery, who attested 11th December. 1915, was called up January, 1917, sent overseas within three months, discharged May, 1919, and in August, 1922, was admitted to the Graylingwell Asylum, Chichester, as suffering from mental trouble; if he is aware that this man has claimed a pension on the ground that his mental condition has been brought about by sunstroke in Mesopotamia; that previous to joining the Army he was a member of the local fire brigade, and no trace of mental deficiency or lunacy has been found in his record before joining up: and, in these circumstances, will the Ministry reconsider the case and grant this man's wife and dependants an allowance?

The Pensions Appeal Tribunal having confirmed the decision of the Ministry that the disability in respect of which this man claimed pension is neither due to nor worsened by service, I regret that the case cannot be re-opened.

asked the Minister of Pensions when a disability pension has been awarded to a disabled officer by what method is the disability pension paid to the officer: and is it paid without application by the officer?

Disability retired pay authorised by the Ministry of Pensions is paid by the Paymaster-General, who issues the necessary drafts to the officer. The officer is notified of the award by the Ministry and, at the same time, is supplied with a form on which to apply to the Paymaster-General.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a man who lost a limb in the War is entitled to a lump sum as compensation in addition to his pension?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the special allowance for tuberculosis made to John Gawith, late of the Grenadier Guards, and now of Bbury Bridge, has been stopped; why this was done; and whether, considering the very serious condition of this man's health, he will cause immediate inquiries to be made with a view to the restoration of the special allowance?

The circumstances of this case were not found to justify an additional allowance for special diet. The man is receiving suitable medical treatment, with allowances for himself and family amounting to £3 15s. 4d. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions the results of the experimental system of decentralisation re pensions administration recently introduced into Scotland?

No administrative inconvenience has been experienced from the decentralisation of the issue of Scottish pensions to Scotland, and I have no evidence that the issue of pensions in that country is more efficient than in other parts of the Kingdom served by the Pension Issue Office in London.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the pensions granted to parents of deceased soldiers and sailors are subject to deduction when the recipients reach the age of 70, and the old age pension is paid to them?

Pensions granted by my Department on a basis of need are subject to adjustment if the pensioner's circumstances improve by any access of income from whatever source.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to sanction the extension of the provisions of the Report of Admiral Jerram's Committee, dated 27th March, 1920, to all pre-War Army and Navy pensioners as recommended by Article 51 of the said Report?

I regret that I am unable to entertain this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has recently received an increased number of complaints as to the slowness characterising the transaction of business in the Issue Department; and, if so, the reasons?

I am glad to say that, generally speaking, the number of complaints relating to the work of the Issue Office shows a satisfactory decrease, but there has recently been some slight dislocation of the business of that office during the change to a new system of filing. This change is now practically complete, and I do not anticipate any further difficulty.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total cost of the new-Pensions Issue Department at Acton; the number of staff employed, male and female, respectively; and whether the concentration of business thus effected caused any increase or decrease in the numbers of those employed on the same sort of work previous to the erection of the building?

The total cost of the staff of Pension Issue Office at Acton during the financial year 1922–23 is estimated approximately a I £725,000. The staff now employed there comprises 593 males and 4,214 females, making a total of 4,807. The concentration of business caused some decrease in the numbers employed previous to the erection of the building, but the exact number cannot be stated as it is indistinguishable from the decrease due to reduction of work.

asked the Minister of Pensions what were the expenses incurred during the period 1st July, 1921, to 1st July, 1922, by the Irish Medical Board in Dublin in subsistence and travelling allowances paid to officers and men; and what was the total amount of pensions paid during the above period?

About £13,500 was paid for travelling expenses and subsistence allowances during the period mentioned. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available, nor could it be obtained without considerable inquiry and analysis which I am not prepared to impose on my staff.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish a detailed list of the cost of the officials at Newhaven engaged in connection with the aliens examination for the years 1913 and 1921?

In 1913 the cost was as follows: Immigration staff, £600 (approximately): medical inspector, £300; interpreter, £118 14s. 6d.; immigration boards, £200 (approximately).In 1921 the cost was: Immigration staff. £2,004 5s.; medical inspector, £733; nurse in attendance, £156.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men were recruited during the late War from workhouses and prisons, and the number of those recruited, if any, from among the inmates of asylums provided for the reception and maintenance of persons certified or registered as feebleminded or mentally deficient?

As I informed the hon. Member on 4th instant, the information he requires is not recorded on the documents of any soldier, and I am not in possession of it

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Knightsbridge Barracks are permanently to be occupied by troops; the value of these premises; and whether, in the interests of economy, he will consider disposing of the site and buildings?

Knightsbridge Barracks will be required for probably the next two years to accommodate a half battalion of Foot Guards who cannot be accommodated in Wellington Barracks during the partial rebuilding there. At present, therefore, the question of the future disposal of Knightsbridge Barracks cannot usefully be taken up. I am not in a position to give a valuation of the site.

asked the. Financial Secretary to the War Office the total number of officers, non-commissioned officers and men sent to the Near East as reinforcements of the command of General Harington during the months of August, September, and October, 1922, respectively; how many of them were sent from home stations and how many from other stations overseas; what was the cost of transport; and what is the estimated increased cost per day to cover the field pay, allowances, equipment, ammunition, etc., during the maintenance of these reinforcements in the Near East?

It would not be in the public interest to give this information at present

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of expediting the final payments of prize money to the lower deck; and what action the Admiralty is taking in that direction?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather) on the 5th and 6th December, and to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 6th December. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Admiralty are paying the claims as rapidly as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain the continued delay in paying out prize money; how many persons are engaged in scrutinising the claims and in actually paying out the prize money, including those at the Admiralty and at the naval oases and depots; and what is the total number of officers and men who are entitled to receive prize money?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there has been no avoidable delay in the distribution of prize money. The final payment commenced in the last week of April, 1922, and, as was stated in this House on the 15th March,- it was anticipated that it would extend over a period of at least nine months. Notwithstanding the very considerable interference with the scheme of payment as advertised in order to give priority to large numbers of necessitous claimants, the distribution has proceeded faster than was anticipated and more rapidly than the first instalment. It is now approaching completion, and claims for the last two letters of the alphabet will be invited by the middle of this month. The Branch of the Admiralty charged with the examination and payment of prize claims comprises 183 persons, who are, however, responsible also for all the miscellaneous work in connection with the Prize Fund and for Medal Service Records. There is no prize staff at the Naval bases and depots borne for this purpose. Exclusive of members of Overseas Naval Forces about 440,000 officers and men are entitled to prize money. I may add that in addition to the number given above, a very large number of claims from officers and men who are not entitled to share have had to be investigated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men leaving Chatham Dockyard on superannuation or bonus have to wait a long time before they can get a settlement, thereby being obliged in many cases to borrow money at a ruinous rate of interest; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the method by which these awards are paid with a view to speeding up the system and obviating this unnecessary hardship?

It is, unfortunately, true that during the period of heavy discharges on reduction through which Chatham Dockyard, and other dockyards, have recently passed it was not possible with the staff available to deal as promptly as could have been desired with these cases, and some delay inevitably arose. Where, however, representations were made by or on behalf of any man concerned to the effect that: hardship was being inflicted, special arrangements were made for payment of an advance. Now that conditions are approaching the normal the time taken to deal with these cases is much less, but if my hon. Friend will supply me with particulars of any instances where there appears to have been undue delay, I shall be happy to have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to statements that there is some intention not to confine sales at the British Empire Exhibition to the products and manufactures of the Empire, but to extend them to those of other countries: and whether, having regard to the guarantee given by His Majesty's Government, he will insist that only goods produced and manufactured within the Empire shall be sold at the exhibition?

As I informed the hon. Member for Cardiff Central (Mr. Gould) yesterday, I have been invited by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, with the full concurrence of the British Empire Exhibition, to investigate questions which have arisen with regard to the use of materials and supplies of Empire origin and other matters in order that the Government and Parliament may be placed in possession of the true facts of the case. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will be prepared to await the result of my inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the feeling in the country that the protection of the consumer with regard to the sale of bread by weight, under Part I of the Sale of Food Order, should be made permanent by legislation; and whether the Government will now redeem the pledges given on this matter by re-introducing the Sale of Bread Bill which was before the House last Session?

The consumer remains, until the end of next year, under the protection of the Order, which was continued in force by the Expiring Laws Act, 1922. Early consideration will be given to the question of introducing a Bill on the lines of that introduced last Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will obtain from the Board of Trade Committee on Gas Mantles the information and statistics which substantiate the statement of the Committee that the gas mantle industry is over-capitalised; and whether he will give this information fully to the House of Commons before the imposition of a duty on gas mantles is considered?

I am informed that certain evidence regarding costs of production was given before the Committee confidentially, but in substance the information desired by the hon. Member is contained in paragraph 11 of the Committee's Report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade what was the total cost of the Disposal Board during 1921 and 1922 to date; how much their sales realised during these periods; and can he name a date by which the Disposal Board will be finally wound up?

As regards the sales made by the Disposal Board, I would refer my hon. Friend to Command Paper 1640, presented to Parliament in June last, which gives details of the sales and cash receipts, from the Armistice to 31st March last. I regret that it is not possible to give figures to date, as disposals are taking place in a number of oversea areas, such as Iraq, India and Egypt. A White Paper showing the results for the current financial year will, it is hoped, be published about June next. As regards the expenses of the Disposal Board, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Bute and North Ayrshire (Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston). With reference to the last portion of the question, the position is that there is still under the charge of the Disposal Board a very considerable amount of surplus. Government property. Every effort is being made to dispose of it as rapidly as is consistent with the public interest. In view of the progress made, it has been decided, in the interests of economy, that the Disposal Board shall, at the 31st March next, cease to function as a separate Board under the Disposal and Liquidation Commission. From that date arrangements will be made by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission direct for the sale of any remaining surplus assets on their hands and the completion of the deliveries of stores under block and other contracts. I may add that this decision was taken by my predecessor on the recommendation of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any records are now kept of exports or imports by British firms to and from Russia: and what was the nature and value of such exports and imports during the six months ending 30th November ultimo?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The values of the goods exported to and imported from Russia for the first three quarters of the current year are as follow:

Goods imported from Russia	£3,189,898
Goods exported to Russia being the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom	2,756,022
Re-exports	622,894
Total exports	£3,378,916

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Reports are being regularly received from the British Mission at Moscow, of which Mr. Hodgson is in charge; what is the nature of such Reports; are they political or commercial; and have they resulted during the tenure of the Mission in increasing British influence on Anglo-Russian trade?

Reports on commercial subjects are regularly received from the Mission. It is, of course, not possible to avoid all reference to political questions in commercial reports. The Mission has throughout given such support as was possible in the circumstances to British subjects endeavouring to trade with Russia.

asked the Prime Minister whether conversations will be initiated during the visit of the Italian Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, with a view to the improvement of Anglo-Italian trading relations?

I do not think this would be possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the profits being made by speculators at the Australian wool sales in the London market; if he is aware that these speculations have added at least 9d. to the price of the pound of wool to the British consumer; and if he will seek Parliamentary powers to safeguard the public from these imposts?

I am aware that during the last few months there has been a rise in the price of the finer grades of wool, but I am informed that this was due mainly to an apparent shortage and consequent increased competition for the available supplies. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has constantly and urgently drawn the attention of the Board of Trade to the fact that the office of Keeper of Cotton Marks, as provided for in Section 54 (1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, is vacant, and that the office has been vacant for nearly two years, the last keeper having retired on the 31st December, 1920; why this statutory appointment has been so long deferred; and will the appointment be made before the end of this year?

I am aware of the representations made by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on the subject of delay in making this particular appointment, and I am also aware that that body regards the officer who is acting as keeper as having given every satisfaction since the late keeper's retirement. A substantive appointment will be made to the post as soon as the re-organisation scheme for the Board of Trade is agreed upon.

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken at Athens to protect the Royalist Ministers of ex-King Constantine from the due punishment for their crimes as determined by the Greek tribunal; and why such steps have been taken in this particular case to protect ex-Ministers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer, already returned to the hon. Member for the Springburn Division of Glasgow (Mr. Hardie) on the 30th November.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that our commitments in the Near East are very expensive and our promises to different nationalities contradictory, he will consider the advisability of appointing an impartial Committee to make a Report upon this question?

No, Sir, I am not prepared to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, (1) the total number of dwell- ings of six rooms and over in England and Wales, together with the aggregate population occupying such dwellings, in accordance with the Census of 1921?(2) the total number of one, two, three, four, and five-room tenements in England and Wales, with the aggregate population housed therein, in accordance with the last Census (1921)?

The figures asked for are not at present available for England and Wales. Figures for the Administrative Counties of London and Middlesex, however, can be

		London.		Middlesex.
		Number.	Population.	Number.	Population.
"Units of Occupation" of 1 room	…	147,797	262,363	13,998	26,253
"Units of Occupation" of 2 rooms	…	236,856	742,485	26,704	76,097
"Units of Occupation" of 3 rooms	…	262,785	1,009,708	53,617	200,209
"Units of Occupation" of 4 rooms	…	201,958	899,301	56,329	235,328
"Units of Occupation" of 5 rooms	…	101,213	487,052	61,305	284,564
"Units of Occupation" of 6 rooms and over.		170,288	842,929	86,484	387,457
		—	4,243,838	—	1,209,908

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the average rate of infant mortality per 1,000 in tenements of one to five rooms, and the average rate per 1,000 in tenements of six rooms and over for the years 1910 to 1914 and for the years 1918 to 1921?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the information asked for is not available and there is no material from which it could be prepared.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is satisfied that all local government authorities have, where either housing shortage or slum property on a large scale exists, utilised to the full extent consonant with their financial resources the various legislative measures enabling them to deal with these evils; and whether, if no adequate information is in the possession of his Department, he will cause official inquiries to be set on foot?

According to the information in the possession of my right hon. Friend, local authorities generally have shown great activity in dealing with the housing problem in its various aspects. They have, during the last few years, concentrated on the provision of new houses. A considerable programme of slum clearance is now being undertaken by various authorities with financial assistance from the Exchequer.

asked the Minister Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the Plymouth Town Council have spent about £40,000 on making roads, drains, etc., on the Swilley Estate, as part of an assisted housing scheme, but are now unable to proceed through lack of money; and in view of the need for houses and of the number of unemployed in the locality, what aid the Government propose to give?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the position. A number of local authorities in similar circumstances have decided to proceed with the erection of additional houses without financial assistance, and he trusts, in view of the greatly reduced cost of building, that the Plymouth Town Council will realise the desirability of using their developed sites for the erection of houses outside the assisted scheme in so far as private enterprise may not meet the need.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if there are many unoccupied houses in the country at the present time, and that their owners are refusing to let but are willing to sell them; and whether he will introduce a Bill to make such cottage property liable to local rates?

My right hon. Friend does not feel that he can make any proposal for legislation on the lines suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if, before he introduces legislation with regard to the decision of the House of Lords in the recent rent case, he will consult the Scottish Members with a view of ascertaining if such legislation is desired by the people of Scotland?

The question at issue affects England and Wales as well as Scotland, and hon. Members will have an opportunity of expressing their opinions if and when legislation is introduced.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if tenants of working-class dwellings in St. Helens are being threatened with eviction for arrears incurred during the miners' lock-out, notwithstanding the fact that they are paying the current rent out of their unemployment benefit; and if, in view of the shortage of houses and the poverty of these people, any steps can be taken by him to prevent this?

My right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene in this matter, but under the Rent Restrictions Act, a large discretion is given to the Courts when an application for an eviction order is made to them.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he can give a return of the shortage of houses as reported upon by the health and housing committee of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and a return of the number of homes in the administrative area of the West Riding of Yorkshire where two or more families are living in ordinary working-class houses?

I have received copies of the reports to which the hon. Member refers. The reports deal in some detail with the housing conditions in a number of separate areas at varying times and do rot readily lend themselves to presentation in the form of a return.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of local authorities who have given effect to the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920?

129 local authorities have adopted schemes under Section 2 of the Blind Persons Act, but in a few eases, where there are local difficulties, the schemes are not yet in full operation.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he will give details regarding the vaccination of the children born at Poplar, Stepney, Bethnal Green, and Lambeth, showing the percentage of births vaccinated for each of the last 10 years for which the returns are available, and the number of public vaccinations of persons, other than children under one year of age, performed in those unions in each of those years?

My right hon. Friend is having a statement prepared which he will send to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can produce evidence based on the small-pox notifications for the last 20 years showing that the exemption Act of 1907 has resulted in an increase of small-pox in this country as compared with the years prior to that Act?

I am advised that small-pox has been much less prevalent in this country since 1907. than in the period immediately prior to that year, but it must not be assumed that the absence of small-pox from the country has been due to the passing of the Act.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether a case of small-pox remained in the Poplar Workhouse undiscovered for approximately 14 days, and that during such period not less than 22 other persons were infected; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into this matter?

The facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the question. The whole of the circumstances connected with this outbreak were investigated by a medical officer of the Ministry immediately the first case was reported.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, what was the total charge for the last financial year for vaccination; whether the figures will be increased this year owing to the recent epidemic; whether the whole charge for vaccination in the country is borne by his Department, or if local authorities bear any pro7 portion of the cost; and, if so, how much?

The latest year for which complete figures are available is that ended the 31st March, 1921. In that year the total expenditure on public vaccination amounted to £183,423, of which £174,950 was paid by boards of guardians out of the rates, and £8,473 was defrayed out of moneys voted By Parliament. It is probable that recent outbreaks of small-pox in England and Wales will result in increased expenditure on public vaccination during the current year.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, what are the terms of service of public vaccinators; whether they are paid by a fixed annual sum or whether they are paid fees per person vaccinated; whether these fees vary if the person is operated on at a public station or at his own house; whether any payment is made to private doctors who may vaccinate their own patients; and, if so, how much?

Public vaccinators are employed by boards of guardians under contract, which may be terminated by either party by giving 28 days' notice. As a general rule, the method of payment is by fees, the amounts of which are specified in the contract, but in a few cases an annual salary is paid. The fee for vaccination at the home of the person vaccinated is invariably higher than for vaccination elsewhere. No payment is made from public funds for the vaccination by private doctors of their own patients.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is able to give the House approximate figures as to the number of citizens of Greater London who have taken advantage of the facilities for public vaccination during the last four weeks?

It is well known that large numbers of persons in and around London have availed themselves of the facilities provided for public vaccination during the last few weeks, but I regret that I am not in a position to supply even approximate figures as to the actual numbers.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will have an inquiry made into the high fatality of the recent London small-pox cases, seeing that in the provinces some hundreds of unvaccinated small-pox cases have occurred recently without a single death?

I am advised that the high rate of mortality amongst the recent London small-pox cases is probably due to the importation from Eastern Europe of a particularly virulent type of infection.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that employers of labour in London are threatening to dismiss those of their workers who refuse to be vaccinated, and that some of the latter have already been dismissed; whether he is aware that a county court judge, on 22nd April, 1902, awarded a plaintiff £15 damages and costs for wrongful dismissal for refusal to be vaccinated; that much suffering has been caused to the workers in several large London factories by this enforced vaccination; and whether he will make it known to employers that they are acting illegally in dismissing workers for refusing to submit to vaccination?

My attention has not been called to any such cases nor is it a matter in which I could intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has been asked to receive a deputation of the Labour members of Willesden Urban District Council on the question of the maternity and child welfare and public health services of that district; and whether he intends, before coming to a decision on the matter, to give a hearing to the Labour councillors?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Certain modifications of the council's scheme have been proposed as a result of a conference between the council and the Ministry of Health. My right hon. Friend has suggested that the Willesden (Central) Labour Party, in the first instance, should communicate with the chairman of the district council with a view to discussing any remaining points at issue.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether any action can be taken to expedite the publication of the English Census Reports, inasmuch as the volumes of the Scottish Census Reports have already been issued?

The work of tabulation is now well advanced: part of the County of London tables, covering a population of nearly four and a half millions, have been published, while the rest of the London tables and tables for Middlesex are in the press, and other counties will follow in succession without delay. The hon. Member is mistaken, I believe, in suggesting that the whole of the Scottish Reports have been issued, and he will appreciate that the rate of progress with the county volumes must depend upon the population of the counties undertaken. Every effort is, however, being made to expedite the work of tabulation and the issue of the Reports.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, when the decennial supplement giving statistics of occupational mortality for 1910, 1911, and 1912, in continuation of corresponding earlier decennial occupational Reports, will be published; and whether there is any special reason for the prolonged delay in the issue of the present Report?

The preparation of this volume was originally interrupted by War conditions; and, owing to the late date at which its resumption again became possible, it was not at first proposed to proceed any further with it. In view, however, of the Subsequently disclosed demand for these statistics, it has been recently decided to complete and issue the volume in an abbreviated form. It is now in the press, and will appear in the course of a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, seeing that the assessment for local rating upon mines is based upon output in terms of tonnage and not upon either the value of the output as determined by the selling price or profit per ton, and that as a result of the mine-owners' lock-out and resultant decrease in the output the assessment upon many collieries was considerably reduced, and that as a consequence of such reduced assessment an increased burden was placed, not only upon the miners who were locked out, but also upon local business men and small shopkeepers, many of whom were reduced to the verge of bankruptcy, he will favourably consider the advisability of making an alteration in the system of rating at present in operation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given on Monday to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood). My right hon. Friend will consider the point in connection with the proposed reform of the law rating.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that all the workpeople of the Imperial Tobacco Company have been informed that they must be vaccinated forthwith, and that threats are made by some officials of the company, particularly in the London area, that any employé who declines to submit himself to vaccination will be dismissed the service: and whether the Ministry has at any time instructed the Imperial Tobacco Company or any other employer that if all their employés are not vaccinated and any case of small-pox is reported from among them the Ministry will issue an Order for the closing of the factory or workshop for three months?

I have no information as to the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health (1) whether he is aware that the rules laid down for the election of representatives of nurses on the general register provide that the returning officer shall, seven days at least before the last day fixed for the return of voting papers, cause a voting paper to be forwarded by post to each person qualified to take part in the election; that the day so fixed in the election now proceeding is Friday, 8th December; and that at 12 noon on Monday, 4th December, the voting papers for at least 1,000 of the nurses qualified to vote had not yet been sent out; and will he explain the reason for this;(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the election now proceeding under the Nurses' Registration Act, 1919, of 16 persons to be members of the General Nursing Council for England and Wales; whether he is aware that the rules laid down for such election provide that the ballot shall be secret; and for what reason the ballot papers which have been issued have a space provided on the back thereof for an identification number, which must be filled in, and which will enable the identity of every voter to be ascertained and the secrecy of the ballot violated?

The returning officer has reported that owing to a failure in the arrangements for despatching the voting papers, for which the council's staff are in no way responsible, nearly 1,000 voting papers have gone astray, and he has been obliged to declare that the election must be held afresh where contests are involved. Three candidates have been returned unopposed, and for the remaining seats, therefore, ballot papers will be issued at the earliest possible date. The opportunity will be taken at the same time to correct the printer's error by which the space for the number, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, was incorrectly printed on the back of the ballot paper.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of medical referees employed under the State health insurance scheme; and the number of insured persons examined by them for a first period of their service?

The number of whole-time medical officers who in addition to their own duties are employed as medical referees is 35. The number of insured persons referred to them during the financial year 1921–22, when the sphere of their operations was limited, was 81,762 of whom 47,404 attended for examination. Since the referee service was extended, during the present financial year, to cover the whole country, the number of references has increased to such an extent as to necessitate the employment of a certain number of part-time referees in addition

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will introduce legislation to make illegal the lending of any form of vehicle to convey voters to or from the poll at Parliamentary, municipal, and other public elections?

I have been asked to reply, but I am unable to give any promise to introduce legislation for thi3 purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, in view of the defective manner in which the present house-to-house canvass is frequently carried out, thereby depriving many qualified persons of their right to the Parliamentary franchise, he will instruct the registration officers to adopt the census-of-population methods of leaving a registration form at every house, to be filled in by the occupier, giving all the necessary particulars to ascertain how many persons in the house are qualified to be placed upon the incoming registers as electors?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In very many areas a house-to-house canvass is already conducted by means of a form of return to be filled up by the occupier on the lines suggested in the question; and a prescribed form is supplied for the purpose, where required. I am not, however, prepared to press for the universal adoption of this procedure to the exclusion of any other efficient method, particularly in view of the wide differences in local circumstances. As indicated in my previous reply to the hon. Member, I do not wish to be taken as subscribing to the views expressed in his question; but if the hon. Member has any information which he desires to bring to my notice, I will, of course, consider it.

ask the Minister of Labour whether he can state from the index figure of the cost of living the cost of clothes as compared with pre-War; whether, seeing that the disparity in price is the greatest of any commodity entering into the compilation of a working-class budget, and that it is now stated that there is to be a further rise in the cost of such articles, he can give any explanation of the causes or cause?

At 1st November, the latest date for which figures are available, the cost of clothing and clothing materials, of the kinds bought by working-class families, averaged about 130 per cent, above the pre-War level. Retail prices have been steadily falling for the past two years, and although I am aware that wholesale prices of some of the principal textile materials have recently shown an upward tendency, it is not yet possible to say whether this will be followed by an increase in retail prices.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has under consideration any suggestions for abolishing any of the existing Trade Boards, or modifying their functions, and, if so, what are the Trade Boards concerned; and whether he will take steps to consult all the interests concerned, and will lay before this House any suggested alterations for criticism or approval before they become operative?

An application has been received for a Special Order withdrawing the milk distributive trade from the operation of the Trade Boards Acts, and the interests concerned are being consulted. I would point out that before any such Order can be made, a statutory public inquiry must be held if the Order is contested.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will use his influence with the Port of London Authority to put in hand the scheme for the improvement of the South-West India Docks, with a view to finding work for the unemployed of Poplar and surrounding district?

Inquiries will be made in regard to this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the West Ham Distress Farm Colony, situate at Ockenden, Essex, is fast falling into dilapidation and decay through the lack of Government assistance, although repeated efforts have been made by the West Ham Committee to obtain the necessary help; and, as this colony is capable of being used as a suitable training ground in agriculture for many young men, will he receive a deputation from the distress committee at an early date in order that the best use can be made of the farm colony?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him yesterday on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that many industrial assurance policies have been allowed to lapse on account of the distress through unemployment, the Government will take immediate steps to introduce an Industrial Assurance Bill on the lines of the Parmoor Committee Report to secure, amongst other matters, surrender values in the case of lapsed policies in respect of which premiums have been paid for a given period?

I regret that I cannot yet add anything to the reply I gave the hon. Member last Wednesday.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether legislation to renew the grant for clearing and planting to relieve unemployment is to be introduced this Session; and, if so, whether steps can be taken to make the grant available to Members of the House of Commons?

Legislation on the lines of the Forestry Act, 1921, will be introduced next Session. By the operation of the House of Commons Disqualification Act (22, Geo. 3, c. 45), grants of this nature cannot properly be made to Members of the House of Commons, and I think it would be inadvisable to take steps to remove this bar for the purpose of these grants.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now guaranteed the sum of £50,000 towards the training schemes of the Central Committee on Women's Employment on condition that the committee guarantee an equal amount; whether this sum will only train 5,000 women for three months; and whether, in view of the fact that there are 176,000 unemployed women on the live register of the Employment Exchanges, he will make some further provision for their training?

The Government contribution, up to a maximum, of £50,000, is £1 for every £1 disbursed by the Women's Central Committee from their own funds up to 31st March next on the training of unemployed women and young persons who give an undertaking to enter domestic service on the conclusion of training. The grant is additional to the sum of £50,000, which was made to the Central Committee last year, and which, with the committee's contributions, brings the sums allocated to this purpose up to a total of £250,000. I understand that the funds at the committee's disposal, including the second grant of £50,000, are adequate to meet the demand for this form of training, so far as it can now be estimated, and I am afraid that there are at present no other openings for which unemployed women could advantageously be trained.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the approximate total expenditure by Government Departments and local authorities concerned upon schemes of public work for the relief of unemployment during the past two years, and that are already completed; what percentage of the total cost of the said schemes was paid out in wages to the unemployed engaged upon same; and what was the total number of unemployed persons employed either full time or part time each week upon the said completed schemes?

I am afraid I cannot undertake to supply this information which could not be obtained without very great labour.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that ex-service men have been and are stiil under disability in procuring employment, even those specially trained since demobilisation, and that employers (municipal and private) have been and are still hampered in employing ex-service men owing to trade union regulations such as prevail or formerly prevailed in the building and engineering trades and in Woolwich Arsenal, the Government will take measures either for the removal of such disability or for relieving ex-service men adversely affected from the consequences thereof?

In the present state of unemployment there are unfortunately nearly always fully competent ex-service men available for every vacancy in a skilled occupation. No advantage, therefore, would, in my opinion, be gained by any general attempt by the Government to remove, in favour of ex-service men, such recognised restrictions as exist on entry into such occupations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Messrs. Allen and Sons, engineers, Bedford, are reported to be working in some of their departments day shifts from 8 a.m. till 7.30 p.m. and night shifts from 7.30 p.m. till 8 a.m., and also working overtime till 9.30 p.m. while many of their late employés are unemployed; whether this firm is on the list of Government contractors and have Government work in hand; and whether he will appeal to this and similar firms throughout the country to limit overtime for absolutely necessary occasions and reduce hours and thus absorb in useful work some of the unemployed among whom in Bedford there are more than 200 engineers?

I have no information as to the hours worked by Messrs. Allen and Sons, nor do I know whether they are at the moment engaged upon Government work. As regards the last part of the question, I feel sure that employers throughout the country appreciate the desirability of arranging their systems of working so as to absorb as many unemployed men as is practicable.

asked the Minister of Labour if he proposes to introduce legisla- tion at an early date to increase the allowances to unemployed men and women and their dependants?

In view of the present burden on the Unemployment Fund, I am not in a position to propose any increase in these allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed men have been declared ineligible for benefit by the Bridgeton Local Employment Exchange, Glasgow, during the month of November, as not genuinely seeking employment?

Figures for November are not yet available, but I will send them to the hon. Member as soon as they are received.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in considering claims for uncovenanted benefit, local employment committees are instructed by Regulation or otherwise to take into account trade union benefits which the applicant may be receiving; and, if so, will he state the reason?

Under the general powers conferred by the Act it has been decided that, with a view to making the best possible use of the Unemployment Insurance Funds, in general, uncovenanted benefit should be paid only where there is definite necessity. It is, therefore, proper for committees to take into account all the sources of family income, including trade union benefit. In the case of covenanted benefit, the income of applicants, provided that they are unemployed, is not taken into account.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on most of the work connected with the extension of tube railways and similar undertakings the double shift of 12 hours is in operation notwithstanding that all agreements provide for an average of 48 hours per working week; and will he take steps to induce the contractors to adopt the eight-hour three-shift system so as to provide work for a much greater number of the unemployed?

Representations have been made to my Department that the methods of working adopted in the cases referred to are not in accordance with the Working Rule Agreement of the Civil Engineering Construction Conciliation Board for Great Britain. That Agreement provides that the Secretary of either side may summon a meeting of the Board at short notice to consider matters in dispute, and it has been suggested to those who made representations that they should take steps to secure such consideration of any case which may occur.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that casual workers in the docks in East London suffer considerable distress through the six days' waiting period, now part of the Regulations of the Unemployment Insurance Act; and if he will undertake to amend the Act to treat each working day separately for this class of worker?

		Great Britain.*	Northern Division.†	Newcastle-on Tyne, Elswick and Heaton.
24th September, 1920	…	228,559	9,489	3,322
‡15th October, 1920	…	251,682	10,154	3,711
26th November, 1920	…	351,081	17,872	4,443
31st December, 1920	…	470,283	23,089	5,003
28th January, 1921	…	635,145	82,694	6,132
25th February, 1921	…	743,132	45,389	6,391
25th March, 1921	…	866,624	64,926	7,355
29th April, 1921	…	1,178,566	132,712	15,318
27th May, 1921	…	1,380,457	149,695	16,219
24th June, 1921	…	11459,639	164,243	18,304
29th July, 1921	…	1,269,305	137,640	13,533
26th August, 1921	…	1,115,301	123,579	12,126
30th September, 1921	…	1,016,315	118,462	10,684
28th October, 1921	…	1,188,850	145,853	13,267
25th November, 1921	…	1,334,514	155,341	16.487
30th December, 1921	…	1,375,026	161,934	15,927
31st January, 1922	…	1,381,318	154,989	14,928
28th February, 1922	…	1,334,740	143,832	14,341
27th March, 1922	…	1,283,536	141,269	14,747
24th April, 1922	…	1,309,252	145,251	16,106
29th May, 1922	…	1,204,136	141,236	16,113
26th June, 1922	…	1,173,276	142,011	17,487
31st July, 1922	…	1,119,794	132,369	16,409
28th August, 1922	…	1,090,162	129,694	16,506
25th September, 1922	…	1 085,108	128,256	16,989
30th October, 1922	…	1,097,216	129,822	18,071
20th November, 1922	…	1,123,135	130,512	19,113
* Figures for the United Kingdom are not available for the whole of the period.
†Comprising the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland, Westmorland and the Cleveland Division of Yorkshire.
‡Coal dispute 18th October to 6th November, 1920. No figures available for the end of October, 1920.

The six days1 waiting period is a general provision applying to all insured contributors, and I do not think it would be equitable to discriminate in favour of one class. In certain cases casual workers find it specially difficult to qualify for benefit, but this is due rather to the rule relating to continuity of unemployment, and this rule is at present being carefully examined in the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men in the United Kingdom, the North-Eastern area, and Newcastle-on-Tyne in each of the months beginning September, 1920, to last month?

The following Table shows the number of men on the Live Register of Employment Exchanges in each month since September, 1920:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received representations from Scottish herring curers with regard to the hardship inflicted by the operations of the Unemployment Insurance Acts on women fish workers engaged during the herring fishing season; whether he is aware that, because the women are rarely employed for 20 weeks in one year and because when not employed in fish working they are engaged in home duties, they thus cannot except in a very few special cases secure any benefit; and whether he will consider taking steps to exempt them from Unemployment Insurance?

I have received representations in this matter. Women who have paid some contributions as fish curers within a recent period may in proper cases qualify for benefit during the fishing season even if they have not paid 20 contributions. Outside the season these women are not usually in industrial employment and cannot in general qualify for benefit. I have no power to exclude any class of insured contributor from the scope of insurance.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps the Government are prepared to take to deal with the problem of juvenile unemployment, in view of the fact that the total number of juveniles registered at Employment Exchanges is now 124,517, and that the actual number unemployed is known to be very considerably greater?

I can assure the Noble Lady that I am fully conscious of the gravity of the problem of juvenile unemployment, and I am at the moment considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, what steps can be taken to deal with it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that large numbers of children from the elementary schools who are qualified to enter secondary schools are unable to enter such schools owing to the limited number of places provided for non-paying scholars; and whether he can give some assurance to the House that an increased number of free places will be provided for poor scholars who have the ability to secure such scholarships in open competitive examinations?

The present insufficiency of accommodation in grant-aided secondary schools affects candidates for admission who are able, as well as candidates who are unable to pay fees. I fear that I am unable to commit myself to an increase in the proportion of free places at present, but I fully recognise the importance of making up the insufficiency of school places as soon as possible.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that the education authority of the county of Dumbarton has cut the salaries of the teachers without asking their consent; whether the Scottish Education Department has given its approval to these reductions: and whether he proposes to take any action in view of the provisions of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply which my Noble Friend gave him on Monday in reply to a similar question which the hon. Member put on the Paper last week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India for what reason State railway engineers in. India are not being granted the opportunity to retire on proportional pensions in the same manner as the engineers of the Public Works Department; and will he take the necessary steps to put a stop to this differentiation?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to pages 1 and 2 of the Papers relating to premature retirement published in Command Paper 1727. State railway engineers in India are permanently employed under the Central Government and have not therefore been regarded as so directly affected by the Reforms Scheme as to justify provision for their premature retirement. Only officers employed under Local Governments are eligible to retire on proportionate pension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India in how many cases the Government of India has given Government servants who have been defamed in the Indian Press legal assistance in bringing actions against the offending newspapers; which of the local Governments have promised and which have not promised to do the same; and in how many cases have they done so?

I have not the detailed information necessary to give my hon. and gallant Friend any exact reply. I know that the Punjab Government issued instructions of the nature described, and that there have been successful suits in that province. There have also been actions in Madras, Burma, and Bengal, and in them also, to the best of my belief, decrees were obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information as to reports of grave discontent on the part of the Indian police with their conditions of service; have a number of officers applied for retirement on pension; and, in the case of married Britishers being killed while so serving, what provision is made for bringing the family home and for their future?

The Secretary of State has received a good deal of information as to dissatisfaction in the Indian police with the conditions of service. Up to the present, 72 officers (about 10 per cent, of the European officers) in the police have taken advantage of the offer of retirement on proportionate pensions, made to all the Indian Services, in consequence of the recent administrative changes. If an officer is killed in the performance of any duty involving extraordinary risk, his family is entitled to a pension or gratuity. If he is killed in the performance of ordinary police duties, the Government of India have discretion to award a pension or gratuity to his family. Every case of the kind is, therefore, considered on its particular merits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage of land under cultivation in England at present, as compared with the year 1919?

The acreage of crops and grass in England in 1922 and 1919 was as follows:

—	Arable Land.	Permanent Grass.	Total Acreage of Crops and Grass.
	Acres.	Acres.	Acres.
1922	10,583,258	12,838,415	23,421,673
1919	11,412,353	12,656,945	24,069,298

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether investigations are being made into the utility of windmills, with a view to providing cheap electrical power for agricultural purposes?

Yes, Sir. Investigations are being commenced, but I fear no definite results can be expected for some time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) in how many cases during the current year agreements as to minimum rates of agricultural wages arrived at by county concilation committees have been registered; and of these registered agreements how many are now in force?(2), in how many counties conciliation committees have agreed upon minimum rates of agricultural wages for the month of December; what those minimum rates of wages are; the term for which the agreed minimum rates are to prevail in each case;(3), in how many counties conciliation committees have failed to come to any agreement in respect of minimum rates of agricultural wages for the month of December; and what minimum wages are actually being paid to agricultural labourers in those counties?

Seven agreements for minimum rates for agricultural

CONCILIATION COMMITTEES IN AGRICULTURE.
1. Agreements Covering December.
Number of Conciliation Committee areas	…	18
Number of separate Counties wholly or partially covered by these areas	…	19
Conciliation Committee areas.	Rate (for ordinary adult male workers).	Period.
Cheshire	*32s. for 54 hours	24th Oct., 1922–30th April, 1923.
Cornwall	30s. for 52 hours	23rd Oct., 1922–31st Dec, 1922.
Cumberland and Westmorland.	30s. for 48 hours in winter and 54 in summer.	11th Nov., 1922–19th May, 1923.
Derbyshire	7d. per hour	1st Oct., 1922–31st Dec, 1922.
Devonshire	30s. for 50 hours	30th Oct., 1922–25th March, 1923.
Durham	35s. for 50 hours	13th May, 1922, until such time as either side of Conciliation Committee gives notice of revision.
Lancashire—
Southern Area	†37s. 6d. for 60 hours	1st Oct., 1922–31st Dec, 1922.
Eastern Area	†40s. for 60 hours	1st Oct., 1922–30th April, 1923.
Northern Area	†37s. 6d. for 60 hours	1st Oct., 1922–31st Jan., 1923.
Loughborough (Leics.)	30s. for 52 hours	4th Nov., 1922, until a fortnight after proposal to cancel is given by either side of the Conciliation Committee.
Middlesex South	7½d. per hour for a guaranteed week of 48 hours.	2nd Oct., 1922–28th Sept., 1923.
Northumberland—
North	32s. for a week of 48 hours in winter and 50 in summer.	12th May, 1922–11th May, 1923.
South	32s. for a week of 48 hours in winter and 50 in summer.	13th May, 1922–12th May, 1923.
Nottinghamshire	30s. for a week of 52 hours.	1st Oct., 1922–28th Feb., 1923.
Shropshire	7d. per hour for a guaranteed week of 48 hours.	1st Nov., 1922–24th Feb., 1923.
Yorkshire, East Riding	30s. per week.	28th Oct., 1922–29th Dec, 1922.
Anglesey	28s. for a week of 58 hours.	13th Nov., 1922–13th May, 1923.
Cardigan	30s. for a week of 50 hours	13th Nov., 1922–13th Nov., 1923.
Carnarvon	30s. for a week 50 hours	13th Nov., 1922–13th May, 1923.
Denbigh and Flint	27s. for a week 50 hours	1st Nov., 1922–30th April, 1923.
* Not agreed by representatives of National Union of Agricultural Workers.
† These rates apply to teamsmen and stockmen only.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the two sugar beet factories at Kelham and Cantley are both in actual use; what has been, to date, the amount of direct Government assistance to each; how many acres have been under sugar beet cultivation this year; what is the number of men employed and their average weekly wage as compared with the respective figures in 1921; and how much the Government loses annually by the remission of the Excise Duty in respect of our own cultivation of sugar beet?

In accordance with working arrangements which have been entered into with a view to the future amalgamation of the Kelham and Cantley Sugar Beet Schemes, it has been arranged for the sugar beet crops of the Kelham growers to be worked at the Cantley factory this year. By dealing with the total acreage of beet now being grown in this country at one factory so that that factory can work at its full capacity, it i3 hoped to secure the lowest economic cost of sugar production for future guidance. In the meantime, proposals for extending and improving the Kelham sugar beet factory are under consideration. The Cantley undertaking has received no financial assistance from the Government. The Government subscribed for shares in the Kelham undertaking to the value of £250,000, and, subject to certain conditions, it has guaranteed interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on the 250,000 shares subscribed by the public for a period of 10 years ending on 31st March, 1930. The Government has also advanced to the company a loan of £125,000 on a third mortgage. The area at present under cultivation is as follows:

	Acres.
Kelham	3,776
Cantley	4,180
Total	7,956

The Cantley factory, which as I have already stated is working both crops this year, employs 600 men. The average weekly wage is about £2 14s. 8d. Last year, when both factories were working, 800 men were employed and were paid an average weekly wage of about £3 0s. 8d. The actual amount of Excise Duty paid by both factories last year was £122,000. The decision of the late Government to remit the Excise Duty has not involved any direct loss to the Exchequer since, had it not been for that decision, the factories would have been closed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he can state in broad outline in what way the chief railways of the United States of America assist agriculture, either by advice, research, or material concessions; and whether any other British railway proposes to follow the example of the Great Eastern Railway which has its own experimental poultry farm to assist poultry farmers?