asked the President of the Board of Education how many teachers had completed their course of training in Welsh and English colleges, respectively, in the years 1921 and 1922; how many of those teachers have since been appointed to posts by local authorities; and whether, seeing that large numbers are still unemployed, any arrangements are being made to provide these people with some form of unemployment benefit?

In the year 1921, 6,005 teachers left training colleges in England and 655 in Wales. I regret that I cannot give any figures as regards their employment, but I have no reason to suppose that students leaving the colleges that summer were generally unsuccessful in obtaining employment. Last summer 5,702 teachers, English colleges,, and 746, Welsh colleges, and of 5,046 who were definitely known by the training college authorities in October to have obtained employment, 4,631 were from English colleges and 415 from Welsh. It cannot be assumed that the residue are still unemployed. I have no power to provide unemployment benefits for teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total amount of money spent in England and Wales from the year 1908 to the year 1922, inclusive, for the building and repairing of elementary schools; and will he give the figures separately for each year and the totals for England and Wales separately?

Expenditure by local education authorities upon the building of elementary schools is, as a rule, defrayed from loans. The sums expended out of loans by local education authorities for elementary education in England and Wales are as follows:

	…	…	England.	Wales.
	…	…	£	£
1908–9	…	…	1,883,540	226,486
1909–10	…	…	2,061,505	241,875
1910–11	…	…	1,989,271	309,683
1911–12	…	…	1,672,849	289,698
1912–13	…	…	2,025,907	263,687
1918–19	…	…	76,239	8,994
1919–20	…	…	275,714	22,986
1920–21	…	…	745,345	98,404

Owing to the suspension during the War of the collection of statistics, the figures for the years 1913 to 1918 cannot be given; and for 1921–22 the returns from local education authorities are not complete. I regret that the figures for repairs of school building which form part of the cost of the general upkeep of the schools cannot be given separately. I have no material for answering the question as regards expenditure on the buildings of voluntary schools.

further asked the President of the Board of Education the number of buildings, other than schools erected for the purpose, that are being used for elementary education, and the number of children being educated in such buildings; and if he will give the figures separately for England and Wales?

I regret that I have no such information, and fear it would be impossible to obtain it without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the President of the Board of Education what local education authorities are at present expending on elementary education more than £15 per child in average attendance; under what main heads that expenditure is incurred; whether an expenditure in excess of that amount is consistent with due economy of public funds; and whether, if a limit is placed on the total expenditure which can be recognised for grant, he can arrange for any consequent disallowance of expenditure to first fall on the authorities whose expenditure exceeds £15?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, under the Regulations of the Board of Education, Circular 1,227, governing the recognition of war service of teachers for salary purposes, certain certificated teachers, who have qualified as such since demobilisation, are deprived of increments on the scale for certificated teachers as a result of their war service merely on the ground of not having qualified for admission to a training college before enlistment, though admitted, with the Board's approval, to a training college after demobilisation

Generally speaking, I think that an expenditure in excess of £15 a head affords special occasion for inquiry, particularly in present circumstances, into its causes and into the value of the return received for it, and that the onus for justifying such expenditure falls on the authorities who incur it. I note the suggestion contained in the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, but am not prepared to make any definite statement at present with regard to it.

The circular, which was issued, after very careful consideration of the circumstances, indicates the extent to which the Board have authority to recognise war service for the calculation of teachers' salaries. It is directed to the case of men who were in definite stages of acquiring qualifications for employment as certificated teachers. A man who was not a pupil teacher or student teacher or uncertificated teacher and had not even passed one of the numerous examinations which qualify for admission to a training college cannot be regarded as falling within this class. Admission to training colleges without examination was a considerable concession.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider Welsh as an essential qualification in the appointment of the chief inspector of schools, for Wales; and whether he will have a consultation with the Welsh Members before any such appointment is made?

For any post of such importance I should regard it as essential to choose the very best man available, and though I should regard a knowledge of Welsh as a very important qualification and should do my best to obtain a first-rate man possessing it, I should be sorry in advance to bind myself further. I should, of course, aim at getting a man who would be acceptable to Welsh public opinion, but I ought not to bind myself to the procedure suggested by the hon. Member or any other procedure.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the education of children recruited from outside the area of any particular local education authority, but boarded at an institution within such area, is an inequitable charge on the local education authority, will he take steps to enable the Board of Education to obtain the requisite powers, statutory or otherwise, to ensure that the total cost of educating such children shall be made a national charge?

I may refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on the 27th November last to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Consett (Mr. Dunnico).

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that house factors in Glasgow and the West of Scotland have issued letters to tenants stating that the present Government, through the Prime Minister, has given to the country indication that proprietors will not be called upon to refund rents under the Kerr v. Bryde decision, and demanding continued payment of the increase of rent decreed to be illegal; and whether he will take steps to have the confusion in this matter cleared up?

My Noble Friend has no information as to the action which is said to have been taken by house factors in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. He is unable to add to the statements on the position arising out of the Kerr v. Bryde decision which have been made by the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is aware that the West Riding of Yorkshire Health and Housing Committee have supplied the Ministry with a report stating that in the district known as New Edlington, in the Doncaster rural area, they have inspected 951 houses, and found that 217 houses contained two families therein, six houses with three families, one with four families, and 419 houses with lodgers or two families therein; and whether the Government can take any steps to improve these conditions?

I am aware of the report referred to. Financial assistance is being given in respect of 232 houses erected in this rural district by the local authority, and in addition to these houses I understand that 109 houses are in course of erection at Edlington by the Industrial Housing Association, for which credit facilities are being provided by the Government. My right hon. Friend will be willing to give favourable consideration to any application the local authority may make for a loan for the erection of houses in this locality in accordance with their general powers under the Housing Acts.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Committee set up to inquire into the cause of accidents, especially that of accidents caused by shot firing, has yet met; whether evidence has been taken from people engaged in the industry, and when their Report will be forthcoming; and whether, seeing that the last explosion in Cumberland was caused by shot firing, he has issued or intends to issue instructions making it compulsory to use some safety appliance?

A committee of scientists was set up by my predecessor about two months ago—at the instance of the Safely in Mines Research Board—to carry out experimental work as to the prevention of the ignition of gas and coal dust by shot-firing, but there is no committee sitting or taking evidence in regard to the causes of accidents generally. Precautions against the risk of shot-firing causing an explosion are already compulsory, and I hope the committee's researches will show how the risks may be further reduced. There is no effective safety appliance for this purpose at present, so far as I am aware.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that coal owners cannot agree amongst themselves to fix minimum prices for the sale of coal which would ensure a living wage to those engaged in the industry, he will bring in a Bill fixing a legal minimum price below which coal should not be sold?

Such a proposal as the hon. Member suggests is, I believe, impracticable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information to the effect that the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation refuses employment to seamen belonging to the Cooks' and Stewards' Union unless they become members of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that many shipowners give preference to seamen who are members of unions represented on the National Maritime Board and bound by the agreements made by that board. So long as the law is complied with, the matter is not one in which the Board of Trade can interfere.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with the object of increasing production and reducing cost, he will consider the desirability of calling a conference between the Government and the various trade unions to discuss the re-introduction of the piece-work system?

As the hon. Member will be aware, many trades already work habitually on piece-work. The question whether other trades can or should adopt such systems must, in my opinion, be discussed between the employers and workpeople concerned. My right hon. Friend does not think any useful purpose would be served by summoning the conference suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the chairman of the General Nursing Council demanded that a rule should be passed by that council to the effect that any irregularity, however grave, in the selection of nurse representatives as conducted by him might be condoned by himself, thus depriving candidates of the right to question his decision in a court of law; whether this rule was sanctioned by the late Minister of Health; and whether, in view of the necessity of not withholding from any persons rights conferred upon them by Parliament, he will reconsider this rule?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the effect of the rule, a copy of which I am sending to him. It is in accordance with legislative precedent and was adopted by the Council at the instance of the late Minister of Health. The return- ing officer's power under the rule is limited to condoning irregularities which, in his opinion, have not substantially affected the result of the election, and there is an appeal from his decision to the Minister of Health. A rule of this kind is particularly necessary in the case of elections conducted by post, and the hon. Member will find a precedent for it in the Fifth Schedule to the Representation of the People Act, 1918.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the most recent statistics of illegitimacy in England, Scotland, the United States, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark?

The figures asked for in the question are given in the table below, except for the United States of America where the information as to births in general and illegitimacy in particular is only partial:

Illegitimate Births.
Latest Available Figure
	Year.	Number	Rate per 10,000 total live births.
England and Wales	1921	38,618	455
Scotland	1921	8,756	711
U.S.A.	—	—	—
France	1913	65,568	879
Italy	1917	32,933	477
Belgium	1913	10,975	641
Holland	1920	4,112	213
Norway	1917	4,466	699
Sweden	1917	18,060	1,494
Denmark	1919	7,170	1,043

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received a communication from the local pensions committee of the county borough of East Ham asking for an early amendment of the Old Age Pensions Act with a view to the removal of the Clauses which now penalise thrift; and if he is in a position to make any pronouncement on this subject?

I have been asked to answer this question, and must refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply on this subject given to the hon. Member for Peebles (Mr. Westwood) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister last Monday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of widows who are receiving a pension from the Ministry of Pensions for the loss of a son in the War making application for an old age pension, his Department treats such pension received from the Ministry of Pensions as income?

In calculating the means of a claimant to an old age pension, a War pension has, under the law, to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, what rate of interest is now charged in respect of short-period loans up to five years granted to Poor Law authorities now classed as necessitous areas to assist them in meeting the present abnormal burden of unemployed Poor Law relief?

The rate of interest charged in respect of loans raised by Poor Law authorities is a matter of arrangement between the authority and the lenders. In cases in which an advance is made from public funds the rate charged is the market rate for loans of similar currency. In recent cases 5 per cent. has been charged.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is aware that the West Ham Board of Guardians have paid out in relieving destitution arising out of unemployment, exclusive of effects of strikes, lock-outs, and trade disputes, over £1,400,000; that with the exception of £300,000 the money has been raised from the rates; that other industrial centres have overdrafts at the bankers amounting to about £3,000,000; and will the Government reconsider their attitude in this matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the heavy expenditure of the West Ham and certain other boards of guardians. The statement prepared on behalf of the West Ham and other hard pressed areas has been referred to the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment, and will receive their most careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that a sewage disposal scheme is under contemplation for the town of Taunton; how far has that scheme progressed; will a grant towards the cost be made by the Ministry of Health; and, in view of the distress of the unemployed in Taunton at the present time, will he use his influence in the matter so that the work may be commenced immediately?

An application for approval to this scheme was received in the Ministry of Health in September last, and a reply was sent at once to the town council asking for plans and estimates, which, however, have not yet been furnished. The matter will be taken up as soon as the necessary particulars are received from the town council.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the Newport, Monmouth, guardians have drawn up an agreement, which must be signed by the applicant for relief, binding the undersigned to accept all relief given him as relief by way of loan, and to authorise his employer to deduct five per cent. of his weekly wage until the amount due from him is repaid; and whether he will inquire into the matter or make a statement on the subject?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, if he is aware there are large numbers of young persons between 14 and 17 years of age who are unemployed; and, seeing that these young persons would be better employed receiving technical education than wasting valuable time, what action, if any, does he propose taking to deal with this problem?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made on Friday last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, with whom my Noble Friend is in consultation on the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Romney Marsh level propose using money allotted for a relief scheme in having sewers and dykes belonging to wealthy farmers and graziers made out; that there is a strong local demand that the money should be spent in making a much needed road from Littlestone-on-Sea to Dungeness; and whether, in view of the fact that the latter proposal would be of benefit to all classes, he will make inquiries into this matter?

The scheme to which the hon. Member refers is a drainage scheme which has been sanctioned by the Ministry in connection with its drainage programme for the relief of unemployment. The Drainage Unemployment Grant, which has been sanctioned by His Majesty's Government, cannot be used for road-making, and I suggest, therefore, that the hon. Member should communicate with regard to that proposal with my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government are inquiring into the feasibility of offering inducements to employers to put in hand at once work which would involve the employment of extra hands, and by so doing would absorb men who are now drawing unemployment pay or Poor Law relief?

My right hon. Friend dealt at some length during the Debate on the Address with the Government Measures for the stimulation and development of trade with the object of absorbing persons now unemployed. I do not think that I can usefully add anything to that statement of the position.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to render assistance to the men who will be passing through the gap period at Christmas?

During the fourth special period, beginning 2nd November, 1922, the minimum benefit for those satisfying the conditions laid down by the Acts is 12 weeks without any "gap." There is, therefore, no question of a gap period arising at Christmas.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the necessity for the construction of a tunnel under the Thames between Gravesend and Tilbury; and whether, in view of the fact that the scheme would provide useful employment both upon the construction of the tunnel and upon the building of a length of new railway, he will take whatever steps are necessary to get the scheme commenced?

I have been asked to reply. The question of constructing such a tunnel as that proposed is one for the consideration of the railway companies and local and other bodies concerned. Statutory authority would be required for the work, and I am not aware that any detailed scheme has at present been formulated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the development schemes, which the railway companies are accelerating at the request of the Prime Minister, will include the provision of new rolling stock and bridges; and, if so, whether he will ask the railway companies to endeavour to place a fair proportion of their orders at Oldbury and Wednesbury and adjoining districts in view of the abnormal unemployment prevailing in that part of the country?

As regards the first part of the question, the provision or reconstruction of bridges, and, where electrification is proposed, the con- struction of new rolling stock, will no doubt in some instances be necessary. As regards the second part, the railway companies must determine the particular localities in which they place their orders in accordance with the usual commercial practice.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of regional housing inspectors now employed as compared with 1920?

In 1920 there were 57 inspectors and 30 sub-inspectors on the regional housing staff. To-day there are employed on similar work 14 inspectors and no sub-inspectors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number employed, and the salary for each grade covering officers and staff engaged, in auditing the accounts of approved societies under the State health insurance scheme?

The accounts of approved societies under the State health insurance scheme are audited by the National Insurance Audit Department, which is also responsible for the audit of the accounts of insurance committees, and for certain minor audits connected with National Health Insurance. It is not possible to state separately the number of the staff engaged on the audit of the accounts of approved societies, but, as regards the staff of the Department as a whole, I would refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service Estimates for the current year Class VII, Vote 4. The numbers and grades of the staff employed and the salary of each grade remain substantially as printed therein, although a small reduction of numbers has been made during the year.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in certain cases where commutation of pension has been applied for, in order that the pensioner might be able to secure a living by investing the money in a small business, the application has been rejected on account of a Regulation debarring the Minister from sanctioning commutation of pensions of less than 14s. per week; and whether he intends taking steps necessary to remove this restrictive regulation?

The Regulations under which commutation is allowed in the case both of my own Department and of the service Departments require that a pensioner must retain a minimum pension in order to insure against a risk of failure involving complete loss of the capital sum received in commutation. This condition is entirely in the interests of the pensioner and, as at, present advised, I am not prepared to recommend its removal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that ex-soldiers who joined for the South African War and had served 14 years or more were entitled to pension; whether, in the case of ex-soldiers who joined for the late War, service pension is only payable after 21 years' service, or after 14 years' service in cases where a disability pension has been awarded; and, if so, whether he will reconsider this matter and place the men who rejoined for the late War on the same footing as those who rejoined for the South African War?

During the South African War, in order to complete an increase in the permanent establishment of certain specified branches of the Army, a limited number of ex-soldiers were invited to re-enlist and in due course to qualify for pension on special terms. No similar measures were taken during the late War, and the answer to the last part of the question is therefore in the negative. The normal conditions of entitlement to service pension after 14 (and less than 21) years' service were the same at the time of the South African War as they were during the late War.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has reason to believe that in some cases relatives of ex-service lunatics desire that they should be kept in local Poor Law institutions where they can be frequently visited rather than removed to Pensions Ministry institutions, which are less accessible and more expensive to reach; and, if so, can he arrange that in such cases the wishes of relatives should be carried out without casting any stigma of pauperism upon the lunatic ex-service men or throwing the whole burden upon the local ratepayers?

My hon. Friend is entirely correct in the suggestion that it is usually the desire of relatives of ex-service lunatics that they should be kept in local institutions near their homes, and some hundreds of service patients have, in fact, been transferred from the asylum to which they were taken on discharge from service to another asylum, at the cost of the Ministry, in order to meet the wishes of relatives in this respect. In every case in which the mental condition of an ex-service man is found to have been due to or worsened by his service, the patient is maintained in one of the public county or borough asylums, and not in a Poor Law institution, and the cost of his maintenance and treatment is borne wholly by my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to a resolution made on 30th September last by the Ashby-de-la-Zouche Board of Guardians protesting against the action proposed by the Ministry of Pensions in making ex-service men who have been classified as service patients pauper lunatics, and refusing to accept responsibility for the cost of their maintenance and treatment as from 1st October next on the ground that these men should continue to be cared for by the Ministry of Pensions; and if he will state, in view of this and similar resolutions by other boards of guardians, what action his Department will take for the maintenance of ex-service men classed as pauper lunatics for whom boards of guardians refuse to accept responsibility?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers which I gave on the 28th and 30th November to the hon. Members for Nottingham West (Mr. Hayday) and West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts), and to the full statement on the whole question which I made in the Debate in this House on the 29th November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of lads who enlisted in Army bands for a period of nine years are being discharged when only two or three years have been served, that in many cases they were trained for Army bands in Poor Law and other similar institutions owing to their having no parents or other relatives who could provide a home for them, and that they are now being discharged without provision of any home to receive them; and on what ground the War Office is now failing to fulfil its contract to these soldiers?

The band boys in question, who belonged to units which have been disbanded on reduction of the strength of the Army, have in all Cases been given the option of transfer to other units, and those of them who declined that option have received compensation under Army Order 180 of 1922. In the circumstances, I cannot admit that the War Office has failed to fulfil any of its obligations to these boys.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any decision has been come to in respect of the claim of Mr. R. H. Mattott, late of the Grand Hotel and Hydro, Baslow, in respect of the occupation by the military during the War of the hydro in question; whether the said occupation was largely the cause of Mr. Mattott having to give up the occupation of the said premises; that no compensation has been paid; and whether he will at once take steps to facilitate the settlement of Mr. Mattott's claim?

I am inquiring into this case and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War on what date British troops entered Mosul; and what was the date of the Armistice with Turkey?

The Armistice with Turkey came into force at noon on 31st October, 1918. Mosul was occupied by British troops on 3rd November, 1918.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been come to whereby the Deptford Cattle Market will again be used for the reception of cattle for immediate slaughter?

It is anticipated that a large portion of this cattle market will be evacuated by the Department in the course of a few months, and the question of the disposal of this area will be taken up in due course with the landlords, the Corporation of the City of London. The area contains facilities for the reception and slaughter of cattle, but the question of its future use for that purpose is of course one for the landlords.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many new squadrons have been formed since the ex-Prime Minister's announcement in August; whether any additional number of airmen have been called into being; and what steps have been taken to relieve airmen recently employed in trying climates, such as Iraq?

I would ask my hon. Friend to postpone the first part of his question until Wednesday, when I hope to be in a position to give an answer upon the subject. As to the second part of the question, I would refer him to the answer that I gave him on 4th December.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to defray the railway fares of boys going home for the holidays whose parents are unable to pay their expenses; and whether he can extend the concession to widows whose boys have obtained admission to the school but are unable to take advantage of that success owing to their poor circumstances?

Presuming that my hon. Friend's question refers to the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, I regret that no naval or Greenwich Hospital funds are available for defraying the railway fares either of boys going home for the holidays or of boys who have been selected for admission to the school. I am pleased, however, to add that, under a concession granted by the railway companies, all Greenwich Hospital schoolboys going home for the coming Christmas holidays will be granted a return ticket for single fare.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can yet make any statement as to how meat from Canadian store cattle obtained after a brief period of fattening in this country will be distinguished from British bred and reared; and whether legislation will be needed, and, if so, introduced to effect such distinctive marking?

I am afraid that any attempt to secure the distinction sought by the hon. Member would be impracticable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what expert advice he has sought in regard to the provisions of the Importation of Animals Bill relating to the prevention of the importation of disease; and whether he can give the House any assurance that the consensus of expert opinion regards these provisions as wholly adequate?

It would be contrary to accepted constitutional practice to place responsibility for proposals made by the Government on experts who may have been consulted by Ministers, and consequently I am not prepared to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the permitted wholesale importation of live Canadian cattle, what action the Government proposes to take to ensure that retail meat traders, who urged this policy on the ground that it would reduce the price of meat by at least 6d. per lb., carry out this undertaking and pass on the benefit to the public?

The Government obviously cannot accept, any responsibility for the promises referred to, and, as my hon. Friend will remember, the Royal Commission reported that they were quite unable to accept the view that the price of beef would be reduced by 6d. per lb. if Canadian stores were admitted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the amount of food produced in this country was raised during the War from the amount required for 14,500,000 of the population to the amount required for 19,000,000 people, and that this standard of cultivation was maintained during the years 1919 to 1922, he will say what is the present productivity of the land of Great Britain on the same basis, as expressed in its ability to maintain the food supply of the people?

The point raised in the question asked by the hon. Member is being investigated, and I will let him have the results as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the last Land Tax Commissioners Names Act was passed in 1906; and whether, in view of the lapse of time which has occurred since the passing of that Act, he will undertake to introduce a new Land Tax Commissioners Names Bill at an early date?

I am not aware of any such shortage in the present number of Land Tax Commissioners as would make necessary the introduction of a Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exehequer whether, in view of the contemplated improvement in administration, valuation, management, and acquisition of Crown and Government lands, the Government will do its best, in the public interest, to expedite some practical result of the recommendations of the recent Committee of Investigation?

I am at present unable to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece) on the 5th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of a boy of 17 who is articled to a dentist, and whose whole time is occupied in learning his profession, and who is in receipt of no income, but is wholly dependent on his father for support, the practice of his Department is to treat the father as entitled to the educational allowance in his assessment for Income Tax; and, if not, whether, in view of the practical impossibility of getting a legal decision on this point in a Court of Law on the ground of expense, he will take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown on this question, as it affects a large number of persons?

It is not the practice in such a case to make any allowance to the father. The deduction granted under Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1916, in respect of a child over 16 years of age is subject to the condition that the child is receiving "full time instruction at any university, college, school or other educational establishment." I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by taking the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown. The question whether in particular instances the deduction is admissible is primarily one for the determination of the General Commissioners of Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount received from the Table Waters Duty from the beginning of the present financial year to date, and also the amount received for the previous financial year?

The duty received in Great Britain and Ireland in respect of table waters during the financial year 1921–22, and during the present financial year to 30th November, 1922, was as follows:

	£
Financial year 1921–22	1,172,903
For the eight months 1st April to 30th November, 1922	686,300

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the conditions in industry and the suspicion engendered, not only between employer and employed, but also between the consumer and producer, owing to the inadequacy of the information contained in the accounts of joint stock companies, he will consider the advisability of amending the company laws, in order to ensure the publication of adequate information regarding costs and profits?

The question of compelling public companies to include a profit and loss account in the balance sheet which has to be filed annually with the Registrar of Companies received the consideration of Company Law Amendment Committees which reported in the years 1906 and 1918 and recommended that a statement of profit and loss should not be required. I do not think it is advisable to introduce legislation at the present time to amend the Company Law on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that sailors who have been shipwrecked are in many cases paid off in a foreign port and receive no more wages, although two months or more may elapse before they reach a homo port; and whether he will recommend an amendment of the Merchant Shipping Act to provide for the payment of wages in such cases until the sailors arrive home?

Under existing law a seaman's wages cease on the wreck or loss of his ship, and if the wreck occurs abroad, some time must elapse before he can reach a home port. A Convention, which was signed at Genoa in June, 1920, provides for the payment of wages for a limited time in such cases, and the question whether legislation should be introduced to give effect to this Convention is now being considered by the Board of Trade and Ministry of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of amending the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, to make it obligatory for a public inquiry to be held, provided that no conciliative machinery exists or where such negotiating machinery has been unsuccessful in effecting a settlement, when one or both parties involved in a trade dispute, as denned by the Act, makes application for such an inquiry?

I have been asked to reply. Part II of the Industrial Courts Act, which empowers the Minister of Labour, if he thinks fit, to appoint a court of inquiry into the circumstances of an industrial dispute, must be exercised with discretion and used when the interests of the public, rather than the interests of the disputants themselves are affected. The obligatory appointment of a court of inquiry upon request by one side would gravely impair the value of the usual negotiations between employers and workpeople, and I am not aware that there is any general desire for an amendment of the Act in the manner proposed.

asked the Home Secretary what was the average yearly emigration from the United Kingdom in the seven years ending 1914, and for the seven years since 1914?

I have been asked to reply. The only figures available for the purposes of comparison for the two periods are the recorded balances of outward over inward passengers of British nationality travelling between the United Kingdom and places out of Europe and not within the Mediterranean Sea. According to these figures the average yearly emigration in the periods specified was as follows:

Period 1908–1914	…	…	185,740
Period 1915–1921	…	…	41,036

asked the Home Secretary what is the average surplus of births over deaths in Great Britain during the last four completed years?

The information asked for in the question is given in the following table:

		England and Wales.	Scotland.	Great Britain.
1918	…	50,800	20,182	70,982
1919	…	188,235	31,119	219,354
1920	…	491,652	68,367	560,019
1921	…	390,185	56,991	447,176
Total	…	1,120,872	176,659	1,297,531
Average	…	280,218	44,165	324,383

asked the Home Secretary whether be has issued any Regulations or circulars regarding the intervention of police officers in politics: and whether, under any of these circulars, police officers are forbidden to put questions to all -candidates as to conditions of pay and service?

The police are under a statutory obligation not to endeavour to influence electors as to their votes, and this is well understood in the police service. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a communication from the Medical Women's Federation, urging and stating reasons for the continued employment of the women police; whether he is aware that they have accomplished much in the prevention of crime and disease; and whether, in view of the feeling that is developing all over the country of the urgent need of women police, he will make a statement on the subject before the House rises?

I am giving careful consideration to this question, and if I am in a position to make a statement before the House rise, I shall be glad to do so.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to take the necessary steps to give effect to the recommendation of the Prison Commissioners in their Report for 1921–22, that there should be a bolder use of probation and allowance of time to pay fines, especially in view of the fact that during the year 1921 out of 15,674 persons imprisoned in default of paying fines 13,472 were not allowed time in which to pay; that a large percentage of these paid their fines after committal to prison; and that every person imprisoned costs £l 14s. 4¾d. per week?

The Home Office has from time to time urged on justices the desirability of discharging prisoners on probation and allowing ample time for the payment of fines whenever the interests of justice allow. This is of course a matter for the discretion of the magistrates dealing with the individual cases, but I have no reason to suppose that the Courts of Summary Jurisdiction are not, speaking generally, anxious to show leniency when circumstances permit. It is always to be remembered that these courts have to deal with over half-a-million offenders in the year, of whom considerably less than 10 per cent, are sent to prison.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a statement by Mr. Reeve Jones, chief immigration officer, to the effect that the Aliens Order will be amended in a month's time and Germans will be allowed to come over as ordinary aliens; and whether he will make a statement on the subject?

My attention has been called to a report in the Press of an alleged statement by Mr. Reeve Jones, but I find on inquiry that the report is inaccurate, and that, in fact, in reply to a question by the Court, he said that the special statutory restrictions on former enemy aliens would come to an end on 24th December, but that there would still be ample power to deal with them under the Aliens Order. His remarks, therefore, correctly reflected the position in regard to the control of former enemy aliens after the end of this year, as explained in the reply which I gave on the 27th November to a question by the hon. and learned Member for the Ealing Division (Sir H. Nield).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will make representations in favour of third-class sleeping carriages upon all railways which give facilities to those travelling at more expensive rates?

I understand that this matter has on several occasions been considered fully by the railway companies in the past, and that the conclusion arrived at has always been that the provision of third-class sleeping accommodation is not commercially feasible. I will, however, bring my hon. Friend's question to the companies' notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the experiments in road-laying by selected processes, conducted by the late Government, have indicated whether it is possible to provide roads which will stand the wear and tear arising from heavy motor transport; and if information respecting the results of such experiments will be laid before the House?

I am not aware of the particular experiments to which the hon. Member refers, but certain tests are being continuously carried out at the National Physical Laboratory, and it is proposed to publish some account of them in the Annual Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of motor-car licences granted during 1920, 1921, and 1922, respectively; the number of licences granted for private cars as distinct from commercial vehicles during the same periods; and the total revenue received per year therefrom?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am sending the hon. Member copies of statements which have been issued to the Press giving the figures in detail for the year 1921 and for the present year up to the end of August. A similar statement for the whole of 1922 is in course of preparation. Details for the year 1920 are not available, as the new system of motor taxation, for the administration of which the Ministry of Transport is responsible, did not come into operation till 1st January, 1921.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, (1) if he will grant a Return of local authorities to which borrowing powers have been granted for the purchase of motor omnibuses since the 1st April, 1917, and showing whether such powers have been conferred by local Acts or Provisional Orders; whether a local inquiry was held before borrowing powers were granted; the amount of borrowing powers sanctioned; the number of years sanctioned for the redemption of loans under such borrowing powers; whether the motor omnibus services operated by local authorities constitute part of their tramways systems;(2) if he will grant a Return showing the names of local authorities to which powers have been granted to operate motor omnibuses, distinguishing between those that have powers to operate such motor omnibuses within their own area and those that have powers to operate them both within and outside their own area; the date when such powers were granted; and whether such powers have been exercised?

I have been asked to reply to the questions. The compilation of the Returns asked for would entail a considerable amount of work as the particulars are not in all cases readily available. I am, however, having tabulated such information as can be given, and will forward it to my hon. Friend as soon as practicable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that China has very materially raised all postal and telegraph charges now that the competition of foreign posts have been removed by the closing of foreign post offices; that the additions range from 33⅓ per cent, to 400 per cent.; and whether the Foreign Office will bear in mind the demoralising influence of these postal methods on foreign commerce, and endeavour to afford foreign interests adequate protection in all further cases where China wishes to assume, by international consent, control hitherto vested in international bodies?

No official report on increases in Chinese postal and telegraph charges has been received, but I will cause inquiries to be made on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that State railway engineers are employed in almost every province in India, and have to live under just the same conditions as engineers of the Public Works Department employed in the same provinces, and are equally affected by the reform scheme, he will consider the question of putting the State railway engineers on an equal footing with the Public Works Department engineers so far as the right to retire on proportionate pensions is concerned?

When the arrangements for retirement on proportionate pension were decided, the criterion was the extent to which the reforms scheme affected the control over officers' work. Many officers besides those on the State railways are working in the provinces, but are employed by the Government of India and, consequently, are excluded from, the scheme.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of the matter to British trade, he will submit to the various Chambers of Commerce, especially those within industrial districts, the Report of Sir John Jordan's Committee on the education of Chinese students in this country?

The gist of the report was that nothing effective could be accomplished without the provision of considerable funds, and that the only sufficient funds which might become available appeared to be those of the Boxer Indemnity. The Committee further suggested that they should be allowed to suspend the consideration of the questions before them until His Majesty's Government had decided upon their attitude towards the resumption of indemnity payments. His Majesty's Government have since been in communication with the various other Governments concerned, and hope to be able to inform the Chinese Government of their decision very shortly. In the circumstances, I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose to submit the Report, which contains no detailed or technical suggestions as to plans for the education of Chinese, to the various Chambers of Commerce.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to assist agriculture by a special cheap parcel post for agricultural produce, as is done in certain foreign countries; and whether he will make inquiries as to the practice in this respect in different countries?

I have not been able to discover that special rates for agricultural produce are in force in any foreign country, and for the reason given in my answer to a similar question on the 28th of November last by the hon. Member for Frome, I cannot agree to institute such rates in the British postal service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the delay in the delivery of letters sent under the printed-matter rate in Edinburgh and Leith; and whether he will take steps to ensure a more expeditious delivery of this class of matter than at present exists?

I am not aware of any specific cases of delay in Edinburgh and Leith. If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind the general practice of holding over printed paper packets prepaid one halfpenny which are posted after a specified time, I would refer him to my reply to the hon. Member for East Walthamstow (Sir S. Johnson) on the 27th ultimo.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the curtailment of the Sunday delivery of letters is a serious hindrance to the commercial and social activities of the community; and if some arrangement can be made whereby letters could be delivered to callers at all post offices that are open on Sunday?

In order to provide a delivery to callers on Sundays, additional staff would be necessary to convey, open and sort the mails, and the extra Sunday labour and expense which would be involved would be considerable. Few complaints have been received in the matter, and I regret that I should not be justified in adopting the course suggested.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that in some parts of Exmoor letters are delivered by the Post Office on three days only in each week; has he received any representation on the subject from the Somerset County Executive Committee of the National Farmers' Union; and what steps does he propose to take to improve the postal facilities in that part of West Somerset?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The frequency of postal deliveries in thinly populated districts must necessarily bear some relation to the volume of correspondence and to the cost of providing the services. Even with a delivery three days a -week only, the cost in the Exmoor area is high in relation to the volume of correspondence, and I cannot see my way to incur the additional expense which a daily delivery would entail.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given before the Permanent Mandates Commission in Geneva by Sir James Allen, in which the High Commissioner repeatedly referred to the Chinese coolies being taken to the island of Samoa as being under indenture; and whether, in view of other official statements to the effect that there are no indentured Chinese coolies in the island of Nauru, he will say wherein the difference lies between the two systems under which the Chinese coolies are taken to these two islands?

The responsibility for the arrangements in Western Samoa rests with the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. I can, therefore, only refer the hon. Member to the published information, including that contained in Parliamentary Paper 9190. Whatever may be the position in Western Samoa, it is the fact as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Derby on the 5th December, that the Chinese labour in Nauru is not engaged under a system of indenture.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that the Government power-house at Beachley, Gloucestershire, generates electricity at a cost of 2½d. per unit, supplies it at the same figure to the Chepstow Electric Power Company, and that the latter company then retails it to the consumer at 10d. per unit, thereby making a profit of 7½d. per unit; if this company has no expenses save the cost of collecting; and if he will take steps to ensure that the consumer be supplied direct from the Government power-house at a much cheaper rate?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the price now charged for electricity generated at Beachley is 4d. per unit, and not 2½d. This supply represents only a small supplementary supply to that generated by the Chepstow company themselves. The price charged by the company for lighting is the same for the whole of their area, and I understand that their operations have during the last two years resulted in a loss.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the comment of the Judge and the findings of the jury in the prosecution of Gerald Lee Bevan, ex-chairman of the City Equitable Insurance Fire Company; and whether he proposes to consult the Public Prosecutor with a view to taking action against Bevan's co-directors of the company?

My attention has been called to the summing up of the Judge and the findings of the jury in the case referred to. These have been carefully considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and in neither of them is there any suggestion of any criminal liability in regard to any of the directors. The Director of Public Prosecutions does not contemplate taking any action. The Official Receiver in Companies Winding-Up has instituted misfeasance proceedings against some of the directors, but the House will understand that it would not be proper for me to make any comment on these.