asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Gunner Roy Hardy, No. 74,441, who was attested on 16th October, 1913, and transferred to the Army Reserve on 10th November, 1919, has not received reservist pay since May, 1921, although called up for service from the Reserves during the coal stoppage of 1921?

Gunner Hardy was discharged medically unfit from the Army Reserve on 5th May, 1921, and is therefore not entitled to Reserve pay after that date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, having regard to the recent failure of a certain firm of Army agents and bankers, if he will cause an Army Council Instruction to be issued explaining in detail the exact position and responsibility of the War Office in the matter of commissioned officers' pay, and pointing out that it is optional for all officers to bank with a company of their own choice?

As stated in the Debate this morning, steps will be taken to make the position clear.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing Rule No. 1a from the rules and regulations governing ordnance factories, which limits the age at which men can be employed to 45 years; and whether he is aware that craftsmen at this age are of mature skill, experience, and reliability, and would often be preferred by the officers who are responsible for the engagement of workmen?

So far as I am at present aware there are no sufficient reasons for changing the general practice, which is of old standing. It is not an absolute rule, and in the cases referred to in the last part of the question, discretion can be, and on occasion actually is, exercised. I will, however, look into the matter further.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the War Office contemplates changing or modifying the legal position of a soldier or noncommissioned officer who refuses to be vaccinated, as laid down by the then Secretary of State for War on 23rd April, 1918?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many British soldiers were murdered by the Greeks in Salonika from 1917 to 1919, inclusive?

I am not aware of any such cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what has been done with the marble mansion erected for the general officer commanding the Salonika Forces in 1917; has this residence been sold or handed over to the Greek authorities and, if so, does the Exchequer benefit by this transaction?

I am not aware that any such mansion was erected; the last part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether there is any intention that the Army Ordnance Depot at Woolwich is to be closed down before the Departmental Committee or the Stevenson Committee of this House have reported; whether he is aware that no evidence has been taken from the civil staff as to the additional cost that such a step will involve; and whether he will assure the House that no definite step will be taken until the Report of the Stevenson Committee has been considered?

The Stevenson Committee is dealing with the future of the Ordnance factories, not of the Army Ordnance Depot. No decision to move the latter has yet been arrived at.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to re-appoint the Select Committee to inquire into the operations of the Navy and Army Canteen Board?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any Report has yet been rendered by the House of Commons Committee which sat to consider the losses that were made by the canteen organisations, and, if not, when the Report may be expected and whether it will be published?

I am not aware that the late Committee, which ceased to exist with the dissolution of the last Parliament, rendered any Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to recommend for consideration the desirability of amending the present stringent regulation of the Imperial War Graves Commission, whereby they are precluded from making a grant to those widows who, without any notification or knowledge of the grant of memorial stones, erected private memorials to fallen ex-officers and men who died whilst serving His Majesty's Forces during the War and who were buried in War cemeteries in this country, with a view to such grants in distressing cases being made permissible after due investigation?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave him on the 5th instant, to which I regret that I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any, and what, provision is now made for the photographing of war graves for the benefit of poor relatives; and whether he will consider the desirability of seeking powers for the Imperial War Graves Commission to carry the work for which funds were formerly provided by the British Red Cross Society?

Subsequent to the withdrawal of the Army personnel who were engaged in this work with the co-operation of the British Red Cross Society, a contract was made in October last under which some 16,000 war graves are being photographed at the expense of Army funds. The photographs are being distributed by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that just recently two contracts, one from the Great Indian Peninsular Railway and the other from the Eastern Indian Railway, have been placed with German firms; and, as this work in the past has been done by English firms, will he give the reasons why on this occasion they have gone to Germany?

I am making inquiries of the two companies concerned, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether proceedings will be instituted against the members of the Civil Disobedience Committee, which recently openly toured India with the avowed object of fomenting revolution?

The question whether or not persons in India have committed an offence is one for the consideration of the magistrates and the Governments in India. The necessary materials for considering such a question do not exist in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India who were the organisers of the Akali agitation amongst the Sikhs who have been successfully prosecuted by the Punjab Government; whether they were inhabitants of the Punjab or not; and what steps have been taken to prosecute the guiding hands from other provinces who have been working with the view of inflaming the Sikhs and the population generally against the Government and to compromise ex-soldiers in the movement, and who are said in the Indian Press to be those who brought about the rebellion in the Punjab of 1919, and caused the Moplah rebellion in Malabar?

The organisers prosecuted were the principal members of the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee. They were residents of the Punjab. As to the prosecution of other persons, I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave him last week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to set up the Boundary Commission to delimit the boundary of Northern Ireland: whether instructions will be given to the Commission to consult the wishes of the inhabitants; and, if so, over what areas and by what means?

I cannot add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith Boroughs (Captain W. Benn) on 7th December.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will introduce some Measure which will put Irish solicitors in the same position as Colonial solicitors to whom the Colonial Solicitors Act now applies?

I would refer the hon. Member to Section 3 of the Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922, under which it will be open to the Parliament of the Irish Free State to provide that the Colonial Solicitors Act. 1900, may be applied to the Irish Free State as it may be applied to the other self-governing Dominions. On such provision being made, the Irish Free State will, for the purposes of the Colonial Solicitors Act, be in the same position as the other self-governing Dominions, and it will be possible, to extend the benefit of the Act to solicitors of the Superior Court of the Irish Free State, subject to the like conditions upon which the benefits may be extended to solicitors of Superior Courts in the other Dominions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Indian inhabitants of Kenya intend to hold a congress in January, 1923; and whether, having regard to the unrest caused in the colony by the disputed question of the Indian franchise and its importance to the whole Empire, he can make any pronouncement on the subject?

I have had no previous information of the date of the next Indian Congress in Kenya. On the general question I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 5th of December to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of a system whereby civil servants in his Department may be interchanged for a period of years with those in the Dominions and Crown Colonies in order to ensure that the same have a practical and personal knowledge of the Empire and the needs of its various component parts?

As regards the self-governing Dominions, the matter was discussed at the Imperial Conference of 1911. A proposal for interchange of civil servants was modified, after discussion, into one for periodical exchange of visits, and a Resolution in favour of such exchange was carried. This Resolution has already been acted on in several cases, and will, I hope, be followed in future. As regards the Colonies, the question is being considered in connection with the Report of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education on his visit to the West Indies.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, the amount of the Government grants allocated for agricultural research and education in Scotland; and how this sum is at present being expended?

It is estimated that the expenditure from public funds on agricultural research and education in Scotland made by or through the Board of Agriculture for Scotland during the current financial year will be:—Agricultural and Veterinary Research, £17,858; Agricultural and Veterinary Education, £67,100, allocated as follows:

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether the Government intend to take any legislative or other action with reference to the Report of the Committee, presided over by Lord Dunedin, dealing with rating in Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 5th instant to a question put by the hon. and learned Member for East Fife (Mr. Millar).

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he will consider the advisability of instituting at an early date an inquiry into the question of fishing-harbour accommodation at which representatives of each of the fishing communities can state their case?

The question of fishing-harbour accommodation in Scotland has for a considerable period been under close and continuous consideration by the Fishery Board for Scotland. A Committee of the Board has visited most of the principal harbours and conferred with the local authorities as to requirements. In these circumstances, my Noble Friend is of opinion that such an inquiry as is suggested by the hon. and gallant Member would not add substantially to existing information. Within the limits of the available resources, a considerable measure of assistance has been provided to meet the immediate necessities of fishery harbours.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether, in view of the growing necessity of increasing fishing-harbour accommodation on the East Coast of Scotland, and the employment which would be provided in enlarging and deepening harbours, he will allow the Grants-in-Aid of unemployment to be utilised for works of this description?

The Grants which the Unemployment Grants Committee are authorised to sanction are available in the case of fishery harbour works undertaken by local authorities or statutory bodies not trading for profit for the purpose of relieving unemployment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that many local education authorities are experiencing considerable difficulty in securing a proper attendance of children at school owing to the fact that many children are without boots, and as a consequence are kept at home by their parents; that some authorities have appealed to private charity to enable them to provide such boots, and that the response to such appeal, although generous, has proved to be totally inadequate to provide the boots that are necessary; and whether he will seek the necessary power to enable local educational authorities, in such circumstances, to provide from national public funds, under proper safeguards against imposition, the boots necessary for such children?

I have received a few communications from local education authorities on the subject, but I have no evidence that many of them desire to undertake the supply of boots for school children out of public funds available for education. I cannot undertake to promote legislation for the purpose suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a number of physically-defective children within the area of the Walthamstow education area, who are of school age, are now being denied facilities for elementary education; that application was made to his Department in April, 1921, by the said authority to sanction a scheme to enable them to provide the education which, under Section 20 of the Education Act, 1918, it is their duty to provide, and that the plane submitted were generally approved by his Department, but sanction to proceed with the scheme was withheld on the ground of the necessity for economy; that the authority named is one of the most economical in the Greater London area; and whether he will now sanction the scheme of this education authority?

I am a ware that there is some deficiency in the provision for physically-defective children in Walthamstow. I have not been able to enter closely into the merits of the case, but I am prepared to give it further consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that many teachers promoted to the position of inspectors of schools, or educational organisers, or other professional offices are not included in the teachers' superannuation scheme on the same terms as teachers employed in schools; that these officers have requested leave to put their case before the Departmental Committee on teachers' superannuation; and whether he will use his good offices to get the request granted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand that the Departmental Committee are prepared to hear representatives of the classes concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that regular officers of field rank compulsorily retired from the Army owing to reduction of establishment find considerable difficulty in obtaining other employment owing to their age; seeing that there are not many appointments in or connected with Government Departments, particularly the Colonial Office, where a military training is of considerable value, but from which these officers are debarred by reason of the entry age limit, he will consider the waiving of the age limit in the cases of such of these officers who may be otherwise suitable, in a manner analogous to the system governing the absorption of permanent civil servants rendered surplus to establishment?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham on Monday last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship entailed upon ex-civil servants by the high cost of living, he contemplates taking any steps to extend the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, particularly with regard to the financial limit imposed by the statute which determines the standard of eligibility, i.e., he must satisfy the pension authority that his means, including pension, are loss than £150 per annum, if married £200 per annum?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Fareham (Sir J. Davidson) on the 7th instant.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to transfer the Scottish headquarters of the Training Department of the Ministry of Labour from Edinburgh to Glasgow; and, if so, whether, in the case of those members of the staff of this Department who, owing to the difficulty of obtaining suitable accommodation in Glasgow, will be compelled to travel daily from Edinburgh to Glasgow for the performance of their duties, it is proposed to recoup to them the expense which such travelling will involve?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12th December to a question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the cost of the Irish Medical Board in Dublin is £43,500 per year and only 20,000 patients are examined annually, he will, in the interests of economy, recommend the closing of this medical board and give pensioners in Ireland fixed pensions for life?

As I pointed out to the hon. Member last Thursday, the cost of the Dublin Medical Board during the past 12 months was exceptionally high, owing to the abnormal difficulties of travelling and other conditions prevailing, but I stated that it had already been greatly reduced. I have every hope that the return of more normal conditions will shortly lead to a further reduction in the average cost of each examination. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that a scheme for the making of final awards has been in active operation since the beginning of the year. A large number of final awards has already been made, and I have taken steps to expedite the process as much as possible. I am afraid that the end the hon. Member has in view could not, in fairness either to the pensioner or the State, be attained by the means he suggests.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that men recently transferred to the Pensions Issue Office have been placed on filing on Grade 111 rates of pay, some drawing as much as 65s. 6d.; that women who have been employed on this work prior to the introduction of men and who are now engaged in checking the work of the latter and training them are in receipt of 40s. a week or are on Grade IV rates of pay; and that some time back a claim was put in on behalf of those women to receive Grade III rates but was rejected on the grounds that the work was appropriate to a grade below that of Grade III, and that, therefore, no higher rate of pay could be given; whether most of the women concerned have long Government service behind them; and whether efforts will now be made either to give these women, if they remain on filing side by side with the men, Grade III rates of pay also or opportunities for trial on other Grade III work?

It is a fact that a small number of men redundant in other branches of the Ministry have been recently transferred to Pensions Issue office and have been placed temporarily on filing duties partly to relieve pressure and partly as an experiment. This work has hitherto been performed by Grade IV women clerks and is appropriate to that grade. No question therefore arises of giving them Grade III rates of pay. The question of promotion from Grade IV to Grade III would be considered if vacancies in the Grade III ranks occurred, but, owing to prospective reductions in the numbers of temporary Grade III clerks, no vacancies are anticipated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the need for the protection of the public against organisations registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts for the sole purpose of conducting gambling businesses; and whether the Government will take the earliest possible steps to introduce legislation which will secure such protection?

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts are not the only Acts under which organisations of this character can be registered. Such organisations are at present recognised by law, and the question whether they should cease to be so recognised raises wide and controversial issues which cannot be dealt with by piece-meal legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in appointing the Committee to investigate as to the simplification of Income Tax forms, he will invite representations from the National Citizens Union and similar organisations representing the taxpayer?

I understand my hon. and gallant Friend to refer to the constitution of the Committee. I am not yet in a position to announce the constitu- tion, but I shall take pains to secure that the point of view of the taxpayer is fairly reflected therein.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate of the amount lost to the revenue during the last financial year through the exemption of farmers who had sustained losses from paying Income Tax?

I regret that the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any claims by the Marconi Company against the Government are outstanding; if so, the number and the respective amounts of such claims; why a settlement is delayed; and whether there is any prospect of an early settlement?

Claims by the Marconi Company against the Government are outstanding in respect of the use of the company's patents by the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry and in respect of the company's services to the Post Office during the War and also in respect of the future payments, if any, to be made for the use of the company's patents by the Post Office in connection with the Imperial Wireless Chain. I do not think it advisable to refer to the amounts involved in the claims under discussion. In reply to the third part of the question, the late Government decided that there must be a comprehensive settlement of all these claims rather than individual settlements, and this has necessarily caused some delay. I can only say, in reply to the fourth part of the question, that negotiations are being pursued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government has decided to set up an Estimates Committee on the same lines as last Session, or with extended powers?

I have promised to make a statement on this matter tomorrow, in answer to a question on the Paper in the name of my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewisham (Lieut.-Colonel Pownall).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the inquiry which he has stated will be made into the working of the State Printing Works at Harrow can be set up immediately, so that, if the inquiry results in a recommendation to close the works, this decision may be given effect to at the end of the experimental period in June, 1923?

For the purposes of the inquiry which will be made into the working of the State Printing Works at Harrow, it will be necessary to have the complete accounts for the financial year ending 31st March, 1923. As soon as those accounts are ready, the inquiry can be set up, but it will be probably several weeks after the end of the financial year before the complete accounts are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the delays and inconvenience caused to Eisteddfod Committees in Wales when applying for remission of the Entertainment Duty to the Customs House by the lack of knowledge of the Welsh language by the officials; and whether he will, in order to facilitate decisions, see that amongst the staff there is an official proficient to deal with programmes printed in the Welsh language?

I am not aware of any undue delays in dealing with the applications in question. The officials concerned have acquired some knowledge of the meaning of the Welsh words ordinarily used in the Eisteddfod programmes, and any difficulties that may arise would be avoided if the Committees in question would furnish an English translation of the programmes of the entertainments in respect of which exemption from duty is sought.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the aggregate profits of the brewery companies of the United Kingdom for the years 1913 and 1921?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put his question down again one day next Session, when I hope to be in a position to supply him with the information desired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average gravity of the beer brewed in the United Kingdom in 1913 and 1921?

The average gravity of the beer brewed by brewers for sale in the United Kingdom in the years ended 31st December, 1913 and 1921, respectively, was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the question of having an edition of the OFFICIAL REPORT issued in a cheaper form as to the quality of paper and otherwise, so that its price might be brought within the reach of the poorer members of the community?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to my right hon. Friend the Member for the Scottish Universities (Sir H. Craik).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the deposits of German traders and individuals are being held in this country, thus tending to depreciate the rate of exchange and reduce the capacity of Germany in respect to reparation payments; and whether he will consider any possible steps by which this condition may be remedied?

I do not consider any steps in this matter to be possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that Section 46 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, contains no words of limitation to agreements current when the said Act was passed and that therefore appeals since made to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to determine the amount of rebate of licence duty payable to the licence holder come within the scope of Section 46, he will state the number of such appeals made to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise since the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, was passed and the nature of the agreements determined upon by the said Commissioners?

The Commissioners of Customs and Excise are advised that Section 46 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, does not empower them to apportion the increase in duty upon a licence held by a person, whose tenancy is governed by an agreement entered into after the Act was passed. I am unable to give the exact number of applications made to the Commissioners in respect of agreements entered into after the passing of the Act, but the number is very small. For the reason given above, no determinations have been given in respect of such agreements.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that instructions have recently been issued that printing for county courts throughout the country, now being done by local firms, is in future to be done at the State printing works at Harrow, which will entail considerable expense in the re-setting or alteration of forms now standing, and therefore a very heavy loss to the taxpayer; and whether he will recall these instructions?

The simplification and standardisation of all county court forms is at present under consideration by the Departments concerned, and notice of termination of the existing contracts for the supply of these forms has been given as regards London and Birmingham. No further arrangements have as yet been made, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the question of cost will be one of the primary considerations in connection with any new arrangement that may be made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the sugar beet factory at Kelham is in actual use at the present time, and suitable for the purpose for which it was built and in respect of which it is assisted by the State?

I have been asked to reply. As stated in reply to the hon. Member on the 6th instant, the Kelham factory is not in use at the present time, as for reasons of economy the whole of the sugar beet crop grown this year is being worked at the Cantley factory. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative, but proposals for alterations for increasing the output of the factory next year are under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give favourable consideration to the almost universal view of the banking community that it is desirable that banks should be closed on 1st January and 1st July in order to enable the half-year's accounts to be dealt with by the staffs without continuous night-work?

I regret that I am not able to continue any longer the special arrangements made in view of shortage of staff in the War period, and I have so informed the banks.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities for the re-introduction of the Economy Bill which was introduced by the late Government in the last Parliamentary Session?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement in regard to legislation next Session, but this subject is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the hardship caused by the Police Pensions Act, 1921, to the widows of constables retired on pension prior to 1st April, 1918; whether his attention has been called to the conditions imposed by the Police Pensions Increase Act, 1920, which in many cases deprives necessitous old pensioners of any increase; whether he is aware that paragraph 184, Part II, of the Desborough Committee Report recommends the redress of these grievances; and whether he is prepared to take any action?

I would refer to the reply which I gave on the 5th instant to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Kingston-upon-Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the interests of women voters in large county constituencies who, because of the distances between polling booths, find it difficult or impossible to record their votes, and in order to guard against the undue political influence of wealth as expressed in motor ears, he will take steps to provide that polling motor omnibuses, equipped with ballot boxes and polling clerks, might be used to supplement polling booths in electoral contests?

I am afraid the proposal of the hon. Member would be impracticable, and in any case it could not be adopted without an amendment of the law. I may refer him to the reply given on the 5th instant to the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Emlyn-Jones) as to the means afforded by the existing law for securing the provision of adequate polling facilities for electors.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that his predecessor promised that the system under which an escaping prisoner might be punished on his recapture by being chained would be reconsidered with a view to its abolition; and whether a decision in relation to this system has yet been arrived at?

This matter has received careful consideration. Leg-irons and cross-chains are not now used, and will not be used in ordinary cases of attempted escape, but I should not be justified in withdrawing altogether the Rule which authorises their use not as a punishment, but as a precaution in very exceptional cases.

asked the Home Secretary if, seeing that the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, Section 10, lapses on the 23rd of this month, he will take steps to prevent this country being invaded by aliens?

Stringent Regulations for the control of alien immigration are, and will remain after the expiration of Section 10, in full force, and, as I have stated in reply to many similar questions, no further legislation is required.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can assure the House that, notwithstanding the fact that certain Clauses in the Aliens Restriction Act will expire on the 23rd instant, no enemy alien will, after the 23rd December, be permitted to enter this country without first obtaining a special permit from the Home Office?

When the special provisions referred to expire, no former enemy alien will be allowed to land in this country, except in pursuance of leave given to him after careful examination at the port by an officer responsible to me and acting under my directions. I can assure the House that, as I stated in answer to the hon. and learned Member for the Ealing Division on the 27th November, the interests of this country, in the matter of the exclusion of aliens whose presence is for any reason undesirable, will be fully safeguarded under this system.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that 11,340 women were received in His Majesty's prisons during the financial year 1921–22, and that the daily average female prison population was 1,388, he will consider, at an early date, the advisability of filling the vacancy of woman inspector caused by the retirement of the late inspector in 1921, as the experience in other branches of the work of his Department has shown clearly that the duties carried out by women inspectors could not be carried out with the same degree of efficiency by male inspectors however competent?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave to a question asked yesterday by the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division (Mr. A. Bennett). The daily average number of female prisoners decreased from 2,685 in 1909–1910 to 1,388 in 1921–2, and is now 1,164.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the majority of small, in most cases one-man, tobacco and confectionery shops in the provinces depend entirely upon the theatre and music-hall trade, he will give permission to these shops to remain open till 9 p.m., provided always that no paid employe remains on duty after 8 p.m.?

The sale of tobacco is subject to the general closing hours fixed by the Shops (Early Closing) Act, 1920, namely, 8 p.m. on days other than Saturday and 9 p.m. on Saturday, but in the case of confectionery, these hours have

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any figures for British shipping entered and cleared in the Dardanelles for each of the years from 1910 to the present day?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will direct that the prisoner, Douglas Carnby, aged 18, sentenced to 18 strokes of the cat, shall be examined by a psychological specialist before the sentence is carried out?

Every prisoner sentenced to be flogged is examined by the medical officer of the prison before the flogging is administered, and I see no advantage in calling in any outside "expert" for the purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in what parts of the British Empire, including mandated and other territories, which, in the case of dutiable commodities, enjoy Imperial preference, petroleum is produced; what was the output of petroleum in these territories during 1921 and the first six months of 1922: and what proportion of this production was imported into this country?

supplies the following statistic in pursuance of his answer.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th December, 1922; col. 2593, Vol 159.]

Statistics are not available as to the movement of shipping through the Dardanelles, but the returns for the Port of Constantinople may be regarded as measuring approximately the movement of shipping of that region.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the whole of the deposit money and the collateral security of the Port of Rich-borough, under the agreement of 24th March, 1921, has been received by the Government; whether there is any prospect of the other obligations of the licensees of the Port of Richborough being carried out within the stated time; whether Richborough is now closed; whether valuable and serviceable material is now rotting and disintegrating; and whether the Government will state their immediate policy with regard to Richborough?

With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, a deposit of £250,000 in 5 per cent. War Loan and Victory Bonds was received on the signing of the contract, and the sale proceeds of these have been paid into the Exchequer. The purchasers of Richborough claimed to rescind the agreement, and an action for specific performance of the contract has been brought on behalf of the Government, and is now pending. The property is now in the hands of a Receiver appointed by the Court, who holds it pending the decision in the action. Proper steps for the preservation of the property are being taken, and such of the assets as can be sold at reasonable prices are being disposed of by the Receiver with the leave of the Court.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the overcrowding of omnibuses and tram-cars in the metropolitan area; and whether, in view of the unhygienic and dangerous character of this practice, the hardship of overwork it imposes upon the conductors whilst numbers of men capable of doing such work are unemployed, and the fact that the person paying for a seat is entitled to the same, he will consider the rescinding of the regulation which permits the abrogation of the law with regard to the number of persons such vehicles are licensed to carry?

I have been asked to reply. The whole subject is under consideration, and it has been referred to the Committee on Hackney Vehicles appointed by the Ministry of Transport. I am not at present in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received communications from local authorities protesting against the Heavy Motor Car (Amendment) Order, 1922, which increases the axle weights of vehicles and increased speed on the highways, many of the roads being unsuitable for such speed and traffic; and will he take the necessary steps to revert to the previous position in regard to this matter?

I have received a number of resolutions of a stereotyped form protesting against this Order, mostly from rural district councils. There appears to be considerable misapprehension as to the effect of the amending Order, which was primarily intended to legalise the use of certain types of tractor and trailer combinations. Apart from this, it increases the maximum speed of certain heavy motor-cars, if fitted with resilient tyres, from 8 to 12 miles per hour, and raises the maximum axle weight of a trailer from 4 to 6½ tons. In these respects the Order follows the recommendations of the Departmental Committee. No change has been made in the maximum axle-weight on any axle of a heavy motor-car, which remains the same as when first laid down in 1904. I am not prepared to revoke the amending Order, which meets to some extent the needs arising from industrial development without imposing any undue burden upon the roads.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of rural post offices in Cornwall where no telephone has yet been installed; and whether there is any prospect of telephones being installed at these rural post offices during the current financial year?

Figures for individual counties are not available, but on the 31st of July last there were in the Plymouth district, which comprises Cornwall and a section of Devonshire, 263 rural post offices where no public telephone call office had been established. Of this number, 109 have telegraph facilities. There is little prospect of telephones being installed at many of these offices during the current financial year, but I am prepared to consider any specific proposals submitted to me, although I fear that in many parts of Cornwall the cost of providing call office facilities would be heavy and the receipts small.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the very serious inconvenience frequently caused in the delivery of postal packets sent at the printed paper rate due to the existing Regulations; and if he can promise early revision of these Regulations, which is demanded by chambers of commerce?

I would refer the, hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for the Walthamstow, East Division (Sir S. Johnson) on the 27th of November.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the last despatch of letters from the village of Thornliebank is at 5.20 p.m., although the landward portion of the parish of Eastwood has much later despatches of letters; and if he is prepared to arrange for an extra despatch from the village-about 9 p.m.?

I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the combined populations of New Milton, Hordel, Wootton Ashley, Barton-on-Sea, and Downton, which are in reality one place, is in excess of the population of the town in which the head office of that area is situated; and whether, in view of the changes which have been necessary in the administration of the New Milton post office and in view of the importance of the district, which justifies a more efficient local administration, he will consider the advisability of creating a salared sub-office in that town?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General the circumstances under which gratuity was refused to J. W. Walker, who was employed by his Department for seven years and three months as a temporary sorter in the London postal service, East-Central and Foreign Sections, and was discharged on the 1st January, 1922, on account of reduction of work, his conduct and performance of duty being satisfactory; and whether, seeing that such gratuities were provided by Act of Parliament for those in Government employment other than pensionable officers, he will say by what authority they are now being withheld from sections of those who have served the qualifying period and have been discharged on reduction?

Mr. Walker was one of a number of men who were engaged during the War in a temporary capacity to replace officers absent with the Forces, and who were discharged on the resumption of normal conditions. I regret that such employés are not eligible for gratuities under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1887.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of eases in which applications for a reduction of rent of houses built with a State subsidy have been made by local authorities; what is the extra burden thrown on the taxpayer by the reductions sanctioned; and what would be the extra burden if the whole of the reductions requested had been agreed to?

Applications have been received from 632 local authorities for reductions of rents of houses erected under assisted housing schemes and reductions have been agreed to in 478 cases. These reductions relate to 44,868 houses. It is difficult to say precisely what effect on Exchequer subsidy is caused by any reduction in rent as it must to some extent depend not only on the rents fixed but on the amount of rent actually collected. Reductions are only approved where it can be shown that the rents charged are excessive. It is open to a local authority which is not satisfied with the rent approved by this Department to appeal to the independent tribunal appointed under the Housing Scheme Regulations.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if the survey of the housing conditions of the Sowerby Bridge district council area in 1919 revealed the fact that out of 2,946 houses surveyed 203 were overcrowded, 140 unfit houses were occupied by two or more families, 722 houses were reported unfit for habitation and not repairable, and 306 houses were unfit but repairable; and what steps does he propose to take to secure an improvement in the housing conditions of that area?

I am aware of the report of the survey referred to. The local authority have proceeded with a scheme for 43 houses with Exchequer assistance, and my right hon. Friend will be willing to give favourable consideration to any application the local authority may make for sanction to a loan for the erection of houses in the district in accordance with their general powers under the Housing Acts

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he will give particulars of the number of men engaged in building houses under the various Government-assisted housing schemes in each of the months of the present year?

The following statement gives the number of skilled and unskilled men engaged on assisted housing schemes of local authorities and public utility societies on the 1st of each month of the present year:

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of one, two, three, four and five-roomed houses in Wednesbury, and the aggregate population housed therein in accordance with the 1921 Census?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the figures asked for in respect of Wednesbury are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, what local authorities are at present discharging any form of sewage or sewage effluent into the River Lea or permitting such discharge in their districts?

The local authorities of Harpenden, Hertford, Enfield, Edmonton, Walthamstow and Leyton are discharging effluents into the River Lea.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that under the old Poor Law system, as administered by the Local Government Board, it was the consistent practice of that Department to enforce all surcharges which might be recommended by Local Government Board auditors against local authorities or their officers; that this practice has been discontinued to a large extent by the Ministry of Health; that adverse reports by auditors of Poor Law accounts are now treated as of little or no concern by boards of guardians, with the result that irregular proceedings are frequently indulged in by such authorities, upon which no action is taken by his Department; and whether, in the interests of safeguarding the public purse, he will give instructions that any irregularities reported upon by his Department's auditors shall be acted upon with a view to surcharging the bodies or officials concerned?

There has been no such change of practice as is suggested. During the two years ended 31st March last there were 3,221 disallowances and surcharges, and in 2,834, that is, in nearly 90 per cent, of these cases, the amounts disallowed and surcharged were refunded by the persons concerned

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether any communications have been sent out from his Department on the subject of closing business premises in the event of small-pox occurring thereon; and, if so, whether he will inform the House as to the exact nature and tenor of such communications?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether any variolous strains of vaccine lymph are used for seed purposes in the Government lymph establishment; and, if not, what is the precise character and origin of the lymph or lymphs which are used for the purposes in question?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The lymph at present used at the Government lymph establishment is a strain of lymph obtained many years ago which has been carried on by repeated transference from calf to calf.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the Council of Medical Research is throwing obstacles in the way of the general production of a remedy for diabetes known as Insulin; if, seeing that our knowledge of the remedy has long passed the experimental stage, he can arrange that the manufacture should be left to private enterprise; and whether he is aware that a system of licences granted by the Council of Medical Research to authorised persons would afford ample protection to the public and make the remedy available much sooner than by keeping it a Government monopoly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. So far from creating obstacles, the Medical Research Council are doing everything in their power to accelerate the production and use of Insulin in the treatment of diabetes. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. His assertion that the remedy has passed the experimental stage is not in accord with the experience of other countries or the best scientific opinion here. There is no question of any Government monopoly, and the suggestion which he makes as to manufacture is on the lines which the Medical Research Council have been, in fact, diligently pursuing for some time past.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether investigations have been completed as to the practicability of employing distinctive colours for poisons in the form of powder, such as arsenic or strychnine; and whether the Government intends to introduce legislation to give effect to the suggestion made by one of His Majesty's judges in this regard?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The investigations are not yet completed, and I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been called to the number of undertakings, mainly municipal, which have seceded from Whitley Councils; and whether he intends taking any steps to prevent the breaking up of this industrial machinery?

I am not aware that secessions by individual undertakings from Whitley Councils of the character indicated have taken place except in the cases of the Council for Local Authorities' Administrative, Technical and Clerical Services, which, though not formally dissolved, has not met since February of last year, and the Council for Local Authorities' Non - Trading Services (Manual Workers). In the latter case arrangements have been made for a deputation from the council to be received at the Ministry of Labour on Thursday next for the purpose of discussing the situation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the benefit, both to employers and employed, he will use the best offices of his Ministry to press on all those trade unions, in which at present the custom does not obtain, the desirability of considering the re-introduction of the piece-work system?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on the 11th December, the question whether a piecework system should be introduced into any industry is a matter for discussion between the employers and workers concerned. I do not think that I could properly suggest, either to employers or to workers, the system on which the work in any industry should be carried out.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that Mr. James Telfer, of 29, Castlehill Road, Ayr, was practising dentistry for five years before joining the Army; that he was wounded and taken prisoner and only arrived home after the Armistice; that he has been continually in and out of hospital up to last May, and has undergone three operations; and that, although he has been practising dentistry since last May, his application for registration under the Dentists Act has been refused, on the ground that he has not practised since his discharge; and whether, as this man could not possibly practise during the time he was in hospital owing to war service, steps will be taken at once to remove the injustice arising in this case?

The Minister of Health has no jurisdiction in regard to admissions to the Dentists Register, but enquiry will be made into the facts of this case and the result communicated to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the Report of the Proceedings of the Select Committee on the Training and Employment of Disabled ex-Service Men have been printed; how many sold; how many given gratis; and how many still on hand?

1,500 copies of this Report have been printed, 222 copies have been sold, 429 copies have been distributed free to Members of Parliament and for official purposes, and 849 copies are still on hand.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, have been taken, or will be taken, by the Government to carry into effect the recommendations of the Select Committee on Training and Employment of Disabled ex-service men; and if he can arrange for the separate publication at a low price of the 22 pages containing the Select Committee's Report and recommendation apart from 471 pages of detailed proceedings, etc.?

The Government are proceeding broadly on the lines recommended by the Select Committee, and Lord Mayors, Lord Provosts, Mayors and Provosts have been invited to set up King's Roll committees. A King's Roll National Council is also in process of formation. I am in communication with H.M. Stationery Office with regard to the separate publication of the Select Committee's Report without the appendices.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the re-opening for a limited period of the registration of ex-service men for training, in order to meet the cases of those who, from want of knowledge, absence from England, or other reasons, did not register before the date of closing?

In accordance with the recommendation of the Select Committee on Training and Employment of Disabled ex-Service Men, my Department is prepared to consider applications from men who did not apply before 30th September, 1921, but who have broken down in their post-War occupation owing to their War disability. In considering late applications from other classes of disabled ex-service men, due regard is given to the circumstances which prevented them from applying before the closing date. I am not prepared to grant any general extension of the closing date.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that 19 Darlaston manufacturers have written to the Walsall Board of Guardians protesting against the increasing burden of rates due to making provision for the unemployed within the board's jurisdiction, and stating that, unless the present rate of expenditure is curtailed, operations will be suspended and works will be closed; and, if so, having regard to the increasing liabilities of local authorities, he will consider the desirabilty of giving increased financial assistance or make provision for unemployment a national charge?

My right hon. Friend is aware that this is a Union in which it has been found necessary to relieve a large number of unemployed persons, though he has not been informed of the particular protest mentioned in the question. The suggestion made in the last part of the question is under the consideration of the Cabinet Committee, as I informed the House in the early hours of this morning.

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?

I am afraid I cannot at present add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member in reply to the same question last Monday.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, in the legislation foreshadowed for next Session dealing with out-door relief in London, he will consider making the relief granted to unemployed men and their families a national instead of a local charge?

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be practicable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, what was the amount spent on out-relief by the Poor Law authorities in 1913 and in 1921, respectively; and can he give any estimate of the amount likely to be so spent in 1922?

The amount spent on out-relief in money or kind by Poor Law Authorities in England and Wales in the year ended 31st March, 1914, was £2,421,689. The corresponding amount for the year ended 31st March, 1922, is estimated to have been £13,500,000. The amount spent in the half-year ended 30th September, 1922, was £9,482,000.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether an application has been received from the town council of Poole in reference to a scheme for the sewerage of the sandbanks area of Parkstone in that borough, which has been approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee, for sanction for the necessary loan; and whether he will press the decision forward, as tenders have been accepted and, if the loan is completed forthwith, the unemployed men can commence work before Christmas?

The loan was sanctioned last week.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received resolutions, and, if so, how many, from local authorities protesting against the condition as to the rates of wages made by the Unemployment Grants Committee; and whether, in view of these representations, this condition will be withdrawn?

Not many complaints have been made of late, only four resolutions on the subject having recently been received from local authorities. The condition was made after full consideration and cannot be withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total expen- diture by the Government Departments and local authorities concerned upon schemes of public work for the relief of unemployment on 1st December, 1922; what was the number of unemployed men engaged for the said schemes on 1st December, 1922; the sum that is estimated to be spent upon 1st January, 1923, upon 1st February, 1923, and upon 1st March, 1923, upon such schemes; and the number of unemployed that will be employed upon such schemes on the 1st day of the months of January, February, and March, 1923?

According to the available figures, the number of men directly employed on 4th December on work specially set in hand for the relief of unemployment was about 100,000, but of course these figures do not include those for whom employment was provided indirectly. I regret that the other figures asked for could not be obtained without very great labour.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, in view of the fact that urgent schemes of public work to absorb unemployed are being held up, he will urge the Treasury to withdraw the objection to loans raised by boards of guardians being included in the net amount of loans towards which grants are made by the Unemployment Grants Committee; and whether he will assure the House that local authorities will not be hampered and discouraged, in their efforts to reduce unemployment, by the interpretation in the letter, rather than the spirit, of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921?

As regards the first part of the question, the matter to which the hon. Member refers is under immediate consideration, and my right hon. Friend will communicate with him later. As regards the second part, I can assure the hon. Member that the administration of the Act is directed to the giving of the greatest possible assistance to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is now in a position to state definitely what are the Government's intentions respecting the renewal of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act (Part II); whether it is the Government's intention to make such Act, if introduced, retrospective and, in the meantime, assist boards of guardians to obtain the necessary loans for carrying on their work; and whether he is aware that the poorer districts of London are quite unable to make their estimates for the forthcoming half-year owing to their inability to estimate how much they are likely to receive from the richer boroughs towards the maintenance of the poor of their districts?

As regards the first part of this question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which he received last Thursday. The Government will continue to assist boards of guardians so far as they require loans to meet their necessary expenditure. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that no difficulty need arise inasmuch as the payments to be made to and from the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund during this and the coming half-year are governed by existing legislations.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, how many people were

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there is continued unemployment and distress in Annan, Gretna, and adjoining areas owing to the closing down of His Majesty's factory, Gretna; and whether he can hold out any hope that the property will be disposed of en bloc with a view to converting it into an

I regret that figures are not at present available for the week in question, but, on the 2nd December, approximately 1,082,500 persons were in receipt of out-door relief in England and 111,300 in Wales. The estimated number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit for the week ending the 2nd December was 894,000 in England and 40,700 in Wales.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total amount paid out for unemployment benefit in the years 1920, 1921, and the present year to date; and what proportion each year has been found by employers' and employés' contributions and by the Government?

The following table shows the total amount of unemployment benefit paid in the calendar years 1920, 1921 and the present year to date together with the amounts which have been contributed by employers, employés and the State. Against the difference shown there is, of course, to be set off the accumulated balance in hand at the beginning of 1920 and the sums which have been advanced since July, 1921, from the Consolidated Fund.industrial centre, thus saving cost of maintenance and reducing the present unemployment with its heavy cost in unemployment benefits?

For over a year every effort has been made to dispose of the property en bloc, but I regret to say that up to the present no offer, which could possibly be entertained, has been received. In this connection, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on behalf of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Forfar, on the 5th July last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to urge registration officers to employ competent unemployed men to carry out the work of enumerators who make the house-to-house visitation for the purposes of the registration of electors, seeing that there are many competent men with clerical experience unemployed in most parts of the country; and will he communicate with the registration officers immediately on the matter, in view of the fact that this work must be carried out as and from 15th December, 1922, for the incoming registers?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I certainly hope that registration officers will give preference to unemployed persons wherever the nature of the work permits, though the successful performance of these duties calk, not only for clerical experience, but also for some knowledge of the franchise qualifications. I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion specially to the notice of registration officers.

asked the Minister of Labour if Mr. Fred West, of Burton, Chippenham, Wilts, having reached the age of 60, made application in May last to be repaid out of the unemployment fund the amount to which he is entitled; why he has not yet received the amount; and when he may expect to receive it?

I have had inquiry made and am informed this claim has now been settled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the unemployed who are entitled to benefit under the Unemployed Insurance Act, and who take their benefit through the agency of the Tipton Labour Exchange, Dudley Port, have to stand in a queue in the open; and whether he will make an improvement, thus obviating this humiliation and risk to health?

I have made inquiry and find that the applicants at this Exchange were timed to attend in hourly groups. There was not room inside the Exchange for the whole of an hourly group, and the congestion was increased owing to applicants attending before the proper time. Half-hourly groups have now been introduced, and if applicants will refrain from attending too early, there should no longer be any need for them to wait outside.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the fact that large numbers of registered unemployed persons have to travel distances of four miles and upwards between their homes and the Employment Exchanges, he can see his way to pay travelling expenses to those who have to travel more than one mile or, alternatively, have branch Exchanges established wherever necessary to reduce this hardship?

I have no power to pay travelling expenses in these cases, branch offices are already established within convenient reach of each considerable group of insured persons, and if any large number became unemployed at a place at which there is no branch office, special arrangements are made as far as practicable for dealing with them. Beyond this I am afraid I cannot go, and I do not think the existing arrangements are unreasonable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the working of the present systems whereby a proportion of the weekly allowance of the unemployment insurance pay is given to unemployed men and women who work one or two days a week and no proportional allowance is made to unemployed who work three days or more a week; and, if so, has it been found possible to meet the latter cases sympathetically with a view to encouraging these workers and benefiting national output?

As I informed the hon. Member on 29th November, the rules in this connection cannot be altered without legislation, but the whole question is being examined, and I am pressing the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the adminisstrative expense involved and the preva- lent uncertainty as to the contribution that is being made by the Employment Exchanges towards the solution of the vital problem of finding work for the unemployed, he will order a Return to be made, showing the percentage of those registered in the Employment Exchanges in the last 18 months, or some other such suitable period, who have secured permanent employment; and the average cost to the State by means of these Exchanges of each man thus found permanent work?

The suggested inquiry would involve an investigation of the private affairs of nearly a million individuals and would be quite impracticable. During the year 1922–1923 95 per cent, of the estimated total cost of Exchanges is attributable to the administration of unemployment insurance, including the offer of employment to insured persons, and is paid by the Unemployment Fund. The balance of about £200,000 includes the cost of such items of work as the King's Roll Scheme and Overseas Settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were found employment through the direct medium of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain during the first 10 months of this year?

During the 10 months ended 6th November, 1922, the number of vacancies filled through the direct medium of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was about 553,000, covering about 483,000 individuals. Casual occupations such as dock labourers, coal porters, etc., are excluded from these figures.

asked the Minister of Labour the present number of Employment Exchanges in the County of London; whether any have been closed recently, or whether any new Exchanges have been opened; and can he state approximately the number of staff employed at all these Exchanges and what the estimated annual cost is?

There are 23 Employment Exchanges in the County of London. No Exchanges have been closed recently in this area nor have any new Exchanges been opened. The number of staff at these Exchanges on 4th December was 953. I am having the figures of cost taken out and will send them to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Employment Exchanges are sending men long distances to work despite the fact that at these places there are idle men able and willing to do the work; that miners are asked to go from Rutherglen to Fife, where there are idle miners; and what steps he intends to take to stop this practice?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the latest figures on unemployment show that nearly 253,000 are out of work in the engineering trades and 130,000 in the shipbuilding trades, and that these industries normally provide most of the work in Barrow: and whether, in view of the very high rate of unemployment in the town, he will do his best to ensure the maximum amount of aid from the Unemployment Grants Committee and other kindred organisations?

I am fully aware of the unemployment position in Barrow and the dependence of the town upon the shipbuilding and engineering industries. I can assure my hon. Friend that any schemes submitted from the locality have received and will continue to receive the most careful and sympathetic consideration from the various Government authorities concerned.