asked the Attorney-General whether the Committee appointed to consider the system of holding assizes at certain county towns has yet presented its Report; and whether this House will be given the opportunity of discussing any changes which may be proposed in such Report?

No, Sir; the Report has not yet been presented, but I am informed by the secretary that it is being prepared, and may be expected at an early date. In reply to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 30th November last.

asked the Attorney-General whether the question of the position of the Crown in litigation, including the question of the right of reply by the Law Officers of the Crown in criminal prosecutions, has yet been reported on by the Committee appointed to consider these matters?

The answer to this question is in the negative.

asked the Undersecretary of Health for Scotland whether, seeing that the proposed scheme for the reorganisation of the procurator fiscal and sheriff clerk service in Scotland differs materially from the recommendations of the Blackburn Committee and, on that account, has been rejected in toto by the staffs affected, he will state whether the Government intends to proceed with its present scheme or introduce amended proposals in conformity with the Report of the Committee?

It has been arranged that the Sheriff Clerks' Association will submit alternative proposals for the sheriff clerk service. When these are received, the position as regards both services will again be carefully gone into by the Departments concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of recent evidence that the people of Montenegro continue to offer resistance to Serbian rule and that the annexation of that country to Serbia was contrary to the will of a great proportion of the inhabitants, His Majesty's Government will, in the interests of peace in the Balkans, now publish the report of Count de Salis, seeing that the author of it was intimately acquainted with Montenegro for many years before the War and that the Report published by the late Government was drawn up by officials who had no previous knowledge of the country and who could therefore easily be misled as to the sentiments of the inhabitants?

It was explained in another place on the 11th March, 1920, that the Report of Count de Salis contains the names of witnesses who gave information only under the pledge of the strictest secrecy, and who might suffer from divulgations, and that for this reason it was not considered possible to publish the document. His Majesty's Government are of opinion that the same objection still holds good, and that they are still bound by the pledge given to the witnesses referred to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the amount of the liability of His Majesty's Government to the Rumanian Government for the destruction of Rumanian oil wells and refineries in November and December, 1916, has yet been fixed; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking with the Rumanian Government to ensure an early and equitable allocation of compensation to British companies concerned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, negotiations are proceeding with the Rumanian Government, and it is not possible to make a statement at this stage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government in conjunction with the Governments of foreign countries, other than France, Belgium, and Luxemburg, to eliminate the necessity for visas on passports?

Agreements for the abolition of visas have been concluded with Spain and the Netherlands, in addition to the countries mentioned by the hon. Member; and negotiations for similar agreements with certain other foreign countries are now in progress.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any estimate of the number of persons belonging to the chief nations involved who are to be compulsorily exchanged under the proposals of the Lausanne Conference if these are carried out?

The only nations involved in the Lausanne proposals are Greece and Turkey. It is estimated that about 1½ million Ottoman Greeks will be affected, of whom about 1 million have already reached Greek territory. It is believed that the Hellenic Moslems affected do not number more than about 365,000. These figures, however, are distinctly conjectural.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether we are paying the Sultan of Turkey a grant of £100 per week; if so, the reason for the payment of this grant; and whether we pay grants to any other foreign potentates?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not arise. The answer to the last part is that no payment to any foreign potentate is made out of the Votes for which the Foreign Office is responsible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that it was a term of the Armistice, made by General Harington with the Angora Government, that no British vessel of over 1,000 tons should enter Turkish territorial waters, he will say why the British Government are sending war vessels into Smyrna harbour in direct infraction of this agreement?

There is no such provision in the Armistice concluded by General Harington.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider legislation which will so modify the restrictions to old age pensions that all citizens can become entitled by right to the pension, provided it can be proved that the means they possess are actually due to their own work and thrift, e.g., savings from wages or investments from wages in provident or insurance societies, thus ensuring that thrift will no longer be penalised?

I regret that I cannot undertake to amend the Old Age Pension Acts. The hon. Member will be aware that the Departmental Committee of 1919 saw insuperable difficulties in making any equitable distinction between means derived from different sources.

asked the Prime Minister the number of British troops now in occupation of German territory; and the cost of these troops during the past year 1922?

I have been asked to answer this question. The strength of the force at present is about 8,600 all ranks. The cost in the year 1922 was about £2,070,000, excluding accommodation and other services provided free by the German Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many munition factories are still at work in Germany?

I have been asked to answer this question. Thirteen factories have been authorised by the Inter-Allied Military Mission of Control in Germany to continue to manufacture war material, each class of material being allotted to one factory only. All other factories in Germany have been forbidden to manufacture war material. Of a total of 6,935 factories known to have manufactured war material, all of which have been inspected by the Mission, 6,743 had been finally passed for the production of non-military material on 6th January, 1923.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if any report has been received from the Committee presided over by General Murray and appointed to inquire into the question of corps pay for officers of the Royal Army Service Corps after the publication of Army Order 324, of 1919; and whether it is proposed to give effect to the recommendations of that Committee?

Yes, Sir; a report has been received on two questions affecting corps pay for officers of the Royal Army Service Corps. The minor question of engineering qualifications alternative to those laid down for the Institute of Mechanical Engineers is bound up with a wider question of similar character relating to engineer officers, and is being pursued. On the larger question of granting corps pay to officers of the Royal Army Service Corps generally, or for qualifications not of an engineering character, the recommendations of the Committee were not unanimous, and the Army Council, in view of the large extra cost involved, has not so far found itself able to give effect to any of them. Any such grant would be in addition to the considerable benefits which officers of the Royal Army Service Corps already derive from Army Order 324.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received representations from county rifle associations as to the inadequate issue of small arms ammunition for the county prize meetings; and whether he will consider an increase in the present issue to enable the programmes of competitions to be carried through?

I have received one such representation only, and I am not aware that the present issue is inadequate. The question of what issue from the general stock available for Territorial Army Rifle Association purposes shall be made for County Rifle Association meetings rests with General Officers Commanding to determine, and it would be undesirable to interfere with their discretion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many British troops there are in Mesopotamia and in the Straits and Constantinople areas respectively; and how the numbers compare with those in the same areas last November?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it has been possible to close any military hospitals, and, if so, where, as the result of the proposal for the exchange of patients between the fighting services; and if any other hospitals are under consideration with a view to closing?

The Military Hospital at Chatham was closed in June last and all military sick of that garrison are now treated in the Naval hospital there. The question is being kept under constant review with a view to treating the sick of the fighting services in one hospital at stations where it may be found practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of secondary schools placed on the grant list since 1st August, 1914; how many of these schools were previously in existence and certified as efficient; and how many of such schools are permitted to restrict the number of free places available in the particular school to less than 25 per cent.?

The total number of secondary schools placed on the Grant List since the 1st August, 1914, is 247; of these 33 were previously to that date recognised as efficient under Chapter IX of the Board's Regulations for Secondary Schools. In the case of 25 of the 247 schools, an offer of free places to an extent of less than 25 per cent. of the total number of pupils admitted to the school during the previous year has been accepted for the year 1922–1923.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many State scholarships to universities have been granted by the Board in each of the last three years; and to what universities the students have gone?

The Board of Education (University Scholarships) Regulations provided for the award of 200 scholarships in 1920 and 200 in 1921. As stated in reply to a question in this House on 13th March, 1922, the late Government decided that no new awards of State scholarships should be made in the finan- cial years 1922–23 and 1923–24, and, consequently, no new awards have been made since 1921. Certain scholarships awarded in 1920 and in 1921 were, however, allowed

Of the remaining 15 scholarships, 6 were not finally taken up, and 9 have been postponed to 1923.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether school teachers who rendered Army service during the War are penalised by the deduction of the period of such service from their maximum number of years of work as teachers which are counted towards pension; and, if so, for what reason?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee) to-day, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India which of the Chambers of Commerce in India are in favour of the maintenance under company management of the East Indian and Great Indian Peninsular Railways?

The Chambers of Commerce in India which favour the maintenance under company management of the East Indian and Great Indian Peninsular Railways are the Madras, Bombay, Bengal, Burma and Chittagong Chambers and the Upper India Chamber at Cawnpore.

to be postponed until a later year. The universities and the number of scholars who have proceeded to each of them are as follow:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether an Order has been issued stopping the recruitment of Government chaplains for British India, and whether he is aware that this Order was made without any previous consultation with the ecclesiastical authorities of the dioceses affected; that many resolutions protesting against this Order have been passed in India; and that the effect of the Order, if not rescinded, will be that several important stations containing British residents will be unprovided with chaplains?

Recruitment of Government chaplains, who are appointed on a permanent basis, was temporarily suspended in connection with the consideration of the Budget in October last. I am not aware whether any consultation had previously taken place with the various dioceses, nor can I say whether many resolutions have since been passed in India on the subject. But the Metropolitan made representations to the Government of India in November last as to the apprehended scarcity of chaplains, and the Secretary of State is addressing an enquiry to them as to the effect of leaving certain stations unprovided with chaplains.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the reports in the Press of the release of all so-called political prisoners, with the exception of one, in the United Provinces by the newly-appointed Governor, Sir William Marris; and whether this was done with the consent and approval of the Secretary of State for India and the India Council, or of the Viceroy and the Government of India, or solely on the initiative of Sir William Marris himself?

The Secretary of State has not yet received from India a full statement of the reasons for the release of these prisoners. It appears, however, that their release is in pursuance of the policy already adopted in the United Provinces, whose Government released 166 prisoners a year ago, and immediately consequent on a resolution passed in the Local Legislature in October, recommending a general amnesty to persons imprisoned for offences of a political character. Action on this resolution was deferred by the late Local Government for the consideration of the new Governor, Sir W. Marris. The 107 persons now released were all "special class prisoners," that is, men whose offences did not include direct incitement to violence. The release of the prisoners was within the competence of the Local Government, who exercised their discretion without prior reference to the Government of India. I understand that the question of exercise on a general scale of the discretion vested by law in the Local Government is being discussed by the authorities in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the imports of yarn and cloth (cotton) into India from the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States of America during 1922?

The following are the figures for the 11 months January to November, 1922:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will have further inquiry made as to what has become of the tablet placed on His Majesty's Ship "Chester" to the memory of Jack Cornwell, V.C., seeing that the loss of this tablet has caused great disappointment to the people of Leyton, where Jack Cornwell was born and went to school?

The tablet in memory of Jack Cornwell, V.C., was a small brass one made on board by the ship's staff. The Admiralty were unaware of its existence until the recent question as to its whereabouts; the inquiries that have been made show that it was not on board the "Chester" when she was paid off and handed over to the dockyard for disposal, and none of the officers who commanded her since the Armistice can throw any light on what became of it. I regret that, unless the publicity given to this matter by my hon. Friend's question produces any further information, I can suggest no further means of tracing it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it has been found possible to close any naval hospitals, and, if so, where, as the result of the proposals for exchange of patients between the fighting Services; if any other hospitals are under consideration with a view to closing; and whether the Yokohama Naval Hospital is still in existence?

The only naval hospital which has been closed as the result of an exchange of patients between the fighting Services is Gibraltar. At the present time it is not under consideration to close any other naval hospitals for a similar reason. Yokohama Naval Hospital is still in existence.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the next report on civil aviation will be published?

For reasons of economy it has been decided to publish annual instead of half-yearly reports on the progress of civil aviation. The next report will, therefore, cover the period, 1st April, 1922–31st March, 1923, and will be published as soon as possible after the last-mentioned date.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the West Bromwich Board of Guardians is providing work for the unemployed on the Great Barr Estate, Walsall; that the estate is situated some six miles from Wednesbury, which is within the jurisdiction of the board, and that the citizens of Wednesbury so employed have to walk the distance both ways; and, if so, will he advise the board to provide free travelling by means of the tramcars which run between Wednesbury and Walsall?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the scheme for the provision of work on the Great Barr Estate. He understands that, in view of the distance from Wednesbury, a higher rate of wages is being paid to unskilled labourers than would otherwise have been paid. In these circumstances he sees no reason to take any further action.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the wages being paid to those engaged upon the relief work provided by the West Bromwich Board of Guardians on the Great Barr Estate, Walsall?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the rate of wages being paid in this case is 1s. 1½d. per hour for skilled men and 87½ per cent. of this rate for unskilled men.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether a Cabinet Committee has been considering the question of aid to necessitous areas where rate charges and debts consequent upon the relief of unemployment have become intolerable; if so, whether that Committee has taken evidence from representatives of the local authorities concerned; whether the Committee's recommendations have yet been received; and what is the nature of the recommendations?

This question has been considered by a Cabinet Committee, which had before it full information of the grounds upon which a Government Grant was sought. Evidence was not taken by the Committee. The Government, on consideration of the Committee's report, have decided that no change should be made in the present policy of sanctioning, and, in approved cases, themselves making loans to the authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the following fact, that if an unemployed person who is entitled to the payment works longer than two days in any week he breaks the continuity of his claim and receives no payment or any part thereof for that week, and must then complete six consecutive signatures at the Employment Exchange before he can again receive benefit; is he aware that, in consequence thereof, an unemployed person will not seek more than two days' work in a week; and will he be prepared to formulate a scheme whereby, if an unemployed person does not receive in wages during a week the amount he would have received if he was still drawing the unemployment payment, the balance of the payment to which he would have been so entitled if unemployed, after deducting the amount earned during the week, shall be payable to him irrespective of the number of days he may have obtained work during the week?

The effect of the existing rule regarding the continuity of unemployment is not quite accurately stated in the question, and it is quite incorrect to say that unemployed persons do not seek more than two days' work in a week. I have, however, realised for some time that the existing rule operates unevenly, and I hope it may be possible to propose an amended rule in the Bill to be introduced shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the earliest dates at which covenanted and uncovenanted unemployment benefit payable during the current fourth special period can be exhausted; and what will be the gap period before further benefit can be drawn in such cases?

The earliest date on which the maximum of 22 weeks of covenanted and uncovenanted benefit can be exhausted is 4th April. In a relatively small number of cases in which the maximum benefit is less than 22 weeks, benefit may be exhausted at various dates between 24th January and 4th April. The question of an extension of benefit is engaging the serious attention of the Government, and I have already given notice of the introduction of a Bill dealing with the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many employés in the theatrical industry are employed part time at a wage of 2s. 9d. per evening for six evenings per week, and 2s. 9d. for each of two matinees per week, making a total of 22s. per week; that these men are refused unemployment benefit on the ground that they are receiving more than 3s. 4d per day; that in view of the fact that under the Unemployment Insurance Act a man with a wife and child is entitled to 22s. per week whilst unemployed, these men in question, having to pay 1s. 2d. per week for insurance stamps, are receiving less for work- ing than for being unemployed; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he will propose an amendment of the Act whereby benefit may be payable in such cases?

I cannot undertake to propose an extension of the limited class of cases in which benefit is payable for days on which the applicant is in employment. In the cases referred to by the hon. Member, however, the question whether benefit is payable depends upon the exact circumstances, and I will gladly have the cases brought to the notice of the insurance officer if the hon. Member will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the fact that if an unemployed person who is entitled to the payment works for longer than two days in any week he breaks the continuity of his claim and receives no payment or any part thereof for that week, and must then complete six consecutive signatures at the Employment Exchange before he can again receive benefit, and that in consequence thereof an unemployed person will not seek more than two days' work in a weeks and if he will formulate a scheme whereby, if an unemployed person does not receive in wages for work during a week the amount he would have received if he was still drawing the unemployment payment, the balance of the payment to which he would have been so entitled, if unemployed, after deducting the amount earned during the week, shall be payable to him irrespective of the number of days he may have obtained work during the week?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply given to-day to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherham (Major Kelley).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of persons who received unemployment benefit in the week ending 24th January and the number receiving benefit in the two following weeks, distinguishing between men and women?

The numbers claiming benefit, including in addition to those actually in receipt of benefit those unemployed for less than six days and those awaiting a decision on their claims, but excluding those whose benefit from

Those who had exhausted the maximum benefit permitted under the Statute numbered about 11,200 by the end of January.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received resolutions from juvenile employment committees requesting him to take immediate steps to institute centres with adequate educational and recreational facilities for unemployed juveniles; and, if so, will he state his attitude towards such resolutions?

I have received a number of such resolutions from these committees and other organisations. I hope to be able to make a statement on this subject in the course of the Debate on the Address this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Labour the present number of unemployed persons in the building trade and the weekly amount of unemployment benefit drawn by them?

At 22nd January, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of persons in the building trades registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 152,188 (of whom 83,819 are classified as unskilled), and the estimated weekly amount of benefit paid was £109,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered at the Employment Exchanges as unemployed on the 1st of October, November, and December, 1922, and of January and February, 1923?

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures for unemployment?

25th January onwards was exhausted, were as follow:—

The numbers of persons on the live registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at the dates nearest to those mentioned, including the latest available date, are as follow:—

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the amount of the outstanding debt of the local authorities in England and Wales, with the amount of the interest charged thereon, for the latest complete financial year for which the figures are available?

The outstanding loan debt of the local authorities in England and Wales at the end of the year 1920–21 was about £670,500,000. The amount paid as interest on the debt during that year was £24,200,000.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received any protests against the policy of his Department in advocating the employment of sighted persons as home teachers under the Blind Persons Act; whether he is aware that one of His Majesty's inspectors informed the Blackpool borough council that the council had no right to appoint a sightless person and that approval has been given by the Department to the appointment in Chester of a sighted person and also of an advertise- ment requesting applications from sighted persons willing to be trained as home teachers; and whether, in view of the fact that by this means an avenue of employment for blind persons is being closed, he will give instructions that the local authorities are at least to be left free to use their own discretion?

A protest has been received from the National League of the Blind, as indicated in the question. The appointment of blind persons has been in fact approved in several cases. The test applied is ability to do the work and as grant is payable my right hon. Friend cannot give free discretion to local authorities. In the case of Chester, it was considered that the needs of the area could be met only by the appointment of a sighted home teacher and approval was given accordingly, but my right hon. Friend is not aware of the advertisement referred to. As regards Blackpool, the Minister's inspector did not act as stated but confined himself to advising the Council at their request and the advice given had regard to the circumstances of the district.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the amount annually paid from all sources under the National Health Insurance Act for any year since 1920, or including 1920, and the amount disbursed in sick benefit and administration, separately?

For the year 1921, as regards England and Wales, the amounts are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, in relation to the operation of Section 63 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1911, as amended by Section 38 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1918, the total number of allegations made by approved societies or insurance committees against persons or local authorities responsible for conditions causing excessive sickness, and the amounts stated to be involved in each case; the total number of cases referred to the Secretary of State or Local Government Board for inquiry under Section 63 of the 1911 Act, and the number of inquiries authorised, with the result in each case; and the total number of cases referred to the Minister by approved societies or insurance committees (where the latter bodies have failed to arrive at an agreement with the person or authority concerned) for inquiry under Section 38 of the 1918 Act, and the number of cases where the Minister has authorised an application for an inquiry to be made, giving the results of such inquiry in each case?

No information is available as to the number of cases in which approved societies or insurance committees have made representations to persons or authorities that there has been excessive sickness amongst insured persons by reason of local conditions for which such persons or authorities are responsible. In the few cases in which representations have been made to the Ministry of Health as to excessive expenditure on sickness benefit in various localities, the allegations by the society have been of a general character, and have not been supported by actual figures of expenditure as required by Section 63 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, as a condition of the holding of an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, seeing that the members of the Standing Advisory Committee recently appointed by him to advise the Ministry on questions relating to water supply were appointed upon the nomination of the British Waterworks Association and the Institution of Water Engineers, while not a single representative from Wales was nominated by these bodies, having regard to the growing tendency on the part of the professional members of such bodies to appropriate Welsh waters for the use of English authorities, regardless of the rights and sentiments of the Welsh people, he will forthwith appoint on the Standing Advisory Committee a representative or representatives resident in Wales so that the interests of the Principality in matters dealt with by the Committee may be amply protected and the rights of the Welsh people fully preserved?

This Committee, which is merely advisory and consists of only a few members, is not intended to be representative of any interests. My right hon. Friend will, however, be glad to consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that Elizabeth Harriet Hawkins, whose body was recently found in the Thames, was, prior to committing suicide, sent to the Romford Poor Law Infirmary for observation, suffering from delusions and persecution mania; that the medical superintendent discharged her at the end of a month as having nothing the matter with her; that at the inquest the medical superintendent stated that he had not been informed of the delusions or mania and that he was too busy to be able to give individual attention to cases under his charge; that no inquiry was made as to the conditions to which this unfortunate woman was returning; and whether, in view of the fact that this woman's life was lost by reason of the negligence of some person or persons in authority at this institution, he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to proper care and attention being given to those persons who become patients therein?

My right hon. Friend has asked the guardians to furnish him with a report on this case.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of persons at any recent date in England, Scotland, and Wales who had failed to secure admission to hospitals for purposes of surgical operations; and the attitude of the Ministry towards the lack of accommodation in these institutions?

As regards the first part of the question, there is no information available. The second part raises issues which cannot conveniently be dealt with in reply to a question, but the hon. Member will find the subject of hospital accommodation discussed in the Interim Report of the Voluntary Hospitals Commission, which will be issued early next week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the name "Labour Exchange" can be altered so as to emphasise the primary character of the organisation as for unemployment insurance, in order to remove criticisms based on misunderstandings that popularly exist as to their functions?

Owing to the great amount of unemployment a very large part of the work of these offices now consists of the administration of unemployment benefit; but this necessarily includes arrangements for the offer of employment to those claiming benefit, without which the administration of benefit could not be properly carried out. Moreover, the Exchanges are by no means confined to the administration of benefit, even at the present time; among other things, they perform a large volume of special work in connection with the finding of employment for ex-service men and in connection with oversea settlement, in addition to a considerable amount of business in dealing with persons registering for employment outside the insured trades. In these circumstances I should doubt whether on the whole it would be advantageous to adopt a new name for these offices in place of the present title of Employment Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a branch manager of a co-operative store in North-West London who was recently summoned for working after hours, on the evidence of an inspector who looked through the letter-box and saw a man tidying up the shop; and whether he will suggest to the local authority concerned that some useful work might be found to occupy this inspector's time in future?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. My attention has not previously been drawn to this case, and apart from a newspaper report, I have no knowledge of the facts. It is the statutory duty of the local authority concerned to enforce the requirements of the Shops Acts in its district, and I should not feel justified in intervening in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour as representing the Ministry of Health how many houses he has definitely authorised local authorities to build under the late Government's assisted schemes; how many houses he has still to allocate owing to readjustment of earlier allotments; and how soon is he prepared to distribute these amongst the most overcrowded areas?

The scheme mentioned by the hon. Member was limited to 176,000 houses; these houses have now been allocated and there is not at present any margin available for redistribution.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has any information respecting houses recently erected or now being erected by private builders in certain areas without the aid of any Government subsidy?

My right hon. Friend has no general information as to the number of houses erected or being erected by private builders without the aid of a Government subsidy. So far as working-class houses are concerned, he is aware that certain employers of labour are undertaking schemes, for example, a group of colliery proprietors has commenced a programme of 10,000 houses.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can state approximately the number of houses which was the subject of protection by virtue of the Rent Restrictions Acts of 1915, 1919 and 1920, respectively?

It is estimated that the number of houses protected by the 1915 Act was about seven millions. It is impossible to estimate with any accuracy the number of houses protected by the 1919 and 1920 Acts, as so many houses, for example, service flats, flats, or houses on leases or agreements extending over several years, farm houses, houses in an owner's personal occupation, and houses let furnished, although within the rental limits, are not protected by the Acts. But taking all the houses within the rental limits of the three Acts, whether protected or not, the houses within the limits of the 1919 Act would be 8·6 per cent. and within the limits of the 1920 Act 1·8 per cent., as against 89·6 per cent. within the limits of the original Act. For the reasons already stated, however, the figures of 8·6 and 1·8 would, of course, be considerably in excess of actual percentages.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the London Electric Railway Company, in seeking powers to extend their railways, etc., are proposing to demolish certain house property in Lambeth; and whether he has made inquiries as to the measures to be taken by the company to re-house the tenants of the property to be demolished?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any proposals of the company which will involve the demolition of house property in Lambeth. In the event, however, of the company seeking such powers, Standing Order 38 would require them to deposit a statement giving particulars of working class dwellings proposed to be taken, and if they were given power to take working class dwellings occupied by 30 or more persons of the working class they would be precluded from entering on such dwellings until a scheme had been approved by my right hon. Friend for re-housing the persons to be displaced, or he had decided that such a scheme was not necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the rents charged by the Eton Rural District Council for houses erected by them under the assisted housing scheme at Burnham are in excess of those charged for other and similar, if not better, houses in the same district; and whether, owing to the dissatisfaction of the present tenants, who are mainly ex-service men, he will increase the Exchequer subsidy to allow of a reduction in rent?

My right hon. Friend is advised that the rents charged by the Eton Rural District Council are not excessive, having regard to the prevailing rents in the district. It is open to the council to have the question referred to the independent Rents Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, how many houses of a type suitable for the working class have been erected since the War, and what proportion of them were erected by public authorities?

The number of houses erected or in course of erection under the State Assisted Scheme and under the Private Builders' Grant is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Labour how many men clerks were employed by the Ministry of Labour at Kew on 31st December last and how many women clerks on the same date; how many men and how many women have since been discharged; how many have been transferred to other Government Departments; and how many are at present under notice?

The numbers of temporary clerks employed at the Claims and Record Office, Kew, on 31st December last were 1,777 men and 540 women. Since that date 268 men and 58 women have been discharged. No information is at present available as to the number of men redundant from Kew who have been transferred to other Government Departments, but I may add that every effort is made by the Joint Substitution Board to find alternative posts for these men. 123 men and 42 women are at present under notice.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Government will see that the recommendations of the Lytton Committee are carried out, whereby no temporary ex-service civil servant will be dismissed whilst temporary non-service staff are still employed, as is the case at the Kew Records Office?

I have given very careful consideration to the question of the discharges of temporary staff at the Claims and Record Office, Kew, and am satisfied that the action taken is not contrary to the recommendations of the Lytton Committee. The temporary non-service women retained at Kew are all employed on work specially appropriate to and normally performed by women suitably graded; it will be borne in mind that the Lytton Committee recognised that there would be classes of work appropriate to women in which the employment of ex-service men could not be pressed. All the temporary women retained at Kew are entirely dependent on their earnings, and many of them have to support others, either wholly or in part.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the Kew Records Office, where ex-service temporary civil servants have been dismissed whilst women temporary civil servants have been retained to perform the same duties; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have dealt fully with the question of the discharge of staff from the Claims and Records Office, Kew, in a statement issued to the Press, a copy of which has been sent to the hon. Member. I am satisfied that the steps taken are unavoidable in the public interest, and I regret that I am unable to re-open the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour, as there are only 150 hardship cases out of a total of 450 women temporary civil servants employed at the Kew Records Office, if the Government will dismiss 300 temporary women and re-engage a similar number of temporary ex-service men from amongst those recently dismissed?

The whole of the temporary women retained in the Claims and Records Office, Kew, are entirely dependent on their earnings, and many of them have to support others, either wholly or in part. Moreover, all of them are employed on routine duties and duties of a semi-manipulative character specially appropriate to, and normally performed by, women. I regret, therefore, that in the circumstances it is not possible for me to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount raised from native taxation in Northern Rhodesia; and what is the amount spent by the British South Africa Company, per head of the population, upon native education?

The sum estimated to be derived from the native tax in the Northern Rhodesia estimates of revenue for the current financial year is £90,000. I am making inquiries as to the point raised in the second part of the question and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member later. At a rough estimate the annual deficit on the administration of Northern Rhodesia which falls on the Chartered Company is £100,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total population of Tristan da Cunha; whether the food resources of the island are adequate to meet the needs of the people; and to what extent this country is responsible for the island and the well-being of its inhabitants?

According to the latest report received from the island, the population is now about 140. So far as I can judge, the food resources of the island do not appear to be inadequate, though there is, of course, a lack of certain kinds of provisions. The main difficulty is the want of regular means of communication, and though His Majesty's Government do what they can to help in this respect, I do not think they can assume any special responsibility in regard to the island. The islanders have been offered the opportunity of removing from the island in the past, but were unwilling to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a successor has now been appointed to Lord Shaw as Chairman of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission?

At the joint request of the British Government and the Government of the Irish Free State, Sir Alexander Wood Renton has agreed to take the place of Lord Shaw as Chairman of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission. The formal appointment will be issued and gazetted immediately.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made since 30th November of last year by the Compensation Claims (Irish) Commissioner for loss and damage to property in Ireland; if the Committee formerly presided over by the right hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir G. Hoare) continues its operations; and to what extent has it been able to meet the immediate distress of refugees driven from Ireland?

Since 25th November the Commission has dealt with 3,063 cases, and has awarded compensation amounting to £722,722. The total cases dealt with to date are 4,313, and the amount awarded is £1,763,722. In reply to the second and third parts of the question, the Committee referred to, of which the Noble Lord the Member for Hastings (Lord E. Percy) is Chairman, continues its operations. It has received in all 2,541 applications for assistance, and has made grants amounting to £11,600 and loans amounting to £10,090. These figures are exclusive of the advances on the security of decrees for compensation, to which I have referred in reply to the question addressed to me to-day by the hon. Member for Belfast West (Mr. Lynn).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider a revision of the Milk (Special) Designations Order; and whether he is aware that the effect of this order will be to increase the cost of pasteurised milk with no commensurate advantage to the consumer, while at the same time it will tend to establish a monopoly to the detriment of farmers' societies whose milk, pasteurised at country depots, would not, under the Order, be saleable at a distance?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health will be pleased to consider any representations for the revision of the Order referred to. But he would like to remind the hon. and gallant Member that the object of the provisions in relation to pasteurised milk is to secure that the milk sold under this designation shall be as free as possible from infection and contamination; and there is a danger that any modification of those provisions would defeat this object.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many local authorities have applied for exemption from the provisions of the Allotments Act, 1922, with reference to setting up statutory committees and co-opting representatives of occupiers of allotment gardens thereon; in how many cases exemption has been granted; and for what reasons exemption has been given?

Forty-eight applications have been received for exemption, of which 26 have been refused. The remainder are under consideration, and in no case has exemption yet been granted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if remedial legislation is under consideration to assist those farmers who have bought their land on mortgage and who are unable to pay their interest owing to the reversal of the agricultural policy of the late Government and the fall in prices?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made in His Majesty's Gracious Speech.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate amount of revenue obtained from the Excise Duty on commercial alcohol; whether his attention has been called to the fact that the value of alcohol used for commercial purposes is only about 2s. 6d. per proof gallon, but that the Excise Duty upon it is £3 12s. 6d. per proof gallon; and whether he will consider the advisability of reducing this excessive duty which is crippling industry, and reimburse the loss by imposing a stamp duty upon bets made in the United Kingdom or upon advertisements displayed in public places?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available, as no official record is kept of the uses to which spirit is put after clearance from bond. But the amount of revenue involved is known to be substantial. As regards the actual charge of duty on the spirit in question, my right hon. Friend is well aware that the bulk of the spirit used for commercial purposes is allowed relief from duty. The suggestions as to new taxation in the last part of the question have been noted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Budget will be introduced?

I am not yet in a position to name a date.

asked the Home Secretary if a welfare order has been issued to the chemical trade as promised in March, 1922; and, if not, when such an order will be issued to this industry?

The draft Regulations which were referred to in the answer to the question asked by the hon. Member on 27th March, 1922, were finally made and presented to Parliament in July last, and the great majority of them took effect on 1st October. In the case of a few of the Regulations, however, strong objection was taken to their immediate enforcement on the ground of the structural alterations involved, and it was agreed, and is provided in the Regulations, that the requirements in question shall not come into force till 1st April next or such later date or dates as the Home Secretary may appoint.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the question that the chairman of a board of guardians shall be appointed as a justice of the peace by virtue of his office for the period of his chairmanship, in view of the importance of the work of members of Poor Law authorities and the fact that certification duties have to be performed?

I will confer with the Lord Chancellor and the Minister of Health on the question.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to an incident at the Liverpool Docks, where on one day lately three fatal accidents occurred owing to defective gear and staging and insecure hatchways, which is contrary to the provisions of the Dock Regulations for the safety of life and limb; is he aware of the fact that, owing to the absence of efficient supervision, the notices and copies of such Regulations required by the Factory Act to be posted in prominent positions are conspicuous by their absence, and that in consequence the Dock Regulations are practically obsolete in many of the ports of the Kingdom; and if he will take the necessary steps towards a more adequate application of such Regulations?

A report has been received from the Factory Inspector on the accidents, to which I understand the hon. Member refers, but it is not possible to say without further consideration and inquiry whether they were due to any breach of the Docks Regulations. I am not aware of any foundation for the allegations in the second part of the question, and I shall be glad if the hon. Member will furnish me with the evidence on which they are based. As regards the Liverpool Docks, I am informed that a large number of copies of the Regulations are posted in prominent positions. Great attention has been paid to the enforcement of the Docks Regulations and special arrangements are in force for the purpose of securing systematic inspection of docks, and I am advised that the standard of compliance with the Regulations has been greatly improved.

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens have entered the United Kingdom during the month of January, 1923, and the number who entered during the same month of 1922?

In January, 1923, 17,897 aliens landed in this country, and in January, 1922, 17,880. In the same months, 15,121 and 14,282 aliens left the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the distressing financial position in which many widows of pre-war constables are situated, owing to the fact that they have no pensions; and whether the Government are prepared to take measures to remedy this state of affairs?

This question was debated on the Police Pensions Bills of 1918 and 1921, and I regret that I can hold out no hope of amending legislation.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the great number of decrepit and obsolete taxi-cabs at present plying for hire on the streets of London, and the consequent danger, not to mention inefficiency, he will take the necessary measures to ensure their licences being withdrawn forthwith; and will he inform the House what provision is made for periodical inspection?

I am considering the question of instituting a practical efficiency test for taxi-cabs in the Metropolitan Police district. This would be carried out once a year in addition to the present inspection which takes place before the renewal of their licence. Previous notice, however, of any action decided on will have to be given in order not to cause undue hardship to existing owners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has yet interviewed the directors of the Great Northern Railway Company on the subject of the tube extension from Finsbury Park, as promised to the deputation, representing Tottenham, Edmonton, Enfield, Hornsey, and Wood Green, received by him in November last; and whether, in view of the great amount of unemployment in those districts, he will use his powers to facilitate this most necessary work as soon as possible?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Railway Company is prepared to favourably consider the immediate construction of a tube railway, northwards from Finsbury Park, but is prevented from doing so by the Great Northern Railway (No. 2) Act, 1902, Clause 36, paragraph (13); and whether he will make representations to the London and North Eastern Railway Company (formerly the Great Northern Railway Company) to sanction this work or, alternatively, whether he will advise the Government to amend this Act?

I have ascertained that the Metropolitan Railway Company are considering whether any tube railway extensions could advantageously be constructed northwards from Finsbury Park. No powers for such lines at present exist, and the preparation of any scheme for submission to Parliament with a view to obtaining powers or removing any existing legal difficulties would necessarily take a considerable time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, in view of the number of accidents to passengers alighting from stationary vehicles, he will consider the issuing of an Order for all traffic to pass on the offside of a stationary vehicle when setting down passengers?

I presume that this question refers to accidents to persons alighting from stationary tram-cars where tramways are laid in the middle of the roadway. I am afraid that a rule such as the hon. Member suggests would be likely to give rise to more accidents than would be prevented, and that serious obstruction would result in areas of congested traffic.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the negotiations previously reported in progress between His Majesty's Government and the Finnish Government for the conclusion of a commercial agreement have materialised; and, if so, when the terms of the agreement will be made public?

While some progress has been made, I regret that it has not yet been possible to conclude the negotiations; with Finland. The terms of the agreement will be published as soon as it has been concluded?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the importation of rubber has been restricted; and whether, if the restriction is still operative, he will state the reason for its continuance?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total production of cotton cloth in the United Kingdom in 1922 in terms of pounds; and what proportion of this production was exported?

Returns of the production of cotton cloth in this country are not furnished to my Department, and, so far as I am aware, no trade organisation publishes such statistics. I am, accordingly, not in a position to give the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to introduce the Merchandise Marks Bill at an early date?

I am at present engaged in considering a number of questions in connection with the Merchandise Marks Bill, and cannot yet say when it will be ready.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make inquiries in regard to the announcement that the Governments of New Zealand and Tasmania are prepared to indemnify the apple growers up to 3s. a bushel for apples exported to England and, if the report is correct, whether he will make representations to those Governments that the effect of the subsidy will be to put any surplus on the English market regardless of cost; whether he is aware that North America is sending earlier sun-ripe apples to capture the autumn trade, leaving the British grower a very few weeks to dispose of his crop; and whether he will consider putting forward at the Imperial Conference a proposal for a close season for the oversea trade to prevent apples being dumped out of the usual seasonal trade?

I will make inquiries into the various questions raised by the hon. and gallant Member, and will communicate with him further, when I am in possession of fuller information on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to when the claims for compensation for vessels sunk by enemy action during the War will be adjudicated on by the Reparation Claims Department?

The Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action were appointed to make recommendations as to the distribution of the £5,000,000 referred to in the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons on 4th May, 1920. The Commission have given prior consideration to claims in respect of death and personal injury, and the Report dealing with these cases has been published. The Commission will now proceed with the consideration of claims in respect of loss of or damage to property, among which will be included claims for compensation for vessels sunk by enemy action, but in view of the large number and complexity of these claims it is not possible to say at what date the Commission will be in a position to report upon them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the post of publicity officer to the General Post Office has been made a permanent appointment; and, if so, whether the official holding the position last year has been taken permanently into the service of the State?

This officer's appointment has been extended until the 31st March, 1924, when the necessity of continuing the post will again be reviewed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the serious loss and inconvenience caused by the restrictions imposed on the postage of invoices, etc., which do not arrive at their destinations until the afternoon post, which means that the goods have arrived in most cases in the morning unpriced, he will undertake to have the restrictions removed?

I am considering the possibility of putting back the latest hour for posting printed matter prepaid one halfpenny, and I hope to arrive at a decision shortly. I may point out that the restrictions in question apply only to halfpenny matter. Packets prepaid one penny or more are not subject to delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Mr. S. S. Brown, Assistant Postmaster, Belfast, has been granted a further extension beyond the retirement age of 60 years; if so, when the second period expires; is he aware that the retention of this officer in the service of the Post Office withholds promotion from five subordinate officials at Belfast, and the resultant vacancy in the class of sorting clerk and telegraphist would provide employment for an ex-service man as temporary sorter; what would be approximately the retiring allowance and annual pension, respectively, of Mr. Brown if he were called upon to retire immediately; and whether, in view of the desirability of promoting employment, he will reconsider the decision to retain Mr. Brown?

Mr. Brown's services are being retained for the time being: no definite period has been fixed. As regards the question of policy, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts) on the 14th of December last. The determination of the retiring allowance and pension which would be awarded to Mr. Brown if he retired immediately is a matter for the Treasury. Mr. Brown's retention is desirable in the interests of the service, and I see no reason to alter the decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Driver R. Hartley, No. 1,039,340, 126th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Rawal- pindi, India, to whom a registered postal packet, No. 30, containing money, was forwarded from the Stratford Post Office, 1920; whether he is aware that it is apparently admitted by the late Samawah Post Office that the letter was delivered to another person on 27th October, 1920, but the Postmaster-General of the Indian Post Office, in a letter dated 26th May, 1922, says the Indian Post Office is not liable for loss or misdirection, and that the General Post Office, London, wrote to the man, 6th November, 1922, saying they were awaiting a communication from the War Office; and whether, under these circumstances, he will arrange for the case to be immediately dealt with?

The investigation of the circumstances of the case, which occurred as long ago as October, 1920, has necessitated several enquiries, but a reply is now being sent to the General Post Office.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the reports of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines on the Haig Pit and Siddick Pit (Cumberland) explosions' inquiries have not yet been published; and the reason why?

The report on the Haig Pit explosion was published yesterday and is available in the Vote Office. The report on the Siddick Pit explosion is in the hands of the printers. As far as it is in my power to expedite its publication, I will do so.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that a great disaster occurred at the Plean Colliery, Stirlingshire, in July of last year; if, so far, no report has been published on the results of the official inquiry into the causes of that disaster, and if he will explain the reason for this extraordinary delay, as a result of which the relatives of the deceased victims have received no compensation and have been dependent upon charity; and if he has any powers to compel the immediate payment of the sums due under the Workmen's Compensation Act?

The report is now in print, and will, I hope, be published very shortly. The inquiry was postponed, by agreement between all parties interested, until October, in order to allow of the marshalling of evidence and the attendance of injured witnesses. Unfortunately, inquiries had to be held also in October into the Haig Pit explosion and in December into the Siddick Pit explosion. So far from there having been any avoidable delay, the fact that all three reports have already been completed reflects, in my opinion, great credit on the Chief Inspector, who has his ordinary duties to perform as well. I regret very much if there has been any delay in payment of compensation, but that is a matter outside my jurisdiction.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that one of the witnesses at the Plean disaster inquiry has been dismissed from his employment and is being evicted from his dwelling-house, which is the property of the Plean Colliery Company, upon grounds which the Stirlingshire Miners' Union believe to be flimsy and inadequate; and if he will have an inquiry made into this case?

I am aware generally of the circumstances in which this man was dismissed. Two other men were dismissed at the same time and for the same reason, and it appears that the circumstances have been very fully considered by the management, and that their action had no connection with the fact that one of the men had given evidence at the inquiry. In the circumstances I am not in a position to intervene.