asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Emmie Butler, late of Queen Mary's Auxiliary Corps, who was discharged on medical grounds (varicose veins in both legs); whether he is aware that her physical condition has caused mental depression and that she is now an inmate of the Bromsgrove Mental Hospital, with a pension of 9s. 4d. per week; that her parents are having to contribute 35s. per week for maintenance in this hospital; that they are now at the end of their financial resources and unable to continue the payment; and what he proposes to do in the matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am advised that Miss Butler's War service had no part in bringing about her mental depression. She is already in receipt of the appropriate allowance for the disability resulting from her varicose veins, and I regret that I am unable to increase that allowance.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that 260 disabled ex-service men, with 231 wives and 642 children, are in receipt of Poor Law relief from the Poplar Guardians; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made for the purpose of removing these men and their dependants from charge-ability to the rates?

All men who are found to be suffering from a disability due to War service receive compensation from my Department appropriate to the extent of their disablement in accordance with the terms of the Royal Warrant. If any case comes to the notice of a board of guardians in which it appears that compensation for a disability due to service has not been awarded, or has been assessed at less than the rate appropriate to the extent of the disablement, the board should instruct the man to apply to the local office of the Ministry so that his case may be investigated.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in fixing the amount of pensions, his Department take into account money received by the pensioner in respect of National Health Insurance benefit?

The answer is in the negative as regards disablement pensions, to which the hon. and gallant Member no doubt refers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the fundamental principle of the Royal Pensions Warrant, referred to in the Minister's answer on the 14th December last, prevents pensions being granted to men classified into grades lower than Grade A by doctors acting under the Compulsory Military Service Acts, but also certified as fit to serve at home or abroad; and whether the fundamental principle referred to also precludes the Minister from undertaking the onus of proof in those cases where there is any doubt as to the cause of a man's disability, so that a man classified in whatever category as fit for service either at home or abroad, and taken into the Army as such, would be entitled to a pension unless the Minister or his officials can prove that the claim has been forfeited?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, it is the case that wherever a man has been invalided from the service, my Department accept the presumption that his disability is due to or aggravated by service, unless the balance of probability is against the man. On the other hand, in the case of a man who is not discharged from service on the ground of disablement, but who subsequently claims to be disabled by or in consequence of war service, it is clearly incumbent upon the man to produce some primâ facie evidence in support of his claim. None the less, it is the practice of my Department, in these, as in all other cases, to assist the man in every way to establish his claim.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. H. S. Spendlow, late second sickberth steward, O.N.P.O.M. 4181, who was discharged on 15th May, 1918, with fibroid phthisis, is now informed by the Ministry that the disability has been consistently regarded as only aggravated by War service, notwithstanding that on every notification of pension received by the pensioner and by the local war pensions office from the date of discharge until 15th February, 1922, it was described as attributable; that on the man's appealing against this change of decision the appeal tribunal showed great unwillingness to listen to his evidence and disallowed the appeal, their written reasons for this decision showing misapprehension on no less than three essential points; and whether, in view of the above facts, he will have the case reopened?

The Ministry has at no time regarded the disability as attributable to service and that view having been confirmed on appeal by the independent pensions appeal tribunal, I have no power to have the case re-heard.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a pensioner has the statutory right of appointing a friend or other agent to speak on his behalf at an appeal tribunal; or whether such friend or agent can only act, ex gratia, as far as the appeal tribunal may permit?

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Regulations and would invite his attention to paragraphs 13, 14 and 16.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that a number of ex-service men who are undergoing training at Leeds in the tailoring trade complete their 12 months' training on 27th March; and, seeing that 12 months is less than the usual period of training for this trade, and is not a sufficiently long time to make a man so efficient a tailor that he has any chance of getting employment at the trade in the open market, whether he will arrange for a longer period of training or, alternatively, try to arrange with employers to take the men as improvers on the completion of their training course in order that the men may have a full opportunity of becoming sufficiently competent not to waste all the expense of a partial and incomplete training?

I have been asked to reply. One hundred ex-service men are receiving training in tailoring at the Central Technical School, Leeds. Of these men, 42 are being retained in the centre during the winter months beyond their normal course until improverships are available, and will therefore have received more than 12 months' training on 27th March next. The periods of extension range from three to eight months. Special arrangements are now being made for men retained in training centres during the winter months to be discharged gradually during the period April to June, the men who have received the longest extensions being discharged first. The other men will not have received their 12 months' course on 27th March, and will therefore be retained for a further period in any case. The scheme of training in the tailoring trade was drawn up by the National Trade Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives of employers and workers. The original scheme provided for a shorter course, and has already been revised so as to extend it to 12 months, which is considered sufficient preliminary training to qualify men to enter workshops of private employers as improvers. Every effort is being made to find workshop openings for men whose institutional training is completed and a considerable number have been found by the special canvassing staff employed for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the present position with regard to the Blandford Camp; whether he is aware that the camp has stood empty for two years, and that in spite of repeated applications for compensation by the owners of the property no attempt at settlement has been made; and whether he will now take steps to have the future of the camp decided and all outstanding claims settled?

I have been asked to answer this question. It is anticipated that the buildings and part of the land may be utilised for military purposes. A decision will be reached shortly, and the owners will be communicated with at an early date. The question of the future of any land not required for military purposes will be taken up by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission as soon as possible, when the outstanding claims by the owners will be dealt with. I understand that annual compensation is being paid to the tenants.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the small difference in price between foreign meat and home-killed meat, he is now able to state that the troops on home service shall be supplied with home-killed meat only?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's premise that the difference in price between frozen meat, Dominion or foreign, and home-killed meat is small. Fresh meat of the quality required for issue to the troops delivered into Army store would cost at present, according to the information at my disposal, about 100 per cent. more than frozen meat now supplied. Under present conditions therefore I regret I am not in a position to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government to close down the Sunnylands Camp at Carrickfergus; and, if so, will be give the reason for this step, in view of the fact that there are considerable ordnance and other Government stores in the locality?

No, Sir; no decision has been taken to close the camp referred to. In these circumstances, the second part of the qustion does not at present arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether British soldiers serving in India are entitled to appear on the absent voters list; and whether it was possible for them to record their votes in the recent General Election?

Officers and soldiers of the British Army serving in India are, if duly qualified under the Representation of the People Acts, eligible for registration as Parliamentary electors, and if so registered are placed on the absent voters list. Such officers and soldiers, who desired to exercise their vote at the recent General Election, could do so by appointing a proxy at home to vote on their behalf.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, for the information of Members, he will furnish at an early date a list of all local authorities who have put the Housing and Small Dwellings Acquisition Act into force, together with the total number of houses provided under the terms of the said Act, and the total cost of the same within the area of each of the said local authorities, with any additional data that may assist Members in the consideration of the proposed Bill to amend the said Act?

There are 56 local authorities who have had transactions under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the names of these authorities and of the amounts of loans sanctioned to them for the purposes of the Act. Information as to the actual number of houses for which loans have been advanced is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, how many State-aided houses have been built by the National Building Guild, Limited; what was the average cost of each house; and whether any houses for which this company contracted remain unbuilt or unfinished?

The number of houses completed up to 1st February by building guilds under the State-assisted scheme is 1812, and 415 remain unbuilt or unfinished. As the final accounts in regard to these contracts have not yet been completed, it is not possible to state the average cost per house.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will publish or supply a complete list of all housing estates owned by local authorities in the United Kingdom?

Such a list as the hon. Member refers to would involve tabulation of particulars in respect of some 1,500 local authorities in England and Wales alone, and my right hon. Friend does not consider that a return in this form would be of sufficient value to justify the labour and expense involved in its preparation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if there are many cases where men have been refused the normal Government grant for the building of houses because they have exceeded the required standards; and if, to avoid a hardship, he will now consider the advisability of removing this injustice?

The standards to be observed in connection with houses to be eligible for subsidy under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act were clearly laid down at the commencement of the scheme. My right hon. Friend cannot now extend the subsidy to houses which have exceeded the standards. There have, in fact, been comparatively very few cases in which grants have had to be refused on the ground that larger houses have been built.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the Department has devised any plan to deal with the inevitable reduction in rents on Govern- ment subsidised housing schemes; and, if so, when it will be available to the House?

The rents for houses erected by local authorities under the assisted housing schemes are fixed from time to time by the local authorities who are responsible for the administration of the schemes. If the Minister is unable to agree with the rents proposed to be fixed by the authority, the question is referred for decision to an independent tribunal set up under the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Schemes) Regulations. The Regulations require that the rents shall be based on the prevailing rents (under the Rent Restrictions Act) for similar houses in the locality in private ownership, allowance being made for any difference in the condition and amenity of the houses. No further procedure appears to be necessary for dealing with any application for reduction in rents which may be required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received protests from boards of guardians against the burden cast upon the rates owing to the action of the Ministry of Pensions in transferring to pauper lunatic asylums ex-service men whose condition is alleged not to be due to or worsened by their military service; and whether he proposes to make a special grant towards their maintenance?

My right hon. Friend has received protests from some boards of guardians, but he can see no grounds on which he could justify a grant from other sources towards expenditure of this kind, which the Minister of Pensions is unable to defray.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been called to the fact that the cost of lunatic patients chargeable to boards of guardians and maintained at asylums has so increased as to make the sum of 4s. per head repaid to the various unions under the Local Government Act, 1888, totally inadequate, and throws a heavy burden on local rates; and will he consider bringing in a Bill to amend this Act so as to provide for repayment of at least one-half of the actual cost to them of every lunatic maintained in a county asylum?

The amount of this grant was based on the estimated difference between the cost of maintenance in workhouses and in asylums respectively, and, while it is true that the cost of maintenance in an asylum has increased since the amount was fixed, it is equally true that the cost of maintenance in a workhouse has also increased. My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to introduce a Bill for the purpose suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of contracts in connection with work in British cemeteries in France which have been awarded to foreigners and to British subjects respectively; whether any British recent tenders have, owing to the depreciation of the franc, been unsuccessful; and whether, as a result of the recent awards of contracts, any British workmen will be deprived of employment hitherto afforded them?

I have been asked to answer this question. The number of contracts in connection with the work in British cemeteries in France and Belgium which have been awarded to foreign firms is 12, and to British firms, 297. The Imperial War Graves Commission have no evidence to show that the depreciation of the franc has caused the non-success of any recent British tenders; the competition has always been very close, and in the most recent tendering of all the lowest is that of a British firm. As regards the third part of the question, no reason is seen why, as a result of recent awards of contracts, any British workmen should be deprived of employment hitherto afforded to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the Crawley and District Water Company has made any application for permission to continue its increased charges for water supply after the expiration this year of the existing permit; whether the Ministry is aware that subsequent to the last permission to increase the company stopped the constant supply of pure and wholesome water, which they are under obligation to supply, and limited the output to a daily supply; whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Crawley Fire Brigade, in which it is stated that serious consequences would follow a fire during the night owing to there being no water supply; whether he is aware of the sanitary conditions of certain parts of the town from 8 p.m.; and whether he will call for a report from the local authorities before granting any permission to this company to continue an increase of charges beyond those laid down in the Crawley and District Water Company's Act of 25th July, 1898?

An application has not yet been received from the water company. If an application is made, the interested parties will have full opportunity of making representations as to the matters referred to, and any such representations will be fully considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Local Government Boundaries contains no Labour representatives; and whether, in view of the number of Labour representatives on local authorities and of the fact that Labour has distinct views on this question, he will recommend the addition to the Commission of two representatives, one representing a county and the other a municipality?

The Royal Commission does not contain representa- tives of any political parties, nor does it appear advisable that it should do so, having regard to the terms of reference.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether a committee has been appointed to consider questions relative to the country's water supply; if so, the composition of the committee and its terms of reference; whether any local authorities who have no water supply of their own, but are dependent upon a supply from outside systems, have any representation on the committee; and whether the position of the districts governed by these local authorities is to be considered by the committee?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 20th instant to the hon. Member for Denbigh (Mr. J. Davies). The members of the Advisory Committee are not representative of any particular interests. It is not intended that the Committee shall generally go into matters of detail such as those mentioned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction on the part of dental mechanics with the Dentists Act of 1921; and that the Act of 1921 makes it practically impossible for the working class to qualify as practising dentists; and what action, if any, he proposes to take to remove this disability?

The Dentists Act of 1921 made provision for the admission to the Register, after examination, of persons employed as dental mechanics at the commencement of the Act. The Dental Board are fully alive to the need of widening the area of recruitment of the dental profession, but the admission to the Register in future of persons who have not undergone the necessary training would be contrary to the fundamental principle of the Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been drawn to a statement that the Ministry has published a pamphlet in which the compulsory re-vaccination laws which existed in Prussia since 1834 were attributed to the year 1874, that being the year in which the Prussian laws were re-enacted for the new German Empire, thus concealing the fact of a serious outbreak of small-pox under conditions of strict vaccination; and whether this pamphlet, which draws a deduction in support of vaccination from inaccurate or misleading data, will be withdrawn?

I am advised that the statement contained in the pamphlet to which the hon. Member refers is correct. The Prussian Law of 1834 related only to soldiers in the Prussian Army. Compulsory re-vaccination for the civil population in Prussia and the rest of the German Empire was first enacted in 1874. There is, therefore, no ground for suggesting that the pamphlet should be withdrawn.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will consider the modification of the law by which valuers may be permitted to advise trustees to lend up to three-fourths instead of two-thirds, as now, on valuations; and whether he is aware that this policy would tend very greatly to the promotion of private building?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. I think the reduction of the margin of security in the investment of trust funds might cause great loss and suffering, and would in the long run discourage private building by discrediting that type of security.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that, under Rule 9 ( a ), passed by the General Nursing Council for England and Wales and approved by his predecessor, members of the College of Nursing, an organisation representing employers and hospital officials, have the right to be placed upon the register without producing their qualifications as all other nurses are required to do; and that the Scottish Nursing Council have refused to recognise this rule, with the result that there is no reciprocity of registration as provided in the Act; and whether he will take steps to have this rule reconsidered?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the effect of Rule 9 ( a ), which does not confer any such right on members of the College of Nursing, but merely provides members of any organised body of nurses recognised by the council with an alternative method of proving that they possess the necessary qualification. It is the case that the Scottish Council objected to the rule, but my right hon. Friend is not aware that they have refused any application for admission to the Scottish Register in virtue of an English registration. This rule, which was confirmed by a vote of the House last year, cannot now be rescinded except by the council itself.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Merchandise Marks Bill this Session?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 15th February to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Hood).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of wheat and flour imported into the United Kingdom from all sources during the five years preceding the War and since the War, up to the date at which the Board of Trade makes up its Returns?

The following statement shows the quantity of ( a ) wheat and ( b )wheat meal and flour imported into the United Kingdom from all sources during each of the years specified:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of tonnage launched in the German shipbuilding yards in 1913 and 1922?

According to the Annual Summary of Mercantile Shipbuilding issued by Lloyd's Register, the tonnage of merchant vessels of 100 tone gross and upwards launched in German yards during the year 1913 was 465,226 tons gross, and during 1922, 575,264 tons gross. But the figures given for 1922 include vessels aggregating 49,435 tons launched at Dantzig.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the case of Mrs. Welsh and her husband, who were passengers in the "Lusitania" when the vessel was torpedoed; that Mrs. Welsh has been an invalid ever since; that compensation has been withheld on the ground that at the time she was not of British nationality; that her father, a Norwegian, was in the British mercantile marine and Mrs. Welsh is unable to prove whether he ever became naturalised; that England has always been her home and that she was returning here to take up duties as a nurse at the time of the disaster; that the Norwegian authorities state that as Mrs. Welsh is now a British subject, having married her husband six days after the disaster, her claim cannot be entertained by them; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will recommend that Mrs. Welsh's claim be admitted?

I am acquainted with the facts mentioned in the question. At the date of the damage complained of, Mrs. Welsh was not a member of the civilian population of any of the Allied or Associated Powers, and, therefore, no claim can arise under the Treaty of Versailles in respect of such damage, and consequently, the claim is not one which can be entertained by the Royal Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information showing that the removal of the embargo on Canadian cattle has resulted in the promised reduction in the price of meat?

I have been asked to reply. As the removal of the embargo has not yet come into force, it is impossible to give the information desired.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that railway freight on 10 tons of potatoes sent by a North Lindsey farmer to the market was so exorbitant that the farmer, after paying the freight and other charges, found himself 4d. in debt; and whether he will take steps to see that farm produce is conveyed at such a freight rate that the production of food in Britain will not be wholly stopped?

My attention has not been called to the matter referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 19th instant to a question asked by the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. T. Smith), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if, in any schemes of road construction or road improvements by local authorities, he is satisfied that only firms who honour the Fair Wages Clause are allowed to supply the necessary material for the work?

As I stated on 20th February, in reply to a question from my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Bosworth Division (Major Paget), a condition attached to every grant made from the Road Fund is that the Fair Wages Clauses shall be inserted in any contracts entered into in connection with the grant. I do not consider that it is either practicable or desirable to impose further conditions of this nature on local authorities in the execution of their statutory duties in connection with the maintenance and repair of highways.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has received a Report from the Railway Rates Tribunal on the inquiry his Department ordered last year on the fares of the London tube railways, and will such a Report be published for the information of the House; has he received any Report from the London Electric Railways Company showing what reductions they brought into force on both their railways and tramways on 1st January last; and, if so, will he also publish this Report with the other one so that London passengers may know what fares are now in force on these railways and tramways?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject which I gave to him on the 27th November last. I have asked the company for information as to the final results of working for the year 1922 and as to the effect of the reduction in fares. So soon as this is available, the Rates Advisory Committee will be asked to report in discharge of their reference.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the Railway Rates Tribunal has yet settled the form in which the railway companies must submit the schedules of passenger fares under the Railways Act, 1921; and whether, in view of the pledge given in the other House when the Bill was passing, such schedules will contain the rates for season, workmen's and traders' tickets.

Sub-section 2 of Section 30 of the Railways Act, 1921, provides that the Schedules shall be divided into such parts and shall be in such form as the Railway Rates Tribunal may prescribe. The question is, therefore, one for that tribunal, and I understand that it is now before them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that under the Railways Act, 1921, the rates which the railway companies will be authorised to charge are to be so adjusted as to yield, with efficient, economical working and management, an annual net revenue equivalent to the net revenue of 1913; whether he will ascertain the number of the principal railway officials and their assistants above the rank of district goods managers and district superintendents of each of the constituent companies in 1913 and the number of officials of similar rank under the present grouping systems; and the amount of the salaries paid to those officials in the year 1913 and those proposed to be paid for the current year?

The particulars for which the hon. Member asks are not in my possession and it will be for the Railway Rates Tribunal to indicate at the appropriate time what information it requires for the purpose of discharging its duties under the Railways Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the number of railways which have not yet been incorporated in the four new railway groups; what number of these are jointly-owned lines; and whether any steps will be taken to bring about their inclusion in the four big groups?

There are 12 joint lines owned by two or more amalga- mated companies which are outside the compulsory grouping scheme. Section 18 of the Railways Act, 1921, provides that the Minister may by Order confirm any agreement for the purchase, lease and working by one railway company of any part of the system of another railway company. I see no reason for amending legislation.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that all the duties relating to the inspectorate of the iron-ore mines and quarries in West Cumberland, North Lancashire, and the Isle of Man, which were performed by a senior inspector of metalliferous mines up to the time of his resignation, have now been tacked on to the duties of a junior inspector of coal mines, and that the lamentable series of disasters which have taken place in Cumberland coal mines show clearly that, if he discharges half his duties in connection with those mines, he can have no time to devote to the inspection of iron-ore mines; and will he take steps to appoint an inspector, in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Metalliferous Mines and the advisory committee to the metalliferous mining industry?

As I informed the hon. Member on Monday, I regret that I cannot adopt his suggestion. I am, of course, aware of the arrangements made for the inspection work in the area, which provide for assistance from the staff in other parts of the Division from time to time. As to their adequacy, I entirely dissent from the conclusions drawn by the hon. Member. The inspection available for coal and metalliferous mines in Cumberland is not less than that available generally throughout the country.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that, owing to the large quantity of coke that is now being exported abroad by the British coke makers, an adequate supply of coke cannot be assured to keep the blast furnaces in West Cumberland in operation; that the stoppage of the blast furnaces would mean that the men employed in the iron and steel trades would be unemployed, and large numbers of iron-ore miners and limestone quarrymen would also be unemployed, which would intensify the large volume of unemployment now prevailing in the West Cumberland district; and is it his intention to take steps to see that home demands for coke are met before further shipments abroad are allowed?

I am aware that there has been a recent increase in the demand for metallurgical coke for export, which has re-acted to some extent on the home market. My information, however, does not indicate that the position is as acute as the hon. Member's question seems to suggest, or that it would at all warrant the proposal to establish by legislation the complex machinery of control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the expenses involved in redeeming a tithe rentcharge of 8s. 3d. per annum in the parish of Milborne St. Andrew, Dorset, amounted to £2 9s. 6d.; and whether he will introduce legislation to so amend the Inclosures, &c., Expenses Act, 1868, to avoid inflicting such expenses upon small tithepayers who wish to have the tithes redeemed?

Yes, Sir, the tithe rentcharge to which the hon. Member refers was included in an application for compulsory redemption, made by the tithe-owner under Section 3 of the Tithe Act, 1878. The fee of £2 9s. 6d. charged is in strict accordance with the Statutory Rule governing cases of this character, which was issued on the 31st August, 1922. It is intended to cover, not only the cost of the very large amount of clerical surveying and administrative labour involved as a rule in these compulsory cases, but also all overhead charges. In cases where redemption proceedings are initiated by the landowner and not, as in this case, by the titheowner, the fees payable are considerably less than in compulsory cases. In view of the fact that, after careful investigations last year, these fees were found to be on an average barely sufficient to cover the expenses involved, I am unable at present to make any revision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that much land is being laid down to grass; and if he will consider the possibility of relieving corn-growing land from all rates, as an inducement to corn-growing and the employment of labour?

I am aware that a considerable quantity of land is being laid down to grass, but I am afraid I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. If it is his intention to confine relief from rates to land which is actually growing corn, I see no reason on national grounds for differentiating in favour of corn as against other arable crops, such as potatoes. If he intends the relief to apply to all arable land, the necessity of distinguishing between permanent and temporary pasture would raise serious practical difficulties. The whole question of rating is now under the consideration of the Cabinet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to reintroduce the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Bill this Session?

Yes, Sir; I hope to reintroduce this Bill next week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the acreage under cultivation of hops in England, the average yield per acre, the amount of home production of hops, the amount of hops imported, the average price per cwt. of home-grown hops and imported hops, respectively, and the number of barrels of beer charged with duty for each year from 1908 to 1921, inclusive?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the county of Durham is now free from swine fever since 6th February and that only four cases were confirmed during the preceding 12 months, the restrictions on the movement of swine may be removed?

The answer is in the negative. The county of Durham is included within a scheduled area which comprises the greater part of England. Within that area restrictions are imposed on the movement of pigs from markets and pig dealers' premises, regulations which in the opinion of the Ministry are best calculated to check the spread of swine fever. Though Durham has been comparatively free from swine fever of late it is not considered advisable for the present to withdraw it from the scheduled area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the urgent need, particularly in Wales, of grants, as formerly made, to agricultural districts or societies for shire entires in order to prevent deterioration of this important class of stock, which is now in danger of reverting to ill-bred type; and will he authorise such grants as and when applied for?

The Committee on National Expenditure recommended a considerable reduction in the provision of funds for the improvement of livestock schemes and it was decided that the grants to heavy horse societies should be discontinued. While I regret the necessity of the withdrawal of these grants I see no prospect under present conditions of restoring them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if copies of the Daily Report of Parliamentary Debates and other Government publications can be purchased by the public without the addition of a commission on the sale price; and, if so, whether he will give a list of the establishments where Government publications may be obtained at the price at which they are issued?

These publications are issued to booksellers subject to the usual trade discount, and I know of no reason why they should not be sold by them at the published price, and I understand that this is the general practice. The publications are always obtainable at this price (plus postage in the case of postal orders) from His Majesty's Stationery Office at the following addresses:—

Imperial House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2.

28, Abingdon Street, London, S.W.1.

37, Peter Street, Manchester.

1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff.

23, Forth Street, Edinburgh.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the receipts from Entertainments Duty for each of the last 12 months; and whether the Excise authorities have succeeded in compiling any comparative statistics of the amounts derived annually from outdoor sports and indoor entertainments?

The receipts from the Entertainments Duty in Great Britain for each of the last 12 months were approximately as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give any approximate date for the introduction of the Budget?

I am not yet in a position to name even an approximate date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue authorities have refused to refund to Mrs. G. M. Street, now Mrs. Gardner, a sum of £764 8s., which was paid by her in error when the said sum was not legally payable, on the technical ground that if the assessment was incorrect, notice of appeal should have been given in the usual way; and whether he will give instructions for this technical defence to be withdrawn and the money refunded, seeing that it is admitted that the amount above mentioned was paid in error and was not legally payable?

I have looked into the case of Mrs. G. M. Street, now Mrs. Gardner, and find that under the law she has no title to relief, nor has she been called upon to pay tax on any amount in excess of her actual income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to appoint immediately a Select Committee on National Expenditure?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the interests of economy, he is prepared to consider setting up an inter-departmental committee, on which the Treasury and principal spending Departments would be represented, to consider whether the present system, by which all moneys voted in respect of a financial year have to be expended in that year or surrendered to the Treasury, could be improved upon, in view of the encouragement it gives to uneconomical expenditure?

I do not agree that the present system encourages uneconomical expenditure. Departments are fully aware that they are not entitled to incur unnecessary expenditure merely because they have money available, and any such tendency would immediately be brought to the notice of the Public Accounts Committee by the Controller and Auditor-General. Annual surrender of surpluses to the Exchequer for the redemption of debt is an essential part of the machinery of Parliamentary control over expenditure, and I should be strongly opposed to any alteration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount per head paid in direct and in indirect taxation in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, respectively?

For the United Kingdom the amount per head is £10 10s. of direct taxation and £6 2s. indirect. For France the amounts are 242 francs and 193 francs respectively. For the United States (Federal Taxes) the amounts are $13.60 and$12.70.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has discussed with bankers and discount houses the possibility and results of repaying, at once perhaps, 400,000,000 dollars to America by the shipment of our reserve of bullion; and, if not, will be appoint a small Committee to consider such a step?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of counsel engaged by the prosecution and the defence in the recent Ilford murder trial; the total amount received by counsel in fees; and what extra fees will be received by counsel employed by the Crown; and whether the duty devolves upon these counsel of fixing their own fees?

I have been asked to answer this question. Three counsel appeared for the Crown and six for the defence. The trial lasted five days, and the fees paid to counsel for the Crown amounted to £618 7s. 6d., which includes the proceedings before the Court of Criminal Appeal. I have no information as to the fees paid to counsel for the defence. No extra fees will be received by counsel employed by the Crown. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether agricultural labourers who, as such, do not come within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Act are, in the event of their being temporarily employed by a local authority on relief works, required during the period of such employment to contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Newbury (Brigadier-General Brown), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention in the near future to widen the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Act so as to bring within its provisions all outworkers who are at present uninsurable?

In accordance with an undertaking given by my predecessor, a Departmental Committee is examining the practicability of bringing certain classes of outworkers within the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, but until I receive the Report of that Committee I cannot say whether or not it would be practicable to bring all or any outworkers within the scope of the Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Bedwellty guardians and others have called his attention to the fact that if an unemployed person works more than two days in any one week he breaks the continuity of his claim and receives no part of his unemployment pay for that week, and must then complete six consecutive signatures at the Employment Exchange before he can again receive benefit; and will he consider a scheme whereby a man shall not be penalised for obtaining what work he can secure?

I have received this Resolution and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply—of which I am sending him a copy—given yesterday to the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. G. White) in connection with a similar question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of a local education authority being unable to organise a centre for unemployed juveniles, he will recognise an approved private organisation?

The scheme for juvenile employment centres is based upon the co-operation of the local education authorities, and the arrangements in the matter rest with them. I am, however, considering the whole question, and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the dependencies are empowered to apply forced labour ordinances without prior reference to the Secretary of State; and whether he will consider the advisability of insisting upon prior reference in all the dependencies before demands for forced labour are made, excepting only in cases of emergency when the sanction of the Governor should be deemed sufficient authority?

Twelve dependencies have ordinances providing for compulsory labour for short periods on roads and other Government objects; I do not think it would be practicable to make reference to the Secretary of State before action is taken under these ordinances so far as services of a communal nature such as roads are concerned. Where, as in Kenya, provision exists for calling upon native labour for Government purposes generally it is or is being prescribed that, apart from certain clearly defined classes of services, the prior authority of the Secretary of State must be obtained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount paid to Hussein of Mecca and Ibn Saud, respectively, in 1922 by the British Government?

Ibn Saud, Sultan of Nejd, received a subsidy of £5,000 per month throughout the year 1922. The total amount paid to him during the year was £60,000. No payment was made to King Hussein during that year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the £15,000 Imperial grant, spread over a period of five years for the purpose of erecting permanent college buildings in Trinidad, is in the nature of a loan bearing interest and ultimately repayable; and, if not, will the Government consider how far the practice of making grants to other countries on an unremunerative basis has become an unjustifiable burden upon the British taxpayer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The grant to which the hon. Member refers is the total amount of a series of diminishing annual payments to the Imperial Department of Agriculture, now merged in the West Indian Agricultural College, in aid of grants from local funds and in lieu of an annual grant to the Department which recently amounted to about £8,000. I cannot agree that this expenditure is unremunerative as, apart from the services of the college to the West Indies, and to British firms interested in the production of their staple crops, it is anticipated that the work of the college will greatly assist the development of tropical agriculture and the training of agronomists on which so much of the Empire is dependent.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total annual sum, according to the latest complete returns, paid by employers of labour in order to insure against all risks under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and the amount in the same year received by their employés as compensation in return for these premiums; and the amount of compensation paid in the same year by employers who do not insure against this risk?

The Returns made by the insurance companies to the Board of Trade for the year 1921 show that the total amount of the premiums paid to the companies was £7,519,830 and that the total amount paid out under policies was £2,903,991. Payments under policies, however, include legal and medical expenses incurred in connection with claims, so that the amount received by the workmen as compensation was somewhat less than this. I regret that there are no figures available to show the total amount of compensation paid by uninsured employers or by mutual associations of employers on behalf of their members. I may, however, draw the attention of the hon. Member to the Home Office Statistics of Workmen's Compensation for 1921, which show that in the case of the seven large groups of industries required to make returns to the Home Office under the Act, namely, mines, quarries, railways, factories, docks, constructional work and shipping, the amount paid in compensation by mutual associations was £2,480,005 and the amount paid by uninsured employers was £1,396,985.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the growing practice of some of the colliery companies in South Wales whereby workmen who have been incapacitated by accident or by industrial disease, and when partially recovered and certified as being fit for suitable employment, have their compensation reduced to a nominal weekly sum, and are informed by the colliery companies that they have no obligation as far as finding them suitable employment and they must seek it elsewhere, and of the hardship involved since the workmen cannot find suitable employment and have to apply for unemployment benefit or Poor Law relief; and whether he will take steps so to amend the Workmen's Compensation Act that where workmen are incapacitated by accident or by industrial disease full compensation shall be paid them until they are fully recovered or that the employers in whose employment they were at the time of incapacity shall find them suitable employment?

I have no information as to any such special practice in South Wales, and I would point out that it is always open to a workman if he considers himself entitled under the Act to a higher weekly payment to apply to the County Court to fix the amount. Further, I am advised that where a workman can show that he is unable by reason of his injury to obtain any suitable employment, full compensation may be awarded. It would not be reasonable, in my opinion, that the employer should be required to pay full compensation in every case unless and until he finds suitable employment for the workman, and I find that the Departmental Committee which inquired carefully into this question made no such recommendation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the question of altering the law so as to give a judge discretion to pass a sentence of penal servitude for life instead of one of death on a conviction for murder?

I could not suggest such an alteration of the law. There are many reasons against it.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government intends to introduce legislation to render compulsory the use of distinguishing colours for poisons, such as arsenic or strychnine, in powder form?

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave on the 13th December last to the question asked by the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. Doyle).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the services rendered to the nation by Mr. Horatio Bottomley during the great War and in view of the reported state of his health, he will consider the desirability of recommending some remission of the sentence passed upon him?

No sufficient reasons for a reduction of sentence in this case have been brought to my knowledge.

asked the Home Secretary if the following Report, published in the "Cumberland News" of 4th November, 1922, of proceedings of a meeting of the local advisory committee of the Carlisle and district State management scheme is correct: It was decided that, in addition to the services already undertaken, goods to the value of £15 be sent as a contribution from the State management scheme to the refreshment stall at the Cumberland infirmary bazaar; the total amount of public money involved in payments of a similar character; and under what authority the local advisory committee made grants from public funds for charitable purposes?

The report quoted by the hon. and gallant Member is correct. The contributions for charitable purposes made through the local advisory committee of the Carlisle State management scheme amount on the average to £100 annually. These payments have been made under Treasury authority, in accordance with the best practice of business firms in like circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary the total indebtedness of the Parliament of Northern Ireland to the British Treasury; if all the munitions of war handed over to that Parliament by the British Government have been paid for; if not, what is the extent of their value and when they are likely to be paid for; if any banks in the northern territory of Ireland have any security from the British Treasury or other Government support behind them; if so, to what extent; and if the £8,000 per annum, the salary to the Governor of Northern Ireland, is to be a permanent charge upon the British taxpayer?

I am not in a position to state the value of certain munitions issued on loan to the Government of Northern Ireland or the date on which payment will be made for such as may not be restored. The only other sum due, of which I am aware, is £153,000 in respect of constabulary stores, the settlement of which is expected to be made shortly. No banks in Northern Ireland have any security from the British Treasury or other Government support. The salary of the Governor of Northern Ireland is payable under statute from the British Exchequer, subject to a contribution by Northern Ireland of £2,000 a year in addition to their general statutory contribution to Imperial expenditure, of which this salary forms part.

asked the Postmaster-General by what routes correspondence is forwarded to Northern Ireland; and if he will indicate the latest hour at which letters can be despatched by these several routes from the post office in the House?

The information desired by the hon. Member will be found in the following statement:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether it has been decided to discontinue the issuing of the Supplement to the Post Office Estimates; what would be the amount of saving involved; and whether, in view of the fact that the information contained therein would outweigh any financial saving, he will reconsider the matter;

The issue of the supplement was discontinued on grounds of economy in 1921–22. The suggestion of the hon. Member will be considered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a recent order has been issued asking boy messengers whether they will agree to take up duty in places away from home or, as an alternative, temporary dismissal; whether the boys who hold Civil Service certificates would be entitled to unemployment pay if stood off; whether it is proposed that if sent to distant towns they should receive only the remuneration due to boy messengers; and how his Department reconciles such proposals with the agreement promising permanent appointments in the Post Office as set out in Postmasters' Forms Nos. 423 and 558?

I am making inquiry in this matter, and will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet taken any steps to prevent business firms in this country making use of the depreciated exchanges of foreign countries to have letters and circulars printed abroad, thus benefitting those countries to the detriment of our own?

I regret that I have no power to prevent business firms from having letters and circulars printed abroad. If, however, the hon. Member has in his mind the subsequent postage aboard of such articles for delivery in this country, with the obvious intention of evading British inland postage, I can assure him that I shall not hesitate to ask for additional powers to deal with this abuse, if it show signs of attaining serious dimensions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the wireless services conducted from Leafield and Northolt are earning sufficient revenue from commercial traffic to cover the cost of running the stations and meeting depreciation and interest charges; and, if not, to what extent these services are being subsidised?

It is calculated that each of the wireless stations in question, one of which has been open for about 17 months and the other for about six months only, is now earning sufficient revenue to cover the cost of running the station and meeting depreciation and interest charges.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health what was the sum paid in Scotland for child welfare and maternity relief or help for 1919–20, 1920–21, 1921–22, and 1922–23?

The amount of Government Grant paid in relief of local authorities' expenditure under schemes of maternity service and child welfare in each local authority financial year ending in May was as follows:—

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is yet in a position to state what action, if any, the Government propose to take in connection with the Report, made by Lord Dunedin's Departmental Committee on Local Taxation in Scotland?

The general question of the reform of local taxation is under the consideration of the Government, and I am not at present in a position to state what action, if any, it is proposed to take in connection with the Report of the Committee mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health how many local authorities in Scotland have taken advantage of the provisions contained in the Local Government Act of 1894, under which rating authorities in one locality can combine for a joint collection of local rates; and whether he proposes to take steps to secure that all local authorities shall take advantage of the statutory provisions referred to so as to effect economies in their various districts?

So far as shown in the assessment notices received by the Board, there is a joint collection of parish and county rates in eight parishes situated in one county. In six burghs there is a joint collection of burgh and parish rates. The number of local authorities concerned in these cases is one county council, six town councils, and 13 parish councils. The question whether all local authorities should be required to take advantage of the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1894, for the joint collection of local rates is one which may be appropriately considered in connection with the general question of rating reform.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many cookery centres are closed in connection with the education authorities, and reasons for the same?

I regret to find that in two county areas action has been taken to reduce extensively the provision for this form of instruction. Their action in this respect is no doubt due to motives of economy. Until I receive from local education authorities the returns in respect of the current financial year, I cannot supply full information up to date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that there is a steady demand for certificated teachers both in this country and the Colonies; and, if the acting teachers indicate, through their union, a wish to take the examination for which they have prepared and risk not being able to find a post, will he then reconsider his decision to cancel the examination?

With regard to the Colonies, such information as I possess leads me to conclusions different from those of the hon. and gallant Member. With regard to this country, I regret I can add nothing to the reply I gave him on the 15th February last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, having regard to the widespread distress among the agricultural labourers of Norfolk and other counties, he will consult with the Ministry of Education with a view to the adequate exercise by the education authorities of the power to provide meals in necessitous cases?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I cannot regard the provisions of the Education Act, 1921, relating to the provision of meals, as part of the normal machinery for the relief of exceptional distress. The question whether meals shall be provided under that Act is one for the decision of the Local Education Authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number and cost of the meals provided by the education authority for Wednesbury during 1922 under the Feeding of the Necessitous School Children Act?

No meals were provided by the Local Education Authority for Wednesbury under the Education Act, 1921, during the calendar year 1922.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number and cost of the meals provided by the Tipton education authority during 1922 under the Feeding of Necessitous School Children Act?

The number of meals provided by the local education authority for Tipton under the Education Act, 1921, during the calendar year 1922 was 50,962. As regards the cost, the returns made to the Board are for the financial year; the net expenditure of this local education authority upon provision of meals during the financial year 1922–23, as estimated by them in December last, is £309.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number and cost of the meals provided by the Darlaston education authority during the year 1922 under the Feeding of Necessitous School Children Act?

Darlaston is not a local education authority, and the Board, therefore, have no separate figures to show the number and cost of the meals provided in that area under the Education Act, 1921.

Figures are given for London as on the 31st March, 1921, and for other areas as on the 31st March, 1922.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether instructions have been sent to local education authorities who have decided to contribute a per capita amount of financial assistance to non-provided Catholic secondary schools not to do so; and, if so, what is the reason for this action?

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

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state, in the case of all towns with a population of 200,000 and over, the elementary school accommodation per 1,000 on the rolls and per 1,000 in average attendance; and the number of teachers certificated and uncertificated, respectively, per 1,000 on the rolls and per 1,000 in average attendance?

The figures are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Dorset County Education Committee recently terminated the services of Mr. A. Rose, late school attendance officer, Sturminster district, after more than 30 years' service; that he was only offered a small monetary consideration; that Mr. Rose had for 24 years contributed under the Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act, 1896; and that the guardians of the Sturminster district have unanimously, by resolution, expressed their indignation at the action of the Dorset County Council Education Committee; and whether he will take steps to see that the compensation or superannuation to which Mr. A. Rose would appear to be entitled is speedily and justly settled?