asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what schemes, if any, for stimulating trade enterprise in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates are now under consideration of the Department; whether any such schemes have been put into operation during the past six months; and with what result?

The Colonies and Protectorates are carrying out large programmes of public works, for which they have raised loans in this country. It is anticipated that the effect of these works will be to stimulate trade at home and locally. The question whether these programmes could be extended with Imperial assistance with a view to stimulating trade is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, by the Safeguarding of Industries Act, the farmers of this country are compelled to pay 33⅓ per cent. duty on imported machinery; and whether, in view of the acute depression through which this industry is passing, he will take such action as will cause the temporary suspension of the Act on agricultural implements?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. and gallant Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension, and I would refer him to the answer given on the 26th February to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. A. Herbert), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports from this country to the United States of Brazil for the year 1922?

The values of exports from the United Kingdom registered during the year 1922 as consigned to were as follow:—

	£
Exports of produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom	10,983,059
Exports of foreign and colonial merchandise	275,768
Total exports	£11,258,827

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, whether railway companies are able to confer free railway travel on individuals without interference from his Department; whether any such free railway passes have been conferred on any of the former directors of railway companies who have ceased to perform those duties since the amalgamation of companies; and whether he has any information as to the number of free railway passes in existence?

I have no control over and no information as to the discretion which the railway companies exercise in this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the large number of accidents caused, both to motorists and to cyclists, by the practice, which is now legal, of cyclists riding at night with neither light nor disc at the rear of their bicycles; and if the Government propose to introduce legislation with the object of remedying the danger?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on 19th February to a question from the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Hill), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he can facilitate a simpler and less expensive procedure by which the views of any special body of railway users may be presented before the Railway Rates Tribunal regarding charges and methods and other questions arising under the Railways Act, 1921; and whether he is aware that the difficult and costly procedure at present required has the effect of practically preventing the views of the public from being heard?

I cannot agree with the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion that the procedure of the Railway Rates Tribunal is difficult or costly. In my opinion the establishment of the tribunal gives to bodies of railway users new and ample opportunities of bringing to the determination of the tribunal questions as to railway charges or conditions of carriage. I would remind him that the tribunal consists of a chairman who is an experienced lawyer, one member who is versed in railway matters, and one member who is experienced in commercial affairs. Its rules of procedure and its scale of fees have been drawn up with a view to facilitating access to its jurisdiction.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of money paid by the Post Office during the past year for telephones and telephone equipment purchased abroad?

No foreign purchases of telephones or telephone equipment were made by the Post Office. The value of foreign manufactured telephone apparatus included in contracts placed with British firms during the past year was about £10,400.

asked the Postmaster-General the circumstances in which a sorting clerk and telegraphist from the Irish Free State was appointed to the postmastership of Liskeard; whether this officer had any postal qualifications; and the number and ranks of the other applicants?

Under an arrangement with the Irish Provisional Government, Post Office officials in Southern Ireland remained eligible for consideration for vacant postmasterships in this country up till the 6th December last. The officer in question applied under that arrangement, and was regarded as the most suitable of the applicants. He possesses good postal qualifications. There were 180 candidates who held various ranks from that of postmaster downwards.

asked the Postmaster-General if the site adjoining the post office at Shrewsbury is to be used to its fullest capacity for the purposes of the automatic telephone apparatus; and is he aware that if it had been purchased by the Government, either at the present moment or a short time before it actually was, it would have been at a considerably smaller sum?

The site will be used to its fullest capacity for the purposes of the proposed automatic telephone exchange, apart from the valuable front portion of the ground floor and basement which it is proposed to let as a shop. The information at my disposal does not confirm the suggestion made in the second part of the Noble Lord's question; in fact, I am advised that if the premises had not been purchased in 1921, it is improbable that they would now be available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the practice of the employers of the port of London to give preference of employment to men whose insurance cards bear the stamps of the current week; and whether he will issue Regulations making this practice illegal, in order to protect the interests of casual workers and penalise the employers for taking advantage of the national Exchequer?

A case in which action of this kind was alleged was recently reported to us. The National Council of Port Labour Employers made inquiry into the case and informed us that there was no foundation for the allegation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of farm labourers in this country in Poor Law relief?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has not this information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any cases of wilful under-cultivation of agricultural land, resulting in unnecessary hardships to the labouring community, have been brought to his notice; and what steps are being taken in connection therewith?

I am aware that in a number of cases farms are under-cultivated, but no specific cases of the kind mentioned have been brought to my notice. There are no statutory powers to enforce proper cultivation beyond those contained in the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, which relate solely to the destruction of certain injurious weeds.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the sum paid out of the local rates in relief to able-bodied unemployed persons by the parish councils in Glasgow during the past six months, the average weekly numbers of male and female recipients, and the average numbers of male and female unemployed registered in that city for the same period?

In view of the fact that the parish and municipal boundaries in the Glasgow area are not coterminous, it is only possible to give approximate figures in reply to the hon. Member's question, and the following figures are given subject to that qualification. The total cost of aliments paid to destitute able-bodied unemployed by parish councils in Glasgow for the six months ended 24th ultimo was £293,450; the average weekly number of recipients (ex-eluding dependants) for the same period was 27,900, but the available records do not discriminate between the numbers of male and female recipients respectively. I understand from information which I have received from the Ministry of Labour that the average weekly number of unemployed registered in Glasgow for the period in question is 72,876 males and 11,287 females, including boys and girls respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a scheme for draining Sturch Pill brook, Tidenham, Gloucester-shire, which would benefit about 400 acres of land and employ a number of workmen in a district where there is considerable unemployment, has been held up owing to a disagreement between two landowners over their respective liabilities, and that other schemes have had to be abandoned for similar reasons; and if he will take steps to secure that land drainage committees shall be given power to carry out schemes of drainage in a district where the majority of the owners and Occupiers agree to same?

No, Sir, I was not aware that the scheme referred to, which was approved some time ago, subject to certain conditions being complied with, had been held up for the reasons stated. The principle underlying drainage unemployment schemes in areas where no statutory drainage authority exists, is that they should be carried out upon a voluntary basis. If, therefore, landowners in a very limited number of cases do not consider that the financial assistance offered by the Government is sufficiently attractive, I am not prepared to take action to compel them to carry out schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the desirability of an amendment of the terms under which drainage schemes for the alleviation of unemployment., 1922–23, to the effect that such schemes can be carried out where the small holdings and allotments sub-committees are the only contributors, seeing that several schemes submitted, which would have benefited the land under the control of such committees, have had to be abandoned owing to the refusal of the Ministry to sanction the same?

The condition to which the hon. Member refers was very carefully considered by the Government, but as the date for receiving applications under this winter's drainage unemployment programme has long past, I regret that I cannot see my way at this stage to consider an amendment of the Regulations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any evidence that the firm of Messrs. Cripps, Sons, and Company, Liverpool, are now paying the prescribed rates of wages; whether any, and, if so, what action was taken to ascertain the actual facts; whether he is aware that experienced employés were from November, 1921, to 1st April, 1922, paid 9½d. per hour instead of 10¾d, from 1st April to 7th April, 1922, 7½d. per hour instead of 9¼d., and from 7th April to the present date 8½d. per hour instead of 9¼d.; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on the 21st February to the hon. Member on this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. R. H. White, of 123, Charlotte Street, Sheffield; whether he is aware that, after having volunteered several times and been rejected as unfit for service, Mr. White was called up and passed as fit for general service in June, 1917; that at the time of his enlistment Mr. White was suffering from right scrotal hernia; that despite this disability Mr. White served in France for seven months; that he was discharged at totally unfit on 24th June, 1921, and granted a pension of 17s. 3d. per week; that after six months Mr. White was examined by a pensions board which found that 15 per cent of the disability, and consequently the aggravation due to War service, had passed away, as a result of which Mr. White's pension was discontinued; that this decision was confirmed by the medical appeal board; that the Pensions Appeal Tribunal on appeal found that the aggravation of disability due to War service had not passed away, and allowed the appeal; and that. Mr. White subsequently received a notification from the Ministry of Pensions that he had been made a final grant. of 9s. 6d. per week for one year but not on account of his medical condition; that. Mr. White was compelled to close his business on being called up for service and has been unable, owing to his state of health, to obtain employment since his discharge; that, his pension having now ceased, Mr. White is destitute and has had to apply for relief to the Sheffield Board of Guardians; and that Mr. White has been advised by the specialist whom he has consulted that the aggravation of his permanent disability due to War service cannot pass away unless an operation is performed; and whether, under these circumstances and particularly the fact that he ought not to have been ever passed fit for general service, Mr. White's pension can be renewed?

As stated in the question, this man suffered from hernia before he was called up in 1917 and passed for service with the Royal Corps of Signals. After seven months' service in France he was posted to duty at home in 1918 as a switchboard operator. On discharge from the Army in June, 1921, disablement was assessed at 30 per cent. Aggravation by service was admitted, and compensation has been granted in accordance with the degree of disablement assessed from time to time by medical boards. The last award, which resulted from the finding of the tribunal in his favour on the question of entitlement, has been declared a final award under the provisions of the War Pensions Act, 1921; and if the man is dissatisfied with it he has a right of appeal to the Assessment Tribunal, which he may exercise through the local area office. I understand that operative treatment for the hernia has been offered to the man, but refused.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government can propose legislation with a view to the amendment of Army Order No. 325 of 1919, in order that all pre-War service pensions may be put on the same footing; and whether he will consider the modification of Army Order No. 347 of 1920, with a view to the more generous treatment of these pre-War pensioners?

If the hon. and gallant Member requires an answer on the authority of the Government he should address his question to the Treasury; but, in view of the limited total sum available for the maintenance of the Army, the Army Council is not in a position to suggest such legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number and amount of reductions made during 1920, 1921, and 1922 in the rates of salaries of the lower grade clerks employed in provincial offices of the Pensions Ministry, and the present rate of the lowest grade male clerks; whether any reduction or increase was sanctioned during the same period in the salaries of regional directors of pensions; and, if so, the amount of such reduction or increase?

I have been asked to reply. The graded clerks in the Ministry of Pensions are paid at rates common to the Government service, and during the three years ended 31st December, 1922, temporary Grade III clerks in the provinces have had one increase of 5s. a week and three reductions of 6s., 2s. 11d. and 3s. a week respectively, making a net reduction of 6s. 11d. a week. No alteration has been made in the rate of salary for regional directors during the same period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many inspectors there are now of ships' provisions under the. Merchant Shipping Act, 1892, and where they are stationed?

There are at the present time 15 inspectors of ships' provisions (including the chief inspector). They are stationed at London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle and Cardiff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many surveyors of the mercantile marine are at present employed by the Board?

Two hundred and seven surveyors are at present employed by the Board of Trade for mercantile marine services for which the Board are responsible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of deeds presented to the Sasines Department in Edinburgh to be recorded, the fees paid for same, together with the salaries and the number of staff employed during the year 1922; and what is the amount of the new fees received in the Sasines Office since the date of the increase of fees, 7th February, 1922, and the salaries paid since that date?

The number of deeds presented to the Sasines Department during the year 1922 to be recorded was 52,389. The total amount of recording fees paid during the year was £59,924 19s. The number of staff employed in the Department varied between 195 and 202. The amount of salaries paid during the calendar year 1922 was approximately £52,500. The amount during the period 7th February, 1922 to 31st December, 1922, was approximately £46,500. As regards the amount of new fees received since the increase in February, 1922, this information could only be obtained by making a detailed analysis of the fee books so as to separate the scales, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not think that the results obtained would justify the considerable amount of labour involved. He would add that the full effect of the new table of fees would not be felt for some months after the 7th February, 1922, the date on which it came into operation. The hon. Member will appreciate that the expenses of the Sasines Office are not confined to the salaries of the staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that women cleaners in Government offices, many of whom are widows with children to maintain, are now being paid a wage of 28s. weekly, and that an immediate reduction is now being threatened; and whether he will take steps to prevent any reduction that may be contemplated and to increase the present scale of wages to enable these women to maintain themselves and their children in reasonable comfort?

The wages of charwomen in London offices consist of a basic rate fixed by agreement with representatives of the women concerned and a bonus, varying with the cost of living, fixed by agreement of the Civil Service National Whitley Council. The inclusive rate in operation from the 1st March is 27s. 11d. per week, reduced under the cost of living agreement from 28s. 8d. for a minimum attendance of 30 hours a week. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to adopt the suggestion in the latter part of the question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he can state in every case when the salaries attaching to the different positions of employés of the Houses of Parliament under his jurisdiction were first brought into existence; and when, in each case, there was the last increase in the maximum?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of emigrants from this country to Australia for the calendar year 1913 and the calendar year 1922?

I have been asked to reply. The numbers of British emigrants that left the United Kingdom for Australia during the years 1913 and 1922were 56,779 and 39,099 respectively.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that ex-service men emigrating to Australia under the Government-assisted passage scheme are receiving inadequate accommodation on board ship and upon arrival have no security of employment, and when they do secure employment they have to work at insufficient wages; and whether he will appoint a Committee of Inquiry to investigate tire whole matter?

I cannot admit the truth of the general charge made in this question, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind I shall be glad to have them investigated. On the invitation of the Australian Government an official delegation from this country is proceeding to Australia, shortly, and among its functions will he the duty of endeavouring, in co-operation with the Australian authorities, to ensure the best possible arrangement being made for would-be settlers from this country. The House may rest assured that the Common- wealth and State Governments fully appreciate the importance of these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of migrants leaving Great Britain for Australia, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand, respectively, in

Country of Future Permanent Residence.	1920.				1921.				1922.*
	18 years of age and upwards.	12–17 years of age.	Under 12 years of age.	Total. †	18 years of age and upwards.	12–17 years of age.	Under 12 years of age.	Total. †	Total.
British North America	84,674	7,042	21,388	115,491	47,852	4,538	11,882	64,513	42,606
Australia	19,160	1,898	5,190	27,657	19,203	1,852	5,307	26,436	37,773
New Zealand	9,663	1,004	2,577	14,082	7,968	720	1,932	10,628	11,651
British South Africa	11,380	839	2,072	14,583	9,590	751	2,021	12,378	8,396
*The numbers of emigrants in the several age groups are not yet available for the year 1922.
†Inclusive of persons of 12 years of age and over, whose ages were not specified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, the average annual cost per individual, including administration, of

—	Year ending.	Average Annual cost per patient.
(A) Sanatoria	31st March, 1923	£145 (estimated).
(B) County and Borough Asylums (Pauper Lunatics)	31st March, 1922	£70 7s. 4d.
(C) Institutions belonging to Poor Law Authorities (excluding the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District)—
(i) Infirmaries and other Poor Law institutions for persons suffering from diseases of body or mind.	31st March, 1921	(i) £149.
(ii) Separate institutions for children		(ii) £74.
(iii) General Poor Law institutions		(iii) £79.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if his attention has been drawn to the report of the medical officer of health for the West Riding of Yorkshire dealing with the condition of cowsheds in

The following statement shows the numbers of British emigrants from Great Britain to the undermentioned countries in 1920, 1921, and 1922:maintaining patients in sanatoria, asylums, and Poor Law institutions, respectively?

The information required is given in the table below in respect of the latest year for which actual or estimated figures are available for England and Wales.the administrative area; and if he contemplates giving the county council more power to deal with the same?

Yes, Sir; copies of the report have been received. Its effect appears to be that the existing law is not satisfactorily enforced in the county by reason of the small amount of inspection carried out by the district councils who are responsible for its enforcement. If the county council desire to obtain power to deal with the matter, it is open to them under Section 11 of the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, to apply to the Minister of Health to transfer to them the powers of any defaulting district council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, in how many cases in the last year for which returns are available have voluntary boarders been certified in licensed houses and registered hospitals, respectively; in how many have reception orders been signed without the boarder having been seen by a. magistrate; in how many of these has a notice of right of appeal to a judicial authority been served upon the boarder; in how many has this right been availed of; in how many has a prejudicial certificate in regard to the boarder been sent up to the board; and in how many has the manager, availing himself of the authorisation of a relative, taken upon himself to summon the certifying doctors?

Of the 977 voluntary boarders resident in licensed houses and registered hospitals during the year 1922, in licensed houses 88 were certified and detained therein, and three were certified and sent to other institutions; in registered hospitals 57 were certified and detained therein, and five were certified and sent to other institutions. Information with regard to the points raised in the remainder of the question is not at present available, but will be supplied to the hon. Member so soon as it has been obtained. The Board of Control, however, have no reason to think that the provisions of Section 8 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, have not been carried out in every case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the Coventry Corporation are taking proceedings against tenants of their houses in Stoke Heath for non-payment of rent; that the arrears in rent are due to unemployment; that the guardians of Foleshill Union have refused to follow the example of the Coventry Guardians in granting sufficient outdoor relief to enable these unemployed people to pay their rent; and whether he will make representations to the Foleshill Guardians as to the advisability of granting outdoor relief to enable the tenants in question to avoid eviction from their homes?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the heavy arrears due to the corporation on this estate are not all due to unemployment and that the corporation have exercised great leniency and have no desire to-create hardship. My right hon. Friend is aware that the Foleshill Guardians do not, in granting relief, make any specific allowance towards the payment of rent, but he is not aware that the relief granted is inadequate to the needs of the persons relieved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the housing shortage in Stafford is being rendered more acute by reason of the fact that the English Electrical Company are securing orders for the eviction of former employés from houses owned by the company on the ground that it is necessary to bring key men from Coventry, where the firm's works have been closed; and whether, in view of the fact that there are many skilled electrical engineers in Stafford who were formerly employed by the firm in question or their predecessors, and are now out of employment, he can make any representations with a view to stopping the eviction of people who will be utterly unable to find accommodation elsewhere in the town?

It rests with the Courts to decide whether an Order shall be granted for the recovery of the possession of a dwelling house in a case of this kind, and my right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received any representations indicating an attempt to force up prices in the building trade; and whether, before the State grants any subsidy to the building industry, he will investigate such charges, and, if necessary, take legislative action to deal with them?

My right hon. Friend has not received representations on this point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, how many appeals there have been against or in respect of notices served under Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, and in how many cases such appeal has been wholly or partly allowed?

There have been 78 appeals against notices served under the Section referred to, and in 12 cases the appeals have been wholly or partly allowed. In addition, 79 cases of differences between owners and local authorities have been referred to the Minister of Health for determination, and in 21 cases the decision has been in favour of the owner.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, what has been the total expenditure from the rates, including loans, and from the taxes, respectively, on housing in the years 1920, 1921 and 1922?

The estimated contributions towards the annual loss on assisted housing schemes of local authorities and public utility societies from rates and taxes respectively in England and Wales, together with expenses of administration of Central Departments, in the years ended or end- ing on 31st March, 1921, 1922 and 1923, are as follow:

—	1920–21.	1921–22.	1922–23.
	£	£	£
Rates	500,000	750,000	800,000
Taxes	950,000	5,070,000	7,770,000

The total loan expenditure by local authorities on these schemes during the whole period is estimated at £185,000,000. In addition, the operations of the Department of Building Materials Supply, including liquidation of contracts, have involved net charges upon the Votes of the Ministry of Health estimated at about £800,000 for the period ending 31st March, 1923. Payments have also been made from the Exchequer to persons erecting houses under the provisions of Section 1 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act (commonly called the Private Builders' Grant) during the three years as follow:

1920–21.	1921–22.	1922–23.
£2,528,552	£4,537,884	£2,450,000

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been called to the assertions that the old habitual tramps are disappearing and in their places are appearing genuine ex-service men tramping the country in search of work; and, seeing that the food allotted to casuals in some counties is inadequate to afford sufficient nourishment, at all events in the case of ex-service men, he will see that a better standard of food is introduced?

My right hon. Friend is aware that among the men tramping the country in search of work there is a proportion of genuine ex-service men, and special arrangements have been made for these men. A uniform system of diet was prescribed for the whole country by the Casual Paupers Order, 1914, and if my right hon. Friend is furnished with information as to any counties in which that dietary is not observed he will make immediate inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the per capita taxation in France as compared with the per capita taxation in England?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 27th February to my hon. Friend the Member for the Moseley Division (Mr. Hannon).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the very large numbers of clerks and shop assistants who incur heavy expenses in fares, meals, and upkeep of status receive no relief in the Income Tax payable by them for the expenses referred to; and whether he would therefore consider the revision of abatements on such earned incomes up to £360 per annum to effect an allowance commensurate with those expenses?

The system of graduation of the Income Tax now in force is that which was embodied in the Finance Act, 1920, on recommendations made by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax, after a most exhaustive investigation, designed to discover the fairest possible distribution of the burden of taxation. At the same time the Royal Commission expressed the opinion that a general allowance for travelling expenses would result in a very great inequity, and recommended that no such allowance he made. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend does not think that there is any ground for the revision suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the cases of Regular Army officers who were retained on the active list during the great War on service abroad beyond the date on which they became liable to be retired, who received in 1921 by way of compensation for such retention on the active list, lump sums from which Income Tax was first deducted and from which, in some cases, Super-tax was charged on the ground that the lump sums were retired pay though drawn for time on the active list; and whether, having regard to the fact that these lump sums were given specially to enable officers to restart in civil life and really represented capital and not income, he will see his way to refunding the amounts so deducted in taxes, thus making the treatment of these officers more similar to that of the many British and Indian Army officers retired recently from the active lists before the usual ages or periods of service from whose lump sums such taxes have not been deducted?

My right hon. Friend has not been able to trace the matter to which the question refers, but if particulars of any specific case are furnished to him he will gladly have it investigated and communicate the result to the right hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of revenue received during the current financial year up to 28th February from the Sugar Duties; and whether he can now give an estimate of the total yield of these duties for the full financial year?

The revenue collected in Great Britain and Ireland from the duty on sugar (including molasses, glucose and saccharin) up to the end of January last, which is the latest available date, amounted to £35,600,000. This amount is subject to apportionment between Great Britain and the Irish Free State. As regards the last part of the question, I must ask the hon. Member to await the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that France and Italy, which are each, guarantors of 24½ per cent. of the Austrian loan, are not even meeting their own foreign debts, and that the loan has been floated at a high issue rate, the will take steps to ensure that any similar future loans may he put through with a League of Nations guarantee?

No, Sir. The League of Nations have no funds or revenues from which they could guarantee loans.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date it is proposed to proceed with the Rating of Machinery Bill?

This is a Private Member's Bill, and, as the hon. Member will see from the Order Paper, it; is down for Second Reading on the 11th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that discontent has obtained for many months among the warders of Hampton Court Palace owing to a few of them receiving extra payment for the sale of catalogues and tickets to the general public while others doing the same work receive no extra payment; and whether, in view of the fact that to grant this extra payment to all warders at Hampton Court Palace would not involve the Treasury in any extra expense, he will inquire into the claim of the men that they shall all be granted it?

The remuneration of the Warders at Hampton Court Palace is based upon an Agreement signed, after full discussion of all points in dispute, by representatives of the staff in February, 1921, the Agreement itself stating that it is a full settlement, and containing no reference to additional payment for the sale of catalogues and tickets, which was one of the duties the Warders were then required to perform. Before August, 1913, the Warders were granted a commission on the sale of catalogues, and on the abolition of this privilege, which was strongly advocated by the Public Accounts Committee, at that date, those then serving were granted compensation of 4s. 6d. a week, all Warders subsequently appointed being required to sell catalogues and tickets as part of their ordinary duties. I cannot admit that Warders appointed since that date have any claim to be similarly compensated for a privilege they never enjoyed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will endeavour to arrange that a passport may be allowed to last without renewal for a period of five years instead of two years?

The question of the extension of the period of validity of British passports is receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, and I hope that it may be found possible to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the present Government of Mexico under President Obrigon is not recognised by this country, he will state whether any consideration has been given to the policy of the present Mexican Government to advance the prosperity of that country and place the conduct of its affairs on a foundation of stability and orderly progress; and whether the question of recognition will be considered?

His Majesty's Government are watching with sympathetic interest the progress of Mexico towards stability and order, but they cannot disguise from themselves that neither in respect of the security of property nor of the safeguarding of contractual rights, are the fundamental conditions prevailing in Mexico sufficiently improved to warrant recognition at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the attention of the railway companies has been directed to the prevailing charges for the conveyance of agricultural produce; whether similar representations have been made to the Postmaster-General for some reduction in the postal rates for the conveyance of agricultural produce; and what is the result of such representations?

The Government have no power of directing the railway companies as to their charges, but it is understood that the railway companies are considering whether railway rates can be further reduced. I would remind the hon. Member that Sections 60 and 78 of the Railways Act provide a means by which representations may be made to the Railway Rates Tribunal by a particular trader or representative body of traders for reduction of such charges. As regards the second parts of the question, I understand that a number of representations on this subject have been made to the Postmaster-General, who has replied that he cannot at present make any statement on the question of reducing parcel post rates.

Commodity.					Estimated Total Consumption.	Proportion of Home grown and Imported Produce.
						Home-grown.	Imported.*
1922.					Tons.	Per cent.	Per cent.
Wheat†	…	…	…	…	6,790,00	27	73
Barley	…	…	…	…	1,699,000	63	37
Oats	…	…	…	…	2,491,000	82	18
Butter*	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
Cheese‡	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
June, 1921 to May, 1922.
Beef and Teal	…	…	…	…	31,137,000	43	57
Mutton and Lamb	…	…	…	…	545,000	37	63
Pig-meat	…	…	…	…	683,000	42	58
* Including Imports from Ireland.
† Including wheat meal and flour (Expressed as grain).
‡ Sufficient data are not available to enable an estimate to be made of the home production of butter and cheese in 1922.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that it has been admitted by his Department that the condition of the rivers of this country at the present time is a national scandal; and what steps the Department proposes to take to prevent its continuance?

The condition of many of the rivers and inland waters of this country is a matter of grave concern to my Department. The causes of and remedies for this state of affairs are being closely investigated by the Ministry, which has set up, to facilitate this purpose, a Standing Committee on Rivers Pollution on which all parties interested are fully represented. I would remind the hon. Member that local authorities already have powers under the Rivers Pollution Act, 1875, to deal with pollution.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated consumption in Great Britain during 1922 of wheat, barley, oats, beef, mutton, pig-meat, butter, and cheese and what are the proportions of these products imported from overseas and produced at home, respectively?

The estimated consumption in Great Britain during 1922 of the articles mentioned was:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the possibility of housing the Museum of Practical Geology near the Royal School of Mines, and of turning the site in Jermyn Street to more profitable use?

I am giving the matter consideration.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that cars are parked in Star Court alongside the covered way leading to the Members' entrance, making it difficult to drive up to the covered way on wet days; and will he issue Regulations as to the parking of cars?

This is a matter which concerns the Serjeant-at-Arms, who, I understand, is considering the whole question of the parking of cars in the Star Court.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the grave hardship which is being caused by the naval reductions, he will reconsider the method of selection of ratings for discharge, so that discharges, if necessary, might be made from the whole Navy, and not from establishments and ships in home waters only?

Discharges have been proceeding since last May, and the great majority of these have been made from the Fleet as a whole. It is only the last few hundred, whom it is necessary to discharge before the end of the financial year, who are being selected at home. Time will not permit of a wider choice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the principles upon which he is proceeding in the selection of ratings for discharge from the Navy; and the number of men of the respective rating, who are being discharged?

The selection of ratings for compulsory discharge are being made on the following general principles:

(a) Pensioners on Vote A, "Detained" men, who on or before the 2nd February, 1923, had completed their engagements but had not re-engaged, and men Who had only undertaken to complete a commission, are without any question of selection to be discharged before all others.

(b) Ratings of the classes described in (1), (2), and (3) of Section C of Admiralty Fleet Order 1359/22, are to be discharged next, those men who are the least desirable to retain as regards conduct and ability being selected in preference to others.

(c) The remaining ratings for discharge should be selected from the classes enumerated in Section A and B of Admiralty Fleet Order 1359/22, those who are the least desirable to retain as regards conduct and ability being selected in preference to the others.

The actual number of men who will be compulsorily discharged is not yet known, but will probably be between 700 and 800. This number compares with voluntary discharges of over 11,000, and is a far smaller proportion than in the case of officers, of whom 608 will have been compulsorily retired out of a total of about 1,750.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any of the vessels of the Royal Indian Marine have any fighting value in a war with a first-class naval Power in the Pacific?

The answer is in the negative. I may add, however, that the following vessels of the Royal Indian Marine would be useful for auxiliary patrols and minesweeping, namely:

• " Elphinstone."
• " Havelock."
• " Pathan."
• " Baluchi."
• " Lawrence."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that tenders for the supply of peas for the Navy were recently invited by the Admiralty; that samples of the finest hand-picked Lincolnshire peas, with quotations, were received from Messrs. A. W. Foster and Company, Limited; that a greatly inferior pea, to be supplied from Japan at a lower price, was selected by the Directors of Navy Contracts Department because of the lower price; whether quotations for a grade of English-grown peas similar to the Japanese grade were invited; whether he is aware that grades of English-grown peas similar to the Japanese could have been supplied and can still be supplied at a price similar to the price paid for the Japanese peas; why no effort was made, before placing the contract in Japan, to obtain quotations for similar grade English-grown peas; whether he is aware that, as a result of the action of the Admiralty, many men employed in pea-picking have been thrown out of work and are now receiving unemployment pay; and whether, under the circumstances as stated, some consideration can be given to the English firm above named?

Careful consideration was given to the competitive tenders and samples recently received from Lincolnshire growers of peas and importers of Japanese peas. Messrs. Foster and Company's price was the highest received, and was more than half as high again as the price at which suitable imported peas were purchased. English peas of a quality similar to Japanese could not have been bought except at a price nearly 50 per cent. higher. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the Admiralty give a very substantial preference to home products, but in the present ease the difference in price of the lowest English tender, which was not that of Messrs. Foster, was so great as to render this inoperative. The Admiralty cannot admit that the Japanese pea was "greatly inferior" to the pea offered by Messrs. Foster. The Admiralty are not aware that, owing to their action, the amount of unemployment has been necessarily increased. As a matter of fact, Messrs. Foster have stated that prices have risen since they tendered, and it is assumed that unless they stand out for prohibitive prices they will have no difficulty in disposing of their peas and thereby employing their workpeople.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many motor vehicles now held by the War Department and regarded as surplus to prospective requirements are awaiting transfer to the Disposals Commission?

The number of surplus vehicles at present awaiting transfer is 80.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the messengers employed at Woolwich Arsenal, Enfield Lock, and Waltham Abbey have been informed that they must work 13 hours overtime in any one week before they receive overtime payment; whether he will issue instructions that overtime shall be paid for after the normal week of 47 hours; whether he is aware that these men have made a request for improved wages and conditions; and that they have asked for a deputation to be received to discuss these matters; and whether he will look into the questions and arrange for the deputation to be received?

I am aware of the facts stated, and I am prepared to receive a deputation, but I should wish to be furnished, in the first instance, with a written statement of the men's case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what the total cost of the Army of Occupation in Germany has been from the Armistice to the present time; and what has been the amount contributed by Germany towards the expenditure by the British Government?

The total cost of the British Army of Occupation from the Armistice to 1st January, 1923, is £55,600,000. The whole cost has been paid by Germany.