asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that three blast furnaces have been damped down in Millom this past week owing to the lack of coke, which is being exported in large quantities to France and Germany; and if this is continued it must bring about a total stoppage not only of the furnaces, but of the iron-ore mines and quarries in West Cumberland, and thus greatly increase the number of unemployed; and will he consider putting an Export Duty on coke so as to guarantee a supply for home consumption?

I am aware that blast furnaces at Millom were damped down during the week ended 24th February owing to inadequate supplies of coke, but I am informed that they have since been able to resume full operation. As regards the remainder of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the reply I gave on the 22nd February to a similar question from the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Cape).

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the urgency of continuing unemployment benefit without any gap period; and will he take steps to enable this to be done in view of the fact that unions such as Brynmawr and Crickhowell, with low assessable values, are quite unequal to any demand caused by men whose benefit may cease corning on the books of the guardians, who are in many cases unable to collect rates?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend on the Second Reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, in which he indicated the extent of the further benefit which it is proposed to provide.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in 1920 the Treasury proposed that the commissionaires employed on warding duties in the British Museum should be given the grade of pensioner messenger on condition that the men severed their connection with the Corps of Commissionaires; that the men concerned expressed their willingness to accept the proposal; that in January, 1921, instead of adopting the proposal, the Treasury came to an agreement with the Corps of Commissionaires without consulting the men concerned; that at a meeting of the Departmental Council held on the 4th October last the commissionaires put forward a claim for a recognised grade, either that of museum warder or of pensioner messenger, in order that the question of their position might be settled; and that the chairman of the Council promised that the matter would he considered, but subsequently informed the representatives of the men, privately, that nothing more would be done; and whether he will take steps to have the grade of these men properly specified in conformity with the recent system of grading?

It is the case that the trustees of the British Museum at one time considered a proposal that the commissionaires should sever their connection with the Corps of Commissionaires, but on inquiring into the matter various difficulties were found to exist, one of the principal of which was that members of the corps who resign their membership whilst holding posts secured through the corps render themselves liable to certain penalties. The proposal was therefore dropped. It is also the case that the trustees (not the Treasury) subsequently came to an arrangement with the corps whereby the commissioners were relieved of the payment of certain subscriptions for which they were previously liable The question of grading was raised during last year and the commissionaires were informed that they constituted a separate Departmental class. There is nothing unusual or irregular about this arrangement and the trustees see no reason for altering it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that agricultural shows are held for the purpose of improving the quality and breed of live stock, and also of increasing the quality and quantity of food produc- tion, he will give instructions that such shows shall in future be exempt from payment of the Entertainments Duty, which at present is a handicap in the promotion of agricultural shows which are not run for profit?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20th February to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Market Harborough (Sir K. Fraser).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons resident in Great Britain who are holders of any form of British Government securities, including all classes of British funds and National Savings Certificates?

I fear that no reliable figures can be given. The hon. and gallant Member will realise that a stockholder may hold stock on more than one account and that conversely an account may be in the names of more than one holder. Moreover, a holder of Government Stock may also hold Savings Certificates. The number of Stock accounts is about 6,400,000. An unofficial estimate puts the total number of persons holding British Government securities as high as 17,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether relief from taxation is granted to manufacturers who use commercial alcohol for other than purely medicinal purposes; what is the amount of the relief; and what loss to the revenue is entailed?

Relief from taxation is granted to manufacturers in respect of the bulk of commercial alcohol used by them for other than purely medicinal purposes. The amount of relief, and consequent loss of revenue, for the year ended the 31st March, 1922, was approximately £24,000,000,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why a travelling trader holding a licence for the sale of tobacco, who attends fairs and markets in different parts of the country, is obliged to obtain from the Inland Revenue authorities and pay for a permit in each place in which he carries on his business to sell tobacco; and whether he will consider the desirability of revising this practice so that the licence itself shall be a sufficient authorisation to trade wherever the dealer may be?

A tobacco dealer is required by law to take out a licence for each set of premises at which he sells tobacco, but if he also wishes to make occasional sales at fairs and markets he is allowed to do so on taking out special licences, for which he pays at the rate of fourpence a day. I am not prepared to adopt the proposal made in the second part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that great dissatisfaction prevails at the action of the Commissioners in Merthyr in the recent appointment of collector of taxes; and that the short list of three included one ex-service man whose qualifications were at least equal to those of the gentleman appointed, who was a civilian with no special qualifications; will he cause the appointment to be reviewed; and will he give specific instructions that in future, when qualifications and all other things are equal, preference shall be given to ex-service men?

I understand the hon. Member's question refers to the collecting area of Merthyr South. The right of appointment of a collector for that area is vested in the Local Commissioners of Taxes, and my right hon. Friend has no power to interfere with their discretion in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the 106 ex-service candidates who sat for the examination for officers of Customs and Excise in September, 1921, who were declared qualified to hold appointments and who were placed on the reserve list, have been informed that there is no prospect of an appointment; whether only 25 candidates remain to be appointed from the successful list; whether it has been decided that after these 25 have been appointed an open competitive examination will be held, for which most of the 106 qualified candidates will not be eligible owing to age: and whether steps can be taken to postpone the open competitive examination until after the 106 qualified candidates have been placed?

It is not at present anticipated that any of the candidates who were placed on the reserve list as a result of the examination for officers of Customs and Excise in September, 1921, will be offered appointments, and some of them have been so informed. The number of candidates remaining to be appointed from the successful list is 40. No decision has been taken as to the next examination.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that a man, or, in the case of a lunatic, his friends, cannot be satisfied that the balance of probability is against the man, having regard to the fact that the decisions of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal are given without any reasons being assigned; and will he see that the reasons showing that the balance of probability is against the man are given in every case, and that such reasons are supplied to the appellants in all cases that have already been tried by the tribunal?

Where it is desirable or expedient to do so, the appellant is informed by the tribunal of the reasons for their decisions. The question whether this can or should be done in every case is, and must remain, a matter for the discretion of the tribunal itself.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Peter Gibbons, 3/M.G./5526 (P.L.O. reference number), who received a pension until 2nd January, 1923, of 11s. 6d. per week, has now been informed that no further pension can be paid to him, although it is not contended that his physical condition has improved; and whether he will state the reason for this

Compensation has been granted to this man in accordance with the degree of disablement assessed by medical boards by which he has been examined. The last award has now become a final award under the provisions of the War Pensions Act of 1921, subject to the right of appeal to the Assessment Tribunal which the man may exercise through the local office of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Fred Price, of 9, Campbell Street, Waenfelin, Pontypool, who is suffering from varicose veins, obtained a decision in his favour by the appeal tribunal at Cardiff on 22nd October, 1922, and that his Department has reversed that decision and declined to pay this man his pension; and will he reconsider this case?

There has been no suggestion of not accepting the decision of the tribunal in this case, nor, indeed, would that course be within the powers of my right, hon. Friend. There has, I regret to say, been some delay in the matter, but an award appropriate to the degree of disablement has now been authorised.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. M. E. Doggett, Holmleigh Cottage, Hopton, near Great Yarmouth, whose son, a staff-sergeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, was killed in November, 1916, after nearly 21 years' service in the Army, Mrs. Doggett being awarded a pension in respect thereof of 4s. 2d. per week as from the 6th August, 1918; whether he is aware that her application for a flat-rate pension of 5s. per week, under Royal Warrant of the 6th November, 1918, has been refused on the ground that she commenced receiving her present pension three months prior to the establishment of such flat-rate system and also that Staff-Sergeant Doggett was over 26 years of age at the outbreak of War and, in view of the fact that the flat rate of 5s. per week is being paid to dependants of those who joined, in many cases under compulsion, during the War, he will reconsider the case of Mrs. Doggett?

The award of the flat-rate parents' pension was always expressly subject to the age limit mentioned, and accordingly, apart from any other considerations, Mrs. Doggett was ineligible on that ground alone. The pension awarded to her was a dependency pension, but should she now be in pecuniary need and incapable of self-support an application on that ground for a higher pension will receive consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Royal Warrant of 21st June, 1922, is being applied to the cases coming under the seven years' limit, with the effect that the seven years dates from the time of their first removal from duty; and will he say how many claimants have been ruled out on this ground?

Instructions have been issued which will ensure that cases of the class referred to shall be considered in accordance with the modified interpretation of the Warrant announced by my right hon. Friend in the public Press on the 7th January.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to make further provision for the ex-service men pensioned under Article 1163, 1914 Warrant, and Army Order 330 of 1920, between the 4th August, 1914, and 30th September, 1921, seeing that the provisions of the Pensions Increase Act do not apply to them?

The provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, were applied to Army pensioners by Army Order 347 of 1920, but men pensioned after 4th August, 1914, under Article 1163 of the Pay Warrant, 1914, and Army Order 330 of 1918 are not eligible for increases. Such men were not serving on pensionable engagements and would not be eligible for service pensions under the present Regulations, and I do not consider that their service merits further provision, which would be contrary to one of the fundamental principles of those Regulations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council has yet arrived at any decision with regard to clasps and medals awarded for service during the late War; and, if not, whether the Army Council will, in the interests of public economy, consider the possibility of awarding clasps for the various battle fronts rather than for individual battles?

The proposal to issue clasps raises difficult questions of financial and administrative importance, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce a final decision. I will carefully consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made to enable candidates for the Staff College who are now serving in Constantinople, Palestine and Mesopotamia to be examined without returning home?

Arrangements are made by sending copies of the examination papers to the various stations abroad where boards of officers are convened to conduct the examination of any candidates whose applications to compete have been accepted. The examination is held on the same dates both at home and abroad, and all possible steps have been taken to obviate inequality of conditions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to issue definite instructions to recruiting agents that youths under the age of 18 must on no account be enlisted in the force without definite proof as to their age and as to the consent of their parents being available regarding their enlistment?

The Regulations already state explicitly that youths under the age of 18 are not to he enlisted without the consent of their parents. I gather, however, that the hon. Member suggests that the recruiting officers should be instructed that candidates who appear to be, and who state that they are, 18 years old or over, are nevertheless not to be enlisted without special verification of their age. I am not prepared to give such instructions, which would be unworkable in practice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of officers, finance officials, and clerks, respectively, employed on cost accounting in the Army at home?

The numbers employed on cost accounting in the Army at home are

Officers of the Corps of Military Accountants	86
Other ranks	644
Civilian subordinates	171

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of recruits for His Majesty's Forces who presented themselves for enrolment during the year 1922, but were rejected as physically unfit to serve for each town with a population of 100,000 or more?

I regret that I am unable to give the information requested in a form distinguishing particular towns, but the numbers of recruits who presented themselves in each county recruiting zone in Great Britain for enlistment in the Regular Army during 1922 and the numbers rejected as physically and medically unfit to serve, were as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the terms of repayment specified for loans made in 1919 and 1920 to public utility societies in connection with housing schemes under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919?

Under the form of indenture executed by public utility societies borrowing from the Local Loans Fund in 1919 and 1920, the societies undertook to repay loans by equal half-yearly instalments of principal and interest combined sufficient to repay the loan, with interest, in the period far which it was granted. The societies further undertook not to ask the Public Works Loan Commissioners to accept repayment otherwise than by means of such half-yearly payments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, seeing that he has recently informed the Harwich Urban District Council that he is unable to authorise the erection of more houses under a State-assisted scheme, in view of the necessity for housing accommodation in that area, and of the state of suspense in which local authorities find themselves, he will announce the policy of the Government towards this problem?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Thursday last to the question asked by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West (Mr. T. Thomson).

—					England.		Wales.
					Inhabited.	Uninhabited.	Inhabited.	Uninhabited.
1901	…	…	…	…	5,958,637	427,563	302,215	21,369
1911	…	…	…	…	6,801,424	389,736	340,357	18,916

The figures for 1921 are not yet available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been called to the increasing number of dwelling houses which are being converted into factories and workshops; whether he is aware that there are in the Borough of Hackney 398 premises built as private houses and since converted into workshops; and whether, seeing that since the expiry on 22nd December, 1921 of that Section of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act of 1919 which gave the London County Council powers to prevent such conversion, there is no power vested in any authority to control the use of private premises as workshops, he will consider whether such powers should be given to borough councils in London during the present acute housing shortage?

My right hon. Friend will give this suggestion careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can state, in regard to England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively, the number of occupied and unoccupied houses fit for human habitation in each of the years 1897, 1902, 1907, 1912, 1917 and 1922: and the number of new houses certified as fit for occupation in each of the five quinquennial periods ending in 1902, 1907, 1912, 1917 and 1922?

Information is not available showing the number of occupied and unoccupied houses during the years in question, but the following particulars for England and Wales are taken from the Census Returns:It is not possible to ascertain the number of houses actually certified as fit for occupation, but the following table shows approximately the average increase during the periods referred to in the last part of the question in the total number of existing dwelling-houses of all kinds in England and Wales so far as figures are available:

Quinquennial Period ending	Increase in number of Private Dwelling-houses (England and Wales).
1902	561,863
1907	573,640
1912	401,323
1915 (three years)	183,928

As regards the figures for Scotland, the hon. Member should address a question to the Under-Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Minister of Health, if he is aware of the decrease of the incomes of the majority of ratepayers, and of the necessity of relief from the cost of maintenance of highways, education, police, and maintenance of pauper lunatics, which charges should not be local, but should be borne by the community at large, and that the exemption or partial exemption of tithe in many parishes from liability to contribute to the rates adds materially to the burden of the remaining ratepayers; and, if so, will he take steps to remedy this alleged grievance?

I am aware of both of the alleged grievances and of the suggested remedies to which the hon. Member refers, but I am unable at present to add anything to the reference in the King's Speech to the subject of local taxation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that immediately following the Act of 1834, which made revaccination compulsory in the Prussian army, and thus for every healthy male in the kingdom, an Act was passed on 8th August, 1835, imposing regulations upon the civil population under severe penalties; that under these Prussian regulations revaccination was imposed at frequent intervals throughout life under penalty of fine and imprisonment; that in 1871 a great epidemic of small-pox occurred, the number of deaths being 124,948, that the overwhelming majority of the sufferers had been vaccinated and revaccinated, that the Act of Imperial Germany passed in 1874 was actually made less stringent in many details than the earlier Prussian Act, and that the epidemic of small-pox was practically at an end when the Act of 1874 was passed, which could, therefore, bear no relation to it; and whether a pamphlet issued by the Minister of Health, which conceals or misstates the conditions regarding vaccination in Prussia prior to the epidemic of 1871, and suggests that the Act of 1874 caused a decline in smallpox which had already taken place, will-be withdrawn?

I am aware of the Prussian regulations of the 8th August, 1835, to which the hon. Member presumably refers. The requirements of those regulations in regard to vaccination are explained in a memorial prepared in the German Imperial Office of Health, and published in Berlin in 1896. It is there stated that, according to those regulations, compulsory vaccination was only provided for in the event of smallpox breaking out in a house, and that in times when there was no small-pox, no penalty, either legal or administrative, was provided for the omission of vaccination. I may also refer the hon. Member to the evidence given in regard to these regulations by Dr. Arthur Hopkirk of Jena before the Royal Commission on vaccination in 1889. I have no information as to the number of deaths in Prussia from small-pox in 1871, but, according to an official German publication, the total number of deaths from small-pox in the German Empire in 1871 and 1872 was 162,111. I am not aware of any official information as to the vaccinal condition of the patients. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his previous question on the 22nd February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the local vaccination officer prosecuted Mr. F. Scholefield, 7, Buckley Road, Cemetery Road, Beeston, Leeds, for not having his child vaccinated; whether the local magistrates made an order on 15th February directing the child to be vaccinated; whether he is aware that the child for which the order was made died on 24th February after suffering from convulsions through teething; and whether, in view of the danger of vaccination, he will instruct vaccination officers to refrain from prosecuting parents who, through no fault of their own, have omitted to make a declaration of objection under the Vaccination Act, 1907, within the required period?

My right hon. Friend is not empowered to interfere with the discretion of a vaccination officer in regard to prosecution. He is not aware whether in the case in question the child was unfit for vaccination at the time vaccination was due, but provision is made in the Vaccination Acts for postponement of vaccination in the case of any child who is not in a fit and proper state to be vaccinated. This child was not, in fact, vaccinated, and the certified cause of death was infantile eclampsia.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. F. Scholefield, 7, Buckley Road, Cemetery Road,

—					Widows.	Children under 14.
						Father dead.	Mother dead.	Both parents dead.
London	…	…	…	…	223,615	80,094	21,538	4,151
Middlesex		…	…	…	52,842	19,755	6,302	1,599
Herts	…	…	…	…	13,977	6,273	1,782	552

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received resolutions and, if so, how many, from local authorities urging that the burden Beeston, Leeds, was ordered by the Leeds magistrate on 15th February to have his child vaccinated; that the child for whom the order was made died from convulsions through teething on 24th February: and whether he will instruct the magistrate who made the order to cancel it and abstain from asking for costs in this case?

I have no authority to give instructions of this nature to a magistrate. When a Court has made an order imposing costs on a defendant it is for the parties by whom the costs will otherwise be payable to decide whether they will press for the enforcement of this part of the order, and for the Court to decide whether it will enforce it. I have no power to interfere with the Court's discretion in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of widows in England, Scotland and Wales, at the last Census; and, if possible, the number of fatherless children and orphans under 14 years of age, respectively?

Figures for England and Wales and Scotland are not yet available for the countries as a whole, but a statement will be sent to the hon. Member when the information is ready. The figures asked for in respect of London, Middlesex and Herts are given in the following table:of guarding against coast erosion by means of sea defence works should no longer be borne wholly by coastal towns, and that the cost thereof should be accepted as a national charge; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to give effect to such principle?

I have received resolutions from 55 seaside authorities on this subject. The Royal Commission on Coast Erosion in their Final Report stated that they were unable to recommend making grants from public funds in aid of sea defence, and the Government see no reason for differing from this conclusion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, the estimated population in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively, in 1897, 1902, 1907, 1912, 1917, and 1922?

The information required is given in the following Table as far as it is available:

—	England.	Wales (including Monmouthshire).	Scotland.
1897*	29,239,245	1,919,000	4,299,132
1902*	30,910,909	2,040,000	4,507,220
1907*	32,488,905	2,210,000	4,650,478
1912	33,918,144	2,464,312	4,741,077
1917†	34,924,708	2,353,526	4,810,338
1921	35,227,583	2,657,659	4,882,288
1922	38,158,000		4,904,247
* Populations for these years were estimated for "Registration" areas in England and Wales, and the figures for England and Wales separately are rough estimates.
† The figures for England and Wales in 1917 include armed forces abroad.

Estimates for England and Wales separately are not yet complete for 1922. Figures for 1921 and the estimate for England and Wales together for 1922 are therefore given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now find it possible to lay upon the Table of the House the text of the letter addressed to Lord Allenby by the late Prime Minister of Egypt, Nessim Pasha, dated Cairo, 27th December, 1922?

I have nothing to add to my replies to the hon. Member on 21st February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the latest information received by His Majesty's Government as to the health of Zaghloul Pasha and the nature of the Report?

We have not yet received the medical reports for February, but the information in January was on the whole encouraging, several of the symptoms of the illness of Zaghloul Pasha having abated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the first instalment of the remitted Boxer indemnity has been paid by China and is accordingly available; and whether the Government proposes to appoint a small Committee, on which both nations will be represented to decide as to its employment on educational and. kindred work?

The instalments of the Boxer indemnity are being paid into a suspense account pending further decisions as to the disposal of the funds. The question as to what machinery should be set up for dealing with the allocation of the funds is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Wei Hai Wei has been actually evacuated under the Washington Agreement; whether there has been any delay; if so, for what cause; and whether, to fulfil our undertaking, early steps will be taken to remove any differences, if such exist, on the conditions of our cessation of occupation?

A joint Commission of British and Chinese delegates has been engaged in a preliminary investigation of the conditions under which Wei Hai Wei should he returned to China, and the reports of the British delegation are under the consideration of His Majesty's Government. There has been no unnecessary delay in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that Edward Lawrence Murphy, late captain, Supply and Transport Corps, Indian Army, who was originally demobilised with effect from 22nd September, 1919, has not yet had his pay and gratuity account adjusted; that, though this officer subsequently received a permanent commission in the Indian Army on 14th January, 1920, and served until 8th July, 1922, when he retired under the provisions of the Royal Warrant of 25th April, 1922, he is still unable to obtain final settlement; and that, owing to the delay which has taken place, he has suffered severe loss and his prospects of livelihood have been prejudicially affected in the following circumstances: Having entered into an agreement with the 1820 Memorial Settlers' Association to take up farming in South Africa, on the condition of his being in possession of £1,500, the approximate amount due to him and so acknowledged by the Indian Government by their last pay certificate, Captain Murphy proceeded to South Africa, and in due course made application for payment, through the Secretary for Finance, Pretoria, of the balance due to him, when he was informed that the India Office decline to recognise liability for the total amount already certified as owing, and, consequently, Captain Murphy was obliged to return to England; and whether, in these circumstances, he will cause inquiry to be made?

The case of Captain Murphy has now been brought to my notice. I greatly regret the delay in disposing of it, which I am at a loss to understand. The Government of India are being requested, by telegram to settle it as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what orders for locomotives for use on Indian railways have been placed in foreign countries; and in which countries such orders have been placed and the value of same?

Since 1st April, 1922, orders for two locomotives for use on Indian railways have been placed in the United States of America. The value of these orders is approximately £19,000. It may be of interest to the hon. Member to learn that orders for 75 locomotives have just been placed in this country for State-worked lines. In addition, 206 locomotives are on order in this country for companies' lines in India; the whole of these orders have been placed here because the tenders submitted by manufacturers here have been the lowest received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the importation of manufactured silk goods during 1922?

The total declared value of silk manufactures wholly of silk, imported into the United Kingdom during 1922 was £13,316,629, and of manufactures of silk, mixed with other materials, if known as "silks," £27,383,049. These figures do not include (a) articles of apparel or (b) manufactures of artificial silk.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that 300 barrels of Conde whale oil and 100 barrels of pale fish oil, shipped from this country for Hanan early in January, are now both held up in Mainz, the French authorities claiming payment of 10 per cent. duty, and that this duty exceeds the profit anticipated on the shipments; and if he will demand the instant release of the shipments free of duty, and the removal of all such restrictions upon British trade viâ the Rhine?

If the hon. Member will kindly give me further details to enable the shipment to be identified, I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount per head of population of our total exports and our exports of manufactures, respectively, to foreign countries, to self-governing Dominions, and to the rest of the

Destination of Exports.				1913.			1921.			1922.
				Value per head of population.			Value per head of population.			Value per head of population.
(a) Total Exports of all articles (United Kingdom produce and manufacture).
				£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Foreign Countries	…	…	…	0	4	10	0	6	0	0	6	5
Self-Governing Dominions			…	4	9	8	4	17	1	5	11	7
British India	…	…	…	0	4	6	0	6	10	0	5	9
Rest of Empire	…	…	…	0	15	6	1	1	6	0	18	6
(b) Exports of articles wholly or mainly manufactured (included above).
				£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Foreign Countries	…	…	…	0	3	6	0	4	9	Information not available.
Self-Governing Dominions			…	3	18	11	4	7	5
British India	…	…	…	0	4	3	0	6	6
Rest of Empire	…	…	…	0	12	3	0	17	5

The values per head of population of the importing countries have been calculated on the basis of the latest census returns, and of the best estimates available in cases where no recent census has been taken. They are, of necessity, approximate only, but are as accurate as the circumstances permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the strength of the Iraq native armies, both in officers and men; and if this force is sufficient to protect the country and maintain order if we withdraw our troops?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Members for Luton (Sir J. Hewett) and Kidderminster (Mr. Milne) on the 20th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, while local British Empire, respectively, for the years 1913, 1921, and 1922?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member, as far as the particulars are available.levies employed under the orders of Sir Percy Cox in Iraq are paid at the rate of 40 rupees a month with 15 rupees in addition as diet money, King Feisal can only afford to offer 30 rupees a month without additional diet allowance: and whether, as a result of the difference in pay, it is found difficult to recruit men for King Feisal's levies?

I am not aware of the facts stated in either part of the question. The total pay of the levies varies from rupees 35, to rupees 45 a month; that of the Iraq Army from rupees 30 to rupees 40 a month. In both forces the men receive in addition to pay rations or ration allowance to the amount of rupees 15 a month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of Hinaidi Camp, near Bagdad; what buildings are in course of erection; whether there is any postponement or cancellation of commitments; and what is the cost to date of that camp and the total estimated expenditure?

I have been asked to reply. I am obtaining the information required by the right hon. Member and will communicate with him as soon as I receive it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the annual consumption of fuel on the railways in Iraq: whether the fuel used on those railways is liquid fuel; if so, by which companies and at what price such fuel is supplied and whether any competitive tenders for such supplies are invited?

I regret that the material available does not enable me to state the exact amount of the annual consumption of fuel on the railways in Iraq. I am, however, asking the Acting High Commissioner for further particulars and will communicate again with the hon. Baronet when I receive his reply. The fuel used is oil. Supplies were originally drawn from the Army, who, I am informed, purchased the oil from the Anglo-Persian Oil Company on short-term contracts. The price at present paid, under a contract placed by the High Commissioner in September last, is rupees 45 per ton. As a result of recent negotiations the figure is now to be reduced to rupees 40 per ton; but it is not anticipated that there will be any further reduction in price in the immediate future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Iraq Government has substituted a General Administrative Inspectorate for the appointments of Divisional Adviser and Assistant Divisional Adviser: if so, can he state the general effect of the change; and whether the result will be to increase or reduce the number of British officers in the service of the State?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the change is only now beginning to he put into execution; but it is believed that the new arrangement will make for smooth working of the administrative machine and for effective co-operation between the British and Iraq officials. Incidentally, the change makes it possible to effect a reduction in the number of British officials employed by the Iraq Government in the Department of the Interior.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can inform the House of the number of European civil servants employed at present in the administration of Iraq?.

According to the latest nominal roll, the number of Europeans employed in the civil Departments of the Iraq Government, all of which are maintained at the expense of Iraq revenue, is at present 211 out of a total of 551.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether two Ministers, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Commerce, have been deported from Bagdad where these men are what is their offence; what trial have they had; and when it is intended to permit them to return to Iraq?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the grounds on which Saiyid Talib, Minister of Interior in the former Provisional Government of Iraq, was deported to Ceylon in March, 1921; whether he is still an exile from his country; and whether he has had any form of trial?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies by whose authority the Minister of Commerce in King Feisal's late Cabinet was deported from Bagdad to the island of Hensai in August last: whether he is still detained in that island: whether there has been any form of; and on what grounds this action was taken?

The circumstances in which Saiyidi Talib Pasha, then Minister of Interior in the provisional Arab Government, was deported from Bagdad two years ago were fully explained to the House in an answer given by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the late Government on the 10th May, 1921. No other Minister has been deported from Bagdad. A gentleman who had previously held office as Minister of Commerce was deported with certain other individuals by the High Commissioner during King Feisal's illness on the 26th August, 1922, at a time when no Cabinet was formed. The offence consisted in this case in association with a public declaration of hostility to the established Government, and an invitation to sedition and disorder. No trial was held in either case. The latter of these two gentlemen in question is now at Honjam, in the Persian Gulf Saiyid Talib Pasha is at present living on the Continent. I am unable to say when either of these gentlemen will be permitted to return to Iraq.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to submit the Treaty between Iraq and Great Britain to Parliament and to a constituent assembly in Iraq for ratification?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave, yesterday, 5th March, to the hon. Member for Camborne (Mr. Moreing).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the elections for a constituent assembly, which the High Commissioner of Iraq promised on the formation of a provincial government in 1920, and which Mr. Winston Churchill stated in June, 1921, in the House of Commons, were required as a preliminary to the enthronement of King Feisal, have yet been held; and, if not, whether he can name a date on which they will be held?

No, Sir, it has not yet been found practicable to hold the elections for the Constituent Assembly. So long as the question of the Northern frontier of Iraq remains unsettled I do not think that it will be possible to fix a date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the reasons why the High Commissioner of Iraq dissolved King Feisal's Cabinet in September last and proclaimed martial law; whether he is aware that the reason for this action is their unwillingness to sign a draft treaty with Great Britain and whether the Cabinet afterwards appointed to carry through the Treaty was entirely composed of Ministers approved by the High Commissioner?

The High Commissioner did not dissolve King Feisal's Cabinet, nor did he proclaim martial law. The rest of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether at any time in 1919 the vilayet of Mosul asked for union with Bagdad and Basra; and whether in that year the people of the vilayet declared their opposition to becoming part of the Arab State?

Steps were taken in January, 1919, to ascertain the wishes of the people of Iraq as to the future administration of the country. In the Mosul vilayet, which had only very recently come under British control, there was some divergence of opinion. The representatives of two divisions (Kifri and Kirkuk) asked for union with Bagdad and Basra. In the third division (Mosul and district) the representatives of certain sections of the population were opposed to inclusion in an Arab State. That was in 1919. When King Feisal arrived in Iraq in 1921, he was received with enthusiasm by the town of Mosul, arid all recent evidence goes to show that the vast bulk of the population desire to remain united with the rest of Iraq.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of persons who have availed themselves of the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act during the year 1922, and the effect of the Act upon emigration?

The total number of persons who have been approved for the grant of assisted passages under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act is as follows:

Australia	9,662
New Zealand	1,546
Canada (Ontario)	130

As to the effect of the Act upon migration I invite my hon. Friend's attention to the Report of the Overseas Settlement Committee for the year 1922 (Cmd. 1804).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance, if any, is being given by the Overseas Settlement Committee to persons desirous of settling in any of the Crown Colonies or Protectorates?

No assistance has been given through the Overseas Settlement Committee, as yet, to persons desirous of settling in any of the Colonies or Protectorates. The Act is applicable to such Dependencies, but generally speaking conditions at the moment are not favourable to such settlement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how much was provided in this year's Estimate for overseas settlement and how much was spent up to 28th February?

The figures for which my hon. Friend asks are £1,180,114 and £530,303 respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it could be arranged to publish statistics monthly, either in the "Board of Trade Journal" or in the "Labour Gazette," showing the number of applications each month for assisted passages and the number of such applications which are granted?

Yes, Sir. Statistics will be published monthly in the "Labour Gazette" as desired.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the names of the delegates who are going to Australia at the end of this month in connection with overseas settlement; and what powers have been given to them for the purpose of completing the machinery for such settlement?

The names of the delegates who are proceeding on behalf of the Oversea Settlement Committee are as follow:Mr. W. Windham, C.B.E.Miss Gladys Pott, O.B.E.Mr. J. Wignall, M.P.Mr. F. B. Smith.Captain R. G. Somervill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what organisation, if any, exists in Australia for uniting the families of the men already in Australia.?

Arrangements for enabling families in this country to join men already in Australia are made through the Commonwealth authorities, who co-operate in Australia with voluntary organisations such as the New Settlers League.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British subjects were landed in New Zealand during the calendar year 1913 and how many left. New Zealand in the same period; and what was the corresponding figure in 1922?

I presume that my hon. Friend's question refers to the movement, of British subjects between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The figures are as follow:

1913.
British subjects from United Kingdom to New Zealand	13,715
British subjects from New Zealand to United Kingdom	2,464
1922.
British subjects from United Kingdom to New Zealand	12,259
British subjects from New Zealand to United Kingdom	2,223

asked he Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will ascertain the total number of emigrants entering Canada during the year 1922; and what percentage of these are British subjects?

The total number of persons of all nationalities who migrated to Canada during 1922 was 70,423. Of this number 31,005, or 44 per rent., proceeded from the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what form of supervision exists in connection with emigration to the Colonies; and whether consultation with accredited labour representatives or organisations in this country takes place relative to such emigration?

The Oversea Settlement Committee works in the closest co-operation with the Migration Departments of the Dominion Governments, but the final decision as to the selection of migrants and the arrangements for their reception overseas rests with the Dominion authorities. The Oversea Settlement Committee use their best endeavours to keep in touch with and secure the help of labour and all other organisations in this country which are interested in the problem of oversea settlement. The Committee comprises two representatives of labour, namely, Mr. J. Wignall, M.P. for the Forest of Dean, who was nominated by the Parliamentary Labour Party, and Mrs. Harrison Bell, of the Standing Joint Committee, of Industrial Women's Organisations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of emigrants who left the British Isles in 1922 as compared with the average of the five pre-War years?

The total number of British emigrants in 1922 was 174,096. The total number of immigrants for the same period was 68,026. Precise figures of pre-War emigration are not available; hut it has been calculated that the average net emigration, 1909 to 1913, was about 230,000 a year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a draft Bill has been introduced into the Hong Kong Legislative Council for regulating the mui tsai system; whether, under this Bill, the minimum wage of a mui tsai under 15 years of age is to be in future about 1½d. a day, and for those over 15 years of age 2d. a day; whether the Bill contains any limit for the hours these children may be compelled to work; and, if not, whether he will recommend that such a limit shall be incorporated in the Bill and a provision made for off-time for educational purposes?

Legislation has been introduced by the Government of Hong Kong with a view to the eventual abolition of the "mui-tsai" system in the Colony. The draft Regulations provided for the payment, of a minimum wage of $1 a month to girls between 10 and 15 years of age, and $1½ a month for girls over 15 years old. The Bill as presented to the Legislative Council contained no specific figures as to hours of work, but provided that no employer should overwork or illtreat a mui tsai. I understand that, the Bill has now been passed, but I have no information yet as to the alterations, if any, that were ultimately made in the Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the delegation from Kenya is coming to this country at the expense of this country or at their own expense; and who on the delegation is held to represent the views of the Indians?

The question of expenses has not been raised, but I presume that those sending representatives will bear the cost. The expenses of the Governor's visit will be borne on Kenya funds and no question of any charge to this country will arise. As regards the representation of the Indians, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the question asked yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for the Sevenoaks division (Sir T. Bennett).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to the cause of the serious accident to the Indo-Ceylon night mail train near Anuradhapura on 25th January; the number of persons killed; and the number wounded; whether some of the dead and injured were prisoners, who were being conveyed in the train and were handcuffed at the time of the accident; and whether, seeing that this was the second serious accident on this section of the line during the month of January and in view of the dissatisfaction that prevails in Ceylon in regard to a committee appointed by the local government to inquire into the catastrophe, as it is composed of four officials and one nominated member of the legislative council, he will cause an inquiry to be held by an independent committee, with at least one railway expert, so that the necessary steps may be taken to prevent the recurrence of such disasters in the future?

I have received no official information as to the accidents referred to but the Governor of Ceylon will be asked for a full report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what Crown Colonies are authorised to raise money by the issue of Treasury bills; and has the Secretary of State considered the dangers inherent in the system of unfunded and floating debt and the difficulty which might arise when the bills fall due for repayment if the Colonies are not in a position to redeem their bills?

Ordinances have been passed in the Colonies of Barbados, British Guiana, Fiji, the Gambia, the Gold Coast, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, the Leeward Islands, Nigeria, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, and Trinidad and the Protectorates of Uganda and Nyasaland, empowering the Governor to issue Treasury bills in London through the Crown agents for the Colonies whenever authorised thereto by a resolution of the Legislative Council up to the amounts specified in such resolution. Similar legislation is under consideration elsewhere. It, is not to be expected that these powers will be used without prior consultation with the Secretary of State and my Noble Friend has considered the advantages and possible disadvantages of the system and is confident that all such bills as may be issued will he duly met as they fall due.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inform the House of the nature of the present financial obligations of this country in respect of the Special Constabulary of Northern Ireland, the date on which such obligations end, and the estimated cost to this country until the expiration of such obligations?

The grants in aid of Northern Irish revenues provided by Parliament for the current financial year include an amount not exceeding £2,850,000 in respect of the cost of the Special Constabulary of which it is now estimated that not more than £2,750,000 will be required. For the year 1923–24 the Government have undertaken to ask Parliament to vote in the Estimates for the year a sum not exceeding £1,500,000 towards the cost of this service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Dail on Tuesday the 27th ultimo of the President to the effect that pre-Truce holders of awards for damage to property, where such awards had not been defended by the local authorities, might obtain redress from a Compensation Commission whether he interprets this statement as meaning that the Free State Government technically repudiates the legality of the awards made in undefended cases to British subjects domiciled in Ireland by British Courts of Justice; and is to his intention to take the matter up immediately with the Free State Government?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to a reply given in the Dail by the President to a question addressed to him on the subject of compensation, in which he stated that

"where decrees which were defended by the county council concerned were obtained in the circumstances mentioned" (i.e.. before 11th July, 1921) "payments are at present in course of issue. Where such decrees hare not been obtained the sufferers may obtain redress through the Compensation Commission."

The hon. and gallant Member will observe that the President did not refer to cases in which decrees had been awarded by the Courts without a defence having been entered by the local authority, and the second and third parts of his question do not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a statement by the Minister for Finance in Dail Eireann on the 27th ultimo that the British Government was setting up a branch of the War Compensation Court in Dublin to consider claims for compensation arising out of the action of the British military in Ireland during 1920 21; can he give any information with regard to the constitution and scope of this Court; and is the Free State Government setting up a similar Court to consider claims for compensation arising out of the action of the national military during the same period?

The statement made by the Minister of Finance was that he was in communication with the British Government on this subject, and I cannot at present add anything to that statement.

asked the. Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, after 1st April, it will be necessary for British subjects travelling to and from Ireland to be in possession of passports?

The reply to the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that growers of seed potatoes in Scotland have completed their purchases of seed for the coming season, and that the planting of the same will commence this month; and whether, under the circumstances, he will give an undertaking that no fresh restrictions will be placed on the importation of Scottish seed potatoes of the 1923 crop into England and Wales?

The reply to the first part is in the affirmative. The conditions which should apply to Scottish-grown seed potatoes sent to England have been very fully considered and discussed with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. They will be embodied in an Order to be issued at an early date. I regret, therefore, that I cannot give an undertaking of the kind requested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Committee appointed in December last to inquire into the means whereby agriculture can be assisted and encouraged will make its Report; and if he will have copies of the Report issued to Members at the earliest moment?

The Committee is making every effort to report at an early date, but is not prepared at this stage to name a day. With regard to the second part of the question, I am afraid I cannot make any announcement until the Report has been received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many allotment holders there were in December, 1919, and the acreage cultivated in England; and how many allotment holders there were in December, 1922, and the acreage cultivated in England?

From returns obtained, which were not in all cases complete returns, the Ministry estimates that the number of allotment holders in England and Wales on the 31st December, 1919, was 1,250,000, occupying approximately 180,000 acres. For reasons of economy, no later statistics have been obtained, but it is proposed to call for fresh returns at the end of the present year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cattle in England and Wales in 1913, 1919, and 1922, respectively?

The total number of cattle in England and Wales on 4th June in the undermentioned years was

1913	5,716,944
1919	6,194,539
1922	5,722,661

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of cattle in Scotland in 1913, 1919, and 1922, respectively?

The particulars asked for are as follow:

asked the Paymaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the statement of the jury at the Old Bailey on 27th February that the laxity of the methods in his office conduced to the commission of the crime for which three men were sentenced; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made?

My attention has been drawn to the statement referred to. I doubt whether it is possible to devise a system of paying pensions and gratuities which will be absolutely secure against fraud on the part of the officials entrusted with the responsibilities for making the payments; but, since 1920, when the forgeries in question took place, measures have been adopted which will have the effect of making such frauds in future exceedingly difficult, and their detection practically certain.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a letter posted in London at 10 a.m. on Saturday is not delivered at Northwood, Middlesex, before Monday morning following; and whether steps will be taken to speed up delivery?