asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what number of headstone orders have been placed by the Imperial War Graves Commission in Scotland and what number in England and Wales; and whether the policy is followed of distributing orders for these memorials throughout the various centres?

The numbers are as follow:

England	785
Scotland	7
Wales	29

In the case of small groups of graves in churchyards and cemeteries in the United Kingdom, contracts for the headstones are placed by competition among selected local firms; in the case of cemeteries in France and Belgium and the larger cemeteries in the United Kingdom, contracts are placed by public tender open to firms throughout the country. Subject to the above and to considerations of price, contracts are distributed as widely as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the percentage of the total expenditure on ordnance, rifles, and ammunition or stores in which the trade and Government compete, given by the War Office to the Government and private establishments, respectively, for each year since 1909–10?

I regret that I am unable to give figures for the War period, during which the supply of armament stores was in the hands of the Ministry of Munitions. The percentages for the years immediately preceding and following the War are approximately as follow:

	Ordnance Factories.	Trade.
1909–10	64	36
1910–11	67	33
1911–12	59	41
1912–13	52	48
1913–14	58	42
1914–15	82	18*
1915–16	76	24*
*Estimated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the charge made against British shipowners of failing to provide for the adequate instruction of youths apprenticed to the sea on board their vessels; and whether he will undertake to inquire into these charges and take such steps as may be necessary to impress upon shipowners their obligations and responsibilities its this matter?

I am aware that attention has been called recently in the Press to the training of apprentices for the sea service. The indenture of apprenticeship is in the nature of a contract, and if its terms are not observed it should be open to the injured parties to take such action as they may be advised. On the information at present before them, the Board of Trade do not think it necessary to intervene in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can inform the House what is the total sum collected by the Prudential Assurance Company, Limited, on their War Bond and War Stock policies, industrial branch only; what is the total sum paid in return to the holders of this class of policy in the form of claims that have arisen or surrender values that have been granted to policy holders who have been compelled to discontinue their payments; the number of policies of this class which lapsed or surrendered during 1922, and the amount of premiums which had been paid on the same; what was the total number of such policies in force on the 31st December, 1922; and what was the total amount of risk taken on the policies in force on 31st December, 1922, and how much had been paid in premiums on such policies?

Enquiries have been made and the following particulars have been obtained from the company: The total amount which the company has paid to the assured in respect of War Bond and War Stock policies in the industrial branch, which have become claims either by death or surrender up to the 31st December, 1922, is £988,766. In addition to this amount, free policies have been granted in certain cases in lieu of surrender value. The number of War Bond and War Stock policies which lapsed during the year 1922 was 31,018. Many of the holders of these policies were given the opportunity of reviving such policies without payment of arrears. The number of policies surrendered for cash during the year 1922, on which one or more years' premiums had been paid, was 80,644. Having regard to the large number of contracts involved in industrial assurance it is not possible to state the amount of premiums received in respect of policies which are no longer in force. The total number of War Bond and War Stock policies in force on the 31st December, 1922, was 944,217. The total amount of risk taken on these policies was £25,330,145 of stock or bonds. The total amount paid in premiums on such policies was £9,138,527.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of tons of Persian dates imported into this country during 1922?

The imports of dates into the United Kingdom registered in the year 1922 as consigned from Persia amounted to 1,069 tons. During the same year -17,637 tons of dates were registered as consigned from Mesopotamia, and it is not known to what extent, if any, Persian dates may have been included in that quantity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the numbers of old horses exported for butchery in Belgium; and whether he will consider the possibility of having them slaughtered before leaving England?

I have been asked to reply. No horses arc now exported to Belgium except such as are certified by veterinary officers of my Department to be fit to work, as well as fit to travel without suffering. During 1922 only 8,296 horses of all ages and values were shipped to Belgium, and of these no less than 7,087 were of the value of £20 and over, whereas 26,000 carcases of horses were exported to that country in the same year. I have no exact information as to the number which were slaughtered after arrival in Belgium. The high standard of fitness required of horses before export renders it unprofitable to send horses abroad for slaughter, and the traffic in live horses during 1922 showed a marked decline as compared with the previous year, while there was a considerable increase in the number of dressed carcases despatched to Belgium.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of the export trade, from Australia to Germany, Sweden, Russia, and Denmark for the years 1913 and 1921?

The following statement shows, for the years ended 31st December, 1913, and 30th June, 1921, the total value of exports (including re exports) from Australia to each of the countries specified:

—	Year ended 31st December, 1913.	Year ended 30th June,1921.
Exports to:	£	£
Germany	6,873,441	1,457,119
Sweden	11,287	136,500
Russia	99,891	105
Denmark	2,821	219,541

These figures are taken from Australian official returns. The year ended 30th June was substituted for the calendar year in 1915, and the latest statistics available are those for the year ended 30th June, 1921.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to complaints of iron-founders that they are unable to get deliveries of coke and pig iron because merchants are exporting supplies of these materials regardless of the needs of the industries concerned In this country; and, if so, whether he is taking any action in the matter?

I am aware that there has recently been an increase in the demand for metallurgical coke for export, and that there is a shortage of pig iron in some districts. The 'United Kingdom output of both coke and pig iron is, however, being increased, and there are some indications that the demand for coke for export will not be maintained. The situation is being carefully watched.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can state the amount of export credits taken up by British firms trading with Brazil; whether he can give any reasons for the relative disinclination of British firms to make use of these facilities; and whether, with a view to the promotion of trade between Great Britain and Brazil, further steps will be taken to effect the settlement. of the many British commercial claims now outstanding and unsettled against that country?

Credits. have been granted to the value of £212,476 in respect of exports to Brazil, and of this amount £46,000 has so far been taken up. In addition, credits to a considerable amount have been sanctioned provisionally but have not been utilised, as the contracts concerned were not secured by British firms. With regard to the second part of the question, I have no evidence of any disinclination on the part of exporters to make use of these facilities in order to extend their trade with Brazil. I think it is rather that importers in Brazil are reluctant to place orders, owing to the state of the exchange. As regards the third part of the question, this is a matter which is receiving the constant attention of His-Majesty's Government..

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been called to the lack of sanitary conveniences on and around the Winstead Flats, London, East, and the numerous complaints from the residents there against the objectionable state of affairs; whether he is aware that the Corporation of the City of London, the authority having the necessary jurisdiction, refuses to provide the necessary accommodation, contending that the provision of such accommodation comes within the province of bordering local authorities; and whether he will take such immediate action as is necessary to request the Corporation of the City of London to provide the accommodation necessary?

Attention has not previously been called to the matter, hut inquiries will be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, in view of the dissatisfaction of boards of guardians generally with the present position concerning the cost of the maintenance of pauper lunatics, he will take steps to introduce legislation at once to secure that Poor Law authorities are given representation on the various asylums boards of management?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the previous question by the hon. Member on 28th February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware of the practice of assuming that men over the age of 70 derive a profit from the personal working of small allotments; and that in certain cases the assumed profit of £1 per year from an allotment, has resulted in a pension being reduced 2s. per week; and whether he will take action to stop this practice?

I am advised that, in calculating the yearly means of a claimant, under the Old Age Pension Acts, the value of any profit or benefit derived by hint from the working of an allotment must be taken into account.. It is for the claimant to satisfy the pension committee as to his means, and if he is aggrieved by their decision it is open to him to appeal against it. There is no power to issue directions which would alter the effect of the Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider setting up a Committee with a view to drawing up a scheme for old age pensions upon a contributory basis such as would preserve the independence of the individual and encourage thrift, under which, whilst the State contribution should remain as now, the larger proportion paid by the individual the larger the benefits received, and the earlier the age at which such benefits would be receivable?

I view this proposal with considerable sympathy, hut T do not think any useful purpose would be served by setting up a Committee to consider a detailed scheme unless there were general agreement. to the principle involved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he intends to sanction the appointment of a medical officer of health which was made by the urban district council of Hindley on 15th January last; if he is aware that, although there were at least 11 applicants holding the diploma of public health, the council selected an applicant who held no diploma nor had had the minimum of experience which is laid down in the Sanitary Officers' Order of 1922 to meet the case of a medical officer of health who, although not having a diploma, has had Practical experience of the duties of a medical officer of health, and if he intends to sanction this appointment; and whether he will state his reasons for departing from the general rule laid down in the Sanitary Officers' Order, 1922?

The Minister is aware of the facts stated in the question, and has intimated to the Hindley Urban District Council that he is not prepared to approve their selection of a candidate not possessing the required qualifications. The council have been requested to consider the matter with a view to making a suitable appointment in accordance with the Sanitary Officers' Order. 1922.

asked the-Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if the Registrar General's Annual Report for 1921, containing of first importance affecting the welfare of the people, will be presented to Parliament?

Under the general policy explained in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on the 16th May, 1922, this publication, along with others, is now issued as a Stationery Office publication instead of a Command Paper, but this will not interfere with its presentation to Parliament, which is being arranged forthwith.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he can state the number of paupers at present in the workhouses of England and Wales; and what number could the workhouses contain at their full complement?

On the 17th February last the number of persons, excluding casuals, who were being relieved in institutions provided by Poor Law authorities was 204,000 and the number of beds in those institutions approximately 282,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the Report of the Royal Commission on London Government has now been presented to him; and, if so, can he state when it will be published and its recommendations made known to the local authorities specially concerned?

I have been asked to reply. I can only refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for the Ilford Division (Mr. Wise) on the 27th February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he has received any recent information indicating activity in the operations of the rings formed by the suppliers of builders' requisites: whether he is aware that retailers are quite ready to supply articles at less money but dare not do so because they must not sell at lower prices than fixed by the rings; whether, now that the new Government programme is announced, intimation has already been given that there may be considerable advances in prices, especially iron work and other building requisites; and what are the steps the Government propose to take to check any attempt to force up the cost of new houses to be built?

No recent information of the kind described has been received in the Ministry of Health, but any particulars which the hon. and gallant Member can supply will be welcomed and the possibilities of Government action, if this should be necessary, will be considered in consultation with the Board of Trade.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he can state the average price tendered for the erection of houses at various intervals since 1st January, 1919, and specify the various classes or types of houses to which the prices were or are applicable?

I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the information which he desires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can state in regard to municipal housing schemes in county boroughs, and during the years 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913, what was the average cost per house for land, streets and sewers, and buildings; and what the same costs have amounted to in each of the years since 1918 in which house building has taken place in the same areas?

Between 1910 and 1913 houses were built by 12 county boroughs and the average prices of the houses were

	£
1910	177
1911	182
1912	166
1913	178

The total number of houses built by these authorities in this period was 726. Information as to the cost of land, roads and sewers is not available. Particulars as to the average prices for houses built in county boroughs in the period since 1918 are not available. The average tender prices of houses under the assisted scheme in each of the years from 1919 to 1922 are as follow:

	£
1919	795
1920	904
1921	766
1922	420

These tender prices are subject. to modification for fluctuations in costs of labour and materials. The average cost of land under the assisted scheme is £215 per acre in county boroughs. The average cost of street and sewer works per house are estimated at

	£	s.	d.
1919	50	0	0
1920	55	0	0
1921	70	0	0
1922	47	10	0

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that an inquiry has been recently held in Sheffield by the Ministry of Health at which application was made for the demolition of certain houses in Oborne Street; and that these houses were described by the medical officer of health as being unfit for habitation, in a state of dilapidation, damp, structurally defective, and not fit to live in nor yet to die in; and what decision the Ministry of Health has come to with regard to their demolition?

A public local inquiry into a proposal to carry out an improvement scheme under Part I of the Housing Act, 1890, in the area in question was held a few days ago. The report of the inspector who held the inquiry has not yet been received, and, accordingly, it is impossible at present to make any statement as to the confirmation of the scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his Department asked since the end of the War for all local authorities to send in a return of the number of new houses required in each municipal and county area; whether his Department has received or asked for any return from the same authorities as to how the demand for new houses has been supplied during the last four years; and, if so, can he publish the figures of both returns in a White Paper?

A survey of the housing needs of local authorities was made in 1919. No such return as is referred to in the latter part of the question has been called for, and in view of the difficulty of obtaining reliable estimates it is not considered that such a return would justify the labour and expenses involved in its preparation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will consider providing remedies for the hardship and injustice to a person who two or more years ago purchased a house for his own accommodation, but has been unable to obtain possession?

The question will, I hope, be dealt with in the new Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether any corporations have suspended building operations until the Government programme for housing is announced and what are their names?

A number of corporations have completed their housing schemes under the curtailed State-aided scheme and are not proceeding at present with the erection of further houses. On the other hand several corporations are proceeding with schemes on their own financial responsibility on the understanding that they will not be prejudiced as regards any financial assistance which may be available under the new Housing Bill on account of their having acted in anticipation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether his attention has been directed to difficulties which have arisen at New Houghton, Derbyshire, where orders for the possession of houses have been given by the County Court Judge at the Mansfield County Court, and the impossibility of finding houses by those who are to be dispossessed; whether he has made, or will make, inquiry into the matter, with a view to preventing the greatest hardship on some of those concerned, who are married people with families of children?

I have no information in regard to these particular cases, but I may point out that the matter is one for the Courts and the Department has no authority to intervene.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he will state whether houses of any class now building or about to be built will be subject to rent control under any existing or proposed legislation?

Under the present Rent Act new houses erected since April, 1919, are not subject to any restrictions. It is proposed to retain this provision in any further legislation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department., as representing the Ministry of Health whether the Government has considered the desirability of inquiring into profiteering in the rents charged for shops where continued occupancy is vital to the business?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister to a similar question addressed to him by the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Hinds) on Thursday last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as repre senting the Ministry of Health, whether he can state what, approximately, is the present shortage of houses of the two higher classes covered by the Rent Restrictions Act?

Statistics bearing on this question are not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can give the figures for the upkeep of roads, maintenance of gas and water mains, etc., in districts where subsidence is caused by working the coal measures and in districts which are free from the above conditions; and, if these figures are not in his possession, will he take steps to secure them

I understand that there are no statistics available which would enable these particulars to be given for the two classes of districts separately. An endeavour will be made to get information on the subject from some typical areas.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the damage that is occurring in the Potteries district of Stoke-on-Trent to public and private property by subsidence caused by mining, and the loss which is resulting to the public authority and to private householders; will he cause inquiries to be made into the facts, with a view to including some provision in any new legislation which he may bring forward in relation to the question of compensation for mining subsidence; and will he cause these inquiries to be made on the spot?

As the hon. Member is aware, a deputation from Stoke-on-Trent have recently informed me what the position is. But as the Government do not see their way to introduce new legislation dealing with damage already caused by mining operations, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a detailed enquiry on the spot. The proposals to which I referred in my answer to questions on the same subject on 19th February are contained in the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Bill, which has now been introduced in another place.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider the, necessity for the introduction of further legislation to make more definite the Sections of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, which refers to the duties of winding enginemen; whether he will give definite consideration to the following sections: Section 36, Sub-section (1), Section 39, and Section 40, Sub-section (1), in order that it may be made clear what the position of a winding engineman may be, and who is required by the management to leave the engine he is working, whilst men are below ground in the mine, and to proceed to another and separate winding -engine-house to take charge of and attend to another winding engine there, where there are also men below ground?

I have already gone into this matter very carefully, and I do not consider it necessary to introduce legislation to deal with it. I have already informed the hon. Member that if he will give me any specific instances of dangerous practices in this connection I will have them investigated at once.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) what part of the enhanced selling price of export coal and coke is being retained at present by coal exporters.: what proportion is going respectively to miners in increased wages and to colliery owners in enhanced profits;

(2) if he is aware that under the existing arrangements the miners are entitled to 82½ per cent. of the increased profits made on the sales of coal; that owing to the increased demand, and therefore higher selling price of coal to Germany and other places, a few blast furnaces in England have been damped down and a. number of steel works have been in danger of closing down from lack of fuel, and that some coal owners have met the situation by offering to supply big industrial areas at from 5s. to 10s. per ton less than foreigners are offering to pay; and is the Government prepared to take action to see that the miners get their full 82½ per cent. advance from those who supply coal at an enhanced price?

I have no information as to exporters' profits or losses on their dealing in coal and coke. Nor is it possible to say in what proportions any consequent increase in the proceeds of the coal-mining industry will eventually benefit wages and profits respectively. Broadly speaking, the present wages agreement contemplates a ratio of about 85 for wages to about 15 for profits. But it also provides for the payment of minimum rates of wages, and these rates are at present in operation in some districts. As regards Question No. 131, I am aware that higher prices may be obtained by some collieries than by others, but, as the hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware, the level of wages in every colliery is determined under the agreement by reference to the financial results of the district as a whole and not of that particular colliery.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now prepared to sanction a special inquiry into the causes of the accident at the Medomsley Colliery, Durham, whereby eight lives were lost, especially in view of the fact that the Durham Miners' Association is dissatisfied with the findings of the coroner's court?

In view of the very full inquiry made by the coroner, I do not think any useful object would be served by holding a public inquiry, but the matter shall be very fully investigated by my technical officers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are many ships lying in the Forth awaiting coal cargoes for Continental ports, and that this demand is causing a home shortage and consequent rise in prices; and will he take steps to have home supplies secured and also to fix the price of same?

I am aware that there is some congestion of shipping at the coal-loading ports on the Firth of Forth. But I have not received any corn-plaints from Scotland of difficulty in obtaining supplies of coal for inland use, and I cannot accept the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion that the position is so acute as to warrant the proposal to establish by legislation the complex machinery of control.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what was the total number of police imported into the County of Glamorgan during the lock-out in the coal industry from April to June, 1921; will he state on whose authority were the imported police requisitioned; what was the total cost of the importation of these police forces into and their exportation from Glamorgan; what part of the total cost, if any, was charged to the Home Office; what was the cost charged to the County or Police Rate of Glamorgan;

(2) if he will state, regarding the imported police brought into the County of Glamorgan during the lock-out in the coal industry of April to June, 1921, what was the total number of police, of all ranks, in each police force brought in, together with the names of the police authorities to which they belonged?

I am informed that the total number of police borrowed from other forces during the period in question was 449, made up as follows:

From West Sussex	96
From East Sussex	50
From Wiltshire	100
From Dorset	50
From Devon	32
From Cardigan	21
From Gloucestershire	50
From Norfolk	50

This assistance was obtained by the responsible local police authority, that is to say, the standing joint committee for the county. The total cost to the Police Fund was £49,151 10s. 2d., of which one half is covered by the contribution from the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state if dry rock-drills are now in use in several iron-ore mines in West Cumberland; if he is aware that the use of dry drills is condemned by mining and medical experts as being detrimental to the health of the men who use them; and if, in these cir- cumstances, he will call for an inquiry into the matter, or at once compel the use of centra-bored spray water-drills, which are supposed to be innocuous?

Dry rock-drills are being used in iron-ore mines in West Cumberland. A medical enquiry as to the effect of the dust on the health of the workers was made in 1919, and it did not disclose any such ill-effects as would call for official action. I will, however, take the views of my Medical Committee on Occupational Diseases on the subject, and inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the name of the inspector who is now mainly performing the duties previously carried out. by the ex-senior inspector of metalliferous mines in West Cumberland, and who assisted him for nine years; and will he ascertain particulars of the training of this inspector in the hematite iron-ore mines, and give the name of the iron-ore mine or mines in which such training was received?

The inspector is Mr. G. Cook. He had no training in hematite iron-ore mines before he joined the inspectorate, but, as I have informed the hon. Member, he has had nine years' experience of them as an inspector.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a good deal of inconvenience is being caused to boys and girls who are compelled to attend school, outside the borough in which they live, to qualify for unemployment benefit and that, if they through going out in the morning to seek employment get late to school, they are disqualified from receiving that day's unemployment benefit; and whether he will make arrangements for boys and girls to attend a school in the district nearer to their homes?

Punctual attendance at the Juvenile Unemployment Centres must be insisted upon, but if there is alleged to he a valid excuse for lateness on any occasion and benefit is nevertheless disallowed, the boy or girl concerned has a right of appeal to a Court of Referees. The centres which boys and girls are requested to attend are, in general, those nearest. to their homes.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of children who left school during each quarter of 1922; what records are kept in regard to them; and how many of them are now in employment?

Quarterly figures are not available. The latest available figures show that the numbers of juveniles who left elementary or primary schools were 499,767 in England and Wales in the year ending 31st March, 1921, and 67,971 in Scotland in the year ending 31st July, 1922. In general the records of my Department relate only to those who registered voluntarily at the Employment Exchanges, and these records do not enable me to state how many of the juveniles in question are now in employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether and, if so, under what powers inspectors of the Ministry are taking action with a view to depriving unemployed persons from receiving unemployment pay if they work on their allotments during the day previous to 5 p.m., notwithstanding the fact that they have made the usual inquiries for work through the Employment Exchange?

I am not aware of any eases of the kind referred to. If the hon. Member will supply me with particulars I will make inquiry.

asked the. Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons. have fallen out of benefit without obtaining employment, during the past 12 months?

I have not the. materials which would enable me to give the figures asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is with his knowledge and consent that English lads who feel they cannot accept a situation in Aus tralia find that their unemployment pay is stopped under the Article that they refused suitable employment?

I am not aware of any case in which benefit has been disallowed in the circumstances mentioned. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any such case I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployed residing in Delph, Denshaw, and neighbourhood have to walk five miles and more six days a week to sign the register at Uppermill, near Oldham; and whether, in view of the hardship involved in walking these distances in inclement weather, he will arrange that they be permitted to sign on only two days a week or, alternatively, will he accept the offer of the secretary of the Weavers' Union at Delph to open his office every morning free of charge for the purpose of signing the register?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member. Persons residing between two and four miles from the nearest local office of the Department are not in general required to attend more frequently' than three times a. week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of casual labourers are employed by the Newcastle Corporation cleaning cars in the tramway shed on two nights a week, Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday, for which they receive 14s. 8d., and that in reckoning the, claim of these men to unemployment benefit. deductions are made in respect of two days a week, although ordinarily Sunday is not taken into account; and whether, in view of the fact that in these cases if the man is married he loses about 7s. 8d. from his unemployment benefit besides having to pay 2d. for insurance stamps out of his 14s. 8d., he will give instructions that the work done from 10 p.m. on Saturday night to 6 a.m. on Sunday shall not be taken into account?

I am making inquiries locally, and will communicate the result to the right hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Cardigan-:shire County Council are exempted from payment of unemployment insurance; -was this done with his consent; and, if so, is it his intention to refund to the work-people the amount of money paid in by them, seeing that they cannot recover any unemployed benefit?

The Unemployment Insurance Acts provide, under certain conditions, for the exception from unemployment insurance of the permanent employés of local authorities. In accordance with this provision, a certificate of exception has been issued to the Cardigansnire County Council in respect of its permanent employés. The general effect of the certificate is to relieve both employer and employé from the payment of contributions as from the date when

Month.			Sheffield.	Leeds.	Bradford.	Hull.	Middlesbrough.
1922
25th September	…	…	32,908	15,213	5,084	9,364	14,912
23rd October	…	…	30,961	14,418	5,177	9,645	14,092
20th November	…	…	29,833	15,989	4,639	10,250	12,040
18th December	…	…	27,847	16,856	4,110	10,817	11,777
1923.
22nd January	…	…	27,847	17,972	4,718	10,483	10,988
26th February	…	…	26,668	17,085	4.729	10,377	9,668

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of any specific cases in which aliens who came into this country in 1922 displaced British labour; and whether he can give particulars of such cases?

I am not aware of any cases in which aliens who entered this country last year displaced British labour. Permits to engage aliens from abroad are carefully examined, and are not issued if there appears to be any likelihood of such displacement.

asked the President of the Board of Education, concerning

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the average number of men completely unemployed during each of the last six months in Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Hull, and Middlesbrough?

The number of men registered at the Employment Exchanges as unemployed in each of the last six months in the areas mentioned is given it. the following table:the case of a school teacher who began his college. training in September, 1914, and if it had not been for his War service would have commenced his recognised teaching service in August, 1915, joined the Army in December, 1914, and was demobilised in March, 1919, if this teacher's service is only recognised for pension purposes from 1st April, 1919, with consequent loss of three years and eight months' service in this connection; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to put an end to this injustice?

I am familiar with the class of case to which the hon. Member refers. There is power under Section 15 (1) (f) of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, and Rule 19 (1) of the Rules made under that Act to treat service by a teacher in the Forces of the Crown during the late War as recognised service if the teacher was a certificated teacher at the date of his War service or was employed in recognised service immediately before the commencement of his War service. The extension of this benefit to persons who before their War service were students in training would require legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to the fact that the Board have notified the West Ham education authority that the appointment of Mr. W. H. Rose as handicraft teacher cannot be recognised to fall for consideration under the provisions of the Standard Scales Report, and that the Board's decision was not given until Mr. Rose had actually commenced teaching with the West Ham education authority; that in Circulars 1234 and F.S.D. (Salaries decision) 55 the Board state that they would be prepared to recognise for grant the inclusion of time spent in the following institutions other than public elementary schools: special subject centres, secondary schools, and junior technical schools, and, as Mr. Rose has rendered service in the junior technical schools and Haslingden secondary schools, it was legitimately assumed by the West Ham education authority that such service would be accepted; and, as the refusal of the Board of recognition involves hardship upon the West Ham authority to the extent of the difference between £120, the minimum allowed for uncertificated teachers, and the considerable higher amount being paid by this authority, West Ham, will he investigate the details of this case and receive personal representation from the authority concerned?

My attention has been called to this case. Circular 1234, to which the hon. Member refers, provides that in order that any period of service may be reckoned for increments the teacher must during that period have been recognised in the grade in which his correct salary position is to be calculated. As Mr. Rose was not recognised as a handicraft teacher under the Code during the period of his service in junior technical and secondary schools, that service cannot under the provisions of the circular be recognised for increments on the salary scale. I cannot agree that the Board's action involves hardship to the authority, for they were warned of the relevant facts over a month before Mr. Rose started duty under them as a handicraft teacher.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, pending the Report of the Departmental Committee which is considering the position of the training colleges established by local authorities, the Government. will make temporary grants to enable the local authorities to complete their contracts to provide a two years' course for those students who entered college last autumn, and to prevent an immediate closure of certain training colleges?

As I have already intimated, in reply to numerous questions in this House, I cannot commit myself to any course of action in advance of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that Clause 7 in the Appendix to the Regulations for Secondary Schools, Wales (including Monmouthshire), 1922, is in direct contravention of Clause 84 of some of the intermediate and technical schemes framed under the provisions of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889 (e.g., the Denbighshire Scheme); whether he is aware that, by Departmental action on the part of the Board of Education, the Welsh education authorities are being gradually deprived of the statutory powers conferred upon them by the said Act; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

By virtue of Section 121 of the Education Act, 1921, the Clause in the Welsh County Scheme, to which the hon. Member refers, has ceased to be operative in so far as it is inconsistent with paragraph 7 of the Appendix to the Board's Regulations for Secondary Schools. With regard to the second part. of the question, I know of no grounds for the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the desirability of abandoning paper money and reverting to the use of gold currency, with a view to inspiring confidence in the people of this country and giving an impetus to enterprise and industry?

No, Sir. I do not think the issue of gold is either desirable at the present time or necessary to produce the results to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of the building in course of erection at Cricklewood for the production of Admiralty maps and charts, he will say what is the estimated cost of the factory and plant; and whether the work to be done in this building is capable of being undertaken by the Ordnance Survey Department at Southampton?

The total estimated cost is £101,950, of which part falls on the Vote for Public Buildings and part on the Stationery Office Vote. Some £60,000 will have been expended by the end of the current financial year. As regards the second part of the question I am informed that the work could not have been done at the Ordnance Survey Department at Southampton without extensions which would have been at least as expensive as the present arrangement: that it has hitherto been done by a contractor in London; and that close vicinity to the Admiralty is essential.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can state the number of women writing assistants appointed as such prior to 1920 who were promoted to the rank of lower clerical officer during the periods January to March, 1921, April to December, 1921, January to June, 1922, and July to December, 1922, respectively, and the numbers for the same periods of temporary women clerks who received appointments as permanent lower clerical officers as the result of passing the limited examination held for temporary women clerks in October, 1920; and whether the numbers can be shown under the headings: Post Office, Other Departments, and Ministries?

The figures as to women writing assistants (appointed as such prior to 1920) who were promoted to the rank of clerical officer are as follow:

Period.	Post Office.	Other Departments and Ministries.
January to March,1921	10	15*
April to December,1921	57	49†
January to June,1922	9	11
July to December,1922	22	1
	98	76
*Includes one certificated as "Woman Clerk (Lower Grade)" in the Ministry of Labour.
† Includes 11 ditto.

The number of candidates appointed for service in the clerical class (women) on the result of the competition held in October, 1920, among temporary women clerks is:

Period.	Appointed to the General Post Office.	Appointed to other Departments and Ministeries.
January to March, 1921	—	—
April to December, 1921	114	330
January to June,1922	96	122
July to December, 1922	100	92
	310	54

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if be has any information to the effect that the French Government has loaned 400,000,000 francs to the Government of Poland: if there are any special terms given by Poland for this loan; if the British Government was consulted; and if the British Government has put in any claim for the interest due on the British loan?

According to the latest information in my possession, the French Chamber of Deputies has approved a credit of 400,000,000 francs to Poland "to assist her to pursue and ensure her economic and military development," but the credit has not yet been approved by the Senate. I have no information in regard to the second part of the question. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative, and the answer to the last part is that interest up to 1st January, 1922, has been funded. Interest as from that date has been claimed, but none has yet been paid.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what proportion direct public assistance is now drawn from local rates and national taxes; whether overlapping in such direct public assistance has considerably increased during the post-War period; and whether he will institute an inquiry with a view to some amelioration of local burdens in necessitous areas?

In the absence of a generally accepted definition of the term "direct public assistance," I am unable to give my hon. Friend a precise figure, but he will find full information as to the relative shares of the taxpayers and the ratepayers in the cost of various public social services set out in the return presented last July (House of Commons Paper 139 of 1922). The evidence as to the amount of overlapping between these services is somewhat conflicting. Naturally, with the great development of social services in recent years, and especially during a period of acute unemployment like the present, overlapping has increased, but I am by no means convinced that it has attained serious proportions. A Committee is at present considering what further steps can be taken to improve the co-ordination between the various authorities concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many lorries have been handed over to the Slough Trading Company and how many of these have been accounted for by the company under the 1920 agreement?

Vehicles and parts of vehicles have been handed over in all parts of the world, including overseas theatres of war. The preparation of a return such as that called for in the first part of this question would therefore entail a great amount of clerical labour which, with the present depleted staff, it is not feasible to undertake. With regard to the second part of the question, the purchasing company is not called upon to account in detail to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission for the number of vehicles sold, the additional purchase price under Clause 4 of the agreement of 9th April, 1920, being based on the total gross amounts realised by the company on re-sale. The Government auditors, Messrs. Price, Waterhouse and Company, take the usual steps on audit to ensure that the company comply with the conditions of sale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a suggestion that we should build up in Canada a reserve fund towards the payment of the American debt; and whether, seeing that the Canadian and United States dollars are not likely to vary seriously in value and that any such fund would be comparatively free from exchange fluctuations, he will consider the advisability of adopting the suggestion?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for the St. George's Division of Westminster (Mr. Erskine).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of holders of National Savings Certificates have invested therein an amount greater than £2,500; what an amount less than £2,500 but greater than £1,000; what an amount greater than £500 but less than £1,000; and what number an amount less than £500?

No person is entitled to hold National Savings Certificates of a greater nominal amount in the aggregate than £500, except in certain cases of inherited certificates and of certificates specially issued in payment of War service gratuities. Statistics of the numbers of individual holders are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of holders of War Loan have a total amount exceeding £10,000; less than £10,000 but more than £5,000; less than £5,000 but more than £2,500; less than £2,500 but more than £1,000; and £1,000 or less than that amount?

For the reasons explained yesterday in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. I3enn), statistics of the number of Government stockholders are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether public relief is now being given by seven authorities, namely, Employment Exchanges for unemployment insurance, boards of guardians, local health authorities, insurance committees, local war pensions committees, local education authorities, and Old Age Pension committees; and whether the possibility of administering relief through one authority is, or has been, under consideration in view of the waste involved in the present complex system?

If my hon. Friend will give me a definition of public relief I will endeavour to answer him, but at present I cannot see why he includes war pensions and excludes Civil Service pensions, political pensions, and Army and Navy service pensions, and I am not clear whether he wishes to make a distinction between free health services rendered to individuals and free health services rendered to households, for example, the removal of house refuse and sewage. I am also inclined to question the propriety of including normal benefits under State schemes of health and unemployment insurance in the category of public relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Geddes Committee gave as an example that, of a total expenditure of £87,000,000 in respect of health and education, a sum of £67,000,000 represented contributions from the Imperial Exchequer to local authorities will he explain these figures, seeing that the Government grants towards public health services is not more than 50 per cent, of the total expenditure; and will he give details of grants in respect to the foregoing totals?

If the hon. Member will refer to the table on page 103 of the First Report of the Committee, he will find that the figure of £87,000,000 represented the approximate total estimated expenditure of the Departments of Health and Education and not, as the words he quotes might be thought to imply, the total cost of the health and education services to the nation. The grants making up the total figure of £67,000,000 are set out in detail in the subsequent pages of the Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to provide regular employment for ex-service men, he will consider the issue of Regulations providing that competent ex-service men of all gradings employed in a temporary capacity in the Civil Services shall be absorbed into the permanent classes without examination and that 70 per cent. of future vacancies shall be given to ex-service, temporaries until all competent ex-service men have been absorbed?

The Lytton Committee gave careful consideration to the question of the appointment of ex-service men to permanent posts in the Civil Service, and in its First Interim Report laid down that some form of examination was neces- sary to test the relative efficiency of temporary personnel for selection for permanent posts and that any proposal to invite heads of Departments to recommend for retention those officers whom they considered efficient would prove unsatisfactory. In addition the Committee, in its Third Report, proposed that ex-service candidates who could show that their failure to reach even the qualifying standard at the special limited competitions was due to exceptional circumstances should, provided the head of their Department was willing to certify that they were specially competent to carry out the whole of the duties likely to be required of the clerical class, be entitled to have their eases reconsidered by an Investigating Board, who would decide whether or not to recommend the applicants for permanent appointment.Action has been taken in accordance with the Committee's recommendations. The Committee further recommended that 70 per cent. of the vacancies in the clerical class should until 1st July, 1922, be reserved for ex-service candidates and that thereafter the proportion should be reduced to 50 per cent. The Treasury has extended the period proposed by the Committee until 1st April, 1923, and it is probable that after that date the percentage will be increased rather than decreased until such time as all qualified ex-service candidates have been absorbed.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the death in the Cannock workhouse infirmary of an orphan girl, the daughter of an ex-service man who was killed in action; whether he can state if any request was made by the war pensions committee for the Ministry to defray the funeral expenses; whether the girl was buried by the Poor Law authority; and, if so, whether the Ministry will accept responsibility for burial in such cases in future?

My right hon. Friend has no general authority to pay the expenses of burial of children or dependants of ex-service men. I have ascertained that in this case the war pensions committee made an effort last year to secure that the child, who was then suffering from tuberculosis, should be taken under the care of my right hon. Friend as provided by Section 9 of the War Pensions Act, 1918, but the child's responsible relative was not willing to allow this.

(1) asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Joint Substitution Board have officially stated that there are over 1,100 posts now held by women in the Civil Service which they consider substitutable; why such substitution was not effected before the discharge of 300 ex-service men from the Kew claims and record office;(2) asked the Chancellor of to Exchequer whether, seeing that the Joint Substitution Board has at present on its books the names of over 2,000 unemployed ex-service men and that it has been officially stated that there are over 1,100 substitutable posts amongst women still employed in the Civil Service, he will say why immediate steps have not been taken to get rid of these women in order to make room for the unemployed ex-service men?

I am aware that at the end of last year approximately 1,100 women, according to statistics obtained, were employed in posts which were capable of being filled eventually by ex, service men, in so far as the duties were not coming to an end. In many cases these women are employed upon work which is rapidly terminating and their replacement by new personnel on the eve of the completion of their tasks would be extremely wasteful. In other cases substitution is proceeding as rapidly as is consistent with the efficient conduct of the business of the employing Department, in view of the fact that these officers are the residue of a very much larger number by a continuous and severe process of substitution.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make the recent decision that a proportionate extension only will be enforced in the case of His Majesty's ships which commis- sioned for foreign service before the issue of the regulation increasing foreign commissions to three years the subject of a Fleet order, as apparently this decision is not known officially to local naval authorities abroad, who will not apply for reliefs for men who are serving under those conditions?

The rule that men serving in ships on foreign stations are not to be absent from home for more than three years applies equally to men who were already abroad at the time the order was issued prescribing two-and-a-half years as the minimum period of ships' commissions on foreign stations. The period of absence from home must depend largely on opportunities for passage, but the normal period of actual service on a foreign station is two-and-a-half years and a further supplementary Fleet Order is being issued in order to remove any misapprehension on the point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why an established workman of His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, who was injured whilst on duty and permanently disabled by the practical loss of his left hand, is refused an addition to pension, as provided under Scale II of the warrant framed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, on the grounds that he was a hired man at the time of the accident; whether the fact of his being hired or established at the time of his accident makes any difference in the percentage of disability incurred by the accident; and whether a hired man is eligible for a pension in respect of disablement whilst on duty in His Majesty's dockyard and an established man is not?

As regards the first part of his question, if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have the name of the individual he has in mind, I will have the circumstances inquired into and a full reply given. As regards the remainder of the question, both hired and established men are eligible for a pension or other compensation appropriate to the degree of incapacity in respect of disablement, incurred on duty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the sum voted for naval expenditure by France in the year 1913 and also for the year 1922 or for 1923, if the figures are available?

In 1913, the amount voted with Supplementary Estimates was 532,310,550 francs. In 1923, the amount approved by the French Chamber of Deputies is 1,045,206,424 francs; this amount has yet to be voted by the Senate.

asked the Prime Minister how much Germany has paid for the cost of the British troops of Occupation; and when the next installment under this head is due?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer to the written answer to a question by the hon. Member for Clapham (Sir J. Leigh) on the 5th instant; as regards the second part, the present cost of the British Army of Occupation, in so far as not covered by requisitions of paper marks for local payments, is being met out of receipts under the Reparation (Recovery) Act.

asked the Prime Minister what was the amount of reparation payments that the British and Allied Governments agreed to impose upon Germany at the Conference held in Paris in January, 1921?

The arrangement provided (a) for annuities of12 milliard gold marks for 2 years.3 milliard gold marks for 3 years.4 milliard gold marks for 3 years.5 milliard gold marks for 3 years.6 milliard gold marks for 31 years.The total of these annuities would be £11,300,000,000; the present value would naturally be much less,

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the dissatisfaction felt at the trading operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute, and at the heavy losses of ex-service men's money involved therein, he will take immediate steps to re-appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the whole question?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that any loss of ex-service men's money is involved in the trading operations referred to, or that there are any sufficient grounds for appointing a Select Committee to inquire into the matter. As I have already said; if there is any general desire for the reconstitution of the Select Committee which was appointed by the late Parliament to inquire into the trading of the war organisations known as the Expeditionary Force Canteens and Navy and Army Canteen Board, my Noble Friend will be glad to facilitate the re-appointment of such a Committee, but he sees no reason why its terms of reference, which were duly settled by the late House of Commons as the outcome of full debate, should now be varied so as to cover the present trading operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of Poland has granted, or announced its intention to grant, concessions in the oilfields of Eastern Galicia; and whether His Majesty's Government recognises the right of Poland to make such grants?

His Majesty's Government have received no information to the effect that Poland has granted, or announced its intention to grant, concessions in the oilfields of Eastern Galicia.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the National Council of Eastern Galicia will be permitted to state its case before the Council of Ambassadors or other tribunal considering the eastern boundaries of Poland;(2) whether the question of the future status of Eastern Galicia will be referred to the League of Nations?

The problem of Eastern Galicia is now being considered by the Ambassadors' Conference with a view to determining the ultimate status of the territory and it is for them to decide whom they will consult in arriving at their decision. Under Article 91 of the Treaty of Saint Germain, the Sovereignty of Eastern Galicia, is vested in the principal Allied and Associated Powers and the League of Nations has no competence in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the United States Government only permits a certain number of British citizens to land in the United States every year, that the United States emigration year ends with June, that the quota of British citizens for the year ending June next who may land in the United States is now nearly reached, and that in the months of May and June British liners will be unable to carry any British nationals to America at the third-class rates, any representations have been made to the Washington Government on this matter?

The answer is in the negative, but the matter is engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a censorship of private letters between England and Germany has been reestablished; and, if so, on what grounds?

I have been asked to reply. No such censorship has been re-established in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any debts have been incurred, or any future liabilities undertaken, by the League of Nations or by the International Labour Bureau?

As far as I am aware, the only debts and liabilities in question are as follows:1. The balance of the purchase price of the building occupied by the Secretariat at Geneva, namely, 5million Swiss francs, payable in eleven biannual instalments from 1st November, 1920.2. The cost of construction of the new building for the International Labour Office, estimated not to exceed 3 million francs, to be paid for in five annual instalments from 1926.Further particulars will be found on page 35 of the Budget for 1923, and of the Report of the Fourth Committee of the Third Assembly, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The Secretary-General of the League has also been authorized to raise a temporary loan not exceeding 3¾ million francs to cover working expenses in the early part of this year in anticipation of the receipt of members' subscriptions. This loan at present amounts to only 200,000 francs, and is not likely to exceed 500,000 francs this year. It is expected that the whole Bank loan will be repaid by July.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of the financial contribution of each nation which subscribes to the League of Nations?

My hon. Friend wilt find the figures set out in document No. 4 in a collection issued by the League and entitled "Documents on questions of finance" of which a copy is in the Library of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in reference to his statement on 14th December last that His Majesty's Government were then in communication with the Rumanian Government as to the method in which British companies whose properties were destroyed by the British Commission more than six years ago will receive compensation; whether he can now state the result of these communications; and, having regard to the urgency of a settlement to many of these companies, whether he can state when the promised compensation will be paid?

The situation has not changed materially since this question was raised by the hon. Member in December last. Although the amount of the compensation due has been settled, His Majesty's Government are still in negotiation with the Rumanian Government as regards the method of payment to be adopted.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, respecting the late Private Edgar Ibbotson, No. 4/2227, 10th Hussars, who was serving in South Africa when war was declared, was wounded in France in October, 1914 (part of his nose being destroyed and his mouth injured), a year later was buried alive for about an hour with eight men on him (as a result of which occurrence his back was severely injured), was sent into the firing line after hospital treatment and again wounded and gassed, was invalided home in 1917, returned again to France where be was gassed again and, after an attack of influenza, was demobilised in February, 1919 (his discharge certificate stating that he was impaired by service), he is aware that Private Ibbotson, after being shattered and broken by war service, was returned to civil life with a hacking cough, worked only two days, and then steadily grew weaker and coughed more (his tongue went black and rotted) and, after continuous illness, suffered an attack of pneumonia, from which he died; that Private Ibbotson, a strong healthy man prior to the War, was granted only a wound pension of 10s. per week, which he was persuaded to surrender for a lump sum of about £70; and that Private Ibbotson's widow is left with a weakly child to maintain and has no pension; and if he will say what action he intends to take in the matter?

The late soldier died more than two years after demobilisation front an acute illness of short duration, which, in the opinion of the medical advisers of the Ministry, was not connected with his service, and the decision of the Ministry rejecting the widow's claim to pension having been confirmed on appeal by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal is now final. I may add that the man himself made no claim to pension until six months after demobilisation, when he claimed in respect of wounds but for no other disability. On examination by a medical board disablement was found to be slight, and appropriate compensation was awarded. During his Great War service the man had several short periods in hospital for minor disabilities, but there it; no record that he was ever gassed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Government have ever offered the present air transport companies a 10 years' guaranteed subsidy?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Attorney-General whether be, can now make any statement as to the restoration of the right of the subject to have common law actions tried by a jury, of which right he is deprived by Section 2 (1) of the Administration of Justice Act. 1920?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on this subject on the 4th December last.

asked the Rome Secretary if he is aware that at the General Election, 1922, in the Northamptonshire (Kettering) division, the presiding officer at Moulton allowed an elector to vote on behalf of two absentee voters who had not made provision for proxy votes; that the elector, on his attention being drawn to the matter, signed a declaration that he had done this at the instigation of the presiding officer; that until the eve of the poll the presiding officer referred to had been actively engaged in support of the candidate to whom the elector is said to have given the two votes referred to on behalf of the absent voters; and whether the acting returning officer for Northamptonshire, on the ease being brought to his notice, reprimanded the presiding officer and informed him that his employment in future would be impossible; and will he propose such amendment of the existing law as will prevent the employment of presiding officers in districts where they reside and have local influence?

I have received a report from the acting returning officer upon this case. It appears that the presiding officer, on being informed by the elector that his two sons were absent voters, issued to him ballot papers to enable him to vote on their behalf without production of proxy papers, as required by law; but it is hardly correct to say that he instigated the elector to vote, and the acting returning officer tells me there is no ground for the allegation that the presiding officer had been actively engaged in support of the candidate for whom the two votes are said to have been given. Inquiries, which have been made by the police, show that the man had not attended any political meeting or taken part in any other way in the political campaign. The acting returning officer considers that the presiding officer's action was due to stupidity and not to any corrupt intention. The man will not, of course, be employed in a similar capacity in future, and I scarcely think that this exceptional case would justify legislation on the lines suggested, which might often cause serious difficulty in securing suitable persons to assist in the election and would, certainly, increase the cost.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of licensed clubs in England, Scotland, and Wales in 1913 and in 1922?

I presume the hon. and gallant Member is referring to clubs registered (not licensed) under the Licensing Acts. On 1st January, 1913, there were 8,200 such clubs in England and 257 in Wales; on 1st January, 1922, the figures were 10,358 and 305 respectively. As regards Scotland, I have referred the question to my Noble Friend, and am asked to say on his behalf that in 1913 there were 613 registered clubs, and in 1921 511, and that the figures for 1922 are not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state what proportions of Zionist immigration has been British or American; and the proportion in each case of immigration from the several countries concerned?

The figures for the proportions of Jewish immigrants into Palestine, according to their countries of origin, for the period September, 1920, to December, 1921, were given by the late Secretary of State for the Colonies, in answer to a question on the 14th March, 1922. The figures for the period from January, 1922, to December, 1922, are as follows:—

	Per cent.
British	0·4
American	2·0
Polish	41·0
Russian	9·0
Ukranian	14·0
Rumanian	12·0
Austrian	2·0
Latvian	3·0
Lithuanian	2·0
Egyptian	2·0
Asiatic	3·0
Other countries not more than 1 per cent. each	9·6
	100·0

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Kenya Deportation Ordinance, No. 2, of 1922, passed for emergency Purposes; whether it has yet been used; and whether the Colonial Office possess as yet a copy of the Ordinance?

The Secretary of State has not received a copy of the Ordinance, which is, no doubt, No. 2 of 1923, not 1922, nor has the Governor reported that it has been passed. If, as I expect, the Ordinance is in the same terms as the Bill which was published for general information as long ago as last July, the statement which has been attributed to the Governor as to its emergency character must mean that the powers conferred by the Ordinance are intended to be used only in emergency, and not that the Ordinance is emergency legislation. I have no reason to suppose that the powers conferred by the Ordinance have yet been used, but I may observe that the Governor has had for 20 years, and has on occasion used, powers of deportation more drastic than those which have been conferred on the Courts if the Bill of July, 1922, has become law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether complaints have been received from tyre makers and makers of other rubber goods on the action taken by the Rubber Committee appointed by the Colonial Office in restricting the output of rubber; and whether, since the activities of such Committee in a Government Department is a new departure in interfering with the normal course of supply and demand, and since the general effect of the advice or activities of the said Committee has been to force up prices, he will say whether by the Committee's action the Colonial Department can guarantee rubber price stability?

Representations have been received from manufacturers of rubber goods in regard to the effect of the rubber export restriction policy adopted by the late Government on the advice of the Committee referred to. The purpose of this policy is to secure, as far as possible, a stabilised price for crude rubber at a level at which it will return a reasonable profit to the growers, and my Noble Friend has every hope that the policy, which has the approval of the Colonial Governments concerned, will be successful.

asked the Postmaster General why a Regulation has recently been made that a parcel for Canada must be posted at a money order office; whether he is aware that this Regulation causes inconvenience in the Highland counties of Scotland, where many people have relatives in Canada but where money order offices are scarce; and whether he will in future permit parcels for Canada to be posted at any post office or sub-post office in the Highland counties?

This rule was introduced throughout the country more than two years ago as part of a general scheme which has resulted in substantial economies in the foreign and colonial parcel post. Special arrangements are made where a number of parcels for places abroad would be posted at an office not a money order office or where a locality is situated at a considerable distance from the nearest money order office. There is no recollection of complaint in the matter in the Highlands of Scotland. If the hon. and gallant Member will let me know what particular case he has in mind I will have inquiry made into the circumstances.

asked the Postmaster General whether, in view of the complaints of users, the advisability of an inquiry into the agreements for renting telephone apparatus will be considered; whether he is aware that the present system of charge in accordance with the number of calls is generally considered as unsatisfactory while no register of the calls is provided on subscribers' premises; and, if no inquiry is considered necessary, what is being done to remedy the present grievance in this matter?

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the form of telephone agreement in use. Much consideration has been given to the question of providing automatic meters on subscribers' premises, but up to the present no meter has been invented which satisfactorily distinguishes between effective and ineffective calls. Complaints of overcharge for calls are now relatively few. Such as are received are investigated and allowance is made in any case in which there is clear evidence of error in the Post Office records.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telephone facilities have been refused to Abbey St. Bathans unless a guarantee of £20 per annum is forthcoming; why so high a guarantee is demanded; what would be the cost of installing the telephone; and whether he will consider reducing the amount of the guarantee?

The annual charges in respect of a public call office at Abbey St. Bathans would be approximately £20, and as it is estimated that the receipts would fall considerably short of this sum a guarantee is required to make good the difference between the receipts from local fees plus half the trunk fees and £20. The £20 covers the east of maintaining nearly four miles of double wire as well as certain apparatus and the cost of operating, and I regret I am not in a position to reduce the guarantee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the new Post Office buildings at Basingstoke, for which plans were passed and a site secured some years ago, may now be proceeded with as an unemployment relief work of necessity, seeing that the buildings now in use are inadequate for the accommodation required?

The plans of the new head Post Office at Basingstoke are settled, and the necessary provision is being made in the Estimates for 1923–24, so that the work may be started as soon as Parliamentary sanction is given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he is aware that cockles con- signed to Bradford from Barrow, Scotland, usually occupy as much as four clays in transport, in consequence of which they become unfit for food and are wasted; and, if so, will he therefore make representations to the railway companies involved, seeing that the traders themselves have failed to get satisfaction?

I am not, aware of the circumstances referred to, but if I am furnished with particulars showing that avoidable delays take place in the conveyance of this traffic by rail, I should be happy to bring the facts to the notice of the railway companies concerned.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the total number of admissions to the British Museum in 1922?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The total figures for admission to the British Museum in 1922 are:

On weekdays	918,351
On Sundays	60,943
Total	979,294

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that men engaged upon regular departmental work at Greenwich Park are being paid 39s. 1d. for a working week of 47½ hours, and that this rate is considerably below the district rate for similar work; and whether he will give instructions that advantage is not to be taken of the fact that the men now engaged upon this work were formerly unemployed?

The rate of pay is 40s. 3d. a week, which is 75 per cent. of the usual Royal Parks rate; it is the rate paid to men on relief works who are out of employment, and who are not specially selected for this class of work.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the reason why Mrs. Orford was not permitted to continue to supply sweets and refreshments to children and others visiting St. James's Park, considering that for about 80 years members of the same family had been privileged to supply refreshments in the park?

The general policiy of the Department is to put out to open competition all trading privileges in the Royal Parks. Mrs. Orford and her immediate predecessors were fully aware of this rule and were fortunate in retaining a vested interest for so long a period. She submitted an offer which was less than half that of the successful tenderer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Rill for providing credit facilities to farmers will be introduced before Easter?

I am unable to state whether the Bill will be introduced before Easter, but it will be introduced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if there is any existing Commission or other body sitting at the instance of the Government which can consider, along with its present work, the high cost of fertilisers and feeding stuffs for the purpose of discovering how these could be reduced; and, if not, whether he will order an inquiry into this most important matter?

The possibility of reducing the cost of fertilisers and feeding stuffs does not come within the scope of the terms of reference of either of the two bodies which have been set up to inquire into agricultural questions. The cost of fertilisers and feeding stuffs at present is not, on the average, more than 50 per cent. above pre-War prices, and I do not think that the increase is such as calls for a special inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many head of Irish and Canadian cattle, respectively, were imported for the year 1922; and how that compares with importations for the previous year?

I have been asked to reply. The number of cattle imported into the United Kingdom from Canada in 1921 and 1922 were 32,000 and 20,000 respectively. These were slaughtered at the port of entry. The number imported from Ireland in the same years were 772,000 and 978,000 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many herds of mulch cows in each of the various counties in Scotland are certified as free from tuberculosis, and from which a supply of grade A certified milk is obtained; and what proportion this quantity is of the whole milk supply of Scotland?

I have been asked to reply. There is one herd in Lanarkshire certified to be free from tuberculosis, the milk of which is sold as "certified" milk. In addition the milk of 12 herds so certified is sold as "Grade A (tuberculin tested) milk." Four of these herds are in Lanarkshire, 3 in Ayrshire, 3 in Kirkcudbrightshire, 1 in Dumfriesshire and 1 in Berwickshire. As there are no statistics showing the total supply of milk produced in Scotland I am unable to furnish the information asked for in the latter part of the question.