asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, notwithstanding the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Holt and Company v. Markham (67 S. J., 314), officers who are overpaid by Service agents through the agents' own neglect are compelled to refund to the agents the amount so overpaid?

The judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case referred to has been carefully studied in the War Office, and it will not be overlooked in any future cases that may arise. All cases of over-issue by mistake require, and receive, full consideration on their merits. Whether any recovery is enforced depends upon the nature of the mistake.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he will state on what date the rails of the Basingstoke and Alton line, taken up for use as a war-emergency measure, were sent to France; what actual use was made of these lines; and the date on which they were taken into use?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot state the precise dates on which this track was either sent to France or taken into use there, but the use made of it was to assist in meeting a demand for 200 miles of British permanent way required for military purposes overseas, and the date when this requirement was notified by the Ministry of Munitions to the Railway Executive Committee was the 2nd January, 1917.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the personnel of a Service transport company; what is the cost of maintenance per vehicle; and at what figure per vehicle does the amount required for spare parts work out at?

The personnel establishment of mechanical transport companies at home stations is

	All ranks.
(a) Higher Establishment Company	144
(b) Lower Establishment Company	84

The average annual cost of maintenance per lorry, calculated on the results for the half-year to 30th September last, is £166. The figure included for spares, tyres and material per lorry is £73. I regret that figures for spare parts alone are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, what was the cost in 1922 of a line cavalry regiment, a line infantry battalion, and a brigade Royal Field Artillery, respectively?

Pending the completion of the annual accounts, I am not in a position to give actual figures, but the annual cost for which provision is made in Army Estimates 1922–23 is as follows (see pages 10 and 12):

Regiment of Cavalry of the Line	£
at Home (520 all ranks)	125,660
Battalion of Infantry of the Line at Home (756 all ranks)	156,900
Brigade of Royal Field Artillery at Home (563 all ranks)	140,200

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the amount of the salary and allowances paid to each member of the present Army Council, including the two civil secretaries, and the salaries and allowances of each member of the Army Council in 1913?

The particulars are as follow:

	Total Emoluments
Now.	£
Secretary of State	5,000
Under-Secretary of State	1,500
Chief of the Imperial General Staff	5,000
Adjutant-General (Lieut.-General)	3,287
Quartermaster-General (Lieut.-General)	3,287
Master-General of the Ordnance (Lieut.-General)	3,287
Finance Member	1,500
Two Joint Secretaries, namely, Secretary of the War Office and Secretary (Finance)*	6,000
	£28,861

	Total Emoluments.
1913.	£
Secretary of State	5,000
Under-Secretary of State	1,500
Chief of the Imperial General Staff (General)	3,000
Adjutant-General (Lieut.-General)	2,500
Quartermaster-General (Major-General)	2,000
Master-General of the Ordnance (Major-General)	2,000
Finance Member	1,500
	£17,500
*These posts existed in 1913 as Secretary of the War Office (£2,000); Assistant Financial Secretary (£1,500);

but they were not then members of the Army Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council are considering any alteration in the regulations for the admission to the Royal Military Academy and the Royal Military College (Woolwich and Sandhurst); and, if so, whether it is purposed to abolish or modify the system of free and open competition?

A Committee, of which Lord Haldane is Chairman., are at present considering the entry and early training of officers. I am not in a position to forecast their recommendations, but no change in the regulations referred to will be made pending their report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, owing to the conditions of taxation now obtaining, all persons in the cotton-spinning industry are paying away capital in taxes; that, the cost of taxation on cotton yarn is 12 times heavier than any other cotton-spinning country in the world; and what he proposes to do to remedy the same?

I am aware of the many difficulties, including those arising from taxation, under which the cotton-spinning industry, in common with other staple industries of the country, is now labouring. They can, however, be discussed more conveniently in the Debates on the forthcoming Budget than by way of question and answer.

asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer whether he will now instruct the Inland Revenue authorities to receive payment of Excess Profits Duty from cotton and woollen mills by quarterly payments and loins where proper inquiries prove the companies' bonâ fides?

Applications from cotton and woollen mills for permission to pay Excess Profits Duty by quarterly instalments over a period of five years are dealt with on the same lines as applications from other concerns, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to a reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield (Sir S. Roberts) by my predecessor on the 16th March, 1922. If, however, my hon. Friend has in mind any particular case in which he considers that an application of this kind has been improperly refused and will furnish me with particulars of it, I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of houses exempted from Inhabited House Duty for each of the years 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1921, and 1922?

The hon. Member will find an analysis of the numbers and annual values of houses exempt from Inhabited House Duty for the year 1914–15 in Table 33 of the 59th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (for the year ended 31st March, 1916), Cmd. 8425. No similar statistics have been collected since.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that great dissatisfaction prevails against the exemption from payment of Income Tax on the part of co-operative societies and will he see that in the forthcoming Budget such societies are allowed no preferential treatment, but shall be placed on exactly the same footing as other trading concerns?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that co-operative societies are exempt from Income Tax. As is evidenced by the Report of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax (Cmd. 615), the tax paid by them and their members under the legal provisions which govern their case does not greatly differ from that which would be payable under general Income Tax law. As regards the second part of the question the hon. Member will not expect me in a matter of this kind to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a statement defining the procedure to be adopted by the owner of a commercial motor vehicle who wishes to claim rebate for motor-car import duty previously paid on the landing of the vehicle or parts thereof; whether the owner of any imported touring motor-car is entitled to a rebate on converting the motor-car into a commercial vehicle; whether there is any limit of time within which a claim for rebate may be made; and will he consider whether the work of the Customs and other Departments would be simplified by abolishing statutory exemption of commercial vehicles from the payment of import duty?

As regards the first part of the question, the procedure consists in furnishing the local officer of Customs and Excise with the necessary particulars and declaration as to use of the vehicle, on a form of claim obtainable from that official, who then proceeds to investigate it with a view to payment of the rebate if the result is satisfactory. As regards the remainder of the question, I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Hulme division (Lieut.-Colonel Nall) on the 8th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the aggregate valuations of landed property for the purposes of Schedule A of the Income Tax for the present financial year in England and Wales (excluding the administrative County of London), in the administrative County of London, and in Scotland, respectively?

Separate statistics of the gross annual value for the purpose of Income Tax, Schedule A, of lands and buildings have not been collected since 1914–15. The approximate gross annual value for 1921–22 is estimated to be:

—	Lands, including Rent Charges under Tithes Commutation Act, Farmhouses. Farm Buildings, etc.	Houses. Mossnages. Tenements, etc.
	£	£
England and Wales, excluding administrative County of London.	36,600,000	217,000,000
Administrative County of London.	50,000
Scotland	5,570,000	23,000,000

Estimates for the current financial year will not be ready until about November next, but I may remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the revaluation now proceeding will not affect the annual values until the year 1923–24.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield of the Mineral Rights Duty in the financial year 1921–22; what was the rate of that duty; and what was the amount of the mining royalties, etc., on which it was chargeable for that year?

The net receipt of Mineral Rights Duty, which was charged at the rate of 1s. in the pound, in the year 1921–22 was £221,658. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available, but the rental value as prescribed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, of all rights to work minerals and of all mineral way-leaves in the United Kingdom on which Mineral Rights Duty was paid in that year is twenty times the duty received, namely, £4,433,160.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Income Tax payers who have paid up on 1st January or 1st July the larger part of their tax due, and who offer to pay the remaining smaller part on or before 24th March or 28th September, can be allowed that term of grace for the second payment?

It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast rule in the matter referred to by my hon. Friend, which has necessarily to be considered on the facts of each individual case. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to a replay given on this subject to the hon. Member for Romford (Captain Martin) on the 20th February. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the payment made by the British Government towards the expenses incurred by the League of Nations for the years 1920, 1921, and 1922?

The sums paid to the League of Nations as the share of Great Britain towards the expenses of the League were

	gold francs.
1920 (July to December)	523,000
1921	1,041,666
1922	1,011,335

The first half of 1920 was covered by the original grant of £16,234 towards the preliminary expenses of the League from May. 1919, to June, 1920. The actual amount of sterling provided in Civil Service Estimates may be found in Class V, Vote 1, for 1919–20 and 1920–21, and in Class V, Vote 5, for 1921–22 and 1922–23.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to hold examinations for entrance to the Civil Service; and will he consider the suspension of these examinations until the competent ex-service men now on the temporary staff have been absorbed into the permanent staff?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 7th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that ex-service men who have passed examinations and been put on the permanent staff of the Inland Revenue Department only receive a starting salary of £80, plus bonus, notwithstanding that many of them are not young, have considerable experience, and do responsible work, and, in addition, many of them, have families to support; and will he look into this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 19th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Blackpool (Major Molloy).

asked the Home Secretary if be will take steps to ascertain from a representative body of shopkeepers if they would raise objection to the provision of suitable shelter, in the way of kiosks in the streets, for crippled ex-service men who are already engaged in some forms of street trading?

If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to the answer the Home Secretary gave on the 12th December, he will see that there are other objections, besides those which may he expected from shopkeepers, to the erection of kiosks in the streets. To take the course he suggests would not remove them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the imposition of a landing tax of 35s. upon Americans arriving in this country, as this amount is now demanded of all British subjects landing in America; and whether any tax is payable by aliens landing in this country from other parts of the world?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by me on the 15th ultimo to a similar question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire South (Mr. Lorimer). The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the danger of fire arising from the use of cheap incubators and chicken rearers, which are being sold in large numbers; and whether, for the safety of the public, he will take steps to see that the sale of these articles must be accompanied by a guarantee that they are fireproof?

My right hon. Friend's attention had not previously been drawn to any danger associated with the use of these appliances. He has no power to take action such as my hon. Friend suggests, but if he will furnish him with information as to his grounds for thinking that action is necessary, my right hon. Friend will consider whether the question is one which should be referred to the Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire Prevention.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that it is the practice in at least one constituency in the County of Northumberland for the agent of the Conservative party to be officially employed on the work of making up the registers; can he say if this person is paid for such work; and will he see that this practice is discontinued?

My right hon. Friend has made inquiry into the circumstances referred to, which appear to relate to the Parliamentary Borough of Morpeth. He is informed by the Registration Officer that it transpired in the course of his recent revision sittings that the assistant overseer employed in the preparation of the Electors' Lists for one district in the constituency was unofficially assisted by the agent of the Conservative party in the clerical work relating to the lists for a portion of that district. No objection was, however, taken at the revision by the agent of any political party to any name being omitted from or included in the lists. No payment was made for the assistance; and steps have been taken by the Registration Officer to prevent its repetition. My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe the occurrence to be otherwise than exceptional either in this or in any other constituency.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the policy of the Home Office for women inspectors in the Factory Department to inspect warehouses and factories where only men are employed; and, if so, whether such inspections can in future be carried out by men only?

Yes, Sir. Under the scheme of re-organisation which was adopted in 1920 on the recommendation of a Departmental Committee, the men and women inspectors have been placed on the same footing and it is the duty of women inspectors to inspect both men's and women's work. The Committee were strongly of opinion that the main work of factory inspection can (given the necessary training in the Department) be carried out as well by women as by men. Where any special reasons exist for inspection by a man rather than by a woman arrangements are made accordingly. The scheme has now been in force for a considerable time, has in general been very favourably received and is working well. The Home Secretary is afraid therefore that he cannot accept the suggestion contained in the second part of the question, but he is always ready to inquire into any particular case where a grievance may be felt.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any further statement to make as to the appointment of an inquiry into the safety regulations in the shipbuilding industry; and what ho proposes as the scope of the inquiry?

My right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make any further statement on this question. He will inform the hon. Member as soon as a decision has been arrived at.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is contemplated to transfer the East Midlands regional headquarters of the Ministry of Pensions from Nottingham to Birmingham; and, if so, whether, in view of the inconvenience this move would cause to some thousands of pensioners, many of whom have to make personal visits to this headquarters, he will reconsider the decision?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is intended to transfer the East Midlands regional headquarters of the Ministry of Pensions from Nottingham and incorporate it with the West Midlands region at Birmingham; and, if such is contemplated, will he be prepared to receive a deputation before finally deciding on the contemplated change?

In view of the actual and prospective reduction in the volume of pensions work, my right hon. Friend is obliged, in the interests of administrative economy, to consider what modifications are possible in the arrangements for its control. My right hon. Friend contemplates transferring to Birmingham the responsibility for the control of the Departmental machinery in the present East Midlands region. This transfer, however, will not cause inconvenience to pensioners, since it will not disturb the existing arrangements in that region for local area offices, medical boards, or treatment. The interests and convenience of pensioners will be fully safeguarded.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to remove the regional headquarters from Nottingham; if so, where will they be removed to; has he considered the very serious inconvenience that would thereby be caused; and what does he propose doing with the staff of some 250 now employed there?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Nottingham (Captain Berkeley), of which I am sending him a copy. I may add that the services of such members of the staff as are no longer required under the new arrangements will he dispensed with, but the change will he effected gradually, and reasonably long notice will be given to individuals concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds a service pension has been refused to Henry Weaver, late private, No. 8,534, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was discharged as physically unfit for service, 10th August, 1916, after 15 years with the colours; and why, in view of Article 1,163 of the Royal Warrant of 1914, a discharged soldier is deprived of pension for service on the plea that he is in receipt of a temporary disablement pension assessed at over 20 per cent.?

This man has not sufficient qualifying service to entitle him to a pension based solely on service. Awards under Article 1,163 of the Royal Warrant of 1914 are granted in respect of disablement and service combined, and so long as disablement remains at 20 per cent. or over, an award under the Great War Warrant of 1919, such as this man is at present receiving, is more to his advantage.

asked the Postmaster-General f he will consider, in future, the possibility of charging the Ministry of Pensions for the cost of distribution of pension awards through the Post Office, so that revenue may be increased?

Credit is taken in the Post Office commercial accounts for the cost of distribution of pension awards through the Post Office, as shown at page 13 of House of Commons Paper No. 14 of Session 1023, and the estimated cost forms part of the amount recorded against Vote VI 3 Ministry of Pensions in Appendix B of the Post Office Estimates.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is intended to offer an established appointment to Mr. Priestley Hogbin, a temporary official having no military service, employed in the Ministry of Pensions?

I regret that there are no established posts which can be offered to this gentleman, who has served my Department well.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state on what conditions Mr. E. F. Wise resigned his post of acting assistant secretary in order to become director of the London office of the Russian co-operative organisations; whether he has during the last 18 months conducted official negotiations with Centrosoyus; whether he will receive any Civil Service pension; and, if so, to what amount?

There were no conditions attaching to the resignation of Mr. Wise from his post in the Board of Trade; he has not conducted any official negotiations with Centrosoyus; and he will not receive any Civil Service pension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the present establishment of the Finance Department of the War Office; what was the establishment in 1914, 1920, 1921, and 1922; and what proportion have deductions in the establishment of this Department in the last three years borne to deductions in the establishments of the other Departments of the War Office?

The numbers of officials (military and civilian) in the Finance Department (excluding local audit. offices) are as follow:

1914	249
1st February, 1920	1740
1st February, 1921	909
1st February, 1922	693
1st February, 1923	481

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of Government surplus motor lorries disposed of by the Disposal Board since the 6th April, 1922, and the average price per vehicle obtained for them; and whether he can state the number of motor lorries now held by the Disposal Board for disposal?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Hulme (Lieut.-Colonel Nall).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the claims of British nationals against the Russian Government lodged with the Russian Claims Department have been in any way checked or investigated by the Department to ascertain whether they are just and reasonable, or whether all such claims are registered without question by the Department?

Claims are examined for the pin of ascertaining (a) whether the claimant is entitled to the status of a British subject, and (b) whether the claim, as stated, shows a primâ facie ground of claim against the Russian Government. Such further inquiries are made as appear to be necessary either for the purpose of rendering the claim intelligible or for the purpose of ascertaining the proper head under which it should be classified, but the Depart-meet does not undertake to determine whether the amount of the claim has been correctly estimated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has already taken or proposes to take to control or limit the operations of the trade rings in the building material trades, the effect of which is to maintain the cost of building materials, now most urgently required for the erection of houses, at approximately 150 per cent, above 1914 prices, although the labour costs in a house for the working classes are only 100 per cent, over those of 1914.

The situation is being carefully watched by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Health. I should be glad if the hon. Member would furnish me with the information on which he bases his estimate that this increased cost is as much as 150 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give the figures of exports and imports from and to the United Kingdom for each year since 1909, inclusive and exclusive, of gold and bullion;(2) if he will give the quantities of coal, coke, and pig-iron exported to Germany for each of the last 12 months, and the price per ton charged for the same; will he say whether any duty was paid on the same; and, if so, what was the amount of the said duty?

I will send the hon. Member statements giving the particulars for which he asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause inquiries to be instituted as to the organisation of the engineering, tobacco, and licensing trades, and thereafter call a conference of all interests in the cotton trade to consider the best means available to improve trade methods and conditions therein by suggestions based upon the organisation of these before-mentioned three trades?

If any such action were desirable it would be more appropriate, I suggest, for the interests concerned to take or initiate the necessary steps.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of applications for licences under the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, made during the months of January and February of this year, the number of licences granted, and the average number of days which have elapsed between the receipt of the applications and the grant or refusal of the licences?

The total number of applications for licences during the months of January and February was 1,208. Licences were granted in 822 cases, in 141 cases applicants were referred to available supplies of reparation dyestuffs, in 215 cases licences were refused and the applicants referred to British manufacturers of similar products, and on the 28th February 30 applications were outstanding, of which a number had been received on that day. Of the total number of applications received, 971, or 80 per cent., were dealt with either by the grant or refusal of a licence, or by reference to reparation stocks, within three days, and 1,131, or 94 per cent., within one week.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that in an increasing number of cases serious road accidents occur through ignorance of or disregard for the rules of the road on the part of motorists, he would be prepared to consider the suggestion that motorists, before being granted a driving licence, should pass a short road test in order to show that they are both physically capable of being in control of a motor vehicle and also that they have sufficient experience of the rules of the road to enable them to drive without being a danger to other users of the road?

I have been asked to answer this question. Both the imposition of tests for drivers of mechanically-propelled vehicles and the enforcement of the rules of the road are among the many questions which have been thoroughly investigated by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles, and I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 134–141 and 156–168 of their Second Interim Report, issued in March, 1922. For the reasons set out in that Report, I do not think that the imposition of a test for drivers would be a practicable means of giving effect to the hon. Member's wishes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what surplus now exists in the Road Fund which would be available, if considered desirable, for making grants in relief of rates in rural areas towards the maintenance of unclassified roads; and what is the estimated "surplus for the current year which could be utilised for the same purpose?

As I stated on 27th February, in the Debate on the Motion by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South East Essex (Lieut.-Colonel Hider), a Sub-Committee of the Cabinet has been appointed to consider what assistance can be given to rural areas, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what would be the cost to the Exchequer if all rural roads at present classified first class were given a grant of 75 per cent. instead of 50 per cent.; if all roads now classified second class were given a grant of 50 per cent. instead of 25 per cent.; and if all unclassified roads, now administered by county and rural district councils, were given a grant of 25 per cent.?

I assume that the first and second parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question refer to Class I and Class II roads maintained by rural district councils. On this assumption, the increased grants suggested in his question would raise the contribution from the Road Fund towards the maintenance of these roads from £209,680 to £314,520 in the first case, and from £210,630 to £421,260 in the second. As regards the third part of the question, I have no information on which to base a reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of securing the extension of the railway line from Boddam to Peterhead; whether he is aware that such extension is urgently desired by the trading community of the district: and whether he will consult with the Minister of Labour and the London and North Eastern Railway Company with a view to putting this work in hand as part of the provision for the relief of unemployment?

A railway extension such as that referred to could only be carried out under statutory powers, and it would rest with the railway company concerned to consider the desirability of seeking such powers. The hon. Member's suggestion has, however, been brough to the notice of the London and North Eastern Railway Company, who inform me that they have no scheme in contemplation for constructing a direct railway from Boddam to Peterhead.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport is he aware that the Mexborough Urban District Council, Swinton Urban District Council, and Rawmarsh Urban District Council were requested by his Department to submit any objections against the continuation of present charges by the Mexborough and Swinton Tramways Company; that, although each council submitted objections and were expecting some sort of an inquiry to deal with them, his Department granted an Order continuing present charges until the 31st March, 1924, without further consulting the said councils; and, in view of the general dissatisfaction in these districts, will he have the question of fares and stages reconsidered?

In accordance with the provisions of the Tramways (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1920, the application of the Mexborough and Swinton Tramways Company, together with the objections received from the councils named by the hon. Member, was referred to the Advisory Committee appointed under the Act. The Committee, after full consideration, recommended that the application for continuance of their existing charges should be granted. The Committee stated that they did not consider it necessary to hold a public inquiry. The Minister accepted the recommendation of the Committee, and an Order was issued accordingly which will have effect until 31st March, 1924, unless previously revoked. I would remind the hon. Member that the Act provides for reconsideration of the charging powers if there is any change of circumstances that enables a local authority in such a case to make representations with a view to a revision of the charging powers.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state what is the difference in the number of cases, in any given period, of miners' nystagmus at collieries where oil lamps are used and the number where electric lamps are used?

Very little statistical information on the subject is available, and the hon. Member will be aware that in such a matter the number of factors is so great and these factors vary so much that a mere statistical comparison would be of little value. I will send him references to the relevant portions of the minutes of evidence of the

—						France.	Italy.	United States of America.	Japan.	British Empire.
Battleships, Dreadnought type					…	6	5	20	7	18
Battleships. Pre-Dreadnought				…	…	3	4	6	4	—
Battle Cruisers		…	…	…	…	—	—	—	7	4
Cruisers	…	…	…	…	…	6	3	10	—	2
Light, Cruisers		…	…	…	…	5	10	10	15	48
Flotilla Leaders		…	…	…	…	1	8	—	—	16
Destroyers		…	…	…	…	50	51	316	71	186
Submarines		…	…	…	…	47	43	99	43	65

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, if he will state the increased cost which would be incurred if pensions at the rate of 20s. were granted to all those entitled to receive pensions under the Blind Persons Act of 1920?

There are no statistics as to the number of blind persons receiving old age pensions. The Blind Persons Act of 1920 extended the grant of pensions to such of this class as were between the ages of 50 and 70, but the resulting expenditure provides no basis for estimating the cost of increase to 20s. the pensions of all blind persons receiving pensions. It is obvious that no discrimination could be made between blind pensioners who were under and over the age of 70 respectively.

asked the First. Lord of the Admiralty the present strength of the Navies of Great Britain, France, United States, Italy, and Japan in battleships, battle Cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, respectively; and the future strengths of those Navies if and when the Washington Treaty is ratified?

The following statement gives the present strength:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what would be the total cost involved in the building of a first-class modern battleship?

The cost of a first-class modern battleship would be approximately £6,000,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in many places on the coast it is proposed to abolish the coastguards and to substitute for them the Coast Preventive Corps, in the proportion, in some cases, of two men of this corps to six of the present coastguards; and, in view of the technical and dangerous duties now undertaken in the interests of human life and shipping by ex-service coastguards, and the small amount which would actually be saved to the country, he can reconsider this matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Government propose to adopt in substance the recommendations made in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Civil Duties of the Coast Guard*, the general effect of which is to reduce the numbers previously employed. Under the new system, in addition to about 350 men retained by the Admiralty for wireless and signalling duties and about 350 employed by the Customs on revenue protection work, there will be a force of about 950 employed by the Board of Trade on life-saving, coast watching and miscellaneous work. The interests of safety and of shipping have been very fully considered, and, it is believed, will be adequately provided for under this scheme.* Cmd. 1753 of 1922.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether all Government contracts for the last six months have been placed within the British Empire; and, if not, whether he will specify the exceptions and the reasons actuating policy in each case?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It would not be possible without an excessive amount of labour to give details or orders placed in foreign countries during the past six months, but I am informed that for the most part these individually were of small value. To take a single example, the orders for State Railway material placed in this country since April, 1922, amount to £1,602,000 as against £133,000 placed abroad. As I have previously explained, the High Commissioner for India in this matter acts under the instructions of the Government of India, and in the interests of the Indian taxpayer places his orders in the best market.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state what were the terms of the pensions awarded to resident magistrates in Ireland who were appointed from the Royal Irish Constabulary and subsequently retired on pension by the Irish Free State Government; and if he is aware that the pensions awarded are less than those awarded to other officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have similar length of service and who did not serve in the onerous office of resident magistrate?

Resident magistrates who, having been transferred to the Free State Government, have been discharged by that Government, are entitled, under Article 10 of the Treaty, to compensation not less favourable than that provided by Schedule 9 of the Government of Ireland Act, and those of them who have previous service in the Royal Irish Constabulary may include that service for the purpose of calculating their pensions. Of the seven resident magistrates who have previously served in the Royal Irish Constabulary all are entitled to higher compensation than would have been the case had they remained in the force without further promotion, and the two who have longest service as resident magistrates are entitled to higher compensation than if they had remained in the force and been promoted to the rank of county inspector.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state at what figure the total damage done in the South of Ireland before the truce is estimated, and what proportion of this sum represents damage done by agents of the Crown and will fall upon the British Treasury?

No estimate has or can be made until the work of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission is complete. As I explained in answer to the hon. Member for Kensington South (Sir W. Davison) on 20th February, the Commission will report at the end of each quarter the aggregate amount of awards dealt with in the preceding quarter which represents damage done by the agents of the British Government and the supporters of Sinn Fein respectively. It is not possible to arrive yet at any figure giving what proportion of the total is likely to be found due to damage done by agents of the British Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a definite pledge was given by the late Coalition Government on the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, 1920, that the completion of land purchase in Ireland on the lines of the Report of the Irish Convention would be carried through without delay, and that tins pledge was subsequently endorsed by the late Prime Minister; and can he say when legislation for the completion of land purchase in Northern Ireland will be introduced?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on the 15th February to a question by the hon. Member for Belfast West (Mr. Lynn).

asked the Postmaster-General whether all letters and postal packets addressed to places in Northern Ireland are sent direct to Northern Ireland either via Larne or Belfast; whether any such letters or packets are sent to Northern Ireland via Dublin; and whether, as letters and packets are frequently seized and destroyed in transit through the Irish Free State, there is any way of securing that a letter or packet intended for a place in Northern 'Ireland shall be sent direct via Larne or Belfast and not exposed to the risks attendant on transit via Dublin?

All letters and postal packets for Belfast and the neighbouring districts have, for some time past, been sent via Larne or by the other northern routes. The practicability of arranging for a similar diversion of the rest of the correspondence for Northern Ireland, without incurring undue delay, is at present under consideration with the Northern Irish Government. Meanwhile any letters or packets for places in Northern Ireland specially marked lot despatch viâ Larne or Belfast will hi diverted from the Holyhead route as far as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any protest from Kenya against a public attack made on the Moslem religion by a British missionary; and whether, in view of the racial feeling in Kenya Colony, he will take action regarding this missionary?

Yes, Sir, protests have been received from Kenya and Zanzibar, from Arabs as well as Indians. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies shares the indignation expressed in these protests at the insult offered to the Mahommedan religion. He is in communication with the Governor in the matter. I should add that. I am informed that the Rev. W. H. Shaw, although a clergyman, is not a missionary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the serious racial position in Kenya; and whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken to protect Indians in case of attack by settlers or natives?

I am aware that the position is serious, but pending the forthcoming discussions with the Governor and others in this country no trouble need be anticipated; indeed, if the case were otherwise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State would not have contemplated the Governor's leaving the country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will furnish the House with a return of the numbers of Indian immigrants into Kenya during each of the last five years, together with information as to the numbers which have returned to India during that period, and as to the number of immigrants who have passed through Kenya on their way to Uganda and elsewhere beyond the limits of Kenya Colony?

I regret that I have no information so complete as my hon. Friend desires, but the Governor is being requested to have information of this kind compiled in advance of the discussions which are to take place when he reaches England.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what the annual amounts paid in grants-in-aid to the Tanganyika Territory Government were during the period 1919, 1920, and 1921; if the Government have decided what amount may be incurred in these respects; and what has been the total cost of administration during the last three years?

The following is a statement of the grants made from the Imperial Exchequer to the Tanganyika territory for the three years referred to:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the cost of the military operations, including manæuvres and punitive expeditions in Tanganyika territory during 1919, 1920, and 1921; what was the expenditure on the police force during the same period; and whether the police are an armed force?

No military operations, punitive expeditions, or military manæuvres involving special expenditure, have taken place in the Tanganyika territory between 1919 and 1921. The Tanganyika territory police is an armed force, and the cost of the Police Department (including the cost of the Prisons Department with which it is combined) was as follows for the three years in question:

	£
1919–1920	68,040
1920–1921	92,288
1921–1922	127,297

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the profits or losses on the Tanganyika railways during 1919, 1920, and 1921?

The figures of railway revenue and expenditure for the three years in question were as follow:

—	Revenue.	Expenditure.
		(a) Ordinary.	(b) Capital and Extraordinary.
	£	£	£
1919–1920	103,778	262,240	16,351
1920–1921	156,377	349,611	49,356
1921–1922	195,666	384,509	119,668

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many emigrants left the British Isles for Australia, New Zealand and Canada, respectively, in the month of January of this year, 1923?

I have been asked to reply. The numbers of British subjects who were previously resident in the United Kingdom and left in January, 1923, to take up residence in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, were as follow:

To Australia.	4,243
To New Zealand	578
To.Canada	1,313

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to whether the Government of Queensland has been requested by the Commonwealth Government to submit definite proposals in compliance with the resolution passed at the Conference in November. 1921, between the Commonwealth and State Ministers on the subject of land settlement of immigrants; and whether any and. if so, what agreement on this question has been entered into between the Commonwealth and Queensland?

I have no information as to any negotiations between the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments in regard to land settlement

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of members forming the Overseas Settlement Committee and how many of those members have had personal experience in the Crown Colonies or overseas Dominions?

The Committee consists of 16 members. Of these it have had personal experience of the- Crown Colonies or Dominions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what payment is made annually by the Zionists to meet the expenses of Zionist, immigration into Palestine; has this amount up to date been fully met; and, if not, from what source will the necessary money be obtained?

I have no information as to the details of the expenditure of the Zionist organisation beyond what is known to the general public. As far as the Government of Palestine is concerned, the fees for the registration of immigrants and other fees in connection with visas, laissez passers, passports, etc., exceeded in 1922–23 by more than £1,000 the total expenditure of the Immigration and Travel Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jewish immigrants are being admitted every month into Palestine; how many of the Haluzim already in the country are unemployed how many of them are orthodox Jews by religion; and is he aware that a great number of these so-called Jewish colonists profess no religion whatever?

The monthly average of Jewish immigrants entering Palestine in 1922 was 654. The number for January, 1923, was 872. The total number of unemployed in Palestine during February, 1923, was 2,500. The returns do not indicate how many of the unemployed were Jewish immigrants, but the High Commissioner will be asked whether this information can be given in future. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by classifying unemployed Jewish immigrants as orthodox or otherwise. I am not aware of the statement made in the last part of this question, but I hardly think any Jew would select Palestine as a country to which to migrate unless he had some religious convictions although he may not be strictly orthodox.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the strength, respectively, of the Arab levies and the Assyrian-Chaldean levies under British officers now serving in Iraq?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air to questions by 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, seeing that the sole reason for the deportation of ex-King Prempeh was stated by the then Governor of the Gold Coast to be the failure of the Ashantis to produce 5,000 ounces of gold, alleged to have been due from a former ruler, and that there is no record of any hostile act having been committed against the British Government, the Governor of the Gold Coast, or the forces under his command, by Prempeh or any of the Ashantis under his control, the Government is considering the repatriation of ex-King Prempeh?

The failure of Prempeh to produce more than 698 ounces of gold instead of the 50,000 ounces due and demanded under the Treaty of 1874 was only one of several acts and omissions which convinced Governor Maxwell that his pretended submission was only a pretence in order to enable him to get rid of the troops and resume his previous intractable attitude. The Secretary of State sees no reason to doubt that Prempeh's deportation was necessary in the interests of Ashanti, but he has already been in communication with the Governor as to the possibility of allowing him to return and proposes to discuss the matter further with him when he comes on leave next moth.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that no record of the ages appears in the census of the number of prostitutes in Hong Kong; and, in view of allegations made that many of these are of quite tender years, will he inquire whether the Government of Hong Kong has any available information upon this feature of prostitution in the Colony?

Allegations of this kind were made a few years ago. The Governor reported that no girl is admitted to a brothel unless the Secretary for Chinese Affairs is satisfied that she is 19 or over. He further offered to have a full inquiry made if any evidence were produced of specific cases in support of the allegations. So far as I am aware, none has been produced, but the Governor's offer still holds good.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will lay upon the Table of the House Mr. Fisher's letter to Lord Burnham which shows that he declined to accept the stipulation contained in Article 16 of the Burnham Report, whereby it is provided that no scale in operation on the date of this Report shall be reduced, nor shall the salary of any individual teacher be reduced, by reason of anything contained in this Report?

I am arranging for a copy of the Report of the Burnham Committee on Scales of Salaries for Teachers in Technical, etc., Schools, to which I presume the hon. Member is referring, to be placed in the Library of the House. The correspondence between Lord Burnham and the President of the Board is appended to the Report. As I informed the hon. Member on the 27th February, the President's letter of the 20th July, 1921, specifies the extent to which he accepted the recommendations of the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a statement made by the chairman of the Lowestoft Education Committee that the authority of that area adopted the Burnham Scale II for the remuneration of elementary school teachers under duress; and whether it is the fact that the Board put pressure on the Lowestoft authority or any other authority to adopt the scale allocated to the area by the Burnham Committee?

I have seen in the Press the statement referred to, and so far as the Board are concerned I am at a loss to understand what it means. I find that in his letter of the 28th June, 1921, to Lord Burnham, the President of the Board said, "I accept the allocation set out in Part I of the Committee's Schedule, and am prepared to adopt it generally as a basis of expenditure up to 31st March, 1925, on which the Board will be prepared to pay grant in each area, if the authority is willing to adopt the allocated scale." This has, so far as I know, never been interpreted by any authority as meaning that, if an authority was not willing to adopt a scale as high as the allocated scale, the Board would refuse to pay grant on the expenditure, nor has that been the practice of the Board.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health is he aware that, according to official returns by the housing director of Glasgow, there are over 20,000 urgent applications for new houses in the city, of which 8,000 represent homeless families; that the actual shortage of houses is over 60,000, plus 13,000 houses unfit for habitation and will he state what action is contemplated by the Government to enable the corporation to provide houses for all those in need of the same?

I am aware of the considerable shortage of houses in Glasgow. It is hoped to announce shortly the terms on which additional assistance may be made available by the Government for housing schemes.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state whether agreements have been entered into between the farmers' unions and farmers' servants' unions in any counties in Scotland fixing the current rate of wages for agricultural workers; and, if so, whether ho can specify the counties and the rate of wages paid for each grade of farm worker?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that agreements regarding agricultural wages in Scotland are proceeding on voluntary lines between the Farm Servants' Union and county executives of the National Farmers' Union or other representative bodies. No general statement later than that given in reply to the hon. and learned Member's question on the 5th December can be furnished at present as to the rates fixed in the different counties.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether it is proposed to re-afforest those tracts of country in the parish of Dornoch, Sutherland, which were denuded of trees during the War; and whether, having regard to the scarcity of employment and the urgent demand for small holdings on the part of ex-service men in the County of Sutherland, an extension of the successful operations of the Commissioners in other parts of the country is contemplated?

The Forestry Commissioners will re-afforest any denuded woodlands which they acquire, but the area in the whole of Great Britain which they are authorised to acquire is strictly limited. They have had under review, however, several areas in the parish of Dornoch and elsewhere in the County of Sutherland, and they have entered into a negotiation regarding land in possession of the Board of Agriculture. The Commissioners are prepared to consider any offers of land suitable for planting. Two private owners in Sutherland have applied for grants for afforestation schemes in relief of unemployment, and. the Commissioners have approved these schemes.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that Mr. George Ramage, Main Street, Bo'ness, was, in February, 1922, under the instructions of the inspector of poor, sent to Larbert asylum, it being alleged that he was insane, and that three weeks later he was declared mentally sound and released: and whether, since it has been established that there was no justification for his removal to this institution, and having regard to the injury inflicted, the Department propose to pay Mr. Ramage compensation?

Mr. Ramage was placed in Stirling district asylum on the 9th February, 1922. He was transferred to Glasgow district asylum on the 1st March, and was not discharged from that asylum until the 2nd May. There does not appear to be any ground for the suggestion that Mr. Ramage was detained without due cause. He was discharged when he had recovered from the mental condition which necessitated his certification under the Lunacy Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployed benefit of Mr. A. Gray, Front Street, Tudhoe Colliery, Spennymoor, County of Durham, has been stopped since October, 1922, on a charge of leading four loads of fire coal in March, 1922; and whether he will be now allowed to appeal, in order that his unemployed benefit may be resumed?

Benefit was disallowed for the period November, 1921, to March, 1922, on the ground that the applicant was carrying on a business on his own account. The disallowance was confirmed in May, 1922, by the Court of Referees, which did not grant leave to appeal further. A subsequent claim to benefit in October, 1922, was allowed, but owing to benefit previously overpaid, payment was not resumed until three weeks ago, since when, however, payment has been made.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Rutherglen Employment Exchange Committee have had reported to them the case of a young man who was employed by Messrs. G. and J. Weir, Cathcart, at the wage of 11s. 6d. a week, and that this young man had to leave the employment owing to the inadequate wage, and is now receiving unemployment benefit; and will he take steps to ensure that Government contractors pay an adequate wage?

As the hon. Member for the Springburn Division (Mr. Hardie) was informed last week, my right hon. Friend is making inquiries into this case. With regard to the second part of the question, Government contractors are required to observe rates of wages in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state what are the circumstances in which private correspondence is liable to be stopped and opened by officials of his Department; and what is the practice of the Department on this matter?

Letters are stopped and opened in the post only under Warrants issued by the Home Secretary.

asked the Postmaster-General if certain expense is to be incurred in redecorating the interior of the post office at Totnes; if it may be assumed, in consequence, that there is no prospect of a commencement being made in building the new post office; and if the sum it is proposed to spend in these decorations can be utilised instead to defray some of the expenses of building the new post office on the site already acquired and prepared for that purpose?

Certain essential internal renovations to the Totncs post office, are being undertaken, as financial provision cannot be made for work on the new post office to be begun this year. The cost of this maintenance work is considerably less than 1 per cent. of the estimated cost of the proposed new building.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office disclaim any legal liability to pay compensation in respect of postal packets lost or damaged in the post, notwithstanding the fact that an insurance has been paid by the sender in respect of the said packet?

Under Section 13 of the Post Office, Act, 1908, the Postmaster-General is not legally liable for the loss or damage of anything sent by post. Compensation is, however, paid for the loss or damage of a registered or an insured packet upon which the prescribed fee has been paid, subject to the conditions which are specified in the Gil de. If the hon. Member has details of any case in which he is of opinion that compensation has wrongly been refused, I shall he glad to investigate the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that various original deeds and other legal documents lodged at St. James's Street Post Office, Brighton, for transmission to Somerset House for stamping were stolen on the 19th December, 1922, owing to the fact that the van containing such documents was left in the public street unlocked and unattended; will he reconsider the question of granting compensation for the loss and expenditure incurred to those who have accepted the Post Office invitation to use this method of transmission and whose loss has been sustained entirely by the negligence of the postal service; and will he reconsider the requests made for the reopening of the local stamp office, in view of the risks incurred in sending valuable documents through the Post Office, and thereby enable the inhabitants to stamp their own deeds with less delay and more security?

I have seen the official reports concerning the robbery in question, and I find that compensation has been awarded to the senders of any registered packets stolen on the occasion in question who had paid the ordinary postage and registration fees. The consignors of the documents referred to by the hon. Member took advantage of the system specified in the Post Office Guide for the free transmission of such papers to London. They paid no postage or registration fees, and, moreover, signed an undertaking expressly acknowledging the Post Office and Inland Revenue authorities to be free from all risk of loss In connection with the transaction. I regret that compensation in such eases is not payable. The question of the reopening of the local stamp office is one for settlement by the Inland Revenue authorities, and not by the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the installation of a telephone exchange or call office at Micheldever station, in Hampshire; and if he is aware that such accommodation is required owing to the necessary delay in the delivery of telegrams from a distant telegraph office, and that hours could be saved in the delivery of telegraphic messages in an important agricultural centre if a telephone service were installed?

Telegraph delivery offices exist at Micheldever station and village, and I am informed that the delivery service is generally satisfactory. I will ascertain on what terms an exchange or call office could be provided at Micheldever station. The district is already served telephonically by a rural party line. Subscribers can, of course, arrange for their telegrams to lie delivered by telephone.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the hardships imposed upon the trading community by the Regulations which render inadmissible for postage at printed paper rate the inclusion of printed forms, not filled up, but intended to be subsequently used by the person to whom they are posted; and whether he can see his way to extend the Regulations to enable such forms to he included in pacakages carried at printed paper rate?

I regret that I cannot see, my way to extend the Regulations in the manner suggested, as it would not be possible to do so without admitting to the privilege of the printed paper rate many other articles of stationery. The printed paper rate is already unremunerative, and must., in the interests of the taxpayer, be confined, so far as possible, to the classes of articles and documents which it is intended to benefit.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that sub-postmasters in charge of telephone service in respect of service termed call offices, other than those in charge of continuous service, receive a remuneration of a guinea a year plus bonus and certain credits; that in a number of such cases the total remuneration on this basis does not exceed £2 12s. per annum; and that under the system known as local exchange work, not continuous, the remuneration in a large number of cases is less than £57 per annum, he will inform the House the actual hours of and nature of service required to be rendered for the remuneration and the disbursements to he made therefrom?

The hours during which sub-postmasters are required to provide attendance in respect of the services referred to are, generally speaking, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on week-days, and not more than four hours on Sundays. The attendance required is intermittent; and the cost involved cannot be separated from the cost of providing attendance for other Post Office services.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that in a recent case of promotion to an overseership on the postal side at Belfast a Roman Catholic of unblemished record and outstanding ability, who has been acting on the higher duty since October last, has been passed over; whether any order has been issued prohibiting the promotion of Roman Catholics to supervising posts in the Belfast post office: if not, whether any check will be applied to recommendations from Belfast to prevent Catholics from being victimised?(2) If he is aware that of the total number of supervising posts on the postal and telegraph establishments at Belfast post office, only 11 per cent. are held by Roman Catholics; whether there is a system of exclusion of members of that faith from the supervising posts at that office; and whether, seeing that the future staff will be recruited mainly, if not exclusively, from boys originally admitted as telegraph messengers, he proposes to take any action with regard to the system of selection which practically excludes Roman Catholic boys from these positions?

In connection with the recent promotion to an overseership at Belfast seven officers were passed over, two of whom are understood to be Roman Catholics. The religious belief of members of the staff is not taken into account in connection with questions of promotion; and I have no information as to the percentage of supervising posts held by Catholics. Boy messengers are recruited through the Labour Exchanges, and it is open to any suitable boys to register whatever their religion.

asked the Postmaster-General how many scale-payment sub-post offices there are where the total remuneration, including bonus, is less than 10s. a week; whether this sum includes rent, rates, light, heat, cleaning, and insurance, as well as attendance and labour; and whether he proposes to take any step in the matter?

Exact figures are not available, but the number is about 4,000. The remuneration covers the items named. These offices are nearly all in villages where the amount of work performed is very small, and in no instance includes either money order or telegraph business. The question of revising the remuneration at all sub-offices is at present under discussion with the Sub-Postmasters' Federation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a protest from the Linlithgow Town Council with reference to the transfer of the telephone exchange from Linlithgow to Falkirk; whether he is aware that Linlithgow is the county town and that he exchange was regarded as suitably situated; and whether he will now reconsider the whole matter?

The Linlithgow telephone exchange has not been removed from that town nor is any such transfer contemplated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is acting on the recommendation of the Geddes Committee that the subsidy of £2,800 a year paid to the Eastern Extension, Australasia and China Telegraph Company should be discontinued; and whether any other subsidies are being paid to the cable companies?

The subsidy in question has now ceased. The only remaining cable subsidy is that payable to the West India and Panama Telegraph Company for a period of 10 year s, under an agreement approved by the House of Commons on the 25th August, 1914. That agreement will expire next year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the widespread dissatisfaction caused by the delay in despatch of telegrams; whether he is aware that this method of communication is much more slow now than before the War; whether this delay is occasioned by a closer economy in personnel; and can he remedy this condition of affairs that militates most unfavourably against the trading community?

I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction, but if the hon. Member will give me specific instances of abnormal delay in the despatch of telegrams, I will have inquiry made. On the average, telegrams were despatched during the past few months almost as promptly as in 1913, and no general reductions of personnel have taken place other than those which have been justified by the reduction of traffic.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is ware that Mrs. Throssell, who is 66 years of age, has been the caretaker operator at Rushden, Northampton, for 16 years; that, owing to the Post Office decision to remove the telephone exchange to another building, his officials have given Mrs. Throssell notice to quit the premises on the 10th instant, although the Post Office lease has still some months to run and whether, in the circumstances, he will permit Mrs. Throssell to continue to occupy her present rooms until the lease expires or, alternatively, find other suitable accommodation for her?

I am enquiring into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of licences for broadcasting which have now been issued by his Department?

The number of broadcast receiving licences issued up to the 28th February was 56,000, and the number of experimental receiving licences in force on the same date was approximately 30,000.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made as to the installation of rural telephones since the 1st May, 1922?

Since the 1st May, 1922, about 3,100 rural party line subscribers have been connected with the system, and 85 exchanges and about 650 call offices have been opened in rural areas. In addition, a large number of exchanges and call offices are now in course of completion.