asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce and pass into law this Session a Measure carrying out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave on 5th December last to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the combined English Universities (Mr. H. Fisher).

asked the President of the Board of Education what compensation, if any, he proposes to pay to teachers who have been put to expense in preparing for the certificate examination announced for November, 1923, which has been cancelled under Circular 1296?

I have no power to grant compensation to the teachers in question.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state the total grants made to denominational training colleges and training colleges provided by local authorities, respectively, during 1922?

During the financial year ending the 31st March, 1922, grants amounting in all to £398,083 were made to the 39 denominational (Church of England, Roman Catholic and Wesleyan) training colleges in receipt of grant. During the same year substantive grants amounting to £105,415 were made to nine training colleges provided by local education authorities. There were 25 other training colleges (including domestic subjects colleges) provided by local authorities in respect of which substantive grants were not paid; but grants calculated on their total net expenditure on higher education were paid to the local education authorities. Personal grants for maintenance were also paid to day students attending local authority training colleges. These amounted in the year in question to £51,994.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number and names of existing denominational training colleges and training colleges provided by local authorities?

There are 40 denominational training colleges and 33 training colleges provided by local education authorities. The names are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that students attending denominational training colleges pay, on an average, for training, together with board and residence, about £30 per year, while those attending training colleges provided by local authorities pay considerably more; and can he state the reasons for this difference?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 15th February last to the hon. Member for the Rothwell Division (Mr. Lunn).

asked the President of the Board of Education (I) what number of of the 204 elementary school children of Tipton attending secondary schools are free scholars;(2) what number of the 49 elementary school children of Darlaston attending secondary schools are free scholars;

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the reply which I gave him on the 1st March, he will find the figures he asks for set out in the second column appended to the last paragraph of that reply.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of uncertificated teachers employed under the various educational authorities; and can he state the authorities so employing them?

For a summary statement of the number of uncertificated teachers employed in public elementary schools maintained by local education authorities, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave this afternoon to the hon. Member for East Ham (Me. Barnes), a copy of which I am sending him. On the 31st March, 1921, the latest date for which I possess full and accurate returns, there was no local education authority which did not employ some uncertificated teachers. The hon. Member will find various particulars as to the distribution of uncertificated teachers in the tables published on pages 18 to 65 of the board's statistical volume for the year 1919–20. I cannot undertake to reproduce in the Reports of the House a similar table for later years, but I will gladly furnish the hon. Member with information relating to any particular area.

asked the President of the Boad of Education whether his attention has been called by the principal of the Battersea Polytechnic to the case of two engineering students, i.e., A. Hooker, award No. 19,061, and K. E. Kaine, award No. 17,499, at that institution who were granted assistance under the Board of Education scheme for the higher education of ex-service men for an approximate period of three sessions; whether he is aware that it is impossible in that period to obtain a diploma, without which there is no chance of obtaining an appointment; and whether, having regard to these facts, he can see his way to extending assistance to these students so as to enable them to become qualified in their profession?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board's records do not bear out the contention that the Diploma cannot be obtained in less than a four-year course. The normal period of assistance granted to engineering students at the Battersea Polytechnic has been three years, and a number of assisted students have secured the Diploma and the University Degree within that period. The Board's commitments under the scheme for the higher education of ex-service students have already considerably exceeded the original estimate, and in these circumstances I regret that I do not feel justified in extending the period of the award for which the student originally applied and for which he was recommended by the university authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the statutory sinking funds for the current financial year which were repealed in the Finance Act, 1922?

Linder Section 38 of the Finance Act, 1922, the new sinking fund—which is an unallocated fund of about £9,000,000 applicable to debt generally was suspended for one year. The sinking fund for 3½ per cent. Conversion Loan, 4 per cent. Funding Loan and 4 per cent. Victory Bonds amounting in 1922–23 to about £10,600,000 remain payable as provided in the prospectus of those issues. Power was taken last year to re-borrow, if necessary, to meet these sinking funds, but in the event it has not proved necessary to use this power.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the total amount of money brought to the notice of the Inland Revenue officials for the purposes of taxation during the years 1913, 1920, 1921, and 1922, respectively?

I am a little uncertain what precise information the hon. Member desires, but I would invite his attention to the statistics relating to the various duties under the management of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, published in their Annual Reports, the last of which is for the year ended 31st March, 1921. No later statistics are yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total amount of conversion from short-termed loans to long-termed loans since 1st April, 1922.; and the amount saved in interest by the conversion?

About £453 millions (face value) 5 per cent. Exchequer Bonds, 6 per cent. National War Bonds, 5½ per cent.. Treasury Bonds have been converted into 2589 millions 3½ per cent. Conversion Loan. 4½, per cent. Treasury Bonds, and 5 per cent. War Loan, with a consequent interest saving of about £773,000 per annum. In addition $86,060,000 notes and Bonds have been repatriated by conversion into National War Bonds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield during the current financial year of 1d. per 1b. on the Sugar Duty and ld. per 1b. on the Tea Duty?

The current rates of duty on tea and sugar are 8d. and 2d. per 1b. respectively, subject to a preferential rebate of one-sixth in the case of Empire products. The Budget estimate of the yield of these duties in the current financial year was £11,800,000 for tea and £35,500,000 for sugar.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the late Government promised to return to all or certain of the passenger shipping lines all their Excess Profits Duty under certain conditions; if so, has it been done; and what were those conditions?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second and third parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the reason why Charles Nash, 73, Argenta Street, Warrington, is refused his old age pension; is he aware that he made application for it about a year ago, his application being sanctioned in Wigan but turned down by the headquarters in London; that this man was born in Montreal in 1849, served in the American Navy, afterwards served on merchant vessels until 1870 when he arrived in Liverpool, at that time being 22 years of age, since which year he has worked in South-West Lancashire, principally in and about the coal mines; and if he will have inquiries made into this case, with a view to this man being paid his old age pension, his unemployment benefit being stopped four weeks ago by the Warrington Labour Exchange?

The only documentary evidence produced as to the claimant's age was a marriage certificate, according to which he was only 27 years of age in April, 1883, and his claim, therefore, could not be allowed. If he can now produce evidence that he has attained the age of 70, he should submit a fresh claim.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cause inquiries to be made as to why the old age pension of Mrs. Sarah Brown, of 40, Lord Street, Park, Sheffield, has not been paid since her discharge from hospital on 6th February, 1923?

Inquiry is being made regarding this case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the sales of national savings certificates amounted to for the last five completed years, respectively; whether he is aware that the non-payment of interest for the first year is seriously retarding the sales by the local associations and is discouraging this form of thrift; whether there are any other securities issued by the Government which carry no interest for the first year after issue; and whether he will consult the National Savings Committee on the matter and consider the question so that interest will again be paid for the first year, as was the case on the original War savings certificates?

The answer to the first part of the question is as follows:Sales of savings certificates in the last five years produced the following amounts:

Certificates issued at 16s. from the 1st April, 1922, to the 28th February last have realised, aproximately, £34,500,000. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative. The terms on which certificates are issued are already exceedingly favorable and i do not propose to improve them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there are any surplus stocks of linen-chick under the control of the Disposal Board, and, if so, what quantity; and, if there are any substantial quantities, will he instruct the Disposal Board not to place it upon the market at the present time owing to the unfortunate state of employment in the linen-duck trade of Barnsley and Leeds, or at least until after consultation with the Textile Union and the Manufacturers' Association?

Certain stocks of surplus linen-duck remain for sale, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the actual quantity still remaining. I fear that the suggestion in the last part of the question would entail considerable charges on public funds for storage, etc., and, in general, it is considered that the present policy of disposing of surplus materials as rapidly as possible is likely to assist rather than to retard the revival of industry. The suggested consultation would therefore not be likely to serve any useful purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any portion of our debt to America was incurred before America entered into the War; and. if so; how much?

Market loans, originally issued prior to the entry of the United States into the War, are still outstanding to the extent of $158,587,000, mostly in the form of 20 year bonds. None of our debt to the United States Government, was incurred before the United States entered into the War.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount of the sale of war stores which have been sold and not paid for?

A brief statement of the position would, I fear, be liable to misunderstanding. A full account of the progress of the disposal and surplus Government property would involve a very lengthy statement. Such a statement is, as my hon. Friend is aware, published each year about June, and I would ask him to be good enough to await its appearance.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that all boards of guardians have power to grant £10 to any poor persons desirous of emigrating, under an Act passed about 60 years ago, as stated in Glen's Poor Law; and if he can indicate to what extent advantage is taken of this?

Boards of guardians have powers to assist emigration and are not now bound by the £10 limitation referred to. Eight hundred and fifty-five persons were assisted to emigrate by boards of guardians in the course of the year 1922.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications were received from local authorities for grants in aid of schemes for the carrying out of useful work by the unemployed: and how many of these applications were acceded to and the amount granted during the year ended 31st October, 1922, and the number of applications received from local authorities for similar schemes, the number of applications acceded to, and

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the ease of James Young, an ex-service man, on active service from 1914 to 1919 with the King's Liverpool Regiment, who having lost the thumb of one hand has consequently been placed on the disablement list of the Garston Employment Exchange, thus prejudicing his chances of securing employment; and, in view of the fact that he has no pension and has a wife and four children dependent on him, will he make inquiries into the case?

I will have inquiries made regarding the case referred to, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member. I would point out, however, that the object of placing a man on the special register, which I presume is meant by the "disablement fist," is to increase and not to reduce his chance of obtaining employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the practice whereby casually employed men at the docks are subject to examination of their unemployment insurance cards by employers after the first one or two days of the week, preference being given to men with stamped cards, and that as a consequence a system of illicit sale of insurance stamps is in vogue by which the man seeking employment is penalised by having to purchase stamps at 3d. above their face value; and, seeing that there is at present no legal protection against such

The applications dealt with by the Unemployment Grants Committee are as follow:a system, can he make provision in the Bill now under discussion with that object in view?

I have no specific evidence that employers give a preference to men whose cards or books are already stamped, or with regard to the illicit sale of stamps in the manner suggested. If the hon. Member can supply me with further details I will at once cause inquiry to be made. I may add that a proposal to strengthen the law as to the illicit sale of unemployment insurance stamps is contained in Clause 8 of the Unemployment Insurance Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that there are several men employed on the Stirling relief works scheme who have completed the probationary period of six months, but who are nevertheless still being paid only at the rate of 75 per cent. of the district rate of wages; and if he will take steps to ensure that the reduced wage rate for probationers on Government assisted works is not used as a method of breaking the district wage rate?

I will have inquiries made in regard to the wages which are being paid in connection with the relief works mentioned, and communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the volume of unemployment now necessary in an area before his Department will issue a certificate that exceptional distress exists; whether a different basis in computing this volume is taken in respect of areas administered by county borough, non-county borough, urban district, and rural district councils, respectively, and, if so, what the basis is in each class of area; and whether any and, if so, what alterations have taken place since 1st January, 1923, in the method of calculating the volume of unemployment necessary for obtaining a certificate?

Ordinarily a certificate of serious unemployment is issued if the number of men unemployed in the area is at least 300 and amounts to 6 per cent. of the male employed population. If the number unemployed is between 40 and 300, the necessary percentage in order to enable a certificate to be issued is ordinarily 7½ in rural areas, 10 per cent. in semi-rural areas, and 15 per cent. in other cases. In applying these figures to particular cases, allowance is made for any special features such as an abnormal amount of short-time employment or of unemployment among women. The only alteration in these rules since 1st January, 1923, has been the adoption of the percentages above stated in respect of rural and semi-rural areas with fewer than 300 unemployed; previously the necessary percentage for all cases with less than 300 unemployed was 15.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has issued permits to any American bands to land in this country; whether any conditions are attached to the granting of these permits; and whether, in view of the fact that the reason for maintaining the system of permits is to safeguard employment in this country, regard will be had to the large number of British musicians now out of employment?

A few permits have been issued under Article 1 (3) (b) of the Aliens Order, 1920, to enable American bands to come to this country. The conditions imposed vary somewhat, having regard to the circumstances of the case, but, in general. first, the employer is required to ensure the departure of an alien band of approximately equal size, and second, to engage a number of English bandsmen equal to the number of alien bandsmen for whom a permit is granted. In most cases the aliens are admitted for a limited period only, and it is a condition of their contract of employment that on its termination they shall leave the country. Before granting a permit, full consideration is given to any observations which the Musicians' Union may wish to make.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can give an estimate of the sum which the Army Estimates for 1923–24 would have amounted to if prices and wages had remained at the current rates of the year 1913–14?

Without altogether disproportionate expenditure of clerical labour, I cannot add anything to the statement on pages 3 and 4 of the Memorandum of the Secretary of State on Army Estimates. I hope that this will suffice for the hon. Member's purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the seizure by the French Government of the towns in Baden has put it in possession of dyeworks and chemical factories capable at the shortest notice of producing great quantities of poison and other gases of military utility, he will say whether His Majesty's Government is taking any precautionary steps in the matter?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No facilities for producing poison gas exist in the towns referred to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the General Officer Commanding the British troops in the occupied zone forbade the holding in that city of the International Working-Class Conference summoned for 17th March by the shop stewards of the Ruhr?

I have no special information as to the incident alleged, but I do not doubt that the General Officer Commanding, who has power in such matters, exercises it with due discretion and propriety for the avoidance of disorder.

asked the Prime Minister whether an agreement between the British and French military authorities as to French railway transport in the British military area on the Rhine has been ratified by the British Government; and what is the nature of the agreement?

For the terms of the agreement reached with the French military authorities on this matter I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in the House by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the 13th March. The agreement is regarded as reasonable by His Majesty's Government, but before bringing it formally into force it is obviously necessary to ensure that the German Government have issued the necessary instructions to the railway personnel concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary el State for Foreign Affairs whether complaints have been received by His Majesty's Government that letters from this country to British residents in the British area of occupation on the Rhine are being subjected to censorship by the French military authorities; and what steps it is proposed to take?

I have seen no complaints of the kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether representations have been made to the French Government as to the disabilities under which British traders with unoccupied and occupied Germany have been placed by recent restrictions promulgated by General Degoutte; whether any arrangements have been made to safeguard British trade in those areas; and what is the nature of that arrangement?

I must refer the hon. Member to the full statement which I made on this subject in the Debate in the House on 13th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has information showing the quarter from which the Turkish National Government is obtaining its supplies of artillery arid ether war material?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Sadik Bey Heinin, prominent ex-civil servant, has been arrested in Cairo: whether he will state the charge against him: and whether he will be brought to trial at an early date?

I have no official information regarding this arrest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seing that the whole Arab electorate, without a single individual exception, refrained from voting in the elections for the legislative council just concluded in Palestine, and in view of this protest against the new constitutions by a majority of nearly 93 per cent. of the population of Palestine, the granting of a national Government in Palestine will be considered elected by the citizens, Moslem, Christian, and Jew, with power of control over their internal matters?

The Palestine elections are not yet over. The first stage has resulted in 126 Moslems, 27 Christians, 90 Jews and 8 Druzes being elected as secondary electors. Under the Orders in Council, the next stage is the formation of electoral colleges of secondary electors for the purpose of electing members of the Legislative Council. On the 1st March the Secretary of State approved of the prolongation by two or three months of the period within which the final elections are to be held, and until the result is known it would be premature for me to make any further statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Polish administration has prohibited the export of various articles from Eastern Galicia to Great Britain except under licence, while they allow the same articles to be exported freely to France; whether the Polish Government has any authority from the Allied Powers to regulate Galician exports in this manner; and what steps His Majesty's Government are taking in the matter?

His Majesty's Government are unaware that any restrictions of the nature suggested by the hon. Member have been placed on exports from East Galicia but are calling for a report on the matter from His Majesty's Minister at Warsaw. As the problem of East Galicia is now being considered by the Ambassadors' Conference, no useful purpose would be served by discussing the competence of the Polish Government to regulate exports from this territory.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if all the names of deceased ratings of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve whose bodies were lost or buried at sea are to be commemorated on memorials erected at Portsmouth and Plymouth; and if he will consider a memorial for a Scottish port on which may be inscribed the Scottish ratings?

The names of all officers and men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve whose bodies were lost or buried at sea during the War will be commemorated on memorials to be erected at the three naval manning ports—Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth—by the Imperial War Graves Commission. The question of providing memorials for the reserve forces at their various mobilising ports was considered, and district headquarters of all the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Divisions were consulted through the Admiralty Volunteer Committee, and the resultant opinion was reported as in favour of the names being included on the memorials at the three naval ports of manning. The names of officers and men of the Scottish Division will accordingly be inscribed on the Portsmouth memorial, as the Scottish division is affiliated to Portsmouth for mobilisation purposes.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the Government is contemplating a transfer of the regional headquarters of the East Midlands area of the Ministry of Pensions from Nottingham and is proposing to incorporate this headquarters with that of the West Midlands area at Birmingham; and, since such a step will involve throwing on the unemployed labour market not less than 200 ex-service men, a large number of whom are disabled as a result of war service, if he will reconsider his decision before taking final action?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the answers given on the 13th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Nottingham (Captain Berkeley), the hon. Member for West Nottingham (Mr. Hayday), and the hon. Member for the Belper Division of Derby (Mr. Hancock), of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Minister of Pensions what period has to elapse before an officer, whose disability is due to active service, is entitled to a permanent pension?

It would clearly be impossible to lay down any absolute period applicable to all cases. But cases are being considered for a final award of disability retired pay as soon as the physical condition of the pensioner justifies, and in any event (as required by War Pensions Act, 1921) as soon as practicable after four years have elapsed since discharge or commencement of retired pay.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many disabled ex-soldiers and sailors have died since the date of their receipt of pensions?

The approximate number is, I regret to say, 59,500.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that deductions from men's pensions are being made in respect of sums alleged to have been improperly paid more than a year ago, and that these payments were due to clerical errors for which the pensioners were not responsible; and whether, in view of the hardship such stoppages are imposing on men disabled in the War, he will consider the question of ordering that the practice shall cease?

This matter is receiving my close personal attention, and I hope shortly to make arrangements which will, I think, reasonably meet the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the representations which have been made from many influential boards of guardians and other local bodies against the cost of treatment and maintenance of ex-service men in asylums, previously classified by the Ministry of Pensions as service patients, being transferred to the pauper lunatic account, he will say what action it is proposed to take?

I am aware that boards of guardians have made representations regarding these cases, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury), and the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts), on the 15th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Llanelly Borough Council propose to dispossess allotment holders at Old Road and New Road, Llanelly, at three months' notice, and that the allotment holders, in accordance with terms of agreement of 22nd March, 1920, are entitled to six months' notice; can he state what steps the Llanelly Council have taken to ensure that the land in question is to be used for building; is he aware that a considerable part of the land is to be used as a private garden; and whether, having regard to the provisions of the Allotments Act, 1922, he will take action to secure that the rights of the allotment holders in question are protected?

I am informed by the Council in question that certain allotment holders will be dispossessed of their allotments after three months' notice, on the ground that the land is required for building. I am further informed that the agreement referred to by my hon. Friend was merely a letter indicating the terms on which the Council proposed to acquire the land. The terms of the lease ultimately entered into by-the Corporation on the 29th January, 1923, however, provided that the lessor should have a right of re-entry on 14 weeks' notice, if the land were required for building, mining or commercial purposes. I understand that the owner's solicitors have stated that the land is required for building, and the Council are apparently satisfied as to the owner's bonâ fides, but in view of the statement made in my hon. Friend's question, I propose to call the Council's attention to the provisions of Section 11 of the Allotments Act, 1922, which enable the Council to refer to arbitration the question as to whether resumption of possession is required in good faith for the purpose specified.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to the serious hardship which would otherwise be imposed on farmers, it is the intention of the Government to introduce fresh legislation to deal with the payment of tithe rent-charge before the expiration of the Act of 1918?

The question of legislation to meet the situation which will arise on the expiration of the Tithe Act, 1918, is already engaging my attention.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a report of the inquest held upon a lad named Walter Scarth, who was killed whilst following his employment at Messrs. Broadbents, Gomersal, near Leeds, on Friday, 9th March; if he is aware that the cause of the accident. was stated to be the breaking of a belt or strap fastened with patent fasteners, and not with laces; whether his attention has been directed to the fact that at the inquest on the 12th it was stated that during the past 12 months six straps or belts had broken, one of which struck a girl on the hip; and if he will direct that a special inquiry shall he made into the circumstances as well as into the danger of metal belt-fasteners?

No report on this accident has so far been received at the Home Office. Inquiry will be made, and the suggestion of the hon. Member will be. carefully considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a resolution from the Petty Sessional Division of Bolton stating that, at a meeting of the justices acting in and for that division held at the County Police Court, Bolton, a resolution was passed requesting that magistrates be empowered to impose hard labour in cases where persons are committed to prison for arrears of maintenance under the Bastardy Acts and The Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act, 1895; and, if so, can he make a statement on the subject?

I have received this resolution, but do not see my way to propose any legislation for giving effect to it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that an inquiry into prisons and Borstal institutions was promised by his predecessor; and, in view of the general demand for this inquiry, will he say how soon it is intended to appoint the committee?

I am not satisfied that there is at present any such general demand as would justify the setting up of a committee of inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the financial position of the European members of the uncovenanted Civil Service in India, many of whom, owing to the rise in the cost of living in India, the depreciation of the rupee, and the high rates of transit to India-, are in receipt of remuneration which has become quite inadequate, and have only the prospect of pensions, which, having regard to the present cost of living in England, are exceedingly small; and whether, having regard to the importance of the civil servants in India being contented, and to the fact that the total cost of all Europeans in the service of the Government of Bombay in 1922 was only about 41 per cent. of the total provincial expenditure, he will see his way to dealing with this urgent question?

I would refer to the answers given on 26th February to questions on the same subject by the hon. and gallant Baronet the Member for Melton (Sir C. Yate) and the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gwynne), to which I can add nothing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why no use is being made of the Paper Currency Act of 1920 under which notes might be issued up to a limit of 5 crores of rupees against good commercial bills of exchange; and will he consider whether this would prevent the necessity of the purchase of gold by India and assist the trade, and that if notes were issued against hundis the financing of the harvest might be assisted?

Under the procedure laid down the initiative in the matter of the issue of the additional currency to which my hon. Friend refers rests with the Imperial Bank of India, and, so far as I am aware, no application has been made by the bank this year. If it had been thought. expedient, in view of the prevailing conditions, to bring the powers referred to into operation, the effect would have been to increase (subject to a maximum increase of 5 crores) the bank's cash resources available for the discounting of bills and trade purposes. It may be noted that the Government of India, reviewing the money market position in India at the end of January, stated that they saw nothing to call for their active intervention. The question of the imports of gold by India is affected by other than purely monetary considerations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether tile Mandates for Togoland and the Cameroons specifically state that adherence is given to do the International Conventions dealing with traffic in slaves, arms, liquor, etc., and traffic in women and children; and, if not, what is the reason for the omission?

As the British spheres of the Cameroons and Togoland were intended to be administered by the Governments of Nigeria and the Gold Coast respectively, it was thought preferable to provide. as was done ill Article 8 of the Mandates, that the mandatory shall apply to the mandated territory any general International Conventions applicable to his contiguous territory. So far as the three Conventions signed at St. Germain-en-Laye on 10th September, 1919, namely, the Convention revising the Berlin and Brussels Act (Slavery), the Liquor Traffic Convention, and the Arms Traffic Convention are concerned, these are already applicable to the Cameroons and Togoland by virtue of the provisions of the Conventions, quite apart from the terms of the Mandates.

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

The necessary information has now been obtained, and the answer is as follows:As regards the first part of the question, the present position of the Hinaidi camp is as follows:When the Air Force assumed control the Army had partially completed the accommodation required for the military garrison. This accommodation has been adapted and modified to meet altered conditions.The following programme of works services to meet Air Force requirements has been entered upon:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total exports and imports of cutlery, and the value of the same, during the years 1913 and 1922, respectively?

The de-dared values of the imports of cutlery into the United Kingdom were £153,940 in 1913 and £548,593 in 1922. The exports of cutlery of United Kingdom manufacture amounted in value to £836,129 in 1913 and £778,060 in 1922, and the re-exports of cutlery of foreign and colonial manufacture to £51,433 and £92,221 respectively. In 1913 the quantities were required to be stated by weight, and in 1922 by number. No comparable statistics of the quantities of cutlery imported or exported in these years are, accordingly, available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total imports and exports of agricultural machinery during the years 1913 and 1922, respectively?

The following statement shows the declared value of agricultural machinery imported into and exported from the United Kingdom during the years specified:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total export and import of hats, and the value of the same, during the years 1913 and 1922 respectively?

I will send the hon. Member the figures for which he asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what. are the index figures of the wholesale and retail prices at the present time, as compared with 1913.

The Board of Trade index number of wholesale prices for February, 1923, is 157·6 and that for March 157·1, as compared with an average of 100 for the year 1913. The Ministry of Labour index number of the cost of living, which is based on retail prices, is 177 for 1st February, showing an increase of 77 per cent. on the figure for July, 1914 (the earliest date for which comparative figures are available). The corresponding figure for 1st March is not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the price of British and Foreign wheat per quarter of 504 lbs. in February, 1914, and February, 1923; the price of a sack (280 lbs.) of flour in February, 1914, and February, 1923; and the average price of the 4-1b, loaf of bread in February 1911 and February 1923?

The price of English wheat (average of weekly quotations at Mark Lane) in February, 1914, was 33s. 9d. per quarter of 504 lbs. In February, 1923, the average price was 9s. 2¼d. per cwt. (equivalent to 41s. 5d. per 504 lbs.). The average prices quoted at Mark Lane for No. 1 Northern Manitoba wheat in the same periods were 36s. 9d. and 49s. 3d. respectively per quarter of 496 lbs. For English (London ma.6e) Hour the average of weekly quota-

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will submit a return to the House showing the amount of sugar imported into this country during the year 1913 from places with in the Empire and from other countries?

The following statement shows the quantities of sugar imported into the United Kingdom in 1913; distinguishing the quantities consigned from foreign countries and British countries respectively:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will submit to the House a return showing the total consumption of sugar in Great Britain for the years 1913 and 1922?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the cause of delay in granting licences to owners of wireless receiving sets in the vicinity of Bo'ness, Linlithgowshire; and whether he will arrange for the early issue of such permits

The particular cases to which the hon. Member refers cannot be identified in the absence of further particulars. As he is no doubt aware, broadcast licences covering the use of wireless receiving apparatus made by manufacturers who are members of the British Broadcasting Company can be obtained on demand at the local head or branch post offices. Applications for experimental receiving licences are subject to some delay owing to the very large number being received from persons who do not appear to be bonâ fideexperimenters. Arrangements to obviate the delay are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Messrs. Davies, of 113, Cottenham Road, Holloway, N., are a firm of contractors on the fair lists of the Government contracting Departments;

The consumption of sugar in the United Kingdom cannot be precisely stated, but the following quantities were recorded as having been entered for home consumption after payment of duty during the years specified:whether this firm is at present engaged upon making propeller cases for a Government Department; and whether he has satisfied himself that the firm is observing the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause?

I have been asked to reply. This firm is included in the Air Ministry lists of firms invited to tender for certain supplies, and certain contracts for the supply of airscrews and the necessary packing cases have been placed with the firm. In answer to the last part of the question, I have no reason to suppose that the contract condition which expressly requires the observance by the firm of the Fair Wages Clause is not being fulfilled, but if the hon. Member has any information, to the contrary and will communicate it to me, I will have the matter fully investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will cause inquiries to be made into the system of training officers and non-commissioned officers as air pilots at the flying school, Netheravon; if such inquiries will state the number of times each individual student officer and non-commissioned officer of the present classes under instructions has been taken up in the Bristol fighters; whether the system in vogue enables the non-commissioned officer student to obtain the same amount of training in the air as that given to the officer; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to ensure. such training for the non-commissioned officer, that there shall be no danger of failure at examination through an alleged lack of facilities?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this matter. It had lately appeared that the arrangements for the instruction of airmen at Netheravon were not satisfactory in respect of the amount of actual flying training which was being received. Orders were accordingly issued which will remove any deficiencies in that respect. I am to add that in the new class of officer and airman pilots which began on 15th December last, the airmen up to date have averaged 7·40 hours' flying and the officers 6·40 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he has received a communication from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen relative to the substitution of skilled draughtsmen and designers by less skilled men at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough; whether he has refused to meet representatives of the said association on a matter of great importance to its members; if so, whether ho will reconsider the request in order to avoid any chance of an industrial dispute arising;(2) if he is aware that draughtsmen and designers at the Farnborough Royal Aircraft Establishment, who were debarred from joining active service units owing to the enforced protected nature of their war-time occupation, many of whom made strenuous endeavours to join up during the War, are being substituted by men of inferior technical qualifications or by men of no technical qualifications; and will he explain the reasons for the displacement which is now being carried through in this establishment and the qualifications and training of those men who are taking the place of the men being discharged?

Temporary non-service technical staff at Farnborough are being replaced, as far as possible, by ex-service personnel. This is in accordance with the approved policy of His Majesty's Government, based. on the Reports of the Lytton Committee. It is true that many men were unable, for various reasons, to join His Majesty's forces during the late War, but this does not entitle them to be considered as ex-service, in the application of the policy just stated. I am unable to accept the suggestion of the hon. Member that the ex-service men selected for appointment have inadequate technical qualifications. I have received a communication from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen, but as the action taken is in accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government, and was taken with full regard to all relevant considerations, no useful purpose would he served by an interview, and I regret I am unable to reconsider the decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of non-service staff, male and female, respectively, still retained in his Department; what are the reasons in each case for such retention; and whether, in view of the large number of ex-service men now unemployed and on the pool of the Joint Substitution Board, he will take steps to effect further substitution?

The non-service members of the temporary staff of the Air Ministry, exclusive of those under notice of discharge, are: men 21, women 77. Except in two cases in which the qualifications are of a special nature, the Joint Substitution Board is endeavouring to find ex-service substitutes for the non-service men, while as regards the women, all hut two (who are employed on draughtsmanship and will be replaced by qualified male substitutes when available) are employed upon work, chiefly typing, of a nature specially suitable for women.

asked the Prime Minister what the British Government proposes doing in connection with the Boxer Indemnity?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 20th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western (Lieut.-Colonel A. Murray) and on 6th March to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that allotment holders at Red Bridge Lane, Wanstead, were dispossessed by his Department in May, 1921; that the allotment holders, who had prepared and planted their land at considerable labour and expense, were evicted at a week's notice, whereas they had an agreement providing for three months' notice; that they submitted claims for compensation based upon their proper legal rights and their interest in the land for the period for which they should have received notice; whether the amounts offered by his Department are considerably blow the claims made by these holders; and whether he will receive a deputation from the Association of Allotment Holders to consider the matter?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that four allotment holders at Red Bridge Lane, Wanstead, received from the Minister of Transport one week's notice to quit in May, 1921; that they, consequently, ceased operations on the land after they had dug and planted their land at consider- able labour and expense; and that some two months later they were notified by the same Department that they could resume possession of the land; whether any payment of compensation has been made to these allotment holders in respect of the loss of their season's crops; and, if not, for what reason have the claims made by these plot holders not been met?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. It was necessary to take possession of these allotments for the construction of a section of the Eastern Avenue, one of the arterial roads promoted for the relief of unemployment. Notices of entry were served on 24th May, 1922 (not 1921, as stated in the questions), under Section 2 of the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, which enables entry to be made at seven days' notice. It was found that the plots belonging to the four holders referred to in the question of the hon. Member for the Stratford Division were not required, and their land was left intact. Negotiations with regard to compensation are being conducted by the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue, and I am advised that the claims at present put forward by these allotment holders appear excessive. If the Association of Allotment Holders will let me have a statement in writing of their views on the general question of the compensation payable in these circumstances, I shall be happy to consider them.