asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the resignation of Dr. Hector, the so-called representative of the Saar population on the Governing Commission, and of the protests of the population against his appointment, the, British representative on the Council of, the League of Nations will be instructed, to urge that an opportunity shall now be given to that population to elect its own representative, either by a direct vote or through the Landesrat?

The appointment of a German representative rests with the Council of the League of Nations, whose responsibility cannot under the Treaty of Versailles be delegated to any other body. There is no need to give special instructions to the British representative on the Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a statement showing the total amount of reparations paid by Germany under the Treaty of Versailles and to whom it has been paid, both in gold and in kind, giving the valuation of the latter as agreed by the Reparations Commissioners?

I would refer the hon. Member to the volume issued by the Reparation Commission and published by the Stationery Office under the title, "Statement of Germany's obligations under the heading of Reparations, etc., at 30th April, 1922." I am informed that a volume containing a similar statement as on 31st December, 1922, will be issued by the Reparation Commission shortly, and published in this country by the Stationery Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ex-service men have been discharged from the Disposal and Liquidation Commission since November, 1922; the number of such men who served overseas during the Great War; the number of such men who served at home during the Great War; the number of non-service men now retained by the said Commission; and the respective numbers of ex-service men who served overseas and at home during the Great War, and of non-service men who are due for dismissal in April next?

The number of ex-service men discharged from the Disposal and Liquidation Commission since November, 1922, is 62, of whom 46 served overseas in the late War and 16 served at home. The number of non-service men at present retained is 35. The number of men who are due for discharge by the end of April next is 60, of whom 51 served overseas, eight served at home, and one is non-service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid annually to the Portuguese Government for the Chinese concession?

I imagine that in this question "Chinese" is a misprint for "Chinde"; if it be the Chinde Con; cession which is referred to, the answer is £200 a year since 1896.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can inform the House of the total expenditure incurred by the British Government since January, 1918, up to January, 1922, in operations of all kinds against the Soviet Government of Russia; who were the agents and recipients of the sums paid, and what guarantees exist that large parts of these moneys were not misapplied; and whether he will consult with the Prime Minister with a view to setting up an inquiry under the powers of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, into the circumstances under which these payments were made by the British Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper published in 1920 (Cmd. 772) which contains details of such expenditure, showing its allocation, for the period from the Armistice to 31st March, 1920. The additional expenditure incurred from 1st April, 1920, to 31st December, 1921, is estimated at approximately £1,000,000, making a total expenditure of about £57,000,000. It would not be possible to ascertain with any degree of accuracy the expenditure incurred during the War period. The regulated accounting procedure was followed as regards the issue of cash and stores. The hon. Member will observe from the White Paper that the only cash payment was one of £1,350,000 to the Archangel Government, which was for the purpose of providing food for the civilian population. I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion contained in the third part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that, in consequence of the rise in tithe rentcharge from less than £76 in 1914 to more than £103 now, and of the increases in rating, the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of half the rates on tithe rentcharge attached to benefices under the Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act, 1899, which before the War was never as much as £170,000 in any financial year, has increased to more than £477,000 for the last financial year; what is the total amount of the tithe rentcharge attached to benefices in respect of the rates on which such payments were made; and, if not, whether he will issue instructions that, in the making of these payments, information shall be obtained and noted of the amounts of the tithe rentcharge in respect of the rates on which such payments are made, as well as of the amounts of the rates thereon?

I am aware of the increase in payments under the Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act, 1899. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture informed the hon. and gallant Member on the 23rd February, no exact statistics of the amount of tithe rentcharge attached to benefices are available, but the total par value is estimated at about £2,000,000. The compilation of exact figures would involve an expenditure which would not, I think, be justified by the value of the information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the amount owing from the Commonwealth of Australia has been funded; and, if so, on what terms?

Yes, Sir. By agreement with the Commonwealth Government the amount owing will be repaid by a series of half-yearly payments of £2,774,404 14s. 1d. each over a period of 36 years, commencing from 1921–22.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the latest figures showing the revenue which has been received to date during the current financial year under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The revenue received under the Safeguarding of Industries Act during the current financial year up to the 10th March, 1923, the latest date available, amounted to £509,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of a reduction being effected of the duty on beer, a corresponding reduction will be made in the duty on cider and perry, the trade in which has been seriously curtailed owing to the incidence of the duty?

My right hon. Friend would ask the hon. Member to await the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the vast majority, if not all, of the theatres, music-halls and cinemas of the country pay the Entertainments Duty on certified returns, he will state what difficulty there is in compiling a separate Return of the amounts paid by all these undertakings; and whether he will agree to furnish the House with it?

There would be no difficulty in ascertaining the yield of the Entertainments Duty from theatres, music-halls and cinemas if it was all paid on the basis of certified returns; but as this is not so in a very considerable number of cases, the figures would be of no practical value, and I am not prepared to furnish them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that foreign machinery, under the name of soda fountains, have been set up throughout this country to evade the table-water duties; whether, in view of this fact, he will consider the abolition of these duties which were imposed as a war emergency measure; and whether he is aware that a number of firms in the mineral water trade have closed down owing to heavy taxation, with the result that numbers have been thrown out of work, not only in that trade, but in connection with the manufacture of bottles, boxes, and machinery used in the trade?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the output of soda fountains is, on sale, chargeable with table-water duty. I have received representations as to the effect of the duty on the table-water industry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the United Services Fund was incorporated by Royal Charter on 19th May, 1921, in order, inter alia, to promote the effectual administration of the funds transferred to it and public confidence in such administration; that the local secretary of the fund in Penmaenmawr was last month committed to trial at the next Assizes on the charge of embezzling moneys of the fund, of having formed a bogus committee, of which one member was his son, aged 13, and of having forged medical certificates; and that, far from inspiring public confidence, the news of the man's arrest is causing anxiety in Wales as to the administration of the fund; and if he will order a public inquiry into the general management of the fund without delay?

I am generally aware of the circumstances referred to in the first two parts of this question, but I would point out that, as I informed the hon. Member on 13th March last, the council of management of the fund are not responsible to the War Office, which is therefore not in a position to take such action as is suggested in the last part of the question. I would, however, add that I am not aware of any general anxiety as to the administration of the fund. This is the first case of alleged fraud that has come to my notice, and I see no sufficient reason for such an inquiry as is suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the shortage of housing accommodation for married officers at Tidworth; that, as a result of such shortage, many officers are unable to find any accommodation whatever for their wives; that others are forced to pay exorbitant rent for rooms over shops; and if he will take action to remedy this grievance?

I am aware that there is, unfortunately, a shortage of housing accommodation, both for officers and other ranks, at many stations, and I would draw attention to the various building services, shown on pages 186 to 193 of the Army Estimates just issued, which are being undertaken towards remedying this position. In the present financial stringency, however, no such service can be approved without careful consideration and comparison of the needs of different stations, and, whilst the Army Council recognise and regret the shortage of houses for married officers at Tidworth, they cannot undertake to build there in preference to building at other stations where the shortage is more acute.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any representations have been received from the employés at Woolwich Arsenal in favour of a contributory pension scheme; and whether any action is contemplated by the Government?

Pension schemes of which some part of the cost would fall on the employés have been under discussion for many years. Under existing financial conditions, the Government is unable to approve any scheme which would not be entirely self-supporting, and the employés have not felt able to frame a scheme on those lines. So far as the Government is concerned, I fear the matter must rest there.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of need pensions to dependants of men who lost their lives through the War which have been reviewed during the period 1st February, 1922, to 1st February, 1923; and how many have been increased, decreased, or cancelled, and the amount of money involved in each change, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. A. Greenwood) on the 5th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. E. Pawley, of Holt Road, Fakenham, a widow, who lost her two sons in the War, has been refused the grant of a need pension; and whether, having regard to the fact that her pension is only 8s. a week, part of which is bonus, and that she is unable to supplement this sum by more than 4s. a week in earnings, and that dependent on her is a cripple over 80 years of age and a girl of 13 still attending school, he will allow the grant of a need pension in this necessitous case?

The statements in the latter part of the question do not agree with the information in my possession. I am, however, looking into the case further and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions, the number of pensions which have been reviewed during the period 1st February, 1922, to 1st February, 1923; and how many have been increased, decreased, or cancelled, and the amount of money involved in each change, respectively?

The average number of disablement awards in payment to men during the period mentioned was about 800,000 including final awards. Of these some 600,000 temporary or conditional awards were reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Warrant. As a result of medical reexamination 60 per cent. remained unaltered or were increased, while 40 per cent were decreased or terminated. The estimated cost of disablement pensions and allowances for the current financial year is approximately £33,000,000 as compared with £40,000,000 for the previous year when the average number of disablement awards was about 1,000,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions, whether he is aware that Mrs. M. A. Griffiths, of 3, St. Ann's Street, Gilfach, Bargoed, widow of the late Private Edward Griffiths, No. 2,959, 1st Gloucestershire Regiment, is now without means of livelihood; whether the late Private Griffiths was entitled to a gratuity of £74 which has not been paid; and whether he will take steps to inquire whether this sum can be forwarded to his widow so as to relieve her from distress?

There is no record in my Department of the award of a gratuity in this case, and I find that all payments due in respect of the pension granted to the late soldier have been made. I may add that as the marriage took place after the soldier's discharge from the Army, the widow is not eligible for compensation from my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) what was the total and average expenses of meetings of War Pensions Committees held during the three months ended 31st December, 1922; what was the estimated expenditure for meetings during the current financial year; what is the estimate for this purpose for the financial year 1923–24;(2) the name of any War Pensions Committee whose expenses for one meeting amounted to £200, and will he give the main items which make up this total?

The average cost of a single meeting of those Committees which met during the three months ending in December last, is approximately £5 10s., but the period was one of transition from the old system to the new, and some Committees probably did not meet as frequently as they would otherwise have done. I have not been able, in the short time available, to ascertain the individual Committees, the cost of whose meetings materially exceeds the average, but in areas where long-distance travelling is involved the average cost of a meeting is obviously considerably higher than the general average quoted. In making the statement quoted by the hon. Member, as to the possible cost of a meeting of a Committee, I regret to find that I was misinformed. The statement should have been to the effect that the cost of the meetings in a single area in a year may amount to £100 and upwards. The average estimated cost of meetings, including the administrative and clerical expenses involved, is £94 per area. The cost would obviously be higher if the number of meetings were increased. The estimated expenditure on the attendance of members (not including clerical and administrative expenses) at meetings for the year 1922–23 is £10.000, and for 1923–24, £5,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether reconsideration can be given to the terms of Circular 1,297, which prescribes that the number of blind pupils receiving trade instruction shall be increased from 15 to 18 per class; and whether he is aware that, in the opinion of the instructors, the classes will be too large to enable instruction to be imparted with any degree of success?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 1st March to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison).

asked the President of the Board of Education, with reference to Circular 1,297 on special schools, whether the basis of comparison between crippled and ordinary children is the same as heretofore, namely, 2.5 cripples to one ordinary child; whether any alteration has been made with respect to the provision in the 1917 Act as to the amount of floor space to be allowed per child in special schools, namely, 15 square feet for mental defectives and 18 square feet for physical defectives; whether he is aware that if the circular be put into force it will result in a roll of 43 cripples in one class; and whether any special school managers or teachers have been consulted with regard to this circular?

I regret that I do not understand the first part of the hon. Member's question. As regards the second part, no alteration in the floor space per child allowed in special schools has been made since 1907, and none is suggested in Circular 1297. With regard to the third part, the largest number of cripple children in average attendance, allotted under the provisions of the Circular, to one teacher will be 30; and the answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the Walsingham Board of Guardians are being asked, under a threat of surcharge, to discontinue the grant of out-relief in the case of the families of three labourers and that substitution for such relief of orders for the house would mean an addition of 31 inmates to the workhouse at a cost of at least £15 a week for maintenance, in lieu of the present out-relief of 14s. a week, he will make an exception in this case and allow the grant of out-relief to be continued?

I am not prepared to approve a departure from the Regulations in force for the purpose of allowing outdoor relief to be given to supplement the wages of persons in full-time employment. It is clear that the effect of such relief is to reduce wages and to intensify the evil it is designed to meet.

asked the Minister of Health whether the conferences of bacteriologists, called by the League of Nations Health Committee in London and Paris, to discuss the standardisation of serums and vaccines were paid for by the Governments represented; whether the representatives received any remuneration in addition to the expenses incurred in travelling from all parts of the world; and, if so, what was the amount respectively in expenses and in remuneration paid by the British Government, who were our representatives, under what Votes were such items authorised, and where do they appear in the accounts?

The expenses of conferences on the standardisation of serums held in London in December, 1921, and in Paris in November. 1922, which consisted mainly of the travelling and subsistence allowance of the delegates, were met from the funds of the League of Nations. No fees or other remuneration were paid to delegates by the British Government. Indeed, I am not aware that any expense was incurred from public funds beyond the cost of luncheon for the foreign delegates provided by the Government Hospitality Fund on the occasion of the conference in London.

asked the Minister of Health if he will have inquiries made into the case of J. Higham, 46, Hartly Butts, Wigan, whose benefits under the National Health Insurance have been stopped by the Blackburn Philanthropic Approved Society on the report from their regional medical officer, who states that Higham is not incapable of work; and, seeing that a report of this kind is not sufficiently clear to warrant the discontinuance of benefits, will he see that this man receives the benefits he is entitled to?

I have inquired into the facts of the case referred to by the hon. Member and I find that Mr. Higham, who had been in receipt of benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts for a considerable period, was referred by his approved society in August, 1922, for examination by a regional medical officer of the Ministry of Health in accordance with the rules of the society. The regional medical officer expressed his opinion that Mr. Higham was no longer incapable of work, and this opinion was confirmed by another regional medical officer who examined him in September. In view of these two reports the society decided that the payment of benefit must cease, but the member was referred to his right of appeal against this decision under the procedure laid down in the rules of the society. It is understood that Mr. Higham has not, up to the present, availed himself of this opportunity, and in as much as the matter may come to the Ministry as a final Court of Appeal, I regret that I cannot intervene at the present stage.

asked the Minister of Health what is the percentage increase in the price of materials used in the erection of houses under the housing schemes over the prices of the same materials in 1913?

The increase is approximately 65 per cent. to 70 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimates have been made of the number of men in each of the building trades required to erect any or each type of houses erected under the housing schemes; and, if so, what they are in respect of each trade, giving labourers separately?

Assuming that a non-parlour house will be erected with 2,000 hours labour—which is the present estimate—it is estimated that the provision of 10,000 of such houses in one year would require the following number of building operatives:

Bricklayers	1,688
Carpenters and joiners	1,660
Slaters	145
Plasterers	621
Plumbers and glaziers	322
Painters	606
Unskilled	3,611

Deductions from estimates of this kind must clearly be made with great caution.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of the percentage of empty houses required to provide for the free movement of labour from one district to another; and what it is?

I am afraid it is not practicable to make such an estimate as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Health if any estimate has been made of the number of houses of the types erected under the housing schemes that could be erected in a year, having regard to the number of men available in the building trades and the possible output of materials; and, if so, what it is?

I do not think it is practicable to make an estimate of any value, as it is impossible to forecast the reasonable demands on the building industry, of which house building forms only a part. I may say, however, that the maximum number of working-class houses built in one year before the War was approximately 100,000, and this figure was reached at a time when the labour strength of the building industry was a good deal in excess of what it is at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the tenants occupying cottages on the Crown lands at Park End, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, had their rents increased in February last, and have received notices of a further increase in April next; and, taking into consideration the fall in wages and the continued high cost of living, will he make inquiries into the cause of this further increase of rent, and, if possible, prevent it coming into operation?

Certain cottage rents were increased in February, 1923, in accordance with the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Act, because of the high cost of repairs and an increase in rates, and others are to be increased in April next. No further increase is proposed, however, in respect of the first-mentioned class. I may add that the increases are comparatively small and not up to the full statutory limit of 40 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health if the Census Returns have been compiled showing in administrative areas for Scotland and for England and Wales the number and kind of houses classified according to the number of families, persons, and rooms within them; if so, what the numbers are; and, if not, when they will be available and if comparable figures for the Census of 1901 and 1911 can be given?

Statistics corresponding to those contained in Table 10 in the London County Census Report, to which the hon. and gallant Member presumably refers, are being compiled separately for each county and its appropriate sub-divisions for publication in the county series. The statistics for England and Wales as a whole will not be available-till all the county tabulations are completed, namely, about the end of the present year. Some comparable 1911 figures are being given in the text to. be included in each county part; but comparison with 1901 is not attempted, as it is rendered difficult by the greater degree of elaboration which has since been accorded to this subject, particularly in 1921. As regards the statistics for Scotland, the hon. and gallant Member should address a question to the Under-Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health if the Census returns of private families and dwellings, giving the number of private families, the population of private families, the number of structurally-separate dwellings occupied, the rooms occupied, and the rooms per person, as published for the County of London, have been compiled separately for Scotland and for England and Wales: if so, what they are; and, if not, when they will be available and if comparable figures can be given for the Censuses of 1901 and 1911?

Statistics corresponding to those contained in Table 11 in the London County Census Report, to which the hon. and gallant Member presumably refers, are being compiled separately for each county and its appropriate sub-divisions for publication in the county series. The statistics for England and Wales as a whole will not be available till all the county tabulations are completed, namely, about the end of the present year. Some comparable 1911 figures are being given in the table itself and in the text to be included in each county part; but comparison with 1901 is not attempted, as it is rendered difficult by the greater degree of elaboration which has since been accorded to this subject, particularly in 1921. As regards the statistics for Scotland the hon. and gallant Member should address a question to the Under-Secretary for Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds a pension was paid to a clerk at Trinity House who had been sentenced to three months' imprisonment for embezzlement of lighthouse funds and dismissed from his employment?

The Board of Trade sanctioned the grant of a reduced pension in the case referred to in view of representations made to them by the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, and were influenced in according their sanction under Section 665 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, by the fact that the clerk in question had been in the service of the Trinity House for 42 years, is in an unsatisfactory state of health and he and his wife are without means. The Elder Brethren propose to administer the reduced pension at their own discretion for the benefit of their late employéand his wife, and the amount which he misappropriated has been deducted in full in assessing the reduced pension and reduced allowance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the firm of Messrs. Thomas Clifford, Son, and Cole, Limited, who went into voluntary liquidation in June, 1921, will pay a dividend to creditors?

Thomas Clifford, Son, and Cole, Limited, is in compulsory liquidation under an order made by the court on the 26th April, 1921, and the senior Official Receiver in companies liquidation is the liquidator. The company had numerous branches in various parts of the country, and this caused delay in realising the assets. Notice of in- tension to declare a dividend to preferential creditors whose claims amount to over £3,500, appeared in the "London Gazette" of the 9th March. The last day for receiving proofs is the 24th March. As the assets will be insufficient to meet the claims of the preferential creditors, it will not be possible to pay a dividend to the ordinary creditors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish a Return showing the quantity and value of slate imported into, and exported

SLATES FOR ROOFING IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Countries whence consigned.		Quantities—Tons.				Values—£.
		1913.	1920.	1921.	1922.	1913.	1920.	1921.	1922.
Belgium	…	91	51	506	569	462	1,031	8,262	7,159
France	…	11,454	3,124	3,215	1,437	39,280	32,388	38,578	15,401
Portugal	…	2,993	1,252	1,672	2,224	11,025	9,281	10,618	12,114
United States of America	…	2,498	219	558	461	9,362	2,400	7,173	5,594
Other Foreign Countries	…	595	34	165	373	2,523	870	1,188	2,976
British Possessions	…	—	2	135	—	—	45	1,892	—
Total	…	17,631	4,682	6,251	5,064	62,652	46,015	67,711	43,244

SLATES FOR ROOFING EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
(a)United Kingdom Produce and Manufacture.
Countries to which consigned.		Quantities—Tons.				Values—£.
		1913.	1920.	1921.	1922.	1913.	1920.	1921.	1922.
Denmark (including Faroe Islands.		2,584	862	372	1,073	11,926	12,846	6,273	15,003
Netherlands	…	481	1,454	1,155	1,186	1,203	13,689	11,794	11,848
Belgium	…	485	351	259	9	582	2,650	2,517	264
France	…	664	182	59	—	1,082	1,094	555	—
Germany	…	12,248	39	71	107	47,703	700	1,555	1,832
Other Foreign Countries	…	1,404				8,330
Channel Islands	…	433	398	34	332	2058	5,747	683	4,496
Australia	…	8,581	263	545	625	37,666	3,244	9,084	9,019
New Zealand	…	324	421	61	270	1,690	5,758	1,210	5,056
Other British Possessions	…	875	260	111	103	4,106	3,719	2,332	2,188
Total	…	28,079	4,230	2,667	3,705	116,346	49,447	36,003	49,706
		(b) Foreign and Colonial Merchandise
Australia	…	1,349	—	—	19	4,510	—	—	167
New Zealand	…	—	245	147	93	—	3,222	1,500	749
Other British Possessions	…	140	—	1	11	555	—	31	173
Total	…	1,489	245	148	123	5,065	3,222	1,531	1,089

The following statement shows the quantities and values of the slates for roofing imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in the years specified. (Particulars are only available for "Slates for roofing," any other kinds of slates being included in a general total for "Other sorts of stones and slates"):

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total exports and imports of cycles, motor-cycles, and motor-cars during the years 1913 and 1922, respectively?

Description			Quantities.		Values.
			1913.	1922.	1913.	1922.
I.—IMPORTS.			No.	No.	£	£
(a) Complete Cars, etc.—
Motor Cars*	…	…	6,820	14,361	1,738,462	2,522,433
Motor Cycles and Tri-cars	…	…	1,728	976	60,332	52,704
Cycles	…	…	422	1,441	2,945	4,675
(b) Parts thereof—†
Motor Cars—
Chassis	…	…	7,958	8,527	1,894,465	1,530,552
Other parts	…	…	—	—	1,220,433	1,885,171
Motor Cycles and Tri-cars	…	…	—	—	105,689	53,862
Cycles	…	…	—	—	219,193	233,111
Total Imports	…	…			5,241,519	6,282,508
II.—EXPORTS (UNITED KINGDOM MANUFACTURE).
(a) Complete Cars, etc.—
Motor Cars. etc.	…	…	7,595	1,931	2,396,369	1,301,410
Motor Cycles and Tri-cars	…	…	16,850	7,270	733,269	484,078
Cycles	…	…	147,633	68,119	609,482	468,943
(b) Parts thereof—†
Motor Cars—
Chassis	…	…	1,234	1,152	465,283	654,592
Other parts	…	…	—	—	788,239	809,802
Motor Cycles and Tri-cars	…	…	—	—	217,330	261,647
Cycles	…	…	—	—	1,066,167	1,600,051
Total Exports	…	…			6,276,139	5,580,529
III.—EXPORTS (FOREIGN AND COLONIAL MANUFACTURE).
(a) Complete Cars, etc.—
Motor Cars, etc	…	…	1,239	410	351,554	152,695
Motor Cycles and Tri-cars	…	…	327	11	14,794	825
Cycles	…	…	60	22	392	123
(b) Parts thereof—†
Motor Cars—
Chassis	…	…	546	74	144,662	22,165
Other parts	…	…	—	—	123,595	66,277
Motor Cycles and Tri-cars	…	…	—	—	24,077	1,910
Cycles	…	…	—	—	5,912	8,336
Total Re-Exports	…	…			664,986	252,331
* Including Commercial Vehicles.
† Excludes Rubber Tyres and Tubes and Parts and Accessories thereof, not imported with complete Cars, etc.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total imports of alizarine and other anthracene dyes during the years 1913 and 1922, respectively?

supplied the following statement, showing the quantity (where recorded) and value of the under-mentioned articles imported into and exported from the United Kingdom during the years specified:

The imports into the United Kingdom of alizarine and anthracene dyestuffs during the year 1913 amounted to 60,813 cwts., valued at £272,245. In the year 1922 the imports of alizarine dyes amounted to 11,387 cwts., valued at £60,607. Owing to a change in classification which became operative in January, 1920, separate particulars of the imports of anthracene dyes in 1922 are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the address of the Governor of Sierra Leone to the Legislative Council, in which he uttered a serious: warning upon the danger which it is anticipated will confront the oil and kernel industry of the West African Dependencies by reason of Dutch competition; whether His Majesty's Government shares these views; and whether, during the forthcoming visit of the West African Governors to this country, he will discuss with them what measures can be taken to meet this danger?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative The question of what steps could usefully be taken to assist the West African oil palm industry to meet the threatened competition has for some years been engaging the attention of the Colonial Office and the West African Governments. Suggestions for the scientific investigation of the oil palm were made by the Director of Kew Gardens and the Director of the Imperial Institute and communicated some time ago to the West African Governors. In Nigeria and the Gold Coast the agricultural departments are being strengthened to enable experts to make such investigations, and it is hoped that those departments will be able to teach the natives better methods of cultivation and extraction. The Governor of Sierra Leone in the address referred to has indicated the measures they propose to adopt in that Colony.

also asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether ho is aware that, following upon the imposition of export duties on the raw palm produce of Sierra Leone, the native exports, and thereby purchasing power, sharply declined; that prior to 1919 the average annual purchase of cotton goods exceeded 10,000,000 yards; that during the period of heaviest duties this fell to 4,500,000 yards per annum; and that a recent reduction in the export duties on oil and kernels was immediately followed by a substantial increase in the consumption of manufactured cotton goods; and whether, taking these facts into consideration, he will suggest to the Sierra Leone Government the abolition of all duties on the export of raw material?

As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that, following the imposition on the 1st of January, 1918, of export duties on palm kernels and palm oil in Sierra Leone, the exports of these products for 1918 were lower than for the preceding year; but during the years 1919 and 1920, when much heavier duties were in force, these exports improved considerably and reached a higher value than at any previous date. In reply to the second and third parts of the question, I am aware that, prior to 1919, the average annual quantity of cotton piece goods imported into Sierra Leone had for some years exceeded 10,000,000 yards, and that this figure dropped to 4,526,771 yards in 1921. But it is not the fact that the year 1921 was the "period of heaviest duties," since from February to August of that year the duty on palm kernels was in abeyance altogether, and the duty on palm oil was no heavier during 1921 than it had been during 1920. As regards reductions of these duties, the export duty on palm kernels has stood at its present rate since September, 1921; that on palm oils was reduced to its present figure in February, 1922. I am glad to see that the imports of cotton piece goods rose to 8,500,254 yards in 1922, though the quantity of other cotton goods imported last year declined. I do not consider that these facts warrant any such suggestion as that put forward in the last part of the question. The question of the effect of export duties on production was fully examined by the Committee appointed by Mr. Churchill to inquire into trade and taxation for British West Africa. The conclusions reached by that Committee (which may be found summarised on page 43 of their Report presented to Parliament in March last year) were, briefly, that the imposition of export duties had not, in practice, checked production, and that the falling off in the exports of palm kernels and palm oil during 1921 was mainly to be attributed to the low prices offering for those commodities in the consuming countries. The Governor of Sierra Leone was a member of the Committee, and is in agreement with its conclusions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the fact that the Iraq Government is refusing to grant industrial concession which will make it worth while for British firms to carry on remunerative work; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

No, Sir; my attention has not been drawn to the fact stated in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a statement, reported in the Press recently, from Mr. Winston Churchill, the late Colonial Secretary, regarding the legislation initiated by him, and passed by the Government of Ceylon and Malaya, to safeguard the plantation rubber industry; whether he is aware that the statement referred to, and the published reports of a meeting of Members of Parliament on the 7th instant with representatives of the rubber trade, have caused uncertainty (particularly among the native producers) as to the intention of the Government; and whether the Government has any intention of modifying the provisions of the Stevenson scheme?

I have seen in the Press the statements to which my hon. Friend refers. No modification of the scheme is under contemplation, and His Majesty's Government intend to continue the policy initiated by the late Secretary of State for the Colonies in this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can state what is the total amount of unclaimed balances that are now standing to the credit of the various banks in this country; and whether he has any intention of dealing with the matter?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the desirability of providing employment on productive work and of the necessity of providing adequate postal facilities, he will cause the removal of any financial hindrances to the execution of the plans already sanctioned for new Post Office premises?

As the hon. Member is aware, the consent of this House is necessary before the work sanctioned can be proceeded with. I hope that it will prove possible to make arrangements for taking the necessary Votes at the earliest practicable date.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Miss Lilian A, Moore, who is about 17 years of age, is registered at the Employment Exchange, Abbots Road, Poplar; that she was discharged from the Express Rubber Company, Worship Street, Finsbury Square, on 16th December, 1922; that she received unemployment pay for three consecutive weeks, the last amount being received on 26th January, 1923; that she was offered a situation of domestic service in Sutton, Surrey, which is about 15 miles from where she lives; that Miss L. Moore is the eldest of 10 children, having nine brothers and one sister, all living at home, five being under 14 years of age and still going to school, the youngest not being two years old; that she was one of the chief supporters of the household when working at the rubber works, and, in consequence, Miss Moore states that she was not used to domestic service, and as she was one of the chief supporters of the household, she could not see her way clear to accept the position of a domestic servant; if he is aware that she is now refused her unemployment pay; and if he will take action in the matter?

I am making inquiry into this case and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can now give the number of men, of women, of boys and girls, respectively, between the ages of 16 and 18, and of boys and girls between 18 and 21, who were affected by the gap period in unemployment benefit during the month of February?

At 5th March, the numbers who had exhausted the maximum benefit permissible under the existing Acts were:

Men	31,276
Women	2,912
Boys (aged 16 to 18)	365
Girls (aged 16 to 18)	152

In addition, the following numbers had been refused further benefit by the local Employment Committees before reaching the maximum:

Men	12,009
Women	4,832
Boys (aged 16 to 18)	1,409
Girls (aged 16 to 18)	858

It is not possible to give separate figures for persons of the ages 18 to 21 years.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of juvenile unemployment centres established, and the total number of young persons in attendance; how many of these centres are established in Wales; and how many young persons are in attendance?

The number of juvenile unemployment centres at present open is 69; the number of young persons in attendance on the 7th March when 60 centres were open—the latest return of attendance available—was approximately 8,000. One centre is at present open in Wales with 252 young persons in attendance.

asked the Minister of Labour how many teachers are employed in the juvenile unemployment centres; and what are the subjects taught?

Approximately 80 full-time teachers and 270 part-time teachers are employed in the juvenile unemployment centres which have been opened. The curriculum usually includes practical instruction in handicrafts, drawing, elementary science, English and arithmetic, physical training, organised games, and lectures on topical subjects. The girls are also taught domestic subjects, including cookery and dressmaking.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of acres under cultivations in Norfolk; the approximate rental of that area; and the acreage of wheat, oats, roots, and barley, respectively?

The total area of land under cultivation and acreage of wheat, barley, oats and roots as returned by occupiers of agricultural holdings of over one acre in extent in the County of Norfolk on 3rd June, 1922, were as follow:

	Acres.
Total acreage under crops and permanent grass	1,035,405
Arable land	779,468
Permanent grass	255,937
Wheat	107,630
Barley	199,989
Oats	91,513
Turnips and swedes	84,895
Mangold	57,487
Potatoes	23,250

I am unable to state the approximate rental of land under cultivation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will issue a statement showing the extent of land, whether under agricultural cultivation or suitable for agricultural cultivation, owned, leased, or falling under the following categories: owned by private freeholders or under equivalent tenures, owned by the Crown in its own right, owned by the Crown but with the beneficial interests vested in the State, owned by the Church or authorities representing the Church, owned by colleges, city companies, or other similar private corporations, owned by county councils, leased by county councils, owned by parish councils, leased by parish councils or remaining in its original state of manorial and other commons, owned by land clubs or other similar co-operative or communal associations, whether registered under the Friendly Societies Acts or otherwise, with the number of such associations, and remaining under the original tenure created under Anglo-Saxon law and custom?

I regret that I am unable, owing to the lengthy and expensive investigations which would be required, to supply the information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many schemes formulated by the Overseas Settlement Committee for land settlement overseas have been submitted to his Department for consideration; how many skilled agricultural workers have been settled overseas under schemes approved by his Department; whether the literature now being circulated to agricultural workers, describing their prospects overseas as compared with their outlook in this country, has been brought under his notice in connection with the Government's programme for home rural development; and when such programme is likely to be disclosed?

A scheme for land settlement in Western Australia was sent to my Department for consideration by the Overseas Settlement Committee last year, and I understand that that is the only land settlement scheme, so far, agreed under the Empire Settlement Act. Apart from that scheme, three schemes of assisted passages have been arranged by the Committee to Australia, New-Zealand, and Ontario, and the total number of persons (including women and children) assisted to proceed overseas, under these schemes, up to the end of February was 13,470. It is not possible to say how many of these persons could be described as skilled agricultural workers, but 2,660 of them are stated to have had previous experience in agricultural work. Copies of the literature issued by the Overseas Settlement Committee have been furnished to my Department. No special literature has been prepared for circulation among agricultural workers, and it is not the case, as suggested in the question, that the schemes of the Committee have to be approved by my Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the delegates of the Overseas Settlement Committee will definitely make recommendations as to any changes in immigration procedure at the Australian end if they feel such to be desirable; and if their Report will be published?

With reference to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 16th March. The question of the publication of the Report of the delegation will be considered when it has been received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state positively that the traffic in worn-out and decrepit horses between this country and Belgium has ceased; and, if not, whether he will take immediate steps to have it stopped?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The standard of fitness which is now required of horses intended for export effectively rules out any horse which is not of good working standard. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what were the total number of admissions to the Natural History Museum in 1922 are

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

On weekdays	424,644
On Sundays	74,197
Total	498,841

asked the First Commissioner of Works when he proposes to make good the damage done to the plinth of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square?

I have come to the conclusion that the damage, which is purely superficial, had better be left as it is, as an interesting memento of the Armistice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what annual tax the motor omnibus in London now pays; whether the tax was fixed on the smaller omnibus which then had a passenger seating capacity of 34; whether the tax has been increased on the larger sized omnibuses which have now been put on the London roads and streets, and which are of a much larger passenger carrying capacity than the older omnibuses; whether, in view of the greater weight of the new omnibus and its extra wear of the roads, his Department has considered whether the tax should be increased; and can he make any statement on the subject?

The maximum annual duty fixed in the Second Schedule to the Finance Act, 1920, for a hackney carriage seating more than 32 persons, exclusive of the driver, is £84. At the date of the Committee's report, on which the present scale of duties was based, the normal London omnibus had a seating capacity of 34, and the duty has not since been increased in respect of omnibuses with a greater seating capacity either in London or elsewhere. The whole question of alternative methods of motor taxation is now being considered by the Departmental Committee. Pending the receipt of the Committee's report, I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he is aware that the underground railways of London are as crowded during the normal hours of the travelling day as during the rush hours; that this is due to the action of the underground electric railway companies in reducing the number of cars per train during the normal hours, so creating an artificial state of overcrowding and obtaining economy in working at the expense of the passengers; whether he will take steps to see that passengers are provided with seating accommodation; and whether he will instruct the Law Officers to institute proceedings with a view of testing the legality of the action of the companies in so overcrowding their trains?

I am not aware that the underground railways of London are as crowded during the normal hours of the travelling day as they are during the busy periods in the morning and the evening. My information is that the London Electric Railway Company are doing what they can to reduce overcrowding, and I cannot take any such steps as the hon. Member contemplates in the last part of his question. If, however, he has specially in mind any particular cases in which avoidable overcrowding is frequent, I should be glad if he would furnish me with particulars.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is proposed to commence the building extensions of the Cardiff Post Office; and whether he is aware that the present accommodation is insufficient to meet the postal demands of Cardiff and district?

The need for increased postal accommodation at Cardiff is fully recognised, and, if the necessary financial provision can be made in Estimates for 1924–5, it is proposed to begin the building work in that year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the resumption of the use of baskets for the conveyance of parcels sent by post; and whether he is aware that fragile parcels now sent through the post and conveyed in sacks invariably arrive at their destination in damaged condition?

Bags have been used generally since 1910 and have proved more economical and convenient for the conveyance of parcels. Cases of damage reported to the Department are very few (less than one in 10,000), and those are mainly due to the low standard of packing used by the senders. I regret that I cannot see my way to resume the use of baskets, which would add largely to the cost of working the parcel post.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the mandate for Palestine conferred upon His Britannic Majesty in April, 1920, by the principal Allied Powers was conferred under the conditions that a Jewish national home should be established in Palestine by the mandatory Powers; and whether the inhabitants of Palestine had before this date shown any unwillingness to accept such Zionist policy for their country?

The principal Allied Powers, in offering, and His Britannic Majesty in accepting, the mandate for Palestine at the meeting of the Supreme Council at San Remo in April, 1920, re-affirmed the declaration first made by Lord Balfour on behalf of His Majesty's Government on 2nd November, 1917, under which His Majesty's Government undertook to facilitate the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people subject to safeguarding the civil and religious rights of the non-Jewish population. In reply to the last part of the question, no such unwillingness had been shown by the inhabitants of Palestine as to deter His Majesty's Government from accepting the mandatory responsibility subject to such conditions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the nationalities of the non-British Jews who have taken out certificates of citizenship; and whether certificates of citizenship in Palestine entitle holders to enter this country as British citizens?

I have no information as to the exact proportions in which the various nationals of non-British States have applied for provisional certificates of Palestinian nationality. These certificates do not give their holders the status of British subjects, nor do they entitle them to enter this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state, as regards the electorate of Palestine, what percentage of voters are Moslem and Christian Arabs, and what percentage Jewish; and the total number of qualified voters in the country, Christian, Moslem and Jewish, respectively?

The figures of lost year's census were:

Moslems	589,564
Jews	83,794
Christians	73,026
Druzes	7,028

All male Palestinians over 25 years of age are entitled to vote. Registration was completed last month, but actual figures are not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the totals of British imports into Palestine for the first quarter and for the third quarter of 1922; and what were the totals of the German imports during the same period?

Classified returns for 1922 have not yet been received, but I will obtain them and forward them to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many immigrants have landed in Palestine since November, 1918;. what were the numbers of each nationality; and how many of the total were Jews?

The total figure for the period from June to December, 1921, was 4,861, of whom 4,784 were Jews, and for the year 1922 was 8,128, of whom 7,844 were Jews. Figures of non-Jewish immigration from November, 1918, to June, 1921, are not available. The total of Jewish immigration to the end of 1922 is given by the High Commissioner as 27,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Government of the Federated Malay States, in June last, reduced the import duty on matches, which was imposed in 1919, to 43 dollars per case, equal to 167·4 per cent. ad valorem; that this duty was originally imposed in order to foster the local match-making industry; that this local industry is making no progress; and if he will now advise the repeal of the duty, which is adding to the burdens of the poorer classes of the community in the Federated Malay States?

The Secretary of State has received no special report from the High Commissioner as to the taxation of matches in the Federated Malay States or as to the policy which has been pursued in the matter, nor has he any information as to the progress of the local match industry. The High Commissioner will be asked for a report. The scale of duty as revised in June, 1922, is one dollar per ten thousand on any number of matches in a box not exceeding eighty, and seventy-five cents per ten thousand on any number in excess of eighty.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can inform the House of the amount of public money which has been expended by the police and legal authorities of this country in connection with various proceedings against ex-Inspector Syme since his dismissal from the police force; and what further expenditure has been incurred in keeping him in prison?

No separate account is kept from which the figures desired by the hon. Member could be extracted.

asked the Home Secretary what are the Regulations at present in force with regard to police supervision of tourists; whether it is necessary for them, if staying in this country more than a month, to register at police offices and answer questionaires as to their reasons for travel, habits, and intentions; whether they are issued with identity certificates which they are required to produce for police inspection as they proceed about the country; and whether he is able to consider some relaxation of this vigilance?

If the hon. and gallant Member desires to know the Regulations applicable to foreign visitors to this country, I must refer him to the provisions of the Aliens Order, 1920, but I may say, shortly, that the effect of them is not quite as suggested in the second and third paragraphs of the question. If he has any cases in mind where the Regulations appear to him to have been unnecessarily irksome, I shall be ready to examine them; but, generally speaking, I do not think they are more stringent than is necessary for the purpose of keeping touch with aliens in this country.

asked the Home Secretary whether, before handing over the individuals recently arrested by his order under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations to the Free State Government, he exacted or received any undertaking from the Free State Government limiting the length of the internment of these individuals in Ireland?

No, Sir, but it is clearly understood between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Free State that if, as the result of any recommendation of the Advisory Committee, an order of internment is revoked, the person interned thereunder will be at once released.

asked the Home Secretary whether the men and women recently deported to Ireland have the right to appear before the Advisory Committee; whether there is any limit to the period of their internment; and whether, if brought to trial, their cases will be heard in Great Britain or the Free State?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Aberavon on the 15th instant, and, as regards the second part, to my reply of this afternoon to the right hon. and learned Member for the Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon). If a criminal charge is brought against any interned person, the place of trial will depend upon the nature of the offence and the place where it was committed.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in sanctioning the deportation of 110 persons from here to Ireland, he had taken into consideration a precedent of any case of sending prisoners from areas where martial law does not exist to areas where martial law is in operation; and, if so, were such decisions in favour of such action being considered constitutional?

Yes, Sir. This consideration was before me, and I would point out that it was present also in the case of Brady, which was referred to by the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Spen Valley in the Debate last Monday. The point, however, is not material, for, as I have already explained, it had been arranged with the Free State Government before these persons were sent to Ireland that no action other than internment would be taken without the agreement of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Miss Barrett and other deportees were asked in Mount-joy prison to sign pledges not to work in future for the republican party in Great Britain; and, in view of his statement that the prisoners were sent over merely for internment, was he consulted by the Free State authorities before they attempted to exact such pledges from the internees; is he aware that in a letter sent by Eileen Cullinan to her mother all portions were cut out excepting three lines at the commencement and three lines at the end; was this censorship exercised by the Home Office with knowledge of the offending paragraphs or was it done by the Irish Free State; and will he see that the rights of the interned persons to communicate with their families and friends are protected?

I am informed by the Free State Government that no deportees have been asked to sign pledges, as stated in the question, not to work in future for the Republican party in Great Britain; and that the terms of the undertaking which a number of prisoners in Ireland have given, and which it would be open to any internee to give, are as follow:

"I promise that I will not use arms against the Parliament elected by the Irish people or Government of the time being responsible to that Parliament, and that I will not support in any way any such action, nor will I interfere with the property or the persons of others."

The letter referred to was censored by the Free State authorities as mentioned. Internees are allowed to communicate with their relatives and friends subject to censorship, and I have no reason to think that they are being unduly restricted in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph King, of 9, Clayton Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, is among the deportees sent to Ireland, and that this gentleman is considered an important witness in a compensation case to be shortly before the Courts; whether facilities will be given to Mr. King whereby he may appear as a witness; and what provision is being made whereby other interned persons required as witnesses in British Courts may appear?

I have no knowledge of the case referred to; but I shall be prepared to consider, in consultation with the Free State Government, any application of the kind referred to that may be made to me on behalf of this or any other interned person.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that by arresting and deporting to Ireland Mr. M'Meoney, of 50, Townmead Road, Fulham, he has rendered two motherless children, Eileen, aged 17, and Liam, aged 14, without any protecting guardian or means of livelihood; whether, in view of their condition, he proposes to make immediate provision for the care and maintenance of these children; and what provision has been made for Mrs. Mary A. Cullinan, of 8, Sterndale Road, W.14, a widow under medical treatment, whose daughter Eileen, her sole support, has been deported to Ireland?

As regards the persons mentioned in the question I have obtained the following information: Martin McInerney, not McMeoney, was in receipt of £2 a week from the Irish National Aid and Central Distress Fund. Mrs. Cullinan, who has another daughter, is the occupier of a house which she lets out as lodgings. She is believed to have at present five lodgers.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a large number of miners are suffering from lung trouble due to the effect of working in dusty mines; and whether he will take steps to include such in the schedule of industrial diseases?

If the hon. Member is referring to cases of silicosis, I have no evidence before me to show that this is so, except in the case of one or two special classes such as ganister miners. A scheme of compensation under the Workmen's Compensation (Silicosis) Act is already in operation for men engaged in getting mineral for use in the refractories industries. As regards other diseases, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, the health statistics show that miners are more susceptible to some respiratory diseases than the general population and less susceptible to others. The experience, however, differs with different classes of miners. The Industrial Diseases Committee considered the question of scheduling such diseases under the Compensation Act, but they reported that while they thought it probable that the ailments often had an industrial origin among workers exposed to dust or fumes, there was no means of distinguishing such cases from ordinary cases of disease, and they were unable to advise their inclusion.

also asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of workmen who are employed in the coal mines are boring in hard ground and are certified by medical experts as suffering from silicosis due to dust; whether he is aware that there is no provision for the men to claim compensation; and will he include them in the schedule of industrial diseases?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 1st March to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for the Nelson and Colne Division (Mr. A. Greenwood). I have no information as to the cases referred to in the question, but I shall be glad to consider, in consultation with the Mines Department, any particulars the hon. Member is able to send me.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the number of mining accidents, fatal and otherwise, which were directly traceable to the breaking of ropes in 1922, in Great Britain and in South Wales, respectively?

Eight persons were killed and 10 seriously injured in 17 accidents due to breakages of ropes or chains in 1922. All the accidents occurred on haulage roads, except one case of serious injury which occurred in a shaft. Two, resulting in the death of two persons, occurred in the South Wales coalfield. Particulars of lees serious accidents are not yet available.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the total number, approximately, of firemen, examiners, or deputies employed in each of the coalfields of Great Britain; and in which coalfields, if any, the firemen, examiners, or deputies devote the whole of their time to their statutory duties as defined in Section 14 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911?

I have no later information than that shown on page 94 of Vol. III of the Report and Appendices of the Sankey Commission. This showed that, in the collieries from which returns were received, 24,229 firemen, examiners and deputies were employed, or approximately 3 per cent. of the total number of workers at those collieries. The same proportion for all collieries at the present day would give a figure of rather more than 30,000. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the wording of the Section of the Act quoted by him, which shows the exceptions to the general rule that the whole time of the firemen, etc., shall be devoted to their statutory duties. My information is that the provisions of the said Section are complied with in all coalfields.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House of the number of persons executed under martial and for military law in the British Empire between 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918; whether he can state what number of persons were imprisoned, interned, or deported without trial in the same period; and whether he can give the names of the States or Dependencies of the British Empire which were governed by martial law, military law, Orders in Council, or special authority during that period?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that provision is made in the Criminal Justice Bill giving additional powers of sentence to stipendiary and other magistrates; whether he is aware that there is no absolute right of appeal from the decision given by a stipendiary, and that the only form of appeal is conditional on the appellant entering into sureties and depositing a substantial sum to meet the cost of appeal to quarter sessions; whether he is aware that all persons in England convicted after trial by jury have an absolute right of appeal; and will he introduce legislation giving all persons convicted by magistrates the same right of appeal as persons convicted by juries in England?

The maximum sentences which Courts of Summary Jurisdiction are, under the proposals of the Criminal Justice Bill, empowered to pass on convictions for indictable offences dealt with summarily are, in most cases, much less severe than those which could be passed if the cases were tried on indictment. No alteration, with the exception of that for "common assault," is proposed in the Bill in sentences now provided by law in respect of summary offences. There is, under the Criminal Justice Act, 1914, Section 37, an absolute right of appeal provided for any person convicted summarily of an indictable or summary offence; under the Bill it is proposed to extend this so as to give a similar right of appeal against sentence only. In all cases of such appeals recognizances of the appellant and sureties are required by the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, and the same statute recognises an alternative of the deposit of money in lieu of such recognisances. This is necessary, as frivolous or unsubstantial appeals involve the prosecutors in considerable costs. Under the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907, which applies only to convictions on in dictment, an absolute right of appeal is only given on questions of law, all other appeals are "with leave of the Court." To introduce legislation, placing appellants from Courts of Summary Juris diction on the same footing as persons convicted on indictment of serious offences and liable to serious punishment would introduce so radical and costly a change in the law that, in the absence of any complaint against or hardship arising from the present procedure, I am not prepared to introduce legislation for that purpose.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether members of the Royal Fleet Reserve, who receive 6d. per day, have to keep up their uniform, etc., on that allowance; whether he is aware that some of the Royal Fleet Reserve who are unemployed have had to seek Poor Law relief; that certain Poor Law authorities are taking into account the reserve pay of these men in fixing the amount of relief; and what steps ho proposes to take to secure that these reservists are not prevented from keeping up their outfits owing to the deductions from relief allowances made by Poor Law authorities?

The 6d. a day paid to Royal Fleet Reserve men, Class B, is the "retainer," and is not for the purpose of maintaining their uniform. When men enrol in Class B of the Reserve, they either receive a free Royal Fleet Reserve kit, or, if already in possession of a kit, they receive a clothing allowance in lieu when they come up for drill to make good deficiencies. I have no information as regards the statements made in the second and third parts of the question. As regards the last part, there is no reason to think that the men are prevented from maintaining their kits by any action of the Poor Law authorities.