asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the approximate increased charge to the State if members of the Civil Service were allowed to count previous non-pensionable service with the colours for Civil Service pensions?

There are so many unknown factors involved in this calculation that I am unable to give my hon. and gallant Friend a reliable estimate of the approximate cost, but it is clear that it would be very large.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-officers have secured appointments during 1922 through the Appointments Department of the. Ministry of Labour; and what is the annual cost of this Appointments Department?

During the calendar year 1922, 3,356 ex-officers and 4,183 "other ranks" of similar educational qualifications were placed in civil employment by the Appointments Branch and 443 ex-officers and 647 "other ranks" in posts under Government, making a grand total of 8,629 of all ranks. The cost of the staff of the Appointments Branch in Great Britain for the financial year 1921–1922 was £113,431; the amount estimated to he spent in the financial year 1922–23 is £36,300 and in 1923–24 £14,243. These figures include the cost of both the training and appointments sides of the work of the branch; separate figures for the staff engaged on the two sides cannot be given.

asked the Minister of Health what are the duties of the women general inspectors of the Ministry of Health; what is the number of Poor Law institutions in England and Wales; and what number were inspected by women inspectors last year?

The duties of the women general inspectors of the Ministry of Health comprise the routine inspection of Poor Law infirmaries, sick wards and nurseries of Poor Law institutions and also of children's homes and boarded-out children. The number of Poor Law institutions in England and Wales is 722, to which 206 visits were paid by women inspectors last year.

asked the Minister of Health what are the duties of the men inspectors of the Insurance Department, Ministry of Health; what are the duties of the women inspectors in the Insurance Department; what is the proportion of higher posts for the men inspectors and what the proportion of higher posts for the women inspectors; and what is the reason of the difference?

The duties of the men inspectors are to secure compliance with the provisions of the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Acts, and to act within their districts as the local executive officers of the Insurance Department of the Ministry of Health. The women inspectors are employed in the inspection of trade where women are mainly employed and in inquiries as to the benefits of insured women.The numbers of higher and lower posts for men and for women are as follows:

Men:
Assistant inspectors	92
Inspectors	57
Divisional inspectors	12
Women:
Assistant inspectors	41
Inspectors	17

In addition there are 120 health insurance officers (men) against 19 health insurance officers (women). The women staff is not organised on a divisional basis, and, therefore, there are no divisional inspectors posts for women. As regards the staff generally, the numbers are fixed with strict regard to the requirements of the work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the particulars showing how the Estimate is made that the respective sums of £6,000 and £3,500 will be brought into the Treasury by charging entrance fees at the British Museum and the Natural History Museum; whether it is estimated that the number of admissions will be reduced; and, if so, to what extent?

The Estimate made in October, 1921, that the respective sums of £6,000 and £3,500 would be received by charging entrance fees at the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, was based on experience gained at the National Gallery. The further experience gained there since the calculations were made substantiates the original figures. As regards the second part of the question, such forecasts are necessarily somewhat uncertain, especially as conditions vary from year to year; but experience elsewhere suggests that no reduction is likely to take place in the total number of admissions during the year—any reductions on paying days tending to be made up either by transfer to non-paying days or by the natural growth in the number of visitors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will lay upon the Table a copy of the signed statement as to means submitted by Lord George Hamilton and Lord Chaplin when applying for the ex-Cabinet Minister's pension; and if either of them have been asked to make any further declaration, or whether either of them have voluntarily made declaration as to their present means of livelihood?

On the grant of each of these pensions the then First Lord of the Treasury placed on record that he was satisfied that the applicant's circumstances were such as to bring him within the intention of the Act 4 and 5 William IV c. 24. I am not in a position to furnish the statement submitted by the Ministers mentioned at that time. As the hon. Member is aware, it has not been the practice to require subsequent declarations of means after a pension is awarded; but pensioners are required to undertake to surrender their pension in the event of any material improvement of circumstances, and on this ground Lord George Hamilton has asked that payment of his pension may be discontinued as from the 6th proximo. No voluntary declarations of income have been made after the award of a pension.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the comparison of debt per head

DEBT (UNITED KINGDOM).
—					Debt.	Population.	Debt per head.
					£		£	s.	d.
1820	…	…	…	…	834,900,960 (a)	20,893,584	39	19	2
31st March, 1922			…	…	7,720,532,214	47,252,530 (b)	163	7	9

POOR RELIEF (ENGLAND AND WALES).(c)
—					Expenditure.	Population.	Expenditure per head.
					£		£	s.	d.
1819–20		…	…	…	7,320,254	11,723,379	0	12	6
1921–22		…	…	…	41,000,000(d)	37,885,590	1	1	7¾
Poor Relief is exclusively a local charge.
(a) Exclusive of the capital value of terminable annuities.
(b) Inclusive of the Irish Free State.
(c) Comparable figures for Scotland and Ireland are not available.
(d) Estimated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the difficulty of a manufacturing country-such as our own paying a large debt to a high-tariff country by means of direct trading, whether the Government will consider an arrangement for the debt of £150,000,000 owed to us by our Dominions being exchanged for a portion of the debt we owe to the United States of America adjusted according to rate of interest and other relevant matters?

I do not consider such an arrangement practicable. The payments made to us by the Dominions naturally assist us in meeting the burden of our American obligations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the average daily of population and the total amount per head of population spent, nationally and locally, on relief in the years 1820 and 1922?

The following are the figures desired by my hon. Friend, but perhaps I ought to point out that relative burdens cannot be fairly compared on the basis of population only, without taking into account the growth of national wealth and numerous other factors.number of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates put into circulation; and what is the average daily number of copies sold?

3,125 copies of each daily part of the OFFICIAL REPORT of Debates are printed. Of this number 1,850 are distributed gratuitously to Members of Parliament and for the public service. The average daily number of copies sold is approximately 1,100.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total of the miscellaneous receipts during the present financial year up to 10th March, and give details of the principal items involved in the aggregate amount?

I would refer the hon. Member to the totals given in the returns published each week; and for details I would ask him to await the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an offer was made by the United States Government of a reciprocal arrangement in the matter of Income Tax on shipping; and whether such an offer will be accepted?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a provision contained in the United States Internal Revenue Act of 1921, under which exemption from taxation is extended to the profits earned in the United States by shipping of a foreign country which grants an equivalent exemption to United States shipping. With regard to the general question of the taxation of foreign shipping, I cannot usefully add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 28th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet been able to arrange for the British pavilion at the Rio de Janeiro exhibition to remain open while the general exhibition is open?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on Thursday the 15th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much has been realised during the present financial year by the disposal of foodstuffs originally purchased by the Ministry of Food; and the estimated value of such foodstuffs still remaining for disposal?

The foodstuffs originally purchased by the Ministry of Food were disposed of on or before the 31st March, 1922. The only stocks which have been dealt with during the present financial year have been those in connection with the contract for the lease of the Las Palmas Meat Works, which expired on the 31st December last. These realised £1,266,800, and a small amount of canned meat, worth about £5,000, still awaits disposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United States immigration authorities at Port Arthur, Texas, have imposed a fine of 420 dollars, about £90, upon a British ship because of the failure of the master to submit a crew list in the approved form; that compliance with these American immigration regulations by British shipping will entail very heavy expenditure by the latter; that crews will require to be signed on two days before sailing from ports where United States consulates exist; and whether he will urge upon the United States authorities a modification of these Regulations?

I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. American Regulations require the lists of the crew to be visé by a United States Consul, but arrangements have been made here which are calculated to prevent delay to ships. If the hon. Member will be so good as to furnish me with his reasons for thinking that these Regulations will cause expense and delay to shipping, I will look into the matter further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a statement showing the total credit facilities granted by his Departments, giving details of the countries concerned, and the use to which the facilities have been applied?

The quarterly return of business done under the Export Credits Scheme is now in course of preparation and will be published within the next few days. I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Commissioners of Customs and Excise have declined to indicate to importers of certain chemicals marked R in the list of key industries the percentage of purity at or above which such chemicals are held liable to key industry duty; and, if so, what is the reason for this decision?

I am not aware of any instance in which information as to what characterises the dutiable or R grade of a specific chemical has been refused.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the current retail price of crude oils in Iraq, Calcutta, and London?

I am not aware of any retail price quotations for crude oils, and I regret that I am, accordingly, unable to furnish the information desired.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of the annual subsidy given by France to her shipping, distinguishing, if possible, that portion which is given for the carriage of the mails?

I will endeavour to obtain the information for which my hon. Friend asks, and will communicate it to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish a Return showing the quantity and value of timber imported into Great Britain during each of the years 1913, 1920, 1921 and 1922?

The aggregate values of the imports of wood and timber into the United Kingdom during the years specified were as follow:

Year.	Value.
	£
1913	33,788,884
1920	82,145,214
1921	30,021,962
1922	37,318,897*
* Subject to revision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish a Return showing the quantity and value of foodstuffs imported into Great Britain during each of the years 1913, 1919, 1920, 1921 and 1922?

The aggregate values of the imports of articles of food and drink into the United Kingdom during the years specified were as follow:

Year.	Value.
	£
1913	287,117,068
1919	677,464,804
1920	730,887,985
1921	544,170,690
1922	454,018,759*
* Subject to revision.

Particulars of the quantities of the various articles imported are given for the years 1913, 1919, 1920 and 1921 on pages 12 to 20 of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom "for 1921, Volume I, and such particulars of quantities imported during 1922 as are at present available are given on pages .9 to 32 of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation "for December, 1922. The reference number of the latter paper is H.C. 26—XI. The particulars of quantity are not stated in terms of weight in a number of cases, and I am, accordingly, not in a position to furnish for each year a single figure of the aggregate quantity imported.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of persons on the Exchange Registers in the Blaydon and Dunston districts were engaged in relief work on 31st December, 1921, 31st December, 1922, and 28th February, 1923?

The number of persons on the Employment Exchange registers in the Blaydon and Dunston districts engaged on relief work were as follow:

	Blaydon.	Dunston.
31st December, 1921	—	—
31st December, 1922	—	23
28th February, 1923	35	13

It is customary to spread out the available relief work by the employment of men in shifts, and the numbers actually engaged on these days do not necessarily represent the numbers in the localities to whom relief work has given an opportunity of employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the reason why the unemployment benefit of Charles Nash, 73, Argenta Street, Warrington, has been refused?

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

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. Albert E. Evans, of 9, Fochriw Road, Pontlottyn, Glamorgan, has applied for unemployment pay since May, 1922, and has as yet received nothing; that it is alleged that his book has been lost either at the Bargoed or Pontlottyn Employment Exchange; that this man has a wife and two children to maintain; and whether he will make immediate investigation into this case?

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

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many schemes for afforestation have been approved up to date by the Commission under the Forestry Commission unem- ployment scheme, 1922–23; where they are situate; and what is the amount of the grant made in each case?

364 grants schemes for afforestation have been approved this winter by the Forestry Commissioners. The schemes are situate in 33 counties in England, 26 in Scotland and 12 in Wales. No money payments have yet been made as payments are subject to legislation and to the completion of the work which is being done under the schemes. The approved applications are for grants amounting to a total of £49,535.

also asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, on what grounds the Commission have declined to approve of the scheme put forward by the afforestation committee in Cardiganshire; and whether, in view of the importance of assisting in the reafforestation of the county and the necessity of relieving unemployment, the Commission will be prepared to reconsider their decision?

No application for a grant in respect of any scheme for afforestation has been received by the Forestry Commissioners from any committee in Cardiganshire. Last September the Cardiganshire Agricultural Committee asked the Commissioners to undertake afforestation in the county; at the time the Commissioners had no authority to acquire any land. The area which the Commissioners were subsequently authorised to acquire was strictly limited, and land more suitable for affiorestation than that available at the time in Cardiganshire was available in other parts of the country where unemployment was rife. The Commissioners now, however, have under consideration certain areas in Cardiganshire with a view to acquisition next financial year, and they are prepared to consider any offers of suitable land in the county.

asked the Minister of Pensions why it is necessary on Army Form D 415 to have this form signed by a serving officer, a magistrate, or the police officer in actual charge of the nearest police station to the place where the pensioner resides for the time being; and, if it be not the intention to keep the Army pensioner under police supervision, will he consider including Members of Parliament and members of other professions who can sign this form?

I have been asked to reply. Army Form D 415 is used for the purpose of a special occasional verification of the list of Army pensioners, and special measures are necessary to secure that the identification shall be effective, but I will consider whether the list of persons authorised to sign the form should not be enlarged, as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Edward Buddy, Thomas Street, Miles Platting, Manchester, has been charged by the Manchester Board of Guardians for neglecting his three children; that he has refused to apply for unemployment benefit or Poor Law relief because he claims to be entitled to a larger war pension than the 2s. O½d. per day he now receives; and that the stipendiary magistrate, in adjourning the case against the man, promised to communicate with the Pensions Ministry; whether he has now received that communication; and, if so, what is the Ministry's attitude towards the case?

This man has received in full the compensation to which he is entitled under the Warrants administered by my right hon. Friend in respect of the disability incurred in Great War service. The man has, however, a right of appeal to the Assessment Appeal Tribunal if he is dissatisfied with the decision declaring his last award final. I have ascertained that the pension referred to in the question is in respect of long service and was granted by the War Office.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the amending Regulations passed on Tuesday, the 13th instant; whether he is aware that those Regulations were brought in under Section 1 of the Rules Publication Act, 1893; whether he is aware that Section 1, Sub-section (5), of this Act expressly states that this Act shall not apply to Scotland; whether he has consulted the Scottish Law Officers as to its effect upon the pensioners domiciled in Scotland; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?

My attention has been drawn to the War Pensions (Final Awards) Amendment Regulations, 1923, to which I presume the hon. Member refers. The War Pensions Act, 1921 (which applies to Scotland), confers the power to make these Regulations. The Rules Publication Act, 1893, Section 1 of which does not apply to Scotland, contains provisions as to the manner of making such Regulations. I am advised that the fact that the provisions of the Rules Publication Act, 1893, though not obligatory in Scotland, have been complied with in making these Regulations, cannot affect in any way whatever their validity in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that ex-service men who cannot be proved to be dangerous and unfit to be at large are being detained in large numbers in asylums by the threat of the loss of the whole or a part of their dependants' allowance; by what authority this action is taken, entailing, as it does, the continuance of their incarceration even when dischargeable under the provisions of the Lunacy Act; is he aware that the practice has been defended on the ground that these men, who have been injured in their country's cause, must be forced by this threat to submit to treatment, but that in the case under consideration the depression consequent upon unnecessary detention in such an atmosphere is the reverse of curative; and will he, in view of the widespread disapproval of the practice, take immediate steps for the return to the civilian status of all who are hot dangerous, making them a grant to assist them in a fresh start in life as self-supporting citizens?

The suggestion made by the hon. Member in the first part of the question is quite opposed to the facts. By arrangement with the Board of Control a systematic inspection of all "Service patients" has been carried out for some time past by medical inspectors of my Department with a view to ensuring that each case is receiving appropriate care and treatment. I may add that considerable progress has already been made with arrangements which my right hon. Friend recently initiated far treating the more hopeful type of certified case in separate institutions specially equipped for Service patients. Where, however, a relative in exercise of his powers under the Lunacy Laws insists on the removal of a patient against the advice of the medical superintendent, it is the practice to point out to the responsible relatives that should application be made for re-admission of the patient to the asylum (which experience shows frequently happens), the question of reissuing family treatment allowances must be considered afresh. This is a reasonable procedure which is exercised with the greatest discretion, and solely in the interests of the patients' treatment and prospects of recovery, and in no way conflicts with the provisions of the Lunacy Act.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of an ex-soldier named Cook, who has been committed by the Hampstead bench to prison for a month for arrears of payment for the maintenance of his son in a reformatory; and whether, in view of the fact that the man was out of work and the indigent condition of his family, he will review this sentence?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the case. An order for 10s. a week was made by the Hendon magistrates in November last when they had full information as to the man's circumstances. I am informed that since that date Cook has been in regular employment, his earnings averaging over £3 a week up to the beginning of the present month. He has made no payment under the order beyond the costs of the order, although it would appear that he was able to pay. The magistrates were not asked to enforce the order until after a special inquiry had been made by one of the agents of the Chief "Inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that many ex-service men from the Dominions are now unemployed in this country, he will consider the desirability of offering another opportunity for free passage to those who desire to be repatriated and by this means lessening the number of unemployed men here, returning to the Dominions men with experience of the life, and eventually saving the country the unemployment benefit and relief now being paid to these men?

I regret that I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister on the 1st of March to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Wandsworth Central (Sir J. Norton-Griffiths).

asked the Home Secretary how many girls and boys, respectively, under the age of 18 were arrested for drunkenness in the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922?

As I informed the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Greaves-Lord) in reply to a similar question on the 1st March, the only figures I can give are those of convictions after arrest in the age-groups used in the criminal statistics, namely, as regards persons under the age of 16 and persons between 16 and 21 years. The figures are as follow:

—	1919.	1920.	1921.
Males under 16	Nil	2	2
Males between 16 and 21	2,383	3,815	2,049
Totals	2,383	3,817	2,051
Females under 16	Nil	Nil	Nil
Females between 16 and 21.	227	248	123
Totals	227	248	123

The figures for 1922 are not yet available.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Harnden, now under sentence of penal servitude for life for the murder of their children, committed their offences when insane, through distress caused by unemployment, he will recommend their immediate release?

In neither of these cases was there any evidence of insanity and the Home Secretary could not recommend the immediate release of either woman; but he hopes it will be possible to release Mrs. Wright after serving a term of 12 months if her conduct in prison remains good and no unforeseen difficulty arises. Mrs. Harnden's case which presents some more serious features will be reconsidered at a later date.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes in the near future to introduce legislation to enable a judge to pass sentence of imprisonment instead of death upon a prisoner found guilty of murder when the jury has made a recommendation of mercy in which the judge concurs?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary the number of indictable offences dealt with summarily by courts of summary jurisdiction during the past year?

The number of persons tried summarily for indictable offences in 1922 was 49,737. The number of offences is not known. The figures are provisional.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that J. Bennett, late of Pentonville prison staff, was permanently re-appointed to the service under the authority of a letter from the governor of the prison, dated 3rd January, 1918, his pension can now be re-assessed under the provisions of the Superannuation (Prison Officers) Act, 1919, Sections 1 and 2; and is he aware that the Lord Chief Justice, in the High Court on 2nd November, 1921, ruled that ex-Police-constable Green, who served only a few hours on 1st April, 1919, was entitled to have his pension re-assessed and calculated on the higher scale of pay brought into force on that date?

The whole of the facts were placed before the Treasury, who decided that the further service from 14th January, 1918, to 30th June, 1920, could not be regarded as pensionable.

asked the Home Secretary if he has considered the Report of the recent Committee appointed to inquire into the question of night work in the bread-baking and flour confectionery trade; and whether it is the intention of the Government to legislate on the lines of the Report of the Committee?

Yes, Sir; my right hon. Friend has considered this question in the light of the Committee's Report. As he stated, however, in reply to a similar question on the 26th of last month, he is afraid that, as the subject has become controversial, ho cannot hold out any hope of legislation this Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether the post of governor of the Borstal institution, Aylesbury, is yet filled; if not, whether a suitable applicant would be debarred by reason of being a married woman; and, if so, whether it could be treated as a special appointment, not bound by Civil Service rules?

A candidate has been chosen, and the arrangements for filling the post are approaching completion. The question of marriage did not arise, but I may say that the general rule for Civil Service appointments, and for appointments in the Prison Service, is against the employment of married women, although exceptions can be made where the Treasury and the Civil Service Commissioners are satisfied that the interests of the public service so require.

asked the Home Secretary why the figures relating to the number of accidents in shipbuilding establishments during 1915 to 1919 are not available?

The reduction of staff caused by the War made it impossible to tabulate the non-fatal accidents in factories and workshops during the period in question. The totals of the fatal accidents continued to be tabulated according to industry, and if the hon. Member so desires, I can forward to him the figures of fatal accidents in shipbuilding yards during the last 10 years.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the difficulty of defining the words "special occasions," in Section 57 of the Licensing Act, 1910, and extended in the First Schedule of the Licensing Act, 1921; and will he consider the desirability of issuing a Circular to the Licensing Justices as a guidance to them in deciding what are special occasions?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the duties of Justices under Section 57 of the Licensing Act of 1910 often involve difficult decisions; but the decisions must depend so closely on the particular facts of the cases that he does not think that he can usefully attempt to guide the Justices by any general Circular.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the publication in the Press of details of recent cases in the Courts which are of a most unsavoury character; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation dealing with the matter?

I would refer to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 12th instant to a question by the hon. Member for Belper (Mr. Hancock).

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to reduce the number of towns which will be visited on circuit by His Majesty's Judges of Assize; and, if so, at what towns it is proposed that assizes will be held in future?

I have been asked to reply. The Report of Mr. Justice Rigby Swift's Committee upon this subject was received last week and is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary what is the Regulation governing rewards paid to drivers of taxi-cabs and other similar vehicles who hand over to the Lost Property Office goods found therein and which are not subsequently claimed by the owners?

The Regulation is Clause 44 of the Secretary of State's Order of the 1st May, 1917 (Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 426).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the railway companies were permitted by his Department in September, 1920, to further increase their rates for the carriage of coal to 100 per cent. above the pre-War level, plus a flat rate of 6d. per ton; whether any attempt has been made by the Ministry to get the rate back to the September, 1920, level; and whether any steps are being taken by the Government in the matter?

The Minister directed the railway companies to increase the rates for coal on and from the 1st September, 1920, by an addition of 100 per cent. to the rates in operation on the 14th January, 1920, plus a flat rate of 6d. per ton, subject to a maximum addition of 4s. Since that date reductions have been made by the railway companies, and the increases now operating are 60 per cent. plus 2d. per ton, subject to reduced maximum additions. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, the Minister has now no control over the charges made by the railway companies. Provision is, however, made in the Railways Act, 1921, whereby applications for a reduction in the charges may be made by interested parties to the Rates Tribunal, who have power to determine the same.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what decrease, since August, 1920, has taken place in the wages paid to their servants by the railway companies; what diminution of expenditure on coal by the companies has occurred since the same date; and what reserves have the principal railway companies now accumulated?

The. railway companies inform me that the expenditure on salaries and wages by the railway companies in Great Britain in 1922 was approximately £117,000,000. At the rates of salaries and wages in force in August, 1920, they estimate that the expenditure was at the annual rate of approximately £154,000,000, and, at the March, 1923, rates, of £111,000,000. The expenditure on salaries and wages for the year 1913 was approximately £47,000,000. The total amount charged to locomotive running by the railway companies of Great Britain in respect of fuel for the year 1922 was approximately £15,000,000. It is understood that this represents the expenditure up to the point at which the coal is placed in a locomotive tender. The approximate annual expenditure on fuel for the year 1920 on the same basis was £25,000,000. For the year 1923, if the February level of prices and consumption be assumed, the expenditure on fuel is estimated at approximately £14,000,000. The expenditure for 1913 was approximately £8,500,000. The depreciation and reserve funds shown in the balance-sheets of the railway companies in Great Britain at 31st December, 1922, amounted approximately to £130,000,000. The corresponding figure at 31st December, 1913, was approximately £20,700,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the basis on which compensation is awarded to allotment holders who are dispossessed of their allotments by his Department?

The basis on which compensation is awarded to allotment holders is that provided by Section 121 of the Lands Clauses (Consolidation) Act, 1845, and covers all loss or damage sustained by them as the direct result of dispossession.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the total number of allotment holders dispossessed from land required by his Department; the total amount of compensation paid to evicted allotment holders; the total number of cases in which allotment holders have been dispossessed and no payment of compensation has yet been made; whether allotment holders are dispossessed by his Department irrespective of any agreement they may have as regards tenancy of their land; and whether it is the practice of his Department, in assessing compensation to allotment holders evicted in an emergency, to take into account the interest of allotment holders in their land in accordance with their agreements?

The total number of allotment holders who have been dispossessed from land required in the execution of road works promoted for the relief of unemployment is 500, and the total amount of compensation paid to date is £l,423 19s. 5d. There are 43 claims not yet settled. The answers to the last two parts of the question are in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the Frome Rural District Council has decided not to avail itself of the Ministry's grant of £5 towards the salary of its surveyor, on the ground that the conditions imposed would practically deprive the council of its control over its own officer; and whether some more practical and acceptable conditions can be suggested?

An offer was made to the Frome Rural District Council of a contribution towards the salary of one of their surveyors, on the same conditions as have been accepted by hundreds of other highway authorities in the country. No such sum as £5 has at any time been mentioned in the correspondence. The clerk to the council replied on 8th March that his council were not prepared to enter into the necessary agreement having regard to the fact that my Department was not willing to contribute 50 per cent. of the total salaries of their two surveyors, towards which salaries, I believe, the county council already make a contribution of 75 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he is aware that the continued closing of the railway through Tooting Junction causes inconvenience and loss of time to the inhabitants of the west and north wards of Mitcham; and if he will make urgent representations to the railway company that the line should be reopened to passenger traffic?

I am informed by the Southern Railway Company that they are considering the question of re-opening this line for passenger traffic, in connection with the electrification of the suburban services of the South Eastern and Chatham section of their railway.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the Electricity Commissioners have yet completed a scheme for dealing with the supply of electricity in London; what is the reason of the delay; and whether he will submit to Parliament a report of the work of the Commissioners since their appointment?

The Commissioners, in February last, issued a draft order embodying the scheme they proposed to approve for dealing with the supply of electricity in the London and Home Counties district. The necessary statutory inquiry into the scheme was commenced on 12th March and adjourned. Action has since been taken by the London electricity companies to test, in the courts, the legality of some of the provisions included in the draft order and scheme, and the matter is, therefore, in abeyance pending the outcome of such action. An account of the work of the Commissioners has been included in each of the annual reports made to Parliament by the Minister of Transport under the provisions of the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882–1922. In addition, the Commissioners have published two annual reports, for the years ending 31st March, 1921, and 31st March, 1922, giving a detailed account of their proceedings.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what would be the additional cost to the State if the yeomanry regiments were recruited up to 100 per cent. strength?

The difference between the cost of the yeomanry (including the two scouts regiments) at present strength, and the cost of all regiments when recruited up to peace establishment is about £15,000 per annum, assuming that the percentage attending camp is unaltered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the officers appointed to command tank units will be officers who have had experience in the command of tank units in the field?

The appointments will not necessarily be confined to such officers, but, as in other branches of the Army, approved war experience will naturally constitute an important qualification.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the duties and salaries of the 152 staff officers in Egypt?

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 257 to 260 of the Army Estimates recently issued. The number of officers is 52 only, not 152. The difference between the total of 52 shown in the Estimates and that of 51 given in my answer of the 13th March to the hon. Member for Camborne (Captain Moreing) is due to the fact that the Estimates figure includes the principal chaplain and the education officer and omits the command paymaster.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that the Government has no control over the operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute, he can state what facilities for trading, if any, are given to this concern; and what in that case are the reasons actuating such a policy?

Generally speaking, the facilities given to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in Army barracks are the use of the rooms forming the regimental institute and canteen, with such incidental facilities as were formerly given to the contractors who were entrusted with the conduct of canteens. The reasons for substituting the permanent organisation for the former contractors were mainly the greater efficiency so secured and the fact that recent wars had demonstrated the necessity for having such an organisation always in being, ready to function with armies in the field.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civil air planes have been built in Great Britain and France, respectively, since the beginning of 1919?

The information available relates only to machines entered in the British and French registers, the totals of which at the present date are respectively 817 and 1,030. Of the 817 British aeroplanes, 200 have been built since the beginning of 1919. I am not able at present to state the number of French machines built during the same period, but I am endeavouring to obtain this information, and will send it to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as it becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give an estimate as to how many service air planes the existing resources of the country are capable of producing in a given time, and the most rapid period in which a percentage of these could be delivered from the date of an Order?

I regret that I do not consider it in the public interest to supply this information.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total amount of expenditure of all the local authorities of the kingdom for the last year of which he has now returns; and the total Exchequer grants to the same authorities for the same year?

The total expenditure from the rates by local authorities in England and Wales for the year 1920–21 was approximately £152,000,000, while the Exchequer grants for the same year amounted to £63,000,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of legislation granting exemption from rates and taxes to the end of March, 1926, all houses built, or building during the present year, thereby encouraging the building of more houses, without creating a considerably increased charge on the State or local authorities?

I shall hope to deal with this question fully when I introduce the Housing Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether in any legislation introduced this year the position of the small single-house owner unable to obtain possession of these premises, and forced to live in rooms, will be sympathetically considered by the Government; and whether he is aware that a large number of these men served in the War?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the circumscribed powers of sub-commissioners for small holdings, long delays take place in carrying out minor repairs, and alterations on existent holdings with a consequent natural loss to the smallholders concerned; and if the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, with a view to remedying this defect, will grant the sub-commissioners such powers on the above-mentioned matters as are usually exercised by land agents or factors on well-managed private estates in Scotland?

My Noble Friend does not agree that the obligation imposed on the officers of the Board of Agriculture to seek approval before incurring expenditure involves unnecessary delay. In the case of estates in process of settlement where the expenditure may contribute to a deficit which requires the approval of the Treasury, it is impossible to give individual officers the suggested powers of discretion. In the case of completed settlements the procedure approximates, so far as practicable, to that suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a copy of a translation of a petition from the Indian women in Fiji to the Governor asking for the continuance of the appointment of Dr. Staley; and, if so, whether, in view of the petition, he will reconsider his previous decision regarding such appointment?

I have received a translation of the petition. The Secretary of State regrets that in view of the serious financial position in Fiji he would not feel justified in urging the Governor to revise his decision not to renew Dr. Staley's engagement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the area of the site of the residence of the High Commissioner of Iraq for which £60,000 was paid and from whom was it purchased?

According to the plans furnished by the High Commissioner, the site covers an area of rather more than 7 acres. I am informed that it was purchased from the heirs of one Kazim Pasha, a Turk exiled by Abdul Hamid, who settled in Bagdad. The sum paid for it was Rs. 6,20,000. At the then Tate of exchange, this amount corresponded roughly to £60,000. At the normal rate of exchange, it amounts to little over £40,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish a balance sheet showing the annual expenditure and revenue for each year since 1918 of the railway from Basra to Hillah?

I doubt whether separate figures for each year will be available for the Basra-Hillah section, which is a part only of the Basra-Bagdad line; but the High Commissioner will be asked to report, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have received his reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trains a day are run on the average between Basra and Hillah and Hillah and Basra?

The printed time-table provides for one passenger train daily in each direction. I have no information as to goods trains or any extra trains; but I will inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether as the mandatory Power, His Majesty's Government have maintained a monopoly for navigation on the River Tigris since 1918; and, if so, whether the monopoly agreement concluded with the Turkish Government in 1914 was ever formally ratified; and, if not ratified, what is the existing position with regard to river navigation rights?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. When permission was given to a British steamship company in 1918 to resume business in Iraq, it was made a clear condition, which was accepted by the company, that nothing in the nature of monopoly of navigational or other rights could be granted to them, either then or thereafter. That is the position as it stands at the present time. I regret that language used by me in the Debate of the 1st March should have given rise to misapprehension on this point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay before the House for its information any despatch which the Governor of Ceylon may submit after the debate in the Legislative Council of Ceylon on the further revision of the constitution before the proposals are embodied in an Order in Council?

The publication of further correspondence will be considered if any important question of principle arises, but I am not prepared to give any definite undertaking at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what control His Majesty's Government exercises over the Island of Tristan da Cunha; whether there is anyone actually in residence on the island responsible to the Government; and what is the latest Report received as to the conditions which prevail thereat?

The Island of Tristan da Cunha is. a British Possession, but His Majesty's Government are not in a position to make any arrangements for its administration, and there is nobody in residence on the island who is responsible to them. My latest information regarding the conditions prevailing in Tristan da Cunha is derived from accounts by the Reverend H. M. Rogers, the Missionary on the island, and Commander Wild, which appeared in the Press last summer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the financial facilities accorded under the Empire Settlement Act would extend to allowances being made in necessitous cases for outfit for wives and children of men emigrating with their families?

Yes, Sir. But only provided they were covered by an agreed scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the delegates who are going to Australia at the end of this month in connection with overseas settlement propose to travel viâ Vancouver; and, if so, whether they propose to take the opportunity of discussing the matter of overseas settlement with the Canadian Government on their way across the Dominions?

No, Sir. The delegates are proceeding to Sydney viâ San Francisco.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the fact that the Mandate for Palestine was conferred upon His Britannic Majesty by the principal Allied Powers in April, 1920, he will inform the House whether the Mandate then conferred is to be administered in accordance with the wishes of the Palestine people or in the interests of a proposed Zionist domination on the basis of the Balfour declaration; and whether he can assure the House that there is no power or intention on the part of this country as the mandatory Power to impose an alien domination on the inhabitants of Palestine as being an occupied enemy territory or otherwise?

Palestine is being administered and will continue to be administered in accordance with the terms of the Mandate approved by the Council of the League of Nations on the 24th July, 1922. There is no question of Zionist domination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Christians and how many Jews are employed in the senior posts of the British administration of Palestine; what are the names of the Jews; and what offices they hold?

Apart from the High Commissioner himself, of the 35 senior posts in the Palestine Administration, 33 are held by Christians and two by Jews. The names and offices of the latter areMr. Norman Bentwich, Attorney-General.Colonel Solomon, Director of Commerce and Industry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sir Henry McMahon gave a pledge to the Arabs that an independent Arab kingdom which would include Palestine would be set up; if so, whether this pledge was given before the making of the Balfour declaration; and whether Sir Henry McMahon was authorised by the British Government to make such a pledge?

For the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Lorimer) on the 15th March. The remainder of the question does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what expenditure is incurred by the Palestine administration as a result of Jewish immigration; and whether any assistance is given by the Zionist executive towards any part of the total expenditure?

I am not sure that I quite understand the meaning of the question. The estimated cost of the Department of Immigration and Travel, which deals with all immigration into Palestine, was 9,500 Egyptian pounds for the year 1922–23. The estimated receipts of the Department were 4,000 Egyptian pounds from passport fees and 6,500 Egyptian pounds from registration fees. The Estimates thus show an excess of receipts over expenditure of 1,000 Egyptian pounds, or, as I informed the hon. Member on the 13th March last, of over 1,000 pounds sterling. In the circumstances, the last part of the question does not appear to arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the request made by the President of the Council of the League of Nations, that the Government of Palestine should be carried on in the spirit of the still unratified Mandate, is considered by His Majesty's Government as being a valid legal source of authority for the Palestine Government; if the said request possesses no legal value, by what legal authority is the Government of Palestine entitled to exist or legislate; and, if the said request is said to have legal value, from what statute or enactment of international or other law this legality is drawn?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The authority and responsibility of His Majesty's Government for the administration of Palestine originated in the military occupation of that country by His Majesty's forces. The administration was organised upon a civil basis to meet the conditions created by the successive international agreements and proceedings, which were mentioned in my answer to the hon. Member for Harrow on 26th February, to which I would refer the hon. Member. The legal value attaching to the request made by the Council of the League is derived from the authority committed to the League of Nations by the terms of the Covenant and from the other international agreements and understandings on which the request was based, and which are set out in my answer referred to above.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the aggregate indebtedness of the Palestine Government; what amounts have been advanced to the Government by the Crown Agents and by British banks; and upon what security?

The Palestine Government has received advances to the extent of £1,365,000 from the Crown Agents and 15,000 pounds Egyptian from the Anglo-Palestine Company, which will be repaid from loan funds when available. There is also an outstanding sum of 364,000 pounds Egyptian, which was lent by the Anglo-Egyptian Bank to the military administration, and re-lent by them to local cultivators on mortgage. This sum is repayable on demand, but the mortgages are security for the total amount.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a Bill introduced in the Irish Free State Parliament, entitled an Act to amend and extend the enactment relating to compensation for criminal injuries; if he is aware that Part III of this Bill declares that the Free State Government is not responsible for injuries to the person which occurred after the 11th day of July, 1921, and on or before the 6th day of February, 1923, even in cases where compensation has already been decreed; whether the British Government is responsible for such injuries between those dates; and, if not, from whom can compensation be claimed?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative and to the third part in the negative. The Free State Government has agreed that the cases of members of the Crown Forces killed or injured during the period in question in breach of the Truce shall be referred to Mr. Howell-Thomas and Mr. Dowdall, the two members of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission appointed by the British and Fine State Governments respectively; and 12 such cases have already been dealt with by them, the compensation awarded amounting to £11,500. As regards cases of persons not members of the Forces of the Crown, the Free State Government is about to appoint a Commission to recommend to the Minister of Finance what sums should in reason and fairness be paid in respect of injuries to which the Criminal Injuries Acts, as extended by the Act of 1919 and 1920, would have applied. The exact terms of reference were published in the Irish Press on the 8th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether it was brought to his notice that certain of the alleged republican sympathisers deported to Ireland at the request of the Free State Government are British-born subjects before he signed the order for their deportation; and whether he gave this aspect of the matter his consideration?

The answer to both parts of the question is in he affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Thomas Joyce, a resident of Jarrow, born and reared in this country, who was deported to Ireland some time after 11th March, the date of his arrest, is suffering from tuberculosis; that he was recommended for sanatorium treatment; and that he is in no fit state to endure the hardships of an internment camp; and, under the circumstances, will he intervene to see that proper treatment is meted out to the man pending his return to this country?

I understand that Joyce was under the doctor's care, and that tuberculosis had been diagnosed. He had been nominated for sanatorium treatment. The Free State Government are obtaining a special report on his health; but meanwhile I am assured that proper medical treatment is being given to all interned persons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the present situation in Egypt, it is intended to release Zaghloul Pasha?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Nottingham South (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck) on the 14th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received any information tending to show that China has presented a note to Japan on the subject of the abrogation of the 1915 Treaty between the two countries; whether Japan has accepted it; and whether the good offices of the seven Powers in the nine-Power group will be available, if requested, to adjust the conflicting points of view?

Since replying to the hon. Member's question on 12th March, have learned that such a note has been presented, and that the Japanese Government have declined to entertain the proposals of the Chinese Government. The question of outside intervention does not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the estimated returns of his Department for the year 1922–23 for letters, postcards, printed papers, and newspapers, both as regards volume and revenue; and how do these figures compare with 1921–22?

Returns of correspondence delivered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland were taken during a week in October last. These show increases over the corresponding figures of October, 1921, as follow:

	Per cent.
Letters	2·1
Postcards	5·0
Printed papers	22·2
Newspapers	1·2

These figures relate to the whole volume of correspondence, inland and foreign, paid and unpaid.No record of the revenue obtained from the. different classes of correspondence is available. The total net postal receipts for 1921–2 (excluding Southern Ireland) amounted to £38,360,000, while those for the year 1922–3 are roughly estimated at £34,000,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if the parcel post arrangement now in force between this country and certain other countries known as the cash-on-delivery system is conducted at a profit or at a loss; and if he can give the amount of such profit or loss?

I regret that it is not possible to separate the cost of dealing with the relatively small number of cash-on-delivery parcels from that of the parcel," post generally. But the parcel post as a whole is un-remunerative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a copy of the Royal Geographical Journal sent to this House from South Kensington costs ½d. more in postage than the same journal sent to Australia and to Central Africa; and can he see his way to remedy this anomaly?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any announcement as regards reductions of inland postage rates.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Sinn Feiners are employed in the Post Office Department?

I have no information as to the political views of Post Office servants.

asked the Postmaster-General if, as the work done by the Post Office officials is, to a degree, confidential, he will insist that all employés take the oath of allegiance?

Civil servants are not now required to take the oath of allegiance, and I see no sufficient reason for treating officers of the Post Office exceptionally. I may add that all Post Office servants make a declaration of secrecy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the voting papers by which the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge are directed by the Representation of the People Act to conduct their Parliamentary Elections are entitled to pass post free as election communications, both when sent by the University authorities to the voter and when returned by the voter to the University authorities?

I am advised that there is no provision in the Representation of the People Act or elsewhere for the exemption from payment of postage of voting papers sent through the post in connection with a Parliamentary Election in a University constituency. Postage should be prepaid on such communications, both when they are sent out by and when they are returned to Registrars of the Universities.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will favourably consider removing the restrictions regarding the posting of halfpenny post circular matter?

I regret that for the reasons given by my predecessor in his answer to the hon. Member for East Walthamstow (Sir S. Johnson) on the 27th November last, I should not be justified in removing entirely the restrictions on the posting of printed packets prepaid ½d. The latest time for posting has, however, been extended to 4.30 p.m., and in some districts to 5 p.m. I think that this concession will greatly mitigate such inconvenience as may have been occasioned by the restriction referred to.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has any control over the quality and selection of items that are broadcasted; is he aware that French stations are better than the English; and what steps does he intend to take to see that we are not left behind in this direction?

The licence issued to the British Broadcasting Company provides that satisfactory programmes of broadcast matter shall be maintained. I am not aware that they are inadequate, or that they are inferior to those transmitted from French stations, but perhaps my hon. Friend will give me any particulars of French superiority in this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the North Foreland wireless station sends out untuned wireless waves and prohibits everyone in East Kent from hearing London broadcasting; and what steps he intends to take to stop this nuisance?

My hon. Friend is, I think, mistaken. The North Foreland Wireless Station does not send out untuned wireless waves. It works on a tuned wave of 600 metres; its power is not excessive for the services which it has to perform; and it is equipped with all suitable apparatus for minimising interference. Its maintenance is important from the point of view of international. obligations in regard to communication with ships, and in the interests of the safety of life at sea. I regret that when North Foreland is communicating with ships in the Channel interference is inevitable in the neighbourhood of East Kent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to have a listening-in station installed in the House of Commons in a Committee Room upstairs in order that Members may keep themselves advised as to the quality of the broadcasting sent out under the auspices of his Department?

I do not think it is for me to provide a counter-attraction to listening in this Chamber

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the need of a post office at Penmaen, near Blackwood, Monmouthshire; if so, what are his intentions; and, if no communication has been received, will he make inquiries as to the necessity, seeing there is a large population there who have to do all their postal business either at the extreme end of the Oakdale Garden Village, or at Blackwood, both of which are considerable distances away?

I have received no previous request for the establishment of a post office at Penmaen. I am having inquiry made and will writs to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present authorised force of sorting clerks and telegraphists on the postal side at Belfast; what reduction in the volume of traffic in the postal branch has taken place since the previous revision of force in 1920; and what has been the consequent reduction of staff, of clerks and postmen, respectively, employed in the sorting office; is he aware that a further revision of force is at present contemplated; if so, has the Postmaster-Surveyor been asked by the staff's representatives to be afforded an opportunity to consider the proposals; is it proposed to make a reduction in the number of postmen employed in the sorting office corresponding to the decrease in traffic; and will he undertake to arrange that a complete copy of the proposals be furnished to the staff's representatives before the recommendations are finally submitted to headquarters for sanction?

The present authorised number of posts for sorting clerks and telegraphists on the postal side at Belfast is 168; but this number has been reduced provisionally to 165. A revision of the whole postal establishment is being undertaken by a Committee appointed to revise the indoor force at all the large offices, but comparative figures of traffic and staff at the last revision and at present are not yet available. The staff representatives will be afforded an opportunity of discussing the proposed duties and attendances, and a decision will not be arrived at until any amendments which they may suggest have been discussed with them.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present salary, including bonus, of Mr. S. S. Brown, assistant postmaster at Belfast; is he aware that this officer has been granted a second indefinite term of retention in the Post Office service beyond the retirement age of 60 years; what would be, approximately, the amount of retiring allowance and annual pension, respectively, to which Mr. Brown would be entitled if called upon to retire immediately; and whether, in order to make room for promotion and to absorb men at present unemployed, he will consider the advisability of retiring all postal servants on attaining 60 years of age?

Mr. Brown's salary, including bonus, is at present £701 12s. a year. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on the 15th of February last. It would not be in the interests of the service to call upon all postal servants to retire on attaining the age of 60 without regard to the circumstances of each case.

asked the Postmaster General whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made at the con- ference of West of England chambers of commerce held at Bristol that in the parcels post an average of breakages is a thousand daily; whether he is aware of any private business with a similar breakage record; and what redress and compensation are available for senders of these parcels?

I had not seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers. The Post Office carried nearly 120,000,000 parcels during the past financial year. Claims for compensation were met in respect of about 10,000 parcels, that is, about one in every 12,000 parcels dealt with. These claims covered parcels lost as well as those damaged in the post. The conditions under which compensation for damage is paid are published in the Post Office guide. Generally speaking, they are that compensation is allowed unless the parcel contains articles of an exceptionally fragile nature or is insufficiently packed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a promise was given to the stationery trades last year that, provided there was a surplus, the country would be able to return to pre-War postal rates, including the penny and halfpenny post; and whether he can make any statement as to his intentions with regard to this promise?

I cannot find that any such promise has been made to the stationery trades. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the possibility of a further reduction of postage rates, and can only say that the matter is receiving consideration.

asked the Postmaster General if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst large business firms and other users of the telephone at the refusal of his officials to supply particulars of the trunk calls which are charged; and will he give instructions for this information to be supplied in future, as was previously the custom?

To supply all telephone subscribers with full particulars of each trunk call would involve considerable delay and expense. Any subscriber will be furnished with fuller information than that ordinarily given in the accounts on payment of a fee proportionate to the clerical work involved.

asked the Postmaster-General if it be intended to close the postal and telegraph office at Fleet Street, E.C.4, at 2 p.m. on Good Friday, 30th March, and Easter Monday, 2nd April; whether he is aware that this office is used by a large number of newspaper offices and representatives of newspapers for the transmission of information to the daily press in the provinces by telegraph and otherwise, and that great inconvenience and loss of time will be caused if it is not available at night on the dates in question; and whether he will give instructions that the office shall be kept open between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. as is done on Sundays?

I will arrange that the Fleet Street Branch Office will be open on Good Friday and on Easter Monday, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. the following morning.

asked the hon. Member for Cheltenhanm, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will make arrangements to revert to the pre-War practice of providing 1s. dinners for Members of this House?

It is the sincere desire of the Committee to meet the wishes and convenience of all Members of the House as far as possible. But I fear the re-establishment of a 1s. dinner presents insuperable difficulties. In the pre-War time, referred to in the question, the cost of material and wages was much below the present standard, and even then these dinners were run at a considerable loss. However during that period the loss was counterbalanced by a subsidy of £2,000 a year. This subsidy has now been withdrawn. In these circumstances, I hope the hon. Member will recognise our inability to adopt the suggestion inspired by his question. But we shall, of course, give the suggestion careful consideration, and endeavour to fulfil it when opportunity may offer.