asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the character of the work done in connection with the school camp at Henley Fort, near Guildford, by the Surrey Education Committee; and if he is prepared to recognise the whole or any part of the authority's expenditure thereon for the purposes of grant?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board are prepared to consider an application by the authority for the recognition for the purpose of grant of the expenditure in question under Section 86 of the Education Act, 1921, for the current financial year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the deputation from the National Association for Head Teachers that waited on him on 23rd February last were informed that it was not the intention of the Board of Education to advise local education authorities to make rules as to the number of hours head teachers should teach, nor to include a definite number of hours in the time-table, and that subsequently, in response to a request for a definite ruling, the director for education for Birmingham was given quite contrary instructions, he will make a further statement on the subject?

I think there is no inconsistency between the statements made by my right hon. Friend to the deputation from the National Association of Head Teachers and the letter addressed to the Birmingham Local Education Authority on the 14th March, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The Board expressly state that they have no desire to impose on head teachers any rigid or uniform system of allocating their time or to lay down any rigid rules either as to the character of the work or the amount of time which should appear on the head teacher's own programme of work, though the Board add that they would find it difficult to consider that the requirements of the Code are satisfied if the head teacher were found to be taking less than 10 lessons a week.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of schoolmasters in England and Wales who are in charge of exceptionally large elementary school departments with an average attendance exceeding 650?

The number of men head teachers in charge of departments the average attendance in which, during the year 1921–1922, exceeded 650 was 55.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of the great difficulty in effective teaching of blind, mentally-defective, and other children attending special schools, he will reconsider the recommendation to the local education authorities that unqualified persons shall be introduced as teachers?

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

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers appointed to administrative posts under local education authorities forfeit their right to pension in respect of the period of service under such authorities; whether this is the case with teachers appointed to such posts in Scot- land; and, if not, having regard to the great importance of securing for administrative work in education persons who have had actual experience of school work, will he take steps to remove the anomaly and extend to English and Welsh teachers in the matter of pensions such advantages as are now enjoyed by Scottish teachers?

My attention has been drawn to the facts stated by the hon. Member, and I am aware that there is a difference between the law affecting this matter prevailing in England and Wales and that prevailing in Scotland. I am informed, however, that the Departmental Committee sitting under the chairmanship of Lord Emmott have taken evidence upon this aspect of their reference, and pending their report, as the hon. Member will understand, it is not possible for me to make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inspectors of the Central Welsh Board, which is the body responsible for the inspection and examination of the great majority of public secondary schools in Wales, are not pension-able; and whether he will take steps, by an amendment of the Board's scheme or otherwise, with a view to putting the inspectors of the Central Welsh Board on a footing of equality with the inspectors of the Board of Education in the matter of pension?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Central Welsh Board have expressed a wish to discuss this matter with my right hon. Friend on his return from abroad, and I do not think it would be desirable to anticipate the results of this discussion.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he is aware that one of the art inspectors employed by the Board recently submitted a Report upon the work of 21 secondary schools provided by the London County Council, in which he graded the schools in five classes according to their supposed merit; on how many visits to each school was this attempt at classification based; and whether the Board approves the attempt to classify schools in this manner?

The Report referred to is a summary of a series of reports on individual schools made by an expert inspector after a day, and in one case half a day, spent at the school, during which the work was carefully examined and presumably discussed with the staff in accordance with the usual practice. The individual reports themselves, which were generally of a very favourable character, were all sent in full to the Local Education Authority, and each of them to the school concerned. The summary report was sent merely as a memorandum of general conclusions and of points which appeared to need the further attention of the authority. It is not the practice of the Board to classify schools in order of merit. Such a classification can only be tentative, and however suitable it may be as a basis of discussion between the Board's officers and the Local Education Authority's officers, the Board do not regard it as suitable for publication.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that one of the art inspectors employed by the Board recently submitted a Report upon the work of certain secondary schools provided by the London County Council, in which the efficiency of certain teachers was disparagingly criticised; and whether the teachers concerned were given any opportunity at the time of the inspection of meeting the criticisms which were subsequently embodied in the written Report?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is proper and, indeed, necessary, if the standard of public education is to be maintained or improved, that the Board's inspectors should be at liberty to state in their Reports any opinions they form, whether adverse or favourable, in the course of inspection of schools, as to the efficiency of teachers, and that their opinions should be communicated to the local education authorities concerned. Where the Board's inspectors intend to include in a Report adverse criticisms of a serious character upon the work or efficiency of teachers, they usually, as far as practicable, discuss with the teachers concerned the grounds of those criticisms, and consider any explanations they may offer. It is, of course, open to the local education authority to satisfy themselves as to the validity of the inspector's opinions, and I understand that it is the practice of the London County Council to afford their teachers full opportunity of replying to any criticisms which are made on their work or conduct.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the area of the Surrey Education Committee is partly within the metropolitan police district; that the local education authority failed to arrive at an agreement with its secondary teachers as to whether the provincial or London scale of salaries under the Burnham Committee's Report was the appropriate one for the area; that when the Burnham Committee was asked to determine the appropriate scale it also failed to come to an agreement; and that the Surrey Education Committee has paid its secondary school teachers upon the provincial scale, at a considerable saving to the county and national funds of expenditure that would have been entailed at the London scale had the latter been applied either to all the secondary schools in the county or to those situated within the metropolitan police district; and whether, in view of these facts, he will be prepared to recognise for grant the whole of the salaries payable to such teachers under the Burnham Committee's provincial scale without deduction of the five per cent. that it is agreed shall be deducted where the teachers are paid upon the appropriate scale?

I am aware of the circumstances stated by the hon. Member. The Board have received no indication of the intention of the local education authority to submit a proposal for the continued payment of full salaries on the provincial scale to the teachers in Surrey secondary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Risley Avenue School, Tottenham, is seriously overcrowded, there being 1,686 children on the roll and only accommodation for 1,424; that, in addition, 96 children between the ages of five and seven have been refused admission and are not attending any school; and that the local education authority has been endeavouring since 1921 to obtain the consent of the Board of Education to the purchase of land for the erection of a school; and, in view of the urgency of this matter and the growing indignation of parents in the locality, who are prevented from sending their children to school, if he will take immediate steps to see that consent to the purchase of a school site is no longer withheld?

I am aware of the position at this school; the average attendance is, of course, considerably less than the number on the roll. On my latest information there is accommodation to spare, particularly for younger children, at a neighbouring school, and I am not aware that any children are unable to find places in school. The Board, as long ago as January, 1922, expressed their readiness to consider the acquisition of a site for a new school. A suitable site belonging to the district council has been proposed, but the price suggested by the council greatly exceeds the valuation put upon it by the district valuer. Before formally approving the site, the Board require to know whether the council will accept that valuation.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children already examined by the medical staffs and certified as mentally defective for whom no accommodation is available; and the number of children reported as mentally defective who still require to be specially examined by school medical officers?

My latest statistical information on the subject is contained in Appendix F of the Chief Medical Officer's Report for 1920. It would appear that in 293 areas for which data have been tabulated there were, approximately, 28,000 children reported as mentally defective in the category of "feebleminded." This included children under the local control authority. The total accommodation provided in certified special schools for educable mentally defective children is over 16,000. With regard to the last part of the question, the only definite information I have is that furnished by the medical officers themselves.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of school buildings which have been condemned as unsuitable by the officers of the Board and which are still occupied as school premises?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 17th April to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Allen Parkinson).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the item of £1,119,000 in the Education Estimates for grants to universities and university colleges, which is the same amount as in the pre ceding year, is intended to cover the largely-increased grants in contemplation for the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and, if so, whether it is to be understood that a further restriction of the grants to other universities and colleges may be expected?

The question of additional grants to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge is still under consideration and an announcement on the subject will be made in due course. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when he proposes to introduce the promised legislation dealing with the position of county court officers; whether the Motion will be introduced in this House or in another; and whether its production can be expedited, since re-organisation if the position of county court officers is admittedly long overdue?

I hope that it will be possible for this legislation to be introduced at an early date, and I can assure the hon. Member that there will be no avoidable delay in the matter. I am not yet in a position to say whether the Bill will be introduced in this House or in another place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in. November last the Fife County Council offered to repay part of a loan of £100,000 received from the Public Works Loan Board in 1921 at 6½ per cent.; that the loan was required to meet expenditure incurred under the Kirkcaldy and District Water Order, 1913; that, in addition to other heavy local taxation, the water rate in this district is 6s. 4d. in the £; and will he consider the advisability of granting the County Council facilities for reducing the debt on reasonable terms or by reducing the interest on the loan to 5 per cent.?

The facts are as stated in the question. I fear I cannot allow repayment except on terms which will not involve the Local Loan Fund in loss. The rate of interest is governed by the cost of raising the money when the loan was granted, and I cannot admit a claim that it should be reduced at a loss to the Fund, which would have to be made good by the taxpayer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that exemption from the Dog Tax is granted only to farmers and shepherds in respect of dogs kept exclusively for attendance on sheep and cattle while cattle dealers or sheep dealers using their dogs for precisely similar purposes are compelled to take out licences, and that the animals are as much needed by the one class as by the other, he will arrange for them to be treated identically?

This is a matter which primarily concerns the local authorities, to whom the proceeds of these licence duties go in relief of local taxation, but as at present advised I fear that I cannot undertake to give favourable consideration to the change suggested in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount he is estimating to obtain during this financial year from reparation payments by Germany?

I hope to obtain from the Reparation Recovery Act about £7,000,000 this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that it has been generally understood that agricultural shows at which no band is present are exempt from Entertainments Duty, he will state the authority for the ruling given by the Customs and Excise officer at Maidenhead on 7th October last, that exemption from duty would not be granted in future if riding or driving competitions were included at such shows unless entries were confined to animals the property of persons genuinely engaged in agriculture in the district in which the show is held?

I have been unable in the time at my disposal to identify the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will let me have full particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Cider Duty produced during the past year; and what was the cost, of collecting it?

The net yield of revenue from the Cider and Perry Duty during the year ended 31st March, 1923, was approximately £110,000. It is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the cost of collection of this duty, the work in connection therewith being merged in the ordinary duties of the revenue staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Customs Duty collected on sugar and tea imported from foreign countries and the Dominions and Colonies of the British Empire, respectively, in the financial year 1922–1923?

The information sought by my hon. Friend is not available in precisely the form asked for, since the Customs receipts of duty are classified according as the goods are charged the full or the preferential rate of duty. The preferential rate is charged where satisfactory evidence is furnished that the goods are of Empire origin and consignment. The net amount of duty collected on sugar and tea in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at full and preferential rates of duty, respectively, in the financial year 1922–23 was as follows:

Sugar.		Tea.
Full Rate.	Preferential Rate.	Full Rate.	Preferential Rate.
£	£	£	£
32,112,000	7,264,000	1,557,000	9,998,000

These amounts are subject to adjustment with the Irish Free State.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that all households in the Kingdom are consumers of sugar; that the old age pensioners, poor widows, and ex-service men have a hard time to make their small incomes meet the physical needs of the day; and whether, under such circumstances, he will consider the desirability of abolishing the duty upon this commodity?

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement yesterday in which I gave the reasons for my decision not to reduce the Sugar Duty at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in certain cases the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are insisting upon farmers presenting a licensed valuer's valuation statement in support of any accounts submitted; and will he state what Regulations give this power?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to cases where farmers are claiming relief from Income Tax under Rule 6 of Schedule B of the Income Tax Act, 1918. A claim under this Rule has to be proved to the satisfaction of the local Commissioners of Income Tax, and I understand that in certain cases it has been found necessary to ask a farmer to furnish in support of his claim a valuation of his stock by a qualified valuer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to the fact that if a farmer's total income is not over £160, he is entitled to exemption from Land Tax, and if the income is over £160, but not more than £400, he is entitled to abatement of one-half of the Land Tax, and as the Land Tax is due 1st January and the assessable year ends 5th April following, if he will, in view of the present depression in agriculture, give instructions not to press for Land Tax until, say, 1st July, to enable farmers to arrive at their income before payment?

I regret that I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. I would refer him to a reply which my right hon. Friend the Member for Hillhead (Sir R. Horne) gave on the 25th July last. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the price charged by brewers per bulk barrel to licensed houses during the quarter ending 31st March, 1923?

No official information is available, but the price of beer charged by brewers cannot be uniform, but must depend upon the quality of the beer supplied and the varying conditions of manufacture and sale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of revenue collected by the import duties on motorcars, watches, etc., during the year ending 31st. March, 1923?

The net amounts of revenue collected in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year in question on the articles referred to are approximately as follows:

	£
Cinematograph films	271,000
Clocks, watches and parts	538,000
Motor-cars, motor cycles and parts	1,271,000
Musical instruments and parts, etc.	347,000

These figures are, however, subject to final adjustments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state approximately the average yearly rate of indirect taxation per head of the population; the number of Income Tax payers and Super-tax payers, respectively; and the average yearly tax paid by each?

In the year 1922–23 the average amount of indirect taxation per head of population for Great Britain and Northern Ireland was £6 4s. 9d. out of a total taxation per head of £17 12s. The approximate number of individuals whose total assessable income for the year 1922–23 exceeded £135 is estimated at 4,750,000, of whom it is estimated that 2,250,000 will actually pay tax. The approximate net produce for the same year, that is the amount of tax which will be ultimately received by the Exchequer irrespective of the time of collection, is estimated at £278,000,000. A considerable but unknown part of this net produce relates to income not distributed to individual taxpayers, e.g., reserves made by companies, income accruing to clubs, corporations, etc., profits arising from trading in the United Kingdom by foreign companies, firms, etc., and income distributed to residents out of the United Kingdom. It is therefore not possible to state the average yearly tax paid by each taxpayer. As regards Super-tax, the number of tax-payers is provisionally estimated at 80,000 for the year 1922–23, and the net produce of the tax at £60,000,000, showing an average amount of tax per head of £750.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all the returning officers and deputy returning officers who rendered service during the last General Election have now received remuneration for services rendered in connection with the election; and, if not, will he expedite the payment of such remuneration?

The majority of the claims received have been examined and settled—the figures being, out of the 229 Parliamentary areas for Great Britain:

(1) 189 settled claims;

(2) 36 claims in course of examination

(3) 4 areas from which no claims have been received.

It. is hoped that the claims in course of examination, and the areas from which claims have not been received, will be dealt with very shortly. I should add that in every case outstanding substantial advances amounting to at least 75 per cent. of the claim, have been made to the authorities concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate amount of British Government securities at present held by owners domiciled abroad?

The amount of British Government securities issued in foreign markets now outstanding is, at par of exchange, £47,931,000. It is estimated that in 1922–23 some £175,000,000 of securities on which Income Tax is deductible at source was in the beneficial ownership of persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain and Ireland. But the interest on a far larger volume of securities is paid without deduction of tax and is exempt from tax if in the beneficial ownership of persons not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, and I am unable to say how much of this is held abroad.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet conferred with the Public Accounts Committee on the subject of gifts of public property by Government Departments without the previous consent of Parliament; and, if so, what decision has been reached?

No, Sir. It was found necessary to postpone this matter until after the preparation for the Budget, but it will now be taken up with the Committee at once?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the loan of £562,000,000, advanced by the Government of this country to the Russian Government during the War, was spent in this country; whether any of the proceeds of the loan, in the form of warlike or non-warlike stores, were despatched to Russia between 7th November and 30th November, 1917, and who were the actual consignees; whether any of the proceeds of the loan, either in the form of warlike or non-warlike stores, were despatched to Generals Denikin, Koltchak, Yudenitch, or Wrangel; and whether any of the proceeds of the loan, in any form, are now under the control of His Majesty's Government?

Of the sums lent by His Majesty's Government to the Russian Government during the War about £74,000,000 was spent in the United States of America. The balance of £488,000,000 was spent mainly in the United Kingdom, but exact figures are not available. The stores purchased by the representatives of the Russian Government out of the proceeds of loans made by this country continued to be consigned by those representatives to Russia between 7th November and 30th November, 1917. The actual consignees were named by the Russian representatives in this country, who were responsible for arranging for the delivery of stores to the competent Government Departments and authorities in Russia: accordingly I have no information on this point. As regards the fourth and fifth parts of the question, when the despatch of the goods was stopped they were taken over by British Government Departments and their value credited in the accounts to the Russian Government. Some of the goods so taken over were among those eventually despatched to the generals named (Command Paper 772 of 1920); those for which no use was found were handed over to the Disposal Board. His Majesty's Government have no control over the proceeds of the loan.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will lay upon the Table a memorandum on the incep- tion, operation, and financial results of the Australian Commonwealth Bank; if he is aware that it has kept down the rate of interest., facilitated trade and commerce, and accumulated huge reserves; and if he will consider the inception of a similar nationally-owned banking system in this country?

The hon. Member will find information on this subject in the annual reports of the Bank and in the Commonwealth Bank Acts, 1911 and 1920. I do not think it is possible to attribute to a single cause, such as the existence of a particular State bank, the wide results to which the hon. Member refers. In any case conditions in this country are entirely different. In general I agree with the view adopted by the experts of all countries at the Brussels and Genoa Conferences that State interference in banking is likely to be detrimental.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the highest figure reached in his Department for the employment of women prior to 1920 in the following civilian grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and officers of junior administrative rank or over?

According to the records available, the maximum numbers of women employed in the Air Ministry prior to 1920 in the grades referred to were

Temporary typists and short hand typists	293
Temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant	1,035
Junior administrative assistants and higher ranks	51

DISPOSAL BOARD (EARL'S COURT GROUND).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what rent is being paid by the Government for the land called Earl's Court grounds, now in the occupation of the Disposal Board also to whom the land belongs; and when the lease to the Government will expire?

Notice has been given by my Department terminating at Michaelmas next the tenancy of this land, which is the property of the Earl's Court Ground, Ltd., Westminster. In view of the fact that the property is in the market, there are obvious objections to the rent being disclosed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is contemplated to allow the staff of any other Department to occupy part of the pensions building at Acton; and, if so, when?

Arrangements have been made to move to Acton between eight and nine hundred of the staff of the Ministry of Health, commencing on the 1st proximo.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of women were employed in the Civil Service in 1919 in the following grades: temporary typists and shorthand typists, temporary clerks below the rank of junior administrative assistant, and temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over?

The total number of temporary female staff (excluding industrial staffs) on 1st July, 1919, was 115,000, but it is not possible to supply details of the various grades included in this total.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Civil Service Commissioners now admit women to an examination by which successful candidates become eligible for the post of tax inspector; and, if so, why this step has been taken at a time when so many men are without employment?

The examination in question is a new one and the regulations which have, been framed provide for the admission of women to the competition. Their exclusion from this grade would appear to be incompatible with the provisions of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act and with the principles underlying the Resolution of this House of the 5th August, 1921, on the admission of women to the Civil Service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total sum paid in war bonus in the Government Departments in the financial years 1921–22 and 1922–23; and what is the estimated cost of bonus for the present financial year?

The total sums provided for Civil Service bonus in the Civil Services and Revenue Departments Estimates for 1921–22 and 1922–23 were about. £37¾ 27 millions respectively. On the basis of the average bonus index figure for the year, the sum actually paid in 1922–23 would be about £ ¾millions less than the provision in Estimates. The total provision in the corresponding Estimates for 1923–24 is about £22 millions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether British Customs officers loaned to the Irish Free State are being paid bonuses in accordance with the cost of living in Ireland; and, if so, whether lie will reconsider the position of all British civil servants at present employed in that country and who are now only receiving bonuses on the cost of living in this country?

I understand that bonus is paid by the Free State Government to British officers loaned to it at the same rate as that prescribed by that Government for Irish civil servants. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 11th April.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that unsigned copies of an arrangement between the Treasury and the Corps of Commissionaires were given to the commissionaires employed on warding duties at the British Museum in January, 1921; that this arrangement was intended to take the place of the Treasury's offer made through the Departmental Council on the 6th October, 1920, which induced the men to withdraw their cases from the Civil Service Arbitration Board; that none of the men know anything of any arrangement between the Corps of Commissionaires and the Trustees of the British Museum; and whether, in view of the fact that the Corps of Commissionaires have not power to enter into arrangements without the consent of the men concerned, which consent has never been asked for nor given, he will reconsider this matter and have the position of these men properly graded in order that not only the Treasury and the Trustees of the Museum, but the men themselves, may know their exact position?

The answers to the five parts of the question are as follows:

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state during which period of the year 1922–23 there were at the same time employed in the, Pensions Issue Office 600 writing assistants, 400 clerical officers, 36 higher grade clerks, 96 assistant. divisional superintendents, and 46 group supervisors: and what were in fact the establishment numbers or names and salaries of those employed on each of the last three grades at the end of each quarter of 1922–23?

The numbers of writing assistants, clerical officers and higher grade clerks mentioned in the question represent the estimated per- manent requirements of Pension Issue Office in respect of those grades. Appointments to the established staff are being made gradually, and only about 60 per cent. of the writing assistants, 50 per cent, of the clerical officers and

—	30th June, 1922.	30th Sept., 1922.	31st Dec, 1922.	31st March, 1923.
Higher Grade Clerks (salary scale £230-£300 per annum).	6	6	7	13
Assistant Divisional Superintendents (salary £268 per annum).	21	18	18	18
Group Supervisors (salary scale £213-£258 per annum).	36	32	31	28
Temporary Officials (salary scale £188-£233).	19	21	23	20

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any of the staff employed at regional headquarters, Nottingham, have been given notice terminating their services owing to the transfer of the work of that office to Birmingham; whether any of these men have been offered employment in some other capacity under the Ministry besides the regional director, who has been given an appointment in another region with a salary of £900 a year, notwithstanding that he is receiving a service pension of £1,000 per annum?

No notices have been issued. As I informed the hon. Member for the Broxtowe Division (Mr. G. Spencer) on the 17th instant, every competent officer now employed in the regional headquarters offices at Nottingham will be offered employment either in Birmingham or some other part of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that members of the staff of regional headquarters at Nottingham and elsewhere were sent to these places to suit the convenience of his Department from London and other centres; and whether any, and if so, what arrangements have been made to reimburse them the expenses incurred in returning to their homes on termination of their employment by the Ministry?

Officers transferred from London to the regions on the inauguration of the decentralisation scheme were transferred voluntarily, and definitely accepted the condition that 50 per cent. of the higher grade clerks have as yet been appointed. The permanent staff must for some time to come be supplemented by the employment of temporary officers. The figures asked for are as follow:their removal expenses back to London would not be borne by the State, and I regret that I am not now prepared to waive that condition. They received specially favourable conditions as regards pay when they were transferred. I should like, however, to emphasise the fact that the employment of none of the officers mentioned will be terminated in consequence of the amalgamation of the East and West Midlands regions if they will accept employment in some other part of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions chat was the number of employés in the awards division of the Ministry in the following grades: graded temporary clerks, temporary officers of junior administrative rank or over, established clerks, established higher grade clerks and executive officers, principal clerks, assistant directors, and directors; and what was the total cost of each grade in 1917–18?

The earliest date for which details of the staff engaged on awarding work are available is the 1st June, 1918, when the following numbers and grades were employed:

Established:	Men.	Women.
Assistant secretary	1	—
Principal clerks	7	—
Executive and Second.	30	—
Division clerks	30	—
Assistant clerks	6	—
Superintendent	—	1
Principal woman clerk	—	1

Temporary:
Officials	36	—
Clerks	83	—
Convalescent Army officers on light duty	33	—
Superintendents and supervisors	—	25
Assistant supervisors and section leaders	—	401
Clerks	—	2,534
Total	196	2,962
Grand total		3,158

I regret that the expenditure records do not contain details of the separate cost of the awards branches during the financial year 1917–18.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to close the area office in the City of Durham and to replace same by a sub-office subordinate to the chief area officer at Darlington; whether he is aware that there are only eight area officers in the County of Durham, and, in consequence, pensioners are put to considerable loss, both in time and money, when they wish to appeal to the War pension committee; that the proposal is causing dissatisfaction among ex-service men; and whether he will issue instructions that no further action should be taken in respect of the proposed amalgamation for at least 12 months?

Under the proposed change a whole time office would be maintained in Durham and the position, so far as pensioners are concerned, would not, therefore, be affected. Before agreeing to the proposed amalgamation of staffs, however, I have invited the Durham Committee to express their views and when they are received I will go carefully into the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the total cost of administration and the number of eases in which issue of pension was authorised during the 12 months ended December, 1922, at the pension issue offices at Acton and Edinburgh, respectively?

The cost of administration of the Pension Issue Offices at Acton and Edinburgh for the year ending 31st December, 1922, was £ 806,650 and £60,408 respectively. The number of pensions in payment at the two Offices is 1,300,000 and 132,000 respectively. It should be explained that much of the work done at Edinburgh was not transferred until June, 1922, and that certain duties are performed at Issue Office, Acton, which have no counterpart in the office at Edinburgh.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to state the names of the Members of this House who will, in addition to the hon. Member for the Moseley Division (Mr. Hannon), represent the Government on the Civil Service National Whitley Council?

As the hon. Member was informed on the 26th March, the hon. Members for Rushcliffe (Mr. Betterton) and Hastings (Lord E. Percy) have resigned their membership on the Council in view of their appointments to positions in the Government. I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the names of two new appointments which I propose to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is able to give any further information as to the participation by British exhibitors in the forthcoming exhibition at Gothenburg and to outline in what particular manner his Department is prepared to assist them?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that considerable progress has been made. The Committee to which I referred in my reply on 22nd March to the hon and gallant Member for Hertford (Rear-Admiral Sueter) has considered proposals submitted by the Society of British Aircraft Constructors, Limited, on behalf of the British air industry, for the despatch of a representative British exhibit to Gothenburg. I hope that the Air Ministry will be able to make a substantial contribution in aid of the expenditure which will be involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has received the text of the recently concluded aviation convention between France and Czechoslovakia; whether it provides for the exclusive manufacture of aeroplanes built by foreigners for Czechoslovakia to French manufacturers; and what steps are being taken to preserve rights in this market for British aeroplane manufacturers?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement as to the air agreement between France and Czechoslovakia?

I am not yet in possession of the text of the agreement in question, but I am endeavouring to obtain it and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Members as soon as I have received it. I may say, however, that I have been carefully watching aeronautical developments in Czechoslovakia and already have under consideration an agreement with the Czechoslovakia. Government regarding the extension of existing British air lines through Czechoslovakia.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the number of airship stations built for military purposes during the War; the capital cost involved; the amount realised by the sale of those disposed of; and the estimated cost of replacement?

In answer to the first two parts of the question, the number of airship stations built during the War, including contractors' constructional stations erected at Government expense, was 25, and the capital cost of these and of certain mooring-out stations, the expenditure upon which cannot be distinguished but was not large, was about £7,250,000. As regards the third part of the question, I am informed by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, from whom alone the information would be obtainable, that to ascertain the amount realised by the sale of the stations would involve an extended scrutiny of records of sales and that it is not feasible to undertake such an examination with the present depleted clerical staff. As regards the last part. of the question, as I announced in my speech introducing the Air Estimates, the airship question is now being considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence, and until Government policy in this matter has been decided I cannot say whether any, and, if so, which, of the stations would require to be reopened.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the cost of erecting the airship station at Howden, with gas plant, waterworks, sewage, electric light, and power plant; whether this station has been sold as scrap; if so, the amount realised; the amount paid for the freehold land; and the amount realised from the sale of the land?

I have been asked to answer this question. With regard to the first part of the question, the total expenditure was-approximately, £780,000. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the fourth part of the question, £43,900 was paid for the freehold of the land. So far as the remaining parts of the question are concerned, the sum of £58,300 was realised by the sale of the whole property, including the land, buildings, and some plant, machinery, and spares. It is, therefore, not possible to give separate figures for the land. I may add that the property was extensively advertised before sale—31 notices, in all, being inserted in the Press—and that before the inclusive sale was approved, careful consideration was given to the alternative of dismantling the station and selling the properties in separate lots.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has received a resolution passed by the Durham, Spennymoor, and District War Pensions Committee contending that the final weekly allowance is a gratuity and paid weekly to reduce heavy disbursements of capital; that in certain cases the whole amount is awarded and paid in a lump sum; that it is only by a comparatively recent decision of the Minister of Pensions that widows and dependants have been deprived of money which is legally their property; and what action it is proposed shall be taken in future to ensure that in the event of a pensioner dying who is in receipt, of a final weekly allowance, with or without a terminable gratuity, the balance unpaid shall be paid to his estate?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. F. Roberts) on the 29th March, of which I am sending him a copy. I may add that although the original practice was, through a misunderstanding, interrupted for a short time in 1920, there has been no change of policy, the Ministry having followed the long standing practice of the Service Departments in this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether retrospective effect can be given to the decision to repay to the relatives of deceased ex-service men the expenses incurred in attending the funerals in districts in which the institution is situate; and, if so, whether he will give instructions for those cases in which his Department has refused such payment to he reconsidered?

I regret I am unable to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of cases in which final award of pension has been notified to men whose condition has afterwards necessitated treatment; whether the awards in such cases are subsequently revised by the Ministry after the treatment period has expired; and, if such information is not available, whether he will, in view of the importance of the question to disabled men, arrange for these particulars to be obtained at reasonable intervals for communication to this House?

It is contrary to the ordinary practice of the Ministry to make final awards in cases where a further course of treatment appears likely to be required; but, in any event, men in respect of whom a final award of pension has been notified remain entitled to the benefits of Article 6 of the Royal Warrant. The final award which has been made in such cases cannot be revised after treatment, either in favour of, or to the disadvantage of, the pensioner. I have no information as to the number of cases of final award in which treatment has been given subsequently to the making of the award, and I am afraid that I should not be justified in imposing the large additional amount of labour which would be involved by the preparation of special records of these cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the case of Mr. Charles Smith, of 23, Hamilton Street, Old Trafford, Manchester, who was discharged in 1917, after service overseas, with valvular disease of the heart, V.D.H., and given pension for this disability; whether he is aware that in June last a re-survey board altered the diagnosis to disordered action of the heart, D.A.H., and reduced the degree of disablement from 50 to 30 per cent.; that Mr. Smith appealed against this decision, and that as a result the pension was cancelled on 3rd January last; whether he is aware that medical opinion is frequently divided as to whether a man is suffering from V.D.H. or D.A.H., and at times his own medical officers have changed the diagnosis in respect of these disabilities twice within one month; and, seeing that it is probable that the boards who examined Mr. Smith during a period of more than four years were more correct in their diagnosis than the boards which examined in June and January last, as the man's own medical attendant says that Mr. Smith has V.D.H., will he in cases where medical opinions differ issue instructions that the ex-service men or pensioners shall have the benefit of the doubt?

This man's heart condition, which was present on enlistment, was accepted as aggravated by his short period of service. Pension for that disability has, however, ceased as the effects of service are considered to have passed away, but an appeal to the tribunal against that decision is now under consideration. The change of diagnosis referred to was recommended by a medical board comprising a cardiologist, and was confirmed, after very full consideration, by my medical advisers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Chilvers, of Wolverhampton Street, Darlaston, is the guardian of William Tipper; that she accepted this responsibility on the undertaking of the chief area officer, West Bromwich, that a clothing grant of £6 would be made; that this grant has been refused; and that Mrs. Chilvers has had to clothe the child; and will he cause inquiry to be held with a view to the grant being made?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to the child Thomas Tipper. I regret that there has been a misunderstanding in this case. The grant is being made at once.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that William Munro, Corvost, Strathcarron, Ross-shire, an ex-service man, was cited as a witness for the nation in a. case before the Scottish Land Court, at the instance of the estate, for damages in consequence of the proposed acquisition of Glenmore deer forest for small holdings; that he expressed a desire to be relieved from giving evidence in case it might prejudice his chance of obtaining a croft on the estate for which he was an applicant, and had made arrangements for taking over the croft from the representatives of the deceased holder; and whether he has any intimation that the croft is not now to be allocated to the applicant.?

My Noble Friend is aware that William Munro was cited as a witness for the Board of Agriculture in the case referred to. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board of Agriculture have been informed that the estate propose to accept as tenants of the croft in question two persons who occupy an adjoining croft.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 301 ex-service men appointed to establish posts in his department since the 1st January, 1922, were employed in the Ministry previous to qualifying for establishment; and how many ex-service men were discharged either for alleged inefficiency or otherwise during the same period?

279 ex-service men have been appointed since the 1st January, 1922, to established posts after temporary service in the Ministry and 22 after temporary service in other Government Departments. During the same period, there has been a considerable increase in the number of ex-service men in the direct employ of the Ministry. There has, of course, been concurrent wastage due to such normal causes as resignations on taking up other work and discharges for inefficiency, but I regret that the records available at the moment do not enable me to give the detailed information desired by the hon. Member. Arrangements are made to secure that every efficient clerk on becoming redundant is given the opportunity of offering himself for transfer to some other part of the Ministry and, since January 1922, 150 locally redundant men have been so transferred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the composition and terms of reference to the new Lytton Committee of Inquiry which he is setting up; and when is he placing the announcement on the Order Paper of the House?

I hope that it may be possible to make an announcement as to the membership of the Committee within the next few days. I have fully considered the reference to the Committee in the light of the Debates that have taken place and the various questions that have been put to me on the subject and have come definitely to the conclusion that the needs of the case are amply met by the terms which I submitted to the House on the 12th April. They run as follows:

" To inquire into the action taken throughout the Civil Service in consequence of the Report of the Committee, under the chairmanship of the Earl of Lytton, to consider the arrangements for the appointment of ex-service men to posts in the Civil Service, whether permanent or temporary, and to report to what extent practical effect has been given to the Committee's recommendations in the various Government Departments.

To consider the recommendation in paragraph 43 of the Third Interim Report of the Committee regarding the initial rates of remuneration to be prescribed for successful candidates at the specially limited competitions for the clerical class, and to advise whether any and, if so, what modifications should be made in these rates.

It will be an instruction to the Committee to give immediate consideration to the question of initial rates of remuneration, and to report thereon."

With regard to the first part of the reference, it has been explained that it will be open to the Committee, if they find that difficulties have arisen in the application of the recommendations of the Lytton Committee, to suggest what amendments or modifications are desirable in order to give full effect to the policy of preferential treatment of ex-service men which the Lytton Committee recommended. The second part of the reference embraces not only the ex-service entrants to the clerical class whose case has been particularly under discussion, but all other entrants, non-service men and women, to this class. It embraces similarly all entrants by special limited competition to the various departmental clerical classes. It will, therefore, cover everyone in these classes who can be brought within the definition of the term "Lytton entrant." The Committee, as I have already explained to the House, will not be a Select Committee, and it will consequently be unnecessary to place any announcement on the Order Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a request from the British Legion for a grant towards a village settlement scheme for tubercular ex-service men, and a second request that ex-service men should be given the preference for employment in any scheme guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act; and what answer he has returned?

I have received a telegraphic demand that £1,000,000 out of the surplus realised on last financial year should be applied to this purpose. As I explained in my Budget statement, the surplus has already been applied to redemption of debt, and is not now available. The question whether Government assistance should be given towards these experimental settlements has been repeatedly under the consideration of successive Ministers of Health, and I understand that my right hon. Friend is shortly receiving a deputation on the question. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Reading (Major Cadogan).

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is in existence any fund, Government or otherwise, from which an ex-service man who has had his case finally decided and his pension stopped, but who is still under treatment at a local hospital and is unable to go back to the calling which he exercised before the War, can get temporary help?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a publication compiled by the War Office which will, I hope, prove of assistance to him.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men who have been helped in each of the last two years and also in the first three months of the present year by the Civil Liabilities Department; whether he is aware that the need for such assistance is now increasing, in view of the large number of men whose pensions have been stopped owing to their recovery though many are not physically fit to justify resumption of their former occupation where this was of an arduous nature; the amount of money in each of the periods above-mentioned at the disposal of, and used by, the Committee; whether it was sufficient for all claims which merited consideration; whether any intended allocations have had to be reduced through restricted funds; and whether ho is satisfied that the maximum of help which is desirable and useful in the work of this Committee is available?

I have been asked to reply. The approximate number and amount of civil liabilities grants paid are as follows:

	No. of grants paid.	Total amount. £
In calendar year 1921	11,500	653,000
In calendar year 1922	4,900	253,000
1st January to 31st March, 1923	1,000	54,000

The sums voted for civil liabilities grants in the financial years ending March, 1922, and March, 1923, were £560,000 and £230,600 respectively. In each year the Rinds available have been sufficient to meet the claims which, in my hon. Friend's words, "merited consideration," and no intended grants have had to be reduced through lack of funds. I think that the regulations governing the scheme provide ample opportunity to disabled men (whether under continuous treatment or on coming out of hospital or trainees) who wish and are eligible to benefit by it. I cannot hold out any hope of its extension to men who are not disabled.

asked the Minister of Labour if he possesses any statistics to show the number of ex-service men who might be assisted by increased grants from the Civil Liabilities Department to carry on small businesses and thus avoid becoming a charge on the unemployment donation; whether he is of the opinion that such assistance could be increased; and whether any specific instances to this effect have been brought under his notice?

Up to the end of March, 1923, grants had actually been made to the 112,510 ex-service men and continue to be made to disabled men at the rate of 80 a week. As I can only deal with specific applications, I have no means of ascertaining how many more applications might be made. I am afraid I cannot undertake to widen the scope of the existing Regulations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will inquire into the case of A. G. Wesley, of Froggatt, Derbyshire, who, with another ex-service man, G. Bailey, after undergoing a course of training as silversmiths at the School of Art, Sheffield, were sent as improvers to Messrs. Gladwins, of Sheffield, and, after being there a week, were informed by the manager that the Gold, Silver, and Allied Trades Union objected to their presence in the works, as a consequence of which they were discharged; and whether he will, if the facts as stated are correct, do all possible to find suitable employment for these ex-service men?

I understand that Messrs. A. G. Wesley and G. Bailey were placed as improvers with Messrs. Glad-wins of Sheffield, but that exception was taken by unemployed silversmiths, and as a result they were temporarily transferred to the training school pending the consideration of their case by the local technical advisory committee for the gold, silver, and allied trades. Two officials of the trade union concerned, who are members of the committee, are trying to arrange a settlement on behalf of the committee. In any case, I will do all I can to find suitable employment for the two trainees.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the rates of venereal disease admissions per 1,000 per annum in 1921 and 1922 of the British Army of the Rhine, the British Army in Constantinople, and the British Army in the United Kingdom, respectively; whether there is any difference and, if so, what, in the methods of medical prophylaxis adopted in the different armies; and whether any steps are taken to prevent soldiers attending civil venereal disease clinics in the United Kingdom in plain clothes?

The ratios per 1,000 are

British Army of the Rhine, 1921	212·34
British Army of the Rhine, 1922	213·53
British Army in Constantinople, 1921	228·48
British Army in Constantinople, 1922	83·41
United Kingdom, 1921	40·26
United Kingdom, 1922	33·66

The same methods of medical prophylaxis are followed in each of these Commands. As regards the last part of the question, there is no prohibition on the attendance of men at such clinics, but they would probably find regular attendance, whether in plain clothes or uniform, difficult in practice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what was the total number of women who served as clerks in the general service voluntary aid detachment overseas and at home, respectively; whether any considerable proportion of the other general service voluntary aid detachment members were recruited from amongst women clerks; and how many of the women were discharged between 1918 and October, 1920, and since that date, respectively?

I am informed by the Women's Voluntary Aid Detachment Department that the approximate number of women clerks in question was: Overseas, 400 to 500; at home, 2,000. About 1,500 of those were demobilised by December, 1920, and the rest later. No considerable number of the other general service voluntary aid detachment members were recruited from amongst women clerks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many women served in the Women's Royal Naval Service as women clerks, overseas and on mobile and immobile home-service work, respectively; whether any considerable proportion of other ranks were recruited from women normally employed as clerks; and how many of the women were discharged and demobilised between 1918 and October, 1921?

This information could only be extracted from the records by the expenditure of a very considerable amount of time and labour, the cost of which would not, I think, be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many women served in the W. R. A. F. as women clerks, overseas and on mobile and immobile home service work, respectively; whether any considerable proportion of other ranks were recruited from women normally employed as clerks; and how many of the women were demobilised and discharged between 1918 and October, 1921?

To obtain the detailed information required for the hon. Member in the first two parts of his question would involve the scrutiny of many thousands of individual records of the W. R. A. F., and I do not think that the labour would be justified. It may, however, serve his purpose if I state, from the records which axe readily available, that it appears that the total strength of the W. R. A. F. on 30th November, 1918, was about 26,000, that of these about 8,000 belonged to the mobile and about 18,000 to the immobile sections, that about 9,300 of those in Loth sections were classed as clerical, and that the whole force was disbanded in March, 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there is to be a cut of 50 lakhs in the expenditure of the Post Office in India; and whether he can give some indication as to the direction in which the cuts will be made?

The Government of India are budgeting for a reduction in the expenditure of their Post and Telegraph Department of about 130 lakhs, which approximates closely to that recommended by the Inchcape Committee. As regards the direction in which the reduction will be made, I have no information beyond that contained in the Committee's Report, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the cause of the delay in carrying out the recommendations of the Public Services Commission, 1917, that a family pension fund similar to that of the Indian Civil Service should be instituted for the Indian police and other services?

The delay is due first to the time spent in obtaining the views of the services concerned on the recommendations of the Commission, and, secondly, to the fact that before a definite scheme could be formulated, it was necessary to undertake an investigation into the marriage and mortality rates of the members of those services, which is still proceeding.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government contributions to the Indian Civil Service have been increased by 25 per cent. since January, 1920; and whether a further increase of 25 per cent. has been offered?

The Government contribution to the Indian Civil Service Family Pension Scheme was increased by 25 per cent. from January, 1920, subject to reconsideration after 31st December, 1923. A proposal has been laid before the subscribers whereby pensions would be temporarily enhanced by a further 25 per cent. subject to an increase in subscriptions. Should this proposal be accepted the Government contribution, which takes the form of the provision of certain definite portions of the pensions, will be automatically increased by a further 25 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether impediments still exist to the trade between Great Britain and Russia; what at present are regarded as obstacles causing delay; and what is being done to ensure the development of Anglo-Russian trade combined with improved transit facilities?

The development of trade between this country and Russia is still hampered by conditions in Russia. As regards the latter part of the question, my Department gives all assistance and advice possible to firms desiring to enter the Russian market. I am not aware that lack of transport facilities has been experienced by British firms.

also asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to obtain evidence and views of British manufacturers of agricultural and engineering machinery and materials on the question of improving the home industry and trade with British Overseas Dominions at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference in London; and what are the arrangements?

I have been asked to reply. As indicated by the Prime Minister on the 20th March in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Jarrett), it is my intention to take steps to consult the representatives of commerce and industry in this country with regard to matters in which they are interested in connection with the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference. I hope to arrange for such consultation at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table the representations which have been received from certain of the Dominions and Colonies and from France, Holland and Lithuania with reference to the Merchandise Marks Bill.?

No, Sir; I am not prepared to lay papers on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of. War Stock or War Bond policies issued by industrial insurance companies and the amount involved, the number of such policies and the total amount which have lapsed, and the number and amount still in existence?

So far as I am aware the Prudential Assurance Company, Limited, is the only company which has issued War Stock or War Bond policies in its industrial branch, but the issue of such policies ceased in October, 1921. According to information supplied by that company in January, 1922, the number of such policies issued in the industrial branch was 1.882,732, of which 442,662 were not taken up; the number of policies lapsed was 279,788. On 3rd December, 1921, the sum assured under policies remaining in force at that date was approximately £28,500,000 nominal of War Stock or Bonds. The latest information in the possession of the Board of Trade regarding the position of such policies is contained in an answer which I gave to one of the hon. Members for Dundee on the 7th March this year, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the methods of the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society, registered No. 8,595, Lancashire; if he is aware that three sisters named Suttie, of Lochgelly, Fife, had paid premiums regularly since March, 1915; that in October last, within five months of the policies maturing, the collector disappeared; that although three letters, dated 7th and 14th October and 11th November, were sent to the society no answer was received by the Sutties; that no notice of forfeiture was received; and that the society refuses to reinstate the policies; and will he consult with the chief registrar of friendly societies as to what action should be taken to deal with practices such as these?

I have been asked to reply. The chief registrar of friendly societies has had reason to complain of the methods of this society for a long time past and has been informed of the ease to which the hon. Member refers. He is unable to deal with the society under the law as it at present stands, but it is hoped that the Industrial Assurance Bill, which is now before the House will, when passed, provide him with the necessary powers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will favourably consider a grant from the funds provided for overseas settlement to approved centres for giving a short preliminary training for agricultural and other outdoor occupations in order to provide a means of selecting those most suitable and adaptable, and fitting them to some extent for life in the Dominions?

I regret that I have little to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on the 26th March. I am personally disposed to favour a short and simple course of elementary training in this country and am considering the possibilities of schemes of this nature. But as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the contribu- tions of His Majesty's Government to any scheme under the Empire Settlement Act may not exceed half the expenses of the scheme; and as was indicated in my answer of the 26th March, no Dominion Government has expressed a desire to co-operate in a scheme of this nature.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a circular letter to boards of guardians, calling their attention to the powers they have of assisting prospective emigrants by giving training grants to fit unemployed persons for agricultural occupations overseas?

I understand that the Oversea Settlement Committee are awaiting certain proposals for the establishment of training camps in this country, and, pending the receipt of these proposals, I think it would be premature to consider the issue of a circular of the kind referred to. I would point out, however, that the general attitude of all the oversea authorities is that training should be undertaken on arrival overseas rather than before departure from this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can state, in any form and for any convenient period, the quantity and/or value of British imports and exports from the occupied territory or from the Rhine, or whether he has any information showing the volume of this trade for any period since, and any comparable period prior to, the French occupation?

I am unable to give, for any period, particulars of trade between this country and the occupied territory of Germany or the Rhine district as the Customs declarations from which the statistics of imports and exports are compiled, while distinguishing the countries from and to which the various goods are consigned, do not distinguish portions of countries, and consequently it is only possible to furnish particulars of trade with Germany as a whole.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that 12 cases of yarn are being held up in Giesenkirchen mainly as a result of the French demand for an export tax of 10 per cent. although the order was placed on 17th November, 1922, by a Manchester firm; and what steps he can take to secure the release of this raw material in order to prevent English looms being stopped?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot trace, from the particulars given in the question, that the Board of Trade have already heard of this case. If, however, the firm have ant already communicated full particulars of the case either to the Board of Trade or to the British High Commissioner at Coblenz, they should do so immediately, in order that the necessary steps may be taken by the High Commissioner to obtain the benefit of the special facilities offered by the Franco-Belgian authorities for the export from occupied territory of goods ordered before 1st February, 1923. Full information on this subject will be found in a notice issued by the Board, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Under the conditions stated in that notice, the necessary Allied export licence will be issued on payment of export duty at the rate in force at the date of the order. If the difficulty arises from the attitude of the German supplier, I can only refer the hon. Member to the statement which the President of the Board of Trade made in this House on the 12th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the British High Commissioner, of the inter-Allied Commission at Coblenz, is in a position to obtain from the French authorities permission for goods due for delivery under British contracts placed before the French occupation of the Ruhr to leave Germany: and, if so, whether he will request the High Commissioner to deal with applications which are now being made to him by British firms?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 14 (a) of a notice issued by the Board of Trade, of which I am sending him a copy, but advantage cannot be taken of these facilities in cases in which the German exporting firm observes the Regulations of the German Government, which have not been so modified as to enable use to be made of them. The British High Commissioner is already dealing with applications sent to him by British traders, either direct or through the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the quantities of coal, coke, iron-ore, and pig-iron exported from this country to on-occupied Germany between 28th January and 31st March, 1923: and what were the quantities exported to Germany in the same period in 1922?

The following statement shows the quantities of the specified commodities registered during the two months February and March in each of the years 1922 and 1923, as exported from the United Kingdom and consigned to Germany. Exports to unoccupied Germany are not separately classified:

	Two Months—Feb.-March.
	1922.	1923.
	Tons.	Tons.
Coal	827,607	2,836,496
Coke	1,304	82,740
Iron Ore	nil	nil
Pig Iron	6,045	27,510

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that he is not prepared in the present circumstances to require local authorities to pay salaries in excess of what they themselves consider necessary for sanitary inspectors, in giving his approval to an appointment, he has any minimum; and. if so, what is it?

The circumstances of sanitary districts differ so much as regards size. population and character that it would not be practicable to prescribe a minimum salary as a condition of sanction to the appointment of a sanitary inspector.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of Article 18 of the Sanitary Officers Order, 1922, which requires a sanitary inspector to abstain wholly in his private business from any work arising out of or in any way connected with the discharge of his duties as a sanitary inspector, and in view of the fact that the salary of £98 per annum is supposed to include travelling expenses and office accommodation, an increased remuneration can be considered?

The question of an increase of salary is one for the local authority in the first instance. I am prepared to give sympathetic consideration to any proposal for a reasonable increase of salary that may be made to me by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the practice of allowing parents to exempt their children from vaccination has been followed during the past 15 years by a greater freedom from small-pox than has ever been recorded in this country, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to empower boards of guardians to suspend the enforcement of the Vaccination Acts in their districts for such periods as they may determine?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to indicate when the Regulations which are being prepared dealing with the question of transport and handling of meat will be ready for issuing; and can he supply any information as to the result of the Circular sent to local authorities on this subject?

I hope to be in a position to circulate a provisional draft of the Regulations in the course of the next few weeks. I have received information showing that a considerable number of demonstrations have been arranged for the purposes suggested in the Circular, and I understand that the system of meat inspection recommended therein has been generally accepted.

asked the Minister of Health what, at 31st December, 1922, was the approximate sum held, permanently invested, by the Ministry of Health for account of Approved Societies, exclusive of sums invested for societies under Section 56 (3) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, as regards moneys representing income, and as regards moneys representing reserve values already redeemed; what was the cost price of the securities in which such moneys are invested; what was the market value of such securities on 31st December, 1922, taken at mid-Stock Exchange prices; what would be the annual income derived from such investments; what proportion thereof, in cash, would be credited to societies; what, from 15th July, 1912, to 31st December, 1922, was the approximate difference, in cash, between the total income received from the before-mentioned investments, as well as from sums temporarily invested for societies before being paid over to them, and the proportion thereof credited to societies; what actual loss has been sustained by the Ministry on the investment of the before-mentioned funds, giving details thereof; what, on the other hand, has been the amount received by way of cash appreciation on investments which have already matured and were held to maturity; what is the value, taken at mid price on 31st December, 1922, of any profits realised on the sale and reinvestment of securities held for account of societies and exchange from one security into another, respectively; what are the dates of maturity of present investments and the capital sums at each such dates which would then be realised by way of profit on cost price; what, approximately, would be the additional sum invested annually, or in 1923, for societies, and what proportion thereof would represent the annual sum applied to the redemption of reserve values; and what, so far as the information available to the Minister extends, are the respective figures as regards Wales and Scotland if the foregoing information be given as regards England only?

The following statement gives the information asked for by the hon. Member as regards England, Wales and Scotland together:

asked the Minister of Health the amount of money paid by trade unions and friendly societies in sickness, accident, and funeral benefit in return for contributions paid to the societies by the members during the three years 1912, 1913 and 1914, and the three years 1919, 1920, and 1921, respectively?

The amount of money paid by trade unions and friendly societies, excluding branches of orders in sickness, accident and funeral benefit was during the years 1912, 1913 and 1914 £8,243,406, and during the years 1919, 1920 and 1921 £.7,799,938. As regards benefits paid by branches of orders, the only figures available are for the years 1912 and 1920. The amounts are £2,787,896 and £2,470,720, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the whole question of appointing or suggest- ing a statutory salary for health visitors so as to avoid the under-payment, which is too frequent at the present moment?

The general question of the salaries of health visitors is receiving my consideration.

asked the Minister of Health the number of workshops for the blind which have been opened in connection with the operation of the Blind Persons Act, 1920; and whether the utilisation of the charitable institutions has given the help that his Department anticipated?

Since the passing of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, four new workshops have been opened and considerable extensions have been made to six existing workshops. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that at the Stannington (Nothumberland) institution for tuberculous children one-third of the beds are vacant; that many children who suffer from the above complaint, owing to the lack of monetary support from the Health Department, are unable to benefit from such institution; and will he consider the desirability of increasing the grants?

My information is that the number of empty beds at the Stannington Sanatorium at the beginning of the present month amounted to about one-fifth of the total number of beds at the institution. As the total amount of the grants cannot exceed the sum voted by Parliament for this service. I regret that it is not practicable to increase the amounts of the grants for the current financial year which have already been communicated to the local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, taking the superficial area of the artisan houses permitted under the Housing, etc. (No. 2), Bill, the cost of material at the present moment and the present remuneration of the labour employed in housing operations, he will inform the House what would be the average estimated cost, exclusive of land, etc., of the various types of standard structures which will, according to expectation, be erected?

For the purpose of calculation the average cost of a non-parlour house has been estimated at figures varying between £300 and, £345, but I hope that the actual cost of building will prove to be below these figures.

asked the Minister of Health the number of new houses in the United Kingdom specified in the Returns made for 1919; the number erected since that year; and the number required to be erected to remove the shortage?

According to the survey made by local authorities in England and Wales at the end of 1919, the gross estimate of shortage of working-class houses due to overcrowding was 506,700. But in view of the difficulty of obtaining reliable estimates the hon. Member must not take it that I regard this as representing the present effective demand for houses. The number of houses completed under the State-aided schemes is 198,183.

asked the Minister of Health what was the greatest number of houses erected in any one year since 1918; the number of the type to which the subsidy in the present Housing Bill would apply erected in any year; and the percentage of unemployed in the building trades in that year?

The greatest number of houses completed in any one year since 1918 under the State assisted schemes was 88,964 in the year 1922, and the mean percentage of unemployed in the building trades in Great Britain in that year was 16·9. It should, however, be noted that a great part of the work upon these houses was actually performed in the year 1921.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Public Works Loan Commissioners will be prepared to advance loans to local authorities generally, irrespective of rateable value, for the purpose of encouraging them to put into operation the provisions of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1889, as amended by the Housing Acts; and, if so, what the rate of interest will be in such cases?

This matter is receiving my consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the number of depositors, and the total amount due to them, in the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December, for each of the last three years for which Returns are available?

The figures for the last four years are as follow:—

Year ended 31st December.	Number of Accounts.	Balance due to Depositors.
		£
1919	13,203,045	266,348,366
1920	13,383,151	266,508,032
1921	11,411,676*	264,156,529
1922	11,750,000*	268,000,000
*The smaller number of accounts for 1921 is due to the transfer from the current ledgers to a special ledger, for purposes of economy in account keeping, of some 2,200,000 accounts, with balances averaging about is. 9d. each and in no instance more than a few shillings, in which no transaction had taken place for more than five years. The figures for 1922 are approximate only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the totals of deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank on 1st January, 1922, and on 1st January, 1923; the total withdrawals from 1st January, 1922 to 31st March, 1922, and the total withdrawals from 1st January, 1923, to 31st March, 1923; the total deposits from 1st January, 1922, to 31st March, 1922, and the total deposits from 1st January, 1923, to 31st March, 1923; the highest figure, with date of deposit, from 31st March, 1922, to 1st January, 1923; the amount deposited to new accounts by new depositors, 1st January, 1923, to 31st March, 1923; and the amount deposited to existing accounts by existing depositors from 1st January, 1923, to 31st March, 1923?

The figures are as follow:

	£
(1) Balance due to depositors, 1st January, 1922	264,156,529
Balance due to depositors, 1st January, 1923 (approximate)	268,000,000
(2) Total withdrawals from 1st January, 1922, to 31st March, 1922	25,472,000*
Total withdrawals from 1st January, 1923, to 31st March, 1923	21,599,000
(3) Total deposits from 1st January, 1922, to 31st March, 1922	21,413,000
Total deposits from 1st January, 1923, to first March, 1923	22,919,000
* £3,000,000 of this amount due to withdrawals to buy Savings Certificates before price went up to 16s. on 1st April, 1922.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the inadequacy of the programmes supplied by the British Broadcasting Company, he is taking any steps to revise or cancel the agreement with the Company, under paragraph 27, Sub-section (1), of the wireless broadcasting licence?

I am not aware that the programmes supplied by the British Broadcasting Company are generally regarded as inadequate.