asked the President of the Board of Education whether the promised close co-operation between his Department and the Ministry of Health is now effective; whether the school medical officers are working with medical officers of health without any serious friction; and how many medical staff he is retaining in addition to those at the Health Ministry?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and also the answer to the second, as far as I am aware. The number of medical officers engaged exclusively at the Board of Education is seven.

asked the Minister of Pensions what duties in the Pensions Issue Office were intended to be performed by those filling the 36 higher grade clerkships, 26 assistant divisional superintendentships, and 46 group supervisorships estimated as necessary for the running of the branch by his Department for 1922–23; and what was the establishment numbers or name and salary of each woman employed on the duties intended to be performed by persons of each of these grades, respectively, during that period?

:The duties of the temporary officers acting as assistant divisional superintendent s and group supervisors are in accordance with the titles of their posts, and are concerned with the settlement of difficult individual cases and the supervision of the subordinate staff of the office. The higher grade clerks, who are permanent officials, are gradually taking over from the temporary staff the control of the groups. For the information asked for in the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Nottingham, West (Mr. Hayday).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department. whether it is owing to differences of opinion that have arisen among the members of the Oversea Settlement Committee that a delay has occurred in putting the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act into full force; and whether he can hold out any hope of further and more practical assistance being given to encourage emigration.

:No, Sir. Schemes under the Empire Settlement Act can only be developed "in association with the Government of any part of His Majesty's Dominions, or with public authorities or public or private organisations either in the United Kingdom or in any part of such Dominions." A considerable number of schemes are already in force; others are under discussion. The full development of the new policy necessarily requires time. But the Oversea Settlement Committee are prepared to co-operate in agreed schemes to the full extent authorised by the Act, and they are care fully considering the possibility of affording further assistance, where necessary, for example, in the case of families. The whole problem will, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, receive full consideration at the forthcoming Economic Conference.