asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will have prepared and presented to the House a Return, showing in a tabulatd form the following information for each member of the senior administrative staff, including principals and all officers senior in grade, namely, age, grade, and salary in 1914; present grade and salary, exclusive of war bonus; percentage increase of salary, if any, since 1914; length of service, if any, with the naval or military forces during the War; and, where no such service was rendered, whether prevented from serving owing to rejection on medical grounds?

The particulars asked for by my hon. Friend are not immediately available, and could not be collected and tabulated without an expenditure of time and labour, which, I think, would not be justified under present conditions.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the present Government not to utilise open competitive examinations for entrance to the Civil Service; at what date competitive examinations were terminated; and whether it is proposed to re-establish them at an early date?

The Government has in no sense abandoned the principle of open competition, but in accordance with its settled policy and with the often-expressed wishes of all sections of public opinion, open competition is to a large extent temporarily superseded by arrangements designed to give the utmost preference possible to ex-service men. Open competitions for women candidates have never been entirely suspended, though in certain cases they have been temporarily susperseded by competitions limited to women who have rendered approved temporary service, and the opportunities for new entrants have been necessarily restricted by the preference given to ex-service men. Open competitions for male candidates have, with few exceptions, been in suspense since the early days of the War, and I am unable to say when they will be generally resumed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements, if any, were made for the absorption into civilian clerical employment in his Department of men demobilised from His Majesty's forces (clerical home-service units) from 1918 to October, 1920?

No arrangements were made for the absorption of men from clerical home-service units. Since the general completion of demobilisation all arrangements have been in the hands of the Joint Substitution Board (Ministry of Labour), and the Admiralty has, generally speaking, accepted any applicant sent by that Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the lowest consumption of coal used in the production of electrical energy in the United Kingdom, taking the production on the basis of the unit?

I have been asked to answer this question. The returns for the year ending 31st March, 1923, are not yet complete. For the previous year, the lowest consumption of coal per unit of electricity generated at public supply stations in Great Britain was 1·7 lbs. The Commissioners have no corresponding information for Irish electricity undertakings, which are no longer under their jurisdiction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the import duty in the United States in the periods January to June, 1914, and January to June, 1922, on cotton yarn, cotton piece goods, cotton flags, handkerchiefs, and shawls not in the piece, and other cotton manufactures?

I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he asks, as I think he will agree that it is too long and detailed to be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of import duties imposed on British goods in Australia, Canada, South Africa, India, and New Zealand in the last financial year, and the amount of import duties imposed in this country on goods shipped here from those Dominions?

The duties collected in Canada on imports from the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1922, amounted to 23,585,155 dollars, or approximately £5,450,000 at the average rate of exchange for that period. These figures include duties collected on some goods not of United Kingdom origin although imported from the United Kingdom. The duties chargeable in New Zealand on the goods imported during 1921 from the United Kingdom, calculated at the rates of the present tariff, which came into force on 4th November of that year, amount to about £3,500,000. The duties collected in the Union of South Africa on goods imported from the United Kingdom during 1921 amounted to £3,500,000, approximately, according to calculations based on the published figures of imports and rates of duty. In the cases of Australia and India, I regret that no corresponding figures are available in the published accounts and that no estimates have been completed similar to those on which the figures for South Africa and New Zealand rest.No information is available as to the amount of import duties imposed in this country on goods consigned from the Dominions. Practically all goods on which an import duty is chargeable are admitted into this country at a preferential rate of duty, provided they are consigned from the Empire, and are shown to be of Empire growth or manufacture; and the amount of duty collected on goods admitted to preference consigned from the Dominions named during the financial year 1922–23 was as follows:—

		£
Australia	…	270,119
Canada	…	749,994
New Zealand	…	2,305
Union of South Africa	…	969,583
British India	…	8,589,776

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the licence issued under the former Administration to traders in Tanganyika was in the nature of an opening licence, permanent and transferable; and whether the licence required by the new Ordinance is only a temporary one requiring renewal every year?

In my reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) on the 23rd of this month, I explained that under the German law two kinds of licence were required, one of which, the opening licence, was a single payment, and the other, the trade licence, was payable annually by certain specified trades. I may add that traders liable to trade licences were exempted from Profits Tax, but that ordinary shopkeepers, not being liable, were not exempted. The system of assessment for both kinds of licence was arbitrary and open to abuse, and the fees for trade licences could not be readjusted if found excessive. Under the new Ordinance, the opening licence is abolished and an annual trading licence is substituted. This licence is transferable, and certain specified businesses are exempted, such as planters, farmers, market gardeners, and dairymen, but not shopkeepers. The amount paid for a trade licence will be deducted from any Profits Tax payable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the opium monopoly was established in Irak; whether it is a Government monopoly or whether the privileges are being farmed out; how many selling permits have been issued; how many smoking-rooms have been licensed; and what proportion of the opium sold is Indian and what proportion Persian?

So far as I am aware, no general opium monopoly has been established in Iraq. In 1920 an attempt was made to control the opium traffic by the institution of local monopolies in areas where it appeared to need regulation, and I have received no information a any change of policy. The nigh Commissioner is being instructed to furnish a full report on the whole question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is a law in Ceylon prohibiting fishing for chanks over an area of waters reaching in some places 20 miles or more from the coast of Ceylon; and whether this prohibition applies to foreign vessels fishing in such waters?

Under Ordinance 18 of 1890, fishing for thanks is prohibited within the limits bounded by a straight line drawn from a point six miles westward of Talaimannar to a point six miles westward of the shore two miles south of Talaivilla. The claim of the Ceylon Government to this fishery is based on immemorial user by successive sovereigns of the island.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that two vessels were bought from the United States Shipping Board by Canadian purchasers under contracts which stipulated that the vessels should not be used in any manner which would violate the laws of the United States, and that, in consequence of this stipulation, registry was refused by the Canadian Government in the case of these vessels; and whether any representation has been made to His Majesty's Government in the matter?

I am aware that a question has arisen of the nature referred to in the hon. Member's question. I understand that it is at present under discussion with the Government of the United States.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware of the strong opposition of the Scottish local authorities to the housing proposals contained in the new Housing Bill on the ground that they are unsuitable and inadequate for Scotland; and will he consider the advisability of consulting the authorities and the Scottish Members of Parliament with a view to securing amendments which would conform to the needs of Scotland?

I am aware that some Scottish local authorities have expressed dissatisfaction with certain of the proposals in the Housing Bill. The Secretary for Scotland and I have already conferred with representatives of Scottish local authorities and heard their views. Any amendments desired by Scottish Members of this House will no doubt be put down in the usual way.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if the grant for education in Scotland was reduced by £820,000 in 1922–23; if a further reduction of £381,500 is notified for 1923–24; if the county education authorities have protested that this further reduction means either a lowering of the standards of efficiency and service or an increase in local education rates; and if he will have the whole matter reexamined with a view to preventing the collapse of the educational ideals of the Scottish nation?

The figures given in the first part of the question represent the estimated reduction in the grants payable to Scottish education authorities for the years mentioned. Formal protests have been received from three county education authorities. While my Noble Friend regrets the decrease of grants, education authorities will still receive approximately the amount of grant paid in 1920–21, which was nearly £5,600,000, as compared with a little over £2,000,000 paid in 1913–14; and he has every confidence that education authorities will be able to adjust themselves to the present financial situation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will reconsider the case for pension benefits of Mr. W. G. Read, late assistant master at Hackney Down School, in view of the following facts: that Mr. Read was appointed assistant master at the school in 1881, and reappointed as full-time master by the London County Council in September, 1900; that he withdrew from the Council's pension scheme in 1919 in order to benefit under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, yet was not informed by the Board that, in its opinion, he was not a full-time teacher until May, 1921; that during this period, although he was still, in status, an assistant master, in actual fact he was acting as deputy for the headmaster at the latter's request and with the sanction of the Council, and performing duties which, by accepted custom in secondary schools under the authority, fall upon the headmaster, thus affording to the latter such relief as only a person far above the status for an ordinary clerk could supply; that His Majesty's inspector in 1921 expressed the opinion that Mr. Read was doing work which entitled him to full pension rights; and that he is now considered by the Board to be ineligible for pension benefits for the period January, 1905, to July. 1921?

I will certainly review the case, but on the facts at present before me I find it difficult to regard Mr. Read as having, for a good many years, been in full time teaching service. The staff register as furnished to the Board, has described Mr. Read since 1908 in the following terms:

"Acts as school secretary under the headmaster and takes some classes in mathematics and geography."

The time-table for 1920–21 shows that he taught mathematics to one of the lower forms for eight periods or six hours a week, and a note is added:

asked the President of the Board of Education if any decision has been arrived at with regard to the pensions of teachers who retired before 1919, so as to grant to the English teachers the same privileges as Scottish retired teachers possess?

The answer is in the negative. I may, however, refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 23rd April last to my hon. Friends the Members for Southport (Lieut.-Colonel D. White) and Devonport (Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to recognise the gallantry of Mrs. Starr in effecting the rescue of Miss Ellis?

My Noble and gallant Friend will have seen that His Majesty has been pleased to recognise Mrs. Starr's heroic services not only by approving the award to her of the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal, but also by authorising the despatch of a personal message in the name of the King and Queen. This recognition will, I am sure, give satisfaction to all Members of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what the imports of gold and silver into India, and

IMPORTS INTO INDIA OF GOLD AND SILVER COIN AND BULLION AND THE IMPORT DUTY THEREON.
Calendar Year.					Gold.	Silver.
					Value of Imports on Government and Private Account*.	Value of Import on Government and Private Account.	Amount of Import Duty.†
					Lakhs of rupees.	Lakhs of rupees.	Rupees.
1917	…	…	…	…	31,79	24,34	19,07,940
1918	…	…	…	…	3,80	52,44	860
1919	…	…	…	…	14,53	51,84	2,470
1920	…	…	…	…	54,93	5,58	800
1921	…	…	…	…	10,81	17,11	—
1922	…	…	…	…	30,20	19,23	—
* There has been no import duty on gold. From 29th June, 1917, to 21st June, 1920, all gold imported into India was subject to acquisition by Government at a stated price, based on the exchange value of the rupee.
† Import duty at the rate of 4 annas per ounce was levied on silver coin and bullion imported on private account except current silver coin of the Government of India and antique silver coins and medals, during 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1920 to 2nd February, 1920, when the duty was abolished. The import of silver on private account was prohibited, except under licence, from 3rd September, 1917, to 2nd February, 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many bales of cotton were grown in India in the year 1921–1922; how many of those bales came into the United Kingdom; and how those figures compare with trade of the previous year.?

It is impossible to say how many of the bales grown in India in a particular year came into the United Kingdom; but the hon. Member will probably like to have the following figures:

Bales grown in India in 1920–1921	3,600,000
Bales grown in India in 1921–1922	4,464,000
Bales exported from India to United Kingdom in 1920–1921	96,006
Bales exported from India to United Kingdom in 1921–1922	35,784

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department has the import duty, thereon, has been for each year since 1917?

The figures are as follows:considered the Report of the Departmental Committee stating that milk is dearer than it ought to be owing to the charges of the wholesale dealers; and what action he proposes to take, if any be possible, in the interests of the consumer?

I will consider, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the desirability of discussing the question of the retail price of milk with representatives of the trade. In the meantime, I would point out that wholesale dealers and the trade generally have hardly had an opportunity of considering the views put forward by the Departmental Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many crop reporters there are; what their duties and remuneration are; and their total cost to the State a year?

There are 321 crop reporters. They undertake the collection annually of the returns of acreage and live-stock made by individual occupiers of acreage; they estimate the average yield of corn, root, hay and other crops in the district, and they prepare monthly a general report to the Ministry on agricultural conditions and prospects of crops. The remuneration paid to crop reporters averages about £100 per annum. The total cost to the State a year is approximately £33,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can see his way to have full particulars of each shipment of Canadian cattle published weekly in the Agricultural Market Report, the particulars to include the number of each shipment, the number sold by auction, the number sold privately, and the number consigned direct from Canada; and the maximum, minimum, and average prices obtained for these cattle?

I will endeavour to give weekly in the Agricultural Market Report full particulars in regard to these cattle, so far as they can be obtained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated amount of the grant of £2,750,000 to be paid by the Treasury in relief of agricultural rates, which will be received by rural areas and urban areas respectively, based on last year's returns?

For the reasons which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member last Thursday, he is unable to make any reliable estimate of allocation as between urban and rural areas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many protests he has received against the incidence of the Ouse drainage rate; and if he proposes to take such action as will prevent further hardship accruing from the activities of the drainage board pending amendment of the scheme?

I have received protests signed by approximately 3,500 persons. In reply to the second part of the question, I have no power to interfere with the exercise by the Ouse Board of the statutory powers conferred upon them under their Order. I understand, however, that expenditure is at present being confined to emergency works only. On the general question of the Ouse Order, my Department is in the closest consultation with the Ouse Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has had his attention called to the case of James Aitken, late of the Seaforth Highlanders, No. 3/7664, and now residing at Cowie, Stirlingshire; is he aware that this man claimed a pension on 31st October, 1921; that the claim was disallowed on 31st March, 1922; that the notification of refusal clearly indicated that an appeal would be valid if taken within a period of 12 months; that an appeal was taken, and was successful, on 6th September, 1922; and, seeing that the Ministry has since refused to pay arrears of pension back to the date of the first application, on the ground that the appeal had not been made within a period of two months of his being erroneously refused pension, will he have the circumstances of this case re-examined?

A claimant is by Statute allowed a maximum period of 12 months in which to appeal against a decision on entitlement. Where an appeal against a decision of the Ministry is allowed, arrears are payable from the date at which the appeal is lodged, except that where the appeal is lodged within a reasonable time of the Ministry's notification to the man of their decision, that is within two months, arrears are payable as from the date of his claim. In the case referred to appeal was not lodged by the man until nearly six months after the Ministry's decision. I see no ground for modifying the general rule in this case.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will look into the case of ex-Private S. Quick, No. 28,694, of 917, Bolton Road, Bradford, 2nd Lineolns, who enlisted 9th September, 1914, developed acute appendicitis, was operated upon, and discharged 28th September, 1917, with a 20 per cent. pension; if he is aware that, after reexamination in June, 1920, this was stopped., with the intimation that if disability should recur his case could be reopened (reference 4/M.Q./41, Leeds office); and that the disability having returned, with the necessity for a further operation, he cannot get his case reopened by the local pensions committee?

The appendicitis was at no time accepted as due to, but only as having been aggravated by, service and on examination by a medical board in June, 1920, it was found that the effects of service had passed away, and that there were, therefore, no grounds for any further award. I find, however, that the man was informed, in error, that if his disability recurred, his claim would be further considered. I am prepared to abide by promise then made and am instructing the regional officer accordingly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the intention of his Department to adhere strictly to the seven years' Regulation, or whether full consideration will be given to the dependants of soldier's who die after they have been discharged for more than seven years?

My right hon. Friend has no authority to award a pension to a dependant except in accordance with the express terms of the Royal Warrant, but the point raised is already under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in reference to the Rumanian loan about to be issued in this country, any steps have been taken to ensure that any part of the proceeds shall be applied in payment of compensation to British companies whose oil properties in Rumania were destroyed by the British Commission in 1916?

The loan in question is a consolidation of existing debt and does not provide the Rumanian Government with new money for compensation purposes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the effect of the new Order of the Rhineland High Commission as to motor transport on the food supply of the Cologne area?

His Majesty's High Commissioner at Coblenz has asked his colleagues for an assurance that the food supply of the British zone will not be prejudiced by the new Ordinance, and I understand that arrangements are being made to carry out this object.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information on the subject of the schooner "Patrician M. Beman," which sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 17th November, 1922; whether he is aware that the vessel was found derelict at the entrance of Great South Bay on 15th April, 1923, and that there were traces of a severe conflict having occurred on board; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the disappearance of the crew of the vessel?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on April 17th.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Government proposes to appoint the Sine-British Committee which is to decide the methods of applying the money available from the remitted Boxer indemnity; and whether, seeing that this money is already in the bank, that the Chinese Government is anxious that use should be made of it, and that all parties have been able to consider possible schemes, he will take, action on the line suggested?

I am advised that legislation will be necessary in order to give effect to the intention of His Majesty's Government to devote the British share of the Boxer indemnity to purposes of mutual benefit to British and Chinese interests. The actual appointment of the Boxer Indemnity Committee may, therefore, be delayed pending the introduction of a Bill, but in any case some considerable time is likely to be required before the Committee can complete their investigations and formulate concrete schemes for the best use of the funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any provision has been made in this year's Estimates for a further payment to the League of Nations in consideration of their accepting responsibility for Russian refugees?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant a return giving the same information in connection with the last General Election as was given in the returns made in respect of general elections previous to the Representation of the People Act, 1918, as to electorates, candidates, polling facilities, candidates' expenses, and number of votes polled?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant a Return giving the same information in connection with the last General Election as was given in the Returns made in respect of General Elections previous to the Representation of the People Act, 1918, as to electorates, candidates, polling facilities, candidates' expenses, and number of votes polled?

I am in consultation with the Treasury on this matter.

asked the Home Secretary what are the Regulations governing the opening of private correspondence; and whether any change has been made substituting a general warrant for a particular authority to authorise the Postmaster-General to act?

There are no Regulations governing the issue of Home Secretary's warrants for the opening of correspondence in the post, but it is recognised that such a warrant should not be issued except upon the strongest grounds, and before issuing a warrant I always consider whether such grounds exist in the particular case. There has been no departure from the established practice in this matter for many years.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the delay in discharging Mr. Willie Morgan, of Newport, who had been arrested on the charge of having caused the death of his mother; whether he is aware that the charge has been withdrawn; whether he will consider as to how the law may be amended so as to permit of the immediate discharge of persons against whom the Crown is unwilling to proceed with its charge; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances, some compensation will be offered to Mr. Morgan for the injury in which such a prosecution has involved him?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Thursday last to the hon. Member for the Pontypridd Division (Mr. Mardy Jones) with regard to this case. It is not one in which any grant can be made from public funds to the defendant.

asked the Home Secretary if Miss Grace Lally, of 27, Delamere Terrace, London, W.2, was amongst the persons deported to Ireland and interned in Mountjoy prison; if she has been moved from that prison; if so, what is the place of her internment; and has she made any application to appear before the Advisory Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Miss Lally remained in Mountjoy until this week-end, but has now been transferred to the North Dublin Union. The answer to the fourth part is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary if any of the persons removed recently under the Restoration of Order (Ireland) Act are interned elsewhere than in Mountjoy prison; and, if so, if he will give the names of the deportees interned elsewhere than in Mountjoy prison, with the name of the place in which they are at present interned?

The male internees are all interned in Mountjoy prison with the exception of Messrs. Charles Garrety and J. D. McCann, who are in Brixton prison. Miss Mary Finan and Miss Kathleen Brooks are in Holloway prison. The other female internees were all interned in Mountjoy until this week-end, but are now being transferred to North Dublin Union.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a member of the Irish prisoners' defence fund committee was recently summoned to Scotland Yard by the police and, in the presence of Mr. James Macneill, representative of the Irish Free State, was subjected to cross-examination; that the books of this committee, seized by the police, were examined and certain payments to dependants questioned; and that Mr. Macneill informed the person referred to that no further payments to these dependants, many of whom are destitute, would be permitted; and whether he will state if the collection of funds for the purpose of providing legal assistance to the internees from Great Britain and assistance to their dependants is prohibited

The answer to all four parts of the question is in the negative. I have received a telegram from the member of the committee referred to expressing regret that the information has been found to be incorrect.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation by which Clause 9b of the Ministry of Health Bye-laws (Slaughter-houses) shall be enforced by all local authorities: and whether he will make provision for the suitable inspection of slaughterhouses and that all slanghtermen shall be licensed?

The general question affecting the humane slaughtering of animals is at present under the consideration of the Government, and I cannot undertake to introduce the legislation suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. Inspection of slaughter-houses is already a duty of local authorities. The licensing of slaughtermen was one of the questions considered by the Departmental Committee on Meat Inspection in 1921, but they inclined to the view that such licensing was unnecessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Deptford Cattle Market has been closed for some time as a slaughtering centre; and whether, in view of the removal of the embargo on Canadian cattle, and the possibility of more slaughtering being done in this country as a consequence, he will take the necessary steps to see that the market is immediately opened in erder to provide work for the unemployed in connection with the slaughtering and allied trades?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on 10th and 26th April to the hon. Members for Central Southwark (Mr. Gilbert) and Deptford (Mr. Bowerman) respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that occupiers of agricultural land in the parish of Hallaton, Leicestershire, are assessed for the upkeep of the district roads, but have themselves to maintain public roads already included in the assessment and for which they are fully rated; whether such privately maintained public roads will benefit from the grant to be made for the maintenance of unclassified rural roads; and, if not, will he require such roads to be maintained by the district council, and so preclude ratepayers having to make a double payment for their upkeep?

I have been asked to reply I will have inquiry made into the conditions of road maintenance at Hallaton so as to ascertain whether any useful action can be taken by my Department. Grants from the Road Fund can, however, only be made to highway authorities or in conjunction with them, and the Minister of Transport has no power to require district councils to add to the length of roads which they maintain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the new great east and west road, already commenced from Reigate to Dorking, has been brought right up to and into the village of Buckland, against the express wishes of the inhabitants, thus creating a bottle-neck and also affecting the amenities and beauties of that village; and whether it is the policy of the Ministry to by-pass such villages?

I am aware of the progress made with this road, which at present stops short of the village of Buckland. Plans have recently been submitted to my Department by the Surrey County Council for the construction of a by-pass round the village, and it is my hope that some such proposal will be found feasible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether grants from the Road Fund have been made to any authorities in respect of the upkeep of any portions of paving for the maintenance of which tramway authorities are liable: and, if so, in what circumstances such grants have been made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many persons under 18 years of age were killed in the mining industry during the years 1918 to 1922, inclusive, and the total amount of compensation paid on their behalf?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not immediately available, but I will have it collected and sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible. As to the second part, I am informed that no record is kept of compensation payments classified according to age.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are a great many valuable sites owned by the Crown, especially in the case of the war services, which are no longer vital to existing requirements, or where alternative and more suitable accommodation is available; and whether, in view of the sums of money which would accrue to the Treasury by hastening decisions on these matters as well as the local benefit to trade, he will appoint a roving Geddes Committee to hear evidence and adjudicate on the spot?

I am informed by the Departments concerned that, apart from the sites which it is necessary to keep for service purposes, every effort is being made to get rid of surplus properties, and no opportunity is lost of effecting sales. I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular site in mind and will communicate with me I shall be very glad to look into the matter.

asked the Prime Minister if a rent was charged by the French Government during the War for the trenches used by the British troops serving in France?

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in the case of those units of the British Empire which are unable officially to participate in the 1924 exhibition, he can arrange, in their own and in the public interest, for them to have some general representation, if only in some slight form, such as descriptive and statistical information with illustrations; and whether this could be done within the floor accommodation of the Imperial Government without appreciable expense?

The question whether his Majesty's Government should exhibit at the British Empire Exhibition is now under consideration, and I will be very glad in that connection to bear in mind the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the large number of lottery communications being received by post in this country from Denmark and other Continental countries; and what powers he has to refuse to distribute matter which, if posted in this country, it would be within his power to withhold from delivery?

Communications relating to lotteries are received from time to time in mails from the Continent The transmission of such communications through the post in this country is illegal, and if they come under observation they are withheld from delivery.

asked the Post master-General when it is proposed to announce the personnel of the Committee to consider the question of wireless broadcasting, together with the terms of reference?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on the subject on the 24th instant.