asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount received from agricultural shows, representing the proceeds of Entertainments Duty, during the last financial year?

It is not possible to ascertain the yield of the Entertainments Duty from any particular class of entertainment, as the duty is collected partly by means of the sale of stamped tickets and stamps, and there is no information as to the nature of the entertainment for which such tickets and stamps are purchased.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that out of each 10s. received by the Post Office in respect of licences issued to holders of broadcasting instruments, the Postmaster-General gives 5s. to the Broadcasting Company to enable them to give concerts, etc., he will consider giving a similar proportion of the sum received in Entertainments Duty to the owners of places of entertainment to enable them to provide other forms of entertainment for the public?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Ex chequer is unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield for the financial year 1922–23 of the Inhabited House Duty, the Land Tax, and the Income Tax under Schedules A, B, C, D, and E, respectively?

The Exchequer Receipt in 1922–23 of the under-mentioned taxes was as follows:

		£
Inhabited House Duty	…	2,110,000
Land Tax	…	650,000
Income Tax	…	314,836,000

Under the present system of graduation and differentiation of the Income Tax, with personal allowances, deductions, and reliefs appurtenant not to the various sources of income charged under Schedules A, B, C, D and E, but to the total income of the taxpayer, the total yield cannot properly be divided between the respective Schedules.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the aggregate amounts payable out of the Consolidated Fund under The Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, and The Agricultural Rates (Scotland) Act, 1896, respectively, in relief of the rates on agricultural land for the financial year 1922–23; what was the aggregate amount payable under The Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act, 1899, in relief of rates on tithe rentcharge attached to benefices for that financial year; and what was the amount of the supplementary grant in relief of rates on agricultural land in Scotland under The Local Taxation Account (Scotland) Act, 1908, for that financial year?

The issues from the Consolidated Fund in the year 1922–23 were:

	£	s.	d.
Under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896	1,321,725	15	0
Under the Agricultural Rates (Scotland) Act, 1896	181,737	5	10
Under the Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act, 1899	418,551	17	1

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rental value, as defined in Section 20 of The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, of all rights to work minerals and all mineral wayleaves assessable to Mineral Rights Duty for the financial year 1922–23 in Great Britain and in Ireland, respectively; and what was the yield of that duty for that financial year in Great Britain and in Ireland, respectively?

The Exchequer receipt of Mineral Rights Duty in the financial year 1922–23 in Great Britain was £198,000. The rental value, as defined in Section 20 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, assessable for that year is approximately 20 times this sum, or £3,960,000. In Ireland this duty has been transferred to the Governments of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State respectively. The amount involved is, however, trifling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to allow farmers' co-operative societies, in addition to the direct financial assistance promised by the Minister of Agriculture, continued exemption from Income Tax?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that co-operative societies are exempt from Income Tax. As is evidenced by the Report of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax (Cmd. 615), the tax paid by them and their members under the legal provisions which govern their case does not greatly differ from that which would be payable under general Income Tax law. The matter to which my hon. Friend refers affords no ground in my judgment for altering the existing Income Tax law.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that not only is a head tax of 35s. imposed on every Britisher landing in America, but that to get a passport viséd by the United States of America a further charge of 45s. is made, making £4 for every Britisher who lands; and whether he will consider the desirability of the imposition of a reciprocal tax on Americans landing in this country in the interest of the national revenue?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information about the head tax said to be imposed on British subjects landing in America, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Lorrimer) on the 15th February, in which he stated that he was not prepared to discriminate against citizens of the United States in the manner suggested. As regards visâ fees, Americans applying for visas to come to this country are charged a fee the equivalent, as nearly as may be, to the fees charged to British subjects seeking to go to the United States.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the quinquennial assessment of house property; if he is aware that these assessments are in some cases in excess of rent; that in the case of house Income Tax payable on these new assessments the tenant will have to pay the tax in so far as the assessment exceeds the rent; and will he have this matter immediately reviewed?

The present revaluation for Income Tax purposes is being made in accordance with old established law under which the annual value of property is the rack-rent at which it is let, or worth to be let, by the year. If the rent paid by a tenant is not a rack-rent, namely, where the tenant undertakes also to bear the cost of repairs, the rack-rental value of the property would often be in excess of the actual rent, and often has so been in the past. If the hon. Member has in mind any case in which the circumstances are not considered to be such as to justify an excess, and will let me have the necessary particulars, I will gladly have the matter investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a case last week before the Newport Pagnell magistrates, where an old-age pensioner was summoned for fraud because he had not disclosed the fact that he was a member of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society and entitled to sick benefit; is he aware that the bench unanimously dismissed the charge of fraud, but that the pensioner will have to pay for his lawyer and refund about £19 which he has received in sick pay since becoming an old-age pensioner; and will he so amend the Old-Age Pensions Acts as to prevent this penalty upon years of thrift, and arrange that the amount of sick benefit or annuity received from a friendly society, trade union, or thrift institution, be not taken into account when estimating the means of a candidate for an old-age pension?

I am informed that the result of the proceedings before the magistrates was as stated: that, according to the decision of the local old-age pension committee, the pensioner has received £19 old-age pension money to which he was not entitled; but that in the circumstances he will not be required to repay this amount. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made on 21st February last on the Motion of the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow (Mr. Maxton).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the figures given on page 156 of the Third Report of the Committee on National Expenditure in respect of the comparative remuneration of officers of the fighting Services and civil servants are based in the case of the former on the rates of pay and allowances drawn by officers holding ordinary shore or regimental appointments, and in the case of the latter on the salaries drawn by civil servants employed at Departmental headquarters in London; whether the naval and military staff officers serv- ing at the Admiralty or War Office receive special remuneration considerably in excess of the figures given in this Report; whether a proportion of this remuneration is paid free of Income Tax, whereas no part of civil servants' salaries is similarly treated; and, if so, whether he will invite the attention of the Committee investigating the standard of remuneration of State servants to these points?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; staff officers serving at the Admiralty or War Office receive somewhat higher rates of pay. Certain allowances received by naval and military officers are at present not taxed, but the question is under consideration by the Board of Inland Revenue. With regard to the last part of the question, all the relevant facts will no doubt be before the Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Executive Committee of the Village Clubs' Association decided, in the light of their experience during the past four years, that they are unable usefully to carry on the Association under the conditions suggested by the Development Commissioners; that this decision was adopted by the council and approved by a general meeting of the Association; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take steps to secure the rconsideration of the position?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I explained to the hon. Member on the 25th April that after careful consideration the Development Commissioners were satisfied that the efficiency of the Association would not be endangered by the abolition of the existing staff of salaried organisers. A letter which the Association addressed to the Treasury on the 25th April is, however, being sent to the Commissioners for their observations, and in the meantime, though I understand it to be unlikely that their decision will be reconsidered, I am not in a position to state their final decision. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that, even if the Treasury did not share the view of the Commissioners, they have no power to direct them to make a grant which they regard as inadvisable.

asked the Minister of Health what were the amounts of the Reserve Value Contingency Fund and the Control Fund, respectively, at the end of 1921, and against what liabilities each of these funds has been accumulated; and whether any part of any of the funds is available for medical benefit or to supplement payments made to the panel doctors?

There is no fund called the reserve value contingency fund, and it is assumed that reference is made either to the Reserve Values (Apportionment) Account or the Reserve Suspense Fund. The Reserve Values (Apportionment) Account is applied in accordance with the provisions of the National Health Insurance Acts in discharging the liabilities of the Minister to approved societies in respect of reserve values created under the Acts, and cannot be applied to any other purpose. The amounts carried to the account are periodically apportioned among approved societies, but at the end of 1921 there was a balance of some £2,000,000 in the account not apportioned pending determination of the precise amount of reserve values to be created under Section 16 of the Act of 1920. The net amount standing to the credit of the Reserve Suspense Fund at the end of 1921 was approximately £389,000, but this is merely a provisional balance pending completion of adjustments for the purpose of giving financial effect to the changes of membership that have occurred since the date of the last valuation. When these adjustments have been carried into the fund it is anticipated that the balance remaining will be negligible. The Reserve Suspense Fund is constituted of the amounts transferred from approved societies and from the deposit contributors' fund on the cessation of insurance by members of societies and deposit contributors as the case may be, and has to be applied as far as it is sufficient to provide the reserve values that are required in respect of persons coming into insurance, and of deposit contributors becoming members of societies. As stated above, it is antici- pated that only a negligible balance will be at any time in the fund when all necessary adjustments have been brought into account, and the balance, if any, could not be applied otherwise than for the purposes indicated.The amount of the central fund at the end of 1921 was approximately £2,000,000. The central fund was established under the National Health Insurance Act, 1918, for the purpose of meeting the residual part of any deficiencies at valuation remaining over (after the available contingencies funds of the societies concerned have been exhausted) in cases where the Joint Committee are satisfied that the deficiency is due to an abnormal rate of sickness attributable to certain specified causes, or to any other special cause beyond the control of the society or branch.By the National Health Insurance Act, 1922, the fund is liable for making good to the benefit funds of approved societies seven-ninths of one-third of the sums paid out of those benefit funds towards the additional payments in respect of the cost of medical benefit and the expenses of administration of medical benefit provided for by that Act up to the end of 1923. Having regard to the existing liabilities of the fund, it cannot be regarded as in any respect available for any other purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state (a) what, from 15th July, 1912, to 31st December, 1912, and for each year onwards, was the value of health insurance stamps sold by the Post Office; (b) what, for the same period in 1912 and for each subsequent year to 31st December, 1921, was the value of the stamps affixed to health insurance cards surrendered to the Ministry; (c) what was the value of the stamps on late cards surrendered in 1914 and each subsequent year to 31st December, 1921, in respect of the period to the 30th June preceding; if the values under (c) are included in the values stated under (b); (d) what was the total standing to the credit of the Unclaimed Stamp Sales account on 31st December, 1921; (e) what proportion thereof was claimed on account of late cards surrendered for the half-year ending June, 1922; (f) what is the value of the interest which has been earned to 31st December, 1922, in respect of the investment of moneys in the Unclaimed Stamp Sales Account; (g) what sum is expected to be claimed by societies from the said account in respect of the crediting during the period July, 1922, to July, 1923, of contributions to their unemployed members; and (h) is it anticipated that this procedure will be followed for the succeeding 12 months to July, 1924?

The information asked for is given in the following statement, so far as available, as respects England and Wales together:(

also asked the Minister of Health what, in respect of each year to 31st December, 1921, was the value of sums transferred to the Health Insurance Reserve Value Suspense Account and from whom were such sums transferred; what, during the same years, were the sums transferred from such account, and to whom and for what purposes were such sums transferred; what was the total standing to the credit of the said account on 31st December, 1921; what proportion thereof is represented by cash or investments, and what amount by reserve values at present unredeemed; and what is the value of the interest which has been earned by, or credited to, the same account to 31st December, 1922?

The question is assumed to refer to the Reserve Suspense Fund constituted by the National Health Insurance Act, 1918. The approximate sums transferred to and from the fund in respect of each year to 31st December, 1918, are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health what was the amount standing to the credit of the Health Insurance Deposit Contributors' Fund at 31st December, 1922, representing the balance of sums contributed by or in respect of persons who have ceased to be insured, have died, or have emigrated, aftar taking into account, as regards the latter, any sums paid over to them upon cessation of membership, and as regards these categories any sums drawn by them in benefit or debited against them in respect of medical benefit and cost of administration during membership?

The approximate amount standing to the credit of the Deposit Contributors' Fund at 31st December, 1922, representing the balance of sums referred to, was £90,000. The Regulations provide that this balance, subject to certain minor reservations, shall be transferred to the Reserve Suspense Fund.

asked the Minister of Health what was the approximate value of the central fund in connection with National Health Insurance at the date of the cessation of contribution by approved societies thereto; what approximately was the amount of interest earned thereon in 1922; what was the extent of the claims met out of the central fund at the first valuation of approved societies and what is the amount, in cash, to be found in 1922 and 1923, respectively, from the said fund towards the cost of medical benefit under the Act of 1922?

The approximate value of the central fund under the control of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee at 1st January, 1921 (from which date the carrying of any part of contributions to the fund ceased), was £1,850,000. The approximate amount of interest earned thereon in 1922 was £80,000. Claims were met out of the central fund at the first valuation of approved societies to the extent of £11,000. The amount in cash to be found from the central fund towards the cost of medical benefit under the Act of 1922 is estimated to be £365,000 for 1922 and £500,000 for 1923.

Name of Union.			Amount of Loan.	Date of Repayment.	Total amount per £ of assessable value of all public rates levied in the year 1922–23 in the most populous urban area in the Poor Law union.
			£		s.	d.
Ashton under Lyme	…	…	12,000	31.3.24	17	0
Auckland	…	…	55,000	30.9.23	20	0
Barrow-in-Furness	…	…	120,000	30.9.32	15	0
Bedwelty	…	…	70,000	26.7.23	24	11
			110,000	31.3.29
Birmingham	…	…	450,000	31.10.27	17	0
			210,000	30.4.24
			200,000	30.4.28
Bootle	…	…	20,000	31.3.24	13	6
Bethnal Green	…	…	20,000	31.3.24	18	2
Bradford (Yorks.)	…	…	100,000	31.3.24	15	9
Bridgend and Cowbridge	…	…	45,000	31.3.25	21	0
Bristol	…	…	100,000	30.9.24	16	3
Burnley	…	…	40,000	14.10.23	16	10
Cannock	…	…	7,300	31.3.24	13	0
Chesterfield	…	…	40,000	26.8.21	18	4
Cockermouth	…	…	50,000	31.3.26	16	0
Coventry	…	…	40,000	31.3.24	19	8
Crickhowell	…	…	5,000	8.9.27	28	6
			5,000	29.9.27
Derby	…	…	20,000	24.10 23	17	6
			20,000	31.3.24
Durham	…	…	50,000	31.3.24	24	5
Ecclesall Bierlow	…	…	200,000	31.3.27	22	6
Gateshead	…	…	50,000	31.3.27	17	0
Gower	…	…	3,600	31.3.24	10	9
Lanchester	…	…	69,000	30.9.23	19	10
Llanelly	…	…	15,000	9.6.23	18	4

asked the Minister of Health the amount paid in out-relief by the boards of guardians in England and Wales during the month of February this year; and the number of persons relieved?

The amount paid was £1,172,000; and the average number of persons in receipt of out-relief during the month was 1,170,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give details of the loans sanctioned to boards of guardians for the purpose of meeting current expenses; and whether he will give in each case the name of the union, the amount of the loan, and the total local rate paid by the inhabitants of the unions concerned?

Yes, Sir. The following statement contains the information desired by the hon. Member:

Name of Union.				Amount of Loan.	Date of Repayment.	Total amount per £ of assessable value of all public rates levied in the year 1922–23 in the most populous urban area in the Poor Law union.
				£		s.	d.
St. Marylebone	…	…	…	14,000	31.3.24	11	11
Merthyr Tydfil	…	…	…	25,000	3.5.23	27	9
				40,000	19.5.23
Middlesbrough	…	…	…	50,000	30.9.23	20	0
				40,000	31.3.27
				100,000	21.10.26
				193,000	31.5.23
Neath	…	…	…	50,000	31.3.27	22	10
				25,000	31.3.27
Newcastle	…	…	…	120,000	30.9.23	15	6
Nottingham	…	…	…	75,000	31.3.24	15	6
Pontardawe	…	…	…	10,000	31.3.26	Not known.
Plymouth	…	…	…	10,000	31.3.24	13	0
Pontypridd	…	…	…	30,000	3.5.23	24	9
				30,000	14.5.23
Poplar	…	…	…	474,600	30.9.23	22	8
Prescot	…	…	…	80,000	31.3.26	17	0
Redruth	…	…	…	15,000	31.3.24	18	8
				20,000	31.3.30
Rotherham	…	…	…	70,000	31.3.25	19	6
Sheffield	…	…	…	400,000	31.12.27	21	10
				300,000	31.3.27
Stockport	…	…	…	35,000	31.3.24	17	0
Swansea	…	…	…	35,000	31.3.27	18	10
Ulverston	…	…	…	12,000	30.9.24	14	0
Walsall	…	…	…	50,000	31.3.24	20	0
Warrington	…	…	…	30,000	30.9.23	18	0
West Bromwich	…	…	…	40,000	31.3.24	18	6
				50,000	31.3.27
West Ham	…	…	…	300,000	31.3.27	24	10
				200,000	31.3.28
Whitehaven	…	…	…	15,000	17.11.23	14	10
				15,000	31.3.24
Wigan	…	…	…	80,000	31.3.24	17	0
Wellington(Salop)	…	…	…	7,500	30.9.23	14	2

asked the Minister of Health whether the sporadic outbreaks of small-pox in the North Midlands have yet been arrested; whether he has any evidence to show that the infection was originally conveyed from abroad; and what steps he is taking to guard against further outbreaks?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am advised that it is probable that the infection was originally introduced from abroad, but no definite evidence is available. Memoranda upon the steps requisite to be taken on the occurrence of small-pox have recently been issued by the Ministry to all sanitary authorities and boards of guardians throughout the country. My Department is in constant communication with the local authorities of the infected areas, most of which have been visited by medical officers of the Ministry, who have advised and assisted the local authorities and their officers in regard to the measures necessary to limit the spread of the disease. As at present advised, I do not think it is practicable to take any steps beyond those indicated to guard against further outbreaks.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department received a letter, dated 29th September, 1922, from the Poplar Board of Guardians protesting against the action of the Ministry of Pensions in forcing four ex-service disabled men on the rates of Poplar, thus giving these men the status of paupers; seeing that the Poplar Board declined to accept responsibility for these men and refused to pay any money for their maintenance, what steps he proposes to take?

I regret that in answering the hon. Member's previous question on this subject last Wednesday I assumed that he referred to a recent communication. I do not think that I can take any action in this matter. I understand that the men referred to are being maintained by the county council, and the question of payment for their maintenance is, therefore, one between the county council and the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now able to inform the House of the exact amount by which the superficial measurements of the houses to be subsidised under the Housing Bill (No. 2) will be increased, so that no time may be lost in informing those who are anxious to build houses and are preparing plans?

I hope that the Committee stage of the Bill may be taken next week. In the meantime, I do not think that I can properly anticipate the consideration of this matter by the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give particulars of the calculation by which, under the conditions of his housing scheme, houses are to be built in rural areas at a rental of 5s. 6d. a week; and whether it is to be a condition of the grant of the subsidy from the Exchequer that some subsidy should be forthcoming from the local authority?

The rent named was an average rent and it was contemplated that some houses might be let at figures substantially in excess of this amount. The calculation was based upon a cost of £360 which I am advised will in some places be practicable. Then the net rent obtained after allowance has been made for repairs and maintenance would meet the loan charges (on the annuity system) on a loan of £213 for 60 years at 4¾ per cent. leaving the balance of £157 to be met by contributions from taxes and rates. If a loan were raised for this sum for 20 years at 4¾ per cent. the annual charges would amount to £11 9s. With a grant of £6 a year from the State this will leave a sum of £5 9s. to be found by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health whether the price of building material is increasing; and, if so, whether, pending the presentation of the Report of the Committee which has been set up to inquire into the subject, he proposes to take any action against those who are unreasonably forcing up prices, and so protect the interests of persons who are erecting houses at the present moment?

The answer to the first question is that there is no present evidence in my Department of recent increase in prices. In these circumstances the second question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a petition from the London County Council for an Order confirming an improvement scheme which that authority has resolved to make under Part I of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, and the Acts amending the same, in respect of the Prusom Street area, Wapping; and, if so, whether he will, having regard to the deplorable condition of the property included in the area, deal with the matter as expeditiously as possible?

I have not yet received the petition from the London County Council. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that when the proposal is submitted to me, every effort will be made to deal with it as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether his Department has any information regarding the insanitary property, 297, Herry Street, Cleekhinvin, Motherwell, owned by the Holytown Collieries Company; whether he is aware that the doctor attending Mrs. Daniel Howley, lately deceased, wife of the occupant, has certified her death of rheumatism as being partly due to the damp condition of the house, and has advised Daniel Howley to obtain a new home; and whether he will take any steps to expedite the provision of houses in the burgh and locality of Motherwell?

I am informed that the property in question belongs to the United Collieries Company and consists of two rooms. The house has been condemned and would be closed against human habitation but for the scarcity of houses in the district. I have no information that the death of the wife of the present tenant was certified as due to rheumatism or that the medical attendant advised the tenant to obtain a new home, but I understand that no application from the tenant for a house has been received by the local authority. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of my reply to the question put by him on this point yesterday. I believe that the company in question has also been constructing houses for its employés.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any resolution of protest regarding the insanitary state of cottages erected in connection with certain small holdings in the neighbourhood of Barnham, Sussex; whether he is aware that at several parish meetings resolutions of protest have been carried, and that the rural sanitary authority has described the cottages as insanitary and such as to constitute a nuisance; and whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the matter?

In October, 1922, the West Sussex County Council stated that the drainage of one cottage at Barnham had been condemned by the local sanitary authority, and that in view of the high level of surface water on the Barnham and Choller estate, it was probable that further complaints would be received. An inquiry was immediately made by the Ministry's chief architect, in consultation with representatives of the council, and as the result definite proposals by the council for dealing with the matter were approved in January last and these are practically completed. The Ministry realises that the impervious clay subsoil of this estate has occasioned certain difficulties in dealing with cottage drainage and understands that the local sanitary authority has made complaints to the council. No communication on the subject has, however, been received since January last from the county council or from any local sanitary authority, but the Ministry is informed that the works which have recently been carried out have been to the satisfaction of the County Medical Officer of Health. In these circumstances no inquiry by the Ministry appears to be called for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to state the names of the members of the Committee which is to inquire into the case of the Lytton entrants?

The Committee will be constituted as follows:

• The Right Hon. the Lord Southborough, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.C.S.I. (Chairman.)
• Lieut.-Commander F. W. Astbury, M.P.
• Mrs. W. L. Courtney, O.B.E.
• G. W. S. Jarrett, Esq., M.P.
• A. R. Jephcott, Esq., M.P.
• F. Martin, Esq., M.P.
• G. Middleton, Esq., M.P.
• Major A. C. Morrison-Bell, M.P.
• A. A. Somerville, Esq., M.P.
• Lieut.-Colonel H. H. Spender-Clay, M.P.
• Dame Meriel Talbot, D.B.E.
• R. Young, Esq., M.P.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that persons in receipt of pensions as ex-Cabinet Ministers surrender their pensions on reappointment to Cabinet posts, and that Members of this House surrender their salaries as Members while holding salaried appointments under the Government, he will consider the question of applying the same principle to persons holding highly paid posts in the Civil Service while drawing pensions, not including disability pensions, amounting to £1,000 a year for service in other Departments?

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated in his reply of the 30th November last to the hon. Member for West Nottingham (Mr. Hayday), Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, provides for the suspension or abatement of a pension awarded under the Superannuation Acts in the event of the pensioner being re-employed in an office in a Public Department. Retired officers of the Navy, Army or Air Force are not subject to suspension of retired pay on being re-employed in a civil capacity unless the appointment is one specially reserved for such officers. I see no sufficient reason for altering the existing practice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many ex-civil servants in receipt of pensions are employed in the War Office performing work known in the office as weeding, perusing, and deciding whether the retention of certain documents is essential; and what salary is paid these gentlemen and the amount of pension they receive as ex-civil servants?

Twenty-four ex-civil servants are so employed at present. They receive an allowance of £175 a year each, or £200 in the case of the official in charge. Their average pension is about £300.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many officers temporarily or permanently employed in his Department are in receipt of pensions or other allowances from the State exceeding the sum of £250 per year, and the salary such persons are receiving in the positions they at present occupy either as temporary or permanent officers?

The answer is one. The gentleman in question is a member of the staff of the Royal College of Art, and is in receipt of a yearly salary of £325 5s. (inclusive) for part-time services.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the principals of the women staff in the Admiralty, the Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Public Trustee Office are acting as women establishment officers; and, if so, whether they are consulted on all questions affecting the allocation of work as between men and women, the desirability or otherwise of appointing women to vacancies hitherto held by men, and on all questions of policy arising out of the interpretation of Clause 2 of the Resolution of the House on 5th August, 1921?

It is not possible, within the limits of question and answer to enter into a detailed description of the duties of individual officers. I understand, however, that, while the wide differences of function and organisation of the four Departments concerned rule out anything like a standardised set of duties of the principals of women staff, the answer to both parts of the question is, broadly speaking, in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, at the time that the women's corps were formed, women members of his staff were encouraged to leave the Ministry service for the purpose of enrolling for overseas service when they desired to do so; and, if not, what were the reasons which made their services in the Department indispensable?

No inducement was offered to permanent women officers of the Ministry of Labour to leave the Ministry's service for the purpose of enrolling for overseas service. The Ministry of Labour was required to undertake important special duties connected with the prosecution of the War; and in addition to the extra work devolving on the women staff in connection with the recruitment of the various women's corps and for munitions, the trained women officers were also required to take the place of men released for military duty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is His Majesty's Government's intention to lay down more warships this year so as to find work for unemployed steel and iron workers?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Resettlement Committee, who were appointed in 1920 and who took evidence in 1921, have concluded their investigations; and, if so, when their proposals regarding educational and vocational training to men of the Fleet will be published?

The Report of the Resettlement Committee has received very full consideration, and it is hoped to inaugurate a scheme of vocational training at the home ports in the course of the current financial year. The details of such a scheme, however, will require to be considered in relation to the strictly limited funds available for this service. It would be contrary to practice to publish the recommendations of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether all grants for diet allowances and attendance allowances for tuberculous men have been withdrawn; and, if so, what other allowances in substitution of these have been granted to the men concerned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. An extra allowance for special diet is still granted in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis where the circumstances justify the concession; and a constant attendance allowance may be granted if, in addition to being assessed at the 100 per cent. rate of disablement, the man is so helpless as to require another person to be constantly in attendance on him.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether pre-War pensioners included in the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, have been debarred from fully benefiting under the Pensions Increase Act, 1920, owing to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having taken into consideration First Schedule, Clause 3, of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Pensions Increase Act, he will state whether it is proposed to introduce fresh proposals to restore the sum deducted under Clause 3, with an assurance that the Clause will not be used to operate against the interests of beneficiaries?

In accordance with the explicit directions in Clause 3 of the First Schedule to the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, the Treasury, in fixing the rate of compensation, have regard to any pension paid to the workman, and in revising the rate from time to time they have regard to any increases or decreases in the amount of pension, whether due to the Pensions (Increase) Act or to other causes. It is not proposed to depart from this practice, which, it will be noted, secures workmen an increase in compensation when the pension decreases owing to quarterly reassessment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of complaints he has received from the Leeds area of delays in business transactions with firms in the Ruhr, and the number of cases in which the inconvenience has been remedied?

Approximately, 700 complaints have been received in the Board of Trade of delays in business transactions with firms in the occupied territory of Germany. To ascertain the number received from the Leeds area would involve considerable labour, and in view of the pressure in the Department. I should hesitate to give instructions for the desired information to be extracted. The number of cases in which the inconvenience has been remedied is so far small, but there is some ground for expecting considerable improvement shortly in this respect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware of the dangerous turnings in towns and country districts, through which a large amount of motor traffic passes, owing to garden walls and other obstructions obscuring the view of motorists; and whether, with the object of stimulating local authorities to remove the worst of these obstructions, he will consider the desirability of defraying part of the cost out of the Road Fund, or from some other national source?

I am aware of the existence of dangerous turnings such as my hon. Friend describes. Numerous grants have been made from the Road Fund for their improvement, and I am always prepared to give careful consideration to any proposal submitted by local authorities to that end.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the proposal to give State financial aid to farmers' co-operative societies, he will state the total amount of public money given each year from 1910 until 1922 to agricultural wholesale societies, including the Agricultural Organisation Society and to the Agricultural Wholesale Society; how many of these societies have failed; and how many are still in existence?

No grants of public money have been made to any agricultural wholesale society. The Agricultural Organisation Society, which does not come within this description, has received grants from the State for the purpose of propaganda work in connection with agricultural co-operation. The amounts of the grants made for the years 1910–1922 weer as follow:

				£
1910–11	…	…	…	1,119
1911–12	…	…	…	3,040
1912–13	…	…	…	8,501
1913–14	…	…	…	10,276
1914–15	…	…	…	5,500
1915–16	…	…	…	11,290
1916–17	…	…	…	8,914
1917–18	…	…	…	15,601
1918–19	…	…	…	27,857
1919–20	…	…	…	47,528
1920–21	…	…	…	32,000
1921–22	…	…	…	15,586
1922–23	…	…	…	4,556
Total		…	…	191,768

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the facilities which may now be given to Canada to import breeding animals, he is making any representations to the Canadian Government against the excessive regulations which are imposed upon British breeding animals being imported into Canada; and whether he will try to secure the same treatment for both types of animals?

As I announced when moving the Second Reading of the Importation of Animals Bill on 7th December last, the Canadian authorities have agreed to modify their conditions of importation of British animals so soon as the necessary Order authorising the importation of Canadian breeding stock into Britain comes into force, in order to make the Canadian and British conditions reciprocal. There is no ground for apprehending that the Canadian Government will not honour this undertaking. At the same time, representations will be made not only to Canada, but to the other Dominions, that when an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurs in one limited area, the whole of England and Wales shall not be closed to exportation of cattle.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to emphasising the object and meaning of the Cenotaph, it is possible to arrange for the "Last Post" to be sounded there at sunset as a daily mark of respect?

The same considerations which led to the rejection of my hon. Friend's suggestion on 31st March, 1920, apply to it to-day, and the Government are not, therefore, prepared to adopt it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a committee of legal experts to consider and advise on the status of individuals of foreign birth who, having expatriated themselves from the country of their origin, have established here their permanent home but have not taken out letters of naturalisation; whether he will consider the existing administration of the Home Office, which, ignoring expatriation, recognises the varying municipal laws of foreign States as operating in this country for determining such status; and if he will consider the amendment of such administration to secure to the expatriated individual resident here such rights and privileges as are, or should be, accorded to him by English law?

I am not aware of any reason for the appointment of the committee suggested in the first paragraph of the question. If my hon. and gallant Friend will supply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department with any facts in illustration of the second paragraph, which, in his opinion, show that the administration of the Home Office is wrong, I am confident that they will be given full consideration. In the meantime, the last part of the question does not arise

asked the Attorney-General what were the salaries paid to judge's marshals during the past year; and what duties they performed?

The total sum paid to judge's marshals by way of fees for the year ending 31st March, 1923, was £2,881 4s. The duties of the judge's marshal are those of a private secretary in attendance upon the judge.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how far out to sea at the furthest point the prohibition of thank fishing reaches from the coast of Ceylon; and to what vessels the prohibition applies?

It is estimated by rough measurement that the line in the Gulf of Manaar mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member's previous question on this subject is at its furthest point 25 miles from the coast of Ceylon. The prohibition applies to all vessels of all nationalities and is imposed for the protection of the pearl banks, which, as the hon. Member is aware, are located on the bed of the sea. Chanks are not strictly fish, but their shells are collected for ornament. The justification for this prohibition is based on rights over the fisheries enjoyed in uninterrupted and undisputed proprietorship by successive rulers, native, Portuguese, Dutch and British, since period prior to the development of the doctrine of the 3-mile limit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that this country is dangerously at the mercy of foreign sugar rings, he can make any statement as to the efforts being made by the Colonial Office to stimulate sugar-growing in all British overseas countries, in view of the need for a concerted and large-scale policy in this direction?

The Secretary of State is of course anxious that as large a proportion as possible of the sugar required by this country shall be produced on British territory, and hopes that the preference accorded to British grown sugar will result in increasing that proportion. It is the constant effort of the Colonial Office to place the best scientific and technical advice at the disposal of the sugar growing Colonies through the local Departments of Agriculture and such institutions as the West Indian College of Agriculture. It would however be beyond the functions of the Colonial Office or of the Colonial Governments to attempt to influence planters in their choice of crops to be grown.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his Department has received a memorial from the Bombay Presidency Association of European Government Servants praying for a measure of relief pending the submission and consideration of the Report of the proposed Royal Commission; and whether it is proposed to take any action to accede to the request of the petitioners?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I would refer to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Baronet the Member for Melton (Sir C. Yate) on the 23rd April to which I can add nothing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that on the 24th September, 1919, great destruction and loss of property was caused in East Bengal by a cyclone; that among those who suffered material damage were a number of Post Office employés; and whether steps can be taken to obtain relief from the Post Office Guarantee Fund to which the Post Office employés themselves contribute?

I find from the Indian Post Office Report for 1919–20 that the cyclone of September, 1919, caused considerable damage to Post Office property in Eastern Bengal. Advances of pay were granted to postal employés rendered destitute to assist them in setting up house again, and rewards were also given to employés who did well in the emergency. From the same Report it appears that a sum of Rs. 1,036 was paid from the Post Office Guarantee Fund to postal servants for loss of private property, but I have no particulars of the circumstance.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the judges in the recent North-East Derby election petition that 69 voting papers, upon which the voters had clearly shown their intention had been rejected upon the ground that they did not bear the official stamp of the presiding officer at the polling booth; and whether, in view of this, he will see to it that some more satisfactory stamp is provided, preferably either a perforation or one with which ink is used?

I have seen the statement referred to. I have no information at present to show that the stamping instruments used at the election were defective, but I am making inquiry into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give the full detailed statement showing all facts and figures of the specification on which the estimate of £20 for establishing the telephone at Abbey St. Bathans was based?

The guarantee of £20 required for the establishment of a public call office at Abbey St. Bathans is made up as follows:

	£	s.	d.
Interest, depreciation and maintenance of 7·734 miles (single wire) at £1.98 per mile	15	6	0
Interest, depreciation and maintenance of call office instrument	1	7	0
Remuneration of sub-post-master and operating charge	2	9	6
	£19	12	6
Five per cent. added for contingencies		19	7
Total	£20	12	1

Rounded down to £20.

asked the Postmaster-General how many ships receive, and on what terms they receive, broadcasted messages from this country?

My hon. and gallant Friend presumably refers to messages sent out by wireless telephony from the stations of the British Broadcasting Company. If so, I may say that there are no general arrangements for the reception of such messages on board ships, although they can be heard up to a comparatively short distance from the coast by the use of suitable apparatus. Certain official communiqués are broadcasted from the Government stations primarily for reception in foreign countries. Any ship is free to receive and make use of these communiqués without special authority. The Government stations also send out, in return for payment, news messages addressed to particular ships.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give the unpaid value of the services rendered by the Post Office to the Army, Navy, Foreign Office, and Colonial Office as compared with the figures for 1906–7 for £38,435, £45,676, £4,962, and £3,034, respectively, for those services; and whether he can give the figure for the Air Service for 1922–23 as well as the total unpaid services rendered to the Government as a whole compared with £298,601 in 1906–7?

The estimated unpaid value of the services in question for 1922–23 is as follows:—

		£
Army	…	334,900
Navy	…	225,400
Foreign Office	…	13,150
Colonial Office	…	5,900
Air Service	…	76,300
Total for all Departments	…	4,737,400

STATEMENT regarding Sanctioned and Vacant Accommodation of Poorhouses in Scotland at 30th June, 1921, and 30th June, 1922.
—	Inmates.
	1921.	1922.
Ordinary Wards—
Accommodation formally sanctioned	20,127	20,046
Accommodation occupied but not yet formally sanctioned	143	152
Accommodation available	20,270	20,198
Inmates—
Poor Law Cases—Sane	10,438	11,551
Poor Law Cases—Mentally Defective	122	228
Poor Law Cases—Lunatic	3	2
Total Poor Law Cases	10,633	11,781
Accommodation not used by Poor Law Cases—
Phthisical Cases, chargeable to Public Health Authorities, resident in Poorhouses.	365	353
Sanctioned Accommodation of part of Poorhouse let, owing to housing shortage.	16	16
Sanctioned Accommodation of Poorhouse (Craigleith) leased to Ministry of Pensions.	789	789
Vacant Accommodation	8,467	7,259
Total	9,637	8,417
Licensed Wards—
Sanctioned Accommodation	1,10	1,190
Number of Inmates	984	1,021
Vacant Accommodation	166	169

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the total number of persons of whom accommodation was sanctioned in Scottish poor houses as at 30th June, 1921, and at 30th June, 1922, respectively, and the total number of inmates and the total vacant accommodation as at these dates, respectively?

The accompanying statement gives the information desired by the hon. and learned Member:

asked the Minister of Labour whether any arrangements have been made for offering employment to unemployed British workmen on reconstruction work in Northern France?

I regret that it is not yet possible to add anything to the answer which I gave on 11th April to a similar question addressed to me by the

NUMBER OF PERSONS ON THE LIVE REGISTER OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES IN THE AREAS STATED.
Date			Great Britain.	North Eastern area.	Newcastle-on-Tyne, Elswick and Heaton.
March 5th, 1923	…	…	1,318,955	228,359	20,580
April 3rd, 1923	…	…	1,284,593	213,112	19,615
April 23rd, 1923	…	…	1,234,900*	205,625*	20,268
* Estimated figures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will furnish statistics showing the amount of unemployment benefit paid out to insured persons registered as out of work at each of the Employment Exchanges at Motherwell

—	Motherwell Employment Exchange.		Wishaw Employment Exchange.
	Unemployment Benefit.	Out-of-Work Donation.	Unemployment Benefit.	Out-of-Work Donation.
	£	£	£	£
1919	50	35,200	10	11,800
1920	1,050	4,200	870	900
1921	215,800	5,900	96,700	3,600
1922	172,600	—	117,500	—
1923 (1st January to 31st March).	26,800	—	17,700	—

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will furnish statistics showing the number of insured persons registered as unemployed for a period not less than three months at each of the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Captain Terrell).

asked the Minister of Labour what the figures for unemployment are for March and April, 1923, in Great Britain, the North-Eastern area, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in continuation of the Return given on 20th February?

The following table gives the information asked for:and Wishaw in each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and the first quarter of 1923?

The amounts disbursed by way of unemployment benefit and out-of-work donation were as follow:Employment Exchanges at Motherwell and Wishaw, in the coal, iron and steel, engineering, and building trades during each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and the first quarter of 1923?

I am afraid the statistics asked for by the hon. Member are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men registered as unemployed who are ex-service men, and the number below 25 years and over 50 years, respectively, registered as unemployed, or, if such definite figures are not available, whether he can give any estimate of the number of men now unemployed who were too young to work before the War, and have never since been in regular employment nor have learnt a skilled trade?

Exact figures are not available, but it is estimated that the number of ex-service men registered as unemployed on 23rd April last was 360,000—of whom 84,900 were under 25 years of age, and 22,400 were 50 years of age and over.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed workers in the iron and steel trades at the end of the March quarter, or the nearest available date in 1922 and this year; and in what branches of these trades is the improvement chiefly reported?

The number of persons registered as unemployed in the iron and steel trades at employment exchanges in Great Britain on 27th March, 1922, was 90,280, and at 26th March, 1923, 44,750. The improvement reported has been fairly well distributed over all branches of these trades.

asked the Minister of Labour the date of the last meeting of the Committee appointed to consider the question of payment of unemployment benefit to workers thrown out of employment by reason of a trade dispute; whether he has taken steps to appoint a new chairman; if so, whom; and when the Committee will make some recommendation upon the matter?

Owing to the death of the Chairman, the late Sir Thomas Munro, which we all deplore, the Committee has not met since 6th March. I am glad to be able to announce that Mr. W. B. Yates, who until recently was Umpire under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, has consented to act as Chairman of the Committee, and I hope a further meeting will be held at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the City Councils of Bristol, Gloucester, and Worcester, together with other representative bodies, have approved a scheme to widen and deepen the canal system from Worcester to Birmingham to help the revival of trade between the Midlands and the port of Bristol, and to find work for a large number of unemployed; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have heard of this proposal which is, I believe, now under consideration by the City Council of Birmingham and other local authorities. I feel sure my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport will give careful consideration to any definite scheme which may be put forward.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the school population and the number of school medical officers, dentists, specialists, and nurses fully employed and part-time employed in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Argyllshire, Forfarshire, Lanarkshire, Dumbartonshire, Ayrshire, and Renfrewshire, respectively?

The following table which is based on the latest information available gives the particulars desired by the hon. Member:

SCOTLAND.
SCHOOL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.
TABLE showing School Population (on roll) and Number of (a) Chief School Medical Officers; (b) School Medical Officers; (c) Dentists; (d) Specialists; (e) Nurses with number of hours per week worked by Part-time employés.
Administrative Area.		School Population (on roll) 1922–23.	Chief Administrative School Medical Officers.	School Medical Officers.			Dentists.			Specialists.			(a) Nurses.
				Whole-time.	Part-time.		Whole-time.	Part-time.		Whole-time.	Part-time.		Whole-time.	Part-time.
					(b)			(b)			(b)			(b)
					No.	Hrs. per week.		No.	Hrs. per week.		No.	Hrs. per week.		No.	Hrs. per week.
Glasgow	…	197,361	2	10	3	18	2	3	9	Nil	8	17	*71	Nil	—
Edinburgh	…	64,599	1	5	Nil	—	Nil	6	37½	Nil	4	16½	15	Nil	—
Dundee	…	29,350	1	3	Nil	—	Nil	2	4	Nil	3	6	7	Nil	—
Argyll	…	9,530	1	Nil	10	8	Nil	Nil	—	Nil	3	5	1	39	78
Forfar	…	16,099	1	1	Nil	—	1	1	5	Nil	1	5	Nil	4	140
Dumbarton	…	27,902	1	2	Nil	—	3	1	4¾	Nil	6	36¾	6	1	20
Lanark	…	104,927	2	6	Nil	—	4	Nil	—	Nil	7	17¾	12	Nil	—
Ayr	…	51,059	1	3	Nil	—	1	2	8	Nil	2	7	3	40	121
Renfrew	…	53,506	2	2	Nil	—	2	Nil	—	Nil	3	14½	†13	Nil	—
Scotland	…	867,578	38	44	§44	103	23	43	166½	Nil	║¶76	199	‡150	264	1,274
(a) Excluding whole-time "Special School" Nurses except where these are shown in the footnotes.
(b) Partly estimated.
* Includes 25 "Special School" Nurses.
† Includes 1 "Special School" Nurse.
‡ Includes 26 "Special School" Nurses in Glasgow and Renfrew.
§ Excludes Clackmannan County, where Local Practitioners act as Part-time Medical Officers.
║ Excludes Bute County, Dumfries County, Kincardine County, Nairn County (cases treated as they arise in these areas).
¶ Excludes Shetland County. Local Practitioners act as Specialists.