asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has information available as to the total number of omnibuses now plying for hire in the Metropolitan district as compared with the month of May or other convenient date in 1914; whether his attention has been called to the numbers of half-empty omnibuses plying for hire up and down Piccadilly when the business community is not going to or returning from work; and, in view of the great congestion of traffic, could the number of omnibuses on the streets be reduced during certain hours of the day?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The number of omnibuses now plying for hire in the Metropolitan Police District is approximately 4,369. In 1914 the number was 3,057. There is no power to reduce the number of omnibuses plying during certain hours.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the effect of the Order recently issued by the Ministry of Transport to the effect that only pressed number plates are to be used for trade motor vehicles is to exclude cast number plates; whether he is aware that cast number plates are in every way better and that the banning of these plates will have a most serious effect upon the industry; and whether he can see his way to extend the Order to include cast number plates?

I assume that the Noble Lord refers to the Ministry of Transport's specification for plates issued by the registration authorities for use with trade licences obtainable by motor traders under Section 15 of the Finance Act, 1922. These plates are provided by, and remain the property of, the Minister, and I am advised that the method of manufacture by pressing is the best calculated to meet the particular requirements of this class of plate, that is, lightness and durability. During the current calendar year about 10,000 trade licences have been issued as against 800,000 ordinary licences. As there is no Regulation preventing these 800,000 licensees from using cast plates, I do not think the provision of approximately 10,000 pressed trade plates can have a serious effect upon the cast plate industry, and I am not prepared to extend the scope of the official specification.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that Saint Paul's Churchyard, Queen Victoria Street, Cheapside, Farringdon Street, Great Tower Street, Eastcheap, Upper Thames Street, Whitefriars, Bouverie Street, Parliament Street, Whitehall, Pall Mall, Oxford Street, Edgware Road, Charing Cross Road, Cambridge Circus, Kings-way, Park Street, Southampton Row, and Upper Brook Street, are all either being repaired or are shortly to be repaired; that these repairs will cause the most grave and serious congestion to traffic, and consequent loss and inconvenience to the citizens of London, unless the repairs are completed in the very shortest possible time and the most modern methods employed, and unless the simultaneous closing of parallel arteries of traffic can be avoided; and whether, in view of the constantly increasing volume of traffic, he will state what action the Government propose to take to deal with this question?

Apart from those within the City of London, I am aware that the road repairs mentioned in the first part of the question are either in progress or are shortly to be put in hand. I understand that the surveyors of adjoining metropolitan boroughs make a practice of consulting with each other in the matter of the more extensive road repairs within their areas, and I am sure they are fully seized of the importance of speed in the execution of the works and of keeping open so far as possible alternative routes. In reply to the last part of the question, as I have already informed the Noble Lord, within the narrow limitation of my present powers and staff, I am doing all I can to promote the co-operation of local authorities with a view to mitigating the inconvenience caused by road repairs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport on what date the Ministry of Munitions came to an agreement with the London and South Western Railway Company in regard to the amount of compensation to be paid for the permanent-way materials of the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway; whether any objection was raised by the Ministry of Munitions in the public interest to such compensation being calculated on the scale applicable to materials taken from a running line which will not be restored; and whether, seeing that it is part of the functions of the Ministry of Transport to safeguard public interest in the matter of securing the maximum development and extension of the carriage by railway of merchandise and of passengers and their luggage, he will state what steps has his Department taken to secure the reinstatement of the Basingstoke and Alton line?

I am communicating the first two parts of this question to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, and am asking them to supply my hon. Friend with the information desired if they are in a position to do so. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed that the Clause in the Southern Railway Company's Bill authorising the abandonment of the line has now been struck out. As the hon. Member is aware, I arranged a conference between the local interests and the company, who were not prepared to give any undertaking as to the restoration of the line, and I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) on 29th November, 1922, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, with a view to relieving traffic congestion, any large experiment has been so far made in one-way traffic in an important artery of traffic in this country; if not, whether such an experiment can be made; whether any experiment has so far been carried out in the direction of prohibiting slow-going horse-drawn traffic in the most congested arteries of traffic during rush hours; and, if not, whether he will make the experiment at an early date in the London area?

I understand that experiments in one-way traffic have been carried out at various times in London, and in a few other large towns in the provinces, but with little success. Various attempts have also been made to regulate slow-moving traffic to the extent of causing it to keep near the kerb, but I know of no general powers under which horse-drawn traffic could be prohibited from using specified highways during specified hours.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will furnish the names of the collectors of tithe under the Welsh Church Act in Wales and Monmouthshire, the respective amounts of tithe collected,

Agent.						Commuted Amount under collection.			Rates per cent. Commission (1922).
						£	s.	d.	Per cent.
Messrs. David & David	…	…	…	…	…	63,893	2	8	5	Rural Area.
									6½	Urban.
Messrs. James Thomas & Son		…	…	…	…	49,406	14	6	5
Messrs H. A. Cleaver & Son		…	…	…	…	66,849	4	9	5
Mrs. Richard Thomas	…	…	…	…	…	8,440	0	3	5
Messers. Gillart & Son	…	…	…	…	…	5,334	8	7	5
Direct Office Collection	…	…	…	…	…	20,135	5	0	—
						214,058	15	9

At the end of 1922 the Commissioners deemed it advisable to transfer the work in connection with rates and taxes on tithe rent charge hitherto done by their agents in North Wales, to their head office and in consequence the rate of commission paid to these agents has been reduced to 4 per cent. as from the 1st December last, whilst the agents who also do the work connected with rates and taxes on tithe rent charge receive 5 per cent. With regard to the office collection, the Commissioners employ Mr. A. Ivor Pryce as a local receiver, and he is paid 2 per cent. on such sums as are paid to him in respect of applications issued direct from the Commissioner's office.

asked the Home Secretary how many police authorities are to-day not paying full increases of pensions to pre-War police pensioners as provided for under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920; and what are their names?

I regret I am not in possession of full information on this point, but I am taking steps to obtain it.

The names of the collectors of tithe rent charge who act on behalf of the Welsh Church Commissioners, the total amount of tithe (commuted value) in their respective agencies and the commission paid for collection in each case, are as follows:

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that schoolboys from elementary schools are employed by Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, to act as boy salesmen by soliciting orders for the firm; and whether, seeing that such employment of boys who are of school age constitutes an offence under the Employment of Children Act, he will take steps to secure the abolition of this form of employing school children outside their school hours?

I have no information that boys are being so employed, and without having particulars I am unable to express an opinion whether it would constitute a breach of the provisions of the Education Act, 1921, as to the employment of children. Any representations that boys are being illegally employed should be made to the local education authority, who are responsible for enforcing this part of the Act and the bye-laws made under it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the output of gold in the various gold-producing countries, respectively, for the years 1921 and 1922?

The output of gold in the Principal countries of the world in 1921, as shown in statements issued by

Country.								1921.	1922.
British Empire:								£	£
Transvaal		…	…	…	…	…	…	34,500,000	29,800,000
Canada	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,800,000	5,300,000
Australasia		…	…	…	…	…	…	4,000,000	3,500,000
Rhodesia		…	…	…	…	…	…	2,500,000	2,800,000
India	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,700,000	1,800,000
British West Africa			…	…	…	…	…	900,000	800,000
Total of British Empire						…	…	47,400,000	44,000,000
Foreign Countries:
United States		…	…	…	…	…	…	10,300,000	10,100,000
Mexico	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,900,000	3,000,000
Colombia		…	…	…	…	…	…	1,200,000	1,200,000
Brazil	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	600,000	600,000
Japan	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,000,000	1,000,000
All other Foreign Countries				…	…	…	…	4,600,000	5,100,000
Total of Foreign Countries							…	20,600,000	21,000,000
Total World's Production						…	…	68,000,000	65,000,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet replied to the letter received on 25th January last from the Mitcham Urban District Council asking for an inquiry into the standard price of gas; if he has framed rules governing the procedure in regard to applications of this nature under the Gas Regulations Act, 1920; and, if not, when they will be framed?

Yes, Sir. Rules have been made and were laid upon the Table on the 18th April, and the Board of Trade sent a copy of them to the urban district council on the 25th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the names of all the manufacturers of sewing cotton in Great Britain?

The Board of Trade have no official list of sewing

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of petitions filed in the bankruptcy courts of England and Wales during last year, the total liabilities Involved in the petitions, and the total assets?

The number of petitions was 6,277. Receiving Orders were made in 4,733 cases, the liabilities in which amounted to £16,314,660, and the assets to £3,969,173.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the values of British exports into France in 1913, in 1921, in 1922, and in the first quarter of 1923, with due allowances in the latter cases for the then existing rates of exchange?

The values of exports of United Kingdom produce and manufacture consigned to France in the periods specified were as follows:

1913				£28,933,000
1921	…	…	…	44,260,000
1922	…	…	…	48,310,000
1st quarter of 1923	…	…	…	13,032,000

These figures represent the values as declared in this country by the exporters, and accordingly no adjustment has to be made on account of variations in the rate of exchange between the United Kingdom and France. The rise in post-War values should, however, not be overlooked.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give the value of contracts or orders placed by the Crown agents in this country for the six months ending 31st March, 1922, as compared with the respective totals for the two immediately preceding periods of six months?

The figures are as follow:

From 1st October, 1921, to 31st March, 1922	£
	2,650,500
From 1st April, 1921, to 30th September, 1921	3,115,500
From 1st October, 1920, to 31st March, 1921	4,442,000

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any objection to Kabarega, the late king of Uganda, being allowed to return to Bunyoro instead of being forced to reside outside the country; and whether he is aware that no one in East Africa has any objection to his being allowed to finish his life amongst his former people?

In recommending that the ex-King of Bunyoro should be allowed to return to the Uganda Protectorate, the late Governor of Uganda excluded the possibility of his returning to Bunyoro on the ground that he might be made the focus of elements of disaffection, but he made it clear that the present King of Bunyoro had no objection. The present Governor, however, will be asked to give further consideration to the point when Kabarega has completed six months' residence in Uganda.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total revenue and expenditure of Tanganyika territory for the year 1922?

The final figures of the revenue and expenditure of the Tanganyika territory for the year 1922–1923 have not yet been received. According to the latest information, the local revenue for the year is estimated at £1,248,910, and the expenditure at £1,476,100 (Ordinary) and £525,500 (Extraordinary).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Schedule 1 of Appendix 5 of the Report of Lord Cave's Commission contains the entire list of Rhodesia land alienated by the British South Africa Company for considerations other than cash; and whether, in view of the importance of this feature of the question, he will lay copies of this Schedule upon the Table of the House?

The schedule referred to contains a list of the grants for which liability was admitted by the British South Africa Company at the time the schedule was prepared. In the course of the proceedings before Lord Cave's Commission the company agreed to admit liability for two further grants, and subsequently one other grant was transferred to this schedule. I do not think it is necessary to publish further papers, but I will forward the hon. and gallant Member a complete list of the grants for which liability is now admitted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Governments of the United States of America and Mexico have appointed representatives to discuss the renewal of relations between the two countries; and whether any similar steps are contemplated by His Majesty's Government?

At the invitation of the Mexican Government, the United States Government have appointed two Commissioners to exchange impressions and report to their respective Governments, with the view of hastening a mutual understanding. No such invitation has been received by His Majesty's Government, with regard to whose attitude I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for the Abbey Division (Brigadier-General Nicholson) on the 30th April, and to his own questions of 14th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, considering the general return to pre-War conditions in the Government Departments, he will explain why it is still necessary to employ numbers of female clerks and typists at British embassies and legations abroad; and will he consider the advisability of a return to the pre-War practice of attachés writing their own letters?

The volume of work in most of the British embassies and legations abroad being much greater than before the War, it cannot be said that there has been a general return to pre-War conditions. Female clerks and typists in British embassies and legations abroad are employed on work similar to that performed by them in Government Departments in this country. The employment of regular members of the Diplomatic Service on work which can be performed by female clerks and typists would necessitate a considerable increase in the diplomatic staff, and, consequently, in expenditure. It would also be contrary to the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it his intention to dismiss a large number of temporary women clerks from the Pensions Issue Office; and, if so, what is to be the guiding factor in choosing clerks for dismissal?

My right hon. Friend anticipates that it will be necessary to terminate the appointments of a considerable number of temporary women clerks in the Pension Issue Office in the course of the current year. The primary consideration in selecting officers for discharge must be comparative efficiency, but, subject to this, my right hon. Friend is anxious that the demobilisation should be carried out on lines which commend themselves to the staff affected. Officials of the Department have been in consultation with the representatives of the Staff Associations on a plan for giving weight to considerations of hardship in determining the order of discharge among those whose efficiency category makes them liable to demobilisation, and I am happy to say that we are in a position to proceed on an agreed basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the exact steps which have been taken to carry out the judgment in Sutton v. Attorney-General which related to men serving in the Royal Engineers; whether it is proposed to apply the principles of the judgment to men who served in other units of His Majesty's Forces; if no decision has yet been reached on the latter point; and when can an announcement be expected?

With regard to the first part of the question, I understand that payment has been made to Mr. Sutton in accordance with the judgment. With regard to the latter parts of the question, I am not yet able to add anything to the reply given on the 21st March last to the hon. Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. W. Graham).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in face of the prevailing unemployment amongst all sections of the community, the Treasury will consider, when engaging temporary or permanent officials, the advisability of employing persons competent to fulfil the required duties who are not in receipt of Government allowances or pensions exceeding the sum of £250 per year?

Subject in all cases to considerations of the efficiency of the Service, I understand that, in the selection of persons for appointment to or retention in temporary employment, all possible preference is given, having regard to the exceptional circumstances of the present time, to those not in possession of appreciable private means. In this connection Government pensions (excluding disability pensions) would be taken into account. It is not the practice, nor do I think that it would be desirable, to have regard to private means in selecting candidates for established posts, which are usually filled by competitive examination.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the concern and hardship likely to be caused by the new assessment of real property for Income Tax under Schedule A; and what basis of assessment is being used in connection with this new valuation for Schedule A?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I have recently given to a number of questions on the subject of the revaluation of property which is being made for Income Tax purposes. In particular I would invite his attention to a reply, which I read to the House on the 3rd May, to a question standing in the name of the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Galbraith). I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that heretofore there has been a relatively uniform assessment on real property under which both Income Tax and rates have been levied and that, as a result of the re-assessment under Schedule A, this uniformity may disappear, he will suspend the introduction of his new reassessment until the Inland Revenue Department has inquired more thoroughly into the whole matter?

Except in the Metropolis, the rating valuation has never governed the Income Tax and Inhabited House Duty assessment, which is arrived at upon a different statutory basis, and I see no reason to postpone the operation of the long-deferred re-valuation on the grounds which the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will furnish a full statement of accounts for the financial year ending 31st March, 1923, as between the British Exchequer and the Irish Free State, showing receipts and payments and the value of lands, buildings, and other property taken over by the Free State, and the value of all materials, arms, equipments, stores, etc., supplied by the British Government; and the estimated receipts and payments for the financial year ending 31st March, 1924?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave him on the 21st February last. It is not possible at present to give any full statement as regards the year just closed. I do not understand the reference to the current year, as from 1st April last the Free State collects its own revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will be prepared to receive and give sympathetic consideration to representations from the entire indoor entertainment industry as to the great practical value which would result to the said industry from the sub-division of the entertainments duty into two sections, the one derived from all amusements given under cover and the other from all those given in the open air; and whether he can give the House any approximate idea of the extra expense which would be involved by the use of differential coloured stamps?

I am, of course, at all times ready to consider representations made by responsible bodies of traders, but I not aware of any great practical value that would accrue either to the entertainments trade or the Revenue authorities from the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion. No close estimate of its cost is possible, but it would certainly be considerable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state the number of widows with or/and without dependent children under 14 or/and 16 years in England, Scotland and Wales, based on the 1921 Census?

Figures for England and Wales as a whole are not as yet available; but in the counties of London, Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire, comprising over 49 per cent. of the total population, there were enumerated at the 1921 Census 834,793 widows, of whom 159,947 were returned as having a child or children under 16. The total number of widows enumerated in Scotland is 202,565. It will be some months before particulars as to their dependent children will be available.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of deaths which occurred last year from smallpox amongst those vaccinated and also amongst those not vaccinated, and the percentage rate of deaths to cases in each case?

The total number of deaths certified last year as due to smallpox was 27, but my right hon. Friend is advised that one of these cases was probably incorrectly diagnosed. Of the remaining 26 cases, 11, whose ages varied between 43 and 74 years, had been vaccinated in infancy but not since, 10 were unvaccinated, three showed no evidence of vaccination and two were vaccinated during the incubation period of smallpox. According to the information at present available, the total number of cases of smallpox occurring in vaccinated persons last year was 275, and the percentage rate of deaths to cases in this class, irrespective of age, was 4·0. The total number of unvaccinated cases, including those which showed no evidence or were vaccinated only during the incubation period of smallpox was 687, and the percentage of deaths to cases in this class, irrespective of age, was 2·1. As my right hon. Friend has previously stated, 24 of the 26 fatal cases occurred in the outbreak of virulent smallpox in London and the neighbourhood, and in this outbreak the fatality rate was 23·7 per cent. in the case of vaccinated persons and 60 per cent. in the case of unvaccinated persons.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the arrangements now in progress for closing shops in the Strand with the object of widening the thoroughfare; and whether, seeing that so much building labour will be wanted all over the country for the task of building houses, in these circumstances he will suggest to those concerned the advisability of a postponement of their intended rebuilding until the more urgent need mentioned is met?

I am aware of the arrangements referred to, but I understand that work of this kind provides employment for a large number of men in the building and allied industries who would not in any event be employed on house building. In the circumstances, I do not propose to take any action.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the representations of county and borough councils, based on the advice of their respective medical officers, that a limit should be placed on the use of preservatives in food; and whether he will appoint a Committee of investigation into the question, seeing that for many years the local authorities have been urging that action should be taken?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have already taken preliminary steps to appoint a small Committee to inquire into the general question of the use of preservatives and colouring matters in food.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, according to the Census Reports, 1,045,000 more rooms, equivalent to 209,000 five-roomed houses, are required in the county of London in order to give the population accommodation equivalent to the average prevailing throughout the country in 1911; and what proportion of that number of houses he estimates as likely to be provided under the Housing (No. 2) Bill in the County of London?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It seems to my right hon. Friend, however, that for practical purposes the comparison must be between conditions in London in 1921 and 1911. On the basis taken by the hon. Member the deficiency of rooms in London in 1921 as compared with 1911 is 58,000, according to the Census figures, and the average number of rooms per person has improved. As regards the second part of the question, the housing provision secured under the Bill at present before the House will depend on the action taken by the responsible local authority.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the

STATEMENT of Numbers of Prosecutions for Illegal Trawling in Scotland during the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923 (1st January-30th April) with the numbers of Convictions obtained and the penalties imposed for First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Offences.
(No skipper convicted more than five times.)
Year.		Number of Prosecutions.	No. of Convictions.						Penalties imposed.
			1st.	2nd.	3rd.	4th.	5th.	Total.	1st.	2nd.	3rd.	4th.	5th.	Total.
									£	£	£	£	£	£
1919	…	9	9	—	—	—	—	9	220	—	—	—	—	220
									24	—	—	—	—	24	average fine imposed.
1920	…	38	25	5	1	1	—	32	775	190	75	30	—	1070
									31	38	75	30	—	33	average fine imposed.
1921	…	132*	88	19	8	5	2	122	2992	630	499	430	130	4681
									34	33	62	86	65	38	average fine imposed.
1922	…	60*	40	7	5	—	1	53	1808	35	230	—	80	2503
									45	55	46	—	80	47	average fine imposed.
1923 (1 Jan.-30 Apr.)	…	29	18	6	2	1	—	27	1159	305	125	90	—	1739
									64	61	63	90	—	64	average fine imposed.
* Introduction of Danish seine net in 1921 led to increased number of encroachments, for which nominal penalties were imposed.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health how many adults have emigrated from

The number of prosecutions and convictions for the years 1919–22 and for the first four months of 1923 are given in the appended statement. Tables showing the particulars of individual cases are being prepared, and my Noble Friend will send them to the hon. and learned Member as soon as practicable:Scotland during the past 12 months; how many of the men were tradesmen; how many building tradesmen; and how many land workers?

I have been asked to reply. During the 12 months ended 31st March, 1923, the number of British subjects of 18 years of age and over, who left permanent residence in Scotland to take up permanent residence in countries outside Europe was 38,417, of whom 23,250 were men and 15,167 women. Of the men, 2,393 were recorded as following agricultural occupations, and 13,537 as in skilled trades. In the latter figure were included 980 in the building trades.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a number of boards of guardians are declining to give any relief to single men during the gap period on the ground that they should have made provision out of the payment of the weekly sum of 15s. received under the Insurance Act; and whether he will take steps in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware that in certain cases the guardians decline to give out-door relief to single men, though not, so far as he is aware, on the ground suggested in the question. The matter is one within the discretion of the guardians, and he does not propose to take any action.

asked the Minister of Labour how many single men and single women have been refused unemployment pay during the three months ending 31st March, 1923?

I regret I am unable to give the information asked for by the hon. Member, as separate statistics of refusals of benefit to single men and single women are not available for the period in question. Arrangements have, however, been made to obtain such statistics, temporarily, from 30th April onwards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, prior to the War, recognition was every year given to a selected number of the most successful commanding officers of Territorial Force units; that, during the past three years, commanding officers have had completely to reconstruct units of the Territorial Army; that, whilst their duties have been far more arduous than heretofore, no recognition whatever has been given to their services; and whether, in view of these facts, he will take steps to see that some recognition will be given to a selected number of commanders of such units as have most speedily been reported for all-round efficiency, and which at the same time have completed, or nearly completed, their establishment?

I am aware that before the War the valuable services of commanding officers of Territorial units were recognised as opportunity offered, but I am not aware of any change of policy in the matter. On the contrary, the methods of reward which were available before the War for the recognition of the services of Territorial officers are not only still in existence, but have been amplified and extended. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that rewards other than brevet promotions are, generally speaking, limited by the necessity of awaiting the occurrence of vacancies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of the Imperial War Graves Commission to hand over the wooden cross from a grave of a soldier to any relatives who apply for it; whether any inquiries are made as to the next-of-kin; whether, in the absence of such inquiries, the cross has been handed over to relatives other than the widow without consulting her; whether applications will still be received for these crosses; and, if so, up to what date?

It is the practice of the Imperial War Graves Commission to hand over the wooden cross to any relative applying for it. No inquiries are made as to the next-of-kin, because in practice this has not been found necessary. Disagreements as to the person entitled to the cross are of very rare occurrence, and when they do occur the Commission have usually been able to I settle them. No doubt in a certain number of cases the cross has been handed to relatives other than the widow, but with one or two exceptions no objection has been raised. With regard to the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 10th April to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Gilbert).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the progress of the scheme put forward by the War Office to the effect that large employers might care to assist in giving some business training to officers of the Army and Navy who have been retrenched under the recent reduction in the fighting services in the interest of national economy; what response has he obtained to this suggestion; and what practical assistance the Government itself is giving to the scheme?

The Federation of British Industries have been good enough to interest themselves in this scheme and to recommend it to their members. I am further informed by the Minister of Labour that the Appointments Department, in conjunction with the National Appointments Committee, who prepared the scheme, are making a systematic canvass of the large firms likely to be able to co-operate in it. The success of the proposal must, of course, depend largely on the efforts of the ex-officers themselves and on the particular shape in which individual employers may give their assistance, for which in any event we shall be very grateful.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether his Advisory Committee has expressed any definite opinion as to the expediency of his exercising the permissive powers under Section 2 of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, with regard to the admission of breeding stock from Canada; if so, what was the opinion expressed;(2) whether the draft order under Section 2 of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, has been submitted to his Advisory Committee for their opinion; and, if so, with what result?

The draft order in question was submitted to the Agricultural Advisory Committee which recommended that no action be taken under Section 2 of the Act until experience has been obtained as to the working of Section 1.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the terms of the agreement with Canadian representatives in regard to the admission of breeding stock were embodied in legislation in a permissive form if that part of the agreement was regarded by the Government as mandatory?

I understand that my predecessor, in making the agreement with the Canadian representatives, had in mind that, while it was essential to allow as soon as possible the import of "store" cattle from Canada, power should be obtained to authorise the entry of breeding stock only after both Houses of Parliament had had a further opportunity of expressing their opinion on such a proposal. Section 2 of the Importation of Animals Act, therefore, was drafted in such a form that the admission of breeding animals required the issue of a General Order of the Minister, which has to be laid before each House of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the provisions of the Trade Boards Act are to be applied to the agricultural industry?

No, Sir. The intention of the Government in respect of agricultural wages has already been announced in this House by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether his attention has been called to the verdicts in the case of rioters at Chauri Chaura showing that 19 have been condemned to death and 110 sentenced to transportation for life; and whether, having regard to the feeling of the peoples of India in the matter of what is regarded as these severe sentences, he will make representations to the Viceroy that the prerogative of clemency might be exercised in these cases?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is intending to refer, not to the power to grant pardons, which is delegated personally to the Governor-General by the Crown, and occasion for the use of which cannot yet in any case have arisen in this instance, but to the power which is vested by the Code of Criminal Procedure in local Governments and the Government of India to remit or commute sentences, and which is very commonly invoked by persons condemned to death or long terms of imprisonment. My Noble Friend would not be disposed to interfere with the statutory discretion vested in the authorities I have mentioned and which they would use with full knowledge of all the facts and circumstances.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that some contractors undertaking Government work refuse to pay their workpeople the terms agreed upon by interim and joint industrial councils; and, having regard to this fact, will he issue instructions to all spending Departments of State, when accepting tenders, that agreements of industrial councils are to be construed as though such agreements were the Fair Wage Clause and applicable to all contracts where no Fair Wage Clause can be said to exist?

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the Fair Wages Resolution of this House provides that persons holding Government contracts shall pay rates of wages and observe hours of labour not less favourable than those commonly recognised by employers and trade societies (or in the absence of such recognised wages and hours, those which in practice prevail amongst good employers) in the trade in the district where the work is carried out. This Resolution operates in the case of all contracts placed by Government Departments and its observance is always required. I see no need, therefore, to issue further instructions on this matter.

asked the Prime Minister what action the Government has taken or proposes to take with regard to the German note relating to reparations?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Aberavon (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald).

asked the Postmaster-General if it is still the practice of the Post Office telephone operators, or others, to listen-in to private conversations; do telephone operators or others, listen-in to all calls of certain subscribers; and, if so, why is this done?

The answer given to a similar question in April last year still holds good, namely, that listening-in is only resorted to at the request of, or by agreement with a subscriber when he requires evidence of the unauthorised use of his telephone.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the considerable delay which now occurs when a toll call is demanded through a public telephone call office; whether this delay is due to the original exchange operator and the toll exchange operator both having to look up the charge to be made before the applicant is connected with the toll exchange; and whether he can see his way to have the present system altered so that toll calls can be made equally quickly through public call offices as through private members' instruments?

I assume that the question of my hon. and gallant Friend relates to calls made from unattended call offices, as where there is an attendant he has ready to hand a comprehensive charge list. Where there is no attendant, the caller is switched through at once to the toll exchange and the telephonist at that exchange ascertains the charge by telephone from the information deck. There are over 2,700 unattended call offices in the London Area and about 370 exchanges in the toll area. It is therefore out of the question for the telephonists to memorise the charges for toll calls from every call office. The treatment of a toll call from a call office unavoidably occupies more time than that of a subscriber's call, as with the latter the charging is done subsequently through the subscriber's account.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received from the National Federation of Postal and Telegraph Clerks a request for an interview for the purpose of stating its claim to official recognition; and, if so, whether he will grant the request?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received from the National Federation of Postal and Telegraph Clerks a request for an interview for the purpose of urging its claim to official recognition; and, if so whether he is prepared to receive the deputation?

I have agreed to receive the deputation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the fact that all letters sent by the night mail from France and outlying countries having deliveries through France, are not distributed in London until noon and frequently later in the afternoon of the following day, while correspondence from London to Paris by the night mail is distributed in the French capital by the first delivery on the following morning; and whether, in view of the great inconvenience caused to the business community by the delayed delivery in London, he will take some steps to remedy the matter?

Concurrently with the introduction of summer time in this country on the 22nd of April, arrangements came into force for the despatch of the night mails from Paris by way of Dieppe and Newhaven, only supplementary mails being despatched by Calais and Dover. This gives an earlier arrival, and some of the letters are included in Central London in the delivery which begins at 9.30 a.m. instead of, as hitherto, in the delivery which begins at 11.30 a.m. The delay referred to by the hon. Member applies only to letters posted in Paris too late for the Dieppe-Newhaven despatch. The desirability of a connection with the first delivery in London is fully appreciated. The matter has been repeatedly pressed upon the French Post Office which is responsible for the mail service from France, and that Administration is in negotiation with the French railways.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to add to the Committee appointed to inquire into the contract of the British Broadcasting Company an additional member selected to represent authors and composers whose copyright is or may be affected by any new arrangements regarding broadcasting?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to add to the Committee appointed to inquire into the contract of the British Broadcasting Company an additional member selected to represent the Entertainment Joint Broadcasting Committee, whose interests are or may be affected by any new arrangements regarding broadcasting?

I do not think it desirable to add any members to the Broadcasting Committee, but I have no doubt that the Committee will be prepared to give full facilities to the interests referred to in the questions to give evidence before them.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider giving a free wireless licence for crystal sets to all schoolboys and girls under 14 who have assembled their own sets?

I am unable to waive the licence fees in the cases referred to by the hon. Member. It would obviously be exceedingly difficult in practice to draw a distinction.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken by local postmasters to assist pensioners in meeting pressing needs in those cases in which, owing to the non-arrival of the draft books from the Pensions Issue Office, the pensioners are no longer able to secure advances from local pension officers?

An arrangement has been recently made with the Ministry of Pensions whereby when a pension cannot be paid by a postmaster owing to the non-arrival of the allowance book, the pensioner is given a special form of postcard on which to fill in the necessary particulars for the information of the pension issue office, and the card is then despatched at once by the postmaster to that office, where, it is understood, the application for payment is dealt with immediately on receipt of the card.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, having now received the envelope addressed to T. A. Rees, Esquire, town clerk of Merthyr Tydfil, opened by the postal authorities, he is now prepared to say what are the reasons for such action; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this interference with private correspondence?

The letter was received from France with a batch of letters relating to a lottery, the transmission of which through the post in this country is illegal; and, as was explained on the slip which was placed inside the envelope for the addressee's information, the letter was inadvertently stopped. Many thousands of lottery letters have to be dealt with, and, although every care is exercised, I am afraid that occasional error is unavoidable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make arrangements for a daily delivery in those parts of Exmoor where there is now a postal delivery on only three days of the.

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member, week?