asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of years which would be necessary to complete the propoesd naval base at Singapore on the assumption that the work was not carried out in a leisurely fashion?

I am afraid I could not usefully give an answer to a purely hypothetical question; the hon. Member, however, must not assume that spreading the programme of completion of the naval base over a number of years implies that the work itself will be done in a leisurely or inefficient manner.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the names, grade, and. salary of the 33 whole-time medical officers in the employ of the Ministry who have not served in the Forces of the Crown; where they are employed; and whether action will be taken to replace these officers by men who served in the Great War and in consequence suffered financial loss?

I regret that in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member last week the number of non-Service medical officers was overstated, the correct number being 31. It is, and always has been, the policy of the Ministry to give preference to ex-service candidates for appointments whenever that course can be followed consistently with due regard to efficiency.

The following are the particulars:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to a Resolution passed by the Ashington No. 1 branch of the British Legion protesting against the method of assessing pre-War dependence in the case of parents' pensions, and urging that in every case where a parent has lost a son a flat-rate pension should be given, as had the lad lived he would have contributed to his parents' support; and whether it is propoeed to take action to ensure that in all cases where a parent has lost a son owing to a disability or injury due to war service a flat-rate pension of not less than 5s. a week will be issued?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not been drawn to the Resolution referred to, but if its terms are correctly described by the hon. Member, they would appear to be based on a misapprehension of the present practice of the Ministry. Pensions to parents are no longer based on the consideration of whether or not the parent was dependent upon the deceased son before the War, but solely on the conditions of need and incapacity for self-support, which I apprehend are precisely the conditions under which the deceased son would have contributed had he survived. Where these conditions are fulfilled, pension may be granted up to a maximum of 20s. a week. Pension on this basis is, in the opinion of the Government, more satisfactory than a flat-rate pension which cannot be adjusted to differing circumstances.

asked the Minister of Pensions when the premises of the Queen Alexandra's Convalescent Centre at Salt-ash are to be used for the treatment of neurasthenic patients, and the number of such patients who are to be treated there?

It is hoped that these premises will be ready for the accommodation of about 400 neurasthenic patients in the course of the next two months.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will make inquiries in the case of Private Lewis Jones, No. 52524, Gloucester Regiment, of 11, Old Parrot, Osborne Road, Pontypool; whether he is aware that the mother of the pensioner, while lying ill on her death-bed, was visited by a police sergeant who made inquiries in respect of the dependant's allowance being issued to her and that the physical and mental disturbance following on the visit of the police officer accelerated the death of Mrs. Jones; whether the inquiries by a police officer were made at the request of his Department; and, if so, in view of the grave objections to such procedure, will he arrange that in future all necessary inquiries shall be made by officers in the service of the Department?

I understand from a, report received this morning that this matter is one which concerns my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, to whom, perhaps, the hon. Member will put down a question.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that John Gourlay, Case No. S2114 (Min. 267), residing at 42, High Street, Loanhead, was discharged from the Army 25th January, 1919; that according to Army Form B 179, dated 5th August, 1920, he was certified as suffering from phthisis; that his disability was attributable to the great War; that, on consideration, the Ministry refused to accept the disability as due to or aggravated by war service; that all certificates go to prove this man enjoyed good health prior to war service; that he has now been off work for three years and is now confined to bed; and, in view of these facts, will he con-eider the question, if possible, of reopening this case?

The decision of the Ministry that the disability is neither due to nor aggravated by service has been confirmed, on appeal, by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, and is now final. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to reopen the case.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the agreement made by his predecessor with the Canadian representatives in October last with regard to the importation of Canadian cattle was reduced into writing; and, if it was reduced into writing, whether he will supply a copy of the document in full?

The terms of the agreement were embodied in a notice to the Press, which was approved by the Canadian and British Governments, and issued on 3rd November, 1922. This Press notice, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend, formed the whole of my reply to the question addressed to me on 30th November last by the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western (Lieut.-Colonel A. Murray) to which I referred my hon. Friend in reply to his question yesterday.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in what year the Pirbright testing station was instituted; what was the total cost of installing it; what has been the total cost of running and main- taining it since; what is the total number of animals that have been tested in it; how many have passed the test; and how many have failed to pass the test?

The Ministry's cattle station at Pirbright was completed at the end of 1913. The total cost of acquiring the station and farm was £20,313 including land, buildings, roads, water supply and fencing. The cost of running and maintenance, i.e., expenditure less income to 31st March, 1922, was £19,824. This latter figure includes charges for interest on capital of £9,606 and overhead charges for headquarters administrative expenses estimated at £3,240. The completed figures for 1922–23 will not be available for some weeks. The number of animals tested at the station is 742, of which 51 reacted, and in addition 146 animals were immunised against certain tropical diseases. The station was closed for the purpose of testing from the outbreak of War to September, 1919.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much foreign grain for malting, independently of barley, has been imported into England during the last two years?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to state how much of the grain imported into this country is used for malting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the reduction of the assessable value of agricultural land for rating purposes to one-fourth, he will consider the advisability, in order to meet the variations in the amount of the rates levied, of adjusting year by year the subsidy payable by the Government?

I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the introduction of the Bill to give effect to the Government's proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether among the 6,277 petitions filed in the bankruptcy courts last year any co-operative societies are among the number; if so, how many; and what were the amount of the liabilities and assets of those societies?

The Registrar of Friendly Societies informs me that eight Orders were made during 1922 in respect of societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts. Information as to the position at the date of the Orders is not available in all cases but, taking the latest particulars furnished, the liabilities, excluding amounts due to shareholders, were £13,178, whereas the book values of the assets were returned at £13,061.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the large increase in the number of fraudulent bankruptcies; and whether, in the opinion of his advisers, the law as it stands is sufficient to meet the growth of such operations?

The number of prosecutions of bankrupts for offences under the Bankruptcy Act, 1914, does not show any marked increase as compared with the number of bankruptcies, and I am not aware of any serious defect or weakness in the law, which was revised as recently as 1913; but if my hon. Friend has in mind any particular provision of the Bankruptcy Act, which, in his opinion, requires to be strengthened, I shall be glad to consider any suggestion which he may wish to make.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that very considerable hardship is being experienced by persons who have booked passages as emigrants to the United States, and who have sold their furniture and given up their employment in expectation of sailing on an early date, being informed by the steamship companies that they cannot go by the ship booked as the quota of emigrants is exhausted; and will he make representations to the steamship companies, particularly the Cunard Company, to avoid this inconvenience to persons by not definitely booking passages and taking the passage money unless they are assured that the journey can be undertaken on the specified date?

I am aware of the very considerable hardship which has been caused in the cases to which the hon. Member refers and as to which my Department has been in communication with the Cunard Company. I am satisfied that the British lines, in their own interest as well as in the interest of their passengers, had taken, and are taking, very great trouble indeed to make their bookings correspond with the numbers that would be admitted. The cause of the difficulty in the present case was, I understand, that an unexpectedly large number of British-born immigrants entered the United States across the Canadian border.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a section of the Board of Trade is pressing debtors of that Department for claims which are outstanding under the heading of Exports Credit Department, whilst the coal mines section of the same Department, who are indebted to the same debtors, are withholding payments from them; and whether he will give instructions that such claims shall not be pressed in these circumstances?

I am not aware of any such case.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health (1), how the sum of £15,000, which is paid annually into the Congested Districts (Scotland) Fund, was spent during the year ending 31st March, 1923; how it is intended to spend it during the year ending 31st March, 1924;

(2), whether, in view of the depression existing in the agricultural and fishing industries in the highland counties of Scotland, the Government will seek the sanction of Parliament for increasing the Congested Districts (Scotland) Fund in accordance with Section 3, Subsection (2), of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension regarding this sum of £15,000. The provision in the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, under which it was payable into the Congested Districts Fund was repealed by the Small Landowners (Scotland) Act, 1911, and the sum is now payable into the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund, which is applicable for the purposes stated in the Act of 1911. In the circumstances, the sum of £15,000 is not separately allocated, and the question of increasing the Congested Districts (Scotland) Fund does not arise. The congested districts have, however, benefited by the increased provision made under the Act of 1911, and subsequent Acts.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health the average cost of the equipment of the small holdings on the Terregles settlement in the County of Kirkcudbright?

The average costs of houses and steadings erected by the Board of Agriculture at Terregles are £635 and £257 respectively. The average loans made by the Board for houses and steadings erected or being erected by holders who are meeting part of the cost are £614 and £187 respectively. I am not in a position to give the average cost of other equipment works which are not yet complete.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that the dairy buildings on the small holding settlement at Terregles, in the County of Kirkcudbright, do not meet with the requirements of the local authorities' dairy regulations; and if it is proposed to throw the onus on the smallholders of making the necessary alterations in these buildings to meet the requirements of the said regulation?

So far as I am aware there are no dairy regulations in force in the district with which the buildings referred to do not comply. I understand that new regulations have been prepared by the local authority but are not yet confirmed. I am not aware whether there is any disconformity between the buildings and the proposed regulations. Unless and until the regulations become operative and any such disconformity appears, consideration of the point mentioned in the last part of the question seems to be premature.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that a number of the dwelling-houses and steadings on the smallholding settlement at Terregles, in the County of Kirkcudbright, have not been finally completed; and if he can give an undertaking that these dwelling-houses-and steadings will be finally completed before the holdings are inspected and valued by the Scottish Land Court?

The Board of Agriculture has completed all the new building work which it undertook to carry out in accordance with plans approved by each holder. There would therefore appear to be no occasion for an undertaking of the nature referred to.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether the Secretary for Scotland has received representations to take steps to get the local agricultural co-operative societies affiliated with the Scottish Smallholders' Organisation to affiliate with the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society; and what steps he proposes to take?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In January last the Board of Agriculture issued a circular letter to all the local societies of the Scottish Smallholders' Organisation and last month the Board sent a list of 38 societies interested in the proposed affiliation to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, which is now in communication with them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has seen the memorial by the Indian Civil Pensions Committee pressing for the grant to certain officers of the Indian public services, other than the Indian Civil Service, retired prior to 23rd July, 1913, of the new rates of pension approved for their services in 1919; if he will state why these officers have hitherto been excluded from the benefit of the improved rates; and whether these can now be extended to them?

Yes, Sir. The Public Services Commission recommended increases in the pensions fixed for certain of the Indian Services, and effect was given to these recommendations by the Secretary of State in Council in 1919. As a very special concession, despite the general rule that new rates of pension are not applied to officers who have retired from service prior to their introduction, the new rates were granted retrospectively with effect from 1st April, 1919, to officers who had retired after 23rd July, 1913, because there was held to have been a pledge in an official letter of that date. It would not be possible to grant any further general antedate such as is now demanded without an abrogation of the rule (the general principle of which applies equally in the Home Civil Service) that retrospective effect is not given to increases of pay or pension, and without giving rise to a legitimate grievance on the part of other services, civil and military, if a corresponding concession were denied them. I may add that the decision in question was taken after full consideration by the late Secretary of State in Council, and that my Noble Friend, who since taking office has again carefully reviewed the position is in full agreement with it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is yet in a position to state who is to be the chairman of the Royal Commission on the Civil Services in India?

I am glad to be able to announce that Lord Lee of Fare-ham, G.B.E., K.C.B., has consented to allow his name to be submitted for the chairmanship of the Royal Commission. I hope that it will be possible to publish the names of the remaining members at a very early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Captain H. F. de C. Wheeler, Royal Army Service Corps; whether he is aware that this officer was demobilised on 8th March, 1920, but was paid Army pay until 31st March, 1920, through Sir C. R. McGrigor, Baronet, and Company; that an intimation of an award of temporary retired pay for a disability due to war service was not received by him until 25th November, 1920; and that action is now being taken to recover the sum of £28 4s. from his retired pay in respect of Army pay for the period 8th to 31st March, 1920; and whether he will issue instructions to the financial section of the War Office that recovery of the sum of £28 4s. shall be waived?

This officer was paid for the whole month of March, 1920, on the 1st of the month, under the normal arrangement by which regimental officers are paid monthly in advance. As, however, he left the Army on the 8th he had no claim to pay for the period 8th to 31st March, 1920. He has taken no notice of several applications requesting him to refund the money thus overissued, and in these circumstances, after full consideration, instructions have been issued for recovery to be made out of his retired pay. I am not aware of any special reason for waiving recovery of this amount.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increase of the drug habit, he is in possession of any information to show that there is any abuse of medical certificates containing drugs which do not contain words prohibiting repetition; and, if so, whether he will take any action thereon?

The Regulations made under the Dangerous Drugs Act expressly provide that the drugs shall not be supplied more than once on the same prescription, with an exception for cases in which the prescription explicitly directs that the drugs may be supplied at specified intervals on not more than three occasions: and in view of this the Committee which considered the Regulations thought it unnecessary to require that the words "not to be repeated "should be inserted in the prescription. To obtain or supply drugs on a prescription otherwise than in accordance with the Regulations is an offence against the Act; and I have no reason to think that the Regulation in question is not generally observed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that he has presented a Bill to amend and consolidate the law relating to Trade Boards, he will give instructions that no fresh orders or definitions shall be issued by the Department until such time as the Bill has been considered by Parliament?

In view of the fact that my right hon. Friend has introduced the Trade Boards Bill, it is clearly desirable that, pending the passing of that Bill, no great changes in Trade Board administration should be initiated. At the same time it is not possible to suspend that administration, or to hold up decisions on routine difficulties as they arise. As regards definition, as a general rule my right hon. Friend would prefer to postpone any alterations unless there are very special circumstances, such as in fact exist in the case of the Stamped or Pressed Metal Wares Trade Board, in respect of which a notice of a proposed new definition has been given.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can supplement the January and February, 1923, ascertainment of output of coal by stating the average selling price per ton of clean large coal f.o.b. and other screened varieties for the months referred to, and the prices ruling for the same class of coals in January and February, 1914, in all the various districts covered by the statement; and will he give the average rate of wages paid in May and June, 1914, and the average rate to be paid in May and June, 1923, in each district covered by the statement alluded to?

The information asked for, as far as it is available, is contained in the following tables:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction prevailing among some of the trainees at the Government Instructional Factory, Newtown, Montgomeryshire, on account of the differentiation which has been made in a recent regulation regarding special lodging allowance, whereby trainees who commenced their training after October, 1922, are deprived of that allowance, whereas others, whose training commenced prior to October, 1922, are in receipt of that consideration; and whether, having regard to the hardship involved especially to trainees who have families at home and to the irritation such a differentiation must cause, he will take steps to withdraw the regulation?

Special lodging allowance of 5s. a week was paid to unmarried trainees who commenced their training before 1st October, 1922. In consequence of the reductions in the cost of living this allowance was not made to trainees who commenced after that date. When they commenced their training the men were fully informed as to the amount of the allowances they would receive, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason for altering the present arrangements. In any case the allowance was paid only to single men.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that up to a few months ago young girls in Hong Kong could in return for a money payment be transferred from person to person, and that many of such girls must have found their way into the local brothels, in spite of the official questionings to which they would be subjected, he will consider the advisability of setting up an independent inquiry in the Colony with a view to discovering these girls and effecting their release?

While it was until recently the fact that a mui tsai could be transferred from one household to another in return for a money payment, the law of Hong Kong made clear provision against any traffic in girls for purposes of prostitution. Further, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs takes steps to satisfy himself that no girl under 19 is allowed to enter the brothels, and these are visited to check the ages of inmates. I am not aware of any evidence in support of the inference drawn by the hon. Member that would afford ground for the inquiry he suggests.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if he will state, as representing Ireland, to what extent compensation will be paid to Southern Irelanders who have suffered loss throughout the late disturbances?

I am afraid that I cannot at present add anything to the Memorandum on Compensation (Cmd. 1844) recently presented to Parliament.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of white and Indian settlers, respectively, in Tanganyika Territory for each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922; and what are their respective totals at the present date?

The only figures available are those obtained at the Census of 1921. This shows that out of a total European population of 2,447, 299 were engaged in agricultural occupations, and that out of a total British-Indian population of 9,411, 132 were so engaged.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Excess Profits Duty assessed by the Bradford office each year the tax operated, and the amounts repaid each year to date?

In my view, statements of this character, prepared by reference to particular localities, would not be of such value as to justify me in authorising the considerable expenditure of time and labour which they would entail.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of motorcars and parts thereof imported free of duty as being intended for commercial use in the years! ended 31st December, 1920, 1921 and 1922; the amount for the years ended 31st December, 1920, 1921 and 1922 of the gross receipts for motorcar import duty; the amounts repaid by way of drawbacks; and the amounts repaid by way of rebates in respect of duties collected on the landing of motor-cars and parts thereof subsequently declared

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual yield of the Stamp Duties on the sales, transfers and leases of landed properties, including houses and other

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to the operations of the Housing of the Working Classes Act and the Rent Restriction Acts, the provision of houses for the middle classes has been gravely interfered with; that it has been possible only to buy at artificial prices and not to rent the houses that have come on the market; and whether, seeing that in consequence the number of owner- exempt from import duty as commercial vehicles?

The information required will be found in the subjoined Table. Statement showing for each of the years ended 31st December, 1920, 1921 and 1922, the value of motor-cars and parts thereof imported free of duty as being intended for commercial use; the gross receipts for motor-car import duty; the amounts repaid by way of drawbacks; and the amounts repaid by way of rebates in respect of duties collected on motorcars and parts thereof subsequently declared exempt from import duty:

buildings, in Great Britain, for each of the last three financial years, respectively?

The yield of the Stamp Duties on conveyances and mortgages of lands and houses, and on leases in Great Britain during the last three financial years, has been as follows:

occupiers has largely increased, he will say what steps are being taken to ensure that such owner-occupiers are protected from the artificial increase in the value of the houses they have been compelled to purchase in the revaluation now proceeding?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) on the 10th May. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to provide all men over the age of 65 years with a pension of 20s. per week, and the estimated cost of providing a pension of 20s. per week for all men and women over 65 years of age; and the estimated cost of providing pensions of 30s. per week for men at 65 years of age, and 30s. per week for men and women at 65 years of age?

It will not be possible to make a precise estimate until the relative data for the whole country, as ascertained at the Census of 1921, are available. In the meantime the cost may be provisionally estimated as follows: Estimated annual cost of providing persons over the age of 65 in Great Britain with pensions:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the Ministry is aware of any cases of roads which, owing to private undertakings having proposed to use such roads for motor omnibus services, it has been found necessary to close; and, if so, where the roads are?

A number of Orders have been made under Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920, after public inquiry, closing certain roads to heavy motor traffic. My hon. Friend cannot say to what extent the local authorities applying for these Orders may, or may not, have been influenced by the likelihood of the roads in question being used by private motor omnibus services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what steps, if any, he is taking to utilise inventions designed to secure the auto- matic locking of railway carriages whilst in motion, in view of recent accidents?

The Ministry of Transport are not pressing the railway companies to adopt devices of this character, which my hon. Friend is advised by the inspecting officers of railways might be liable to interfere with the egress of passengers in the event of accident or emergency and are also open to other practical objections.

asked the Postmaster-General the average time to execute an order for the installation of a telephone; and whether, in view of the increased demand likely to arise in consequence of the reduction in the rates of charges, he will see that orders are executed with less delay than at present?

The average time for the provision of a. telephone exchange line is at present three weeks. Numerous schemes for additional plant are in hand throughout the country to meet the increased development which may be expected as a result of the reduced charges and to shorten generally the waiting period.

asked the Postmaster-General what the estimated surplus on the Post Office commercial accounts for the current year would amount to if the Departments had to pay cash for the Post Office services in a similar way to the general public?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Montrose Burghs (Mr. Sturrock) on the 1st instant. The estimated surplus of £3,600,000 includes the value of services rendered to other Departments, whether paid in cash or not.

asked the Postmaster-General the value of the stamps required to be affixed in the United States to a newspaper package of a weight just under seven ounces for transmission to this country?

Four cents.