asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many of the 300,000 able-bodied ex-service men who are unemployed he will be able to assist to emigrate, if they so desire, during this year under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act, or any other Government scheme?

Whilst every effort has and will be made to assist ex-service men wishing to migrate, it is, I am afraid, impossible to make any forecast of the number who can be accepted during this year. I am sure my hon. Friend will realise that the rate of progress must, inter alia, depend on the absorptive capacity of the Dominions, but, as a rough estimate, it is hoped during the next 12 months to adopt measures which will make it possible for migration to take place at the rate of 1,500 a week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what was the average yearly rate of emigration from the United Kingdom to places within the Empire in the years 1910 to 1914, inclusive; what the rate has been during the last 12 months, for which figures are available; and what the proportion to the total immigration has been in each period?

The average yearly rate of emigration, as measured by the excess outwards of British subjects in the passenger movement between the United Kingdom and other countries of the Empire, was 166,200 during the period 1910 to 1914, inclusive. The corresponding excess in 1922 was 71,700. I regret that I am unable to state the proportions which these figures represent of the total immigration into Empire countries overseas.

asked the Minister of Health the composition of the small Committee he has appointed to inquire into the general question of the use of preservatives colouring matter in foods?

This matter is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to announce the composition of the proposed Committee.

asked the Minister of Health what were the respective amounts set aside by approved societies under their schemes, following the first valuation of approved societies, for the provision of dental treatment, optical treatment, convalescent home treatment, medical and surgical appliances, and nursing, respectively?

Out of the disposable surpluses of approved societies in England, following the first valuation, the aggregate amounts set aside for provision of the benefits in question during the five years covered by the schemes were as follow:—

As regards the third item, it is not possible to say what portion of the figure of £979,000 was allocated to convalescent home treatment, this benefit being included under the schemes with hospital treatment; but it may be mentioned that in addition the amount of £60,000 was set aside for the leasing and maintenance of convalescent homes by certain societies.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total value of health insurance stamps sold from July, 1912, up to the date of the withdrawal of the old series of stamps consequent upon the increase in contributions following the passing of the National Health Insurance Amendment Act, 1920; and what proportion of such stamps has been claimed to date, or as near thereto as information is available, by or on behalf of insured persons in respect of insurance cards surrendered to the Ministry?

The approximate amounts for England and Wales are £117,850,000 and £117,000,000 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that local authorities are still accepting foreign tenders for goods as against British when the latter are not only at the same rate but even lower, he will make representations to local authorities generally that under such conditions there is no reason why preference should be given to a foreign commodity?

I am issuing a Circular to local authorities on this subject, and I will send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health under whose authority National Health Insurance Form Med. 40 B (Revised) is being used for advertising Maypole for tea and butter; the amount gained by these advertisements; and the purpose to which the money is applied?

In view of the urgent need for exercising every possible economy in public expenditure, the Government has decided that official publications and forms which can be used as a medium for advertisement should be so used. The general arrangements for putting this decision into operation are in the hands of the Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office, but before any advertisement is inserted on forms issued by or on behalf of any Public Department, the Controller consults that Department. The objections to the insertion of an advertisement on Form Med. 40 B were considered, but were not deemed to be so great as to justify a departure from the general rule that available space should now be used for advertisements, unless the insertion of an advertisement actually operated against the effective use of the form. With regard to the second part of the question the net income derived from the advertisement is £135. This revenue is applied as an Appropriation-in-Aid of the Stationery Office Vote, on which Vote the cost of producing the forms is borne.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received any reply from the Islington Board of Guardians to the inquiries which he promised to make with reference to the action of their chairman, H. J. Griffiths, Esq., in sitting on the board while concerned in a milk contract tendered for by his own firm; if so, what is the board's reply; and whether, having regard to the fact that Section 46 of the Local Government Act, 1894, makes it unlawful to sit on public bodies when they are concerned in or participate in the profits of any contract, he will state what further action the Ministry propose to take?

I will send the hon. Member copies of the replies which I have received from the guardians. As I stated in answer to the hon. Member on the 27th March, I am not empowered to take any action under Section 46 of the Act of 1894.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a certain applicant to the West Ham Board of Guardians for medical relief on behalf of her father, who was in a dying condition, was asked if she was personally aware that her parents were legally married, and had she personally seen the certificate of their marriage; and whether any such form of question has been prescribed by his Department?

This case has not previously been brought to my notice, but I will make inquiries with regard to it. My Department have not prescribed any form of question such as that referred to.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution of the Westminster City Council to close the Public Library in St. Martin's Lane and to utilise the building for the extension of the City Hall; whether the consent of the Board of Education has been applied for by the City Council, as required under the Public Libraries Acts; whether the City Council has made any provision to transfer the Public Library to a suitable site and building in substitution for the site and building in St. Martin's Lane in accordance with Section 12 (3) of the Public Libraries Act, 1892; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter in order to protect the rights of the citizens of Westminster to the Public Library in accordance with the Acts of Parliament?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. With regard to the third part of the question, I understand that the City Council have instructed the Library Committee to find a new site in substitution for the St. Martin's Lane site, and have expended £18,000 in remodelling their Public Library in Great Smith Street. I am informed that the Westminster City Council are threatened with litigation as a result of the closure of the Public Library in St. Martin's Lane, and in these circumstances I cannot discuss the legal aspect of the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the proposals for the construction of a naval base at Singapore have been considered by the Committee on Imperial Defence?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on the 26th March, and to my full statement on the subject on the 1st May.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is expected that the list of officers' chief stewards and cooks will be published?

The vacancies for continuous service officers' chief stewards and cooks will be filled very shortly, but no special reason is seen for publishing the names.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any information can be given concerning the request for the payment of marriage allowance to men under 25 years of age?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply of the 2nd May to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Foot).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers of the Royal Marine Artillery who have submitted their resignations or who will be discharged from the service on the amalgamation of the Artillery and Infantry Marine Corps?

No officers of the Royal Marine Artillery have submitted their resignations, and the number to be compulsorily retired from both branches on account of amalgamation cannot be stated until the establishment is fixed and the officers have had an opportunity of applying under a voluntary scheme of retirement which is under consideration, and which will be applicable to the whole corps.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the decision in the case of Art O'Brien, he proposes to release Patrick Hyland, of Winchburgh, and Ambrose Kenny, of Bathgate, and to compensate them suitably on account of their illegal detention?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made yesterday by my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Home Secretary.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make arrangement with the Irish Free State to insure that when the Free State censor holds up letters written by internees, the addressee will be informed of the fact?

I am not in a position to give any undertaking on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary what is the reason for continuing the restriction on the sale of ammunition for sporting rifles, particularly rook and rabbit rifles of small calibre; and whether these restrictions will now be confined to such weapons as revolvers and automatic pistols?

These rifles come within the provisions of the Firearms Act, 1920, and I do not see my way at present to propose any amendment of the law in the sense indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a prize offered in the Golden Ballot now advertised is to provide for the nomination of the winner as a candidate for Parliament, and to pay the expenses of the election; and if his Department intends to take any action in the matter?

I see that such a prize is advertised in the Press, but the offer does not afford ground for any action on my part.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that there is considerable discontent in Government services in India with regard to conditions of pay and pension; whether anything has been done in reply to the petition presented to the Secretary of State for India, dated 24th January, 1923; and whether, a Royal Commission of Inquiry having been promised, all possible steps will be taken to accelerate the production and issue of its Report?

I am aware that discontent exists in the services. As regards the second part, my Noble Friend the Secretary of State proposes to bring the representation referred to, together with others of a similar character, specially to the notice of the Royal Commission. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the discontent prevailing among members of the engineering services of the Public Works Department and State railways in India; whether he is aware that the ordinary pension up to 25 years' service admissible to members of these services recruited in England has remained unimproved for a period of 65 years; whether memorials have been received from time to time praying for an improved pension for these services; and whether, seeing that the last memorial to this effect was submitted over two years ago and that no reply has been given, he will say what consideration has been given to these memorials and expedite a reply to the memorialists, and issue such instructions as will have the effect of dispelling the apprehension which prevails as to the manner in which such representations are dealt with?

The question of the further improvement of the pensions of the Indian service of engineers, which was raised in the memorials mentioned by my hon. Friend, has received anxious consideration, but no conclusion has yet been reached upon it. It has now been decided to refer it to the Royal Commission on the Indian Services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Franco-Belgian authorities in occupied Germany have recently imposed heavy Export Duties on wine and other goods which were previously on the German export free list; whether these will apply to British goods bought many months ago and held in the occupied region for storage purposes, such as maturing in the case of wine; and what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take to prevent the injury thus caused to British interests?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the export tariff introduced in the occupied territory on 1st May subjects to duty certain classes of goods (including wine) which have recently been on the German export free list. Arrangements are, however, in force under which goods con- tracted for before 1st February may be exported from the occupied territory on payment of Export Duty (if any) at the rate leviable at the date of the contract. British traders desiring to take advantage of these facilities should, without delay, furnish full particulars of their contracts, either direct or through the Board of Trade, to the British High Commissioner at Coblenz.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reliable Report has been received by His Majesty's Government on the condition of the Greek prisoners of war recently returned to Greece by the Turks; and, if so, whether it will be laid upon the Table of the House?

The Military Attaché to His Majesty's Legation at Athens was recently instructed to visit the quarantine station near the Piraeus where the prisoners were landed, and to report on their condition. His Report has now been received, and it will be laid before the House within the next few days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the independence of Lithuania has been recognised by this country; and if any opportunity was afforded, or will be afforded, to the Lithuanian Government to make representations on the subject of the recent decision of the Council of the Ambassadors in regard to the Polish-Lithuanian frontiers?

The independence of Lithuania has been recognised by His Majesty's Government. The recent decision of the Ambassadors' Conference, which is final, fixed as the political frontier between Poland and Lithuania, a line which followed the line of demarcation previously recommended by the Council of the League. Lithuania's claims were heard and considered by the Council of the League both before and at the time when it made this recommendation. The Ambassadors' Conference were fully conversant with these claims, and no useful purpose would therefore have been served by again discussing them when their decision was taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have received a protest against the recent decision of the Council of Ambassadors in regard to Vilna from the President of the Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania; and if the text of the document and the reply which has been made to it can be laid upon the Table of the House?

The Lithuanian Government has addressed a protest to the Ambassadors' Conference which has been communicated to His Majesty's Government. No reply has been returned by the Ambassadors' Conference to this protest, and no useful purpose would Be served by adopting the procedure suggested by the hon. Member, although I should be glad to show him the document should he desire to see it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is able to give any information as to the value of investments held by German subjects in foreign countries; and, if not, whether it is within the power of the Allied Governments to obtain such information?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department to the hon. Member for the Farnham Division (Sir J. Davidson). The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of bulk barrels of beer brewed in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, in the year ended 31st March, 1923, and the total for the United Kingdom as a whole?

The total number of bulk barrels of beer brewed in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, respectively, in the year ended 31st March, 1923, and for the United Kingdom as a whole, was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average gravity of the beer brewed in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, in the year ending 31st March, 1923; and the average gravity for the United Kingdom as a whole?

The average gravity of the beer brewed in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, in the year ended 31st March, 1923, and for the United Kingdom as a whole, was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of civil servants at the present time receiving annual emoluments, inclusive of bonus (if any), from £1,500 to £2,000, from £2,001 to £3,000, and over £3,000, respectively, and the corresponding numbers of Navy, Army, and Air Force officers, the remuneration of the latter to include the value (on a basis of the cash allowance payable in lieu) of that portion which they receive in kind, and the three fighting Services to be treated as a single whole for the purpose of facilitating comparison with the Civil Service; and whether he will supply a tabular statement, on the basis of that given on page 156 of the Third Report of the Committee on National Expenditure, showing in what ratios these numbers stand to the total strengths of the Civil Service and the fighting Services, respectively, combined figures being again given in the case of the latter?

The figures for the Civil Service are exclusive of the Diplomatic and Consular Service. Table Money and Entertainment Allowances have been included in the emoluments of officers of the fighting Services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there can be issued a full list of compensation claims paid in regard to the sinking of the "Lusitania," with amounts paid on each claim; and if no larger sum is available for the loss of a wife and son with all their personal belongings than £130?

I have been asked to reply. Payment has not yet been made in respect of the whole of the "Lusitania" claims covered by the First Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action. In regard to the last part of the question, the payments recommended by the Commission depend upon the particular facts of each case. If the hon. Member will furnish me with the name of the claimant he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a White Paper stating the arrangements which have been made between His Majesty's Government and the Irish Free State Government as to relief from double Income Tax, namely, Income Tax in this country and in the Irish Free State, for persons who are domiciled in

The following table gives the information asked for:

Great Britain or Northern Ireland on the one hand, and persons who are domiciled in the Irish Free State on the other hand; and whether, under these arrangements, persons who are domiciled in England, and who are entitled to the income of Irish land stock or India stock registered in the Bank of Ireland, are liable to be charged by the Irish Free State with Income Tax at the rate of 5s. in the £?

The arrangements made between His Majesty's Government and the Irish Free State Government as to relief from double Income Tax are embodied, on the British side, in the relief in respect of Double Taxation (Irish Free State) Declaration, 1923, and, on the Irish Free State side, in the Double Taxation (Relief) Order (No. 1), 1923. The latter part of my hon. Friend's question raises a question of Irish Free State law. I understand that a person not resident in the Irish Free State is entitled to claim exemption from Irish Free State Income Tax in respect of interest on Irish land stock or India stock registered in the Bank of Ireland at Dublin.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the surplus staff rendered unnecessary by the abandonment of the land values taxation is now transferred to Somerset House and elsewhere and engaged in making new assessments without any direct or personal knowledge?

There is no surplus staff in the Valuation Office, the abandonment of the Land Values Duties having been followed by a very large reduction in personnel. The office, which is decentralised and embraces a body of professional valuers of great ability, continues to perform many Exchequer functions for Revenue and other Government purposes which are detailed in Command Paper 918 of 1920. Its professional members have, in addition to their normal duties, dealt with cases of especial difficulty arising on the recent re-assessment of property to Income Tax. The suggestion that they have done so without direct or personal knowledge is totally unfounded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with regard to the property revaluation, whether he is aware that in certain cases houses of absolutely the same size, age, accommodation, and plan, standing on equal areas of ground and identical in every imaginable respect, have been assessed at entirely variable rates; and whether, seeing that such instances are apt to destroy confidence in the methods which have been adopted in carrying out these valuations, he would be prepared to have such cases reconsidered?

In the case of properties let at rack rents fixed within seven years those rack rents are conclusive of the annual value for purposes of Income Tax Schedule A. It follows that if houses though identical in character are let at differing rack rents fixed recently, the Income Tax assessments must correspondingly vary. Otherwise, the new assessment would not achieve its primary object which is to secure that persons in receipt of income from land and house property should pay Income Tax by reference to their actual income from that source and no longer by reference to an out-of-date and inadequate valuation made in 1910.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider relief to occupiers of small properties affected by the revaluations now being assessed in cases where, by the increased values, they are rendered liable to payment of Inhabited House Duty and where the increase has doubled the rate of that duty from 3d. to 6d. in the £?

The question to which my hon. Friend refers shall receive my careful consideration. Various proposals for amending the Inhabited House Duty charge already appear on the Order Paper and the matter will doubtless be argued in the forthcoming debates on the Finance Bill.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider dealing with the question of the revaluation of properties by extending the added values by equal proportionate amounts over a period of four years?

I would refer my hon. Friend to a reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. Becker) on the 8th May. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply, from which he will see that his present proposal runs directly counter to the primary object of the new assessment, and is therefore not one which I can entertain.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that recently there has been a strike among the employés of His Majesty's Stationery Works at Harrow on sympathetic grounds consequent upon a strike in a private firm doing Government work; whether he is aware that, in order to carry on work at Harrow, the Stationery Office engaged some 100 or more men and girls, to whom, on the settlement of terms with the sympathetic strikers, they have given notice to terminate their engagement; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding one of the conditions of the agreement for settling the strike is that there should be no victimisation on either side, and also that the reinstatement of the strikers did not require the discharge of these additional workers who had come to the aid of the Department, the sympathetic strikers on reinstatement refused to work with the new hands, and, as a result, in breach of the agreement, the Department has been compelled to discharge them; and whether he can give any explanation why the Government has permitted this violation of the agreed terms of settlement arrived at?

The terms of the agreement as interpreted by both parties have been adhered to. The reinstatement of the strikers necessarily involves the gradual termination, after due notice, of the employment of those who were taken on during the strike, and I am unable to agree that the terms of settlement, of which I am sending ray hon. and learned Friend a copy, have been in any way violated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the purpose of the condition imposed by the Finance Act, 1909–10, that half-bottles of liqueurs can only be supplied when ordered with a bottle or more of brandy, whisky, gin, or rum; and whether he will consider the removal of this condition?

The object of the alteration of the law by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, affecting the sale of liqueurs was to withdraw the privilege previously enjoyed by foreign liqueurs and withheld from British spirits, namely, that of sale in a smaller quantity than a reputed quart bottle, where the bottle of liqueur, as imported, contained a smaller quantity; and I am not prepared to restore that privilege.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount received by way of fees in the sheriff courts in Scotland during the financial year 1922–23; how much of that total is attributable to the increased scale of fees introduced on 1st April, 1922; and, if any, and, if so, what portion of the total has been ear-marked for the purpose of giving effect to the recommendations of the Blackburn Report?

The total amount received by way of fees in the sheriff courts during the financial year 1922–23 was £82,746 14s. 5d. A further sum of £11,644 17s. 6d. was received in the Commissary Office, Edinburgh. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to a similar question by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of new holdings constituted in Scotland by the Board of Agriculture during the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922, respectively, the total cost in each year of constituting these holdings, and the average cost and average acreage per holding?

The number of new holdings and enlargements constituted by the Board in the years in question are

The total expenditure on land settlement in each of the years specified was approximately £238,000, £788,000, £596,000 and £315,000. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the expenditure on particular holdings commonly extends over several years, and therefore the total expenditure in a given year does not correspond to the holdings constituted in that year. The average acreage (arable and pasture) of the holdings and enlargements constituted in the four years in question was 99. With regard to the average cost per holding, I would refer him to the reply which I gave on the 27th March to the hon. Member for Forfarshire (Mr. Falconer).

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether representations have been made to the Government by parish councils in Scotland with reference to Section 37 of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act; whether he is aware of the awkward predicament of these parish councils; and if he proposes to introduce legislation so as to place these bodies in a more favourable position?

I am unable to add to what I said yesterday in reply to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Johnston), and to the supplementary questions arising therefrom.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that the farm of Auchentiber Neilston is being sold up at the instance of the bondholders on the 23rd instant; and if he is prepared to take steps to expedite a loan to the farmer who was forced to buy when prices were at their highest?

The hon. Member has brought to my notice an advertisement of the proposed sale of this farm by public roup on the 23rd of May, and a letter giving reasons for the sale to the effect stated in the question, and those I have carefully examined. My Noble Friend has, I am afraid, no powers and no funds which would enable him to take such steps as are suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether an ex-service man is allowed to appeal either to the Entitlement or to the Assessment Tribunal in a case where the medical officers of the Ministry express the opinion that there is no disability; and, if not, will he arrange that a man shall have the right of appeal in all cases where his private medical attendant certifies that he is suffering from a disability due to war service?

My right hon. Friend has recently had this class of case, which is of rare occurrence, under his consideration, and although it is open to doubt whether in strictness they come within the terms of Section 8 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1919, arrangements will, it is hoped, be made to allow appeals to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal where the Ministry medical boards find no disability.

asked the Minister of Pensions what allowances are paid to ex- service men at present in military hospitals on treatment when travelling to and from their homes on leave; whether any reduction on the allowance has been authorised recently; and if the allowance is subject to variation?

Men undergoing extended in-patient treatment who are receiving ordinary treatment allowances, may be granted leave, with free return tickets at six monthly intervals, or with single journey tickets at three monthly intervals. The treatment allowances in issue, in lieu of pension, continue to be paid during authorised leave, but no additional subsistence allowance is paid. There has been no recent change in leave arrangements.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the pension of 7s. 3d. per week granted to Mrs. Duncombe, 56, Lausanne Road, Hornsey, in respect of her only son who was killed in the War, and upon whom she was financially dependent, has now been stopped although her financial circumstances are not improved; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into her case, No. 11/P.P./17,203?

I am looking into the facts of this case, and will write to my Noble Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the freight rate per hundredweight on oats from Lincoln to Manchester?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the rates per ton for oats between Lincoln and Manchester are 27s. 3d. for lots under 2 tons, 18s. 7d. for 2-ton lots, 16s. for 4-ton lots and 15s. l0d. for 5-ton lote. The rate of 27s. 3d. includes collection and delivery; the others apply with station to station conditions. Consignments not exceeding 3 cwts. are subject to the "Small Parcels" scale.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet considered the recommendation made by certain witnesses before the committee now inquiring into the price of dairy produce that the consumer, through his representative, should be consulted in the future before the selling prices of meat, milk, and horticultural produce are fixed; and, if so, whether he proposes to adopt the proposed plan?

I understand that certain suggestions of the kind referred to were made in evidence before the Committee on the Distribution and Prices of Agricultural Produce, but in their recent Report on Milk and Milk Products the Committee did not see their way to recommend adoption of the same. I do not see that it is a matter in which I can take any action, as the Government has no intention of reverting to the practice of fixing prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether an application for exemption from setting up an Allotments Committee under The Allotments Act, 1922, and co-opting representatives of allotment holders thereon, has been received from Carlisle Council; whether this application has been granted; and whether his attention has been drawn to a decision of the council to resist any Order of the Ministry on this matter?

Yes, Sir. An application was received from the Council of the County Borough of Carlisle applying for exemption from the requirements of Section 14 of the Allotments Act, 1922. After consultation with the Minister of Health, the application was refused. In reply to the last part of the question, the Ministry has received a letter from which it appeared that the Health Committee, who at present act as the Allotments Committee, were not prepared to establish an Allotments Committee by the addition of non-members of the council representative of the interests of occupiers of allotment gardens, but in reply the Ministry has pointed out that the appointment of an Allotments Committee with co-opted members is not a discretionary or optional function of the council, but a statutory duty, and the Ministry has expressed the hope that on reconsideration the council will proceed with the performance of this duty.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has information to the effect that Italy, while intending to cover her financial engagements to the United States on lines similar to those adopted by Great Britain, considers that her debt to Great Britain is on a different footing, and may be settled otherwise; whether His Majesty's Government have given any justification to the Italian Government for differentiating between Italy's two creditors; and, if so, to what reduction or cancellation we are committed, if any?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second and third parts, proposals for dealing with interallied indebtedness were put forward on behalf of this country at Paris in January, but His Majesty's Government resumed their liberty of action on the breakdown of these negotiations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in some large firms the medical inspection of prospective employés is of such a character that ex-service men are penalised; and whether he will make representations to the firms on the King's Roll that whenever an ex-service disabled man is able to efficiently perform the required work his disability shall not be a bar to employment?

If the hon. Member will furnish mo with details of any case where difficulty has arisen, I shall be glad to look into the matter and see if any steps can be taken in the direction he has indicated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the estimates for the International Labour Organisation for 1923 have been reduced by nearly £50,000 as compared with the preceding year; whether this was done at the instance of the British Government representative on the governing body of the International Labour Office; whether this economy will involve any curtailment in the activities of the International Labour Organisation; and, if so, on what services will the economies be effected?

The hon. Member no doubt has in mind the Budget of the International Labour Organisation for the year 1924, which is still under consideration. Substantial economies have already been adopted by the governing body, on the recommendation of its finance committee, and consideration of proposals to be made by the director as regards sections of the work not already dealt with by the governing body will be undertaken by it at its next session. In the view of the British Government, the reductions proposed by the finance committee, and accepted by the representative of the British Government in common with other members of the governing body, will not interfere with the essential activities of the Organisation as laid down in the Treaty of Versailles. On the contrary, these and further economies, which will, I hope, be effected, are expected to increase the efficiency of the office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will inquire into the case of an ex-service man who was in receipt of unemployment benefit of £1 1s., who was sent by the Maidstone Employment Exchange to the Maidstone Post Office and accepted a part-time job at Bearsted of 15s. per week, and thereupon the Maidstone Employment Exchange refused to make up the difference; and whether he will inform the hon. Member for the Maidstone Division of the result of his inquiries?

I am making inquiries locally, and will communicate the result to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men in the building trade now unemployed, the percentage of skilled and unskilled men, and their specific calling in that trade; and, if possible, the number of such men, if any, who only became eligible for benefits under the insurance schemes by virtue of their inclusion as uncovenanted men?

The figures are as follow:

I cannot give the number of men in the building trades drawing uncovenanted benefit, but I may say generally that as these trades have been insured since 1912 they would naturally include a relatively large number entitled to covenanted benefit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he will state what provision, if any, he has made for the construction of sewers, gas mains, and necessary requirements for the buildings which in all probability will be erected when the proposed arterial roads are constructed; and whether the expense of this is to be borne by the Government or the local authorities?

In cases where the authorities or undertakings concerned have applied for facilities, arrangements have been made for them to lay foul sewers, gas or water mains in the most convenient positions on the new arterial roads to avoid subsequent disturbance of the road surfaces. Speaking generally, however, the Minister of Transport and the highway authorities concerned have not undertaken anything beyond the laying of surface water drains required for the roads themselves.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will cause investigation to be made into the case of Private Martin d'Olier Mitchell, an Englishman, who served in No. 45, D Company, 7th South African Infantry, from January, 1915, to 7th March, 1917, when he was admitted to a mental hospital at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, suffering from entire loss of memory, caused by the War; is he aware that all efforts to get Mr. Mitchell repatriated, even at his mother's expense, have failed; and will he take steps to get this man repatriated at the earliest possible moment?

I have no information with regard to this case, but I will ascertain the facts and communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend in due course.