asked the President of the Board of Trade if an application has been received on behalf of tanners of box calf upper leather for assistance under the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and if, in view of the serious position of the industry in question, he will indicate as early as possible the decision of the Board on the application?

It has been the regular practice of the Board of Trade to refrain from giving information about the nature or scope of any complaint made under Part II of the Act unless and until it be referred to a Committee, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that no avoidable delay will take place in coming to a decision on any complaint.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any official intimation from the co-operative societies of their objection to the principle of the Merchandise Marks Bill; and, if so, whether any reasons are given for the objection?

I have received from the Co-operative Congress a resolution objecting to the Merchandise Marks Bill. The resolution refers to it as being "unworkable, vexatious, and protectionist in character."

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the latter part of the question?

I have, in so far as the Resolution contains any representation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the consultations now proceeding with industrial groups in the United Kingdom regarding the Empire Economic Conference, his Department could make a point of obtaining any direct information available from British manufacturers regarding the advantage to them, or otherwise, of the preferential tariffs of our Dominions?

I should be glad to receive any information on this subject which British manufacturers are in a position to supply. As I have already informed the House, I am in close touch through my Committee of Advisers with the principal organisations representing British industry and commerce, and I have no doubt that these organisations will furnish me with such information of the character referred to as they are in a position to supply.

Is not the whole of this information supplied by the Journal of the Board of Trade?

In general it is, but I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend who put the question that the more detailed information that can be obtained as to the great value of preference the better it is.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications for patents now under consideration at the Patents Office which have been received within the past three months; the number received over three but not exceeding six months ago; the number received over six but not exceeding nine months ago; the number received over nine but not exceeding 12 months ago; and the number received over 12 months ago?

As the answer contains a number of figures, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I assume the hon. Member's question refers to complete specifications still under consideration. The numbers are approximately as follows:

I may add that applications accompanied by provisional specifications are in all cases dealt with shortly after receipt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Conference appointed at the instance of the Board of Trade to consider the methods of marking wrecks has yet made its Report; and, if so, will the Report be published as a Parliamentary Paper for the information of shipowners and the seafaring community generally?

Yes, Sir. The Report of the Conference has been received, and arrangements are being made for it to be laid before Parliament, and published as a Stationery Office publication.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of the investigations regarding the existence of oil-wells in the Lothians; and whether, in the event of the results proving satisfactory, the Government will be prepared to grant financial assistance in the initial stages and exercise a measure of control?

Two bore-holes were put down in the Lothians for His Majesty's Government. No satisfactory indications of oil were met with in that at West Calder, but oil was struck at d'Arcy, and seven tons of oil were produced between May and November of last year. This well has since been taken over by the landowner, and the plant disposed of. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government is not prepared to spend any more money on this object, or to exercise any measure of control beyond that already provided for in the terms of the licences issued under the Petroleum Production Act.

Having regard to the great importance of oil in the industrial life of the nation, do the Government propose to pursue the policy of interesting themselves in this matter?

Has not enough money already been wasted trying to find oil in this country?

Has the landlord indemnified the State for boring holes in the land?

I do not think that very much damage has been done by these borings so far. Each boring cost about £50,000, and the amount of oil produced is about £30 worth.

In reference to the policy of the Government in this matter, is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that certain scientists are continuing their investigations into this matter?

I think that the Government are of opinion that enough money has been spent, and that they should not spend any more.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the district referred to the substance which is the chief indication of oil occurs, and will the Government not continue the investigations?

No. The investigations which have been carried out show that there is no reasonable chance of getting a return.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that seamen are being charged a fee when undergoing examination for lifeboat drill; whether there is any authority for this charge; what is the cost of such examination and what is the revenue from fees received annually; and will he consider the desirability of conducting the examination without imposing any fee?

Examinations for certificates as lifeboatmen were instituted in 1915, and a fee of 2s. is charged for each examination. The examination is voluntary, and there is no statutory provision either for the examination or for charging a fee. It is estimated that the fee about covers the cost of the examination. The amount received was £382 last year, and is expected to be considerably more this year. The demand for these examinations is increasing, and I am afraid that under present conditions they could not be continued if they were not self-supporting.

Is it the case that there is no statutory authority for the imposition of this fee, and that the interests concerned, particularly the seamen, were not consulted, and why has it been imposed?

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the seamen have already got good value for the 2s.?

The first point would be relevant if the fee were compulsory, but it is voluntary. It is a voluntary act on the part of the seamen to go in for this examination, and as it is a voluntary matter it is not unreasonable that there should be a fee. In answer to my Noble Friend, the answer is yes. Undoubtedly the men who have passed this examination are much more valuable as members of a crew, and it increases their chance of getting appointments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shipowners, particularly on the trans-Atlantic lines, are compelling seamen to pass this examination, and making it a condition of employment that a certificate shall be be obtained? Therefore is it not compulsory?

The hon. Member should put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that according to the law of the United States after 1st August this year it will be illegal for any American citizen to sell cotton based on any foreign standard; and does he propose taking any action in the matter?

I have been in touch with the Liverpool Cotton Association, and arranged with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for assistance to be given by His Majesty's Embassy at Washington to a deputation from the association which recently visited the United States, in order to discuss this matter. I trust that a solution of the problem may be found as a result of the conferences which have been taking place at Washington, and of which my hon. Friend has no doubt seen the newspaper reports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the total number of gallons of motor spirit, including benzol, used in the British Isles in 1914 and in 1922; and the total number of gallons of home-produced benzol used as motor spirit in 1914 and in 1922, respectively?

The answer contains a number of figures, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

As nearly as can be estimated, the quantity of motor spirit, including benzol, consumed in the British Isles in 1914 and 1922 was as follows:

It may be added that the figures for 1913, the last complete pre-War year, which may interest the hon. Member, were, respectively:

The consumption has been calculated by adding together the imports of petrol and benzol, and the home production of Scotch shale spirit and benzol, and deducting the exports. The figures for benzol used as motor spirit are necessarily only approximate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the facts disclosed by the recent County Court proceedings against the Prudential Assurance Company, where judgment was given against them for obtaining money by fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with the issue of their 5 per cent. War Bond policies, and in view of the impossibility of many of the holders of these lapsed policies affording the expense of similar proceedings in the Courts, the Government will take the necessary steps to enable these policy holders to lay their cases before the Industrial Assurance Commissioner in order that he may take legal proceedings on their behalf where necessary?

The answer is in the negative.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make representations to his right hon. Friend that this is a case for the Public Prosecutor to take action, in view of the serious scandal disclosed?

I will call my right hon. Friend's attention to the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the most recent statements in the British Chamber of Commerce at Cologne on the obstacles placed in the way of British trade, in which it is stated that the difficulties are principally due to the French authorities; and what action he is taking in the matter?

I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stoke Newington on 14th June. As regards the Ruhr area, I have since learnt that licences are being issued for the export of goods contracted for before 1st February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that though licences are issued it is impossible to get the goods and that hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of goods have been held up for months?

No. I have had information from the High Commissioner and from firms on the point. I saw a letter from a firm only yesterday saying that the goods were now on board, and that the licences had been obtained and the goods shipped, and the firm expressed gratitude for what had been done.

Are not these goods contracted for before the occupation, and has there not been a delay of many months already?

It is precisely because delay has taken place that there has been negotiation. I gathered that my hon. and gallant Friend was suggesting that these goods had not been and could not be shipped.

Is there not a new tax imposed by the French on goods coming to Cologne from unoccupied territory?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any estimate of the amount of money that has been collected by the French customs stations in the occupied districts of the Ruhr on the property of British merchants entering the Ruhr; and whether any further progress has been made in the negotiations as to how this money is to be disposed of?

I have nothing to add to previous replies on this subject.

What steps are being taken to pursue this very old and very important subject?

I have taken such steps as I have been able to make myself fully acquainted with the present position. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, there are difficulties in the way.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that he really does not know how much money has been collected under the new customs régime ?

No. What I said was that the whole question was one of very considerable difficulty.

Is it not an intolerable state of things that this money should be mulcted from British merchants and the Government cannot tell us what they are doing in the matter? Again and again I have put the question and get no answer from the Government Benches except that they are taking steps.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the s.s. "Lothar Bohlen," flying the British flag and registered in London, recently arrived at the port of Marseilles entirely commanded, officered, and manned by aliens; and what steps the Board of Trade propose to take to ensure that vessels registered in the United Kingdom, and having the right to claim protection of the British Empire, are manned by British subjects?

My attention had not previously been called to this case, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the statutory restriction as to the employment of aliens (other than ex-enemy aliens) does not apply to ships employed habitually outside the United Kingdom.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is somewhat of a scandal that these ships, entirely manned by aliens, should be able to claim the protection of the British flag?

Is not there a large number of ships sailing from British ports which carry alien crews apart from British officers?

With regard to ships trading in English ports, we carry out the full statutory obligation. In reference to the point raised by my Noble Friend, if the Act were altered the result would be that these ships would be transferred to another flag.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that the foreman in charge of the work now in progress at Blandford camp is engaging unskilled labour other than through the Blandford Employment Exchange; that strangers from a distance are being employed in preference to local men; and that there are 80 unskilled men on the books at the local Employment Exchange; and whether the Minister will take steps to see that instructions are issued so that men registered at the Blandford Employment Exchange may be given the opportunity of obtaining employment at the camp when suitable openings occur?

The hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. I find that out of 51 men recently engaged for engineer services at Blandford, 36 lived in Blandford itself, and the remaining 15 in villages within four miles distance. All these men, about 80 per cent. of whom are ex-soldiers, came to the camp office to offer themselves for employment, and in these circumstances it was not necessary to apply to the local Employment Exchange. The Employment Exchange will, however, be applied to if necessary.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the men who had employment in other places have been transferred to employment in the camp, and that local men are unemployed?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when it is intended to issue clasps to medals for the actions of the Great War or to authorise them being worn; and if he is aware that they have been authorised in the Navy for years?

I much regret that owing to the present financial stringency it will not be possible to proceed with the proposal to issue these battle clasps. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether British labour will exclusively be employed in the building of the war memorial to be constructed by the Imperial War Graves Commission at Menin Gate, Ypres?

The contract has been placed with a British firm, but I do not think it would be right or practicable in such cases entirely to exclude Belgians from obtaining work on war memorials under construction on their own soil, and it has not been made a contract condition that only British labour shall be employed. I have, however, every sympathy with the object which the hon. Member has in view, and I am in touch with the Ministry of Labour with a view to facilitating as far as possible the employment of British labour by contractors working for the Imperial War Graves Commission.

In view of the fact that in certain of the war memorials the material is not British-made, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that British material is used in this case?

I would like notice of the question, but I think that British material is used.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) what were the numbers of pre-War warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates who were given Special Reserve, Territorial, or temporary commissions during the War;

(2) what were the numbers of serving regular soldiers who were granted special, Reserve, Territorial, or temporary commissions between 4th August, 1914, and 3rd May, 1918?

I regret that I am not in a position to give these figures without extensive research, the cost of which would not, I think, be justified.

Would it be possible to give any approximate indication of the number?

I am afraid that there is no material at all. We might give the figures of the pre-War pensioners, but not without very costly inquiry and examination of records would we be able to give the figures asked for.

May I have the figures of the pre-War pensioners?

Yes, if the hon. Member will put down a question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that about 100 members of the staff of the Ordnance Stores (Provisions) Department were transferred from Woolwich to Pimlico in February last; that 75 of these resided in the Woolwich area and have to travel to Pimlico each day at a cost to them of about 7s. 6d. per week; that this extra cost is borne by the workers themselves without a corresponding increase in the wages paid to them; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to remove the financial disadvantages from which these employés at present suffer?

I am aware of the circumstances. I regret that I cannot accept the principle that wages should be increased on account of the distances travelled by the employés concerned. In the present case the staff were informed in advance that transfer would be conditional upon acceptance by the individual of full liability for travelling expenses. In view, however, of the short notice given of the move, it was decided, as a special concession, to allow to employés with dependants half the minimum necessary expenses for a period of three months.

Seeing that the Treasury admitted that there was a hardship involved and gave three months' assistance, will the hon. Gentleman not consider the possibility of extension until houses near the work can be obtained?

I am afraid that it would be difficult to do that. That special concession was made in order to give people time to make arrangements. Of course, a great many of them are single people who can quite well move their lodgings from Woolwich to nearer Pimlico.

Will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the condition which requires travelling by the cheapest route and entails upon men from Woolwich nearly two hours' journey by tram instead of by railway, and can he make an alteration in that arrangement?

I do not understand what the hon. Gentleman means. I cannot make fresh travelling arrangements between Woolwich and Pimlico. It must be either tram or railway.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the Report by the Comptroller and Auditor-General on presenting the Army accounts, any individual or individuals have been held responsible and dealt with; and whether it is proposed to hold any inquiry into the matters?

The Report in question stands referred to the Public Accounts Committee, which will no doubt make full inquiry into all the matters in question and report thereon to the House in due course.

May I have a reply to the first part of my question?

Before the hon. Member replies, may I ask whether grave inconvenience would not be caused if his Department gave any opinion on this matter, which has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee and on which that Committee has now to report, after due inquiry?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Committee of experts, sitting under the chairmanship of Sir Herbert Lawrence, and which Committee was set up to consider the system of cost accounting in the Army, has yet made its Report; and, if so, will the Report be made public, and when?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what were the instructions given to the Committee of experts sitting under the chairmanship of Sir Herbert Lawrence; and whether such Committee is considering the whole question of the War Office financial administration or merely considering the question as to whether or not the present cost accounting system should be continued?

The terms of reference to this Committee are as follow:

"To inquire into the system of administration of, and accounting for, Army expenditure and into the use of accounts for the purpose of control, and to report what changes, if any, consistent with the requirements of Parliamentary accounting, are desirable in the interests of economy and efficiency."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether he will now consider, in view of the recently-published Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General upon, the Army Accounts, 1921–22, and upon the store accounts in the Army, the question of recruiting, for the Royal Army Pay Corps, the Corps of Military Accountants, and the local audit staff, only qualified professional accountants?

Subject to any Report that the Public Accounts Committee may make after examining the accounts in question, I find nothing in them, or in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General, to lead to the conclusion suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Justice Bailhache, at the Carnarvonshire County Court Assizes on 4th June last, on the case of W. F. Roberts, secretary of the Penmaenmawr Committee of the United Services Fund, in the course of which he drew attention to the fact that the headquarters of this fund seem to have exercised no control whatever in the distribution of the money in this case, and that they were very lax in granting money to anyone whose reliability had not been proved, and that as far as he could see there was no local committee at all at this place; and, if so, will he order an inquiry to be held into the general administration of the United Services Fund which has vast sums at its disposal for distribution to sufferers from the War?

The attention of the Charity Commissioners has not until now been drawn to the remarks referred to. An ex-service benevolent committee was formed in Penmaenmawr to deal with local claims for assistance, and this committee elected W. F. Roberts as secretary. Upon its being discovered at the headquarters of the Fund that a fictitious claim, supported by a forged medical certificate, had been put forward by him, full investigation was at once made, resulting in his prosecution. A new committee has been set up. In the view of the Commissioners a case for inquiry into the general administration of the Fund has not been made out.

Is it not a fact that a large sum of money has been given from this fund for a domestic service training centre?

I would like notice of that question.

What is the result, if any, of the prosecutions?

Three convictions. There are over 3,000 sub-committees and, so far, only three officials have been convicted for fraud.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he is aware that in numerous instances in Scotland parents are refusing to pay fees for their children in secondary schools on the ground that the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, makes it obligatory on education authorities to provide secondary education without payment of fees; whether the Scottish Education Department was consulted before sheriff court summonses were served upon such parents; and whether the Department proposes to take action in regard to those areas where free secondary education is not provided?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is the case that one authority consulted the Department regarding a difficulty of the kind suggested by the hon. Member, but the Department have no knowledge, direct or indirect, which would lead them to believe that legal proceedings have been taken or are pending in that or in any other instance. As regards the third part of the question, I can only remind the hon. Member of the answers given him on 6th March, 27th March and 10th April last.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether the Department stated that in the case put before them it would be competent to issue sheriff court summonses?

I shall be glad to afford the hon. Member an opportunity of looking at the correspondence at the Scottish Office.

Did the Department advise them to issue these summonses?

The Department took no part in the matter. It was obviously a matter for the local education authority to consult its own legal advisers upon. To clear up the thing the best course would be for the hon. and gallant Gentleman to come to the Scottish Office and see the correspondence.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman assure us that the Department will take steps to see that the education authorities in Scotland carry out their obligations to provide free secondary education, as laid down by the Act?

I can assure my hon. Friend that they are doing so. If there is any case in which they are not, the best thing is to bring it to my notice.

Is it the case that in Scotland children are compelled to attend secondary schools?

Yes.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he is aware that Thomas Hitman was, in Glasgow on the 13th instant, sentenced to 15 months, with hard labour, for uttering seditious speeches; that he pleaded not guilty; that he denied having uttered statements alleged against him; that he stated himself to be against violence; and that the sheriff, in passing sentence, said it was very unfortunate that people were so gullible as to be led away by a man like accused who was an ignorant man; and will he take what steps may be necessary to have this sentence reduced?

My Noble Friend has asked for a report on this case. When it has been received and considered he will communicate with the hon. Member.

Is it not a fact that most of those who make seditious speeches are ignorant men, and is there any reason for allowing them to be made?

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this man served with the Army for over four years during the War, and is not a Scotsman, but an Englishman, and will these facts be taken into consideration?

As I have said, my Noble Friend has asked for a report, and he will communicate with the hon. Member who raised the question when he receives it.

Is it not the case that the Government are now paying a pension of £5,000 a year to a gentleman who gained his reputation by making seditious speeches?

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he is aware that house factors in Glasgow are issuing to their tenants notices claiming all arrears of rent to be paid at once, without regard to either amount or time to pay, which they are allowed under the Rent Restrictions (Notices of Increase) Act, 1923; and what steps he will take to stop this action?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the provision made in Sub-section (4) of Section 2 of the Act for the determination of any question as to the amount of arrears due under the Act from a tenant, or the amount of the instalments by which such arrears are to be paid off.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether it is intended that the Trawling (Scotland) Committee shall hold a sitting in Shetland?

I am informed that the Committee do not intend to sit in Shetland, but they propose to hold a sitting at Kirkwall on Wednesday the 27th June for the hearing of witnesses from Orkney and Shetland.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman use his influence with the Committee so that they may sit in Shetland, a part of the country which has suffered more from the depredations of these trawlers than any other except perhaps the Island of Lewis?

Obviously, it must be left to the Committee to decide where they think they can best collect evidence. I would remind the hon. Member that it is also necessary to choose some point which is easy of access by the people who are interested in giving evidence—some central point.

Is it any easier to attend Kirkwall than Shetland?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department intimate to these people, a reasonable time in advance, the various centres at which they propose to meet and take evidence?

These have been published in the papers and in the trade journals as well. I have a cutting here from the "Glasgow Herald" of 15th June wherein the complete itinerary as set out.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether the Trawling Commitee appointed by the Secretary of Scotland will visit the various centres of the fishing industry along the coasts of Scotland with a view to taking evidence; whether due notice will be given of these sittings in each district; whether the various fishermen's and other associations concerned have been communicated with, with a view to evidence being tendered; and whether an opportunity will be afforded to any persons interested to appear before the Committee and give evidence?

I am informed that the Committee will visit a number of centres for the purpose of hearing evidence. A notice inviting persons who desire to give evidence to communicate with the Secretary of the Committee has been published in the newspapers and in the trade journals. Communications have also been sent to the principal Scottish fishery associations. Sittings during the present month at a number of centres have been announced, and any further arrangements will be duly intimated. The hon. and learned Member will therefore see that a full opportunity has been afforded to interested persons to tender evidence.

In view of the fact that no centres on the West Coast of Scotland are to be visited, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman provide facilities for fishermen on that coast who are necessarily very poor, to enable them to appear in the most convenient eastern centres visited by the Committee?

If my right hon. Friend consults the itinerary, he will see that sittings are to be held in Mallaig and Campbeltown.

Will this Scottish Committee on Trawling visit any English centres and hear the English point of view, so that they may not get an entirely one-sided view?

In view of the fact that there are 32,000 people on the Island of Lewis alone who are directly and indirectly interested in fishing, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see that one sitting, in any case, will take place in Stornoway?

I do not wish to take up the time of the House in reading this itinerary. One sitting has been arranged to take place in Stornoway, and the itinerary was published in the "Glasgow Herald" on 15th June.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he can now make any further statement as to the contemplated experiments with the object of the location of fish shoals by observation from aeroplane in the waters round the North of Scotland?

My Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland regrets that it is not practicable to make arrangements for the conduct of such experiments in the area mentioned during the present season.

Will it be possible to make these experiments later on?

It is a question of arrangement with the Air Ministry, and so far it has not been found practicable to arrange for these experiments.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health how many applications have been received for small holdings in the counties of Moray and Nairn since 1918, and how many cases have been settled to this date?

Since 1918, inclusive, the number of applications of all kinds received from the two counties referred to is 38, of which 16 have since been withdrawn. Applicants have been settled in four cases.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he will state with regard to the sum, estimated at £480,000 a year, to be provided for the relief of local rates in Scotland under the Agricultural Rates Bill, how much of that sum would be applied under the Bill towards relief of county rates and how much towards relief of parish rates, on the basis of the amount of these rates for the year 1922; and in each case how much would be applied towards relief of owners' rates, and how much towards relief of occupiers' rates, after making allowance for the proportion of the occupiers' rates to be deducted from their rent?

It is not possible with the data available to give an exact apportionment of the estimated grant of £480,000 between county and parish rates, but on the basis of the average rates levied by county councils and parish councils in 1920–21—of which particulars were given in reply to the hon. Member's question of 12th instant—the respective shares may be put approximately at pay nearly three-fourths of the total county rates on agricultural lands and heritages, and will, it is estimated, receive, after the adjustments between owner and tenant are made, about two-thirds of the grant relief in respect of their rates—that is, they will receive a less amount of relief in proportion to their rate burden than the agricultural occupier. In the case of the parish rates, the ultimate apportionment of the grant relief between owners and occupiers in different areas will be affected by the varying circumstances in each area, with respect to the amount of the so-called "shortage" arising in connection with the Agricultural Rates (Scotland) Act, 1896, and an approximate estimate of a general character cannot be given from the data presently available. In the example in the White Papers—owners and occupiers may be said to share equally in the grant relief——

"Hear, hear!" and "Speech!"

It is necessary that the reply should be a long one, in order to clear up this matter. It may be stated generally that the owners' proportionate share will be less than in the case of the county rates, and less also in relation to their rate burden in respect of parish rates than in the case of occupiers.

Am I to understand that of the £480,000—so far as it applies to county rates—two-thirds will go to the relief of the owners' rates and only one-third to the relief of the occupiers' rates, and that with regard to the parish rates the proportion will be approximately the same?

I think the hon. Member had better wait and see the answer in print.

May I ask further——

I think we had all better wait and see that long answer in print.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health when he will be in a position to make a statement in reply to the memorial recently submitted to the Secretary for Scotland by the Highlands Reconstruction Association, Inverness, with regard to matters directly affecting the Highlands and Islands?

The memorial referred to is at present under consideration, and my Noble Friend hopes to be able to reply to it shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport why the work on the Kingston and Sutton (Surrey) arterial roads has not been started, although it was approved by the Surrey County Council in January of this year; whether the original total estimate of cost was £450,000; what is the figure of the lowest tender received upon the specification drawn by the Ministry; and when the work will be commenced?

Preparations for the initiation of these schemes are now in an advanced stage, but having regard to negotiations still in progress with certain local authorities and contractors, I shall not be in a position to give a detailed reply to the points raised in the hon. Member's question until a week or so has elapsed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he has any information as to the relative cost of transport per ton-mile in English currency for carrying coal by rail in Germany and this country at the present moment, or for some recent date?

The average distance over which coal, coke, and patent fuel was conveyed by railway in Great Britain in December, 1922, was 42·13 miles, the average rate charged was 3s. 9d. per ton, and the average rate per ton per mile was 1·07d. I have no recent information as to the charges in operation for the transport of coal by railway in Germany.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport whether he has had brought him any proposal for the construction of a main road from Barrow to White-haven and Carlisle, by way of Askam and Millom; and whether, seeing that such a scheme could easily be carried out, through the abundance of iron slag in the district, and such a road would shorten the road journey now existing by 12 miles, and in the interests both of the relief of unemployment and of better transport facilities, he will investigate a project of this nature without delay?

The proposal to which the hon. Member refers has not been brought before my Department, but should the responsible highway authority submit such a, scheme, it shall receive careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether adequate provision by condition and otherwise has been made in connection with the new high-power wireless station in Wiltshire about to be erected by the Marconi Company so that it may be so designed and used as to prevent interference with broadcasting?

The conditions on which the new high-power stations of the Marconi Company will be worked have not yet been settled, but such steps as are possible will be taken to prevent interference with broadcast receiving apparatus. It is, however, unlikely that such interference can be avoided in the immediate vicinity of the stations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the traffic at the Leafield wireless station after 8 p.m. is used exclusively for British official wireless news and American Press news of a very general character; and whether, having regard to the nature of this traffic and the fact that at two other times of the day British official news is broadcasted, this traffic after 8 p.m. can be discontinued in the interests of those in England interested in broadcasting and in the interests of economy?

The traffic transmitted from the Leafield wireless station after 8 p.m. includes telegrams for Egypt and for ships at sea, in addition to the items mentioned by the hon. Member. The traffic as a whole is of an important and remunerative nature, and its discontinuance for the purpose of preventing interference with broadcast reception in the immediate vicinity of the station, where, unfortunately, interference is unavoidable, would not be justified.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that interference is experienced not only in the immediate vicinity of the station, but very largely outside under certain conditions?

I will call my right hon. Friend's attention to that question.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects that a definite settlement will be reached with regard to the size of the proposed new Government wireless station; where it is to be situated; and what services will be conducted from it?

My right hon. Friend hopes that a definite settlement on these points will be reached shortly.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the same answer has been given for the last 13 years, and is he aware that this country is behind practically every other country in Europe, with the exception of Turkey, in regard to this question?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take measures to stop the delivery by the British Post Office of postcard advertisements from Germany advertising indecent photographs, the receipt of these postcards causing scandal and disgust in the houses where they are delivered?

Yes; and my right hon. Friend will be glad if the hon. Member will send him any such card which may be brought to his notice.

Is it necessary in a case of this kind to wait till Members of this House send such postcards to the right hon. Gentleman? Is the Post Office unable to take action on its own authority?

My right hon. Friend will appreciate the assistance of my hon. and gallant Friend.

Have any cards of this character been brought to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's notice?

They would not be brought to my notice. I am merely answering for my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the names of the shipping companies at present carrying overseas mails for His Majesty's Government, and the amount of the financial grant made to each for the last period for which figures are available?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Post Office Estimate, which is published each year, contains a full list of the Post Office Packet Services and of the amounts paid in connection with them. If the particulars in the Estimate are not in sufficient detail for the purpose which the hon. Member has in mind perhaps he will communicate with me.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the subsidy provided imposes any condition other than the carrying of mails?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question to the Postmaster-General.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say where is the Postmaster-General?

At Ascot.

He ought to be here.

asked the Post-mast-General whether he will use his influence with the London station of the British Broadcasting Company to provide a musical entertainment which will appeal to a wider section of the public?

I will bring the hon. Member's question to the notice of the Committee which is considering the organisation of broadcasting.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take care that broadcasting is not used for political propaganda?

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that approximately 50 per cent. of the vacancies for postmen are given to Post Office boy messengers, whether he will, as far as possible, assist ex-service men's families by giving the positions of messengers to the children of ex-service men?

In view of the importance of securing the most suitable recruits for the public service, my right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to impose the suggested restriction upon the selection of candidates for boy messengerships?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the cost of maintaining non-naturalised persons over 70 years of age, who have no adequate means of support, falls upon the local rates, he will consider an Amendment of the Old Age Pensions Acts whereby those who have been resident in this country for 20 years or more may, under certain conditions, be admitted to the benefits of the Old Age Pensions Acts?

No, Sir. I see no reason to doubt the wisdom of the conclusion arrived at in this matter by the Committee of 1919.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the method of arriving at the computed independent income of Mrs. Edwards, widow of ex-Inspector Edwards, late of the Borough of Barnstaple Police, to whom an old age pension has been refused except to the amount of 4s. a week; whether the fact that she is being supported by her son-in-law, Mr. H. J. Vodden, 8, Park Avenue, Wood Green, is taken into account; and whether he is aware that Mrs. Edwards receives no pension from her late husband's service in the police force?

In computing the means of Mrs. Edwards there were taken into account her investments, a freehold house which she owns and occasionally occupies and the partially free board and lodging provided for her by her son-in-law. It has not been suggested that she was in receipt of a pension.

Is it not a fact that the savings of the late husband produce £8 a year and, taking into consideration the annual value of the house, the total receipts would only be £19 per annum. Is the Noble Lord not aware that the son-in-law pays the rates, and do I understand him to say that the value of the board and lodgings is computed as part of the widow's income?

That is computed as part of her income. If the hon. Member would like to see the calculations I shall be very pleased to let him see them.

Is not the object of granting these pensions to prevent these people being a burden to their relatives?

Will the Noble Lord take some steps to abolish this disqualification?

I am afraid that point does not arise here.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total estimated cost of the three ships which are being built for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, and if a time limit is placed on the period under which they will be built?

The total estimated cost of the three ships is approximately £3,000,000, in respect of which the guarantee of the British Government covers a maximum sum of £2,300,000, being the cost of materials bought in Great Britain. Work on one of these ships has already started, and it is expected that the whole will be completed in less than two years. It is a condition of the guarantee that the work should be proceeded with with the greatest possible expedition.

In view of the previous answer given by the right hon. Gentleman, to the effect that the work is to be carried out in Great Britain, and seeing that the total cost is now given as £3,000,000 and your loan is £2,300,000, how can the work be carried out in Great Britain if the three ships are to be built in Belfast, leaving only £700,000 for the building of the three ships in Belfast?

If the hon. Member carefully studies the answers I have given, he will see that this answer is quite consistent with the other. The loan which we guarantee is in respect of work which will be done in Great Britain, and in Great Britain only. The materials are to be bought here and will be shipped to Belfast, and what happens to them there, or who pays for them there, has nothing to do with this particular loan.

But how can the work be done in Great Britain? Has the right hon. Gentleman not seen the reports in the Press, in reliable newspapers, that the keels are to be laid down in Belfast?

It is quite true that the keels are being laid down in Belfast, but the plates, and the machinery, and so forth for the ships are being made in Great Britain.

But does not the right hon Gentleman——

Will the right hon Gentleman——

I must ask hon. Members to put any further question on the Paper.

rose ——

called upon Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy to put the Question standing next on the paper.

Mr. Speaker, I——

Order! [ Interruption. ]