asked the President of the Board of Education what sum he has allocated in the current year for the purpose of scholarships to assist in enabling students to become members of the universities?

If the hon. Member is referring to the scheme of State scholarships, that scheme was suspended for two years in 1922 and no new awards have been made since then. The cost of continuing existing awards appears under Subhead F.I of the Board's Estimates under which £28,000 is taken.

asked the President of the Board of Education what sums are allocated by the chief education authorities for the purpose of aiding students desiring to enter any of the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Edinburgh or Aberystwyth?

The local education authorities which have powers for higher education estimated to spend during the year 1922–23 a total sum of £156,000 upon major awards, which are awards tenable at university institutions or other institutions giving an education of corresponding standard. I am unable to say whether, or to what extent, any of these awards were specifically allocated to the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge or London, or to the University College of Aberystwyth, or were in fact made to students proceeding to those universities. The inquiry as to the scholarships allocated to the University of Edinburgh should be addressed to the Scottish Education Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the comparative cost of training and maintenance at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Edinburgh, and Aberystwith?

I fear that if I were to set out the figures in full my answer would run to an inordinate length, as there are so many different institutions and faculties for which separate particulars would have to be given. Perhaps, therefore, the hon. Member will allow me to refer him, as regards the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, to the Report of the recent Royal Commission on those universities (pages 140–144 and 155–156), and to Table D.1 in Appendix 3 to that Report. As regards the colleges and schools of London University, the University of Edinburgh, and University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, the latest published information is contained in the volume of Returns from Universities and University Colleges in receipt of Treasury Grants, 1920–21.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his Department is, in all cases, enforcing the Act under which children who have attained the school-leaving age in midterm are compelled to remain until the end of such term, whatever the wishes of their parents or the opportunities of employment provided for them, or whether, in cases where the circumstances demand special consideration, the Board is leaving any discretion as to policy to the local authorities concerned?

Enforcement of the law of school attendance under the provisions of Sections 42 to 45 of the Education Act, 1921, is the duty of the local education authorities, and their powers are defined by those Sections, to which I would refer my hon. Friend. The Board have never said that it is their duty to prosecute the parents in every case without regard to any exceptional features that the case may present. For a general statement of the Board's attitude towards difficulties that have arisen lately in the administration of Section 138 (1) of the Education Act, 1921, I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 14th June last to the hon Member for Royton (Sir Wilfrid Sugden).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will explain why Gresham's School, Holt, was admitted to the benefits of the Superannuation Act, although it is an endowed school, owning all its buildings and supported by a wealthy city company, whereas St. George's School, Har-penden, applying at the same time, was rejected on the sole ground that it was judged capable of financing its own pension scheme, in spite of the facts that that school is entirely without endowments, has acquired its buildings through mortgage and debentures, on which heavy interest has to be paid, charges lower fees than Gresham's School, and is consequently unable to expend as large a sum annually either upon staff salaries or upon general management and maintenance?

Each application for approval of a school under Section 18 (vii) of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1911, is considered strictly on its merits. The figures submitted on behalf of Gresham's School, Holt, for 1919, appeared to show that the school was unable out of its own resources to maintain a satisfactory pensions scheme. The Fishmongers' Company are only trustees of the endowment, practically all of which is appropriated to service of a mortgage loan and to scholarships. The application of St. George's School, Har-penden, which was made in 1920, was considered provisionally. The present constitution of the limited company owning the school would in any case be a bar to approval; but the financial statement submitted did not, in the Board's view, establish inability to maintain a satisfactory pensions scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board's inspectors are ob- jecting to pupils at central schools entering for matriculation examinations or such examinations as those of the City and Guilds of London Institute on the ground that competition with secondary and commercial schools would arise; and whether he will arrange that in areas where no secondary or commercial school is available pupils of central schools shall not be debarred from such examinations?

I may refer the hon. Member to Article 5 ( b ) of the code. It is, in the Board's opinion, undesirable that the curriculum of a public elementary school, whether organised as a central school or not, should be planned with a view to the requirements of any external examination, and the Board's inspectors have on this ground criticised arrangements of this kind. On the other hand, it is quite open to an inspector to take into account special circumstances affecting schools or individual pupils in considering whether preparation for a particular external examination is proper or expedient, regard being also had to Section 26 (1) of the Education Act, 1921.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total number of persons who entered the Admiralty and outports of the Admiralty, respectively, as boy writers, from and including 4th August, 1914, to the present date; the outports concerned; how many of these men joined His Majesty's forces during the War; and how many have been established up to the present date?

I have been asked to reply. The number of boy writers who entered the service of the Admiralty on or after the 4th August, 1914, and who are still employed is 310, of whom 42 are at the Admiralty and 268 are at the outports. The outports concerned comprise all His Majesty's dockyards and outlying establishments, etc., at home. Of the men concerned, 80 served in His Majesty's forces during the War, and one man (who was entered on 4th August, 1914) has been established.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether boy writers received their civil pay while serving in His Majesty's forces; and, if not, will he state the reason?

I have been asked to reply. Boy writers who were appointed prior to the outbreak of war received the difference between the civil and military pay during service with His Majesty's Forces. Boys entered after the outbreak of war were not granted this concession, which did not apply to persons appointed in an unestablished capacity after war had been declared.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether women clerks who were at one time serving in the Royal dockyards, and were subsequently discharged in order to make way for ex-service men, are to be appointed again to the post of writing assistant; if so, are the present ex-service holders of these posts to be discharged; is he aware that two women clerks who have been asked to re-enter Pembroke dockyard are already in private employment; whether he is aware that several of these women clerks failed to qualify at the examination for the clerical class (women); is it proposed to pay them the same wages as the present male clerks; and, if so, why these women are to be entered?

A small number, less than a dozen, extemporary women clerks have been re-entered at His Majesty's Dockyards on or after appointment as writing assistants. The majority of these women have been certificated by the Civil Service Commission as writing assistants on the results of the limited competition for appointments in that grade which was held in 1921. The remainder have been so certificated on the results of the 1920 examination for appointment to the clerical class (women). These included some who had failed to attain a sufficiently high standard for clerical appointments, but had been offered by the Civil Service Commission, as had others similarly situated elsewhere in the public Service, posts in the lower grade of writing assistant. It is a definite condition of the appointment of a writing assistant that no ex-service man shall be displaced, and this condition has invariably been fulfilled. The two women clerks at Pembroke Dock who are referred to are presumably two women who formerly served at that yard as temporary clerks and were recently asked unofficially by the local officers whether, if Admiralty approval could be obtained, they would be candidates for reappointment in a vacancy which had occurred for a writing assistant. This course, however, has not been approved. The vacancy in question, the duties attaching to which are among those regarded as appropriate to women, is being filled by the transfer of a writing assistant at present serving in the General Post Office, who has also had previous service as a temporary clerk at Pembroke Dock. The scale of pay for writing assistants is lower than that applicable to temporary ex-service clerks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that 288 envelopes containing ballot papers for absent voters were in November last mislaid after having presumably been delivered by the Post Office authorities, that this points to laxity in the naval methods of dealing with mails, and that there are frequent complaints concerning loss of letters after delivery by the Post Office authorities, he will say whether a revision of the naval regulations dealing with this matter will be undertaken with a view to improving the present system of mails in His Majesty's Navy?

It is not the case that 288 envelopes were mislaid. 288 is the number of the ballot papers which were not completed and returned to the returning officer. I think it may reasonably be assumed that in a very large number of these cases the men themselves failed to exercise their right to vote. As regards the second part of the question, complaints concerning loss of letters are not unduly frequent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has now received the Report of his Inspectors concerning the engineering trade dispute at the Powell Duffryn engineering sheds, Ystrad Mynach; and whether he proposes to take any action thereon?

The investigation is nearly concluded, and it is hoped that the Inspector will complete his report next week.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain why Maltese naval artisans do not receive the same rates of pay as other naval artisans, although other Maltese ratings do receive the same rates of pay as their equivalent British naval ratings, namely, officers' stewards and cooks; and whether he will take steps to remedy this apparent oversight?

Maltese artisans receive the rates of pay laid down for non-continuous service ratings of the old system, as revised in 1919. Other Maltese ratings also receive the rates of pay prescribed for equivalent non-continuous service ratings recruited in the United Kingdom. In the case of the officers' stewards and cooks branch, the continuous service and non-continuous service rates are identical.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, owing to the reduced number of mechanicians allowed in port establishments, and the fact that sea-going complements have not been reduced accordingly, it is now practically impossible for chief and mechanicians to have the spells of home and harbour service authorised for all ratings by the drafting regulations; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

The voted number of mechanician ratings provide for all the authorised harbour appointments at home and the usual margins for sickness, etc., and there is no reason to suppose that under normal conditions these ratings should not have a fair proportion of sea and harbour service. It must, however, be remembered that from May, 1922, to March, 1923, conditions were far from normal, as the large reduction in naval personnel necessitated drafting men all over the world to relieve those ratings who volunteered to retire under the special reduction scheme. In response to the demand for economy in the numbers borne for harbour services, the Admiralty reviewed the whole of the complements of harbour ships and establishments, and reduced them whenever it was possible; these complements cannot now be increased to provide more home service for any class of ratings unless a corresponding increase in Vote A is sanctioned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the paucity in promotion to warrant rank of chief petty officer cooks is attributable to the non-reduction of the age limit for retirement of warrant instructors of cookery; and what are the reasons for differentiating between these warrant officers and other naval and marine warrant officers?

Promotion to the rank of warrant instructor in cookery takes place in exactly the same manner as in other warrant officer branches of the Service, namely, as vacancies occur on the authorised establishment, and there is no differentiation between this and other branches in this respect. Under the scheme for the reduction of the lists of officers, the age for compulsory retirement was generally reduced from 55 to 50 in the several branches in which surpluses existed, and the question of making a similar alteration in the retirement regulations for branches not affected by the reduction scheme, including warrant instructors in cookery, is now engaging attention. As soon as definite decisions have been arrived at, they will be promulgated In the usual manner.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the post-War establishment of accountant officers, supply officers, and naval cookery instructors has yet been fixed?

The post-War establishments of accountant officers and of warrant officers and above in the supply and cookery branches has not yet been fixed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state, for July, 1914, and the latest available date, the number of persons employed at the Admiralty, the numbers employed on Admiralty outport establishments, and the personnel of the Navy for each period?

The figures are as follow:

The figures for the Admiralty include messengers and charwomen, and, for 1st June, 1923, the staff at the Admiralty Chart Establishment, Cricklewood.

The figures for the outport establishments are composed as follow:

The numbers borne on Vote A were:

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the prolonged occupation of Constantinople and the high cost of railway fares, assisted passages will be granted to officers proceeding home on leave?

I much regret that I am not in a position to recommend this suggestion. I would point out that officers returning from Constantinople are not worse off in the matter than officers returning from many other foreign stations.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will give details of the information possessed by his Department regarding smallpox in the Army, which satisfied the Department that the reintroduction of the recruiting regulation as regards vaccination was desirable?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 18th June to the hon. Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach).

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General in his Report on Army expenditure for the year ending March, 1922; whether he is aware that over £2,470,000 was written off in that year by reason of theft, fraud, gross negligence, and other causes, fully half of which loss to the public Exchequer arose in Egypt and the Middle East; whether any practical steps have been taken to prevent such gross irregularities before or since the publication of this Report and what is their nature; and whether any instructions have been issued?

All these matters stand referred to the Public Accounts Committee, and it is not convenient, while they are sub judice, to discusss them by way of question and answer; but I may take the opportunity of saying that the statement, published by my Department, from which the figure of £2,470,000 written off in the year 1921–22 is taken, shows that most of that sum relates to earlier years, and that of the £974,000 included for losses arising in 1921–22, £797,000 arose in Egypt and the Middle East, owing to local disturbances and other causes militating against accurate accounting.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the reorganisation of the Ministry of Health has yet been completed; if so, what steps have been taken during regrading to put into operation Clause 2 of the Resolution of the House on 5th August, 1921, as to equality of opportunity for women; what branches of the Ministry previously closed to women have now been opened to them; whether women have now been excluded from any branch in which they were employed on 5th August, 1921; and what steps have been taken to ensure that women have an opportunity of training for the higher posts in the Department irrespective of those posts which involve solely supervision of staff?

The rearrangements under the National Whitley Council's Reorganisation Report have been practically completed in the Ministry of Health. In the reorganisation full weight has been given to Clause 2 of the Resolution of the House of the 5th August, 1921. Women have been promoted into all of the grades dealt with under the reorganisation scheme, including new posts in the administrative and executive grades. Women have not been excluded from any branch in which they were employed on 5th August, 1921. By placing women in the clerical, executive and administrative grades full opportunity will arise of training for the higher posts in the Ministry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the reorganisation of the Ministry of Pensions has yet been completed and, if so, what steps have been taken during regrading to put into operation Clause, 2 of the Resolution of the House on 5th August, 1921, as to equality of opportunity for women; what branches of the Ministry previously closed to women have now been opened to them; whether women have now been excluded from any branch in which they were employed on 5th August, 1921; and what steps have been taken to ensure that women have an opportunity of training for the higher posts in the Department irrespective of those posts which involve solely supervision of staff?

I have been asked to reply. The re-organisation of the Ministry of Pensions is not yet completed. Before regrading began, the number of established posts held by women was very small, only 30 established women, excluding typists, being employed in the Department. Under the regrading scheme the number of posts above the rank of writing assistant allotted to women is 400. These posts are in five separate branches of the Ministry, as against six in which established women were employed before regrading. It has been found convenient to concentrate the greater part of the female staff in branches where the work is regarded as specially suitable to women. The opportunities given to women officers to train for higher duties are similar to those given to men of corresponding rank.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, as his attention was directed as long ago as 18th December last to the fact that adult women machine operators were being paid below the rates prescribed for this class of work in other Departments, he can now state at what date the back arrears of pay will be handed to the women concerned?

The Treasury are at present reviewing the rates of pay given to women employed in Government Departments on the various kinds of machine operations. Pending a decision on this matter, I am unable to say whether any question of arrears arises.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the standard of efficiency required in the Pensions Issue Office of men and women, respectively, for the purpose of placing them in efficiency categories, A, B, C, D, is the same within each grade, or whether the standard of the men is higher?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part does not, therefore, arise

asked the Minister of Pensions whether relative war service is being considered before relative efficiency in the dismissal of staff at the Pensions Issue Office; and, if so, whether he will reconsider this procedure in the interests of the pensioner?

The demobilisation of staff at Pension Issue Office, rendered necessary in consequence of decrease in work, is confined to the female staff No efficient ex-service woman is being discharged.

asked the Ministry of Pensions whether it is proposed to amalgamate the Yorkshire and Northern regions; whether the late regional director of the Yorkshire region was asked to resign; whether he was in receipt of a service pension in addition to his salary and, if so, what was the amount; whether it is proposed to make the regional director of the Northern region regional director of the Yorkshire and Northern regions and at what salary; whether the regional director of the Northern region is in receipt of a service pension of £1,000 a year; and, in the event of the regions being amalgamated, what provision will be made for the continuous employment of the staff of the Ministry in the regional office at Leeds?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and that to the second and third parts in the negative. It is proposed to appoint the present regional director of the Northern region as regional director of the combined regions on amalgamation without increase in salary. The answer to the fifth part of the question is in the affirmative. Every endeavour will be made to provide continuous employment for the staff now employed in Leeds as is being done in the case of the staff employed at Nottingham on the amalgamation of the West and East Midland regions.

asked the Minister of Pensions when it is proposed to appoint a regional director to the Wales region; for what period has the Commissioner of Medical Services been acting regional director; whether it is proposed to attach South Wales to the south-western region and North Wales to the north-western region; and whether, before any alteration is made in the area or constitution of the Wales region, the regional advisory council and local authorities will be consulted?

In view of the comparatively small amount of pensions work in the Wales region it is not proposed to make a fresh appointment of a regional director. The present Commissioner of Medical Services has been acting as regional director since the 1st November, 1922, and the arrangement, which has proved in all respects satisfactory, will be continued. No such alteration as that suggested in the third part of the question is in contemplation. I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind should occasion arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the collector of taxes is remunerated on a commission basis according to the amount collected?

No, Sir. Subject to the limits imposed by Sections 87 and 88 of the Income Tax Act, 1918, the factors which determine the remuneration of a collector of taxes are the amounts both of work and office expenses which are necessarily involved by the collection.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the pension of Mrs. Mellor, of Crich, near Matlock, mother of the late Private G. Mellor, No. 6743, Royal Engineers, has been reduced; and whether he is aware that the total income of the father and mother of the dead soldier is 18s. weekly, out of which 6s. is paid for rent and attendance, both the old people being in an indifferent state of health?

When this case was recently reviewed the share of the State, as representing the deceased son, was adjusted in relation to the support which might reasonably be expected from the three surviving sons. On that basis the highest pension at present admissible is 8s. a week. I may add that the income of 18s. a week mentioned in the question is exclusive of any contributions which the three surviving sons may be making.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has yet called the special meeting of his central advisory committee to consider the question of the seven years' time limit for widows' pensions under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant; and, if not, whether he can inform the House when he proposes to call this meeting, having regard to the fact that hardship is being caused to many widows through the operation of the time limit?

A meeting of the Central Advisory Committee has been summoned for the 26th instant.

asked the Minister of Pensions upon what grounds the pension of Richard Stanix, Border Regiment (2/MS/Appeals 4051), 119, Main Street, Hensingham, was reduced from £2 17s. 6d. to 10s. a week; is he aware that this man served three years and 194 days on active service, was discharged suffering from chronic gastritis, has been certified as unfit for work by his medical adviser, and has been refused a full medical board; and, having regard to the fact that Stanix is a married man with a home to keep, will he cause the case to be reviewed with a view to a possible increase in the amount of pension?

The pension awarded is in respect of wounds, disablement from which has not exceeded 20 per cent. since February, 1920. There has been no award at the higher rate stated in the question. The Pensions Appeal Tribunal have confirmed the finding of the Ministry that the gastric ulcer is unconnected with service and that disability is not therefore pensionable.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the pension now being received by William John Doran, Royal Engineers (Serial No. 2830/2/MD), of Alabaster Cottages, Sandwich, near Kells, Cumberland, is 12s 6d. per week; that he has a wife and four children to keep upon that sum, and that when his last child was born in 1919 nothing was given for its maintenance until 20th March, 1923, when the sum of one shilling per week was given to him as from that date; and will he have this case reviewed?

If the man is dissatisfied with the final award which has been made to him he may exercise his right of appeal against it to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, through the Area Office. The allowance for the child referred to has been awarded from date of first application, and I regret that arrears cannot be granted.

asked the Minister of Pensions if full particulars are available as to the response to the King's Roll for the employment of ex-service men; if the Minister regards the results as satisfactory; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take?

I have been asked to reply. The number of employers at present on the King's National Roll is 28,241, employing approximately 300,000 disabled ex-service men. The new campaign under the auspices of the King's Roll National Council was only launched in February of this year and King's Roll Committees have been set up in over 200 areas. The average rate of new enrolments in respect of employers is now 75 per week. I understand that the King's Roll National Council hope to submit a report shortly, and until this report has been recevied it would be premature to express any opinion with regard to the progress of the scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sheikh Khayyati and Maitre Bialy, members of the Egyptian delegation (Wafd), are still in prison despite the release of all their colleagues; and whether, seeing that the former has been in prison uncharged and untried since August, 1922, and that his health has been seriously impaired, His Majesty's Government will see that these men are either released or put upon their trial for whatever offence is alleged against them?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to him and to the hon. Member for Ilkeston (Mr. Oliver) on the 7th inst. The evidence against the incriminated persons mentioned in the question is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British military authorities have prohibited the public reception arranged for the arrival at Suez of the members of the Wafd (Egyptian delegation) released from the Seychelles; whether he is aware that a similar reception given to their leader, Zaghloul Pasha, on his return to Egypt in 1921 took place without disorder of any kind; and whether, in the interests of the promotion of good feeling among the Egyptian population, His Majesty's Government will suggest to the military authorities that the order should be reconsidered?

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to urge the reconsideration of orders issued by the military authorities or the Egyptian Government in the interest of public security.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the amount of the fund which is available for the indemnification of allied nationals for war damages against Turkey?

No, Sir. A definite answer on the point raised cannot be given until the negotiations now proceeding at Lausanne have been brought to a successful issue.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the provision in the treaty that the just settlement of the claims of the Smyrna-Aidin Railway Company should be one of the essential conditions of peace, His Majesty's Government, since they deem it necessary in the cause of general policy to withhold their promised recognition of these particular British interests, will themselves assume the liabilities which rightly belong to Turkey and pay to the company the compensation of which they may see fit to relieve the Turks?

I am at a loss to understand on what the hon. Member bases his allegation that His Majesty's Government are withholding recognition of the claims of the Smyrna-Aidin Railway Company. The reply to the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the nature of the inter-related questions which it is stated are under discussion at Lausanne and which render it impossible at the moment to give any pledge as to the manner in which it may be decided to deal with the separate question of the settlement of the claims of the Smyrna-Aidin Railway Company; and whether he is aware that the question of such claims, which have been recognised by His Majesty's Government inasmuch as they were embodied in separate articles of the draft Treaty of Peace, should continue to constitute a primary and separate condition of peace?

For the information asked for in the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the very full and, in the main, accurate reports on the proceedings at Lausanne which have appeared in the Press. In regard to the second part, I am not quite clear what is meant by a "primary and separate condition of peace." I can only assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government are continuing to do their best to protect the interests of British subjects, including those represented by the company mentioned.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployment benefit of E. Fowler, of 3, Duke Street, Cleator Moor, has been stopped; that Fowler worked for 47 years at Crossfield mine, Cleator Moor, until it was closed down in 1919; that since then he worked for eight months for the Cleator Moor Urban District Council until such work was exhausted; that when his case was considered by the local unemployment committee his claim was allowed; and that this is affirmed by two of the members of the said committee, but their decision was subsequently overruled by the manager of the Exchange; and will he now enforce the decision of the local committee?

I am having immediate inquiries made into this case and will communicate the result as soon as possible to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state when the proposed improvements to the London and other docks in London, for which Parliamentary powers have been obtained, will be started; and is he aware that a very large number of men and women are still unemployed in East London, and the starting of those improvements would be the means of immediately absorbing a large number of the men at present unemployed?

I have been asked to answer. At present it is not possible to give the information the hon. Member desires.

asked the Minister of Labour if, with a view to relieving unemployment he will consider whether he can include in the scope of assisted undertakings the cleaning out of the principal rivers of this country and their tributaries; whether, in that case, he will consult the Thames Valley Drainage Commissioners; and whether this whole problem has been investigated by his Department?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The cleansing of rivers and their tributaries was included among assisted works for the alleviation of unemployment during the autumn and winter of 1921–22 and 1922–23. The question of the continuance of these operations next autumn and winter is now under consideration. The Thames Valley Drainage Commissioners participated in the facilities afforded, in the case of the 1921–22 programme and received grants. They did not, however, apply for any grant during the 1922–23 programme. In the light of this information, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour how many shore reclamation schemes have been actually assisted by his Department under any existing facilities for the relief of unemployment; and whether any proposal has been put forward for reclaiming the land from Askam, in Lancashire, to Millom, in Cumberland?

I have been asked to reply. No reclamation schemes have been assisted in the manner indicated. With regard to the second part of the question, an isolated suggestion was made in 1918 for the construction of a concrete sea wall from Askam to Millom, but the scheme was found to be impracticable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, owing to the increasing number of men failing to pass the present eyesight test on the railways, and the consequent loss of position and promotion, he will consider the desirability of placing eyesight failure upon the schedule of the Workmen's Compensation Act?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on the 14th instant.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that many railway men fail to pass the present eyesight test, and consequently lose promotion and sometimes position, he will place eyesight failure on the schedule of the Workmen's Compensation Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on the 14th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that 30 per cent, of the emigrants who left the Hebrides towards the end of April of this year for Ontario, Canada, are engaged in occupations other than farm work as originally arranged; if he can state the nature of the occupations and the reasons for the departure from the original scheme; and will he say what steps he is taking in the matter?

I understand that a percentage (somewhat less than 30 per cent.) of the settlers in question were offered industrial employment by a contractor in Niagara whilst proceed- ing to the farms to which they had been allotted. The work in question was connected with the construction of a power house at Niagara Falls and the wages offered appear to have been attractive. Subject to the views of the Dominion Government, it is not proposed to take any special steps in this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the average terms on which money was borrowed by the Public Works Loan Commissioners for the purpose of financing housing schemes by local authorities in the years 1919 to 1922, inclusive, particulars to include the total amounts borrowed, length of loans, rates of interest, and terms of borrowing and repayment?

The Local Loans Fund, out of which advances made by the Public Works Loan Commissioners to local authorities for the purpose of housing schemes are provided, was financed during the years 1919 to 1922 by the issue from time to time of £140,250,953 3 per cent. Local Loans Stock, the aggregate net proceeds of issue of such stock having been £75,131,883 cash, which is equivalent to an average net issue price of about £53 11s. 5d. Local Loans Stock is redeemable at par at any time at the option of Parliament upon the expiration of one month's notice given in the "London Gazette."

asked the Minister of Health if he possesses any statistics to show the recovery and progress of private building in the last 12 months; whether his attention has been called to an offer by one of the leading corporations to add £25 to the Government grant of £75 to stimulate private building; and whether, under the terms of the Housing Bill, there will be any objection on the part of the Ministry thus to promote private enterprise, even though the towns concerned could themselves carry out building operations if they desired?

According to returns recently obtained from certain local authorities, 14,763 houses had been completed by private builders since 30th September last, and 17,693 were in course of erection on 1st March last. The Housing Bill contemplates that the needs of the area shall be met by private enterprise with assistance from the local authority and the State, unless in any area the authority satisfies the Minister that the need can more appropriately be met by building themselves. One of the forms of assistance to private enterprise for which the Bill provides is a lump sum payment by the local authority equivalent to the present value of the Government subsidy of £6, i.e., £75 supplemented by any further sum which the local authority may think it necessary to add themselves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in preparing for the re-assessment for Schedule A and Inhabited House Duty the General Commissioners of Income Tax for each division met and appointed assessors for their respective divisions: the number of assessors so appointed who refused or were excused such duty: the total number of divisions in which these re-assessments are being made; the total number of assessors who are carrying on their duties as such; and the total number of divisions in which the assessors' duties are being carried out by inspectors of taxes or superintending valuers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of divisions in which the re-assessment is proceeding is 631. In certain cases in which necessity arose the local commissioners appointed as one of their local assessors a member of the inspectors' staff, whose function was to relieve the ordinary local assessor by assisting him in certain clerical and routine work. I have no exact figures, but this course was taken by the Commissioners in a considerable proportion of the total number of parishes. The last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. The duties which are being carried out by inspectors are statutory, and are supplementary to those of the assessors; in this connection I would invite his attention to the provisions of Section 115 (4) of the Income Tax Act, 1918.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the re-assessment under Schedule A of cottages occupied rent free by employés or pensioners of an owner who has not exercised his power under the Rent Restrictions Act to increase the rents of his other cottages, the annual value of such cottages will, for the purpose of re-assessment, be based on the rents received by such owners for similar cottages or on the rents received for similar cottages by other owners who have taken advantage of the Act and have increased their rents?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave him on this subject on the 7th June. As I then said, if he has in mind any case in which it is considered that the assessments of cottages occupied rent free by estate employés or pensioners have been increased without regard to the rents paid for similar cottages on the estate, and will send me the necessary particulars, I will gladly have the matter looked into.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the taxation in 1913 per head of the population of Italy, France, United States, Germany, and Great Britain?

The following are the figures of taxation per head in 1913:

Italy.ߞ53.8 lire.

France.ߞ84.5 francs.

United States.ߞ6.8 dollars.

Germany.ߞ31.3 marks.

United Kingdom.ߞ£3 10s.

As I have frequently explained, international comparisons of this nature without close examination of the differing financial systems of the countries concerned are apt to be misleading.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the British Museum contains many duplicates of objects and articles of artistic, antiquarian, and historical interest, he will consult with the authorities whether they could be either loaned or presented to provincial museums, to the educational advantage of persons who cannot visit the national collections in London; and, if there is a statutory prohibition of such loan or presentation, whether he will introduce legislation upon the subject?

I am informed by the trustees that it is not the case that the British Museum contains any large amount of duplicates. The principal category of them, that of duplicate prints, is already utilised for loans to provincial galleries. In the opinion of the trustees, they already possess all the statutory powers necessary to enable them to dispose of duplicates in the best interests of the national collections for which they are responsible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue is collecting Income Tax on the profits made by foreign producers and manufacturers who sell raw or partly manufactured goods in this country through English agents and brokers; and what is the present position of the controversy on this question?

Yes, Sir, but liability to Income Tax in the class of case to which my hon. Friend refers depends upon the question whether or not the foreigner is exercising a trade within this country. This question has to be determined by reference to all the relevant facts of each particular case.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to facilitate the early establishment of a domestic legislature in Wales, he will appoint a Commission to investigate the relations at present existing between the Principality, including Monmouthshire, and Great Britain, in the matter of public income and expenditure, so as to fix the appro- priate contribution of the Principality to Imperial revenues, the fittest method of levying the same, and the probable amount of the cost of the domestic services, assuming none are reserved to Imperial Parliament?

No, Sir; I am not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to give any information as to the date when a Government Bill to establish a London traffic committee will be introduced into the House of Commons?

I have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member is aware, recommendations for the establishment of a committee to deal among other matters with London traffic are contained in the Report of the Lord Ullswater's Commission on London Government. The matter is having my close attention, but I am not in a position to make any announcement as to the intentions of the Government.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the congestion of the London traffic is becoming so acute that it frequently takes three-quarters of an hour to get from one end of Bond Street to the other; whether his attention has been called to an estimate made by a traffic expert that fully £20,000,000 a year is lost to the community by and as a result of such congestion and consequent delay; whether, in view of this, the Government has any scheme in contemplation for dealing with the situation; and if, as a palliative, if not a remedy, special constables will be employed in order to speed up the traffic in the main thoroughfares and to divert slow and heavy traffic?

I have been asked to reply. While recognising that the congestion of London traffic is serious, I am not in a position to agree to the precise figures quoted by the hon. Member. The whole question is receiving close attention, but I am informed that sufficient police are available for traffic duties to secure all the results which are possible with their present powers.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Metropolitan police have power to remedy the present congestion in the London streets by diverting slow-moving and heavy traffic from the main thoroughfares?

The Commissioner is advised that he has no power to discriminate between the various types of vehicles using particular streets.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the Order made under the Roads Act, 1920, with respect to roads in the Bournemouth district, allows motor lorries of three-tons weight and over to use certain roads and prohibits char-á-bancs having more than 21 passengers; whether the next size to a 14-seater char-á-banc is a 22-seater; that the latter vehicle weighs less than three tons, and that the Order is therefore unnecessarily restrictive as regards this type of vehicle; and whether he will have this point reconsidered?

The Order referred to prohibits the driving on certain roads in the Bournemouth district of motor vehicles exceeding three tons in weight unladen or with seats for more than 20 passengers, exclusive of the driver. I am: advised that a "22-seater" is no more a recognised unit in the construction of motor coaches than an "18-seater" or a '20-seatev." Nearly all motor coaches with seats for more than 20 passengers exceed three tons in weight unladen, and I am unable to agree that the Order is unnecessarily restrictive as regards this type of vehicle.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to set up any inquiry into the laws relating to sweepstakes and the possibility of legalising or licensing them?

I think it will be better to await the Report of the Betting Tax Committeee, before deciding whether any further inquiry or action is desirable with regard to sweepstakes.

asked the Home Secretary if the Committee set up under The Indemnity Act, 1923, has commenced its labours; and, if so, how many claims for compensation have so far been submitted to it?

I understand that the Committee will be set up shortly by the Lord Chief Justice, and that no applications have so far reached the Treasury solicitor.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Health, Scotland, the total cost of the Inverliever State afforestation scheme up to the end of the last financial year, distinguishing between the cost of the land purchased for the purpose of afforestation and the cost of the scheme since the date of the acquisition of the land?

I have been asked to reply to this question which relates to land in my charge as Commissioner of Woods. The figures to the 30th September last only are at present available. The total cost of this afforestation scheme to that date has been £54,281 11s. Id., of which £27,417 2s. 6d. represents the original cost of the estate and the redemption of charges, and £26.864 8s. 7d., the net cost of the scheme since the date of the acquisition of the land.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland, the number of acres of land planted in the Inverliever State afforestation area since the date of its acquisition by the State; the additional acreage it is intended to plant and the acreage which will be left unplanted; the use to which the land un-planted is at present put; and the estimated annual value for grazing purposes of the land not used for planting?

I have been asked to reply to this question, which relates to land under my charge as a Commissioner of Woods. The total area planted to date is 1,990½ acres. The un-planted land is let as grazing farms and small holdings, the estimated annual value of such land being £528. The planting up of this property is proceeding, but it is impossible to say at the present moment exactly what proportion will be left unplanted when the scheme of afforestation has been completed.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland, if he will supply the figures, showing the percentage of births vaccinated in the city of Glasgow during each of the five years, 1916 to 1920, and similar figures for the eastern wards of the city, in which the small-pox case-rate during the outbreak of 1920 exceeded 1.000 per 1,000.000 of the population?

The following statement gives, as nearly as possible, the information desired by the hon. Member.

Statement referred to :

Percentage of births vaccinated in the City of Glasgow during the years 1916 to 1920 inclusive, and similar figures for the eastern districts of the city in which the small-pox case-rate, during the outbreak of 1920, exceeded 1.000 per 1,000,000 of the population.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the fact that the importation of Canadian cattle was authorised by Parliament in respect of store or to be fattened cattle only, will he take steps to prevent the importation of breeding cattle from Canada?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Blundell) on the 17th ultimo the question of allowing the import of Canadian breeding cattle, which is still prohibited, has been deferred for further consideration at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the cost of administration of the Board of Agriculture 10 years ago and the present cost of such administration; and what are the present activities of the Board as compared with its activities in 1913?

The cost of the administration of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for the financial year 1913–1914 was £212,760. The estimated cost of the administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries during the current financial year is £610,689. Amongst the main additional activities of the Ministry, as compared with those in 1913, may be mentioned the following:

The settlement of ex-service men on the land, including the administration of farm settlements established under the Small Holdings Colonies Acts, 1916–1918.

The considerable increase, due to the Tithe Act of 1918, of questions relating to tithe rentcharge and other payments in lieu of tithe.

The administration and allocation of largely increased grants in aid of scientific and technical agricultural education and research in England and Wales, including the administration of the £850,000 Grant provided under Section 3 of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921.

The work under the Land Drainage Act, 1918, including drainage schemes for the relief of unemployment during the past two winters.

Additional work under the Ministry's Veterinary Department necessitated by the Importation of Animals Act, 1922.

The administration of the Seeds Act, 1920.

Questions affecting agricultural labour, including the administration of Section 4 of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, with regard to conciliation committees.

Additional schemes for the improvement of livestock and milk recording.

It is difficult to state, within the limits of a Parliamentary reply, all the present activities of the Ministry, but I am sending to the hon. Member a memorandum on the present organisation and work of the Ministry, which I hope will afford him the information he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British companies who have within the last three years transferred their place of registration or administrative headquarters abroad?

A company's memorandum of association must state in what part of the United Kingdom the registered office is to be situate, and the office cannot be transferred elsewhere. British companies are under no obligation to report to the Government on transferring abroad their administrative headquarters, and I have, therefore, no means of ascertaining how many may have made such a transfer within the last three years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, pending the repair of the telegraph cable betwen Unst and Yell, having regard to the fact that the fishing season is now in full swing, he can arrange for a boat to cross twice, daily with telegrams, in the forenoon and the afternoon, seeing that a single daily crossing does not permit of telegraphic replies being received the same day?

I am making inquiries as to the practicability of affording additional telegraph facilities between Unst and Yell pending the repair of the cable and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Société Beige de Radio-Electricité purposes to erect a broadcasting station in Brussels for the emission of concerts, etc., without apparently receiving either royalties or share of licences; and whether this will be considered by the Committee now sitting on this question in reference to broadcasting in this country?

I am not aware of the proposal to erect a broadcasting station in Brussels on the conditions referred to by the hon. Member. The matter will, however, be brought to the notice of the Broadcasting Committee.