asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the amount of disposable surpluses of approved societies under the National Health Insurance Act, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation for the allocation of funds therefrom for the hospital maintenance of insured patients, seeing that such a policy would materially contribute towards meeting the total annual deficiency of the voluntary hospitals?

It is open to any approved society having a disposable surplus on valuation to devote the whole or part of such surplus to making payments to hospitals or convalescent homes towards securing the maintenance and treatment therein of members of the society, and out of the surpluses on the first valuation a sum of £979,000 was set aside for this purpose by certain societies in England in respect of the period from July, 1921, to June, 1926. The selection of the additional benefits to be provided by a society for its members rests with the members themselves, and I do not think it desirable that legislation should be introduced to make it compulsory on every society having a disposable surplus to allocate the whole or part of the surplus to any particular additional benefit.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the disability which now debars voluntary hospitals from sharing in surplus funds which have accumulated under the National Health Insurance Act, and that the Manchester Royal Infirmary spends about £70,000 a year in maintaining nearly 5,000 persons insured under that Act without drawing any substantial contributions from their approved societies; and if he will consider so amending the law that maintenance and treatment at voluntary hospitals may be included among the additional statutory benefits to be provided from disposable surplus funds?

There is no such disability as is mentioned in the first part of my hon. Friend's question and the making of payments toward's the cost of the maintenance and treatment of insured persons at voluntary hospitals is already included amongst the additional benefits which may be provided by approved societies from their disposable surplus funds. Such payments are, in fact, being made by a number of societies with a total membership of over 7,000,000 insured persons. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information indicating that a large number of cases at Gloucester have been wrongly diagnosed by officials of his Department; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the importance of cheap and fresh food for the people, he is making representations to the various local authorities to review the charges upon fruit and vegetables exposed for sale in their markets, as recommended by the Departmental Committee on Distribution and Prices of Agricultural Produce?

I am not in a position to make a statement on this matter, but it is receiving consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether William Henry Jackson, aged 63, who was found dead on the road on the same day that he left Gainsborough workhouse, was in the body of the house or in the casual ward; what was his task on the day he left and on the day before; whether he will ask the inspector to see whether this man was given for his journey the mid-day meal directed by Article 8 of the Casual Paupers Order, 1882; and what was the distance from Gainsborough workhouse to where the man was found dead and the distance from Gainsborough to the nearest open casual ward or workhouse in the direction he was going?

This man was relieved in the casual ward. On the day before he left Gainsborough he was set to work either at wood chopping or at cleaning. He was not set to work on the day of his leaving and was given a mid-day meal on discharge. The spot at which he was found dead is about 10 miles from Gainsborough workhouse, and about seven from the nearest casual ward in the direction in which he was going.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, modifying previous orders regarding pasteurisation, it is possible for milk to be sold to the public after having been subjected to repeated heating processes, thus having the major portion of its nutritive value destroyed; and whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that such reheated milk shall not be retailed to the public or, if so retailed, its exact nature shall be indicated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is expressly provided in the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, that the milk sold as "pasteurised" milk shall not be heated more than once. As regards the second part of the question, I am advised that the danger arising to public health from the sale of reheated milk is not such as to justify the issue of special regulations which in present circumstances might result in restricting the supply of milk.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of Colonel Hammond's Report that the railways in East Africa have not been run as a business concern, he will in future ensure that all new railway construction is treated as a business concern and thrown open to private tender to secure cheap, effective, and businesslike construction?

Colonel Hammond's report did not deal with the manner of construction. It is expected that the appointment of a new general manager, with long experience of South African railways, will result not only in the working of the Uganda Railway being put on sound lines, but also in the efficient and economical construction of new lines which my hon. Friend and I consider so important.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any attempt is being made to secure the opinion of the European community in East Africa as to the desirability or otherwise of building new lines departmentally rather than by private enterprise; and, if not, whether, in view of the heavy burden upon the country of the Uganda Railway which was built by the State, he will take steps to ascertain this opinion before any new lines are constructed departmentally?

The decision in favour of departmental construction of the new railways now contemplated in Kenya has been taken on the strong advice of the Governor and his Executive Council, including the two European unofficial members. I am confident that the greater economy which the Governor foresees under departmental construction would command the hearty support of the European community, and I see no reason for taking special steps to obtain their views.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of officials connected with State railway work in any of the West African Colonies and the aggregate salaries paid to them now and in 1914?

Full details of the staff employed on railway construction and railway capital works in Nigeria are not available, but as regards the Nigeria Railway open lines, the figures given in the annual Estimates, in regard to European officers, are as follows: 1914: Number of officers provided for, 348. Provision made for salaries, £106,179. 1923–24: Number of officers provided for, 416. Provision made for salaries, £226,759.

These figures do not take into account the subsidiary services of the railway, such as the Motor Transport Service

Full particulars, as regards the number of natives employed on the Nigerian Railway open lines, and of their salaries, are not available. In 1923 the railway includes 290 more miles of open lines than in 1914.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the right to vote at Parliamentary or municipal elections is given in any Dominion or any Crown Colony to any person who is not a British subject?

The right to vote at Parliamentary elections in the Dominions and Colonies generally is confined to British subjects, but there are special cases in which the franchise is extended to British protected persons. With regard to voting at municipal elections in the Dominions and Colonies, the practice varies and depends upon the laws dealing with the matter in each particular case. As regards the Irish Free State, I would invite attention to Articles 3 and 14 of the Irish Free State Constitution.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the total amount paid during the years ending 31st March, 1914, 1922, and 1923, from Indian provincial and central funds as pensions, compassionate, or other allowances to officials of all classes, civil servants, officers, and men who have served with His Majesty's forces, showing in each case the total amount paid to Indians and to those of British nationality?

The information will be found in the following table. It does not distinguish between the amounts paid to Indians and Europeans, respectively, but the payments in India may be taken as covering the former approximately, and those in England the latter: NET PAYMENTS from Central and Provincial Funds on account of Pensions and Compassionate and other Pensionery Allowances in the Years 1913–14, 1921–22 and 1922–23. India. — Civil Pensions. Military Pensions. Total. £ £ £ 1913–14 1,409,000 644,000 2,053,000 1921–22 1,867,000 2,371,000 4,238,000 1922–23 1,977,000 2,718,000 4,695,000 England. — Civil Pensions. Military Pensions. Total. £ £ £ 1913–14 2,004,000 2,480,000 4,484,000 1921–22 2,093,000 3,087,000* 5,180,000 1922–23 2,238,000 3,299,000 5,537,000 * This figure does not take account of a special receipt from the Imperial Government in respect of future pensionery charges of Indian troops lent to that Government in 1919–20 and 1920–21.

asked the President of the Board of Education how long it is since a department inspector visited Ulpha School, Broughton-in-Furness; why the promise then made for a further inspection within a year has not been carried out; and the reasons for proposing to make two inspections of this school within a year?

The latest report received by the Board upon the school referred to by the hon. Member was dated 28th September, 1921. I am unable to deal with the second and third parts of the question without further inquiry, for which the notice given me has not allowed time. I will communicate the result of such inquiry to the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that S. O. Marshall, greaser, Mercantile Marine Reserve, who was discharged from active service on 25th November, 1919, has been called upon to refund the sum of £7 10s., Navy allotment over-issued to his wife, of which no notice appears to have been taken until the man was recalled to the Royal Fleet Reserve in April, 1921; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances of the case with a view to the man being allowed to draw prize money due to him free from the above deduction?

The action initiated to adjust the over-issue of allotment to Mr. Marshall's wife had no connection with his recall for service as a Royal Fleet reservist in April, 1921, the fact of his indebtedness having been discovered some time previously on the examination of over-issues due to the rapid demobilisation of reserve ratings after the War. As regards the possibility of waiving recovery of the debt, the situation has been fully explained to the right hon. Member in the letter addressed to him from the Admiralty on the 16th March last, and I am afraid there is nothing to add to that communication.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information as to the release of the Patriarch Tikhon of Russia?

I have no information other than that which has appeared in the Press.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any request from hop growers in the country to cancel the proposed restriction of the 1923 hop crop; whether his attention has been called to the injury which would be inflicted by such restriction on a large number of growers whose whole capital is invested in the industry, as well as upon many branches of labour and trade associated therewith; and whether he will consider the desirability of cancelling the order for restriction?

I am aware that the call to restrict the 1923 hop crop has been very unwelcome to many hop growers who have been replanting the acreage which had been compulsorily grubbed in 1917, but I think that most growers recognise that no other course was possible, on consideration of the fact that the consumption of beer has fallen far below that which was anticipated by those in closest touch with the trade. As I have already explained, should an average crop be produced and picked on the acreage under hops which obtained at the beginning of the year, a very large surplus over requirements would result. The Hop Controller would be unable to take this surplus from growers as he would have no prospect of selling it. Growers were therefore advised of the situation in January last in a notice issued from the Ministry, and they were recommended to arrange to restrict their production in the coming season. It was suggested that this might be undertaken this year as a temporary measure by a careful overhauling of the gardens, weeding out old and worn out plants, etc., and without resorting to permanent grubbing, until the position of the hop industry, which ultimately depends on the consumption of beer, could be more clearly foreseen. The answer to the last part of the question is therefore in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the information furnished in the Fifteenth General Report of the Public Trustee regarding the custodianship of enemy property is inadequate, and in view of the fact that over one-third of the staff of the Public Trustee's Office is employed on this question, which is one of great interest to firms having compensation claims against the German Government, he will see fit to call for a full Report on this branch of the Public Trustee's work?

I think that the hon. and gallant Member will find the information he desires in the Second Annual Report of the Controller of the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts), which was issued last September.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the road scheme submitted to his Department by Mr. Ernest G. Pink; and whether he can give an assurance that, in view of the present traffic problem, this scheme will be given proper consideration?

The scheme referred to has been examined, but I am advised that both on technical and on financial grounds it is impracticable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that in many instances where an appeal against a Schedule A assessment is notified to inspectors of taxes, the appellant subsequently receives a communication from an official describing himself as superintending valuer or district valuer asking for information to be furnished to him, the superintending or district valuer, regarding the property assessed or suggesting an interview with regard to the matter of the assessment; whether he will quote the statutory authority under which such action is taken by superintending valuers or district valuers; and will give an undertaking that the duties imposed by the legislation under which these assessments are being made are performed only by such persons as are specifically authorised by law to perform such duties?

I explained the manner in which the Valuation Department of the Board of Inland Revenue is co-operating, in regard to the Schedule A assessments, in a reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Loughborough (Brigadier-General Spears) on the 4th June. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of that reply, from which he will see that under arrangements made with the knowledge and consent of the local commissioners of taxes, by whom the assessments were made, the valuers have advised the inspectors of taxes in connection with cases of special difficulty. Where, in any such case, an objection is lodged against an assess- ment of annual value, the objection is referred to the valuer concerned, who thereupon endeavours to reach agreement with the taxpayer and advises the inspector of any proposed adjustment. The inspector would normally recommend the amended figure to the local commissioners of taxes for their acceptance in accordance with the practice under which inspectors, with the sanction of the commissioners, endeavour to adjust assessments under all Schedules of Income Tax Acts. This practice, which is of great convenience to the public, in no way usurps the functions of the commissioners of taxes, or infringes upon the taxpayer's right to appear personally before these commissioners in support of his appeal, if he desires to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since, in view of the concessions already announced regarding assessments for Income Tax, Schedule A, many of the assessments already issued are incorrect, it is proposed to withdraw them or to compel appeals in the ordinary course?

As I stated when introducing the concessions to which my hon. Friend refers, the inspectors of taxes are being instructed that due effect is to be given to the revised deductions for Schedule A purposes and the amended annual value limits for Inhabited House Duty purposes, in the demands to be issued for the first payment of tax under the new assessments, which falls due on the 1st January, 1924.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that recipients of unemployed benefit receive no preliminary warning when their term of benefit is likely to expire; and whether steps can be taken to give, say, six days' notice of the termination of benefit?

The instructions already provide that, so far as practicable, notice shall be given to the applicant of the approaching exhaustion of benefit, or of its suspension during a "gap." In order that there may be no doubt on the matter, I am calling the attention of the Exchanges specially to these instructions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in giving preference to ex-service men for employment on relief work, men who served in previous wars but, owing to age or condition, were unable to serve in the late War are to be regarded as ex-service men, and, if not, the reason why?

Men who served in previous wars but did not serve in His Majesty's Forces during the Great War are not regarded as ex-service men for the purpose of preference for employment on relief work. The preference to ex-service men on relief work was instituted largely in recognition of the fact that these men would be likely to have more difficulty in returning to their normal occupations than other men who had not served during the Great War.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the International Materials' Committee, representing the Master Painters' Federation of England and Scotland and the Association of Ireland, have declared in favour of the ratification of the White Lead Convention, and that the operatives in the painting trade have also declared themselves in favour of ratification; and whether, in view of the unanimity of master painters and operatives on this question, the Government will notify its intention of ratifying the Convention?

I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the question of ratifying the Convention is being carefully considered in the light of all the circumstances, and the decision will be announced as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men and women, respectively, have obtained posts, either temporary or casual, in the Civil Service either through the medium of his Department or the Joint Substitution Board during the past 12 months?

Approximately 5,400 temporary posts in Government Departments have been filled by ex-service men and women during the last 12 months, through the medium of the Joint Substitution Board or in the provinces by the Employment Exchanges. Separate figures are not available showing the number of ex-service men and women respectively included in this number, but I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given (by my predecessor) on the 18th April last to the hon. Member for West Nottingham (Mr. Hayday).