asked the President of the Board of Trade the countries, other than the Dominions with whom Great Britain has concluded commercial treaties?

The commercial treaties entered into by this country, and in force before the War, will be found in the "Handbook of Commercial Treaties, etc., between Great Britain and Foreign Powers," by G. de Bernhardt, of which copies can be obtained through the Stationery Office. I understand that a copy is in the Library of this House. Since the publication of this work in 1912 the commercial treaties with ex-enemy countries have been superseded by the Peace Treaties and, in addition, commercial treaties and arrangements have been concluded with the following countries: Honduras, Portugal, Persia, Esthonia, Lithuania, Spain, Afghanistan, Latvia, Czecho-Slovakia, and Roumania. In addition, there is the Trade Agreement with Russia, and special arrangements regarding commercial travellers and their samples with Greece, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an export inquiry for the price of 20 tons of Indigopur was recently offered by the official distributors for the British Government at 7s. 1d. per lb., against the price of the same article for home consumption at 8s. 6d. per lb.; and, in view of the fact that this shows a difference of £3,173 6s. 8d. on this order in favour of the foreign buyer, will he give instructions to the official distributors to discontinue such discrimination against the home user?

I presume that by official distributors the British Dyestuffs Corporation is meant, and I am informed that no such offer as is mentioned in the question has been made by the corporation in respect either of any reparation indigo or of indigo of their own production. If the hon. Member has definite evidence to the contrary, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British merchants shipping goods to South and East Africa by the Conference lines are not informed in advance what the actual freight payable on any consignment will be; whether the Department of the Board of Trade which deals with freight charges has information relative to the freight adjustment method in connection with these Conference lines; whether he is aware that British exporters are handicapped in quoting prices by not knowing in advance what the actual freight payable may be; and whether any representations have been made by British exporters on this subject?

I am informed that there is no difficulty or uncertainty about the ordinary rates of freight, but, owing to foreign competition, an agreement was made with the traders for a special adjustment or refund on shipments to South Africa, the amount of which depends on the extent of competition and on the size of shipments, and cannot, therefore, be determined till after the ships have sailed. It would, of course, be an advantage both to the exporters and to the shipowners if the exact amount of the freight to be paid were known beforehand, but the conditional nature of the refund or adjustment given to the exporter renders this impossible. The Board of Trade keep in touch with these questions of freight adjustment, and has not received any representations from exporters recently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British firms availing themselves of the Overseas Trade Department register and the revenue from this source?

The number of British firms at present availing themselves of the Special Register of the Department of Overseas Trade is 2,661. The total amount received from subscribers in the financial year ended 31st March last was £5,985 16s. 7d. Subscribers are also entitled to receive the Board of Trade Journal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the quantity of German-made jute goods imported into London for the period December, 1922, to May, 1923, amounted to 4,573,192 square yards, and that the declared value of similar goods imported into Liverpool for the three months April-June, 1923, amounted to £124,266 (equal to approximately 7,500,000 square yards); whether he is aware of the increases this shows on previous figures; and, in view of the effect of such importations on unemployment in Dundee, he will say what steps he is taking to remedy the situation?

I am aware that, during the current year, and especially during the June quarter, imports of jute piece goods to this country from Germany have increased considerably. Exports from Germany to other countries have also increased. I observe, however, that the increase of our own exports of jute piece goods during the first half of 1923 over the exports for the corresponding period of 1922 was 18,000,000 square yards, or more than the whole of the imports of such goods from Germany during the half year to June, 1923. I shall be glad to consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend may desire to make.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British and Allied creditors of the Deutsche Bank in London have been paid in full; that a dividend of 6s. in the £ has been paid to ex-enemy creditors and that a further dividend is to be paid shortly; that the British staff of the bank have been refused compensation by the official receiver for the loss of employment and of pension; and whether he will inquire into the whole circumstances of the case before permitting any further payments to be made to creditors?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, but I would point out that the dividend of 6s. in the £ due on the claims of ex-enemy creditors has not been and will not be paid to such creditors. The dividends will be paid to the Public Trustee and applied in meeting claims of British nationals in whose favour German property in this country has been charged. A credit will be given to the German Government in respect of the dividends in question under Article 297 of the Treaty. In October, 1919, the Senior Official Receiver applied to the Court for directions regarding claims for compensation which had been received from the members of the staff of the Deutsche Bank. The Court decided that authority could not be given for the payment of any such claims, but the Judge intimated that any member aggrieved might bring his particular case before the Court. In two cases application was made and some compensation awarded. After further consideration of the matter the Senior Official Receiver again applied to the Judge for authority to make some payment by way of compensation to those members of the staff who had completed 20 years' service. In the early part of 1920 the Court decided that it was unable to sanction the application, but gave authority for the payment of a year's salary to those who had been employed for 25 years. There was no pension fund in this country, but such a fund had been established in Germany by the head office of the Deutsche Bank, to which certain members of the English staff contributed. In July, 1921, the Court decided that the members of the staff had no claim in respect of their contribution to this fund in the winding up of the business of the London agency, but that it was open to them to claim against the fund in Germany through the Clearing Office, and it is understood that such claims have been made. I should like to make it clear that the Official Receiver has no authority to make any payment to the former employees of the Deutsche Bank except under the direction of the Court.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that applicants at the Leeds post office, and elsewhere, have not been able to obtain copies of the Postal Guide, which should have been issued on 1st July; and if the cause of the delay was the dispute at the State printing works at Harrow?

The delay in the issue of the July edition of the Post Office Guide is not attributable to the State printing works at Harrow, but was due to the failure on the part of a firm of contractors to complete the binding for a number of the copies in contract time. The Guides were available at Leeds at the end of last week.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the expenditure and revenue for the first three months of the current financial year for the Post Office wireless stations at Cairo, Leafield, Northolt, and Stone haven, respectively, distinguishing on the revenue side between revenue for commercial traffic and the paper credit for Government traffic; and how these results compare with those of the previous quarter?

The accounts for the period in question are not yet completed, so that I regret I am unable to furnish the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed at an early date to issue licences to private concerns in furtherance of the promised Empire chain of wireless communications; whether the subject is under consideration; and whether there is any reasonable prospect that this work may be begun before the meeting of the Imperial Conference?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on the 24thinstant in connection with the Post Office Estimates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that officers of many years' established service, transferred from the manipulative grades to the Ministry of Labour at Kew as women clerks in 1920 and 1921, are in receipt of smaller salaries than ex-temporary clerks with shorter service who come under the recommendations of the Southborough Committee; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to deal with this state of affairs?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the adoption by His Majesty's Government of the recommendations contained in the Interim Report of the Southborough Committee has improved the position of certain officers appointed to permanent clerical posts in the Ministry of Labour since the War, relatively to that of other officers appointed at an earlier date. The question whether any adjustment is necessary in the case of these latter officers is at the moment under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the recommendations of the Southborough Committee will be applied to the women entrants from the 1919 reconstruction examination; if not, what are the grounds of their exclusion; and, if they are to be included, whether the arrears of salary due to them have yet been paid?

The women entrants from the 1919 examination are not "Lytton entrants," to whom alone the increases recommended by the Southborough Committee apply, and I am not aware of the grounds on which it is suggested that they should be brought within that category. Claims on behalf of these clerks, consequential on the increases given to Lytton entrants, have now been made and are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies is a temporary Department; what is the cost monthly of that Department; wherein lies the special need for this Department, seeing that the Royal Commission on Sugar Supplies has ceased to exist as a separate Department; and how long it is proposed to maintain the Wheat Commission as a separate establishment before the transfer of its duties, as in the case of the Sugar Commission?

The Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies is a temporary Department; the staff is being steadily reduced, the cost of administration during June, 1923, being £655. There are at the present moment claims outstanding amounting approximately to £6,000,000, including matters which are either under arbitration or in litigaton. It is not possible at present to give any definite date by which the Wheat Commission can be wound up, and I may add that its circumstances are not analogous to those of the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if it is proposed to appoint a trade commissioner to Constantinople; and, if so, when the appointment will be made?

I hope to be able to announce in a few days the name of the successor to Captain Courthope-Munroe, who has recently resigned from the post of commercial secretary at Constantinople.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the particulars of the sum of £1,000 12s. appearing in the Supplementary Estimate just issued for Royal Warrant, letters patents, and dockets conferring earldom and viscounty on the right hon. A. J. Balfour; to whom this sum of £1,000 12s. has been paid or is payable; and why the taxpayers of this country are called upon to pay this sum?

The sum in question represents (1) Four patent stamps of £250 each in respect of the peerage and three remainders. (2) A warrant stamp of 10s. (3) A docket stamp of 2s. These amounts are paid over to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. Consequently, no charge falls on the taxpayer. As, however, payment of stamp duties is statutory it is necessary, in order to regularise the position, to make provision in the Estimate now before the House.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the actual cost which would be entailed by presenting the returns derived from the Entertainments Duty under the two categories of outdoor and indoor entertainments and sports?

The yield of the Entertainments Duty cannot be distributed as suggested in the question, as a considerable part of the duty is collected by means of stamped tickets and stamps and there is no information as to the nature of the entertainments for which such tickets and stamps are required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will issue a Return to date of all Government investments in limited companies?

If the hon. Member will move for the particulars given in the House of Commons Paper 250 of 1921 to be brought up to date, a statement in that form will be circulated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of loss for the year ending 31st March, 1923, incurred by the German State railways and Post Office; and how that figure compares with the total national revenue of Germany during the same period?

I have caused careful inquiries to be made, but I very much regret to find that no complete or accurate figures are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will offer the services of a representative of the Ministry with a view to bringing to an end the deadlock which has arisen on the question of harvest wages between the representatives of the farmers and farm workers on the Norfolk Conciliation Committee?

I have placed the services of an officer at the disposal of the parties, and I understand that negotiations are proceeding for a further meeting of the Conciliation Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is in a position to state the nature of the proposed circular letter to conciliation committees that part of the benefits of the Agricultural Rates Act should go to agricultural workers in the form of increased wages?

I think it will be best to issue the circular letter in question in September, when I hope committees will be meeting to settle rates of wages for the winter months. The exact form of the circular has not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many agricultural associations, if any, have been formed under the Agricultural Credits Act; and what is the amount of the loans advanced, if any, to such associations?

The Agricultural Credits Bill has not yet passed into law. The hon. Member will therefore realise that the time has not yet arrived for the formation of approved associations or agricultural credit societies under its provisions, or for making advances thereto.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action has been taken to carry out the objects of the Agricultural Credits Act; and whether any statement can be made to guide farmers who wish to take advantage of its provisions?

The Agricultural Credits Bill has not yet passed into law, but the necessary Regulations have already been prepared and will be issued as soon as the Bill has received the Royal Assent. The name and address of any association which, after the passing of the Act becomes an approved association for the purposes of Clause I of the Act, will be published in the Press at the earliest opportunity, and the Public Works Loan Board will be prepared to deal at once with applications either from an approved association or from individual farmers who desire mortgages under that Clause. As regards Clause II of the Bill, model rules for adoption by Agricultural Credit Societies, and a memorandum for the guidance of agriculturists who desire to avail themselves of the facilities provided by this Clause, are in course of preparation, and a Supplementary Estimate has been presented to the House for the necessary funds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will renew during the coming winter, the grants for drainage work carried out to relieve unemployment; and whether, in view of the serious defects in the laws affecting land drainage, he will consider taking Parliamentary action with a view to county agriculture committees being invested with powers, subject to an appeal to the Ministry, to compel small minorities of landowners to carry out necessary drainage works under schemes promoted by such committees if they have received the assent of not less than 80 per cent., on a mileage basis, of the landowners interested?

The subject raised in the first part of the question is at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 23rd instant to the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Bonwick).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity of foreign potatoes imported into this country during the weeks ended 14th July and 21st July; and what quantity of these potatoes was imported from Holland?

The total quantities of potatoes notified as imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from foreign countries during the weeks ending 14th and 21st July were 8,741 tons and 5,831 tons respectively, of which 667 tons and 1,876 tons respectively were imported from Holland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a state- ment to the House showing what progress has been made in reinstating Norfolk farm workers in the employment which they occupied prior to the recent farm strike in Norfolk?

I understand that the majority of the men who ceased work during the recent dispute in Norfolk secured re-instatement directly after the settlement, and that many of those for whom for various reasons employment could not be found at first have now been absorbed. As the hon. Member is aware, I detailed an officer to make local inquiries in regard to the position of the men who did not obtain immediate re-employment. It was, of course, impracticable for him to deal with every individual case, but in addition to his own efforts he secured the ready collaboration of officers of the county branch of the National Farmers' Union, who have been at considerable trouble to use their influence with their members. I have no precise information as to the number of men still awaiting re-employment, but I understand that the workers' organisations are of the opinion that it is now below 500, as against the 1,200 cases originally reported to me. I am hopeful that the requirements of the approaching harvest will cause a further material amelioration in the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has instituted inquiries into the progress made by ex-service men who have been installed on the land under the Land Settlement Act, 1916?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the men settled under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act of 1919. At the suggestion of the Council of Agriculture for England, the Ministry conducted an inquiry as to the present position and future prospects of ex-service men settled on the land in England and Wales, and prepared a report which has been published by the Stationery Office, covering the period from the Armistice up to Lady Day last. A copy of the Report is being sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he will have a statement prepared setting forth the total amount expended on land settlement in Scotland between the date of the Armistice and the 30th June, 1923; and the amount of the advances which has been repaid during that period?

The total sums borrowed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland from the Public Works Loan Commissioners during the four years ended 31st March, 1923, is £1,113,228. The actual net expenditure from these moneys was £977,476. In addition to this, the net expenditure from the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund was £319,145. Of the total sums borrowed by the Board mentioned above there has been paid to the Public Works Loan Commissioners: Capital, £22,175 10s. 3d.; interest, £128,076 7s. 11d. The amounts paid by holders to the Board in respect of rents and annuities during the period is £114,297 1s. 7d. The total sums voted by Parliament in repayment of loss incurred by the Board during the period, so far as such loss relates to expenditure out of sums borrowed from the Public Works Loan Commissioners, is £136,674 17s. 1d.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) if he will state the various categories in which were placed on enlistment the 700 insane ex-service men for whom the State accepts no responsibility, and also the number of these cases in respect of which any tendency to insanity or epilepsy prior to enlistment was subsequently established by official inquiries;

(2) if, taking the 700 insane ex-service men for whom the State accepts no responsibility, he will state how many served six months, one year, 18 months, two years, and over, respectively; and what was the number of them who enlisted voluntarily, without coming under the Conscription Acts?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will take this question and No. 15 together. I regret that the information asked for is not available, and could not be obtained without a detailed examination involving additional work, which could not be justified.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to a Resolution passed by the Nottingham Guardians expressing regret that the Government did not see fit to provide accommodation of a more fitting character for ex-service men whose mental breakdown had been entailed through their war sufferings; whether he is aware that this resolution was based on the detention of ex-service men in the Nottingham City Asylum; how many of them are there in the institution; and whether they form part of those 700 men for whose condition the State accepts no responsibility?

I have not seen the resolution mentioned. I find, however, from a recent report by a medical inspector of the Ministry, that the 40 service patients in the Nottingham City Asylum, the cost of whose treatment and maintenance is borne by my Department, are well treated and well cared for in that institution. So far as I am aware, there are only two patients now in that asylum for whom the responsibility of my Department terminated last September as expressly provided in the Royal Warrant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the numbers of ex-service men, overseas disabled, overseas non-disabled, and home service, who have been appointed to the Civil Service as a result of the competitions for the clerical class held in 1920, 1921, and 1922, and through the investigating boards?

The number of ex-service men who have been or are about to be appointed to the Civil Service as a result of the competitions for the clerical class held in 1920, 1921 and 1922, and through the Investigating Boards, is 5,794. Detailed information, showing the division of this number into the categories mentioned in the question, is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take the necessary action to make it clearly understood by the responsible officials of his Department that the definition of the word child, as laid down in Article 24 of the- Royal Warrant for the purpose of assessing pensions and allowances, is not applicable to the provisions of Article 246 of the local War Pensions Committee's handbook; and whether he is aware that, despite the provisions of Article 246 of the local War Pensions Committee's handbook, the Ministry of Pensions refuses to pay children's allowances if the child has been born after nine months from the pensioner's discharge?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind the allowances paid in respect of children during a course of treatment, and I would point out that paragraph 242 ( d ) of the handbook (which more than a year ago superseded paragraph 246) expressly authorises payment of these allowances in the case of children born within nine months after treatment commenced.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is is prepared to allow pig keeping to be started at the Orpington Ministry of Pensions' Hospital, seeing that instruction of the shell-shock men there treated in pig keeping would assist their cure and be a step forward to independence on their release from hospital; is he aware that there is a great desire among the inmates of Orpington Hospital that such instruction should be given; and, since the kitchen refuse is now sold for £11 a month, the initial cost of such a scheme would be small and the prospect of it being self-supporting considerable?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for his suggestion, but I am not prepared to adopt it. As the hon. Member may know, suitable occupational treatment is already provided at this hospital as an adjunct to medical treatment, and the existing facilities in that respect are considered adequate.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the number of patients at the Burnham-on-Crouch Orthopædic Clinic has during the past six months fallen below six; whether the clinic is used for other and private purposes; if so, whether such user has been sanctioned by the Minister; whether the same would be made available by the Minister to the other medical men in Burnham if application were made therefor; and whether he will consider the desirability of closing the clinic, in view of the necessity for the utilisation of the premises as a local hospital for Burnham and its neighbourhood?

There are at present four pensioners under treatment at the clinic referred to at the cost of the Ministry. The clinic is, however, not a Ministry institution, but is under the control of the British Red Cross Society. I am not, therefore, in a position to give the information asked for in other parts of the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether an early decision can be given of the new rates of pensions for widows and compassionate allowances for children of mates, commissioned officers from warrant rank, warrant officers, Royal Navy and Royal Marines, coastguards, officers and quartermasters, Royal Marines, which have been under consideration since the revised rates were awarded to other officers in 1920?

The widows' pensions in the case of mates, commissioned officers from warrant rank and warrant officers of the Royal Navy who were on the Active List on l3t February, 1919, have been increased from £30 to £40 per annum and from £25 to £30 per annum respectively. Further, in the case of warrant officers who were on the Active List on the date mentioned, allowances of £5 per annum have been instituted for each child. Previously, the children of warrant officers were not eligible for allowances. The revision of these increased rates and of the rates applicable in the other cases referred to by my hon. Friend is still under consideration, but all possible steps are being taken to secure as early a decision as practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the proposed increase in pre-War naval and military pensions?

I would refer my hon. and gallant friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Devonport (Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the granting of marriage allowance to naval officers is still under consideration by the Admiralty; and can he make any statement on the subject?

As my hon. Friend the Member for Central Portsmouth was informed on the 24th July, consideration is being given to this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether the armour plate, gun mountings, and ordnance of the present naval programme have now been allotted so as to provide work for each of the plants capable of undertaking such orders; and, if any such plants are to remain idle, is a grant being made for their maintenance as national necessities?

The answers to both parts of the question are in the negative. Part of the ordnance has not yet been ordered and some of the existing plant capable of executing some of the orders that have been placed will remain idle, but no specific grant for their maintenance is being made from Public Funds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty if he can specify in which trades apprenties employed in the Plymouth dockyard will be discharged on the completion of their apprenticeship in August; and whether any scheme has been approved for the absorption of those apprentices whose services will be redundant?

As far as can be seen at present, the trades in which discharges will take place are shipwrights, ship fitters, smiths and boilermakers. No scheme has been approved for employing the men whose services will be redundant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the large number of naval ratings recruited from country districts, facilities-may be afforded these men before discharge from the Royal Navy to undergo a course of training at Government expense under the resettlement schemes preparatory to resettling on the land?

In considering the details of the scheme for vocational training of naval ratings, full account will be taken of the requirements of men who desire to settle on the land.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that his Department has issued instructions that dependants' benefit, in respect of applicants whose wives let apartments or lodgings, should be disallowed for the year and not only for the season; and whether, seeing that this instruction places a premium on idleness and penalises those making a struggle for a living, these instructions can be withdrawn?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer on the same subject given to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne) on the 19th July.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet received replies from the National Joint Council of Trade Unions and the National Federation of Employers' Associations on the points submitted to them in connection with insurance by industries; and, if so, what their nature is?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the question asked by him on the subject of insurance by industries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the Committee appointed more than 12 months ago to consider the amendment of the Unemployment Insurance Act as regards payment of benefit during trade disputes cannot come to an agreement, he will take steps to expedite the presentation of the Committee's report so that other action may be taken in this matter?

The Committee is actively considering a very difficult subject; they held meetings last week and this week. I do not think it need be assumed that they cannot come to an agreement. I am informed they have fully in mind the desirability of reporting as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what highway construction has been authorised by his Department in South Yorkshire for the coming winter, and, approximately, for how many men this will provide employment?

In South Yorkshire, as far north as and including Leeds, road schemes of a total value of about £113,000 are now in progress and will probably continue into the autumn. Further schemes of the value of £60,000 have been sanctioned but not yet commenced, and schemes up to £117,000 are still under consideration by the officers of my Department. About 50 per cent. of the total cost goes in wages to men actually employed on the works. The schemes referred to above are all additional to the ordinary works of maintenance and improvement carried out by highway authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the guardians of the Eccleshall Bierlow Poor Law Union are requiring men in receipt of relief to obtain upon specially prepared forms the signatures of firms to whom application for employment is made; whether this action has been taken with his knowledge and concurrence; and whether he will make representations to the guardians on the matter?

I was previously aware of the action reported to have been taken by the guardians, and, as at present advised, I do not see any ground for my intervention.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can produce statistics relating to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Newcastle, showing the cost of living in each of the towns mentioned?

I regret that I am unable to comply with the hon. Member's request.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the capital of the Newfoundland Power and Paper Company, Limited, which is stated to be 21,000,000 dollars, all of which has been issued; what amount has been issued for cash; what other consideration, if any, has passed to make up the balance of this capital; has any money been paid to promoters or has any provision been made in the new company for such payments; has the Newfoundland portion of the loan been underwritten by responsible persons; who will benefit when the debenture stock is paid off; and, if this issue is not successfully floated, whether the Government will withdraw their guarantee?

The whole of the 21,000,000 dollars share capital of the Newfoundland Power and Paper Company, Limited, is represented by extensive timber properties, land, water and other rights, in respect of which substantial sums have been paid and expended. No cash has been paid to promoters as such nor has any provision been made by the company for such payments. The Newfoundland portion of the loan was underwritten by responsible persons, and has already been issued and over-subscribed. When the debenture stock is paid off by means of the sinking fund provided out of the profits of the company, the Government will benefit through being relieved of the liability of implementing its guarantee and the company themselves will benefit by being free of the mortgage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if the issue of 4½ per cent. A Mortgage Debenture Stock of the Newfoundland Power and Paper Company, Limited, received his sanction; what are the past trading results of this company; will he state, as this is a Government guaranteed stock, who are the directors of this company; has any business been conducted since 1915; and, if so, with what results?

The decision to guarantee the issue of 4½ A Mortgage Debenture Stock of the Newfoundland Power and Paper Company, Limited, was arrived at by the Treasury on the advice of the Advisory Committee set up under the Trade Facilities Act in circumstances which were explained at length to the House by me on the 5th December last. The company was incorporated during the War under the name of the Newfoundland Products Corporation, Limited, for the purpose of acquiring certain water rights, timber limits, etc., with a view to their ultimate development. It has not traded since incorporation, nor will it be in a position to do so until the proposed works for which the recent issues were made are completed. There are, therefore, no past trading results. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of the 24th July to the hon. Member for the East Division of Birkenhead (Mr. G. White).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether, in view of the increasing number of motor accidents, he has taken steps to ensure that his Department is supplied with full information on each of them from a mechanical standpoint; and what steps are taken by his Department to ensure proper and adequate tests of the reliability of steering gear?

The divisional road engineers of my Department make inquiries into all the more serious road accidents in their respective areas. In their reports they draw attention to any mechanical defects in the vehicle, or unsatisfactory road conditions, which may have been contributory to the accident, and action is taken on their reports whenever possible. I have no powers to impose tests of road vehicles, either as regards steering gear or any other structural feature. I should add, however, that many licensing authorities hold periodical tests of the public passenger-carrying vehicles licensed in their areas. The question of the desirability of increasing the stringency of these tests is at present under consideration by the Departmental Committee on Hackney Vehicles.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether there has been any increase in casualties arising from the abolition of the motor speed limit; and, if so, whether he will give details?

The maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour has not been abolished, nor has there been any alteration, save in one exceptional instance, in any of the maximum permissible speeds for various types of motor vehicles since 1904.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that discontent exists in the Border district with the train service on the Berwick-Kelso branch; that the connections north and south involve waiting an average of one-and-a-half hours at Berwick or Kelso; and that the best trains to and from Edinburgh are run too late to be of use to business men; and whether, in view of the amalgamation of the North Eastern and North British Railways, he will press for a better service, and so assist an important agricultural area?

My attention had not previously been called to this matter, but I have communicated with the railway company, who state that it is not correct that the connections north and south involve waiting an average of one-and-a-half hours at Berwick or Kelso, and that they have not had any representations that the best trains do not suit the needs of business men, but that if there is any general desire for any particular change in the service they will be glad to look into the matter on receiving details.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coking and byproduct profits for the years 1920; 1921, 1922, and up to 30th June, 1923?

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has called for a report on the recent gob fire at the Maltby Pit; and whether all such fires are promptly reported to the inspectors of his Department?

The inspectors of mines have been in touch with

Destination. 1920. 1921. 1922. First six months of 1923. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. France … 11,690,922 6,395,651 13,579,417 9,510,176 Italy … 2,905,217 3,383,083 6,341,743 3,966,773 Germany … 13,457 817,877 8,345,606 7,964,236 Russia … 92,879 138,878 584,069 150,622 Sweden … 1,372,478 1,232,904 2,522,820 1,422,201 Argentine Republic … 273,668 887,344 2,021,092 1,234,828 Brazil … 158,144 242,223 1,013,221 575,406 Uruguay … 117,480 221,817 502,533 245,500 Spain … 290,141 1,021,472 1,711,021 584,198 Egypt … 985,423 1,017,748 1,743,643 851,487 Denmark … 1,040,107 1,803,561 2,866,233 1,446,565 Norway … 800,917 694,316 1,566,969 835,086 Belgium … 671,385 618,066 3,489,419 3,474,832 Holland … 239,067 1,787,678 6,067,789 2,704,963 Portugal … 301,413 436,365 784,356 415,743 Algeria … 510,837 455,364 1,032,282 593,445 Austria … 99,258* — 3,373 — * Including coal exported to Hungary.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will consider the desirability of setting aside a room in the House of Commons where Members' wives can wait for them?

My right hon. Friend is sorry that adequate accommodation is not available, and that he is, therefore, unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

this occurrence from the outset and keep me informed of the position. So far as I am aware, all fires below ground, in mines are reported to the inspectors forthwith in pursuance of the Statutory Order to this effect.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coal exported to the following countries during the years 1920, 1921, and 1922, and up to the 30th June, 1923: France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, Egypt, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Algeria, and Austria?

The figures are as follow: Destination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the question of a loan either from the British Exchequer or guaranteed by the British Government for the use of the Irish Free State was discussed by him during his recent visit to Dublin; and, if so, with what result?

No, Sir; no request has been made by the Free State Government to His Majesty's Govern- ment, either direct or through me, for a loan or for a guarantee, nor did I discuss such a proposition in any way.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is no precedent in which legislation by a Dominion has overridden and abolished statutory rights of British subjects which have accrued and become vested under legislation of the Imperial Parliament prior to the acquisition of Dominion status by such Dominion; and whether, under these circumstances, he will make representations to the Irish Free State requesting them to reconsider their action in abolishing the statutory vested right of British subjects to compensation for malicious injuries, under awards made before the ratification of the Treaty by the Imperial Parliament?

I am not aware of any exact precedent for the provision to which the hon. and learned Member refers, nor am I aware of any precedent for the circumstances giving rise to it. In view of the fact that by Article 7 of the Heads of Working Arrangements His Majesty's Government agreed in principle to this provision, on the ground that the rights in question were in fact unenforcable and were to be, and have been replaced by rights which are enforcable, my right hon. Friend is not prepared to make any representations such as are suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will present the fortnightly statement of the awards of compensation made in Dublin on account of destruction to property and injuries to persons in the Irish Free State which was promised?

The first detailed report has not yet been received, and I doubt whether, as it will consist merely of long lists of names and amounts, the expense of presentation will be justified. The summary which I have received shows that the total amount paid by the Free State Government in respect of Wood Renton Awards to 30th June was £1,216,877 16s. 9d. and for the fortnight ending 14th July was a further £141,558 1s. 9d.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that full information of the discovered bodies of two British officers murdered at Macroom is in the possession of the Irish Free State; and will he obtain this information and communicate it to the House?

I have made inquiry of the Free State Government and was informed last night that they have no information as to the discovery of the bodies of the two officers referred to. My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that in reply to the question which he addressed to me on the 12th instant I asked him to place at my disposal any information in his possession. I have only just received my hon. Friend's letter, but in view of the information therein contained I will take up the matter further.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if Kilmainham Hospital, Dublin, has been handed over to the Free State Government; if he is aware that Kilmainham Hospital was founded as a charitable institution and used very largely for that purpose, and that, notwithstanding, proposals have been made in the Irish Free State that the building should be taken over entirely for purposes of the Government; and will he take steps to preserve the charity for the purposes for which it was appointed?

As regards the first and third parts of the question, the building is the property, not of the British Government, but of the Corporation of the Charity, and I understand that conversations are taking place between the Corporation and the Government of the Irish Free State with a view to the transfer of the property to that Government, subject to proper arrangements being made. The reply to the second part is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, His Majesty's Government have every intention of safeguarding as far as possible the interests of the pensioners, and they believe that they can count on the cooperation of the Irish Free State in securing this object. They do not think, however, that under present conditions a hospital of this character, which, though a charity is also an Army institution kept up practically at the expense of Army funds, can conveniently remain established in perpetuity in the Free State. They are therefore not prepared to oppose the desire of the Free State Government to use the buildings for other purposes. The precise arrangements which will be made are still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the unrest at present in Iraq is mainly due to religious or political reasons; and whether there has been any need hitherto to resort to military measures to suppress trouble in connection with it?

I am not aware that there is any unrest in Iraq at the present time. There has been no question of a resort to military measures.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Powers have decided to postpone the judicial conference on extraterritoriality in China indefinitely; and whether he will make it clear that this conference will not be commenced until there is some return in China to tranquillity?

The matter is still under consideration by the Governments concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has considered the effect on Chinese internal politics of prohibiting Chinese agitators of any sort or kind from taking sanctuary in the international concessions; and whether the adoption of the policy will be considered?

The difficulties in the way of carrying out such a policy, both equitably and effectively, are such as to render the hon. Member's suggestion impracticable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Commissioners for the Ottoman Debt have consented to the scheme to grant exclusive or monopoly rights over all Turkish exports and imports to an English company known as the Corporation for the Economic Development of Turkey, Limited?

I have no information to this effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can inquire from the British consular authorities in the Philippines and Porto Rico whether the American prohibition law is being applied in their districts, and, if so, on what lines?

According to Regulations issued on the 2nd June by the United States Treasury Department, the provisions of the National Prohibition Act do not apply to the territory or the territorial waters of the Philippine Islands. No reference is made to the exclusion of Porto Rico from the effects of the Act, which is presumably being applied in that island on the same lines as in other portions of the United States.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when it is anticipated that the Rifle Brigade will leave Chanak and return to England?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 19th July to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the losses experienced in agriculture during the present time, he will consider the desirability of a larger proportion of home-produced meat than is now supplied to the Army being obtained in Great Britain?

This matter has lately been under consideration and has not yet been definitely settled, but I fear, owing to the very heavy extra cost which would be incurred, it is unlikely that much can be done at the present time on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the family of a non-commissioned officer who, prior to being killed in action in the late War, was mentioned in despatches is entitled to have the bronze oak leaf issued with the medal; whether he is aware that a letter making this inquiry was addressed to the War Office on 15th June by Lieut.-Colonel F. Rayner, D.S.O., Territorial Force, retired, giving full particulars of the case of the late Sergeant T. S. Jackson, No. 265,464, mentioned in despatches 9th April, 1917, "London Gazette" Supplement, 25th May, 1917, Certificate of Mention, dated 1st March, 1919, No. L.G. 30,093, and a further letter on 2nd July, but that no acknowledgment or reply has been sent to either communication; and will he cause inquiry to be made into the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The emblem has now been sent to Mrs. Jackson, and Lieut.-Colonel Rayner has been so informed. I regret the delay, which was due to an oversight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the fees payable by a parent for a cadet at Woolwich Academy now amount to £500 for the two years he is required by the Army authorities to remain there, and that such fees restrict the choice of cadets to the sons of rich parents, and are thus contrary to the policy of selecting officers from the best brains of the country; and whether, since after having passed into Woolwich the cadet becomes a servant of the State, he will consider whether cadets ought to be entirely, or at any rate partially, maintained by the State?

I am aware that the maximum fee payable is £200 a year, with £100 for uniform and books, but prize cadetships are awarded accord- ing to order of merit in the entrance examinations, and the fees are also reduced to amounts varying from £105 to nil in the case of the sons of regular officers and men. In these circumstances, I do not think the suggestions made are accurate, and I would point out that cadets are not yet the servants of the State. They are being educated for their profession, and I believe that the fees charged, which do not cover the full cost to the State, compare favourably with those charged at public schools and similar institutions where other boys and young men are being similarly educated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War when the committee which has been investigating the question of the system of accountancy in the Army was set up and when it may be expected to report?

This Committee was set up a year ago and is expected to report in October.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any employés at the Woolwich Arsenal are in receipt of wages amounting only to £2 4s. a week; and whether he has received any representations that in many cases such wages are lower than the amount received from the guardians for an unemployed man and his family?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the scales of outdoor relief payable by guardians of the poor have on occasion been mentioned by deputations in connection with the wages paid at the Arsenal, but I do not trace any recent representations on the point. I presume the guardians give relief according to the size of a man's family.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the public vaccinator of Salford insisted on vaccinating the child of Mr. R. Headon, of 79, Nora Street, Lower Broughton, in spite of the fact that the period during which a conscientious objection to vaccination may to be lodged had not expired, the child having been born on 10th March and vaccination taking place on 19th April; and what steps does he propose taking to prevent this abuse of the Regulations?

My right hon. Friend has communicated with the guardians in reference to this case, and is informed that the public vaccinator called at the house of Mr. Headon on the 19th April and offered to vaccinate the child; that the mother did not raise any objection or demur in any way; and that she has confirmed this statement, but added that she thought vaccination was compulsory. There is no evidence that the public vaccinator insisted on vaccinating the child without the parent's consent, or of any abuse of the Regulations which calls for any special action on the part of the Minister. I may add that the exemption certificate of conscientious objection is dated 25 days after the child had been vaccinated.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the different interpretation which local authorities will place on the term "market value" in Clause 20 of the Housing Act he will indicate the principles and methods of valuation to be followed; and whether he will instruct local authorities to have regard to the purchase prices of new houses in their several localities when arriving at the market value of houses in respect of which loans are applied for?

My right hon. Friend does not think any difficulty will arise as regards the method of valuation for the purpose of Clause 22 of the Housing Bill, and he does not propose to issue any special instructions. The valuers appointed by the local authorities will value as for an ordinary mortgage, having regard to the local circumstances and the period of the proposed loan.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the result of inquiry has shown that in certain private mental institutions patients have been illegally confined owing to their having been seen by no magistrate, and having been served with no notice of their right of appeal to a judicial authority (though admitted by the medical superintendent to be competent to exercise this right), he will state in how many instances, and in which institutions, occurrences of this kind have taken place; and, to avoid the perpetuation of injustice of this nature, will he see that those illegally detained are forthwith released, and that steps are immediately taken to declare invalid the certification of all such as have in this respect been illegally detained since the passing of the Lunacy Act, 1890, in accordance with the precedent noted in the 66th Report of the Lunacy Commissioners themselves, where the certification of 69 paupers who had not been seen by a magistrate was declared by them to have been illegal and, therefore, invalid?

The hon. Member has been supplied with the number of instances and the particular circumstances in which certain private patients admitted during 1922 to private mental institutions in England and Wales were not seen by a magistrate and the provisions of Section 8 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, not fully adhered to. The private institutions where the omissions occurred were three provincial licensed houses. I am advised that failure to comply fully with the requirements of the Section in question, which relates only to private patients, does not invalidate the reception orders. The precedent noted in the 66th Report of the Commissioners in Lunacy refers to pauper patients, who are on an entirely different legal footing from private patients, and to whom Section 8 does not apply. My right hon. Friend has already informed the hon. Member that the authorities concerned have been warned and have given assurances that the law will be strictly observed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has inquired into the asylum regulations in regard to requiring four weeks' notice before a petitioner can discharge a private patient, which apparently result in a contravention, of Section 72 of the Lunacy Act and give an unfair advantage to the rich over the poor; and will he see that this matter is placed on a more equitable footing?

I have made the necessary inquiries, and now have the matter under consideration. I shall be in a position in a few days to communicate the result to the hon. Member, as promised in my previous reply.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position of the movement in his Department to carry out the recommendation of the Departmental Committee in favour of standards of quality for cream, dried milk, and cheese?

The draft Regulations dealing with dried milk have now been published in accordance with the requirements of the Rules Publication Act, 1893. As regards cream and cheese, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on this subject on the 11th instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has approved of the appointment of Mr. C. H. Waters as a sanitary inspector to the Fareham Urban District Council; what are the duties of this officer; and what salary is he to be paid?

The appointment referred to is that of honorary assistant sanitary inspector, and is not subject to my approval. I understand that Mr. Waters' duties are to see that the by-laws relating to slaughtering of animals are properly carried out.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the drastic reductions in the salaries of teachers proposed by the Perthshire education authority; what is the attitude of the Scottish Education Department in this matter; and what action has been taken?

No proposals for amendment of the present approved scheme of salaries have been submitted to the Department by the Perthshire education authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the trust money left in 1610 by the late John Southland for the education of only poor boys in Southlands grammar school, new Romney, Kent, has hitherto been used for the children of the well-to-do classes; and whether he will take steps to provide that in future scholarships for entrance from the elementary to Southlands grammar school shall only be available for the children of parents whose income does not exceed £100 a year?

John Southland's trust provided for the education of two poor children, and the existing scheme of the 22nd December, 1916, continues that provision. I do not think that the trust money has been used for the children of the well-to-do classes. A new scheme for the administration of the trust has lately been published, which provides that the whole of the endowment shall ultimately be applied in providing scholarships, etc., for children who have attended public elementary schools for two years. Such a provision is usually sufficient to secure that the scholarships shall go to poor children, but I am considering whether any amendment of the wording of the scheme may be desirable in this case in order to secure that end more effectually. I do not think a fixed income limit of £100 a year, such as is suggested, would be satisfactory.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that students who have sat for examinations in the various training colleges frequently do not know the results until after a period of from two to four months; and whether, in view of the nervous strain and anxiety thus occasioned to the young people in question, whose continuing studies are likely to be hampered by such strain, steps can be taken to ensure the publication of examination results within, say, one month of the date of such examination?

The examinations which are taken by students in training colleges during their course of training are held under varying conditions, and my right hon. Friend does not think it would be reasonable to expect that the results of these examinations should in all cases be published within one month of the date of the examination. If the hon. Member will furnish my right hon. Friend with particulars of any case in which he considers there has been excessive delay, he will look into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if arrangements have yet been made to put pre-police-strike pensioners on the same basis as post-strike pensioners?

If the hon. Member refers to the pensoners who retired before 1st April, 1919, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary what are the returns of aliens permitted to land in this country for the purpose of work or fulfilling engagements to work in the three months ending 30th June last; from what foreign countries did these immigrants originate; and how many of them have been permitted to remain in this country for a period of more than three months?

During the three months ending 30th June, 668 aliens were permitted to land in this country, who held permits issued by the Ministry of Labour under Article 1 (3) ( b ) of the Aliens Order, to take up employment. Of these, 314 were males, 326 females, and 28 were dependent children. 136 were United states citizens, 123 Swiss, 100 French, 71 Scandinavians, 55 Italians, 32 Belgians, 27 Dutch, and the remainder belonged to various nationalities. I am sorry I cannot supply the information asked for in the last clause of the ques- tion, but I may say that a considerable proportion of those admitted held permits valid only for a limited period, and it is obvious that very few can yet have been here more than three months.

asked the Home Secretary what is the number of men magistrates and women magistrates; what is the number of magistrates' benches in England and Wales; and how many of these include no women among the magistrates?

It is impossible to state precisely the present number of magistrates. Since the passing of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, 1919, 886 women have been appointed magistrates in England and Wales, but the Lord Chancellor has no knowledge how they are distributed among the several Petty Sessional Divisions. There are women upon the Commissions of the Peace of 59 counties, and there are two counties (Rutland and the Liberty of Ripon) where there are no women upon the Commission. There are women on 127 Borough Commissions, and on the Commissions of 95 boroughs (mainly small boroughs) there are no women. The work of placing women upon all the Commissions is proceeding as opportunity offers, but like the appointment of magistrates generally, it necessarily requires much care, and the question has to be considered upon each occasion in relation to the circumstances of the place concerned.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions for petty offences under the Shops (Early Closing) Acts were brought during 1922?

I have no means of distinguishing petty offences from other offences in the returns. The total number of prosecutions in 1922 for offences against the Shops Acts was 3082, but this includes prosecutions under the Acts of 1912 and 1913 as well as under the Acts of 1920 and 1921, and separate figures for the latter Acts are not available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to prohibit the commercialisation of the national flag by prohibiting its use to the petrol and other companes which now employ it for advertising purposes?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 5th instant on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the refusal of the Metropolitan police authorities to permit the filming of the Chiswick fire brigade in ordinary dry practice drill; whether he is aware that this suggested filming was approved by the local council and not objected to either by the residents of the street in which it was to take place, far away from all main traffic; and whether he will, in the interests of the British film industry, state why this facility was refused when on a recent occasion permission was given to an American film firm for photographing in Trafalgar Square?

I am informed that a film company attempted to reproduce a fire scene on a derelict house in Chiswick. They started operations without getting the sanction of the police; the roadway was soon completely obstructed, and finally, as a result of warnings from the police that an offence was being committed, the project was abandoned. I am told that the Chiswick Urban District Council, when agreeing to allow the fire brigade to take part, stipulated that the film company should obtain the approval of the Commissioner of Police to the arrangements. There is no comparison between this case and the arrangements made for a film scene in Trafalgar Square, where the conditions were not such as to cause obstruction or danger to the public.

asked the Prime Minister whether the money and indus- trial products which may be taken by our Allies during the military occupation by them of the Ruhr district are accounted for to or come under the purview of the Reparations Commission in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles; and, if so, what is the approximate total value in sterling or francs of the money or commodities so seized since the commencement of the military occupation?

The money and industrial products taken have not up to the present been accounted for to the Reparation Commission. No information as to the value of the seizures has been received officially by the Reparation Commission or by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the constructive facilities and resources available in His Majesty's dockyard, Portsmouth, and the fact that a large portion of the naval forces are based on Portsmouth, His Majesty's Government will consider utilising His Majesty's dockyard at Portsmouth for the construction and repair of aero-planes and other aircraft required for the Royal Air Service?

I am fully alive to the desirability of utilising to the utmost extent practicable existing Government resources for Government work, and the naval establishments do carry out for the Air Ministry certain kinds of work for which they are peculiarly fitted, such as the supply of torpedoes. It is, however, the policy of the Air Ministry to rely upon the aircraft industry for construction and, except to the extent necessary to maintain a minimum Royal Air Force organisation, for repairs. I do not think that it would be advantageous to transfer such work to His Majesty's dockyards.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a non-resident solicitor has been appointed registrar of the Llanrwst County Court, though all the public authorities in the place petitioned for a resident registrar; whether the intention is to prepare the way for linking the Llanrwst office to the Llandudno office; and whether, having regard to the great inconvenience and hardship that would be caused thereby to the inhabitants of Llanrwst and district, he will take steps to prevent the carrying out of such a project?

I am informed that no petition was presented asking that the registrar should be appointed from amongst solicitors resi- dent in Llanrwst. The Judge of Circuit No. 29 has, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor, appointed to the vacant Registrarship the gentleman who, in his opinion and that of his Lordship, was most suitable for the office. No inconvenience or hardship will result to the inhabitants of Llanrwst, nor will facilities heretofore enjoyed by them be curtailed in any way by reason of the fact that the gentleman appointed does not reside in Llanrwst itself. The question of the arrangements to be made in the future for Llanrwst must remain for consideration at a later date, in the light of the circumstances as they then are.