asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the possibility of modifying the Regulations governing the issue of medals for war service so that those who enlisted for general service, but were prevented from going overseas owing to injuries sustained on duty whilst serving at home prior to being sent abroad, may receive medals which are already granted to members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who also never went abroad?

I regret that I cannot undertake to revise the conditions governing the issue of the medals in question. Those conditions were finally settled, after very full consideration, some time ago. It has always been recognised that they are not identical for the Navy and the other Services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the numbers employed at the War Office and the total personnel in the Army in 1913–14 and at the present time?

The numbers are

1913–14. Present time. Employed at the War Office 1,580 2,820 Personnel in the Army (Vote A, exclusive of "additional numbers") 182,300 156,129

I need hardly point out that the size of the Army is only one of the many factors affecting the size of the War Office staff The hon. Member will realise that much work in the nature of war aftermath, in connection, for instance, with medals, occupied lands and buildings, soldiers effects, has still to be disposed of. Further, the permanent organisation of the post-War Army is, however, so much more complicated and technical, in such matters as tanks, signalling, cost accounting, than the pre-War Army was, that there is no prospect that the strength of the War Office can even be brought down to the pre-War figures.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of the standing Army of Great Britain as compared with 1913–14, regard being had to the changes consequential on the establishment of the Irish Free State?

The authorised strengths, including the British Army in India, are All Ranks. 1913–14 … … … 259,197 1923–24 … … … 229,238

The former figure includes 1,005 on account of the Royal Flying Corps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has now completed his inquiries regarding the public disorder and riot caused by officers of the Territorials who, though in plain clothes, led between 200 and 300 soldiers in training at Girvan camp down to an open-air meeting of the Independent Labour party at the harbour; whether he now knows the reason for the platform being rushed, women jostled, and the chairman, Parish-councillor Stoddart, a man lame from boyhood, and between 50 and 60 years of age, struck on the head with a trench-tool; and whether he will have the fullest inquiries made with a view to the guilty persons being prosecuted?

Yes, Sir, I have now obtained a report. It appears that some political speakers, who were addressing in the open air a crowd partly composed of Territorials under training, began the trouble by using language of a very provocative and insulting character regarding the troops. A section of the crowd, including some of the Territorials present, naturally resented this language, and the principal speaker, who declined to apologise, was ejected from the barrow on which he was standing. Other speakers, however, persisted, and some noise and disorder followed, but was stopped in a few minutes by the Territorial officers present, who restrained the crowd, got the troops to fall in, and marched them back to camp. The evidence before me does not support the suggestion that the troops were marched down to the meeting by their officers. On the contrary, their presence appears to have been quite accidental, and they were within their rights as individual citizens in being present. For obvious reasons, however, attendance at such meetings was subsequently forbidden during the remainder of the training. I naturally much regret that Mr. Stoddart should have been hurt, but it has not been shown that any Territorial was responsible in the matter. Mr. Stoddart was escorted back to his house by a Territorial officer. It does not seem to be suggested that anybody else was hurt. On the case as a whole I see no reason for taking further action. The speakers at the meeting appear to have been responsible for provoking disorder in the first instance, and I think that the officers and other ranks present deserve commendation for the promptitude with which order was restored.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the conditions of service of the men who were employed in the Royal Ordnance Department, Dublin, were that they were practically guaranteed employment until the age of 60; that some of the men recently discharged on account of the change of government have served periods ranging up to 33 years; that no previous case is known of the discharge of men except for misconduct; that these men, including the pre-War regularly employed men, have not been given the option of transfer to other depots in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, but were given the offer of having their names entered upon waiting lists in the event of vacancies arising; and that the fact that these men received their gratuity is proof that they were not offered employment elsewhere; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will reconsider the decision that no further assistance can be given and let the men have a reply to the claim for compensation which they have sent in?

I think the hon. Member has been misinformed. As I explained before, it is not the case that Army Ordnance Department employés are guaranteed employment until the age of 60, or that none of them have in the past been discharged when work has no longer been available for them. I regret that I am not in a position to reconsider the general decision, but if the hon. Member cares to furnish me with names and other particulars of any pre-War employés who are alleged not to have had the option to transfer to other depots, I shall be glad to look into the individual cases. A reply to the communications recently received is about to be sent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Parkgate Iron and Steel Works, Messrs. Steel, Peach and Tozers, of Rotherham, or Messrs. Samuel Fox, of Stocksbridge, are engaged upon any work for his Department; if so, whether he is aware that the labourers employed by these firms receive only £1 10s. per week after stoppages for insurance, etc., whilst the district rate is £2 1s., and that with the fall in the cost of living these men are suffering reductions in wages according to a sliding scale, although they never received the benefit of any scale when the cost of living was rising; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter in order to secure the observance of the Fair Wages Clause?

The firms in question hold contracts for the supply of materials to this Department. No complaint has been received that the firms are not complying with the terms of the Fair Wages Resolution, but, in view of the statements in the question, inquiries will now be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if any further progress has been made with the Brennan helicopter; and when, if ever, some attempt will be made to make a trial of the machine in the open air?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the Secretary of State for Air who is the present Air Attaché at Washington; what are his duties; when and by whom he was appointed; and whether, having regard to the necessity for rigid economy, he will consider the abolition of this office forthwith?

The present Air Attaché at Washington is Group Captain M. G. Christie, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.C. His duties are to keep His Majesty's Government informed of the development of aviation in all its aspects in the United States of America. He was appointed in April, 1922, by my predecessor in office, with the concurrence of the Foreign Office. As regards the suggestion in the last part of the question, I do not think that it would be in the public interest to terminate this appointment, which enables the Air Ministry, as no other arrangement would, to keep in constant and intimate touch with the progress of aeronautics in the United States of America.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to carry out the suggestion contained in the Report of the Select Committee on Air Estimates that the practice of having duplicate naval and Air Force engineers' shops, carpenters' shops, and armourers' shop and clothing stores on board carriers should be abandoned and joint shops for the two forces be established?

This and other suggestions for effecting economies in aircraft carriers have been for some time, and still are, engaging the serious attention of the Admiralty and the Air Ministry. It must, however, be pointed out that there are practical difficulties in the way of combining the aircraft workshops with the existing engineering shops on board, and this is also true of the other workshops referred to. I may add that I am most anxious to avoid the possibility of any unnecessary duplication.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state the rules governing the commutation of service pensions?

A full statement of the rules in question would involve a very long answer, and I am sending information on the subject to the hon. Member privately. If he will indicate to me any point on which he requires additional information I shall be very glad to assist him further.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has yet decided on Army Form D 415; and if he will amend this form so as to include extra categories of persons, entitled to sign?

Yes, Sir, It has been decided to amend this form so as to enable it to be signed, not only by magistrates and the police, but by the pensioner's doctor, by local ministers of religion, and by any commissioned officer, whether serving or retired, of the Navy, Army or Air Force.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what are the qualications of Mr. Milne for his proposed appointment to the ancient monuments branch of the Office of Works; and whether, in view of Treasury Circular numbered E2,392/21, which affirms the undesirability of reinstating civil servants who have previously resigned, as did Mr. Milne, and of the repeated assurances of the Government that it would in all cases of new appointments safeguard the rights of temporary civil servants and ex-service men, he will cause an inquiry to be made as to why Mr. Milne has been selected?

The special qualifications required for the work of the ancient monuments and historic buildings branch of the Office of Works, and which Mr. Milne possesses, include a considerable experience of all bending movements on masonry piers, a highly specialised mathematical knowledge of stresses and strains and of other problems arising out of this method of construction in dealing with ancient structures, knowledge of work incidental to the testing of materials, investigation of new methods of construction, new materials, plant, etc., an experience of costing systems and ability to control directly employed staff. The circumstances were considered by the Treasury to be sufficiently exceptional to justify reinstatement, and in view of the fact, stated in my reply on the 16th instant, that the appointment is in the best interests of the public service, I see no reason for my making any further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to a representation made to the regional director, London district, by the Ealing, Acton, Southall, Uxbridge, and district war pensions committee as to the insufficient accommodation provided at their Ealing office, and to the inadequate size of the staff, in view of the large number of cases dealt with; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take?

The accommodation at this office is admittedly barely sufficient and steps are being taken to provide additional space. The staff is adequate for the normal work of the office. There is, however, some arrear of work and assistance has been sent there temporarily.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the official decision not to meet the extra cost entailed by the award to the Lytton entrants of the Southborough Committee by means of the introduction of a Supplementary Estimate, he can state how it is proposed to effect the necessary equivalent economies without affecting the remuneration of the existing staff?

Departments will be expected, as in all ordinary cases of unforseen expenditure, to meet the additional charge arising out of the adoption of the Southborough Committee recommendations from general savings on their Votes.

asked the Prime Minister upon what grounds the ex-temporary women clerks and ex-service women who entered the clerical class through the 1919 special examination have been excluded from the provisions of the Southborough Committee award; and whether he will reconsider this decision, in view of the fact that the result is to adversely affect those who took the first opportunity of establishment open to them?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the Prime Minister in 1918 received a deputation from women civil servants, supported by representatives of ex-service men, as a result of which he adopted certain details recommended by the deputation in connection with a proposed establishment examination for female temporary staffs, including provision for the examination of ex-service women, and that in fact many ex-service and other temporary women clerks sat for the resultant examination in 1919, he will have the position of these women reconsidered, as they are now worse off financially than they would have been had they remained temporary employés and entered through the 1920 examination?

I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 26th July to the hon. Member for Lambeth North (Mr. Briant).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the Southborough Committee excludes from consideration the starting pay of all but the 1920 examination clerical officer entrants, and that the result of this is that ex-service and other extemporary women who passed the more difficult 1919 examination for establishment, and therefore average two to three more years of established service than those to whom the award was paid out, are now actually in receipt of lower wages than the 1920 examinees, he will say what steps he proposes to take to correct this anomaly?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Allen Parkinson).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make a statement before the House rises as to the position of the worse-paid entrants into the permanent Civil Service from the temporary ranks, the writing assistants who were excluded from the terms of reference of the Southborough Committee on the understanding that they would be dealt with equally fairly and expeditiously by Whitley machinery; and whether the statement will be made in such a form that if the position is not satisfactory the Southborough Committee will be empowered to deal with this question before the wage cuts in September take place, which will reduce the average wage of those concerned below 39s. a week?

The question of the remuneration of writing assistants, including those who were appointed from the special limited competitions for temporary staffs, is under discussion on a committee of the National Whitley Council. I am unable to reconsider the decision that this question is not one proper for the consideration of the Southborough Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has seen the prospectus, dated 6th July, 1923, of the Hoffman Manufacturing Company, Limited; and whether he can explain to the House the circumstances in which the Government sustained a loss in selling shares in a company the assets of which have increased during ownership and the profits of which average £107,549 per annum?

I have to-day seen a copy of the prospectus which appeared in the newspapers. The loss arises by reason of the difference between the price at which the shares were sold, and the price at which they were bought during the period of high war profits plus the expenditure incurred in extending the manufacture of ball bearings for war purposes. I may add that the company was bought as a going concern and sold as such.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the high charge being made for many Government publications which are frequently required for reference, such as the Income Tax Act, 1918, the Companies Consolidation Act, and other similar Acts, steps are taken before these documents are printed to obtain competitive tenders from private firms or whether all orders are placed without such tenders with the State printing works?

The printing of Acts of Parliament is provided for under a contract extending over a term of years. The contract has for many years, and still is, held by a private firm.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Income Tax claims made by persons not resident in the United Kingdom, which have formerly been admitted and repaid on account of residence abroad, are now being reviewed and refused; by what authority the Chief Inspector of Taxes Department has made demands for a refund of sums so repaid; and to what body of Commissioners persons aggrieved by this action have the right of appeal?

I am not aware of the cases to which my hon. Friend refers. If he will furnish me with particulars of any case he has in mind, I will gladly inquire into it and communicate to him the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that un-covenanted Indian civil servants who have no residence in England, but spend II or 12 months' leave in England, are charged Income Tax upon their salaries and other income during their stay in England; and, if so, whether this charge is made inadvertently or intentionally?

In cases of the class to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, liability to Income Tax has always existed in respect of salary or other income received in or remitted to this country where there has been residence here for a period or periods amounting in the whole to six months or more in a year of assessment. With regard to the machinery for the collecting of Income Tax upon salary paid in this country, I would invite my hon. and learned Friend's attention to Section 17 of this year's Finance Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with regard to reassessments under Schedule A, he will state how the rack rent is ascertained for the purpose of reassessment in cases where the hereditament was let on lease at a rack rent more than seven years ago; is he aware that assessments are being made in such cases in substantial excess of the rent the owner receives from the hereditament; and, having regard to the principles' that govern the assessment of property in the present quinquennial reassessment which he has recently made public, what action does he propose to take?

The annual value of a hereditament let as stated by my hon. Friend requires to be estimated after a consideration of all the circumstances, and in particular by reference to the rents paid under recent agreements for any similar properties in the vicinity, as in the case of owner-occupier properties for which no rent is paid. The annual value so arrived at would often be in excess of the rent the owner actually receives, but I do not accept the suggestion in the third part of the question that this conflicts with the public announcement recently made. I would refer my hon. Friend to replies made to the hon. Member for the Bosworth Division of Leicester on 24th July, and to the hon. Member for Caerphilly on 26th July, which bear upon this matter. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of those replies.

asked the Minister of Health whether the sanction given to the appointment of a sanitary inspector to the Ledbury Rural District Council at a salary of £150 per annum was based upon a considered policy that a local authority can obtain and retain the services of a qualified and experienced sanitary inspector at such an inclusive salary, having regard to the duties of the office and the present cost of living?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon.

SMALL-POX—ENGLAND AND WALES. Year. Number of Cases. Number of Deaths. Mortality per cent. of Cases. Percentage of total Cases at Age Periods. 1–15 15–30 30–40 40–50 50 and upwards. 1918 63 2 3.2 31.8 23.8 23.8 6.3 14.3 1919* 311 28 9.0 17.7 29.6 17.4 18.6 15.8 1920 280 30 10.7 33.6 23.6 12.5 19.6 10.7 1921 336 5 1.5 47.0 20.6 8.9 10.7 12.8 1922 973 27 2.8 47.6 22.1 7.9 10.7 11.7 1923(January—June inclusive) l,227† Information not yet available. * No information received as to age of 3 cases in 1919. † Subject to revision.

Friend gave to a question as to this appointment on 13th June. The salary of £150 per annum is a commencing salary and the Minister will consider sympathetically any proposal of the local authority to make a reasonable increase on satisfactory service.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received the final Report of the inquiry recently held in Liverpool in connection with the Garston housing scheme; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the final Report, but understands that it is very nearly completed.

asked the Minister of Health if he will submit figures giving particulars in respect of the years 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and the first half of 1923, showing the total number of cases of small-pox and deaths from that disease in each year, and the mortality per cent. of the cases: and the percentages of the total cases that occurred in the following age periods, 1 to 15, 15 to 30, 30 to 45, and 45 upwards?

The particulars asked for are given in the following statement, except that the figures for the age periods 30 to 45, and 45 upwards are not available. The statement gives the percentages of total cases for the age periods 30 to 40, 40 to 50, and 50 upwards:

asked the Minister of Health if he will supply particulars of the cases of small pox and deaths from that disease which have occurred in the cities of Berlin and Paris, respectively,

SMALL-POX, 1913–1922. Year. Berlin. Year. Paris. Cases. Deaths. Cases. Deaths. 1913 … … 4 0 1913 … … 33 1 1914 … … 8 0 1914 … … 39 3 1915 … … 26 1 1915 … … 4 0 1916 … … 3 0 1916 … … 2 1 1917 … … 288 39 1917 … … 3 0 1918 … … 1 0 1918 … … 53 20 1919 … … 22 6 1919 … … 132 32 1920 … … 7 (Figures not yet available). 1920 … … 11 1 1921 … … 1 Do 1921 … … 8 1 1922 … … 0 0 1922 … … 4 1

asked the Minister of Health what were the ages of the seven persons registered in the year 1922 as dying from cow-pox and other effects of vaccination?

The ages were as follow 1 aged 21 days; 2 aged 4 months; 1 aged 5 months; 1 aged 6 months; 1 aged 18 months; and 1 aged 55 years.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many rating areas are very heavily burdened with rates and debt in consequence of unemployment; that their bank credits are exhausted; and that the plight of these necessitous areas has been brought frequently to the notice of his Department; and what action he is taking to deal with this problem?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to state the decision of the Government on this question before the House rises.

duing each of the last 10 years for which the figures are available?

The particulars required are shown in the following statement:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the actual extent to date to which he has exercised his borrowing powers under the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1922?

The balance of advances outstanding at 30th June, 1923, was £15,600,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the statistics of unemployment in the insured industries ontained in the current issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" are presented differently from those contained in the previous issues of this publication; whether he is aware that the omission of figures giving the total number of workpeople employed in the various industries and of percentages showing the relation of unemployed to employed and the rise and fall of unemployment is an inconvenience to many subscribers to the journal; and whether he will consider the desirability of reverting to the former method of presenting such information in its entirety in the next and subsequent numbers?

The omission of the figures referred to is temporary and is due to a change in classification, designed to increase the utility of the statistics. The reasons are explained in greater detail in the current issue of the "Labour Gazette," where it is also stated that the publication of the omitted figures will be resumed as soon as possible.

NUMBER OF PERSONS ON THE LIVE REGISTER OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES IN THE AREAS STATED. Date. Great Britain. North-Eastern Area. Newcastle-on-Tyne, Elswick and Heaton. May 7th, 1923 … … … 1,203,796 202,559 20,747 June 4th, 1923 … … … 1,187,047 207,037 20,861 July 2nd, 1923 … … … 1,191,350 211,358 19,701 July 16th, 1923 … … … 1,180,661 214,276 20,113

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed people in receipt of unemployment benefit per week, as from 4th June to 22nd July, 1923, for the district of Oldbury, Stourbridge,

Week ended. Number paid. Oldbury. Stourbridge. Cradley Heath. June 8th, 1923 … … … 1,554 1,409 3,773 June 15th, 1923 … … … 1,574 1,386 3,718 June 22nd, 1923 … … … 1,571 1,440 3,596 June 29th, 1923 … … … 1,605 1,430 3,656 July 6th, 1923 … … … 1,593 1,432 3,756 July 13th, 1923 … … … 1,586 1,582 3,812 July 20th, 20th … … … 1,608 1,435 3,777 In addition certain payments were made through Trade Unions, but it is not practicable to state separately the number of payments thus made for persons residing in these areas.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the expenditure on Unemployment Insurance from November, 1920, till 30th June last, and how the shares are divided between the State, the employers, and the employed?

The amount paid in unemployment benefit from the 8th November, 1920, to the 30th June, 1923, was £128,319,000 the contributions from the three parties towards this total being respectively as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour what the figures for unemployment are from April to the present date in Great Britain, the north-eastern area, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in continuation of the Return given on 2nd May?

The following Table gives the information asked for:

including Lye and Cradley, and Halesowen?

The following Table shows the number of payments made direct by the Employment Exchanges referred to:

£ State … … 32,735,000 Employers … … 49,756,000 Employed … … 45,828,000

asked the Minister of Labour whether the difficulties which prevented his Department from ratifying the convention on the use of white lead in paint have yet been removed; and if he can now agree to the ratification of this convention?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on the 4th July to a somewhat similar question asked by the. hon. Member for the Nelson and Colne Division (Mr. A. Greenwood).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the terms of the Treaty of Peace with Turkey will be published?

Every possible effort is being made to lay the Paper, and to have it in the hands of Members in the course of Thursday afternoon. I regret, however, that I cannot definitely guarantee that this will be physically possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any, and, if so, what, arrangement has been come to between the British and French authorities on the subject of transit between the British occupied area and unoccupied Germany?

Special restrictions on traffic between occupied and unoccupied territory were introduced by Rhineland Ordinance No. 167 in which His Majesty's representative on the High Commission did not participate and to which His Majesty's Government were not prepared to give effect in the British zone. This Ordinance did not of course alter the position of nationals of the occupying powers who were exempted from its provisions. As regards German nationals, however, it was necessary to make a special arrangement with the French and Belgian authorities in order to prevent a suspension of traffic between the British zone and unoccupied Germany. Under this arrangement applications for laissez-passer are made to and laissez-passer are issued by the German authorities in the British zone. When these documents have been stamped by an officer of the intelligence service in the British Army they are recognised by all French and Belgian control posts as valid to enable the holders to travel to and from the British zone.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the annual cost for maintaining the coastguard station at the Butt of Lewis?

The Butt of Lewis station was maintained by the Admiralty until 30th June, but the Board of Trade have not taken over the station and have not yet reached a final decision as to its maintenance. If the station were opened and were staffed according to the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Coastguard, the annual cost excluding the maintenance of the buildings, would be approximately £520.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government is now taking to make the necessary alterations in the existing law affecting the use of life-saving appliances on the lines of the recommendations of the Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee; and when the necessary Regulations will be laid before Parliament?

A draft of revised Life Saving Appliances Rules, based on the recommendation of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, has been forwarded to that Committee for examination and consideration. The revised Rules will be laid before Parliament as soon as the draft is settled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to bring forward the Measuring Instruments Bill in the Autumn Session; and whether he is aware of the strong desire of the markets and fairs committees throughout the country that a Measure similar to that which was introduced by the Government in 1922 should become law without delay?

I fear it will not be possible in the Autumn Session to proceed with a Measure of the kind suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the intention of the Government with regard to the Merchandise Marks Bill which it was understood he would introduce during the present Session; whether he is aware of the disappointment felt throughout the manufacturing and business community consequent upon the failure of the Bill of 1922 to become law; and whether this legislation will be introduced in the Autumn Session?

— 1922. First half of 1923. Delivered by Germany at French Frontiers:— … Metric tons. Metric tons. Coal … 4,247,483 643,372 Coke … 4,338,943 722,087 Lignite Briquettes … 490,299 69,477 Imported by France from Great Britain:— … Coal … 13,891,483 10,683,000 (Approx.) Coke … 72,552 341,000 (Approx.) Briquettes … 151,359 81,000 (Approx.)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations that the early closing of banks at 12 noon on Saturdays causes inconvenience in places where fairs and markets take place on that day; and whether there is any prospect of the resumption of pre-War hours in such places?

Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have received any representations on this subject. I understand that the hours at which local banks close on fair days are settled locally according to local needs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, under the Agricultural Credits Bill, it is proposed to issue loans to smallholders for periods of 20 years so that they may pay off the present mortgage and acquire the land at a lower annual charge than they at present have to bear?

I regret that considerations of Parliamentary time have rendered it impossible up to the present to proceed with this Measure. The question of a suitable time for the introduction of a Bill is at present under consideration, but I fear it will not be possible to proceed with it during the Autumn Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the deliveries of German coal and coke to France for 1922 and 1923, and the purchase of English coal and coke by France, in tons, for 1922 and 1923?

The figures are as follow:

Under Clause 1 of the Agricultural Credits Bill smallholders will be eligible for loans repayable in 20 years, or, if necessary, within a maximum period of 60 years, provided they agreed to purchase their land between 5th April, 1917, and 27th June, 1921, inclusive.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has sanctioned the division of the school year into six terms for the purpose of Section 138 of the Education Act, 1921?

School terms must correspond with educational periods with reference to which the school work is planned and organised, and I am advised that it is not practicable to give effect to this principle if the school year is divided into six terms. The practice of local education authorities, with very few exceptions, is to divide the year into three or four terms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information regarding the alleged deportation from Mesopotamia to Persia of a number of Mahommedan leaders and of the deportation to an unknown region of Asheikh Khalesy; whether, if these acts have taken place, he will state the reason; and whether, in view of the resentment which will be aroused amongst the Mahommedan population of Mesopotamia, steps will be taken for the return of the deportees?

I have nothing to add to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Newbold).

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total esti- mated capital value of Post Office undertakings?

Approximately, £70,000,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, with a view to increasing the commercial facilities of the country, he will consider the establishment of fully equipped post offices in all the larger railway stations of Britain?

I cannot find that there is evidence of any general demand for the facilities suggested by the hon. Member, or that the benefit to be obtained would be at all commensurate with the large additional expenditure involved. Telegrams can be sent from all the principal stations, stamps can already be obtained at many bookstalls, and it is hoped to extend this arrangement still further.