asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the illegal deduction of 2d. per gallon from the price paid to the producers of milk in the four southwestern counties; and whether the present Government will introduce a Measure to enable these deductions to be repaid to the milk producers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of the unauthorised licence fees held by the Government in relation to milk; when the amount will be distributed amongst the parties entitled, and the amount of such fees held by the distributing companies; and what steps the Government propose to take to obtain distribution amongst the parties entitled??

I have been asked to reply. As was stated in this House on the 21st January by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Bristol (Colonel Gibbs), the deduction was made from the price paid to the distributors, not to the producers, of milk in the four south-western counties. The milk licence fees held by the Government amount approximately to £105,000. The amount of such fees held by the distributing companies is approximately £160,000. The proposals of the Government in relation to these licence fees will be submitted to Parliament at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Hop Controller has exported any English hops for sale abroad during 1923 and 1924; and, if so, the amount exported and the prices realized?

I am informed by the Hop Controller that the quantities of hops exported in 1923 and 1924 were as follow:Year ended 31st December, 1923:

	Quantity	Declared value.
	Cwts.	£.
British	21,651	292,072
Foreign	1,331	9,808

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Hop Controller is prepared to purchase the entire English 1924 hop crop, and, if so, upon what terms?

The Hop Controller is not at present in a position to say what proportion of the English hop crop of 1924 he will be able to sell on behalf of the growers. Should more hops be grown than the Controller can dispose of, the Ministry understand that growers would he prepared to pool these hops and market them through a voluntary Growers' Association after the termination of the control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether the accounts of the hop control are submitted periodically to the Ministry of Agriculture; and, if so, whether they will be published?

The answer to the fist part is in the affirmative. As the hop control is essentially a trade pool, and its operations do not come within the scope of the public accounts, it is not proposed to publish the accounts of the hop control on behalf of the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any notice was given by the Government to the farmers and producers of flax in 1920, or at any other date, upon the purchase by the Wessex Flax Factories, Limited, from the Government of the seven flax factories of the change of ownership, that the Government were no longer responsible to the farmers and producers of the purchase price of the flax; what is the nominal amount of the debentures held by the Government Wessex Flax Factories, Limited; and when will the amount be probably received?

Growers of flax were not notified individually by the Government of the sale of the seven flax factories in question to a private company, but the matter was given a considerable amount of publicity in the local Press at the time. The purchasing company—Wessex Flax Factories, Limited—took over and discharged all contracts outstanding with the Government at the time of the sale, and thereafter for two seasons made direct contracts with growers which contained no suggestion that the Government had in any way guaranteed the purchase price. Growers who entered into such contracts with a private company had no reason for supposing that the Government was in any way concerned with their agreements. The nominal amount of the debentures held by the Government in Wessex Flax Factories, Limited, is £32,500. No payment has yet been made by the receiver and manager to the debenture holders, and none can be made until the receiver is able to dispose of the assets, of which at present there seems little prospect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any action is to be taken with regard to the Report on milk prices issued by the Linlithgow Committee?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply given by my predecessor on 21st January last to a question by the hon. Member for Louth (Mrs. Wintringham), which showed the action taken or contemplated by the late Government in regard to the recommendations in this Report. I am considering what further action can be taken in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the large profits made by dairy companies; and if he will consult representatives of farmers as to the possibility of devising means whereby the agriculturist will have a more reasonable proportion of the profits of the dairy industry?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the National Farmers' Union has already devoted much attention to the subject in connection with their negotiations on behalf of the farmers in connection with the contract price for milk. The Union is fully alive to the importance of securing a reasonable proportion of the price for the producer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can secure a reduction in the rate of interest on sums advanced by the Government to credit societies under Part II of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1023?

With the object of encouraging the formation of societies for the provision of short term loans to farmers under Part II of the Agricultural Credits Act, the Government have decided that advances to such societies should be made at bank rate varying— with a minimum of four per cent. Under present conditions, this means a reduction of one per cent. in the rate of interest. I hope that farmers will realise the greatly increased advantages thereby offered under Part II of the Agricultural Credits Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the serious damage inflicted every year by game on the crops in the county of Dorset; and whether he will introduce legislation giving tenants shooting rights on their own holdings so as to diminish their losses in this respect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am aware that complaint is made by farmers from time to time of the damage done by game which they are not entitled to kill under the Ground Game Acts, and I have every sympathy with tenants whose crops suffer from this cause. In reply to the second part of the question, I cannot promise to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to give effect to the urgent and repeated appeals of the Teviotdale Farmers' Club, the Farmers' Union of Scotland, and other agricultural bodies, and schedule the areas in the country where sheep scab exists, and insist on the dipping, under competent supervision, of the sheep therein, with a view to stamping out the disease, place the restrictions on the movement of sheep from these areas which they think necessary and which they think would be effective in prevent- ing the disease being conveyed therefrom ovr the rest of the country, and see that free movement of sheep is permitted by all local authorities?

It is already the policy of the Ministry to schedule the areas most heavily infected with sheep-scab so as to require the double dipping of ali sheep therein and prohibit the movement of sheep out of such areas unless they have been so dipped. Sheep scab is still, however, so widely diffused, the disease being certified to exist in no fewer than 51 counties in England and Wales, and 20 counties in Scotland during 1923, that such a policy is insufficient to prevent the spread of infection and to protect clean counties. The Regulations made by local authorities under the Sheep Scab Order of 1920, requiring the double-dipping of sheep before or immediately after arrival in their districts, are of a protective character, and act as a useful check upon the spread of this disease. The Sheep Scab Order of 1923, which renders the sheep owner liable to legal proceedings if he fails to take adequate measures to cure his sheep and keep them from scab, comes into full operation on the 1st July, 1924, and until that Order has had time to effect a considerable reduction in the prevalence of the disease as is anticipated, the Ministry is not prepared to interfere with the existing powers of local authorities to protect their own districts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that during the spring months of last year farmers in this country had difficulty in obtaining supplies of sulphate of ammonia, and that large quantities of this fertiliser are exported from this country; and whether he will take steps to ensure that a sufficient amount of the material is retained in this country and is made available to British agriculturalists during seed time this year?

I am aware that in some districts the supply of sulphate of ammonia for immediate delivery in the spring of last year was not large. I am advised that the supplies available this year will be sufficient, but the matter will be kept under observation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give a Return of the date of the notification of each outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the date of slaughter of the animals infected during 1923 and 1924?

I should like to be able to give the hon. Member the information he desires, but unless some special purpose is to be served. I regret that I cannot see my way to detail a special staff to extract the particulars at the present time. An examination of some 2,600 files would be necessary, and this would prove a lengthy and costly process.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any information suggesting that farmers are paying agricultural workers a lower wage than the profits of agriculture warrant; and, if so, has he called the attention of the appropriate Conciliation Committees to that fact?

I have no information of the kind suggested by my right hon. Friend, and in view of the varying conditions of agriculture in this country I think he will agree that, it is impossible to obtain information on which any general statement could be made which would be applicable in all cases. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can inform the House what grants were made in the year 1923 by the Development Fund Commission to private persons and institutions for research into animal diseases; and whether, in view of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, he will consider the advisability of increasing the grants so as to enhance the scope of such research?

Approximately £60,000 was allocated to the Ministry from the Development Fund during the current financial year for research into animal diseases. I should, however, explain that grants are made only to recognised research institutes and not to private individuals. With regard to the second part, the question of the scientific investigation of foot-and-mouth disease is to be considered by a small committee of scientific men, and I propose to defer my decision as to further research until this committee has reported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what were the capital costs in buildings and other expenses incurred in the taking over of the national racing stud; whether such sums were paid out of borrowed money; what have been the financial results of Government racing during the past year and whether it is intended to continue this pastime at the taxpayers' expense?

The national stud was established in 1916, primarily on military considerations, as the result of the gift to the Government by Lord Wavertree of his valuable thoroughbred stud, together with all the live and dead stock on his Tully estate in Kildare. The owners' and tenants' interests were purchased for £47,625 by means of a Vote of Parliament. The stud is maintained as a breeding, and not a racing, establishment, and accumulated is an accumulated trading profit up to 31st December, 1922, of £33,550. There is no reason to think that the trading account for last year will not, also, show a profit. It is intended to maintain the national stud, and, it is hoped, to the continued benefit of the taxpayer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will do what he can to expedite the compulsory introduction of the humane killer into this country?

The matter will receive the consideration of the Government. As the hon. Member was informed in July last, any local authority can make the use of the "humane killer" compulsory in its own area, and over 100, including the London County Council, have already clone so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reasons for charging ld. on some days of the week and 6d. on other clays of the week for entrance into the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew; the total number of visitors to Kew Gardens during 1923; the average daily number of visitors on days when ld. is charged, and the average daily number of visitors when 6d. is charged; and will he consider reducing the high price of admission for a mother with a perambulator?

The object of the increased charge for entrance into the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on Tuesdays and Fridays is to restrict the use of the gardens on those days, as far as practicable, to those who desire to visit the gardens mainly for educational —as distinct from recreation—purposes. The gardens are a scientific institution and not an ordinary public recreation ground, and in the administration of these gardens regard must be had to other considerations than those that apply in the case of parks and public recreation grounds. The total number of visitors to Kew Gardens during 1923 was 1,186,662; the average daily 'number of visitors paying at the turnstiles on days when a ld. was charged (including Bank Holidays) was 4,267, and 651 when 6d. was charged. I will carefully consider the question of the prices of admission for perambulators.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the condition of some tenement property at Chesterfield visited by the Registrar of the County Court, who reduced the rents of from 9s-12s. to from 1s. 4d.-2s. 2d. per week, and declared that he had never seen human beings penned in such miserable pens, and expressed surprise that they were used for human habitation; and if he intends to take action in the matter?

I have asked the local authority to furnish me with information on the cases to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses approved by the Ministry in 1923; and, of this number, how many houses provided for more than two bedrooms?

During 1923, tenders were approved for 4,796 houses under the scheme authorised by the Housing Act of 1919, and 85,036 houses were included in schemes authorised by the Housing, etc., Act, 1923. Statistics are not available as to the number of houses which will provide for more than two bedrooms, but it may be taken that the majority of the houses are of the three-bedroom type.

asked the Minister of Health whether he would agree to a monthly return being made showing the number of orders for possession applied for under the Rent Restriction Act of 1923 and the number of orders made?

I am afraid that it would not be practicable to comply with the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. I have been in communication with the Lord Chancellor and I understand that no records are, or could be, kept in the Courts which would make it possible to distinguish the number of orders for possession under the Rent Restriction Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Government statement that the new houses are to let at an average rental to include rates of 9s. a week, he proposes to fix a limit of means above which would-he tenants will be debarred from benefiting by a State subsidy towards their rent; and, if not, what is the principle upon which certain sections of the community will be thus benefited at the expense of others?

I hope to be in a position at an early date to make a statement on the Government's proposals for dealing with the housing problem, and I would suggest that the hon. and gallant Member should await that statement.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of dwelling-houses built in England and in Scotland in each of the 24 years 1900 to 1923, inclusive, distinguishing, where possible, dwelling-houses of a less rateable value than £20 or £26, or having five rooms or less, from other dwelling-houses?

Precise information is not available as to the total number of houses built in England and Wales during the period referred to, but according to the Returns published by the Board of Inland Revenue as to the total number of houses charged to Inhabited House Duty and the total number exempt from Inhabited House Duty the following net increases occurred during each of the years 1900–1914:

	Increases during each year in number of houses of
Year.	Annual Value of £20 or over charged to Inhabited House Duty.	Under £20 Annual Value.	Total.
1900	32,413	90,165	122,578
1901	40,677	76,469	117,146
1902	29,933	78,101	108,034
1903	81,920	36,761	118,681
1904	27,402	88,007	115,409
1905	29,937	99,905	129,842
1906	29,754	71,920	101,674
1907	18,247	40,946	59,193
1908	21,145	105,424	126,569
1909	14,294	81,957	96,251
1910	23,719	5,813	29,532
1911	10,611	79,167	89,778
1912	12,218	44,821	57,039
1913	13,680	45,632	59,312
1914	14,573	53,004	67,577

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many houses for the working class are now under construction by His Majesty's Office of Works; whether he proposes to construct such houses; and. if so, in what numbers?

In connection with the Addison housing scheme, arrangements were made for the Office of Works to undertake the construction of 5,334 working-class houses on behalf of local authorities. Of this number, 5,178 are completed, 136 are under construction, and the remaining 20 will be started as soon as possession of the site can be obtained. There is no proposal at present for the Office of Works to erect any further houses.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average price of a non-parlour house contracted for by local authorities under the 1923 Act in London, Manchester, and Bradford, respectively; and whether he can furnish particulars of the numbers and classes of workpeople employed and the time worked by them, and also of the quantity and cost of each class of material used in the construction of a house of this type in the cities named?

The average prices at which non-parlour houses have been contracted for by local authorities under the 1923 Act in the places named are as follow:

	£
London County Council area	529
London Outer ring	415
London average	447
Manchester	387
Bradford	341

Particulars as asked for of the numbers and classes of workpeople employed and the time worked by them are not available. They would vary in every case. An estimate can, however, be made of the average number of hours worked in the several trades required to complete a house of the average character to which the above figures refer.

	Hours.
Bricklayers	394
Carpenters and joiners	391
Slaters	33
Plasterers	141
Plumbers	75
Painters	128
General labourers	839

The cost of this labour would be about £160.The materials would cost about £230, including overhead charges in each case. The materials would be apportioned about as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War when Elphinstone Barracks, Plymouth, were last fully occupied by troops; whether he is aware of the very serious overcrowding and shortage of housing accommodation in Plymouth; whether he is aware that at least 25 families could be accommodated in these barracks; and whether, in view of the friendly relations of this country with foreign nations, and of the fact that the local authority have undertaken to remove any civilians that may be accommodated in the barracks in case of invasion or other warlike requirements, he will now lease these barracks for the use of civilian families?

These barracks were last fully occupied by troops in July, 1921. I am aware of the shortage of houses at Plymouth, and, as I intimated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on the 15th instant, the possibility of leasing certain disused War Department forts and sites to the corporation for the purpose of providing additional accommodation is already being actively and sympathetically considered. I cannot at once hold out the hope that Elphinstone Barracks can be thus leased, but I am having the matter carefully looked into again to see if there is any possibility of re-adjustment so as to make these barracks available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to a case of a man and his wife and nine children who were evicted from a house on the Air Ministry estate at Shortstown on account of arrears of rent; whether he is aware that the rent charged is 15s. 6d. per week, and that there are between 50 and 60 empty houses on the estate; and whether be intends to take any action in the matter?

The facts are substantially as stated. In June, 1923, the tenant in question was in arrears with his rent to the amount of about £15 and the Bedfordshire County Court made an order on 6th June for possession, not to be enforced so long as payment was made of the current rent and 6d. a week towards the arrears. Only very occasional payments were made under this order, and the arrears increased to The County Court on 5th December granted leave to issue a warrant for possession, but in view of the proximity of Christmas execution of the warrant was deferred until 11th January. As regards the vacant houses, the policy regarding the future of Cardington is at present under consideration, and I regret until a decision is reached no action can be taken with a view to their occupation.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. A. Smith, late radiographer and chief dispenser at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital; whether he is aware that, in consequence of his work in connection with X-ray treatment, this man developed X-ray dermatitis in 1913; that he had to retire from the work; that, in spite of treatment, his complaint became worse, necessitating several operations and the amputation of a leg; that eventually Mr. Smith became affected with paralysis, has had two strokes, and is now suffering from failing eyesight; and whether he will consider the possibility of making provision for Mr. Smith and for similar cases where, in consequence of devoted and dangerous service in the interests of the sick, there is a breakdown in health and a deprivation of the means of livelihood?

I have not received any previous information with regard to this case, nor are there any funds at the disposal of the Ministry from which provision could be made for Mr. Smith. I might, however, add that an Order has recently been made by the Home Secretary under Section 8 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, extending the provisions of that Act to certain diseases, including inflammation of the skin due to exposure to X-rays. The Order, which came into operation on 1st February, does not apply retrospectively.

asked the Minister of Health if when the Southwark Borough Council was surcharged in respect of a printing bill they applied for remission; and upon what grounds he granted same?

An appeal was made to my Department against the surcharge referred to, and I found that the surcharge was lawfully made. Under Section 4 of the Poor Law Audit Act, 1848, which is applied to the audit of the accounts of a Metropolitan Borough Council, it is provided that if it is found that a disallowance or surcharge has been lawfully made, but that the subject-matter thereof was incurred under such circumstances as make it fair and equitable that the disallowance or surcharge should be remitted, the Minister of Health may direct that the same shall be remitted. In this case I came to the conclusion that the expenditure was incurred in good faith, though under a mistaken view of the law, and I did not consider that the circumstances demanded that the councillors who were surcharged should be required personally to make good the amount. I therefore decided to exercise the power of remission in their favour.

asked the. Minister of Health whether he has seen an account of an inquest at Shrewsbury, held on 4th December, 1923, upon Elizabeth Jane Cookson, who died on 2nd December, 1923, where it was stated in evidence that the tuberculosis medical officer for the county wrote to the relieving officer asking for out-relief for her, and that Dr. Nicholls, medical officer of the union, said that she ought to have special diet and communicated with the relieving officer, giving his medical certificate for eggs and milk as out-relief; that the guardians of the Atcham Union refused out-relief and ordered the house infirmary; that the infirmary for Shrewsbury is closed, so that she would have had to have gone to Wellington or Wales; that the jury at the inquest stated their opinion that if the deceased had had out-relief when recommended by Dr. Nicholls her chances of recovery would have been enhanced; and whether he will obtain a full account of the inquest from the coroner and ask him for any suggestions as to the best method of preventing the recurrence of such a death?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a communication which I have received from the board of guardians in regard to this case.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths were registered in 1923 as due to small-pox, measles, influenza, pneumonia, diphtheria, and scarlet fever?

The following are the provisional figures of the deaths registered in 1923 as due to these diseases (except pneumonia):

Small-pox	7
Measles	5,200
Influenza	8,371
Diphtheria	2,674
Scarlet Fever	971

The final figures, including the number of deaths from pneumonia, will not be available until the end of the present quarter.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Departmental Committee appointed by the late Government to consider the present law and practice in regard to the rating of machinery and plant in England and Scotland, respectively, has yet held any meetings; whether any procedure has been fixed for the submission of evidence to the Committee; and when a Report may be expected from the Committee?

I am informed that the Committee has herd one meeting, and that invitations have been issued to a number of bodies representing local authorities and other interests concerned, to give evidence. I understand that the Committee hope to commence the hearing of witnesses at the beginning of next month. It is not at present possible to say when the Committee will be in a position to report.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the Report of the veterinary inspector of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, upon his examination of cattle sent in for slaughter for food, showing that of cattle externally sound over 74 per cent. were in fact suffering from tuberculosis, and to the representations of the city council with reference thereto and whether the Government will introduce at an early date legislation for protecting infant life against the risks arising from the distribution of milk infected with tubercle bacilli?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to the Report of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne veterinary inspector, and to the representations of the City Council with reference thereto. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, the operation of which is postponed till the 1st September, 1925, by the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention, at an early date, to take the necessary steps to remove the existing disqualification of persons who have been in receipt of Poor Law relief from serving on local governing bodies?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to make it possible in the near future to remove the disability which now exists in regard to the political rights of citizens who have received Poor Law relief, and which precludes them from membership of public bodies?

Owing to the pressure of Government business, I cannot give any undertaking as to the introduction of a Bill for the purpose suggested by my bon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the quantity of cured herrings from Scotland exported during the year 1923 to Russia and other Continental markets, giving the quantity and value exported to each country?

According to information supplied by the Fishery Board for Scotland, the quantities of cured herrings exported direct from Scotland and consigned to European countries in 1923 were as follow:

Consigned to.	Barrels.
Germany	262,615½
Danzig	231,685½
Latvia.	145,688½
Esthonia	53,819½
Finland	31,590
Sweden	25,223½
Other countries	21,225
	771,847½

No cured herrings appear to have been consigned direct from Scotland to Russia during 1923. The value for each country cannot at present be stated separately, but it may be mentioned that the total Scottish cure, amounting to 796,294 barrels, was valued at £1,113,064. A barrel of cured herrings weighs approximately 2 cwt.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps have been taken to secure the reopening of the Continental markets for Scottish cured herrings and to obtain further outlets for this trade; and whether, following upon the recognition of the Soviet Government in Russia, any arrangements will be made for the development of the export trade in cured herrings to that country?

The causes of the collapse of the European market for Scottish cured herrings are not of a kind which it is within the power of His Majesty's Government directly to remedy, since they must be sought in the reduced purchasing power of the countries concerned, especially Germany and Russia. Pending the economic revival of those countries, everything is being done to find other outlets, and any information of value to the industry is immediately communicated to it, as it is received from British officers abroad. As regards the last part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Brigg Division of Lincolnshire (Sir B. Sheffield).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the depressed condition of the herring fishing industry, which is largely due to the loss of the Russian market, His Majesty's Government is prepared to extend the export credits scheme to cover the export of herrings to Russia?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to-day by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Brigg Division of Lincolnshire (Sir B. Sheffield).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the lack of control in prices and supply of petrol, he will at once begin the manufacture of industrial alcohol at Gretna Works?

The answer is in the negative. The Board of Trade are not in a position to undertake work of this kind, but, as my hon. Friend was informed on 12th February, the Government is taking a leading part in the research which is taking place on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can inform the House when the Milner Report will be ready for presentation?

The Report in question, as stated by the late Prime Minister in reply to a question in this House on the 17th January, was only of a preliminary nature, and was made to him personally. In these circumstances, it is not proposed to publish it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the quantities and values of tea imported into Great Britain in 1923; and what proportion of the whole was imported from India; Ceylon, and other British Colonies or Dominions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will, in view of the grave concern of Lancashire and Yorkshire manufacturing interests, submit the proposed agreement between the British Dyestuffs Corporation and the Interessen-Gemeinschaft in Germany for the consideration of the House of Commons before ratification; and if he will leave the question of ratification to a free vote of the House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer on this subject which the President of the Board of Trade gave on the 15th February to the hon. Member for Batley, a copy of which I am sending him.

The figures are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state approximately what stocks of wool are still held in this country or any Dominions on Government account; what steps are being taken to clear these stocks; and can he give any probable date as to when these stocks will be completely sold?

I have been asked to answer this question. The remaining stocks of wool held in this country on Government account amount to 57,409 bales. No Government owned wool is held abroad. These stocks are being sold by auction during the next three months and it is at present anticipated that the last bales will be sold in Liver-pool on 2nd May next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the exports from Great Britain to Russia and the imports

—	1913.*	1922.*	1923.*
Exports consigned to Russia:	£	£	£
United Kingdom produce and manufactures	18,102,683	3,640,624	2,493,205
Foreign and Colonial merchandise	9,591,270	970,403	1,990,178
Total	27,693,953	4,611,027	4,483,383
Total imports consigned from Russia	40,270,539	8,102,829	9,308,232
* The figures for 1913 include, while those for 1922 and 1923 exclude, trade between the United Kingdom and Finland, Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the part of Poland formerly Russian territory and Bessarabia.

The value of the aggregate trade of the United Kingdom with Finland, Esthonia,

—	1922.	1923.
Exports consigned thereto:	£	£
United Kingdom produce and manufactures	5,024,462	6,550,661
Foreign and Colonial merchandise	1,347,902	1,741,998
Total exports	6,372,364	8,292,659
Total imports consigned therefrom	15,690,085	21,528,684

From 1st April, 1923, the particulars include only the trade of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with "Russia," etc. From the same date the direct trade of the Irish Free State with the countries in question has been excluded.Separate particulars cannot be given of trade with the former Russian Poland or with Bessarabia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the issue in October of a general order to officers of His Majesty's Customs instructing them in dealing with imports under the Safeguarding of Industries Act to query all cases where goods are invoiced at values which appear to be below the current fair market price for such goods; whether this order extends to

The declared value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom which was registered as consigned from or to Russia during the years specified were as follow:Latvia and Lithuania in 1922 and 1923 was as follows:—cases other than those which

I have been asked to reply to this question. There has been no general instruction in the sense suggested, but probably the hon. Member is referring to a circular limited in its application to a particular class of goods in which the lowness of the values declared in certain instances was giving rise to priâ facie suspicion as to the bona fides of the invoice prices on which they were based. On a satisfactory explanation of the circumstances the circular was withdrawn. As regards the last part of the Question, I would explain that, under Section 10 of the Act, any importer who is dissatisfied with the value fixed by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may appeal to the referee appointed by the Lord Chancellor.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the great delay on the part of the statistical department of His Majesty's Customs in the publication of the detailed returns of imports and exports at the various ports in the United Kingdom, etc.; whether he is aware that the figures for 1922 are not yet issued as a Parliamentary Paper, as is usual; and, if so, what steps he intends to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. The first three volumes of the Annual Statement of Trade were on sale in the autumn. Their preparation was pressed forward to meet the requirements of the Imperial Economic Conference, and this caused some delay in the completion of Volume IV, but it is ready for issue and will be on sale in a day or two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total advances that have been made, the amounts repaid, and the amounts the Government have lost by the exports credits scheme?

The total amount taken up under the advances part of the exports credits scheme, which was discontinued early in 1921, is £1,752,150, of which £351,393 have been refunded. It is not yet possible to say what losses will be incurred under the exports credits scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the German steamer "Isenlohn" left the port of Swansea on the 14th January about 4.30 p.m. with 27 men short of her complement of crew; what steps were taken by the Board of Trade or any of its officers to detain the said steamer; what declaration was made to the collector of customs or any of the officers at the port by the master of the steamer as to the number of men or crew he had on board before the steamer left the port; and how many of the original crew of the steamer were on board at the time of departure?

This German steamer left Swansea for Barry Roads on 21st January with 10 members of the original crew of 37, and left Barry Roads on 22nd January with a total complement of 28. The vessel was not unseaworthy by reason of undermanning, and the question of detention did not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that there are some thousands of reparation claims which cannot be dealt with until the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage caused by Enemy Action shall have made its Second Report, it can be stated when the Report is likely to he ready?

The second report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action is in draft, and is now under consideration by the Commission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department who is bearing the cost of the Weekly Bulletin of Empire Study; and whether the subscriptions received cover the cost of publication?

The cost of producing the Bulletin of Empire Study is borne by my Department out of funds provided in connection with the participation of His Majesty's Government in the British Empire Exhibition, but the orders received already cover the cost of production, and no charge, therefore, will fall upon the public funds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the fact that the Norfolk Small Holdings Committee's arrears of rent amounted to £7,000 on the 31st December, 1923; and how does he propose to alleviate the distress amongst the ex-service men who have their holdings under the said Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, the arrears representing about 10 per cent. of the total rent-roll. A large proportion of the arrears at the end of last year was owing by tenants in potato-growing districts in the west of the county, due to the very bad price realised by the potato crop of 1922. Prices for the 1923 crop have been excellent, and should bring about a substantial improvement in the position of these tenants. The Norfolk County Council are showing every consideration to their ex-service tenants, and are assisting' them by reducing rents wherever necessary by extending the period for the repayment of loans and by allowing arrears of tenant-right valuation to be paid by instalments over a period of years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of ex-service men that have been settled in holdings by the county councils throughout England and Wales, and the number who have left holdings and the cause of leaving?

Up to the 16th January last, the number of ex-service men who had been settled on small holdings by county councils and councils of county boroughs in England and Wales amounted to 19,195, of whom 2,576 had left their holdings for all reasons. A number of these men have left to take larger holdings, or for reasons which indicate that they cannot be regarded as failures. The latest information with regard to the number of failures amongst ex-service smallholders is contained in a Report prepared by the Ministry on 16th April, 1923, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. It will be seen from this Report that up to Lady Day last the number of failures in England and Wales amounted to 6·5 per cent, of the total number settled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ex-service men are detained at present in pauper sections of mental hospitals; and how many are detained in private or charity sections of mental hospitals?

On the 1st January, 1924, there were 4,623 ex-service men certified as service patients in county and borough mental hospitals in England and Wales; they are on the legal footing of private patients. In addition, there were 152 ex-service men undergoing special treatment at the Old Manor, Salisbury—a private institution: they are certified as private patients. In addition to these numbers, 770 who were previously treated as ex-service patients, have ceased to be so regarded as it appeared that their illness was in no way due to or aggravated by the War. In regard to these the Government has decided to pay for their maintenance from the 1st April next by means of a grant, which will be distributed by the Board of Control in England and Wales. They will also be on the legal footing of private patients.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that at the Government factory, Sarisbury Court, Swanwick, Hants, men undergoing training are charged the sum of 245. each weekly for board and lodging; that of this sum 3s. is in respect of a room in which from six to 10 men are accommodated; and that some of the trainees have been sent to Swanwick, although there are training centres nearer their homes; and whether he will state the reason for the high charge for board and lodging, and, as far as possible, arrange for the men to be trained near their homes?

I have been asked to reply. Trainees at Sarisbury Court pay 21s. a week for board and 3s. for lodging. 21s. represents the bare cost of the board. The sum of 3s. covers not only the cost of sleeping accommodation, but also the cost of cleaning, lighting and heating and the use of recreation rooms. Men are not sent away from their homes for training if suitable facilities are available within reach of their homes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what number of temporary ex-service civil servants were absorbed into the permanent Civil Service, other than the Post Office, in the years 1921, 1922 and 1923; and how many fresh entrants, other than the above, were taken into the permanent Civil Service during the same years?

A return covering all grades is not available without elaborate inquiry. As regards the Clerical Classes (including those in the Post Office) and Departmental Clerical Classes, the figures are as follows for the three years 1921–23:

Limited competitions for temporary staffs (including Investigating Board):
Ex-service men and women	6,537
Non-service men and women	2,348
Open competition of April, 1922	58

In addition, there were a number of appointments to these classes of pre-War unestablished clerks (ex-service and non-service).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the Government will make provision by which ex-soldiers, who have three years' approved service under Government Departments, may be automatically absorbed into the permanent Civil Service without examination and without regard to age, as has been done in Australia?

Provision for the recruitment of ex-service men to established posts has been made on the basis of the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee on the Employment of Ex-Service Men in tile Civil Service. The question now falls to be examined by the Committee, appointed in May last by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, under the Chairmanship of Lord Southborough, and the Government must await the Report of this Committee before coining to a final decision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether con- sideration has been given to the application of ex-service men of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission who have for the past five years been entrusted with the work and responsibility of civil servants, to be afforded an opportunity to be admitted to permanent Civil Service posts?

The temporary ex-service staff of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, in common with other ex-service men temporarily employed throughout the Government service, have had the opportunities for entering the permanent establishment recommended by Lord Lytton's Committee on the Employment of Ex-Service Men in the Civil Service These recommendations will shortly be reviewed by the Committee appointed in May last by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer under the Chairmanship of Lord Southborough, and I have no doubt that any representations which it is desired to make on the subject will be carefully considered by that Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the approximate number of agricultural labourers at present out of employment; and whether he will consider the appointment of a committee to inquire into the desirability of bringing agricultural labourers within the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?

There are no means of ascertaining the number of agricultural labourers out of employment, and I am consequently unable, to give the hon. Member the information he desires. I am considering, in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, the point referred to in the second part of this question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the new Employment Exchange at Shepherd's Bush has no lavatory accommodation for persons attending to sign the registers, although they sometimes have to wait in a queue for nearly two hours; that the local public health authorities requested the provision of accommodation and were refused; and, in view of the great distance to the nearest public convenience, will he take steps to have matters remedied?

It is not customary to provide lavatory accommodation for the use of applicants at Employment Exchanges. Experiments made in the past have proved that the expense of providing such accommodation and of maintaining it in a sanitary condition would be prohibitive. In the case of the Shepherd's Bush Exchange, I am informed that there is a public urinal 200 yards away and a public lavatory 500 yards away. Applicants attending at Employment Exchanges to sign the registers need not have to wait for any long periods if they come at the times when they are asked to attend. A communication on the subject of lavatory accommodation at the Shepherd's Bush Exchange was received from the local medical officer of health last October, and an explanation was given to him why the Department did not feel able to instal the accommodation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men 43 years of age are being denied work because of their age at Cowlan's Railway Works, Glasgow; whether he can take any steps to prevent this condition of employment; and, if not, will he cause special provision to be made in such cases?

I am not aware that men 43 years of age are being denied work because of their age at the works mentioned. My right hon. Friend, strictly speaking, has no authority to interfere with the discretion of private employers in engaging workpeople, but I will make inquiry in case the complaint arises from some misunderstanding which can be removed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of a youth named Jackson, of 21, Lyndhurst Road, Peckham, S.E.15, who signed on at the Camberwell Exchange, but whose claim to unemployment benefit has been rejected on the ground that he was not attending continuation school; whether he is aware that he was sent to the Borough Polytechnic for three years, leaving at the age of 16 years 8 months, after leaving elementary school at the age of 13 years and 8 months, and that after this he attended the Polytechnic three full nights weekly until completing the courses on his subjects; and will he consider an alteration of the law in order to meet such cases as this?

The ordinary rule applying to boys and girls under 18 in towns in which Juvenile Unemployment Centres exist is that attendance at a Centre is required as a condition of drawing unemployment benefit. From the particulars given in the question I assume that Jackson refused to attend a Centre, and in that event his benefit was properly disallowed; but I will make inquiry into the circumstances and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Postmaster-General how many documents have been lost during the past 18 months during transit from Brighton and Hove to Somerset House for stamping?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is 42. There were two cases of theft of mail bags during the period in question, and the documents referred to were among the articles stolen.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that during the recent elections postmen were called upon to do a great deal of extra work and to walk or cycle many additional miles, particularly in country districts, he can state what additional pay they have received for such extra work and at what rate it has been paid?

The total payments to postmen for overtime in connection with the recent elections amounted to approximately £20,000. Payment was generally at rate and a quarter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the grow- ing discontent existing in the telegraph department of the Manchester Post Office with regard to the method of selecting supervising officers for promotion; that in December, 1921, an assistant superintendent was promoted to the rank of superintendent over the heads of 15 other assistant superintendents; and that in July, 1922, an officer was appointed to the rank of assistant superintendent over the heads of 32 officers; and whether, in order to remove any further cause for discontent, he will institute an inquiry into the method of selection for promotion at Manchester?

The facts as regards the two promotions are as stated by my hon. Friend. Under the Post Office regulations the officer selected for promotion should be the best qualified of those eligible. In both these instances the officers promoted were reported to be markedly superior in ability and general qualifications to those who were passed over, and I am not aware of any grounds for holding an inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that the Post. Office at Walsall, constructed 30 years ago when the population was 50,000, is still made to serve a population of 100,000, with the result that there is great congestion and public inconvenience; and whether he will provide in the Estimates for the current year for adequate postal facilities to meet public requirements;(2) whether, in view of the present inadequate postal facilities at Walsall owing to the congestion due to the smallness of the post office premises, he is aware that it is impossible to deal with and despatch the mails and parcels at the proper times; and whether he will cause such extensions of hours of opening as will remedy this public inconvenience and loss to trade and business?

The need for improved accommodation for the head post office at Walsall is recognised, and provision is being made in the Revenue Buildings Estimates for 1924–25 in order that the erection of a new Post Office may be: begun in the coming financial year. I cannot find any ground for keeping the post office open after 7 p.m., which is the normal hour at similar offices. I propose, however, to increase the number of automatic stamp-selling machines supplied at Walsall.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in some hotels and restaurants where Post Office telephones are installed for public use the boxes, containing the instruments, cannot be entered without putting ld. into a slot, thus adding 50 Per cont. to the telephone charge of 2d.; whether this practice has the sanction of his Department; and, if not, will he take the necessary steps to ensure its discontinuance?

The practice referred to is not in operation at any official call office, and I assume that the installations in question are rented by the proprietors of hotels and restaurants, who allow members of the public the facility of using their telephones. I have no power to control the charges made in such circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in response to a request for telephone service by a resident in Malden, the answer has been received stating that it will take at least three months to connect the proposed subscriber with the local exchange; whether he is aware that another resident in the same road is already on the telephone; and why there should be so much delay, with consequent inconvenience to professional and business men, in the installation of the telephone service in this part of the London area?

A number of applications for telephone service are in hand from residents in Malden, but, their requirements, cannot be met pending the completion of certain underground cables which are at present being laid. This work has been delayed by abnormally wet weather, but it is being pushed forward as expeditiously as possible, and should no unforeseen difficulties arise, all demands will be satisfied by the end of next month.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an attempt is being made to force Post Office employés in the Manchester head post office to pay the expenses of cleaning and upkeep of the canteens, amounting to about £1,000 per annum, expenses rarely of never demanded by private employers, and that this is causing acute resentment among the staff; and will he undertake to withdraw these regulations at the earliest possible moment?

The matter has been brought to my notice. The regulations of which the Manchester Club complains are those prescribed by the Treasury for all Post Office refreshment clubs. The question will shortly be discussed with representatives of the staff through the machinery of the Departmental Whitley Council, and at present I am not in a position to make any definite statement on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will submit to the House a return showing the number of commercial undertakings in which the Government has a part financial interest; the amount of capital so involved; and what is the estimated revenue, if any, accruing to the Treasury from such investments in the current financial year?

The hon. Member will find the information he requires (with the interest received in the last financial year) in the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. A. M. Samuel) on the 12th of April last, a copy of which I am sending him. I shall be happy to send him a statement of the interest received during the current financial year if he will ask for it again at the close of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Erchequer if he is aware that Edward Cullen, of 4, Well Street, Swansea, who is in receipt of an old age pension of 10s. per week, and is anxious to return to his birthplace in the Irish Free State, has been refused permission unless he is prepared to forfeit his pen- sion; and, in view of the fact that he has been resident in Swansea for over 60 years, will he give favourable consideration to this application?

I am making inquiry into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide the same free facilities for Members obtaining for personal use copies of Acts of Parliament, Parliamentary Reports and Papers, and Departmental Regulations, in so far as they are in print and available, which are non-current as are provided for similar publications which are current?

Members may have a copy of any Act of Parliament, Parliamentary Report and Paper issued during a current Session; they may also obtain upon application to the Vote Office a copy of any Parliamentary Paper issued during the preceding Session, so long as copies are available at that Office. At the beginning of a new Session a Member may obtain, upon application, a bound volume containing the Acts of Parliament passed during the preceding Session. I may add that copies of all other Acts of Parliament and other Parliamentary Papers are available to Members for reference in the Library of this House. I am not prepared to agree to an extension of the present arrangements as regards the provision of free facilities. As regards Departmental Regulations, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 21st January last to the hon. Member for the Hillsborough Division of Sheffield (Mr. Alexander).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount received in fees, in addition to their salaries, by the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General, respectively, for the years 1919 to 1923, inclusive, and also the total amount of salaries in each case?

The figures desired by the hon. Member are as follow:—

Attorney-General.
	Salary.	Fees.
	£	£	s.	d.
1919–20	7,000	19,512	13	10
1920–21	7,000	27,990	9	7
1921–22	7,000	24,170	13	2
1922–23	7,000	17,278	19	11

Solicitor-General.
	Salary.	Fees.
	£	£	s.	d.
1919–20	6,000	9,749	6	6
1920–21	6,000	12,928	15	6
1921–22	6,000	9,723	17	0
1922–23	6,000	6,565	2	0

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the Club Duty received from registered clubs in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, respectively, and in the remainder of Wales, during the financial year ending 31st March, 1923?

The approximate amount of Club Duty received in the year ended 31st March, 1923, from registered clubs in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire was £7,460 and £3,350, respectively, and in the remainder of Wales £1,155.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost of printing No. 2 of the Treaty Series (1924)?

The cost of printing (including cost of paper) was £2 10s.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many vacancies there are in the permanent Civil Service other than the Post Office?

A return such as is asked for would cover a very large num- ber of grades. If the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Clerical Civil Service in particular, it is very difficult in present circumstances to make a firm estimate of permanent requirements. With this reservation, I should estimate that the number of posts in clerical classes now filled by temporary clerks which might be filled by permanent clerks, outside the General Post Office, does not exceed three or four thousand. Detailed investigation is, however, being made on this point in connection with the resumed inquiry of the Southborough Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has been arrived at regulating the pension rules in the Colonial Service to cover the case of the transfer of an officer from a West African to an East African Colony, so that the pension may be calculated solely on the basis of the total number of years served and the emoluments of the office held at the time of retiring?

A Committee appointed to consider the question of pensions of officers who have served in two or more colonies has recently reported and its report is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether in any Measure dealing with pre-War pensioners he will give due consideration to the fact that in the case of military pre-War pensioners who served for a further four years during the late War no pension was granted beyond the 21 years' pension already earned?

I have been asked to reply. The fact that these men are drawing pension at the post-War rate renders them ineligible for any increase under the Pensions Increase Bill shortly to be introduced, but I ought to inform the Noble Lady that pre-War pensioners who re-enlisted for the Great War continued to draw their pensions in addition to their full pay of rank and were not entitled to count the further service for increase of pension. Under Army Order 325 of 1919, by reason of their having served in the War, their pensions were recalculated on the 1919 scale, which is much more liberal than the pre-War scale.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that almost continuous correspondence has been going on for one year regarding the case of Robert Milligan, at present in Barnhill Poor-house Hospital, and that the statements made by the War Office differ when replying to the questions of discharge and medical report, he will cause immediate action to be taken to release this man from a pauper hospital?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that further inquiries on certain points in this case are being made at the instance of the hon. Member, and I will furnish him with the result of these inquiries in due course.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in those cases where aged poor parents and other dependants of deceased ex-service men appeal against the reduction of pensions due to alleged errors in the original assessment, he will issue instructions that the appeals shall be heard by the area war pensions committees; and that the Ministry of Pensions will accept the decisions of the committees as to the amount of pension that should be issued?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular which has been issued to war pensions committees explaining how complaints of this nature are dealt with, and I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a short statement indicating the essential features of the procedure.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that his Department is recovering the bonus paid on the service pension of naval disability pensioners granted to meet the increased cost of living in 1919 from the revised naval pensions authorised for naval ratings and payable by the Admiralty from naval Votes; and if he has authorised such recovery?

In the class of case which I understand the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, the men were formerly in receipt of disablement pension, together with Lin allowance in respect of service from my Department. This service allowance (to which for a time a bonus was added) was superseded by an award from the Admiralty of a more favourable service pension, and on payment of arrears of the service pension by that Department adjustment is properly made in respect of all payments made by my Department by way of service allowance during the period for which the arrears of service pension are granted.

asked the secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to make a statement regarding the recommendations of the Haldane Committee on the education and training of officers; and, if he does intend to do so, will he say when he will make it?

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that this Report has been published as Cmd. 2031, and may be obtained at the Vote Office. As indicated in the reply given on 21st January last by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Ormskirk, the Army Council have in the main accepted the proposals of the Committee, and the work of carrying them out is in hand. I shall no doubt have an opportunity of referring to the subject when the Army Estimates are under discussion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss K. C. Goodyear, 17, Headland Park, North Hill, Plymouth, who is about to retire at the age of 60 from the position of tracer at Devonport Dockyard, after 20 years' service, and who is informed that she is entitled to no pension but only to a gratuity of £20; and whether, in view of the fact that Miss Goodyear is at present ineligible for the old age pension, he can authorise the payment of a pension in recognition of past service?

It has been decided to retain Miss Goodyear's services for another year, but as she is employed in a hired capacity there is no power under the Superannuation Acts, which are administered by the Treasury, to grant her a pension on her retirement from the Service. The amount of the gratuity which will probably be awarded on Miss Goodyear's retirement, subject to the fulfilment of the usual conditions, is approximately £38.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the conditions under which men of the lower deck are allowed to become candidates for Parliament?

The present rule is briefly as follows: A naval rating invited to stand as Parliamentary candidate must obtain the permission of the Admiralty, the granting of which depends upon the exigencies of the Service. He is then granted leave of absence for a period commencing eight days before the issue of the proclamation or writ and extending until the declaration of the poll. He is not permitted to wear naval uniform whilst prosecuting his candidature. If elected, he is to be given the option of taking a free discharge or of being transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve for a period not exceeding two years, during which he may elect to take his discharge or may, subject to Admiralty permission, revert to the active service to complete his engagement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, if he is aware of the important changes in principle contained in A.F.O. 1616/22 and K.R. 16/1922 which affect all lower-deck ratings; and if he will authorise the reprint of this order in notice board form for the information of petty officers and men of the Royal Navy?

King's Regulations, Article 1, lays down that new orders affecting the ship's company are to be read to their men by Divisional Officers, and that copies of such orders are to be displayed in some accessible place for at least a week. The Admiralty consider these measures sufficient for the promulgation of the orders in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether the Dominions have yet been consulted with regard to the proposed abandonment of the Singapore dock; and, if so, what replies, if any, have been received from Australia and New Zealand?

I have nothing at present to add to the statements made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in this House on the 13th instant, except to emphasise the fact that the Dominions will be consulted as soon as the Government have completed their examination of the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, the number of young men being trained at Wendover, the number who qualified for flying last year, and the total yearly cost of that camp?

The number of boys and men at present under instruction at No. 1 School of Technical Training, Halton, is 2,132. The purpose of the school is to train boys as Royal Air Force tradesmen in such trades as fitters, carpenters, coppersmiths, etc., and they are not trained in flying. The annual cost of maintenance of the camp varies according to the number of personnel undergoing instruction, but on the basis of the number at present under training the cost, including their pay and maintenance, is at the rate of approximately £425,000 a year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the decision to release Mr. Ghandi was based solely on account of ill-health; and whether the proposal originated from the Government of India or the Government of Bombay?

Yes, Sir. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 12th instant to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Milne).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the widows of officers of Gurkha regiments killed in the War are unable to dispose of the houses owned by their late husbands in the various hill cantonments occupied by Gurkha regiments owing to the peculiar circumstances connected with officers' quarters in those cantonments; and whether the Government of India can now remedy these grievances by purchasing these houses, as they have said they would be willing to do when opportunity arose?

The Government of India are being asked for a report on this matter, and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Education if a teacher who having served abroad returns home is compelled to subscribe to the superannuation fund, when he has no chance of benefits owing to his age?

The answer is in the negative. Under Section 2 (1) of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1922, a teacher who satisfies the Board that he cannot, by reason of his age, qualify before attaining the age of 65 for an annual superannuation allowance is exempted from liability to contribute under the. Act.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of our present great expenditure upon education, he will consider the advisability of setting up an independent body of five public men of standing to thoroughly examine the existing system, and report to him where they consider it could be improved so as to impart to scholars a more efficient and suitable training to help them in their careers than is given at the present time?

I do not think it desirable or practicable to institute a comprehensive inquiry into the system of public education in the manner suggested. I have recently asked the Board's Consultative Committee to inquire into the organisation, objective and curriculum of courses of full-time study up to the age of 15, regard being had, inter alia, to the probable occupations of the pupils in commerce, industry and agriculture.

asked the President to the Board of Education whether, having regard to the statement contained in Circular 1320, that organised visits to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley during school hours by pupils from elementary schools under the guidance of their teachers will be recognised as school attendances under Article 44 of the Elementary Education Code, the Board have yet decided whether expenditure incurred by local education authorities in arranging such visits will rank for Government grant under Section 118 (2) of the Education Act, 1921?

The matter is at present receiving the close attention of the Board, and I will issue a statement as early as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the operation of Article 9 (a) (iii) of the Board of Education Regulations and the hardship which it inflicts on many highly efficient teachers who were unable to pay for the course of training referred to in this article and are, therefore, debarred from obtaining positions as head teachers of elementary schools; and whether he is prepared to take such steps as may be necessary to recognise as eligible for headships in elementary schools those teachers who have passed the acting teachers' examination?

I am satisfied that the effect of the rule, which dates from 1909, has been advantageous to the schools. The rights of teachers existing at the time of its introduction are preserved.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the local education authority of Port Talbot gave the school children a holiday on 12th February in celebration of the appointment of the present Government; and whether, seeing that this authority receives financial assistance by grants or otherwise from the Imperial Exchequer, he will advise this authority that they are not justified in manifesting a political bias in the administration of Imperial and local funds?

I imagine that most places in the country regard the elevation of their Member to the position of Prime Minister as something more than a party event. It is not likely to occur many times to any constituency in the course of a thousand years. As the Board is not accustomed to interfere with local authorities in arranging school holidays, I do not imagine that the House would wish me to take any exceptional action in this case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the possibility of amending the Regulations governing the transportation of cattle and horses on railways in order that such animals, and especially calves, may be ensured a proper supply of suitable food and water when they have been in the charge of railway companies for more than 12 hours, and that they be supplied at reasonable intervals after the first 12 hours as long as they are in the charge of railway companies.

I may explain that at present the position is that cattle, sheep and pigs in transit are fed by railway companies when a journey exceeds 24 hours, and the animals are required to be watered at least once when the journey exceeds that period. In the case of horses, asses and mules, railway companies are required by order to feed and water these animals at least once during each period of 24 hours when the journey exceeds that period. The Ministry has investigated this subject on several occasions, and is led to conclude that the present regulations provide all that is practicable at present. The feeding of cattle by railway companies, though usual, is not specifically required by order, but the companies are liable to penalties under the provisions of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, if they fail to exercise reasonable care and supervision in carrying any animal so as to cause it unnecessary suffering. The Ministry has, however, frequently received protests against the practice of feeding animals in transit. It is urged that animals are generally well fed and watered before being put on rail, so that further 'feeding while on a journey is unnecessary, that animals frequently refuse the food offered them, that re-trucking of animals is necessary which makes for delay and exposes the animals to the risk of infection. Fat stock, again, are not ready for slaughter if they are fed on the journey. The Ministry, there- fore, considers that the issue of an Order on more stringent lines than the present practice would be inexpedient. Similarly with regard to watering. The Ministry has power to reduce to 12 hours the period within which the animals must be watered, but the representations received from stock-owners have usually been in the direction of extending the period rather than reducing it. The Ministry is advised that to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion would so seriously delay the completion of the journey as actually to defeat the object in view, namely, the welfare of the animals in transit. It would entail also increased expenses of carriage which would tend further to make the proposal impracticable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give

—	Year Ending.	1920.	1921.	1922.	1923.
		£	£	£	£
Clyde Navigation Trust	30th June	1,077,998	1,058,134	1,015,729	1,067,061
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board	1st July	3,487,624	3,172,395	3,384,414	3,263,847

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing the enormous increase in the repair and maintenance of roads in rural district council areas, he will sanction the payment to local authorities of the difference between the cost of upkeep in 1914 and those of to-day, which is caused by the heavy motor traffic running over these roads, thus relieving the local rates of an unfair burden?

While I am unable to agree with the basis of grant proposed by the hon. Member, I would inform the hon. Member that a total allocation was made from the Road Fund revenues for 1923–24 and 1924–25 amounting to 2,750,000 for the improvement of important roads in rural areas in Great Britain. Payments to rural authorities on the scale suggested in the question could not he made from the. Fund without trenching seriously upon the annual maintenance and improvement grants to Class I and Class II roads. the following information with reference to the Clyde Trust and the Mersey Harbour Board, respectively: The revenue obtained during each of the four years 1920 to 1923, and the number of maintenance men employed in each port during each of the four years?

I have been asked to reply. The reply as to the revenue of these undertakings contains a number of figures, and I propose, therefore, with my hon. Friend's concurrence, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I have no information in regard to the latter part of the question.

asked the Mnister of Transport whether he will sanction the whole of the money collected by the West Suffolk County Council licensing authority from the taxation of motor vehicles being applied for the repair and maintenance of the main roads in West Suffolk; whether he is aware that the overwhelming motor traffic on the roads in the county is through traffic from London and the surrounding counties; and whether, seeing that West Suffolk is a poor agricultural county, he will give consideration to the question of making main roads a national charge and so release the ratepayers of an unfair burden?

The Road Fund is essentially a national fund, and any attempt to administer it on a territorial basis would defeat the purpose of the Fund and would cause grave injustice. I am aware of the amount of through traffic on many roads in rural areas, and special assistance, in which districts in West Suffolk have shared, has been given from the Road Fund towards the cost of improvement of important rural roads The suggestion contained in the last part of the question raises far-reaching issues of policy, affecting the relations between national and local finance, which cannot very well be dealt with in answer to a question.

asked the Minister of Transport how far arrangements have been completed for the construction of a road bridge across the Tay at Dundee; what proportion of the cost will be borne by the Imperial Exchequer and by the local authorities interested, respectively; and when it is intended to proceed with the scheme?

An offer of assistance from the Road Fund has been made, amounting to 75 per cent. of the cost of preparing plans for the construction of a road bridge over the Tay. This arrangement does not commit the Government to a grant in the same proportion towards the cost of the, bridge, and, indeed, at this stage it is not possible to state how the scheme will be financed should it eventually be decided, to carry it out.