asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in accordance with the promise of his predecessor, the position of the fishing industry has been reviewed in the light of the financial results of last year's fishing, the condition of the fishermen's gear, and the prospects of next year's demand; and what action he proposes to take to accelerate the recuperation of the industry?

The matter is receiving my consideration, but I am not yet in a position to state what action, if any, will be practicable.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that certain smallholders in the Highlands of Scotland who are unable to purchase their holdings are threatened with eviction within the next few months, and that feelings of alarm and insecurity are consequently spreading throughout the Highlands; and whether an assurance can be given that the Government will take action without delay with the object of securing these families in the possession of their homes?

I am aware that some dissatisfaction prevails in the areas referred to for the reason stated in the first part of the question. The difficulty arises from the terms of the provisions of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts. Linder Section 19 of the Act of 1911, the Land Court have no option but to grant resumption of a holding which has been purchased by a person for his own occupation if such person possesses no other landed estate. The question of introducing legislation with a view to remedying matters is receiving my close consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will now receive applications from married ploughmen for small holdings whether or not such ploughmen have Army service?

It is, and has been, open to persons in the position mentioned to make such applications to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, but in dealing with applicants the Board have to keep in view the preference to ex-service applicants conferred by the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that it has been found practically impossible to make land in deer forests available for small holdings on account of the provision in the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, which compels the Board of Agriculture to fence land so taken, thus making the cost of the holdings prohibitive; and whether he proposes to take steps to have the provision referred to repealed?

I assume the hon. Member's question refers to Section 10 of the Act of 1919, the provisions of which apply to any land on which schemes of land settlement may be projected by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and are not solely applicable to deer forests. I am aware that difficulty has arisen in connection with a scheme of settlement on deer forest land because of the operation of the Section. I am considering the matter, but I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that fences are only required where the land court declare them to be necessary.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is his intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Scottish Land Settlement Acts, dealing particularly with security of tenure?

I assume the right hon. Member refers to the possibility that a holder may be dispossessed by the granting of an application for resumption by a person who has purchased the holding. As stated in my reply of to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness (Sir A. Sinclair), I am considering closely whether it may be possible to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction prevailing in many crofting areas owing to the ease with which landlords can reacquire crofts and holdings under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts, whereby crofters and holders are dispossessed of their holdings, thus defeating the intention of the said Acts; and will he give facilities for the passing of a Bill to remedy this?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day on the same subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the huge interest taken by money lenders from working-class people in difficulties; and is he prepared to suggest legislation to make it unlawful for a man with no estate to sign a bill or that the bill should be subject to ordinary court procedure giving details of transactions as done by ordinary traders?

My attention has not hitherto been called to the matter referred to by my hon. Friend, but I shall be glad to consider any cases which he may care to submit to me. As at present advised, however, I am not disposed to think that legislation on the lines he suggests would be practicable or would be likely to achieve the end he probably has in view.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of members on the advisory committees responsible for advising the lord-lieutenants of the counties of Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire for recommending justices of the peace for the foregoing counties; and their names and occupations?

The Justices' Advisory Committee in every Scottish county is appointed by the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the lord-lieutenant, who is ex officio chairman of the committee. The names and occupations (so far as they are known) of the members of the committees for Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire, other than the lords-lieutenant, are as follow:—

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many men and women in Glasgow were permitted to use the prison cells, not as prisoners, but through destitution, during the years 1920 to 1923, inclusive, for each year?

No persons other than prisoners have been permitted to use prison cells during the period referred to, but in consequence of destitution the following numbers were given protection in police cells in Glasgow within the dates mentioned:

Year.	Males.	Females	Total.
1920	2206	1458	3664
1921	12766	2457	15223
1922	48167	6428	54595
1923	43654	7944	51598

asked the Secretary for Scotland if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation for the purpose of removing the heavy financial barrier which exists at present for entrants to the Faculty of Advocates?

The total fees payable in connection with admission to the Faculty of Advocates, in the case of an intrant not above 24 years of age on admission, and exclusive of fees for examination, amount to £355 15s Of this sum, £50 is Stamp Duty and £55 is payable to the Widows' Fund. The remainder goes to defray the expenses of the Faculty, chiefly those connected with their library. As my hon. Friend doubtless knows, arrangements for the transfer of the library to the nation are at present in progress. It may be that when that transfer is carried through the Faculty will find it possible to reconsider the payment required from intrants for the purposes of the library. I am not in a position to give any undertaking regarding legislation such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received any communication drawing his attention to the conduct of certain police officials in Glasgow; whether he has taken, or is arranging to take, any action in the matter; and, if not, whether he can give any reason for the inaction of his Department?

It does not appear that my Department has received any communication of the kind which I understand is in my hon. Friend's mind. If he will give me further particulars, I shall be glad to make inquiry on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the total number of sheriffs and sheriffs-substitute in Scotland; how many of these are members of the Faculty of Advocates; and how many are members of other branches of the legal profession?

There are 16 sheriffs, including the Sheriff of Chancery, and 47 sheriffs-substitute. All of the sheriffs and all but two of the sheriffs-substitute are members of the Faculty of Advocates.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any women medical practitioners have been appointed as medical examiners in certain criminal cases, as recommended by the Lord Advocate's letter of 20th October, 1920, to the procurators fiscal; and, if so, in which Courts such appointments have been made?

The Circular referred to by the Noble Lady deals with the employment in suitable cases of women medical practitioners, and I understand that, particularly in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the services of such practitioners are frequently utilised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the failure of his Department to define the point of the River Clyde from above which dredgings of inoffensive material may not be deposited at Roseneath Patch is giving a great deal of concern to local authorities on both sides of the river; if he recognises that his right to prohibit such dumping may only be exercised after damage has been done to the foreshores; and if he can now see his way to restrict such dumping to dredgings taken from a point below that at which the River Leven joins the Clyde and to appoint a qualified inspector to see that the 1,350,000 barge-tons of dredgings is inoffensive and in accordance with the privileges now granted to the Clyde Trust?

As explained in an answer given to the hon. Member for Greenock on the 21st January (a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend), the permission given to the Clyde Navigation Trustees to deposit dredgings for a trial period of one year on an area near Roseneath Patch is subject to the condition, among others, that no sewage or offensive material may be deposited. The Trustees have been informed that the Board of Trade do not consider maintenance dredgings from the upper part of the River Clyde under the jurisdiction of the Trustees as suitable for deposit on the area, and I am advised that it is not desirable to define more exactly the precise point in the river from above which dredgings may not be deposited, since the conditions in the river may vary from time to time and a, definition might possibly be construed as weakening the governing condition which I have mentioned. I have no reason to doubt that the Trustees will in their own interests take every precaution to observe this condition, and the Board's permission can be withdrawn at 24 hours' notice, on their being satisfied that the deposit is causing or likely to cause injury. In view of these considerations, I do not think it necessary to appoint an inspector as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Farriers' Association and Blacksmiths' Union in intimating to certain Glasgow iron merchants that their names will be removed from the list of suppliers to the association and union unless they cease supplying an organisation of Scottish farmers called the Co-operative Smithies; and whether he proposes to take powers to deal with cases of this kind?

I am considering this matter in the light of the detailed information which has been supplied by the hon. and gallant Member, and I am in communication with the National Master Farriers' Association on the subject. The second part of the question raises a matter of general policy on which I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that a number of workers have been discharged from the Scottish Oil Works, and that other dismissals are contemplated; and, if so, does he propose taking any action, in view of the fact that the shale and oil industry is the only one within a radius of 10 miles and the workmen are threatened with ejection from their houses?

I understand that there have been no exceptional discharges recently from the Scottish Shale Oil Works nor are any at present contemplated. The second part of the question does not, therefore, really arise, but I may add that I am informed that notice to quit has been given by the company to a number of tenants who are employed elsewhere than in the shale industry, in order to provide accommodation for its own workpeople.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has been requested to grant an interview to a deputation from the Scottish shale and oil workers; if so, does he propose to receive them; and on what date?

I have arranged to see a deputation of shale miners and oil workers on 26th February.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether there arc any restrictions on the granting of Poor Law relief in Scotland; and whether there have been any complaints of excessive expenditure on such relief?

There is no prescribed scale of relief in Scotland, Parliament having left parish councils a discretion as to the amount of relief to be allowed in individual cases. In practice, however, a uniform scale of relief for the able-bodied poor has been adopted by a number of parish councils on the recommendation of a conference of representatives of parish councils held in September, 1921. Certain parish councils, however, have fixed a different scale. In a few areas, when the relief granted appeared to be excessive or extravagant and, therefore, illegal and liable to be surcharged, the Board of Health have had to call the attention of the parish councils concerned to the matter, and this has generally been sufficient to secure compliance with the law.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that, owing to the high feu duties demanded by many landlords and the conditions imposed in many cases upon intending feuars in the County of Argyll, private house building and industrial development are seriously discouraged; and will the Government give facilities for the passing of a Bill to remedy this state of affairs?

I am informed that the only case in which attention has been drawn to difficulty in obtaining a feu in Argyllshire was at Strachur where a local builder proposed to erect houses. In that case the Board of Health pointed out to the local authority, through whom the matter was brought to their notice, that the powers to acquire land conferred on the local authority by Section 11 of the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, include the power of acquiring land (compulsorily if need be) for the purpose of selling, leasing, or felling it with a view to the erection thereon, by persons other than the local authority, of houses for the working classes. In these circumstances, further legislation does not appear to be necessary. I have no information as to the discouragement of industrial developments from the cause suggested.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a memorial from parties interested in the herring fishing in Shetland asking for the cancellation of whaling licences under the powers conferred on him under the Whaling (Scotland) Act, 1922; and whether he intends to give effect to the findings of the Committee on Whaling that, in their opinion, whaling was destructive to the interests of herring fishing and should therefore be abolished?

I have received a memorial, and shall give it my careful consideration with reference to the powers conferred by the Act of 1922.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the ring fences round the common grazing at Borgie, Sutherland, is out of repair; that the Board of Agriculture started to repair it about two years ago and then left off when it was half finished; that the fence is now lying flat; that the barbed wire is trailing among the heather, constituting a danger to the stock; that one horse was so seriously damaged last autumn that it died; and when it is proposed to complete the repair of this fence?

I understand that the matter referred to in the latter part of the question may become the subject of a legal action against the Board. In these circumstances, while I cannot accept the detailed description of the fences given in the question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member, I must defer a reply until the action is disposed of. The Board has the matter under observation.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Ministry have issued instructions to expedite the review of all dependants' pensions by the 31st March next, and that this instruction precludes any investigation of the present pecuniary circumstances of the parent and household on account of the large number of cases to be dealt with by the 31st March; and whether, in view of the fact that dependants' pensions were in the first place assessed after careful investigation by competent permanent officials of the Customs and Excise Department, namely, the old age pensions officers and confirmed by the local old age pensions committees, and that this action has led to distress in a. great many cases, he will consider withdrawing the instructions which preclude proper investigation of cases under the present circumstances

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on this subject to the hon. Member for Middles-brough West (Mr. T. Thomson) on the 12th February and to the hon. Member for Bristol East (Mr. Baker) on the 18th February, of which I am sending him copies. I may add that the review is limited to pensions based upon pre-War dependence and does not embrace pensions granted on the ground of pecuniary need and incapacity which the hon. Member appears to have in mind.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that W. E. Bradley, late No. 325,043, a. corporal in the Worcestershire Yeomanry, lately appealed against the termination of his pension, his appeal being rejected after examination by a tropical disease specialist on a medical board at Birmingham; that his subsequent appeal to the House of Lords tribunal was allowed; that he was referred back to a board at Birmingham, which board included the same tropical disease specialist who had previously examined him; whether it is the practice of the Ministry that a specialist employed on a board be employed in connection with an appeal against the finding of that board; and, if not, whether he will arrange for the appellant to be allowed a further appeal to a board, the members of which shall not have previously examined him?

The final award set aside by the tribunal was made on the assessment of a. medical board held in April, 1921, which consisted of entirely different personnel from that of the medical board held subsequent to the decision of the tribunal given in December last. The question is, therefore, based on a misapprehension and, moreover, it would have been contrary to official instructions if any part of the personnel of two such boards had been identical. My right hon. Friend is arranging for the man to have an early opportunity of taking advantage of his right to be examined by a medical appeal board.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a large number of ex-service men are aggrieved at the decisions arrived at in their appeals to the Pension Appeal Tribunal, in view of the fact that in their respective cases they can produce the evidence of two or more medical men and other witnesses to substantiate the justice of their claims; and will he consider the advisability of taking powers to enable a fresh investigation into their cases to take place if substantial proof is forwarded?

It has not been possible to arrive at a final decision since this matter was raised last Thursday by the hon. Member for Walthamstow, Wrest, but the whole question is receiving my right, hon. Friend's close attention, and he hopes to be in a position to make an announcement within a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the admitted shortage of skilled building operatives such as bricklayers, he can see his way to arrange that some weekly grant should be made to the sons of soldiers who lost their lives in the War to supplement their small earnings as apprentices to these occupations?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to recommend any provision in the sense suggested beyond that already made by the Royal Warrant for the continuance beyond the age of 10 of the ordinary children's allowances in the case of young persons serving an apprenticeship and receiving not more than nominal wages

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a decision can now be given relative to the payment of difference between the pension received and the amount due for the first year to wives or other next-of-kin of naval pensioners who die less than one year after discharge?

This matter has been fully considered as the result of repre- sentations made by the Welfare Conference, 1922, but I regret that it- has not been found possible to accede to the request.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what action, if any, he proposes to take with a view to restoring the policy of Circular 461, issued in August, 1914, by the Scottish Education Department?

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps, if any, he has taken to withdraw Circular 51 and to restore the position of local bodies previous to that Circular being issued with regard to feeding of school children?

As the hon. Members are aware, there are considerable legal difficulties in connection with this matter. I am going into these very carefully with the Law Officers and I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board have considered the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Teachers' Superannuation, which recommends that local authorities should pay to the Government Superannuation Fund a contribution of 2½per cent. of the salary bill of all teachers in their employment; and, if so, has a decision been reached?

The Report is at present under consideration as a whole, but no decision has yet been reached upon it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider introducing legislation to facilitate the receiving of music tuition either inside the elementary and secondary schools or by private tuition during school hours where a pupil is precluded from the means of such tuition excepting during school hours?

I am not aware that occasion has arisen for legislation in this matter. As is indicated in Articles 1 and 2 of the Code and Article 8 of the Secondary School Regulations, the Board recognise the value of training in vocal music and instruction incidental to the appreciation of music as an element in a general education. The question whether instrumental music can be taught and practised in school hours is one for consideration in relation to the particular circumstances of each school, regard being had to the time available and the preservation of a proper balance among the several subjects of the curriculum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what progress is being made with the construction of new oil fuel storage depots for the Navy, and how many men are being employed at each of the three ports in connection with this work; whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to put forward further proposals for extending storage accommodation in this year's Navy Estimates; and what is the capital value of the reserve of oil fuel in Home waters and overseas depots respectively

The progress so far made with the construction of oil fuel storage depots, as approved by Parliament and shown in the Vote 10 of the published Navy Estimates, has been on the whole satisfactory. The only place in the three Southern ports where this work is being proceeded with is Devonport, where 15 men are employed. Proposals for proceeding with new storage accommodation in 1024–25 are still under consideration. It is not in the public interest to make public exact information as to the amount of the oil fuel reserve.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state, respectively, the number of men punished in the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, during the quarters ended 31st December, 1922, and 31st December, 1923; what relation as to percentage those numbers bear respectively to the average number of men borne during the quarters referred to; should there be any material difference, will he explain the reason for such; and whether the Admiralty intend to publish the Returns for punishments in the Navy and Marines?

As regards the last portion of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 11th July last, a copy of which I am sending him. The comparative statistics asked for are not in possession of the Admiralty, the figures for the quarter ending 31st December last not having been yet received from the Commander-in-Chief. If, when received, they appear to call for any enquiry, the matter will be investigated in the ordinary course by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has received representations that in the official volume issued by his Department of soldiers who died in the Great War, 1914–19, only those men are included who died between the actual outbreak of hostilities and the date of the Armistice; whether seeing that those men who died immediately afterwards, after having served years at the Front, are not included, with the result that their relatives and friends have no official recognition of the sacrifices made by the dead men, he will under these circumstances, consider the issue of a supplementary volume containing the names of all those who died as a result of the Great War between the. Armistice and before demobilisation, and whose names have been omitted from the volume specified?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that the roll of names was kept open beyond the date of the Armistice in the case of men who were killed in action or who died of wounds after that date. As regards the last part of the question, I will consider the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Alfred Mitchell, military medal and bar, of 97, Chestnut Road, Tottenham, who received a course of training in electrical fitting which terminated in November, 1921, has been unemployed since with the exception of four months; whether there are any prospects of his Department being able to find an improvership vacancy for Mitchell; and, if not, in view of the fact that Mitchell is the only trainee from Hackney Marshes who has never had a day's extension, whether be can see his way to allow him to take a refresher course?

Alfred Mitchell has had about two years' institutional training in a course for which the normal period is 18 months. Every effort has been made by the canvassing officers attached to my Department, assisted by both the Electrical Trade Union and the London District Association of Engineering Employers, to discover a suitable vacancy for him, and a firm at Woolwich has promised to give him preference in the event of their being able to take on further hands. He is not eligible for a refresher course.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many applications have been made by ex-service men in Peebles-shire, Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire for small holdings; how many have been placed; and if there are any further schemes in prospect for creating more small holdings in Peeblesshire and the South of Scotland, with a view to all approved applicants being provided for?

Ninety-four applications from ex-service men have been received from the counties referred to. Of these 20 have been settled, and 42 have withdrawn their applications. There are no further schemes immediately in prospect in these particular counties, but schemes in other counties south of the Forth are in progress.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction among ex-service applicants for small holdings by the Regulation of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, under which applications received subsequent to 1st March, 1921, are postponed to those lodged earlier; and whether he proposes to rescind the Regulation in question?

I am aware that dissatisfaction exists in consequence of the Regulation referred to, but it seems not unreasonable that the earlier applicants should have preference over the later, and I should hesitate to rescind the Regulation without further investigation. The matter is, however, receiving my attention.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many applications for small holdings in Ross and Cromarty have been made since 1914; how many men have been settled on the land; and how many applications are still under consideration?

Since January, 1914, the numbers of applications received for new holdings and enlargements are respectively 794 and 397. During the same period, 311 applicants have been settled in new holdings and 368 in enlargements. Of the total applications received during the whole period from the 1st April, 1912, the numbers outstanding are 863 for new holdings and 540 for enlargements.

asked the Postmaster-General how many ex-service trainees are at present employed in his Department?

The total number of ex-service men who have been appointed to situations in the Post Office since the Armistice, excluding temporary staff, is over 38,000. A certain number of these men have subsequently left the service, but this figure could not be ascertained without making special inquiry in all parts of the country. If the hon. Member has any particular class of men in mind, I shall be happy to furnish him with more detailed information.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to recent complaints in the public Press that ex-soldiers entitled to medals for service in the War are still waiting for their medals to be issued; what is the total number of medals already distributed; what is the estimated total still to be distributed; and if he will expedite, as far as possible, the issue of all medals overdue to all ex-soldiers entitled to them, whether they have made formal application or not?

No complaints have come specially to my notice recently, but I am aware that some medals have not been issued, not because they are not ready, but because the men concerned have not kept the authorities informed of their addresses. Many medals sent out have consequently been returned by the Post Office, but I am not able to say the total number remaining undistributed from this cause. There is now no other reason for any delay in completing the distribution. Many notices have already been inserted in the Press inviting men to communicate their addresses, and similar notices have been displayed in cinema theatres. In these circumstances, I regret that I can take no further steps to expedite the issue of medals. The total number of medals already distributed is over 13,000,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the necessity of an increasing expenditure upon the repair and maintenance of district roads, particularly the more important roads linking up main roads, he would consider the making of an annual grant from the Roads Fund to rural district councils of at least 50 per cent. of all excess expenditure on roads over the pre-War standard?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for the Sudbury Division (Mr. Loverseed), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can issue. a statement showing the schemes for road construction and improvement now being undertaken throughout the country, stating in each case how long the works have been under construction, how far they are now advanced towards completion, and when it is expected to complete the work?

I regret that owing to the very large number of road schemes now in progress throughout the country, it is impossible to give the detailed information asked for in the question. I would refer the Noble Lord to the Annual Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1922–23, which contains a great deal of information on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the power of borrowing conferred by Section 13 of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, has ever been exercised by the Ministry; if so, to what extent; and, if not, whether he will exercise it to the full statutory limit of £200,000 for the purpose of providing some of the cost of the new roads now under construction or contemplated?

It has not, up to the present, been found necessary to exercise the borrowing powers conferred by the Act of 1909, to meet the cost of any of the new roads now under construction or contemplated.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the amounts of the contributions made by the Treasury in each of the last three years towards the difference between economic and uneconomic labour employed on works on roads carried out by or with the assistance of his Ministry?

Contributions from the Exchequer were made in special circumstances during the years 1921–22 and 1922–23 to the programme of road works for the relief of unemployment initiated during the autumn and winter of 1920–21.The payments were as follow:—

1921–92	£380,000
1922–23	£192,000

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the road-widening scheme undertaken by the Barrhead Town Council at Paisley Road, Barrhead, Renfrewshire, in order to provide work for the unemployed is being impeded by the refusal of the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company to make available a portion of the ground fronting their goods station; and, as this road improvement scheme would not only provide work, but would, undoubtedly, be a great benefit to the public, what steps can he take to settle the matter?

I am aware of the difficulty that has arisen between the Barrhead Town Council and the railway company, and am making further inquiries into the present position of the negotiations. I will communicate the result of these inquiries to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the grave and rapidly increasing congestion of London traffic, His Majesty's Government propose to take steps to deal with it?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can given an undertaking to introduce a Traffic Bill for London before the opening of the British Empire Exhibition?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer which the Prime Minister gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon).

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the threatened pulling up again of Oxford Circus, he will introduce legislation to give himself power to prohibit such costly and inconvenient action by the Metropolitan Water Board in time to prevent such an example of the lack of co-ordination of the authorities who have powers over London streets?

I understand that the proposed alterations in the gas and water mains in Oxford Circus are only required in order to allow of improvements in the Central London Tube Station which are being undertaken solely in the interest of London traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the prevailing unemployment, ho will be pre pared to consider proposals from local authorities and railway companies to deal with level crossings across main arterial roads of the country by means of bridges or subways for traffic; and, if so, whether Government assistance for such schemes will be forthcoming?

I shall be very glad to consider any proposals for the elimination of level crossings on important roads, and. within the limits of the funds at my disposal to assist suitable schemes, in addition to those already proceeding with the aid of grants from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the state of the new London-Maidstone road is so bad as to be practically useless for all traffic; that nothing is being done at present to repair it; and what steps his Department intend to take in the matter?

The surface of the new sections of this road is of a temporary nature, pending the consolidation of the foundations. Arrangements are being made for placing contracts for the permanent surfacing, and, in the meantime, the Kent County Council, with the assistance of my Department, are effecting repairs.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the danger to both cyclists and motorists at night through the absence of rear lights or reflectors on cycles; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to ensure that cyclists carry at least reflectors in order to obviate the danger?

I am unable to say, at present, whether it will be possible to promote any legislation, in the near future, dealing with lights on road vehicles. Should it be decided to introduce a Bill, the points referred to by the hon. Member shall receive full consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport how many applications by railway companies have been made for permission to proceed with works under the extension of powers provided by the Railways (Authorisation of Works) Act, 1923 the dates of such application and how many were authorised by the Minister; and can he inform the House of the amount of new capital involved in such works, and the number of men employed who were previously unemployed?

One such application has been formally lodged. This was made by the Southern Railway Company on the 27th December last, and is at present under consideration. The estimated expense of carrying out the works proposed is £416,115.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can inform the House when the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the question of motor taxation is likely to issue its Report?

asked the Minister of Transport when the Committee which has been sitting for the past two years on the question of taxation of motor vehicles is likely to issue a Report; whether, owing to the great delay and procrastination of the Committee, an interim Report can be issued; whether the Report which had been promised in time for last year's Budget will be in time for its provisions to be incorporated in this year's Budget; and to what circumstances is the delay due?

The Departmental Committee commenced its sittings at the end of January, 1922, and I cannot agree that there has been any procrastination or avoidable delay on their part. The length of the inquiry has been entirely due to the complexity of the subject under investigation. I am informed that the Committee have completed the taking of evidence on the tax on motor spirit. The Committee are now considering other matters coming within their terms of reference, and. I cannot say when their report will be available. I will consult with the Chairman of the Committee as to the desirability of the issue of an Interim Report.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the advisability of the development of the canal system between Birmingham and Sharpness in order to facilitate the transport of goods between the Midlands and the Bristol Channel and whether such a work will be included in the development schemes for the relief of unemployment?

The possibility of improving water communication between Birmingham and Sharpness is at present under the consideration of the City of Birmingham and other local and canal authorities affected, with whom a decision in the matter primarily rests. A committee appointed by the Birmingham Council have recently been examining the whole question with care, but their inquiries are not yet complete and it is not likely that any definite scheme will be ready to be put in hand in connection with the present plans for the relief of unemployment.

asked the Postmaster-General if the Government has granted any monopoly to the Marconi Company in connection with the Empire wireless chain; has any sole licence been given to this company; and, as this wireless chain is essential to close Empire communication, will he, in conjunction with the Dominion Governments, consider making this an enterprise equally shared in by all Governments concerned?

The answer to the first two parts of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, the whole subject is now under the consideration of a committee, which has been asked to submit a report at the earliest possible moment. I fear, however, that the arrangements already made by certain of the Dominions would preclude the immediate adoption of the solution suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General for what reason the proj4et for the establishment of direct wireless communication between this country and the Commonwealth of Australia has been held up; and whether he can say when his Department hopes to issue the necessary licences for the provision of high-power Empire wireless communications?

I have recently appointed a committee to consider the whole question of the Imperial Wireless Services, and I hope to receive its report shortly. In the meantime I do not think it is desirable to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the renaming of Petrograd as Leningrad by the Bolshevist Government, the public in this country must now address their letters by the new designation?

I have received no official information that the change referred to by the hon. Member has been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that his Department has 10 years' arrears of building work to make up, and that a large number of Crown offices are in an unhealthy and unsanitary condition because of the delay; and whether, in these circumstances, he will arrange for a large proportion of 'this work to be put in hand at once?

The suspension of building work during the War inevitably resulted in an accumulation of arrears of Post Office building. Every effort is being made to overtake these arrears; and in arranging the building programme priority has been given to the replacement of offices in which, on account of their age or of the growth of work, the working conditions have become unhealthy. Provision for the replacement of a number of unsatisfactory offices will be sought in the Estimates for 1924–5 which will shortly he presented to the House. There will still remain a number, but not a. large number, of old offices where the working conditions are not in all respects up to modern standards. In most of these cases the provision of up-to-date buildings has been unavoidably delayed by the difficulty of securing suitable sites or of obtaining vacant possession of sites already acquired.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that a large number of Post Office buildings are in an unhealthy and unsanitary condition, and That his administration has been pursuing a policy of reducing the status of offices by substituting scale payment sub-offices, controlled and staffed by subcontractors, for Crown offices staffed and controlled by the Post Office itself, whereby the responsibility for these conditions is transferred to other shoulders; and whether he will give an assurance that the creation of additional town sub-offices in place of Crown offices shall cease until he has had an opportunity of investigating the subject;

The reduction of the smaller head post offices to salaried sub-offices has been carried out with a view to concentrating district control in fewer centres and facilitating delegation of responsibility. The reduction of salaried sub-offices to scale payment sub-offices is, generally speaking, confined to cases where, through decline of business or other change of circumstances the work has fallen below the standard normally held to justify the existence of a salaried office. Such conversions are occasionally made on account of the difficulty of obtaining suitable premises for a. Crown office; the Post Office has no desire to transfer responsibility for unsuitable conditions to sub-contractors. I will furnish my hon. Friend with a list of reductions effected during the last 10 years. I regret that I am unable to specify or to suspend reductions that will take place in the future, as each case is treated on its merits as vacancies arise.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the installation of rural telephones throughout the country since the 1st May last?

From the 1st May to the 31st December last 264 rural, exchanges with 3,365 subscribers were opened. During the same period 496 call offices were added to the system in rural areas, and 1,038 additional rural party line stations were installed. There was a total increase of 6,902 in the number of subscribers to rural exchanges between the 30th June and 31st December last.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to numerous complaints and failures arising from the Barnsley telephonic communication, No. 79; is he aware that, on 7th February at 11 o'clock a.m., transmission communication was completely cut off, and that an attempt to pass messages by Messrs. Taylor and Sons, manufacturers, by other routes met with organised obstruction; and will he have inquiries undertaken and remedy any found existing failure?

Several telephone circuits, including Barnsley 79 rented by Messrs. Taylor and Sons, were subject to intermittent faults between the 7th and 13th February. The trouble was clue to reconstruction operations on the local underground cables and distributing poles. In carrying out such work, every endeavour is made to prevent disturbance of subscribers' circuits, but this is sometimes unavoidable. The engineering operations have now been completed. It would be impracticable to allow the free use of call offices to subscribers whose telephones are temporarily out of order, and this I understand is what the firm in question claimed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a large number of sub-postmasters in charge of provincial town post offices are compelled to maintain by personal attendance a night telephone service in addition to a full eight hours.' scheduled duty; whether the alternative to this arrangement is the surrender of official premises for living accommodation; and whether, in view of the discontent among these officers whose health and efficiency are affected by this scheme and of the shortage of new houses, he is prepared to relieve the officers concerned of this responsibility and to place the system of night telephone service on a sound and efficient basis?

One of the objects of providing official residences in Post Offices is that the necessary attendance may be given to telephone calls at night. It is open to any sub-postmaster to seek permission to vacate the official residence if he finds the duties attaching to its occupation unduly onerous, and such permission is not unreasonably withheld; but I should not feel justified in incurring the expense of making special provision for the telephone work while the sub-postmaster occupies the residence. Arrangements of this kind are duly made when the calls through the night are not numerous.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a request from the Looe Urban District Council for the reopening of the sub-post office at West Looe, Cornwall; and whether, having regard to the inconvenience to the residents and visitors at this growing seaside resort, he will now restore the facilities which were formerly enjoyed?

No recent request has been received from the Looe Urban District Council. I have had inquiry made, and I find that there has been no material change in the situation since my predecessor answered a question on the subject put by the hon. Member on the 6th March last. In these circumstances I regret I am not in a position to authorise the re-establishment of the office.

asked the Postmaster-General if the practice by British firms of posting abroad circulars, etc., intended for delivery in this country still continues; and, if so, whether he is considering the advisability of taking powers to deal with it?

I am glad to say that the practice referred to by the hon. Member has now almost ceased, and unless there is some indication of its revival, I do not think it necessary to take special powers to deal with it. The number of such packets observed fell from 1,398,105 in the three months ending 31st December, 1922, to 33,900 for the corresponding period of 1923. In 1924 there has been practically nothing.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the excessive strain put upon the House of Commons post office staff by reason of the enormous number of canvassing communications received during the last week; and if he will issue a notice to the public suggesting the advisability of addressing such communications to the private addresses of Members?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this matter. A report which I have now received indicates that there was no undue strain on the staff of the House of Commons post office, which was specially supplemented to deal with the exceptionally large number of communications received last week. There was, however, some strain on the accommodation, and a Committee room had to h used for sorting. I do not think that, in the circumstances, there is any necessity for issuing a notice to the public as suggested, and I doubt whether such a notice would have any practical effect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a deputation of salaried sub-postmaster was received by his officials on 8th August, 1923, to discuss the question of appropriate tithe and manipulative duties which have been imposed on the salaried sub-postmasters in a large number of provincial towns throughout the country; whether it has yet conic to his knowledge that no reply has been given to the association concerned; whether the imposition of these duties is compulsorily extending the scheduled duties of the sub-postmasters concerned and is endangering the efficiency of the service by withdrawing those responsible men from the supervision of the work performed by the staff under their control; and whether he is yet in a position to give a reply to the points raised at the interview or to discuss with the representative officials any new aspects of the ease which may have been raised by his Department?

The representations made on the 8th August have been receiving consideration, and I hope that a reply will be sent shortly on the various points raised. There has been no general extension of the manipulative duties of salaried sub-postmasters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will, in the interest of public convenience, consider the advisability of re-introducing the Post Office rate prevailing in this country on 4th August, 1914, for parcel, ordinary, and late-fee letters, telegrams, and express messages

The reduction of Post Office charges must necessarily be governed largely by financial conditions, and will be considered in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in connection with the Budget.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Urban District Council of Looe, Cornwall, have passed a resolution appealing for the grant of a weekly half-holiday for the postmen of Looe; and whether he can make arrangements for this concession?

No formal request has been received either from the urban district council or from the postmen concerned for such a holiday. An application would be considered, if the urban district council were prepared to acquiesce in some curtailment of the delivery service on the day selected.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an estimate of the rate at which houses are actually being built under the 1923 Act, and also of the maximum rate at which houses can be built without any increase in the supply of skilled building trade labour, and without preventing other kinds of building?

Up to 1st February, 22,600 houses had been commenced under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, and 4,680 had been completed. There were also 4,634 houses under construction on this date under the previous housing scheme. The corresponding annual rate of construction is difficult to estimate, but may be put at from 36,000 to 40,000 houses a year. The whole question of the supply of building labour is now the subject of discussion by a conference of employers and operatives and I should prefer for the present not to make any estimate as regards the latter part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Minister of Health how many local councils in the county of Durham have not yet submitted schemes for the building of houses for the working classes since the passing of the Housing Act last year; and if he can give the names of such councils?

11 local authorities in the County of Durham have not yet submitted schemes under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, but I am aware that certain of these have schemes under consideration. The following are the names of the local authorities who have not yet submitted schemes:Bishop Auckland Urban District Council.Brandon and Byshottles Urban District Council.Durham Town Council.Spennymoor Urban District Council.Stanhope Urban District Council.Stanley Urban District Council.Tow Law Urban District Council.Barnard Castle Rural District Council.Hartlepool Rural District Council.Stockton Rural District Council.Weardale Rural District Council.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will institute an inquiry and prepare and present to Parliament a Return showing the average number of bricks laid per man per day in the building trade in Great Britain 50 years ago, 20 years ago and 10 years ago, and at present; whether he will state the causes of the decrease, if any, in number; and whether, if any decrease, the nature of and the authority for the rule under which the decrease has been effected?

No information is available which would enable such statistics to be given, and I do not think that an inquiry such as the hon Member suggests would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the water supply of Knutsford, Cheshire, provided by a private company, is impure and a source of grievance to the inhabitants with no prospect of improvement; and, in view of a pure supply from a large public authority being close to, whether lie will look into the matter so as to speedily remove the grievance?

I am aware that complaints have been made as to the quality of the water supply in question, and I am having inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the opinion of the medical fraternity is overwhelmingly in favour of vaccination; and will he take steps to amend the Vaccination Act so that the power of the parent, or other person, having the custody of the child to make a statutory declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination, as embodied in Section 1 of the Vaccination Act of 1907, shall be abolished?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of surcharges remitted to various members of the Poplar Board of Guardians, distinguishing between those surcharges incurred prior to the special Poplar Order of June, 1922, and those subsequently made, and state the date of the last period for which the accounts of the guardians have been audited?

During the last 12 years the total amount of the surcharges by district auditors upon members of the Poplar Board of Guardians which have come to my Department for decision is £1,922.

	£
Remission was granted in respect of	42
The Auditor's decision was discharged in respect of	1,779
Remission was refused in respect of	10
Decision has not yet been given in respect of	91

All these surcharges were made in respect of periods prior to the issue of the Order mentioned. No surcharge has been reported to me in respect of any later period. The latest completed audit was in respect of the half-year ended 31st March, 1922, but the audits for the following three half-years are still open.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of persons at present requiring treatment in the hospitals of London and unable to obtain it through lack of beds; and what he proposes to do to provide the necessary hospital accommodation for such people?

No information is at present available and considerable inquiry would be necessary to obtain even an approximate estimate. I propose, however, to ask the Voluntary Hospitals Commission to report on the extent of the additional accommodation required and the best means of providing it. The hon. Member is doubtless aware that provision of hospital beds is not within my statutory powers.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give any estimate as to the result of the provision of free treatment by the State has had on the incidence of venereal disease; and whether, if the result has been good, he intends to adopt similar methods for free treatment for other diseases?

The information in my possession tends to show that the incidence of these diseases is declining and that the provision of free treatment has undoubtedly contributed to that result. As my hon. Friend is aware, there are certain features of these diseases which differentiate them from other communicable maladies and which render the provision of free treatment especially desirable in the interests of the community. I could not undertake, within the limits of question and answer, to discuss the expediency of adopting similar methods for other diseases.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Ministry to print all forms in connection with future Parliamentary elections in bulk, and to distribute them to returning officers from the Ministry; and, if so, if he can inform the House what economy, if any, is likely to be effected by the change?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on the 14th instant to the questions on this subject put by the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Murrell), Harborough (Mr. Black), and Montrose Burghs (Mr. Sturrock). The arrangement will effect a minimum saving of 25,500 at each General Election.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now give special consideration to the anomaly of the gap period at present operating under the Unemployment Insurance Act; and will he take steps to entirely abolish the gap period?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the Unemployment Insurance Bill now before the House, which proposes to abolish the gap of three weeks in Unemployment Benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Government propose to abolish all gaps between now and Whit. Sunday next, and to make provision that, after 15th May next, all relief for destitute able-bodied unemployed persons shall become a national charge?

As the hon. Member is aware, an Unemployment Insurance Bill is now before the House which will abolish the gap of three weeks without benefit, which occurs after 12 weeks uncovenanted benefit has been drawn in the first benefit year. The question of further provision of benefit beyond the maximum of 26 weeks now provided is now being considered. My right hon. Friend hopes to present a Bill to the House dealing with the whole question of Unemployment Insurance at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will re-examine the proposed River Severn barrage scheme outlined by a former Minister of. Transport, find examine it in the light of the grave unemployment problem of to-day as a possible scheme to absorb skilled men on skilled work?

Tile question of utilising the tides for power purposes was considered carefully by the Water Power Resources Committee with particular reference to the Severn. The Committee decided that further investigation of a number of physical and technical questions was necessary before a final conclusion could be made as to the practicability, from a commercial standpoint, of generating power from the tides. They recommended that a Special Technical Commission of Inquiry should be appointed for the purpose, but owing to the financial stringency, it was not found possible to set up such a Commission. The Committee's suggestion has, however, been kept in mind, and it will be reconsidered when conditions are more suitable. The preliminary investigations required would necessarily extend over a considerable period, and the scheme, even if it were ultimately found to be practicable, is therefore not one which could be utilised to reduce unemployment existing at present or in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport, if his Department has had submitted for consideration a proposal to construct a road bridge across the. Forth at Queensferry; if his Department is satisfied that all engineering difficulties can he surmounted and if he is prepared to consider such a scheme for the relief of unemployment in the iron and steel industries, as well as in ordinary unskilled labour?

A proposal for the construction of a road bridge across the Forth at Queensferry has been discussed informally with officers of my Department, and will be further investigated. The engineering problems connected with such a scheme have not yet been examined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many persons connected with the mercantile marine are dissatisfied with the amounts which have been awarded to them by the Royal Commis- sion on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action; and will he state whether awards already made by that body can be reopened with a view to increasing them?

As the amount available for distribution is limited to £5,000,000 it would not be possible to increase the amounts awarded to one class of claimants without prejudicing all other claimants and I am not therefore prepared to ask the Royal Commission to reconsider their awards.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is expected the claim of Mrs. Rowley, of Crampton Street., Hallam Fields, Ilkeston, whose husband was killed through an air raid in 1916 at the Stanton Iron Works will be considered?

The sum recommended by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action to he paid to Mrs. Rowley in respect of the death of her former husband, Walter Wilson, was paid to her on 14th November, 1923.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any approximate estimate of the value of the deliveries in kind and in cash made by Germany, including the occupied areas, to France, Belgium, and Great Britain, respectively, since the occupation of the Ruhr by the French?

I am making inquiries on this matter and perhaps the hon. Member would be good enough to repeat his question in a week's time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that large quantities of butter are shipped from Esthonia and Finland to Copenhagen, and that at Copenhagen the kegs are re-labelled and shipped to this country as Danish butter; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard thereto?

No, Sir, I have no information as to such a practice, but if the hon. Member will afford me particulars of any specific case, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of manufactured silk goods imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1913, 1921, 1922 and 1923?

The value of the net imports (i.e., imports less re-exports) into the United Kingdom of manufactured silk goods, exclusive of embroidery and apparel, amounted to £12,703,000 in the year 1913, £15,860,000 in 1921, £16,301,000 in 1922, and £18,725,000 in 1923. From 1st April, 1923, the particulars include imports, if any, into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State. From the same date the direct foreign imports of the Irish Free State have been excluded.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the increase in the price of petrol of 4½d. per gallon, which will increase considerably the cost of transport; and if he intends to take any steps to deal with the matter?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedford (Mr. Linfield) on this subject on 14th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedure is adopted by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to ascertain the true value of goods imported under the Safeguarding of Industries Act., 1921, Part I; and whether any question as to suggested values has been referred to the referee under Section 10 of that Act?

The normal practice of the Commissioners of Customs and, Excise is to fix the value of goods under Section 10 of the Act by reference to the invoice price to the importer, plus freight and insurance, except in cases where there is prima facie ground for suspicion that the full consideration for the purchase is not disclosed in the invoice, or that the transaction is not a bona fide sale to a genuine purchaser for value in the open market. In such cases the Commissioners fix the value independently of the invoice price. It is open to any importer who is dissatisfied with the value fixed by the Commissioners to require the matter to be referred to the referee appointed under Section 10 of the Act, but so far no such reference has been required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the decline in the number of stallions of heavy breeds licensed last year, he can see his way to restore the grants to heavy horse societies in connection with the Ministry's livestock improvement scheme, which were withdrawn in 1922?

After a careful review of the case, I am satisfied that the withdrawal of these grants has discouraged co-operation among farmers in the hiring of stallions, and has otherwise proved detrimental to the heavy horse breeding industry. I have decided, therefore, to restore the grants so far as the direct subsidy to a society is concerned.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to supply seed oats and seed potatoes to the distressed areas in the Highlands and Islands; and, if so, whether they are prepared to meet freight charges of same, and at what price they will supply the said oats and potatoes to those who require them?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In cases where assistance is required the Board of Agriculture will pay freight charges to convenient railway stations or piers and contribute £1 per ton towards the market price of the seed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether. in view of the recent failure of the harvest in the crofting counties of Scotland. the Board of Agri- culture is prepared to supply seed oats and potatoes to crofters and smallholders, in accordance with the provisions of The Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, and The Small Landholders (Scotland) Act., 1911?

As I indicated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member in the Debate which took place in this House on the 14th instant and in the reply which I have to-day given to a similar question by the Noble Lady the Member for Kinross and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl), the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the conditions of the scheme of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland under which seed oats and seed potatoes arc to be supplied to distressed crofters; and whether statutory small tenants and cottars are included in the scheme?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I have aleady given to-day to two similar questions on the same subject put by the Noble Lady the Member for Kinross and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl), and the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair). The scheme will operate in necessitous areas within the seven crofting counties. Statutory small tenants and cottars as well as crofters and others will be eligible for assistance in cases where the needs of the individual arc such as to require it.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can see his way to have higher candle-power lamps substituted for those now in use under the Gallery in the House, as the present lights are extremely poor?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion, though it is doubtful whether any material improvement in the lighting could be obtained except by removing the existing shades with heraldic design and substituting plain shades, to which course there may be objections.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a Committee consisting of officials and non-officials, after investigating the present conditions in Burma, has come to the conclusion that the drink habit is a considerable factor in causing the recent increase of crime in the province; and whether the Government have taken, or propose to take, any steps to ascertain the grounds for such a conclusion being arrived at?

Yes, Sir. The grounds on which the Crime Inquiry Committee in Burma based their opinion as to the connection between drink and crime in the Province are clearly stated in their Report. No further inquiry therefore seems to be called for.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state which of the Native States have already decided upon prohibition of the drink traffic?

I have no official information that any Indian State has decided upon prohibition; but it was reported in the Indian newspapers last year that one State—Bhopal—had adopted this policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements are being made for the reception and entertainment of the many visitors from overseas who are expected at the British Empire Exhibition; if so, what the arrangements are and who are responsible for the same; and whether a schedule of prices is available. for such visitors to protect them from excessive charges?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the Exhibition authorities are doing their best to make adequate arrangements in this matter. A register of hotel accommodation has been prepared by Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son, and arrangements have also been made with Messrs. Whitfield, Baker and Company, a firm of house agents, for the compilation of a register of accommodation available in furnished houses and flats, boarding houses, apartments and lodgings. With regard to the third part of the question, I understand that the agents, in whose hands the matter has been placed, will be in a position to answer inquiries as to the charges to he made for the accommodation recorded in their registers. I need hardly say that I shall be very glad to consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend may care to offer as to means of dealing with this question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any expenditure has been incurred or salaries paid, and, if so, to what amount, in preparations for the Pageant of Empire and other Government participations in the British Empire Exhibition; the total cost of the pageant and other matters for which the Government has taken responsibility; and under what Vote such expenditure has been, or will be, incurred?

The total expenditure to date in connection with the participation of His Majesty's Government in the British Empire Exhibition is £67,868, comprised as follows:—Government exhibit, £65,563 (including £12,678 salaries and wages).Pageant, £805 (includes £658 salaries and wages).Educational bulletin, £1,500 (includes £127 salaries and wages).No expenditure has yet been incurred in preparations for the massed hand concerts or the torchlight tattoo which it is also proposed to organise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that meetings of the Management Committee and Executive Council of the British Empire Exhibition have not been called as originally arranged for, have been frequently postponed, and never had submitted to them detailed reports either on finance or administration: and will he provide them with facilities for transacting their business in a businesslike fashion?

I understand that few meetings of the Management Committee and Executive Council have been called during the past year, but my hon. Friend is doubtless aware that in pursuance of the recommendation contained in Sir William Joynson-Hicks' Report on the organisation of the Exhibition, the Executive Council, in February, 1923, resolved to set up the Board of Management and to delegate all its powers to that body. I am informed that monthly reports of progress are circulated to members of the Executive Council by the Board of Management. To regard to the last part of the question, as at present advised 1 do not think that there is any action which I can usefully take in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the total war claims of British civilians against Turkey; how many individuals are claiming; and when a settlement is likely to be made?

Under the terms of the Convention relative to the assessment and reparation of damage suffered in Turkey by the nationals of the contracting Powers which was signed at Paris on 23rd November, 1923 (Command Paper 2028), an Inter-Allied Commission is to be set up within one month of the coming into force of the Treaty with Turkey to assess those damages and to pay compensation, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, out of the funds referred to in Article I thereof. The claims of the parties concerned are to be put forward within one year from the coming into force of the Treaty with urkey, and, until clams of British nationals have been put forward and assessed by the Commission, I am unable to give the particulars asked for in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the yield of the Entertainments Duty for each of the four years ending 31st March, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, and for the nine months ending the 31st December, 1923; and what has been the proportion of the duty received in each of these years from the tax on admission prices to theatres, music halls, cinemas, other places of indoor entertainment, and places of outdoor entertainment such as football, racing, or other forms of outdoor sport, respectively?

The yield of the Entertainments Duty for the periods in question was as follows:

Year ended 31st March	£
1920	10,479,516
1921	11,735,840
1922	10,279,543
1923	9,603,047
Nine months ended 31st December, 1923 (approximately)	6,793,000

As a considerable part of the duty is collected by means of the sale of stamped tickets and stamps, and there is no information as to the nature of the entertainments for which such tickets and stamps are required, it is not possible to give the particulars asked for in the latter part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received from the stamp duty on foreign marketable securities to bearer for the years 1923, 1922, 1921?

The approximate receipt of Stamp Duty from foreign marketable securities to bearer (at the rate of 40s. per cent.) has been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will set up a committee to consult with the local authorities and representative persons in and around Gretna with a view to removing grievances arising out of various Witt and post-War policies, promoting local development, and restoring prosperity?

I have been asked to answer this question. As the hon. Member is aware, exhaustive and prolonged efforts to sell en bloc the property at Gretna having failed, the Disposal and Liquidation Commission are engaged in disposing of the assets piecemeal, and a considerable amount has already been sold. It is proposed to offer; the unsold real property for sale by auction at the factory in June next. The Commission have been in constant touch with the local authorities in the factory area, and will he glad to consider any new representations that may be made to them. I do not consider that the appointment of a committee would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue instructions that any employé at the Enfield Small Arms Factory of over seven years' service, who desires to take up employment elsewhere, shall be discharged in order that ho may be entitled to receive the bonus to which his years of service entitle him?

Any employé who desires to take up employment elsewhere is at liberty to terminate his employment. This will not, however, render him eligible for a gratuity on discharge. Gratuities on discharge after seven years' service are granted only when it takes place by reason of abolition of the post owing to reduction or reorganization, neither of which conditions at Enfield

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that on the 27th of February last the Financial Secretary stated, in answer to a question that from the date of the Armistice 962 men of 60 and under 65 years and 627 men of 65 years and over had been discharged from the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich; that all these men had completed more than 20 years' service; that they were dismissed without pension, and that while considered too old to earn their living they were too young to qualify for old age pension; that the distress among this class of dismissed workers is acute; and whether His Majesty's Government will give their consideration to the position of men who are dismissed from the public service without pension after long service?

I am aware of the facts referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the last part, I much regret that I am not in a position to pay pensions to these men, but the majority, if not all of them, have received, on discharge, the gratuities authorised by Parliament in the Superannuation Act of 1887. As regards the general question of pensions, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day by my right hon. Friend to question No. 43.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government proposes to introduce a Bill promised by the late Government to amend the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, so as to bring it into conformity with Section 4 of the Industrial Assurance Act, 1923?

asked the Prime Minister if he proposes to introduce a Bill to amend the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, so as to raise the limit of insurance for juveniles to the same level as that granted by the Industrial Insurance Act of 1923?

have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give information as to the price per pound retail of the kind of sugar, refined or unrefined, most largely consumed by the working classes in the capital cities of France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Great Britain, respectively, together with the amount, if any, in English currency at present exchange of the existing Customs and Excise duties, respectively, per pound in each case; and whether the present. Government will take steps to abolish the taxation of sugar for revenue or any other purpose?

CUSTOMS AND EXC DUTIES ON SUGAR.
—		Equivalent in pence per lb.
France:—
Customs duty on refined sugar imported (payable in addition to internal tax, refining tax, etc.)	50 frs. per 100 kilogs.	0·56d. per lb.
Internal duty on refined sugar	50 frs. per 100 kilogs.	0·56d. per lb.
Refining and "surveillance" tax	2·08 frs. per 100 kilogs.	0·02dd. per lb.
Germany: —
The normal Customs duty of 40 gold marks per 100 kilogs. (2·14d. per lb.) on imported sugar is at present suspended.		—
The Internal duty on sugar (native or imported) is 21 gold marks per 100 kilogs.		1·12d. per lb.
Belgium:—
Customs duty on refined sugar imported	40 frs. per 100 kilogs.	0·38d. per lb.
A surtax may be levied not exceeding	20 frs. per 100 kilogs.	0·19d. per lb.
Excise duty on native sugar	40 frs. per 100 kilogs.	0·38d. per lb.
Netherlands:—
No Customs import duty.
Excise duty on refined sugar (native or imported).	27 f1.per 100 kilogs.)	2·55d. per lb.
Denmark:—
Customs import duty on loaf, etc., sugar	10 öre per 100 kilgos.	0·40d. per lb.
Customs import duty on powdered sugar	6½ or 10 öre per 100 kilogs. (according to polarization).	0·26d. to 0·40d. per lb.
Excise duty on native sugar over 98° polarisation.	5.7 öre per 100 kilogs.	0·23d. per lb.
Note.—Conversion into English equivalent has been made at the rates current on 16th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason