asked the President of the Board of Education how many public elementary schools, provided and non-provided, which were condemned by the Board of Education in 1914 as unfit, are still in use; and what steps are being taken to get the local education authorities to deal with the situation?

It would require time and labour to trace in the records of the Board the present, condition of all school premises to which ten years ago the Board had taken serious exception. I understand that, both during the War and since, endeavours have been made to deal with the worst cases, and I am now hoping to have the co-operation of the local education authorities in improving or replacing as soon as practicable buildings which may be found either by the authorities or by His Majesty's inspectors to be unsuitable or inadequate.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of organisers of physical training at present engaged by the Board and the districts covered by such organisers?

Organisers of physical training arc employed by local education authorities and not by the Board, though under Article 32 (b) of Grant Regulations No. 19 proposals fur the recognition of such organisers require the Board's approval. The Board have recognised 139 organisers of physical training in the areas of 83 local education authorities, as set out in the list I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he proposes to appoint at an early date a chief art inspector; if so, will it be one who has had experience as a teacher and administrator; and will the person appointed be elected by open competition?

This matter is receiving my consideration, and I hope soon to be in a position to take action. In making any appointment I shall do my best to secure the person who by qualifications and experience is best fitted to fill the post, and I propose in due course to notify publicly that I am prepared to receive applications.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the number of deaf-and-dumb children for whom no educational provision is being made;(2) the number, according to the latest returns, of blind and crippled children, respectively, for whom no educational provision is being made?

Returns relating to defective children the calendar year 1923 were due on 31st January, 1924, but have not yet been received from all areas. In these circumstances I can only rely on the returns made to the Board by local education authorities for 1922, which show that about 630 blind or partially blind children, about 4,530 crippled children, and about 430 deaf-and-dumb and partially deaf children, were at no school or institution during that year. I may say that since May, 1923, the available special school accommodation for blind children has been slightly increased, while similar accommodation for the deaf has remained practically the same. As regards crippled children, while the special school accommodation has only very slightly increased, the Board have approved schemes in several areas for the orthopedic treatment of crippled children by which it is hoped greatly to lessen the incidence of crippling disease and the need for special schools for cripples. Other schemes of the same nature are maturing in other parts of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps, if any, are being taken for the supervision of mentally deficient children eligible for admission to special schools for whom accommodation in such schools is not available?

The Board have been in consultation for some months past on this subject with representative bodies and persons concerned with the welfare of mentally defective children. They hope to issue a Circular on the subject at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Education if arrangements have been made for the care and occupational training of mentally-defective children at the age of 16 in cases where they have not been admitted to special schools and transferred to the local control authority?

No proposals for the provision of courses of occupational training for mentally defective children over 16 years have been made to the Board since 1920. As regards the care of such children as distinct from their training, the matter appears to be outside the province of the Board and the local education authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education, if there are any elementary school buildings in the country that have a dining room as part of the school buildings for the use of the children attending; if so, how many schools have such accommodation and where are they situated?

I understand that such rooms exist in some schools, but particular information on this subject is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that 40 children who should be attending Gulworthy school, Tavistock, are on strike; whether he is aware that the cause of this strike is due to the fact that no provision is made at the school for heating the children's mid-day meals and, as many of the children have to walk several miles to school, if he will arrange for the necessary arrangements to be I made?

My attention has been called to this matter, and I understand from statements in the Press that the children are back at school. The Board attach considerable importance to the provision, where necessary and practicable, of satisfactory arrangements for mid-day meals and I hope to issue a Circular upon the matter at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the advisability of extending the provision of meals for elementary school children so as to include those who are insufficiently or improperly fed owing to the distance of their homes, and not the poverty of their parents, especially in rural areas?

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Local education authorities already possess the necessary powers for this purpose. In many schools, especially in rural areas, arrangements are in fact made, with the full approval of the Board, by which children from distant homes either have meals provided for them at school, or by which they can at least eat their own food in comfort and warmth on the school premises. The matter is one in which I am particularly interested.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that it has recently been the practice of the Board of Education to insist that in the staffing of public elementary schools the head teachers should in many cases be counted as responsible for classes, as though they were able to devote a large part of their time to class teaching, and that this ruling has been applied in the case of some 700 head teachers; and whether, in view of the need for the head teachers' time to be given to the supervision of the whole school and administrative work as well as to occasional class teaching, he will adopt a different attitude in relation to the staffing of schools to that of the late Government?

The Code of 1922 provided that the head teacher of a public elementary school should take a definite and substantial share in the actual instruction, and added that the Local Education Authority should consider whether, in a school or department with an average attendance less than 250, it is not practicable to give the head teacher direct charge of a class. I think that the first part of this provision has met with general approval. But exception has been taken to the second part, on the ground that it is a financial and not an educational provision. I am reconsidering these provisions of the Code, but, generally speaking, I am clear that I am not justified on financial grounds in requiring or pressing Local Education Authorities to make head teachers responsible for classes. I must add, however, that the practice of head teachers taking charge of classes has for many years prevailed in come areas which are by no means unprogressive.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of special schools provided under the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Acts, 1899 and 1914; what is the estimated deficiency in the number of such schools; and if he can state the number of ascertained mentally defective children for whom accommodation in such schools is not available?

The number and accommodation of certified special schools for mentally defective and physically defective children is as follows:

	Number.	Accommodation.
Schools for mentally defective children	197	16,368
Schools for physically defective children	204	15,730

In addition to this, the Board have agreed to the temporary recognition of 472 places for physically defective children and 724 places for mentally defective children in London. It is not easy to estimate at all exactly what is the deficiency of special school accommodation km these children. The Board have, however, recently issued new forms of statistical tables for the use of school medical officers, and they hope that they will shortly be in possession of much more accurate information than has hitherto been available. Meanwhile a complete examination of the local education authorities' returns for 1922, which are the latest full returns in the Board's possession, show that, according to these returns, there were 29,210 mentally defective children who might benefit by admission to special schools. Of these, 15,400 were in certified special schools, 10,337 were in public elementary schools, and 3,473 were not in attendance at any school. The same returns show that there were 97,800 physically defective children who might benefit by admission to special schools. Of these, 13,306 were in certified special schools, 66,034 were in public elementary schools, 3,827 were in other institutions, and 14,643 not at school.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of complaints received, he will issue instructions to medical officers to educational authorities that when examining school children such examination shall be in private and that information with reference to the child's health and general condition shall be private and confidential to the parents or guardian?

It has been the consistent policy of the Board to insist that the medical inspection of school children shall be conducted in private with the utmost regard for the feelings of the children and their parents. Moreover in 1908, shortly after the inception of the school medical service, the Board instructed local education authorities that all entries of the results of inspection in each individual case must be regarded as confidential and this instruction has been in force ever since. I am not aware of any complaints in this connection, but I shall be quite ready to inquire into any cases in which it is alleged that the practice advocated by the Board has not been followed.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will arrange that service by qualified teachers in juvenile unemployment centres shall rank as service for the purpose of the Teachers' Superannuation Act?

I regret that it would not be possible for me without amending legislation to treat service in juvenile unemployment centres as re- cognised service under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918.

asked the President of the Board of Education what action the Government proposes to take with regard to the recent Report of Lord Emmott's Committee on Teachers' Superannuation?

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation during the present Session to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on Superannuation of School Teachers?

The matter is receiving active consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state, in regard to the county boroughs, the number of elementary school places per 1,000 children on the rolls at the commencement of the educational years 1914 and 1923?

The number of places available in public elementary schools in the county boroughs of England and Wales per 1,000 children on the rolls on the 31st July, 1913, was 1074·10 and on the 31st March, 1922 (the latest figures in my possession), 1127·55.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state, in regard to the county boroughs, the proportion of the total elementary accommodation provided in hired buildings and in temporary structures?

I regret I have not been able in the time at my disposal to tabulate in separate categories figures of the different kinds of accommodation that the Board have recognised temporarily. The proportion, however, of public elementary school accommodation in county boroughs in England and Wales recognised temporarily at the present time, expressed as a percentage of the total public elementary school accommodation in those boroughs, is 2·32.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to adopt the action of his predecessor in regard to uncertificated teachers, or whether he is considering any scheme whereby the effect of such a step to many persons engaged in the teaching profession may be averted, and particularly does he intend to continue the acting teacher's certificate examination?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there is any intention of postponing the acting teachers' examination; and, if so, what other arrangements they propose to make?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the acting teachers' certificate examinations are to be discontinued after this year; and whether he can see his way to continue them for a longer period or to put some other examination in their place?

I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply I gave on the 14th February last to the hon. Members for Thornbury (Mr. Rendall) and Wednesbury (Mr. Short).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is willing to entertain proposals by local education authorities to exercise their powers under Section 43 of the Education Act, 1921, to raise the age of obligatory attendance at public elementary schools to 15 years?

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received representations from local education authorities urging that the school-leaving age be raised to 15; and if he will state his attitude to this matter?

I am prepared to consider byelaws for this purpose on their merits, subject, of course, to any objections which may be elicited by their publication, and in doing so I shall have regard to the considerations set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Circular 1180 of the 12th October, 1920.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the hardship caused to parents of large families by the operation of a regulation whereby a child arriving at the age of 14 years during the early part of the school's term is thereby compelled to remain at school until the end of the said term, he will take steps to cancel the regulation or grant discretionary power to district education committees to deal with cases of known hardship?

This matter is governed by Statute (Section 138 (1) of the Education Act, 1921), not by Regulation, and I have no reason to suppose that a case could be made out on general grounds for the repeal of that Section. It appears to me that Sections 42 and 45 of the Act provide sufficient opportunity to local education authorities to deal with any individual cases of exceptional hardship that may be brought to their notice.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the number of juveniles and young persons out of employment, he will allow those local authorities who are willing to do so to raise the school age; and whether he proposes to take any steps to extend and improve the juvenile unemployment centres?

I may refer the Noble Lord to the answer I have given to-day to the hon. Members for the South-East Division of Essex (Mr. Hoffman) and East Birkenhead (Mr. G. White). The second part of the question falls, under existing arrangements, within the province of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to maintain the restriction on the award of free places tenable in secondary schools?

I shall do all that I can to give effect to the principles embodied in Section 4 of the Act of 1918 that children and young persons shall not be debarred from receiving the benefit of any form of education by which they are capable of profiting by inability to pay fees. The artificial restriction in the Secondary School Regulations which limits the percentage of free places to the percentage awarded in the year 1921–22 is inconsistent with this principle, and it is my intention to remove it. I think that the, time has come for reconsideration of the provisions which govern the system of free places, regard being had to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee which reported in 1920. But, in the meantime, I propose to inform local education authorities that they are at liberty to raise the percentage of awards on the existing lines to 40 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is the intention of the Government to adopt as their policy the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Scholarships and Free Places, so that the percentage of free places, calculated on admissions, should be raised from 25 to 40 for each area generally and normally for each school, and that the provision of secondary schools should be increased so as to provide at least 20 school places for each 1,000 population; and whether, in such areas as Merthyr and Rhondda, where free secondary education prevailed until recent years, he will recognise expenditure upon such free secondary education as expenditure upon which he will pay Exchequer grants?

With regard to the first part of the question, I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. J. Scurr). As regards the second part of the question, I am prepared to consider on their merits applications from local education authorities under Article 19 (a) of the Secondary School Regulations for the Board's sanction to the abolition of fees.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware of the very serious shortage of places for children in the secondary schools of the country and the consequent harm that is being done to children over the age of 11 years; and will he make the necessary arrangements to give to children in the elementary schools of that age education of the type given to children of similar age in the secondary schools so that the effect of the shortage will be modified as I far as possible?

I may refer to the reply I gave on the 14th February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. W. Jenkins). With regard to the second part of the question, I am quite ready to entertain on their merits proposals for providing advanced courses in elementary schools, whether by means of central schools or otherwise, and I may add that I have asked the Board's Consultative Committee to advise me upon the organisation, objective and curriculum of courses of study suitable for children who will remain in full-time attendance at schools other than secondary schools up to the age of 15.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take into consideration the fact that, in the case of large families, the continued attendance of children at school imposes a heavy burden on the parents; and if he will consider the question of providing maintenance grants for all children over 12 years of age attending school?

The suggestion that I should make provision for giving maintenance allowances indiscriminately to all school children over the age of 12 is one which I am not able to entertain.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities prior to 1913 had given encouragement to school journeys and to school camps in connection with elementary schools; whether His Majesty's inspectors made any reports upon the matter, and what was the nature of the reports; has the Education Department encouraged or discouraged such journeys and camps since the War; and what is the present number of education authorities in which they are operative?

The Board's records do not enable me to supply the figures asked for in the question, but I have no hesitation in saying that school journeys and school camps were encouraged by the Code in Article 44 before the War, and that the information obtained by the Board from His Majesty's inspectors about them was generally favourable. Under recent financial conditions expenditure by local education authorities for suuh purposes was limited by the Board, but I understand that a good deal has been done (e.g., for London schools) from other funds, and the Board are now prepared to consider proposals upon their merits.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Hastings Education Committee have issued a form to he filled in by the parents of scholars with regard to school medical treatment; that many details of a private and family character are asked for; and that, according to this form, any person whose income exceeds a certain limit will be called upon to pay fixed charges for medical attendance of his children; and whether this action has been taken by instructions from his Department?

Section 81 (1) of the Education Act, 1921, requires a local education authority which provides medical treatment for school children to charge to the parent such an amount, not exceeding the cost of treatment, as may be determined by the local education authority. The income scale and the charges drawn up by the Hastings authority in connection with this Section of the Act were drawn up as the result of representations from the Board of Education, and have been generally approved by the Board. It is clear that the arrangements contemplated by the Act involve some inquiry of parents, but the Board have urged, in Circular 1300, that inquiry forms should only be used in doubtful cases and should be as simple as possible. I have not seen the actual forms used by the Hastings authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the introduction of unqualified teachers into the infants' schools of the London County Council area 15 condemned by educationists as being educationally harmful and reactionary; and whether he will reverse the previous policy of the Board of Education in recognising such unqualified teachers, and inform the London County Council that such un- qualified teachers shall not count for staffing purposes nor for the payment of grants?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is his intention to continue the policy of encouraging local education authorities to increase the number of supplementary teachers or infants' assistants employed in public elementary schools?

I am considering the whole question of school staffing, from the point of view both of what is desirable and of what is immediately practicable. I am clear that an increase in the number of teachers possessing no recognised qualifications should be prevented, and in revising the Code it is my intention to omit from Article 11 (a) and elsewhere the provisions authorising the appointment in urban areas of unqualified women teachers for children under six years of age.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that serious overcrowding exists in the Highgate and Goldthorpe elementary schools, and that the attendance of those children who are taught in the wooden huts is seriously affected due to colds and influenza; and will he urge forward the erection of a new school to meet the needs of this fast developing district?

I will inquire without delay into the conditions at these two schools. My hon. Friend, however, will be interested to learn that plans io the enlargement of the Highgate Council school by the addition of 200 places were approved by the Board in November last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that George Howe, late Scots Guards (Ministry case No. 3/M2722), whose appeal was refused by the appeal tribunal (P.A.T. case No. 177821), was deprived of pension by the tribunal; whether he is aware that this man served from 1914 to 1919, and previously in the South African War; and if he can do anything further in the matter?

I have looked into the facts of this case. The, decision of the Ministry was taken after careful medical examination of the man and was subsequently confirmed by the independent Appeal Tribunal, by whom, also, the man was medically examined. In a case where aggravation of a pre-enlistment disability is certified to have passed away and this decision is confirmed on appeal by the Appeal Tribunal, I have no authority to continue payment of pension or allowance under the Warrant. I am not aware of any circumstances in the present case which would show that this decision was not correct.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that H. Groves, No. 33,388, Wiltshire Regiment, was prevented by his disability, malaria, from lodging an appeal within the statutory time limit; and whether, in this and similar cases, some variation of the time limit can be allowed?

I have looked into the facts of this case and I find that the man made an application to the Ministry within the time limit, which can be regarded as application to appeal to the tribunal. I have, therefore, arranged that he shall be supplied with the correct forms of appeal and the case forwarded to the tribunal for hearing at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions if it is his intention to introduce legislation this Session whereby an ex-service man's disabilities shall be accepted as due to war service unless the Ministry is able to prove the contrary?

I hope to achieve the essential object—which is justice to all parties—by improvements where required on the lines of present administration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that J. Willis, of 102, Hermitage Road, Finsbury Park, whose degree of disablement has been assessed by a medical board as nil, is totally unable to walk and compelled to wheel himself about in an invalid chair; and whether he will arrange for Willis to be immediately re-examined?

I am looking into this case personally and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in some cases dependants of deceased soldiers failed through ignorance of the Regulations to apply for such pensions until after the 31st March, 1919, and so lost the right to have such pensions antedated to the death of such soldier; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending such Regulations so as to give him discretion to antedate such pensions in proper cases?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the flat-rate pension for parents which is no longer granted, all pensions to parents awarded since 1st April, 1922, being based on need, as recommended by the Select Committee on Pensions. I could not at this date undertake to consider the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions the names of all Imperial pensioners resident abroad, with the amount of each individual pension received?

There are at present about 20,000 Imperial pensioners resident abroad. Apart from the very considerable additional labour and expense that would be involved, I could not agree to publish particulars of the nature desired about these ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will cause inquiries to be made as to why his Department persists in demanding Mr. A. F. Bird, of 42, Arthingworth Street, Stratford, to travel to attend medical boards, notwithstanding the fact that medical certificates have been submitted to the Pensions Department that the man cannot travel, and the chief area officer has intimated that his desire is for the man to be examined at home; and whether he will give instructions accordingly?

There appears to have been some misunderstanding in connection with this case. I have arranged for the man to be medically examined at his home at once.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many ex ranker officers are in receipt of pensions at the present time; what is the total sum received per annum for pensions; and what would be the increase per year which would be required if their demands were conceded?

The number of ex-ranker officers in receipt of re-assessed soldiers' pensions is approximately 2,500; the estimated annual value of the pensions in issue to such men is £200,000. If their demands to be pensioned as officers on the same terms as those given to serving regular soldiers granted permanent commissions were conceded, it is estimated that the increase in the cost of their pensions would be £175,000 per annum, with consequential charges amounting to £500,000 per annum, which it would be practically impossible to avoid.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the scale of disablement pensions, shown in Admiralty Fleet, Order No. 13, 1922, will rarely, if ever, exceed the service element, he will cause such scales to be amended to the amounts generally awarded, and thus remove the erroneous impression that post-war naval disability pensions are more generous than they actually are?

The assumption that the disablement pension will rarely, if ever, exceed the service element is not warranted. The experience of the Department, so far, is, indeed, to the contrary. No amendment of the scales is, therefore, called for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many small holdings have been granted to ex-service men in the county of Somerset, how many applications still remain unsatisfied, and the average rent per acre paid by ex-service smallholders in Somerset compared with the average rent paid for the same land before it was acquired for small holdings?

Since the inception of the Land Settlement Scheme the Somerset County Council have provided 783 men with small holdings, including 771 ex-service men. Of the latter number, 81 have left their holdings for various reasons. 1,963 ex-service applicants made application to the council within the period fixed for ex-service applicants to qualify for preference over civilians, and of that number 275 who have been approved as suitable are at present awaiting holdings, while seven are awaiting interview or standing over. As regards the last part of the question, complete information is not available, but in view of the fact that in order to equip the land for small holdings it has been necessary to provide a large number of additional dwelling houses and farm buildings, the rents payable for the small holdings cannot properly be compared with that paid previously for the land when in large farms.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that the Officers' Association have sent in a claim to the Army Council for compensation on behalf of Lieutenant C. H. Glendinning, 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, on the grounds of the false imprisonment, conspiracy and persecution to which this officer was subjected whilst serving in India during 1917; if he is aware that there is a mass of evidence available to prove that this officer never suffered from any mental instability: and will he order an investigation into all the facts and, if these are found on inquiry to be true, see that Lieutenant Glendinning receives the compensation due to him?

I am aware that a claim has been made. The case is at present under consideration by the Government of India, and pending their report, I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount paid each year to steamship companies for the hire of vessels employed as Government transports; and whether he will reconsider the question of reintroducing the naval transport service?

As regards the first part of the question, the normal annual amount expended by the War Department on account of hire of vessels for transport purposes is about £700,000. As regards the second part, the present system of hiring transport works efficiently and smoothly so far as the War Department is concerned, and I see no reason for recommending a change.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that intimation has been given to some men employed at Woolwich Arsenal that their services will not be required after 31st March, 1924, and the reason given is that persons up to a certain age who did not serve with the forces will not be retained; whether he is aware that this order involves great hardship upon Mr. F. A. Shrives, of 20, Ridley Road, Forest Gate, who, engaged as a writer since November, 1914, could not enlist because of his medical category; and whether he will see that such men are not thus penalised?

I am aware that in pursuance of the policy recommended by Lord Lytton's Committee, and approved by His Majesty's Government, certain temporary clerks, both at Woolwich Arsenal and elsewhere, are being replaced by ex-service men. I understand that Mr. Shrives is one of the men who is being thus replaced, but whilst I greatly regret the consequent necessity for his discharge, I cannot hold out the hope that his replacement can be deferred further. He has had exceptional treatment in being retained so long. Any arrangement for exempting from discharge men who desired to enlist but who were prevented by medical or other reason from doing so, would not have been workable, and I greatly regret, therefore, that Mr. Shrives cannot be exempted from discharge by reason of his endeavours to enlist.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a Committee, set up for the purpose of recommending what should be done with the Gretna factory, reported that, amongst other things, it should be used for the manufacture of industrial products for which much of the plant was eminently suitable; and whether he has come to any conclusion on the subject?

I am aware of the recommendations of the Majority Report of the Pearson Committee, but I would point out that Gretna was thrown up for disposal as long ago as 1921, in accordance with the considered decision of the Government of the day.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received a request from the Gretna Parish Council, asking for the sale of the factory and Government property to be suspended pending the consideration of the whole question of disposal; and, if so, whether he can see his way to agree to this request?

The answer is in the affirmative. I have not yet had an opportunity of replying to the Chairman of the Council, but I fear that I do not see my way to accede to the Council's request.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if there is any new development that is preventing the completion of the negotiations in regard to the Imperial airship scheme; and what is his policy with regard to this scheme?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the fact that the Imperial airship scheme has been under consideration of the Department concerned for nearly two years, has been approved, and the main contracts agreed to by the late Government, he will endeavour to get an early decision on this matter; and whether he will make a statement as to the Government's proposals regarding this scheme?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given on the 18th instant by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs), but the Government are fully alive to the need for an early decision in this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he proposes to put in hand the work of the Tangmere aerodrome?

Detailed plans and estimates are at present being prepared, and it is hoped to place a contract for the work early in July.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the Board of Admiralty are contemplating the abolition of warrant rank; and, if so, what avenues of promotion from the lower deck they propose to open in lien thereof?

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a decision can now be promulgated regarding Item 23 of the 1922 Welfare Conference, which asked that the duties of the petty officer of the day be clearly defined and included in the King's Regulations; and whether, in view of the fact that the request was put forward in the middle of 1922 and that Fleet Order 1703, of June, 1923, stated that the matter was under consideration, he can say when a decision will be given?

The duties of the petty officer of the day have been more clearly defined in an Amendment to Clause 1 of Article 1735 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, issued in October, 1923.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if and when it is proposed to rebuild the semaphore tower in His Majesty's dockyard, Portsmouth; and whether the rebuilding of the tower will be considered when relief work for unemployment is under review?

The matter is under consideration in the preparation of the forthcoming Navy Estimates.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the salaries of the clerical staffs in the northern region are being reduced while at the same time the salaries of the medical staffs in the same area are being increased; and will he explain why this is being done?

I think my hon. Friend must have been misinformed. The rates of pay for the clerical staff—both permanent and temporary—in the northern region are governed by general Regulations applying to the whole of the Government service. There has been no alteration in those rates since the 1st September last. The rates of salary for the medical officers have not been altered since October last, when there was a general reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider a revision of the rates of pay of ex-soldier temporary clerks employed in War Department offices with a view to making them equal to those paid for identical work in other Departments?

The question of the future rates of pay of clerks, including ex-soldiers, employed in War Department out-station offices is at present before the Army Council, and I regret that I am not in a position to announce any decision at the moment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any of the recommendations set out by the Committee presided over by Sir Alan Anderson in connection with pay, etc., of civil servants have been carried out by the Government; and, if not, whether it is the intention of the Government to carry out these proposals?

The Anderson Committee reported that "on the whole the pay rolls of the Civil Service have been carefully and wisely arranged," and that "the increase in staff since 1914 is fully accounted for by the extra work thrown on the Civil Service since 1914." The Committee made only one recommendation, specifically advocating a reduction in present rates of pay; this was to the effect that young women recruited to the administrative, executive, and clerical grades of the Service should be paid lower initial rates of salary than young men similarly recruited. This recommendation has not been put into force, and the Government would not propose to take any action on it pending further general consideration of the whole question of the relation of men's to women's rates. For the rest, the Committee came to the conclusion that, broadly speaking, expenditure on the Civil Service is determined by the magnitude of the duties placed upon it by Parliament, and that "no power except Parliament can materially reduce the load." Subject to this governing factor, every effort is being made, and will continue to be made, to avoid unnecessary expenditure, and I may perhaps mention that since 1st March, 1923 (the date to which the Anderson Committee's statistics refer), the non-industrial staffs of the Civil Service throughout Great Britain have been reduced by more than 6,500.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inspectors of Taxes have been consulted as to the expediency of the dismissal of several hundred temporary women clerks in the Inland Revenue, Income Tax Department, who are now under notice of dismissal to take effect on 31st March; whether these clerks have given from five to eight years' service and will be replaced by less experienced clerks; and whether he will suspend the notice of dismissal pending a further inquiry into their case?

The decision in the cases referred to was taken with the full knowledge of responsible officers. Reduction of clerical staff can only be effected either by discharge of temporary ex-service men or temporary non-service men and women. The temporary non-service women have in general had longer experience, but they have had opportunities of qualifying for establishment, and those who have so qualified have not received notice. I regret that in the circumstances it is impossible to suspend the notices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the total of the professional staff of the valuation office of the Board of Inland Revenue on 1st January, 1924, and the number of promotions made from that staff during the period 1st January, 1919, to 1st January, 1924; the total number of ex-service personnel and the number of promotions made from such personnel for the same period; and the number of non-service officials promoted during the same period over ex-service officials who in 1914 were senior to the non-service officials?

The professional staff employed in the valuation office of the Inland Revenue Department on 1st January, 1924, numbered 359, of whom 106 were ex-service men. During the period 1st January, 1919, to 1st January, 1924, 42 valuers, of whom 9 were ex-service men, received promotion. Of the non-service men promoted, 29 passed over ex-service men to whom they were junior in 1914, and 8 of the ex-service men similarly passed over non-service men. It must be borne in mind that the bulk of the staff was recruited at the same time, and that in such circumstances seniority assumes limited significance. I may add that acting pay for the performance of higher duties was granted in the period mentioned to 17 ex-service and 22 non-service valuers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of the dismissal of temporary civil servants, disabled men are retained to the last on the ground that they have the greatest claim on the public sympathy?

In accordance with the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee, the general order of selection of temporary employés for discharge, subject to considerations of efficiency and of peculiar hardship in individual cases is, in the first place, non-service personnel, in the second ex-service personnel who have not served overseas and are not disabled, in the third ex-service personnel who have served overseas and are not disabled and, finally, disabled men. Length of temporary service would be taken into account only so far as might be consistent with the due observance of this general rule. It is not possible to define, in terms of precision, the extent to which the considerations referred to, which clearly vary greatly in strength, may modify the general order of discharge in particular cases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the 596 schemes sanctioned last year by the Government for the relief of unemployment by land drainage have been carried out; what the cost of these schemes has been; and how many further schemes are under consideration?

Of the 596 schemes sanctioned as part of the Ministry's unemployment operations during the winter, 1922–23, 473 were land drainage schemes, and 123 were water supply schemes. 432 land drainage schemes and 99 water supply schemes were actually carried out., making a total of 531 schemes, costing £342,400, of which approximately £90,000 is in the process of recovery. With regard to the last part of the question, 352 land drainage schemes and 85 water supply schemes have already been sanctioned as part of the 1923–24 winter's operations, and very many of these are now being carried out. In addition, about 88 schemes are still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Dutch Government, in order to assist the unemployed, allow to Dutch shipbuilders 30 per cent. on all wages paid for men building ships, which to-day is causing many barges to be built in Holland for this country instead of being built in English shipyards; and will he consider the desirability of adopting some such policy in this country?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that it is not the general practice of the Netherlands Government to subsidise wages in shipbuilding or ship repairing, but that in one or two isolated cases financial assistance has been given for the construction of new tonnage. His Majesty's Government is considering various means of relieving unemployment in the shipbuilding industry in this country, but there are obvious objections to the proposal to subsidise wages for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the serious unemployment in and around Tilbury and the anxiety of the local authorities that works shall be started by the Port of London Authority; whether this authority has approached the Government with a view to obtaining assistance; and with what result?

In December, 1922, the Port of London Authority discussed with the Government the possibility of obtaining financial assistance to enable them to put in hand immediately, with a view to relieving unemployment during that winter, large dock works at. Tilbury, then estimated to cost £3,000,000, and less extensive works at the Surrey Commercial Docks, then estimated to cost £500,000, and in January the Government agreed in principle to grant a loan to the Port of London Authority at 3½ per cent. for 30 years to cover the cost of these works. The works at the Surrey Com- mercial Docks were eventually started under this arrangement and are now in progress and about 500 men are, I understand, engaged upon them. At Tilbury, however, owing to legal and other difficulties and the modifications which the Port of London Authority have found it necessary to make from time to time in their plans, no work has as yet been started, and the Authority have withdrawn their application for the necessary powers to enable them to carry out the scheme, and the financial arrangements with the Government in connection with this scheme have lapsed. There are, however, I understand, certain works at Tilbury, including a new dry dock, which the Port of London Authority would be prepared to put in hand at Tilbury with Government assistance, and I am in communication with them as to terms.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the conditions under which youths have to work at Smithfield Market; and, if not, whether he will make inquiries into the matter?

My information is that there are very few, if any, youths employed at Smithfield Market. I will, however, be glad to look into the matter if the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have any information in his possession.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state those major industries in this country which have not already a working week of 48 hours or less and whether the Washington Convention dealing with the imposition of an eight-hour day will, if ratified, affect all of them?

I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member a statement showing the agreed weekly hours in the major industries. From this it will be seen that the provisions of the Washington Hours Convention as regards a weekly limit of 48 hours under normal conditions are already in very general operation by agreement between employers' and workers' organisations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government propose to take any steps to compensate farm labourers who have lost their employment owing to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic?

The provisions of the Diseases of Animals Acts do not admit of the payment of compensation to farm labourers who have lost their employment owing to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic, but so far as I can ascertain, the amount of unemployment from this cause is not serious. I am considering, however, in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, the desirability of bringing agricultural labourers within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation enabling the Ministry of Agriculture to pay dairy farmers who have had their milking herds slaughtered during the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic compensation for the interruption of their dairy business in addition to the market value of their cows?

I regret that I do not see my way to introduce legislation of the character suggested in the question. Such a proposal would be contrary to the whole basis of the Diseases of Animals Acts, which provide that compensation should he payable only in respect of the market value of animals slaughtered by order of the Ministry. Any attempt to assess consequential losses would present endless difficulties and involve a very considerable addition to the heavy expenditure already incurred in connection with foot-and-mouth disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to grant credit facilities to farmers whose stock has been slaughtered as a result of foot-and-mouth disease to enable them to re-stock their farms, and thus carry on in the future; whether he has had any applications fm assistance on these lines; and, if so, whether he is prepared to consider them without delay, and on what terms?

As I announced yesterday when moving the Second Reading of the Diseases of Animals Bill, it is open to groups of farmers to form themselves into credit societies under Part II of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, and avail themselves of the facilities thereby provided. I would remind the hon. Baronet that farmers whose stack has been slaughtered have received compensation in respect of the animals killed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the present high price of imported foreign and Colonial fine wool; is he aware of the serious effects such high prices of fine wool have upon the wool and worsted textile trades of the country; and, if so, will he take steps to develop the production of fine wool within the United Kingdom?

I understand that there has recently been a sharp advance in the prices of fine wool, and that this is causing concern to manufacturers who use this material. As regards the last part of the question. I may explain that the Ministry is making grants for the promotion of a programme of breeding experiments which has been drawn up in conjunction with the Woollen Association and research institutes to ascertain the possibility of improving the quality of the wool of native breeds by crossing with merinos.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the proposed national poultry research station will be established in Lancashire, which is the largest centre of utility poultry breeding and is he aware that Lancashire poultry keepers have subscribed a considerable sum towards the scheme in the expectation that the research station would he established in that county?

The experimental station in egg production to which the hon. Member presumably refers will not be established in Lancashire, but at the County School of Agriculture, Reaseheath, Cheshire. I am aware that Lancashire poultry keepers have subscribed towards the National Poultry Institute Scheme as a whole, which covers a number of activities besides the particular one referred to in the question. The decision to establish the experimental station in Cheshire was taken on the recommendation of a sub-committee of the Poultry Advisory Committee, on which sub-committee Lancashire representatives were in a majority, this recommendation being further confirmed by the Advisory Committee after a full consideration of the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Scottish Board of Agriculture grant loans for smallholdings for ex-service men at £2 peer cent., including repayment of principal and interest, he can arrange for similar facilities to be granted to local authorities in England and Wales for the provision of cottages for agricultural labourers?

The problem of housing agricultural workers will be taken into consideration in connection with the Government's general housing scheme, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement as to the facilities which may be granted under the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the existing law does not confer upon local authorities effective power for the taking over and reconstruction of derelict houses, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation dealing with this matter?

Local authorities have already wide powers for dealing with derelict houses, which should, I think, be found, in general, to be adequate. If my hon. Friend has a particular case of difficulty in mind, perhaps he would communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals, if any, the Government have considered to consolidate the Housing Acts in their relation to the housing of the working classes?

A Bill to consolidate the Housing Acts is in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can inform the House of the number of persons now housed in premises under the control of the guardians of the poor in consequence of the house shortage in this country; and if he proposes to take any special steps to meet these cases?

This information is not available, but I have no reason to believe that the number is substantial. I hope that local authorities will give the most sympathetic consideration to applications made to them in such cases in connection with the letting of houses built by them to meet the general need for working-class houses.

asked the Minister of Health how he proposes, in respect to the construction of the new £500 houses and their letting at an average of 9s. a week, rent and rating included, to ensure that these dwellings are only occupied by people of such restricted means as to justify any claim on their part for a State subsidy in connection with their accommodation; whether any condition governing means will be imposed; and whether the beneficiaries will, on the improvement of their economic condition, be expected to give up the occupancy of such dwellings?

I would suggest that the hon. and gallant Member should reserve his points until I am in a position to make a detailed statement on the Government's proposals, which are at present still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that the standard of overcrowding generally adopted by medical officers of health is two persons per room, and that it is possible, without exceeding this standard, to have serious overcrowding and such conditions that elementary decency is impossible, he will instruct medical officers of health to adopt a new standard more in accordance with present-day opinion?

I am advised that the Census figures as to families living under conditions of more than two persons per room have never been regarded by medical officers of health as other than a rough index of the prevalence and distribution of overcrowding conditions and that there is general agreement among health officers that other considerations must be taken into account. As at present advised I do not think that any specific instruction to medical officers en this point is necessary or would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of schemes of local authorities for the building of working-class houses being held up owing to the prohibitive price of land, the Government contemplate bringing forward legislation to deal with profiteers in land to ensure progress being made in housing the working classes?

Provision is already made in the Housing Acts, for the compulsory purchase of land in cases where it is not possible to acquire it by agreement. The procedure laid down by the Acquisition of Land Act, 1919, for the determination of the amount of compensation payable in cases of compulsory purchase has so far proved sufficient to ensure that land required by local authorities for housing purposes can be acquired at a reasonable price.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of houses in the neighbourhood of Midhurst, Sussex; that many members of the National Union of Railwaymen are at this moment threatened with eviction; and whether he will take steps to remedy this evil?

I am aware of the need for houses in the district in question. I was not aware of the particular cases referred to in the second part of the question, but I may point out that 85 houses have already been erected in the rural district with assistance from the Government under the Acts of 1919, arid I have approved a scheme for the erection of further houses under the Act of 1923.

asked the Minister of Health the number of working-class houses built by the following local authorities under the Housing Acts to date: Tanfield, Ryton, Blaydon and Whickham Urban District Councils; and whether any schemes from the same authorities have received approval under The Housing Act, 1923?

The number of houses built by the authorities referred to under the Housing Acts is as follows:

Tanfield Urban District Council	24
Ryton Urban District Council	82
Blaydon Urban District Council	80
Whickham Urban District Council	180

Each of these authorities have also received approval to schemes under The Housing, etc., Act, 1923.

asked the Minister of Health the number of certificates issued by local authorities in England and Wales authorising the erection of houses by private enterprise under The Housing, etc., Act, 1923, and the number of houses erected in England and Wales by private enterprise under that Act up to the 31st December, 1923; and the number of houses approved of for erection by local authorities in England and Wales under the 1923 Act, and the number erected under that Act up to the 31st December, 1923, distinguishing the number of houses approved and erected under slum clearance schemes and as new houses, respectively?

Up to the 31st December, 1923, local authorities had issued certificates authorising the erection of 25,188 houses by private enterprise under The Housing, etc., Act, 1923. 1,110 houses had been completed, and a further 6,657 were under construction. At the same date 31,434 houses had been authorised in schemes to be carried out by local authorities under the Act, 1,998 had been completed, and a further 6,606 were under construction. These figures do not include houses erected to replace dwellings included in slum clearances. Tenders for the erection of 1,108 houses or tenements have been approved since the beginning of 1923 in connection with slum clearance schemes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received complaints from tenants of Government-owned houses at Gretna factory that the rents are excessive and are out of all proportion to the capital value of the houses; and, if so, whether he will cause independent inquiries to be made into the allegations?

Some complaints have been received. It is not considered that the rents are excessive, having regard to the capital value of the houses. I have been requested by my hon. Friend to arrange for the technical officers of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission to discuss the matter in detail with him; and I shall be happy to do this.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the proposed public sale on Monday next of the furniture of a tenant in No. 55, West Bowling Green Street, Leith; and whether he will investigate the case and, if proper, direct the exercise of powers under Section 14 of the Rent Restrictions Act of 1920 to stop proceedings?

My attention had not previously been called to this case. I have no power to issue any directions under Section 14 of the Act mentioned. I gather from the papers submitted to me by the hon. and gallant Member that the ease is about to be submitted to the Court on a Note of Suspension and Interdict, and in these circumstances it would not be proper for me to express any views upon it, or to take any action regarding it.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of workmen, specifying the different crafts, employed in the building trade in Scotland in June, 1913, and June, 1923, respectively?

I regret that the exact information asked for by the hon. Member is not available. I am, however, sending him certain figures showing the position as regards building labour in Scotland which appeared in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for January, 1924.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of one- and two-apartment houses, respectively, in Scotland, and their percentage to the total housing accommodation?

The latest census return shows that in 1921 there were 124,367 houses of one apartment and 424,233 houses of two apartments, representing 11·76 per cent. and 40·11 per cent. respectively of the total number of occupied houses in Scotland.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of houses built by the county councils of Midlothian and Peebles, respectively, under the Addison scheme and the 1923 Housing Act; and the number of houses being built and the number approved of for building?

The Midlothian County Council have erected 40 houses under the Addison scheme and approval has been given to the erection of a further 44 houses, 20 of which are already under construction. It is understood that the Midlothian County Council have under consideration the question of proceeding with the erections of eight houses for roadmen under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923. I understand that the Peebles County Council have not proceeded with schemes under the Housing (Town Planning, Etc., (Scotland)) Act, 1919, or under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of certificates issued by local authorities in Scotland authorising the erection of houses by private entertprise under the Housing. Etc., Act, 1923, and the number of houses erected in Scotland by private enterprise under that Act up to 31st December, 1923; the number of houses approved of for erection by local authorities in Scotland under the 1923 Act; and the number erected under that Act up to 31st December, 1923, distinguishing the number of houses approved and erected under slum clearance schemes and as new houses, respectively?

The number of certificates issued by local authorities in Scotland as at 31st December, 1923, authorising the erection of houses by private enterprise under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, covered 557 houses, of which 12 had been completed at that date. The number of houses approved to date for erection by local authorities in Scotland under the 1923 Act is 13,018. Of these, 208, all of which were erected under slum clearance schemes, had been completed at 31st December, 1923. The number approved for erection as at the above date in connection with slum clearance schemes was 5,877 and the number in connection with schemes for new houses was 6,723.

asked the Minister of Health whether the vaccinal condition of the children dying from chicken-pox during 1923 has been recorded; and, if so, how many vaccinated children under 10 years of age were registered as dying of chicken-pox in that year and how many unvaccinated?

I regret that no information is available as to the vaccinal condition of children dying from chickenpox.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the rate of sickness among women, as compared with the rate among men, employés in the Civil Service and under the National Health Insurance Act for each year since 1912, respectively.

I have no information with regard to the rate of sickness among employés in the Civil Service, but I am consulting my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury as to whether he will communicate to the hon. and gallant Member such information as !nay be available on this part of the question. With regard to the rate of sickness under the National Health Insurance Act there are no data available, as no actuarial investigation of the matter has been carried out. I am advised that, owing to the conditions as to waiting periods, variations in rates of benefit and differences in age distribution as between men and women insured persons, no useful inferences can be drawn from the amount of the recorded expenditure on sickness benefit.

asked the Minister of Health how much grant was allowed, respectively, to Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Northampton, Sheffield, Stafford, and Leicester for the welfare of the blind for the last completed year?

During the year ended the 31st March, 1923, the following grants were paid by the Ministry to institutions for the welfare of the blind:

	£
Birmingham Institution	6,297
Nottingham Institution	2,140
Northampton Institution	400
Sheffield Institution	1,534
Leicester Institution	1,219

Grants in respect of blind persons in Derby and Stafford, where no separate grant-earning agencies exist are included in the grants made to the Nottingham and Birmingham Institutions, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health if he will include in the next annual Report of his Department particulars of the vaccination returns for each Poor Law district since the date of the last similar particulars issued by his Department?

I will consider this suggestion, but as at present advised I doubt whether the particulars in question are of sufficient importance to justify the expense entailed in printing them in the Annual Report of my Department.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the returns from the Reports of the Registrar-General of the number of suicides per million of the population for each quinquennial period 1896–1900 to 1916–1920, inclusive?

The required figures for England and Wales are as follow:

Period.	Rate per million population.
1896–1900	89
1901–1905	101
1906–1910	102
1911–1915	95
1916–1920	79

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the total number of deaths due to, or accelerated by, starvation from the coroners' returns for the city of London for each year 1914 to 1923 inclusive?

No such deaths have occurred in the city of London since the year 1920. I regret that information is not readily available for the earlier years referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of deaths by starvation or accelerated by privation in Sunderland, West Derby and Liverpool Unions in 1922, any, and, if so, what, Poor Law officers were examined at the inquests; whether any application for relief had been made by or on behalf of any of the deceased persons; and whether he will give particulars, such as were formerly given in the lists of starvation eases which were continued from about 1870 until 1918, so that an opportunity may be given to those interested to suggest methods of preventing the like deaths?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the particulars in my possession with regard to the three cases he mentions.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the unions where casual wards are closed, midday meals were given regularly throughout 1923, and are still given in the workhouses, to all the destitute wayfarers who, had the casual wards been open to them, would have been entitled to such meals under the Casual Paupers' Order, 1914, Article 111; if he will obtain definite information from each workhouse how many casuals obtained and how many did not obtain a midday meal; and whether records are kept by the masters of workhouses of cases where they do not provide a midday meal for the casual, similar to the records kept in the casual wards under No. 4 of Schedule C of the said Order of 1914?

I have no reason to suppose that midday meals have not been duly supplied in the cases to which the hon. Member refers, but if he has any case in mind in which there is alleged to have been a failure in this respect, I will gladly investigate the case.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in any alteration or abolition of the Poor Law which he may propose, he will keep alive the legal right of the destitute or necessitous to relief, given by 43 Eliz., c. 2, and not diminish the safeguards for obtaining such right, which are now given by law?

The principles of the Act of Elizabeth, to which my hon. Friend refers, will be kept carefully in view in any alteration of the law relating to the relief of the poor.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that certain of the successful candidates in the open competitions for clerkships, Class I, in the Civil Service, were offered by the Civil Service Commission and accepted appointments as assistant surveyors in the General Post Office. on Ole understanding that such appointments ranked as Class I clerkships; that these officers were informed by the late Postmaster-General that the appointments they accepted are not, and never have been, regarded as Class I clerkships, and that, in consequence, they are debarred from the benefits received by other higher division officers under the recent reorganisation of the Civil Service; and whether he will take steps to prevent these officers being prejudiced owing to the circumstances in which their acceptance of those appointments was secured?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The officers referred to have received the pay and privileges promised to them when they competed for assistant surveyorships; in fact, both their pay and prospects have been substantially improved since they entered the service. The work of assistant surveyors in the Post Office does not conform to the definition of the duties of the administrative class contained in the Report of the Reorganisation Committee, and I am unable to admit that they are entitled to be regarded as administrative officers.

asked the Postmaster-General the reason why the postal facilities of Farnborough are to be curtailed by the closing down of the North Farnborough post office; and whether be is aware that the district is growing rapidly, and that the proposed step has been condemned by the Farnborough District Council and the Farnborough Chamber of Commerce, and that numerous petitions have been received against it?

Although the present Farnborough office is being closed, another office is being opened a short distance away which will provide adequately for the requirements of the district. I have considered the protests which have been made, but I see no sufficient reason for modifying the proposed arrangements.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can indicate when the examination of the question of the practicability of increasing the limit of the size and weight of parcels from this country for certain places abroad is likely to be completed; and when he will be in a position to make a definite statement on the question?

The question of extending the present limits of size and weight in the foreign and colonial parcel services is being fully examined, but I am not yet able to say when a definite conclusion will be reached.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it. is the intention of His Majesty's Government to become members of the international Postal Convention, which it is understood is a condition precedent to affording equal facilities for parcels post to traders in this country to those enjoyed by their Continental competitors?

The British Post Office is already a party to the International Postal Convention of the Universal Postal Union. Adhesion to the subsidiary Parcel Post Agreement would offer no special advantage to traders in this country The British Post Office is in a position, under present arrangements, to introduce by direct negotiation with the other country concerned any additional facilities which may be decided upon.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the services rendered by other countries to the German Government for the conveyance of post parcels from Germany are paid for in the currency of Germany or of the other countries; if in German currency, whether the new or old currency, and what steps are proposed to be taken to ensure payment on a sterling basis so as to avoid loss to the other countries and an unreasonable advantage to the German Post Office; and, if not in German currency, when did the change take place?

The services rendered by other countries to the German Government in respect of the conveyance of post parcels from Germany are accounted for in gold francs; and the actual payments made represent the full current equivalents of the amounts shown in gold francs in the accounts. There is thus no loss to the creditor countries and no advantage to the German Post Office. This arrangement has been in force since the Postal Union Congress of 1920.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that in certain districts of the city of Hull the first delivery of letters does not take place until 8.45 to 9 a.m.; and, as this causes great inconvenience to business people, will he inquire into the matter?

The arrangements for the delivery of letters at Hull are under review, and I am hopeful that some improvements will very shortly be possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the canteen conditions in the Manchester head post office are exceedingly unsatisfactory; and whether he is prepared to have the necessary alterations put in hand at an early date?

Provision has been made in the Draft Estimates for 1924–5 for a scheme of reconstruction at the Manchester head post, office, which will remedy the defects in accommodation to which the hon. Member draws attention. This work cannot of course be begun until the Estimates are approved by this House.

asked the. Postmaster-General the amount paid to the various steamship companies for the conveyance of mails for the last period for which figures are available, stating the amount payable to each company?

The hon. Member will find the last published particulars in regard to the packet services both at home and overseas in the Revenue Departments Estimates for 1923–24 at pages 71–73.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now see his way to make arrangements for a daily postal delivery on Exmoor?

I am looking into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an early return to the penny post is possible; and whether any surplus will be available for reducing the cost of postage in the coming financial year?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 19th instant to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Stranger).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that hashish is not included in the list of dangerous drugs which are under restriction of importation into this country, he has any information of the use of this drug in certain seaport towns; and whether he proposes to take any steps to acid this drug to the list of dangerous drugs and under the same restrictions as apply to them?

I have no information to show that indulgence in the use of hashish is anything but rare in this country, though it is possible it is practised to a certain extent among Oriental seamen visiting our ports. Hashish is not one or the drugs to which the International Opium Convention of 1912 applies, though the Hague Conference recommended that its use should be investigated. Any proposal for the extension to hashish of the restrictions relating to the drugs included in the Convention would have to be considered from the international standpoint, and i understand that the League Nations which by the Treaties of Peace is entrusted with the general supervision over the traffic in dangerous drugs, has not yet considered the question. The question is one in which other countries are more closely concerned than this country, bit the position is being watched by my Department and, if it appears desirable, steps will be taken to raise the question before the Opium Advisory Committee of the League.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether hit attention has been called to the action of the Barrow licensing justices in refuting to modify the hours of opening in Barrow to suit the convenience of the working-class population; whether he is aware that representatives of the leading trades unions attended to urge that time change should be made; that there was no opposition of any sort, even from he police, the more so as the proposals not increase the actual hours of opening and whether, as the licensing justices refused to alter the hours at present fixed, he will consider the advisability of promoting legislation to secure greater consideration for the views of the majority of the local population in fixing the hours of opening and closing?

I have no other information than that given in the question in regard to this matter; and though I will consider any facts, if he will furnish me with them, which seem to the hon. Member to show that the views of the majority of the local population have not been fully considered, T cannot promise that the difficulty can be removed by legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the number of murderers at large in the country; and, in view of the great uneasiness which prevails amongst the people through these criminals remaining at large, will he institute an inquiry into the methods employed by the police for tracking criminals?

I think my hon. Friend has an exaggerated idea of the number of murders which remain undetected in this country. The number is, in fact, very small indeed, and I will send him a Return, prepared in 1922, giving figures for certain years before and after the War. The police authorities are constantly endeavouring to improve the detective work of the police, which, I think, is acknowledged to have reached a high level of efficiency, and I am not aware of any necessity for a special inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that dissatisfaction is felt amongst returning officers throughout the country at the decision to print all forms in connection with Parliamentary elections in bulk and to circulate them throughout the country; and whether, in view of the fact that this will cause inconvenience without any economy, he will reconsider the whole question?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Stationery Office propose, after 1st March next, to print the stationery forms used in Parliamentary elections in bulk, to be issued to returning officers as required; whether he is aware that the returning officers are of opinion that this will result neither in economy nor efficiency, and that it is arousing considerable opposition in the localities; and whether he will give instructions that the matter should be reconsidered?

I would refer the hon. and gallant. Members to the replies which I gave on the 14th and 19th instant in regard to this subject to the hon. Members for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Murrell), Harborough (Mr. Black), Montrose Burghs (Mr. Sturrock), and York (Sir J. Marriott).

asked the Under-Secretary or State for the Home Department whether the Government will at an early date introduce legislation for increasing the pre-War scale of pensions of retired police officers, in accordance with the promise of the late Government on the 16th May, 1923?