asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the Government to refuse, in the future, subsidies towards the building of houses by private investors, speculating builders, and public utility societies?

I have been asked to reply. I suggest that the hon. Member should reserve his question until I am in a position to make a complete statement of the Government's housing policy.

asked the Minister of Health whether an approximate estimate can be given of the loss that will ultimately accrue to the Treasury on all the houses that have been erected up to the present with Government liability?

It is estimated that on the basis of the present rents and charges the deficit to be made good by the Exchequer in respect of houses erected in England and Wales under the provisions of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, will be approximately £7,700,000 per annum. The deficit will continue for 60 years, but when the loans raised for roads and sewers are repaid at the end of 20 and 30 years respectively a reduction in the annual sum will be effected. The total amount paid in respect of lump-sum subsidies to private builders under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, is £9,498,000. No further liability arises in respect of these houses. The liability of the Exchequer for houses erected to 31st January last under the terms of the Housing Act, 1923, is £28,000 per annum for 20 years.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of establishing local rent boards, representing landlords and tenants, to decide, instead of the County Court Judge, the best means of avoiding hardship to either party which might result from the working of Section 4 of the Rent Act of 1923?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Popham, Hertford Road, Enfield, who is being evicted from the premises on the 30th June next; whether he is aware that Mr. Popham has resided in the house for 38 years, and that he has no arrears of rent; that the man is a bootmaker and repairer who has built up a business, and that the order for him to give up possession, without the provision of alternative accommodation, will mean the loss of his livelihood; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation providing for compensation for goodwill in cases where a man in business is compelled to surrender premises by order of the Courts?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this case, and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will send me further particulars in regard to it.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the demand for bricks which will arise when houses begin to be built in larger numbers, and in view of the desirability of creating employment in the brick-making trade, he will consider the giving of assistance to companies engaged in brick making to enable them materially to increase their output?

I am hopeful that the demand for bricks will be met by an increase of output by the industry without recourse to special measures on the part of the Government.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information as to the number of houses erected under the Housing Act of 1933 in areas administered by rural district councils, and the number of certificates issued under that Act for the erection of houses in such areas?

Schemes have been approved by the Minister of Health for the erection of houses in rural districts by rural district councils and by private enterprise providing for 24,526 houses; of these, 3,398 are houses to be built by the rural district councils and 21,128 by private enterprise. Of the 3,398 houses to be built by the local authorities, contracts have already been entered into in respect of 1,200 houses, and 76 of these have been completed. In respect of the 21,128 houses included in private enterprise schemes, certificates have been issued on full approval of plans for 12,352 houses, and of these 977 have been completed.

also asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected under the post-War Housing Acts in the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922, respectively, in the areas administered by rural district councils?

The numbers of houses erected with State assistance by rural district councils, public utility societies, and private persons in areas administered by rural district councils in the years referred to were as follow:

asked the Minister of Health (1) what means he proposes to take to prevent local authorities subsidising the building of houses 30 to 40 to the acre, seeing that he has intimated to them that they are at liberty to exercise their discretion as regards the density per acre of houses erected under the 1923 Housing Act;(2) whether he has reserved to himself the power to refuse the State subsidy for the building of houses by private enterprise at a density of 30 to 40 per acre, when the same have been approved by a local authority under powers given in Circular 388a, page 11, paragraph 8; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to enable him to withhold the State subsidy in those cases where he disapproves of building more than 30 to 40 houses to the acre on uncompleted sites?

I propose to take steps in connection with future approvals of local authorities' housing schemes to require the authorities to submit to me any proposals for building at a density exceeding 20 to the acre.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at an inquest at Southwark, on the 20th February, before Dr. Waldo, the coroner, to the effect that the London County Council let one room in Hankey Place, Southwark, to Thomas Peters, at a rent of 2s. a week, and to the finding of the coroner that Peters death was accelerated by his surroundings, the house having been described by the coroner's officer as the worst that he had ever seen; and if he will take any action in the matter?

The property in question was acquired by the London County Council with a view to its demolition under the Tabard Street Improvement Scheme. The clearance of the area is proceeding as rapidly as possible, and will be completed as soon as alternative accommodation is available for the tenants to be displaced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a proposal has been made that the post-War houses on the London County Council estate in Tottenham should, for the convenience of the tenants, be let at inclusive rents as the pre-War houses are; and, in view of the fact that negotiations as to terms have been going on for the past two years between the London County Council, the Tottenham Urban District Council, and the Wood Green Urban District Council, without any signs of a settlement, whether he will now suggest to the local authorities concerned that they should either come to terms within three months or agree to accept the arbitration of his Department?

A conference was held at the Ministry of Health in July last at which the proposal referred to was fully discussed with representatives of the councils concerned, and the assent of my Department was promised if satisfactory arrangements were made for carrying it into effect. I have no power to require the adoption of the proposal. I will, however, communicate with the authorities again.

asked the Minister of Health whether any of the subsidy houses now in course of construction in Liverpool are to be sold; and, if so, can any steps be taken to secure these houses for letting so that families unable to purchase the same will not be placed in an unfair position?

I have no information whether the houses in question are to be sold or let, but, as the hon. Member is aware, the local authority have recently submitted and obtained approval of a scheme for the erection of houses by the local authority which will no doubt be available for the applicants referred to in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to include in his Bill to amend the Housing and Town Planning Acts a Clause extending the town planning provisions so as to cover schemes for the replanning of congested areas in London and other cities?

The proposal to which the hon. Member refers is receiving consideration.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what has been the average cost of the 5,178 houses built by His Majesty's Office of Works under the Addison Housing Scheme; what type of house has been built and how many have been built to the acre; how many men are employed on the 136 houses now under construction; how many of these men will be dismissed when these houses have been completed; and what is the reason for not building further houses, in view of the prevailing shortage over most of the country?

The average cost of the 5,178 houses built by the Office of Works is, approximately, £836, but many of these houses were constructed when wages and building materials prices were at peak level; the average cost of those now under construction is estimated to work out at from £400 to £450. These figures include the cost of roads, paths, sewers, and fencing, and every charge with the exception of the cost of the land. The types vary from flats consisting of living room, scullery and one bedroom, to houses consisting of living room, scullery, parlour and four bedrooms, with bathroom, etc. The number of houses to the acre varies from 10 to 12. Approximately 300 men are engaged on the houses now under construction. The whole of this labour is employed by contractors and not by this Department. The building of further houses depends on the general housing policy of the Government, which is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the inadequacy of the sum of £30,000 appropriated to slum-clearance schemes in Scotland, he proposes to take any action to secure the provision of a further amount for this purpose?

The Treasury have agreed to the annual grant of £30,000 referred to in the question being substantially increased and the increase, which amounts to £15,000, has enabled the Scottish Board of Health to add to the annual State contribution to those local authorities who submitted schemes in accordance with the Board's circular of 18th August, 1922. The effect of this increased grant has been that the annual State contribution towards the estimated annual loss on each scheme as submitted has been raised to the 50 per cent. contemplated in Section 1 (3) of the Act of 1923.

asked the Minister of Health when the charter of incorporation of the London School of Hygiene, founded through the munificence of the Rockefeller Trustees, will be sealed and published?

I hope that the charter of incorporation will be granted in the course of the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that private medical practitioners experience difficulty in obtaining supplies of glycerinated calf lymph of the same guaranteed purity as that supplied to public vaccinators by the Ministry of Health; and if, in order to ensure that persons desiring vaccination performed by their own doctors shall have guarantees with regard to the purity of the lymph, he will obtain powers enabling supplies of such lymph being procurable from Government sources by private medical practitioners at a reasonable charge?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer on this subject which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Mardy Jones) on the 12th instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that in Leicester during 17 years up to the end of 1922 there was not a single death from small-pox, whilst the vaccination rate fell during the same period from 18·3 per cent. to 3·4 per cent., and that for the whole of England and Wales during the same period the total number of deaths has been 255, with a falling vaccination rate of from 73 per cent. to 38·3 per cent., he will bring in a Measure to repeal the 1907 Vaccination Act, abolish all compulsion, and leave the question of vaccination to the discretion of the individual citizen?

I am considering the present position in regard to vaccination, but I am unable to give any promise to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that under the old Regulations, when a person received an exemption form for vaccination on the registration of the birth of a child, such form when filled up was allowed to be returned postage free, and that under the new Order a parent must now specifically apply for an exemption form, and if filled up and returned the postage must be paid on this form; and whether he will give instructions that the new form shall be post free as under the old Regulations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the suggestion made in the second part, I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to a statement recently made by Dr. Savage, county medical officer of health for Somerset, to the effect that tinned machine-skimmed milk is most injurious when used as a food for infants, for which purpose, owing to its cheapness, it is largely employed; if he is aware that Great Britain is practically the only country in the world which permits the importation of skimmed milk in tinned form; and if he will take steps to prohibit its importation and production, except for commercial purposes, in the interests of the general health of the community?

My attention has been drawn to the statement referred to. In reply to the latter part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Maidstone Division (Commander Bellairs) on Monday last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the insanitary conditions of the Liverpool abattoirs, he will make urgent representations to the local authorities to expedite the submission of plans and specifications for the new abattoirs so that the work of erection may commence without delay?

I have no reason to suppose that the Liverpool Town Council will not proceed with the necessary arrangements with all practicable speed.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgent representations he has made to the Enfield Urban District Council requesting them to appoint a whole-time and experienced medical officer of health holding a diploma in public health, State medicine, or sanitary science, he is aware that the council have in fact appointed a part-time medical officer of health for the district who has had no previous experience of public health administration and who does not hold a diploma in sanitary science, public health, or State medicine; and, seeing that Enfield with a population of over 60,000 inhabitants is the only urban district in England with a population of over 45,000 that has not a full-time medical officer of health qualified according to the provisions of the Sanitary Officers Order of 1922, what steps does he propose to take to give effect to the statutory requirements governing the appointment and qualifications of whole-time medical officers of health?

I am aware of the position. I am asking the council to send representatives to discuss this matter with officers of my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that our high infantile mortality is due to a considerable extent to the lack of knowledge of parents, he will consider the desirability of giving a short simply-written book on the care and management of infants to every mother who registers the birth of her child?

This suggestion has been frequently considered, but experience has shown that most mothers learn more readily from the advice given by medical officers at infant welfare centres, and by health visitors at the homes of the children, than from the information contained in books on the care and management of infants.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of persons suffering from advanced tuberculosis of the lungs who are living in the same overcrowded homes with, and infecting, their relations; and whether he intends to bring forward legislation for the compulsory removal, if need be, of such persons?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part, this matter will be considered in connection with any proposals for the amendment of the Public Health Acts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give instructions to make leprosy a notifiable disease in the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to reply. As at present advised, I do not consider that there is sufficient justification for making this disease notifiable.

asked the Minister of Health in what circumstances, and by what authority, he has remitted the surcharge made by the district auditor in August, 1922, against certain members of the last Southwark Borough Council in respect of a printing contract for printing ratebooks, a lower tender being refused because the firm tendering, though paying trade union rate of wages, declined to dismiss one or two employés who had worked for them for many years, but did not belong to a trade union?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Lincoln Division (Mr. A. T. Davies) on Monday of last week.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, at present, the effect of arrears to insured persons under the National Health Insurance Act is that, if an insured person is 7s. in arrears in November and cannot pay them, he is liable to lose 7s. per week for 26 weeks in the next insurance year if he has need to declare on sick benefit; that, if the insured person was on sick benefit for the full 26 weeks, the total penalty would amount to £9 2s.; and that, if after the sickness benefit was exhausted the insured person required disablement benefit, this is also reduced by 3s. 6d. per week for as long as the insured person remains on the funds; and will he take steps to have the table of arrears' penalties revised so that the penalty is brought more into harmony with the amount of the arrears?

The principle underlying the arrears scheme is that an insured person who has paid a reduced number of contributions must be subject to a reduced rate of benefit for the succeeding year. The reduced rates provided under the scheme are, however, on an exceptionally generous scale and provision has also been made by which any reduction of benefit can be avoided by the payment within a period of grace of a sum which is materially less than the value of the contributions unpaid. It would not be possible to alleviate still further the position of members in arrears without placing an undue burden on the funds of the approved societies.

asked the Minister of Health on what grounds optical treatment is withheld from the Irish National Foresters (England and Wales) Approved Society No. 401; and whether he will give instructions for this benefit to be administered when required?

Payment for optical treatment as an additional benefit can only be made where a society which had a disposal surplus on valuation decided to apply part of such surplus to this benefit. The society referred to by the hon. Member was formed by the union of the English and Welsh Branches of the Irish National Foresters Society, and as neither of those branches had any disposable surplus the society is not in a position at present to provide additional benefits for its members in general. A small group of the members, however, who were formerly members of other societies are entitled to some additional benefits, but the societies in question did not elect to include optical treatment amongst their additional benefits.

asked the Minister of Health whether the recent Official Statement of the Statutory Provisions and Administrative Orders for Public Assistance, including Poor Law, was sanctioned by him; whether his attention has been called to the statement therein (paragraph 9) that even during the worst periods of industrial depression a number of boards of guardians were acting in the light of the general recommendations as to policy made by the central board, and that certain boards of guardians had refused to give outdoor relief to able-bodied persons at all, and that there was no evidence before the Department of more acute distress in these areas than in those with less restricted relief; will he state the names of those unions and whether they gave medical relief in sickness to the wives and children of the able-bodied men without requiring the men to come into the workhouse; whether they received and considered applications made by the wives on their own behalf for medical out-relief; whether the central board had any medical inspection of the children of the necessitous able-bodied men; and, if not, what evidence, if any, had the board that there was not more acute distress than in cases with less-restricted relief?

The statement to which my hon. Friend refers is an Appendix to the Report of a Departmental Committee and is not a document for which any Minister is responsible. The opinion expressed in the Report issued in 1922 by my Department, an extract of which is included in that statement, was based on the general knowledge in the possession of the Department, and no special medical inspection such as is suggested in the last part of the question has been or indeed could be made by the Department. It is, however, an established principle of Poor Law administration that outdoor relief may be given in case of sickness, and that applications may be made by a wife on behalf of her husband, and there is no reason to suppose that this practice has been departed from in the unions in which outdoor relief has not been given to the able-bodied.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a man aged 86 who died of starvation in February, 1922, in a common lodging house at Shrewsbury, in the Atcham Union; whether the Guardians of Atcham have a rule or practice not to send relief into common lodging houses; whether they have in the last two years given to any persons, and, if so, how many, medical relief or ordinary out-relief in common lodging houses in Shrewsbury; what are the numbers and estimated population of the common lodging houses in Shrewsbury; whether he is aware that both the workhouse and casual ward near Shrewsbury are closed; whether he will direct that they shall be forthwith opened; and whether he will advise the guardians to take steps to induce sick and aged destitute persons in common lodging houses to apply for relief?

I am obtaining the information which the hon. Member desires, and will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received letters from boards of guardians protesting against the inadequate compensation paid to injured workmen and their dependants under the new Compensation Act; whether he is aware that many of these persons have to apply for additional relief and that this Act has imposed a further burden on the poor rates; and what action the Government propose to take in the matter?

I have received communications on this subject from two boards of guardians, but I have no evidence that the effect of the Act has been to impose any increased burden on the rates, and therefore I see no reason for taking any action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the trading returns of all municipally-owned tramways, road motor services, gas and water undertakings, baths, washhouses, coal supplies, and any other concerns owned by local authorities, for the years 1922 and 1923?

The annual returns "Tramways and Light Railways and Trackless Trolley Undertakings" and "Authorised Gas Undertakings" compiled by the Ministry of Transport and the Board of Trade respectively, and issued as Stationery Office publications, contained the desired information in regard to those undertakings. As regards other municipally-owned trading undertakings, information is published in the Annual Local Taxation Returns.

asked the Minister of Health how many blind persons at the age of 50 years are in receipt of the 10s. per week pension promised under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and the number who were refused for various reasons on reaching that age; the cost of administering this Act; and whether any of the sums collected from the public through the society called the National Institute for the Blind is granted to those in receipt of the pension?

On the 31st December last, 10,486 blind persons in England and Wales between the ages of 50 and 70 were in receipt of pensions under Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920. The total ascertained number of blind persons in England and Wales between the ages of 50 and 70 is 12,430. It is not possible to state the total number of persons who were refused pensions under the Section, but up to the end of last week 420 claims to pension had been disallowed on appeal because the definition of blindness was not complied with. This Section of the Act is administered under the machinery used for the Old Age Pensions Acts, and it is not possible to separate the cost of administration in respect of blind persons. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that the funds of the National Institute for the Blind are used mainly for purposes quite distinct from the supplementing of pensions.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Return of occupations of those included in the Census for the year 1921 is yet available; and, if not, when it will be published, as the information, if to be of any value, should not be delayed?

The statistics in question have already been published, county by county, for a number of counties covering practically the whole of the industrial portion of England and Wales, and comprising nearly 37,500,000 out of a total population of less than 38,000,000. The few remaining county volumes will appear in the course of the next three or four weeks, and a summary volume giving the aggregate figures of these and other statistics for England and Wales as a whole is in preparation and will be published in a few months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will reconsider his decision as to Mr. Charles T. Lowe, 2, First Avenue, Mortlake; is he aware that this man was ruined during the War owing to the suppression of shipping lists; that his business as publisher of shipping lists was ruined whilst Lloyds were permitted to continue the issue of shipping lists; and will he consider making him a compassionate grant?

It is not in the power of the Admiralty to make compassionate grants to persons whose claims against the Crown have been brought before the constituted authority. Mr. Lowe's claim was heard by the Losses Commission in 1917 and failed. He was allowed by the War Compensation Court to bring it again before that Court last year, and after a full hearing the Court decided that they could recommend no payment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the engineers employed in the works department at Devonport dockyard are not regarded as being on the establishment although some have over 20 years' service; that an Admiralty Order of 1914 states that such men should be established; that the same grade of men in other departments have this right; and whether he will issue an order that all workmen employed in Government yards should after a certain number of years' service be placed automatically on the establishment and entitled to the emoluments relating thereto?

The answers to the first and third parts of the question are in the affirmative, and the answer to the second part is in the negative. As regards the fourth and last part of the question, I am aware of the anomalies created by the difference between established and un-established men, and the whole matter is having my personal consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many of the proposed five cruisers it is intended to lay down in Devonport; and whether, when allocating these vessels, he will bear in mind that, whereas the commercial yards, in addition to their ordinary work, can tender for national ships, the Royal yards are dependent for their existence upon the construction of national ships and cannot compete with the commercial yards?

The answer to the first part of the question is one. All the relevant facts are borne in mind by the Admiralty in the allocation of orders for Naval ship construction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is proposed to hold the 1924 Welfare Inter-Port and Port Conferences?

The matter is under consideration and an announcement will be made as soon as a decision is arrived at.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many ex-service trainees are at present employed in the Electrical Department of the Office of Works?

No ex-service trainees are employed in the Electrical Department of the Office of Works.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that ex-service men have proved themselves very competent shorthand typists in certain Government Departments; and whether he will consider the possibility of arranging free courses of training in shorthand for disabled men now unemployed on the books of the Joint Substitution Board, with a view to their re-allocation as shorthand typists in other Government Departments?

Shorthand-typing in Government Departments is regarded as work proper for women. As there are very few commercial openings for men shorthand-typists, I do not think the suggested provision of training would be justified by the prospects of employment which are likely to be available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Federation of British Industries, dated 24th February, 1924, recording an increasing volume of business in diamonds, and that the activity displayed in the diamond market has far exceeded the most sanguine expectations; and will he, under these circumstances, reconsider the reopening of the diamond works at Brighton?

I have not seen the report referred to. The late Government's scheme for helping the Brighton diamond works to re-open was abandoned because the firm concerned decided not to proceed. So far as I am aware, no fresh proposals for re-opening the works have been made. I may add that the great majority of the ex-service employés at the works have been placed in alternative training or given grants to start in business on their own account.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that his Ministry, having stopped paying a pension to John Macdonald, No. 16,991, Scots Guards, on the 15th January, 1923, refuses to pay for the period from that date to the 30th May, 1923, on which date a claim was made against the decision of his Ministry and which the Appeal Tribunal decided in favour of the applicant; will he now order the payment of the money due for the period referred to; and will he abolish the rule which prevents payment in such cases unless the claim is made within two months?

The general rule of the Ministry is to pay pension in cases of appeal from the date on which the appeal was made. The two months' extension of this rule, referred to by the hon. Member, is allowed as a reasonable period within which any man dissatisfied with the decision of the Ministry should be able to lodge an appeal. My right hon. Friend is, however, looking into the existing rules as to arrears, and if they are found to be working inequitably, they will be amended.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he will give instructions that in all cases where claims are allowed the present practice, viz., of paying the claimant from the current date, and leaving the man to find out whether or no any arrears may be due to him, is to be discontinued, and that the allowance be paid as from the date on which it became payable;(2) whether he will give instructions that when a renewal or increase of pension results from a successful appeal, such renewal or increase should commence from the date of the medical board against whose assessment he has appealed, and not from the date of the man's application for leave to appeal, as at present?

The date from which any award of pension is properly payable is the date from which it is determined that the man's condition justifies that award, whether the award is made on a first claim or follows on the result of appeal. This general rule has been allowed to be modified in the practice of the Ministry to the extent that in the case of a first claim payment is made from the date of the man's claim and in the case of appeal from the date of the appeal. In all such cases any arrears due are paid automatically without application on the man's part. Exceptional cases in which it appears that the circumstances of the case justify arrears from an anterior date can be and are specially considered. I am, however, looking into the working of the rules as to arrears.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can bring within the ambit of the Regulations the provision of special curative treatment of tuberculosis in children born since the earlier days of the War if the fathers of such, children have been declared by medical boards or tribunals to be suffering from this disease, attributable to or aggravated by war service?

I am afraid I have no power to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. The responsibility for the provision of treatment for tuberculosis rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposal foreshadowed by the Secretary of State for War at Burnley, on the 23rd February, 1924, to give old age pensions of 15s. a week at the age of 65, represents the official policy of His Majesty's Government; and what additional expenditure per annum would be involved thereby?

As indicated by the Prime Minister in his statement on the 12th February, the policy of the Government is to introduce legislation to deal with the discouragement of thrift involved in the present means limitation in the grant of old age pensions. I can add nothing to this statement of policy. An increase of old age pensions to 15s. would involve an increase in the higher "means" limit to 24s. The present cost, if these changes were made and if the pension were made payable at 65, would be about £55,000,000 per annum, an increase of about £31,000,000 per annum. These figures would automatically increase in the future.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether returning officers will be at liberty, if they so desire, to employ local printers for the forms required for the conduct of an election, or whether they will be obliged to use those issued from the Stationery Office in future?

I have been asked to reply. It is intended that the Stationery Office forms shall be used in all cases, except such as are indicated to be optional. As I stated in the replies which I gave on this question on the 14th instant, there will still remain a number of forms to be printed locally.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the authorities for the repayment of Income Tax in forwarding repayment orders state (Leaflet R. 254) that, in the interests of economy and security, the system of issuing Post Office money orders in repayment of Income Tax has been discontinued; and whether he will take steps to secure the withdrawal of this leaflet?

The leaflet referred to has been issued with repayment orders in order to explain a change which it became necessary to introduce in the method of making repayments of Income Tax, namely, the use of cheques in lieu of money orders. The object of the change was economy and security, and this result has been obtained without friction or inconvenience to the public. If I am right in understanding my hon. Friend to desire a reversion to the old system of using money orders, I could not for the reasons above stated comply with his suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether candidates for admission to the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic Service, or either, are required to be in possession of private means as a condition of appointment after having passed the competitive examination for such candidates; and whether he will take into consideration the possibility of arranging for boards of selection and examinations for such candidates to meet and be held more than once a year?

I have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part is in the negative; as regards the remainder of the question, the examination is held concurrently with the examination for the Indian Civil Service, Eastern Cadetships, the Colonial Service and the administrative class of the Home Civil Service, and the expense of holding an additional examination separately for the small number of vacancies normally available in the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service would not be justified; it is not considered that any useful purpose would be served by holding a Board of Selection more than once a year, especially in view of the fact that candidates may appear at any of the annual meetings of the Board of Selection after they have reached their nineteenth birthday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has been spent to date upon the palace of the High Commissioner of (Iraq) Mesopotamia; and does he propose to allow further payments?

Full particulars as to the cost of the Residency of His Majesty's High Commissioner at Bagdad were given by the late Government, in reply to a question in this House, on the 28th November, 1922. The whole of the expenditure under this head has been brought to account, except a sum of £37 which will be charged to the Vote for 1923–24. Further expenditure is not contemplated except in connection with furnishing and maintenance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what qualification, if any, is required for the position of public auditor?

I am sending my hon. Friend the conditions of appointment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a Whitley Council has been formed and put into operation in the Principal Probate Registry?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given consideration to the present abrogation of the law with regard to the number of persons to be carried in omnibuses and tramcars of the Metropolitan area and the unhygienic conditions of such overcrowding; and whether he purposes taking any steps to enforce the law, which was relaxed during the period of shortage of rolling-stock, which shortage has now been made up?

I have been asked to reply. The whole subject has been referred to the Committee on Hackney Vehicles appointed by the Minister of Transport, and pending the Report of that Committee the Home Secretary does not think that he can take any action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the ever-increasing expenditure upon the repair and maintenance of district roads, particularly the more important roads linking up main roads, he will consider the making of an annual grant from the Road fund of at least 50 per cent. of all excess expenditure upon roads over pre-War standard?

Without entering into the merits of the basis of distribution proposed by the hon. Member, grants on the scale suggested in the question would render it impossible, with the funds at present available, to continue the assistance now given to highway authorities for the maintenance and improvement of Class I and Class II roads and bridges. As the hon. Member is aware, a special allocation has been made during the current financial year for the purpose of improving rural roads, and further provision is to be found during 1924–25.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has promised any support to the proposed St. Paul's Bridge; and whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made to the City Corporation on Thursday last that Southwark Bridge, on which great sums have just been spent, is now so little used that it carries in one day less traffic than the much smaller bridge at Putney does in an hour?

Assistance was offered from the Road Fund towards the cost of forming approaches to the proposed St. Paul's Bridge. My attention has not been called to the statement referred to by the hon. Member, but I am not prepared to admit the relevance to St. Paul's Bridge of traffic statistics taken on Southwark Bridge or Putney Bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can state, in view of the number of fatal accidents caused by passengers falling out of trains, whether the railway companies are taking any steps to fix automatic locks upon their carriage doors which would prevent the doors being opened from the inside whilst the train was in motion?

The railway companies do not propose, so far as I am aware, to equip railway carriage doors with automatic locks. I may add that this question is referred to on page 13 of the Report upon Railway Accidents for the year 1922, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the desirability of making it compulsory upon all motor vehicles to have fitted a reflector on the off-side of the driver's seat, so that a view may be had of overtaking traffic; and, as the universal adoption of this device would assist in the prevention of accidents, will he consider the adoption of a Measure to compel the use of this device?

I am not satisfied that the universal adoption of mirrors or reflectors would generally assist in the prevention of accidents, though their use, in cases where the driver is unable to hear or see signals from behind, is no doubt a convenience to overtaking traffic. I am not prepared therefore to make their use compulsory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many maisons tolerées have been closed in Hong Kong under the regulations permitting complaints from three householders; and how many have been closed at the discretion of the police without such complaints?

I have no information on this point, but I will make inquiry of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of submitting to Parliament the report of the Far Eastern Commission of the National Council for Combating Venereal Disease, including the commission reports on Hong Kong, Singapore and Colombo?

The document in question is not an official report, and its publication is a matter for the National Council for Combating Venereal Disease. I regret that I should not feel justified in directing its publication at the expense of the State, but I have no doubt that the council will readily afford facilities to any hon. Members who may wish to peruse the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the interests of economy and to encourage good international relations, he will take steps to abolish all passport restrictions imposed during and since the War?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply made to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Bristol (Mr. Ayles) in this House yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the present Government to introduce a Bill, on the lines promised by the late Government, which will enable them to appoint a Committee to deal with the disposal of the Boxer indemnity, with special reference to the claims put forward by the holders of Vickers' Chinese Notes?

The answer is in the affirmative; but no inference should be drawn as to the likelihood of Boxer indemnity funds becoming available for defaulted payments on the unsecured debts of the Chinese Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the letter addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by the chairman of the Mexican Railway concerning the recognition of the Mexican Government by Great Britain; and what the Government propose to do in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the British representative in Mexico has been asked for his observations on the matter. I would also refer to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on the 18th February to questions on the subject of the recognition of Mexico.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will, in the event of their granting to any employers or association of employers the right of representation at the forthcoming Anglo-Russian Conference, also extend the same right to the British Trade Union Congress?

It has been decided after careful consideration that no representatives of private bodies should take part directly in the forthcoming Anglo-Russian negotiations which will be between the two Governments, but I shall be glad to give careful consideration to any expression of views on the part of such bodies which they may be good enough to offer in the meantime.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue Regulations making it lawful to sell ice cream during the British Empire Exhibition between the hours of 9.30 p.m. and midnight?

Closing hours for the sale of ice cream are fixed by the Shops (Early Closing) Acts, and I am advised that the Home Office has no power to vary them as suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of summonses which have been issued during 1923 upon persons charged with selling tobacco between the hours of 8 o'clock p.m. and midnight?

No, Sir; there are no figures available on this point.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the members of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain have given notice to terminate their wage agreement; and whether he proposes to institute a Committee to inquire into all the relevant facts of the industry so as to avoid a possible stoppage?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are indications of very serious trouble in the coal-mining industry; that notices have been given by branches of the Miners' Federation which may lead to a stoppage of work at the end of a period of eight weeks from the present date; and what steps he proposes to take to avert such a calamity?

I have been asked to reply. The notice given by the Miners' Federation for the termination of the present agreement expires on 17th April. The progress of negotiations for a new agreement between the Mining Association and Miners' Federation has unfortunately been delayed for various reasons, but I understand that their representatives are to meet on 6th March to discuss the matter. The Government fully realise how serious are the possibilities of the situation, and are keeping in close touch with it. I do not think that it is desirable to say more than this at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal royalties in the county of Durham; the number of

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal royalties in Great Britain, the number of royalty owners receiving £10,000 and over per year, and the number receiving below £10,000 before deduction of Income Tax, and the total amount paid to such owners during the year 1923?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I regret that I am unable to furnish this information without a detailed examination of some 12,000 returns, which would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. The hon. Member will however find an analysis of the nature desired, for the year 1917–18, in Appendix 78 of Vol. III of the Report of the Coal Industry Commission, Cmd. 361 of 1910. My advisers have no reason to think that the relative distribution there shown has materiallly altered since. The total number of royalty owners estimated to be assessable to Mineral Rights Duty in Great Britain, in respect of coal and other minerals, for the year 1923–24, is 6,100, and the aggregate royalties, before deduction of Income Tax, are estimated to amount to £7,084,000. The term "royalty" includes the gross rental value of minerals assessed to Mineral Rights Duty on working proprietors.

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to carry out the recommendations contained in the third Report of the Acquisition and Valuation of Land Committee on the acquisition for public purposes of rights and powers in connection with mines and minerals?

Effect has been given to many of these recommendations by the Mining Industry Act, 1920, and Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act, 1923, and some are under consideration by the Royal Commission on Mining Subsidence. The question whether further legislation is necessary will be kept in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received resolutions from a number of public health authorities urging that the Tuberculosis Order of 1914, which was suspended during the War, should now be put into operation; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply for the Minister of Agriculture. The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As my right hon. Friend has already explained, the Ministry has now under consideration the question as to whether it is practicable to put into operation at the present time the Tuberculosis Order of 1914, and he hopes to be able to come to a decision shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the generous offer of the Canadian Government to send between 4,000 and 5,000 calving heifers and stirks to restock Cheshire farms which have been depleted by foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he is taking measures to expedite this importation?

I have been asked to reply. As my right hon. Friend explained to the House on the 25th instant, he is aware of the offer of the Canadian Government to facilitate the purchase of cattle for restocking Cheshire farms, but after a careful consideration of all the factors involved, he came to the conclusion that the interests of the live-stock industry in this country would be best served by not allowing the importation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give details for the years 1904 to 1923, inclusive, of experiments made by his Department of the application of electricity to plant life; and the costs and results of such experiments?

A Committee to advise the Ministry in regard to electro-culture was set up in 1918 and that experiments devised by that Committee have been in progress since that date. Grants amounting in all to £8,000 have been paid by the Ministry in aid of the work. The experiments have shown that certain types of electrical discharge have a very marked influence on the development of plant growth, but a great deal has yet to be learned of the best methods and periods of application. Details of the experiments and the results, which cannot easily be summarised, are contained in a series of reports of which copies are being sent to my hon. Friend. Some account of the work appeared in the Ministry's journal for December, 1922, and July, 1923.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to recent serious encroachments upon Wetley Moor, Staffordshire, a common situate in close proximity to Stoke-upon-Trent; whether such enclosures have received the sanction of the Ministry of Agriculture; and, if not, whether the Ministry will hold an inquiry into the matter, with a view to protecting the interests of the public in open spaces?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of the encroachments to which the hon. Member refers. The Ministry has not sanctioned any of the enclosures, but he regrets to say that it has no power either to prevent them or to hold a local inquiry, except on an application for a scheme for the regulation of the common under the Commons Acts, 1845 to 1899.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as a precaution against unemployment which may follow the introduction of wages boards for agricultural workers, he will take steps to introduce legislation to extend the Unemployment Insurance Act so as to include insurance of agricultural workers?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is considering in conjunction with the Minister of Labour the general question of the desirability of providing unemployment insurance for agricultural workers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of miles of rivers and streams deepened for purposes of drainage in Great Britain for the years 1913 to 1923, inclusive, and the average cost per mile?

I regret that I am not in a position to afford my hon. Friend the information he desires, as it is not available. I am, however, sending him an account of the work done during the winters of 1921–1922 and 1922–1923 for the relief of unemployment. Similar work is being continued during the present winter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now received the Report of the Trades Dispute Disqualification Committee; and, if not, will be refer the issue to the Law Officers of the Crown so that the express wishes of Parliament might be met without further delay?

The Committee have not yet reported, but I am expecting them to do so shortly. Nothing would be gained by a reference to the Law Officers, as the question at issue is not the interpretation of the law, but whether the law should be altered.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of contribution paid by the coal-mining industry to the national unemployment fund for the six months ending 31st December, 1923, and the benefits paid for the same period?

Separate accounts are not kept of the contributions and benefit for each industry. At a rough estimate, however, it appears that contributions of employers and employed in the coal-mining industry for the last six months of 1923 amounted to about £2,300,000, and that the amount of unemployment benefit paid to workpeople registered as belonging to the industry over the same period was about £580,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the main points in respect of which the regulations of the unemployment grants committee are being modified; and whether any objection will now be made to any local authority paying not less than trade union rates of wages on direct labour schemes?

The main modification of the conditions of the unemployment grants committee is in respect of wages to be paid on schemes carried out by local authorities by direct labour. In future on such schemes local authorities will be free to pay wages not exceeding the local authority's rate to its own workmen on similar classes of work or the recognised district rate, where such exists, if that is lower. A circular conveying this modification is going out to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Robert Wilson, 25, Alma Street, Govan, although having four years' stamps, has only received eight weeks' benefit, and has been refused any further allowance on the ground that no trace can be found of any contributions having been paid by him; that this man was employed for two years with Harland and Wolff, shipbuilders, Govan, and two years with Lawson and Company, saw-millers, Woodville Street, Govan; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into this case?

I am having enquiry made, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour approximately the number of young people between the ages of 14 and 16 who have failed to secure employment since leaving school?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any further modification of the rules applying to the receipt of uncovenanted benefit has been made in the interests of aliens beyond the modifications made last year?

In accordance with the announcement made by the Prime Minister in the House on the 12th February, the special restrictions on the grant of uncovenanted benefit to aliens have now been removed. Claims for uncovenanted benefit made by aliens are now dealt with on precisely the same lines as claims by British subjects.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered, in connection with unemployment, the revival of the scheme to construct a barrage across the River Severn for the purpose of harnessing the tides and providing cheap and widespread electric power, which scheme engineers have pronounced to be practicable, and which would provide employment for a great many people for a number of years?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, by the President of the Board of Trade given on the 19th February to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider his decision, as announced in the "Labour Gazette," that the statistics of approved building plans shall in future be published only quarterly?

In view of the limited space available in the "Labour Gazette," and of the need for economy in expenditure on printing, it has been decided that the detailed figures relating to the building plans passed in each of various districts shall in future be given only at quarterly intervals. The totals for all districts for which information is obtained, sub-divided to show various categories of buildings separately, are still, however, being published each month. I should be prepared to reconsider the question as regards the district figures if I received evidence of sufficient demand to justify the expense of their monthly publication.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the dissatisfaction prevailing at the method in which the cost-of-living index figure is calculated, he will undertake to investigate the matter, with a view to modifying the basis on which this figure is arrived at?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Wednesday last to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for the Attercliffe (Mr. C. Wilson) and South-East Essex Divisions (Mr. Hoffman).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has nominated any representative to serve on the committee established for the purpose of allocating the fund raised for the relief of the distress in the Hebrides; and whether, in view of the fact that this fund has been subscribed chiefly on account of the distress in the Western Isles, he will instruct his representative to take, steps to ensure that the island interests will have first claim on the fund?

No representative of the Government has been appointed to serve on the committee which, I would remind the hon. Member, has been established by those responsible for collecting subscriptions from the public. Officials of the Board of Health and other Departments attend meetings of the committee for the purpose of furnishing information in the possession of their Departments, but they are not members of the committee. This being so, the second part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what measures he proposes to take to ameliorate the conditions of the people in the island of Lewis?

The exceptional distress in Lewis this winter caused by the failure of crops is being relieved by means of road works, towards which large grants have been made, and by the exercise of the powers of the parish councils, who are being assisted with loans authorised by me on the recommendation of the Goschen Committee. In order to assist the people to grow crops this year the Government are making arrangements to supply at a reduced cost seed oats and seed potatoes for use this spring. In addition to taking these measures for dealing with the exceptional conditions at present prevailing, I am examining carefully, as I recently stated in the House, the more general question of the permanent conditions which obtain in the Highlands and Islands.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many complaints are being raised in the Borough of Macclesfield that postal deliveries cease at mid-day on Saturdays and that no further delivery is made until Mondays; and whether he will take steps to remedy this inconvenience?

I have received no recent complaints, but I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General what reasons he can give to explain why only some 13,000 policies are in existence under the Post Office life assurance system in view of the great advantages and security offered; and what steps are taken to advertise the system to the public?

An inquiry has recently been made into the Post Office life assurance system, and measures have been suggested to make it more attractive to the public which are now under consideration. I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

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

Ten disabled ex-service men trained in Government instructional factories are employed in the Post Office engineering department. In addition to these there are a total of about 15,000 ex-service men in the engineering department.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is his intention to restrict the number of new admissions to training colleges in 1924 to a point below the number of new admissions sanctioned for 1923 in Circular 1301; and whether authorities of training colleges may now give definite promises of admission to candidates for the autumn of 1924?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, authorities of training colleges may now promise admissions in 1924 up to the number sanctioned for 1923. I am also considering whether in view of all the circumstances I shall be justified in removing the restriction imposed by Circular 1301 in 1923, but I must defer a decision on that point for the present.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a comparative statement of the scale of pensions in the case of women teachers who retired before 1918 and who have since retired, respectively?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is distinguishing between pensions awarded after the 1st April, 1919, when the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, came into operation, and pensions awarded under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1898 and 1912. The average amount of pension (exclusive of the deferred annuity) awarded to women on the ground of age in the year ending the 31st March, 1919, was £44. Those pensions were calculated at the rate of £1 for each complete year of recorded service, with an addition of 2d. for each complete year served before the 1st April, 1899. These pensions are subject to a maximum increase of 50 per cent. under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920. The benefits under the Act of 1918 are based on years of recognised service and on average salary for the last five years thereof. The average amount of allowances to women teachers on the ground of age in the year ending the 31st March, 1920, was £69 per annum and £192 lump sum.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the desire of the Inverness-shire education authority, he will continue the system of examinations for leaving certificates, as these have proved of value to the students?

I know nothing of any proposal to discontinue the leaving certificate examination. I can, therefore, only assume that what the hon. Member has in mind is Circular 60, which was the subject of a question addressed to me yesterday by the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson). I would refer the hon. Member to the reply then given, adding only that the representation to which I there referred was made by the Inverness-shire education authority.

asked the Attorney-General the number of members on the advisory committee responsible for advising the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Wiltshire for recommending justices of the peace, and their names and occupations?

There are 10 members on the advisory committee in addition to the Lord Lieutenant. Their names and occupations are as follow:

• The Earl of Radnor, J. P., C. I. E., Longford Castle, Salisbury.
• F. W. Harrall, Esq., J. P., 10, Western Terrace, Melksham, Wilts, pattern maker.
• Edward Coward, Esq., J. P., Southgate House, Devizes, retired farmer.
• Richard Stratton, Esq., J. P., Kingston Deverill, Bath, tenant farmer.
• The Hon. Major-General Thomas C. P. Calley, C. B., M.V. O., J.P., Burderop Park, Swindon.
• W. H. Bell, Esq., F.S.A., F.G.S., J.P., Cleeve House, Seend, Melksham.
• A. E. Withy, Esq., Westlecott, Swindon, Solicitor.
• Lady Hobhouse, J.P., Monkton Farleigh, Bradford-on-Avon.
• Mrs. Lovell Hewitt, Trowle Manor, Trowbridge.
• H. J. Hunt, Esq., J.P., West Tocken-ham, Swindon, signalman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a steamer called the "Caid" cleared from the Clyde on 11th February with a cargo of whisky; if this ship has reached the destination specified in her clearance papers; and if he will give the name of the owner of the vessel, her port of registry, the consignor of her cargo, and if the allowance of 3d. per gallon on exported whisky was given in this case?

I have been asked to reply. I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, taking the whole of the claims put forward to the Reparation Claims Department, he will state the number of claimants who have died since they first sent in their claims, and the number who are now being supported by Poor Law relief?

I am afraid that the time and labour which would be required to go through all the files in the Department in order to answer the hon. Member's question would appreciably delay the work of the Department, and could not be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government proposes to give the House an opportunity of discussing the Report of Lord Sumner's Commission when presented; and whether, if the money already allocated to it is found to be insufficient, he will urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make further financial provision?

I would point out that the first part of the question should be addressed to the Leader of the House; and as to the second, I would refer to the statement made by the President of the Board of Trade on the Motion for the Adjournment on 21st February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the average amount of money received by the 26,000 people compensated by the Reparation Claims Department; and whether he will give the entire number of claims put forward, the number rejected entirely, the number still to be dealt with, and how many have been placed in the category of belated claims because the applicants have not sent in the requisite forms filled up and signed?

The average amount of money which has been paid to the 26,563 persons is slightly over £81; and the entire number of claims put forward is approximately 87,000. The rest of the information desired comes within the scope of the Second Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, and I would ask the hon. Member to await its publication.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, assuming that the £5,000,000 allotted to the Reparation Claims Department to meet the claims of British sailors torpedoed at sea by the Germans in the War proves to be insufficient, the Government will regard as just and legitimate a claim against the German Government for the necessary further payment to these men who have suffered at their hands?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement which was made by the President of the Board of Trade on the Motion for the Adjournment on 21st February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what wore the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of iron and steel fencing wire, other than barbed wire, wire netting, and steel girders, respectively, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia, respectively: and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of manufactures of plated and gilt metals, other than plated and gilt wares and spoons and forks, haberdashery, other than buttons, studs and pins, and plated spoons and forks, respectively, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia, respectively; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of zinc-rolled sheets, plates and discs, including printing plates, and brass wire in coils of No. 20 gauge and thicker, respectively, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of filled metal cartridge cases (other than small arms ammunition), sports goods (cricket, hockey, lacrosse, croquet, tennis, and polo materials), and blasting accessories (other than fuses, tubes, primers, etc., and including detonators, cables, etc.), respectively, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of electric commercial instruments, electric house service meters (including ammeters, voltmeters, etc.), and insulated electric telegraph and telephone wires and cables (other than submarine), respectively, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of umbrella parts and fittings, machine-made cardboard boxes, and wooden toys, except dolls, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia, respectively; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the total exports in 1922–23 of cotton gloves to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon;(2) what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of stockings made of textiles other than wool or cotton, cotton stockings, soft haberdashery, and millinery, except hats, bonnets, caps, and other headgear, embroidery, and needlework, respectively, to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of millboard, music books, writing paper, glazed wall and hearth tiles, glass and sand paper, and steel wire rods, respectively, to all foreign countries together, and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of complete pianos, not automatic, complete wood and metal wind musical instruments, and perfumery containing spirits, respectively, to all foreign countries together, and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of Imperial Preference thereon?

The annexed statement will, I hope, be found to contain the information desired by the hon. Members, so far as the year 1922 is concerned. Corresponding information for 1923 is available only to the extent indicated.The following statement shows the value of the undermentioned descriptions of merchandise (the produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom) exported from the United Kingdom during the year 1922 and registered as consigned to (