asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to remove the disqualification of civil servants from becoming candidates for Membership of the House of Commons?

The whole question of the civil rights of State servants is at present under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how and where the figures were obtained on which the differentiation in the salaries of civil servants in London, Edinburgh, and the provinces was calculated?

As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 19th February, the differentiation was the result of agreement on the appropriate Whitley body. It was the subject of prolonged consideration by that body, and had regard to all the relevant circumstances and not only to published figures in regard to the cost of living. So far as the Committee's decision was related to cost of living figures, I understand that the figures in question were obtained as a result of a Board of Trade inquiry in 1912.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether hired riggers in His Majesty's Dockyard. Portsmouth, are eligible for appointment to dockyards abroad when vacancies occur; whether hired riggers are allowed to submit their names for such appointments; and whether any hired riggers have been selected for appointments abroad since 1920?

The answer to each of the three parts, of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the Regulation with regard to the wearing of the so-called fore-and-aft rig for petty officers of the Royal Fleet Reserve; whether these petty officers are permitted to carry on with the old so-called square rig until it is worn out; and what allowances are made to these petty officers towards the purchase of the new uniforms?

Petty officers in the Royal Fleet Reserve wear the class of uniform which they were wearing when they left the active service. In accordance with this rule, petty officers who were in fore and aft rig when they left the active service wear that rig while in the reserve; petty officers who were dressed as seamen when they left the active service continue to wear it while in the reserve.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many cases of pink-eye there are at Dartmouth at present; and what precautions are being taken to prevent the disease spreading?

There were 38 cases of conjunctivitis, which cannot be described as pink-eye, on the 28th February, among the naval cadets at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. These cases are mild, and the majority, 35, are nearly well. It has only been necessary to admit one case to the sick quarters. To prevent the spread of the disease, adequate precautions are being taken, which consist in ensuring that each cadet uses his own towel and washing gear, and towels are changed more often than is usual. In addition, the plunge bath has been stopped in certain terms. Notices have been posted drawing the attention of the cadets to the necessity for co-operation in these matters.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is prepared to formulate any scheme whereby ex-service trainees may be enabled to find employment as improvers or otherwise in greater numbers and to better advantage than has hitherto been the case?

I have been asked to reply. Many plane to find improverships or employment for trainees are in operation. Over 16,000 improverships have been found and filled since 1st September, 1921, of which nearly 7,000 were found during the last 12 months. The canvassers specially appointed for the purpose have found over 13,000 of these vacancies, including over 6,000 during the last 12 months. The matter receives unremitting attention, and I shall always be glad to consider suggestions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that 35 ex-service men have received notice to terminate their employment at regional headquarters, Newcastle-on-Tyne; and whether he will sympathetically consider the suspension of these notices, in view of the abnormal state of unemployment on Tyneside?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question on the same subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle West (Captain Ramage) on the 28th instant. The situation is being kept under close review, but unless it is found that the needs of the work justify the continued employment of any of these officers, I regret that I could not agree to the suspension of their notices.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, at present receiving out-relief; the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, now resident in workhouses; the number of ex-service men who are at present in medical institutions; the number of ex-service men who are at present chargeable to local rates and maintained in mental institutions; and whether he can see his way at once to introduce legislation which will remove the destitute men who fought in the late War from their present dependence on Poor Law relief and make them a special charge on the nation?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, and that it would not be practicable to introduce legislation to the effect suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, receiving out-relief from boards of guardians; the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, resident in guardians' institutions; and the number of ex-service men in mental institutions chargeable to local rates?

I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has received a reply to the further communication to the Government of India made by his predecessor regarding the incomplete payment to officers of the Burma military police of the special Burma allowance authorised under the Government of Burma Financial Department Notification, No. 24, of 25th March, 1920?

A final answer has not yet been received, but the Government of India have been asked for it by telegram.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of licences issued to the public on account of broadcasting and the amount paid to the British Broadcasting Company?

On the 31st January, about 636,000 wireless receiving licences were in force: figures for February are not yet available. The total amount actually paid to the British Broadcasting Company by the Post Office up to date is £71,450; but subject to Parliamentary sanction, and to their obligation to return any ultimate surplus, as provided in their last agreement with the Post Office, the total amount which the company will be entitled to receive in respect of the fees on these licences will be about £348,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the additional cost incurred in the emergency carrying of mails by special train during the recent dockers' strike; and whether this charge upon the public funds will be submitted to the House in the form of a Supplementary Estimate?

I have been requested to answer this question. No additional cost for special trains was incurred by the Post Office during the recent dockers' strike.

asked the Post-master-General if his Department has made any estimate of the revenue and expenditure, including depreciation, sinking fund, and all overhead charges, of the high-power wireless station now being erected at Rugby?

Estimates of the probable revenue and expenditure of the Rugby station have been made, but the revenue must depend, among other factors, upon what services are conducted from the station, a matter which is now under the consideration of the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage preference allowed by each of the Dominions and Colonies on imports from Great Britain; what was the total amount of exports of manufactured and semi-manufactured articles from this country to the Dominions and Colonies, and to the different countries in Europe, respectively, during the last three years for which the returns are ascertainable; and the amount per head of the population in each instance?

Precise particulars of the percentage differences between the aggregate duties on imports from this country under the preferential tariffs of the Dominions and Colonies, and the duties chargeable on similar goods from foreign countries, are not available for 1922. It would, however, appear that the preferential rebate amounted, approximately, to 55 per cent. of the latter rates of duty in the case of New Zealand, for such goods as were accorded preference, to 45 per cent. in the case of Australia, to 30 per cent. in the case of Canada, and to 25 per cent. in the case of South Africa. The corresponding percentage was about 50 in the cases of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, Trinidad and Tobago, and British Guiana, about 45 in the cases of Fiji and Barbados, about 33 in the cases of Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Antigua, Dominica. Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and British Honduras, 30 in the cases of Grenada and St. Kitts-Nevis, and 25 in that of Cyprus.The following statement shows the value of the exports of articles of United Kingdom manufacture, classed as wholly or mainly manufactured, registered in each of the years 1920, 1921 and 1922 as consigned to each of the countries specified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what preference has been given to this country by the West Indies?

Except in the case of certain specified articles such as tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, wines, spirits and flour, where the rate of preference is generally lower, Barbados, British Guiana and Trinidad give a preference to this country in their general tariff of 50 per cent., British Honduras, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands give a preference of 33⅓ per cent.; Jamaica gives a preference of 25 per cent., but on cotton piece goods has increased the preference to 50 per cent.; and the Bahama Islands give a drawback of 25 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Dominions or Colonies have actually given, or intimated their intention to give, new or increased preferences to British trade since 1918?

As regards the self-governing Dominions, Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand have given new, or increased, preferences to British trade since 1918. The Irish Free State, on becoming responsibe for its customs administration on 1st April, 1923, continued the preferences accorded under the tariff previously in force. In the case of the Union of South Africa, the general rate of preference has not altered since 1918. Since 1918 the Colonies of Mauritius, Fiji and Cyprus have decided to give certain preference to Empire goods, and the Colonies of Jamaica, British Honduras, the Bahamas, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, Trinidad, Barbados and British Guiana have largely increased the preference they already gave.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the National Benefit Assurance Company, Limited, was wound up under an order of the Court, dated the 25th July, 1922, and that since the 4th April, 1923, the bondholders have received no notice of the progress of the liquidation; that a large number of the bondholders are working people whose savings were deposited with the company; and whether he can state a date when a dividend will be declared?

The answer to the first two parts of this question is in the affirmative. As to the last part, in March, 1923, the Senior Official Receiver who is the liquidator of the National Benefit Assurance Company, Limited, applied to the Court for directions as to the respective rights of the bondholders, the life policyholders and the other creditors in the liquidation. The questions which have arisen are of great complexity, and when the matter last came before the Court on the 17th December, the application was further adjourned. It is hoped that the matter may be disposed of in the course of the next few weeks, but until the directions of the judge have been obtained, it will not be possible for the Official Receiver to pay a first dividend to the bondholders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any record to show how many cinema places of entertainment were in existence in England on 1st January, 1922, and 1st January, 1924, respectively?

I am informed by the Kinematograph Renters' Society that there were approximately 3,250 cinemas in Great Britain and Ireland on 1st January, 1922, and about 150 fewer on 1st January, 1924. I understand that figures for England alone are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any statistics are available showing the number of persons unemployed in the United States; and whether, in view of the fact that the United States does not publish statistics showing the number of persons unemployed, he will issue instructions to His Majesty's Consul-General in New York to obtain as full information on the subject as possible?

I have been asked to reply. There is no statistical information on this matter available in this country, and as the result of inquiries made in the United States last year at the hon. Member's suggestion it was learned that no general statistics relating to unemployment existed in that country. In these circumstances, it will be seen that no good purpose would be served by adopting the suggestion contained in the second part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men normally engaged in the shipbuilding industry in Hull are unemployed according to the latest available return?

At 28th January, the number of men recorded as unemployed in the shipbuilding industry at Hull was 1,322.

asked the Minister of Labour whether overtime is worked by the employés at Employment Exchanges; and, if so, will he consider the augmentation of the staff from the unemployed clerical workers, even if such augmentation would be of a temporary character only?

Overtime is worked by the clerical staff at Employment Exchanges only when it is unavoidable. During the last three months the average overtime worked was less than one hour per week per officer. Additional temporary staff is engaged as and when required by the volume of work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are indications of very serious trouble in the cotton industry; that the federation of master cotton spinners have intimated that they propose to close all spinning mills at the end of seven days from the present date; and what steps he proposes to take to avert such a calamity?

I am aware of the situation to which my hon. Friend refers. I am sure that the parties fully realise the desirability of avoiding a stoppage which would further aggravate the present difficult unemployment position, and I am still hopeful that a settlement will be reached by the parties themselves. I do not think that it is desirable that I should say more at the present time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the latest available figures of membership of trade unions in Great Britain?

At the end of 1922, the latest date for which complete figures are available, the total membership of trade unions in Great Britain and Northern Ireland was approximately 5½ millions. Detailed figures are given in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for October last, a copy of which is being sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any representation has been made to his Department with regard to the inclusion of agricultural workers under the Unemployment Insurance Act; and if he can now state the Government's intention respecting the same?

No request for inclusion in the Unemployment Insurance Scheme has been made to me by any organisation representative of the agricultural industry. I am, however, considering the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether any discussion has taken place at Geneva, at the International Labour Bureau, as to the adoption of British trade union conditions by other countries; and whether she can state the names of the countries in the world enforcing unemployment insurance, workmen's compensation, and national health insurance?

The adoption of British trade union conditions by other countries has not been proposed as an item for consideration by the International Labour Conference, although that Conference and the Governing Body of the International Labour Office have frequently considered, and in some cases adopted, proposals which are in accordance with such conditions. If my hon. Friend would care to inform me of any suggestions which he may have to make in this connection I should be pleased to consider them. So far as I am able to ascertain from information supplied by the International Labour Office and other sources, the attached statement shows the countries in which there exist at the present time statutory schemes of workmen's compensation for accidents, health insurance and unemployment insurance. The hon. Member

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of houses constructed, or about to be constructed, under the auspices of the county council, in the village of Elphinstone, East Lothian, under the Housing Acts?

I understand that the Scottish Board of Health have approved of a scheme under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, for the erection of one house in the village referred to.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many people were resident in the village of Elphinstone, East Lothian, when the last census was taken, the number of houses, and the average number of persons per room?

Elphinstone, as defined for the purposes of special water, drainage, lighting and scavenging districts had at the last census a population of 730 persons, and contained 134 inhabited houses. The average number of persons per room was 2·12.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Wednesday last to the hon. Member for the Govan Division (Mr. Maclean). Its terms are applicable, not only to Lewis, but to the Hebrides generally. I would also refer to my statement in the House, on Thursday last as to the increased assistance to be given towards the supply of seed oats and seed potatoes.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can furnish a statement of the number of dwelling-houses built in Scotland in each of the 24 years, 1900 to 1923, as nearly as possible analogous to the statements furnished by the Minister of Health for England and Wales?

Precise information is not available as to the total number of houses built in the period referred to, but according to returns published "by the Board of Inland Be venue as to the total number of houses charged to Inhabited House Duty, and the total number exempt from Inhabited House Duty, the following net increases or decreases occurred during each of the years 1900–1914 inclusive:—

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the practice existing in secondary schools of permitting cadet corps drill to take place at an hour which necessitates the curtailment of the periods for ordinary school instruction; whether he is aware that in some cases pressure upon boys to join these corps is so complete that only medical evidence or the statement of conscientious objection by the parents is admitted as valid ground for exemption; and whether he will take steps to secure that cadet corps form no part of the organisation of public secondary schools?

I have no reason to suppose that it is the practice to hold cadet corps drills at times which involve any material interference with the ordinary school instruction, or to put pressure on pupils to join cadet corps of the degree suggested in the question. I am certainly of opinion that no pressure should be exercised, but I am not prepared to embark on a policy of suppression or prohibition of cadet corps.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police authorities consider that they possess sufficient powers to deal with the prevalent disturbances at public meetings; and whether, if they do not, he will take steps to secure such powers from the House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 20th February to the hon. Member for North Battersea (Mr. Hogbin).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government will favourably consider the extension of the existing scheme of pensions for widows of police officers to pre-War pensioners' widows?

I would refer to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Sir J. Pennefather) on the 25th and 28th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, having regard to the verdict of Harnett v. Bond and others and to the damages awarded, his Department proposes to accept any responsibility in the matter?

I have been asked to reply, and would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Prime Minister on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the notice in the Press that the main Aylesbury road from Bushey to Watford is to be closed from 25th February for resurfacing; whether he is aware that there is no alternative route by which heavy traffic can proceed; whether this question is receiving the attention of the Ministry of Transport; and whether arrangements could be made so as to allow the passage of heavy traffic or, alternatively, to complete the work with the utmost possible despatch?

My attention has been called to these proposed road repairs, and I have given instructions that inquiries be made as to the best means of minimising the inconvenience to traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the delay caused to pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the Manor Way, North Woolwich, owing to the bridges at the entrance to King George's Dock being frequently up and the time taken for vessels to pass through; and whether his Department can take any steps to mitigate this nuisance?

I am personally well aware of the difficulties referred to, and am in communication with the Port of London Authority.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons are employed on duties of inspection under the Ministry of Transport, and at what annual cost, classified in each case according to the purpose of the inspection?

The officers employed on duties of inspection under the Ministry of Transport are the inspecting officers of railways and their assistants, who are responsible for reporting on matters connected with the safety of railways and tramways. They are eight in number at an annual cost, including bonus, of £7,200.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is willing to collect from foreign Governments in Europe and from the United States of America statistics regarding the number of murders committed in those countries, the number of executions in countries where capital punishment exists, and the effect, if any, of the abolition of capital punishment in those countries where it has been abolished for the last 20 years?

The late Secretary of State for the Home Department, in pursuance of an undertaking given by him in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 27th March last, requested my predecessor to obtain these statistics from certain foreign countries in Europe and America. The replies from His Majesty's representatives abroad containing the statistics were communicated to Mr. Bridgeman at various dates during the latter part of last year, and the hon. Member should address any inquiries concerning them to my right hon. Friend the present Home Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the duty of 20s. per barrel which the Polish Government have imposed upon all herrings which may in future be landed at the port of Danzig and destined for Poland; and will he make representations against this duty with a view to securing its removal, having regard to the serious conditions now existing in the herring industry?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The imposition of the duty referred to is a matter of the internal fiscal administration in Poland, in regard to which the British Government cannot properly interfere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of manufactured goods imported into Great Britain from Germany in 1921, 1922, and 1923?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it can be prepared.

asked the Secretary for Mines when his personal inquiry into the conditions existing in the iron-ore mines in Cumberland is likely to be concluded; will he issue a Report giving the result of his personal inquiry; and, if so, when may it be expected?

I hope that I shall be in a position in the course of a week or two to give a decision on my hon. Friend's request for an inquiry into this matter. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Mines what practical experience the present mines inspector in the Whitehaven area has had in iron-ore mining and in what iron-ore mines did he get such experience; when last the supports of the gantry which collapsed and resulted in the death of Wilson Mitchell were examined by His Majesty's inspector; is he aware that the supports referred to in this case were upright props erected under the gantry, were therefore visible to the naked eye at any moment, and therefore required nothing but practical knowledge and experience to discern their decomposed condition; and will the divisional inspector investigate these matters?

The junior inspector has had 3½ years' experience of metal-liferous mining in Scotland, 10 weeks' experience of iron-ore mining in Cumberland, and long experience of mining in coal and shale; and he is assisted by a sub-inspector from the Cleveland ironstone district, who had seven years' experience in iron-ore mines before being appointed. My information regarding this accident differs from that in possession of my hon. Friend. The coroner's inquiry showed that it was not the upright which collapsed, but a horizontal beam. This beam was decayed round a bolt-hole, but the decayed part was so covered by sleepers and flooring as to make visual examination impossible. The divisional inspector is investigating the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines what are the terms of reference he has made to the health advisory committee respecting the death of an iron-ore miner named Wilkinson from miners' phthisis; when the members of the health advisory committee are likely to receive the reference which he has made to them; and is he aware that it is now nearly 12 months since any meeting of the health and safety committee of the metalliferous mining industry has been held?

The facts reported by my hon. Friend about the death of Wilkin son were brought before my health advisory committee at their meeting last week, and are being considered by them as part of their general inquiry into dangers from dust. There was no formal reference. I am aware that the Health and Safety Sub-Committee of the Metalliferous Advisory Committee has not met for some time; but this has not prevented health questions affecting the industry being dealt with by my health advisory committee, of which the chairman of the sub-committee in question is a member.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many persons are employed on duties of inspection under the Mines Department, and at what annual cost, classified in each case according to the purpose of inspection?

The number of inspectors at present employed by the Mines Department and their annual cost are given below:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the large increase in the number of fatal accidents in the mining industry of this country, particularly South Wales, during the past year as compared with the three preceding years; whether any reason can be given for this increase; and is he now prepared to recommend the appointment of additional inspectors for the mining industry?

The increase last year in the number of fatal accidents at mines has caused me—as I am sure it has caused all those responsible for the safety of those engaged in the industry—serious concern. The total increase of 186 on the figures of 1922 is mainly due to a larger number of haulage accidents (312 in 1923, as compared with 211 in 1922) and to two irruptions of water, in which 48 persons lost their lives. In my reply to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 18th February I indicated some of the special steps being taken to promote safety in mines. One of these is an increase in the inspectorate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the advice or opinion of the Board of Trade Advisory Committee or of any bodies representing the employers or workmen engaged in the manufacturing trades likely to be affected by the reduction of the 26 per cent. duty upon German manufactured goods was sought by him before the reduction was made?

The Board of Trade Advisory Committee, constituted under Section 5 (2) of the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, is set up for the sole purpose of advising the Board of Trade as to the making of Orders under Section 5 (1), and is not concerned with the fixing of the rate of levy by the Treasury. The Board of Trade were throughout in touch with the negotiations. Numerous representations were received from manufacturers protesting against the position in which duty was collected from them and not refunded by Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the whole of the Gretna land and factories have been disposed of; and, if so, who purchased the same, and the amount they were sold for?

No, Sir. As already I announced, it is proposed to offer the unsold real property for sale by auction at Gretna in June next.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what occasions so much delay in the borough of West Ham respecting the actual granting of the pension book to claimants whose particulars and credentials have been duly examined and passed by the local Old Age Pensions Committee; is he aware that Mr. John Prince, of 29, Ashlen Road, Stratford, whose claim has been passed as and from 4th January, 1924, has not yet received his book: and, as this man is sorely in need, will he see that the necessary adjustment is made forthwith?

I find on enquiry that there has been no general delay in delivering pension order books to persons who have been granted Old Age Pensions in the borough of West Ham. In the ease of Mr. John Prince, notification of the grant of a pension was received by the Pension Officer on the 2nd February, and the order book was delivered on the 20th February. Shortly after the grant of the pension, the Pension Officer dealing with the ease became seriously ill, and unfortunately the fact that an order book had not been delivered was overlooked by her substitute.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the total cost to the country, based on present statistics, of the reduction of the age limit for Old Ago Pensions from 70 to 65, and the increase in the pension from 10s. to 15s.?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a question by the hon. Member for Brighton (Mr. Rawson) on Wednesday last, of whish I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the total cost of the locomotives manufactured at Woolwich; if all have been sold; and at what price?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 5th December, 1922. The Disposal and Liquidation Commission have sold certain parts of 12 sets of the locomotive components to the Midland and Great Western Railway of Ireland. The remaining spare parts and the 50 completed locomotives are in the hands of the George Cohen and Armstrong Disposal Corporation for sale on behalf of the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what at present prices is the approximate cost of wheat in a 4-lb. loaf of bread?

The cost will necessarily vary with the quality and description of wheat used in the manufacture of the flour from which the bread is made. Flour is usually the result of a mixture of several kinds of wheat, but taking as an example a mixture of 85 per cent. Canadian or hard wheat and 15 per cent. British wheat (the proportion quoted in an example given in the Interim Report of the Linlithgow Committee) the cost of the wheat to the miller at present prices would be nearly 5½d. per 4-lb. loaf. If the flour were made wholly from British wheat, the cost of the wheat to the miller at present prices would be approximately the same.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can define the farmers' enterprises for the assistance of which £200,000 is to be included in next year's Estimates; and whether he will give the conditions upon which this particular sum is to be advanced?

The types of co-operative societies to be aided by loans include bacon factories; milk depots and butter and cheese-making centres; fruit grading, packing and collecting societies; live stock auction marts; co-operative slaughter houses; egg collecting depots; and any other organisations concerned with the preparation and marketing of agricultural produce. I will send a statement, giving the conditions in full, to the hon. Baronet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the embargo on Irish cattle has been removed; and whether, owing to the increase of foot-and-mouth disease in the Midland counties, the embargo will again be enforced?

The embargo on Irish cattle was removed because, as a result of inquiries into the origin of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Nottingham, the Ministry was satisfied that infection was picked up at Nottingham Station, and did not originate in Ireland. With regard to the last part of the question, I may explain that, although the trade in Irish cattle has now been resumed, the normal restrictions on the movement of such cattle apply. On landing, Irish cattle are required to be detained at least 10 hours at the landing place, and are subjected to a veterinary examination by inspectors of the Ministry, and they are then licensed either direct to a slaughter house, or to farm premises where they are required to be detained for 28 days. None can be distributed direct from the ports through a market. I am advised that there is no ground for re-introducing the embargo on Irish cattle.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the possibility or desirability of discussing organised international action for the suppression of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he will make a statement on the subject?

Yes, Sir; the Ministry has carefully considered the possibility of organising international action against foot-and-mouth disease. Great Britain is a member of an International Bureau which sits in Paris under the patronage of the French Government for dealing with animal diseases in general, and at the initial meeting the Ministry's chief veterinary officer raised the point in question. The idea was sympathetically received, but it was felt that it would be impracticable to attempt eradication while the disease was widespread on the Continent; it might be considered when it has died down to manageable proportions. I may add that the terms of reference to the recently appointed Research Committee empowers it to collaborate with research organisations in other countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider, in connection with the scheme of his Department for promoting agricultural combinations, the propriety of issuing to farmers a skeleton of such schemes as have been found successful and of sending to each county an official charged with the duty of giving advice and of aiding such farmers as wish to combine in putting their desires into practical operation?

As I informed the House in the statement I made on 28th February, I am considering the appointment of marketing officers to give advice and assistance to farmers in these matters, and the proposals I have under consideration include the publication of information as to forms of agricultural combination which have been found successful.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in the case of Mrs. Southam, of 40, Gifford Street, Caledonian Road, London, N., referred to in the course of a Debate in this House on Tuesday, 13th March, 1923, the local pensions committee in May last, after her appeal was dismissed, offered her the gift of a mangle so that she might earn her living by taking in washing; and whether, in view of the fact that this woman is the widow of a soldier who died under an operation for gastric ulcers, leaving her with eight children to look after, and that she is at present in receipt of 15s. a week outdoor relief, he will consider the desirability of re-opening the case with a view to the issue of a pension?

My right hon. Friend is inquiring into the facts of this case, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions, whether he is aware that Lieutenant Albert Morecroft, Royal Air Force, Air Ministry No. 326,556/22/FN, was injured in a test flight at Cranwell, 16th April, 1918, discharged 6th March, 1919, supposed to be suffering from neurasthenia, and awarded 20 per cent. pension; that on the examination in March 1920 his disability was assessed at 30 per cent., and again at 30 per cent. January, 1921; that subsequently, owing to increased disability, including fits, he was found, on X-ray examination by his private doctor, to have sustained severe injury to his head during the crash of 16th April, 1918; and that he was awarded a wound gratuity of £250 in 1921, subject to deduction of £210 pension previously paid; and whether, in view of the fact that this officer would have received a larger pension if his disability had been correctly ascertained at the first medical examination, he will cause inquiries to be made into the case in order that he may receive the rate of pension to which he was entitled from the date of discharge?

The award of wound gratuity by the Air Ministry hags been antedated to the 1st February, 1920, thus reducing the amount of the deduction in respect of retired pay previously issued to £115 1s. 9d. I am, however, in correspondence with the Air Ministry, with whom the question of the date of the gratuity rests, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce a Bill giving local authorities the power to introduce town-planning schemes for built-on areas?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a resolution of the Milnrow Urban District Council, near Rochdale, to the effect that the maximum superficial area prescribed by the Housing Act, 1923, for houses entitled to subsidy is too little, and is retarding building, especially by prospective working-class owner occupiers; if he is aware that this maximum is 67 superficial feet less than the houses of type B built by this district council under the previous Act; and what steps he proposes to take thereon?

I have received a copy of the resolution in question, and I am aware that the maximum superficial area, prescribed for houses eligible for subsidy under the Act of 1923 is less than the area of some of the houses erected by the district council. Any alteration of the maximum area under the Act of 1923 would require legislation, and I do not propose to take any steps on this particular point at the present time when as the hon. Member is aware, the general question of housing policy is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some delay in the building of working-class houses, under the 1923 Act, has resulted in consequence of the average rent being fixed at 9s.; and whether it is anticipated that more favourable terms may be offered under new legislation to local authorities, private builders, and owner-occupiers?

I am unable to make any statement on the point raised by my hon. Friend in anticipation of the submission to this House of the Government's proposals in respect of housing.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some parishes in rural districts rates have been increased by amounts varying between 6d. and 3s.6d. in the £ in order to meet the deficiencies caused by the rate allowances made to State-church clerical tithe-owners; and whether he will introduce legislation to deal with this matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware that in some parishes the operation of the Ecclesiastical Tithe Rent Charge (Rates) Act, 1920, has involved as increase in the poundage of the local rates. The whole question of the rating of tithes will require reconsideration before 1926, but he does not think that it will be practicable to introduce legislation this Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an experimental shipment of chilled beef is being sent from New Zealand for examination of the Departmental Committee which is at present considering the use of preservatives in food; whether this meat is being brought over in the s.s. "Kent," and is treated with formaldehyde; whether this preservative has been condemned by the Departmental Committee on preservatives and colouring matters in foods, 1901, when it was recommended that it should be absolutely prohibited; whether it is also prohibited in the United States of America; and if he will take such means as shall ensure that this meat shall not be placed on the markets for sale to the general public?

Generally speaking, the facts are as stated by the Noble Lord, but much depends upon the method of applying the preservative in question as to whether or not the meat would be fit for human food. The object of the experimental consignment referred to is to enable the Departmental Committee now sitting to ascertain the effect of the particular process used, and to form an opinion as to whether the process should be approved, and, if so, under what conditions. My right hon. Friend can give the Noble Lord an assurance that if, after examination of the consignment, the Port Medical Officer of Health is satisfied that the meat is unfit for human food, steps will at once be taken to ensure that this meat shall not be placed on the market for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of relief in England and Wales at the beginning of January, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

The number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales on or about the 1st January in each of the years referred to in the question is shown below:—