asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many established civil servants have been retired compulsorily during the current financial year in the interests of economy; and on what basis their retiring pensions have been computed?

I fear that information as to numbers is not readily available. Persons so retired, like persons retiring for ill-health or resigning voluntarily after the age of 60, have received the pensions or compensation allowances appropriate to their years of reckonable service, the award differing according to whether their case fell under the Superannuation Act of 1859 or of 1909, or under a special Act. As regards the basis of compensation allowances, I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply given in the House on the 28th February by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has had submitted to him by the Ministry of Pensions a claim made by certain temporary salaried officers in that Ministry to be appointed to permanent posts above the basic clerical grade either in that Ministry or elsewhere; whether, in view of the progressive decrease in public business which has taken place since the Armistice and still continues, he will consider the desirability of absorbing all existing permanent officers into their appropriate grades before appointing to such grades officers at present temporarily employed; and whether he will give an assurance that in any event the views of representatives of the permanent staff will be sought and considered before any step is taken with regard to the claim in question?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second and third, that the general question thus raised would appear to fall within the terms of reference of the Southborough Committee, who will, no doubt, hear such evidence thereon as is necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Southborough Committee will be reconstituted in time to report as to the possibility of further opportunities for the establishment of temporary women clerks before the present notices issued to women with dependants in the Ministry of Pensions expire?

I understand that the Southborough Committee is about to resume its sittings to deal with the remainder of the reference already made to it in regard to the employment of ex-service men in the Civil Service. Questions in regard to temporary women clerks in the Ministry of Pensions should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many writing-assistant vacancies were proposed in the reorganisation scheme for the Inland Revenue in the offices of inspectors of taxes; whether any of these posts have been temporarily filled by temporary women clerks; and who will perform the work appropriate to these vacancies if the temporary women clerks are all discharged on the 31st March?

The number of writing assistants employed in offices of inspectors of taxes is 243. The total number that will be required under the reorganisation scheme is undetermined pending the result of an inquiry into the volume of work in each office which may be appropriate to the writing-assistant grade. In the meantime the work in question is performed by temporary ex-service male clerks. None of the non-service temporary women clerks who will be discharged on the 31st March is engaged on writing-assistants' work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that excessive overtime is being worked in the taxes department of the Board of Inland Revenue; that a number of districts are in arrears with their work, and that temporary male clerks have been engaged while, and since, notice has been given to a number of temporary women clerks who have been in the employment of the department for a considerable period; and whether, in view of the pressure of work in this department, he will consider continuing the services of these women clerks in a temporary capacity?

The volume of work in the offices of inspectors of taxes arising out of the re-assessment of property carried out in the past year has sensibly diminished with the result that in most districts arrears of work have been over taken, the necessity for continuous overtime no longer exists, and a number of clerks have become redundant. In dealing with this redundancy regard has been paid to the considerations stated in my reply of the 21st February to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. T. Harvey). I am sending the Noble Lady a copy of that reply.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the wives and dependants of civil servants whose husbands obtained warrant or non-commissioned rank, carrying higher rates of Army separation allowances, were deprived of the benefit of such higher rates by counting such addition for rank as a deduction from civil pay; and, if so, will he recommend refundment to the men concerned, who consider themselves penalised after rendering special service to the State?

The regulations in regard to civil servants serving with the Forces during the War provided generally for the payment of balance of civil pay over military pay, including separation allowances but excluding provision in kind. The deduction in respect of pay (as distinct from separation allowances) was fixed at a flat rate of 7s. a week, being the lowest rate in 1914 of pay exclusive of all allowances in cash or in kind, for those below commissioned rank and very many men benefited by the excess of their military pay over this amount. The arrangements were generally accepted as generous and I am not at this date prepared to re-open them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the anticipated free promotion of suitable writing assistants and typists to the clerical class was one of the factors taken into consideration when the present scales were laid down; and whether the South-borough Committee will be asked to bear in mind the necessity of providing for such promotion when dealing with the further establishment of ex-service men?

I am not aware that the agreed scales of pay for writing assistants and typists are in any way contingent on the outcome of the recommendations for the promotion of suitable officers in these classes to the clerical class. As regards the latter part of the question, I understand that claims have been made that all clerical class vacancies should be filled by the absorption of temporary ex-service clerks. This claim falls to be considered by the Southborough Committee and, while I am not prepared to give instructions to the Committee on the matter, I have no doubt they will bear in mind all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider referring to the Southborough Committee for report the claims of temporary women civil servants to receive gratuities under the Superannuation Act of 1887 after seven years' service, in view of the fact that many women who have lost their potential bread winners, or have dependants, as a result of the War, are being discharged after such a period of service at an age at which it is most difficult for them to obtain other employment?

I fear I cannot agree to this proposal. I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this question generally on the 26th February in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Lindsey, in which I indicated that the proposal would involve preferential treatment for women clerks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of permanent civil servants at present serving in Government Departments which have been created since the 1st August, 1914?

The number as at 1st February, 1924, is approximately 11,000, including not only new Departments but Departments of which only a nucleus existed in 1914 as part of some other Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of permanent civil servants, exclusive of those employed in Ireland, serving respectively on the 1st Agust, 1914, and the 1st January, 1924?

The total staffs in 1914, exclusive of those engaged on Irish Services, were approximately 254,000. Figures are not available as to the number of these who were permanent. The numbers as t 1st January, 1924, are approximately 299,000, of whom 244,000 were permanent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of permanent civil servants employed in Ireland on the 1st August, 1914?

Separate figures of permanent staff are not available, but, as the hon. Member will observe, from the Memorandum of Present and Pre-War Expenditure (Cmd. 1867), the total staff employed on Irish Services in 1914 was 24,800.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the grade of woman pension officer on a salary scale of £100–£250 has had no outlet for promotion provided on reorganisation; that the Treasury stated in July, 1922, that the question of supervising posts for this grade was under consideration, but that no such posts had been allocated; and whether there is any other grade of officers requiring such high educational qualifications and performing such responsible duties who have no prospects of reaching beyond the maximum salary of £250?

The grade of woman pension officer was established on a permanent basis only two years ago, as part of a general reorganisation of the Customs and Excise Service, and the question of creating posts of woman supervisor was deferred until the process of reorganisation had advanced sufficiently to justify their creation. This time has not yet arrived, and for the present surveyors of Customs and Excise are continuing to supervise the work of pension officers of both sexes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give figures showing the circulation of the OFFICIAL REPORT, and state whether steps have been taken to carry out the suggestions made to the Publications and Debates Committee, with a view to securing, among public libraries and other institutions, as well as the principal clubs, a much wider circulation of the daily issue, and thus to enable a material reduction in the price at present charged for the OFFICIAL REPORT; whether he can see his way to reduce the cost of this publication to 3d.: and whether he will consider the selling of advertisement space in this publication, with a view to being able still further to reduce the price charged for each copy?

About 3,250 copies of the OFFICIAL REPORT are printed daily, of which about 1,850 are issued to Members of Parliament or used for official purposes, and about 1,150 copies are sold at 6d. a copy. When the price was 1s. sales averaged to 780 copies daily, and at 3d. the sales were about 1,400 daily. I doubt whether the insertion of advertisements in this publication, even with a view to enabling us to sell it at a lower price, would commend itself to the general opinion of the House. On the other points I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 4th March to the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. T. Robertson).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that it has been agreed that competent ex-service men temporarily employed should be excused the Civil Service examination, he will say what effect has been given to this agreement by administrative action?

I am not aware of any such agreement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many competent ex-service men in various Government Departments are under notice to leave during this month; and whether such notices can be withdrawn pending the Report of the Southborough Committee?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of competent ex-service men under notice to leave the Civil Service during March; and whether, seeing that a number of these men have been in public employment first in the Army and afterwards in the Civil Service for nearly 10 years, he will suspend for the time being normal recruitment for the Civil Service and retain the services of these men to whom a new start in life is impossible?

The Joint Substitution Board has been notified of the probable discharge in March of approximately 325 ex-service men of those temporarily employed in Government Departments in London and the South-Eastern area. Every effort is being made to find suitable employment for these men. These discharges are not caused by normal recruitment of corresponding ranks in the Civil Service, which has been almost entirely suspended for a number of years; but are due to the completion of various activities. I regret to be unable to direct or sanction the retention of staff in excess of the needs of the work. These men, with those similarly discharged previously, are of Course regarded as having a preferential claim to re-employment on the same basis in all vacancies which they are competent to fill.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the exact nature of the issues which will be submitted to the Southborough Committee for its consideration?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Terms of Reference to the Committee, which are as follow:

"To inquire into the action taken throughout the Civil Service in consequence of the Report of the Committee, under the chairmanship of the Earl of Lytton, to consider the arrangements for the appointment of ex-service men to posts in the Civil Service, whether permanent or temporary, and to report to what extent practical effect has been given to the Committee's recommendations in the various Government Departments.

To consider the recommendation in paragraph 43 of the Third Interim Report of the Committee regarding the initial rates of remuneration to be prescribed for successful candidates at the specially limited competitions for the clerical class, and to advise whether any, and, if so, what modifications should be made in these rates.

It will be an instruction to the Committee to give immediate consideration to the question of initial rates of remuneration, and to report thereon."

asked the Minister of Health whether he can see his way to having statistics collected as to the number of ex-service men and/or dependants of such men receiving out-relief, and the number resident in workhouses?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for East Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. Lumley).

asked the Minister of Health how many ex-service men with their dependants are receiving out-door Poor Law relief; how many ex-service men and their dependants are in Poor Law institutions; and how many ex-service men at present in mental asylums are chargeable to the local rates?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men and their dependants in receipt of out-relief; what number of the above-named are resident in workhouses; and how many ex-service men now in mental institutions are chargeable to local rates; and whether he is prepared to recommend that the maintenance of these men and their dependants should be a special charge upon the National Exchequer and thereby remove them from the operations of Poor Law administration?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Monday last to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Stranger) in reply to a similar question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any entries have been made for the helicopter competition announced in 1923; and, in the event of no entries having been yet made, whether he intends to proceed with the competition?

One entry has been received for the competition referred to, but it is possible that more will be received by the 30th April, 1924, the date of closure of entries. It will be seen that the contingency referred to in the latter part of the question has not arisen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement as to the progress made with the helicopter at Farnborough; how long the experiments have lasted; what is their cost; and whether he is satisfied that further expenditure in this direction is profitable?

In answer to the first part of the question, only indoor tests have been carried out with the helicopter up to the present, but the results which have been obtained indicate that the design is of distinct promise. Certain features of the machine are now in process of modification and until this work has been completed outdoor tests cannot be undertaken. In answer to the second part, the work has been in progress at Farnborough since June, 1919. In answer to the third part, the cost of the work, including expenditure upon salaries, wages, and materials, is approximately £45,500 up to the end of February, 1924. As regards the last part, the question of further expenditure will be considered when outdoor trials have been held.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he will make a statement to the House as to the relation of the Air Force to the Army and Navy and as to what decision has been come to by the Air Ministry as to the maintenance of an independent Air Force?

The need for the maintenance of an independent Air Force has been accepted by successive Governments and is not in question. Its relation to the Army and Navy, and particularly to the latter, was recently re-defined after a special and exhaustive inquiry, and the present Government is not proposing to reopen the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his Department are increasing the number of wireless operators for use on aeroplanes; how many are wanted immediately; what salaries are offered for the position; and what special efforts are being used to obtain the men required?

Steps are being taken to increase the number of wireless operators in the Royal Air Force to meet the requirements of the new squadrons which are to be formed. For this purpose, and also for providing replacements for personnel transferred to the Reserve, 220 wireless operators are required between now and 1st April, 1925. The daily rate of pay offered is from 3s. 9d. to 5s. 2d., according to the operator's skill, and in addition marriage allowance is admissible for married men over 26 years of age, and free accommodation, food and clothing are provided. Advertisements are inserted periodically in suitable daily and weekly newspapers and close liaison is maintained with civilian wireless schools and shipping companies. When requirements are not met by these means, suitable unskilled men are enlisted in the Royal Air Force for training in these duties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when a decision will be arrived at on general request 23 of the 1922 welfare programme; and whether, since this request was proffered, any petty officers have been punished for neglect of duty whilst petty officer of the day?

The duties of the petty officer of the day have been newly defined in Article 1735 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions as amended in October, 1923. I am afraid that it would not be possible to answer the second part of the question without inquiry of His Majesty's ships in all parts of the world.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when a decision is likely to be arrived at on Item 9 of the 1922 welfare requests, observing that in June, 1923, the men of the Fleet were informed that the matter was under consideration?

It is regretted it has not been found possible to accede to this request, and an Admiralty Fleet Order has been issued to that effect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that there has not been a promotion to the rank of warrant shipwright since February, 1918, he will state when it is anticipated that the next promotion to warrant rank will be made in this branch?

Promotion to the rank of warrant shipwright has been resumed, four such promotions having been made with effect from 1st January, 1924. These are shown on page 520 of the February Navy List. Further promotions will be made as necessary to meet the requirements of the Service, within the authorised establishment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Barrow shipbuilding interests will be asked to tender for the two cruisers which are not reserved for the Royal Dockyards?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can see his way to make his Department responsible for any incorrect payments made to pensioners, and not call upon them to reimburse any sums overpaid or make reductions from the subsequent payments to them, seeing that these mistakes have caused pensioners great distress and hardship?

The recovery of overpayments is a matter of general principle of administration common to the whole public service. Substantial concessions have, however, been made as regards my Department, and where serious hardship would be occasioned recovery is waived either wholly or in part. I am considering further if any additional concessions in this matter may properly be granted.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men who have been discharged from the Prince of Wales Convalescent Centre, Barry, Glamorganshire, during the last four weeks; whether these men, having been reduced to their flat-rate pension, have had to apply for parish relief to maintain themselves and their families; whether it is his intention to automatically close this centre by reducing the number through discharge or transfer; and, seeing that the officials here are in a favourable position for placing men in suitable work through its close proximity to works, factories, etc., and its equipment for training men, will he prevent its being closed?

I have been asked to reply. During the past four weeks 36 men were discharged from this centre. Of these one was transferred to a hospital for further treatment, 21 are proceeding to further training under the Ministry of Labour, six have been recommended for grants to assist, in setting up a business, while the remaining eight left to take up employment. The question of the future of this centre is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that disabled Regular officers are entitled, concurrently and independently, on separate Royal Warrants, to service pension depending solely on rank and service, together with disablement addition, equal for all ranks and services, depending solely on degree of disablement; whether his attention has been called to a ruling conveyed to a claimant on 7th March, 1923, laying down that Royal Warrant, 19th December, 1919 a Regular officers' disablement warrant), was not intended to provide for Regular officers qualified for service pension under Royal Warrant, 13th December, 1919 (a Regular officers' service pension warrant); whether he is aware that this general ruling destroys the dual concurrent entitlement of disabled Regular officers, and deprives of disablement rights expressly provided by Royal Warrants, not merely that claimant, but a whole class of old disabled Regular officers directly affected by the ruling; and whether he will give instructions that the intentions of the Royal Warrants contained in the text of their preambles and general ruling Clauses shall be applied to this and similar cases?

It is not the case that a Regular officer is entitled concurrently to service retired pay under one Warrant and to disability retired pay under another, although the disability award to such an officer is generally composed of permanent retired pay (either purely for service or for service and disablement combined) with an addition for disablement in the great War. Such an award has, in fact, been made to the officer referred to in the question, but the Royal Warrant of the 19th December, 1919, is not applicable to his case. He has not been deprived of any disablement rights expressly provided by Royal Warrants and has received the utmost that the regulations allow, resulting in a substantial increase of his pre-War pension. The individual case referred to is actually one for the India Office, but as that Department consulted me in reference to it, I am replying to the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the case of G. J. Coe, and give him further consideration, as his condition is causing much local unrest?

I am personally looking into the facts of this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that many electors in the Western Isles are unable to vote owing to the distance of the polling stations from their villages, in some cases as far as 15 miles; and whether he is prepared to remove this injustice by authorising the local authority to provide voting facilities in every village school?

I am not aware of any recent complaint of inadequate polling facilities in the Western Isles Division, but the matter is not one which comes within my jurisdiction. For the purpose of Parliamentary Elections, the sheriff, as returning officer, is under statute required to appoint polling places, in such manner as to give to all electors in the constituency such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances; and he is entitled to use for the poll any room in a school receiving a grant out of moneys provided by Parliament. If the arrangements made by the returning officer are not considered satisfactory, it is open to a local authority, or not less than thirty electors, to make a representation to the Lord Advocate, in terms of Section 31 (2) as read with Section 43 (17) of the Representation of the People Act, 1918.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the hardship experienced by the inhabitants of the township of Griminish, Benbecula, in the Western Isles, owing to the fact that the only fuel available has to be transported over dangerously boggy ground; whether representations have been made to him by the landholders for a grant of £1,000 to construct a road; and whether he is prepared to take steps to remove this hardship?

I am informed that the landholders of Griminish recently made representations to the Board of Agriculture and applied for a grant of £1,000 for the construction of a road to their peat lands. The Board do not, as a rule, make grants for peat roads, and their available funds are fully committed in respect of works of greater importance and urgency. They are, therefore, unable to offer any assistance in this case. I can only suggest that if the local road authority consider that there is a case for constructing this road for the purpose of relieving unemployment and are prepared to contribute their share of the cost and to accept responsibility for future maintenance, the local authority might make application to the Unemployment Grants Committee for assistance on the usual terms and conditions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the need for lights at the approach to Petersport Pier, in Benbecula; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that, owing to the narrowness of the passage, and the presence of numerous rocks, there is no reason to believe that the passage would be regarded by those in charge of vessels as one that could safely be navigated at night, even if lights were provided at the approach to the pier.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the growing importance of the town of Stornoway, and the increasing duties of the sheriff clerk depute there, he will consider the desirability of making this appointment a whole-time one?

The view taken by the Blackburn Committee was that the post of sheriff clerk depute at Stornaway, and other similar posts, might well be held on an unrestricted basis in future, and this view was accepted by the Departments concerned. The decision will be subject to review from time to time as circumstances may require, and as regards the existing depute, the arrangements to be made will be considered in the light of all relevant facts, including the volume of work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to carry out the recommendation of the Linlithgow Committee with regard to selling prices of meat, milk, and horticultural produce; and whether it is his intention to set up again in some form a consumers' council such as was established under the Ministry of Food?

As regards the first part of this question, I would refer the hon. Baronet to my right hon. Friend's reply on the 28th ultimo to a question put by the hon. Member for Woodbridge (Sir A. Churchman). My right hon. Friend does not contemplate any action as is suggested in the second part of this question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any trials have been made to determine the value of Nauru phosphates for agricultural purposes in England; and, if so, what conclusions have been reached?

Yes, Sir; trials to test the value of Nauru phosphate have been conducted in a number of centres during the last three years. In the first season conditions were unfavourable. The results obtained in the second season were not conclusive, and in the last the results are not yet fully available. I should explain that in any case the value of raw phosphate cannot be satisfactorily determined until after several seasons, but as soon as any conclusive results are obtained I will have them published.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any Reports from officers of his Ministry in any part of Great Britain which tend to show that outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been consequent upon the importation of cattle from the Irish Free State; whether he is aware of the stringent measures adopted by the Irish Free State to stamp out this disease; and whether, seeing the complete freedom of Southern Irish herds from trace of the disease, he will take steps to prevent injury to the Irish cattle trade through the spread of unfounded rumours?

The reply to the first part is in the negative as far as the outbreaks since 1921 are concerned, and the reply to the second part is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend and his predecessors have repeatedly expressed the opinion that they were satisfied that outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease were not caused by infection brought from Ireland, and have announced this both in the House and in the Press.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that the local authorities who are charged with the duty of providing allotments and allotment gardens are carrying out their obligations in the matter, in order to meet the demand on the part of persons who desire to cultivate a small piece of land in their spare time?

Yes, Sir. The information at present being collected from local authorities, although not yet complete, shows that there is a considerable unsatisfied demand for allotments in certain parts of England and Wales. My right hon. Friend has, therefore, arranged for circular letters to be issued to the county, borough, urban district and parish councils, and to parish meetings, calling attention to the powers which they possess of acquiring land for the purpose of allotments and allotment gardens. He is glad to have this opportunity of recording his opinion that the extension of the allotment movement, both in the urban and rural districts, is a matter of the greatest national and social importance, and he will do everything possible to stimulate local authorities in regard to the provision of land for the purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there is a great demand for potash for agricultural purposes in this country; and whether, when the reparations question is again under discussion, he will endeavour to secure that a small portion of the reparations due from Germany shall be discharged by deliveries of potash?

It is clearly impossible for me at the present moment to deal in advance with the form in which Germany should pay reparations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to make themselves acquainted with the views of individuals and classes of Anglo-Russian industrialists whose rights and properties in Russia have been affected by Soviet legislation; and whether, and what, opportunities have been given to these persons to make representations concerning their interests?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Members for Chertsey (Sir P. Richardson) and Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on the 3rd of March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to review the incidence of direct taxation upon the native population of Kenya, which in effect involves the able-bodied male population in work upon European farms and plantations for three months out of the year; and will he take steps to secure that the principle be adopted that at least one-fifth of the direct taxes paid by the natives shall be returned to them in technical education, medical service and agricultural instruction?

I cannot accept the suggestion that a native cannot pay his tax toy working on his own account. Active steps are being taken to extend native education and increase native agricultural production, but I do not think any fixed percentage can be laid down. The proportion suggested by my hon. Friend was very nearly reached in 1922, and, if veterinary services are included, was exceeded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give or ascertain the figures as to the decrease of the native population of Kenya during the past 20 years; if he is aware that the prolonged absence of the male population from their homes under the Registration of Labourers' Act and the Masters and Servants Ordinance, and the interference of these measures with the capacity of the native population to grow adequate supplies of foodstuffs for its own sustenance, are in part responsible for this decrease; and if he is aware that the population of British West Africa, administered under the supervision of his Department, is steadily increasing while the population of Kenya has steadily declined?

There are no accurate figures for the native population of Kenya 10 or 20 years ago. The population was estimated at 1,220,000 in 1901, 3,000,000 in 1911, after the transfer of two well-populated provinces from Uganda, and 2,483,500 in 1921. The apparent reduction between 1911 and 1921 is attributed to an overestimate in 1911, which has been corrected by improved methods of computation. If there has been any actual decline, it is attributable to the mortality among native carriers in the War, and is relatively slight. As there is no reason to suppose that the population has steadily declined, the other parts of the question do not arise.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, pending the Sittings of the House, he will have the two iron-framed stagings removed from the Cloak Room, seeing that it is solely required for work upon the roof, which is now suspended, and is an inconvenience to Members?

As it has proved impossible to carry on this work economically during the Sittings of the House, I have given instructions for the staging to be taken down.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what has been the total cost of the work carried out by the Office of Works to the roof of Westminster Hall since the commencement of operations in 1914, including the Departmental expenses thereon?

The total cost of the work of preservation of the roof of Westminster Hall is £108,168, which sum includes the cost of the services of staff engaged on that work. No separate record is kept of headquarters' charges.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will reconsider the restrictions imposed in Circular 1,270, issued by the Board on the 5th July, 1922, under which the grant payable to the managers of voluntary sanatorium schools for tuberculous children was to be limited in respect of 1922–23 to the amount payable on the average attendance for the year 1921–22?

I do not propose to maintain the restrictions imposed by Circular 1,270 on the amount of grant payable to managers of voluntary sanatorium schools which are in receipt of grant from the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children attending elementary schools in England and Wales for the years from 1913 to 1923 inclusive?

The figures are as follow:

England and Wales.
Public Elementary Schools.
Average Attendance.
Year.	Average Attendance.
1912–13	5,376,327
1913–14	5,392,579
1914–15	5,364,594
1915–16	5,306,420
1916–17	5,230,194
1917–18	5,195,476
1918–19	5,123,526
1919–20	5,198,964
1920–21	5,215,863
1921–22	5,189,107
1922–23 (provisional)	5,141,461

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children in the elementary schools of the Northamptonshire County Education Committee; the number of fee-paying scholars in the secondary schools; the number of free places and scholarships awarded; the amount of the fees charged; the value of the scholarships; and whether the provision for secondary education (both fee-paying and free) in the county is above or below the average of the country?

The number of children on the registers of public elementary schools in the area of the local education authority for the County of Northampton, on the 31st March, 1922, was 27,788, and including the figures for the urban district of Kettering, 31,862. In the eight grant-earning secondary schools in the area of the authority (one of which is jointly provided by the authorities of the county and the County Borough of Northampton) there were on the same date 1,747 pupils of whom 1,177 were fee-paying. The number of free pupils, including a few who were not free place pupils within the meaning of Article 20 of the Regulations for Secondary Schools, was 570. The fees charged at these schools range from 10 to 18 guineas a year; and the annual value of the fees remitted in the case of the free pupils is approximately £7,730. The number of county pupils attending grant-earning secondary schools (including 148 who attend secondary schools in the County Borough of Northampton) amounts to about 7·7 per 1,000 of the population. The corresponding figure for England and Wales is about 9·4. The free pupils in the eight county schools represent about 32·6 per cent. of the total number, as compared with 37·6 for the country as a whole. The above figures take no account of county pupils, numbering about 350, who attend schools in the county which are recognised by the Board as efficient though not in receipt of grant.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of plans for new secondary school buildings approved during the present financial year; the accommodation and approximate cost of each school; and the amount of land approved for each school?

I could not, without disproportionate labour, collect and tabulate separate particulars for every individual school upon each of the points raised by my hon. Friend. The general position, however, is roughly as follows: The Board have been able to give their general approval to plans for about 30 complete school buildings during the current financial year. These buildings will supply about 10,000 places, of which more than two-thirds will be additional to accommodation which already exists. In addition to this between 50 and 60 proposals for the enlargement of existing schools have been similarly approved. The cost of individual schemes differs considerably; but in the case of completely new school buildings it frequently approximates to about £100 a place. The size of the sites also varies, but they are usually not less than two acres for every hundred pupils.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether British firms tendering for orders for India have to give an assurance that their names are on the King's Roll; and, if not, whether, seeing that the acceptance of a tender from a German firm not only increases unemployment in this country, but is also against the policy of the Government to assist ex-service men, he proposes to make compulsory such a condition of tendering?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the practice of the High Commissioner in preferring, other things being equal, a firm which is on the King's Roll to one which is not, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bilston (Lieut.-Colonel Howard-Bury) on 25th February, and, as regards the Government of India's general policy of buying in the best market, to the reply to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on 18th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Government is represented on the board of directors of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company by two directors, who have the power to negative any proposal of their fellow directors, he will instruct the nominated directors to safeguard the oil consumers in this country?

The Government is pledged not to interfere in the commercial affairs of the company. It would not therefore be open to me to give instructions

Imports into the United Kingdom of		Quantity.		Value.
		Total Imports.	Of which consigned from Germany.	Total Imports.	Of which consigned from Germany.
		Cwts.	Cwts.	£	£
Intermediate Coal Tar Products used in the manufacture of Dyes (including Aniline Oil and Salt, and Phenyl-Glycine).	1921	4,465	1,721	54,732	20,662
	1922	41	10	917	184
	1923	1,349	267	17,010	4,494
Finished Dye-stuffs obtained from Coal Tar.	1921	59,699	40,727	1,539,474	776,982
	1922	57,591	39,960	1,326,174	505,252
	1923	56,157	41,651	1,003,725	528,719
Extracts for Dyeing	1921	97,068	218	521,116	2,833
	1922	147,860	258	548,931	1,803
	1923	121,299	301	380,327	2,076
Indigo, natural	1921	293	—	13,734	—
	1922	1,305	—	45,041	—
	1923	757	—	26,915	—
Raw dyeing substances, other than Dyewoods.	1921	6,428	—	13,542	—
	1922	10,450	—	12,008	—
	1923	16,480	—	27,261	—

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the selling price of London household coal has been increased by 2s. per ton, commencing on Monday, 3rd March; that this is the fifth increase since September, 1923; and if he will set up a Committee to inquire into the matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the price of household coal in London has been increased by 6s. 8d. per ton during the last few weeks; and if he will order an inquiry to be made into this increase?

I cannot at present add anything to the answer I gave on Tuesday last to a similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of dyes and dyestuff materials imported during the year 1921–22 and 1923; and what proportion came from Germany?

The particulars are as shown below:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of spirits imported into Barbados and the Bahamas in the year 1923?

Full particulars for the calendar year 1923 are not yet available, but in the Government "Gazettes" for Barbados and the Bahamas the imports of spirits into Barbados are recorded as 5,430 gallons in the first nine months of 1923, and the imports into the Bahamas in the same period as 304,927 gallons, besides 234,235 dozen quarts of whisky.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the value of the imports of silk manufactured goods, including embroidery and apparel, from Italy during 1923; and what is the hourly wage paid to the Italian silk worker; and how many hours were worked per week during the same period;(2) what is the value of the imports of silk manufactured goods, including embroidery and apparel, from France during 1923; what is the average hourly wage paid to the French silk workers; and how many hours were worked per week during the same period.

, pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th March, 1924, Col. 1151, Vol. 170), furnished the following answer:The imports in 1923, of silk manufactures, including those of silk mixed with other materials if known as "silks," which were registered as consigned from. Italy were valued at £1,953,903, and, as consigned from France at £9,382,430. These figures are exclusive of the value of silk embroidery and apparel, for which particulars are not available.The information at present available to me with regard to wages and hours of labour of silk workers in Italy and France is as follows:

Milan.	lire per diem.
Time wages of adult male—
silk weavers	15 to 20
throwsters or spinners	15
Time wages of female—
silk weavers	16 to 17
throwsters or spinners	8·75 to 9·25

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the s.s. "El Kahira," foundered at sea on 9th July, 1922, with all hands, and that the widows and dependants of the men have not received any compensation up to the present, and owing to this two widows and 10 children are chargeable to the Poplar Board of Guardians; and will he take steps to obtain redress for the dependants of the men who lost their lives in this vessel?

The Board of Trade have no information as to the payment of compensation to the widows and dependants in the case of the "El Kahira." The enforcement of payment of any compensation which may be due can only be dealt with through action taken by the persons concerned, and is not a matter in which the Department have any power to interfere.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of decrees for eviction given at the Glasgow Sheriff Court since 27th January?

The number of decrees of summary removing granted in Glasgow Sheriff Court since the 27th January is 678, of which 353 were granted in absence.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of actions taken at the Glasgow sheriff small debt court for arrears of rent; and in how many cases was decree granted for the sum sued?

The number of decrees of sequestration for past due rent granted in the Glasgow sheriff small debt court since the 27th January is 49. It is not possible to give the number of actions for payment of rent arrears apart from sequestration, as the record of small debt cases does not distinguish between actions for arrears of rent and actions for other debts.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps he is taking, or proposes to take, so as to ensure that houses of two apartments will be excluded from receiving the Government subsidy, in view of the fact that certain municipalities have already approved of plans for a number of these, and that 50 per cent. of the existing houses are of one or two apartments?

The Scottish Board of Health have informed local authorities proposing to promote housing schemes with State assistance:1. That for houses to be erected by local authorities, either under the Housing Act of 1923 or the Scheme for the Improvement of Insanitary Areas, the percentage of two-apartment houses in any instalment of houses shall not exceed 25 per cent. of the number of houses in such instalment, the remaining 75 per cent. to be houses of three or more apartments;2. that in the case of houses to be erected under schemes for the improvement of insanitary areas, the minimum superficial area shall be 510 feet for two-apartment houses, and 650 feet for three-apartment houses, and3. that in the case of houses to be erected by local authorities under the Act of 1923, the minimum superficial area shall be 550 feet for two-apartment houses, and 650 feet for three-apartment houses.

asked the Minister of Health the number of sites for housing schemes acquired under the post-War Housing Acts in the possession of rural district councils upon which building has not been commenced?

Rural district councils are in possession of over 4,000 acres of land which were acquired under the post-War Housing Acts and on which building has not yet commenced.

asked the Minister of Health what are the average contract prices at the present date for non-parlour and parlour houses, exclusive of lands, roads, and sewers, in urban and rural districts, respectively?

The average prices of non-parlour and parlour houses included in contracts let by local authorities during the month of January, the-latest date for which information is available, exclusive of the cost of land, roads and sewers in urban and rural districts, respectively, were as follow:

	Non-parlour houses.	Parlour houses.
	£	£
County Boroughs, Municipal Boroughs and Urban Districts	386	455
Rural Districts	345	401

asked the Minister of Health what the average approved tender price for A and B type houses has been for the months of January and February, 1924?

Information is not yet available as to the average prices of houses included in contracts let by local authorities in England and Wales during February, but the particulars for December, 1923, and January, 1924, are as follows:

Month.	Average tender price of Houses.
	Type A.	Type B.
December, 1923	£412	£465
January, 1924	£384	£445

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the report of the sanitary inspector to the Stratford-on-Avon Rural District Council on 22nd February, 1924, with regard to housing conditions in the township of Kineton, Warwickshire if he is aware that 20 houses were reported overcrowded and that many other defects were revealed; and, if so, if any plans are under consideration for remedying the conditions to which attention was called in the report?

My right hon. Friend's attention had not previously been drawn to the report referred to. In submitting their proposals under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, for the encouragement of building by private enterprise, the Stratford Rural District Council referred to the overcrowding which existed in Kineton and other parts of the district. According to the latest information available, plans for 57 Houses have been approved under the council's proposals, of which 36 have already been commenced.

asked the Minister of Health whether any local authorities within the area of Greater London have applied for permission to reduce the rents of their post-War houses; and, if so, how many of such applications have been granted?

Of the 107 local authorities in the Metropolitan Police area who have erected houses under the provisions of the Housing, Town Planning, Etc., Act, 1919, 50 have at various times applied for reduction of the rents originally charged. In 40 cases some reduction has been approved, but in most of these cases the full reduction asked for could not be agreed under the rules governing the fixing of rents laid down in the Housing Regulations. In nine cases no reduction could be approved. One case is still under investigation.

asked the Minister of Health whether the director of houses attached to his Department has considered what are the best kind of houses to build, brick or reinforced concrete; whether there is any difference in the cost of building 100 houses of similar size; if he is aware that a number of tenders have been approved for houses that will cost £100 more than they would have done this time last year on account of the increase in the price of building material; and if he is taking steps to deal with the question?

Cottages can be designed and constructed in concrete so as to be as durable as brick. The relative degrees of economy will depend upon various local circumstances, but particularly upon the availability and cost of bricks, suitable aggregate and skilled labour. The cost per house is not necessarily reduced by the building of a large number, though in the case of concrete construction it is probable that increasing the number of standardised houses to be built at one time will give some advantage. My right hon. Friend is aware that there has been some increase in price since January of last year, but it does not appear that this can be accounted for by the increase in the price of building materials. The question of the best means of securing building materials at reasonable prices is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health, if he can state the present annual production of bricks; whether or no it exceeds 160 bricks per day; and, if not, will he take steps to increase the output in the brick-making industry, in view of the building programme outlined by him?

The question of the steps that can best be taken to secure the provision of sufficient supplies of material to ensure the carrying out of an adequate housing programme is one which my right hon. Friend has asked the building industry and the manufacturers of material to consider. The present output of bricks is variously estimated at between 2,500 million and 4,000 million a year.

asked the Minister of Health, if he can give the number of houses that have been erected or are being erected since 1st January, 1919, up to 1st March, 1924, under the operation of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts?

Information is not available as to the number of houses which have been erected or are being erected and in respect of which advances have been made by local authorities under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, but during the period referred to loans amounting to £1,584,385 have been sanctioned by my Department for the purpose of making advances under the Acts.

asked the Minister of Health what is the lowest rent that has been approved for A and B type of houses, respectively; and what the annual deficit has been estimated to be in each of the type houses to which such rents apply?

The lowest rents approved for houses included in assisted housing schemes are 3s. 3d. per week for A type (living room and three bedrooms) and 4s. 3d. per week for B type houses (parlour, living room and three bedrooms). These houses are situated in a remote rural district, and their cost is estimated at £800 and £900 respectively. Assuming that the local authority can meet the cost of management and repairs by appropriation of one-quarter of the rent (about £2 10s. per annum), the total annual deficit on each house will be £46 and £50 per annum respectively.

—				Number of Houses.
				Completed.	Under construction.	In contracts or certified by local authorities but not yet commenced.
1. Local Authorities	…	…	…	2,511	7,400	8,776
2. Private Enterprise	…	…	…	1,729	9,521	21,794
3. Societies, Companies and Trustees acting under Section 3 of the Act.				440	1,005	2,054

Information is not available as to the number of these houses which have been or are under contract for sale to owner-occupiers and those which are available for letting, but it can be taken that the majority of the houses under headings 1 and 3 will be available for letting.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the overcrowded condition of the Borough of Finsbury; and whether he will consider if something can be done to use some of the land, now vacant, for housing purposes?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the housing position in Finsbury, but he thinks that the situation there can probably best be relieved by increasing generally the accommodation available for the Metropolis. He understands that this borough is rapidly

asked the Minister of Health if he will give such information as is in his possession of the number of houses that have been erected or are under erection up to the end of February, 1924, as a result of the 1923 Housing Act, giving separately the numbers for local authorities, public utility societies, and private builders, distinguishing in each case those which have been or are under contract for sale to owner-occupiers, and those that are available for letting?

On the 1st February, the latest date for which information is available, the following numbers of houses had been completed or were under construction under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, or were included in contracts or certified by local authorities but had not been commenced.losing its residential character, and that there are no vacant sites of any size.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations from the Edmonton Board of Guardians drawing his attention to the large number of insured persons admitted to their hospital for treatment; whether he is aware that the guardians are precluded, under the National Health Insurance Acts, from receiving any benefits in these cases; that the panel practitioners, although thereby relieved of their responsibilities, continue to receive payments for attendance and services which they do not perform; and whether he intends to take any steps to provide that, when an insured person is admitted to a public institution for treatment, the panel practitioner responsible for the case should be subjected to a reduction of his panel fees in respect of his failure to supply medical attention in accordance with his contract?

My right hon. Friend has received the representations referred to by the hon. Member. I would refer him to the replies given on the 20th February to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle).

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of issuing instructions for revision of the National Health Insurance stamp cards when next printing, as follows: by providing a small enclosed space at top right-hand corner of stamp cards where approved society secretaries or employers may enter the number of stamps affixed during the half-year, and a similar space provided for employés' rotation numbers which now employers stamp anywhere at top of cards?

—			1921.	1922.	1923.
Germany	No. of cases	…	688	215	17*
	No. of deaths	…	?	?	?
Japan	No. of cases	…	889	?	?
	No. of deaths	…	212	?	?
England and Wales	No. of cases	…	336	973	2,500*
	No. of deaths	…	5	27	7*
* Provisional figures.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the fact, as stated on behalf of the Nottingham Education Committee at the Nottingham Summons Court, that 500 children in the town who left school at Christmas are still unemployed; and whether he is prepared to require the Nottingham Education Committee to provide educational instruction for these children?

My attention has not hitherto been called to this matter, but I am making inquiries.

The contribution card for the second half of 1924 is already with the printers, but in preparing the card for the first half of 1925, consideration will be given to the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member. I must, however, point out that the space available on the existing card is already used to its fullest extent, and that any increase in the dimensions of the card would cause serious inconvenience to employers and others who use filing cabinets for the storing of the cards.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of cases of, and deaths from, small-pox reported in Germany, Japan, and England and Wales, respectively, during each of the years 1921, 1922, and 1923?

The following statement gives such particulars as are available, although the figures are not necessarily strictly comparable:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of their great urgency, he will endeavour to bring before the House at the earliest possible moment the national schemes for the relief of unemployment?

The Government, hope to be able to make a general statement regarding their plans for the relief of unemployment at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour what wore the respective numbers of unemployed persons in Great Britain and in Germany on the 1st January, 1923, and on the 1st February, 1924?

The number of persons recorded on the live registers of the Employment Exchanges in Great Britain on 1st January, 1923, was 1,485,878, and on 4th February, 1924, the nearest available date, 1,211,919. No comparable figures can be given for Germany. From the latest published official returns of recipients of the donation for total unemployment, however, it is to be inferred that on 15th January, 1924, these persons numbered about 4,000,000, as compared with about 150,000 on 15th January, 1923, but the hon. and gallant Member must understand that I can take no responsibility for these figures.

asked the Minister of Labour if he would be prepared to grant a Return showing what countries have ratified the Convention of the Washington International Labour Conference, giving details as to modifications which may have been adopted by particular countries; and what countries have ratified the Geneva Convention of 1921 concerning the prohibition of white lead in interior painting, with any details of modifications adopted by particular countries?

LIST OF FORMAL RATIFICATIONS, DEPOSITED WITH THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS, OF DRAFT CONVENTIONS ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE.
(A) First Session (Washington, 1919).
Abridged title of Convention.					Ratifications and date of registration.
1. Hours of work in Industrial undertakings.					Bulgaria, 14th February, 1922.
					Czechslovakia, 24th August, 1921.
					Greece, 19th November, 1920.
					India, 14th July, 1921.
					Roumania, 13th June, 1921.
2. Unemployment	…	…	…	…	Bulgaria, 14th February, 1922.
					Denmark, 13th October, 1921.
					Esthonia, 20th December, 1922.
					Finland, 19th October, 1921.
					Great Britain, 14th July, 1921.
					Greece, 19th November, 1920.
					India, 14th July, 1921.
					Italy, 10th April, 1923.
					Japan, 23rd November, 1922.
					Norway, 23rd November, 1921.
					Roumania, 13th June, 1921.
					Spain, 4th July, 1923.
					Sweden, 27th September, 1921.
					Switzerland, 9th October, 1922.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement prepared by the International Labour Office, showing the countries which have ratified the draft conventions adopted by all the International Labour Conferences. It may be assumed, unless there is definite legislative provision to the contrary, that the law of a country, which has formally deposited its ratification of a draft convention is in, or will be brought into, accordance with the terms of that convention without modifications—subject always to the interpretation placed upon it by national law or administration. In the case of some conventions, provision is made for the special conditions of particular countries in the conventions themselves. I may add, with particular reference to the Convention on hours of work in industrial undertakings, that since the Armistice eight-hour-day laws of varying scope have been enacted in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Czechslovak Republic, Luxemburg, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Jugoslavia, Latvia, various South American States, Italy, and British Columbia (contingently).