asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the Repressive Laws Committee, presided over by the then Law Member of the Government of India, Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru, and which included the then Home Member, Sir William Vincent, unanimously recommended to the Government of India that the Bengal Regulation III of 1818 should be limited to its original purpose, and that except on the inflammable frontier it should not be put into operation against British sub jects; that this recommendation was accepted by the Government of India in their Home Department Resolution No. 714, dated 1921, in which it was recorded that the Governor-General in Council had considered the Report and had decided to accept the recommendations made by the Committee; and that Sir Malcolm Hailey, Home Member, admitted that the Government of India had announced their intention of accepting these recommendations, he is prepared to see that these recommendations are carried out?

The Committee's recommendation for the repeal of the Regulation was qualified by the recognition that grave emergencies might arise in which the Government would require a "weapon" of this nature and would have to ask the Legislature to provide it. The Government of India's announcement was that "steps will be taken as soon as may be to introduce legislation" to give effect to the Committee's recommendation. The details of this legislation involved references to the Secretary of State. Several other laws were, in fact, repealed. But before the provisions of the Bill to repeal Regulation III of 1818 were settled the Government of India decided that, in view of political conditions in India, the time was not suitable for carrying through the repeal. In August, 1922, and again in May, 1923, they informed the Secretary of State that this was the case, and that before proceeding with the legislation they would again refer to him and obtain his assent. The recrudescence of political murder plots in Bengal has necessitated the recent use of the Regulation. The Secretaries of State in the two preceding Governments were in agreement with the decision of the Government of India, and my Noble Friend is not disposed to press the Government of India in existing conditions in that country to take up immediately the question of alternative legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the Indian Budget balances for 1923–24?

Yes, Sir. A small deficit of Rs. 38 lakhs is at present anticipated on the ordinary revenue and expenditure account. But as special receipts, aggregating Rs. 244 lakhs, will be credited to revenue in the current year, an eventual surplus of about Rs. 2 crores is expected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can state what communication has been made by the Secretary of State to the Government of India with reference to the speech of the Secretary of State on the subject of the salt tax in India?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend sees no reason to depart from the long-established and well-recognised practice under which communications to and from the Government of India are treated as confidential.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering the objections raised by the president of the railway conference and the six principal chambers of commerce in India to the State management of the East Indian and Great Indian Peninsula Railways, he can state what decision the Government of India have come to on the subject?

It has been decided that the East India and the Great Indian Peninsula Railways shall on the 1st January and 1at July, 1925, respectively, be placed under State management, at any rate, temporarily. This does not preclude the possibility of the subsequent transfer of the management of one of the railways to an Indian company.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the question of raising the standard required for entrance to a university college in India is still under consideration; and whether any progress has been made in bringing colleges in India up to the level of colleges in other countries in this respect?

If I may assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the proposal that admission to the regular degree courses in university colleges should be limited to students who have already passed the intermediate examination, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The principle of the change has been accepted in the Acts establishing the universities of Lucknow, Dacca and Aligarh and reconstituting that of Allahabad, and complementary action has been taken to place intermediate along with secondary education under a special authority separate from the university. Local governments, with whom the responsibility rests, are alive to the importance of the matter, but financial difficulties have made it impossible to give full effect to the scheme which would involve the establishment of a large number of separate intermediate colleges. It is impossible within the limits of an answer to give details of the progress made, but I hope shortly to be in a position to present to Parliament the Eighth Quinquennial Review of education in India, which contains full information on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education the present number of classes in English elementary schools where the pupils number 60 and over, and the numbers of classes where the pupils number from 50 to 60?

The most recent figures at my disposal are those compiled in relation to the year ending the 31st March, 1922, which show 4,736 classes of over 60 and 26,617 classes of 50 and under 60 in public elementary schools in England.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children under the age of 11 at present in secondary schools, the number of children of the age of 11 plus awaiting secondary school accommodation, and the total number of children which secondary schools throughout the country can accommodate?

On 1st October, 1923, there were about 42,000 pupils under 11 in grant-earning secondary schools. I am unable to answer the second part of the question. The total number of the children in the schools on 1st October, 1923, was about 359,000. I cannot state the nominal accommodation of the schools, but they are mostly full.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the proportion of children attending elementary schools who pass through secondary schools to universities in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the United States of America, France, and Belgium?

I fear it would be difficult for me to answer in terms of definite proportions. The latest complete figures at my disposal show that, on 31st March, 1920, there were on the registers of public elementary schools approximately 661,000 pupils between the ages of 10 and 11; that is, shortly before admission to grant-aided secondary schools normally begins. The number of ex-public elementary school pupils admitted to secondary schools on the grant list in the year 1920–21 was, approximately, 64,000; and of the pupils over 12 who left secondary schools on the grant list in 1920–21, 4·2 per cent. proceeded to Universities. This figure is exclusive of intending teachers who entered University Training Departments, or pupils who may have proceeded to the University after attending other schools or institutions. I regret that the Board of Education cannot give the comparative figures for which my hon. Friend asks. The statistical bases for them do not, as far as I know, exist; but I am anxious to obtain and have available comparative particulars of educational progress in foreign countries, and I am now considering what can be done in this direction.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider the question of the removal of the financial restrictions imposed by the Board limiting the payment of grants under the Grant Regulations No. 15 (Midwives' Training) Regulations, 1919, to midwifery training institutions approved prior to 1921, in view of the information regarding maternal mortality contained in the memorandum on the training of midwives submitted in 1923 by the chief woman medical adviser to the Board of Education; and if steps may be taken by the Board to grade all midwifery training institutions in receipt of a grant for training purposes, and those applying at any future time in the event of the removal of the restrictions at present in force, in accordance with the facilities they are able to offer for a complete or partial training?

The matter to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers is one with which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is also closely concerned, and I will at once enter into consultation with him upon it. I may add that some institutions for the training of midwives have been recognised for the payment of grant since the year 1921.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, leaving out of consideration all the payments of full pensions for permanent injuries, he can state the average percentage of pensions paid to all those whose diseases are attributable to war service and whose awards are regarded as final; and the corresponding average in the case of all those whose diseases are attributable to or aggravated by such service but whose awards are not regarded as final?

I regret that the detailed particulars for which the hon. Member asks are not readily available. I can, however, inform him that the average rate of all final awards of pension is just over 40 per cent., while the average of all conditional awards of pension is slightly under that figure.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of trainees who have been discharged since the 1st January, 1924, from the Prince of Wales Convalescent Centre, Barry, South Wales; whether he will suspend all further discharges; and whether he will give an assurance that this centre is not to be closed?

The number is 120. As I have already stated, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bed-welty (Mr. C. Edwards), the future of this centre is under consideration, but discharges must necessarily continue as the men complete their courses of treatment and training.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the circumstances attending the refusal of the local West Ham Pensions Committee to grant the right of appeal to Mr. J. Kendall, of 3, Park Place, Stratford, notwithstanding the fact that he was notified that if his disability recurred he had a further right to appeal?

I am looking into the facts of this case, and if a mistake has been made it will be put right.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire why the local West Ham Pensions Office refuses to Mr. T. C. Folley, of 140, Henniker Road, Stratford, the right of appeal against his present award?

An appeal is required, by Sections 4 and 6 of the War Pensions Act, 1921, to be made within a period not exceeding 12 months from certain prescribed dates. The chief area officers of the Ministry are instructed to point this out to persons desirous of appealing who have manifestly failed to appeal within the statutory period.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Sergeant Robert Junor, Royal Scots (Case 1/WJ/328 (A)), on whose decease, certified by the post-discharge medical officer of the Scottish northern district to be due to chronic tubular disease of the femur, due to his military service in the great war, no pension being granted to his widow and children on the alleged ground that his death was due to disease otherwise contracted; and whether, in view of the evidence of the chairman of the Northern Scottish area and the post-discharge medical officer on this case, he will reconsider this decision?

Since this case was last under consideration further information has been brought to my notice which leads me to have the whole facts of the case brought under review. This will necessarily take some days, but I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Debate upon the position of the ex-ranker officers placed on the Order Paper for the 13th instant, he will cause papers to be laid giving the relevant facts of the claims and of the published commitments of Members of the Government?

I am arranging for a White Paper to be laid giving the facts of the case, which will, I hope, be in the hands of hon. Members to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Pensions if any steps can be taken to obviate an ex-service man, discharged after 10 years' service as unfit, being compelled to draw 7s. 6d. per week Army allowance, 22s. per week unemployment pay, and 9s. 6d. per week in food tickets from the guardians, to make up a total of £1 19s. per week for himself, his wife, and two children to exist upon?

In the absence of particulars, I am unable to give my hon. Friend information as to the case referred to so far as it may concern my Department. Payment of the several sums referred to from three sources is inherent in the statutory conditions and limitations under which the authorities responsible for War disability compensation, for unemployment, and for Poor Law relief respectively operate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in South Berkshire and other districts in the South of England there are partially trained ex-service men who have been unable to obtain employment in the trades in which they are partially trained to enable them to complete their training, and that in consequence they have lost the benefit of the partial training; and whether it is proposed to adopt any, and what, measures whereby ex-servce men so placed may have a further course of training so as to fit them for employment when offered in these trades?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Darwen (Mr. F. Hindle) on 28th February, of which I am sending him a copy. In certain circumstances a trainee who has been awaiting an im-provership for some time may receive a refresher course of training.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that arrangements have been made to examine-ex-service clerks in the work they have performed for from three to eight years in the War Office, and that disabled ex-service men, irrespective of their War disabilities, have no preference over able-bodied ex-service men; and is he prepared to postpone this examination until after the final Report of the Southborough Committee?

I have been asked to reply. The examination to which reference is made is similar to those held in other Departments for affording ex-service men temporarily employed a special chance of entry to the permanent service. I may say that entry to the grade of ex-soldier clerk in the War Office is normally confined to soldiers who have served on regular attestations, but, for this occasion only in view of the special circumstances of the case, the chance of entry to this grade is being extended to all ex-service men serving in the War Office on 1st July, 1923, who had by that date rendered at least one year's approved service. The statements made by candidates on their application forms in reply to the questions relating to war disabilities will be before the Civil Service Commissioners when the award of marks for their work is made, and every possible consideration will be given to the circumstances of the particular case. In view of the facts that there are approximately 700 temporary ex-service men eligible for consideration for only 60 vacancies, and that preliminary investigations in the War Office have shown the practical impossibility of equitably differentiating between the claims of these men, I consider that the proposed examination is necessary, both in the interests of the clerks and the Department, and I am not, therefore, in favour of a postponement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that disabled ex-service men are being discharged, or are about to be discharged, from Government Departments; whether he is aware that, owing to the state of unemployment generally, and their increasing disability owing to age or wounds, there is little hope for such men when discharged being able to obtain employment; and, in view of these facts, will he suspend all discharges of disabled men pending the return of better conditions for labour generally, and abolish all overtime in Government Departments?

I am aware that a certain number of ex-service men, of whom some are disabled, as well as other personnel, will have to be discharged now or in the near future from Government Departments in which they have been temporarily employed. I regret that I am unable to direct or sanction the retention of staff in excess of that required by the work of the several Departments of State, but as the Noble Lord is no doubt aware every effort is made to avoid the discharges of competent disabled men, and when such discharges are necessary they are given preference for fresh employment in vacancies arising in other Departments. With regard to the question of overtime, every effort is made to reduce overtime in Government offices to the narrowest possible limits, with special reference to the prevailing unemployment; and so far as I am aware, no overtime is being worked which could be avoided, with due regard to the despatch of business, by the engagement of additional staff or by the postponement of discharge of redundant staffs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the South-borough Committee will renew its sittings; and whether the claims to be considered by that Committee will include those submitted on behalf of temporary women clerks in connection with establishment prior to the issue of the last Report of the Committee?

The Southborough Committee is on the point of resuming its discussions. Temporary women clerks have already had opportunities of qualifying for permanent appointments as clerical officers and writing assistants under arrangements specially devised to meet their case. I am unable to trace the receipt of the claims referred to in the latter part of the question. As regards the Southborough Committee, I would refer to the answer which I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece).

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that about 5,000 ex-service men are still in pauper lunatic asylums; and when will he transfer these men to the care and treatment of the Ministry of Pensions?

As I told the House when outlining the policy of the Government on the 12th February, one of the first acts of the Administration on taking office was to terminate the system which appeared to us indefensible, whereby the maintenance of certain ex-service men while inmates of lunatic asylums was in certain circumstances defrayed, not from public funds, but from the rates, as in the case of pauper lunatics similarly placed. Under the arrangements now in force, this obligation has been accepted by His Majesty's Government, all ex-service men now being treated at Government expense on the same footing as other private patients in the public mental hospitals of which they are inmates.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Estimates will be printed and circulated at least a week before they are discussed?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the Estimates for the Civil Services and Revenue Departments, the answer is in the affirmative. I understand that it is hoped to be able to circulate the Navy Estimates on Thursday next.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Treaty signed by the British Empire, France, Italy, Rumania, and Japan, recognising the annexation of Bessarabia by Rumania, has been deposited with the League of Nations, and, if not, when it is proposed to do so; and what has been the cause of the delay?

The Treaty has not yet been deposited with the League of Nations, because the deposit of ratifications by all the signatory Powers has not yet been completed in Paris, in accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty itself. The only signatory Powers which have ratified the Treaty so far are Great Britain and Rumania.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the fact that the programme of Air Force expansion for home defence will be seriously delayed if the auxiliary Air Force Bill is not introduced and passed at the earliest possible moment; and whether, in these circumstances, he will immediately introduce the Bill?

The Bill will be introduced without delay in another place. I hope that the very pertinent and wise reflection of my hon. and gallant Friend will not escape the notice of the House as regards time taken on other business.

asked the Prime Minister, if he will state, in view of our dependence on foreign supplies of oil for defence and industrial purposes, what steps are being taken by the Government to ensure an adequate proportion of such foreign supplies reaching this country in the event of war with any foreign Power or combination of Powers?

This question is kept under constant observation. It would not be in the public interest for me to give the particulars asked for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he is aware that the importation of Canadian store cattle was recommended to the public on the ground that it would effect a reduction of at least 6d. per lb. in the price of meat; and, seeing that this reduction has not been realised, will he have an inquiry made into the profits of importers of such cattle?

The numbers of Canadian store cattle which have so far been imported are too small to have had any appreciable effect on the price of meat, and I do not think the inquiry suggested would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total acreage of agricultural land on which rates, Schedule A, Schedule B, and Schedule D, were paid in 1922 and 1923, and the amounts so paid or assessed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I regret that no statistics are available which would show the total acreage of agricultural land on which tax under Schedules A, B and D was paid in the years in question. As regards the amounts so paid or assessed, I would remind the Noble Lord that under the present system of graduation and differentiation of the Income Tax, with personal allowances, deductions and reliefs appurtenant, not to the various sources of income charged under the five Schedules of the Act, but to the total income of the taxpayer, the total yield of the tax cannot be divided between the respective schedules, or, a fortiori, between the different sources fall ing under any one schedule.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that foot-and-mouth disease was introduced into the Thame district by animals carried in a railway truck from Banbury to Brill and Ludgershall station on the Great Western Railway, that the stationmaster, learning on hearsay that some of the cattle carried in the truck had developed foot-and-mouth disease, arranged for its disinfection on his own initiative and that no orders came from anyone as to the need for extra care in the disinfection of the truck; and whether better precautions can be taken to secure proper disinfection of all rolling stock with the least possible delay?

It is a standing duty of the railway company to disinfect all trucks, and particularly trucks of the kind mentioned. The administration in general is in the hands of local authorities, but the Ministry has always made a practice of intervening directly with regard to trucks which are believed to have carried suspected or infected animals. It is the duty of the Ministry's inspectors to enquire about these trucks and have them disinfected and this procedure was followed in this case. Owing, however, to a Sunday intervening, the authorities concerned could not be interviewed until the Monday. I am informed by the railway company that, in accordance with their standing regulations, the stationmaster at Brill had this particular truck properly disinfected after unloading. At the same time, had he not done so the matter would not have been neglected, since the Ministry's inspector on the spot approached the railway company on the subject on the Monday.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the reclamation of land at Sunk Island, in the Humber, was begun; when it was finished; what was the acreage of the land reclaimed; to what use is the land put at present; and what is the annual revenue accruing to the Crown from the land reclaimed?

The reclamation of Sunk Island is believed to have been begun in the latter part of the seventeenth century, and has continued at intervals, as and when sufficient areas of land accreted naturally, since that time. The most recent inclosure was completed in the year 1894. The total area of Sunk Island is approximately 10,500 acres, of which between 8,000 and 9,000 acres have been embanked and reclaimed in the last 200 years. The whole island is devoted to agriculture and is let as farms, farm settlements and email holdings at a gross rental of £11,200 a year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that there is great dissatisfaction among Lancashire poultry farmers at the Ministry's decision to establish a national poultry research station in Cheshire and not in Lancashire, and since there is ample accommodation at the Halton County Council Farm, he will reconsider his previous decision?

As the work of establishing in Cheshire the poultry experimental station to which the Noble Lord presumably refers is already in hand, it is impossible to reconsider the question of site.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the price paid by the Hop Control for the 9,493 cwts. of Czecho-slovakian hops purchased by them in 1920?

The value of these hops was £138,120.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, with regard to the Military Families Hospital, Devonport, if he is aware that, prior to the Royal Marines coming entirely under his Department, the families of all soldiers and marines had treatment at this hospital at a small fee; what is the explanation of the increase in the fee payable by Royal Marines in respect of their families receiving treatment at the hospital since the Royal Marines came entirely under his Department; whether he is aware that the War Department has expressed its willingness to come to an arrangement with the Admiralty whereby the families of those who come under his Department may receive treatment at the same rate as before, and that the failure to come to an arrangement with the War Office has resulted in prohibitive fees being charged to the marines entitled to have members of their families in the hospital as compared with those payable by soldiers similarly situated; whether he can see his way to give any relief to marines whose dependants may at present be in hospital, in order that they may be on a par with soldiers who may have dependants in the hospital; and whether he will take action to prevents any inequalities arising in future?

The change in the scale of charges payable by the wives and families of Royal Marines admitted to the Military Families Hospital at Devonport is not due to any alteration in the status of the Royal Marines; there has been no such change as is suggested in the terms of the question. For many years the dependants of Royal Marines were admitted to military families hospitals by the War Office at the norminal fees changed to dependants of soldiers of the garrison, but that Department recently intimated that as the wives and families of Royal Marines are not entitled to medical treatment at the expense of army funds, it would be necessary in future to make a charge of 10s. a day for each case. Under the King's Regulations the wives and families of Royal Marines, in common with the dependants of naval ratings, are not entitled to medical treatment at the public expense, and the Admiralty could not see their way to refund the cost of treatment in these hospitals or to make a grant from naval funds towards the charges incurred.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the estimated number of instructors that will be employed in Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve divisions on 1st April, 1924; whether these instructors will be borne on Votes A and 1; and, in any case, whether they in any way prejudice the prospective promotion of active service ratings?

The answer to the first part of the question is 79, and to the second part that they are borne on Votes A and 7. With regard to the third part of the question, these instructors are pensioners for most of the time they serve in these appointments and pensioners are not borne on the Advancement Rosters.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the conditions prevailing in the thermometer and clinical thermometer trades, with a view to setting up a trades board dealing with this industry; and whether his Department is in possession of any information relative to the wages and general conditions prevailing in these trades?

I have no recent information respecting these trades, but if the hon. Member will give me any facts which he has I shall be glad to consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total amount of unemployment donations made during the year 1923; and what proportion of that sum was paid to aliens?

The amount of unemployment benefit paid out of the Unemployment Fund under the contributory scheme of unemployment insurance during the year 1923 was about £38,400,000. Separate records are not kept showing the amount of benefit paid to aliens.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Bristol Docks Committee have undertaken to extend the Avonmouth docks with a view to absorbing a large number of local unemployed men; whether the right of selection and engagement of the men remains entirely with the contractor, whose decision as to suitability is final; and whether, having regard to the seriousness of the unemployment problem in Bristol, he will see that, as far as possible, suitable labour is recruited locally before any workers are engaged from outside the Bristol area?

I am aware of the scheme referred to. The rights of the contractor when recruiting labour to decide as to the suitability of the men are as stated by my hon. Friend, but the firm have expressed to the local officer of the Ministry of Labour their intention to give the greatest possible measure of priority to local labour before engaging men from outside the area.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of parishes in Scotland in which payments have been made out of the poor rate for the relief of able-bodied unemployed under the provisions of the Poor Law (Emergency Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1921, and the Local Authorities (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1923, the total amount of such payments made during each of the past three years, and the total amount borrowed by parish councils to meet such expenditure?

Altogether 324 parish councils in Scotland have made payments out of the poor rate for the relief of the able-bodied unemployed. The payments made by parish councils for relief of the able-bodied unemployed (aliment, cost of administration and interest on loans and overdraft) amounted to £705,509 in 1921–22, £1,465,783 in 1922–23, and approximately £1,072,000 in the period from 16th May, 1923, to 9th February, 1924. The figure given for the period 1923–24 is in part estimated, information being available only as regards the expenditure on aliment. The total of loans sanctioned by the Scottish Board of Health in respect of such expenditure amounted (up to 7th March) to £2,688,160.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the scheme by which the Sheffield hospitals are run by a joint council, with the result that the institutions are now self-supporting; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the working of this scheme in order to facilitate its adoption in other municipalities, in view of the financial difficulties at present obtaining in most hospitals?

The Sheffield Joint Hospital Council are not responsible for the administration of the voluntary hospitals in their area, but my right hon. Friend is aware of the admirable work done by the Council in organising the systematic collection of weekly contributions. It is not necessary to institute any inquiry into the working of the Sheffield scheme, as this is already well known among hospital authorities. The adoption of this or other schemes of mass contribution in other areas is a matter for local decision, but my right hon. Friend is glad to learn that the question has been engaging the attention of many local voluntary hospital committees.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the injurious effect of ship-breaking on the health of the workers engaged in that industry; if he is aware that the men engaged on the acetylene burners are only able to continue for a few weeks without breaking down; that in many cases no effective gas-masks or fresh milk is provided; and will he take steps to inquire into this matter and bring pressure to bear upon the ship-breaking companies to protect the health of their workers?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply. The employment in question which has developed rapidly during the last two or three years has given rise to a number of cases of lead poisoning. It has been receiving the special attention of the Factory Department, and, as a result of visits by the Medical Inspectors, arrangements have now been made by the occupiers of practically all the yards for a periodic medical examination of the workers, this being, I am advised, the most practicable and effective precaution. It is hoped that these arrangements will prove effectual, but the situation will be carefully watched and, if necessary, further measures will be considered.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of State-subsidised houses completed in each year since 1919?

The total number of State-subsidised houses completed in each year since 1919 is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses built under the Housing Act of 1919; the average cost per house; and the total liability incurred by the Exchequer?

Up to the 1st February, 168,430 houses had been completed under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. Act, 1919. The average all-in-cost for houses erected under the provisions of the Act will be approximately £1,040. It is anticipated that the annual loss falling on the Exchequer will be £7,700,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the facts disclosed at a recent inquest held in the Southwark Coroner's Court on Thomas Peters, a hawker, who was found dead on the floor of his one room from pulmonary tuberculosis; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the fact that the premises in which the man lived had been condemned, the London County Council was collecting the rents; that the doctor stated at the inquest that the place was not fit for a pig to live in, and that the verdict was that death was accelerated by the man's surroundings; and whether, seeing that similar cases have previously been before the Southwark Coroner, he will take steps to ascertain what can be done locally, in Southwark and other London boroughs similarly situated, for the immediate improvement of such conditions?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to case referred to. The property in question was acquired by the London County Council with a view to its demolition under the Tabard Street Improvement Scheme. The clearance of the area is proceeding as rapidly as possible, and will be completed as soon as alternative accommodation is available for the tenants to be displaced.

asked the Minister of Health what assistance will be given for the erection of cottages which may be necessary to house agricultural labourers employed on work on individual farms?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report of the Leicestershire Insurance Committee as to the health conditions in the area; whether he is aware that the committee report that the rural areas suffer considerably more from unsatisfactory and inadequate housing than do urban areas; and will he consider, in formulating the Government housing scheme, giving priority to house building in rural areas?

My attention has been called to the report referred to. With regard to the last part of the question, the needs of rural areas will be borne in mind in connection with the Government's housing proposals.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what were the overhead charges incurred on the houses built by the Office of Works by direct labour under the Addison and other housing schemes, including architectural and contractional services, salaries of staff, and cost of office accommodation; and what was the percentage charge in the case of schemes supervised by the Office of Works and carried out under lump sum contracts, including salary charges, cost of office accommodation, etc.?

The percentage charge for overhead expenses on the housing schemes executed by His Majesty's Office of Works has worked out at 3 per cent. in respect of schemes carried out by direct labour and 2 per cent. in respect of schemes carried out by contract.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of houses proposed to be erected under schemes put forward by the Scottish local authorities under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919; the total number sanctioned for erection by local authorities under that Act; and the total number now completed?

The number of houses proposed to be erected under schemes put forward by Scottish local authorities under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, was 115,574; the total number sanctioned for erection by local authorities under that Act is 25,129, and of these 21,011 had been completed at 31st January, 1924.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that six dwelling-houses, completed 10 years ago for officials at Wakefield Prison, are still untenanted; and whether, having regard to the applications now being received by the Wakefield Corporation to provide prison officials with housing accommodation, he will arrange to house the prison staff in the untenanted dwellings?

The work on these houses, which are within the old prison wall, was necessarily discontinued early in the War when the prison ceased to be used for ordinary prisoners. The prison has recently been re-opened, and steps are now being taken to complete the houses for the occupation of prison officers.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can give any statement with regard to the bird sanctuaries in the public parks, etc.; whether these sanctuaries have been in every way successful; and what is being done, if possible, to add further to their number and so bring the best variety of British birds into the Metropolitan area?

A Committee was appointed early in 1922 to consider the improvement of two existing sanctuaries in Richmond Park and the creation of sanctuaries in all the Royal Parks. Their Report was published in November of that year. A further Report showing progress made to date has been prepared and will shortly be published in the Press. The results have been very satisfactory and steadily progressive; 32 different 6pecies of birds have been seen in the various sanctuaries last year. A generous donor, who desires to remain anonymous, has given £50 towards the movement, and this has been spent on nesting boxes, feeding hoppers and shrubs attractive to birds.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to complaints as to the difficulty of seeing the pictures in the National Gallery in certain states of the light; whether he will have expert investigation made as to whether this is due to faulty design of the roofs of the galleries; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

I understand that when certain galleries which had been fire-proofed were re-opened to the public, some criticism was made as to the inadequacy of the lighting in room No. 9. Certain remedial measures were undertaken, the object being to obtain a relatively high wall illumination, the floors being in shadow. Those measures have effected improvement, but the light is still not quite satisfactory, due to the external height of the adjoining galleries. The matter has been the subject of expert consideration throughout, and I hope to be able to effect further improvement in the near future.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he has made any effort towards the securing of better accommodation at the Chief Area Office, General Post Office Buildings, Manchester, as announced by the Minister of Pensions recently?

The details of a proposal to remove the Area Office to other premises in Manchester are now under consideration.

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

Under the Mercantile Marine Department of the Board there is a staff of 37 Inspectors of Ships' Provisions, the estimated cost of such staff for the year 1924–25 being £11,136. In the Bankruptcy Department there is one person performing inspection duties, whose salary amounts to £1,130 per annum. A certain proportion of the duties performed by other officers of the Board of Trade, as, for example, the Surveyors and Medical Inspectors of the Mercantile Marino Department, might also be classed as inspection duties, but it is impossible to abstract exact particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many British nationals who are prosecuting claims for compensation for property lost in Germany during the War are likely to be seriously prejudiced by the fact that they are unable to pay for the legal assistance necessary to meet the law officers of Germany at the mixed arbitral tribunal; and whether steps will be taken to provide legal aid for such British nationals?

The British. Clearing Office is always prepared in suitable cases to consider giving assistance to claimants without means in bringing contested claims before the tribunal for adjudication. If my hon. Friend will furnish particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will ask the Controller of the Clearing Office to look into them with a view to seeing whether assistance can be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Germany has agreed to the setting up of a committee of guarantee for military control; and, if not, what will be the next step taken by the British Government?

No reply has yet been received from the German Government to the Note sent on the 5th instant. The second part of this question is hypothetical and at this stage I can give no reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among patentees regarding the administration of the Patents and Designs Acts of 1907 and 1919; whether foes are being charged for the two years' extension of the life of patents granted under the Act of 1919 in disregard of the method prescribed in Section 65 of the Act of 1907; and whether he will appoint a Departmental Committee to receive evidence from recognised bodies such as the Institute of Patentees (Incorporated) to report with a view to removing these anomalies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the fees charged for the 15th and 16th years of a patent, these are authorised by the Patents Rules, 1920, which Rules were laid before the House, and no Resolution for their annulment was proposed. I am not, therefore, as at present advised, prepared to adopt the suggestion made in the third part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that from the Island of Stroma, situated in the middle of the Pentland Firth, ships in difficulties and the dangerous tides and currents between the Orkneys and the mainland can be observed; that the only communication between the island and the mainland is by boat, which may be cut off from seven to 10 days at a stretch; that at the end of last year the Swedish steamer "Citos" passed through the Pentland Firth flying signals of distress, and that if the inhabitants of Stroma had been in communication with the mainland the ship and six lives might have been saved; and that the cable laid for Admiralty purposes between Stroma and the mainland was twice broken by the force of the tidal current; and whether, in these circumstances and for the safety of British shipping passing through the Pentland Firth, he will arrange for wireless communication to be established between the Island of Stroma and the mainland?

I am making inquiries with regard to the matters referred to in the hon. Member's question, and will communicate the result to him as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the imports of domestic aluminium hollow-ware articles in the years 1921, 1922, and 1923, respectively; and what was the amount of duty collected in each year from those of German origin?

The values of the imports of domestic aluminium hollow-ware for the years 1921, 1922 and 1923 are, respectively, £147,434, £267,523 and £70,995. The depreciated currency duty collected in respect of domestic aluminium hollow-ware of German origin during the years 1922 and 1923 amounted to £5,801 and £20,999 respectively. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the duty only became chargeable as from the 23rd August, 1922.

asked the Attorney-General the number of members on the advisory committee responsible for advising the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire in recommending justices of the peace for that county, together with their names and addresses?

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

• Frederick Charles Arkwright, esquire, Willersley, Cromford, Matlock.
• Barnet Kenyon, esquire, M.P., 9, Tennyson Avenue, Chesterfield.
• Charles Paxton Markham, esquire, Ringwood Hall, Chesterfield.
• James Oakes, esquire, Biddings House, Alfreton.
• The Hon. Oswald Partington, Easton, Glossop.
• George Herbert Strutt, esquire, Makeney House, Derby.
• Charles Robert Crompton, esquire, Stanton Hall, Stanton-by-Dale, Nottingham.
• Frank Drewry, esquire, J.P., Buxton.
• Right Hon. J. H. Thomas, M.P., Unity House, Euston Road, N.W.1.
• Mrs. Carruthers, J.P., 8, Gower Street, Bloomsbury, W.C.1.

asked the Attorney-General what applications have been made to him, or his predecessors in office, for a fiat to allow the presentation of petitions of right in respect of claims to recover moneys illegally exacted by Government departments without the consent of Parliament during and subsequent to the War as a condition for the issue of licences or permits; when and by whom such applications were made and the subject matter of the transactions which were referred to in such applications, respectively; whether the fiat was granted in all such cases, and when, and so far as it appears that excessive delay took place the reason for such delay; and what applications were refused and upon what ground?

I regret that it is not possible for me to furnish my hon. and learned Friend with the information asked for in the first and second parts of this question. I am informed that to do so would necessitate a careful examination of every Petition during the period mentioned, which, would involve the expenditure of so much time and labour that I am certain my hon. and learned Friend would not consider it to be justified. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand it to be a long established rule of this House that the opinions of the Law Officers of the Crown are absolutely confidential and that neither Ministers nor the Law Officers themselves can be interrogated about them. Subject to this reservation, I shall be pleased to furnish my hon. and learned Friend with the information concerning any particular case, if I can properly do so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, what additional claims have been made for the repayment of charges exacted during the War in respect of licences without the consent of Parliament since the issue of the return dated June, 1923, purporting to be a complete list of all claims to 1st August 1922; and whether he will distinguish between such claims as have been the subject of litigation, and indicate in respect of each if judgment has been obtained by the claimants, and when and where possible the stage of any pending litigation in respect of such claims?

I have been asked to reply. A further Return giving the information desired will be laid on the Table of the House as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of the charges imposed by the Minister of Shipping in connection with the transfer of ships to a foreign flag during the continuance of his control; how many successful claims to a refund of these charges have been made; and is he willing to accept further claims for a refund on & similar basis?

I have been asked to reply. The total amount received by the Shipping Controller in connection with the transfer of ships to foreign flags was £1,065,000. In one case judgment has been obtained for the refund of the sum of £34,920, but this judgment is at present under appeal. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the revenue yielded by the Entertainments Duty in the last complete financial year from religious institutions; and whether, in view of the small amount so yielded, he will recommend the abolition of the duty as applied to the said institutions?

It is not possible to ascertain the yield of the Entertainments Duty from particular classes of entertainment owing to the fact that a considerable part of the duty is paid by means of the sale of stamped tickets and stamps and there is no information as to the nature of the entertainments for which such tickets and stamps are purchased. As regards the latter part of the question I am unable to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of duty collected on domestic glassware articles in the year 1923 under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The total amount of depreciated currency duty collected in respect of articles of domestic glassware during the year 1923 under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act is £7,839.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Mrs. Bulmer, of 20, Argyll Street, Hull; and whether, in view of her distressed financial circumstances, he will give instructions for the refund to her of the sum of £25, deducted by the Treasury from the amount received by the Treasury from the Prudential Insurance Company, and only a portion of which has been paid to Mrs. Bulmer?

I am making further inquiries into the case mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member and will communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Government of the Union of South Africa returned the property of ex-enemies in 1920, and that a Bill supported by both political parties is now before the United States Senate providing for a full return of such property; that, owing to the financial incapacity of ex-enemy Governments to indemnify their subjects for loss of money or property seized by ex-enemies, great hardship has been inflicted upon many people; and will His Majesty's Government consider the possibility of having the whole subject reexamined in the light of circumstances which were not contemplated when the original policy was sanctioned?

As regards the first part of the question I do not think the action taken in South Africa is quite as suggested in my hon. Friend's question, and I have not heard of any Bill at present before the United States Senate. As to the second and third parts, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report recently issued by Lord Blanesburgh's Committee (Cmd. 2046), the recommendations of which, as stated in a Note on page 3, the Board of Trade have decided to accept.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United Kingdom and Poland, which was signed at Warsaw on 26th November last, has been ratified; if not, what is the cause of the delay; and whether he is aware that, owing to the delay, certain classes of French textiles receive a more favoured treatment as regards duties payable than similar classes of British textiles, in some cases to the extent of 40 per cent.?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The formalities of ratification are being completed as rapidly as possible and on the part of His Majesty's Government there has been no delay. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative, and I have it in I mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, under the new Treaty with the United States affecting the liquor traffic, he proposes to introduce any new regulation regarding the organisation of liquor-running traffic in British waters, with the object of minimising any possible friction with the United States?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any professional or expert entertainment caterers or showmen have been consulted as to the wisdom and practicability of charging 1s. 6d. admission to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley instead of the customary price of 1s.?

I am informed that the charge of 1s. 6d. for admission to the British Empire Exhibition was approved by expert showmen and caterers and others who were consulted on the matter. Although the charge is higher than that usually made before the War, it compares favourably with current prices of admission to exhibitions held in London.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists over the method by which monopolies have been granted to various firms for the Wembley Exhibition and over the manner in which such monopolies are being exercised; and whether, in view of the experience of past exhibitions, both in this country and abroad, and in view of the financial relationship of the Government to the exhibition, he will take steps to secure the publication of a full report of the circumstances and, if necessary, take action with a view to ensuring that no profiteering shall take place?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am informed by the Exhibition authorities that all concessions have been open to tender, and that reasonable precautions to safeguard the interests of exhibitors and to prevent profiteering are taken by means of special Clauses in contracts made with concessionnaires. In the circumstances, I do not think it is necessary to take action on the lines indicated in the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any complaints in regard to certain auction sale rooms in London; whether any steps are taken, or are proposed to be taken, to ensure that an auctioneer's licence granted to a person shall not be used by sundry other persons; and whether he will institute strict supervision herewith?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any complaints of the kind referred to, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with any information in his possession on the matter I shall be happy to have inquiry made. The Board of Customs and Excise, who are responsible for the issue of these licences, are fully aware of the danger referred to in the latter part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary the number of constables appointed to the Metropolitan police force in the years 1921, 1922, and 1923, and the proportion of such appointments given to provincial and London men, respectively?

The number of constables appointed to the Metropolitan Police in the years 1921, 1922 and 1923 were 895, 130 and 262 respectively, or 1,287 in all. Recruiting was entirely suspended for a considerable part of 1922 and 1923. I am not able to state the proportion of such appointments given to provincial and London men respectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the Report of Sir Leonard Dunning, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, for 1923 as to the results of the recent reductions in the strength of the police force; whether it is recorded that the increase of crowds and road traffic are making continued additional demands on the police; and whether it is proposed to consider an increase in the police force with a view to meet the criticisms of His Majesty's inspector?

I have seen the remarks to which my hon. Friend refers in the first two parts of the question. As regards the last part of the question, the reductions in the strength of the various forces were made as a necessary measure of economy, and experience suggests that in many cases they can be maintained without undue risk, but any representations on the subject from the local police authorities are always considered very carefully, in consultation with His Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the agreement between the British Phosphate Commission in Nauru Island and Chinese mechanics an imported mechanic, should he prove incompetent, is required to forgo his wages, and then pay for his rations and accommodation until he can be returned to Hong Kong; and whether he will take steps to provide that the agreement should be revised in the direction of providing rations and accommodation during the waiting period?

The hon. Member refers to the form of agreement approved in 1922. I have now learnt that the form was subsequently modified in the sense indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has as yet received official reports from Hong Kong of the circumstances attending an attack by Chinese pirates upon the ss. "Tai Lee," flying the British flag, which happened on the 20th January last, when the captain, Captain James Willox, was murdered, together with one of the Indian guards on the steamer; if so, whether he will see that measures are taken to prevent the constant recurrence of these piratical attacks on vessels flying the British flag in Chinese waters; or, if a report has not as yet been received, whether he will request that it be furnished without delay for his consideration?

I have not yet received any report on the attack on the "Tai Lee" but the report for which I am calling, as stated in my answer of 3rd March to a similar question by the hon. Member, will cover this case as well as that of the "Hydrangea."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Colonial Office to grant a concession to Messrs. Heyland and Williams to work turtles at St. Helena; whether he is aware that Messrs. Heyland and Williams have incurred heavy expenditure in the hope of obtaining the concession; whether the concession is now to be granted to some other body which will have the benefit of the information obtained by Messrs. Heyland and Williams; and whether, in the circumstances, he will reconsider the decision?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to an application for a concession of this nature in Ascension, but the facts are not quite as suggested in the question. Those gentlemen were given ample time to comply with the conditions under which their application could have been entertained, the period originally fixed even being extended at their request, but as they failed to comply with those conditions the offer to them was withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any detailed supplementary estimates for the Takoradi harbour works; and whether it is proposed to submit these for examination and report to an independent firm of consulting engineers?

I have received certain estimates of the cost of these works, but not detailed estimates. They will be examined by Mr. Palmer, the engineer who is proceeding to the Gold Coast t report on the whole question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of temporary women clerks employed in the Post Office Savings Bank and now under notice; whether the majority of these clerks have persons dependent upon them; whether he is aware that the majority of them have had nine years' employment and experience; whether they are to be replaced by writing assistants at a slightly lower rate of pay, but of next to no experience; and whether, in view of the difficulty that the temporary clerks may experience in obtaining outside employment, he will see that either they be allowed to retain their posts in a permanent and established capacity, or that their contract be extended sufficiently long to give them some opportunity of outside employment?

It is the case that a number of temporary women clerks at the Savings Bank are under notice of discharge. I am informed that only a minority of them have persons dependent upon them, and that very few have completed nine years' service; and in view of the fact that the present policy of replacing temporary women clerks by permanent staff began as long ago as January, 1921, I cannot admit that the officers now under notice have not had sufficient time in which to seek outside employment. The whole matter is, however, receiving my attention; and I will acquaint my hon. Friend with the decision which I arrive at.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of broadcasting licences, the number of experimental licences, the number of licences for crystal sets, and the number of licences for valve sets in each of the broadcasting station areas?

The total number of broadcast receiving licences on the 29th February was approximately 636,000, and of experimental receiving licences 56,000. As licensees may instal either valve or crystal sets, there is no information available as regards the relative proportions of the various kinds of apparatus; but crystal sets are believed to preponderate largely.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will have an inquiry made, and a Report published, as to the various types of broadcasting stations in Europe and America, giving details as to transmission, wave length, power, and times, together with the names of the owners of such stations and the extent to which they are owned and controlled by the respective Governments?

This matter was investigated by the Broadcasting Committee, whose Report was published in August last as Command Paper No. 1951. Particulars of the arrangements in Australia, Canada and the United States are given in Appendix C of the Report. In general, broadcasting on the Continent of Europe is at present not largely developed.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to prevent amateurs transmitting spark, continuous wave length, and telephony during broadcasting hours?

Amateurs are forbidden to transmit on a wavelength within the band allocated to broadcasting during broadcasting hours. The question of discontinuing all amateur transmission by spark apparatus is under consideration in conjunction with the other Government Departments concerned; but the prohibition of all amateur transmission during broadcasting programmes (which the hon. Member apparently suggests) would not, in my opinion, be in the public interests.

asked the Postmaster-General what number of sorting clerks and telegraphists will be employed at the British Empire Exhibition; how many of them will be established, and how many will be temporary; what are the rates for the temporary officers as compared with the members of the established staff; whether all the sorting clerks employed will be engaged on similar work; and, if so, what reasons led him to decide that this work was suitable for temporary female officers at lower rates of pay?

The number at present contemplated is nine, of whom three will be, established officers and the remainder temporary. The temporary officers will be paid within the scale current in the London area, namely, 42s. 3d. to 52s. 6d. per week. The pay of the established staff will vary with the offices from which they are drawn. The temporary staff will be mainly engaged on counter work. In view of the temporary nature of the work, the employment of temporary staff is the natural course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the London Port Authority have decided upon heavy increases in dock dues and landing charges in the Port of London, to come into force on the 1st April; that food and commodities will be affected by the increase; that this means that dock dues instead of being 1s. 3d. per ton, will be 2s. 1d. in future, and that standard landing charges on Hour, which are now 4s. 9d. a ton, will, with the new increase, be 9s. 6d. a ton; if he can state how the sum expected to be raised by the increased dues compares with the increased cost of labour resulting from paying the transport workers the extra 1s. 8d. per day; and if he will take action in the matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have seen a notice in the Press to the effect that the Port of London Authority are proposing to bring into force certain increases in their charges, but I am not in a position to verify the figures mentioned in the question or to make the comparison suggested. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, Section. 5 of the Port of London (Dock Charges) Act, 1923, provides machinery whereby the maximum rates and charges authorised by the Act may be brought under review upon the application of representative bodies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it has been finally decided to construct a bridge from the south side of the Thames to a point on the north side opposite to St. Paul's Cathedral; and whether, when constructed, it will carry traffic and pedestrians from practically the same area as that now served by the recently rebuilt Southwark Bridge?

I believe that negotiations are still proceeding with regard to the construction of this bridge by the City Corporation. The site of the proposed bridge is about 300 yards west of Southwark Bridge, and owing to the better means of access from the north, it is expected that it would draw traffic from a larger area.

asked the Minister of Transport, seeing that a new Order dealing with the amalgamation of all the electric undertakings in and around London is to be published by the Ministry of Transport, and that various London supply companies are seeking extensions of time for their Provisional Orders, if he will take steps to ensure that the interests of the consumers are safeguarded in the matter of prices for lighting and power, meter rents, and maximum charges for electric current, and that a sliding scale of dividends based on the price charged for electricity be established in the same way as the sliding scale of gas companies?

The Electricity Commissioners are about to issue a new Draft Order for re-organising the supply of electricity in London and district. This Draft Order, which must form the subject of a Local Inquiry, will contain provisions to ensure the regulation of prices and dividends of the London companies in the event of the companies being granted an extension of tenure under the provisions of Section 14 of the Electricity Supply Act, 1922.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether protests have been received against the condition imposed by the Board of Agriculture requiring that seed potatoes and oats supplied under the Government assisted scheme must be paid for in advance; and whether, seeing that this is an unnecessary requirement which, if insisted on, will create serious hardship, he will, in order to meet the case of those who are willing to pay for the seeds without any assistance from the various funds but who have not the necessary money available at the moment, make arrangements for the payment being received in instalments?

Protests have been received against the condition that seed must be paid for in advance. I should explain, however, that under the arrangements that have been made and intimated to parish councils those crofters who are unable to pay in advance the price of 6s. per cwt. for seed may under arrangements made with the Highland Distress Committee apply to the Local Distress Relief Committee, who, if they approve the application, will issue to the applicant (so far as their funds permit) a credit slip to the value of any deficiency that the Committee are satisfied that the applicant is unable to meet. This credit slip after presentation to the parish council will be accepted by the Board in lieu of cash. I am advised that these arrangements should satisfactorily meet the circumstances, and in view of the many difficulties involved, I do not desire to institute a system of payment by instalments.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps are being taken to ascertain the needs of the various distressed areas in the Highlands and islands with regard to seed potatoes and oats, and to secure that a sufficient supply of seeds will be available in good time for all crofters who require them?

As already announced, arrangements have been made to supply seed to necessitous crofters at the rate of 6s. per cwt. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland advertised that they were open to receive from merchants and others up to 7th instant tenders for the supply of seed. The Board have also informed the parish councils in the crofting areas of the arrangements that have been made and have requested that the requirements of each parish be reported as soon as possible after 12th instant.