asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of scissors and shears to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of imperial preference thereon?

The value of the exports of scissors and shears (including blanks) of United Kingdom manufacture registered in 1922 as consigned to all foreign countries was £18,500. Consignments to the Australian Commonwealth in the same year were valued at £25,772. Corresponding figures for 1923 are not immediately available. The rate of duty on foreign scissors which, in accordance with Australian Customs Departmental By-Laws, are classed as surgical, dental or veterinary instruments is 20 per cent. ad valorem; the rate charged on shears and I scissors which are classed as tools of trade or tools in general use is 10 per cent. ad valorem. Both classes are free of duty if of United Kingdom origin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total exports in 1922 and 1923 of electric glow lamps to all foreign countries together and to the Commonwealth of Australia; and what was the Australian rate of imperial preference thereon?

The total value of exports of electric glow lamps of United Kingdom manufacture registered in 1922 as consigned to all foreign countries during the year 1922 was £78,002. Consignments to the Australian Commonwealth in the same year were valued at £123,323. Corresponding figures for 1923 are not immediately available. The Australian import duty on foreign filament lamps for lighting and heating is 3s. per lb. weight, the preferential rate of duty being 1s. per lb.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the unemployment which is caused in the lace and embroidery trades consequent on the importations of these materials from the Continent at prices1 aided by the collapsed exchanges, at which it is impossible to compete, he proposes to take any action to impose a 33⅓ per cent. ad valorem duty, in acordance with the recommendations of the recent committee on the subject?

The Report of the Committee is under consideration, and I am not able to make a statement on the subject at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the possibility of amending and strengthening the law relating to private limited liability companies, seeing that the present state of the law affords shelter and protection for many-fraudulent persons and transactions?

The question of private companies was dealt with in the Report dated 15th July, 1918, of the Company Law Amendment Committee of which Lord Wrenbury was the Chairman. The Committee came to the conclusion that no alteration was then required in the law relating to private companies. If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of any of the cases he has in mind the matter shall receive consideration when legislation is introduced to amend the Companies Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of his Department has been called to the fact that Persian petrol is I being sold by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company as a British product; and, in: view of the shareholding of the Government in the company, will he see that nothing is done toy this company to offend Persian susceptibilities?

This refers to a matter of commercial administration with which, as has previously been stated, the Government are pledged not to interfere. I think, however, that the company may be relied on to avoid doing anything which might be open to misconstruction in Persia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of gallons of sulphuric ether imported into this country during 1923, and the number of gallons produced in Great Britain during the same period?

The total quantity of sulphuric ether registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1923 was 16 gallons. This quantity is inclusive of direct imports, if any, into the Irish Free State up to 31st March of the year in question. I am not in a position to state the quantity of sulphuric ether produced in the United Kingdom during the past year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what weight of raw cotton was imported into Lancashire during the years 1921, 1922, and 1923 from India?

The official record of imports and re-exports does not suffice for the determination of the consumption of Indian cotton in Lancashire year by year. According to the tables published in the International Cotton Bulletin, the consumption of Indian cotton in 1921 in Great Britain amounted to approximately 137,000 cwts., and in 1922 to 236,000 cwts. For the first half of 1923 the consumption is shown as about 240,000 cwts.; figures for the completed year are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that toy magic lanterns, toy magnets, and many other children's toys are liable for duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act as being scientific instruments; and is he prepared to consider the advisability of excluding toys of all descriptions?

Magic lanterns and permanent magnets of all kinds are dutiable under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. In the case of these and of other articles dutiable as a whole, under the Act it would be impracticable to grant exemption from duty in respect of such articles as might be claimed to be for use only as toys. I may, however, remind the hon. Member that the case of toys which are dutiable only by reason of containing a dutiable article as a part has been specially met by a Treasury Order under Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1922, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has made any representations to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company as to the future position of the Scottish shale and oil industry; and, if so, has he any statement to make that will give assurance to the workmen engaged in that industry, in view of the general uneasiness that prevails in the district?

As I promised the deputation which I saw on 26th February, I have arranged for the Anglo-Persian Oil Company to be consulted on some of the questions then raised. The company has not yet had time to reply, but I wish to make it clear that I cannot do more than ask it to give the various points due consideration. If the uneasiness to which the hon. Members refers is caused by fears of an early stoppage of the industry, I understand, and I so informed the deputation, that this danger is fortunately no longer imminent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can inform the House of the number of British steamers which have been sent to Holland for repairs during the past six months; and is he aware that during the past three weeks two orders for repairs of British steamers, involving a cost of £40,000, have been secured by Dutch repairers through the operation of the bounty of 30 per cent. on wages, which is given jointly by the Netherlands Government and the municipalities in which the said Dutch repairing works are situated?

I am informed that since the 1st September 33 British vessels of 109,408 tons register tonnage have arrived in Holland for the specific purpose of undergoing repairs, and that within the last three weeks three British steamers have entered Rotterdam for extensive repairs, in none of these cases, however, is there any evidence that a bounty on wages is being granted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the average wholesale price received by the Dominion producer in Australia for frozen beef, ex-store in London, has been for the last nine months 3¾d. per lb., of which 1d. to 1½d. represents the cost of breeding, raising, and droving the cattle into the freezing works; and whether, seeing that this meat has been retailed in London at an average of 9d. per lb., he will take steps to safeguard the consumer?

I understand that there is some difference of opinion as to the average wholesale and retail prices of Australian frozen beef; other estimates which have authority are 4d. per lb. ex-store and 6½d. per lb. for the average retail price during the past nine months. I would remind the hon. Member that the Board of Trade have no powers to deal with prices, and that legislation of a highly contentious character would be necessary, for which there is plainly no time this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the export of cotton-manufactured cloth from the following places in 1923 and 1913: Great Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Holland, United States, India, and Japan and the exports of cotton-manufactured cloth to India in 1923 and 1913 from Great Britain and Japan; whether he will ascertain if it is the intention of the French Government to prohibit cloth imports into France; and does he purpose taking any action?

STATEMENT showing the Quantity and Value of Cotton Piece Goods Exported from the Undermentioned Countries during the years 1913, 1922 and 1923, so far as particulars are available.
—				—			1913.	1922.	1923.
United Kingdom			…	1,000 Lin. Yds.			7,075,252	4,312,667*	Not available.
				1,000 Sq. Yds.			Not recorded	4,183,729	4,141,304
				£			97,776,000	142,437,000	138,354,000
France	…	…	…	M. Tons		…	46,206	37,987	36,530
				Francs	…	…	206,690,000	896,521,000	1,004,438,000
Belgium		…	…	M. Tons		…	28,019	14,493	24,926
				Francs	…	…	80,402,000	214,389,000	439,197,000
Italy	…	…	…	M. Tons		…	49,222	30,031	30,891 (a)
				Lire	…	…	188,200,000	950,408,000	973,404,000 (a)
Spain	…	…	…	M. Tons		…	4,911	2,779	749 (b)
				Pesetas		…	33,375,000	36,391,000	11,248,000 (b)
Netherlands		…	…	M. Tons		…	37,637	21,230	23,714
				Guldens		…	76,731,000	74,021,000	82,325,000
United States			…	1,000 Lin. Yds.			466,677	Not recorded	Not recorded.
				1,000 Sq. Yds.			Not recorded	587,493	464,294
				Dollars		…	32,257,000	85,232,000	79,313,000
British India		…	…	Yds.	…	…	86,980,746	145,134,062	178,128,293
				Rupees		…	20,898,600	66,214,283	71,845,197
									(Jan.-June only).
Japan	(i) Recorded by the piece.				Pieces	…	9,655,143	2,174,363	1,237,643
					Yen	…	7,880,000	9,609,000	5,883,000
	(ii) Recorded by the yard.				1,000 Yds.		211,132	750,916	357,515
					Yen	…	25,180,000	206,184,000	96,489,000
	(iii) Recorded by the dozen.				Dozens	…	91,439	56,664	33,861
					Yen	…	546,000	1,368,000	864,000
	(iv) Recorded by value.				Yen	…	—	4,891,000	4,316,000
	Total Yen					…	33,606,000	222,052,000	107,552,000 (c)
* The weight of the goods was returned as 7,266,655 cwts.
(a) Particulars relate to the period January-September.
(b) Particulars relate to the period January-March.
(c) The total value of Exports for 1923 is stated to have been 234,400,000 Yen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made any representations against the increase in the consular fee for the visa of Portuguese invoices; and whether any relief may be expected?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. According to the latest

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the statistics for which he asks. As regards the proposed restriction on imports into France, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Captain Terrell), on 4th March, but the importance of obtaining the earliest possible information is not being overlooked.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of Germany's refusal to refund to her own manufacturers the 25 per cent. reduction of the Reparations Levy, he can state the German industries mainly concerned hitherto in the payment of the full 26 per cent.; and whether these are or are not flourishing, both now and relatively, in comparison with the years in which the full levy was operative?

I have been asked to answer this question. All goods first consigned from Germany are liable to the levy under the German Reparation Recovery Act. Statistics of imports from Germany will be found in the answers which I gave to the hon. Members for Ilford (Sir F. Wise) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on 4th and 5th March respectively. A review of commercial and industrial conditions in Germany for the month of January will be found on Pages 252–254 of the "Board of Trade Journal" for 21st February. If the hon. Member will specify any German industries about which he would wish for further information I will see how far I am able to supply it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received representations from important business organisations urging that the 2d. Stamp Duty on cheques should be reduced; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have received representations on this subject, but the hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the British Government has decided to give no credit for any interest on the sums in their hands which are charged under the Treaty of Versailles with the payment of the claims of British nationals for the loss of their property in Germany, he will say whether, in case this fund should not be sufficient to meet all those claims in full, the fund will, as between the Government and the British creditors, be credited with an amount equivalent to the interest which has accrued or should accrue on the sums retained in the hands of the Government for the payment of such claims?

The Mixed Arbitral Tribunal has at present before it an application to decide whether interest is payable on these sums. In these circumstances the remainder of the question—which is in any case a hypothetical one—is premature.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps with a view so to amend the National Insurance Acts that, when an insured person is admitted to a public institution for treatment, the panel practitioner responsible for that case should be subjected to a reduction of his panel fees in respect of the time during which he does not supply medical attention to his panel patient in accordance with his contract?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Shore-ditch (Mr. Thurtle) on the 20th February.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that on men being discharged from Rosyth dockyard and continuing to reside in the houses at the garden city the rents of these houses are increased; that on re-entry into the yard the rents are not reduced to their former level; if his Department has yet completed the promised inquiries into this matter; and if he is now prepared to recommend that in such cases the rents shall be reduced?

As promised in the reply of the 18th January, I have had inquiries made into the matter, and I hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that it is the custom of the Scottish National Housing Company at Rosyth garden city to charge increased rent from men who have been discharged from the dockyard and are unemployed; and, seeing that this is in violation of an arrangement previously arrived at whereby no increase of rent would be charged until the men had found employment outside the dockyard, will he inquire into the matter?

I have had inquiries made and I am advised that it is not the custom of the Scottish National Housing Company to charge increased rents to men living in the Rosyth garden city who have been discharged from the dockyard and have failed to obtain other employment. 35 discharged employés now resident in the garden city are paying increased rents consequent upon obtaining fresh employment. Of these two are again out of work, but my hon. Friend will realise that it is not practicable to adjust rents every time a man becomes unemployed or re-employed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to set up a Costings Committee with a view of keeping control on materials and dilution of labour used in building houses for the people to the same extent as was done successfully in providing munitions of war?

The questions of cost of materials and of augmentation of labour are engaging the attention of a Joint Committee of employers, operatives and manufacturers engaged in the building industry, and I await their report before deciding what further action may be required. In the meantime, the Committee to survey prices of materials is continuing the work for which they were appointed.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any evidence that manufacturers of building materials have at any time enforced higher prices against municipalities than against private builders for such materials?

No such evidence has been brought to the knowledge of my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Merton and Morden Urban District Council have decided by a majority of one to sell their houses on the Whatley and Claremount estates, and that the tenants have protested against this both by resolutions and petition on the ground that if the property is sold, the tenants may be dispossessed and the rents may be substantially increased, in view of the fact that the Rent Restriction Acts do not apply; and whether his Department is continuing the policy of encouraging local authorities to sell houses erected by them?

I have not at present received an application for my approval of the sale of the houses on the estates in question. Proposals for the sale of houses by local authorities are considered on their merits, and I should certainly not be prepared to approve proposals involving the dispossession of tenants or increase of rents.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of his Department to allow the War Office houses at Norton, Worcester, to remain unoccupied indefinitely should they not be required for public purposes, and should the Department be unable to dispose of the whole of the 28 years' lease of the property?

I have now ascertained that these houses will still be required for public purposes. The question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of unoccupied buildings suitable for dwelling-houses belonging, or the lease of which belongs, to his Department?

I regret that this information is not available, and I do not think that the cost of compiling it would be justified. The re-allocation and disposal of unoccupied premises is a question under constant review, and if the hon. Member has any specific case in mind, I shall be very glad to consider it and to communicate with him further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, under the scheme now contemplated for making Didcot the main depot for general stores, it is proposed to alter materially the general character of the suggested buildings; and whether, in any case, he will satisfy himself that the local housing accommodation is sufficient for the workmen who will be permanently engaged?

The scheme referred to does not contemplate the provision of any additional storehouses or the alteration in the general character of the existing buildings. The provision of additional housing accommodation for civilian employés is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he can give details of the actual programme for increasing the Air Force which he inherited from his predecessor in office, and which he is now carrying out?

I will deal with this subject in my statement on Air Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is proceeding with the scheme approved by the late Government for reorganising the anti-aircraft defences of these shores; and whether he is including the necessary sum for this purpose in his Estimates?

The answer to both parts of the question is generally in the affirmative. I hope to deal with the matter in introducing the Army Estimates on Thursday next.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the protest made at a mass meeting of the commercial community of Malta, convened by the Chamber of Commerce at Valetta on the 19th of February, against the continuance of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute in Malta as a trading body; whether requests have been made for its withdrawal; whether he is aware of the local feeling that the institute has been stifling individual commercial enterprise and impoverishing the island, and that similarly in this country shippers, as from the port of Liverpool, have, through the operations of this institute, had their trade with the island reduced and in some causes destroyed; and whether he will lay papers on the Table showing the trading operations of this body, and say what other action he proposes to take?

My attention has been drawn to the subject, though I am not aware that the operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute at Malta have had the effects suggested in the question. The trading operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute are conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the corporation. Perhaps I ought to inform my right hon. and learned Friend that under their Articles, the institutes are limited to trading operations with Members of His Majesty's forces, their wives and families, and in certain cases civilians employed with the forces. Their operations are solely for the benefit, comfort and well-being of His Majesty's forces throughout the world. In these circumstances I see no reason to take any action which will limit the scope of its trading as allowed by the charter of its constitution.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, having regard to the number of discharges still taking place at Woolwich Arsenal, he is likely to make at an early date any special proposals for obtaining work for many old hands who have rendered efficient service for many years?

I regret I am not in a a position to make any special proposals. I would, however, point out that no discharges except on account of age or other special causes are at present taking place from the factories. The discharges from the Army Ordnance Department are necessitated by reduction of work, but in selecting men for discharge due regard will be paid to length of service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of setting up in the Army, for the benefit of non-commissioned officers and men, similar machinery to that which exists in the Navy for the representation of the legitimate claims and grievances of the lower deck?

No, Sir. One of the duties that is performed by all officers is the superintendence of the welfare of the rank and file. The existing procedure for the redress of any individual grievance under Section 43 of the Army Act has worked satisfactorily. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction with the procedure, and I see no reason to change the system.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the privilege of recommending candidates for nomination to cadetships at Sandhurst and Woolwich will be extended to all secondary schools; and, if this will not be the case, will he state upon what principle the privilege will be granted?

The privilege in question is extended to all secondary schools approved by the Army Council as complying with paragraph 32 of the Regulations, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. There are at present about 115 such schools, and the purpose of the Regulations is to secure that any school may be approved which educates boys satisfactorily in the subjects of the Army Entrance Examination, and which maintains an efficient contingent of the Officers' Training Corps.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government is still carrying on, and intends to carry on, the existing secret service?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service Vote on Account for 1924–25 (House of Commons Paper 30 of 1924), which included a sum of £75,000 on account of a total estimate of £180,000 for Secret Service (Class II, Vote 33).

asked the Home Secretary whether, since the passing of the Public Meetings Act, 1908, and regarding Parliamentary and other elections, respectively, any and, if so, how many prosecutions have taken place; how many individuals have been prosecuted; in how many prosecutions have there been convictions and how many individuals have been convicted; and what amount of fines have been imposed and how many individuals have been disfranchised?

There have been 63 prosecutions in all under the Act, but I have no information as to the facts of individual cases nor the results of the proceedings.

asked the Home Secretary whether the stokers and other employés engaged in and about prisons in the Metropolitan area are allowed to be members of their respective trade unions; what methods are employed for recruiting men for this service, whether from Employment Exchanges or through application to the Prison Commissioners; what machinery is in existence for the fixing of wages and conditions of service; and what are the wages paid to such stokers and workmen other than warders and officials?

No temporary officer is ever asked whether he belongs to a trade union. Appointment of temporary officers rests with the governors of the prisons, who, if necessary, apply to the local Employment Exchange to fill vacancies. "Free" workmen, (i.e., those employed on buildings, etc.) are paid at rates observed for the trade in the district. Others (i.e., temporary officers engaged as stokers, night patrols, etc.) receive payment at the rate of 4s. a day, plus a bonus varying from 3s. to about 3s. 3d. a day. The pay of temporary officers is fixed by the Treasury.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state as to the number of separate places of detention provided or approved by the police authorities in England and Wales under Section 108 of the Children Act, 1908, for boys and girls, respectively, whether provision is made by all police authorities, and if definite arrangements have been made and approved for all petty sessional divisions; and if he can give information as to the type of accommodation approved for boys and girls, respectively, in such places of detention, classified as follows: In specially constructed premises; in living houses, etc, adapted for the purpose; in industrial schools; in workhouses or workhouse buildings; in police stations or on police premises; and in voluntary homes or institutions?

It appears from the information in my possession that practically all police authorities have either provided places of detention or made arrangements for the reception of children as required. The number of cases, however, in many areas is so small that the provision of special premises is out of the question. I regret that I cannot give a complete classification of the accommodation provided, but a descriptive summary was given in Part IV of the Report of the Children's Branch of the Home Office issued last April. I will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General how an estimate is made of the number of 2d. stamps that are sold for purposes of receipts for payments; is the sale of all stamps included in the Post Office revenue; and will he recommend that in future a special stamp of the value of 2d. is issued for receipt purposes alone?

The estimate, which is necessarily rough, is based upon a number of factors, including the known produce of the receipt stamp duty, when a separate stamp was used therefor. The amount so arrived at is deducted from the gross revenue of the Post Office and paid over to the Inland Revenue. The use of postage stamps for receipt stamp duty is a convenience to the public, and I am not prepared to recommend its withdrawal.

asked the Postmaster-General to state the names and emoluments of the scale-payment sub-offices in Edinburgh and district which have emoluments in excess of £250; and whether he will take steps to have such offices converted into salaried sub-offices in accordance with the recommendation of the Holt Committee?

There are 13 scale-payment sub-offices in the Edinburgh district where the basic emoluments, including allowances, exceed £250. I will send a list to the hon. Member. As regards the question of conversion to salaried status, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on this subject on the 26th February.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Government is aware that in the agreement made between the Marconi Company and the Governments of South Africa and Australia it is provided that the wireless telegraph rates are to be at least one-third lower than the cable rates at present prevailing; and whether, in the event of the Post Office conducting these services in this country, he is prepared to give a similar undertaking?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The Post Office is prepared to co-operate in the contemplated reduction, on the understanding that the net wireless rate per word will be equally divided between the station in this country and the station in South Africa or Australia taking part in the communication.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the revenue and expenditure on the Post Office wireless stations at Leafield, Cairo and Northolt for the nine months ended December, 1923?

The revenue and expenditure in respect of the Post Office wireless stations at Leafield, Cairo and Northolt for the nine months

—			Leafield.		Cairo.		Northolt.
			£		£		£
Revenue	…	…	30,296		7,071		4,360
			£33,211	Running costs, £22,438.	£33,526	Running costs, £20,955.	£7,830	Running costs, £3,923.
Expenditure	…	…		Interest and Depreciation, £10,773.		Interest and Depreciation £12,571.		Interest and Depreciation, £3,907.

Further particulars as to the financial position of these stations are given in the recent report of the Imperial Wireless Telegraphy Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate the great and growing dissatisfaction with the restriction of postal facilities of all sorts throughout the whole country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the inconvenience arising owing to the inability of his Department to meet the requests for telephonic connections in the neighbourhood of Golder's Green; and can he make some announcement as to when the applications which his Department have received can be dealt with?

The difficulty in providing telephone service in the neighbourhood of Golder's Green will be removed early next month when the new exchange designed to serve that locality will be brought into use.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of officers employed in connection with the examination and collection of duties on post parcels in London in the year 1920–21, and the number of such officers so employed since the introduction of the reparations and safeguarding of industries duties; and how long these parcels are being detained for examination?

The information is as follows:—

Officers employed in 1920–21:—
Customs	85
Post Office	85
Officers employed at present:—
Customs	178
Post Office	126

The period of detention, for examination by the Custom Authorities, of parcels subject to reparations and safeguarding of industries duties varies from two to seven days according to the promptitude with which the importers furnish the information required by the Customs Authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to transfer the telephone exchange from the head post office at Pickering to a neighbouring building, which is reached by a low covered passage walled in by warehouses and similar buildings; whether he is aware that the proposed premises are lit on one side only and that high buildings are within five feet from the windows; and whether, seeing that on the retirement of the present postmaster, who is within a few months of the termination of his service, the present head post office will be entirely devoted to official purposes, there is any reason for the proposed transfer to the unsuitable and unhealthy building which his Department has in mind?

Arrangements are being made to remove the Pickering Telephone Exchange from the post office to separate premises, which have been taken on lease for the purpose. The space in the post office occupied by the Exchange, as well as that at present used as an official residence, is required for urgently needed improvements in the post office accommodation. It is the case that the new Exchange premises receive natural lighting from one side only, and that the approach is by a covered passage. These conditions are, however, not unusual in this part of the country; and I am assured that the natural lighting will be adequate and that there is no foundation for the statement that the premises are unhealthy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the two thefts of mails from the railway booking office at Radlett last month, where it is the usual practice for the mail bags to be left through the night in the railway booking office; and whether, seeing that Radlett is now a place of sufficient size and importance to warrant the provision of a regular post office in place of the existing arrangement, he will look into the matter?

The mails were placed in the railway booking office on their arrival by train at 12.15 a.m. until called for by the postman. Other arrangements have now been made. The question of replacing the existing sub-office at Radlett by a Crown Office has been considered, but the circumstances are not at present such as to justify the heavy increase in expense which would be incurred.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for a demonstration within the precincts of this House of the latest developments in wireless?

I regret I am not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's proposal.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can accelerate the morning delivery of letters in Bridge-of-Weir, Renfrewshire, as under the present arrangements many daily travellers to Glasgow leave Bridge-of-Weir about 8.45 a.m. and have no opportunity of seeing their morning letters until their return in the evening?

The mails are received at Bridge-of-Weir by the first train in the morning which arrives at 6.55 a.m. The delivery commences at 7.45 a.m. and in present circumstances I am afraid no material acceleration is practicable; but the local arrangements are being looked into.

asked the Postmaster-General the wages and hours of the sub-post office assistants at Craigellachie, Cullen, Wooler, Scourie, and Dunragit?

At Craigellachie two assistants receive wages of 23s. and 21s. a week respectively and work 7½ hours daily. At Cullen the assistant is paid 20s. 11d. and works 46½ hours a week. At Wooler two assistants are paid 20s. and 15s. respectively, and their normal attendance is 8 hours a day. Both these assistants have been engaged within the last six weeks. At Scourie the assistant is paid £20 a year, with free board and lodging, and she works from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with intervals for meals. At Dunragit the assistant is a relative of the sub-postmistress, and the remuneration and hours of attendance are a matter of family arrangement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to give greater facilities than exist at present to the public for the purchase of postage stamps at places other than post offices?

Licences for the sale of postage stamps are issued freely and without charge wherever there is a demand. If the hon. Member will give me details of any case in which a licence appears to him to have been unjustifiably withheld, I shall be glad to inquire into it.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the large number of disabled ex-service trainees in the electrical industry who are unemployed and the difficulty experienced by the Industrial Training Department of the Ministry of Labour in placing these men, whether he can see his way to give preference to ex-service trainees in any vacancies that may arise?

Preference for employment in the Post Office Engineering Department is given, as far as practicable, to disabled ex-service men trained in Government instructional factories, but the number of such men who can be provided for is limited, as openings are available only for men qualified in certain branches of electrical work.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of disabled men being trained in Government instructional factories; the number of applicants Awaiting acceptance; and whether he is prepared to increase the number of instructional factories?

I have been asked to reply. The number of men in training in Great Britain in Government instructional factories is 4,694, and the number on the waiting list for training is 1,939. The corresponding figures for Ireland are 515 and 2,506 respectively. Many of the men on the waiting list are not yet available for training. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 7th March.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the modification, if any, in the administration of his Department; and, if so, whether such modification will assist in retaining any of the men now under notice?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a definite statement in regard to the various modifications of war pensions administration to which he is giving consideration, but a temporary increase of work consequent upon the introduction of revised procedure in connection with the review of pre-War dependence pensions has made it necessary to extend or cancel a number of the notices of discharge given to ex-service men. This increase is of a temporary character and will not permit of the retention of the men in question for more than a limited period.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of ex-service men under notice of dismissal in his Department; whether any arrangements have been made to prevent such dismissals; whether he had considered the proposals to bring the working hours of his Department down to 42 as in numbers of other Departments; whether offers of alternative employment have been made; and, if so, the number to whom such offers have been made?

There are at present 193 ex-service men employed in various centres, mainly provincial, who are under notice of discharge expiring, for the greater part, at the end of this month; 109 of the men have been recommended for transfer, and I hope at an early date to be in a position to state to what extent alternative employment can be offered to them. The question of working hours referred to by the hon. Member is being considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions if alternative employment offered to any man in his Department now under notice of dismissal will involve general removal expenses and railway fares; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that the men concerned are in receipt of wages in the majority of cases under £3 per week, steps will be taken with the Treasury to secure that such expenses shall be borne by the State?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to undertake to pay the removal expenses of those redundant members of the staff who may be offered transfer as an alternative to discharge. The general Civil Service rule dealing with this question was explained by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle West (Captain Ramage) on the 26th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis who made application for extra nourishment during the last three months ending the year 1923; and the number of such applications granted?

My right hon. Friend's inquiries are not yet completed, but so far as they have gone no fresh applications for special diet were received during the period mentioned.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of John Davis, of Penlau House, Barmouth, on behalf of whom an application for a need pension was made in November last; whether he is aware that no action was taken till the 16th of January, when an inquiry officer investigated the case, and that, although the Report of this officer was sent to Cardiff on the 22nd January, no communication was received until the 27th February, and then only in reply to an inquiry; and whether he will take steps to inquire into and report upon the cause of this delay?

My right hon. Friend regrets the delay that has occurred in this case. A pension at the rate of 6s. a week is now, however, being awarded to Mr. Davis on the ground of pecuniary need.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the fact that coal costing 46s. a ton is now being burned in South Wales and for hewing it the colliers receive 2s. 6d. per ton; and whether he can explain how it is that in the district where the cost of transport is negligible there is such a difference between the two figures quoted?

The wages paid to hewers in South Wales amount to more than 2s. 6d. per ton, and hewers' wages and railway rates are only two of many items in the costs of production and distribution.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a further 6 per cent. reduction of wages became operative to a large number of miners in the Somerset coalfield as from 28th February, 1924; that the price of coal has increased considerably to the consumer; and to ask what steps the Government propose to take to secure a satisfactory settlement in the mining industry in view of the fact that the miners are particularly desirous of effecting a settlement on equitable terms without resort to a strike or lock-out?

As regards the first part of the question I am aware that the wages percentage in the Radstock division of the Somerset coalfield has fallen by 6 or 7 points, as a result of the ascertainment for the months of November and December last. As regards the last part of the question I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave on 27th February to the hon. Members for Broxtowe (Mr. G. Spencer) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give any figures as to the number of unemployed persons, not normally employed in road work, who this winter have been engaged directly, or through the Employment Exchanges or other agency, on road work financed in part out of the Road Fund; and the approximate number of men so employed on the last day of January, 1924?

In order to carry out necessary work at a time when the depression in general trade leaves a large number of men unemployed, highway authorities in all parts of the country have, during the past winters, considerably extended their normal programmes of road maintenance and improvement, with the assistance of grants from the Road Fund. Owing to the wide distribution of these works, I regret that it is quite impossible to give any figures of the number of unemployed persons, not normally employed in road work, who have been engaged on these works during the past winter. The only figures available are those of men, engaged through the Employment Exchanges, on works of new road construction and major improvements, which have been definitely expedited with the assistance of grants from the Road Fund, for the relief of unemployment. The average number of men so employed during the past winter has been between 12,000 and 13,000, and the number at the end of January last was 12,027.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the grant of £30,000 for drainage work in relief of unemployment and for the permanent improvement of the land in Scotland will be increased in the forthcoming year?

The sum of £30,000 available to the Board of Agriculture for grants towards such unemployment works during the current season has recently been increased by £15,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any awards are made by the Special Grants Committee, or from any other funds under his control, to a pensioner whose pension is only 8s. per week but who is unable to follow his usual employment and is therefore debarred from receiving unemployment pay, and who is also debarred from receiving national health insurance because the medical referee certifies him as fit for light work or such work as is not available?

The reply is in the negative. At the same time, I may, perhaps, remind my hon. Friend of the provisions of Section 1 (4) of the Unemployment Insurance (Amendment) Act of last Session, which meets, in some measure, the class of case he has in view.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken by the Government to strengthen and replace, if necessary, road bridges in the country which may not be fitted to carry modern heavy traffic; whether these bridges are scheduled; and, in that case, how many of them there are and by whom the majority of them are owned?

Provision is made every year in the Road Fund budget for assisting local authorities in the reconstruction and strengthening of road bridges. In addition to this normal provision, a special allocation of £1,750,000 has been made during the current financial year towards bridge works which could usefully be expedited for the relief of unemployment, No schedule is available of bridges needing reconstruction or of the persons or bodies responsible for their maintenance.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the putting of the Harborough rural district roads into effective repair would cause an increase in the district rate of not less than 6s. in the £, and would thereby increase the rent charged to the agricultural labourers, in receipt of wages of 27s. per week, by from 9d. to 1s. 6d. per week; and whether he will give an adequate grant to the rural district concerned and to other councils in similar circumstances?

I believe the calculations in the first part of the hon. Member's question are based on the assumption that all the works would be paid for out of revenue during the course of one financial year. By means of a loan the expenditure could, of course, be spread over a number of years. Large sums have been specially set aside for the improvement of roads in rural areas, and grants of £5,090 have been made to the Market Harborough Rural District Council in respect of works estimated to cost £7,637.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increase of traffic passing through Hyde Park as a result of the admittance of taxi-cabs, he will consider the placing of a constable on point duty at Stanhope Gate and Grosvenor Gate, respectively, for the safety and convenience of pedestrians?

This is a question which concerns also my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works. The constables formerly employed at the points mentioned were withdrawn, at the request of the First Commissioner, as a measure of economy, but the question is being examined afresh by my right hon. Friend in the light of the altered circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can see his way to arrange that all school children who wish to visit the British Empire Exhibition as members of their respective schools and in charge of a teacher be admitted free or at a reduced entrance fee?

This matter lies within the province of the Board of Management of the exhibition. I understand that they have already fixed a reduced scale of admission charges for school children.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the great difficulties experienced by the inhabitants of the island of Lismore, a few miles from Oban, by the lack of steamer communication; and will he take steps to remedy it?

I am aware that the inhabitants of Lismore are dissatisfied with the existing means of communication with the mainland by steamers and motor boats. I regret, however, that I can hold out no hope of financial assistance being granted from public funds for the improvement of the existing services.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the great difficulties experienced by the people at Bunessan and neighbourhood, Isle of Mull, Argyll, by the lack of steamer communication; and will he take steps to secure the resumption of the pre-War service to Bunessan?

I understand that the only steamer which calls regularly at Bunessan is the "Dunara Castle," which calls there on her outward and inward voyages from and to Glasgow. Before the War the steamer from Oban, which served Tiree, used to continue her run to Bunessan, but this is not now practicable under the altered arrangements for the island services. Mails and passengers for Bunessan from Oban are now conveyed to Salen by steamer and thence by mail motor to Bunessan. This may, in some respects, be less advantageous to the people at Bunessan and neighbourhood than the pre-War arrangement, but I regret that I can hold out no prospect of financial assistance being given for the resumption of the pre-War steamer service to Bunessan.

asked the Minister of Agriculture at what British ports veterinary surgeons are stationed; whether it is the universal practice that a veterinary certificate is granted before horses are embarked for export, showing that the animals are in good health and in every way fit to travel by rail and sea; and whether the veterinary surgeons who may be appointed for this service are whole-time inspectors or are engaged in private practice also?

Veterinary inspectors of the Ministry are stationed at all the ports in Great Britain from which horses are authorised to be shipped to the Continent of Europe, namely, Leith, Goole, Hull, Harwich, London, Folkestone, and Southampton. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, except that the precise wording of the veterinary certificate is that prescribed by the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, which is, that the horse is capable of being conveyed and disembarked without cruelty and also capable of being worked without suffering. The inspectors employed at Goole, Hull, Harwich, London, and Folkestone are whole-time veterinary inspectors of the Ministry, but in the temporary absence of such inspectors qualified local practitioners are employed as inspectors to act for the whole-time officers. At Leith, a Professor of the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh, acts as inspector of the Ministry, and at Southampton, where only a few horses are shipped, all of which are of a high class, a local practitioner has been appointed inspector.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his Department is carrying out any method of inspection at the ports of cattle arriving from Ireland and Canada; and, if so, what is the proportion of bruised and broken cattle due to overcrowding and bad packing?

The conditions, designed for the "protection of animals at sea," under which animals may be carried from Ireland and Canada to this country are laid down in the Animals Transit and General Order of 1912 in the case of the former, and the Importation of Canadian Cattle Order of 1923, in the case of the latter. Animals from either country may land only at specified ports, where they are examined by Inspectors of the Ministry as they land or immediately afterwards. In 1923, out of 808,160 cattle imported from Ireland, only 1,166 or 1·4 per 1,000 died or were seriously injured at sea, while similar casualties among 40,479 Canadian cattle amounted to 54 or 1·33 per 1,000. The Ministry does not, and could not, keep a record of bruised cattle, as, in most instances, the bruising is only discoverable after the animals have been slaughtered, when they have passed out of the care of the Ministry's Inspectors.