asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the cost of the new equipment changes in the Army, especially the introduction of the sporran and spats?

The total initial cost is estimated at £104,100, of which £65,600 represents value of stocks in hand and £38,500 is cash expenditure. The normal annual additional cost will be £7,800, but for the first three years the annual cost will be higher, as garments of the old pattern in stock will require alteration. The cost of issuing sporrans and spats is respectively £5,150 and £1,260, out of which £1,780 represents the value of issues from available stock.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there are any occasions and, if so, what occasions upon which service officers and men are allowed to wear unofficial insignia, such as the shamrock and the leek, when in uniform; and whether he will give a list of the emblems which are officially recognised?

Units are permitted to wear the national flower or emblem on their headdress on the following occasions:

• St. George's Day—English Units.
• St. Andrew's Day—Scottish Units.
• St. David's Day—Welsh Units.
• St. Patrick's Day—Irish Units.

These emblems may also be worn by English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish soldiers serving in other units. All ranks when not on duty are authorised to wear a poppy on the uniform headdress on the anniversary of Armistice Day. Individual units have also been authorised from time to time to wear other emblems on particular anniversaries, but I am not in a position to give a complete list of such authorities without more research than would, I think, be justified.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the complaints concerning the rate of remuneration paid to men engaged in the storehouses at the Royal Arsenal, and that they are not given the same privileges as the recognised clerical workers in the main offices; and whether he is prepared to take such steps as will improve their conditions and give them recognition as clerks?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Palmer).

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps, in conjunction with the Department of the Secretary of State for War, to see that the attention of unemployed skilled men is drawn to the opportunities afforded by the technical branches of the services for which recruiting is still unsatisfactory?

I have been asked to reply. The fact that skilled tradesmen are required for the Regular Army is advertised regularly in the London morning and evening newspapers, and in the provincial, daily, evening and weekly newspapers. In addition, copies of a leaflet entitled, "Opportunities in His Majesty's Army," which sets forth the trades required by the Army, are available at all post offices throughout the United Kingdom, and copies of a booklet entitled, "The Army and what it offers to Skilled Tradesmen," can be seen in almost all working men's clubs and public libraries.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action the Government proposes taking on the Report of the Laurence Committee on Army Accountancy?

The recommendations made in this Report are of a far-reaching character, and I am not yet in a position to say what action the Government will take on them. Meanwhile the Report is in the possession of the House, and I shall be interested to hear in the course of the Debate on the Army Estimates on Thursday any views which Members may have formed upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the reduction, with effect from 1st July, 1924, to which officers' pay is to be subject; and how the calculation as to the amount of the third reduction has been arrived at?

My right hon. Friend proposes to deal with this subject in his statement on the Army Estimates to-morrow?

asked the Minister of Pensions why ex-Private Samuel Roberts, No. 597,702, Labour Corps (6/MR/5,054), has not been granted a further pension, seeing that his appeal to the House of Lords Appeal Tribunal, against the decision of the Ministry that his disability was too small to assess, was allowed, and also seeing that he has been certified by two local Shrewsbury doctors as being totally unfit to follow his employment?

Since the Tribunal's decision, this man has been examined by two medical boards (both of which included specialists), but neither board found any disablement from the accepted disability. I propose, however, to arrange for his admission to hospital with a view to further medical consideration of his case.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will direct a Return to be made of the number of cases in the North-Western regional area during the last 12 months where the medical disability of the pensioner has been reduced from valvular disease of the heart to dis- ordered action of the heart, with consequent reduction of pension; and the number of appeals from such reductions and the proportion thereof which were successful?

I regret that this information is not available, and could not be obtained without an examination of all the individual files, thus seriously impeding the normal work of the awards branch of the region. In view of this fact and of the additional labour and expense involved, I am not at present prepared to undertake the task. I may perhaps explain that a change of diagnosis is never made without the opinion of a specialist on the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Martin, wife of the late Sergeant Martin, 4th Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in the War, whose pension has been cut down from 40s. per week to 23s. 4d. per week owing to her son, an apprentice, having received an increase of wages from 10s. to 12s. per week; that Mrs. Martin was refused a grant of 5s. per week from the Special Grants Committee recommended by the local war pension committee; and whether he will consider a modification of the Ministry's interpretation of nominal wages, as laid down in the Royal Warrant for the continuation of children's allowances, in order to discourage the inclination of pensioners not to allow their sons to receive wages of over 10s. per week?

I am looking into this matter, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in California, Canadian cattle that pass over the border in sealed trucks to the port of shipment are now stopped; and whether, in view of the fact that preventing Canadian fat cattle being shipped to British ports for immediate slaughter means enforced unemployment to thousands of workers and increased prices for meat, he will take steps to have the order cancelled?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, Canadian fat cattle can still be shipped direct to Great Britain from Halifax and other Canadian ports, and, in any event, the number of fat cattle imported from Canada forms such a small proportion of the total number slaughtered in this country that the stoppage of the trade from United States ports is unlikely to have any appreciable effect upon employment or on the price of meat. In view of the necessity of taking every possible precaution against the introduction of disease, I regret that I cannot see my way to rescind the Order, under which the importation of cattle from the United States is prohibited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number and percentage of failures among smallholders under the three classes of holdings, respectively, and the number of ex-service and other applicants at present requiring small holdings?

—	Service and Ex-Service Men. No. of applications made on or before 1st December, 1920.	Service and Ex-Service Men. No. of applications made after 1st December, 1920.	Civilians. No. of applications.	Total.
Applicants approved and not yet provided with holdings.	4,792	1,324	4,325	10,441
Applicants waiting interview or standing over.	1,263	3,373	4,182	8,818

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the number of counties in which rents under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act have been, or are being placed on a permanent basis; and what have been the percentage reductions of the aggregate rent rolls of post-War small holdings allowed at each of the half-yearly audits in the last three years?

The latest information in the possession of the Ministry regarding the failure of statutory smallholders is contained in the Report on the Present Position and Future Prospects of Ex-Service men settled on the Land in England and Wales published by the Stationery Office last year. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member, from which he will see that the number of failures amongst statutory smallholders provided with holdings during the period 1908–14 was about 4 per cent. of the 14,000 men settled. Up to Lady Day, 1923, the total number of ex-service tenants who, for financial and similar reasons, had left holdings provided since the Armistice under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts, 1908–19 was 1,205 out of 18,600, or 6·5 per cent. During the same period 21 out of 360 men provided with holdings under the Small Holding Colonies Acts had left for the above-mentioned reasons. The following table gives the position as at 16th January last of the number of applicants requiring small holdings:(

In 52 (out of 62) administrative counties in England and Wales the rents of small holdings acquired since the Armistice have been or are being permanently reduced. In some counties the rents of all the holdings have been reviewed, while in other counties rents of particular holdings only have been reviewed. The percentage reduction and temporary abatements of the aggregate rent rolls of post-War holdings allowed at each of the half-yearly audits during the last two and a-half years were:

Michaelmas, 1921	5 per cent.
Lady Day, 1922
Michaelmas, 1922	20 per cent.
Lady Day, 1923	21 per cent.
Michaelmas, 1923	20 per cent.

The Ministry has no information regarding abatements, if any, allowed in respect of the half-year to Lady Day, 1921.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number, total acreage, initial cost of land and equipment, and

—	Number of individual holdings provided.	Total area of land acquired and still retained.	Initial cost of land purchased for Small Holdings.	Cost of Equipment.	Total Annual Rent Roll as at Michaelmas, 1923.
I. Small Holdings and Allotments Ads, 1908 to 1919:—	Number.	Acres.	£	£	£
(a) Period 1st Jan., 1908–18th Dec, 1918.	13,803*	200,001	4,619,857	995,000 (approx.).	379,950
(b) Period since 18th Dec., 1918.	18,608	259,427	9,220,798 (excluding costs of acquisition).	5,510,851 (including commitments).	631,283
II. Small Holdings (Colonies) Acts, 1916 and 1918.†	324	5,172	67,000 (approx.).	226,000 (approx.).	29,000
* In addition land has been let to 57 Co-operative Associations, and from information supplied as to 45 of these Associations it appears that in turn they sub-let to 1,234 tenants.
† These figures exclude small holdings transferred by the Ministry, since acquisition, to a County Council, data for which are included under Part I.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will, when introducing the legislation necessary for the institution of agricultural wages boards, introduce in the same Bill a Clause that farm workers shall have a weekly half-holiday from their employment?

I am entirely sympathetic to the proposal that farm workers should have a weekly half-holiday, and I am considering the hest means of securing it. There are certain difficulties in making a half-holiday compulsory by Statute in the case of agriculture, and it may be preferable to deal with it under Regulations to be made by the wages authority.

All land acquired by county councils and the councils of county boroughs for small-holding purposes has been acquired under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts, 1908–19. I assume, however, that the hon. Member desires to have the following particulars which distinguish between holdings provided by councils before the Armistice and since that date:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has be-en drawn to the uncompleted and damaged turrets outside the Palace of Westminster; and whether, in view of the great number of visitors that are expected this year from the Dominions, he will have them completed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I am considering the whole question of the repair of the stonework of the Houses of Parliament, which presents many difficulties. In the meantime I am merely removing detached and dangerous portions of the masonry.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why no ex-service trainees are being employed in the electrical department of the Office of Works; and will the Government give a lead to private firms in the matter of employing disabled trainees?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I gave on Monday to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. B. Morrison).

asked the Minister of Health the approximate amount last year expended by the different unions in Poor Law relief to ex-service men; how many such men were relieved; and to what extent the system of loans by guardians to ex-service men has been adopted throughout the country?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether he can inform the House of the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, receiving out-relief, the number of those resident in workhouses, and the number of those charged to local rates who are in mental institutions?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men and dependants who are in receipt of out-relief; those resident in workhouses; those charged to local rates who are in mental institutions; and whether he can make the necessary financial recommendations to the Cabinet that no destitute ex-service man should be forced to appeal for Poor Law assistance?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 3rd March, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Stranger).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the verdict of the jury in Harnett v. Bond, he proposes to suspend Dr. Bond from acting as lunacy commissioner pending the decision of the Court of Appeal?

Without entering into a discussion of a case which is still sub judice, I would draw attention to the fact that Mr. Justice Lush, in the course of the discussion which took place in Court after the jury had returned their verdict, stated that he agreed that there was no evidence of any dishonesty or mala fides on the part of Dr. Bond. In view of this fact, and of Dr. Bond's long and distinguished record of public service, and his eminent position in the scientific world, I see no reason to take such action as is suggested in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause to be laid upon the Table of the House of Commons the minutes of evidence in the case of Harnett v. Bond before any estimate is submitted to the House for the purpose of indemnifying Dr. Bond; and on what ground this case is being taken to the Court of Appeal at further cost to the public?

The transcript of the shorthand notes of the evidence is extremely bulky, and such copies of it as are available are, I understand, required for the purposes of the proceedings in the Court of Appeal. After the appeal has been disposed of, I will consider whether it is practicable to make the transcript available for the information of hon. Members. The answer to the second part of the question is that the case is being taken to the Court of Appeal in the public interest.

asked the Minister of Health the total sum surcharged against members of the London County Council in connection with children's visits to Shakespeare plays which was remitted by his predecessor; and what was the amount of legal costs, including the district auditor's costs, which were remitted at the same time?

The amount of the surcharge in the case referred to was £2,745. The legal costs, including those of the district auditor, amounted to £216. These costs were not surcharged.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of surcharge, made against members of boards of guardians, or other local authorities, including county councils, during the past five years, have been remitted by him or his predecessors in office; and will he inform the House in how many cases of surcharge during the same period the persons surcharged have been called upon to pay and have obeyed the order, and the total amount which has been recovered for the benefit of the ratepayers?

Complete figures are not available for the year prior to 1st April, 1920. Since that date surcharges by district auditors on members of local authorities were remitted in 354 cases, the total amount remitted being £17,580. During this period in the same class of surcharges sums were recovered for the benefit of the ratepayers in 2,597 cases, the total amount so recovered being £29,480.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the sewer scheme of the Stone and Swanscombe area of Kent, which was sanctioned in 1922 and completed as far as possible, is still unusable because of the failure to sanction the outfall works; that as a result the old cesspool costs are going on, and in addition the Stone and Swanscombe Council have to bear the payment of £950 in interest charges on this unused and unusable sewer; and will he expedite the decision on this matter?

The council have been informed that loans for the disposal works will be sanctioned on receipt of tenders.

asked the Minister of Health the present attitude of the Government with regard to the Spahlinger treatment?

I am anxious to arrange for a scientific investigation of this method of treatment in this country, and have persoNally given Mr. Spahlinger assurances to that effect.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet able to announce the policy of the Government in the matter of smoke abatement?

I am not yet in a position to make a definite announcement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total number of inhabited houses in England and Wales, respectively, in 1921; and what is the number of inhabited houses built in each of these two countries since the 1921 census up to the end of 1923?

According to the 1921 census, the total numbers of structurally separate dwellings occupied by private families, including those temporarily vacant on the census day, were 7,450,405 in England and 528,249 in Wales and Monmouth. The number of houses erected with State assistance since the date of the census to the end of 1923 was:

England	…	152,715
Wales and Monmouth	…	11,318

Complete information is not available as to the number of houses erected during the period in question without State assistance, but according to returns obtained in March and September last year (the former of which did not cover rural districts outside the Metropolitan Police District) 41,533 houses in England and 2,188 in Wales and Monmouth were completed by private enterprise during the year ended 30th September, 1923.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses had been completed by local authorities and private enterprise, respectively, under the Housing Act, 1923, up to 1st February last?

Up to the 1st February last the numbers of houses completed by local authorities and private enterprise under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, were 2,511 and 2,169 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether schemes are still being put forward under the proposals of the Housing Act, 1922; the number of subsidy grants sanctioned in each week since 1st January this year; and if local authorities have been advised by his Department in respect of proceeding under the old proposals or awaiting the new?

Schemes for the provision of houses under the Housing Act, 1923, are still being put forward by local authorities and approved by my Department; I am not advising local authorities that they should await the introduction of new housing proposals. The numbers of houses in schemes authorised by my Department under the Housing Act, 1923, in each week since the 1st January are as follow:

Week ending—
9th January	…	…	…	4,474
16th January	…	…	…	2,300
23rd January	…	…	…	2,252
30th January	…	…	…	1,653
6th February	…	…	…	2,634
13th February	…	…	…	2,327
20th February	…	…	…	3,767
27th February	…	…	…	4,077
5th March	…	…	…	3,229

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any steps specially to facilitate the erection of farmworkers' cottages; and, in that case, whether he can state the average rent at which such cottages ought to be let?

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 if he proposes to introduce legislation prohibiting the demolition of dwell- ing-houses along the lines of the expired Section 6 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919?

I will give my hon. Friend's suggestion full consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether the 30,000 houses of not more than £26 rateable value completed in the provinces in the year ended 30th September, 1923, were of the accommodation and area required for houses for the erection of which public assistance has been given; if so, has he made inquiries as to the conditions which have enabled so many such houses to be erected without public assistance; what these conditions are, and if they are likely to extend in the future so that public assistance will no longer be required?

I am unable to state how many of the houses referred to would fall within the limits of size laid down by the Housing Act, 1923. In some districts houses within the limits of size can readily be erected for sale without assistance and would not, therefore, be eligible for subsidy under the Housing Act. There is, however, no doubt that houses of the size specified by the Housing Act cannot generally be provided either to be sold or let without assistance, and where satisfactory evidence of this is available authority has been given to local authorities to grant subsidies under the Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether the committee on the cost of building materials is still carrying out its duties; and whether he proposes to give any additional powers to the committee?

The question whether there should be any extension of the scope and powers of this committee is under consideration; in the meantime the committee is continuing to obtain information as to changes in the prices of materials.

asked the Minister of Health the price last year and to-day of sheet lead and white lead paint; whether there is any increase in the cost of housing on this account; and whether he has any evidence that the prices are controlled by any lead combine or ring?

The present London prices compared with those in March of last year of sheet lead and white lead paint are as follows, namely:—

		Sheet lead.		White lead paint.
		Per ton.		Per ton.
		£	s.	£	s.
March, 1923	…	38	0	80	15
March, 1924	…	47	10	86	10

The increase in cost of a non-parlour house on account of the rise in cost of lead, including lead pipes, during this period would be approximately £2 17s. There are, in this country, various associations in the lead industry which include amongst their activities the fixing of selling prices. They do not, however, control the price of pig lead which is imported to the extent of about 94 per cent. of its use in this country. The price of pig lead has increased by £8 per ton during the last 12 months.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has yet been called to the serious overcrowding in the villages of Berkshire; and whether he is now in a position to place before the House information of the number of houses in the West Berkshire district found on inspection not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation during 1923, and the number of such houses which are, nevertheless, still occupied?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question on the 5th March. As regards the second part, I understand that the medical officer of health for the West Berkshire United Sanitary District is at present absent from his duties owing to illness, and that his report on housing conditions for the year 1923 has not yet been compiled.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the existing machinery in the Bristol area to produce the type of brick used on housing has a capacity of approximately 35,000,000 bricks per annum; and whether he will ascertain the exact figures for the present annual production?

I am aware of the large capacity of the brickfields in the neighbourhood of Bristol. The question of the relation between present and potential output of brickfields is engaging the attention of the Government in connection with their housing proposals.

asked the Minister of Health if any houses of timber construction have been approved for subsidy under the Housing Acts of 1919 and 1923; if so, what number; and how far such houses have been found satisfactory?

I have no exact record of the number of wooden houses approved for State assistance under the Housing Acts of 1919 and 1923, but the number is very small. No reports are sent to me in regard to houses which give satisfaction, although I sometimes receive complaints in regard to those which do not come up to expectations. These complaints are not confined to houses of any particular form of construction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total number, if any, of unoccupied buildings suitable for dwelling-houses belonging, or the lease of which belongs, to the Admiralty?

The Admiralty have no unoccupied buildings which could suitably be adapted as dwelling houses without incurring prohibitive expenditure.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a case of extreme hardship which will be caused by the execution of an eviction order served on John Teck, of Bearwood Hill Road, Burton-on-Trenit, who has occupied the same house for 44 years, and whose daily work and livelihood is bound up in this house, seeing that he carries on his trade at this house; and to inquire whether the order can be stayed in view of the great hardship and loss involved?

This is not a matter in which I can take any action. I have no power to interfere with eviction orders issued by the Courts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether preference will be given to ex-service actors in connection with all plays or entertainments given at the British Empire Exhibition; and whether ex-service men will be employed in all military pageants?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition Authorities that no plays will be given at the Exhibition, but I am asking that special consideration shall be given to the claims of ex-service actors in connection with any entertainments in which their services could be suitably utilised. With regard to the second part of the question, a series of massed band concerts will be performed my military bands, and members of His Majesty's Forces will take part in a torchlight tattoo. Troops will also be employed in the Pageant of Empire, but I should explain that the large majority of performers will be volunteers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether it has been decided that none but British subjects will be engaged in any capacity in connection with the British Empire Exhibition?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 4th March in answer to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet (Mr. Harmsworth).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether a contract for all chairs required for the British Empire Exhibition has been placed with an Austrian firm?

The answer is in the negative. I am informed that all chairs for which contracts have been placed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities will be of British manufacture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will inquire as to whether the system of grouped family settlement in Western Australia has been temporarily closed down; and when it is likely to be reopened?

I understand that the Australian authorities in London have been advised that, owing to the winter season, no migrants should arrive for the Western Australian land settlement scheme during June, July and August. The interviewing of applicants under the scheme will be resumed next month, and the hon. and gallant Member may be assured that the stoppage is purely temporary to meet seasonable conditions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the total staff dealing with migration and settlement, and the salary in each case?

The Estimates for 1924–5, which will shortly be published, indicate that the staff of the Oversea Settlement Department of the Colonial Office is 68, and the total cost £20,034. The salaries payable in each case are, with a few minor exceptions, the same as in the Estimates for 1923–4 (Class II, page 50).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of appointing a Consular officer in Montenegro?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Southborough Committee will be given powers to deal with the claim of temporary women clerks to appointment and to further opportunities of appointment to established vacancies allocated to women, in view of the fact that the Lytton Committee Report dealt with establishment facilities for women as well as for men?

I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 10th March to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece), of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can now give an approximate date for the introduction of the Bill dealing with pre-War pensioners?

I regret that I can at present add nothing to the reply given by the Prime Minister on the 10th March to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle) and to the hon. Member for Epping (Sir L. Lyle).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Miners' Federation of Great Britain has made any return to the Registrar of Friendly Societies for the years ended 30th June, 1923, or 31st December, 1923; if so, when he proposes to publish the same; whether such return shows the amount contributed to or transferred to the political fund of the union; and what is the amount so contributed or transferred?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Miners' Federation, not being registered, is under no legal obligation to send returns to the Registrar. The remainder of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders have made any return to the Registrar of Friendly Societies for the years ended 30th June, 1923, or 31st December, 1923; if so, when he proposes to publish the same; if not already published, will he now state whether such return shows the number of members who have claimed exemption from contribution to the political fund and/or the amount contributed to or transferred to such fund; and the numbers or amounts so shown, if any?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the remainder of the question therefore does not arise. The return can be lodged at any time up to the 1st June next.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the general principle of responsibility for the claims of British nationals has been admitted by the Russian Soviet Government; and, if this be the case, on what document or official declaration does he rely as evidence for this admission?

His Majesty's Government consider that the general principle of responsibility for claims of British nationals was admitted in the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement, and this interpretation is further confirmed in paragraph 7 of the Memorandum of the Soviet Government of the 4th June, 1923, which will be found in Cmd. Paper 1890—Russia No. 4 (1923).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give to the House any information as to the continuation or otherwise of the industrial agreements made between German industrialists and the Mission Interallié de Contrôle des Usines et des Mines which expire on the 15th April?

His Majesty's Government are not a party to these agreements, and I am not in a position to give the House any official information concerning their continuation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the crowded state of the carriages on the underground railways and suburban railways between the hours of 8.30 a.m. and 9.15 a.m., and 5 p.m. and 6.15 p.m., more especially on the District Railway between Mansion House to Earls Court, between Earls Court and Piccadilly Circus, and between Ilford and Liverpool Street stations; whether any representations with a view to diminishing overcrowding have recently been made; and, if so, what action is it proposed to take?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 4th March, my information is that the railway companies are doing what they can within the limits of their existing powers to diminish overcrowding. I may add that the London and North Eastern Railway Company are seeking powers in their Bill now before Parliament to carry out widenings which would enable the facilities on the Ilford line to be improved.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that since the railway amalgamation of 1921 there has been a continued shortage of timber wagons at the Hull Docks; and can he take any steps to remedy this condition of affairs?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but I am making inquiries, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give statistics showing the percentage of children receiving a secondary education in Great Britain and in the principal European countries?

The number of pupils in secondary schools of which the Board have official cognizance, namely, (a) grant-earning secondary schools, and (b) secondary schools recognised by the Board as efficient, in England and Wales, on the 1st October, 1923, represents a proportion of 10·8 per thousand of the population. There are, however, a considerable number of important secondary schools which do not belong to either of these classes. As regards foreign countries, the organisation and nomenclature of higher education varies so greatly as between each other and as between them and England, that any inferences drawn from comparative statistics as to the relative extent of their systems of secondary education must be very precarious. Such statistics as are available indicate that the number of secondary school pupils per 1,000 of the population in France in 1922 was about four. The corresponding figure for Belgium, on the 31st December, 1921, was, approximately, 7·5; in Germany at the beginning of 1922, about 12·6; and in Holland, in 1921, about 4·6. But I must repeat that these figures can only be used with great reserve.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when considering the proposed Imperial penny postage, he will bear closely in mind the large number of poor old people, particularly in Scotland, who desire to keep in touch with their families who have had to emigrate to our Colonies in order to earn a livelihood?

I will not lose sight of the consideration mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance to the House that the War Charges (Validity) Bill will not be put-down for Second Reading until a reasonable time has elapsed after the promised Return has been laid upon the Table of the House?

The Return is being laid upon the Table of the House to-day, and I do not think it will be necessary to delay the Ways and Means Resolution or the Second Reading of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the request of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for a Board of Trade inquiry into the wreck of the ketch "Lord Hamilton," with loss of life, on the Goodwin Sands on 12th February has been refused; what measures are proposed to ensure an efficient look-out from the light ships stationed around the Goodwins; and whether on the day of the wreck the Ramsgate lifeboat was delayed because the Board of Trade harbour tug had not steam up?

The only question in this case was whether the coxswain and crew of the lifeboat should have been able in the dusk to see the men in the rigging who were wrapped up in the sail. It was clear from the position in which the anchor and cable of the lifeboat were afterwards found that the lifeboat had been at the wreck itself. After consulting their advisers, the Board of Trade came to the conclusion that there was no evidence of want of diligence or of seaman-like care on the part of the coxswain and crew of the lifeboat, and consequently no reason for incurring the expense of a formal investigation. There is no reason to question the efficiency of the look-out

Year.			Empire trade with Foreign Countries.		Inter-Imperial trade.
			Imports.	Exports.	United Kingdom Imports.	United Kingdom Exports.	Trade between British Countries Overseas.*
			Millions of £'s.
1920	…	…	1,988	1,700	601	565	238
1921	…	…	1,156	899	380	322	155
1922	…	…	1,044†	956†	323	308	117†
* As the imports into one Dominion or Colony appear in the trade returns as exports from another such country, imports only are shown in this column.
† The totals for 1922 are exclusive of the trade of certain Baitish countries for which the trade returns are not yet available. In the year 1921 the trade of those countries with foreign countries amounted in the case of imports to about £6,300,000, and in the case of exports to about £5,400,000. The trade of those countries with other British countries overseas amounted, in 1921, to about £8,400,000.

The following figures show the values of the foreign trade of the United States of America for the same years:—

			Imports.	Exports.
			Million £	Million £
1920	…	…	1,578	2,364
1921	…	…	848	1,185
1922	…	…	781	888

All of the figures given above are inclusive of the value of imports and ex-

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total annual value and volume of the export and import trade of the British Empire and the United States of America, respectively, during 1922 and the two years preceding?

, pursuant his answer (OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th March, 1924; cols. 1451–52, Vol. 170), furnished the following figures:The total values of the import and export trade of the British Empire in the years specified were approximately as follows:ports of coin and bullion. The values of the trade of the United States of America have been converted from dollars to £'s at the average of the rates of exchange quoted in each year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of imported petrol comes from the Anglo-Persian oilfields?

During the year ending 31st December, 1923, 5·4 per cent. of the imports of petroleum spirit into this country were imported direct from Persia. In addition, 320,433,790 gallons of crude oil were imported from Persia to be refined in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of the imports from Germany to this country in 1923; what was the character of these imports; and the value in each case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on the 5th March to the hon. Members for Ilford (Sir F. Wise) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon), copies of which I am sending him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Order in Council, relating to Constitutional reforms in Ceylon, together with the despatches dealing with this subject, will be published as a Parliamentary Paper at an early date?

My predecessor's despatch, dealing with the provisions of the Order in Council, has now been published in a Parliamentary Paper (Cmd. 2062). The Order in Council will be included in the annual volume of Statutory Rules and Orders to be issued shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether there are any commitments, by

—	Battleships.	Battle Cruisers.	Cruisers.	Flotilla Leaders and Destroyers.	Submarines.
British Empire	18	4	48	201	61
U.S.A.	18	Nil	29	309	115
Japan	6	4	28	109	44
France	9	—	16	55*†	48
Italy	7	—	15	63*	43
* Italy has 71 and France 11 torpedo boats in addition.
† France has scrapped one destroyer since 27th February last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what officer is

I can assure my hon. Friend that this country is not now bound by any obligations, over and above those arising out of the Peace Treaties and the Covenant of the League of Nations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what numbers of cruisers were built within the last 12 years or are now in course of construction, and in each case suitable for commerce destruction, are possessed by the navies of the United States of America, Japan, France, and Italy, respectively?

The United States of America have seven such cruisers built and three building, Japan 16 built and six building, Franco four built and three building, and Italy 10 built. All are suitable for commerce destruction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what numbers of battleships, battle cruisers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines are at present on the effective lists of the navies of Great Britain, the United States of America, Japan, France, and Italy, respectively?

The reply is as follows:in direct control of the naval cookery staff in ships when no naval cookery officer is borne?

The accountant officer is in direct control of the naval cookery staff.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if His Majesty's ships "Eagle" and "Royal Oak" are to carry naval cookery officers in their complements; and if he is aware that His Majesty's ships "Royal Sovereign" and "Revenge" bear such officers?

It is not intended that "Eagle" and "Royal Oak" shall carry naval cookery officers in their complements. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the duties performed by warrant cookery instructors, warrant supply officers, and warrant writers are interchangeable; and if he is aware that all three are classed as accountant officers and wear the same uniform?

The duties are not interchangeable, but all three carry out their duties under the direct control of the accountant officer and therefore wear the same uniform.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the complement of naval cook ratings borne in shore establishments is sufficient to carry out the efficient service of the general messing system?

The complement of cooks allowed permanently, together with the cooks borne supernumerary in barracks, has up till recently been sufficient for the efficient service of the general messing system. Owing to the number of supernumerary cooks having lately been depleted by drafting requirements, the question of complements has been under consideration, and an increase of permanent complement has been authorised which will be sufficient for the efficient service of the general messes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many ships of His Majesty's Navy are at present victualled by the general messing system; is it the intention of the Admiralty to introduce the general messing system in all new ships as they are brought into commission; and, if so, will he make a statement as to the precise organisation contemplated, with special reference to the relative duties and responsibilities of the various branches which may be concerned in the management and success of the scheme?

Seven of His Majesty's ships in active commission are at present on the general messing system, and it is the intention to introduce the system in those new ships where conditions admit of its introduction, cither wholly or in a modified form. The relative duties and responsibilities of the various branches concerned are not affected fundamentally by the general messing system, which has been in use in certain shore establishments for a number of years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many of the destroyers now on the effective list have been completed in each of the last 12 years?

The reply is as follows:

Calendar Year.				Number of destroyers completed and which are still on the effective list.
1912	…	…	…	Nil.
1913	…	…	…	Nil.
1914	…	…	…	Nil.
1915	…	…	…	2
1916	…	…	…	27
1917	…	…	…	54
1918	…	…	…	67
1919	…	…	…	42
1920	…	…	…	3
1921	…	…	…	Nil.
1922	…	…	…	2
1923	…	…	…	1

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the five cruisers and two destroyers, for the construction of which the Government proposes to ask Parliamentary sanction, would have been laid down if the pro- gramme of construction had been dictated by the requirements of national defence alone?

If financial circumstances had permitted, the Admiralty would have asked Parliamentary sanction for the construction of the cruisers to have commenced on the scrapping of the vessels they are replacing. The destroyers would in any case have been allowed for in the Estimates to be placed before the House for the financial year 1924–25.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any payment in any form

Annual Value.	Spirit Retailer's "Off."			Beer Retailer's "Off."			Wine Retailer's "Off."
	Rate of Duty.		Number of Licences.	Rate of Duty.		Number of Licences.	Rate of Duty.		Number of Licences.
	£	s.		£	s.
Not exceeding £10	10	0	24	1	10	143	Annual Value, n.e, £20, £2 10s.		379
Exceeding £10 and not exceeding £20	11	10	187	2	0	2,035
							£	s.
Exceeding £20 and not exceeding £30	14	0	603	2	10	4,947	3	0	1,002
Exceeding £30 and not exceeding £50	15	0	1,765	3	0	4,909	3	10	2,525
Exceeding £50 and not exceeding £75	16	0	1,762	3	10	2,072	4	0	2,258
Exceeding £75 and not exceeding £100	17	10	1,349	4	0	1,295	4	10	1,592
Exceeding £100 and not exceeding £250	19	0	1,754	4	10	1,453	5	0	2,120
Exceeding £250 and not exceeding £500	30	0	316	7	0	198	7	0	387
Exceeding £500	50	0	183	10	0	142	10	0	231
			7,943			17,194			10,494

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of excise licences issued during the financial year 1922–23 to publicans and other retailers for the sale of spirits, beer, or wine, respectively, to be consumed on the premises, arranged under each grade of annual value and duty?

The numbers of excise licences issued during the financial year 1922–23 in England and Wales to publicans and other retailers for the sale of spirits, beer, or wine to be consumed on the premises were as follow:—

Spirits retailers, on	…	…	58,733
Beer retailers, on	…	…	22,886
Wine retailers, on	…	…	2,611

I have been asked to reply. Mr. de Mole, an Australian, has been paid a sum of £987 in this connection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of excise licences granted to retailers for the off-sale of spirits, beer, or wine, respectively, in England and Wales during the financial year 1922–23, arranged under each grade of annual value and duty?

The information asked for is as follows:Statistics in respect of grades of annual value and rate of duty are not available.

also asked the Home Secretary if he will grant a Return showing the number of new off-licences by the justices during the years 1905 to 1922 inclusive, in consideration of the voluntary surrender by the applicants of on-licences, and the number so surrendered?

As far as the information desired is available, it is embodied in Tables III (B) and IV (B) of the Annual Volumes of Licensing Statistics. To attempt to make a fresh Return on the subject would involve, inter alia, a laborious search by magistrates' clerks through their records, which I would not feel justified in asking them to undertake.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the War cost in actual money; how much we have received in repayment; and how much is assumed to be owing to us by Germany and by other nations?

The compilation of figures giving the information for which the hon. Member asks involves so many assumptions and qualifications that I am doubtful if the result would be worth the labour involved. But I am considering whether a statement could be compiled showing the approximate net cost of the War to the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received from 1st April, 1923, to date under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The revenue received under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act during the period from 1st

Collector.				Amount of Tithe Rent-charge received during year 1923.			Amount of Commission paid for collection.
				£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Messrs. David & David				69,814	7	4	3,651	4	2
Messrs. James Thomas & Son				52,998	5	1	2,649	18	3
Messrs. H. A. Cleaver & Son				72,368	0	11	2,894	14	0
Messrs. Gillart & Sons				5,853	8	1	234	9	7
Mrs. A. Richard Thomas (half year only)				4,547	0	11	181	17	4
Mr. James Grant (half year only)				816	12	8	32	13	4
Head Office Collection—	£	s.	d.
Through Mr. A. I. Pryce (Local Receiver).	7,630	0	8
Direct Receipts	18,198	0	0
				25,828	0	8	152	10	11
Total			£	232,225	15	8	9,797	7	7

The commission paid to Messrs. David and David and Messrs. James Thomas and Son covers the work involved in the checking of tax and rate assessments and the payment of rates and taxes. Mrs. Richard Thomas' Agency ceased as from 1st July, 1923, and the collection was

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received from Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries duties from 1st April, 1923, to date?

The revenue received under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act during the period from 1st April, 1923, to 29th February, 1924, amounted to £230,000.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total amount of tithe rent-charge received by the Commissioners of Church Temporalities in Wales during 1923; and what firms or persons were engaged in the work, the sum collected by each, and the amount of commission each received for such collection?

The total amount of tithe rent-charge received by the Commissioners of Church Temporalities in Wales during 1923 was £232,225 15s. 8d.; the firms engaged in the work, the sum collected by each, and the amount of commission each received for such collection, are as follow:undertaken directly from the Commissioners' head office. The tithe collected by Mr. James Grant only came under the control of the Commissioners as from 1st July, 1923, and Mr. Grant had collected it for many years previously.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the general feeling as to the non-desirability of inquest proceedings and magisterial investigations in murder and manslaughter cases being conducted approximately at the same time in different courts, and the possible hardships resulting therefrom, he will consider appointing a committee to inquire into the whole matter?

A Bill for amending the law relating to coroners' inquests is now under consideration, and this is one of the many important points which are receiving attention.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the condition to which more than a thousand families have been reduced in the Cleator Moor area-through the continuance of more than three years of trade depression, which has been aggravated recently by the closing down of iron-ore mines; is he aware that these people can no longer subsist upon either Poor Law relief or unemployment benefit; and will he have immediate inquiry made into the physical deterioration which is now becoming widespread in this area, with the object of checking the development of the existing distress?

I am aware generally of the conditions in the Cleator Moor area, but I will have further enquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will see that no overtime in Government establishments is worked, except in exceptional circumstances, where arrangements can be made for additional staff while unemployment remains so acute?

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 Minister of Labour what proportion of the unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges in industrial centres are of the age of 65 and over; what proportion are men of more than middle age; and what proportion are under 40?

Statistics are not normally compiled respecting the ages of claimants to unemployment benefit. In November last, however, an investigation was made of the personal circumstances and industrial history of 10,000 claimants to benefit, selected in such a way as to constitute a representative sample of the whole body of claimants and, with the permission of the hon. Member, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the result of this investigation in so far as it relates to the ages of the claimants. The information available does not enable me to give separate figures for claimants in industrial centres.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to bring agricultural workers within the scope of unemployment insurance; and, if so, whether under the full scheme of the Act or a modified scheme?

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Frome (Mr. F. Gould) on 3rd March, this matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what changes have been made in the regulations which provide unemployment relief for aliens; and whether any categories of aliens are now eligible for such relief who were not eligible under the late Government?

These changes were fully dealt with in the Debate on Monday. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the official memorandum issued to local employment committees on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary the number of aliens who are coming into this country; and whether care is taken to prevent them getting employment to the detriment of the unemployed in this country?

The numbers of aliens given leave to land in this country are shown in quarterly returns presented to Parliament. The latest return, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, is for the last quarter of 1923. As regards the last part of the question, I beg to refer to a number of answers recently given to hon. Members, including the Members for Stourbridge (Mr. Pielou) and Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lamp-son), on the 21st of February and the 6th of March.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that arrangements are made between boards of guardians in the Metropolitan area and the Employment Exchanges within their unions whereby the Employment Exchange officials pay to the guardians lump sums of money which unemployed persons in receipt of outdoor relief may be entitled to receive from the Employment Exchanges, such payments being accumulation of arrears which for various reasons may have accumulated to the credit of persons on outdoor relief; and will he state the totals of such moneys paid to the Poplar Guardians during the past 12 weeks under an arrangement of this nature between the Poplar Board of Guardians and the Employment Exchanges at Stratford and Limehouse?

I am aware of the arrangements referred to, which give effect to Section 14 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1922. The amounts paid to the Poplar Board of Guardians by the Stratford and Poplar (Limehouse) Employment Exchanges during the 12 weeks ended 7th March, 1924, are as follow:

	£	s.	d.
Stratford Employment Exchange	112	19	2
Poplar (Limehouse) Employment Exchange	1,932	0	7

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of a man named Goddard, of Speen, Newbury, who, after contributing 400 payments to unemployment insurance without having drawn any relief, is now paralysed and will never be able to work again, and who has a wife and four children, average age under four, and whose wife has to maintain them on 18s. a week parish relief less anything she may earn; and whether, in view of these facts, he will allow the extra 40 payments to be made in order that payments may be refunded, or what other step he is prepared to take in the circumstances?

I have been asked to reply. Mr. Goddard, in order to qualify for a refund of unemployment contributions, must, in accordance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, and having regard to his ago on entry into insurance, have paid at least 450 contributions. It appears, however, that he has only paid 440 contributions. I have no power to make a refund in such a case, as the conditions laid down by the Act are not satisfied. The 440 contributions cannot be made up to the qualifying minimum of 450 by payment of the value of 10 contributions; contributions are not valid unless paid in respect of insurable work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will furnish a Return showing the administrative expenses in- curred under the Unemployment Insurance Acts for the last financial year, and for such shorter period since that date as there may be information available, specifying those expenses under the various heads, and indicating especially the cost of the local committees, the courts of referees, the umpire, the divisional offices, the claims and records office, the remaining headquarters staff, and the remaining local offices>?

The figures are as follow:

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES incurred under the Unemployment Insurance Acts.
—	1922–23. Provisional Cost.	1923–24. Estimated Cost.
	£	£
Headquarter Offices	288,236	270,100
Divisional Offices	204,897	199,000
Employment Exchanges and Branch Employment Offices.	2,321,464	2,017,700
Claims and Record Office, Kew.	672,863	534,450
Office of the Umpire	4,036	3,700
Courts of Referees	18,769	18,300
Local Committees	34,432	22,750
Payments to Associations towards cost of administration.	149,237	65,000
Gross Total Expenses borne on Ministry of Labour Vote.	3,693,934	3,131,000
Deduct: Appropriations-in-Aid.	23,251	—
Net Total Expenses borne on Ministry of Labour Vote.	3,670,683	3,131,000
Estimated Expenses borne on Votes of other Departments (Post Office, Office of Works, Stationery Office, etc.).	1,014,805	920,000
Total estimated cost of administration of Unemployment Insurance.	4,685,488	4,051,000

These administrative expenses relate not only to the organisation required for collecting contributions and assessing and paying benefit; they include also the whole cost of the Employment Exchanges as placing agencies so far as they deal with insured persons.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that many workers on war munitions were prevented from joining the Army, he will take this fact and their exceptional present unemployment into consideration and give them preference, after ex-service men, on State-aided relief works?

The grant-making Departments already have discretion to allow less than the ordinary minimum of 75 per cent. of ex-service men to be employed in special circumstances, and particularly where the number of such men available is not sufficient on account of the fact that large numbers of men in the area were engaged on munitions work during the War. I think this arrangement sufficiently meets the needs of the case.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can now state the indebtedness of the unemployment insurance fund to the Exchequer in respect of advances made to meet disbursements which the fund itself is not now able to support; and whether he can give any anticipated estimate of the reduction which, during the current year, should be effected in the amount of this indebtedness?

The Exchequer advances to the Unemployment Fund outstanding amount to £11,250,000. No reliable data exist on which to make a forecast such as is asked for in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the United States of America are a party to the International Labour Organisation; and, if not, whether they are under obligation to take cognisance of its conventions?

The United States of America are not a member of the International Labour Organisation, although the States have been associated in an unofficial capacity with certain activities of the Office. They are, however, under no obligation to take cognisance of the draft conventions adopted at sessions of the International Labour Conference.

asked the Minister of Labour which countries have ratified the Eight-Hours Convention; and in which countries where ratification has taken place is the present law of those countries in conformity with the Conventions?

Bulgaria, Czechslovakia, Greece, India and Rumania have ratified the Eight-Hours Convention. In this connection, however, I would invite the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the very full statement given to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. E. Harvey) on 6th March. As regards the second part of the question, it may be assumed that, unless there is definite legislation containing provisions to the contrary, the law of a country which has formally deposited its ratification of a draft Convention is in, or will be brought into, accordance with the terms of that Convention without modification, subject always to the interpretation placed upon it by national law or administration. I cannot accept the responsibility of interpreting the laws of other countries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the instructions of the Government to its representatives at Washington on the occasion of the discussion of the Eight-Hours Convention were to agree to a 48-hours week or to support an eight-hours day?

It is not customary to make public the instructions that are given by the Cabinet to Government delegates at international conferences, and as at present advised I do not propose to depart from this rule in the present case. My hon. Friend is, of course, aware that the British Government delegates voted for the Convention.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the proposed Bill to limit the hours of work to 48 per week will apply to workers in the agricultural industry?

The Washington Hours Convention does not apply to agriculture and is not, therefore, proposed to include that industry within the scope of the Bill.