asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that sub-postmasters at scale-payment sub-offices are required to make an annual return as to the rates of pay of sub-office assistants, he will make arrangements for the tabulation and publication of the information so obtained?

In view of the labour and expense which tabulation and publication of this information would involve, I regret that I do not see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will supply the following particulars with regard to the staff and their remuneration at the sub-offices at Darvel, Galston, and Newmilns: particulars and numbers of the established staff employed in each office, un-established staff paid direct by the Post Office Department, staff employed by each sub-postmaster, the number of hours worked, and the rate of wages in each case?

There are 12 full-time postmen, four at Darvel, five at Galston and three at Newmilns, on scale 18s. to 34s., plus bonus. There is one auxiliary postman at Darvel working 29½ hours a week and receiving 26s. 7d., two at Galston working 34½ and 18½ hours a week and receiving, respectively, 32s. 6d. and 17s. 6d., and one at Newmilns working 18½ hours a week and receiving 14s. 6d. At each of the three offices these is a boy messenger on scale 6s. to 18s. plus bonus. At Darvel there are two assistants working 8½ hours a day and receiving 38s. and 17s., respectively. At Newmilns there is one assistant aged 16 working eight hours a day and receiving 12s. At Galston the only assistant is the sub-postmaster's wife, and relatives also assist at the other offices; in these cases the hours and remuneration are matters of family arrangement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Western Electric Company, Limited, North Woolwich, who are large contractors for his Department, continue to victimise numbers of men of established competency, character, and long service who were locked out by the firm in the overtime dispute in 1922; that most of these men had from 10 to 24 years' service, and that, although this firm has continuously taken on new men, it refuses to re-employ these old members of its staff; and whether he will have this matter inquired into and use his influence with the firm to secure the reinstatement of these men, who have been unemployed for the last two years?

I have no information on this subject, and it is not a matter in which I could intervene.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will restore the chart of delivery tables to the House of Commons Post Office in order that Members can ascertain the approximate time of delivery of letters in London and other areas?

Arrangements are being made for the information to be available on enquiry in the House of Commons Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is yet able to announce his decision with regard to the restoration of penny postage; and whether his advisers have reported in its favour as a revenue-producing policy?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that an application for the installation of a telephone was made at Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, in September, 1923, and that such telephone has not yet been installed; that the applicant, in spite of repeated communications to the authorities at Reading, has received no reply; and whether he will take steps to expedite the installation, to see that such delays do not take place in future, and that replies should be returned to communications of this nature?

Only one application for service at Chalfont St. Giles appears to be outstanding and this dates from the end of February. If the hon. Member will let me have full particulars of the application to which he refers, I will have further inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the development of the Brookfield and adjoining estates, any steps are being taken to open a post office branch in the neighbourhood of Swains Lane, Highgate?

The existing offices in the neighbourhood are within reason able distance of the estates, and are regarded as adequate for present requirements. Additional facilities will be provided as soon as they are warranted by further developments.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to re-establish the practice of guaranteeing, to each place in the country at least one daily delivery of letters; and how many places are without a daily delivery and how many have only three or fewer deliveries a week?

The hon. Member is in error in supposing that a daily delivery of letters has ever been guaranteed to every place in the country. The frequency of service is, and always has been, dependent, to some extent, upon the amount of the postal traffic in any particular locality. A special return would be required before I could furnish the information asked for in the second part of the question; but I will gladly make inquiries about the postal arrangements in any district which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Government has decided to act upon the Report of the Imperial Wireless Telegraphy Committee, 1924; and what immediate action is proposed to complete the Empire wireless chain?

The question is still under consideration. The Government hope to make an announcement on the subject at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that on the occasion of the recent snowstorms Barrow-in-Furness was practically isolated from the outside world, so far as telegraphic and telephonic communication was concerned, for three days, and that the system was not in proper working order for much longer; and whether he can give an explanation of this complete breakdown, and why it is not possible to lay a field-telegraph line within 24 hours to obviate a town of 70,000 people being cut off from the outer world so long?

The damage caused by the snowstorm on the night of the 5th-6th instant was exceptionally severe. In addition to the breakdown of telegraph and telephone communication with Barrow, the main overhead routes were seriously affected, as many as 70 poles and many miles of line being wrecked, and much damage was done to local telephone systems in Barrow and neighbouring towns. All the telegraph and telephone lines serving Barrow run along the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, and the first task of the railway officials was to clear the metals and provide for the safe working of the train service. Railway and Post Office gangs were brought from other towns and by means of temporary cable, telegraph and telephone communication with Barrow was reopened on the afternoon of the 8th instant, although full service was not restored until some days later. I am advised that the restoration of service could not have been hastened by employing field-telegraph cables, even assuming that such cables had been available and were suitable for the purpose I much regret the serious inconvenience caused by the breakdown, but I am satisfied that everything possible was done to restore communication in the most expeditious manner in the face of very great difficulties.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he stated to a deputation from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce that it was desirable to revert to postal deliveries on seven days per week; and whether, before definitely committing himself on such an important question, he will consult his staff and the many public interests concerned?

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Stockport on the 6th instant, I do not propose at present to consider the question of reestablishing a Sunday delivery.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the proposed purchase by the British Broadcasting Company of property at Chelmsford hitherto owned by the Marconi Company, and to the fact that this property is ostensibly purchased in order to establish a broadcasting station which will enable owners of crystal receiving sets to receive transmissions within a radius of 100 miles; whether, under these circumstances, he can account for the geographical choice of position for the new station; and whether the Post Office has been consulted as to the suitability of the price of the location of the proposed purchase?

The British Broadcasting Company have been authorised to conduct experiments in broadcasting from a medium-power station at Chelmsford. The question whether a high-power broadcasting station should be established permanently, and, if so, in what locality, will be considered when the results of the experiments are known. It is understood that Chelmsford would not be a suitable locality for a permanent station of this kind and that the company do not contemplate purchasing property there.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has under consideration any proposals which would involve the transfer of work from the London postal service to the Central Telegraph Office; whether, seeing that such alterations may be prejudicial to the prospects and working conditions of the staff, who have been engaged upon important work for a large number of years, he will issue instructions that any proposals involving the transfer of work from one control to another shall not be introduced until after full and adequate discussion with the Union of Post Office Workers; and whether, having regard to recent experience, he will give an assurance that the views of the union shall not only be sought but shall be taken fully into account before any decision is reached?

Certain telegraph work has recently been transferred from the London Postal Service to the Central Telegraph Office, to which office it was considered more appropriate. No further proposals of the kind are under consideration. Full consideration would be given to all the attendant circumstances, including the expressed views of the staff associations concerned, before any alterations of the kind indicated were brought into force.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will publish the names and business connections of the members of the Post Office Advisory Council, together with their attendances for each year since the institution of the Advisory Council?

The present members of the Advisory Council are as follow:

Sir Arthur Balfour, K.B.E., J.P.

Sir C. C. Barrie, K.B.E., J.P.

F. J. Blakemore, Esq., F.G.I., F.R.S.

The Viscount Burnham, C.H.

W. T. Charter, Esq., J.P., F.C.I.S.

Godfrey Cheesman, Esq., F.R.G.S., F.S.S.

The Right Hon. The Lord Daryngton.

Sir John Dewrance, K.B.E.

Sir Geo. Lawson Johnston, K.B.E.

Sir E. Manville.

R. Holland Martin, Esq., C.B.

Lieut.-Colonel Rouse Orlebar.

Sir W. Peter Rylands.

Colonel E. Satterthwaite, C.B.

Sir Edwin Stockton.

J. Walter, Esq.

Sir I. Thomas Williams.

I have no complete record of their business connections, with which I am not concerned. There have been a number of changes in the personnel of the Council since it was originally formed, and I do not think the individual attendances of members in the past three years can be of any general interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the granting of free travelling passes to Members of Parliament would cost about £80,000 a year, and in view of the need for economy, he can see his way, should the Government decide on the principle, to grant an inclusive sum, not exceeding £50 per annum, to every Member to cover such expenses, thus cutting down the cost to about £30,000 per annum?

The proposal before the Government is the provision of railway passes between Westminster and the constituency of each hon. Member. I appreciate the hon. Member's zeal for economy, but I cannot conceive on what ground he would suggest that as much as £50 should be given to a Member living in London and representing a London constituency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Dominions have more generous provisions as to the treatment accorded to old age pensioners than has Great Britain; will he make the treatment reciprocal; and will he amend Section 2 (3) of the Old Age Pension Act, 1919, so that this may be achieved?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. C. Wilson) on the 25th February. Full information as to the conditions under which old age pensions are granted in the Dominions has not yet been received; but I am informed that in Canada, India and South Africa, there is no system of old age pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of retail liquor licences held in England and Wales by retailers without a licence from the licensing justices?

There are no special statistics on this point available beyond the statistics published annually by the Home Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the revenue derived from tea is attributable to the extra duty paid by China tea over that paid by tea which enjoys preferential rates?

On the basis of the quantity of China tea delivered for home consumption in 1923, the differential duty of 1⅓d. per lb. produced about £61,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total amount expended by the War Office on poison gas experiments in the year 1923 and the estimated expenditure for 1924; how many and what types of animals were used in the course of these experiments and how many were killed or had to be destroyed as a result of them; whether there is any international convention limiting the manufacture and use of poison gas in warfare; and whether the Government is taking steps, either through the League of Nations or otherwise, to secure the abolition of the manufacture of and use in warfare of poison gas?

The expenditure in the current financial year is about £80,000 and a similar sum has been provided for 1924–25. The animals experimented upon were cats, guinea pigs, goats, mice, monkeys, rabbits, and rats. The total numbers used from 1st April, 1923, to the present date are 689 out of which 618 animals have been killed or destroyed. With regard to the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government were signatories to the Washington Resolution of 1922, which condemned the use in War of asphyxiating and poisonous gas, but this Resolution has not yet been ratified by all the signatory powers, and in view of such facts as those just given, His Majesty's Government are doing all in their power to render the Resolution effective.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the grant of battle honours to units engaged in the late War will be completed?

I hope that this work will be completed by the end of the present year.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of commissioned officers required to bring the Royal Army Medical Corps to full strength; how many were advertised for on the last three occasions and how many applicants responded; and what steps he proposes to take, in the interests of the soldiers and the country, to induce the requisite number to apply for commissions?

The present shortage of regular officers is 69, and the number of vacancies and candidates on the last three occasions were respectively 15 and 4, 20 and 6, 40 and 7. I cannot reply to the last part of the question within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but I may say that remedies for the present serious state of affairs are under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War the position of the Cadet Corps in regard to the War Office?

The Cadet Force is now administered through the Council of County Territorial Army Associations. The War Office makes an annual grant of £750 to the Council towards the expenses of a central administration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the importance of rifle shooting as a factor in national defence, he will consider the need for giving direct support to the National Rifle Association; and whether he will receive a deputation to discuss what adequate sum should be placed upon the Estimates?

The National Rifle Association already receives direct support in the form of free issues of ammunition at the expense of Army funds. The value of such issues for the year 1924–25 will amount to £3,700. I fully realise the value of rifle shooting, but having regard to the numerous claims on the limited funds at my disposal, I regret that I cannot see my way materially to increase the-assistance at present given, and I doubt, therefore, whether any good purpose would be served by receiving a deputation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any uniformed men are retained at the War Office on work usually entrusted to a civilian staff; and, seeing that soldier clerks can be ordered to work overtime without additional remuneration, will he take steps to eliminate the uniformed staff engaged on civilian work and to place his Department on the same basis as other Government offices?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 7th instant to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury).

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of pensions in payment at the issue offices at Acton and Edinburgh; the number of staff employed at present in the two offices, showing the number of males and females; which duties are performed at the issue office at Acton which have no counterpart in the office at Edinburgh; and the estimated relative costs of the two offices for the present financial year?

The number of pensions in payment at Acton and Edinburgh is, approximately, 1,132,000 and 116,000, respectively; the clerical and higher staff at present at Acton numbers 2,988 (926 men and 2,062 women), and at Edinburgh 2002 men; the following duties at the former office have no counterpart at the latter: General questions (including the issue of instructions) affecting the work of both offices; foreign payments; warrant officer pensions: central index; and accounts with the General Post Office. The estimated cost of the two offices for 1923–24 is £565,500 and £42,000, respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many cases of ex-service men suffering from malaria have been dealt with this year; and how many of the cases have been refused the pension?

During the months of January and February 189 first claims to pension in respect of malaria were decided by the Ministry. In 89 of these compensation was awarded.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a man who has appealed successfully against a ruling of the Ministry that his disability has passed away is referred back for assessment to the same medical board against which he has appealed; and whether he can alter the system so that the appeal tribunal should itself assess the extent of disability in such cases?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The suggestion made in the latter part of the question would not, it is considered, make for improvement of administration, and would in any case involve legislation.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds the maximum disability on account of total deafness is only 70 per cent.; and whether he will consider the possibility of increasing it to 100 per cent.; so that the totally-deaf man may be placed on equal terms with those disabled in other ways?

The assessment for total deafness was fixed in the early days of the Ministry in accordance with the highest medical advice. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to admit that it compares unfavourably with the other assessments for specific injuries laid down in the First Schedule to the Royal Warrant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will expedite the call to medical examination of Mr. John C. Humphries, No. 223,330, Royal Garrison Artillery, of 170, Chandos Road, Stratford, who has been waiting a month or so?

I can find no trace of any application for a medical examination in this case which has not been dealt with. If the man wants advice perhaps my hon. Friend will recommend him to call at the local office of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. William Chalmers was receiving a dependant's pension of 7s. a week, plus bonus, on account of his late son, John Chalmers, No. Z 171, of the Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, who died as a result of war service; and that the pension has now been reduced to a flat rate of 5s. per week; and whether, in view of the fact that a contribution of 14s. per week before enlistment and £4 a month after discharge was being made by this man, he will make further investigations into this case with a view to a more equitable award?

I regret that a reduction of pension has been necessary in this case. The deceased son contributed the whole of his earnings amounting to 14s. a week, and was in return provided with board, lodging, clothes and pocket money. The present award of 5s. a week, therefore, covers the extent of pre-War dependence. I may add that it will always be open to the pensioner, should his circumstances change for the worse, to apply for a higher pension on the grounds of need and incapacity.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether farm servants will be eligible for assistance under the Board of Agriculture's scheme for the supply of seed potatoes in the crofting counties?

Any applications by farm servants which are recommended by parish councils to the Board on the ground of necessity and exceptional circumstances will be considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred near Moulton, in the North Biding of Yorkshire, and that the outbreak occurred amongst cattle recently shipped from Ireland; and whether he will now follow the example of his predecessor in 1922 and close the ports to Irish cattle for a period of some weeks in order to ascertain whether the infection is being brought to this country from Ireland or not?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, but from the inquiries which have been made it seems beyond dispute that infection among this consignment of Irish cattle was picked up after arrival in this country. The animals in question had been out of Ireland for 10 days before the disease appeared, no other portions of the same shipload, which have been sent to other premises, have developed the disease, and no infection appears to have been left at Holyhead where they were landed. I do not therefore feel justified in adopting the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Public Works Loans Commissioners limit, or have in any case limited, their loans under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, to people whose sole business is the occupation of the farm or farms upon which the loan or loans are sought; and, if so, under what authority?

The Public Works Loan Commissioners, in considering applications under Section (1) of the Act, have regard, amongst other things, to the nature of the business carried on by the applicant. They have, however, laid down no hard and fast rule and examine each case on its merits in the light of the objects of the Act as explained in Parliament. Of the applications laid before them, loans have been granted in 364 cases and refused in 10 cases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a borrower of money from the Public Works Loan Commissioners under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, is at liberty to pay off the outstanding portion of his loan at any time he is able to; if not, why not; and will he, in the latter case, state what he proposes to do to rectify an obvious hardship to these agriculturists who wish to discharge the mortgages on their holdings created by the Act?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the remainder therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any money has been advanced by the Public Works Loan Commissioners to approved associations under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, and, if so, the total amount; and whether any refusal to so advance money has been made, and the grounds of the refusal in each case?

No money has been advanced to approved associations as no applications have been received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the method adopted by the Public Works Loan Commissioners in arriving at the value of the land mortgaged under Section 2, Sub-section (c), of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923; whether 75 per cent. of the value (the allowable limit) has been advanced by the Commissioners in any case; if not, what has been the highest limit and the average limit; and whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction with the Commissioners at the way in which they are carrying out their duties under this Act?

A valuation of the security offered by applicants for an advance under Section 1 of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, is furnished to the Public Works Loan Commissioners by the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue. A loan to the amount of 75 per cent. of that valuation (provided that this sum does not exceed 30 times the annual value of the land as ascertained for the purposes of Schedule A of the Income Tax Acts) is made if the applicant desires to borrow the maximum amount allowable under the Act. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government are considering the introduction of legislation to postpone the coming into operation of the Law of Property Act, 1922; and, if so, whether they have come to any decision in the matter?

Bills for the consolidation of the law consequential upon the passing of the Act of 1922 are under the consideration of a Committee, and it is not yet certain at what date they will be ready for introduction. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor, and should it be necessary to postpone the operation of the Acts a public announcment will be made to that effect as soon as a decision is arrived at.

asked the Attorney-General the number of county court registrars who are also practising as solicitors; what is the average annual amount received by such registrars by way of salaries and fees; and what is the average time per week occupied in the carrying out of these duties?

348 county court registrars practise as solicitors. The average net amount received by them in 1922 was £269, and in the three years 1920–1922 the average net annual amount was £228, but the individual amounts vary greatly. These amounts include all sums received by way of salary or fees, except possession fees, as to which no accurate' information exists. It is impossible to state the average amount of time occupied by them in the discharge of their official duties.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement with regard to the additional protection against illegal trawling which he proposed to afford, by means of cruisers, hydroplanes, or seaplanes to the inshore fishermen on the North, East and West Coasts of Scotland against the illegal depredations of trawlers?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply on this subject given in answer to a question by the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson) on the 12th of February.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that a Royal Commission recommended the repeal of the Tweed Acts, he will introduce at an early date a short Bill to satisfy this recommendation?

The proposal of the Royal Commission was that the Tweed Acts should be repealed and that, subject to certain special provisions, the Tweed district should be placed under the general law relating to the Scottish salmon fisheries. The question of amending and consolidating the existing Salmon Fishery Acts is under consideration, but I can give no undertaking with regard to such legislation at present.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the number of persons in the principal towns in Scotland dealt with for drunkenness resulting from the consumption of methylated spirit; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the drinking of methylated spirit?

I am aware that drunkenness resulting from the consumption of methylated spirits is prevalent in some of the principal towns in Scotland. This matter has been fully considered by the Departments concerned and measures are in progress which are intended, inter alia, to make methylated spirits even more unpalatable than they are at present.

asked the Minister of Labour why the men employed at the Arenig granite quarry, North Wales, who were thrown out of work in consequence of the railway dispute, were not entitled to unemployment benefits?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. Claims to unemployment benefit were made by a number of employés of the Arenig Granite Company, Limited, who were thrown out of employment on account of the recent railway dispute, and benefit was duly paid— subject to the usual waiting period of six days.

asked the Minister of Health what possibilities of obtaining relief, other than from the Poor Law, are open to men between 60 and 65 years of age, ex-service and civilians, who are unable to show that they have been employed for a minimum of 20 weeks during the previous year; and whether he is aware that it is practically impossible for such men to find employment?

I have been asked to reply. Failure to Drove employment for 20 weeks during the previous year is not in itself a disqualification for unemployment benefit. One of the statutory rules for covenanted benefit is, however, that if less than 20 contributions have been paid since the beginning of the last preceding insurance year the claimant has to show that he is normally employed in an insured trade, is genuinely seeking wholes-time employment, and is unable to obtain it. I am aware that men who lose their employment at the age of 60 or upwards frequently find very great difficulty in obtaining other work.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that if the wife of an unemployed man takes temporary work he cannot claim allowance in respect of her for six weeks after the work has come to an end; and whether he will consider taking steps to have this regulation modified?

I have been asked to reply. One of the rules laid down by the Act is that the 5s. allowance may not (be paid in respect of a wife who is in regular wage-earning employment. Owing to this rule it sometimes becomes necessary to decide at what date a wife who has been in regular wage-earning employment and has lost her employment should be held to be no longer in regular wage-earning employment; the rule laid down administratively in such a case is that the 5s. allowance, if otherwise permissible, becomes payable after she has been unemployed for six weeks. It will be observed that this rule has nothing to do with the case of a wife not in regular wage-earning employment who takes temporary work. In such a case the 5s. allowance is not withdrawn on account of the temporary work, if this work is not of such a nature as to constitute regular employment, and the question whether it does so or not is decided on the recommendation of the Local Employment Committee. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have particulars of any case of hardship known to him, I will have it sympathetically considered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that Mr. Alexander McKay, of 118, Holm Street, Glasgow, applied for covenanted benefit to his Employment Exchange, that he failed to satisfy the committee before which he appealed on 6th December, 1923, of his entitlement, and that a further committee on the 17th January, 1924, considered his claim and admitted it, he will see whether payment of benefits can be antedated to the date of the previous hearing?

I am making inquiry into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour why unemployment benefit has been refused to J. Macfarlane, of 15, Sand-Hills Lane, Whitehaven, who is an ex-coal miner and regularly seeking employment; and why Macfarlane's name has been omitted from the list of unem-

The division of contributions between employers and workpeople is approximate only.

ployed men who are available for relief work on the loop road, Whitehaven?

According to my information, Mr. Macfarlane has paid no contributions since May, 1922. His claim to benefit has been refused in accordance with the recommendation of the local employment committee. I am having inquiry made with regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, and will let him know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total amount paid into the. Unemployment Fund for each year of the five years ending 31st December, 1923, as contributions from the State, employers and workpeople, the amount which each of the above has contributed for each year during the same period, and the amount of expenditure from the fund on unemployment benefit and administration, respectively, for each year during the same period?

Figures for calendar years are not readily available. The figures for the five financial years ending 31st March, 1924, are as follows:

II.— Bebefut and Administration.

Expenditure from the Fund on unemployment benefit andministration is as follows:

In 1922–23 the figure shown covers the whole cost of administration of unemployment benefit, including the cost of placing insured persons in work and, indeed, the whole cost of the Employment Exchanges so far as they deal with insured persons. In 1922–23 this cost equalled about 10½ per cent. of the revenue of the Fund, and in 1923–24 represents about 8⅓ per cent. of the revenue. In the preceding years the appropriation made was the maximum allowed by statute at that time, namely, 10 per cent. of the income of the Fund; that was, however, insufficient to cover all the expenses of administration.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the proportion of textile mills in China owned and controlled by the Chinese to those owned and controlled by other nationals?

I am informed that of the 120 cotton mills in China, 5 are British, 40 are Japanese and 75 are Chinese. Of 3,525,271 spindles, there are 263,112 British, 1,174,412 Japanese, and 2,087,747 Chinese. Of 16,894 looms, there are 2,593 British, 4,925 Japanese and 9,376 Chinese. It is interesting to observe, however, as stated in an article in the "International Labour Review" for July, 1923, by Mr. J. B. Taylor, Acting President of Peking University, that whereas in 1915 there were only one million spindles in operation, by August, 1922, there were almost exactly two million, with another quarter of a million in process of erection; while it was estimated that a further 1,400,000 were at that date on order. This, of course, does not give any indication as to the amount of capital involved, Chinese or otherwise. The wool spinning and manufacturing industry is as yet little developed in China, and, so far as is known, the few existing factories produce on a small scale and are of Chinese ownership with the exception of the joint Chinese-Japanese enterprise in Manchuria.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the authorities of the British Empire Exhibition have yet formulated their requirements in regard to women police?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Parliamentary candidates at the time of an election are sometimes subjected to organised pressure from miscellaneous bodies by a system of questionnaires; and whether, in the general interests, he will introduce legislation to make the practice illegal?

I do not think it would be either desirable or practicable to propose legislation for this purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Lord Justice Atkin's Committee on the procedure at the criminal trials of lunatics alleged to be insane was composed solely of the legal profession, and that its Report did not meet the objections put forward in the Report of the Medico-Psychological Association, as regards the retention of the McNaghton Rules and other disputed points, and considering that the two subjects, criminal lunacy and lunacy reform, are intimately allied, he will also refer the question of the criminal trials of lunatics to the Royal Commission now being appointed to consider the subject of lunacy reform?

The matter will be considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice to issue licences to drivers of private motor vehicles without inquiring into the applicants' physical fitness or efficiency in driving; whether he has received representations upon the subject from certain Metropolitan borough councils; whether consideration has been given to such representations; and, if so, will he state with what result?

I have been asked to answer this question. There is no power to impose tests on applicants for driving licences for motor vehicles. I have received the representations referred to in the question, and have considered them, but I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Bristol on the 5th March, a copy of which I am sending to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will adhere to the British promise at Washington to retrocede Wei-hai-Wei to China; and the causes of the delay which has so far prevented this being done?

On the 1st June last a draft agreement for the retrocession of Wei-hai-wei was agreed upon by the British and Chinese delegations appointed for the purpose. This agreement has been approved by His Majesty's Government, but the Chinese Government have so far declined to accept it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give a statement of the cost of houses built by direct labour in different areas compared with the cost of those under contract?

I regret that the information available is not yet sufficient to enable a proper comparison to be made between the cost of houses built by direct labour and the cost of houses built by contract. A fair comparison could only be made if all the conditions such as time, place and type of house were precisely similar. So far as final accounts in respect of schemes under the Act of 1919 have been settled up to 1st January of this year, it appears that the average cost exclusive of the cost of land and development expenses of 2,662 houses erected by direct labour was £861 and of 47,356 houses erected under lump sum contracts was £915. But in the absence of fuller data I should hesitate to say that any deductions can safely be drawn from these figures.

asked the Minister of Health approximately what should be the remunerative weekly rent of houses of the A and B type of the average cost for the month of January, 1924, so as to leave no annual deficit, rates being taken as the average throughout the country for the year 1923?

The remunerative rents (excluding rates) for A. and B. type houses erected at the average cost for the month of January (as shown by tenders submitted to the Ministry), allowing for cost of land, roads, sewers and management expenses, etc., would be 12s. and 13s. 6d. per week. The addition for local rates depends to some extent on the assessments fixed by the local assessment committees, but may be estimated at half the exclusive rent. The inclusive remunerative rents required would, therefore, be approximately 18s. and £1 per week respectively.

asked the Minister of Health when the Government's housing proposals will be presented to the House?

Good progress is being made with the preparation of these proposals, but I am unable at the moment to state when it will be possible to present them to the House.

asked the Minister of Health the principle adopted by the Government in fixing the rateable value of houses built with a Government subsidy under the Act of 1922; whether the Ministry sends a specific notification to the local overseers that a certain maximum must not be exceeded; whether he is aware that, as a result, houses erected by private enterprise, which are not as large as Government houses, are being assessed at sums vastly in excess of the Government maximum; and whether he will have the matter reconsidered?

The assessment of properties for the purpose of local rates is a matter for the local assessment authorities, subject to the statutory provisions in force, and the Government have not issued, and have no power to issue, any such instructions as are suggested in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether local assessors are instructed to work on an equal basis of assessment for all small property, whether Government-subsidised houses or not, until the time comes for a general reassessment; and, if not, what are the objections to this course?

The assessment of properties for the purpose of local rates is a matter for the local assessment authorities subject to the statutory provisions in force, and I have no authority to issue any instructions as to the basis of assessment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give representation to the Poor Law Officers' Union on the Departmental Committee which he is setting up to review the whole of the previous reports of committees and departmental committees with a view to placing before him recommendations for the complete reformation of the Poor Law?

There is no present intention of setting up a Departmental Committee for the purpose referred to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the wholesale price of Australian canned pears in London is 11s. 6d. per dozen tins and that the retail price of these tins is 1s. 10d.; and whether he will consider steps to reduce this spread, which is prejudicial to the producer and the consumer?

I am informed that the wholesale prices of Australian canned pears vary according to the quality and size of the fruit, the quality of the syrup and the quantity purchased. I understand, also, that retail prices vary in different localities. If my hon. Friend will give me some additional particulars regarding the goods which he has in mind and the locality or localities in which the retail price per tin is 1s. 10d., I will have further inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much grain was available for export from Russia in the years 1921, 1922 and 1923?

The only information which I can furnish on the subject is that the export programme of the principal exporting agencies of Russia for the twelve months ending September, 1924, contemplated a total exportation during that period of approximately 4,000,000 tons of grain. It remains to be seen whether this expectation will be fulfilled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the negotiations between the British Dyestuffs Corporation and the Interessen-Gemeinschaft, Germany, are still continuing, or whether a complete draft agreement has yet been submitted to the Board of Trade; and will he give an undertaking that no agreement shall be concluded before the House of Commons has been given an opportunity to discuss the same;

I understand that negotiations between the British Dyestuffs Corporation and the Interessen-Gemeinschaft are still proceeding and no draft agreement has as yet been submitted to the Board of Trade. If and when an agreement is submitted all relevant considerations will be taken into account in examining it; and, as I informed my hon. Friend on the 15th February, I will consider the question of making a statement to the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the railway companies are now carrying out the provisions of Section 34 of the Railway Regulation Act (31 and 32 Vict.) relating to the printing of lists of shareholders; and, if not, whether he will take steps, in the public interest, to ensure that they carry out their obligations under the statute?

I have been asked to reply. The four amalgamated railway companies obtained in their Acts of last year release from the obligation to print their shareholders' address books until the end of 1925. Certain of the London underground railway companies obtained legislation last year which permanently relieved them of the obligation to print their shareholders' address books, on condition that such books should be open to inspection by shareholders free of charge and by other persons on payment of a fee not exceeding 1s.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether two blockships sunk in Scapa Flow to impede submarine attacks have yet been removed from Holm Sound and Water Sound; and whether it is the cause of complaints from master mariners?

The Admiralty have at considerable public expense taken such action as is reasonably possible to improve the navigation in the channels, and, except for the further work referred to in my reply to the hon. Member for the Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) of 20th February last, do not propose to take further steps in the matter. I have no information on the last part of the question?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state, approximately, the date on which he proposes to submit to the judgment of the House the resolutions of the Imperial Economic Conference?

I am considering the best method of bringing this question before the House, and before coming to any final conclusions I propose to ascertain through the usual channels whether the plan proposed meets the convenience of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Irish teachers in the service of the London County Council have recently been informed that their salaries are to be reduced as from 3rd January, 1924, by the amount hitherto paid them in respect of teaching service rendered in Ireland, and that this action has been caused by the refusal of his Department to pay a grant for such service; and whether, in view of the fact that these teachers took service on the understanding that their teaching service in Ireland would be recognised, he will reconsider this matter and arrange that such change shall not be retrospective in this action?

The answer to the first part of question is in the affirmative. The decision of the Board upon the matter was taken in consultation with the Burnham Committee as long ago as 1921, and was announced to local education authorities in October of that year in Circular 1,234, a copy of which I have sent to the hon. Member. I undertsand that the London County Council did not till recently adjust their own administration to that decision. I am now considering to what extent it may be possible to meet the cases of certain Irish teachers who were in service in public elementary schools in England and Wales before the issue of Circular 1,234, and are still serving in them.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board has approved the plans put forward by the managers of St. George's schools, Ramsgate, for higher tops at those schools; and when he will be in a position to communicate the decision to the managers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The proposal is one that requires some consideration, but I am giving instructions for the matter to be dealt with as quickly as possible.