asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the annual loss incurred by the State and public local authorities in connection with the acquirement and use of land, etc., under the various Small Holding Colonies Acts?

The losses in connection with the acquirement and use of land under the Small Holding Colonies Acts, 1916 and 1918, were incurred by the Ministry alone, and no part fell on local funds. They were as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average rent per acre paid by the smallholders to the county council under the Small Holdings Acts at Rotherwick and Mattingley, Hampshire; whether he has made any inquiries as to the rents paid by neighbouring farmers per acre to private landowners; and, if so, how they compare with the rents paid for these holdings in State ownership?

The average rent at present paid by the 27 smallholders in question is 37s. per acre. Twenty-one of the holdings include cottages. I do not consider that any comparison can be usefully made between the rents of small holdings, 77 per cent. of which are equipped with houses, and the rents of large farms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of smallholders in the county of Dorset, the average size of each holding, and the number of applicants for holdings who are unable to secure land?

On the assumption that the hon. Member refers to the number of smallholders in the county of Dorset provided with land under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts, 1908–1919, the number still in occupation is 504, the average size of the holdings being 21 acres. In reply to the last part of the question, 116 ex-service men who applied before 1st December, 1920, have been approved as suitable but have not yet been provided with holdings. In addition, 42 ex-service men who applied after 1st December, 1920, and 55 civilians have been approved and

are awaiting land. I should explain that in order to qualify for the preference over civilians under the Land Settlement Scheme, ex-service men were required to send in their applications on or before 1st December, 1920.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total amount of land acquired under the various Small Holding Colonies Acts, where it is situated, and who owns it?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to the varying conditions of agriculture in different parts of England, he will consider, when framing legislation, the desirability of leaving the fixing of wage rates and conditions to district wages boards rather than to a central wages board?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the Bill I hope to introduce.

asked the Minister of Agriculture at what date the promised legislation dealing with agricultural wages boards will be introduced; and whether it will apply to England and Wales only?

I am not yet in a position to state definitely when the proposed legislation dealing with agricultural wages will be introduced, but I hope it will be before Easter. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sum was paid by the Hop Controller for the 9,493 cwts. of Czechoslovakian hops purchased by him in 1920; and what sum of money was received by the Hop Controller for the sale of these hops?

This purchase and resale of Czechoslovakian hops was made at the instance of the then Government and lies outside the normal scope of the operations of the control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Hop Controller intends to permit the importation of any foreign hops into this country between now and 1st September; and, if so, how many?

I may explain that the release to brewers of foreign hops for their manufacture is made to bear a fixed relation to the quantity of English hops which ate taken by them. Considerable stocks of foreign hops are already held in bond in this country which it is thought will suffice to satisfy the requirements of brewers during the mew few months, so that any considerable importa- tion of foreign hops into this country before 1st September is not likely to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage of English hop gardens that was left unpicked in 1923 owing to the restriction order?

No statistics are available which would indicate the acreage of hops which was left unpicked in 1923.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Central Council of Milk Recording Societies urging that he issues an order that no live-stock be permitted to leave any farm or traverse any public road for a period of three weeks, it being provided that cattle, sheep, and pigs may be slaughtered on the farm for conveyance as carcases to local markets or shops, unless at the date of the order any farm is in a prohibited area, in which case the ordinary regulations will remain in force, and provided that this order shall in no way affect the importation of live cattle to be slaughtered at the ports of arrival; and whether, in the case of the issue of such an order, he will also order that, during the standstill of three weeks, every market and every railway wagon or other conveyance shall be completely disinfected in such a manner as shall be ordered by him?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. I am advised that to be effective a standstill order must be imposed for a longer period than three weeks, and in view of the great movements of both cattle and sheep to their summer grazings, which normally take place in April, I cannot justify such a great disturbance to the industry as would be involved by an immediate standstill order. Moreover it is extremely difficult to shut off the supply of cattle for slaughter to the large urban areas. Should the present situation as regards foot-and-mouth disease not improve, I may be compelled to consider the imposition of a standstill order on 1st May, which would be operative throughout the month of May at least.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of farms on which, after restocking, foot-and-mouth disease has again broken out, and the period of disinfection in each case?

There have been 30 farms on which disease has recurred. These were not all recurrences in the true sense, as it is apparent in some cases that infection was reintroduced with the new stock. In no case were any premises restocked earlier than seven weeks after disinfection was completed, and in certain cases restocking did not take place until two and a half months after disinfection had been completed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, whilst Northamptonshire was closed against all cattle from outside the county on Wednesday, 12th March, 28 cattle were unloaded at Charwelton station on Friday, the 14th instant, and walked along the road to Hellidon, through the village and then across fields, both in Hellidon and Catesby parishes; that the fields were pastures stocked with other cattle; that the 28 cattle came from Wales and were unloaded to be fed and watered at Banbury, an infected area, and afterwards reloaded and sent on; and that on Saturday, the 15th instant, a further consignment of cattle was unloaded at Charwelton station and then walked over the same route; and if he will have inquiry made and take steps to prevent a repetition of such procedure?

On the 10th March licences were issued by the police at Daventry for the removal of store cattle from Carmarthenshire, a free area, to premises in the parish of Catesby under powers given by the Ministry's Foot and Mouth Disease (Infected Areas) Order.

When these licences were issued the police were unaware of the local Order, which came into operation on the 12th March, prohibiting the entry of store cattle into the county. As is usual in such cases the animals, which arrived within the time specified in the licences, were unloaded at Charwelton, the nearest station to their destination. At the time of dispatch the consignor knew nothing of the local Order. I have no information as to untrucking at Banbury, but inquiries are being made. Despite every precaution possible, such occurrences as this are sometimes inevitable when new Orders are brought into operation at short notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with the object of furnishing as complete information as possible, he will consider the advisability of issuing a Report showing for each weekly period the number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, distinguishing between those on premises previously affected and those on premises so affected for the first time; the number and kind of animals affected; and the estimated amount of compensation payable?

I may explain that particulars are inserted each Tuesday in the "London Gazette" of the number of outbreaks which were confirmed in the preceding week and a summary is given of the total number of animals slaughtered In addition a daily report is issued to the Press. I will consider the question of adding figures of reinfection and compensation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, after a careful inquiry by the Diseases of Animals Committee of the Notts County Council into the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, they state that after considering the evidence they had come to the unanimous conclusion that 10 of the cases originated with freshly-imported Irish cattle, and that the disease broke out a few days after their arrival at each of the 10 separate farms; and whether, after such a report, he will institute a searching inquiry into the whole question of these imported cattle which has resulted in serious losses by farmers in the county?

I am aware that the Diseases of Animals Committee of the Notts County Council expressed the view that the cases of foot-and-mouth disease in their area originated with freshly-imported Irish cattle, but after very careful investigation the Ministry is forced to conclude that the cattle contracted disease in this country and did not introduce infection from Ireland. I am sending the hon. Member a Memorandum which sets out the evidence on the subject in detail.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease there have been during the last week?

There have been 39 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease during the week ending Sunday, the 23rd instant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the question of the stabilisation of wheat prices has been engaging the attention of the Government; and whether it is his intention to appoint a commission to consider the advisability of such action?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 21st March to the hon. and gallant Member for Ashford (Major Steel).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to state what steps, legislative and administrative, have been taken, or are in preparation, in pursuance of the recommendations contained in the Interim Report on cereals, flour, and bread of the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Prices, generally known as the Linlithgow Committee?

The recommendations contained in the Interim Report of the Linlithgow Committee on cereals, flour and bread refer rather to action by growers and distributors than to legislative or administrative action. I am considering whether any steps can advantageously be taken by my Department to promote the growth and consumption of British wheats.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continued rise in the prices of produce to the retailer and especially as the result of the recommendations of the Linlithgow Commission, he proposes to make any further inquiries into rents and charges in public markets, including Covent Garden?

I have been asked to reply. I am carefully inquiring into this proposal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that a circular has been issued by the secretary of the East Yorkshire Farmers' Association advising all their members to increase the hours of labour from 50 to 55½ per week for all the workmen they employ; that the workmen's representatives on the conciliation committees have not been consulted in any way; and what action, if any, he has taken to prevent an industrial dispute?

I understand that the facts are as stated. As the local conciliation committee has been unable to arrive at an agreement on the hours question, I deprecate this apparent attempt to influence individual employers in a matter which will come up for discussion by the proposed new wages authority. I am not aware that any industrial dispute is threatened in the matter. I am sending an officer to enquire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether under rules laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture tenants of allotment land which belongs to a local council are forced to pay a rental which covers the interest on the purchase price, as well as a sinking fund, to repay over a short term of years the outlay which the council have incurred in buying the land; and, if so, whether he will consider an alteration in the rules in view of the high rents which result?

I will send the hon. Member a statement of the prescribed conditions, from which he will see that the rental is not required to cover sinking fund charges.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will call for a return of pre-War afforestation, of War-time usage, and post-War planting; and whether, in view of the miles of steep hillside land in England, and particularly in the Dartford division of Kent, he can recommend tree-planting as a method of replacement and of utilising wasting human energy?

I have been asked to reply to this question. A great deal of the information asked for in the first part of the question is contained in the following documents:

( a ) The Final Report of the Forestry Sub-Committee of the Reconstruction Committee (Cd. 8881),

( b ) The Statement on Forestry in the United Kingdom prepared for the British Empire Forestry Conference, 1920, and published in that year by the Stationery Office, and

( c ) The Forestry Commissioners' Annual Reports which have been laid before this House.

A census of the woodlands of Great Britain is now in progress and will provide the balance of the information. The Forestry Commissioners recommend tree-planting on all suitable land not required for agriculture; they provide grants to local authorities and individuals who undertake such work in relief of unemployment. The planting undertaken by the Forestry Commissioners will average approximately 10,000 acres over the current and the two preceding seasons, but the extent of the operations is limited by the funds at their disposal.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men at present on the permanent staff of the Kew offices were passed into the Civil Service during the War without a competitive examination; and will he recommend that competent ex-service civil servants can be absorbed on the same terms now?

None of the men at present on the permanent staff of the Ministry of Labour offices at Kew entered the Civil Service during the War without a competitive examination. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give a pledge not to discharge any competent temporary ex-service man from the Kew offices until the Southborough Committee has issued its Report?

I regret that I am unable to give a pledge of the nature indicated, which might have the effect of authorising the retention of staff in excess of the requirements of the work. In effecting any reductions found to be necessary, due regard will be paid to the approved policy in this connection.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men now receiving outdoor relief; of those resident in workhouses; and of those charged on local rates who are in mental institutions?

This information is not at present available, but I am asking the boards of guardians to supply it.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to resolutions which have been passed by the boards of guardians at Bristol and Barrow-in-Furness expressing the opinion that no destitute man who fought in the late War should be forced to appeal for Poor Law assistance, but should be a special charge upon the nation; and whether he will consider the desirability of collecting information which will indicate the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, receiving outdoor relief and the number of ex-service men, with their dependants, resident in workhouses, respectively?

My attention has been called to these resolutions. I am proposing to obtain the information suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that certain temporary staffs now employed in out-stations and His Majesty's dockyards, and who were unsuccessful candidates at the clerical class examination in 1920, made application under paragraphs 36 to 39 of the Third Interim Lytton Report to appear before the investigating board set up to deal with those candidates who attributed their failure to exceptional circumstances; whether he is aware that such applications have not so far been dealt with; and what steps the Department propose to take to give such applicants the opportunity designed for them in the paragraphs referred to?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It was decided that no useful purpose would be served by setting up an investi- gating board for these cases until the departmental clerical class limited competition had taken place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that certain temporary staffs now employed in out-stations and His Majesty's dockyards of His Majesty's Admiralty, and who were unsuccessful candidates at the clerical class examination in 1920, made application under paragraphs 36 to 39 of the Third Interim Lytton Report to appear before the investigating board set up to deal with those candidates who attributed their failure to exceptional circumstances; whether he is aware that such applications have so far been withheld; and what steps he proposes to take to give such applicants the opportunity designed for them in the paragraphs referred to?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to-day to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Renfrew (Mr. Murray).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Southborough Committee will deal with all ex-service men in the Civil Service; and whether it is intended to open avenues of promotion to ex-service men holding minor appointments, other than clerical, in various Government Departments, so as to give them equal rights with the temporary clerk to qualify as permanent clerical officers?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answers which I gave on the 6th and 10th March to the hon. Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Hoffman) and the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece). As regards the second part, I assume the hon. Member is referring to promotion of existing permanent civil servants to the clerical class. While this matter would appear to fall more appropriately within the sphere of Departmental Whitley Councils than within the reference of the South-borough Committee, I have no doubt that the Committee, in considering the claim that all clerical class vacancies should be filled by absorbing competent ex-service temporary clerks, will bear in mind all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement relating to his proposals concerning the payment of medical men on the panel lists?

The Government proposals in regard to the matter referred to by the hon. Member are embodied in a Bill which is being introduced to-day.

asked the Minister of Health whether the lymph supplies at the Hendon establishment are still sometimes renewed by vaccinating calves with vaccine lymph obtained from children; and, if so, will he explain the method of obtaining vaccine lymph from children?

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

asked the Minister of Health the cost of administering the Vaccination Act, 1907, in Great Britain for the last year with respect to the remuneration of vaccination officers; the cost of providing the exemption certificate forms, and any other expenses involved; and how much of the cost falls upon the taxpayer and how much upon the ratepayer?

It is not possible to state separately the expenditure incurred on the remuneration of vaccination officers. The total expenditure of boards of guardians on public vaccination for the year ended the 31st March, 1922 (the last year for which complete figures are available) was £162,400, the whole of which was defrayed out of local rates. During the same year the sums paid to public vaccinators out of the Exchequer Contribution Accounts of the local authorities amounted to £10,206, while the approximate cost to the Exchequer of vaccine lymph supplied to public vaccinators and medical officers of health was £11,800. The cost of printing the new form of declaration of conscientious objection has been £67 up to date.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average death rate from tuberculosis for each of the years 1914 to 1923; what was the average death rate from tuberculosis in the printing industry for the same period; and, if figures are available, the death rate from tuberculosis for the separate trades in the printing industry for the same period?

The crude annual death rates from tuberculosis (all forms) at all ages to a million living were as follow in the years 1914–23):

Occupational mortality figures are not as yet available for any period more recent than the years 1910–12. The following are the figures for those years:

asked the Home Secretary the percentage of convicts, male and female, who have developed pulmonary consumption during the last five years?

There were only four cases of pulmonary consumption among male convicts, giving a percentage of 016 of the total receptions for the past five years. There were no cases among female convicts.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will introduce legislation designed to allow a tenant compelled to give up possession of his home to claim compensation for part or the whole cost of compulsory removal;

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestions, but as at present advised I doubt whether it will be practicable to adopt them.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the growing number of orders for possession given at Bow County Court; whether he can give the figures for the past four weeks; and whether, in view of the fact that the greater number of those persons can find no alternative accommodation, he will take steps to initiate legislation to prevent further evictions from being made, and to give those against whom orders of possession have been made the right to appeal for revision of their cases?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I will make inquiries. As regards the last part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by the Prime Minister to earlier questions to-day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish a return to the House stating the number of evictions since the passing of the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923?

As I stated last week, I am making further inquiries as to the possibility of obtaining this information.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is part of the Government's housing policy to have regard to the number of houses with less than eight rooms now vacant?

My right hon. Friend will make a full statement of the Government's housing policy when the Housing Bill is introduced.

asked the Minister of Health what are the latest returns of vacant houses with less than eight rooms in England and Scotland, respectively?

218,833 structurally separate dwellings were vacant on the night of the 1921 Census. These dwellings, however, were not all necessarily untenanted and include dwellings unoccupied through the temporary absence of the usual occupier. Statistics are not available as to the numbers of rooms in such houses. As regards Scotland, I would suggest that the hon. Member should address a similar question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the relatively small number of houses erected in rural areas under the Housing Act, 1923, he will consider, in framing his new housing programme, the need of giving special assistance to stimulate rural housing?

The question of housing in rural areas is being considered in connection with the general proposals of the Government for dealing with the housing problem.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of houses authorised to date in the County of Somerset under the Housing Act, 1923, to be erected by local authorities and by private enterprise, respectively?

The numbers of houses included in schemes authorised to date to be built in the County of Somerset under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, are 367 by local authorities and 445 by private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Drighlington Urban District Council applied to him for his assent to the inclusion in its housing scheme of two houses being erected for Miss Mary Alice Banham, school teacher, of Whitehall Road, Drighlington; that the application was unsuccessful, notwithstanding that the local authority stated that these houses were built on the understanding that a grant would be obtainable under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923; that a number of other persons in Yorkshire and other parts of the country are unable to obtain the subsidy; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that the expectations of Miss Banham and other persons similarly placed are fulfilled?

I am aware of the case to which the right hon. Member refers. I am prepared to make payments to local authorities in respect of houses which were started on the faith of assurances given by local authorities, but I cannot undertake to make any payments where, as I am informed by the local authority in the present instance, no such assurance was given.

asked the Minister of Health the gross valuation of buildings, total increase of annual rent, increase due to new buildings, and annual rent for the London Metropolitan area for the years ending 1918 up to, and including, 1923?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures of gross estimated rental. I regret that the other particulars desired by my hon. Friend are not in the possession of my right hon. Friend's Department.

Following is the statement promised :

According to the valuation lists for local rates, the gross estimated rental of the buildings and other rateable property in the Administrative County of London was:

asked the Minister of Health whether the trial shipment of meat, arriving from New Zealand by the steamer "Kent," has been treated with formaldehyde; and whether, seeing that the use of formaldehyde has already been forbidden for use as a meat preservative, owing to its poisonous properties, he intends to permit the importation of meat treated under patent No. 209,158, recently granted?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on my behalf to the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon) on the 3rd March.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to the lower-grade dockyard pensioners by reason of the fluctuating pension based on the cost of living; whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that while in the yard the men do not come under the unemployment scheme, they are at a great disadvantage when they are compulsorily discharged at 60 years of age to the naval pensioners, who not only receive a higher rate of pension, but are also eligible for unemployment pay; whether, in view of the fact that the average rate of pension for the lower-grade pensioners is from 11s. to 15s. a week, and that the established men in the yard receive less than they would outside, contributing to their retired pay, he will consider stabilising the lower grade pension at 20s. a week?

The average pension, including the supplementary pension based on bonus, is, in the case of the ordinary grades of dockyard workmen, under 20s. a week, and some hardship may be caused, by the fact that the supplementary pensions are revised in accordance with the variation in the industrial bonus payable to those still employed. This practice, however, was, in accordance with the undertaking given to the House on the 22nd February, 1922, by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, instituted under Treasury Minute of the 20th March, 1922, which was laid before and accepted by this House. That Minute is applicable to the whole of the Civil Service, and as the questions of stabilisation of rates of pension and the extension of unemployment benefit to pensionable civil servants affects many other Departments of State, I regret that it is not practicable to consider the case of Admiralty employés separately.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the cloth supplied to the Navy used for the clothes of the officers and men is very inferior to that used in pre-War days; that the dye used to-day is not pure indigo; and that, in consequence of the inferior dye used, it has a damaging effect on India by the fact of the indigo-plant growers putting their plants out of cultivation, which is causing unemployment and unrest in India; and if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the dyers about the matter?

Officers obtain their uniforms from private sources. The standard of quality of cloth, serge, etc., purchased for the men is not inferior to that obtaining in pre-War days and the examination of deliveries is as strict. Ever since 1909, with few exceptions during the War period, the use of natural or synthetic dye has been optional, and I am not aware that the admission of synthetic dye has caused unrest in India. The Admiralty are quite prepared to consider any representations that the dyers wish to put forward.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the precarious character of the financial support for the lifeboat service, he will consider a sufficient grant from public funds for this service in order to render unnecessary the present method of raising funds by continual begging?

I have been asked to reply. The question of principle which the hon. Member raises is a debatable one on which different views can be held, but from the practical point of view it would be unwise to consider making a far-reaching change of this kind, which would impose a heavy additional charge on public fund0, unless a very strong case were made out for it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that one of the conditions of settlement of the recent dock dispute was that a sub-committee should be set up for the purpose of developing and strengthening the system of registration, and to examine the proposal for a guaranteed week, with a view to arriving at an agreement to give effect to the Shaw Report, and that the chairman of such committee was to be appointed by the Ministry of Labour; is he aware that a pledge was given to the men that the chairman should be appointed forthwith, to enable the committee to get to work on the problem, and that, although the parties are ready to meet, the name of the chairman has not been announced; and when will he be in a position to announce the name of the chairman?

I have been asked to reply. There have been unforeseen difficulties in making this appointment. One of His Majesty's Judges was asked to act, but finally found it was impossible for him to do so. I hope, however, to be able to make a definite announcement in the course of the next few days.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken any steps to set up a representative committee to inquire into the burden and incidence of national taxation which he recently foreshadowed?

Yes, Sir. The committee has already been set up.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to publish the evidence given before the committee which is considering the question of relief from the burden of war debt; and whether this body will receive volunteered representations from unofficial sources?

It will be for the committee to decide its procedure on these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the balance left after discharging claims under His Majesty's Government air-raid insurance scheme during the late war; and how that balance has since been disposed of?

I have been asked to reply. The excess of premiums received by the Government under the aircraft insurance scheme, after deducting commission and expenses allowed to approved insurance companies who acted as agents in connection with the operation of the scheme, and paying claims and assessors' fees connected therewith, was £10,898,187 8s. 2d. This surplus was paid into the National Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, rice, maize, etc., sugar and its equivalents, hops, preparations of hops, and hop substitutes used in the making of beer during the year ending 30th September, 1923, and the number of bulk barrels produced in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively?

The quantities of certain materials used in the making of beer, and the number of bulk barrels brewed in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, during the year ended 30th September, 1923, are as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, rice, molasses, glucose, sugar and other materials used in distilleries during the year ending 30th September, 1923, and the number of proof gallons of spirits distilled in England,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who now constitute the Advisory Committee under the Trades Facilities Acts; where do they meet; how many meetings they have had during the year 1923; who now constitute the Advisory Committee of the export credits under the Exports Credits Act; and what connection, if any, is there between the advisory body of the trades facilities and the advisory body of the export credits?

The present members of the Trade Facilities Act Advisory Committee are Sir Robert Kindersley, G.B.E., Sir William Plender, G.B.E., and Mr.

Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively?

The quantities of certain materials used in distilleries, and the number of proof gallons of spirits distilled in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, during the year ended 30th September, 1923, are as follow: —

W. K. Whigham. The Committee normally meets in their offices at 16, Finsbury Circus, E.C.2. During the year 1923 more than fifty meetings were held, and the Secretary is constantly in touch with the members between meetings.

The present members of the Export Credits Advisory Committee are:

Lieut.-Colonel The Hon. Sidney Peel,

D.S.O. (Chairman).

Mr. John Caulcutt.

Mr. J. G. Buchanan.

Mr. A. G. M. Dickson.

Mr. G. M. Gillet, M.P.

Mr. F. Goldsmith.

Mr. Stanley Machin.

Sir William Pearce.

Mr. W. E. Preston.

Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P.

Mr. Charles D. Seligman.

Mr. H. Mead Taylor.

There is naturally no formal connection between the two Committees, who operate different schemes, but the officers of each Committee are in touch when necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in continuation of the figures on 1st March, 1923, he can now give the estimated net produce of each 1d. of Income Tax for the United Kingdom, excluding Super-fax, for the years 1920–21 onwards, and also the number of individuals in Great Britain and Northern Ireland above the exemption limit for the years 1923–24, divided into those actually paying Income Tax and those whose liability is covered by the personal allowance, deductions, and reliefs?

The estimated net produce of each penny of the Income Tax (excluding Super-tax) is as follows:

The number of individuals in Great Britain and Northern Ireland with incomes above the exemption limit for the year 1923–24 is provisionally estimated as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the costs incurred for the latest available year for defence in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa?

The following is the estimated expenditure on defence in the year 1923–24:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the references in the Law Reports to the two cases referred to in the Memorandum on the proposed Ways and Means Resolution in respect of the War Charges (Validity) Bill?

I have been asked to reply. The references are vol. 38, "Times" Law Reports, page 781, and vol. 40, "Times" Law Reports, page 237, respectively.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Rev. T. Hancocks, of Cavendish Baptist Church, Ramsgate, has received a cheque for £9 in full settlement of his claims submitted to the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action for £165 17s. and that this cheque was the first communication which he had received in reference to his claim; and whether acceptance of this cheque would invalidate any further claim to compensation?

Mr. Hancocks was informed by letter on 28th November, 1922, that his claim was properly registered; that pending the Report of the Commission nothing definite could be said as to payment, but that upon any development occurring he would be communicated with. Upon the presentation of the Final Report of the Royal Commission dealing with property claims a Payable Order for the sum recommended was sent to him. The recommendation of the Commission is in final settlement, and nothing further will be payable to Mr. Hancocks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the delay in dealing with correspondence from Mr. A. Bayliss, of 89, Easton Road, Bristol; and whether he will ascertain why a letter on the subject from the Member for East Bristol (Mr. Baker), dated the 3rd March, has not been acknowledged by the Reparations Claims Department?

Owing to the volume of correspondence relating to belated claims, of which Mr. Bayliss's claim is one, and the pressure under which the Reparation Claims Department is working, it is sometimes difficult, I am afraid, to avoid delay in answering letters. I understand, however, that a reply has now been sent to my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the compensation fund of £5,000,000 placed at the disposal of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, and the sum of £300,000 offered by His Majesty's Government for distribution among applicants for compensation who sent in belated claims are regarded by His Majesty's Treasury as maximum and final amounts of compensation or only sums on account pending payment by Germany of reparations due to this country; and, if the latter, whether claimants under both funds will be informed that they will receive further compensation later?

Both the £5,000,000 and the £300,000 are regarded by the Government as maximum and final amounts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many persons were appointed to established posts in the Civil Service without examination between the 4th August, 1914, and the 11th November, 1918; how many of these had passed an examination previously on appointment to an unestablished post; how many of the posts so filled were of a clerical or executive type; how many were specialised professional posts; and how many were in minor or industrial grades for which no special educational qualifications were necessary?

It would be impossible without considerable expense to extract the desired figures for the period stated, but the following information is available for the period 1st January, 1915, to 31st December, 1918: 6,762 certificates were granted under Clause 7 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, and 9,062 dockyard artificers were also established without literary examination in accordance with the usual practice. In 1,352 of the former cases, resort was had to Clause 7 on the occasion of promotions and transfers of civil servants already established, and in 388 for technical reasons, an examination having been required in the majority of cases; 284 were appointments of persons from outside the Civil Service in circumstances set out in detail in the Annual Reports of the Civil Service Commission for the four years in question; and 4,738 were appointments of persons employed in unestablished capacities. They cover a large number of different grades, but close on 1,900 are estimated to have been appointments of Employment Exchange employés who had passed an examination before the commencement of their temporary service. At least 900 were appointments of Inland Revenue emoloyé, selected by a special Selection Board; and approximately 400 were appointments of postmen, Post Office skilled workmen and night telephonists then absent on military service.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, what is the area of unbuilt-on land between the buildings occupied by Government offices in Whitehall Gardens and the Victoria Embank- ment; what use is now made of this land; and whether he will consider the possibility of having it laid out as gardens for public use in extension of the Victoria Embankment Gardens?

The area of the land referred to is about two acres. No use has been made of it since the demolition of the temporary hutments which were erected during the War. The First Commissioner fears it would not be practicable to lay out the ground as public gardens in view of the intention of ultimately developing the site for the erection of Government offices.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give an assurance that the Scottish regional headquarters of the Ministry of Pensions and the Scottish pension issue office will both remain in Scotland and not be transferred to London, so long as the cost of the administration of the individual offices is not greater and the efficiency is not less than would be the case were the duties of these offices centralised in London, due allowance being made that ex-service men only are employed in Scotland?

As I have already informed the House, no such change is in contemplation. If and when the question does arise, I will see that all the circumstances mentioned receive full consideration.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will consider the advisability of improving the lighting of the rear benches along the Chamber so that Members who are seated in the back row may be able to read the Parliamentary Papers without inconvenience?

The First Commissioner has again considered the question raised by the hon. Member, but he fears there is nothing he can add to his reply to the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Captain Brass) of the 19th February.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the large influx of visitors expected in London this summer, any special effort has been made for the purpose of still further adding to the beauties and attractions of the Metropolitan Parks?

Every endeavour is made to render the Royal Parks as beautiful and attractive as possible with the money available, but there are no special funds at the disposal of the Department for exceptional treatment of the Parks this summer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether claims for the redemption of the interim notes which were issued by the Germans in Tanganyika Territory during the War in respect of silver coin confiscated from Indian residents have yet been considered by the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal; how many such claims have been considered; and when a decision may be expected?

No claims of the kind referred to have yet been considered by the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, although one claim in respect of receipts for coin has been submitted to it for adjudication, and is down for a preliminary hearing on 29th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, considering that the Clause proposed by the United States Shipping Board for insertion in their bills of lading is a breach of the agreement arrived at under what is known as the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, he will take steps with a view to having this proposed Clause withdrawn;

(2) if he is aware that bulk cargo exporters have for many years past had their own charters and bills of lading which were drawn up by agreement between the respective shipowners, foreign receivers, and themselves; that the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill was only agreed to by the said exporters with a view of having a uniform bill of lading; and what steps does he propose to take to prevent an introduction of further clauses into the said bill of lading by the United States Shipping Board, as the chief reason for the uniform bill of lading was that all concerned might have a simple document instead of the very complex bills of lading at present issued for shipment by liners?

The views of the coal exporters on the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill were fully considered by Lord Sterndale's Committee of last year, and the matter is dealt with in paragraph 11 of that Committee's Report. The Bill, which has been reintroduced this year, gives the force of law to rules which define "the responsibilities, liabilities, rights and immunities attaching to carriers under bills of lading," and must have the effect of making bills of lading more simple and more uniform. It is to the interest of those who desire greater simplicity and uniformity in bills of lading that the Bill should be passed into law as soon as possible. On the merits of the particular strike clause which is referred to, the Board of Trade can express no opinion, and they are unable to take any action with regard to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that gut, when imported into the United States of America for the manufacture of violin strings, is free from import duty; and whether arrangements can be made for similar free importation into this country, in order to enable British manufacturers of violin strings to compete with American manufacturers on equal terms?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information in regard to the treatment for duty purposes of gut imported into the United States for the manufacture of violin strings. As regards the second part of the question, if the hon. Member has in mind the position of British manufacturers in foreign markets, I would remind him that the law provides for repayment on re-exportation of any duty paid in respect of violin strings.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that temporary women clerks are being discharged and replaced by young writing assistants, and that two writing assistants are being put on to the permanent staff to each one temporary woman clerk that is discharged; and, as this is causing discontent in the Post Office Savings' Bank, will he suspend the notices of the temporary women clerks until he has had an opportunity of investigating their case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 20th instant on this subject to the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. Briant). It is not the case that two writing assistants were to take place of each temporary officer under notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that 120 temporary women clerks in the Post Office Savings Bank who have received notice to leave on Saturday, 22nd March, are being replaced by juniors of 16, 18, and 20 years, respectively, and not by ex-service men, he will agree to hold up the notices of dismissal pending further inquiry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 20th instant on this subject to the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. Briant).

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that his Department employs a class of women, called sorting assistants, of a lower grade than writing assistants but performing similar work, and that it is the only Department in the Civil Service which does employ that particular grade; and will he consider whether the present staff of this grade can be merged into the writing assistant and clerical classes?

There is a clear distinction between the work of writing assistants and of sorting assistants in the Post Office. The grading of the latter class is, however, under consideration by a committee of the Departmental Whitley Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will advise the Government to issue nightly an official news bulletin collected from the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, the India Office, and other Departments, to be broadcasted between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on a 540-metre wave length or such other, wave length as would not interfere with the concert programmes?

I will invite an expression of opinion from the Broadcasting Board on the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any evidence available to show that an unduly high price was paid by the Government on taking over the system of the National Telephone Company?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the system which obtains in the Post Office whereby responsible officials are compelled to remain on Post Office premises to undertake the responsibility of the night telephone work; whether these men have no opportunity to remove from the official residences because of the general shortage of houses; and whether he will consider a system of loans, or pressure on local authorities, as a means of providing accommodation for these men under the principles already in force in banks, railway companies, and many large business firms?

I have been asked to answer this question. As regards the first part, I beg to refer to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Middleton) on the 19th ultimo. As regards the second part, I am aware of no reason for affording these officers preferential treatment in connection with the provision of houses.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give consideration to the salaries of teachers in central schools, seeing that such teachers claim that their duties are similar to those of teachers in secondary schools, while their salaries are not so graded, and that there may in these circumstances be difficulty in securing the best teachers for central schools?

This is a matter which should, in the first instance, be considered by the Burnham Committee, and I have no doubt that it will receive their very careful consideration in connection with the forthcoming revision of salary scales. I may, however, point out that special arrangements are in operation under which salaries in excess of those payable in ordinary elementary schools can be paid to head teachers and certain assistant teachers in central elementary schools which provide effective advanced instruction.

asked the President of the Board of Education the policy of the Government with regard to the suggested raising of the school age?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 21st February last to the hon. Members for South-East Essex (Mr. Hoffman) and East Birkenhead (Mr. G. White).

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the cloth supplied to the police used for the clothes of officers and men is very inferior to that used in pre-War days; that the dye used to-day is not pure indigo, and in consequence of inferior dye used ft has a damaging effect on India by the fact of the indigo plant growers putting their plants out of cultivation, which is causing unemployment and unrest in India; and if he is prepared to receive a deputation from the dyers about the matter?

So far as regards the cloth supplied for the Metropolitan Police, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the dye, the contracts provide for the use of indigo, though not necessarily natural indigo, and I am not aware that there has been any material change in quality in the last 10 or 15 years. I am not in possession of precise particulars of the contracts of the county and borough police authorities, but I believe that the materials used are now little, if any, inferior in quality to those used before the War. In these circumstances, I doubt whether it would serve any useful purpose for me to receive a deputation, but I shall be happy to consider any further information my hon. Friend may wish to bring to my notice.

asked the Home Secretary why the recommendations of the Prison Pay Committee have not yet been applied to governors and stewards?

As indicated in the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 28th of February, certain matters of detail affecting subordinate grades have been under discussion. The Commissioners desired to be in a position to promulgate the decisions as a whole, and this will, I hope, be done in the course of the next few days.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that at Parkhurst Prison the medical officers and the registered nurses are experienced in prison discipline, the question will be considered of ceasing to furnish them with truncheons and handcuffs; and why the hospital principal is not relieved by a member of the hospital staff instead of by a discipline principal?

The hospital officers, like other officers at Parkhurst, carry staves as a part of their ordinary equipment. They have never been used, and the necessity for requiring the officers to wear them when within the hospital is being considered by the Prison Commissioners. Handcuffs are only used for purposes of escort to another prison. The hospital principal officer is relieved by a discipline principal officer pending the transfer of another hospital principal officer from another prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the murder of certain British mercantile officers and to the looting of British vessels in Chinese waters by pirates disguised as passengers; and whether he will issue instructions for increased supervision of passengers at the port of departure of these vessels?

My attention has been called to this matter, and I am awaiting a report on the subject. Pending its receipt, I do not propose to issue any instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Lyons and Company have secured a monopoly of the issue of licences for the British Empire Exhibition for the sale of alcoholic refreshments, who have sublet the full right for the sale of beer to Messrs. Bass and Company, thus creating another monopoly of the higher priced beer to the exclusion of all other brands; and if he will explain why this action was taken, in view of the interest of the public visiting the exhibition?

I have been asked to reply. I am making inquiries from the British Empire Exhibition authorities in regard to the point raised by my hon. Friend, and I should be glad if he could see his way to repeat his question in a week's time.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the total capital invested in the coal industry in 1914, 1918, and 1923, respectively; and what was the amount of bonus shares distributed during the same periods?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, except to this extent: that on the basis of evidence given on behalf of the Board of Inland Revenue before the Coal Industry Commission the capital invested in the industry (excluding coke ovens and by-product plant) was estimated at £130,000,000 in 1914, and at £180,000,000 when control ended in 1921.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the proposal for a tunnel under the Thames from the north to the south side of Woolwich; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Although my attention has been called by the Woolwich Employment Committee to the desirability of a tunnel at this point, no scheme has been submitted for its construction. Should any such scheme be prepared, I will take care that it receive full consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the electrification of the Southern Railway is proceeding; when the laying of the conductor rails in the Woolwich area will be proceeded with; and whether work will be provided for local labour?

I am informed by the railway company that the electrification of the suburban lines of the South Eastern section of the Southern Railway is proceeding with all possible speed, and that 68 miles of conductor rails have already been fixed, and that the rails on the North Kent line will be begun to be laid in about two months' time. The company also state that 33 men from the Woolwich area have already been engaged on electrification works, and that it is anticipated that further 20 will be required in the same area shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the urgent need in Cowal, in Argyllshire, of proceeding with the long projected road directly connecting Tighnabruaich and Ormadale, and of the inconvenience to the people of the district, as well as to summer visitors from other places, caused by the lack of such road; and will he look into the question?

The proposal was brought to the notice of my Department early in 1922, and the district committee were then informed that it was not possible to make a grant to cover the whole cost of the works, but that an application for a grant to meet a part of the cost would be considered on its merits, having regard to the funds available at the time. So far as I am aware, no application has been made by the district committee.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the very serious inroads being made into the land at Ryhope by coast erosion, and that such erosion is becoming a great danger to the coast road and railway; and, if so, will lie consult with the local authority to have works put in hand to prevent further damage being done and so prevent the grave danger to the general public owing to the perilous position of the foot road along the cliff?

I am not aware of the circumstances which my hon. Friend mentions, and it would not seem that the case referred to is one in which I have jurisdiction. If, however, he will furnish me with particulars, I will consider whether I can take any action.

asked the Home Secretary the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in England and Wales caused by mechanically propelled vehicles during the years 1922 and 1923, respectively?

The numbers of fatal and non-fatal accidents in England and Wales caused by mechanically-propelled vehicles in streets, roads and public places in 1922 and 1923 were:

asked the Home Secretary the number of fatal and non-fatal street accidents which occurred in London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield, respectively, during 1922 and during 1923?

I presume that this inquiry relates to accidents caused by

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Dawson, of 8, Woodland Terrace, Slad Road, Stroud, the widow of the late Arthur Dawson, of the 5th Bedford Regiment; whether he is aware that this man was severely wounded on 10th August, 1917, whilst on active service, and was in receipt of a pension in respect of his disability until the date of his death in June, 1923, and that since that date no pension or allowance has been paid to his widow, who has four young children dependent upon her and is now left destitute; whether he has personally investigated the facts and, if so, what his decision was and upon what grounds it was given; and whether he will take immediate steps to redress the grievance of the widow and make adequate provision for her and her children?