asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how surplus prize money has been distributed; how there came to be any surplus; and upon what system has the allocation of the prize money been made?

Grants from the surplus of the Naval Prize Fund have been made to institutions and funds maintained for the benefit of members and dependants of members of His Majesty's Naval Forces, as notified in Admiralty Fleet Order No. 697 of the 21st ultimo, which was communicated to the Press. The surplus or residue of the Naval Prize Fund is the amount standing to the credit of the Fund after providing for all the shares and expenses payable therefrom, and its disposal is provided for in the Naval Prize Act of 1918, Section 1 (3). Its existence was therefore foreseen, and results from the impossibility of forecasting exactly the actual receipts and the claims thereon. The distribution of the sum at present available was made by the Board of Admiralty as provided by the Naval Prize Act. In making the allocation regard has been paid to the employment of mercantile marine personnel and of forces serving in the Dominion Navies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has received a petition from the employés and subordinate staff working on the Peterhead Harbour refuge work; if he is aware that a number of the employés have been retired compulsorily at ages ranging from 60 and 65 years, on gratuities of roughly one week's pay for every year of service; that many of these men served faithfully and well for periods of up to 35 years, and the payment of the small gratuity referred to in no way made adequate provision for their maintenance after retirement; that the men discharged after life-time service are too old for further work and are not in a position to secure employment in the district in question; that many of the late employés are suffering from want, and in some cases ending their days in the workhouse; and if he will take action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The normal age for the retirement of persons employed under the Admiralty is 60 years, but retention may take place year by year up to the age of 65. At Peterhead, as at other places, there may still be some compulsory retirements at ages between 60 and 65. On retirement on account of age, hired workmen are awarded gratuities equal to one week's pay including 75 per cent. of "war advances" for each year of service, provided they have served for not less than 15 years. There is no statutory authority to award pensions in these cases.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that ships subsidised by his Department are repaired at Southampton under wage conditions which are considerably below the standard paid in Royal Dockyards, he will consider the withdrawal of such subsidy until the companies concerned pay a wage similar to that paid in the same area for Government establishments?

The Admiralty are not entitled to withdraw the subsidy to which the question refers, so long as the parties duly observe the conditions of the agreement made in 1903, under which the subsidy is payable. These conditions do not include any provision relating to wages paid to workmen engaged on the repairs of the ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in considering the tenders for the new cruisers, he will have special regard to the abnormal unemployment in the shipyards of Newcastle and to the fact that shipbuilding labour there was largely increased during the War for national purposes, resulting in a large surplus when those purposes ceased to operate?

The conditions to which the hon. Member draws attention are fully appreciated and will be taken into account together with other relevant factors in considering the tenders for the new cruisers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what sum is likely to be available for distribution as giant to education authorities in Scotland in the year 1924–25?

The amount of grant available for distribution to education authorities for the year 1924–25 is approximately £6,000,000, or about £400,000 more than the sum payable in respect of 1923–24.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the number and total cost of meals provided under the Feeding of Necessitous School Children Act by the Tipton Education Authority for 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, respectively;

(2) the number and total cost of meals provided under the Feeding of Necessitous School Children Act by the Wednesbury Town Council for 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, respectively;

(3) the number and total cost of meals provided under the Feeding of Necessitous School Children Act by the Darlaston Education Committee for 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, respectively?

The numbers of meals provided by the local education authority for Tipton under the Education (Provision of Meals) Acts, 1906 and 1914, and the Education Act, 1921, during the years 1918–19 to 1922–23, and the net expenditure of the authority on their provision, were as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the fact that the London County Council decided on the 1st April, 1924, that its authorised staff for 1924–25 should include not more than 324 infants' assistants, as compared with 217 infants' assistants now employed by the Council, he proposes to make further representations to the London County Council on the subject of the employment of unqualified persons in infants' schools; and whether the Board of Education Circular 1,325 applies to the London area to the extent that no additions should be made to the existing staff of infants' assistants?

I am satisfied that the Council are fully aware of the change in the Board's policy in this matter and of my intention to alter the code accordingly. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he now has information regarding the reported dynastic changes in Persia; whether the Shah has been deposed; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the new Government?

I have received no further information since the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member's question on 26th March. So far as His Majesty's Government are aware, the Shah has not been deposed. The final part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the conditions for entering the proposed examination in July for consular appointments include a deposit of £500 in bonds, while the entrance fee is six guineas; that this excludes ex-service officers and men who speak several languages, have university qualifications and experience of foreign countries; and whether he will review the conditions to make it possible for such men to enter for the examination?

Candidates for examination for the Consular Service are not required to make a deposit of £500 in bonds, but bonds are required from successful candidates before they enter the Service. It must be remembered in this connection that His Majesty's Government incur considerable expenditure in training successful candidates and in transporting them to their posts. Those who are selected for the General and Levant Services are required to enter into a bond of £500 with sufficient surety for the repayment to His Majesty s Government of that sum in the event of resignation or discharge from the Service within five years; and those who enter the Far Eastern Services must enter into a similar bond of £300. I may add that successful candidates can make the necessary arrangements for the bond with an insurance company. The examination fee is in accordance with the prescribed scale and is fixed at £8.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cases are on the roll of the Anglo-German mixed tribunal for settlement; and whether he is aware that the work of this body is proceeding at a very slow rate, and that in one case a German debtor paid a sum of £7,500 to the German Clearing Office in respect of an obligation to a Scottish firm so long ago as December, 1921, which sum has not yet reached those to whom it is due?

The number of cases lodged with the Tribunal and not yet disposed of on the 29th March was 1,467, but a large proportion of these is not yet ripe for trial. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool (Sir J. Pennefather) on the 25th March. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the case to which he refers, I will have the matter looked into, but I would remind him that no payment can be made by the British Clearing Office until either the debt has been admitted by the German Clearing Office or the creditor has obtained an award from the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal in his favour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the expenditure to be incurred in connection with the forthcoming Census of Production; and the cost of the 1907 Census?

As I stated in reply to a similar question on 18th March, the total charges to be met in connection with the forthcoming Census of Production are estimated at about £115,000 to be spread over the next four financial years. In connection with the first Census of Production, the expenditure incurred by the Board of Trade, including the amounts provided for special inquiries by the Departments of Agriculture in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, was approximately £70,000. The corresponding sum included in the estimate for the 1924 Census is £90,000. There is not sufficient information now available to show the expenditure on office accommodation, stationery and printing and on postal services in connection with the earlier Census, corresponding to the remaining £25,000 of the estimate for the new Census.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any Returns in the possession of his Department disclose the profits and losses of agricultural enterprises conducted by industrial co-operative societies; and, if so, whether he will enumerate the figures, together with the names of the societies concerned, in respect to the latest year for which such figures are available?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on the 26th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the burden on the poorer classes of the tax on patent medicines; and, seeing that it causes injury to the health of those who would otherwise purchase them but cannot afford to do so, will he consider the total abolition of this tax?

I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange that the question of providing medical benefit under the National Health Insurance system for the wives and children of insured persons be inquired into by the Royal Commission which he proposes to set up?

My right hon. Friend has no doubt that the subject referred to by the hon. Member will be included amongst the matters which will come under the consideration of the Royal Commission.

asked the Minister of Health what number of licences have been granted during each of the years 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923 to producers, to retail distributors, and to wholesale distributors of milk, to use each of the following designations: Certified, Grade A tuberculin tested, and Grade A pasteurized?

According to the records in my Department, the numbers of licences in operation at the end of each of the years 1920–1923 were as follows:

asked the Minister of Health how many calves at the Hendon institute are under vaccination at the same time; and what is the source of the lymph with which they are vaccinated?

The number of calves vaccinated week by week at the Government lymph establishment varies according to the demand for lymph, the supplies in stock and other circumstances. The lymph at present used at this establishment is a strain of lymph obtained many years ago which has been carried on by repeated transference from calf to calf.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that registered midwives who contravene the Regulations are summoned to appear before a tribunal which meets in London, which entails great expense to the person so appearing, he will consider whether it would be possible to appoint area tribunals to deal with such cases?

The duty of deciding upon the removal from the roll of midwives of the name of any midwife for disobeying the rules and regulations of the Central Midwives Board, or for any other misconduct, is imposed by statute upon that board, and my right hon. Friend does not think it would be possible to arrange for such cases to be dealt with by area tribunals. Many disciplinary cases of a minor character are dealt with locally by the local supervising authorities. I may add that the Central Midwives Board are empowered to defray the expenses incurred by any midwife who may be required to appear before them in her own defence.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Depwade and Wayland rural district councils asking to be allowed to reduce the rent of council houses to 3s. 6d. per week, including rates, in consequence of the low wage now paid to agricultural labourers; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not previously been called to the resolution referred to. Any application by the council will be considered on its merits subject to compliance with the rules for the determination of rents laid down in the Housing Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of local authorities who have built houses during the last two years without State assistance; how many of such houses were parlour and non-parlour type, respectively; what was the highest and lowest cost of each type; and the highest and lowest rent charged for same?

Information on this point is not available in the Ministry. Building by local authorities without subsidy during the last two years must, however, have been negligible.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases, and in what cases, his Department has found it necessary to make representations to the local authorities in 1923 and in 1924, respectively, to induce them to undertake adequate housing and re-housing work?

No special record has been kept of cases in which the Department has made representations to local authorities; it may be mentioned, however, that 1,153 local authorities, including the great majority of authorities in populous areas, have adopted schemes under the Housing Act, 1923.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgent need for houses and the difficulties that private and municipal enterprise have in meeting the demand, he will consider the desirability of taking over the full control of all new building materials and erecting the houses required by direct labour under State control?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a general statement in regard to the Government's proposals before the Easter recess.

asked the Minister of Health if, for the guidance of the House in dealing with rent restrictions and evictions, he will ascertain how many cases of disputed possession of dwellings have been decided by the County Courts; how many of these have been due to non-payment of rent; and how many orders for eviction have been issued?

The Lord Chancellor is arranging for the collection of such information as can be made available and would be of assistance to the House in the consideration of this question. I cannot at this moment commit myself to the precise form of the return, or as to the inclusion in it of any particular item, but every endeavour will be made to make the return as full as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will ascertain from the borough surveyors whether, averaging labour and materials, there is an increase in the cost of house repairs to-day of 80 per cent. to 100 per cent. as compared with pre-War figures?

I do not consider it necessary to ask the borough surveyors to furnish a return. I am advised that the average cost of labour and materials used in connection with house repairs is about 80 per cent. above the pre-War average.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built in the rural and agricultural areas of the County of Northumberland under the Addison Act and the number now sanctioned under the 1923 Act?

Under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc., Act, 1919, 253 houses were erected in the areas of rural district councils in the County of Northumberland by local authorities and 204 by private builders under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919. 502 houses are included in schemes of rural district councils in the county in question which have been authorised to date under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposed reform of the Poor Law is to be brought about by the introduction of an en bloc Measure or whether it is proposed to deal with the problem by piecemeal legislation; if in the former manner, whether he will grant facilities for the organisations of Poor Law officers to confer with him thereon; or, in the event of the latter method, whether he can give an assurance that the interests of any Poor Law officer likely to be adversely affected will be properly safeguarded?

My right hon. Friend cannot at present make any statement as to the way in which the reform of the Poor Law will be approached, but he can assure the hon. Member that the rights of the officers affected will be properly protected.

asked the Minister of Health what interests will be represented on the Committee appointed to inquire into the Lunacy Laws?

It is not intended that the body appointed to inquire into the Lunacy Laws shall be composed of representatives of interests. The aim of the Government will be to set up a small impartial body of persons qualified to deal with the legal and medical issues and the questions of public policy involved in this inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health the number of aliens in Great Britain in proportion to the general population at the Census of 1911 and 1921; whether he can give similar figures for France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland; and whether the proportion in Great Britain is less than in any other important country in Europe?

The figures asked for are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that considerable encroachments have taken place upon important awarded highways situated within the parish of Waltham, in the county of Lindsey, Lincolnshire, and under the jurisdiction of the Grimsby Rural District Council; that the said council has declined to investigate the complaint, and has therefore failed to function as a competent highway authority in accordance with its prescribed duties, Section 26, the Local Government Act, 1894; and whether he is prepared to cause an inquiry to be made into the whole circumstances of this question?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to this case, but will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the timber merchants at Hull are still complaining about the continued shortage of railway wagons, sheets, and ropes at the port; whether he has been in communication with the London and North Eastern Railway Company on the subject; and whether he can report any progress?

The hon. and gallant Member has communicated with me in regard to this matter, and as soon as the further inquiries I am making are completed, I will let him know the result.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the mining, agricultural, and other industries, along with the scholastic professions, regard with strong disapproval the so-called Day-light Saving Order that is about to be made, and before such Order becomes operative will he consult the opinion of the House of Commons as to the wisdom and utility of deferring the issuing of the Order to a later date?

Under the Act which is at present in force, the daylight- saving period is not fixed by Order, but by the Act itself, and can only be varied by fresh legislation.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who, during 1923, were tried summarily by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction for indictable offences?

The number of persons who, during 1923, were tried summarily by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction for indictable offences was 48,630. The final figure for the preceding year was 49,742.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that his is the only Department which has not yet abolished the 2d. stamp on wages receipts; and whether, in view of the fact that this matter has been under consideration by his Department for 18 months, he will give an undertaking that when the new system is put into effect he will refund to the respective members of the staff concerned all the amounts they have been called upon to pay by way of receipt stamp, after a Treasury ruling had been given that no receipt stamp was necessary?

I beg leave to draw the hon. Member's attention to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Bristol (Mr. Baker) on the 27th March. I am not in a position to adopt the suggestion in the latter part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the General Officer commanding the Allahabad Brigade and the Assistant Director of Medical Services, India, on the 30th of October, 1917, assured the chaplain of Allahabad that Lieutenant Glendinning, 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was being sent to England because the climate of India was unsuitable to his health and that he was not being sent as a mental case, Lieutenant Glendinning was, on the 1st of November, 1917, at Bombay placed in a wired-in bungalow under an armed guard; that he was then removed on 4th November to the docks under a guard, with several certified dangerous lunatics, and handed over to Major Dunn, the officer commanding the "Takada" hospital ship, as an alleged dangerous lunatic; and whether the whole case of Lieutenant Glendinning is under the consideration of the Government of India?

I would refer to the answers given in this House by the Secretary of State for War on the 21st February and 4th March. A telegram has been sent to India asking for an early reply in the case of Lieutenant Glendinning.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been directed to the large number of men suffering from ill-health attributable to their service during the War; whether any record is kept of these; whether the Ministry is satisfied that they are being treated in all cases with due consideration, financial and other; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to reconsider these cases with a view to more generous financial treatment at an early date?

The records of the Ministry show that there are at present some 650,000 men in receipt of compensation for disablement from my Department. I have no reason to believe that these men have not received the full benefits for which they are eligible under the Royal Warrant, but I shall be glad to look into the facts of any particular case the hon. Member may have in mind.

asked the right hon. Member for Tiverton, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the number of acres of land in Peebleshire that were denuded of trees between the years 1914 to 1919; and what action, if any, is proposed, by State enterprise or otherwise, to have replanted the areas so denuded?

A census of the woodlands of Peebleshire has recently been completed and shows that 2,577 acres or 25·6 per cent. of the total area classified as economic or potentially economic woodland have been felled or devastated. It is not possible to state precisely the area denuded between 1914 and 1919, but the greater part of the 2,577 acres was so treated in that period. Grants are available to local authorities and individuals for replanting and other afforestation work in relief of unemployment. The Forestry Commissioners have acquired 1,000 acres in Peebleshire and have already replanted approximately half that area. They are prepared to consider any offers of suitable land.

asked the Minister of Labour when it is proposed to announce the appointment of the Committee promised under the terms of the settlement of the dock labourers' strike; and whether the terms of reference of this Committee will be restricted to decasualisation of dock labourers or will include the possibilities of decasualisation in other industries?

In accordance with the terms of settlement of the recent trade dispute in connection with dock transport workers, a Committee has now been set up by the Minister of Labour for the purpose of developing and strengthening the system of registration of dock transport workers, and to examine the proposal for a guaranteed week for such workers with a view to arriving at an agreement to give effect to the Shaw Report. The members of the Committee are: Sir Donald Maclean (Chairman), Sir Alfred Booth, Mr. Frederic Scrutton and Mr. James S. Spencer (nominated by the National Council of Port Labour Employers), Mr. James Sexton, M.P., Mr. Ben Tillett, M.P., and Mr. Ernest Bevin (nominated by the Transport and General Workers' Union).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been directed to the proposed Rodeo show at the British Empire Exhibition; whether the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has made any representation on the matter; whether he is aware that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has declared that this proposed imported show is an exhibition where cruelty to the animals engaged clearly exists; and what action has been taken to prevent this alleged cruelty to animals?

The answer to the first and second part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the third and fourth parts, I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that they have received a definite assurance from the promoters of the Rodeo that, in the show which it is intended to present at Wembley, no cruelty will be involved to the animals engaged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a circular letter has been addressed to exhibitors at the British Empire Exhibition over the signature of H. A. Beckenham, secretary, and containing references to charges for the use of lavatories and rest rooms for the women staff; and whether he will make representations to the authorities concerned that these proposed charges should be withdrawn?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the last part of the question, I have already been in communication with the Exhibition authorities on this matter, and I understand that they are already committed to these arrangements. I might add that the arrangements for lavatory accommodation and rest rooms for women staff at the British Empire Exhibition have been made by the women's section in collaboration with the Young Women's Christian Association and the Girls' Friendly Society.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Government pro- poses to make representations to the railway companies in favour of the issue of cheap tickets for school children to visit the British Empire Exhibition; and, whether, so far as he knows, any such arrangements have been made for the benefit of such as are resident in the Liverpool area?

The hon. Member will observe that children resident in the Liverpool area will benefit by these concessions in

At the suggestion of His Majesty's Government, the railway companies have agreed to make very substantial reductions in the fares of school children visiting the British Empire Exhibition in organised parties, as shown in the following tables:

common with children from all parts of the country.