asked the Minister of Agriculture when the final Report of the Economic Tribunal will be published; and whether every effort will be made for it to be printed and available for Members before Easter?

I asked the members of the Tribunal to present their Report before Easter. I gather, however, that this will not be possible, but the Tribunal have assured me that the Report will be presented without avoidable delay. The question of publication will be considered when the Report is received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres in Great Britain devoted to the growing of malting barley for brewing and distilling, and the approximate sum received from the sale of such barley in the brewing and distilling year ended 30th September, 1923?

I regret that I am unable to supply the information desired by the right hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of animals destroyed under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order since the beginning of 1923, the cost of such slaughter, and the amount of compensation paid; the amount spent on experiment, isolation, etc.; and the amount spent for the same period in research?

The total number of animals slaughtered or authorised to be slaughtered under the Diseases of Animals Acts on account of foot-and-mouth disease since the beginning of 1923 is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at Moors Farm, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove, Worcester; to what cause the outbreak is attributed; what measures have been taken to prevent its extension; and how many animals have had to be slaughtered?

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed on the premises mentioned on the 31st March, and 24 cattle, 16 sheep, 9 pigs and I goat were slaughtered on the same day. 68 sheep in another part of the farm are being isolated under close observation. Infection may have been due to the cattle being supplied with water from a brook which passes through other farms in the vicinity where outbreaks have recently occurred. The usual precautions as to disinfection and restriction of movement have been taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has had any information concerning an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Rose Tree Farm, Lostock Gralam, Northwich, Cheshire; the number of animals slaughtered; and whether the source of infection has been traced?

Disease was confirmed on the premises referred to on the 30th March and the total stock—28 cattle—slaughtered the following day. The source of infection has not been traced. The last outbreak in the vicinity occurred in December last, and no connection between the two outbreaks is apparent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that foot-and-mouth disease has broken out at Wilford, near Nottingham; whether he can give any indication of the source of the disease; and what measures have been taken to prevent its spread?

Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occurred at Home Farm, Wilford, on the 15th March, and at Oak Farm, which adjoins, on the 26th March. Infection at Home Farm may have been brought there by the owner, a cattle dealer, who had recently attended all available markets, and infection probably spread to Oak Farm through a labourer from Home Farm who visited it on the 15th March. All stock infected and contacts have been slaughtered in both cases. The usual precautions as to disinfection and restrictions on movement have been applied.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at Scotland Farm, Ockbrook, South Derby, and at Hill Farm, Ockbrook; how many cattle have been slaughtered; and is the outbreak attributed to any particular cause?

Foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at Scotland Farm, Ockbrook, on the 25th March, and the total stock of 43 cattle and two pigs slaughtered the following day. Infection was probably brought from Ridings Farm, Ockbrook, where the disease was confirmed on the 16th March. I can trace no outbreak of disease at Hill Farm, Ockbrook.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that many agricultural workers in Bedfordshire have been temporarily thrown out of employment by the slaughter of herds under foot-and-mouth disease Orders, and taking into consideration that these men do not come within the provisions of the Unemployment Acts and that it will be difficult to replace the stock on dairy farms for some months, he will endeavour to arrange for compensation to be paid to those men who have lost the means of earning a livelihood?

The foot-and-mouth disease epidemic has not reached serious proportions in Bedfordshire, only 10 outbreaks having occurred during the past three months, and I have no information that there are many agricultural workers out of employment there on that account. In any case, the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Acts do not cover the payment of compensation in such circumstances. I will, however, send an officer to make inquiries into the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the discontent existing among the farmers in Western Stirlingshire over the restrictions placed upon them some time ago because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease many miles away in the county of Dumbarton, and that farmers in the parishes of Drymen, Balfron, Killearn, Fintry, Buchlyvie, Port of Menteith, and Kippen, many of whom are 25 miles away from the scene of the recent outbreak and not in proximity, to any route or road leading to the Milngavie and Bearsden districts of Dumbartonshire, are suffering consider- able loss because they are forbidden to dispose of stock at the Stirling county market and forbidden to remove wintering sheep; and if he will sea that these restrictions are immediately removed from districts which have not had any outbreak or touch with such districts?

I am aware that the restrictions on movement, which are essential for combating the disease, unfortunately interfere with the ordinary business of stockowners, but more than one serious recrudescence of disease has occurred because restrictions were relaxed too soon. The normal area of restrictions is of 15 miles radius, but owing to the necessity of having a recognised administrative boundary the farthest point included was 17 miles from the outbreak, not 25 as stated in the question, while Killearn adjoined and parts of the other parishes were within 10 miles of the infected parish. Restrictions were, however, removed on 3rd instant, the earliest date considered reasonably safe for such release.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any figures showing the number of heifers and cows that have been inoculated against epizootic abortion, and the results of such inoculations during the last three years?

Such information as it has been possible to collect with regard to these inoculations is not complete or sufficient upon which to base a general conclusion. I understand, however, that in a number of selected cases particulars are being collected, and I hope that it will be possible to make these the subject of a report at a later date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that distress warrants have been issued to recover rates levied by the Ouse Drainage Board in the Lakenheath district; and whether, seeing that the ratepayers concerned get no benefit from the drainage, and that an inquiry has recently completed its sittings and may propose retrospective concessions to deal with this grievance, he will take steps to delay any action on the warrants which have been issued?

The inquiry to which the right hon. Member refers has not yet been completed, but was adjourned after five days, and I am not therefore in a position to say what the result will be. In the meantime I am afraid I have no power to interfere with the exercise by the Ouse Board of their statutory powers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the loss up to date in connection with the 2,866 acres of land acquired at Patrington, East Yorkshire; when the land was acquired; what are the financial obligations in respect of the 99 years' lease of it from the Office of Woods; and what rent is being paid for the 503 acres lately sublet?

The last date to which the accounts of the Patrington Farm Settlement are made up is 31st March, 1923, when the accumulated loss on the estate profit-and-loss account was £12,101, and on the farm profit-and-loss account £46,525, making a total of £58,626. 2,363 acres were acquired on 5th April, 1917, and 503 acres on 5th April, 1919, and the total annual rent payable to His Majesty's Office of Woods under the 99 year leases was £4,027, the Ministry being responsible for all repairs and improvements. The Ministry has surrendered to His Majesty's Office of Woods its lease of 503 acres as from 6th April this year, with a consequent reduction of £750 in the aggregate rent of £4,027.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the affairs of the Flax Cultivation and Wessex Flax Company, Limited, have yet been wound up; and whether farmers in West Suffolk who were induced to grow flax, believing that the Government were guaranteeing the amount, are likely to obtain at an early date some settlement of a long overdue account?

Neither the affairs of Flax Cultivation, Limited, nor the affairs of Wessex Flax Factories have been fully wound up. In the case of the former company there was a deposit fund in existence which has now been divided amongst the growers, who, with one exception, have discharged the company from their claims. The second part of the question only falls to be answered, therefore, with reference to Wessex Flax Factories, Limited, and on this subject I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Morse) on the 21st January, 1924, and the 18th February, 1924, which dealt fully with the position of the grower creditors of this company, and to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the average wholesale and retail prices paid for milk per quart in England and Wales?

I am unable to give average prices of milk for the whole of England and Wales, but the price which is now being paid to producers for the bulk of the milk delivered into London is 3d. per quart delivered at buyers' stations in London, and the general retail price in London is 6d. per quart. I understand that the wholesale price in London is estimated to be a little under 4d. per quart.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Ministry will give any information as to the use of electrical devices in farming?

If the hon. Member means by electrical devices the use of electrical discharges for the purpose of stimulating plant growth, which is commonly called electro-culture, I may say that this question is being dealt with by a. special Committee under the chairmanship of Sir John Snell. The Committee has issued a series of Reports on the subject, summaries of which have appeared in the Ministry's Journal, and I shall be glad, ff so desired, to send copies to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the necessity of fixing standards for cheese and cream without avoidable delay; when the investigations of the Ministry in connection with the subject are likely to be completed; and when a draft Order prescribing standards will be issued?

Yes, Sir, and certain inquiries are being made. But the ques- tion of standards is of a highly technical and difficult nature, and one which concerns diverse interests. No decision as to what action, if any, is desirable can be reached until the whole question has been thoroughly investigated, and I am not prepared at present to say how long that will take.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action it is proposed to take to prevent such risk of the importation of animal diseases as was involved in the case of the s. s. "Hartington"; and from what date any Regulations contemplated will become operative?

As a result of conferences between the Ministry and the various Departments and bodies concerned, certain measures have been agreed upon which will be embodied in an Order to be issued at an early date. The date from which the Order will operate is not yet definitely settled. I am sending the hon. Member a short outline of the measures proposed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the proposal to bring all experimental inoculations of animals with the living virus of certain highly dangerous diseases under the effective control of the Board of Agriculture, originally suggested in the Board's Report for the year 1919, has been considered afresh; and whether anything has been done in the matter?

The proposal referred to has been considered from time to time, and it has come up for special consideration at the present moment in connection with the investigation of foot-and-mouth disease. I am advised that experiments with the virus of this very contagious disease should be controlled, and measures will be adopted to give effect to this view.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is with his approval that a number of civil assistants employed in the Ordnance Survey at Southampton have been transferred from their proper duties to labourers' work in the graining shed; if not, whether he will take immediate steps to have these officers reinstated on their proper work and a sufficient number of labourers recruited to deal with the pressure of work in the graining shed; and, seeing that it is not desirable that the work of preparing maps for commercial use by the civil staff of the Ordnance Survey should continue to be carried out under military control, will he initiate negotiations with the War Office for the transfer of the military officers so employed to military duties and so place the control of the civilian work at Southampton in the hands of civilian officers, by which means considerable economy in the cost of production would be effected?

Four civil assistants were temporarily employed on duties usually performed by labourers, whose numbers had become abnormally reduced in order to give effect to the special concession granted to the Ordnance Survey in 1922, whereby the immediate discharge of 143 men recommended by the Geddes Committee was avoided. Additional labourers are being engaged to relieve the four civil assistants in question, although the reduction in the establishment of the Survey recommended by the Geddes Committee is not yet completed. With regard to the latter part of the question, I should explain that the Ordnance Survey was military in its origin and civilians were brought in to supplement the military establishment. This has always been the position and is so to-day. I have no reason to think, on the information before me, that the adoption of the suggestions of my hon. Friend would tend to greater efficiency or economy, and I do not see my way, therefore, to give effect to them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that four civil servants on the ordnance civil survey staff, Southampton, have been required by the local authorities to perform labourers' work in the graining shed; whether he is aware that this work is entirely outside the scope of their duties; whether it is due to the failure to engage labourers to do this work; whether the Treasury have now sanctioned the employment of such labourers; and whether he will give an assurance that there shall be no reversion in future to the employment of such civil servants on work which they are not engaged to perform?

Four civil assistants were temporarily employed on duties usually performed by labourers, whose numbers had become abnormally reduced in order to give effect to the special concession granted to the Ordnance Survey in 1922, whereby the immediate discharge of 143 men recommended by the Geddes Committee was avoided. Additional labourers are being engaged to relieve the four civil assistants in question, although the reduction in the establishment of the Survey recommended by the Geddes Committee is not yet completed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any careful yearly record is kept of the effects of coast erosion, so that counter action may be taken without delay if the occasion warrants it?

No, Sir. The only information which normally reaches my Department from time to time on this subject is in respect of those areas where there is a drainage authority possessing statutory powers to carry out sea defence works. I may add that no direct action is taken by the State for countering coast erosion, and I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Royal Commission, which reported fully on the subject in 1911 suggested that the carrying out of sea defence works was not a matter for public expenditure, and, moreover, found that more land was being recovered from the sea than was being lost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the nett value of the tithe in Sible Hedingham in the year 1910 was £910, that the value of the same tithe in 1923 was £1,480, the difference having to be made up out of the rates, and that the assessment in 1923 was £755, he will take steps in the near future to remedy the grievance by relieving the ratepayers all over the country from the additional rates chargeable under the recent Act?

I have no special information as to the rateable value of tithe rentcharge in Sible Hedingham, but I find that by the tithe apportionment the lands in the parish were charged with tithe rentcharges having a total nominal or par value of £1,755. Notwithstanding a considerable reduction by redemption during the past few years, the gross amount actually payable increased from £1,235 in 1910 to £1,677 in 1923. This increase was not due to the Ecclesiastical Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act, 1920, but is the result pf the operation of the provisions for variation contained in the Tithe Acts, 1836 to 1918, and the whole amount is payable by the landowners. With regard to the possibility of legislation on the subject of the rating of tithe rentcharge, I fear that I can at present add nothing to my answer to the question which the hon. Member addressed to me on the 10th March last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of metal watches and clocks imported during the existence of the import duties; and if there are any factories producing such articles in England?

From 29th September, 1915, when the duties on watches and clocks became operative, till 31st December, 1923, the number of imported watches retained for home consumption was 26,855,313, including 6,138,103 watches in gold or silver cases. The corresponding number of clocks was 14,776,055. No information is available as to the number of such clocks, the cases of which were of metal. In addition to the complete watches and clocks specified above, complete watch movements to the number of 826,931, and complete clock movements to the number of 1,212,500, were imported and retained for home consumption during the years 1920 to 1923 inclusive. Corresponding particulars for periods prior to 1st January, 1920, are not available. As regards the second part of the question the cheapest kinds of watches, including those with cases of metal other than gold and silver, and of clocks, and of watch and clock movements, are not made in this country.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that in January tenders were received at His Majesty's Office of Works for the supply of 1,200 dozen inverted glass globes from manufacturers in Staffordshire; that the price of the tender was specially reduced in order to secure employment to unemployed glass makers; that the samples submitted were approved; that the tender was ultimately refused and foreign glass bought instead; that the difference between the English glass and the foreign glass was 40 per cent.; that the saving in price secured by the purchase of foreign glass would, within £10, have been paid to Englishmen in wages alone; and that by placing this order abroad many hundreds of pounds go out of this country which would have otherwise been devoted to supporting British trade; and whether he will give instructions that in future British material shall be purchased?

The answer to the first, third, fourth and fifth parts of the question is in the affirmative; with regard to the second part, I was not aware that the price tendered was specially reduced below that considered to be necessary by the firm tendering to secure the contract, tenders for which were invited by open competition; as regards the sixth part, I had no definite information as to the extent to which the saving in price would have been paid in wages; with regard to the seventh part, the value of the contract for the foreign globes was £250 and the goods were taken from stocks already in this country held by merchants; as to the last part of the question, although it is the practice of my Department and other Government Departments to give preference to British goods where the difference in price is not excessive, I do not feel justified in authorising the payment of an increase of as much as 40 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the number of consignments of goods detained by his Department, on the grounds of infringement of the Merchandise Marks Act, during the year ending 31st December, 1923; and the number of such consignments which were ultimately released?

The number of consignments of goods detained by the Customs and Excise Department on the grounds of infringement of the Merchandise Marks Act, during the year ended the 31st December, 1923, was 2,521. Of these consignments 2,436 were released during the period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that his Department have recently refused a London wholesale house rebate upon musical goods, clocks, and watches reshipped by them on the grounds that they had not established a system described by his Department; and whether he is prepared to consult the London Chamber of Commerce, or some other body, with a view of devising a system that will permit the regaining of the trade lost owing to the amount of duty being added to the price of goods?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to give me particulars of the case to which he refers, I will make inquiries and let him know the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of musical string instruments such as violins, guitars, mandolins, etc., imported during the year ending 31st December, 1923, and the amount of duty collected on the same; and if he has any information as to whether the collection of these duties has led to the manufacture of these articles in England?

The number of musical string instruments imported during the year ending 31st December, 1923, was 69,175, and the amount of duty collected, £10,849. As from 1st April, 1923, these figures relate to Great Britain and Northern Ireland only. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade with regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department levies a duty on iron spanners on the ground that they might be used in connection with motor cars and motor cycles, whilst if the importer declares that they are only for use with bicycles they are admitted free; and whether, in order to prevent misstatements being made, he is prepared to consider the advisability of admitting spanners and other such articles without the imposition of such duties?

Spanners and wrenches unless specially designed for use on motor vehicles are admitted free of duty. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of clockwork motors imported by gramophone dealers and manufacturers during the year ending 31st December, 1923; and whether he can give the amount of duty collected on the same?

No separate record is kept of the imports of clockwork gramophone motors as distinguished from other parts of gramophones. The figures of the latter were stated in a reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Pringle) on the 13th of March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that his Department collects a duty on catgut on the ground that it may be used for violin and mandolin strings, he can state the value of the imports of such articles during the year ending 31st December, 1923, and the amount of duty so collected?

Statistics showing the value of the imports of catgut for use as musical instrument strings or the duty derived therefrom are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that his Department collects a duty on furniture castors on the ground that they may be used by piano manufacturers, he can state the value of the imports of such articles during the year ending 31st December, 1923, and the amount of duty so collected?

Statistics showing the value of the imports of furniture castors for use as piano parts or the duty derived therefrom are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of packages examined by his officers during the year 1923 at the Mount Pleasant Parcels Office; whether he is aware that many of these transactions involve the collection of a duty of only a few pence, whilst the Post Office, in addition to detaining these parcels from three to 10 days, also make a charge of 6d. per package; and whether, in order to avoid this delay and expense, he is prepared to consider the advisability of issuing an Order exempting from duty all transactions in which the amount of duty does not reach Is?

The number of parcels examined by the Customs staff at Mount Pleasant depot in 1923 was approximately 2,700,000. The duty chargeable on a certain number of parcels is of small amount, but under existing legislation I have no power to give the general instructions suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why his Department, under import duties, levies a duty upon toy trumpets, hurdy-gurdys, etc., when the value exceeds 2s. 6d., but admits them free of duty when they cost 2s. 5d.; and is he prepared to consider the advisability of excluding children's toys of all kinds from the collection of such duties?

By a Treasury Order made under Section 13 (5) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, complete musical instruments of a value not exceeding 2s. 6d. are exempt from duty. It has not been found practicable to distinguish musical instruments which may fairly be classed as toys by any other criterion than a value limit, but I am satisfied that the Order in question adequately meets the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the lumber of hosiery latch needles imported during the year ending 31st December, 1923, and the amount of duty his Department have collected on the same; and how many were of German origin?

No information is available as to the number of hosiery latch needles imported in the year ended 31st December, 1923. The net amount of duty collected during the same year was £17,292.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department collects a duty on enamelled hollow-ware used as children's toys as well as on iron blanks which are used by the enamel-ware manufacturers in this country; and, if so, whether he can state the value of such imports during the year ending 31st December, 1923, and the amount of duty so collected?

Domestic hollow-ware of steel or wrought iron, enamelled, is liable to duty on importation under an Order of the Board of Trade made under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, if manufactured in Germany. It is not the practice to charge the duty on toy articles, but hollow-ware made in small sizes for use by children is included in the charge. Duty is not chargeable on iron blanks which have not undergone the process of enamelling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of domestic glassware imported during 1923 and the amount of duty his Department have collected on that consigned from Germany?

The value of domestic glassware imported during 1923 was £1,387,752. It is not possible to give the amount of duty collected on such glassware consigned from Germany, but the amount collected under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act in respect of domestic glassware of German origin was approximately £7,840. As from 1st April, 1923, these figures relate to Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Irish Free State is levying duties upon commodities which have previously paid duties under the Safeguarding of Industries and import duties; whether he is aware that these double duties have practically stopped the trade formerly existing between England and the Free State and has led to the establishment of direct imports and direct shipping between foreign markets and Dublin; and whether he is prepared to discuss with the Free State the setting up of a system to avoid these double duties?

I am not aware that commodities are being charged with duty twice over in the United Kingdom and in the Irish Free State. The customs law provides, by means of drawbacks or bonding facilities, for commodities which are liable to duty on importation into the United Kingdom to be re-exported free of that duty. This applies1 to exportations to the Irish Free State as to exportations to all other countries, and the second and third parts of the question therefore do not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of photographic cameras imported during the year ending 31st December, 1923, and the amount of duty his Department have collected on the same; and how many were of German origin?

The number of photographic cameras imported during the year ended 31st December last was 396,973 of which 28,304 were consigned from Germany. As from 1st April, 1923, these figures relate to Great Britain and Northern Ireland only. The information asked for as to the amount of duty collected in respect of these cameras is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now inform the House the amount of arrears of Income Tax, Super-tax, and Excess Profits Duty assessed and due but not paid on 31st March, 1924; if he can give the amount agreed to be repaid under the last heading to taxpayers on account of losses and not yet repaid; and whether he anticipates any further material claims upon the Treasury on this account?

Perhaps the hon. Member would put his question down again in a week's time, when I shall be able to furnish him with all available information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can inform the House of the amount of Victory Bonds that have been surrendered in payment of Death Duties; and the total amount drawn for redemption and the total amount still outstanding?

The total original issue of Victory Bonds was £359,531,900, of which £38,228,000 have been surrendered for the payment of Death Duties and are held by the National Debt Commissioners (less a small amount which happens to have been included in the bonds drawn for redemption at the annual drawings). The total amount of bonds drawn for redemption is £7,632,900;and the amount now outstanding is therefore £351,899,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates that the Committee on the National Debt Inquiry will make their Report?

It is clearly impossible for me to anticipate the course of inquiry of a Committee which has only just been appointed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the 5 per cent. War Loan, 1929–47, carries the following advantages, namely, payment of Estate Duty at issue price, plus accrued interest; that dividends on the inscribed and registered stock are paid without deduction of Income Tax at the source; and that persons who are neither domiciled nor ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom are exempt from all British taxation, whether present or future, in respect of the dividends on the stock or bonds of the loan, he will say whether the same advantages will be conferred on those owners of the 5 per cent. War Loan whose holdings are converted under the terms of the prospectus, dated 1st April, 1924, into the £4 10s. per cent. Conversion Loan, 1940–44; and, if not, why it was not made clear in such prospectus that the before-mentioned advantages would cease to apply to those who convert their holdings?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the special privileges given by Statute to certain issues made during the war period have not been extended to any Government issues for the past four years, namely, since January, 1920. In the absence of any statement to the contrary in the prospectus, it is sufficiently obvious that Conversion Loan, 1940–44, does not carry such special privileges.

The rates are inclusive of overtime pay, except in the case of Grade III clerks on the 42-hour basis, who are eligible for overtime pay for hours in excess of 42 per week. The recent agreement for the reduction, where practicable, to 42 hours a week of the hours of temporary clerks conditioned to a longer working week than 42 hours, with corresponding reduction of pay, was made at the instance of the main temporary staff organisations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many men and women, respectively, employed in each Department of State, specifying separately each main Department and the sub-Departments of the Treasury and the Post Office, reached the efficiency-bar point in the lower clerical scale during the years 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923; what number of men and women, respectively, failed to pass the efficiency barrier during each of the years referred to; whether any men or women, respectively, were promoted during the period referred to prior to reaching the efficiency-bar point in the

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the proposed reduction of the hours of duty of temporary clerks in Government Departments will entail a reduction in the pay now being received; if so, what the amounts of such reductions will be for Grade 1, 2, and 3 clerks, respectively, at present employed on a 44-hour or 48-hour basis; and whether the proposal to reduce the hours of duty of temporary clerks in Government Departments emanated from the Treasury or from certain temporary staff associations?

The prescribed rates of pay of temporary male clerk6 vary according as the attendance required is 42 hours, 44 hours, or 48 hours per week.

The rates of pay in London are:

lower clerical scale; and, if so, what was the total number of each sex so promoted during each year?

No centralised record is kept in this matter, which is regarded as one of Departmental administration; and the statistics requested do not appear to be of sufficient value to justify the expense of collection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the numbers of the staff at the Colonial Office whose duties are confined to dealing with matters arising in Zanzibar, Tanganyika, Kenya, and Uganda; and what arrangements exist for co-ordinating their work in respect of common or allied subjects arising in any of the four areas?

Ten Administrative Officers are assigned to the two Departments which deal with these and certain other Dependencies. The co-ordination which the hon. Member desires is arranged for partly by assigning special subjects to individual members of the staff, partly by constant consultation between the heads of the Departments, and partly through an Assistant Under-Secretary, one of whose main duties is the charge of business relating to East Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of the Gold Coast publicly announced more than a year ago that the return of King Prempeh would be permitted; that his entourage, which was deported with him nearly 20 years ago, has been allowed to return; and that the whole of the Omahene of Ashanti have forwarded to him a petition asking that King Prempeh may be allowed to return at an early date; and whether he will consider taking immediate steps to secure the release and return of this exile?

Subject to certain reasonable conditions, I have approved the return to Ashanti at an early date of the ex-King Prempeh. He will, of course, return as a private person and not as king.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made for the publication of the revised laws of Kenya; and when it is expected that they will be issued?

The revision of the laws has been completed by the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General of Kenya during their leave in this country. The printing will be carried out in the Colony, and I cannot say when the revised edition will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any claim has been entered to the ownership of the railways in Tanganyika on the ground of their being private and not State property?

I understand it is a fact that certain rights in respect of one of the railways in the Tanganyika Territory were possessed by a German company. Such rights fall to be dealt with under Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles, and steps are in contemplation for the valuation of the rights in question with a view to determining what course of action should be adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are the two railway experts who were added to the Committee on the Nyasaland Railway extension; and whether he will ask the Committee to frame their Report in such a form that it can be laid before Parliament?

The two railway experts on the Nyasaland Railways Committee are Sir Percy Tempest, K.B.E., late general manager of the Southern Railway, and Mr. G. J. Churchward, late locomotive superintendent of the Great Western Railway. As regards the latter part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 31st March. I will consider the matter further when I receive the Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with regard to West Indian cables, whether the short length of cable which is proposed in the new scheme gives the islands telegraphic communication with the outer world over all-British cables, or whether it simply links up the islands with cables which are owned by American-controlled companies?

The new cable will connect at Turks Island with the system of the Direct West India Cable Company and the Halifax and Bermudas Cable Company. The cables of both these companies land only in British territory, and in time of war would, therefore, be under the control of British administrations. I understand that, with the exception of one American director, who has never take any part in the management of the companies, the directors are, and have always been, British subjects. The companies moreover, though a large proportion of their capital is understood to be owned in the United States, are managed in every detail from the London offices, whose staff is entirely composed of British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Treaty with King Feisal will be discussed in this House?

I am not at present in a position to give a date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Indians resident in Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, and Nyasaland, respectively, and whether the numbers show an increase or decrease during the last 12 months?

The 1921 Census reports gave the number of resident British Indians as 5,130 in Uganda, 22,822 in Kenya, 9,411 in Tanganyika, and 515 in Nyasaland. I have no information as to any increase or decrease during the last 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the strong exception taken by chambers of commerce to repeated attempts to put the War Museum in the place of the exhibition of the countries and resources of the British Empire in the galleries of the Imperial Institute, and of their objection to further expenditure on the War Museum and to the rent of nearly £8,000 a year which it is understood will be paid by the taxpayer; and will he reconsider the question?

I am aware that representations have been received from various chambers of commerce in regard to the proposal that the War Museum should be housed in the Exhibition Galleries at the Imperial Institute, but I think the hon. Member is under some misapprehension in this matter, and also about the rent of £8,000. As I stated in reply to a question of the hon. Member for Stafford on the 31st March, I intend, in due course, to bring in a Bill dealing with the re-organisation of the Imperial Institute. The hon. Member will, I think, agree that these various matters are rather too complicated to be dealt with by means of question and answer, but when the Bill, to which I have referred, is introduced, I will make a statement about the whole future of the Institute, and an opportunity will then be afforded for a full discussion in Parliament.

asked the Postmaster-General, with reference to the Post Office commercial accounts for the year ending 31st March, 1923, published last January, by what exact method the figure of £2,041,308, given as the amount of interest on capital in the telephone net revenue account, is arrived at?

I beg to refer the right hon. Member to page 10 of the Memorandum prefixed to the Commercial Accounts for the year in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to make an announcement regarding the establishment of a branch post office in Tottenham?

I regret that until either suitable premises or a building site can be found, it will not be possible to make any definite announcement in the matter. The question is being actively pursued in collaboration with the Tottenham Urban District Council.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has reached a decision to establish a branch post office in Wandsworth?

There is already a branch office in Wandsworth, but it is housed in temporary premises, which it is proposed to replace by a permanent building on a fresh site. The plans of the new building have been settled and the work will be commenced as soon as the legal formalities in connection with the underlease of the site have been completed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. P. Burgess, an ex-soldier and rural postman at Pulborough, Sussex, who after 21 years' service has been dismissed without pension by reason of increasing years preventing him covering his round as quickly as formerly; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have inquired into this case. Mr. Burgess, who is 52 years of age, had been under notice for persistent loss of time on delivery duty ever since 1916. After repeated warnings and punishments had been given without effect he was dismissed in December last. His delays gave rise to public complaint. His duty was a light one, and tests showed that he could perform it in the scheduled time. The reason suggested by the hon. Member has at no time been advanced by Mr. Burgess as an excuse for his slow working, which was apparently deliberate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that, despite the general regulations of the British Empire Exhibition that all manufactured goods exhibited must have been manufactured mainly within the British Empire, permission has been granted for cars to be exhibited fitted with engines, gear-boxes, and axles which are of foreign manufacture; and whether, seeing that should such exhibits be permitted orders thereby secured from the Colonies and other countries would be executed direct from the foreign manufacturers without any benefit to this country, he will make representations to the exhibition authorities that any such permit be revoked?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that no exception will be made in the case of motor cars to the regulation which requires that all exhibits must have been manufactured or produced within the British Empire. It would, however, inflict serious hardship upon exhibitors if this rule were so interpreted as to preclude the admission of any articles which might contain some foreign material or some component part of foreign manufacture. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Dominions for tariff purposes treat as British any articles into whose value British labour or materials enters to the extent of 25 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department who are the owners of the land upon which the Wembley Exhibition is being built?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 24th March to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the South-West Division of Bethnal Green (Mr. Percy Harris).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will take steps to ensure the provision of adequate-seating accommodation at the British Empire Exhibition, in view of the hardship inflicted on the general public by the neglect of this precaution?

I have been in communication with the British Empire Exhibition authorities on the question raised by the hon. Member, and am informed by them that ample seating accommodation will be provided for visitors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can take any steps to prevent the disfigurement of the permanent architectural offices of the British Empire Exhibition by painted advertisement, and who is responsible for arranging these advertisements?

I have been in communication with the British Empire Exhibition authorities on this question, and I understand that it is under consideration by the board of management, who are responsible for the arrangements in such matters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how the difference between £2,600,000, the amount already spent on the British Empire Exhibition, and £1,207,281, the sum guaranteed, has been provided?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the difference between the amount already spent on the exhibition and the sum guaranteed has been met from the revenue received from the letting of space and from miscellaneous sources, supplemented by advances made by the association's bankers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has given further consideration to a circular recently issued by the British Empire Exhibition authorities at Wembley, in which it is stated that it is not intended to provide either mess rooms or free lavatory accommodation for the exhibitors' assistants, male or female, in an exhibition open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on six days in the week; and whether he will take steps to secure additional temporary accommodation pending the provision of more adequate arrangements?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question asked on the 2nd April by the right hon. Gentleman who represents the South Division of Hammersmith (Sir W. Bull), in which I stated that the exhibition authorities were already committed to the arrangements set out in the circular to which he refers. In these circumstances, I cannot usefully take further action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any approach has been made to the trade unions in the building industry who have members employed at the British Empire Exhibition to relax their rules regulating overtime, in order to assist in overcoming any delay in opening the exhibition?

Yes, Sir, and I have been assured that everything will be done in the direction requested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made by the different Crown Colonies to bring over native chiefs to visit the Empire Exhibition; and whether he will make a point, in those cases where the chiefs come from cotton-growing districts, of arranging for visits to the cotton-manufacturing districts of Lancashire so that they may be familiarised with the need for increasing cotton cultivation?

I am not aware of arrangements being made by Colonial Governments for particular individuals to visit the Exhibition. The hon. Member's, suggestion is, however, valuable and I will bring it to the notice of the Colonial Governments concerned, in case any important chiefs may be visiting this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will reconsider the hardship being caused to ex-service men now serving in naval establishments as temporary writers and clerks by the Regulations issued which debar them from taking the examination for appointment as third-grade clerks because they have not had one year of approved service between 1st July, 1921. and 1st July, 1923; and if he will state the reasons why temporary writers and clerks now employed are debarred from taking the examination for third-grade clerks because of the fact that they are employed in certain Departments of naval establishments which are concerned with the conduct of secretarial and accountant work?

The Regulations for the Admiralty Departmental Clerical Class Examination were modelled on those for a recent similar competition in the Ministry of Labour and are on the same lines as those governing similar examinations in other Departments of State during the last two years. It is not possible at this stage to modify these Regulations. As regards the second part of the question, the examination is limited to temporary clerks serving in Departments which are staffed with the Departmental Clerical Class and clerks employed in offices, both at the Admiralty and the dockyards, which are not so staffed cannot be admitted to the competition. The secretarial and accountant offices of the dockyards are within the latter category.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give a list of the Departments of naval establishments normally staffed by pensioner clerks, and state the reasons why ex-service temporary writers and clerks in naval establishments have recently been replaced by civilian employés?

Pensioner clerks are employed as follows:

(1) Royal Naval College, Greenwich.—Cashier's Office and Medical School.

(2) Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

(3) Royal Naval Hospitals, Chatham, Haslar, Plymouth and South Queensferry, and the Royal Marine Infirmary, Deal.

(4) Clerks to certain District Intelligence Officers abroad, namely, Bermuda, Colombo, Gibraltar, Malta, Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

(5) Large home dockyards.—Cash Department, Secretarial Department.

(6) Smaller home yards and yards abroad.—Cash and Secretarial Department (combined).

(7) Cash Department.—At Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford, Royal Naval Store Depot, West India Docks and Royal Naval Armament Depot, Woolwich.

If the hon. Member will state more specifically to what replacements he refers in the second part of the question, the matter will be investigated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the date on which the Inter-Departmental Committee that is considering the general question of reserving a proportion of vacancies in Government employment for ex-service men was appointed; whether officers in charge of naval establishments nave or will be called upon to express their opinions regarding such employment; and the approximate date it is anticipated the results of the Committee's deliberations will be available for the information of the House?

The Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to consider the question of placing ex-professional seamen, soldiers and airmen in civil employment held its first meeting in November, 1921. It is open to the Committee to obtain the views of any persons whose opinions may assist them in their deliberations. It is regretted that no date can be given for the Committee's Report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is proposed to eliminate the prison atmosphere from the Royal Naval Barracks at Portsmouth by removing the unsightly corrugated-iron screen which now surrounds it?

The Admiralty do not agree with the suggestion of the hon. Member that the screen introduces a prison-like atmosphere to the establishment. The advantages and disadvantages of retaining the screen have been fully considered, and it is not considered desirable to remove it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any Circular has been issued to county education committees with reference to the use of school premises for parochial entertainments free of charge?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the number of applications which have been received by the Board from the local education authorities since 1920 for permission to establish nursery schools: the number of these which have been granted by the Board; and the number which have been refused?

The number of applications which have been received by the Board from local education authorities since 1st January, 1921, for permission to establish nursery schools is 14, four of which have been granted and 10 refused. In addition, five applications have been received from voluntary managers since 1st January, 1921, all of which have been refused. As has recently, however, been stated in this House, the Board are now prepared to consider favourably representations which may be made to them for the establishment of new nursery schools.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the parents of the persons killed in the Slades Green disaster have been offered in compensation less than the cost of burial in some cases; and whether, seeing that this question is affected by the question of responsibility and having regard to the evidence at the inquest he will order an inquiry into the whole of the circumstances attending the explosion?

My right hon. Friend has received certain information which my hon. Friend has sent him, but the question of compensation is a matter which lies outside his jurisdiction. The circumstances and causes of the accident have already been carefully investigated, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the report of the investigation which, I hope, will be in the hands of Members this week.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the unsatisfactory technical evidence at the inquest held in connection with the recent explosion at Slades Green, and to the fact that the real cause of the explosion was not determined, he will consider the advisability of appointing an independent technical Committee to investigate the whole circumstances of this accident?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave, on the 25th March, to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck).

asked the Home Secretary the total accommodation for prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs Prison; the maximum number of prisoners in that prison at any one time between the 1st January, 1921, and the 1st January, 1924; the period during which there was that maximum; the number of first offenders-included in that maximum; and the total number of prison officials and officers employed in that prison during 1923, and their total salaries?

The total cell accommodation at Wormwood Scrubs Prison is 1,418; the maximum population between 1st January, 1921, and 1st January, 1924, 567, on 21st April, 1923; the number of first offenders could not be ascertained without much expenditure of labour and time; the number of prison officers (excluding temporary officers), 88; and the total annual salaries and bonus, £19,860. The figures for accommodation and occupation include both the prison and the Borstal Institution.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest on Martha Porter, 50, a china-ware cleaner, reported in the "Staffordshire Sentinel" of 5th January, 1924, where four doctors, including the certifying surgeon, agreed that death was due to lead poisoning; is he aware that it was stated in evidence that the deceased gave up her work in 1920 and thought she was suffering from lead poisoning; and that she had been marked Al by the certifying surgeon because from 1917 to December, 1919, she had made no complaints to him; and whether, in view of these facts, he will cause the whole system of health inspection in all processes where lead is used to be inquired into?

, pursuant to his statement [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th March, 1924; col. 1535, Vol. 171], supplied the following answer:

The report, which I have now received, shows that the evidence at the inquest was that the deceased, when giving up work, told her sister-in-law that she thought she was suffering from lead poisoning, but that she never made any complaint to the certifying surgeon, and did not, at any time, consult any doctor. The verdict of the jury was, that death was caused by cerebral hæemorrhage following chronic interstitial nephritis, probably due to lead poisoning, and it appears that the medical evidence, on which this verdict was returned, was based entirely on the results of the postmortem examination. The deceased is stated to have been a healthy looking woman, and I am advised that there is nothing in the facts to indicate that the certifying surgeon should, or could, have detected the presence of chronic lead poisoning. So far, therefore, as this case is concerned, no grounds are shown for any general inquiry, as suggested in the question.

I would add, that the system of examinations, as carried out by the certifying surgeons in the Potteries, was the subject, in the summer of 1922, of a special inquiry by one of the medical inspectors, who went round with each certifying surgeon for the purpose of ascertaining the method and standard of examination. As a result of these visits, the inspector expressed himself as satisfied generally with the efficiency of the system, though he made several suggestions for improving it, which were brought at once to the notice of the certifying surgeons.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of employés at the Cambridge Barracks, Woolwich, have paid their unemployment contributions for some considerable time; and whether, in the event of their discharge, unemployment benefit will be paid to them?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the position arising owing to the loss of certain unemployment books by theft at the Royal Engineers Office, Woolwich. The possibility of allowing credit for the stamps stated to have been affixed on the lost books is being investigated. Meanwhile, according to my information, claims to benefit have been made by six of the employés concerned, and I am glad to say that it has been possible to allow benefit in each case without reference to the stamps on the lost books.

asked the Minister of Labour if the Government have yet devised any new schemes to put forward to relieve unemployment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Major Stewart) on Thursday last.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the labourers at Messrs. Cochrane and Company's ironworks, Cargo Fleet, Middlesbrough, have ceased work in consequence of the firm not observing the working agreements of the North-East Coast Engineering Federation; that, according to the conditions imposed by the company, the wages paid have been as low as 33s. 2d.; that the firm are now advertising for non-union labour; that the company are Government contractors; and if he will take action in the matter to ensure that the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause are maintained?

I am aware of the circumstances of the dispute to which my hon. Friend refers, but, from inquiries I have caused to be made, the case does not appear to be one in which my Department can usefully intervene. The question of the observance of the Fair Wages Clause would be one to be dealt with by the contracting Department concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what statistics his Department has received as to the number of eviction orders issued in England and Wales, respectively, since the passage of the Rent Restriction Act, 1923; what are the sources of his information; and what measures have been taken to check the accuracy of the reports?

Statistics showing, amongst other things, the number of warrants of possession issued and the number executed since the passing of the Rent Restriction Act, 1923, are being collected, and the information will be presented to Parliament as soon as possible. The statistics are compiled from the records of the county courts by the officials employed in those courts, and I have no reason to suppose that they will not do this work carefully and accurately.

asked the Minister of Health the average rents for State-aided houses of each type under the Addison scheme and the 1923 Act, respectively?

As regards houses erected in England and Wales under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc., Act, 1919, the average weekly rents (excluding rates) of the two principal types are as follow:—

asked the First Commissioner of Works if his attention has been drawn to the recent fire at the Munition Cottages, Scotswood, New-castle-on-Tyne, as a result of which 10 families, occupying cottages belonging to His Majesty's Office of Works, have been rendered homeless; and if his Department can offer these families any alternative accommodation or can make any provision to assist these people?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. Two of the houses have already been repaired and are again occupied. Of the remaining eight families, one is emigrating, three have been moved into other cottages on the estate, and the remaining four, who are at present in lodgings, were offered tenancies at Birtley, in the Newcastle district, but did not accept. It is hoped that they will be given cottages at Scots- wood within the next month. I understand that a local relief fund, which, I believe, amounts to about £200, has been opened for the sufferers, and my Department is contributing £20 and has lent beds and bedding to those requiring them.

asked the Minister of Health whether, by an Order-in-Council or other means, boards of guardians may have direct representation on the committees of management of the mental hospitals in the areas such guardians represent; and whether he will favourably consider the question at an early date?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and I doubt if an alteration of the law in the direction suggested is likely in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a large number of the applications for education grants made to the Special Grants Committee are turned down, although recommended by local War Pensions Committees after a full investigation and knowledge of all the circumstances; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The Special Grants Committee inform me that while they give careful consideration to the recommendations of War Pensions Committees, all cases are decided on their merits, and in a number of cases it is not possible for them to adopt the recommendations made. I understand that the Special Grants Committee have certain modifications of the Education Regulation under consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether, seeing that four provincial Governments in India have demanded the separation of the executive and judicial functions of government, and that this demand has been put forward by the foremost representatives of Indian public opinion through successive Indian national congresses from 1886 to 1914, and that the Government of India undertook to provide machinery to carry out the demand of the four provincial Governments, he can state when it is intended that this undertaking will be carried out?

It is not possible to give at present any undertaking as to the date or precise nature of the steps to be taken to secure separation.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he is aware that the cases of people recently interned under Bengal Regulation 3 of 1818 were examined only by two Sessions Judges ordinarily under the control of the Executive Government, and not by independent Judges of the High Court as was stated by the Viceroy in his speech at the opening of the Legislative Assembly at Delhi on 31st January, 1924; and whether, under the circumstances, he will order their release or an open trial?

The cases were examined by two Senior Sessions Judges, and the misapprehension of the Viceroy was subsequently set right by interpellations in the Legislative Assembly. I see no reason to doubt that the Judges were entirely competent to perform the duty entrusted to them, and I resent the implied slur cast by the hon. and gallant Member on the impartiality of judicial officers who cannot defend themselves against such criticism. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present situation with regard to the Anatolian and Bagdad Railway Companies; whether the shares of these companies held by the Bank fur Orientalische Eisenbahnen, of Zurich, are recognised as neutral property: and whether negotiations have been begun with the Government of the Turkish Republic for the completion of the Bagdad Railway and the shortening of the overland route to India by this means?

An option on a majority shareholding in the Anatolian Railway Company was acquired last year by a British group. Negotiations between representatives of the company and the Turkish authorities are at present proceeding at Angora with the object of regaining possession of the line, which is at present being worked by the Turkish Government, and of re-adapting the Anatolian railway concession to the new economic conditions. With regard to the Bagdad Railway Company the majority of the shares which were held by Germans before the War have been transferred to the Reparation Commission. Their ultimate disposal remains to be determined. No change has taken place in regard to the non-German shares. Part of the line from Konia to Bozanti is being worked by the Turkish authorities, and the portion from Bozanti to Nisibin by a French company. The Bank für Orientalische Eisenbahnen, of Zurich, holds no shares in the Bagdad Railway Company, and the Anatolian Railway shares held by the bank are, failing any claim to the contrary by the Reparation Commission, regarded as neutral property. In reply to the third part of the question, His Majesty's Government have no information that negotiations have been begun with the Government of the Turkish republic for the completion of the Bagdad Railway.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States of America is willing to act with the Allies in the application of any scheme for the payment of reparations by Germany laid down by the expert committees which have been acting under the direction of the Reparations Commission; whether any recent communications on the subject have been passed between Great Britain and the United States; and what is the result?

Until the reports of the committees of experts have been duly considered, it is impossible to say what will be the attitude of any Government towards any scheme which they may contain. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not therefore arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the constant abuse of peaceful picketing, his Government proposes to take any action, either administrative or legislative, to protect peaceful citizens when they desire to perform their lawful duties?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is not aware of any necessity for legislation or any special administrative measures in order to prevent abuses of peaceful picketing.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the possibilities of cotton growing in Queensland, and in view of the success of the cotton growing arrangements already in operation under the initiative of the Government of Queensland, he will consider the advisability of extending the operation of the Trade Facilities Act so that it may be used to extend cotton growing in Queensland?

I am not aware what scheme my hon. Friend has in mind, but if it involves a loan for capital expenditure in this country which gives employment here, there is no reason, so far as I know, why application for a guarantee should not be made to the Advisory Committee in the usual way.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the view of His Majesty's Government, warships may be converted from coal to oil burning; and whether gun-mounting may be so modified as to allow additional elevation being given to the gunnery armament within the scope of repairs as contemplated by the Washington Agreement?

If the question refers to the capital ships that are retained under the provisions of the Washington Treaty, the reply is that, in the view of His Majesty's Government, such warships may not be converted from coal to oil burning. Also, if the elevation of the guns of the main armament of those retained capital ships is referred to, the view of His Majesty's Government is that such existing ships were intended to remain unaltered in this respect.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to introduce the Pre-War Pensions Increase Act (Amendment) Bill; and whether he is aware that the delay is causing great suffering and hardship to the persons affected?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 24th March in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inadequacy and irregularity of the service on the Inner Circle, Metropolitan Railway; and whether he will take action with a view to securing better facilities for the public?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will furnish me with particulars of any suggestions he may wish to make for the improvement of the services on the Metropolitan Railway I will bring them to the notice of the company.

asked the Minister of Transport the total mileage of the main roads in Gloucestershire; the mileage of the first-class roads; the mileage of the second-class roads; the amount of grant from the Road Board Fund to each of the above sections during the last completed year, 1922–23; the mileage of the roads maintained by the urban district and the rural district councils, respectively; and the amount paid for such roads, with the