asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of females now employed in the signal school at Portsmouth; and whether it is possible, without prejudice to widows or others who have dependants solely depending upon them, to replace certain of these employés by ex-service men with dependants?

The following women are employed

22 Shorthand typists and typists.

7 Women tracers.

8 Women testers.

1 Woman messenger.

1 Woman storekeeper.

They are engaged on duties which are regarded as peculiarly appropriate to women with the exception of the last-named. The question of substituting an ex-service man in that case will be looked into.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if any decision has been arrived at in regard to the workmen under notice of discharge at the Cambridge Barracks, Woolwich?

I am glad to say that it has been found possible to retain these men for the present. The question of their ultimate disposal is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Mark C. Palmer, King Street, Tottenham, aged 76, who was in the Government service for 54 years, mostly at Enfield Lock, is now living in circumstances of great poverty, having been disqualified from receiving superannuation under the 1890 Act; and, in view of the long and honourable record of public service rendered by this old man and of the fact that the records upon which his claim has been rejected are by no means satisfactory, will he look into this case sympathetically?

I am enquiring into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that in the Air Estimates for 1923–24 the sum of £5,594,000 was allocated for technical and warlike stores; how much of this sum was actually expended on technical and warlike stores; and to what purpose the unspent surplus has been applied?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second that, so far as can at present be ascertained, the amount taken in the Estimates for the purchase of technical and warlike stores, £5,594,000, is estimated to have been overspent. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the sum of £940,800 was allocated for the purchase of complete aero engines in the Air Estimates of 1923–4; how much of this sum was actually expended in the aircraft industry; and to what purpose the surplus was applied?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, that considerably more than £940,800 was expended in the aircraft industry on purchase of aircraft the provision under this subhead having been overspent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the sum of £1,913,400 was allocated in the Air Estimates of 1923–24 to the purchase of complete aeroplanes; how much of this sum was actually expended in the aircraft industry; and to what purpose the unspent surplus has been applied?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, that considerably more than £1,913,400 was expended in the aircraft industry on purchase of aircraft, the provision under this sub-head having been overspent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the additional deficiency grant under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1923, has been paid, as applied for by the Newent (Gloucestershire) Board of Guardians and the Newent Rural District Council, in respect of the half-year ended 30th September, 1923?

According to returns made by the guardians of the Newent Union and the Newent Rural District Council, the amounts raised for their expenses during the half-year ended 30th September, 1923, by rates in respect of agricultural land, were (subject to an adjustment of less than £4), £649 8s. 3d. and £630 Os. 5d. respectively. One-half of these sums, being the estimated amount of the deficiency arising from the provisions of Section 1 of the Act, has been paid out of the additional grant under the Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the rate of wages paid to the men employed as slaughterers in foot-and-mouth cases; and if they have any special qualification for this work?

Arrangements for the slaughter of animals on the occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease are generally not made by the Ministry directly, but through master butchers who provide their own gangs of slaughtermen. I am informed that rates for killing and dressing the carcase vary according to district and the special circumstances of the case. They range from 7s. 6d. to 15s. per head for cattle, an average of 2s. 6d. for sheep, and from 2s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. for pigs. With regard to the last part, the men employed are normally all skilled men whose trade is the slaughter of animals. To do otherwise would mean great loss in respect of salvage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the average weekly wage and hours for agricultural labourers in the highest and lowest paid English counties, respectively, in January in each of the years 1914, 1921 and 1924, or other corresponding periods; and whether he will, at the same time, give for the same periods the index figures for the cost of living and agricultural produce?

No precise statistics are available of the average wages and hours of agricultural workers in the years in question, but from such information as is in the possession of my Department it is estimated that the weekly wage of ordinary labourers in January, 1914, ranged from 14s. or 15s. in parts of East Anglia and the Southern Midlands up to 20s. or 22s. in the Northern counties. In the corresponding month of 1921 the minimum rates of wages in force under the Wages Boards orders ranged from 46s. (for winter hours of 48 per week) over the greater part of the country up to 50s. 6d. (for 48 hours) in Northumberland and Durham and 52s. (for a week of 54 hours) in Cheshire. So far as the current year is concerned, it is understood that in parts of East Anglia and the Southern Midlands wages of ordinary labourers in January were about 25s. for a week of 50 or 48 hours and that they ranged up to 32s. for a week of about 52 hours in certain Northern counties. According to the returns of the Ministry of Labour the cost of living on 1st January, 1921, was 165 per cent, higher than in July, 1914, and on 1st January, 1924, was 77 per cent. higher. The prices of agricultural produce generally in January, 1921, were 183 per cent. higher than in the corresponding month of the years 1911–13 and 61 per cent. higher in January, 1924.

asked the Prime Minister whether, amongst any Papers to be circulated in anticipation of the discussion on the decisions of the Imperial Economic Conference, he will include the Report of the Treasury Committee which considered the best method of levying a Customs duty on imported malting barley?

No useful purpose would be served by incorporating the Report of the Committee referred to in any Papers circulated in connection with the conclusions of the Imperial Economic Conference as none of these were related to the proposal to tax imported malting barley.

asked the Prime Minister whether, taking the Register of Temporary Laws which has now been issued to Members of Parliament, he will state what Measures therein specified can be regarded as of a permanent character; and whether, particularly as regards those affecting international relations, he will consider giving them the effect of permanency?

It would be impossible to indicate within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question to what extent, if at all, any of the Acts specified in the Register to which the hon. Member refers can be regarded as of a permanent character. As regards the majority of these Acts the question whether they should be continued or allowed to expire is considered on the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, which is annually presented to Parliament, and so recently as 1922 the question whether any of these Acts could with advantage be made permanent was referred to a Select Committee, which in its Report set out a list of Acts that, in the opinion of the Committee, ought to be made permanent. The Committee reported in July, 1922, and effect was given to the recommendation by the Expiring Laws Continuance Act of that year. The Committee's recommendation did not extend to any Acts affecting international relations. It may be said generally that the duration of all such Acts depends upon the continuance of treaties or conventions which are themselves temporary and liable to be determined by any of the States concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to have the chief Debates in the House of Commons broadcasted, in view of the public interest in such Debates and of the importance of increasing a general knowledge of the work done in the House of Commons?

No, Sir; I do not think my hon. Friend's proposal is practicable.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that stoppages in industry have been one of the most fruitful causes, direct and indirect, of unemployment, he will give facilities for the introduction of legislation tending to the encouragement of methods of arbitration or conciliation, and at the same time, whilst in no way interfering with the right to strike, making this particular operation difficult until all means of settlement or agreement have been explored?

I have nothing to add to what I have already said in reply to the many questions addressed to me on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue instructions to the Employment Exchanges to carry on payments pending any investigation of cases which may be thought necessary after 16th April, the end of the payment period?

I cannot anticipate decisions of Parliament in the direction of authorising benefit beyond the maximum amount payable under existing legislation. Arrangements are, however, being made to ensure that if the Bill now before Parliament is passed, permitting an extension of benefit beyond the present maximum, no avoidable delay shall occur in the authorisation of such benefit in proper cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the returns from the Employment Exchanges, revealing the number of lace workers now registered as unemployed is an inadequate indication of the extent of the unemployment in that trade, he will, in order that the House may be accurately informed upon this matter, make arrangements for a return to be made by the Employment Exchanges, showing the number of machines in 1913, the number of workers employed in 1913, and the number of machines and the number of workers now engaged?

I have no reason to think that the statistics which are regularly obtained and published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" as to the numbers and proportions of insured workpeople unemployed in the lace industry, appreciably understate the actual amount of unemployment among such workpeople, though they do not, of course, show to what extent workpeople formerly employed have left the industry, nor do they include outworkers or other classes of uninsured workers. Information as to the numbers of machines in 1912–13 and in 1923 was obtained by the Lace, Embroidery and Silk Industries Committee appointed by the Board of Trade last year and was published last November in the Interim Report of the Committee. As regards the total numbers of workpeople employed in 1913 and at the present time, I am afraid it would be impracticable to obtain comprehensive figures by the method suggested, but such information as was available as to the numbers before the War and in 1923 was included in the Report of the Committee. I understand that further information as to the numbers employed in 1924, which may be compared with that obtained before the War, will be collected in connection with the forthcoming Census of Production, to be taken by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Finchley Urban District Council Education Committee in refusing to sanction the purchase of copies of the "Weekly Bulletin," issued in connection with the British Empire Exhibition, and that the teachers are not permitted to circulate the publication to the scholars; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Board of Education is pressing local authorities to make full use of the educational facilities offered by the exhibition itself, he can take steps to have this official publication brought within the reach of both teachers and scholars, most of whom are keenly interested in the exhibition?

So far as I am aware the Local Education Authority for Finchley is the only authority which has prohibited the circulation of the "Weekly Bulletin" in their schools. I have no knowledge of the reasons on which their action is based, and I confess that I cannot imagine what they are; but the matter is undoubtedly within the discretion of the authority, and I do not see how I can intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amount expended on secondary school scholarships, free places, and maintenance allowances, classified by areas, over the last five years; the number of ex-elementary school children passing to Universities, classified by local education authority areas and by Universities, over the last five years; and the expenditure by local education authorities, Universities, schools, the Board of Education, and private endowments on scholarships to Universities and institutions of University rank over the same period?

I could not, without disproportionate labour, supply my hon. Friend with complete answers to each part of his question. He will find in Table S7 of the Board's statistical volume for 1919–20 and Table 103 of the volume for 1920–21, which are both in the Library of the House, particulars of the numbers of free pupils in the schools on the 31st March, 1920 and 1921, respectively; but I have no figures of cost.

With regard to the second part of the question, I am afraid I cannot do more than refer him to the answer which I gave on the 10th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Ardwick (Mr. Lowth) which contains all the information in my possession. With regard to the third part of the question, the expenditure by the Board of Education on scholarships to Universities and institutions of University rank—including Royal scholarships and free studentships at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, Whitworth scholarships and exhibitions held at University institutions and (from 1920–21) State scholarships— for the last five years was as follows:

The expenditure by local education authorities on scholarships to Universities and institutions of University rank was £197,292 in the financial year 1921–22, and £220,077 in the financial year 1922–23. Figures as to this expenditure are not available for the years 1919–20 and 1920–21, and cannot at present be given for the year 1923–24. The figures for the expenditure by the Board and local education authorities on scholarships to Universities do not include special assistance given to persons preparing for the teaching profession. The Board could not without prolonged inquiry give complete figures showing the expenditure by Universities, schools and private endowments on scholarships to Universities.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the recent ruling of his Department, in conjunction with the Treasury, as to service in special schools being adequate for the purposes of the Teachers' Superannuation Act, applies also to full-time service of qualified teachers in nursery schools recognised by the Board of Education?

The Board have decided in consultation with the Treasury to accept full-time service rendered in the past by qualified teachers in nursery schools as recognised service for the purposes of the School Teachers' Superannuation Acts, 1918–1922.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the policy of the Board of Education to increase the fees in all preparatory departments up to the level of those paid in the upper departments of secondary schools?

The Board's policy, as embodied in their Regulations, is that the rate of tuition fee as a rule must be uniform and must not increase with the age of the pupil.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations from boards of guardians recommending the suspension of the provisions of the Housing and Town Planning Act and the London Building Act with a view of accelerating the supply of housing accommodation; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

I have received such representations from a number of boards of guardians and district councils. With a view to facilitating the erection of dwelling-houses special provision was made in the Housing, Town Planning Act, 1919, for allowing local authorities to waive the requirements of their bye-laws or local Acts affecting building, subject to certain conditions. Further powers for dealing with bye-law require- ments were also taken in the Housing Act of last Session and I do not think it is necessary to take further steps at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he has received representations from boards of guardians in England that ex-officers have been compelled to seek admission to workhouses solely on account of the lack of housing accommodation, and that in some instances their children, in these circumstances, have been born in the workhouse; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs;

(2) whether he has received representations from numerous boards of guardians in England as to the insanitary and overcrowded housing conditions in their area, and calling attention to the fact that a large number of persons of all classes, including ex-officers, have sought admission to the workhouses solely on account of the lack of housing accommodation; if so, whether he has made any reply to these representations; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received representations to the effect mentioned from a number of boards of guardians. As regards the other questions, I would suggest that the hon. Member should await the proposals of the Government for dealing generally with the housing situation.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgent necessity for houses and the advantage to the community of owner-occupiers, he will take steps to amend the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, to enable subsidies to be given to prospective purchasers of houses erected by local authorities on the same terms as subsidies are granted in respect of houses erected by persons or bodies of persons other than local authorities?

I do not think that any Amendment to the Housing Act is necessary to secure the object the hon. Member has in view. The subsidy given by local authorities to private persons is generally the difference between the cost of erection of a house and its selling value. A purchaser of a house built by the local authority under the Housing Act, 1923, will, therefore, be in substantially the same position as if he had built the house, as a private person, with the aid of the local authority's subsidy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of amending Section 1 (1) of the Poor Law Act, 1899, in order to give boards of guardians the power to extend the age limit from 18 years to 21 years in cases where it is considered necessary that such extended period is desirable in the interest of young persons?

My right hon. Friend is not aware, as at present advised, of any sufficient grounds for introducing legislation for the purpose suggested.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total expenditure incurred by the Imperial Exchequer in the year 1923 upon the treatment of tuberculosis?

The total amount paid from the Exchequer during the financial year 1923–24 in respect of the tuberculosis schemes in England and Wales, including capital grants in aid of sanatoria, was £1,818.179. With regard to Scotland, a question should be addressed to the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any statistics or other information available to his Department to show the extent to which the prevalence of glandular tuberculosis is due to infection from bovine tuberculosis; and, if so, whether he will state the result of such statistics or information?

The most recent statistics on this subject of which I am aware are those published in 1922 as the result of a bacteriological examination of a number of cases of cervical gland tuberculosis undertaken on behalf of the Medical Research Council. These statistics showed that the percentage of cases due to bovine infection was highest in children under five years of age, and that, although there was a progressive diminution in later age periods, the proportion of adult cases of bovine infection was not inconsiderable. It should, however, be stated that the number of children under five who were examined for the purposes of this test was comparatively small.

asked the Minister of Health how many samples of imported butter were taken in 1923 to ascertain the percentage of added preservatives, and with what result; whether samples of butter blended in this country from the imported article are taken for a like purpose; if so, how many samples were taken in 1923, and with what result; and whether any Regulation is now in force limiting the percentage of preservative that may be employed in imported foreign or Colonial butter?

The number of samples of butter taken on importation and examined by the Government chemist during 1923 was 865, and of these 299, or 34 per cent., were found to contain added preservative (boric acid). Samples of butter blended at factories in this country are taken by local authorities, and are not generally distinguished in their reports from samples of butter taken from other sources. The total number of samples of butter (without distinction of origin) taken by local authorities in 1923 was 10,580. I have no information as to the number of those which contained preservative, but only 15 contained boric acid exceeding in amount 0·5 per cent. There are no Regulations in force specifically limiting the percentage of boric acid which may be used in butter, but a limit of 0·5 per cent. was suggested by a Departmental Committee in 1901, and has hitherto been generally adopted as the standard for the purposes of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the question of preservatives in food is at present under the consideration of a Departmental Committee appointed last year.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men who are in receipt of parish relief; and how many of them are incapacitated from work through tuberculosis?

I have asked the boards of guardians to inform me as to the number of ex-service men in receipt of Poor Law relief, but I am afraid that the Returns will not enable me to give the particulars asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether, seeing that a dispute has been in progress since 1921 between members of the Veterans' Club, Hand Court, Holborn, and the Veterans' Association, a registered War charity, which dispute is still in progress, he will consider the desirability of the appropriate authorities taking the necessary steps to have an inquiry instituted into the administration of this charity since its registration as a War charity in June, 1917?

The Veterans' Association is a War charity registered by the London County Council, and while it remains on the register the Charity Commissioners have no power under the War Charities Act, 1916, to direct any inquiry into matters affecting its administration. So far as the Commissioners' information extends, the funds and property of the association are not endowments subject to their ordinary jurisdiction under the Charitable Trusts Acts. The Veterans' Club, Hand Court, Holborn, is not a charity so far as the Commissioners are aware. In 1922 the London County Council, as Registration Authority under the War Charities Act, made a full investigation of the circumstances of the Veterans' Association in consequence of complaints made in regard to its administration, and in the result the council, after taking steps towards the removal of such grounds of complaint as they found to have been established, expressed, in July, 1922, the view that a public inquiry was not necessary. The association remains subject to the supervision of the council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Lord Blanes-burgh's Committee has had' its power extended to recommend the release of ex-enemy property inter alia in cases where the property charged devolved under the will of a British testator or one resident in this country, or is comprised in a settlement made by a British settler so resident, a power of recommendation as if applicant had been resident here before the War; that this power of recommendation has been restricted to property still unrealised or, if realised, still unapplied and not credited through and that applications by ex-enemy nationals for release of property must be in by 1st August, 1924; if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to give to ex-enemy nationals whose property at the date of the issue of the Report and its acceptance by the Board of Trade had not been realised or, if realised, had been unapplied and not yet credited through, the chance to apply to the committee before 1st August, 1924; is he aware that credits of the kind mentioned are still being given, thus depriving these persons of the possibility to apply for the release of their properties; what action is it proposed to take to revoke such credits; and what steps will be taken to prevent the crediting of the value of the properties concerned to the ex-enemy Governments who would otherwise have had an opportunity to apply to the committee for such properties' release under-the extended powers of the committee?

I am aware of the terms of reference referred to in the first part of the question. Recommendations for release by the Committee on any ground can only extend to property still unrealised, or, if realised, still unapplied and not credited through. Wide publicity has been given to the Report, in which this is clearly stated. In no case are the proceeds of property being credited through after the Departments concerned are notified by the Committee that an application has been made to it, either under the old or the extended terms of reference, but having regard to British creditors and ex-enemy Governments, it would not be desirable to hold up crediting generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the large sums of money expended in flotation expenses in connection with a recent issue of capital; and whether he will consider the desirability of amending the Companies' Act with a view to limiting the expenditure on underwriting and issue expenses to a prescribed percentage of the capital on offer?

I have been asked to reply. The question of limiting underwriting commission received the consideration of the Company Law Amendment Committee, which was appointed in 1905, and the recommendations of that Committee will be found in Clause 28 of the Report dated 18th June, 1906 (Cd. 3052). If the hon. Member will furnish me with the particulars of the case which he has in mind the matter shall receive consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been directed to the delay in the work of existing tribunals dealing with the satisfaction of German debts to British creditors due to the efforts of the Germans to escape payment or to effect compromise on unfair terms; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool (Sir J. Pennefather) on 31st March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the British Government has made any advance to Portugal in the last three years; and, if so, what is the security?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends devising any steps to meet the plan, which is becoming more and more popular, of turning family estates into limited liability companies with the object of decreasing the burden of taxation which falls upon them; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await my Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Senate Finance Committee in the United States has unanimously approved the proposal to reduce the Income Tax by 25 per cent.; and, in view of the urgent necessity of assisting trade by lightening its burdens and relieving unemployment in this country, will he bear this in mind in his coming Budget?

I can assure the hon. Member that I shall bear all relevant considerations in mind in framing the Budget, including, I may add, the necessity of balancing it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reason for the variation in respect of interest on outstanding loans granted from the Development Fund; and why the maximum interest of 6½ per cent. is charged to the Lossiemouth Old Harbour Commissioners?

Rates of interest on loans from the Development Fund vary according to the circumstances of the case and the security, but as a rule they correspond approximately with the minimum rate of interest on loans out of the Local Loans Fund at the time the Development Fund loan is authorised. The only loan made from the Development Fund to the Lossiemouth Old Harbour Commissioners is for £10,000 with interest at 3 per cent. This was approved in 1914. In June, 1921, a loan not exceeding £2,725 with interest at 6½ per cent. was offered to the Lossiemouth Old Harbour Commissioners from the Development Fund, but the conditions of the loan were not accepted. At that date the minimum local loans rate was 6¾per cent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount received during 1923 by the preferential duty on China tea only; and the amount of the total duty on all non-British Empire grown tea?

As the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne was informed on the 18th March by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the differential duty of l⅓d. per lb. on China tea produced in 1923 about £61,000. The total duty at 8d. per lb. paid in the same year on foreign-grown tea (including China tea) was about £1½ million.

asked the Attorney-General whether the fact that a married man is liable to be committed to prison for debt, but that a married woman is not so liable, will be taken into consideration with a view to making both equally liable to a penalty?

I have been asked to reply. The question will have consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General what efforts are being made to secure for the whole of the postal staff a weekly half-holiday; and, seeing that this repose is already secured by law to a large section of the community, will he consider extending it to postal servants?

The requirements of Post Office work do not permit of a regular weekly half-holiday being arranged for all members of the staff. Relief from duty on one afternoon each week is, however, granted to a large number of the staff, where it has been practicable to make the necessary arrangements.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated cost of a return to the pre-War system of a single delivery of letters on Sunday in this country?

As I stated in my reply of the 6th of March to the hon. Member for Stockport, the additional expenditure involved in the restoration of a Sunday delivery may be roughly estimated at £300,000 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the building to which it is proposed to transfer the telephone exchange at Pickering consists of two ground-floor rooms and two bedrooms; that there is no proper staircase to the bedrooms, access to which can be gained by a ladder or by going outside the building for a distance of some eight yards; that no pantry or larder is provided, and that the drains have frequently given rise to unhealthy and undesirable conditions; that the premises are lit on one side only and that high buildings are within five feet of the windows, so that the; sun reaches the rooms once a year during the month of June; and whether, seeing that the official premises contain eight rooms, not counting the basement apartments, he will, in the interests of the health of the stall to be installed, review his decision to transfer the exchange?

I am having inquiries made on the points raised by the hon. Member, and will furnish him with a reply in due course.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the extent and disastrous results of betting, as revealed at the inquiry by the Committee appointed to inquire into1 the matter, and of the evident need of legislation to reduce this widespread and growing evil, if he will introduce legislation to prevent the publication of bookmakers' and tipsters' advertisements, betting odds, and other inducements to gambling in the Press?

My right hon. Friend does not at present see his way to propose any legislation on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary how many police pensioners are to be employed on police duty at the Wembley Exhibition; whether these appointments are confined to pensioners from the Metropolitan and City police forces; and through what agency their services are being obtained?

I understand that it is not proposed to employ any police pensioners as part of the police force at the Exhibition.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has appointed a Committee to inquire into the question of the legal defence of poor persons; and, if so, what are the terms of reference of the Committee?

The answer is in the negative, but I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave on the 17th March to a question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Peebles (Mr. Westwood).

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the issue of an instruction that, where a man happens to be separated from his wife at the commencement of a course of treatment and a reconciliation takes place during that treatment, treatment allowances shall be paid to his wife and family?

Applications for family allowances in cases of this exceptional nature are considered individually on their merits. This procedure should meet the position, but I shall be quite prepared to look further into the matter in the light of any particular case which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that an influential deputation of traders from the London Chamber of Commerce has recently waited upon the Board of the Port of London Authority regarding the great advance of rates, but that no satisfaction was gained by this deputation; and whether it is proposed by the Ministry to institute an immediate and independent inquiry on the whole matter of these increases of rates?

I have seen reports in the Press of the proceedings at the deputation to which the hon. Member refers. With regard to the last part of the question, I am sending him a copy of the reply which I gave on the 8th instant to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Mr. Hogge).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that repeated requests have been made to the London and North Eastern Railway Company by the business community of Hull resident in Scarborough to obtain direct non-stopping train facilities between Scarborough and Hull in the morning and Hull and Scarborough in the evening; that no steps have been taken to remedy the present inadequate service; that one set of metals between Speeton and Bempton, taken up during the War, have never been replaced; and that therefore, in spite of the large financial award made by the Government, the line still remains a single one; and whether the Government will bring pressure to bear on the railway company to remedy these grievances?

I am not aware of any complaints with regard to the train service referred to, but I am making inquiries and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Transport how many men and women, respectively, in his Department reached the efficiency-bar point in the lower clerical class 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

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

The information desired is as follows: