asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has sent any inspector into the counties of Wilts and Berks to investigate the cases where wages of £l a week are being paid to farm workers, and the working of the conciliation committees in such counties; how many farm workers within his knowledge are receiving such a wage; whether any special circumstances apply to such cases; and why no complaint has been made to the conciliation committees, to the Farmers' Union, or to the Press on their behalf?

Officers of the Department are in general touch with the position as to agricultural wages and the working of the conciliation committees throughout the country, and have recently made inquiries which verify my right hon. Friend's information that certain instances have occurred of wages as low as the figure stated in the counties in question. To arrive at any reliable estimate of the total number of such cases would need a prolonged and exhaustive investigation, in the absence of which, I am afraid, any statement as to the number of cases which are known to the Department would be misleading. The conciliation committees for these counties have had no wages agreements in operation since September, 1922, and the committees, having thus in effect ceased to function, there is, pending the re-introduction of the wages board system, no means of taking any effective action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of small holdings not exceeding 50 acres in England and Wales for each of the years since 1908?

The number of agricultural holdings above one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in extent in England and Wales in the under mentioned years was as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Winsford Laundry, High Street, Winsford, Cheshire, was recently closed by order of the police for a fortnight owing to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on adjacent premises; whether the Government will favourably consider the question of compensating the proprietor for the loss sustained by him through the complete cessation of his business for the period in question; and whether the Government will, in coming to a decision, bear in mind the extra ordinary nature of this case in which business premises in a town were closed and a dead loss incurred, and not merely a partial loss as occurs when business is restricted on uninfected agricultural holdings adjacent to infected farms in purely agricultural districts?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that Winsford Laundry, High Street, Winsford, was closed for a few days (namely, from 3rd January to 6th January), because access to it lay over land on which cattle affected with foot-and-mouth disease had been kept. Permission was given to the owner to enter in order to attend to perishable material, and every step was taken to hasten the disinfection of the premises. While I regret that it was necessary to interfere with the laundry, I have no power to entertain a claim in respect of any loss which may unfortunately have been incurred.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of agricultural employers in the County of Huntingdon, the total number of persons, both men and women, employed by them, and the number of smallholders working on their own account in the same county?

I regret that I am not able to furnish information as to the number of agricultural employers nor the number of smallholders working on their own account, but the number of holdings above one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in the County of Huntingdon in 1923, as returned on the 4th of June, was 1,927, and the number of holdings exceeding 50 acres was 866. The number of workers, excluding the occupier, his wife and domestic servants, employed on agricultural holdings in the County of Huntingdon, as returned by the occupiers on 4th June, 1923, was 4,811 regular workers and 1,188 casual workers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the Report of the Committee set up by him to consider the organisation and finance of agricultural education and research in Scotland has yet been submitted to him; and if, in the light of this, he is prepared to reconsider the allocation of the grants by the Scottish Board of Agriculture of £100 to the Glasgow Veterinary College and £3,500 to the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh?

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that recently the naval authorities at Portsmouth asked the various messes in the Royal Naval barracks there their opinions upon the retention or otherwise of the corrugated iron screen that surrounds the barracks; how many messes were in favour of its removal and how many against such removal; and what number of men these votes represented?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret I am unable to give an exact reply to the remainder of the question, but though the general opinion of the men was in favour of removal the Admiralty decided that there were other reasons which required the retention of the screen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the feeling that exists at Hong Kong on account of the authority exercised over British bluejackets by the Sikh police employed in the naval dockyard; and what steps he proposes to take to avoid trouble between these two bodies?

The police of His Majesty's dockyard at Hong Kong, whether European or Indian, only exercise authority over bluejackets in so far as to prevent illegal or irregular action. No information has been received of any ill-feeling in the matter, but a report is being called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of the hardship to certain temporary writers and clerks who are debarred from sitting at the forthcoming examination for Grade 3 clerks on account of not having one year of approved service between 1st July, 1921, and 1st July, 1923, he will, as a special case, issue instructions to the effect that one year of clerical service in a naval establishment between 1st July, 1921, and 1st July, 1924, shall be considered as qualifying service?

The regulations for the examination were settled after the fullest consideration of all the relevant factors, and I regret that it is not possible at this stage to make the modifications suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, when light cruisers and sloops are refitting at Hong Kong during the hot weather, arrangements will be made to billet the crew in temporary hutments to be built in the spaces now occupied by surplus tennis courts on account of the excessive heat and prevailing conditions?

An arrangement already exists whereby, as a rule, in the case of ships refitting at Hong Kong which have been employed in the tropics, or on protracted sea service, their ships' companies are sent to the Royal Naval sanatorium at the Peak to recuperate. This arrangement is considered to serve the purpose required more effectively and is less costly than the hon. Member's suggestion, which it is, therefore, not proposed to adopt. There is no information that any of the tennis courts are surplus to the requirements of the naval establishment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that organisers of physical instruction in elementary and secondary schools are not included under the provisions of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, and in view of the great value of physical instruction, he will rectify this omission?

This, with a good many other matters, can hardly be dealt with in advance of general legislation to amend the Act of 1918, which will be undertaken as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the recommendation of Lord Emmott's Committee that the service of teachers of blind and deaf rendered before 1894 should be pensionable; and if he proposes, in view of the fact that several of these teachers are nearing the retiring age, to make early provision to give effect to this recommendation?

My attention has been called to the recommendation referred to. With regard to the second part of the question, it will receive full consideration in connection with legislation to amend the Teachers Superannuation Act of 1918, but it is not practicable to undertake special legislation in advance of a general measure.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the desire of Scottish teachers for a permanent settlement of the superannuation question, the Government will limit the duration of the Bill which it is proposed to introduce on the subject to one year?

I would ask the Noble Lady to await the statement which I shall make on the introduction of the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present number of teachers who, having served under the Teachers' Superannuation Acts of 1898 and 1912 up to 31st March, 1919, have since that date retired and become pensioners under the Act of 1918; what is the average amount of the pensions these teachers are receiving under the 1918 Act; and what is the average amount of the lump sums they received on retiring?

I regret I am unable to give figures relating solely to those teachers who were subject to the Acts of 1898 and 1912. Particulars of awards under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, up to the 31st March, 1923, the latest date for which I have complete figures available, are as follows;

also asked the President of the Board of Education what is the present number of teachers who, having served under the Acts of 1898 and 1912, retired under those Acts on or before 31st March, 1919; how many of those teachers are receiving pensions under those Acts and what is the average amount of the pensions awarded; and how many of these teachers are receiving disablement allowances and what is the average amount of the allowances granted?

I regret I am unable to state the total number of teachers who performed service under the Acts of 1898 and 1912 and retired before 1st April, 1919. The particulars of the pensions now in force under those Acts are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Education what action is taken by his Department to secure that an adequate amount of time in the curriculum of country schools is devoted to technical teaching in agriculture and kindred subjects with a view to fitting pupils for occupation in practical industry?

I do not think that technical instruction in agriculture can be effectively given in such schools: but the Board are always ready to encourage efforts to bring the curriculum of country schools into closer relation with country life and rural pursuits by such means as school gardens, the keeping of poultry and bees, the study of soils, and by practical surveying of land.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that among the free places provided by the governors of Worthing High School in 1923 was one gained by Muriel Huggett; that her parents took up their residence in the administrative county of East Sussex later in the same year and, in consequence, Muriel Huggett was unable to take advantage of the free place provided; that, notwithstanding that other local authorities have been willing to accept scholars and free placers who have come into their area from elsewhere, the East Sussex County Council refuses to do so in the case of Muriel Huggett; and whether he can take any action in the matter?

My attention has been called to the circumstances of this case. The Board have more than once drawn the attention of local education authorities to the importance of entering into arrangements with each other for the benefit of free place pupils who migrate from one part of the country to another; but beyond this I fear there is no action which I can usefully take. As the Noble Lord is no doubt aware, East Sussex is worse off for secondary school accommodation than any other county in England.

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of scholarships from secondary schools to the universities have during the last three years, or other period, been awarded to pupils whose elementary education was obtained in elementary schools?

At the present moment I can add nothing to the particulars I have already given on this subject in my reply of 10th March last to my hon. Friend the Member for Ardwick (Mr. Lowth). If I find that I can give any further particulars bearing on my hon. Friend's point, I will let him know.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will consider the advisability of taking steps to facilitate the general introduction of time saving shorthand methods into day and evening schools, such as are already being taught in one or two educational areas, and thereby remedy the present state of waste due to the teaching of long and complicated methods?

The introduction of any particular type of instruction into a school is primarily a matter for the education authority concerned, but the Department are constantly endeavouring, through their inspectors, to encourage the adoption of improvements in method.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the attention of the Fishery Board for Scotland has been drawn to the large quantities of immature herrings which are at present being caught in the upper reaches of the Forth and to the serious injury thereby caused to the stocks of herring and to the herring fishing industry; and whether he is prepared to institute an inquiry into the matter with a view to appropriate steps being taken to prevent the continuance of such practices and to limit the methods of capture so as to avoid the destruction of immature fish?

I am aware that during the current sprat fishing in the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth large quantities of immature herrings are being taken. The whole question of the effect of the capture of immature herrings on the future supply is at present under investigation by the Scientific Department of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

asked the Under Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health what further steps have been taken by his Department with reference to lighting, drainage, and housing questions in the village of Nitshill, Renfrewshire?

The Scottish Board of Health have been in communication with the Upper District Committee of Renfrewshire in regard to questions of drainage, lighting and housing in the village of Nitshill. Plans for a drainage scheme have been approved and negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of a site for sewage works. The scheme will deal with all the sewage now entering John's Burn. In connection with the question of lighting, I am informed that in view of the probable heavy assessment on the village for drainage and possibly for a scavenging system, the question of the formation of a special lighting district has been deferred meantime. I am informed that the report of the medical officer of health, to which I referred in the reply to my hon. Friend's question on 25th March, has not yet been completed. Pending its receipt and consideration, the local authority has not arrived at a decision in regard to a housing scheme.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the fishermen of Tarbert, Loch Fyne, were not allowed on different occasions last September and October, and are still not allowed, to retail herrings at Greenock harbours, although such refusal would seem to be contrary to the general practice prevailing elsewhere in Scotland; and, seeing that the continuance of such a practice operates against the people of Greenock obtaining supplies of cheap and wholesome food, will he explain the reasons for such refusal?

I understand that the Greenock harbour authorities found it necessary to prohibit the retailing of fish on the harbour quays in the interests of public safety owing to the crowding which took place on the quays during the sales. I also understand that facilities have now been granted to the fishermen for the sale of their catches at a site near the East India Harbour, which is convenient for them and not open to the same objections as the quay side.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has received the resolution of the Scottish Fishermen's Association as to their need for assistance to obtain gear passed at the annual meeting of the association on the 3rd instant; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on this subject?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter is still under consideration by the Departments concerned, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the necessity for a more strict control of steam-driven road vehicles using solid fuel; whether he is aware of the danger due to sparks and clouds of steam and of the grave annoyance caused by the volume of black smoke emitted by such tractors; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing Regulations on the subject?

I am sending the hon. Member an extract, dealing with this question, from the Second Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles—paragraphs 222–224. I have no powers at present to make Regulations for the provision of efficient spark arresters on steam driven vehicles. As regards the emission of smoke or vapour, I consider that the powers possessed by the police under the existing law are adequate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to allocate any sum of money towards the construction of a proposed new bridge near St. Paul's Cathedral; and, if so, whether before such a grant is made an opportunity will be given to Parliament to consider the advisability of making such a grant?

It is not proposed to allocate any sum towards the construction of this bridge, but a grant has been offered towards the cost of the formation of road approaches, as I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for the Tamworth Division (Sir E. Iliffe) on the 11th March.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the great inconvenience suffered by the residents on the Ongar branch of the London and North Eastern Railway owing to the bad train service; and whether he will urge the railway authorities concerned to provide a quicker and more efficient service of trains to meet the requirements of the residents at the earliest possible moment?

The railway company have informed me that the provision of faster trains on the Ongar branch to and from London has been considered, but that it has been found impracticable with the existing facilities. The company are, however, seeking authority in their Bill of the present Session to carry out certain works which are an essential preliminary to any improvement in the service, and hope that their suburban services will benefit if this authority is obtained.

asked the Minister of Transport the average time taken in settling appeals under Section 14 (3) of the Roads Act, 1914, against the refusal of certain local authorities to license motor omnibuses and chars a banc plying for hire in certain districts in connection with new motor omnibus routes; whether he will give the maximum time taken in settling any appeal formulated to date; and whether he is prepared to consider representations in regard to the delay in respect of specific appeals, the details of which may be furnished to him?

The information asked for in the first and second parts of the question could only be obtained at an unjustifiable amount of trouble and expense, but I shall be glad to consider any representations that may be made to me in respect of specific appeals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the high railway rates at present obtaining and the desirability of economies in the system of goods traffic, he will consider the question of appointing a Royal Commission to reexamine the Gatty scheme?

The scheme to which the hon. Member refers was the subject of an exhaustive and impartial inquiry four years ago, and I see no reason for arranging that it should be further investigated as suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received representations with regard to the position of pre-War superannuated railway staffs, who are still being paid on pre-War scales; and, if so, what is his attitude in the matter?

I have received certain representations on this subject. The position of the Government in the matter has been fully explained to the House and I have no power to intervene. I may say, however, that I understand that some of the railway companies are paying sums supplementary to the amounts which these pensioners are entitled to receive from the various superannuation funds

asked the Minister of Transport the nature of the difficulties which are preventing the construction of the projected Liverpool to Manchester road?

So long as negotiations are pending in regard to this project, I cannot usefully add anything to my previous replies to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport what new schemes, if any, have been sanctioned since the beginning of the year for the construction of arterial roads; and, if so, at what cost?

23 schemes for the construction of arterial roads at a total estimated cost of £2,327,175 have been

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the Inadequacy of existing legislation in regard to tubercle-infected milk; and whether, in view of the menace to public health occasioned by this inadequacy, he will take steps to introduce legislation which will afford protection to the milk consumer?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for the Ealing Division (Sir H. Nield) on the 19th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to make any statement before the House rises with respect to his intentions, in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture, regarding the appointment of additional members to the Milk Advisory Committee?

actually sanctioned since the beginning of the year. The following is a list of the schemes:

My right hon. Friend and the Minister of Agriculture have decided that it is desirable to appoint additonal members to the Committee, but my right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to give particulars of the appointments proposed.

asked the Minister of Health the hours and conditions of service of staffs employed in mental hospitals; whether they vary in different institutions and, if so, for what reason; and, seeing that a 60-hour week is too long for people to be engaged in this class of service, will he take steps to secure a uniform basis of service and remuneration throughout Great Britain?

The hours and conditions of service vary in public mental hospitals because they are determined by the visiting committees of the various local authorities by whom the hospitals are provided. Moreover, the conditions of the work vary to some extent in different institutions. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Devonport (Major Hore-Belisha) on the 9th April.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet able to state the result of his investigations as to the provision of free sanitary accommodation at the British Empire Exhibition and, in particular, the provision of such accommodation and of proper mess room accommodation for the exhibitors' assistants, male and female; and what action he has taken, or proposes to take, in the matter?

I am advised that the provisions of Section 22 of the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890, which have been adopted by the Wembley Urban District Council, apply to the Exhibition. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, has drawn the attention of the Exhibition Authorities to the provisions of this Section, and I have no doubt that the exhibitors will carry out their statutory obligations. I have no power to take any action with regard to mess-room accommodation.

asked the Post-master-Genora1 if he will inform the House as to the design of the special issue of postage stamps to commemorate the British Empire Exhibition; and when the stamps will be on sale?

The special stamps will be on sale at the Exhibition on the 23rd instant. I do not think I can attempt a description of the design.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the different Crown Colonies to send over native representatives of standing and influence to the Wembley Exhibition; and whether any educational tours in this country axe subsequently being arranged for them?

There is reason to anticipate that the Exhibition will attract many visitors from the Colonies and Protectorates of the character suggested, and it is not proposed to make any such arrangements at the public expense. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir W. de Frece) on the 7th of April.

asked the Postmaster-General how many railway companies charge a fee, over and above the price fixed for a telephone call, for the use of telephone cabinets at the London termini; and whether he will use his influence to secure a reduction of the charge in such exceptional cases?

Two of the railway companies charge a fee, over and above the Post Office Call Office fee, for the use of telephone cabinets at the London termini. The cabinets are the property of the companies and the calls are dealt with by the operators at the companies' private exchanges. I am not in a position to prevent a railway company or other subscriber from charging more than the Post Office Call Office fee for the privilege of using the subscriber's telephone installation, and I do not think that I can intervene usefully in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that broadcasting takes place from three centres in Paris, two in Brussels, three at The Hague, two in Berlin, and two in Madrid, in addition to many other towns in France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Czechslovakia, and Switzerland; and whether in these circumstances he will have inquiries made and a Report issued giving details of the transmission, wave lengths, power, and times, with the names of the owners of such stations and the extent to which they are owned and controlled by the respective Governments?

Most of the details to which the hon. Member refers are published regularly in the various wireless journals. This appears to be the most convenient method of meeting the requirements of listeners in this country who wish to intercept foreign programmes; and I do not consider that the expense of issuing an official Report on the subject would be justified. The majority of the broadcasting stations on the Continent are operated by private companies under Government control. Only two or three of them are Government owned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on 2nd April a political lecture of a highly controversial nature was delivered from the Cardiff broadcasting station, in which the listeners-in received an ex-parte statement of the position at Danzig and Vilna and were told that the danger of war between Great Britain and France was a reason for more vigorous action by the League of Nations on the Silesian issue: and whether, seeing that the contract between the British Broadcasting Company and the Post Office excludes political propaganda, and in view of the disregard of this provision in the contract, he is now prepared to support a policy in which equality of treatment for all will be guaranteed in the matter of the broadcasting of political opinion?

I understand that the lecture in question was one of a series which dealt with various foreign countries and were of a descriptive and historical, rather than political, character. No complaints have been received concerning any of these lectures. I am consulting the Broadcasting Board on the general question of the measures to be taken in regard to the broadcasting of speeches or lectures on political or controversial subjects.

asked the Postmaster-General how much profit his Department has made during the year ending 31st March, 1924; how much it would cost to reduce the l½d. post to Id. for letters; how much it would cost to reduce the postcard to ½d. postage: and whether, in the interests of trade, he can see his way to make these reductions in charges?

The Post Office surplus for 1923–24 cannot be precisely determined pending a legal decision in a number of test actions arising out of the Sutton ease, but subject to this contingent liability, it is estimated at about £5,400,000, including telegraphs and telephones. The cost of restoring penny postage after making due allowance for increase of business would vary between about £4,800,000 and £5,200,000, according to the weight which could pass for a penny. The reduction of the postcard rate to ½d. would cost about £800,000. As regards the last paragraph, I am unable to make a statement in anticipation of the Budget.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that all Government Departments, with the exception of the Post Office, have for over 12 months ceased to require from their staffs a 2d. receipt stamp to be affixed to the acknowledgment of the payment of salaries of £2 and over; and why it is that the Post Office continues to deny this benefit to its servants?

I beg leave to refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 27th March to a question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for East Bristol (Mr. Baker).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. F. C. Cates, a postal sorter, was charged in May, 1923, at Bow Street with misappropriation of a registered letter; that he was tried and honourably acquitted, and has been reinstated; have the costs of the defence been refunded to Mr. Cates and compensation paid for wrongful prosecution; and, if not, on what grounds have these costs and compensation been refused?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject to a question by the hon. Member for Devonport (Major Hore-Belisha) on the 11th instant.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that it takes about 35 days for the mails to be taken from London to Peking at the present time; that the Siberian route is now open and that letters between London and Peking reach their destination in about 23 days; and will he therefore arrange for His Majesty's mails to be conveyed by the Siberian route so that traders in the Far East can get the advantage of this quicker dispatch?

Mails from this country for China have been sent by the Siberian route since April of last year; but in present circumstances it is left to the senders of letters to mark their correspondence for transmission by this route.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that proposals for a revision of the indoor postal and telegraph staff at Belfast have been on hand since August, 1922; will he explain the cause of the delay in bringing the revision into operation; and will he consider the advisability of incorporating in the proposals the advancement of Belfast to the status of a metropolitan office?

The completion of this revision has been delayed by the necessity of examining various points raised in discussion with representatives of the staff. The revision will be put into force as soon as these are settled. The classification of the Belfast office is under consideration, together with that of a number of other offices regarding the status of which representations have been made by the staff.

asked the Postmaster-General why it is that letters posted in London in the evening to Bath or Bristol are not delivered until the following afternoon, while letters posted in Bath or Bristol at the same time are delivered in London by the first post; and whether, if such delay is unavoidable, notice could be given at what time it is necessary to post in London for delivery early in the morning in Bath or Bristol?

The latest times of posting at the London Head District Offices, for delivery at Bath and Bristol by first post next day, are 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. A later time of posting than in London can be afforded at Bath and Bristol, because the volume of correspondence to be dealt with is very much smaller, and a narrower margin between the time of posting and the time of despatch can be allowed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to meet the view of business men that the charge for the repetition of telegrams should be either collected from the sender or waived entirely, as is the case with the cable companies, he will submit the whole matter to his Advisory Council of business men?

The Regulations governing telegrams provide that if the addressee of a telegram requires repetition, he shall pay for the service. I fear that it would be impracticable to transfer the charge to the sender, who has not demanded the service. There is provision for a reimbursement if the original transmission proves to have been incorrect, and I can see no justification for waiving the charge where the telegraph service is not in fault. I fear that no useful purpose would be served by referring the matter to the Advisory Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the first delivery of letters in Eaton Place frequently does not take place until nearly 9 a.m.; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

The first delivery in Eaton Place was late at the beginning of this month owing to pressure of work arising from exceptionally heavy quarter end postings. It is now being completed, as a rule, by or before 8.45 a.m., which is the authorised time. Special observation is being kept on the delivery arrangements in this neighbourhood.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on early closing days it is necessary for the people in the outlying districts of Bristol to travel to the centre of the city in order to purchase postage stamps; whether he will state the number of automatic stamp machines which are available to the public after the sub-offices have been closed; and whether he will see that additional machines are fixed at suitable centres in the suburbs of the city?

I am not aware that residents in the suburbs of Bristol are under any special disadvantage in the matter of facilities for purchasing stamps. Automatic stamp machines have been installed at three post offices in Bristol, and are to be installed at two more. But the Post Office does not instal these machines except on premises which it owns or rents, and is not, therefore, in a position to comply with the request in the last part of the hon. Member's question. The company by which the machines are supplied holds a general license for the sale of stamps, and has erected machines in streets or other public places in several towns. I will have the company's attention drawn to the possible scope for an extension of its activities to the suburbs of Bristol.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that he has authorised postmasters to reduce the capitation fee paid to medical officers of the department to 11s., that this reduced fee was fixed without consultation with the medical officers concerned, and that he authorised postmasters to advise medical officers at the end of March of this reduction, which is to be made retrospective to 1st January, he will withdraw these reductions, which are at variance with the contracts?

It was part of the agreement reached with the British Medical Association in March, 1922, when the fee of 11s. 6d. was fixed, that the capitation fee for Post Office Medical Officers should be subject to review at the end of 1923, and this fact was made known to all medical officers at the time. The reduction from 11s. 6d. to 11s. was made in view of the fall in the cost of living since March, 1922, and is similar to that made from the same date and for similar reasons in the fee of doctors on the Health Insurance Panels. The British Medical Association was informed of the proposed reduction as soon as it had been decided upon.

asked the Postmaster-General how much saving in cost would accrue by a general use of the wireless system as compared with the telegraph, both with regard to the cost of transmission and also with respect to the cost and upkeep of necessary plant; whether there is in contemplation any further laying down of telegraphic cables; and whether the future policy with respect to this matter has1 been determined?

There are more than 10,000 telegraph lines in this country, over 1,200 terminating in the Central Telegraph Office, London, alone. The number of telegraph channels of communication afforded by these wires is much larger still, and it is entirely impracticable to replace this system by wireless. There are, moreover, 78 wires, giving nearly 200 channels of communication, between the Central Telegraph Office and offices on the Continent. There is no present probability of maintaining these foreign services by wireless, and the Post Office, like other telegraph administrations and companies, does not contemplate discontinuing the provision of telegraph cables where required.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has had any further consultations with the parish councils in Scotland as to the provision of relief for unemployed tenants in respect of the rent exigible from them; whether he is prepared to give effect to the views of the parish councils; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the arrangements agreed on with the parish councils for the provision of such relief?

Two conferences have been held with representatives of parish councils regarding the question referred to, which is still under consideration. I regret I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health the total number of houses erected in Argyllshire by local authorities under the pre-War and post-War Housing Acts, respectively, distinguishing also as regards the latter the number erected under the subsidy schemes; and will he give consideration to these results and the need for improving them when he is preparing the Government's new housing scheme, in particular in relation to its application to the circumstances of Highland areas?

No houses were erected by local authorities in Argyllshire under the pre-Wax Housing Acts. Under the post-War Housing Acts 32 houses have been completed and 20 are under construction by local authorities. Of those at present under construction, 12 are being erected under the subsidy scheme provided for in the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923. As regards the last part of the question, the considerations mentioned will be kept in view.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases which have been dealt with by pensions appeal tribunals in the Scottish area since their inception, and the number of cases in which the decision of the Ministry has been set aside by the tribunal in favour of the claim by the appellant?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that the number of cases decided in Scotland is 20,287, of which 5,221 were decided in favour of the appellant.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that, when a pensioner is under treatment and desires to utilise part of his accumulated allowances for the purchase of clothing, he must supply the Ministry with the name of the firm where he intends purchasing the clothing, and that the Ministry then sends an order to the firm stating a sum not to be exceeded; and, seeing that this is a humiliating procedure, will he take steps that in future the order for goods will be sent direct to the pensioner and not to the tradesman or, alternatively, a sum covering the amount required will be sent direct to the pensioner?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The procedure referred to by my hon. Friend was instituted to meet cases where there was no accumulated balance available, and the cost of the clothing was to be recovered from future allowances. My right hon. Friend has given instructions that where the accumulated balances are sufficient, the amount required for the purchase of clothing may be advanced to the pensioner.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of cases in which pensioners in receipt of expired final awards have applied for further consideration of their cases owing to deteriorated health; and what is the policy of his Department in respect of these cases?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for East Rhondda (Lieut.-Colonel Watts-Morgan) on the 27th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Corporal B. Snowling, No. 18276, Royal Marine Light Infantry, Chatham, who, whilst serving on H.M.S. "Indomitable" in 1917, contracted ear trouble through gun deafness, and who died in the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham, on 1st April, 1923, from cerebrospinal meningitis caused by ear trouble; whether he is aware that Mrs. Snowling, the widow, was asked by the Accountant-General of the Navy to adduce evidence in support of her contention that death was due to service; that for that purpose she visited the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham, on 7th March, 1924, but was informed by the admiral's secretary that medical evidence was confidential and could not be given; and whether he will reconsider this case and give the widow an opportunity of producing evidence from men who served with Snowling on the "Indomitable" that he suffered from ear trouble caused by gun deafness?

The position, apart from the medical aspect, is very much as stated in the question. It should, of course, be realised that the evidence asked for by the accountant-general was in the nature of information not already known to the Admiralty. The medical evidence received very full consideration, but in the opinion of the Admiralty medical authorities the death of the late Corporal Snow-ling was neither attributable to, nor aggravated by, his war service; nor was it directly attributable to his service subsequent to the war period. In these circumstances I regret that the widow is ineligible for the award of a pension or other assistance from naval funds. If, however, Mrs. Snowling produces evidence from men who served with her husband in the "Indomitable," or any other evidence, which has any material bearing on the case, it will be reconsidered. If Mrs. Snowling claims that her husband's death was connected with service during the period of the late War the matter is not one for the Admiralty and she should make representations to the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Minister of Pensions the numbers of existing disputes between his Department and boards of guardians generally respecting liability for insane ex-service men whose disability is not officially admitted to be due to or aggravated by war service; and whether his Department proposes to review all such cases to ascertain whether it is possible to treat these men and their dependants more sympathetically?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Pielou) on the 21st February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider taking steps to prevent the publication of the names of persons who prosecute blackmailers in the Courts?

I am not prepared to introduce legislation for this purpose, but I understand that newspapers readily act upon any suggestion made to them from the Bench that the prosecutors' names in these cases should not be published.

asked the Home Secretary the maximum number of prisoners in Pentonville prison in each of the years 1921, 1922, and 1923, and the maximum number of prisoners in Wands-worth prison in each of the years 1921, 1922, and 1923?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the claim for compensation for the loan of a million roubles to the Reverend Frank North by Mr. C. R. Stortz during the Russian Revolution to assist the evacuation of British subjects has yet been settled; if it has not yet been settled, is it intended to repay Mr. Stortz on the basis laid down in the case of Boardman v. Rex, namely, 450 roubles to the £; and is he aware that, owing to the failure of the complete settlement, Mr. Stortz has been chargeable to the poor rates of Lambeth?

This claim has not yet been settled, owing to the absence of a reply to an offer of repayment made by this Department in July last year. This offer is not on the basis laid down in the case of Boardman v. Rex, which was held by the Court of Appeal not to affect the legal position of the Crown in other cases, but is on the basis of a table of rates adopted by the Government after the most careful consideration for use in all outstanding cases of similar loans. I am aware that Mr. Stortz has been chargeable to the poor rates of Lambeth, but the offer which has been made is always open to his acceptance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position of the negotiations with the Chinese Government over the proposed new trade marks law; whether the United States of America have agreed that the law shall be administered by Chinese officials; whether China has consented to the appointment of foreign advisers to help these officials; and whether any traders and, if so, of what nationality have already registered their trade marks with the Chinese bureau?

The diplomatic body have informed the Chinese Government that in the absence of a satisfactory reply to their representations they cannot recommend their Governments to recognise the new law. They have, at the same time, made it clear that cases in which their nationals have reason to complain of infringement of their rights must be dealt with in accordance with existing Treaty stipulations, whether the trade marks have been registered under the law or not. No information has been received of any independent action by the United States Government. As regards the appointment of foreign advisers, the Chinese Government have so far only stated that foreign assistance may be engaged, with due regard to circumstances, whenever necessity arises. It is understood that a certain number of marks owned by Japanese subjects, and German and other foreign nationals having no extraterritorial rights, have been registered, and it is believed that a few British subjects have also taken steps to effect registration of their marks. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government the question whether British subjects should register is one which must be left for their individual decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of foreign watches re-exported from this country in 1913; and whether he can give similar figures for the year 1923?

The numbers were 635,569 in 1913 and 83,934 in 1923.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and value of mouth organs, concertinas, accordeons, and string instruments imported since September, 1915; and if these goods are manufactured to any extent in this country?

Separate particulars of mouth organs, concertinas, and accordeons are not required to be furnished by importers to the Customs authorities, and I am, consequently, unable to give the numbers of such instruments imported. Separate particulars of stringed musical instruments have been required only since 1st January, 1920, and from that date to 31st March, 1924, the total number of stringed instruments imported into the United Kingdom was 261,346, their aggregate declared value being £149,324. These articles are made in this country, but I have no details as to the scale of production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that negotiations are proceeding between the Interessen Gemeinschaft and Swiss dyestuffs manufacturers with the object of fixing standard prices and eliminating competition; and if an opportunity for discussion in the House of Commons will be given before any agreement is sanctioned by the Board of Trade between the Interessen Gemeinschaft and the British Dyestuffs Corporation?

I have no information bearing out the suggestion contained in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Middleton and Prestwich (Mr. Sandeman), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the sub-tenant of a householder who uses gas under a check-meter system has no legal safeguard to prevent the householder charging him a rate higher than that demanded by the gas company, he will introduce legislation to protect him in this respect?

I will consider the suggestion made by my hon. Friend, but, as at present advised, I doubt if legislation on this particular subject is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there is in Wales a great deal of feeling about the exclusion of Mametz Wood from the list of Welsh battle honours; and, as many hundreds of Welshmen (38th Division) died in that engagement, will he arrange for the inclusion of Mametz Wood in the Welsh battle honours?

The official title of the battle honour covering the fighting at Mametz, and awardable accordingly to the regiments which took part in that fighting, is "Battle of Albert, 1916." This battle was a major operation to which the fighting at Mametz, heavy as it was, was supplementary. I fully recognise the high distinction won by the Welsh troops at Mametz, but the principle on which the nomenclature of the battle honours of the Great War was based was the selection of a name to cover the whole of the fighting which constituted a distinct operation or series of connected operations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any private firms are engaged on orders issued by the War Office for the production and supply for State use of armament materials similar to those produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield; and, if so, whether he will take steps to ensure that such orders will in future not be issued to private firms unless and until the Royal Small Arms Factory and other State ordnance factories are working at their maximum capacity?

The work entrusted to private firms of a nature which could be undertaken at the Royal Small Arms Factory is at present, for practical purposes, negligible. As respects work in the future, while I am not in a position to give such a pledge as is desired, full consideration will be given to all the factors existing at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the gun station erected during the War on Little Warley Common has not yet been removed and the open space restored to the public; and whether he will give an undertaking that if this enclosure still remains after 24th June next he will take the necessary steps to ensure that the public interests are adequately safeguarded and, if necessary, that the War Office will forthwith remove the buildings?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The owner of the buildings has given an undertaking to remove them and restore the ground to its former condition, so far as is possible, before the 24th June next. Every care is being taken to see that public interests are being adequately safeguarded and, if the necessity arises, the suggestion that the War Department should remove the buildings will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give a Return showing the number of non-Regular officers employed with the Regular Army, giving their ranks and the commands in which they are serving, and showing how they are employed and whether any Regular officers are serving in appointments junior to them in the same departments?

I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member of the number of non-Regular officers at present employed, and I do not think that the Return for which he asks would be of sufficient general interest to justify the labour involved in compiling it. If, however, he will inform me of any matter in which he is specially interested, I will endeavour to give the particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue, based on the Returns of the last two years, if the tax on beer was reduced by 48s. a barrel?

The difference in the last two financial years between the amount of duty received and the amount which would have been received on the same quantities of beer if the beer duty had been lower by 48s. per standard barrel than was actually the case is £48,000,000 and £49,400,000 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that a married man obtains relief in respect of Income Tax on account of his wife and that a widower who has been compelled to engage a housekeeper to look after his home cannot claim a similar concession, he will, in his forthcoming Budget, give favourable consideration to granting the same abatement of Income Tax to the widower who has to pay a housekeeper as the married man receives on account of his wife?

I would ask the hon. Member to await my Budget statement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount received by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue on account of Income Tax and Super-tax for the year ended 31st March, 1924, and the comparable separable figure for the year ended 31st March, 1923?

The separate Exchequer receipts from Income Tax and Super-tax in the years ended 31st March, 1923, and 1924, were as follow:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the revenue which he has received during 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923 from each of the six classes of import duties levied under Section 12 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915?

The net revenue collected during the calendar years 1920. 1921, 1922 and 1923, from each of the six classes of import duties levied under Section 12 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1015, is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual revenue he has received as the result of the passing of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1922?

The net revenue collected from the duties imposed under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, during each of the financial years 1921–22, 1922–23 and 1923–24 was:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amounts collected in Customs duties to the 31st March, 1924, under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and will he distinguish the amounts collected under each of the Orders made under the Act?

The net amounts of duty collected in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the 31st March, 1924, under the Orders made under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual revenue he has received since they were first imposed from the Imperial preference duties; and whether he will give the details relating to figs, currants, and so forth, for the years 1922 and 1923?

I would remind the hon. Member that, save as regards spirits, Imperial preference was granted on certain commodities of Empire origin by means of a reduction of the existing Customs duties. I am not, therefore, clear as to the information the hon. Member requires, but if he will communicate with me I will endeavour to supply it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much out of the £3,749,000 realised by the British Metal Corporation for scrap-brass ex their contract with the Disposal Board has been paid to the Treasury; how much this corporation is entitled to retain as gross profit; and the total number of tons of scrap-brass still unsold ex this contract, and the approximate value of the same?

The amount which has been paid over to the Treasury up to date in respect of this contract is £3,751,114 0s. 7d. The contract in question was a contract of sale, and I have no information as to the profit, if any, made by the contractors, or the quantity or value of material remaining in their hands unsold.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in August, 1921, potash oxalate neutral, packed in bottles of 1 lb., was being supplied to and accepted by the Government; at what price it was being supplied to the Government; at what date it was sold by the Government; at what price; and why the Government were taking supplies nearly three years after the date of the Armistice; and whether the Government is still purchasing this and other similar goods, which are not liable to deterioration on storage, whilst identical material is being sold by disposal boards; and what are the prices of purchase and disposal?

I have caused inquiries to be made, and I am advised by the Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry, that no purchase of the material in question in August, 1921, can be traced. The Surplus Stores Liquidation Department inform me that a large number of sales of laboratory chemicals have been made by the Ministry of Munitions and the Disposal and Liquidation Commission. I regret that, owing to the depleted staffs at present available, it is not feasible to undertake an examination of the sales returns over the long period covered by the question, but I am advised that it is unlikely that any considerable quantity of this material has been sold as surplus.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, taking the surplus war stock still in hand and not disposed of, he can give the dates on which the main part of it was acquired by the nation; what percentage is allowed in respect of depreciation in value each year; and what is the reason for retaining further possession of this stock by the State?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I regret that it is not possible to supply the hon. Member with the information asked for. This matter was fully gone into by the Committee on National Expenditure in 1920, and I am sending the hon. Member an extract from the evidence given on the subject to that Committee. As regards the last part of the question, these stocks are the residuum of nearly £700,000,000 worth of surplus stores and raw materials, and every effort has been, and is being, made to sell them to the best advantage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the British taxpayers of the First Division of the Anglo-German Mixed Tribunal for the three months ending the 31st March, during which it sat only on 15 days; and the names of its members?

I have been asked to reply. The expense to this country of the First Division of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, including secretarial and clerical expenses but not including rent, for the three months ending 31st March last is estimated to be £1,934. The tribunal consists of M. Borel, President, Mr. R. Vaughan Williams, K.C., and Dr. Zacharias.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are at present pre-War police pensioners who, having served as inspectors for the greater part of their period of service, are receiving only 33s. 5d. per week as pension, while post-War pensioners, some of whom have served under the former, are receiving up to £4 4s. per week; and whether the Government is taking steps to bring for ward the Bill which, it is understood, is ready to deal with this anomaly?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As regards the first part, I am aware that there are cases in which the pre-War and present pensions compare as the question suggests. As regards the last part, I can only refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24th March last. I cannot say what the effect of the Bill may be.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a guarantee for a loan of £90,000 has been granted to the Standfast Dyers and Printers, Limited, under the Trade Facilities Act, for the purpose of the erection of dyeing and printing works in Lancaster: and whether he will explain the reasons for such a guarantee, in view of the fact that the existing dyeing and calico printing industry is at present, and has been for some years, very much underemployed?

Yes, Sir. This guarantee is shown in the last quarterly statement of the guarantees laid before Parliament in accordance with the Act, and was given in October last on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. As a result, substantial orders have been placed for plant and machinery.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the levying of a duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act on ordinary low-grade lenses used for spectacles has had the effect of substantially increasing the price of spectacles; and whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of appointing a Committee to consider whether these articles should be exempt from duties?

I have been asked to reply. I am not aware that the duty has had the effect stated, since its amount is very small in relation to the total cost of the spectacles. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the cost per ton, and what was the total cost, of the Government control of coal mines during and subsequent to the War?

It is estimated that the total cost of the statutory control of coal mines will amount to about £36½ million, which represents a little over 9d. per ton of the output during control. This is exclusive of the Wages Subvention of 1921, which cost about £7,050,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the high price of household coal, owing largely to the excessive cost of distribution; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the discrepancy between the pit-head and retail prices of household coal; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this matter?

I met representatives of the Coal Merchants' Federation on the 18th March, and addressed a series of questions to them: in writing on the 25th March, to which they replied on the 8th April. I am not satisfied with the replies, and I propose to publish the documents and. to consider whether I can take any further steps in the interests of consumers.

asked the Secretary for Mines the present German miners' wages cost, gold marks into sterling, per ton of coal, and similarly the British pit labour cost per ton for the last completely recorded quarter?

The most recent estimate of the German miners' wages cost is 6s. 10d. per ton of coal raised, and relates to the Ruhr coalfield. The British pit labour cost, during the quarter ended December last, was 11s. 7d. per ton of coal raised.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of days lost through industrial disputes for the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and up to the latest available date for 1924?

The numbers of working days lost through industrial disputes in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923 were, approximately, 35 millions, 26½ millions, 86 millions, 20 millions, and 10½ millions, respectively. For the months of January and February, 1924, the corresponding figure was over 1,300,000. The foregoing figures relate only to days lost at the establishments where the disputes occurred, and no figures are available as to days lost at other establishments. Disputes involving less than 10 workpeople, and those lasting less than one day, are not included in these figures unless the aggregate duration ( i.e., the number of workpeople involved, multiplied by the number of working days) exceeds 100 days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware that compensation amounting to five millions has already been paid for damage done in the Irish Free State; how much of this sum was paid by Great Britain in respect of liability for pre-Truce damage; how much has been paid by the Irish Free State in respect of pre-Truce damage and post-Truce damage, respectively; whether all the money paid by Great Britain has been paid to the parties entitled to it; and, if not, how much has not been so paid;

(2) whether he is aware that the Irish Free State authorities are withholding the payment to the parties entitled of moneys forwarded by the British Treasury in discharge of pre-Truce damage, on the ground that possible claims for Income Tax against such persons may arise; and whether he will consult the Free State authorities with a view to preventing such deductions in respect of claims wholly unconnected with the payment of compensation by Great Britain?