asked the Attorney-General the names of the advisory committee for justices of the peace for the City of Leeds?

The names of the members of the Committee are The Right Hon. Lord Airedale, Glenhow Hall, Leeds ( Chairman ). 47 Sir G. Cockburn, North Grange Road, Headingley Hill, Leeds. Arthur G. Lupton, Esq., Springwood, Roundhay, Leeds. The Hon. Rupert Beckett, Stone House, Moor Allerton, Leeds. Mrs. Jane E. Arnott, J.P., 23, Colenso Road, Holbeck, Leeds. Alderman Fountain, J.P., Magistrates' Room, Town Hall, Leeds.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that petty officers may serve in the Royal Navy for a period of 11 months without receiving the specified allowance for petty time when discharged to pension, and will he consider the revision of Article 1,938, King's Regulations, to meet this contingency?

I cannot agree that the position would be, as stated by the hon. Member. The Navy Pension Regulations provide for an allowance of ½d. per day ("Superior Petty Time") for each year of service as petty officer (and chief petty officer), and for ¼d. a day ("Inferior Petty Time") for each year of service in the grade next below ( i.e., Leading Rate). These allowances may, under certain conditions, be doubled for each year of service as C.P.O., P.O., or Leading Rate rendered with "V. G." character, but in practice the "time" itself is doubled, and not the rate. The allowances reckon for complete years of service only, but fractions of a year of "Superior Petty Time" are doubled, and if the result gives 12 months the service would rank for "Inferior Petty Time" allowance for a year. Thus a petty officer with 11 months in that grade, and entitled to "Double Petty Time," would receive an addition of ¾d. a day to his pension if the service were accompanied by "V. G." character. If he were entitled only to "Single Petty Time" he would receive ¼d. a day. It is not considered that any revision of the Regulations is called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the amount received during the last five years by the British Government on account of naval ratings loaned to the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Governments for service in their respective navies; and how the amounts received on behalf of men who did not reengage to complete time for pension have been disposed of?

The sums received are as follow: Australia … … £112,320 New Zealand … … 12,450 Canada … … 5,900

The total receipts, including the amounts referred to in the second part of the question, have been credited as an Appropriation-in-Aid of the pertinent Navy Vote 14.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the relevant factors which make it impossible to extend the privilege of counting clerical service in a naval establishment between 1st July, 1921, and 1st July, 1924, as approved service in order that ex-service temporary clerks and writers may become eligible to sit at forthcoming examinations for Grade 3 clerks?

I would refer the hon Member to my replies of the 7th and 15th April on the same subject. When the scheme of examination for third-grade clerks was first under consideration it was intended to provide that, in order to be eligible, candidates should have been employed in Admiralty service on the 1st July, 1921, and should have completed a year's service before the 1st April, 1922. The qualifying period was subsequently extended to the 1st July, 1923, thus bringing the scheme of examination in the Ministry of Labour. This arrangement is regarded as equitable to the temporary staffs and as making for administrative convenience. The arrangements for the examination are now well advanced, and no change in the conditions of qualification could be effected at this stage, even if certain modifications were thought desirable. I should add that the Admiralty do not consider that any change is called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what employés in naval establishments are at present entitled to sick leave with part payment; and will he consider the extension of this privilege to all employés in naval establishments, including dockyards?

The civilian employés in naval establishments who are allowed a period of sick leave with pay less deductions on account of benefits receivable under the National Health Insurance Acts are mainly whole-time temporary or un-established classes of employés, occupied otherwise than by way of manual work, whose remuneration does not exceed £250 per annum. It is not the intention to extend the privilege to all employés in the establishments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to state the exact terms of reference and composition of the Committee to inquire into the withheld retired pay of retired naval officers?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give the names of His Majesty's ships that have refitted at Hong Kong Dockyard during 1921, 1922, and 1923, and the names of ships so refitted whose whole complements were accommodated at the sanatorium at the Peak for recuperation; whether he is aware that, apart from details of officers and boys, the sending of recuperating parties to the Peak has been almost discontinued on account of the trouble of transporting kits and mess traps, to the detriment of health and welfare; and will he consider the housing of ships' companies in hutments out of their ships while refitting at Hong Kong?

The statement that the sending of recuperating parties to the Peak has been almost discontinued is without foundation. The sanatorium has been continuously used by ships' companies at Hong Kong in summer, but its use was reduced to some extent during the last summer by bad weather and by damage resulting from a typhoon. The sanatorium is not popular in winter, as the climate on the sea level is then quite good. The depot ship for Hong Kong frequently accommodates a large portion of the crews of ships undergoing refit, and this arrangement is regarded as satisfactory. I have not obtained the detailed list of ships asked for, as it would have had to be cabled from Hong Kong at considerable expense.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether any efforts have been made to sell the rope that can be produced in Devonport Dockyard upon the open market; and, if not, whether he will consider making rope for sale on the market in order to give employment to the national workers who live in Devonport;

(2) whether he has taken steps to offer the rope made in Devonport Dockyard to public departments to meet their requirements of this commodity; and, if not, whether he will make arrangements in the future for all public departments who require rope to purchase it from the Devonport Dockyard ropery, in order to secure employment for the population of Devonport;

(3) what stocks of tarred yarn are held in the dockyard at Devonport; how long it will take the yard to dispose of these stocks on the present basis of consumption, and if there is a possibility that this yarn will deteriorate on account of the length of time it has been kept in stock; and whether these stocks could be disposed of on the outside market, so that the machinery at present idle in the ropery could be utilised to advantage and more workpeople employed;

(4) whether he will give figures showing how the cost of production of rope in Devonport Dockyard, if it were produced for sale upon a commercial basis, would compare with the sale price of marketable rope produced by commercial firms?

Rope made in the Royal Dockyards is supplied on repayment in compliance with orders received from other Departments of State. The Admiralty do not manufacture goods for sale in the open market. The whole question of the manufacture of cordage and yarn in the Royal Dockyards is now under investigation in order that the basis of future manufactures may be determined. As a matter of convenience supplies to other public departments are made from Chatham yard. The cost of production is approximately the same at Devonport and Chatham, but comparison with the articles produced by the trade would be very difficult, as the Admiralty product is made from a quality of Italian hemp superior to that which is generally used commercially.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many women were employed in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, in each of the years from 1906 to the present date; in what trades they were employed, what wages they received, and what number of hours were worked per week; and whether he will take steps to see that work can be increased in those trades in which women work, in order to give as much employment as possible to the widows and orphans of service men and dockyard employés?

The numbers employed in each of the years for which the figures are readily available are: 1906 … … 171 1919 … … 702 1907 … … 170 1920 … … 205 1909 … … 118 1921 … … 174 1914 … … 187 1922 … … 123 1916 … … 615 1923 … … 88 1917 … … 895 1924 … … 79 1918 … … 1097

The principal occupations in which the women are employed are:—Flag making and other needle work, upholstering, French polishing, and as spinners in roperies. During the War the number of occupations was greatly increased and women were employed on a variety of work usually done by men, including operating machine tools in engineering shops, acetylene welding, electrical wiring and winding small armatures. Before the War the scale of wages was from 15s. to 20s. a week. During the War and in the years immediately following the War there was a series of general advances in wages, and in January, 1921, the scale reached from 41s. to 45s. a week. Reductions have since taken place and the present scale is 31s. to 35s. a week. The working hours amounted to 48 a week up to 1919, when they were reduced to 47 a week. The amount of work suitable for women which can be allocated to the dockyards depends upon Naval requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what days employés in naval establishments, including dockyards, are given leave with pay; and, if these workmen are compelled to stand off on the Saturday following Good Friday, will he consider the possibility of granting pay for this day in addition to those already legislated for?

The days on which holidays are granted with pay are: Christmas Day, Good Friday, Whit Monday, and the first Monday in August. The Dockyards are usually closed on the Saturday following Good Friday as this is economical for the Service and suits the general convenience of the employés. The circumstances are not considered to warrant paying wages for this holiday in addition to the four present holidays.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, if he will give a list of the ratings at Portsmouth who elected representatives for the Welfare Committee, 1924; the number of each of these ratings who were at the port and were eligible to attend the meetings arranged for the selection of the representatives; the number of representatives of each class who were elected and the number of each class who actually attended the meetings that elected the representatives; and if the present system of election is considered satisfactory?

On the assumption that the elections for Port Class Request meet- ings at Portsmouth are referred to, and that "Classes" means branches of the

— 1. 2. 3. 4. Seaman Yes 4,829 7 19 Signal Yes 260 2 5 Telegraphist Yes 460 2 60 Sailmaker Yes 7 1 2 Regulating Yes 74 1 7 Mechanician Yes 11 2 2 Stokers Yes 1,833 6 13 E.R.A.'s Yes 515 5 80 Royal Marines, including Divisional Band No 1,074 Nil Nil Royal Marine Bands Yes 207 4 155 Electrical Artificers Yes 186 3 13 Ordnance Artificers Yes 100 2 6 Armourers Yes 64 2 1 Shipwrights Yes 174 4 19 Joiners Yes 39 1 2 Blacksmiths Yes 22 1 1 Plumbers Yes 22 1 1 Painters No 25 Nil Nil Coopers No 13 Nil Nil Writers Yes 211 2 24 Supply Yes 82 2 2 Cooks No 175 Nil Nil Sick Berth Yes 241 5 37 Officers' Stewards Yes 366 3 9 Officers' Cooks Yes 109 3 3

With regard to the fifth part of the question the existing arrangements for these elections are considered to be the best which can be devised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are at the royal naval armament depot at Bull Point a number of storehouse assistants and skilled labourers holding acting appointments as storehouse men and laboratory men who have been in these indefinite positions for from four to eight and a-half years; whether he will take steps to confirm them as storehouse men and laboratory men, seeing that whilst they hold these posts in an acting capacity they are in some cases losing the chance of establishment and that in ordinary circumstances they would have been given regular appointments from the first; and whether he will see that their appointments are dated from the time when they were appointed to acting rank, as has been done with other appointments, in order that they may not be prejudiced as a result of having served in more responsible positions?

Service, the answers to the first four parts of the question are as follows:—

Established appointments can only be made in vacancies in the authorised post-War staffs; as soon as the post-War staffs are settled steps will be taken to fill any permanent vacancies, and due consideration will be given to the claims of men who have been serving in the posts in acting capacities. No undertaking can be given that permanent appointments will be ante-dated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if orders have been issued for civilian employés in the naval signal school at Portsmouth to conform to the naval custom of standing to attention on such occasions as hoisting colours, changing guards, and when the alert is sounded; what disciplinary action is to follow inattention to this order; and what steps are to be taken to ensure that all civilians employed in this naval establishment are acquainted with the bugle calls?

I am aware that, a notice has recently been issued in the naval establishment in question that all persons, whether naval or civilian, are expected, when in the precincts, to conform to naval custom in the manner stated in the question. There is no question of disciplinary action against civilians who may disregard this intimation of what is considered to be required by good manners in a naval establishment. The civilian employés have for the most part previously served in the Navy or another branch of the Forces.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the amount of money spent from the Air Estimates of 1922–23 and 1923–24 on new land-planes, deck-flying aeroplanes, sea-planes and engines for the Fleet air arm or otherwise for naval co-operation; and the amounts similarly spent on new, as distinct from reconditioned, aeroplanes and engines for independent air operations and for Army co-operation?

The amount spent on new aircraft for the Fleet air arm or for naval co-operation was approximately £180,000 in 1922–23 and £508,000 in 1923–24; the amount spent on new aircraft for independent operations and Army co-operation was approximately £140,000 in 1922–23 and £775,000 in 1923–24. It is impossible similarly to differentiate the expenditure on engines, which, being of common type, are bought for the Royal Air Force as a whole and are allotted to the naval or the other machines as required; but the total amount spent on new engines was approximately £120,000 in 1922–23 and £872,000 in 1923–24.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any fighting squadrons of the Royal Air Force intended for overland operations, as distinct from those intended for the Fleet air arm and apart from squadrons equipped for troop transport purposes, have been equipped throughout with aeroplanes and engines which have been designed or produced since the Armistice in 1918; and, if so, the types of aeroplanes and engines which have been allocated to those squadrons?

The answer to the first part of the question is that, certain of the squadrons specified by the hon. and gallant Member have been supplied with aeroplanes and engines designed since 1918, and arrangements are being made to increase their number. It would not be in accordance with the usual practice to publish the partculars asked for in the second part of the queston.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many fathoms of rope the Air Ministry use in a year; where they purchase their supplies; and, if these supplies are not purchased from the ropery in Devonport dockyard, will he take steps to see that this is done in future, in order to encourage national enterprise and to provide work in a town which is dependent for its existence upon the policy of the Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is, at present, approximately 65,000 fathoms a year, but considerable war stocks of rope are still held and the new supplies required are comparatively small. As regards the second and third parts, new supples are obtained by requisition on the Admiralty, and it would be for that Department to consider the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement as to the policy of the Government with reference to airships?

If this question be repeated this day week, I hope to be in a position to make an announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on the ground that the Rent Restriction Act does not apply to the Crown, an action has been taken in his name in the Brentford County Court, the adjourned hearing of which is set down for 6th May, with the object of evicting the tenant of "Faulklands," Feltham, Mr. C. F. Oldham, who has resided there for over five years, on a yearly tenancy dating from 1919, at a rent bringing it within the Rent Restriction Acts, and where he has, with great labour and industry, successfully built up a poultry farm, which provides a living for himself and niece; and, seeing that the War Office only acquired the property in 1922, and that if the tenant is turned out it will mean his ruin, will he take steps to have the action withdrawn?

I am aware that it has, unfortunately, been found necessary to take proceedings in order to obtain possession of the house called "Faulklands." "Faulklands" was permanently acquired by the War Department in March, 1921, for military purposes, and the house is urgently required as an officer's quarter. Notice to quit, at the expiration of his year of tenancy, in December last was given to Mr. Oldham as long ago as 11th June, 1923, and I much regret that I am not in a position to withdraw that notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of rifle and machine-gun material sold by the Disposal Board, its destination, and the prices at which it was sold?

To furnish the information in question would require a search through the accounts of the Department for a period of five years, and I regret that, with the depleted clerical staffs at present available, it is not possible to undertake this work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to institute an inquiry into the question of outstanding claims for loss and damage caused by enemy action and to take steps to provide more adequate funds and machinery for dealing with these claims?

In accordance with the promise given by me on the 29th April, the Government have again considered this matter, but are unable to depart from the decision that the sum of £5,000,000 distributed on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action and the sum of £300,000 to be allocated to belated claims cannot be increased. Accordingly, no question of instituting a fresh inquiry arises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if all the Treasury notes current in Turkey were issued by the Council of the Ottoman Debt; and will the Council continue to issue them?

My information is that the Treasury notes current in Turkey were issued by the Turkish Ministry of Finance, but were countersigned by the Ottoman Debt Council from which the delegates of Allied nationality were absent. As regards the second part of the question Turkey, so far as I am aware, has not issued any Treasury notes since 1918.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentages of indirect tax to direct tax for each year have been since the War, including the present Budget proposals?

The figures are as follow:— — Ordinary Indirect. Excess Profits Duty. Ordinary Direct. % % % 1914–15 39.9 — 60.1 1915–16 39.8 — 60.2 1916–17 23.7 27.4 48.9 1917–18 17.3 36.3 46.4 1918–19 20.5 36.0 43.5 1919–20 28.0 28.90 43.10 1920–21 31.84 21.12 47.04 1921–22 37.29 3.48 59.23 1922–23 35.58 .15 64.27 1923–24 36.57 .25 63.68 1924–25 as Proposed in Budget. 33.90 1.17 64.93

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that for the three months, namely, from the 1st December, 1923, to 29th February, 1924, the revenue from private motor cars and motor cycles was approximately £5,500,000, and that this amount exceeds the full years' revenue three years ago from vehicles of this class, and having regard to the comparatively small wear and tear of roads by these pneumatictyred vehicles, he will say what steps he proposes to take to reduce the burden of taxation in respect of these vehicles as from 1st January next?

My hon. Friend no doubt appreciates the fact that the bulk of the Road Fund revenue is obtained in the first quarter of the calendar year, as payments for all annual licences fall due on the 1st January. Until I have had an opportunity of considering the forthcoming Report of the Departmental Committee, I cannot say what modifications of the existing system of taxation may prove necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the speech by Sir Henry Maybury, K.C.M.G., C.B., Director-General of Roads, Ministry of Transport, at the opening of the new bridge over the Thames at Goring and Streatley on 8th November last, during the course of which that officer is reported to have said that road costs were coming down, notwithstanding the large amount of additional traffic on the roads, and that in some districts costs were down as low as they were in 1913–14; and whether, with a decreasing normal expenditure upon roads and a constantly expanding revenue from motor taxation, which is devoted in the main to grants to highway authorities, he will reconsider his decision not to examine the question of amending the existing schedule of duties until after he has received, too late for the subject to be dealt with adequately in the forthcoming Finance Bill, the long delayed Report of the Departmental Committee of the Ministry?

While it is true that costs in connection with road works have fallen considerably during the past two or three years, and in some cases are now not much in excess of those obtaining in pre-War days, at the same time the demands upon the Road Fund, not only for classified roads but for purely rural roads, are becoming increasingly heavy. In any case, I cannot arrive at a decision as to any possible amendment of the existing schedule of duties until I have had an opportunity of considering the Committee's Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount of interest on capital and sinking fund charges paid annually by the Nauru/Ocean Island undertaking to the owning Governments; and what does this charge represent per ton of output?

The amount of interest on capital and sinking fund charges paid annually by the Nauru/Ocean Island undertaking to the owning Governments is £224,053, representing up to 31st December, 1923, a charge of about 12s. 6d. per ton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can guarantee that, under Article 14 of the Nauru Island Agreement, the present allotment of 42 per cent. of the output of Nauru/Ocean Island phosphate will be available for the United Kingdom at any time in the future; and, if this guarantee cannot be given, what provision is being made against emergencies and dependence upon foreign sources for supplies of this essential product?

It is not possible for me to give any guarantee with regard to the results of future readjustments between the three Governments concerned under Article 14 of the Nauru Island Agreement. I must refer the hon. Member to the Minister of Agriculture for a reply to the latter part of his question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that an agreement was come to on 21st January, 1923, between the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and the late Mr. Michael Collins, afterwards signed by a representative of the British Government, to the effect that the Boundary Commission, as outlined in the treaty, should be altered, and that the Free State and Northern Ireland should appoint one representative each to report to Mr. Collins and Sir James Craig on the boundaries between the two States; and whether it is proposed to revert to a similar arrangement in the circumstances that have now arisen?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to an agreement which was signed on the 22nd January, 1922, by the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and the late Mr. Michael Collins, but not by a representative of His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part of the question, I can at present add nothing to the statement I made in this House on the 29th April.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can give any information as to when the temporary huts will be removed from the top of the Admiralty Arch?

The provision of alternative accommodation for the staff concerned is now under discussion with the Admiralty, and will, it is hoped, be settled at an early date. Arrangements for the demolition of the huts will be made as soon as the huts are vacated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to furnish information as to existing direction-finding facilities for ships approaching the coasts of the British Isles; what new wireless direction-finding stations are contemplated and may be expected in the near future; and whether, seeing that at present an official charge of 5s. is made for each message sent to a ship indicating her bearing from a wireless direction-finding station, whereas similar information is given to ships of all nationalities from wireless direction-finding stations in Canada, the United States, France and elsewhere entirely free of charge, he will consider the desirability of abolishing the charges for such information given to ships in this country?

There are at present direction-finding stations at Berwick, Flamborough and Lizard, and new stations are contemplated in South Wales and at Niton, Isle of Wight. I am aware that in certain countries no charge is made for bearings given by direction-finding stations, but in view of the cost of the service in this country it-is not considered that the whole of the cost should be borne by the Exchequer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when we may expect the Report of the delegation which proceeded to Australia in March, 1923; if he can give the cost of the delegation; and if the total sum has been borne by this country?

In the unavoidable absence of the Parliamentary Secretary, I have been asked to reply. It is hoped that the Report will be laid before Parliament this month. The total cost of the delegation to His Majesty's Government was approximately £4,500, but the Australian Government incurred expenditure over and above this amount in providing travelling facilities, including special trains—when necessary—motor cars and much hospitality. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing on behalf of His Majesty's Government our appreciation of the great courtesy and invaluable help extended to our delegates throughout their visit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the £100,000 promised towards land drainage and afforestation has been paid or promised, wholly or in part; and, if so, to what schemes?

I presume the hon. and gallant Member refers to the extra £105,000 allocated by the present Government to unemployment relief works during the expiring winter season of 1923–24, of which £60,000 was earmarked for land drainage and water supply schemes in England and Wales additional to the £250,000 already voted for that purpose. Completed schemes or schemes still in operation are estimated to absorb nearly £276,000 of this amount, and but for bad weather the whole £310,000 would undoubtedly have been expended. For information as to the £15,000 for drainage to be expended in Scotland and the £30,000 allocated for afforestation, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friends the Secretary for Scotland and the Member for Tiverton (Mr. Acland), respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by many smallholders in carrying on; whether these have to any extent taken advantage of the Agricultural Credits Act; and what is the aggregate sum advanced to them hitherto?

As was stated in reply to the hon. Member on the 16th April, the present position of the statutory smallholder is, on the whole, satisfactory, although I am aware that they have been faced with adverse conditions during the preceding years; as regards the last part of the question, I regret that up to the present smallholders have not availed themselves of the facilities provided by Section 2 of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923. Three credit societies have been registered, but none of these have yet made application to the Ministry for advances.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the Highlands of Scotland caused by the proposed Order in regard to sheep dipping, which would entail double dipping and isolation for 28 days before movement to another area; and whether, having regard to the geographical considerations affecting so many of these isolated areas, he will consider the possibility of having only the farms on which the disease exists scheduled and isolated?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that there is some opposition to the regulations which a number of local authorities of the Lowland Counties propose to make, requiring sheep, before movement into those counties from the remainder of Scotland, to be dipped twice, with an interval of not less than seven and not more than 14 days between the dippings, within the 28 days immediately preceding movement. With regard to the second part, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry is receiving a deputation on the 14th instant from the Scottish National Farmers' Union and a number of local authorities in the Highlands and Lowlands, and, pending consideration of their representations, I do not see my way to make any pronouncement on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange to have the publication of the Criminal Statistics earlier than 17 months after the termination of the period to which they refer?

The completion of the volume now in course of preparation has been delayed by difficulties connected with the reduction of the volume from foolscap size to royal octavo size to enable it to be published as a Parliamentary Paper as formerly, but it is hoped that future volumes will be published at the usual date.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to introduce the Bill to amend the Factory and Workshops Acts?

This Bill will be introduced very shortly, I hope within the next fortnight.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the latest available figures of expenditure and revenue on the Post Office wireless stations at Leafield, Cairo, Stonehaven, Caister, and Northolt, respectively, distinguishing in each case on the revenue side between revenue for commercial traffic and the credit for Government traffic?

Station. Financial year 1923–24. Revenue. Expenditure. Interest and Depreciation. Running costs including Overhead Charges. Total. £ £ £ £ Leafield and Banbury … … 42,342 14,358 31,097 45,455 Cairo … … 10,599 16,756 28,927 45,683 Northolt … … 7,174 5,159 6,017 11,176 Stonehaven … … 6,449 3,176 12,242 15,418

Similar figures for Caister are not yet available, but it is estimated that the deficit on the working of that station for 1923–24 was, approximately, £1,700. The estimates of revenue cover both commercial and Government traffic. As pointed out in the answer to the hon. Member's question of the 15th November last, the receipts for Government messages are actual payments.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether days spent by a teacher in visiting the British Empire Exhibition in charge of school children, or for other purposes directed by the local education authority, would be regarded by the Board as days spent in the performance of a school duty?

If a teacher were to be sent by the authority employing him to the Wembley Exhibition in charge of a group of children from his school, the time spent by him in this way would count as time spent in the performance of a school duty. The same rule would apply if a teacher were directed or authorised by the authority to visit the exhibition for the specific purpose of

I beg to inform my hon. Friend that the accounts for the financial year 1923–24 are not yet finally closed, but the revenue and expenditure in respect of the Post Office wireless stations at Leafield, Cairo, Stonehaven and Northolt are estimated as follow:

obtaining information for use in his school work, especially if he produced a report or syllabus which would be used for the benefit of his pupils. If, however, a teacher merely obtains leave of absence, time spent on visits to the exhibition would count as special leave and would be subject to the general conditions governing special leave of absence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the sympathy of the Government for Georgia, he had made any representations on the position of the Georgians to the Soviet Republic; and, if so, with what result?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) on the 18th February. The position of Georgia is essentially a question of the internal politics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in regard to which His Majesty's Government have no locus standi such as would justify them in making representations to the Soviet Union Government.