asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction has been caused by the recovery, from subsequent issues of pensions, of overpayments made in the past in respect of treatment allowances by war pensions committees or of pension by the Ministry of Pensions itself; and what steps he is taking in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has recently had this matter under review and, while he cannot agree to any modification of the practice of recovery of over-issues where they arise as a result of fraud or misrepresentation, I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that recovery of overissues of pension or treatment allowance will in future be waived in all other cases where it is found that the recipient could not reasonably have been aware that he was being overpaid or where recovery would be inequitable.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of F. A. Bourne, of Eddington, Hungerford, Berkshire, who is suffering from tuberculosis, found in 1917, attributable to war service; whether he is aware that this man, who is a skilled engineer and has been a works manager, has been unable to obtain any work in his business in consequence of that service; whether, in view of the fact that he was recently awarded a pension on the basis of 20 per cent. disability, that pension will be made retrospective from the date of his last receipt of pension, namely, March 1923; and whether, in view of the fact that the man is quite unable to follow his avocation, the award may be increased?

I am glad to say that the disability in the case referred to has, as a result of a period of prolonged observation under expert supervision in hospital, been found not to be of a tuberculous nature. The current award has been granted for bronchitis with effect from the date of the man's claim as to the worsening of his condition. Disability pension is awarded in accordance with medical judgment as to the general condition of disablement, and not with reference to the loss of capacity in any particular occupation. I may, however, point out that in this case the award being conditional, the man has a right of appeal to the Medical Appeal Board if he considers that the award made does not represent the degree of disablement appropriate to his condition.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, if he will state the total sum received by the Treasury under the participating arrangements made between the Disposal Board and the group of steel works represented by Messrs. George Cohen, Sons, and Company, in connection with the breaking down of ammunition in this country; and will he further state the total tonnage of ammunition handed over to this syndicate under the contract?

The total sum received under the contract was £1,588,904 16s. 7d. The total tonnage of ammunition broken down was 425,779 tons.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the use by Members of this House of the travelling vouchers provided for them during the first fortnight of their issue has exceeded or has not reached the official weekly estimate taken into consideration in assessing the annual value of such vouchers at £70,000?

I regret that the information asked for is not available. The Accounting Officer is, of course, aware how many books of vouchers he has issued; but I understand that up to yesterday, he had received only one claim for payment from the railways.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the extra sum included in the Budget for the purposes of the promised Pensions Increase Act?

I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the White Paper which will be issued on the presentation of the Government's proposals.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the desirability, in view of the fact that the majority of farmers make up their accounts to Michaelmas in each year, of permitting them to make their claims under Schedule D during an extended period of four months after the commencement of the year of assessment instead of the present period of two months?

The difficulty suggested by the hon. and gallant Member does not, I think, exist. A farmer, who elects to be charged to Income Tax under Schedule D for any year, is assessed upon the average of the three preceding years, which in the case of a farmer making up his accounts to Michaelmas, would be the three years ending at the Michaelmas preceding the commencement of the year of assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what date the duty on sweetened table waters is to be abolished and on what date the reduction of price to the consumer will take place?

As regards the first part of the question, I am unable to anticipate the contents of the Finance Bill. The date of any reductions in price must of course depend upon the date of the repeal of the duty in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before opening the Budget, he received any demand or representations from any section of the general public for the repeal of the McKenna duties?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he received any representations or deputations advocating the abolition of the McKenna Duties, cither from trade associations or from bodies representing motor users, either before or after his Budget speech: and, if so, will he name what they were?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether at any time since the present Ministry assumed office it has received any representations from, commercial bodies or trade unions in favour of the removal of the McKenna Duties; and, if so, what these bodies wore?

The views and the verdict of the general public on the subject of protective duties were emphatically expressed at the General Election last December and the Budget was framed to give effect to that verdict.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received from any commercial firms representations affirming that the abolition or reduction of the McKenna Duties will lead to an increase of unemployment; and, if so, the names of such firms and the districts in which their works are situated?

I have received large numbers of communications to this effect from commercial firms in various parts of the country. The similarity of phrase which manifests itself in these communications would lead me to suppose that they have been organised and inspired from a common and undisclosed origin, and, in fact, I have in my possession abundant evidence that this is so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total revenue which has been derived from the McKenna Duties since they were established, differentiating between the various categories of imports?

The total net revenue collected in respect of each category of the McKenna Duties since they were first imposed to 31st March, 1924, was as follows: £ Cinematograph films 1,908,000 Clocks, watches and component parts 5,047,000 Motor cars and motor bicycles and tricycles (including accessories and component parts, other than tyres) 10,582,000 Musical instruments (including accessories and component parts, and records and other means of reproducing music) 1,828,000 £19,365,000

As from 1st April, 1922, the above figures include those relating to the collection in Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give figures showing the total cost of the Land Valuation Department which owed its origin to the Budget of 1909, and the annual yield of the land taxes imposed under it until their remission, together with the annual cost of their collection and the net financial result to the national Exchequer; and whether he will reconsider the proposal in the present Budget to reorganise the Department for the purpose of reviving land taxes?

The estimated total cost of the Land Valuation Office charged to the Valuation Office Sub-heads of the Inland Revenue Vote to the 31st March, 1924, is £6,060,000. As regards the yield and cost of collection of the Land Value Duties, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a reply given on the 8th May to the hon. Member for Epping (Sir L. Lyle). I cannot see any reason to reconsider the proposals outlined in my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now satisfied that the alleged investment of exceptional safety and merit in freehold land in the district of Canberra, advertised on Form R/253, is worded in a misleading form in that freehold titles to land in the proposed city and district of Canberra are unobtainable; and whether he is now prepared to stop all further issues of Form R/253 containing this advertisement?

While I feel bound to adhere to the view that the Government cannot, any more than other parties receiving advertisements, make itself responsible for the accuracy of the advertisements it displays, I have nevertheless made personal inquiry into this case, and so far no evidence of misrepresentation, either in the advertisement or in the full information supplied to inquirers by the advertiser, has been brought to my notice. In these circumstances, I can see no ground for breaking the advertisement contract, but I am quite prepared to reconsider the matter should the Commonwealth authorities represent that the continuance, of this advertisement is undesirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the recent theft of a ton van-load full of documents for stamping at Somerset House; and whether, in view of the thefts at Brighton of documents delivered to the Post Office for stamping and the refusal of His Majesty's Government to reopen the stamping Office at Brighton, he will consider amending the law in order to enable the present limited privilege of affixing adhesive stamps to certain documents being extended to all or any other instruments not of a special character or requiring adjudication?

I have seen a report of the incidents referred to, but I cannot contemplate abandoning the security of impressed stamps on account of such incidents.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that agricultural areas received last year the sum of £4,725,203 in relief of rates from the Treasury, he will make a similar grant in the coming year to those industrial urban areas which are in an equally necessitous condition?

Under the various schemes for relieving unemployment, a very large measure of assistance is in fact being given to these areas from national funds, and I cannot see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost to this country during the past year of the army on the Rhine, and the amount received from Germany in respect thereof?

I have been asked to reply. As I indicated on 8th April last in reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. E. Brown), the cost of the Army of Occupation for the year ending 31st March last is estimated at £1,560,000 exclusive of accommodation and miscellaneous services provided free by Germany. As regards the last part of the question, as I informed the hon. Member for Ilford (Sir F. Wise) on 7th April last, Germany now pays on a capitation basis, and the amount received from her on this basis for the year in question was £1,200,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the death of Private William Charles Johnson, 13/18th Hussars, who was killed at Waterloo Station on 30th March; is he aware that it is stated that the train left two minutes before time, and that a carriage door was open; will he make inquiries to ascertain if the railway company was responsible; and, if so, will he claim compensation for the mother from the company?

My attention has been called to this case, and I deeply regret Private Johnson's death, but, as my hon. Friend is aware, he was not on duty at the time. The verdict at the inquest was one of accidental death, and the accident, so far as my information goes, was due to Private Johnson having delayed to speak to a friend until the train was moving. Under the circumstances, and on the information at present before the Department, I regret that no action is open to me.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines that have been closed since the year 1920 in Monmouthshire; the names of the collieries; the number of miners thrown out of employment; and the number at present unemployed in Monmouthshire?

The number of mines in Monmouthshire closed since 1920 and not reopened is 23. The list is as follows: Arrail Griffin No. 4. Brynbach. 1165 Buggy Drift. Cefn Crib. Coed Cae. Cwm Glyn. Garw Level. Griffin. Henwain. Hollybush. Kendon. Kincoed. Lower Deep. North Blaina Slope. North Blaina Pit. Penna Junction. Pentre Goch. Pentwyn and Garn Drifts. Pentwyn Level. Soverydd Farm. Whitworth. Woodfield. Yr-ochor-with. The number of miners normally employed at these mines was 5,341, but I do not know how many of them were thrown out of employment; a considerable number were given work at other mines immediately. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the number of persons in the coal mining industry who were registered as unemployed at the Labour Exchanges in the county of Monmouthshire on the 28th April was 2,147.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount paid to royalty owners in Monmouthshire for coal mined in 1923?

I cannot give the exact figure for Monmouthshire apart from South Wales; but it is estimated that the amount of royalties payable was between £510,000 and £550,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that there is only one winding engineman engaged winding on night duty at the Fleets coal pits Nos. 1 and 2, at Tranent, East Lothian; that the pits stand apart approximately 300 yards; that a man is engaged at the pumps in the Diamond coal seam, No. 2 pit, from which there is no outlet except at a point equal to 18 fathoms higher up the shaft; and, as the engineman in the performance of his duty has to go periodically from one pit to another, and is, therefore, not in a position to ensure the safety of the men employed in either of of the mines, will he inquire into the matter and compel the company to conform to the terms of the Coal Mines Acts?

I have inquired into this matter and find that the winding engineman on night duty for these two shafts, which are 132 yards apart, remains at the No. 2 shaft from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., the whole time that the pumpman, who has no other way of egress, is below ground. All the other persons employed below ground in the mine have easy access to this shaft, and are aware that it is the winding shaft for them between the hours specified. I am advised that these arrangements are not in contravention of the Coal Mines Act.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to report any further progress in his investigations into the prices, etc., of coal sold to householders?

In view of the general interest that seems to be taken in this matter, I should like to take this opportunity of making a rather full statement. In consequence of numerous complaints from all parts of the country about the price and quality of household coal, I took the matter up with the Coal Merchants' Federation. The results of that investigation have been communicated to the House in a White Paper. They are obviously unsatisfactory. The wide difference between retail and pithead prices clearly justifies a prima facie presumption that either the methods of merchanting coal are inefficient or the profits are excessive. The six London merchants representing the Coal Merchants' Federation who saw me on the 18th March offered to make a full and frank disclosure of the facts and figures, and I was encouraged by this to address a series of questions to them in the hope of elucidating the truth. If the presumption to which I have referred is incorrect, this gave them the opportunity of rebutting it. But they proved unwilling to answer those questions that were most material to this point. They have since stated in the Press that the profits of their firms over a period ended some 12 months ago averaged about 9d. a ton. But this statement by itself does not carry us much further. I have no power to extract information from the merchants that they are unwilling to give, and it would therefore serve no useful purpose to continue along this line of investigation. I have arranged to meet representatives of the co-operative societies this week in the hope of obtaining from them information similar to that for which I asked the merchants. I shall then consider whether anything can be done, by legislative or administrative action, to mitigate the grievances of the domestic consumer of coal, which, so far as my investigations have gone, seem to me well-founded. Numerous suggestions have been made to me, as, for instance, the appointment of a Royal Commission, the regulation of the trade by a system of licensing or registration, the systematic grading of different qualities of coal, the extension of co-operative distribution, or the legalisation of municipal trading in coal. I am examining all these, but I cannot make any definite statement at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 11 in the advertisement for seven vacancies in His Majesty's Mines Department for sub-inspectors of quarries in which the prescribed age is limited to between 30 and 40 years; and whether he is prepared to modify this condition so as to allow a man's service in His Majesty's Forces during the War, if such a man is over the prescribed age, to be deducted from his actual age?

The limits of age for these appointments are already so high that I regret that I do not see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the forms issued in March last to applicants who wish to sit for examination for the post of sub-inspectors of mines contains a Clause preventing conscientious objec- tors from sitting and, in fact, preventing any who in any way refused to comply with the Military Acts of 1916 to 1918; and will he take steps to prevent this Clause from appearing in any future forms that may be printed and distributed?

The condition laid down in this Clause is of general application to all appointments to the Civil Service, and questions on the subject should be addressed to my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a member serving on a local urban or rural council can secure an advance under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act without disqualification of membership, whereas he is disqualified from obtaining the Government subsidy under the Housing Act, 1923; and will he take steps to have this anomaly removed?

The legal position is as stated, but my right hon. Friend cannot see his way to introduce legislation to enable a member of a local authority to enter into a contract with his own authority.

asked the Minister of Health if he will ascertain how many local authorities within the County of Middlesex have adopted the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, but have taken no further action beyond formally adopting the Act, thus preventing the county council from exercising its jurisdiction and precluding the inhabitants of their areas from taking advantage of the Act?

My right hon. Friend will obtain this information and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

also asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a large house in Edmonton, rented at £172 per annum plus £150 rates, is at present sub-let to 12 families at a total rental of £780 per annum; and whether he proposes to seek powers to deal with cases of this description?

My right hon. Friend has no information in regard to this case; but the house in question appears to be outside the limits of the Kent Restriction Acts, and he does not think it would be practicable to propose an extension of the Acts to cover such cases.

further asked the Minister, in view of the fact that the London County Council and the Tottenham and Wood Green Urban District Councils have for nearly three years been negotiating upon a proposal that the London County Council's post-War houses on the White Hart Lane estate should be let at inclusive rentals, as their pre-War houses are, and that a deadlock appears to have been reached, whether, in the interests of tenants, he will now invite the parties concerned to confer with him with a view to accepting the arbitration of his Department?

In view of the attitude of the councils concerned, my right hon. Friend is afraid that no useful purpose would be served at the present time by suggesting to them that they should accept arbitration in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any towns are availing themselves of the Government subsidies hitherto sanctioned by the House to clear and rebuild on slum areas; and, if so, which these towns are?

Fifty-seven local authorities have submitted schemes for the improvement of insanitary areas on the basis of financial assistance provided either under the Housing, etc., Act, 1919, or the Housing, etc., Act, 1923. The following is a list of the local authorities in question: Carlisle Town Council. Chester-le-Street Rural District Council. Durham Town Council. Gateshead Town Council. Hartlepool Town Council. 1170 Wallsend Town Council. Bradford Town Council. Barnsley Town Council. Doncaster Town Council. Dewsbury Town Council. Kingston-on-Hull Town Council. Keighley Town Council. Middlesbrough Town Council. Rotherham Town Council. Sheffield Town Council. Scarborough Town Council. Sowerby Bridge Urban District Council. Wakefield Town Council. Burnley Town Council. Eccles Town Council. Liverpool Town Council. Manchester Town Council. Oldham Town Council. Rochdale Town Council. Widnes Town Council. Wallasey Town Council. Pontypool Town Council. Atherstone Rural District. Stoke-on-Trent Town Council. Wednesbury Town Council. West Bromwich Town Council. Wolverhampton Town Council. Worcester Town Council. Chesterfield Town Council. Lincoln Town Council. Mansfield Town Council. Nottingham Town Council. Bristol Town Council. Exeter Town Council. Poole Town Council. Brighton Town Council. Hastings Town Council. Portsmouth Town Council. Bethnal Green Metropolitan Borough Council. City of London. Battersea Metropolitan Borough Council. Bermondsey Metropolitan Borough Council. Camberwell Metropolitan Borough Council. London County Council. Poplar Metropolitan Borough Council Stepney Metropolitan Borough Council. St. Pancras Metropolitan Borough Council. Aylesbury Town Council. Hitchin Urban Distrib Council. New Windsor Town Council. Oxford Town Council. Ipswich Town Council. In addition about 40 local authorities have schemes in course of preparation or under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will issue a statement showing the present indebtedness between the Allied and Associated Powers in the Great War?

War Loans:— Dominions— £ £ Australia … … 89,271,000 New Zealand … … 29,189,000 South Africa … … 11,884,000 Other Dominions and Colonies … … 1,146,000 131,490,000 Allies— Russia … … 722,546,000 France … … 623,279,000 Italy … … 553,300,000 Serb-Croat-Slovene Kingdom … … 28,481,000 Portugal, Roumania, Greece and other Allies … … 73,322,000 2,000,928,000 Relief and Reconstruction Loans:— Austria … … 10,794,000 Poland … … 4,394,000 Roumania … … 2,196,000 Serb-Croat-Slovene Kingdom … … 2,252,000 Other States … … 962,000 20,598,000 Belgian Reconstruction Loan … … 9,000,000 Other Loans:— Armenia … … 865,000 £2,162,881,000

2. The following figures are taken from a table on page 255 of the Annual Report of the Secretary of the United States Treasury for the fiscal year ended 30th June, 1923, which shows the obligations of foreign Governments held by the United States Treasury together

— Obligations representing cash advanced under Liberty Bond Acts. Obligations received on account of sales of surplus war material. Obligations received on account of relief supplies furnished and sales of flour. $ $ $ United Kingdom 4,600,000,000.00 — — Russia 236,289,603.07 436,538.48 5,176,930.88 France 3,583,316,460.03 407,341,145.01 — Italy 2,015,079,396.73 — — Serb-Croat-Slovene Kingdom 31,977,884.67 29,609,271.83 — Roumania and other Allies 469,436,225.08 45,325,971.92 — Austria — — 28,385,736.54 Poland — 91,990,692.71 90,480,611.14 Other States — — 42,608,350.36

3. I am not aware of any up-to-date figures of debts due to France or Italy, but those are relatively small in amount.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposed

I have been asked to lake this question. 1. The figures of debts due to Great Britain as on 31st March, 1924, are given in the Financial Statement (H.C. 60 of 1924), and are as follow:—

with interest accrued and remaining unpaid thereon as of the last interest period prior to or ending with 15th November, 1923."

The first column would appear to correspond to our category of War debts due from Allies.

Royal Commission to inquire into the Lunacy Laws will be empowered to inquire into the hours and conditions of work of asylum workers; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of giving representation to asylum workers on the Commission?

It is not proposed to ask the Royal Commission to inquire into the hours and conditions of work of asylum workers. The Departmental Committee on the Nursing Service in Mental Hospitals, which is now sitting, will, I understand, report on the question of hours for nurses.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cases in which the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action reduced its awards on account of the claimants having already received awards under the War Risks Compensation scheme; and, if so, the total amount of the deductions so made?

I regret that it would not be possible to extract the information desired out of the 40,000 claims without a vast amount of labour and expense. In every case where a claimant had derived benefit under the War risks compensation scheme, or schemes for insurance of personal effects, those benefits were taken into account in assessing claims, in accordance with the principles applied by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, as described in their reports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representation has been made to his Department respecting the tariff duties upon imported boots and shoes which the Irish Free State Government has decided to impose; and whether, in view of the serious unemployment in the boot and shoe industry, he will make representation to the Free State Government with a view to removing such duty in the interests of our mutual trade?

Certain representations have reached me, and I am considering the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the present position concerning the negotiations between the master builders and the London operatives concerning the question of the 44-hours week?

I understand that the question is still under the consideration of the employers' and operatives' organisations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the local employment committee has refused unemployment pay to Mr. E. Hill, of 107, Railton Road, Herne Hill, giving as a reason for this decision that this man was not genuinely seeking employment; is he aware that the man concerned has in his possession a long list of employers who testify to the fact that he has been diligently seeking employment: and that the committee refused even to look at the signatures of the various firms: and, in view of the fact that this decision has inflicted grave suffering on Mr. Hill, will he cause the case to be reconsidered?

I am informed that Mr. Hill, who is 23 years of age, and is a bookbinder and guillotine cutter by trade, has done no work since the beginning of November, 1921. He had previously paid 48 Unemployment Insurance contributions and he has since drawn, in all, 413 days' benefit. The local employment committee have considered his case carefully on several occasions, and in April last declined to recommend further benefit. I am assured that they examined all the evidence that he produced. I am not prepared to overrule their recommendation.

asked the Minister of Labour if the effect on unemployment was considered before the Government decided to refuse to carry out the unanimous recommendation contained in the Report on the lace industry?

I have been asked to reply. The possible effects on employment were taken into consideration, with all other relevant factors, before the Government came to its decision in this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any restrictions are now imposed by the Chief Commissioner of Police as to the number of persons who are allowed to stand inside omnibuses plying for hire within the Metropolitan Police district; and what is the total number of persons licensed to be carried inside and outside omnibuses in the Metropolitan area?

The total number of passengers for which a vehicle is licensed is determined by the number of seats, allowing not less than 16 inches for every passenger. No restriction as to the number of standing passengers has been imposed by the Commissioner, but excess passengers are limited to "a reasonable number" inside, and may not be carried upon the upper deck.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, under Section 3 of the Fair Wages Clause, any inspection of the wage-books and time-sheets of the workpeople engaged in the quarries worked by the county councils of Gloucester, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall has taken place; and whether, in order to see that the proper trade rates are paid in all cases, he will order such periodical inspections?

The cases where complaints have been made have been carefully investigated, and I do not consider any periodical inspection is called for of the wage-books and time-sheets of the local authorities referred to.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Dundee Corporation has decided not to proceed with the construction of the new Tay Bridge; and, if so, for what reason?

No progress can be made towards constructing a new Tay Bridge until the difficult technical problems involved have been thoroughly investigated. I offered a very substantial grant towards the cost of these indispensable preliminary inquiries so that the necessary plans might be available for consideration. This offer has not yet been accepted by the Dundee Corporation, but I am not aware that any decision has been reached by that body of the nature indicated in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Ministry of Transport whether the engineer appointed under his Department in charge of the Edinburgh and Glasgow road, a contract which will amount to over two millions sterling, has ever had any experience of a work of such magnitude?

The scheme in question is being carried out by the local authorities concerned and not by my Department, though I approved of the appointment of the engineer in charge. The gentleman selected has had long and varied experience of important public works, and I am satisfied that he is adequately qualified for the post.

asked the Minister of Transport when legislation is to be introduced to enable the road fund to be used for roadside tree-planting and to enable local authorities to spend money on the same object?

I hope that an opportunity may present itself for introducing a short Bill dealing with this, and one or two other uncontroversial matters.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has made representations to the London and North Eastern Railway Company with respect to the entirely inadequate platforms at a great number of their stations, more especially on the line between Liverpool Street and Cambridge?

I have no power to require railway companies to alter the platforms on lines which have already been officially sanctioned for use for passenger traffic. I have, however, brought to the notice of the company certain representations made to me on this subject by the hon. Member, but the company have informed me that, in view of the expense involved, they do not feel justified in carrying out at present the improvements desired.

asked the Minister of Transport what will be the grant this year from the Road Fund to rural district councils towards the maintenance and improvement of unclassified roads in their areas, in view of the fact that a special grant of £1,500,000 was given in the past financial year?

The following special allocations have been made from the Road Fund towards the cost of improvement of important roads in rural areas: 1923–24 … … … £1,500,000 1924–25 … … … £1,250,000

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to the creation of a monopoly in the United Kingdom for Trinidad Lake asphalte (pitch lake); whether he will make inquiries as to whether any restrictions are placed upon the use of this material; and with what object?

I have no information on the subject, apart from that given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 8th May, in reply to a question by the hon. Member East Ham, South (Mr. Barnes); but if the hon. Member desires to bring any specific points to my notice, and will communicate with me, I shall be happy to consider them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider, in connection with the quarterly Returns relating to aliens, the publication of statistics indicating the classes of occupation and the sex of such aliens?

I regret that, having regard to the great increase of work that would be involved, I do not see my way to have the quarterly Returns of alien passengers elaborated so as to include these particulars. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the annual Returns, where he will find the figures analysed and classified in a way which may go far to meet his point.

asked the Home Secretary how many full-time probation officers for adults there are in the Metropolitan area; how many of these are appointed on the nomination of charitable or religious bodies; whether he will give the names of these bodies, and the number of officers nominated by each; and what proportion of the salaries of these officers are paid out of public funds?

In the Metropolitan Police district and at the London Sessions 43 full-time officers are employed in supervising adults placed on probation. Of these, 40 are attached to certain charitable or religious bodies, on whose recommendation they were appointed. The names of these bodies and the number of officers connected with each are as follow: London Police Court Mission 33 Greenwich Police Court Mission to Women 1 Women's Mission to Women 1 Society of St. Vincent de Paul 2 Catholic Prisoners' Aid Society 1 Southwark Probation Work Committee 1 Jewish Association for the Protection of Women and Children 1 Two-thirds of the salaries of these officers are paid out of the Metropolitan Police Fund, except in the case of one officer, where one one-quarter of her salary is paid out of that fund.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Report of the chief inspector of factories and works for 1923 will be available before the discussion on the Home Office Vote?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to a private notice question by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish-Bentinck).

asked the Parliamentry Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the contemplated programme of naval expansion by other Powers, the Government proposes to follow the advice tendered to the late Government by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as to the standard of ship construction which in their opinion should be observed in respect of naval construction?

The question of the requirements of the Navy during the next 10 years, as regards the replacement of units of the Fleet other than capital ships, has been referred to a Cabinet Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of sick-berth ratings allowed to the complement of Haslar Hospital; the number of sick-berth ratings, excluding probationary sick-berth attendants borne; will he state the reason why the staff allowed to Haslar Hospital cannot be kept up to numbers irrespective of the number of probationers borne; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question are 156 in each case. The third and fourth parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is intended to repair the Westray cable, which has been out of service since January?

I am sorry that there has been greater delay than was anticipated in carrying out the repair of the Westray cable, owing mainly to the fact that both the Post Office cable ships have had to undergo refit and that the work on one of them took much longer than was expected. In the meantime other cables broke down, and, in view of their importance, had to be given precedence in repair. The Westray cable is included in the programme for the next trip of the cable ship "Monarch," and I hope that it will be possible to carry out the repair about three months hence.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will further consider the claim of Mr. Ian MacDougall, particulars of which were sent to him on the 8th April, 1924, for compensation in respect of the loss of a registered packet, such loss being due to the packet not being delivered to the addressee, but to the caretaker of a block of flats?

The delivery of the registered packet in question was a good delivery under Section 90 of the Post Office Act, and I regret that there are no grounds on which I could authorise the payment of compensation in respect of the loss of the letter after delivery.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a Report from the Broadcasting Board on the measures to be taken to control the broadcasting of speeches and lectures on controversial subjects?

The Broadcasting Board have had this matter under consideration, but have not yet reported on it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Law Officers have yet advised his Department as to what classes of public servants are affected by the judgment in the case of Sutton v . Rex: and, if so, whether, in accordance with the promise of his predecessor, he will state what those classes are and what action the Government has taken in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Colchester (Sir L. Worthington-Evans) on the 7th instant on this subject, and of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the post office pillar boxes east and south of the village of Chirnside, Berwickshire, are not cleared in the morning for the first mail; and, as this is of great inconvenience to the business community and general public, who have expressed their desire by petition to the parish council, will he inquire into the matter and have the clearances made for the early mail?

The letter boxes to which the hon. Member refers are at present cleared three times daily, at about noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. I regret that it would not be practicable to arrange for an additional collection in the early morning except at expense which would not be justified by the number of letters likely to be benefited. Later posting facilities for the morning despatch are available at the village post office, which is about 10 minutes' walk from the more distant box.

asked the Postmaster-General by what authority he imposes a charge of 6d. on parcels affected by the Safeguarding of Industries Act, in view of the undertaking to deliver parcels to consignees for a payment duly made?

The charge to which the hon. Member refers is authorised by paragraph 8 of the Foreign and Colonial Parcel Post Warrant, 1921. It is a Customs clearance fee, and is collected on every incoming postal parcel assessed for Customs duty to cover the cost of the work performed by the Post Office on behalf of the addressee in clearing the parcel through the Customs.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the statement of the President of the Union of Post Office Workers that many of their members are in receipt of wages upon which a decent standard of living is an impossibility; and whether it is proposed to set up an inquiry into this matter?

The question of the pay of ex-service men appointed to the Post Office manipulative grades above the normal age, to whom the statement probably refers, is already under consideration, and I hope to be able to announce a decision shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that ex-service men employed as examiners of stamps in the Post Office Stores Department are paid a total wage ranging from £2 10s. 6d. to £2 13s. 10d. per week, including bonus, and that the unskilled labourers from whom they receive the work are paid £3 3s. per week, while the employés of the private contractor engaged on similar supervisory work are receiving £3 12s. per week; and what steps he proposes to take to remove this anomaly?

I am aware of the position, and will consider the pay of these men in connection with the question of starting pay of ex-service men, which is at present under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the British representatives of Indian newspapers desiring to use the Leafield wireless telegraph service to India have been informed that this service has been closed down; whether he can give the reason for this decision; and when it is hoped to re-establish the service?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 8th instant to a similar question put by the hon. Member for the Montrose Burghs (Mr. Sturrock), and of which I will send him a copy. I shall be happy to re-establish the service if there be any real demand for the facilities.

asked the Post master-General whether any decision has yet been reached in regard to the future of an Empire wireless service?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of his statement at Neath that they had come very near to getting back penny postage, he can state exactly what were the reasons which intervened at the last moment to prevent the realisation of this scheme?

The statement to which the hon. Member refers was intended to indicate that penny postage ranked high among the reforms which the Government desired to make in connection with the Budget, but that there were other concessions which had to take precedence of it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give a list of Orders issued by the Agricultural Wages Board under the Corn Production Acts, 1917 to 1920; the numbers of the staff employed in connection with the work of that Board; the salaries of the principal officials and of the several grades of other officials; and what was the total cost of the Board during its lifetime, and the cost of advertising the Orders issued?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the Orders, numbering 156, issued by the Agricultural Wages Board. The total staff employed on the 1st April in each of the years during which the Board was in existence fas as follows: 1918 … … … … 54 1919 … … … … 91 1920 … … … … 110 1921 … … … … 115 The salaries of the principal officers and of the several grades of other officers were as follows: Chairman, £10 per week for expenses. Deputy-Chairman, £750. (Salary, bonus and retired pension not to exceed £1,500 per annum.) Secretary, £500—£20—£600. Chief Inspector, £500—£20—£700. Legal Adviser, £300, inclusive. Legal Assistants, £480 and £400, inclusive. Inspectors, up to a maximum of £480, inclusive. Secretaries of District Wages Committees (whole time), up to a maximum of £360, inclusive. Secretaries of District Wages Committees (part-time), salaries ranged from £120 to £250, inclusive. Bonus was paid on all salaries other than those marked "inclusive."

With regard to the last part of the question, the total cost of the Board and the District Committees during its life- time (1917–1921) was £211,035, and the cost of advertising its orders was £60,597.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the numbers of the staff employed in connection with the work of the Agricultural Wages Board at the date of the announcement of the intended repeal of the Corn Production Acts; how many members of such staff are now employed in the Ministry; how many were transferred to other Government Departments; and how many are no longer employed in Government service?

On the date in question, namely, June, 1921, the number of the staff employed in connection with the work of the Agricultural Wages Board was 112; 25 of such staff are now employed in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; four are known to have been transferred to other Government Departments; the engagements of the remainder were terminated, and I have no definite information as to their present employment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is now satisfied that adequate free sanitary accommodation has been provided for the exhibitors' assistants at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley; and whether any steps have yet been taken to provide them with free mess-room accommodation?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that a circular letter has been addressed to all exhibitors calling attention to their statutory obligations in the matter, and informing them that in order to assist them in carrying out their obligations in this respect arrangements have been made for the issue of season tickets at a charge of 12s. 6d. per head, entitling the holder to the use of the accommodation provided by the management. I understand that exhibitors have been informed that staff institutes, at which meals can be obtained, have been provided for employés, and that badges, entitling the holder to the use of such institutes, can be obtained at a charge of 12s. 6d. per head in the case of men and 7s. 6d. per head in the case of women. I am informed that, should it prove necessary, the caterers are quite prepared to consider the reservation of special accommodation in restaurants at certain hours for the use of exhibitors' staffs.

asked the Home Secretary whether any and, if so, how many women police are being employed at the British Empire Exhibition; and how they wore recruited?

Four Metropolitan women constables are being employed at the British Empire Exhibition. They are ex-women patrols who have been re-engaged, the establishment having been temporarily increased for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state or is able to ascertain the number of clubs and recreation rooms in Hong Kong where men of the Navy and mercantile marine may receive a welcome when they go ashore; to what extent good sleeping accommodation is available for such men, either in the premises indicated or otherwise; and by whom such clubs, recreation rooms, and sleeping accommodation are owned and controlled?

I have not the information desired, but will inquire of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the event of it being decided to ratify the International Labour Convention regarding the use of lead paint, such ratification by His Majesty's Government will bind the Crown Colonies?

On the ratification of the Convention by this country it would be applied to the Colonies and Protectorates, subject to the provisions of Article 421 of the Treaty of Versailles.