asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what arrangements are made in Canada for the examination, approval, and periodical inspection of homes to which Poor Law children are drafted from England and Wales?

The migration of Poor Law children is arranged through the recognised Child Migration Societies. The homes in Canada are selected by the society concerned. A recent Ontario Act makes provision for the approval of the home by the Ontario Government. Periodical inspections of the homes and of the children are made by the society's inspectors as well as by inspectors appointed by the Canadian Government. Regular Report of these inspections are forwarded through the Oversea Settlement Department to the boards of guardians in this country. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a memorandum on the subject by the Superintendent of Emigration for Canada. As I have already stated, the Government of Canada has intimated that a visit from representatives of the Imperial Government with a view to obtaining first hand information in Canada in regard to the system of child migration, and specially the placing and supervision in Canada, will be very welcome to that Government. It, has, therefore, been decided that representatives of the Oversea Settlement Committee should visit Canada during the summer, and I have received with great satisfaction an intimation that the Department of Immigration and Colonisation of the Dominion Government will be glad to afford all possible assistance.

asked the Minister of Health the average cost, including food, clothing, medicine, attendance, doctors' fees, and all overhead charges, of a Poor Law institute?

In the financial year 1922–23 the average weekly cost, per inmate, of all the Poor Law institutions in England and Wales was about 26s. 6d. This amount. includes food, clothing, medicine, fuel and lighting, salaries and other remuneration of doctors, masters, matrons, nurses, attendants and other persons; the cost of the upkeep of buildings and furniture; rent, rates, taxes and insurance, interest on loans for capital works, and provision for repayment of such loans.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received representations from the West Ham Board of Guardians for the power to grant to persons in receipt of relief one hundredweight of coal weekly in winter and half a hundredweight in summer; and whether he is prepared at once to give the necessary financial assistance to the West Ham Union to enable it to carry out any such schemes?

I understand that the guardians' proposal is to continue the winter coal allowance during the summer. As this would be virtually an increase of the scale of relief, and it has been a condition of the loans advanced to these guardians that the existing scale of relief should not be increased, I obviously could not entertain the proposals.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in cases where the children of persons chargeable to the Poor Law union are bootless, and therefore likely to be kept from attendance at school, his Department lays down conditions precluding the guardians from granting suoh help as will enable the provision of relief to procure the boots necessary?

No, Sir. The necessity of keeping a careful check upon grants of this kind has been impressed upon the guardians, but no such condition as the hon. Member suggests has been laid down.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the conditions governing the appointment of relieving officers; and whether, if any such officer grants relief over the scale sanctioned by the Ministry of Health, a surcharge for such amount is made upon and against, him or upon the guardian or guardians who sit with him?

Relieving officers are appointed by the hoards of guardians. The only condition governing their appointment is that they shall have reached the age of 21 and be able to keep accounts, but it has been intimated to the guardians that it is desirable that they should usually be men who have had previous Poor Law experience. A reliev- ing officer has no authority to give relief without an order of the guardians except in a case of sudden or urgent necessity. In such a case he is authorised to grant relief in kind only. It is the duty of a relieving officer to carry out the lawful orders of the guardians, and in a case which is not one of sudden or urgent necessity the officer would be liable to a surcharge if he gave relief in excess of such orders.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some cases children who have been adopted by boards of guardians are returned to parents whose character and mode of life have a harmful effect upon them; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend Section 1 (1) of the Poor Law Act, 1899, by substituting 21 years for 18 years as the limit of age of vesting of parental powers in boards of guardians where the guardians consider that, in the interest of persons with respect to whom resolutions of vesting are passed, the extension of such age limit is necessary or desirable

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 92nd May in answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Captain Bowyer).

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the cheap transfer of land being one of the first essentials in the housing problem, he will take steps to arrange for the operation of the Land Registry Act of 1897 through, out the Kingdom, so that its benefits may be extended beyond the present limit of the county of London?

The Government will be prepared to make orders establishing compulsory registration of title to land in any county or counties where application is made for such an order by the county council concerned in accordance with the provisions of the Land Transfer Act, 1897.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps at an early date to promote legislation whereby any member of a town or district council, to whom a lump sum grant is made by the council under Section 2 of the Housing Act of 1923, shall not become disqualified under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, Section 12?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Wrekin Division (Mr. Nixon) on the 19th March last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that he proposes giving a larger bonus for building houses within a limit of 950 superficial feet, he will, in view of the great number of unoccupied houses of the larger type for which there does not seem to be much demand and which cannot be converted into fiats without considerable cost, favourably consider a bonus towards the cost of such conversion?

Provision is made in Section 3 (1) (c) of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, for assistance to be given by local authorities in the case of the conversion of a house into flats. It is not the intention of the Government to extend the new subsidy proposals to this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a shortage of plasterers in the Darlington and Tees-side area, which is causing delay in the completion of house-building schemes; and whether he can do anything to remedy this deficiency?

I am aware of the shortage of plasterers in this and other parts of the country. The Government anticipate that as a result of the proposals which they will lay before the House at an early date practical steps will be taken to overcome the difficulties which are caused by this shortage of labour.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of the desirability of drawing on every source of good will for the solving of the housing problem, he will include practical proposals in the new Housing Bill for the encouragement of public utility societies;(2) whether he will encourage the formation of new public utility societies for the provision of houses by offering them subsidies and other advantages equal to those offered to local authorities?

In answer to this and the next question put by the hon. and gallant Member, I will give the fullest consideration to the suggestions he has made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the delay in announcing the Government's housing policy is deterring local authorities and others from entering upon fresh building operations; and will he submit his housing proposals to Parliament as soon as possible?

The figures of unemployment in the building trade do not bear out the suggestion in the first part of the hon. Member's question. I hope to be able to place the proposals of the Government before the House at a very early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now come to any agreement with the local authorities and the building trade, respectively, in relation to the housing proposals of the Government?

I propose to make a. full statement on this matter when placing the proposals of the Government before the House.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any representation from the Metropolitan Board branch of the National Union of General Workers urging him to at once introduce a Rent Restrictions Bill on similar lines to the Bill recently introduced by the hon. Member for the Upton Division of West Ham (Mr. Gardner), and to keep the House in continuous Session until the Bill is law; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have received the resolution referred to. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by the Prime Minister on the 19th May.

asked the Minister of. Health if he will state what particular operations of private enterprise have caused the increase in price of non-parlour houses from £386 in January to £425 in April over and above the £5 10s. due to increases in the price of materials and rates of wages?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department has been offered a novel invention in house construction by an American firm which will pour out houses; and, if so, what information can be given to the house for consideration before the Housing Bill is introduced?

I have had some correspondence with reference to a proposal to erect houses with concrete built in situ by an American method, and have informed the correspondents that I would concur in any proposals which local authorities might submit for erecting a small number of houses experimentally by the method proposed.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the rise in the cost of building during the past fortnight; whether this will seriously affect any proposal to be brought before Parliament relative to the provision of houses; and on what date will the complete scheme on housing be introduced?

I am aware that the tender prices for houses received by local authorities have in the last few months been increasing. It is obvious that increases in cost must prejudice the efforts being made to meet the need for houses, and it is the intention of the Government to take every practicable step to prevent increase in prices. I hope to be able to lay the general housing proposals of the Government before the House at a very early date.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of cases of sleepy sickness (encephalitis lethargica) notified to the Ministry at the present time; how many cases have occurred during the last 12 months and what proportion of these have proved fatal; and whether, in view of the prevalence and progress of the epidemic, he will in the interest of the public consider the advisability of having some announcement made as to the best-known methods, if any, of preventing infection by this disease?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Sir P. Dawson). As regards the second part, a memorandum on this disease was issued by my Department in 1921; in which the precautions which can be taken against infection are indicated. This memorandum is about to be re-issued with such additions as recent experience affords.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the spread of the disease of sleeping sickness (encephalitis lethargica) whether special investigations are being made; and what have been the nature and results of these investigations?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for the Scottish Universities (Sir G. Berry) on the 22nd instant. As regards the third part, a summary of the latest results of the investigations into this disease will be published in a memorandum which is about to be re-issued by my Department and of which I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether the National Health Insurance (Prolongation of-Insurance) Act is to be renewed for the year 1925?

The question of the extension, until 31st December, 1925, of the National Health Insurance (Pro- longation of Insurance) Act is receiving consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a definite announcement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that nurses in the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board work continuously for 13 hours a day for a salary of only £30 a year, going on duty at 7 a.m. and leaving off at 8 p.m.; that when they come off duty they are expected, two or three times a week, to attend lectures from 8.15 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.; and whether he will take steps to improve these conditions?

The conditions of service of nurses employed by the Metropolitan Asylums Board are within the discretion of the managers. I will, however, communicate with them and inform the hon. Member of their reply.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in certain mental hospitals the members of the staff have to work 66 hours per week; and whether, in view of the character of their duties, he will consider including these workers within the scope of any Eight Hours Bill under the Washington Convention and, alternatively, whether he will promote separate legislation to effect this object?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 26th May to a similar question by the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Whiteley).

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that public opinoin is ready and eager to strengthen the Public Health Act of 1875 regarding smoke abatement; that many of the largest towns in the country have given up attempts to prevent atmospheric pollution under the Public Health Act and have applied to Parliament for special powers; and is he ready to grant the special powers asked for?

The Government hope to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now prepared to form the proposed Committee to inquire into the lunacy laws; and whether, pending its Report, he will take steps to provide for more frequent inquiries into the mental state of patients detained in asylums by persons extraneous to such asylums?

I hope that a Royal Commission will be appointed within the next few weeks. Pending their Report, I will continue to keep a careful watch on the administration of the Lunacy Acts.

asked the Minister of Health what is the proposed expenditure in the current financial year on the Wash reclamation works; and how many men at present unemployed will be given employment thereby?

I have been asked to reply. The total estimated outlay is £32,000, which may be spread over two years. It is impossible to say how much will be spent during the current financial year. The number of men to be employed will he decided by the contractor, but probably no fewer than 200 unemployed will be required.

asked the Minister of Health how much it is intended to spend on afforestation in the current financial year; and how many men will be employed on such work?

I have been asked to take over this question. The Estimates of the Forestry Commissioners for the current financial year provide for gross expenditure of £399,300, of which£325,595 is allocated to "Forestry Operations" and "Advances for Afforestation Purposes." It is estimated that the average number of men to be employed during the year will be approximately 3,000, the number in the winter being greatly in excess of the number in the summer.

asked the right hon. Member for Tiverton, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, who are the commissioners responsible for the expenditure on afforestation?

The Forestry Commissioners are collectively responsible for expenditure on afforestation financed from the Forestry Fund.

asked the right hon. Member for Tiverton, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the unemployment and distress in the Northern and Western Highlands, the operations of his Department have been extended in Caithness and Sutherland since July last year; and, if so, how many acres have now been planted under the auspices of the Forestry Commission, and what further extensions or new schemes are now in contemplation in each county?

826 acres have now been planted by the Forestry Commission at Borgie, Sutherland, and 2,464 acres at their six centres in the Western Highlands; planting will be resumed next season. During last winter additional work in relief of unemployment was provided on all these areas. No new areas have been acquired in the two counties named, as the land offered was unsuitable in quality or extent or the terms were unacceptable. The Commissioners are prepared to consider any reasonable offers of land suitable for planting. Grants to corporate bodies and others for afforestation schemes in relief of unemployment were availahle during last winter.

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the extra cost involved if benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Acts commenced immediately upon cesser of employment instead of after the present waiting period?

It is difficult to form an estimate, but the cost at the rates proposed under the Unemployment Insurance Bill would probably be from £8,000,000 to £9,000,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage of unemployment in the building trades from 1900 to 1914?

The only comparable percentages of unemployment in the building trades for the period in question are

asked the Minister of Labour the average wage paid to mechanics in the motor trade in England and in the United States of America?

Statistics are not available as to the average wages of mechanics in the motor trade in England, but the district tunic rates of wages for engineers' fitters and turners in the principal centres of the trade range from about 54s. to about 61s. for a week of 47 hours. In the United States the trade union rate of wages of fitters and turners in automobile works in May, 1923, the latest date as to which information has been published, ranged from 32½ to 50 dollars for a week of 50 hours. The hon. Member will appreciate that both the above are time rates and that, both in this country and in the United States, the earnings of men on piece work, etc., will tend to be higher than the rates quoted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of transferring Juvenile Unemployment Centres to the Board of

I have been asked to reply to this question. As I have already explained, the question of making arrangements which will bring these centres within the scope of the Vote of the Board of Education is one which I am discussing with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, but I am not in a position to commit the Government on the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of reduction of rent made to the smallholders in the County of Gloucester during each of the following years: 1921, 1922, and 1923; and what, if any, reductions are proposed during the year?

No reductions of rent were allowed to smallholders in Gloucestershire in 1921, but in 1922 they received temporary abatements amount- ing to £3,314, and in 1923 permanent reductions of £4,930. These permanent reductions are being continued and are estimated at £4,960 during the present year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many members of his Department were displaced by the engagement of 25 members of the staff of the Agricultural Wages Board when that Board ceased to exist; and what was the nature of the duties performed by the persons so displaced?

Two were displaced. These were non-ex-service messengers who were substituted by two ex-service messengers from the staff of the Agricul-

The following statement gives the particulars specified in the question, so far as details are available:tural Wages Board. The remaining 23 members of the staff of that Board were transferred to vacancies on the Ministry's staff as and when they arose, either by resignation or by increase of work. Certain of this increase was due to additional work in connection with agricultural wages questions undertaken by the Ministry on the cessation of the Agricultural Wages Board.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether representations have been received on behalf of 800 or 900 permanent women in the Civil Service who are in receipt of less salary than ex-temporary women with shorter service who have benefited under the terms of the Southborough Award; and whether any action is being taken to remove this anomaly?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on the 22nd May, of which I am sending him a, copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will investigate the circumstances attending the stoppage of the old age pension of Mrs. Pearson, 9, Forest Street, Forest Gate: and, as the pensioner is in great distress, will he remit any amount at present due to her and continue the payment of the pension?

Mrs. Pearson was overpaid a sum of old age pension money which, under Section 9 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, is a debt due, from her to the Crown, and is being recovered by withholding payment of her current old age pension. Having regard to the Circumstances in which the overpayment occurred, I am unable to authorise resumption of payment of the pension until the overpayment has been completely recovered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the Hospital Ship "Maine" is in Malta Dockyard for refitting, and that one boiler is actually cracked and the others in a very bad condition; if so, if these facts have been reported to the Admiralty; if the cracked boiler is to be patched up and this ship to be sent to sea again with her boilers in a condition not equal to what they should be, and in a condition dangerous to the men, and especially the firemen; and if he will have this ship sent home for a thorough refit, or make some other arrangements whereby the lives of the officers and men and of the patients will not be endangered?

The Admiralty have full information of the condition of the boilers of His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Maine." Instructions have already been issued to Malta Dockyard to carry out extensive repairs and renewals to the boilers, which should render them efficient for a further period of service. There is, of course, ao question of the ship being sent to sea with her boilers in a dangerous condition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether Atlantic Fleet vessels ordered to the Mediterranean Station are to be staffed by Maltese non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks; whether there are now a number of surplus continuous service senior petty officers and other ratings of this branch supernumerary in the three home port depots; and if he will take the necessary steps to secure that continuous service officers' stewards and cook ratings are employed in these vessels, and not Maltese non-continuous service ratings?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 21st May to the hon. Member for the Central Division of Portsmouth (Sir T. Bramsdon).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of officers' chief stewards and officers' chief cooks allowed to the Portsmouth port division; how many are actually borne; the ships and establishments of the port division allowed officers' chief stewards and cooks in their complement; which of these ships and establishments are bearing active continuous service ratings in these positions; and who performs the duties where an active continuous service rating is not borne?

The answer to the first part of the question is 14 officers' chief stewards and 11 officers' chief cooks, and to the second part 16 officers' chief stewards (11 C.S. and 5 N.C.S.), and 9 officers' chief cooks (7 C.S. and 2 N.C.S.). Officers' chief stewards and cooks are allowed to the respective port divisions proportionately to the numbers of the lower officers' stewards and cooks authorised for the port divisions, in order to equalise advancement. The following ships and establishments attached to the Portsmouth division bear continuous service officers' chief stewards:

• Thunderer.
• Victory II (2 ratings).
• Hermes.
• Malcolm.
• Fisgard.
• Centurion.
• Iron Duke.
• Curacoa.
• Impregnable.
• Calcutta.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of ex-professional naval officers who are now filling posts under the jurisdiction of the, Admiralty; and will he

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the average pension payable to established men in the royal dockyards retiring in 1914, 1915, 1919, 1920, and at the present date, respectively, after the same number of years' service in each case?

The records do not readily afford the information asked for, and having regard to the large amount of clerical labour which would be involved in obtaining it, I regret that, in present circumstances, it is not practicable to furnish the desired statistics. I may add, however, for the purpose of comparison, that the annual rate of pension payable to dockyard workmen retiring, in each of the years mentioned, after 20 years' reckon-able service in the representative grades of skilled labourer, shipwright and fitter, was as follows:consider the setting up of a Committee to investigate the extension of the employment of ex-naval officers under the Admiralty administration in such billets as inspectors of gun mountings, etc., in order that the services of officers highly qualified in gunnery, torpedo, navigational wireless engineering, and other classes of specialised work may be utilised for the benefit of the State?

There are 56 retired naval and marine officers at present filling establishment posts within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty. These comprise posts in the Naval Ordnance Inspection Department, Hydrographic and Compass Departments, and other Admiralty Departments. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by setting up a Committee for the purpose suggested. The matter is constantly under consideration in connection with the general administation of Admiralty business with a view to making the best use of the services of suitable officers who may be available when vacancies arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that competent medical officers who have served in His Majesty's ships in the Persian Gulf have recommended the institution of V.D. cabinets in order to deal with the disease, and that these recommendations were expressed in the list of alterations and additions of His Majesty's ships "Crocus" and "Cyclamen," and were turned down, while over 70 white ratings are confined to the use of two lavatories in a climate where dysentery is prevalent: and why the recommendations of the medical officers are ignored in view of the desire of officers and men as expressed through their welfare committee?

As regards His Majesty's ship "Crocus," a V.D. cabinet and new lavatory were fitted during the refit, J the vessel in 1923. His Majesty's ship "Cyclamen" had a V.D. cabinet installed on fitting out for her present service, and the only alteration since asked for in connection with it was approved to be done in 1922. It therefore appears that the hon. Member has been misinformed in stating that the recommendations of the medical officers have been ignored. There should be three lavatories for the 70 white ratings referred to by the hon. Member, and a Report will be called for as to their allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will furnish a statement showing the present number, respectively, of the military forces of the European Powers?

Excluding Colonial armies, the figures are:

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will have further inquiries made into the case of J. Robinson, No. 704,057, Royal Fusiliers (Labour Corps), who alleges that sums amounting to 16 guineas are due to his wife for separation allowance in 1920 when Robinson was serving with the Rhine Army; and whether he will accept evidence that these sums were never paid to her, although such sums appear to have been handed over to some person or persons unknown?

If the hon. and gallant Member will send me the evidence to Which he refers, I will consider it and communicate with him further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the conversion of Elphinstone Barracks for the housing of civilians and their families?

I regret that I am not yet in a. position to make a statement. It is possible that, these barracks will still be required for Government purposes. I will not fail to communicate with the Noble Lady as soon as a decision has been arrived at.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the aggregate amount of English produce and manufactures imported into the following countries, and also the amount per head of their respective populations: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, India, France, United States of America, Germany, Italy and Russia in the year 1923–24, or the latest appropriate period?

The following statement shows, for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1924, the value of the exports of the produce and manufactures of Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered as consigned to each of the countries specified, together with the approximate average value per head of the population of each of such countries:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can supply a statement giving the import and export regulations in regard to dyes in each of the principal producing countries?

I will have a statement giving such information as is available sent to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the efficiency of the Ekblom non-toppling blocks and skids used for launching lifeboats, an improved type of skid to facilitate lowering; and whether he will make the necessary overtures to the shipping companies to instal these safety devices on all their passenger-carrying vessels?

These appliances were tested some time ago, and passed for use on board ship. It would be improper for the Board of Trade to recommend the purchase of any particular proprietary appliance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the underwriting members' guarantee agreement in use at Lloyds has been altered in any way during the last three years; if so, what are the terms of the present agreement; whether the trust deed approved by the Board of Trade under Heads B and C 2 (a) of the Eighth Schedule to the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, has been altered during the last three years; and, if altered, what are the terms of the present trust deed?

The form of the underwriting members' guarantee agreement in use at Lloyds has been altered during the last three years by the addition to the Schedule of Clauses 6 and 7, and I am sending to the hon. Member a print of the form showing this addition. The form of trust deed approved by the Board of Trade under Heads B and C 2 (a) of the Eighth Schedule to the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, has not been altered during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, separately, as regards the years 1922 and 1923 the amount of the deposits, if any, furnished in accordance with the Eighth Schedule, B and C 2 (b) of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, by Lloyds' underwriters as security for the due fulfilment of their fire and accident insur- ance contracts and the amount of the security furnished in the form of guarantees; whether any of the guarantees which may be furnished as an alternative to a deposit are given by persons who are not members of Lloyds' Underwriters' Association; and, if so, to what extent?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, separately, how many Lloyds' under-writers during the years 1922 and 1923 have complied with the requirements laid down in Eighth Schedule, paragraphs B and C (1) (b), of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, as regards the furnishing to the Board of Trade of a statement showing the extent and character of the business effected by them; and how many Lloyd's underwriters, in lieu of complying with paragraph B (1) (a) and (b), have elected to comply with paragraphs B and C (2) of the Schedule and supply to the Board of Trade an auditor's certificate in lieu of a full statement showing the extent and character of the business transacted?

No Lloyds' underwriters have furnished the Board of Trade with a statement showing the extent and character of the business effected by them under Schedule 8 B and C (1) (5), during the years 1922 and 1923. In lieu of providing this statement, 994 underwriters in 1922 and 1,047 in 1923 elected to comply with the alternative requirements contained in Schedule 8 B and C (2) and furnished the Board with auditor's certificates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether there is any condition attached to the Government guarantee to the British Empire Exhibition that -decent wages should be paid?

The amounts of the deposits and guarantees furnished by Lloyds' underwriters in accordance with Schedule 8, B and C 2 (b), as security for claims in connection with fire, accident and other non-marine business are as follow:

No condition in respect of wages to be paid at the exhibition was included in the British Empire Exhibition Guarantee Act of 1920.

asked the Postmaster-General at what offices the British Empire Exhibition stamp can be purchased; why post offices all over England do not sell these special stamps; and, in view of the practice in other countries when a special stamp of this nature is introduced and of the large sum of money guaranteed by the British Parliament, will he consider the desirability of pushing the sale of these stamps so as to popularise the idea of the exhibition?

The special stamps are on sale at the British Empire Exhibition post offices. I understand that the authorities of the exhibition do not share the view that the sale of the special exhibition stamps at all post offices is desirable in order to advertise the exhibition, and prefer to restrict the sale to the exhibition itself.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the complaints of lack of opportunity offered to the manipulative grades in the Post Office; and whether any improvement can 'be effected?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to inform me more specifically of the nature of the complaints he has in mind I shall be pleased to make inquiry into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he accepts any responsibility for the advertisements of Graham, March and Company, Limited, in official telephone directories, including the clothbound edition of the London Telephone Directory and the West and East Yorkshire Telephone directory; and whether, before accepting these advertisements, any inquiry was made as to the character of the business done by this firm?

The advertisements referred to do not appear in the current issue of the London Telephone Directory, and it has already been arranged with the advertising contractors that they shall not appear in the reprints of the directories for the other districts. It is not the practice of the Post Office to make a detailed inquiry as to the business activities of any advertiser; and, as indicated in the preface to these directories, no responsibility is accepted for the statements contained in the trade advertisements.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of ex-professional sailors, late Royal Navy, who are at present employed under the Postmaster-General, and in what Department they are serving; and if he will consider the allocation of a definite quota in all Departments, where eligible and competent, to ex-professional sailors, soldiers, and airmen?

The total number of ex-service men employed in the Post Office is over 90,000, but it would not be possible, without elaborate inquiry, to ascertain how many of these are ex-professional sailors. 50 per cent. of postmen's vacancies are already reserved for ex-service men. In addition, recruitment for all male posts, which are not required for youths and others already in the Post Office service, is practically restricted to ex-service men, preference amongst whom is given to disabled men and ex-professionals.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the transfer of Postman S. H. Goodwin, No. 126, from Ipswich to Oldham in October, 1920; and whether he will facilitate the return of this man to Ipswich, thereby permitting restoration of family life?

I am having inquiry made into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a licence has recently been granted to a Danish company giving them a monopoly of telegraph traffic between Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries and Northern Russia; and the terms of such licence?

The question no doubt refers to the Great Northern Telegraph Company of Denmark. It has recently been agreed to extend this company's licence until the end of 1934, the preferential rights to unrouted traffic which the company has hitherto enjoyed being surrendered. The terms of the company's licence are similar to those granted to other companies which are permitted to land cables in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the inconvenience to the millowners, colliery owners, and other business men in the town of Birstall, near Leeds, by closing of the local Post Office on Tuesday afternoon in each week, this matter can be reconsidered?

I am re-considering the arrangements at Birstall, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the staff employed at Batley Post Office in April, 1914, and at the present time?

The total number of officers employed at the Batley Post Office in April, 1914, was 49, and in April, 1024, 48.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of letters and other postal packages dealt with at the Batley Post Office in 1913 and in 1923?

The total weekly number of letters and postal packets dealt with at the Batley Post Office was approximately 93,000 in 1913 and 86,000 in 1923.

asked the Minister of Transport what sum of money he has allocated to the repair of rural district roads in the county of Gloucester; and upon whose request and advice he has made such allocation?

The grants made from the Road Fund to Rural District Councils in Gloucestershire, during the financial year 1923–24, amounted to £5,432. Grants are made in respect of approved schemes submitted by the highway authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the claims of those officers of the Indian Civil Services who retired prior to the 23rd July, 1913, and consequently do not enjoy the increase of pension granted to retired officers of the Indian Civil Service; and whether he is prepared to recommend the appointment of an independent tribunal to inquire into the claims of those retired officers?

It is not the case that any increase of pension has been granted to retired members of the Indian Civil Service. The hon. and gallant Member may, however, have in mind the claim of those members of services of the Government of India other than the Indian Civil Service who retired before 23rd July, 1913, that they should be allowed the benefit of the higher scale of maximum pensions granted to officers who retired after that date. For reasons given in my predecessor's reply to the hon. Member for Stroud on the 15th May, 1923, this claim has been rejected. It has received exhaustive and impartial consideration by three successive Secretaries of State, and my Noble Friend is not prepared to refer the question to an independent tribunal.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state, with reference to road construction and repair in the township of Reef, Island of Lewis, whether he has further investigated the position; and what action he has taken, or proposes to take, for the provision of access roads?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have sanctioned a proposal of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland to increase by 2300 the grant to be offered to the holders for the construction and repair of access roads to this township. The Board are at present in communication, through their local officers, with the holders on the subject of the work to be undertaken with the aid of the increased grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the names of the voluntary or semi-official emigration societies operating in the British Isles with which agreements under the Empire Settlement Act have been concluded; and whether he will give information showing the number of persons who sailed under the auspices of the respective societies during the year ended 31st March, 1924, giving the numbers of each sex under the age of 14, between 14 and 18, between 18 and 25, between 25 and 45, between 45 and 55, and over 55, stating in the cases of those under 18 whether they were accompanying parents or proceeding under escort to near relations, and unaccompanied children proceeding under the auspices of the societies, respectively?

The following statement shows the voluntary migration societies with which agreements under the Empire Settlement Act have been concluded. In the case of the child migration societies in List B," the cost of the journey is not covered by these agreements, which deal only with training, reception, settlement and after-care. A contribution towards the post of the journey in such cases is made by His Majesty's Government jointly with the Government of Canada and Australia under separate agreements. The figures give the total

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the actual sum paid for National Debt charges in 1913–14; the amount of revenue received for direct taxation in the same year; the proportion of expenditure and revenue to the total in each; and will he give the figures for the same two items for the year 1923–24?

In 1913–14 the charge for the National Debt was £24,500,000 (of which. £7,600,000 was Sinking Fund for Debt redemption). This was equivalent to 12.4 per cent. of the total expenditure. In 1923–24 the charge for the National Debt (excluding the non-recurrent Budget surplus) was £347,300,000 (of which £40,000,000 was Sinking Fund). This was equivalent to about 44 per cent. of the total expenditure. In 1913–14 the revenue derived from direct taxation was £93,800,000, being 47 per cent. of the total revenue and 57 per cent. of the tax revenue. In 1923–24 the revenue derived from direct taxation was £455,200,000, being 54 per cent. of the total revenue and 63 per cent. of the tax revenue. The Debt charge, like State expenditure under other heads, is met from total revenue and not from any particular items of revenue to the exclusion of other items of revenue.

asked the First Commissioner of Works upon what date Burton Court, Chelsea, will be evacuated by the Ministry of Pensions and restored to its former condition under the pledge given by his predecessors at the Office of Works?

The buildings in question will be evacuated by the 1st July, 1925.