asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why Messrs. Lyons were given the monopoly of catering at the British Empire Exhibition; and whether he is aware that at many of their less expensive restaurants in the Exhibition it is impossible to obtain a cup of coffee, that supplies of articles which are alleged to be available are frequently short, and that customers are frequently kept waiting for unreasonable periods?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that Messrs. Lyons were given the monopoly of catering at the Exhibition because after full consideration of the tenders which were made and of the circumstances of the case the Board of Management were satisfied that Messrs. Lyons' offer represented the best terms obtainable consistent with the maintenance of an efficient service. With regard to the second part of the question, I have no information which would support the suggestion made by the hon. Member, but I would remind him that the caterers have already had to deal with daily attendances at the Exhibition ranging from 25,000 to 170,000. I will, however, have the attention of the British Empire Exhibition authorities drawn to this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can give the names and stations of the Trade Commissioners and Commercial Diplomatic Officers who will visit the British Empire Exhibition, and the approximate dates on which their visits will take place?

Of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners Mr. F. W. Field, the Senior Trade Commissioner in Canada, is already in this country and hopes to devote sortie time to visiting the Exhibition in August, whilst Mr. Wickham, the Senior Trade Commissioner in South Africa, is expected to pay a visit during the month of October. Of Commercial Diplomatic Officers it is anticipated that Mr. W. Peters, Commercial Secretary at Moscow, Mr. C. J. Kavanagh, Commercial Secretary at Cologne, Mr. C. L. Paus, Commercial Secretary at Christiania, will visit the Exhibition in June. Mr. H. H. Fox, Commercial Counsellor at Peking, Mr. Picton-Bagge, Commercial Secretary at Brussels, Mr. E. C. D. Rawlins, Commercial Secretary at Prague, and Mr. H. Kershaw, Commercial Secretary at Stockholm, will visit the Exhibition in July. Mr. E. Hambloch, Commercial Secretary at Rio, will visit the Exhibition in August, and Mr. J. W. F. Thelwall, Commercial Secretary in Berlin, and Mr. R. Humphreys, Commercial Secretary at Budapest, in September Mr. J. J. Broderick, Commercial Counsellor at Washington, and Mr. J. R. Cahill, Commercial Counsellor at Paris, will pay a visit in October. Sir Edward Crowe, Commercial Counsellor at Tokio, who is expected to be in this country for the whole year, will be able to pay frequent visits to the Exhibition, and visits by Mr. H. N. Sturrock, Commercial Secretary at Berlin, have already taken place. I anticipate that visits of other members of the Commercial Diplomatic Service will be arranged later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the new Indian Tariff Bill, he has been asked to make, and is making, any representations on behalf of British commercial interests affected; and, if so, what these interests are?

My Noble Friend has not been asked by any British commercial interests to make representations on their behalf in connection with the Bill increasing the Indian import duties on iron and steel which is now before the Indian Legislature; but when the Indian Tariff Board were considering the question re- presentations were received by the India Office from the London Chamber of Commerce, the Welsh Plate and Sheet Manufacturers' Association, and a London firm interested in gold-mining in India. I understand that the London Chamber of Commerce deputed a representative to give evidence before the Tariff Board in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that £13,000,000 were paid out of Indian revenues to the War Office in 1919 as a contribution towards military operations beyond the frontiers of India, he will state whether the sanction of Parliament was given for such expenditure?

I would refer the hon. Member to the oral reply given to-day to the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Hoffman), on the same subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Inchcape Committee recommended that there should be an investigation with regard to the possibility of reducing the number of Army districts in India, he will say whether such investigation has been made, and with what result?

No proposals have been received from the Government of India with a view to reducing the number of Army districts in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Inchcape Committee recommended that there should be an investigation into the necessity of retaining four Army commands, he will say whether such investigation has been commenced, and when a Report may be expected?

The Government of India, after full consideration, do not propose to recommend reduction in the number of Army commands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of unemployed in India; and what measures, if any, have been taken to cope with this industrial problem?

There is no unemployment in industrial centres in India nor, in normal seasons, in agriculture, but each Province has in its Famine Code, an claborate machinery for dealing in times of scarcity or famine with unemployment, not only among agricultural workers, but with unemployment among village artisans whose livelihood depends upon the custom of agriculturists. Those fit to work are provided with actual employment; to the unfit suitable relief is given, while small cultivators are enabled to resume cultivation, when the famine season closes, by the grant of loans on specially easy terms. Provincial Famine Codes have been progressively improved in the light of past experience, and are worked by officers familiar with their provisions. They provide an effective organisation for dealing promptly and economically with agricultural unemployment, however widespread.

asked the Minister of Health whether the position of registrar of births and deaths for the sub-districts of East Tottenham, West Tottenham, and Edmonton, respectively, are recognised as full-time appointments and if he has any information as to the present incomes derived from these positions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question, such information as I have regarding the income of particular registrars could not be published without breach of confidence.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has approved the consolidated scale of salaries recently adopted by the Bristol City Council for the health visitors in their service; whether he is aware that this scale is lower than the scale of salaries, plus bonus, previously in force, and that under the new scale health visitors with nine years' service will receive a maximum salary of £160 per annum, health visitors with six years' service £150 per annum, and health visitors with service varying from four-and-a-half years to a few months £140 per annum; and whether, in view of the fact that half of these salaries are laid by the Ministry of Health, he is prepared to take any action to secure a more satisfactory rate of remuneration in these cases?

The answer to the first part of the question is "No," and to the second part "Yes," but I understand that an additional allowance is made for uniform. I do not regard the present salaries as adequate, but I am informed by the city council that these salaries are probably of a temporary nature, and that the council have in preparation a grading scheme designed to place the salaries of their officers, including the health visitors, on a satisfactory basis.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention to issue Regulations under the last Workmen's Compensation Act instructing approved societies to pay national health insurance benefit during the waiting period of three days in those cases where the accident does not incapacitate the member for the full four weeks, as was the practice under the previous Act when the accident period had to be two weeks, before dating back to the first day, and the waiting period six days?

A Circular, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, has already been sent to all approved societies, explaining the position with regard to the matter referred to in the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Royal Commission proposed to be set up to receive evidence from approved societies on the working and financial condition of national health insurance has yet been appointed; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving adequate representation to the trade union approved societies?

The Royal Commission on National Health Insurance has not yet been appointed. I am giving careful consideration at the present time to the question of its composition.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the total expenditure on housing from rates (including loans) and from taxes, respectively, in the year ending the 31st March, 1924?

Payments made from the Exchequer in respect of annual housing subsidies1923–24 during amounted to £7,857,000. The payment from rates in respect of annual loss on the Housing Act, 1919 (penny rate scheme) is estimated at £866,000. I have no information as to the payment from rates in respect of annual loss on the schemes carried out by local authorities under the Housing Act, 1923. The capital expenditure defrayed from loans during the year is estimated at £11,000,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to continue the legal proceedings he has commenced against Ernest Alfred Hadaway for his eviction from No. 11c, Artillery Place, Woolwich; whether he is aware that Hadaway has served his country with distinction for 21 years; that his wife is in an asylum owing to injuries inflicted on her by a German two years age, in Cologne; that he has two young children in his sole care; and that there is no alternative accommodation available for him and his family?

I am aware of the circumstances stated in the latter part of the question, and in dealing with the case I will give full weight to these and all other relevant considerations. I must, however, point out that Mr. Hadaway's quarters are urgently required for immediate occupation by a serving soldier who is entitled to live in them.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average annual loss per house on the houses built under the 1919 Act over the whole country and the similar loss on the houses built by local authorities under the 1923 Act; if the latter is not actually known, if any estimate has been made; and, if so, what it is?

The average annual loss per house in respect of houses erected by local authorities under the terms of the 1919 Act is estimated at £50 per annum, of which £5 is borne by rates and £45 by the Exchequer. My right hon. Friend regrets that no information is available in his Department on which a reliable estimate can be made of the average annual loss in respect of houses built under the housing, etc., Act, 1923, but, as the hon. Member is aware, the Exchequer subsidy is limited to £6 a year for 20 years.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that upon the return of a deceased ex-service man's death certificate a notice is attached stating that the same is returned with the Minister's compliments; whether he is aware that this is resented by parents and widows; and whether he will issue instructions to cease such issue?

It is the practice of my Department, when returning documents of any nature to a pensioner or claimant, to enclose with them a small printed buff slip indicating the source from which they come. I hesitate to believe that so simple a procedure can be really liable to the general misconstruction indicated in the question. The form has been in use for many years, and this is the first instance in which any objection has been taken to it.

asked the. Minister of Pensions the number of pensioners in Ireland receiving pensions from his Department; how many of these are receiving permanent life pensions; how many are receiving annual pensions; and what is the cost per head in administration expenses for those cases dealt with by the Dublin office?

The number of individual pensioners (men, widows and dependants) in Ireland is approximately 73,300; including wives and children, the total number of beneficiaries is 140,000. 10,550 of the men's pensions paid are permanent, and there are, in addition, 4,750 final weekly allowances in payment. I regret that the average administration cost per head of the pensioners resident. in the area covered by the Dublin Area Office is not available: this area includes the Counties of Dublin, Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal, Meath, Kildare, Queen's County, King's County and Wicklow.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the pension now being paid to J. H. King, D.C.M., of 159, Gell Street, Sheffield, includes any sum in respect of disability arising from a gunshot wound incurred during the South African War, for which he received disability pension at the rate of 6d. a day, prior to re-assessment of pension under Army Order 325/1919; and, if not, whether, in the opinion of the medical authorities of the Department, disability from this cause no longer exists?

Mr. King was awarded a life pension of 36d. a day in 1914. His service alone entitled him to 30d. a day, but as he had suffered a slight injury he was granted a small increase, making the award up to 36d. a day for service and disability combined. Separate pensions for service and disability respectively were not granted. The composite pension fell to be re-assessed under Army Order 325/1919 and the award of 30d. a day was increased under this Order to 47½. a day. Mr. King is not eligible for any further increase.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that, owing to the reconditioning of His Majesty's Ship "Concord" when the wireless room had to be enlarged and other pneumatic pumps and motors had to be fitted, considerable alteration in the stowage of the men's kit lockers took place; that much of the space hitherto on the mess-decks has now been taken up by the fixing of gas-mask lockers for the crew; that, owing to these alterations and additions, many of the ships' companies' sleeping billets have been rendered useless and if arrangements could be made for all the crew to be provided with reasonable sleeping accommodation, prior to the ship leaving England for Malta?

As a result of experience in the late War, and the advent of new appliances which it is essential for ships to carry, it has been found necessary to increase the complements of His Majesty's ships. This has resulted in more restricted accommodation per head as compared with pre-War days. The question of accommodation in His Majesty's ships, for both officers and men, is at present receiving the serious consideration of the Admiralty, both as regards existing ships and future construction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what have been the amounts expended on naval development by Great Britain, the United States of America, France, Japan, and Italy since the conclusion of the Washington Conference on the reduction of naval armaments; and whether any of such expenditure was incurred contrary to the arrangements agreed upon at that conference?

No naval expenditure has been incurred by Great Britain contrary to the provisions of the Naval Treaty for the limitation of naval armament, and I must assume that the other signatories are similarly carrying out the provisions of the Treaty. I am afraid that it is impossible to give any useful figures covering specifically the expenditure on naval development in its wider sense. If the hon. and gallant Member refers to new construction, I would refer him, as regards details of ships laid down since the Washington Conference, to the reply of the 21st May to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. D. G. Somerville). As regards the actual up-to-date expenditure on such ships, I am not in a position to give any accurate figure for all the countries, but if the hon. and gallant Member so desires. I can obtain particulars of the provision made for new shipbuilding construction in the various Navy Estimates for the years 1922 and 1923, except, possibly, in the case of Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that over 200 men have already been dismissed from the Chilwell Ordnance Depot in consequence of the decision to close it down; what steps have been taken by the War Office to ensure that these men obtain other employment; and what proportion of them are now unemployed?

I am aware of the discharges to which the hon. Member refers. Since I last dealt with this question, I have had the position again closely examined, especially in the light of the simultaneous closing of the large Ordnance Depot at Woolwich Dockyard. I fear that, owing to the considerable decrease in the total staff now required for Army ordnance services generally, there will be little or no opportunity of finding alternative employment under the Department for the men discharged from Chilwell Depot. As regards the last part of the question, I regret that I have no complete information.

asked the Minister of Labour the total expenditure from taxes in connection with the Unemployment Insurance Acts in the year ending 31st March, 1924, including administrative costs and amounts borrowed under the Acts; and the total expenditure from rates, including loans, on local schemes to relieve unemployment in the same period?

The total expenditure from taxes in connection with the Unemployment Insurance Acts in the year ended 31st March, 1924, was represented by the contribution to the Unemployment insurance Fund and amounted to about £12,800,000. The whole cost of administration was borne by the Fund and none by the Exchequer. No further amounts were borrowed but, on the contrary, debt to the amount of £6,390,000 was repaid. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that it is not possible to state the expenditure from rates on local schemes to relieve unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of appeals to the court of referees and the umpire arising out of the recent boilermakers' dispute at Southampton and the number of such appeals which have been allowed?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the shipyard workers' dispute at Southampton, concluded on the 23rd April last, in which, however, the boilermakers were not among the classes of men who struck work. The following are the figures asked for:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state approximately what percentage of children fail to secure employment within three months of leaving school?

The information in the possession of the Board of Education and the Ministry of Labour does not enable any reliable figure to be stated, and to give even a general estimate would entail an extensive and difficult investigation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will, in conjunction with the Minister of Pensions, consider the advisability of utlising obsolete battleships, after being dismantled, as floating sanatoria for ex-service men who are suffering from tuberculosis caused by war service?

There are no obsolete battleships available for such a purpose, for which, moreover, I am advised they would be most unsuitable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any steps are being taken to train and to employ ex-service men blinded in the War as telephone operators in Government Departments?

No steps are taken by this Department to train blinded ex-service men in telephone operating, but in a very limited number of cases in certain Government Departments, where the local conditions are appropriate to their employment, blinded ex-service men have been appointed, through the Joint Substitution Board, as telephone attendants.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many blind persons are employed as typists or shorthand-typists in each of the Government Departments; and if all these persons are ex-service men?

Following is a statement of the number of blinded ex-service men placed by the Joint Substitution Board as shorthand-typists in Government Departments in London and the South-Eastern area up to the 30th May.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is in a position to indicate what percentage of the population in this country between the ages of 14 and 16 years are receiving continuous whole-time education?

From information supplied to me by the Registrar-General, I learn that, according to the figures of the 1921 Census, out of the total population of 1,465,000, between the ages of 14 and 16, 348,805 were under full-time instruction in schools and institutions in England and Wales, making a percentage of 23·8. It must, however, be borne in mind that a little less than half this number were in public elementary schools, and of these a large proportion would not stay beyond the end of the term in which they reached the age of 14.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) how many entrants it is anticipated will be received in the public elementary schools, specifying boys and girls separately, during the present calendar year;(2) how many boys and how many girls, respectively, it is anticipated will leave the public elementary schools upon attaining the age of 14 during the present calendar year?

I am afraid I have no figures at my disposal which would enable me to answer these questions in the precise form in which they are put; but the hon. Gentleman will find certain relevant information on pages 12 and 13 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates, which has recently been laid before Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the respective percentage of the imports of Canada and India from Great Britain and the United States for 1906 and for the latest year available?

In the 12 months ended 30th June, 1906, the percentage of imports into Canada for domestic consumption (including silver bullion) from the United Kingdom was 24·4 per cent, of the total imports, and those from the United States were 59·6 per cent. For the 12 months ended 31st March, 1924, these percentages were 17·2 and 67·3 respectively. The imports of private merchandise and Government stores into India from the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1907, were 68·8 per cent. of the total imports, and those from the United States were 2·5 per cent. For the 12 months ended 31st March, 1923, these percentages were 61·7 and 5·4 respectively. Excluding Government stores, the imports from the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1907, were 66·8 per cent. of the total imports of private merchandise into India, and those from the United States 2·4 per cent. For the calendar year 1923 these percentages were 57·7 and 5·3 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what replies, if any, have been received to a despatch forwarded by His Majesty's Government through the British Residency at Cairo to the Sudan Government, asking if they can obtain an undertaking from the Sudan Plantation Syndicate, Limited, that all cotton produced in the Gezireh district should be offered for sale in the first instance in Great Britain; and also as to the possibility of fixing a maximum price for Sudan cotton?

I propose to lay the Papers relating to this question in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the final ratification of the Treaty of Lausanne may be expected, in view of the fact that, the capitulations being abolished, there is no longer any effective guarantee for the observance of legal and commercial agreements entered into; and if he is aware that decisions on points of Jaw and commercial practice are now being given which are at variance not only with the principles of justice but also with the clauses of the treaty itself?

With regard to the first part of the question, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on the 12th May. It is realised that the delay in the entry into force of the treaty is responsible for certain abnormalities such as those alluded to by the hon. Member, but such cases as have been brought to the notice of His Majesty's representative at Constantinople are forming the subject of representations to the Turkish Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any appointments have yet been made to the official positions to be occupied by British representatives under the Tangier Convention?

Of the three appointments reserved under the Tangier Convention for British subjects selections have already been made for two.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has yet been decided by whom the British members of the legislative assembly under the new status in Tangier shall be nominated; and when he expects to be in a position to announce the appointments in question?

We have been in communication with our representative on this subject, but we have not yet received the information required for a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any intention of appointing a representative of the Irish Free State at Washington; if he has received any information as to what will be his title; and whether he will be charged with diplomatic duties?

I have at present nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. Members for Blackpool (Lieut.-Colonel Meyler) and Ilford (Sir F. Wise) by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 30th of April and the 19th of May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state what are the minimum wages paid to the Chinese labourers on the island of Nauru per hour how many hours per week such labourers work under the three years' agreement: whether the hours are longer under the three years' agreement than under the agreement made. with them in China before they leave for Nauru; whether there is an arbitration board to settle differences arising as to piecework rates of wages; whether the labourers have representation upon such a board; whether they have an effective voice in determining the wages that are to be paid; whether the contract can be terminated on three months' notice to the labourer whilst the labourer is compelled to complete the three years' service; whether he is liable to be compelled to work on any or all of the six days' holiday in case of emergency whether the shortage of houses precludes the Chinese from bringing over their wives, for whose residence there is no prevision made; whether it can be stated what the proportion of Chinese women to Chinese labourers is on the island; and whether definite and suitable arrangements can be offered in the agreements to all Chinese labourers, enabling them to take their wives with them if they so desire?

The hon. Member appears to be under some misapprehension as to the position. As the House has been informed on several occasions, no agreement is signed by Chinese before entering Nauru. The minimum wages are as stated in my reply to the hon. Member of the 17th of March, and the other conditions are as stated in the agreements in the Library, with the modification referred to in my reply of the 10th of March to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Dr. Chapple): but the hours have now been reduced in practice to 49½ per week for mechanics and 54 per week for coolies and boatmen. There is no arbitration board. I am informed that there is no shortage of houses; the difficulty which arises in regard to wives is of a different character, as will be seen from the answer given to the hon. Member on the 18th of February. There was one Chinese woman on the island last February. The question of any alteration in the forms of agreement is for the Australian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the date up to which the Governor of Jamaica will continue in office; and whether there is any intention to reconsider this date?

It is understood that Sir Leslie Probyn will leave Jamaica on retirement about the middle of this month. The second part of the question therefore hardly arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the position of the native and private interests in Jubaland which have been handed over to another Power without being consulted; and whether any arrangement has been entered into, or will be negotiated, to safeguard such interests or to compensate them should they be unwilling to transfer their allegiance on the lines suggested?

The position of the natives in Jubaland and those non-natives who have interests there will be included in the terms of cession which are now being considered by representatives of the two Governments. It is not desirable to make any statement on the subject at this stage. I may remind the hon. Member that this House will have an opportunity of discussing the terms of the Convention before it is ratified.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that no treaty modifications affecting third parties thereto will be entered into by the British representative on the Anglo-Soviet Conference without the approval of Parliament?

His Majesty's Government would not consider it proper to enter into negotiations for modifying the treaty position of third parties not represented in such negotiations, and they have no such intention.

asked the Prime Minister what are the chief subjects for discussion on the agenda of the forthcoming June meetings of the Council of the League of Nations; whether the British Government have given notice that they desire to raise the question of the Iraq mandate and the Iraq Treaty; if so, in what form; and whether the Government of Iraq has been informed of the instructions given to the British representative attending the Council of the League in this matter?

The more important items of the agenda for the next meeting of the Council of the League of Nations relate to Russian and Greek refugees, traffic in women and children, the limitation of armaments, the financial reconstruction of Austria and Hungary, a number of questions affecting Danzig, certain minorities questions, the position of the Council in regard to military control in Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria under the Peace Treaties, the position in Iraq, and a question in connection with the Albanian-Serb-Croat-Slovene frontier. His Majesty's Government have requested the Secretary-General of the League of Nations to have the question of Iraq placed on the agenda of the Council at their June meeting. At the same time they communicated to him the text of the Treaty signed with King Feisal in October, 1922, and of the documents subsidiary thereto, showing the terms on which His Majesty's Government are prepared, in accordance with the policy outlined to the Council of the. League by the right hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. Fisher) in 1921, to give Iraq administrative advice and assistance in accordance with Article 22 of the Covenant. It was added that if, as was hoped, the Iraq Constituent Assembly accepted the Treaty and agreements subsidiary thereto, His Majesty's Government intended, after obtaining the assent of Parliament, to invite the Council of the League to adopt the documents submitted to them as defining the obligations of Great Britain in respect of Iraq; but that if the Constituent Assembly had not accepted the Treaty and subsidiary agreements before the next meeting of the Council, His Majesty's Government, might have no option but to obtain the authority of the Council for some alternative arrangement for carrying out in Iraq the provisions of Article 22 of the Covenant. His Majesty's High Commissioner at Baghdad has been authorised to bring to the notice of the Iraq Government the contents of the communication addressed to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations. No other communication has been made to them on the subject

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, following upon the decision of the House of Lords in the case of McDonald v. Shand, any municipal employés have been allowed, in respect of the cost-of-living bonus, the benefit of assessment to Income Tax for the years 1920–21. and 1921–22, under Rule 4, Schedule E, upon the average of the three preceding years; and, if so, in what respect their claims differ from those of other municipal and civil servants who would be excluded by Section 20 of the Finance Bill from the operation of this rule?

So far as my present information goes, there was one early case in which three municipal employés were allowed the three years' average in respect of war bonus for the two years 1920–21 and 1921–22. In the light of subsequent and more detailed consideration of the legal position, the Board of Inland Revenue were advised that the claim to the average in cases of this kind could not be sustained in law. I may add that the basis generally adopted by the various bodies of Income Tax Commissioners throughout the country, in the assessment to Income Tax of municipal employés, has always been the amount of the emoluments (including war bonus) of the year of assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if France has been paying off her debt to Uruguay; and, if so, by what amount?

I understand that a payment of 1,500,000 pesos, say £270,000, was made by France to Uruguay on the 17th March, and that this was the first instalment on account of the loan of 15,000,000 pesos.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long it is proposed to continue the sale of national savings certificates at the present rate of interest; whether he is aware that the Government of the day gave an undertaking, at the time war savings certificates were instituted, that the sale of national certificates would not be continued beyond the point necessary for raising money for war emergency; whether he will present to the House an analysis of the sum expended on advertising these certificates; and whether, if the sale of such certificates is to be continued, he will transfer the whole of the work to the Postmaster-General?

I am unable to say when the rate of interest on savings certificates will again be altered. So far as I am aware, no such undertaking as is alleged in the question has been given by any Government: in any case, the Treasury have repeatedly stated that it was their hope that certificates would remain as a permanent feature of national finance. The expenditure on advertising is accounted for in the usual way, and has been reduced from £98,000 in 1921–22, and £61,000 in recent years to £50,000 in the current year. The suggestion that the whole of the work in connection with certificates should be transferred to the Postmaster-General was rejected last year after full examination by the Montagu Committee, to whose report I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the exact grades of the 800 or 900 permanent women in the Civil Service who are in receipt of less salary than ex-temporary women with shorter service?

I would refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 28th May. The women concerned are members of the clerical class.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any report as to the effects upon local receivers of the establishment of the new wireless station at Rugby?

The Rugby station is at present in course of construction; and it will be some months before practical tests can be made. A long wavelength, far removed from the band of wavelengths used for broadcasting, will be employed, and the, equipment will be of the most modern type, and will embody devices for the reduction of interference. The hon. Member may rest assured that every effort will be made with this object.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that considerable anxiety is caused to parents of children attending Sidney Road London County Council School, Homerton, on the ground that the traffic, including that of omnibuses and other traffic in connection with the coal wharf, is dangerous to the children when they are entering or leaving school; and whether he will meet this anxiety by having a policeman on duty when children are entering or leaving school outside the school and at Marsh Hill?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that a constable is already stationed at the junction of Wick Road and Sidney Road to assist children to cross the roads when going to or coming from the school referred to, and the provision of additional officers for a similar purpose at the entrance to the coal wharf and at the junction of Marsh Hill and Sidney Road is considered unnecessary. There is only a 10-minute service of omnibuses through Sidney Road and the other traffic is light. A child of five was slightly injured by a motor-cycle in this road on 22nd May, but no other accident near the school is recorded during the past year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the recent tramway dispute, the Bexley and Erith Urban District Councils were unable to agree to pay the extra wages conceded to the employés of other authorities and the men resumed work on their old conditions; and whether any additional payments are now being made by his Department. or if he is aware if any payment is being made by the councils concerned or any other body?

I believe that the first part of the hon. Member's question correctly represents the position. No contribution is being made by my Department towards the wages of the men employed on the two undertakings in question, and I have no information as to the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount spent by local authorities in the year 1921–22 on the upkeep and maintenance of roads?

The total expenditure (other than out of loans) of the local authorities in England and Wales in the year 1921–22 on the maintenance, repair and improvement of roads and bridges (including scavenging and watering) amounted to £41,413,355.