asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when it is intended to introduce rules to fix the maximum scales for election expenses in India similar to those in force in the United Kingdom?

I cannot give a date, but the Government of India intend to make proposals as soon as sufficient data are available. This rimy prove to be the case as the result of the last elections.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India which of the Native States of India, have introduced Press laws; and how far these Native State laws differ from the laws in force in British India?

The only definite information that I have is that a Press Act is, or was, in force in Baroda. I have no detailed information as to its provisions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether issue No. 60, of the 28th March 1924, of the "Workers' Weekly" is the only number of that journal which has been proscribed in India as it contains seditious matter, or whether all issues of that paper have been proscribed; and, if not, why not?

Certain other issues of the paper named have been proscribed in some provinces. As regards the last part of the question the Governments in India can only use their powers of proscription against those issues which fall within the provisions of the law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs in India has refused permission to a postal official, named G. V. Bhave, to start a Marathi non-political monthly magazine for the purpose of supplying news about postal unions and providing matter calculated to increase the efficiency of workers in the Indian Post Office; if it is the policy of the Government of India not to continue the existing permission for the publication of journals conducted by their own subordinates; and whether he will take steps to ascertain the reason underlying the refusal of the Director-General in this case, with a view to redressing any grievance that has arisen?

My Noble Friend will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances of this case, as to which he has at present no information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Visapur Gaol Inquiry Committee, whether, seeing that the bel-chain by which prisoners are chained together at night is still in use in India gaols, and that no scavenger is employed in such cases to prevent insanitary conditions, he will advise the Government of India to abolish this practice?

The Government of India have brought to the notice of the local Governments the Jail Committee's strong condemnation of this method of securing prisoners, and have expressed a hope that it will be prohibited except when it is absolutely indispensable as a precaution against escape.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the date by which the Colonies Committee, now in London, is expected to complete its deliberations and present its Report to the Government of India?

The functions of the Colonies Committee is to discuss certain questions with the right hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to make representations to him. The date of the conclusion of their work does not depend on themselves alone, and cannot yet be definitely forecast.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the need for the establishment of the newly-established political agency at Razmak, in the Wana country, and the total capital and annual cost of same; and whether this cost is debited to His Majesty's Government or to the Government of India?

No information regarding the establishment of a political agency at Razmak has been received from the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to state whether the proposed Birdwood Committee to deal with the Sikh shrine reforms movement was actually appointed; what were the terms of reference; and if the proposed inquiry has broken down, and the reasons for same?

The terms of reference were stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Bilston (Lieut.-Colonel Howard-Bury) on the 29th April, but the Committee was never actually appointed, as it proved impossible to arrive at an understanding with the Sikh members of the Legislative Council and secure satisfactory representation of all interests concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State has received any despatches from any of the Indian Provincial Governors with regard to the working of the reforms; and if these can be laid upon the Table of the House?

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the composition of the Indian delegation at the International Labour Conference at Geneva; and whether the delegates are duly elected, and by whom?

The Government delegates are Sir Louis Kershaw and Mr. A. C. Chatterjee. The employers' delegate is Sir Alexander Murray, nominated by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce. The workers' delegate is Mr. Joseph Baptista, who is reported by the Government of India to have obtained more substantial support from the unions than any other candidate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men in each of the last two years who have been under treatment for venereal disease between the ages of 21 and 25; which is the earliest age at which they can qualify for separation allowance; and the number of men in the Royal Navy under the age of 25 who are married and in receipt of no separation allowance?

With regard to the first and third parts of the question, statistics are not available; with regard to the second part, marriage allowance, formerly called separation allowance, is not paid to men below the age of 25.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give the reason for salving the scuttled German warships at Scapa Flow; who is doing it; if there is a profit in the transaction; and if the warships are to be eventually broken up?

Contracts for raising some of the ex-German vessels sunk in Scapa Flow have been given to Messrs. Cox and Danks and the Scapa Flow Salvage and Shipbreaking Company, Ltd. As the operations are very speculative it is not possible to say whether the contractors will profit by them, but the vessels have been sold at fixed prices. It is provided in the contracts that the vessels shall be broken up in the United Kingdom, and this should result in giving employment and providing raw materials for industrial purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that practically every branch of His Majesty's Navy have repeatedly requested that warrant rank shall be open to petty officer ratings by competitive examination; and whether he will consider amending the regulations in order that men may by merit become warrant officers before reaching the age of forty years?

I am not aware of any such general demand as that referred to. The system of promotion to warrant rank in the various branches was very fully considered early this year, and as a result, A.F.O. 495/24 was issued. The Board of Admiralty see no reason for modifying the decisions then arrived at, which were promulgated in the Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider opening the executive mate rank to ratings of any branch who can demonstrate their efficiency to perform the duties required and are accepted or recommended by the selection committee; and if he is aware that under existing regulations mate rank is open to the seamen and engine-room branches only?

Promotion to the rank of mate (General Service) is not confined to ratings of the seaman branch, since signal and telegraphist ratings and ratings of the regulating branch are eligible, under the regulations, to become candidates. The Admiralty do not consider it desirable, having regard to the duties and previous training and experience of ratings of other branches, to make them eligible for selection.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will give figures showing the number of established men in each trade in the Devonport Dockyard in 1913 and at the present date, respectively?

The number of men in each trade who were borne on the established list at Devonport Dockyard in 1913 and at the latest date for which figures are available (1st April, 1924) is as follows:

Trade.	1913.	1924.
Riggers	39	40
Sailmakers	13	30
Wood Caulkers	17	16
Hosemakers	7	7
Joiners	63	128
Masons	1	2
Painters	11	37
Patternmakers	13	22
Plumbers	15	33
Shipwrights	538	920
Ship Fitters	67	125
Smiths	64	79
Wheelwrights	1	3
Boilermakers	115	178
Coppersmiths	16	31
Engine Fitters	210	420
Founders	20	20
Ropemakers	10	12
Electrical Fitters	42	147
Bricklayers	—	5
Storehouse Staffs	48	99
Skilled Labourer Groups and other Miscellaneous Grades	249	1165
	1559	3519

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many established men there are in the Royal dockyards between the ages of 60 and 65 years?

There are 53 established workmen between the ages of 60 and 65 years employed in the Royal dockyards.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the present arrangements made by the Post Office authorities for the collection and despatch of letter and parcel mails addressed to naval ranks and ratings serving in His Majesty's Ship "Glowworm," serving on the Danube; what is the average time between the date of collecting and the date of delivery to the ship; whether he is aware that in many cases letters and parcels are charged for under the foreign rate, and yet these letters and parcels are on delivery surcharged; and whether an arrangement could be come to whereby a speedier despatch of these mails could be effected, seeing that it now takes anything up to 18 days for a letter and anything up to five weeks for a parcel to be delivered on board this ship after the date of postage in England?

Letters and parcels addressed to His Majesty's Ship "Glowworm" are delivered at the Admiralty, which transfers them to the Foreign Office for conveyance by the King's Foreign Service Messenger. I have no definite information as to the time which elapses between the date of posting and the date of delivery of such letters and parcels, but I will have inquiry made on that point and see if any acceleration is practicable. The Imperial rate of postage is applicable to letters and the foreign rates to parcels, and I am not aware that additional postage has been collected from the addressees on any letters or parcels prepaid at those rates

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the revision of rates of pay of Maltese artisans in order to make the distinction between their rates of pay and non-skilled Maltese ratings in proportion to that obtaining for continuous service skilled and unskilled ratings?

Maltese ratings receive the full rates of substantive pay laid down for non-continuous service ratings raised in the United Kingdom. These artisans not being eligible for the continuous service rates paid to artisans (new system) are paid as artisans (old system), and it is not proposed to make any alteration.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the rates of pay of the British Army in Germany are not paid in sterling, in view of the fact that the Rhine flotilla are paid in this way, and by the present system the British troops lose in purchasing power nearly 2s. per £?

The British troops on the Rhine are paid in German currency in accordance with the usual rule for troops at stations abroad; for the past six months the official rate of exchange used for paying the troops has approximated very closely to the commercial rate of exchange, and there is no foundation for the statement that by the present system the British troops lose nearly 2s. in the £. My attention had not hitherto been called to the fact that 70 men of the Rhine flotilla are not paid in marks in the same way as the military forces, and I am looking into the matter.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of repeated representations made on the subject of the urgency of at once restoring to the London Territorial Army the use of its one running track and athletic ground at the Duke of York's headquarters, Chelsea, S.W.3, constructed entirely at private expense, he will consider the desirability of at once causing to be demolished the temporary buildings erected thereon as a War measure, and now but sparsely occupied by medical boards of the Ministry of Pensions?

Every endeavour is being made to provide alternative accommodation for the staff in occupation of the temporary buildings in question, and it is hoped that a definite scheme to that end can be arranged with the Ministry of Pensions in the near future. Until such scheme can be carried out, it will not, however, be possible to demolish the buildings and reinstate the ground for the purposes for which it is required.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that civilian prisoners interned at Ruhleben have only received about two-fifths of the amount assessed by the British Government as reparations on their behalf; whether, since the last payment to such civilians, the British Government has received further, and what, sums from the German Government in respect of such prisoners; and whether any further payment will be made to them?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Fife on the 5th May, the Government are unable to depart from the decision that the sums allocated to grants in respect of suffering and damage by enemy action cannot be increased; the cases referred to in the question are covered by this ruling, and accordingly the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question rests upon a misapprehension, since reparation payments are debts between Governments and are not due to individuals or earmarked to particular items of damage suffered by individuals.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry agreed to establish all pre-War clerical gradings in the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, who were employed upon clerical work; and whether, seeing that a number of men who are due for establishment under this agreement have not yet been established, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, that the cases to which the Noble Lord refers are being dealt with, and will, I hope, be disposed of very shortly.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the extending market for British honey and bee-keeping as a profitable line for smallholders, if he will inquire into the need for, and the establishment of, legislation for the control of bee disease in Scotland?

This question has recently been under review by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and I am informed by the Board that there is considerable diversity of opinion among bee keepers as to the need for legislation for the control of bee disease. I appreciate the advantages which bee-keeping may have for smallholders, but I am doubtful whether the time is ripe for such legislation until a greater measure of agreement exists. If, however, evidence of a substantial measure of agreement among members of the industry as to the necessity for legislation and the lines which it should take is presented to me, I will give it my full consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many houses are at present under construction by local authorities under the Housing Acts, 1919 and 1923, and slum-clearance schemes, respectively; and for how many have schemes been approved under these respective heads on which work has not yet commenced?

The number of houses under construction in Scotland at 31st May, 1924, by local authorities under the 1919 Act was 2,716; under the 1923 Act, 1,380; and under slum-clearance schemes, 1,351. The number of houses for which schemes had been approved under these heads but on which work had not then been commenced was: 1919 Act, 628; 1923 Act, 5,732; and slum-clearance schemes, 4,454.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many houses are at present under construction by private enterprise in schemes under the Housing Act, 1923; and how many houses have been approved in schemes on which work has not yet commenced?

The number of houses under construction in Scotland at 31st May, 1924, by private enterprise under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, was 2,039. The number of houses for which approval of plans had been granted, but on which work had not then been commenced, was 1,474.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many houses are at present under construction under the Housing Act, 1919; for how many are tenders accepted though work is not yet commenced; and how many are still to be tendered for?

The number of houses under construction in Scotland at 31st May, 1924, under the Housing, Town Planning, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, was 2,841; the number for which tenders had been accepted though work had not then been commenced was 482, and the number still to be tendered for was 146.

asked the Secretary for Scotland on what date the extension of time given in the Housing Act, 1919, as regards Scotland will expire; and for what number of houses he considers a further extension of time will be required, and for how long?

The extension of time given for the erection of houses under the Housing, Town Planning, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, expires on 19th August, 1924. It is estimated that a further extension of time will be required for about 2,000 houses, but it is not possible at present to fix a definite date by which these will be completed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what number of bricklayers are now employed on housing schemes under the Acts of 1919, 1923, and slum clearance, respectively; and what are the respective numbers of journeymen bricklayers and apprentices in these figures?

The number of bricklayers employed on the following State-assisted housing schemes in Scotland, as at 31st May, 1924, were as under:

—	Journey men.	Apprentices.	Total.
1919 Act	325	159	484
1923 Act (excluding private enterprise).	177	99	276
Slum clearance schemes.	66	38	104

In addition, the following numbers of bricklayers' labourers were employed:

1919 Act	454
1923 Act (excluding private enterprise)	337
Slum clearance schemes	122

asked the Secretary for Scotland what number of plasterers are now employed on housing schemes under the Acts of 1919 and 1923 and slum clearances, respectively; and what are the respective number of journeymen plasterers and apprentices in these figures?

The number of plasterers employed on the following State-assisted housing schemes in Scotland, as at 31st May, 1924, were as under:

—	Journey men.	Apprentices.	Total.
1919 Act	72	69	241
1923 Act (excluding private enterprise)	11	4	15
Slum clearance schemes.	43	19	62

In addition, the following numbers of plasterers' labourers were employed:

1919 Act	175
1923 Act (excluding private enterprise)	12
Slum clearance schemes	44

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he can state the shortage of men in the building trades on housing schemes under the 1919 Housing Acts in the years 1920 and 1921, respectively?

The average monthly shortage of men in the building trades on housing schemes under the Housing, Town Planning, Etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, in the year 1921, was 168. Figures as to the shortage during the year 1920 are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of houses authorised to be built by local authorities in Scotland under the provisions of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923; the number of-houses under construction; and the number completed to date?

According to the latest available information the required figures are 7,128, 1,380 and 16 respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the number of houses authorised to be built by private enterprise under the provisions of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, the number of houses under construction, and the number completed to date?

According to the latest available information the required figures are 3,697, 2,039 and 184 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious shortage of bricks in nearly all parts of the country; that brickmakers are consequently refusing to supply bricks at the prices stated in the recently published Report on materials; and whether, in view of these facts, the Government will take steps to open up brickfields that are at present closed with a view to securing an adequate supply at reasonable prices?

My right hon. Friend is aware that there is at present a shortage of bricks in many parts of the country and he is informed that bricks are not always available in the quantities required at the prices which are recorded as the normal market prices. If the Housing Bill at present before the House is passed there is every prospect that in view of the assured demand for a long period a considerable number of manufacturers will carry out extensions of plant and will re-open and refit works which have been closed down. As my hon. Friend is aware, it is proposed in the Building Materials (Charges and Supply) Bill to take powers to deal with unreasonable prices.

asked the Minister of Health if he has given consideration to the fact, as revealed in the Census Returns of 1901, 1911 and 1923, that there has been a decline in the number of skilled men employed in the building trade in England and Wales of no less than 345,291 since the year 1901; if so, what steps does he propose to take to bring about a restoration of a supply of skilled men at least equal to the numbers available in 1901; and is he aware that such a step would wipe out unemployment in England and Wales?

If the hon. Member will refer to the statements my right hon. Friend has made on the Financial Resolution on the Housing Bill and elsewhere he will see that one of the principal objects in calling the representatives of the building industry together was to secure a rational plan for the restoration of the industry which would be worked with good will and enthusiasm by all concerned and which would meet the needs of the nation. My right hon. Friend is of opinion that the proposals for augmenting the supply of building labour contained in the Report of the National House Building Committee, in conjunction with the Government's housing proposals, offer the best practicable solution of this problem, and, while he does not go so far as the hon. Member, he is satisfied that they would play a very important part in reducing unemployment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, in respect of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, the number of authorisations issued up to the 1st June, the numbers of houses definitely arranged for by local authorities and private enterprise respectively, the number under construction, and the number actually completed?

The following statement shows the position of housing

III. Building progress.
(At 1st June, 1924.)
—	Foundations completed.	Roofed in.	Total under construction.	Completed.
Schemes of Local Authorities	7,409	5,343	12,752	5,471
Private Enterprise	15,470	11,280	26,750	8,532
Total houses (included in Table II)	22,879	16,623	39,502	14,003
NOTE.—Tables II and III. For 40 Local Authorities, from whom returns for the 1st June, 1924, have not yet been received the numbers included above are taken from the previous month's returns.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any representations as to the establishment of a superannuation scheme for officers of insurance committees; and whether any steps are to be taken in this matter?

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend has received proposals for

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Bebbington and Brombrough (Cheshire) Urban District Council, with a population of 21,104, covering 3,431 acres, and a rateable value of £167,934, employ a part-time clerk at a salary of £500 a year and emoluments, the total of which has reached as high as £2,000 in one year; that his offices are in Liverpool, miles away; and, in view of the spreading practice of appointing part-time men to these very important positions, will he introduce legislation to ensure that these should be whole-time appointments?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of the precise facts with regard to the status and emoluments of the clerk to this council. The terms of appointment of clerks to urban district councils are not subject to his approval. My right hon. Friend would see great difficulty in introducing legislation to restrict the freedom of urban district councils in this matter, especially in view of the varying circumstances of the districts.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the question of establishing a farmers' auction mart at Banbury?

This question is one of considerable complication and difficulty, but I hope to communicate my decision upon it at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if credit balances in the hands of local authorities arising from the provision of allotments under the Cultivation of Lands Order have been collected by the Ministry; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of devoting such balances to the extension of allotments in the areas in which they accrued?

The great majority of credit balances have already been received from the local authorities concerned, and the Ministry is in communication with those authorities which have either not yet furnished complete accounts or not forwarded credit balances. In reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question, I am not pre- pared to adopt the suggestion that credit balances, which are monies of the Crown, should remain in the hands of local authorities, as this would amount in effect to a State subsidy not authorised by Parliament.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received the Report of the inquiry held at Cambridge last March respecting the Ouse Drainage Act; and, if so, will he state what recommendations he proposes to make?

A preliminary Report of the inquiry has been received dealing with representations made at the inquiry as to the necessity for financial assistance to enable this drainage problem to be dealt with satisfactorily. I am now considering the matter, and hope to arrive at a decision at an early date

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, owing to a distraint levied against a ratepayer near Bedford by the Ouse Drainage Board, a feud is likely to arise 'between the upland dwellers and the fen men; and will he therefore instruct the Board to suspend further action until the Ouse Drainage Act has been reconsidered?

I am aware that difficulties have arisen in levying rates due to the Ouse Drainage Board, but I am not empowered to intervene in the matter in the manner proposed. As has already been stated by my Department, any Order resulting from the recent inquiry will not affect the legal liability of the Ouse ratepayers in respect of any rate made before such Order comes into operation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information showing in which countries, if any, of Europe the Minister responsible for agriculture has the power to alter or review the wages agreed upon between agricultural workers and their employers, or those fixed by local boards or other local organisations?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the information given to the hon. Member, in my reply to his question on the 6th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the wart disease Regulations governing the importation of potatoes into Guernsey and other Channel Islands have been modified so as to permit of the importation of Scottish seed potatoes to these islands on the understanding that the distance of half a mile between the place where the potatoes, have been grown and the points where wart disease has been known to exist is now to be regarded as a sufficient safeguard against infection and whether he is prepared to modify the Regulations governing the transmission of seed potatoes from Scotland to England by applying the half-mile limit safeguard to that country as in the case of the Channel Islands?

I have no information as to any such modification of the Guernsey Regulations, which, as far as I am aware, still require a one-mile limit. In any case, however, I am not prepared to consider any amendment of the present Regulations such as is suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received representations from the local authorities in Fife, requesting that the foot-and-mouth disease restrictions placed upon the districts of Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo should be revoked entirely or limited in their application to a two-mile radius, and that the Regulations should provide for the movement of stock out of the area to a slaughter-house; and whether he is prepared to give effect to the views of the local authority?

Restrictions were withdrawn from the parishes in question by an Order issued on the 18th inst. and operating at midnight on the 22nd inst.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the importance attached by the farming community to the enactment of the Rabbits and Rooks Bill; whether the question of granting facilities for this Bill has received consideration in view of the support which it has from all parties; and, if so, with what result?

I am aware that farmers attach some importance to the Bill re- ferred to, but seeing that it has not yet been read a Second time and the Session is now far advanced, I regret that it is not possible to afford facilities for its passage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the expenditure defrayed on behalf of County Agricultural Committees by the Treasury under Sections 7 and 8 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919, in each year since these Committees were constituted; and what is the provision made for such expenditure in the current financial year under each head of the statutory duties assigned to the Committees?

The following statement gives the payments by way of recoupment of expenditure incurred by County Agricultural Committees on certain statutory and other duties assigned to them, made to, or on behalf of such Committees in the past four years, together with an estimate of the sum required under each head during the present financial year:

Financial Year.	£	£
1920–1921	1,056,781
1921–1922	890,729
1922–1923	800,474
1923–1924 (approximate)	950,745
		3,698,729
1924–1925.
Small Holdings	900,000
Agricultural Education*	79,850
Destruction of Weeds	100
Staff and Incidental Expenses (including travelling and subsistence penses of members and expenses of inquiries under Section 8 (4) of Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919).	60,000
		1,039,059
		4,738,679
* This figure relates only to the 24 counties in which the administration of Agricultural Education has been transferred to the Agricultural Committees under Section 7 (2) (1) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any expressions of opinion from the Dominions with regard to the decision reached on the Motion of Imperial Preference as agreed upon at the recent Imperial Economic Conference; and, if not, whether he will invite the High Commissioners to forward such expressions of opinion to him so that the country may be made aware of the view taken in the matter throughout the Empire?

If, as I understand, the first part of the hon. Member's question relates to expressions of opinion from the Dominions Governments on the decisions taken by this House on the Motions before it last week, the answer is in the negative. I do not think it would be advisable to adopt the suggestion made in the second part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the repeated suggestion that, if a loan to the Russian Soviet Government was arranged in this country, one-half would be - used to liquidate the claim of certain creditors, while the other half would be used in the purchase of engineering and shipyard, etc., products in this country; and, having in view the fact that it is in the engineering and shipbuilding trades where skilled and semi-skilled have been longest unemployed, if steps will be taken to expedite the arrangement of such a loan with the utmost urgency, or, failing this, to make such financial arrangements, with the necessary guarantees, as will secure the commencement of work upon products required to meet the agricultural and transport needs of Russia?

The question does not describe accurately any official offer, but as I have on several occasions informed the House, I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the progress of the Anglo-Soviet negotiations. I may, however, refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on the 18th June to the hon. Member for Epping (Sir L. Lyle).

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that Article 10 of the Russian Trade Agreement will neither be abrogated nor varied until claims for compensation have been finally disposed of?

It is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the subject-matter of Article 10 of the Trade Agreement should (as foreshadowed in that Article) be dealt with in the treaty which it is hoped will result from the present Anglo-Soviet negotiations. I am fully aware of the importance of the consideration suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that it was originally contemplated that the proposals contained in the County Court Bill now before the House should come into force on 1st July, and in view of the increasingly difficult position in which these public servants find themselves, he will endeavour to expedite the passage of the Bill through' its later stages?

The Government realise the urgency of passing this Bill into law, and it is one of those which they propose to ask the House to deal with after 11 o'clock one evening this week.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the emergency arising from juvenile unemployment, he will appoint a committee from the Board of Education and the Ministry of Labour, with representatives of local education authorities, to consider what steps can best be taken immediately to increase facilities for education beyond the age of 14, having regard to all available resources?

I have been asked to reply to this question. My right hon. Friend is considering all the methods by which a longer school life for children could be secured, and is asking for the advice and the co-operation of local education authorities in making every practicable advance in that direction. He has already asked the Board's Consultative Committee to report upon, the organisation, objective and curriculum of courses of study suitable for children who will remain in full-time attendance at schools, other than secondary schools, up to the age of 15 plus. At the present moment the President doubts whether the object which the hon. Member and himself both have in view would be forwarded by establishing such a committee as he suggests I need not say that the officers of our Department are in close touch with those of the Ministry of Labour and the local education authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many of His Majesty's inspectors of schools have as part of their duties the inspection of schools for the deaf 7 whether any of them possess special qualifications or knowledge of this work; and whether they have the assistance of anyone with practical knowledge of the technique of the work which they officially inspect?

The inspection of schools for deaf children is undertaken not by His Majesty's inspectors of schools, but by the Board's medical officers, including the Board's chief medical inspector, who has had some 25 years' experience of the needs and methods of education of deaf children and of the inspection of schools and institutions for the deaf. Moreover, the Board's medical officers are in constant consultation with the head teachers of schools for the deaf, with the National College of Teachers of the Deaf, and with the local education authorities and governing bodies responsible for the management of these schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that art schools and technical schools were not brought under the findings of the Burnham Committee with respect to the fixation of salaries, but that every education committee was left to make its arrangements in this respect with its own teachers; that the art masters in general were left at their old salaries, whilst secondary school masters had their salaries considerably advanced whether he is aware that the latter teachers have accepted a voluntary reduction of 5 per cent. in respect of salaries under the Burnham scale, and that art masters are now being similarly asked to give up 5 per cent. of an advance which they never received; and whether, considering that art masters are receiving treatment of this nature, he will exempt the art masters front the demand of the 5 per cent. reduction or, alternatively, bring them into the Burnham scale?

I think that the hon. Gentleman is under some misapprehension. He will observe from the copy of the Report of the Burnham Committee on the salaries of Teachers in Technical Schools and Schools of Art, which I am sending him, that the Committee did recommend standard scales of salary for assistant teachers in such schools, including art masters. With regard to the 5 per cent. abatement, the teachers' offer was confirmed by all the Associations represented on the Burnham Committee, including the National Society of Art Masters. I have no power to take any steps such as those suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education why, in view of the fact that training college students having been called up for War service and being found no unfit, were transferred to Army -Reserve W and refused permission by the Board to complete their course of training, the period spent in Army Reserve W is not allowed to count as War service in the assessment of the salaries of such students, seeing that they had no choice in the matter but were forced to have a break in their training?

The Board have throughout acted on the principle that service in a civilian capacity cannot be recognised as war service for the purpose of calculating increments of salary for teachers in public elementary schools. It is possible that this principle may involve hardship to certain individuals, but to depart from it world Obviously entail a very wide extension Of the practice which has been in operation since 1921 in dealing with cases of war service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received information from British official sources as to the conditions on the Bessarabian frontier?

I have nothing to add at present to the reply which was given to the hon. Member on the 18th of June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the present excise regulations in Ceylon licences to sell intoxicating liquors are granted for one year only; whether it is intended to introduce changes which will extend this period to three years; and whether, in view of the fact that such an alteration in the rules would retard the operation and diminish the value of local option, steps will be taken to suspend the new proposal pending further inquiries?

I have no information as to the proposed change in practice, but I will ask the Governor for a report in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of a European tried by assessors in Sierra Leone and sentenced by the Judge to six months' hard labour, in spite of the fact that he had been found not guilty by the assessors; and what action has been taken in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on my behalf to the hon. Member for North Hackney (Mr. J. Harris) on the 2nd of June. The European in question was duly convicted according to the law of the Protectorate. I gather that the Governor sees no reason to vary or remit the sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will institute inquiries into the Rutenburg concessions in Palestine?

I have recently taken steps to inform myself of the progress made with these concessions. I am satisfied with the results of my inquiries. A full statement on the subject was made on behalf of His Majesty's Government in another place on the 28th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the lapse of time since the original announcement, he can now give the names of the Commissions to visit East and West Africa, their terms of reference, and the date and plans for their visits?

I am appointing a Committee to inquire into and report on various matters connected with East Africa, and also a small Commission, drawn from the members of the Committee, which will visit East Africa in order to inquire into certain questions locally. I will before long appoint a separate Committee to inquire into land questions in West and East Africa, but, apart from that, I do not propose present action as regards West Africa. Land questions will therefore not come before the East African Committee, except so far as their connection with other questions makes it essential. Native education will be similarly excluded, in view of the Standing Committee on Native Education in Tropical Africa set up by my predecessor. Further, while co-ordination of policy among the various Governments in East Africa will be an important subject of inquiry, I do not propose that the actual amalgamation of the territories or their federation under one head should be included. The terms of reference to the East African Commission which is to visit the territories will be decided when the main Committee, after a preliminary survey, has advised what subjects can most properly be dealt with on the spot, but I shall not necessarily limit the terms of reference to those subjects.The terms of reference to the East African Committee will be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet had an opportunity of discussing with the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony the reasons for the regulation of employment ordinance; whether the Governor of that Colony shares the view of the Secretary of State that this ordinance embodies rules of a stringent character and whether he is prepared now to disallow this ordinance?

I have not been able to confer on this matter with the Governor, who has now gone abroad for his health, but some weeks ago I asked the Acting Governor by telegram to furnish me with a full report on the Rules under this Ordinance, and I hope to receive it shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a petition, signed by hundreds of merchants and shopkeepers of Malacca, Straits Settlements, requesting the abolition of the present restriction upon the export of rubber; and, if so, whether it is his intention to take steps to grant their request?

No, Sir. T have not received such a petition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the quantity of imported milk coming into this country the nature and form in which it is imported whether an analysis of the various forms have been made; and, if so, what are, the percentages of the component parts?

With regard to the first two parts of the question, I would refer to my reply, of the 26th May, to the hon. Member for the Stoll Division of Staffordshire (Mr. Lamb), a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. As regards the third part, I am informed by the Minister of Health that imported milk is subject to sampling and analysis under the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act and under the Public Health (Condensed and Dried Milk) Regulations, 1923; the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that many big combines of companies have subsidiaries which are private companies and that the absence of information about private companies greatly hinders that degree of publicity which public policy demands, he will consider the introducing of legislation to put private companies on the same basis as public companies in the matter of filing balance sheets, and also to compel all companies to file balance sheets annually, and to compel all balance sheets filed to show figures of net profit and amounts to depreciation and to reserve?

The question of private companies was dealt with in the Report, dated 15th July, 1918, of the Company Law Amendment Committee of which Lord Wrenbury was the Chairman. The Committee came to the conclusion that no alteration was then required in the law relating to private companies. This matter and the other matters to which my hon. Friend has referred have been noted for consideration when legislation is introduced to amend the Companies Acts, but it will not be possible to introduce such legislation at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now state the result of the promised consideration of the Board of Trade to proposals contained in the paper, entitled "Discipline in the Merchant Service," read by Commodore C. A. Bartlett, C.B., C.B.E., R.N.R., before a meeting of shipmasters, at Liverpool, on 13th of February of last year?

There is general agreement as to the nature of the problem to be solved, but it is not easy to find a solution that will be really satisfactory. The only immediate measure that could be taken by the Board of Trade would be to sanction a moderate increase in the fines entered in the agreement with the crew, and the Board of Trade are not convinced that this by itself would have the effect desired. They will, however, continue to watch this question and do all they can to forward a solution of the problem.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantities of dyestuffs exported from Germany under the reparations agreements, the recipient countries, and the amounts received by each country?

The following statement shows the deliveries of dyestuffs as re- paration to Allied Powers from the commencement up to 31st December, 1923, according to the records of the Accounting Service of the Reparation Corn-mission. Later figures are not yet available:—

	Kilograms.
British Empire	7,664,993
Italy	6,274,601
France	4,276,533
Belgium	4,219,214
United States	2,391,589
Japan	679,313
Greece	67,006
Serbia	10,140
Total	25,583,389

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of small towns and villages in the United Kingdom where a supply of gas for domestic purposes is available, but where no supply of electricity exists, and no supply of electricity exists but is authorised?

I regret that I am unable to furnish this information. The number of statutory gas undertakers as shown in the Board of Trade Return relating to gas undertakings in Great Britain for the year 1922 is 797, and of authorised electricity undertakers, as stated in the Third Annual Report of the Electricity Commissioners for the year ended 31st March, 1923, is 544. Many of these undertakings, however, supply large areas, comprising a number of towns and villages, and there is also a considerable number of non-statutory gas and electricity undertakings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what the total cost would be if all Empire-grown cacao were allowed in free of duty; and if he can say what, proportion of the whole import of cacao is Empire and what foreign?

As regards the first part of the question the cost is estimated at £550,000 a year. As regards the second part the proportion of raw cocoa imported from the Empire in 1023–24 was 92·6 per cent. of the total import, and from foreign countries 7·4 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of dwelling-houses assessed to Inhabited House Duty in each of the financial years ending 5th April, 1919, 1920, 1921. 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively, of annual

Class of Annual Value.
Year			Exceeding £20 and not exceeding £40.	Exceeding £40 and not exceeding £60.	Exceeding £60.	Total Annual Value.
			£	£	£	£
1918–19	…	…	32,776,505	11,616,721	24,391,891	68,785,117
1919–20	…	…	32,800,011	11,618,277	24,451,844	68,870,132
1920–21	…	…	32,572,595	11,573,554	24,712,023	68,858,177
1921–22	…	…	33,386,010	11,850,665	25,660,075	70,896,750

No information is available as to the number or annual value of properties exempt from the Inhabited House Duty in these years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total estimated yield to the revenue in Mineral Royalties Duty, Income Tax, and Super-tax from coal royalties during the 10 years, 1914–23, inclusive?

The approximate net receipt of Mineral Rights Duty and Excess Mineral Rights Duty in respect of royalties of coal in Great Britain, during the 10 years ended 31st March, 1924, is estimated to be as follows:—

	£
Mineral Rights Duty	2,250,000
Excess Mineral Rights Duty	1,250,000

As regards Income Tax, I regret that it is not possible to earmark any part of the produce of the tax as contributed by any particular source of income. The amount of Income Tax and Super-tax borne by any individual depends, not upon the particular source from which his income is derived, but upon his total income, his family responsibilities and other factors.

The collection of statistics as to the number of properties assessed to Inhabited House Duty has been suspended since 1914–15. The following table shows the total annual values of private dwelling-houses assessed to the duty in Great Britain for each of the years 1918–19 to 1921–22, inclusive. Corresponding details for 1922–23 and 1923–24 are not yet available.The approximate amount of Income Tax payable in the firs: instance at the normal or standard rates in force during the period in question in respect of these royalties would amount to about £13,550,000, but, as indicated, this amount is subject on the one hand to diminution in respect of personal allowances, deductions and reliefs, and, on the other hand, to increase when the total income of the recipient is sufficient to bring him within the charge to Super-tax.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated, on 4th May, 1915, that pre-War investment overseas of British capital amounted to 24,000,000,000, he will give the estimated total of overseas investments for Great Britain and for the United States of America, both at the end of the War and at the present time, distinguishing between investments in State and municipal loans and other investments and investments within and without the British Empire; and whether he will indicate how far the position in regard to overseas investment has been affected by the imposition of the addi- tional Income Tax of 2s. in the pound on income derived from foreign securities as a penal measure during the War?

I regret that I have no special information on which to base the estimates for which the hon. Member asks. I do not think the imposition of a special tax for a brief period during the War on persons who did not deposit certain foreign securities with the Treasury is likely to have had any particular effect on investment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the Government pay the cost of the preparation of the valuation roll when an inspector of Income Tax is appointed assessor under the Lands Valuation (Scotland) Acts, and in view of the fact that the annual values of heritable property as fixed by local assessors are adopted for Income-Tax purposes, the Government will bear a proportion at least of the cost of preparing the valuation roll where a local assessor is appointed?

I regret I do not see my way to adopt this proposal. It is not the case, as the right hon. and learned Member suggests, that the annual values fixed by local assessors under the Lands Valuation (Scotland) Acts who are not inspectors of taxes, are necessarily or invariably adopted for Income-Tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are many eases in which the lower-priced seats at cinemas have not been reduced in accordance with the concessions granted by the Budget; and whether he proposes to take any action in such cases?

I cannot add anything to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on this subject on the 19th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Final Report of the Southborough Committee cannot be obtained at the Vote Office; that the Report is of interest and importance to Members generally; and whether he will make early arrangements for copies to be obtainable at the Vote Office?

I understand that arrangements have now been made for copies of the Report to be available for Members on application at the Vote Office.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that after 5.30 p.m. no orders are accepted for books at the British Museum, consequently many students engaged in business in London are prevented from using the facilities which the library affords for research work; and will be undertake to make arrangements to extend the lending hours?

I am informed that at one time the reading room was kept open until 8 p.m. and subsequently until 7 p.m., but that the attendance of readers during these later hours was not, in the Trustees' opinion, large enough to justify the expense involved. So long as the reading room closes at 6, it appears reasonable to stipulate that orders for books should not be accepted after 5.30.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been directed to the appeal of Professor Gustav Cassel to Great Britain for a reversion to the gold standard: whether the Treasury has had this question under review; whether he is aware that leading British financial authorities have made similar appeals; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to consider the question in its national and international aspect, with the view of a reversion to the gold standard at an early date?

I am well aware of the facts mentioned by the hon. Member, and can assure him that the possibility of an early return to the gold standard is constantly under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the amount of gold salved from the steamship "Laurentic," and the amount to be salved?

Gold to the value of £4,898,000 has been salved to date. The amount remaining to be salved is £98,000.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any correspondence with the Mailing District Council about the wages paid to men employed on road widening on the Aylesford-Rochester road; and if these wages satisfy the conditions under which Grant No. E.A. 2720/23 was made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that the rate of wages paid by the Council to the men employed on this work is the same as that paid to their ordinary road men. If this be so, the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause are being observed, and I am afraid that I have no grounds for intervention.

RETURN showing the Number of Certain Classes of Public Carriages and Drivers licensed during the Years ending 31st December, 1913, 31st December, 1923, 16th June, 1914 (as far as possible), and 16th June, 1924.
Class of Licence			Years ending—
			31st December, 1913.	31st December, 1913.	16th June, 1914.	16th June, 1924.
Motor cabs	…	…	10,468*	7,674	10,076*	7,647
Motor cab drivers	…	…	11,862	9,471	—	9,486
Motor omnibuses	…	…	3,522	5,117	2,988	5,538
Electric tramcars	…	…	2,786	3,214	2,525	2,870
Chars-a-banc	…	…	Nil	316	Nil	287
Stage carriages (all classes)	…	…	6,4901†	8,655†	5,630†	8,702†
Stage drivers	…	…	10,585	14,168	—	14,993
Mechanical composite licences, i.e.—to drive or conduct stage carriages as may be required.			884	2,354	—	2,294
* Includes 2,181 licensed twice during the year.
† These totals include a certain number of horse-drawn vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the danger due to skidding as a

asked the Home Secretary the number of taxicabs licensed in June, 1914, and June of the present year; the number of licensed taxicab drivers in June, 1914, and June of the present year; the number of motor omnibuses licensed in June, 1914, and June of the present year; the number of trams licensed in June, 1914, and June of the present year; the number of licensed chars-a-bane in June, 1914, and June of the present year; the number of licensed stage, drivers in June, 1914, and June of the present year; and the number of licensed stage carriages for June, 1914, and June of the present year?

The following Return gives, approximately, the figures asked for. Licences are normally valid for 12 months, so that the number licensed during the year ending on a certain date will be, approximately, the number of licences in force on that date. The number of drivers licensed in the year ending June, 1914, cannot be supplied, as the tabulated records have been destroyed. The figures for the years 1913 and 1923 have, therefore, been included as a guide.result of the surfacing materials which are being used on some of the new arterial roads, especially during showery weather; and, if not, whether he will have the matter investigated with a view to discovering and putting into use soma material which will help to overcome this danger?

The question of slippery roads was considered in 1921 by an expert Committee appointed by the President at the County Surveyors' Society at the request of the then Minister of Transport. The Committee arrived at the general conclusion that occasional slipperiness, under certain climatic conditions, is part of the price that must be paid for the smooth surface which modern transport demands, and also made certain recommendations with regard to the shoeing of Horses. I may add that expenditure incurred by highway authorities in sanding or gritting, when necessary, Class I or Class II roads, ranks for grant from the Road Fund.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether be is aware the present condition of the road surface in the Mall, between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch; and when it is contemplated resurfacing this important thoroughfare and the date upon which this work was last undertaken?

The work of repairing the Mall will be commenced in August. The present paving was laid in 1905, but repairs have been carried out from time to time.

asked the Home Secretary the number of fully-licensed houses, beerhouses, and off-licences in the city of Chichester; what is the proportion per head of the population in Chichester and in the rest of England; how many houses of each kind have at any time been extinguished in Chichester by compensation; and how many new houses have been built or old houses enlarged during the same period?

All the information available on this subject is to be found in the annual volumes of licensing statistics. The figures asked for—except that I have no information as to whether any old houses have been enlarged—are as follows: On 1st. January, 1923, there were 46 fully-licensed houses, 12 beer-houses (on), and 10 off-licences in existence in the city of Chichester giving a proportion per 10,000 of population of 5478. In the rest of England and Wales there were 103,005 licences, giving a proportion of 2733 per 10,000 population. From the commencement of the Licensing Act, 1904, to the end of 1923, four publicans' licences and live beerhouse licences have been extinguished on payment of compensation. It does not appear that any new licensed premises have been built in this period.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in considering the matter of the rodeo competitions at the British Empire Exhibition, he has taken into account the fact that the cowboys, who have come from different parts of the Empire as well as from the United States of America, are dependent for clearing their expenses whilst in England, which have to be paid for by themselves, upon the sums they may win in the competitions; whether he is aware that they pay for entry into each competition in advance; and whether, in view of the fact that the rodeo is an exhibition of feats which are part of the daily life of the ranches, he will undertake that nothing shall be done to interfere with this performance?

I have no knowledge of the matters stated, but I do not see how they could be relevant to the question whether or not the law is being broken.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received complaints of cruelty to horses which have been exported from this country for slaughter; and, if so, whether he is holding an investigation in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. I have received from time to time complaints of cruelty to horses shipped from this country to the Continent, and I have seen references to a recent visit paid to Paris by a representative of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Although I have no jurisdiction nor power to intervene as to the disposal of animals after landing on the Continent, I arranged for a senior inspector of the Department to pay a special visit to France last week to investigate the allegations with regard to this trade. The inspector travelled from Folkestone to Paris with a shipload of horses, many of which were afterwards slaughtered for human consumption in the Paris abattoir, and he reports that the animals were in excellent condition, were accommodated and treated throughout the sea and land journey in exactly the same manner as a valuable consignment of Argentine polo ponies, included in the shipload. The inspector saw horses slaughtered under the most humane conditions in an abattoir controlled by the Prefect of Police of Paris, and under the supervision of three veterinary inspectors. I am arranging for a visit of inspection by persons whose visit could not be anticipated.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will, in clew of the large number of poor people desiring seating accommodation in Kensington Gardens, St. James's, the Green, and Hyde Parks, provide more free seats, and at the same time take steps to arrange that the charge of 2d. for the chairs provided be reduced to 1d.?

I regret that no funds are available on this year's Vote to increase the number of free seats in the Royal Parks, but I will endeavour next year to meet the hon. Member's wishes in this respect. As regards the question of reduction of charge for chairs, I will give the matter careful consideration, but no change can be made in the existing contract before the 1st April, 1925, and only then by sacrificing a considerable source of revenue.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state, or obtain, the number of persons holding first-class mining certificates who are at present employed underground as coal-face work- men, the wages remuneration of which depends upon tonnage production and other conditions at fixed price-list contract rates; and whether such persons, or what proportion of such persons, had two years' practical coal-getting experience and paid at price-list contract rates prior to grant of certificates by the boards of examiners?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the number of cases in which decisions of the Eastville (Bristol) Unemployment Committee not to grant unemployment benefit have been reversed as the result of representations made to the Minister, he will consider the possibility of paying the arrears clue to such injured persons; and whether in order to prevent a recurrence of the difficulties which have arisen, he will reorganise the committee or take such other steps as may be necessary to secure the proper administration of the Regulations?

A number of applications for benefit at Eastville, where disallowance had been recommended have been again placed before the local employment committee, who have now in some cases recommended payment. It is not, however, the practice on reconsideration to pay eel-wilt back to the date of the original application, and the changed recommendation is, in many cases, due to altered circumstances There is no reason to suppose that the local employment committee does not satisfactorily carry out its functions. There must naturally be cases, from time to time, in which employment committees have to reconsider their recommendations.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of skilled and unskilled artisans unemployed and available for building work in the Newport (Mon.) borough and district?

The number of men in the area of the Newport (Mon.) Employment-Exchange who were registered, on 26th May, 1924, as seeking work in the building trades was 167. The occupations of these men were as follow:

Carpenters	2
Bricklayers	1
Painters	8
Plumbers	3
Labourers	93
Other occupations'	60*
	167
$Including clerks, carters, etc., recorded as last working for employers engaged in the building industry.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men whose ordinary occupation is one or other of the crafts of the building trade are registered as unemployed in Devonport and Plymouth, respectively, specifying the number of men in each such craft, skilled and unskilled?

The following table gives the information asked for, in as much detail as is available from the records:Numbers of men in the building trades on the registers of the Employment Exchanges at Plymouth and Devonport on 26th May, 1924:

Occupation.	Plymouth.	Devonport.
Carpenters and joiners	11	11
Bricklayers	2	—
Masons	3	—
Painters	20	5
Plumbers	13	1
Labourers	55	11
Other occupations (including clerks, carmen, etc.)	98	54
Totals	201	82