asked the Minister of Health how many villages in the administrative County of Warwick will be eligible to obtain the subsidy of £12 10s. per house under the new Housing Bill?

Of the 247 parishes in the rural district councils' areas in Warwickshire 172 would be treated as agricultural under the proposals in the Housing Bill.

asked the Minister of Health which of the parishes in the County of Cornwall will come within the definition of an agricultural parish in respect of which the larger subsidy is to be contributed for house-building purposes?

A statement giving this information will be prepared and sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health when direct labour was first utilised for housing schemes in Derby, the amount of tenders that were being accepted from local builders in March, 1922, and December, 1922, respectively; whether, in January last, competitive tenders were received from local builders and the direct labour department for four blocks of houses; and whether he can state the respective amounts of such tenders?

Direct labour was first utilised by the Derby Corporation for the erection of houses in May, 1923. Tenders were accepted from local builders in March, 1922, and December. 1922, at average prices per house of £417 and £356 respectively. Competitive tenders of £7,180, £7,196, and £7,252, £7,600 and £8,424 were received from local builders for the erection of four blocks of four houses in January last. The estimate of the Special Works Committee of the Corporation for the carrying out of the work by direct labour was £6,928.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the aggregate sums received from the sale of small house property under the control of his Department in 1921, 1922, 1923 and the first five months of 1924?

There were no sales in 1921, but property to the value of £3,950 was sold by the Disposal Board in 1922. In 1923, when the policy of sale was instituted by the Treasury and my Department, the receipts were £15,210, and for 1924 (January to May) £27,537.

also asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of tenants of small house property under the control of his Department who have been dispossessed through the sale of the houses in which they lived during 1921, 1922, 1923 and the first five months of 1924?

So far as I am aware, no tenant has been dispossessed against his will by any purchaser.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the recrudescence of the traffic in old and worn-out horses between this country and France; and whether, having regard to the cruelty involved, he will take steps to make the inspection at the ports more stringent?

There has been no recrudescence of the traffic in worn-out horses to France. All horses exported to that country, as to any other European country, are subjected to a uniformly rigid veterinary examination immediately before shipment. The last part of the question does not therefore arise. For his further information, I will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Hallam (Sir F. Sykes) on the same subject on the 23rd instant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Ministry has decided to approve of the payment of travelling expenses and subsistence allowances to representatives of agricultural labour attending meetings of county agricultural committees; and whether it is proposed to limit this payment to representatives of one class only?

The Ministry has informed county councils that in those counties in which the scheme for the constitution of the agricultural committee provides, or is amended so as to provide, for the payment of such expenses, it will be prepared to repay the travelling expenses and subsistence paid by the council to any representatives of agricultural labour, including representatives of smallholders, in respect of attendances at meetings of the county agricultural committee or its sub-committees., Repayment by the Ministry is limited to these representatives.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Agricultural Council Regulations, 1924 (No. 1), dated 26th May, 1924, and made by him under Section 5, Sub-section (1), of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919 (9 and 10 Geo. V., c. 91), were laid before the House; and, if so, on what date?

The Regulations were laid on the Table of the House as Provisional Regulations on the 17th March last. The date of the Provisional Regulations was the 11th March, 1924.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the practice of exhibiting weather forecasts in rural post offices has been discontinued; and, if so, whether, in view of the benefit conferred on smallholders, market gardeners, and small farmers, he will take steps to restore this service?

I have been asked to reply. There has been no regular exhibition of weather forecasts in rural post offices, but in some instances persons interested have arranged with the Meteorological Office for the supply of forecasts by telegraph, and the Post Office, when requested by the addressees, has allowed such messages to be exhibited at post offices. This facility has not been withdrawn.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the number of boating accidents which occur during the summer season, he will take steps to make the carrying of lifebuoys compulsory on all boats carrying passengers whether on river, lake, or sea?

All steam or motor boats carrying more than 12 passengers must hold a Board of Trade passenger certificate and carry the number of lifebuoys shown on the certificate. Other pleasure boats come under the jurisdiction of local authorities, and I understand that in many cases lifebuoys are required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether Mr. M. A. Jinnah only accepted office as a member of the Committee appointed by the Government of India to inquire into the working of the Government of India Act under a special understanding regarding the scope of the inquiry; what the conditions were which Mr. Jinnah laid down; and whether the conditions were accepted?

I have no information indicating or suggesting that Mr. Jinnah attached any conditions to his acceptance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether warrant officers of the Indian unattached list are now treated in exactly the same way as regards marriage allowance as warrant officers in the British service; if not, what are the reasons for making any difference between these two classes of warrant officers; and whether the retrospective effect of the marriage allowance granted to members of the British service in India from the 4th October, 1920, has been made applicable to the warrant officers of the Indian unattached list?

Warrant officers of the Indian unattached list have since 1st January, 1922, been treated in exactly the same way in regard to marriage allowance as warrant officers of the British Service in India. The second part of the question does not arise. In the case of the unattached list, the Government of Indian have not seen their way to grant marriage allowance from an earlier date than 1st January, 1922, but the question still awaits a final decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the statements of Colonel C. H. Bensley, the Inspector-General of Prisons of India, relating to gaol administration in Assam, to the effect that our gaols are turning out criminals, and urging on all those who have to deal with juvenile cases to explore every other alternative before awarding a sentence of imprisonment; and what steps, if any, have been taken by the Government of India to remedy this state of affairs in the Assam gaols?

If my hon. Friend will turn to paragraphs 5 and 7 of the Assam Government's Resolution, at the end of the Report from which he is quoting, he will find the information which he desires. The same Resolution also describes further action taken by the Local Government in 1923 to give effect to the recommendations of the Indian Gaols Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) if his attention has been called to the housing conditions within the area of Jamshedpur and to the fact that only 33 per cent. of the workpeople are provided with accommodation; and whether, in view of the fact that three families are living in homes suitable for one family and six persons in one room of ten feet by eight feet, he will cause inquiries to be made;(2) if his attention has been called to the conditions of employment in the Tata Steel and Iran Company; whether he is aware that this company controls the whole of the liquor licences in Jamshedpur, and, being owners of the whole of the land and fields, refuse permission to the inhabitants to use any vacant space unless permission is obtained; and whether, as this edict operates over an area of 25 square miles, he can take any steps to improve the situation?

My Noble Friend has no information on the points referred to, but will ask for a Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst retired members of the uncovenanted service, who retired before 23rd July, 1918, as to their pensions; and whether it is proposed to hold an inquiry into the merits of this claim that they should receive the increases granted or recommended in the case of those who retired after that date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for South Portsmouth (Sir H. Cayzer) on 28th May, 1924.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the increased pensions granted to senior surgeon-commanders, Royal Navy, are regarded as a measure of compensation for their compulsory premature retirement; and if they are liable to a reduction with the fall in the cost of living?

The earlier ages of compulsory retirement were introduced as a part of the new scheme of pay and allowances, etc., in 1919. This scheme must be considered as a whole, and no particular item of it can be regarded as a set off against another particular item. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the usual pensions granted from Greenwich funds to the wives of naval ratings sent to the Great Yarmouth Hospital average 6s. weekly; and will he investigate the possibility of augmenting this allowance from naval funds in view of the hardship inflicted by the surrender of the husband's pension while detained?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 26th June to the hon. Member for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle). As regards the second part, I regret that it is not possible to augment the allowances from naval funds.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the widow of the late Lance-Corporal William Henry King, No, 45,406, Devon Regiment (Awards Branch (S), Bromyards Avenue, Reference No. 11/W/14,407), has not received the arrears of pension which are due to her late husband up to the date, of his death; the amount of such arrears; and will he see that these arrears are paid to her as soon as possible?

Payment has been delayed pending receipt from the widow of information which she has been informed is required before the whole amount due can be paid. An advance has, however, now been authorised, and the balance due will be paid as soon as the particulars asked for are supplied by the widow.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is now able to make a Report on the result of his consultation with the Lord Chancellor on the subject of the re-opening of cases of appellants to the pensions appeal tribunal which have been decided against the appellants, but where the appellant's case is supported by independent medical opinion in addition to that considered by the pensions appeal tribunal or where the local pensions committee is agreed that injustice has been inflicted?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 29th May to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Richard A. Tuson, of 2, Havelock Road, Tottenham, received a pension for five years on account of chronic rheumatism, which was then stopped by a decision of the appeal tribunal that the disability had passed away; the last date upon which Tuson was medically examined, whether he is aware that three local doctors have recently certified him as suffering from rheumatism and unable to work; and whether Tuson's claim for the disability of chronic rheumatism can be reconsidered?

The facts of this case are as stated in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 5th June. I understand that the man has now intimated his intention of taking advantage of his right to appeal to the independent pensions appeal tribunal against the decision of the Ministry. The man will receive assistance at the local office of the Ministry in preparing his case for the tribunal.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to introduce legislation establishing the right to pension in the case of every man who was passed A1 on enlistment and subsequently suffered impairment as the, result of War service; and, if so, whether this will include consequential disabilities arising out of injury or disease contracted during War service, and which prevent a man from following his pre-War employment.

Perhaps I may refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the same point to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on the 1st May, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether the island known as Hill's Island, in Lower Lough Erne, in the townland of Legg, barony of Magheraboy, and County of Fermanagh, is the property, and in the occupation, of the Crown; and whether the fishing rights on the shore of Hill's Island are also exclusively vested in the Crown?

I have been asked to reply to this question. All land on the island in question between the old and the new level of the Lough, together with the fishing rights, subject to any rights of the successors of the original patentees, form part of the land revenues of the Crown. The island is not in the possession of the Crown.

asked the Home Secretary the number of subordinate officers in the prison service who have been dismissed for alleged disciplinary offences for each year for the last 10 years prior to and including 1923?

The numbers of subordinate prison officers dismissed in each year since 1913 for offences against discipline were:

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there has been no official inquiry into the administration of the prison department for 50 years; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee to inquire into the treatment of subordinate officers and prisoners?

As far as the conditions of service of the prison staff are concerned, there was an official inquiry by a departmental committee only last year. An inquiry into the general question of penal reform is under consideration, but, in view of the International Congress which is to be held next year, I doubt if the present moment is opportune for setting up such an inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the action of the Lord Chancellor in threatening to remove Mr. Dent from the Commission of the Peace, he will consider the desirability of removing from the Commission of the Peace all conscientious objectors and others who from political reasons have refused to obey the law?

I have been asked to reply. The Lord Chancellor will consider every case which is brought to his notice in which a person who, while holding the office of Justice of the Peace, persistently refuses to obey the law, whether from political or other reasons, but it is not possible to say what action will be taken in any case or class of case.

asked the Prime Minister whether any and, if so, what definite progress has been made in the negotiations between British and Russian Soviet delegates who have been in conference in London nearly three months; whether the Government has rendered any assistance in the matter of raising a loan in this country for the Moscow Government; and, if so, what is the nature of that assistance?

I have undertaken to make a full statement to the House when the negotiations have reached a stage which justifies my reporting to Parliament upon them. As regards the question of a loan there is nothing to add to the replies which were given to questions by the hon. Member for Epping on the 18th June and to the hon. Members for Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. Lumley) and Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy) on the 25th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the increase to 400 in the numbers of the gendarmerie in the Saar will take place; what is the present strength of the military garrison; and what reduction will be made in the garrison when the gendarmerie is increased?

There were 355 trained gendarmes in the Saar on the 31st March last, but it is not known how many of the 400 more who are to be trained before the 31st March next are now in training. According to the figures supplied to the Council of the League of Nations by the Saar Governing Commission in March last (for the accuracy of which I cannot vouch) there were at that, time 4,000 French troops in the Saar of whom approximately 1,800 were on the active list. That is the latest information in my possession on the subject. I have no information regarding the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the pronouncement by Monsieur Herriot in favour of withdrawing the French Embassy to the Vatican; what functions the British Embassy to the Vatican is now fulfilling; and whether he will now consider the withdrawal of the British Embassy to the Vatican?

Whether the British Mission to the Vatican should be permanently continued or withdrawn is a question which can be raised in the ordinary way on the Estimates. The present Government have had no occasion so far to discuss it. The policy of France in her attitude towards the Vatican is not necessarily relevant to this issue.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the legal difficulties raised by the result of the strict application of the principles laid down by the House of Lords in the recent Russell case, he will consider the question of amending the present law so as to avoid those results?

At the moment, no facts have been brought to my notice which would tend to show any necessity for amending the existing law, but I shall be glad to consider any suggestion that may be made to me in that connection.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the extension of the franchise, he will advise the Government to base the qualification for jury service, with a few exceptions, upon the right to vote; and whether, whenever a reform of this character is under consideration, he will consider the desirability of instituting an age limit so that men of great age may not be called as grand jurors?

I have been asked to reply. I do not see my way to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to qualifications for jury service, but when any such Bill is in contemplation the suggestions of the hon. Member will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the lighthouses formerly under the control of the Commissioners of Irish Lights have been, or are about to be, transferred to the Irish Free State; and whether the employés of the said Commissioners are public officials under Clause 10 of the Instrument dated the 6th December, 1921?

His Majesty's Government are still in correspondence with the Government of the Irish Free State in regard to the transfer of administration of lighthouse services in the area of the Free State. In this correspondence the position of the staff has not been over-looked. I regret that I am unable at present to give a more definite reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total cost of our public health services, including that of National Health Insurance and the grants-in-aid for services administered by the Ministry of Health and the Board of Education; what proportion is paid by the State and what by the local authorities; and whether he can give an estimate of the cost of the proposed revision of the Public Health Acts that is under consideration?

The statements below give the figures asked for in the first two parts of the question. As regards the last part of the question, the revision of the Public Health Acts, which is now under consideration, is intended primarily as a preliminary to consolidation, and there is no reason at present to think that any amendments will result in a material addition to the cost of local administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the highest and lowest rate of exchange between this country and the United States in the last six months?

The highest cable transfer rate was 4·39½ on the 22nd April and the lowest was 4·21⅛ on the 21st January last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has ascertained the views of the new Government in South Africa as to the acceptability, or otherwise, of the proposed visit of Members this summer; and whether the invitation still holds good?

I have not communicated with the Government of the Union of South Africa in this matter, as the invitation to Members of Parliament to visit South Africa came not from the Government of the Union, but from the South African branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association. I understood that

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the total sums per head voted for military, naval, and air defence, respectively, at the latest available date by Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa?

The figures are as follow:the association has no information to indicate that any alteration in the arrangements for the proposed visit is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of Palestine has drafted an Ordinance ousting the general jurisdiction vested in the civil courts by Section 38 of the Palestine Order in Council by a Clause which vests in the Jewish religious courts control over the administration of religious and charitable endowments constituted before Moslem courts; that this step is being strenuously opposed by the dedicators of more than 30 charitable institutions in Jerusalem who have more confidence in the efficiency of the civil courts than in that of the Jewish rabbinical courts; and whether he will take steps to revoke the Ordinance?

I have seen the draft of the Ordinance to which the question refers. I am aware that a section of the Jewish community in Palestine has taken exception to its provisions. I am in communication with the High Commissioner on the subject.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many posts above the clerical grade there are in the Office of Works; how many of these posts are filled by men and how many by women; and whether, seeing that this Department is responsible for the accommodation and equipment of all Government Departments, and in view of the fact that the Department is concerned with the provision of dressing-room and lavatory accommodation for 72,900 women, he will consider the desirability of appointing women to a certain number of responsible posts?

There are 964 posts above the lower clerical grade in the Office of Works, all of which are filled by men with the exception of the chief superintendent and six superintendents of typists. 812 of these posts are professional and technical, recruitment being by qualifying examination and selection, limited at present to ex-service men. The remaining posts in the administrative, executive or supervisory grades are either confined to ex-service men or filled by promotion from the lower clerical grade in which 90 per cent. are ex-service men. There is, therefore, no immediate prospect of women obtaining these posts, even if they were eligible to compete for all entrance examinations. The question of eligibility to compete in future examinations for non-technical posts is one which affects the Service as a whole, and would, therefore, be dealt with by the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Clause 26 of the Finance Bill exempting salaries, etc., from Stamp Duty on receipts is intended to apply to pay warrants issued to civil servants?

The answer is in the affirmative.