asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the action of Warrilows, Limited v. De la Rue, in the King's Bench Division, during which it was stated that £20,000 had been paid annually by one firm, in order to prevent another competing against it for Government contracts; and whether he will take these facts into account when he is considering the promised legislation with regard to trading profits?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ascertain the present average export prices, including sea freight, of Colonial meat, cheese and butter, and the present average retail prices of the same commodities; and if he is aware that consignments of cheese and butter frequently change ownership while in transit, the effect of which is to substantially increase prices to the consumer?

The information desired by the hon. Member as to current export prices can only be ascertained by inquiry in the Dominions, and, as the relation between those prices and current retail prices in this country is only indirect, I do not think that the expense would be justified. I am aware that consignments of cheese and butter are often sold in transit, but it does not of necessity follow that such transactions increase the price to the final consumer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government have considered the insistence of some conditions with regard to the lowering of tariff walls to British goods by Governments who float loans on the British market; and whether, in the case of the loan floated recently for the Kingdom of Hungary, any attempt was made to Influence the Hungarian Government in this direction?

I have been asked to reply. It is not in the power of His Majesty's Government to dictate to lenders in the open market the terms on which they should make loans to would-be borrowers. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. and gallant Member must not overlook the express undertaking in Protocol No. 1, signed at Geneva on the 14th March, 1924, by the States acting together for Hungarian reconstruction, that they would not seek to obtain any special or exclusive economical or financial advantage from Hungary inconsistent with her political independence. The Hungarian Report of the Finance Committee of the League of Nations emphasised, however, the importance of avoiding undue tariff restrictions; and I certainly hope that with the new prospects now opening for Hungary, the question will receive the attention of the Hungarian Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the advisory committee under the Trade Facilities Act has recently examined the proposition of the building of ships for the Russian Government whether the plan has been rejected; and what is the stated reason?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Cnkrowina Kruszwrica Towarzystwo Akcyjne Company, Kruszwrica, has now honoured its obligations to English shareholders; and, if not, what further steps he proposes to take?

I have received no further information since I replied to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 22nd May. The British firm in question have been supplied with the names of lawyers in Poland should they wish to initiate legal proceedings, and I do not think that I can usefully take further action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason far the delay in paying the claims which have been scheduled as belated claims; whether he is aware that these claims are for damage done by enemy action during a war which ended in November, 1918; and whether he can hold out any hope that they will be paid shortly?

I would point out that the last day for receiving belated claims was 1st June, 1924, and claims were actually being received up to that date. They amounted to about 30,000, and I am unable to admit that there is ground for the criticism that undue delay is occurring in dealing with them. The examination of the claims is being proceeded with with all possible speed, and a considerable staff is wholly engaged upon it. Every endeavour is being made to have this work completed within four months from now, and the payment of claims will then be promptly begun.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that claims for reparation made by ex-prisoners in Germany were assessed at figures considerably below the amounts claimed; whether the Government has received from Germany sums in excess of the total amount distributed in respect of reparations; if so, will a further distribution be made to claimants; and will ex-prisoners in Germany be included amongst those whose claims receive consideration in this respect?

As to the first part of the question, in most cases the assessment made by the Royal Commission is lass than the amount claimed, but in a large proportion of the claims loss of wages or salary was the largest or the only item of claim, and such loss was held not to be within the terms of the Reparation Part of the Treaty of Versailles. As to the remaining parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Aston (Sir E. Cecil) by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 26th June, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers and men of the 2nd Portsmouth battalion were implicated in the disturbance at Newport in 1921; how many of these were dismissed from the service; and how many, having been allowed to finish their time, have subsequently been informed that, by their action in 1921, they have forfeited all claim to gratuity or pension?

Four hundred and forty men were implicated in this refusal of duty. Of these, 73 were forthwith discharged "Services no longer required." The remainder were not allowed to enter into fresh engagements to complete time for pension or Royal Fleet Reserve gratuity or being at the time in their last period were informed that in accordance with the Royal Fleet Reserve instructions dealing with misconduct they would on completion of their time forfeit their pension or gratuity. The number of men who at the time were in their final Royal Fleet Reserve engagement is 24.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he is about to make any further discharges at Woolwich?

A further 100 men are being discharged from the naval inspection department at Woolwich Arsenal in the fortnight ending the 12th July next, there being no longer work for them.

asked the Attorney-General what steps the Government intend to take as to repealing or postponing the Law of Property Act, 1922, or some part of the same?

I hope to be in a position to announce the decision of the Government with regard to this matter at an early date. As I have indicated in reply to previous questions, it is the intention of the Government to take steps to postpone the operation of the Act until the 1st January, 1926.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will permit No. 3, Ross Way, Well Hall, Eltham, which has just been vacated, to be available for letting; and whether it is on his instructions that prospective tenants are now being informed that the premises are for sale and not for letting?

The house in question has been re-let to the sub-tenant whose tenancy is protected by the Rent Restriction Acts. In reply to the second part of the question, I have stated on previous occasions that the policy of sale was determined a year ago on legal advice being given to my Department that is was bound to endeavour to sell the houses on its housing estates. If, however, houses are not sold within a short period of becoming vacant, they are immediately re-let. It should also be made clear that the tenants on the estate have the protection of the Rent Restriction Acts whether the houses are owned by the Government or sold to a purchaser.

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

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

asked the Minister of Health how many villages in the administrative county of Huntingdon will be eligible to obtain the subsidy of £12 10s. under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill?

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

asked the Minister of Health how many parishes in the West Riding of Yorkshire will be treated as agricultural areas for the purpose of the subsidy under the Housing Bill?

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

asked the Minister of Health how many areas have passed the necessary resolutions preliminary to making town plans for their area; and whether he will see that the closest co-operation is advised between town planning, housing and sanitary and improvement committees in order to avoid conflicting policies and overlapping in the alteration of developed areas and the lay-out of new ones?

Resolutions have been passed by 229 local authorities. My Department are constantly emphasising the importance of the closest co-operation, not only between different committees of the local authority, but also with outside interests.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious difficulty arising out of the overcrowding of the people in the large towns, he can see his way to advise local authorities that, if in their opinion it is necessary to public health for unemployed persons and their dependants to have the free use of the public baths in their areas, he is prepared to favourably consider grants-in-aid for that purpose?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no funds available for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of complaints arising from delay in payment of sickness benefit under the National Health Insurance Act to sick insured persons; and, if so, whether he will appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into the matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware that complaints are occasionally made of delay in the payment of benefit to which insured persons are entitled. The subject has been and is being dealt with departmentally, and he does not think it necessary to appoint a Departmental Committee, particularly in view of the appointment of a Royal Commission to review the whole system of National Health Insurance.

asked the Minister of Health the number of men and the number of women over 70 years of age who are inmates of Poor Law institutions, and the number in receipt of outdoor relief in Great Britain?

In England and Wales on the 1st January last, there were 23,423 men and 20,233 women over 70 years of age in receipt of relief in Poor Law institutions. On the same date there were 14,404 men and 22,220 women over 70 years of age in receipt of out-door relief. For figures as to Scotland I would refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary for Scotland.

whose name had not been supplied asked the Minister of Health how many cases of the following diseases have been notified this year: small-pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, pneumonia, enteric fever, encephalitis lethargica?

The numbers of cases of these diseases notified (uncorrected figures) during the 26 weeks ended the 28th June, 1924, are as follows:

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to an advertisement issued by the Ministry of Finance of Northern Ireland inviting tenders for the painting required at the Londonderry post office; if his Department has sanctioned this advertisement, in view of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, which reserved to this House the postal service in Northern Ireland?

I have been asked to answer this question. The responsibility for the maintenance of post offices in Northern Ireland rests with my Department, but an arrangement has been made whereby the actual execution of work is carried out by the Works Department of the Ministry of Finance of Northern Ireland as an agency service.

asked the Postmaster-General upon whose authority letters are being opened in Northern Ireland by policemen without affixing the usual notice of censorship?

I have been asked to reply. I do not understand what the hon. Member has in mind 'when he speaks of the "usual notice." When the powers recognised by Section 56 of the Post Office Act, 1908, are exercised, there is no requirement that anyone shall be informed, and it may be essential that no information should be given. The Lord Lieutenant's power referred to in that Section is now exercisable in Northern Ireland by the Governor.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the British Broadcasting Company decided, at its meeting on 19th June, to dispose of some of the profits by voting a sum of£2,000 for distribution among the directors in addition to their regular remuneration; and whether, seeing that such gifts can only be made with his consent, and that £500per annum for the chairman and £200 per annum for each director is adequate payment for the services rendered, he will state whether he has sanctioned the payment?

The decision, to which the hon. Member refers, has been brought to my notice. I understand that the duties of the directors of the British Broadcasting Company 'were especially heavy durnig the first year and a half of the company's existence; and, if I were satisfied that it is within my power, I should be glad to sanction this acknowledgement of the outstanding service which has been rendered to the public by the establishment of the Broadcasting organisation as it exists to-day. At present I am in doubt whether the proposal is altogether consistent with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company, and with the agreements between the company and the Post Office; but I am giving the matter further consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the inconvenience caused by the present Regulations as to printed paper rates, he will consider the revision and simplification of these Regulations, so that, for instance, such anomalies as that a typed copy of a circular letter costs three times as much as a carbon or printed copy of the same letter shall be removed?

The Regulation to which the hon. and gallant Member particularly refers requires that circular letters intended for despatch at the reduced rate, if not printed in the ordinary way, shall be reproductions obtained by some process commonly employed to prepare a number of identical copies, and shall be handed in in batches of not less than 20 packets at a time. The object of the regulation, which is in force also in the international service, is to protect the revenue; and I do not see my way to modify it.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he will consider abolishing the present printed paper regulations, and introducing a new classification of postal correspondence in place of printed papers which, by reducing the working costs of the Post Office, would give the public a really cheap rate of postage;(2) whether, with a view to giving the public a really cheap rate of postage, he is able to say what are the practical diffi- culties, if any, which would prevent the adoption of a scheme of postal reform whereby postal correspondence would be re-classified as ordinary and deferred, the former being postable and delivered as now, the latter postable during banking hours and excluded from the first delivery?

If the savings, which are required to finance the cheap rate of postage, are to materialise, it would be inevitable that the frequency of communication between different towns would be reduced and the time of transmission, both of ordinary and deferred correspondence, considerably increased. I do not think the public could reasonably be asked to submit to so general a deterioration of the existing postal services as a scheme of this kind would entail. Apart from this objection, there would be many practical difficulties, such as the impossibility of applying the scheme to rural areas and the inadequacy of the existing sorting office accommodation.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the British manufacturers of radio valves used for wireless reception have formed themselves into a valve manufacturers' association, and give wholesale terms only to some half-dozen houses, to the detriment of all other genuine wholesale traders: that this practically forms a ring in the sale of radio goods; whether licences are still only issued for apparatus entirely composed of British-made instruments and, if so, whether he will consider revoking this rule in order to break down the monopoly?

I understand that an association has been formed amongst British valve manufacturers with the object of preventing price-cutting by retailers. Wholesale terms are stated to be given to all dealers, although an increased discount dependent on the turnover is allowed to the wholesale distributing firms. The uniform type of broadcast receiving licence which was introduced on the 1st of this month, while free from certain restrictions imposed in previous licences, still contains the condition that only apparatus of British manufacture shall be used. Under the terms of the Supplementary Agreement with the British Broadcasting Company of the, 1st October, 1923, I am not in a position to withdraw this condition before the 1st January next.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the benefits which would accrue to purchasers of receiving sets, he will consider the establishment of a British Broadcasting Company Testing Department, whose function shall be periodically to test receiving sets from the stock of manufacturers who may desire such tests, and to issue certificates guaranteeing the standard of the apparatus tested?

Apart from other objections, I do not consider that the advantages of the suggested system would justify the large expense involved.

asked the Postmaster-General wheher he is aware that in telegrams the letters indicating London districts, such as S.W.2, are charged as two words; and if he will consider charging for such letters as one word?

Postal district numbers are not required in the addresses of telegrams, as the telegraph delivery offices do not correspond with the postal delivery offices which these numbers indicate. I do not consider it advisable therefore, to encourage the use of the numbers in telegrams by waiving the charge for their transmission.

asked the. Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the delays at the Regent Exchange with a view to the elimination of the long periods that the subscriber has to wait before being asked what number he requires, and the large percentage of wrong numbers that are given?

Recent records show that the speed of answer at the Regent Exchange does not compare unfavourably with that of other London exchanges and that the great majority of calls are answered by the telephonists in 10 seconds or less. The records also show that the percentage of wrong numbers at this exchange for the first six months of this year is very small. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member will let me known if he has any special telephone circuit in mind, I will have it tested in case a fault may be causing difficulties.

asked the Postmaster-General how much money is paid annually to the London and North Eastern Railway Company and the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company for the carrying of the mails; and when these contracts will be open for revision and discussion by the. House?

The annual payments to the London and North Eastern Railway Company and the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company for the conveyance of letter mails over their lines amount to about £320,500 and £879,500 respectively. These are provisional payments, and are subject to adjustment upon re-assessment of the value of the services rendered. I cannot say when the re-assessment will take place.

asked the Postmaster-General whether lie is aware of the continued delay and consequent hardship in settling the claims arising out of the judgment in the case of Sutton v. Rex; and whether he can now give an assurance that the matter will be speedily concluded?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Colchester (Sir L. Worthington-Evans) on the 15th May last. The Petitions of Right in the various test cases and the Crown's answers have now been lodged and the eases entered for trial, and I hope they will come before the Courts very shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can take steps to expedite the parcel-post services between this country and the Irish Free State; and whether he is aware that, although the train and sea journey takes under 12 hours, it takes five days for parcels to reach their destination?

Parcel mails for the. Irish Free State are forwarded from this country without delay, and as a rule, a parcel arrives in Ireland on the day after posting. It is probable that the delay to which the hon. and gallant Member refers may occur in connection with the Customs examination. If he will let me have particulars of any case he has in mind I will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a notice is now exhibited in the Berkeley Post Office, Gloucestershire, asking for applications for the appointment of sub-postmaster or sub-mistress who are prepared to provide suitable premises at Berkeley; that there are now in Berkeley modern premises, specially erected for use as a post office, which are both central and convenient and were erected about 1908; and that such premises, with five years' lease still to run, are available for postal purposes; and will he, in making any appointment, have regard to these facts?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The question of the possibiity of transferring to the incoming sub-postmaster the lease of the premises in which the post office business is at present conducted will be borne in mind when the new appointment is made.

asked the Postmaster-General the average annual percentage of sorting clerks and telegraphists, distinguishing between postal and telegraph, pensioned at 60 years of age?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, and could not be obtained without much labour and expense, which I should not feel justified in incurring.

asked the Postmaster-General the percentage of sorting clerks and telegraphists who were promoted to the rank of overseer during each of the last 10 years?

In view of the time and expense which would be involved in obtaining the particulars required, I regret that I cannot supply the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the desirability of the Post Office undertaking the erection of cottages for postmen employed in rural districts?

This question has been considered on more than one occasion, and the conclusion reached has been that, apart from the administrative difficulties involved, it would be undesirable for the Post Office to adopt a policy which might have the effect of placing it in competition with local housing authorities.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Chief Commissioner of Police on Wednesday last prohibited the sale of roses for Queen Alexandra's Hospital Fund over an area of 800 acres, containing a population of 12,000, in the borough of Wimbledon, presumably on the ground that the tennis tournament was being held the same day, which prohibition was subsequently relaxed to prevent sales after noon; whether he is aware that such prohibition seriously affected the sales for the. Fund; what is the reason for such prohibition; whether be approves of it; and whether he will give directions that in the future no such prohibition shall be issued?

The Commissioner informs me that the very large volume of traffic resulting from the Wimbledon tennis meeting made it necessary for him to exercise his powers under paragraph 4 of the Regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Police, Etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1916, and to forbid this and other collections taking place in certain roads, mainly residential in character, during the meeting. It is the fact that upon a representation by the Mayor of Wimbledon, the original restriction was modified so as to allow this collection to take place up till noon except in one specially-congested road. It seems to me only right that the Commissioner should have power to limit the places where street collectors may operate in order to prevent congestion of traffic.

asked the Home Secretary if he can now give any further details as to the seizure of arms and ammunition which were being smuggled out of the London Docks, and more especially the identity of those engaged in the operations?

I cannot add anything to the answer I gave to a similar question on 30th June.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether any instructions have been given to prison governors to report prisoners for disobedience of orders when the offence is that of talking or gossiping; and what instructions, if any, have been given:(2) whether an order has been recently given, verbally or in writing, to officers in the prison service that prisoners are not allowed to converse with each other while being escorted from one prison to another?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Circular on this subject which was published as Appendix 10 to the Annual Report of the Prison Commissioners for 1921–22. The Prison Commissioners inform me that no other instructions on the subject of talking have been issued since.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many non-commissioned officers and men of the Regular Army have received training in craftmanship since 1919; how many are known to have obtained employment in technical trades on completion of service; whether the objections of the trades unions to the employment of regular ex-service men in skilled work have been overcome: and how many men and boys are at present being trained in both technical and general trades?

I regret I have no complete figures, but the number of boys now under training at Chepstow with a view to serving as tradesmen in the Army is 330, whilst the number of men under training at vocational training centres, with a view to obtaining civil employment after discharge, is 204. The number of men trained at vocational training centres for whom employment in technical trades has been found is 235. The question of making arrangements with the trade unions is in hand in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, but I cannot make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will specify the exact type of pension claims which are dealt with by the Royal Chelsea Hospital authorities?

The Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital deal with all awards to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Army of pensions earned by service, including long-service pensions, campaign pensions and pensions awarded for gallant conduct. They also deal with awards of pensions to these ranks in respect of disablement due to wound injury or disease attributable to military service in peace and in any war subsequent to the Great War, but where the disablement was incurred in the Great War or in former wars, the pension is dealt with by the Ministry of Pensions. Any claims for increase or commutation of the awards for which they are responsible are also dealt with by the Commissioners.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the application of Mr. D. Hazlewood, of 3, Gallosson Road, Plumstead, in respect of his arrears of pension?

This case has been fully investigated, and I regret that there are no grounds for reconsideration. The pensioner has received all arrears to which he is entitled. I have already explained the case to the hon. Member in correspondence.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that the Second Schedule for the Royal Warrant for 1919 provides for the minimum rates of pension being those set out in the Royal Warrant of 1918, together with an addition of 20 per cent. of such rates, he will, in view of the continued high cost of living, take such action as will ensure that the rates of pension shall not fall below those authorised in the Royal Warrant of 1919?

The scales of pension for disability or death are, under the terms of the Warrant of 1919, fixed with reference to the cost of living. My right hon. Friend does not consider that he can advisedly take action at the present time to anticipate the decision on a question which has to be determined in relation to the conditions that may obtain in the future.

asked the Minister of Pensions the conditions under which commutation of pensions is made; for what purposes a pensioner may commute a portion of his pension; whether the applicant has to pass a medical examination; whether commutation is fixed on a lower rate of pension than that provided in the Royal Warrant of 1919; whether the commutation is based on the expectation of life or a limited number of years; and, if so, how many?

Commutation of disability pension is subject to the conditions laid down in the Regulations governing the matter, the principles of which are common to the Ministry and the Service Departments. Subject to the reservation of a specified minimum, a pensioner may commute the balance of his pension where commutation is shown clearly to be to his advantage. The applicant has to be certified to be in a good state of health and to have a normal expectation of life. The basis of commutation is the minimum rate of disability pension fixed by the Royal Warrant of 1919, that is, the rates provided by the Royal Warrant of 1918 plus 20 per cent. Commutation is based on the normal expectation of life of Army service pensioners generally, and is calculated according to the table of rates appended to the Commutation Regulations.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the effect upon ex-service men of Circular M.P.A.O. 15A, home treatment, which in cases where, as a result of medical examination by the Ministry doctors, treatment by a general practitioner is necessary, advises consultation with the national health insurance doctor on whose panel the man is listed, but also states that the man will not be prevented from working at a remunerative occupation in consequence of and during treatment allowance therefore not being payable; whether he is aware of the cases where the panel doctors thus concerned, after careful examination, have issued certificates definitely stating that they find the man incapable of work, but the Ministry of Pensions has refused to honour such certificate; and whether, when such decision is given for disabilities which the Ministry agrees as being duo to, or aggravated by, war service, he will give instructions to local area offices that certificates granted by the national health insurance doctor, to whom the man was specially referred, are acceptable and full treatment allowances be granted for the periods of incapacity covered?

The conditions governing the grant of allowances, under Article 6 of t he Warrant, are not identical with those which determine certification far the purpose of sickness benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. My right hon. Friend regrets, therefore, that he is unable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question. At the same time, the circular letter referred to does not appear to my right hon. Friend to be altogether satisfactory, and it will be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has received a resolution from the Nottingham and District War Pensions Committee, in which they urge him to review the whole system of final awards, on the grounds that the present system involves undue hardship and even injustice in many cases; and whether, in view of the number of unsuccessful appeals and the dissatisfaction existing among the appellants at their treatment, he will cause the whole system to be inquired into?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the resolution referred to. I may, however, remind the Noble, Lord that my right hon. Friend has, as indicated in his reply to the hon. and gallant Member for East Rhondda (Lieut. Colonel Watts-Morgan) on 27th March last (of which I am sending him a copy) put in operation arrangements which will enable cases in which an award is found to have been erroneously declared final to be amended.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken to apply the close scrutiny of Air Ministry establishments foreshadowed in the Memorandum by the Secretary of State of Air accompanying the Air Estimates; and what economies have thereby been effected?

The scrutiny referred to has been applied, and, as a result, it is contemplated that the estimate of the number of additional service personnel required to complete the home defence expansion can be reduced by nearly 1,750. This reduction is made possible by placing on a station basis the administrative and maintenance services of squadrons not required for service overseas, while still preserving their operational integrity. Economies will also he effected by the substitution of civilians for airmen in such units for certain classes of duties The number of civilians who will be eventually thus required to replace service personnel will be, approximately, 1,150.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what are the annual average flying hours per aircraft, per pilot, and per head of personnel on the establishment of the units operating the Cairo-Bagdad air service?

There is no exclusive allocation of units or personnel to this service, which is carried out in the interests of training, and, as other service requirements permit, by any aircraft and pilots that may be available in Iraq or Egypt. The total flying hours on this route, for the 12 months ended 31st May last, are 1,308, spread over 113 flights.

asked the. Minister of Labour if he will take immediate steps to set up a Trade Board for the catering trades; and if he will set up a public inquiry into the wages and conditions of waiters and waitresses?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply (of which I am sending him a copy) to a question on 3rd July by the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in about a fortnight's time pea-picking operations will begin in Essex; that in previous years there have been a large number of people in receipt of unemployment donation who have not; been willing to accept offers of such work; and whether, on this occasion, he will ensure the provision of labour, even should such a step be necessary, by stopping unemployment pay in those districts where the workers will not come forward?

I understand the pea-picking harvest in Essex has begun. Last year, in a number of cases in which work on pea-picking was refused by persons on benefit, the chief insurance officer decided that benefit could not be disallowed on this account. I have no authority to issue an instruction that benefit is to be disallowed or allowed, but each case of refusal of this work which arises will be duly considered. Generally, I should like to point out that this work is very uncertain, and that a person without experience or special aptitude would have difficulty in earning more than a very small wage. The ordinary practice of the farmers is to engage their labour from local residents or casual workers who come into the district for the work. Vacancies are usually not notified to the Exchanges until after the ordinary supplies have failed, and there is, apparently, no security that workers sent forward by the Exchanges will not find the vacancies filled. For these reasons, it is difficult under present circumstances for the Exchanges to meet a shortage of labour, should it arise, but they will do everything they can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there are a considerable number of Colonials, citizens of the various British Dominions, at present stranded in this country, some of whom are very desirous of returning home; and whether it is possible for him to call a conference of High Commissioners and other representatives of the Dominions in order to devise measures for the repatriation of these men, many of whom served in the great War and returned to this country under the mistaken impression that there would be employment for them?

I have no information on the lines indicated in the question, and I understand that the High Commissioners for the different Dominions are always ready to help in bona fide cases.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is prepared to consider an alteration of the regulations governing the granting of pensions to blind persons under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, so that residence in a Dominion or Crown Colony may be considered as residence within the United Kingdom for the purposes of Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, provided that the blind applicant is a British-born subject and is now permanently resident in the United Kingdom?

Except as regards age, the grant of pensions to blind persons under Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, is governed by the provisions of the Old Age Pensions Acts; and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 3rd July to the hon. Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Gardner) by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the question of amendment of the details of the present scheme of old age pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer approximately the total sums expended by the United Kingdom in providing naval, military and air defence, respectively, for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa for the year 1923–24; and how much this works out at per head of the respective populations?

No expenditure is incurred by the Imperial Government specifically in respect of the defence of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, each of these Dominions having assumed responsibility for its own local defence. In addition, Australia has wholly and New Zealand has partly, taken over the general naval work of their respective stations, and certain expenditure is incurred by South Africa on the naval base at Simonstown.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of National Savings Certificates of the purchase price of 15s. 6d. and 16s., respectively, outstanding at 30th June, 1924; and if he can give figures to indicate the decline in sales consequent on the increase in the original sale price of these certificates?

The cash raised by the sale of National Savings Certificates at an issue price of 15s. 6d. during the year ended 31st December, 1921, was£42,149,000, or an average of£3,512,000 a month. For the three months to 31st March, 1922, the sales were abnormal, owing to the impending alteration in terms, and averaged£20,866,000 cash each month. The price was raised to 16s. as from 1st April, 1922, and the total cash raised from that date down to 30th September, 1923, was£73,759,000, or£4,098,000 a month—an increase on the previous monthly normal figure. No further change has been made in the issue price, but other conditions were altered as from 1st October, 1923. From that date to 31st May, 1924, the sales have been£15,687,000 or£1,961,000 a month. There are many other circumstances besides issue price which affect the sale of certificates, and I should hesitate to attribute solely to the price variations either an increase or a decrease in the applications

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take any action in those cases where proprietors of public places of amusement refuse to pass on to the public the reduction which he has made on the Entertainments Duty?

I cannot add anything to the full statement which I made in Committee on the Finance Bill, on 30th June last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons assessed to Income Tax during the year ending 31st March, 1924, or the latest available period; and the number of those who paid Income Tax?

The number of individuals in Great Britain and Northern Ireland with incomes above the exemption limit for the year 1923–24 is provisionally estimated at 4,700,000, of whom it is estimated that 2,500,000 will actually pay Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the principal headings under Excise under which the revenue has shown a decline during the first quarter of the present financial year as compared with last year?

The principal headings which show a decline in the receipts from Excise Duties during the first quarter of the present financial year, as compared with the corresponding quarter last year, are Spirits, Beer and Entertainments Duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the sum of £50, under the heading Redemption of Debt under the War Loan Acts, 1914 to 1919, for the period 1st April to 30th June, 1924, represents?

This item represents the repayment of a loan of£50 without interest, offered and accepted during the War.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can now say when the people of Bowmore, Islay, Argyll, will get the Grobolls grazing, as the matter has been under consideration some time?

Schemes in terms of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts have been prepared by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and intimated to the landlord and tenants. It is hoped to arrange for the entry of new holders to the arable ground of the farm of Tallant and Grobolls at Martinmas, 1924, and to the pasture ground at Whitsunday, 1925.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the railway companies are withdrawing trains without taking into consideration the interests of the public; whether he is aware that the 7.50 a.m. train from Sheffield to London, on the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway, which serves Nottingham, Loughborough, and Leicester, and which has been maintained for nearly two years, is going to be withdrawn; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of the public now that they can no longer rely on competition between the companies keeping up the standard of service?

I am not aware that the railway companies are withdrawing trains without taking into consideration the interests of the public, but if the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with details I will make inquiries. As regards the second part of the question, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway have no train at this time. I see, however, that there is a train at 7.50 on the London and North Eastern, as to which I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet made inquiry into the overcrowding of third-class passengers on trains run between Glasgow and London and vice versâ and, if so, what is the result?

As I informed my hon. Friend, the railway company told me that an analysis of the records on the principal express trains between Glasgow and Euston and St. Pancras showed that, during the week ending the 21st June, under 9,000 third-class passengers were conveyed and over 12,000 third-class scats were provided. They agree, however, that on certain trains there was insufficient accommodation. At the present time a good deal of difficulty is occasioned by the additional traffic to and from Wembley, which is of an erratic nature, and also by the demands on the rolling stock entailed by the same traffic. I am, however, watching the whole question carefully.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make representations to the Great Western Railway Company with regard to the overcrowding of the third-class carriages of trains travelling between Bristol and London with a view to additional trains being run, especially during the Summer months?

The railway company hove informed me that no representations hove previously been received at headquarters with regard to this matter. There has been considerable fluctuation in the number of passengers travelling to and from the British Empire Exhibition, with the result that on some occasions the number travelling has been in excess of the seats provided. The company are anxious to provide adequate facilities and have the position under constant notice, and have undertaken to investigate fully any specific complaints that may be made to them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the grave state of congestion in the centre of the city of Glasgow, known as the Argyle Street corner, which is very dangerous and the cause of many accidents; and whether he is prepared to assist the Glasgow Council in the improvement of this dangerous corner?

I am aware of the congestion at the road junction referred to in the question, and I believe that the matter is at present being considered by the corporation. Any application that may be made to me by that body for financial assistance in the execution of the road works comprised in any proposed widening would receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the large number of cases in which persons who have been ordered to pay damages to other persons on account of injuries inflicted by motor vehicles have been unable to do so owing to lack of means and failure to provide full insurance against this risk; whether he is aware that such a person was recently made bankrupt at Brighton County Court on this account; and whether he will talc steps to make it a condition of the íssue of a licence for any motor car or motor cycle that the applicant shall produce a policy with a recognised insurance office covering without limit the risk of claims from third parties and employés of the applicant, and a receipt for a full year's premium thereon

I am aware that cases arise such as those referred to by the hon. Member, though my attention has not been drawn to the particular one at Brighton. So far as my information goes, however, these cases are extremely rare. In the Metropolitan Police district, the Commissioner, who is the licensing authority, satisfies himself, before granting a licence to ply for lure with public service vehicles, that the applicant is either adequately insured or is of sufficient financial standing to meet any claims that may be made against him. The extension of a similar system to the provinces is under consideration by the Departmental Committee on Hackney Vehicles, and I hope that this Committee will be able to devise a satisfactory scheme to effect this. Public service vehicles stand, however, upon a somewhat different footing to other vehicles, and the application of compulsory insurance to all motor vehicles and motor cycles presents serious difficulties, both practical and administrative. Legislation would, in any case, be required before any such scheme could be put into operation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the effect, during the present strain of traffic, of the process of automatic locking of the carriage doors on underground trains by one of the operative staff of the train, which on certain occasions has caused serious confusion and panic among the passengers, and in view of the shortage of platform staff, he will make overtures to the railway authorities that sufficient platform assistance be provided; that the present dangerous overcrowding should cease; and that the carriage doors should be unlocked, except in the case where printed notices are displayed?

I am advised that there is no objection to the method of operation of the doors on the Piccadilly section of the London underground railways, to which I think my hon. Friend refers. I have, however, brought the points he raises to the notice of the London Electric Railway Company, who state that they have no record of any trouble having arisen in connection with the working of these doors, which, in their view, possess considerable advantages. The company state also that they have already increased their platform staff at very busy stations, and know of no need for additional staff at present. They are further of opinion that overcrowding is less serious now than formerly, owing to the full service run, although it is impossible to avoid it altogether at the busy hours of the day.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to introduce legislation in the Autumn Session to carry out the recommendations of the Committee on the Taxation of Motor-cars, so that the recommendations may be made effective on 1st January, 1925, instead of having to wait until 1926?

The recommendations of the Departmental Committee with regard to the surrender of licences and with regard to the reduction in the surcharge for part year licences, have been anticipated in this year's Finance Bill. The Government have not yet had an opportunity of considering the other recommendations in the Report. Should they decide to adopt any further recommendations, involving a modification of the existing scale of licence duties, I do not think it would be practicable to give effect to them prior to the introduction of the Finance Bill for 1925.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Great Western annex will be completed?

I presume that the Noble Lord's question refers to the extension of the Great West Road from the Bath Road, near Cranford, to the Staines Road, near East Bedford. I understand that the county council hope to have this section of road completed by March, 1925.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention was called to a recent accident on the Great North Road, near Eaton Socon, where a motor lorry loaded with workers went over the hedge and capsized owing to the abnormal slippery nature of the road surface after rain, resulting in serious injury to eight men; whether he will direct inquiry to be made into the very slippery nature of most of the final carpets now being laid down to finish the new main arterial roads as well as the foregoing case; and whether the Ministry will endeavour to do something at once to remedy these defects?

As I have already informed the Noble Lord, complaints have been brought to my notice. I am, accordingly, arranging for some further experiments, with a view to discovering the best means of overcoming the difficulty.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the frequent complaints by milk producers in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, and other midland counties as to the unsuitable character of railway vans provided in many cases for the transportation of milk; whether he has any information as to the additional provision of rolling stock made by the railway groups for milk traffic; and whether he will use any powers he possesses to prohibit the use of unsuitable vehicles?

No complaints have recently been made to me by milk producers to the effect that such rolling stock is inadequate, or that vans provided for this purpose are unsuitable. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any such complaints, I will have them investigated, although I have no compulsory powers in the matter. I am not in a position to give any figures showing the quantity of rolling stock provided by the railway companies specially for the conveyance of milk.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Middlesex County Council at its last meeting accepted the recommendation of its highways committee authorising the acceptance of a tender for surfacing with asphalte at 8s. 5d. per yard super; whether he is aware that the lowest tender was 7s. 4d. per yard; and whether, in view of the fact that the managing director of the successful firm is a member of the Middlesex County Council and also of the highways committee, and was present at both meetings, he will withhold payment of his proportion of the cost of this work until he has made the fullest investigations?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this tender, but I have caused inquiries to be made, and am informed that the tender accepted by the Middlesex County Council was the lowest received for mastic asphalte, the material which, on the county surveyor's advice, it was considered desirable should be used on the road in question. I am advised that the price quoted and accepted is reasonably comparable with prices generally current for this kind of work. In these circumstances, there is no justification for withholding grants. In general, however, If have always held the opinion that the members of committees adjudicating on contracts should not have any personal interest in the decision.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are to be taken to ensure the periodical examination of chars-a-bane on long-distance routes and in constant use?

This matter, among others, is now under consideration by the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Hackney Vehicles, who will, I understand, probably recommend regular inspection. At present I have no powers in this direction, but, where such a vehicle is licensed to ply for hire in any area in which a by-law is in operation as to the fitness of the vehicle, any failure to maintain the vehicle in accordance therewith is a by law offence.