asked the President of the Board of Trade when his Bill for dealing with profiteers will be introduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Bristol (Mr. Baker) on the 18th June, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the volume and value of imports into Great Britain of iron and steel from Franco and Belgium, respectively, for each of the months of March, April, May, and June in 3024, 1923, 1922, and 1913?

The following statement shows the quantity and value of imports into the United Kingdom of iron and steel and manufactures thereof, registered as consigned from France and Belgium, respectively, in each of the periods specified. Similar particulars for the corresponding periods of the years 1913 are not available:

( a ) Quantity. Country and Month. 1922. 1923. 1924. From France: Tons. Tons. Tons. March 5,956 18,670 26,683 April 6,068 22,391 48,929 May 12,600 19,680 58,721 June. 10,851 16,833 35,432 From Belgium: March 26,778 57,855 88,967 April 25,793 65,705 103,142 May 19,070 37,152 167,178 June 16,701 62,366 94,313 ( b ) Declared Value. From France: £ £ £ March 55,905 129,929 195,862 April 58,305 165,644 330,180 May 97,152 160,808 418,929 June 91,695 133,549 247,534 From Belgium: March 283,176 476,347 752,887 April 261,800 551,374 858,000 May 211,151 322,669 1,427,034 June 181,009 567,485 808,044

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has received any explanation from the Soviet Government as to why it is placing obstacles in the way of Russian trade by refusing to allow the Russo-Caucasian Company, Limited, to remain on the register of foreign firms in the U.S.S.R., and is ordering the company to liquidate its business and withdraw its manager from Russia?

Negotiations between the. Russo-Caucasian Company and the Soviet authorities have now been resumed and the liquidation and expulsion orders temporarily suspended. In these circumstances, I do not think it desirable to make any further statement until these fresh negotiations have been brought to a conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any further information with regard to Mrs. Evans in Mexico?

My latest information is to the effect that a report has been received from Mrs. Evans stating that she is being permitted to harvest her wheat without molestation.

asked the Minister of Health how many agricultural parishes, as defined in the Government's Housing Bill, will be eligible for the subsidy of £12 10s. in the area of each administrative county; and bow many parishes in each such area Will not be eligible?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to let the hon. Member have this information, as the compilation of such a statement as he asks for would take a very considerable time. He is, however, arranging to supply hon. Members with the information as regards any particular county in which they may be interested as quickly as it can be ascertained.

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

According to the latest available information it is estimated that the number of parishes in the administrative county of Cardigan which are agricultural within the meaning of Clause 2 (2) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill is 91.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are quantities of bricks stacked at the London County Council Becontree housing estate ready to be used for constructing houses; that before the dispute in the building trade it was impossible to find the necessary skilled labour for constructing houses with them; and whether he can suggest any method by which the difficulty can be overcome?

My right hon. Friend is aware that there are bricks stacked on this site, but on other sites there is a shortage of material. One of the main objects of the Government Housing Scheme is to facilitate the augmentation of skilled labour and material in the building industry and to balance the supplies of both, and he has every hope that the result will be attained.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the officially admitted fact that it takes from three to four years to train an apprentice to become a bricklayer's tradesman, he will state how any extension of the apprenticeship system is expected to materially assist in the construction of a large number of houses which are immediately and urgently needed?

The problem is to increase continuously over a period of years the present insufficient provision of houses for the working classes, and the proposals for an extended apprenticeship system made by the National House Building Committee appear to me the best way of attaining the desired result.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses in- volved in the applications received by his Department for the erection of houses in the borough of Newport (Mon.) under the Housing Act, 1923; how many of these applications do not include the qualifying certificate from the Newport corporation; the number of houses in the same area for which his Department have granted the subsidy, together with the number of any applications refused, with general reasons for such refusal; and to what extent is his Department prepared to favourably consider additional applications which comply with all requirements?

Applications from individuals for assistance under the Housing, Etc. Act, 1923, are not made to the Ministry of Health, but to the local authority, upon whom rests the responsibility for administering the Act under a scheme approved by me. The number of houses included in the scheme submitted by the council of the borough of Newport (Mon.) is 461 and this number has been approved. I have no information as to the number of applications received by the local authority but the latest returns show that assistance has already been promised by the town council in respect of 340 houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the official papers setting oat the terms and conditions governing the award of the housing subsidy under the Government proposals of last year have been withdrawn from sale in the stationery Offices; and, if so, whether he will make it quite clear to the public Unit those proposals are at present in full operation?

The hon. and gallant Member would appear to be misinformed. I understand that the circulars are still on sale at His Majesty's Stationery Office and have not been withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications for the housing subsidy under the proposals of 1923 put forward from the whole county of Oxford how many have been granted; and what is the total of such applications granted on the average in each rural district?

Proposals from 11 local authorities in the county of Oxford for the erection of 625 houses have been made under the Housing, etc., Act., 1923, and authority has so far been given to the erection of 594 houses. Of the approvals given, 173 houses were in applications made by seven rural district councils.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to repeal Article V of the Relief Regulation Order, 1911, which prohibits boards of guardians from making direct payments of rent; and, if not, will he give his reasons?

As my right hon. Friend has stated in reply to previous questions, he does not think it is desirable to rescind the regulation to which the hen. Member refers. The grounds for this decision can hardly be stated in the compass of a reply to a question, but I may say that among other objections to the direct payment of rent are the preferential position which might be secured by the landlords of persons in receipt of poor relief and the risk of abuse.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the board of guardians of Helston, Cornwall, have ignored the recommendation of their house committee that all children in the workhouse from three to 14 years of age be hoarded out, and have decided to retain the children in the workhouse: and whether he intends to take any action in view of this?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is aware of the decision of the board of guardians and he is in communication with them on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the great increase in the cost of lunatic patients now chargeable to hoard of guardians; and whether the allowance of the sum of 4s. per head under the Act of 1888 could be substantially increased?

I am aware of the increased cost of maintenance of lunatics. Legislation, however, would be required for the alteration of the grant, and I cannot undertake to introduce such legislation at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can introduce legislation at an early date to make it compulsory upon Poor Law authorities to grant non-resident relief arid thus obviate the great hardships and consequent breaking up of the homes of deserving poor caused by the action of certain Poor Law guardians who steadfastly refuse to grant non-resident relief?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to similar questions by the hon. Members for the Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) and Brecon and Radnor (Mr. W. A. Jenkins) divisions given to-day.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the grave danger to infant life consequent upon the sale, without let or hindrance, of proprietary infant foods consisting largely or entirely of starch or flour; and whether he proposes to frame Regulations governing the sale of such obnoxious foods, in view of the fact that he has already issued Regulations controlling the sale of desirable infant foods, such as dried milks?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given on the 2nd instant to the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Scrymgeour).

asked the Minister of Health how many death certificates were sent in during the year 1923 in which the words vaccination or vaccinia, occurred; what were the ages of the persons to whom these certificates referred; and how these deaths were ultimately classified?

The words in question occurred upon 11 death certificates received during 1923 in England and Wales. In one of these cases (a child aged one month) it was ascertained upon inquiry that the vaccination had no connection with the death, which was accordingly classified to the certified cause of heat-stroke. The remaining 10 cases, together with two others in which the words did not occur upon the certificate, but which were ascertained upon inquiry to be due to vaccinia, have been classified as follow: Classified to Vaccinia. Classified to other causes in association with Vaccinia. — — 9 months 5 months—Cellulitis 19 years 14 years—Septicæmia 1 month 6 months—Convulsions 6 years 1 month—Septicæmia 10 years 6 years 15 years 50 years

asked the Minister of Health when he is going to appoint the proposed Committee to consider and report on London Government; and whether he will be in a position to state its composition before the Summer Recess?

It is not proposed to appoint any Committee for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation at an early date to allow the admission of pedigree livestock into Great Britain from the Dominions, as was suggested by the recent Imperial Economic Conference?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if the flag depicted in the fresco painting, "The Landing of Charles II at Dover, 26th May, 1660," exhibited in the Commons' Corridor, is supposed to be the present Union Jack; if so, whether he is aware that the banner of St. Patrick was not incorporated in the Union Jack until 1st, January, 1801; and whether he will give instructions, in view of the record attendance of visitors from all parts of the country, and particularly school children, that the flag painted in the picture be, repainted to accurately depict the banner of the period, namely, the banner of St. George, i.e., white with a red cross, and the banner of Scotland, i.e., blue with a white diagonal cross?

I am aware of the anachronism to which the hon. Member refers, but regret that I cannot adopt his suggestion that the flag should he repainted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to state for what purpose it is proposed to utilise the Royal Artillery barracks now vacant at Ipswich?

I am not at present in a position to make a statement, but the question is under close consideration at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has been taken with regard to the 5½ per cent. reduction in officers' pay in respect of consolidated pay, a considerable amount of which is given in lieu of allowances?

Army Order 204 of 1924, paragraph 2, authorises a 5½ per cent. reduction "in all daily and annual rates of pay, including consolidated rates." The fact that consolidated rates of pay are inclusive of allowances is fully appreciated and was taken into account when the Army Order was framed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any further information regarding the illicit exportation of arms that is taking place from this country?

The legal aspects of the case in question are being carefully examined on behalf of the Departments concerned, and I am not at the moment in a position to make a statement to the House.

asked the Home Secretary if he can say, having regard to the fact that the waters of Belfast Lough was a reserved service under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, which Department exercises control there?

There is no provision in the Act reserving control over the waters of Belfast Lough. The Act includes among the reserved mattersnavigation, including merchant shipping except as respects the regulation of harbours and local health regulations. Such matters relating to navigation and merchant shipping as are reserved by this provision are dealt with by the Board of Trade.

asked the Home Secretary the number of inspectors, sergeants, and constables employed in the Metropolitan Police at 30th June for each of the years from 1920 to the present year?

The numbers are as follow:—

Date. Inspectors. Sergeants. Constables. Total. 30th June, 1920. 678 2,985 17,012 20,675 30th June, 1921. 682 2,996 17,374 21,052 30th June, 1922. 670 2,974 16,814 20,458 30th June, 1923. 659 2,940 15,916 19,515 30th June, 1924. 651 2,930 15,718 19,299

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the number of street accidents that have taken place recently at the corner of Nelson Terrace, City Road, E.C.; and whether he will consult the police as to whether anything more can be done to regulate the, traffic at this point?

The Commissioner informs me that the circumstances are known to him, and an alteration of the tramway and omnibus stopping points is under his consideration with a view to removing some of the causes of danger.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will urge the insertion of a Clause in the Road Traffic Bill for the protection of the public from mud splashing from heavy motor vehicles, which is a grievance to the public at large; and is he aware that Ireland already has a compulsory order to this effect?

I believe that all anti-mud splash devices which have any claim to consideration have been tested, and I am advised that there is no device which is sufficiently satisfactory to justify a requirement that such devices should be carried on vehicles. I ant aware that there is an order in force in Southern Ireland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is to be the armament, speed, tonnage and armour protection of the five new additional cruisers; and when does he anticipate that they will be launched and when completed?

It has been the genera? practice to give the design particulars of chips building in the Estimates for the year in which the vessel is expected to complete. It is in the public interest that this procedure should be adhered to, except when it is necessary to make a departure in certain respects to comply with the terms of the Washington Agreement. The contracts provide for delivery in three years after order and the ships should be completed by May, 1927. The date of launching is fixed by the builders and no forecast can yet be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether there are any naval cookery officers borne for the service afloat who have not served in sea-going ships since promotion to warrant rank; and whether cookery officers who have not served afloat since promotion to arrant rank will be given an opportunity to do so, in view of the importance of their being fully acquainted with the modern methods and requirements of cooking in His Majesty's ships forming fleets and squadrons?

The appointments of cookery officers are, in common with those of other branches, dependent on the requirements of the service, and all are liable to serve afloat. Subject to this, the answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty who is in control of the cookery staffs of Ms Majesty's ships during the absence of the accountant officer, observing that the duties of the warrant officers of the accountant branch are not interchangeable?

The next senior accountant officer. Should there be no other competent officer in the ship, the commanding officer would make such arrangements as he considered necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the

— 1919. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. Post Office Savings Bank. Deposits during the year including interest accrued during the year. 173,744,885 107,584,860 89,593,697 93,756,910 90,023,380 Withdrawals 142,029,842 107,425,194 91,945,200 89,770,204 85,095,632 +31,716,043 + 159,666 -2,351,503 +3,986,706 +4,927,748 It is not possible to give figures excluding accrued interest.

advisability of setting up a committee to consider the conditions under which Post Office clerks work: and whether he is aware that grave dissatisfaction exists regarding the remuneration which they receive?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of no circumstances which would warrant the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the conditions of service of Post Office staff. The ordinary means of discussing their remuneration are open to them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the land purchased by the Post Office in Margaret Street, Clerkenwell, has beer fund to be suitable for the purpose for which it was acquired; and, if not, whether he would be willing to consult the local authorities as to whether it could he used for housing purposes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, the delay in development., of the land being due to financial considerations. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts invested in the Post Office Savings Bank and in the National War Savings Certificates, respectively, for each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923?

The information asked for is as follow:

— 1919. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. Savings Certificates. Actual Amounts subscribed in purchase of Certificates during the year. 79,013,449 44,785,311 42,148,948 89,276,671 51,502,037 Repayments (excluding interest). 19,804,618 31,829,879 30,059,083 31,584,025 32,933,018 59,148,831 12,955,432 11,189,865 57,692,646 18,629,919

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the case of William Riley, North Shields, an applicant for an old age pension; whether he is aware that a pension was allowed by the local pensions committee but refused by the Customs and Excise Department, on the ground that there is no evidence of the claimant's age; and whether, having regard to the special circumstances of the case and the difficulty of securing such evidence, he will reconsider this claim?

I am making inquiry into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the 25 per cent. of total marks, to be allotted on the Departmental Report as to a candidate's efficiency in the examination of temporary ex-service men desirous of being put on the permanent establishment, will be assessed before or after the Commissioners have seen the result of the candidates written examination?

The Civil Service Commissioners will have no difficulty in securing that the assessment of efficiency marks will be entirely independent of the result of the written part of the examination.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men are being trained in Government instructional factories; how many still await training; and how many are there who, having been trained, are still awaiting improver-ships?

At the end of June there were 5,279 ex-service men receiving training in Government instructional factories and other training centres. In addition, there were 3,335 receiving training in employers' workshops, 3,567 were awaiting training, of whom 2,141 are resident in Ireland. Of those awaiting training 844 were temporarily unfit for training, and 230 others were being considered for civil liabilities grants in lieu of training. 3,205 men who have completed the institutional part of their training are awaiting improverships.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction existing in the Middlesbrough area at the number of unemployed men who have been refused benefit on the alleged grounds that they are not genuinely seeking work, although they may have tramped miles in search of it and it is well known that no employment is available in the district; and will he make special inquiries into the administration of unemployment benefit in that area?

I have received certain complaints as to cases in which, it is alleged, unemployment benefit has been wrongly disallowed, and I am having full inquiry made into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Zionist organisation is not the only- representative of Jewish views in Palestine, he will consult with the other organisations that represent their views before he accords a definite ratification to the new Ordinances?

If the hon. and gallant Member will explain to what Ordinances the question refers, I shall be in a better position to answer.

asked the Attorney-General if he will give the names of the new Advisory Committee which has been set up by the Lord Chancellor for the Finsbury Division of the County of London?

The names and addresses of the members of the newly constituted Justices' Advisory Committee for the County of London are hereafter set out. The St. Pancras Sub-Committee acts for an area which includes the Finsbury Petty Sessional Division:

Chairman of Committtee: The Lord Cheylesmore, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., 16, Prince's Gate, S.W.7.

Vice-Chairman: Sir William Collins, K.C.V.O., D.L., J.P., 1, Albert Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W.1.

Sub-Committees and Members.

Blackheath: R. G. Brew, Esq., J.P., Snaefell, 306, Brownhilil Road, Ciatford, S.E.6. Sir G. H. Hume, J.P., 83, Lee Road, Blackheath, S. E. 3. W. T. Kelly, Esq., 53, Talfouird Road, S.E.15. G. F. Rowe, Esq., J.P., 5, Lyncroft Gardens, Hampstead, N.W.6. Miss Tuckwell, J.P., 13, Chester Terrace, S.W.1.

Newington: The Right Honourable The Lord Marshall of Chipstead Shabden Park, Chipstead, Surrey. T. G. Newland, Esq., J.P., 44, Black-friars Road, S.E.1. 404 Frank Rider, Esq., J.P., Stanstead House, Durand Gardens, Clapham Road, S.W.9. Sir Evan Spicer, J.P., D.L., Delair, Dulwich, S.E.21. R. S. Tilling, Esq., J.P., 24, Kensington Gore, S.W.7.

Wandsworth: G. H. Stuart Bunning, Esq., O.B.E., J.P., Portland Lodge, Atkins Road, Clapham Park, S.W.12. The Right Honourable Sir Edwin Cornwall, Bart., D.L., J.P., Heath Royal, Putney Hill, S.W.15. E. Evans, Esq., J.P., 253, Lavender Hill, S.W.11. Alderman A. W. Mathias, J.P., 12, Gwendolen Avenue, Putney, S.W.15. Mrs. Wilton Phipps, J.P., 3, Culford Gardens, S.W.3.

Kensington: Sir Francis Anderton, D.L., J.P., 9, St. James's Place, S.W.1. The Right Honourable Sir W. Dickinson, K.B.E., D.L., J.P., 41, Parliament Street, S.W.1. R. M. Gentry, Esq., J.P., 20, Harbord Street, Fulham, S.W.6. Dame Hudson Lyall, D.B.E., J.P., 36, Onslow Gardens, S.W.7. E. L. Meinertzbaben, Esq., J.P., 4, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, S.W.3.

Westminster: Sir James Boy-ton, J.P., 2, Park Square, Regent's Park, N.W.1. J. H. Hunter, Esq., J.P., 12, Westbourne Crescent, W. 2. The Lord Jessel, 24, South Street, Park Lane, W. G. A. Macmillan, Esq. J.P., 27, Queen's Gate Gardens, S.W.7. Mrs. Nevinson, J.P., 4, Downside Crescent, Hampstead, N.W.3. G. W. Tallents, Esq., J.P., 49, Warwick Square, S.W.1. Mrs. Sydney Webb, J P., 41, Grosvenor Road, S.W.1.

St. Pancras: J. E. Cecil Bigwood, Esq., J.P., 11, King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.4. Sir William Collins, K.C.V.O., D.L., J.P., 1, Albert. Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W.1. Alderman D. Davies, J.P., 11, Duke's Road, Tavistock Square, W.C.1. 405 A. Pugh, Esq., J.F., 76–78, Swinton Street, W.C.1. A. G. Walkden, Esq., J.P., 25, Euston Road, N.W.1.

Tower: Walter Eicikhoff, Esq., J.P., "CloveIly," Devonshire Road, N.W.1. E. Friend, Esq., J.P., 21, John Street, Bedford Row, W.C.1. Miss Marion Phillips, D.Sc., J.P., 33, Eccleston Square, S.W.1. W. Ray, Esq., J.P., 5, Holmbury View, Springfield, Upper Clanton, E.5. Sir E. Smith, DI., J.P., 75, Gore Road, Victoria Park, South Hackney, E.9.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to state who will be the principal delegates and delegates substitute representing Great Britain at the forthcoming Assembly of the League of Nations; and whether he has yet been informed of the names of those who will represent the Dominions and India?

The list is not yet complete, and I am unable to say as yet who will represent the Dominions and India.