asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office has yet vacated the land at Lulworth Cove; if not, what arrangements he has made to do so; and whether, in the interval, the interference with the rights of the public and the work of the fishermen has been abandoned?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 2nd instant to the hon. and gallant Members for Southampton (Lord Apsley) and Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). Pending the acquisition of, and removal to, a new site, the use of the existing site must continue, and, in the interests of public safety, certain restrictions are necessary in connection with that use. It has however been arranged to reduce these restrictions by confining the firing to certain days and limiting the hours on those days. I would point out that the land occupied is not at Lulworth Cove.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether his Department has considered proposals for an agreement to let the Carlton Barracks, Leeds, to a limited liability company for the purpose of rodeo exhibitions; whether he has considered the unsuitability of the limited space and the lack of suitable accommodation for the steers, the nuisance to the large numbers of people in the adjoining neighbourhood, and the widespread objection taken in Leeds to the holding of such an exhibition; and whether he will take steps to see that Government property is not used for this purpose?

The matter had not been before me until my hon. Friend's question brought it to my notice, but I have now made inquiries, which however do not confirm the suggestions made in the question. I am informed that no local complaints have been received and that the animals will not be accommodated at Carlton barracks, but on a farm outside Leeds. The control of such an exhibition appears to be primarily a matter for the local authorities, and on the information before me, I am not in a position to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of building trade operatives, skilled and unskilled, employed at present on the Catterick camp extensions; the number of bricks required for the completion of the first contract; and whether a second building contract has been or is about to be made?

The number of building trade operatives is, skilled, 386; unskilled, 487; and the number of bricks required for the completion of the first contract and not yet on the site is 2,500,000. It is proposed to call for tenders for the second contract in December.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many discharges have been made from the Woolwich Arsenal and Dockyard since 1st February last; and whether any more discharges are in contemplation?

The number of discharges for all causes that have taken place from War Department establishments at Woolwich Arsenal and Dockyard during the period in question (excluding transfers) is 956. This includes 141 discharges on account of age or ill-health and 336 resignations. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member is aware that a certain number of discharges occurring out of the ordinary course of wastage, etc., will be rendered necessary by the evacuation of stores from the dockyard.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the gross and net totals of the audited expenditure on the Army for the year 1913–14, by similar Votes and sub-heads as the Estimates for the current year?

I regret that the hon. Member's suggestion is not practicable. Such figures could only be obtained from accounts currently compiled, and in 1913–14 the present cost accounting system was not in existence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will furnish a Return giving information for the year 1923 of general courts-martial, number of convictions and total periods of imprisonment or detention awarded; and district courts-martial, number of convictions and total periods of imprisonment or detention awarded?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the particulars of courts-martial included in the General Annual Report for 1923. I am about to lay this report on the Table, and copies will be available in the course of a few days.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Robert Elijah Daniels, of Braneaster Staithe, King's Lynn, late No. 6,839,696, acting corporal, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who was discharged on 9th January, 1923, after five years' service, suffering from malaria; if he is aware that pension has been refused by the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on the grounds that Daniels is not suffering from malaria, although the man's medical attendant certified on 9th August this year that this man had been under his care on several occasions suffering from undoubted attacks of malarial fever; and, in view of the dissatisfaction which has been caused by the decision of his Department in this instance, will he consider instituting an appeal in cases of this description to an independent tribunal?

This soldier was not invalided from the Army, but was discharged in consequence of reduction of establishment on 9th January, 1923. He afterwards claimed a disability pension in respect of malaria, stated to have been contracted in India, and was examined by a medical board in July, 1923. The medical board, from whose opinion the medical authorities at the War Office see no reason to differ, found that he was suffering from malaria, but that the degree of disablement was less than 20 per cent. This degree of disability is not sufficient for the grant of disability pensions to ex-soldiers, and no exception can be made in favour of Mr. Daniels. The question of establishing an independent tribunal to deal with appeals of this nature has been fully considered, but I am satisfied that the interests of the soldier are fully protected under the existing procedure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what course the Government intends to pursue in view of the passing by the legislative assembly of a Bill repealing the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908?

The Bill in question passed only one of the two Chambers before the Legislature adjourned. No question therefore of action by His Majesty's Government arises at present.

asked they Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that the district magistrate of Shahjahanpur has now been compelled to apply for British troops to quell the Hindoo-Moslem disturbances at that place, and that the reduction of 18,000 British troops below the pre-War figure has placed too great a strain on the ability of the military authorities in India to meet all the demands made on them for assistance in suppressing internal disturbances; and whether the question of the reductions in the strength of the British garrison in India will now be brought up for reconsideration by the Defence Committee and the authorities concerned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Secretary of State does not accept as a fact the suggestion contained in the second part, which is not supported by any of the information in his possession. The answer to the third part is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to letters recently published purporting to be facsimiles of letters written by ministers of the Bengal Council, which letters indicate the existence of corruption and jobbery in connection with the affairs of the Bengal Council; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have seen an Indian newspaper containing what apparently purports to be a copy of a letter from an ex-Minister of the Bengal Government. Mr. Fuzlul Huq, to whom the authorship of the alleged letter is imputed, has, according to Press reports, stated in the Bengal Council that he never wrote any such letter, that the letter is not genuine, and that it purports to be addressed to a gentleman who does not exist.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the pensions of Indian service officers enjoy a smaller increase in respect of increased cost of living than those of British service officers as compared with 1919; and whether it is intended to place both services on the same footing in this respect?

In considering the reduction of Indian service military pensions my Noble Friend is taking account of the fact that the increase in 1919 on account of the Cost of living was not uniformly the same for both services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the plight of the Royal Indian Marine; and what decision the Government of India has arrived at regarding the reorganisation of the Royal Indian Marine on a combatant basis?

Consideration of the future of the Royal Indian Marine is proceeding, but has not yet reached a stage at which any decision can be announced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the return of casualties in Waziristan during July last giving the list of officers, non-commissioned officers and men killed in action and died of wounds, etc.; and whether the Government of India have now reconsidered the question of withdrawing the field-service concessions from the troops in Waziristan under which they have hitherto been serving?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, an inquiry has been addressed to the Government of India and my Noble Friend will consider the matter on receipt of their reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the Indian Legislative Assembly has definitely shown itself opposed to cooperation and without the sense of responsibility as required by the Preamble to the Government of India Act, and has done its best to wreck the reforms, the Viceroy will now suspend the Assembly sine die and govern the country without it?

The Governor-General of India has not indicated any disposition to take this course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the amount of gold that India has bought in Britain in 1924, and also the amount that India has bought in New York in 1924?

Figures distributing Indian gold imports among countries of origin are available only for the first seven months, January to July, of 1924. During this period of gold imports valued at approximately Rs. 17 crores, the value of the imports from the United Kingdom and Natal^* was Rs. 11¾ crores, approximately. During the same period no gold was imported into India from the United States.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the full amount of 15 crores was subscribed to the last rupee loan?

No, Sir. The subscriptions amounted approximately to 13¼ crores.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the practice of the Ministry, in the event of the widow of an officer or man being granted a pension by reason of the death of her husband as a consequence of his War service, to pay such pension from the day after the death of the husband; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure that pension so granted shall be payable from that date in future?

It is the general rule of the Department to award pension from the date of application. An exception is, however, made in favour of widows and dependants, and in these cases, if application is made within two months of the death, the award takes effect from the date of death. If the hon. and gallant Member has any particular case in mind in which the general rule appears to have worked harshly in exceptional circumstances, my right hon. Friend will be happy to give it his personal consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the award of a gratuity under Article 22 of the Royal Warrant is held by the Ministry of Pensions to preclude a dependant whose circumstances may subsequently become less favourable from applying for the issue of a pension at a later date; and, if so, why such a view is held?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The terms of Article 22 define the gratuity which is payable on the cessation of pension as final, and the Article has been consistently administered on this basis.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to travellers by the cancellation of train services in the middle of the month without any notice in official time-tables; and if he could consult the railway companies as to the possibility of giving notice of intended alterations in time for an earlier publication of railway time-tables?

I am not clear to what particular circumstances the right hon. Gentleman refers. So far as the substitution of the winter railway services for the summer services is concerned, I understand that due notice of the proposed alteration in the time-tables was given by the railway companies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the main London to Folkestone road, at the Small Arms Schools, Hythe, there is a very dangerous blind corner at the foot of Barrack Hill caused by a wall seven feet high surrounding the adjutant's grounds; whether he is aware that several accidents have occurred at that corner, and that the War Office has not acceded to the request of the local authority to have permission to remove the wall and take sufficient ground to straighten the road; and whether, in view of the fact that the ground required by the local authority for that purpose is very little and of no military value, and the proposed improvements would provide work for those who would otherwise be unemployed, he will immediately grant the land required for the improvement to the local authority, or, alternatively, whether he will immediately cause the wall which constitutes the chief danger to be replaced by a railing?

I am having enquiries made, and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet ascertained what additional powers he requires to enable him to ensure the general prescription of adequate building lines so that the future widening of arterial roads may be possible as it becomes necessary?

I am aware what additional powers are necessary to secure the very desirable results at which the hon. and gallant Member aims, and I hope it may be possible to frame generally acceptable clauses which could be embodied in any future highway legislation of a general character.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce amending legislation with regard to the lighting of road vehicles?

I am afraid I am not in a position to state when it will be possible to introduce a Bill dealing with the lighting of road vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is in a position to state whether the Committee appointed to consider the regulation of road traffic has made any Report relative to the carrying of reflecting mirrors by all motor vehicles being made compulsory?

The Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles in their Second Interim Report recommended that if the driver of a vehicle is prevented by reason of the construction, condition or use of the vehicle from readily hearing the signals of vehicles overtaking him, then the vehicle should be provided with either a sound receiver and transmitter or with a suitable reflecting mirror. As I have already stated in answer to previous questions, I am awaiting a suitable opportunity to introduce legislation giving effect to many of the recommendations of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has been able to secure from the railway company concerned any modification of the order for the closing down of the Springhead locomotive works?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, to the question upon this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 29th July.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the threatened closing down of railway works in Scotland and the transfer of the work previously done there to England; whether any intimation was given to him of such action; and whether he can put Section 9 of the Railways Act, 1921, in operation to stop these actions of the railway companies?

I understand that some of the railway companies are considering the possibility of securing economies by some re-arrangement of their manufacturing and repairing work, but no case has been brought to my notice affecting Scotland. The Section of the Railways Act to which my hon. Friend refers would not appear to have any bearing on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have been taken to set up the London traffic authority; whether he will direct their attention to repair work being carried on along the north side of Clapham Common; whether he is aware that these repairs to under a mile of road surface have taken five months so far and are still far from completion; and whether he will take steps to see that, in future, all road repairs are proceeded with as rapidly as possible in the London traffic area?

All possible steps have been taken to set up the London Traffic Committee. As the Noble Lord is aware Parliament, when the Bill was before them, decided on the introduction of special machinery for the nomination of representatives on the Committee, and these nominations cannot be completed until after the 27th November. The repair works to which the Noble Lord refers in the latter part of his question were, I am informed, commenced on the 10th June last and will be completed about the end of this month. I am assured that the works in question are being carried out with all reasonable despatch. I am as anxious as the Noble Lord that road repairs in the London traffic area should be carried out as expeditiously as practicable, and when the Committee get to work road repairs to important thoroughfares will be subject to the provisions of Section 4 of the Act.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Departmental Committee on the taxation and regulation of road vehicles has yet made its report on the subject of top-deck covers for omnibuses; and, if not, whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to the public who are compelled to travel on the outside of omnibuses on wet days, the Regulations governing motor omnibuses plying for hire within the Metropolitan police district can be waived so as to permit of licences being granted for experimental purposes, and for a given period only, for five or more omnibuses to ply for hire after having been fitted with a form of top-dock cover approved by his Department?

I have not yet received the report of the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Hackney Vehicles upon the subject of top-deck covers for omnibuses, but the Committee are meeting at an early date to consider this subject, and I hope to receive a report thereon in the near future. Before experimenting in the crowded streets of London it seems to me desirable to await the conclusions of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the estimated cost of the new road from Walton-on-Naze to Frinton station; by whom was the cost to be paid and in what amounts what sum has been expended up to date; whether the road is in a derelict condition; if it is proposed to complete it; and what would have been the cost to widen and complete the old road?

I have been asked to reply. The estimated cost of the road referred to by the hon. Member was £2,000, to be financed by loan in respect of which the Unemployment Grants Committee had promised 65 per cent. of the interest and sinking fund charges for half the term of the loan, i.e., for 10 yeas. It is understood that the Essex County Council are to contribute a sum not exceeding 25 per cent. of the total cost, the balance being found by the Walton-on-Naze Urban District Council. Up to the 31st March last £4,785 had been expended. I understand that no work has been done since the beginning of the year owing, mainly, to difficulties which have arisen between the district council and the contractor. New tenders have been invited and are now under consideration. I have no information on the last point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the unequal sentences passed on those convicted of being drunk whilst in charge of motor cars; and whether he is prepared to take the necessary legislative steps to ensure that, in case of conviction for this offence, the driving licence held by the offender shall be automatically withdrawn?

I am aware that the sentences passed for this offence vary greatly. This is inevitable if due regard is paid to the varying circumstances of the individual cases, and while I agree that the stringent exercise of existing powers in serious cases is very desirable, I should not be in favour of making the withdrawal of an offender's licence a necessary consequence of a conviction in every case.

asked the Home Secretary the number of street accidents resulting either in death or injury to persons which have occurred during the last 12 months at the junction of Mintern Street and New North Road, Shoreditch?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the decision in the Court of Session. Edinburgh, of the 8th August last in the action of suspension and interdict at the instance of the Etna Iron and Steel Company, Limited, v. Alex. Bryden, collector of parish council rates for the parish of Dalziel, and where the Court decerned that under the 37th Section of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act, 1845, the complainer's works, entered in the valuation roll at an annual rental of £1,396, were entitled to a deduction from the said rental of £4,653 13s. 6d., or, in other words, had no assessable value and were not liable to be rated for the support of the poor, education, and other charges leviable by the parish council of the parish; and what steps he proposes to take to have this Section of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act repealed or amended, so that the whole burden of Poor Law relief and charges for education may not be thrown back on the owners and occupiers of house property only?

My attention has been called to the case referred to in which the conclusion of the Court was substantially as stated. The question of the repeal or amendment of Section 37 of the Act of 1845 will require to be considered in connection with any general measure of rating reform.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is now prepared to set up a Committee to inquire into the question of assaults and other sexual offences committed against children in Scotland?

I am considering the question whether such a Committee of Inquiry should be appointed, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject. Before reaching a decision, I shall carefully consider a memorandum which was recently sent to me by the noble lady.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether, seeing that it has hitherto been the practice to consult the Prison Commissioners on all questions of liberation of prisoners before the completion of their sentences, he will say whether the Commissioners were consulted before the liberation of John McVey and Joseph Trainer, who were each sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude at the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh on 31st January, 1919, for forging and uttering Treasury notes, and were released after serving 5½ years of their term of imprisonment; whether the Commissioners were aware of the fact that it was proved in evidence at the trial that these two men visited Lanarkshire mining villages on Saturday afternoons and evenings and during busy hours passed bogus notes for small purchases and, further, that McVey had in his house a plate for making forgeries and uttering Treasury notes; whether any representations, written or oral, were made for their release; and what were the reasons for which their liberation was ordered;(2) whether any liberations of prisoners before the completion of their sentences have been granted without consultation with the Prison Commissioners since the present Government assumed office; and, if so, how many?

I think that the assumption upon which the two questions proceed is based upon a misapprehension. It is not the practice to consult the Prison Commissioners on questions of the liberation of prisoners. The Commissioners are only consulted where questions of health or other special circumstances coming within their purview are involved. During my tenure of office there have been 15 eases of special liberation (including those of McVey and Trainer) in which occasion for reports by the Prison Commissioners did not occur and one case in which such occasion did occur. For the reasons which have given the extent to which the Prison Commissioners were aware of the, evidence given at the trial of McVey and Trainer is not material. A petition in favour of the release of McVey and Trainer was sent to me last March, and after full consideration I felt justified in advising that the men should be released on licence after serving 5½ years. I would remind the hon. Member that it would be contrary to practice to state the grounds on which the prerogative of mercy is exercised in any case but my decision was only reached after very carefully considering all the circumstances.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of clerks in the Register of Sasines who are qualified solicitors; and whether any of those engage in private practice?

There are 29 solicitors employed as clerks in the Sasine Office. I am informed that three of these take out the annual licence which is required to enable them to practise, but I am not aware of the extent to which they actually practise.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that Mr. Robinson, solicitor, has been appointed temporarily for 12 months, which becomes permanent, to the procurator fiscal staff at Hamilton Sheriff Court, over the heads of much older solicitors and others; and will he inquire into the circumstances of this case?

I have made inquiry regarding the recent deputation granted to Mr. John Young Robertson to act as Depute Procurator Fiscal at Hamilton, which is presumably the appointment to which the hon. Al ember refers. The deputation was granted by the Procurator Fiscal with the consent of the Lord Advocate under Section 24 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, is for 12 months, and does not become permanent. The holder is not required to give his whole time to the duties of the office, which is remunerated out of an allowance of £3 per week made to the Procurator Fiscal. I have no reason to believe that Mr. Robertson was preferred to much older solicitors or others whose services could have been commanded by the remuneration available, or that Mr. Robertson is not in every way qualified to discharge the duties of the office.

asked the, Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the complaints of the staff of the Scottish Board of Health with regard to the premises in which the Department is housed in Prince's Street, Edinburgh; that this Departmental building was an old hotel and quite unsuitable as offices; that in one room there is little or no ventilation or heating; and that several rooms are uninhabitable at times in consequence of smoke; and whether he will cause an in- vestigation to be made into the grievances of the staff with a view to remedial action?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am aware that complaints have been made that certain of the rooms in the rear portion of premises occupied by the Scottish Board of Health in Prince's Street, Edinburgh, are defective in ventilation and heating, and arrangements are now in progress which will, I trust, improve the conditions now obtaining.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of the fact that the admiral's writers' office of the "Queen Elizabeth" is situated on the water-line above the Propellers, that the mess of the writers on the admiral's staff has no natural light or open ventilation, and that these ratings have had to work excessive hours beyond ordinary working periods, he will call for further reports regarding the suitability of the conditions under which these writer ratings have to work, especially after a number of hours at sea in bad weather, when the ports cannot he opened in the office space; and will he also investigate the office and living spaces of the other flagships employed on the Mediterranean station with a view to doing everything within reason to provide healthy working and living spaces for writers?

The question of the accommodation of the writers in the Admiral's office in H.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth" has recently been the subject of investigation and reports, and the question of possible improvements is still under consideration. No useful purpose would therefore be served by calling for fresh reports. As regards the second part of the question, particulars of office accommodation in other flagships on the Mediterranean station is already available, and samples of air from offices and other spaces in different ships are taken for test periodically. I must not be understood to agree with the statement that the hours worked by writers in "Queen Elizabeth" are excessive.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any information has been received with reference to Pilot-officer Stewart and Lieutenant W. S. Day, who were recently lost in the Iraq desert; and what further steps it is proposed to take in order, if possible, to ascertain what has happened to them?

I regret that despite exhaustive search by aircraft, armoured cars, mounted police and some tribal patrols, which continued almost unceasingly for four days following their disappearance, no trace of the two officers could be found, apart from footprints in the immediate vicinity of their aeroplane. This search was finally abandoned on the fourth day. Police and special service officers have since continued to prosecute inquiries in the villages, but no clue has been obtained, and it is feared that the officers have lost their lives. A Court of Inquiry has been held, and its proceedings are now awaited. It is anticipated that these will show that every possible step has been taken to trace the missing officers.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to close the marine armament experimental establishment in the Isle of Grain; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that it is an essential station in ease of air raids on London and vital to the defences of the Thames and Medway and the naval yards of Chatham and Sheerness, and also admirably situated for air practice and bombing owing to its proximity to the rivers and the sea, he will consider, before taking any step to close the station, whether it would be more economical to retain it than to remove it, having regard to the expense already incurred?

The establishment referred to has already been closed and the experimental work previously carried out there transferred to other stations. The decision to close the station was reached after careful consideration of all aspects of the question, including those mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education what protection against political propaganda will be afforded to British children who are to be instructed by teachers from Russia?

Though I have only received an interim report upon the inquiry as to the possibility of interchange of teachers with Russia, I understand that the Soviet Government do not want to send any teachers here at present. In any case, there is no danger of any English schools tolerating political propaganda. I hope it will be possible for a limited number of English teachers to go to

—		Twelve months ended 31st March, 1924.		Six months from 1st April to 2nd October, 1924.
		Elementary.	Secondary.	Elementary.	Secondary.
Proposals received	…	95	40	116	41
Proposals sanctioned	…	68	40	38	36

The proposals which have been received, but not yet sanctioned, during the current year are passing through the normal stages of consideration. The figures relating to secondary schools do not include proposals for the admission of existing schools to the list of grant-earning; secondary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether food prices are higher than they were a month ago; and what is now the average increase price over the pre-War level so far as food is concerned?

I have been asked to reply. The information received up to the present is not sufficient to enable me to state the average increase in food prices at 1st October over the pre-War level, which is due to be published next week. It is certain, however, that it will be higher than 66, which was the average increase at 1st September.

asked the President of the Beard of Trade whether he can state

asked the President of the Board of Education how many proposals for new elementary and secondary schools, respectively, have been received by his Department in the current year; how many have been sanctioned; and how these figures compare with 1923–24?

The figures are as follow:what has been the wise in the price of bread since 1st August and 1st, September, respectively and whether he has made any investigations into the causes which have brought about such increase?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.The information furnished to the Ministry of Labour shows an average price of bread, per 4 lbs.. in Great Britain of, approximately, 9¼d. at let August and 9½d. at let September. The average price at 1st October will, I am informed, he slightly above that of the previous month, but the particulars at present available are not sufficiently complete to enable the exact figure to be stated. The changes in the price of bread, per 4 lbs., in London, announced since the beginning of 1921 by the Associations of Master Bakers, are shown in the following statement, together with the price of London-made straight-run flour at the same dates as announced by the London Flour Millers' Association. The quoted price on the same dates of a leading variety of imported wheat is added for the purpose of comparison.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1), if he is aware of the recent advance in the price of bread and other household necessaries, particularly in the case of those dutiable articles of household consumption on which the duty was reduced by the 1924 Budget whether he has information indicating that rings exist with a view to taking advantage of the reduction in duty to advance the price; and if he intends to take any action to deal with the situation thereby created;(2), if he will state the average retail price of tea and sugar, respectively, on the day before the present Government came into office, on the day on which the Budget of 1924 was introduced, and on the 30th September, 1924; whether he has information that the advance in price is due to concerted action by those in a position to create an artificial rise in price; and what action, if any, the Government proposes to take with a view to preventing profiteering in these essentials?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what were the retail prices of tea on 30th September, and what were, the prices on the 31st of March last?

furnished the following information in continuation of his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd October, 1924; cols. 357–8, Vol. 177]:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state when payment will be made of the belated claims for suffering and damage by enemy action?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that numbers of belated claimants have not yet received any intimation about the success or failure of their claims for reparation from the Royal Commission; and whether he can name a date by which all the belated claims will have been settled;(2) if he is aware that, in spite of the publicity afforded by his Department, there are still a number of persons who have genuine cases of damage done to them by enemy action whose claims have not been sent in in time, and therefore cannot be entertained; and whether, he will take the necessary steps to allow all genuine claims to be examined and to obtain from Parliament the funds necessary to settle these claims with justice?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is expected that payments will be made in respect of reparation claims from the solatium of £300,000?

Every endeavour is being made to complete the examination of the claims within the period already indicated to the House, namely, by the end of the first week of November. When this work is completed, the payment of claims will be promptly begun. Where claimants are considered unlikely to have any valid claims against the fund, they are so informed; but it is not proposed to communicate with claimants whose claims have been admitted until the time for payment arrives. I regret that, as has already been frequently stated in this House, it is not possible to consider any claim which was not lodged with the Reparation Claims Department by the 1st June last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many belated claims of victims of enemy damage who are members of the mercantile marine yet remain unsatisfied?

I may point out that members of the mercantile marine who suffered by enemy action have already been compensated to an extent which will amount in all to something like 11,000,000 sterling. 22,057 merchant seamen, fishermen and dependants of such persons, have notified possible claims (in the belated category) under the Reparation Scheme, in addition to what they have already received; and to all of these the proper forms for furnishing particulars of damage have been sent. 2,920 of these persons have not yet returned the forms or furnished the particulars of damage necesary for such claims to be dealt with. Payment cannot be made in respect of belated reparation claims to any claimants till the claims have been examined. Every endeavour is being made to complete this work within the period already indicated to the House, namely, the end of the first week in November. When the work is completed the payment of claims will be promptly begun.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the fact that many seamen having claims for loss through enemy action have been unable to put in their claims to the Reparations Department by the 1st June owing to absence at sea or overseas when the notices to send in claims were published, the Board of Trade will allow an extended period for sending in claims in such cases;(2) when it is proposed to make a distribution of the £300,000 in respect of the belated reparations claims; and whether he will expedite the distribution as much as possible in view of the distressed condition of many of the claimants who are seamen and dependants, of seamen?

I would refer to the answer which I am giving to-day to the hon. Members for the Kirkdale division of Liverpool (Sir J. Pennefather), Kingston-upon-Hull East (Mr. Lumley) and Birkenhead East (Mr. G. White), a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and learned Member. I would further point out that the War risks compensation scheme and the other special War schemes for merchant seamen have been charged with payment of compensation which will amount in all to something like £11,000,000, and that the £300,000 is merely in respect of belated claims under one of these schemes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the proposed agreement between the Interessen Gemeinschaft and the British Dyestuffs Corporation?

Yes, Sir. The Board of the British Dyestuffs Corporation have been informed that the Government would feel compelled to exercise their power of veto with respect to an agreement with the Interessen Gemeinschaft on the lines suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state whether he is prepared to accede to the suggestion made to him that he will appoint a small Committee representing the different interests concerned to go into the question of discipline in the merchant service and, if necessary, to report to the Board of Trade?

My information is to the effect that, on the whole, discipline in the merchant service is getting better rather than worse, and that a good deal of such difficulty as exists is due to the fact that masters frequently omit to use the means they have at present, in the way of prosecuting and giving bad discharges. I am, therefore, somewhat doubtful whether a Committee can do much real good, but if the associations representing the interests concerned consider that a Committee on discipline would serve a useful purpose, and so inform the Board of Trade, I should be willing to appoint a Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to make an immediate further distribution of at least 5s. in the £ by the Enemy Debts Department, as recently recommended by the Select Committee on Estimates?

A further dividend of 7s. 6d. in the £ was paid by the Clearing Office on the 8th July on awards under Article 297 (e) of the Treaty of Versailles, making a total distribution up to date of 15s. in the £. All awards of £50 and under have been paid in full.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what other countries have adopted the provisions of the Convention of Brussels (October, 1922); whether it is proposed to defer the coming into operation of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1924, until other countries have adopted its provisions; and, if not, on what date it is proposed that the Act shall become operative?

So far as I am aware, no other countries have yet adopted the provisions of the Convention on Bills of Lading. Arrangements are being made to bring the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act into operation on the 1st January, 1925.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Court which investigated the loss with all hands of the s.s. "Nunnington," where it has been found that the vessel left Swansea on the 11th April last in improper trim, overloaded, and of insufficient stability; why, having regard to its importance, the Board of Trade did not cause the owner to be made a party to this inquiry; whether at any time prior to her loss the vessel was surveyed by Board of Trade surveyors; if so, can he state the nature of their reports; whether they reported that no data was provided for those on board as regards the stability of the vessel; and whether, as the Court states that the form of the "Nunnington" was similar to most vessels of her type, the Board of Trade intend to act upon the recommendation of the Court that no vessel should leave any British shipyard and go in service unless and until the vessel has been proved to have sufficient stability for the intended trading, and that those who have responsibility in the matter should be in possession of simple and clear data to enable them to provide for sufficient stability for all possible light and loaded conditions?

The Board of Trade have now under consideration the report of the Court of Inquiry into the circumstances attending the loss of the steamship "Nunnington." On the information available at the time when the inquiry was ordered, there was not sufficient reason for making the owner a party to the inquiry, the primary object of the inquiry being to establish the cause of the loss of the vessel, with a view to preventing similar occurrences in future. The vessel was seen by the Board of Trade surveyors on three occasions, namely, in November, 1920, August, 1922, and December, 1923. On each of these occasions the life-saving appliances and lights were inspected and found satisfactory. In August, 1922, the vessel was detained for being overladen, and in December, 1923, certain repairs to the hull, necessitated by the vessel having been aground, were seen and found satisfactory. No report was received by the Board of Trade to the effect that no data were provided for the use of those on board regarding the stability of the vessel. The important general questions raised by this report and the recommendations of the Court on the subject of stability are being carefully considered by the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether most-favoured-nation treatment has been arranged for the goods of Great Britain to be exported to Germany?

Month of 1924.							Imports consigned from Russia.	Exports consigned to Russia.
								United Kingdom Merchandise.	Foreign and Colonial Merchandise.
							£	£	£
January	…	…	…	…	…	…	1,217,308	94,395	367,571
February	…	…	…	…	…	…	562,468	171,843	62,870
March	…	…	…	…	…	…	483,698	42,358	246,693
April	…	…	…	…	…	…	877,674	88,114	281,141
May	…	…	…	…	…	…	771,700	144,209	247,779
June	…	…	…	…	…	…	677,923	122,612	1,558,623
July	…	…	…	…	…	…	3,032,614	454,411	1,814,432
August	…	…	…	…	…	…	2,971,598	239,841	595,480

Since I furnished particulars for the earlier months of the year, in reply to previous questions on 30th April and 24th June, the figures have undergone some correction, and they are still liable to some adjustment on final examination of the returns.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) the yardage of cloth exported to Russia in 1913 and 1923, respectively;(2) the quantity of boots and shoes exported to Russia in 1913 and 1923, respectively;

The Clauses in the Treaty of Versailles under which we receive most-favoured-nation treatment, apart from special privileges accorded to Alsace and Lorraine and to Luxemburg, cease to have effect on 10th January next, but negotiations are in progress for the conclusion of a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with Germany, one object of which will be to safeguard British trade in this matter, and in this connection I am in consultation with British industrial and commercial interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of trade that has been done with Russia for the months of July and August?

The following statement shows the declared values of the merchandise imported into and exported and re-exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, registered as consigned from or to Russia in each of the first eight months of 1924:(3) the quantity of rage and flax imported from Russia in 1913 and 1923, respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member, so far as the particulars are available. In view of territorial changes, the corresponding figures in respect of the Succession States have been added in order to preserve comparability as far as possible.

asked (1) the President of the Board of Trade if he is in a position to state the amount of purchases made and orders placed in this country on behalf of the Soviet Government during the last nine months; and whether these purchases are being paid for by cash;(2) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount and nature of large purchases made abroad by the Soviet Government since the beginning of the year; and whether cash was paid for these purchases?

I have been asked to reply. According to Board of Trade Returns for the eight months ending 31st August, the exports of British produce and manufactures to Russia amounted to £1,357,783, and re-exports of foreign and colonial produce to £5,343,497—totalling £6,701,280. According to the publication entitled "Russian Information and Review," which is issued by the Trade Delegation of the Soviet Union, purchases were made in the United Kingdom by Arcos, Ltd., to a total of £4,151,305 for the period 1st January to 31st July. These figures do not include the purchases made by other organs of the Soviet Union engaged in Russo-British trade, and they probably comprise articles of foreign as well as of British manufacture. It is understood that some purchases are being paid for by cash while the majority have been made on terms of credit of varying length. I have no information in regard to the purchases referred to in Question 83.