asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the imminent closing of the Winchelsea-Rye road; and whether he can take any steps, in the interests of the inhabitants of the district, to prevent this action?

I have been asked to reply, and I would refer the hon. Member to my answer yesterday to the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon). The road is to be closed only against such heavy traffic as it is unfit to bear, the reason being that I have no funds at my disposal to fit it for such traffic. The Department's statutory obligation is only to maintain the road to the extent of the revenue arising from the tolls. The fitting of the road to take heavy motor traffic would be a matter not of maintenance but of reconstruction. The road is of no military value, and I have no authority to incur heavy capital expenditure from Army funds in rebuilding it for civilian traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if the Departmental Committee on Hackney Vehicles has yet reported on the desirability of extending to the provinces the system obtaining in the Metropolitan police district, whereby the Commissioner satisfies himself, before granting licences to ply for hire with public service vehicles, that the applicant is either adequately insured or is of such financial standing as to be able to meet claims against him in respect of accidents;(2) if the Departmental Committee on Hackney Vehicles has yet reported on the desirability of regular inspection of chars-a-bane?

I understand that the Departmental Committee on Hackney Vehicles are on the point of presenting an Interim Report dealing mainly with the construction and regulation of omnibuses and other similar public service vehicles. The Committee now propose immediately to renew consideration of the other matters covered by their Terms of Reference, including the points mentioned in the hon. Member's questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Mr. W. E. Melton, formerly No. 4,261,119, boy, Northumberland Fusiliers. was discharged from the Army after a short period of service suffering from a dis- ability which completely prevents him from following any occupation; that, previous to his enlistment, he was at the Wellesley Nautical School, Blyth, where his health was always excellent; and, in view of these facts, whether he will inquire into the case in order to try and secure some means of subsistence other than parish relief for this ex-soldier?

I am inquiring into this case and will communicate further with the hon. Member in clue course.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, in view of the fact that there can be no appeal to the pensions tribunal after one year and that this has frequently been proved to be too short, and that a great many cases that are out of time go to the chairman of the pensions appeal tribunal on the point of deterioration and cannot be heard on that account, he will consider whether three, or at least two, years can be allowed for appeal, these years to commence at the end of receiving final award as regards pensions under 20 per cent., and from the commencement of the receiving permanent pension of 20 per cent. or over, which would allow ample time to discover if there was any real deterioration; and is he aware that thee, proposals have the approval of the tribunals?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough West (Mr. T. Thomson) on the 2nd instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mr. John Carr of Back Grafton Street, Liverpool, who has lost the use of his hand as a result of his war service, does not now receive a pension for this disability; and what steps can be taken to secure him a permanent pension?

The documents in this case have now been obtained, and I am having it further considered with reference to all the circumstances. I will write fully to the hon. Baronet when my inquiries have been completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can now see his way to recommend an assimilation of the rates of pension under pre-War Regulations with the higher rates under post-War Regulations?

As regards Army pensions, officers and soldiers with pre-War pensions who served in the Army during the War have had their pensions reassessed on the post-War scale. Those who did not so serve, and civilians, are dealt. with under the Pensions (Increase) Acts of 1920 and 1924. I regret that I do not see my way to recommend a variation of these arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has received a copy of the address presented to His Excellency the Viceroy by the All India Viswakarman Liberal Federation, a community said to number over 30,000,000 of the handicrafts men and artisan classes of India, praying for representation on the Legislative Assembly and provincial councils from which they are debarred at present by the higher classes whom they term the narrow educated minority; and what steps are being taken to give the artisan class of India the representation in the various local government bodies and councils that they desire?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Pending the completion of the inquiry now proceeding into the working of the present constitution, it would be premature to make any statement in reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the percentage of lawyers, including barristers, pleaders and bakils, in the Indian Legislative Assembly and the various provincial councils, respectively; and if the information is not available here. will he obtain it from India?

I am asking the Government of India to supply the information, which is not available here.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the statement issued to the Indian Press by Hakim Ajmal Khan, a leading Congress man, on the subject of the Hindu-Muslim riots at Delhi, in which he condemns the local authorities for having done nothing to curb the propagandist activities and mischievous agitation engineered by interested parties; and will the Secretary of State now represent to the Government of India the necessity of bringing in the necessary legislation that will enable the local authorities to curb these propagandist activities and mischievous agitations, as desired by the hakim, without fear of the consequences?

My Noble Friend has no doubt that the Government of India will give to the representations made in the statement referred to all the consideration that they deserve and he does not propose to intervene in aid of their judgment upon them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the accusation made by an Akali vernacular paper to the effect that boys in one of the Shahidi jathas were suspended from trees by their hair and then brutally beaten by the Nabha authorities; considering that Nabha is a native State under treaty with the British Government, will he take the necessary legal steps to protect the officials of the Nabha State from similar calumnies; and, if the existing law in India is not adequate to deal with the present irresponsibility displayed by Indian journalists, will he take steps to strengthen that law?

I have seen a translation or summary of the article referred to. The editor of the paper is being prosecuted on a charge based on the issue containing that article, and I presume the charge relates to the article. My Noble Friend has received from the Government of India no indication of an opinion that the existing law in India in regard to press responsibility is inadequate.

asked the right hon. Member for Tiverton, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if, with a view to providing employment to old or unskilled workers in the rural parts of Shropshire, he will arrange, without delay, for the replanting of the hills round Winsterley, Salop?

In the event of the Forestry Commissioners being able to acquire any land near Winsterley, planting will be proceeded with. A negotiation for an area in the district recently fell through, but the Commissioners are prepared to consider any offers of suitable land in the neighbourhood. Planting grants are available to the owners of land suitable for afforestation purposes.

asked the Minister of Health what are the arrangements that have been made for the training and teaching of apprentices in the building trade by local authorities; how many local authorities have commenced this work; and how many apprentices have been enrolled?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education is assisting me by making inquiries among local education authorities and ether educational bodies concerned as to the facilities which can be utilised or provided. The matter is engaging the active attention of the Government, but I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement on the subject

asked the Minister of Health how many two-

Information in the form desired by the hon. and gallant Member is not available, as detailed particulars of accommodation proposed to be provided are not required at the time of giving approval to a local authority's proposals where the houses to be erected will fall within the general limits of size laid down by the Housing Act, 1923. Approval has, however, been given under the Housing Acts to the erection of 316 dwellings having a floor area of less than 620 square feet., in the case of houses, or 550 square feet in the case of flats. Of these, 180 have been approved in connection with slum clearance schemes and 136 for aged miners' homes. The hon and gallant Member may take it that. these figures substantially cover the two-room accommodation approved for erection by or with the assistance of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of loans advanced to necessitous persons by the boards of guardians in the county borough of Barrow-in-Furness and in the metropolitan borough of Poplar during the years 1921, 1922, 1023, and up to September, 1924: what amount of these loans have been repaid; and whether these loans have been greater or less than the relief which would have been given had the borrowers received Poor Law relief under the existing scale?

The following statement contains the information required:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total of the loans advanced to the Governments of Admiral Koltchak and Generals Deniken, Yudenitch, and Wrangel; what security was advanced for these loans; on what dates the loans were made; and on what date the terms and conditions were submitted to Parliament?

In reply to the first part of the question, no loans were

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Governor of His Majesty's prison at Bristol issued a tender for the sale of ships' fenders (trade pattern), 8 lbs. to 14 lbs. weight, at 5d. per lb., any size, fitted with G.I. thimbles, less 2½ per cent. and 2½ per cent. for cash, carriage paid on advanced by the British Government to the Governments mentioned, and accordingly the remaining parts of the question do not arise. The assistance took the form of supplies of stores and munitions, as set put in Command Paper 772 of 1920.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the amounts of the debts still owing to the British Government by other countries?

As shown on page 98 of Finance Accounts for the year 1923–24 (House of Commons Paper 103), the figures as at 31st March, 1924, were as follow:5 cwt. lots, 2d. per fender less if without thimbles and whether he will see that such State-financed competition with private trading is discontinued forthwith?

The particulars given are correct.. The price quoted appeared to be a fair one, after inquiry had been made. It has, in fact, proved too high for some customers. Great care is taken, and will be taken, to prevent any injurious competition with outside industries. Prices are regularly adjusted so that they may not be lower than the market rates, and the manufactures are so regulated as to limit the sale of any particular class of goods, and to avoid undue pressure on, or competition with, any particular trade or industry.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that it is proposed to place the retiring rooms for the uniform grades in the basement of the new Post Office building at Mount Pleasant; whether he is aware of the strong objections of the staffs to any such proposal; and whether he will take steps to secure that no retiring room shall be situated in the basement;(2) whether the Treasury has sanctioned expenditure for only part of the new Post Office building at Mount Pleasant; whether he is aware of the great congestion and unsatisfactory staff conditions in the present building, and that such congestion and conditions will be intensified by the proposal to use part of the ground floor and basement for uses other than at present; and whether, in view of these facts, he will undertake to secure that the whole of the new building will be built as soon as possible?

Parliament has voted the money for the provision of the first section of the new Post Office building at Mount Pleasant, and this is in course of erection. Parliamentary sanction for the second section will be sought in due course. It is necessary to proceed with the erection of the new building in two sections, as simultaneous demolition of all the existing buildings on the site would have caused great inconvenience and expense. Congestion in the existing building will be relieved when the first section of the new building is completed. In the new building the basement will be lofty, with good natural ventilation and light. At the moment the only retiring accommodation which it is proposed to place there is some at present located in the basement of the old building; but it is possible that other retiring accommodation may be provided there at a later date. In my opinion, no hardship would result from this course.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is able to restore the pre-War conditions in the Borough of Batley as regards delivery of letters four times per day;(2) if he will consider the enlargement of the postal staff at the Batley Post Office, and thus by absorbing efficient ex-service men be able to provide better postal facilities than at present obtains;(3) if he will arrange for a later delivery of letters than at present obtains in the Borough of Batley

The number of deliveries at Batley is the same as the number now given at towns of similar size and, in fact, at many larger towns. There are no sufficient grounds for enlarging the staff at Batley in order to provide exceptional facilities. The final delivery now completed before business premises are closed for the day, and if it were made appreciably later correspondence addressed to business farms would run the risk of delay.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the figure of unemployment when the Budget was passed last May and what it now is?

The number on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 29th September was 1,198,800, as compared with 1,026,138 at 12th May, 1924. Certain considerations which affect the comparison between these numbers were given in ray reply of 8th October to the hon. Members for Woolwich West and Bilston.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been directed to the claim for extended benefit by J. G. Hall, of 18, Ripponden Street, Newcastle, who is a glassmaker by trade; whether he is aware that the claim has been disallowed on the ground that the applicant was discharged from the Army two years ago at his own request, although this was after 18 years' service, during which he was awarded the D.C.M., and he has been unable to obtain employment during these two years; and whether he will, in the exercise of his discretion, direct that extended benefit shall be paid to the applicant from the date of application?

I am having inquiry made, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the practice of his Department permits the payment of unemployment pay in a case where a female domestic servant employed for the season at a holiday resort in a hotel, boardinghouse, or any house in which rooms are let, returns home and refuses to accept similar employment in a private house, notwithstanding that such employment is easily available and good wages are offered and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent this?

The statutory conditions for the receipt of unemployment insurance benefit require that a claimant must be genuinely seeking work, but unable to obtain suitable employment, and must also be available for work. If a claimant refuse employment offered, the question whether these conditions are fulfilled falls for decision by the statutory authorities, who take into consideration the circumstances of the individual case, including previous experience in the employment offered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the increase in the number of unemployed during the last 10 weeks; whether he has made any provision during this period for checking further increase or formulated any fresh schemes for providing work; and, if so, if he will give particulars of such schemes?

I am aware of the increase in the number of unemployed during the last few months. As stated in the reply given to the hon. Members for Woolwich West (Sir K. Wood) and for Bilston (Lieut.-Colonel Howard-Bury) on 8th October, a substantial part of this in- crease is not a, real increase in unemployment, but results from counting as unemployed persons who would not previously have been so counted. The balance, however, is considerable, and while an increase in unemployment is normal at this time of the year, the upward tendency of the figures is naturally a matter which requires, and is receiving, serious consideration. As regards the second and third part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the details given today in reply to a question put by the hon. and learned Member for Bristol Central (Sir T. Inskip).

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to allegations as to the condition of certain buildings occupied by the stag of the Ministry; whether he has seen the buildings in question; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the state of affairs in question?

I am aware that several of the Employment Exchange premises are unsatisfactory in many respects, both from the point of view of the applicants and the staff, and I have seen a number of them. Active steps are being taken to improve the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the index figure of the cost of living when the Budget was passed last May; and what that figure now is?

I have been asked to reply. The Ministry of Labour cost of living index figures for each date of compilation from 1st April to 1st September have been as shown below:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the Report of the Advisory Committee on Social Hygiene appointed to inquire into measures connected with public morality in the British Colonies in the Fast East?

It has not yet been possible to arrange for a meeting of this Committee. But to avoid misapprehension, it should be stated that the Committee was not appointed to hold an inquiry and present a report, but to advise the Secretary of State in dealing with any questions which he may from time to time refer to it. A report in the ordinary sense is, therefore, not to be expected.Mr. SPEAKER

(standing in tire Clerk's place at the Table): I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read, authorising the Royal Assent to the Irish Free State (Confirmation of Agreement) Act, 1924.