asked the Secretary of State for War what are the present Regulations as to vaccination and re-vaccination applying to the Regular Army; and what steps are taken from time to time to determine whether the men are effectively protected?

Recruits are vaccinated as a condition of acceptance, and serving soldiers who have not been vaccinated during the preceding seven years are advised to be re-vaccinated. As regards the latter part of the question, the medical history sheets are examined once a year to ascertain when the man was vaccinated last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Regulations issued by the Army Council in January, 1916, authorising the enlistment of men who declined to be vaccinated, applied to Indian-born troops as well as to British-born troops?

The instruction in question applied to all persons, wherever born, enlisting for the period of the War in the British Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether negotiations are taking place for the purchase of sites in Germany for the formation of concentration cemeteries for the reburial of British soldiers who died whilst prisoners of war in that country; and, if so, what considerations have led to a decision to be taken against reburial at home, as is understood to be the case as regards both French and Belgian deceased prisoners of war?

The work to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is practically finished. The British and Dominion dead in Germany, who were scattered in some 700 different localities, have been reverently reburied in four central cemeteries, which will be permanently and properly cared for by the Imperial War Graves Commission through their own British personnel. The land is the permanent property of the Commission. With regard to the latter part of the question, the Commission in 1919 gave their careful and sympathetic consideration to the general question of the removal of remains of soldiers from their resting places, but they tame to the conclusion that the selection for special treatment of any particular cases, or of any class of cases, would be opposed to the policy of equality of treatment of the fallen which has been generally adopted and which has received strong public support. This policy has been re-affirmed in three Parliaments.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to avoid possible hardship to officers on the verge of retirement, he will take steps to have the promotions made annually under paragraph 166 of the Royal Warrant for pay announced on the date they are due?

Recommendations for promotion under Article 166 are called for annually about 1st April, and such promotions are always ante-dated to take effect from 1st April, though approved subsequently during the course of the financial year. The fact that an officer has been retired after being recommended, but before his name had been considered, would not militate against his selection. I am not aware, therefore, that there is any hardship, but if the hon. Member will refer me to any particular case that he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that his predecessor was examining into the question of the abolition of the fees for young men entering His Majesty's Army as cadets; what are his intentions with regard to this matter; and if he is aware that under the present system many promising lads, including sons of serving officers, are barred out from the Officer Corps of His Majesty's Army on account of lack of means?

The matter has been considered by the Army Council, but no final decision can yet be announced.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Army Council Instruction No. 622, 1924, is being disregarded at Chilwell; and what steps he proposes to take in regard to the matter?

I am informed that all the men who may be substitutable under the Instruction referred to will have left Chilwell by 1st January next. No further steps, therefore, appear to be required.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much of the £500,000 received from the Government of Egypt as compensation for the assassination of Sir Lee Stack will be paid to the widows and dependents of the soldiers who were killed in action in the Sudan?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11th instant by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the hon. and gallant Member for South Cardiff (Captain A. Evans).

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, having regard to the fact that auxiliary personnel raised on a militia basis and trained in existing Air Force stations would be less expensive to administer than units raised on a Territorial basis, he can state which system will be adopted for augmenting the air forces available for home defence?

The regular home defence units are to be augmented by both Auxiliary Air Force and Special Reserve squadrons. The pilots of the Special Reserve units are to be taught to fly at regular Air Force stations, but a similar system of attaching other personnel to regular squadrons would not, it is considered, prove to be either efficient or economical. Only men skilled in trades similar to those in the Royal Air Force are to be enlisted, and the small amount of periodical training that they will require can be carried out more conveniently at their units in the industrial centres where their homes will be, rather than at the often remote regular Air Force stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that his predecessor was examining into the question of the abolition of the fees for young men entering the Royal Air Force as cadets; what are his intentions with regard to this matter; and if he is aware that under the present system many promising lads, including sons of serving officers, are barred out from the officer branch of the Royal Air Force on account of lack of means?

I am aware that the question referred to by the hon. and gallant Member was being considered by my predecessor, but no decision had been reached, and I hope myself to go into it fully in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of fatal accidents in connection with flying which have taken place in the Royal Air Force for the 12 months ending 30th September, 1924?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is intended to close the boys' wing at the Cranwell centre; and, if so, whether arrangements will be made to absorb the civilian instructors at other depots of the Royal Air Force?

It is intended to close the boys' wing when all aircraft apprentices now at Cranwell have completed their course of training. This will not be until September, 1927. The reduction of the boys' wing will therefore be a gradual process and endeavours will be made to absorb the civilian instructors in other training units of the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department has given, or is contemplating giving, any orders to private firms for the manufacture of aerial bombs filled with poison gas?

The answer is in the negative.

There have been 47 fatal accidents during the period in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of cases in which compensation is being paid for the descent of aeroplanes on agricultural land; and what is the amount of such compensation for each of the last four periods of six months?

The following are the particulars of compensation paid in respect of damage done to crops, fences, hedges, cattle, etc., by forced landings of aircraft on agricultural land:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any arrangement has yet been made for an air service to Prague?

I am most anxious to see an air service to Prague started at the earliest possible date. I regret, however, that, though negotiations are continuing, it has not been found possible as yet to make arrangements for this service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the prospects of promotion in the case of women clerical officers employed in his Department?

Having regard to the large number of men clerical officers of senior standing, I am afraid it will be some time before it will be found possible to promote any of the women clerical officers to the higher clerical grade, but they will be considered for promotion in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the appointment of a director of scientific research at the Air Ministry, decided upon in the year 1923, has yet been filled; if not, what salary and terms of engagement are being offered in connection with the appointment; to how many persons has the appointment been offered; and what steps, if any, are now being taken to fill the appointment?

The matter has been receiving my close attention since I have been in office, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on it shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the status of civilian instructors in the Royal Air Force; whether there is an official circular describing the grading and rates of pay; whether they are on a permanent or temporary basis of employment; if the appointments are permanent will the civilian instructors be entitled to pension on the same basis as other civil servants; and was the reduction in the award of sick pay made after consultation with the civilian instructors, or was any notification given to them of any variation of the terms of their employment?

In answer to the first and second parts of the question, the status of the civilian instructors referred to is that of civilian employés and their conditions of service are laid down in their letters of appointment and the Air Ministry Regulations for civilian employés. As regards the third and fourth parts, their employment is on a temporary basis and they do not qualify for pension on retirement, but may in some cases qualify for gratuities on retirement under the conditions laid down in the Superannuation Acts. As regards the fifth part, the reduction in the scale of sick pay was not made after consultation with the civilian instructors, but it was accompanied by an improvement in the scale of pay which made the conditions as a whole more favourable than before. These changes were notified to them through the officers under whom they were serving.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that between 1920 and 1924 no promotions of writing assistants and typists to the clerical class took place in his Department, although an agreement had been arrived at on the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service under which promotions of suitable writing assistants and typists were to take place pari passu with the appointment of candidates from the limited competitions; that other Departments, including the War Office, had not only made a number of promotions during those years, but that some have made a number of promotions recently; and whether he will look into the matter with a view to placing his women staff in a less disadvantageous position compared to similar staffs in other Departments than hitherto.

I am aware of the position as represented by the hon. Member, but it must be remembered that most of the writing assistants and typists in the Air Ministry are of shorter established service than those in other Departments. I am glad to say, however, that the selection of some of them for trial in the duties of the clerical class has been under consideration, and I hope that the names of those so selected will shortly be approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the appointment of a woman higher-clerical or super-clerical officer to the establishment branch of his Department for the purpose of dealing with questions of sickness and similar matters affecting women employed in the typing and other sections of the Air Ministry, in accordance with the general practice of the Civil Service and of commercial firms employing considerable numbers of women?

In view of the small number of women involved, excluding the typing staff, whose chief superintendent acts as intermediary between them and the establishment division, it is not considered that the appointment of a women higher-clerical officer is justified for the purpose of dealing with questions of sickness and similar matters. There is a rest room, in charge of a qualified nurse, for cases of sickness which may occur among the staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that certain officers of Customs and Excise who were loaned to the Irish Free State more than two years ago are anxious to return to the Home Civil Service as soon as possible now that the period for which they were loaned has expired; and whether he can state the date by which their return will be completed?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on Monday, the 15th December, by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a question on this subject addressed to him by the hon. Member for the City of London (Sir V. Bowater).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in the event of the Re-organisation of Offices (Scotland) Bill being introduced, he will provide that at least one-third of the members of the Scottish Board of Health be registered medical practitioners, as was agreed to during the passing of the Scottish Board of Health Act of 1919?

The representations on the point mentioned by my hon. Friend which were made when the Bill was previously before Parliament, will be considered before a decision is taken as to the introduction of a new Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present strength of the female clerical staff employed by the Board of Inland Revenue in a permanent capacity and a temporary capacity, respectively?

The female clerical staff employed by the Board of Inland Revenue numbers 591 established and 179 temporary officers. These figures are exclusive of writing assistants (established), who number 301, and typing staff, numbering 513 established and 769 temporary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that over 60 clerks to valuers in the service of the Valuation Department of the Board of Inland Revenue have, up to the present, been deprived of the assimilation terms (under Award A 80 of the Civil Service Arbitration Board dated 16th August, 1920), which have been accorded to established officers in all correlative grades of the Civil Service; and will he take immediate steps to ensure that these civil servants are accorded the same treatment as that meted out to the old grade of assistant clerks, with whom they were originally identified as regards pay and leave or, alternatively, will he ensure that they be granted the same scales of pay and the same proportion of promotion to supervisory grades as were accorded to established officers in the tax service, a service to which their present duties approximate?

The terms of the award mentioned are not applicable to the class of established clerks to valuers. The requirements of the Valuation Office in regard to permanent clerical staff is under consideration, and I am unable to anticipate the decisions which may be reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can say why the ratings now detailed for foreign service in H.M.S. "Thistle," H.M.S. "Ambrose," and H.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth" are not being granted foreign service commissioning leave in addition to annual Christmas leave, seeing that the Admiralty, in their reply to repeated requests for increased foreign service leave have stated that ratings always get 10 days' commissioning leave prior to going abroad?

Recommissioning or drafting leave is given in order to afford men an opportunity of seeing their friends before leaving this country, but it is not granted in addition to other leave which is being taken at the time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the results that flow from the withholding of the marriage allowance to married ratings in His Majesty's Navy below the age of 25, and of the distress which prevails in the families of those who are below the qualifying age for this allowance; whether he is aware of the effect that this discouragement of marriage must have upon the ratings in His Majesty's Navy; and whether he will press for a reconsideration of the age limit, so that it may be lowered to 21?

The present minimum age limits which are 25 for the Navy and 26 for the Army and Air Force were laid down after very careful consideration at the time of the institution of this allowance in 1920, and must be well known to intending recruits. I regret that I am unable to entertain the proposal that the age limit for the Navy should be reduced to 21.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the event of it being decided to break up obsolete ships of war, British and German, he will consider the advisability, instead of so doing, of partially filling them with concrete and barbed wire and sinking them in the various parts of the coasts of Scotland where breakwaters, piers, and harbours are urgently required?

I have been asked to reply. There are no obsolete ships of war at present available for such a purpose, and if there were it would be the duty of the Admiralty to appropriate the considerable sums that could be obtained by selling them in relief of gross Navy Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in H.M.S. "Hood" a typewritten report of all offences and punishments of the petty officers and men is exhibited on the general notice board in the ship; and whether, seeing that this practice is unusual and that hundreds of dockyard men are employed on board the ship, he will see that the practice referred to is discontinued, in view of the strong feeling which exists?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the women tracers in His Majesty's Dockyard at Devonport have, for a considerable time, been asking for 18 days' leave with pay but have, so far, received no satisfaction; and whether, in the interests of contentment and efficiency of the service, a respite of this duration will be given to women tracers who are engaged on technical and fatiguing work?

The general question of the conditions of service of women tracers has been referred for consideration and report to a committee, on Whitley lines, which includes representatives of the staffs concerned. The question of leave is amongst the other points to be dealt with. Until the report of the committee has been received and considered, the Admiralty is not in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many women were employed in the colour loft in Devon-port in 1913 and at the present day, respectively, and how many of these women are widows with families to maintain; and whether, seeing that 35s. a week, including war bonus, is a wage insufficient to maintain these women and their dependants, he will take steps to increase this wage?

"After careful consideration of the evidence the Court decide that the claim for an increase in wages to the workpeople concerned at the present time has not been established,"

and no sufficient reason is seen for reversing this decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, with reference to the women employed as machinists, ropery workers, seamstresses, and laundry workers, in dockyards and other Admiralty establishments, whether he is aware that an unskilled labourer is paid at the rate of £2 7s. a week, made up on a base rate of £1 13s. plus 14s. war bonus, whereas the women are only paid a total wage of £1 15s. a week at the outside, inclusive of 11s. war bonus; and whether, seeing that there is only 9s. difference between the base wage rate of an unskilled labourer and a woman worker, whereas when the bonus is taken into account the difference is 12s., he will bring the wages of the women workers up by 3s. per week, as their work is skilled, and they are for the most part the widows of ex-dockyard men and ex-service men?

I would refer the hon. Member to the latter part of my reply to his previous question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty with reference to the recent 4s. increase in a bonus granted to the employés in His Majesty's dockyards and Admiralty establishments, and made retrospective as from the 1st April, 1924, whether he is aware that the women employed have not received this increase, and that equally they did not share in the rise given to the draughtsmen last April; whether he is aware of the feeling prevalent amongst the women workers against their exclusion from these increases: and whether he can see his way to include them in the benefits above referred to?

I would refer the hon. Member to the latter part of my reply to his previous question. The 4s. advance was granted in accordance with an award of the Industrial Court, Neither the claim nor the award covered the women employés in H.M. dockyards, etc.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has received from its representative or from the Ministry of Health, or both, a report as to the conditions of housing found by them in their recent inspection in company with the inspector from the Ministry of Health; if they are satisfied as employers of the major part of the population with the condition in which their employés are housed; and, if not, whether they have conferred, or propose to confer, with the Ministry of Health as to the action which should be taken without delay or what other course they propose to pursue?

The Admiralty received a report from their local officer after an inspector of the Ministry of Health had visited Plymouth in September last. The whole situation in this matter was made clear to the hon. Member in a detailed communication furnished to him personally in September last, in which it was intimated that the Admiralty realised with great concern the unsatisfactory housing conditions in the town, but that, in accordance with the repeated decision of successive Governments, the responsibility for housing does not rest upon the Admiralty, but upon the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Heath (1) with reference to the inspection carried out by Mr. E. Leonard on behalf of his Department of housing conditions in Devonport, if he will state the number of houses inspected and the number of these in regard to which he reported that repairs should be carried out to make them habitable; whether such report was conveyed to the local authorities; and what action has been reported by the local authority to his Department as having been taken to remedy the defects?

The visit paid by the inspector was an informal one made at the request of the hon. and gallant Member. Accordingly no official representation has been made to the local authority but informal communications took place and I trust useful results will ensue.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Bedlam Institution of Southwark is to be vacated at an early date; and whether he is prepared to use this site of five acres, now occupied by the institution, for the provision of 100 working-class houses on garden city lines?

The acquisition of a site for housing is primarily a matter for the local authority concerned. I understand that proposals for the use of the site, if it can be acquired, for housing or other public purposes are under consideration by the London County Council.

asked the Minister of Health what schemes, if any, have been approved by him under the Housing Acts during the present year in the urban districts of Blaydon, Whickham, Tanfield and Ryton?

Statistics are not available showing the numbers which were sold and let.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of making it a condition, when making grants to local authorities under the Housing Acts, that preference shall be given to applications of British citizens, and that in cases of equal urgency preference shall be given to the applications of ex-service men?

I presume the hon. and gallant Member refers to houses

The following table shows the number of houses included in schemes authorised under the Housing Acts during the year 1924:

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been erected by the urban district councils of Blaydon, Whickham, Tanfield and Ryton under the Housing Acts of 1919 and 1923 up to 1st December, 1924; how many have been erected in the same areas by private enterprise; and what proportion has been sold and what proportion has been let?

The following table gives information as to houses erected in the districts referred to up to the 1st December, 1924:

erected by local authorities for letting. I do not think it is desirable, nor do I think local authorities would wish me to restrict further their discretionary powers in regard to the control and management of houses erected under the Housing Acts. I have confidence that local authorities generally give full consideration to the claims of all applicants for a tenancy of their homes, and I believe it is the general practice to give weight to the two grounds of preference to which the hon. Member alludes.

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

The hon. Member will find the information he desires for England and Wales at pages 28 to 31 of the Annual Return of Persons in Receipt of Poor Law Relief, a copy of which I am sending to him. For particulars relating to the rest of Great Britain I would refer him. to the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider an amendment of the Poor Law so as to secure that the total inclusive income of relatives with whom an applicant for relief may be residing shall not be taken into account in determining the question of relief?

I am afraid I cannot regard the suggested amendment of the law as desirable.

asked the Minister of Health the minimum and maximum wages paid to blind persons in the various workshops, embracing brush, mat, and mattress makers, and basket and boot repairers, who may come within the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920.

The wages paid in all workshops for the blind recognised by my Department are required to be the trade union or other standard piece-work rates of wages obtaining in the district.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many of the workshops for the employment of blind persons operating under the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, the wages paid are under £l weekly; and whether he will at any early date consider raising the capital grant to institutions employing such blind persons in order to bring the blind workpeople's wages up to the general standard of wages operating for unskilled labour in the locality where the workshop for the blind may be situated?

I am aware that earnings of the blind persons referred to in the question, although paid at trade union or other standard piecework rates, are in many cases not more than that stated, but, in addition to the wages actually earned, augmentation is in all cases paid to blind workers. As regards the second part, as at present advised I do not propose to take action in the direction suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship attaching to old people over 70 years of age, who are still following laborious employment, and who fall ill and are not in a position to receive either sickness insurance or old age pension, he will give early consideration to all such cases with a view to amending, if need be, the existing Law?

Legislation would be required to meet the difficulty referred to by the hon. Member, and I will see that the matter is brought to the notice of the Royal Commission now investigating the National Hearth Insurance scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Julia Stevens who, on 18th October last, was certified unfit for work by her doctor; and whether he will inquire into the reason why the Prudential Approved Society refuses to pay benefit to her and has delayed so long in answering her application for arbitration under Rule 26 of the Prudential Society?

I am informed by the Prudential Approved Society that benefit was withheld in this case in consequence of a report, dated 15th October, from the Regional Medical Officer to the effect that Mrs. Stevens was not incapable of work. The society states that the member was on 21st October informed of their decision and of her right of appeal, but that no definite request has been received by the society for submission of the case to arbitration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Order in Council, No. 1287, 1924, provides for the payment of pensions to widows of seamen or marines who are killed or drowned in the service of the Crown, or die as the result of wounds, injury or disease directly attributable to service, of 10s. 6d. a week for widows under 40 and without children, and of 17s. 6d. a week for widows over 40 or with children eligible for allowances; and whether, seeing that these pensions are more than 9s. a week less than those payable to the widows of seamen or marines who lost their lives during the Great War or who die as a result of the injury received in that War, he will state the reason for the reduction?

I have been asked to reply. The rates of pension quoted apply only in cases where the husband was below the rating of second-class petty officer, leading rate or corporal of Marines. Where these or a higher rating had been held by the deceased, additions varying from 1s. 6d. to 6s. a week are made to the flat-rate pension. Moreover, the rate of 17s. 6d. a week is payable if the widow is unable through infirmity to earn her own living, although she may not be over 40 years of age, and 20s. a week is payable in the case of widows over 60. In framing the post-War scale of widows' pensions, which is in force in the Army and the Air Force as well as in the Navy, account was taken of the fact that the Great War rates applied in respect of a period during which a considerable portion of the civil population was compulsorily mobilised, and the rates were necessarily framed on more generous lines than those of the post-War scale, which is designed to apply to peace-time conditions and to purely voluntary service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there are any cases in which a widow's pension, which has been forfeited as the result of her re-marriage, has been Refunded to her on the death of her second husband; and, if so, in what kind of case such a re-grant of pension can be given?

The Royal Pension Warrants do not give authority for the restoration of a pension which has lapsed on re-marriage, to the widow of any non-commissioned officer or man to whom, I presume, the hon. and gallant Member refers, and I am not aware of any case in which such restoration has occurred.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, before he arrives at a decision regarding the closing of the sub-area office at Dunfermline, he will take into consideration the fact that the work at the office has not diminished; whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience would be caused to ex-service men and their dependants in the Dunfermline area in having to travel to Kirkcaldy to consult an official of the Ministry and will he give due consideration to the protest unanimously passed at the last meeting of the Fifeshire War Pensions Committee on the matter?

It is not proposed to close the sub-office at Dunfermline, but in view of the small volume of work performed there, the question of converting the service from whole-time to part-time is under consideration. My right hon. Friend is, at present, awaiting the observations of the Fifeshire War Pensions Committee on this proposal.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of men on treatment and in receipt of treatment allowances on 31st October and 30th November, respectively; whether any action is being taken which is likely to reduce the number of men in receipt of treatment allowances who are unable to work owing to their course of treatment; and, if so, will he take steps to ensure that the men put off treatment allowances shall receive pensions adequate to their degree of disablement?

The figures asked for are 32,095 and 31,832, respectively. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the practice of withholding treatment allowances from a pensioner who has been in regular employment who has broken down and been found incapable of working owing to his invaliding disability, for which the Ministry had authorised treatment; and will he take steps to secure that Article 6 of the Royal Warrant will be amended for the benefit of this class of cases, exemplified by that of Mr. Leonard Green, 93, Casimer Road, Clapton, E. (11/M/139,129)?

The hon. and gallant Member is, I fear, under a misapprehension. No such practice as that referred to by him obtains. Treatment allowances are, under the terms of the Royal Warrant, payable both in the class of case referred to by him and in all other classes of case only where, in consequence of and during a course of treatment certified by a medical officer of the Ministry to be necessary, it is determined that the man is prevented from providing for his own support and that of his family. The particular case referred to has been dealt with in accordance with these principles.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Henry Ashton, 3/M.A./5354, has received no pension for three months, seeing his appeal against a final award was upheld on 2nd June, 1924?

The tribunal's decision was merely to set aside the finality of the award which had been made in respect of an assessment of slight disablement. This decision of the tribunal meant that they did not consider the case suitable, at the time, for a final award, and accordingly the man reverted to his former position under the Royal Warrant. Examinations by two medical boards held subsequently showed that the remaining degree of disablement was still slight, and had not increased. There were, therefore, no grounds for granting any further compensation. The man was so informed, and was at the same time notified of his right to apply for review should he find that his disablement had increased.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men and dependants are now in receipt of pensions; and how this number compares with a year ago?

The total number of beneficiaries in September last was 2,120,000 as compared with 2,309,000 a year previously.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being taken to afford some representation of Labour on the Executive Council appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, in view of the fact that other sections of the community are represented, whilst many of the matters on which the Executive Council advise the Governor are questions affecting the health and welfare of the working population?

The members of the Executive Council are not selected to represent any particular class. Matters affecting the health of the population are for the most part controlled by the City Council which has a large elected element.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the petition submitted to his predecessor by a deputation from a trade union at Gibraltar on 8th August, 1924, and to which petition adherence has since been given by the Gibraltar Exchange Committee and the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce; and whether he can indicate what steps, if any, are being taken to give to the British citizens of Gibraltar the measures of policy and administration therein referred to?

The petition in question is still under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, arising out of the compulsory restriction of rubber in British Malaya, he is aware that not only the British-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, who represent 60 per cent. of the population, but also the European Chambers of Penang and Singapore, have both approached the Governor of the Straits Settlement with regard to the need for an immediate review of the position; and, if not, whether he is prepared to cause prompt inquiries to be made by telegraph and to lay all available information before this House?

I am not aware that the Governor of the Straits Settlements has received representations from these chambers of commerce in the sense indicated by the hon. and gallant Member, but I will ask the Governor for information, and will consider in the light of his reply what action, if any, is called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will extend the export credits scheme to Russia and consider amending the conditions governing the granting of credit sanctions with a view to simplifying and expediting the consideration of applications made under the Act?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Brightside Division of Sheffield (Mr. Ponsonby) yesterday. With regard to the second part of the question, the conditions governing the scheme have lately received the most careful scrutiny with the object of facilitating the utilisation of the scheme. The new conditions will be published in a few days. I may add that every effort is made by the Export Credits Department to deal with applications as expeditiously as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' Associations, the official body representing the employers; interests in the cotton spinning trade, is not represented on the Committee of Industry and Trade, whereas the Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners, the official body representing the employés' interests in this trade, is represented on the Committee of Industry and Trade; and whether he will take steps to remedy this position; (2) whether he is aware that the cotton trade is the greatest exporting industry in the country; that the spinning section is the most depressed section of the cotton trade; that the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners Associations, which represent over 90 per cent., of the cotton spinners, is not represented on the Committee of Industry and Trade; and whether, in view of the fact that the Committee of Industry and Trade is particularly to inquire into the export trade, he will take steps to obtain more direct representation for the cotton spinning trade on this most important Committee?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Committee was not constituted on a representative basis, since such a course would have resulted in an unduly large membership. The members were invited to serve in their individual capacities. I may, however, add that no fewer than four members out of the total of 18 are closely connected with the textile industry in its various branches.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the exact amount of Imperial Preference granted on our cotton goods exports by the various individual parts of the British Empire?

I have been asked to reply. I am having a statement prepared which I will send to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to consider the resumption of the publication in the Board of Trade Journal of the monthly estimates of the total weight of imports and exports?

I am disposed to think that estimates of the volume of imports and exports are of greater value than estimates of weight. The volume estimates are arrived at by taking current imports and exports at 1913 values. These estimates of volume are published quarterly in the Board of Trade Journal. I fear that the importance of publishing both weights and volume is not sufficient to justify the in- creased expenditure, as the labour involved in making the present estimates of volume is not inconsiderable. I would suggest that quarterly estimates are adequate, since with regard to monthly variations between the quarters, the figures of value would seem to furnish a sufficiently approximate index of trade movements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, before granting a guarantee of £400,000 to Wayagamack News, Limited, Three Rivers, Canada, for the purpose of building a newsprint mill, in addition to the existing Wayagamack Pulp and Paper Mills at Three Rivers, the Trade Facilities Committee gave due consideration to the effect which would be produced on the British newsprint manufacturing industry, in view of the heavy imports amounting to over 160,000 tons per annum coming into Great Britain from Scandinavia, Finland, Germany, and Canada, the total United Kingdom consumption being about 600,000 tons per annum; and whether the Trade Facilities Committee satisfied themselves as to the financial soundness of the project, bearing in mind the financial record of the Wayagamack Pulp and Paper Company since 1913?

The answer to all three parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will press for the insertion of a Clause in the new Anglo-German treaty debarring German seamen, without becoming naturalised British subjects, from acting as navigating or engineer officers on British merchant ships or sitting for examination for British Board of Trade certificates as navigating or engineer officers?

I would remind the hon. Membery that, under Section 5 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, no alien may act as master, chief officer or chief engineer on a British merchant ship registered in the United Kingdom. To go beyond this would involve differentiation between German and other foreign nationals, and as such is contrary to the main principle of the treaty, which is that each country gives the other most-favoured-nation treatment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action the Government of India proposes to take on the recommendations of the Mercantile Marine Committee published last July?

The Government of India have not yet stated what action they propose to take on the Report, but as soon as they have announced their intentions I will let the hon. Member know.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the deputation which the Government of India sent to Fiji over two years ago has yet been published; and whether the Committee appointed to confer with the Secretary of State for the Colonies on Indian questions has yet reported on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Committee referred to by the hon. Member did not issue a Report, but made certain proposals concerning Indians in Fiji which are now under the consideration of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the recent case of assault by a European district medical officer on an Indian at Tanjore, in which the sub-divisional magistrate dismissed a claim for compensation, and stated that pulling at the ear was to be considered as handling the ear in a friendly way, and that kicking was merely a gesture with the leg intended to make the recipient stand up; whether his Department approves of the attitude of the sub-divisional magistrate; and whether he will take immediate steps to have the sub-divisional magistrate removed on the grounds of unfitness to occupy a judicial position?

I have no more information about this matter than is contained in the hon. Member's question, and I cannot express an opinion upon it. As regards the last part of his question, I would remind him that there are authorities in India whose duty it is to take proper action in any case in which they consider that magisterial discretion has been abused, and abundant means of calling attention to such cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is prepared to authorise the publication in this country, in the public interest, of the proceedings in the case known as the Cawnpore Bolshevist conspiracy case, recently decided finally on appeal by the Allahabad High Court, when the sentences passed upon four persons were confirmed?

The record of the case is very long and consists mainly of letters of which only brief passages are really important. My Noble Friend has, however, decided to present the judgment of the High Court in appeal, which clearly describes the important features of the case and the nature of the evidence on which the convictions were based.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the loss and suffering sustained by the people of South Uist through the closing of Lochboisdale pier; and the present position of the negotiations for the reopening of the pier?

I am aware of the difficulties that have arisen as a result of the closing of the pier. The position of the negotiations with the proprietrix to secure the partial reopening of the pier as a temporary expedient under a guarantee from the Board of Agriculture against liability for any damage to persona or property was described in the answer given to the hon. Member by my predecessor in office on the 5th August last. Since that date the Board have been in further communication with the agents for the proprietrix and have repeated their offer to accept liability for any damage to persons or property if the proprietrix would agree to the reopening of part of the pier. The Board have, however, been informed that the proprietrix adheres to her previous decision for the reasons which she formerly stated.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is intended to set up a Committee of Inquiry for Scotland on the subject of criminal assaults on children?

"To inquire into the subject of sexual offences against children and young persons in Scotland and the procedure followed in dealing with such cases, including methods of prevention and the after-care of the victims of such offences: and to report what changes, if any, are desirable in the law or its administration and in the matters of prevention and after-care."

The Committee will be composed as follows:

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the local medical officer at Barlinnie prison made any recommendation on the question of terminating the service of Warder R. Heron; and, if so, what was the nature of such recommendation?

A report by the medical officer at Barlinnie Prison on the physical condition of Warder Heron was before the Prison Commissioners for Scotland when they came to the decision to terminate the latter's service, but the report of the medical officer did not make any recommendation on the question of terminating Warder Heron's service.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the Report of the Prison Officers' Pay Committee will be applied to the Scottish prison service, and particularly paragraph 74 of the Report?

The Report of the Prisons Officers' Pay Committee, including paragraph 74, has been applied generally to the Scottish Prison Service since 1st October, 1923.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that subordinate officers on probation are not in receipt of the 1s. per week increase in pay vide the recent pay Report, and granted to other officcers; and why this distinction is made?

Paragraph 18 of the Report of the Prison Officers' Pay Committee recommends that, in view of certain reductions in allowances, existing officers should receive an increase of 1s. per week. As it applies only to existing officers, the increase of 1s. per week was paid to officers who were on probation at the date of the Report (27th July, 1923) but not to those joining the service since that date.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that on 31st October last a boy, 14 years of age, was brought up in the Police Court at Mary-hill, Glasgow, and fined £2 2s. on his admitting a charge of having loitered for the purpose of betting, and that the evidence was to the effect that two plainclothes constables had observed the lad working in concert with a bookmaker, to whom he paid over the moneys he received; and, as the boy alone was summoned, on what ground the bookmaker for whom he touted escaped prosecution?

I shall make inquiry regarding this case, and communicate with the hon. Member thereafter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will have inquiries made into the suitability of the existing curriculum in our State schools so that scholars will receive proper practical instructions which will fit them for the duties they will be called upon to perform in after life, special attention being given reading, writing, and arithmetic?

The Board's Consultative Committee have already been asked to inquire into the organisation, objective and curriculum of courses of full-time study up to the age of 15 plus regard being had, inter alia , to the probable occupations of the pupils in commerce, industry and agriculture, and I fully recognise the importance of this question, especially at the present moment.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the facilities afforded to schools for visiting the British Empire Exhibition were not sufficient in many cases to enable the poorer scholars with long distances to-travel to make the trip; and whether he will endeavour to secure greater facilities for the poorer scholars for next year's exhibition?

I have no reason to suppose that the provision made by the Board under the arrangements set out in Circular 1327 was unsatisfactory in the respect suggested by the hon. Member. I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject of visits of school children to the exhibition next year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether 'the memorandum on the League of Nations, which the Board of Education was preparing, is completed; and, if so, when he proposes to issue it?

I am aware that my predecessor was considering the issue of a memorandum of the character suggested. I have not yet sufficiently examined the question to justify me in making a statement on the subject. In the meantime, local education authorities are not ignoring the matter, and the hon. Member may be aware that a memorandum has already been issued by the Manchester Local Education Authority.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the expiry of the Superannuation (Teachers) (Scotland) Act, 1924, on 30th June next, he proposes to introduce before that date a Bill to provide for a permanent scheme of superannuation for Scottish teachers?

This whole matter is at present under the active consideration of the Government, and it is expected that a decision will be reached almost immediately. Perhaps I should point out that the Act expires, not on 30th June next, but on 31st July.

asked the Postmaster-General if the arrangements for mails to and from the South, which prevail throughout the summer months in Elgin and neighbouring towns, can be continued during the winter?

I understand that there is no marked difference between the summer and winter arrangements for mails to and from Elgin and the surrounding district. Certain alterations in the hours of posting of letters for the South from towns north of Aberdeen were necessitated by the earlier running, as from the 1st of August last, of the Travelling Post Office service; but steps have been taken to minimise any inconvenience which may have been occasioned by this change.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the appointment of postmen men are obtained through the National Association for the Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen; whether he will obtain these men in future through the usual channel of the Employment Exchange: and whether he will give men who have served with satisfaction as auxiliary postmen an opporunity of filling the posts of permanent postmen?

All candidates for appointment as postmen are obtained by the Post Office from the Employment Exchanges. The Employment Exchanges keep a record of candi- dates who served with the forces for the duration of the War, while the National Association records the ex-regular candidates and puts them forward to the Employment Exchanges as required. An auxiliary postman, as such, has no claim to an established appointment. He is normally expected to have other means of livelihood besides his Post Office work which occupies only part of his time; but if he is an ex-service man he is entitled to have his name recorded on the waiting list of the Employment Exchange or the National Association, and to be put forward for a full-time post in his turn with other men on the waiting lists.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there has been considerable public agitation for its erection of a telephone kiosk in the St. Philip's Marsh area of Bristol, which, owing to the situation, is badly handicapped in the matter of transport and communication; and whether, having regard to the great success which has attended the installation of such telephone kiosks throughout the city of Bristol, he will issue instructions that such facilities shall be provided in all parts of the city for the public convenience, without regard to the financial and economic position of the persons resident in any particular area?

An application has been received for a telephone call office kiosk to be erected on a site immediately opposite the St. Philip's Marsh Sub-Post Office, where a public telephone call office is already provided; the circuit being used also for the transmission of telegrams. The Post Office is willing to establish a telephone kiosk in any district where its provision is financially justified, but, unfortunately, the receipts anticipated from a kiosk on the site suggested would be too small to warrant the expense involved.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any cases of discourtesy by officials in Employment Exchanges have come to his notice; and whether in such cases he will issue instructions to the Exchanges concerned that applicants for unemployment benefit should be treated with courtesy under all circumstances?

It is a standing instruction to the staff of the Ministry of Labour that the public must invariably be treated with courtesy and prompt attention. I am informed that complaints of discourtesy are rare and that those which turn out on inquiry to have some foundation are still more rare, and, so far as my personal experience goes, I can confirm this.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to provide that an insured woman, ceasing to be an employed person, on marriage shall be entitled to receive as a lump sum the difference between her contributions to the Insurance Fund and the amount of unemployed benefit she may have received?

The question whether women permanently leaving industrial employment on marriage should receive some surrender value in respect of unemployment insurance contributions previously paid by them was considered when the Bill which became the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, was being framed. It was not then thought to be practicable to provide for the payment of surrender values in such circumstances, nor is it clear that such a provision is consistent with the general principles of unemployment insurance. It is to be remembered further, that under the existing scheme a woman who left industrial employment on marriage, and subsequently, owing to widowhood or otherwise, returns to such employment before five insurance years have elapsed, can regain full credit for her previous contributions by paying a certain number of further contributions. If she had received a surrender value this would, of course, not be possible. The matter will be taken into consideration again should any general amendment of the unemployment insurance scheme be proposed, but for the present I cannot undertake to put it forward.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the policy of the Govern- ment with regard to the Report of Lord Cave's Committee upon the Trade Boards Acts; and whether the Government will take steps to reintroduce legislation dealing with those Acts, either on the lines of the Trade Board Bill introduced by Sir Montague Barlow in 1923 or similar amending legislation as recommended by the Cave Committee?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 16th December to the hon. Member for the Drake Division (Sir A. Shirley Benn), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men are now in training in Government instructional factories; how many are waiting for training; and how many are awaiting improverships?

The number of men in training in Government instructional factories is approximately 3,400. There are approximately 900 men in Great Britain and 1,700 men in Ireland awaiting training. Some of these men are at present under treatment and, therefore, are not available for training. The number of men awaiting improver-ships is approximately 3,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the increase in the number of working-class students undertaking courses through the tutorial and other classes organised by the Workers' Educational Association, the London County Council, and other recognised associations, and considering that numbers of these students, in addition to individuals outside such classes, desire to undertake research work in connection with their studies and are prevented from so doing by reason of their employment during the day, he will favourably consider extending the hours of the British Museum, as other similar institutions are open until 10 p.m.?

On the information before me I am not satisfied that there is sufficient demand from serious students who require evening as well as day facilities to justify the large expenditure on staff, lighting, etc., that would be involved by later closing of the Museum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that 6s. 6d. net is charged for the Annual Report of the Secretary for Mines, together with the Annual Report of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines; that this price prevents miners obtaining these Reports; and will he see that a cheaper edition is published, in view of the fact that the charge for these Reports in 1916 was only 6½d.?

The selling price, namely 6s. 6d., of the Third Annual Report of the Secretary for Mines together with the Annual Report of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines and Statistical Appendices for the year 1923 is based in the ordinary way on the actual printing and publication costs of each copy. This volume is of an elaborate and comprehensive character and the "Reports in 1916" (presumably Command Paper 8361) mentioned by the hon. Member is not comparable with it. The question whether a-somewhat less expensive ^Report might not in future be issued will engage my attention, regard being had to the nature of the demand.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the heroism displayed by a number of men in attempting to rescue the victims of the Killin Colliery disaster at Swansea Valley; and if the Government can see its way clear to give any recognition of the services rendered by these men?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to have this opportunity 1o express publicly my appreciation of the brave efforts that were made. The question of rcommending an award of the Edward Medal is under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the delay in bringing injured workmen to the surface at the Gellieeidrim colliery; and whether he will communicate with the company in order that the utmost facilities be provided for removing injured men to their homes?

This is the first I have heard of the matter. It shall be fully investigated.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that instruction has been issued to the effect that in case of misfires the wires only are to be withdrawn, leaving the detonator in the charge in the hole; and, seeing that this is a dangerous practice and that there is a safe invention on the market to prevent this by withdrawing the detonator, will he have this instruction withdrawn?

I am not aware that any such instruction has been issued; certainly none has been issued by the Mines Department. If the hon. Member will tell me to whose instructions he is referring, I shall be glad to inquire further.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount standing to the credit of the Forestry Fund at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners on the 11th July, 1921; what proportion had been allocated to the services of the Governments of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State, respectively; whether any sums have been paid to those Governments on this account; and, if 60, on what, if any, conditions?

The date which was agreed by settlement between the British Government, the Government of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State as appropriate for the allocation in question was 31st March, 1922. As on that date the Forestry Fund was agreed to consist of certain lands and chattels and a cash balance of £141,598 14s. 10d. The lands and chattels situated in Northern Ireland and in the Irish Free State were allocated to the Governments of Northen Ireland and the Irish Free State, respectively, according to the area in which they were situated. And from the cash balance there was allocated, without condition

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what amount, if any, the Government of the Irish Free State became entitled as that country's proportion of the sum standing to the credit of the Development and Road Board Funds on the 11th July, 1921; and whether any and, if so, what amount has been paid to the credit of that Government?

The sum of£78,772 11s. 10d. has been agreed to be the appropriate share of the Irish Free State Government of the assets of the Development Fund as on the 1st April, 1922, being the date of transfer of services to the Provisional Government, and has been paid to the Free State Government. No agreement has yet been reached between His Majesty's Government and the Free State Government as to what is the appropriate share due to the latter of the assets of the Road Fund as on the same date, and no payment has yet been made on this account.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that there is not a single light along the North Road between Victoria Gate, Hyde Park, and Marble Arch; that, in consequence, less traffic uses this road than it would do if it were lighted, with consequent congestion after dark in the Bayswater Road; why no lights have been erected; and whether this will be remedied as soon as possible?

It has already been decided to provide lighting for the North Road, Hyde Park, and it is hoped to complete the work in the coming spring.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the number of accidents caused by cyclists not carrying rear lights; and if it is proposed to introduce legislation to make the carrying of rear lights compulsory?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 16th December to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Penny), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 30 of the Railways Act, 1921, the four amalgamated railway companies, on 1st July, 1923, lodged with the Railway Rates Tribunal their schedule of proposed standard charges and that, in accordance with Section 31 of the Act, the rates tribunal fixed the 15th October, 1923, as the last day for the lodgment of objections to the proposals; what progress has been made by the rates tribunal in carrying out their statutory duties in the settlement of the standard charges; whether the amount of the standard revenue referred to in Section 58 has yet been determined; and whether the date of the appointed day has been fixed?

I understand that while it has not been possible to determine the amount of standard revenue or to fix the appointed day, progress has been made in settling many preliminary points, as to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the published judgments of the tribunal.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any information as to whether the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company intends to proceed further with their proposals to electrify the Fenchurch and Southend railway, which will be the means of finding work for some hundreds of workmen?

The railway company inform me that they have no immediate proposals ready for embarking upon this work. So far as the question of unemployment is concerned, I would, however, call the attention of the hon. Member to the programme published by the company, which totals £14,000,000 and will provide a considerable amount of work in the immediate future.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident to Violet Codling, in Lower Road, Rotherhithe, and the comments of the coroner thereon; and whether he will take the necessary steps for a constable to be appointed for point duty at the Albion Street corner where there are several roads converging?

I have received from the Commissioner of Police a report on the accident referred to. I understand that the child having already crossed the road in safety ran back in response to a call from a companion when a passing vehicle knocked her down. It is not considered necessary to place a constable permanently on point duty at the spot, but one is detailed to attend in the vicinity when children are going to or returning from school, to control the traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the schedule for omnibuses demanded in terms of Section 6 of the London Traffic Act is exceedingly complex, and only adapted to concerns running a large number of vehicles, and is wholly inapplicable to small omnibus owners; and whether he will cause a schedule to be issued suitable for owner-drivers of a single omnibus, the said schedule to be simpler in detail and one copy instead of 50 copies, as at present demanded, to be sufficient?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The present arrangements are to some extent experimental, and the possibility of simplifying the form and reducing the number of copies required in the cases referred to, will be further considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of circularising the licensing authorities throughout the country asking them to close licensed premises upon Christmas Day to enable the assistants to spend that day with their families?

This suggestion cannot usefully be adopted as the Licensing Justices have no power, so far as I am aware, to require licensed premises to be kept closed on Christmas Day.

asked the Home Secretary the number of deaths which have taken place in Sheffield among cutlery and other grinders during the last 10 years; what proportion of such deaths are due to tuberculosis, to silicosis, or to a combination of these two diseases; and whether he can state the average age at which death has taken place in each of the last 10 years?

According to figures supplied by the medical officer of health for Sheffield, the total number of deaths among cutlery and other metal grinders in Sheffield during the 10 years 1914 to 1923 was 1,136, of which 524 were due to pulmonary tuberculosis, silicosis or other fibroid disease. These figures give two deaths as due to silicosis unaccompanied by tuberculosis, but do not distinguish between cases of tuberculosis combined with silicosis and cases of tuberculosis unaccompanied by silicosis. The average age at death varies between 45·9 in 1918 and 52·9 in 1920.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Prison Commissioners have been able to secure employment in another Department of Mr. J. J. Sharland, D.C.M., late of the Borstal institution service, as promised by the chairman of the Prison Commissioners?

I am informed that the chairman of the Prison Commissioners did not promise that employment in another Department would be found for him, but he did make inquiries as to whether employment could be found. His efforts did not meet with success.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the nature of the teaching in Communist Sunday schools; and will he take action to prevent such teaching?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to the hon. Member for the Moss Side Division.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has been made to the French Government concerning the extradition of Captain Charles Arthur; and what was the nature of that communication?

Yes, Sir. Request has been made in the usual form to the French Government for the extradition of the person named.