asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the very heavy postal charges on parcels sent to men in foreign stations; and whether he is prepared to consider, with the Postmaster-General, any alternative arrangement, especially at Christmas time, for conveying gifts from home at reduced rates?

I have been asked to reply. The charges on parcels sent to ships on stations abroad are the same as for parcels posted by civilians for the places at which the ships are lying, and normally suffice to cover only the actual cost of handling and con veyance. I regret, therefore, that a general reduction of the present charges is not practicable, but I will consider whether some reduction could not be made in the rates for parcels addressed to certain stations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the hardships involved through discharges from the Royal Dockyards, he will consider whether overtime could be abolished or reduced, in order to make further discharges unnecessary and to provide employment for special hardship cases among those already discharged?

Overtime in the Royal Dockyards is kept down to the lowest possible proportions consistent with carrying on the work of the yards in an efficient and economical manner.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that only four promotions to the rank of warrant shipwright have been made since February, 1918; and when it is expected further promotions will be made?

I am aware of the circumstance stated. I anticipate that a further small number of promotions to warrant shipwright will be made on the 1st April next.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much money has been expended on the construction of the five light cruisers authorised by the late Government: when the construction of these cruisers will be completed; and whether it is intended to proceed with the shipbuilding plans, which included eight cruisers outlined by the last Conservative Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is approximately £537,000. It is expected that the cruisers will be completed in 1927. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 15th December to the hon. and gallant Member for Aylesbury (Sir A. Burgoyne).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government intend to lay down three cruisers at His Majesty's Dockyards to complete their programme, announced in 1923, of eight Cruisers to be constructed to relieve unemployment in the shipbuilding industry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the lath December to the hon. and gallant Member for Aylesbury (Sir A. Burgoyne).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether, at the recent Whitley Council in which the case for an increased bonus to employés in His Majesty's Dockyards was stated, he will say if a case was also stated on behalf of the boys and apprentices who have received no increases nor benefit from the award, and, if the case of these boys was not represented, what steps should they take on future occasions to have their claims represented; and whether any special representation is given to them on the Whitley Council;

(2) if he can state, with reference to the recent increase bonus of 4s. to employés in His Majesty's Dockyards, which increase has not been paid to labourer boys and apprentices in proportion, whether, seeing that the increase was presumably given to meet the increased cost of living and that the increased cost of living affects these boys and apprentices, and that many of them have widowed mothers and younger members of their families to maintain, he will see that the increase be given to them also?

The 4s. a week increase in wages referred to in the hon. Member's question was granted in accordance with an award of the Industrial Court, in connection with a claim by the trade unions for an advance of £1 a week. Boys and apprentices were not affected by the award; the case as stated was for an advance for workmen. The representation of the employés on the Whitley Council is not by classes; but the trade union side of the Council is taken to represent the whole of the industrial employés in the dockyards, including boys and apprentices, and claims on behalf of boys and apprentices have been, and may continue to be, made by the trade union representatives on the Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many sailmakers and sailmakers' mates are borne in the Devonport division: and is he aware that, owing to the stagnation in the promotion of this branch, many ratings, who are already qualified for sailmakers' mates, can never hope for promotion unless the complement is either increased or some other steps are taken to accelerate promotion?

The numbers normally borne are 14 sailmakers and 20 sailmakers' mates. With reference to the latter part of the question, it is not possible to forecast prospects of advancement so far ahead, but it is hoped that requirements for the Fleet Air Arm will give some assistance in this respect.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the stagnation in promotion in, the Royal Navy consequent upon post-War reductions, and of the fact that a large proportion of chief and petty officers who have qualified for promotion cannot hope to be advanced to warrant rank before being overtaken by the age limit for the rank of warrant officer unless steps are taken by the Admiralty to increase the number of warrant officers or accelerate promotion by other means, if he will state whether the Admiralty intend to take any steps to accelerate promotion; and, if so, what steps?

The numbers of warrant officers allowed are fully sufficient to meet the requirements of officers of this rank and I see no reason for increasing them. I do not know what other means for accelerating promotion the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, but obviously, it can only be done by hastening the retirement of existing warrant officers and above, either under some special scheme of retirement or voluntarily. Voluntary retirement under the existing regulations which permit of such retirement at Admiralty discretion on reaching the age of 40, is already allowed, so far as the exigencies of the Service admit. It must also be remembered that the effect of reducing the age of compulsory retirement from 55 to 50 must in time appreciably improve the chances of promotion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether naval pensioners can get their pension life certificates signed by the officers of the watch in the Royal Naval Depots and, if not, whether he will authorise such a procedure, in view of the large number of pensioners resident in the three Home ports?

The categories of persons eligible to attest life certificates is so extensive that in practice there should be no difficulty in pensioners getting their certificates attested, even when regard is had to the large number resident in the three Home ports. The question of what officer should actually perform this duty is one to be decided by those responsible for the internal administration of the various depots. If any man finds difficulty in getting his certificate attested he should report the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that since the advent of broadcasting the aerial wires erected have killed or injured large numbers of pigeons and wild birds; and whether he will consider the introduction of a Regulation that corks or other devices, as used on Army aerials, be used to warn or deter birds from such contact?

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the loss of life amongst racing pigeons and other birds as a result of unprotected wireless aerials: and if he will make it a, condition of a wireless licence that, upon notice being served on the licensee, he shall be bound to affix corks or similar visible objects to his aerials to minimise the risk of injury to the birds?

I have at present no evidence of the extent to which injury is caused to pigeons through collision with wireless aerials, but I have asked the National Homing Union to furnish me with information on the subject, and when I receive it I will consider whether I can with advantage take any action on the lines indicated in my reply to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 16th December last.

asked the Postmaster-General the number and names, and date of formation, of the telephone and telegraph local advistory committees; and whether they are functioning actively?

The following is a list of the telephone and telegraph advisory committees at present in existence:

They were formed, with few exceptions, in 1913 and the early part of 1914 from among local commercial organisations. During the War their activities were suspended, but in 1919 they were asked by the Post Office to resume their sittings. All the above may be considered as actively functioning; their activities, however, are governed largely by local conditions, and in some cases the committees do not meet very frequently.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many outstanding claims are still waiting to be considered by the War Compensation Court in respect of hotels taken over; how long have they been under consideration by the Department; and what steps are being taken to accelerate the hearings?

There are about 15 claims in respect of hotels taken over by this Department which are either awaiting hearing by the Court or still under investigation. Particulars as to the time each has been under investigation are not immediately available and would take some time to collect, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that active steps are now being taken to expedite the disposal of the claims.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the contracts now being given for the supply of headstones to graves in France a stipulation is made that only British stone shall he employed; and, if no such stipulation is made, whether he will take steps to have a clause to this effect inserted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. All the headstones for British war graves in France are made in Great Britain by British labour, and British stone only is used.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will re-create the officers' clothing section of the Ordnance Department in view of the profiteering that exists in officers' uniforms and equipment?

The officers' clothing section of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps was instituted as a war measure and was discontinued after the War as soon as the stocks could be disposed of. I am not satisfied that its re-introduction could be justified in present circumstances.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the claims of the widows of long-service naval men to a pension, whether their death was attributed to service or not?

The question of the grant of pensions to the widows of naval ratings, irrespective of the cause of death has been considered on previous occasions. Although the Admiralty cannot but feel that the question voices a natural aspiration on the part of the men of the Navy, the matter cannot be dealt with as affecting the Navy only.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex - gunner Sidney William Stokes, No. 1,426,560, of 191, Vicarage Lane, West Ham, who was injured whilst in the Forces and for which injury the War Office granted a disability pension of 32s. 6d. per week, is now in Whipps Cross Infirmary receiving treatment for the disability and that the collector for the Guardians of the West Ham Union has intimated to the father of the ex-gunner that the cost of maintenance is 52s. 6d. per week and requesting payment; and whether, as the injury was admittedly sustained when a soldier and the treatment is in regard to such injury, he will consider this case and make arrangements with the Whipps Cross authorities or any other suitable authorities to provide all possible treatment for the gunner's recovery without compelling the family to pay?

This soldier's claim to pension was not made until after his discharge from the Army, and when lie was already in the Whipps Cross Infirmary. The pension of 32s. 6d. a week is the full award admissible for his disability, and no addition can be made to it, but I will have the case referred to the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital to consider whether ex-Gunner Stokes is eligible for admission to a military hospital for treatment, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Adam, widow of Major-General F. A. Adam; whether he is aware that a pension has been refused to her on the ground that her husband was not in receipt of a disability pension; and whether, in view of the fact that the widow is now reduced to her War Office pension of £120 a year, without any other means, he will have the case re-opened by the Ministry of Pensions?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. and gallant Member that a pension has been awarded to the widow in this case in respect of her deceased son. I am looking further into the facts as regards her claim in respect of her late husband, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many appeals from final awards to pensions appeal tribunals have been successful?

Up to the end of December last, 109,786 appeals against final awards had been decided by the pensions appeal tribunals. In 31,809 of these cases the appellants secured an increase of their final awards. In 27,917 cases the appellants succeeded to the extent that the tribunal decided that their cases were not yet suitable for a final award.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can make a detailed statement as to the number of ex-service men who have, through one cause or another, lost their right of appeal; how many such men, within the last year, put forward requests to the appeal tribunals for the reopening of their cases, and in how many instances the ground of failure to do so was accepted as valid and adequate; and whether, in view of the feeling which exists in the country owing to so many men having failed to benefit by the provision made for them by the State, he will appoint a special committee to investigate the whole matter with a view to remedial legislation

Out of the cases in which final awards have been made since January, 1922, the not inconsiderable number of 85,000, or 20 per cent. of the total number of men concerned, have exercised their right of appeal. In not more than 4,300 cases of the remainder, or less than 1 per cent. of the total, have the appeals, though formally out of time, been put, at the request of the men concerned, to the tribunals of appeal, and heard by them. In 911 of these cases it was recognised that the appeal had been delayed by unavoidable cause, and the appeals were accordingly heard on their merits. This procedure, coupled with the arrangements made for the correction of serious errors in final awards, in the working of which all war pension committees have been invited to co-operate, is in my judgment adequately meeting the situation. I do not think, therefore, that I could usefully adopt the suggestion in the latter part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is proposing to alter any of the Regulations governing the grant of pensions: and whether, in any case, he will consider representations by Members on modifications which, in their opinion, might he suitably introduced?

I do not know whether my hon. Friend has any particular Regulations in mind. But I am always ready to consider most carefully any suggestions made by hon. Members in regard to the administration of pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British representative at Constantinople has, either alone or in conjunction with the representatives of the other signatories of the Treaty of Lausanne, made any representations to the Turkish Government regarding its recent treatment of the (Ecumenical Patriarch: and, if so, what is the nature of these representations?

Sir R Lindsay was instructed on the 4th February carefully to watch the situation and was authorised to make any unofficial representations he might consider calculated to further a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet received any report of the charges against Skipper William Loftes, of Grimsby, recently fined, by the Icelandic authorities, the sum of 20,000 kroner or, in default of payment thereof, to serve a sentence of 10 years' imprisonment

A report from His Majesty's Consul at Rejkjavik on the case has just been received and is now under the consideration of the Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position as between the Canadian Government and the Government of the United States of America with regard to the diversion at Chicago of water from the Great Lakes?

The Supreme Court of the United States on the 5th January affirmed a decree inhibiting the Chicago Sanitary District from diverting water from Lake Michigan in excess of the 250,000 cubic feet per minute authorised. His Majesty's Government have no information regarding the position as between the Canadian Government and the United States Government subsequent to this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a recent speech by M. Herriot, in which it is stated that Articles 428 and 429 of the Treaty of Versailles are no longer binding upon France; and whether he will state the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to these articles?

My right hon. Friend's question appears to me to be based upon a complete misapprehension of what M. Herriot said. I can find no grounds for such a suggestion in either of his speeches. On the contrary, any such interpretation of his words was specifically repudiated by him. The Allies In their last Note to Germany stated categorically that for their part they intended scrupulously to observe the terms of Article 429 of the Treaty, and this Note expressed the common policy of both the French and British Governments as well as of the other Allies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, seeing that the Polish Diet has repudiated decisions recently taken by the High Commissioner of Danzig and confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations, if he will state what instructions His Majesty's Govern-in nit propose to give to the British delegate on the Council of the League with a view of maintaining its authority?

The Polish Diet has criticised a decision recently taken by the High Commissioner, which will be the subject of an appeal to the Council at its coming session in March. There is no question of the authority of the League being challenged.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the declaration of Count Skrzynski that the policy of peaceful collaboration between the free city of Danzig and Poland has failed, and that Poland must now adopt other measures; and what instructions His Majesty's Government proposes to give to their delegate on the Council of the League with a view to averting the serious consequences which such a declaration seems to imply?

I am not aware of any such declaration by Count Skrzynski. The answer to the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any of the self-governing Dominions have ratified or refused to ratify the League of Nations protocol for the peaceful settlement of international disputes?

I am not in a position to give a definite reply to my hon. Friend' inquiry. The whole question is still under discussion between His Majesty's Government and the Dominion Governments.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many technical schools in England and Wales are providing facilities: for training building trade apprentices; and whether intensive courses, as in Australia, will be started this year in order to increase the supply of bricklayers and plasterers needed for house production?

The number of institutions in England and Wales providing facilities for giving technical instruction to persons employed, or about to be employed, in the building industry is 92. I have no information that in any of these schools an intensive course of the type referred to in the second part of the question is definitely contemplated by the local education authority. On this subject I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to paragraph 8 of a circular (of which I am sending him a copy) recently issued by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the President of the Board of Education the cost of the inspection and treatment of school children in England and Wales for each of the last five years, and also the sum of money recovered from parents in part payment of this treatment in each of these years?

I regret that I have no information as to the amount of parents' payments prior to the financial year 1921–22. The latest available figures for that and subsequent years are as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he intends to re-institute the acting teachers examination; if so, when; and, if not, does he intend to institute any-other form of examination in lieu thereof?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on 11th December last to the hon. Members for Ludlow (Lieut. Colonel Windsor-Clive), Finchley (Mr. Cadogan) and the Bosworth Division of Leicester (Captain Gee).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can arrange for the special Empire studies for children, issued in 1924 for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, to be continued for the same purpose in 1925, in view of the success then achieved?

Whilst my right hon. Friend has no doubt that the special studies to which the Noble Lord refers have proved, and will continue to prove, a valuable means of illustrating and supplementing the ordinary instruction in history and geography, he does not feel justified in asking the schools for a second year to adapt their syllabuses to a series of special studies in the history and geography of the Empire. He understands that the publication of a series of papers dealing with other aspects of life in the Empire is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will issue in book form the instructional notes on the British Empire Exhibition issued weekly last year to teachers?

The desirability of republishing the notes in book form has been for some time under consideration, and no final decision has been arrived at. My right hon. Friend understands, however, that difficulties arising from the question of copyright and editorship make the possibility of republication somewhat problematical.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will consider the introduction and carrying out of legislation by means of which the compulsory weighing of all cattle, whether store or otherwise, before sale will be enforced?

I have received a number of representations in favour of such legislation, especially in respect of weighing of store cattle before sale, and I am examining the questions involved.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the proposed commencing salary for new recruits to the police force?

The question of modifying the rates of pay for new entrants to the police forces in Scotland has recently been the subject of a Report by a Committee set up by my predecessor, which Report is at present under consideration. The scale of pensionable pay for constables now in force begins at seventy shillings weekly, and certain allowances are payable in addition.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is proposed to render service in the police force compulsory until the age of 45 except in cases of retirement on account of ill-health?

I am not aware of any proposal of the nature referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government of the Irish Free State has made any proposals with a view to assuming a share of the war debt as they had agreed under the Treaty of 1922: and if he had any statement to make?

The Government of the Irish Free State has not made any proposals with a view to assuming the financial liability contemplated in Article 5 of the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the results of the new 3½ per cent, conversion loan offered for tender by 8th January last at a minimum price of £77 10s. per cent.?

£68,060,000 stock nominal was applied for and £59,660,000 allotted, no allotment being made at a price below £77 10s. 6d. The average price of the accepted tenders was £77 10s. 11.58d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been directed to the recommendation of the recent conference of Metropolitan authorities on the quinquennial valuation of property to adopt a new scale of deductions for repairs, making the allowance one-third where the gross value of the property does not exceed £40 a year, and of one-fourth where the gross value is between £40 and £80 a year; and whether he proposes to amend Section 24 of the Finance Act of 1922, in accordance with this recommendation, in assessments for Income Tax?

I am aware that recommendations have been made with regard to a scale of deductions for arriving at rateable value for rating purposes in the metropolis. The considerations which arise in that connection are not the same as those governing the flat-rate allowances for repairs for Income Tax purposes which may be supplemented by a further allowance on proof of the actual average expenditure on repairs, maintenance, etc., of property. The Income Tax allowances are now contained in Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1923; and are more generous than those contained in Section 24 of the Finance Act, 1922, which was repealed by the former Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider in his forthcoming Budget the question of granting a special allowance for income arising from leasehold property to compensate the owners for the fact that such property represents to the owner a wasting asset?

I do not see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether arrangements can be made at the office of the inspector of Income Tax at Moss Hall Grove, Finchley, for the provision of a room for members of the public to be interviewed on questions relating to claims for Income Tax, so as to avoid the present practice of cross-examination by a public official at a counter in the hearing of other members of the public?

I am making inquiry into this matter and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it. Is with his approval and consent that the Chief Inspector of Taxes (Claims) requires officials of an Oxford college, when making application for a rebate on Income Tax upon a college fund, to forward documentary evidence as to how and when the said charity (i.e., college-) was established, and the objects for which it was founded, and requests that, if it was founded by bequest, a copy of the relevant document should be forwarded to him, the said document being a charter of King Henry VI, dated 1437; and if it is not with his knowledge that such application is made by the Chief Inspector of Taxes (Claims), whether he will desire that official to discontinue such demands?

If I am rightly informed, the claim to which my hon. Friend refers was not made on behalf of an Oxford college as such, but was apparently a new claim made in respect of a particular fund stated to be held in connection with a college library. In these circumstances inquiry was necessary in order to establish that the fund was vested in trustees for charitable purposes and that the income was in fact applied to those purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in order to prevent exhibits of the Imperial War Museum, which are not at present provided with accommodation, from deteriorating, steps will be taken to secure room for them, for the benefit of the public and of historical record?

The need for further accommodation to house the exhibits of the Imperial War Museum is fully recognised and is at present under consideration, but, I am not yet in a position to state what steps will be taken to meet the requirements.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that certain local authorities, including the London County Council, are levying the duty for armorial bearings on the badges of regimental old comrades' associations; whether the duty is equally being levied on the badges of other associations, such as trades unions or the Empire Exhibition Fellowship; and whether, as this duty was originally imposed by Parliament, he will take steps to secure uniformity in this matter?

By Section 6 of the Finance Act, 1908, the power to levy this duty was transferred to the county councils in England and Wales, and the councils are not subject in the exercise of their power to the authority, direction or control of the Treasury. It does not lie within my power therefore to take any steps in the matter, and I can only refer the hon. and gallant Member to the written reply which I gave to his question on Tuesday last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if an old age pensioner who is in occupation of a five-roomed house, for which he pays 10s. 4d. per week, lets three rooms thereof for 7s. per week, retaining two rooms for himself, whether this sum of 7s. a week is treated as income so as to debar him from the old age pension?

In the circumstances stated by the hon. and gallant Member the amount to be taken into account in calculating means for old age pension purposes would not be the gross rent paid by the sub-tenants, as is suggested, but the amount of the profit on the subletting. Such profit would not in itself render the 'person concerned ineligible for a pension.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if an old age pensioner who is eligible for the full amount of the 10s. pension, but from whom such pension is taken to pay for sums advanced under the Old Age Pensions Act, to which it is stated he was not entitled, may accept gifts or may work, if he can obtain such; if such gifts or such work must be limited to a certain sum per week, and what that sum may be; or if he is absolutely debarred from gifts or earnings so long as the money advanced him remains unpaid?

The limit of yearly means for an old age pension at the 10s. rate is, in the case of an unmarried person, £26 5s., but in arriving at this amount a deduction not exceeding £39 is allowed from such part of the means as is not derived from earnings. In the case of a married couple living together the combined means must not exceed £52 10s. after deduction of a sum not exceeding £78 from such part as is not derived from earnings. A pensioner at the 10s. rate may accept gifts or earn wages without affecting his right to the pension so long as they do not raise his total yearly means above the appropriate limit.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability, especially in view of the constant overlapping that occurs, of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole problem of the working of the Employment Exchanges and the present administration of the Poor Law?

I have been asked to reply. The question of the co-ordination of the services for the grant of assistance from public funds was exhaustively considered by the Inter-Departmental Committee which reported in December, 1923 (Cmd. 2011), and as at present advised I do not think any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a Royal Commission on the subject. Poor Law authorities are already required by Statute to take into account any unemployment benefit that is being received by an applicant for relief, and arrangements, which are kept under constant review, have been made for enabling the authorities to give effect to this provision.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the claims of individuals against Germany were assessed at £12,500,000 by the Royal Commission; that up to the 26th June Germany had paid by way of reparations, over and above the cost of the Army of Occupation, £15,000,000, but that only £5,360,000 had so far been allocated to the claims of individuals; and whether he can see his way, especially in cases of men in the mercantile marine, many of whom are now in great distress, to make a pronouncement to the effect. that the actual proved and assessed damage sustained by individuals shall be paid in full out of reparations actually paid by Germany to present date or out of future payments?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the policy of His Majesty's Government regarding compensation to civilians for suffering and damage by enemy action during the late War

After careful consideration of the whole question, His Majesty's Government have decided that they are unable to depart from the decision reached in 1920 and confirmed by successive administrations since that date. This decision was that the sum of £5,000,000 allocated to compensation for damage by enemy action (to which there has since been added £300,000 for belated claims) is a final and maximum amount. I cannot ask the general taxpayer to make an addition to this sum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes to deal with the unexpended balance of the £5,000,000 for reparation claims; and to what extent he will be able to supplement the amount allocated for belated claimants?

The payment of grants on the recommendation of the Sumner Commission and under the scheme for belated claims is not yet completed, and accordingly no question of any unexpended balance has arisen. In regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to questions by the hon. Members for the Isle of Thanet (Mr. Harmsworth) and Cardiff East (Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke) earlier this afternoon.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Commission on Food Prices are ascertaining the effect of increased rents for warehouses and retail shops upon food prices?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that, as stated in the answer to the question put by the hon. Member on 11th December last, the Royal Commission will be prepared to hear evidence as to the effect of increased rents for warehouses and retail shops upon food prices, and I would suggest that the hon. Member should communicate any evidence he may possess direct to the Chairman of the Commission.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average pit-head price per ton of household coal during 1924; the average cost of production per ton; and if reliable figures are available to confirm the published statements of the Coal-owners' Association of Great Britain of profits earned during 1924?

A statement of the costs, proceeds and profits in respect of all coal raised in each mining district is published quarterly by the Mines Department. The statements for the first three quarters of 1924 have already been published and that for the last quarter will be published shortly. Separate particulars are not available of the pit-head price of household coal, which is, of course, ordinarily substantially higher than that of other coal.

asked the Secretary for Mines if the existing working agreement between the Miners' Federation of Great Britain and the Coalowners' Association permits of the cost of opening and developing new coal seams and of improving mining property generally being treated as a charge on current production to be met from current revenue; and if any information can be given to show how far such development costs were so treated during 1924?

No, Sir. I understand the rule to be that any expenditure which, according to the principles that apply to the assessment of Income Tax, is on capital account, is excluded from the ascertainment.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of British coal exported to Russia, France, Belgium and Italy during the year 1913; and the quantity exported to the before-named countries during the year 1924?

The information is as follows:

^* In addition, the following quantities of coal were exported in 1924 to countries which, or parts of which, were Russian territory before the War:

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to Dr. John Shaw's remedy for foot-and-mouth disease which has been tried in this and other countries and proved successful; and, if not, whether he will give immediate instructions to his department for an official test?

I am aware of the claims made with regard to the efficacy of Dr. Shaw's remedy, and I have decided that this particular remedy shall be tested officially.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the investigations of his officials confirm the theory that many cases of foot-and-mouth disease arise from inadequate facilities for disinfecting railway trucks; and, if so, what steps he is taking?

Investigations conducted last year showed good grounds for concluding that the disease had been spread through improperly disinfected trucks. A new Order was accordingly issued last April revising the method of cleansing and disinfection and ten special inspectors appointed to supervise the operation of this Order. I am satisfied that, as a result, there has been a material improvement in carrying out the disinfection of trucks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress is being made under the agricultural wages boards in the provision of a weekly half-holiday for farm workers?

Although the Agricultural Wages Committee have no power to make compulsory the granting of a weekly half-holiday to farm workers, 41 of the 47 committees have endeavoured to give effect to the provision in the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, for the securing of such a half-holiday by applying overtime rates of wages to all employment in excess of a certain number of hours (ranging from 5 to 6L) on one weekday in every week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to organise a system of technical institution for farriers?

Organised courses of technical instruction in farriery provided by local education authorities are supported by my Department by means of grants-in-aid on a generous scale. Most counties have such courses already in operation, and the Ministry encourages the extension of the facilities whenever there may be a demand. In addition the Ministry loans to local education authorities a travelling blacksmith's van for the purpose of enabling advanced instruction in metal welding—which includes farriery—to be given.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that serious damage has been caused to agricultural land in the valley of the River Mole, consequent upon its being perpetually in a waterlogged condition; and if he can take any steps to remedy this state of affairs?

Yes, Sir, I am aware that complaints have been made as to flooding in the valley of the River Mole. The carrying out of such remedial measures as are required rests with the Mole Drainage Board a statutory body set up by an Order made under the Land Drainage Acts, and the Ministry has recently offered the Board the financial assistance available in connection with its unemployment relief programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what quantity of potatoes were imported into this country from Canada this year; and also the corresponding figure for last year?

The imports of potatoes from Canada were 4,900 tons in 1924 and 2,400 tons during January of this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any steps have been taken to increase the acreage under the plough in this country rather than permit it to continue to decline?

The Government has given careful consideration to this problem and invited the various organisations representing landowners, farmers and workers to confer together and express their views as to the steps necessary to maintain, and, if possible, to increase the area of arable land in England and Wales. While the landowners and farmers have nominated representatives, I regret that the organisations of labourers have not seen their way to accept that invitation, and I am now considering what further steps should be taken in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the average numbers of employés in Berk- shire employed per 100 acres by tenant farmers; what are the average numbers of employés in the same county employed per 100 acres by owners on their estates and home farms, exclusive of any land let to tenant farmers; and what are the average weekly wages paid to the employés in both the above cases

According to the Agricultural Returns of the 4th June last, the average number of agricultural workers (excluding the occupier, his wife and domestic servants) employed per 100 acres of crops and grass in Berkshire on that date was 3.34, but I have no information which will enable roe to distinguish between the number of workers employed by tenant farmers and estate owners respectively. The minimum rate of wages fixed under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act. 1924. for male workers aged 21 and over employed in agriculture in Berkshire is 29s. 2d. for a week of 50 hours. Although I have no precise information on the subject, this figure probably represents approximately the average, wage paid to ordinary farm hands, 'but workers employed in connection with the care of animals would generally receive overtime payment in addition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of worn-out horses, pit ponies, etc., which are exported annually to the Continent; and, seeing that in most cases these animals are diseased, blind and aged, and are exposed to much suffering, will he bring in legislation imposing an adequate tax on every live horse, pony, ass or mule exported for these reasons, and so encourage the humane slaughter of worn-out animals?

The numbers of horses of all classes exported from this country to the Continent in the years 1922, 1923 and 1924 were 17.936, 17,063 and 25,642 respectively. No horses which are worn out, diseased or blind are allowed to be exported, and the figures quoted therefore include only such horses as have passed a rigid veterinary examination at the ports and are fit to work and to travel without suffering. With regard to the last part of the question, as I announced in reply to the hon. and learned Member for Moss Side (Mr. G. Hurst) on the 10th instant, I am proposing to appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into this trade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange has refused to pay unemployment benefit to two men suspected of having been in contact with small-pox cases, in spite of the offer of the local sanitary authority to provide proper safeguards; and whether he will give instructions for the benefit and arrears to be paid to these men?

In the cases referred to it was necessary to obtain a decision from the Chief Insurance Officer as to whether benefit was payable and there was also some difficulty about attendance at the Exchange, owing Lo possible risk of infection. The decision was in favour of the applicants and arrangements were made for all outstanding benefit to be paid last Tuesday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the withdrawal of the Regulation issued by his Department whereby unemployed insured persons are deprived of any further benefit on the ground that the local employment committee consider that they have failed to prove that in normal times insurable employment suited to their capacities would be likely to be available for them

The requirement that each applicant for extended benefit shall prove that in normal times insurable employment suited to his capacities would be likely to be available for him is laid down in the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1924, and not by Regulation. I have no power, therefore, to grant extended benefit when this condition is not fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men who are drawing unemployed benefit, covenanted or otherwise, who are over 60 years of age; and the number of those between the ages of 50 and 60 years of age?

Statistics of the ages of claimants to benefit are not normally compiled. An analysis, however, has been made of about 10,000 cases out of the 1,093,000 persons claiming benefit last November, of whom 868,300 were men. On the basis of this analysis, which should be representative, the number of men of 60 years and over claiming benefit would be about 119,800, and that of men from 45 to 59 years of age about 222,200.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. David Morgan, of 1, Founders Row, Llwydcoed, Aberdare, has not received his unemployed benefit for the past 12 weeks because of a mistake made in the payment for one of his children, who is over age; and, seeing that he brought the matter to the notice of the manager of the local Exchange, and that there are a number of similar cases, will he take steps to prevent such a delay in dealing with cases of this kind?

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

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate and unsatisfactory accommodation for insured persons and the staff of the Ministry at the Kirkcaldy Employment Exchange; if the question of transferring the work of this Exchange to more suitable premises has been considered; and with what result?

It is quite true that the accommodation provided by the present premises at Kirkcaldy is unsatisfactory and steps are being taken with a view to effecting an improvement. I understood from the hon. Member that I should receive a letter from him making some suggestions with regard to the matter.

asked the right hon. Member for Monmouthshire, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment in South Wales, it is proposed to greatly extend afforestation in Wales; and when plans in this direction are likely to be announced?

The Forestry Commissioners are planting 1,974 acres in Wales and Monmouth this season, as compared with 1,408 acres last season. They are providing grants to local authorities and other landowners for afforestation work in relief of unemployment, and schemes for work on 1,047 acres in Wales and Monmouth have been approved this season. They are acquiring during the current financial year, approximately, 6,000 acres of plantable land in Wales and are negotiating for additional areas amounting to 25,000 acres.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any inquiry into the cost of living is contemplated; and, if so, the precise nature and extent of the inquiry?

I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind an inquiry into actual working-class expenditure. I am afraid that information collected on this subject in the present state of employment in some of the principal industries would not provide a valid basis for future cost-of-living statistics; but I regard it as essential that a new inquiry should be made as soon as conditions become sufficiently normal, and I propose to take the first favourable opportunity of instituting such an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the Second Interim Report on methods of house construction, he will have concrete houses built in areas having a natural supply of aggregates and allow the other building materials to be used where there are no such natural supplies?

The question of the method of construction to be employed in connection with the erection of houses is a matter primarily for the local authority concerned. Concrete houses are being erected in increasing numbers throughout the country and, as stated in the Report to which the hen. Member refers, suitable aggregates re- presenting five-sixths or more of the ingredients required for concrete are to be found in most districts. The building of houses in concrete or other alternative methods should be considered in all cases where sufficient numbers of houses cannot be supplied by the ordinary means.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in the construction and erection of steel houses; and how the cost and rapidity of erection compare with the ordinary construction of bricks and mortar?

As my hon. Friend is aware I am arranging for the purposes of demonstration for the erection in convenient centres of certain types of steel houses recommended by the Committee on New Methods of House Construction. 'It will not be possible to make any final comparison of costs until steel houses are being produced and erected in considerable quantities, but I hope that the experiments to be carried out will demonstrate at once that these houses can be provided for occupation in a much shorter time than ordinary brick houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that insured persons with no dependants are enabled at the present time to enter hospitals for treatment and then at the end to receive lump sums from friendly societies in respect of benefit, and that very often these sums are not employed to any profitable purpose, while the hospital receives nothing; and whether, under the circumstances, he will consider an alteration of the law which will enable societies which have insured men on their hooks to deduct a portion of the lump sum payment due to them in these cases and make a payment from it to the hospitals for the services rendered?

Except in the case of institutions maintained out of public funds, an Approved Society has power under the existing law to make a payment to a hospital out of the amount of benefit accruing in respect of a member, having no dependants, who receives treatment in the hospital. I have no information as to the extent to which payments are in fact made under this power, but considerable sums are paid to hospitals by Approved Societies every year out of their National Health Insurance funds, and the whole question of the relation of the hospitals to the National Health Insurance scheme is one which will no doubt be considered by the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance which is now sitting.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the controversy affecting the scale of payment of medical officers of health; whether he is aware that friction has already arisen with the British Medical Association on the subject; and whether he will consider, to avoid these disputes, the fixing of a scale of salaries which would be agreeable both to the local authorities and to the medical profession?

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the necessity of calling a conference comprising representatives of local authorities, the British Medical Association, and the officers of his Department, with a view of arriving at an agreed scale of remuneration for medical officers of health in the public service?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the desirability of calling a conference between the representatives of local authorities, the British Medical Association, and the Ministry of Health, with the view to arriving at an agreed scale of remuneration for medical officers of health; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Discussions have taken place on this subject between representatives of the Ministry of Health, of the Medical Association and of local authorities, and certain suggestions have been made which are still under consideration. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by calling a conference at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the subsidence of the mountain now taking place at Cwm, Ebbw Vale; the inconvenience and expense it puts upon the local authority; and whether he proposes to look into the question of subsidence in these valleys with the view of giving some financial assistance to the authorities that are affected?

My attention has not been specially drawn to this case. The question of subsidence is at present being examined by a Royal Commission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, with reference to paragraph 2 ( b ) of A.F.O. 2289 of the 22nd August, 1924, permission can be given for candidates who will have 12 months' service in before the date of the next competitive examination for male clerical classes to be eligible to take the examination, even though they may not have secured the six months' service allowed between the 1st September, 1923, and 31st May, 1924, thereby enabling men who have served longer than six months to the satisfaction of their superiors to endeavour to secure established employment?

The Admiralty in this matter act upon regulations which have general application to all Government Departments and are not in a position to vary the regulations governing the eligibility of candidates to compete in the examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been come to with regard to the abolition of fees for cadets for His Majesty's Air Force; if he is aware that many young men of promise, including sons of serving officers, are pre- vented from entering for the officer corps of the Air Force through lack of means; and if he is aware that in the American and Japanese air forces no fees are charged for cadets?

Any action by the Air Ministry in the direction suggested by the hon. and gallant Member must necessarily be dependent to a considerable extent on the course adopted in the case of naval and military cadets. I have not yet been able to take a final decision in the matter, but am consulting my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the First Lord of the Admiralty. I may point out that very considerable facilities already exist for the benefit of candidates who would otherwise be debarred by lack of means from entering the commissioned ranks of the Royal Air Force. In addition to King's Cadetships and Prize Cadetships, there is a private benefaction, in awarding which the question of means is taken into special account, whilst the Air Council are empowered to offer annually a number of free cadetships to aircraft apprentices of special promise. Further, cadets receive a daily rate of pay as well as messing allowance from their first entry into the Cadet College. I am aware of the American and Japanese practice in this Matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any proposals have been received for a joint Anglo-French seaplane route from Marseilles, via Alexandretta, to Iraq; and, if so, whether any decision in the matter has been arrived at?

Tentative proposals for a seaplane service of the nature referred to in the question were made last year, but were not pursued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the increase in the price of bread during the past two months; whether he has any information that the price will be still further advanced in the near future; and what steps the Government proposes to take to deal with the matter?

I am aware that the price of bread was increased in London generally at the beginning of last week from 10d. to 11d. per 4 1b., and that similar changes have occurred in other places. I have no information that any further advance is contemplated in the near future, and in so far as future movements of broad prices depend on the course of prices for wheat and flour in the principal world markets, it is not possible to predict what bread prices will be in advance. The matter is, as the hon. Member will be aware, engaging the attention of the Royal Commission on Food Prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that an advertisement from Arcos, Limbed, of Soviet House, is appearing on publications issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office; if he is aware that this is a Russian company advertising Russian raw materials; and, in view of the effect on our Dominions and Colonies, who are trying to sell their raw materials on the British markets, will he have the advertisement withdrawn from future publications?

I do not propose to enter into new contracts for advertisements from this undertaking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish the figures for the production of coal, iron and steel in the Ruhr district for the years 1922, 1923 and 1924?

I have no official statistics of the production of coal, iron or steel in the Ruhr district in the years specified, and the following particulars are derived from French and German trade organs:

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to consolidate the enactments relating to factories during the present Session; and, if so, whether the Bill will differ materially from the Bill introduced for that purpose in the last Session of Parliament?

It is hoped, as announced in the King's Speech, to introduce a Bill this Session to amend and consolidate the Factory and Work-

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of imported bricks for last November, December and January; and the countries that they came from?

The following statement shows the quantities and values of bricks of brick earth or clay imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the different countries of consignment during the months of November and December, 1924, and January, 1925:

shop Acts, but I am not in a position to make any statement as to the provisions of the Bill, which have not yet been settled.

asked the Home Secretary if he is prepared to grant a Return showing the restrictions against Englishmen entering, residing, and trading in each of the countries comprised in the League of Nations; the corresponding restrictions, if any, imposed in England against nationals of those countries; and the reasons for which parallel restrictions are not imposed in any case against immigrants into England, who come to compete in the labour market on more favoured conditions than are allowed to Englishmen in the country of a foreigner coming to England?

I have not the material for such a Return, and I do not think it would be worth collecting. My policy in regard to aliens will be governed by the needs and interests of this country, and not by what is done in other countries

asked the Home Secretary whether any representations have been made to him that considerable dissatisfaction exists in the prison service on the non-stabilisation of pay; and whether he will consider the advisability of placing the pay on a permanent basis at an early date?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the fact that the pay of prison officers includes a variable element in the form of war bonus. In this respect their position does not differ from that of other classes of civil servants, and I do not see. my way to take any action in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that at certain industrial schools, such as Mayford, the boys are not now taught such useful occupations as carpentering, tailoring, boot-making, etc., these having been supplanted by botany, geology, and other sciences; and if he will consider a reversion to the previous curriculum?

The educational policy adopted in schools certified by the Secretary of State under the Children Act was carefully reviewed after the passing of the Education Act of 1918, and steps were taken to see that the general principles inherent in that Act were applied to these schools, especially that all children under 14 should spend full time under instruction whether in the school-room or elsewhere, and that other occupations should be so restricted that the capacity of the children to profit from their full-time instruction should in no wise be diminished. As children usually leave the industrial schools at about the age of 15 it is not possible to give a definite vocational training, but when the boys and girls have passed the age of 14, the work of the school-room is supplemented by certain forms of training such as wood and metal work, farm and garden work for boys and domestic training for girls. Tailoring and shoemaking were largely abandoned because they were not found to lead to disposals to these trades, but children are still taught to repair clothes and boots. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular on the subject of education which was sent to the managers of the schools in December, 1919.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is considering exceptional treatment to seasonal resorts in respect of the modification in the hours of the closing of shops; and whether he intends to ascertain local opinion on the subject by which to guide his decision?

Requests have been received from time to time from holiday resorts in favour of an extension for these places of the general closing hours fixed by the Shops (Early Closing) Acts, but there are no such representations at present under consideration and, as the hon. Member will be aware, there is no provision in the Acts under which any such extension could be authorised. This could only be provided for by amending legislation I do not at present contemplate any special inquiry, but I shall be glad to consider any statements I may receive from the local authorities or other responsible bodies in the localities concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is able to inform the House with regard to European countries where compulsory voting for Parliamentary elections is in practice; and whether this practice that all electors should exercise the privilege of the franchise has worked satisfactorily?

I have been asked to reply. I am in possession of the information desired by the hon. Member only in so far as it relates to Belgium and the Netherlands. Copies of reports made in 1922 on the working of the compulsory voting system in those two countries, which were given to the hon. Member at that time, have been placed in the Library of the House. Whether the system works satisfactorily is a matter of opinion on which I am not in a position to express an opinion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Traffic Advisory Committee is considering measures for the prevention of fatal and other accidents in the streets of London?

My Department is now being furnished with particulars of all street accidents, in the London traffic area, in which vehicles are involved or which are alleged to be due to the condition of the road. All practicable steps are, and will he, taken to remove avoidable causes of risk. All the measures recommended by the London Traffic Advisory Committee for the improvement of traffic conditions in London will, I hope, tend to make the streets safer both for pedestrians and for vehicles.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of certain Army Departments in India, who were appointed in England, and whose salaries are fixed in rupees, have been admitted to exchange compensation allowance in the past, whereas the officers and other ranks of certain other Departments, similarly appointed and paid, have been denied this allowance; and what were the grounds for this discrimination?

Exchange compensation allowance has been generally abolished since 1919, and it is therefore difficult to understand how such discrimination can exist. But if the hon. and gallant Member will give me further particulars, I will have the matter looked into.