asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of ex-service men temporarily employed as sorting clerks in the Post Office who are not included in the agreement between the Treasury and the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants, distinguishing between those whose service, though temporary, has been continuous and those whose work is styled casual through intermittent employment?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am having inquiry made, and kill Communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the grievance of the ex-service members of the Post Office Manipulative Grades Association to the alleged disparity of treatment in relation to the examination required to be passed by these men as compared with ex-service temporary civil servants, and that, whereas the former class are required to obtain a minimum of 60 per cent. of 1,000 marks on a relatively severer test, the latter for similar appointments are only required to obtain a minimum of 250; whether he is aware that this examination is the final and only opportunity for ex-service men in the Post Office manipulative grades to compete for these appointments, and that they have years of established service to their credit with practically no other avenues of advancement; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Cadogan) on 24th February.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the statement contained in paragraph 26 of the Southborough Committee's Report that in their opinion, having regard to the recommendations made for the benefit of ex-service men temporarily employed, the claims of members of the manipulative grades in that department should be sympathetically considered in order that there might be no suggestion that they have been unfairly treated in the light of the special arrangements made for ex-service men employed in a temporary capacity; and, as this Report was accepted by the late Government and its findings have been extended by the present one in favour of the ex-service temporary civil servant, will he ensure that the inequality of treatment in relation to the examination test shall be remedied and the conditions made the same in all respects-

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave on the 26th February to the hon. Member for the City of Chester (Sir C. Cayzer), from which he will see that a Committee of the Post Office Departmental Whitley Council is at present considering, in the light of the recommendation of the Southborough Committee to which he refers, the question of modifying the existing arrangements in regard to the appointment of members of the manipulative staff of the Post Office to posts in the clerical grades.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an air mail service has been established between Rotterdam and Malmő in accordance with the recommendations of the Hague Air Mail Conference of November, 1923; and whether there are as yet indications that the ser. ice is working satisfactorily from the point of view of Anglo-Scandinavian air mail communication?

The air mail service between Rotterdam and Malmő, which was recommended at the Conference referred to, was instituted in July last. British mails for Norway and Sweden, however, were already being conveyed by the slightly shorter but equally useful Rotterdam-Copenhagen service, which had been started in the previous May. I regret to say that this service did not attract much traffic. Both services are suspended for the winter season.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take in connection with the contemplated Amendment of the Wireless Telegraphy Acts to make adequate and specific provision for preserving the right of amateur experiments in wireless communication?

I hope to make a full statement on this and other points connected with the Wireless Telegraphy and Signalling Bill upon the motion for Second Reading. Meanwhile I would call the hon. Member's attention to the fact that Clause 2 (1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904, which confers the right referred to, is reproduced textually in the present Bill. I do not consider that the position of the experimenter is in any way prejudiced under the Bill.

asked the Postmaster-General if an applicant for a wireless experimental licence has first to declare the nature of his experiments?

It is the statutory duty of the Postmaster-General, before granting an experimental licence, to satisfy himself that the sole object of the applicant is to enable him to conduct experiments in wireless telegraphy. In order to fulfil this duty, an applicant is asked to state what scientific qualifications he possesses and the general nature of the experiments he desires to conduct. If his scientific qualifications are in themselves sufficient to justify the issue of a licence, no detailed information concerning his proposed experiments would be insisted on.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the advertisements calling the attention of the public to the advantages of the telephone system, his Department is in a position to carry out all orders received without delay 7

Telephones are being installed at the rate of over 17,000 a month, and, except in a comparatively limited number of cases where way leave consents are being negotiated or where the completion is awaited of works in hand for the provision of additional underground plant or switchboard accommodation, orders for telephone service are being met without delay.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of canvassers employed by the Post Office to inform the public of the benefits of the telephone and to popularise its use; and whether, in view of the large amount of business which may be thus obtained, he is employing all the energies of his Department in expediting the carrying out of the orders on hand?

The number of canvassers at present employed is 399. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution on telephone development passed by the council of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on the:3rd instant; and what action he proposes to take to improve, develop, and popularise the telephone service of this country in both the local and trunk branches of the telephone service?

I have seen the resolution to which the hon. Member refers and am replying to it. The development and improvement of the telephone service is already proceeding rapidly under a highly organised Canvassing Department and the activities of the responsible technical officers of the Post Office. I can assure the hon. Member that the whole subject is receiving, and will continue to receive, my close personal attention.

asked the Postmaster-General the total cost of telegraph and telephone apparatus and accessories of foreign manufacture purchased by his Department during the year 1924?

The total cost of telegraph and telephone apparatus and accessories of foreign manufacture purchased by the Post Office during the year 1924 was £29,505.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the inconvenience frequently caused to the public in the small space afforded them in the principal post office at Acton, he will endeavour to enlarge this space as soon as he is able to do so

It is recognised that congestion occurs in the public office during the peak period of business, and arrangements have recently been made for the employment of additional staff to meet the pressure during this period. The question of enlargement of the premises will be kept in view, but having regard to other pressing needs and the very great retardation of the building programme, I can make no promise of early action.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when an employ´ of the Post Office who has been temporarily employed for a certain time is placed on the permanent list, he is allowed to count, the whole of his service towards pension?

As was explained to the hon. Member by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in reply to his questions on the 27th ultimo, the extent, if any, to which previous temporary service is reckoned for pension under Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, depends upon the special circumstances of each case.

asked the Postmaster-General the authority under which the following powers of the Investigation Branch are exercised, namely, the interrogation, searching, and detention of members of the Post Office staff, the interrogation, searching, and detention of wives, relatives, and other friends of members of the staff, the searching of the homes of members of the staff, and the removal of property from the homes of members of the staff?

The Investigation Branch of the Post Office acts under my authority and possesses no special legal powers. Interrogation, detention and search is only resorted to with the assent of the person concerned, and no instance is known where the wife, friends or relatives of a Post Office servant have been searched or detained, unless detected in the act of cashing monetary documents stolen from the post. I may say that the object of the inquiries conducted by the Investigation Branch is to elicit the facts and thereby not merely to detect the guilty but to enable innocent persons to clear themselves from suspicion which would otherwise attach to them. Property is only removed from the house of a Post Office servant where there is good reason to believe it is stolen or is the proceeds of theft.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in a recent promotion case at Inverness a sorting clerk and telegraphist was promoted over the heads of 14 other colleagues, whose service ranged from 14 to 30 years; and whether he will make inquiries into the reasons for this unusual promotion?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to. The officer in question was promoted because he was considered the best qualified on his class, and I am satisfied that this view was justified.

asked the Postmaster-General in how many cases he has taken proceedings against possessors of wireless sets for failure or refusal to take out licences?

Proceedings have been taken by the Post Office in two such eases during the past two years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the rearrangement of collections in suburban London, so that letters will be accepted at a later hour for delivery in the Metropolitan area on the same evening?

The usual time of posting in one part of London for delivery in another part the same night is 4.30 p.m. I am satisfied that the adjustment is already as close as is desirable; a later posting would jeopardise the connection with the last delivery.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the postal facilities throughout Aberdeenshire, more especially with regard to the early delivery and later despatch of letters from and to London; and, if so, when the improved facilities will come into operation?

I am having inquiries made, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the inconvenience caused by the present regulations as to printed paper rates, he will consider the revision and simplification of these regulations, so that such a con- dition as that a typed copy of a circular letter costs three times as much as a duplicated copy of the same letter may be removed?

The regulation to which the hon. and gallant Member particularly refers, requires that circular letters intended for despatch at the reduced rate, if not printed in the ordinary way, shall be reproductions obtained by some process commonly employed to prepare a number of identical conies, and shall be handed in in batches of not less than 20 packets at a time. The object of the regulations, which is in force also in the international service, is to protect. the revenue, and I do not sec my way to modify it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in telegrams letters indicating London districts, such as W.C.2, are charged as two words; and if he will consider the charging of such letters as one word?

Telegraph delivery offices do not correspond with the postal delivery offices which are indicated by the postal district numbers, and the use of those numbers in the addresses of telegrams is consequently unnecessary. This is duly notified on page 85 of the "Post Office Guide." In these circumstances, I regret that I can see no good reason for transmitting postal district numbers in telegrams free of charge.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the obsolete Peerless armoured cars at present issued to Yeomanry armoured-car units will be replaced by a more up-to-date type of British make; and whether it is his intention to supply some of these units with half-track cars?

I regret that it is not possible to say at present when more up-to-date equipment can be made available for the Territorial armoured-car units. The application of half-tracks to Service vehicles is still in the experimental stage, and no early conclusion is likely to be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War when and for what term of years the Deptford Cattle Market was taken over by his Department; the total amounts paid as rent to the Corporation of London and expended upon alterations and repairs; when negotiations for the purchase of the property were commenced; the terms and conditions under which it is now held; and the number of officials and workpeople at present employed there?

The Deptford Cattle Market was taken over on the 4th August, 1914, for so long as the exigencies of the public service might require, but not exceeding five years after the termination of the War, i.e., the limit of the period of agreement is the 31st August., 1926. The rent is £10,000 a year, and about £400,000 has, been spent on alterations and repairs, including railways. Negotiations for the purchase commenced early in 1924, when the Department decided to exercise its option of purchase under the agreement. The Department is still in occupation under the original terms of the agreement. The number of officials and workpeople at present employed is 199.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the district wages boards have now completed their inquiries and established wages scales for all the defined areas of England and Wales; what has been the average increase of weekly wage; what is to-day the highest and lowest wage, and for which districts; and have any communications reached the Ministry from any district that employers are not paying the standard wage?

Thirty-nine of the agricultural wages committees have completed the fixing of minimum rates for time-work for all classes of male workers in their areas, and the rates have been duly brought into operation by Orders of the Agricultural Wages Board. The remaining eight committees have issued notices of the rates they propose to fix for male workers, and it is expected that the committees will all have considered any objections and fixed the rates in time for the wages board at their meeting on the 10th March to make the necessary Orders. In 35 of the areas minimum rates of wages have been brought into operation also for female workers, and in nine other areas rates for such workers have been proposed. No complete particulars are available as to the wages being paid prior to the fixing of the minimum rates, but from such information as is in my possession the minimum rates represent average increases in the weekly wage for ordinary workers ranging from is. to 5s. per week. The highest weekly wage in force at present is that of 43s. for certain classes of stockmen and shepherds in Durham, and the lowest. that of 29s. for ordinary workers in Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, and in Norfolk. Although the Ministry has been informed of certain cases in which trice employers are alleged to be paying less than the minimum rates, my information is that generally the employers are complying loyally with the committees' decisions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of persons engaged in agricultural work during, or about, the year 1874: the number so employed during the latest year for which Returns have been received; and the acreage of arable land luring the years in question?

No figures are available for the year 1874, and the only comparable figures which can be given are those furnished by the decennial census. The number of persons engaged in agriculture as returned at. the population census in 1871 and 1921, and the acreage of arable land as returned on the 4th June in those years in England and Wales were as follows:

asked the Home Secretary (1) how many male and how many female agricultural workers belong to the National Union of Agricultural Workers and how many to the Workers' Union;(2) what is the total number of trade unionists belonging to the recognised unions; how many belong to the. Workers' Union; and how many of these are agricultural labourers?

The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies can give me figures for registered trade unions. and states that according to the returns sent to him the total number of members of registered trade unions on the 31st December, 1923, was 4,413,589, the membership of the National Union of Agricultural Workers was 66,094 males and 200 females, and that of the Workers' Union was 125,000 males and 15,000 females. He cannot say how many of these are agricultural workers or labourers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount spent last year on fishery research; and if he will give particulars of the work done by that department of the Ministry?

The amount spent on fishery research from the Ministry's Vote (partly recouped by a grant from the Development Fund) during 1923–24 iva, £27,625. In addition, grants amounting in the aggregate to £11,600 were made by the Development Commissioners on the recommendation of the Ministry. direct to the Marine. Biological Association, Plymouth, Armstrong College, the University of Liverpool, and the University of Wales (Aberystwyth), for fundamental research, mainly biological. into problems connected with fish and the conditions of their life. For a fuller account of the researches on which money was spent, I would refer my hon. Friend to chapter VI, and pages 28 and 35 of the introductory chapter of a Report on Sea Fisheries, due to be published by the end of this week, a copy of which I will send to him.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, if he is aware that fishermen on the Forfarshire coast are being charged increased prices for paraffin motor oil as compared with the prices charged for the same oil in England; that the difference in price has been recently as much as 21d. per gallon; and will he take steps to help these Scottish fishermen in this matter?

I am informed that the price of foreign oil is generally one penny per gallon higher in Scotland than in England, but that Scottish oil can be obtained at the same price as foreign oil in. England. I have no power to control the price of oil, but, if the hon. and gallant. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case where the price charged is deemed excessive, I shall have inquiries made.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give a date for the introduction of the Bill to deal with the readjustment and redemption of the tithe rent. charge?

I have been asked to reply. Preparations for a Bill to deal with tithe rent charge are well advanced, but I regret that I am not in a position to announce the date of the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the statement made at the opening of the Rarel Health Centre, upon the testimony of the Government medical officer, that 98 per cent., of the children in the industrial area of Bombay are drugged with opium so that during the absence of their mothers at the factories they shall be unable to cry for food; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have seen a report of the medical officer's statement referred to by the hon. Member. As I have already stated my Noble Friend is informed that the Government of Bombay have under consideration the question of administration of opium to children by their mothers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to give the official figures on the infant mortality in Bombay during the year 1921?

The figures of infant mortality which I quoted in replying to the hon. Member's previous question were misleading in that they referred to the whole of the Bombay Presidency and not specifically to Bombay city. According to the reports of the health officer of the Bombay municipality the infant mortality in Bombay city was 067 per 1,000 births in 1921, 403 per 1,000 in 1922, 411 per 1,000 in 1923 and 419 per 1,000 in 1924. Examining in 1922 the vital statistics from the beginning of the century the health officer remarked that the fluctuations in infant mortality, which corresponded in time and direction with those of the general death rate, were indirectly or directly due to plague in the first decade of the century and to influenza in 1918–21.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Moir Committee has yet recommended that houses of the Athol' type should be erected for demonstration; and, if not, whether, in view of the preference expressed for this type by some local authorities, as compared with the Weir house, he will ask the Committee to give further consideration to the suitability of the Atholl type as an alternative method of construction?

The Committee on New Methods of House Construction reported that the Atholl houses were worthy of encouragement but that, having regard to the price quoted, they did not feel able to recommend that this system should be made the subject of special demonstration. I am glad to say that my right hon. Friend has been able to arrange for a reduction of the price and he has therefore asked a number of local authorities to undertake the erection of demonstration houses of this type.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the profiteering in house rents where dwelling-houses become decontrolled; and whether he is prepared to consider the introduction of legislation to strengthen the Rent Restriction Act to deal with the matter?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot anticipate the discussion on the Bill which is very shortly to be introduced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the present number of empty houses in the county of London; and whether, in view of the overcrowding in London, he would be prepared to introduce legislation compelling landlords who are holding up property for purposes of sale to accept reasonable offers for letting the property

I have no exact figures of the. number of empty dwelling-houses, but information supplied by the London County Council indicates that on the 31st March, 1924, the number of empty properties of all kinds (excluding the small number for which the owner has compounded for rates) was 9,461. I do not think that it would be practicable to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on the inhabitants of Central London by houses, at present used as dwelling-houses, being adapted for use as business premises, he v, ill consider the desirability of securing powers to prevent such action?

I have considered this suggestion. The Rent Restrictions Acts operate to limit the number of such conversions, and I am not satisfied that there is a case for further restrictive legislation at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the cost of maintenance of inmates of lunatic asylums now charageable to boards of guardians and the inadequacy of the sum of 4s. per head repaid to the various unions under the Local Government Act, 1888, he will consider the introduction of legislation amending the Act in order to provide a repayment to boards of guardians of 50 per cent. of the cost incurred for the maintenance of such patients?

My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to introduce legislation on this subject at the present time. The grant in question was intended to make up the difference between the cost of maintenance in asylums and in Poor Law institutions, and the latest figures show that the average cost in asylums is only £10 a year more than the average cost in Poor Law institutions.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the accommodation provided by the various local authorities within the United Kingdom for the sufferers from tuberculosis; what as the total number of cases notified for 1924; what number are receiving institutional treatment; and what is the number of people for whom no such treatment is available because of institutional shortage?

As regard England and Wales, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that there is need in certain areas for the provision of additional accommodation for cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis and for cases of advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. The total number of fresh cases notified during 1923, the last year for which figures are at present available, was 79,388. The number of cases receiving treatment in residential institutions on the 1st February last was 18,427, while the number recommended for such treatment, who had then been waiting for more than 10 days, was 3,436. It may, however, be anticipated that most of these cases have now been admitted to institutions. Any question relating to these matters in Scotland should be addressed to the Under-Secretary for Health for that country.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the case of Rex v. Baddeley, ex parte Moore (Poor Law Officers' Journal, vol. XV, page 404), a conviction of a casual pauper for refusing to perform a task of stone-pounding was quashed as being then illegal in that casual ward; what are the names of the unions in which stone-pounding has been approved after this case; what were the dates of the approvals; and will he cause a specimen of the stone-pounding machines used in casual wards to be placed near the House of Commons for the inspection of Members?

In the case to which the hon. Member refers the conviction was quashed, not because stone-pounding is an illegal task, but because the previous approval of the Local Government Board had not been obtained. I am sending the hon. Member the names of the Unions in which stone-pounding has been approved since the date of this case and the dates of the approvals. As to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot comply with the hon. Member's request, but perhaps he would apply to one of the boards of guardians named in the list which T am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education under what local authorities there is now free secondary education; what authorities have indicated their intention of abolishing fees in secondary schools; and what authorities, as a result of the special grant inaugurated by the late Government, have increased their provision of free places?

No fees are charged to ordinary pupils in secondary schools in the areas of authorities in England and Wales, as follow:

	Number of Schools.
Braford	9
Halifax	2
Manchester	5

asked the President of the Board of Education what proportion of the children leaving elementary schools enter secondary schools; how long, on the average, pupils remain in secondary schools; and what proportion of them leave to enter Universities?

In 1922–23 the number of pupils from elementary schools who entered secondary schools was nearly 55,000, representing 8·7 per cent. of the total number of pupils who left elementary schools during the preceding year. The average school life after the age of 12 of pupils leaving secondary schools on the grant list, during 1921–22, was three years four months, and the average age of leaving was 15 years 11 months. I Have reason to think that later figures, when available, will show an improvement. With regard to the last part of the question, of all pupils over 12 who left the secondary schools in 1920–21, 4·4 per cent. proceeded to a University. This figure includes pupils who proceeded to the training department of a University, but not pupils who only proceeded to a University after an interval.

asked the Secretary for Mines the difference in cost per ton output of coal for materials and charges, other than wages, between the years 1913 and 1924?

The difference is 3s. 0¼d. The average per ton of coal disposable commercially was 2s. 5½. in 1913 and 5s. ¾d. in 1924.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal mines have. been closed since the present Government accepted office?

The number of coal mines which have closed since. 1st December, 1924, and not reopened, is 114, normally employing 14,034 wage-earners. During the same period 57 other mines, normally employing 16,466 wage-earners, have reopened.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries that are closed in Northumberland and Durham, respectively?

At the 21st February, which is the latest date for which information is available in my Department, 26 pits normally employing 8,364 wage-earners were closed in Northumberland and 68 pits employing 17,069 wage-earners in Durham.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of profit derived by the owners from the operation of the mining industry in the Yorkshire area in 1924 and in 1913?

I regret that this information is not available for Yorkshire separately. For 1924 the only figures that I have are those for the various "agreement" districts, in which Yorkshire forms part of the Eastern Division, and for 1913 I have no other figure than that of the industry as a whole.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what joint stock banks are to be allowed to open branches in the British Empire Exhibition grounds at Wembley?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that, under the arrangement existing between them and Lloyds Bank, that bank is alone permitted to have a branch in the grounds. I understand that Lloyds Bank were and are willing to waive their rights in this respect in favour of any other bank which is prepared to share the responsibility of financing the exhibition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, when Lloyds advanced £1,800,000 to the Wembley Exhibition Association, the guarantees given by private guarantors were transferred to Lloyds Bank to secure the bank against loss; and whether any part of the advance is unsecured?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) the date on which Lloyds Bank gave a loan to the Wembley Exhibition authorities; when the loan reached its present size; at what dates and by whom was the loan guaranteed; and on what dates were the guarantees, if any, given by the exhibition officials or others responsible for the exhibition finance;(2) what is the amount of the present advance made by Lloyds Bank to the Wembley Exhibition authority; whether the bank has any security for this advance; and, if so, what is the nature and the amount of the security?

The guarantees by private persons, firms, etc.—amounting to £1,107,991 plus the Government guarantee of £100,000, making a total in ail of £1,207,991—were transferred, as they came in, to Lloyds Bank as security for the sums advanced by the bank from time to time to meet the disbursements of the exhibition. The only other cover given to the bank were:(1) The title deeds of the, lands and buildings, the value of which it is at present impossible to determine; and(2) the undertaking given by the late Government to seek the authority of Parliament to increase to £600,000 the then existing Government guarantee of £100,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the widow of Captain Charles Samuel Harris, of Southampton, who was torpedoed in the War and who, owing to the hardship and strain, died in October, 1923, has been awarded £8 only in respect. of loss of wages during his long and painful illness and for medical expenses; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of this payment., he proposes to recommend more generous treatment of widows of men who did such good service in the War?

The £8 referred to was a grant out of the £300,000 provided for solatia to belated claimants made to Mrs. Harris on her claim in respect of her deceased husband's lost effects, Captain Harris having already been paid £50 by the Board of Trade on this same account. Loss of wages does not constitute loss or damage within the provisions of the Reparation part of the Treaty of Versailles. Captain Harris died from rheumatic fever on 20th October, 1923, without having made any claim, except with respect to his lost effects. Mrs. Harris also claimed for personal injury to her deceased husband, but the Royal Commission declined to entertain any claim for personal injury unless the claim had been made by the sufferer. No claim in respect of Captain Harris's death could arise in connection with the £300,000, since the death was not directly caused by enemy action. In the circumstances, it is not possible to increase the grant in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the local Marine Board inquiry, held at Newcastle on the 1st December last, to investigate charges made against the master of the s.s. "Wallsend," which charges were found not proven, the court regarding the evidence tendered as unsatisfactory; whether he is aware that, whereas the inquiry was ordered for a Monday afternoon, the captain only received notice of it on the previous Friday; and whether. 'in view of the fact that such notice was wholly inadequate in enabling the captain properly to establish his defence, especially in the way of procuring rebutting evidence, he will direct that in all inquiries where the conduct of shipmasters is impugned, the Board of Trade will ensure that they are given ample notice?

The facts of this case are substantially as stated. The evidence essential to local Marine Board inquiries is usually that of officers and seamen who, by the nature of their calling, are constantly away from home, and moving from port to port. They cannot be detained as witnesses for any considerable length of time without involving them in undue hardship. Consequently, immediate advantage must be taken of the presence of several witnesses in this country at the same time as the accused, and this was done in this case. Although the master was only served with a summons on Friday, 28th November, he was informed about a week earlier that an inquiry was likely to be heard. He called five witnesses, and was defended by a barrister who could, had he wished, have applied for an adjournment. It does not appear that any hardship was caused to the master by the shortness of the period between the serving of the summons and the holding of the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Mercantile Marine Department of the Board of Trade proposes to appoint any additional ship surveyors?

The staff of surveyors was finally adjusted in June last, after very careful review, by the chief technical officers of the Department, and I think that arrangement must stand for the present. But I shall continue to watch the matter very carefully, and if there were reason to think that ships which ought to be surveyed are escaping inspection owing to shortness of staff, I should not hesitate to ask for an increase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any claims are lodged with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade against the Soviet Government for loss of occupation arising out of the events connected with the establishment of the Soviet Government; and whether such claims are open to the investigation of Members of Parliament or any individuals appointed by Members of Parliament to act on their behalf?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot undertake to disclose particulars of individual claims without the consent of the claimants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the desirability of fixing a standard for tea, such as is done in America, below which none should be imported into this country; and whether he will give 'the suggestion favourable consideration?

I am informed that imports of tea into the United States require to conform in quality with one of about half a dozen standard samples, and that these standards are fixed yearly by a committee on which are represented Government officials and the trade. All tea imported into this country as merchandise is subject to examination under the Food and Drugs Act, 1875, and must be certified by inspectors or analysts specially appointed for the purpose, as satisfying the requirements of the Act. Under that Act tea may be reported against

(a) if mixed with other substances;

(b) if exhausted;

(c) if, in the opinion of the analyst, the tea is unfit for human food.

The analyst's standard as regards (

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the price paid for the land purchased by the Dunstable Cement Company, and figuring as part of the assets of the company, was less than £500; and if this fact was before the Committee administering the Trade Facilities Act when the guarantee was given?

I understand that the price paid for the land, 200 acres in extent, was £60,000, half of which was paid in cash and half in shares. As I have already stated, the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee, after considering all the facts, were satisfied that the security for the guarantee of £100,000 raised by the Dunstable Cement Company was adequate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that persons superannuated under Section 2 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, do not participate in the benefits of the Pensions (Increase) Acts; and, if so, will he state the grounds upon which these persons are excluded?

The hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that persons in receipt of allowances granted under Section 2 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, are not eligible for the benefits of the Pensions (Increase) Acts. As, however, such persons did not retire on account of physical or mental infirmity but were removed from their offices on account of inefficiency, Section 2 (2) of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, precludes the grant of the increase to them until they attain the age of 60.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what purposes and under what powers the Civil Contingencies Fund was originally instituted, and what limits are placed upon the uses to which it has been customary to put the fund; and whether any assurances as to the use to he made of the fund were given to the House by the Treasury when the capital sum in the fund was last increased?

The Civil Contingencies Fund provides a sum, entrusted to the Government, to meet payments for miscellaneous services not appropriate to any separate or specific Vote of Parliament, and to make advances where necessary to meet deficiencies on existing Votes or for new services, in anticipation of Votes of Parliament. The Fund dates from 1862, and the arrangements in force follow, with one exception, which is referred to below, the recommendations in the Fourth Report of the Public Accounts Committee of 1861. The material recommendations were as follows:

'(a) That the. Treasury should continue to make advances to meet deficiencies on the ordinary Votes or for the new services, and that such advances be included in the Estimates for the succeeding year, as at present and be repaid to the Contingency Fund.

(b) That the Estimates should in each case state the sum to be repaid to the Contingency Fund.

(c) That no final payment should be charged to the fund; but that in case Government, for the Public Service, feel it necessary on their responsibility to incur any Civil Service expenses, the deficiency occasioned by such expenditure shall be considered as an advance. and be submitted to Parliament as a Vote in the succeeding year.

(d) That accounts of the Civil Contingency Fund, similar to the account of the Treasury Chest presented to Parliament, should be prepared by the Treasury, and by them be forwarded, with the necessary vouchers, to the Audit Office; and that the auditors should present such accounts annually to Parliament together with such observations as they may think fit."

Payments for miscellaneous services not appropriate to any separate or specific Vote of Parliament are included in a Vote in the succeeding year for Repayments to the Civil Contingencies Fund, as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee; but any necessary advances to meet deficiencies on existing Votes or for new services are, wherever practicable, and that is with rare exceptions, included in Supplementary Estimates for the same year, instead of in Estimates for the succeeding year.The Finance Act, 1921, authorised the permanent increase of the Fund from £300,000 to £1,500,000. I am aware of no pledge which would limit the use of the Fund more strictly than the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee, referred to above.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the case where trustees and executors desire to convert Government stock the demand form and mandate for payment of interest has to be signed by all the trustees and executors; and whether he will introduce legislation to give Scottish trustees, in dealing with all such transactions, the benefit of Sections 3 and 7 of the Trusts (Scotland) Act, 1921, whereby a quorum consisting of a majority of the trustees is sufficient?

The point is already met. The War Loan (Extension of Securities) Rules made in connection with each conversion operation contain a provision that, where a holding stands in the joint name of more than two persons or is at the disposal of more than two joint executors or administrators, the signature of a majority of such persons shall be a sufficient authority for the conversion and for the application to the new account of dividend instructions registered in respect of the old holding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when dealing with the matter of the revision of the legislation relating to old age pensions, he will consider the desirability of removing the disqualification of a pensioner who has received three months' infirmary treatment in a Poor Law institution and providing that the pension receivable by such pensioner be paid to the guardians of the union to which he is chargeable during the period of chargeability?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 12th February to similar questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Leicester South (Captain Waterhouse), and the hon. Member for the Bedwellty Division (Mr. C. Edwards).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to state whether, in addition to proceedings taking place against certain individuals alleged to have been implicated in the actual murder of Sir Lee Stack, any proceedings, under Article 40, Section 1, of the Egyptian Penal Code and in accordance with clause 2 of the ultimatum of 2nd November to the Egyptian Government, have been instituted against persons who instigated this crime?

His Majesty's Government have no information regarding any additional proceedings of the nature suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is considering legislation to require the railway companies which run all-night passenger services to provide lying-down accommodation for third-class passengers?

The existing law imposes upon railway companies a general obligation to provide reasonable facilities and conveniences in connection with their undertakings, but the companies are under no specific obligation to provide sleeping accommodation for any class of passenger. I do not at present contemplate the introduction of amending legislation in this respect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the vibration caused by motor traffic, and particularly by lorries and other heavy commercial vehicles, damage has been done to a number of buildings in the Metropolis and elsewhere, and that, in consequence of such vibration and the damage and disintegration arising therefrom, dangerous structure notices have been served by the London County Council, under the London Building Acts, on owners of certain properties in the Metropolis, and that, consequent upon such notices and the following demolition orders made by the magistrates at the instance of the London County Council, not only have buildings been in whole or in part demolished, with consequent serious financial loss to the owners of such buildings, but a number of tenants occupying such houses have been de-housed; and whether, in view of these facts, he will bring in legislation providing for payment of adequate compensation to all persons whose buildings have been damaged or will be damaged by such motor traffic, for payment of compensation to the dehoused tenants for their loss, and for establishing a fund oi4 of which such compensation will be paid?

I am aware that there are cases where damage to property may, to a certain extent, be attributed to vibration caused by heavy road vehicles. I have no precise information regarding the properties in respect of which the notices to which my hon. Friend refers have been served, and, in the absence of confirmatory evidence, I cannot accept the suggestion that the condition of these properties was necessarily due to the cause indicated. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the police had accepted applications for licensing several omnibuses for London and orders had been placed with and deposits paid to the manufacturers for these vehicles, he will consider the advisability of granting a running schedule to these omnibuses for which applications-had been accepted and warning future applicants that there is no guarantee that a route can be given to them'

I have been asked to answer this question. The Commissioner of Police, as the licensing authority, has no power to refuse applications for the licensing of omnibuses, but omnibuses so licensed subsequent to 1st January cannot operate over the streets scheduled to the Order recently made under Section 7 of the London Traffic Act. With regard to the latter part of the question, I am informed that the London Traffic Advisory Committee propose personally to investigate those cases of alleged hardship where persons have placed orders and paid deposits on new omnibuses which they had proposed to run upon streets which have now been declared by Order to be "restricted streets."