asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to several recent Court cases where the magistrates strongly condemned the methods of the Post Office Investigation Branch; what action, if any, he has taken or proposes to take?

My attention has been drawn to adverse comments in certain cases, some of which appear to have been based to some extent upon a misapprehension as to the facts. In one case the criticisms of the magistrates' Court were not supported by the Judge at the subsequent hearing of the case at the Assizes. The Investigation Branch have instructions to conform in their general procedure to the rules observed by the police, and I am making further inquiry to satisfy myself on this point.

asked the Postmaster-General (l) whether he has any evidence that the British Broadcasting Company is overstaffed; and the full details and remuneration of the staff employed;(2) whether detailed financial accounts of the British Broadcasting Company will be published showing the number and salaries of the staff employed, the number and remuneration of the artistes employed, and generally how the income of the company has been expended?

Under the agreement with the British Broadcasting Company, the company are required to give full access to their accounts to authorised agents of the Post Office. A detailed examination of the company's accounts has recently been completed, and the results are under consideration. It is not proposed to publish detailed accounts showing the particulars to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether men in receipt of a disability pension of 20 per cent, employed temporarily in the engineering department of the national telephone service are eligible for employment upon the permanent staff; and, if so, upon what conditions?

Disabled ex-service men employed temporarily in the engineering department of the Post Office are considered in their turn for permanent positions, provided that they satisfy the requirements as regards age, health, character and technical qualifications. They are required to undergo a medical examination, but the physical standards are relaxed in favour of men whose health has been impaired by war service.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce the Rents Bill?

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce this Bill to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Health whether, with a view-to the prevention of the demolition of dwelling-houses, he will take steps to restore the expiring Section (G) of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919?

My right hon. Friend has carefully considered the matter, but as at present advised he does not see the necessity for such restrictive legislation as is proposed.

asked the Minister of Health whether advice has been tendered on his behalf to a deputation of the Barking Council suggesting the advisability of eliminating from building contracts a stipulation that only members of trades unions should be employed: and whether similar advice has been given or is intended to be given to other municipal bodies?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health how many new methods of housing construction have been submitted to the Ministry during the last three months; and whether he will give the names of the several firms whose new types of construction have been approved by the Ministry for the State subsidy?

About 100 proposals in regard to new methods of housing construction have been received during the last three months. Many of them, however, involve only modifications of methods already used or submitted. It rests with local authorities to approve buildings for purposes of State subsidy, and they are only required to obtain my right hon. Friend's special approval in cases where the method of construction is not one for which a 60 years loan would normally be allowed. Consequently it would be misleading to single out for mention those firms whose special methods have been approved for subsidy by him.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are in the country ample supplies of seasoned timber required for the building of all the dwelling-houses likely to be started during the present year; and, if not, whether any research is proceeding as to methods of quick-seasoning of timber?

My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that sufficient quantities of suitable timber will not be available for the erection of workmen's houses during the present year. The necessity for special measures as referred to in the latter part of the question is therefor not expected to arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Ministry has placed or is placing any restriction on the use of bricks or stone in house building; and whether there is any restriction on the use of bricks or stone in the erection of warehouses, banks, business premises or factories?

The answer to both questions is in the negative, but my right

—				Non-Parlour.	Parlour.	Total.
Oldbury Urban District	…	…	…	193	132	325
Stourbridge Borough	…	…	…	68	185	253
*Halesowen Rural District	…	…	…	106	100	206
TOTALS	…	…	…	367	417	784
*This district will be formed into an Urban District on the 1st April next.

Grants under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, were paid in respect of the following houses:

	Houses.
Oldbury Urban District	72
Stourbridge Borough	13
Halesowen Rural District	50
Total	135

asked the Minister of Health whether he has made any inquiries into the rents now charged for decontrolled houses as compared with those charged when the houses were under control; and, if so, the result of such inquiries?

My right hon. Friend has made some inquiries into this matter, and will state the results when the Bill for prolonging the duration of the Rent Restriction Act which he is about to introduce is under discussion.

asked the Minister of Health the number and classes of houses erected by the Stourbridge Corporation, Halesowen Urban District Council, and the Oldbury Urban District Council, respectively, since 1918?

Under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, and the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, the numbers of houses erected with State assistance were as follow:Information is not available as to the types of these houses.Complete statistics are not available as to the numbers of houses erected by private enterprise since 1918 without State assistance, but the following table shows the numbers of such houses entered on the rate books during the 18 months ended 3Cth September, 1924:

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the policy of his Department to encourage the practice that, where a Whitley Council has been set up to deal with questions affecting municipal officers, the agreed decisions of that body shall be loyally adopted by both the employers and the employed1?

So far as these questions fall within the jurisdiction of my right hon. Friend's Department the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet considered the Report of the Joint Committee on Industrial Training in Poor Law schools in the Metropolitan area; and, if so, what action he proposes taking in the matter?

This Report and the comments made upon it by the individual boards of guardians and managers in London are-receiving my right hon. Friend's attention, but the question of the action to be taken cannot be dealt with otherwise than as a part of the general question of Poor Law reform.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of county councils, particularly in rural districts, suffer considerable financial loss in attending to their duties; that this fact prevents many suitable persons standing as candidates; and if he will introduce legislation to enable county councils to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of members?

My right hon. Friend has received some representations on this subject. He cannot undertake to introduce the suggested legislation, but he understands that the County Councils Association are considering the question of promoting a Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has decided to ask Parliament to continue the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, or whether he is now prepared to recommend Parliament to put the Milk and Dairies Act of 1915 into operation?

It is not proposed to ask Parliament to postpone further the operation of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, which, under the provisions of the Act of 1922, will come into operation on 1st September next. The other Act named in the question is not a temporary; Measure and will continue in force.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is in a position to say whether it is proposed to postpone the bringing into operation of the Milk and Dairies (Scotland) Act, 1914; and, if not, whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the appointed day on which it is to be brought into operation?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is proposed to bring the Act into operation on 1st September, 1925.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities which have obtained powers to obtain land on the lines obtained by the Birmingham Corporation Act, 1919?

Twenty-nine other local authorities have obtained powers generally similar to those in Section 4 of the Birmingham Corporation Act, 1919.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the statement of the President of the Board of Education in this House, on 22nd July, 1924, to the effect that he was enabled to allot a sum of £20,000 for one year, in the first instance. to local education authorities for approved schemes under juvenile organisations committees for unemployed juveniles, and that, under this grant, local juvenile organisations in England are now able to obtain from their local authorities grants the cost of which, to the extent of 75 per cent., falls on the Imperial Exchequer; and whether he is prepared, in the allocation of the Education (Scotland) Fund for 1925–26, to grant similar facilities to Scottish juvenile organisations committees?

:The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. After considering this matter most carefully, and with a full appreciation of the work of Scottish juvenile organisation committees, I can find no grounds which would justify the innovation which the right hon. Gentleman suggests. I may add that I have already drawn the attention of those interested to the terms of Section 9 (4) of the Education (Scotland). Act, 1918.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will issue instructions to his officers in the Hartlepools to reconsider the conditions obtaining as to unemployed dockers being compelled to sign twice daily, and which results in preventing, approximately, 900 dockers in the Hartlepools from seeking employment elsewhere?

As stated in the reply given on 26th February, dock-workers are in general required to attend twice daily owing to their conditions of employment. Attendance twice daily is required at Hartlepool, and at West Hartlepool except on Wednesday and Friday. The times of attendance at the Exchange are arranged so as to follow-closely upon the calls at which the men are engaged and at which they ought to attend if they are seeking work. I have no reason to believe that this requirement prejudices their chances of obtaining employment, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of what he has in mind in this connection, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received communications from the Mynyddislwyn Urban District Council, requesting him to open an Employment Exchange at Pontllanfraith, Monmouthshire; whether he is aware that this is a railway junction and consequently suited to serve the different valleys converging thereon; that there is over seven miles between Blackwood and Risca Employment Exchanges, which makes it difficult and expensive to register at one or other of these places; and will he consider setting up an intermediate one at the above place?

I have received from the Mynyddislwyn Urban District Council requests for the opening of an Employment Office at Pontllanfraith. The question has been carefully considered, but, having regard to the small number of workpeople involved and to all the local circumstances, the expense of opening a separate office at Pontllanfraith does not appear to me to be justified.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that payment of extended unemployment benefit has been stopped to all fish-workers at Buckie Employment Exchange on the ground that there is a new Regulation forbidding such benefit being paid to fish-workers unless 10 months' employment can be proved for the previous year; whether he is aware of the great hardship entailed in a district where the fishing industry has been distressed for some years: and whether he will revert to the previous ruling whereby fish-worker claimants proving 10 months' employment in any year, and satisfying the local employment committee of having failed, after a genuine search, to secure employment, shall be held qualified for extended benefit?

The rule with regard to seasonal fish-workers is that they must be ordinarily employed for 10 months or more in the year in order to be eligible for extended benefit. This rule has been in force for some years, but until recently owing to a misapprehension, has not been applied consistently at Buckie. The cases referred to were disallowed not because the claimants could not show 10 months' employment in the previous year, but because, according to evidence covering the previous five years or more, they could not show they are ordinarily employed for this proportion of the year. They have all drawn more benefit than is represented by their contributions and I am afraid I cannot alter the decision.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women deprived of benefit by the Order issued from Queen Anne's Chambers, London, on 12th February, 1925?

The Order referred to is, I presume, that announced and explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Bury (Major Ainsworth) on 11th February. Certain cases yet remain to be decided, but it is not likely that the total will exceed 13,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for benefit made at the Sheffield and Attercliffe Exchanges, respectively, during the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924; how

B,—Claims referred to the Sheffield and Attercliffe Committee.
—	Referred.	Rejected.
1st Special Period (April, 1921, to 2nd November, 1921)	No particulars available.
2nd Special Period (3rd November, 1921, to 5th April, 1922)	90,997	2,554
3rd Special Period (6th April, 1922, to 1st November, 1922)	55,955	6,576
4th Special Period (2nd November, 1922, to 17th October, 1923)	24,213	3,298
1st Benefit Year (18th October, 1923, to 31st July, 1924)	57,639	3,015
1st Individual Benefit Year (part of) (1st August, 1924, up to 9th February, 1925).	39,377	5,807

Owing to changes made by the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1st August, 1924, it is not possible to give comparable figures of reasons for rejections prior

The following table gives all the information available in respect of the number of claims to benefit, at the exchanges referred to:

A.—Fresh Claims to Benefit.
—	Sheffield.	Attercliffe.
1920 (12th November to 31st December).	2,834	2,094
1921	106,037	42,929
1922*	42,807	20,328
1923*	70,514	40,528
1924	105,743	80,988
*From 10th January, 1922, to 23rd July 1922, the figures do not include "repeat, claims," i.e., claims in which a fresh waiting period is not required.

Statistics in regard to the number of claims referred to committees can only be given by periods coinciding with the special periods or benefit years. In connection with the following table it should be noted that the claims then included were taken from (he total register for the time being, and were not specially related to the. fresh claims included above in table A.to that date. The grounds of rejection between 1st August, 1924, and 9th February, 1925, are as under.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the latest available figures of membership of trade unions in Great Britain; and whether the figures show an increase or decrease?

The total membership of all trade unions, registered and unregistered, with headquarters in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as shown by the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Labour, was approximately 5,405,000 at the end of 1923 (the latest date for which figures are available) compared with 5,610,000 at the end of 1922 and 6,625,000 at the end of 1921. Separate figures have not been compiled as to the membership in Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland. Statistics for each year from 1893 to 1923 were published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for October last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend.

—	Total World Tonnage.	Owned in Great Britain and Ireland (including the Irish Free State).	Owned in other parts of the British Empire.
	Ton, gorss.	Ton, gorss.	Ton, gorss.
Motor Ships	1,654,546	507,251	17,659
Auxiliaries—Motor	321,252	19,442	23,691
Steamers fitted for burning oil fuel	17,154,072	4,342,417	454,801
Total	19,129,870	4,869,110	496,151

It is understood from inquiries that have been made at the offices of Lloyd's Register that the earliest date for which comparable figures are available as regards the world tonnage is July, 1914.For that date the particulars are follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of fuel oil imported into this country in 1913 and 1924?

The quantity of fuel oil registered as imported into Great Britain and Ireland during 1913 amounted to 95,062,000 gallons. In 1924 the registered imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland amounted to 385,582,000 gallons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade-the tonnage of oil-fueled shipping in the year 1910 and for the last year for which figures are avail able; the tonnage of British shipping under the above heads; and the amount of British tonnage which was using oil and has been reconverted to coal in the latest year for which figures are available?

According to Lloyd's Register Book for 1924–1925. the gross tonnage at July, 1924, of vessels, of 100 tons gross and upwards, burning oil fuel (including steamers capable of burning either coal or oil), was as follows:

	Tons, gross
Motor Ships	234,287	1544496
Steamers fitted for burning oil fuel	1,310,209

Separate figures for British vessels are not available for years prior to 1923, and no statistics are available with regard to the tonnage of vessels reconverted for coal burning.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that E. P. Brittain, of 16, Tinsley Huts, who enlisted on the 10th December, 1915, and was discharged on the 19th February, 1919, was for nine months in the Wharn-cliffe Hospital where he underwent an operation for varicose veins; that he was turned down at Rotherham, and in March, 1922, attended a second board at Brocco Bank, Sheffield; that no decision of that board has ever reached him; that he is suffering from varicose veins which interfere with his employment; and whether the further consideration which was promised on the 20th March, 1922, can now be given to his case?

This man, who had varicose veins on enlistment, was definitely informed by the Ministry shortly after the Medical Board of March, 1922, that, as the effects of service on his disability no longer persisted, no award could be made. In May of that year he applied for a form of appeal to the tribunal but failed to complete it, notwithstanding a personal reminder from the Ministry. No further communication has been received from him in the matter. Any further representations that he may desire to make should be made through the area office of his district. It will then be a question for the tribunal itself to determine whether they can hear the appeal.

further asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Henry Swinscoe, 228, Brookhill, Sheffield, enlisted at the age of 16 on the 17th December, 1917, and that, prior to enlistment, he had not been vaccinated, but had enjoyed perfect health; that he was vaccinated in January, 1918, and, from the time of his vaccination and owing to its effect, he was repeatedly excused duty and was not inoculated; that, as a result of the vaccination, his health has been completely undermined; that he is suffering from extensive tuberculosis of the lungs: that the medical war records section reported, on a claim being made, that the books of Camp Detention Hospital, Halton Camp, Wendover, had been searched from December, 1917, to 24th January, 1918, without result; that, as a matter of fact, Swinscoe had never been in that camp or that hospital at any time, but that he was in the Camp Isolation Hospital, Halton Camp, East, in March and April, 1918; that the information upon which he has been refused benefit is inaccurate; and that a young man of exceptionally fine physique is completely ruined in health owing to his having been vaccinated when in the Army; and whether, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the granting of a pension?

The man referred to made no claim to pension until nearly five years after his demobilisation when, after careful consideration of all the evidence, the Ministry were unable to regard his condition as being connected with service. He appealed to to the Independent Appeal Tribunal, and submitted full statements as to his health during service and subsequently, but the tribunal confirmed the Ministry decision. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend regrets that he sees no ground for adopting the suggestion in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is any provision under existing regulations, whereby a pension car. be granted to a man while he is undergoing treatment, whose physical disability does not prevent him from working, but who, by reason of the interruptions caused to his work by the necessary visits to doctors, hospitals, etc., cannot obtain employment?

Provision is made by Article 6 (4) of the Royal Warrant for payment of compensation for working-time lost owing to occasional attendances for out-patient treatment. I may add that it is the aim of the Ministry to arrange, so far as possible, for treatment of this nature to be given at evening clinics where the man can attend after his working hours.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of national savings certificates applied for in each of the Metropolitan boroughs for the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924; and the total amount held by depositors in each borough at 31st December, 1924?

The annexed table gives the sale figures asked for by the hon. Member, as far as these are available. They are obtained from returns furnished by the local savings committees and in some cases are not complete. In particular, figures are not normally avail-

VALUE OF NATIONAL SAVINGS CERTIFICATES APPLIED FOR IN METROPOLITAN BOROUGHS DURING TEARS 1920–1924.
Name of Borough.			1920	1921	1922	1923	1924
			£	£	£	£	£
City of London.	…	…	315,732 (Oct.-Dec.)	1.279,334	2,985,962	1,520,570	947,854
Battersea	…	…	43.709 (Oct.-Dec.)	181,159	295,713	99,998 (Jan.-Aug.)	Returns not complete.
Bermondsey	…	…	21,307 (Oct.-Dec.)	77,950	123,891	69,271	40,020
Bethnal Green	…	…	10138 (Oct.-Dec.)	49,233	92,406	35217: Jan.-Aug.)	58642 (Sept. 23-Jan. 25.)
Camberwell	…	…	77143 (Oct.-Dec.)	289,286	556,162	341,227	183,651
Chelsea	…	…	18,416 (Oct-Dec.)	80,514	174,755	105,173	57,872
Deptford	…	…	26.777 (Oct.-Dec.)	117,939	203,449	122,522	60,385
Finsbury	…	…	26,103 (Oct.-Dec.)	97,038	203.807	121,290	59,054
Fulham	…	…	31,650 (Oct.-Dec.)	127,141	253,726	158,746	87,134
Greenwich	…	…	22,687 (Oct.-Dec.)	88,905	166,177	94,413	7,199 (Jan. & Feb.)
Hackney	…	…	69850 (Oct.-Dec.)	284,816	522,071	320,969	176.932
Hammersmith	…	…	147,620	168,323	240527 (Jan.-Ang.)	Returns not complete.	Returns not complete.
Hampstead	…	…	35,566 (Oct.-Dec.)	146,069	409,543	213,221	93,185
Holborn	…	…	53.407 (Oct.-Dec.)	238,011	541,038	327,038	214,381
Islington	…	…	85438 (Oct.-Dec.)	353,123	681,220	430,702	336,682
Kensington	…	…	58,733 (Oct.-Dec.)	255,028	608,649	355,530	211,710
Lambeth	…	…	80,626 (Oct.-Dec.)	328,070	641,879	388,727	200,551 (Jan.-Nov.)
Lewisham	…	…	137,640 (Jan.-June & Oct.-Dec.)	285,231	568,642	339,462	190,889
Paddington	…	…	37.191 (Oct.-Dec.)	158,703	321,100	205,343	17,303 (Jan.-Feb.)
Poplar	…	…	97,604	89,723	165.777	90,873	50 974
St. Marylebone	…	…	196,208	245,359	479,155	310.66	223,244
St. Pancras	…	…	53.312 (Oct.-Dec.)	225,603	394,925	231,758	127,020
Shoreditch	…	…	13,704 (Oct.-Dec.)	55,070	136,573	9,246	39,734
South wark	…	…	36,121 (Oct.-Dec.)	156,380	314,155	185,387	98,565
Stepney	…	…	26,271 (Oct.-Dec.)	103,818	243,772	132,282	69,070

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Government to endeavour to come to a settlement of the indebtedness to Great Britain of France, Italy and Belgium on lines of similarity and simultaneity; and whether he is now able to indicate in greater detail and with more precision the nature of the contemplated settlement?

I do not feel sure that the course suggested in the question would necessarily be the one most likely to lead to a satisfactory result: but I have at present no further statement to make.

asked the Prime Minister when the next Inter-Allied Conference will take place on the question of Inter-Allied debts; and whether any Conference has been arranged to take place at an early date at Brussels?

I do not anticipate that any general Conference will be called on the question of debts, and I know nothing of any such Conference at Brussels.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of grants and loans made from the Development Fund (Grants and Loans) since the establishment of the Development Commission in 1909; the proportion of this sum which has been allocated; and the amount expended from the sum of £850,000, added to the Development Fund under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, on the establishment of scholar- ships and maintenance grants for the children of agricultural workers?

The total approved recommendations for advances from the Development Fund from its establishment up to date amount to £6,315,991 (grants, £5,334,098; loans, £981,893). The gross amount actually issued from the fund to date is £4,118,997 (grants, £3,409,325; loans, £709,672). The total expenditure to date from the sum of £850,000 added to the Development Fund under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, on the establishment of scholarships and maintenance giants for the children of agricultural workers is £38,940.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Committee appointed to inquire into the National Debt is likely to make its Report?

My hon. Friend knows the wide scope of this inquiry. I scarcely anticipate that the Committee will be able to complete their labours before the end of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that two of the non-provided elementary schools in Ramsgate, namely, Christ Church and St. Augustine's, were condemned about a year ago; that the managers were given two years to reconstruct the buildings or provide alternative accommodation, and that up to the present nothing has been done; and what action the Board intend to take on this matter?

I am aware of the position as stated in the first two parts of the question. As regards the rest of the question, I have received proposals from the managers of both schools for dealing with the matter, and I have asked for further particulars, including plans, with regard to these proposals. On the receipt of these particulars, the matter will receive the immediate consideration of my Department, and I can assure the hon. Member that a decision will be taken at the earliest possible moment.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many young persons were enrolled and in attendance, respectively, for more than 14 hours per week, at evening schools during the sessions 1912–13, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1922–23, and 1923–24?

Courses in evening schools never occupy 14 hours a week, and are rarely arranged to occupy more than 7 hours a week; frequently the number of hours is smaller, though grant is not ordinarily paid in respect of any student who does not receive at least 14 hours' instruction altogether. Statistics for the year ended 31st July, 1924. are not yet completed, but for the other years referred to in the question the total numbers of enrolled students under 18 years of age in attendance at evening

Area.					Population (1921 census).	Number of Free Place on the 1st October, 1924.	Free Places per 1,000 of population.
(1)					(2)	(3)	(4)
Bradford	…	…	…	…	285,979	5,022	17·6
Halifax	…	…	…	…	99,129	788	7·9
Manchester	…	…	…	…	730,551	3,135	4·3
Oldham	…	…	…	…	145,001	288	2
Salford	…	…	…	…	234,150	934	4
Smethwick	…	…	…	…	75,757	112	1·5
Sheffield	…	…	…	…	511,748	2,407	4·7
Wallasey	…	…	…	…	90,721	810	8·9
Cardiff	…	…	…	…	219,658	1,774	8·1
*Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	632,592	3,576	5·7
Rhondda	…	…	…	…	162,729	1,706	10·5
Swansea	…	…	…	…	157,561	998	6·3
Merthyr Tydfil	…	…	…	…	80,161	1,100	13·7
Newport (Mon·)	…	…	…	…	92,369	796	8·6
*Excludes Rhondda, figures for which are given separately.

It should be noted that in the above table are included all free place pupils, whether or not the particular school courses in England and Wales were as follow:

1912–13	402,434
1920–21	417,166
1921–22	373,479
1922–23	326,113

I am not able to distribute these figures according to the weekly hours of attendance.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the total number of free places available in secondary schools; and what proportion such number bears to the total number of places in such schools?

On 1st October last there were about 128,500 free-place pupils in grant-earning secondary schools in England and Wales, representing nearly 36 per cent, of the total number of pupils in the schools.

further asked in how many areas free secondary education is being provided; and how many free places in secondary schools per 1,000 of its population are provided in each of those areas?

I have taken the first part of the question to refer to areas in which some of the secondary schools are entirely free:which they attended was free, and whether or not they resided within the area of the local authority concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the great importance of a colloquial knowledge of foreign languages, he can inform the House what is being done to impart this knowledge in the State-aided schools and what languages are being taught?

I assume that the hon. Member refers only to modern foreign languages. It is very difficult in ordinary elementary schools to find the sufficient amount of time which is necessary if instruction in foreign languages is to be effective, but instruction in French is given with good results in a number of central elementary schools, and in a few other cases German and Spanish are taught. As regards secondary schools, French is a regular subject of the curriculum, and some schools also provide facilities for the study of German, and, to a lesser extent, of Spanish, Italian and Russian. A pass in at least one foreign language is necessary for a pass in the First Schools Examination. For fuller particulars I would refer the hon. Member to Table 98 of the Board's "Statistics of Public Education, 1920–21." The facilities provided include instruction in the spoken as well as the written language, and attention is always paid to the former side of the instruction, the importance of which was emphasised by the Board in a Circular issued as long ago as 1912.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amount to the credit of the School Teachers' Superannuation Fund (1898 and 1912) on 31st March, 1919.; the stocks in which it was then invested; the average percentage interest accruing from these investments; and the claims against the fund for each year ending 31st March since the above date?

As regards the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Appropriation Accounts, Civil Services, 1918–19, page 269 (House of Commons Paper No. 10 of 1920). Under Section 12 of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, the Elementary School Teachers' Deferred Annuity Fund ceased to exist as from 1st April, 1919, and the deferred annuities were henceforward charged in the Consolidated Fund. The sums charged so far have been:

Year ended 31st March:	£	s.	d.
1920	15,223	9	6
1921	27,232	3	9
1922	35,513	5	9
1923	42,447	17	9
1924	50,815	5	0
1st April, 1924, to 31st December, 1924	44,040	4	7

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, as a result of the approval of the St. George's (Ramsgate) higher tops scheme, the infants attending this school are being distributed over the other elemtentary infants' departments in Ramsgate; that the size of these classes is consequently being increased; that the re-distribution is to be completed during March; and that the teachers who have been engaged in the St. George's infants' department are threatened with loss of employment; and whether he will take some action to arrest the disorganisation arising in Ramsgate's elementary schools?

I am aware of the position as stated in the first part of the question, but I have no reason to believe that there is likely to be permanent pressure on the accommodation of other infants' schools in the town on account of the redistribution of the infants hitherto attending the St. George's School. I will, however, make further inquiries on this point and have the position kept under careful observation. I have no information as to the arrangements for the future employment of the teachers in the infants' department. I am satisfied that the re-organisation of this school will be conducive to the better organisation of elementary education in the borough.

asked the President of the Board of Education the academic and other qualifications which merited the recent appointment of the permanent secretary of the Welsh Department of the Board of Education?

The gentleman referred to is a civil servant, and I doubt the desirability of discussing, by way of question and answer, the qualifications of a member of the Civil Service who is promoted to a new post. I may, however, state that he has had a wide experience of educational administration both in Wales and in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many members of the diplomatic service or of the administrative grade or grades of equivalent rank in the Foreign Office have been promoted from the second division or lower grades in His Majesty's Civil Service?

There are in the Foreign Office three officers of a grade equivalent to the administrative grade who have been promoted from the second division.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to how many, if any, of His Majesty's Ambassadors, Ministers, councillors of embassies, or first secretaries received any part of their education in a public elementary school; and how many officials of the Foreign Office of administrative or corresponding rank received any part of their education in such a school?

also asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many appointments have been made to the diplomatic service or to the administrative or equivalent grades of the Foreign Office since November, 1918; whether, in making such appointments, information was obtained as to the schools or colleges in which the applicants were educated; and, if so, whether such information shows that any, and. if so, how many of such candidates received any substantial part of their education in a public elementary school?

The reply to the first part of the latter question is that 95 appointments of the nature referred to have been made. Of these, nine were from other Government services or from other grades in the Foreign Office. With regard to the second part of the same question, information as to establishments at which candidates were educated is, I believe, habitually obtained at the time of their examination by the Civil Service Commission, but I have not got it. I am informed that it would not always include full particulars as to the earlier phases of their education. As regards the last part of this question and the question asked by the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith), the information desired could not be obtained without an amount of inquiry and research which, apart from its rather inquisitorial character, I do not consider that the circumstances would justify.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign 'Office has prepared a memorandum favouring the conclusion of a security pact between Britain, Germany, France and Belgium; and, if so, whether he is prepared to present the memorandum to Parliament?

I hope that the hon. Member will excuse me from giving any answer—affirmative or negative—to this question. It is not in the public interest that I should give information as to what memoranda are prepared in the Foreign Office for my consideration or use in confidential communications with my colleagues here or with the other Governments of the Empire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can report to the House what conclusions were arrived at by the League of Nations Committee on the Manufacture of Armaments, on which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary recently served at Geneva?

The Commission decided that the drafting of a Convention on the control of the private manufacture of arms should be adjourned until it is possible to judge of the results obtained by the conference on the control of the trade in arms and munitions which is to take place in the month of May next. Meanwhile a small committee will collect information and will prepare suggestions for future consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the prosecution of the Rector of Stiffkey, Norfolk, for non-payment of rates; whether he is aware that the rates in question are based on income from tithes which have not yet been paid to the rector; and whether, in view of the state of the law on this question, he will consider the necessity of introducing legislation to deal with it?

I have been asked to reply. My attention had not previously been drawn to the case referred to, but I am making inquiries into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons under the age of 21 years have, during the last 20 years, been sentenced to death; and in how many cases the sentence has been carried out?

During the last 20 years, 40 persons who were on conviction less than 21 years of age have been sentenced to death in England and Wales, and in 14 cases the sentence has been carried out.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that arrears of increases of pension, due under The Pensions (Increase) Act, 1924, are being refused to the administrators of the estates of deceased police pensioners on the grounds that the pensioner died before the passing of the Act, although he lived after the appointed day; and if he will take steps to ensure that these arrears are paid in the case of the Manchester Police Authority?

I understand that the Manchester Police Authority have been proceeding on the view that, under the Act of 1924, the payment of an increase of pension is not obligatory in the cases in question. T am making representations to the Police Authority on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of applying the provisions of the Factory Acts to premises in which machinery is used for multigraphing and other duplicating processes?

I am advised that the processes now in use for multigraphing by means of machines set with types are forms of letterpress printing and that any premises or room in which any such process was carried on regularly and to a substantial extent, would come within the definition of letterpress printing works which are expressly included in the Act. The factory inspectors have been instructed in this sense.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the county prison at Lewes ceased to be used as a civil prison about 1915, and since about 1919 has been entirely out of use; and whether he will consider the possibility of using the site and the large quantity of materials contained in the existing buildings for the erection of small dwelling-houses, which are so badly needed in that town?

The facts are as stated in my hon. Friend's question, but although it has not been occupied regularly for some years it is a large and well built prison which might be required for use at any moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate number of horses shipped from British ports last year to be slaughtered abroad; whether this subject is now being considered; and when a decision is likely to be reached?

I have no means of ascertaining the exact proportion of horses exported to the Continent which are slaughtered on arrival, but from inquiries made by the Ministry's inspectors the number in 1924 was approximately 8,000 out of a total of 25,645 shipped. As I have already announced, a Departmental Committee is being set up to inquire into this trade, and I hope it is not necessary to anticipate that their deliberations will be unduly prolonged.

asked the Prime Minister if it is proposed to introduce legislation to deal with the House of Lords during the present Session?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister the composition and terms of reference of the committee to inquire into the naval shipbuilding position 1

A Cabinet Committee is inquiring into the naval shipbuilding position. It would be contrary to the usual practice to give the composition and terms of reference of such committees.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps, if any, are being taken to provide bathrooms for the chief petty officers, petty officers, and men of His Majesty's destroyers of the V and W type; whether he is aware that these ratings have to bath in leather baths on the upper-deck or in their messes in full view of their messmates; and, seeing that a bathroom could be fitted under the break of the forecastle without any great constructional alteration or expense, he will cause this course to be pursued?

The limitation of space in these small vessels does not permit of the provision of bathroom accommodation on the scale of larger warships. Canvas bath screens are authorised in recent destroyers for providing a temporary enclosed space at the break of the forecastle, but to fit per manent screens in this position would interfere with the fighting efficiency of the vessels.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, owing to the limited galley accommodation and the shortage of cooks in His Majesty's ships where the general messing is carried out, the meals of the ship's company are at present cooked many hours before the meals are served; and whether he will consider the fixing of another galley in these ships, so that the crew might then be able to have freshly-cooked meals instead of warmed-up meals as at present?

The hon. Member will appreciate that the facilities on board His Majesty's ships are necessarily restricted. I am afraid it is not practicable to add to the galley accommodation, and I have no reason to think that the cooking of meals is commenced earlier than is necessary, or that the present complements of cook staff are insufficient.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any second-class engineers of yard craft have been advanced to first-class engineers of yard craft since 24th February, 1915; and, if so, why the first-class engineer of yard craft who, on the 23rd February, 1915, although then filling a post then authorised for a second-class engineer, and permitted to retain his former rank and its emoluments, was not absorbed into the establishment instead of being borne until now supernumerary to requirements?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the first-class engineer referred to was absorbed in a post authorised for a first-class engineer when an opportunity occurred, but he was ineligible for establishment-on account of his age.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the quantity of oil fuel consumed by His Majesty's ships in the years 1913 and 1924?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of chief petty officer telegraphists and chief yeomen of signals, respectively, borne on the books of the Devonport Division; how many petty officer telegraphists and yeomen of signals were promoted during the past year; and how many promotions are expected in these branches during 1925, irrespective of deaths?

The numbers of chief petty officer telegraphists and chief yeomen of signals borne in the Devonport Port Division on 15th February, 1925, were 35 and 42 respectively. The numbers advanced to those ratings in the same Division during 1924 were nil and three, and the anticipated numbers for 1925 are six and 10 respectively, but the hon. Member will appreciate that these latter numbers are liable to fluctuation owing to unforeseen circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the average ages at which commissions in the combatant branches of the Regular Army are obtained by cadets who have entered the military colleges by competitive examination, non-commissioned officers who have been selected to attend a military college with a view to obtaining a commission, and university candidates?

The average ages are as follow, taking for this purpose the mean between the maximum and the minimum age at which a commission can be obtained in each case:

	Years.
Cadets entering the military colleges by competitive examination	20
Non-commissioned officer cadets	23
University candidates	22½

The commissions of University candidates may be antedated by periods vary- ing between a few months and four years in an extreme case, according to their academic and military qualifications and their ages.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the graves of British officers and men in Dunkirk Town cemetery have not yet been furnished with engraved headstones, and that the permanent construction of the cemetery has not yet been commenced, notwithstanding the lapse of more than six years since the Armistice; and will he state what action he is taking to remedy this state of affairs?

It has been necessary to divide the 1,200 larger cemeteries in France and Flanders into geographical groups so that construction may be carried out most expeditiously by the contractors. Dunkirk is not in one of the groups which have so far been dealt with, but it is hoped that work may begin in this cemetery within the next six months. In the meantime, all graves, whether the headstones have been erected or not, are tended by the Commission with equal care and on the same permanent standard of maintenance.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation which will compel all applicants desirous of obtaining a licence to drive motor vehicles to produce a medical certificate as to their mental and physical fitness before such licence is granted?

I am disposed to agree with the conclusion reached by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles, as set out in their Second Interim Report, that the difficulties in giving effect to the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question render its adoption impracticable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inconvenience and delay to traffic in the Metropolis caused by slow-moving taxi- cabs plying for hire; and, if so, whether he will take steps to remedy this condition?

I have been asked to reply. As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, Section 10 of the London Traffic Act empowers me, after reference to the London Traffic Advisory Committee, to make regulations in respect of,inter alia, cabs and hackney carriages not hired and being in a street elsewhere than on a cab rank. When the Advisory Committee have dealt with other more urgent matters arising under the London Traffic Act, I propose to ask them to advise me on the-matter to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Railway Rates and Charges Tribunal have in hand the consideration of a statutory schedule of workmen's fares; and, if so, when the tribunal may be expected to report?

The railway companies have submitted to the Railway Rates Tribunal proposed scales of standard charges for the conveyance of workmen between the points and during the hours in respect of which workmen's tickets are from time to time issued. Objections to the proposed scales have been lodged with the Railway Rates Tribunal. Under the Railways Act, 1921, the tribunal are required to consider the schedules submitted to them and the objections thereto, and, after hearing all parties interested, and who are desirous of being heard, to settle the schedule of charges and to appoint a day when they shall come in operation. A number of preliminary matters remain to be determined before the tribunal will be in a position to consider the schedules of pro-

—		Fatal Accidents.		Non-Fatal Accidents.
		Separate Accidents.	Persons Killed.	Separate Accidents.	Persons Injured.
1921	…	14	14	151	167
1922	…	19	19	269	315
1923	…	18	18	308	347
1924 (provisional)	…	36	43	288	322

Additional precautions in respect of shot-firing were made obligatory last autumn, and research work is in posed charges, and no date has yet been fixed for the hearing of objections to these schedules.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the annoyance caused by motor omnibuses and other solid-tyred vehicles travelling at a high speed in narrow residential roads, especially after 11 p.m.; and if he will take steps to restrict the speed of such vehicles in residential roads under 50 feet wide?

I have, from time to time, received various representations from different quarters regarding the speeds of heavy motor vehicles. I think, however, that the remedy for my hon. and gallant Friend's complaint lies, not in the imposition of new speed restrictions, but rather in a closer observance of the maximum speeds already laid down under existing enactments and regulations.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents directly attributable to shot-firing in the mines of Great Britain for the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924; and whether any special steps are being taken to prevent these accidents?

supplied the following statement of accidents arising directly out of the use of explosives, and the number of persons killed and injured thereby, at mines under the Coal and Metalliferous Mines Regulation Acts. It does not include explosions of firedamp or coal dust caused by the use of explosives.progress which, I hope, will show how the risks of shot-firing may be still further reduced.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state approximately when the Royal Commission on Subsidence will make its Report?

I am informed that the Commission do not expect to be able to issue a Report before the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of ex-service men who have emigrated since 1919 under the Empire Settlement Act or any other scheme?

Under the Government free passage scheme for ex-service men and women and their dependants which came into operation on 8th April, 1919, and was closed on 31st December, 1922, 39,419 ex-service men (or 86,027 persons, including dependants, etc.) were granted free passages to enable them to settle in other parts of the Empire.The schemes of assisted migration now in operation arranged under the terms of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, are applicable to all suitable and approved British subjects resident in the United Kingdom, and figures are not available to show the numbers of ex-service men who have been included and gone overseas under those schemes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the possession of first or second-class certificates of education by ex-service candidates for permanent posts in the Civil Service will be accepted as sufficient evidence of educational capacity?

The Southborough Committee recommended that all ex-service men who were candidates for posts in the clerical class in the Civil Service should be required to pass a test consisting partly of a written examination and partly of a Departmental Report. I am afraid that I cannot agree to exempt any particular class of candidate from this test.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Egyptian officials are employed by the Sudan Government?

Upwards of 4,000 Egyptian officials are employed by the Sudan Government of whom approximately one-half are members of the classified staff of the administration.