asked the President of the Board of Education how many State scholarships to universities have been granted by the Board in each of the last three years; and to what universities the students have gone?

No new awards of State scholarships were made in 1922 or 1923, but. 65 students to whom State scholarships had been awarded in previous years proceeded to universities in 1922 and eight did so in 1923. In 1924 the scheme for State scholarships was revived and 198 scholarships were awarded to students who proceeded to universities in that year. The following table shows the numbers proceeding to each university;

University.	1922.	1923.	1924.	Totals.
Oxford	24	3	32	59
Cambridge	32	5	62	99
Durham	None	None	4	4
London	3	None	38	41
Manchester	None	None	12	12
Birmimham	1	None	8	9
Liverpool	2	None	8	10
Leeds	2	None	9	11
Sheffield	None	None	6	6
Bristol	1	None	5	6
Wales	None	None	14	14
Totals	65	8	198	271

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received the Report of the Departmental Committee upon the training of teachers; whether he is now in a position to state whether the Board have made, or are preparing to make, any arrangement for the continuance of the acting teachers' certificate examination; and, if so, can he give the date of such examination?

I have not yet received the Report of the Departmental Committee, and I am afraid that I cannot., therefore, add anything to the reply, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, given by me on the 11th December last to the hon. and gallant Members for Ludlow (Lieut.-Colonel Windsor - Clive), Finchley (Major Cadogan), and the Bosworth Division of Leicester (Captain Gee).

asked the President of the Board of Education how many girls of over 11 years of age are there in average attendance in urban and rural public elementary schools, respectively, and how many of these in urban and rural schools, respectively, are receiving instruction in domestic subjects in accordance with the Board's Regulation; and how many boys of over 11 years of age are there in urban and rural public elementary schools, respectively, and how many of these in urban and rural schools, respectively, are receiving instruction in handicraft in accordance with the Board's Regulations?

The reply, according to the latest figures in my possession, is as followsThe figures relate to the number of children on the registers, as figures of average attendance by age-groups are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Herts County Council in refusing to confirm the selection of the Letchworth School Management Committee of an assistant teacher for the headmastership of the Westbury Council School, on the ground that the headmastership of A grade schools must be given to a headmaster of a grade B school; and will he inquire into the matter?

I assume that the school, to which the hon. Member refers, is the new West View Council School at Letchworth. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I may point out that the Local Education Authority is responsible for the appointment of head teachers in council schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the amount of juvenile unemployment, he will take steps to raise the age of compulsory school attendance in respect of children who have not obtained offers of employment, and at the same time make provision for school maintenance grants for children over the age of 14 years?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my statement in the House on the 24th February, and with regard to the second part, to Schedule VII of the Code.

asked the President of the Board of Education, if he proposes to issue new regulations for the special schools; and if provision will be made by him for regulating the size of classes and the allocation of teachers in those schools?

The Board's present policy in this matter is contained in the Revised Regulations for Special Services, published in draft on 19th February last, and in Circular 1354. I am sending a copy of these documents, and of the relevant Circular 1297, to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary for Air the number of airships now in commission in the United States; and of which type or types they consist?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Wells).

asked the Secretary of State for Air the nature of the proposals made relative to a joint Anglo-French seaplane route from Marseilles via Alexandretta, to Iraq; and the reasons for the decision given?

Tentative proposals were made last year by a French promoter for a French flying-boat service from Marseilles to Alexandretta, and for a combined Anglo-French service from Alexandretta to Iraq. These proposals were made known to the Air Ministry as well as to the French Government. The technical and financial assumptions en which the scheme was based did not appear to the Air Ministry to be valid, and the matter was allowed to drop so far as any question of British support was concerned. It is not known to what extent, if any, the proposals commended themselves to the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of pilots' licences now issued; what is the total number of air-worthiness certificates now issued; what is the total number of factories in Great Britain engaged in the production of aeroplanes, seaplanes, and flying boats, respectively; and how do all these present-day figures compare for the year 1916, 1920, 1923?

The numbers of pilots' licences issued and current on 31st December, 1920, 31st December, 1923, and 10th March, 1925, were 175, 131, and 142, respectively. The numbers of certificates of air-worthiness issued and current at the same dates were 240, 157, and 183, respectively. Such licences and certificates were not issued prior to 1919, and there are therefore no corresponding figures for 1916. The numbers of firms engaged in the production of aeroplanes, seaplanes and flying boats were 43, 18, and 17 in the years 1916, 1920, and 1923, respectively; the present number is 20

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a costing department exists in the Ministry?

There is no separate costing department in the Air Ministry, but branches of the directorates of Contracts and Accounts undertake costing work of a technical and a financial kind, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health how many established medical officers were employed by the Local Government Board in 1914–15 and by the Ministry of Health in 1920; how many established and unestablished medical officers are working for his Department at present; and what is the total amount recovered out of the National Health Insurance funds towards the salaries and expenses of the regional medical officers?

Thirty-four established medical officers were employed by the Local Government Board in 1914–15, and 73 by the Ministry of Health in 1920. The number of established and unestablished medical officers at present employed is 92. The amount recovered from health insurance funds towards the salaries and expenses of regional medical officers is £36,800 for the current financial year.

asked the Postmaster-General the percentage of second division clerks and assistant clerks, respectively, retired from the Post Office Savings Bank in 1913 on account of reaching the age limit for retention; and what percentage left voluntarily?

The information desired by the hon. Member is given in the following table:

	Percentage of age retirements.	Percentage of voluntary resignations.
Second division clerks	Nil	·24
Assistant clerks	Nil	1·76

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of male higher clerical officers and lower clerical officers, respectively, employed in the Savings Bank Department, voluntarily retired from the service in the years 1922 and 1923; and how many were retired compulsory on reaching the age limit for retention?

The class of male higher clerical officers had not been constituted in the Savings Bank Department in 1922 and 1923. There were no retirements on account of age and no voluntary resignations from the class of lower clerical officers in the Savings Bank Department in those years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of factories and the total number of persons employed in. India for the years 1892 and 1922, respectively?

The figures for 1922 are 5,144 and 1,361,002, respectively. Official figures for 1892 are not available, but in Miss Broughton's book on "Labour and Indian Industries," which was the result of investigations in India, the figures for that year are given at 656 and 316,816, respectively. The two sets of figures are not strictly comparable, as a change in the legal definition of "factory" in 1922 resulted in an increase in the numbers of factories by about 25 per cent., though the number of persons employed was not increased to a corresponding extent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of cotton factories, the number of looms and spindles, and the number of persons employed in India for the years 1892 and 1922, respectively?

Figures for the calendar years are not available. The following are the figures for the financial years 1891–92 and 1921–22:

Cotton Mills in British India.
Year.	No. of Mills.	No. of Looms.	No. of Spindles.	Averages daily No. of persons employed.
1891–92	127	24,670	3,268,5241	117,922*
1921–22	237	118,902	6,375,5601	313,228
*Figures defective in the details.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received a copy of a proposed constitution for India prepared by a national conference of members of the Legislative Assembly provincial legislatures and other public servants; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will give the proposals their careful consideration and promote a conference with the leaders of Indian public opinion, to see if agreement can be reached in order to allay the sense of grievance which exists due to the alleged defects of the present constitution of India?

I have seen only summary in the Press of these proposals, which is obviously incomplete. As regards the second part of the question, I am not in a position to make any statement pending examination of the proposals of the Committee whose report on the working of the constitution has just been published in India, and will be published here in a few days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the amount and value of the opium exports of India for the last five years and how these exports were distributed to various countries?

The following is statement of the number of chests exported from India to various countries during the years 1919–23. Figures for 1924 are, not at present available:

Destination.	1919.	1920.	1921.	1922.	1923.
Singapore	4,155	3,090	3,010	1,820	2,100
Hongkong	1,009	180	120	150	240
Colombo	50	60	70	60	30
Batavia	2,000	2,900	2,300	1,800	900
Sydney	1	—	—	—	—
London	1,700	100	—	—	—
Kobe	1,150	900	150	50	150
Bangkok	1,700	1,700	1,700	1,650	1,600
Saigon	1,920	950	1,655	1,700	2,975
Mauritius	—	35	—	—	—
Macao	—	531	440	500	240
Yokohama	20	—	—	—	—
Sarawak	—	—	—	55	125
British North Borneo.	226	176	240	60	84
Busbire	—	—	85	283	100
Total	13,931	10,022	9,770	8,128	8,544

The total value of the opium exported from India during the above five years is as follows. Particulars of the value of the opium exported to each individual country are not available:

Total Value.
Year.	Rs.
1919	3,42,16,390
1920	3,28,35,830
1921	3,16,30,584
1922	2,96,36,088
1923	3,44,12,829

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that some apprehension has beer caused to inhabitants of Ascension Island on account of the company working guano and phosphate having expressed the intention of importing West African labour into the island; and whether this matter will be inquired into and steps taken to allay this anxiety of the inhabitants, in view of the last experience of this nature when the island was under the administration of the Admiralty?

Representations of this nature have been received from the Eastern Telegraph Company, who maintain an establishment in Ascension. An application has been received from the company working a concession in Ascension Island for permission to introduce labour from a West African Colony, in view of the admitted impossibility of obtaining a sufficient labour supply in St. Helena. The application is now under consideration, but it has been made clear to the company that permission for the employment of such labourers cannot be definitely given pending the completion, to the satisfaction of the Governor, of all the necessary arrangements for their reception and control in Ascension. The Governor of St. Helena has had long experience of West African labour, and can be relied upon to assure himself that adequate arrangements are made in the interests of the present inhabitants of the island.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion in the total revenues, for the last year for which figures are available, of the Straits Settlements, Federated Malay States, North Borneo and Brunei, respectively, is derived directly or indirectly from opium?

For the year 1923, which is the latest year for which complete figures are available, the revenues derived from opium by the Governments of the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and Brunei formed 45·4 per cent., 16·9 per cent., 18·24 per cent. respectively of the total revenues collected by those Governments; as regards North Borneo the latest year for which I have information is 1921, when the proportion was 12·3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total amount and value of cotton seed harvested in Uganda last year; what was the amount exported; and how was the bulk of the cotton seed not exported disposed of?

On the basis of a crop of 137,000 bales of lint in 1924, the seed would be about 48,900 tons, worth (if exportable) £250,000. The export figures for the whole year are not available, but in the nine months to the 30th November the export of cotton seed was 20,911 tons. Export of a low valued commodity depends on proximity to communications, and much of the seed is used as fuel in the ginneries or destroyed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Mary Ann Gallagher, of 7, Harris's Buildings, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, is now to have 4s. 9d. a week deducted from her total pension of 7s. 10d. a week paid her in respect of her son, the late Private Gallagher, killed 26th April, 1915, as a consequence of her having been over-paid for two years an amount of 2s. 11d. weekly, due entirely to a mistake on the part of the pensions authorities; and whether he can recommend that the 3s. Id. pension which she now receives can be considerably increased, in view of the fact that she is without adequate means of subsistence?

The pension awarded in this case is 9s. 6d. a week, not 7s. 10d., as suggested by the hon. Member. The over-payment referred to occurred, not for the reason stated in the question, but because of the failure on the part of the pensioner to disclose fully the information as to her means for which she had been asked. My right hon. Friend has, however, caused investigation to be made into the circumstances, and a modification of the present rate of recovery will be directed if, as seems probable on the information obtained, the circumstances are found to justify this course.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Private James Gray, No. 8/6840, who died in Bellahouston Hospital from his pensionable disability, valvular disease of the heart, on 9th February, 1925, was in receipt of 100 per cent. pension; that his widow, Mrs. J. Gray, 18, Holm Street. Govan, entered her claim for widow's pension and pensions for her children on 11th February, 1925, on the necessary form issued for the purpose, and forwarded the death certificate and also marriage and birth certificates; that the regional headquarters is insisting that she shall fill up forms M.P.L.C. 42 (Statement by Approved Society), two forms M.P.A.O. 41 (Certificates by Pre-War Employers and Employers since Discharge), form M.P.A.O. 39 (Certificate by Pre-enlistment Medical Attendant), form M.P.A.O. 38 (Certificate by Medical Attendant since Discharge or Demobilisation): that these forms are for men making a first claim for pension, and that the widow has had to apply for Poor Law relief for herself and children; and whether, in view of the fact that her deceased husband was in receipt of a pension, 100 per cent., that he died in a Ministry of Pensions hospital, and that Mrs. Gray has claimed on the form issued by the Ministry of Pensions for the purpose, he will instruct the issue of pension without further delay?

I understand that the man referred to died nearly nine years after his discharge from service on account of a disability which was worsened, but not caused, by his war service. In order to determine the class of pension (if any) to which the widow would be entitled in such a case, the further evidence referred to was, under medical direction, required. In the meantime it was found possible, however to give a medical certificate which enabled the case to be dealt with under Article 17A of the Royal Warrant, and pending the final settlement of the matter, an advance of pension amounting to 37s. 6d. a week was authorised.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. George Stain-forth, late corporal, No. 101,456, Royal Army Medical Corps, Ministry Reference No. 6/MS/1,334, of 15b, Hillary Street, Walsall, who on discharge from the Army was found by the medical board to be suffering from a permanent disability aggravated by service; whether he can state the degree of disablement assessed by the military medical board; whether the man has been awarded a permanent pension on the military assessment; and, if not, will he state the reasons why the Ministry change a permanent assessment made by the military medical discharge board?

The hon. Member has, I fear, been misinformed as to the facts in this case. The man referred to was not examined on demobilisation by a military medical board, but by a single medical officer. A permanent disability was not, in fact, diagnosed by him and the assessment given, namely, 50 per cent., was a temporary assessment for six months and not a permanent one. At no time since his demobilisation has Mr. Stainforth been recommended for a permanent pension. In these circumstances, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Harold Lee, of 130, South Street, Manchester, Ministry of Pensions reference 3/N/5,561, who, being of opinion that in accordance with Article 5 of the Royal Warrant of 1919 he could claim pension on deterioration, and who was also unaware that under the Final Awards Regulations there is a time limit of 12 months during which an appeal should be made, submitted an appeal to the appeal tribunal; whether he is aware that the tribunal decided that, as this appeal was not entered within the statutory time, the tribunal have no jurisdiction to deal with it, se that, apart from obtaining a pension to which he is apparently entitled, Mr. Lee lost a considerable amount of time in prosecuting a, claim; and whether, seeing that a large number of men have been similarly treated, he will consider the issue of Regulations providing that in all cases where the appeal tribunal reject a claim as out of date, that the man shall be examined by members of the medical staff of the Ministry with the object that, if it be found that the applicant should be in receipt of pension, the case shall be submitted to the Treasury for authority to award a pension under the Dispensing Warrant?

My right hon. Friend understands that in the case referred to, the man, whose last award was made in 1920, made no appeal either to the medical appeal board or subsequently to the appeal tribunal, as he was entitled to do, and has not otherwise been under the observation of the Ministry in any respect since that date. My right hon. Friend is not able to adopt literally the suggestion in the last part of the question, but an instruction is already in operation, under the arrangements which have been previously stated in the House, whereby in cases in which it appears that the man is substantially worse, any necessary correction of the final award made in his case may be effected, if it is found as the result of medical treatment and observation that there was a serious error of assessment for permanent purposes. There is no evidence that this is the case in the present instance.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusal of treatment allowances to ex-Sapper W. H. Mailes, of 28, Maiden Road, Stratford. who was advised by the local area office that treatment by a general practitioner was necessary, but that such treatment would not prevent him working at a remunerative occupation, although the man is extremely ill and was examined by the medical man of his employers, the London and North Eastern Railway Company, who certified the man unfit for, work, precisely the same week that he was discharged from the Ministry's hospital at Sidcup, where he was a patient from April, 1924: and whether this man was admitted by the Ministry to be suffering in April, 1922, from bronchitis and dyspepsia, which ailments, although they disappeared in the summer period, June, 1922, reappeared in October, 1923, and he was admitted to Orpington Military Hospital in October, 1923, and remained until 1924?

The man referred to is eligible to receive a course of treatment from my Department for neurasthenia only, and his admission to the hospitals referred to in the last part of the question was for the purpose of undergoing treatment for this disability. At a subsequent medical examination by specialists it was not found that any further course of treatment by the Ministry was required in his case, and that such medical attention as he might occasionally require from a general practitioner would not prevent him from working. In these circumstances, he is not eligible for the allowances provided by Article 6 of the Royal Warrant. I would add that Mr. Miles has made claim in respect of several other ailments, but they have not been found to admit of compensation under the Royal Pensions Warrants, and the decision of the Ministry has been confirmed by the independent tribunals of appeal. The Ministry have no information that the man's present condition, as stated in the question, is due to his war service.

asked the hon. Member for Tonbridge, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that, although the Charity Commissioners have declined the proposal of the Portheawl Urban District Council to transfer the charity land of the labouring poor, the urban district council has already forced the labouring poor to vacate the land held as allotments; and if he will state if the Commissioners have sanctioned the entry by the council on this charity land?

The Charity Commissioners are not aware that the Porthcawl Urban District Council has forced the labouring poor to vacate the land held as allotments. They have not sanctioned the entry by the council on the charity land for that purpose

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to proposals for the formation of public-utility societies or similar bodies to undertake the repair and reconstruction of unsatisfactory property and the rehousing in new buildings of the occupants of such property and, for this purpose, to raise funds by public subscription to supplement the assistance which may be given by local authorities; and whether, in view of the need of houses at specially low rents for the rehousing of the tenants of insanitary property, he will be prepared to encourage co-operation between such societies and the local authorities on the lines indicated

I should welcome the co-operation of voluntary societies in the reconstruction of insanitary property and the rehousing of the occupants, and should be glad to render any assistance which lies within my powers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the method of assessing compensation under Section 9 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, is causing hardship to owners of small property where such property is being compulsorily taken; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Unhealthy Areas Committee, appointed by his predecessor, unanimously recommended that this system of compensation should be abandoned and an alternative system introduced, he will give instructions that the consideration of the amount of compensation to be paid for properties which at present come within Section 9 of the Act of 1919, shall remain in abeyance until the Act has been amended as advised by the Unhealthy Areas Committee, so as to secure reasonable compensation being paid 'o those who are being compulsorily dispossessed of their property?

As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Rentoul), I do not at present contemplate introducing legislation on this matter, as further experience of the working of the existing Act is, in my opinion, necessary. I have no authority to give instructions that the provisions of Section 9 of the Act of 1919 shall remain in abeyance.

asked the Minister of Health if any local authority has made an application to him for any new type of house, other than the Weir house, either for demonstration or for other purposes; and will particulars be given?

Arrangements are being made for the erection by local authorities for demonstration purposes of houses of the Telford, Wild and Atholl types, in addition to the Weir type. As regards new methods of building in general, it rests with local authorities to approve them for purposes of subsidy, and they are only required to obtain my approval in cases where the method of construction is not one for which a 60 years' loan would normally be allowed. Considerable numbers of houses are being built by local authorities, or with the aid of subsidy, by many methods other than ordinary brick construction, and I am proposing to obtain some statistics on this matter in connection with future returns from local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the rents of decontrolled houses are higher than those of similar houses still subject to the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Acts?

—	Doncaster Borough.		Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District.		Adwiek-le-Street Urban District.
	Local Authority Schemes.	Private Enterprise Schemes.	Local Authority Schemes.	Private Enterprise Schemes.	Local Authority Schemes.	Private Enterprise Schemes.
1. Housing, Town Planning etc. Act, 1919:
Houses completed	263	—	320	—	380	—
2. Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919:
Houses completed	—	144	—	20	—	2
3. Housing, etc. Act, 1923:
(a) Houses completed	201	90	80	95	—	141
(b) Houses under construction.	54	47	28	45	—	42
(c) Houses authorised but not yet started.	15	63	30	60	30	397
4 Housing (Finanial Provisions) Act, 1924.
(a) Houses completed	—	—	—	—	—	—
(b) Houses under construction.	80	—	—	—	—	—
(c) Houses authorised but not yet started.	370	—	—	—	—	—
*5. Unsubsidised Houses:
(a) Completed during two years ended 30th Sept., 1924.	—	364	—	19	—	510
(b) Under construction at 1st Oct., 1924.	—	136	—	2	—	154
*Information is only available in respect of houses built by private enterprise without State aid, for the two years referred to.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday in the course of the Debate on the Rent Restrictions Bill.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built under the various Housing Acts since 1918 in the borough of Doncaster and the urban districts of Bentley-with-Arksey and Adwick-le-Street, respectively; what number of houses are in process of building or have been sanctioned; and the number of houses built by private enterprise 'n the same areas and during the same period?

The following figures supply the answer to the Question:drawn to the complaint of Mr. W. Docherty, of Westfield, Redcar, who has had to close down his brick works in con- sequence of a neighbouring landlord refusing to sell adjoining land, which contains clay deposits and is lying useless; and whether, in view of the serious shortage of bricks, he will introduce legislation to prevent such stoppage of industry?

My attention has been drawn to Mr. Docherty's complaint, and I have had inquiries made. I do not think I should be justified, as a result of this particular case, in introducing general legislation on the subject.Colonel DAY asked the Minister of Health whether all the brickfields in the country are now working at their full capacity; and, if not, whether he is taking any steps to see that all the brick-fields will turn out their full capacity in order to expedite the building of houses for the working classes?

A very large increase in the production of bricks has taken place recently as a result of the

HOUSING PROGRESS IN RURAL DISTRICTS.
State-aided Schemes—Position at 31st January, 1925.
State-aided Schemes.	Number of houses authorised.	Number of houses under construction.	Number of houses completed.	Number of Local Authorities concerned.
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919.
By Local Authorities	34,438	143	34,279	444
By Public Utility Societies	1,631	—	1,631	—
Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919	16,029	—	16,020	—
Housing, etc., Act, 1923.
By Local Authorities	5,332	1,494,	1,534	499
By Private Enterprise	36,033	8,994	12,358
By Section 3 Schemes (Public Utility Societies, etc.).	4,750	795	1,735	—
Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
By Local Authorities	2,451	668	167	56
By Private Enterprise	77	4	—
				(of which 25 are included in 499 above).
By Societies, etc. similar schemes under Section 3 of 1923 Act.	210	—	—	—
Totals	100,951	12,098	67,733	—
Without State Assistance.
During the two years ended 30th September, 1924, approximately 43,379 houses were completed by private enterprise without State assistance in Rural Districts, and 11,425 houses were under construction at the end of this period. Information is not available as to building without State assistance prior to 1922.

asked the Minister of Health if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of the present position of housing in the rural districts?

The following statement gives the available information in regard to progress in house building in rural districts since 1919:

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the present famine in houses and of the refusal of the London County Council to use the powers given to them by Section 5 (1) (c) of the Housing Act of 1923 to make a partial refund of rates to owners converting large houses into flats, he is prepared to introduce a Bill to transfer those powers to the London Metropolitan boroughs?

Before instituting legislation on the lines suggested, I should require some evidence that the Metropolitan borough councils themselves desire to exercise the powers referred to.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information as to how many workmen's houses have been built under the 1923 Act, in respect of which a subsidy has been applied for and refused; and if he can state the general grounds of refusal?

I regret that I am unable to give the hon. Member the information desired, for the reasons which I gave in reply to the question which he addressed to me on the 19th ultimo.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends taking action to carry out the Report made in 1921 by the Committee appointed by the then Minister of Health recommending the repeal of Section 9 of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1919, under which the value of good houses is being confiscated indiscriminately with houses unfit for habitation?

I do not at present contemplate introducing legislation on this matter as further experience of the working of the existing Act is, in my opinion, necessary, and I must not be assumed to accept without qualification the statement in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were completed in the Borough of Wandsworth during 1924; and what is the estimated increase in the population of this borough during the same year?

The number of houses completed in the Borough of Wandsworth with State assistance during the year ended December, 1924, was 132.In addition, the following numbers of houses were completed during the year ended 30th September, 1924, without subsidy from the Exchequer:

Not exceeding £35 rateable value	349
Exceeding £35 but not exceeding £70 rateable value	182
Exceeding £70 but not exceeding £105 rateable value	22
Total	553

The estimated increase in the population of the borough between the middle of 1923 and 1924 was 2,100.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to overcome the shortage in the available supplies of skilled labour for housing; and whether he can state the number of youths who entered the skilled branches of the housing trades as apprentices in 1924?

My predecessor set up a Committee of employers and operatives of the building industry to assist in this matter, and I have continued this Committee in office. This Committee have adopted, and are endeavouring to bring into operation, proposals for augmenting the number of skilled workers in the industry by means of a scheme of adult apprenticeship including the upgrading of builders' labourers. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of a pamphlet issued by this Committee which describes the steps they are taking. Statistics are not available as to the number of apprentices entering these trades in 1924.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths caused by influenza or its complications in London during January and February, 1925;

The total number of deaths in London during January and February, 1925, notified as due to influenza was 480, which is equivalent to 649 per million of the population per annum. I am sending detailed figures to my hon. Friend showing the number of deaths in each of the London and Metropolitan boroughs, and also the number in age groups. Information as to occupations could not be given without a re-examination of the entry relating to each individual death. As regards the last part of the question, I think that an amendment of the National Health Insurance Act on the lines suggested would not be practicable. The effect of the Act is already in the direction desired by the hon. Member, inasmuch as it encourages workers to seek prompt medical advice as soon as they begin to feel ill, and by providing cash payments during absence from work owing to illness, it alleviates the financial loss through such absence.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a member of the Neath Town Council has been receiving from the council fees earned in the professional capacity of solicitor; and whether, in view of this violation of the law, he will make representations to the Neath Town Council on the matter?

I am in communication with the town council as regards this question, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whither he is aware that stone- pounding machines for casual wards are obtainable from the Patent Stone Pounder Company, Poole, Dorset, and are recommended by the company because it is impossible for the hammer to be used as a weapon, and because hundreds of them are in use in casual wards in all parts of the country; and will he obtain one of these machines from the company or one from one of the boards of guardians, who use or possess one, and cause it to be placed in the House of Commons for the inspection of Members?

I have no knowledge of the statements referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 3rd March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any evidence that milk is sent over to England from the Continent for consumption which would not under the law be allowed to be sold in the country of origin?

There is no evidence in support of the suggestion contained in this question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the price of home-fed beef and mutton is abnormally high by reason of shortage of numbers, particularly sheep, any active steps are being taken to increase such numbers, which would automatically reduce the price of imported meat?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on the 16th February last in reply to a similar question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in regard to foot-and-mouth disease in Sussex, either of the Government's inspectors after the first outbreak paid a visit to the first two farms where outbreaks occurred; whether other farms have since been visited by an inspector; and whether the Ministry will give particulars of each valuation made, stating whether compensation is to be paid at pedigree or commercial prices?

—				Cattle.	Sheep.	Pigs.	Compensation.
							£	s.
Ovingdean	…	…	…	10	—	—	291	12
Ovingdean	…	…	…	—	—	29	120	15
Rottingdean	…	…	…	71	55	73	2,723	15
Ilford, Lewis	…	…	…	74	—	—	8,395	0

Pedigree value is only paid in respect of high-class pedigree stock. In other cases the commercial value of the animals is paid as compensation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that within the last year £20,000,000 worth of Danish bacon has been imported into this country, he will take steps to cause a substantial part of this public demand for bacon to be met by the development of the pig industry here?

I have recently received representations on this subject from the National Association of Pig Breeders, and am giving the matter careful consideration with a view to seeing whether it is possible by Government action to do anything to develop the pig industry. The number of pigs shown in the Returns collected by my Department on the 4th June last was higher than in any previous year.

also asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the growing slaughter of calves in this country; and, seeing that some agriculturists contend that this policy is adverse to the Prosperity of the agricultural community, will he say what is his policy on the matter?

I have no evidence which would lead me to believe that any-abnormal slaughter of calves is taking place, or that such a practice has increased in recent years. The Returns

The answers to the first two parts of the question are in the negative. With regard to the last part, particulars of the animals slaughtered and the compensation paid are as follow:collected by my Department show that there were, on 4th June last, more cattle in England and Wales than in any pre-War year except 1911, and that there has been a steady increase in the numbers since 1921. Moreover, there were, on that date, nearly 80,000 more cattle under one year old than 12 months before. In the circumstances I do not consider that it is necessary or desirable to take any special steps for increasing or maintaining the cattle population. I might add that the Ministry's scheme for the improvement of livestock, which has been in operation since 1914, does encourage the retention of suitable calves for rearing.

asked further the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the growth of the sheep-worrying annoyance caused by dogs; and whether he has received any representations on these lines from agricultural bodies?

The reply to both parts is in the affirmative. Under the present procedure, magistrates, at their discretion, may make an Order for a dog found worrying sheep either to be kept under control or to be destroyed. At the present time 54 out of 63 counties in England and Wales, and 16 out of 33 counties in Scotland, have Regulations in force requiring the control of dogs at night time, with a view to preventing worrying of sheep and cattle. During the past six months seven other Scottish counties have applied for an Order for power to make similar Regulations, and in one case the power has been exercised and Regulations made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount of War Savings Certificates still outstanding; what is the amount of the National Savings Certificates; and by how many individuals it is estimated that those certificates are held?

The total amount of Savings Certificates outstanding on the lath February was £367,830,000, exclusive of interest: separate figures for War Savings Certificates and National Savings Certificates are not available. No available estimate can be given of the number of holders of certificates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many ex-service men of the established manipulative grades of the Post Office have been appointed to the clerical class as a result of examinations since 1st January, 1920?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The total number of appointments to date from the examinations in question is 598, and the great bulk of the men appointed were ex-service men. The exact number of ex-service men is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the removal of old age pension disqualifications so far as they affect pensioners who have been in receipt of treatment from any infirmary institution for any period of more than three months and arrange that such pension shall be paid direct to the guardians?

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 and the hon. Member for the Bedwellty Division.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the exemption in the assessment for the purpose of Income Tax of the Army pay to the officers and men of the Territorial Army who receive suet' pay during the 14 days' annual training per annum, as expenses are incurred by them in connection with their duties during 50 weeks each year?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave the right hon. and learned Member for Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon) on the 24th February. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect on the yield of the Income Tax of abolishing the three years' average assessment under Schedule D and substitute an assessment based on the income of the previous year or of the current year, respectively?

The effect on the yield of the Income Tax of substituting, for the present three years' average assessment under Schedule D, an assessment based on the income of the preceding year or of the current year, would depend, not only on the conditions of the year in which the change was made, but on the special provisions which might be necessary to facilitate the introduction of the new system. The hon. Member will realise that the many hypotheses open to me on this subject make it one more suitable to debate in the course of the coming Finance Bill than to the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the aggregate profits of the brewing companies of the United Kingdom for 1913, and the latest year for which complete figures are available?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison) on the 16th December last. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the financial effect of the abolition of the age limit imposed in the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924?

In the absence of any knowledge of the extent to which the means limits would operate in these cases, it is impossible to form a precise estimate of the financial effect of the abolition of the age limit, but it is considered that the cost would probably be between £150,000 and £200,000 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to consider a scheme for the modification of the Barrack Department of the Army, with a view to effecting a saving of expenditure?

I have been asked to reply. If the hon. and gallant Member will let me have his scheme, I shall be happy to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the strength on the latest available date of Sections A and B of the Army Reserve; and what was the comparable figure on the same date in 1914?

The strength of the three sections of the Army Reserve on 1st March, 1925, and on the corresponding date in 1914 was as follows:

—	Section A.	Section B.	Section D.
1st March, 1914	5,545	104,309	37,535
1st March, 1925	Nil	52,007	39,323

Enrolment for Section A will not commence until the end of the present month.

asked the Secretary for Mines the annual aggregate profits or losses made in all the coal mines in Great Britain for the years 1923 and 1924, and the estimated profit or loss per ton raised during the same periods?

The profits of the coal-mining industry as a whole, before deduction of such items as loan interest and taxation, were about £27,500,000 in 1923, and about £14,250,000 in 1924. These figures represent respectively 2s. and 1s. 0¾d. per ton of saleable coal raised.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a recent vacancy for the post of assistant-controller, telegraphs, at Edinburgh was filled by the appointment thereto of an officer from another town; that, as a consequence, each of the grades at the office has been deprived of a promotion which would otherwise have fallen to it; is he aware that this continued treatment of the Edinburgh staff in the matter of superior appointments at their own office is causing dissatisfaction amongst them; and whether steps will be taken to compensate the Edinburgh staffs for the promotions of which they have been deprived?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to. The question of granting the Edinburgh staff a reciprocal promotion is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Middlesex County Council have authorised the Finchley Urban District Council to proceed with the repair of the Great North Road between Finchley and Barnet, notwithstanding the Bill now before the House; and will he issue instructions for the necessary work of reconstruction to proceed in view of the months which have elapsed since the road surfaces became dangerous?

The Middlesex County Council have authorised the Finchley Urban District Council to reconstruct the portion of the carriageway outside the tram track on of the road between North Finchley and Whetstone. My Department have promised a grant, and I understand that the Finchley Council are now letting a contract for the work. No instructions on my part are necessary, and I know of no reason why work should not proceed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Advisory Committee on London Traffic was consulted before the centre gate of the Admiralty Arch was closed to the public?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will supply a list of the trades unions in the country showing the proportion of apprentices to skilled craftsmen allowed by each?

This matter is largely governed by unwritten practice, and the information available is not sufficiently definite or complete to enable a return to be compiled giving the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend. The Ministry of Labour, however, is about to undertake a comprehensive inquiry into apprenticeship, and I will consider whether it is possible to obtain this information in the course of the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the hardships involved in the incidence of the application of the powers of local rota committees connected with the granting of extended benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, inasmuch as many persons still complain that, although they-present notes from the different employers stating that application has been made for work, they have still been refused benefit on the ground that they were not genuinely seeking employment; and whether he will issue instructions upon this point, accepting such notes from firms as proof of genuine application, and the consequent granting of benefit?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary on 16th February to the hon. Member for the Hartlepools. The production of such notes is not necessarily a proof of bona fide search for work, nor is failure to produce them necessarily proof of the contrary. The instructions which committees already have laid down are what I consider to be the proper line, and I am afraid I cannot see my way to alter them as suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in all cases where the wives or children of men in receipt of unemployment benefit are chargeable to the Poor Law authority in rate-aided institutions or in receipt of outdoor relief where the husband is living apart from the wife or has not the care of the children, the money due from the Employment Exchange for the maintenance of the said wives or children may be paid to the Poor Law authority direct, the onus of notification to be placed on the man receiving benefit?

The additional rates of benefit in respect of a wife and children are only payable where the wife lives with or is maintained by the husband and the children are dependent on him. In the case given in the question no such benefit is payable at all, so that the question of paying it to the Poor Law authority does not arise. The position could not be altered without legislation, which I shall be prepared to consider at the proper time, but I should mention that at present I am not at all satisfied that this is a charge which should be placed on the Unemployment Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House about the Kurdish rising in Anatolia?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce legis- lation to restrict undue expenditure and profits in workmen's compensation insurance, and to ensure that a fair and adequate return is made to insured persons as in the case of industrial insurance?

I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to the formal arrangement which was made in 1923 between the then Home Secretary and the Accident Offices Association for the purpose of limiting the charges for employers' liability insurance. It is provided by this arrangement, details of which are given in Parliamentary Paper Cmd. 1891, that the proportion which the total amount paid as compensation by the offices belonging to the association bears to the total amount received as premiums by these offices shall for each of the years 1924, 1925 and 1926 be not less than 60 per cent., and for any subsequent year not less than 62½ per cent. or such other proportion, not being less than 60 per cent., as may be agreed between the Secretary of State and the association. I think that this arrangement should sufficiently protect the employers, and that no compulsory legislation should be necessary.

asked the Home Secretary if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the publication of unsavoury details given in newspaper reports of the proceedings of the Divorce Courts by allowing the presiding Judge to issue a resume of the case for the Press, publication of the names of the contending parties to be published and admission of the public to remain as at present?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Bill on this subject introduced on Tuesday by the right hon. Member for the Aston Division of Birmingham. The Government is considering the whole question carefully, in the light of the provisions of that Bill.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, in the Courts of Law in Wales, the oath may be taken in Welsh only through an interpreter, as for a foreign language; and will he take the necessary steps to remove this disability?

Inquiries made two years ago into this matter did not disclose any such uniform practice as is suggested in the first part of the question, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will state precisely what it is that he considers objectionable and what change be desires to see made in the existing practice, I will give his suggestion my most careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if he will inquire as to whether the visit paid by two persons to the residence of the owner of the premises in which the offices of the "Sunday Worker" newspaper are situated was made under instructions issued from the special branch of the Criminal Investigation Department; and, if so, what was the reason for their visit?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question of the 26th February. The police know nothing of the incidents referred to.

asked the Home Secretary the attitude of the Government with respect to any proposals for the abolition of night-work in the baking trade?

The Government have had this matter under consideration, but before coming to a final decision they have thought it necessary to obtain further information as to whether, and, if so, to what extent, the proposals would be likely to result in an increase in the price of bread. They have accordingly referred this point to the Royal Commission on Retail Prices for special investigation and early report. The position will be further reviewed in the light of the Commission's Report.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any Russians prevented from proceeding to the United States by the operation of the quota law, who have been left stranded in England; if so, where are these people; how many of them are there; and by what means are they being housed and maintained, and at whose expense?

The number of Russian transmigrants who are detained in the United Kingdom owing to the operation of the American quota law is at the present time a little over 700, but it is expected that some 200 of these will be able to proceed to the United States during the next few months. A few have been allowed to reside with relatives or friends, and still remain subject to the provisions of the bonds entered into by the shipping companies with regard to the removal of trans-migrants from the United Kingdom. The remainder are all housed and maintained at the expense of the shipping companies concerned at the hostel at Eastleigh, near Southampton, which the companies established some time ago for the reception of transmigrants.

asked the Home Secretary which countries have abolished capital punishment for the crime of murder; and whether he has any information concerning the increase or decrease of such crime in these countries since the penalty was abolished?

I am not in possession of the information desired.

asked the Home Secretary on what day the Committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Tomlin to inquire into the question of the adoption of children; what were the terms of reference; on how many occasions has the Committee sat; how many witnesses have been examined; and whether he can give any indication of the date at which it expects to present its Report?

The Committee referred to were appointed on the 4th April last "to examine the problem of child adoption from the point of view of possible legislation and to report upon the main provisions which in their view should be included in any Bill on the subject." The Committee have met on 22 occasions and have examined 30 witnesses. I understand that the Committee will shortly consider the terms of their Report but I cannot say when it will be presented.