asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office Depart- mental Whitley Council have yet completed their deliberations with regard to paragraph 26 of the final Report of the Southborough Committee: and, if not, in view of the discontent which exists among members of the manipulative grades of the Post Office, and considering the time which has elapsed since the Southborough Report was issued, will he take steps to expedite the issue of the Post Office Departmental Whitley Council's Report?

I am informed that the Committee in question is now considering its draft Report.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a car conveys the mail from Gairloch to Port Henderson, a short distance from the township of Opinan: and whether he can now see his way to let the car go that short distance with the mail and reinstate a delivery of letters at Port Henderson, and so ensure a quick and efficient service?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the right hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the British Mint authorities prepare and supply to His Majesty's printing contractors stamp plates for postage stamp printing: if so, was this concession offered to other tenderers for the contract; and if he will state the number of 10s. and 20s. notes printed in their present form up to the 31st December, 1924?

The Post Office supplies free of expense to the contractor the plates required for printing postage stamps; this is a condition of the contract and was clearly stated in all the invitations to tender. The plates are prepared at the Mint. The number of £1 currency notes of the present design issued up to the 31st December, 1924, was 2,224,000,000 and of 10s. notes, 948,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of Consols purchased in small denominations through the post offices in 1912, and the amount of War Loan purchased through the post offices, 1914 to 1924?

Before the War it was only possible to purchase Stock through the Post Office if the applicant were a depositor in the Post Office Savings Bank. The total Stock purchased in 1912 was £2,991,260 10s. 3d., of which £2,064,167 15s. 7d. was Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Consols. In the years 1914 to 1924 the investment of Post Office depositors in Government Stock, other than War issues, amounted to £9,505,194 10s. 9d. But during the 10 years in question the great bulk of the investments were either new subscriptions to War Stock on the Post Office register (£220.365,996 5s. 7d.) or purchases of such Stock (£19,184,469 16s. 6d.). It is impossible to state what proportion of these investments were made by persons who were actually depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now able to inform the House as to the position of the site selected for the Beam wireless station for a communication with South Africa?

A site near Bodmin for the sending station for the beam service with Canada has been placed at the disposal of the Marconi Company, and it is anticipated that a site near Bridgwater for the corresponding receiving station will be available in the course of a few days. The same sites will be used for the stations for communication with South Africa, and an order for these stations will be given as soon as official information is received concerning the erection of corresponding stations in South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received representations that the Education (Institution Children) Act, 1923, is not adequately meeting the contention of local authorities that the charge on a local education authority of the education of children recruited from outside its area, but boarded at an institution within its area, is unfair; and whether, in view of the feeling held on the subject, he will further investigate the matter with a view to additional legislation?

The Act was passed after a very full consultation with local education authorities, and embodied their suggestions. I think it has effectually removed the grave difficulties which it was designed to remedy. I have received representations to the effect that in some details its operation is not entirely satisfactory, but I do not think the time is yet ripe for a reconsideration of the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether Circular 1,350, which is headed "The Organisation of Public Elementary Schools," requires local education authorities to proceed now to re-organise the schools in their areas in the way set out in the Circular?

No, Sir. The occasion for the issue of the Circular was the necessity for withdrawing certain suggestions made in the appendix to the building Regulations for new schools which were issued in 1914, and which are now out of date in consequence of the Act of 1918. The Circular makes suggestions to authorities and managers for their consideration in connection with the many opportunities which are now occurring, and may be expected to occur, for combining the provision of additional accommodation or the improvement or replacement of defective premises with the adjustment of school organisation to present needs.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangements exist for the education of slightly mentally-defective children in the towns and also in the rural districts of Scotland?

The provision of schools and classes for mentally-defective children in the towns and rural districts of Scotland, as at 31st July, 1923, is stated in Table 4 of the latest "Return showing Grant-earning Day Schools and Institutions," a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. Since the date of that Return the number of schools and classes has been increased, but the final figures are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the total amounts which accrued to the Imperial Exchequer, being excess of receipts over expenditure, from the working of the Iraq Railways during the years 1922–23 and 1923–24, respectively; and what is the estimated amount for the year 1924–25?

In 1922–23 the revenue of the Iraq Railways exceeded expenditure by Rs. 3,35,071 and this sum accrued to the Imperial Exchequer. In 1923–24 the surplus was Rs. 7,97,830 and the estimated surplus for 1924–25 is Rs. 6,50,000. These sums will not, however, accrue to the Imperial Exchequer, as the management of these railways was transferred on 1st April, 1923, to the Iraq Government, and in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII of the Financial Agreement made under Article XV of the Anglo-Iraq Treaty (Cmd. 2120, 1924) any surplus of receipts over expenditure from that date is devoted to further capital expenditure or to the payment of interest on money borrowed for capital services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to establish a fixed interest charge on the capital value of the Iraq Railways; if so, what will be the rate of interest, and when will this charge be imposed?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my predecessor to a question in this House on the 2nd April, 1924. As stated in that reply, the Iraq Railway system is the property of His Majesty's Government, and interest on the capital value is not payable. The management and administration of the system was transferred to the Iraq Government as from 1st April, 1923, subject to the stipulations of Article VIII of the Financial Agreement with the Iraq Government (Cmd. 2120).

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to return to the system of secret diplomacy, in view of the fact that British and French quarters in Paris are sworn to silence with regard to the conversations that have taken place between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of His Majesty's Government and the President of the French Republic, also between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and M. Herriot?

It is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to make any alteration in the established practice with regard to the conduct of diplomacy, and the answer to the hon. and gallant Member is therefore in the negative whatever he may mean by secret diplomacy, a phrase that is vague and in some respects misleading. There must always be communications between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's Representatives abroad and foreign Ambassadors and Ministers in London which are of a confidential character, and the publication of which would lead to strained relations with foreign friendly States; but it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to continue as heretofore to take Parliament and the nation into their confidence to the fullest possible extent and at the earliest possible moment in the conduct of the foreign policy of the country.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents in mines due to fires and floods for each year from 1884 to 1924, the number of lives lost, and the place of the accidents for these same years?

This information is given in the following table, except in respect of accidents from fires during the period 1884–1893 inclusive. That infor-

FATAL ACCIDENTS.
Year.	Underground Fires.			Irruptions of Water.
	Sep. Accidents.	Persons Killed.	Place (by County). (No. of Deaths in brackets.)	Sep. Accidents.	Persons Killed.	Place (by County). (No. of Deaths in brackets.)
1884	Not available			1	1	Staffs.
1885				2	16	Durham (13), Carnarvon (3).
1886				1	2	Ireland.
1887				1	3	Lanes.
1888				2	3	Monmouth (1), Glamorgan (2).
1889				1	4	Glamorgan.
1890				4	6	Edinburgh (1), Durham (1), Glamorgan (1), Flint (3).
1891				1	1	Glamorgan.
1892				3	9	Yorks (6), Somerset (2), Lanes (1).
1893				1	20	Cornwall.
1894	—	—	—	1	3	Cumberland.
1895	4	13	Fife (9), Renfrew (1), Denbigh (1), Staffs (2)	4	94	Staffs (77), Ayr (9), Tyrone (6), Lanes (2).
1896	1	1	Staffs	2	7	Glamorgan (6), Flint (1).
1897	1	20	Isle of Man	4	26	Clackmannan (6), Durham (10), Kent (8), Lanes (2).
1898	1	35	Leicester	1	3	Ayr.
1899	4	10	Ayr (1), Durham (1), Cumberland (4), Cork (4).	3	3	Flint (1), Carmarthen (2 accidents, 2 deaths).
1900	—	—	—	3	8	Fife (1), Northumberland (2), C4 hunorgan. (5).
1901	2	8	Fife (7), Lance (1)	—	—
1902	3	7	Linlithgow (4), Durham (1), Staffs (2).	1	4	Gloucester.
1903	—	—	—	3	9	Staffs (2 accidents, 7 deaths), Durham (2).
1904	1	1	Fife	2	2	Durham (1), Glamorgan (1).
1905	3	4	Staffs	3	6	Staffs (2 accidents, 5 deaths), Warwick (1).
1906	3	5	Fife (2), Lanark (2), Northumberland (1).	2	6	Glamorgan (4), Haddington (2).
1907	2	4	Fife (3), Staffs (1)	3	4	Derby (1), Carmarthen (2), Kent (1).
1908	3	29	Staffs (2 accidents, 26 deaths), Worcester (3)	3	6	Staffs (3), Edinburgh (2), Durham (1).
1909	1	1	Glamorgan	5	18	Glamorgan (5), Durham (1), Ayr (10), Lanes (1), Staffs (1).
1910	3	4	Worcester (2), Clackmannan (1), Glos. (1)	3	4	Edinburgh (2), Durham (1), Staffs (1).
1911	1	5	Staffs	5	6	Staffs (2 accidents, 2 deaths), Lanes (1), Glamorgan (2), Cornwall (1).

asked the Minister of Transport whether an estimate has been prepared of the amount to be paid out of the Road Fund in conducting experiments in road construction under the powers of the Roads Improvement Bill; what amount it is proposed to spend annually on such purposes; arid whether the estimates of such expenditure will be submitted to Parliament?

The need for experimental work will vary from time to time, and it is not possible to make an estimate of the annual expenditure, though the amounts will in any case be comparatively small. All expenditure from the Road Fund is subject to Treasury approval.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether legislation will be introduced abolishing the three years' Income Tax average and substituting therefor an assessment based upon the previous year's ascertainment?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this matter at present. But I am advised that it would not in any event be practicable to bring such a change into operation until the year following the one in which it may be approved by Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how soon the Government propose to introduce legislation to abolish the means Clause in the administration of old age pensions?

I can add nothing to the indication of the Government's policy in regard to old age pensions which has already been made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total cost of, and the amount of fees collected by, the principal probate registry and the district probate registries, respectively?

In 1924 the total fees taken in the district probate registries was £105,228, and in the principal probate registry for contentious as web as non-contentious business £182,786. The cost incurred in respect of salaries and bonus was in the district probate registries £66,082, and in the principal probate registry £52,572. These figures do not include the cost of buildings, rates, lighting, heating, printing, stationery, postage, travelling and subsistence expenses, pensions, etc.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the gross cost of the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force after the non-effective votes have been deducted; and stating in which item the cost of the naval air arm is included

The gross amounts provided in the Estimates for 1925–26 are:

	£
Navy	56,175,470
Army (cash)	45,209,100
Air Force	21,174,800

The cost of the Fleet Air Arm (11,320,000) is provided in Air Votes, which receive a corresponding Appropriation-in-Aid from Navy Votes. This amount is, therefore, included in the gross totals given above both for the Navy and for the Air Force.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give favourable consideration to the claims of the civilian acting paymasters who served during the War in the Army Pay Department, in view of the fact that their claim has been upheld in the High Court and has been refused, not on grounds of non-entitlement but of economy?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. and gallant Member is presumably referring to the claim of the civilian acting paymasters to be granted a gratuity for war services. This claim has not been the subject of a decision in the High Court. The issue of the War gratuity was confined by the terms of the Royal Warrants to commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers, and civilian acting paymasters have no entitlement to the gratuity. I can hold out no hope of their claim being entertained. The decision in the High Court dealt with the claim of these gentlemen to pay a reduced rate of Income Tax, under the provisions of the Finance Act, and was based on their performing not commissioned officers' duties but duties of a. military character.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home. Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the centre gate of Admiralty Arch has been closed; is he aware that this has always been open to the public; and does he intend to close any other gates against the public?

The gate has been closed to give protection to foot passengers. It has been closed for certain periods previously, arid there is no proposal to close other gates.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has been arrived at on the question of station officers' hours of duty in the Metropolitan police; and whether the feeling on this matter existing among the inspectors and other station officers has been represented to him?

The Commissioner of Police has carefully considered certain representations which have been made to him by the Inspectors' and Sergeants' Branch Boards, and has come to the conclusion that the recent change is in the public interest, and should be maintained.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a large number of factories and workshops in the east and north-east of London escape inspection owing to the physical impossibility of the existing staff of inspectors to visit; and if he will consider the advisability of increasing the number of inspectors

The suggestion in the question that a large number of places escape inspection is incorrect, but the position, both in these and other districts, is not entirely satisfactory, and I am considering the whole question very carefully.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the pension of a police inspector who retired before the War in certain districts was £1 11s. per week, i.e., £1 12s. 4d. less than that of constables who served under him, and £2 18s. 6d. per week less than an inspector's pension of to-day; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to remove this anomaly?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Pensions Increase Acts have been passed to meet, so far as possible, the case of the pre-War pensioners. I cannot hold out any hope of further legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the

Land held by Local Authorities				Total estimated acreage under allotments in England and Wales and estimated number of Allotment Holders.
Year		Acreage.	Number of Allotment Holders.	Acreage.	Number of Allotment Holders.
1914	…	33,523	130,526 individual tenants and 52 Associations.	130,4100	580,000
1920	…	*65,474	584,256 individual tenants and three Associations	185,000	1,330,000
1923	…	61,226	499,226	170,000	1,190,000
*Including 18,511 acres accommodating 254,785 individual tenants and one Association provided by Local Authorities under Regulation 2 L. of the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the total amount of the reserve fund in connection with the National Health Insurance Act held on 31st December, 1924, or the latest available date by the National Health Insurance Commissioners anti by approved societies, respectively?

The number of agricultural holdings exceeding one acre which were stated to be owned or mainly owned by the occupier in 1924 was 94,236, which was 23 per cent. of the total number of holdings returned in that year. There is not, so far as my right hon. Friend is aware, any information as to the number of owners of land later than the Return made in 1873.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state for the years 1914, 1921 and 1924 the number of allotments in England and Wales held under local authorities and the estimated total number of allotments, whether held under local authorities, societies, or private owners, respectively?

Statistics of the number of allotments in England and Wales at 31st December, 1924, are not yet available, and none were collected for the year 1921. The desired information for the years 1914, 1920 and 1923 is given below:

By reserve fund it is assumed that the hon. Member means the aggregate amount of the accumulated funds belonging to all the separate approved societies (the membership of which embraces the great bulk of the insured population) and the statutory funds established for those small classes of insured persons who are not members of approved societies, viz. Deposit contributors, and persons, not previously insured in societies, serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force. The approximate total for Great Britain of such accumulated funds at 31st December, 1923, was as follows:—

	£
Invested with National Debt Commissioners	66,000,000
Invested by or on behalf of Approved Societies	40,000,000
Cash at Bank, etc	2,000,000
Apart from the above funds, there are also certain book credits called Reserve Values, created under Section 55 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and under Section 16 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1920, which will in due course be converted into cash by the operation of the sinking fund set up for that purpose. The approximate amount of Reserve Values outstanding at 31st December, 1923, was	105,000,000

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of contributions and the number of insured persons, in each year for Great Britain, including the State grant, since the passing of the National Health Insurance Act?

Statistics relating to National Health Insurance are published in the Annual Reports of the Ministry of Health and the Scottish Board of Health, from which has been compiled the following statement of the

State-Assisted Schemes.				Number of houses under construction.
				1st February, 1924.	1st November, 1924.	1st March, 1925.
England (excluding Monmonth)	…	…	…	21,068	51,469	51,478
Wales and Monmouth	…	…	…	1,492	3,348	3,108
Totals	…	…	…	22,560	54,817	54,586

Statistics as to houses built by private enterprise without State assistance are obtained half-yearly, and the following

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses under construction in England, Scotland, and Wales on each of the following dates:—20th January, 1924, 10th November, 1924, and 10th March, 1925?

The number of houses under construction on the precise dates mentioned in the question cannot be given, but the following table shows the position for England and Wales, as regards State-assisted schemes, on the 1st day of February and November, 1924, and March, 1925, respectively:table shows the number of houses under construction on the 1st April and the 1st October, 1924.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information as to the present position of the two Egyptian students who gave themselves up to justice in connection with the murder of Sir Lee Stack; and what is to be done with them?

The two students to whom the hon. Member presumably refers were arrested when attempting to escape from Egypt, and will be brought to trial when the Egyptian judicial authorities have completed their investigations into the authorship of the crime.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion and tonnage of the imports of the following articles coming into Great Britain that are carried in British and foreign vessels, respectively, namely, wheat, fruit and timber, in the latest year for which statistics are available?

The detailed statistics of imports into this country do not include a classification according to the nationalities of the vessels in which the various goods were carried, and I am consequently unable to furnish the information desired.