asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children under the age of six years who are in attendance at public elementary schools?

The number of children aged under six years on the registers of public elementary schools in England and Wales on 31st March, 1924, was 644,205. I am unable to give a corresponding figure of average attendance for such children.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the issue of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the training of teachers has been postponed time after time (during three Administrations), he is now able to state what the Board of Education propose to do respecting the acting teachers' certificate examination; and whether' he is aware that a very large number of uncertificated teachers are anxiously awaiting the decision of the Board with regard to the date of the next acting teachers' certificate examination?

As I expect that the Report of the Departmental Committee will be available very shortly, I must, pending its receipt, postpone making any statement as to the future of the acting teachers' certificate examination.

asked the Secretary for Mines if the Committee appointed by the Mines Research Board in 1923 to prepare a scheme for investigating possible methods of reducing the number of accidents from falls of ground has made a Report; and, in view of the importance of the question, will he lay a copy of the Report upon the Table of the House?

A Report by the Committee on the South Wales Coalfield has already been published and steps have been taken to call attention to its recommendation. My Department had already, in July last, issued a special circular to the industry on this subject, suggesting various directions in which action might be taken. I am sending the hon. Member copies of both documents. The Committee are now preparing a Report on the Scottish coalfields.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that coals of a secondary quality, costing about 20s. per ton at the pit head, are being retailed in London at 47s. to 60s. per ton, he can see his way to promote legislation to deal with this matter?

I shall be glad if the hon. and gallant Member will await the statement that I propose to make in the course of the debate next week, on the Motion of which the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney (Captain Garro-Jones) has given notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to an agreement recently reached between the owners and the miners of the Vauxhall Colliery, Ruabon, whereby the miners, to ensure a continuance of working, are prepared, with proper safeguards, to share the losses, if any, involved thereby; whether he is aware that since this agreement has been reached the output of the colliery has been greater than it has been for a considerable number of years; and can he state whether there have been any further experiments in profit-and-loss sharing in collieries in other parts of the country?

According to the information which I have received, the coal-getters have agreed to accept a reduction in their price lists and to give up 20 minutes' walking time underground in order to increase the working time at the face. The men have also agreed to sign a guarantee bond to indemnify the company against loss for the time being. I have received no information as to the effect upon output. I have no knowledge of a similar guarantee having been given at any other colliery, but this is not the only case in which the workmen have accepted alterations in their price lists or working conditions in order to assist in keeping a colliery at work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Ambassador in Turkey will in future reside at Constantinople or at Angora?

His Majesty's Ambassador will reside at Constantinople. He will visit Angora as occasion may arise, and will be represented there permanently by a member of his staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the appointment of an Ambassador to Turkey, His Majesty's Government now propose to change the Legations at Teheran, Peking, Bangkok, and Kabul into Embassies?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the nature of the security bonds taken for the protection of women and girls under Section 7 of Ordinance 143 (women and girls protection) in the Straits Settlements; and what is the nature of the adoption bonds?

I have not been furnished with specimen copies of these bonds, but I will obtain particulars of them and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Annual Report of the Straits Settlement Labour Department for 1923 devotee 12 pages of very full information, apart from tables, regarding Indian labour conditions, but that there is only half a page devoted to Chinese labour, with no similar particulars, and no report at all regarding Malay labour; and why, seeing that the Chinese population in 1921 was 529,282, the Malay 269,799, and the Indian only 109,257, there is no report regarding the larger communities?

The fact that so large a proportion of the Report is devoted to details concerning Indian labour is no doubt due to the keen interest taken by the Government and people of India in conditions of Indian labour abroad. A copy of this question will be sent to the Governor in order that he may see that in future fuller information as to other labour would be welcomed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the full terms of the contract under which the airship is being constructed; and whether this contract provides for a safety outer envelope of inert gas against lightning or any other safety arrangement against destruction by lightning?

As regards the first part of the question, the substance of the proposed contract has already been made known to Parliament in Command Paper 2147 of last year, and the terms of the contract are in accordance with the proposals there set forth. As the contract covers 40 printed pages I do not consider that its publication would justify the expense, and I may add that it would in any case be a departure from the usual practice to publish the full details of an ordinary contract. As regards the second part, the contract contains no specific provision for a safety envelope of inert gas, but it provides that the Airship Guarantee Company is to build inflate as may be considered necessary by the Secretary of State, test and complete the airship. It may be added that the safety arrangements in connection with the airship are being considered by a special panel of the Aeronautical Research Committee who advise the Department as to the safety requirements generally.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number, respectively, of engine drivers and firemen, signalmen, motor drivers, electricians, and clerks enrolled to date in the Army Supplementary Reserve?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 3rd March.

asked the Secretary of State for War the nature of the form which men desirous of joining the Army Supplementary Reserve are invited to fill up; and will he place the said form upon the Table of the House?

I am having placed in the Library of the House copies of the notices given to men presenting themselves for enlistment in the Supplementary Reserve and also copies of the Forms of Attestation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers are being sent to work in Bramley Camp; whether it is intended that soldiers should displace civilian labour; and whether the present number of soldiers at this camp is at present above the establishment?

I am aware of the increase in the number of soldiers at the Bramley Ordnance Depot; this is due to the closing down of the Chilwell Depot, necessitating the distribution of surplus Royal Army Ordnance Corps personnel among the other Ordnance depots, including Bramley. As regards the second part of the question, the number of civilians employed is greatly in excess of establishment and discharges are taking place quite independently of the temporary surplus of soldiers; and as regards the last part, the present strength both of soldiers and civilians at Bramley is in excess of the number that will be required when the work has been reduced to the normal level.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount expended on fighting services in this country during the financial years 1913–14 and 1924–25, and the total amount expended on similar services by France during the corresponding period; and the percentage relation borne by these amounts to the national revenue of the two countries?

The figures arc as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of 10-year bonds which were issued in the United States of America during the War and were converted into National War Bonds each year?

British 10-year Dollar Bonds were issued in the United States of America on 1st November, 1919, to the amount of $148,379,100. The following amounts have since been converted into sterling 5 per cent. National War Bonds, 1929 (Series IV):

	$
In 1920–21	22,454,700
In 1921–22	9,582,800
In 1922–23	41,676,500
In 1923–24	10,966,900
In 1924–25 (to 28th February, 1925)	14,123,800
Total	98,804,700

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will endeavour, at the earliest possible moment, to reform the present methods of Income Tax collection, in view of the fact that a large number of private individuals pay as much as 12½ per cent. to secure the reimbursement of Income Tax overcharged, and many taxpayers are obliged to pay large accountants' fees annually for the necessary assistance in preparing the present very complicated Income Tax returns?

The claims for reimbursement of Income Tax to which my hon. Friend refers arise out of the system of collection at the source. This is a fundamental principle of the Income Tax, and I could not entertain any proposal which would involve a departure from it. At the same time I can assure my hon. Friend that the Inland Revenue authorities are fully alive to the difficulties which private individuals may find in these matters, and that their officers are instructed to give all due assistance to persons seeking repayment of Income Tax and to deal promptly with all questions connected with such repayment. I would remind my hon. Friend that the question of the simplification of Income Tax and Super-tax forms was considered by a Committee' presided over by Mr. Justice Rowlatt which reported in 1924 (Command Paper 2019); to the recommendations of that Committee effect has already been given.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the method of appointing persons as Income Tax Commissioners; who suggest names for this position; whether the appointment is a permanent one; whether they are paid for their services; and what steps should be taken if their removal is desired by the taxpayers in the district?

The hon. Member will find details in Section 59 of the Income Tax Act, 1918. The appointments are permanent and unpaid. There is no power of removal.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider, in consultation with the President of the Board of Education, the revision of the existing practice for the assessment of Income Tax as a result of the Court of Appeal decision, 24th November, 1924, in the case of the Board of Inland Revenue v. Brighton College, so that where it can be proved that a school is not carried on for private profit, and where the work is being carried on without the aid of any grant from the Board of Education, any excess of income, provided it is applied in maintaining or assisting the school and its work, including the provision of buildings, playing fields, etc., together with interest, if any, on any money borrowed for the purchase of any land or buildings used for the school, and any sinking fund for the replacement of such borrowed money, may be exempted from Income Tax by the insertion of a Clause in the Finance Bill, 1925?

I am afraid that I cannot see my way to adopt this suggestion. Apart from other considerations, the case to which the hon. and gallant Member refers must still be regarded as sub judice, inasmuch as the Brighton College authorities have not intimated that they intend to accept the Court of Appeal decision, and the time for appealing from that decision to the House of Lords has not yet expired.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that considerable uneasiness exists amongst the messengers employed at His Majesty's Land Registry owing to the fact that they have been put to do clerical work at messenger's pay; whether he is aware that a full statement of the men's claim has been submitted to the Treasury on 7th January, 1925, and that no reply has yet been made: and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to its speedy rectification?

The claim to which the hon. Member refers is a Departmental one and has been very carefully considered. No case is seen for departing from the arrangements decided upon so recently as July last. These arrangements included provision for the grant of special allowances on account of special duties not covered by the ordinary rate of pay and were, I understand, discussed with, and accepted by, representatives of the staff concerned. I may add that some of the men have, recently benefited by the improved scale of pay granted to unestablished messengers in London offices under the agreement embodied in Treasury Circular of 31st December last.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that an auxiliary postman with a pension of 20 per cent. receives 25s. 10d. per week, whereas if such a man had been on unemployment insurance he would be receiving 37s. per week for doing nothing; and if he will, in order to encourage men who prefer to work, look into the possibility of giving these men permanent posts as opportunity arises;(2) if, in view of the fact that permanent postmen's positions are only offered to men with a 30 per cent. disability pension, he is aware that this works out very unfortunately for men who were given auxiliary postmen's situations, but whose pensions have fallen below 30 per cent. during their service with the Post Office and who are now debarred from getting permanent positions; and will he look into this matter to try and adjust this difficulty?

Auxiliary postmen are part-time employés paid at an hourly rate and it is possible, especially in cases where the part-time employment is short, that the Post Office wages would amount to less than the unemployment pay. The Post Office aim, where possible, at obtaining for part-time duties men who have other sources of income as well as their Post Office pay. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in stating that permanent postmen's positions are only offered to men with a 30 per cent. disability pension. First preference is given to such men, but if they are not available or are not suitable for the vacant posts, ex-service men with a disability of less than 30 per cent. and able-bodied men are considered for employment. Employment as auxiliary postman confers no claim to established appointment, but auxiliary postmen who are ex-service men and who record their names at the Employment Exchanges or with the National Association, are put forward for full-time established appointments in their turn with other ex-service men on the waiting lists.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a worker who had been interrogated by officers of the investigation branch and is asked to sign a statement is given a carbon copy of the statement for his own use and reference; and, if not, whether such a practice will be introduced?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If criminal proceedings are not undertaken, a full statement of the charge against a Post Office servant is given to him in writing before any disciplinary action is taken. If criminal proceedings are undertaken, the accused man has the usual opportunities of obtaining access to any of his statements which are put in in evidence. I see no reason for altering the present practice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether in every case where a worker is interrogated or detained by officers of the investigation branch the permission of the man is first sought and obtained?

Before any Post Office servant who has come under suspicion is interrogated by an officer of the investigation branch he is advised that he need not answer any question unless he chooses. No Post Office servant is detained against his will unless it has been decided to charge him with a felony.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of cases during the past 10 years where an officer, wrongly accused by officers of the investigation branch, has received any compensation from the Department?

There has been one case during the past 10 years in which a Post Office servant who had been prosecuted after inquiries by the investigation branch and acquitted was repaid the costs of his defence.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present position of the work in connection with the Post Office tube railway and when it may be expected to be in full working order; what was the original estimated cost; how much has been expended to date; how much more he estimates will be required for completion; and whether he will urge this work forward with all possible speed, in view of the relief it is hoped will be afforded to London road traffic problems by its operation?

The permanent way is practically completed, and contracts have been placed for the electrical equipment and rolling stock. It is anticipated that the railway will be ready for operation in the latter part of 1926. The sum provided under the Post Office (London) Railway Act, 1913, was £1,100,000. The sum expended to date is £1,266,450, and it is estimated that about £310,000 will be required to complete the undertaking. Everything possible will be done to ensure that the railway is brought into operation at the earliest possible date.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that communications addressed to the "Sunday Worker" newspaper are examined by either police or postal officials before reaching their destination; and the reason for this procedure?

The answer to the first portion of the question is in the negative. The other does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that fees of 10s. to £5 per annum have been charged for licences issued to persons who have proved to his satisfaction that the sole object of obtaining the licence was to enable them to conduct experiments in wireless telegraphy; and whether, in view of the provisions of Section 2 (1) of the Act, he will say what steps he proposes to take?

I am advised that the practice of charging fees for experimental wireless licences is not contrary to the provisions of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904. I may add that the scale of fees was reduced in January.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been directed to the compensation case of Archibald McIlveen, deceased, the widow and five dependant children of whom were awarded £600; that the sheriff's clerk deducted £12 for Court fees; and will steps be taken to have such fees reduced or abolished in such cases?

I have made inquiry but without the name of the Court I cannot identify the case. The fee referred to is no doubt the investment fee of 2 per cent. The fees in the Sheriff Courts were the subject of inquiry in 1922 by the Blackburn Committee, and the fee in question was prescribed by Act of Sederunt of 22nd February, 1922, in accordance with their recommendation. It covers a good deal of work in connection with investment and subsequent periodic disbursements. I am, however, looking further into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the insufficiency of provision of seats upon the platforms of London tube railways and the danger to life caused thereby; and whether he will take steps with a view to proper provision being made of seats for passengers?

I do not think any question of danger arises in this connection, and I would point out that at most of the stations on tube railways the frequency of the train service makes any very considerable provision of seating accommodation unnecessary. If, however, my hon. Friend cares to furnish me with the names of any stations he may have specially in mind, and with particulars of the circumstances which render an increase in the number of platform seats desirable, I shall be happy to bring the matter to the notice of the London Electric Railway Company.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that travellers wishing to reach the City of London, living on the south side of Barking and Commercial Roads from East Ham to Whitechapel, have no other means of transit except tramcars and omnibuses and a round-about railway system with a half-hour service; that the local authorities have made representations in favour of a tube railway; and whether, in view of these representations, the inconvenience suffered by the public, and the considerable numbers of unemployed in the district affected, he will consider the question of assisting the existing underground railway service to construct a tube railway from Aldgate to Barking, serving the Commercial and Barking Roads?

I am not aware that any of the underground railway companies propose to seek statutory powers for the construction of a new tube railway from Aldgate to Barking. In the event, however, of such powers being obtained, it would be open to the promoters to ask the Trade Facilities Act Advisory Committee to recommend that assistance by way of guarantee should be given. I have asked the London Traffic Advisory Committee to consider and report on the passenger transport facilities between the City and Ilford, Romford and Barking.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the proposals of the Government for the development of

Year ending March.		Total expenditure on relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith.	Items comprised in Column 2.
			Belief to Persons in institutions. *	Domiciliary Relief.†	Maintenance of lunatics in lunatic asylums.	Other expenses of relief. *	Deduct in respect of transfers from trading and other accounts included twice in columns 3 to 6.
1.		2.	3.	4.	5.	6.	7.
		£	£	£	£	£	£
1913	…	14,935,605	8,925,467	3,091,914	2,634,969	618,614	335,359
1914	…	15,055,863	8,972,665	3,053,433	2,730,599	616,971	317,805
1915	…	15,804,073	9,344,096	3,243,494	2,878,691	676,858	339,066
1916	…	16,085,586	9,468,289	3,355,573	3,031,381	629,859	399,516
1917	…	16,187,748	9,705,914	3,241,302	3,117,322	574,025	450,815
1918	…	17,039,623	10,132,650	3,405,040	3,303,611	631,816	433,494
1919	…	18,423,883	10,865,279	3,778,065	3,472,315	765,954	457,730
1920	…	23,501,241	13,788,222	5,004,585	4,252,078	986,499	530,143
1921	…	31,924,954	18,224,073	6,908,212	6,315,638	1,186,919	709,888
1922	…	42,272,555	17,587,451	16,986,011	7,264,991	1,236,243	802,141
1923	…	41,934,437	15,359,265	19,782,963	6,247,395	1,182,302	637,488
1924	…	38,000,000†	—	—	—	—	—
* Columns 3, 4 and 6.—The entries in the table cover the salaries, etc., of officers, the cost of upkeep of buildings (including loan charges) and miscellaneous expenditure wholly connected with the relief of the poor.
† Column 2.—The sum entered in Column 2 for the year 1923-24 is estimated. Particulars enabling that sum to be divided between Columns 3 to 7 are not at present available.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount contributed by the Exchequer and local authorities for

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the replies given to somewhat similar questions by the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) on the 17th and 24th February, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount spent each year from 1913 to 1924 inclusive, for indoor relief and outdoor relief, respectively?

The following table shows the amounts expended by Poor Law authorities in England and Wales on the relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith for each of the years 1912-13 to 1923-24, inclusive, and distinguishes, as far as practicable, the amounts expended on indoor relief from those expended on outdoor relief:Poor Law expenses in each of the years 1913 to 1924; and the estimated amount for 1925?

The following table shows the amounts expended by Poor Law authorities in England and Wales on the relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith for each of the years 1912–13 to 1922–23, inclusive,

Year ending March.			Total Expenditure on Relief of the Poor and purposes connected therewith.	Amount of Expenditure shown in Col. 2 estimated to be payable out of:—
				Rates.	Grants under the Agricultural Rates Acts, 1896 and 1923, and other grants received directly from Government Departments.	Grants chargeable on the Exchequer Contribution Accounts of Councils of Counties and County Boroughs under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1888, as amended.	Other receipts (receipts from relatives, rents, etc.).
1.			2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
			£	£	£	£	£
1913	…	…	14,935,605	11,590,719	465,885	2,018,725	860,276
1914	…	…	15,055,863	11,720,544	467,981	1,979,267	888,071
1915	…	…	15,804,073	12,324,248	474,637	2,095,315	909,873
1916	…	…	16,085,586	12,675,775	473,576	1,953,518	982,717
1917	…	…	16,187,748	12,569,461	476,267	2,107,681	1,034,339
1918	…	…	17,039,623	13,403,873	485,751	2,039,392	1,110,607
1919	…	…	18,423,883	14,712,277	486,283	2,033,016	1,192,307
1920	…	…	23,501,241	19,478,892	491,463	2,093,942	1,436,944
1921	…	…	31,924,954	27,169,556	524,919	2,041,826	2,188,653
1922	…	…	42,272,555	37,396,072 (a)	606,471	2,037,328	2,232,684
1923	…	…	41,934,437	37,237,210 (a)	536,867	2,100,315	2,060,045
1924	…	…	38,000,000 (b)	32.630,000 (a) (b)	1,086,000 (b)	2,109,000 (b)	2,175,000 (b)
1925	…	…	36,500,000 (b)	31,130,000 (a) (b)	1,086,000 (b)	2,109,000 (b)	2,175,000 (b)
(a) The sums entered in Column 3 for the years 1921–22 to 1924–25 as payable out of rates include amounts which may not have been met out of rates raised within those years, but may have been met temporarily out of loans and overdrafts obtained under the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921, pending the raising of rates.
(b) All the sums entered above for the years 1923–24 and 1924–25 are estimates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement as to the decision of the Government on the proposals of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Hating of Machinery?

The Report is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement in regard to it.

asked the Minister of Health the present assessable value of dwelling-houses, of factories, and of other forms of property; and what is the estimated value of machinery which would be assessed if the proposals in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee were to be adopted?

The total assessable value for the purposes of the with estimates of the corresponding amounts for the years 1923–24 and 1924–25, and distinguishes the sources from which the expenditure was met and the amounts met from each source:Agricultural Rates Act, 1923, of all properties in England and Wales was, according to the valuation lists in force at the beginning of April last, £241,975,264. The amounts included in this total in respect of dwelling-houses, of factories, and of other forms of property, taken separately, have not been ascertained, nor is there available any estimate, for the country as a whole, of the value of machinery which would be assessed if the proposals in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee were to be adopted.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses in rural districts in the county of Norfolk which have been sanctioned by rural district councils under the Housing Act, 1923, and under the Housing Act, 1924, the number of such houses actually completed, and

—	Act of 1923.	Act of 1924.
Local Authorities' Schemes.
Number of houses authorised	170	240
Number of houses completed	96	48
Number of houses under construction	16	42
Additional houses in signed contracts but not yet started.	—	24
Private Enterprise Schemes.
Number of houses authorised	812	2
Number of houses completed	307	—
Number of houses under construction	154	—
Additional houses for which certificates have been issued but work not yet started.	119	—

Particulars as to non-subsidy houses are available only for the 18 months ending 30th September, 1924. During that period 515 houses were erected by private enterprise without State assistance, and on the 1st October last 96 houses were in course of construction.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the large number of empty houses to be found in the Borough of Kensington; and what the number of empty houses in this borough actually is?

I have no exact figure of the number of empty houses, but according to information supplied by the London County Council, the number of empty properties of all kinds (excluding compounded properties) in the Borough of Kensington on the 31st March, 1924, was 524.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the cost of living index figure on each of the following dates: 20th January, 1924, 10th November, 1924, and 10th March, 1925?

The official cost of living index numbers relate to the first day of each month, except when that day falls on Sunday, in which case the previous day is taken. The index

The figures are as follow:numbers, representing the average percentage increase over the level of July, 1914, for the dates of compilation nearest to those quoted, were as shown below:

	Per cent.
1st January, 1924	77
1st February, 1924	79
1st November, 1924	80
1st December, 1924	81
31st January, 1925	79

The figure for 28th February is now being computed, and will be published on Wednesday, 18th March.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the probable number of unemployed during each of the next few years?

I am afraid that I cannot undertake to frame an estimate of these numbers.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a certificate of exception under Part II (d) of the First Schedule of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, as amended, has been granted to the Chatham and District Light Railway Company, Limited, in respect of certain of their employés; and will he have such certificate withdrawn, in view of the fact that on a ballot vote 95 per cent. of the said employés have declared their desire to remain within the scope of the Act?

I am informed that discussions are proceeding between the employers and employés in this case, and I think it desirable to await the result before considering whether any action is necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons on each of the three following dates: 20th January, 1924, 10th November, 1924, and 10th March, 1925?

The number of persons recorded on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain on the 21st January, 1924, was 1,251,822; on the 10th November, 1924, it was 1,218,392; and on the 2nd March, 1925, 1,235,618.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware of the amount of ordinary maintenance work still outstanding on public buildings; and, in view of the condition of many public offices and buildings, will he, in view of the present unemployment, consider the advisability of proceeding with this work?

CLAIMS referred to, and allowed or rejected by, the Local Employment Committee of the Borough Employment Exchange.
I.
Period.	Total Cases Referred.	Number Allowed.	Number Rejected.
3rd November, 1921, to 5th April, 1922 (2nd Special Period).	35,968	32,011	3,967
6th April, 1922, to 1st November, 1922 (3rd Special Period).	31,665	25,250	6,415
2nd November, 1922, to 17th October, 1923 (4th Special Period).	23,442	20,014	3,428
18th October, 1923, to 31st July, 1924 (1st Benefit Year).	20,527	17,052	3,475
1st August, 1924, to 12th January, 1925 (Ind. Benefit Year).	16,463	12,312	4,151

The programme of maintenance work on public buildings in the charge of the First Commissioner of Works for 1925–26 has been prepared after careful consideration of all the requirements. This programme, which is considered adequate, will be put into execution at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for benefit made at the Walworth Road Employment Exchange during the years 1922, 1923 and 1924; how many of these claims were referred to committees; how many were rejected on the ground that the applicants were not making reasonable efforts to obtain suitable employment; how many for the reason that they would not accept suitable employment; and how many for the reason that they had not had a reasonable period of insurable employment since 1922 or a subsequent period?

It is not possible to give accurate and comparable totals of the number of claims to unemployment benefit made in the past three years. I am able, however, to give the numbers of claims to extended (or uncovenanted) benefit referred to, and allowed or rejected by the local employment committee for the Borough Employment Exchange in each of the special periods or benefit years which cover the period from 3rd November, 1921, to 12th January, 1925. As the information includes several tables I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.