asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state from whom the Singapore Harbour Board purchased in 1924 three 1,000-kilowatt Brush Liungstrum turbines, complete with condensing plant?

I have no official information on the subject, but I understand that a purchase of this character was made locally by the Board in 1922. Inquiries will be made through the Governor, if the hon. Member so desire.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount in the

Date of examination.	No. of candidates interviewed.	Nominated by First Lord.	No. who passed medical examination.	No, who obtained sufficient marks in qualifying examination to justify entry as Naval Cadets.
March, 1923	95	64	81	50
July, 1923	73	50	61	42
December, 1923	94	66	80	48
March, 1924	105	66	85	49
July, 1924	98	68	85	52
December, 1924	118	79	105	54

The following are the particulars of other cadets appointed:
—	From Overseas Dominions.	Special Entry.	Training Ship "Conway."	Training Ship "Worcester."	Nautical College Pangbour.
March, 1923	—	—	—	—	—
July, 1923	1	15	—	—	1
December, 1923	1	—	—	—	2
March, 1924	1	—	—	—	2
July, 1924	—	21	—	2	3
December, 1924	3	13	—	2	1

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in granting facilities to survivors of the Zeebrugge expedition to attend the unveiling of the Zeebrugge War Memorial by His Majesty the King of the Belgians at the end of this month, he will reserve Naval Estimates, 1925-26, which is estimated to be spent on the five cruisers which were laid down in 1924?

The answer Is £ 2,622,816.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers of candidates for naval cadetships who have presented themselves before the interviewing Committee on each of the last six occasions; how many in each instance were recommended by the Committee; how many were appointed as naval cadets; and how many passed the medical and qualifying examinations, respectively; and, for the same period, will he state the number and source of other cadets appointed?

The following are the figures for home entries for Dartmouth:accommodation for the lower-deck ratings and provide for the cost of their transport?

The Belgian War Memorial at Zeebrugge will be unveiled by His Majesty the King of the Belgians on the 23rd of next month. The Belgian authorities have invited representatives of the officers and men who took part in the operations to be present at the ceremony. The number will total about 260, of whom about 30 will be officers. Arrangements are being made for them to be conveyed from Dover to Zeebrugge and back in a cruiser.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that His Majesty's Ship "Curlew," now serving on the North American and West Indies station, was commissioned in November, 1922, and was expected home in April of this year for recommissioning; whether he is aware that the "Curlew" has now been detailed to take His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales from Monte Video to Buenos Aires at the end of July and then to escort His Majesty's Ship "Repulse" to England, and that recommissioning has now been postponed until August; and whether, in view of the anxiety of the mothers and wives, he can see his way to pay off the crew in May, particularly as there are other ships on the station which might perform the service for which His Majesty's Ship "Curlew" has been detailed and that the present ship's company are suffering from their prolonged sojourn in the tropics?

The normal length of commission on foreign stations is not less than 2½ years, exclusive of time spent on passage, with a maximum time away from home ports of three years. His Majesty's. Ship "Curlew" is expected to arrive home to pay off towards the end of September or beginning of October, which is within the period laid down. I may add that the station on which His Majesty's Ship "Curlew" is stationed is a healthy and temperate one and the ship has spent not more than 304 days, or a little more than one-third of her time, in the tropics since leaving England.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty will consider a scheme whereby leave on full pay could be granted for reasonable periods to all employés in His Majesty's dockyards?

As at present advised, the Board of Admiralty are not prepared to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can see his way clear to alter No. 7, naval uniforms, dresses and occasions when they are to be worn, to read all officers instead of, as at present, ward-room and gunroom messes, thus including commissioned and warrant officers' messes?

I have no reason to think that this change would be acceptable to the officers whom it would affect.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of recruits for His Majesty's Forces who presented themselves for enlistment during 1923-24, but were rejected as physically unfit to serve?

The information required by the hon. Member is given in the table on page 28 of the General Annual Report on the British Army for the year ending 30th September, 1924.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the average price per ton of the hay and straw and of oats per cwt. supplied to the Army for the year 1924-25; and what amount of this forage came from overseas?

Forage is supplied under a large number of contracts made locally througout the country, and full particulars of the amounts and prices paid are not immediately available. I will, however, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures which may be taken as approximately correct. Without exhaustive inquiry it would not be possible to say exactly what proportion or amount of forage came from overseas, but it is known that practically all the hay and straw is home grown.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Quartermaster-sergeant Dunn, No. 4,602,030, who was murdered by Arabs while on duty in Palestine; whether any compensation has been paid by the Government concerned to the widow; and whether he is aware that all the widow and two children have to live on is a pension of 32s. 6d. a week?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the facts of this case. The widow's claim to compensation has been dealt with under Army Regulations, and she has been granted a pension for herself and her children at the rates mentioned, which were fixed by His Majesty's Government for general application in the Navy, Army and Air Force to all cases of death attributable to post-War service. No other compensation has been given.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the constant attendance allowance of £ 1 per week paid to Gilroy Dunstan, 134, Markfield Road, Tottenham, who lost both legs as a result of his War service, was stopped without-warning on 5th November, 1924, and has now been renewed at the reduced rate of 5s. per week; and whether, in view of Dunstan's disability and his domestic circumstances, he will consider an early increase of this amount?

The answer given by my right hon. Friend on the 19th February regarding this case indicates the reasons for the change in the rate of constant attendance allowance which has been paid. My right hon. Friend would add that he has made further inquiries into this case and he is medically advised that a further course of hospital treatment (which will be of a medical, not surgical character) is essential for the purpose of fitting the pensioner with artificial limbs. It is understood, however, that the pensioner has, up to the present time, refused this treatment, although it is manifestly in his own interests.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the conviction of Percy Gibson to three years' penal servitude at Newcastle Assizes on the 27th February; and, seeing that the man was charged with a misdemeanour and a felony, and was found not guilty of the felony and guilty of the misdemeanour, will he take steps for the mitigation of the sentence?

This prisoner has applied to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against his sentence. Pending the decision of the Court, I can say nothing

asked the Home Secretary how many firearm certificates have been issued under the Firearms Act, 1920; and if the Act is still being enforced?

I have not complete records of the numbers issued, which would include many that have lapsed by efflux of time. Such information as I have shows that the restrictions imposed by the Act are operating more and more effectively as time goes by. The Act is being enforced.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that it would be for the convenience of visitors that certain health and seaside resorts should have a seasonal extension of the extra half-hour of opening of licensed houses for a fixed period only of their maximum activities, he will consider whether it is possible to modify the law in the direction of introducing such seasonal licences; and whether, in any event, he will consider the point in connection with any further amendment of the Licensing Acts?

No change of this sort is possible without legislation. I have duly noted the point for consideration, if opportunity arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that a candidate for an urban district council is disqualified as a candidate if he should at the time be erecting a house under the Government subsidy scheme, he proposes to take any action to remove this disqualification?

I have been asked to reply. This disqualification arises under the Local Government Act, 1894, and could not be removed without legislation, which I am afraid I see no prospect of introducing at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received the Report; of the Committee on Building Prices with reference to the recent increase of prices by the National Light Castings Association?

I regret that owing to the inability of the Chairman originally appointed to act in that capacity the Report on this matter has been delayed. A new Chairman has now been appointed, and I hope that a Report will be available at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate average difference in cost and in time of erection between an approved workman's dwelling built in the ordinary way and under Lord Weir's system?

It will not be possible to make any final comparison of costs between Weir houses and brick houses until the Weir houses are being produced and erected in considerable quantities, but I hope that the experiments to be carried out will demonstrate at once that these houses can be provided for occupation in a much shorter time than ordinary brick houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information in respect of any parish in a rural district council area in England, showing the rents (highest and lowest) payable for cottages erected under the Housing Act of 1923 and the Housing Act of 1924; and, if so, what the rents are?

The rents to be charged in respect of houses provided under the Acts referred to are not subject to my approval, and I have therefore no records which would enable me to furnish the particulars desired.

asked the Minister of Health the' number of public authorities who, during the 12 months ended the 28th February, 1925, adopted the 1923 Housing Act and the 1924 Housing Act, respectively; and the number of houses for which permission has been given by the Minister to public authorities under each Act during this period?

On the 25th February, 1925, the total number of authorities who had received approval to Housing schemes under the Housing Act, 1923, was 1,411, and these schemes provided for 184,202 houses. Proposals covering 73,056 houses were approved under the Act of 1923 in the year ended 25th February, 1925, and 334 local authorities first adopted schemes under the Act in that period. Approval was given within the game period under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, to schemes of 311 local authorities covering 31,900 houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the increasing loss of rates to towns owing to the existence of large empty houses for which there is no demand; and whether he will consider giving further assistance to owners to enable them to reconstruct such dwellings for the use of tenants who cannot afford to pay large rents, in order to relieve both the housing shortage and also benefit the rates of different towns?

I am aware of the existence in some districts of large empty houses for which there is no demand. Local authorities already have power under the Housing Act, 1923, to afford assistance by means of loans and refund of rates to owners desiring to convert such houses into flats, and I am afraid I cannot at present undertake to introduce legislation for the purpose of extending the existing facilities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the forthcoming comprehensive insurance scheme, he will consider the desirability of including a provision whereby those persons who, under the present Regulations, are not entitled to claim any sick benefit, after a period of residence abroad exceeding one year, until the intervening contributions have been made up, or a further 104 contributions paid, might have imputed to them the benefit of those contributions made to the time of their leaving this country?

Under the existing health insurance scheme an insured person who goes abroad for more than a year is treated, on his resuming employment in this country, in the same way as any other person entering insurance, and accordingly becomes entitled to sickness benefit, at a reduced rate after payment of 26, and full sickness benefit after payment of 104 weekly contributions following his return. I see great difficulties in the way of the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion, but I am sending it to the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance for their consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the desirability in order to encourage the production of clean milk, of the abolition of the fees payable for licences as set forth in the Fourth Schedule of the Milk (Special Designation) Order of the 25th May, 1923, in view of the fact that the producer of, for instance, certified milk has to incur the expense of four tuberculin tests and two veterinary examinations per annum out of his own pocket, and while in large towns he may be able to sell his milk at such a price as to ensure a profit, in poor, and especially in agricultural, districts the extra penny per quart is not obtainable?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave in answer to a similar question by the hon. Member for Devises (Mr. Hurd) on the 23rd February last. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of outdoor poor relief paid to able-bodied unemployed persons between December, 1918, and December, 1924, or the nearest available date?

The amount of domiciliary Poor Law relief in money or kind given in England and Wales to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants during the period from the 31st March, 1920, to the 31st January, 1925, was approximately £ 30,155,000. The corresponding amount for the period from December, 1918, to March, 1920, has not been ascertained. The sum named includes all domiciliary Poor Law relief in money or kind given to the persons mentioned whether granted on account of unemployment or for some other reasons such as (for example) sickness.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the total number of persons insured under the Unemployment Act for the year 1924; the total amount paid in benefit during that year or the latest available year; and the estimated amount needed for 1925 or the present financial year?

The total number of persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts during the insurance year 1923-24, which ended on 6th July, 1924, is estimated to have been 11,250,000; and the total amount paid in unemployment benefit during the same period was £ 35,971,411. It is difficult to form a very close estimate of the amount of unemployment benefit which will be paid during the insurance year 1924-25, but, in the absence of any large variation in the rate of unemployment between now and the end of the current insurance year next July, the amount payable is expected to be between £40,000,000 and £ 45,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount paid into the Unemployment Fund as contributions during 1924 by men and women, employers and State, respectively?

During the insurance year 1923-24, which ended on the 6th July, 1924, the contributions to the Unemployment Fund were approximately as follow:

	£
Men and boys	13,723,000
Women and girls	3,580,000
Employers	19,334,500
Exchequer	13,185,000

—			1914.	1919.	1920.	1921.	1922.	1923.	1924.	1925.
January	…	…	510	259	2,338	1,945	2,434	2,976	2,096	2,110
February	…	…	593	387	2,359	1,844	2,474	2,785	2,073	2,168
March	…	…	730	816	2,143	1,645	2,497	2,513	1,904	1,988
April	…	…	423	1,221	2,206	1,512	2,533	2,812	2,120	—
May	…	…	288	1,360	2,164	1,720	2,602	2,782	1,935	—
June	…	…	545	1,297	2,074	1,777	2,750	2,692	1,922	—
July	…	…	438	1,304	2,092	1,890	2,991	2,667	1,869	—
August	…	…	302	1,310	2,277	2,100	3,055	2,478	1,780	—
September	…	…	276	1,248	2,244	2,107	3,039	2,486	1,935	—
October	…	…	156	1,473	2,110	2,178	2,951	2,556	2,005	—
November	…	…	156	2,026	2,124	2,302	2,741	2,686	2,119	—
December	…	…	204	2,433	1,869	2,264	2,815	2,167	2,125	—
NOTE.— Owing to the large increase in the numbers insured, due to the passing of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, the figures prior to November, 1920, are not strictly comparable with later figures. From January, 1921, the figures include persons working systematic short time in such a manner as to qualify for unemployment insurance benefit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of unemployed who have been absorbed in respect of each item of the works, buildings, repairs, etc., in Vote 10, Subhead B, under the heading Devonport Dockyard and Royal Naval Barracks, in the Navy Estimates, 1924-25?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed British seamen and the approximate number of foreigners at present employed on British ships?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on Tuesday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), and, as regards the latter part, to the replies given by the Paliamentary Secretary, Board of Trade, on 17th December and 27th February last to the Noble Lord the Member for Southampton (Lord Apsley). I am sending my hon. Friend copies of these replies.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the figures for unemployment in Devonport for each of the months in 1914, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924?

The numbers on the registers at the Devonport Employment Exchange are as under:

The items referred to by the hon. Member are apparently the same as those dealt with in my reply of the 20th February, 1925, in which I stated that while no entry of additional departmental workmen was made, the execution of these works prevented increase of unemployment by obviating discharges.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that T. Liddle, Percy Place, Gateshead, who has a wife and six children, and Joseph W. Bland, 22, Westley Terrace, Gateshead, who has a widowed sick mother unable to look after herself, have been refused benefit under the new Order for refusal to accept work at Doncaster, and that the latter man has been driven to selling his home up; and whether he can see his way to intervene in these two cases?

The question whether the two men to whom the hon. Member refers are entitled to unemployment benefit in the circumstances described is a matter for decision by the Insurance Officer, the Court of Referees and the Umpire. I am informed that Mr. Bland has appealed to the Court of Referees against the disallowance of his claim by the Insurance Officer, and it is open to Mr. Liddle also to appeal within the prescribed period of 21 days.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what measures have been taken to put into force the recommendations of Lord Mackenzie's Committee with regard to the closing of the Moray Firth, the prohibition of injurious methods of sea fishing, the destruction of spawn and immature fish, and the carrying of otter-boards on small vessels incapable of trawling in any but closed waters?

It has been decided to lay the question of the closure of the Moray Firth to trawling before the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The question of the destruction of immature fish is also one for the consideration of the International Council the British representatives on which are alive to the importance of the matter. The recommendations of the Trawling Committee with regard to the prohibition of injurious methods of sea fishing and the carrying of otter-boards on small vessels incapable of trawling in any but closed waters involve legislation and are receiving my consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in connection with the further application of the Clyde trustees for permission to deposit, for a period of four years, materials dredged from the river Clyde, if he will, before granting such permission, hold a public inquiry to take such other steps as may be necessary to ensure that pollution of the lower reaches of the Clyde will not take place, in view of the fears expressed by the Corporation of Greenock and other authorities that such deposit over a period of years will endanger the health and comfort of the people resident in and visiting health resorts on the river Clyde?

Yes, Sir, it has been decided to hold a further inquiry, and the Clyde Navigation Trustees have been asked whether Thursday, the 2nd April, would be a convenient date. Full opportunity will be given to all interests, including those represented by the hon. Member, to state their objections at the inquiry, a proportion of the cost of which, I assume, they will be willing to bear.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether further requests have been made by the Clyde Navigation Trustees for leave to deposit dredging on Roseneath Patch; whether he is aware that such deposits, which were originally authorised in war time, have resulted in a pollution of the Cowal shore and have been found to be dangerous to the sanitary state of the whole district; and whether he will decline permission for the renewal of any such deposit of dredged matter?

The Clyde Navigation Trustees have applied for permission to continue the deposit of dredgings in the area at Roseneath Patch approved for this purpose in 1923. It has been decided to hold shortly a public inquiry at which any local authority who objects to these deposits will have full opportunity of stating their case, and of submitting any evidence they may possess tending to show that these deposits have caused pollution of the shore adjacent to their districts.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will give the figures for each year 1909-14 and 1919-24 relative to prosecutions for drunkenness and offences due thereto in the respective parishes of

RETURN showing number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness and offences due thereto, and number of convictions for these offences in the respective parishes of Blantyre, Cambuslaug and Rutherglen for each of the years 1909 to 1914 and 1919 to 1924.
	Blantyre Parish.		Cambuslang Parish.		Rutherglen Parish.
					Burghal.		Landward.
Year.	No. of persons proceeded against for drunkenness, etc.	No. of convictions.	No. of persons proceeded against for drunkenness, etc.	No. of convictions.	No. of persons proceeded against for drunkenness, etc.	No. of convictions.	No. of persons proceeded against for drunkenness, etc.	No. of convictions.
1909	235	204	295	264	223	173	10	8
1910	190	180	240	225	264	217	15	13
1911	358	290	322	249	255	201	22	15
1912	260	227	288	248	358	262	27	23
1913	258	240	282	249	554	203	27	23
1914	180	163	275	237	426	361	30	26
1919	110	88	140	97	169	124	34	25
1920	194	166	236	175	285	215	46	33
1921	132	114	165	121	175	144	20	14
1922	149	120	51	32	74	61	15	12
1923	225	213	80	57	105	81	11	10
1924	167	150	73	59	84	74	4	4

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the anxiety of the Soviet Government to purchase material abroad, he has any information in his possession to show that any of the purchases made from any Power of any sort have been against money specifically lent to it by the Power supplying the material thus acquired?

The Board of Trade have not in their possession any information to the effect indicated by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the experimental tests of the Mac- Blantyre, Cambuslang, and Rutherglen; and convictions for drunkenness and offences due thereto in these parishes for the periods specified?

The information desired is as follows:lachlan davit, which enables the lowering of boats to be operated and controlled by one individual; whether this system has been examined by his Department: if so, whether it fulfils all the requirements of the Board of Trade Regulations under the Life Saving Appliances Act; and whether, if it does fulfil these requirements and in view of its advantages, he will take steps to ensure its provision on all hired transports and subsidised mail steamers carrying passengers?

The davit referred to has been inspected by technical officers of the Board of Trade, and has been accepted as complying with the Life Saving Appliance Rules. It is not the practice of the Board of Trade to require shipowners to fit any particular type of davit on their ships, a shipowner being at liberty to fit any davit that complies with the Board's requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to the Mercantile Marine Department of the Board of Trade by the Bridlington rural district council and the local branch of the National Farmers' Union respecting an order, to take effect on 31st December, 1925, prohibiting the removal of material used for road-making from the foreshore in the parishes of Barmston, Ulrome and Skipsea; if he is aware that such order will have the effect of pauperising several persons in these parishes and will mean an addition to the highway rate of the above council of at least 8d. in the £; and if he will take steps either to rescind or modify such order?

Representations have been received from the bodies mentioned in the first part of the question. The decision referred to was not taken until after a public inquiry had been held by one of the professional officers of the Board, at which all the interests concerned were fully heard. From this officer's report it is clear that serious erosion is taking place along this part of the coast, and there can be no doubt that this process is accelerated by the removal of material from the foreshore. It is for this reason that it has been decided to stop such removals, but considerations such as those referred to in the second and third parts of the question prompted the decision to postpone the operation of this order until the end of the year, so that those at present engaged in the gravel catching industry could have an opportunity of looking for other means of obtaining a livelihood, and the local authorities could have time to make new arrangements for the supply of materials for the repair of their roads. For these reasons the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the members of the Committee which has been appointed to inquire into the machine-made lace and machine-made embroidery industry have special knowledge of the conditions of that industry and special knowledge of the economic conditions in the countries from which lace and embroidery are imported, respectively; if not, from what sources the Committee propose to obtain relevant information; whether the Committee will take evidence in public; whether interested parties may be represented at this inquiry by counsel or otherwise; and, if so, whether their representatives will have power to cross-examine witnesses?

All the members of the Committee served on the Committee which made a very full inquiry into the industries in question in 1923. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to Section IV of the White Paper (Cmd. 2327) and to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Lees-Smith) on the 24th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the circumstances attending the refusal of compensation to Mr. G. W. Brooks, of 123, Godwin Road, Forest Gate, whose house was destroyed, and whose furniture was lost, during an enemy aircraft raid on 17th June, 1917, and whose claim was submitted in 1922 under the number of A/05,078/P; and whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the fact that in 1916 His Majesty's Government published that owners of property in the United Kingdom of an aggregate value not exceeding £ 500 will be compensated by the Government in respect of damage or destruction of any such property by the perils coverable by the Government aircraft policy, whether the property be insured under the Government insurance scheme or not, this man has been refused compensation under the statement that he should have been reasonably insured?

This belated claim has received careful consideration. Mr. Brooks at one time was insured against air raid under the Government Air Raid and Bombardment Insurance Scheme, but he allowed the policy to lapse before the raid in question. His belated claim was rejected on the principle adopted by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action in cases of failure to insure. The Govern- ment scheme providing for free insurance against damage by air raid bombardment on property below the value of £ 500 did not come into force until 1st September, 1917.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated expenditure

—	1922.	1923.	1924 (Provisional).
Sugar:	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.
Unrefined	3,361.639	3,040,816	2,548,597
Refined (including sugar refined in Bond in the United Kingdom).	28,729.009	26,363,259	42,618,036
Tea	3,672,082	3,455,032	3,540,287
Coffee (including roasted or ground)	314,121	315,942	320,596

Prior to 1st April, 1923, the particulars relate to Great Britain and Ireland; from that date to Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.According to the last Annual Report of the Ministry of Agriculture, the estimated supply of meat (beef, veal, mutton, lamb, and pig-meat) in Great Britain, including supplies received from Ireland, during the year ended May, 1923, was as follows:

	1922–23.
Meat:	Tons.
Home-grown	954,000
Imported (including tinned or canned)	1,570,000
Total	2,524,000

The cost to the actual consumers of the above commodities cannot be stated.Similar information in respect of the other commodities specified in the question is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the desirability of instituting an inquiry into the condition of elementary education?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on 18th December last to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Mr. Penny), a copy of which I am sending him.

The quantity of sugar, tea and coffee registered as entered for home consumption during the years specified was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the local education authority now at Bootle are bringing central classes to an end on 31st March; why this step is being taken; and whether any alternative or superior form of advanced education is being provided?

The Board informed the local authority last April that they would not be able to recognise these central classes after 31st March next. I understand that the authority is conducting an inquiry into the question of providing advanced instruction in the area, and I have already asked them to send representatives to confer with me in the near future so soon as this inquiry is completed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can now give any further information as to the public expenditure on education in the United States of America?

In my answer of the 19th February, I stated that the total expenditure from public funds on public elementary and high schools, normal schools and State universities in the United States of America for 1919–20, as estimated by the Bureau of Education, was 1,156,639,804 dollars, that is, 10·94 dollars per head of population. I cannot give exactly comparable figures for any later year, but it is estimated by the Bureau that between 1920 and 1922 the expenditure on public schools, that is, public elementary and high schools (excluding normal schools and State universities and excluding debt services) increased by 46 per cent The expenditure on these schools in 1919–20 was 1,036,000,000 dollars, or 9·8 dollars per head of population. The estimated expenditure on them in 1921–22 was 1,526,000,000 dollars, or 14·4 dollars per head of population

asked the President of the Board of Education how soon he expects the Departmental Committee on Public Libraries to complete its investigation: and if the Report, when completed, will be presented to Parliament or placed in the Library?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 18th December last. As regards the second part, I hope that the Report, when completed, will be printed and published, but I can, of course, give no undertaking at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any kind of treaty, agreement, or understanding has resulted from his conversations with the Italian Government about the North African situation; and if he will communicate any such understanding to the House if and when it is arrived at?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has not in any way altered the obligations of His Majesty's Government in North Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what railways intended to develop cotton growing within the Empire in Africa are being constructed?

The railway extension into Uganda, for which an assisted loan of 3½ millions was voted by the House last year, has been surveyed, and construction was to have begun early this year. I have not received any information as to the exact position, but it is believed that a commencement has not yet been possible at the eastern end of the line. In Tanganyika Territory the first 80 miles of a branch line from Tabora to Shinyanga are under construction and the remaining 40 miles sanctioned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any further statement as to the French debt; and whether any reply to the Note of His Majesty's Government has been received?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, no official reply has been received from the French Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the approximate total basic remuneration paid to women in the Treasury classes for 1924-25:(2) the approximate average percentage bonus paid to women in the Treasury classes for 1924-25?

I regret that these figures are not available, and could not be obtained without undue labour. I may, however, state that it was estimated that on the 1st March, 1923, the number of established women in the executive, clerical, typing and writing assistant classes of the Civil Service was 13,230, and their aggregate remuneration (including bonus) £ 2,318,000 a year. The hon. Member will find some general statistics of the remuneration of women in the Civil Service on pages 29 and 34 of the Report of the Committee on the Pay, etc. of State. Servants published by the Stationery Office in 1923.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that 40 men were discharged from the Royal Mint a few weeks ago and that 66 further discharges are to take place on 28th Match; whether it is proposed to dispense with the remainder of the temporary employes, numbering nearly 100; whether he is aware of any falling off in the volume of the work in sight; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter with a view to suspending any further discharges and, if possible, restarting those already discharged?

The number of temporary employés engaged at the Royal Mint from, time to time depends on the volume of work in hand and anticipated. The orders placed with the Mint have shown a decline in the current year, and it has accordingly been necessary to discharge 37 members of the temporary staff as from the end of January, 27 (not 65) others being under notice which expires at the end of the present month. In the absence of additional orders I regret I am unable to suspend these notices, but it is hoped that no further reduction will be necessary before the autumn.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the conference of local authorities interested in promoting the Forth Road Bridge scheme not to proceed further with the proposal: and, considering the great and growing inconvenience to the public due to the lack of proper facilities for crossing the Forth, will he state what steps he proposes to take to remedy this grievance?

I understand that the local authorities are not prepared to accept my offer of a grant from the Road Fund of 75 per cent. of the cost of the preliminary investigations necessary for the proper consideration of the proposal for the construction of a road bridge across the Forth. As I am not in a position to offer better terms I can only hope that the local authorities will reconsider their attitude, and thus enable the project to be examined.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, for what purpose the middle gate of the Admiralty Arch is kept closed, and for how long this order is likely to continue?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given yesterday to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain).

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the shortage of and high cost of beef and mutton, he will consider the advisability of limiting the slaughter of ewe lambs and heifer calves until the shortage is overcome?

Attempts were made during the War in the direction of preventing or restricting the slaughter of calves, but it was found in practice that Regulations of this kind were not capable of effective enforcement, nor did they secure the object in view. I have no evidence that any undue slaughter of calves or lambs is taking place at the present time.