asked the Secretary of State for War the number and nature of the subordinate staff additional to the 22 naval, military, and Air Force officers and the 26 civilian scientists employed at the Porton Chemical Warfare Experimental Station?

The subordinate staff at the Chemical Warfare Establishment at Porton consists of 82 soldiers and 92 civilians.

asked the Secretary of State for War the nature of the research and experiments relating to defence against chemical warfare undertaken at the Porton Chemical Warfare Research Department; whether research and experiments are entirely concerned with defence against poison gases; and whether new poison gases or other forms of chemical warfare are being investigated?

Research and experiment relating to defence against gas are directed towards the methods and appliances for individual and collective protection, and also towards the treatment of gas casualties. Research and experiment are primarily concerned with defence against gas, but it is essential, for the purpose of protection against gas, to investigate the possibilities of new gases and other forms of chemical warfare which might be illicitly employed against this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the 1,001 live animals used in 1924 for experimental purposes at the Porton Chemical Warfare Experimental Station, how many of them were killed by the experiments; and how many had to be destroyed as a result of the effects of the experiments?

The animals used for experimental purposes at the Porton Chemical Warfare Experimental Station in 1924 were as follow:—

Goats	3
Monkeys	4
Cats	68
Rabbits	445
Guinea pigs	251
fiats	166
Mice	64
Total	1,001

Of these, 337 were actually killed as the result of the experiments and the remainder were destroyed, not necessarily as the result of the effects of the experiments, but because it is the rule to destroy animals after they have been used for this purpose

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) what annual contribution is made to the local rates in respect of Admiralty property in Devonport and Plymouth respectively;(2) what annual contribution is made to the local rates in respect of War Office property in Devonport and Plymouth respectively?

Plymouth and Devonport are one for general district and borough rate purposes. For parish rating purposes three parishes are concerned. The table below shows the amounts of contributions in lieu of rates made for the year ending 31st March, 1925, on property occupied by the Admiralty and War Department at Plymouth:

—	Admiralty.	War Department.
	£	£
Borough of Plymouh	46,347	8,721
Parish of Plymouth	85	400
Parish of Devonport	10,064	1,785
Parish of East
Stonehouse	2,384	19
	58,880	10,925

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that boards of guardians and other local authorities obtaining loans from bankers are usually charged a rate slightly above the bank rate, varying from a quarter to 1 per cent., and that many business firms, especially small business firms, are in the same position; and whether, in view of the burden that the rise of 1 per cent. in the bank rate will impose on local authorities and business people, he proposes to make representations to the bank authorities on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There are, however, many other factors to be taken into consideration, as indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Gillett) on the 12th March, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, and the answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some returning officers have not yet received payment for services rendered at the last General Election; and whether he will hasten the settlement of these accounts?

Claims received from returning officers for expenses incurred by them in connection with Parliamentary Elections are examined by the Treasury, as expeditiously as possible, in the order in which they are received. Very substantial advances are made by the Treasury, before and also (if necessary) shortly after the date of the Election to enable them to meet any disbursements they may have to incur. The final payment, including the returning officers' own fees, is made as soon as the claim is finally settled and passed. As regards England and Wales claims representing 153 out of the 195 Parliamentary areas have already been passed, and the examination of claims representing a further 36 Parliamentary areas is nearly completed, a position which shows considerable improvement over experience at a corresponding date, in respect of previous General Elections.

asked the Postmaster-General the approximate average percentage bonus paid to the Post Office manipulative grades for 1924-25?

It is estimated that the bonus payments to the Post Office rank and file manipulative grades during the year 1924-25 will amount to approximately 70 per cent. of the total basic pay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is responsible for the collecting boxes for letters on the ground floor of the House; and, if so, whether he will take steps to enlarge the orifices so that letters and postal packets of quarto or foolscap size may be placed in the boxes instead of being placed on top, with the risk of being knocked down or removed accidentally?

The Serjeant-at-Arms is responsible for the two boxes to which I understand the hon. and gallant Member refers, and I am consulting him on the subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions the cost of administration of his Department under the following headings: permanent clerical staff, medical staff, and all other Departmental charges?

The estimated cost of administration for the current financial year is £ 3,029,000. I am not clear as to the precise allocation of this expenditure which my hon. Friend has in mind, but I would refer him to the published Estimates, where this expenditure is divided under various headings.

asked the Minister of Pensions the annual payments made by the Ministry in 1923 under the following headings: under final awards, pensioners whose condition is not yet final, and widows and other dependants who are a permanent charge?

It is not possible to allocate all the items of Ministry expendi- ture to classes of pension charge as required in the question. The expenditure for the year 1923-1924 in respect of pension, and allowances for children (not including cost of medical treatment or allowances and other incidental payments), was as follows:

	£
To officers and men in receipt of final awards	12,820,000
To officers and men in receipt of conditional awards	19,200,000
To widows and other dependants	29,480,000

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that a meeting was held by the Achnagart and Rhelonie tenants to protest against the decision of the Land Court in their case; that they regard the case of the Rhelonie tenants as different from that of Strathkyle, while the Court treated them as identical; and whether, as they are dependent upon rights which they could not have had before the passing of the 1911 Land Act for their grazing, he will see his way, by agreement or otherwise, to do whatever is possible to remedy their grievance?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I am informed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland that they are in negotiation with the landlord and the tenant of Rhelonie Hill on the subject of the enlargement of the Achnagart and Rhelonie crofters' grazings on Rhelonie Hill, desired by the crofters.