asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the House of Commons has voted a sum of money for the granting of marriage allowance to the officers of the Royal Navy, he can say when it is proposed to commence the expenditure of it?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer yesterday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men have been given full employment as a result of the laying down of the five cruisers last year in the shipbuilding yards on the one hand, distinguishing between national yards and private yards, and in auxiliary trades on the other?

Approximately 9,200 men are at present employed, made up of 1,750 in the Royal Dockyards, 1,700 in private yards, and 5.750 in auxiliary trades.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the comparative figures of the airplanes carried by our latest aircraft carrier and the one of 33,000 tons just launched in the United States, giving the classes under the heading of bombers, etc, and stating if accommodation is provided in either for the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet?

I regret that these comparative figures are not available. The latest of our aircraft carriers is not provided with accommodation for the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state, in respect of the current year, how much money has been contributed by each of the Dominions and Crown Colonies towards naval defence; what proportion this sum bears in each case to their total import and export trade and per capita of their population, respectively; and how these figures compare with Great Britain's contributions under these heads?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The contribution of the Dominions to naval defence takes the form of maintenance of their own naval forces and establishments by the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa. The amounts provided in the Estimates of the undermentioned parts of the Empire for the year 1924–25 are as follow:UNITED KINGDOM—£55,800,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the House figures showing the number of recruits for His Majesty's Forces who presented themselves for enrolment during the year 1924, but were rejected as physically unfit to serve, for each town with a population of 100,000 or more?

I regret that the particulars asked for by the hon. Member are not available. I have, however, had prepared a table showing, by recruiting zones, the number of recruits who were rejected as physically unfit for military service during the recruiting year October, 1923, to September, 1924:

Recruiting Zone.		Number.
West Surrey	…	221
East Kent	…	461
Royal Fusiliers	…	910
Norfolk	…	339
Suffolk and Cambs.	…	246
Beds., Herts. and Hunts.	…	266
East Surrey	…	515
Sussex	…	776
Essex	…	353
Northampton	…	355

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the claim of John Whyte, 122, South Wellington Street., Glasgow, for consideration of a pension has been refused; that the man must wear surgical boots; that the calf of his left leg was blown off, he was rendered a cripple for life; and if, in view of 'the fact that he cannot follow his pre-War occupation, this claim will be reconsidered and a pension granted?

In the case referred to, the man was discharged with a gunshot wound of the left leg. A final award was made at the end of 1922, against which an appeal was entered. The independent Appeal Tribunal, after a medical examination, slightly increased the award, but decided that the degree of disablement was of a minor character, to which an assessment of less than 20 per cent. was suitable. The description given by the hon. Member of the disablement in this case does not correspond with the medical evidence on the case derived from repeated medical examinations by medical officers of the Ministry. In the circumstances I regret that I see no grounds for reconsideration of the case.

asked the Minister 'of Pensions whether, in the case of pensioner, reference No. 11/M/173229, ex-lance-corporal H. C. Osborn, No. 288642, Labour Corps, now of 63, Berkeley Crescent, New Barnet, whose pension in respect of himself, wife and four children on account of his disability, chronic dyspepsia, has recently been reduced from £1 2s. 8d. a week to 15s. 1d. a week, due account was taken of the fact that the pensioner was wounded in the stomach at Ypres in February, 1916; whether the pensioner's medical history papers for the whole period of his war service were available to the Ministry; and whether they were considered by the medical officers who dealt with the case in hospital and by the medical board who dismissed the pensioner's appeal against the reduction?

The medical history sheets for the whole period of this man's service have been before the officers of the Ministry concerned with the handling of his case. There is no record in them, nor any confirmation otherwise, of the statement that the pensioner was wounded in the manner suggested. The view of the medical officers, including specialists, who examined the man from time to time has consistently been that the condition of chronic dyspepsia from which the pensioner is suffering was improving.

asked the Minister of Pensions what allowances are made under the regulations of the Special Grants Committee to the children of deceased officers, by means of educational grants or otherwise, and to the children of deceased non-commissioned officers and other ranks; at what age these allowances cease; and whether he proposes to introduce any legislation which will give the children of other ranks the same opportunities as the children of deceased officers?

Under the regulations of the Special Grants Committee, supplementary grants may be made in aid of education up to a maximum of £80 in the case of officers' children, and up to a maximum of £50 in the case of children of other ranks, and in both cases grants are confined to children under the age of 21 years. The difference between the maximum payable in the two classes of case is a matter of long-standing practice, and the present rates were adopted in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on pensions in 1919–1920. I am not prepared to suggest an increase in the maximum rates available in the case of non-commissioned ranks.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that at one institution for the treatment of neurasthenia men are permitted to visit their homes once a month, and that the detention of men at Saltash for prolonged periods is more likely to make their condition worse instead of better whether he will consult with his medical officers on the advisability of closing all institutions for the treatment of neurasthenia, thus permitting the men to live at home; and whether, if this be done, he will give instructions that adequate pensions be awarded until such time as the pensioners are enabled to resume their place in industry?

The hon. and gallant Member would appear to be under a misapprehension. Leave is not granted to a patient in a Ministry institution until he has been continuously a patient for three months, and beyond that time, after an interval of six weeks. The treatment provided at the institution referred to is determined in accordance with the interests of the men themselves by the medical advisers of the Ministry, and I do not feel that I should be justified in adopting the suggestion of closing any institution provided by the Ministry for the treatment of neurasthenia except in accordance with medical advice. At the same time it is not the intention of the Ministry that cases should remain indefinitely or unnecessarily in this or in any other institution, and where they can be suitably dealt with by discharge to their homes with an appropriate rate of pension this course is adopted.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will investigate the refusal of additional allowance to Mrs. A. M. Brooks, 78, Chatsworth Road, Stratford, who, being in receipt of £1 weekly in respect to her husband, who is a mental case, and 7s. 2d. in respect to the loss of her son on active service, found it impossible to meet the necessary expenses incurred in her recent illness; and, as the doctor advised special nourishment, whether inquiry can be made why extra temporary assistance was refused by the Ministry?

There are no grounds on which the pension of 7s. 2d. a week awarded to Mrs. Brooks could be increased. The facts are that the husband is being maintained as an in-patient in a Ministry hospital, and, in addition, allowances amounting to 41s. a week are being given. Of this amount 27s. 2d. is being paid direct to Mrs. Brooks and 8s. 10d. of the balance is accruing at the man's request for his own benefit.

who had failed to hand in his name asked the Minister of Pensions whether there has been any change in the provision made by his pre- decessor for an improved system of representation of war pensions committees on the advisory councils and of representation in turn of the advisory councils on the Central Advisory Committee constituted by the War Pensions Act, 1921, thus providing for direct consideration by local area committees of the Ministry Rules and Regulations; and, if so, will he place in the Library copies of any circular or circulars issued in this matter for the information of Members of the House.

No change has been made in this respect. The latter part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the increase of salary of £50 per annum to be given to full-time medical officers of the Ministry whose services are being retained was in lieu of bonus or gratuity; and if not so granted, will he explain why it is granted, seeing that the work has been and is steadily diminishing in comparison with that of the past five or six years?

The increase in question is not of the nature either of a bonus or a gratuity, but is part of a general revision of the rates of remuneration of the administrative medical staff of the Ministry. On this point I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a previous question by him on this subject on the 12th ultimo. In regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that while the work of the Ministry as a whole has diminished, the staff has also been reduced to a corresponding extent, and the work and responsibilities of individual officers remain as great as before.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are 900 redundant second division clerks awaiting absorption to any of the 3,534 training grade executive posts that may become vacant other than the 26 reserved to women; and that the result of this is that no open competition will be held for this grade for many years to come; and whether he will increase the number of posts allocated to women so as to give them that equality of opportunity promised by the House on 5th August, 1921?

I would refer the Hon. Member to the answer which I have given him to-day on the subject of appointments to the Training Grade of the Executive Class.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many discharged ex-service men have applied for, and have been receiving, training?

I have been asked to reply. Since August, 1919, about 99,600 ex-service men have received training under the industrial training scheme of the Ministry of Labour, including those still in training. About 11,000 men were trained under the Ministry of Pensions before that date. No figures are available of the number of applications rejected. Apart from the above scheme, 44,700 men were helped to complete their apprenticeship under the interrupted apprenticeship scheme, 36,300 were trained under the Board of Education, the Scotch Education Department and the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, Ireland, 640 under the Ministry of Agriculture, and 19,700 under the Royal Warrant and Maintenance and Training Grants Scheme of the Appointments Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in the event of men being dismissed who have been working at Cardington Aerodrome, he will give the first opportunity to work to local men, with preference to the local ex-service men?

It is the practice to employ local men at Cardington, and preference is given to ex-service men, provided that, when highly skilled or specialised work is in question, they are qualified to carry it out.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of men employed at Cardington, and the proportion of ex-service men?

The male weekly paid staff at Cardington number 336, of whom 272 are ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Health what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of colonies for consumptive ex-service men; and what assistance the State proposes to give towards such undertakings?

My right hon. Friend would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on this subject on the 2nd instant to the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Southwark (Colonel Day), a copy of which will be sent to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the complete exemption from the Entertainments Duty of all performances given for the funds of ex-service men?

Performances for the benefit of any ex-service men's funds which are devoted to philanthropic or charitable objects are already entitled to relief from Entertainments Duty provided that the whole of the net proceeds are devoted to such funds and that the expenses do not exceed 50 per cent of the receipts.

asked the Post- master-General how many men in receipt of disability pensions of not less than 30 per cent. have been accepted for full time employment in the Post Office during the past six months; what duties these men are engaged for; and what is the rate of wages paid?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds the manager of the Manchester Employment Exchange reported on 20th March to the Manchester postmaster that J. H. Speakman, of 10, Coral Street, Chorlton-on- Medlock, Manchester, is ineligible for Post Office employment; whether he is aware that this ex-service man was discharged with a good character from the Cheshire Regiment after considerable, experience in the Indian Telegraph Department and that the effect of this Report has been the loss of Speakman's prospective job as a Post Office telegraphist and his retransfer to unemployment relief; and whether he will have the Report in question reviewed?

I have not yet completed the inquiries which have been necessary in this case, but will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if there are any firms on the King's Roll who, receiving a contract from the Government or local authorities, have dropped the proportion of ex-service men which entitles them to be on the Roll; and if the will see his way to enforce the continuous employment of the correct proportion of ex-service men?

I have been asked to reply. The qualification for the King's National Roll is the employment of an agreed percentage of disabled ex-service men. I have no evidence that firms on the Roll are not complying with this requirement. If the hon. and gallant Friend has any instances in mind, and will furnish me with details, I shall be pleased to make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been called to the new Spanish law of emigration, dated 20th December, 1924. and to the prejudicial effect which certain Provisions in that law are likely to have upon British shipping; whether, as such provisions are contrary to the Treaty of Commerce signed between Great Britain and Spain on 31st October, 1922, which provides for full national treatment and most-favoured-nation treatment in all matters relating to shipping, and are contrary also to the principles of the Maritime Ports Convention, which was approved by the delegates of 31 States including Great Britain and Spain on 8th December, 1923, he will say what steps His Majesty's Government are taking in order to protect the interests of British shipping in this matter?

The attention of the Government was drawn some time ago to the new Spanish law on emigration, and such steps as the circumstances require will be taken to protect the interests of British shipping.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continued refusal to grant compensation to Messrs. George Judd, match manufacturers, of London, East, in respect to damage sustained by enemy aircraft; and whether he proposes to ask Parliament for fresh sums of money in order that such claims can be satisfied?

The claim of Messrs. George Judd was dealt with by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, who recommended that a. payment of £2,967 should be made in final settlement of their claim, and this sum was paid. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Chancellor or the Exchequer to the hon. Members for the Isle of Thanet (Mr. Harmsworth) and Cardiff East (Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke) on the 12th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, at the formal investigation to be held into the loss or supposed loss of the "John Harrison," which sailed from the Tyne on 24th December, 1924, with a cargo of coal and has not since been heard of, the court will be assisted by nautical assessors who have had practical experience in this class of steamer?

The suggestion that the nautical assessors investigating a shipping casualty should themselves have served on vessels of the particular class before the Court is not one that can be universally adopted. The nautical assessors will be experienced shipmasters, and all necessary evidence as to this new type of steamer will be laid before the Court. It is proposed to call the master of a sister ship as a witness at the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in continuation of the answer given on 30th June,

TRADE OR JAPAN WITH THE UNDERMENTIONED COUNTRIES.
—		1924	1920	1917	1913
Proportion of Total Imports—		Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
From China	…	9˙2	9˙3	12˙9	8˙4
From U.S.A. and Possessions	…	27˙9	38˙1	36˙2	17˙8
From British Empire	…	37˙3	33˙7	34˙6	43˙8
Proportion of Total Exports—
To China	…	19˙8	21˙1	19˙9	24˙5
To U.S.A. and Possessions	…	41˙9	31˙4	31˙3	30˙9
To British Empire	…	20˙2	25˙5	27˙7	19˙1

If imports and exports be added together, the percentage of the total recorded trade with China, with the United States of America and her possessions, and with the British Empire, respectively, were, in 1924, 13·6, 33·7 and 30·1. In 1920 the corresponding percentages were 14·7, 35·1 and 30·0.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the feeling in China that industrial enterprises should not be included within the scope of the Consortium's activities, and seeing that in 1918 the Foreign Office did not favour this policy and in view of the altered conditions in China, he will consider using his best efforts to modify the existing policy?

I am aware that the feeling described by the hon. Member exists among certain promoters of industrial enterprises in China, but His Majesty's Government could not con

Particulars for 1924, based on the Japanese trade returns for the 11 months, January to November, the latest period for which figures are available, are stated below. For convenience of comparison figures have been added which were given in answer to the question in this House on 30th June, 1921, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers:sider the modification of their present policy unless stronger arguments were submitted to them than have yet been produced, and then only in conjunction with the other Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the position of British trade-mark owners in China; and whether these traders can rely upon adequate protection through diplomatic channels?

The Chinese Government have extended the time limit for the registration of trade marks under Article 4 of the Chinese Trademarks Law from 31st December, 1924, to 30th June next, and many Chinese, foreign, and British owners are registering their marks. His Majesty's Government will carefully watch the operation of the law, and will certainly continue in the future as in the past to do everything in their power to protect the rights of British trademark owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to a proposed treaty between the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and Japan?

A treaty was signed between Russia and Japan on the 21st of January, and ratifications were exchanged on the 26th of February. A full summary of the treaty was published in the Press at the time.

asked the Prime Minister what is the object of the visit to Iraq of the Secretary of State for Air and the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and what cost will fall on public funds in connection with the visit?

As regards the first part of the question, the object of my right hon. Friends' visit to Iraq is to investigate on behalf of His Majesty's Government the political and defence aspects of some important problems which are necessarily engaging the attention of the Cabinet. As regards the second part of the question, it is estimated that the cost, including that of the conveyance and allowances of the attached officers, will not exceed £1,000.

asked the Prime Minister if it is his intention to introduce any legislative proposals during the present Session of Parliament with the object of establishing peace in industry?

The Government will continue to do everything possible to establish peace in industry; but I doubt whether the object which we have in view can be directly promoted by the introduction of legislation.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the possibility of taking steps to establish that Easter should, for the future, be a fixed calendar date?

I have been asked to reply. This question is at present being considered by a special committee appointed by the League of Nations, and His Majesty's Government propose to await the result of the inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why for some years a picture of a meeting of the Anti-Slavery Convention in London, in June, 1840, has been hanging in the central hall of the Royal Courts of Justice; and whether, in view of its lack of artistic merit and of harmony with its surroundings, he will have this picture removed?

I am quite Prepared to have the picture in question removed if inquiry should prove that the authorities at the Law Courts so desire.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the number of boys and girls of 14 years of age who left the schools under the jurisdiction of the Wednesbury Education Committee during 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively;(2) the number of boys and girls of 14 years of age who left the schools in Darlaston during 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively;

Year.				Darlaston.		Tipton.		Wednesbury.
				Boys.	Girls.	Boys.	Girls.	Boys.	Girls.
1919–20	…	…	…	124	149	1	6	10	25
1920–21	…	…	…	176	173	3	9	16	21
1921–22	…	…	…	180	194	8	16	40	42
1922–23	…	…	…	173	156	47	22	116	63
1923–24	…	…	…	148	183	252	224	261	240
Figures for 1918–19 are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many boys and girls, respectively, in secondary schools are in receipt of maintenance grants; what is the average amount of such grants; what proportion of the total cost is borne by the local authority; and what proportion, if any, by the State?

The average number of pupils in secondary schools receiving maintenance grants from local education authorities during the financial year 1923–24 was 46,195, and the average expenditure on each such grant was £10 2s. I am unable to give separate figures for boys and girls. One-half of the approved net expenditure of local education authorities on maintenance allowances is met by grant from the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any information as to the extent to which children leaving elementary schools in industrial and rural areas, whose intellectual attainments would justify their proceeding to secondary schools, are debarred from competing for secondary school places by the absence of any provision of maintenance allowances?

I am afraid that I have not the information asked for, but

Following are the numbers of leavers aged 14 and under 15, and excluding those aged 15 and over:I may say that all but three of the local authorities for higher education make some provision for maintenance allowances for pupils at secondary schools. I am hoping to issue shortly a return giving details of the expenditure incurred by each authority for this purpose in the financial year 1923–24.

asked the President of the Board of Education what sections of the Education Act, 1921, have been brought into effect by the fixing of an appointed day; what day, or days, has been fixed; and to what sections do they respectively apply?

The Board of Education by Order appointed the 1st day of October, 1921, as the appointed day:

(a) for all the provisions of the Act of 1921 except Sections 76, 77 and 93; and

(b) for Sections 76, 77 and 9:3 of the Act as respects the classes of persons in certain areas or parts of areas for whom the corresponding Section of the Education Act, 1918, had been brought into operation.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total output of coal, in tons, of the United Kingdom in the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924, respectively?

The information is as follows:

Year.				Tons.
1920	…	…	…	229,532,081
1921*	…	…	…	163,251,181
1922†	…	…	…	249,606,864
1923†	…	…	…	276,000,560
1924†	…	…	…	267,118,167
*In consequence of the national stoppage of work at coal mines almost all the mines were idle for about three months.
† Great Britain only.

asked the Minister of Labour the conventions passed, and the recommendations adopted, by the conferences of the International Labour Organisation for the Sessions 1922, 1923, and 1924?

The information required is as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour the total cost of the buildings at Geneva used by the International Labour Organisation; what sum the British Government has contributed to these buildings, excluding the gift of £4,000 promised in May, 1924, for embellishment; and to whom do the buildings now belong?

Pending the completion of a new building now in course of erection, the International Labour Office is occupying a building and annexes belonging to private Swiss citizens, at an annual rental of 80,000 Swiss francs. Temporary accommodation is hired each year for the meetings of the International Labour Conference. Particulars of cost and of the British contribution in respect of the new building, now in course of construction, were given in an answer to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Gloucester (Lieut.-Colonel Horlick) on 1st April. That building will belong to the League of Nations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Martin Brennan, a miner, has had his un- employment benefit stopped and his appeal disallowed for refusing work at Doncaster, and that Mr. Brennan has three children and an invalid wife, and could not possibly break his home up at the moment; and if he will give this case careful consideration?

After a period of eight months' unemployment, Mr. Brennan was offered apparently suitable work at Doncaster, and on his refusal the Insurance Officer disallowed benefit. The Court of Referees, after careful consideration of the case, upheld the Insurance Officer's decision. It is open to Mr. Brennan's union to appeal to the Umpire on his behalf, but I have no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total cost of unemployment insurance payments during each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

The total amount of unemployment benefit paid Curing each of the insurance years (July to July) 1918–19 to 1923–24, is as follows:

Insurance year.				£
1918–19	…	…	…	152,721
1919–20	…	…	…	1,009,126
1920–21	…	…	…	34,118,195
1921–22	…	…	…	52,848,214
1922–23	…	…	…	41,880,832
1923–24	…	…	…	35,971,411

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unmarried men below the age of 30 years in receipt of unemployment insurance payments in each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

Statistics are not regularly compiled as to the age or marital state of claimants to unemployment benefit, but in November, 1923, and November, 1924, a special analysis was made in respect of 1 per cent. of the total number of claimants at those dates and from the results of these inquiries it would appear that, of the total number of males claiming unemployment benefit, about 25 per cent. were unmarried men under 30 years of age. If this percentage be applied to the 925,600 male claimants who were recorded at Employment Exchanges on 30th March, 1925, the unmarried males under 30 years of age would be found to number 231,400.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively, who have received unemployment insurance payments in each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

I am considering how far it is possible to obtain the information which my hon. Friend desires, and will communicate with him on the matter as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were employed under co-partnership schemes in 1914; how many of them received bonuses; and what was the aggregate amount of those bonuses?

The total number of profit-sharing and labour co-partnership schemes known to the Department to have been in operation in the United Kingdom in 1914 was 438. As regards 40 of these schemes information is not available as to the numbers of persons who received bonuses, or as to the amounts of bonus paid. Under 383 of the 398 schemes for which particulars are available, 103,000 persons received bonuses amounting in the aggregate to £463,000; the remaining 15 schemes, covering 2,000 persons, paid no bonus in that year. These, figures relate to profit-sharing schemes generally (including those of cooperative societies as well as other businesses). No distinction is made, in the statistics compiled by the Department, between co-partnership schemes and profit-sharing schemes not involving co-partnership.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that market gardeners and allotment holders do not obtain the same amount of relief in local taxation as the large agriculturalists; and whether he will consider this question with a view to giving all parties equal treatment?

No inequality of the nature suggested by my hon. Friend has been brought to my notice, but I shall be glad to give further consideration to the matter if particulars of cases of unequal treatment are furnished to me.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the widespread impression in Scotland that the procedure of the Court of Session is out of date and that the Court requires to be reorganised, he proposes to appoint a Royal Commission to consider the matter?

I have received representations on the subject of procedure in the Court of Session, and the matter is receiving my consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to a case of violation of the Trade Boards Act by a firm in Greenock, whereby a number of girls have ceased work as a protest and have been refused unemployment benefit; and will he make inquiries into the matter?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to a firm at Greenock some of whose female work-people ceased work in the belief that they were not being paid at the appropriate Trade Board minimum rates. Visits by Trade Board inspectors in January and at the end of March indicate that this belief was mistaken, and that there has been no breach of the Trade Boards Acts. The question of unemployment benefit falls to be decided by the statutory machinery, i.e., the insurance officer, Courts of Referees and, in certain cases, the Umpire. I understand that benefit has been disallowed in a number of cases by the insurance officer, and that applicants have appealed against the decision.

asked the Minister of Health what disposable surpluses were shown in each of the quinquennial valuations made in connection with the National Health Insurance Fund since its inception; what these surpluses represented per person insured at the time of such quinquennial valuation; on what basis the sum of, approximately, six million sterling of surplus funds resulting from the last quinquennial valuation of the National Health Insurance Fund was distributed; and on whom does the responsibility for such distribution rest?

The valuations of the assets and liabilities of approved societies and branches as at 31st December, 1918, showed disposable surpluses amounting in the aggregate to £9,184,087 for the United Kingdom, or about 11s. 4d. per person insured at the valuation date. The second valuations, to be made for some societies as at 31st December, 1922, and for others as at 31st December, 1923, are now in progress, and the complete results will not be available till after the end of the present year. The distribution of the, disposable surpluses arising out of the first valuation has proceeded on the basis of schemes submitted in accordance with the Act by the individual societies or branches and sanctioned by the Minister of Health for the provision of additional benefits to members entitled to receive them. Such additional benefits take the form either of increases in the rates of sickness, disablement and maternity benefits, or of payments for other purposes, e.g., for dental or hospital treatment. The responsibility for administering a scheme rests with the committee of management of the society or branch concerned.

asked the Minister of Health under what specific rule or rules of the Prudential Approved Society the case of Mr. David Clarke, of 40, Somers Road, Worcester, was dealt with, as stated in a letter from the Ministry to Mr. Clarke on 20th November. 1924?

The rules under which Mr. Clarke's case was dealt with are quoted in the award of the Referee dated 24th March, 1922, of which I am forwarding a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the total borrowings of local authorities for the purpose of Poor Law relief during the years 1912, 1913, and 1920 to 1924, inclusive?

I assume the hon. Member does not intend to refer to loans raised for the erection of buildings and other ordinary capital purposes but only to loans for the purposes ordinarily to be met by current rates. No loans of

ENGLAND AND WALES
On the night of the 1st January in the year—				Casuals in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief.
				Casuals relieved in casual wards and other Poor-Law institutions	Total Number of Casuals	The Total in Column 3 includes
						Men.	Women.	Children.
1.				2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
1910	…	…	…	9,944	10,249	9,384	772	93
1911	…	…	…	10,028	10,474	9,578	826	70
1912	…	…	…	9,294	9,732	8,900	759	73
1913	…	…	…	8,311	8,882	8,002	775	105
1914	…	…	…	7,171	7,568	6,957	559	52
1915	…	…	…	5,323	5,416	4,824	531	61
1916	…	…	…	Not ascertained	3,576	Not ascertained.
1917	…	…	…		2,875
1918	…	…	…		1,470
1919	…	…	…		1,091
1920	…	…	…	2,008	2,035	1,899	128	8
1921	…	…	…	4,039	4,084	3,850	214	20
1922	…	…	…	6,495	6,572	6,270	286	16
1923	…	…	…	7,486	7,628	7,210	369	49
1924	…	…	…	7,694	7,794	7,338	368	88
Column 3 includes, in addition to the numbers in Column 2, certain casuals who were relieved otherwise than in poor-law institutions.
According to a special return obtained from Boards of Guardians, ex-service men relieved as casuals constituted 43 per cent. of the total number of men so relieved on 3rd May, 1924.

asked the Minister of Health how many schemes have been submitted and how many approved for the erection of houses in agricultural districts under the provisions of The Housing Act, 1924; and in what counties is provision

asked the Minister of Health the number of casuals received in casual wards in England and Wales on 1st January, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively; and how many were women with children and how many were ex-service men?

The following are the particulars available:being made for the housing of agriculturists under the Wheatley Act?

Schemes hare been submitted by 67 local authorities in England and Wales for the erection of 1,542 houses in agricultural parishes under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, and of these 1,450 houses have so far been authorised, included in schemes of 65 local authorities. The counties in which these houses are to be erected are as follow:

Bedford.	Lincoln.
Berkshire.	Montgomery.
Cambridge.	Norfolk.
Cornwall.	Northampton.
Cumberland.	Oxford.
Denbigh.	Pembroke.
Devon.	Salop.
Dorset.	Somerset.
Essex.	Suffolk.
Gloucester.	Warwick.
Herts.	Wiltshire.
Huntingdon.	Worcester.
Isle of Ely.	Yorkshire.
Lancashire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Council of Agriculture has urged additional Ministerial steps to provide a large number of houses suitable for agricultural workers in rural districts; that some of the local authorities are not sufficiently alive to the local housing needs in this respect; and what action he is taking in the matter?

I am aware of the Resolution of the Council of Agriculture, and I can assure the hon. Member that I am fully alive to the importance of the rural housing problem. The provisions of the Housing Acts, which include special Exchequer grants intended to encourage the provision of houses in agricultural parishes, have been brought to the notice of the local authorities, and I anticipate that advantage will increasingly be taken of them. If my hon. Friend has any particular districts in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries in regard to them.

asked the Minister of health whether in view of the divergence in practice between the various local authorities, he will obtain from the assessment committees of the country a statement of what, in the opinion of each of them, would be the loss sustained in the general rate by the acceptance of the principle that machinery included in Class 2 of the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee should be completely excluded from liability to pay rates?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that no useful object would be gained by asking the Assessment Committees at this stage for a mere expression of opinion, unsupported by evidence, on the hypothetical case suggested by my hon. Friend. I would, however, refer him to the conclusions submitted by the National Conference of Assessment Committees to the inter-Departmental Committee as summarised on pages 22 and 23 of the Report.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the ascertained facts that garden cities have now passed the experimental stage and are a profitable investment of public money, that they relieve congestion of population and traffic, take manufactures and workshops into the country, supply houses for all classes, show satisfactory health statistics, stimulate agriculture, horticulture, and market gardening and allotments, create new markets, and developmentally and physically a vigorous and contented population, he will take steps to appoint garden city commissioners with powers to raise capital, acquire sites, issue loans, and in all possible ways facilitate the establishment of garden cities?

My right hon. Friend has every sympathy with the development of estates on garden city lines, and is watching with interest the progress which is being made; but in his opinion further experience is necessary before considering the establishment of special machinery such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows in England, Scotland and Wales; and, if possible, the number of fatherless children and orphans under 14 years of age, respectively?

CENSUS, 1921—ENGLAND AND WALES.
—				Widows.	Children under 14 years.
					Father dead.	Mother dead.	Both parents dead.
England	…	…	…	1,528,093	613,531	208,581	43,548
Wales and Monmouth	…	…	…	93,665	41,224	20,615	3,297
Total	…	…	…	1,621,758	654,755	229,196	46,845

As regards the Scottish figures, perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will address an inquiry to the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct the medical officers of the Ministry to make inquiries as to the weekly wage necessary to maintain a family of five in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle-on-Tyne with adequate housing accommodation, food and clothing; and whether he will furnish the figures to the House before the Adjournment for the Easter Recess?

Year.			England and Wales.			London.*
			Vaccinations per cent. of Births.	Smallpox Deaths.	Smallpox Death-Rate per 10,000 population.	Vaccinations per cent. of Births.	Smallpox Deaths.	Smallpox Death-Rate per 10,000 population.
1872	…	…	85	19,022	8˙2	81˙9	1,786	5˙4
1873	…	…	85˙2	2,303	1˙0	81˙6	113	˙3
1874	…	…	85˙05	2,084	˙9	81˙5	57	˙2
1875	…	…	84˙9	849	˙4	81˙0	46	˙1
1876	…	…	86	2,408	1	84	736	2
1877	…	…	86˙3	4,278	1˙7	83˙9	2,551	7˙1
1878	…	…	85˙3	1,856	˙7	83˙1	1,417	3˙9
1879	…	…	86	536	˙2	83˙4	450	1˙2
1880	…	…	85˙1	648	˙3	83˙8	471	1˙3
1881	…	…	86˙6	3,098	1˙2	85˙3	2,367	6˙2
1882	…	…	85˙9	1,317	˙5	84˙6	430	1˙1
1883	…	…	85˙6	957	˙4	84˙2	136	˙4
1884	…	…	84˙4	2,234	˙8	83˙5	1,236	3˙1
* The Administrative and Registration counties of London were made coextensive in 1901. The figures for earlier years relate to the Registration counties.

For England and Wales, the desired figures, according to the 1921 Census, were as follow:

I do not think that such an inquiry could be appropriately made by the officers mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish a statement showing the percentage of vaccinations per births, the total number of smallpox deaths registered, the small-pox death rate per 10,000 of population from 1872 to 1924, and the total number of small-pox deaths for London for the same years, with the small-pox death rate per 10,000 and the percentage of the births vaccinated?

The figures, so far as available, are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health what action, if any, he proposes to take as a result of the irregularities disclosed by the district auditor's Report on the accounts and proceedings of the Irlam Urban Council?

As a result of the discovery of certain matters at the audit, the clerk and the surveyor were dismissed by the council in December last. The auditor has since made surcharges on the officers concerned, concerning which I can make no statement, as the matter may be referred to me on appeal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has come to any decision regarding the claims for compensation of the Brancaster fishermen; and, if so, with what result?

The War Office have consented to make ex-gratia payments of the amounts recommended by my Department, and I expect that these amounts will reach the recipients in the course of the next few days.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his Department take, or are prepared to take, any steps for the purpose of preventing a person selling bees, which have been diagnosed by a competent authority as suffering from acarine, and thus spreading the disease throughout the country?

I am advised that I have no powers to prevent the sale of diseased bees. I should be prepared to consider the introduction of legislation to deal with this matter if I were convinced that this step was called for, but I understand that considerable diversity of opinion exists among bee-keepers as to what measures should be adopted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that market gardeners are assessed for Income Tax purposes on their profits, and, unlike the farmer, have not the alternative of being assessed on their rental; and, as both parties are food producers and frequently in competition with each other, whether he will take steps to place them on an equal footing in this respect?

I am aware that a nurseryman or market gardener is, in common with traders generally, assessable to Income Tax by reference to the actual profits of his business, and that it is not open to him to claim assessment under Schedule B, like the ordinary farmer, upon the basis of the annual value of his land. The considerations suggested by the hon. Member do not in my view afford any sufficient ground for charging the nurseryman or market gardener otherwise than by reference to his actual earnings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the very large number of clerks and shop assistants who incur heavy expenses in fares, meals, and upkeep of status receive no relief in the Income Tax payable by them for the expenses referred to; and whether he would therefore consider the revision of abatement up to £360 per annum to effect an allowance commensurate with these expenses?

The hon. and gallant Member will not expect me in a matter of this kind to anticipate the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the stoppage of wages of Mr. O. B. Petrie, of 14, Suffolk Street, Forest Gate, in respect of arrears of Income Tax; whether he is aware that this man is employed as a temporary clerk at the Kew branch of the Ministry of Labour; that £2 12s. 2d. was claimed from him by the Income Tax Commissioners; that the cash section of the Labour Ministry informed him that £1 6s. 7d., half the amount, would be deducted from his current week's wages, which are £2 15s. 11d., and that a further similar sum would be deducted next week; whether he will say if it is the custom of his Department to deduct Income Tax arrears from the wages of the temporary staff in such large proportions; and whether he will inquire into the legality of such action in the special case referred to; and, as the man is in receipt of an amount of money which will not allow him to live decently, will he arrange to cancel the order of deductions?

The facts stated in the fourth part of the question are not correct. The deduction made in the first week was 13s. 2d., and, on representations from Mr. Petrie, the deduction in the two succeeding weeks has been reduced to 10s. Two further deductions of 10s. per week will be made, making the total of £2 13s. 2d. due. The deductions are in respect of tax under Schedule E for the year 1924–25, and not in respect of arrears. Endeavour is always made to meet the convenience of the staff in the matter of deductions for Income Tax, and smaller deductions would have been possible in this case had their commencement not been deferred so as to enable Mr. Petrie to make a protest against the assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local charges have been transferred to the State within the last 10 years; and whether in each case he will state the amount so transferred in each year?