asked the Minister of Pensions the grounds upon which an applicant whose appeal has been rejected, or whose final award has been confirmed, can secure the reopening of his case?

The decisions in both the classes of case referred to are, in accordance with the War Pensions Act, 1919 to 1921, final; but in exceptional cases, where it is conclusively shown that justice would not otherwise be done, grants may be made under special sanction. Thus, in cases of claims to pension, rejected on the score of entitlement, where subsequently fresh evidence is produced by a claimant such as clearly proves that the disability or death was due to war service, an award is made. Similarly, in cases of final award, where in the course of any medical treatment and observation given by the Ministry, it is clearly demonstrated to the Ministry that the award was wrongly declared final owing to error of diagnosis or prognosis involving a serious under-estimate of the degree of disablement for permanent purposes, the award is reviewed and a further grant made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Sergeant William Westerside, of 4, Warrington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, in receipt of 3s. per day pension from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, is desirous of emigrating to Australia; that arrangements are well in hand for the man and his family to settle on a farm in that Dominion: that the Royal Warrant does not permit of a commutation of the man's pension except in respect of 1s. per day; and whether, in view of these facts, he Nall take steps to amend the Royal Warrant to permit of the commutation of the whole or a larger proportion of the pension of men who fall into this category so as to facilitate their emigration to the Dominions?

I regret that I cannot contemplate any amendment to the Royal Warrant on the lines suggested. The Chelsea Commissioners are prepared to consider an application from Mr. Westerside to corn-route ls. a day for the purpose of emigration, which would provide him with a sum of about £215. In addition, he can be granted an advance of six months' pension for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of boys under 17 who have been recruited into the Royal Air Force during the past two months as a result of Press advertisements or otherwise; and whether any of these boys are being, or will be, trained for service on bombing aeroplanes?

As regards the first part of the question, boys are recruited for the Air Force only twice a year, and the last recuiting period was in January, when 350 boys were attested. As regards the second part of the question, none of these boys is under training as a pilot, and it is impossible to foresee whether any, and if so, how many, will eventually he employed for aerial work in bombing squadrons.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number and nature of Air Ministry establishments in Wales?

There is one Air Ministry establishment in Wales; it is a flying training school.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has now been made in the construction of the two new airships?

Actual construction of either airship has not as yet been commenced. A large volume of investigation and other preliminary work has, however, been carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the dissatisfaction of provincial authorities with the centralisation of museum facilities in London, he proposes to investigate the grievance with a view to remedial action if necessary?

If the hon. Member will bring to my notice the complaints which he has in mind, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has passed within the last four weeks between the British and American Governments on the subject of disarmament; and, if so, can he state the main contents of the communication?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women who are known at the Employment Exchanges to have entered domestic service during the last six months; and the number at the same period last year?

The number of vacancies for women in domestic service occupations filled by Employment Exchanges in Great Britain during the six months ended 6th April, 1925, was 30,779 as compared with 29,693 in the corresponding period of 1924.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the comparable figures showing the gross expenditure on the Navy, Army, and Air Force for the years 1913–14 and 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925?

The following are the fgures:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason for the delay in the publication of the Report of the East African Commission; and when it will be available?

I cannot admit that there has been any undue delay. The report is of a comprehensive nature, and the Commissioners since their return to England have devoted all the time at their disposal to its preparation. The Report has been completed and signed, and is with the printers. It will be available for publication on the 7th of May.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of motor omnibuses licensed by the Metropolitan Police during the year 1924; how many of these vehicles belong to the -Underground Combine Company; and how many belong to other owners?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 10th March last, to a somewhat similar question by the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Barnes), and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking, if any, regarding the question of motor head light glare?

As I have stated in answer to previous questions, it is hoped in the Road Vehicles Bill, referred to in the Gracious Speech from the Throne, to deal, among other things, with the lighting of road vehicles and to seek additional powers of regulation. Until some such additional powers have been obtained, I am not in a position to take any effective action with regard to motor head lights.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give, for the years 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, each year being stated separately, the amount of the premiums paid to insurance companies in respect of employers' liability insurance; the amount received by the companies from interest and dividend upon the reserves; the amount spent on working expenses; the amounts distributed as shareholders' profits or placed on reserve; the total sum

The following is the information asked for. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.