asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received an application for safeguarding from the glassware industry; if this application is to be placed before a committee; and, if not, what are the grounds of refusal?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough and others on the 17th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state when the Report of the Committee on the Lace Industry will be presented?

The Report was presented on Thursday, the 30th April.

:If the Report be favourable, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that action shall be taken immediately?

That should be a separate question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government has come to any decision on the findings of the lace inquiry; and whether it is intended to introduce a supplementary Resolution in Committee of Ways and Means for embodiment in the Finance Bill?

The Report of the Committee is under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when a decision will be announced '?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of foreign wireless valves are being imported into this country, and that some of these valves are an infringement upon patent rights held by British manufacturers; that recently several retailers in a small way of business have received writs, issue by the British Thomson-Houston Manufacturing Company, Limited, who allege infringement of their patent rights; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted upon these small traders, he is prepared to cause importers of such goods into this country to make declaration to the effect that the said goods do not infringe patent rights held by British manufacturers?

I am aware that wireless valves are being im ported into the United Kingdom, and I understand that during the last 12 months legal proceedings have been taken by the British Thomson Houston Company against six infringers, four of whom are importers; all these firms are wholesalers, but two do a retail business also. In each case the proceedings were successful. I have no power to require importers of wireless valves to make any such declaration as that suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount and value of Germany's internal and export trade in 1913-14 and at the present time?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to his question relating to the internal and export trade of the chief industrial countries of Europe.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there were no figures given in that reply? Is it not possible to give the limited information asked for in this question?

:Yesterday my hon. Friend referred the hon. Member to the very full tables prepared by the League of Nations. These are the only available complete tables that exist, and they are more complete than the ones we publish every three months. I cannot give the information asked for in this question, because the League of Nations' figures do not give the volume but only the—

Are we to understand that the Government have no information of this kind, and have to refer to the League of Nations?

No. We have a good deal of information, but I thought it would be waste of money if we did not make use of the fullest figures supplied by the League of Nations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the total imports last year of furs,natural and artificial, respectively?

:The declared value of furs, fur skins, undressed and dressed (not leather), together with manufactures of skins and furs (including fur clothing) imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1924, amounted to £13,324,412.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total imports from and exports to Russia during the year 1924; what classes of goods were, during that period, exported from this country under special licence; and for what classes of goods covered by such licences has it been decided to withdraw special facilities?

:During 1924 the value of the imports from Russia into Great Britain and Northern Ireland was almost exactly 20 million pounds. The value of the exports to Russia of the produce and manufactures of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 23,820,000, and of our re exports of foreign and Empire merchandise, £7,350,000. Arms and ammunition and opium and other dangerous drugs were exported to Russia during 1924 under special licence. Towards the end of that year the issue of licences for the export of arms and ammunition to Russia was discontinued.

:Can the right hon.Gentleman say from memory whether this is an increase or a decrease on previous years?

No; I am afraid I cannot.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any statistics to show the extent of Russian purchases in this country during the first quarter of 1925; and whether he can give our purchases from Russia in the same period?

:The declared value of the trade of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with Russia during the first quarter of 1925 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many passports during the past 12 months were granted to British subjects desirous of travelling to Russia by the Foreign Office; and how many visas were granted by the British representatives in Russia to Russian citizens desirous of coming to Great Britain?

:Passports valid for travelling in Soviet Russia have been freely issued to British subjects who desired them. No special record is kept of endorsements for Soviet Russia, and the exact number issued cannot be ascertained without prolonged research. It, of course, does not follow that a Russian visa is always accorded where we have issued a passport, and I cannot say in how many cases the visa has been refused. On the second part of the question, I have no information, but I am ready to make enquiries of His Majesty's Charged'Affaires at Moscow if I am convinced that the information is of any public importance.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average cost of standard small-arms ammunition produced in the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, as compared with the prices paid to private firms producing the same class of stores?

It is not in the public interest to state the prices paid to private firms.

Is the information not available to the House of Commons?

:I am afraid I must repeat that it is not in the public interest to give the information.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say what check if any, there is on these contracts?

:We take great care about that in the Department.

:Is it passible for the House or the general public to gauge the difference between the cost of private enterprise and the cost of work done in the Arsenal, if we have not the information?

:That would take a longer answer than I can give at Question Time. If the hon. Member will take the opportunity, I shall he glad to argue it at any other time.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, taking the number of recruits for last year, he will state the total enlisted in each British and Welsh county; and whether these total are in any way related to the existing measure of unemployment in such counties?

The number of recruits enlisted in each of the Recruiting Zones, which correspond closely to county areas, is shown in Table 1 of Part III of the General Annual Report on the British Army for the year ending 30th September, 1924 (Cmd. 2342). I have no certain information which would enable me to reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the s.s. "Iona," sailing from Glasgow to Ardrishaig, broke down on Wednesday, 29th April.last, and that a tug had to be sent to take her to Greenock; whether this ship was overhauled before being put upon this route; and what steps he is prepared to take to secure a more efficient transport service to the Western Highlands?

:I am informed that the facts are as stated in the question, and that the vessel was overhauled and surveyed three weeks before the date of the accident. Another vessel was immediately substituted on this service. As regards the last part 'of the question, my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General and I are, as I stated in my reply last week, at present examining generally the question of the Hebridean steamer services, including representations which have been made as to the vessels employed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his colleague at the Board of Trade regarding the inspection of these ships, as they have now reached such an age that closer inspection is required than formerly?

I have already done so.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware of the lack of proper sanitary arrangements in a large number of the houses in Direlton, near North Berwick; that in many cases there is neither proper drainage from the houses nor water in the houses; that some of the two-roomed houses are going to have still further curtailed accommodation, by space in one of the rooms being used for building a water-closet; and that only one water-closet is being built for each two houses in the case inquired about; and what action does he propose with a view to bringing the sanitary arrangements of the district up to date and the enforcing of sanitary conveniences without curtailing the use of the present living room?

:I have a report from the sanitary inspector of the district, dated the 2nd instant, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I am satisfied from the report that reasonable steps are being taken by the local authority to secure the introduction of modern sanitary conveniences into the houses still without these. In addition, between 300 and 400 new houses are being constructed in the district., causing a shortage of labour which retards the progress of schemes of improvement.

:Is it not a fact that in some of these houses, where they have taken accommodation off for the purpose of putting in water-closets, there is plenty of available room outside for the building of these places rather than taking away from the limited accommodation available in the houses?

We have a special report from the sanitary inspector. Perhaps it would be convenient if the hon. Member would await a copy of that report.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at a recent inquest upon Thomas Phillips, a Wallsend collier, who was killed by a fall of stone whilst at his work, it was stated that this accident could have been averted if the working place had been timbered according to regulations; and, seeing that the colliery official responsible was censured by the jury, is he prepared to see that in all collieries in this country adequate precautions are taken for the protection of the lives of those employed?

:I am aware of the circumstances of this regrettable accident, and I agree that it would not have occurred it the timbering rules had been carried out. It is already the constant endeavour of the inspectors of mines to prevent disregard of these rules. but the matter is one which is very largely in the hands of the workmen and the officials supervising them.

:Will the hon. and gallant Member make representations with a view to changing the law, so as to allow the workmen's representatives to prosecute, as well as the Mines Department, in cases of this kind?

I think the hon. and gallant Member is not aware of the circumstances in this case. There is no need for prosecution.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many low temperature coal carbonisation plants are operating in Great Britain; how many tons of coal are being used daily for such purposes; and how many of such plants have proved to be a commercial success?

The development of these processes on a commercial scale is still mainly in the experimental stage, and I am not able to give any exact figures of the kind for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware of the difficulty and delay already caused to the inhabitants of North London in getting to and from their employment; and, in view of the restrictions placed by the new Traffic Order upon all main thoroughfares leading northwards from Finsbury Park, what steps he proposes to take to meet the increased difficulty and delay which will be caused to the travelling public in these areas;

(2) in view of the fact that the list of restricted roads issued by the Ministry under the London Traffic Act in February last included Seven Sisters Road (Fonthill Road to Finsbury Park Gates), that an appeal was lodged and upheld against this restriction, and that as a consequence this thoroughfare was deleted from the list, if he will explain what are the altered conditions which have caused it to be again scheduled for restriction.

:I am aware of the difficulty and delay experienced by the inhabitants of North London in getting to and from their employment, and I have asked the London Traffic Advisory Committee to inquire into the question of travelling facilities northwards from Finsbury Park. No Order has yet been made declaring any part of Seven Sisters Road or any thoroughfares northwards from Finsbury Park to be restricted streets under Section 7 of the London Traffic Act. This matter is, however, being considered by the Advisory Committee, to whom I am sending a copy of the hon. Member's questions and this reply.

:Will the right. hon. Gentleman bring to the notice of the Advisory Committee the undesirability of placing any further restrictions upon main thoroughfares in North London until the Committee which he has appointed has held an inquiry?

:I will consider that.

:When does the right hon. Gentleman expect the Committee to issue a report?

:It must be some time. Not only has the London Traffic Advisory Committee to investigate this very important subject, but it has also to ascertain the Eastern and the South-Eastern position. They are all interdependent and it must take some time.

:Has the right hon. Gentleman yet prevailed on the Committee to hear the interests concerned on both sides in this matter?

:There is no necessity to prevail upon them. They are quite willing to hear any relevant evidence, that may be forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the numerous accidents occurring to motor omnibuses, he will consider whether regulations should be made that a first-aid outfit should always be carried?

:This matter has already been considered by the Departmental Committee who, I understand, are not satisfied that the provision of a first aid outfit on motor omnibuses is of sufficient importance to warrant a special regulation.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it will mean the saving of life in the case of many accidents?

:I think that is a mistaken view of the case, and that at the present moment I should be ill-advised to insist on an outfit being carried on omnibuses.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a portion of the new great west road between Chiswick and Hounslow is now closed for repairs; and how many months have elapsed since this portion of the road was first opened to the public?

:Parts of the new great west road are temporarily closed in order to facilitate the finishing process, in anticipation of the opening of the entire length of the highway by His Majesty the King on the 30th of this month. At the Chiswick end of the road temporary access was first given to the public in June last.

:Are we to understand from that that access was given before the road was finished?

:Access was given on the part of the road already finished in order that increased facilities might be afforded. That has now been closed temporarily in order that the finishing process may be completed, and the whole road will be opened on the 30th of this month.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any experiment has taken place with a view to safety devices in front of motor vehicles to prevent accidents to pedestrians; what has been the result of such experiment; and whether he has considered or will consider the fitting of such safety devices, if practicable, to all new motor vehicles being made compulsory?

:Many devices of the nature indicated in the hon. and gallant Member's question have been tested practically by or an behalf of my Department. I am not satisfied that any device is yet available which would prove of material assistance in avoiding accidents. On the information before me, I am not prepared to take steps to make compulsory the fitting of devices of this type

:If any suitable device be invented, has the right hon. Gentleman power to make it compulsory for new vehicles?

:I think that I should require notice of that question, but on the spur of the moment I should say not.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has had under consideration in his Department the question of introducing regulations to control motor headlights; and whether he can give any indication as to the date on which such regulations will come in force?

:I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 29th April to the hon. Member for the Duddeston Division of Birmingham, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport why his Department has failed to carry out the decision of the House of Commons of 27th February, 1923, for which eight of the members of the present Government voted, to the effect that inasmuch as practically all rural roads are now used by motor vehicles grants from the Motor Road Fund should be allotted in respect of all such motor-used roads, whether classified or unclassified; and whether the Ministry will now observe this instruction?

:The extent of the assistance which can be rendered by way of grants to local authorities towards the cost of their highway expenditure, is limited by the amount of revenue accruing to the Road Fund from the taxation of road vehicles. Since 1st April, 1923, sums amounting to £5,000,000 have been made available from the Road Fund for the improvement of important roads in rural areas, including many unclassified roads.

:In view of the rapid increase of this Fund will the right hon. Gentleman soon be able to carry out the decision of the House of Commons?

:In my opinion the spirit of that decision has already been carried into effect, in view of the fact that this £5,000,000 has been made available.

:Have the local authorities no power to decide which way the vehicles shall go?

:I do not think that that question arises

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware of the increasing congestion of traffic at the approaches to Victoria Station; and whether he has any effective remedy to apply, in view of the danger to foot passengers and general inconvenience to the public;

(2) whether he can state what remedial measures have been taken or are likely to be taken to deal with the congestion and traffic blocks in the main thoroughfares of London?

:Remedial measures for the relief of traffic congestion in the neighbourhood of Victoria Station and in certain main thoroughfares in London are under consideration by the London Traffic Advisory Committee; before making any announcement in the matter, I must await their recommendations.

:Have the Treasury sanctioned any scheme for underground roads in London?

:I do not think that that arises out of this particular question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the great inconvenience caused to the business community in many towns and villages by the present hour at which post offices are opened in the morning, he can see his way to arrange for them to open at 8 a.m. instead of at 9 a.m. as at present?

:Applications for the earlier opening of post offices which now open at 9 a.m. have been very few, and I do not think that any general change is called for. I shall be glad to consider any individual cases which my hon. and gallant Friend may have in mind, where substantial cause can be shown.

:Are not the post offices open at 8'o clock? Is it not simply that the clocks are wrong?

asked the Postmaster-General in which districts the automatic telephone exchanges have been installed; and whether he can indicate th approximate date of the installation of such exchanges in the London area?

:I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the automatic exchanges, 26 in number, which have already been opened. The introduction of automatic working in the London area is necessarily a lengthy and gradual operation. Unless unforeseen difficulties arise, three or four automatic exchanges should be opened in London during 1927.

asked the Postmaster-General how many village post offices in the Parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire, are provided with telegraph or telephone facilities; how many are not so provided; and what steps are being taken to increase the existing facilities?

:Of the 263 rural sub-offices in the Parts of Lindsey, 118 have both telegraph and telephone facilities, seven have telegraph, and eight telephone facilities only. This leaves 130 post offices unprovided with telegraphic or telephonic communication, but in some of these villages telegraph business is conducted at the local railway station, and many others are within a reasonable distance of one or other of the existing telegraph or telephone offices. Telegraph and telephone facilities are extended in the Parts of Lindsey. as elsewhere, when the necessary conditions are fulfilled. At the present time the question of extension is being considered in the case of 10 villages in the district.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the Royal Engineers postal section and certain other Territorial units of His Majesty's Forces were allowed their full civil pay during the War without deductions in respect of Army pay and allowances, it is proposed, as a matter of equity, to put other postal employes whose services during the War were equally efficient, upon the same footing, and particularly the married men who suffered deductions of separation and other allowances?

:The reply is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in cases where men are unable to attend an appeal tribunal on account of illness, although their evidence is taken at their houses by a member of the appeal tribunal and a representative of the British Legion, it would be in accordance with the regulations for a decision to be arrived at by another tribunal at which neither of these gentlemen was present?

:I have been asked to answer this question. The practice of the tribunals in cases where an appellant is unable to attend is governed by Rules 31 and 32 of the Statutory Rules and Orders made for the Pensions Appeal Tribunals, a copy of which I am forwarding to my hon. Friend. Where possible, the visit is performed by a member of the court which will actually decide the appeal. In a few cases, however, it is not possible to arrange this, particularly in cases under Rule 32 where a court moves to another centre immediately after hearing the next-of-kin. In every case there is a written report of the visit,which is laid before the tribunal. The appellant may nominate any person he wishes to appear before the court when his case is finally decided. Members of the tribunal have been instructed to ascertain in every case whether the appellant wishes to nominate a representative and to notify any such representative of the time and place of hearing.

:Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are cases on record in which individuals who happen to be in a sanatorium or similar institution cannot pay a representative to represent them at the appeal tribunal and the decision is given in their absence? In these cases does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that an appellant should be permitted a real representative?

:Perhaps my hon. Friend will put. down a question?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as the period for which representatives of local pensions committee were appointed members of advisory councils of the Pensions Ministry expires next month, local committees will be afforded opportunities similar to those of last year for the purpose of nominating their representatives on these councils?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second, that having regard to the short period for which these councils have been working, my right hon. Friend proposes to reappoint the existing members for a further period of one year

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the widows of naval ratings, of soldiers, and of airmen, do not get pensions, whereas in certain cases the widows of officers do; and whether he will refer this matter to the Co-ordinating Committee which is at present investigating matters affecting the three Services with a view to the granting of pansions to widows of Navy ratings, soldiers, and 'airmen?

:The Regulations already provide for the issue of pensions to the widows of naval ratings, soldiers, and airmen whose death is directly attributable to service. Provision for other cases will be included in the new Widows' Pensions Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the maximum age to which separation allowance is made in respect of the children of naval ratings and non-commissioned ranks in the Army and Air Force is 14 years: and whether, seeing that many service men are anxious to give their children the benefit of a higher grade education, particularly when they have qualified for it., he will refer this matter to the Co-ordinating Committee which is investigating matters affecting the services, with a view to raising the grant in respect of these children up to the level of 16 or 17 years?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. The practice in the three Services is on a common basis, and there is no occasion, therefore, to refer this matter to the Co-ordinating Committee.

:Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that where a service man is willing to keep his child at school to the age of 16 the authorities might extend some assistance to him?

:It is difficult to see why any such concession should be extended to the fighting services rather than to industry generally. I do not see that a service of this kind can be looked upon from any but an educational standpoint, and, therefore, it is in no sense suitable for reference to the Coordinating Committee.

:Why does the right hon. Gentleman compare the case of the fighting services to the case of industrial workers? Does he not know that the separation allowance is given because of the nature of the service, and will he look into the matter?

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to ask for legislative sanction for the new Imperial preference proposals?

:Legislative sanction will be given to the new preference proposals in the Finance Bill of the present year.

:Will the Bill be so drafted as to permit those who oppose these preferences to propose an effective Amendment?

:I cannot anticipate the publication of the text of the Bill.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman not well aware that there are some Amendments which cannot be proposed by private Members

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much sacrifice of revenue in the current year would be involved by an abatement of Income Tax to the extent of one-half the standard rate upon such part of the profits of companies registered under the Companies Acts as is put to reserve and not distributed in dividend, firstly, if the relief were extended to all such companies or, secondly, if the relief were limited to companies engaged in manufacture, construction, mining, and shipping, with a proviso in each case that if such moneys were not used for the renewal of plant or otherwise for the development of the business, but taken from reserve and distributed amongst shareholders either in cash or bonus shares, tax should forthwith become payable at the same rate as if the profits had been distributed in the first instance and not put to reserve?

:On the limited information available I estimate that the cost of reducing the Income Tax to half the proposed standard rate of 4s. on the profits of all companies (including statutory and chartered companies) put to reserve for the renewal and the development of the business, would be, roughly,£23,000,000. If the concession were restricted to companies engaged in manufacture, construction, mining or shipping, the estimated cost would be about £14,000,000.

:Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer distinguish between limited liability companies registered under the Companies Acts and chartered companies, so that the House may know the expense that would be involved in regard to the limited liability companies only, engaged in the four subjects of production mentioned in the question?

:I think it highly probable that I could distinguish between them, but I could not do so in answer to a supplementary question.

:I understand that. Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer be in a position to let the House have information in approximate time on that head, before the Committee stage of the Finance Bill?

:If my hon. and learned Friend will put a question on the Paper, I will see what information can be obtained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the incomes of companies are subject to Income Tax in France, Holland, and the United States; and whether tax is levied upon such portion of the companies' income as is distributed amongst shareholders?

:My information is to the following effect. In France, companies are subject to the schedular Income Tax on business profits on the whole of their profits. Dividends distributed are also subject, in the hands of the individual (a) to a schedular tax on income from securities, etc., and (b) as part of the individual's total income, to the general Income Tax. In Holland, dividends from companies are subject, in the hands of individuals, to the general Income Tax levied on the total income. In addition, companies are liable to a dividend tax, which is based upon the amount of dividends distributed. In the United States, individuals are liable to a normal tax at the rate of 6 per cent., subject to certain reliefs, and, in addition, when the total income exceeds $10,000, to graduated surtaxes. Companies are subject to a normal tax, at the rate of 12½ per cent., or 6½per cent. in excess of that levied upon individuals. In addition, companies are subject to a Capital Stock Tax, at the rate of one-tenth of one per cent. on the capital value of their stocks it excess of $5,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the officials of the Board of Inland Revenue in levying Income Tax on thrift funds and holiday savings clubs; whether such action has his consent or authority and, if not, will he take steps to see that a stop is put to this practice?

:There is no exemption from Income Tax in favour of thrift funds and holiday clubs; but where these funds or clubs are organised for the benefit of persons of small income, the Inland Revenue authorities allow a special arrangement under which the liability of the fund to tax in respect of interest and other income is restricted to that part of the income that is paid to members sufficiently wealthy to be liable to tax. Inquiries by the authorities in regard to such funds are mainly directed to secure that the relief from tax under this arrangement should he duly given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered putting a tax on the import of furs, natural and artificial, feathers, natural and artificial, and precious stones into this country; and what are the difficulties in the way or such a tax?

:In reply to this question, I can only say that in framing the Budget I followed the usual procedure of examining in all their aspects a great number of proposals for both the reduction and imposition of taxation, and that the results of my examination, so far as the present year is concerned, have been placed before the House.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last year furs and diamonds alone were imported to the total of over £20,000,000 Why has the right hon. Gentleman neglected this source of revenue? Are these not luxuries?

:Has my right hon. Friend given serious attention to this question, coming from the Liberal party, as one which might provide additional revenue?

:I think I have got quite enough Clauses and provisions in the Finance Bill of this year to satisfy us for this year, but I am quite ready to continue my search in future, and leave no fitting subject for taxation unexplored.

:Are we to gather from the answer that the policy of the Government is a progressive series of increased taxes?

:No, Sir. But our policy is certainly to examine with an open mind the possibility of raising a certain portion of our revenue from subjects of luxury consumption, and thereby to relieve the very heavy burdens on other taxpayers.

:Is it not a fact that a tax such as is proposed would seriously prejudice the friendly relations supposed to exist between this Government and the Soviets?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimate for the latest year available of the number of lbs. weight of silk imported into this country; what is the similar figure for the import of artificial silk and what is the estimate of the number of lbs. weight of artificial silk manufactured in this country annually?

:I have been asked to reply. The answer contains a number of figures, and, with the permission of the hon. Member, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of distillers producing alcohol for beverage use only, for industrial uses, and for industrial purposes only?

:The information in the possession of the Board of Customs and Excise shows that at the present time there are 138 distilleries at work in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Of these 118 produce alcohol for beverage use only, five for industrial use only, and 15 for both beverage and industrial use.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum of money paid in allowances to methylators of power and industrial methylated spirits for the financial year just closed?

:The total amount of allowances paid to methylators in the year ended 31st March, 1925, in respect of spirits used for making power and industrial spirits, was £118,759.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the serious handicap to the revival of trade caused by the burden of heavy local rates due to unemployment, he will receive a deputation representing the local authorities of those industrial districts where unemployment is most severe, in order that they may lay their case before him for some State assistance?

:The position in these areas has been repeatedly brought to the notice of this and previous Govern ments both by deputation and in other ways, and I can assure the hon. Member that there is no lack of appreciation on our part of their difficulties and that a very considerable measure of State assistance is already being given to them in various ways.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a deputation has not had the privilege of seeing himself on this question? Cannot he follow the precedent of his predecessors and receive a deputation?

:I should he quite ready, of course, to receive a deputation, when other public matters are less pressing, but for the fact that in regard to this matter the deputation should first of all go to the Minister of Health.

:Is consideration of this matter not more necessary now, in consequence of the heavy extra burdens to be expected from the right hon. Gentleman's Budget statement?

:We anticipate a large series of discussions in this House on that subject.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman still think that the method of rating which he and his party proposed to introduce prior to the War would go a long way to relieve local authorities?

asked the Minister of Labour the total contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts from 1st January, 1920, up to the 31st December, 1924, discriminating between the contributions of the insured workers themselves, their employers, and the State?

:As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that men who have been engaged on schemes of relief work under the West Ham Council and Guardians have been refused benefit by and through the Canning Town Employment Exchange, on the ground that they are not making every reasonable effort to obtain employment suited to their capacities and that they are not willing to accept such employment; whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the fact that such definite instructions to so disqualify such workers have been given in writing to the members of the rota committee by the officers of the Canning Town Employment Exchange; and whether he will issue definite instructions on this matter, indicating that all such stamps for periods of work are valid contributions to the benefit of a worker or absolve local authorities completely from the liability of such contributions and refund all such moneys so paid?

:If I understand him aright, what the hon. Member asks is that the acceptance of employment as relief work should be regarded as sufficient proof that a person is making every reasonable effort to obtain employment suited to his capacities and willing to accept such employment and is, therefore, qualified for extended benefit. I cannot accept this suggestion. Each case must be decided in the light of all the facts. As regards contributions, I assure the hon. Member that all those paid in respect of insurable relief work are valid contributions and are so treated.

:Am I to understand that the policy of the Ministry is that work under the relief schemes of the boards of guardians is not accepted as constituting" a reasonable effort to obtain employment," and will he kindly answer the first part of my question as to whether or not he is aware of the instructions issued by his officials to the rota committee?

:According to my information, no such instructions were issued. If the hon. Member will see me afterwards, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that the West Ham Board of Guardians have introduced a system of relief work whereby men are employed on jobs for such periods only as will permit them to earn wages equal to the amount they would otherwise receive in relief; whether he is aware that this exchange of labour is performed without any reference to the local Employment Exchanges; and whether he will take steps to see that the local Employment Exchange offers to the guardians the necessary skilled or unskilled labour at the current trade union rates of pay and conditions of labour generally?

:My right hon. Friend is aware that arrangements have been made by the West Ham guardians and by some other boards of guardians to secure, by co—operation with the local authorities, a certain measure of employment for persons who would otherwise be in receipt of relief and have no useful employment. As the persons employed under such schemes are selected from those who make application to the guardians it is unnecessary that the guardians should obtain the assistance of the local Labour Exchange.

:Is the Minister aware that people in West Ham under these schemes are only allowed to work the exact number of hours which will qualify them to earn the amount of money they would otherwise receive in relief; and does he realise that in West Ham these poor people have no chance of qualifying?

:I am not aware of those facts. If the hon. Member puts them to me, I will investigate them.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain boards of guardians, having allowed a man to work for one week, disqualify him from receiving relief for the next three weeks, so that a man has to live for a month on one week's wages; and will he look into that matter?

:I shall be very glad to look into the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average price at which the reserve of dollars was purchased by the Treasury; and what is the present value of this reserve of dollars bought as security against a gold drain?

At the present rate of exchange the $166,000,000 accumulated by the Treasury to cover debt payments to the United States of America are worth about 34¼million pounds. As the dollars represent the balance resulting from purchases, from interest on purchases, and from sales of securities acquired during the War after making periodic payments to the United States of America, it is not possible to give a precise figure of the average price of this residue.

It is obvious that these dollars having been bought before gold parity was reached cost more than what they would cost at par. To the extent that this is so, it is an indication of one of the advantages which the Exchequer will reap from the return to the gold standard.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us a rough estimate as to the amount of loss on these dollar purchases?

I have explained that it is extremely difficult to calculate. Of course, we are continually making these payments to America, every half-year, and we are continually accumulating dollars in order to be able to make our payments, and the estimate of the loss would require minute calculations in regard to many individual purchases of dollars which have been made from time to time in America, and that result would have to be measured against the actual value of the assets of exchange reserve at the time they were originally accumulated.

:Are we to understand, then, that there have been no special purchases such as the right hon. Gentleman alluded to in his Budget speech of 166,000,000 dollars in order to acquire this large reserve? Has that not involved special purchases at expensive prices?

:Oh, yes. Special purchases have been made. In the ordinary course of events we should have accumulated now for the June payment, but we have not merely accumulated for the June payment, but for the December payment as well, and that has entailed a greater amount of purchase of dollars during the last few months than would otherwise have taken place.