asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is considering the question of an extension of the Agricultural Credits Act of 1923 to include buyers of agricultural land who have purchased their holdings since the repeal of the Corn Production Act; and, if so, when he will be in a position to make a statement on the subject?

I am giving this matter careful consideration in conjunction with other questions of agricultural policy, but I am unable at present. to indicate definitely when I shall be in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered stimuiating the establishment all over the country of egg-preserving stations equipped with silicate of soda tanks, which at a comparatively small cost would have an aggregate capacity of many millions of eggs and dispense with some measure of foreign egg importation?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the Ministry is undertaking a series of intensive investigations into the methods of marketing agricultural produce in this country, and as regards eggs, particular attention is being paid to the problems of preservation and storage. Before considering what further steps can usefully be taken in the matter, I propose to await the results of these inquiries, which are being pushed on as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the date and terms of the Order appointing the Hop Controller and defining his powers?

Mr. Foster Clark's original authority to act as Hop Controller is an Order of the Food Controller dated 3rd September, 1917. In January, 1919, in consequence of a decision on the part of the Government to continue the hop control, he was formally re-appointed by an Order of the Food Controller made jointly with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. With my right hon. Friend's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of those Orders, which define the powers of the Hop Controller.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposals relating to the valuation and rating of premises containing machinery, which have been included in the Rating and Valuation Bill now before the House, have the approval of the Association of Municipal Corporations, the County Councils' Association, and the National Conference of Assessment Committees, respectively?

I have received representations from the Association of Municipal Corporations, the Federation of British Industries, the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and the Machinery Users' Association upon the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Rating of Machinery, but the precise proposals in the Bill have not been discussed with those bodies or the other organisations to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health the total increase in the assessments of property for the whole of England, excluding London, in each assessment period since the year 1922, and the amounts of the increase attributable to new houses and to enhanced rating, respectively?

The rateable values of all properties in England and Wales, excluding London, on the 1st April, 1923, and the 1st April, 1924, showed increases of £3, 356, 292 and £5, 127, 526 respectively when compared with those on the preceding 1st April. The returns received by my Department do not distinguish the amounts of the increase attributable to new houses and to enhanced rating.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is the intention of the Government to allow a sufficient time to elapse before the Second Reading of the Rating and Valuation Bill in order to permit of the local authorities and other parties interested an opportunity for consideration of the contents;(2) whether, for the convenience of Members and having regard to the important financial business before the House in connection with the Budget, he

Payable to Clerical Appropriators			Payable to Parochial Incumbents			Payable to Lay Impropriators			Payable to Schools and Colleges			Total
£	s	d	£	s	d	£	s	d	£	s	d	£	s	d
18,146	12	1	95,572	8	91	21,417	16	21	4,117	1	3	139,253	18	4

These sums have, of course, since been reduced by redemption, merger and other means, and such reduction may be roughly estimated at 20 per cent., but as extinguishment may take place in certain cases without reference to the Ministry or its predecessors, it is not possible to state the annual value of the tithe rent-charge now payable in the administrative counties of East and West Sussex respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any representations from boards of guardians in the Metropolitan area asking that the per

In view of the fact that the Bill, in its main outlines, follows the draft Bill which was circulated to local authorities and other interests concerned some 18 months ago, I do not think that it is necessary to defer the Second Reading of the Bill as suggested.

asked the hon. Member for North-East Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, what is the estimated total annual value of the tithe rent-charge payable in the administrative counties of East and West Sussex, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. According to a Return as regards individual parishes, furnished to the House of Commons and ordered to be printed on the 4th May, 1848, the total commuted amount of tithe rent-charge in the county of Sussex was as follows:capita contribution of 9d. under the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund Regulations should be increased to ls.; and, if so, whether he proposes to accede to the request?

I have received representations to this effect from five Boards of Guardians out of 28 on the subject. I do not at present propose to introduce legislation for the amendment of the Local Authorities (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1924.

asked the Minister of Health the amounts borrowed by the guardians of the unions of Bedwellty, Sheffield, West Ham, Newcastle-on-Tyne and Barrow-in-Furness for payment of out-relief during the last five years; and how much has been repaid in each case?

Excluding the amounts of sums borrowed by way of purely temporary overdraft the figures are as follow:

Union		Loans authorised	Repayments
		£	£
Bedwellty	…	419,000	81,000
Sheffield	…	1,028,000	340,000
West Ham	…	1,750,000	260,000
Newcastle-on-Tyne	…	Nil	Nil
Barrow-in-Furness	…	175,000	Nil
*On the 1st April, 1924, Ecclesall Bierlow Union was amalgamated with the Sheffield Union. A loan of £200, 000 was outstanding at Ecclesall Bierlow, £100, 000 of which had been repaid.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in the Metropolitan area receiving old age pensions are also in receipt of Poor Law relief?

On the 1st January, 1925, there were, in the Metropolitan area, 11, 773 persons in receipt of old age pensions who were also in receipt of Poor Law relief.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state approximately, for 1911-12, and also for the latest date for which statistics are available, the total number of Poor Law medical officers for the indoor and outdoor relief systems, respectively; their total annual salaries in each case; and the number at each period of the persons in receipt of medical relief only?

I am unable to state the actual number of Poor Law medical officers as in many instances the same medical officer may hold two or more separate posts. In 1911-12 there were 1, 063 institutional posts of the kind and 3, 760 outdoor posts. On the 1st January, 1921, there were 1, 129 institutional posts and 3, 538 outdoor posts. I regret that information as to the salaries paid is not available, but I am sending the right hon. Member a statement giving such information as is available. The number of persons in receipt of outdoor medical relief only at the end of March, 1912, was 22, 577, the corresponding figures for 1921 and 1924 being 13, 232 and 17, 405.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state, for the latest date for which statistics or estimates are available, the number and percentage of the inmates of workhouses, not being separate infirmaries or schools, who are children under 14, persons certified as of unsound mind or mentally deficient, sane persons over 70 years of age, and, if possible, bed lying cases under medical treatment?

On the 1st January, 1924, 11, 470 children under 16 years of age and 9, 287 persons certified under the Lunacy Acts, the Idiots Act, 1886, or the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, were inmates of Poor Law institutions other than separate establishments for children or for persons suffering from disease of body or mind. These figures represent respectively 8'6 and DO per cent of the population of the institutions in which they were maintained. 43, 591 persons over 70 years of age were on the same date inmates of Poor Law institutions, and represented 21'4 per cent. of the population of those institutions. Of these, 40, 845 were not maintained in wards or institutions provided for cases of mental infirmity, but it is impossible to state the exact number that were not mentally infirm. I regret that I am also unable to state the number of children under 14 or the number of bed-lying cases under medical treatment.

asked the Minister of Health whether, when he is appointing persons to serve on the Metropolitan Asylums Board, he will consider nominations made by the London Labour Party and the London Trades Council?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the next valuation of the approved societies would show an available surplus for distribution of benefits of between£15, 000, 000 and £20, 000, 000; and whether he will consider the existence of such a surplus from the point of view of whether the weekly contributions need be on the present large scale, and from that of the possibilities of pooling health insurance with the other social insurance schemes of the Government, respectively?

I am aware that it has been estimated that the surpluses available for distribution as a result of the second valuation of approved societies and branches may amount in the aggregate to the figures stated. As regards the second part of the question, the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance have now under review the whole financial structure of the scheme, and I propose to await their findings.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that so-called headache and nerve powders sold by a number of small traders frequently contain acetanilyde, a drug which, if improperly used, is likely, to be dangerous, as was proved at an inquest on the body of a young woman at Trowbridge, near whose body was found a packet of a powder which contained the said drug; and is he prepared to recommend that powders containing this drug shall be placed upon the dangerous list?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand, however, that the evidence in the particular case quoted indicated that an excessive dose had been taken deliberately, and I am advised that it is a matter of controversy whether acetanilyde, though its action may be injurious, can properly be regarded as a poison in the ordinary sense. It does not come within the terms of the Dangerous Drugs Acts and pending legislation for the control of secret remedies I doubt whether effective steps can be taken to restrict the sale of headache powders containing this drug.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state approxi- mately, for the latest date for which statistics or estimates are available, the total number of hospitals maintained by the local sanitary authorities in England and Wales; the total number of their beds, of their medical and nursing staffs, and of the patients treated during the year; and the estimated total annual charge for this service on the local rates?

At the present time there are approximately 1, 100 hospitals with about 44, 000 beds maintained by the local sanitary authorities in England and Wales for the treatment of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis. I have no complete information as to the total medical and nursing staffs of these hospitals, nor as to the number of patients treated therein. The expenditure falling on the rates in respect of this service, including the estimated proportion of the net cost of the tuberculosis scheme, was approximately £3, 631, 000 in 1922-23, the last year for which complete figures are available.

asked the Minister of Health how many blind persons over the age of 16 there are in the United Kingdom; how many of these are in the workhouses; how many live in institutions and hostels for the blind; and how many in each of the above categories are totally blind, or so blind as to be unable to do work for which eyesight is essential, respectively?

According to the most recent returns there are in England and Wales 33, 564 blind persons over 16 years of age. Of these, it is estimated that approximately 3, 000 are in workhouses or workhouse infirmaries, 638 blind persons are resident in homes for the blind, and 190 in hostels. No statistics are available for a classification of these blind persons in the manner suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the system of building construction de- vised. by Councillor Crane, of Nottingham, who is also a builder; and what steps the Ministry is taking towards promoting constructional work on these lines?

Some time ago I authorised as an experiment the erection of a pair of houses to be built according to this system as part of the council's housing scheme. I understand that these houses have now been completed, and I am arranging for them to be inspected by one of my technical officers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Chief Inspector of the Scottish Board of Health recently carried out an inquiry in regard to the housing conditions in Motherwell and Wishaw; that his Report deals with 989 houses or thereabouts, all without inside water supply; that of these he recommends that 420 be closed at once as not fit for human habitation and a further 114 if necessary repairs are not carried out; and what steps he proposes to take in view of the conditions revealed in the Report in regard to sanitation, water supply and housing?

The particulars contained in the hon. Member's question regarding housing conditions in Motherwell and Wishaw are as stated in the recent Report of the Chief Housing Inspector of the Scottish Board of Health. A copy of that Report was forwarded to the town council who are giving the matter their serious attention. The 989 houses referred to are embraced in 38 properties. The owners of 18 of these properties have been interviewed by the Housing Committee of the town council. In some cases the owners have signified their intention of carrying out repairs accordingly, and it has been remitted to the medical officer of health and the sanitary inspector to report as to what repairs are required and the estimated cost involved. Notices? of closing orders have been served on the owners of five additional properties, and in the case of a further two properties the owners have indicated that they will offer no resistance to whatever steps the town council suggest should be taken with regard to the closing of the houses.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of young women from the ages of 16 to 30 drawing unemployment benefit at the present time?

Statistics are not regularly compiled as to the ages of claimants to unemployment benefit, but the results of a special analysis made in November, 1924, in respect of 1 per cent. of the claimants to benefit at that date show that 66. 1 per cent. of the female claimants were in the age group 16 to 29 years inclusive. On this basis the number in this age group at the present time would be about 137, 700.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the scarcity of female domestic help, he can see his way to so tighten up the Regulations relating to unemployed benefit as to preclude any able-bodied young woman from drawing the same on the ground of unsuitability for indoor service?Mr. BETTERTON: If domestic service appears to be suitable employment for a female claimant, having regard to her previous industrial experience, such employment is already offered to her. If she refuses it her claim is referred to the Insurance officer, who is one of the statutory authorities for giving a decision. He takes into account all the circumstances of the case. On the other hand, the hon. Member will, of course, recollect that nearly one-third of the women on the registers of the Employment Exchanges are unemployed operatives in the textile trades.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the many recent prosecutions of people fraudulently drawing, or attempting to draw, unemployment benefit, he will issue such Regulations as will minimise the continuance of this illegal practice?

The average number of prosecutions during the last seven months has been at the rate of about 160 per month, or a little under 2, 000 per annum. On the hypothesis that about 3, 500, 000 persons are at one time or another during the year claiming unemployment benefit, this is a percentage of '055. From this it will be seen that, while the actual number of wrongful claims must in itself be considerable, yet it is a comparatively small percentage of the total of those who at one time or another claim benefit. The prevention of the improper receipt of benefit is a matter to which the closest attention is given, and all practical steps are taken to safeguard the Unemployment Fund from abuse.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue an instruction to the Court of Referees that when a claimant for unemployment benefit has been refused benefit by the Insurance officer, on the report of the claimant's employer, the employer will he compelled to appear before the Court of Referees to substantiate the report upon which the Insurance officer has acted?

I am advised that Courts of Referees have no power of compelling witnesses to attend before them, and I am further advised that it is far from clear that any means exist under present legislation to make such attendance compulsory. I have no evidence that the procedure hitherto followed has not been satisfactory, and in the absence of such evidence I think it would not be really in the interests of claimants to take any steps in the direction suggested in the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that Miss E. L. Woolley (serial number 17, 196 at Hackney Employment Exchange) was deprived of her unemployment benefit by the Court of Referees for the Metropolitan district on the 16th April last on the ground that she was not genuinely seeking work, the only evidence against her being that she had refused work from Mr. Freedman, of 53, Well Street, Hackney, to whom she had been sent by the Hackney Employment Exchange, although she states, and states truly, that she refused such work because Mr. Freedman would not agree to the amount of wages to be paid, he will say whether unemployed persons are bound to accept work from any person who refuses to agree to the rate of remuneration; and whether Miss E. L. Woolley can be given leave to appeal from such decision?

I am having inquiries made into Miss Woolley's case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible. I should mention, however, that the question whether an applicant for unemployment benefit is genuinely seeking work falls to be determined, not by me but by the statutory machinery of the Insurance Officer, Court of Referees and Umpire.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of members on the Rota Committee which functions at the Govan Employment Exchange, the number of meetings held since 1st January, 1925, the number of meetings to which each member was summoned, and the number of meetings attended by each member?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member when the necessary information has been obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of unemployed per 1, 000 of the population in each European country and the United States, taking the latest comparative figures available?

No statistics are available showing either the total number of persons unemployed or the proportion of the total population unemployed in European countries or in the United States. I am sending my hon. Friend, however, a copy of the current issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette, "which contains the most recent figures relating to unemployment in various countries for which data are published.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will enter into negotiations with the leading industrial countries at the earliest possible moment in order to secure agreement on the conditions under which the International Convention for the Regulation of Hours of Industrial Employment can be simultaneously ratified?

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, if any, he proposes to take to induce the leading industrial Powers to agree to implement the provisions of the Washington Convention by simultaneous legislative regulation of the hours of industrial employment?

I can only refer my hon. Friends to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn).

asked the Minister of Labour whether full inquiries were made, with a view to preventing injury being done to British musicians, before permits were granted to a band of Spanish musicians, lately performing at the Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo, and brought to this country to commence an engagement on 4th May at the Hotel Metropole, London; and whether he is aware that the imported band is to do the work of two British bands who have been dismissed on 2nd May to make way for these aliens?

Before permits under the Alien's Order were issued in respect of the orchestra in question, full inquiries were made. The hotel company employ in all 10 band's, nine British, one foreign; two of the British bands are employed abroad. I understand that the services of one temporary British band of 11 musicians have been dispensed with, but two other British hands (one of nine musicians and one of four) have been engaged by the hotel company, the former for employment at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, the latter at the Hotel Metropole. I am satisfied that the interests of British musicians have been safeguarded.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of the Government industrial training scheme for ex-service men for the financial year 1924-25, in- cluding maintenance allowances for trainees, expenditure on training institutions, cost of administration, and expenses incurred by Departments other than the Ministry of Labour?

The cost of the industrial training scheme for ex-service men for the financial year 1924-25, including maintenance allowances for trainees, expenditure on training institutions, cost of administration and expenses incurred by Departments other than the Ministry of Labour, was approximately £1, 750, 000.

asked the Ministry of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that 60 of the principal permanent posts of the Ministry of Pensions are occupied by persons who did not serve with the forces during the War, and that 39 of these appointments have been made in the last three years, during which period a considerable number of ex-service men have been discharged as redundant, he will take steps to have some of the 60 principals replaced by ex-service officers or men, particularly in the secretariat and branches dealing with applications for pensions and' matters of policy relating thereto?

As I explained in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) on the 28th ultimo, the permanent officers referred to are all men of considerable established service under the State who were above military age or were found unfit for military service or were compulsorily retained in the interests of public administration. The suggestion now made that some of them should be substituted by ex-service officers or men could not be carried out without a serious interruption of the work of the Ministry, it would not increase the number of ex-service officers in the permanent Civil Service; and in the interests of proper and effective administration I am not prepared to adopt it. I would add that although 39 appointments specifically mentioned in the question were only made during the last three years, the large majority of these appointments involved no addition to the personnel, the additional posts being due to the scheme of regrading of the Civil Service drawn up in 1921, but not applied till 1922.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will furnish a statement showing the total number of. permanent officers of the rank of principal clerk and above, and the number of those who served in the forces during the War who were employed on 1st January, 1925, in each of the following branches of the Ministry of Pensions at London headquarters: secretariat, officers' awards, establishment, local administration, and pension issue office?

The figures required are as follow:—

Branch	No. of permanent officers of rank of Principal Clerk and above on 1st January, 1925.	No. who served in the Forces during the War.
Headquarters Administration	8	1
Officers' Awards	8	1
Establishment	3	—
Local Administration	2	2
Pension Issue Office	8	2

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of a man awarded treatment with allowances and receiving at the same time from his employers an amount equal to his health insurance benefit, any deduction is made by the Ministry from the allowances?

I would remind the hon. Member that, by the express terms of Article 6 of the Warrant, the special increased allowances authorised by that Article are only payable when the pensioner is found to be unable, in consequence of the course of treatment given him, to provide for the support of himself and his family. It is, therefore, a condition of the grant of these allowances that the pensioner shall not, at the same time, draw both the maximum allowance and also either wages or other payment from his employers, such as sick pay, in lieu of wages. This is a reasonable condition, and is one which the Ministry have con- sistently adopted since the Pension Warrants assumed their present form in 1917.

asked the Minister of Pensions, in view of the fact that George Henry Howe, 11/M/144, 389, 30, Chalgrove Road, Tottenham, who, on 11th August, 1922, received a final award of 6d. per week for 35 weeks for rheumatism and is certified by his doctor to be still suffering from rheumatism and unable to follow his employment, whether he can give any further consideration to this case?

I am looking into the facts of this case and will communicate with the hon. Member when the inquiries have been completed.Mr. J. GUEST asked the Minister of Pensions what is the present interpretation of removal from duty; and if he will issue instructions that the date of removal from duty shall be that on which service in the Navy, Army or Air Force terminated?

The term "removal from duty" in connection with a disability which is the subject of a claim to pension is defined in the Royal Warrant of 21st June, 1922, as the first authorised absence from duty during the War on account of such disability. The bearing of a removal from duty on a subsequent claim to pension is that it affords clear evidence of the existence of the disability at the time of the removal, and no importance could be attached to the term if it were arbitrarily defined in the manner suggested by the hon. Member, or in any other manner not in agreement with the facts.

asked the Treasurer of the Household the number of ex service men who have been permitted to re-submit to the appeal tribunal cases in which they have lost their right of appeal through delay; and whether he will also give the number of cases in which the appeals have been heard, the number of appeals admitted, and the number of those rejected?

:Up to the 28th April, 1925, 4, 040 cases had been submitted to the pensions appeal tribunals for England and Wales in which it was alleged that the appellant had exceeded the statutory time limit for making his appeal. In 3, 354 cases the tribunals found that the statutory limit had been exceeded and that they had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal. 541 cases were heard and allowed, 125 heard and disallowed and 20 withdrawn by the appellants.

asked the Treasurer of the Household if he is aware that in certain cases where ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis and inmates of sanatoria have a medical board inside the institution consisting of an examination by one doctor; that the appeal tribunal deals with the case in the absence of the appellant who cannot leave the institution and who cannot afford to pay the expenses of a representative; and, in view of the dissatisfaction this is causing amongst ex-service men, will he delay these appeals until the man is in a fit condition to appear, or alternatively, meet the expenses of any representative chosen by the appellant to deal with the case on his behalf?

The procedure in cases where appellants are unable to attend before a pensions appeal tribunal is laid down in Rule 31 of the Statutory Rules and Orders of the pensions appeal tribunals. The appellant is always given the option of having his case dealt with under this Rule or of waiting until he is sufficiently recovered to appear before the tribunal. I am forwarding a copy of Rule 31 for the hon. Member's information.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the shortage of houses and the desire of many disabled men to purchase their houses, he will consider the possibility of making an advance of pension to men who are unable to commute, as their pension is less than 14s. a week on the rates laid down in the Royal Warrant of 1918, so that the men may have sufficient money to make the deposit necessary before a house can be purchased?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Lanark (Mr. S. Mitchell) on the 4th May, and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the large number of disabled ex-service men who are unable to take their place in industry by reason of their disability due to war service, he will consider the reopening of the centres for concurrent treatment and training, and also the establishment of village centres for disabled men on the lines of Enham and Preston?

I regret that I do not see my way to accept the hon. Member's suggestion. I should explain that the accommodation at present provided by my Department for concurrent treatment and training is ample to meet all demands, and that the purpose of these centres is to enable training to be commenced by a man who is unfit for training under ordinary industrial conditions because he still requires treatment.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as the Central Advisory Council of the Ministry of Pensions is a statutory body, including among its members persons who are Members of the House, he will place in the Library, for the information of Members, copies of the Minutes of any meetings the Central Advisory Council may hold?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the North-Eastern Division of Bethnal Green (Mr. Windsor) on the 2nd April, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps have been taken to call a joint conference between the Board of Education, employers and trade unions to discuss the arrangements of industry for receiving juveniles, and educational arrangements for keeping them at school?

I should be glad if my hon. Friend would put this question to me again in a week's time.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the estimated number of blind, deaf, physically and mentally defective and epileptic children in England; what is the total accommodation provided in special schools; and what will be the estimated expense of providing the increased accommodation needed as foreshadowed in Circular No. 1, 349 addressed to local education authorities?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by me on the 9th March, 1925, to the hon. Member for West Leeds (Mr. Stamford), a copy of which I am sending him. With regard to the last part, the material upon which to frame such an estimate as that asked for is not at present available, but I am considering the whole matter in consultation with the local authority in every area.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a Committee to investigate Civil Service administration in all Departments, and to report on the best method of simplifying it without impairing its efficiency?

I share my hon. Friend's view as to the importance of efficiency in public administration, but I doubt the advantage of the procedure which he suggests. While of course resort may on occasion be desirable in the future, as in the past, to specific orad hocinquiry, it is my conviction that as one of his most responsible duties the Prime Minister of the day should watch and examine continuously and from within, with all the assistance he can command, the working of the machine of Government. This method, though in no way spectacular, is in my judgment, best adapted to secure organic development, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the problem is receiving my unremitting attention.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the fact that, at a recent inquest held in Southwark, it was proved that the death of a docker was found to be due to anthrax, contracted through dust rising from dry hides; are all the statutory precautions being taken at wharves where these hides are handled; and is he prepared to issue an order for the compulsory sterilisation of all hides, with a view to minimising in every possible way the danger of anthrax infection?

There have been two recent cases in this area. The statutory precautions applicable are those contained in the Hides and Skins Regulations made under the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, and the Chief Inspector of Factories informs me that these are in general well observed, and that neither of the cases referred to was due to any breach of the Regulations. I regret that it is not practicable to issue an Order as suggested, as there is at present no known effective method of sterilising hides which does not seriously damage them for commercial purposes.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give a list of the occupations or professions followed by those men and women condemned to death in British Courts since 1901?

I do not think that the value of such a statement would justify the labour involved in its compilation?

asked the Horne Secretary whether he has any evidence that persons of Russian origin and Bolshevist politics are succeeding, under the cover of naturalisation as citizens of the United States, America, in entering this country to carry on subversive designs; and, if he has such evidence, whether his existing powers enable him to deal promptly and effectively with such persons?

I have no such evidence; but I may say that the provisions of the Aliens Order apply equally to all aliens and give ample powers to deal with any such case as is suggested in the question.

asked. the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recently discovered plot against the life of a Cabinet Minister; whether there is evidence of any connection between the originators of this plot and those responsible for the recent outrage in Sofia; and whether any further precautionary measures are deemed advisable?

I do not think it is in the public interest to make any statement on this matter except to say that careful attention is given to any warnings that may be received, and all necessary precautions are taken to guard against any contingency of the kind suggested, however remote that contingency may seem.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to a case heard at Old Street Police Court, in November, 1924, when a man of 41 was convicted of indecent assault on two children of 11 and 12 years of age; if he is aware that one of these children was seriously injured physically, but that the person convicted was only sentenced to four months' imprisonment; and will he, in view of the increasing number of these assaults on little children, see that where there is a prosecuting solicitor for the police the magistrate is pressed to send the case for trial, in order that where conviction follows a heavier punishment may he inflicted?

Power was given by the Children Act to deal with these cases summarily for the special purpose of avoiding the necessity for committal for trial in the interests of the children. The offences in this case were of a serious character. The magistrate would have been fully justified in passing the maximum sentence allowed by the Act, namely, six months' imprisonment in respect of each case.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state, for the year 1924, what was the quantity and what was the country of origin of the raw opium imported into this country; and what quantity of imported raw opium was supplied in that year to the two morphia factories?

The statistics for 1924 are not yet completed, but I can give the hon. and gallant Member provisional figures. The imports of raw opium amounted to 135, 792 lbs., of which 74, 400 came from India, 58, 888 from Turkey, 653 from Persia and 1, 851 from the Balkans. The two morphine manufacturing firms obtained during the year, by import or by purchase in this country, 109, 004 lbs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of imports of manufactured goods in the year 1923, and for the last completed 12 months?

The total value of wholly or mainly manufactured articles registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1923, amounted to £256, 979, 000, and during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1925, to 314, 741, 000. As from 1st April, 1923, the figures are exclusive of direct imports into the Irish Free State.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of exports of British manufactures during the last completed 12 months to the British Empire and to European countries, respectively?

I am sorry that I cannot yet give my hon. and gallant Friend the information. The January trade accounts gave our total exports to the several countries of the British Empire, and of Europe, for the year 1924. It takes some time to make the analysis to enable the Board to publish separate particulars of the 1924 exports of "manufactured" goods to particular countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will explain why in certain cases the full royalties payable in respect of restored Austrian copyrights instead of only 25 per cent. thereof have, by the direction of the administrator, 'been paid to Austrian nationals notwithstanding the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1914, and the Trading with the Enemy (Copyright) Act, 1916, and the Statutory Rules and Orders issued there under which provide that 75 per cent. of all such royalties shall be paid to the administrator and 25 per cent. only of such royalties to Austrian nationals?

I am not aware of any cases of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend, and I shall be glad if he will furnish me with further particulars. There are, of course, cases in which royalties in respect of restored copyrights have been and are being paid to persons who were nationals of the former Austrian Empire, but who, by operation of the Treaty of St. Germain, have acquired new nationality. The Statutory Rules and Orders refered to by the hon. Member do not apply to such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the ratio of direct to indirect taxation during the present financial year if the Budget proposals become law, and the ratios for the financial years 1913–14, 1919–20 and 1923–24?

:It is estimated that direct taxation will be 66 per cent. of the total tax revenue in the current year, as compared with 51 per cent. in 1913–14, 72 per cent. in 1919–20, and 63½ per cent. in 1923–24.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the taxation per head in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, respectively?

:The figures are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider advancing the date of the reimposition of the McKenna, Duties, in view of the fact that abnormally increased consignments of motor cars, pianos, clocks, and other goods are being dumped daily in anticipation of these duties, and that substantial revenue is thereby being lost to the State?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Torquay (Commander Williams).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has prepared, for purposes of Customs and Inland Revenue, a definition of artificial silk?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Finance. Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to determine the amount of the annual contribution of the Irish Free State to Imperial funds under Article 5 of the Treaty; and when will be the proper time for such payments to commence?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies which were given to the hon. Member for Reading (Mr. H. Williams) on the 30th April, to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 4th instant, and to the hon. Member for North Lanark on the 5th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, under his proposed pension scheme, a man who has recently gone off National Health contributions because of his wages reaching the maximum, will, at the age of 65, be entitled to a pension; and will the widow of such a man he entitled to a pension?

It is provided in Clause 13 of the Bill that any man who has been continuously insured under the National Health Insurance Act for 104 weeks and has paid 104 weekly contributions, but has ceased to be so insured before the inception of the new scheme, may then resume insurance as a voluntary contributor, in which case both he and his wife will be qualified for the pensions provided in the Bill, subject to the usual conditions.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large additions to standing charges which the changes proposed by the new Insurance Bill will inflict upon the industry of this country, already burdened by the existing contributions to national health and unemployment insurance, he will appoint a select or other Committee in order to consider the effect of all such charges on the competitive capacity of British industry in foreign markets, their effect on the wages of the workers, and the economic advantage and disadvantage of the present distribution of such burdens between the investors in industrial enterprise, the workers, and the other members of the community?

The proposed scheme of contributory pensions was only adopted by the Government after the fullest consideration had been given to such matters as are referred to in the question. The proposals embodied in the Bill represent the result of a careful balancing of the various factors involved and now that they have been submitted to the judgment of the House, I do not think that there would be any advantage in the adoption of the course suggested by the right hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that thousands of arms, including toy pistols which are easily convertible into dangerous weapons, are freely entering this country by parcels post; and whether arms sent to this country by this means are included in the Returns of Customs and Excise and are classified as arms?

Lethal firearms and other lethal weapons from which a missile can be discharged are prohibited to be imported except under licence, and I have no reason to think that importations of such articles without licence are taking place through the parcels post, but if the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish any instances of which he may have knowledge, I will have inquiries made. Separate statistics of arms imported through the parcels post are not kept by the Customs and Excise Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the legal proceedings connected with the failure of the completion of the purchase of Rich-borough for £1, 407, 000 in 1921 have now been completed; and if any amount has been received, and what have been the costs of the legal proceedings?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, it will not be possible to state the amount of the costs until the legal proceedings have been completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total number of persons employed, whole or part time, under the Disposal Board or Liquidation Commission; what is the annual cost of office accommodation and salaries, respectively; what is the total estimated value of war stores, plant, machinery, etc., yet to be disposed of; how much of this is expected to be sold during the present financial year; what is the average amount of the nominal value written off annually through depreciation, etc.; and by how much are the staff and overhead charges of this Department reduced in proportion to sales carried out?

The total number of persons employed whole or part time under the Surplus Stores, etc., Liquidation Department of the Treasury, to which I assume the hon. and gallant Member refers, including messengers and cleaners, but excluding industrial staff employed at depots, etc., was 169 on 1st April last, and their salaries, wages, etc., amounted to £54, 495 per annum. I am informed by His Majesty's Office of Works that the annual cost of the office accommodation of the headquarters' staff, inclusive of rent, rates, maintenance, fuel, lighting, etc., is £5, 685. It is not possible to add the value of the accommodation provided for office staff in depots, but the amount of this is relatively small.Including factories, lands and buildings, the estimated value as at 1st April, 1925, of surplus property and material to be disposed of was £3, 250, 000. Apart from factories, some of which are proving difficult to dispose of, it is anticipated that all other surplus material will be sold during the current financial year. The stocks, etc., in hand are re-valued from time to time, in accordance with market prices, but it would not be possible without considerable labour to distinguish the variation in the total value due to reduction of stocks, from that due to depreciation or appreciation.As regards the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, I would point out that the duties of the Surplus Stores, etc., Liquidation Department, comprise not only the sale of stores, but the liquidation of the commitments of the late Ministry of Munitions, and the completion of various sale contracts made in the past and the collection of money in respect of them.I am satisfied that the staff and overhead charges of the Department have been reduced in proportion to the decrease of its work.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the recommendation of Lord MacKenzie's Trawling Committee's Report of last year, that a scheme of pensions or superannuation for the officers and men of the Scottish Fishery Board would be to the advantage of the service, has been considered; and, if not, will he take. an early opportunity of considering it, in view of the fact that the officers and crews have been waiting for two years in expectation of such a scheme?

:The Committee's recommendation on this subject is receiving consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that married ex-service men are being engaged through the Employment Exchanges as part-time night telephonists at 1s. per hour; that the hours worked are approximately 18 per week; that the men engaged, although earning only 18s. per week, out of which they have to pay 4s. per week travelling money, are debarred from unemployment benefit; and whether he will take steps either to increase the amount or the number of hours so that the men thus employed can obtain a living wage?

I am aware of the facts stated, but the attendances required are only for two or three hours in the evening (usually after 8 p. m.), and there is no available work which can be added. The posts are intended to he filled by persons who have other part-time employment or other means of livelihood, but it is not practicable, in present circumstances, to refuse to employ candidates who are otherwise unemployed. I am, however, making inquiry as to the rate of pay.

asked the Postmaster-General when the Committee, which has been sitting for years to consider the Report on the Allocation of Sorting Office Duties, is likely to report?

I am unable to say. The subject is one of considerable intricacy, and the deliberations of the Committee have been delayed by various circumstances over which it has had no control.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any agreement has been come to with the German Government as to the passage of British aircraft over German territory; and, if BO, whether any modification is to be made in Part XI and Article 202 of the Treaty of Versailles?

As regards the first part of the question, the German authorities have agreed to an arrangement which will place the regular air services on the lines London-Amsterdam-Berlin and London-Brussels-Cologne on a more permanent footing than hitherto, but it has not been found possible to reach agreement in regard to other services across German territory. Arrangements have also been made to simplify the procedure for obtaining permission for individual flights to and across Germany not undertaken as part of a regular air service. As regards the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Air whether he can give the House the mileage travelled by air and the approximate amount of time saved by this means of transport in the recent visit of inspection carried out by himself and the Secretary of State for the Colonies?

The total distance travelled by air by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and myself in the course of our recent tour of inspection in the Middle East was approximately 3, 500 miles. I am unable to give any figure for the amount of time saved, but our itinerary included localities almost inaccessible to all but the most primitive forms of ground transport, and to have visited these localities by any other means than the air would have entailed an absence from England of months, not weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that officers of the Royal Air Force have resumed duty after forced landings that broke two or four limbs; and whether, in view of this example, he will consider the advisability of granting additional emoluments, in the shape of pay or pensions, to Air Force officers that have received serious injuries on duty?

An officer who sustains injuries of the nature referred to in the question does not resume duty in the Royal Air Force unless and until he is reported fit for service by a board of medical officers. When the injury is caused by flying duty the normal period of sick leave on full pay is 12 months, which may be extended up to a further period of six months. The suggestion contained in- my hon. Friend's question is, in effect, one for the reintroduction of a system which was very fully considered and rejected in 1921, and I do not see any good reason for a reconsideration of that decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the practice of the different self-governing Dominions in regard to relief of appointed governors in direct taxation, and in regard to Customs duties on things a new-appointed governor may feel it necessary to bring into the Dominion for purposes of entertainment?

So far as I am aware, the general practice in the self-governing Dominions is to grant exemption of Income Tax on the official salary of the Governor-General or Governor, and also of Customs Duties on articles imported for his personal use.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there are many British subjects dependent upon Poor Law relief in this country who are owed large sums by the Soviet Government for confiscated property and. repudiated debts; and whether, in such case, he will take immediate steps to press the Soviet Government for a settlement, with a view to relieving the British taxpayer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but as regards the second part, I regret to say that I do not see what steps can be taken at the present moment that would be in the least likely to prove effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any information from the British Legation in Sofia as to the number of persons who have been arrested by the Bulgarian Government in connection with the explosion in the cathedral at Sofia on 16th April; if he has any information as to the number of persons who have been killed In resisting arrest, or by any other means following on the explosion in the cathedral: and if the Government will use its influence to induce the League of Nations to investigate and report upon the causes of the disturbed condition obtaining in Bulgaria?

According to information received by His Majesty's Minister at Sofia, from official sources, the total number of persons arrested was 2, 000, of whom 400 were subsequently liberated, and 20 persons were killed while resisting arrest in Sofia. I have no reason to doubt these figures, but equally, no means of verifying them. I cannot say what number of persons have been killed in the provinces or otherwise than as a result of resisting arrest or what? casualties there may have been among the police or soldiers. As regards the last part of the question, it is no part of the functions of the League of Nations to interfere in the internal affairs of any country, so long as specific duties assigned to the League by treaty are not affected.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how much money has been spent since 1919 in purchasing land for afforestation; the value of the sheep stocks, if any, taken over on each estate purchased; and if these stock purchases were bought at a valuation or at a market value?

The Forestry Commissioners have spent since 1919 £167, 325 in purchasing land for afforestation, the price being inclusive of cottages and other buildings thereon. They have taken over sheep stocks on three estates purchased, in two cases at market value, totalling £2, 393, and in the third at acclimatisation value, £6, 613.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines that have been closed since October, 1994; the number of men thrown out of employment by the closing of the mines; the number of collieries reopened and the number re-employed during this period; and will he give the names and situation of the collieries?

Two hundred and seventy six coal mules, normally employing 55, 300 wage-earners, have been closed since 1st November, 1924, and not reopened; 40 per cent. of these were small pits employing less than 20 persons. During the same period 90 mines at present employing 10, 600 wage-earners have been opened or re-opened. I am having lists prepared of these mines and I will send them to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet given his sanction to any proposal for the construction of underground roads in London; and, if so, what is the nature of the proposal?

No definite proposal has been submitted for the construction of a new underground road or road tunnel in London.