asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of hops imported into the United Kingdom for the last five years for which statistics are available?

The following statement shows for each of the years specified the quantity and declared value of hops imported into the United Kingdom:

Year			Quantity	Declared Value
			Cwts	£
1920	…	…	459,561	8,823,330
1921	…	…	220,127	3,809,290
1922	…	…	130,360	1,557,382
1923	…	…	13,442	130,511
1924	…	…	95,246	999,395

As from 1st April, 1923, the figures are exclusive of direct imports into the Irish Free State. According to statistics published by the Irish Free State Government, the direct imports of hops into that country in 1924 from outside the British Isles amounted to 28,875 cwts., valued at £241,959

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under the Finance (1909-10) Act, Section 60, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the purposes of Estate Duty, in estimating the principal value of any property, are to fix the price according to the market price at the time of the death without allowing any reduction on the ground that the whole property is to be placed on the market at one and the same time, unless it is proved to. the Commissioners that the value of the property has been depreciated by reason of the death of the deceased, in which case such depreciation is to be taken into account, and that this proviso is considered as not applying to public companies, and in practice the Commissioners insist on taking the value of stocks and shares in public companies at the prices quoted to Stock Exchange official lists as on the date of death although an attempt to market holdings at one time would mean disaster to the estate and to the stockholders in the industrial concerns in which the stock was held; whether he is aware of the case of an estate valued as at the date of death at about half a million pounds on the above basis, consisting of very large holdings in industrial concerns, the value of which since the death has greatly depreciated so that even if the shares were saleable on the market at current prices, which is impracticable having regard to the extent of the holdings, the amount of the Estate Duty as assessed on the estate and the interest is barely covered by the present market value of the holdings, so that there is no surplus whatever left for the beneficiaries to liquidate other indebtedness; and whether, in view of these facts, he is prepared to recommend legislation with a view to rectifying the matter?

I have not had brought to my notice the particular case to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but I fear that. I could not, on account of the exceptional circumstances suggested, undertake to introduce legislation such as he has in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated number of persons during the financial year ended 31st March, 1925, in receipt of assessable income not exceeding £135 a year?

I regret that I have no information as to the number of persons in Great Britain and Northern Ireland with an assessable income not exceeding £135 per annum. The hon. Member may be able to form some conclusions as to their number from a consideration of the Census and other official statistics, and of the number of persons liable to Income Tax as in receipt of assessable incomes exceeding £135 per annum. For the year 1923-24, the latter number is estimated at 5,000,000, of whom 2,400,000 actually pay tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, in respect of the financial year ended 31st March,1925, the national gross income as ascertained by the surveyors of Income Tax, the deductions to reduce the gross income to actual income liable to tax, and the actual income before deductions of personal or family allowances and reliefs?

I regret that the information asked for in respect of the year 1924–25 is not yet available. The following estimates have been made for the, year 1923–24:

	£millions
Gross income brought under review	3,050
Exemptions, reductions and discharges	750
Actual income liable to tax (before deduction of personal allowances, etc.)	2,300

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of men signed on and carried by the steam yacht "St. George," employed on research work in Australian waters by the Research Expedition, Limited, 92, Cheap-side, London; what is the rate of wage to each man, and have these men been paid their full wages since signing on; and, if not, what is the balance due to the men and when might they expect the balance to be paid?

I am informed by the owners that the crew of the steam yacht "St. George "and their rates of wages on engagement were as follows:

	Per month.
	£
1 Carpenter	12
1 Boatswain	11
1 Boatswain's mate	10
8 Able seamen (per man)	9
3 Ordinary seamen (per man)	4
2 Firemen (per man)	9
1 Storekeeper	15
1 Pantryman	10
6 Stewards (per man)	9
1 First Cook	15
1 Second Cook	6
1 Ship's Cook	9
1 Laboratory assistant	8

An increase of £1 per month was given to each man in March last. The crew made allotments of their wages, which have been paid up to date. The crew have also received advances of pay at each port of call. The vessel is expected back within two months, and the seamen will receive the balance of their pay on discharge.

asked the President of the Board u2 Trade if he can give particulars as to the imports and exports, respectively, of Germany for the six months ending December,1924?

The following statement shows the values of imports into and exports from Germany, excluding bullion and zpecie, during the six months, July-December, 1924, as stated in the German official trade returns:

				Thousand Gold Marks
Imports	…	…	…	4,686,279
Exports	…	…	…	3,712,947

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any information is available which shows that the German steel manufacturers have adopted a deliberate policy of dumping their products in this country?

While German steel manufacturers are known to be taking steps to develop their export trade, I have no definite evidence that they have adopted a deliberate policy of dumping their products, in the strict sense of that word

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total amounts still available for assisting traders, etc., under the Overseas Trade Acts and the Trade Facilities Acts, respectively, on 1st May, 1925?Mr. GUINNESS: Under the export credits scheme £21,135,346, and under the Trade Facilities Acts £12,094,189

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Bolton and Leigh and District War Pensions Committee has passed a resolution to the effect that it is of opinion that a Select Committee, which should not be Departmental, should be appointed to make full inquiry into pensions regulations, particularly as regards final awards, treatment and treatment allowances, seven years' limit, pensions appeals tribunals, epileptic and chronic neurasthenics, education and care of motherless children, and the special treatment of pensioners otherwise than through the statutory channel of the war pensions committee; if so, whether he has considered the contents of the resolution; and whether he has arrived at a decision thereon?

I have not received the resolution referred to, but in regard to the substance of the suggestion, perhaps I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister in the House on the 26th March last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the case of Mrs. H. M. A. Lang, of 26, Camberwell Gate, S.E.17, who was informed by the Awards Branch of the Ministry, on the 2nd May, that the pension of which she was in receipt to the amount of 8s., under Article 17b of the Royal Warrant, is to be discontinued; and whether, as there is ample proof that this woman's husband died of disease contracted while on service, such action is taken with his consent?

The hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed. No notification in the terms suggested has been made to the claimant. On the contrary, Mrs. Lang was informed that an award of pension had been made to her under Article 17a of the Royal Warrant, but that she was not eligible for an award of pension under Article 17b. She was, however, at the same time informed that she had a right of appeal against the latter decision, and I understand that she is exercising this right.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can arrange for the codification of the Pensions Rules and Regulations, and publish them together with a comprehensive index?

A codification of the various Pension Warrants, Orders in Council and Orders, together with the statutory provisions relevant to the matter, is in preparation. A comprehensive index to such a publication will, no doubt, be essential.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Report of the second Committee appointed to inquire into the Army accountancy system may be expected?

The Report of the second Committee which is considering questions of personnel connected with the proposed amalgamation of the Royal Army Pay Corps and Corps of Military Accountants will, I hope, be made shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the interests of national economy, the officers and men lent for service to the Corps of Military Accountants may now be returned to their units?

There are no officers or other ranks lent from units of the Army to the Corps of Military Accountants, which is a separate corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the bands of Territorial regiments are prohibited from accepting engagements at gatherings of a political nature; and whether he will see that- this is impartially enforced?

The Regulations for the Territorial Army prohibit Territorial Army bands from playing at political meetings or demonstrations. I have no information that the Regulations are not being observed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the reasons for changing the highest Air Farce rank from Marshal of the Air to Marshal of the Royal Air Force?

The decision to effect this change was taken in view of the general consensus of opinion in the Service that the designation "Marshal of the Air" was somewhat indefinite in character, and that a title more explicitly related to the Royal Air Force was to be preferred to it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, seamen and stokers arc being employed as orderlies and attendants on the patients in the wards owing to the shortage of sick-berth attendants: that the seamen and stokers are in four watches for leave, whereas the permanent staff are in two; and will the fixed number of recruits for the sick-berth branch he sufficient to provide reliefs for these seamen and stokers and also allow the permanent staff to be put into four watches for leave?

Owing to a temporary shortage of sick-berth staff, which is being made good, eleven seamen ratings are serving at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, as mess hands and orderlies. They are not employed as attendants on patients. Both the permanent staff and the seamen ratings are in four watches for leave.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are a large number of empty houses which arc being withheld from occupation; and will he take steps to introduce a. special Measure enforcing local authorities to make use of such houses for the purpose of providing accommodation for families?

I am aware that there is always a certain number of unoccupied houses which are held for sale. Local authorities already have power under the Housing Acts to purchase or lease houses suitable for the working classes, but I do not consider it would be practicable to legislate on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths have been registered during the half-year ending December last, from small-pox, measles, pneumonia, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and influenza?

For England and Wales, the figures asked for are as follow:

Small-pox	…	…	3*
Measles	…	…	1,317
Pneumonia	…	…	12,381
Scarlet fever	…	…	426
Diphtheria	…	…	1,205
Influenza	…	…	2,145

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to take any steps, by financial aid or otherwise, to assist the industrial process of low temperature carbonisation of coal?

I am carefully considering what there is that the Government can usefully do beyond what is already being done by the Fuel Research Board, but am not yet in a position to make a definite statement on the subject.

asked the right hon. Member for Cheltenham, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether the whole of the staff were paid their wages for the Easter Recess; if not, can he state why; and will he arrange that in future, when the House is not sitting, the staff shall be paid wages, as they are not eligible for unemployment benefit?

In reply to the question of the hon. Member, the staff were paid their wages during the last Easter Recess. As regards the future, it is impossible to guarantee the action of other Committees, but I imagine that the course we have adopted of paying the wages to the staff during the Easter and Whitsun vacations will be continued.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the negotiations which are now in progress with a view to the sale, lease or exchange of Crown lands in the neighbourhood of Kensington High Street, he will say with whom such negotiations are being conducted, the quantity of land affected, the terms and conditions of such sale, lease or exchange, and who initiated the negotiations; and whether the council of the Royal borough of Kensington have approached his Department at any recent time directly with respect to an acquisition of Crown land for the widening of Kensington High Street?

Negotiations are now in progress between the Commissioners of Crown Lands and John Barker and Company, Limited, with a view to an exchange of certain Crown land on the south side of Kensington High Street for land in and adjoining that street, the property of the company; and for the subsequent grant to the company of a building lease of the areas acquired by the Crown, and of parts of the premises now leased to them. The negotiations have not yet reached the stage at which the exact areas to be acquired by the Crown can be defined; but the area proposed to be conveyed by the Crown is, so much of the block between King Street and Young Street, as is now the property of the Crown. The terms of the proposed building lease and arrangements generally have not yet been definitely settled. The negotiations arose out of proposals made by the company for a remodelling of some of the premises in their occupation. The council of the Royal borough of Kensington have not directly approached the Commissioners of Crown lands with respect to the acquisition -of land for road widening purposes; but the proposed widening is being kept in view, and the intention is that arrangements shall be made with the company, which will secure the protection of Crown property in Kensington Square and elsewhere, while leaving them to arrange with the local authorities the exact area in Kensington High Street between King Street and Young Street which will be taken for the purpose of road widening. As regards the block west of King Street, the land required for road widening is intended to be excluded from the new Crown lease.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of men over 60 years of age were struck off uncovenanted benefit at the Walworth Road and Camberwell Employment Exchanges, respectively, during the month of February this year?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport what grants from The Road Fund have been made for rural roads to the Hexham, Bellingham, Halt-whistle, and Castleward rural districts of Northumberland in the year 1924-25; and what grants are being given for the same purpose this year?

—	Classification Grants	Unemployment Grants	Rural Roads Grants	Total
	£	£	£	£
Hexham R.D.C	1.018	447	2,161	3,626
Bellingham R.D.C	—	—	157	157
Hllaltwhistle R.D.C	—	—	47	47
Castleward R.D.C	739	325	488	1,552

It is not possible to give any indication of the grants for 1925-26, as the estimates of works for the current year have not yet been received

asked the Postmaster-General how many men of the Royal Engineers are now attached to the engineering department of the General Post Office (construction gang) for instructional purposes; how many regular employés have been displaced for the purpose; and whether 'he is aware that considerable hardship has be-co caused to ex-service men who have been forced into unemployment?

Fifteen men of the Royal Corps of Signals are 'at present

The following grants were made from the Road Fund during the year 1924-25 to the rural district councils referred to in the question:attached to the Post Office Engineering Department purely for training purposes. The men are supernumerary to the Post Office establishment, and the arrangement has not caused the displacement of any regular employés.

asked the Home Secretary how many prisons and reformatories are situated in agricultural parishes and where they are situated?

I will send to the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Directory of Reformatory and Industrial Schools, showing the situation of each school, and a list of prisons and Borstal Institutions as published in the Annual Report of the Prison Com-missioners.