asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the principal items which make up the estimate of &£30,000,000 for the Miscellaneous Special -Revenue during the current financial year; and if, for comparison, he will state the actual receipts under the same headings for the year ended 31st March, 1995?

:The figures are as follow:

—	1924–5 Actual Receipts	1925–6 Estimate
	£	£
Reparation Receipts	12,000,000	9,500,000
India War Contribution	963,000	951,000
Disposal Commission	7,836,000	7,000,000
Shipping Liquidation Commission.	2,934,000	4,000,000
Board of Trade: Food Ministry, etc.	530,000	1,350,000
Trading with the Enemy, balances	—	6,000,000
Other Receipts	2,700,000	1,199,000
	26,963,000	30,000,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in calculating the estimated yield of the motor vehicle duties for 1925-26, the probable effects of the imposition of the McKenna Duties on the demand for motor cars have been taken into account?

:The probable effect on the demand was so inappreciable that the estimated yield was not affected.

:asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how it is proposed to define artificial silk for the purpose of imposing the new duties?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on this subject which I made in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on Monday last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Grade 4 temporary women clerks are employed in the Civil Service; in (i hat Departments they are employed; and how many are employed in each of the Departments concerned?

:Exact figures in the form desired by the hon. Member are not available, but I understand that the total number of Grade 4 temporary women clerks employed in the Civil Service is, approximately, 300, of whom about 130 are employed under the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the -Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many temporary typists employed in the Civil Service and how many junior recruits front outside the service, respectively, passed the recent establishment examination for copying typists; and how many of each group, respectively, qualified in the examination but have not been so far called up?

:Of the 150 candidates originally declared successful at the. examination, 54 were employed as tern porary typists and 96 were recruits from outside the service. Of the further 177 candidates who qualified and are now being added to the successful list, 82 were employed as temporary typists, and 95 were recruits from outside the service.

:asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the present overcrowded and insanitary condition of the Office of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, 10, Clarence Square; Brighton, which was designed to accommodate a staff of nine and now holds 22 and whether steps can be taken to remedy the existing conditions?

(for theFIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The First Commissioner of Works is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the offices in Clarence Square. Active search for more satisfactory premises has for some time been in progress, and will be continued.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the necessary repairs have been completed to R.3.3; and when it is expected that she will be able to take part in further flights?

:The repairs to R.33 will be completed, I hope, and the airship ready to take the air by the end of July. or early in August.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any difficulty has been found in recruiting doctors into the Royal Army Medical Corps on account of the poor rates of pay offered qualified medical men; has any increase on the standard rates now operating been considered; and, if so, what is the scale of pay suggested?

:The number of candidates for commissions in the Royal Army Medical Corps has declined owing to a variety of causes. Proposals regarding the rates of pay of medical officers are being considered, 'out I am not at present able to give details.

:asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that ex-Driver T. Roberts, Royal Field Artillery, residing at 23, Blaenbloddau Street, New-bridge (Mon.), has been refused a special campaign pension on the ground that he is receiving compensation for an injury under the Workmen's Compensation Act; that this old soldier is now 65 years of age that he served in the South African War, for which he has a medal and clasps; and that he had a son killed in the late War: and will he have this case further considered with a view to granting a pension?

A special campaign pension is a purely compassionate grant, and is subject to the condition that the recipient's income does not exceed 19s. a week, or, if he is married, that the combined income of himself and his wife does not exceed 38s. a week. The combined income of Mr. Roberts and his wife is 47s. a week. No award can therefore be made in his case at present. Should his income hereafter fall within the required limit, he should apply to the Chelsea 'Commissioners for further consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in cases where a claim to pension is rejected by the Ministry and afterwards accepted by the Appeals Tribunal, arrears of pension are paid from the date of the first application for same; and, if not, will he arrange that in future arrears of pension shall be paid from the date of application in all cases where the Appeals Tribunal reverses the Ministry's decision that a disability is neither due to nor aggravated by war service?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the very full answer on the same subject given to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy) on the 16th December last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to reduce the present rates of disability pensions in 1926; and, if not, if he will, in view of the heavy financial loss sustained by men who commute their pensions, seek authority to commute pensions on the rates payable under the Royal Warrant of 1919 in lieu of the rates payable under the Royal Warrant of 1918, as is the case at present?

:With regard to the first part of the question, I am not in a position to anticipate the decision of the Government on this point-With regard to the latter part of the question, the hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to be effect of commutation. When a pensioner is allowed to commute part of his pension, the commutation is based on a definite weekly sum of money, and pension is paid thereafter at the current rate less that weekly sum. The rates payable under the 1918 Warrant (with an addition of 20 per cent.) are applied for the sole purpose of determining the maximum amount which may be commuted under the Statutory Regulations, and there is, therefore, no financial loss to the pensioner from this cause.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, when a man is boarded and the medical officers find that he is suffering from a disability clue to war service, for which he is not receiving a pension, the man is informed and instructed to claim in respect of the disability under Article 9; and; if this be not the case, will he issue instructions that in all cases where a man claims a pension in respect of a disability previously diagnosed by the Ministry doctors as being present, he shall, on having the claim to pension accepted, be paid arrears on the assessment made by the doctors from the. date they first recorded the existence of the disability on the report of the medical board?

It is the function of a medical board in examining a pensioner to advise the Ministry on the condition of disablement resulting from the ascertained disability or disabilities, not to pre-judge a condition in respect of which no claim has been made. It is, however, an instruction to boards that if in the course of a medical examination they find another ailment, and the man alleges that it is connected with his War service, the board should refer him to the local area officer, who will advise him as to the steps to be taken in order to claim compensation for the disablement, if any, arising in consequence of it.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will arrange with the Minister of Labour that that Department shall report all cases of disabled men who are refused unemployment benefit on the ground that they are not physically fit for employment; and whether he will arrange to have the men reboarded and, if their inability to work is due to war injury, issue instructions that they shall be given a total disablement pension of 100 per cent.?

The assessment of disablement pension is required, in the interests of ex-service men, to be made only in accordance with medical certification as to the degree of disablement sustained, without regard to considerations of earning capacity or of fitness or unfitness for employment in a particular occupation. I should have no authority, therefore, to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

:asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Area War Pensions Committee for Barlow, Ulverston and district, protesting against the interpretation placed upon the Regulations in respect of the provision of treatment and treatment allowances by the Area Deputy Commissioner of Medical Services: and whether he will have full and careful inquiry made as to the administration of treatment and the issue of treatment allowances in Barrow and district?

I am aware of the resolution referred to. As the result, however, of a recent investigation in the North Western Region, I am satisfied that the suggestion made is without foundation, and that the administration in this area is being carried out fairly in accordance with the terms of the Royal Warrants.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the amendment of the existing Regulations so that the wives or dependants of lunatic naval ratings, whose disability is attributable to service, may be paid the service pension earned by such ratings?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on the 18th and 25th June last, as regards ek-naval ratings maintained in the Royal Naval Hospital, Yarmouth. I regret that I cannot recommend any amendment of the existing Regulations in the sense suggested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what action, if any, has been taken by his Department to provide means for preventing the pollution of our coastal waters and ports with oily ballast water discharged from Admiralty vessels; and whether his Department has conducted any trials with oil separators. and with what results?

The present strict orders on the subject of discharge of oily ballast water should prevent any serious pollution of coastal waters and ports by Admiralty vessels. The Admiralty is watching closely the development of oil separators. Various types have been examined, and many demonstrations have been witnessed. Although considerable advance has been made in the efficiency of oil separators, the standard necessary to justify adoption by the Admiralty has not, as yet, been attained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the answers to the 1924 Welfare Requests will be published?

The Requests are under consideration, and decisions will be promulgated as soon as possible, but 1 am afraid I cannot give a definite date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of promotions to mate rank made in the financial year 1913-14 and the number to be made during the present financial year?

31 promotions to Plate and 14 promotions to mate (E) were made during the financial year 1913-14. The number of promotions to be made during the present financial year necessarily depend upon the number of qualified and suitable candidates coming forward, but, as far as can be foreseen, the number will be about the same as last year, namely, six for the executive branch and five for the engineering branch. The number for the former may, however, be increased somewhat, if sufficient qualified and suitable candidates are forthcoming.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will define the meaning and scope of the term "qualifying period "as contained in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Proclamation regulating distribution of prize money; whether the Armistice cut short that period for invalided officers and men; and, if so, will he say why?

The term "qualifying period" in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Prize Proclamation means the period required to qualify for the maximum rates of prize money which could have been earned by sea service prior to 11th November, 1918. As all qualifying service ceased at the Armistice, invalided officers and men eligible for the concessions were in the same position as those serving at that date.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a case recently dealt with at the Willesden children's court, where a lad was charged with being in possession of firearms without a licence; whether he is aware that the police evidence showed that this lad purchased what was known as a harmless pistol and, by drilling out the bore, converted. it into a dangerous weapon, with the result that he accidentally shot and seriously injured a girl; and will he state what steps are being taken by the police to prevent the sale of toys that are likely to become such dangerous weapons?

My attention has been drawn to the case referred to. The sale of firearms that are lethal weapons is restricted, but the Act does not impose restrictions on the sale of toys that are not within that description.

asked the Home. Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the Minister of Labour's certificates to alien waiters under the Alien Immigration Restriction Regulations during the years 1921-1924, inclusive, totalled only 201, and that many of these permits were issued for limited periods only, he will make some inquiry in the hotels and restaurants of the West End of London and elsewhere to ascertain if the large numbers of foreign waiters to be found in these places have obtained permits?

I think the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The permits issued by the Minister of Labour to which he refers relate to newcomers who desire to obtain admission to this country as waiters, and are not required by aliens already resident here. The possibility of aliens entering the country irregularly for employment, whether as waiters or otherwise, or improperly taking employment when admitted, is one that is constantly watched.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the present law has proved insufficient to restrain certain sections of the Press, from publishing matter which is injurious to public morals, specially among the young, he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter; and whether he will consider the advisability of expediting a Measure on the lines of the Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Bill?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which the Prime Minister gave to a question by the right hon. Member for the Aston Division of Birmingham (Sir E. Cecil) on the 4th instant.

:asked the Home Secretary the annual amount and value of the goods produced by inmates of His Majesty's prisons?

:The total amount of goods produced cannot be given. The value of the goods produced in prisons and Borstal institutions was as follows:

asked the Home Secretary why the governor of a prison can make no statement as to confession of a person executed?

:It is impossible for a prison governor to state definitely that a prisoner has made no confession. On the other hand, if the prisoner has made a confession to him, it may be in somewhat ambiguous terms, or only partly true, or it may have been coupled with a request that it should not be made public. Upon these and other grounds, I am satisfied that the long-established rule in this matter is a sound one, and should be maintained.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average pit-head cost of coal, the average charges paid by domestic and industrial consumers, and the average export price for the year 1924, together with the comparable figures for 1913?

The average prices at the pit-head of all coal disposed of commercially were 19s. 9d. per ton in 1924, and about lls. per ton in 1913. The average f.o.b. price of coal exported was 23s. 5d. per ton in 1924, and 13s. 10d. in 1913. I regret that the rest of the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the Blackfriars power station is to be closed down, he can say whether a contract or contracts for the supply of bulk electricity has been accepted from private sources; if so, what is the price per unit to be charged; and for how long does this contract run?

As an appreciable saving will result from taking electrical energy for the Post Office from an outside source, I have accepted the most favourable tender received, which is that made jointly by the City of London Electric Lighting Company and the Charing Cross, West End and City Electricity Supply Company. The period of the proposed contract is 25 years; the price of current varies on a sliding scale according to the cost of fuel and the incidence of the peak load.

asked the Postmaster-General how many subscribers are required in rural areas to open a telephone exchange; and how many subscribers are required to have an all-night and Sunday service?

An exchange, at appropriate rentals, can be opened for any number of subscribers from one upwards. When eight subscribers are forthcoming, the rental is £2 per quarter for circuits within the mile and a half radius, and as soon as 15 subscribers are obtained the ordinary tariff is applied. A day service only is covered by the rental until the number of subscribers reaches 20, but night and Sunday service can generally be given to a number of subscribers by a system of party line switching to the nearest open exchange upon payment of an additional charge of 5s. per quarter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the despatch to Mr. E. C. Lane, postman, of a memorandum from the Eastern District Post Office to the effect that he is to revert to the position of boy messenger, as the chief medical officer is unable, on medical grounds, to certify him physically suitable for employment in an established capacity whether he is aware that the. man Lane has been regular in his duties, is of the standard physical requirements, and is certified by local doctors as being healthy and well, and that he has not been medically examined by the postal medical officers for four years; and whether he will state what are the medical objections?

Mr. Lane's medical history within recent years had not been entirely satisfactory. In view, however, of the favourable nature of a recent medical report, I have arranged to give him a further trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any recent figures showing the number of persons taking up free grants of land in Canada, and distinguishing those of British and foreign origin?

The total number of homestead entries in the Dominion of Canada during the financial year 1924–5, was 3,653, of which 2,240 were by British subjects, as 1,413 by foreigners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a successor has yet been appointed to Sir Robert Coryndon; and whether the Government is considering any proposal for grouping the colonies, territories and protectorates in East Africa?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. On the second part, I have before me the report of the East Africa Commission., which advises against any federation in East Africa, under present conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has been decided to dispense with the services of Colonel Bell, in Kenya Colony; whether he is aware that this decision to dispense with his services was conveyed to Colonel Bell in the same envelope as a reprimand for the evidence which this official gave before the Masai Inquiry Committee; and that the evidence for which he was censured was to the effect that moneys from the native trust fund had been diverted to other purposes; whether any steps will be taken to draw the attention of the local administration to the danger of censuring officials for giving evidence before a committee of inquiry; and whether it is proposed that steps shall be taken to restore Colonel Bell to an administrative position and to restore to the native trust fund any sums which may be proved to have been alienated for other purposes?

:Apart from what has been published in the Press, I have no information an any of the points mentioned in the question. I will consult the Acting Governor, but for the present I am not in a position to express any opinion on the subject. Colonel Bell is of an age for superannuation, and the published reports state that the Government made it clear that the decision that he should retire was taken independently of the incident in question. So far as that incident is concerned, therefore, the question of reinstatement does not appear to arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the grounds for the amendment put forward by the British delegation to the present Arms Traffic Conference at Geneva to the draft Convention for the Control of the International Traffic. in Arms, now under consideration, which would exclude from its operation all ships of war, including submarines, and all aircraft, even though exclusively designed for purposes of war?

Compressed within the limits of an answer to a question, the grounds underlying the instructions of the British delegate on this point are as follow: The object of the draft Convention is to institute a general supervision of the trade in armaments by giving it, through the medium of a licensing system, the fulle4,it possible, publicity. That condition already exists in the case of warships, the construction. movements and ownership of which are public property While, therefore, no increase of publicity would be gained by the application of the licensing system to warships, the execution of the provisions relating to search in transit, which is an adjunct to that system, would lead to serious inconvenience. As regards aircraft, experience has shown that it is impossible to formulate any satisfactory definition of military as opposed to civil aircraft, and it was feared that the, application of the convention to aircraft designed exclusively for war would only lead to difficulties without achieving any useful result.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of

School year ending 31st July.		Institutions recognised as—			Institutions recognised as Art Classes.		Totals.
		Schools of Art	Branch Schools of Art.	Students in Schools of Art and Branches.	Number.	Students.	Institutions.	Students.
1911	…	222	21	42,236	51	3,341	294	45,577
1921	…	189	19	48,109	51	3,611	259	51,720
1924	…	175	13	45,864	50	3,575	238	49,439

Statistics classifying departments by the number of teachers employed in them were last compiled for the year 1921-22. They showed 642 departments with one teacher only and 4,446 departments with two teachers. The teachers were not shown in their grades, but since the number of uncertificated head teachers was between 500 and 600, it is probable that the great majority of the head teachers in these departments were certificated teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, when plans for new or reconstructed schools are submitted, the Board will insist on the provision of a teachers' room?

The suggestion made by the hon. and gallant. Member accords with the policy of my Department, but in these times, when so much needs to be done, there is a point beyond which I cannot undertake to "insist" on particular requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the present numbers of schools of art and of recognised art classes in receipt of a grant from the Board; what are the numbers of students in attendance; and what were the corresponding numbers at the following dates: 31st March, 1901, 31st March, 1911, and 31st March, 1921?

The following table shows the position for the school years ending 31st July, 1911, 1921, and 1924, school years being the only periods for which such statistics are compiled.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the Report of the school medical officer for the Sheffield education authority for the year 1924, in which it is stated that the number of children estimated to be below normal is larger than in 1923, when there was already some decline apparent, and the further statement that in other education areas similar Reports are being made, and that most experienced teachers are convinced that the physique of children born within the War period will not bear comparison with those of the preceding decade; and whether he can state what measures the Government is taking or has in contemplation with a view to the application of any possible remedies and the prevention of any further lowering of children's physique?

I have been asked to reply to this Question. I have seen the Report in question, but, while in no way questioning its findings as regards Sheffield, I may point out that, as regards the country as a whole, such examination as has at present been made of the Medical Officers' Reports received for 1924 does not appear to indicate the prevalence of such conditions generally. I can assure the hon. Member that I shall continue to do my best to encourage the development of all forms of remedial treatment for school children.

asked the Minister of Health whether he approved the terms of the advertisement issued by the Geirionydd Rural District Council for a qualified sanitary inspector holding the certificate required by the Minister of Health, at a salary of £90 per annum, plus &£24 bonus; whether he has decided that this is an adequate salary; whether the above council has appointed an unqualified man; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The terms of the advertisement were approved; but in addition to the salary of &£114 for the office of sanitary inspector, the officer is to receive £88 for other offices. The council have appointed an unqualified man, and I propose to inform them that, on present information, I am unable to approve the appointment.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of widows with children who will be excluded from the new Insurance scheme owing to the fact that their children are all over the age of 14; and what would be the estimated cost of including such widows within the scheme?

:I regret that the information available from the Census returns does not enable me to furnish the particulars desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether widows in poor circumstances who will receive 10s. per week under the proposed Pensions Bill will, if they should require to enter a Poor Law institution for medical or surgical treatment, be disqualified as pensioners are now disqualified under Section 3 (1) of the Pensions Act of 1919, or whether it is proposed to remove this disqualification from all pensioners?

Clause 21 (3) and the Second Schedule to the Bill make applicable to persons benefiting under it the provisions of Section 3 (1) of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1919, the effect of which is that pension is paid for three months and no nor. In the case of a person receiving medical or surgical treatment in a Poor Law institution.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to whether the London County Council proposes to reduce the rents of ins post-War houses upon the White Hart Lane estate; and, if so, to what amount?

I have no information on this matter.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of capital and the surplus or deficiency of each of the municipal tramway undertakings in Great Britain for the year 1924?

I have been asked to reply. The information desired is not yet available for the financial year 1924-25, but will be published in the Return of Tramways and Light Railways (Street and Road) and Trackless Trolley Vehicles, pursuant to the recent Order of the House. The hon. Member will find the information for the year 1923-24 in the Return for that year, which was published in December last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action is being taken to improve the quality of home-grown wheat; whether any new varieties of wheat have been produced in the experimental farms under the control of his Department; and, if so, what evidence was tendered to the Royal Commission on Food Prices on this?

The Ministry assists by grants-in-aid the Plant Breeding Institute of the University of Cambridge and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, which have respectively introduced and distributed several improved strains of wheat, the latest of which, Yeoman II, makes possible an acceptable loaf from entirely home-grown flour. In addition, the Ministry has established, and proposes to extend, a system of crop variety stations whore new and standard varieties of crops are tested. Evidence tendered to the Royal Commission suggested that an improvement in the quality of home-grown wheat had been and could he further effected without sacrifice of yield.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many inspectors have been appointed who are qualified to test cows for tubercular disease; and how many there are in Lincolnshire, and where they are stationed?

For the purposes of the Diseases of Animals Acts, veterinary in- spectors are appointed by the local authorities for each county and borough, and the Ministry understands that in the three divisions of Lincolnshire 37 veterinary inspectors have been appointed and stationed at 28 centres, particulars of which are given below. These inspectors would be qualified to test cows for tubercular disease, but as the Tuberculosis Order is not at present in force such work does not fall within the duties of the inspectors appointed by the local authorities. Certain Acts and Orders which may involve the employment of veterinary surgeons are also administered by the Ministry of Health:

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further steps he proposes to take to ensure that all cows are periodically inspected for tuberculosis, and that the necessary action is taken to prevent, as far as possible, milk from tuberculous animals being used for human consumption?

I have been asked to reply. The point referred to by my hon. Friend is receiving consideration, with other matters of administration incidental to the coming into operation of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, on the 1st September next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, are at present taken to control the export of These inspectors act also for the county

*These inspectors act also for the county.

horses for butchery purposes, with a view to prevent suffering by these animals; and whether he proposes to take any further steps in this matter?

Under existing regulations, all horses exported to the Continent undergo a rigid veterinary examination and must be certified as fit in every way to travel and to work without suffering. All vessels used for this trade must conform to special regulations as to fitting, etc., designed for the comfort of the horses, and inspectors of the Ministry make journeys on such vessels from time to time to see that the regulations are carried out. In March last I appointed a Departmental Committee to inquire into this trade, and, pending the receipt their Report, which is expected about the end of June, I cannot make any announcement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour the hours of labour worked in the 12 most important industries of the United States, France, Germany, and Italy?

The following statement embodies such information as is available with regard to working hours in the principal industries in the countries referred to:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women emigrating from this country to the British Dominions and Colonies, and foreign countries, respectively, in each of the years 1909 to 1913 and 1919 to 1924?

I have been asked to reply. The numbers of British females of 12 years of age and upwards who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in the United Kingdom to take up permanent residence in non-European countries during April to December, 1912, during the year 1913, and during each year 1919 to 1924, were as follow:

—	Adult female "emigrants" to
	The British Empire.	Foreign Countries.
1912 (April-December)	84,738	37,092
1913	98,593	42,513
1919	59,262	13,818
1920	84,530	40,869
1921	56,589	30,965
1922	45,336	25,480
1923	51,461	32,717
1924	50,022	10,341

It is to be noted that, from 1st April, 1923, emigrants from the Irish Free State are not included in the figures given.Residence for a year or more is treated as permanent-residence for the purpose of this classification. Similar particulars were not obtained previous to 1st April, 1012.The numbers of British female emigrant and other passengers of 12 years of age and upwards, who left the United Kingdom for non-European countries, during each year 1999 to 1913 were as follows:

Year.	Adult female" passengers" to
	The British Empire.	Foreign Countries.
1909*	54,758	48,380
1910	80,289	56,410
1911	102,720	53,886
1912	114,731	53,621
1913	170,402

asked the Minister of Labour how many meetings of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation have been held since the present British Government took office; whether he can inform the House of the name and official grade of the British delegate who has represented His Majesty's Government at these meetings; and whether he can give to the House the names of the British representatives to the forthcoming conference of the International Labour Organisation?

Two meetings of the governing body of the International Labour Office have been held since the present Government took office. On each of these occasions the British Government was represented by Mr. Humbert Wolfe, C.B.E., a Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Labour as substitute for myself. I append the names of the members of the British delegation to the forthcoming international Labour Conference. I am myself leaving for Geneva this week to attend the Conference.

asked the President of he Board of Trade whether his Department has any statistics regarding the tocks of wheat in this country; and whether it will publish them from time a time?

There are no, official statistics of the total stocks of cheat in the country. Figures as to stocks held at ports are published each month the "Corn Trade News." The Ministry of Agriculture issue in their Agricultural Market Report about the piddle of January and of April estimates made by their crop reporters of the stocks if wheat on farms in England and Vales on the first of each of those months. I am inquiring whether corresponding estimates as to stocks on farms are made Scotland and the North of Ireland, and will let my hon Friend know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider raining Regulations under Clause 3 of he Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, in 1rder to define more clearly the term British manufacture, in view of the con usion and uncertainty that at present prevail, since goods manufactured. in the British Dominions and Crown Colonies have always been considered correctly tyled as British, a term which in other ases is assumed to apply only to articles and goods produced in the United Kingdom.

—			Grants made in respect of maintenance expenditure on road and bridges in Class I and II.	Grants made in respect of works expedited to relieve unemployment.	Grants made in respect of other purposes.	Total
			£	£	£	£
Devon	…	…	157,322	1,499	67,039	225,860
Somerset	…	…	138,930	17,299	33,833	190,062
Vilts	…	…	90,539	4,503	19,372	114,414
Norfolk	…	…	111,329	1,247	22,774	135,350
Suffolk, East	…	…	70,814	10,056	167,921	248,791
Suffolk, West	…	…	29,284	1,234	22,231	52,749

Under Section 16 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, the expression "British Manufacture "can legally be applied only to goods manufactured in this country. The proper qualifying indication of origin to be applied, where required, to goods imported from any part of the British Empire is, for example, "made in Canada," or some equivalent phrase. I am unaware that confusion or un certainty prevails in this matter, and, in any case, I may point out that the expression "British Manufacture,'' is not employed in the Act referred to, nor is there any authority in Section 3 of the Act to frame Regulations defining that expression.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount collected and paid to the Road Fund by each of the under-mentioned county councils and the amount disbursed to them from that fund in the years ending April, 1024, and April, 1925: Devon, Somerset, Wilts, Norfolk and Suffolk?

As I have already explained on previous occasions, the Road Fund is a national fund, and I am reluctant to make any statement regarding the amount collected in Motor Licence Duties by any individual licensing authority. I trust, therefore, that my hon. and gallant Friend will not press for a reply to the first part of his question. With regard to the second part, I regret that I am not in a position to give, without considerable labour, the amounts disbursed to the highway authorities in the counties indicated. Details of the grants made, so far as they relate to the year ended 31st March, 1924, are given in Appendix 1 of the Report of the Road Fund for that year, and are as follows: The corresponding figures for the year ended 31st March last are now in course of preparation and will be published in due course in the Report of the Road Fund for the year 1924–25

asked the Minister of Transport what are the duties of the Roads Advisory Committee, the names of the members, date of appointment, and the number of meetings held during the past 12 months?

The constitution and duties of the Roads Advisory Committee are set out in Section 22 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919. The Committee is appointed "for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to the Minister with respect to, and for safeguarding any interests affected by, the exercise of the powers and the performance of his duties under the Act in relation to roads, bridges and vehicles and traffic thereon."The Committee has held two meetings during the past twelve months. Its constitution is as follows:F. Dent., Esq. (Chairman) (appointed 22nd December, 1919) County Councils' Association.