asked the Secretary for Mines if his Fuel Research Department has made any experiments in the use of powdered coke as an industrial fuel: if so, with what result; and, if not, will he give the question his consideration?

Some preliminary experiments with coke containing between 8 per cent. and 10 per cent. volatile matter have been made. No difficulty was experienced in burning this type of fuel in powdered form. No experiments have been made with coke of lower volatile content. The whole question of the use of fuel in pulverised form is receiving continuous consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his Fuel Research Department has investigated the Freeman process of low-temperature carbonisation; and, if not, will he undertake such investigation?

The Fuel Research Board is under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, but I have been asked to answer this and the next question. No close investigation of the Freeman process has been made, but the plant at Willesden was inspected by Sir George Beilby, the late Director of Fuel Research in 1922. Negotiations have been taking place with a view to the possibility of a test being conducted on this process under the scheme for testing low-temperature carbonisation plants announced by the Government in July last, but up to the present no definite application for such a test has been submitted by the parties interested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total amount of raw silk exported from India in 1924; the amount taken by the United Kingdom; and the corresponding figures for Indian silk manufactures?

The corresponding figures for Indian Silk manufacturers are as follows:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total amount during 1924 of exports from India of unmanufactured tobacco and the principal countries of destination?

The total amount of unmanufactured tobacco exported from British India during the calendar year 1924 was 45,984,510 lbs. The following table shows the respective quantities exported to the principal countries of destination during the period:

The destinations of all classes of these articles are not separately shown in the statistics for the calendar year. The following table gives the figures for the fiscal year ended 31st March, 1924 (the latest for which full details are available):

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government to have the Reforms Inquiry Committee Report discussed by the Indian legislatures before any action is taken?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether, seeing that the French Government have granted to the British Government an amount of space free for British participation in the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Art to be held in Paris this year, any part of this space will be allotted to the Government of India for Indian exhibits?

The Government of India declined an invitation given by the French Government last year to participate in the exhibition. No useful purpose would, therefore, be served by offering them a share in the space allotted to the British Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the cost to the Indian revenues of the book published by the Government of India, which Professor H. Stanley Jevons was commissioned by the Government of India to write, on Money, Banking, and Exchange in India?

The only information I have on the subject is contained in a question and answer in the Indian Council of State on 19th February, 1923, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I have no particulars regarding receipts from sales.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India were consulted with regard to the Geneva protocol; and whether it is the intention of the Government of India to take the opinion of the Indian Legislative Assembly as representing the people of India on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no information with regard to the second part.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the Japanese buy cotton lint in India, ship it to Japan, manufacture it into yarn and cloth in Japan, and ship the manufactured yarn and cloth back to India and sell it at prices lower than those representing the actual cost of production of cloth manufactured in Indian textile mills; and what steps the Government of India proposes to take to enable the Indian textile trade to meet this competition?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part the Government of India have announced that the cotton Excise Duty will be abolished as soon as financial considerations permit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India is taking any steps regarding the succession to the Gadwal State, which is a feudatory-State of Hyderabad, but not an integral part of that kingdom?

The matter is primarily one of the internal administration of the Hyderabad State, and I am not aware that there is at present anything to raise any question of action by the Government of India. The Nizam has recently announced that a special committee has been appointed to investigate the matter with reference to a petition submitted to His Exalted Highness by the widow of the late Raja of Gadwal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what alteration, if any, has been made to the cooking staff-at the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta, since the last addition to the Mediterranean Fleet; and is he aware that, owing to the increased number of patients in the hospital and the insufficient cooking staff, the food supply of the patients leaves much to be desired?

An addition of five has been made in the number of the cooking staff, and I am not aware that there is any such complaint as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if arrangements can be made whereby naval ratings leaving the East Indies station for England can be paid their banking accounts and wages on discharge from the station in English currency, as these ratings have to change any moneys paid to them before they leave the station, and in most cases they lose 2s. 6d. in the £ owing to the rate of exchange?

The assumption underlying the question appears to be that the men concerned must receive payment before they leave the station. This, however, is not the case. Balances of wages due to a seaman on discharge from a foreign station need not be paid locally unless he so desires, but can be transferred in the ordinary way to the home depot and paid on arrival. Similarly bank balances can, at the option of the depositor, be transferred either for payment at home or for continued investment. In this way the necessity for conversion and reconversion is avoided. No reason is seen, therefore, for departing from the usual method laid down in the King's Regulations of using rupees for payments actually made locally.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the figures showing the tonnage of coal used by the British Navy in the years 1913 and 1924, respectively?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of the 8th April last to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Short).

asked the Prime Minister the cause for the delay in granting marriage allowances to officers in the Royal Navy, as well as to officers in His Majesty's Army and the Royal Air Force as at present, in view of the fact that a sum was allowed for this purpose in the Navy Estimates and voted by the House of Commons?

I have been asked to reply. This question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he is aware that a fort adjoining the village of Belleek, County Fermanagh, was bombarded by Imperial troops in the month of June, 1922, in order to expel armed forces from Southern Ireland, who had taken possession of same; that the Imperial troops subsequently occupied this fort with the lands attached until the 25th August, 1924, and removed and altered certain buildings therein for their own convenience; and that the estimate for the necessary repairs and reinstatements, amounting to £1,246 12s. 7d., was furnished to the War Office on behalf of the owner on 7th October, 1924; and why no steps have been taken to pay the same, although the owner is legally liable to his superior landlord for breach of covenant to repair;

(2) if he is aware that the British Government paid rent to the owner at the rate of £60 per annum for the occupation of a fort and certain lands adjoining the village of Belleek, County Fermanagh, from the 8th June, 1922, until they handed over the same to the Irish Free State authorities on the 25th August, 1924; if any rent has been paid for these premises since the 25th August, 1924; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter, having regard to the fact that the Imperial Government is still liable for the rent?

I am aware of the facts as to the occupation of Belleek Fort by Imperial troops. The liability for payment of rent from the 25th August, 1924, when the Imperial troops vacated the Fort, rests with the Irish Free State Government, and the owner has been so informed. As regards the question of compensation in lieu of re-instatement, the liability for this, also, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, rests with the Irish Free State Government, with whom they are in communication on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the compensation granted to the relations of the British soldiers murdered at Queenstown, he can see his way to reconsider the case of Quartermaster-sergeant Dunn, murdered under similar circumstances by the natives of Palestine?

The widow of Quartermaster-sergeant Dunn has received from Army funds a pension for herself and allowances for her children at the full rates. The compensation, which was paid in the Queenstown cases by the Irish Government, has been taken in diminution of the pensions payable from Army funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his Department can supply a list of the countries the Governments of which during the last century have repudiated bonds held by British nationals; and whether his Department can supply a list of countries in which municipal and other public bodies have repudiated debts contracted with British nationals?

I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of my answer to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on the 9th of April last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the rising in Morocco?

If the question refers to the operations in the north of the French zone of Morocco, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11th May to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the present position in Egypt?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply made by my right hon. Friend to a similar question by the hon. Member for Benthnal Green (Mr. Harris) on 29th April last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to negotiations for a treaty between Czecho-Slovakia and Poland?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a commercial treaty between the countries men- tioned. Such a treaty was signed at Warsaw on 23rd April, and, pending its ratification, the commercial relations of the two countries are governed by a provisional arrangement signed at Warsaw on 7th April, which stipulates for most-favoured nation treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any request from the Government of Bulgaria for an extension of the time limit beyond 31st May for the increase in the number of the army; and what reply has been, or will be, made?

No such request has been received.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the fact that in a recent action brought by a defrauded person against a husband and wife, although the husband was innocent of all knowledge of the cause of the fraud, the judge stated that under the present state of the law the husband was liable and a verdict for £12,000 damages was secured against the husband; and, in view of the legislative changes that have been made in recent years in the status and rights of married women, will he introduce legislation to alter the state of the law governing the liabilities of a married man in respect of his wife's debts and torts on wrong doing?

I can only repeat the statement made by my right hon. and Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in another place that the Government are considering this matter, and they propose at a convenient time to introduce legislation for the purpose of dealing with this grievance. Whether it will be possible to find time during the present Session I cannot say, but at all events, as soon as an opportunity occurs, proposals for remedying this grievance will be brought before Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary what number of appeals were brought before the Court of Criminal Appeal during the years 1915 to 1924, inclusive, distinguishing which were from trials at assizes, county quarter sessions, and borough session, repectively; and what number of such appeals so distinguished were allowed, dismissed, or in which the sentence was varied?

I regret that the returns made every year to the

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the refusal of certain magistrates to witness statutory declarations under the Vaccination Acts; and will he follow the precedent of one of his predecessors and circularise all magistrates, calling their attention to their legal obligations to witness statutory declarations when sitting in open Court, and expressly pointing out to them that they are neither required nor authorised to cross-examine applicants as to the reasons for their objections, but that their conscientious objections are sufficient?

Yes, Sir; on the 17th March my right hon. Friend received a deputation from the National Anti-Vaccination League which made representations to him on the subject. After carefully considering the particulars submitted by the league he came to the conclusion that no case had ben made out for the issue of a Circular to Justices. The Home Secretary does not therefore propose to issue one.

Home Office do not distinguish the Courts from which appeals have been brought during the period in question, but I have obtained figures for the year 1924 wich I hope will be sufficient for the hon. and learned Member's purpose. As the figures are somewhat intricate, I will circulate them with the answer in the usual manner.

Following are the figures:

asked the Home Secretary how long the prison at Wormwood Scrubs has been used for first offenders only; whether all the buildings are at present in occupation; and what facilities are now provided for adult education?

Wormwood Scrubs prison has been used for first offenders only since 2nd March, i.e. apart from one hall, which is used as for the purposes of a Borstal institution. One of the four halls is unoccupied. In consultation with the honorary educational adviser a full scheme of adult education has been established whereby every prisoner with over a month to serve is eligible to attend the classes, of which 30 a week are carried on with the assistance of 14 voluntary teachers.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Southwark Borough Council regarding police supervision of traffic crossing the principal thoroughfares of the borough; whether the council's application for additional traffic points to adequately protect children entering and leaving schools has been complied with; and will he cause such action to be taken as will meet with the desires of the Southwark Borough Council in this regard?

The council have made representations to the Commissioner from time to time on this subject, and a deputation was received from them on the 28th January last. Everything that is practicable is done to meet the council's wishes and to safeguard children outside schools at the hours of assembly and dismissal, but the number of men available is not sufficient to enable a special watch to be kept at all the points.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will, in view of the many fatal accidents, adopt the recommendations reported by various coroners of the country and issue Regulations that all bicycles, tricycles, or any slow-moving vehicle shall be compelled to carry rear lights?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for York (Sir J. Marriott) on 16th February last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received an application from the Porthcawl Rural District Council for permission to sell or exchange the charity land of the labouring poor; and, in view of the fact that the Charity Commissioners have already refused to sanction this proposal on the ground that the charity land is of considerably greater value than the land proposed to be taken in exchange, what action he has taken, or intends to take, in this matter?

An application for an exchange of the land referred to has been received and is supported by reports and valuations indicating that the lands are of equal value, and that the exchange will be for the benefit of the charity. No decision has yet been arrived at by the Department, and any representations on the subject will be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the fact that the Porthcawl Rural District Council has applied under the Inclosure Acts for the exchange of the charity land of the labouring poor and of the notice issued by his Department inviting any dissenting person having a direct interest to give notice in writing before the 20th instant, if he will state whether the representations of bodies of ratepayers will be considered?

An application for an exchange of the land referred to has been received, and I shall be prepared to take into consideration any representations which may be addressed to me on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the fact that the sorting and despatch of letters in the area of the Swinton urban district council has been transferred to Mexborough, and that this is causing great dissatisfaction to business people, who are receiving their letters at least an hour later than usual; and will he advise the postal authorities to revert to the system which has hitherto worked satisfactorily?

The accommodation for postmen at Swinton was not satisfactory, and advantage has been taken of a recent extension of the Mexborough office to arrange for the delivery of letters in the Swinton district to be made from that office. The change necessarily involved a rearrangement of postmen's rounds, and I regret that some delay in delivery has occurred owing to the postmen's unfamiliarity with their new rounds, but I am confident that this will soon right itself.

asked the Postmaster-General in how many foreign countries and British Dominions the system known as cash-on-delivery has been adopted; the year of introduction of the system in each case; the charge made by the authorities for the collection of the money; and whether the system is generally considered to have proved successful?

The cash-on-delivery system is in operation in the internal service of Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, India and Ceylon, and of 30 foreign postal administrations, including nearly all the principal European countries and the United States. It cannot be stated when the service was introduced in each case, but in some countries it has been in operation for very many years. In Australia it dates back to 1914, or possibly earlier, while in Canada it was introduced as recently as 1922. The fees charged for the collection of the money vary considerably. For instance, in Denmark the fee ranges from 30 ore (2½d.) for collecting 25 kroner (18s. 7½d.) to 75 ore (6½d.) for collecting 1000 kroner (£37); whereas the minimum fee in the Irish Free State is 6d. for collecting £l and the maximum 2s. 6d. for collecting £20; whilst in Australia the minimum fee is 9d. for collecting 10s., 1s. 9d. for collecting £3, and then 3d. for each £l. In Germany the minimum fee is 30 pfennig (3¾d.) for 25 marks (£l 5s.) and the maximum 1 m. 70 pf. (1s. 8d.) for 1,000 marks (£49). Reports which have been received from certain European postal administrations and from the Australian and Canadian post offices state that the service has been of considerable benefit to the community at large, and is held to have justified its introduction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that about nine months ago 200 residents of Higher St. Budeaux, Devonport, -petitioned the Post Office authorities at Plymouth to provide a telephone box outside the post office in Clifford Terrace, St. Budeaux, and that a representative from the telephone branch inspected the site, since when nothing more has been heard of the matter; and, in view of the inconvenience caused to the inhabitants of St. Budeaux and of the fact that such a telephone box would be productive of revenue to the country, he can see his way to expedite the installation of this box?

The revenue estimated to accrue from a kiosk outside the post office premises at St. Budeaux is not sufficient to cover the expenses, and a guarantee from the local authority or persons interested would be necessary before such a service could be provided. Arrangements are being made to provide an open telephone inside the St. Budeaux office and this may be sufficient to meet the present requirements of the inhabitants.

asked the Postmaster-General, with reference to the sub-post office at Glenmore Avenue, Devon-port, whether, seeing that this post office supplies the needs of nearly 5,000 of the inhabitants who, if it is closed, will have to go nearly half-a-mile for their postal requirements, and that this office has been open for 23 years to the advantage of the neighbourhood, he can see his way to reassure the inhabitants who are suffering anxiety at the prospect of the closing of this office that no such course is contemplated?

This office was closed on the 9th May, consequent on the death of the sub-postmistress. The other offices in the neighbourhood seem reasonably adequate for the requirements of the public, judged by the standards usually applied, but further inquiry is being made.

asked the Postmaster-General the reason for the dismissal of Mr. R. W. Morey, now of 14, Doddington Grove, S.E.17, who was employed as a sorter at the General Post Office, Plymouth, until October last; whether any complaint has been received as to the method of interrogation adopted by postal service detectives; and why this man has been refused a certificate as to his character whilst in the postal service and so prevented from obtaining a livelihood?

Mr. Morey was dismissed on account of misconduct unfitting him for further employment in the Post Office service. A complaint was received from him as to the method of interrogation adopted by the investigating officer. The complaint was fully inquired into, and I am satisfied that there was no foundation for it. It is not the practice of the Post Office to give certificates of character in such circumstances, except where inquiry is made by a prospective employer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of farmers who elect to be assessed for Income Tax under Schedule D, the date of election may be extended from two months to five months after the commencement of the year of assessment, in order that ampler time may be given for the preparation of their accounts, on which the decision depends?

I do not think that the change suggested by the hon. Member is really necessary. A farmer who elects to be charged to Income Tax under Schedule D for any year is assessed upon the average of the three preceding years, and it is not likely that at the time when, under the existing law, the farmer must make his election he would be so uncertain of the results of his last year's operations as to be unable to decide whether that result, averaged with the ascertained result of the two previous years for the purpose of an assessment under Schedule D, would or would not be more favourable to him than the assessment under Schedule B. There is, moreover, a practical objection to the hon. Member's suggestion, in that it would operate to postpone the ingathering of Income Tax returns in rural areas, with consequent delay and dislocation in the work of assessment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of motor cars,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state, for each of the last five fiscal years, the numbers of incomes of which particulars were returned for Income Tax purposes in each of the following categories of total income, respectively: £1501-£200, £200- £250, £250-£300, £300-£400, £400-£500, £500-£600, £600-£700, £700-£800, £800-£1,000, £1,000-£1,500, £1,500-£2,000, £2,000-£3,000, £3,000-£5,000, £5,000-£10,000, £10,000-£20,000, £20,000-£50,000, and above £50,000; and whether he will state also the number of incomes in each of the first four categories which were taxable, and the aggregate of income and of taxable income in each category, respectively?

I regret that, following the change in the system of graduation of the Income Tax, introduced by the Finance Act, 1920, there is no statistical information available for classifying the total number of taxpayers according to the amount of their total incomes. The latest information in this respect relates, therefore, to the year 1919–20, and is contained in the 64th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (pp. 112–13). As regards incomes in excess of £2,000 particulars of the numbers of persons assessed to Super-tax each year are contained in the Annual Reports of the Inland Revenue. The following table shows the estimated number of individuals with total incomes above the exemption limit, the number actually chargeable with tax, the actual income, and the taxable income for each of the last five years for which figures are available:

motor cycles, and parts thereof, in respect of which duty was paid on importation in the years ended 31st December, 1922, 1923 and 1924; the value of motor cars and parts thereof imported free of duty as being intended for commercial Use during the same periods; the amount for the years ended the 31st December, 1922, 1923 and 1924, of the gross receipts from motor-car import duty; the amount repaid by way of drawbacks; and the amount

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon how many estates in each of the several categories specified on page 11 of the Financial Statement for 1925–26, respectively, has Estate Duty been paid during each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what has been the total amount of duty upon estates within each category?

Owing to the changes that have taken place from time to time in the rates of Estate Duty, involving the introduction of new ranges, or "steps," in the scale of values charged to the duty, it has been the practice, since the compilation of the Estate Duty statistics was resumed in 1919–20, to compile these statistics in certain standard ranges of capital value. Information as to the number of estates, and the total duty paid in each of the new ranges proposed in the Budget, could only be obtained at a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. The hon. Member will find

repaid by way of rebates in respect of duties collected on the landing of motor cars and parts thereof, subsequently declared exempt from import duty as commercial vehicles?

The information required is contained in the sub-joined table:

details of the numbers of estates, the net capital values on which estate duty was paid, and the net receipt of duty, in each of the standard ranges referred to above, in the 63rd to 66th reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of persons prosecuted for offences under the Old Age Pensions Act from 1908 to 1924; the number of old age pensioners sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine; and what is the average age on retirement for Army, Navy, teachers, police, and old age pensions (normal retirements, excluding disability cases)?

, in pursuance of his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th May, 1925, col. 1864], supplies the following additional information:

PARTICULARS of the number of persons prosecuted for offences under the Old Age Pension Acts from 1908 to 1924, and the number of old age pensioners sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine during that period.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, in order to enable ministers of religion to be eligible for election to corporations as they now are for Parliament, rural and district councils, and boards of guardians?

A Private Member's Bill for the purpose referred to was read a Second time by the House last month and stands referred to a Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether it has come to his notice that the completion of many houses and other buildings throughout the country is being held up through a shortage of plasterers; and whether he proposes to take steps to secure that a sufficient number of the men at present unemployed shall be trained to perform this work?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the erection of houses sufficient to meet the requirements of local authorities is delayed owing to the shortage of plasterers and bricklayers. The Building Industry Committee have made recommendations to secure the augmentation of these crafts, and my right hon. Friend has made it a condition of approval of local authorities' schemes that compliance with these recommendations shall form one of the conditions of their housing contracts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the practice of the Pearl Assurance Company and other industrial assurance companies in issuing several policies in respect of one child, regardless of the law that a society shall not insure or pay on the death of a child under five years of age any sum which, added to any amount payable on the death of that child by any other society, exceeds £5, or on the death of a child under 10 years of age any sum which, added to any amount payable on the death of that child by any other society, exceeds £10; whether he is aware that the Industrial Insurance Commissioner, upon having his attention drawn to the seeming irregularities of the endowment policies in respect of the death of a child under 10, has stated that as to the return of premiums on death the matter is not free from doubt; and whether he will consult with the Commissioner as to the possibility of putting a stop to such practices?

The Industrial Assurance Commissioner is not at present aware of any case where the company referred to, or any other industrial assurance company has itself issued more than one policy on a child under 10 so that the sums assured or paid exceed those permitted by Statute. These are not the amounts stated in the question, but £6 in the case of a child under three, £10 in the case of a child under six, and £15 in the case of a child under 10. As to the second part of the question, the Commissioner has expressed the opinion that it is doubtful whether the mere return of premiums on the death of a child under 10 is a payment within the meaning of the Statute. As to the third part of the question, the Commissioner would be much obliged if any instance of an alleged breach of the Statute were brought to his notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the average dividend paid by the industrial insurance companies of this country for each of the six years prior to the War, and also the average dividend paid by them for each of the six years since the War; and if he can state the amounts added to reserve funds during the separate periods?

NOTES.—(1) The above Table covers eleven Proprietary Companies of which three have not at any time paid a dividend, and two others have together paid small dividends on six occasions only. In addition to these Proprietary Companies there are four Mutual Companies.

(2) Owing to increases of capital in certain instances, and to the absence of any indication in the accounts lodged with the Board of Trade under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, of the dates when the additional capital commenced to earn dividends, the average rate of dividend asked for cannot be computed.

(3) According to the Report of the Parmoor Committee on Industrial Life Assurance, 1920, the Dividends are paid free of Income Tax.

(4) No statement of dividends paid in respect of the year 1923 can be furnished, as this will be shown in the accounts for 1924 which have not yet been lodged with the Board of Trade.

(5) Both the Dividends and Reserves have been provided, in part, in certain cases, out of the General Insurance Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware of the shortage of high-grade fine cotton; and what steps are being taken to improve the production of such cotton in the British West Indies?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gal-

, pursuant to his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th May, 1925, cols. 733–4], supplied the following statement, giving the information as far as available:

lant Member to the reply to the question of the hon. Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece) on the 28th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware of the inadequate arrangements made for admitting the public to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, and that at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, 9th May, there was only one kiosk open at the main entrance for the purpose of giving change, resulting in the formation of a large queue of people, some of whom had to wait 10 minutes for change; will he consider taking immediate steps to at once improve the facilities for giving change; and, since the price charged for programmes in the stadium in the 4s. enclosure is 1s. each, will the reduction of this price be considered?

According to information given to me by the British Empire Exhibition authorities, I think the hon. and gallant Member must be under a misapprehension. At the time to which he refers, I am informed that four change boxes were in operation at the south-west entrance and two at the north entrance. Arrangements have also been made for the issue of small quantities of change by the men at the turnstiles. (With regard to the last part of the question, the programme is of the nature of a souvenir, and has been produced in a specially attractive form. I understand that the number sold is exceptionally high in relation to the attendance, and I do not think it would be desirable to reduce the price.

asked the Minister of Labour what assistance his Department affords to students leaving universities and university colleges to secure suitable appointments?

No special arrangements are made by the Department in the case of students leaving universities or university colleges. I may mention, however, that advice and assistance are available for boys and girls leaving public secondary schools through machinery set up in co-operation with committees representing headmasters and headmistresses of such schools.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of employers who each employ 100 people or less and the number of workpeople so employed, together with the number of employers who each employ over 100 and the number of workpeople so employed?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is prepared to open boarding schools for working-class children by taking over large empty country houses for that purpose and allow the parents to pay the fees by weekly payments, with the object of improving the health and habits of the children and relieving overcrowding in houses and schools in working-class districts?

I am afraid the hon. and gallant Member has forgotten that, under the existing law, a public elementary school cannot charge fees.