asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the claim of the vicar and churchwardens of Christ Church, Burton-on-Trent, for compensation for damage done by bombs during a German air raid in January, 1916; that the parish mission room was destroyed, the vicarage and the church were damaged, and the church is closed and the roof condemned as dangerous owing to the damage done by the bombs; that it has to be renewed at heavy expense; and that no compensation has been awarded by the War Damages Compensation Commission; and whether any compensation for the damages which were sustained will be paid out of the reparations recoverable from Germany?

A claim in respect of this damage was put before the Royal Commission on Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, who recommended that no payment be made. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

I understand that the payments made by the Royal Commission are made out of funds provided by the British Government. Am I to understand that no efforts have been made to obtain payment from Germany?

The funds were advanced by the British Government out of money which it was hoped eventually would be recovered from Germany. It is obviously very undesirable for the Government to reopen the findings of the Commission.

Then if nothing can be recovered from Germany, are British subjects to get no compensation for the damage?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the homeward voyage of the "Llanstephen Castle," which left Capetown on 26th January and reached London on 24th March, two of the stewards died on the trip; that one of these, a first-class steward, was allowed to go about his work for four days until pneumonia set in; that up till a very short time before his death he continued to sleep in a poorly ventilated cabin with 11 other stewards; will he state what regulations are in force with regard to accommodation for stewards; and whether they were complied with in this case?

I have made inquiries and find that a bandsman died on the outward voyage of the "Llanstephen Castle" on 19th January, and a bedroom steward on the homeward voyage on 17th March, the cause of death in the latter case being abdominal influenza and heart failure. The steward was relieved from duty on 11th March when he reported sick, and was under the care of the surgeon of the ship till his death on the 17th. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the regulation relating to accommodation, and there is no reason to suppose these were not fully complied with; but the stewards' accommodation will be inspected and further inquiries about the case made of the surgeon on the ship's return to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Italy and France, by means of their commercial treaties with Germany, have arranged for the delivery of a number of motor cars to that country while British cars are practically prohibited; and can he state what action he is taking in the matter?

An agreement was concluded between Italy and Germany in 1921 whereby the issue of import licences for motor cars, inter alia, was to be facilitated. I know of no similar agreement between Germany and France, but it is true that the numbers of motor cars recently imported into Germany from both France and Italy has much exceeded the number from this country. Representations have been received from makers of British cars as to difficulties in obtaining licences for their importation into Germany, and the matter has been taken up with the German Government. As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the Protocol to the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty provides that importation restrictions shall in general be removed within six months of ratification.

May we rely upon the Department taking the most energetic measures to see that our motor car exporters get the facilities enjoyed by others?

I have taken steps.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to the negotiations for an Italo-German commercial treaty?

I have been asked to reply to this question. According to a statement lately published in the Italian Press, negotiations between the delegates of the two countries concerned continue in a friendly atmosphere and a satisfactory result is foreseen. In the meanwhile, some of the German delegates have returned to Berlin to consult with the competent authorities for the elucidation of certain points still in dispute.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Franco-German Commercial Treaty, which has recently been completed, provides more favourable treatment for French traders than traders receive under the Anglo-German Treaty?

I understand that the negotiations for a commercial agreement between France and Germany are still in progress. The Anglo-German Commercial Treaty will, through its Most - Favoured - Nation Clauses, entitle goods produced or manufactured in this country to the benefit of any special treatment in Germany that may be accorded to French goods.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that without a tariff we can secure terms equal to those who are bargaining with the assistance of a tariff?

The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that our endeavour is to get the great benefits already accorded to those who have tariffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of persons entering the ports of Great Britain during the last complete year for which figures are available?

The number of passengers who arrived at ports in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1924, from ports in other countries, was 1,762,607. In addition, there were 9,563 passengers who arrived by air from the Continent.

Has the right hon. Gentleman in mind the number of people who landed for business purposes and for pleasure?

I am sure that there must be some of both, but I was not asked for the exact numbers.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the figures the other way round?

Had I received notice I might have had.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of soldiers in receipt of full military pay are being employed at the Covent Garden Opera House and appearing on the stage; whether this has been sanctioned with his approval; and whether, in view of the fact that by this action unemployed civilians are being denied employment, he will have the matter reconsidered?

I am not aware of the circumstances referred to. I am having investigation made.

Is it not against Army Regulations, as is the case of the King s Regulations in the Navy, that serving soldiers are not allowed to appear in uniform on the stage?

I do not think it is against the Regulations, but I think there is some protective provision made with regard to it. If the hon. and gallant Member puts down a question as to the conditions I can tell him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on many occasions the War Office has been approached and asked for permission for serving soldiers to appear either on the stage or for the films, and that permission has been refused? Why has it not been done in this case?

I am not aware of the circumstances in this case, but I will have investigation made. I cannot add anything to that statement.

Can these soldiers appear without leave?

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of Army service pensioners who are also in receipt of a disability pension issued by the Ministry of Pensions; whether these pensioners will have to complete a separate identity form and life certificate in respect of their service pension; whether separate orders will be issued to the Post Office in respect of service pensions; where the issue office will be situated, and what will be the cost to the War Office; and whether provision was made in the Army Estimates to meet the additional cost involved?

About 12,000 Army service pensioners are also in receipt of disability pensions from the Ministry of Pensions. Their service pensions are now issued by the regimental paymasters of the units in which they served. Separate identity and life certificates are used, and separate orders are issued, in respect of the two pensions, but payment is made at the same post office on the same day. The provision in Army Estimates for the cost of payment of the service pensions is now £1,200 a year. I am informed that there is no additional cost involved in the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to investigate the question of providing further staff college accommodation, in view of the large number of candidates from the Army for the small number of vacancies annually available at the Staff College, Camberley?

An investigation is proceeding into certain questions connected with the Staff College, including the question of the number of officers required to be trained there.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the field-service concessions now granted to troops stationed at Razmak have been made retrospective; and, if not, is it proposed to give any concession to units who were there between 1st June, 1924, and 1st April, 1925?

My right hon Friend has asked me to reply. Field service conditions have not been re-introduced in Waziristan. Certain special concessions are being granted which are considered appropriate to the conditions of Service, and retrospective effect is contemplated in one or two instances where this is practicable. I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the details when they are finally settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to grant the North-West Frontier Medal to all troops stationed in the Razmak area up to 1st April, 1924?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the appointment of an assistant military attaché in the United States, in view of the fact that France and Japan find it necessary each to have three military representatives at Washington, whereas at the present time there is only one such British representative?

The question of making such an appointment is already receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the meat supplied to His Majesty's Forces in Great Britain is home-grown, and is the remainder entirely produced from within the British Empire?

Of the meat supplied to the Army in Great Britain, a small proportion only is home-grown; practically the whole of the remainder is produced within the British Empire.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the proportion of the annual expenditure for the garrison of Singapore which is attributable to its equatorial climate?

Information as to the relative cost of units at home and in the Colonial and foreign garrisons will be found on pages 30–41 of Army Estimates. The differences of cost are, of course, due to a variety of causes and not solely to differences of climate.

What is the amount? That is what I asked for, and not the cost.

I think, if the hon. Member will read the answer, he will see that the differences of cost are due to various different causes, and it is not easy, or possible, to say the definite amount that is due to climatic conditions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many square miles of land in the Kelvin Valley were flooded during the April floods; if he is aware that miles of good arable land are going back to rushes as a result of these frequent floodings; that public roads in the area are being torn up and moneys spent in repair wasted; and if any suggestion or proposal has been made to him whereby unemployed men could be found employment in cleaning out the silted bed of the River Kelvin?

I have no precise information as to the first two parts of the question. The area subject to floods has been estimated at from 600 to 1,000 acres. No reports have reached me with regard to damage done to public roads by the floods in question. The answer to the last part is in the negative.

Have not the local authorities in the neighbourhood repeatedly drawn the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that the public roads have been torn up by these floods, and have I not repeatedly made suggestions how to deal with them?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by removing an antiquated and useless Weir, and one rock from the bed of the River Kelvin, the river bed would clear itself without any further expense being incurred?

I am not aware of any representations made to my office by the local authority. With regard to the road, as I have stated, I will make careful inquiry. In reply to the latter question it is quite true that if anything is to be done in this matter there are questions between the riparian owners which can only be settled by compensation and I have no power.

Are we to understand that public bodies are to be put to expense because somebody has got a useless weir which cannot be removed without compensation?

Under the present law it is open to the riparian owners if they have any complaint to enter into negotiations.

Under the present Scottish law where a weir is causing damage to a road the local public bodies have the right to sue.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether in view of the concern which is felt at the sentence which was imposed, and the demand for repayment which is now being made, on an old age pensioner recently sentenced at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, he can make any further statement on the subject?

I am unable to add anything to the previous answers which I have given on this subject. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that I have no jurisdiction with regard to the arrears of pension.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that under the Pharmacy Act the exception in regard to sheep dip was recently annulled, and that in respect thereof farmers resident in remote sheep farms, and especially in the Highlands, are unable to get to Glasgow, Berkhampstead, Manchester, or other places where sheep dips are manufactured, to sign the poisons register; and, as a result of this regulation it would be impossible for farmers to dip the sheep in case of an outbreak of sheep scab, will he take steps to forthwith have the exception in the above Act of sheep dip restored, with the free sale thereof?

I am informed that the position in regard to sheep dip has been modified by an alteration in the Schedule of Poisons recently approved by the Privy Council. Representations as to the effect of this modification have been made by agricultural interests, and I understand that they are being considered by the Privy Council Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that alcohol has been found to be a very good thing for the cure of scabies?

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made with the pumping operations at Montagu colliery, Scotswood; and what are the prospects of recovering the bodies?

The main body of the water has now been pumped out, except in the two lowest districts of the mine, but exploration is being hindered by the presence of firedamp and blackdamp. Seventeen bodies were, however, located last night by the rescue brigade and are being recovered.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the number of pits that are entirely closed, the number partly closed, together with a further number which are working short time in the County of Durham; and whether, seeing that there was an average profit of 1s. 0¾d. per ton over the area for 1924, and in view of the agreements made between the employers and workmen both as to hours and wages, he will have an impartial inquiry made into the whole matter?

I am aware of the present depression in the coal-mining industry both in Durham and in other coalfields, and while the figure of 1s. 0¾d. profit per ton quoted by the hon. Member is a correct average for 1924, the average profit during the six months ended the 31st March, 1925, was only a farthing a ton. As the hon. Member is aware, the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation are now investigating the whole position, and I understand that the Durham coalowners and miners' representatives are meeting shortly to discuss the position in that county. I do not think that such further inquiry as is suggested by the hon. Member would serve any useful purpose.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is an agreement between the owners and the workers which has been in existence for many years, and which has been broken by the owners, on this question of trying to get the pits working during the slump?

Nearly all these questions will be gone into at the inquiry.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the quantity of British coal sent into Italy, Spain and Russia in 1913, and what are the corresponding figures for 1924?

As the reply involves a series of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The figures are as follow:

^* In addition, the following quantities of coal were exported in 1924 to countries which, or parts of which, were Russian territory before the War:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of coal sent from Great Britain to Germany in 1913; and what is the corresponding figure for 1924?

The figure for 1913 was 8,952,328 tons and that for 1924, 6,824,071 tons.

Is the Secretary for Mines keeping the President of the Board of Trade informed, so as to prevent Him making false statements, as he did last week, in regard to the coal that is going from this country to Germany?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that no provision is made for the shelter of the men employed on the new Southend road in inclement weather, and that men stood off owing to rain have to stand by the roadside exposed to the elements on the off-chance of being able to resume work; and if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the inadequate transport facilities that exist to enable the men to reach the section of the road on which they are working?

( for Colonel ASHLEY): As the work on this road has been practically completed, only about 50 men are engaged on the total length of 31 miles. These men are mainly employed in small travelling gangs and are supplied with tarpaulins. Where work is concentrated, hutting accommodation is available. The labour is local and no transport is provided.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the establishment of a larger post office to serve the Stamford Hill district, as, owing to the growing importance of this district, there are many complaints of the inadequate postal facilities at present provided?

I find that the Stamford Hill district is served by a number of sub-offices which are distributed as evenly as possible, and the amount of business done at these does not suggest that the facilities would be improved as a whole by concentration in a larger office. If my hon. and gallant Friend will kindly provide me with details of the complaints to which he refers I will have them looked into.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the unsatisfactory telephone service in the Middlesbrough area, due to the age of the plant; and will he include this exchange amongst those where the automatic installation is to be next made?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of the 17th February last. In view of the age of the switchboard, special measures are being taken to keep the equipment in good working order. It has now been decided to provide, if possible, in 1928. an automatic exchange at Middlesbrough.

In view of the insufficiency of the service, which the right hon. Gentleman admits, is it not possible to expedite the installation of the automatic service without waiting three years?

I am doing everything I can, but like every other question it is a matter of building, and the difficulty of getting it done.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that there is a shortage of wire suitable for making telephone circuits, and that this shortage is causing delay in the installation of new lines; and what steps he proposes to take to see that this shortage does not recur?

Where delay occurs in the provision of telephone circuits, it is usually due, not to any shortage of wire, of which there are ample supplies, but to the time necessarily required for the construction and laying of new cables or the manufacture of exchange equipment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that great inconvenience is caused in Galston, Ayrshire, by there being no delivery of letters between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and that when the English mail is late, business letters are received too late to be dealt with that day; and will he arrange for a mid-day delivery as in pre-War time?

The deliveries at Galston are due to commence at 7.15 a.m. and 3.25 p.m. When the English mail is late the first delivery is deferred so as to include letters received by that mail. I regret that the provision of a midday delivery would not be warranted.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can inform the House of the personnel of the permanent Advisory Committee of Empire wireless communication; and what their duties and powers will be?

I am not yet in a position to announce the personnel of the permanent Committee on Imperial wireless services as several of the Dominion Governments have not yet nominated their representatives. The Committee will be of an advisory character, and will deal with such questions as the hours of working, routing of messages, tariffs and the classes of service to be operated by the beam stations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that there is to be no reduction of postal rates, he will re-establish pre-War postal facilities?

I regret that I am unable to restore pre-War postal facilities in all respects. Certain improvements are at present under consideration; and any well-founded claims with regard to particular places will receive sympathetic consideration so far as circumstances permit.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of a 6 o'clock delivery in the evening in London?

If my hon. Friend will submit any representations I will look into them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no deliveries before 9 o'clock in the morning in Westminster?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the recent decision in the case of Sutton v. Rex, the pensions of Post Office officials assessed on the percentage of bonus received at the time of retirement will now be reassessed on the new basis?

Directions were given to all Departments by Treasury Circular of 15th January, 1925, that when a payment of arrears of War bonus was made thereunder to a person to whom an allowance under the Superannuation Acts had been granted, the pension should be re-assessed on the basis of the revised emoluments drawn at date of retirement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of their value as an advertising agent for the British Empire Exhibition, he will arrange for the souvenir postage stamps to be on sale at all post offices instead of, as now, merely at the post offices within the exhibition grounds?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 28th of April to the hon. Member for Moseley, of which I am sending him a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making fuller use of the post mark, as has been done with great success in foreign countries?

That has been done for some months now.

( for Mr. J. BECKETT)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that persons who pay substantial prices for seats at Stadium entertainments are further charged full price for entrance to the exhibition and 1s. for a programme; and whether he will arrange for reserved Stadium tickets to admit to the exhibition at certain time6, and for programmes at a more reasonable price?

I am aware that the facts are as stated. The prices fixed for the entertainments given in the Stadium vary according to the entertainment and are intended to yield a return upon the expenditure involved. It has also been found in practice that a large proportion of those going to performances in the Stadium spend some hours in addition in the exhibition itself. As regards the charge for programmes, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Southwark (Colonel Day) by the Parliamentary Secretary, Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total area of cultivable land that has been taken over for building and other purposes during the last 10 years in each county in Britain; and the approximate percentage this represents in each county?

( for Mr. EDWARD WOOD): I have been asked to reply. As the reply to this question is in tabular form I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The acreage returned in 1914 and 1924 by occupiers of holdings over one acre as under crops and permanent grass in each county of England and Wales is as follows:

The decrease between the two years is partly due to certain land formerly classed by occupiers as "permanent grass" now being more properly returned under the heading of "Mountain, Heath, Moor, Down and other rough land used for grazing," the latter heading having been more closely defined in recent years. The remainder of the decrease is attributable to land having been taken over for buildings, railways, roads, allotments and other public or private purposes. The position varies very much in different counties, and it is not possible to make any exact estimate of the area of agricultural land taken for buildings and other purposes.

For any similar figures relating to Scotland I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate average acreage of land in Britain laid waste due to lack of drainage; the amount brought into cultivation through drainage schemes during the last three years; the total cost of these schemes; and the aggregate Government grants towards the same.

As the reply is necessarily long, and contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

I am afraid my right hon. Friend has no information as to the precise acreage of land laid waste on account of lack of drainage, but information as to the worse areas requiring drainage is in process of collection. With regard to the second part of the question, the policy underlying the Ministry's land drainage schemes for the alleviation of unemployment is not so much to bring derelict land under cultivation, as to improve land already under cultivation. It is estimated that the following acreage was improved by these schemes: 1921–22, 342,000; 1922–23, 913,000; 1923–24, 727,000. The figures asked for in the last two parts of the question are as follows:

( for Mr. RILEY) asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount realised by local rates on agricultural land in England and Wales for the year 1895–96, and the corresponding amount received in 1923–24?

My right hon. Friend is only able to give an estimate of the amount paid in respect of rates raised for the expenditure of spending authorities to which the Agricultural Rates Acts of 1896 and 1923 apply. For the purposes of these rates agricultural land contributed in the first year approximately £2,660,000 and in the later year £2,860,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the number of accidents occurring owing to the reckless driving of motorists, he is prepared to take any steps, by legislation or other wise, to further safeguard the public?

Clause 38 of the Criminal Justice Bill increases the penalty to which motorists are liable if they drive recklessly or are in charge of a motor-car when drunk.

Is it not a fact that the majority of these accidents do not take place owing to high rates of speed, and that consequently the present system of testing motor traffic on a measured distance has not the slightest effect in preventing dangerous driving?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to appoint a Committee to inquire into the workings of the various systems of disinterested control of the sale of intoxicating liquors, and especially with regard to the Carlisle system; and, if so, will they take into consideration the advisability of appointing Members who have not already formed or expressed any decided opinions on the subject?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division of Lancashire.

How soon can the hon. Gentleman announce the personnel of the Committee?

They will be announced this week.

In view of the large number of women interested in this question, does not the hon. Gentleman think that it would be a wise thing to put a woman on this Committee?

I think that there is going to be one.

asked the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to make a statement as to the result of his conferences with the engineering industry?

I received a deputation from the Amalgamated Engineering Union on 12th May when they discussed with me a resolution which the union had adopted on the subject of unemployment in the engineering trade. An official report of what took place was issued to the Press, and I have nothing to add to this.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to see all the unions in the same way?

Not that I know of.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the rate of interest at present being charged by the Treasury on the deficit of the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

The average rate at present is 4·9 per cent.; the last advance was made at 4⅞ per cent. These rates represent what the Treasury itself has to pay for the money so lent to the fund.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the total of 8,480,600 male persons estimated to be insured at July, 1924, under the Unemployment Insurance Acts were juveniles in respect of whom a lower rate of contribution was being paid; how many of the 3,033,400 women were, similarly, juveniles; and how many juveniles in each group were at that date unemployed?

Of the 11,514,000 persons in Great Britain and Northern Ireland insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, the estimated numbers of juveniles of 16 and under 18 years are 547,730 boys and 382,660 girls. At 28th July, 1924, the numbers of insured juveniles registered as unemployed were 20,801 boys and 14,614 girls.

( for Mr. FENBY)asked the Minister of Labour in how many places are juvenile unemployment centres at present in operation; is the attendance of unemployed juveniles a condition in all of these, upon the fulfilment of which the issue of unemployment benefit depends; what is estimated to be the aggregate attendance at these centres of boys and girls, respectively; and what proportions of the totals of boys and girls who are insurable and unemployed do these numbers represent?

Juvenile unemployment centres are open in 40 towns, and attendance at these centres, or at an approved alternative course of instruction, is a condition of the receipt of unemployment benefit in the case of all insured juveniles living within a reasonable distance from them. The average attendance at centres during the week which ended on 1st May was 7,360–4,513 boys and 2,847 girls; of these, 3,572 boys and 1,901 girls were claiming benefit. The total attendance of individual juveniles during the year which ended on 31st March last was 73,306. At 27th April the total number of insured juveniles, with current claims to benefit, was 29,505–18,183 boys and 11,322 girls. It will be seen, therefore, that, approximately, 20 per cent. of insured boys claiming benefit and 17 per cent. of insured girls claiming benefit are attending centres.

( for Mr. FENBY)asked the Minister of Labour what have been the amounts paid into the Unemployment Insurance Fund in the form of contributions in respect of the employment of men, women, boys and girls, respectively, during each year since the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, came into operation; and what were the contributions made by employers, by wage-earners, and by the State, respectively, in each case?

An estimate of the revenue of the Unemployment Fund each year under the heads specified has been made, but as the statement is a lengthy one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFIICIAL REPORT.

Will it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to add the amount paid out of the Fund each year?

I think so. At any rate, if it be possible, I will have it done. It only means the delay of a day in circulating the statement.

Following is the statement:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any action is contemplated that will bring about the amalgamation of Treasury notes and notes of the Bank of England; and whether any such amalgamation, bringing about the single system of note currency, will leave the control in the hands of the Bank of England instead of the dual control as now existing, or whether the Government will continue to hold the balance of control?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the concluding paragraphs of the Report of the Currency Committee, whose recommendations, as I have stated in my Budget speech, have been accepted by His Majesty's Government. When the £l and 10s. notes are transferred to the Bank of England, the issue will, naturally, be controlled by the Bank.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated increase, in the receipts from Income Tax if the present concession to new businesses, whereby they may elect to be assessed for the first three years either on the profits of individual years or on the average of preceding years, were withdrawn and if such businesses were assessed for the first three years on the actual profits of individual years?

Statistics comparing the amount of the assessment with the amount of profits of individual years in the case of new businesses are not avail- able, and, in view of the fluctuations which take place in business conditions from year to year, I should not, I think, be justified in incurring the expense of their collection.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated number of persons likely to be assessed to Income Tax for the present year, and the number of them likely to be relieved from liability to payment of tax by the earned income allowance and the personal allowances?

I regret that these Estimates have not yet been framed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of the firms to whom exceptional quantities of goods covered by the Budget Resolutions on the new Import Duties and the Silk Duty are being consigned in anticipation of the imposition of these duties?

I am not prepared to furnish the information desired. If the hon. Member will refer to my previous statements on this subject he will observe that they relate to abnormal importations in the aggregate and not to the operations of particular firms.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether a number of these people are Conservative Protectionists?

I think it is quite unnecessary to embark upon an invidious examination at this stage of the accounts of particular firms. The Customs must deal with these matters in a general way. As a matter of fact, I am advised there is no remarkable or extraordinary importation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to charge Customs duty on articles of silk and artificial silk in actual wear of passengers entering the ports of this country, or contained in the personal luggage of such passengers after having been previously worn by them?

Customs duty will not be charged on any articles bona fide worn by passengers arriving in this country; as regards articles contained in personal luggage, reasonable allowances will be made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that a very large amount of silk will come into this country, considering there are 1,750,000 passengers entering in the course of the year?

. Yes, Sir. We have allowed for that in the estimates we have prepared.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that his reply means that a woman who buys her dresses abroad, wears them once, and brings them into this country, will be placed in an advantageous position compared with the woman who cannot afford to go abroad to buy?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many pairs of silk stockings will be considered a reasonable allowance?

I think it is much better not to fix in advance hard and fast numerical definitions or standards in these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as artificial silk, being made with cellulose acetate, is already taxed under the German reparation scheme, it is proposed that the suggested duty should be additional to, or inclusive of, the existing tax?

The hon. Member has no doubt in mind, not the levy under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, collection of which ceased on the 10th April, but the duty chargeable under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921. As regards the latter, I would refer him to the provisions of Section 1 (2) of the Act, under which duty under Part I is only chargeable in so far as it may exceed any other Customs duties chargeable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what stage of the process of its manufacture wood-pulp becomes artificial silk and liable to the new duty?

Wood-pulp would become liable to duty only when it has been converted into artificial silk.

Is that the best answer we can get? It is not an answer.

That is not a supplementary question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that nothing in this tariff will interfere with the free import of the material for paper?

No, Sir. I do not think it could have the slightest possible effect, which, I agree, would be most serious.

If wood pulp imported with a declaration that it is for paper making is actually made into artificial silk, what steps will the Chancellor of the Exchequer take?

There is no tax of any kind on wood pulp, and the hon. Gentleman is perfectly free to import any quantity he chooses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be printed and made available for Members?

I hope it will be available for hon. Members on Thursday, but it may not be ready before Friday.

Shall we know when it is printed whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer intends to include a Clause dealing with lace?

No, Sir. I do not think that will be decided at this stage.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister informed me that he would put into the Bill the duty on lace—that a decision would be come to in time for it to be put into the Bill?

A method of procedure exists by which a Budget can be reinforced by any further duty. It is only necessary to set up another Financial Resolution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the imposition of the new Import Duties will relieve the dutiable article from the payment of any other Import Duty to which otherwise it will be liable?

Articles within the scope of the new Import Duties will not usually be liable to any other Customs Duty at present in force. In some few instances such articles may be chargeable also with Key Industry Duty and, under the provisions of Sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, Key Industry Duty will not be charged in such cases, except in so far as the amount thereof exceeds the amount of the other duty.

If an article is partly silk, and is also subject in other respects to the new Import Duty, will it be charged 66 per cent. of the actual value?

No.

What will it be charged?

It entirely depends upon the rates for the different duties. The duties are merged. They are not duplicated. Whichever is the greatest will rule.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether goods imported from the Sudan receive the benefit of Imperial Preference?

The Sudan is accorded Imperial Preference under the conditions of Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1919.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps, in conjunction with the Irish Free State, to remedy the system under which a person resident both in the Irish Free State and Great Britain is called upon to pay full Income Tax and Super-tax to both Governments before relief can be obtained?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the grievance felt by English shareholders in limited companies in the Irish Free State in consequence of their having to pay Income Tax both in the Free State and in Great Britain, and of their being unable to obtain relief without much delay and many formalities; and whether he will take steps in conjunction with the authorities of the Irish Free State in the matter?

With my hon. friends' permission I will answer these questions together. I am aware of the difficulties to which the existence of double taxation between this country and the Irish Free State gives rise. A review of the whole position is now being conducted in conjunction with the Irish Free State authorities.

Will my right hon. Friend expedite this review of the case, having regard to the great hardship suffered by people who have these very large deductions made from their incomes and experience great delay in recovering the amounts?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the formation of a private company, registered on 31st March under the business title of Silverdale Provident Cooperative, Limited, for the purpose of purchasing and carrying on a private business to be conducted for private profit; and whether, in view of the fact that such a title will mislead the public, the Government will introduce legislation for the protection of the public on the lines of action already taken in certain of the Dominions?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the formation of the company referred to, which has powers under its Memorandum of Association to admit any class or section of those who have any dealings with the company to a share in the profits thereof. The question whether further discretion should be given to the Registrar to refuse to register companies under misleading names is one which will be considered by the Departmental Committee now sitting.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has any information respecting the existence of single-room tenements in England and Wales at present; and, if so, will he state the numbers and the counties where such tenements are situate?

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabular statement comprising the information asked for by the hon. Member as shown by the Census returns.

Following is the table: