asked the Minister of Pensions if he has recently received official representation from the West Ham War Pensions Committee in respect to a resolution passed at its last meeting intimating its dissatisfaction with the incidence of the application of the Royal Warrant dealing with final awards, treatment and treatment allowances, epileptic and chronic neurasthenic cases, training and resettlement of tuberculous men, and the seven years' limit as applied to men, widows, and dependants; whether he is aware that the West Ham War Pensions Committee has unanimously expressed its disapproval of the present administration; and whether he will be prepared to meet a representative deputation from the West Ham Committee in order that they may detail cases of grievances?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matters dealt with in the representations made by this committee have been already, and will be further, discussed by me with my Central Advisory Committee, and in the circumstances I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a discussion with the War Pensions Committee. I would add, however, that if the West Ham Committee have any particular cases of difficulty which they wish to represent to me, I should be very glad to consider them on receiving full particulars.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that T. Wright, of 27, Capworth Street, Leyton, E.10, has been refused treatment allowances from 14th November, 1923, to 6th May, 1924, and that for this period he was offered home treatment, and informed that such treatment would not prevent him working, notwithstanding the fact that his regular medical officer, to whom he was sent by the Ministry, stated that he was unable to attend his work; and whether, seeing that as the result of the disability the man's right leg was amputated, he will arrange for the treatment allowances to be paid for the period referred to?

Allowances were paid in this case as from the date on which, in accordance with the terms of the Warrant, it was medicaly certified that in consequence of the treatment necessary for the man's condition he would be unable to support himself and his family. I should have no authority, to ante-date the payment of those allowances as suggested by the hon. Member. I would add that the pensioner has teen continuously in receipt of allowances since May, 1924, and that the subsequent amputation of the pensioner's leg, which unfortunately became necessary, will be recognised by a further award appropriate to the disablement sustained.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Albert Edward Panter (identity No. 6/M.P./774), late private No. 043,200, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, went before a medical board at Birmingham on the 6th May last, but is still awaiting the result; why is there so much delay in so many of these cases; and why the results of medical boards cannot be communicated sooner?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is perhaps not aware of all the facts in this case. Mr. Panter has, in fact, been in receipt of a conditional award of pension since July, 1924, the currency of which continues until the end of the present month. The question of making a final award in this case has been under consideration and the pensioner was notified on the 10th instant that a final award had been made.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will grant the right of further appeal to the tribunal to John Mitchell, 56, Chandos Road, Stratford, E.15, who did not exercise his right of appeal against the Ministry's award of April, 1922, in respect to aggravation of derangement to right knee-joint, considering that such disability had passed away; and whether, as the disability has recurred with increased severity, he will reconsider the man's allowance?

I would remind the hon. Member that the right of appeal is exercised subject to Statute, and is not within my discretion. I am unable, from the particulars given, to trace the case referred to, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with regimental and other particulars of the case, necessary for identification, I will look into the matter and communicate with him.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the West Ham area office refuses to accept the signature of the Member for the Stratford Division (Mr. Groves) in verification of statements made on life certificates and ring papers; and whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the rejection of such signature on the form papers of Mrs. L. Black, 31, Ashton Road, E.15?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to his similar questions of 29th May, 1924. the 5th March and the 9th March last.

asked the Minister of Pensions' what modifications have been made in the establishment of the finance branch, including audits and other headquarter branches, in consequence of the general fall of the volume of work for the year ended 31st December, 1924; and whether it is further proposed to report any of the principal officers of the finance branch to the Treasury pool for employment in other branches of the Civil Service?

While the total staff of the accounts division (including regional offices) has been reduced by 86 officers, of whom 24 were on the audit staff, since the 31st December last, the responsibilities of the headquarters' staff have been increased by the transfer of certain accounting functions from the regional offices to headquarters. A central Treasury pool has ceased to be operative for come time, but as and when a redundancy arises in the ranks of the principal officers' in my Department, the question of disposing of the redundancy in the most suitable manner will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will recommend the increase of the scale of annual pay, retired pay, and gratuities on retirement of nurses in Queen Alexandra's Military Nursing Service, in view of the fact that the present pay is considerably less than that earned by civilian nurses, that military nurses of from 40 to 50 years of age at present receive less pay than a private of 21 in the Royal Army Medical Corps, that even this pay is liable to a deduction of 5½ per cent. from the 1st July next, and that the inadequacy of the salary offered is affecting the recruitment of desirable nurses?

The pay, retired pay, and gratuities of members of the Queen Alexandra's Military Nursing Service are at the present moment under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has received any complaints with regard to the maintenance of the Tank Corps at Lulworth Cove; and, if so, if he is prepared to have the same removed?

I have not received recently any complaints regarding the maintenance of the Tank Corps Gunnery School in the vicinity of Lulworth Cove. The Army Council are at present endeavouring to arrange for an alternative site for this school.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he has any information about unrest amongst the employés of the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company, and as to whether the Government of India intends making any inquiry into the matter?

I have no knowledge of any unrest among the company's employés, nor has the chairman of the company.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the trial recently concluded in Bombay of a number of persons accused of the murder of a Mr. Bawla and an assault on a woman, Mumtaz Begum, in which three persons have been sentenced to death and four others to imprisonment for life; and whether the Government of India are taking steps to inquire whether all the persons implicated in the crime for which these men were sentenced have been brought to trial?

I have seen reports of the trial. If any further inquiries are considered necessary, these will in due course be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the composition of the Consular body in Shanghai which takes decisions in cases of public emergency such as the recent disturbance; whether the voting on resolutions by this body must be unanimous or whether a majority vote is sufficient; and whether, considering other nations have small commercial interests as compared with our own, he will say what steps are taken to prevent our being committed to a policy which may prove prejudicial to our trade?

The body which takes decisions at Shanghai in cases of public emergency such as the recent disturbance is not the Consular body but the Shanghai Municipal Council, of which the chairman is at present an American. This council derives its authority from the Land Regulations, which are passed by the ratepayers and approved by the diplomatic representatives of the Treaty Powers. The council is elected by the ratepayers under the Land Regulations and by-laws, and acts by a majority. The British representation on the council is amply sufficient to ensure that British interests receive adequate consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with the firing in Shanghai which entailed the death of a number of students, the crowd was armed; whether the law under which such firing took place was British or Chinese; how many students have been arrested and how many released since; what form of inquiry is being held into the circumstances; and to whom will the report be made?

I am informed that the crowd was unarmed, but was very large and threatening the lives of the police. It was attempting to rush the police station, which was full of arms, in order to release arrested students. Warning was given before firing opened. I have no information as to how many students were arrested and how many subsequently released. I have asked for a report on this point. As regards the legal position, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to-day to the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes). Inquiries are being made both by the Chinese Government, who have despatched two high officials to Shanghai for the purpose, and by the diplomatic representatives of the Treaty Powers concerned, who have sent a Commission comprising members of the British, American, Belgian, French, Italian and Japanese Legations. This Commission will report to the diplomatic representatives, who will in turn report to their respective Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what legal provision exists in the international settlements in China permitting the police to fire on crowds in times of emergency; whether the firing on the occasion of the recent disturbance took place under Chinese law or under British law; and what warning was given to the crowd?

I would refer to my answer to the hon. Member for Rossendale (Mr. Waddington), in which I have explained the position and function of the Shanghai Municipal Council. The action referred to was taken in pursuance of the obligation of the council to maintain order, and under the local police regulations, which are made by the ratepayers under the powers conferred by the Land Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the existing trouble at Shanghai and in China generally, explaining how the conflict arose; the diplomatic action taken by this country and the other Powers and by China; the present outlook; and the policy it is intended to pursue?

The origin of the present troubles is complex, and in some respects obscure. It is to be sought mainly in the disturbed conditions that have prevailed in China for some time past owing to the lack of strong central government, the poverty and misery caused by destructive local wars, and the irritation of the Chinese with their petty local rulers. The resulting discontent is skilfully directed by interested persons against foreigners, whose treaty rights are represented as being inimical to the well-being of China.

His Majesty's Government have for some time past given close attention to the question whether discontent with industrial conditions is playing any appreciable part in the present general and widespread unrest in China. That they should do so is prima facie improbable, in view of the facts that only an infinitesimal percentage of the population of China (some 450 millions) is engaged in industry, and that there are only three or four centres where large-scale modern industries exist at all. Although in these centres, of which Shanghai is the most important, conditions are of course far below any European standard, all the evidence points to the conclusion that genuine Chinese discontent with them hardly operates at all as a cause of the present troubles, although such discontent, so far as it exists, is to be welcomed as a symptom of a desire for better things. At Shanghai the trouble began with a strike at a Japanese cotton mill, where the conditions of labour are well known to be equal or superior to anything in China. Incidentally, I may observe that for some time past His Majesty's Government have been exerting active pressure on the international authorities at Shanghai to secure improved factory conditions in the foreign settlement, especially as regards child labour. Our policy is to make the settlement a model for the rest of China, and we shall continue to work to this end.

As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on the 9th of June.

As regards the third part, it is not yet possible to say whether the ferment is likely to spread or to subside, but, thanks to the defensive measures taken by the Powers, no immediate danger to the lives and property of foreigners is anticipated.

As regards the last part of the question, it is intended to seek a solution of the difficulties at Shanghai in a conciliatory spirit, while insisting on the maintenance of law and order in the foreign settlements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any information has been secured of Bolshevist agitation in connection with the troubles at Shanghai?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the League of Nations has received any reply from the Greek Government to the letter addressed to it on 27th March, 1925, with regard to the settlement of Bulgarian and Greek minorities; and, if so, what is the nature of the reply?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The text of the Greek Government's reply, which is a document of considerable length, will doubtless be published by the League of Nations in due course, but in the meanwhile I shall be glad, for the hon. Member's convenience, to furnish him with a copy if desired.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government has made any representation to France in the direction of restricting the movements of French soldiers in their operations against the Riffs?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for a stone-pounding machine of the type used in casual wards to be exhibited in the Library of the House of Commons?

I am afraid I cannot comply with my hon. and gallant Friend's request.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has reconsidered the Circular dealing with oakum picking in casual wards; and what conclusion be has arrived at?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 9th instant to a question put by the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. T. Kennedy), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health how many men, women, and children were given shelter in casual wards in England and Wales during the last week in May of this year; how many of the men were ex-service men; and will he give the same figures for the same week in 1924?

Figures for the last week of May, 1925, are not available, but on the 1st May the total number of persons relieved as casuals either in Poor Law institutions or otherwise was approximately 8,800. The number of men, women and children and the number of ex-service men included in that number cannot be given. On the 2nd May, 1924, the numbers of persons relieved as casuals either in Poor Law institutions or otherwise were:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of giving power to boards of guardians to take legal proceedings, prior to the birth of a child, against the putative father of an illegitimate child for payment of the cost of maintenance of the woman during such time as she shall be in the Poor Law institution before the birth of the child and for the expenses of her confinement?

The Government are not in a position to undertake legislation of the kind suggested at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health how the deductions in the Second Schedule of the Rating and Valuation Bill have been determined; and whether they conform in every respect to existing practice?

I think it would be more convenient if the point were left to be dealt with when the Bill is under consideration in Committee.

asked the Minister of Health the total assessable value of all the rateable hereditaments owned or occupied by the railway companies of England and Wales for each of the years 1913, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924; and also the total amount paid in rates for the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924 by the companies?

The rateable value of all rateable hereditaments occupied by railway companies in England and Wales was £17,185,336 in April, 1914, and £16,657,835 in April, 1924. Corresponding figures for the other years mentioned in the question are not available. Information as to the rates paid by railway companies operating in Great Britain is contained in the "Railway Returns" issued annually by the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the printed statement of the chief medical adviser to the Ministry, in the Annual Medical Report, 1924, that in respect to the proportion of maternity mortality England and Wales compares unfavourably with Germany, Norway, Italy, Sweden and Holland; and whether he contemplates any special and immediate measures to raise the standard or availability of medical and institutional treatment here to the level of the countries above named?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Special Report on Maternal Mortality by Dame Janet Campbell, of which a copy was sent to him, as promised in my reply to his question of the 20th May on this subject. The statement which the hon. Member appears to have in mind relates to the years 1911–13, and it is expressly stated in the Report that the statistics there given are subject to certain qualifications. I do not consider, however, that the position of the country, as regards maternal mortality is satisfactory, and I would refer the hon. Member to my previous answer as to the steps which are being taken with a view to securing an improvement in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health what part of the contributions paid by or on behalf of insured women, under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill repre- sents the expense of insuring them in their own right for old age pensions at 65; and what part represents the expense of insuring them for widows' and orphans' pensions and for old age pensions at 65 as wives of insured men, if the latter are entitled to pension?

The question of the hon. Member appears to be based upon a misapprehension of the provisions of the Bill with reference to contributions. The expense of insuring women, whether for pensions in their own right or for widows' and orphans' pensions and pensions at 65 as wives of insured men, is not represented by the contributions paid in respect of women. I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 5 of the Report of the Government Actuary, from which he will see that the contributions paid in respect of women, are no more than payments towards the cost of the benefits to which women will be entitled, and are fixed at one-half of the contributions payable in respect of men, which are also devoted largely to the provision of benefits for women. In these circumstances, no particular part of the woman's contribution can be assigned to a particular benefit.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the widows', orphans', and old pensions contributory scheme, a person who has ceased insurance in one approved society may join another; and, if so, will he state in what form the proof will be required by the new society of membership of the old society?

There is nothing in the Bill which in any way affects the present position with regard to membership, transfer and termination of membership of approved societies,

asked the Minister of Health whether the contributions under the widows', orphans', and old age contributory pensions scheme will have provided for the old age pension between 65 and 70 only, but not after, or whether the effect of the decennial increases of contribution is to place upon the contribution paid for future entrants into insurance at the age of 16 the whole cost of the benefits up to the age of 70 conferred upon them and their dependants, and a proportion of the cost of the old age pensions to which they will become entitled at 70, commencing at 20 per cent. in respect of persons at 16 entering insurance in 1926, reaching 55 per cent, in 1936, over 80 per cent. in 1946, and providing the whole cost of old age pensions after 70 in 1956; and whether he will make it clear that the present non-contributory basis of old age pensions after 70 will be retained for both insured and non-insured persons?

The position as regards persons insured under the Bill is fully set out in paragraph 11 of the Report on the Financial Provisions of the Bill by the Government Actuary, of which the hon. Member has doubtless a copy. As regards persons not insured, the existing position in respect of non-contributory pensions at age 70 is not affected by the Bill, such pensions being, of course, subject to the means and) other tests prescribed by the Old Age Pensions Acts. Old age pensions will be payable under the Bill to the insured person at age 66 for life without reference to those tests.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the memorandum on agricultural policy by the National Farmers' Union, which states that substantial alleviation of the shortage of farm cottages would be attained if the country postal and police authorities, and other public and private corporate bodies, including the railway companies, were to provide housing for their employés and so liberate cottages which were originally intended for occupation by workers on the land; and whether he has any information showing the numbers of employés, civilian and other, of the War Office, Admiralty and Royal Air Force who occupy labourers' cottages in country districts?

I have seen the memorandum in question. Some county councils, railway companies, and other bodies are already promoting the erection of houses for their employés. I may mention that since 1919 over 73,000 houses have been erected in rural districts under the Housing Acts, and I anticipate that increasing advantage will be taken of the special Exchequer subsidy provided by the Housing Acts for the erection of houses in agricultural parishes. I have no information in regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation whereby the aggregate costs of an appeal resulting in the reversal of the original judgment shall be met by the State;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that the reversal of a judgment on appeal is evidence of an error in the court of first instance, and that the reversal would have been unnecessary had the original judgment been well-founded, he accepts the principle that in cases of such reversal the aggregate costs of the appeal should be met by the State; and whether he can hold out any hope of giving legislative effect to it in the near future?

The answer to both these questions is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many men are employed this year at the British Empire Exhibition compared with last year; and how many of the men employed this year were also employed last year?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the staff employed by them fluctuates in accordance with requirements, but that the total number of their employés during the third week in May last was 1.351. This is approximately 160 less than the number employed at the corresponding period in 1924, although it includes the staff necessary for the Indian Pavilion, the Garden Club and Treasure Island, for none of which the exhibition authorities had to find staff in 1924. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that 95 per cent. of the staff employed by the exhibition authorities this year were employed by them in 1924.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the French Government have decided to accept esperanto as an authorised language for postal, telegraphic or telephonic communications; that French broadcasting stations are each week broadcasting songs and announcements in the same language; and will he state, in view of the importance of esperanto in relation to world peace, if he will have similar action taken in this country, both as regards authorisation for the use of esperanto for postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications and for wireless broadcasting?

There is no prohibition in this country of the use of esperanto for postal, telegraphic or telephonic communications. The question of the broadcasting of songs and announcements in esperanto has been considered by the British Broadcasting Company, but the conclusion has been reached that the use of esperanto for this purpose would not appeal to a sufficiently large proportion of listeners to justify the adoption of the suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the observations made by the Southwark coroner at a recent fire inquest as to the ignorance of the public as to what to do in case of outbreaks of fire, he will suggest to local education authorities the advantages to be derived from allowing school children to witness fire brigade displays, and further suggest that visits to fire-fighting headquarters be considered as educational within the education code?

It is open to local authorities, under the code, to make arrangements of the kind suggested with the approval of His Majesty's inspector, and I do not think it is necessary for the Board to communicate specially with local authorities on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps have been taken to provide extended opportunity for advanced education, as a con- siderable number of children are unable to obtain education as they at present exist; and will he state what programmes of expansion have been suggested by the local education authorities during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1924, which have not had his approval?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statements I have already made to the House on educational policy. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware that any programmes of expansion, submitted to my Department by local Authorities during the period in question, were rejected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether vaccination is compulsory in Nigeria; if so, at what age or ages; and how many deaths from small-pox have been reported in the territory in question during the last ten years for which the figures are available?

Under Chapter 53 of the Laws of Nigeria every person in the Colony or Southern provinces is liable to be vaccinated, and the parents of any child are required to bring it for vaccination within three months of birth. In the Northern provinces similar provision may be made by Orders relating to particular areas from time to time when considered necessary owing to the occurrence of small-pox. It is not possible, however, to enforce the Ordinance strictly, and the number of vaccinations performed between 1913 and 1923 amounts only to 1,890,237 in a population of over 18,000,000. As registration of deaths is not and cannot be made compulsory it is not possible to give any figures which would indicate even approximately the number of deaths from small-pox. The numbers who died in hospital from this disease in recent years are

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge, as representing the Charity Commissioners, how many charities have a Clause in their approved schemes by which the receipt of parish relief disqualifies an applicant from participating in the benefits of the charity; and how many persons of 60 years and upwards and how many adults below 60 years are so disqualified annually?

The Commissioners have no means of ascertaining the number of charities administered under schemes containing a clause to the effect that persons in receipt of Poor Law relief are not qualified to participate in the benefits of the Charity. It has been held by the High Court that persons in receipt of relief are not legally entitled to participate in the benefits of a charity for the poor unless the founder of the charity expressly authorised them to do so. Where therefore a scheme contains such a clause it is merely to draw attention to the existing law, and does not impose a new disqualification. It is impossible to state the number of persons disqualified annually.

further asked the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether the disqualification of parents from participating in the benefits of a charity on account of the receipt of poor relief extends to the disqualification of their children from the receipt of educational advantages provided by the charity; and, if so, how many of such charities provide educational benefits, and how many children are annually excluded?

It is not possible to answer a question framed on such general lines. The question of disqualification depends on the facts and trusts in each case. If the hon. Member's question relates to solely educational charities, his question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Education.

asked the Home Secretary the purpose for which a policeman has recently been stationed at the Hudson Memorial in Hyde Park; whether this arrangement is permanent; and what, if any, is the extra cost?

Temporary police control was considered desirable in view of the public interest aroused by the Memorial. The cost is being borne by the Hudson Memorial Committee.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1924, is being applied to the children of a police officer killed in the execution of his duty, now in receipt of allowances under Section 5 of the Police Act, 1909?

No, Sir. Children's allowances are not pensions for the purposes of the Pensions (Increase) Acts.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that copies of the "Pravda" have recently been withheld from subscribers in this country; and whether any instructions have been issued, or steps taken, by His Majesty's Government with a view to preventing its entry into this country?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the opinion expressed by the learned Recorder at the Old Bailey on the 18th May, when sentencing a prisoner charged with blackmail to the maximum period of penal servitude, which is five years; and, in view of the increase in this class of offence, is he prepared to suggest legislation with a view to increasing the maximum period of penal servitude?

The prisoner referred to was charged with an offence under Section 29 of the Larcency Act, 1916, the leading enactment relating to blackmail, for which a sentence of penal servitude for life could have been imposed. That charge failed and he was convicted only of offences under Sections 23 (3) and 30, for which the maximum sentence is five years' penal servitude. I have already stated my willingness to consider further penalties for this grave offence.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the information which led the authorities to arrest and detain Mr. Homer on the charge of having in his possession an important secret State document; and whether it is the intention of the Government to compensate Mr. Homer for the annoyance and inconvenience caused him by arrest and detention without giving any opportunity for defence?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the information on which the police acted in this case. That it was accurate is shown by the fact that the document was found in Homer's house, and in the circumstances no question of compensation arises.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will use his best efforts to secure the broadcasting of the weather forecast at 7 a.m. each day during haymaking and harvest time, in view of the value of such information to farmers generally?

I have already taken this matter up with the Air Ministry and the British Broadcasting Company. There seems, however, to be no prospect of obtaining so early a weather forecast as one at 7 a.m., as, under the present organisation, it would require a special shift of engineers and operating staff to put it out. I hope that it may be possible to arrange for a broadcast to be made about 10 o'clock each day, to start as early as possible in July.

BROWN asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he pro- poses to continue the land drainage grants for the relief of unemployment for the coming winter under the same conditions as last year; and if payment by piecework will be continued?

The whole question of continuing to assist financially land drainage schemes during next winter is now under consideration by the Government, and I will let my hon. Friend know what is decided as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given instructions to the Customs officers at Dover to detain cases of watches and to demand invoices for their contents, although the new duties are not in force until 1st July; and will he state the authority under which the Customs officers, when they open cases for examination of the contents, charge the cost of opening to the consignee?

No instructions in regard to watches have been issued to the Customs officers at Dover except the general instructions issued to all Customs officers to keep a careful record of all importations of goods which will eventually be liable to the so-called McKenna Duties, as referred to in my reply to the question addressed to me on the 6th May by the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay (Commander Williams). These instructions require the officers to satisfy themselves that the description and value of the goods are correctly given in the Customs entry and

It may be added that these figures represent quantities recorded as consigned from the countries indicated, and

for this purpose to call, if necessary, for production of the invoice relating to the goods under the powers given by the general law. In reply to the second part of the question, I would explain that under the law the opening of packages for Customs examination must be performed by or at the expense of the importer. The opening is not done by the Customs officers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from what different parts of the Empire the imports of the following goods of Empire origin come into this country: tobacco, wine, raisins, currants, plums and figs?

The principal consignments to this country in recent years from other parts of the British Empire, of the articles referred to in the question, have been recorded in the Annual Statement of Trade as follows: Tobacco (unmanufactured), from Nyasaland and India; wine from Australia; raisins from Australia, South Africa and India; currants from Australia; and plums (dried or preserved) from South Africa and Australia. The import of figs from British countries is only small.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportions of the following articles come into this country from the Empire as distinct from foreign sources: tobacco, wine, raisins, currants, plums and figs?

The aggregate quantities of imports of articles referred to in the question, consigned from foreign countries and from British countries overseas, respectively, were as follow in the year 1923:

may not represent accurately, m all cases, the products of those countries.

asked the Home Secretary if he is considering taking action with regard to manufacturers who supply motor cycles or cars which are inadequately silenced?

Representations have been made to manufacturers on this subject, but in a great proportion of the offences the responsibility rests with the owner or driver who has altered or removed the silencer or uses a cut-out.

also asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the annoyance to people with children and to invalids of noisy sports, motor cycles and oars being perpetually ridden up and down residential streets; and whether the police are empowered and instructed to deal with this annoyance?

Yes, Sir. The police are doing what they can to deal with this matter. During 1924, 4,774 persons were prosecuted in the Metropolitan Police District for using inefficient silencers, and there were 4,371 convictions. For the first five months of this year there have been 1,593 similar prosecutions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether he has received three alternative offers from the smallholders at Reef Uig, Stornoway, for the making of the road; whether he has considered them; and, if so, which of them he has accepted;

(2) whether he is aware that at least two miles of road will require to be made at Reef Uig, Stornoway; what is the estimated cost of making the road; and whether, on completion, the road will be taken over by the Road Board;

(3) whether he is aware that the smallholders at Reef Uig, Stornoway, were promised four years ago by the then Government the provision of roads connecting up their holdings and the main road and school; whether he is aware that the road has not been made and that all goods have to be carried over the moors and the children have to go through marshes to school; and whether he is in a position to state when such conditions are likely to be removed and the long-promised road completed?

I have received this week a letter from the smallholders at Reef, stating three alternative bases on which they would be prepared to make the roads in question. The letter will receive due consideration. With regard, however, to the suggestion that a promise to provide roads was made four years ago, I must refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 12th May, pointing out that what was promised was a grant towards the construction or repair of certain roads, the contribution offered having been subsequently increased in 1924 from £520 to £810. According to my information, the length of road in question is lees than two miles. As regards the estimated cost of the work, I refer to the reply given to the hon. Member's question on the 26th May. I am not in a position to say whether the County Road Board would take over the road on completion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any new regulations relating to the construction of motor omnibuses are under consideration by the Ministry; whether these new regulations require Parliamentary sanction; and, if so, when they will come before Parliament?

I have not at the moment any new regulations under consideration, but after the presentation— which, I am informed, will take place within the next few days—of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Licensing and Regulation of Public Service Vehicles, I shall consider the desirability of giving effect to recommendations, which, I understand, will be made in this connection. At this stage I am unable to reply to the remaining parts of the question.