asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the exploitation practised upon pilgrims to the war graves in France and Flanders by various French and Belgian agencies, who make a trade of escorting visitors to and from the battlefields; and will he cause representation to be made to the French and Belgian authorities suggesting that a detailed list of inclusive charges be provided English people visiting War cemeteries in France and Flanders?

As regards the first part of the question, no information to this effect has reached me. As regards the second part, if the hon. Member will furnish me with the information in his possession, I will consider whether any representation should be made to the French and Belgian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any vouchers have been found in respect of the expenditure of £61,051 in Rumania during 1917?

As this question arises on the Army Account, 1923–24, which at present stands referred to the Select Committee on Public Accounts, I propose to defer reply until the Committee have reported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the value and quantity of flour imported annually in the years from 1914 to 1924; what is the value and quantity of wheat over the same period; and also of barley?

The quantity and declared value of wheat, wheat flour and barley, imported into the United Kingdom in each of the years 1914–1924 were as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of Argentine cattle landed at Antwerp for slaughter; and the quantity of such dead meat shipped to this country, covering the last available period?

I regret that I have no information as to the number of Argentine cattle landed at Antwerp for slaughter. The quantity of fresh beef imported into the United Kingdom from Belgium for the years 1923 and 1924 was nil and three cwts. respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the attention of the First Commissioner has been drawn to the view expressed by resolution at the annual delegate meeting of the Association of Officers of Taxes regarding the unhealthy offices in Government Departments; and whether steps will be taken to secure a proper standard of hygiene and health in all offices under the control of the Department?

( for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The specific cases upon which the Association of Officers of Taxes are understood to have based their resolution are now being investigated. As a general rule, all reasonable steps are taken by the Office of Works to provide satisfactory accommodation for Government staffs.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can state how many houses have been erected on the Mancot housing estate, Queens-ferry; how many are occupied by owners and how many by tenants; whether the vacant houses are to let or to sell; and what is the highest and lowest price paid by owners and the highest and lowest rent paid by tenants in regard to both occupied and unoccupied houses?

One hundred and eighty-seven houses have been erected on this estate. Thirteen are occupied by owners and 173 by tenants. One house is vacant, and is for sale, but if not sold within a short period will be re-let. The hon. Member will appreciate the undesirability of giving the highest and lowest prices paid for houses as that might prejudice future sales. The rents vary from 13s. 4d. per week, exclusive of rates, to 6s. per week inclusive (equivalent to 3s. 9d. exclusive).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the proposed closing down of the Tallisher settlement in Skye, following upon complaints about the housing conditions; and what steps are being taken to provide suitable alternative accommodation for the people who at present occupy the houses?

My attention has been called to reports made to the Skye District Committee by their officers on the condition of certain huts provided by the Board of Agriculture at Tallisher two years ago for the temporary accommodation of the new settlers pending erection by the settlers of permanent houses. The arrangement with each settler was that he should proceed to erect a permanent dwelling-house within two years of entry. Loans have been available to all the holders to assist them to erect permanent houses, but with two exceptions they have made no progress. I am informed that in a number of cases the holders have failed to implement their agreement to maintain the fabric of the temporary dwellings, and that this accounts for the fact that they are not in a weatherproof state. I am at present in consultation with the Board of Agriculture and the Board of Health on the subject of expediting the erection of permanent houses. There is no question of closing down the settlement.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what was the total expenditure by local authorities in Scotland upon road and street maintenance during the last financial year for which the figures are available; what was the total expenditure by those authorities for interest on loans and debt redemption in respect of roads and streets during the same period; and what was the amount of the contribution to such authorities from the Road Fund in respect of road maintenance, and interest, and debt redemption during the same period?

For the local financial year ending 15th May, 1923, the expenditure of local authorities in Scotland (otherwise than out of loans) on the maintenance, repair and improvement of roads, streets and bridges amounted to £4,233,000, inclusive of debt charges (instalments of loans, payments into sinking fund and interest on loans) amounting to £311,000. The first mentioned figure does not include the cost of scavenging. The sums received from the Road Fund amounted approximately to £1,275,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that foreign ships are permitted to engage in coastwise traffic in British waters, whereas this privilege is denied to British ships in all foreign waters; and whether he will take steps to remove this handicap on British shipping?

I am aware that foreign ships are permitted to engage in coastwise traffic in British waters and that many foreign countries reserve their coasting trade to their own ships. As at present advised, I do not propose to take any action in the matter. In 1924 the total foreign tonnage engaged in the coasting trade of this country represented about 1 per cent. of the whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, at the Board of Trade inquiry held recently into the loss with all hands of the self-trimming collier "John Harrison," the Court found that on leaving port she was apparently not manned to scale, and that an efficient watch, which should include a man on the look-out, was not and could not have been kept, having regard to the number and rating of the crew of the ship; whether the "John Harrison" prior to sailing was inspected or visited by a Board of Trade surveyor for the purpose of ascertaining her condition for sea and whether she was properly manned; and whether, in view of this finding of the Court, it is intended to take steps, whether by increasing the number of Board of Trade surveyors or otherwise, to ensure that such vessels shall be properly and adequately manned?

The report of the Court of Inquiry in the case of the "John Harrison," which is now in the press and will be published very shortly, contains a statement that the manning scale was not complied with. This point will be fully investigated by the Board of Trade, and I will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result. My present information is that the vessel was not inspected by a Board of Trade surveyor immediately before she proceeded to sea.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will definitely state what was the nature of the alleged misconduct of Mr. R. W. Morey, of 14, Doddington Grove, lately employed as a sorter at the Plymouth general post office; what was the nature of the allegations made against other officers of a higher grade at the Plymouth office by Mr. Morey; and is he prepared to have the whole question of this man's discharge reconsidered at an early date?

Mr. Morey was dismissed primarily for admitted breaches of the Post Office rule, which prohibits betting under pain of dismissal, and for his untruthful denials when first questioned on the subject. His conduct in other directions was also discreditable. I can find no ground whatever for re-opening the decision of my predecessor. I have no knowledge of any allegations made by Mr. Morey against other officers of a higher grade at Plymouth.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a system of payment of broadcasting licence fees by instalment has been introduced in the Union of South Africa; and whether, with a view of bringing the benefits of wireless in a more easily accessible form to the poorer classes of the community, he is prepared to suggest that arrangements be made between the postal and broadcasting authorities in Great Britain BO as to allow the poorer people to pay their licence fee by equal quarterly instalments?

The fee for a wireless receiving licence in the Union of South Africa is, I understand, £2 5s. a year. The fee in this country is only 10s. a year, and there is, therefore, less need for a system of payment by instalments. There are at present 1,371,000 licences; and the cost of collecting and accounting for the fees and securing the renewal of the licences is already considerable. The introduction of a system of quarterly payments would practically quadruple this work; and the additional expense involved would, I think, be out of proportion to the benefit derived by the public.