asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the kind, volume and value of the exports of textile machinery to China, Japan and India for each year since the War?

The following statement shows, so far as the particulars are available, the exports from this country to China, Japan and British India of textile machinery of

— 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. 1924. Ton. £ Ton. £ Ton. £ Ton. £ Ton. £ Machinery for Spinning and Twisting including all Preparatory Processes. To China (exclusive of Hong Kong, Macao and leased territories). 1,980 246,582 15,944 2,022,370 19,319 2,467,772 6,220 715,695 1,881 224,455 To Japan (including Formosa and Japanese leased territories in China) 6,911 751,582 19,070 2,708,248 21,449 2,919,348 16,230 2,039,643 8,262 911,970 To British India … 10,807; 1,576,653 40,726 6,494,509 48,909 6,442,665 44,246 4,540,518 25,195 2,327,291 Machinery for Wearing and Processes Preparatory to Weaving but subsequent to Spinning and Twisting. To China … 497 43,999 479 62,699 285 33,502 707 39.010 475 29,290 To Japan … 984 82,465 2,580 221,100 671 62,820 896 66,056 231 26,919 To British India … 5,722 553,907 15,872 1,790,970, 11,083 1,233,636 10,789 887,371 6,669 596,538 Bleaching and Dyeing Machinery. To China … — — 20 4,154 1 66 6 511 80 7,348 To Japan … 100 14,938 174 27,652 84 10,263 44 6,041 11 760 To British India … 113 20,887 1,038 171,441 469 69,164 201 24,847 111 12,718 Printing and Finishing Machinery. To China … 34 4,888 6 1,480 — 80 133 14,489 33 4,457 To Japan … 34 5,981 673 120,432 539 90,931 267 34,537 386 48,309 To British India … 185 30,672 1,816 278,029 903 114,356 833 71,255 553 46,642 Hosiery and Knitting Machinery.* To China No 18 476 — — — 268 — 161 1 396 Ton — To Japan … — — — — 3 526 18 4,628 11 2,298 To British India No. 203 6,213 648 19,655 15 10,768 25 8,938 14 6,393 Ton. 16 23 Embroidery Machinery. To China … — — — — — — — — — 122 To Japan … — — — — — — — — — — To British India … — — 1 60 — 34 — 36 — 140 * Number not shown after 1921.

United Kingdom manufacture in each of the years 1920 to 1924. The figures for 1920 and 1921 relate to complete machines only, those for subsequent years include parts as well as complete machines:

— 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. 1924. Ton. £ Ton. £ Ton. £ Ton. £ Ton. £ Lace and Net Machinery. To China … — — — — 1 800 — — — — To Japan … — — — — — 10 — — — — To British India … — — — — 2 367 — — 3 550 Other Textile Machinery. To China … 46 5,290 22 4,473 5 1,477 10 2,186 12 1,511 To Japan … 22 5,255 35 8,294 21 5,058 31 5,133 42 5,790 To British India … 896 93,140 283 56,586 291 40,529 709 58,844 545 44,988

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount and value of the ironstone imported into this country in 1924 and the amount produced in this country during that year?

The imports of iron ore into the United Kingdom in 1924 amounted to 5,921,000 tons, of which the declared value was £6,569,000. The iron ore and ironstone produced in the United Kingdom in 1924 amounted to 11,051,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the alteration, upon week days, of the No. 71 tramway service, which now runs from Bruce Grove station to Aldgate, instead of from Aldgate to Aldersgate, via Wood Green and Tottenham as formerly; is he aware that this alteration has had the effect for many using this route of doubling the cost of workmen's fares, largely increasing ordinary fares, and adding to the time occupied in getting to and from employment, and that the Tottenham Urban District Council has appealed without success to the Metropolitan Tramways Company either to restore this service, or, alternatively, to grant transfer tickets; and will he ask the London Traffic Advisory Committee to look into the matter?

I have no jurisdiction in regard to this matter. I have, however, communicated with the tramway company, and am informed that the circular service from Aldersgate via Wood Green and Bruce Grove to Aldgate was withdrawn on the 4th March last, as it was found that, owing to the traffic congestion in Central London during the rush hours, the service was irregular and generally unsatisfactory, resulting in numerous complaints from passengers, and also that it adversely affected the regularity of other services. With regard to the suggestion that transfer tickets should be issued, I am informed that their issue would create operating difficulties and would involve additional expenditure which the company are not prepared to incur in view of their unsatisfactory financial position. The company is under no statutory obligation to issue such tickets.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is anticipated that the Kingston by-pass road from near Robin Hood Gate to Esher will be completed and available for traffic; and what steps are being taken to prepare and arrange a scheme to continue this road from near Robin Hood Gate to Castlenau?

It is hoped that the section from Woodstock Lane to Burlington Road will be completed within the next three to four months, and the section from Coombe Lane to Beverley Bridge, slightly later. The contract date for the completion of the road in its entirety is October next, but owing to adverse weather conditions last winter and certain delays in the construction of bridges, it is unlikely that the work will be completed within the contract period. A continuation of the by-pass from Robin Hood Gate towards Castlenau presents great difficulties for which no satisfactory solution has yet been found.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has consulted, and, if not, whether he will consult, the Optical Association in connection with the dangers arising from the glare from motor headlights, so that all possible views may be before the Government in seeking additional powers to deal with the lighting of vehicles in the proposed Road Vehicles Bill?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the question of dazzle by motor car headlights has been considered by a Departmental Committee specially appointed for the purpose, and I would refer my hon. Friend to their Third Interim Report issued in September, 1921. While I am not in a position to state whether the Committee did, in fact, consult with the particular association mentioned, I am satisfied that they availed themselves of ample opportunities to become acquainted with the various opinions held by experts in the matter. Over 100 devices, put forward either as palliatives or remedies for the difficulties involved, were examined by the Committee. If, however, the association desires to bring to my notice any fresh views relating to this subject, I shall be happy to hear from them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of introducing a system of Caniveau upon our roads in all towns and villages throughout the country where the speed limit is adopted, with a view to preventing annoyance to pedestrians and danger to buildings caused by motor vehicles passing through such places at an excessive speed?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the "Caniveau" in the sense of an open channel or drain running transversely across a carriage-way, I have no desire to see such a device introduced into this country.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a Northwich sorting clerk and telegraphist has been appointed overseer at Holyhead; that an officer who has been acting overseer at Holyhead for 15 years has been passed over; that two vacancies for acting superintendents at Stafford have been filled by officers from Holyhead and Crewe; that a dozen eligible officers at Stafford have been passed over without applications for the posts having been invited; that such promotions are not in accordance with the agreement on reciprocal promotion; and of the dissatisfaction that has resulted among the staffs; and whether he will state why such action was taken, and if it is the intention to carry out the terms of the agreement on reciprocal promotion?

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. It was necessary to fill the vacancies in question at Stafford and Holyhead by the transfer of men from other offices, as there were no fully qualified local candidates available. I cannot agree that the action taken was not in accord with the agreement regarding reciprocal promotions. The qualifications of all the eligible local officers were fully considered in each case, and there was no necessity for inviting applications as suggested.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the recent promotion to the overseers' grade at Hanley Branch Office (telegraphs), Stoke-on-Trent; and whether he is aware that the vacancy, together with another for assistant superintendent, was declared on 31st March, 1925, one day before the agreed promotion report came into force; and that under the promotion report the particular appointment would not have been possible in view of the fact that several fully-qualified senior men were available for the appointment?

The promotion to the post for an overseer (telegraphs) at Stoke-on-Trent which became vacant on the 31st March last was correctly made under the old procedure, and I can find no ground for the suggestion that a different selection would have been made if the case had been due to be treated under the procedure prescribed in the report of the Sub-Committee on Promotion. None of the officers senior to the officer actually selected was fully qualified for promotion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Vienna broadcasting station is relaying the Chelmsford concert; and will he, in order to bring the peoples of nations into closer communication, make representations to the British Broadcasting Company suggesting that the Chelmsford station occasionally relays the better type of wireless concert broadcast from foreign stations?

I understand that it is already the practice of the British Broadcasting Company to relay programmes from foreign stations occasionally, although under present conditions it is not always possible to receive foreign stations sufficiently well to admit of satisfactory re-broadcasting.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether the figure of £250,000 by which the present cost of Press telegrams exceeds the revenue is greater or less than in 1913–14, and by how much;

(2) What classes of Press telegrams cause the greatest loss to the revenue;

(3) What are the main causes why the revenue from Press telegrams has fallen from £134,000 in 1920–21 to £83,000 in 1924–25?

The excess of cost over revenue in 1913–14 is estimated to have been approximately the same as the present excess. The greatest loss to revenue is caused by multiple Press telegrams, which are accepted at the rate of 3d. for each copy after the first. The decline in Press traffic since 1920–21 is due in the main to the increasing use of the telephone and to the renting by the Press Association of private telegraph wires.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the slaughter of birds in the height of the nesting season on the Scilly Isles; that many of these birds are shot at, wounded, and left to die, while their nestlings starve; will he take such action that will make the destruction of these birds illegal; or, should it prove necessary to reduce the number of birds, will he consider an order advising that eggs be broken instead of the present slaughter of adult birds being allowed to continue?

I have been asked to reply. No representations or reports to this effect have reached me. If the hon. Member will communicate to me the information in his possession on the subject, I shall be glad to make inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of outstanding claims of British subjects against Turkey which have been registered in the Reparation Claims Department; and the number and amount of those claims which have and have not been met?

I have been asked to reply. The number of outstanding claims by British nationals in respect of loss and damage suffered in Turkey registered with the Reparation Claims Department against the funds voted by Parliament for ex-gratia payments to sufferers by enemy action, in which forms have been completed and returned, is 80. With regard to the last part of the question, £773,194 has been paid in respect of 1,612 claims which were admitted to rank against the said funds, but it is not yet possible to state what amount will be paid in respect of the 80 claims which are outstanding.

asked the Minister of Health if he contemplates any immediate legislative measures to ensure that the child-bearing mother shall receive efficient medical and institutional treatment, seeing that, as stated by the chief medical officer of the Ministry in the 1924 Annual Report, the child-bearing mother is not sharing equally with the rest of the population in the improved public health?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 20th May to his question on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the heavy death rate among women during childbirth, due to conditions over which they have no control, he will take such action that will result in local authorities providing a greater measure of hospital accommodation for expectant mothers; and, in cases of necessity, will he consider making provision for payment of cash grants to the mother or to such associations as already provide assistance to mothers both during and after childbirth?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 20th May to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on this subject. As regards the second part I would point out that grants are already made from the Exchequer to local authorities and nursing associations which provide skilled assistance during childbirth, and that every woman who is the wife of a man insured under the National Health Insurance Act is entitled to receive a sum of £2 as maternity benefit on her confinement, and if she is herself insured, a further sum of £2. The whole question of the provision to be made for maternity in the case of insured women and the wives of insured men will doubtless receive the consideration of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, which is now sitting.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that his officers con- nected with the national health insurance have recently decided to charge against the funds of local insurance committees the cost of investigating excessive prescribing, and that these investigations are carried out for the purposes of his Department; whether he will arrange for the necessary expenses incurred to be borne by his Department and not imposed upon the local insurance committees; and whether he will state the names of the local insurance committees who have represented to this effect?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in suggesting that there has been any change of policy in this matter. It was always intended that the cost of the investigations to which he refers should be met from the funds available for the administration expenses of insurance committees. My right hon. Friend is advised that the preparation of the statistical returns in question is properly a duty of these committees and he sees no justification for transferring the charge to the Exchequer. Representations in the sense indicated in the question were received from the insurance committees for Berkshire, Middlesex, the West Riding of Yorkshire, Birkenhead, Brighton, Liverpool, Reading and Wigan.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that local insurance committees have received notice of amended regulations which propose to reduce the number of women required to be appointed to serve on insurance committees having less than 35 members and to remove the necessity for the Minister to appoint a practitioner to serve on the committee where there are only 25 members; whether he is aware that these regulations have caused dissatisfaction; and whether he will state the reasons for the proposed reduction in the number of women representatives?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. There has been no reduction in the number of women members since 1921 when the size of all insurance committees was reduced and no change in the medical representation since 1922. The regulations referred to contain no new provisions and are merely consequential upon the passing of the Consolidation Act of 1924. No evidence of dissatisfaction has reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to place officers of the West African Frontier Force, who have to remain 18 months in the country before obtaining 18 weeks' leave, upon the same footing as officials in the political and administrative departments on the West Coast of Africa, who are only required to serve for 12 or 15 months before obtaining 12 or 15 weeks' leave, respectively; and, if not, whether he will consider the question of the desirability of uniformity by fixing the service of officers at the same number of months as those for officials?

My hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed, as the rules as regards leave and length of tours are the same for military and civil officers appointed since the War.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many proof gallons of home-made spirits were, during the year ended 31st March, 1925, distilled in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, received from the Irish Free State, retained for consumption in the United Kingdom and Ulster, removed to the Irish Free State, exported, exported as medical preparations, used for ships' stores, fortifying wines, etc., used in arts and manufactures, methylated, and allowed as deficiencies, respectively; the number of proof gallons of home made spirits remaining in bond on the 1st April, 1925; the number of proof gallons of imported spirits duty paid and retained for consumption during the year ended 31st March, 1925, namely, brandy, rum, geneva, and other unenumerated spirits, tested, not tested, and perfumed; and the number of proof gallons of imported spirits used during the year ended 31st March, 1955, for methylation and for arts and manufactures, respectively?

The particulars required, which include spirits received from and exported to the Irish Free State, are as follow: Proof Gallons, except as otherwise stated. Home-made Spirits— Distilled in England 8,210,774 Distilled in Scotland 27,435,665 Distilled in Northern Ireland 2,382,017 Re-warehoused on re-importation, etc 231,919 Retained for consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland 12,287,035 Exported 8,237,063 Exported as medical preparations 195,876 Used for ships' stores, fortifying wines, etc. 586,558 Used in arts and manufactures 695,639 Methylated 7,600,146 Allowed as deficiencies, etc 2,923,347 Remaining in bond on 31st March, 1925 147,746,126 Imported Spirits— Duty paid and retained for consumption:— Brandy 653,144 Rum 1,147,852 Geneva 97,884 Other unenumerated spirits:— Tested 295,720* Not tested 940† Perfumed 18,007† Used for methylation 597,128 Used for arts and manufactures 446,753 * Includes the quantities contained in perfumery, soap and varnish. † Liquid gallons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities, proof gallons, of home spirits exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the five months ending 31st May in 1913, 1924 and 1925, to the United States, Canada, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Newfoundland and Labrador, Bermudas, Bahamas, British West Indies, Cuba, Hayti, S. Domingo, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, S. Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, British Honduras and Guiana, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Germany, respectively?

The particulars required in respect of the first five months of 1924 and 1925 are shown below. No similar particulars are available in respect of the first five months of 1913: Country of Destination. 1st Jan.-31st May, 1924. 1st Jan.- 31st May, 1925. Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons. United States of America. 638 1,361 Canada 453,041 379,341 St. Pierre and Miquelon 185,190 187,770 Newfoundland and Labrador. 59,174 46,787 Bermudas 87,630 20,298 Bahamas 126,630 107,493 British West India Islands (excluding Bahamas). 68,290 94,028 Cuba 60,769 75,471 Haiti 3,440 2,323 San Domingo 3,958 757 Mexico 60,441 37,443 Guatemala 6,715 15,087 Honduras (not British) 3,802 30,439 San Salvador 16,555 21,685 Nicaragua 49,716 3,575 Costa Rica 1,019 4,034 Colombia 10,742 24,798 Panama 9,077 19,257 Venezuela 5,348 6,473 British Honduras and British Guiana. 9,838 7,098 China 37,381 56,771 Japan 35,484 9,399 Korea 521 362 Hong Kong 19,304 19,127 Philippine Islands 10,509 12,364 Germany 150,991 19,027 1,476,203 1,202,568

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many registered moneylenders there were in 1924; and what was the figure for 1914?

The number of moneylenders registered in Great Britain was 7,268 at 31st December, 1914, and 9,670 at 31st December, 1924.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that upwards of 50 original deeds and other original documents have been stolen or lost during the past two years in the course of transit between Brighton and London for the purpose of stamping, some inside and others outside of post offices; whether he will, in view of the further loss reported at the end of May, reconsider the desirability of reopening the stamping office at Brighton; and whether he will further consider, in the interests of economy, housing the stamping office and the existing three offices of district inspectors of taxes in one building, particularly having regard to the fact that one of the latter is admittedly overcrowded and insanitary, and that alternative premises are now being sought for?

I am aware that documents of the nature referred to were included in the contents of mail bags stolen from the Post Office. With regard to the second part of the question, in Brighton, as in the majority of provincial towns, the volume of work in connection with the stamping of documents is not sufficient to justify the expenditure on office accommodation and staff which the setting up of a local stamp office would entail. I regret, therefore, that considerations of national economy preclude the provision of local stamping facilities. With regard to the office of the Inspector of Taxes, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on behalf of the First Commissioner of Works on the 18th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any collectors of Income Tax are paid by way of commission on the amounts of tax they collect; and, if so, whether he will state the rates at which the commission is paid, the total amount of remuneration so computed, and the highest remuneration paid to any collector of Income Tax in 1924–25?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the remaining points do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what will be the estimated yield of the proposed duties on lace and embroidery this year; and what will be their estimated yield in a full financial year?

The estimated yield is £140,000 this year and £200,000 in a full year.

asked the Secretary of State for War what British troops are stationed in China outside the territory of Hong Kong?

There is one British infantry battalion in North China with its headquarters at Tientsin. Apart from this, there are no British troops stationed in China other than those at Hong Kong.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is able to state the effect of the representations made to the Government of India on the injustice of excluding from married rates young officers under 30 serving in India who, if serving in England, would be entitled to such married rates?

My Noble Friend has not yet received the Government of India's reply, but is asking again for their views. As, however, I stated on the 30th April last, I do not think that the Government of India intended to exclude from married rates any officer who is entitled to them under British rules.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the lowest minimum wages or time rates at present in force under the Trade Boards Act for the lowest paid adult workers, male and female, and the minimum rates of wages in force under the Corn Production Act, 1921; and will he state all trades in which there exists a legalised minimum wage, and the amount of such wage?

The following Table shows the trades in which a statutory minimum wage is in force under the Trade Boards Acts, 1909 to 1918, together with the minimum time rates for the lowest paid classes of adult workers (male and female) in each case: SUMMARY OF TRADE BOARDS MINIMUM RATES AS ON 20TH JUNE, 1925. General Minimum Time Rates for the lowest paid class of adult workers (Except where otherwise shown the rates are operative at the age of 18 in the case of females and at 21 in the case of males.) Trade. Male Workers. Female Workers. Per hour. Per hour. Aerated Water: s. d. d. England and Wales 1 0½ 6½ Scotland: (1) Orkney and Shetlands. 11½ 5½ (2) Rest of Scotland 1 0½ 6½ Boot and Floor Polish 1 1½ 7½ Boot and Shoe Repairing* 1 3 10½‡ Brush and Broom* 11½ 6¾‡ Button Making 1 1½ 6½ Chain*† 1 4½ 6⅝ Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making*: (1) Coffin Furniture 1 2¼4/7 6¾6/7‡ (2) Cerement Making Section. — 7¼§ Corset 1 1¶ 7 Cotton Waste: England and Wales 1 0 7 Scotland 1 0 6¾ Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing: England and Wales: (1) Retail Bespoke Section. 1 0¶ 6¼d., 7d., 7½d.|| (2) Other Sections 1 0¶ 7 Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing: Scotland: (1) Retail Branch 1 2¶ 7d.,7¶d.|| (2) Other Branches 1 2(2) 6½ Flax and Hemp 10 1/1½ 6¼ Fur 1 2 8¾ General Waste 11 6¼ Hair Bass and Fibre 11¼ 6¾ Hat, Cap and Millinery: England and Wales 1 1¶ 7 Scotland: (1) Wholesale Cloth Hat and Cap Branch. 1 2¶ 7½ (2) Other Branches 1 2¶ 7d., 7½d.||

Trade. Male Workers. Female Workers. Per hour. Per hour. Hollow-Ware 11½ 6¾ Jute 105/3 2 6½ Lace† — 6¼ Laundry: (1) Cornwall and North of Scotland. 1 1½ 6½ (2) Rest of Great Britain 1 1½ 7 Linen and Cotton Handker-chief, etc. 1 0 6½ Made-Up Textiles 10¾ 6¼ Milk Distributive: (1) England and Wales 10½d., 6⅝d., 7½d., 1s. 1d., 8⅝d.‡|| 1s. 2d.|| (2) Scotland 11⅝ 6¼‡ Ostrich Feather, etc. 1 0¶ 7 Paper Bag* 1 1¾ 7⅝ Paper Box* 1 0¾ 7⅝ Perambulator, etc.* 1 0 7‡ Pin, Hook and Eye 10½ 64½‡ Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring. 11¾¶ 7 Retail Bespoke Tailoring 1 0 7½ Rope, Twine and Net 10 6¼ Sack and Bag 11½ 6½ Shirtmaking 1 2¶ 6½ Stamped or Pressed Metals 11 6½ Sugar Confectionery 1 0§ 6¾ Tin Box 1 1 7¼ Tobacco 1 3⅝ 9⅝‡ Toy 1 0½ 6¾‡ Wholesale Mantle and Costume. 11½¶ 7 * These rates are based upon the Cost of Living figure and fluctuate accordingly. † The minimum rates in the Chain Trade and the Lace Finishing Trade are not fixed by reference to sex. The rates shown under the column "Female Workers" are those applicable to work normally performed by women and the rates shown under the column "Male Workers" are those applicable to work normally performed by men. ‡ At 21 years of age. § At 24 years of age. | According to population. ¶ At 22 years of age.

As regards agriculture, the hon. and gallant Member will be aware that the conciliation committees set up under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, were replaced by agricultural wages committees under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act of 1924. The following tables show, for adult male and female workers, the rates fixed under the latter Act and in operation on let June.

Statement showing rates of wages for ordinary adult male workers operating on 1st June, 1925. Area. Wages. Hours. s. d. Beds and Hunts 30 6 50 Berkshire 29 2 50 Buckinghamshire 30 0 50 Cambs and I. of Ely 30 0 51 Cheshire 35 0 54 Cornwall 31 0 51 Cumberland and Westmorland. 32 6 54 Derby 8d. per 54 hour = (guar.). 36 0. Devonshire 32 6 50 Dorset 30 0 51 Durham 32 0 50 Essex 30 0 50 Gloucestershire 30 0 50 Hants and I. of Wight 30 0 51 Herefordshire 31 0 54 Hertfordshire 31 0 48 Kent 32 6 52 Lancashire—E. Area 42 0 60 Lancashire—S. Area 33 6 50 Lancashire—N. Area 37 6 60 Leicester 34 0 54 Rutland 32 6 Lines.—Holland 36 0 52 Kesteven and Lindsey. 32 0 52 Middlesex 34 44 50 Monmouth 32 0 50 Norfolk 29 0 50 Northants. and Soke of Peterboro'. 30 0 50 Northumberland 34 0 52½ Nottinghamshire 32 0 50 Oxfordshire 30 0 50 Shropshire 31 6 54 Somerset 32 0 52 Staffordshire 31 6 54 Suffolk 7d. per 50 hour = (guar.). 29 2 Surrey 32 3 50 Sussex 30 0 52 Warwickshire 30 0 50 Wiltshire 30 0 50 Worcestershire 30 0 53 Yorks—E. Riding 34 0 524 N. Riding 33 0 52½ W. Riding 36 0 52½ Anglesey and Carnarvon 30 0 50 Carmarthen 30 0 54 Denbigh and Flint 30 6 50 Glamorgan 37 6 53 Merioneth and Montgomery. 31 6 54 Pembroke and Cardigan 30 0 54 Radnor and Brecon 31 0 54

Statement shewing rates of wages for ordinary adult Female Workers operating on 1 st June, 1925. Area. Wage. Hours. Summer. Winter. Per hour. d. Beds & Hunts 6 — — Berkshire 5 — — Buckingham-hire 6 — — Cambridge & I. of Ely. 5½ 8 hours per day. Cheshire 6 — — Cornwall & Scilly Isles. 5 — — Cumberland & Westmorland. 5½ — — Derbyshire 5 — — Devonshire 5 — — Dorset 5 — — Durham 2s. per day. 8 hours per day. Per hour. d. Essex 5 50 48 Gloucestershire 5 — — Hants & I. of Wight. 5 — — Herefordshire 4½ — — Hertfordshire 24s. per week. 48* 48* Per hour. d. Kent 5½ 52* 48* Lancashire 6 — — Leic. & Rutland 5 — — Lincs, Holland. 6 — — Lincs, Kesteven & Lindsey. 5½ — — Middlesex Summer 25s. 50* 48* Winter 24s. Per hour. d. Monmouthshire 6 — — Norfolk 5 50 48 Northants & Soke of Peterborough. 6 — — Northumberland 5 52½ 48 Nottinghamshire 5 — — Oxfordshire 6 — — Shropshire 5 — — Somerset 6 — — Staffordshire 5 54 54 Suffolk 5 — — Surrey 5½ 50 50 Sussex 5 — — Warwickshire 5½ 50 48 Wiltshire 5 — — Worcestershire 4½ 53* 48* Yorks, E. Riding 5 44 44 Yorks, N. Riding 6 44 44 Yorks, W. Riding 5 44 44

Area. Wage. Hours. Summer. Winter. Per hour. d. Anglesey & Carnarvon. 6 — — Carmarthenshire 5 54* 54* Denbigh & Flint 5 8½ hours per day. Glamorgan 6 8½ hours per day. Merioneth & Montgomery. 5 — — Pembroke & Cardigan. 5 8 hours per day. Radnor & Brecon 5 48* 48* * In these cases a worker is guaranteed payment for the hours stated notwithstanding that the hours actually worked may be less than those stated. Minimum rates of wages for underground workers in the Coal Mining Industry, fixed by the District Boards, under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912, vary in the different districts and for the different classes of workers within each District.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured males and females, respectively, who are under 18 years of age, over 60 but under 65, and over 65; and, if not, whether he can arrange for the information to be obtained at some time during the present Parliament?

The number of young persons under the age of 18 who are insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in Great Britain is 908,390 (boys 537,130 and girls 371,260). I am unable to give the number of insured persons over 60 or 65 years of age, and it would involve considerable expense to ascertain this number.

asked the Minister of Labour how many schemes of relief works, and for what total of expenditure, have been passed for immediate operations since the last election in order to reduce the number of unemployed?

My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to make a full statement which will deal with this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the sum expended on civil grants to ex-service men?

The sum expended on grants for the resettlement of ex-service men in civil life up to the 31st March, 1925, was approximately £3,915,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that ex-service men are employed at His Majesty's prisons as temporary officers are compelled to work 10 hours per day and seven days per week for lengthy periods; and whether he will consider appointing these men to the permanent staff of the Prison Service, for which the conditions of service include periodical leave of absence with pay?

Temporary officers work from eight to 10 hours per day as may be required. After three months' service, the night patrols are given one night off per week with pay. The day temporary officers are engaged on a daily rate, and are therefore only paid for the days actually worked. Night patrolling has been done by temporary staff for some 12 years past with satisfactory results, and I do not propose to alter this arrangement. Day temporary officers, in so far as they represent vacancies on the permanent staff, are now being replaced by established officers; but it will always be necessary to engage a certain number of day temporary officers for emergency duties, such as those connected with assizes and sessions.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there are insufficient cells set apart for prisoners suffering from tuberculosis in Pentonville and Brixton prisons, and, in consequence, such prisoners are sometimes put in the ordinary cells; will he take immediate action to improve the accommodation from sufferers of this disease in prisons; and will he state if all ordinary cells so used are thoroughly disinfected after tuberculous patients have left them?

The special cells for tubercular cases, four at Brixton and eight at Pentonville, are sufficient for the usual average numbers of such cases. Ordinary cells are not now used for tuberculous patients. When the number of cases exceeds the number of special cells, the patients are taken into the prison hospital, and the rooms so used are disinfected afterwards.

asked the Home Secretary how many men and women are now-detained as criminal lunatics, and how many of these persons are married?

There are at present 660 men and 205 women in detention as criminal lunatics. I cannot say how many of them are married.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to give a decision as to whether the practice of regarding superior officers' observations or minutes on dockets concerning a subordinate officer on matters of discipline is within the letter and spirit of Standing Order No. 726 of the prison service?

I have given the matter my most careful consideration, and find no sufficient reason for altering the existing practice.

asked the President of the Board of Education the average cost per week of a scholar in the elementary schools, including costs of administration?

On the basis of the figures for the financial year 1923–24, the average weekly cost per public elementary school pupil is 4s. 4½d. for 52 weeks in the year. In this connection, I may refer the hon. and gallant Member to page 9 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates, 1925–26 [Cmd. 2386], a copy of which I am sending him.