asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that at Bristol a sorting clerk and telegraphist has been promoted overseer, although tenth on the acting list and fifty-fourth on the seniority list; that the officers passed over on the acting list are of proved capacity and wide experience, and that no adverse reports have been passed upon them; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction prevailing among the staff as a result of the pass over; and why such an unusual course was followed in this instance?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to a promotion made in January last. The officer promoted in this case was reported to be the best qualified of the eligible candidates, including those on the acting list. I am not aware of the dissatisfaction referred to by the hon. Member, and I have received no representations from the officers passed over.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Miss F. A. Barker is senior telephonist at the Wakefield Exchange; that her service extends back to September, 1904; that she was in charge of the exchange for 11 years and that she has a perfect conduct record; and why she has recently been passed over for the vacancy of assistant-supervisor at the exchange?

Miss Barker is the senior telephonist at the Wakefield Exchange; and her established service dates from 1912; but it is not the case that she was in charge of the exchange for 11 years. She was formerly employed on occasions as a substitute for the officer in charge of the exchange, but as her performance of the duties was not wholly satisfactory it became necessary in 1921 to discontinue this arrangement. She is not regarded as possessing the necessary qualifications for the supervising post.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the particular parachute which failed to open and save the life of Corporal Wilson had been previously tested, and, if so, by what method; if the parachute has been examined since the tragedy; and if any facts have emerged to prove whether the airman did or did not at any time pull the cord?

As regards the first part of the question, the parachute referred to had been tested by being twice dropped, with a weight attached, from am aeroplane. It had also been used for 12 practice parachute jumps prior to the accident. As regards the second and third parts, the examination of the parachute, which took place immediately after the accident, showed that the late Corporal Wilson had failed to pull either the main or the emergency ripcord, and that the parachute was in perfect working order.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the boys in the Upper Nautical Division of the Royal Hospital School at Greenwich receive a specialist nautical training?

The boys in the Upper Nautical Division of the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, do not receive a specialist nautical training, except that those who are candidates for entry into the Royal Navy as Seamen Boys, during their last three months, spend half time in school and the remainder at instruction in the elements of seamanship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when officers of the Royal Navy and Marines are likely to be paid marriage allowance, as received by officers of the Royal Air Force, serving on such ships as His Majesty's Ship "Argus," in the Mediterranean; and will he consider affording officers of the Royal Navy and Marines the advantage of having their wives and families taken to such stations as Malta at the Government expense, which latter privilege is now being afforded officers of the Royal Air Force?

I regret that I am unable to make any statement regarding the grant of marriage allowance to officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. As regards the second part of the question, I can hold out no hope of any extension of the existing arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now give an estimate of the total cost of the proposed Singapore base, including the harbour; the additional cost for defence by land, sea and air; expenses which may be incurred in providing a hill station; and all other charges?

I have been asked to reply. The policy of the Government in regard to the development of Singapore as a naval base was fully stated in my speech introducing the Naval Estimates on 19th March, 1925. Any additional expenditure is dependent upon future decisions by His Majesty's Government as to the scale and rate of development which is considered necessary. The scale of defence by land, sea and air is now being investigated, and until a decision on these points has been reached no estimate of the cost can be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Income Tax authorities have recently amended Form 185, used by a very large number of Income Tax payers, and that, as a result of such alteration, the signature of a claimant's agent or solicitor is not deemed sufficient on a claim being made in respect of mortgage interest, annuity, etc., and will he, in view of the necessary work involved by this change, cause the amended Regulation to be withdrawn?

Form 185 is a form of voucher provided by the Inland Revenue authorities, on which a person deducting Income Tax from income which he pays to another person and accounting for such tax to the Revenue, can furnish a certificate of deduction, which that other person can produce in support of an application for repayment of tax. The certificate is one to be given by the payer of the income, and not by the claimant's solicitor or agent, and the amended Regulation, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, is a footnote which it has been found necessary to add to the form in order to draw attention to this fact.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the largely increased imports of articles to be liable under the McKenna Duties, he proposes to take any action to antedate the operation of these duties?

Following the warning which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on the 6th May, in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay (Commander Williams), the importations of goods liable to the McKenna Duties, taken as a whole, were no greater, until the House adjourned for the Whitsuntide Recess, than had been anticipated at the time of the Budget statement. Considerable importations have, however, taken place this month, but, having regard to the stage which the Finance Bill has now

— 1919–20. 1925–26. Amount. Percentage. Amount. Percentage. £ Per cent. £ Per cent. Indirect Taxes … … 280,264,000 28.0 233,810,000 34.1 Direct Taxes … … 431,414,000 43.1 448,750,000 65.4 Excess Profits Duty … … 289,208,000 28.9 4,000,000 .5 1,000,886,000 100.0 686,560,000 100.0

Excluding Excess Profits Duty, the proportions of indirect and direct taxation to the tax revenue were as follows, the average of the five years before the War being added for comparison: — Indirect Taxation. Direct Taxation. Per cent. Per cent Average 1909 to 1914 42.9 57.1 1919–1920 39.4 60.6 1925–26 (Budget Estimate). 34.3 65.7

Indirect taxes include all Customs and Excise duties, except licences and railway duties, which, with Inland Revenue and motor vehicle duties, are treated as direct taxes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view

reached and the fact that the duties will come into operation next week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not propose to take action of the kind suggested.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of relief afforded to the direct taxpayer, and also to the indirect taxpayer, by the Budgets since 1919?

Changes in the rates of taxation down to 1922–23 will be found in the Statistical Abstract (Command Paper 2207, pages 26 to 31), and for later years in the Financial Statements (House of Commons Paper No. 51 of 1923, No. 60 of 1924 and No. 84 of 1925). The Budget Estimate of tax revenue in 1925–26 compares with the out turn of 1919–20 as follows:

of the increase in the capital borrowings and liabilities and taxation of local authorities caused by various schemes authorised and approved by the Government, he will consider the desirability of the Government financing such schemes from the national Exchequer or at least arranging to guarantee loans for the purpose of carrying out such schemes; and whether he will fix the liability on the rates of local authorities for all schemes of housing and slum clearance or road construction, or other schemes authorised for the relief of unemployment, at a fixed sum in the £ on the public health rate or on any other rate chargeable?

Having regard on the one hand to the heavy liabilities already falling upon the Exchequer and, on the other, to the importance of maintaining local responsibility for the efficient administration of services of this character, the Government does not feel able to accept the hon. Member's suggestions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there are now left to be disposed of any further assets in the hands of the Disposal Board; if so, will he state the nature and the estimated value of same; and is it anticipated that these assets will be liquidated during the current financial year?

The assets remaining for disposal in the hands of the Surplus Stores, etc., Liquidation Department are of a value of, approximately, £3,000,000, and include factories, lands, railway main line locomotives and wagons, machinery, armament, medical stores, etc. Every effort is being made to complete the sale of these assets during the financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of any increase in the prevalence of yaws in East Africa; and, as its cure by intramuscular injections of bismutho potassium sodium tartrite is very inexpensive, being, approximately, one-tenth of a penny per injection, will he take steps to secure the co-operation of those responsible for the government of Kenya and Tanganyika in order that this bismuth preparation may become available in larger quantities?

I am not aware of any increase in the prevalence of yaws in East Africa, but it is, undoubtedly, serious. The remedy mentioned in the question is referred to in the Report of the East African Commission, where reference is made to the delay in Utilising in Kenya the experience gained in Tanganyika. But the remedy has been in active use in Kenya for at least three years, and I do not think that any special action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the opinion of the Government that treaties between Great Britain and the Dominions do not require to be and should not be registered with the League of Nations has been discussed with the Dominions and agreed to by them; and, if not, whether he proposes to consult the Dominions on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to the second part of the reply given to the hon. Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Rose) on 17th December last to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The correspondence in which the opinion of His Majesty's Government was expressed was communicated to the Dominion Governments at the time. His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any general desire for a discussion on the subject, but in any case there has been no opportunity for such discussion since the correspondence took place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the system of finger-print records of natives in Kenya Colony applies to the whole male population capable of working or whether it is restricted to certain ages; and how many such records have been taken since the institution of the system?

The Registration of Natives Ordinance in connection with which finger-prints are taken, applies generally to all male natives above the age of 16, but power exists to exempt particular tribes, residents of a particular area, etc. Up to the end of 1923, 395,710 finger prints had been taken in connection with permanent certificates of registration, and 157,600 in connection with temporary certificates. There is no doubt some overlapping between these figures. The total native population is about 2½ millions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the boundaries of Transjordania were laid down under a mandate; whether these have been altered; and, if so, under what authority?

The northern boundary of Trans-Jordan was defined by the Anglo-French Convention of the 23rd of December, 1920, and the western by the memorandum presented to the League of Nations by the British representative and approved by the Council on the 23rd of September, 1922. No alteration has taken place in these boundaries. The southern and eastern boundaries have not yet been precisely defined.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Peking Government has made any representations to the British Foreign Office through the Chinese Legation in London as well as through the British representative in Peking; and, if so, of what nature?

The Chinese Chargé d'Affaires has transmitted copies of the notes addressed by his Government to the Diplomatic Body at Peking. Summaries have been published in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many children under 15, 12, and 10, respectively, are employed in the foreign mills in the international settlement in Shanghai how many of these employés are working in British-owned mills: and what proportion such employés in British mills bear to the total of children thus employed in the mills in the entire area of Shanghai city?

I have not the information required to answer these questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the date on which the conference of the Powers is to be called in China to discuss, in conjunction with the agreement at Washington, the raising of the Chinese tariff; by whom the invitations to this conference are being issued; and whether, in view of the prejudicial delay in calling this conference, His Majesty's Government will take steps to expedite its convocation?

Article 2 of the Washington Treaty dealing with this matter provides that the conference shall meet in China within three months of the coming into force of the treaty, on a day and at a place to be designated by the Chinese Government. The treaty will come into force on the date of the deposit of the ratifications at Washington. His Majesty's Government will take any steps they can to expedite the meeting of the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French and Spanish Governments have declared a blockade of the coast of Morocco; whether His Majesty's Government has received notice of this blockade; what is the extent of the area blockaded; and whether prize courts have been set up and, if so, where?

As I am informed, the Franco-Spanish agreement provides merely for the mutual policing of certain of their respective territorial waters and there is no question of declaring a blockade. The answer, there fore, to the first, second and fourth parts of the question is in the negative and the third part does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in respect to the proposed Rhineland Pact (Cmd. 2435), he can state that, whenever the reply of France to Germany can be interpreted in a sense not in accordance with the Covenant of the League of Nations, such interpretation is not the interpretation of His Majesty's Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to Section VI of the French Note, which is conclusive on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the promotion of consular officers in the Far East and Near East services is less rapid than that of officers in the general con- sular service; and whether the present practice can be modified so that officers in all branches of the service may have an equal chance of promotion?

Promotion in the Near East consular service is not appreciably less rapid at present than in the general service. It must be remembered that promotion in any service is governed by a number of factors which vary from time to time, and are not within the control of the responsible Department. Thus, while during recent years promotion in the general service has been more rapid than in the Far East, it is almost certain that in a very few years' time the balance will be readjusted. The position as regards promotion in the Far East is now under careful consideration, and certain measures are in contemplation for securing improvement so far as may be possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many inspectors, officers in control and special inquiry officers are employed in the Trade Boards Department; if the numbers of the inspectorate and investigators have increased or decreased since he took office; and, in view of the small wages and bad conditions of many of the workers, will he ask the Treasury for a further grant to increase this inspectorate?

The total number of officers appointed to posts of the kind mentioned in the question was 54 in November, 1924, and is 59 at the present time. Seven of these officers have recently been transferred for a period of three months to unemployment insurance work, but normally the full number of 59 are engaged on Trade Board work. I am not prepared at the present time to propose a further increase in the strength of this inspectorate, but the position is being carefully watched.

asked the Minister of Labour the average weekly cost to the country of each man registered as unemployed; and what figures such cost includes?

I am not quite sure what the hon. Member has in mind. The average amount of unemployment benefit paid to men weekly is about 15s. 7d. per man registered as unemployed. The average weekly amount paid to each man drawing benefit is about 19s. 4d. For information regarding the cost of administration, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Hartlepools (Sir W. Sugden) on the 18th June, 1925.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the amount of increase in the numbers of unemployed for the week ending Saturday, 6th June, over the preceding week; what trades and what areas showed an increase in unemployment; and whether there was an increase or decrease in the corresponding week last year?

The number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges on 8th June, 1925, showed an increase of 43,900 as compared with 2nd June. The principal areas which showed increases were the Midlands and North-Eastern divisions, but I am unable to say with certainty what trades were responsible for the increase, as industrial statistics are only compiled at monthly intervals. At the corresponding time last year (namely, from 2nd to 9th June, 1924), there was an increase of 24,600.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, pending the Government's decision as to the provision of further national schemes for the relief of unemployment, he will approach the Treasury with a view to increasing the grants payable to local authorities for local schemes for the utilisation of a larger number of the unemployed workers in their district?

I am afraid I cannot promise that it will be possible to increase the present rates of grant.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of lads were offered work as joiner apprentices by the shipbuilding firm of Dunlop, Bremner and Co.; that they were asked to sign indentures containing a condition that they must not join a union; and that the lads refused to sign the indentures and, in consequence, were refused unemployment benefit; and will he have this refusal reconsidered?

I am aware that a number of lads refused an offer of employment as apprentices under a form of indenture which contained a clause in the sense indicated by the hon. Member. In one case an objection by the lad's father to this particular clause was given as one of the reasons for refusing the employment offered. The umpire decided, having regard to all the circumstances, that the employment offered was suitable, and that benefit must therefore be disallowed. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the umpire's decision is final and conclusive.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons since 1st November last have been refused further unemployment pay on the ground that, in the opinion of the committees considering the cases, the persons concerned have failed to prove that in normal times insurable employment suitable to their capacities would be likely to be available; how many have been refused because the committees told the applicants that they considered that there was failure to prove that the applicant during the two years immediately preceding the date of application for benefit had been employed in an insurable trade to such an extent as was reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances of the case and, in particular, to the opportunities for obtaining insurable employment during that period; and how many have been refused out-of-work pay because the committee stated that they considered the applicant had failed to prove that he was making every reasonable effort to secure employment suited to his capacities and was willing to accept such employment?

Between 11th November, 1924, and 8th June, 1925, the number of applications for extended benefit which were rejected by local employment committees in Great Britain because of failure to comply with the statutory conditions of Section 1 (3) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1924. were as follows: Not normally insurable 30,444 Insurable employment not likely to be available in normal times 13,177 Not a reasonable period of insured employment in last two years 81,281 Not making reasonable effort to find suitable employment or not willing to accept such employment 83,258 208,160

This number represents about 10 per cent. of the cases considered by committees.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Juvenile Unemployment Centres are now open in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively: how many juveniles are in attendance; and what proportion the number in attendance forms of the total number of unemployed juveniles?

On 29th May there were 82 Juvenile Unemployment Centres open in England and Wales and 40 in Scotland. The average attendance during the week ended 29th May was 7,563, or 12 per cent. of the total number of juveniles then registered for employment at all Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux. I am unable to say how many unregistered juveniles are unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet in a position to state whether the Government proposes to appoint a committee to inquire into the working of the Unemployment Insurance Acts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in Debate on the 14th May, that a committee would be set up some time this year. I am unable to say more at present.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are employed by British companies working in this country in the production of cinematograph films; and what was the corresponding figure for a corresponding date last year?

The only available figures are those obtained at the Population Census of 1921, when the total number of employés returned as engaged in cinematograph film producing or at film studios in Great Britain was 4,659. The numbers employed by British companies were not separately ascertained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how the factory conditions in the textile mills in Japan compare with those obtaining in the textile mills in Bombay; and if there has been any improvement in the conditions in the latter during the past few years?

As regards hours of labour in Japan and Bombay, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 15th June to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne). The hours of labour in Bombay were substantially reduced in 1922. As regards conditions in Bombay factories, apart from hours of labour, my hon. Friend will find a good deal of information in the Annual Factory Report of the Presidency of Bombay for 1923 (the latest available), which I am sending to him. Any further question my hon. Friend may wish to ask regarding conditions in Japan should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the provisions of the Trade Facilities Act, a loan for work to be executed on behalf of the Lithuanian Government, amounting to £1,000,000, is to be floated in this country; and, if so, to what purposes will the proceeds of the loan be devoted and what terms are laid down as to interest charges and repayment?

As stated in House of Commons Paper No. 121 of 1924, the Treasury have expressed their willingness to give a guarantee for a loan of £1,000,000 to be raised on behalf of the Lithuanian Government for the purchase of machinery, etc., for certain grain elevators and railways in Lithuania. I understand that the Lithuanian Government have since decided to amend the scheme in some respects and that a fresh application in respect of a revised scheme is expected shortly. Loans guaranteed by the Treasury under the Trade Facilities Act must be raised and spent in this country. Terms of repayment are settled when the application is under consideration and the rate of interest is fixed when the loan is floated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state approximately the tonnage of coal replaced each year from 1919 to date by the use of fuel oil in home industries, British shipping, foreign industries, and foreign shipping?

, in pursuance of his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th May, 1925; col. 1403], supplied the following statement:

The following tables show ( a ) Fuel Oil: quantities imported, re-exported, and shipped for the use of steamers in the foreign trade; estimated quantities produced in the United Kingdom from imported crude petroleum and native oils; quantities exported; and estimated quantities available for use in the United Kingdom; and ( b ) Coal: quantities raised, exported, and shipped for the use of steamers in the foreign trade, and quantities available for domestic and industrial uses in the United Kingdom, for coastwise bunkers, etc. The figures cover the years 1919 to 1924, and the particulars available for 1913 are also given for the purposes of comparison.

Fuel oil has been taken at 250 gallons to the ton. It is estimated that, for steam-raising purposes, two tons of fuel oil would be equivalent to three tons of coal, but no such general formula can be given in the case of oil used in internal-combustion engines, the coal equivalent varying with different fuels and different types of engines. Other causes, however, besides the competition of oil have affected the consumption of coal in the

Fuel Oil. — Imports. Re-exports. Shipped for use of Steamers in the Foreign Trade. Estimates of British Production from Imported Crude Petroleum and Native Oils. British Exports. Available for use in United Kingdom Thousand tons. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. 1913 … 380.2 4.7 Not recorded. 3.8* Not recorded. Cannot be stated. 19191 … 1,061.6 15.7 81.8 1920 … 1,391.1 23.0 75.5 3.1 1921 … 2,125.1 1.7 315.0 3.1 1922 … 1,570.5 24.2 565.3 634.1 151.8 1,463.3 1923 … 1,455.0 5.6 887.4 944.0 171.7 1,334.3 1924 … 1,542.3 16.6 1,007.9 1,318.8 223.6 1,613.0 * Does not include any estimate of British production from native oils.

Coal. — Coal raised. Exports Foreign Trade Bunkers. Available for Domestic and Industrial uses, Coastwise Bunkers, &c. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. Thousand tons. 1913 … … … 287,430 73,400 21,024 193,006 1919 … … … 229,780 35,250 12,005 182,525 1920 … … … 229,532 24,932 13,840 190,760 1921 … … … 163,251* 24,661 10,926 131,098§ 1922 … … … 249,607† 64,198 18,259 167,150 1923 … … … 276,001† 79,459‡ 18,158 178,384 1924 … … … 267,118† 61,651‡ 17,689 187,778 * Year of coal stoppage. † Excluding Ireland. ‡ Including exports to Irish Free State from 1st April, 1923:—1923,1,485,000 tons; 1924, 2,472,000 tons; § Including imports 3,434,000 tons.

asked the Attorney-General if he can now make any statement regarding the contemplated legislation for improving the facilities accorded to poor litigants?

As regards the Supreme Court, the Report of Mr. Justice Lawrence's Committee has been accepted in principle by the Supreme Court Rule Committee, and the proposed Rules are being considered by that Rule Committee and by the Law Societies. As regards the other Courts, civil and criminal, and the general

last six years, and I am not prepared to furnish an estimate of the tonnage of coal replaced annually since 1919 by the use of fuel oil.

question of advice as distinct from litigation, the question is being considered by a Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Finlay. I am unable to predict the conclusions which that Committee will reach or whether their recommendation will require legislation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps, if any, are being taken to increase the attendance at the British Empire Exhibition; and if he is now prepared to consider Sunday opening and lower charges for admission?

As was stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade, in reply to a question asked on the 22nd June by the hon. and Gallant Member for Southwark (Colonel Day), the prices of combined rail and admission tickets and of combined omnibus and tramway admission tickets have since Monday last been reduced considerably. The British Empire Exhibition authorities are considering very carefully whether any further steps can be taken to increase attendance at the exhibition. With regard to Sunday opening, it has already been explained to the House on more than one occasion that legislation would be necessary to make it possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps, if any, he is taking to lower the prices for entertainments and amusements at Wembley, and thus increase attendance?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that they have no reason to suppose that the concessionnaires for the various entertainments in the amusements park do not bear in mind the importance of keeping prices as low as practicable, with a view to attracting the largest possible attendance.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an adjustment of travelling allowances to Members of Parliament that would authorise the hire of motors to go home for Members living out of the four-mile limit between the hours when omnibuses stop running and the hours when they begin to ply would greatly diminish the probability of all-night sittings; and whether steps will be taken to provide such allowances where Members certify that such allowances are needed?

No, Sir, his Majesty's Government cannot adopt this suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the recent proceedings taken at Bow Street against a person who failed to furnish particulars required under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916; whether he has considered the observations of the Public Prosecutor in this case that there is, at present, nothing to prevent anyone starting a charity, living out of the proceeds, and devoting just as much as he thought fit to charitable purposes without the least control over his movements; and whether, in view of this statement, he will take steps to effect a greater degree of control over all flag-day street collections, ballots, etc.; having for their object assistance for charities, in order to ensure that a minimum of expenditure shall be incurred in administration and the maximum reach the charity?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Members for Govan (Mr. Maclean) and Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece) on the 18th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether members of the police force are permitted to join the British Fascisti?

There is no Regulation on the subject, but it would not be considered desirable for a constable to join this body. He should refrain from any associations which might interfere or be thought to interfere with the impartial discharge of his duties.

asked the Home Secretary if he is prepared to introduce legislation to repeal Section 13 of the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused in the prison service by the Home Office Circular issued recently, which precludes first-class trades' instructors gaining promotion to the rank of principal officer when their juniors are so pro- moted; and whether he will consider reverting to the practice which existed prior to the issue of the Circular in question?

It has been impossible to continue the exceptional arrangement to which the hon. Member refers, but the change in practice does not appear to me to give any substantial ground for complaint on the part of the staff. Warders employed as instructors will be able to obtain promotion to the rank of principal officer in the same way as others.

asked the Home Secretary the number of prisoners serving sentences in His Majesty's prisons who have, during the five years ending 31st December, 1924, served terms in Borstal institutions?

The number of persons who within the last five years served terms in Borstal institutions and are now serving sentences in prisons could only be ascertained by inquiry at each prison. The Prison Commissioners in their annual reports give statistics of reconvictions, not necessarily followed by imprisonment, of ex-inmates of Borstal institutions. At page 35 of their Report for 1922–23 (Cmd. 2000) figures are given concerning subsequent convictions of inmates discharged in 1912, and of inmates discharged in 1921. The figures in other annual reports do not cover long periods.