asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount of the estimated cost of the concessions made in the Finance Bill since the introduction of the Budget?

As regards Customs and Excise Duties, concessions were made on silk and artificial silk which are estimated to cost about £530,000 this year and £950,000 in a full year. Against these may be set the gain from the lace and embroidery duties introduced since the opening of the Budget, which are estimated to yield £140,000 this year and £200,000 in a full year. As regards Inland Revenue duties, the Clause giving relief from Estate Duty to agricultural land is estimated to cost £225,000 in the current year and £500,000 in a full year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what circumstances tax collectors employed by the Inland Revenue receive a commission on the taxes which they collect?

Collectors of taxes do not receive a commission on the taxes they collect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual amount of the Cyprus Tribute Loan; if it is credited against the payment of £50,000 a year made by the British Government; and, if there is a surplus or cumulative surplus, how is it invested?

If, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to the Ottoman Loan of 1855, I would refer him to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 3rd March, and by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 11th May. The contribution paid by Cyprus is applied to the payment of interest on the loan, and there is at present no surplus.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that numerous representations have been made to him for the reduction of expenses for registration of societies under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, he will state what action he proposes to take to make it possible for many smaller societies to place themselves on a proper legal basis?

The only representations for the reduction of expenses for registration of societies under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts have been made by the representatives of allotment societies. Their attention has been drawn to the fact that an alternative method of placing themselves on a proper legal basis is to register under section 8 (5) of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, and that if that course is adopted the expenses are less.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can arrange that an established dockyards-man, with between 15 and 16 years' established time to count for pension, who is desirous of leaving England and going to America, shall be paid a lump sum down in lieu of pension?

Under the Superannuation Acts no pension is payable to a man who resigns. The question therefore of commutation does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the figures showing the total number of men employed in Devonport Dockyard at the end of each of the months October, November, and December, 1924, and in each of the months of the present year?

The total numbers of employés—officers, office staffs and workpeople—for the end of each month stated in the question, are as follow: Date Officers and Office Staffs. Work people. 31st October, 1924 654 12,582 30th November, 1924 657 12,573 31st December 1924 661 12,576 31st January, 1925 662 12,611 28th February, 1925 663 12,658 31st March, 1925 665 12,573 30th April, 1925 663 12,604 31st May, 1925 665 12,576 30th June, 1925 665 12,626

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to state the decision in regard to marriage allowances to naval officers; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

I regret that no decision has yet been reached on this subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in the event of a magistrate or judge making the wife of a naval rating who refuses to live with her through no fault on the wife's part the guardian of the three children of the marriage, the Admiralty would pay her children's allowances in respect of the three children?

It is presumed that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the case of a wife of a naval rating who forwards to the Admiralty a magistrate's order against her husband for the maintenance of herself and her children. In such an event endeavours would be made through the man's commanding officer to induce the rating to declare a voluntary allotment for the sum named in the order. If he refused, action would be taken under Section 98A of the Naval Discipline Act, and a compulsory charge instituted against his pay at the appropriate rate named in the Act, or at the rate specified in the order, whichever is the smaller. Marriage allowance would not be payable to the wife in addition, either for herself or for the children, marriage allowance being granted to enable a rating to maintain a home, and not being an allowance to a wife qua wife.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the port division numbers of leading sick-berth attendants allowed for the financial year 1925–26 has been reduced by 50; and, if so, whether any reason can be given for this serious reduction of leading rates in a branch where promotion always compares most unfavourably with other branches, observing that promotion from sick-berth attendant to leading sick-berth attendant is now practically at a standstill?

The number of leading sick-berth attendants allowed for the financial year 1925–26 has been reduced by 49. The principal reason for the reduction is the change whereby dental attendants in harbour establishments, who were formerly leading sick-berth attendants, are being replaced by civilians.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the officer appointed for liaison duties with the Air Ministry deals, and is qualified to deal, with both the technical and the broader aspects of airship development; and whether he, or any other suitably qualified naval officer, has been appointed to the airship co-ordinating sub-committee of the Aeronautical Research Committee?

As regards the first part of the question, the liaison officer referred to, whilst he has dealt in the ordinary course of his duties with such questions as the type of mooring mast best suited for installation in naval craft, was not appointed to deal with airship development, but with certain technical questions of common interest to the Navy and Air Force in connection with ships' fittings. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, but I am informed by the Air Ministry that the Committee in question is composed of independent technical experts, and neither the Navy nor the Air Force is represented upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state in regard to Royal Air Force flying accidents at home and abroad, respectively, the numbers attributable, during the period 1st April, 1924, to 31st May, 1925, to engine or installation failure; error of judgment on the part of the pilot; combination of engine failure and error of judgment; defect in aircraft construction; defect in aircraft design; defect in aircraft maintenance; and other causes?

The figures asked for are as follow: Causes. Number of accidents. Home. Abroad. Total. 1. Engine or installation failure. 17 8 25 2. Error of judgment 89 53 142 3. Combination of engine or installation failure and error of judgment. 15 8 23 4. Defect in aircraft construction. 2 3 5 5. Defect in aircraft design. 7 — 7 6. Defect in aircraft maintenance. 1 — 1 7. All other causes 29 42 71 160 114 274

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give the numbers of men of the Royal Naval Reserve who obtained their pension awards at a later date than 13th August, 1920, who are merely receiving the same pension as in pre-War days, with no increase to meet the present cost of living; whether any re- presentations on the subject have been made to him; and whether he is taking any action to improve the circumstances of these pensioners?

The number is 90 approximately, and representations on the subject have been received. As regards the last part of the question, the reply is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the value of Indian

Countries of Origin. Value. 1921–22. 1922–23. 1923–24. Rs. Rs. Rs. United Kingdom … … 1,36,36,796 1,38,42,461 1,35,32,856 Aden and Dependencies … … 26,489 25,696 22,929 Mesopotamia … … 13,119 18,066 8,193 Ceylon … … 5,531 21,285 20,066 Straits Settlements (including Labuan) … … 23,226 17,261 22,018 Hongkong … … 30,482 44,805 77,186 Kenya Colony … … 5,64,595 4,89,016 3,19,071 Australian Commonwealth … … 58,376 28,893 18,845 Sweden … … 35,483 30,416 19,637 Norway … … 1,56,545 4,03,364 3,24,409 Germany … … 22,73,606 29,73,689 34,55,625 Netherlands … … 1,63,419 2,71,438 2,86,245 Belgium … … 1,01,086 1,37,158 1,22,864 France … … 1,56,672 57,825 1,16,077 Switzerland … … 7,636 14,422 18,987 Italy … … 4,24,781 7,71,809 11,88,011 Austria … … 3,475 17,675 63,130 Czechoslovakia … … 7,470 7,442 5,906 Jugo-Slavia … … — 2,790 11,962 China (excluding Hongkong and Macao) … … 36,412 19,015 43,645 Japan … … 2,91,793 2,08,069 1,94,829 U.S.A … … 10,62,418 7,60,720 5,96,993 Other Countries … … 8,223 6,226 4,833 Totals … … 1,90,87,633 2,01,69,541 2,04,74,317

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Coal Export Company, of Russia, has concluded contracts with Italian firms for the delivery in Italy of 32,000,000 poods of hard coal and anthracite; that many tons of anthracite have been ordered from the same source for immediate delivery in Paris and also in Austria; and whether he will endeavour to ascertain the figure at which this coal is being sold, in order to see the effect upon our own industry?

imports of chemicals and chemical preparations during the years 1922, 1923 and 1924, specifying the countries of origin?

The following table shows the total values of chemicals and chemical preparations (excluding chemical manures and medicines) imported into British India by sea during the fiscal years ending 31st March, 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively, specifying the principal countries of origin. The statistics for the calendar years do not show the countries from which these goods are imported:

It is, I believe, true that a Milan firm has contracted with the Russian Donugal Trust to take about 500,000 tons of coal and anthracite over a period of three years. I do not know what price is being paid. About shipments of Russian anthracite to Austria and France, I have no information beyond that which appears in the Press.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the number and names of the owners of coal royalties in Great Britain who receive £5,000 and over per year and the total amount paid to such owners during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1924, or for the 12 months ended on the last known date?

I regret that I am unable to furnish this information without a detailed examination which would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. The hon. and gallant Member will, however, find an analysis of the nature desired, for the year 1917–18, in Appendix 78 of Volume III of the Report of the Coal Industry Commission, Command Paper 361 of 1919. I am advised that there is no reason to think that the relative distribution there shown has materially altered since.

asked the Minister of Health whether, before sanctioning the setting up of institutions for the use of artificial light by local authorities, he will satisfy himself that a doctor experienced in this work is available?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the difficulty experienced by many farmers in obtaining adequate labour for the harvest; and what steps are being taken to remedy the deficiency?

I am aware that difficulty is experienced at times by farmers in obtaining at short notice necessary additional labour for harvest work. Employment Exchanges are doing their best to meet any demands of this character which are notified to them by employers. I am considering, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture what steps can be taken to affect closer co-operation between farmers' organisations and the Employment Exchanges for this purpose. I should, however, emphasise the need for farmers to get in touch with Employment Exchanges and to give them notice in advance of probable requirements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the investigations into wages and conditions in the retail drapery trade, the fancy goods trade, and the light refreshment and dining-room branch of the catering trade, stated to be approaching completion on 4th March last, are yet completed; and, if so, when and in what form publication of the results may be expected?

The investigations mentioned in the question have been completed, and I hope that a summary of the information obtained will be issued as a Stationery Office publication before the close of the present Session.

asked the Minister of Labour if any of the recommendations of the Select Committee which reported on the administration of Employment Exchanges in 1920 have been, or are going to be, put in force?

The greater part of the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the work of the Employment Exchange are at present in force. Perhaps the hon. Member will communicate with me as regards any particular recommendations he may have in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in considering measures for the relief of unemployment, he has consulted the Postmaster-General with regard to the advisability of putting in hand a programme of immediate and extensive development of the telephone system, in view of the employment which would thereby be created, especially for women, in the telephone manufacturing industry, as well as in a wide range of industries allied thereto?

I have been asked to reply. The programme of telephone construction for the current year is an extensive one, and I hope to have an opportunity of explaining it to the House before the Summer Recess.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusal of unemployment benefit to Mr. W. Rowe, of 21, Meeson Road, West Ham, No. 33,185; and, as this man has for some months been engaged on general relief work schemes, will he reconsider the man's claim?

I find upon inquiry that Mr. Rowe has exhausted the amount of benefit to which he was entitled in respect of contributions. In October last, extended benefit was disallowed on the recommendation of the local employment committee, as they were not satisfied that Mr. Rowe fulfilled the statutory condition requiring him to show-that he has, during the last two years, been employed in insurable employment 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. This recommendation was confirmed at two subsequent meetings of the committee, and I see no ground for asking them to consider the case again.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the conditions as contained in the proposed security pact with France and Germany have been submitted to the Governments of our Dominions; and, if so, will he state what position the Dominion Governments have taken up with reference to the same?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement on the subject made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the discussion on 24th June, and to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies gave to the right hon. Member for Derby (Mr. J. H. Thomas) on 29th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons from Great Britain have migrated to Australia under the agreement signed by the British and Australian Governments which became operative on the 1st May last?

4,441 assisted migrants have sailed from the United Kingdom to Australia since 1st May last but no agreed schemes under the new settlement agreement with the Commonwealth Government has yet been finally concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many women migrated last year under the auspices of the Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women; and what grant was made to the society?

The number of women who proceeded overseas directly under the auspices of the Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women during the year 1924 was 1,577. The Government grant to the society during the year amounted to £6,750 in respect of its work as the Women's Branch of the Overseas Settlement Committee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total annual cost of the rearrangement of the work of the Colonial Office?

The general outline of the re-organisation is on the lines already announced, but the details have not yet been finally decided, and it is not therefore possible to state what the total extra annual cost will be, though it is not anticipated that any substantial increase will be involved.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the recent sentence of one month's imprisonment passed on a young woman at the Rochford, Essex, Petty Sessions, on a charge of wilful damage to the amount of 7s. 6d.; and, in view of the fact that this was a first conviction, will he consider a remission of this sentence?

I caused inquiry to be made in this case, but the facts elicited supplied no sufficient ground for interference with the sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will approach the other Powers concerned with a view to the withdrawal of the special privileges attached to foreign settlements in China, as has been done in the case of Turkey?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer returned to the similar question by the hon. Member for Rotherhithe (Mr. B. Smith).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the White Paper giving the latest information regarding industrial conditions in China will be laid before the House?

The White Paper was laid on the Table of the House last Friday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any action was taken by British representatives in Shanghai to secure the holding of post-mortem examinations on the bodies of the unarmed Chinese students who were alleged to have been shot in the back in encounters with the armed municipal and Imperial forces in Shanghai; whether the report of the inquest in each case is to be published; and whether the negotiations now taking place in Pekin are being conducted in the absence of authenticated reports of this nature?

A coroner's inquest was held publicly. The discussions at Peking are taking place in the light of information elicited at this inquest, at the trial of the agitators before the Mixed Court, and by the two enquiries held by the delegations sent by the Diplomatic Body and by the Chinese Government. I do not understand the mention in the question of Imperial forces. I am not aware of any encounter at Shanghai between Chinese and Imperial forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of British volunteers who have been ordered to prepare for mobilisation in Hong Kong; and will he state if British nationals, in the disturbed areas of China, have been given the opportunity of leaving these areas under British protection?

The entire volunteer force 471 strong was mobilised at Hong Kong on the 21st of June. His Majesty's ships have been sent whenever possible to ports in disturbed areas, and in certain cases, as at Canton and Chinkiang, women and children have been sent away by steamer. Consular officers will warn missionaries to leave inland missions if they consider it advisable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether if and when Germany has strictly observed the military clauses of the Treaty of Peace, he will take immediate steps to deal with the question of disarmament?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the second statement which I made in this House on the 24th June, to which I have nothing to add.