asked the Secretary for Mines the latest figures for the cost of production per ton of coal in all the principal coal producing countries, analysed on the same lines as the quarterly returns for this country?

No other country publishes statistics of coal production costs analysed on the same lines as the quarterly returns published in this country. I regret therefore that I cannot supply the information asked for.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of man-shifts worked underground in the coal mines in this country in 1913, and the corresponding number in 1924?

The estimated number for 1924 is 241 millions. I regret that the corresponding figure for 1913 is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed above ground in the coal-mining industry in this country in 1913 and the corresponding number in 1924?

The number of persons (including clerks) employed above ground in the coal-mining industry in Great Britain was 213,700 in 1913, and 247,600 in 1924.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give returns showing the output of coal in the United States of America and the quantity exported during the years 1913 and 1924, respectively; and the coal produced in French mines during the same period?

The information is as follows:—

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give Returns showing the average daily rates of pay in the mines of England, Scotland, and Wales during the months of January, February, and March of 1913 and 1925, respectively, distinguishing the rates of adults and boys?

I am unable to give the information precisely as asked. Such comparative figures as are in my possession are as follow:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give Returns showing the quantity of South Wales coal supplied to His Majesty's Navy during the years 1913 and 1924, respectively, and the quantity of oil fuel supplied in the same periods?

I have been asked to reply. The quantities of South Wales coal supplied to His Majesty's Navy during the years in question were

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what financial considerations govern the selection of Territorial camps for annual training; and if the expenditure involved in transporting large bodies of troops from the North of England to Wales can in future be saved without doing any harm to recruiting or training?

The Regulations prescribe that, as a rule, the annual training should take place within a reasonable distance from the centre of the recruiting area of the larger formations and the headquarters of units respectively, and that proposals involving long railway journeys shall not be put forward oftener than once in three years. All proposals are submitted to the War Office, where they are carefully scrutinised from the point of view of whether they involve greater expenditure on travelling than is justified by recruiting and training requirements. I do not think Territorial camps could always be confined to the localities in which the units are raised without very great prejudice to recruiting or training, but unnecessarily long journeys are not permitted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department is making full use of His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport; and what is the value of the stores and other supplies ordered from Devonport by his Department in the past financial year?

Except as regards certain orders for rope, which are given direct to His Majesty's Dockyard at Chatham, stores required by the Army from naval sources are requisitioned direct from the Admiralty, and the War Office has no knowledge to what extent they are allocated to particular dockyards.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that children's allowances are stopped in addition to marriage allowance when a soldier refuses to live with his wife, through no fault on the wife's part, but are payable to a guardian other than the wife, whereas it was obviously not the intention of the Regulation to penalise a mother, who is better qualified to look after her children than any guardian he will take steps to confer with the other Service Departments concerned with a view to modifying this Regulation.

My right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty explained the position in answer to a similar questions addressed to him by the hon. Member yesterday. My Department will review the Regulation in consultation with the Admiralty and the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the new and lighter rifle will be issued to all the units in the Regular Army; and if it is hoped at any time to arm the Territorial Army with this improved weapon?

No decision has yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War, as £444,000 is provided in the Estimate for building material and stores, whether the Department under his control is erecting any barracks or other accommodation by direct labour and, if so, in what districts; whether stores refers to material that may be used in the erection of barracks, etc.; and, if not, will he state what material is included in the definition of stores?

Direct labour is employed at many stations abroad, and a limited amount is being employed at home at the following places: Bramley, Fort George, Beachley, Salisbury Plain, Bovington, and Chatham. Stores refer to material that may be used for the erection of barracks, etc., but in this country they would normally be confined to fittings and machinery, electrical stores, etc., such as would not ordinarily come under the terms of a building contract.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost per house of the 30 houses being erected for married quarters on the land of the War Department at the junction of Pavilion Road and Alexandra Road, West End, Alder-shot; and if the trade union conditions are being observed in the construction of these houses?

If the hon. Member refers to the price in the accepted tender for the erection of these quarters, it is contrary to the Department's practice to disclose this information. The hon. Member will see, from page 212 of the current Army Estimates, that the complete cost is estimated at £766 a quarter, which includes not only all external services, such as drainage, water supply, roads, lighting, and fencing, but also a charge for the cost of supervision by the Royal Engineers. The conditions of the contract, under which the quarters are being erected, include the customary Fair Wages Clause.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can furnish information to account for the rise from an annual average of 17 in the period 1st January, 1920, to 31st March, 1924, to a total of 71 in the year ending 31st March, 1925, in flying accidents attributable to causes other than engine or installation failure, error of judgments, or defect in aircraft design, construction, or maintenance?

In a comparison of the figures for the periods 1st January, 1920, to 31st March, 1924, and 1st April, 1924, to 31st May (not March), 1925, regard must be had to the increasing amount of flying carried out in each period, and the fact that the Air Force is in process of being trebled in size as compared with its strength three years ago. If this is allowed for, further analysis of the figures referred to in the question show no marked increase in the later period in the number of accidents due to any other cause than weather. The proportionate increase in this type of accident is probably accounted for by an increased tendency to fly under less favourable weather conditions, but the field of comparison is too small to justify any very definite conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of State-owned air stations disposed of after the War in Great Britain and the sums realised from their sale and that of the buildings erected thereon; the number of aerodromes in State occupation at the end of the War which have been handed back to the landowners; and the estimated value of the State-owned buildings thereon and the sum realised thereby?

The number of air stations relinquished since the termination of the War is 146, of which five, were disposed of to the Irish Free State, and three and two handed over to the War Office and the Admiralty respectively. The records of my Department do not enable me to state in how many cases the aerodromes were handed back to the landowners or disposed of to new purchasers. To obtain this information or that required by the other parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question in regard to the sums realised and the estimated value of the buildings, would involve the systematic search of some hundreds of files and the detailed scrutiny of the records of the various sales, in some of which many different purchasers were concerned, and in the circumstances I do not think that the heavy labour involved would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Cross, and the Distinguished Flying and Air Force Medals can be awarded in respect of the distinguished services in flying by civilians; and, if so, how many such decorations and medals have been so awarded during the past four years in respect of civilian aeroplane services?

As regards the first part of the question, the Air Force Cross and medal, but not the Distinguished Flying Cross and medal, can be awarded to civilians who render distinguished service to aviation in actual flying. As regards the second part, no awards of the decoration or medal have been made during the past four years in respect of civilian aeroplane services; an Air Force medal was, however, recently awarded to a civilian for conspicuous devotion to duty in circumstances of exceptional difficulty and danger, in connection with the accident to the R.33.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the quantities of spirits imported into the Bahamas for the years 1912, 1923, and 1924, respectively?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to provide contributions from the funds available under the National Health Insurance Act towards district nursing associations employing qualified midwives to attend insured persons, in view of the importance of these associations among health services?

An approved society is entitled to devote part of its disposable surplus on valuation to making payments towards the cost of providing nursing for its members, and may also make subscriptions or donations from its benefit fund for the support of district nurses. There is not, however, any provision in the National Health Insurance Act for the making of payments for the specific purpose of securing the attendance of midwives on insured women at confinement, and before considering the desirability of amending legislation in this direction I must await the Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance.

asked the Minister of Health if he will withdraw the order that debars information of birth-control matters being given at infant-welfare centres that receive financial support from his Department, so as to allow any local authority which so desires to provide such teaching of family limitation to patients whose condition or history make such a practice temporarily or permanently desirable?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) on the 11th June.

asked the Minister of Health the number of rating authorities and the number of assessment authorities existing in the county of Monmouth; and the number of each authority that will exist if the Rating and Valuation Bill becomes law?

In the administrative county of Monmouth, with the county borough of Newport, there are at present 180 rating authorities and eight assessment authorities. Four of the latter act for areas extending into other administrative counties. If the Rating and Valuation Bill becomes law there will be 28 rating authorities. As regards assessment authorities, Clause 15 of the Bill provides that the county borough and such other areas as may be constituted by a scheme made by the county council and approved by me shall be assessment areas, and provision is made under which a joint scheme be made by the county borough and the county council. The number of assessment areas will, therefore, depend on the action taken by the local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many railway wagons and locomotives still remain on hand for disposal; and whether any steps are being taken to utilise the surplus stock to meet the lack of railway facilities in East Africa?

The wagons remaining for disposal number 691, of which 673 are of the Continental type. The locomotives unsold number 197, which are all fast goods locomotives. In addition 17 sets of unassembled parts of fast passenger locomotives remain for sale. As regards these locomotives I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Ilford (Sir F. Wise). I understand that the gauge in East Africa is one metre and the above-mentioned rolling stock would be unsuitable for use on that gauge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much silk was imported into this country during the last financial year for the manufacture of bolting cloth, used by flour millers; whether any silk for this purpose is manufactured in this country; and, if not, whether he will consider admitting this silk free of duty, as is the practice in the United States and Canada?

As regards the first part of this question, the official trade records do not distinguish silk imported for the manufacture of bolting cloth from silk imported for other purposes. As regards the second part, I have no official information whether silk bolting cloth is manufactured in this country. As regards the third part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to the hon. Member for the East Toxteth Division of Liverpool (Mr. Jacob) on the 18th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether action will be taken to remove the doubt expressed by the Industrial Assurance Commissioner as to whether the return of premiums on the death of a child under the age of 10 years is a payment within the meaning of the Statute?

I am advised that, while it is not free from doubt whether the return of premiums is technically a payment on death within the meaning of the Statute, it is clearly not one of the matters against which the section was intended to provide. In the circumstances, the Government does not think that it would be useful to take any action

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the reason for the refusal of the claim submitted by Mr. T. H. Meredith, tax officer, Ludlow, for a re-assessment of the balance of his civil pay during his period of service with His Majesty's forces; and whether, in view of the fact that this officer was prevented from attesting owing to the refusal of the Board of Inland Revenue to give him formal sanction to do so, the Treasury will exercise a discretion in his favour?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the judgments of the Court of Appeal in the case of Pidduck and others are not applicable to civil servants who were deemed to have been enlisted under the Military Service Act. Mr. Meredith was so enlisted, and I regret that it is impossible for me to exercise a discretion in his favour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange to open a post office or sub-poet office in the neighbourhood of Birch Polygon, Rusholme, Manchester, in view of the fact that, since the recent closing of a post office in that district, the nearest office available is the Wilmslow Road, about three-quarters of a mile away?

I understand the hon. Member to refer to the New Anson residential estate near Birch Polygon. Steps will be taken to open a sub-office as soon as suitable premises, centrally situated, are available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to meet with the general wishes of the community, he is prepared to reconsider the reinstitution of the penny rate for the postage of letters?

The Postmaster-General is anxious to see the restoration of the penny rate for letters; and the matter will be again considered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in connection with next year's Budget.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the names of the persons or firms to whom permission was given during 1924 to export machine guns to the Soviet Government in Russia?

Vickers, Limited, and B.S.A. Guns, Limited.

asked the Minister of Transport how many toll bridges are in use in this country; how many charge a fee of 1s. or over for vehicular traffic; what is the highest fee charged; and in how many cases are negotiations proceeding for taking over such bridges by the local authorities concerned?

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 34 to 36 of the Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1923–24, from which he will see that there are 64 toll-roads and 127 toll-bridges in England and Wales. I am advised that on eight of the roads and 29 of the bridges the charge imposed upon vehicles is 1s. or more. The same report also contains certain particulars of negotiations then proceeding for the taking over of toll bridges by local authorities. I am not, at present, in a position to amplify that information although I have reason to believe that the movement towards the freeing of tolls is very general.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the inadequate grant now paid to local authorities for second-class roads; and whether he proposes to take steps to increase the amount as being one way of helping to lessen unemployment?

I have received representations that all grants are inadequate, but I have not observed that pleas on behalf of Class II roads have been urged with exceptional frequency. In cases where widening works, etc., on Class II roads are expedited for the relief of unemployment, it has been my policy to make grants upon the percentage basis applicable to Class I roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the constant demand of the travelling public for third-class sleeping accommodation on long-distance night trains, he will introduce legislation to make it compulsory for all railway companies to provide facilities for this kind of sleeping accommodation on these trains?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, given on the 3rd March last, to a question on this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Barnard Castle (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam).

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will explain why, in the Official List 111, published by his Department, of the more important technical schools recognised by the Board of Education, there is mention of only one such school in the administrative county of Essex; and why the Leyton Technical Institute, which for the. Session, 1922–23 had 782 and now has nearly 1,000 part-time students, is not included?

My hon. Friend no doubt refers to Part I of the list, as mention is made in Part III of the Chelmsford, Colchester and Leyton Schools of Art, and in Part IV of the Colchester, Leyton and Walthamstow Junior Technical Schools. In this, the first, issue of the list, the Board have thought it best to include in Part I only those schools which were formerly recognised by them as eligible to receive an inclusive annual grant under Article 33 of the Regulations; but, as is indicated in the explanatory note, the list is to some extent provisional only, and in paragraph' 12 of that note the Board state that they will welcome suggestions for its improvement, and any representations in favour of the inclusion of particular schools will be carefully considered in connection with the next issue.