asked the Minister of Health the average cost per acre of land acquired for assisted housing schemes in both urban and rural areas?

The average cost per acre of land acquired for assisted housing schemes is £230: urban areas and £l27 in rural areas?

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses under construction and authorised to be built under the various Housing Acts?

On the 1st instant, 62.230 houses very under construction in connection with schemes under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924. In addition, contracts had been let or definite arrangements made for the erection of 5,213. and a further 05,590 had been authorised but not definitely arranged for.

asked the Minister of Health the average number of workmen's dwelling-houses built each year for the two decennial periods before the War

Statistics are not available as to the number of working-class houses erected before the War, but from figures taken from Inland Revenue returns as to Inhabited House Duty, it appears that the average annual increase in the number of houses exempt from such duty by reason of being less than £20 annual value was

In the decennial period, 1895–1904	ߪ	70,051
In the decennial period,1905–1914	ߪ	62,859

asked the Minister of Health the annual rate of production at the present time of workmen's dwellings from all sources?The latest figures available for the total number of houses built in a year show that during the year ended 31st March, 1925, there were completed:

Houses under State-assisted
schemes	…	…	…	67,669
Unassisted	…	…	…	69,220
A total of			…	136,889

If, for the purposes of the question, we take into account, of the unsubsidised houses, only those having a rateable value of less than £26 a year (or £35 in London), the total number of working-class houses built in the year was 117,817.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the amount of time taken to erect a brick house, a wooden house, and houses of the Atholl and Weir types, respectively?

As so much depends upon the site, the number of houses to be erected, the labour and materials available, I can only state roughly that the actual time taken in the normal work of erection of a brick house could not ordinarily be put at less than four or five months, and this time is frequently exceeded. I have no corresponding information about wooden houses. As regards the other types mentioned in the question, there is very little experience available as to the time actually taken in erection, but I understand that the manufacturers estimate the time required where a number of houses are concerned as not likely to be more than two or three weeks per house.

asked the Minister of Health whether replies have been received by his Department from the Isle of Wight Rural District Council and from the Cowes Urban District Council with respect to three statutory complaints sent in by Justices of the Peace of default on the part of those local authorities under the laws relating to housing; why those replies, if any, have not been communicated by him to the Justices concerned; the terms of those replies, if any; why two further letters from two of those Justices have received no reply from his Department; and what steps his Department are taking in the matter?

On receipt of the complaints referred to the complainants were informed that I was taking the matters up with the local authorities concerned. Copies of the further letters from the Justices referred to by the hon. Member were also sent to the authorities with a request for an early report on the matters. I have not yet received these reports, and I am pressing the authorities to expedite their replies.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the recent outbreak of scarlet fever in Portsmouth which was traceable to ice cream made by one manufacturer in whose employ a boy assistant was found to be suffering from the disease; will he, in the interests of public health, make an Order that early notice of any illness of the principals or employés of an ice cream manufactory shall be made immediately to the local medical officer of health, and that such notice shall become obligatory; and will he consider the advisability of powers being vested in medical officers of health so as to allow the inspection of places where ice cream is made, and inspection of persons occupied with the manufacture or distribution of ice cream?

I have received a copy of the report of the medical officer of health on the outbreak referred to. Provision is already included in the Infectious Disease (Notification) Act and in Regulations made by my Department for the notification of all cases of any of the principal infectious diseases, and a special provision is included in a Portsmouth Local Act requiring manufacturers of and dealers in ice cream to give notice of the outbreak of any such disease amongst their employés. I doubt whether it would be practicable to enforce a regulation that all cases of illness, however slight, should be notified. With regard to the regulation of places where ice cream and other food is prepared, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which was given him on Tuesday last, and I may add that many local authorities in addition to the Town Council of Portsmouth have obtained special local Act powers as to ice cream.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of deaths that took place in England and Wales from all forms of tuberculosis in the year ended 31st December, 1924?

The total number of deaths in England and Wales in 1924 from all forms of tuberculosis was 41,103.

asked the Minister of Health whether he and his medical staff have considered the figures of the infant mortality of Market Drayton contrasted with those of the two neighbouring towns; and will he cause a further investigation into the causes of the high infant mortality to be made by another medical inspector and then publish his or her report?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have already stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Oxford University (Lord H. Cecil) on the 11th May, that the county council are taking steps to improve the maternity and child welfare service in this district and the further investigation suggested in the second part of the question does not, therefore, seem to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the fact that dental treatment is often beneficial to the restoration of health and is also a preventive of the greatest value, he will consider the advisability of making dental benefit statutory under the National Health Insurance Act?

This matter is one of those now under investigation by the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, and will be considered on receipt of their Report.

asked the Minister of Health how many rating authorities there are in Wales; and how many are contemplated when the Rating and Valuation Bill becomes operative?

There are at present 1,344 rating authorities in Wales, with Monmouthshire. When the Rating and Valuation Bill becomes operative, the number of rating authorities will be 191.

asked the Minister of Health to what punishment a casual is liable if he refuses a task unsuited to his age, strength and capacity; what is the remedy if a casual is given a task not so suited; has he any right of appeal: and to what punishment is a labour master liable if he imposes a task not so suited?

A casual is not liable to any punishment for the refusal of a task unsuited to his age, strength or capacity. The second and third parts of the question therefore do not arise. A Poor Law officer found to be misusing his powers would be subject to disciplinary action taken by a board of guardians or by myself.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Wissington factory, in Norfolk, is being machined, as far as process machinery is concerned, by the Skoda Company; and whether, as this company is not British, but Czechoslovakian, he will state the reason?

This factory is complying with the statutory requirement that 75 per cent. of the plant and machinery shall be of British manufacture, and so far as the process machinery is concerned, the cost of that supplied by British manufacturers is not less than £90,000, compared with £23,000 for that supplied by the Skoda Company. I am informed that the machinery supplied by the Skoda Company could not be obtained in this country in time for this year's campaign.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the claims paid or admitted out of the £5,000,000 and out of the £300,000, respectively, voted for reparations; and, if there is any balance remaining out of either of those sums, how it is proposed to be used?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for the Edge Hill Division (Mr. Hayes) on 23rd June and on 9th July, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why disabled ex-service men employed in the Civil Service in a temporary capacity were not allowed to sit for the recent Civil Service examination?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. Subject to their satisfying the necessary conditions as to service laid down by the Southborough Committee, disabled ex-service men were allowed to sit for the examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the extension of the three-mile territorial limit from the shore to 12 miles as regards search for alcoholic liquors and other purposes, steps will be considered to extend to 12 miles the jurisdiction over national and foreign ships as regards prevention of the discharge of oil fuel and waste likely to cause destruction to fish and sea birds; and whether there is any reason for adhering to the distance of three miles?

This question is based on a misapprehension of fact. The British Government have always maintained the principle that territorial waters are limited to three miles. The Convention of 1924 between this country and the United States of America expressly declares the firm intention of the high contracting parties to uphold that principle, and it would be contrary to the settled policy of this country to admit any deviation from it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to take such steps as may be necessary to secure an impartial judicial inquiry into the recent disturbances in Shanghai, whether under the auspices of the League of Nations or otherwise?

My right hon. Friend asks that the House will permit him to defer any further statement on Chinese affairs until the communications now passing between the interested Powers have reached a point at which he can make his full statement with due regard to the public interest and to international comity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is intended to revise paragraphs 3, 6 and 7 of Part XIA of Appendix X, King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, Volume II, to admit of all officers promoted from commissioned warrant rank to be eligible for the rank of commander, including officers specially promoted to lieutenant although not qualified under the provisions of paragraph 3 of the Regulations quoted?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any vacancies for lieutenant exist under the 4 per cent. basis allocated to the younger commissioned gunners and gunners in paragraph 3 of Appendix X, Part XIA, King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, Volume II; whether he is aware that hitherto it has been the well understood rule to promote commissioned gunners of long and zealous service in a proportion of the 4 per cent. allocated to the younger officers when fully qualified candidates are not available; and if he will say whether any departure from this rule has been authorised and, if so, by whom?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of yesterday to an almost similar question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will take steps to enforce the Admiralty Fleet Order forbidding the employment of newly entered and qualified naval assistant cooks in small vessels, destroyers, or shore stations, in order to prevent dissatisfaction through the employment of inexperienced cook ratings in vessels where only one cook rating is borne?

I can assure my hon. Friend that every endeavour is made to avoid drafting inexperienced cook ratings to vessels or establishments only allowed one cook rating.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that prior to the abolition of duck suits for naval cook ratings their kit included four pairs of duck trousers, two duck jackets and two drill tunics, four white suits in all, he will reconsider his decision of 25th May and authorise the issue of four white suits to newly-entered cook ratings?

I regret that the answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the employment of warrant cookery officers in capital ships in which the general messing system is in force, in order that practical experience and supervision may be at the disposal of the accountant officers in charge?

In the opinion of the Admiralty such appointments could not be justified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a senior petty officer of the officers' stewards branch is serving in His Majesty's Ship "Curacoa" with Maltese officers' stewards who are senior to him and consequently in charge of him; whether the employment of Maltese officers' stewards and cooks is authorised for ships in home waters; whether It is the Admiralty's intention that English petty officers should serve with Maltese ratings and in a subordinate position; and whether the Port Division numbers of active service ratings of the officers' stewards and cooks branch is sufficient to meet the manning requirements of the Port Division without the employment of non-continuous service Maltese ratings?

With regard to the first part of the question, the Admiralty has no information. The answer to the second part is that Maltese officers' stewards and cooks are not generally employed in ships in home waters, but that no absolute rule can be laid down; to the third part, that under existing arrangements such a situation could very rarely arise. As regards the fourth part, the answer is in the negative, because the intention is that ships in the Mediterranean shall employ Maltese as far as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now able to make any statement to the House on the subject of new construction of cruisers, destroyers, gunboats and other vessels described by his predecessor, on 21st January, 1924, in this House, as urgently needed for replacement?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now able to make any statement on the subject of marriage allowances to officers of the Navy, the money for which has already been voted by this House?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the date upon which the contract was confirmed on behalf of his Department for the purchase of matches used in the House of Commons that are manufactured in Czechoslovakia?

Authority was given to accept a tender for foreign matches on the 5th November last, and the tender was actually accepted on the 10th of that month.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in calculating the trading profits for the year ended 31st March, 1925, of the State-management districts, any amount has been allowed for Income Tax and Super-tax which would be payable if the business was conducted by private enterprise?

As stated in the Report of the State-management districts for the year ended 31st March, 1925, the profit and loss account for that year includes charges in respect of taxes other than Income Tax assessed under Schedule D. As regards Super-tax, this tax is not a charge against a company's trading profits and is not shown in the accounts of businesses conducted by private enterprise.

asked the Postmaster-General why his Department has refused an application for a rural party line, made in accordance with the conditions laid down in the General Poet Office circular, by prospective subscribers at Penton-Mewsey for connection with the Andover Telephone Exchange; and whether he will now take steps to expedite the installation of the service, negotiations for which have been proceeding for several months?

I am having inquiry made in the matter and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour what the figures for unemployment are from July, 1923, to the present date in Great Britain, the North-Eastern area, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, respectively, in continuation of the Return given on 31st July, 1923?

The following table gives the information desired:

NUMBER of Persons on the Registers of Employment Exchanges in the Areas stated.
Date	Great Britain.	North Eastern Area.	Newcastle-on-Tyne, Elswick and Heaton
1923.
May 7th	1,235,488	210,344	20,797
June 4th	1,220,394	215,173	20,911
July 2nd	1,225,937	220,259	19,736
July 16th	1,215,765	224,158	20,149
August 6th	1,228,541	229,929	19,838
September 3rd	1,275,396	247,172	20,530
October 1st	1,290,092	254,212	20,285
November 5th	1,286,300	253,760	19,984
December 3rd	1,237,505	242,501	18,791
1924.
January 7th	1,267,675	235,625	18,739
February 4th	1,248,475	227,735	18,181
March 3rd	1,134,742	197,425	17,164
April 7th	1,044,246	178,147	16,309
May 5th	1,040,660	180,505	18,450
June 2nd	1,002,915	174,405	15,997
July 7th	1,024,551	191,556	17,238
August 4th	1,080,234	206,245	18,121
September 1st	1,162,880	225,110	17,865
October 6th	1,215,575	239,602	18,517
November 3rd	1,228,023	243,480	15,736
December 1st	1,190,254	239,687	15,786
1925.
January 5th	1,307,140	258,503	15,732
February 2nd	1,238,287	253,368	15,683
March 2nd	1,235,618	268,261	16,365
April 6th	1,166,353	271,864	17,372
May 4th	1,180,479	275,993	17,712
June 1st	1,247,306	305,543	16,286
July 6th	1,300,350	329,443	18,876

The hon. Member will note that revised figures have been given above in respect of the four dates in 1923 to which his previous question in July of that year related. The reason for this is that since March, 1924, the published figures of unemployment include a number of persons who were working systematic short time, but were not actually at work on the date of the return. As the figures previously given to the hon. Member did not include such persons, comparable figures on the revised basis have been inserted for his information.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Joseph McMullan, No. 3,046,837, late private, Royal Scots, was discharged on 12th December, 1924, as medically unfit; that a pension has been refused on the ground that it is not attributable to his military service; that he hag served in the Army since 1915 and was A 1 on joining; that the Ministry of Pensions has refused his claim on the grounds that his disability did not arise from the War; and if he will take steps to see that this case is reconsidered?

The disability from which Mr. McMullan is suffering has been found not to be attributable to his post-War military service. In these circumstances, I regret that he cannot be granted any pension or gratuity from Army funds other than that already granted by the Chelsea Commissioners. The question of his entitlement to pension in respect of great war service is bring further considered by the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that William Robert Brand, of Tottenham (II/M/215,247), who is permanently lame by loss of his right heel, is suffering from fibrosis of the lung through gas, also partial disablement of the right hand, and is receiving a pension of 14s. per week, is unable to obtain lodgings for this amount and cannot obtain employment; that he is not eligible for unemployment benefit; and that he is at present sleeping in a hay barn; and will he have Brand medically examined with a view to reconsidering the amount of his pension?

I fear that I cannot add anything to the answer given with regard to the same case on the 16th March last, of which I am. sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many area offices have been changed in status during the six months ending 30th June; what is the number of area offices that have been made into sub offices, full time and part time; in what districts the changes have been made; and in how many instances did the Area War Pension Committee object to the amalgamation of the area with an adjacent area or areas and the degrading of the office?

During the six months ended the 30th June, 1925, there were 11 instances in which the status of area offices was changed owing to staff amalgamation. In each of these cases one area office became a whole-time sub-office. The districts served by the offices so affected were as follows:

1. Consett, Blaydon and District.

2. Swindon, Chippenham and District.

3. King's Lynn and District.

4. Southport, Ormskirk and District.

5. Aldershot, Farnham and District.

6. Walsall and District.

7. Bromley, Sevenoaks and District.

8. Dorsetshire.

9. Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and District.

10. Peterborough, Huntingdon, March and District.

11. Perth and Kinross.

In seven instances the War Pensions Committee was opposed to any change, the opposition being based upon what, I think, must be the mistaken impression that pensioners in their area would suffer. I am glad to have this opportunity of stating that in no single instance has a complaint been received that a pensioner or applicant has been caused inconvenience or hardship by the reduction in the status of these offices.