asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many civil servants in his Department take an annual holiday in excess of three weeks, four weeks, five weeks, and six weeks, respectively; what is the aggregate number of weeks in excess of three weeks so taken; and what would be the salary value per annum of the time so taken in excess of three weeks?

It would be impossible, without very great expense of time and labour, to provide the particulars required by the hon. Member. The review suggested would involve a detailed examination of the records of every civil servant in the Admiralty, since not every officer actually takes the leave which is allowed by the authorised scales. The allowance of leave to civil servants in the Admiralty follows that in force in Public Departments generally, in the case of certain classes, which are common to most Government Departments, these scales being shown in the Report of the Joint Committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council on Organisation, dated 17th February, 1920. As regards other civil servants in the Admiralty and purely Departmental classes, the leave allowance is based on that prescribed for general Civil Service classes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of education officers employed in the Air Service, grades I, II, III, and IV, giving the totals of each; the total salaries paid to these officers, including allowances; and the total cost of maintaining the schools and lecture rooms where these officers impart instruction?

The information required by the first and second parts of the question is as follows: Education Officers. Number. Total Salaries. £ Grade I … … 5 4,280 Grade II … … 13 8,890 Grade III … … 66 29,167 Grade IV … … 33 10,586

There are, in addition, four special appointments (one administrative, three proffessorial), the emoluments of which total £4,210. As regards the last part of the question, the estimated expenditure for 1925–26 for maintenance and upkeep of the equipment, school and lecture rooms, reference libraries, etc., is. approximately, £10.000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received complaints of the serious overworking of employés in certain Employment Exchanges; and whether, seeing that such complaints are not in any way general, he will inquire as to whether there are any special causes operating in such local Exchanges as are the subject of such complaints?

The complaints of undue pressure of work, while they are understood to relate to certain Exchanges only, do not as a rule specify the particular Exchanges. The Department appreciate the reasons for this, but the hon. Member will see that, unless the complaint gives the name of the Exchange referred to, it is difficult for the Department to inquire properly into it. I can assure the hon. Member that any complaint from a responsible quarter which gives the necessary particulars will be thoroughly investigated without delay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can furnish figures showing the total sum paid by the State on salaries, pensions, and bonus allowances during the financial year 1924–25?

The total sums paid to persons by way of salaries, pensions and bonus allowances in respect of the direct service of the State during the financial year 1924–25 are estimated as follows:

For the Civil Service: £ Pay and bonus (excluding Industrial Staffs) 59,750,000 Pay of Industrial Staffs 20,188,000 Pensions 4,495,000 £84,433,000

For the Navy, Army, and Air Force: £ Pay … … … 31,740,000* Pensions … … … 13,785,000† £45,525,000 *Excluding allowances in lieu of rations, fuel and light and lodging, duty allowances and marriage allowance. †Excluding pensions payable by the Ministry of Pensions in respect of disability due to War service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. R. J. K. Marks, formerly private, No. 1,666,971, the Buffs, is suffering from ophthalmic condition, which has been certified as due to military service, and that his Department has refused to grant a pension; and whether, in view of the difference of medical opinion in this case, he will consider the advisability of allowing Mr. Marks to appeal to the independent tribunal set up by the Lord Chancellor?

The Medical Board which examined Private Marks on his discharge from the Army were of opinion that his disability was in no degree attributable to military service, and their opinion was upheld on appeal by the medical authorities at the War Office. In these circumstances I regret that he is not eligible for the grant of a pension from Army funds. The tribunal referred to in the last part of the question has jurisdiction only in regard to claims arising out of the Great. War under Ministry of Pensions Warrants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to assist the policy of buying British goods, he will consider early legislation which will arrange for the marking of foreign goods, so that the purchaser may discover the country of origin of all goods sold?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 14th July to the hon. Member for Central Hackney (Sir R. Gower).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the percentage for each year from 1910 to 1913, and from 1920 to 1924, of Class 3 British exports (manufactured articles) to British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates and foreign countries, respectively?

The following table shows the percentages of the exports of articles wholly or mainly manufactured, in each of the years 1910 to 1913, and 1920 to 1923, consigned to British and to foreign countries. I regret that the corresponding percentages for 1924 are not yet available. Year Percentage of exports of United Kingdom manufactures. Class III consigned to:— British Countries. Foreign Countries. 1910 … 38.1 61.9 1911 … 38.8 61.2 1912 … 40.7 59.3 1913 … 42.3 57.7 1920 … 40.2 59.8 1921 … 45.7 54.3 1922 … 44.3 55.7 1923* … 44.9 55.1 (43.5) (56.5) * Note:—Since 1st April, 1923, goods sent from Great Britain or Northern Ireland to the rest of Ireland have been included in the record of export trade. For purposes, however, of better comparison with the earlier years, the figures in brackets show the percentages obtained by excluding the exports to the Irish Free State.

asked the Minister off Health whether the recent recommendations of a Departmental Committee on food preservatives are based upon the suggestion that cold storage is a suitable substitute for the preservatives hitherto used; whether he has made any inquiry into the extent to which cold storage is available in this country; whether any such cold storage is available in country towns or villages or in the homes of consumers: and whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

The recommendations had in view that the use of preservatives can be avoided partly by the adoption of greater care, including more cleanly methods, in the preparation, transport, and distribution of food and partly by the increased use of cold storage. The information before my right hon. Friend shows that there is at present a large amount of cold storage in the country which is not being used. He recognises that adequate accommodation is not available everywhere, but anticipates that the prospect of restrictions on the use of chemical preservatives will result in the increased use of the existing accommodation and the provision of such further accommodation as may be necessary. This was one of the reasons for allowing an interval before the Regulations become operative.

asked the Minister of Health what further steps will be taken before final Regulations are made relating to preservatives in food; and whether an opportunity will be given to the trades affected to make representations to his Department before the proposed form of any Regulations is finally settled?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. A. V. Alexander) on the 7th instant. Every opportunity has been given to the trades affected to present their views on the proposed Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of a widow in receipt of a War pension for herself and those of her children born not more than nine months subsequent to her late husband's discharge from active service, but who has one or more children for whom a War pension is not payable, she will be entitled to allowances under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill in respect of these latter children?

The answer is in the affirmative, provided that the other qualifying conditions laid down in the Bill ( e.g., as regards insurance and the age of the child or children) are fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many of the public health services throughout the country inadequate salaries are offered to secure efficient services of sanitary inspectors; and will he consider laying down a scale below which local authorities shall not fall, so as to attract efficient persons as officers for these responsible duties?

I am aware that in some instances local authorities propose inadequate salaries for sanitary inspectors, but it is my practice when my approval is sought for the appointment of a sanitary inspector to endeavour to secure that the salary paid is sufficient to attract and retain efficient service. As regards the last part of the question the circumstances of sanitary districts differ so much in respect of size, population, and character that it would not be practicable to prescribe a minimum salary as a condition of approval to the appointment of a sanitary inspector.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the relief to the Unemployment Insurance Fund if the Admiralty estimate of a cruiser employing 3.500 men continuously for three years is accepted, and the assumption is made that the insurance fund is relieved of an average of 3.500 men and two dependants per man?

The question whether the employment of men on the construction of a, cruiser would result in a corresponding diminution in total in the claims on the Unemployment Fund is one which depends on so many uncertain factors that I cannot answer it with any certainty. As regards the second part of the question, if 3,500 men, each with two dependants (a wife and a child) drew benefit at a weekly rate of 25s. for three years continuously the total amount drawn would be over £650,000. If the men were assumed to have the average number of dependants found to appertain to male applicants generally, the total amount drawn, in the same circumstances, would be between £400,000 and £450,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the railway companies are discharging young men from their service in locomotive sheds, etc., in Bury and other places; whether in such cases notice is given to the Ministry of Labour of such intended discharges; whether, seeing that railway companies do not contribute to unemployment insurance, there is any arrangement whereby those discharged can receive financial assistance; and, if not will he inquire the reason for these discharges?

I assume the hon. Member has in mind employés covered by Certificates of Exception issued under the Unemployment Insurance. Act, 1920, in respect of the permanent wages staff (other than shopmen) with 3 years' service or more, on the ground that it is the normal practice of the employers to retain the employed persons in their employment during good behaviour. In case of discharge no benefit or other financial assistance is payable to such employés under the Unemployment Insurance Acts (except where the period of exception has been very short). There is no requirement that notice should be given to me of the intended discharge of excepted employés. Where cases of discharge come to my notice, I take the matter up with a view to seeing whether the conditions for exception are still satisfied. I should be glad to receive particulars of any individual cases the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the increasing harm done to the roads, especially in the West Country, by the transit of gigantic vans and lorries; and whether he will state what action he is proposed to take to protect those resident in rural districts from the nuisance and expense involved?

I have received representations on the subject from many rural authorities, including some in the West Country. I would point out that the weights and speeds of heavy vans and lorries are limited under the Heavy Motor Car Orders. I might also call my hon. friend's attention to the provisions for the restriction of traffic on specified highways contained in Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act. As my hon. Friend is aware, assistance has been given since 1923 by grants from the Road Fund to enable the more important rural roads, which are carrying heavy motor traffic, to be reconditioned and made fit for such traffic. I am considering what further assistance can be given to rural authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now satisfied that the surfaces of the new roads being constructed by his Department are adequate to carry, even in this hot weather, the heaviest form of existing motor traffic; and whether he has made any recent inquiry into the way the surfaces of these new roads are lasting?

The new roads now in course of construction by, or with financial assistance from, my Department are being built to varying specifications adapted to the different circumstances of each case. General observation is kept upon the results of the work, and I have reason to believe that the surfaces are adequately bearing the strain of traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the annoyance, discomfort. and expense caused to the general public, and particularly to shopkeepers, by the splashing of mud from motor vehicles can be prevented by a simple and effective device actually in use on all motor omnibuses owned by the Lincoln Corporation; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the efficiency of this device, with a view to protecting the public during the forthcoming winter against a growing nuisance?

I have not yet been able to identify the particular device which is in use in Lincoln, but I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member at a later date.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that excursion tickets issued at reduced rates by the railway companies of this country are only issued subject to the condition that the company shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, or delay to passengers arising from any cause whatsoever; and will he consider legislation with a view to the companies being held liable for damage or injury whilst travelling?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I would remind the hon. Member that the issue of excursion tickets at reduced rates is a voluntary concession on the part of the railway companies and, in the circumstances, I do not see my way to promote legislation as suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport the reason for the delay in the completion of the work on the by-pass road connecting Barking Road with the old London-Tilbury road; and whether any agreement has been made with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company as to the bridge over the London-Tilbury line so as to expedite the completion of this work?

The delay in the completion of this arterial road is due to difficulties attending the construction of bridges across the tidal waters of Barking Creek and over the London, Midland and Scottish Railway line. For the former bridge Parliamentary powers had to be obtained and the work of construction is already well under way. In the case of the railway bridge arrangements have now been made with the railway company enabling tenders to be invited for the building of the bridge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of registered clubs in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, which paid Club Duty during the financial year ending March, 1925, and the amounts of duty so paid in the respective countries?

The particulars requested are as follow: — Number of clubs which paid Club duty during the year 1924–25. Amount of Club duty paid. £ s. d. England and Wales 11,838 164,525 9 2 Scotland 578 5,051 1 7