asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to obtain powers to deal with persons charging rent for poorly-furnished rooms; and whether he is aware that tenants are being charged for a single furnished room 14s., 16s. and 17s. per week, respectively, in a house the rent of which in 1914 was about 16s. per week and now would be about 25s. per week unfurnished?

The Rent Acts contain provisions for dealing with extortionate rents for furnished lettings, and any sub-tenant who considers that he is paying an excessive rent can apply to the Courts to have the proper rent determined.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses for which the requisite certificate for occupation has been granted, in particular showing the houses built under the Act of 1924, giving the figures up to the latest available date, the houses built under the Act of 123 for the same period, and the houses built by private enterprise for the same period, with subsidy and without subsidy, stating the respective rateable value; and the number of temporary houses built which do not comply with the bye-laws, giving the following details, the number of houses built of brick, the number of houses built of steel and iron; and the number of houses built of any other substitute, or any amalgamation of any of the above?

The numbers of houses completed since the Armistice up to 1st July under the various subsidy schemes are as follow: 1. Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, and Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919: ( a ) By local authorities and Public Utility Societies 172,794 ( b ) By private builders 39,186 2. Housing, etc., Act, 1923: ( a ) By local authorities 23,943 ( b ) By private enterprise 65,484 3. Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924: ( a ) By local authorities 6,246 ( b ) By private enterprise 36 Total 307,689 The numbers of houses completed under the Act of 1923 since the date of the passing of the Act of 1924 are as follows: ( a ) Local authorities' schemes 16,380 ( b ) Private enterprise schemes 51,095 Total 67,475 Information is not available as to the rateable value of these houses.

With regard to houses erected by private enterprise without subsidy returns are obtained half-yearly to March and September, and figures are only available for the past 2½ years. During that period the following houses have been entered on the rate books: *Not exceeding £26 rateable value 117,587 *Exceeding £26 but not £52 rateable value 37,934 *Exceeding £52 but not £78 rateable value 5,045 Total 160,566 *Read £35, £35-£70, and £70-£l05 for London. Information is not available hearing on the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the proposal to ask for public subscriptions to assist the development of the Spahlinger anti-tuberculosis serum, he will make an official statement explaining what has been done by his health officials in carrying out investigations into the alleged value of the serum; and will he publish the Report on the visit to M. Spahlinger's laboratories at Geneva, made by Sir James Buchanan on behalf of the Ministry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department in 1922. which contains on page 95 a summary of the Report of the only investigation hitherto made into this method of treatment on behalf of the Ministry. Since that date my Department has kept in touch with M. Spahlinger, and I have already stated that arrangements have been made for two of the medical officers of my Department to pay a further visit to Geneva to confer with M. Spahlinger on certain questions.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, during the years 1922, 1923 and 1924, the percentage of fatal cases of small-pox occurring amongst the unvaccinated patients in the smallpox hospitals was less than that of the vaccinated cases; and whether he will make a statement as to the attitude of his Department, in view of the bearing of this circumstance on the claims made on behalf of vaccination as a mitigant of small-pox?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question, but reference to the Reports of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department for the years in question will show that, of the 16 fatal cases amongst vaccinated persons, only one was under the age of 35, while of the 22 fatal cases amongst unvaccinated persons, seven occurred in infants under one year of age and six in children between the ages of one and nine. I may add that, of the fatal cases amongst vaccinated persons, only one had been revaccinated, and in this instance it was doubtful whether the case was one of small-pox. The remaining 15 cases had been vaccinated in infancy, but had not been revaccinated. In my opinion, these figures indicate the importance both of infantile vaccination and of revaccination at appropriate ages.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has at any time carried out experiments with a view to ascertaining how frequently vaccination can be repeated on the same individuals; and, if so, will be publish the results, or alternatively, if no such experiments have been carried out, will he consider the desirability of arranging for them to be carried out with a view to ascertaining for what period vaccination affords protection against itself?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I have no authority to arrange for experiments of this kind, nor am I aware that they would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that inspectors in some cases have ordered the words "Registered Slaughter-house" to be publicly exhibited over each slaughterhouse; is this in accordance with the Ministry's instructions; and by what authority is it done?

Section 170 of the Public Health Act, 1875, requires the words "Licensed Slaughter-house" or "Registered Slaughter-house," as the case may be, to be exhibited in some conspicuous place on every slaughterhouse. The Section is enforced by sanitary authorities and not by my Department.

asked the Minister of Health if he has now completed his discussion with the Dorset County Council with regard to its advertisement for a health visitor at what appears to be much below the normal scale of salary; and what has been the outcome of such discussion?

No, Sir. I am awaiting a communication from the county council.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the Public Health Bill he proposes to introduce, he will consider the need for giving local authorities greater powers than they at present possess to prevent the spoiling of public amenities and the disfigurement of public places by litter of all kinds?

I will consider this point in due course, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the interests of public health, he intends to introduce legislation to make compulsory the wrapping of bread from the time it is baked until it reaches the consumer?

No, Sir. I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that the wrapping of bread is desirable in the interests of cleanliness, but I fear that the increase of price which might result if the universal adoption of the practice were made compulsory would outweigh any advantages which might be secured.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons receiving indoor assistance from the West Ham board of guardians 70 years of age and upwards who would, if they were not in-patients of the central home or infirmary, be in receipt of the old age pension; whether the guardians are in any way reimbursed for the cost of maintenance of these otherwise pensioners; and whether, if they are not so reimbursed, he can consider the necessary machinery for adjustment?

1,039 persons were in receipt of institutional relief from the West Ham board of guardians on the 1st January last. Eighty-one of these were in receipt on that date of an old age pension, but it is impossible to state how many would have been qualified for such a pension had they not been inmates of an institution of the guardians. As regards the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of Section 3 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, but I cannot undertake to introduce legislation with the object of providing for reimbursement of guardians in the circumstances indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain what procedure is followed by the Admiralty in engaging workpeople in His Majesty's Dockyard at Devonport; and whether he will furnish a copy of the instructions upon this subject which have been drawn up by his Department?

All vacancies for workpeople are notified to the Employment Exchange, the authorities of which are acquainted with the Admiralty instructions, regarding preference being given to ex-service men and to men who have previously rendered satisfactory service under the Admiralty, and who comply with the requirements of the dockyard officers as far as possible. The dockyard officers are solely responsible that the men accepted for employment are suitable, and they retain full right to accept or reject men who may be nominated by the Exchange, and also themselves to nominate any man whose services may be required. Full instructions in the matter are not compiled in any one document, but the procedure as stated above is in accordance with the instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the arrangements approved under the last administration to abate the restriction against dockyard employés standing for Parliament will also be applied to Imperial dockyards outside England; and when and to what extent this may have effect in each Dependency?

I have been asked to reply. The Admiralty are not aware of any such change of the Regulations as is suggested in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the whole question is under consideration in connection with the recent report of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the naval expenditure for 1924 in Great Britain. France, Germany, Russia, and the United States?

The estimates of expenditure for the year 1924 (or 1924-25) are as follow:—

Great Britain. —£55,700,000 approximately.

France. —Fcs. 1,168,962,125.

Germany. —RM. 104,263,060 (net expenditure=R.M.102,464,660).

United States. —$322,132,020.

Russia. —No figures available. As far as is known, Navy Estimates are not published but total Army and Navy Budget is understood to amount to 407,250,000 gold roubles.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the representations made at the lost conference of the London Teachers' Association calling attention to the diffi- culty in securing an adequate supply of efficient teachers, particularly in boys' schools in the poorer districts of London; and what steps are being taken with a view to attracting young teachers to the poorer districts of London?

I am aware of the difficulty to which the hon. and gallant Members refers. Arrangements are being made for a conference between officers of my Department and the County Council to discuss practical methods of meeting it.

asked the President of the Board of Education what local authorities have yet failed to provide facilities for the medical treatment of pupils in secondary schools?

Out of 147 authorities for higher education, 48 have as yet made no provision for the medical treatment of pupils in secondary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended to give final notice to those educational authorities not reasonably complying with the Education Act regarding provision for their blind and deaf children; and if he will consider the advisability of withholding education grants from authorities who fail to make reasonable provision for such children?

No, Sir; in my view local education authorities are not likely to be assisted in the discharge of their responsibilities by threats of this kind.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number and names of education authorities in England and Wales which have not yet adopted, by their councils, the Public Libraries Acts of 1892 and 1919?

The following 36 local authorities in England and Wales (apart from those who have powers under local Acts) have not notified the Board of the adoption by their councils of the Public Libraries Acts:

England.

Counties. —Cambridgeshire, Isle of Ely, Isles of Scilly, Essex, Lincolnshire (Holland), Soke of Peterborough, Rutland Suffolk (West), Westmorland.

Boroughs. —Banbury, Bridlington, Congleton, Crewe, Dukinfield, Harwich, New Windsor, Sutton Coldfield, Swindon, Wallsend.

Urban Districts. —Cannock, Coseley, Finchley, Hebburn, Wolstanton United.

Wales.

Counties. —Anglesey, Brecknockshire, Carmarthenshire, Flintshire, Merioneth, Monmouth, Radnor.

Borough. —Carmarthen.

Urban Districts. —Abertillery, Ebbw Vale, Mountain Ash, Rhondda.

In the case of some of the counties mentioned, the Acts have in some instances been adopted by minor local authorities, which are not authorities for education, within the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increase of amenities thereby likely to be effected in life in many of the Colonies, especially where these are thinly populated, he can state whether the various Governments of the Crown Colonies are endeavouring to stimulate the provision of broadcasting facilities and, if necessary, granting a certain measure of financial aid towards achieving this result?

The Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates have been supplied from time to time with information as to the arrangements governing wireless broadcasting in this country, to assist them in dealing with applications for local broadcasting licences. It is not possible to state how many such licences have been issued, but negotiations, with a view to the establishment of broadcasting stations, are known to have been opened in some Colonies. The extent to which the provision of such facilities should be encouraged or assisted by the Colonial Government concerned must depend in each case on considerations of local policy and on the financial circumstances of the territory concerned. The introduction in Ceylon of a wireless broadcasting scheme was approved last year, and the matter has been taken up actively by the Governments of the Straits Settlements and of Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that officers who have made application under the terms of the scheme of settlement in Southern Rhodesia for settlers with limited capital are unable to proceed in consequence of the difficulty in obtaining from the Imperial Government the sum agreed upon as the Government's proportion of the advance to be made on security of the property to be taken over by these settlers; and whether he will take steps to accelerate completion of the agreement?

I am only aware of one case in which any difficulty has arisen under the new Southern Rhodesian Land Settlement Scheme, and that was due to a misunderstanding which has since been corrected. I signed the agreement yesterday, but it operates from the 1st June, since which date applicants have been provisionally accepted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is anticipated that in the working of the scheme for permitting premature retirement of members of the All-India Civil Service on proportionate pensions there will be any actual extra cost in the Indian Civil Service Estimates; and if he can give the actuarial figures upon which the Indian Government has decided to introduce this change?

I would refer the hon. Member to the papers presented to Parliament in 1922 (Cmd. 1727) shortly after the system of permitting officers of certain Indian services to retire prematurely on proportionate pension was first instituted, and in particular to paragraph 1 of the Resolution issued by the Government of India on 8th November, 1921, from which it will be seen that some addition to the non-effective charges which have to be met from Indian revenues was contemplated. It is not possible, however, to give any estimate of the amount involved, as that is dependent on the number and seniority in the service of the officers who may elect to avail themselves of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Shanghai Municipal Council declared a state of emergency on the outbreak of the strike at Shanghai; and whether this was done with or without the approval of the Consular body in Shanghai?

The answer to the first part of the question it. in the affirmative. I have no information as to whether the Shanghai Municipal Council obtained the approval of the Consular body before declaring a state of emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a copy of the Report of the Chinese Commissioner, Mr. Teng Hung Chang, appointed to inquire into the causes which led up to the recent disturbances and loss of life at Hankow, which resulted in the death of eight Chinese citizens, one of whom was a child, and in which the Commissioner states that the causes of the shooting were the unwarranted movement of a British warship and the bayoneting of a Chinese trade unionist; and whether, in order that these matters may be cleared up, he will publish a full copy of the Commissioner's Report, together with all Reports received from British civil and naval authorities responsible for the action taken at Hankow?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The official telegraphic reports which I have received were summarised in the reply to a question by the Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan) on the 15th of June. I am not in a position to answer the last part of the question, as I am not yet in possession of the Reports to which reference is made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to take the initiative in calling an international conference of all maritime Powers with a view to securing concerted action to prevent the pollution of the high seas by the discharge from vessels of waste oil and tarry refuse which is at present proving disastrous to bird life, and from its growing extent threatens to damage our fishing industries and destroy the amenities of our seaside watering places?

The information in the possession of the Board of Trade does not support the statement that oil pollution is increasing, and I should be glad if the hon. Member will be good enough to send me any evidence on this point which he may have. As regards the summoning of an international conference, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member f0r Kingston-on-Thames (Mr. Penny) on 27th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the proposed purchase by a mutual life assurance society for the sum of £6,500,000 of 44,000 shares of a fire insurance company with a paid-up capital of £132,000, of which £66,000 only had been directly subscribed by shareholders; and whether, in the interest of the life policyholders whose funds it is proposed to appropriate for the aforesaid purpose, as well as of the fire insuring public, he will authorise the existing Departmental Committee appointed to report on the working of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, and also to investigate and report on this proposed transaction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter is clearly, I think, one which comes within the terms of reference of the Departmental Committee which is now sitting to consider what amendments are desirable in the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, and I understand that the case which the hon. Member no doubt has in mind has already been brought to the attention of the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the figures showing the value of the

VALUE of Exports (including Bullion and Coin) from the British Oversea Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates. — 1913. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. Million Million Million Million Million £ £ £ £ £ To United Kingdom 238.1 426.2 318.9 311.8 337.9 To British Oversea Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates. 88.6 216.4 141.2 132.6 145.8 To Foreign Countries 247.7 603.9 338.3 388.3 455.8 Total 574.4 1,246.5 798.4 832.7 939.5

VALUE of Imports (including Bullion and Coin) into the British Oversea Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates. — 1913. 1920. 1921. 1922. 1923. Million Million Million Million Million £ £ £ £ £ From United Kingdom 242.0 547.3 344.3 301.4 313.0 From British Oversea Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates. 89.6 238.2 154.1 124.5 146.1 From Foreign Countries 244.1 596.0 389.7 324.5 372.6 Total 575.7 1,381.5 888.1 750.4 831.7

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the export of bacon from Latvia to this country has increased within the last six months and, if so, to what extent; and

exports (exclusive of coin and bullion) for 1913 and the years 1920 to 1924, respectively, from British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates to Great Britain, to British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates, and to foreign countries, respectively; and the figures showing the value of imports (exclusive of coin and bullion) for 1913 and the years 1920 to 1924, respectively, into British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates from Great Britain, from British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates, and from foreign countries, respectively?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information desired exclusive of coin and bullion. The following tables show the exports from and the imports into British countries overseas (including coin and bullion), in the years 1913 and 1920 to 1923. Similar figures for 1924 are not yet available:

how, in price and quality, it compares with the British article?

Imports of bacon consigned from Latvia during the first six months of this year have been as follows: Month. Quantity. Value. Cwts £ January … … 4,750 25,043 February … … 4,166 21,470 March … … 11,133 56,862 April … … 8,435 41,052 May … … 4,899 24,595 June … … 4,374 22,364

The average declared value has, therefore, been rather over £5 per cwt. I am unable to say how the Latvian bacon compares in quality with bacon produced in this country and, consequently, comparisons of prices may be misleading.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage of imported steel ship-plates for the years 1909 to 1913 and 1919 to 1924, respectively, and the average price per ton for each year; and the percentage of unemployment in the shipbuilding industry during the same periods?

I regret that particulars of the imports of steel ship-plates are not separately recorded. They were included before the War under the heading "Ship, Bridge, Boiler and other Plates and Sheets, not under ⅛ inch

Years Imports of Steel Plates and Sheets not under ⅛ in, thick. Imports of Steel Armour Plates. Imports of Iron Plates and Sheets not under ⅛ in thick Quantity. Average Value Per ton. Tons. Tons. Tons. £ s. d. 1920 … … 2,166 3,679 152,077 27 2 5 1921 … … 7,404 116 101,897 18 1 8 1922 … … 3,697 13 28,748 8 10 10 1923 … … 4,873 — 65,843 8 1 5 1924 … … 7,837 — 122,448 8 10 6

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the average percentages of unemployment in these years among the members of certain trade unions in the shipbuilding industry reporting to the Ministry of Labour were as follows: 1909 … … … … 22.1 1910 … … … … 13.2

thick," such plates of iron and steel being returned in one total. In and after 1920, particulars of the steel plates, and also of armour plate, included under this general heading have been separately stated. The following table shows the total imports into the United Kingdom of such plates, with the average declared value per ton, in the years specified: Years. Imports of Iron and Steel Plates and Sheets not under ⅛ in. thick. Quantity. Average Value per ton. Tons. £ s. d. 1909 … 40,336 7 3 0 1910 … 57,765 7 11 11 1911 … 82,635 7 5 8 1912 … 75,496 7 3 8 1913 … 134,612 7 4 7 1919 … 10,731 22 13 8 1920 … 157,922 27 3 5 1921 … 109,317 18 1 1 1922 … 32,458 8 15 10 1923 … 70,716 8 2 7 1924 … 130,285 8 11 9 The figures for 1920–1924 include the quantities of steel armour plate and of iron plates and sheets shown below, and the separate figures of steel plates included in the preceding totals are also shown below.

1911 … … … … 4.3 1912 … … … … 3.9 1913 … … … … 3.1 1919 … … … … 3.5 1920 … … … … 7.0 1921 … … … … 38.5 1922 … … … … 49.1 1923 … … … … 43.2 1924 … … … … 31.3

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the percentage for 1913 and the years 1920 to 1924, respectively, of coal exported to British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates and foreign countries, respectively?

The information is as follows: Year. Percentage Proportion of Coal Exported from Great Britain to— British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates. Foreign Countries 1913 … … 3.2 96.8 1920 … … 11.5 88.5 1921 … … 11.8 88.2 1922 … … 8.6 91.4 1923 … … 4.5 95.5 1924 … … 7.5 92.5

NOTE.—Since the year 1913, there have been a number of changes affecting the comparability of the figures shown above, of which the principal were as follows:—

(i) Up to and including 1922, Egypt was included with British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates, and since then with Foreign Countries,

(ii) From 1st April, 1923, coal shipped to the Irish Free State is included with the quantity exported to British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates. Prior to that date, these shipments were not recorded as exports.

Debtor. Creditor. Amount of Debt. As on Present Interest arrangements France … Great Britain £626,182,000* 30th June, 1925. Added to capital at Bank of England rate. U.S.A. (Liberty Bond Acts). $3,803,215,000 15th May, 1925. Added to capital at 5 per cent. U.S.A. (Surplus War Material). $407,341,000 15th May, 1925 Paid in cash at 5 per cent. Russia … France 6,023 million francs. 30th June, 1924. Not stated.† Great Britain £756,705,000 30th June, 1925 Added to capital at 5 per cent. U.S.A $255,148,000 15th May, 1925 Added to capital at 5 per cent. * Excluding £4,500,000 due to Disposals Board in 1926–29. † The Debt includes 1,474 million francs for interest in arrears.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the maximum gross rental of a house the occupier of which is permitted to brew beer for private consumption without being subject to a licence or duty; and what is the amount of beer which such an occupier can brew without paying duty?

No person may brew beer without an Excise licence, but the occupier of a house of an annual value of £8 or less may obtain, without charge, a licence to brew in any year a quantity not exceeding four bushels of malt or its equivalent (approximating to 72 gallons of beer of a standard gravity of 10550). He may only use the beer for his own domestic consumption, and it would not be chargeable with beer duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present amount of the debts owed by France to this country and to the United States, respectively, including accrued interest at 5 per cent.; and, on the same basis, what are the present totals of the debts owed by Russia to France, Great Britain, and to the United States, respectively?

The following table gives the information asked for, as far as possible:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number and total amounts during 1924 of Army, Navy, teachers', Civil Service, and police pensions paid; the average age at retirement; and the average duration of the respective pensions.

Service Average age on retirement. Average duration of pension. Army (Soldiers' Service Pensions) 40 25 years. Navy (Ratings' Service Pensions) 43 23 years. Police (based upon Metropolitan Police figures only) 48.5 20 years. Teachers 60 Information not available. Civil Service 58 12½ years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of Members of Parliament in receipt of State pensions in respect of past services in the forces or the Civil Service, and the annual charge thereof, giving the minimum and maximum pensions so paid?

The number is 35. The annual cost of their pensions is £16,909. The highest pension is £1,077 10s. per annum; the lowest £81 per annum.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state, with reference to his promise that preference in sessional work on medical boards would be given to ex-officials of the Ministry who served overseas and suffered in the late War; what has been the average number of medical boards held weekly in London and in Portsmouth in the last three months; how many sessional medical men, other than specialists and assessors, were employed on the medical boards in those places; how many of these sessional medical men were the ex-officials of the Ministry to whom his promise referred; and whether steps will be taken to inform

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Central Division of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Mr. Trevelyan) on the 28th May last. In reply to the second and third parts of the question, the following are the approximate figures, so far as available:

these ex-officials applying for board work where there are openings for their services in a sessional capacity?

Over 1,500 medical boards have been held during the past three months in the two districts referred to. I regret that the detailed information asked for regarding the composition of the boards could not be furnished without prolonged research, and would involve an undue expenditure of time and labour. As I have before stated, it is the policy of my Department to give preference in the employment of medical practitioners on a sessional basis to those medical men who have in the past given satisfactory whole-time service, and in the instructions which have been issued in that sense it is laid down that special consideration is to be given to officers suffering from a War disability. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case of grievance in mind, I shall, of course, be happy to look into it if he will let me know details.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware of the nature of the accommodation provided of the staff of His Majesty's inspector of taxes, at 2, Haydon Place, Guildford; whether he will investigate the charges of lack of proper ventilation and general overcrowding: whether he is aware that one of the typists fainted in the office recently, owing mainly to the lack of such proper ventilation; and whether he is prepared to secure more adequate and satisfactory accommodation for the staff of this particular office?

No complaints have been received about the accommodation referred to, but the premises will be inspected at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour how much money has been spent in 1924, and in the whole period since they started, on Employment Exchange buildings as to rent, capital outlay, and rates, separately?

The provisional figures relating to expenditure in the financial year 1924–25 in respect of rent, capital outlay and rates on Employment Exchange buildings are approximately as follow: £ Rent … … 119,014 Capital outlay … … 91,155 Rates … … 50,590 Total … … 260,759 Of the sum, about 95 per cent, 1s recovered from the Unemployment Fund.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability next Session of introducing legislation to give the judiciary greater power to hear objectionable law cases in camera ?

No, Sir; I think this question must be pursued rather along the line of restricting Press reports.

asked the Home Secretary in how many cases have coroners' juries brought in verdicts of murder where no suicide is connected with the crime during the last 12 months and since 1919, respectively, and in how many cases have persons been brought to justice and convicted; how many have been sentenced to death; how many have been reprieved; how many detained during His Maejsty's pleasure in a criminal asylum; how many sentenced to terms of imprisonment: and how many persons are there who have been able to elude the police after warrants of arrest for murder have been issued, the figures for the two periods, respectively, in each case to be given?

The following are the figures asked for as far as they are available: 1924. 1919–1924. Number of cases in which coroners' juries brought in verdicts of murder where no suicide was connected with the crime 105 827 Number of persons charged with murder who were ordered to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure: ( a ) Found insane upon arraignment 3 48 ( b ) Found guilty but insane 14 87 Number of cases in which persons have been brought to justice and convicted of murder 14 141* Number of persons reprieved: Sentence commuted to penal servitude for life 3 52 Respited and removed to a criminal lunatic asylum — 7 Conviction quashed by Court of Criminal Appeal and conviction for manslaughter substituted 1 2 * Including five persons under 16, sentenced to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure (Children Act, 1908, s 103).

Great care is necessary in drawing any conclusion from these figures, as will be seen from the more detailed figures for the years 1912–1913 and 1920–1921, which were published as a Parliamentary Paper in 1922 (Cd. 1787).

As regards the last part of the question, no figures are available and prolonged inquiry would be necessary to obtain them. I am glad to say that the number of murderers who elude the police continues to be very small.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, taking the 12 chief industries of the country, including transport, he will state the average

I.—RATES OF WAGES OK TYPICAL CLASSES OF TIME-WORKERS IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES. Industry. Rates of Wages at— July, 1914. June, 1920. July, 1925. Building (40 large Towns)*: Per Week. Per Week. Per Week. Bricklayers 40s. 7d. 97s. 8d. 73s. 6d. Painters 36s. 3d. 95s. 2d. 73s. 0d. Labourers 26s. 11d. 84s. 8d. 55s. 7d Engineering (16 of the principal Districts)*: Fitters and Turners 38s. 11d. 89s. 5d. 56s. 6d. Labourers 22s. l0d. 70s. 8d. 40s. 2d. Shipbuilding (9 of the principal Districts)*: Shipwrights† 41s. 4d. 9ls. 3d. 55s. 7d. Ship Joiners† 40s. 0d. 102s. 4d. 57s. 9d. Labourers 22s. l0d. 70s. 6d. 38s. 5d. Railway Service: Engine Drivers‡ 45s. to 50s.§ 84s. to 102s. 72s. to 90s. Ticket Collectors 23s. to 27s.§ 66s. 6d. to 74s. 54s. to 58s. Goods Porters 19s. to 23s.§ 62s. to 68s. 6d. 47s. to 51s. Dock Labour (10 of the principal Ports): Per Day. Per Day. Per Day. Ordinary cargo workers 4s. 6d. to 6s. 8d. 15s. to 17s 6d. 11s. to 13s. 6d. Shipping (Foreign-going Vessels)║: Per Month. Per Month. Per Month. Able Seamen £5 to £5 10s. £14 10s. £10 Firemen £5 10s. to £6 £15 £10 10s. Road Transport*: Per Week. Per Week. Per Week. Tram Drivers (50 of the principal Districts). 30s. 7d. 73s. 3d. 59s 2d. One-horse Carters (12 large Towns) 25s. 7d. 65s. 53s. 2d. Printing (27 large Towns)*: Hand Compositors and Machine Minders on Book and Jobbing Work. 35s. 8d. 88s. 73s. 9d. Bookbinders and Machine Rulers 33s. 11d. 87s. 6d. 73s. 4d. Agriculture (England and Wales): Ordinary Labourers 14s. to 22s.§ 42s. to 46s. 6d. 28s. to 42s. * The rates quoted are the unweighted averages of the recognised rates of wages in the principal towns or districts. † The figures for the shipbuilding industry relate to time-workers. A large proportion of the workpeople in this industry, however, are paid at piece-rates and the figures given are not applicable to piece-workers. ‡ Some of the drivers are paid mileage allowances in addition to the rates shown. § Approximate figures. ║ Food is provided in addition to the rates quoted.

weekly wage-rate in each case now, as compared with June, 1920, and June, 1914, respectively?

I regret that the information in my possession is insufficient to enable me to give particulars as to the average weekly wage-rates in the 12 principal industries. Certain particulars are available, however, as to the comparative level of wages in a number of the principal industries at the dates referred to, and these are shown in the following tabular statement:

II.—WAGES IN THE COAL MINING, COTTON AND WOOL TEXTILE INDUSTRIES. Industry. General* increase in rates of wages over the pre-War level. June, 1920. July, 1925. Coal Mining The information available is insufficient to enable the increase in rates of wages to be estimated. The average earnings per man-shift worked in all districts, however, in the quarter ended 30th June, 1920, were l6s. l0½d. compared with 6s. 5¾d. in June, 1914, an increase of about 160 per cent. Those in May, l925 (the latest date for which the figures are available) were about 10s. 7¾d or 64 per cent. higher than in June, 15 1914. Cotton Industry† 210 per cent. on basic piece rates. 90 per cent. on basic piece rates. Wool Textile Industry (Yorkshire)‡ Timeworkers 145 per cent. 90 per cent. Pieceworkers (Males) 118 per cent. 80 per cent. Pieceworkers (Females) 124¾ per cent. 80 per cent. * In addition, special advances have been granted to certain classes of workpeople in some districts in the cotton and wool textile industries. † The figures for the cotton industry for June, 1920, and July, 1925, include a special advance granted in July, 1919, when the weekly hours were reduced from 55½ to 48, in order to maintain the weekly wages at the same level as before the reduction in hours. In July, 1914, wages were 5 per cent. above basic list rates, and to obtain the total percentage over list rates at June, 1920, and July, 1925, this figure should be added to those given in the Table. ‡ In addition, piece rates of wages were increased in 1919, when the normal weekly working hours were reduced, in such proportion as to prevent any reduction in weekly earnings resulting from the reduction in the working hours.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the dockers at Avonmouth are divided into two classes, general cargo workers and grain porters; that 50 grain porters have each had six days' unemployment benefit suspended because on 25th June men could not be obtained to work in the refrigerator, which work is not that of grain porters; and that on the same date grain work was available in the dock, which the employers refused to open up; whether he is aware that these grain porters were quite prepared to follow their own occupation but that the opportunity was denied them; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to pay the six days' benefit to which they are entitled?

Benefit was disallowed in these cases by the chief insurance officer on the ground that suitable employment was available and was re- fused. An appeal to the Court of Referees is pending and I cannot interfere.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of workers recently discharged from the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, and the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey; whether he proposes to make any special provision for men over 50 years of age who have been discharged with long periods of service; and whether he will restore those under 50 years of age to benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, in order that they may not be obliged to go to the guardians?

I am aware of the discharges to which my hon. Friend refers. I am afraid that I have no power to make special provision for any of these men. The matter is governed by statutory provisions, in pursuance of which, I may say, all claims have been dealt with regardless of age.