asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at a recent Hackney inquest upon Celia Makoff, for whom, before death, the doctor in attendance prescribed oxygen, which could not be obtained at the local infirmary or from chemists; and if he will consider the advisability of making an order requiring boards of guardians to have a supply of oxygen available for patients upon a doctor's prescription?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this case. On the information before me I am not satisfied that it is expedient to issue an order such as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the medical officer of health for the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark, in his last annual report, states that overcrowding is still the outstanding feature of the borough; and, in view of this fact, will he state what steps are being taken by the local authority concerned to deal with this matter?

Yes, Sir. The difficulty in Southwark is to obtain land for housing, but I hope that the large schemes being carried out by the London County Council will relieve the pressure in the central boroughs.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that seamen ratings are being employed as cooks and cleaners in the galley at the Chatham Naval Barracks; what steps, if any, are being taken to increase the number of cook ratings borne so that the food of the men and the whole work of the galleys should be done by the proper ratings; and whether the seamen so employed receive any extra allowance for the wear and tear of their boots and clothing?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative. As regards the second part, additional cook ratings are being entered, but they will take some time to train.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to extend the present air-mail service between this country and the Continent; what routes are at present in operation; and if arrangements are contemplated for through air-mails between London and the more distant termini?

The Post Office is prepared to and does take advantage of any new or additional service established by the Air Companies which affords an acceleration over the ordinary methods of transport in the delivery of mails.

The air routes to the Continent which are at present used for mails are as follows: London-Paris-Bâle-Zurich (letters and parcels). London-Brussels-Cologne (letters and parcels). London-Rotterdam (letters and parcels). 847 London-Amsterdam - Hanover - Berlin (letters and, to Amsterdam, parcels). London - Amsterdam - Hamburg-Copen-hagen-Malmö (letters). Each of them is used for mails to the most distant termini served; while advantage is also taken of the services of Continental Air Transport Companies to more distant countries, such as Morocco, the Baltic States and Russia.

asked the Postmaster-General what amount of sick leave was granted during the year 1924 to members of the following categories of Post Office servants, respectively: established male officers (fit), established male officers (disabled), and established women officers?

During the year 1924, established male officers (fit) in the Post Office were granted on, the average 10.4 days' sick absence per officer, established male officers (disabled) 14.9 days, and established women officers 12.7 days.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health, if he is aware that the water supply of the village of Ardue, Apple-cross, Ross-shire, has been declared by the sanitary inspector of the county to be unfit for domestic use and to be dangerous to man and beast, and that no new supply can be obtained except at a distance from the village at a cost prohibitive to the inhabitants; and what steps he proposes to take?

I am aware that the sanitary inspector has reported that the present supply from a well is impregnated with sea water, which blows in in spray during stormy weather, and that it is unfit for domestic use. The sanitary inspector has stated that it is impossible for the inhabitants to undertake the cost of providing a pipe from a burn at some distance from the township of Ardue which would yield a satisfactory supply Neither the Scottish Board of Health nor the Board of Agriculture for Scotland has any funds from which a contribution could be made towards the cost of such a scheme, and in the circumstances I can only suggest that those locally concerned should consider whether there is any alternative means of improving the existing conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give the percentage each year from 1910 to 1913, and from 1920 to 1924, of Class III Imports (Manufactured Articles) from British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates and foreign countries, respectively;

(2) if he will give the percentage each year from 1910 to 1913, and from 1920 to 1924, of Class II Imports (Raw Materials, etc.), from British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates and foreign countries, respectively;

(3)if he will give the percentage each year from 1910 to 1913, and from 1920 to 1924, of Class I Imports (Food, etc.), from British Overseas Dominions and Protectorates and foreign countries, respectively?

The following tables shows the percentages of the imports into the United Kingdom of the classes specified in the years 1910 to 1913, and 1920 to 1923, consigned from British and from foreign countries. I regret that similar figures for 1924 are not yet available: TOTAL Imports, including goods subsequently re-exported. Year. From British Countries Overseas. From foreign Countries. Per cent. Per cent. Class I.— Food, Drink and Tobacco. 1910 … … 27.6 72.4 1911 … … 27.8 72.2 1912 … … 28.7 71.3 1913 … … 26.2 73.8 1920 … … 28.2 71.8 1921 … … 34.2 65.8 1922 … … 32.8 67.2 1923 … … 36.6 63.4

Year From British countries Overseas From Foreign Countries Per cent. Per cent. Class II.—Raw Materials and Articles mainly unmanufactured. 1910 … … 30.6 69.4 1911 … … 31.0 69.0 1912 … … 30.2 69.8 1913 … … 32.5 67.5 1920 … … 31.2 68.8 1921 … … 33.1 66.9 1922 … … 36.4 63.6 1923 … … 33.8 66.2 Class III.—Articles wholly or mainly manufactured. 1910 … … 11.9 88.1 1911 … … 12.4 87.6 1912 … … 11.8 88.2 1913 … … 12.1 87.9 1920 … … 11.4 88.6 1921 … … 7.8 92.2 1922 … … 9.7 9[...].3 1923 … … 10.5 89.5

From 1st April, 1923, these particulars include imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State. From the same date, direct imports into the Irish Free State from countries outside the British Isles have been excluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can present statistics showing the deliveries of German coal and coke to France for the years 1922, 1923, and 1924, and the purchase of British coal by France for 1914, 1922, 1923, and 1924?

The quantities of coal and coke imported from Germany by France (including deliveries of reparation coal and coke) were as follow: — Coal (including Lignite) Coke Tons. Tons. 1922 … … 3,671,800 4,237,500 1923 … … 1,472,900 2,040,300 1924 … … 4,198,000 4,468,700

The quantities of British coal and coke exported to France were as follow: — Coal. Coke. Gas. — Other Sorts. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 1914 12,330,545 — 21,573 — 1922 13,579,417 1,880 — 51,930 1923 18,826,352 10,439 — 287,919 1924 14,534,844 311 — 26,685

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affaire whether, in view of the danger of the Imam of Yemen giving trade concessions to other countries, he will open up negotiations with a view to securing such advantages for British trade which the Imam has stated he would welcome?

Negotiations for a general treaty of amity with the Imam of the Yemen have been proceeding for some time past, and are still continuing.