asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the need for waiving for a further period of 12 months the provisions of Section 3 of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1924, requiring payment of 30 contributions to entitle contributors to receive the benefits provided by the Unemployment Insurance Acts; and, if so, what decision he has arrived at?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the state

Under Section 2 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1925, the period during which the requirements referred to may be waived was extended to the end of June, 1927. The question of a further extension after that date will be among those to be considered by the Committee which my right hon. Friend recently set up under the Chairmanship of Lord Blanesburgh, to examine the scheme of Unemployment Insurance with a view to advising him as to any amendments that may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour how much money was spent, in the whole period since they started, on Employment Exchange buildings as to rent, capital outlay, and rates, separately, and the average costs, under these headings, per Exchange, and these averages for the year 1924–25?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my Noble Friend to the answer which I gave him on 10th July, in which I stated that I could not undertake the expensive investigation which would be necessary for obtaining the figures. With regard to the second part, the following table shows the expenditure on Employment Exchange buildings during the year 1924–25, in respect of rent, capital outlay and rates; at least 95 per cent. of these charges were borne by the Unemployment Fund:of unemployment needs further outlay by the State on assistance to relief works; and if the Government proposes to take such action and to what extent?

pursuant to his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th November, 1925, Column 9], supplies the following statement:

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations from the East Grinstead Urban District Council asking for permission to reduce the rents of houses on their Brooklands Estate; and if he will state the reasons why such permission was refused?

The last application for a reduction of rents of houses on the Brooklands Estate was received from the Council in December, 1923. In view of the prevailing rents of comparable houses in the neighbourhood, it was not found possible to approve the reduction then asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement as to the inquiry into the working of the Companies Acts?

A Departmental Committee was appointed by the Board of Trade on the 6th January, 1925, to consider and report what amendments are desirable in the Companies Acts 1908 to 1917. The Committee have held 26 meetings for the purpose of hearing evidence, and I am informed that they are now proceeding to the consideration of their Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total number of applications so far received for inquiry under the terms of the Safeguarding of Industries scheme; the number of applications rejected; the number of applications allowed; and the number still under consideration?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. Harmsworth) a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any definite instructions have yet been given to customs officers as to the definitions of merchandise in regard to duties payable in respect of silk goods, and will he consider the advisability of issuing to traders an alphabetical list of such duties, in order that consignments of silk goods may be consigned with the necessary declaration so as to expedite delivery?

Instructions in regard to all duties of customs and excise are issued to customs officers in the ordinary course of administration, and this course has been followed in the present instance. As regards the second part of the question, I am not clear what the hon. Member has in mind, but I may say that printed notices fully explanatory of the duties have been issued for the guidance of traders.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to introduce the principle of cash on delivery in connection with the parcel post, in view of the general demand by the retail trade for these facilities?

The question of introducing the cash on delivery system in the inland parcel post is under examination by the Government, and I am not yet able to make any further statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider setting up a special committee of inquiry to deal with the demand of members of the Union of Post Office Workers that the principle of equal pay for men and women should operate in the Civil Service?

I have been asked to reply. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 5th March last, the question of the remuneration of women in the Civil Service as compared with men has already been fully reviewed by the present Government, and the Government is not prepared to set up a special committee of inquiry on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of officers employed in the Ministry of Pensions and the Ministry of Labour who are eligible for first-class travelling expenses in connection with the discharge of their duties; and what is the approximate annual cost to the State in this connection?

The number of officers employed by the Ministry of Pensions who are eligible for first-class railway fare for journeys on duty is 602; and of those employed by the Ministry of Labour 817. A further much smaller number are eligible for first-class fares when no second class is available. The extra annual cost in the Ministry of Pensions is estimated at £6,000 to £7,000; it is not possible without undue labour to estimate the amount in the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether a departmental committee is sitting with a view of effecting economies in the War Office; and whether it is anticipated that such economies will be effected as will reduce the cost of administration below what it was in 1913, apart from the cost-of-living bonus payable to civil servants?

The hon. Member is doubtless aware that Lord Colwyn's Committee is enquiring into the whole question of expenditure on the Navy, Army and Air Force. I cannot make any statement at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any Regulations have been issued dealing with traffic in the Borough of Southwark; and what Orders were made for the repair of roads in the borough during the months of August, September, and October?

I made regulations on the 11th September last under the London Traffic Act, 1924, on the follow- ing subjects:—the lighting and guarding of street works, the removal of broken down vehicles, and parking places. Two Orders and Regulations have also been made relating to restricted streets and omnibuses plying thereon. These apply to the whole of the London Traffic area which includes the Borough of South-wark. Two Orders have also been made under Section 4 of the Act, confirming programmes of street works, agreed upon with the local authorities concerned, for the six monthly periods ending 30th September, 1925, and 31st March, 1926, respectively. These Orders cover certain works in Southwark. If the hon. and gallant Member has some point in mind as regards the effect of these Orders and Regulations within the Borough of Southwark, I shall be happy to supply him with any information in my possession if he will be good enough to communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the scheme for the suggested new road from London to the Victoria and Albert Docks, references to and the details of which have from time to time been published, is to be proceeded with; and, if so, what is the estimated cost and what contribution is proposed to be made thereto from the Road Fund or other moneys under the control of the Government?

This scheme is under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities have adopted the white-line method of traffic control at dangerous points; and whether any recommendations have been made drawing the attention of local authorities to this safety method?

Although I am not able to quote the number of local authorities concerned, my own observation and the reports which I have received go to show that the "white line" is being widely used throughout the country. In various ways I have recently taken steps to draw the attention of local authorities to the utility of this precautionary method and have urged the need for uniformity of practice. I have also been in consultation with representatives of the metropolitan boroughs, and with various associations representing local authority engineers and surveyors and the views of chief constables are being sought through the Home Office. I hope shortly to be in a position to issue a circular on the subject of the use of "white lines," for the guidance of local authorities generally.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increasing number of accidents, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to amend the existing law so as to provide that all motor cars sold from some future date shall be fitted with four-wheel brakes?

The existing Orders and Regulations provide that all motor vehicles shall be provided with an efficient braking system, but I do not think that the time has yet arrived for laying down a requirement making the use of four-wheel brakes compulsory. As the hon. Member is aware, there is an increasing tendency on the part of motor manufacturers to provide four-wheel brakes at any rate on private cars.