asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wives and families of officers and men on the active list of the Army and Royal Air Force are entitled to receive treatment as out-patients at royal naval hospitals at home and abroad, whilst the wives and families of naval officers and men are not so entitled; and whether he will consider the desirability of equality of treatment of the wives and families of officers and men in these three Services?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, subject to the qualification that out-patient treatment at a naval hospital is allowed only to the wives and families of those Army and Royal Air Force personnel who are entitled to receive out-patient treatment from their own medical officers under existing Army or Air Ministry Regulations, and on condition that treatment by their own medical officers is not readily and conveniently available. With regard to the second part of the question, the Admiralty is satisfied that, owing to the varying conditions of the Services, a complete assimiliation of the conditions and Regulations governing medical treatment in the Army and Royal Air Force on the one hand and in the Royal Navy on the other hand would not be desirable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what money has been received in respect of the ships of the German Fleet raised in Scapa Flow; and whether there will be a further distribution of naval prize money out of the proceeds of the sale of the derelict ships that may be raised?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for King's Norton (Mr. Dennison) on the 8th July last. These ships are not legally considered as naval prize and the money realised by their sale does not form part of the Naval Prize Fund.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the advisability of amending naval Regulations so that a bluejacket shall not be classed as a deserter, with the resulting deprivations, until 21 days after such desertion, as now applies in the case of Army ranks?

A person subject to the Naval Discipline Act, who is absent more than seven days, is not convicted of "desertion" unless there is evidence of an intention not to return. The provisional marking "run" in the ledger after seven days is an administrative convenience enabling the man's account to be closed, and saves unnecessary labour, but does not prejudice his defence to a charge of desertion if he be subsequently apprehended or surrender. I am not prepared, therefore, to change the system.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the silk employed in the manufacture of parachutes abroad for the Royal Air Force is of British production?

These parachutes are being made from silk woven in Japan. I may add that the manufacturer is understood to have satisfied the United States Government, who are large users of this parachute, that silk of satisfactory quality for this particular purpose is not at present obtainable in America, but that I propose to reconsider this question with a view to the use of British silk, if possible, so soon as I can arrange for the manufacture of these parachutes to commence in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the American Irving-type parachute under order by the Air Ministry omits certain safety devices, but is claimed in other respects to infringe British patents covering a type at one time experimented with in this country; whether he has received information that this last-mentioned type is now regarded by the inventor as obsolete and as less efficient than subsequent British designs; whether the Air Ministry have received and considered any comparative statements by British designers of the merits of the Irving and British types; whether they are completely satisfied that no type of parachute exists affording greater safety than that of the Irving type in design, workmanship, and/or operation; and whether he is prepared to make a statement in regard to the technical aspects of this order?

As regards the first part of the question, the contention of a British inventor that the Irving parachute infringes his patent is at present under investigation. As regards the second part, I am aware that this inventor has designed a parachute which he considers to be an improvement upon the type submitted by him some years ago, but as he has not yet afforded the Air Ministry a reasonable opportunity of testing his latest type, I am unable to institute any comparison between its merits and those of the Irving. As regards the third and fourth parts, I am not prepared to assert that further research and experiment will not result in parachutes giving even greater immunity from risk than does the Irving; but in view of the urgent necessity of equipping the Royal Air Force with a reliable parachute I decided, for the reasons stated by me in the House on the 26th February and 24th June last, not to await the progress of experiments, but to adopt a device which had already reached the stage of successful production and whose serviceability had been demonstrated beyond question over a long period of practical air experience. I do not think it practicable to make a technical statement within the limits of a reply to a question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what orders have been placed abroad by the Air Ministry for metal propellers, and what is the value of those orders; what expenditure was incurred by experimental orders for metal propellers of British and foreign manufacture, respectively, in the 12 months preceding the last of these foreign orders; and what steps were taken to secure British production of the type selected prior to the placing of the order abroad?

As regards the first part of the question, no trace of an order placed abroad for metal propellers can be found in the records of the Air Ministry; the other parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

asked the Treasurer of the Household the total number of appeals that have been made during the last two years to the final appeals tribunals; the total number wholly or in part granted; the total number disallowed; and whether he can further provide information under each of these heads regarding the appeals made to each of the divisional appeals tribunals now on circuit?

During the two years ended the 20th November, 1925, the number of appeals to the pensions appeal tribunals for England and Wales and the numbers allowed and disallowed respectively were as follows:Appeals against refusal of entitlement.

Allowed	…	8,465
Disallowed	…	17,316
Total	…	25,781

Appeals against final awards.

Allowed	…	24,235∗
Disallowed	…	14,706
Total	…	38,941
∗ This figure includes both cases in which the amount of the final award was increased and cases in which the final award of the Minister of Pensions was set aside.

With reference to the last part of the hon. Member's question. I regret that I cannot give the information for which he asks for the reasons stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Fairfield Division of Liverpool on Thursday, 19th November, 1925.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the disturbances in Syria have up to the present brought about any repercussion in Palestine?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 23rd November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information from the British representative in Transjordania as to the intention of Ibn Saud in regard to the Syrian revolt; and whether Ibn Saud has made any representations to His Majesty's Government to the recent revision of the boundaries of Transjordania?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the answer to the second part is also in the negative if, as I assume, the hon. and gallant Member refers to the estab- lishment of the effective control of the Transjordan Administration in the districts of Maan and Akaba, of which I informed the House in my reply to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member on the 6th July. I am glad to be able to inform the House that an agreement as to the boundary between Trans-Jordan and Nejd has just been concluded with Ibn Saud, of which I am awaiting full details by despatch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, at a conference of coffee planters held at Kilimanjaro, a resolution was passed urging the appointment of an inquiry into the policy of allowing natives to grow coffee in Tanganyika mandated area, Kenya, and Uganda, and that a further resolution was passed calling upon the Government to forbid the natives planting any more coffee pending the Report of such inquiry; and what action if any, he proposes to take?

I have received no information with regard to the conference mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how ex-service men with or without their families have been given assisted passages and financial advances to enable them to settle in the self-governing Dominions since the inauguration of the scheme; how far are these facilities being made use of to-day; to what extent have facilities been curtailed: and what has so far been the total cost to the British and Dominion Governments?

Under the Government free passage scheme for ex-service men and women and their dependents which came into operation on 8th April, 1919, and was closed on 31st December, 1922, 39,419 ex-service men (or 86,027 persons including dependents, etc.) were granted free passages to enable them to settle in other parts of the Empire. The cost of this scheme, which was entirely borne by His Majesty's Government, was £2,419,300. The schemes of assisted migration now in operation arranged under the terms of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, are applicable to all suitable and approved British subjects resident in the United Kingdom, including ex-service men, and figures are not available to show the numbers of ex-service men who have gone overseas under these schemes. A statement of the schemes arranged under the Empire Settlement Act was circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 10th March last. The total amount expended by His Majesty's Government under the Empire Settlement Act up to 30th September, 1925, was £1,018,245, of which amount £416,675, issued in the forms of loans, is recoverable. Detailed information regarding the expenditure incurred by the Dominion Governments is not available. The basis of the Empire Settlement Act is that His Majesty's Government cannot bear more than half the expenditure incurred.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement has been entered into with the Governments of France and Spain for collective action against the Riffs; and whether it is by agreement with these Powers that British warships are patrolling the coast of Morocco and maintaining a blockade of that coast?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. There is no foundation for the suggestion made in the second part. The action of the British Navy is restricted to carrying out the obligation imposed by Article 4 of the Tangier Convention, which provides that the surveillance of contraband arms traffic in the waters of the Tangier Zone shall be exercised jointly by British, French and Spanish naval forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any complaint has been received by him from the French Government against the British Consul at Damascus relative to the recent disturbances there; whether he has called for or received any report from the British Consul; and, if not, whether he will call for one?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. A full report has been received from His Majesty's Consul.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many English men or women are now lying in Russian gaols; and how many of these are incarcerated for political offences?

So far as I am aware there are none.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has been invited by the Swiss Government to enter into a general arbitration treaty with Switzerland: and, if so, what answer he has given to the invitation?

An unofficial suggestion was received from the Swiss Government in 1924, that His Majesty's Government should conclude a treaty with Switzerland on the lines of the treaty concluded in that year between Italy and Switzerland. His Majesty's G6vernment are not persuaded that it would be advantageous to enter into a treaty of this character.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can give an assurance to this House that His Majesty's Government will, at the forthcoming meeting of the council of the League of Nations, support the immediate initiation of preparatory work for the disarmament conference proposed by the Sixth Assembly of the League?

Yes, Sir. The British Delegation at the last assembly joined in voting a resolution directing that such preparatory work should be undertaken. In pursuance of this resolu- tion a committee of the council, on which Lord Cecil of Chelwood will be the British representative, will meet on the 3rd of December in order to draw up definite proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the progress of the Tariff Conference at Peking?

I do not think I can usefully make any statement at this early stage of the proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there is any prospect of arrangements being concluded for the recognition and repayment of the pre-War Austro-Hungarian debt; what is the position regarding such debt; and whether British holders of such debt may hope for payment to be made in respect of such debt in the near future?

I understand that this question has recently been discussed at a conference at Prague between representatives of the bondholders (including the British bondholders) and representatives of the debtor States. I observe that there is a summary of the agreement in this morning's Press.

asked the Prime Minister whether the policy of the Government is to accept a 25 years' mandate for Iraq?

No, Sir. The Government informed the Council of the League of Nations at their last session that they were prepared under certain conditions to give effect to the Protocol of the existing Treaty of Alliance by replacing it after 1928 by a treaty of longer duration which should continue our co-operation and advice in maintaining a stable and progressive Government in Iraq until such time as Iraq has acquired the necessary stability for her entry to the League of Nations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the number of embezzlements reported each year in connection with loan and slate clubs, he will consider the advisability of legislation having as its object the compulsory registration, and adoption of standard rules, of all loan and slate clubs?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor to a similar question on the 17th December last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any Treasury rule, minute, or provision, and, if so, what, prohibiting or regulating the expenditure of public moneys, either in connection with the poor persons rules or the administration of justice in the County Court, or in connection with the Poor Persons Defence Act, 1903?

The answer is in the negative. In so far, however, as expenditure from Votes of Parliament is concerned, the Departments responsible for administration are, like other Departments, subject to Treasury control in the normal way. Expenditure under the Poor Prisoners Defence Act, 1903, is regulated by the terms of the Act and the Home Office rules thereunder.

asked the Attorney-General whether, when the Committee on legal aid to the poor (Mr. Justice Finlay's Committee) was appointed, a member, and, if so, who, was appointed by, or to represent, the Treasury; and whether the object of such appointment was to assure compliance with certain Treasury rules or minutes prohibiting the expenditure of public moneys on legal aid to the poor?

Mr. Justice Finlay's Committee includes among its members a gentleman who holds the position of Deputy-Controller of Supply Services at the Treasury. I assume that the object of his appointment was that he might give the Committee the benefit of his knowledge and experience on any question arising in which the Treasury were concerned. No Treasury rules or minutes exist prohibiting the expenditure of public moneys on legal aid to the poor, and in fact considerable sums of public moneys are so expended.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Report of Mr. Justice Lawrence's Committee (Command Paper 430) found as a fact that the reason why there only came to trial one-fourth of the applications granted to poor persons to proceed under the Poor Persons Rules was mainly due to the poor persons being unable to find the necessary out-of-pocket expenses to enable them to start or proceed with their cases; whether he is aware that the said Report expressed the opinion that, unless a fund were formed for the payment of poor persons' expenses, the really poor or quite destitute persons have no chance of availing themselves of the Poor Persons' Rules; and whether the committee of solicitors referred to in the Report of Mr. Justice Lawrence's Committee (Command Paper 2358) will themselves establish the before-mentioned fund and, if so, from what sources?

The observations quoted by the hon. Member from Mr. Justice Lawrence's First Report (which was presented in 1919) have reference only to matrimonial cases. That Report was founded upon the facts as they then existed. At that time there might be taxed against the poor person a sum of money in respect of office expenses in addition to out-of-pocket expenses in the true sense. As a result of that Report the charge for office expenses was prohibited and the cost thereby reduced by some 50 per cent. It is hoped that as the result of Mr. Justice Lawrence's Second Report, presented in 1925, a further reduction in cost will be effected through the measures of decentralisation therein proposed. As I have on more than one occasion stated, I am not prepared to recommend any further grant of public money, and I do not anticipate that the solicitors' committee will themselves establish any fund. There is no evidence that in any substantial number of cases an incapacity to find the deposit required in a matrimonial case interposes a bar to proceedings by a poor person.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that several of the casual wards of the Oxford-shire workhouses are in construction and condition unfit for the reception of casual paupers and for human habitation; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to a question yesterday, my right hon. Friend is having investigation made into this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain boards of guardians are in the habit of giving short weight in food to men and women obliged by force of circumstances to seek the shelter of casual wards and workhouses; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information to the effect that boards of guardians are in the habit of giving casual paupers less than the Regulation amount of food; and, if so, what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has received no general information to the effect suggested. He is, however, at present investigating a statement that in some instances the mid-day meal supplied to casual paupers on leaving the casual ward has not been of the full Regulation amount.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain boards of guardians in Monmouthshire are paying relief on a scale considerably below that suggested by his Department for Bedwellty; and will he take steps to ensure that, in the interest of the. poor people, at least that scale shall be adopted and paid?

As the hon. Member is aware, scales of relief are not ordinarily subject to my right hon. Friend's approval, nor has he suggested a scale in the case of Bedwellty, although he has, in connection with an application for a loan, requested the guardians to examine their administration and expenditure with a view to effecting economies. My right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that the boards of guardians in Monmouthshire or in other unions in which lower scales are in operation are failing in their duty of relieving distress.

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the fact that the Milk and Dairies Act of 1915 has been in operation since the 1st September last, he is now able to state the date on which the Regulations to be operated under this Act will be published; and whether, in view of the scope of the Sections of the Act under which it is proposed to issue Regulations, he will arrange for a discussion in this House before putting the Regulations into operation?

My right hon. Friend is at present consulting the associations of local authorities with regard to a draft Milk and Dairies Order which has been prepared under the Act of 1915, and he hopes that the draft will be ready for publication about the end of the year. When the Order has been made it will be laid before the House and an Address may be presented to his Majesty praying that the Order be annulled. A discussion could, therefore, take place on the Order on a Motion for such an Address.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths for 1924 in the fishing industry, bricklaying, sweeps, dock labourers, carmen and carriers, and the mining industry?

Figures of occupational mortality are obtained by the Registrar-General for those years only which are adjacent to the census year and are not available for 1924. For the period 1921–23 the figures asked for are as follow:

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the statements that deaths from lead poisoning are on the increase among lead workers in the pottery trade, and that according to the latest statistics potters between the ages of 35 and 45 have the highest death rate in Great Britain; and whether he has any information as to the effectiveness or otherwise of the new Lead and Dust Regulations?

There has been a small increase during the last few years in the deaths from lead poisoning in the pottery trade, but this cannot be taken as any indication of the present conditions. The records show that in the great majority of cases the deceased had been employed in the industry for many years before the Regulations of 1913 came into force. There can be no doubt, I think, if one looks at the total number of cases, that the 1913 Regulations have been effective. Whereas during the six years 1907–1912 the average number of cases was 90, the average for the last six years, 1919–1924, was just under 36. It is significant also that in the fatal cases there has been a substantial rise in the average age of the deceased. The statement that potters between the ages of 35 and 45 have the highest death rate in Great Britain is, I believe, incorrect.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any information as to the. operation of the Octavia Hill system of women house-property managers as applied to any housing estates now being administered by local authorities, showing whether such management is proving to be economical and satisfactory?

My right hon. Friend is not aware in how many housing estates now administered by local authorities the Octavia Hill system of women house-property managers is being worked, but he will make inquiries and communicate with the Noble Lady. The system has for many years been in operation on certain estates belonging to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and on Crown Lands, and has, my right hon. Friend is informed, proved to be both economical and satisfactory.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, how many houses under the control of the Office of Woods and Forests are managed on the Octavia, Hill system of women house-property management; whether he has any information showing the results up to date; and what is the approximate revenue per year derived from the London estates managed in this manner?

About 850 houses under the charge of the Commissioners of Crown Lands (formerly Commissioners of Woods and Forests) are at the present time managed on the Octavia Hill system. This arrangement was first adopted on a small scale a few years ago, and has been gradually extended as circumstances enabled the Commissioners to acquire direct control through the expira- tion or sooner determination of the original building leases. Owing to the large outlay which was necessary in many cases to put the premises into a proper state of repair, the return has been smaller than it would be under normal conditions. The net receipt for the year to the 31st March last was about £35,000.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of men and women, respectively, seconded from other Departments to assist with the work arising from the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; of what rank are the officers who have been loaned; whether they are working overtime; and, if so, whether they will receive overtime pay?

38 men have been seconded from other Departments, all belonging to the Junior Executive and ex-Second Division rank. No women have been seconded. This grade is not entitled to overtime pay, but, as these officers are being required to work hours considerably in excess of the normal day, they will receive gratuities in respect of the excessive hours worked.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of hours overtime now being worked by the permanent staff of his Department in connection with the administration of the new pensions scheme, and the aggregate cost of such overtime per week?

The amount of overtime worked in my Department in connection with the administration of the Pensions Act varies from week to week according to the exigencies of the work. For the last completed month the total number of such hours worked by the permanent staff entitled to overtime payment was 6,305, at an average weekly cost of £188.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the extra pressure upon his Department caused by the pensions scheme, he will consider the desirability of utilising the services of ex-temporary women clerks who have been discharged on grounds of redundancy?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wandsworth (Sir H. Jackson) on the 23rd instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any vacancies on the staff of the inspectorate; and whether it is proposed to appoint additional inspectors?

There are a few vacancies on the authorised staff which are about to be filled. As to the latter part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to questions asked on this subject by the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division (Mr. Rhys Davies) and the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham (Lord H. Cavendish Bentinck) on the 10th June and 16th July last respectively.

asked the Home Secretary how many local authorities have made by-laws under Section 15 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, with regard to means of escape from fire in works in which not more than 40 persons are employed; and whether any action is being taken by the Home Department to impress on all local authorities the desirability of protecting the lives of persons working in factories or workshops?

The number of local authorities which have made by-laws under the Section is 77. A memorandum was issued by the Home Office to local authorities in 1912 in which the provisions of the Act dealing with safety from fire were carefully explained. Special attention was drawn to the power of making by-laws and a model code of by-laws issued. Moreover, I am advised that the inspectors keep in close touch with the local authorities on this question and report to the local authority all premises where the means of escape are found to be unsatisfactory, whether or not more than 40 persons are employed.

asked the Home Secretary if he will inform the House of the date on which he issued instructions from his Department to the authorities concerned that equal justice should be meted out to all parties, and of the text of those instructions?

I presume the hon. Member refers to an answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a supplementary question on the 16th instant. He then had in mind the view which he had expressed, on learning of the seizure of the "Daily Herald" van, to the effect that if there was reason to think that any Fascist organisation had in fact instigated this action every effort should be made to obtain evidence which would lead to the conviction of those responsible, since, of course, the law must be administered with complete impartiality.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of shops which are being opened on Sundays for the sale of groceries, butchery, bread, clothing, boots, &c.; and, in view of the handicap which this means to many shopkeepers who do not desire to open their premises on Sundays, and in the interests of shop assistants who are being employed seven days per week, whether he proposes to deal by legislation with this matter?

My right hon. Friend has received certain representations on this subject, and is entirely in sympathy with the desire to restrict Sunday trading so far as reasonably practicable. The question is, however, highly controversial, and no solution has so far been found which would command general agreement. I am afraid, therefore, I can hold out no hope at present of any Government legislation.

asked the Home Secretary Whether he is aware of the mystery which surrounds the death of Miss Iris Watkins, Blackwood, Mon-mouth, and that the inhabitants are anxious that, if possible, the matter should be cleared up; and whether any assistance is being given to the local police in the matter by Scotland Yard?

I have seen newspaper reports of the inquest, and I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that no application for assistance has been received from the Chief Constable. In these cases assistance is not given by Scotland Yard, except upon request by the local police.

asked the Home Secretary what orders have been issued with respect to suppressing the practice of giving programme prizes in connection with whist drives, dances and carnivals; and what are the reasons actuating official representations in this direction?

No special directions have been issued by my right hon. Friend. It is the duty of the police to intervene to prevent breaches of the law.

asked the Home Secretary whether the question of probation and detention of youthful offenders is to be again investigated; and whether he will consider the necessity for a Departmental Committee being appointed to deal with this matter?

The whole problem of the treatment of young offenders is being fully considered by a Committee, which I appointed last January, under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Molony. I understand that the Committee has received a large amount of valuable evidence from persons all over the country, who have experience in dealing with this question. If the hon. Member has any information which he would like to bring before the Committee, I shall be happy to place him in communication with the chairman.

asked the Home Secretary the Regulations governing the sale of fireworks; and whether, in view of the increasing number of accidents clue to the sale and use of fireworks, he will consider the necessity of making Regulations governing the stocking, exposure and sale of such articles?

The storage, sale, etc., of fireworks are already regulated under the provisions of the Explosives Act, 1875. A person who keeps fireworks for sale must have his premises registered with the local authority and he must comply with the Regulations governing registered premises which, among other things, limit the quantity that may be kept and strictly specify the methods of storage. It is also an offence to sell fireworks to young children. The Regulations have in practice been found adequate. Accidents from fireworks are comparatively rare and there has been no marked increase in their number in recent years. Unless fireworks are entirely prohibited it is impossible to prevent occasional accidents from careless or improper handling.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any legislation is contemplated with a view to compelling shopkeepers to mark goods in plain figures and to thereby forbid misleading tickets on foodstuffs?

I understand that the London County Council have passed, and communicated to the Food Council, resolutions bearing on this subject. These resolutions will be considered by the Food Council in connection with the inquiry which they are conducting into short weight and measure in the sale of foodstuffs. It is not possible to state in advance of the Food Council's Report whether legislation of the kind referred to will be introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the position that has arisen between workers and owners on the Scottish shale fields; and will he institute a public inquiry so that the actual conditions of the industry may be revealed and some basis given for a settlement?

My Department has been in close touch with the negotiations between the two parties in this dispute. The establishment of an inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests is one of the points under discussion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, have been taken to inquire officially into the cause of the disaster at Dolgarrog, whereby 16 lives were lost?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the coroner and have suggested that a thorough investigation should be made at the inquest into the circumstances of the accident, so that all the facts bearing on the cause of this most regrettable disaster may be elicited. The position will be further reviewed after the inquest.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the cost of a transaction in the Post Office Savings Savings Bank in 1913–14 and the estimated cost in 1925–26?

Figures are not available to show the cost per transaction for the financial year, as the accounts of the Post Office Savings Bank are based on the calendar year. The estimated cost of each transaction was 4·51d. in the year 1913, 4·80d. in 1914 and 9·01d. in 1924. The exact figure for 1925 is not yet known, but will be lower than that for 1924.

asked the Postmaster-General, with reference to the proposed sub-post office on the Anson Estate, Rusholme, whether, having regard to the fact that those premises of which parti- culars have meanwhile been submitted to him have been rejected as unsuitable, he can state how soon it is expected that suitable premises will be obtained; and whether he will expedite the opening of this sub-office?

My information is that the Anson Estate will have to be developed further before a suitable candidate with premises sufficiently central for the proposed sub-post office on the estate is likely to be available; but the matter will be kept under review.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the public telephone box which he contemplates attaching to the Wood Green Post Office, Wednesbury, will be available for calls at any time during the day and night?

If the necessary permission from the Wednesbury Borough Council is obtained for the erection of a kiosk on the public footway outside the Wood Green Post Office premises, telephone call office facilities will be available at any time during the day and night.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men are awaiting and undergoing courses of training in Government instructional factories; and how many are awaiting improver-ships?

The total number of ex-service men undergoing training is 3,362. Of this number, about 1,400 are in Government instructional factories. 434 men are now awaiting training and about 1,390 trainees are awaiting improver-ships.?

asked the Minister of Labour what societies or undertakings are receiving a training grant of 50s. per week for the training of disabled men; and what is the amount that will be paid to each of these undertakings for the 12 months ending 31st March, 1926?

The following institutions are receiving assist- ance in the form of training grant under the scheme of grants to undertakings formed for the employment of severely disabled ex-service men:

• Lord Roberts' Memorial Workshops for Disabled Sailors and Soldiers.
• Enham Village Centre for Training and Settlement of Disabled Ex-service Men.
• The British Legion Poppy Factory, Limited.
• Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers, Erskine House, Glasgow.

Payment of grant is, in each case, contingent upon the fulfilment of certain conditions. It is accordingly not possible to state how much will be paid during the 12 months ending 31st March, 1926. It is estimated, however, that the total amount payable will not exceed £9,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of his statement that he proposes to institute an inquiry with a view to the revision of the basis of the cost of living as soon as conditions were such as to provide a basis for revision which was likely to prove of lasting value, he can state the average Cost of living index for the last 12 months; and whether his advisers consider that it is likely to fall for some time to come permanently below 75?

The average of the cost of living index numbers for the past twelve months has been approximately 7c per cent. above the level of July, 1914. I am afraid it is not possible to predict the future course of the index number.

asked the Minister of Labour how many aliens were in receipt of uncovenanted benefit in 1924 and in 1925 up to the latest date for which figures are available, and whether it is his policy to ensure that no alien shall receive benefits in excess of contributions?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of aliens who are receiving unemployment benefit at the present time?

At 9th November, 1925, the number of aliens in Great Britain in receipt of extended benefit was 495. No statistics are available in respect of 1924. As regards the second part of the first question, the rule is that aliens are not eligible for extended benefit unless they have been resident in this country for at least 10 years.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Woolwich unemployment committee ceased to function on the 7th of September last as a protect against the administrative regulations of his Department dealing with unemployed benefit, and the decision of the Department to refuse benefit to applicants, although in possession of stamp value, on the ground that they were not genuinely seeking employment; that the committee have not yet resumed their duties; that similar action has been taken by other committees in different parts of the country: and will he give instructions that the practice of vetoing the decisions of these responsible committees will be discontinued?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to and much regret that in one or two areas I am without the assistance of the local employment committee or of certain members of it. In the vast majority of cases committees' recommendations on claims to extended benefit are accepted, but the final decision rests with me and I cannot divest myself of the responsibility for it.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the authorities at the Employment Exchange at 451, East India Dock Road, E.14, have refused to pay benefit to W. H. Pestill, who resides at 29, Woodside Road, Plaistow, E.13; if he is aware that the man in question was employed at the India Rubber Gutta Percha Company, Limited, as clerk from 2nd October, 1908, until 22nd July, 1922, and was then stood off on account of slackness of work; that he was taken on at the same firm in July, 1923, for three months, and was again put off for slackness of work; that in March, 1924, he was given work for a month at Messrs. Piggott as a painter's labourer; that later on this man was employed by W. Shanley as head collector until 26th September, 1925, and has been promised work again; and that his claim for unemployment benefit was disallowed; and, seeing that Mr. Pestill is 61 years of age and is a strong, healthy man quite willing to undertake any kind of work offered him, if he can give any reasons why the man's benefit was disallowed?

I am making inquiries into this case and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners have made application for extended benefits in Lancashire and Wigan, respectively, during the months of this year, respectively; and how many have been rejected in each month?

I regret that this information could only be obtained by a detailed investigation, the cost of which is prohibitive.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men are at present engaged on relief works and schemes wholly or partly supported from national funds in Lancashire; and whether any further schemes to relieve unemployment in the county are to be commenced during this winter?

The records on this matter are not kept in such a form as to show the position readily by county areas, but if the hon. Member wishes I will arrange for the extraction, so far as it is available, of the information desired by him.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, why he recently refused permission for information as to the cancellation of a live-stock auction near Heading, owing to foot-and-mouth disease, being broadcasted, thereby involving waste of time and money to many people travelling long distances?

My right hon. Friend has no authority either to grant or refuse permission for information of this nature to be broadcast. In the case referred to, the British Broadcasting Company asked the advice of the Ministry over the telephone, and a reply was given that the Ministry would not itself ask the Company to broadcast a notice regarding a particular private sale. There was no intention of exercising any veto on the discretion of the company to broadcast the fact that the sale was cancelled, if they were willing to do so. The reply given seems to have been misunderstood.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, the estimated cost of the foot-and-mouth disease from 1st April to date?

The total estimated cost of combating foot-and-mouth disease from 1st April to 23rd November inclusive is £204,309.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, what precautions are taken by officials visiting cattle infected by foot-and-mouth disease to prevent their clothing spreading the disease to clean herds?

Under the standing instructions of the Ministry, its officials can only enter premises on which foot-and-mouth disease is suspected or confirmed, if they are clothed from head to foot in waterproof clothing and wearing rubber boots. Before entering the premises, the inspectors scrupulously disinfect this clothing and their hands and also again before leaving. The Ministry is satisfied that these instructions are carried out and that the inspectors do everything that is possible to prevent infection being carried in their clothing.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if there is any evidence available as to the spreading of foot-and-mouth disease by pigeons or other birds or by rodents?

There is some circumstantial evidence that birds may carry the infection of foot-and-mouth disease, but such evidence as is available indicates that rodents are not responsible for spreading the disease.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if his attention has been called to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease near Horncastle; and how long the whole of Lindsey is to be under the operation of the present Order in the event of no fresh outbreak taking place?

If no further out-break occurs in the Horncastle area, the 15-mile infected area will probably be reduced to about 5 miles from the 8th December and released entirely from restrictions about the 22nd December. The remainder of Lindsey forms part of the outer area subject to the Midlands and South of England (Regulation of Movement of Animals) Order of 1925. It is hoped that the general position of the country will have so improved as to enable the Ministry to withdraw this Order by about the middle of December.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, the total amount of grants made to agriculturists for land drainage during the year 1924, and the estimated amount which it is anticipated will be spent during 1925; and the approximate percentage of agriculturists who have been assisted in this manner?

Since 1922–23 the Ministry has made grants, out of Unemployment Relief Funds, towards schemes of land drainage and sea defence, and of water supply for groups of holdings, to be carried out during the period approximately October to May. Last season the total amount of the Ministry's commitments was approximately £195,000, of which approximately £24,000 is recoverable. So far this season 132 schemes have been approved, and the Ministry's commitments amount to some £37,000, of which £12,000 is recoverable. I am unable to state the percentage of agriculturists who may have been assisted by such schemes, but the area of land benefited by the schemes carried out last season is estimated at 668,529 acres.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the frequent prosecutions of motor cyclists for not silencing their motor cycles; if he is aware of the vagueness of the law on this subject in view of the recent developments in the motor cycle industry; and whether he would consider the appointment of a committee to study the question of silencing with a view to the drawing up of suitable regulations and, if necessary, an Amendment of the law at an early date?

I am not satisfied that any Amendment of the existing law is necessary. I am, however, at the present time discussing with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders the question of motor cycle silencers with a view to the improvement of standard designs. I do not think the appointment of a formal Committee for the purposes suggested in the question is desirable at the present juncture.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the case of an omnibus driver, named George J. Hickling, charged for driving a motor omnibus at 27 miles an hour, who, in defence, pleaded that he was endeavouring to make up time unavoidably lost on the journey, and who further stated that the rules of the company were such that men who lost time were fined or dismissed, and that, in fact, he himself had been dismissed because of bad journey time; and whether, in view of the danger to the public involved where drivers of motor vehicles are working to a time table and are in danger of losing their work owing to loss of time, he will ask the Advisory Committee to consider what legislation or regulations are needed to put an end to such dangerous conditions of work as those testified to by Mr. G. Hickling?

I have no information regarding this case other than that contained in the hon. Member's question. I understand that the police examine the schedules deposited by omnibus operators in London with a view to preventing any necessity for these vehicles being driven at excessive speeds under normal circumstances. I have no control over the conditions of employment or the instructions given to drivers under special circumstances, and the matter does not appear to me to be one for the London Traffic Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport the numbers of omnibuses on the streets of the Metropolis on 31st December, 1913, and 31st December, 1924, and the numbers of new omnibuses which have come into commission since the beginning of the present year, indicating the percentage owned by the London General Omnibus Company and by independent owners?

I am not in a position to furnish the numbers of omnibuses operating upon the streets of the Metropolis at the dates mentioned, but the following table shows the numbers of omnibuses licensed to ply for hire at the respective dates:

31st December, 1913	…	3,522
31st December, 1924	…	5,384

Between the 31st December, 1924, and 31st October, 1925, 282 new omnibuses have been licensed, 47·9 per cent. to the London General Omnibus Company and Associated Companies and 521 per cent. to independent owners.I understand that certain of the new omnibuses licensed since the 31st December, 1924, have been used to replace old vehicles withdrawn from service, but no figures are available as to the extent to which this has been done. I am, therefore, unable to state the net increase in the number of omnibuses in service since 31st December, 1924.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of commercial motor vehicles imported into this country since the 1st January, 1925?

The number of complete commercial motor vehicles (including motor omnibuses, motor fire-engines and motor ambulances) imported into the United Kingdom in the 10 months ended October, 1925, was 559.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many occasions the engineer on the Southern Railway has returned plans for bridges designed and intended to carry the highway of the Kingston by-pass road over the main or branch lines of the Southern Railway Company; and can any action be taken to remedy the non-completion of this highway so far as it is due to such withholding on behalf of the railway company of approval of plans for bridges?

The construction of a bridge necessarily involves lengthy consultation between the highway authority and the railway company before all the details can be satisfactorily agreed. I cannot provide a record of the movements of the many different drawings, but have no reason to suppose that any unnecessary delay has occurred. As I understand that the negotiations in this case are nearing completion no intervention on my part appears necessary.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what authority was responsible for the reduction of the messing allowances to British Army officers and other ranks and sepoys engaged in road construction in Waziristan in 1924; and, seeing that these restrictions brought about conditions of penury in many cases, alleviated only by assistance from unofficial sources, what disciplinary action has been taken in the matter?

The withdrawal in 1924 of field service concessions from troops serving in Waziristan was due to the decision of the competent authorities in India that field service conditions justifying those concessions no longer existed. It was subsequently recognised that conditions in Waziristan, though falling short of field service, were more hazardous and onerous than those of ordinary garrison duty, and appropriate concessions have been devised and introduced.