asked the Minister of Health whether during the present epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease the carcases of any animals have been condemned in abattoirs because found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease; and whether any parts of such carcases have afterwards been sold for human consumption?

I am informed that during the present epidemic animals infected with foot-and-mouth disease have been found in two public abattoirs, namely those of Blackburn and Rotherham. In the former case four beasts and two sheep, and in the latter case one fat cow, were found to be affected. The carcases of all these animals were found on inspection by officers of the town council to be in good condition and ware passed for human consumption after destruction of the heads, feet and certain of the internal organs in accordance with the accepted practice governing the inspection of carcases for human food.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if he is aware that cattle condemned under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order have in certain cases in the parish of Holt, Wiltshire, been cremated within 40 yards of cottages inhabited by people, which has caused them intense discomfort and even sick- ness owing to their rooms becoming enveloped in fumes from the burning; and, in order to obviate a recurrence of such procedure, will he give instructions that such burnings for the future are only to take place in locations as far removed as possible from any dwelling-house?

A complaint of the nature described in the question has reached my right hon. Friend from the Bradford-on-Avan Rural District Council He has instituted immediate inquiries into the matter, and when these are completed, he will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether he is aware that M. Sechet, a French expert in cattle diseases, is at present at Melton Mowbray; whether he has received any application to allow tests to be made by M. Sechet on animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease; and, if so, whether he has given his permission for these tests to be carried out?

M. Sechet has made application to the Ministry for a test of his specific to be made, but so far as the Ministry is aware no satisfactory evidence exists of the efficacy of his specific. In the case of this and of the large number of secret remedies and cures that have been submitted, the Ministry consider it would be contrary to public policy to maintain centres of disease whereby possible methods of curative treatment can be tested.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether he will reconsider his refusal of the proposals submitted by the Devon County Council to prohibit the movement of animals into the county; and whether, in view of the serious outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, he will allow the counties of Devon and Cornwall to make regulations for their own protection, thereby taking advantage of their geographical position?

In accordance with agricultural opinion generally, my right hon. Friend thinks that local authorities should not issue regulations supplementary to those issued by his Department unless there is a distinct necessity for so doing. My right hon. Friend is advised that there is no such necessity in this case, but if the position as regards disease changes, he will be prepared to consider further proposals from the local authorities of the two counties in question.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, the number of sheep that have died during the last 12 months from dipping; the number of cases in which arsenical or poisonous dips were used; and the number of claims he has received in consequence?

According to information received by the Ministry the total number of sheep which have died during the last 12 months as the result of dipping is 628. Of this number 594 were dipped in arsenical dips; 13 were dipped in an arsenical dip for the first dipping, but in a non-poisonous dip for the second dipping. In 21 cases the Ministry has no information as to the dip used. In several cases the Ministry has received claims for compensation, but the applicants have been informed that the Ministry takes no responsibility for any losses occasioned through dipping of sheep in a poisonous dip, and every approved dip is labelled with a statement to this effect. There is a large number of non-poisonous dips available for selection, and the choice rests with the owner of the sheep.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, what steps are being taken by his Department at the present time in the direction of research into animal diseases?

Research into animal diseases in England and Wales is carried on at a number of research institutes and colleges maintained or aided by grants from the Ministry. These include the Institute of Animal Pathology at Cambridge, the Royal Veterinary College, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Ministry's veterinary laboratory. Advisers in veterinary science are main- tained at the University Colleges at Bangor and Cardiff, and at Armstrong College, Newcastle. A special committee has been set up to conduct research into foot-and-mouth disease, and work is being carried on under the direction of this committee at a number of laboratories. The total estimated expenditure on the maintenance of this work in the present financial year is £47,000. In addition, grants in aid of capital expenditure totalling £118,650 have recently been sanctioned by the Ministry in respect of the work. Reports on the research organisation set up by the Ministry and on the work of the various bodies concerned will be found in the Report on the Work of the Intelligence Department of the Ministry for 1921–24 and the First Progress Report of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee. These reports are published by and obtainable from His Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the vast increase in the imports of butter into this country as compared with pre-War imports; whether this is indicative of any decrease in the home output; and what is the consumption of butter per head of the population now and in 1914?

My right hon. Friend is aware that imports of butter into the United Kingdom are considerably higher than before the War. My right hon. Friend regrets, however, that he is not in possession of sufficient reliable information to enable him to say if home production has decreased, or to compare the per head consumption today with that before the War.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to consider a scheme of financial assistance to any able-bodied men, recipients of Poor Law relief, who desire to go with their wives and children to the Dominions and are prepared to repay the amounts to the local guardians by monthly instalments?

Boards of guardians have already full powers of assisting emigration in suitable cases whether the emigrants are recipients of poor law relief or not, and I should be very glad to consider any proposals for encouraging the guardians to make a wider use of those powers.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the policy of the Ministry to require boards of guardians to provide increased accommodation for casual wards in the country; if so, what is the reason for this policy; and will he state how it is intended that the cost of the increased building shall be met?

Where the existing provision for casual paupers is not adequate or not in all respect satisfactory I am asking the guardians to undertake the necessary improvements, but this does not indicate any general policy of extending casual ward accommodation. The cost of any improvements will fall to be borne by the guardians in the same way as the cost of other improvements to their institutional accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health the total expenditure in out-relief by the West Bromwich Board of Guardians in the Wednesbury area, the number of persons so relieved during the current year, and in a corresponding period of 1924?

The total expenditure in the current year was £8,646, and the average weekly number of persons relieved 678. The corresponding figures for the year 1924 were: expenditure, £8,157; weekly number of persons relieved, 823.

asked the Minister of Health the total expenditure of out-relief by the Walsall Board of Guardians in the Darlaston area, the number of persons so relieved, and the total amount repaid for 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925, respectively?

I am sending the hon. Member a statement of the particulars which he desires.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the total expenditure in out-relief by the Walsall Board of Guardians in the Darlaston area, and the number of persons so relieved during the current year, and for a corresponding period in 1924?

The total expenditure in the current year was £8,173, and the average weekly number of persons relieved was 793. The corresponding figures for the year 1924 were: expenditure, £7,136; weekly number of persons relieved, 1,005.

asked the Minister of Health what number of houses were built during the year ending 30th September last under the Housing Act, 1924, and what under other provisions; what number of houses have been sold and what numbers let at a rental; and whether he can give an approximate list of the annual rental value of the houses built during this year?

The number of houses completed during the year ended 30th September last under each of the Housing Acts was as follows:

Act of 1919	…	…	1,497
Act of 1923	…	…	78,409
Act of 1924	…	…	12,385
Total			92,291

In addition over 67,000 houses were built during the same period by private enterprise, without assistance under the Housing Acts. Information in regard to the last parts of the hon. Member's question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the limited amount of space available in the Borough of Islington for housing schemes and the great demand for accommodation in the borough; and whether he will give further consideration to his decision in regard to the Holly Park Estate scheme prepared by the Islington Borough Council for the erection of 34 flats?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the demand for housing accommodation among the better-paid class of working men in the Borough of Islington and of the willingness of those applicants to pay rents of, respectively, 26s. and 22s. weekly, exclusive of rates, proposed to be charged for the flats planned under the Holly Park scheme of the Islington Borough Council; and whether, in view of the small area available for housing in this borough, he will reconsider his refusal to sanction the scheme under the Housing Act of 1924?

The proposals in question were very carefully examined after local inquiry, and, although I am aware of the difficulty of finding sites in Islington, I do not feel that I should be justified in modifying my decision.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the annual report of the acting medical officer of health for the rural district of the Isle of Wight showed that in 80 cases of houses for the working classes inspected during that year and found to be not in all respects reasonably fit for habitation, either no repairing notice was issued or, if issued, not enforced upon non-compliance; that the default was immediately after the circulation of the report made the matter of statutory complaint by a justice; whether the default has been investigated by the Department; whether the default has been to any extent remedied by the local authority; and, if so, to what extent?

I am aware of the complaint referred to by the hon. Member. It appears from the annual report of the medical officer of health that defects were during the year reported in respect of 570 houses, and that during the same period 490 defective houses were remedied as a result of action taken by the council. My inspectors have, on several occasions during recent years, visited the district and conferred with the local authority, and I am satisfied that they are giving increasing attention to this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give instructions to all medical officers receiving notifications of cases of sleepy sickness to inquire whether such cases had at any time undergone vaccination and, in those cases where the operation has been performed, to note the date and result of the last vaccination?

I will consider this suggestion in connection with other questions relating to sleepy sickness which are at present engaging my attention.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the total amount of the rates collected in the urban districts, boroughs, and county boroughs of England and Wales, other than London; and what was the total and percentage cost of collection;(2) the total amount of the rates collected in the rural districts of England and Wales during 1924; and what was the total and percentage cost of collection?

I will, with permission, answer this question and Question No. 83 together. It is estimated from particulars furnished by local authorities that the total amount of rates collected in England and Wales excluding London during the year ended 31st March, 1925, was

		£
In county boroughs	…	48,200,000
In other boroughs	…	15,400,000
In urban districts	…	26,900,000
In rural districts	…	23,500,000

The Returns made to my Department do not distinguish the cost of rate collection outside London.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of the rates collected in London during 1924; and what was the total and percentage cost of collection?

The total amount of rates collected in London, exclusive of the City during the year ended 31st March, 1924, was £25,287,176, and the cost of collection was £181,262 or 0·7 per cent. of the amount collected. In the City of London the amount of rates collected was £3,313,778, but particulars as to the cost of collection are not avail- able. It is estimated that during the year ended 31st March, 1925, the rates collected in London including the City, amounted to £27,865,000.

asked the Minister of Health the number of claims made in respect of widows' pensions, to the latest date available; and what steps are contemplated towards giving all publicity among those eligible?

The number of claims made in England and Wales is 108,302, and I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, that the corresponding figure for Scotland is 16,637. I can assure the hon. Member that all available steps are being taken to bring to the notice of persons eligible the desirability of submitting their claims without delay. Application forms have been on issue for little more than two months, and already over 60 per cent. of the expected widows' claims have been received.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider employing a certain number of adult unemployed women who are experienced in Government work to cope with the present extra work in connection with the new pensions scheme?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Wandsworth (Sir H. Jackson) on the 20th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the rental value of War Department buildings at present unoccupied?

The figures for the year 1924–25, corresponding to those on page 101 of the Army Account for 1923–24, are:

		£
Rented buildings	…	8,000
War Department buildings	…	399,000

asked the Secretary of State for War the equipment of foreign origin or manufacture, with their quantities and values, under orders outstanding on 1st November, 1924, and under orders placed subsequently for the War Office; and if he will also state in respect of each such orders the circumstances which necessitated foreign sources of supply?

Effective preference is given to British products in contracts placed by this Department, and only in exceptional cases are orders placed with foreign manufacturers. Such orders are largely for specialities which cannot be obtained in this country, and in many cases are for articles of an experimental or secret character, and it would be undesirable to give particulars of each order. I may, however, say that on the 1st November, 1924, orders for foreign equipment of a total value of £2,860 were outstanding, and that since that date further foreign orders placed, excluding purchases of non-ferrous ingot metals not obtainable in this country, represent approximately one-third of 1 per cent. only of the total purchases of the War Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the policy of the; Department, in regard to giving preference to ex-service clerks in retention of employment, is carrid out abroad; and, if so, why a disabled ex-service clerk has received notice of dismissal from the staff of the Inter-Allied Commission of Control, and why girls of foreign nationality are retained on that staff?

The general policy of the War Office in regard to civilian clerical posts at Army establishments, both at home and abroad, is to afford the fullest possible measure of employment to men who have served with His Majesty's Forces. As regards the second part of the question, I am having inquiries made respecting the case of the clerk referred to, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the discontent amongst the messengers employed at His Majesty's Land Registry; whether he is aware that arbitration on a wages claim for these men has been refused by that Department and His Majesty's Treasury, and that this is contrary to the terms of the arbitration agreement for the Civil Service; what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the arbitration agreement is carried out and that the claim of the messengers is allowed to go to arbitration; and why no reply to letters dealing with this matter has been sent by His Majesty's Treasury to the union officially acting on behalf of these employés?

The refusal to proceed to arbitration on the claim to which the hon. Member refers was based on the ground that the messengers covered by the claim are not a class within the meaning of the Arbitration Agreement, and are not, therefore, entitled to proceed to arbitration separately from, the general class of which they form part. With regard to the last part of the question, it was thought desirable to defer the reply to the further representations made on the subject, in view of the decision of the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council, on which body the Messenger Class is represented, to raise the question of the application of the Arbitration Agreement as a general issue.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many new appointments to posts carrying a salary of £2,000 a year or upwards have been made in the Treasury since November, 1918?

There are now in the Treasury four more officers than there were in November, 1918, drawing salaries of £2,000 a year and upwards. This increase was rendered necessary by a reorganisation carried out in 1919. In that year the arrangement under which there had been three Joint Permanent Secretaries of the Treasury was carefully reconsidered by the Government of the day, and it was decided to place the Treasury under the general control of a single Permanent Secretary who, in addition, would be the Permanent Head of the Civil Service. At the same time the Treasury was organised in three Departments (Supply Services, Establishments and Finance) corresponding to the natural subdivision of its duties, and in charge of each Department was placed a Controller, assisted by a Deputy-Controller, who, under the general directions of the Permanent Secretary, is specifically responsible for the work of his Department. The Controller of each Department was given the status in the Civil Service, and the remuneration of the Permanent Heads of the Chief Public Departments with whom it was necessary for the efficiency of the scheme that they should rank in authority and prestige; and the Deputy-Controllers have the rank and pay of the Deputy Heads of such Departments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the War Regulation retaining men over 60 years of age in the Civil Service is still in force; and, if so, will he furnish a Return showing the number of persons over 60 years of age employed in each Department of the State?

The rule prescribed for the Civil Service by Clause 15 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, is that a civil servant may be called upon to retire at any time after he has reached the age of 60. Subject to retention in special cases, retirement is compulsory at the age of 65. Between those ages the retirement of a civil servant is a, matter for the discretion of the head of his Department, and there is no general Regulation requiring the retention of men over 60. I do not think that the labour and expense of preparing a. return of persons over 60 years of age employed in each Department would be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 300,000 civil servants are receiving less than £2, £3, and £4 a week, respectively, bonus included.

It is estimated that out of the total staff of 300,000 civil servants to which the hon. Member refers about 225,000 are receiving less than £4 a week, including bonus. It would not be possible without more elaborate investigations to subdivide the latter number into the various categories mentioned.

asked the Prime Minister whether the evidence taken before special committees of inquiry appointed by or constituted with the sanction and approval of a Government Department, when not printed on account of expense, is available to the public for reference?

This is a question which would fall within the scope of the Department responsible for the inquiry. There is no general rule on the subject.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether he is aware that in the county of Hereford eight persons, styled crop controllers, are paid a salary of £100 per annum, and that all of these are persons of means; whether there are crop controllers employed in every county; if so, will he state the number; what are the duties of a crop controller; and whether he will consider the suggestion that the work in Hereford could be done more efficiently under the supervision of the county agricultural director with the assistance of a clerk, at a salary of about £200 per annum, thus saving £600 per year in the county of Hereford alone?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the Ministry's crop reporters. There are eight crop reporters employed in the county of Hereford, two of whose districts extend into adjoining counties. The remuneration paid ranges from £40 to £90 per annum, the average being £67 10s. and the total in respect of Hereford £485. They are only part-time officers of the Ministry. There are 320 crop reporters throughout England and Wales, and their duties consist of: (a) the collection annually of the returns of the area under crops and the number of live stock on holdings of more than one acre; (b) the estimation of the production of the principal crops; and (c) the supply to the Ministry of a monthly report on the condition of crops and agricultural conditions generally. In addition, they supply special information as required. It is essential that the persons employed should have an extensive acquaintance with local agricultural conditions, and, having regard to the amount of work involved, the Ministry is satisfied that it could not be performed in the way suggested by the hon. Member either so efficiently or so cheaply. My right hon. Friend regrets, therefore, that he is unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury upon whose instructions 18 ex-service men were discharged from the Royal Mint upon Armistice Day; and, in view of the unemployment already existing, whether these men can be reinstated?

The discharges in question were carried out by the head of the department for the reasons stated in my answer to the hon. Member of the 19th November, from which it will be seen that the reduction of work in hand and in sight makes it impossible to offer these men further employment at the Royal Mint.

asked the Postmaster-General the equipment of foreign origin or manufacture, with their quantities and values, under orders outstanding on 1st November, 1924, and under orders placed subsequently for the Post Office; and if he will state in respect of each of such orders the circumstances which necessitated foreign sources of supply?

The figures for the dates referred to are not directly available and would require a large amount of labour to extract. During the financial year 1924–25 the total value of foreign manufactured articles purchased by the Post Office in connection with contracts amounting to nearly £13,500,000, was about £71,000, or slightly over one-half of 1 per cent. Of this, about £30,000 represents purchases, for experimental purposes, of cable and apparatus not manufactured in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the arrange- ments for carrying His Majesty's mails from Jamaica, and what was the approximate cost of same for the last year; and whether he is prepared to make any arrangements to facilitate the communication between Jamaica and the home country?

I have been asked to reply. Mails are conveyed to this country from Jamaica as opportunity occurs, both by direct steamers and via the United States of America, but there is no regular contract service. In 1924 the cost to the Colony of the conveyance of its outward mails was £4,618, but I am unable to say what proportion of this sum was in respect of mails to this country. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend's answer to his question on the 23rd November.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, and, if so, when, the Government intends to carry out the urgent recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Deer Forests, that the extension of deer forests in Scotland should be forbidden by Statute, except with special sanction from the Secretary for Scotland?

As I informed the hon. Member on Tuesday, I am not at present prepared to make a statement with regard to the prospects of legislation which would be necessary to give effect to the main proposals of the Deer Forests Committee of which the recommendation mentioned in his question is one.

asked the Secretary for Scotland in how many houses the town council of Dundee has installed systems of central heating and a continuous supply of hot water; what has been the capital cost of such installation; and what was the approximate loss, if any, on each house in 1924?

I am informed that central heating and continuous hot-water supply have been installed by Dundee. Town Council in 518 houses; that the capital cost of this installation was £64,502, and that the approximate loss on running expenses in 1924 was £2 per house.

asked the Minister of Labour why he disallowed unemployment benefit to Mr. J. A. Burton, 9, Surtees Street, Darlington, on the grounds that he was residing with a brother who is in receipt of a disability pension of £2 10s. a week, in consequence of having lost both legs in the War?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Sherburn House Colliery workmen, who were refused unemployment benefit, have now agreed to accept the owners' terms, but the colliery is not to be re-opened; and whether he will now consider their claim to be paid unemployment insurance benefit?

I understand that the colliery was to re-open to-day, and that some of the men will start work at once. The eligibility for benefit of the men who do not or cannot start work as soon as the colliery opens is a matter for decision by the usual statutory machinery, and I understand the matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons who have been refused unemployment benefit at the Cradley Heath and Brierley Hill Employment Exchanges respectively since the 1st of October this year to date, and the number of vacancies filled by those Exchanges during the same period?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th November, 1925, cols. 1354–5], supplied the following statement:During the period 13th October to 16th November, 168 applications for extended benefit were refused at Cradley Heath and 65 at Brierley Hill. I am unable to state the number of refusals of applications for standard benefit. During the period 29th September to 16th November 183 vacancies were filled by the Cradley Heath Employment Exchange and 121 by the Brierley Hill Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour what charitable or semi-charitable organisations engaged in the production of articles for sale and employing disabled men are in receipt of deficiency grants; and what is the estimated payment that will be made to each such organisation for the 12 months ending 31st March, 1926?

The following institutions engaged in the production of articles for sale have been approved for assistance in the form of Deficiency 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.
• Bournemouth Sailors' and Soldiers' Workshops.
• Guild of Soldier and Sailor Broderers, London.
• Heron Court (Disabled Men) Leather Goods Co., Ltd., Bournemouth.
• Longton Disabled Sailors and Soldiers Cardboard Box Factory.
• Fabric Photos, Ltd., Ashtead, Surrey.
• Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers, Erskine House, Glasgow.
• Ashtead Potters, Ltd., Ashtead, Surrey.

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 £11,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what ranks of the Royal Army Medical Corps are permitted to make up prescriptions; and what minimum professional qualification is possessed by those who are authorised to make up prescriptions?

All officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps are permitted to make up prescriptions, and such soldiers of that Corps as are qualified as dispensers. The latter must either hold a qualification registered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain or Ireland, or by the Society of Apothecaries of London or Dublin, or they must have undergone the training and passed the examination laid down in the Standing Orders for the Royal Army Medical Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any conclusion has been come to as to the desirability of obtaining supplies of oxygen gas required by the Army from the supplies manufactured at the Navy yards, instead of from contractors?

The question of obtaining oxygen gas for Army establishments from Naval dockyards has been fully considered, but it has been found that this would cost considerably more than buying the gas direct from the trade, on account of the cost of carriage from the dockyard, where the gas is manufactured, to the Army establishments, where it would be stored.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the system of cost accounts of combatant units has already been discontinued; and, if so, whether any information will be given to the House as to the reasons for rejecting the recommendations of the Lawrence Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 30th July to a question put to me by the hon. Member for Central Nottingham (Mr. Bennett).

asked the Secretary of State for Air on how many occasions during the 12 months ending 30th September, 1925, were courts of inquiry held to inquire into aircraft accidents; were the witnesses sworn; were counsel present, with liberty to examine and cross-examine, representing relatives of deceased and others concerned; and, if counsel were not present, was this due to the parties interested not desiring their presence?

As regards the first part of the question, 179 courts of inquiry were held to investigate aircraft accidents in the Royal Air Force during the period named. As regards the remaining parts of the question, such courts of inquiry are neither open courts nor judicial tribunals, and it is extremely rare for witnesses to be sworn or for counsel to be present, but to give a precise answer to the question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend would involve a detailed scrutiny of the proceedings of each of the courts of inquiry above referred to, and in the circumstances I do-not think that the labour entailed would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in the event of the impending evacuation of Cologne, the English Imperial Airways, Limited, will be able to maintain its London-Cologne service as hitherto, in view of the fact that its aircraft does not correspond with the restrictions valid for Germany; and whether he can take any action to secure the continuance of its operations?

The question referred to, with others relating to the evacuation, is under consideration, and I would prefer not to make any statement at present.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that pensioners making application for a precis of their medical history are being refused same; and, if so, will he give instructions for same to be supplied where application for same is made: direct to the Ministry by a pensioner?

It is the practice of the Ministry in every case, where an appeal is lodged to a Pensions Appeal Tribunal, to supply the appellant with a copy of the precis prepared for the Tribunal which contains particulars of his medical history so far as known to the Ministry. I am not aware of any case in which this rule has been departed from.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to introduce legislation next session to carry out the recommendations of the Committee, appointed in 1924, to consider whether any alterations were required in the Bankruptcy Act?

As I informed the hon. Member for North Bradford (Mr. Ramsden) on Tuesday, I hope it will be possible to introduce a Bill next Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Report of the Admiralty respecting the proposal of the Severn tidal-power scheme, which makes it apparent that the scheme is an impracticability, he proposes to continue the inquiry by the special committee now sitting?

I am not aware of any Report of the nature indicated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Reports have been made in connection with the Severn tidal-power scheme; if he is still satisfied that he is justified in continuing the expenses incurred in connection with the inquiry; and what is the total amount spent up to date and the total estimated cost of the inquiry?

Leaving out of account the Report on Tidal Power of the late Water Power Resources Committee, which drew attention to the desirability of investigating the practicability of utilising the Severn tides for power purposes, two Reports have been made by Committees. The first of these dealt with the nature and probable cost of the necessary investigations; the second was concerned merely with the preliminary question whether it would be possible actually to erect a barrage in the Severn. The conclusions reached were such as to justify the continuation of the Inquiry. The cost incurred to date is £2,597. The total cost of the complete Inquiry has been estimated at from £70,000 to £90,000, as my hon. and gallant Friend was informed on 5th August last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered that the fall of the franc recently will adversely affect the position of the iron and steel trade in this country; and what steps does his Department propose to take to protect this industry?

The particular consideration to which my hon. Friend draws attention is being taken into account, with all other relevant factors, in the examination of the position of the iron and steel industry which is being conducted by the Civil Research Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the Soviet report of an excellent harvest in Russia, he can make a statement as to the probable wheat exports into this country and their effect on prices?

I am unable to forecast the amount of wheat that may be exported during the present season from Russia, or the share of it which may reach this country. Any increase of supplies available for world use may be expected to affect prices here

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage and the value of the rubber imported from British possessions into the United States from January to date and for the same period of 1924?

Figures for months later than August this year

Country whence Imported.					Imports of Crude Rubber into the United States.
					January—August, 1924.		January—August, 1925.
					Quantity.	Value.	Quantity.	Value.
					Tons.	Thousand $.	Tons.	Thousand $.
British East Indies	…	…	…	…	136,021	71,184	171,329	146,965
United Kingdom	…	…	…	…	19,003	10,478	26,724	26,374
Canada	…	…	…	…	54	27	111	83

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether there has been any increase in the price of articles of silk since 1st July; and, if so, on what articles?

There are no general market prices for silks, and the variety of silk goods is such that it would not be possible to give a precise reply without considerable investigation. I think it may be said, however, in general terms that there has not been any material upward movement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much money, approximately, has been collected to date in taxes and duties on silk and artificial silk; and how much of this is due, approximately, to be returned as rebate?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Morris) on the 19th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any complaints from any body of lace users since the imposition. of the Lace Duties; and, if so, what?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of collecting the Super-tax in 1913–14, and the estimated cost in 1925–26?

It is not possible to distinguish the cost of assessment and collection of Super-tax from the cost of the duties of the Inland Revenue Department generally, and I regret therefore that I am unable to supply the figures which my hon. Friend desires.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual cost to the Treasury if Income Tax was remitted on all incomes below £300 per year?

No precise data are available, but it is estimated that, if all persons with total incomes below £300. per annum were exempted from Income Tax (incomes over that figure remaining chargeable as at present), the loss of Revenue in a full year would be in the neighbourhood of £3,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has sent officials to France, or is making inquiries there, in c6nnection with the working of the Luxury Tax in that country?

Following my right hon. Friend's expressed intention to study the question of luxury taxation, he is having inquiry made into schemes of taxation of this kind which are in force abroad.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to assisting trade and facilitating currency requirements, he will endeavour to reduce the Stamp Duty on cheques to 1d. at the earliest possible moment?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will consider this matter, as he will have to consider many others, in connection with the next Budget, but my hon. Friend must not understand him as assenting to his view.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of shipping tonnage received from Germany by Great Britain under Article 8 of the Versailles Treaty; the amount received or seized in default of payment of gold marks; the amount of tonnage received from all sources during 1925; and the amount, if any, on the market for sale at the present time?

I have been asked to reply. The total amount of tonnage received by Great Britain in reparation for Germany under Annex VIII of the Treaty of Versailles, was 1,974,628 tons gross, of which 28,495 tons gross were received this year. The whole of this tonnage has been disposed of. No other tonnage has been delivered during the year, and no tonnage has been received or seized in respect of any default in the payment of gold marks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum received up to date by Great Britain from Germany in payment of her debts; and how much is still owing?

The total sum received up to 31st October, 1925, by Great Britain from Germany is about £80,000,000 in respect of cost of occupation, reparation and other obligations due to His Majesty's Government and £24,000,000 in respect of pre-War private debts dealt with through the Clearing Office, or £104,000,000 in all. It is not possible to give a definite answer to the second part of the question. Germany is paying the full amounts for which she is now liable under international agreements, but no reliable estimates can be made of the total payments still to be received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum paid to the United States and the total sum owing to the United States by Great Britain?

The net amount paid, up to the present date, in respect of interest and principal, on the British debt to the United States Government is $718,600,000. Of this total, $142,400,000 represents payment of interest and principal on the Pitman Silver Loan, now entirely paid off, and the balance of $576,200,000 represents payments made to date in respect of interest and principal on the Funded War Debt, the amount of which still outstanding is $4,584,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum owed to Great Britain; and how much has-already been paid by France, Italy, and the other War debtors?

The debt now due to Great Britain, other than debt due by the Dominions, is approximately £2,086½ millions for War debt and £43½ millions for relief and post-War debts. £20 million has been received in respect of principal and interest on relief and post-War debts. No payments of any size have yet been received in respect of War debts. My hon. and gallant Friend will find further details in the reply given on the 23rd July last to the hon. Member for the Central Division of Cardiff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of taxation per head of the population of the United States for the year 1919, and as at present in force; and if he can give the equivalent figures for this country?

The figures are as follow:

United States Federal Taxes:
				Per head of population.
				$
1919	…	…	…	53.80
1925	…	…	…	27.50

United Kingdom:
				£	s.	d.
1919	…	…	…	21	14	5
1925	…	…	…	15	4	0

I would repeat the warning given in reply to the hon. Member for North Bradford (Mr. Ramsden) on the 19th November, to the effect that, owing to the great difference between the financial systems of the various countries, and the wide variations in their national income, comparisons between the burden of taxa-

Class of Ship.					31st March, 1914.	31st October, 1925.
Battleships	…	…	…	…	59	18
Battle Cruisers	…	…	…	…	8	4
Cruisers	…	…	…	…	96	46
Aircraft Carriers	…	…	…	…	—	4
Small Seaplane Carriers	…	…	…	…	—	2
Monitors	…	…	…	…	—	7
Minelayers	…	…	…	…	—	1
Flotilla Leaders	…	…	…	…	10	17
					(Crmsers employed as)
Destroyers	…	…	…	…	187	172
Torpedo-boats	…	…	…	…	75	—
Depot Ships	…	…	…	…	20	12
Repair Ships	…	…	…	…	2	1
Minesweepers	…	…	…	…	4	61
Submarines	…	…	…	…	60	56
Sloops, Gunboats, etc.	…	…	…	…	24	67
					515	468

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in disposing of vessels at Rosyth for commercial and other purposes, the Admiralty can make it a condition of the sale not only that British firms alone shall be allowed to purchase, but also that any alterations or reconditioning of the said vessels shall be carried out in British yards?

I regret that in view of the financial consideration involved I am not prepared to give the undertaking asked for in the first part of the question, in respect of the very few vessels which may not be sold for breaking up. I can, however, assuretion

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of warships on the 30th June, 1914, and on the 31st October, 1925?

Information regarding the number of ships on the effective list of the Royal Navy on the 30th June, 1914, are not readily available, and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will give the number on 31st March, 1914, namely, 545. The corresponding number for 31st October, 1925, is 468.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the cost of the salvage operations on the S.S. "Laurentic," and what was the quantity of bullion recovered from this vessel?

The total cost of the operations was approximately £128,000. The total value of the bullion recovered was £4,958,708 13s. 9d.

asked (1) the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an interpretation of paragraph I? of A.F.O. 2859, which promulgated the rate of pay for new entrants, in which paragraph it is stated that men who are serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines on 4th October, 1925, will continue to be paid under the existing scales until discharged, seeing that this paragraph is made subject to paragraph 2. which states that it must be quite clearly understood that men are not entitled to claim a light to any rate of pay or other emolument under the existing scales in the event of reduced scales being introduced;(2), the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Admiralty has repeatedly stated that there is no intention of interfering with any existing service contracts, and that an Admiralty Fleet Order has since been issued, in which it is stated that it must be clearly understood that men are not entitled to claim a right to any rate of pay or other emolument under existing scales in the event of other seales being introduced; and why such a power has been taken by the Government in contradiction of all promises made?

The meaning is that, notwithstanding the general principle referred to in the Fleet Order promulgating "Reduced Rates of Pay for new entrants," this reduction will not be applied to men serving on the date of the introduction of the new seales.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Netherlands Minister at Peking, in the name of the diplomatic body, has negotiated a settlement of the Shanghai dispute with the Chinese Government; whether this settlement is considered satisfactory; and whether he will publish the terms of the settlement?

Negotiations were opened at Poking in the way indicated in the first part of the question, but they have not yet reached a conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the disadvantages from which tourist traffic and trade between Great Britain and Newfoundland suffers owing to the infrequency of direct steamship sailings between British ports and St. Johns; and if he can hold out any prospects of assistance from the £1,000,000 Empire Development Fund towards subsidising or guaranteeing traffic to transatlantic steamers calling at St. Johns?

I am aware that the direct steamship service between this country and Newfoundland is somewhat infrequent and I am glad to see that the possibility of improvement was amongst the matters discussed in Newfoundland this summer by the delegation of the Empire Parliamentary Association, of which my hon. Friend was a member. As regards the latter part of the question, the present position as regards the recommendation of the Imperial Economic Committee was explained by the Prime Minister on Monday. In view of this, my hon. Friend will appreciate that the time has not yet come to consider possible individual items of expenditure.

asked the Minister of Transport what number of local authorities have adopted the while line road safety device: and whether it is considered advisable to adopt safety rubber road blocks as a permanent white line?

With regard to the first part of the question, the position has not altered since I replied to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member on 17th November. As regards the second part, I am not in a position at the moment to express an opinion on the merits of different marking devices, many of which are undergoing examination.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the danger to the public, especially children, of Vallance Road, White-chapel, particularly where a school, a feeding centre, and a hospital converge; and whether he will take steps to arrange for better regulation of the heavy traffic by the police, especially when the children are going to and from the school and the feeding centre?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the traffic in this street, us elsewhere, has greatly increased in recent years. Arrangements are made to secure that, as far as possible, police officers shall be on duty to supervise dangerous crossings in the vicinity of schools when children are entering or leaving, but owing to the largo number of schools it is not always possible to spare constables for this purpose, having regard to the other duties of the police. In a densely populated neighbourhood where there are. numerous children, and very few places where they can play, except in the streets, it is impossible for the police to prevent accidents occurring and it does not appear that the posting of a constable at the spot indicated would have prevented such accidents as have unfortunately occurred of late.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the reductions in the cost of petrol, oil, tyres, etc., since the existing motor taxi-cab fares were fixed for the Metropolitan area, he will consider the desirability of proposing a downward revision of the fares at an early date, Particularly since such a policy would increase public patronage and thereby benefit the drivers, and also because those ex-service men who purchased cabs on discharge from the services have, by recent regulations in most cases, failed to have such vehicles licensed on account of their running condition, and are therefore no longer interested in the old rates being retained?

The Committee which recently sat upon the question of licensing two-seater taxicabs recommended that a conference of the cab trade should be called with a view to secure an agreed reduction of fares, and my right hon. Friend is considering the question of acting on this recommendation.

asked the Home Secretary the Act or Order in Council which gives his Department power to give permission for licensed vehicles carrying passengers to carry a number in excess of the legal carrying capacity?

The arrangement does not depend upon any provision of an Act of Parliament or Order in Council, but is purely a matter of administration.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a large number of Christmas novelties, including children's toys and dolls, are of a highly inflammable nature; and will he, in the interests of public safety, consider legislation with a view to prohibiting the sale of such dangerous toys?

Yes, Sir: but I am afraid that legislation on the lines suggested is impracticable. The matter was recently considered by the Royal Commission on Fire Prevention, and I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 152 and 153 of their Report.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of aliens admitted into this country for the nine months ending 30th September, 1925, and the number of Jews included in this total?

The number of alien passengers, excluding transmigrants under bond, to whom leave to land was given during the period in question was 316,615. I have no information as to the number who were Jews.

asked the Home Secretary what is the penalty for a breach of Regulation 7 in the case of chemical works; whether any prosecution took place in respect of the two gassing accidents resulting in the loss of life men- tioned on pages 36 and 37 of the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1924; and, if so, what was the result?

The penalties applicable in the case of a breach of this Regulation will be found in Sections 85 and 136 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901. If the breach is committed by the occupier, owner or manager, the penalty is a fine not exceeding £10, or, in the case of a continuing offence, not exceeding £2 for every day during which the offence continues after conviction therefor; and where a breach by the occupier results in the death or injury of any person he is liable to a penalty not exceeding £100. Where the contravention is committed by a workman or other person bound to observe the Regulation, the penalty is a fine not exceeding £2. No prosecution took place in the two cases mentioned, because it was considered that the object of the Regulation could be better attained by taking up the question of the arrangements to be made in pursuance of the Regulation with the representative associations of the employers in the industry. This has now been done, and I am glad to say that as a result of a conference with the Factory Department these associations have now circulated recommendations to all their members emphasising the necessity for a thorough compliance with the requirements in question and indicating the most appropriate measures to be taken for this purpose.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to introduce the Coroners Act Amending Bill; and whether such Bill will extend to the County of London the provisions of the City of London Fire Inquests Act, 1888?

I hope to introduce a Coroners Bill very shortly. The Bill will not contain any provision for an extension of the system of fire inquests by coroners.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the 177,815 experiments on animals reported by the Home Office as having been performed during the year 1924 were actually witnessed by the inspectors appointed for that purpose; where such experiments took place; and under what certificate or certificates those experiments were performed, or if under licence alone?

All the places at which experiments are permitted were visited frequently by the inspectors during the year and the animals under experiment at the time of the visit were inspected, but I cannot give the actual number. It will be understood that the great majority of the experiments are continuing experiments, e.g., the inoculation experiments or the experiments under Certificate B, in which the animal is kept alive after the initial operation under antæthesia has been carried out. If the question is intended to refer to the actual operative procedures witnessed, the answer is:

Experiments witnessed in 1924	327
Performed under licence alone	18
Performed under Certificate A	302
Performed under Certificate B	6
Performed under Certificates B and EE	1