asked the Secretary for Scotland whether contractors have been selected for the erection of the 4,000 houses under the special subsidy of £40 per house; what are the names of the contractors and what special types of house are to be erected under the scheme; whether any formula has been agreed upon which will enable the Board of Health to decide whether the limitation of the employment of 10 per cent. skilled labour has been complied with; and, in case this special condition is found not to have been complied with, how is it proposed to impose the penalty of £40 per house?

Contractors have been selected for the erection of the 4,000 houses under the special subsidy of £40 per house. The names of the selected contractors, with their respective makes of houses, are

• Corolite Construction. Limited.—Poured concrete.
• Cowiesons, Limited.—Timber and Steel.
• James Jones and Sons, Limited. —Timber.
• G. and J. Weir, Limited.—Timber and Steel.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular issued on 23rd ultimo by the Scottish Board of Health containing full information on the other queries in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the names of the types of steel houses and similar types selected by the Scottish Board of Health qualified to obtain the special subsidy, the superficial area of each type of house, the form of construction, and the material being used in each case?

As the particulars desired would involve a lengthy reply, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular issued on 23rd ultimo by the Scottish Board of Health, which contains full particulars.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that omnibus proprietors in Glasgow and district are offering to pay all fines imposed on drivers providing the speed of the omnibus at the time of the summons is not over 25 miles an hour; and, if so, whether he proposes to take legislative action to deal with the matter?

I have no information regarding the alleged practice of omnibus proprietors. If the hon. Member will supply me with any facts in his possession I am, of course, prepared to consider whether any action on my part is practicable or expedient.

asked the Minister of Labour how many shale oil miners are now out of employment in Scotland?

I have been asked to reply. According to my information the number of workers normally employed in or about shale oil mines who are unemployed as a result of the present dispute, is 4,316, 3,315 other workers, normally employed in subsidiary oil or acid works or collieries, which are also closed, are also unemployed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the total amount of grants made to agriculturists for land drainage during the year 1924 and the estimated amount which it is estimated will be spent during 1925; and if he can state the approximate percentage of agriculturists who have been assisted in this manner?

The total amount paid in grants for land improvement and drainage works in Scotland during 1924 was £31,760; the estimated amount which will be spent in 1925 is £31,000; approximately 4 per cent. of the total number of occupiers of agricultural holdings in Scotland have received such grants since the inception in 1921 of this scheme for the relief of unemployment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the capital sum expended and what is the cost of the tanker fleet for carrying oil; and what was the equivalent cost in 1914?

The information asked for is as follows:

	£
Capital sum expended on tanker fleet	10,782,000
Cost per annum	780,000
Corresponding pre-War figures (i.e., 1913–14):
Capital sum expended	248,000
Cost per annum	23,000

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of deaths in the submarine service due to accidents in the year 1924?

Six officers and 37 ratings lost their lives in the submarine service due to accidents in 1924.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether sergeants and other non-commissioned officers of the Corps of Military Accountants serving on a 21 years' engagement and being discharged after 14 years' service will be awarded pension under Article 1021 of the Royal Warrant for the pay, etc., of the Army, 1922?

Yes, Sir, provided that they have at least 10 years' qualifying service for pension, and that their discharge is due to reduction of the peace establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men of the Corps of Military Accountants serving on a 21 years' engagement will be transferred to the Army Pay Corps or other corps to enable them to complete 21 years' service; and, if not, whether those with 14 years' service will be awarded the pension payable to men with 14 years' service dis- charged in consequence of a reduction of the establishment?

A number of men of the Corps of Military Accountants serving on a 21 years' engagement will be transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps and other corps, but it will not be possible to transfer all such men. Those who are discharged on reduction of establishment with 14 years' service will receive pensions provided that they Have rendered at least 10 years' qualifying service.

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers and the cost of the personnel of the Army in 1913–14; and (as estimated) in 1925–26?

I regret that, owing to the different form in which the Estimates of the two years are prepared, it is not possible to give figures which would show a true comparison.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the specific rules and conditions of service necessary to qualify pre-War ex-service men for special campaign pensions after attaining the age of 65 years?

The conditions governing the award of special campaign pensions are contained in Article 1,037, Pay Warrant, 1922.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any action has yet been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee appointed to consider the employment of pharmacists in the Army; and, if not, whether any action is contemplated?

It is not proposed to take any further action on the Report of this Committee, beyond the action which has already been taken in establishing an Army School of Dispensing and the formation of a reserve of pharmacists for war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department has under consideration the reduction of the rates of pension in the case of new entrants in the Army; and, if so, whether an opportunity will be afforded the House to consider the matter before any decision is promulgated?

The Army Council have this question under consideration, in consultation with the other Service Departments. As regards the second part of the question, I am not in a position to give any undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusal of a special campaign pension to ex-Gunner Michael MacCarthy, No. 22,046, of 46, Maryland Park, E.15, who has served 16 years with the Colours and, having attained the age of 65, is now in straitened circumstances?

One of the conditions governing the award of a special campaign pension is that the soldier must have earned a war medal while serving on a Regular Army engagement. Mr. MacCarthy has not earned a war medal, and therefore has no claim to such a pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, to ensure quicker and more sympathetic treatment of hard cases, he will investigate the facts relating to the pension application of Mrs. Silvester, of Short Acre Street, Walsall; whether he is aware that the inquest on her husband showed that his death was due to a bullet in the lungs received in the War, setting up pleurisy and hæmorrhage; that the (husband was actually in receipt of a disability pension for some malady; that the coroner's certificate was submitted to his Department stating the cause of death on 8th October, on which day also the widow's claim in proper order was lodged at the local pension office; that for a month the Department took no notice of the application, and the widow, who has five children, would have been obliged to accept public charity but for the action of the local branch of the United Services Fund; and that, on repeated representations, the sum of 8s. per week only was granted, one month after the man's death; whether this sum represents the maximum assistance which can be given to such a widow, two of whose children are pensionable; why the Department waited until 12th November before asking for the coroner's depositions; whether the verdict of a coroner's jury is officially accepted in such cases as reliable; and whether steps can be taken to shorten the period of suffering in any cases of this nature, which present no complications and which could, under the Regulations, be dealt with on a provisional basis?

I fully appreciate the importance of dealing promptly and sympathetically with all claims to pension, but my horn. Friend will readily understand that eases in which death occurs many years after the man's discharge from service necessarily involve, in the ordinary course, more careful investigation. I have, however, given instructions that in cases of this type special arrangements shall be made to deal with the claim expeditiously.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he considers that any alterations in the present Consular system are necessary; if so, in what direction; whether he is in favour of the retention of trading Consular officers; and whether it is proposed to continue the posts of inspectors of British Consulates in view of the expense entailed?

No radical change in the present Consular system is contemplated. The organisation and administration of the Consular Service are the subject of constant study. I am in favour of the retention of trading Consular officers. Valuable services have been, and are being rendered by many of these officers, often at a sacrifice of their own private interests. It is proposed to continue the system of Consular inspection, which has proved itself conducive alike to economy and efficiency.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated value of pension rights to civil servants, expressed as a percentage addition to wages or salary received?

It is estimated that for existing civil servants as a whole the value of superannuation privileges is about 12½ per cent. of salary (or wages) and bonus. For particular Departments or classes, however, the percentage may vary appreciably from the average figure.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the workhouse casual wards of Oxfordshire, in construction, condition, accommodation and management, are inferior to any prison in England; whether this policy is sanctioned by him; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

Perhaps I may refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on the 24th instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received from Mr. Frank Gray a report upon the casual wards of certain workhouses and the conduct of these; whether he will inform the House of the nature of the Report; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The report contains a series of statements which are now the subject of investigation by my right hon. Friend's officials.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that casual paupers reaching the Bicester workhouse are by the threats of the officials, and by the statement that the casual ward is closed, deterred from seeking shelter; and whether he is aware that by this course the number of casual paupers given relief at the workhouse is far below the number of cases relieved in all the workhouses in the vicinity; and what steps he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend has received a statement to this effect and it is now under investigation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the building used for casual paupers at Thame is infested with body vermin, and that this information was reported to the board of guardians concerned, which took no action in the matter; and what course he proposes to take?

My right hon. Friend understands that the ward for male casuals, which is an old building, is not free from vermin and that the guardians are aware of this fact. Their officers are doing all that they can by fumigation and limewashing to remedy this condition. Further action and the reconstruction of the ward are under the consideration of the guardians, and my right hon. Friend is keeping in close touch with the Board.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that one of his predecessors, in receiving a deputation of persons favouring an efficient system of revaccination, agreed that vaccination in infancy unless repeated at proper intervals was not a certain safeguard; and whether, as deaths from small-pox have decreased proportionately with the diminution in the percentage of primary vaccinations, he will consider the repeal of the vaccination laws altogether?

My right hon. Friend cannot trace any record of the deputation to which the hon. Member refers, but he is in agreement with the statement attributed to one of his predecessors. My right hon. Friend is not aware that any proportion can be traced between the rate of decline of deaths from small-pox and the diminution in the percentage of primary vaccination, and he does not propose to adopt the course suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the total proceeds of the silk duties to the latest convenient date; and whether this amount has been above or below his anticipations?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 19th November to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Morris).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated cost of placing agricultural workers (male), agricultural workers (female), and employers of agricultural labour, respectively, on the same terms as regards pensions contributions as other industries?

—			Pensions Contributions.		Health Insurance Contributions.
			Total weekly contribution.	Recoverable form employé	Total weekly contribution.	Recoverable form employé
			d.	d.	d.	d.
For men employés	…	…	9	4½	9	4½
For women employés	…	…	4½	2	8½	4

Exactly the same contributions will be payable for employés in other industries, but in addition the following contributions in respect of unemployment insurance, which does not extend to agriculture, will be payable:

—	Unemployment Insurance Contributions.
	Total weekly contribution.		Recoverable form employé
	s.	d.	d.
For men employés	1	3	7
For women employés	1	1	6

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate total amount of the coal subvention, the British Empire Exhibition deficit, and any other major items of expenditure, over and above those included in the Budget statement, which will have to be met in the current financial year?

I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the presentation of supplementary estimates in the ordinary course.

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that the agricultural industry will not be on the same terms as regards pensions contributions as other industries. As from 4th January next the contributions payable by employers of agricultural labour will be as follows:—Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the great expenditure of public money and the unsatisfactory results of the slaughter policy to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, he contemplates recommending some change of policy?

The Ministry's policy with regard to foot-and-mouth disease has been reviewed by several Departmental Committees during the last few years. These Committees have reported that, until an effective preventive agent is discovered, there is no satisfactory alternative to the slaughter policy. No change of policy is, therefore, contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of tomatoes and other vegetables are imported from foreign countries and marketed as British produce; and whether he would be willing to introduce legislation which would make it illegal for foreign produce to be sold as British produce?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. Complaints reach the Ministry from time to time of imported agricultural produce being sold as British, and my right hon. Friend is always ready to consider the desirability of instituting proceedings under the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 and 1894, which already enable him to deal with cases where false descriptions are applied. I should add that as announced by the Prime Minister on the 30th ultimo in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall (Mr. A. M. Williams), the Government hope to introduce next year a comprehensive Measure which will, among other things, deal with the marking of imported agricultural produce.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will place in the Library or cause to be circulated to Members of the House the reports of his speeches at the Communist trial?

PRICES OF CERTAIN COAL, AND STEEL at various dates, for comparative purposes.—Pithead prices of certain classes of Industrial Coal—shillings per ton.
Description.	27th November 1924.					25th June 1925.					30th July 1925.					26th November 1925.
Cardiff (for home supplies):	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.
Industrial large best	25	0	to	27	0	25	0	to	27	0	25	0	to	27	6	23	0	to	24	0
Industrial seconds	23	6	to	24	6	22	6	to	24	6	22	6	to	25	0	20	0	to	22	6
Industrial through	19	0	to	23	0	18	6	to	22	0	19	0	to	22	6	18	0	to	21	6
Industrial smalls	14	0	to	17	6	12	6	to	17	0	12	6	to	17	6	9	0	to	15	0
Sheffield:
Yorkshire hards	20	6	to	23	0	17	6	to	21	0	19	6	to	23	0	16	6	to	19	6
Rough slacks	9	6	to	12	0	10	0	to	12	6	10	6	to	13	0	9	6	to	12	6
N. Staffordshire:
Best large steam	22	6	to	23	6	19	0	to	20	0	19	0	to	20	0	17	0	to	17	6
Furnace coal	22	0	to	22	6	18	0	to	19	0	18	0	to	19	0	16	6	to	17	0
Steam nuts	18	6	to	20	6	16	0	to	17	0	17	0	to	18	0	14	0	to	15	0
Beans	18	0	to	20	0	15	0	to	16	0	15	6	to	16	6	13	6	to	14	0
Rough slacks	10	6	to	17	0	9	6	to	14	6	12	0	to	16	0	8	0	to	12	0

PRICES OF CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF STEEL—shillings per ton.
Description.	27th November, 1924.					25th June, 1925.					30th July, 1925.					26th November, 1925.
	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.
Soft billets	150	0	to	165	0	130	0	to	165	0	130	0	to	155	0	120	0	to	150	0
Tin plate and sheet bars	155	3	to	167	6✶	132	6	to	135	0	132	6	to	135	0	125s.
Flat bars, 5 inches and up.	205s.					195s.					195s.					180s.
Joists and angles	185s.					165	0	to	172	6	160	0	to	165	0	140	0	to	l45	0
Rails, heavy	180s.					170s.					170s.					160s.
* Less for tinplate bars a rebate of 7s. 6d.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of mineral royalties and wayleave charges on

No, Sir. I do not feel justified in making a substantial charge against pubic funds for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the price per ton of industrial coal and steel, respectively, at the present time and prior to the payment of the coal subsidy?

The figures are as follow:a ton of steel when hematite ore is used in its manufacture?

I regret that it is impossible to give a definite figure. The manufacture of a ton of steel from hema- tite ore needs 3 to 4 tons of coal, 2 tons of ore, and 8 to 9 cwts. of limestone. I do not know the royalty on limestone; the average royalty on coal is about 6d. a ton, and the normal average royalty on hematite ore is about 2s. 6d. a ton. But I am informed that many hematite royalty owners are now accepting substantially less, and the hon. Member will remember that imported ore is used in more than half of the hematite pig iron made in this country and that scrap iron would be added to the pig in making steel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of workpeople employed in the production of a ton of steel billets and bars, including the winning of the mineral ores. coal, etc.?

It is not possible to give an estimate of the precise nature asked for by the hon. Member; but I may say that it is estimated that the production of 1,000,000 tons of steel billets, on the basis of the best existing practice in this country, gives employment to about 33,000 men in collieries, iron mines and limestone quarries and in iron and steel works; and, in addition, there is a large number engaged in the transport of approximately 6,000,000 tons of materials and in certain subsidiary occupations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to dispense with the Carnarvon Bay Lightship in May next; if so, the reason: whether he is aware that this lightship has been in its present position for the past 40 years; and whether, in view of its great usefulness to mariners, the decision to remove it will be reconsidered?

I am in formed by the Corporation of Trinity House that the Carnarvon Bay Light Vessel was established in the year 1869 mainly for the benefit of sailing vessels for which it acted as a guide to prevent such vessels becoming embayed in Carnarvon Bay. The Elder Brethren state that this consideration no longer applies and that at the present time this light vessel is of little or no use to general navigation. The vessel lies somewhat to the northward of half-way between the South Stack and Bardsey Island Lighthouses, which are only 34 miles apart and each of which possesses a powerful light and a fog-signal, the respective geographical ranges of the two lights being such that taken together they more than cover the distance of 34 miles which separates them. In these circumstances the Elder Brethren consider that it is no longer justifiable for the cost of maintaining this light vessel, amounting to about £3,000 per annum, to be a charge on the General Lighthouse Fund, and they have therefore decided to discontinue it as from about the 18th May, 1926. I am not aware of any sufficient reason for asking the Elder Brethren to reconsider their decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the exact terms of reference to the Food Council on the subject of short weight?

The Food Council have been asked to advise what measures, if any, should be taken for preventing short weight and measure in the retail sale of articles of food and drink other than tea and bread. I understand that the evidence offered to the Food Council was such that they have been obliged to consider this subject in relation to bread also. The range which it is intended the Council should cover in their present consideration is articles of food of general consumption, including milk.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the frequency and duration of the meetings being held by the Food Council, and whether he has received any Reports as to their conclusions?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on 17th November. Copies of the Reports submitted by the Food Council have been placed in the Library.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Food Council will consider the difference between the retail price of fish and the price paid to fishermen?

The Food Council will no doubt consider this in due course. If the hon. and gallant Member has any special information bearing on the subject, I shall be glad to communicate it to the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated additional percentage value of the police and police officers' pensions to the wages and salaries received?

According to a memorandum furnished by the Government Actuary to the Geddes Committee in 1922, the value of the pension rights of a member of a police force was estimated to be equivalent to 19½ per cent of pay in respect of those appointed immediately before the commencement of the Police Pensions Act, 1921. In the case of members appointed after that date the corresponding percentage was stated to be 16½ per cent. In arriving at these figures the deduction of 2½ per cent. then made from pay towards the cost of pension was taken into account: now that the deduction has been raised to 5 per pent. the percentage equivalents are reduced to 17 per cent. and 14 per cent. respectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the existence of the Parliamentary suffrage without qualification as to financial means, he will introduce a Measure throwing open jury service to all classes of the community irrespective of financial means?

I could not propose legislation of the kind suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether he. can give the number of experiments, under vivisection licences, performed upon living animals last year: how many of such experiments were operations involving suffering or death; and how many were simple inoculations or tests causing no prolonged suffering?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Return of Experiments on Living Animals (No. 154), which contains all the information available on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of public telephone boxes installed in the Be-rough of Wednesbury, and the population catered for?

The number of official public call offices installed in the Borough of Wednesbury is three. The subscribers display call office signs and permit members of the public to use their telephones. The population of the borough is approximately 32,000. The question of providing a public telephone call office at the Wood Green post office and at the Oakswell post office is at present under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the advisability of affixing to postal pillar-boxes illuminated direction signs indicating the way to the nearest head post office?

Experiments are already being made in the direction desired by the hon. Member, and a sign may be seen in Cheapside, pointing the way to the King Street Post Office.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the Road Fund during the last five years has been devoted to assisting the upkeep of purely rural roads?

Under the ordinary classification scheme, the following grants have been made to rural district councils in England and Wales in respect of rural roads other than main roads:

		£
1921–22	…	342,123
1922–23	…	425,125
1923–24	…	358,898
1924–25	…	352,582
1925–26 (eight months)	…	321,887

In addition, classification grants are given in respect of rural roads maintained by county councils and other authorities, but I am unable to give figures separately. In 1923 and subsequently, special additional allocations (as indicated below) were made from the Road Fund to local authorities in England and Wales for districts essentially rural in character:—

			£
1923–24	…	…	1,250,000
1924–25	…	…	1,000,000
1925–26	…	…	2,000,000
Total	…	…	4,250,000

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any applications from rural district councils for grants to assist them to abolish gates across public Highways in their area; and, if so, whether he will consider making a grant from the Road Fund for this purpose?

I have received a few such applications, which usually involve an insignificant expenditure on the removal of the gates, but a large outlay on the erection of fences along the highway. Generally speaking, in view of the more urgent demands on the Road Fund I do not consider that this can be classed within the purposes suitable for grants.