asked the Treasurer of the Household whether he has received a statement of claim for a pension from Mr. J. Mooney, case 2/7,089, of 86, High Street, Poplar; whether he is aware that this is the third application made by Mooney to have his case placed before the appeals tribunal; and when the case is likely to be heard by the tribunal, because for the last six months Mooney has had to be kept by the Poplar Board of Guardians in their institution?

Two appeals against decisions of the Ministry of Pensions have reached the pensions appeal tribunals from Mr. J. Mooney. The first appeal for chronic bronchitis came be-bore a tribunal in July, 1923, but was not heard owing to the fact that the notice of hearing sent to Mr. Mooney at the address supplied by him to the Ministry of Pensions was returned through the Dead Letter Office and subsequent endeavours by the pensions appeal tribunals to get into touch with Mr. Mooney were unsuccessful.The second appeal for chronic nephritis came before a tribunal in 1924. At the hearing Mr. Mooney stated that he did not wish to make any claim for nephritis and signed a form withdrawing this appeal. It is understood that a-third appeal has been lodged by Mr. Mooney with the Ministry of Pensions and that the Ministry are now preparing the case for submission to the tribunals.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the anxiety felt by appellants against the decisions of the Ministry, owing to the delays which elapse between the lodging and hearing of appeals: and whether steps can be taken for speeding tip the process?

The average time occupied between the lodging and the hearing of an appeal on entitlement is about nine weeks. Of this period, about one-half is, I understand, dependent on the administrative arrangements of the appeal tribunals. It will be understood that in the interests of appellants, cases are sometimes adjourned for medical examination or other evidence to be obtained. So far as regards the period prior to the despatch of the case to the tribunal, the Ministry invariably consider, in the interests of appellants, any fresh evidence produced on appeal, in order to determine whether the case can be accepted without the necessity of the appeal being heard. Every effort is made to reduce the period occupied, and if I find that the period can be reduced in any direction without prejudice to the interests of appellants I am prepared to do so.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of final awards in respect of which the last date of appeal was 6th February, 1924; how many of the recipients have appealed to the tribunal and had their claims rejected because they were out of date; and what was the number whose applications were refused by the area officers on the ground that they were out of date before the Ministry Regulations permitted cases to go to the appeal tribunal for rejection on the ground that the appeal was out of date?

I regret that the figures asked for in this question are not on record in my Department. I may state, however, that the total number of out-of-date appeals made to the Assessment Appeal Tribunals in respect of all classes of final awards, including statutory awards and final awards made since the passing of the Act of 1921, which have been rejected by the tribunals is 5,231.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis as a result of their War service who have been in receipt of any award from his Department?

I regret that this information is not available, as the earlier records of the Ministry do not distinguish pulmonary tuberculosis from other chest complaints. The number of men in receipt of pension for tuberculosis, pulmonary and other, at the present time is approximately 23,500.

asked the Minister of Health the number of ex-service men who have died during the last 10 years from tuberculosis contracted while on active service?

I have been asked to reply to this question. During the 10 years up to 30th ultimo about 21,000 men pensioned for tuberculosis have, I regret to say, died from that disease.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions are being paid to-day compared with the number a year ago?

The number of cases (i.e., single persons or families) to whom pensions were being issued in September last was approximately 1,020,000 as compared with 1,040,000 a year ago.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the amount standing to the credit of the Voluntary Fund which he has at his disposal?

The balance of the Voluntary Fund not already earmarked for specific distribution is approximately £48,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many Ministry of Pensions hospitals have been closed within the last 12 months; and how many ex-service men requiring treatment are awaiting admission to the existing hospitals at the present time?

Seven hospitals have been closed within the past 12 months. The average number of men awaiting admission to hospital is slightly over 400 at any one time. This compares with an average weekly number of 480 admissions to and 470 discharges from the hospitals. There is an average floating balance of 460 beds always available.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of complaints regarding the treatment of neurasthenic ex-service men at Orpington and at other hospitals, he will definitely state that no economy has been, is being, or will be, practised at the expense of these ex-service men?

I can unhesitatingly give my hon. and gallant Friend the most complete assurance to this effect.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many institutions there are under the control of the Ministry for the treatment of pensioners and where they are situated; and what is the charge made against pensioners' allowances at the institutions under his control for the treatment of the mentally afflicted?

There are 23 institutions under the entire control of the Ministry and three where that control is partial only. With the hon. Member's permission, I will give the names of these institutions and the addressee in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the latter part of the question, the charge, if any, made against a pension or allowance during treatment either in a public institution or one controlled by the Ministry is determined by the provisions of Article 6 of the Royal Warrant and of the Lunacy Acts. In those cases where any charge is made, the maximum is 37s. 6d. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of final awards made in the six months ending 1st November, 1925; and what number were, final weekly allowances and how many were life pensions?

The total number of final awards made during the period referred to was 16,022. Of this number 10,330 were awards of life pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions were increased and how many pensions were reissued under the Regulations governing erroneous awards in the 10 months ending 1st November, 1925; and how many applications for the increase or re-issue of pensions under these Regulations were refused in the same period?

During the period referred to grants were made under the procedure referred to in 273 cases where a secondary disability had developed in consequence of the original disability, and in 743 cases of other types. With regard to the last part of the question, the procedure referred to does not involve application on the part of the beneficiary, the existence of error being determined independently of any application as the result of medical treatment and observation by the Ministry. I have no record of the number of applications that may have been made.

asked the Minister of Pensions in how many cases have the pensions of widows been forfeited since 1st January, 1925, to the last convenient date; and what is the number of cases where the pension of a widow has been restored?

Between the date referred to and the middle of November last, in 515 cases the pension was declared by the Special Grants Committee to be forfeited and in 171 cases the pension which had been either forfeited or suspended was restored.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total number of cases in which the Special Grants Committee has refused to authorise the issue of educational grants to the children of men dead as the result of war service on the ground that had the father lived he would not have provided the education desired; and whether he has any figures available showing the number of these children whose claims were rejected who afterwards received educational grants from the United Services Fund and/or the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust?

The precise information asked for in the first part of the question is, I understand, not available, but I am informed that during the past 12 months in some 2,500 cases of applications for grants in respect of the children of ex-service men living or deceased, the Special Grants Committee were unable to entertain the application because it was not shown that the children were prevented by the death or disablement of their fathers from receiving the education which was to be provided. The figures asked for in the latter part of the question are not on record.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has under consideration the closing of the North-Western region and the transfer of all the case papers to the Ministry of Pensions office at Acton, Middlesex; and, if so, whether, seeing that this centralisation of case papers must involve delay and inconvenience to the pensioners, he will consider as an alternative the desirability of transferring the case papers to the area offices?

The closing of the North-Western region is not under consideration, as the hon. Member suggests. It was in fact completed in the middle of September last, and I am pleased to be able to inform the hon. Member that the new arrangement has achieved a considerable economy and is working quite satisfactorily, with no delay or inconvenience to pensioners. The process of extreme decentralisation of awards files suggested in the last part of the question would, in my opinion, cause additional expense of administration and danger of confusion and delay.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of pensioners in receipt of treatment with allowances on 1st November, 1923, 1st November, 1924, and 1st November, 1925, respectively; and what was the number of men in receipt of treatment and training on the same dates and the number of pensioners who were on home treatment without allowances?

The number of pensioners in receipt of medical treatment with allowances was:33,019 on the 1st November, 1923;30,519 on the 1st November, 1924; and26,148 on the 1st November of the present year.The number of men in receipt of treatment and training on the same dates was:3,064 in 1923 and 1,313 in 1924.Owing to the diminished need for further vocational training and the consequent closure of the centres during 1924 and the present year, only 12 men who are completing a course of instruction still remain in the centres. I regret that I have no information as to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, under the Regulations of the Ministry, a man applying for treatment at an area or sub-office cannot be examined without the authority of a D.C.M.S., and that in consequence many men are without treatment or allowances for seven days or more after their application for treatment; and whether, in his efforts to introduce further economies in administration, he will take steps to ensure that any pensioner needing treatment for a disability due to war service shall receive a medical examination on the day he reports at the area office or his application is received in writing?

These applications are ordinarily referred to the Deputy-Commissioner of Medical Services who is in charge of the medical arrangements in the area, in order that he may himself examine the applicant, or may refer him to the most suitable medical officer for the type of disability involved. While, however, this is the general rule, the instructions of the Ministry provide that in any case of urgency the, man may be sent to the nearest clinic or medical officer for immediate examination, without prior examination by the Deputy-Commissioner of Medical Services.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is proposed to move the medical officer, recently summoned by a patient for assault, from the Ministry of Pensions hospital at Orpington; and whether, in view of the general complaints as to the conditions prevailing at the hospital extending over the past two years, he will consider the desirability of making a complete change in the staff at this hospital?

I am satisfied that there is no ground whatever for removing the medical officer referred to. In answer to the last part of the question, I may say that practically the entire medical staff was changed on medical grounds when this institution was adapted for the accommodation of the class of patient which is now sent there.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusals by the awards branch of a need pension to Mr. A. Strait, of 51, Louise Road, E.15, notwithstanding the fact that he lost both his sons, Private Horace Strait, No. 3,399, Royal Army Service Corps, and Sergeant Percy Strait, Essex Regiment?

Pensions to parents under the terms of the Royal Warrants can only be granted if the claimants are incapable of self-support by reason of age or infirmity. In the case referred to the applicant did not claim to be incapable of self-support on these grounds. He is, moreover, in receipt of unemployment benefit, which is only payable to persons capable of and available for work. In these circumstances no award of pension is permissible under the provisions of the Royal Warrant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that dependants of those who died on active service are refused consideration for need pensions if they are in receipt of unemployed benefit; and whether he will give his consideration for the alteration of such restriction?

The qualification laid down by the Pension Warrants for this class of pension is that the applicant is incapable of self-support owing to age or infirmity. For unemployment benefit, on the other hand, it is a condition that the applicant must be capable of and available for employment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of pension which is to be paid to the widows of the officers and men who were lost in the Ml, indicating in each instance whether the widow has any, and, if so, how many, children?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend the particulars desired.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that, by Section XI of the Standing Orders of the Royal Army Medical Corps, any warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, or private may have charge of dangerous drugs and poisons, he will consider the revision of these Regulations so as to ensure that dangerous drugs and poisons are always in the direct custody of either a medical officer or pharmacist?

Only soldiers who are qualified dispensers may have charge of dangerous drugs and poisons. The hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that Section 11 of the Royal Army Medical Corps Standing Orders contains any authority to the contrary.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds it is made compulsory for recruits on enlistment to be vaccinated on one arm and inoculated on the other at the same time and for a second inoculation to be performed within 10 days?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Soldiers are not inoculated until they are about to proceed on foreign service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of pharmacists who have specially enlisted as such during the years 1922, 1923, and 1924; and what rank is accorded to pharmacists on enlistment?

No pharmacists were enlisted in the Regular Army during the years in question, but five were enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (Supplementary Reserve) during 1924. All pharmacists are enlisted in the rank of private.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the low pensions payable to long service pensioners in his Department, the Air Ministry would be prepared to consider a scheme based on the principles which govern the marriage allowance whereby an additional sum could be granted in respect of each child of the pensioner?

I am afraid that the suggestion contained in the hon. Member's question would not be found practicable nor indeed desirable. The circumstances of the issue of marriage allowance and of service pensions are fundamentally dissimilar.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what air-station properties previously in ownership or part ownership of the State and disposed of after the War have been, or according to present proposals are to be, reoccupied by the Air Ministry; and if he will ascertain and state the total sum realised from their disposal and the total estimated cost of reacquisition?

As regards the first part of the question, none of the air-station properties which have been or, according to present proposals, are to be reoccupied by the Air Ministry, were previously owned in whole or in part by the State and disposed of after the War. The following stations which were occupied during the War under compulsory powers and released are being reoccupied:—Bicester, Boscombe Down, Filton, Castle Bromwich, Hendon, Hucknall, Suttons Farm, Upper Heyford, Waddington, Wittering. Three other stations, North Weald Bassett, Turn-house, and West Drayton, which had also been occupied, were partly purchased by the Liquidation Department, from whom the Air Ministry has since repurchased the portions retained. As regards the second part of the question, buildings which existed at the stations referred to were sold by the Liquidation Department, in many cases for removal and to a number of separate purchasers, and in other cases were disposed of to the owners of the land in part settlement of their claims for reinstatement; and to ascertain the total sum realised would involve the investigation of a large number of records and accounts extending over a considerable period. I cannot see that any public purpose would be served by an investigation involving so much labour and resulting in a figure which is in no way comparable with the cost of reacquisition. The total estimated cost of acquisition of the lands and reacquisition of buildings, where existent, is £243,000. This total includes nothing for the purchase of Hendon, which has formed the subject of complicated negotiations involving war debts; these negotiations are not yet complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Air under what British patents property in the design of the Irving type parachute was vested in the American manufacturer at the time the Royal Air Force order was placed in America; the period over which deliveries of parachutes on order are permissible under the existing contracts; and whether power Is held by the Air Ministry to terminate the contracts without compensatory payment in the event of an improved type of parachute being discovered and developed during the course of this period?

As regards the first part of the question, I am not aware of any British patent covering the design

Contributions					Benefit
Financial Year.	Employers (including contributions from Service Departments in respect or men discharged from the Forces).	Employed Persons.	Exchequer.	Total,
	£	£	£	£	£
1921–22	15,068,000	12,261,000	8,123,000	35,452,000	67,426,000
1922–23	17,933,000	15,608,000	12,001,000	45,542,000	43,500,000
1923–24	19,009,000	16,828,000	12,811,000	48,648,000	36,498,000
1924–25	19,517,000	17,318,000	13,145,000	49,980,000	40,962,000
April-September, 1925 (Estimated).	9,886,000	8,793,000	6,675,000	25,354,000	22,765,000
The Division of contributions between Employers and Workpeople is approximate only.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of deaths in the Royal Air Force due to machines crashing during the year 1924?

The number of deaths of Royal Air Force personnel in air accidents during 1924 was 70.

asked the Minister of Labour what amounts have been paid respectively by the workpeople, employers, and the State for the purpose of the National Unemployment Insurance Fund for each of the past four financial years and for the first six months of the current financial year; and what amounts have been paid in unemployment benefit during each of the periods mentioned above?

The figures for the four financial years ended 31st March, 1924, and estimated figures for the six months ended 30th September, 1925, are as follow: —

asked the Minister of Labour what was the overdraft on the Treasury in connection with the Unemployment Insurance Fund during the past four weeks?

The amount of advances outstanding at the end of each of the four weeks ended 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th November, 1925, was respectively £7,875,000, £7,855,000; £7,755,000, and £7,755,000.

asked the Minister of Labour why Miss E. E. White, on application to the Stratford Employment Exchange, was informed by the committee that the committee considered that she had failed to prove that she was normally employed in insurable employment, and would normally seek to obtain her livelihood by means of insurable employment; will he inform the House how many years this woman has paid into the unemployment fund, and on how many occasions she has received payment; and what evidence was placed before the committee by the Exchange officials which enabled them to arrive at the above conclusion?

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

BRUSH AND BROOM TRADE.
Great Britain.
Month.			1923.				1924.
			Estimated number insured.		Numbers recorded as unemployed.	Percentage unemployed.	Estimated number insured.		Numbers recorded as unemployed.	Percentage unemployed.
			M.	F.			M.	F.
January	…	…							978	11·0
February	…	…							952	10·7
March	…	…							741	8·3
Aprir	…	…							909	10·2
May	…	…							708	7·9
June	…	…			926	10·4			776	8·7
July	…	…	4,880	4,050	999	11·2	5,370	4,350	1,046	10·8
August	…	…			1,004	11·2			1,242	12·8
September	…	…			1,088	12·2			1,275	13·1
October	…	…			1,056	11·8			1,116	11·5
November	…	…			1,028	12·3			959	9·9
December	…	…			1,095	12·3			1,127	11·6

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons, male and femals, employed in 1913, 1923 and 1924 in the manufacture of aluminium hollow-ware, enamelled hollow-ware, cutlery, wrapping and packing paper, brooms and brushes, respectively; the unemployment for the same years in each of these trades; and the wage rates in operation for the same years?

The figures relating to the numbers insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts are estimated for certain industrial groups, and the statistics of unemployment also relate to these groups. Of the trades mentioned by the hon. Member, only one—the brush and broom trade—forms a separate industrial group, and the figures asked for, as regards persons employed and unemployed, can consequently be given only for that trade. The following table shows the estimated numbers of insured persons classified as belonging to the brush and broom trade at July, 1923, and July, 1924, and the numbers and percentages of such persons recorded as unemployed each month from June, 1923, the earliest date for which figures are available. (This industry was not within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts in 1913):—

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution passed by the National Union of Manufacturers calling upon him to safeguard industries exposed to unfair foreign competition; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes taking to amend the rules laid down in the White Paper, dated 3rd February, 1925, so as to include in safeguarding any necessitous industry, which is of comparative substantial importance and which agrees to employ an additional percentage of labour in consideration of the protection granted?

I have received a copy of a Resolution on this subject. The Government are not proposing to modify the terms of the White Paper, which appear to them, so far as experience has shown up to the present, adequately to give effect to the policy laid before the country at the General Election.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fines have been imposed for smuggling goods made from silk or artificial silk since the imposition of the new duties; and what is the total amount of the fines imposed up to the end of October?

Forty-live fines, amounting to £678, were imposed in respect of attempted evasion of the Customs duties on silk and artificial silk during the period from 1st July until the end of September. Figures for October are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the taxation per head of the population for Great Britain, the United States of America, France, Germany, and Japan, respectively?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement based on the Estimates for the current year. I should warn him, however, that owing to differences in economic circum- stances and in political and financial systems, the figures cannot be regarded as comparable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number and value of imports of commercial motor vehicles in the years 1923, 1924, and 1925, distinguishing between complete vehicles and chassis for commercial vehicles?

The numbers and values of imported commercial motor vehicles during the years in question were:

		Value.
	Vehicles.	£
1923	771	141,419
1924	1,319	174,556
1925 (ten months)	559	97,462

The comparative figures with regard to chassis for commercial vehicles are not available, as no special account was kept of exempt chassis during the period from 2nd August, 1924, to 30th June, 1925, when the motor car duties were not operative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the value of imports for 1923 and 1924 and the first 10 months of 1925 of parts of motor cars, distinguishing between parts for use in private motor cars and parts for use in commercial vehicles: whether he is satisfied that private car parts and commercial vehicle parts can be accurately distinguished on landing; and whether he is aware that a large amount of parts classified on importation as intended for use in private cars are, in fact, used for commercial vehicles?

The value of the imports of all motor car parts during

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state as from what date he proposes to collect any new import duties which may be imposed and under what statutory authority?

Any new import duties that may be imposed will be collected from the date authorised by Parliament in the relative legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour if ho is aware of the serious losses caused to authors, publishers, booksellers and others by the continued labour trouble in the publishing trade; and what prospect there is of a resumption of trade?

I understand that negotiations are in progress between the parties concerned with a view to finding a basis of settlement of the dispute.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if Major W. S. Gosling, to whom £7,560 has been paid in respect of the uncommuted portion of the pension originally granted to the first Duke of Schomberg, is a direct descendant of that duke; when was such pension first granted to the Duke of Schomberg; and for what reasons?

The answer to the first part of the question is, so far as I am aware, in the negative. If the hon. Member will refer to the Report of the Select Committee on Perpetual Pensions (House of Commons Paper 248 of 1887, pages 44 and 107), he will find a statement showing the persons who have held parts of this pension and full replies to his second and third inquiries. The whole of the pension has now been commuted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to whose benefit the £42,000 paid over to the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice in commutation of the annual pension of £2,000 to Lord Rodney since 1782 has been placed: and whether such person or persons are direct descendants of the Lord Rodney to whom the pension was first granted?

At the time of commutation the pension was being paid to Lord Rodney and (under jointure) to his mother Corisande, Lady Rodney. The commutation money was paid into Court and the responsibility of the Treasury then ended. I understand that the Court gave directions for its investment and for the payment of the income to the persons named.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by Judge Hugh Sturges, in the Chesham County Court, in regard to Court fees: and will he, in view of the difficulty experienced by many poor people in finding such fees, consider a reduction in the amount of fees now chargeable?

I have seen a newspaper report of the remarks to which, I believe, the hon. Member refers. The case before the Judge presented features of peculiar complexity and is not an illustration of the incidence of fees in an ordinary case. As the scale of fees was revised, and in small cases reduced, only a year ago, after exhaustive inquiry by a Committee on which the County Court Judges were represented, it is not proposed to make any further revision at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the Royal Ordnance factories, Woolwich, there are approximately 30 established clerical employés who have not been assimilated to new posts under the clerical reorganisation scheme, although approximately 25 of the graded posts allocated to this establishment have not been filled; and will he take the necessary action to secure that these established men are assimilated forthwith up to the limit of existing vacancies?

There are 21 and not 30 established clerks at the Ordnance factories who have not been assimilated to the new clerical gradings. The majority of these are not considered suitable at present for such assimilation. With regard to the second part of the question, the number of pensionable posts allocated to the Ordnance factories was a maximum, the actual numbers to be filled immediately being subject to the review which was in progress at the time. The maximum number of posts is not required at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in connection with the introduction of a clerical regrading scheme in the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich, approximately 10 per cent. of the established clerical employés have not been assimilated to the new grades on the grounds of alleged unfitness to perform the duties; that, in all other cases of clerical reorganisation in the Government service, the percentage of rejects has not exceeded 1 per cent.; whether he will order a full inquiry into the cause of this high percentage of rejects in the case of the Ordnance factories; and whether he will state, in view of the lengthy service of all the men concerned, the principles which have been applied in the assessing of the men's individual fitness?

Approximately 10 per cent. of the established clerical employés have not been selected for absorption into the new pensionable gradings at the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich. The principle in assessing a man's fitness for absorption into the new pensionable gradings is that he must be competent to perform the highest duties of the grade. The men who have not been absorbed, with the possible exception of a few cases still under consideration, do not comply with this test at present, but they are not necessarily excluded permanently; their capabilities will be periodically reviewed. In these circumstances I am unable to agree that the general principle should be departed from, or that the matter calls for special inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the employment of shorthand typists in his Department, he gives preference to efficient ex-employés who have been discharged owing to reduction of staff; and, if not, whether he will alter the system of employing new and untried shorthand typists in the interests of old employés

—		Principal Clerks and above.		Other Grades.				Total Staff.
				Men.		Women.
		Perm.	Tempy.	Perm.	Tempy.	Perm.	Tempy.
1st November, 1921	…	35	14	299	12,279	252	12,821	24,900
1st November 1922	…	66	13	779	13,179	711	9,304	24,052
1st November 1923	…	74	10	890	12,226	722	6,938	20,860
1st November 1924	…	74	4	877	10,373	705	5,159	17,192
1st November 1925	…	71	2	864	7,451	924	3,579	12,893

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, although writing assistants in his Department are employed on some of the best duties allocated to writing assistants in the Civil Service, the percentage of promotion to the clerical class of members of this grade in his Department compares very unfavourably with the percentage of promotions elsewhere; and whether, as a number of clerical vacancies exist at the moment, he will consider the claims of writing assistants to pro-

No members of the shorthand and typing staff of my Department have been discharged, in recent years, owing to reduction of staff. In filling vacancies from time to time among the temporary staff ex-employés of the Department are given preference subject to efficiency and to their eligibility to sit for the Sivil Service examination for appointment to the permanent establishment.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the number of officials of the rank of principal clerk and over in the Ministry of Pensions on 1st November, 1921, 1st November, 1923, 1st November, 1924, and 1st November, 1925; how many of these were permanent staff and how many on a temporary engagement; what was the number of employés in the Ministry of other grades on the same dates; how many were women; and how many of each sex held permanent appointments?

The following is the answer:motion in connection with these vacancies at an early date?

The proportion of promotions in the Ministry of writing assistants to the clerical class is approximately 10 per cent., and my right hon. Friend is not aware that this compares unfavourably with the percentage in other Departments. If the clerical vacancies, to which my hon. Friend refers in the latter part of the question, are the clerical posts that are filled by temporary ex-service men, the adoption of the proposal suggested would entail the discharge of ex-service men, and this my right hon. Friend is not prepared to consider at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable discontent exists amongst the writing assistants employed in his Department owing to the undergrading of certain of the work now allocated to this class; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to the claims of the staff for the proper grading of such duties?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that considerable discontent exists, but any claims made by the staff of the Department, either in this or any other connection, through the channels of the Departmental Whitley Council will certainly receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst the staff with the attitude of his establishment branch towards the Whitley system and the associations representing the staff; and whether he will endeavour to secure the full application of the Whitley spirit within his Department?

The Minister is not aware of any such dissatisfaction as is suggested in my hon. Friend's question. On the contrary, the relations between the official and the staff sides on the Departmental Whitley Council have always been exceptionally harmonious, and both sides have endeavoured with considerable success to apply the Whitley spirit to the affairs of the Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service, not long after it was appointed, laid down the principle that members of the typing grades, equally with writing assistants, should be eligible for promotion to the clerical class as vacancies arose; whether he is aware that in many Departments no promotions to the clerical class from the typing grades have been made during the last year or two, in spite of the existence of such vacancies; and whether he will make it clear to Departments that the National Whitley Council recommendations on this subject should be applied forthwith?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In accordance with that principle nearly 100 promotions of shorthand typists and typists have been made to the clerical class since 1st January, 1920. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, the actual promotions in the different Departments depend upon the qualifications of the members of the grades in question in those Departments and the requirements of the service. I have no reason to think that the Departments are unaware of the recommendations referred to and I do not consider that any further instructions on the subject are required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury propose to adopt the recommendations in the Report of the Subsistence Committee of the National Whitley Council, including payment to civil servants transferred from one place to another of the expenses of hotel accommodation for themselves and families, of the cost of finding new homes, of the removal or storage of furniture, and of new tenancy agreements, together with grants of money for legal and miscellaneous expenses arising out of transfer?

The recommendations in question, which have been put into operation, apply only to civil servants transferred in the interests of the Service, and provide for repayment of consequential necessary expenditure, within appropriate limits, in accordance with principles which have long been generally recognised throughout the public Service, but have in the past been differently applied in different Departments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of paragraph 20 of the third South-borough Report, recommending that of the total marks to be obtained by ex-service candidates at the examination held for appointment to the general and departmental clerical classes, 25 per cent. shall be allotted to a Departmental Report as to the candidate's efficiency and capacity, he will state whether it will be possible for a temporary graded clerk, if his efficiency and conduct merit it, to obtain the maximum departmental marks, i.e., 250, irrespective of the Department in which he may be working?

I am not aware of anything which will prevent a candidate obtaining full marks on his Departmental Report if his efficiency and conduct merit it, irrespective of the Department in which he is working, just as he may obtain full marks in the other subjects of the examination if his performance is of sufficiently high standard.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the establishment branch of his Department puts obstacles in the way of the functioning of Whitleyism in the Public Trustee Office, London; how many times the Departmental Whitley Council, London, in his Department has met during the last 18 months; what sub-committees exist; on how many occasions the latter have met during the same period; and upon what grounds promotion has been refused to shorthand typists in his Department during the last few years?

There is no foundation for the suggestion in the first part of the question. The Treasury Departmental Whitley Council has met five times during the past 18 months. There is a committee appointed by the Council which is dealing with the further education of Treasury civil servants; this committee has met three times during the past 18 months. I know of no case in which promotion has been refused to a Treasury shorthand typist in the past few years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there has been an increase in the number of Customs and Excise officers since the introduction of the Finance Act of this year, and, if so, to what extent; whether there have been transfers from other departments to the Treasury; and to what extent has overtime had to be worked?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 23rd July and the 24th November last. On the assumption that the hon. Member is referring to transfers to the Customs and Excise Department, the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, it is not possible to frame any reliable estimate of the amount of overtime due to the new duties imposed by the last Finance Act, as the work arising there from is performed mainly by officers engaged on the general work of the Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state how much of the £222,000,000 attributed in the Financial Statement of 1925-26 to the Civil Services represents the cost of the salaries and pensions of the Civil Service staff administering such services; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving this information in future returns of expenditure?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) on the 1st December. In addition to the £17,250,000 which was then stated to be the total provision in the Estimates of the Civil Services for the salaries and wages of the non-industrial staffs of the Civil Service, provision to the amount of £1,408,623 (of which £144,595 is recoverable from the Irish Governments) is made for pensions, additional allowances, and gratuities on death and retirement. This latter figure includes, however, pensions etc. for industrial staff. Separate figures of the pensions etc. for the administrative Civil Service staff are not available, and could not be obtained without considerable labour. I will bear in mind the suggestion in the last part of the question, if a suitable opportunity offers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when it is proposed to proceed with the further stages of the Sheriff Courts and Legal Officers (Scotland) Bill?

Unless I have an assurance that the proceedings on this Bill will be substantially non-controversial I fear that the exigencies of Parliamentary time will necessitate the dropping of the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of the issues which will be involved if the Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations, which were issued on 4th August, 1925, are put into operation, he will give time to a discussion of them in this House at an early date?

I regret that owing to the pressure of business it is impossible to allow time for such discussion this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of persons who have been assisted to emigrate under all emigration schemes during the 12 months ending 1st November, 1925: and the total cost to this country, excluding the cost of visitations subsequent to emigration?

The number of assisted migrants who sailed during the period in question is 45,142. The expenditure incurred during that period on assisted passages and training, but excluding aftercare, is £401,088.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has formulated any plans to ensure in future closer co-operation with the Dominions in foreign affairs?

I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to reply to this question. The matter is one which is constantly engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government, both as regards the principles involved and the machinery best adapted to give effect to those principles.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the London coal merchants have increased their prices for household coal from 1s. to 2s. per ton according to the classes of coal sold; and if he can inform the House whether these increases are the result of increased prices paid by the coal merchants to colliery companies?

I have seen in the newspapers the announcement issued by the Coal Distributors' Information Department about the retail prices of household coal in Central London. I have no reason to question the statement contained in it that merchants have been receiving from colliery companies notices of increases in pithead prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what Statute he is permitting ships to sail without the proper wireless staff?

The Act requiring ships to be provided with wireless apparatus and operators is the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. The attitude of the Board of Trade was described in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy) on 30th November.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the cost per head of ratepayers of the upkeep of roads, showing each borough and county, separately, in England and Scotland?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that the precise figures desired are not available, but my hon. and gallant Friend will find in Part II of the Local Taxation Returns particulars showing for the London County Council, for each metropolitan borough council, and for each county borough council in England and Wales the gross expenditure on highways and the amount falling to be defrayed out of rates, and also the estimated population of each area. Part III of the Returns contains similar particulars for each county council outside London and gives totals for all non-county borough councils, all urban district councils (other than town councils) and all rural district councils taken as classes. As regards Scotland the question is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Government contemplate any alteration in the minimum school age?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the note on page 4 of Circular 1371, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amounts granted to local education authorities for the years 1918–19, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, and 1925–26, respectively, and the proportion of these grants used for elementary school and secondary schools, respectively?

The amounts are as follow:

—	Elementary Education.	Higher Education.	Total.
	£	£	£
1919–20	26,089,000	12,894,000	28,983,000
1920–21	32,352,000	4,561,000	36,913,000
1921–22	33,370,000	5,401,000	38,771,000
1922–23	32,568,000	4,878,000	37,446,000
1923–24	31,831,000	4,537,000	36,368,000
1924–25	31,865,000	4,860,000	36,725,000
1925–26	32,124,000	4,740,000	36,864,000

The figures here given are those of the grants payable for the years named so far as yet ascertained. For 1924–25 the figures will be subject to adjustment when the audited accounts are received; and the amounts of grants for some of the previous years have not yet been finally adjusted.Comparable figures for 1918–19 are not available, as the grants were then payable on a different basis.For 1925–26 the figures are those which formed the basis of the Board's Estimates; see pages 13 and 15 of the Board's Estimates Memorandum (Cmd. 2386).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps have been taken to give effect to the Resolution of the House of 8th April, 1925, declaring that local education authorities should be called upon to prepare schemes for increasing facilities for secondary education; and whether any such schemes have been submitted, and what is the estimated cost of carrying them into effect?

This is a matter which falls to be dealt with through the medium of the programmes which I have asked local authorities to submit to me, and I am not yet in a position to give any detailed particulars.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that casual paupers in Oxfordshire are committing crimes and surrendering to the police, if not arrested, with a view of securing the better treatment, comfort, food, and accommodation of gaol and denied in the casual wards; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

I am not aware that the suggestion made in the question is well founded.

asked the Minister of Health the number of people who were receiving poor relief in England and Wales at the end of June, August and October, 1925?

Excluding lunatics in county and county borough asylums, casuals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only, the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales on the last Saturday in June was 1,105,970, on the last Saturday in August, 1,200,599, and on the last Saturday in October approximately 1,270,186.

—		1923. (Deaths registered in the four weeks 4th November to 1st December inclusive.)	1924. (Deaths registered in the four weeks 2nd to 29th November, inclusive.)	1925. (Deaths registered in the four 28th November, inclusive.)
Tuberculosis of Respiratory System	…	373	331	344
Bronchitis	…	402	306	320
Broncho-pneumonia	…	172	225	321
Lobar-pneumonia	…	120	82	94
Pneumonia (type not distinguished)	…	78	58	53
Other diseases of Respiratory System	…	62	62	58
Total	…	1,207	1,064	1,190
The above figures are provisional, no final adjustments being made except for the quarter as a whole.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of committees of inquiry convened, since these committees had power to award costs, for the purpose of inquiring into a practitioner's fitness to remain on the panel; the number of cases in which the practitioner was unsuccessful in rebutting the suggestion that he was unfit to remain on the panel; and the amount of costs awarded to the practitioner in each case?

Since the Inquiry Committee referred to have had power to award costs, 34 inquiries have been held. In 12 cases the inquiry resulted in the practitioner being removed from the medical list, and in one case he was permitted to resign in lieu of removal. In five of these 13 cases no order was made as to costs. In 15 of the remaining cases the facts disclosed were held to justify requiring the practitioner to pay the costs of the imposition of other penalties. In three cases no order was made, and in three cases costs were

asked the Minister of Health if he can give the number of deaths in the Metropolitan area from pulmonary diseases in the month of November last and in the months of November, 1923 and 1924, respectively?

The following table contains the best information available, in reply to the question:awarded to the practitioners, the amounts being £35 3s. 4d., £59 4s. 2d. and £4 4s. respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as the clerk to the Brighton Insurance Committee was recently summarily dismissed, he will say whether any deficiencies were discovered in the moneys belonging to practitioners or in any other moneys in the hands of the Committee: and why the. clerk in question was not brought to trial?

In the latter part of 1923, the clerk to the Brighton Insurance Committee misappropriated sums from the funds of the Committee and was, after due inquiry, dismissed. The amount appropriated, in so far as it was not recovered from the clerk, was made good to the Committee, under the usual fidelity bond, by the guarantor company. The guarantors, after some delay, stated that they did not propose to prosecute. The Insurance Committee then took legal advice with a view to prosecu- tion, but they were advised that it was improbable that they would succeed. In the circumstances, it was not considered justifiable to press the Committee to undertake a prosecution for purely disciplinary purposes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet received a reply from the London and North Eastern Railway Company agreeing to the removal of the pillar box from the south side of the Leeds and Pontefract Road, in the Rothwell Urban District, to the north side; and when he anticipates the removal will be carried out?

The consent of the railway company has now been obtained and the removal will be carried out without delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the watchman at the post office at Mountain Ash is employed during the daytime as motor omnibus inspector at Gough's garage of that town, and that conductors completing their journey in the evening have to call at the post office to hand to the watchman their cash bag, tickets, and bell punch, the money, etc., remaining on the post office premises until the watchman takes up his duties on the following morning as omnibus inspector; and will he, in view of this unsatisfactory state of affairs, have an investigation made?

I am making inquiry in this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of clerical class vacancies in the London Telephone Service are at the moment blocked by the employment of temporary women clerks who have not passed establishment examinations; and whether, in view of the fact that the writing assistants employed in this Department have a greater average seniority than any other group of writing assistants in the Service, he will consider promoting a number of these writing assistants and members of the typing grades to these vacancies and transferring the temporary women clerks to writing assistant work?

I am aware that a few female clerical vacancies in the London Telephone Service are at present filled by temporary women clerks who are not in line for establishment. The position, in this respect, is under review. The question of placing writing assistants and members of the typing grades in the various Headquarter Departments of the Post Office on trial on clerical duties is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the increasing number of cases of sheep worrying by dogs; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to increase the penalties for not keeping these animals under control?

The Ministry's attention has been called from time to time to cases of sheep worrying by dogs, but there is no information to show that such cases are on the increase. With regard to the second part of the question, the Dogs Acts of 1871 and 1906 already provide considerable penalties, and render the owner of a dog liable in damages for any injury done to cattle or sheep. My right hon. Friend does not, therefore, consider there is any need to introduce legislation to increase penalties for the contravening of these Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that facilities exist at cattle markets to carry out the cleansing and disinfection Regulation of vans, floats, and pens as is laid down for the railway companies under the Animals (Transport and General) Amendment Order, 1924?

The requirements of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restriction) Order of 1925, as to the cleansing and disinfection of vans, floats and other vehicles, fall to be executed and enforced by local authorities, and my right hon. Friend has no information as to the existence or otherwise of special facilities for such disinfection at markets. The Order does not, however, specifically require disinfection at the market, but only "as soon as practicable after each occasion on which the vehicle is so used, and before any other animals or any fodder or any other thing intended to be used for or about animals is placed therein."

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he contemplates legislation to remove any doubts as to the power of his Department, either through the Ministry's inspectors or through the police, to stop motor vehicles and trailers, used for the conveyance of cattle or stock on the public highways, to ensure that such vehicles have been cleaned or disinfected in accordance with the Animals (Transport and General) Amendment Order, 1924, and to prevent this possible method of spreading infection during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?

The police and the Ministry's Inspectors have full power under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restrictions) Order of 1925 to stop and examine vehicles used for the transit of animals in infected areas and to require their proper cleansing and disinfection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will issue with the OFFICIAL REPORT the promised statement as to causes of origin of some of the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease?

It has not been possible to ascertain definitely the origin of any of the initial outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which have occurred in the course of the present series of cases. There have been some 204 outbreaks distributed over 19 counties since the 25th September last. These 204 cases have resulted from 17 separate centres without any traceable connection with one another. It is probable that infection was originally introduced from the Continent. In Lancashire, the worst infected county where 61 outbreaks have occurred (commencing on 20th October), infection was traced back to Blackburn where as early as the 13th October the market and the leading banks were probably infected. In Wiltshire, the next most heavily infected county where 47 cases have occurred since the 21st October (commencing date), there is likewise no evidence to show the origin of the initial case.

asked the Minister of Health the amount paid from the National Exchequer in relief of rates for the year 1924–25 under The Agricultural Rates Relief Act, 1896; and the amount paid for the same purpose under The Agricultural Rate Relief Act, 1923, for the year 1924–25?

The figures for England and Wales are as follow:

Under Act of 1896	£1,322,255
Under Act of 1923	£2,961,338

asked the Home Secretary whether any provision is made to appoint Welsh-speaking warders to superintend Welsh-speaking prisoners in His Majesty's prisons?

:There are Welsh-speaking officers at all prisons to which Welsh prisoners are normally committed.

asked the Home Secretary whether any provision is made to appoint Welsh-speaking chaplains to minister to Welsh-speaking prisoners in His Majesty's prisons?

The chaplains of both the prisons in Wales speak Welsh, and at Liverpool prison, to which many prisoners from North Wales are committed, a special service for Welsh prisoners is held every Sunday.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the Chairman of the Theatres and Music Hall Committee of the London County Council that the structure of Covent Garden Opera House is not up to the standard of structure necessary for public safety; whether he is aware that the exits are constructed on the principle of combined exits, a system which is dangerous in case of fire or panic; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter for the safety of the public, he will compel the theatre authorities to carry out all necessary alterations?

The Lord Chamberlain has been, and is still, in communication with the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate with regard to certain structural arrangements in this theatre, which in the opinion of the London County Council are considered defective. It is understood that estimates of the suggested alterations are at present engaging the attention of the leaseholders from whom an early report is expected. Meanwhile, the theatre has been let for some months for use as a ballroom, during which time the special precautions held to be necessary when the building is need as a theatre are not applicable.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any communication from the Government of Northern Ireland with reference to the Irish Boundary Commission?

As the House is aware, His Majesty's Government have been in close consultation with Ministers of Northern Ireland and of the Irish Free State; and I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to await a statement on the subject which will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary if it is his policy to keep out of this country all aliens who wish to come here for the purpose of following occupations for which there is already labour available here; and how many exceptions, if any, he has made to this policy during the nine months ending 30th September, 1925?

In the present state of unemployment it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to prevent as far as possible the admission of aliens to this country for any form of employment for which British labour would appear to be available. An alien seeking employment in this country is not given leave to land unless he is in possession of a permit for his engagement issued to his prospective employer by the Minister of Labour in accordance with Article 1 (3) (b) of the Aliens Order. Inquiry as to the number of such permits issued should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.