asked the Minister of Pensions the exact sum which it would cost to grant free travelling facilities at Christmas to the patients in the hospitals of the Ministry; and whether, seeing that every man who is fit to travel is entitled to the leave provided he can pay the fare for the return journey, he will make a concession in this respect?

I regret that it is not practicable to make any reliable estimate. Having regard to the fact that any man who is already entitled to a return ticket can avail himself of it at the Christmas season, I do not see my way to recommend the additional concession suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any new Orders have been issued recently to the effect that all men in Ministry of Pensions hospitals are to wear blue clothing when going out in public except on all-night passes; and, if so, whether he will state their nature?

No, Sir. It has always been the recognised policy of the Ministry that patients in Ministry institutions should wear the distinctive clothing, which, when out of the grounds of the hospital, secures for the patient such protection and assistance as would naturally be afforded to a hospital patient in case of need.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the privilege of going out on Saturday and Sunday from 1 o'clock until 9 o'clock, which has hitherto been enjoyed by the inmates of hospitals under the Ministry of Pensions, has been withdrawn; and, if so, the reasons?

Leave for the prolonged period indicated has never been authorised by the Regulations of the Ministry, under which four hours in a single day is the maximum period prescribed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that many ex-service men are, in consequence of disabilities contracted during the War, unable to effect life or accident policies, he will consider setting up an insurance scheme whereby, on payment of adequate premiums, such policies could be effected?

I would point out to my hon. Friend that the provision already made in the Royal Warrants for pension for widows and dependants is, in fact, the contribution made by the State towards the object, which my hon. Friend has in view.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the hardship inflicted upon wounded ex-service men whose wounds break out and cause trouble after their time limit for appeal has expired, and seeing that at present such men have no remedy other than free treatment, he will make it possible for pensions appeal tribunals to adjudicate upon these cases on their merits instead of, as now, being compelled to turn them down?

Procedure is already in operation which meets the cases of the kind which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. In such cases, not only is the disabled man eligible for medical or surgical treatment, with allowances if necessary, but his assessment for pension purposes is considered at the conclusion of treatment, and any necessary adjustment of it as is proper is made by way of further grant. I fear that I could not recommend the adoption of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, which would render nugatory the provisions of Section 4 of the War Pensions Act, 1921.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many claims by widows for pensions have been granted since 1st January, 1925, and the number of claims which have been rejected; and what is the number of widows' pensions that have been granted in the same period as the result of appeals to the appeals tribunal after the Ministry had rejected tie claims?

During the period referred to, 2,989 pensions were granted, and approximately 2,900 claims were rejected. The former figure includes 934 successful appeals to the Pension Appeal Tribunals which were made either against rejection of the claim or against an award of less than the maximum rate of pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total amount being paid in respect of War pensions to persons resident in the Irish Free State?

The expenditure on pensions and allowances in respect of beneficiaries in the Irish Free State is approximately 2¼ millions per annum. In addition a sum of £125,000 is incurred in respect of administration.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of applications for new pensions, final awards, and reassessment of pensions, respectively, that have been considered by the Ministry of Pensions during the years 1923, 1924, and the present year; and the total number of pensioners with final awards and pensioners without final awards, respectively, in each of the above years?

The numbers of claims for disablement pensions from officers and men considered, the final awards notified, and the pensions re-assessed in each of the years 1923, 1924 and 1925, were as follow:

—	1923.	1924.	1925 (to 31st Oct.).
New claims considered.	35,500	36,750	29,500
Final awards notified.	189,000	86,500	31,300
Disability pensions re-assessed.	517,000	315,000	142,000

The approximate numbers of disability pensions and other awards in payment to officers and men were:

—	June, 1923.	June, 1924.	June, 1925.
Final awards of all kinds.	268,000	318,000	319,000
Conditional or temporary pensions.	374,000	252,000	206,000

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the circumstances attending the refusal of treatment allowances to ex-service man Charker, of 173, Mayer Road, E.15, case No. ll/M/93,245, whose disability prevents him attending a remunerative occupation?

I have inquired into the circumstances of the case referred to, but find that the medical reports in the case did not justify the payment of allowances under Article 6 of the Royal Warrant.

asked the Minister of Pensions upon what grounds no members of the typing grades have yet been promoted in his Department, having regard to the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service decision, to the effect that such staff, equally with writing assistants, should be considered for promotion to the clerical class; and whether he will now look into the claims of senior members of the typing grades?

As no member of the typing grades in the Ministry of Pensions has completed the five years' established service ordinarily required before becoming eligible for exceptional promotion to the clerical class, the question of effecting such promotions in the Ministry has not yet arisen. My right hon. Friend will, however, in due course consider the question of placing on trial for the clerical class some of those established shorthand typists in his Department who will shortly complete five years' established service.

asked the Minister of Pensions what saving has been effected during the seven months ending 31st October on the amounts provided in the Estimates for his Department; and under what headings have the principal savings been made?

It is not practicable to make any reliable forecast of either reduction or excess on the Vote for my Department on the basis of seven months' expenditure, which is, moreover, not as yet precisely ascertained.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, as a result of a number of temporary women employés in his Department having passed the recent examination for writing assistant posts, and their consequential removal from clerical work, there is a shortage of skilled women staff on this work; and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider the promotion of a further batch of senior writing assistants to the clerical class?

I do not anticipate that there will be any shortage of experienced women for the performance of duties proper to the clerical grade in the Ministry of Pensions. Forty-seven writing assistants who had less than four years' service on the writing assistant grade have already been promoted to the rank of clerical officer since September, 1924. I would point out that the senior writing assistants failed to obtain appointment to the clerical grade through the competitive examinations. The question of making further promotions from the writing assistant class will receive consideration in the near future.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that temporary women clerks who have tried, though unsuccessfully, to pass the examination for permanency are now under notice of dismissal, whereas others who have not taken that trouble are being retained; and will he reverse that practice?

Efficiency is the main criterion in determining the order of discharge of redundant temporary women clerks. For the purposes of demobilisation the women staff have been classified in efficiency categories, and these categories have been divided into hardship sub-categories. Within each sub-category clerks who failed the 1925 Civil Service examinations for appointment to permanent grades of the Service are regarded as having a prior claim to retention over those who failed to enter for those examinations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he accepts the principle laid down by the Royal Commission on the Civil Service in its Fourth Report, issued in April, 1914, namely, that men employed on permanent work should be employed on a pensionable basis; and, if so, Will he say why his Department is proposing to limit the application of such principle to approximately one-third of the total post-War clerical complements of the out-station offices?

The findings of the Royal Commission on this point are accepted by the Government as a matter of general principle. The reorganisation of the particular offices referred to in the hon. Member's question provides in fact not only for an improved scheme of pay, but for a greatly increased measure of establishment for the clerical employés. Of the unestablished men now employed, all those who are successful at the recent qualifying examination for admission to established posts will be appointed to such posts cither in War Department establishments or elsewhere. The terms of the agreement made between His Majesty's Government and the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants will be extended to those ex-service men in these offices who fail to qualify for the establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, under a clerical reorganisation scheme for the out-station offices, the number of graded posts for Army Pay and Record Offices was stated by his Department to have been fixed some two or three months ago, but that the proposed complements have not yet been notified to the men affected; and will he undertake to promulgate detailed instructions to all concerned without further delay?

I cannot trace that any such statement as that alleged was made by the War Office. The complements for Record Offices as a whole have been notified to the Staff Side of the War Department Whitley Council and effect will be given to them as soon as certain administrative details have been settled. The complements for Pay Offices are in an advanced state of preparation.

further asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that hundreds of established clerks employed in the out-stations of his Department are in receipt of a total weekly remuneration of not more than 53s. per week, despite the fact that they have served in a clerical capacity in these offices for periods ranging from 12 to 20 years; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this long-standing grievance?

I am aware that at Record Offices and certain other offices at out-stations there are a number of established clerks who are in receipt of about 53s. a week. Most of their past service has been in an unestablished capacity. These offices are being reorganised and the scales of pay of the new established grades are considerably in excess of those for the existing grades.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that adult male clerks are employed at the Eastern Command Headquarter Offices, Whitehall, on a salary scale with a maximum basic rate of pay of 32s. per week; and whether he proposes to apply the recommendation of the reorganisation sub-committee of the National Whitley Council to these clerical employés of his Department;(2) whether he is aware that established clerks in the Southern Command headquarters office are employed on a weekly basic wage of 30s. per week; and whether he proposes to adjust the rates of pay of these men in accordance with the recommendations of the Report of the reorganisation sub-committee of the National Whitley Council, signed in February, 1920?

A certain number of clerks in Command Headquarter offices are in receipt of basic rates of 30s. and 32s. a week, or with the bonus 52s. 6d. and 56s. These offices like all other War Department outstation offices are being reorganised in accordance with the scheme of gradings and pay which is bring applied to all War Department outstation offices. This scheme conforms to the report of Reorganisation Committee of the National Whitley Council with modifications agreed to by the staff side of the War Office Whitley Council, so far as regards established posts. Inasmuch, however, as it is the policy of the War Office to employ ex-service men to the fullest extent possible, ex-service men are being employed in place of women writing assistants in the lowest grade of clerical work on an unestablished footing, at rates of pay based on those agreed upon for such men by the National Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, out of a total clerical staff of 16 at the Supply Reserve Depot, Deptford, his Department only propose to allot three permanent posts under the clerical reorganisation scheme; and will he give the matter his personal attention, with a view to carrying out in this case the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, and also the recommendations of the reorganisation sub-committee of the National Whitley Council?

The work of the Supply Reserve Depot at present only justifies three posts being included in the established grades. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the replies which I have given to-day to other questions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst the typing grades of the Civil Service, owing to the fact that, on a matter of urgency remitted for immediate joint discussion between the Treasury and the appropriate association by the National Whitley Council in July, no reply was received from the Treasury until recently; and whether he will give instructions that in future efforts shall be made to avoid such prolonged delay?

; I am not aware that any matters of urgency were remitted as suggested for immediate discussion in July last. On the contrary, the formal conclusion reached by the Standing Joint Committee on Reorganisation (not the National Whitley Council) was that the question should be remitted to the Promotions Committee of the Council, but that this reference should not preclude discussion between the association concerned and the Treasury, if desired, and such discussion is, in fact, taking place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the minimum standard of marks in the examination for vacancies on the permanent staff of the Civil Service is the same for women and men?

I am afraid that I do not understand to which examination, open to both men and women, the hon. Member refers. At an examination which is attended by both men and women, the conditions of success are of course identical for all candidates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, owing to the silk duties, any additional staff has been taken on by the Customs authorities to meet the additional work of inspection at the ports and, if so, how many; and whether, in view of the urgent need of economising the labour of these officials, he has considered the advisability of prohibiting the sales, and offer for sale, of any imported wild birds plumage for millinery and dress purposes other than that plumage added to the Schedule of the Plumage Act?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 23rd July and 24th November last. As regards the second part of the question, it would not appear that the duties devolving upon Customs officials under the existing Plumage Act would be diminished if a prohibition on sales were imposed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the ultimate destination of the consignment of illegally imported plumage consisting of 325 bunches of cross osprey feathers valued at £1,555 10s. which was seized by the London Customs at Tilbury Docks in October last, and confiscated by order of the Court?

No information is available as to the proposed destination of the feathers in question.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that large premiums are being paid to persons who attempt to evade the Customs Regulations made under the Plumage (Prohibition) Act; that a large consignment of wrens, linnets, bullfinches, etc., was found upon two persons at Dover recently: and what steps are being taken to tighten the Regulations to prevent the illicit import of prohibited plumage?

I have no information that would confirm the suggestion made in the first part of this question; neither can any recent seizure at Dover of a large consignment of wrens, etc., be traced. If the hon. Member can supply me with fuller details, the matter shall be further investigated. As regards the last part of the question, there is no evidence before me to suggest that all practicable steps are not already being taken to prevent the importation of prohibited plumage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Customs revenue received so far in respect of the various import duties; imposed by the Finance Act of this year?

The approximate net receipts of Customs revenue up to 30th November in respect of the various import duties imposed by the Finance Act, 1925, were as follow:

		£
Mckenna Duties	…	471,940
Silk and Artificial Silk	…	1,081.300
Lace and Embroidery	…	85,680
Hops	…	40,150

The figures in the case of articles liable to the McKenna Duties may include some deductions for drawbacks and repayments in respect of duty paid prior to 2nd August, 1924. These amounts cannot he separately distinguished.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of reparations, in cash and kind, which have been paid by Germany to date?

—	Total Estimated Cost.	Salaries (approximate).
		Non-industrial.	Industrial.
	£	£	£
Consolidated Fund Services	391,920,000	407,000	—
Civil Services	222,609,000	17,250,000✶	1,690,000
Revenue Departments including Post Office.	64,349,000	38,000,000	5,570,000
Fighting Services	120,513,000	5,250,000	13,200,000 (including dockyards).
Total	799,400,000	60,997,000	20,460,000
✶ Does not include salaries of Ministers or of members of the Diplomatic and Consular Services, amounting to about £1¼ millions in all.
† In the same year receipts from Post Office are estimated at £57,000,000.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his unstarred question on the 4th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss to the revenue if Income Tax was remitted on all incomes below £300 a year; and if he can give any estimate of what would be the reduction in the cost of the Inland Revenue Department if such a concession was made?

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 somewhat less than £3,000,000. The consequent reduction in the cost of the Inland Revenue Department would be only a small fraction of this sum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total estimated cost for 1925–26 of the Civil Services, the fighting services, the revenue services, and the Consolidated Fund services, respectively, together with the salary costs of the respective non-industrial and industrial staffs?

The particulars for which the hon. Member asks are as follow:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the Admiralty circular which states that the policy of greater Treasury control over expenditure by the Admiralty involves much more correspondence and discussion on many more matters and in much greater detail than would have been the case before the War; and will he inquire into this question?

Yes, Sir. I have made inquiry and find that there is a considerable increase in the volume of correspondence, as compared with pre-War conditions, between the Treasury

Army Rank.	Infantry Officers.				Corresponding Naval Rank.	Executive Officers, R. N.
	Commissioned before 26th October, 1925.		Commissioned after 26th October, 1925.			Commissioned before 26th October, 1925.		Commissioned after 26th October, 1925.
	s.	d.	s.	d.		s.	d.	s.	d.
2nd Lieutenant	12	4	10	4	—	—		—
after 2 years	15	2	—		—	—		—
after 3 years	—		12	4	—	—		—
Lieutenant	15	2	12	4	Sub-Lieutenant	9	6	9	6
after 7 years	18	0	15	2	—	—		—
Captain	22	2	19	10	Lieutenant	16	0	14	2
					after 4 years	18	10	16	0
		s.	d.		after 6 years	22	8	18	10
after 15 years		24	6				s.	d.
Major		29	10		Lieutenant Commander		28	4
after 5 years as such		35	0		after 3 years		30	2
					after 6 years		32	2
Lieutenant-Colonel		44	10		Commander		37	10
					after 3 years		41	6
					after 6 years		45	4
					after 9 years		49	2

The correspondence of ranks given above is in accordance with the table of Relative Ranks laid down in Regulations. In comparing emoluments regard must also be paid to the fact that the same relative rank is attained at an earlier age in the Navy than in the Army.2. In addition to pay as above naval officers are eligible for certain allowances, details of which are shown on pages 21 to 23 and 32 to 34 of the Navy Estimates. The most important are senior allowances (varying from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. a day) and specialist allowance (2s. 6d. a. day)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give; a comparative list showing the actual pay of the various ranks of infantry officers stationed with their battalions on the one hand and of the corresponding ranks of naval officers serving in the Fleets and the allowances payable in each case?

1. The authorised rates of pay are as follow:payable to lieutenants and lieutenant-commanders: navigating allowance (2s. 6d. to 4s. for lieutenants and lieutenant-Commanders. 4s.-5s. for commanders); and command money, varying from 2s. to 5s. a day when in command of a ship.3. In an infantry regiment, the following officers receive additional pay:— Adjutant, 5s. a day; senior major, 1s. a day: commanding officer, command pay of 10s. a day (5s. of which is regarded as in respect of entertaining expenses).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether naval power, the blockade, air warfare, and poison gas will come within the scope of discussion of the Geneva Conference?

The subject of the Conference is to be the reduction and limitation of armaments and not methods of warfare, to which the hon. and gallant Member appears to refer.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the growing practice of speculators purchasing the freeholds, of working-class property in London and immediately afterwards serving schedules of dilapidations upon the leaseholders in order to force them either to purchase the freehold at an exorbitant price or to lose their property and whether he will take steps to prohibit a ground landlord from serving a schedule of dilapidations upon any leaseholder who can produce a certificate from the local sanitary authority that the premises are in a reasonable state of repair and decoration?

I am aware that hardship is sometimes created by the service of schedules of dilapidations upon leaseholders; but I am not aware that the practice is increasing. No alteration can be made except by legislation, and I am unable to hold out any hope, in the present state of Parliamentary business, that such legislation would be possible, even if desirable. The hon. Member will no doubt be aware that by the Law of Property (Amendment) Act passed at the end of last year, which is now incorporated in the Law of Property Act, 1925 (Part V, Section 147), power was given to the Court to relieve against notices to repair during the currency of the lease.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of houses in Scotland approved for subsidy to 31st October, 1925, under the Housing &c, Act, 1923, and the estimated capital value of the subsidies for these houses; and the number of houses approved for subsidy to 31st October, 1925, under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, and the estimated capital value of the subsidies for these houses?

The number of houses in Scotland approved for subsidy to 31st October, 1925, under the Housing, &c, Act, 1923, was 14,901. The present capital value of the Exchequer subsidies payable on these houses is estimated at approximately £1,146,100. In addition, slum clearance schemes involving the erection of 7,450 houses have been approved under this Act, 50 per cent, of the annual deficit on which will be borne by the Exchequer. It is not possible at present to give an estimate of the capital value of the subsidy in respect of these houses. The number of houses in Scotland approved for subsidy to 31st October, 1925, under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, was 12,291. The present capital value of the Exchequer subsidies payable on these houses is approximately £1,977,800. Information is not available as to the capital values of the additional subsidies granted by local authorities in respect of these houses.

asked the Minister of Health how many town-planning schemes have been approved in England and Wales, respectively, since 1st January, 1920; and how many local authorities are known to be engaged in preparing such schemes?

Nine town planning schemes have been finally approved since the 1st January, 1920, and 11 other schemes have been submitted to me for approval. In addition, 64 preliminary statements of proposals to be included in schemes have been approved and Orders issued for securing development accordingly, and 60 others have been submitted for approval. The number of local authorities promoting the schemes and preliminary statements approved and submitted for approval is 90, and the total number of local authorities now formally engaged in the preparation of schemes is 310. My right hon. Friend has reason to suppose that preliminary surveys are being carried out by a number of other authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the establishment of dental consultation centres for the benefit of people insured under the National Health Insurance Act?

I am awaiting the Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance before considering any extension of the benefits provided for insured persons.

asked the Minister of Health the number of paupers at present in the workhouses of England and Wales; the number of casuals who were being relieved in Poor Law institutions; and the number of beds, approximately, in those institutions?

On the 1st January, 1925, there were in Poor Law institutions in England and Wales (excluding separate establishments for children) 169,725 inmates chargeable to boards of guardians, in addition to 7,618 casuals. The number of beds in such institutions other than for casuals, was 242,706.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the death from small-pox at Middlesbrough, referred to in the quarterly return of the Registrar-General, No. 306, was really due to some other disease, and whether he can give the age of the patient and state whether the patient had been vaccinated or not?

The only death from small-pox registered in Middlesbrough during the quarter ended 30th June, 1925, was in respect of a child aged one month. The cause of death given in the medical certificate was "broncho-pneumonia following small-pox," and, in accordance with the general rules, based upon international agreement, which are referred to in the reply given on the 4th August last to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Broad), the death was classified as being due to small-pox. The child had not been successfully vaccinated.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken by his Department for the greater provision of artificial sunlight treatment for children suffering from rickets?

I am advised that artificial sunlight treatment is still in the experimental stage, but I have approved of the provision of such treatment under skilled supervision for children suffering from rickets and other disorders of infancy and childhood at a certain number of infant welfare centres, in order to secure further evidence as to the results of the treatment. I may perhaps refer the hon. and gallant Member to the remarks on artificial light therapy in paragraphs 564 to 572 of the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department for the year 1924.

asked the Minister of Health, if ho will supply the following figures: deaths of infants under one year of age from erysipelas per million births for each year since 1910; number of infants under one year of age successfully vaccinated by public vaccinators for each year since 1914, with the percentage of such vaccinations to the births: and the total expenditure on vaccination out of national and local funds for each year since 1914?

The information asked for by the hon. Member in the first two parts, of the question is as follows for England and Wales.

DEATHS OF INFANTS under one year of age from erysipelas per million births.
Year.		—	Year.		—
1910	…	167	1918	…	119
1911	…	154	1919	…	94
1912	…	179	1920	…	149
1913	…	161	1921	…	133
1914	…	207	1922	…	124
1915	…	207	1923	…	112
1916	…	146	1924	…	116
1917	…	127

NUMBER OF INFANTS under one year of age successfully vaccinated by public vaccinators, and the percentage of such vaccinations to the births registered.
Year ended 30th September.		Successful primary vaccinations by public vaccinators at the expense of the rates.
		Number	Percentage to number of births.
1914	…	284,227	32·2
1915–7	…	Figures not available.
1918	…	180,090	27·5
1919	…	170,653	27·0
1920	…	241,209	24·8
1921	…	220,474	25·7
1922	…	205,106	25·5
1923	…	234,103	31·0
1924	…	245,211	33·3

As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 30th November to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves).

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether, under the arrangements described in Circular 1,371, it is his intention to budget for a larger sum in 1926–27, in respect of grants to local education authorities, than the aggregate grants payable for 1924–25, less the specified deductions, so as to cover such desirable new projects as are mentioned in paragraph 3 of the Circular; or whether it is his intention that such new projects and other developments of educational facilities above the 1924–25 standard should be financed for the next three years by savings effected by local education authorities on their 1924–25 expenditure?

The grants provided for in the Appendix to the Circular are, in general, intended to be fixed amounts for that year, but when I meet the associations of local authorities in a few days' time I hope to discuss with them the effect of these grants in relation to their unavoidable commitments on new services in 1926–27. As regards the years subsequent to 1926–27, it was always my intention, as my right hon. Friend knows, to consider the finance of those years on the basis of programmes to be submitted by local authorities, and this intention is not affected by the fact that, in Circular 1.371, I have proposed to guarantee a fixed minimum grant to each authority for those years and have drawn the attention of authorities to the importance of effecting savings on non-essentials.

asked the President of the Board of Education the sum of money which is equal to the grant payable for 1924–25 on elementary education, less one per cent.; and what sum of money would ordinarily accrue to local education authorities under existing grant regulation?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 3rd December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Bosworth Division (Captain Gee, a copy of which I am sending him. As regards the second part, if I am correct in thinking that it refers to the year 1926–27, the amount must depend upon the expenditure of local authorities on education in that year.

asked the President of the Board of Education what were the total grants for 1924–25 on elementary and secondary education, respectively, paid to the Merioneth County Council; and what are the estimated grants which will be payable to the said authority under Circular 1,371 in respect of the year 1926–27?

I am unable to give the information asked for in either part of the question, since the audited accounts of the Merioneth County Council for 1924–25 have not yet been received by my Department, and consequently the grants for that year have not yet been determined.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state what is the estimated cost per place of building public elementary schools of brick, concrete, timber, and steel, respectively; and how many schools are required to be built in the next five years in order to provide the standard of accommodation in elementary and secondary schools regarded as reasonable by his expert advisers?

The first part of the question relates to a matter which is being investigated by the committee which I appointed to advise me upon the subject of school building, and I should prefer to make no statement in advance of the receipt of their Report. As regards the second part, it is not possible to form an estimate before the lists lately issued to local authorities of premises which appear to be defective have been considered in detail by the authorities and school managers in consultation with my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education the approximate reduction in grant to the Durham County Education Committee arising out of Circular1,371?

I cannot, give the information asked for, since the audited accounts of the Durham authority for 1924–25 have not yet been received by my Department, and consequently the grant for that year has not been finally determined.

asked the President of the Board of Education the average number of children in attendance at elementary schools during each of the years from 1914 to 1925, and the estimated numbers for each of the years 1926. to 1930?

The number of children in average attendance at public elementary schools of all types in England and Wales during each of the years 1914 to 1925 was as follow:

Year.		Average Attendance.
1913–14	…	5,392,579
1914–15	…	5,364,594
1915–16	…	5,306,420
1916–17	…	5,230,194
1917–18	…	5,195,476
1918–19	…	5,123,526
1919–20	…	5,198,964
1920–21	…	5,215,863
1921–22	…	5,189,107
1922–23	…	5,143,664
1923–24	…	5,031,680
1924–25	…	(provisional) 4,939,392

As regards the current and future years, it is not practicable, owing to the fluctuation in the number of children who may attend school outside the period of compulsory attendance, to frame a really reliable estimate, but, the hon. Member-will find certain relevant information on pages 11 to 13 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates, 1924–25 [Cmd. 2148].

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a communication from the Hull and District Chamber of Trade protesting against the exhibitors of the British Industries Fair, 1926, being allowed to make retail sales to the public, and pointing out that this is against the interests of legitimate retail traders and will tend to discourage their attendance as buyers; and what action he is taking in view of this protest?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am in consultation with the interests concerned and am at present unable to add anything to the answer which I gave yesterday to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore). I am sending a copy of that answer to the hon. and gallant Member.

DECLARED VALUE of Exports of Merchandise, the produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom.
Consigned to	Year ended 30th September,
	1913.	1923.	1925.
	£000's.	£000's.	£OOO's.
British Self-Governing Dominions (excluding Irish Free State).	93,686	132,107	144,142
British India	68,998	89,551	88,113
Europe(except British Possessions)	177,151	249,577	233,201

From 1st April, 1923 the foregoing particulars exclude the direct exports from the Irish Free State to the destinations specified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the British Empire Producers Organisation declaring that neither the propaganda in favour of Empire goods nor the present public desire to purchase them can be effective without clear means of identification; and whether, in view of such resolution, he will consider the urgency of introducing legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee that imported goods should be marked Empire (and the country) or foreign at the points of import and of sale;(2) whether he has yet considered the desirability of introducing legislation requiring that all advertisements of goods manufactured or produced outside the Empire shall expressly and conspicuously state that such goods are foreign made, and that no such goods shall be exposed or exhibited for sale without being prominently labelled foreign made; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the matter?

I have not seen the particular resolution referred to,

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of exports of British origin to the self-governing Dominions and India, excluding the Irish Free State, and to Europe respectively, for the year ending 20th September, 1913, 1923 and 1925?

The following statement gives the desired information:but I can assure my hon. Friend that due consideration will be given to these points in preparing the Bill which, as the Prime Minister has already stated, it is hoped to introduce next Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the proposed pact to be entered into between the British Dyestuffs Corporation and German dye-makers; whether he has considered the effect of this pact upon all other English dye-makers; and whether he is aware that the outside firms supply 50 per cent, of the colour produced in this country?

I am not aware of any present proposal of the nature suggested in the first part of the question, and the second part of the question consequently does not arise. As regards the third part, I am aware that a large proportion of the output of dyestuffs in this country is produced by concerns other than the British Dyestuffs Corporation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the strong feeling which exists among seafarers that the danger to navigation oft the North Coast of Scotland caused by the absence of a light on Strathy Point should be promptly removed by the erection of a lighthouse; whether the Lighthouse Commissioners have been consulted as to the necessity of the erection of a lighthouse on Strathy Point, and, if so, what opinion they have expressed; and whether he proposes to sanction the erection of this lighthouse?

I am not aware of any strong feeling on the part of seafarers such as is referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. A proposal to erect a lighthouse on Strathy Point has been put forward by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses on several occasions, but it has not received the statutory approval of the Trinity House or the financial sanction of the Board of Trade. As recently as February last the scheme was discussed with the committee of shipowners and other interests, who advise the Board of Trade in regard to new lighthouse works; that committee were definitely of opinion that a lighthouse in this position was not necessary in the interests of general navigation, and the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses were ready to give up their proposal for the moment. Further, the proposal has not been included in the Commissioner's programme for next financial year. On my present information, I am not convinced that there is a sufficient need for a lighthouse at this point to warrant the expenditure involved in its erection.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what authority he excludes applications by British firms, engaged in Anglo-Russian trade, for assistance under the Trade Facilities Act and Overseas Trade Acts?

The Acts are purely permissive, and there is no question of any authority being required for refusing particular applications or classes of applications.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Depart- ment the number of emigrants who left Great Britain for the 12 months to the last known date and their destinations?

The numbers of British subjects who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in Great Britain to take up permanent residence in non-European countries during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1925, are shown in the following table, in which the principal countries of destination are also indicated:

Country of Future Permanent Residence.✶		Number of British Emigrants.
British North America	…	36,559
Australia	…	35,664
New Zealand	…	11,947
British South Africa	…	7,465
India (including Ceylon)	…	6,443
Other Parts of the British Empire	…	5,772
Total British Empire	…	103,850
United States	…	28,529
Other Foreign Countries	…	5,634
Total, All Countries	…	138,013
✶Residence for a year or more is treated as permanent residence.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that practically no promotions to the clerical class have been made from the ranks of shorthand typists and typists during the last few years, although the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service has laid down that these grades should be considered equally with writing assistants for such promotions; and whether he will see that consideration is given to the claims of the shorthand typists and typists?

I am aware that hitherto comparatively few members of the typing grades have been promoted to the clerical class. The arrangements for the promotion of writing assistants, shorthand typists and typists have been under discussion with the staff for some time and are at present being reviewed by a sub-committee of the Departmental Whitley Council. It has been agreed on that Committee that pending the result of their discussions the claims of members of the typing grades shall not be overlooked when selections for promotion to the clerical class are being made.

asked the Postmaster-General the average number of letters monthly readdressed by the Post Office at the request of the addressee, re-addressed by the Post Office by reason of the addressee having left his or her address, readdressed by the occupier of the house to which the Post Office has properly delivered the letter and returned by the Post Office to the sender?

I regret that I am unable to furnish in full the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks; but the total number of letters redirected per month by the Post Office or the public is estimated at 3⅔ millions, and the number returned to the senders each month as undeliver-able at 1¼ millions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether postmen in any particular districts have been supplied with electric torches for use when delivering letters; if so, in what district or districts; and whether it is proposed to issue such torches to the whole of the service?

There is no district in which electric; torches are supplied to postmen generally for use when delivering letters, though in a few individual cases they have been furnished to meet special circumstances or for experimental purposes. A general substitution of electric torches for the normal oil lamps has repeatedly been considered, but so far no electric torch has been found to compete with the oil lamp in purchase price, cost of maintenance and reliability.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give a list of sugar-beet factories completed and in course of construction in this country as a result of the Treasury subsidy given to the industry; and whether he will state the amount of money hitherto expended as subsidy, and the amount of capital invested in the industry apart from the subsidy?

The following beet-sugar factories are, or will be, in operation in the present manufacturing season:

• Cantley (Norfolk).
• Kelham (Nottinghamshire).
• Colwick (Nottinghamshire).
• Spalding (Lincolnshire).
• Kidderminister (Worcestershire).
• Ely (Cambridgeshire).
• Ipswich (Suffolk).
• Bury St. Edmunds (Suffolk).
• Wissington (Norfolk).
• Greenock (Renfrewshire).

Of these factories, Cantley and Kelham were producing sugar prior to the 1924–25 season, which was the first year of subsidy.The amount of money expended as gross subsidy in respect of the 1924–25 manufacturing season was £509,200 4s. 6d. and up to the 4th instant for the present manufacturing season £378,965 14s. 5d. The total nominal capital of the above 10 factories is £2,845,000; the issued share capital being £2,151,264. My hon. Friend will realise that the subsidy is not an investment in the factory companies; it is payable on sugar and molasses produced, and as such is a part of the revenue of the factories. Moreover, I would remind my hon. Friend that a considerable portion of the subsidy is passed on to the farmers in the price which the companies are paying for beet, while farmers are gaining experience with this new crop.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Ministry have made any progress recently in discovering how foot-and-mouth disease is spread in cases where previous contact with diseased animals has not taken place?

Such evidence as is available would seem to indicate that infection is generally spread by means of "mechanical carriers" which may be either human beings or other living agencies, or contaminated foodstuffs, hay or straw. In the majority of cases, however, it is impossible to trace definitely the agent responsible for carrying the virus.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the practice with regard to the means of dealing with the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is uniform throughout all the districts in which the disease has been notified; if he is aware that, whereas in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire the whole herd where infected cattle have been found have not only to be killed, but the carcases burnt, in the Midland districts and the North only the carcases of animals found to be actually infected are required to be burned, the remainder of the herd when killed being allowed to be sold; and will he take stops to ensure equal treatment in all districts?

The procedure adopted is uniform as regards the destruction of the carcases of all infected animals. So far as healthy contact animals are concerned, the question of salvage of carcases is considered in every case in the light of the existing circumstances. Where salvage can be attempted without detriment to the speedy eradication of disease, and there is a reasonable prospect of the amount realised being such as to justify the additional risks involved, salvage of suitable stock is undertaken. Where, however, the results are not likely to be commensurate with the risks and expense involved, no attempt at salvage is made, and the carcases are destroyed. This procedure is in accordance with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee which considered the 1923–24 outbreak.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present number of equipped beds in naval hospitals and the average daily number of patients in these hospitals during the current year?

The figures are as follow:

	Equipped Beds	Peace Accommodation.
Royal Naval Hospital:
Haslar	1,151	1,151
Plymouth	756	860
Chatham	872	599
Portland	117	117
South Queensferry	100	100

Information as to the numbers of equipped beds in naval hospitals abroad is not available. The accommodation in these hospitals is as follows:

Royal Naval Hospital:
Malta	…	…	…	365
Bermuda	…	…	…	78
Hong Kong	…	…	…	125
Cape	…	…	…	48
Wei-Hai-Wei	…	…	…	38

"Equipped beds" means actual beds and their fittings, including those kept in store, which may or may not be in excess of the amount of accommodation.The average daily numbers of patients in naval hospitals for the period 1st January-30th September, 1925, were as follows. No later information is avail able:—

Royal Naval Hospital:
Haslar	…	…	34
Plymouth	…	…	375
Chatham	…	…	377
Portland	…	…	50
South Queens ferry	…	…	44
Malta	…	…	188
Bermuda	…	…	22
Hong Kong	…	…	54
Cape	…	…	36
Wei-Hai-Wei	…	…	11

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the number of petty officers and men invalided from the Royal Navy who conscientiously consider that their invaliding disability is attributable to service although the Naval Invaliding Board has decided otherwise, he will reconsider his decision and set up an independent appeal tribunal, or at least allow the matter to go before a medical referee as provided under the Compensation Act?

The matter has been very fully and carefully considered, and I regret that I am unable to recommend any alteration of the present position.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many chief and petty officers' messes in the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, are messed under the general messing system: and how many are messed on the ordinary system?

There are no chief petty officers' or petty officers' messes at present on general messing in the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth; the numbers on the ordinary system are four and two respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why victualling allowance for both officers and men is fixed at 1s. 5½d. per day, whilst allowances in lieu of provisions are fixed at 3s. 6d. per day for officers and 2s. 8d. per day for petty officers and men; and whether he is aware that under the present cost-of-living scale petty officers and men cannot obtain board at this rate?

Victualling allowance is the value at service prices of the standard ration plus messing allowance to which both officers and men are entitled, and is payable when ''service" is available. Provision allowance is payable when "service" is not available and is calculated on the same basis as victualling allowance, but at shore retail prices, with an addition for "service." which, as under service conditions, is different for officers and men. It is not considered necessary to modify the basis on which these allowances are assessed, and their revision every six months ensures that the rates of provisions allowances reflect alterations in current retail prices, and variations in the cost of living index figure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether dockyard workmen who were discharged during 1922 after 10 years' satisfactory service solely on account of reduction in numbers, and who subsequently re- entered the dockyard and refunded their bonuses, will be considered as long-service workmen with prior claims for consideration in the event of a, further reduction being made in the dockyard?

The workmen referred to would be given credit for the whole of their services.

asked the Minister of Transport the present position in regard to the proposed St. Paul's Bridge scheme?

I have referred this question to the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and hope to receive their recommendations as soon as they have had time to study the wider problem of Thames Bridges as a whole.

asked the Minister of Transport if he proposes to take any action in the immediate future in regard to making the maintenance of main roads a national charge?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given consideration, to the gyratory system of dealing with traffic at any of the more important street crossings in central London?

This matter has at my request been engaging the attention of the London Traffic Advisory Committee for some time past. They have recommended as the result of a detailed examination of the traffic conditions in Parliament Square and neighbourhood a trial of the gyratory movement of traffic there. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has been consulted, and I propose to commence the experiment immediately after Parliament rises. The question of trying similar experiments at other congested crossings is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any portion of the Road Fund is allocated for research in the construction of roads; if so, where this research is conducted; and whether the results obtained are made public?

Authority for expenditure from the Head Fund on research work was only conferred by the Roads Improvement Act of last Session. No allocation of moneys for the purpose has yet been made, but I am considering what steps can usefully be taken.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position of the proposed widening scheme from Tottenham to Walthamstow via Ferry Lane; and whether there is any prospect of the work being commenced during the present winter?

I understand that negotiations are still in progress between the local authorities and other public bodies and undertakings affected by the proposed widening scheme, and that it is unlikely that work will be commenced this winter.

asked the Minister of Transport in what manner the £750,000 allotted to unclassified rural roads is to be allotted, whether on a mileage or other basis?

The terms of the explanatory circular to highway authorities on this subject are not yet finally settled; so soon as the circular is ready for issue I shall be pleased to send a copy to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that county councils have had to postpone many scheduled improvements to main roads, owing to grants from the Ministry of Transport not being forthcoming; and is he aware of the cost of scheduled improvements to main roads in Kent which are being deferred owing to grants from the Ministry of Transport not being forthcoming?

I am aware that certain improvement schemes on main roads are being held over, owing to the fact that the sums available for grants from the Road Fund towards such purposes have been fully allocated for the current financial year. I am not in a position to give the specific particulars mentioned in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience to the travelling public caused by the inadequate booking office facilities at many of the railway termini; and if he will make representations to the railway companies that, if they are unable to provide better facilities, they should consider the possibility of tickets being issued on the trains?

I am not aware that the booking-office facilities at many of the railway termini are inadequate, but if my hon. Friend can furnish me with particulars of any serious complaints, I will bring (hem to the notice of the companies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the workmen employed an a toad contract by Messrs. Parkinson, of Finchley, London, N., are not provided with a suitable place in which to take their meals and that no provision has been made for protection against inclement weather although the necessary parts of a shelter are lying close to the work: and whether he will make suitable representations to the contractors for the purpose of seeing that this accommodation is provided?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the contract let by the Middlesex County Council to Messrs. Sir Lindsay Parkinson Company, Limited, for the construction of the section of the Barnet By-Pass between Hall Lane, Hendon and the North Circular Road, Finchley. As a result of inquiries, I am informed that messing accommodation and shelters are provided along the length of the section for the men at present engaged upon the work. Less than one-third of a mile is situated in Finchley, where only preliminary works have up to the present been undertaken. I understand that the shelter referred to will be erected as soon as the main constructional works are commenced.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, whilst many railway engine-drivers and firemen are working long hours on their engines, engine-cleaners who have five and six years of service, and are capable of promotion to firemen, are being dismissed as redundant; and, if so, will he consider the wisdom of advising the railway companies, in the interest of the travelling public, both to reduce the overtime hours of their drivers and firemen and retain in their service engine-cleaners so that engines may be properly prepared for their work?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, and I may say that no specific complaints of excessive hours worked by engine-drivers or firemen have reached me recently. If any such complaints are made they will be fully investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the large number of toll-gates, where often excessive charge is made for the facility granted, he will be prepared to favourably consider applications in pursuance of Section 2 of the Roads Improvement Act, 1925, for contributions towards the cost of freeing highways and bridges from the tolls in question; and whether he will take steps to impress upon local authorities the desirability of their exercising the powers given to them for the redemption of tolls by the Highways and Bridges Act of 1891?

While I am prepared to receive applications from local authorities, no decision has yet been taken as to the measure oil assistance which can be rendered from the Road Fund. On 18th September last a circular was issued by my instructions to all local authorities, calling attention to the provisions of the Roads Improvement Act, 1925, and making specific reference to the freeing of roads from tolls. I do not think it necessary to send out any further circular on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider legislation with a view to restricting the number of hours allowable to work by motor-coach drivers, and whether such legislation can be considered before next year's motor-coach season commences?

I do not anticipate that provisions relating to conditions of service will be appropriate to the subject matter of the Bill which I hope to be able to introduce in connection with public service vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken, in accordance with the undertaking of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, to revise the present scale of motor taxation on the basis of the damage done to the roads?

The revision of the scales of motor taxation is under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is the policy of the War Office to urge Territorial associations to institute rifle practice on Sundays; and is he aware that such a policy arouses resentment in the country?

It is not the policy of the War Office to urge Territorial Army associations to institute rifle practice on Sunday, nor is it their policy to discourage it. I do not think it would be popular in every part of Scotland, nor unpopular in every part of England. The local associations know the feeling of their counties.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unofficial or so-called lightning strikes have taken place in the current year; how many of them have been recognised by their different unions; what has been, in the aggregate, the total of wasted hours of work; and what are the different cases which produced them?

The variation of circumstances in different strikes is so great that any tabulation of the kind asked for is, I fear, quite impracticable. Some of the information, also, which is desired is not available.