asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he has any information regarding the promised investigation into the conditions existing at the Stoke tax offices, and whether he is aware of the complaint addressed on the 27th November last to the Office of Works by the inspector of taxes, Stoke fourth district, calling attention to the effect of the nuisance of smoke and soot-filled rooms on the efficiency and health of the staff?

Proposals for rehousing the staffs of the tax districts at Stoke-on-Trent are under consideration. Complaints of smoke nuisance in the various districts have been received and, pending the proposed re-housing, oil stoves have been supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of

Date.		Air Force Officers and Airmen Clerks	Permanent civil staff (Including Clerical and Typing Staffs).	Temporary Civil Staff.		Total
				Professional, Technical, Scientific, etc.	Clerical and Typing.
1st April, 1923	…	120	829	252	247	1,448
1st April, 1924	…	135	855	251	243	1,484
1st April, 1925	…	150	896	283	276	1,605
1st October, 1925	…	152	901	293	314	1,669

This increase in staff is entirely due to the Royal Air Force expansion scheme, under which the size of the force is being approximately trebled as compared with 1923.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval officers are now attached to Admiralty headquarters as compared with pre-War; what is the cost of their salaries now paid collectively as compared with pre-War; and what, in each case, may be regarded as the Civil Service complement necessary to fulfil the duties arising in connection with such naval increase of headquarters' staff?

The particulars asked for in the first and second parts of the question are as follow:

			Cost of Salaries, etc.£
Number of naval officers attached to Admiralty headquarters immediately before the War	…	152	102,600

Present number:
Naval officers	…	253
Naval ratings	…	8
		—	261	288,000

As regards the last part of the question, I am afraid that to obtain an accurate figure would necessitate an expenditure of labour which I do not feel we should be justified in undertaking.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the standard number of hours worked per day as week by the civilian administra-

The following table gives the information required by my hon. and gallant Friend:tive, technical and clerical staffs of the Admiralty in 1914; and what are the corresponding numbers to-day?

The normal working day of Admiralty civilian staffs follows that prescribed for the civilian staff of the public service generally, and there is no substantial difference between the rules laid down in 1914 and those in force to-day. It would require an exhaustive and laborious research into attendance books to ascertain the actual numbers of hours worked by various groups of staffs in all the Department-; of the Admiralty. I have, however, seen the record of attendance beyond the normal hours of the higher officers of one of the Departments, which can be regarded as typical, and I find that between 1907 and the outbreak of war, most of the higher staff habitually worked long hours. Attendances for nine and 10 hours a day were common, and attendances for longer periods not-unusual.Although attendance beyond the normal working day is still common with the more important officers, the conditions to-day admit of the working hours of the civilian staffs generally being confined within more reasonable limits than was the case before the War.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that certain disused huts at Acton are still in regular use by some of his women staff; that no sanitary accommodation exists in these huts; that inadequate, heating stoves are in use in which the staff are compelled to reburn used coke; that the pipes have now burst, releasing the water over the huts' wooden walls; and that, in view of the fact that one girl has recently collapsed owing to cold and others are suffering from neuritis and rheumatism, he will immediately make arrangements for the removal of the workers concerned to suitable premises?

The huts at Acton have been in regular use for several years. They are heated by means of slow-combustion stoves burning coke fuel, the supply of which is adequate. The number of staff engaged in these huts is approximately 15, and the sanitary accommodation provided consists of three lavatories, but owing to the bursting of water pipes caused by the recent severe weather these lavatories have temporarily been out of use, but are now in working order. Accommodation has, however, been available in the main building which is close at hand. I am not aware that a woman clerk in the huts recently collapsed owing to cold. A complaint regarding the temperature of the huts was raised and steps were taken immediately to light additional stoves. The sick leave of the staff working in the huts is not above the normal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the majority of writing assistants who have been transferred to Employment Exchanges for the purpose of promotion to the employment clerk grade have passed their period of trial successfully, he will, under those circumstances, offer further appointments in this grade to writing assistants in his Department?

The question of offering further appointments in the grade of employment clerk in this Department to writing assistants employed in this Department is under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, although a number of clerical class vacancies exist in the Money Order Department, practically no promotions have been made recently from the ranks of a large number of writing assistants employed in that office; and whether he will now consider the claims of this grade to further promotions, in view of the comparatively high seniority of many of the suitable women employed?

There are nine vacancies in the Money Order Department for women clerical officers, and the claims to promotion of eight writing assistants who have been on trial on the higher duties for some months past are at present receiving consideration. It is not yet certain whether it will be necessary to appoint an officer to fill the ninth vacancy.

asked the Postmaster-General what machinery exists for the promotion of shorthand typists employed in offices where no superintendentships exist in connection with superintendent vacancies in other branches of the Post Office; and what definitions have been laid down recently by his Department for assisting reporting officers in preparing annual reports upon writing assistants under the following headings: personality and force of character, judgment, power of taking responsibility, initiative, power of supervising staff, zeal and address, and tact?

No special machinery exists for the promotion of shorthand typists employed in offices where there are no posts for superintendents of typists. Their claims to a superintendentship in another office would only be considered in the absence of any sufficiently well-qualified local candidate. I am, however, considering the question whether it is desirable to introduce a common seniority list. With regard to the second part of the question, the form of the annual reports to be furnished upon writing assistants is under consideration by a sub-committee of the Post Office Departmental Whitley Council. No annual reports on writing assistants in the Post Office have yet been called for, and no definitions such as those referred to have been laid down.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a writing assistant, fourth on the seniority list of the Paymaster-General's Office, has recently been appointed to the Ministry of Health, inspector grade, at a salary rising to £300 basic; that this writing assistant was last year passed over for local promotion to the clerical class, carrying a maximum of £180 basic, because she was regarded as less suitable for promotion to the clerical grade than a comparatively junior writing assistant; whether he is aware that amongst such senior girls passed over for promotion one had qualified in an examination for appointment to the Customs and Excise clerical class, with a maximum of £180 basic, and was not called up solely on account of the small number of posts in this class reserved for non-service personnel, four have held Grade II appointments, one had been employed on Grade I work, and another has since been made responsible for the supervision of eight writing assistants in an unpaid capacity, although this duty is defined as clerical in the Reorganisation Report; and whether, in the circumstances, he will go into the question of making further promotions to the clerical class from amongst writing assistants employed in the office concerned, and will give instructions that in making further promotions seniority shall be given full weight.

The facts are as stated, except that no writing assistant has been formally entrusted with the supervision of others. An unauthorised arrangement of this sort which has come to notice will be discontinued. The writing assistant recently selected for promotion to clerk was so selected, after full consideration of the claims of her colleagues, on the ground of her superior suitability for clerical work. The question of promotion of further individual writing assistants in this office will continue to receive sympathetic consideration. Whilst I could not accept the view that seniority should be the governing or main consideration in such cases, it has already been laid down for the guidance of all Departments that in making selections for promotion to posts in which the work is of a routine character, seniority should be allowed more weight than in the case of promotions to posts involving greater responsibility and initiative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that some 20 senior shorthand typists in his Department have applied for promotion recently, in accordance with the principle laid down by the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service, under which shorthand typists, equally with writing assistants, are to be considered for promotion to the clerical class from time to time; and upon what grounds have these claims been refused consideration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not in these circumstances arise, but I would refer the hon. Member to the concluding paragraph of the answer given to the hon. Member for Lambeth, North (Mr. Briant) on the 3rd December.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the cost of administering the Risca (Monmouthshire) Employment Exchange for the months of September and November, 1925, respectively: and the salaries of the two chief officials for the same periods?

The cost of administering the Risca branch office for the month of September, 1925, was, approximately, £510, and for the month of November, 1925, approximately £400. The salaries of the two chief officials for the same period were £250 per annum and £330 per annum, respectively.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can now give any indication when the next open competitive examination for the situation of officer of Customs and Excise will be held?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to add anything to the information given to my Noble Friend, in reply to her question on this subject on the 17th February last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to overtime worked in the Ministry of Health in connection with the new Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, and also in the Board of Inland Revenue: whether, in view of the answer given in this House on the 10th March, 1924, to the hon. and gallant Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon), and, further, in view of the large numbers of redundant temporary ex-service men in the Civil Service at the present time and the further large impending reductions in staff, he will cause such overtime to be suspended in favour of providing additional employment for such redundant personnel?

As regards the Ministry of Health, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health to the hon. Member for Southwark, South-East (Mr. Naylor) on the 23rd November. Such overtime as is at present being worked by clerical grades in the Inland Revenue Department arises not so much from disparity of staff to normal requirements as from the emergency of special temporary or seasonal demands which cannot satisfactorily be met by the engagement of additional staff, particularly if such staff be without experience of Revenue work. Finally, I must not be understood as accepting the implications contained in the second part of the question with regard to the staffing of the Civil Service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to the recent King's Bench decision that thrift societies, not registered, cannot sue for outstanding debts; and, in view of this decision, will he consider compulsory registration in order to afford protection to the large number of poor people who utilise slate and loan societies as a means of thrift?

I have seen a report of the case referred to, and it does not appear to me to give any ground for modifying the views expressed in the reply given to the hon. Member on the 25th November on the question of compulsory registration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the heavy costs incurred by Major R. O. Sheppard at the recent inquiry ordered by His Majesty's Government will be paid; and whether he is aware that this officer is being seriously inconvenienced by the delay of the Treasury in making payment?

Payment will be made at an early date, and the Treasury solicitor is in communication with Major Sheppard's solicitors, with a view to determining the amount payable.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that he informed the hon. and learned Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Rawlinson), who conducted the recent inquiry into the case of Major R. O. Sheppard, in a letter acknowledging the receipt of his report, that in his opinion the case was quite an exceptional one, he will, in the circumstances, reconsider the propriety of reimbursing Major Sheppard the heavy costs incurred by him in defending himself against the false charges which the Commissioner found in his report were accepted by the police, as the result of an identification parade which was little more than a farce?

I cannot add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) on the 1st December.

asked the Homo Secretary whether Mr. J. G. Prickett, now an inmate of Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum, may be examined by the medical superintendent with the view to a report on his mental condition being submitted?

The superintendent reports periodically upon each inmate and also from time to time as occasion may require. My right hon. Friend has recently received a report upon Prickett, and I see no occasion for asking for a further report at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the rank, military or naval and police, and names of all officers of the Metropolitan Police above the rank of superintendent now in uniform, Criminal, and Special Branch Departments; and officers who have been appointed to establishment posts since 1918?

The officers of the Metropolitan Police Force above the rank of superintendent are as follow:

asked the Home Secretary whether in future he can make arrangements so that women inspectors shall not be sent to factories where no women or girls are employed?

I am considering carefully how far it is possible to meet the object of the question, but I ought to say that important problems of organisation are involved.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement, upon page 32 of the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories, as to the work of Sheffield cutlers being carried on in tenement factories which were originally dwelling-houses, and in which there may be 30 or 40 wooden-partitioned small rooms crowded together and leading to narrow and ill-lit passages; and how many Sheffield factories are of fairly modern construction, how many are tenement factories, and how many workpeople are accommodated in each of the two kinds?

Yes, the Report was submitted to me. The pas sage in question describes the difficulties experienced in Sheffield, especially in connection with cutlery tenement factories, in the enforcement of the provisions in the Celluloid Regulations which deal with means of escape in case of fire. It shows that as a result of the combined efforts of the factory staff and local authorities the fire danger has been enormously diminished. I cannot say how many of the Sheffield factories can be classed as of fairly modern construction, as the position is constantly changing, but I am informed by the chief inspector that on the whole Sheffield compares favourably in this respect with other areas. The number of tenement factories in Sheffield is 99, and there are approximately 2,500 persons employed in them. I regret that the number employed in the ordinary factories is not available.

also asked the Home Secretary how many notices regarding the new Regulations which come into force in January have been, or will be, issued in Sheffield; and how many of these refer to the cutlery trades?

Placard copies of the new Regulations for the grinding of cutlery and edge tools will be issued to 1,619 occupiers in Sheffield: 1,354 of these are engaged in cutlery work.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give particulars of any merging of police Forces which may have taken place since the issue of the Desborough Report, showing the estimated annual saving to local authorities and the national Exchequer in each case?

The police forces for the following cities and boroughs have been merged in the corresponding county forces since 1st January, 1920: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Louth, Truro, Durham, Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, Barnstaple, Hyde, and Banbury. I am not in a position to state the amount of the savings secured by their merger.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large and continuing increase in the installation of petrol pumps throughout the country, he will introduce legislation conferring upon local authorities the necessary powers for testing such petrol pumps within their areas?

:I have been asked to reply. The Weights and Measures (Amendment) Bill, which was read a first time on the 25th November and is printed, contains provisions' which, if enacted, will enable the Board of Trade to make regulations to effect what the hon. Member desires. I fear that time will not permit of the Bill being proceeded with during this Session, but in that event I hope to re-introduce it early next year.

asked the Home Secretary what decision he has come to with reference to the Report of the committee upon two-seater taximeter cabs?

No decision has yet been reached in this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the introduction of season tickets for motorists using London parking stations?

I have been asked to reply. The suggestion in the question is not one which I could entertain.

asked the Secretary for Mines the selling price per ton of export coals and also inland coals for the end of July, 1925, and the beginning of December, 1925, in each mining district?

The information required by the hon. Member is not collected by the Mines Department, but I have certain figures of prices relating to the months of July and October which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of shifts worked in each district during the months of

STATEMENT showing the Number of Man-shifts worked in each District during the Months August, September and October, 1925.
District.		August.	September.	October.
Scotland	…	2,623,675	2,694,887	2,917,838
Northumberland	…	923,429	1,045,639	1,188,060
Durham	…	2,358,417	2,583,519	2 878,357
South Wales and Monmouthshire	…	3,367,990	4,045,420	4,328,893
Eastern District*	…	6,212,579	6,790,427	7,564,981
Lancashire, North Staffordshire and Cheshire	…	2,071,764	2,343,220	2,570,737
North Wales	…	288,869	308,996	361,087
South Staffordshire and Salop	…	183,190	206,998	222,589
Cumberland	…	162,953	200,793	194,427
Bristol	…	29,356	32,165	37,017
Forest of Dean	…	127,735	126,825	145,740
Somerset	…	95,844	112,799	99,736
Kent	…	28,374	31,680	34,957
Great Britain	…	18,474,175	20,523,368	22,544,419

NOTE.—This statement relates to about 98 per cent. of the coal mining industry.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that there are some 30 auxiliary sorters working at Mount Pleasant who work from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily and on Mondays and Saturdays from 7.15 a.m. to 8.45; and if he can make arrangements whereby these men can also be employed on the remaining mornings of the week in order that their earnings may more nearly approximate to a living wage?

I find that most of the auxiliary sorters in question are at present being employed in the morning on four days a week; but in consequence of a pending revision of duties it may not be possible to continue this arrangement for long. Further enquiry will, however, be made into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amount of the reduction of the grant which will be

The particulars, so far as they are available, are as follow:sustained by the Rotherham Education Authority in consequence of the application of the proposals of the Circular 1,371?

The grants for the year 1924–25 for the Rotherham Authority have not yet beer finally determined, though the authority probably have sufficient data before them to be able to calculate the approximate amounts. But apart from this it is not practicable at this stage to form a comparison between the amount of the grants for 1926–27 proposed under Circular 1,371 and the amount which would be payable for that year under the existing system, since the latter sum must be calculated upon data which cannot be determined until after the end of the year 1926–27.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the grant proposed to be paid to authorities under Appendix (1) of Circular 1,371 makes provision for the employment of the same number of teachers during the next three years as were employed on the 31sb March, 1925; and. if so, whether an authority which employs more teachers than on the 31st March, 1925, will have to pay the salaries of those teachers which are in excess of that number out of the rates?

The hon. Member need not assume that the grant proposed under the Circular is intended to stabilise the number of teachers employed, during the period covered, at the number employed on the 31st March, 1925. The grant proposed is a guaranteed minimum during that period, not a fixed maximum, and, as I have already stated, I am ready to discuss the details of the proposals made in the Circular in their application to the area of any particular authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed to treat the provision of central elementary schools or additional secondary schools as new projects or services which must wait for the provision of new money by the Government when the national revenue improves, or whether he regards expenditure by local education authorities for these purposes as development of essential services in aid of which a margin above the amount required for the minimum block grants must be provided by the Government?

I do not think that any general rule can be laid down. For

—		1923–24 (audited accounts).	1924–25 (pre-audit returns).	Increase.
		£	£	£
Higher Education—Administration	…	604,000	669,000	65,000
Elementary Education—Administration	…	2,595,000	2,677,000	82,000
Elementary Education—"Other" Expenditure	…	7,492,000	8,077,000	585,000
		10,691,000	11,423,000	732,000

In the item "Other" Expenditure for the year 1923–24, the sum of £1,391,937 is included for upkeep of buildings, and £100,978 for transfers to loan and capital account. The figures for 1924–25 do not contain similar particulars at the pre-audit stage.As regards the last part of the question, the suggestion made in the Circular on

asked the President of the Board of Education how much of the increase of £750,000 mentioned in Circular 1,371 as increase of the local authorities 1934–25 expenditure over their 1923–24 expenditure is attributable to the administration of higher education, to the administration of elementary education, and to other expenditure on elementary education respectively; how much of the increase under the last heading is due to capital outlay charged to revenue; and whether he has any field for economy in other expenditure except in respect of such capital outlay?

The particulars as regards the approximate sum of £730,000 referred to (not £750,000 as stated) are as follow:this point will doubtless be among the subjects discussed when I meet the local authorities, and I should prefer to make no statement in advance of that discussion.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to Circular 1,371, issued by the Minister of Education; and what steps he intends to take to see that Scottish educational grants are not reduced as a consequence of this new policy in England?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no reason to anticipate that the amount of money available for distribution to Scottish education authorities in 1926–27 will fall appreciably snort of the sum that is at present being distributed under the Education Authorities (Scotland) Grant Regulations, 1925.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present naval strength of France and the United States of America in battleships, battle cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and aircraft, including all planes with service and training units?

The figures are as follow:

FRANCE.
Battleships	9
Battle Cruisers	Nil.
Cruisers	15
Destroyers	62
Submarines	49
Aircraft:
Airships	10
Planes (Service, 91; Training, 82)	173

U.S.A.
Battleships	…	…	…	…	18
Battle Cruisers	…	…	…	…	—
Cruisers	…	…	…	…	32
Destroyers	…	…	…	…	309*
Submarines	…	…	…	…	124
Aircraft:
Navy	…	…	…	…	156
Marine Corps	…	…	…	…	40
Training	…	…	…	…	130
Airships:
"Los Angeles" (civilian type, but used to train naval personnel).
Three small non-rigids.
* Includes 14 fitted as minelayers and 20 transferred to the Coastguard.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that during the recent strike at Swatow of seamen employed on British ships, communications across the harbour were maintained by His Majesty's ships utilising launches placed at their disposal by a private firm; and whether he will issue instructions that British ships in foreign ports should not interfere in local industrial disputes?

His Majesty's Ship "Bluebell," which was stationed at Swatow in July last for the protection of British lives and property, found her own motor boat unable to cope with the local tides, and therefore obtained some boats on loan from a private firm. As the hon. Member is probably aware, the troubles at Swatow were not limited to a strike of Chinese seamen; the town itself was in a very disturbed condition, and an attempt was made to impose a boycott on all British and Japanese residents, all supply of food to them being forbidden. Under these circumstances it would be the duty of His Majesty's ships to take all necessary steps for the protection of British residents, and to give any assistance which might be required in the distribution of necessaries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his Department is satisfied it possesses the most up-to-date diving apparatus; and, if not, what steps it is taking to improve it?

The diving apparatus employed in the Royal Navy is of the most up-to-date type. The depth at which it can be used is, however, limited to 35 fathoms. Attempts have been made for many years to produce a diving dress in which the wearer is not subjected to the water pressure at great depths and is also able to carry out work, The Admiralty have kept in touch with such inventions, none of which up to the present time has been considered of practical value. The German diving dress recently employed in the "M.I" operations has been under investigation by the Admiralty for some time and was considered to show some prospect of success. Arrangements had accordingly been made for practical trials of the apparatus next year to be observed by Admiralty representatives. It was for this reason that it was decided to give this apparatus a trial in the "M.I" operations. As a full report on these operations has not yet been received, I am afraid I am not in a position to make any definite statement as to the value of' the German apparatus.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total amount of prize money still undistributed; and how many War medals remain unawarded?

The total amount of prize money awaiting payment is £232,000. The naval War medals not yet issued number 138,800. The number given in my reply of the 18th November to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham (Mr. Bennett) should have been 140,000 and not 160,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the approximate annual cost of each cadet at Cranwell and Halton; and what is the proportion of instructional and medical staff, respectively, to the number of cadets?

STATEMENT I
Aliens Order, 1920—Article 1 (3) (b).
Summary of Permits granted and refused daring the period 1st January, 1925 to 30th September, 1925.
Classes of Labour.	Granted.	Refused.
Domestic Servants (Note "a.")	1,127	292
Musicians including Soloists (Note "b")	177	10
Theatrical, Vaudeville and Concert Artistes (Note "b")	1,101	52
Foreign Correspondents, Clerks, Volunteer Business Trainees, etc	447	90
Telegraph Operators (transfers from foreign stations)	25	—
Mosaic, Terrazzo and Marble Workers, etc.	5	6
Engineers to erect and repair imported machinery (Note "b")	136	11
Sugar Beet Industry (Machinery Erectors and Specialist Workers)	271	1
Seine Net Fishers, Cod Splitters, Whale Fishing etc. (seasonal employment)	57	—
Hotel and Restaurant Employés (mainly in exchange for British employés proceeding abroad for experience).	155	52
Teachers of Foreign Languages	278	11
Nurses (mainly Probationers for Training)	35	3
Miscellaneous (Note "c")	247	213
Totals	4,061	741

The cadets for the Air Force are trained at Cranwell, Halton being a station for apprentices, i.e. enlisted boys, and I assume that my hon and gallant Friend is not inquiring as to the cost of training the latter.As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 7th instant to the Bon. Member for Ilford (Sir F. Wise). As regards the second part, the proportion of instructional staff to cadets is 1 to 368. This figure includes instructors in technical subjects, physical training, etc., in addition to the civilian staff in charge of the cadets' general education. The duties of the medical staff at Cranwell Hospital are not confined to providing medical attendance for the cadets since the hospital meets the requirements of Cranwell and the surrounding stations, including officers, cadets, airmen and married families, so that any figure showing the proportion of medical personnel to cadets would be valueless.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of permits issued to employers for the nine months ending 30th September last in accordance with Article 1 (3) (b) of the Aliens Order?

The following statements give the information requested:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that some Employment Exchange officials are informing certain applicants for benefit who have been refused that there is no need for them to sign on for a few weeks; and whether, in view of the effect this is likely to have on the unemployment returns, he will give instructions that this practice should cease?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of 19th November, to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn), of which I am sending her a copy. If particulars of any specific case can be supplied to me, I will cause immediate enquiries to be made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can arrange for the number of persons in insured industries, and particularly the motor-car industry, to be calculated and published each month instead of, as at present, once a year in respect of July?

The statistics of numbers of insured persons employed in the various industries are obtained by an analysis of the unemployment books

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployment books on deposit at the Employment Exchanges on 9th November, 1925; the number of persons signing the live register on the same date and receiving unemployment benefit; and the number of persons whose books remained on deposit on 9th November but who are not signing the live register or receiving benefit?

At 26th October, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,287,733 unemployment books were recorded as "lodged" at Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in Great Britain. Of this total, 1,176,471 related to persons who either had claims to benefit current or were maintaining registration, but I am unable to say how many were then actually receiving benefit. The balance of 111,262 consists of persons whose unemployment books were lodged, but who had no claim to benefit current, and were not maintaining registration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that R. Axworthy, of 24, Hampton Street, Plymouth, an insured person since 1911, who has been out of employment since March last, has been refused further unemployment benefit, although he provided proof that he was diligently seeking employment; and whether he will state the grounds upon which this man, who has a wife and three children to support, has been denied unemployment benefit?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if any instructions have been issued to the managers of the Employment Exchanges throughout the country, or in Glasgow in particular, that no person who has been out of work for over two years should receive benefit unless in very exceptional cases; if so, will he state the nature of such instruction sent, or if any notice has been sent out to tighten the Regulations dealing with persons out of work over two years; and, if no notice has been sent out, will he state why so many persons are being disallowed benefit who have been out of work for two years, and in Glasgow in particular?

No instructions have been issued on this point other than those contained in paragraphs 37 to 43 of L.E.C. 82, 15, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards the last part of the question, the reason for the disallowances, no doubt, is that the claimants do not fulfil the statutory condition. The percentage of disallowance on this ground in the Glasgow area is slightly less than that for Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, after a person has been granted benefit by a rota committee, it is a practice for them in certain cases to be reviewed by another rota committee, which may overturn the decision of the first committee; and if he will take steps to put an end to this practice?

Rota committees do not grant benefit; they may recommend it and their recommendations are usually adopted. For a number of reasons, re-hearings are sometimes necessary and take place before a rota which frequently consists of different individuals from those who constituted the rota which first heard the case. I do not think this arrangement is avoidable, or indeed open to any serious objection.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons who have applied for extended benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act at Blaina, Abertillery, and Crumlin Employment Exchanges; the number who have been granted extended benefit; and the number who have been refused?

Separate statistics for Blaina, Abertillery and Crumlin cannot he given, as applications from these districts are dealt with by the Ebbw Vale Local Employment Committee. During the period 25th August to 16th November this committee considered 6,211 cases, of which 6,070 were admitted, 83 refused and 58 remained adjourned for further information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that European civil servants in Nigeria can now, by the expenditure of about £4 over and above the second-class passage granted them, obtain a first-class passage by certain German boats, he will consider making representations to the steamship lines to secure similar facilities on British boats?

Most classes of European civil servants in Nigeria are granted first-class passages on British boats. A first-class passage on a British boat costs £15 more than a second-class. I should naturally be glad if the British company could see their way to reduce fares.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to reduce expenditure on the Army, Navy and Air Force now that the Peace Pact of Locarno has been signed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 26th November in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Livingstone).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the aggregate rent of Crown property on which grants are made to rating authorities; and what is the aggregate value of the grants thus made on such rent?

The amount expended from the Vote for Rates on Government property in the year 1924-25 was £1,673,000 on a net rental basis of £3,021,500 Although this is the largest proportion of the grants paid by the Government in lieu of rates, the above figures are not comprehensive, smaller sums being borne on the funds of other Government Departments such as the Post Office in respect of telegraph and telephone wires (amount paid in 1924–25, £230,000), Ministry of Agriculture, in England and Wales and Scotland, and Forestry Commission, etc. Perhaps, however, the above figures will sufficiently meet my hon. Friend's wishes in putting the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the reasons for the increase of £57,900 in the cost of stationery and printing for the Admiralty over the cost for 1924–25?

The figures used by the hon. Member refer to the estimated costs, and not the actual costs, for the years 1924–25 and 1925–26. £57,900 is the difference between the estimated cost for 1924–25 (£128,100) and the estimated cost for 1925–26 (£186,000). The earlier estimate, prepared in the latter part of 1923, was based on an experience of rapidly declining expenditure which it was hoped would continue. In the result, however, the actual expenditure for 1924–25 exceeded the estimate for that year by £78,762. The estimate for 1925–26 is therefore less by £20,862 than the actual expenditure in 1924–25.EXCHEQUER (

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the total amount of ex gratia contributions to the Exchequer by men of wealth during the past five or the past 10 years, including in his statement amounts of interest relinquished on Government bonds, less the approximate amount of Income Tax which would have been deducted?

The ex gratia contributions to the Exchequer received from private individuals since the outbreak of the late War have been as follows:

	£
Cash, including dividends relinquished	425,177
Government stock and bonds	498,610

In addition, £366,592 was lent to the Government free of interest for varying periods. In the absence of the necessary information as to the Income Tax liability of the donors, I cannot give an estimate of the amount of Income Tax which would have been deducted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue he expects the proposed duties of cutlery, gloves and gas mantles will yield this financial year; and what revenue they will yield in a full financial year?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which I made in the course of debate on the 7th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the names of the companies in which the Treasury has a financial interest, specifying the amount of the interest in each case and stating the annual profit or loss obtained on the taxpayers' account in each year since the holdings were acquired, and the present value of the shares?

I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (Mr. A. M. Samuel) on the 25th April, 1923, of which I am sending him a copy. I will take steps to have the information as to the yield and present value of these holdings brought up to date, and will circulate it in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the present position of British Celanese, Limited, what was the total amount of Government investment in this company, what is the present holding and the value of the shares, if the board of directors now contains any independent artificial silk manufacturing expert, and whether he is aware that, generally speaking, among artificial silk manufacturing concerns this is the only one not making profit?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been invested in or advanced or guaranteed to British Celanese, Limited, by the Treasury; what profits or losses have been made on the taxpayers' account or dividends declared since the Treasury first acquired any interest in the company; and how much artificial silk per day has been on the average produced?

As has been frequently explained, the Government in 1920 took £1,450,000 7½ per cent. cumulative participating preference shares of £1 as payment for the war indebtedness of the company, which was £1,450,000 advanced on debenture and mortgage. The present Government holding is £500,000 of these shares, which are at present quoted at 12s. 6d. each. No dividends have been declared. In addition the company owes the Government a sum of £50,000. I have no information as to the other questions asked.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in March, 1920, a prospectus was issued by the British Cellulose Company, with the approval of His Majesty's Government, stating that His Majesty's Government had agreed to take £1,450,000 preference shares and to appoint two directors, and also stating that it was possible, from knowledge of the capacity and plant of the company, to estimate on a conservative basis that an annual profit of £1,500,000 would be made, and that very substantial dividends would be declared, and that nine tons of silk per day would be produced; whether he is aware that on these representations the public subscribed £2,800,000; whether he will undertake, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, that the State will in future refrain from giving its approval and encouragement to appeals for public money which leave those who respond in the belief that the statements are capable of realisation the victims of financial loss; and whether the Government proposes, in this case, to compensate those who have put their faith in the statements approved by His Majesty's Government?

During the War a sum of £1,450,000 was advanced by the Government to the British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Company on debenture or mortgage for extensions of buildings and plant for the purpose of manufacturing large quantities of cellulose acetate, which was urgently required for war purposes. In 1920 the British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing (Parent) Company, Limited, issued 4,250,000 7½ per cent. cumulative participating preference shares of £1 each at par. Of these the Government took 1,450,000 fully paid shares in payment of the advances made by the Government on debenture to the company of a like amount, and this fact was clearly shown on the prospectus. The responsibility for the prospectus rested with the issuing house and not with the Government, who did no more than approve the terms in which the prospectus referred to the Government's acceptance of preference shares. As regards the concluding portion of the question, I am unable to agree that approval and encouragement was in fact given in this case to the appeal for public money, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that certain American film-producing organisations have established film - renting companies in this country for the purpose of distributing their films to British cinema exhibitors; that the prices charged by the American organisations to the renting companies for the purchase or hire of the films are such as to preclude any profit being shown by the latter, although in fact large profits are made by the American companies out of the hiring of American films to British exhibitors; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the advisability of putting a direct tax on all foreign films shown in this country, calculated on the amount of the hiring fee paid by the exhibitor?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware, generally, of the arrangements made by foreign film-producing organisations for distributing films in this country. Various proposals, relating to the cinematograph film industry, are under consideration, but I should add that the bearing of some of our commercial treaties on a tax of the Kind referred to by my hon. Friend in the last part of his question would require to be carefully examined.

asked the Chancellor of "the Exchequer if the United States received any payment from the first year's operation of the Dawes plan; and, if so, how much was it?

The sum allocated to the United States Government out of the first Dawes Annuity was 15,327,667 gold marks (£766,000). I understand that no arrangements have yet been made for the transfer of this sum to the United States Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inform the House of the number of male and female inspectors exclusively engaged in supervising and inspecting the casual wards of the workhouses of England?

There is no inspector, male or female, exclusively engaged in the inspection of casual wards.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is able to inform the House the number of workhouses on an average visited in the course of a day by one inspector; and whether he is aware that some of such visits consist of interviewing the master -of the workhouse only, and that frequently visits are made to workhouses without the casual ward being inspected?

The number of visits paid by an inspector in the course of a day and the departments of the institution visited in each case must depend on the purpose of the visit. Not more than one inspection would usually be made in a day, and an inspection, as opposed to a visit for some special purpose, would extend to every part of the institution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statistics to show the number of foreign seamen employed on British ships?

Information as to the number of alien seamen employed in ships of the British mercantile marine was contained in answers given to the Noble Lord the Member for Southampton (Lord Apsley) on the 17th December, 1924, and 27th February, 1925, copies of which I am sending to my Noble Friend, together with the figures for the first nine months of this year.

NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES of engagements of British and Foreign Seamen at Mercantile Marine Offices in the United Kingdom for the first nine months of 1925.
—	Number.	Percentage.
British other than Asiatics and Africans.	390,801	94·57
Foreigners other than Asiatics and Africans.	10,406	2·52
Asiatics and Africans (British and Foreign).	12,037	2·91
Total	413,253	100·00

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, prior to the waiving of the Regulations regarding the wireless personnel to be carried on all ships of 1,600 tons and over, the matter received the consideration of the merchant shipping advisory committee; and, if not, whether the matter will be considered by that committee and, if so, when?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. Under the Merchant Shipping Acts

"the Board of Trade may, if they think fit, appoint committees for the purpose of advising them when considering the making or alteration of any rules, regulations or scales for the purpose of the Merchant Shipping Acts."

The action to be taken in case of a strike or other emergency does not fall under this heading. The responsibility for such action rests on the Board of Trade.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade the number since 25th November of ships of 1,600 tons and over and fitted with wireless installations that have proceeded to sea with wireless operators possessing only restricted wireless certificates; the number which have proceeded to sea with an incomplete wireless personnel; the number which have proceeded to sea without wireless operators; the number held up in the United Kingdom ports at present on account of not being able to secure wireless operators; and under what Statute he is permitting ships of 1,600 tons and over to proceed to sea with men holding only restricted wireless certificates?

According to the returns from the principal ports, the number of ships coming under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, which have proceeded to sea with operators holding only restricted certificates up to the end of last week was nine; the number which had at least one operator, but not the number required by the Rules, was 13; while 178 ships had no operators at all. I have no information of any ships being delayed for the purpose of obtaining operators. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 30th November, and to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on 3rd December, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount and tonnage of the imports and exports between Britain and Russia from 1st January, 1926, to date; and the amount of gold imported or exported from or to that country?

The following particulars, extracted from the official " Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom " for October, 1925, show the value of the imports and exports of the United: Kingdom registered as consigned from or to Russia during the first nine months of 1925:

		£
Imports:
Merchandise	…	16,173,315
Bullion and Specie	…	3,447,076
Exports:
Produce and Manufactures of the United Kingdom	…	4,041,347
Imported Merchandise	…	9,601,280
Bullion and Specie	…	1,135,638

Particulars of the aggregate weight of these imports and exports are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any protests from Chambers of Trade or individual traders as to the proposed sale of commodities to be exhibited at the British Industries Fair, 1926; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I may perhaps refer my hon. Friend to the reply on this subject given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Overseas Trade on the 7th instant, of which I am sending him a copy. My hon. Friend has since held a further conference with representatives of the interests concerned, and expects shortly to be able to announce that a satisfactory arrangement has been arrived at.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Government has taken, or proposes to take, any steps to endeavour to bring to an end the boycott of British traders by the Chinese in Canton and Hong Kong?

The conditions prevailing at Canton, and its independence of the central Chinese Government, have made it necessary to leave to the local official of His Majesty's Government a large discretion as to the best means of ending the boycott. Their efforts to this end have been unremitting, and, although they have hitherto not been successful, I understand that a further attempt to reach a settlement is now being made.