Written Answers

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Royal Navy

Pay

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether naval ratings who were serving prior to the 4th October, 1925, who are permitted to change their ratings will receive the Jerram scale of pay in their new ratings or the new scales laid in Admiralty Fleet Order 2859/1925, seeing that such ratings will not have interrupted their service engagements?

The old scales of pay will be applicable except that ratings transferring to the artificer, shipwright and artisan branchei3 must accept the new grading and the new rates of pay and men transferring to the writer branch must accept advancement in vacancies instead of automatic advancement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the daily rates of pay of the various grades of officers and men serving in the Navy and the rates operative in 1913?

I will circulate in the Official Report a table showing the daily rates of pay of naval officers and ratings operative in 1913. The current rates are shown in the Navy Estimates for 1925–26 as modified in the Official report of 20th November, 1925, columns 772–784.

Following is the table promised:

DAILY BATE OF FULL PAY OF NAVAL OFFICERS AND RATINGS (1913).
RANK.	£	s.	d.
Admiral of the Fleet	6	0	0
Admiral	5	0	0
Vice-Admiral	4	0	0
Rear-Admiral	3	0	0
Commodore of the First Class	3	0	0
Captain of the Fleet (not allowed Table Money)	3	0	0
Captains:
To the first 80	1	13	0
To the next 80	1	7	6
To the remainder	1	2	6
Commanders	1	2	0
Lieutenants:
On promotion	0	10	0
After 4 years	0	11	0
After 6 years	0	12	0
After 8 years	0	13	0
After 10 years	0	14	0
After 12 years	0	15	0
After 14 years	0	10	0
Mates (Acting or confirmed)	0	8	0
Sub-Lieutentant or Acting Sub-Lieutenant serving afloat who has completed all examinations for the rank of Lieutenant	0	5	0
Acting Sub-Lieutenant	0	3	6
Midshipman	0	1	9
Staff Captain	1	8	0
Lieutenants on the Supplementary List entered prior to 1st April, 1913:
Under 8 years' seniority	0	10	0
Of 8 years' seniority and 6 years' service, of which 3 have been in a Ship of War at Sea	0	12	0

RANK.	£	s.	d.
Of 12 yeans' seniority and 9 years' service, of which 6 have been in a Ship of War at Sea	0	14	0
Mess Allowance to each of the above	0	2	0
Note.—This Allowance is part of these Officers' Substantive Pay, and is not-subject to reduction under Article 829 of the King's Regulations.
Lieutenants and Sub-Lieutenants on the Supplementary List entered after 7th March, 1913, receive Full Pay at the rates provided for Officers of those ranks in the Royal Navy together with Mess Allowance at 2s. and 1s. a day respectively in accordance with Note above.
Chaplain and Naval Instructor:
Under 5 years' service	0	12	0
After 5 Years Service	0	13	0
After 8 years' service	0	14	0
After 11years' service	0	15	0
After 14 years' service.	0	16	0
After 17 years' service	()	17	0
After 20 years' service	0	18	0
After 21 years' service	0	19	0
After 22 years' service	1	0	0
After 23 years' service	1	1	0
After 24 years' service	l	2	0
Engineer Near-Admiral	3	0	0
Engineer Captain	1	15	0
Engineer Captain after 1 year	1	17	6
Engineer Captain 2 years	2	0	0
Engineer Commander	1	4	0
After 2 years	1	7	0
After 4 years	1	10	0
After 6 years	1	13	0
Engineer Lieutenant	0	10	0
After 2 years	0	11	0
After 4 years	0	12	0
After 6 years	0	13	0
After 8 years,	0	16	0
After 10 years	0	17	0
After 12 years	0	18	0
After 14 years	1	0	0
Engineer Sub-Lieutenant	0	7	6
Paymaster-in-Chief	1	18	0
Fleet Paymaster:
On promotion	1	1	0
Of 1 year's seniority	1	2	0
of 2 years' seniority	1	3	0
Of 3 year's seniority	1	1	0
Of 4 year's seniority	1	2	0
Of 5 year's seniority	1	6	0
Of 6 year's seniority	1	7	0
Of 7 year's seniority	1	7	0
Of 8 year's seniority	1	9	0
Of 9 year's seniority	1	10	0
Of 10 year's seniority	1	11	0
Of 11 year's seniority	1	12	0
Of 12 year's seniority	1	13	0
Staff Paymaster:
On promotion	0	18	0
Of 2 years' seniority	0	19	0

RANK.	£	s.	d.
Paymaster:
On promotion	0	15	0
Of 1 year's seniority	0	16	0
Of 3 years' seniority	0	17	0
Assistant Paymaster:
On promotion	0	5	0
Of 2 years' seniority	0	7	0
Of 4 years' seniority	0	10	0
Of 8 years' seniority	0	11	0
Of 10 years' seniority	0	12	0
Of 12 years' seniority	0	13	0
Clerk	0	4	0
Assistant Clerk	0	2	6
The following are the rates of pay of Accountant Officers entered prior to 1st October, 1910, who elected to remain on the old scale of pay in accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 13th October, 1910: —
Paymaster-in-Chief	1	18	0
Fleet Paymaster, Staff Paymaster, Paymaster:
Tinder 5 years' service	0	14	0
After 5 years' service	0	15	0
After 8 years' service	0	16	0
After 11 years' service.	0	17	0
After 14 years' service	0	19	0
After 17 years' service	1	1	0
After 20 years' service	1	2	6
After 21 years' service	1	4	0
After 22 years' service	1	5	6
After 23 years' service	1	7	0
After 24 years' service	1	8	6
After 25 years' service	1	10	0
After 26 years' service	1	11	6
After 27 years' service	1	13	0
Assistant Paymaster:
Under 3 years' service	0	5	0
After 3 years' service	0	7	0
After 4 years' service	0	8	0
After 6 years' service	0	9	0
After 9 years' service	0	10	0
After 10 years' service	0	10	6
After 11 years' service	0	11	0
After 12 years' service	0	11	6
Clerk	0	4	0
Assistant Clerk	0	2	6
Surgeon-General	1,300	0	0
	(a year)
Deputy Surgeon-General	2	5	0
Fleet Surgeon:
On promotion	1	7	0
After 2 years	1	8	0
After 4 years	1	10	0
After 6 years	1	11	0
After 8 years	1	13	0
After 10 years	1	15	0
Staff Surgeon:
On promotion	1	0	0
After 2 years	1	1	0
After 4 years	1	4	0
After 6 years	1	5	0
Surgeon:
On entry	0	14	0
After 2 years	0	15	0
After 4 years	0	17	0
After 6 years	0	18	0

RANK.	£	s.	d.
The following are the rates of pay of Medical Officers entered before the 9th. August 1911, who elected to remain on the old scale of pay in accordance with the provisions of Order in Council of the 8th August, 1911:
Surgeon-General	1,300	0	0
	(a year)
Deputy Surgeon-General	2	2	0
Fleet Surgeon:
On promotion	1	7	0
After 4 years' Full-pay service in rank	1	10	0
After 8 years' Full-pay service in rank	1	13	0
After 12 years' Full-pay service in rank	1	16	0
Staff Surgeon:
On promotion	1	0	0
After 4 years' Full-pay service in rank	1	4	0
Surgeon:
On entry	0	14	0
After 4 years' Full-pay service in rank	0	17	0
Lieutenant and Carpenter Lieutenant promoted from Commissioned Warrant or Warrant Rank (excepting those promoted for acts of gallantry or daring):
On promotion	0	13	0
After 2 years' service	0	13	6
After 4 years' service	0	14	0
After 6 years' service	0	14	6
After 8years' service	0	15	0
Commissioned Warrant Officers:
On promotion	0	10	0
After 2 years' service	0	10	6
After 4 years' service	0	11	0
After 6 years' service	0	11	6
After 8 years' service	0	12	0
Gunner, Boatswain and Warrant Telegraphist:
On promotion	0	6	0
After 5 years' service	0	7	0
After 10 years' service	0	8	0
After 15 years' service	0	9	0
Carpenter:
On promotion	0	7	0
After 5 years' service	0	8	0
After 10 years' service	0	9	0
Engineer Lieutenants promoted from Commissioned Warrant or Warrant Rank:
On promotion	0	14	6
After 2 years' service	0	15	0
After 4 years' service	0	15	6
After 6 years' service	0	16	0
After 8 years' service	0	16	6
Chief Artificer Engineers, Comsioned Mechanicians, Commissioned Electricians and Chief Schoolmasters:
On promotion	0	11	6
After 2 years' service	0	12	0
After 4 years' service	0	12	6
After 6 years' service	0	13	0
After 8 years' service	0	13	6

RANK.	£	s.	d.
Artificer Engineers and Warrant Electricians:
On promotion	0	8	6
After 5 years' service	0	9	6
After 10 years' service	0	10	6
Warrant Mechanicians:
On promotion	0	7	6
After 5 years' service	0	9	0
After 10 years' service	0	10	6
Head Wardmaster:
On promotion	0	6	0
After 5 years' service	0	7	0
After 10 years' service	0	8	0
After 15 years' service	0	9	0
Head Schoolmasters:
On promotion	0	8	6
After 5 years' service	0	9	6
After 10 years' service	0	10	6
After 15 years' service	0	11	0
Warrant Writer, Chief Master-at-Arms and Warrant Armourer:
On promotion	0	7	0
After 5 years' service	0	8	6
After 10 years' service	0	10	0
Head Steward:
On promotion	0	8	0
After 5 years' service	0	9	0
After 10 years' service	0	10	0
Instructor of Cookery:
On promotion	0	6	0
After 5 years' service	0	7	0
After 10 years' service	0	8	0

MILITARY BRANCH.
Ratings.	Continuous service		Non-Continuous service
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Boy:
2nd Class^*	0	6	—
1st Class^*	0	7	—
Ordinary Seaman^*	1	3	1	1
Able Seaman	1	8	1	5
After 6 years' man's service	1	11	—
Leading Seaman	2	2	1	7
After 3 years is passed for Petty Officer	2	4	1	7
Petty Officer	3	0	1	11
After 3 years	3	2	1	11
After 6 years	3	4	1	11
Chief Petty Officer	3	8	2	4
After 3 years	4	0	2	6
After 6 years	4	4	2	6
Signal Boy^* or Boy Telegraphist^*	0	7	—
Ordinary Signalman^* or Ordinary Telegraphist^*	1	3	—
Signalman or Telegraphist	1	11	—
After 6 years' man's service	2	2	—
Leading Signalman	2	6	—
After 1 year, if passed for Yeoman	2	10	—
Leading Telegraphist	2	6	—
After 1 year, if passed the approved standard	2	10	—

Ratings.	Continuous service		Non-Continuous service
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Yeoman of Signals or Petty Officer Telegraphist	3	4	—
After 1 year, if recommended, or after 4 years in any case	3	8	—
After 3 years from date of receiving 3s. 8d	4	0	—
chief Yeoman of Signals or O.P.O. Telegraphist	4	4†	—
After 3 years	4	7†	—
After 6 years	4	10‡	—
Sailmaker's Mate	2	2	—
After 3 years	2	4	—
Sailmaker (P.O.)	2	9	—
After 3 years	3	0	—
After 6 years	3	3	—

ENGINEER BRANCH.
Stoker, 2nd Class^*	1	8	1	5
Stoker, 1st Class	2	1	1	9§
After 6 years' man's service	2	4	—
Acting Leading Stoker	2	8	—
Leading Stoker	2	8	—
After 3 years	2	10	—
Stoker Petty Officer	3	2	—
After 3 years	3	4	—
After 6 years	3	6	—
Chief Stoker (C.P.O)	3	10	—
After 3 years	4	4	—
After 6 years	4	10	—
After 9 years	5	4	—
After 12 years	5	10	—
Mechanician (O.P.O.):
Under 3 years' service as such	4	6	—
Over 3 years' service	5	0	—
Over 6 years' service	5	6	—
Over 9 years' service	6	0	—
Over 12 years' service	6	6	—
Boy Artificer:
1st year^*	0	6	—
2nd year^*	0	7	—
3rd year^*	0	8	—
4th year^*	0	9	—
Engine Boom Artificer, 5th Class^*	3	0	—
Engine Boom Artificer (C.P.O.):
4th Class	5	6	—
3rd Class	5	9	—
2nd Class	6	0	—
1st Class (provided he has engaged for further term of 10 years)	6	6	—
Chief E.R.A. (C.P.O.):
2nd Class	7	0	—
1st Class	7	6	—
ARTISAN BRANCH.
Carpenter's Crew	2	6	2	1
After 3 years	2	9	—
Leading Carpenter's
Crew	2	11	2	5
Joiner T (P.O.)	3	2	—
After 3 years	3	6	—
After 6 years	3	10	—
Shipwright (O.S.)	4	0	3	9

Rating.	Continuous Service.		Non-continuous Service.
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Shipwright, 3rd Class	4	0	—
Shipwright, 2nd Class (P.O.)	4	6	—
After 3 years	4	9	—
Shipwright, 1st Class (P.O.)	6	0	—
After 3 years	5	3	—
Chief Ship w right (C.P.O.)	5	6	—
After 3 years	5	9	—
After 6 years	6	0	—
After 9 years	6	3	—
Blacksmith's Mate	2	9	2	3
After 3 years, if passed Blacksmith	2	11	—
After 6 years, if passed Blacksmith	3	1	—
Blacksmith (P.O.):
Under 3 years as such	3	4	2	0
After 3 years as such	3	8	2	10\|\|
After 6 years as such	4	0	—
Plumber's Mate, on entry	2	7	2	2
After 3 years, if passed Plumber	2	9	—
After 6 years, if passed Plumber	2	11	—
Plumber (P.O.)	3	2	2	9
After 3 years	3	6	—
After 6 years	3	10	—
Painter, 2nd Class, on entry	2	7	2	2
After 3 years, if passed Painter	2	9	—
After 6 years, if passed Painter	2	11	—
Painter, 1st Class (P.O.)	3	2	2	9
After 3 years	3	6	—
After 6 years	3	10	—
Cooper's Grew	2	6	2	3
Second Cooper	2	11	2	7
Cooper (P.O.)	3	2	2	11
After 3 years	3	6	—
After 6 years	3	10	—
Armourer's Crew:
On entry	2	6	—
After 3 years	2	9	—
Armourer's Mate	3	0	—
After 3years	3	3	—
After 6 years, if qualified for Armourer	3	6	—
Armourer (P.O.)	4	0	2	9
Chief Armourer (C.P.O.)	4	6	—
After 3 years	5	3	—
After 6 years	6	0	—
Electrical Artificer (C.P.O.):
4th Class	5	6	—
3rd Class	5	9	—
2nd Class	6	0	—
1st Class (provided he has engaged for further term to complete time for pension)	6	6	—
Chief Electrical Artificer (C.P.O.):
2nd Class	7	0	—
1st Class	7	6	—

Rating.	Continuous Service.		Non-continuous Service.
MEDICAL BRANCH.
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Sick Berth Attendant:
During training^*	1	6	—
After training	2	0	—
After 3 years, if passed for 2nd S.B.S.	2	3	—
2nd Sick Berth Steward	2	6	—
After 3 years, if passed for S.B.S.	2	9	—
Sick Berth Steward (P.O.)	3	2	—
After 3 years	3	6	—
After 6 years	3	10	—
After 9 years	4	2	—
Chief Sick Berth Steward (O.P.O.)	4	6	—
After 2 years	5	0	—
ACCOUNTANT BRANCH.
Boy Writer^*	1	0	—
Third Writer	2	0	—
Second Writer	3	3	—
First Writer (P.O.)	4	3	—
Chief Writer (C.P.O.)	5	0	—
After 4 years	5	6	—
After 8 years	6	0	—
Ship's Steward's Boy^*	0	7	—
Ship's Steward's Assistant under 3 years, or if failed to pass for Second Ship's Steward	1	6	—
After 3 years, if passed for Second Ship's Steward	2	3	—
After 6 years, if passed for Second Ship's Steward	2	9	—
Second Ship's Steward (P.O.)	3	3	—
Ship's Steward (C.P.O.)	3	6	—
After 4 years	4	0	—
After 8 years	5	0	—
After 12 years	6	0	—
Cooks.
Second Cook's Male^*	1	8	—
Cook's Mate	2	0	—
Leading Cook's Mate	2	6	—
After 3 years	2	9	—
Ship's Cook (P.O.)	3	0	—
After 3 years	3	4	—
Chief Ship's Cook (C.P.O.)	3	10	—
After 3 years	4	1	—
After 6 years	4	4	—
After 9 years	4	7	—
After 12 years	4	10	—
POLICE.
Ship's Corporal, 2nd Class (P.O.)	2	8	—
Ship's Corporal, 1st Class (P.O.)	3	4	—
After 3 years	3	7	—
After 6 years	3	10	—
Master-at-Arms (C.P.O.)	4	4	—
After 3 years	4	10	—
After 6 years	5	4	—
After 9 years	6	0	—

Rating.	Continuous Service.		Non-continuous Service.
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Master-at-Arms serving at Naval Detention Quarters receive pay at the rate of 6s. a day, inclusive, in lieu of substantive and non-substantive pay and badges	6	0	—
Bandsman:
Under 3 years' service as such	1	4	1	4
Over 3 years' service as such	1	7	1	7
Band Corporal	2	0	2	0
Bandmaster (O.P.O.):
Under 4 years' service as such	2	5	2	6
Over 4 years' service as such	2	8	2	8
Chief Bandmaster (C.P.O.):
On appointment	2	11	2	11
After 3 years' service as such	3	5	3	5
Ship's Musician	2	0	2	0
Stewards and Cooks, Officers':
Boy Servant^*	—		1	0
Officers' Steward and Officers' Cook:
3rd class, under 3 years' service	—		1	3
3rd class, over 3 years' service	—		1	0
2nd class, under 3 years' service	—		1	9
2nd class, over 3 years' service	—		2	0
1st class, under 3 years' service	—		2	3
1st class, over 3 years' service	—		2	6
Officers' Chief Steward	—		3	0
Officers' Chief Cook	—		3	0
Captain's and Cabin Steward	—		3	0
Captain's and Cabin Cook	—		3	0
General Messman	—		3	0
Tailor	—		1	6
After 6 years	—		1	0
Shoemaker	—		1	6
After 6 years	—		1	9
Keeper and Steward of Royal Cabins in H.M. Yacht "Alexandra":
On appointment	4	6	—
After 4 years	5	6	—
After 8 years	6	6	—
Naval Schoolmaster^* (C.P.O.):
On appointment	5	6	—
After 4 years' service as such	6	0	—
After 8 years' service as such	7	6	—
Secdie^*	—		1	0

Rating.	Continuous Service.		Non-continuous Service.
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Second Tindal of Seedies	—		1	2
Tindal of Seedies (P.O. in Battleships or Cruisers)	—		1	5
Krooman^*	—		1	0
Second Head Krooman	—		1	4
Head Krooman:
In Battleships or Cruisers (P.O.)	—		1	11
In other Ships	—		1	8
^*Not entitled to Good Conduct Pay or Badges.
† Half the number to receive 6d. extra.
‡ Payable only if qualified to take charge of a stokehold when steaming.
§ Special Service Stokers 1st Class, 1s. 10d. a day.
\|\| After 5 years service.

Education

State Contributions (Circular 1371)

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Board of Education have already approved additional commitments of the Stoke Education Committee since 31st March, 1925, in respect of a new council school at Oakhill, the staffing and equipment of a handicraft centre at Fenton, and the provision of commercial and art courses; and whether the additional charges in respect of them will fall on the rates if Circular 1371 becomes operative?

asked the President if he is aware of the shortage of suitable accommodation for both elementary and secondary education in the county of Durham and the proposals of the local education authority to deal with the matter in the provision of new schools and the remodelling of others, and that the provisions of Circular 1371 will hamper and hinder their proposals; and whether, under these circumstances, he will at once withdraw such circular?

asked the President whether he is aware that the erection of a centre for cookery and handicraft in Congleton will have to be indefinitely postponed owing to the effect of Circular 1371; and will he therefore postpone its application until he has consulted the Congleton Education Authority?

I have already publicly stated that I realise that in certain areas with special problems and special commitments the proposals made in the circular may require further consideration in their application, and that the details of the proposals are open for discussion with the authorities concerned and, if necessary, modification as a result of such discussion.

asked the President whether, as he has indicated in a supplementary statement to Circular 1371 that the scope and cost of the elementary services must be restricted in order to provide for the future expansion of higher education, he can indicate the nature and scope of this restriction?

I think the hon. Member has overlooked the fact that the word which I used was "defined," not "restricted." The matter in general is not one into which I can enter within the limits of an answer to a question.

asked the President whether he is aware that in Manchester schools there are 6,000 children between the ages of three and five; and whether it is intended that the local education authority shall provide for these children out of the rates alone?

asked the President whether he will consider the withdrawal of Circular 1371, in view of the fact that 4,000 children under five years and 200 in nursery schools will either have to suffer exclusion or be maintained at the expense of the local authority?

asked the President whether, in view of the fact that the Darwen (Lanes) education authority will lose about £1,000 in grants by the exclusion of 635 children under the age of five through the operation of Circular 1371, he will consider withdrawing the circular?

asked the President whether, in view of the fact that in Gloucestershire 2,500 children under five will be affected by Circular 1371, he will reconsider the policy of the circular?

I would refer the hon. Members to my reply of 3rd December last to the hon. Member for Lambeth North (Mr. Briant), a copy of which I am sending them

asked the President if, in view of the opposition of the Barrow-in-Furness education committee to Circular 1371, he will withdraw such circular; and whether, in view of the unemployment existing in the area, he will consider increasing the amount of the grant to the area?

asked the President (1) whether, in view of the fact that Circular 1371 will mean an increase in the elementary education rate of 6d in the £ in 1928–29 in Sunderland, he will withdraw the circular; and whether, in view of the great unemployment in the area, he will consider making a greater, and not a lesser, grant to Sunderland;(2) whether, in view of the fact that Circular 1371 will mean a progressive rise in the high education rate in Sunderland from 7s. 3d. in 1925–26 to 12s. 8d. in 1928–29 and of the unemployment existing in the area, he will refrain from putting into operation any grant regulations, such as are foreshadowed in Circular 1371, which will reduce Exchequer grants?

I cannot, of course, accept without investigation the figures quoted in the two latter questions, nor can I accept the suggestion that the grant for educational services in any area should be fixed with special reference to the conditions of employment obtaining in that area. The fact that I have invited local authorities to discuss the proposals of the circular with me is a sufficient guarantee that the special circumstances of particular areas will be duly considered in the application of the circular to these areas.

asked the President whether he is aware that in Leicestershire there has been an increase in the number of teachers in elementary schools of nearly 2 per cent. since 31st March, 1925, and that this is due mainly to an increase in the birth rate and entails a further expenditure of £4,500 per annum; and whether, as a result of Circular 1371, this additional amount will fall entirely on the rates?

asked the President whether he is aware that in Lowestoft the payment of the additional teachers required by the staffing schemes in elementary and open-air schools would, under the proposals of Circular 1371, involve the addition of a 4d. rate; and, in view of this, whether he is prepared to withdraw this circular?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given by me yesterday to the hon. Member for Welling borough (Mr. Cove), a copy of which I am sending them.

asked the President whether the evidence proffered by the officials of the Board of Education to the Meston Committee was in support of the abandonment of the percentage basis for the Government grants, as forecasted in Circular 1371 of the Board of Education?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on 7th December to the right hon. Member for Newcastle Central (Mr. Trevelyan), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President the amount of grant paid to local education authorities in England and Wales by the Board of Education on behalf of elementary education and higher education, respectively, for the financial year 1924–25?

The right hon. Member will find the information which he requires in 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.

asked the President whether the operation of Circular 1371 would mean a loss in grants to the educational authorities of Wednesbury, Tipton and Darlaston, respectively; and, if so, whether he can state the amount in each of such loss?

As regards Wednesbury and Tipton, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Lindley), a copy of which I am sending him. Darlaston Urban District Council is not a local authority for education.

asked the President is he is aware that the effect of putting into operation Circular 1371 will mean an increase of rates for the borough of Merthyr Tydfil equal to 1s. 4d. in the £; and whether he is prepared to modify the terms of the circular?

As I have already stated, I am ready to discuss the details of the proposals of the Circular in their application to the area of any particular authority, and the hon. Member will not expect me to accept these figures without investigation.

asked the President whether he is aware that the loan charges on the projected secondary schools in Nottingham will mean an additional rate of 2½d. in the £; and whether he will reconsider the withdrawal of the circular?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me orally to-day to the hon. Members for Leek (Mr. Bromfield), Bilston (Mr. John Baker), and King's Norton (Mr. Dennison), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President whether the cost of the new central clinic in Nottingham, which was not included in the 1924–25 accounts, will have to be met exclusively from the rates?

Circular 1371 is based on the assumption that, in general, the cost of new services now in operation which were not included in the 1924–25 accounts can be met out of savings. Where I am satisfied that this is not the case, I am prepared to discuss the matter with the authority concerned.

asked the President whether he is aware that the loan charges in Congleton so far from falling are rising, and that a substantial rise is anticipated in the near future; and will such loan charges be subject to the grant now obtaining if Circular 1371 is enforced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me orally to-day to the questions put down by himself and the hon. Members for Leek (Mr. Bromfield) and Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. Robert Richardson).

Elementary Scholars

asked the President the number of children under five years of age on the registers of elementary schools in England and Wales on the 31st March, 1923, 1924, and 1925, respectively?

The numbers are as follow:

31st March, 1923	…	…	165,684
31st March, 1924	…	…	211,348
31st March,1925	…	…	221,797^*
^*Approximately.

Epidemics (Closure Of Schools)

asked the President under what authority a county medical officer has the power to override the decision of the managers of a school, in a district infected with an epidemic, temporarily to close the school?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to public elementary schools. I am advised that Section 29 (1) and Section 29 (2) (a) of the Education Act, 1921, enable the local education authority to give directions to the managers of a school as to the days on which the school is to be open. On the question of closure on medical grounds, the authority would act, of course, upon the advice or with the approval of their medical officer. My hon. Friend will find some useful information on the subject in the Memorandum on Closure of and Exclusion from School, issued jointly by the Ministry of Health and my Department, and I am sending him a copy.

Teachers' Salaries

asked the President the names of the education authorities in England and Wales who have not yet adopted the scale of salaries laid down by the Burnham award?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on 26th November last to the right hon. Member for Newcastle Central (Mr. Trevelyan), a copy of which I am sending him.

Statistics, London

asked the President how many young persons left school in the administrative county of London for each of the years 1920 to 1925, respectively, ending at 31st March in each case; and how many were unemployed but desiring work in each year?

The number of boys and girls, other than those proceeding to other places of full-time education, who left public elementary schools in the administrative area of the London County Council during the years ended 31st March, 1920, 31st March, 1921. 31st March, 1922, 31st March, 1923, and 31st March, 1924, were respectively 65,203, 67,505, 60,419, 76,778, 65,350. A corresponding figure for the year ended 31st March, 1925, is not yet to hand. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that no statistics are available.

Traffic Dangers (Warning)

asked the President if, in view of the number of accidents caused by children improperly riding upon vehicles, he will state what steps have been taken to warn the children attending schools of these increasing dangers?

My Department has already issued to local education authorities a Memorandum on this subject, and I have every reason to believe that authorities are alive to the importance of warning the children in the schools, by notice or otherwise, with regard to traffic dangers.

Scotland

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has considered what the effect of Circular 1,371 will be on educational efficiency in Scotland; will he state whether eleven-eightieths of the educational expenditure in England and Wales is still to be the sum allotted for education in Scotland; and is it proposed to issue any instructions to Scottish educational authorities regarding children under five years of age or those undergoing instruction in training colleges?

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

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is proposed to extend to Scotland the provisions contained in Circular 1,371 recently issued by the Board of Education, or to issue for Scotland provisions similar or corresponding to those contained in this circular?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second, any circular I may issue to Scottish education authorities will be related to Scottish conditions.

Naval And Military Pensions And Grants

Appeals (England And Wales)

asked the Treasurer of the Household how many appeal cases have been heard by the final Appeal Courts during the 10 months ending 30th November; and how many of such cases were rejected?

During the 10 months ended 30th November, 1925, the number of appeals heard by the Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales and the numbers rejected were as follow:

Appeals against refusals of entitlement:
Heard	…	…	…	10,859
Rejected	…	…	…	7,040
Appeals against final awards:
Heard	…	…	…	6,239^*
Rejected	…	…	…	2,858
^*Cases in which the final award of the Minister was set aside are regarded as allowed appeals.

Surgical Boots (Travelling Expenses)

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that pensioners or other disabled ex-service men in the Isle of Thanet, in order to be fitted with surgical boots, are called upon to travel to Canterbury and pay their own fares without compensation for any loss of wages occasioned by the necessity of taking time off during the day to make the journey; and will ho inquire into their case?

My hon. Friend has not, I think, been correctly informed. The Regulations of the Ministry provide for the payment of travelling expenses and of compensation for loss of remunerative time where it is shown that such has occurred in the circumstances referred to. If my hon. Friend has any particular ease in mind in which this has not been done and he will furnish particulars of it, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

Medical Treatment

asked the Minister of Pensions, seeing that a record is kept in every area office of the number of men on treatment, whether he will state why it is not possible to give the House the number of pensioners in receipt of treatment who are not in receipt of treatment allowances?

The hon. Member is, I fear, misinformed. No such record is kept, nor would the Ministry be in a position to know at any one time the cases receiving medical treatment except so far as such treatment is being given at. the cost of the Ministry or the patients are in receipt of allowances under Article 6 of the Warrant.

Need Pensions

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the parent of a son killed in the War will be granted a need pension if he is refused unemployment benefit on the ground that insurable employment is not likely to be available?

As I stated in answer to the hon. Member's question on the 3rd instant, the qualifications laid down by the Pensions Warants for this class of pension is that the applicant is incapable of self-support through age or infirmity Unless this condition is fulfilled, a pension cannot be granted, and the fact that unemployment benefit might have been refused on the ground stated would not make an applicant eligible who was otherwise ineligible.

Institutional Treatment

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men who have been in continuous institutional treatment by his Department since the War; and whether, with a view to possible speedier recovery, there is any transfer of such patients from one institution to another?

I regret that I have no record of the number of cases which have been in receipt of continuous institutional treatment since their discharge from service. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may say that all cases in receipt of hospital treatment are subject to periodic inspection and report, and that special attention is given to those cases which have been for a prolonged period in receipt of this form of treatment, with a view to considering whether any other form of treatment or institution is more suitable to their condition.

Lunatic In-Patients

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount of pension kept in reserve for an in-patient lunatic; and who receives the sum due to him in the event of his dying in the institution?

The amount would depend upon the circumstances of each case. Any balance remaining over would, subject to the provisions of Article 6 of the Warrant, be payable to the pensioners legal representatives.

Widows' Pensions (Forfeiture)

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of widows whose pensions are forfeited as the result of misconduct, he will consider the desirability of issuing Regulations limiting the period for which the pension is forfeited, so that widows, especially those with young children, may know that their pension will be restored if they give no further cause for complaint?

The hon. Member's suggestion would not, I fear, be either administratively practicable or equitable. Each case has to be considered on its merits. The Special Grants Committee, with whom, in accordance with statutory provisions, all questions as to forfeiture rest, do not in fact forfeit pension in all cases of misconduct. Where this course can suitably be adopted, the pension is not forfeited, but administered in trust by the Committee, and even where the pension is declared to be forfeited, the Committee keep constantly under review all cases in which there appears to be any possibility of restoring the pension. I would point out also that forfeiture of a widow's pension does not carry forfeiture of any allowances in payment for her children.

Artificial Limbs (Contractors And Fair Wages Clause)

asked the Minister of Pensions if the Fair Wages Clause of 10th March, 1909, is inserted in the contracts for artificial limbs; and is such Fair Wages Clause complied with by the firms engaged on the manufacture of artificial limbs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no reason to doubt that the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause are complied with by contractors.

Service Pensions

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

I regret that I cannot entertain this proposal for increasing the scale of service pensions.

Government Departments

Ministry Of Pensions

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, on the closing of a regional office and the transfer of the staff to London or some other town, the removal expenses are paid in the case of officers on the permanent staff and not in the case of those on the temporary staff; and if he will make a grant in these oases, especially to those officers who qualified for permanent appointments at the examination of ex-service men. held some months ago?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark Central (Colonel Day) on the 9th April last. Temporary staff are as a rule transferred from one town to another as an alternative to discharge. A contribution towards removal expenses Is made where such staff are transferred with their work, and I am not prepared to extend this concession.

asked the Minister of Pensions, seeing that on 1st November, 1921, there were 35 permanent and 14 temporary officers of the rank of principal clerk and above, of a total staff numbering 54,900, and that on 1st November, 1925, the officials of the rank of principal clerk and above numbered 71 permanents and two temporary, out of a total staff of 12,893, whether fie can state the reason for the increase in and the retention of the large number of officers of the rank of principal clerk and above; and whether it is proposed to report any of the officials in these grades to the Treasury for employment in other Departments?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question which he put to me on the 23rd July last. I am actively examining the organisation of the Ministry with a view to such further modifications as may be necessary in consequence of the decrease in the volume of work; but the increased complexity of many of the cases now dealt with and the necessity for the retention of pivotal posts makes it improbable that the reduction in the higher grades will be in the same proportion

NUMBERS OF WAR OFFICE STAFF as on 1st October, 1925 (excluding Local Audit Offices, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Judge-Advocate-General's Office and Royal Army Clothing Department).
—	1923.	1924.	1925.
Military Officers	296	287	274
Military Clerks	108	112	108
Established Civil Servants (other than the Grade of Ex-soldier Clerk).	795	805	822
Established Ex-soldier Clerks^*	167	174	322
Unestablished and Temporary Staff	1,310	1,119	813
Total	2,676	2,497	2,339
^*Included in these figures are the following Pre-war Ex-soldier Clerks:—1923,167; 1924,163; 1925, 138.

Contributory Pensions Act (Staff)

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that women clerks are at present working

as that in the lower grades. The staff in November, 1921, was not 54,900, as stated by the hon. Member, but 24,900.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any of the 300 women temporary clerks who are under notice to leave this month could be transferred to the Insurance Department, Ministry of Health, Acton, where the staff are working overtime; and why women temporary clerks sitting for the examination for writing assistants had to obtain a minimum of 550 marks, while the minimum for male clerical officers was 450?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Wandsworth Central (Colonel Day) on the 23rd November. The second part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

War Office

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of military officers, military clerks, civil servants, pre-War ex-soldier clerks, and temporary staff employed at the War Office for the years 1923–24, 1924–25, and during the present year, respectively?

The information is as follows:overtime in connection with the administration of the new Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and whether, in view of the fact that women clerks under notice from the Ministry of Pensions or recently discharged from the Ministry of Pensions, and who are experienced in a very similar kind of work, are available for employment, he will consider the advisability of employing such persons rather than of working existing staffs overtime?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the latter part I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wandsworth (Sir H. Jackson) on the 23rd ultimo.

Women

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, as women are now allowed to compete for Class 1 examination, they will be given, if successful, exactly similar duties to the men officials; and, if not, in what respect variations in their duties will be made?

The hon. Member will realise that the duties assigned to administrative cadets cover a wide field and vary between Departments. Subject to this, I can assure the hon. Member that women who are successful in the Class I examination will be employed on the normal duties appropriate to their grade in the Department to which they may be appointed.

Typists And Shorthand Typists (Promotion)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average number of established typists and shorthand typists, respectively, employed during the last five years; the average number of appointments from these two grades to the rank of superintendent of typists, to the clerical class, and to any other better-paid posts, respectively, during the same period; what machinery exists for the consideration of shorthand typists employed in the offices of His Majesty's inspectors of taxes in connection with superintendent posts in the Inland Revenue Department; and what machinery exists for the consideration of superintendents of typists employed in offices in which no chief superintendent complements exist in connection with chief superintendent vacancies elsewhere?

I regret that the figures asked for in the first part of the hon. Member's question are not immediately available. The numbers shown in estimates for the current year are 2,120 established typists and 1,952 established shorthand typists, but some of these posts are at present filled by temporary personnel. Approximately 100 typists and shorthand typists have been promoted to the clerical class since the 1st January, 1920. I have no central statistics of promotions to the other grades named by the hon. Member. There is no special machinery in existence for the consideration for promotion to superintendent of shorthand typists in the district tax offices, but the matter is under consideration. The arrangements for the consideration of superintendents for promo-lion to posts of chief superintendent vary between Departments

asked the President of the Board of Trade 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 Board of Trade?

Vacancies for superintendentships of typists are notified throughout all the offices of the Board of Trade, and applications are considered from all members of the staff who submit them, wherever they may be stationed.

Southborough Examination (Results)

asked the financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the serious inconvenience to entrants, he can now state when the results of the examination for permanency of the ex-service temporary civil servants will be announced; and whether it is possible to arrange for such publication before the end of the year?

The Civil Service Commissioners hope to issue the results of the Southborough examination for the clerical and departmental clerical classes early in 1926. The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that to obtain and tabulate the results of an examination attended by approximately 20,000 candidates is a most laborious operation, and I am afraid that the list cannot be produced before the end of the year as he suggests.

Ex-Boy Clerks (Bonus)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the terms of the Memorandum issued by the Civil Service Commission to ex-boy clerks who were deemed to have been enlisted under the Military Service Acts subsequent to the date of their appointment to the assistant clerk class, he will now issue instructions to Departments authorising the payment to these men of the War Bonus withheld from them during their military service?

It has been necessary to seek legal advice on the claim preferred by the Civil Service Clerical Association on behalf of these ex-boy clerks. The result will be communicated in due course to the interested parties.

Guide To Official Statistics

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the great value to Members of the "Guide to Current Official Statistics," he will take steps to have it placed on the list of Command Papers?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state why there is such delay in the publication of the Guide to Current Official Statistics; and whether, in view of the great value of this publication, he will take steps to secure that it is printed as soon as possible after the end of the year?

The Guide to Current Official Statistics has hitherto been in its experimental stage and has been compiled by such staff as could from time to time be detailed for the purpose. In view of the considerable circulation which the Guide has obtained, the question of expediting the publication of future issues is under consideration.

National Finance

Revenue (Cost Of Collection)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost of collecting the taxes levied by His Majesty's Commissioners of Inland Revenue and the amounts collected by His Majesty's Customs and Excise?

The cost of the collection of the Inland Revenue duties in 1924–25 was £6,927,433, representing 158 per cent. of the yield of those duties. The cost of the collection of the Customs and Excise Revenue in 1924–25 was approximately £4,323,146, representing 184 per cent. of that revenue.

Government Stationery And Printing (Cost)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what the cost of stationery, including paper and miscellaneous office supplies in the Government Departments, was in 1913–14; and what is the estimated cost for 1925–26?

The cost in 1913–14 was £917,424, and the estimated cost for 1925–26 is £1,136,600.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what the cost of printing Blue Books, Hansard, Bills and White Papers was in 1913–14; and what is the estimated cost for 1925–26?

The cost (including non-Parliamentary publications) for 1913–14 was £145,794, and the corresponding estimated cost for 1925–26 is £260,400.

Scotland

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the revenue derived from all sources of taxation in Scotland during the last financial year; and what was the amount expended in Scotland during the same period?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is not immediately available, but I shall be happy to give him, as soon as they can be collected, figures for the year 1924–5, corresponding to those for the year 1923–4, which were given in a reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Aberdeen on the 4th August, 1924, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Tobacco (Imperial Preference)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantity and value of clearances from bond of tobacco entitled to Imperial preference under the last Finance Act during the operation of such preference; and the amount of such clearances during the corresponding period of last year?

Information as to values is not available, but the quantity of tobacco delivered for home consumption at the preferential rate of duty from the 1st July, 1925, when the higher rate of preference under the Finance Act, 1925, took effect, to the 31st October last (the latest available date), was 5,579,000 lbs., as compared with 4,170,000 lbs, in the corresponding period of 1924.

Income Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Board of Inland Revenue have refused to allow banks to lodge a bulk claim on behalf of their customers for the return of the additional 6d. in the £ of Income Tax due to be repaid on certain classes of Government securities; whether, in the obverse case, the Board make a bulk claim upon the banks; and if he can state the number of additional repayment warrants and of separate advice notes involved in this departure from recent practice?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to deductions of tax from payments of interest made in the interval between the beginning of the current Income Tax year and the date of the Resolution announcing the reduced rate of tax for the year. Experience has shown that it is essential for the due protection of the revenue that the claims for repayment which thus arise should be made by the recipients themselves. The revenue authorities have not made bulk claims upon banks in years when the rate of tax has been increased, but have collected any additional tax from the recipients of the incomes. The particulars asked for in the last part of the question are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Income Tax was first demanded from amateur football clubs; whether any allowance in respect of capital expenditure upon ground improvements is being admitted; and if he is aware that many clubs have sunk their profits over a series of years in such improvements and are experiencing difficulty in raising the money demanded?

Under the ordinary provisions of the Income Tax Acts, athletic clubs, including amateur football clubs, have always been liable to tax in respect of the ownership or occupation of land and in respect of any profits arising out of the receipt of gate money and the like after deduction of what may broadly be described as current expenses. Capital expenditure is in no circumstances admissible as a deduction in the computation of income for Income Tax purposes.

National Debt

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, approximately, the net amount of our National Debt after crediting all assets, including the probable capital value of reparations and inter-Allied debts?

The hon. Member will find a statement showing the gross capital liabilities of the State and certain of the assets, as they stood on 3lst March last, on page 91 and pages 96 to 98 of the Finance Accounts for 1924–25, but I cannot undertake to furnish him with estimates of the probable capital value of reparations and inter-Allied debts.

Enemy Action Claims (Seamen)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of compensation already paid to British seamen, interned prior to the outbreak of war, through the Enemy Debts Department; what proportion of the seamen's claims dealt with this represents; the amount of compensation paid to seamen and their dependants under the awards of Lord Sumner's Committee; and what proportion of the seamen's claims dealt with this represents?

I have been asked to reply. Under the recent Agreement concluded with the German Government, 322 claims, lodged in respect of pre-War internment, by British seamen with the Clearing Office, under Clause 4 of the Annex to Section IV of Part X of the Treaty of Versailles, have been settled to date, the total amount paid being £113,665 6s. 4d. Eighty-seven claims have been rejected and 512 claims are still under consideration. As regards the second part of the question, the amount of compensation paid to seamen and their dependants under the awards of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action could not be separated from the amounts paid to other claimants without considerable labour and expense.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the statement, which was authorised by his Government, of Herr Wissell's, the German seamen's delegate to the International Labour Conference, held at Genoa in June and July, 1920, to the effect that his Government undertook to make good all damage which the conduct of the War at sea by the Germans caused to Allied and associated Powers and their nationals; whether he is aware that it was only after receiving this engagement that the British seamen's dele-gates consented to meet them; and what, if any, action has been taken by His Majesty's Government to see that it is carried out?

My attention has been called to the statement referred to. The undertaking of the German Government, to which the statement alludes, is presumably that contained in the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. The execution of these Clauses is now governed by the experts' plan and the London Agreement of August, 1924.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake that the whole of the undistributed balance of £443,394 allocated by the Government for the benefit of those who sustained damage by enemy action will be eventually distributed amongst the claimants, and that no part of this sum reverts to the Treasury?

The payments recommended by the Royal Commission on Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action and the awards to belated claimants have been, or will be, paid out of the sums voted by Parliament for that purpose. Any amounts by which the amounts actually required in any financial year are less than the amounts provided in the Estimates have to be surrendered to the Exchequer, as in the case of all other moneys voted by Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £5,300,000 voted by the House has been paid to claimants for damage by enemy action under the awards of Lord Summer's Committee; and what is going to be done with the balance?

The answer to the first part of the question is £4,860,229 5s. 8d. In reply to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson) on the 1st December and earlier this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the £5,300,000 voted by the House is a sum on account of damage done by enemy action to civilians during the War or whether it is intended as a final satisfaction of their claims?

As has been repeatedly stated, the amounts already allocated from the Exchequer for these claims must be regarded as final.

Irish Free State (Taxable Capacity)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the ratio between the taxable capacity of the Irish Free State and that of Great Britain?

No, Sir; for the reasons which I explained in the Debate on Tuesday, I do not think that it would be possible to give any definite or useful figures on this subject. An attempt to arrive at similar figures in the case of Great Britain and Northern. Ireland occupied a Committee presided over by Lord Colwyn and including Sir Josiah Stamp for two years and resulted in abstruse formulae which will be found covering several pages of Command Paper 2389 of 1925.

Inter-Allied Debts (Italy)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the approximate annual payments that will be made by Italy for the funding of her debt to this country if the same terms are granted to Italy as have been granted by the Government of the United States of America to Italy in pounds sterling; and what will be the amount that Italy would pay if her debt were funded with this country on the same terms as those tentatively agreed to between this country and the French Government for the repayment of the French debt?

The calculation of the amounts that would be payable by Italy to this country if the Italian debt to this country were funded on the terms granted by the United States Government or on the terms agreed to between this country and the late French Government raises various questions which I shall be discussing with the Italian Minister of Finance very shortly. I do not think that it would be in the public interest to make any statement on the matter at the present moment.

Iron And Steel Trade

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the relative wages in the iron and steel industries for a 48-hour week in Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, and France, respectively, on the basis of the franc at 124 to the £; and what is the average value of engineering exports in 1925?

As to the first part of the question, I am informed by the Minister of Labour that the available statistical material is too scanty in scope and of too disparate a nature to permit of a comparison of the wages paid in the four countries.With respect to the second part, the average values per ton of exports, from the countries named, of all descriptions of machinery, including electrical machinery and locomotives and tractors, during the first nine or 10 months of 1925, were as follow:

	Per Ton.
	£
United Kingdom (10 months)	95
Belgium, including Luxemburg (9 months)	41
Germany (9 months)	82
France (10 months)	53

The foreign values have been calculated in sterling at the average of the quoted rates of exchange on London during the periods specified.

These exports cover a wide range of goods, and, in view of the differences in the make-up of the. exports of the different countries, the foregoing figures cannot be treated as in any way com parable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in a position to say whether the Civil Research Committee have yet come to a decision with regard to the iron and steel trade; if he will say how many people are normally employed in that industry and how many of that number are now unemployed, and the annual cost to the country; how many tons of iron and steel, which could have been made in this country, were imported in 1924; at what rate imports are being received during the current year; if exports have de creased during the current year; what is the average difference in the cost of the imported material and the same material produced in this country; and what additional expenditure has been incurred by importing foreign material?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 7th December to the hon. Member for Flint (Mr. Goodman Roberts), a copy of which I am sending him.Referring to the second part of the question, I am informed as follows by the Minister of Labour:

"The approximate number of workers in the iron and steel trade and at blast furnaces is about 226,000, and the number of these who were registered as unemployed on the 26th October, 1925, was about 54,000. The records of unemployment benefit do not distinguish the amounts paid in separate trades. Assuming, however, that the work people in these trade, drew the same average amount of unemployment benefit per head as unemployed workpeople generally, and allowing for the relatively small proportion of women and juveniles included, the total amount of unemployment benefit that would be drawn in the course of a year is estimated to be in the neighbourhood of £2,000,000."

As to the third part of the question. the total imports of iron and steel and manufactures thereof included in Class III, Group C, of the Official Trade Re turns of the United Kingdom, amounted in 1924 to 2,429,212 tons.

Respecting the fourth part, the imports during the first ten months of 1925, have averaged 225,933 tons a month; and as to the fifth, exports have averaged 306,801 tons a month in the first ten months of 1925, compared with 320,953 tons a month in the year 1924.

To the sixth and seventh parts of the question it is not possible to give a definite answer.

Gas Light And Coke Company (Charges)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received an application from the Gas Light and Coke Company under Section 1 (3) of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, for an Order to increase the standard price of gas from 11d. to l£4d. per therm; whether he is aware that the dividends paid by this company were £5 6s. 8d. per cent. in 1924 and £5 Is. 4d. per cent. in 1925; and whether, considering that the costs of production have not increased since 1923, he will afford the House an opportunity for discussing the matter before making any Order?

The application in question has been received. I am informed that the company paid a dividend of £5 6s. 8d. for the year 1924, and that for the first half of the present year they paid a dividend at the rate of £5 6s. 8d. per annum, but that, owing to an increase in the price of. gas they will be authorised to pay for the current half-year a dividend at the rate of only £4 17s. 4d. per annum. In considering the application, the Board of Trade will have to decide whether the costs of production have, in fact, altered. Objections to the application have been received from local authorities within the company's area of supply, and, accordingly, the Board propose to hold a public inquiry. In these circumstances, and having regard to the fact that the Board in this matter are exercising powers which have been delegated to them by Parliament, I am not prepared to vary the customary procedure.

Post Office

Old Age Pensions (Payment, Newcastle-On-Tyne)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the disapproval expressed at the recent National Conference on Old Age Pensions at Newcastle-on-Tyne regarding the lack of organisation that compels widows to stand in queues when awaiting payment of their pensions; and whether steps have been taken to avoid such exposure?

I have been asked to reply to this question. No complaints of the nature mentioned have come under my notice; but if the hon. and gallant Member will furnish the names of any post offices at which it is thought the arrangements for the payment of pensions might be improved, I will make inquiry.

Savings Bank Deposits

asked the Postmaster-General what sum is now in the Post Office Savings Bank as compared with the sum at the end of November, 1924 and 1923, respectively; and what number of new depositors have been recorded this year to date, and how many have withdrawn?

The approximate balance due to depositors at the end of November in the years 1925, 1924 and 1923 amounted to £260,000,000, £274,500,000 and £267,500,000 respectively. About 1,160,000 accounts have been opened this year and about 670,000 have been closed.

Dismissal, Stowmarket

asked the Postmaster-General the ground for dismissal from the Post Office service of Mr. T. W. Cash, who was formerly an overseer at the post office at Stowmarket?

Mr. Cash was dismissed in February 1924, for tampering with packets passing through the post.

Poor Law

Relief, Scotland

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the many cases where recipients of parish relief are being compelled to pay excessive rents for poor and insanitary accommodation; and will he issue instructions to parish councils to take the legal steps which are open to them to prevent the waste of public money and the exploitation of the poor and helpless?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am not sure that I understand to what legal steps the hon. Member refers.

Administration

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the scheme communicated by him to the county councils and municipal corporations associations for the abolishing of boards of guardians, all the obligations as well as all the powers of such boards are to be transferred to county and borough committees, including all their obligations under the Poor Law Acts of Elizabeth and William IV?

Yes, Sir.

Food Supplies

asked the Minister of Health whether his inspectors have taken steps to test the quality and weight of foodstuffs and other material supplied to workhouses; and whether he can inform the House of any complaints or inspectors' reports which he has received in this connection?

In connection with their inspections at workhouses the inspectors ordinarily satisfy themselves as to the quality and quantity of the food supplied. No separate record is kept of reports on this matter. It may be stated, however, that where defects are found by the inspector or where com plaints are received from inmates or others, action would be taken by him or by the Ministry.

Casual Wards

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any record of inspectors visiting casual wards at night when occupied by vagrants: and, if so, the nature of such reports?

asked the Minister of Health whether his inspectors periodically make surprise visits to casual wards by night and to permanent departments of workhouses at meal times with a view to testing the quality and weight of food supplied; and whether he is able so supply the House with the nature of any such resulting reports that may have been made?

Nearly all inspections are in the nature of surprise visits. When in a workhouse at meal times the inspector usually watches the weighing and serving of food, and occasionally casual wards are inspected by night. An inspector in making an inspection of a casual ward would, among other things, look into the arrangements for heating and lighting of wards, sleeping accommodation, baths and the supply of food. No separate record is kept of reports of these matters, but it may be said that the comments made by the inspector are usually satisfactory, and that action would be taken by him or by the Department if this was not the case.

Housing

Houses Erected

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of houses erected under the Housing Act of 1924; and what is the number of houses approved, but not yet erected?

On the 1st November last, the latest date for which complete figures are available, the position under the Housing Act, 1924, was us follows:

			Act of 1924.
(1)	Number of houses completed	…	15,122
(2)	Number of houses under construction	…	30,956
(3)	Number of houses definitely arranged for, but not started	…	24,046
(4)	Number of houses authorised, but not de finitely arranged for	…	20,202
	Total number of houses authorised	…	90,326

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected for sale and for letting purposes in the Borough of East Ham since the War under the various Housing Acts, together with the total amount of the subsidies

Act	Houses authorised	Houses Completed	By Local Authority or Private Enterprises	Subsidy paid or payable
Housing, Town Planning etc. Act, 1919.	36	36	Local Authority.	No subsidy payable as the estimated annual deficit is covered by the proceeds of a 1d.rate.
Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919.	7	7	Private Enterprise.	£1,760 (capital payment).
Housing etc. Act, 1923.	1,214	799	Private Enterprise	£7,284 annually fore twenty years.

I have no information as to the extent to which the houses provided by private enterprise have been let. The houses built by the local authority are let.

asked the Minister of Health how many rural district councils have prepared, schemes under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act?

184 rural district councils have so far received approvals of schemes under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.

Building Materials (Piuces)

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee upon the prices of building materials with reference to the increase of the prices of articles con trolled by the National Light Castings Association; and, in view of the Chair man of the Committee's Report for July, which draws his attention to further in creases in the prices of light castings, what action he now proposes to take?

Arrangements were made by the Committee with the National Light Castings Association for an accountancy investigation. Such an investigation is necessarily a task of considerable magnitude, but I understand that the accountants' report will be submitted to the Committee very shortly. As regards the last part of the question, there has been no further increase in the price of light castings; the comparison made in the Report was between the prices prevailing in August, 1924, and July, 1925.

paid or payable on those built or building under the respective Acts?

The figures are as follow:

Demolished Houses, Islington (Alternative Accommodation)

asked the Minister of Health whether any arrangements have been made to rehouse the tenants of that part of Twyford Street, Islington, where dwellings are to be demolished to make room for a new school; if so, where the alternative accommodation is likely to be situated; and whether he is aware of the fact that many of these tenants depend for their livelihood upon proximity to special local industries and markets?

I understand from the London County Council that arrangements will be made to provide alternative accommodation for all the persons displaced and that so far as possible regard will be had to the considerations referred to in the last part of the question.

Overcrowding, County Of London

asked the Minister of Health if any statistics are available as to the number of rooms in the London County Council area which are occupied by four or more persons?

The number of rooms in the administrative County of London occupied by private families living at an average density of four or more persons per room was 18,847 at the Census of 1921. No figures are available for any later date.

asked the Minister of Health if he will convene a meeting of representatives of the London County Council and the London Borough Councils to confer with him on the subject of measures to be taken to deal more expeditiously with the overcrowding existing in the London area?

I do not think that a conference such as the hon. Member suggests would serve a useful purpose at the present time. The remedy for overcrowding is the building of more houses. Apart from the provisions by private enterprise and by the borough councils the London County Council have adopted a very large programme of house building which they are endeavouring to carry out as fast as the resources of the industry permit.

Southwark (Unemployment)

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the need of houses in the borough of Southwark and the large number of building trade workers in this borough at present unemployed, he will take the necessary steps to provide houses for the people and also give employment to these unemployed workers

My information is that, while there is unemployment in certain branches of the building industry in the borough of Southwark, there is practically no unemployment in key trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and slaters.

Public Health

Dangerous Drugs (Luminal)

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, are taken by his Department to draw the attention of the medical profession to the dangers' arising from the use of the drug luminal, especially as, when used for the treatment of epilepsy, serious danger arises unless the treatment is continued although the epilepsy is cured?

I am advised that the effects of the drug have been very fully discussed in the medical Press, and in view of the amount of attention which it has received it seems justifiable to assume that those doctors who use it are well aware of its action and possible risks.

Diphtheria, West Bromwich

asked the Minister of Health why no reference was made, in the annual Reports of the chief medical office of the Ministry of Health for the years 1922 and 1923, to the exceptionally high mortality and fatality from diphtheria which occurred in the county borough of West Bromwich in the years in question; whether any inquiry was made by his Department in regard thereto and, if so, what special causes led to this exceptional incidence of the disease in this locality; how many of the cases were treated in hospital and how many of those cases proved fatal; and in how many of the cases treated in hospital was antitoxin administered and how many of such cases proved fatal?

It is the fact that the mortality from diphtheria in West Bromwich was exceptionally high in 1922 and 1923, but the incidence was fairly constant throughout those years, and the occurrence presented no feature necessitating any special inquiry by my Department or reference to the matter in the annual Report of the chief medical officer. The high incidence and fatality in 1922 were attributed by the medical officer of health to the fact that in the majority of cases medical assistance was not sought until the third or fourth day of the disease, and there was consequent delay in administering antitoxin. As regards 1923, the medical officer of health reported (hat more prompt recourse to medical assistance, which rendered earlier administration of antitoxin possible, had resulted in a reduction in the case of mortality. In 1922, 96 cases were treated in hospital, of which 18 proved fatal. The figures for 1923 were 159 and 19, respectively. In all these cases antitoxin was administered.

Sanitary Inspector, Thetford

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Thetford Rural District Council, with an area of 95,873 acres and a population of 9,363, are proposing to appoint a fully-qualified sanitary inspector at a salary of £200 per annum, including travelling expenses; whether he approved the terms of the advertisement; whether he is satisfied that the salary is a sufficient one for a whole-time sanitary inspector; and what proportion is estimated to cover travelling expenses?

I informed the Council on 19th November that I raised no objection to their proposal as regards the appointment. The terms suggested represented a marked improvement on a proposal made by this council last year to which I objected, and I did not feel in a position to press them to make an extra allowance for travelling expenses. I am at present awaiting the result of the council's advertisement,

Smoke Abatement

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it has been calculated that at least 1,000,000 bushels of soot fell over London on the two days preceding last week s black fog; and will he take steps to bring in a smoke abatement Bill at the earliest possible date, in view of the damage to health, property, and industry which smoke and fogs create?

I am not aware where my hon. Friend gets his estimate or on what it is based, but I have already stated that it is my intention to introduce next Session a Bill dealing with smoke.

Meat (Exposure For Sale)

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in the city of Birmingham the intention of Circular 604 is being evaded by the open-window exposure of meat for sale and that, in order to have equal opportunities of com petition, meat sellers are having their plate-glass windows removed; and, having regard to the desirability of keeping meat for sale under hygienic conditions, whether he will so amend the Circular as to make, it obligatory that no meat for public consumption shall be exposed in an open window?

I have received some information to the effect set out in the first part of the question, and I am making further inquiries. As regards the second part of the question, I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. and gallant Member for Southwark (Colonel Day) on the 21st July last.

Small-Pox, Germany, Italy, And Japan

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from small-pox registered in Germany in the years 1921 and 1922; and the case and deaths for 1923 and 1924?

The following statement gives such particulars as are available:

				Cases.	Deaths.
1921	…	…	…	—	109
1922	…	…	…	—	[?]
1923	…	…	…	17	[?]
1924	…	…	…	16	[?]

These figures were obtained from the Weekly Returns issued by the Reich-gesundheitsamts, those in respect of cases being verified from " Statistics of Notifiable Diseases," 1924, issued by the Health Section of the League of Nations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of deaths from small-pox registered in Italy in the years 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923?

The following statement gives the required particulars:

Year					No. of Deaths.
1911	…	…	…	…	4,828
1912	…	…	…	…	3,336
1913	…	…	…	…	150
1914	…	…	…	…	45
1915	…	…	…	…	19
1916	…	…	…	…	16
1917	…	…	…	…	114
1918	…	…	…	…	924
1919	…	…	…	…	16,380
1920	…	…	…	…	11,037
1921	…	…	…	…	1,360
1922	…	…	…	…	37
1923	…	…	…	…	16

These figures were obtained from "Statistics of Causes of Death." Italy, 1919–23.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of cases of small-pox and deaths from that disease registered in Japan in the years 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924?

The following statement gives the particulars required:

				Cases.	Deaths.
1921	…	…	…	889	212
1922	…	…	…	679	124
1923	…	…	…	1,922	381
1924	…	…	…	1,702	266

These figures were obtained from "Statistics of Notifiable Diseases" 1924, issued by the Health Section of the League of Nations, those in respect of the years 1921, 1922 and 1923, being verified from the official publication of the Japanese Government.

Vaccination

asked the Minister of Health whether vaccine lymph is tested on rabbits before it is issued to public vaccinators; and, if so, when was the lymph first regularly tested in this way?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that captains of vessels trading between Singapore and American ports have been required at Singapore to have their ships' crews vaccinated in recent years, failing which they are not given a clean bill of health; and whether the medical officer who insists on the vaccination receives a fee for any vaccinations he may perform?

I have no in formation on the subject, but will inquire of the Governor.

Toxiod

asked the Minister of Health the names of the schools referred to on pages 57-60 of his Report for 1924; whether toxoid was used at the B school as well as at the A school; whether the consent of the parents was obtained at the A school as well as at the B school; and where the toxoid was manufactured?

The Report referred to is the Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry. As regards the first and last parts of the question, I think that it is undesirable in the public interest to state the names of these schools, or of the laboratory where the toxoid was manufactured. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the affirmative.

Dolgarrog Dam Disaster

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 16 persons lost their lives through the bursting of the Dolgarrog Dam, North Wales; that the breakage occurred through bad and unsatisfactory work; and will he take steps to secure powers to enable him to compel local authorities to have work of this kind done in future by direct labour?

I am aware of this case and of the verdict returned at the coroner's inquest. The work was not, however, constructed for any local authority, and the question of direct labour does not, therefore, arise in connection with it.

asked the Home Secretary if it is proposed to hold a public inquiry into the Dolgarrog Dam disaster; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation for the supervision of such dams both during and after construction?

I am afraid that I am not vet in a position to make any statement. The full report on the inquest has just been received, and the situation is now being carefully reviewed in consultation with the other Departments interested.

Contributory Pensions Act

asked the Minister of Health whether the officers investigating claims to pension under the new Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act have to satisfy themselves that the claimant is not leading an immoral life: whether this work is being performed by male officers; and whether he will consider arranging that such investigations, if necessary, shall be carried out by women?

It is not necessary for investigating officers to satisfy themselves that a claimant is not leading an immoral life. Section. 21 of the Act does, however, provide that a widow is disqualified from obtaining a pension, if and so long as she and any other person are cohabiting together as man and wife, and an officer must obviously make inquiry in any case where it comes to his knowledge that cohabitation may be taking place. The hon. Member will appreciate that such information may reach an officer only at a late stage of the investigation, and, in the circum stances, it would be impracticable to give any undertaking that inquiries in such cases should be made only by the women investigating officers.

National Health Insurance(Medical Officers)

asked the Minister of Health whether, as the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, requires that he shall exercise his judicial powers in particular cases through special tribunals, he will state whether the committees of inquiry set up to consider whether or no the continuance of a practitioner on the medical list: would be prejudicial to the service are such tribunals; and what other tribunals have been prescribed under Section 91 (c) of that Act?

The Inquiry Committees in question are appointed in accordance with Regulations made under Section 24 (2) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, and are not governed by the provisions of Section 91 of that Act. Regulations made under Section 91 provide for the submission of disputes of the kind referred to in Section 90 to a special body of referees. Apart from the body of referees constituted for this purpose no tribunals have been set up under Section 91.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a considerable section of insurance practitioners desire to be given a general right of appeal in the courts against his decisions; that this desire was recently voiced by a public conference of delegates representing not less than 5,000 practitioners: whether he has refused to receive a deputation from that conference; and what steps he is taking to allay the widespread feeling of discontent which underlies the desire in question?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have received the resolutions passed at the meeting to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, though I cannot share his estimate of its representative character. The reply to the third part of the question is in the affirmative and the reason is that I have already discussed the matter with the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association, which represents the general body of insurance practitioners. As regards the last part, this question is engaging the attention of the Royal Commission on Health Insurance and I do not propose to take any action pending their Report.

Unemployment (Poor Law Recipients)

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the representations made to him by the West Derby Board of Guardians and the Bootle Borough Council that men in receipt of Poor Law relief be employed by local authorities on 75 per cent. Grant-aided schemes of public utility at trade union rates, towards which the guardians would pay to the local authorities the amount which would otherwise be paid in relief?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Guardians promising sanction to expenditure of the kind described.

Boxing Tournaments (Occasional Licences)

asked the Home Secretary whether the Home Office has issued any advice to the police authorities on the subject of the grant of occasional licences for boxing tournaments; and whether police authorities, in opposing such grants, are reflecting official views?

I cannot find that any advice on this subject has been issued by my Department, and I am informed that no such opposition has in fact been offered by the Metropolitan Police.

Poor Persons (Legal Aid)

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Poor Persons' Defence Act, 1903, gave no right to any legal aid to a poor prisoner as a matter of right, as is given in foreign countries, but only as a matter of discretion, and the refusal of legal aid to a poor prisoner under the Act gives no right to an appeal; and whether, as that discretion is not allowed to be exercised in favour of any poor prisoner in, the Police Courts, and can only be exercised in the higher Criminal Courts when five conditions are existing, and as the Report of the Special Committee on the Poor Prisoners Bill (Cmd. 264) expressed the opinion that incompetent, inexperienced and unpaid counsel and solicitors were worse than .useless, and recommended that the expense of the defence of poor prisoners, including the cost of solicitors and counsel, should be allowed and paid, he will consider whether any thing can be done, during the unavoidable delay before the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Finlay can report, with regard to the position of poor persons in all the Criminal Courts, so as to make the present practice in such Courts, as to such prisoners, conform to the existing law and Constitution?

I under stand that the Committee intend to present an interim Report dealing with the criminal side of their inquiry. I must await the result of their deliberations.

asked the Attorney-General whether he can supply any figures to show how many certificates have been granted within the last five years under Section I of the Poor Persons' Defence Act, 1903, by committing Justices, by Judges of Courts of Assize, or Chairmen of Quarter Sessions; and whether he can give any figures showing how many applications by prisoners for legal aid under the same Act have been refused and the grounds upon which they have been refused?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply. The information desired is not in my possession and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain and supply it, even if much time and trouble were expended in trying to do so.

London Traffic

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the serious congestion of traffic in the vicinity of Dover Street and Albemarle Street with the consequent ill-effects on Christmas trade in that district; and whether he will direct the Chief Commissioner of Police to institute one-way traffic regulation in those streets until such time as Berkeley Street is again reopened for traffic?

Attention has already been drawn to the state of traffic in the neighbourhood of Dover Street and Albemarle Street, and a notice was issued to the Press by the Minister of Transport on 4th instant. I have consulted the Commissioner of Police on the second part of the question, but I am advised that under present conditions it is impracticable to make these two streets into one-way traffic streets.

Stage Play And Music And Dancing Acts

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the anomalies that exist in the Stage Play and Music and Dancing Acts in Great Britain; and will he consider the advisability of setting up a Committee with a view of reviewing these Acts and of introducing legislation to remove those which exist and are arising from the present state of the Law?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question put by him on the 10th March, 1925.

National Emergency(Divisional Head Quarters, Liverpool)

asked the Home Secretary whether the personnel of the divisional headquarters in Liverpool under the scheme for the maintenance of supplies in an emergency have been appointed; if so, will he give particulars; the rates of remuneration and under what Vote will the charges for this service be shown; and who has been appointed the chief assistant to the Civil Commissioner, No. 5 Area. in accordance with Circular 636?

The principal officers on the divisional staff have been appointed. They are a Chief Assistant to the Civil Commissioner, a Deputy-Chief Assistant, and a Finance Officer; and working in conjunction with them are a Road Commissioner, a Food Officer, a Coal Officer, and a Post Office representative. The other officers mentioned are either acting in. a voluntary capacity without remuneration or are permanent civil servants receiving from the Votes for their respective Departments the remuneration to which they are entitled as civil servants. I cannot give names until I think it desirable in the public interest to do so.

Probation Officers

asked the Home Secretary whether a register of persons desiring to obtain appointments as probation officers is kept by the Home Office; if so, what steps are taken to bring the register to the notice of magistrates about to make appointments; and whether there are any Regulations requiring such appointments to be publicly advertised?

The Home Office is prepared to register the names of persons, both men and women, with suit able qualification who wish to obtain paid work as probation officers, and a statement to this effect appears in the preface to the Register of existing Probation Officers, which is circulated annually to every Court. There are no Regulations at present requiring appointments of probation officers to be publicly advertised, but the suggestion will be considered when any Regulations are made under Part I of the Criminal Justice Bill.

Aliens

asked the Home Secretary whether he can afford any in formation as to the reason for, and nature of the classification of, aliens to whom certificates of naturalisation as shown in the Return. No. 83 made to this House, in which such aliens are classified under the heading of A, B, C, D?

Yes, Sir. The letter which appears before the serial number indicates the form in which the certificate was granted, as follows:

Form A.— An ordinary certificate granted under Section 2 of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, where the names of children are not included.

Form B.—A similar certificate, but including the names of children.

Form C.—A certificate granted under Section 5 (2) of the Act to a minor.

Form D.—A special certificate granted under Section 4 of the Act to a person with respect to whose nationality as a British subject a doubt exists.

Form E.—A similar certificate, but including the names of children.

Form F.—A certificate granted in pursuance of Section 6 to a person who was naturalised before the passing of the Act.

Form G.—A similar certificate, but including the names of children.

The various forms will be found in the Naturalisation Regulations of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

Motor Traffic

Prosecutions

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends bringing in legislation to limit the time in which proceedings can be instituted for offences committed against the Motor Car Act, 1903, or contrary to the Motor Car (Use and Construction) Order, 1904; and, if so, when?

I have been asked to answer this question. This is one of the points which I have under consideration in connection with the Road Vehicles Till which I hope to introduce.

Petrol Pumps

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 in the near future to confer on local authorities the necessary authority for testing such petrol pumps in their areas?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves), of which I am sending him a copy.

Police Service

Metropolitan Police Section Houses

asked the Home Secretary whether one day's rest in seven, has been adopted for the bed makers and others employed at Metropolitan police section houses; and, if not, whether any steps are being taken with a view to bringing about such relief from duty?

The matter is still under consideration.

First Reserve And Special Constables

asked the Home Secretary the, number of police of first reserve and of Special Constables in 1922, 1923 and 1924, respectively?

The total numbers in England and Wales on 29th September in each of the years 1922, 1923 and 1924 were as follow:

—	29th Sept., 1922.	29th Sept., 1923.	29th Sept., 1924.
1st Reserve	6,345	5,737	3,055
2nd Reserve (Special Constables).	106,990	104,151	102,208

Royal Air Force (Parachutes)

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the parachute adopted for use in the Royal Air Force is automatic in its opening action when employed for human drops; whether it necessitates action on the part of the parachutist; whether, if the latter is the case, it is practicable and safe to modify the parachute to eliminate the necessity for studied action by the parachutist under circumstances which lend themselves to error of human judgment; whether such modification has been carried out with success; whether alternative types exist which are automatic in opening action; and, if so, what conditions have prevented the test of such types?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, the Irving parachute is released from its container by a cord pulled by the parachutist, after he is clear of the aircraft; the remainder of the opening action is automatic. As regards the third and fourth parts, it is possible to render the action of the device independent of the volition of the parachutist, and it is in fact so made automatic when the parachute is tested with a dummy before issue to the Service. But this method is undesirable in other cases because of the danger that premature release may involve entanglement with the aircraft. The moment at which it is safe to release the parachute depends upon the behaviour of the aircraft after the jump has been made, and it is, therefore, important that the parachutist should be able to choose the moment of release. In the case of an automatic release, the success of the drop would be dependent on the aircraft flying in such a way as to avoid entanglement with the parachute. As regards the fifth and sixth parts of the question, various types of automatic parachutes exist and have been tested, but up to the present the merits of the Irving as a life-saving device are considered to be the best established.

Ex-Ranker Officers (Retired Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the claims of the retired Regular Army ranker officers who received permanent commissions during the Great War, whilst serving on ordinary peace attestations in the Regular Army, and on retirement received retired pay or gratuity under Article 572a; and whether the War Office c-an see their way to grant them the minimum rate of retired pay, at least equivalent to that paid to the Royal Naval Marines, who received temporary commissions only after serving in the ranks?

I am aware of the application which these officers have made for a revision of the Regulations under which they retired. The matter has been very carefully considered, but I regret that I cannot see my way to give them what they ask.

British Army

Army Reserve

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the strength of the Army Reserve on 3rd August, 1914; and how many Army reservists were required to mobilise the six divisions, cavalry division and Army troops forming the original Expeditionary Force?

The strength of the Army Reserve on 3rd August, 1914, was:

Section A	…	…	…	5,787
Section B	…	…	…	100,277
Section D	…	…	…	39,283
				145,347

The number of Army reservists required to complete the original Expeditionary

—	1913.		1925.
—	1913.		Officers commissioned before 26th October, 1925.		Officers commissioned on or after 26th October,1925.
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Lieutenant-Colonel	23	0	44	10	44	10
Major	13	7	29	10	29	10
Major after 2 years as such	16	0	—		—
Major after 5 years as such	—		35	0	35	0
Captain	11	7	22	2	10	10
Captain after 15 years' total service	—		24	6	24	6
Lieutenant	6	6	15	2	12	4
Lieutenant after 7 years' total service.	—		18	0	15	2
Lieutenant after 7 years as such	7	6	—		—
Second Lieutenant	5	3	12	4	10	4
Second Lieutenant after 2 years	—		15	2	—
Second Lieutenant after 3 years	—		—		12	4

Other Banks.	1913.		1925.
Other Banks.	1913.		If enlisted before 26th October, 1925.		If enlisted on or after 26th October, 1925.
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Regimental Sergeant Major	5	0	14	0	^*
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant	4	0	12	0	^*
Company Sergeant Major	4	0	10	0	^*
Company Quartermaster Sergeant	3	6	9	6	8	0
Sergeant	2	4	7	0	6	0
Lance Sergeant	2	0	5	6	4	9
Corporal	1	8	5	0	4	0
Lance Corporal	1	3	4	3	3	3
Private	1	0	2	9	2	0
			on enlistment.		on enlistment.
			3	6	2	6
			after 2 years' service if efficient.		after 3 years' service if efficient.
^*Rates not yet promulgated.

Force of one cavalry division and six divisions, with the necessary ancillary troops, to war establishment, including first reinforcements, was 67,382, the balance being required to replace wastage.

Pay

asked the Secretary of State for War the daily rates of pay of the various grades of officers and men serving in the Army and the rates operative in 1913?

The daily rates of pay for infantry, officers and other ranks, in 1913 and now, respectively, are as follow:

Written Answers

Volume 189: debated on Thursday 10 December 1925

Written Answers

Royal Navy

Pay

Education

State Contributions (Circular 1371)

Elementary Scholars

Epidemics (Closure Of Schools)

Teachers' Salaries

Statistics, London

Traffic Dangers (Warning)

Scotland

Naval And Military Pensions And Grants

Appeals (England And Wales)

Surgical Boots (Travelling Expenses)

Medical Treatment

Need Pensions

Institutional Treatment

Lunatic In-Patients

Widows' Pensions (Forfeiture)

Artificial Limbs (Contractors And Fair Wages Clause)

Service Pensions

Government Departments

Ministry Of Pensions

Contributory Pensions Act (Staff)

War Office

Women

Typists And Shorthand Typists (Promotion)

Southborough Examination (Results)

Ex-Boy Clerks (Bonus)

Guide To Official Statistics

National Finance

Revenue (Cost Of Collection)

Government Stationery And Printing (Cost)

Scotland

Tobacco (Imperial Preference)

Income Tax

National Debt

Enemy Action Claims (Seamen)

Irish Free State (Taxable Capacity)

Inter-Allied Debts (Italy)

Iron And Steel Trade

Gas Light And Coke Company (Charges)

Post Office

Old Age Pensions (Payment, Newcastle-On-Tyne)

Savings Bank Deposits

Dismissal, Stowmarket

Poor Law

Relief, Scotland

Administration

Food Supplies

Casual Wards

Housing

Houses Erected

Building Materials (Piuces)

Demolished Houses, Islington (Alternative Accommodation)

Overcrowding, County Of London

Southwark (Unemployment)

Public Health

Dangerous Drugs (Luminal)

Diphtheria, West Bromwich

Sanitary Inspector, Thetford

Smoke Abatement

Meat (Exposure For Sale)

Small-Pox, Germany, Italy, And Japan

Vaccination

Toxiod

Dolgarrog Dam Disaster

Contributory Pensions Act

National Health Insurance(Medical Officers)

Unemployment (Poor Law Recipients)

Boxing Tournaments (Occasional Licences)

Poor Persons (Legal Aid)

London Traffic

Stage Play And Music And Dancing Acts

National Emergency(Divisional Head Quarters, Liverpool)

Probation Officers

Aliens

Motor Traffic