asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men established in Devonport Dockyard during the year 1925?

The number of workmen placed on the Established List in Devonport Dockyard during the year 1925 was 29, exclusive of 21 who were established on promotion to draughtsmen and inspectors.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the reason why Lieut. W. H. Chadwick was dismissed from the Army when acting-captain of a regiment in Burma; whether he is aware that previous to his marriage this officer received high recommendations for his zeal and efficiency; and whether he is prepared to have an inquiry to ascertain if satisfactory reasons were produced to justify this officer's discharge?

I have been asked to reply. Lieut. Chadwick was not dismissed from the Army. He held a temporary commission in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers from which he was released in May, 1920. He applied far a permanent commission in the Indian Army for which the authorities were unable to recommend him. Previous service in the Reserve carried no claim as of right to a permanent commission. My Noble Friend has satisfied himself that Lieut. Chadwick's application, like others which were also unsuccessful, received proper consideration and was treated strictly on its merits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been set aside for overseas development; how much has been expended; and the number of people settled?

I have been asked to reply. The Empire Settlement Act, 1922, fixes the maximum expenditure by the Secretary of State on schemes of assistance agreed under the. Act at £3,000,000 in any one year. Actual expenditure from Imperial Funds is governed by the requirements of agreed schemes in which a minimum of one half of the cost is provided by oversea Governments or Organisations with which the Secretary of State has power to co-operate. The total amount expended since the date of the Act is £1,245,954, and the number of persons who have received assistance is approximately 131,000. I may add that under the Free Passage Scheme for ex-service men and women which was sanctioned in April, 1919, and came to an end in December, 1922, 86,175 persons were assisted at a cost of £2,419,410.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether representations have been made to him as to the desirability of preparing special statistics to show the progress of the artificial silk trade both as a separate commodity and in conjunction with other staples; and whether his Department will be able to supply such information?

I have received some representations on this subject. So far as concerns manufactures of artificial silk and of artificial silk mixed with other materials, included under Group L of the Trade Accounts, particulars of our trade by weight and value are being collected. There are, however, certain other points involved, and I am in communication with the Commissioners of Customs and Excise on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the s.s. "Antinoe" and the s.s. "Laristan" were fitted with the most modern appliances for launching boats at sea; and if he has any information showing whether, when they were in a sinking condition, the boats were unable to be launched owing to the list of each vessel?

Particulars of the launching appliances on these two ships are not at the moment available. Formal inquiries are being ordered in both cases, and all relevant circumstances will be investigated.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount standing to the credit of the Post Office Savings Bank and the Trustee Savings Banks on account of depositors at the 31st December, 1924 and 1925, respectively?

The figures are as follow (the Post Office Savings Bank year ends on 31st December and the Trustee Savings Bank year on 20th November):1. Balance due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many sub-committees were set up during 1925 under the Board of Inland Revenue; and what was the cost of these committees?

Seven Committees were set up by the Board of Inland Revenue and six by the Departmental Whitley Council, in either case principally for considering questions of improved and more economical organisation. These Committees exist as a means of systematising the intercourse of officers who would in any case be engaged as individuals in the business referred to the Committees. The time thus spent is not separately recorded, but it is thought that the organisation of effort represented by the Committees is a means of economising demands upon the time of officers and of reducing cost to the Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Le is aware that the producers' profits on an American-produced film entitled the Gold Rush, exhibited in this country during recent months, amount to a sum exceeding £180,000 in respect of British exhibitions alone; and if Income Tax is demanded from the American proprietors of this film on these profits?

I cannot of course disclose particulars of the tax liability of individual taxpayers, but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that the Board of Inland Revenue will take the appropriate steps to secure payment of any tax which is legally due in this case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has under consideration the abolition of the seven years limit in respect of claims to pension?

The matter has been fully considered by the Government and their decision was stated in the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Fairfield (Major Cohen) by the Prime Minister on the 19th November last.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that numbers of ex-service men are now developing ailments which they and their medical advisers claim are traceable to their war service; and whether he has considered the extension of the time limit of seven years?

The matter has been fully considered by the Government and their decision was stated in the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Fairfield (Major Cohen) by the Prime Minister on the 19th November last.

asked the Minister of Health how many one-room tenements there are, respectively, in the St. Aubyn and Nelson wards, Devonport; and what is the average number and the greatest number, respectively, of occupants living in each?

It is regretted that the particulars asked for are not available in the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Health whether a person now 62 years of age, who contributed for nearly three years to the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, was born 7th November, 1863, contributed to the Health Insurance scheme from 15th July, 1912, to 3rd April, 1920, then entered business on his own account, did not become a voluntary contributor, again became compulsorily insured under the Health scheme on 5th June, 1925, was compelled to contribute to the new scheme from 4th January, 1926, to 7th November, 1928, when he will reach 65 years of age, is entitled to any old age pension from the

asked the Minister of Health what is the number, grade, and basic salary of men and women, respectively, above the lower clerical employed at Acton and at White-hall on the work in connection with the Widows', Orphans' and ad Age Contributory Pensions Act.

The numbers, grades and basic salaries of men and women, above the clerical grade, employed on work in connection with the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act at Acton and Whitehall are as follow:new scheme; and, if so, what benefits, if any, will accrue to him or his wife who is of the same age?

The man in question will be entitled to an old age pension in June, 1930, subject to his satisfying the contribution tests imposed by the Act and, should he become entitled to a pension, his wife will also be entitled on the same date. Although he himself will no longer be liable to pay contributions after he attains 65, should he continue to be employed contributions will be payable by his employer, and these contributions will count towards satisfying the average test which has to be applied to the last three contribution years of his insurance.

asked the Minister of Transport why the inquiry into the railway and motor omnibus collision at Fenny Stratford was held in private; and whether it is proposed to publish the evidence as well as the findings of the inquiry?

The Ministry of Transport Inquiry into this accident was opened in public, but was concluded in private on an intimation being received from the Coroner to the effect that he considered that, in the public interest, the inquiry should be private. The Report of the inquiry will be published in the ordinary way in due course.