asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he can inform the House of the verdict on a European named Beattie, manager of a tea-garden in Assam, charged with the culpable homicide not amounting to murder, coupled with that of grievous hurt, of one of his coolies; and whether he can give the nationality of the members of the jury who tried the case?

The verdict was not guilty, and the accused was acquitted by the Sessions Judge. It has been stated in the Press that the jury was composed of four Europeans and one Indian. It is open to the local Government to appeal to the High Court against the acquittal if they see grounds for doing so.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of secondary schools in 'England and Wales in 1924–25, the number of these schools that were recognised as efficient and received grants from public funds, the number of pupils in these schools, and the percentage of free places; and will he take steps to increase the number of free places in those schools?

According to the returns for October last, the information asked for in the first part of the question is as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that most of the children suffering from non-pulmonary tuberculosis under good treatment in an open-air hospital are capable of profiting from education and that they often have to remain in hospital for several years, he will say what educational provision is being made for them?

In all open-air hospitals or schools with which either the Board or the Ministry of Health are concerned, and in which there are enough children of school age suffering from non-pulmonary tuberculosis to make it practicable to provide instruction, it is the practice both of the Board and of the Ministry to require suitable instruction to be provided.

asked the Minister of Health whether Sir George Newman, in his estimates of the number of 41,733 children crippled and suffering from non- pulmonary tuberculosis in England and Wales, included children under the Poor Law; do the schemes for the treatment and education of physically defective children include provision for children under the Poor Law; and, if not, what is the future of these crippled children?

I have been asked to reply. The number 41,733 mentioned in the chief medical officer's report is the number of children crippled and suffering from non-pulmonary tuberculosis returned by local education authorities during the year 1923. The number purports to include only those children for whom local education authorities are responsible, and it is quite likely that it does not include a certain number of children who are in the care of guardians. As regards the applicability of the arrangements to Poor Law children, I understand that the practice of local education authorities varies, and that, so far as these children do not come within the arrangements, the guardians have power to make provision for them.

asked the President of the Board of Education when the Committee appointed in June last to inquire into and advise upon the public system of education in England and Wales in relation to the requirements of trade and industry, with particular reference to the adequacy of the arrangements for enabling young persons to enter into and retain suitable employment, is expected to report?

The Committee is now engaged in taking evidence, but the date of its Report cannot yet be anticipated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends this Session to appoint a Committee to impure into the desirability of legislation with regard to the registration of nursing homes; and, if so, what type of Committee will be set up

In accordance with the undertaking given by my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health for Scotland on the 19th June last, steps are being taken for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into this question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the ease of insured persons of about 63 years of age who become unemployed and are unable to continue their national health insurance contributions, with a view to securing to them the pension at 65 years; and whether those who fell sick at the same age have also been considered, and, if not, will he consider making provision for safeguarding these persons?

The case contemplated is already covered by the provisions of the Act. The regulations made under Section 8 (c) provide that weeks of genuine unemployment and weeks of sickness shall count as weeks for which contributions were paid. I would also refer the hon. Member to proviso (iii) of Section 8 and to Sub-section (4) of Section 38, which make special provision for contributors who have been continuously insured for ten years on attaining the age of 60, or in the case of women, 55.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange that a claim decided under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and the relative papers shall be lent to the old age pensions committee, upon their application, in order to enable them to investigate any case in which the claimant or pensioner may request the committee for advice or assistance and, after such investigation, to make any representations to the Minister which the committee may consider to be necessary?

I regret that I cannot adopt the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend. Section 20 (3) of the Act empowers me to revise an award or decision on new facts being brought to my notice, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that any such cases will receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give all available information as to the remuneration, if any, which has been or will be paid to the referees and women assessors appointed under the Widows', Orphans', and Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, as to the conditions attached to the appointments; and as to arrangements which have been or will be made for informing, and keeping informed, the House and the public of the juridical rulings given or to be given by the referees, and of their duties and work in general?

I have been so fortunate as to secure the services as referees of three eminent King's Counsel, who are undertaking this work as a public duty, receiving only a small honorarium as a contribution towards their expenses. No oral hearings by the referees have hitherto been found necessary, and, therefore, no women assessors have been yet appointed. The functions of the referees are to hear appeals by applicants whose claims for a pension have been rejected by the Minister, and I am informed that they propose to publish from time to time a precis of the decisions given by them. No conditions are attached to their appointment, but the present arrangements will be subject to review at a later date when further information is available as to the number of appeals likely to come forward. I am informed that the arrangements with regard to appeals in Scotland are similar to those in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of the surplus in the funds of the National Health Insurance at the end of the financial year 1925?

As the hon Member is no doubt aware, the amount of surplus can be ascertained only on the valuation of the individual approved societies. The last valuations, as regards certain societies made as at 31st December, 1922, and as regards the remainder as at 31st December, 1923, are not yet complete. It is estimated, however, that, as a result of those valuations, a gross surplus of between £30,000,000 and £35,000,000 for England and Wales will be disclosed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information as to the amount of credits granted by British banks to foreign manufacturers, showing how such sums compare with assistance granted to British manufacturers?

I regret that neither the Treasury, whom I have consulted, nor my Department have any information on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Northern Rhodesia, Somaliland, and the Sudan are represented in the new East African Trade Information Bureau; and, if not, for what reason?

Northern Rhodesia is represented in the new Eastern African Trade and Information Office, and the question of including Somaliland is under consideration. The Sudan Government has, I understand, for some time had an office in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information indicating that an export company has been formed in South Africa to foster trade between that country and Soviet Russia; and whether he has any details of the scheme?

I have seen a reference in the Press to such a scheme, but I have no further information on the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the chief articles, with the respective costs, imported from Italy to this country for 1925;(2) the chief articles, with the respective costs, exported from Great Britain to Italy for 1925?

The following statement shows the value of the principal articles imported into and exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered as consigned from and to Italy during the year 1925. The figures are provisional in character and subject to possible slight amendment on final examination of the returns:

asked the Secretary of State for War the exact amount paid to the troops, both officers and men, by the company who filmed the episode entitled "Ypres"; whether; any additional amount was also allowed to these men for expenses; what amount was paid to the War Office for the use of arms, ammunition, etc.; and if all transportation and other expenditure defrayed by the War Office has been refunded?

It is unusual to give information of this character, and I see no sufficient grounds for departing from the usual practice in this case. The conditions on which troops were allowed to take part in some scenes for this film were stated in my answers to questions by the hon. Members for Gateshead (Mr. Beckett) and for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 22nd December; no expense has fallen either on public funds or on the soldiers who took part.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to close down the Central Ordnance Depot at Chilwell, Notts; and, if so, when?

The Central Ordnance Depot at Chilwell will be closed as soon as the evacuation of the stores, which is now in progress, is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War the proportion of noncommissioned officers and men serving in His Majesty's regular forces who are in possession of third, second and first-class certificates of educational proficiency, respectively?

This information is not available at the War Office. The collection of the particulars from the Record Offices would involve a large amount of clerical labour, which I do not think would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the costs incurred by the removal of the Army of Occupation from Cologne to Wiesbaden?

I regret that I cannot yet give a definite figure as the question of what works services will be necessary has not been finally decided.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the representation of the Scots Guards at a memorial service for King Charles I; and whether such action is permissible under the King's Regulations?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on the 4th instant to the hon. Members for Camberwell North (Mr. Ammon) and Govan (Mr. Maclean).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been ceded to the British steamer "Ryburn," which left Rotterdam on 28th December for Philadelphia and was reported on 1st February 16 days overdue; will he make inquiries whether the "Ryburn" fully complied with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; if not, in what; respect she did not; whether the Board of Trade exempted the "Ryburn" from the Regulations under the Act; what was the nature of the exemption; and whether the Board of Trade will cause a full inquiry into the Circumstances?

The British steamer "Ryburn" sailed from Rotterdam on the 28th December for Philadelphia, and was reported or 1st February as being 16 days overdue. She arrived at Philadelphia on the 2nd February. So far as is known, she did not carry a wireless operator. As the vessel sailed from a foreign port, the question of detention did not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any part-time employ és of the London telephone service had their unemployment and health insurance cards returned to them on the ground that they were not eligible for such insurance; the number so involved; and whether the contributions deducted for such insurance were also returned to them?

I will have inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the average figures of unemployment in Devonport for each of the months since June, 1925?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that inspectors are visiting Employment Exchanges and removing names from the register; and whether he can state the number of names so removed by such inspectors up to 25th January. 1925?

I think the hon. Member must be under a, misapprehension. It has for some years been the practice for officers from the divisional offices to scrutinise title to benefit. They do not however disallow benefit; they refer queried cases to the proper quarter, and the ordinary machinery for making representations and where necessary for appealing against disallowance is available for the applicant. I regret that I have not the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the application for an increase of pension by J. Goddard, of 59a, Darwin Road, South Ealing, late Private, No. 240278, Middlesex Regiment, who is in a dying condition suffering from tuberculosis whether he is aware that this man's present pension of £1 weekly is given only in respect of manic-depressive

The weekly average number of persons on the registers of the Devonport, Employment Exchange in each month from June, 1925 to January, 1926, is as follows:psychosis, out of which he has to maintain himself and wife and pay a weekly rental of 106. 2d.; that ex-Private Goddard served in the South African War, re-enlisted in 1915 and served overseas, being gassed during such service, and that as a result he is now suffering from tuberculosis of an advanced character, but notwithstanding has been refused a pension on account of that disability in spite of the fact that in the opinion of his local doctor his condition is very grave; what are the grounds for refusing an increase of pension to this dying man, having regard to the entire absence of tuberculosis from the family history and that he was passed fit for foreign service both on original enlistment and again in 1915; and if it, is the practice to give in such a case the benefit of any doubtful fact to an ex-service man who is dependent entirely on his pension?

I find that ex-Private Goddard is already in receipt of pension, on the only ground on which pension can be awarded under the Royal Warrants, namely, in respect of a disability which is due to, or aggravated by, war service. The man's claim in respect of tuberculosis, which only manifested itself for the first, time more than five years after his discharge from service, was sympathetically considered by the Ministry, but there were no grounds on which it could be found to be connected with his war service. I am advised that there were no circumstances in the case which offered ground for any reasonable doubt, and, I may add, that the Ministry's decision was confirmed, on appeal, by the independent appeal tribunal.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has sanctioned the issue of form M.P.A.O.14A revised; and will he pass instructions to revise this form, entitling an applicant who, owing to disability, is unable to perform his usual occupation to his usual allowance?

The form referred to has been in use for some years, and I am not aware that any amendment of it is called for. The form enables any pensioner to obtain the allowances to which he is entitled under the Royal Warrants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether an official Report will be laid before the House as to the conclusions of the Conference of the various British East African Governors?

My right hon. Friend does not at present contemplate the publication of such a Report. The Conference, the first, he trusts, of a long series, is intended to provide a means for the informal interchange of ideas on points of common interest, and he would be sorry to commit the Governors to the necessity of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the nationality of the head master of the Indian high schools at Nairobi and Mombasa; and why these posts were not offered to Indians?

The appointment of head master of the Indian school at Nairobi has been held by an Indian. I understand that he has recently retired from the service, but I have not yet received any proposals from the Governor of Kenya for filling the vacancy. The head master of the school at Mombasa is a European who was transferred from an educational appointment in India on the recommendation of the Government of Kenya. ^* The Education Commission appointed in 191S reported that a considerable amount of feeling was evinced by Indian witnesses in favour of the view that the control of a school should, if possible, be European, and the Commission supported this view at least in the case of Nairobi and Mombasa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measure of relief has been afforded Christian refugees in Mosul?

I presume that the question refers to the Christian rufugees from the Goyan who escaped from the Turkish deportations of last autumn. As the House was informed on the 7th of December, the Iraq Government is doing its utmost to assist these refugees, and has, I understand, already provided a sum of some £15,000 for relief measures, exclusive of amounts expended upon the free distribution of seed grain. In addition, as hon. Members may have learnt from the Press, a jam of approximately £20,000 has been subscribed in this country in response to an appeal for funds for the relief of these and other Christian refugees in Iraq.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there has recently been held a survey of all the Reports, Returns, and Printed Papers automatically presented to Parliament with a view to rescuing their number to the lowest possible minimum consistent with efficiency and with respect due to Parliament?

A complete survey of this kind was made in 1921, and the matter has teen kept continuously under review since that date.

^* Paragraph 29 of Report dated October 18th, 1919.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that, contrary to his original anticipation, overtime is still necessary in his Department, he will now re-engage a number of women staff experienced in pensions administration who are at present unemployed?

While I much regret that the exigencies of the work have necessitated he continuance of overtime for a longer period than I had anticipated, I am not prepared to reconsider my decision not to employ extemporary women clerks.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government has considered the recommendations contained in the Fourth Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, dated 2nd April, 1914, relative to appointments held directly from the Crown; and what action, if any, has been taken, or is proposed to be taken, thereon?

The present Government has bad no occasion to give specific consideration to the recommendations in the Report referred to, but the following changes have been made since 1914 in the direction recommended by the Commission. A list of civil appointments held direct from the Crown was presented to Parliament in August last (House of Commons Paper 166 of session 1924–25). As regards His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools an arrangement is now in operation under which the claims of candidates for these posts are scrutinised by the Civil Service Commissioners before their names are submitted for the approval of His Majesty. As regards Heads of Departments, under an arrangement first made by the Government in 1920, all appointments of Permanent Heads of Departments and certain other high officers require the consent of the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the salary of a manager of an Employment Exchange; whether such salary covers all the services rendered by such post, or whether any percentage bonus is given over and above such salary; and, if so, on what basis such percentage bonus is calculated?

Managers in charge of Employment Exchanges (as distinct from Branch Employment Offices) are of four grades. Their basic salary scales are respectively £200 rising to £250, £200 to £400, £400 to £500, and £550 to £700. These salaries are supplemented by the usual Civil Service Cost-of-Living Bonus. Branch Employment Offices are of 13 grades. The branch managers in charge of these offices are appointed on a part-time basis and their basic salary scales range from £20 to £200. These salaries are also supplemented by the cost-of-living bonus, and by special payments, in cases where the work performed considerably exceeds that appropriate to the grade.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an opportunity will he given to ex-service temporary sorting clerks in the Post Office to compete for posts as established clerks, either in the forthcoming examination open to messenger boys and postmen only, or by some alternative examination?

Temporary employés could not be appointed to these posts without interfering with the recognised claims of subordinate grades in the Post Office. They are, on this account, not allowed to compete in the Limited Competitions, and there is no alternative examination. They can, however, be considered for permanent employment as postmen with due regard to the claims of other ex-service men.

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of persons killed or seriously injured during the year 1925, as the result of accidents in which motor-cycles carrying pillion passengers were involved; and if he will consider as to introducing legislation to prohibit this practice?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I am not in possession of the information which my hon. and gallant Friend seeks and I am very doubtful whether it would be possible to obtain any reliable figures. On the information before me I do not consider that a case has been made out to justify the introduction of legislation prohibiting the practice.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that there have lately been numerous summonses brought against deaf, dumb, or maimed drivers, who owing to their physical defects cannot observe the rules and regulations of the road for their own or other people's safety, he will introduce legislation or take steps to prevent licences being issued to people who are not entirely physically and mentally fit?

I have the general question of the issue of driving licences to persons suffering from physical disabilities under consideration in connection with the Bill for the better regulation of road vehicles referred to in the Gracious Speech from the Throne.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the money required for schemes for road improvement and construction, including the abolition of dangerous angles and narrow hindrances to traffic, is more or less than the amount of the revenue of the Road Fund for the past year?

I am not in possession of particulars of all the improvement schemes contemplated by the highway authorities of the country, and regret that I cannot therefore make the desired comparison.

asked the Home Secretary why Rabbi Abraham Sacharov, who was selected as their rabbi by the Gateshead Hebrew congregation, has been refused admission to this country?

The application for the admission of this Polish Rabbi has not been supported by any arguments beyond the fact that the Gateshead congregation have elected him, and though I have made inquiries I have been unable to ascertain any special grounds for acceding to the application.

asked the Home Secretary what action the Government proposes to take in respect of the Mackenzie Report on the claims of the police prison strikers?

One of the provisions of the Police Pensions Bill, which I hope to re-introduce, will empower police authorities, at their discretion, to apply any rateable deductions for the benefit of the dependants of the police officers who were dismissed?

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce this Session the Police Pensions Bill which was withdrawn last Session?

I hope to be in a position to introduce this Bill at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can make any announcement as to the introduction of a Land Drainage Bill this Session.

I hope to introduce this Session a small Bill to confer greater powers on county councils with regard to land drainage. Arising out of the recently issued Report of the Commission which investigated the situation in the Ouse drainage district. I am reconsidering the whole question of the law relating to land drainage, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the introduction of amending, legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what the total loss incurred by the State and also by the local authorities in respect of the provision of small holdings under the Small Holdings Acts, and secondly, under the Land Settlements Acts?

The total amount paid by the Ministry to local authorities during the period 1908 to 1919, being a moiety of the losses incurred by those authorities in carrying out schemes for the provision of small holdings under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, was £3,644. During the same period, the Ministry repaid to local authorities sums amounting to £285,810, being (a) one moiety of the expenses of ascertaining the demand for small holdings, and (b) expenses incurred by the local authorities in relation to the acquisition of land.Under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, the Ministry has up to the present time repaid to local authorities sums amounting to £3,979,924, being the loss incurred by those authorities up to 31st. March, 1925, in respect of small holdings, whether acquired under the Act of 1908 or the Act of 1919. This sum includes those portions of the expenses of local authorities under the Act of 1908 which had not previously been recovered from the Ministry as explained in the previous paragraph.For fuller information on this subject I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the Section entitled "Financial Aspects of Land Settlement," on pages 36 to 45 of the Report on Land Settlement in England and Wales, 1919 to 1924, published in November, 1925.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the present strength of the British naval forces on the Yang-tse river; whether the naval forces which were landed at Hankow in June were under the orders of the local volunteer forces; whether these forces are organised purely for the protection of British commercial interests and whether the expenses incurred in connection with the landing of naval forces are borne by the taxpayer in England or by the British commercial interests in China?

The present strength of the British naval forces on the Yang-tse river consists of six "Insect" class river gunboats, namely:

• "Bee" (flagship of E.A. Yang-tae),
• "Cockchafer,"
• "Cricket,"
• "Gnat,"
• "Mantis,"
• "Scarab,"

• "Woodcock,"
• "Woodlark,"
• "Teal,"
• "Widgeon."