asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what percentage of the Bombay cotton mills are provided with safety devices for the protection of the workers; and what steps have been taken to compel all the mills to provide these appliances?

I shall be glad to furnish the hon. Member, if he so desires, with a copy of the Bombay Factory Report for 1924, which contains the information available regarding the extent to which safety devices are provided and particulars of the prosecutions instituted against employers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the reason why Dr. K. S. Roy was refused permission to visit professionally two of his patients, Babas Chandra Das and J. Bhattachariya, political prisoners, who were lying ill in Alipore Central Gaol?

I have no information as to the particular case. But outside doctors are ordinarily neither allowed nor needed for the attendance of sick persons in gaol.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many persons are at present imprisoned, interned, or detained in places under the control of the Government of India for offences committed in connection with political propaganda and industrial disputes; and how many have been imprisoned, interned, or detained without trial?

Detailed figures as to prisoners for offences of a political nature were circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 4th May Corresponding figures for the present time are not available, but under the special Bengal legislation of last year and the Regulation of 1818 there were at the end of December in that province 67 persons in gaol and 55 domiciled either in villages or in their own homes who have not been tried. I am not aware of any figures of prisoners classified as offenders in connection with industrial disputes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government will institute a court of inquiry into the circumstances under which two American citizens, McWilliams and Sheey, escaped from India while on bail; whether he is aware of the fact that Rai Sahib Basheshar Nath, the victim of their assault, claims to have spent Rs. 4,000 in bringing them to justice; and whether the Government will consider the question of reimbursing him for his loss?

These two Americans were convicted by a magistrate of a brutal assault on a respectable Indian gentleman, appealed against the conviction to the Sessions Judge, who admitted them to bail pending the hearing of the appeal, and broke their bail, leaving Bombay surreptitiously on an Italian ship. They had United States passports. They were traced to Egypt and Italy. Every effort was made to intercept them, but they could not be arrested in either country because their offence was not extraditable. My Noble Friend has called for a report on the circumstances in which these men succeeded in escaping unobserved, and, pending its receipt, does not propose to take any further action. I have no information on the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the Report of the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Exchange; and, if so, whether he proposes to publish the same in this country?

No, Sir. The Royal Commission, who have recently concluded the taking of evidence in India, propose now to obtain evidence in this country. The Report will be published in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the case of Driver P. J. McCarthy, of the Eastern Bengal Railway Company, who, as a punishment for having lost eight minutes time, had his wages reduced by 15s, a month for six months; whether he will have this man's case reviewed; and whether he will have a system of punishments introduced which will be consistent and commensurate with the nature of the offence?

I have no information on this case. If the facts be as stated, it would he open to Driver McCarthy to appeal to the agent of the railway.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the desirability of promoting at the British universities an interest in tropical or semi-tropical agriculture, he is prepared to appoint or attach to the Indian Agricultural Commission at least one representative from the school of agriculture of one of the British universities?

I will convey my hon. Friend's suggestion to my Noble Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many universities and colleges, public schools, secondary and higher schools, respectively, have Cadet Corps, and the amount of State grant made in respect of such cadet corps in the current financial year; and what is the public expenditure for this purpose, if any, during each of the years 1909–14 and each of the years 1919–24?

The hon. Member will find in the Army List the names of those universities and schools which furnish a contingent of the Officers' Training Corps, and in the Cadet List the names of those schools which have Cadet Corps. The provision in Estimates for the State grant to the Officers' Training Corps during the current year is £79,950, and to the Cadet Corps. £15,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to, secure not only that War Office supplies are obtained from British firms, but that, so far as practicable, the materials of these supplies are of British home or Empire origin?

It is the practice of the War Office to give a substantial preference to British products in making purchases for the Army, and so far as practicable to extend similar preference to the materials used in carrying out such contracts. The question whether any further steps can be taken in the latter direction is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions to the effect that, in the feeding of all troops and persons under the control of his Department whose maintenance is provided for by the State, preference shall be given to home-grown wheat and other produce?

It is the practice of the War Office to give a substantial preference in price to home over foreign products in obtaining supplies for the Army. Wheat, as such, is not purchased by the War Office, but as regards flour, supplies bought for the Army have, under the terms of the contract, to be milled in this country. From information obtained from the millers it is clear that a proportion of English wheat is used in its manufacture, and the specification lays down no limit to the proportion which may be used, so long as the flour meets War Department requirements. It is not considered desirable, however, to stipulate for a definite proportion of homegrown wheat, as the quantity which can be, used in producing satisfactory flour must necessarily vary according to the time of the year and the quality of the wheat.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present strength of the British forces (Volunteer and Regular) at Hankow; when the Volunteers were formed; who is in command of the Volunteer force; by what authority the officer commanding is appointed and to whom he is responsible; whether the sanction of the Chinese Government was obtained before the incorporation of the Hankow Volunteers; and whether munitions or any other support have been given by the British War Office in the last 12 months?

The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. There are no Regular forces of the Crown stationed ashore at Hankow. The British Volunteer force at Hankow is composed of civilian Volunteers maintained and controlled by the Municipal Council of the British Concession. The council appoint the commandant from among the Volunteers. He is responsible, to the council. The British Volunteer force, like the American, French, and Japanese Volunteer forces at Hankow, has been in existence for some years past. Having been organised solely for the defence of the foreign concessions at Hankow, the question of sanction by the Chinese Government probably never arose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air with what cities abroad we are in regular communication to-day by means of air or seaplane service; and whether any efforts are being made and, if so, in what directions, to extend this service?

During the winter months British air services are in regular operation abroad to Paris, Cologne (via Brussels), and Amsterdam; during the summer months the Paris service operates to Zurich (via Basle), and the Amsterdam service to Berlin (via Hanover). Connections exist by means of foreign air services to many of the most important cities, the number of which varies according to the season of the year. The possibility of extending British air services and of establishing other British services abroad is receiving the constant attention of the Air Ministry and of Imperial Airways, Limited, who, under the terms of the subsidy agreement, can exercise their discretion in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) how many men were accepted in the year 1925 for His Majesty's Air Force; and how many were rejected on account of some physical deficiency;(2) what percentage of applicants were rejected for the Air Force in 1925, and what the principal physical defects were, giving the proportions to the total number of rejections?

The number of men passed fit for service in the Air Force was 2,885; the number rejected as medically unfit was 3,414, or a percentage of 54·19 of those medically examined. The principal causes of rejection, as revealed by examination by Service medical officers, were as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks receive quicker promotion than continuous service ratings of this branch; and whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that continuous ratings do not suffer by preferential treatment to ratings who are borne for non-continuous service?

There is no regular scheme of advancement for non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks who for the most part—but not invariably—obtain their advancement by being selected, when a ship commissions for duty, in a higher grade than that in which they served during their previous commission. Consequently, it is hardly possible to compare the rate of promotion of non-continuous service ratings with that of corresponding continuous service ratings. All possible steps are taken to safeguard the interests of the continuous service ratings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what date a sick-berth attendant would be eligible for promotion under the reply to Request 3 of Group VIII of the 1924 Welfare Requests who, whilst serving abroad, passed a successful provisional examination for leading sick-berth attendant on 1st September, 1920, failed the first attempt at a final examination in England on 1st December, 1921 and eventually passed finally on 1st November, 1922, observing that, but for foreign service, months only would have elapsed, and not years?

On the facts stated in the question, this sick-berth attendant would, if otherwise qualified and recommended, have been placed on the new system advancement roster as from the 1st November, 1922. No particulars are given of the period during which he was on foreign service, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have details I will have the matter inquired into.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state, in respect of hospitals under his administration in this country and elsewhere, respectively, the estimated capital values of lands and of buildings occupied; the annual building maintenance cost; the annual cost of medical stores; the annual cost of provisioning; the annual cost and the numbers of staff employed on medical services;

I regret that the information as to the capital value of the land and buildings occupied as naval hospitals is not available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why Fleet Orders have been issued giving a recapitulation of the restrictions in regard to leave for officers and men proceeding to any town or district in which an outbreak of small-pox has been notified, seeing that all the officers and men in question have been vaccinated at least once, and many of them several times, since joining the service?

The figures are as follow:

Restrictions in regard to leave for officers and men in districts where small-pox is prevalent are necessary in view of the fact that, although every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure the protection of every individual in the Navy against this disease by vaccination, there still must be a certain proportion unprotected, either by oversight or on the grounds of conscientious objection, to which must be added recent entries who have not yet undergone protection by vaccination. In addition, His Majesty's dockyard employés are not under the same control as naval personnel as regards vaccination, and consequently a large proportion of them are non-immune, and as naval personnel and these employés are intimately associated, infection might be carried either by a person in the early stages of small-pox or by the clothing of one who has been recently in contact with a case. It is considered that no precaution should be neglected to prevent a case of small-pox occurring in one of His Majesty's ships or establishment, as, apart from the menace to health, there is the question of the great expense incurred in isolation and destruction of clothing, bedding, etc., necessary owing to the highly-infectious nature of this disease. In addition, there is the inconvenience and expense of keeping all contacts of a case in isolation and under observation for 14 days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the approximate cost of fitting up the room in the Paymaster-General's office occupied by the Paymaster-General?

I have been asked to reply to this question. This room, formerly occupied by clerical staff, was fitted up for occupation by the Paymaster-General at a cost of £314. In addition, expenditure of approximately £200 was incurred in redecoration already due and in the eradication of dry rot in the floor of this room and of the adjoining corridors.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present estimated annual cost of headquarters staff engaged on each of the following duties: educational, medical, chaplains, administration of food, clothing and general stores administration of technical stores, transport, staff duties, naval personnel administration, martial law, civil personnel administration, legal services, contracts, finance, accounting and audit, inspection, recruiting, lands, buildings and works, secretarial, messengers, porters and cleaners?

A statement is appended. It has been necessary to modify slightly the headings suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, in order to make them applicable to the business of the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Pensions what proportion of the 201 women discharged from his Department in December were found situations following communications from his Department to private employers?

Owing to the fall in the amount of work being less than was anticipated, it has been found necessary to extend temporarily the notices issued to 50 of the clerks who were under notice in December last. I have no precise information in reply to the hon. Member's question, but it is understood that a number of the women who left this Ministry in December have obtained other employment as a result of recommendations made by the Department.

asked the Minister of Health if overtime is still being worked in his Department, and what are the amounts so paid during the month of January?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The amount paid for overtime during the month of January was £4,782.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are a number of temporary clerks' associations which are concerned as to the methods to be adopted for the selection of the P class; that there is grave apprehension among them as to the machinery to be utilised for the purpose; whether he will, before selecting such machinery, ascertain the views of the staff side of the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service and, in addition, the opinions of the associations affected; and whether use will be made of the promotions machinery instituted under the Whitley system with the approval of the Government?

The methods to be adopted for the selection of ex-service temporary clerks for permanent non-pensionable employment have already been discussed with the appropriate association. I am not aware that there is any apprehension among the clerks concerned on the subject, and I see no sufficient reason for consulting the National Whitley Council upon which they are not effectively represented. As regards the last part of the question, as the arrangements do not involve any question of promotions, the machinery instituted under the Whitley system for that purpose would not appear to be applicable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many persons were employed in the Board of Inland Revenue, Board of Trade, Foreign Office, Treasury, Board of Customs, Ministry of Health, War Office, Admiralty, and Home Office in 1913 and 1925, respectively?

Figures for 1913 are not now available. The number of non-Industrial staff employed in these Departments on 1st August, 1914, and 1st October, 1925, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the speech recently delivered by Dr. W. Tuach Mackenzie, medical officer of Dundee Mental Hospital, Westgreen, criticising the present system of treating mental patients, will be taken fully into consideration with a view to effective re-organisation of the system under which mental patients are supervised?

If the hon. Member will let me have a report of the speech, to which my attention has not previosuly been drawn, I shall certainly consider it.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to a report that the water supply of the inhabitants of Bledlow Ridge, Bucks, is to be cut off in March; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware of the position, and am in communication with the parties.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Urban District Council of Little Lever is proposing to make a joint appointment of sanitary inspector and assistant surveyor at a salary of £185 per annum, inclusive of bonus; whether he approved the terms of the advertisement; and whether he is satisfied that the salary offered is a sufficient one to obtain and retain the services of a qualified officer?

I am in correspondence with the local authority regarding this appointment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the result of the consideration which his predecessor promised to give to the revision of the scale of fees and the conditions of registration of producers of grade A tuberculin tested milk; and whether, in view of the national necessity of clean milk, he will consider the granting of free licences and free tuberculin tests?

So far as the general conditions governing the licensing of producers of grade A (tuberculin tested) milk are concerned, I do not feel that it would be possible to make any material relaxation without impairing the value of the grade. The licence fees are arranged to cover the special expenses of supervision (especially bacteriological examination) and the cost of tuberculin testing is a part of the necessary cost of production of the milk. As at present advised, I am not prepared to relieve the producer of either of these charges.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has conducted investigations into the effect on the health of the public from the use of salt on snowy streets; how long the resultant liquid remains below the freezing point of water; and whether any representations have been made to local authorities on the subject?

The model bye laws issued by my Department for the prevention of nuisances require, when salt is thrown upon snow on a footway, the resultant product shall be removed as soon as possible. These bye-laws have been-adopted by a large number of local authorities. I understand that no investigation has been conducted by my Department on the particular point mentioned by my hon. Friend, and I am advised that it would be most difficult to devise experiments from which reliable conclusions could be drawn.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that drugs of a poisonous nature are being supplied by unqualified chemists whose inadequate knowledge of medicine entails grave risks; and whether any measure of legislative regulation can he considered to deal with such matter?

The hon. and gallant Member does not indicate to what drugs he refers; but if he is aware of any cases in which the statutory restrictions on the sale of poisons are not observed, I should be glad if he would furnish me with particulars.

asked the Minister of Health how many boards of guardians applied for permission to borrow for meeting the cost of relief during 1925; what was the amount of loans granted by the Goschen Committee: and how many applications were refused?

Fifty boards of guardians applied for sanction to the raising of loans or overdrafts for the purpose of meeting their current expenditure during the year 1925. In one case the anticipated need for borrowing did not in fact materialise. The loans advanced by the Ministry on the recommendation of the Goschen Committee amounted to £869,622. In no case have loans or overdrafts necessary for the conduct of union business been refused, but there was one instance in which the guardians refused for a time to accept a loan offered to them on certain conditions laid down by the Gosehen Committee.

asked the Minister of Health how many boards of guardians in England and Wales, including the Metropolitan area, have, during the past three years, applied to the Ministry of Health for sanction to obtain loans for the payment of relief; in how many instances did the Minister refuse sanction and the reason for such refusal; in how many cases did the Minister refuse sanction because he disagreed with the scale of relief being paid; and will he state the scales objected to and the scales finally adopted?

Sixty-seven boards of guardians have during the past three years applied (some of them on a number of occasions) for sanction to the raising of temporary loans or overdrafts to meet current expenditure. In no instance has such a sanction been refused if the need for borrowing was established and there has been no case in which the funds necessary for the conduct of their business has not been made available to the guardians. In one instance it was intimated that sanction would not be forthcoming unless the guardians complied with the law as regards the relief of persons engaged in a trade dispute, and in a few instances a reduction of the scale of relief or of allowance was required. I will send the hon. Member the details for which he asks as regards these cases.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of widows and children in the County of Lindsey, under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, are still under consideration; and how many of these applicants applied before January, 1926?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis. I can, however, assure him that all possible steps are being taken to expedite the decision of outstanding claims. Where pensions are awarded in these cases payment will, of course, be made as from 5th January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the wives of naval (lunatic) ratings will be permitted to pay the National Health and Pension contribution themselves, if so desirable, in order to become eligible for the widows' pension under the new Act?

I have been asked to reply. Naval ratings discharged owing to mental incapacity will remain insured for Widows' and Orphans' Pensions without payment of further contributions so long as the incapacity continues, provided that 104 contributions have been paid at some time since their last entry into insurance. If in any case the number of contributions already paid is less than 104, the wife may pay the balance on behalf of her husband in accordance with Regulations, particulars of which I will send to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the case of William Sneyd, of 207, Robins Lane, Sutton, St. Helens, whose son, an ex-service man, is confined in Rainhill Asylum, near St. Helens, and for whom he has been paying maintenance of 5s. a week for a considerable period; and if, in view of the fact that Mr. Sneyd is bound in a very short time to retire on a pension of 5s. per week, after 50 years' service, he can see his way to refund some of the payments already made and remit future payment?

I understand that Mr. Sneyd's son is a rate-aided patient, and the guardians are empowered to recover from his relatives some payment towards the cost of the patient's maintenance. If the father wishes to have the position reconsidered, he should in the first instance approach the guardians. If he still disputes the assessment made by the guardians, it can only be enforced by an order of a Court of summary jurisdiction, who would hear him before making any order. The Minister of Health has no jurisdiction which would empower him to intervene in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number and names of local authorities who have adopted a scheme of reduced rentals on their housing estates for tenants with children?

I am unable to give the information required by the hon. Member, as the determination of the rent charged to each individual tenant is a matter for the local authority, and does not require my approval.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view oi the fact that an ejection order has been granted by the Judge of the St. Helens County Court against the inhabitants of 16 houses situated in Abbotsfield Lane, St. Helens, but not as yet enforced, he will reconsider his refusal to endorse the two sites in the same area submitted to him by the local authority whereby these people, 103 in number, can be accommodated as early as possible?

I am arranging for my officers to discuss with representatives of the council the steps which can best be taken to deal with this matter.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built under the Housing Act of 1924 in the rural district council areas of the Administrative County of Warwick; how many of these are in agricultural parishes; and how many houses are projected under the same Act in the same area?

Approval has so far been given to proposals for the erection of 205 houses under the Act of 1924 in rural districts in the County of Warwick, of which 117 will be in agricultural parishes. Twenty-six of these houses (of which six are in agricultural parishes) have been completed.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of houses erected under the Acts of 1923 and 1924, respectively, up to the last convenient date; and what is the number of houses approved under each of the Acts, but not yet completed?

On the 1st January last, the latest date for which complete figures are available, the position under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 was as follows:

asked the Minister of Health how many houses the London County Council have built during the present year; and what number of these have been provided for the inhabitants of the borough of Southwark?

During the year ended December, 1925, the number of houses completed by the London County Council was 1,982, of which I understand that 119 were let to Southwark inhabitants. I am informed that during the same period the number of lettings of new and existing houses was 3,021 of which 190 were to Southwark inhabitants.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses are projected under the Housing Act of 1924 in rural district council areas; and how many of these will be built in agricultural parishes?

13,131 houses have so far been approved under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, for erection in the areas of rural district councils. 4,427 of these were in respect of agricultural parishes.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Andrew Paterson, 15, Langlands Road, Govan, was informed on 22nd April, 1925, that his award would be increased to the rate appropriate to the rank of acting company sergeant-major; whether he is aware that payment of the increase has been made as from 4th April, 1923, instead of from the date of his discharge, 31st May, 1917; whether he is aware that the procedure of paying the increase is not in accord with Clause 5, Part I, of the Royal Warrant in operation at the date of his discharge; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have the award put into proper order in accordance with the provisions of that Royal Warrant?

In this case the man was officially reverted by the military authorities to the rank of private with effect from a date before his disability arose, though the order reverting him was not issued till after his removal from duty. On further investigation of the circumstances last year, however, as there appeared to be reasonable ground for doubt as to the actual position and duties discharged by the man at the time of his removal from duty, the benefit of the higher rank was in fact allowed as from the date from which he made the claim. I am unable, in the circumstances, to authorise payment from an earlier date. The Article of the Warrant to which the hon. Member refers has no bearing on the question of payment of arrears.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 437 area offices and whole-time and part-time sub-offices that were in operation on the 31st March, 1925, have hem closed, and what is the economy anticipated to result from the closure of the offices?

Since the date referred to 65 offices have been closed, all of which were on a part-time basis. It is not possible to determine with accuracy the aggregate saving which has resulted from the closing down of these offices, but it is substantial, and the saving in respect of accommodation alone amounts to £1,038 a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications were made for pension in respect of men suffering from tuberculosis in the 12 months ending 31st December, 1925, and how many pensions were granted; and if he will state the number of applications for treatment made by pensioners suffering from tuberculosis and in how many cases was treatment granted with allowances?

Claims to the number of 4,863 in respect of tuberculosis were considered during the period referred to, and in 1,314 of these cases the claim was admitted. The aggregate number of men who claimed for treatment on account of tuberculosis cannot be stated, but over 12,000 separate courses of treatment of one kind or another were given with allowances during the year.

asked the Prime Minister if there is any subsidy being paid to ex-King Hussein of the Hedjaz, and, if so, what amount?

No subsidy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the schemes of road-making which were inaugurated for the purpose of giving work to the unemployed are having the effect of increasing the value of the land contiguous to the new roads; and whether, as the expenditure on such roads has been and is being borne by local bodies and the National Exchequer, he intends introducing legislation to obtain for the public those increased values?

I have been asked to reply. Where any powers exist for the purchase of lands adjacent to the new roads, expert advice is taken as to whether such purchase would be financially advantageous. Where possible, I am also taking steps, in co-operation with the local authorities concerned, for the application of their town-planning powers to secure the line of new roads on the most advantageous and economical terms.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the heavy burden of local rates, he will cease utilising the Road Fund for the construction of new roads and bridges and concentrate on assisting local authorities in the maintenance and improvement of existing roads?

In view of the continuous growth of traffic a reasonable expenditure on the widening of existing roads, the construction of new bridges, and of bye-pass and other new roads, is necessary to prevent the overloading and congestion of existing roads. Local authorities require assistance in carrying out these necessary works as well as in maintenance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with reference to his recent statement to local authorities on the Road Fund, it is intended to limit fresh expenditure on the construction of new roads and bridges over and above those to which the Ministry of Transport is already committed during the next two or three years; and whether he can give an undertaking that existing commitments will be carried out?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received resolutions passed by the Monmouthshire County Council and the Newport County Borough Council, stating that in their opinion the whole of the income from motor taxation should be used for the improvement and maintenance of roads; and will he give these resolutions his serious consideration?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given on 9th February to similar questions on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport for what reason he has declined an offer of a solution of the traffic problem from an inventor residing in Brighton who is prepared to deposit £100, or more if necessary, to be forfeited, under given conditions, if the invention is not adopted; whether, in view of the claim that many accidents and thousands of pounds in street improvements can be saved by the adoption of such invention, he will confer with the Treasury with a view to entering into a contract with the applicant to investigate the process, particularly as the applicant has offered to defray the legal costs of such a contract, which would not necessarily impose any financial obligation on His Majesty's Government; and whether he will reconsider this decision?

The inventor, to whom my hon. and gallant Friend refers, was informed in October last that I should be glad to receive any suggestions which would assist in solving the traffic problem in London, but he subsequently intimated that he was not prepared to submit his scheme unless I first entered into an agreement with him that he should be paid for his invention in the event of its being used. I am not prepared to enter into any such agreement. If the inventor referred to desires to protect his invention, he should take steps to have it patented, after which it would he open to him to submit it to me, when it would receive careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether any reward or gratuity has been afforded the police constable of the "B" Division, Metropolitan Police, who suggested the new type of white detachable sleeves for traffic-duty policemen?

The white detachable sleeves, referred to by the hon. Member, were gradually evolved, and were not invented by a constable of the "B" Division. An apparently useful modification of the idea, suggested by a "B" Division police constable, is, however, at present under consideration. No question of reward or gratuity has arisen.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any suggestion to subsidise the traffic control by the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club has been considered; and, if so, what is the intention of the Government in this regard?

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

asked the Home Secretary the amount of fines inflicted for breaches of the Motor Car Acts at police courts in England and Wales during the last 12 months; and what method of auditing the accounts of such fines is in operation?

The net amount of fines transmitted (after certain deductions for costs, etc.), for payment into the Motor Tax Account in 1925 was £142,272. The accounts of clerks to justices, including accounts of such fines as these, are audited under arrangements made locally; in some counties there is also Government audit by agreement. The question of further arrangements for audit is raised in the Report of the Public Accounts Committee, and as soon as the evidence given before that Committee is available, the matter will be considered in consultation with other Departments concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the charges of the Public Trustee are higher than those of competitive companies; and whether he will have the facts examined with a view to a reduction being made?

I have been asked to reply. No exact comparison can be made between the charges of the Public Trustee and other trust corporations, because there is no uniform standard of charges among the latter. In some cases the Public Trustee's charges may be higher and in others lower. The Public Trustee's fees were reduced as recently as 1st January last, this being the second reduction since 1920; further reductions are constantly kept under consideration subject, however, to the condition that they cannot legally be made if the effect would be to bring part of the expenses of the Office on to the Parliamentary Vote, contrary to the provisions of the Public Turstee Act, 1906.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received a resolution from the Dublin Metropolitan Pre-War Pensioners' Association calling attention to the disabilities from which they suffer; and whether it is the intention of the Government to do anything to assist these men, who are now suffering privation, particularly as they have been deprived of the benefits of the Pensions Increase Act, 1924?

A resolution to the effect mentioned in the question was received by my right hon. Friend on the 13th November last; as regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member was informed of the policy of His Majesty's Government in reply to questions on the 31st March and 25th June, 1925, and I am afraid it is not possible for me to vary or add anything to those replies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that letters soliciting donations were sent to various persons last December by a body calling itself the British Fascists' Carol Party, in envelopes bearing the words "On His Majesty's Service "; how those envelopes came into the possession of this body: whether they were authorised to use them; and, if so, by whom was such authority given?

Any such use of official envelopes was entirely irregular, and if the hon. Member will give me any information on the subject in his possession, I will make further inquiries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the future of the Guide to Current Official Statistics; and whether he has decided to place this compilation on the list of Command Papers?

It is hoped that the next issue of the Guide to Current Official Statistics will he published about the end of June. As I promised in reply to the hon. Member on the 10th December last, the question of publication as a Command Paper has been considered, but I find that this would involve raising the price from 1s. to 4s., and I think that it will be sufficient to arrange for copies to be placed in the Library, the Guide being in the nature of a classified catalogue.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, owing to the refusal of Roumania to accept the terms of the Innsbruck Protocol of June, 1923, payment of interest to holders of bonds of the old Austro-Hungarian monarchy cannot be made or is indefinitely delayed; and whether steps have been taken to secure the payment of interest on these bonds?

asked the Financial Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if Roumania has refused to sign the Innsbruck Protocol?

Rumania has so far refused to sign the Innsbruck Protocol of June, 1923, and the Prague Agreement between the Succession States of Austria-Hungary and the Bondholders Association with regard to the service of the pre-War Austrian and Hungarian public debts. His Majesty's Government have made repeated representations to the Roumanian Government on the subject and I understand that the Roumanian Delegation on the Reparation Commission have recently resumed negotiations with the Bondholders Association. I trust that these negotiations will result in the adherence of Roumania to these agreements which have been accepted by all the other countries concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the national debts of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand; and what the amount works out approximately per head of the population?

The following are the latest particulars in my possession:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of applications received for compensation for civilian damages suffered in the War, and the total sum claimed; the number of claims passed, the sums claimed, and the amount actually paid; whether any balance remains in the fund; and, if so, what is the amount?

I have been asked to reply. The number of completed claims for compensation received and dealt with in connection with the funds voted by Parliament for reparations so far total 95,534, being 65,659 against the £5,000,000 compensation fund, and 29,875 against the £300,000 fund provided for solatia to belated claimants. In addition, there are some 2,000 claimants against the latter fund who have as yet failed to return the forms issued to them. The number of claims admitted to rank against the £5,000,000 fund to date is 45,402, and against the £300,000 fund 25,102, in respect of which the sums of £4,591,154 and £283,872 have been paid respectively. There remain so far undistributed £408,846 out of the £5,000,000 fund, and £16,128 out of the £300,000 fund. It is not possible to state, even approximately, the total of the amounts chimed, since, in a very large number of cases, no amount is specified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state approximately the gross assessed income for Income Tax purposes for the current year, together with the actual income of those liable to Income Tax, including those relieved by the operation of abatements and allowances, and the income on which tax is actually payable; and will he state the corresponding figures for last year?

The information asked for will not be available for the current year for some considerable time. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the gross and actual income for the years 1923–24 and 1924–25. The figures for the year 1924–25 are provisional estimates only as it is not yet possible to give final figures for that year.The figures for 1923–24 and 1924–25 are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the House of Lords in the Brighton College case; and what steps he proposes to take to relieve educational institutions from the burden which is imposed upon them by that decision?

The decision to which my hon. Friend refers did not impose any fresh burden upon educational establishments, but merely reaffirmed the view of the law which has consistently prevailed. The institutions which, I think, my hon. Friend has in mind already enjoy a considerable measure of relief from Income Tax as charities, but I see no ground for a further extension of their privileges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Entertainments Duty levied in each of the months commencing 1st April, 1925, and ending 31st January, 1926?

The particulars asked for are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the desirability of putting a tax upon posters containing advertisements?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been noted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of owners of land in Great Britain?

There is, so far as I am aware, no information as to the number of owners of land in Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the sugar subsidy to the most recent convenient date?

I have been asked to reply. The gross amount of subsidy paid under the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act during the financial year 1924–25 was £492,040 4s. 7d. The gross amount paid during the current financial year up to 6th February is £907,570 1s. 3d., making a total gross subsidy paid to the date stated of £1,399,610 5s. 10d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of homegrown wheat in Great Britain; the total acreage under wheat; and the amount of imported wheat for the years 1920 to 1925, inclusive?

The area and production of wheat in Great Britain, and the quantity of wheat (including flour expressed as wheat) imported into the United Kingdom, during each year from 1920 to 1925 are given in the following table:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low rate of wages fixed for agricultural labourers in the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk; and whether he will use his powers to demand a reconsideration in those cases where the weekly remuneration is less than 30s?

I am aware that in Norfolk and Suffolk the minimum rates of wages for ordinary adult male workers are less than 30s. per week, but I have come to the conclusion, as did my predecessor in the case of Norfolk, that no case has been made out for asking the two wages committees concerned to reconsider the rates they have fixed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the cause of the delay in giving effect to the recommendations of the Linlithgow Committee of three years ago for establishing a legal standard of quality for cheese and other agricultural products, thus protecting the consumer and encouraging a higher grade of home production?

This proposal has been the subject of prolonged inquiry, including the examination of a large number of samples by the Government Laboratory. As a result, and after consulting the Milk Advisory Committee on the question of a standard for cheese. I have come to the conclusion that there

asked the Minister of Agriculture the approximate average annual consumption of potatoes in Great Britain; the approximate average annual production in Great Britain; and the importations of potatoes into Great Britain in 1913, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925, distinguishing, if possible, the principal countries, including Ireland, from which imports are received?

The average annual production of potatoes on agricultural holdings and allotments in Great Britain for the years 1921 to 1925 was about 4,600,000 tons. The average annual consumption for all purposes in the same years, excluding any potatoes grown in private gardens, was rather over 5,000,000 tons. The quantities of potatoes imported into the United Kingdom in each of the years 1913 and 1921 to 1925, distinguishing countries of origin, are shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the negotiations with Angora relative to the Mosul frontier?

I have now received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople reports regarding his recent conversations with the Turkish Government which are receiving the attention which they merit at the hands of His Majesty's Government. I prefer in the public interest not to make any further statement in regard to these negotiations as the present stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can see his way to press for the total abolition of passports at the forthcoming International Conference of the League of Nations on 12th May.

The restrictions in force in nearly all countries, including this country, on the admission of aliens, makes it necessary for travellers to carry authoritative proof of their identity and nationality. In the circumstances I do not feel able to press for the abolition of passports at the forthcoming Conference to be held under the auspices of the League of Nations.

asked the Home Secretary how many men and women are on the special jury list for the County of Middlesex, and the number of special jurors called to serve in Middlesex during the year 1925?

I am informed that the number of men and women designated as special jurors in the Jurors Book for Middlesex is 3,222. In 1924, 2790 persons were summoned as special jurors. The figure for 1925 is not yet available.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to ameliorate the position of widows of policemen who died before 1st September, 1918?

The Government have no intention of introducing legislation on this subject. I would point out that these widows come within the general provisions of the Act of last year.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes this year again to introduce the Petroleum Bill?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the methods adopted in tests for drunkenness, especially in regard to motorists arrested on such charges, have given rise to numerous disputed opinions; and if he will consider the appointment of an official committee, to be representative of medical and judicial interests, in order that generally established tests shall be accepted, in order to obviate future complaints of unfair conviction?

I am aware of various expressions of opinion. As at present advised, I do not propose to appoint a committee.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of' licences issued to auctioneers in the United Kingdom during the year 1925?

The number of auctioneers' licences issued in the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st December, 1925, cannot be stated since Northern Irish auctioneers' licences form part of the transferred services and the number issued is not known. The number issued in Great Britain during that period was 8,029.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total sum that was spent in advertising the British Empire Exhibition, 1925, in this country; and how much in the Colonies and foreign countries?

I am informed that the total sum spent by the Exhibition authorities in advertising the British Empire Exhibition in 1925 was £121,833. It was not necessary for the Exhibition authorities to incur expenditure in the Dominions and Colonies owing to the publicity in each part of the Empire being arranged for locally in connection with the participation of the Dominion or Colony concerned. Only a very small amount was spent in foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will this Session promote a Bill making the giving of short weight by retailers an offence in all trades?

I have only just received the Report of the Food Council on this subject. This Report will be printed and published forthwith; and the Government will consider the Report and the recommendations made therein without delay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the differing practices of grading in regard to the sale of jam by weight; is he aware that some manufacturers sell net weights in pots of jam, whereas others offer no guarantee; and whether he will ask the Food Council to investigate the matter with the object of establishing uniformity in the conditions of sale?

The Food Council have considered this question, and definite recommendations are contained in their Report, which will be published shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports and exports, respectively, between Great Britain and the United States of America for 1924 and 1925, respectively?

The declared value of the imports into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from the United States amounted to £241,190,000 in 1924, and to £247,247,000 in 1925. The declared value of the total exports consigned to the United States amounted to £78,427,000 in 1924, and to £83,235,000 in 1925. These latter figures include exports of imported merchandise valued at £24,585,000 in 1924 and at £31,166,000 in 1925.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the marine wireless operators, through their representatives, have agreed to submit all points at issue in the marine wireless dispute to arbitration; whether, in view of this fact, he will at once give instructions which will ensure the immediate re-establishment of the normal working of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, in order to help the employers also to agree to submit all points at issue to arbitration?

My Department is kept informed by the Ministry of Labour of the general course of the negotiations, but I would suggest that any question about the negotiations should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour. I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that the outstanding differences between the parties are not on the question of arbitration. I am unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that instructions should at once be issued for the detention of ships.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention was drawn to the admission of coal merchants in London that the advance in the retail price of coal in December was due to what they termed the cold snap then prevailing; and whether, as this was an admission that pit-head prices and stocks did not justify such increase, he can take any steps to prevent a recurrence of such profiteering?

I have not seen any such admission by the London coal merchants. On the contrary, they issued a statement that the advance was due to increases in pit-head prices.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will investigate the circumstances attending the refusal of unemployment benefit to Mr. W. G. Savill, of 71, Station Street, Stratford, No. 58,927, who worked on the Great Eastern Railway for 37 years was compelled to retire at the 65-years age limit on the 8th January, signed the register at the Exchange on the following day, and was refused benefit as and from the 9th on the ground that he was not genuinely seeking employment; whether he is aware that the officer who disqualified him never saw or interviewed him; and on what grounds an officer of the Ministry determines that such a man, after 37 years' work, is not genuinely seeking employment?

I am having inquiry made and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether representations have been made in favour of the establishment of a trade board for the catering industry in Great Britain; whether any official inquiry has been made into the conditions under which large numbers of workers in this industry are employed; and whether the Government have reached a decision?

In replying to this question, it will, I think, be convenient if I deal also with the results of the investigations which have been made into certain other trades, namely, the drapery and allied trades, the meat distributive trades, and the grocery trade, the reports upon which will shortly be available, together with that upon the catering trade. The results of the investigations have been considered in the light of the statement of the Government's policy with regard to trade boards which I made when the Government took office, namely, that they adhere to the principle that the grave evil of sweating must be prevented, and endorse the view that the trade board system is necessary for this purpose, but that in considering the application of the Acts to new trades they would only extend the Acts to trades where it had been clearly ascertained by systematic investigation that sweating conditions prevail, and then only after a public inquiry to examine the facts and to hear objections in any case of doubt.So far as regards the three new trades (catering, drapery and meat distribution), after considering carefully the results of the investigations, I have decided that in all the circumstances the conditions that exist do not justify at the present time the application of the Acts. So far as regards the grocery trade (to which the Acts already apply) the investigations did not disclose that the conditions differ substantially from those in the other trades now under consideration. In all the circumstances, I have come to the conclusion that statutory minimum rates of wages should not, in present circumstances, be put into operation in the trade.I need hardly add that the conditions in the trades in question will be kept under review and that the above decisions will be subject to reconsideration if there is a change in circumstances which would warrant it.

asked the Attorney-General the names of the advisory committee to the Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire, appointed for the purpose of advising as to new Justices of the Peace, and what Petty Sessional Divisions of the county they represent; whether there have been any changes in the constitution of the body recently, and, if so, what; and how many times the committee has met during the last two years?

The advisory committee for the North Riding of Yorkshire consists of the Lord Lieutenant and the following members: