asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of children in India between the ages of 5 and 14; the number of these who are receiving any form of public education, and of these what number are the children of industrial or agricultural workers; what is the amount of public money granted for the education of workers' children; and how many schools for elementary education purposes exist in India?

The total number of children in India between the ages of 5 and 15^* was 83,489,240 in 1921, and the number of those who were then being educated in recognised schools was 6,934,741. The total number of primary schools in India in 1924 was 168,013, and the total amount of direct expenditure upon them was Rs. 5,65,44,830. Statistics relating to later years are not yet available, and it is not possible to supply figures relating to workers' children as distinct from others. Details of the statistics given above will be found in the 1925 edition of the Statistical Abstract for British India (Command Paper No. 2534), and the Quinquennial Review of the Progress of Education in India, 1917–22 (Stationery Office publication).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is

^* Statistics relating to children between the precise ages mentioned in the question are not available.

aware of the fact that the pay of Indian clerks in the Income Tax Department ranges from about £2 per month; and whether, with a view to obviating the risk of their taking bribes, he will consult with the Government of India as to whether it would be advisable to increase this pay?

The power to fix the pay of the subordinate personnel referred to has been given to the Government of India by statutory delegation, and my Noble Friend does not propose to intervene.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why a consignment of about 2,000 books despatched from London in January, 1924, to Mr. Shamsud din Hassan, of the Labour publishing house in Lahore, were confiscated by the Customs authority at Karachi?

I do not know that a consignment of books was stopped, but in view of this gentleman's activities as editor of a Lahore paper entitled "Revolution" and of his known connection with Indian revolutionaries in Europe, it seems not improbable that- the books consigned to him were works liable to seizure under the provisions of the Sea Customs Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the fact that 5,000 employés of the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company sent a memorandum of their grievances to the agent of that company in April, 1924; that up to the present time no notice has been taken of their appeal; and whether an inquiry will be held in the matter?

I have no information, and the matter is one in which my Noble Friend is not prepared to intervene. The railway in question is not a State-worked railway.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware of the plight of political prisoners where accommodation is insufficient to house them; and that it is a common practice to chain them together at night in tents, where the sanitary arrangements are such as to prove a grave source of discomfort and danger to the health of the prisoners; and will he consider taking immediate steps to improve the condition of these prisoners?

The question does not state to what prisons or what province or provinces the allegations made in it refer, but I am aware that it was recently suggested in the Punjab Legislative Council that a practice existed in the Punjab prisons of fastening prisoners together at night. It was explained on behalf of the Punjab Government that they had put an end to such a practice, as it had existed in earlier years, though it might conceivably have still to be re-sorted to in grave emergencies. The explanation referred to prisoners generally, and was given on the 10th December. I will send the hon. Member a copy if he requires it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will favourably reconsider the decision to refuse the request of the Welfare Committee for a small payment for the burial of dead sailors and marines?

I am afraid this is not possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the economies being made in the home dockyards, which involve the dispersal, and in some cases the deterioration of British personnel, whose services may at any moment be required again in the national interest, he can recommend that expenditure at Singapore he discontinued and spent in this country for the benefit of the home dockyards and dockyardsmen?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the beneficial effect of a band on the morale of ships' companies, and the value in drill, &c., he will authorise the addition of a marine band to the submarine depot at Fort Blockhouse?

I regret that no band is available for this establishment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, with reference to his statement on the 23rd November last, that the question of the reduction in the present rates of naval pensions was under consideration, whether he can now state, in order to alleviate anxiety in this matter, that a decision has been arrived at not to make any such reduction?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the parade of bluejackets and marines which took place at Hong Kong on 6th February; whether the parade took place with his knowledge and approval; and what was the object of the parade, in view of the present anti-British feelings of the Chinese people?

I am aware that this parade took place, but as Hong Kong is a British Colony there was no need for the Admiralty to be consulted in the matter. It is probable that, in view of the industrial unrest which has occurred at Hong Kong, this march was arranged to impress the native population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the parade of Indian troops belonging to the Hong Kong garrison which took place at Kowloon, on the mainland of China, on 6th February; whether this parade took place with his knowledge and approval; and what was the object of the parade in view of the present anti-British feeling in China?

My only information is that there have been marches by naval and military forces through the streets of the Colony of Hong Kong, of which Kowloon is a part. I see no reason to take exception to such a demonstration the object of which was presumably to reassure the population of the Colony against any attempts at intimidation.

asked the Secretary of Secretary for the Colonies how many Indians are employed in the railway service and the Civil Service, respectively, in Kenya; and whether it is the policy of the Government to increase or to reduce Indian representation in those services?

Recent figures are not available. In 1924 the number of Indians employed by the Uganda Railway was 1,807 and by the Government of Kenya, 967. I am not aware of any policy of increasing or reducing the number of Indian employés of the Government. Generally speaking, they would occupy posts which are not necessarily filled by Europeans and for which Africans are not qualified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the fact that Indians were invited to participate in the memorial service to the late Queen Alexandra held at Mombasa; and whether he can state the reason for their being expelled from the church?

On the occasion of the Memorial Service to Her late Majesty Queen Alexandra held in Mombasa Cathedral, seating accommodation was reserved for the various communities, including the Indian community, which was fully represented; and assurances have been received from the Governor of Kenya, who was present, that there is no truth in the reports that Indians were expelled from the Cathedral. The story appears to have had its origin in the fact that certain Indians who were standing in the aisle were asked to move aside while the Arab representatives passed to their places.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the Marquess Theodoli, the chairman of the Permanent Mandates Commission at Geneva, on 26th October last, that he regretted he had to repeat the formal protest which he had made at all previous sessions, that not one of the Reports sent in by Great Britain was in accordance with the rules laid down by the Permanent Mandates Commission, and that he presumed that this was due to the fact that the official routine in Downing Street had proved too strong for the British Government; whether any of these protests has previously been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and what steps it is proposed to take to prevent the necessity of any repetition of this protest by the chairman of the Permanent Mandates Commission?

The answer to the first two parts of the Noble Lord's question is in the affirmative. The point in question was a purely formal one relating to the title of the Reports. Steps were taken to ascertain exactly what the Permanent Mandates Commission desired, and as soon as this was made clear and definitely endorsed by the Council of the League, it was decided by His Majesty's Government to adopt a form of title for future annual reports on the territories for which His Majesty's Government are responsible, which I am confident will meet the wishes of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a Bill has been introduced into the legislature of Dominica to regulate the examination and exportation of fruit, and to prohibit the shipment of defective fruit; and whether, in view of the fact that such measures will assist the sale of Empire fruit in this country, he will recommend that they he adopted by the other Crown Colonies and Protectorates who have not already taken such steps?

I have heard that a Bill on this subject has been introduced in Dominica, but I have not seen the text. I propose to await the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee, which is now investigating the question, before taking any such general action as is suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what commitments bind this country to the creation and upholding of Arab States in the Near East?

Apart from this country's definite treaty obligations towards Iraq, the principal pledge of the nature referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question was the undertaking given during the War that His Majesty's Government would recognise and support the independence of the Arabs within specified territorial limits. Other pledges generally following the lines of that undertaking were subsequently given to the various communities in Iraq and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of instituting an air service between the different West Indian Islands in order to facilitate postal and other communication?

I shall always be prepared to consider proposals for improving communications between the West Indian Islands. Hitherto the cost of establishing such a service as that referred to by my hon. Friend has been found to be prohibitive. The whole position, however, is being explored.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish the Report of the inquiry held into the causes of the forest fires in Cyprus?

I do not consider that any good purpose would be served by the publication of the Report. It was made 16 months ago, and the necessary action has already been taken upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the reason why the newly-appointed colonial secretary for Cyprus is to receive a salary of £1,400, as compared with the salary of £870 paid to the colonial secretary who held office from 1915 to 1919, in view of the assurance that the emoluments of officers would be reduced as vacancies occur;

The wealth and importance of Cyprus are increasing; the estimated revenue for the past year being more than double that of 1913–14. This involves a corresponding increase in the responsibilities of the higher officials, and I did not consider it possible to obtain the services of suitable persons for these particular posts at a lower rate of salary. I can assure the hon. Member that the importance of exercising strict economy is constantly borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what answer he has returned to the Memorial sent by the members of the New South Wales State Parliament, protesting against the Bill to abolish the New South Wales Second Chamber?

I understand that a Memorial protesting against the proposed abolition of the Legislative Council of New South Wales is being sent to me by certain members of the State Parliament. It will, however, be some time before the Memorial is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the Committee appointed by the War Office to consider the employment of pharmacists in the Army, to the effect that in order to effect the improvement necessary in connection with the supply, distribution, and dispensing of medical and surgical supplies in peace and war pharmacists should be employed to a greater extent titan hitherto; and if he can state the number of pharmacists serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps at the time the Committee's recommendation was made and at the present time?

I am aware of the recommendation referred to. At the time of the Committee's report there were three pharmacists serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps; there ace now two.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the scheme of clerical re-organisation approved by the Treasury for application to the War Office outstation offices has not yet been applied to the offices of the Royal Ordnance College, Woolwich; and will he issue instructions for the new gradings and rates of pay to be introduced without further delay?

The complements of the new gradings for the Royal Artillery College are in an advanced state of preparation, and I hope to be able to issue instructions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he Is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the civilian clerical staff employed under the jurisdiction of the chief ordnance officer, Woolwich, in consequence of the delay in connection with the introduction of the clerical reorganisation scheme to this particular office; and whether, as it is now 10 months since Treasury approval of the scheme was granted, he will cause instructions to be issued for the introduction of the new conditions of service without further delay?

I hope to issue instructions for the application of the new scheme to this office within a very short time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether, with regard to the proposal to move the offices of the chief inspector of taxes (claims branch) and departmental claims from Cecil Chambers, Strand, to Cornwall House, Stamford Street, S.E., and in view of the dissatisfaction to which this change must give rise both among taxpayers and members of the staff employed in both these branches, he will reconsider the matter?

The proposal to move the staffs in question from Cecil Chambers to Cornwall House has been carefully considered in all its aspects, and the First Commissioner is satisfied that it should not give rise to any dissatisfaction either to the taxpayers or to the staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many typewriting machines were purchased for Government departments in 1925; and how many were British made, and how many of foreign manufacture?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 10th February to the hon. and gallant Member for the Abingdon Division (Major Glyn).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the value of the pencils purchased by the Stationery Office in 1925; what was the value of pencils manufactured in the United Kingdom; what was the value of pencils manufactured in the British Empire and what was the value of foreign pencils purchased?

The total value of pencils purchased by the Stationery Office during the calendar year 1925 was £6,300, of which pencils manufactured in the United Kingdom accounted for £6,270; the balance of £30 representing the value of pencils manufactured in foreign countries—proprietary brands for special purposes. No purchases were made in the British Empire outside the United Kingdom.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that it is in contemplation to give to the Assistant Commissioners of the War Savings Committee a salary scale of £200 to £400, in spite of the fact that the staff side of the War Savings Whitley Council has represented to the Department that the work can be adequately performed by the executive officers on the normal scale of £100 to £400; and whether he will, in the interests of economy, give attention to this matter?

The questions of placing on an established basis some of the posts of Assistant Commissioner under the National Savings Committee and of the scale of salary which should be substituted for the present inclusive scales in that event, have been under consideration for some time, but no decision has been reached on either point, and it must not be assumed that a scale of £200 to £400 plus bonus is considered appropriate. The two classes referred to in the question are employed on different duties, and Assistant Commissioners have to be recruited at a much later age than that laid down for the executive class. I can assure the hon. Member that in the consideration of this matter the interests of economy will not be overlooked.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the inflated staffs at the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry, he will take immediate action to ensure that the staffs at the headquarters of the service departments are no larger than is essential for the efficient carrying out of their duties?

Every effort is being made, and will continue to be made, to secure whatever savings in the staff costs of these departments may be possible consistently with the effective discharge of their essential duties.

asked the Prime Minister if, before deciding on the imposition of import duties on wrapping paper, he will take into consideration the opposition to such duties of the London Chamber of Commerce, and to the fact that the British paper mills making writing and printing papers are paying good dividends, employing a large number of workers, and are in no need of protection?

All relevant considerations have been taken into account by the Government. I should like to call the hon. Member's attention to a speech made at the Mansion House on 15th December last, in which the President of the Association of Chambers of Commerce made it clear that the opposition expressed at the inquiries of Committees under the Safeguarding of Industries procedure does not represent the view of the London Chamber of Commerce, but only that of a section of the Chamber.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the possibility of extending to Scotland the provisions for grants-in-aid of the training of midwives, laid down in Memorandum No. 102, M.C.W., issued by the Ministry of Health?

I have considered the question of extending to Scotland the provisions for grants in aid of training midwives, but I have not seen my way to make representations to the Treasury on the subject because there is no actual or prospective shortage of midwives in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the lines of research set out in paragraph 35 of the First Report of the Imperial Economic Committee are being investigated; and what progress has been made in them?

I have been asked to reply. This matter is being considered in connection with the other recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee, in regard to which I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which the Prime Minister gave on the. 4th February in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated number of persons in England and Wales who own more than one acre of land, whether in their own occupation or not?

I regret that I have no information which would enable me to answer this question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of the decrease in the acreage of arable land in England and Wales last year is due to land being taken for building purposes?

I regret that I have no information which would enable me to reply to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he expects to obtain by the end of the financial year in taxation from the owners of agricultural land?

I regret that it is impossible under the taxation system of

Year.				Quantity imported during			Percentage of total imported during
				Year.	January to July.	August to December.	January to July.	August to December.
				Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Per cent.	Per cent.
1913	…	…	…	471,366	433,424	37,942	92·0	8·0
1921	…	…	…	153,053	125,893	27,160	82·3	17·7
1922	…	…	…	171,529	158,332	13,197	92·3	7·7
1923	…	…	…	243,292	204,141	39,151	83·9	16·1
1924	…	…	…	450,494	304,239	146,255	67·5	32·5
1925†	…	…	…	491,778	438,141	53,637	89·1	10·9
* From 1st April, 1923, the above figures of imports include imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State, but exclude the direct foreign trade of that State.
† Figures for 1925 are provisional.

I would add that the high imports in the last five months of 1924 were no doubt doe to the high prices for potatoes prevailing in this country during that period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider consulting the French railway authorities with the idea of exhibiting on cards in the compartments of the trains between Paris and the French Channel ports the regulations that are now in force for Customs examination both at the port of disembarkation and at the London terminus, with the desire to assist passengers and the Customs officers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state, with reference to the table of imports of potatoes recently given, what proportion of potatoes were imported before and after the 1st August in each of the years for which figures were given?

The quantities of potatoes imported into the United Kingdom^* during 1913 and 1921 to 1925 inclusive, together with the respective proportions of the total imported during the first seven months, and the last five months of each year were as follow:

The existing arrangements for furnishing incoming passengers with information regarding Customs requirements affecting them are now under review, and the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend is one of the points receiving consideration. I may observe that public notices as to these requirements are exhibited on cross-Channel steamers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a copy of Memorandum 273 I.C., Post-Confinement Certification, dated December, 1925, issued by the Scottish Board of Health to all insurance practitioners in Scotland; and, if so, whether he will indicate why the Insurance Department does not propose to issue a similar memorandum to all insurance practitioners in England and Wales, particularly in view of the importance of the subject and the desire for uniformity in connection with the effect on approved societies of the subject of that memorandum?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, there is no evidence that insurance practitioners in England and Wales are under the misapprehensions which the memorandum is designed to correct, and it is not proposed to issue a similar memorandum in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the decision of the House of Lords in the case of Lapish versus Braithwaite, the Government will take early steps to prevent the possibility of corruption or undue influence in local government by introducing legislation prohibiting persons who are employed in a directoral or managerial capacity by limited companies, which hold contracts with a local authority, from being elected to and being a member of such local authority?

My right hon. Friend has this matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures for the total number of disabled ex-service men in the country; the total number of firms on the King's Roll; the approximate percentage this represents of those qualified to be on the roll; and the number of disabled ex-Service men still registered as unemployed?

The total number of ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions and allowances in Great Britain is approximately 458,000. The total number of firms on the King's National Roll is approximately 28,000, employing approximately 370,000 disabled ex-service men. Statistics are not available giving number of non-enrolled firms. The latest available figures of disabled ex-Service men registered as in search of employment (4th January, 1926) are 31,291.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Inter-Allied Control Commission in Germany will cease operations; and what steps are being taken to hand over the supervision of the disarmament clauses of the treaty to the League of Nations?

I am unable to give an exact date when the Control Commission will be withdrawn, as this must depend upon the execution by Germany of her obligations as defined in the note from the Ambassadors' Conference of the 16th November last, the text of which has already been laid before the House in Command Paper No. 2527. In that note it is stated that the Commission will be withdrawn as soon as it has been able to bring its task to a satisfactory conclusion. When this moment arrives, the necessary steps will be taken to notify the League of Nations of the cessation of allied military control.

asked the Minister of Transport what sum, if any, has been allocated from the Road Fund to the maintenance of unclassified roads in Scotland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forfar Division (Sir H. Hope).

asked the Minister of Transport what portion of the £750,000 allocated for the maintenance of unclassified roads will be devoted to Scotland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forfar Division (Sir H. Hope).

asked the Minister of Transport if and when the system of gyratory traffic control is likely to be introduced at the Elephant and Castle, S.E.?

Owing to the presence of tramways at the Elephant and Castle it would not be practicable to adopt the gyratory system of working traffic there. A scheme is before me for the improvement of traffic conditions in that neighbourhood, but as it involves certain street improvements some time must necessarily elapse before it can be put into operation.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of proceedings that have been instituted against persons for failure to purchase wireless receiving licences to the lastest convenient date; the number of convictions obtained; and the amount of fines inflicted, minimum and maximum, respectively?

—				London.	England and Wales.	Northern Ireland.	Scotland.
Postmasters (District Postmasters in London).				8	404	17	82
Salaried Sub-Postmasters	…	…	…	—	569	13	116
Scale Payment Sub-Postmasters		…	…	850	16,279	666	2,157

Information as to the number of assistants employed at scale payment sub-offices is not available, and could not be obtained without extensive inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state, with regard to the arrears of leave of 35 years ago accumulated by Post Office servants, when acting as boy messengers, which are now being granted, how many employés and working days are involved; whether existing Regulations provide any limitation as to the period for meeting these arrears; why they accumulated unnoticed; and whether existing machinery will make a repetition of such a situation impossible?

Since the passage of the Wireless Telegraphy (Explanation) Act last Session, prosecutions for installing or working wireless receiving apparatus without a licence have been ordered in 49 cases. The number of these cases heard up to the 11th February was 43, of which 42 were successful and one was dismissed. The fines and costs imposed ranged from 4s. to £20 10s.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state for London, England excluding London, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the number of head offices, salaried sub-offices, and scale-payment sub-offices, together with the number of staff employed at the last-named; and in what official publication any or all of these particulars may be found?

The following particulars, which are included in the Estimates for Revenue Departments for the year ending 31st March, 1926, will perhaps suffice for the hon. Member's purpose:

My Noble Friend is under a misapprehension. Since 1906 it has been the practice to allow leave due in respect of an officer's first year of service, but not granted in that year, to be taken in the year of retirement from the service. The staff recently asked that these arrears of leave might be granted before the year of retirement; and as it was found that, by spreading the leave over the next 10 years, this could be done without expense, the change was sanctioned. I cannot state how many officers or how many working days' leave are involved.

asked the Postmaster-General whether greater publicity can be given to the night telegraph and telephone facilities than the Regulations now permit for sending messages at reduced rates, both within the British Isles and to the Continent, by clearly printed card notices at all post offices and for exhibition at railway station telegraph offices?

Information as to the reduced charges for trunk telephone services at night has been brought from time to time to the notice of telephone subscribers by means of leaflets enclosed with their accounts. The information is also printed in the preface of every telephone directory; while at call offices it is clearly shown on the charge lists exhibited there. For the general public information as regards both the telegraph and telephone facilities is contained in the Post Office Guide. The question of providing at post offices notices giving fuller information as to the reduced rates for Inland and Continental trunk calls and for telegraph facilities at night is receiving consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on 27th July, 1925, his Department promised that a telephone system was to be installed at Pound Hill, Sussex, and the work carried out with no avoidable delay; and that no steps have been taken to carry out this promise; and will he give the reason for the delay and orders for the work to be commenced?

The existing service at the Pound Hill Exchange is on a magneto basis and is reported to work efficiently. I find that a subscriber was informed in July last that a change in the system of working at the exchange was contemplated in connection with an extension of the equipment. The claims of more urgent work have prevented the alteration being undertaken as soon as was originally anticipated, but the work is expected to be completed within the next two months.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a claim from Mr. A. W. Petch, of Oakley, Fallowfield, Manchester, in respect of expenses incurred by him consequent upon delay in the post office in conveying a parcel to Lockwood, West View, Buxton Road, Whaley Bridge, in December last; whether the claim has now been admitted; and, if not, whether he will take steps to alter the Regulations so that such claims may in future be admitted if proved to have been necessarily incurred by the sender?

A claim has been received; but it would be contrary to the published Regulations to admit it, and I regret that I am unable to take the steps which the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it is almost impossible to carry on a conversation in the telephone boxes at St. Pancras Station; and if he will, in the public interest, endeavour to have the telephone boxes removed to a quieter spot than the platforms?

The call boxes have been in their present positions for many years and are so placed as to be readily accessible to both arriving and departing passengers. Tests have been made while noisy conditions prevailed in the station and it was found that, provided the doors of the cabinets are tightly closed, both speech Anil hearing are quite satisfactory. The question of installing more boxes at St. Pancras will be considered.

asked the Postmaster-General how telephone numbers are allotted, priority of application or otherwise; and if he has considered the advisability of selling prominent numbers, such as 1, 100, 1,000, 2,000, etc., by auction to the highest bidder?

On existing exchanges telephone numbers allotted are dependent upon the numbers available for single or multiple groups of lines, consideration being given to service requirements. In the case of automatic exchanges, the use of which is being extended, four digits are ordinarily necessary for the operation of the system, and it is also necessary to equip special blocks of numbers for subscribers renting groups of exchange lines. This necessitates from time to time a change of number when a subscriber varies his requirements. The suggestion made by the gallant and hon. Member is therefore impracticable.