asked the Minister of Transport whether the Traffic Advisory Committee has yet dealt with the question of dangerous statues in busy thoroughfares, such as the William IV statue in King William Street; and what action is likely to be taken in this connection?

The London Traffic Advisory Committee are giving consideration, among other matters referred to in the Third Schedule to the London Traffic Act, to the question of the removal or transfer "of works or objects likely to hinder the free circulation of traffic in any street." I am not

Department, the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and the Metropolitan Police were present, it was agreed that no final decision would be taken in the matter until plans for dealing with the traffic in the Circus had been worked out.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of accidents at railway level crossings in England and Wales during the years 1915 to 1925, respectively, together with the total number of fatalities resulting therefrom?

The figures for Great Britain are given in the following statement:

in a position, however, to anticipate any recommendations which they may make to me in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the London Traffic Committee has made any suggestions for the application of the new traffic regulations in Parliament Square to any other places in London; and, if so, whether he proposes to put them into effect?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 9th February to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Acton Division (Sir H. Brittain), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in respect of the allocation of the Road Board funds for road maintenance, he has received any suggestion that this sum is employed in some cases for the maintenance and repair of roads which are not vital to essential traffic; and, if so, whether he has made any inquiries on the subject?

I cannot recall having received suggestions of this nature.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total amount of financial assistance given from the Road Fund to unclassified roads in rural areas in Scotland; under what heads this assistance is given; and whether the sum given to Scotland for unclassified roads in rural areas bears a higher or lower proportion per mile of unclassified road to the total grant now to be made to England and Wales?

The amount of financial assistance so far given and indicated during the present financial year to the improvement, or the maintenance in improved materials, of unclassified roads in rural areas is as follows: England and Wale … £486,795 Scotland … 59,791 The amount per mile of unclassified roads in Scotland is slightly lower than the figure for England and Wales, but as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, rural authorities in Scotland obtain exceptional assistance in connection with their Class I and Class II roads.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount granted to Scotland during 1925 for classified roads and selected unclassified roads respectively; whether any grant will be made during 1926, and the amount of grant for these roads respectively; and what proportion the grant bears to similar grants for England and Wales?

The grants so far made and indicated during the financial year 1925–26 on account of works, other than those specially expedited for the relief of unemployment, are as follow: Classified Roads Unclassified Roads England and Wales £9,410,267 £636,677 Scotland £1,660,095 £68,389 £11,070,362 £705,066

These figures show that the proportions are 85.3 per cent. for England and Wales and 14.7 per cent. for Scotland. I am not at present in a position to give any information as to the amounts which will be available for Scotland during 1926–27.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of coal trucks owned and operated by the London and North Eastern Railway Company in 1923, 1924, 1925, and on 1st January, 1926, respectively?

The number of mineral wagons (which are used for certain other traffics besides coal) owned at the 31st December, 1922, by the railways now comprised in the London and North Eastern Company's system was 100,065, and there were in addition at that date 539 mineral wagons on hire to those railways. The numbers owned and hired, respectively, by that company were 99,043 and 1,819 at the end of 1923, 94,548 and 1,862 at the end of 1924, and 96,562 and 1,859 at the end of 1925. The decrease in the total number owned at 31st December, 1925, compared with 31st December, 1922, was accompanied by an increase in the total carrying capacity.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a considerable number of the travelling public from Brentwood, Essex, are suffering inconvenience and discomfort owing to the inadequacy of present traffic facilities; and the date it is proposed to call the conference on travelling facilities for the eastern districts of London, including Brentwood?

I have referred the question of the travelling facilities between Central London and certain areas lying to the east of London, includ- ing Brentwood, to the London Traffic Advisory Committee, who propose to hold a public inquiry in connection with the matter at the Guildhall, Westminster, commencing on 15th March next.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to announce a decision to remove the road dangers caused by the emission of steam, smoke, sparks, and noxious vapours by steam wagons?

The matters referred to will be considered in connection with the Road Vehicles Bill, which I hope will be' presented to the House during the course of the present Session.

also asked the Minister of Transport whether he is seeking powers to deal with the destruction of roads by trains of caravans drawn by traction engines and by other vehicles shod with solid tyres?

I am unable to add to the answer which I gave on the 16th February to similar questions by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the London Traffic Committee has made any recommendation concerning the proposed St. Paul's Bridge over the Thames; and, if so, whether he proposes to accept their suggestion?

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

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Bridge Committee of the Corporation of the City of London has considerable funds in its possession which can only be used for building and maintaining bridges which touch the boundary of the city; and whether, in view of the necessity for bridges over the Thames not touching the city boundary, he will consider the question of promoting legislation for making these funds available for building bridges in other parts of London?

I am not sure that the hon. Member has correctly described the restrictions imposed upon the Bridge House Estates Committee, but I do not propose to promote legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the London Traffic Committee have taken into consideration the question of a bridge at Charing Cross for vehicular and pedestrian traffic; and, if so, what recommendations have been made?

I understand that the London Traffic Advisory Committee have been, and are, giving consideration to the question of the Thames bridges generally. Up to the present, the Committee have made no recommendations to me in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what number of cases occurred of engine drivers and firemen being on duty in excess of nine hours during the three months ending 31st January,1926, on the London and North Eastern Railway, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, the Great Western Railway, the Southern Railway, the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railways, and the Somerset and Dorset Railway; and how such cases of excessive hours of duty compare with the number of similar cases for the corresponding three months ending 31st January, 1925?

I am not in possession of the information desired. As the hon. Member is aware, I am always ready to investigate any specific complaints of excessive hours that may be made to me, but very few such complaints have recently been made.

asked the Postmaster-General what saving has been accomplished following notice to telephone subscribers regarding the prompt payment of telephone accounts?

Sufficient time has not yet elapsed since the issue of the notice in question to enable an opinion to be formed as to its effect in securing prompter payment of telephone accounts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is possible, by mechanical device or otherwise, to deal with the delay incurred in making calls from public telephone call boxes, owing to the failure of the Exchange to limit such calls to three minutes for the original fee of 2d.; and what action is contemplated in this regard?

A mechanical device to control the duration of calls from call boxes would not be practicable, but the question of exercising a closer check by the telephonist is under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the experimental installation of telephones on lighting and tramway standards at taxi-cab ranks in Glasgow has been successful; and whether installations are likely in other areas?

The system of cab-rank telephones for inward calls was extended to Glasgow at the end of last year. The experience of the working of the arrangement there is not yet sufficient to admit of the expression of a definite opinion as to the results. The system is in operation in London and some of the larger provincial towns, and will be extended where there is a demand for the facility and where it would prove remunerative.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of business firms availing themselves of Post Office facilities for the private stamping of correspondence by means of prepayment machines; and what methods are being adopted to bring such facilities to the notice of large business houses?

About 280 machines are in use. They are not supplied by the Post Office, but by the several makers, under Post Office licence; and the makers adopt their own methods for bringing the facilities to the notice of business houses.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any action is likely to be taken with a view to overcoming the inadequate postal facilities at Hove, Sussex, which result in the delivery of letters to business men resident in that district after they have left their homes for the City?

I do not think the facilities at Hove are generally inadequate; but a revision of the local arrangements which is at present in hand will probably provide for a somewhat earlier completion of the morning delivery. It would not be practicable to complete the delivery in time to ensure that all residents receive their letters before leaving for the City.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a Report from the London County Council relating to extended facilities for depositors by the Post Office Savings Banks; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action to carry out the suggestions made?

The report in question has been received, and the points raised will be given full consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of blind persons who have been dealt with under the Blind Persons Act in Glasgow; and the number who have applied?

According to the central register of the blind kept by the Scottish Board of Health, there were in Glasgow on let April, 1925, the latest date for which statistics are available, 1,517 blind persons in the city, exclusive of 96 of school age for whose education the education authority was responsible under the Blind and Deaf Mute Children (Scotland) Act, 1890. The present numbers probably exceed this total. More than 800 of the blind in the city are over 50 years of age and will in most cases be in receipt of old age pensions. Of the remainder, 420 are under training or are in approved institutions. One hundred and forty-five have applied for technical education, but are not yet admitted to institutions. Of these, 37 have been approved as capable of being benefited by technical education, 16 have failed to appear for medical examination and 92 have not yet been dealt with.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, with reference to the grant which it is proposed to give for agricultural land drainage, whether he is in a position to state what proportion of this grant he hopes to obtain for Scotland; and whether he will be willing to consider the question of removing the present restriction, which insists that this work may only be done during the winter months?

It is intended that the Scottish provision for this purpose should be 11/80ths of the provision to be made for England and Wales, the Scottish amount in the financial year 1926–27 being £20,625. It is not proposed that there should be any restriction as to the period of the year during which approved

I.—EXPENDITURE ON SERVICES CONNECTED WITH THE DOMINIONS, COLONIES AND PROTECTORATES. — (A) Colonial Office Vote. (B) Colonies and Protectorates. (C) Dominions. (D) Oversea Settlement. Total. £ £ £ £ £ 1903–04 … 49,091 1,492,244 5,200 1,500 1,548,035 1913–14 … 58,169 776,395 4,800 2,000 841,364 1923–24 … 156,108 2,501,585 8,380 456,671 3,122,744 1924–25 … 170,349 826,371 8,315 395,217 1,400,252 Note. —No attempt has been made to allocate the expenditure on Imperial Defence Services during the years in question. (A) This vote includes the salaries, etc., for the staff of the Dominions Division of the colonial Office, and in the years 1923–4 and 1924–5 for the staffs in connection with Middle Eastern Services and Services in respect of Mandated Territories in Africa; also in 1924–5 certain staffs in connection with Irish business. (B) Includes annual appropriation for Uganda Railway Annuities, but not expenditure in connection with Mandated Territories, Middle Eastern Service, and certain Irish Services in the years 1923–4 and 1924–5. The figures for 1923–4 and 1924–5 include Loans-in-Aid as well as Grants-in-Aid. The figure for 1923–4 also includes £1,750,000 representing the net cost of settlement with the British South Africa Company, mainly in respect of administrative deficits incurred over a number of years by that Company in Southern Rhodesia. (C) Comprises mainly expenditure on the passages of Governors-General and Governors. (D) The figures for 1903–4 and 1913–4 were the annual Grant-in-Aid to the Emigrants' Information Office.

schemes may be carried out under these new arrangements.

asked (1) the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total expenditure from Exchequer funds, both at home and abroad, other than advances made in repayment, in connection with the Crown Colonies, for the years 1903, 1913, 1923, and 1924; and what was the value of the exports to the Crown Colonies from Great Britain for the years 1903, 1913, 1923, and 1924;

and (2) the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what was the total expenditure from Exchequer funds, both at home and abroad, other than advances made in repayment in connection with the Dominions, for the years 1903, 1913, 1923, and 1924; and what was the value of the exports to the Dominions from Great Britain for the years 1903, 1913, 1923, and 1924?

( pursuant to promise ) [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd February, 1926, col. 65], submitted the following statement:

II.—VALUE OF BRITISH EXPORT TRADE TO THE DOMINIONS, ETC. (A) Exports of the Produce and Manufactures of the United Kingdom. Declared Value. — 1903. 1913. 1923. 1924. £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 Canada 11,113 23,795 27,558 28,132 Australia 16,144 34,471 57,700 60,760 New Zealand 6,361 10,838 20,696 20,333 Union of South Africa 25,288 22,185 27,844 30,405 Irish Free State — — 24,639* 47,297 Newfoundland 392 881 676 1,958 Total to Self-Governing Dominions and Colonies. 59,298 92,170 159,113 188,885 British India 34,477 70,273 86,247 90,577 Colonies, Protectorates, etc. 17,372 32,868 55,243 58,141 Total to British countries 111,147 195,311 300,603 337,603 *Nine months only.

(B) Exports of Imported Merchandise. Declared Value. — 1903. 1913. 1923. 1924. £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 Canada 1,632 3,512 2,749 2,450 Australia 1,985 3,358 4,175 5,159 New Zealand 594 952 1,005 1,025 Union of South Africa 1,723 1,861 1,441 1,595 Irish Free State — — 6,574* 11,216 Newfoundland 60 115 94 150 Total to Self-Governing Dominions and Colonies 5,994 9,798 16,038 21,595 British India 843 1,397 1,095 1,114 Colonies, Protectorates, etc. 1,500 2,416 3,758 3,781 Total to British countries 8,337 13,611 20,891 26,490 * Nine months only.

Exports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Irish Free State are recorded only from 1st April, 1923, and from the same date the particulars given exclude direct exports from the Irish Free State to other countries specified in the table.

For the year 1903, the figures for each country distinguished represent the value of the goods shipped from the United Kingdom to ports in that country. For later dates, the figures represent the values of goods consigned to the several countries specified, whether conveyed direct by sea or not. Thus goods destined for the Transvaal or the Orange Free State, if landed at ports in Portuguese East Africa, were not recorded in 1903 as exports to the Union of South Africa.

In the years 1923 and 1924, the Union of South Africa includes the South-West Africa Protectorate, not included in 1903 or 1913. In the case of the "Colonies, Protectorates, etc." there are also included in 1923 and 1924 certain territories not included in 1903 and 1913.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of houses built in Scotland under the various housing schemes; the number still remaining to be built; and the total sum spent by the Government on housing in Scotland?

Following are the figures:

Position of State-assisted housing schemes in Scotland as at 31st January, 1926. (1) Houses erected, 37,004. (2) Houses under construction, 13,592. (3) Houses still to be commenced under approved proposals, 14,135. (4) Total Government expenditure, £4,063,345.

Note. —These figures do not include 1,702 houses which were built by the Scottish National Housing Company, Limited, for Admiralty employés at Rosyth Naval Base, for which an expenditure of £134,325 (exclusive of money advanced on loan) has been incurred.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that large numbers of houses are being erected at Dunscroft, near Doncaster, by the Industrial Housing Association, and that the houses are tenanted long before any roads are made and, because they are impassable, many children are obliged to remain away from school; and will he cause some inquiries to be made and insist upon suitable roads before guaranteeing subsidy in future schemes?

I am not aware that houses are being erected at Dunscroft by the Industrial Housing Association. It is assumed that the hon. Member refers to houses which are being erected by the Hatfield Main Colliery Company and in respect of which the local authority have paid grants under Section 2 of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923; I am not aware of the conditions described by the hon. Member; the payment of subsidy is a matter for the local authority with whom it rests to determine when houses have been completed fit for occupation. Having regard to the acute need for houses, I do not think I could properly take action which would prevent the occupation of houses at the earliest possible moment after the local authority have certified them as completed fit for occupation.

asked the Minister of Health the number of prosecutions instituted for breaches of meat market regulations, requiring the provision of clean covering for meat in transit; the number of convictions secured; and the amount of fines, minimum and maximum, so inflicted?

I have received information as to 56 prosecutions being instituted for various breaches of Article 21 of the Regulations which relates to the cleanliness of meat in transit; of these, 41 have been heard. Convictions were obtained in all these cases. The maximum penalty imposed was a fine of £25 without costs, and the minimum penalty was the payment of 3s. costs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths occurring in London from gas poisoning; whether he is aware that coal gas in these days is poisonous because it contains water gas, the chief constituent of which is carbon monoxide; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will cause an inquiry to be made with a view to making regulations for the better security of life?

Special provision is made for recording particulars of deaths attributed to poisoning by gas supplied for use by the public. During 1925, in the areas supplied by the three London gas companies, there were 27 such deaths, in which either an open verdict or a verdict of accidental death was returned. I am aware that the use of water gas in towns' gas increases the proportion of carbon monoxide beyond that found in ordinary coal gas. The hon. Member will be aware that the matter was reported upon in great detail in 1924, and the Government are watching the position most carefully and closely, but at present it is not considered that a further inquiry would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals and infirmaries under the control of Poor Law guardians are in use in the administrative county of London; the number of beds provided; the average number of beds occupied; and the cost per week per bed?

There are 27 separate institutions (for which separate accounts are kept) in London belonging

Union Number of persons in receipt of domiciliary relief (other than medical relief only) on the last Saturday in the undermentioned months. 1924. 1925. March. June. Sept. Dec. March. June. Sept. Dec. Rochford 781 641 661 710 771 690 798 1,149 Romford 3,586 2,890 2,616 2,912 2,837 2,503 2,451 2,940 West Ham 72,628 66,261 66,704 68,159 66,112 59,846 60,260 68,988 Billericay 403 398 385 384 436 423 456 533 Braintree 579 514 513 594 577 502 548 569 Chelmsford 484 480 496 513 501 477 490 496 Colchester 1,002 912 858 912 917 843 904 1,375 Dunmow 276 281 256 296 270 255 250 265 Epping 478 388 370 400 386 335 364 426 Halstead 168 174 174 173 172 179 176 201 Lexden and Winstree 242 210 236 248 221 213 251 274 Maldon 601 549 540 594 616 591 588 646 Ongar 223 178 187 205 198 182 166 167 Orsett 1,984 1,505 1,203 1,232 1,328 1,204 1,403 1,343 Saffron Walden 243 218 237 249 273 245 232 230 Tendring 422 411 392 417 430 407 417 475

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief for each of the unions in the administrative county of London for the years 1924 and 1925, respectively?

to Poor Law authorities (other than, the managers of the Metropolitan Asylum district) for the reception of such persons suffering from disease of body and mind. The number of beds provided for such persons in those institutions on 1st January, 1925, was 16,975; the average daily number of inmates during the year ended 31st March, 1925, was 13,844; and the average weekly cost per inmate during that year was 50s. 3d. The last mentioned figure includes the cost of food, clothing, medicine, salaries, etc., of officers and servants of the institutions, upkeep of the buildings, and loan charges.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief for each of the unions in the county of Essex for the years 1924 and 1925, respectively?

The following statement shows the number of persons in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in the unions in the county of Essex on four days in each of the years mentioned:

The following statement shows the number of persons in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in the unions in the county of London on four days in each of the years mentioned:

Union Number of persons in receipt of domiciliary relief (other than medical relief only) on the last Saturday in the undermentioned months. 1924. 1925. March. June. Sept. Dec. March. June. Sept. Dec. Paddington 2,351 1,848 1,565 1,802 1,801 1,563 1,695 1,932 Kensington 274 64 138 119 119 126 237 184 Hammersmith 2,685 2,389 2,355 2,566 2,498 2,288 2,582 2,713 Fulham 1,508 1,143 1,000 1,145 1,350 1,403 1,615 2,143 Chelsea 671 470 381 440 485 509 485 688 City of Westminster 868 697 633 658 612 556 553 593 St. Marylebone 920 785 765 908 926 736 840 1,025 Hampstead 286 302 265 382 346 284 305 315 St. Pancras 5,134 4,388 4,156 4,319 4,623 4,267 4,815 5,410 Islington 9,571 8,748 7,767 7,795 8,241 7,474 7,164 7,770 Hackney 6,665 5,303 4,440 4,121 4,578 4,100 4,688 5,423 Holborn 3,083 2,760 2,546 2,360 2,672 2,488 2,944 3,350 City of London 77 65 58 65 69 57 77 74 Shoreditch 7,000 6,447 4,536 5,360 5,737 6,052 6,564 7,620 Bethnal Green 5,043 5,300 4,653 8,818 5,231 5,462 7,116 7,640 Stepney 12,346* 11,820* 9,261* 10,463* 11,305* 12,794 14,717 18,402 Poplar 29,242 26,985 24,030 25,094 26,722 25,751 26,282 27,269 Southwark 9,386 8,192 7,134 6,714 7,801 8,617 9,603 10,194 Bermondsey 14,096 13,714 12,146 13,107 14,727 13,679 14,097 15,243 Lambeth 7,390 7,180 6,367 7,127 7,404 6,327 6,716 7,885 Wandsworth 8,348 7,804 6,155 5,939 6,441 5,744 6,433 8,676 Camberwell 11,448 9,745 8,380 8,517 9,155 9,634 11,085 12,705 Greenwich 17,859 14,012 12,600 13,465 14,149 12,909 14, 30 16,036 Lewisham 6,322 5,034 4,637 4,273 4,478 4,159 4,253 5,067 Woolwich 6,482 5,515 5,244 4,774 4,462 5,136 5,434 5,74 * These numbers are the aggregate of the figures for Whitechapel, St. George-in-the-East, Limehouse, and Mile End Old Town, which were combined to form the Stepney Union as from 1st April, 1925.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief for each of the unions in the county of Middlesex for the years 1924 and 1925, respectively?

Union. Number of persons in receipt of domiciliary relief (other than medical relief only) on the last Saturday in the undermentioned months. 1924. 1924. March. June. Sept. Dec. March. June. Sept. Dec. Brentford … … 2,885 2,793 2,575 2,365 2,620 2,303 2,491 2,650 Edmonton … … 15,304 14,278 14,102 14,639 12,432 11,336 11,891 13,358 Hendon … … 616 586 604 674 608 605 660 710 Willesden … … 3,624 3,375 3,208 3,539 3,122 2,657 2,979 3,677 Staines … … 394 364 384 384 359 339 346 376 Uxbridge … … 1,030 1,007 943 898 919 858 923 905 Barnet … … 1,146 1,132 1,074 1,190 1,107 1,066 1,140 1,103

asked the Minister of Health whether a widow who has remarried is treated by his Department as entitled to an allowance for a child of the former marriage where the

The following statement shows the number of persons in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in the unions in the County of Middlesex on four days in each of the years mentioned:

widow and child would be eligible but for the remarriage of the widow?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer on the 18th instant to a question by the hon.

Member for Bradford East (Mr. Fenby) on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour the present weekly income and expenditure of the Unemployment Fund, and also the extent to which the income has been reduced by the operations of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1925; and, assuming that the ratio of persons in receipt of benefit to the total on the live register continues as at present, at what figure the numbers on the live register should stand for the income and expenditure to balance?

The present weekly income and expenditure of the Unemployment Fund are approximately £825,000 and £900,000. During the present quarter a reduction in the contributions of employers and employed, in accordance with the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1925, has become operative,

Industry Group. Estimated Number of Insured Persons at 1st July, 1925. Number of Persons recorded as Unemployed at 25th January, 1926. Coal mining* 1,240,120 125,669 Pig-iron manufacture (blast furnaces) 25,770 5,091 Steel melting and iron puddling furnaces 200,020 44,137 Iron and steel rolling mills and forges Engineering, engineers' iron and steel founding. 619,810 76,351 Electrical engineering 76,510 4,929 Marine engineering, etc. 56,050 13,372 Constructional engineering 26,100 3,150 Construction and repair of motor vehicles, cycles and aircraft. 213,210 14,098 Cotton 576,540 47,339 Shipbuilding and ship repairing 223,110 82,555 * The total number of wage earners on colliery books at 30th January, 1926, as shown by returns obtained by the Mines Department, was 1,099,694.

The aggregate amount of salaries and wages in the coalmining industry in Great Britain in 1925 s estimated by the Mines Department at about £151,000,000. I am unable to state the aggregate wages in the other industries mentioned.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons employed in each of the following industries up to the latest convenient date:

amounting to about £145,000 a week. The live register figure for which income and expenditure would balance is dependent on a number of varying factors, including the relative proportions of men and women unemployed; but during the present quarter the figure would be about 1,070,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons employed in each of the following industries, for the latest convenient date: coal mining, iron and steel, engineering, cotton and shipbuilding; the numbers unemployed in these industries on the same date; and the total aggregate wages paid in each industry per week?

The estimated numbers of persons in Great Britain insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts at 1st July, 1925, the latest date for which an estimate can be made, and the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed at 25th January, 1926, in the several industries specified, are shown in the table below:

railways, municipal undertakings, tobacco manufacture, brewing, clothing manufacture and boot-making; the numbers unemployed in these industries on the same date; and the total aggregate of wages paid in each industry per week?

The estimated numbers of persons in Great Britain insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts at 1st July, 1925—the latest date for which an estimate can be made and the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed at 25th January,

Industry Group. Estimated Number of Insured Persons at 1st July, 1925. Number of Persons recorded as Unemployed at 25th January, 1926. Railway service* 167,160 11,714 Local Government Service* (excluding gas, water, electricity tramway, etc., undertakings†). 251,970 23,587 Tobacco, cigar, cigarette and snuff manufacture. 41,870 1,748 Drink 110,540 6,883 Clothing:— Tailoring 191,350 25,318 Dress and mantle making and millinery 103,520 9,692 Hat and cap (including straw plait) manufacture. 34,150 2,580 Blouses, shirts, collars, under-clothing, etc., making. 54,740 3,116 Other dress 28,410 2,681 Boot, shoe, slipper and clog trades 143,600 12,329 * Persons employed by local public authorities, railways and certain other public utility undertakings and certain other persons with rights under a statutory superannuation scheme may, in certain circumstances be excepted from the scope of the U.I. Acts, and if so excepted are not included in the figures. † Figures are available for gas, water and electricity and road transport services (except as stated in * above) but they do not distinguish between private and municipal control.

The aggregate of wages and salaries paid by the railway companies of Great Britain in the year ended 29th March, 1924, was £119,827,000, the number of wage-earning and salaried railway employes at that date being 667,700. I am unable to state the aggregate wages in the other industries mentioned.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are employed at present in carpet and rug factories; and what is the number of unemployed in this industry?

The estimated number of persons in Great Britain at 1st July insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and classified as belonging to the carpet industry (which includes the manufacture of rugs) was 26,220. At 25th January, 1926, 2,503 insured persons in this group were recorded as unemployed.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many sets of

1926, in the several industries specified, are shown in the table below:

plans for new schools and extensions have been submitted to his Department for approval by the West Riding Education Authority during the last two years; how many have been actually approved; and how many either rejected or suspended for the time being?

My right hon. Friend assumes that the hon. Member is referring to public elementary school accommodation. Since 31st March, 1924, 32 sets of plans have been submitted to the Department by the West Riding authority. Of these 23 have received final approval and provide, by way of new schools or enlargements or replacement of existing schools, 8,187 school places in all. The remaining nine cases, involving the provision of about 2,300 new school places and the replacement of 1,290 others, are still in various stages of consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the chief articles with the respective costs, imported from Russia to this country in 1924 and 1925, respec- tively; and the chief articles, with the respective costs, exported from this country to Russia for the same years?

Particulars shall be compiled, and circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as soon as they can be got ready. But it will take some little time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the allegations of short weight consequent on the increased use of automatic counter scales; and if he will set up a Committee, under Section 5 of the Weights and Measures Act, to inquire into the best methods of framing regulations to deal with this matter?

I am aware of suggestions of the nature indicated in the question. As the hon. Member is aware, the whole question of short weight, and of the action to be taken in regard thereto, is at present under consideration as a result of the investigations of the Food Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any Returns showing the number of blast furnaces which have been relit in the United Kingdom since August last; the percentage decline in the market prices

— Pig Iron. Steel Bars. Hematite W. Coast Mixed Numbers. Cleveland No.3 Foundry G.M.B. Derby, Leicester and Notts. No. 4 Forge. Northamptonshire No. 3 Foundry. Scottish No.1 Foundry. Tinplate and Sheet Bars. Flat Bars, 5"–8" 1925. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. August 4 10 6 3 9 11 3 2 3 3 3 1 4 6 3 6 11 11 9 15 0 September 4 8 3 3 8 2 2 19 0 3 2 0 4 5 3 6 6 11 9 10 0 October 4 7 0 3 6 7 2 18 1 3 1 7 4 4 4 6 5 0 9 9 0 November 4 8 2 3 6 0 2 18 6 3 2 6 4 3 5 6 5 0 9 1 3 December 4 8 10 3 7 0 2 18 5 3 2 6 4 2 2 6 5 0 8 18 0 1926. January 4 10 2 3 9 5 3 0 7 3 3 5 4 1 6 6 4 5 8 10 0

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated tonnage of iron-ore deposits in the United Kingdom?

On the basis of an investigation made by the Imperial

of coal and coke each month since August last; and the prices of pig-iron and steel bars during the same periods?

According to statistics published by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers, the number of blast furnaces in blast at the end of August, 1925, was 136. The number re-lit between the end of August and the end of January, 1926, was 31, and the number damped down or blown out in the same period was 23. The number in blast at the end of January, 1926, was 144.

Index numbers of the market prices of 10 descriptions of coal and coke included in the Board of Trade Index Number of Wholesale Prices were as follow: AVERAGE of PRICES in 1913 = 100. — Index number for coal and coke. Increase (+) or decrease (-) compared with previous month. 1925. August … 141.9 -2.5 September … 139.1 -2.0 October … 138.2 -0.6 November … 138.0 -0.1 December … 140.7 +2.0 1926 January … 142.0 +0.9

The following statement shows the average monthly prices per ton of certain descriptions of pig iron and steel bars:

Mineral Resources Bureau in 1922, the results of which were published in a special Memoir, the reserves of iron ore proved or known to exist may be estimated to be about 34,800,000 tons of hematite, 1,125,000,000 tons of Jurassic ironstones, and 1,043,000,000 tons of coal-measure ironstones.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage production of iron and steel in the United Kingdom for the years 1913, 1924, and 1925, respectively?

The figures are as follow: Year. Production of Pig Iron. Production of Steel Ingots and Castings. Tons. Tons. 1913 … … 10,260,300 7,663,900 1924 … … 7,318,900 8,221,100 1925 … … 6,236,200 7,396,300

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any agreement has yet been discussed by British film producers and his Department in regard to the production of British films; and whether any financial assistance has been promised in regard to the proposed national studio at Brighton?

The position of the British film industry has been discussed with representatives of the various interests concerned, and I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject shortly. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British steamer "Elphinstone" left Leith on 4th February for Copenhagen; can he say whether the vessel has arrived or is presumed lost; whether she fully complied with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, and, if not, in what respect she did not; and how many persons were aboard?

I am informed that the steamer "Elphinstone" arrived at Copenhagen on the 12th February. Under the Rules, one wireless operator was required. No operator was carried during the voyage in question. The vessel does not hold a passenger certificate issued by the Board of Trade. The total number of crew carried was 24.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any special facilities are afforded to official or independent prospectors for minerals in the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to reply. There is no official prospecting for minerals in this country, and the Government have no power to grant any special facilities to private prospectors.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount per ton of royalty to be paid on coal won from the mines to be worked in Kent by Messrs. Pearson, Dorman, Long, Limited, under the guarantee given by the Treasury?

So far as my present information goes, the average royalty is equivalent to a rate of about 7d. per ton.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the date when the guarantee of £2,000,000 was given to Messrs. Pearson, Dorman, Long, Limited, for the development of the Kentish coalfield; and what financial return, if any, the Treasury will receive for this guarantee?

The recommendation was made by the Advisory Committee on 25th November, 1925. As regards the second part of the question, there is no power to charge for guarantees under the Trade Facilities Scheme. The return for the guarantee will be the increase in the number of men employed from a present figure of 700 to an estimated figure of 5,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of super-tax remained unpaid on 1st April, 1924, and on 1st April, 1925; and what steps are taken to enforce payment of any arrears?

The amount of Super-tax not paid in respect of which a demand for payment had been issued was £25,973,000 on 1st April, 1924, and £25,000,000 on 1st April, 1925. These figures would include charges to duty that were under appeal or under further inquiry. The collection of arrears of tax is continually proceeding and the rate of collection has now improved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the large sums of money appropriated each year by insurance companies through the lapsing of policies; and whether he is prepared to set up a committee of inquiry or a Royal Commission to go into the whole question of industrial insurance, or introduce legislation to deal with the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 18th February to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. Grotrian), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to compel all societies, organisations, or individuals who appeal for subscriptions for charitable purposes to publish a properly audited balance sheet?

The whole question is at present under investigation by a Departmental Committee. My right hon. Friend must wait for their Report before he can consider the introduction of legislation.

asked the Home Secretary the average monthly recruitments into the Metropolitan police force during the months of November, December, and January last; and the number of recruits for the corresponding months of 1924–25?

The figures are as follow: 1925–26. 1924–25. November … … 217 51 December … … 198 51 January … … 203 56

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now publish the full list of laces in the provinces at which it is proposed the Military Tattoo shall be held this summer; and whether he is open to receive representations as to the inclusion of additional places?

It is contemplated that Tattoos will be arranged in the Aldershot, Eastern, Southern, Northern, Western and Scottish Commands and the Northern Ireland District. The places will be selected by the General Officers Commanding concerned, and all the arrangements will be in their hands. My hon. Friend will understand that the holding of these Tattoos is subject to the general condition that they do not interfere with the requirements of training.

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers and cost of staff employed on he inspection of ammunition and explosives; and what work of this nature, if any, is carried out by the War Office for the other service Departments?

In the current year, the War Department staff employed on the inspection of ammunition and explosives is approximately 1,200, and their cost approximately £150,000. Ammunition of War Department pattern used by the other service Departments, such as small arms ammunition, is inspected by the Army, and, in addition, high explosive bombs used by the Air Ministry.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers and cost of the staff employed on the inspection of ammunition and explosives; and what work of this nature, if any, is carried out by the Admiralty for the other service Departments?

The estimated cost of inspection of naval armament stores, including guns, ammunition and propellants, both new stores received from contract and made and repaired in Government factories, and also stores already in the service, afloat and in depots, is, for 1926–27, approximately £181,000. The cost of inspection of ammunition and explosives as distinct from guns is not available. The number of staff, including clerical and industrial staff, is 970. The cost of inspection for Air Service and other Departments of the Government is negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers on the General Staff and on the Administrative Staff at the War Office, respectively, who are Staff College graduates; and in respect of such officers the numbers in each class who have served on the headquarters staff of a Dominion Government defence force?

61 officers of the General Staff and 28 officers of the Administrative Staff at the War Office are Staff College graduates. Of these, five and one respectively have served on the headquarters staff of a Dominion Government defence force.