asked the Secretary of State for War when the new edition of the Rules of Procedure will appear?

I hope that the revised edition of the Rules of Procedure will be ready next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total cost of the maintenance of the Air Force in Iraq during 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925, respectively?

The following Table gives the information requested by the hon. Member: £ 1919–1920 (approximate) 835,000 1920–1921 (approximate) 1,060,000 1921–1922 1,346,158 1922–1923 2,799,367 1923–1924 3,575,984 1924–1925 3,188,675 1925–1926 (estimate) 2,744,100 These figures include for part of 1922–1923, and for subsequent years provision for various ancillary services undertaken by the Royal Air Force on behalf of the British and Indian Army personnel in Iraq, the expense of which had previously been borne on Army Votes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in connection with the "Buy British Goods" campaign now in progress, he will reconsider the previous decision of his Department not to give an effective preference to fresh meat of home production in any contracts issued by his Department for the supply of the Royal Air Force at home stations?

All contracts for the supply of meat for the Royal Air Force at home are placed by the War Office, and my hon. Friend will, no doubt, obtain the desired information in reply to the similar question which I note that he has addressed to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the percentage of mortality in the years 1924 and 1925 in small-pox and encephalitis lethargica, respectively?

The case mortality rates ( i.e., deaths per 100 notified cases were: Small-pox: Per cent. 1924 … … … … .35 1925 … … … … .17 Encephalitis lethargica: 1924 … … … … 27.9 1925 … … … … 50.6* *This figure relates to the first three quarters of the year.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of small-pox reported in England and Wales since 1st January last, and the number of non-vaccinated persons who have contracted this disease?

During the seven weeks ended 20th February, 1926, 2,200 cases of small-pox were notified in England and Wales. Of these cases, 1,699 are stated to have been unvaccinated prior to infection by smallpox, while in 12 instances information as to the vaccinal condition is not yet available. These figures are subject to revision.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the reconstruction that is taking place in the Borough of Southwark, temporary accommodation for the persons displaced could be erected on the grounds of the Bethlem Hospital?

I understand that the grounds of the Bethlem Hospital are required at the present time for the purposes of the hospital.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Irish Land Trust proposes to acquire land at Finaghy, a residential suburb of Belfast, for the purpose of building thereon houses for ex-soldiers, and that the ratepayers of Finaghy allege that the erection of this class of house in the vicinity will interfere with the amenities of the district and will reduce the value of land in the neighbourhood; that the ratepayers' association has indicated good alternative sites, where roads and sewers are already made, which can be purchased for less than the site selected by the Land Trust; and whether he will request the Land Trust to reconsider the matter and to leave the selection of the site to some independent individual to be appointed by them and by the Finaghy Ratepayers' Association?

The Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust have reconsidered this matter in view of the objections to the proposed site. Three alternative sites suggested by the Ratepayers' Association were inspected by the trustees in person and rejected as unsuitable. Negotiations for the purchase of the land have now been completed, except the frontage on the main road, which is not to be included in the purchase, and it is now too late to reopen the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he san state the number of applications received from residents in the Metropolitan borough of Southwark in respect of widows' pensions, children's allowances, and orphans' pensions; the number of applications allowed; the number rejected; and the number of claims still outstanding?

The information asked for is not available as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Health whether a naval pensioner pensioned in 1906, who was called up and served during the whole war period and who was 63 years of age on 25th December, 1925, is treated as eligible to become a voluntary contributor under the National Health Insurance Act for The purpose of an old age pension at 65 years on the grounds of his five years' service during the War?

The man in question would, by reason of his War service, be entitled to become a voluntary contributor. As, however, he must be treated as a new entrant into insurance on becoming a voluntary contributor, his age at that date would prevent him from paying sufficient contributions to qualify for an old age pension.

asked the Minister of Health the amounts spent on Poor Law relief for each of the years since 1917?

The total expenditure of Poor Law authorities in England and Wales on the relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith in each financial year since 1916–17 was as follows: Year ended March: £ 1918 … … … 17,039,623 1919 … … … 18,423,883 1920 … … … 23,501,241 1921 … … … 31,924,954 1922 … … … 42,272,555 1923 … … … 41,934,437 1924 … … … 37,882,282 The figure for the year ended March, 1925, has not yet been ascertained.

asked the Minister of Health whether the English doctors who attended the Conference of the Commission of members of the Health Committee of the League of Nations at The Hague from 4th to 7th January, to examine questions in connection with small-pox, alastrim, and vaccinia, were present as representatives of the English Ministry of Health; and, if not, in what capacity were they there?

This Conference was convened by the Health Committee of the League of Nations. Sir George Buchanan attended in his capacity of British representative on that Committee. Dr. Gordon and Dr. Blaxall were invited by the Committee as experts possessing special knowledge and experience of the subjects to be discussed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the amount expended by India towards the upkeep of the League of Nations, and what is the nature of her representation upon this body?

India's contribution to the expenditure of the League in 1926 will be roughly £54,500. I am not clear as to the precise meaning of the latter part of the question. India is, of course, entitled to participate in all international conferences held under the auspices of the League. India has four representatives on Commissions of the League, and four Indians are, I understand, employed in the Secretariat and International Labour Office.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the growing fear in this House and in the country that an attempt may be made at the forthcoming League of Nations meeting at Geneva to effect extensive permanent changes in the constitution of the League of Nations Council, he will inform the House what instructions have been or will be given to the British delegate before he leaves this country for Geneva?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which will be made on this matter to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Health if men invalided from the Army, Navy, or Air Force, suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, are granted benefits under the National Health Insurance Act; and, if so, what are these benefits?

All men serving in the forces of the Crown are insured under the National Health Insurance Act, and on discharge become entitled, subject to the ordinary conditions, to all the normal benefits of the Act, namely, medical, sickness, disablement and maternity benefits. Further, any discharged man who has been for the necessary qualifying period a member of an approved society which provides additional benefits, becomes entitled to participate in such additional benefits. These additional benefits may take the form of an increase of the standard rates of sickness, disablement and maternity benefits, or payment towards the cost of treatment of various kinds, e.g., dental, ophthalmic, hospital or convalescent home treatment.

asked the Prime Minister "whether, in view of the poor response made by private firms, as evidenced by the figures of the King's Roll since its inception, it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for the compulsory employment of disabled ex-service men, or whether the Government would support such a Bill if introduced by a Member?

I have been asked to reply. I do not think it can fairly be said that the response made by private firms under the scheme for the employment of disabled ex-service men has been poor. On the contrary, I think most firms recognise the national obligation in this matter, and are doing their best to give practical effect to it. I doubt whether an attempt to apply compulsion would really promote the end we all have in view. I should prefer to rely on the continued efforts of the King's Roll National Council and the Local King's Roll Committees, seconded by the Resolutions passed recently by both Houses of Parliament restricting Government contracts to firms on the Roll.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to be in a position to state the Government's proposals for the reform of the House of Lords?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 22nd February, in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Southwark (Colonel Day).

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to set up the Committee to inquire into the question of equal franchise?

I am not in a position to make any announcement on this subject at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is prepared to announce immediately the intention of the Government in regard to next year's British Fair instead of waiting until the autumn, so that prospective buyers from Australia and other distant parts of the Empire may be able, should it be intended to hold the fair, to have adequate time for making arrangements to visit the fair?

The question of next year's British Industries Fair has already been considered by the Advisory Committee of Exhibitors, who have made urgent representations to me in favour of its continuance. I fully appreciate the importance of an early announcement being issued, and I hope to be able to make a statement very shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the qualifications laid down for dictators employed in shorthand examinations for appointment to the established Civil Service; whether these were observed in the recent shorthand test held under the auspices of the Civil Service Commissioners, when a clerk in holy orders was employed for this purpose; and whether dictators in shorthand tests in establishment examinations, held under the auspices of the Civil Service Commissioners, are required to have experience as dictators of shorthand?

The qualifications the Civil Service Commissioners look for in a dictator in shorthand examinations are a good voice, ability to deliver passages accurately and at the prescribed speed, and speech appropriate to the particular centre at which he is to act. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and as regards the concluding portion, I am informed that the Commissioners have not found it necessary to require that dictators employed in their shorthand examinations should necessarily have had other experience as dictators of shorthand.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, although the Industrial Court made an award in respect of the starting pay of certain writing assistants appointed through the 1925 limited competition for temporary women clerks in August last, the Post Office has not yet paid out benefit under the award to the girls concerned in Southampton and certain other areas; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to securing less delay in the application of Industrial Court awards or staff agreements in future?

I am having inquiry made in the matter, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information of the fact that the Chinese Government have denounced the treaties with France affecting Indo-China; and, if so, on what ground?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the treatment of Countess Cathcart, a British citizen, by the American immigration authorities, whether it is the practice of the Government, in the event of Consular representations proving inadequate, to give any assistance to British citizens?

It is the practice of His Majesty's Government to give, through His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular representatives, any assistance to British subjects which, in the circumstances of the particular case, can properly be given, and it is in their power to afford.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the British Minister at Peking has protested to the Peking Government against the Canton boycott, he will say whether the Government holds the Peking Government to be responsible for the boycott at Canton and in a position to restrain it?

No written protest against the boycott generally has been made to the Government at Peking, but protest has been lodged in respect of certain incidents arising out of it, such as the arrest of British subjects. His Majesty's Minister has also on more than one occasion pointed out verbally to members of the Central Government that the continuation of the state of affairs prevailing at Canton and Swatow is not conducive to continued good relations between the British and Chinese Governments and peoples. I see no useful purpose in considering whether the Central Government are technically responsible, since it is notorious that in practice they exercise at the moment no effective control over Canton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the nature of the recent Regulations issued in Palestine restricting further the immigration of Jews; and for what reason were they imposed?

A revised Immigration Ordinance for Palestine was enacted last August codifying the procedure and improving the machinery for regulating immigration. I am, not aware that it has had the effect indicated in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have had their attention called to the evils of the liquor traffic in Palestine; and whether he will state the Regulations, if any, under which the Administration sanction the introduction of intoxicating liquors into the mandated territory?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The import of liquor into Palestine is regulated by a local enactment known as the Customs Duties Amendment Ordinance, 1924; its sale is regulated by the Intoxicating Liquors and Public Entertainments Ordinance, 1922. If the Noble Lord will communicate with me, I shall be glad to furnish him with details of these two enactments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in a recent case of compulsory redemption of tithe rentcharge at Knighton, in which the redemption money amounted to £271 17s. 2d. only, the fees and expenses of the Ministry of Agriculture relating to the transaction, which were payable by the tithe payer, amounted to £163 11s. 2d.; whether the scale upon which the above fees were founded is a maximum scale; if so, in what circumstances, if at all, fees less than the maximum are charged; what precautions are taken to inform persons contemplating the redemption of tithe rent-charge, before they are committed to such redemption, of the heavy liability for fees, etc., which they will incur; and whether, having regard to the fact that the imposition of fees so disproportionate in amount to that of the redemption money must seriously militate against the voluntary redemption of tithe rent-charge, he proposes to take steps to modify the policy or practice of the Ministry in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Ministry's fee is based on a scale sanctioned by a Rule made under the Inclosure, Etc. Expenses Act, 1868. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy, from which he will see that the scale varies according to the circumstances set out therein, but the Ministry is required to charge a fee calculated in accordance with the scale, and has no power to reduce the appropriate fee in any particular case. With reference to the last part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under some misapprehension in the matter. The redemption to which he refers has proceeded on the application of the owners of the tithe rent-charge, Trinity Hospital, Clun, Salop, and is compulsory as against the landowners concerned, by whom the expenses are payable. Prior to the application by the tithe owners it was open to the landowners to apply for the voluntary redemption of the annual tithe rent-charges in question, in which case the fee payable to the Ministry would have been £4 7s. 6d. Compulsory redemption, however, entails a survey of the lands, the assessment of the shares of redemption money and expenses amongst all the landowners concerned, and the collection and recovery of such amounts. It is for these reasons that it is necessary to charge a very much higher fee in the case of compulsory redemption in order to ensure, as far as possible, that no expense is thrown on the Exchequer as a result of the Ministry exercising its statutory duties with regard to the redemption of tithe rentcharge.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has returns showing the quantity of iron and steel and manufactures thereof produced in the United Kingdom for each month from January to July, 1925, inclusive?

The only monthly particulars available showing the output of iron and steel products are those published in the Monthly Bulletin issued by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers. I am sending the hon. Member the figures given in the Bulletins for the months specified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been called to the number of blind persons now deriving a livelihood from the brush industry and to the fact that this industry is suffering from acute foreign competition; and whether, in the interests of these workpeople, he will reconsider his decision relating to the safeguarding of this industry;

(2) whether he has received a communication, dated 13th January, 1926, from the British Brush Manufacturers' Association, setting forth the condition of the brush industry under the existing intensity of foreign competition; whether his attention has been called to the quantity of brushes now being imported into this country, and which are being produced in foreign countries where lower scales of wages and longer hours of labour prevail; whether he is aware that there is danger of complete destruction of the brush industry in a short time consequent upon such competition; and if he will examine again the claims of this industry to receive the benefit of the safeguarding policy of His Majesty's Government?

I have received the communication referred to by my hon. Friend. The Committee reported only three months ago, after very thorough enquiry, that the brush industry did not fulfil the conditions necessary to justify a duty under the safeguarding of industries procedure.

asked the Minister of Education if he will publish a Report on the work of the Joint Committee of the Ministries of Agriculture and Education on rural education?

This Committee was appointed to advise the two Departments upon such matters of common interest as might be referred by them to the Committee, and the results of its deliberations and advice find expression in circulars, pamphlets and other publications issued from time to time by the Departments. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a special Report upon the work of the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the Bombay reclamation scheme was a reserved subject under the Government of India Act and that the Bombay Government took full responsibility for the financial success of the scheme, the Government are prepared to ask Parliament to reimburse to the people of Bombay the losses thereby incurred?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will send a copy of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Persons to all benches of magistrates or, alternatively, whether he will issue a Circular drawing their attention to this report?

The Report has been published, and I do not think it necessary to take any further action until after the other Committee now sitting has made its report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of the bankruptcy of an employer who has previously deducted from wages an employé's contributions towards the Unemployment Insurance Fund but omitted to stamp the card, the insured workman is treated as having lost the benefit towards which deductions have been made from his wages owing to the subsequent bankruptcy of the employer?

In the circumstances described in the question contributions have not been paid and cannot be credited. The Department would, wherever practicable, make a claim in the bankruptcy proceedings, and under the Unemployment Insurance Acts such a claim would have priority in respect of contributions for four months. I should add that the employer making deductions without first stamping the unemployment books infringes the law, unless he has made a special arrangement with the Department for postponed stamping and has paid a deposit to cover the period of postponement.

also asked the Minister of Labour the total sums paid since the Armistice in the relief of unemployed under the headings, out-of-work donation, unemployed benefit, and poor relief?

The total sums paid since the Armistice up to 20th February, 1926, by way of out-of-work donation and unemployment benefit are as follow: Out-of-Work Donation … £62,448,241 Unemployment Benefit … £238,453,000 The approximate expenditure for England and Wales by way of domiciliary relief in money or kind to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants between the Armistice and 26th December, 1925, was £35,293,000. In the same period the approximate expenditure on outdoor relief to the destitute able-bodied unemployed in Scotland was £4,271,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated numbers of insured persons in employment at the end of January in each of the following years: 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926?

Date (end of) Estimated numbers insured.(2) Numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed. Excess of col. (2) over col. (3). (1) (2) (3) (4) January, 1921 … … 11,030,950 1,213,386 9,817,564 January, 1922 … … 11,130,950 1,948,113 9,182,837 January, 1923 … … 11,206,450 1,468,821 9,737,629 January, 1924 … … 11,317,780 l,333,889† 9,983,891 January, 1925 … … 11,513,370 1,273,051 10,240,319 January, 1926 … … 11,673,220* 1,251,831 10,421,389 * Provisional figure. † This figure is somewhat inflated as the result of the railway dispute of 21st to 29th January, 1924.

asked the Minister Labour the number of women who applied for unemployment benefit at the Walworth Road Employment Exchange during the three months ending 14th February last; how many such claims were disallowed; and the reason for such disallowment, under their respective headings?

The number of claims to benefit (including repeat claims by the same individual) made by women at the Borough Employment Exchange during the three months ended 15th February was 2,800. I am unable to state the number of claims to standard benefit which were disallowed, but statistics of the claims for extended benefit considered by the local employment committee during the period 17th November, 1925, to 8th February, 1926, are as under: Claims considered 599 Claims recommended for allowance 213

The following table shows the estimated number of insured persons in Great Britain at the end of January in each year from 1921 to 1926, the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed at those dates and the difference between these two sets of figures. This difference cannot be taken as accurately representing the number of insured persons in employment, but it probably furnishes a reliable indication of the trend of changes in that number:

Claims recommended for disallowance: Not normally insurable 21 Insurable employment not likely to be available 14 Not reasonable period of insurable employment 83 Not making reasonable efforts to obtain employment 177 Single persons residing with relatives 27 Married women who could look to support from their husbands 54 Working short-time but earning sufficient for maintenance 10 Total recommended for disallowance 386

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles, both male and female, who received training in juvenile unemployment centres; the percentage placed in skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled occupations, respectively; and the total number of juveniles registered as unemployed, the whole to cover the period 1925?

The total number of individual boys and girls who attended juvenile unemployment centres during the period 1st April, 1925–5th February, 1926, was 63,734, and the average daily attendance during the same period was 7,078. No statistics are available with regard to the number of juveniles placed in employment from these centres. The average weekly number of boys and girls registered for employment in Great Britain during the period was 66,639.

asked the Minister of Labour whether replies have yet been received to the invitations addressed to the Labour Ministers of certain foreign Governments to attend a conference on hours of labour to be held in London during March?

The four Governments invited to this conference have now intimated their willingness to attend.