asked the Minister of Health if he will present figures showing the amount of public money spent by local authorities during the years ended March, 1913, and March, 1925, on child-welfare clinics and other such centers; the amount spent on the supply of nourishment to nursing and expectant mothers during these periods; and giving separately the amounts raised from local and national funds?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on the 5th May, 1925, of which I will send him a copy. Complete figures of actual expenditure during the year ended March, 1925, are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health the provisional number of cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, chicken-pox, pneumonia, enteric fever, small-pox and encephalitis lethargica notified during the year 1925?

The figures asked for, with the exception of those for chicken-pox, which is not universally notifiable, are as follows: Disease. Provisional number of cases in England and Wales, 1925. Diphtheria 47,723 Scarlet fever 91,357 Pneumonia 55,960 Enteric fever 2,779 Small-pox 5,363 Encephalitis lethargica 2,637

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths from influenza, measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever and enteric fever were registered in the year 1925?

Reliable figures are not yet available, but the provisional figures derived from the Registrars' quarterly returns are as follow: Disease. Provisional number of deaths registered in England and Wales, 1925. Influenza … … 12,587 Measles … … 5,221 Diphtheria … … 2,716 Scarlet fever … … 981 Enteric fever … … 373

asked the President of the Board of Trade why licences are not now required for the importation of German paint-boxes containing paints of synthetic origin, which bring them within the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920; whether he is aware that it was originally decided that licences were required; and, in view of the fact that it has been stated on behalf of the Dyestuffs Advisory Licensing Committee that licences are still required in respect of the importation into this country of all dry colours and pigments of synthetic origin irrespective of their percentage composition, can he see his way to restore the system of licences for the importation of paint-boxes in the interests of the home producer?

In so far as they contain paints of synthetic organic origin, paint-boxes are subject to the provisions of the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920. But after consideration of all the circumstances relating to the importation of toy paint-boxes, and especially of the fact that in the cheaper classes of boxes the synthetic organic paint content is generally very small, it was recently decided to issue an open general licence covering the importation of all such boxes of a value not exceeding 6s. per dozen. I cannot hold out any hope of a modification of that decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of cars imported into Palestine during the years 1924 and 1925; and indicate the source from which they were imported?

The total number of motor cars, complete, imported into Palestine, amounted to 305 in the year 1924 and to 656 during the first 10 months of 1925. Later particulars are not yet available. Details as to the individual countries whence these cars were imported are not given in the published Trade Returns, but it is stated that the principal source of supply was the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total acreage of land administered by the War Office in and within a radius of 10 miles from Portsmouth, and what is the total acreage of land in the United Kingdom so administered?

The areas are about 4,950 acres and 213,500 acres respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number and cost of the staff of the Lands Department of the War Office?

The Lands Department at the War Office, which acts also for the Air Ministry and the Surplus Stores and Liquidation Department, numbers at present 57, costing about £24,200 a year. Of this staff 14, costing about £5,600 a year, are engaged entirely on work for the Air Ministry, and are paid direct from the Air Ministry funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total acreage of land administered by the Air Ministry in and within a radius of 10 miles from Portsmouth; and what is the total acreage of land in the United Kingdom so administered?

The answer to the first part of the question is 412 acres; to the second, approximately 21,430 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number and cost of the staff of the Lands Department of the Air Ministry?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find the desired information under Vote 10-B, page 97, of the Air Estimates for 1926, where provision is made for that section of the War Office Controllerate of Lands, which performs professional lands work for the Air Ministry. There is no separate Air Ministry Lands Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of appointments made under Section ( e ) of the Government Memorandum relating to the appointment of 75 per cent. of temporary messengers in headquarter establishments to unestablished positions?

The total number of appointments of messengers to permanent non-pensionable status authorised under Section ( e ) of the Memorandum of the 12th January, 1925, is 1,523.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total acreage of land administered by the Admiralty in and within a radius of 10 miles from Portsmouth; and what is the total acreage of land in the United Kingdom so administered?

The answer to the first part of the question is 1,925 acres, and to the second 15,450 acres. The figures are approximate and do not include the extensive areas of foreshore which the Admiralty administer in dockyard ports.

asked (1) the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

Year. Balance outward of British passengers to— Australia. Canada. British Empire as a whole, outside Europe. All Foreign Countries outside Europe. 1908 … … … 11,476 41,455 58,592 32,564 1909 … … … 17,318 52,378 81,722 57,971 1910 … … … 25,332 115,681 158,878 74,831 1911 … … … 56,337 134,765 210,382 51,427 1912 … … … 68,673 133,561 219,988 48,497 1913 … … … 46,012 127,656 188,635 53,362 1920 … … … 19,048 75,435 118,436 54,311 1921 … … … 21,915 39,049 84,078 34,860 1922 … … … 30,385 30,666 71,707 28,175 1923* … … … 30,447 81,117 119,230 71,153 1924 … … … 28,156 46,469 85,287 3,124 1925 … … … 27,056 25,426 67,877 19,179 * From 1st April, 1923, the figures are exclusive of passengers who departed from, or arrived at, ports in the Irish Free State.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that, as a result of the operations of the New Zealand Produce Board, large quantities of New Zealand agricultural produce are held up in cold storage in London, awaiting a rise in price due to the artificial shortage thus created; that

the total number of migrants from England, Scotland, and Wales to other parts of the Empire during each of the years 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 and 1913, and for the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925; and how many of these went in each year to Australia and Canada, respectively?

(2) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total number of emigrants from England, Scotland, and Wales to foreign countries during each of the years 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925?

The following statement shows the balances outward of passengers of British nationality from the United Kingdom to Australia, to Canada, to the British Empire as a whole outside Europe, and to foreign countries respectively. The numbers of migrants from the several divisions of the United Kingdom cannot be separately determined for the whole period, since the necessary particulars were not obtained before 1st April, 1912:

foreign supplies and similar competitive produce are thus encouraged to raise their prices; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the situation?

I have no. information leading to the conclusions indicated in the first two parts of the question, but if the hon. Member has any information on the subject which he would wish to communicate to me, I shall, of course, be ready to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has inquired into the proportion of cases of natives in Nigeria tried and sentenced to death which are reversed by the Governor of Nigeria; and whether any reform of the existing judicial machinery is contemplated?

During the years 1922. 1923 and 1924, out of 383 persons tried for murder in Nigeria 247 were executed, the prerogative of mercy was exercised in 82 cases, and in 54 the person was discharged or otherwise dealt with. The circumstances of all cases when the death sentence is commuted are reported to the Secretary of State. I see no reason to alter the existing system for dealing with murder cases in Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the arrests of alleged Communists in Cyprus and in Palestine have taken place with the approval of the British Government: with what offences they are charged; and when their trial is to take place?

The deportation of a Communist from Cyprus was sanctioned by His Majesty's Government in July last. I have no information as to any other arrests. As regards Palestine, the local authorities have power to arrest persons who may be acting in a manner likely to endanger the public peace. No cases of arrests of alleged Communists have recently been reported to me.

asked the Minister of Labour to whom the court of referees recommends either payment or refusal of benefit to an unemployed person?

Section 11 (2) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, provides that the court of referees shall make their recommendations to the insurance officer. The same sub-section and Section 11 (3), as amended by the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Act, 1924, further provide that the insurance officer shall, unless he disagrees, give effect to the recommendations of the court of referees, or, if he disagrees, shall refer the recommendations with his reasons for disagreement to the umpire.

asked the Minister of Labour the weekly average number of persons on the Devonport Employment Exchange for the month of February?

The average number of persons on the registers of the Devonport Employment Exchange during February was 1,810.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to refund to certain part-time employés of the Post Office the sums which were deducted from their earnings in respect of unemployment insurance under an Order of 1920 which has since been found to be invalid?

The Unemployment Insurance Inclusion Order, 1925, which became operative on 4th January, 1926, makes it clear that the sub-postmasters referred to are required to pay unemployment insurance contributions. My right hon. Friend is obtaining formal legal opinion as to the validity of the previous Order on the same subject, and if this opinion is to the effect that the Order was invalid, he will be prepared to receive applications for the refund of contributions paid under it.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the Brentford inquest, on 17th February, held on Gordon Stuart McIlroy, when the jury, in their verdict, made an addendum that they considered that the number of accidents on the Great West Road at night was due to insufficient lighting; and will he take steps to minimise this danger?

According to the transcript of proceedings at the inquest, the jury, while expressing the opinion that the Great West Road was insufficiently lighted, did not attribute this particular accident to that cause. While deeply regretting such occurrences, I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the lighting of roads is a responsibility of local authorities, who, in determining the expenditure to be incurred for the purpose, have to take into account, among other factors, the stage of development of the area traversed by the road.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total expendi-

— 1913–14. 1919–20. 1920–21. 1921–22. 1922–23. 1923–24. (Figures in £1,000). £ £ £ £ £ £ Total expenditure (other than out of loans, but including loan charges). 16,266 25,862 38,494 41,421 40,247 41,303 Specific receipts (other than from loans and rates)— (a) Fees, tolls, rents and other receipts, not being grants. 540 1,585 2,600 2,463 2,322 2,430 (b) Exchequer grants (including Road Fund). 576 3,166 4,696 8,800 9765 12,024* Total receipts 1,116 4,751 7,296 11,263 12,087 14,454 Balance of Expenditure falling on rates. 15,150 21,111 31,198 30,158 28,160 26,849 * Includes an amount of £1,050,000 in respect of the additional grant under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1923.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in various towns and districts of the country men who act as town councillors also act as coroners, and, as a consequence, in cases where death is caused through conditions arising from residence in overcrowded slum areas the coroner who is also a town councillor is, in effect, holding an inquiry as to conditions for which he as a councillor is

ture on maintaining and improving roads of all classes in England and Wales, showing the amount provided out of the Road Fund and from other sources and the amount raised by local rates for the years 1913–14, 1917–18, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1922–23, and 1923–24; and whether, as the total figure of 41½ millions for the year 1921–22 was made up as to 27.2 per cent. from the Road Fund, the whole of the rest of the cost falling upon the local rates, he will consider the recommendation in the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure, page 123, that the vicious results of the percentage grant system shall be terminated forthwith?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the table which follows. I regret that figures for the year 1917–18 are not available as no returns for that year were published. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that the recommendation to which he refers was not made in relation to the administration of the Road Fund:

partly responsible; and whether, in. view of this, he will in any future legislation dealing with coroners make it a condition that these officers shall not be eligible for membership of a local health authority for the area in which they act as coroner?

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 1, sub-Clauses (2) and (3), of the Coroners (Amendment) Bill, which has been introduced in another place and has been circulated.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total amount derived from the Motor Tax receipts for the upkeep of the roads as at November, 1924, and November, 1925, showing the number of light cars, commercial vehicles,

— Year ending 30th November,1924. Year ending 30th November, 1925. Amount received in payment for Licences. Approx. No. of Vehicles to which Licences refer. Amount received in payment for Licences. Approx. No. of Vehicles to which Licences refer. £ £ Cars taxed on horse power 6,929,851 474,000 8,063,467 580,000 Commercial Goods Vehicles 4,245,566 210,000 4,697,020 232,000 Motor Hackneys 2,154,865 94,000 2,270,906 99,000 (including taxis, omnibuses, chars-a-banc, etc.). Motor Cycles 1,260,796 496,000 1,373,701 572,000 Other Motor Vehicles 192,667 61,600 197,667 64,300 Horse Drawn Vehicles 140,719 181,416 118,847 153,487 Miscellaneous Receipts 439,943 — 511,630 — (Driving licences, etc.). Total 15,364,407 — 17,233,238 — The gross receipts shown above are subject to certain deductions in respect of refunds for surrendered licences, pre-1913 engines, etc. and also to certain prior charges under Section 2 (2) and Section 3 of the Roads Act, 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will consider the possibility of scheduling Waterloo Bridge as an ancient monument?

The First Commissioner does not think that it would serve any useful purpose to schedule Waterloo Bridge as an ancient monument.

asked the Home Secretary the number of police officers who have been disqualified from rent aid and on what grounds have such disallowments been made; and the number of officers who are paying their own travelling expenses, owing to the lack of suitable accommodation in the divisions to which they are posted?

omnibuses, and motor bicycles, separately, together with the sum of money collected from the owners of these types of vehicles?

The following statement will give my hon. and gallant Friend the information which he seeks:

The only grounds on which officers, other than those living in official quarters are disqualified from receiving rent aid are (1) that they incur no expense in respect of rent, or (2) that they have refused to occupy suitable official quarters provided for them, or (3) that, being single men, they have obtained permission to live in private lodgings or houses, for their own convenience, in preference to occupying official quarters. The total number of members of the Metropolitan Police so excepted is approximately 246. Where, owing to lack of accommodation, an officer on transfer cannot be provided with or find suitable accommodation, his travelling expenses may be reimbursed until accommodation becomes available up to a period of 18 months. Some 900 members of the force living over 2 miles from their station are at present paying their own travelling expenses, but this is not necessarily due to lack of accommodation. In many cases it is an arrangement sanctioned to meet the men's personal convenience.

asked the Home Secretary the number of executions carried out in this country during the years 1924 and 1925?

Of 14 persons sentenced to death in 1924, nine were executed. Of 30 persons sentenced to death in 1925, 19 were executed.

STATEMENT showing the convictions for drunkenness in City of London during the calendar the Metropolitan Police District and the years 1924 and 1925. — 1924. 1925. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. Metropolitan Police District … 23,512 6,536 30,048 23,197 6,384 29,581 City of London … 332 57 389 334 60 394 Total … 23,844 6,593 30,437 23,531 6,444 29,975

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the estimated cost of the Royal Indian Navy during each of the next five years; and from what sources the cost will be met?

I can give only an estimate of the initial annual cost, which is likely to be between 60 and 70 lakhs of rupees. This will be met from Indian revenues. The hon. Member will find further details, including various proposals for redistribution of charges which make it difficult to give a more exact estimate at the present stage, in the Report of which a copy has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of small holdings in Scotland not exceeding 50 acres in size in each of the following years: 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925?

The number of agricultural holdings in Scotland exceeding one and not exceeding 50 acres in extent—as returned to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on the 4th June

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions for drunkenness, male and female, recorded in the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London for the calendar years 1924 and 1925, respectively?

The figures are as follow:

in each of the years specified was as follow:

1914 … … … … 51,347 1915 … … … … 51,340 1916 … … … … 50,969 1917 … … … … 50,612 1918 … … … … 50,168 1919 … … … … 50,057 1920 … … … … 50,153 1921 … … … … 50,297 1922 … … … … 50,278 1923 … … … … 50,422 1924 … … … … 50,545 1925 … … … … 50,536

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any report is published or is available relating to the visit of his predecessor and the Parliamentary Secretary to Denmark in September last?

My predecessor did not write a report on his visit to Denmark last summer. This was a private visit made to enable him to become acquainted with agricultural conditions in that country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the amount of land annually brought within the area of drainage authorities since the passing of the Land Drainage Act, 1918?

The Land Drainage Act, 1918, received Royal Assent on 30th July, 1918. The total acreage brought within the area of drainage authorities annually since that date either by the creation of new drainage districts or by extension of the districts of existing drainage authorities is as follows: Acres. 1918–10 … … … 11,081 1919–20 … … … 68,003 1920–21 … … … 555,230 1921–22 … … … 113,744 1922–23 … … … 145,846 1923–24 … … … 21,998 1924–25 … … … 4,432 For the current year, i.e., since 30th July, 1925, the acreage is 12,209.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number of agricultural holdings in the county of Carmarthen; and what number of the cultivators own their holdings?

The number of agricultural holdings in Carmarthen in 1925 was 8,507. The number of occupiers of holdings in that county who stated in 1924 that they owned the whole or the greater part of their holdings was 1,475.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the postal facilities in the Chollerton parish area, Northumberland, are inadequate and, in particular, the village of Colwell is badly treated as regards telegraph, telephone and money orders; and if he will take steps to obtain an early improvement

There are four post offices in the Chollerton area and the existing facilities appear to be equal to the standard authorised for similar districts. I regret that the cost of extending money order facilities to Colwell would not be justified by the amount of business likely to be transacted; and a telegraph or telephone call office could only be provided under a guarantee of payment of the amount by which the revenue falls short of the expenses. I understand that such a guarantee is not at the moment forthcoming.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total collected in the last nine months in taxes on men servants and by the issue of dog licences, respectively?

The latest available figures of the yield of the duties referred to are those for the year ended 31st March, 1925, namely: — England and Wales. Scotland. Total. £ £ £ On Male Servant Licences. 118,607 12,091 130,698 On Dog Licences. 936,897 55,825 992,722

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of lapsed policies in industrial assurance companies for the year 1924–25, specifying the number in each company?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is no appeal tribunal for those non-commissioned ranks and ratings who are invalided from the three fighting services; and whether, seeing that an appeal is possible under the war pensions system, he can give the same privilege to regular sailors, soldiers, and airmen who may be invalided?

I have been asked to reply and would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 8th February (OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 632) to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government, in view of its decision to withhold the marriage allowance to naval officers, for which the money was voted in the last Naval Estimates, can see its way to grant children's allowance to naval officers, as was the case from January, 1918, to December, 1919?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Mrs. Philpott, mother of Lieutenant T. W. Philpott, R.N., who entered the submarine service especially to be able to give further assistance to his mother and family, and who perished in the Ml submarine disaster, has been informed that the question of award of mother's pension was under consideration, but it was probable that the amount, of her private income would render her ineligible under the regulations; that her private income is £3 per annum, apart from the pension and allowance which she receives from the Ministry of Pensions in respect of her late husband, Commander M. C. Philpott, R.N., whom she lost in the War; and whether her claim will be reconsidered in the light of these facts?

The regulations for the award of allowances in these cases provide that, for allowances to be

— To-day. 8th March, 1914. Ashore. Afloat. Ashore. Afloat. Admiral of the Fleet … … 1 — — — Admirals … … 3 2 7 2 Vice-Admirals … … 7 4 5 6 Rear Admirals … … 12 12 14 14 Commodores, 1st and 2nd Glass … … 4 3 4 5 Total … … 27 21 30 27

granted, the pecuniary and other circumstances must be such as, in the opinion of the Admiralty, to justify the award. In considering the question, the Admiralty are bound to take into account the amount of the family income from all sources, and I regret that in these circumstances it is not possible to consider Mrs. Philpott as qualified. Mrs. Philpott was informed to this effect on the 14th December.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cost incurred in commissioning the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress" for the last three days' visit to Portsmouth by the Lords of the Admiralty?

The extra expense involved in commissioning His Majesty's Ship "Enchantress" for the Board inspection of the Portsmouth command—8th to 20th February, 1926—was £191 17s. 4d. Two-thirds of this sum was for wages of dockyard men, for whose employment provision is made in the voted Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many admirals of the Fleet, admirals, vice and rear-admirals, and commodores are employed ashore and afloat, respectively, at the present time: and what were the corresponding figures, respectively, on 8th March, 1914?

The figures are as follow: