asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that in the interests of the staff it is essential to the efficient working of the Welsh Board of Health that officers should be fully conversant with, and able to speak and write, the Welsh language, he will take steps to deal with this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 1st instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information regarding the danger of soluble sulphides used in depilatories; and will he take steps to prohibit their sale?

I do not know to what particular substances the hon. and gallant Member refers, but I have no information indicating that the use of soluble sulphides as depilatories has led to such ill-effects as to justify legislation to prohibit their sale.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made towards the meat-marketing Regulations, especially in regard to the inspection of meat and shops?

The Public Health (Meat) Regulations came into force on the 1st April, 1925. The reports of Medical Officers of Health on the year's working, when they are available, should afford an opportunity for reviewing progress.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can explain why paragraph 2 ( b ) of Memorandum No. 243/X of November 1925, on the subject of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, regulating the re-entry into State Insurance of certain persons as voluntary contributors, without any modification of pensions, has been at this late date superseded by further draft regulations which propose to reduce the pension where the age at last entry into insurance is over 45; and whether he will reconsider these Regulations so far as they apply to cases where the persons concerned comply with the statutory conditions defined in Section 8?

The paragraph in question is not superseded, but rather explained by the subsequent Regulations which are issued in compliance with the directions of the Act. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering the effect of these Regulations and hopes to be able to make a further statement before long.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows in Devonport and Plymouth, respectively, who have applied for pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act?

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

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in the Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil Unions who were in receipt of Poor Law relief in July, 1925, and subsequent months; the amount paid in the respective months; the approximate ages of the recipients; and how many were ex-service men?

The following Table shows the average numbers of persons

PONTYPRIDD UNION. Month of Average numbers of persons in receipt of domiciliary relief* during the month. Cost of such relief given in money or kind during the month. Average numbers of children under 16 years of age included in Column 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1925. £ July … … … 25,354 30,406 (5 weeks) 13,419 August … … … 27,501 24,970 14,663 September … … … 27,146 25,966 14,339 October … … … 28,087 32,588 (5 weeks) 14,828 November … … … 28,959 26,924 15,423 December … … … 29,404 31,244 15,508 1926. January … … … 29,875 33,613 (5 weeks) 15,554 MERTHYR TYDFIL UNION. 1925. July … … … 17,439 20,833 (5 weeks) 8,651 August … … … 19,564 18,000 9,880 September … … … 19,078 17,777 9,667 October … … … 20,408 23,432 (5 weeks) 10,454 November … … … 20,961 18,730 10,748 December … … … 20,826 20,243 10,657 1926. January … … … 21,007 22,560 (5 weeks) 10,648 * Exclusive of persons in receipt of medical relief only.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the council waiting list for houses in Plymouth has long since been closed; that this list contains over 2,000 names, but that this figure is very far short of the actual number of people requiring houses in the town; and whether, in these circumstances, his Department can suggest any special remedial steps being taken, particularly in view of the large influx of population owing to the closing of Rosyth and Pembroke dockyards?

I am aware of the situation as regards housing

in receipt of Poor Law domiciliary relief, and the cost of such relief, in the Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil Unions in July, 1925, and subsequent months. The returns received from boards of guardians show the number of children under 16 years of age, but do not otherwise give the ages of recipients of relief. Information is not available as to the number of ex-service men in receipt of relief during the months referred to:

in Plymouth and have this matter under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how the work on the renovations of the House is progressing; and when he expects the work to be finished?

Nothing is being done at present beyond handpicking, to prevent danger from falling masonry. The actual repairs to the stonework will not be undertaken until the policy to be adopted has been fully considered, and an estimate has been submitted to the House.

asked the Home Secretary whether societies which receive public funds and voluntary subscriptions for probation work are obliged to publish a classified account showing the receipts and expenditure in respect of probation work?

There is no obligation at present, but I am informed that the principal voluntary societies which provide probation officers make a practice of publishing annual accounts showing the amounts they receive from public funds and from voluntary sources. The point will be borne in mind in connection with the rules to be made under Part I of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the Board is now claiming from the local education authorities in Wales the refund of moneys alleged to have been overpaid as far back as the year 1922–23, notwithstanding the fact that the accounts had been audited and certified as correct by the Government auditor, he will state how many years back the Board proposes to go in making demands of this nature?

Such retrospective adjustments are, I am afraid, an inevitable feature of the present system of grants. The position is that the audited accounts of local authorities may not reach my Department until as much as 18 months after the close of the year to which they relate. They have then to be examined in the Department in order that the final adjustment of grant may be settled, and, if it is found that the installments payable during the particular year have been overpaid, recovery is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Education when a decision on the application from Mr. W. T. Franklin, of the St. Lawrence Church School, Chobham, Surrey, for a disablement allowance under the provisions of the Superannuation Acts will be given?

This teacher's salary is being paid up to the 25th March, and I hope to issue shortly after that date notice of the award made in his case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cadets in any of the naval colleges in any part of Great Britain are the sons of coal-miners?

I am not able to give this information without detailed investigation and research of the records, the expense and trouble of which would hardly seem to be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the approximate date on which the Lower Deck Welfare Conference will assemble this year?

Probably about the end of April.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state, in respect of the current year, how much money has been contributed by each of the Dominions and Crown Colonies towards Naval Defence?

The contributions of the Dominions towards Naval Defence take the form of maintenance of their own forces and establishments by the Governments of Canada, Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa. In addition to these the Government of India maintains the Royal Indian Marine and pays a cash contribution towards the expenses of the East Indies Squadron, and the Colony of Hong Kong is paying during the current year a cash contribution towards the cost of the Singapore Base.

The amounts provided in the Estimates of the undermentioned parts of the Empire for the year 1925–26 are as follow:

Canada, $1,400,000.

Commonwealth of Australia, £3,921,145.

There is also a special appropriation of £1,000,000 for defence purposes generally.

New Zealand, £538,325.

Union of South Africa, £139,893.

India, Rs. 73,67,000.

Plus £100,000 contribution towards the maintenance of the East Indies Squadron.

Hong Kong, £120,000.

Contribution towards the cost of the Singapore Base.

The Straits Settlements have contributed the site for the Singapore Base.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any further information has been received in regard to the building programmes of foreign naval powers since the issue of Command Paper 2590?

Since Command Paper No. 2590 of 1926 went to print, the German Naval Estimates have become available and the following alterations should be made under "Germany":

Page 3.—"Numerical Summary of Vessels."

Under "Building and Projected" read:

Cruisers … … 3 ( w ) Destroyers … … 12 ( x ) Torpedo boats … … 1 ( y )

Insert footnotes: ( w ) 2 not yet authorised but contained in 1926 Estimates. ( x ) 6 not yet authorised but contained in 1926 Estimates. ( y ) Not yet authorised but contained in 1926 Estimates.

Pages 14 and 26.—Below cruiser "B" insert "2 projected in 1926 Estimates, but not yet authorised."

Page 43.—For "6 in number" read "6 authorised, 6 projected in 1926 Estimates."

Page 74.—Below "W. 103–107" insert "6 projected in 1926 Estimates, but not yet authorised."

Pages 75 and 78.—Under "Building" insert "1 projected in 1926 Estimates, but not yet authorised."

As regards the United States of America, three of the six cruisers shown as authorised but not appropriated for, have now been appropriated for by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is also possible that the remaining three cruisers will be laid down before the end of the United States financial year.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many complaints were received during each of the last three months at the Scottish regional headquarters of the Ministry of Pensions regarding delay or difficulty about the payment of pensions?

The number of complaints regarding delay or difficulty in the payment of pensions received in the Issue Office, Scotland, during the months of December, January and February last was 45, 56 and 39, respectively. In the large majority of these cases delay had arisen owing to the fault of the pensioner.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Food Council has inquired into the cases of local profiteering in the meat trade in certain towns, where the retail butchers charge 8d. to 10d. a pound more for beef and mutton than the prices charged in adjoining districts?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases he may have in mind, I will ask the Food Council to inquire into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any information as to the working of the quota system for British films in Australia; and, if such reports are favourable, whether he will take any action to promote its introduction in England?

In a reply on 16th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Warwick (Captain Eden), the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs stated that, so far as he had been able to ascertain, no such legislation has been passed in Australia. If such legislation becomes operative any reports upon it will be carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has, since the question put to him by the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes) on the 15th of December last, made a further investigation into the truth of the allegations referred to in that question, which had been made at an inquest upon the death by typhoid of one of the crew of the Leyland liner "Delilian," that the meat and water were tainted, and that six of the crew had been taken ill; whether the "Delilian" has since that date returned to this country; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the matter?

Enquiries were made in this matter and statements were obtained from seven members of the crew who had not sailed again on the vessel. Three of these refer to the meat being tainted, and there is general reference to the water on the homeward voyage being somewhat rusty. As against this, thirty-four members of the crew who sailed again in the vessel have signed a statement that the food and water during the whole of the voyage was in every way good and fit for human consumption. Moreover, enquiries made by the Board's officers showed that the owners took every precaution to secure good provisions and water, and no complaint whatever was made to the ship's officers, owners, superintendent, or the Board's officers. The result of the enquiries made confirms the verdict given at the inquest and no further action is contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the existence of the subsidy and preferential excise duty for home-grown sugar has led to the establishment of any form of countervailing duties against British refined sugar by any foreign countries?

Not so far as I am aware.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres of small holdings in England and Wales which are owned by county councils, including both pre-War and post-War holdings; the net rent receivable; and the total annual cost of administration and repairs for the years 1923 and 1924, respectively?

The total acreage of small holdings owned by county councils and councils of county boroughs in England and Wales on the 31st December, 1924, was 356,889 acres, while an additional 84,400 acres were held on lease. The gross rental of the whole was £973,648, but I am unable to state separately the rental of the land owned. The outgoings other than repairs and administration charges, but including the rents paid by councils for lands leased by them, amounted in the year ending 31st March, 1924, to approximately £196,000. The total cost of administration and repairs in that year was £275,000 and in the following year £284,000, but these amounts include expenditure on repairs held over from the War years and other items in excess of normal maintenance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total area of land acquired by county councils in England and Wales for small holdings since 1918; the total cost of such land; the number of separate holdings provided; and the average rent of the holdings per acre?

The total area of land acquired and retained for the purpose of small holdings since 1918 by the councils of counties and county boroughs in England and Wales is 255,784 acres, including about 1,800 acres which have been sold to the tenants. The total cost of the land purchased for cash amounts to £9,584,600, but about 40,000 acres included in the above area have been either taken on lease or purchased in consideration of annuities or rentcharges. The cost of adaptation and equipment amounts to about £5,600,000, some of which has been expended on the council's pre-war estates in order to equip holdings for ex-service men. The number of men at present occupying holdings into which they have entered since 1918 is 18,685, of whom, however, 2,475 have been settled on land acquired before the War. It is impossible to state the average rent per acre of the land apart from houses and buildings, but the gross rental of the 253,982 acres let by councils, including equipment, is approximately £580,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that under the existing regulations the whole cost of the administration of the Tuberculosis Order, 1925, has to be borne by local authorities, and whether he will consider the desirability of making a contribution towards such cost similar to that now made in respect of compensation for slaughtered animals?

From the information available I find that the Exchequer's contribution in the case of counties is 52.5 per cent. and in the case of boroughs 66 per cent. of the total expenditure incurred by local authorities in carrying out the Tuberculosis Order. I cannot therefore contemplate asking Parliament to increase the Exchequer contribution towards the expenses of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to dissatisfaction being felt by lobster fishermen in the north-eastern sea fisheries district regarding the by-laws imposed; whether a Government commission has been set up; and, if so, when it is likely to report?

I am aware that the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee received in May last a petition from certain lobster fishermen protesting against that Committee's by-law, which prohibits the removal from a fishery of any lobster less than nine inches in length. I understand that the Committee decided to take no action on the petition in view of the fact that the whole matter is under consideration by the Interdepartmental Committee, set up by my predecessor and my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland, to inquire into the whole question of crab and lobster fisheries. This Interdepartmental Committee has drawn up an interim report dealing with lobsters which, will shortly be published.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the courts-martial abroad during 1923–24 occurred in the Indian Army?

For information regarding the Indian Army, the hon. Member should address my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India. If, however, the question refers to the British Army in India, the answer is that of the 2,201 courts-martial held on soldiers abroad in the year 1923–24, 1,311 were on British soldiers in India.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British officers are to take part in the recently sanctioned courses of military instruction with the French Army; how long it is estimated these courses will last; and what will form the basis of selection?

Four officers will attend courses of instruction at French military schools this year; they will be selected, on the basis of their records, from among candidates who possess a thorough knowledge of the French language. The courses will last seven or eight weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds Miss Rose Strudwick, of 37, Netherwood Road, W.14, was deemed by the Hammersmith Employment Exchange to be not genuinely seeking employment; if he is aware that the Court of Referees, upon hearing the facts from a representative of the appellant's trade union, at once reversed this decision; and what steps he advises local committees to take to obtain information before imposing penalties of this kind?

This claimant lost her employment as bookstall assistant in October last. Similar employment was desired by her, but this was no longer open to her owing to her age and to the fact that boys are now employed in this occupation. After she had drawn benefit for rather more than 12 weeks, she was interviewed and, while refusing to consider domestic service, appeared to be making little attempt to obtain other work. Benefit was disallowed by the insurance officer, but the Court of Referees on appeal was satisfied that she was genuinely seeking work and allowed benefit. I do not think there was any failure to make proper inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, approximately, were working on special work or schemes for the relief of unemployment financed partly or wholly by the Treasury on 31st January. 1923, 1924 and 1925, respectively?

Returns of men engaged upon State-aided schemes of work are received monthly. The number of men employed on 25th January, 1924, was 89,047, and on 31st January, 1925, was 109,399. These figures take no account of the employment provided indirectly, e.g., in the preparation and transport of materials. I regret that no figures on a comparable basis are available for January, 1923. Separate statistics are not available in respect of women, but the number of women employed on relief schemes is believed to be negligible.

asked the Postmaster General whether, in view of the urgent need for additional accommodation at the Mount Pleasant Office, he will expedite the building of the second section of the new premises?

I regret that it has been necessary to postpone the erection of the second section of the new Mount Pleasant Office. The work will be pressed forward as soon as financial exigencies permit.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the recommendations of the Scottish Conference on agricultural policy of the adoption of a system of cash on delivery by the Post Office, if he will consider the desirability of introducing this system, which would be of great assistance to that industry?

The introduction of the cash-on-delivery system in the inland service is still under examination, and I cannot at present add anything to previous answers on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General why Mr. T. W. Cash, who was formerly an overseer at the post office at Stowmarket and was dismissed in February, 1924, was not informed before his dismissal of the charge brought against him and afforded an opportunity of answering it?

Mr. Cash was made aware of the charges brought against him and was given an opportunity of answering them at the inquiry conducted by an officer of the Department on the 25th October, 1923.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, as his Department insists that boys sitting for examination for Post Office appointments should not be more than 14½ years of age, he will raise the age limit so that boys leaving secondary school at 15 years of age will not be penalised to sit for Post Office examinations?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the class of boy messengers. It is necessary that boy messengers should be recruited at a comparatively early age in order to keep to a minimum the number of boys passing through this class and thus to ensure their absorption in adult situations by about the age of 19. It is found that candidates of a suitable type are forthcoming from the elementary schools. The question of raising the age limit has been considered from time to time, but, up to the present, it has not been found practicable to make any change. Boys with a secondary school education are eligible for a number of other situations in the Post Office and the Civil Service generally, for which the age limits are higher.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can expedite the Departmental arrangements necessary to give effect to the scheme of promotion recently agreed upon with the Union of Postal Sorters, so as to put the scheme into force at an early date?

I understand my hon. and learned Friend to refer to a scheme for the allocation of promotions to overseerships in London as between sorters and head postmen respectively, which has been under discussion with the staff associations concerned for some time past. Arrangements have now been made to put the scheme into force early in April.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present number of employés of the Post Office receiving, including bonuses and allowances, a salary of £800 per annum or over; and what was the number of employés receiving such a salary or over on 1st August, 1914?

The number of employés of the Post Office whose salaries, including bonus, amount to £800 per annum or over is 282, and the number receiving a salary of £800 or over on the 1st August, 1914, was 63.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the vouchers or cheques issued to Members for their salary or allowance contain a demand for a receipt stamp to be affixed, contrary to the Finance Act of 1924; and if he will take the necessary steps to put this matter right?

Any inconvenience which has been caused to Members in this connection is regretted. It is due to the fact that the Fees Office have been using, and will find it necessary for some time to use, old stocks of cheques printed before the provision of the Finance Act, 1924, became law. It has been arranged that for the future any reference to a receipt stamp shall be deleted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that in the recent case of the Crown v. Henning the Crown has undertaken to bear the costs of both sides, he will reconsider his decision in the case of Messrs. Pound and Taylor, of Melksham, on the 30th November, 1925, and allow costs incurred by them in preparing their case in support of their auditors' figures, which return was not accepted as a true return by Somerset House until about two days before the case was to be heard, at which time Messrs. Pound were advised that Somerset House had decided to accept Messrs. Pound's figures as a true return?

The two cases to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are not comparable. The costs in question in the case of Whelan v. Henning were those incurred in the Courts only; no such costs were incurred in the other case which was settled without even a formal hearing by the Income Tax Commissioners. On the question of costs in connection with appeals to the local or Special Commissioners of Income Tax, I would refer to the reply, which my right hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 30th November last. I have nothing to add to that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of affording a preferential reduction in the tax on beer which is brewed from home-grown malt and hops?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion with many others I have received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the revenue by the imposition of a tax on newspapers and magazines?

I suspect that my hon. Friend is inviting me to undertake labours which are beyond my strength.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, concurrently with the introduction of the proposed Electricity Bill, authorise the publication of the various Reports upon which the proposals in the Bill have been founded, together with the detailed estimates of cost as well as the anticipated savings to be effected under the proposals in the Bill; and, on account of the very extensive interests involved, will he agree, in view of the considerable time involved in the preparation of the proposed scheme, to allow at least one month for consideration of the Bill before the Second Reading?

I have arranged that the Report of the Committee, of which Lord Weir was Chairman, shall be available at the same time as the Bill is introduced. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 22nd February, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the sources from which the expenses of the Electricity Commissioners are met; whether there is any Annual Report as to the work of the Commissioners, and where it is available; and where information can be obtained as to the expenditure of the Commissioners?

The annual expenses of the Electricity Commissioners in accordance with an estimate requiring the prior approval of the Minister of Transport, are apportioned among joint electricity authorities and authorised undertakers in Great Britain. The Commissioners publish an annual Report of their proceedings under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, such Report being issued as a Stationery Office publication. The annual Report for 1924–25 was published in October, 1925. The Reports contain a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Commissioners as audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any in- formation from county councils or otherwise as to the number of bridges which, owing to increased road traffic, are either too restricted or, for other reasons, in need of whole or partial reconstruction; whether any estimate has been made as to the cost of the necessary works; whether he is taking action in regard to the matter, and, if so, what; and what is the total estimated expenditure on such work during the next financial year?

Exhaustive information of this character is not in my possession, nor have I the comprehensive estimates desired. I am, however, aiding numerous local authorities to reconstruct weak bridges, and 'expect to give similar assistance next year, though the amount to be allocated for that purpose cannot yet be determined.

asked the Minister of Transport what amount was advanced from the Road Fund in 1925 on new arterial roads, what amount on repairing Class I roads, what amount on Class II roads, and what amount on unclassified roads?

The following grants have been made from the Road Fund since 1st April, 1925: £ Maintenance and ordinary improvement of roads in Class I 8,385,375 Maintenance and ordinary improvement of roads in Class II 1,485,013 Widenings and other improvements on existing roads (both classified and unclassified) 6,169,925 New roads and new bridges (both classified and un classified) 933,108 £16,973,421 No grants have, during the period under review, been made towards the maintenance of unclassified roads. Any further dissection of the figures would involve a considerable expenditure of time and labour, and I trust, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press for it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the inconvenience suffered by travellers from Sydenham, Forest Hill, Honor Oak and Bromley, anything can be done to complete the electrification between the low level station at the Crystal Palace and London Bridge, definitely put in hand by the Brighton Railway Company before the War and now abandoned by the Southern Railway Company?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave last Tuesday to a question he asked on this subject, to which I have nothing to add.

also asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the condition of many of the local trains between Norwood Junction, the Crystal Palace and London Bridge, and that many of the doors cannot be opened, and passengers have been forced to travel beyond their destination; and whether he will make representations thereon to the Southern Railway?

I have communicated with the Southern Railway Company in regard to this matter, and am informed by them that special inquiries have been made at all stations between the points to which my hon. Friend refers, but that they have not been able to trace any complaints that passengers have been

Month. Gas Coke. Other Sorts of Coke. All Coke. 1924. 1925. 1924. 1925 1924. 1925. Quantity Exported. Quantity Exported. Average Declared Value per ton f.o.b. Quantity Exported. Quantity Exported. Average Declared Value per ton f.o.b. Quantity Exported. Quantity Exported. Average Declared Value per ton f.o.b. Tons. Tons. s. d. Tons. Tons. s. d. Tons. Tons. s. d. August 105,714 96,518 18 11 163,930 76,869 24 2 269,644 173,387 21 2 September 108,307 68,115 19 6 179,048 112,054 21 10 287,355 108,169 20 11 October 99,197 133,963 18 11 168,836 118,504 21 3 268,033 252,467 20 0 November 63,515 149,312 19 3 143,675 129,470 21 0 207,190 278,782 20 1 December 81,187 169,864 20 5 150,717 118,639 23 0 231,904 288,503 21 5 Total for five months. 457,920 617,772 19 5 806,206 555,536 22 1 1,264,126 1,173,308 20 8

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the tonnage and aggregate value of coal ex-ported in 1912 and 1913, and where was

over-carried because of inability to open carriage doors. Will the hon. Member supply me privately with the details of the case he has in mind?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken by the police authorities in the Metropolitan police district to increase the efficiency of the police private telephone system?

Minor adjustments are made from time to time, but I am not aware of any occasion for more radical alteration.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give figures showing the increased export trade of coke, if any, from the United Kingdom from August until December last compared with the corresponding period of 1924, and the fall in the market prices of coke for the export trade since August of last year?

The figures are as follow:

the coal consigned; and the tonnage, value, and destination for the years 1923 and 1924?

The figures are as follow:

Destination. 1912. 1913. 1923. 1924. Quantity of Coal Exported. Declared Value f.o.b. Quantity of Coal Exported. Declared Value f.o.b. Quantity of Coal Exported. Declared Value f.o.b. Quantity of Coal Exported. Declared Value f.o.b. Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Russia 4,046,644 2,629,594 5,988,434 4,336,582 476,205 694,542 37,650 47,226 Sweden 4,115,551 2,442,164 4,563,076 3,032,459 3,168,367 3,941,204 3,549,916 4,009,283 Norway 2,201,305 1,239,617 2,298,345 1,447,356 1,609,758 1,877,779 1,821,798 1,882,980 Denmark 2,780,957 1,639,606 3,034,240 1,990,740 3,170,169 3,797,390 3,551,091 3,915,490 Germany 8,394,864 4,385,001 8,952,328 5,327,733 14,806,232 18,816,054 6,824,071 7,287,021 Netherlands 2,096,494 1,163,762 2,018,401 1,260,863 6,794,346 7,943,292 2,743,903 2,986,305 Belgium 1,546,768 767,553 2,031,077 1,176,130 6,504,592 7,505,378 3,329,885 3,454,472 France 10,190,948 5,890,013 12,775,909 8,074,053 18,826,352 23,117,659 14,534,844 16,812,032 Portugal, Azores and Madiera. 1,255,417 838,858 1,356,081 1,004,434 834,982 1,102,594 986,387 1,184,722 Spain and Canaries 3,441,523 2,310,646 3,648,760 2,658,331 1,756,647 2,379,309 2,185,914 2,737,525 Italy 9,180,208 6,073,237 9,647,161 6,887,721 7,592,735 10,124,059 6,706,198 8,372,099 Austria-Hungary 728,941 423,276 1,056,634 724,237 — — — — Greece 610,383 394,723 727,899 540,875 463,070 670,830 641,716 807,859 Egypt 2,925,825 1,997,522 3,162,477 2,368,205 1,705,845 2,247,049 1,809,635 2,241,427 Algeria 1,054,786 630,281 1,281,664 873,190 1,060,180 1,328,955 1,244,423 1,411,833 United States of America 5,382 4,005 6,250 4,818 757,714 1,030,243 101,151 186,646 Chile 551,980 453,281 588,526 500,380 19,091 25,929 67,431 81,946 Brazil 1,625,780 1,322,914 1,886,871 1,681,475 1,151,629 1,515,428 798,298 993,514 Uruguay 870,313 706,664 723,936 616,413 404,894 579,405 419,982 534,029 Argentine Republic 3,365,099 2,638,333 3,693,572 3,090,000 2,461,074 3,415,158 3,115,880 4,097,578 Gibraltar 343,439 240,021 354,702 256,102 452,700 567,283 577,191 676,448 Malta 474,784 315,104 700,111 519,089 297,804 381,764 333,281 416,838 British India 134,514 99,649 179,192 146,696 84,745 110,857 100,776 128,768 Ceylon 242,111 191,822 239,657 203,384 168,837 232,624 169,759 227,986 Other Countries 2,260,379 1,696,628 2,474,815 2,005,986 3,405,976 4,448,931 3,528,237 4,355,924 Total 64,444,395 40,494,274 73,400,118 50,727,252 77,974,044 97,853,716 59,379,419 68,841,451

NOTE—Shipments to the Irish Free State ate excluded throughout the table.