asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can give figures showing the rate of Indianisation of the railways in India?

I would refer the hon. Member to Chapter V of Volume I of the Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1924–5, which was placed in the Library of the House in January last. I have no later information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India are now in a position to issue the Report of the reforms inquiry of the Frontier Committee held three years ago?

The Report was issued on 25th March, 1924

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the revenue derived by the Government of India last year from opium?

Figures for the year 1924–25 are not yet available in this country. The gross revenue from opium of the Central and Provincial Governments in 1923–24 was £5,331,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the reason for the decrease in the number of letter-boxes, and of articles transmitted by post, in India in the year 1920–21 and the year 1924–25, respectively; and whether, in view of the public demand, the Government will reintroduce the quarter-anna postcard?

The numbers of letter-boxes and of articles transmitted by post in India were 50,022 and 1,389,377,482 respectively in 1920–21 and 49,959 and 1,244,425,235 in 1924–25. The decrease in the number of letter-boxes was no doubt due to the closing of some which it was found could be dispensed with, and it may be that the number of articles transmitted decreased somewhat owing to an increase in postal rates introduced in April, 1922. My Noble Friend is not prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Government of India, in dealing with postal rates and arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that £135,000 is to be spent in Kenya on the building of schools for white children; and whether, seeing that a considerable proportion of the taxation of the Colony falls upon the natives, it is intended to increase the amount of money spent on the education of native children to a corresponding extent?

The figure mentioned is included in the proposals for capital expenditure now under my consideration. It represents an annual charge on Kenya funds of, say, £8,000 a year, against which must be set increased receipts from boardng and tuition fees. As the annual vote for native education has just been increased by £10,000 a year, there is no apparent grievance. Increased facilities for native education are continually being considered by the local Government, and the matter will also be dealt with shortly by my Advisory Committee here.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what percentage of the total number of immigrants into Australia and Canada during the last three years were British; and how this compares with the percentage in the three years preceding the War?

According to returns supplied by the Dominion authorities, the percentage of British immigrants into Canada and Australia for 1911–1913 and for 1922–24 is as follows: Canada. Australia. 1911 … … 39.5 50.5 1912 … … 39.0 54.4 1913 … … 37.4 53.6 1922 … … 43.4 48.8 1923 … … 47.3 50.1 1924 … … 48.4 46.2 Figures for the year 1925 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs 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; what proportion this sum bears in each case to their total import and export trade and per capita of their population, respectively; and how these figures compare with Great Britain's contributions under these heads?

The contribution of the Dominions to naval defence takes the form of maintenance of their own naval forces and establishments by the Governments of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa.

The amounts provided in the Estimates of the undermentioned parts of the Empire for the year 1925–26 are as follow: United Kingdom, £60,500,000. Expenditure per head £1 6s. l0d. Population (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) 45,064,000 Total import and export trade, 1925 £2,250,355,544 Amount spent on naval defence for every £1,000 of total import and export trade £26 17s. 7d. Canada, $1,400,000. Expenditure per head $0.15 Population 9,364,200 Total import and export trade, 1925 $1,865,999,890 Amount spent on naval defence for every $1,000 of total import and export trade $0.75 Commonwealth of Australia, £3,921,145. Expenditure per head 13s. 2d. Population 5,929,288 Total import and export trade, 1925 £316,182,433 Amount spent on naval defence for every £1,000 of total import and export trade £12 8s. 2d.

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

New Zealand, £538,325. Expenditure per head 8s. 0d. Population 1,335,719 Total import and export trade, 1925 £107,718,679 Amount spent on naval defence for every £1,000 of total import and export trade £4 19s. 11d.

Union of South Africa, £139,893. Expenditure per head 1s. 9d. Population 1,610,774 Total import and export trade, 1925 £147,735,815 Amount spent on naval defence for every £1,000 of total import and export trade 18s. 11d.

NOTE.—The figures given above for import and export trade are preliminary totals only, and are subject to revision.

As regards the Irish Free State, I would refer the hon. Member to Article 6 of the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland (Cmd. 1560). Northern Ireland, being part of the United Kingdom, contributes to British naval expenditure in the same way as other parts.

As regards the Colonies and Protectorates, the contributions to Imperial defence made by the Governments of Hong Kong, Straits Settlements, Ceylon and Mauritius are paid, not to the Admiralty, but to the War Office.

Hong Kong has also provided in its Estimates for the year 1925–26, as a contribution towards the cost of the Singapore Base, £120,000.

This contribution represents in expenditure per head 3s. 0d. Population 799,500 Total import and export trade, 1924 £145,727,077

This contribution represents 165 per cent. of value of total import and export trade.

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the numbers of the staff employed in the Deptford Victualling Yard, the amount of goods handled, and the cost of maintenance?

The numbers of the staffs employed in Deptford Victualling Yard are 552, including Police Force. The amount of goods handled, valued at prime cost and excluding duty on dutiable goods, is, approximately, £1,100,000 per annum. This, roughly, is the value of the annual issues, and the stores are, of course, handled several times in the course of their receipt, examination, storage, issue, shipment, etc. In addition, there are the reserves of stock. The cost of maintenance (including wages, etc.) of staffs is, approximately, £117,000 per annum. In addition to the ordinary storekeeping work, there are the cooperage, chocolate mill, repairing shops and similar conversion services.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what pensions, if any, were granted to the 14 officers and men who were invalided out of the Service in 1923, 1924, and 1925, suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis attributable to the conditions of service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of to-day. In the seven attributable cases therein mentioned the Admiralty have awarded pensions as follows:

Officers: £232 10s. a year, including a disablement element of £100 a year, subject to review on the 31st March, 1926. £327 a year, including a disablement element of £100 a year, subject to review on the 13th November, 1926. £198 10s. a year service retired pay. The disablement addition in this case has not yet been awarded, but is under consideration.

Men: £125 1s. a year to 30th June, 1926.⋆ £101 9s. a year to 31st March, 1927.⋆

* Being subject in each case to further medical examination.

In the remaining two cases awards have presumably been made by the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has formed any opinion as to how the conditions of service have caused or contributed to the disease of pulmonary tuberculosis for which 14 officers and men were invalided out of the Service in the years 1923, 1924, and 1925, for conditions which have been decided as attributable to the Service; if pensions have been granted these officers and men on account of their disability; and, if not, what compensation has been given them?

I regret that on further investigation it is found that in seven cases only was the disease finally decided to be attributable to the service, and not 14 as implied by my reply of the 18th February (OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 2136). In five of these cases pension have been granted by the Admiralty. In the remaining two cases the disease was due to service in the War and the claims were accordingly dealt with by the Ministry of Pensions. The conditions of service causing the disease in these cases were: ( a ) Continuity of disease or allied diseases during service and aggravation by service in small craft. ( b ) Extraordinary exposure and hardship in submarine service. ( c ) Infection while nursing cases of pulmonary tuberculosis under exceptional exposure.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number and amount of claims made by farmers and stock breeders under the Training and Manœuvre Regulations, 1923, during last year's Army manœuvres, together with the amount, if any, claimed by local authorities in respect of damage to roads; and whether any outstanding claims yet remain?

There were 1,255 claims by farmers and stock breeders. The total amount of the claims cannot readily be given, but the amount paid in respect of them was £5,300. The amount claimed by local authorities for damage to roads was £1,344. There are no claims outstanding under these heads, although there are claims under other heads.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons employed in the Army stores at Deptford; the quantity of goods handled; and the cost of the same?

The answer to the first part of the question is 198 persons including four military officers and two other ranks. The tonnage handled in and out of the Depot in 1924–25 was 29,277 tons and the gross cost of the Depot was £52,406. Details of the cost of the Depot are given in the Army Annual Account, which will shortly be published.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many civilian clerical graded posts under the clerical reorganisation scheme as approved for out-station offices have been allotted to Army pay offices; and how many Grade I, II, and III posts have been allotted to each command, corps, and infantry pay office respectively?

The number of graded posts allotted to the civilian clerical personnel in Army Pay Offices is

Grades I and II … None Grade III … 66 The distribution of the 66 Grade III posts between the various Command and Regimental Pay Offices has not yet been decided, and, owing to the special requirements of the Pay Services, the initial distribution will not necessarily be permanent.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the clerical reorganisation scheme has not yet been applied to the research department, Woolwich; at what date does he anticipate the necessary action in this direction will be taken; whether the delay is attributable in any way to the anticipated Report of the Duckham Committee; and, if so, why a provisional establishment is not fixed for the interim period?

The scheme cannot be applied to the Research Department pending the fixing of a permanent establishment, which is dependent upon the Report of the Committee to which the hon. Member refers. I cannot yet say when the reorganisation will be carried out, but the seven established men, who alone would be affected by a provisional establishment, have agreed to await assimilation until the permanent establishment is fixed.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of the three recent appointments of higher executive officers in the Welsh Board of Health, the recommendations were first placed before the Promotion Board for consideration, or whether the recommendations were made direct by the Chairman of the Welsh Board of Health?

The recommendation in question was submitted by the Chairman and approved by me in the normal course.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of appointments to posts in the Welsh Board of Health, the rule of seniority is observed?

In the case of promotion in the Welsh Board of Health, as in all other parts of the Ministry, full weight is given to seniority, but the hon. and gallant Member will realise that this is not the only factor which has to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health whether, other qualifications being equal, a knowledge of the Welsh language is regarded as an essential qualification in the holders of executive offices in the Welsh Board of Health.

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

asked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the facts that, from 2nd July next, old age pensions will be granted under and by virtue of the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908 to 1924, and also under those Acts and by virtue of the Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and that the forms of claim for pensions of the first-mentioned class, from 2nd July next, and information with regard thereto are already available at post offices, he will expedite the issue to the postmasters of the necessary forms of claim, from 2nd July next, for old age pensions of the other class, and will arrange that the postmasters receive, simultaneously with the new forms, such instructions as will enable them to advise intending applicants as to the circumstances in which they should fill up each class of claim-form, including the circumstances in which they should fill up both forms?

The claim forms will be issued at an early date, and the necessary instructions will be given to postmasters before the forms are available to the public.

asked the Minister of Health the number of applications received from widows in the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and how many applications have been granted and how many refused?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Islington Board of Guardians, at their meeting on the 25th ultimo, passed a resolution calling attention to the inadequate provision made for widows and orphans under the Widows', Orphans, and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, necessitating the continuance of Poor Law relief in many cases to supplement the income of the family, and asking the Government to increase allowances under that Act; and whether he is prepared to initiate legislation to carry out the principle of the guardians' resolution?

I have received a copy of the resolution mentioned, but I cannot undertake to introduce legislation to the effect suggested.

asked the Minister of Health when the House will be in possession of the terms of the suggested purchase of the Bethlem Hospital site?

I understand that the promoters of the Bethlem Hospital Bill hope to make a statement on this subject when the Bill is before the House for Second Reading.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the question of introducing legislation to make relieving officers ineligible for election on any local body in the area in which they are so employed; and, if so, when he hopes to be able to take action in the matter?

I have this matter under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement in regard to it.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Royal Commission which has been dealing with local government are to continue their sittings until they have dealt with Poor Law administration and relevant subjects?

I understand that the Commission are holding a meeting to-morrow to consider their future procedure. The question of Poor Law administration is not within the scope of their terms of reference.

asked the Minister of Health if he will grant a Return showing the regulations in force in European countries in regard to methods of slaughtering animals for food and giving reports from His Majesty's Embassies and Legations in regard to their working?

I will consider the right hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of county boroughs and other authorities which have established municipal abattoirs with a monopoly of slaughtering in their area and without such a monopoly, respectively?

The number of local authorities in England and Wales which have established abattoirs is about 100, including the councils of about 40 county boroughs. I regret that I have no figures available as to the number of authorities which require all slaughtering to be carried out at municipal abattoirs.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses that have been erected by local authorities by direct labour for the years 1919 to 1925, inclusive; and the average cost of such houses as against similar types of houses erected by private contractors for the said local authorities?

Up to 1st March, 1926, 13,371 houses were completed by local authorities, in connection with direct labour schemes, under the Housing Acts, 1919–1924. I regret that I have no details of the final average costs of these houses which would enable me to make a comparison with the costs of houses built under contract.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes bringing in a Bill this Session enabling local authorities to re-plan existing areas in towns and urban districts?

This matter is under my consideration, though I cannot say whether it will be practicable to introduce a Measure this Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether, with reference to Form X 65 issued by him, he can explain why the employment of a pro- fessional cricketer or footballer comes within the category of employment by way of manual labour, whereas a golf professional does not come within that category?

I am advised that the difference rests upon decisions given in the Courts. If I might hazard a guess as to the distinction, I should say that the one case is that of a player, the other of a teacher.

asked the Minister of Health if the records of his Department show any cases where venereal disease was directly caused by vaccination; and, if so, what number of cases in 1923, 1924, and 1925, respectively?

There is no record in my Department of any such cases since the Vaccination Act of 1898 came into operation, and I am advised that the use of calf lymph, which became general after that Act, renders it impossible for venereal disease to be transmitted by vaccination.

asked (1) the Minister of Health if investigations have been or are being made into a disease called centicular degeneration; if he has evidence showing the connection between this and tilletia tritica or bunted wheat; and, if so, what steps are being taken to remedy the disease;

(2) the Minister of Agriculture if investigations have been or are being made into the existence of bunted wheat grown in Great Britain, in view of the connection which has been established between diseased food and cancer; and what percentage of cattle and pigs are suffering from tuberculosis and the effect on human beings who consume diseased meat?

Investigations have been carried out on the subject of bunt in wheat and an effective means of preventing the disease has been discovered. I am sending the hon. Member a leaflet prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries which gives particulars of the disease and of methods of prevention. The proportion of cattle found on slaughter to be tuberculous is estimated at about 20 to 30 per cent. The proportion in the case of swine is probably not more than 5 per cent. I am advised that human beings are liable to infection by tuberculosis from the consumption of tuberculous meat. I may add that no official investigations have been made by my Department into lenticular degeneration of the brain.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that during the years 1922, 1923, and 1924 the percentage of fatal cases of small-pox occurring amongst the unvaccinated patients was less than that of the vaccinated cases; and whether he will make a statement as to the attitude of his Department in view of the bearing of this circumstance on the claims made on behalf of vaccination as a mitigant of small-pox?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question, but reference to the reports of the chief medical officer of my Department for the years in question will show that, of the 16 fatal cases amongst vaccinated persons, only one was under the age of 35, while of the 22 fatal cases amongst unvaccinated persons, seven occurred in infants under one year of age and six in children between the ages of one and nine. I may add that, of the fatal cases amongst vaccinated persons, only one had been revaccinated and in this instance it was doubtful whether the case was one of small-pox. The remaining 15 cases had been vaccinated in infancy but had not been revaccinated. In my opinion, these figures indicate the importance both of infantile vaccination and of revaccination at appropriate ages.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the French Government has not made any payments to this country under the agreement for debt settlement tentatively arrived at last July and in view of the feeling in this country that the terms then offered to France by this country were too generous he will intimate to the French Government that such offer was only open to them for acceptance within a reasonable time and that it is now withdrawn?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given this afternoon to the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Snowden).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in negotiating debt settlements with foreign nations, he will consider the possibility of securing some modification of the tariffs raised against our imports as a set-off to any remissions of principal or interest to which he may accede in the settling of such debts?

My hon. and gallant Friend may be assured that in the negotiations to which he refers, due consideration will be given to all relevant factors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the funds of the national health insurance and the pension fund under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, are amalgamated; what is the amount of the surplus on national health insurance in the hand(c) of the Ministry of Health; and what is the probable charge on the Exchequer in respect of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act for the period ending the 31st March, 1926?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Under Sub-section (1) of Section 11 of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions' Act, 1925, a separate account for pensions is established. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to a question of the hon. Member for the Govan Division of Glasgow (Mr. Maclean) on the 8th February. As to the last part of the question there will be no charge on the Exchequer for the period ending the 31st March, 1926, the first payment under Sub-section (3) of Section 11 of the Act being for the year ending 31st March, 192V. The expenses of administration payable out of voted moneys will be recovered from the Pensions Account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount advanced up to date to Nigeria and the West African Frontier Force; whether it is possible to obtain repayment in instalments; and what is the estimated revenue of Nigeria?

The Grants-in-Aid to Nigeria, including the requirements of the West African Frontier Force in that dependency, were free grants and not loans. Neither capital nor interest can be claimed from the Nigerian Government. The revenue of Nigeria for 1926–26 was estimated at £6,404,701.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the grant of £1,000,000 which was voted by the House of Commons to assist in the marketing of Empire produce lapses at the end of the financial year if not used and is thereby surrendered to the Treasury?

This point will be dealt with in the statement which it is hoped to make shortly regarding the grant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts of interest and Sinking Fund payments in connection with the National Debt for each year from 1915–16 to 1925–26, inclusive?

I would refer the hon. Member to page 6 of the National Debt Return (House of Commons Paper 141 of 1925). The provision in the current financial year is £50,000,000 for Sinking Fund and £305,000,000 for interest and expenses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the Internal Debt of this country which is held by private individuals?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Home Secretary what is the present position of the discussions with the Channel Islands on the subject of a contribution to Imperial taxation; what offer, if any, has been received; and what reply His Majesty's Government have made to that offer?

The Report of the Committee of the Privy Council has been communicated to the Insular Legislatures. No further communication from them has vet been received.

asked the Home Secretary for what purpose two extra policemen have been put on duty at Freedom Street, Latchmere Estate, Battersea?

The precise manner in which the police of any district are employed must be subject to variation at the discretion of their officers, and I do not think it would be in the public interest for me to enter into details of this kind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of introducing the Factory Bill, with the Clauses relating to hours of labour left out, for the purpose of information and consideration, and to indicate the intentions of the Government?

As I have previously explained, the Government desire, if possible, to arrive first at an international understanding on the general question of hours of labour. For that and other reasons the Bill cannot be passed into law this Session. I propose, however, to meet what I understand to be the wish of many hon. Members by introducing the Bill for purposes of consultation and discussion later in the Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has taken any action to ensure increased facilities for absentee voters to record their votes; and, if not, when he will give effect to his undertaking on this subject?

Yes. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a Circular Letter which I addressed to registration officers on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a speech made at Barking, by a Mr. A. J. Cook, on 5th March; whether he has received any report of the proceedings at the meeting at which it was delivered; and whether, in view of the seditious nature of the speech in question, proceedings will be taken against the speaker?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called to reports of the proceedings at the meeting to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but I am advised that they do not disclose the need for any action on my part.

asked the Home Secretary the number of young persons (16 to 21) committed to prison within the last year for the first offence; and whether, seeing that such treatment with young offenders is detrimental to the moral influence for reform, he will consider legislation to remove youths from coming under the prison taint at so early an age?

Particulars are not available showing the number who were sent to prison for a first offence. Of 2,227 males and 193 females aged from 16 to 21 years who were received in prison during the year ending 31st March, 1925, 1,069 males and 102 females had not been previously convicted, although many of them had previously been dealt with under the Probation Act. As regards the latter part of the question, I must await the Report of the Committee upon the. Treatment of Young Offenders.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Cromwell Road is frequently used as a kind of motor racing track; and will he give orders to the police that the reasonable rights of residents there be protected against those who desire to test the speed of both motor cycles and motor cars along that thoroughfare?

The use of this road by drivers of motor cars and motor cycles is receiving the special attention of the police.

asked the Home Secretary how many motor omnibus licences were in force on the following dates: 31st December, 1921, 31st December, 1922, 31st December, 1923, 31st December, 1924, and 31st December, 1925?

The number of motor omnibus licences in force within the Metropolitan Police District on the dates shown are as follow: 31st December, 1921 … … 3,473 31st December,1922 … … 3,732 31st December, 1923 … … 5,117 31st December, 1924 … … 5,384 31st December, 1925 … … 5,478

asked the Minister of Transport the approximate total charges payable to his Department by a local authority in obtaining powers by means of a local Act to own and operate motor omnibuses, in the case of an unopposed Bill and in the case of a Bill which is opposed?

No charges are payable to my Department in either case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of financing all new arterial road schemes in future by issuing road bonds with interest and sinking fund guaranteed by the Road Fund; and whether he will allot the extra balance of £4,000,000 or £5,000,000 which would then accrue to the Road Fund to local authorities for the maintenance and repairs of their existing classified and unclassified roads?

The Road Fund is fully able to meet its liabilities from its revenues, and I should be strongly opposed to any proposal for financing its operations by fresh borrowing, which could not fail to have a prejudicial effect on our general financial position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the freight on German potatoes from a German port and delivered in Gloucester is less than 20s. per ton, whereas carriage on potatoes from Lincolnshire to Gloucester is about 32s. 6d. per ton; and will he consider whether in this and in similar cases some relief can be given to the farmer in the way of assisting him to market home produce more cheaply?

I have no precise information regarding the freight of 20s. per ton quoted, which is apparently merely a port-to-port water charge, and is not in any way comparable with railway rates. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the Railway Rates Tribunal was specially constituted by the Railway Act, 1921, to deal inter alia with applications for reductions in railway rates.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of using electric and other signs where there is one-way traffic?

The question of the erection of direction signs, capable of illumination at night, at one-way traffic streets, has been under consideration for some time, and arrangements are now in hand for the erection of such signs in Parliament Square, Long Acre, and elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the circular issued by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, dated the 27th February, in which it is indicated that a certain number of omnibuses operating within the Metro- politan police district are to be withdrawn; whether, in the event of it being found necessary to do this, a pro rata proportionate number of tramways will likewise be withdrawn from service; whether he is aware that in many cases omnibuses are owned by small proprietors, and if withdrawn from the district for which they have been licensed it would mean ruin to a number of small owners; and whether, in the circumstances, he will at once give instructions that no such Regulations shall be made?

I have given notice to the proprietors operating omnibus services upon certain tramway routes that on and from specified dates the number of journeys which may be made by omnibuses plying for hire over these routes will be limited under the provisions of Section 7 of the London Traffic Act, 1924. I have no power to limit the number of tramcar journeys. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, all tramway undertakings are worked under statutory authority. The London Traffic Advisory Committee have, with my approval, suggested to all the omnibus proprietors operating services in the Metropolitan police district that they should themselves set up a voluntary fund from which compensation could be paid in respect of omnibuses withdrawn from service in the area as a result of these restrictions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that a condition was attached to the licence granted to tramway undertakings requiring them to contribute to the cost of adapting, altering, or reconstructing any road over which they operate, it is intended to attach any such condition to licences granted to motor omnibus companies?

I am not aware that any such condition of the nature indicated is attached to licences issued in respect of tramcars, but in some cases obligations of a special character are imposed by local Acts authorising tramway undertakings. As the hon. Member is aware, the excise licence duties payable by motor omnibuses accrue to the Road Fund, and are in effect a contribution to the cost of road maintenance and improvement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the first interim Report of the Departmental Committee on the licensing and regulation of public service vehicles relates to all public service vehicles, or only to such vehicles as are owned by a company or an individual?

I think it is clear from the Report that the recommendations contained in it are intended to apply to all public service vehicles of the classes indicated, irrespective of the ownership of the vehicles.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amounts are contributed by each of the Dominions and India towards the upkeep of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

No contributions are made by the Dominions or India towards the upkeep of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Naval Officers—Executive Branch. — Rank. Afloat or in quarters ashore. On the lodging list. £ £ Age 29 … Lieut. … 414 plus single quarters, victualling, etc. … 550 Age 33 … Lieut.-Comdr. … 517 plus single quarters, victualling, etc. … 654 Age 38 … Lieut.-Comdr. … 587 plus single quarters, victualling, etc. … 724 … Comdr. … 690 plus single quarters, victualling, etc. … 827 Age 45 … Comdr. … 897 plus single quarters, victualling, etc. … 1,034 … Capt. … 1,122 plus single quarters, victualling, etc. … 1,279

In addition officers are eligible for certain duty allowances, e.g., command pay and specialists' allowances.

Army Officers—Normal Combatant rates. — Rank. In quarters. On the lodging list. £ £ Age 29 … Lieut. … 328 plus rations, single quarters, etc. … 409 Age 33 … Capt. … 441 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 611 Age 38 … Major … 581 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 751 Age 45 … Lieut.-Col. … 855 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 1,026

Officers under 30 years of age are not recognised as married for the purpose of the allowance Regulations. Officers of the technical arms (R.E., R.A.S.C., etc.) receive corps pay in addition;

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total average pay and allowances received by married officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the following ages, 29 years old, 33 years old, 38 years old, and 45 years old, giving the amount for each Service separately and not including staff pay?

Statistics of the actual average pay and allowances of officers in the three Services at different ages are not available, and a considerable amount of labour would be involved in their compilations. The annual emoluments for the various ranks which officers would ordinarily hold at the ages in question are as follow. Officers on the lodging list receive cash allowances in lieu of quarters, victualling or rations:

officers in command receive command pay; adjutants, etc., receive extra duty pay; furniture allowance, payable to married officers over 30, is included in the above figures.

Royal Air Force-General Duties Branch. — Rank. In quarters. On the lodging list. £ £ Age 29 … Flying Officer … 432 plus rations, single quarters, etc. … 540 … Flight Lieut. … 499 plus rations, single quarters, etc. … 625 Age 33 … Flight Lieut. … 499 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 669 … Sq. Leader … 587 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 757 Age 38 … Sq. Leader … 620 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 790 … Wing Comdr. … 690 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 860 Age 45 … Group Capt. … 1,001 plus rations, married quarters, etc. … 1,212

Certain wing commanders also receive command pay.

The above tables are prepared on the basis that officers are provided with servants. In certain cases cash allowances are paid in lieu, but, in the Navy, not below the rank of captain.

Reduced rates of pay have recently been introduced for Naval lieutenants, Army lieutenants and junior captains, and Air Force flying officers and flight lieutenants, but they are not yet effective at the ages in question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Committee of Investigation into the rates of pay of the medical services of the Navy and the Army and of the new medical service of the Air Force will be allowed to investigate the proposal for a unified medical service for all the fighting forces?

The Report of the Weir Committee of 1923 on the amalgamation of services common to the Navy, Army and Air Force, and the consequential conclusions of the Government as explained to the House on the 30th May, 1923, in answer to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain Benn), have been made available to the Committee. I am not in a position to anticipate the nature of the Committee's Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of the staff employed at the Air Force stores at Dept- ford; the amount of goods handled; and the cost of maintenance?

There is no Air Forcestore at Deptford.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the basis upon which pensions were granted to 16 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis on account of their disability who were invalided out of the service during the last three years?

Nine of the cases in question were considered directly attributable to the conditions of post-War service and pensions were accordingly granted under the Royal Air Force (post-War) Regulations; the degree of disablement at the date of invaliding was assessed at 100 per cent. in each case, but in view of improvement in the pensioner's condition, the assessment and consequently the pension have since been reduced in three of these cases. In the remaining seven cases, which were due to service in the Great War, pensions were granted under Great War warrants by the Ministry of Pensions and I am unaware of the basis upon which they were assessed.

asked the Minister of Pensions what arrangements are made for the payment of pensions to ex-service men when they have migrated, or are about to migrate, to the Dominions?

On intimation being given of an ex-service man's intention to emigrate to one of the British Dominions, the Ministry make all arrangements necessary to enable him to obtain payment of his pension through the Ministry representative in the place to which he is going. I may add that officers of my Department are sent out from time to time to see that these arrangements are working smoothly. Reports I have received are satisfactory, and I am glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the cordial help and co-operation which I have always received from the Dominion Governments.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the appointments to the Central Advisory Committee have yet been completed; who are the members; when the first meeting will be held; and what are the subjects that will be submitted to the committee for consideration?

All the appointments in question have not yet been made, but I hope the membership of the Committee will now be complete in a few days' time. In these circumstances, I am not yet in a position to answer the latter part of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that it is the practice of his Department to write tactless and unnecessarily curt communications to telephone subscribers, demanding the immediate payment of an overdue account without first finding out over the telephone if the subscriber is abroad; and whether he will give instructions for the more courteous treatment of subscribers?

A second and final application is made in cases where no reply is received after a reasonable period to the request for payment. Over three-quarters of a million accounts are dealt with each quarter, and it is impracticable to inquire as to the cause of non-payment in individual cases. Cases where subscribers notify their absence abroad receive special consideration. It was the practice at one time to communicate by telephone with subscribers whose accounts were overdue but complaints that such communications reached the ears of employés and others led to this procedure being abandoned. The phrasing of the final notice has been reviewed from time to time but experience shows that, unless a reminder intended to be final, carries unmistakeably that meaning upon it, it fails to achieve its purpose.

asked the Postmaster General whether the Government has yet come to any decision on the subject of taking over the British Broadcasting Company, in view of the objections felt by licence holders towards the proposed change to Government control?

The Broadcasting Committee's Report is at present under consideration, and I am not in a position to make any statement until a decision has been reached on the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Postmaster-General how many post offices in this country have been closed down in each of the last three years; in how many cases the postal services of two towns have been amalgamated; and in how many of the latter instances the postal designation has been altered?

The number of post offices in England and Wales closed during the three years in question was 57, 27 and 32, respectively. Information regarding the last part of the question is not readily available.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) the total number of secondary schools, the number of children attending secondary schools, the number of secondary school teachers, and the average number of children per class; (2) the total number of elementary school children, the number of elementary schools, the number of elementary school teachers, certificated and uncertificated, and the average number of children per class?

The figures are as follow:

— Secondary Schools on the Grant List 1st October, 1925. Public Elementary Schools England and Wales 31st March, 1925. Number of schools … … …1,297 20,734 Number of pupils on registers … … … 367,290 5,581,468 Number of full-time teachers … … … 19,069 — Certificated teachers … … … — 117,380 Uncertificated teachers … … … — 33,375 Supplementary teachers … … … — 9,977 Special subjects teachers … … … — 3,956 Other Adult teachers … … … — 574 Average number of pupils per class … … … 23.1 37.4* * The figure of 29.8 given in Debate on the 8th February last represented the proportion between the total number of children in average attendance (instead of "on the registers") and the total number of Certificated, Uncertificated, Supplementary and Special Subjects full-time Teachers employed in Public Elementary Schools and Centres maintained by Local Education Authorities on the 31st December, 1925, including those Head and Assistant Teachers who were not in charge of classes in Public Elementary Schools and Teachers of Special Subjects.

asked the President of the Board of Education the standard of superficial floor space, cubic air space, and area of playing fields required in the erection of elementary and secondary schools, respectively?

The Board consider the plans of local authorities on their merits, but, as regard floor space and cubic air space, the standards normally adopted in such plans for new schools and enlargements are as follow: Floor Cubic area. space. sq. ft. cub. ft. Elementary schools: Children up to 11 … 10 110–120 Children over 11 … 12 132–144 Secondary schools … 16 170–190 No particular area can be specified for playing fields, as the area depends upon the number of children likely to make use of the ground, which, in the case of elementary schools, may serve more than one school.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has yet obtained information as to the Lancashire Education Committee's refusal to proceed with the building of new schools at Accrington, Chadderton, Darwen, Stretford, Swinton, and Urmston; and whether they have stated the reason why those schools are now considered to be unnecessary?

No, Sir; I have received no communication which would suggest that the authority do not propose to proceed with these proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Education if any schemes of educational improvement, new buildings, or recreation grounds submitted by the Norwich Educational Authorities have been disallowed by him; and, if so, will he give particulars?

I am not aware that sanction has in recent months been refused by my Department to any such schemes submitted by the Norwich Authority. In fact, a number of proposals have been approved, including one involving the elimination of a black list school. As regards the acquisition of playing fields and the replacement of the Girls' Secondary School, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given by me on the 4th March to the hon. Members for Shipley (Mr. Mackinder) and West Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence), copies of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for ex- tended benefit which have been rejected by the Employment Exchange, Ripley, Derbyshire, during the 12 months ending 27th February?

Separate figures are not available for Ripley, which is covered by the local Employment Committee at Sutton-in-Ashfield. During the period, 10th February, 1925, to 8th February, 1926, 2,400 applications for extended benefit were recommended for allowance and 680 for disallowance by that committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that within a radius of 12 miles there are eight brickfields closed down in East Suffolk; and whether, in view of the existence of unemployment in this district and the insufficiency of home-produced bricks to meet the demand, he will take any steps to assist the re-opening of these brickfields?

I am not aware of the brickfields which the hon. Member has in mind or of the circumstances in which they have closed, but no

(1) Imports of Pitprops and Pitwood—by Districts. Year. Quantities imported into Declared values thereof Ports in South Wales and Monmouthshire* Ports on N.E. Coast of England.† All ports in United Kingdom. Ports in South Wales and Monmouthshire.* Ports on N.E. Coast of England.† All ports in United Loads. Loads. Loads. £ £ £ 1913 … 1,716,647 753,393 3,451,328 1,790,917 1,102,071 4,445,066 1914 … Information not available from published returns. 2,476,854 Information not available from published returns. 3,259,346 1915 … 2,168,631 4,786,361 1916 … 2,021,282 6,878,106 1917 … 996,148 4,254,452 1918 … 703,010 2,947,994 1919 … 868,068 373,693 1,451,733 2,827,724 2,807,698 7,307,939 1920 … 1,112,240 507,451 2,003,937 3,347,311 3,457,603 9,369,122 1921 … 822,455 249,372 1,296,925 1,442 422 934,412 3,224,152 1922 … 1,549,792 665,705 2,811,876 2,309,276 1,741,981 5,486,308 1923‡ … 1,917,841 850,267 3,675,120 2,747,850 2,557,612 7,679,764 1924 … 1,652,185 689,349 3,004,269 2,188,214 1,917,467 5,911,646 1925 … 1,351,891 646,475 2,503,142 1,871,046 1,500,955 4,595,327 * Includes Cardiff, Newport, Port Talbot and Swansea. † Includes Blyth (and Amble), Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and North and South Shields, Sunderland and Seaham. ‡ Direct imports into the Irish Free State from countries outside the British Isles have been excluded since 1st April, 1923. From the same date imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State have been included.

shortage of bricks in this area has been brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give returns showing the total quantity and value of mining timber imported from each foreign country and the Colonies into South Wales and Monmouthshire, the North-East Coast districts, and the United Kingdom as a whole for each year from 1913 to 1925, inclusive?

Particulars respecting the countries of consignment of imports are normally available only for the United Kingdom as a whole, and I do not think the cost of specially preparing such statistics by districts for the long period covered by the answer would be justified.

The following statement shows the quantity and value of pit props or pit wood imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years specified, distinguishing (1) the imports into ports ( a ) in South Wales and Monmouth, and ( b ) on the North-East Coast of England, and (2) the principal countries whence these imports were consigned:

(2) Imports of Pitprops and Pitwood into the United Kingdom as a whole by Principal Countries of Consignment. — Russia. Esthonia. Latvia Finland. Sweden. Norway France, Portugal. New-found-land. Other countries. Quantities consigned therefrom. 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads. 1913 … 1,539 360 115 984 316 — 137 1914 … 737 306 134 886 293 6 115 1915 … 61 382 321 793 375 86 151 1916 … 97 Included with Russia in these years separate particulars not available 272 320 684 401 81 166 1917 … 55 76 81 706 75 — 3 1918 … 7 55 33 608 — — — 1919 … 276 245 143 681 41 — 66 1920 … 440 293 145 1,004 22 — 100 1921 … — 9 39 171 149 108 782 7 8 24 1922 … 3 45 141 569 365 179 1,242 168 41 59 1923* … 74 69 152 717 585 169 1,566 123 140 80 1924 … 175 71 72 554 329 133 1,359 101 101 109 1925 … 134 51 48 554 284 95 1,235 6 43 73 Declared Values thereof. 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. £'s. 1913 … 2,415 558 201 839 278 — 154 1914 … 1,171 576 297 808 267 16 124 1915 … 267 1,238 1,137 1,041 539 316 248 1916 … 569 Included with Russia in these years: separate particulars not available. 1,549 1,829 1,302 751 486 392 1917 … 512 805 900 1,826 198 — 13 1918 … 33 831 508 1,576 — — — 1919 … 2,057 1,952 1,090 1,747 105 — 357 1920 … 2,739 2,117 1,021 2,823 66 — 603 1921 … — 22 158 517 656 432 1,285 10 28 116 1922 … 10 112 354 1,329 1,012 473 1,715 227 107 147 1923* … 197 177 389 1,928 1,766 505 1,950 150 407 211 1924 … 465 192 181 1,458 958 356 1,643 117 275 267 1925 … 333 109 112 1,261 698 232 1,551 7 124 168 * Direct Imports into the Irish Free State from countries outside the British Isles have been excluded since 1st April, 1923. From the same date imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State have been included.

asked the Prime Minister in view of the interest manifested in the Electricity (Supply) Bill, whether he will see that ample time is given for discussion even if it should involve some curtailment of the holidays of this House?

The Government hope to secure a Second Reading of this Bill before Easter in order that the fullest possible time may be available for its discussion during subsequent stages.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and value of wheat offal exported from this country during recent years?

The following statement gives the published information regarding exports of the goods in question, declared as of United Kingdom production:

Year Quantities. Values. Bran and Pollard. Sharps and Middlings. Bran and Pollard. Sharps and Middlings. Tons. Tons. £ £ 1921 59,093 746 439,339 8,557 1922 60,873 578 439,148 5,752 1923 43,804 2,962 315,967 27,385 1924 63,206 6,130 520,262 60,414 1925 62,812 3,664 496,927 36,531