asked the Minister of Health what was the population of the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark at the last census; what was the estimated population at the last available date; and what is the number of families and population living in one-roomed and two-roomed homes in the borough?

The particulars asked for are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health how many meetings of the Committee on New Methods of House Construction have taken place during the past three months; how many new methods and materials in all have been referred to the Committee and whether further new methods are at present under examination by them?

The Committee on New Methods of House Construction finished its task and was dissolved last December, and there have, therefore, been no meetings during the last three months. I understand that, approximately, 400 methods or materials were submitted to the Committee; any further new methods are examined by my Department in the light of the experience gained by the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether tests have been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research into transmission of heat through a 9-inch solid brick wall. a 9-inch cavity wall, a hollow terracotta wall of a Weir bungalow, and the cast-iron wall of the type now being erected by the Derby Corporation; and what have been the results of these tests?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The results of tests made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research into the transmission of heat through a 9-inch solid brick wall, and a 9-inch cavity wall were published in Special Report No. 7 of the Building Research Board, issued in 1923, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The results are given in Table 3 (pages 20–21). The table also contains the results of tests on a 6-inch hollow terracotta wall. These tests were not carried out for Moseys. Weir. No tests have been made by the Department on cast-iron walls.

asked the Minister of Health on how many housing schemes of local authorities the system of shuttering invented by Mr. Bendall, to whom the Government awarded last year a prize of £250, has been adopted; and whether its use is being recommended in order to save skilled labour in the future?

I have no information in regard to the first part of my Noble Friend's question. As regards the last part of the question, the erection of houses by methods involving the use of shuttering which save skilled labour is being adopted to a considerable extent in various districts, I have no doubt that the building industry is fully familiar with the advantages of different systems of shuttering, and I do not think that I can give a special recommendation to any particular type.

asked the Minister of Health the number of pedigree dairy herds which are supplying certificated Grade A tuberculin tested milk at the present time; whether all animals in these herds have been tested for tuberculosis: and, if so, at what age calves have to be tested?

There are approximately 200 herds producing certified or Grade A (tuberculin tested) milk, but I have no information as to how many of these are pedigree herds. The cows in milk in these herds and all the animais which are in contact with them are required by the Milk (Special Designations) Order to be submitted to the tuberculin test. Calves are not usually kept in contact with these cows, and consequently there is no necessity for young stock to be tested until they are introduced for milking purposes. If in any case calves are kept in contact with the cows they must be tested at the tine of the general tests of the herd.

asked the Minister of Health under what Regulation retailers are being prosecuted for exposing for human consumption unsound meat after that meat has been passed by the inspector or sanitary officer of local authorities?

The statutory provisions under which a retailer may be prosecuted for exposing unsound meat for sale are Sections 116 and 117 of the Public Health Act, 1875, and for the Metropolitan area, Section 47 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. I may explain that previous inspection of meat by a local authority does not absolve the retailer from any liability which he incurs in exposing unsound meat for sale. If the hon. Member has any particular instance to bring to my notice, I shall, of course, be happy to inquire into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the notification to approved societies requiring a means test in all cases of persons in excepted employment entering after 45 years of age was preceded only by Memoranda 243/X and 291/X, November, 1925, which appeared in a very indefinite form; and whether, in view of the entry of these persons without knowledge of the conditions of entry, he will reconsider the position and withdraw the Regulation?

For the reasons given in my answers to questions on this subject on the 11th instant, I do not admit that the statement in the first part of the question correctly represents the position. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health under what conditions the widow of an unemployed man who had been out of work for two years, and who does not come under the Prolongation of Insurance Regulations, can secure her widow's pension?

:If the husband died on or after 4th January, 1926, and had since the time when he ceased work remained (except during sickness) available for but unable to obtain insurable employment, I am not aware of any reason why the Prolongation of Insurance Regulations should not be applicable. If the husband died before 4th January, 1926, the case will be governed by the provisions of Section 18 of the Act. If the hon. Member will give information with regard to any particular case she may have in mind I will look into it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Whitley system in the Civil Service was introduced on the express understanding that it was without prejudice to the ordinary methods of approach by associations to heads of Departments on the one hand and to the executive rights of heads of Departments on the other; that, in spite of this, the General Board of Control for Scotland has recently declined to discuss with the appropriate association a matter affecting the relative seniority of certain clerical officers, and that this is wholly discordant with service practice; and whether he will rake steps to ensure that the representations made shall be properly dealt with?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirma- tive. I am not aware, however, that it is in any way discordant with Civil Service practice that the General Board of Control for Scotland should have refused to discuss the relative seniority of certain clerical officers with an association which represents only one of the officers concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 20 highest posts in his Department are occupied by non-service men?

Seven out of the 20 most highly-paid posts in the Ministry are held by non-service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions the name, age, status, and salary in the Civil Service on the 1st August, 1914, or on later date of establishment, if established after that date, of each of the persons of the rank of principal clerk and above employed at the headquarters of his Department who did not serve with the forces during the War; and what are their present posts and salaries, including bonus?

I would refer the hon. Member to the information on this subject furnished in the list supplied on the 27th March, 1923, in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson). There has been no material alteration in the position since that date, except that two senior posts have been abolished and 48 medical officers, all of whom served with the forces during the War, have been appointed to the establishment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received representations, either from the staff or outside, in regard to the recent compulsory retirement of officers in his Department or in regard to new appointments; and, if so, and in view of the seriousness of the questions involved, is he willing to lay Papers before the House or submit the complaints to a Select Committee?

I have received some representations with regard to certain retirements on abolition, of office which will take place on the 31st of this month, and to certain promotions which took effect yesterday; but as the action taken involves no departure from recognised practice I see no occasion for adopting either of the courses suggested in the second part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the recent Report of the Council of British Ophthalmologists on the education of children suffering from defective vision due to myopia and other causes; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the recommendations contained therein?

I have seen the Report in question. Provision has already been made in various parts of the country for the education of partially-blind children on the general lines recommended in the Report, and I hope that this provision will be extended as circumstances permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the new amalgamation of German shipping lines trading between Hamburg and Antwerp and South America; whether he is aware that freight rates on iron and steel are to be reduced to about 50 per cent, below those from British ports; and what the relative rates are?

The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the point referred to by the hon. Member. I am informed that there is no new amalgamation of German shipping lines trading between Hamburg, Antwerp and South America, the rates charged being applicable to British as well as foreign lines trading from these ports. The present freight rates for iron and steel are 15s. per ton from Antwerp and Hamburg, and 27s. 6d. per ton from the United Kingdom. The reason for this disparity is that at present there is a freight rate war between the Conference lines and certain outside lines trading from Hamburg and Antwerp. I understand that normally, the policy of the British and foreign lines is to charge the same rates for United Kingdom as for Continental shipments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any reports as to the prospects of the Dominion wheat crops this year; and, if so, whether these are of a satisfactory nature or not?

I have been asked to reply. It is too early for any information to be available as to the prospects of the next wheat crops in the Dominions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any technical difficulty in the broadcasting of the Budget speech?

There is no technical difficulty in broadcasting speeches delivered from the Box on either side of the Table. The broadcasting of speeches from other parts of the House would probably present difficulties.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Legitimacy Bill is likely to be brought before the House this year?

:Yes, Sir. The Government desire, if possible, to pass the Bill into law this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the King's Regulations provide that no warrant officer, Class 1, under the age of 45 years, will be discharged from His Majesty's Forces without reference to the Army Council; that this has always been taken to imply that, provided a warrant officer is physically fit and recommended by his commanding officer, he may be permitted to remain in the Service until attaining that age; that, without any notification of any amendment of the above regulation, the system in force at the moment in the Royal Regiment of Artillery is that as soon as a warrant officer, Class 1, has served five years in that rank and also has;21 years' service, he will be discharged from His Majesty's Forces; why differentiation is made with regard to this particular regiment; and whether, seeing that some of the men in question refused commissions during the War with the hope of being promoted warrant officers, Class 1, for the express purpose of being allowed to remain in the Service until attaining the age of 45 years and thus being able to obtain a better pension, he will reconsider the position of these warrant officers?

:I am aware of the provision referred to in the first part of the question, but in view of the necessity of reducing the number of surplus warrant officers. Class 1, in the Royal Artillery, and of keeping a flow of promotion, it is not possible at present to retain all such warrant officers until they attain the age of 45 years. Special consideration is given to applications for continuance in the case of those who have been recommended for commissions as quartermasters or district officers. Royal Artillery, provided they are likely to be considered for such commissions within a reasonable period. I would point out that Article 995 of the Pay Warrant lays down that warrant officers, Class 1, with 21 years' qualifying service for pension, are liable to be discharged.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the workers' representatives serving upon the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange; the names of the trade union organisations or societies they represent, together with the names of the workers' representatives serving upon the local court of referees; and the trade union organisations thus represented?

:The following statement gives the information requested:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that under Section 21 of the Act of 1912, whereby the Midland Railway Company acquired the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway, the company is under an obligation to prepare forthwith a scheme for working traffic by electrical power by the direct route between Fenchurch Street and Southend; whether such scheme has been prepared; and, if not, whether he will take steps to cause the railway company to fulfil its statutory obligation?

I am aware of the provisions of the Section to which the hon. Member refers, but I do not think that it would be proper for me to express any opinion as to whether the railway company are, or are not, complying with them. I have no knowledge of any present intention on the part of the railway company to electrify this line.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the imports of live animals far food into this country in 1913 and in each of the years from 1921 to 1925, respectively?

:The following table shows the imports of live animals for food into Great Britain and the whole of Ireland for the undermentioned years:

—		Cattle.	Sheep.	Pigs.
1913*	…	14,743	501	—
1921	…	66,674	10,704	—
1922	…	49,557	—	—
1923	…	61,949	7,001	—
1924	…	78,584	4,250	—
1925†	…	112,024	—	—
*The figures for 1913 include a few animals for breeding, which were then not separately distinguished.
†The figures for 1925 are subject to slight amendment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received applications for credit facilities from any other coalfield besides Kent or for any by-product industry; and, if so, the names of the applicants, and the attitude taken towards their request?

:A considerable number of applications has been received by the Trade Facilities Advisory Committee for guarantees in favour of colliery and by-product schemes including colliery housing schemes. Obviously, I cannot give the names of unsuccessful applicants, as the applications were made in confidence. The following guarantees, already reported to Parliament, have been given:

	£
Stafford Coal and Iron Company, Ltd.	131,000
Stanton Ironworks Company, Ltd.	1,000,000
Pearson and Dorman Long, Ltd., Kent Coalfields	2,000,000

Year		Exemption Limit	Number of Individuals.
			Entirely relieved from tax by the operations of abatements and allowances.	Chargeable with tax.	Total
1914–15	…	£160	100,000	1,140,000	1,240,000
1924–25	…	£135 Assessable Income.	2,300,000	2,400,000	4,700,000

As regards Super-tax, the number of individuals charged to tax for the year 1914–15, when Super-tax was chargeable on incomes exceeding £3,000, was 30,211; for the year 1924–25, when Super-tax was chargeable on incomes exceeding £2,000, it is estimated that 90,000 individuals were liable.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give information showing Guarantees in connection with colliery housing schemes have been given in the following cases:

	£
Llantrisant and Rhymney Valley Housing Company, Ltd.	100,000
Butterley Housing Company, Ltd.	207,000
Upton Colliery Company	14,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of Income Tax payers for the years 1914 and 1924; and the number of Super-tax payers in the same years?

The estimated numbers of individuals with total incomes above the effective exemption limit of the Income Tax for the years in question are as follows:those European Governments that have abolished capital punishment; the ratio of capital offences to population in those countries for the years 1923–24; and the ratio of capital offences to population in Great Britain for the years 1923–24?

:I am unable to give the information referred to in the first and second parts of the question, and therefore the third part of the question does not appear to arise.