asked the hon. Member for Monmouth as representing the Forestry Commissioners what is the average percentage of merchantable timber found in a Corsican pine, and what is the tensile strength and average value per cubic foot?

The replies to these questions can be given on a comparative basis only, since well-grown Corsican pine has not been marketed to any great extent in this country. The form of the Corsican pine compares well with other conifers, and the proportion of sawn timber recovered from the log is high. No systematic tests have yet been made of the tensile strength, which is believed to be somewhat less than that of Scots pine. Arrangements have been made for appropriate tests, both commercial and in the laboratory, to be conducted. The intrinsic value per cubic foot is less than that of Scots pine, probable prices in both cases depending on cleanness of growth, accessibility to markets and other factors.

asked what number of Corsican pine trees have been planted, and the reason why this kind of tree has been selected?

It may serve the hon. Member's purpose to state that out of 54,396,000 conifers planted by the Forestry Commissioners during the last three years, 6,566,000, or 12 per cent., were Corsican pine. This tree is being planted chiefly on sandy soils where, judging from sample plots, arid also from observations in the field, it produces approximately 50 per cent. more timber than the Scots pine. It is important that the stock of growing coniferous timber should be renewed as quickly as possible, even though part of it may prove to be of average quality only.

asked how many years were necessary from the date of planting before the Corsican pine is ready for felling?

An average stand of Corsican pine will contain 85 tons of pitwood at 40 years, or 6,000 cubic feet of saw timber at 80 years, but thinnings for use as pitwood begin about the 25th year.

asked the acreage dealt with last year for re-afforestation, and the number of trees planted?

The total area planted by the Forestry Commissioners in the season 1924–25 was 14,959 acres, for which 24,360,000 trees were used. Of the area dealt with, 358 acres were by direct sowing.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of part-time employés employed by the Post Office; and if he will give the particulars for the largest grades?

The number of part-time employés in the Post Office in Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the 1st January, 1926, was 25,203, the largest grades being auxiliary postmen and postwomen and allowance deliverers 19,103, and telephonists 1,764. These figures do not include scale payment sub-postmasters.

asked the Postmaster-General the approximate number of scale payment sub-office assistants?

I regret that the information is not available, and could not be obtained without extensive inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any limited competitions are available for auxiliary sorters in the London postal service; and whether he will consider if it is possible to give these men an opportunity of qualification for full-time employment?

Under present Regulations, auxiliary sorters are not eligible to compete in the limited competitions for appointment as sorters in London. The question of an alteration of the Regulation is under consideration. It is open to eligible auxiliary sorters to register their names with the Employment Exchanges with a view to being considered for full-time employment on certain other classes of work.

asked the Postmaster-General how many years' service each of the 19 writing assistants in the London telephone service who have been marked A, or above average, has to her credit?

Of the writing assistants specified, one has had 14 complete years' service, two nine, two eight, five seven, one six, six five, one three and one two. These figures include se-vice in an unestablished capacity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of wireless and materials imported into this country during the past year from America, Germany, France and Holland, respectively; together with the amount of exports of broadcast sets and components from this country during the same period?

The following statement shows the imports and exports in the year 1925 of wireless instruments and apparatus and of wireless valves. The figures are provisional, and subject to possible amendment on final verification of the returns. Separate particulars are net available of the trade in wireless transmitting apparatus:

Branch of Trade, &c.	Telegraph and Telephone Instruments and Appartus: Wireless.	Wireless Valves.
	£	£
Total Imports	654,433	134,048
Of which consigned from—
United States	110,760	6,567
Germany	348,366	7,402
France	55,525	32,908
Netherlands	14,309	55,678
Switzerland	72,043	37
Total Exports of United Kingdom Manufacture	1,106,311	183,204

The above particulars exclude the imports and exports of batteries, accumulators, and other material, the ultimate use of which cannot be ascertained at the time of importation or exportation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether be is prepared to make further inquiries as to the adoption of underground hangars by foreign Powers; and whether he is prepared to obtain estimates for their construction at selected sites within the Empire, in view of the necessity to establish confidence as to ability to reply to aggression from the air?

So far as I am aware no foreign Powers have adopted underground hangars, presumably for the reason stated in the reply to my hon. Friend on 15th July last. That reply was based on the estimated cost of such a method of construction, and I do not think that further estimates are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that sheep worrying appears to be on the increase, and does he propose to take any action in the matter?

I am, of course, aware of the occurrence of cases of sheep worrying, but I am not satisfied that the number is on the increase. I am making certain inquiries with a view to considering whether any action on my part is called for.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the number of appointments to the clerical class, women, or to the earlier woman clerk class, by the following means, respectively, during each year from 1917 until now: promotion of writing assistants, promotion of members of the typing grades, by limited competition amongst temporary women clerks, by open corn-petitions, by Treasury selection of Post Office manipulative women's staff, and by limited competitions for Post Office manipulative staff?

Year.			Nomination.	Competition among Temporary Clerks.	Open Competition.	Post Offices Limited Competition.
			(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
1917	…	…	108	—	506	—
1918	…	…	77	—	421	—
1919	…	…	61	—	494	—
1920	…	…	71	866	246	—
1921	…	…	323	469	—	—
1922	…	…	123	416	26	30
1923	…	…	85	146	33	41
1924	…	…	117	1	—	12
1925	…	…	184	91	240	1
Total	…	…	1,149	1,989	1,966	84

The appointments by nomination were mainly promotions, but include some reinstatements and transfers. I am afraid that I could not divide the promotions between different grades over the whole period without a detailed

The number of women certified to the classes named since 1917 is as follows:scrutiny of individual papers. The number of Post Office manipulative staff (women) appointed to the clerical class by selection (who are included in the table) was 124.