asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any figures giving the amount of capital embarked and the number of persons insured in the chief trades of the country; if so, can he give the figures; and, if the figures are not immediately available, whether they will be included in the Census of Production?

The Census of Production Acts included no provisions for securing information regarding the capital employed in the various industries of the country, and I am not aware of any source from which, in the absence of statutory powers of inquiry, the information on this head desired by my hon. and gallant Friend can be obtained. He is, doubtless, aware that the numbers of persons insured in the various trades are stated in each issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee appointed during the War to consider post-War conditions in the iron and steel industries of Great Britain; and, if so, whether he will indicate the measures to be adopted for the development of these industries in the future?

The Committee, to which the hon. Member refers, made 61 recommendations, some of which were of a temporary character, whilst others raised large questions of commercial policy which were entirely for the consideration of the trade itself. If the hon. Member will specify the particular recommendations which he has specially in mind, I shall be glad to see what information can be furnished.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, are being taken by the Government for dealing with the existing depression in the iron and steel industries in this country; and whether any consultation has been, or is being, arranged with the employers and workers engaged in those industries with regard to more efficient methods of production and distribution?

The Prime Minister made a statement on this matter, in answer to the hon. Member for Penrith (Mr. Dixey) on 24th February, and to that I have nothing to add. While I know the difficulties of the industry are very considerable, I am glad to observe that recent returns show an increase in production.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much of the money voted by this House for the purposes of the Empire Settlement Act of 1922 was expended during each of the years 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925?

The following statement shows the amount provided annually by Parliament for the purposes of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, with the net expenditure in each year:

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of the debt due by the Unemployment Insurance Fund to the Treasury on 31st December, 1925, and 31st March, 1926?

The amount of the debt due by the Unemployment Fund to the Treasury on 31st December, 1923, was£7,595,000, and on 31st March, 1926,£7,510,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether supplies of home-grown and Empire tobacco are on sale in all Army canteens?

Empire tobaccos are stocked in all canteens where there is a demand for them. I understand that manufacturers do not distinguish between home-grown and Empire-grown tobaccos, and it is therefore impossible to say how many of the 34 brands of Empire tobacco quoted in the Navy, Army and Air Force institute price list are home-grown.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the cost per head to the nation of keeping each officer, each non-commissioned officer, and each man in His Majesty's Army?

The cost of an officer, warrant officer, noncommissioned officer and man varies very considerably according to rank, arm of the Service and station. The hon. and gallant Member will find much relevant information in Appendices ii, vi, vii and viii of Army Estimates.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the estate of Eriboll has yet been exposed for sale; if so, whether it was sold or withdrawn; and, if withdrawn, what was the highest bid?

The estate of Eriboll was exposed for sale on the 31st March at the upset price of£12,000. No offer to purchase at that price was made, and the estate was not sold.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a superannuation scheme, contributory or otherwise, has been formulated for the men in the service of the Fishery Board for Scotland in accordance with the recommendations of Lord McKenzie's Report?

No, Sir; I regret that it has not been found possible, consistently with the general practice in comparable cases in the Government service, to formulate a scheme of pension benefits for the men on the Board's vessels. Arrangements have, however, been made under which these men have been made eligible for gratuities on lines generally similar to those applicable to unestablished Government employé s. An announcement on the subject has recently been issued to the men by the Fishery Board.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is yet in a position to state the Government's intention with regard to giving subsidies for the improvement or enlargement of existing houses in rural districts?

This matter is engaging the attention of the Government but no definite decision has yet been come to.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built in the area of each rural and urban authority in the administrative County of Leicester since 1918; how many in each case were built by the local authority; and how many by private enterprise, with and without subsidy?

The following table gives the information desired by the hon. Member:

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the circumstances attending the reduction of the old age pension to Mr. J. Hubbard, 169, Leyton Road, Stratford, No. 1,317, on the ground that he has been working for 10 weeks as watchman at£3 weekly; and whether he is aware that the West Ham Local Pensions Committee decided, after examination of the case on 31st March, that the man was still entitled to his full pension?

The question of the rate of pension to which Mr. Hubbard is entitled is now before my Department on an appeal made by the pension officer against the decision of the Local Pensions Committee and I will carefully inquire into the circumstances before giving my decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the dangerous condition of the road crossing Pevensey Marshes between Eastbourne and Bexhill; whether a grant has been made from the Road Fund for the reconstruction or repair of this road; and whether, in view of the volume of summer traffic on this road, ho will take steps to secure its repair at an early date?

I am aware of the condition of this road, a part of which has been classified Class 1, and grants have been made from the Road Fund for the repair of this length. The section between Eastbourne and Pevensey is not classified, but I am informed that the highway authority concerned is preparing an improvement scheme with a view to submitting an application for financial assistance from the Road Fund. A scheme has been submitted for improving the length in Bexhill, and this is now under consideration by my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the Electricity Commissioners to withhold permission to the Bristol Corporation for proceeding with their electrical station at Portishead until such time as the Electricity (Supply) Bill has been placed upon the Statute Book?

I understand that the Electricity Commissioners do not propose to come to a decision on this point until Parliament has considered the Bristol Corporation Bill, but it may not be necessary to defer the consideration of this matter as suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.