asked the Minister of Labour the grounds on which unemployment benefit was refused Mr. J. Hanblyn, of 8, Stopford Road, S.E.17, Book No. Kew S 203943, especially in view of the fact that this man finished his period of service in the Army on 28th August, 1925, and has in total drawn 10 weeks' benefit; and will he personally review this case with a view to benefit being paid?

I am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that in reconstituting the local employment committee, in connection with the Clapham Junction Employment Exchange, he has replaced certain active and experienced members by new members, he will state the grounds on which he made his decision?

(for Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND): In reconstituting this committee, the Department made no selection of individuals. The action of the Department was confined to revising the list of organisations making nominations. The Minister is sorry if the result was to displace active and experienced members, but the primary consideration must be to have as representative, a list of organisations as is possible, consistently with the necessary limit of numbers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any figures he can give the House showing the number of British seamen, firemen, cooks and stewards at present unemployed?

The total number of seamen registered for unemployment benefit and reporting during last week at Mercantile Marine offices, in accordance with the arrangements made between the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade, was 10,794, of whom 2,217 belonged to the deck department, 5,006 to the engine room department and 3,571 to the catering department.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Departmental Committee for necessitous areas will be published and circulated to Members?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Tuesday last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson).

asked the Minister of Health whether the original objection by an officer of the Colonial Office to quotations being made from the evidence of witnesses before the Trevethin Committee has now been withdrawn; and whether this evidence is now available to the public for inspection, quotation, and publication?

I have no information that any such objection was made on the part of the Colonial Office. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health, if he will, before the approach of the ice cream season, consider the advisability of fixing by regulation a standard of cream allowable to be used in the manufacture of this commodity?

If the hon. Member has in mind a standard of quality, I have no power to fix such a standard, but if he refers to provisions for the prevention of contamination of cream used for making ice-cream, may I draw his attention to Section 72 of the Public Health Act, 1925, which gives local authorities wide powers in this respect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amounts that have been paid in subsidies in England, Scotland, and Wales since 1st January, 1919, to local authorities or to voluntary associations for public health services?

The total amount paid, out of moneys voted by Parliament, by the Ministry of Health or its predecessors from 1st January, 1919, to 31st March, 1926, by way of grants to local authorities or to voluntary associations for public health services is £17,516,000. Sums amounting to £767,000 were also paid under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1911, and Section 64 of the National Insurance Act, 1911. The total amount paid as Exchequer contributions to National Health Insurance Funds during the same period amounted to £44,879,000.In addition, sums estimated to amount to £2,500,000 out of the Exchequer Contribution Accounts (assigned revenues), under the Local Government Act, 1888, paid during the same period to the councils of administrative counties and county boroughs in England and Wales, were applied towards the salaries of medical officers of health and inspectors of nuisances (or sanitary inspectors) and fees to public vaccinators.As regards the particulars relating to Scotland, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposed treatment of encephalitis lethargica, suggested by a Greek medical man and offered to his Department for experimental purposes, was considered by the Departmental experts; and is he prepared to give the offer consideration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am advised that the offer might most suitably be made to the managers of the institution at which arrangements have been made for the treatment of young persons suffering from the after-effects of this disease.

asked the Minister of Health whether persons in excepted employment who become voluntary contributors to the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act before January, 1928, will receive the same benefits as persons not in excepted employment of the same ages who become voluntary contributors?

Both classes of contributors are in general in the same position so far as widows' and orphans' pensions are concerned, but in the case of persons retiring on superannuation allowance from certain excepted employments their rights to old age pensions under or by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act are governed by the provisions of Section 15 (7) (b) of the Act, as to which I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to questions on this subject on the 11th March.

asked the Attorney-General if it is now the settled practice of the advisers of the Crown to give to the subject the opportunity, by way of petition of right, to bring before the Law Courts of this country all claims made in good faith against vessels owned or operated by the State, and for the Crown to accept and carry out the decisions of such Courts on all such claims?

Proceedings by way of Petition of Right, broadly speaking, only lie in matters of contract. In those cases a suppliant, subject to

A.						Beer.	Wines.	Spirits.
						Gallons.	Gallons.
1922	Gross	…	…	…	…	143,546	23,740	36,524
	Per caput	…	…	…	…	·160	·0264	·0405
1923	Gross	…	…	…	…	164,935	25,685	30,207
	Per caput	…	…	…	…	·183	·0285	·0335
1924	Gross	…	…	…	…	149,767	18,463	23,960
	Per caput	…	…	…	…	·165	·024	·0265
The figures in respect of 1925 are not yet available.

B.—QUANTITY OF RUM PRODUCED IN JAMAICA.
1922	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	13,073 puncheons.
1923	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	7,500 puncheons.
1924	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	8,242 puncheons.
1925	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the gross and per capita consumption of beer, wine, and spirits in Jamaica for the financial years 1922 to 1925, inclusive; the quantity of rum produced in Jamaica during the same period, and the quantity of rum from Jamaica during the same period, with the countries of export?

The following figures represent the imports for home consumption of the articles specified. Information is not available regarding the quantities produced and consumed in the Colony:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the recommendation of the Government of India Amending Act, that 20 per cent. of the appointments of the Indian Civil Service should go to senior and competent officers of the provincial Civil Service, is being given effect to?

My Noble Friend has recently approved a proposal by the Government of India that promotions from the provincial Civil Services and appointments from the Bar in India to the Indian Civil Service should be increased in future so as to fill 20 per cent. of the superior posts in that Service from these sources. It will necessarily take time to work up to the full 20 per cent., but a start has been made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether British ships are blockading or have been used to blockade the Riff coast for any other purpose than that of preventing the traffic in arms with the Riff people?

The British ships referred to are not blockading the Riff coast, but are patrolling the waters of the Tangier International Zone, in conjunction with French and Spanish ships, in order to maintain the neutrality of that zone by preventing the import of arms and ammunition. They have definite instructions not to interfere with the import of Red Cross supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of fighting aeroplanes now possessed by the Army of Soviet Russia?

I regret that I have no official information which I can give my hon. Friend on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the condition of the Miles Platting town sub-post office; whether he is aware that the telegraph instrument there is in full view and hearing of the public, and that the private lockers of the staff are facing the public; whether the general fittings and accommodation have recently been inspected; why the necessary alterations have been suspended; and whether he is prepared to investigate the conditions regarding accommodation at this office and authorise improvements?

I am having inquiry made into the conditions at the Miles Platting Post Office, and will reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the many complaints existing with regard to the material now being used in the manufacture of messengers' uniforms; that the dye is not fast and, owing to this fact, the men's underclothing is badly stained; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into this matter with a view to employing better material in all future contracts for these uniforms?

I have been asked to reply. Complaints have occasionally been made with regard to the material used for these uniforms, but every care is taken to see that the proper standard is maintained and there is no foundation for the suggestion that the material is of inferior quality.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that for a distance of about two miles between the road to Cornaig and the north-east end of Gott Bay, in the island of Tiree, the road is in a condition of danger to both man and beast, being along the sand which the spring tides leave in a state of quicksand, wherein the local doctor's car and the horses and traps of others have sunk; and whether, there being three churches and one school at that end of the parisn as well as considerable other traffic, he will consider getting a proper road made, the crofters in the district all being willing to give the land free of charge for this public purpose?

I am aware that that the road taken by traffic proceeding to and from townships in the north-east of Tiree and the remainder of the island is, for part of the way, along the shore of Gott Bay. The question of constructing a new road is a matter for consideration by the district committee in the first instance.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the total amount of money already paid towards housing schemes of all kinds since 1st January, 1919, and the estimated capitalised value of the subsidies payable on all houses built, under construction, or authorised since that date?

The total amount of subsidy paid out of State funds as at 31st March, 1926, towards housing schemes of all kinds in Scotland since 1st January, 1919, is £4,733,948. I am not in a position to give an estimate of the capitalised value of State subsidies payable under the Housing Town Planning, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, or under Slum Clearance Schemes; but, taking the rate of interest at 41 per cent., the estimated capitalised value of State subsidies payable under Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924, in respect of houses built, under construction, and authorised as at 28th February last is £3,675,250. In addition

I.—IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Commodity and Country whence consigned.	1920.	1921.	1922.	1923.	1924.	1925.
Benzol—	Gallons.	Gallons.	Gallons.	Gallons.	Gallons.	Gallons.
From Germany	—	—	—	6	—	2,010,910
From Netherlands	—	—	—	180	102,844	253,746
From Belgium	—	942	—	—	114,277	163,714
From France	—	—	632,836	—	834,956	220,511
Toluol—
From Germany	—	560	—	—	11	—
From Netherlands	—	—	—	—	—	—
From Belgium	—	—	—	—	—	25,219
From France	—	—	—	—	—	25,219
Naphtha—
From Germany	—	—.	—	6,025	1,573	9,439
From Netherlands	—	—	5,960	—	—	—
From Belgium	—	—	—	—	—	—
From France	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tar oil, creosote oil and other heavy coal tar oils, etc.—
From Germany	—	1,448,107	10,000	281,671	1,145	2,919
From Netherlands	—	—	—	9,750	470	237,738
From Belgium	—	248,609	—	—	—	2,174,036
From France	75	37,802	80,000	540,670	346,474	—
Naphthalene—	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.
From Germany	647	271	1,682	4,205	243	8,281
From Netherlands	417	—	463	595	—	—
From Belgium	1,362	1,308	2,714	5,183	8,554	15,571
From France	98	202	—	13,024	1,944	—
Ammonia, anhydrous—
From Germany	31	68	354	263	195	658
From Netherlands	—	—	—	5	2	81
From Belgium	—	—	—	—	—	—
From France	—	409	775	958	530	979

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the United Kingdom imports from, and exports to, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and France, respectively, in the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925 of benzol, toluol, naphtha, naphthalene, tar oil, and ammonia, in gallons?

The following statement gives the desired information, as far as the particulars are available. From 1st April, 1923, the particulars exclude the direct imports into, and the direct exports (and re-exports) from, the Irish Free State, from and to the countries named:

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of agricultural land in the occupation of farmers occupying farms of over 300 acres in extent; what is the amount of agricultural land held by farmers who farm 150 acres or over; what is the number of farmers in each case; and will he give the figures for

—			Above 300 acres.		Above 150 acres.
			Number.	Acreage of crops and grass.	Number.	Acreage of crops and grass.
				Acres.		Acres.
England	…	…	12,535	5,796,951	45,050	12,630,486
England and Wales	…	…	12,861	5,921,076	48,342	13,341,609
Great Britain	…	…	15,328	7,007,405	57,793	15,876,513

NOTE.—The figures for England and Wales relate to 1924 and those for Scotland to 1925.

—			Above 300 acres.		Above 150 acres.
			Number.	Acreage of crops and grass.	Number.	Acreage of crops and grass.
				Acres.		Acres.
England	…	…	12,535	5,796,951	45,050	12,630,486
England and Wales	…	…	12,861	5,921,076	48,342	13,341,609
Great Britain	…	…	15,328	7,007,405	57,793	15,876,513
NOTE.—The figures for England and Wales relate to 1924 and those for Scotland to 1925.

The number of farmers occupying certain areas of land is not available, but the number of agricultural holdings of over 300 acres and over 150 acres respectively, with the area of such holdings, in England, England and Wales and Great Britain, is returned as follows:

asked the. Minister of Agriculture the numbers of farmers in this country farming 50, 100, 200 and 300 acres, or under, respectively; and, as regards farmers farming 50 acres or under, whether he can state how many of these have been placed On the land by county councils and in connection with any ex-service men's scheme?

No statistics are available of the number of -farmers farming holdings of different sizes, but the number of agricultural holdings of various sizes in England and Wales, as recorded in the Agricultural Returns for 1925, was as follows:

	No.
Above 1 and not exceeding 50 acres	264,787
Above 50 and not exceeding 100 acres	60,931
Above 100 and not exceeding 150 acres	31,875
Above 150 and not exceeding 300 acres	35,411
Above 300 acres	12,704

The figures for holdings not exceeding 50 acres include many residential properties and accommodation 'fields not occupied by smallholders. I am not satisfied that the Statistics relating to holdings below 20 acres are altogether reliable, as it is difficult to ensure that the occupiers of all these small areas make returns.The approximate number of holdings not exceeding 50 acres provided by county councils, county borough councils and the Ministry, and included in the above figures, is 30,200.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the number of men employed in the different sugar-beet factories for each of the last six months, and indicate the rates of payment they receive?

According to information received from the factory companies, the number of men employed in the nine factories operating last season was:

October	…	…	2,671
November	…	…	3,820
December	…	…	4,659
January	…	…	3,985
February	…	…	2,610
March	…	…	568

The highest number employed at a single factory in any one of these months was 960, and the lowest, 34.The rates of pay for non-skilled workers, which comprise between 80 and 90 per cent, of the total number of workers, vary from 10½,d. to 1s. 2¾d. per hour.