asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any further statement to make with regard to the proposed introduction of two-seater taximeter cabs on the London streets?

As the hon. and gallant Member will now be aware, I have already signed an Order to permit the introduction of two-seater cabs at a lower tariff.

Yes, I have seen the statement that there has been delay. Will the right hon. Gentleman give us some information about this alleged delay in putting these cabs on the street?

The next question deals with that point, and perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will wait for the reply.

May I ask whether the consent of the right hon. Gentleman is given subject to the condition that the two-seater cabs are in accordance with the requirements of Scotland Yard?

I am making a statement on that point on the next question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet given his approval to any design for a two-seater taxi-cab; and what is likely to be the approximate cost of building a taxi-cab in conformity with such design?

Approval so far has been given for two designs of two-seated taxi-cabs. In one of these cases, a cab has been submitted and, subject to rectification of certain points, it is practically ready for licensing, In the other case, drawings have been submitted and approved, and the vehicle, it is understood, is in the course of construction. I am not in a position to reply to the last part of the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the police regulations are not such as to make the cost of these cabs too high?

Yes, Sir. I am in a position to say that I have, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Police, reconsidered the whole of the existing regulations and specifications in regard to cabs, and it will be possible for a cheaper type of cab to be built and used under the new regulations now being issued.

Will the new regulations permit of a narrower wheel base?

Yes, Sir.

What right has the Department to fix the price of this service as against any other service performed by anybody else in the country?

I have the right.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any modifications in the design have been passed by Scotland Yard for the two-seater cabs, and does he contemplate any modifications on the present type of taxi-cab?

At present there has been no demand for any alteration in the design of the old existing taxicabs. As I have said, I have reconsidered, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Police, an adaptation of those specifications to the new type, and new regulations will be issued.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the appointment of a lady inspector to the post of deputy superintending inspector of factories for Birmingham and the district; and if in future, when making appointments to the post of deputy superintending inspectors of factories, he will consider the desirability of appointing a male inspector, preferably with actual experience of the most important industry in the district to which the appointment relates?

The appointment referred to was made by me after very careful consideration. I could rot agree to the suggestion that it is desirable that all the higher divisional posts should be filled by men. Under the present system of organisation, the women inspectors are placed on the same footing as the men, and it is both desirable and necessary that they should share in the higher appointments. If all that is suggested is that in making an appointment the fitness of the inspector should be considered in relation to the particular character of the division that is already the practice, and was observed in regard to the particular appointment in question. There are, however, various other considerations which have to be taken into account, and which, from the point of view of the general efficiency of the service, may be of equal or greater importance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that representations have been made by manufacturers that, owing to the peculiar nature of the trades carried on in these factories, it would be much more appropriate to have a man inspector rather than a woman inspector?

No, Sir. I have had no details as to the reasons why particular Birmingham factories require a man inspector rather than a woman, but if the hon. Member will let me have the reasons I will consider them,

asked the Home Secretary whether the appointment of an inspector under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, is a new office; what are the total annual emoluments from the position; and whether the appointment carries a pension?

No, Sir. The appointment was made to fill a vacancy caused by the retirement of the previous inspector, The total annual emoluments of the post, including Civil Service bonus, are £1,023 9s., and the appointment is pensionable.

Is the officer appointed to this position already a pensioned officer?

If the hon. and gallant Member will give me notice of that I will let him know.

Is the official a qualified veterinary surgeon?

That again, I must have notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of William Metson, who was sentenced on 25th March last at Greenwich Police Court to three months' imprisonment for stealing chocolate value ld. from an automatic machine; whether Metson had any previous convictions registered against him; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he can see his way to grant some remission of the sentence?

My attention had not been called to this case. I find on inquiry that Metson was convicted on two charges, relating to two different dates, and that, although he has no previous conviction recorded against him, the facts of the case are not such as to warrant my recommending interference with the sentence passed by the Court.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a Japanese student who was arrested for failing to register under the Aliens Act, and in whose possession was found a quantity of documents prohibited in this country, and also his credential from the Communist party in America transferring his membership to that party in Russia; that this student was sentenced to imprisonment and recommended for deportation; and that, on appeal, the Recorder of Liverpool, while upholding the conviction, substituted a fine for the sentence of imprisonment and cancelled the recommendation; and whether it is now proposed to take any steps to deport this student, who was proved to have gone straight to Communist headquarters in Liverpool upon landing?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the case of Kawashima, the circumstances of which are substantially as described in the question. I do not propose to allow this alien to remain in the United Kingdom, but in view of the action taken by the higher Court with reference to the recommendation for his deportation I have decided to afford him an opportunity of leaving the country under his own arrangements, which I am informed he proposes to do.

Do we understand that the mere fact that a foreigner belongs to the Communist party is a reason for deporting him?

Was it not definitely established that this Japanese did not belong to the Communist party?

No "mere fact" is taken as a cause for deportation. I have considered the whole facts of the case. With regard to the second question, it was not absolutely determined one way or the other. There was a good deal of information found in his possession, and it was believed that he was a member of the Communist party. At all events he is desirous of leaving the country.

If the right hon. Gentleman himself were arrested would there not be found in his possession quite a lot of Communist literature which would render him liable to the same thing?

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken to ensure that the list of insured persons in respect of whom a panel doctor receives the State grant is kept up to date and accurate; and whether there have been any, and, if so, how many, instances in which insured persons who have died or left this country, or ceased to be insured persons, have not been taken off the live registers of such doctors?

I regret that it is impossible to deal with the points raised by my hon. and gallant Friend within the limits of an answer to a question. I am, however, furnishing him with a note explaining the system adopted in the matter to which he refers, and I shall be happy to furnish any further information within my power should he desire it.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows who are now receiving the widows' pension; the number of children in respect of whom allowances are being paid; and the number of orphans who are benefiting under the Act?

On the latest figures available the number of widows in England, Wales and Scotland in receipt of pensions is 130,062, and the number of awards in respect of orphans is 8,495. In view of the continued heavy pressure of current pensions work, it has not been possible to extract the figures of the number of children's allowances included in the widows' pensions and of the number of orphans covered by the awards, but I will send to the hon. Member the particulars asked for when they are available.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether those figures are not very much less than the estimated figure when the Bill was being discussed in this House? Can he explain why the applications are fewer than the number anticipated?

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Health whether full instructions have been sent to Old Age Pensions Committees with regard to the operation of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; and, if not, whether he will take immediate steps to send to such committees all necessary instructions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 13th instant to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Peebles and Southern.

asked the Minister of Health whether the calculations which were being made last year to reduce within just limits the premiums collected from Post Office annuities reached a stage at which a percentage can be indicated for the arithmetical adjustment to modern conditions of tables previously adopted by the Government for the duration of life, for the risk of accident, and for health insurance; and can the amount be stated in regard to payments to be withheld under the Economy Bill of accumulations due to the use of tales over favourable to the funds taking the risks?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the Departmental Actuarial Committee to the Royal Commission in which he will see the views of the Actuaries with regard to the tables applicable to modern conditions.

asked the Minister of Health how many health authorities have appointed qualified whole-time meat inspectors; how many have appointed part-time qualified meat inspectors; and how many have attached the duty of meat inspection to officials not specifically qualified for the purpose?

I regret that I cannot give precise information on these points. Except in a few cases, where veterinary surgeons have been specially appointed for the purpose, meat inspection is usually performed by sanitary inspectors, and I am glad to say that the number of these officers who, in addition to the ordinary training in meat inspection, have obtained a special qualification in the subject, is rapidly increasing. In most of the principal boroughs and in many of the larger urban districts whole-time food inspectors possessing this qualification are employed.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is perfectly satisfied with the efficiency of the meat inspection throughout the municipalities?

I would not say that I am perfectly satisfied, but I am satisfied that the efficiency is rapidly increasing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the methods adopted by certain Customs officers at our ports result in keeping visitors from this country to the detriment of trade; and whether he will provide additional senior officers of experience to see that this work is carried out without unnecessary annoyance and delay?

I am not aware that the circumstances are as stated in the first part of the question. The inconvenience caused to travellers by Customs duties is certainly much less in this country than in any other. But if my hon. Friend will furnish me with details, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the recent decision in the House of Lords to the effect that the distribution of a company's reserves, or part thereof, is not subject to Super-tax, even if such distribution is in such form as to make it equivalent to a cash payment; if he is aware of the possibilities of Super-tax evasion opened up by this decision; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question raising a similar point asked by the hon. Member for Newcastle East on the 9th March. At the same time I would observe that in the case to which the hon. Member appears to refer the Shareholder had in fact no option to take a cash payment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as the law now stands, a company may make a bonus distribution of debentures to a Super-tax payer, and those debentures may afterwards be redeemed for cash, and no Super-tax is payable on them?

I hesitate to answer, without notice, questions which relate to interpretations of the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been received from the British Dyestuffs Corporation in compensation for the Government shares in that corporation which have been cancelled; and whether this capital sum has been treated as revenue for the current year or has been applied to the repayment of the National Debt?

The sum of £600,000 has been received from the corporation, and paid into the Exchequer as Miscellaneous Revenue in accordance with the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the arrears of Income Tax and of Super-tax outstanding on the 31st March, 1925, and on the 31st March, 1926?

The latest revised Estimates of the amounts of Income Tax and Super-tax due to be paid (namely, amounts in respect of which a demand for payment had been issued) but not paid at the 31st March, 1925, are as follow:

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication whether the amounts outstanding are being reduced?

I think that we are overtaking them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the sinking funds referred to in his last Budget speech, if he will state how far up to the 1st April has the contribution to the sinking funds been below the estimate; and whether he will give a pledge that sinking funds will not be added to by borrowing when money from annual taxation is not available?

My hon. Friend has not now long to wait for the Budget statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to give time to the consideration of the Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Bill, which has been introduced into another place during the present Session; and if he is aware of the urgency of this matter, both from the point of view of the health of the community and the losses caused by damage through the pollution of the atmosphere?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the importance of the subject, and hope that time will be found for passing this Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether service aircraft are provided with a system of mirrors to give all-round vision to the pilot and avoid collisions in the air by methods practised in the street; and, if not, whether steps will he taken to diminish the chances of loss of life of pilots by such like expedients becoming the rule?

The use of mirrors in service aircraft was investigated during the War and again last year, but it was found that the analogy of street traffic does not apply, owing to the much wider field of vision required if the pilot is to obtain any practical advantage. Such use is open to the objection that the pilot may he temporarily dazzled while flying away from the sun and that each mirror in itself constitutes a further blind spot.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the British trawlers "St. Amant" and "Thomas Hardy," of Hull, and one trawler from Grimsby, which are reported to have been arrested by a Danish war vessel while fishing off Iceland; and what steps he is taking to effect their release?

Yes, Sir. I am informed that these three vessels were arrested on the 9th of April and that the two former were released on the 11th of April. Immediately on receipt of this information my right hon. Friend sent telegraphic instructions to the British Consul at Reykjavik to furnish a full report on these cases, together with copies of the Court records.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the trawlers fishing off Iceland are being continually interfered with, and will he now consider making representations to the Icelandic authorities on this subject?

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is now making very full inquiries into the whole position.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make inquiries into the case of the steam trawler "Waldorf," of Grimsby, recently fined by the Icelandic authorities the sum of £318 in English currency, in addition to having her catch and gear, valued at £685, confiscated for the alleged offence of having her gear in very bad disorder whilst within the Icelandic territorial waters; and will he further obtain a full Report of the Court proceedings?

My right hon. Friend has already instructed the British Consul at Reykjavik to report fully on this case and to transmit a copy of the Court proceedings.

Will the hon. Gentleman allow me to see the Report when it arrives?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of bringing in legislation which will strengthen the powers of local authorities in rural areas and enable them to prevent the deposit of refuse and other offensive matter in public places and so maintain local amenities?

I am not satisfied, on present information, that further powers would be of any great practical advantage, but I am prepared to consider, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, any further evidence that may be brought to my notice.

(for Mr. EVERARD) asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new artificial silk companies have been formed, the amount of authorised capital subscribed, and the number of factories that have been erected or are in the course of erection since the Silk Duties were imposed?

Since the 1st July, 1925, 12 companies, with an issued capital of something over three millions sterling, have been registered, with the manufacture of artificial silk as the primary object. As I stated on Tuesday, 10 artificial silk factories have been started, of which five are in the experimental stage and five are producing; six others are expected to be started shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many additional people have been employed in these factories which have been started?

No, I cannot say that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any company negotiating with the Government regarding the Argyll Motor Works for a silk factory in Alexandria?

I think the hon. Gentleman should give notice of that, and will he put it to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury?

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman says that there are five additional factories now being negotiated, can he say if any of those additional factories are situated in Dumbartonshire?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me notice, I am sure I shall be able to answer him. Out of my head, I cannot.

In view of the Government commitments in regard to Dumbartonshire, would it not be well if the right hon. Gentleman made a pronouncement, seeing that at the recent by-election this was made a chief subject?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious housing shortage in Devonport and its vicinity, he can state what the intentions of his Department are with regard to the Ernesettle Camp?

The huts at Ernesettle Camp, which are at

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what type of training it is proposed to give short-service seamen in the St. Budeaux Camp, Devonport; and how long this training is to last?

The question of the use of St. Budeaux Camp for training of short service seamen is now under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what sort of training seamen get in this camp?

The question is under consideration. I am not sure present let to civilians, have been offered, with the land, on lease to the local authorities, but no reply has yet been received from them.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many single and married men, respectively, there is accommodation in Devonport under the War Office, specifying the barracks, etc.; and to what extent this accommodation is now in use under each of these heads?

As the answer is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider allowing this encampment to be used for housing purposes?

It is because I am considering it that the question cannot now he definitely answered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can now make any statement as to the decisions reached in the discussions between his Department and the Government of India on the subject of the promised passage concessions and educational facilities to the European foremen in the ordnance factories and arsenals of India; and whether he will take into consideration the anxiety of the members for a settlement, in view of the fact that they originally presented their requests through the proper channels two years ago?

The matter is still under consideration, but I am taking steps to expedite a decision, which I hope will be reached in the near future. I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as it is arrived at.

Is the Noble Lord aware that great hardship is being caused by this delay, that these European foremen are unable to obtain passages in India at short notice, and that unless it is definitely settled at an early date, the hardship will go on and will increase?

I am not prepared to admit that the delay could be avoided, but I recognise the facts brought to my notice by my hon. and gallant Friend, and my Noble Friend the Secretary of State is taking steps to expedite a decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will publish, in a White Paper or otherwise, details of the educational work now being done in each one of His Majesty's prisons; and whether he will see that, in the next Annual Report of the Prison Commissioners, special attention is paid to the value of educational work done in each prison?

I do not think any useful public purpose would be served by publishing as a White Paper details of the educational work of each prison. The subject was dealt with at reasonable length in the last Annual Report of the Prison Commissioners, and I should not feel justified in asking them to devote to it in their next Report the amount of space entailed by the hon. Member's suggestion. One has to have regard to economy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the educational progress?

I have personally investigated it myself, I have been to many prisons and seen the kind of education given, and very good work is certainly being done.