asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British representative on the Straits Administrative Commission renders any reports regarding the activities of the Commission; and, if so, whether they will be published?

The British representative on the Straits Commission does not render any report to His Majesty's Government regarding the activities of the Commission, which, under Article 15 of the Straits Convention,"carries out its functions under the auspices of the League of Nations"and reports direct to the League. He collaborates, of course, in the preparation of the Commission's occasional reports to the League of Nations as well as of the Annual Report. The first of these Annual Reports has just been submitted to the League, and it is not yet possible to say what steps will be taken in regard to its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the annual subscription of His Majesty's Government to the League of Nations; what is the number of English subjects at present employed' at the League secretariat; and what control His Majesty's Government exercise in regard to the appointment or dismissal of the English members of the League staff?

The contribution payable by His Majesty's Government to the League of Nations (excluding the International Labour Organisation) for the year 1926 amounts to 1,772,303 gold francs, or approximately £70,000. I understand that on 1st December last. 140 British subjects, excluding the nationals of the self-governing Dominions and India, were employed in the secretariat of the League, and that there has been no appreciable change in this number since that date. All appointments and all terminations of appointments in the League secretariat are regularly submitted by the Secretary-General to the Council of the League on which His Majesty's Government are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any proposals for the postponement of the Preparatory Conference on Disarmament, fixed for 17th May in Geneva; and whether he is prepared, in order to remove any possibility of such postponement, to propose some other venue than Switzerland for this conference?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Have the Russian Government been invited to attend this Conference, and, if so, have they accepted the invitations?

They have been invited to attend and have declined to attend.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any information to the effect that certain smaller States in Europe are objecting to the Conference in view of the fact that Russia is not likely to be represented?

No, Sir.

Is it not possible, in view of the importance of this question, that something could be done to remove the disagreement which now exists, and bring this Conference to a successful conclusion?

The Conference will meet.

With all its representatives?

The Conference will meet. Russia has declined to attend it if it be held in Switzerland, and has declined, in terms which are not very courteous to the League or favourable to the objects which the League has in view. Every effort was made to obtain a settle- ment of the differences which had arisen between the Soviet Government and the Swiss Government in order to prevent this happening, but those efforts have failed. It is impossible that the League should transfer its seat from Switzerland at the bidding of any Power which happens at the moment to have a diplomatic difference with the Swiss Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of urging that meetings of the League of Nations Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference subsequent to the opening meeting shall be held in some town outside Switzerland in order that the collaboration of a Russian representative may be secured?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what agreement the International Labour Office at Geneva inquires into the arrangements made for emigrants by shipping companies, and so throws expense on British shipping companies; and whether he has consulted with the Board of Trade in this matter?

I have been asked to reply. The question of the simplification of the inspection of emigrants on board ship was included, by decision of the governing body of the International Labour Office, in the agenda for the eighth session of the International Labour Conference, which is to be held in Geneva at the end of next month. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as to the attitude to be adopted on this matter by the British Government delegates to the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has, within the last year, received any representations from British representatives regarding anti-British propaganda by Soviet agents in foreign countries, and, if so, what; and whether any diplomatic action has been taken in connection with any of such representations?

Yes, Sir; such reports have been received, but I cannot undertake to state their contents. The Soviet Government are well aware of the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards such propaganda and I have more than once spoken about it in general terms to the Soviet representative in this country. I have not thought that it would serve any useful purpose to go into particular cases.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable, in view of the disregard of the representations made to the Soviet representatives, to point out the very definite powers we have to terminate the trade agreement so that this detriment to British trade abroad may be stopped.

If I thought it advisable to make further representations than those I have made, I should have made them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very vicious anti-Soviet propaganda carried on in this country among his Tory friends, and will he undertake to give them a very generous measure of the Locarno spirit?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the group of Conservative Mem- bers of Parliament now visiting Russia bears any official or semi-official character; and whether any of its Members have been charged with any diplomatic or other inquiries by the Foreign Office?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the party of four Members of Parliament who left for Soviet Russia last week was entrusted by the Government with an official mission or was in any sense an official delegation?

The party bears no official or semi-official character; it neither was entrusted by His Majesty's Government with any official mission, nor is in any sense an official delegation; nor have any of its Members been charged with any diplomatic or other inquiries by the Foreign Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman nevertheless hear what these hon. Members have to say when they return, with a view to correcting some of his present impressions?

I shall wait until the hon. Members themselves ask me to see them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to state fully the circumstances under which the British schooner"Eastwood"was bombarded by the United States of America revenue cutter "Seneca"; whether the incident took place outside the 12-mile limit; and what representations have been made to the United States Government?

On 23rd February His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington requested the United States Government to institute inquiries into the circumstances attending the incident in which this Canadian vessel was involved. On 22nd March, at the request of the Canadian Government, Sir Esmé Howard communicated to the United States Government a protest by the owner of the vessel against the action of the United States revenue cutter, and a marine protest of the master and crew of the vessel, together with other relevant documents. In this second Note Sir Esmé Howard requested that he might be notified of the results of the investigations into the matter by the United States Government at the earliest possible moment. No report on the matter has so far been received from the United States Government, and I am therefore rot in a position to state fully the circumstances in which the"Eastwood"appears to have been bombarded, nor at what distance from the shore the incident took place.

Was the vessel hit?

I am afraid I cannot say, without notice, whether she was hit or not.

Will the circumstances be communicated to the House as soon as they are known?

When I am in fall possession of all the facts, I shall be glad to answer further questions. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will communicate with me as to when I shall be in a position to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any action has been taken by the Foreign Office in connection with the request for diplomatic action made to his Department by representatives of British bondholders who hold securities in connection with moneys lent to individual States which now form part of the United States of America?

The answer is in the negative. As the hon. Member is aware, from replies given to his prey ions questions, the matter of these debts is one that has been given careful consideration in the past, and I have recently been giving attention to it again.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what the terms are of the agreement to give the United States of America an extension of area to the Bahamas for the operation of their revenue cutters; and whether he has considered, or will consider, obtaining some concession in re- turn, such as better treatment for British immigrants at Ellis Island and other ports of entry to the United States of America?

There is no agreement with the United States Government to extend to Bahamas the area for the operation of their revenue cutters. The United States Government have, however, been informed that, on account of the difficulties in the way of giving notice, through the usual official channels, of the intended visits of the United States patrol vessels to Gun Cay and the adjacent islands, specified vessels may in future visit these waters without formal notice, provided that a call is first made at Bimini to notify the Bahaman Commissioner of their intentions. This purely administrative measure is a continuance of the policy embodied in the Convention respecting the Regulation of the Liquor Traffic, and is not in itself in the nature of a"concession"for which counter concessions could properly be demanded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature and quantity of arms and munitions supplied by Great Britain to the Shanghai Volunteer Corps; when the most recent supply was sent and of What it consisted; whether his attention has been drawn to the formation of a new organisation entitled the Temporary Reserve Unit of the Shanghai Municipal Police which is being given special training for use in the event of disorder arising out of strikes and whether he will state from whom the commandant of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps takes his instructions?

The following arms and ammunition have been supplied from this country since 1919:

• 1,800 rifles.
• 100 bayonets.
• 20 Lewis machine guns.
• 14 Vickers' machine guns.
• 10 barrels for Maxim machine guns.
• 60,000 rounds.303-inch ball.
• 15,000 rounds.455-inch revolver, ball.
• 600 grenades, rifle.
• 600 cartridges, illuminating, one-inch.

The most recent supply, consisting at 200 Short Lee-Enfield rifles, was sent in April, 1925.

For some years past a reserve unit has formed part of the Shanghai Municipal Police Force, but there is no information with regard to the formation of the new organisation to which the hon. Member refers. Under normal conditions the Commandant of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps takes his instructions from the Municipal Council of the International Settlement. In times of civil commotion, if circumstances necessitate the landing of Naval contingents for the protection of life and property, the senior naval officer then in port takes supreme command of all the defence forces, including the Volunteers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with the recent ratepayers' meeting at Shanghai, any steps were taken by His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai to support the recommendations of the Shanghai Municipal Council's commission on child labour and to secure the agreement of his colleagues, in accordance with the instructions suggested in his despatch of 24th February, 1925?

The reports of His Majesty's representatives in China on the recent meeting have not yet been received. In the meanwhile, I would refer the hon. Member to a, reply given to the hon. Member for Leicester West (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on 8th March last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all the men sent to Devonport from the closed dockyards of Rosyth and Pembroke are established men or whether it is contemplated sending any hired men?

With the exception of a few hired men who were transferred from southern yards to Rosyth during the War, all the men are established.

Are these hired men who have been transferred being given employment in every case?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what allowances are being paid to men sent to Devonport from Rosyth and Pembroke?

As the reply is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of men who have arrived in Devonport and Plymouth from the closed dockyards of Rosyth and Pembroke, respectively; how many more men may be expected to arrive; and on what approximate dates?

The numbers already arrived are 230 from Rosyth and 118 from Pembroke. The further numbers expected are 46 from Rosyth and 57 from Pembroke. The transfers will probably be completed by 30th September next.

Will all these men be found employment?

I should like notice of that, too.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it has been found possible to return those ships of war to their stations for the prevention of the slave traffic in the Red Sea or to replace the ships withdrawn from this duty on account of the disturbances in the Hedjaz by other suitable vessels; whether he is aware that boat cruising was found of value in the past for the suppression of this traffic; and whether boat cruising is still carried on?

His Majesty's ships in the Red Sea have now resumed their usual patrol duties. Boat cruising has been carried out in the past to a limited extent off the coast of British Somaliland to suppress illicit arms traffic, but it was not found to be of much value. The strong winds which prevail in the Red Sea render it necessary that patrol craft should be of considerable size and capable of steaming from 12 to 14 knots. The conditions are therefore not suitable for boat cruising, and it is not carried on.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that boat cruising was formerly carried out for extended periods with good results, and would he consider its reintroduction?

I have said it was carried on, but in larger vessels.

Was not the right hon. Gentleman referring to cruising for suppression of arms traffic, but was it not also successfully employed against slave traffic?

My answer covers both.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give an estimate of the number, if any, of ships of the Royal Navy normally employed in patrolling the main oceans which can be dispensed with owing to the services which can be rendered by the Air Force at its present strength by means of heavier-than-air craft operated from British territory?

It is not possible to dispense with the services of any of His Majesty's ships. I would point out that the area of the main oceans (excluding the Arctic and Antarctic regions and the Black, Baltic, White and North Seas) is roughly 129;600,000 square statute miles. Assuming the average radius of action of heavier-than-air craft to be 230 statute miles, the area inaccessible to such craft operated from all British territory, including small islands, is roughly 110,100,000 square statute miles, or 85·2 per cent. of the total area, and if 350 statute miles is taken as the radius, 99,000,000 square statute miles or 76·7 per cent. are inaccessible. My hon. Friend will also appreciate that, with the Air Force at its present strength, it would only be possible to patrol a small percentage of the areas accessible to heavier than air craft, bases would have to be formed before aircraft could operate, and all the territory referred to above would not be suitable for such bases. I would add that no allowance has been made in the above calculations for the existing limitations of aircraft during the dark hours or in bad weather.

rose—

This discussion on decimals must be adjourned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any statement on the subject of the engineer officers of the Royal Navy; and if he will consider their case anew?

I dealt with this matter very fully in the Debate on the Report stage of the Navy Estimates, and I have nothing to add to what I said then.

Does that mean that nothing is going to be done?

No, it does not mean that nothing is going to be done. I have already explained what has been done.

Before a final decision is arrived at, will the right hon. Gentleman give equal attention to the representations of engineer officers to that he has already given to those of the executive branch?

My hon. Friend has no authority for saying I have not considered both sides. I have. I am always ready to listen to any representations made by engineer officers, and perhaps the hot,. Member will tell me what power it is that they have lost which they enjoyed before the Fleet order to which reference is made was passed.

We have recently debated this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of relief work at present in course of construction under schemes sanctioned by the Unemployment Grants Committee; the amount of grants towards the same; and similar figures for a year ago?

I regret that I cannot give the figures asked for. Information is available only with regard to the gross estimated cost of schemes sanctioned during a given period and the number of men employed on a given date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the fact that a considerable number of jute workers in Dundee are now on short time and others likely to follow, he will reconsider the instruction contained in Circular L.E.C. 82/17, concerning benefit payable to persons working short time, as at present it would appear they are not entitled to extended benefit?

I am afraid I cannot see my way to alter this instruction, which is of general application. Claims from jute workers for extended benefit are dealt with by the local employment committee, who will no doubt pay due regard to the direction contained in the document referred to respecting cases where the withholding of benefit would lead to hardship.

Is it not the case that the nature of the instructions has led to somewhat anomalous decision by committees?

I am not personally aware of it, but if the hon. Member will contribute any of them to me I will consider them.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the amount of unemployment benefit paid in error during the last three financial years; what amount has been recovered and by what means such payments are recovered; and whether these over-payments were paid for days in advance of those signed for at the Employment Exchanges or for any other reason?

As the reply is necessarily somewhat long, and includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I should mention that I can only give figures for Insurance Years, July to July.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can furnish an estimate of the number of persons insured against unemployment on 31st March, 1926; and how many additional persons would be so insured if the scope of unemployment insurance were made the same as that of health insurance?

There were approximately 11,690,000 insured persons under the Unemployment Insurance Scheme on 31st March last. The second part of the question appears to be equivalent to asking how many persons are insured under the Health Insurance Scheme, and I suggest, therefore, that it should be addressed to the Ministry of Health.

Do the figures refer to Great Britain or to Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

I think it is Great Britain without Northern Ireland, but I will make sure.

also asked the Minister of Labour whether he can arrange, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, to obtain, for a few representative industrial areas, a statement showing, on a selected day, the number of unemployed persons in respect of whom poor relief is being granted, together with the number of such persons who are and are not in receipt of unemployment benefit and also the number in receipt of Poor Law relief but not of unemployment benefit who are included on the live register?

I have already arranged with my right hon. Friend for a return more or less on the lines which he indicates. I hope that the information will be available during May.

Will it be possible for the return to include the number of those who have been struck off the live register, and are now for the first time drawing relief from the guardians?

I will take that into consideration. The other points put to me depend a great deal on the way the figures are calculated by the two Departments concerned.

Will it also state how many are struck off in consequence of the extraordinary success of safeguarding in the last six months?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see whether it would be possible to include the number of those men who are ex-service men?

I do not think it is likely I can, but I will look into that.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who received unemployment benefit at the Blaina, Abertillery and Crumlin Employment Exchanges for the week ending 17th April, 1926, and the number receiving benefit at the same Exchanges on the corresponding week of 1925?

I am unable to state the number of persons in receipt of benefit, but at 12th April, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of persons with claims to benefit current were: Blaina, 417; Abertillery, 1,369; and Crumlin, 547. The corresponding figures at 13th April, 1925, were: Blaina, 2,111; Abertillery, 4,960; and Crumlin, 1,202.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of mine workers unemployed on 31st March, 1926, in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Notts and Derbyshire respectively?

At 22nd March, 1926, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of persons recorded as unemployed in the coal mining industry in the counties named in the question were: Lancashire, 11,408; Cheshire, 323; Yorkshire, 4,984; Notts, 889: Derbyshire, 821.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men and boys and the number of women and girls in Manchester for the month of December in each of the years 1923, 1924 and 1925?

The numbers of persons on the registers of Emnloyment Exchanges in the Manchester area were 16,254 at 17th December, 1923; 14,933 at 22nd December, 1924; and 13,949 at 21st December, 1925.

asked the Minister of Labour how many temporary clerks, who passed as writing assistants in the open competitive examination held in October, 1919, were employed in the Ministry of Labour on 1st January, 1926?

There was no open competitive examination for writing assistants held in October, 1919. There was such an examination in September, 1919, and a limited competition for the clerical class in October, as a result of which a certain number of writing assistants were appointed. If the hon. Member will communicate with me, stating more explicitly, the information he desires, I will endeavour to supply it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that some of the candidates who in October won in the examination for writing assistants have been employed for periods ranging from seven to ten years and yet no permanent employment has been guaranteed to them and they are being dismissed week by week one at a time?

I think the hon. Member is under a misconception. I think the reason is that the examination for writing assistants was in September and it was the examination for clerks that was in October, as the result of which a few persons who had not qualified for clerks were given posts as writing assistants. It is a little complicated, but if the hon. Member will have a word with me I will go into it.

Is it not a fact that there are women with five to 10 years' service who are being turned off and being substituted by young women of 18 years of age?

That is a perfectly general statement. I can only assure the hon. Member that every regard is being paid to the claims of all women. If he will tell me of any particular class specifically I will go into it. I think perhaps the point the hon. Member who put the question really refers to is that those who went in for the second examination for clerks and did not succeed as clerks and were offered posts as writing assistants did not wish to take posts as writing assistants definitely but remained on on a temporary basis. Perhaps some of those who remained on on a temporary basis may have left of their own volition.

I think a private conversation would save the time of the House.

also asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the objection against offering any class of permanent employment to temporary clerks who passed as writing assistants in the open competitive examination in 1919?

All the women who received offers of posts as writing assistants on their performance in the open competition held in 1919, and who accepted those offers have been appointed as writing assistants. Examinations for this grade have been held subsequently, at which temporary staff have been eligible to compete, and it is not possible to reopen the list resulting from the 1919 examination.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of those who did pass the first examination are still regarded as temporary clerks, they are not yet on permanent employment; and will he give the reason for objecting to giving them permanent employment?

I do not think the hon. Member's information is correct.

:It is perfectly correct.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number and description of lighter-than-air craft now in commission in the Royal Air Force?

Apart from a small kite balloon unit which is maintained for training purposes there are no lighter-than-air aircraft now actually in commission in the Royal Air Force, but the R.33 and R.36 are available for commissioning if required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it has been decided to give up the development of these small, lighter-than-air craft?

No decision has been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Mr. Brennan has received from the Government, in connection with the Brennan helicopter, any other sum beyond the £7,000 which represents the difference between the £40,000 spent on labour, material and establishment charges at the Royal Aircraft Factory, plus £7,000 for salaries of the design staff, these amounts making up the sum given as the total of the expenditure on the helicopter?

The total expenditure upon the helicopter was stated as £55,000 in my reply to my hon. Friend on 31st March, and I assume therefore that he is now referring to the balancing figure of £8,000, not £7,000 as stated in the question. This figure of £8,000 represents approximately Mr. Brennan's salary for the seven years of his employment and he received no further emoluments from the Government.

also asked whether the Brennan helicopter is still in the secret list; and, if not, whether photographs of it are available'?

The patents relating to the helicopter have hitherto been treated as secret, and photographs are not available for publication. The whole question is, however, now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether an application has been received from the Dartford Urban District Council for a loan of £164,610 for housing purposes; whether the application has been approved and forwarded to the Public Works Loan Commissioners; and, if so, when a decision will be reached on the matter?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, my right hon. Friend understands that the Public Works Loan Commissioners have informed the Council that the loan has been granted.

asked the Minister of Health the number of bricklayers employed in 1913–14 and the number employed at the present time; the output of bricks in this country in 1913–14; and the rate of annual output at the present time?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to a question addressed to my right hon. Friend by the hon. Member for Don Valley on the 22nd ultimo. As regards the second part of the question, the information which the hon. Member desires is contained, so far as it is available, in the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Don Valley on the 23rd ultimo.

Can the hon. Member say what steps the Ministry are taking to secure the dilution of the building industry so that these houses, which he stated yesterday were held up through the lack of labour, can be proceeded with?

A question of that kind must be put on the Paper.

Is there not a very large number of men in this country who are capable of working in the brickyards, and cannot the Ministry find employment for these men, while such great quantities of foreign bricks are coming in?

We are glad to see as many people as possible employed, but my hon. and gallant Friend will know that the Housing Act, 1924, specifically lays down that no restrictions are to be put upon the local authorities as far as orders for bricks are concerned. My right hon. Friend on more than one occasion has addressed communications to the local authorities asking that wherever possible they should give their orders to British firms.

Does not the reply referred to show that a larger number of bricks are being made than in 1914?

No, Sir. The question refers to the number of bricks produced. With regard to the number of bricks laid, that is a matter of considerable controversy, and I must not be taken as accepting what my hon. Friend says.

Arising out of the last reply but one, does the Minister not think that it is time the Act of 1924 was repealed?

Is the hon. Member aware that in regard to that Act certain sections of the Master Builders' Federation state that the Act works so well that the question of labour has been overcome, and they are satisfied?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Secretary for Mines the output of the collieries which come under the Kent Coal Company and which received a guarantee of £2,000,000 under the Trade Facilities Acts?

The company's plans include three collieries. One has not yet been begun; another, which is planned to produce a minimum of 750,000 tons per annum, is now being sunk and is expected to begin production on a commercial scale next year; the third has produced coal in the past, but is now undergoing further development and re-organisation to increase its capacity to about 500,000 tons per annum, and is expected to be ready to resume commercial operations in a few weeks' time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that is the total security for the £2,000,000 advance?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of the collieries referred to in the answer?

In regard to the first one I referred to, the site is not yet definitely determined. The second is Betteshanger, and the third is Snowdown. I assume that the security is commensurate, and a very considerable one in view of the reports as to the probable yield of coal in the district.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us of any mine in Kent that has yet returned a profit?

This is a new development, and with very great possibilities. Everyone knows that there have been failures in the past, but the problem has never been tackled in the way it is being tackled now.

Is it not a very delicate thing to lend £2,000,000 on such poor security?

That is a matter for the Committee.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines that have been re-opened in the County of Monmouth from the 1st August., 1925, to the l0th April, 1926?

Six mines, at present employing 2,942 wage-earners, have been re-opened in the County of Monmouth since 1st August, 1925. Nine mines, employing 1,299 wage-earners, have been closed in the same period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give any details of the Government's Central Land Bank?

Negotiations in regard to this matter are still proceeding, and in the circumstances I regret that I cannot give details of the proposed scheme.

When will the right hon. Gentleman have the details prepared?

Perhaps the hon Member is aware that many interests are involved.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say with whom he is negotiating—with what particular interests?

With the Bankers' Clearing House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the rentcharge per acre of Crown land let to smallholders direct, and the rentcharge per acre of similar kind of land let to smallholders by the county councils?

:The rent per acre of small holdings, whether let direct by the Crown or by county councils, varies so widely according to the quality of the land, the situation, and the equipment provided, that average figures for the whole country would be valueless. If the hon. Member has any particular district in mind and will communicate with me I will endeavour to furnish the information desired, but I must point out that the rental value of two small holdings, even in the same parish, must depend on the special circumstances of each, and any comparison would be misleading.