asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of men, women, and children, respectively, that were found employment through the Employment Exchanges between the dates of 3rd to 13th May, 1926; and in what trades or occupations situations were found for these persons;

(2) the number of situations that were found for any applicants at the Wal—worth (Borough) Exchange between the dates of 3rd to 13th May, 1926, and in -what trades or occupations were situations found for these persons?

Figures for the total number of persons placed in employment are only available for calendar weeks; those for the fortnight 3rd to 15th May will be ready in about a week's time. Occupational figures are only obtained for monthly periods.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give the House a guarantee that all the postal facilities which had been suspended during the strike have been restored; whether he is aware that there was no London collection last week-end (Saturday) after 6.30 p.m., and that the late fee Sunday arrangements for the provinces were suspended; and whether he is aware that, under the circumstances during the last week-end, it was impossible for anyone posting a letter after 6.30 p.m. on Saturday to have it delivered in many country districts within 30 miles of London before Tuesday morning?

All postal facilities have been restored, but there may be delay in delivery in some instances as a result of the restricted train services. The arrangements made last week-end were the best practicable in the general absence of normal train services on Sunday.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many miles were flown by aeroplanes in the Royal Air Force during the recent general strike; whether any accidents took place; and whether he can give an estimate of the weight of mails and goods and the number of passengers carried?

The answer to the first part of the question is, approximately, 80,000 miles; to the second, that two aircraft sustained damage in forced landings, the pilot of one being slightly injured; to the third, that approximately 45 tons of mails and goods were carried and also some passengers, the exact number not being yet known.

asked the Attorney-General whether it is proposed to take any action regarding the retention of their commissions as justices of the peace in those cases where, during the recent industrial dispute, justices of the peace have, either by word or deed, prevented or endeavoured to prevent any member of the public from doing his lawful ordinary work?

I understand from the Lord Chancellor that the action to be taken is receiving His Lordship's careful consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the composition of the Coal Advisory Committee; and whether it is this body as constituted which is to investigate the proposals put forward by the Government for the settlement of the coal mining dispute?

The Coal Advisory Committee referred to in paragraph 3 of the Government's proposals for the settlement of the Mining Dispute is the Committee constituted under Section 4 of the Mining Industry Act, 1920. Its present composition is as follows:

Chairman:

Sir Andrew Rae Duncan.

Representatives of Owners of Coal Mines:

Mr. Walter Hargreavee.

Mr. Montagu Francis Maclean, J.P.

Sir Adam Nimmo, K.B.E.

Mr. Evan Williams, J.P.

Representatives of Workers in or about Coal Mines:

Mr. Arthur J. Cook.

The Right Hon. Thomas Richards.

Mr. W. P. Richardson.

Mr. Herbert Smith.

Representatives of Employers in other Industries:

The Right Hon. Lord Kylsant, G.C.M.G.

Mr. Benjamin Talbot, J.P.

Mr. D. Milne Watson.

Representatives of Workers in other Industries:

Mr. Ben Tillett.

Mr. Ben Turner, J.P.

Mr. A. G. Walkden.

Representing Mining Engineers:

Colonel W. C. Blackett, C.B.E., J.P

Representatives of Agents or Managers or Under-Managers of Coal Mines holding First-class Certificates:

Mr. Frederick McAvoy.

Captain Percival Muschamp.

Representing Coal Exporters:

Mr. E. Franklin Thomas.

Representing Coal Factors and Merchants:

Mr. H. Cecil Rickett, O.B.E.

Representing those sections of commerce engaged otherwise than in the production or distribution of coal:

Sir Edwin Forsyth Stockton.

Representing Co-operative Traders:

Mr. A. E. Cockbaine.

Representing the Medical or other Sciences:

Sir John Cadman, K.C.M.G.

Dr. John Scott Haldane, F.R.S.

Dr. C. H. Lander.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men transferred from Rosyth and Pembroke to Devonport Dockyard have not yet received their allowances; and when they are likely to be paid?

All of these men who have rendered claims have either received the allowances due or, if they have applied, have received advances pending settlement, provided that their claims were prima facie genuine.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now say if the Government have determined on any policy with regard to the housing situation in Plymouth, as a result of the deputation from the Plymouth Town Council in March last, when it was suggested by the deputation that the Government should undertake the erection of the necessary houses or make a grant to the council of special financial assistance in order to enable them immediately to proceed with the erection of 300 houses of a special type which could be speedily completed for the housing of the transferred employés from Rosyth and Pembroke?

The matter referred to by the hon. Member is receiving my close attention, and I am at present in consultation with the Admiralty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that shipments of pig-iron from Middles-brough and surrounding districts have fallen from 1,340,092 tons in 1912 to 371,666 tons in 1925, whether he will offer some type of subsidy by way of tax relief, in view of the subsidy already paid, and still further contemplated, in respect to the mining industry?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take in assistance of the shipbuilding industry which, at the call of the war-time Government, extended and modernised shipyards and now, by reason of the shrinking of trade, is facing heavy financial commitments of local rates, national taxes, and of employés specially obtained and thereafter localised for national service in war time; and does he propose to assist as is done in the mining industry?

I am aware of the difficult position of the shipbuilding industry, but I do not think that action of the kind suggested in the last part of the question is desirable or practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the desire of the North-East Coast municipal electrical engineers that a tribunal be appointed to which large consumers of electrical current may appeal against high prices compulsorily applied to them?

I have not been able to identify the suggestion to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will furnish me with detailed particulars I will consider them.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of first-class certificates of proficiency in radio-telegraphy issued since 1st January, 1925?

Between the 1st of January, 1925, and the 15th of May, 1926, 430 first-class certificates were, issued.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the desirability in the public interest of making representations to the newspapers that the British Broadcasting, Company should be allowed to continue permanently to broadcast news bulletins at regular periods of the day somewhat on the lines initiated during the recent emergency; and whether he is aware of the value of such information to those of the public who are not within reach of the evening Press?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the. 19th May to a similar question by the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Duckworth).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a letter, dated 22nd January, 1926, was addressed by Mr. J. G. Gibbon of his Department to the secretary of the Association of Municipal Corporations with reference to the Union Inter-nationale des Villes, expressing the opinion that the Association of Municipal Corporations should join the Union Internationale, and if this was done with his authority; and whether the British Government has aided this Union Internationale with any funds?

I am aware of the letter, and it was written with my authority. I understand that the Association has decided to join the International Union of Towns for a trial period of three years. The Government has not aided this international body with funds.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mrs. Greenhalgh, of Winwich, Lancashire, made local application on 25th February for a widow's pension on behalf of her three children, aged 4, 8, and 14 years, respectively; that she was informed that the application, being in order, was forwarded to London for official sanction; that no answer has yet been received; and whether, if the application has miscarried, he will ensure that no financial loss will accrue to the widow arising from the delay in sanctioning the pension if it is granted?

A pension, with allowances for the three children has been awarded to Mrs. Greenhalgh, with effect from the 23rd of February, and full instructions as to the method of obtaining payment have been sent to her.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that an adopted child whose mother is dead, and whose father is unknown or cannot be traced. is not regarded as an orphan under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; that such a child is to all intents and purposes an orphan; and will he give consideration to this type of case to see if they can be made eligible for an orphan pension?

"Orphan" is denned in the Act as a child both of whose parents are dead, and in the circumstances legislation would be required before effect could be given to the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to issue a Report on the Second Valuation of the Assets and Liabilities of Approved Societies in one volume, on the lines of Command Paper 1662; and, if so, when such Report may be expected?

The Government Actuary is preparing the Report referred to in the question and hopes to issue it in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received representations from local authorities expressing the view that his Department should make the same contribution towards the cost of administration of the Tuberculosis Order of 1925 as it now makes in respect of compensation for slaughtering animals; and whether, since legislation is needed for the purpose, he will bring before the Government the urgent need for taking steps to submit such a Measure to the House?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. The Exchequer contribution already amounts to rather more than 50 per cent. of the total cost of carrying out the Tuberculosis Order, and I cannot therefore hold out any hope of fresh legislation to enable the Exchequer grant to be increased.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported since 1st May; and in which counties they have occurred?

Six cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed since 1st May, of which four have occurred in the East Riding of Yorkshire, one in Leicestershire and one in the Isle of Wight.

asked the Secretary of State for War why electric light was installed in Knightsbridge Barracks, and what was the total cost of the installation?

Electric light has been installed in Knightsbridge Barracks both in the interests of the troops and in order to obtain a saving of some £600 per annum in the cost of illuminant. The total cost of installation will be approximately £1,400.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to re-occupy Knightsbridge Barracks; and, if not, what action he proposes to take in regard to their disposal?

Knightsbridge Barracks are still required for military purposes for which no alternative accommodation is available. In the present circumstances, therefore, no steps can be taken to dispose of these barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of wages that are to be paid the different ranks or ratings of the new force of War Department constables to be employed at Woolwich, Waltham Abbey, Enfield Lock, and Woolwich Dockyard, in substitution of Metropolitan police now employed at the above ordnance factories and dockyard?

The weekly rates of wages which are applicable to all stations where War Department constables are or will be employed are as follow:

These rates carry in addition the Civil Service (cost of living) bonus and a free issue of uniform or an allowance in lieu is also given.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost of maintaining armies in the following countries for the years 1923, 1924, and 1925; Great Britain, including troops in the Middle East; France, including Colonial Budget; Japan; and the United States of America?

The figures are as follow:

The figures for Great Britain represent actual cash expenditure for the years 1923–24 and 1924–25, and estimated cash expenditure for 1925–26. The figures for France, Japan and the United States of America are the figures given in the Army Estimates of the respective countries and include the cost of the Air Forces of these countries, which form part of these armies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of deaths from cholera at Tuticorin during the month of March; and by whose authority was the pearl fishing continued following the outbreak after the collector suggested the closing down of the industry?

My Noble Friend has no information as regards the first part of the hon. Member's question. Public health in Madras is a transferred subject administered by the Governor, acting with Ministers. My Noble Friend has no reason to doubt that the Government of the Presidency will have taken such measures as the circumstances required.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements have been come to between the French and German Govern- ments for the opening up of a number of air lines over German territory, and permitting French commercial aeroplanes to fly over Germany; what is the position with regard to British commercial aeroplanes flying over German territory; and what is the position with regard to the proposed air line from London to Prague?

As regards the first part of the question, an Air Traffic Agreement has been drawn up and agreed to by representatives of France and Germany, but, so far as I am aware, has not been signed and will not come into force until it has been formally ratified. As regards the remaining parts of the question, the position remains as stated in my reply of 26th April, but negotiations for a British-German Air Traffic Agreement are now in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the representative of this country on the Committee on the composition of the Council of the League of Nations to urge that the Committee shall report sufficiently early to facilitate the admission of Germany to the League at the meeting of the Assembly in September next?

The Committee have already approved a provisional report which will come before the Council at its June session. As at present arranged the Committee will meet again on the 28th of June. The right hon. Gentleman may rest assured that His Majesty s Government will do everything in their power to facilitate the admission of Germany to the League in September next.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Committee on the composition of the League of Nations Council has held its meetings in public?

Yes. Sir. With one exception all the meetings of the Committee were held in public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the progress being made by the Committee on the composition of the League of Nations Council now sitting at Geneva?

The Committee approved provisionally a scheme relating to the number and method of selection of the non-permanent members of the Council. The question of permanent membership will be finally dealt with by the Committee at its meeting arranged for the 28th of June. I will present the text of the conclusions reached by the Committee in regard to the non-permanent members as a Command Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any workers in the sugar beet factories are regarded as skilled; and, if so, the number of such men employed permanently in the different sugar beet factories and in the refineries respectively of the country?

I have been asked to reply. The number of workers in recognised skilled trades employed permanently in the nine beet sugar factories operating last season was approximately 400. The number of skilled workers employed is British refineries is, I am informed, estimated at 1,934. The two figures are not strictly comparable, for in refineries a number of process workers are regarded as skilled, whereas in beet sugar factories such workers are generally regarded as non-skilled. As my hon. Friend is aware, five further beet sugar factories will be operating in the coming campaign.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the danger incurred by men engaged in tunnelling operations owing to the use of liquid oxygen as an explosive agency; whether any action can be taken with a view to securing the safety of men so employed; and will he consider the introduction of legislation to limit the use of this explosive?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject on the 26th April, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Clay Cross (Mr. Duncan).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury What are the special duties carried out by the ceremonial and reception secretary appointed to the Home Office, and by whom these duties were performed before this appointment was made?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on 15th April to the hon. and gallant Member for the Gains-borough Division (Captain Crookshank).