asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress has been made in the arrangements to give effect to the Admiralty policy promulgated in Admiralty Weekly Orders 2,157/1920, 3,333/1922 and 3,334/1922, in the transfer of electrical duties to the engineering branch, and in the transfer to the engineering branch of the maintenance and upkeep of engineering appliances, other than electrical, which are necessitated by the complex machinery and weapons of modern war?

Since the Orders quoted were issued, further consideration has been given to the question whether, instead of electrical engineering duties being carried out by engineer officers, as proposed, it would not be better to form a separate body of officers, to be employed solely on those duties. I regret, however, that it is not possible to make any definite statement on the subject at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the sugar-beet production in tone per acre for 1913–14 from Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Spain; and if he can give the corresponding figures for 1925–26 or 1924–25, including in the latter cases the figures for British production?

The production of sugar-beet, based on the figures for 1913–14 and 1924–25, published in the Statistical Yearbooks of the International Institute of Agriculture, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can state the number of aeroplanes and personnel employed in the distribution of newspapers during the general strike, together with information as to the amount of mails conveyed by aeroplanes during the same period?

The number of Royal Air Force aeroplanes used each day for the distribution of newspapers ranged from five to 15, the daily average being eight, and approximately 18 officers and 70 airmen were engaged regularly or intermittently on work connected with the distribution. 785 mail bags were also carried; the weight is not accurately known. The total number of civil machines employed in newspaper distribution was 37, with approximately 45 pilots; the weight of mails carried was 2,611 lb.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many men are enlisted in His Majesty's Air Force on an average during each month; and how many at each of the recruiting stations?

As regards the first part of the question, the number of recruits whom it is expected to enlist during 1926–27 will represent an average of 62 recruits a month. As regards the second part, all recruiting work, except for aircraft apprentices, who are entered by examination, is carried out by the London Recruiting Depot, assisted by a small sub-depot, with a staff of two, at Newcastle. The majority of the recruits are obtained as a result of correspondence, only the most suitable applicants being called to London for interview, trade test and attestation.

asked the Secretary for Mines if any restrictions have been placed on the supply of imported coal for household use as to quantity allowed to each householder and price to be charged for same?

Imported coal can at present be supplied for household use only under the same conditions as British coal, that is under permit from the local authority, and in quantity not exceeding one cwt. in any fortnight, save in special circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War how the 66 Grade 3 clerical posts allotted to command and regimental pay offices are being distributed between the various officers concerned?

As stated in reply to-the hon. Member for Woolwich East (Mr. Snell) on 11th March last, it is not proposed to make a permanent distribution of these posts among pay offices. Forty-five of these posts have already been filled, and the filling of the other 21 is in progress.

asked the Home Secretary the number of special constables of various ranks who were attached to the various police divisions in the Metropolitan Police Area from 1st to 14th May, giving the number for each division and the terms of their recruitment; and whether they are still on the strength of these divisions?

The number of special constables attached to the various police divisions in the Metropolian Police District from 1st to 14th May was 61,500, made up as follows:

In addition, there were 5,717 special constables not attached to particular divisions.

Of the 61,500 special constables, 10,500 were members of the Special Constabulary Reserve before the emergency, and all of them, with the exception of 123, were enrolled for three years' service.

The recruits obtained during the emergency numbered 51,000. Of these, approximately 39,000 joined for the emergency only, and approximately 12,000 have enrolled for three years. The total strength, therefore, at the present date is approximately 22,500 men, enrolled on a three years' engagement.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount already spent on the work in connection with the Post Office tube railway; the estimated cost for the completion of the scheme; and when it is anticipated that the railway will be ready for operation?

The amount expended to date is £1,420,000, and it is estimated that about £260,000 will be required to complete the undertaking. It is hoped that the railway will be available for traffic in the autumn.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to prohibit the habit of smoking whilst using a public telephone box by placing notices in each box to the effect that smoking is forbidden?

I have no reason to believe that smoking in public telephone boxes causes any considerable inconvenience, and, in any case it would be practically impossible to enforce a Regulation prohibiting it