asked the Minister of Health whether the widow of an insured man who died prior to 4th January, 1926, will be treated as eligible for the old age pension in January, 1928, if 65 years of age; whether such widow will be required to become an insured person; and, if so, can she become a voluntary contributor if she has not, apart from her husband, been an insured person under national health insurance for 104 weeks?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, the widow in question will have no title to an old age pension at the age of 65 by virtue of her late husband's insurance and will only be entitlted if she herself is an insured person on attaining that age and satisfies the statutory conditions; as regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, a woman aged 70 and the wife of an insured person who has not reached that age is treated as being eligible for the old age pension on 2nd July irrespective of means or income?

The answer is in the negative unless the woman in question was herself an insured person on attaining the age of 70. The wife of an insured person is not entitled to an old age pension by virtue of her husband's insurance before he reaches the qualifying age.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of unoccupied dwelling-houses in England and Wales; and, if not, whether he will ask local authorities in urban districts to make returns showing the number of dwelling-houses in their areas which are unoccupied at the present time?

Statistics are not available showing the number of dwellings at present unoccupied in England and Wales, and I do not consider that the value of such a return as the hon. Member suggests would be commensurate with the labour and expense involved in its compilation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust erected 40 ex-service men's houses at Glengormley, five miles from Belfast, and that there is no gas or electricity in the houses, no water, and the sanitary arrangements consist of dry closets: and whether he will see that the Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust do not erect ex-service men's houses without the essential conveniences of present-day life?

The facts are as stated, except that there is a water supply obtained from a well by four pumps. The water supply is, however, not sufficient to enable a sewage system to be provided, and the cost of laying on gas and electricity would be prohibitive. The scheme for these cottages was settled before the Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust was created, but I understand that it was regarded as a rural and not an urban scheme, though some of the occupants are employed in Belfast. The policy of the trust is to provide as far as possible the most up-to-date conveniences for its tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, following the signing of the Mosul Treaty, it is proposed to take action to establish self-government in Iraq; and, if so, what initial steps will be taken?

No, Sir; Iraq is already self-governing.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if the First Commissioner has yet had an opportunity of drafting a rule forbidding more than four persons to ride abreast in any part of Rotten Row, Hyde Park?

A rule has been drafted, and it will at an early date be laid before both Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of the Parks Regulation Act.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Russian persons who have been allowed to land in the United Kingdom on the grounds that they were proceeding to employment in the Russian, German, and French Embassies, respectively?

Since 1st July, 1925, 11 Soviet citizens have been admitted for the purpose of joining the Soviet Mission in London, including seven who came to replace other members of the staff who have left. I do not think that any Soviet citizens have come to join the German or French Embassies.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who have been allowed to land in the United Kingdom upon the grounds that they were to be employed by the Arcos organisation; whether he is aware that certain of these are known to be Communists; and, if so, what, if any, steps are being taken to prevent them spreading Communist propaganda?

I am informed that the number of aliens attached to Arcos, Limited, on 1st January was 190, and since that date visas have been authorised for six prospective members of the staff. All Communist propaganda receives the constant attention of His Majesty's Government, and they do not hesitate when necessary to take appropriate action in regard to it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of metropolitan omnibuses at present working under his scheme of reduced numbers on specified and selected routes, and show how this figure compares with the number in operation on 1st January?

As the hon. Member is aware, the Regulations deal with a reduction in the number of omnibus journeys, and not in the number of omnibuses run. Schedules have not been deposited by all proprietors under the new Regulations, but from the latest schedules available it appears that the number of omnibuses on the selected routes is 373 on week-days (other than Saturdays), as compared with 411 on the 1st January. Of the omnibuses taken off, the great majority belong to the London General Omnibus Company and Associated Companies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any plan has yet been formulated by the International Institute of Agriculture for holding a world agricultural census; and how the proposals will affect this country?

An account of the steps taken by the International Institute in regard to this matter is published in the current issue of the "Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture," a copy of which I am forwarding to my hon. Friend. The proposals of the Institute, which have not yet been officially circulated, are, I understand, of an advisory and suggestive character only, and no immediate action in regard to them is likely to be required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of live cattle imported from Canada to Great Britain in 1923, 1924 and 1925?

The numbers of live cattle imported from Canada into Great Britain in 1923, 1924 and 1925 were as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress, if any, has been made towards putting into effect each of the various proposals outlined in the recent Government White Paper on Agricultural Policy?

The following statement indicates the progress made in carrying out the various proposals outlined in the White Paper on Agricultural Policy:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the numbers of persons who were assessed for Super-tax purposes with incomes between £2,000 and £50,000 per year, for the years 1910 to 1925, respectively; and what was their total income for the respective years?

Figures showing the distribution of Super-tax incomes from £2,000 upwards are available only as from the year 1920–21, for which year the Finance Act, 1920, fixed the limit of liability at £2,00O. The latest figures for the years 1921–22, 1922–23 and 1923–24 will be found in the table on page 109 of the 68th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper 2547). Corresponding figures for 1920–21 will be found on page 110 of the previous (67th) Report (Command Paper 2227).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons assessed for Super-tax for the year ending 30th April, 1926, and the total of their incomes, with the comparatives figures for the years 1919 to 1925, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 73 on page 108 of the 68th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper 2547), wherein he will find the latest estimates of the numbers of Super-tax payers, and their total incomes, up to the year 1924–25. Similar estimates for the year 1925–26 (ended 5th April, 1926) are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a percentage reduction of armaments is, or will be included in the general instructions given to its representative attending the forthcoming Disarmament Conference at Geneva; and, if not, what are the general instructions given, or to be given, to the Government's representative?

The work of the Preparatory Committee on Disarmament is not yet finished, and no date has been fixed for a Disarmament Conference. In the meantime His Majesty's Government do not propose to appoint a delegate to the Conference nor to draw up instructions.