asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks are in China; what are the regiments; and where are they stationed?

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 28 and 29 of the current Army Estimates. The distribution of the units concerned is shown on page 134 of the current Army List.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that troops intended for service in the Soudan pass through Egypt; and will he arrange for the transport of troops by some other route?

The bon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. Save in exceptional cases, the practice is to send troops proceeding to the Soudan by sea to Port Soudan, and not take them through Egypt.

asked the Secretary of State for War what sum is drawn weekly by a soldier in hospital more than six days in Health Insurance benefit and in wages, respectively?

No health insurance benefit is payable to a soldier in respect of sickness during his colour service. With the exception of stoppages of pay enforced when the confinement to hospital is due to an offence or to sickness due to the soldier's own fault, he continues to receive his normal rate of pay while in hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a soldier under the age of 26 has to obtain the permission of his commanding officer before getting married, he can say whether, in the event of a soldier marrying before the age of 26, children born prior to his reaching that age receive children's allowances when the father is eligible for the marriage allowance?

A soldier under the age of 26 is not compelled to obtain the permission of his commanding officer before he marries. When a soldier who has married before the age of 26 becomes eligible for marriage allowance, the allowance is payable in respect of children of the marriage born in the interval.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the death of a Guardsman, shot while acting as a range-marker at Pirbright; and what orders have been issued with a view to adequately safeguarding the lives of men engaged on those duties?

The Report of the Court of Inquiry assembled locally to investigate this unfortunate accident has not yet been received. Orders are contained in the Manuals of Small Arms and Machine Gun Training as to the precautions to be taken during firing, and general officers commanding are instructed to take such steps as local conditions necessitate to ensure safety.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state if there are any people holding shares of any description in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes; and whether any private profits or dividends arc drawn?

No persons hold shares of any description in the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, which is registered as a "Company not for profit." The answer to the last part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the number of jute mills and/or factories in Salonica, and the rates of wages and the hours of labour worked by the employ és?

I regret that the. Ministry of Labour has no information on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department made any attempt with the Thomson-Leng firm, of Dundee, to obtain a reconciliation between them and their former employés on the lines of settlement secured by the English newspaper proprietors and their employés, and, if so, with what response?

The Department's representatives have kept in touch with this matter, but no circumstances have arisen which would indicate that formal intervention would be of advantage.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the action of Messrs. John Dickinson and Company, paper manufacturers, in refusing to re-engage work-people who were on strike unless they left their trade union and joined an organisation known as the Union of the House of Dickinson; and if, in view of Government recommendations with regard to reinstatement, he will make representations to this firm urging that there shall be no victimisation, and that the employés shall be free to remain members of their respective trades unions?

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The question of the employment by individual employers of union or non-union workpeople is not a matter in which I have any authority to interfere.

asked the Home Secretary whether the union of the House of Dickinson is a registered trade union, and if the rules have been approved by the Registrar of Friendly Societies?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary how many men who were convicted of offences during the strike have been liberated; and, in addition, the nature of the offences for which they were convicted?

Thirteen men have been released before their sentences expired. One group of seven had attempted to impede transport and three had impeded it; one defaced a Government poster; one published false news; and one threw a brick when an electric cable was being moved.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total cost involved in the flight made by the. Royal Air Force from Cairo to Cape Town and back to England.

It is not easy to make an estimate of the total of a number of scattered incidental charges such as are here involved, and I shall be obliged if my hon. and gallant Friend will allow me to send him the actual figure in due course, when the details have been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the correspondence which has passed between Sir Hugh Stephenson and the council of the European Association, and published in the Calcutta Press, concerning the release of Mr. Anil Baran Roy, who had been detained in prison under the provisions of the Bengal ordinance; and whether, in view of the many conflicting statements relating to the terms under which Mr. Roy was released from prison and in order to allay the public feeling aroused over this matter, be will publicly state the full terms of any undertaking or other document agreed to verbally or in writing by Roy, in consideration of which he was given his discharge from prison?

My Noble Friend has seen the letters referred to. Sir Hugh Stephenson saw Anil Baran Roy in jail and Anil Baran Roy gave his word of honour not to take part in terrorism and to do all he could to discourage it. It was on his doing this that it was decided to release him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the cost of providing Army chaplains for the military stations in India is to be charged to the Government of India; and, if so, what is the estimated increase in military expenditure on that account?

The cost of religious ministrations for the British garrison in India has always been a charge on Indian revenues. There is no expectation of any increase.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have received the Report of the Paddison Committee; and, if so, whether he can make a statement as to when the Report will be published?

The Government of India have received several communications from the Committee, but, so far as is known, have not expressed the intention of publishing any of them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the recommendation of the International Labour Conference, relating to an inquiry into the conditions of Indian native labour, will be carried into effect; and what steps have been taken with a view to such an inquiry?

The recommendation was that the governing body of the International Labour Office, in consultation with the Governments concerned, should undertake, so far as is possible, a documentary inquiry into the conditions of labour in Asiatic countries, more especially in China, India, Japan, Persia and Siam, and in the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories in Asia. The International Labour Office is engaged in the inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any action has been taken by the British agent at Indore to secure the release of Tatyasaheb Holker, who was imprisoned within the State of Indore 12 years ago?

The Secretary of State has no official information on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary if he will amend the Regulations governing the parking of motor cars in the streets of London, so as to provide that owner-drivers may leave their cars in approved parking-places for three hours instead of two?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Regulations to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are at present under review by the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and I am awaiting their Report. I am referring the point raised in this question to them for their advice.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any information showing the existence of an international agency facilitating the use of false passports and giving information as to how aliens may enter in evasion of existing safeguards; how many aliens, over and above the figure given in the 1921 census, have entered this country since the date thereof; why are foreigners under 16 not required to have passports; what evidence is required as to being under that age; and in how many cases in the last year have the regulations with regard to declaration of nationality as required by the 1920 Order been dispensed with?

I am aware that there are agencies or means in existence of forging or otherwise falsifying passports, but I would point out that a passport does not in itself act as a ticket of entry into this country. The number of alien passengers (excluding transmigrants) who were given leave to land from the beginning of 1921 to the end of March last was, as shown by the quarterly and annual returns to Parliament, 1,760,189, and the number who embarked during the same period was 1,771,086. Persons under 16 are usually entered on their parents' passports or, if travelling unaccompanied, have either passports or some other document which serves the purpose. The answer to the last part of the question is "none."

asked the Home Secretary how many local authorities have availed themselves of the powers to make by-laws to prevent employment agencies from perpetrating fraud under Section 85 of the Public Health Amendment Act of 1907?

42 cities or boroughs, 18 urban districts and one rural district have availed themselves of the power of making by-laws under Section 85 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has information as to whether the Dutch shipyards are in any way subsidised by the Dutch Government; and, if so, to what extent?

I am informed that subsidies are not now and have not been for some time granted by the Dutch Government in connection with the

asked the Minister of Health the total expenditure on relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith during the financial years 1924–25 and 1925–26?

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of persons employed as teachers in England and Wales who are employed under conditions providing for superannuation payments on retirement; and will he give distinguishing particulars, if any, of the pensions which are on a contributory basis?

The number of persons employed as teachers in England and Wales in service which can be pensionable under the Teachers (Superannuation) Act., 1925, is about 183,000. All such persons are in service which is contributory.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of former inspectors of mines in receipt of pensions at the 31st December, 1925; and whether he can give the rate per week of the highest and lowest pension and the average duration of such pensions, together with the average age at retirement?

The following are the particulars asked for:

The total expenditure on relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith in England and Wales was £37,882,282 during the year 1923–24 and £36,842,000 during the year 1924–25. The figures for the year 1925–26 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of expenditure on domiciliary relief during the years 1924–25 and 1926–26?

The expenditure on domiciliary Poor Law relief in England and Wales was £16,827,268 during the year 1923–24, £15,125,000 during the year 1924–25. These sums do not include administrative expenses such as clerks' salaries and office expenses. The figures for the year 1925–26 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the amount of expenditure on relief to persons in institutions during the financial years 1924–25 and 1925–26?

The expenditure on institutional Poor Law relief in England and Wales was £20,430,569 during the year 1923–24 and £21,070,000 during the year 1924–25. These sums include the cost of maintenance of pauper lunatics in asylums, but exclude administrative expenses such as clerks' salaries and office expenses. The figures for the year 1925–26 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths in Poor Law institutions during the years 1924 and 1925?

The provisional total of deaths in Poor Law institutions in England and Wales for 1924 is 65,974. The corresponding figure for 1925 will not be available for a week or so; but I will send it to the hon. Member as soon as it is forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate remuneration of Poor Law medical officers, dispensers, and nurses during the years 1923–24, 1924–25, and 1925–26?

The money payments to Poor Law medical officers, dispensers, nurses and other officers employed in the treatment or care of the sick, in England and Wales amounted to £1,500,921 during the year 1923–24, and 21,559,000 during the year 1924–25. The figures for the year 1925–26 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health the total remuneration of reliev- ing officers and other officers employed in connection with domiciliary relief, excepting medical officers, dispensers and other persons employed in the treatment and care of the sick, for the years 1923–24, 1924–25 and 1925–26?

The total remuneration (salaries, rations, etc., and superannuation allowances) of relieving officers and other officers employed in connection with domiciliary Poor Law relief in England and Wales, excepting medical officers, dispensers and other persons employed in the treatment and care of the sick, was £1,017,799 during the year 1923–24 and £981,000 during the year 1924–25. The figures for the year 1995–26 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of bodies removed to medical schools in England and Wales for the purpose of anatomical examination and operative surgery during the years 1924 and 1925?

The number of bodies removed to medical schools in England and Wales for the purpose of anatomical examination and operative surgery was 519 during the year 1924, and 581 during the year 1925.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of expenditure on the maintenance of lunatics in lunatic asylums during the years 1924–25 and 1925–20?

For the financial year 1924–25 the amount of expenditure on the maintenance, supervision and treatment of the insane in county and borough mental hospitals in England and Wales was £6,510,639. This amount does not include any expenditure in respect of loan charges, repairs, additions and alterations of buildings, or purchase or rental of land and buildings. Particulars not yet available for 1925–26.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a trade has been started by British meat salesmen to import prime Argentine meat into this country by having the animals delivered direct to the abattoirs at Zeebrugge, slaughtered there, and the fresh meat then delivered to the Smithfield market; and whether he is prepared to withdraw the embargo on this fresh meat?

No, Sir. As I have already stated, I regret I cannot exclude the slaughtering establishment at Zeebrugge from the operation of the Order, inasmuch as being situated in a country in which foot-and-mouth disease is rife, those premises are subsject to the same risk of infection as any other place on the Continent.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that differences have arisen in the London building trade on the question of the working of overtime in the London area; that there are many large buildings now being erected in London where urgent work is as a consequence being held up; and that the men desire to work the necessary overtime; and whether he can take any steps to enable them to do so?

I have been asked to reply. There is joint machinery existing between the employers' and workers' organisations for dealing with matters of this kind, and I have no doubt that the position to which my hon. Friend refers will receive attention. In these circumstances, I do not think that intervention on my part at the present moment would be desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, while assistance has been freely granted by the British delegates, no progress is being made by British claimants before the Paris Commission towards obtaining a settlement of their claims against Turkey; whether he will ascertain the cause of such delay; whether he will take such action, in conjunction with the other interested Powers, as will lead to the facilitating of early settlement; and whether he is aware that British claimants have already incurred considerable expense in preferring their claims?

I am informed that the Inter-Allied Commission on the Assessment of Damage Suffered in Turkey is proceeding continuously with the assessment both of British and other claims, and that it is not the case that no progress is being made. It must be remembered that the Commission has to consider some 15,000 claims, many of which raise complicated questions of fact or of law, and that each case has to be examined by the French and Italian, as well as by the British member of the Commission before an award can be made. I am bound to add that, after full allowance is made for these difficulties, the rate of progress recorded up to date seems far from satisfactory. The British delegate has recently expressed to the Commission his concern at the constant delay in dealing with important questions submitted to the Commission, and His Majesty's Government trust that as a result of his representations, with which they are in full agreement, the work of the Commission will be expedited. They will continue to press that all possible steps should be taken to ensure this result.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what number of store and fat cattle, respectively, were imported into Great Britain between 1st January and 30th April, 1926; and from what countries of origin?

The numbers of fat and store cattle imported into Great Britain from 1st January to 30th April, 1926, with the countries of origin were as follow: