asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an estimate for the last available year of the value of the rebate granted upon Canadian goods reaching this country under preferential duties; and what were the chief commodities thus brought under Preference?

The approximate amount of rebate granted upon goods consigned from Canada and delivered for home consumption at the preferential rate of duty, in the year ended 31st December last, was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the coffee imported in 1925 was Empire-grown and, for comparison, the percentage 20 years ago and 10 years ago?

In 1925 about 42·4 per cent. of the raw coffee imported info the United Kingdom came from Empire countries, in 1915 about 10·5 per cent. and in 1905 about 23·9 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, by Government decree, only sugar which is produced in Czechoslovakia is allowed to be consumed in that country; and whether, under these circumstances, he will consider the effects on established British refiners who cannot export to Czechoslovakia and similar countries, and who are com- pelled to submit to the serious effects of competitive dumping of Czechoslovakian sugar in Great Britain and the competition of subsidised beet sugar at home?

I am not aware of such a decree.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, according to information supplied to the commercial secretary at Prague, the price of refined sugar was fixed for the whole of the season for internal consumption in Czechoslovakia at the equivalent of 18s. per cwt. ex factory; that according to the daily commercial report, dated 11th June, Czechoslovakian refined sugar is offered in this country at 14s. 6d. per cwt. f.o.b. Hamburg, which is approximately 13s. 2¼d. per cwt. ex factory; and, seeing that this shows that Czechoslokavian refined sugar is being dumped into this country at the rate of approximately 5s. per cwt. below home prices, whether he will make inquiries into these facts and the extent to which this dumping is in progress?

The prices given by the hon. Member are in substantial accordance with the information in my possession. In the first five months of this year, imports of refined sugar from Czechoslovakia amounted to 126,792 tons, while 147,994 tons of refined sugar were imported from other sources; and 544,224 tons of unrefined sugar were also imported during this period, none of which was consigned from Czechoslovakia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of Empire-grown sugar were actually imported into this country last year?

The quantities of sugar imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year 1925 and registered as consigned from countries within the British Empire amounted to 115,305 tons of refined sugar and 333,834 tons of unrefined sugar, making a total of 449,139 tons. The information available does not, however, permit of a precise statement of the proportion of these imports which was grown within the Empire.

Is that an increase on the 1924 figure?

I must have notice of that question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is a very poor result of Empire Preference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can arrange from January next that fuller information shall be given in the monthly trade and navigation returns as to the countries of origin in the case of those commodities the production of which is rapidly increasing in the Empire?

My hon. Friend will find that a considerable amount of information such as he desires is already given in the monthly trade returns. If, however, he will communicate to me any specific suggestions for further information, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary, Overseas Trade Department, having regard to the fact that preferential trade was established between the United States and Cuba on 17th December, 1903, if he can give the increase in total trade for the United Kingdom and the United States respectively as compared with the average of £3,314,000 for the United Kingdom and £15,117,000 for the United States in the five-year period 1899 to 1900 to 1903–04?

The average annual value of the total trade of Cuba with the United Kingdom and the United States of America respectively was approximately as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the Wallasey coroner, on the 7th June, at an inquest on four men drowned in the Mersey, when it was stated that the machinery used for summoning the lifeboat crew was not up-to-date; and will he take such action as will result in more expeditious methods of lifeboat launching being employed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that the method of lifeboat launching at New Brighton is in accordance with the Regulations which, in their experience of life-saving all round the coast, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have laid down for all their lifeboat stations.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the representations he has received about the reduction in the number of coast watchers all round the coast?

I would point out to the hon. and gallant Member that this question refers to the Mersey, and not to the coast generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who will be the British delegates to the forthcoming international conference on the question of oil in navigable waters; whether any definite steps for the prevention of damage from such oil are being proposed by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, what is their nature?

The hon. and gallant Member no doubt has in mind the preliminary Conference of Technical Experts at Washington which terminated on 16th June. The delegates of His Majesty's Government were Mr. Hipwood and Mr. Laslett of the Board of Trade, Captain the Hon. A. Stopford, Naval Attaché to His Majesty's Embassy at Washington, and Engineer-Commander A. Knothe, Assistant Naval Attaché. The Canadian Government also sent representatives to the Conference. The object of this preliminary Conference was to facilitate an exchange of views on technical matters and to consider formulating proposals for dealing, through international agreement, with the problem of oil pollution of navigable waters. The preliminary Conference have made unanimous proposals as to zones within which the discharge of oil should be prohibited.

When will the main Conference take place.

It is just possible that the proposals which are being brought forward may be agreed upon internationally, without the need for a further conference. Until the delegates return and I get a full report I cannot say that definitely, but if an international agreement could be reached without a further conference that would save a great deal of time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question, namely, whether any definite steps are being proposed by the Government which would lead to a solution of this difficulty? Have we any measures in mind?

Yes, Sir, we certainly have. We agree with the proposals which were unanimously agreed to at the preliminary conference.

Does the term "navigable waters" include territorial waters?

We have already legislated about territorial waters. The present proposals go far beyond that and recommend that there should be prohibition extending over very wide zones—from 50 to 150 miles—and that is why international agreement is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee has been published?

The Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee advises the Board of Trade on such questions of rules, regulations or scales under the Merchant Shipping Acts as may be referred to them. Such of their reports as are considered to be of sufficient public interest are published, and if the hon. Member will let me know which report he has in mind, I will give him what information I can.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that children of British soldiers returning from service in India are found by educational authorities to be two years behind the average child in their education; and whether any improvements of the standard of education for children of British soldiers serving in India are under consideration?

I have been asked to reply. The curriculum of the Army Children's Schools in India follows that laid down for primary schools in this country. My Noble Friend is aware from recent reports that some difficulty has been experienced in maintaining the required standard, though whether to the extent implied in the hon. Member's question I am unable to say. He is at present in communication with the Government of India and the War Office on the subject, and steps are being taken to remedy deficiencies.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) with reference to the War Office decision that Army pensioned non-commissioned officers who were awarded the Military Cross while on active service as commissioned officers and have been deprived of the pension of 6d. a day to which they are entitled as retired noncommissioned officers, on the ground that the gratuity for their commissioned service exceeded what they would have had if they had remained in the ranks, whether Army pensioned ranker officers who did not gain the Military Cross received the same gratuity for their commissioned service as those who gained the distinction; and, if so, whether he will reconsider the determination to deprive the latter of the small pension accompanying the award as well as of their commissioned rank;

Army pensioned ranker officers, like any other officers, regular or temporary, who were awarded the Military Cross while serving as officers, are not entitled to any addition to their pensions in respect of this award. The provisions of the Royal Warrant for Pay, 1914, relate to additional pensions in respect of decorations earned by men and not by officers, and the proviso contained in Article 1025 of the Royal Warrant for Pay, 1922, was inserted merely to avoid any possible misunderstanding of the intention of the previous article. The additional pension was not refused on the ground that the officers in question received a larger gratuity than they would have received had they served in the ranks. The issue of a larger gratuity is only relevant as showing that they enjoyed the benefits of officers in respect of their service as such, and that they did not suffer financially through being dealt with as officers and not as soldiers. Pensioned ranker officers like any other temporary officers who gained the Military Cross received the same rate of gratuity as other similar officers who were not awarded the decoration, and I see no reason for differential treatment in their case.

Is it not the case that £200 a year would cover the cost of the award to the officers concerned who have been deprived of their commissioned rank and have been retired as non-commissioned officers?

I am glad that the grievance is not any greater than that, but I am afraid that the Regulations are as I have stated.

IS asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that King's Regulations for the Army, Appendix XVI, restricts appointment of Military Knights of Windsor to members of the Church of England; whether there is anything in the letters patent regulating admission to that body which justifies this restriction; and, if not, whether he will consider the removal of a restriction which discriminates between members of Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches?

The Letters Patent of 1909 governing the Order of the Military Knights of Windsor require the attendance of Military Knights at Divine Service in St. George's Chapel on Sundays and other specified occasions. It would not be proper to appoint to the Order any officer whose religious opinions might conflict with the fulfilment of the duties required of him. I am not prepared to recommend the removal of the restriction in question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that members of the Church of Scotland would find it contrary to their religious convictions to attend service in Windsor Chapel?

No, I did not say that.

What are these Military Knights of Windsor? Are they paid?

If the hon. Member puts down a question, I shall be glad to give him a detailed answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether enrolment in the Army, under Concription Acts or otherwise, is confined to members of the Church of England?

I believe my hon. and gallant Friend knows that that is not so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have been completed for a military tattoo in Glasgow, and on what date it will take place; and whether he will consent to a detachment of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve taking part in either or both the tattoos at Glasgow and Edinburgh?

The date and other detailed arrangements of the Tattoo in Glasgow have not yet been finally settled, but the Tattoo will probably be held some time in September. A display by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 'has been included in the programme of the Edinburgh Tattoo, which will be held from 29th September to 2nd October. The inclusion of a similar display at the Glasgow Tattoo is a matter for arrangement between the Naval authorities and the 'General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Scotland who is responsible for the organisation of the tattoos in his Command.

Is one of the objects of the tattoos to encourage recruiting?

I think undoubtedly that they do encourage recruiting.

Will the display include a display of poison gas?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the War Office has decided not to give marriage allowance to men under 26, he will recognise any children there may be for the ordinary children's allowance when the man in question is old enough to qualify for marriage allowance?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Southwark.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if he is inquiring into this, and will he remove this injustice?

I think there is no injustice, as the hon. Gentleman will see if he looks at the answer I gave yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men invalided from the Army in 1925, the cause of whose invaliding was considered not attributable to service, appealed to the War Office against the decision of the local surveying officers; and in how many instances was the decision reversed as the result of such reinvestigation?

The total number of cases regarded as non-attributable referred to the War Office, including both appeals by men and cases which, in the opinion of the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital, warranted further consideration, is 131. In 36 of these cases the decisions of the invaliding medical board was reversed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of this, consider setting up an appeal tribunal for these men?

That is a question which has been often debated, but I think that the existing arrangements do, in fact, constitute an appeal to Chelsea Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers returning to the Irish Free State on the termination of their service with the colours are still deprived of 90 days' unemployment benefit, notwithstanding his answer to a question on 16th December last; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this hardship?

I have been asked to reply. The right to draw benefit in these cases, as in all other cases under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, is limited to persons resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. I have examined the point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend and regret that I see no practicable way of dealing with it.

As apparently this matter has been transferred from the War Office to the Ministry of Labour, may I ask if my hon. Friend is aware that many of the men affected are long service men who for years have paid 2d. per week for unemployment benefit?

I am not quite sure whether that is so or not. I will, however, in consultation with my hon. and gallant. Friend, consider whether there is any method which is both practicable and possible which will enable us to effect what he desires.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the annual training of the Territorial Army has been or is likely to be abandoned this year; if so, for what reason; and whether any alternative arrangements can be made?

Territorial Army camps arranged for dates on or after 15th July will be held. Camps arranged to assemble before 15th July have been cancelled. It is hoped that week-end camps will be held by the units affected.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any further experiments have been made in this country in the extraction of oil from coal, and with what results; whether British interests are represented in the experiments now being carried out in Germany; and to what extent?

My right hon. Friend has been asked to reply to this question. Experiments in the extraction of oil from coal by carbonisation methods are being actively pursued in this country, both at the Fuel Research Station and by a number of firms and individuals. Extensive experiments on the production of oil by the so-called Bergin method of hydrogenating coal are being carried on in Germany. A number of British firms are represented in these experiments, and, by agreement, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research obtain full information as to results and a voice in determining the course the experiments are to take. Experiments on this and other processes are also being carried out in this country. It is too early to make any statement as to results.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at a Camberwell inquest, on the 9th June, held on Terence Vernon Hyde, four years of age, of 44, Phelp Street, S.E., who fell from a railway carriage between Herne Hill and the Elephant and Castle stations; and, in view of the expressed opinion of the jury, whether any representations have been made to the railway company with a view to proper examination of carriage doors before trains are allowed to depart?

My attention has been called to the verdict and rider at the inquest to which the hon. Member refers. I have made no representations to the railway company of the nature indicated in the last part of the question, and in this connection I may explain that I am informed by the company that the guard of the train in question asserts that all the doors of the train were securely closed and the handles turned when the train left Loughborough Junction, which was the last station at which the train called before the accident occurred.

Is it not a fact that since the strike the majority of these small stations have been very much under-staffed?

That may or may not be; I do not admit it. But whether it was so or not, the point I wish to make is that the guard of the train says that he closed the doors securely before the train left the last station.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the difficulties British steam trawlers are experiencing owing to lack of coal; and whether he will consider releasing greater quantities of coal for deep-sea fishermen so as to facilitate the supply of food?

In view of the national importance of the steam-trawling industry, I have made a point of allowing them the largest possible share of our limited coal supplies, and I regret that I cannot now see my way to release greater quantities for them. I am glad, however, to say that, owing to the initiative and enterprise of the trawling industry itself in obtaining supplies of coal from abroad, and in using kinds of fuel to which they are not accustomed, supplies of fish have been well maintained, and have proved equal to the demand.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied with the public response to his appeals for a curtailment of unnecessary expenditure of light and fuel during the stoppage in the coal mines; if his attention has been drawn to the continued expenditure of these necessities on luxury services; and whether he is considering asking Parliament for additional powers with a view to checking such waste of fuel and light?

On the whole I am satisfied, but I am considering whether some further economy can be effected in luxury services. The Emergency Regulations provide all the powers that are necessary.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of enforcing a more reasonable hour for closing the places of amusement, especially in London?

Yes; but nobody wants unduly to curtail anybody's amusement, especially at this time.

But is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that vital industrial services are being seriously hampered, and they ought to have the first call as compared with luxuries?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Secretary for Mines what were the conclusions of the Departmental Committee on the question of mineral royalties which sat during the year 1924?

The Committee to which the hon. Member refers is presumably an informal Committee which, I am informed, was set up by my predecessor at the Mines Department during the Labour Administration. The matters which they considered related to State acquisition of mineral rights, but they were concerned, I understand, with questions of detail and of method rather than of policy, and they made no report upon the general question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to carry out the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Coal with regard to mineral royalties?

The Commission's recommendation with regard to mineral royalties, unlike the other recommendations—the acceptance of which by the Government has been announced—raises questions which necessarily react upon national finances. The losses which the country has suffered, and is suffering at the pre- sent time, together with conversions of public debt contemplated in the near future, create a situation which the Government are bound to examine carefully before committing the country to a financial transaction of the magnitude which is involved in this particular recommendation. I would point out that the adoption of the recommendation is not a matter which can give any immediate relief to the problem of the coal-mining industry. In any event, the Government propose to deal with its practicable objective in other ways in the Reorganisation Bill which has now been introduced.

Do I take it that the right hon. Gentleman's answer means that the Government have now abandoned all idea of carrying out the recommendation?

If my hon. Friend will read the answer he will see that that is not the case. If I may put it in a sentence, it is this: that the last two months have inflicted such great damage upon the financial situation of the country that that part of the recommendation concerning purchase—but not concerned with the making of such alterations in the position as would have been feasible under their recommendations if the literal policy that they recommend were adopted—is a far more difficult one than it would have been two months ago, and, therefore, the Government must examine the whole question in the light of the financial situation as it exists to-day.

The Commission recommended purchase of royalties at the market value and the taking over of the royalties in deeper areas which had no market value. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Commission said that the taking over of such royalties would make amalgamation much easier because of the capacity for renewing leases or withholding them in the coalfield? Have the Government any intention of carrying out even that portion of the Report.

That is a matter which has been very much in our minds. I think the hon. Member will see that the provisions in the Bill will enable us to overcome a great many of those difficulties.

May I press this point? I have asked serious questions. I have asked the right, hon. Gentleman this question—even though the Government abandon the question of the purchase of the royalties that have a market value, have they any intention of taking over the royalties on coal and minerals in the deeper areas which have no market value and consequently involve no financial burden?

That point, of course, has not escaped our observation, but in our view the whole question must be considered together, and that is exactly what we are doing.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in considering this question, he will carefully note a speech made on Saturday last by a. very great authority which seems to support the Government view—a speech by Lord Haldane?

As it is not contemplated to transfer the whole financial burden from the industry on to the State, how is it going to affect the State to carry out the recommendations of the Commission?

That would be rather a lengthy matter to deal with by way of question and answer. It can be raised in debate, and either I or the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be very glad to deal with that question. It is a real question.

The right hon. Gentleman does not mean that he has abandoned all idea of some day dealing with royalties, but has only dropped it at this time on account of the financial difficulties? Is that what, he means?

Even the Noble Lady, with all her enthusiasm, would have to consider the financial aspect in dealing with it.

Seeing the royalty owner has never rendered and can never render any service in the production of coal, have the Government not considered just cutting him out?

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Prime Minister whether the arrangements with the coalowners with regard to wages, which are contained in his latest proposals for the settlement of the coal dispute, are based upon the substitution of district agreements for the national minimum percentage?

I have no information as to the wages which will be offered, beyond the assurance which communicated to the House on Tuesday last. The assurances to which I then referred included the owners' offer of 30th April, which contained a uniform national minimum of 20 per cent. over 1919 standard.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the weekly imports of coal into this country since 30th April?

The approximate weekly figures of the importations of coal into this country are as follow:

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the spring of last year telegraph-line poles were erected between Craigellachie and Granton-on-Spey, a distance of about 30 miles; that at present these poles are being replaced with other and stronger poles; and whether he will give an assurance that adequate steps will be taken in future to ensure that such work will be so carried out in the first instance that it will last a reasonable time and avoid waste of public money?

Owing to the necessity for providing additional circuits it has become necessary progressively to strengthen the route referred to. Last year some 43 poles were erected and this year 30 more have been added. None of the poles erected last year has been scrapped; but it has been necessary, owing to road-widening operations and to improve staying, to alter the position of eight poles. It may be necessary to add some further poles later. I am satisfied that the work is being efficiently performed with due regard to economy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the public is still being invited to instal telephones in their houses, although his Department is quite unable to carry out current orders within a reasonable time; and whether, under these circumstances, he will discontinue the advertisements referred to until the orders in hand are cleared off?

I would remind the hon. Member that each telephone requires a separate pair of insulated wires to be provided to the nearest exchange, and that there must necessarily be some delay where way-leaves have to be obtained or special engineering works undertaken. There are 13,000 orders in ordinary course of completion—which represents under three weeks' work—and in some 800 cases only are applications for service outstanding pending the completion of new exchanges or other extensive works. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware^*that in the South of England the installing of telephones takes nearly three months?

I am aware, as I said in the answer, that there are exceptional cases. I am doing my best to deal with them.

Is any delay due to the lack of apparatus?

No, I do not think it would be fair to say that any delay is due to lack of apparatus, as apparatus; but there is delay owing to the difficulty of installing the apparatus.

Is it on account of shortage of labour?

No.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has been approached by representatives of the postal workers with a view to securing a weekly half-holiday; whether the matter is under consideration; and whether, in view of the fact that other Departments of State grant weekly half-holidays to their employés, he will consider securing postal workers a similar privilege?

I am not aware of any recent general representations. This subject 'has, however, been considered on many occasions, and was last examined by a Committee of the Post Office Whitley Council in 1922. The special requirements of Post Office work make it impracticable to arrange a general weekly half-holiday for postal, telegraph, and telephone manipulative staff on the lines normally followed in other Government Departments.

Can the Minister not give a half-holiday on lines that are not normal possibly It does seem rather hard that these should be the only people in the Government service who do not get the half-holiday Could not the right hon. Gentleman use his very inventive brain to find some other way of doing this?

There is considerable difficulty in doing that without jeopardising the general interests of the public service.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that the last leaflet issued with regard to letters and parcel services by air mail is very much out of date; and when it is proposed to distribute a further leaflet throughout the Post Offices of the country;

It will perhaps be convenient if these questions are answered together. A new edition of the Air Mail leaflet will, it is hoped, be issued next week. Air mail information is given in the Post Office Daily List, and air mail alterations of every kind are given publicity in the newspapers. A special air mail showcard is also being displayed at more than 1,000 Post Offices.

Will the right hon. Gentleman adopt some more modern method of bringing this most excellent service to the notice of the public, and will he remember that Mr. Selfridge and other large traders would never have been able to sell anything if they had waited for the customers coming to their shops?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to give any statistics of the numbers of people who, as a result of the sugar-beet subsidy, have actually settled on the land permanently?

I am afraid I am unable to give any information on this point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make a statement on the reported sale of the Wembley site?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Consett (Mr. Dunnico) and Southwark (Central) (Colonel Day).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has sanctioned legislation in Kenya imposing the death penalty for offences against women and children, and differentiating according to the colour or race of the victims or offenders; and whether such punishment can be legally inflicted in any other Dominion or Crown Colony at the. present time?

I have approved of the Governor of Kenya introducing legislation to make the death penalty permissible, as an alternative to the present penalties of imprisonment or fine, in the case of convictions for rape, but not for attempted offences of this nature. It is not intended that the law shall contain any discrimination in this matter according to the race of the victim or offender. Similar legislation exists in South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cost of the new gendarmerie stationed at Amaan is borne on the Palestine or Transjordania Budget or paid for by this country?

The right hon. and gallant Member presumably refers to the Transjordan Frontier Force. The whole cost of this force for the current financial year will he met in the first instance by the Palestine Government, who will, however, receive from Imperial funds a grant-in-aid of a moiety of the cost, subject to a maximum of £108,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many master painters have caused waterproof sandpaper to he employed in rubbing down how many are still using it; and whether he has any information as to their views on its practical value as a substitute for dry rubbing down in the painting of houses, interior and exterior?

I regret I am unable to furnish the precise information asked for in the first part of this question, but the inquiries my right hon. Friend has made indicate that the new process has not been adopted yet to any great extent. As regards the last part, I would draw the attention of the Noble Lord to the letter which appeared in the "Times" on the 10th instant from the secretary of the Painting Trade Materials Committee of Great Britain and Ireland, in which he states that a considerable number of painting trade firms have found the new process both satisfactory as a preventive of lead dust and economical in cost. I understand that this has been the general experience of firms carrying out painting work for the Office of Works which, as the Noble Lord will be aware, prohibits the use of dry rubbing down in all its painting specifications.

Have not the Home Office fairly complete information on this question, and why do they refuse to let it be known to Members—to lay it on the Table of the House, so that Members have access to it?

As I explained on the Second Reading of the Lead Poisoning Bill, this is largely an experiment, but. a great deal of useful work has already been done; as far as the Office of Works is concerned, it has been useful experience, and in all probability the new process will be of great benefit to the working people of the country.

Will the hon. and gallant Member furnish the House with a White Paper giving the particulars?

I will consider that.

asked the Home Secretary when the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1925 will be issued?

The printing of this Report has been delayed by the strike, and I am afraid it cannot now be issued before the end of next month.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have under consideration the desirability of combining the office of Secretary to the Treasury with that of Secretary to the Cabinet; and, if so, whether it is proposed to take any action in this matter?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the estates of deceased persons who have been resident in Great Britain have to pay Death Duties on investments in the Irish Free State and that the estates of deceased persons who have been resident in the Irish Free State have to pay Death Duties on British investments, he will, in view of the relief as regards double taxation, make it clear that there will be no levying of double Death Duties?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the relief in respect of Double Taxation (Irish Free State) Declaration, 1923 (S.R. & O. 1923, No. 406), and to the Irish Free State Double Taxation (Relief) Order (No. 1), 1923, which embody the arrangements made for relief in respect of double taxation to British and Irish Free State Estate Duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the last meeting of Lord Meston's Committee on Exchequer grants was held; whether the chairman's draft Report has yet been considered by the Committee; whether any day for a further meeting has been fixed; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure the early completion of the business entrusted to it?

The last meeting of the Committee was held on the 6th March, 1923. No arrangements have been made for a further meeting. I have, of course, no power to compel the chairman to summon a meeting of the Committee.

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he remembers that in March of this year he expressed the opinion that this Committee would shortly be called together, and has he seen any reason to alter that opinion?

I am always reluctant to say in regard to any transaction that a stage has been reached when hope should be definitely and finally abandoned.

Has any communication been made on the part of the Government to the chairman which might account for the unparalleled delay in this matter?

I have made several communications, and, as I have stated to the House, the Chairman has prepared a draft Report. It is a very comprehensive and able document, and the publication of that Report at present rests solely on the authority of the Chairman, who is now engaged in taking steps to ascertain what modification his Committee would wish to make in it when called together, and when they will be able to report. I have no power to hurry that process. Meanwhile, the subject of this inquiry is not remaining in a stationary position; on the contrary, we are pressing forward ourselves with all the information that is contained in the draft Report and a great deal of other information which we have obtained, and we are making an examination of the general relations between block grants and percentage grants.

In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of that answer. I shall take the earliest opportunity of raising this question.

We had better not anticipate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what progress has been made with the appointment of successful candidates at the Southborough examinations for the clerical classes in the Civil Service; and whether he can give a date by which it is expected that the whole of the Southborough candidates will be appointed?

The number of successful candidates at the Southborough examination for the Clerical Classes appointed up to the 19th June inclusive, is 1,227. I am afraid that I cannot predict the date by which all the remaining candidates (numbering approximately 7,000) will be appointed.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider legislative measures with a view to the prevention of mosquito breeding through carelessness?

My right hon. Friend is advised that local authorities already have power under the Public Health Acts to deal with ponds, ditches and other places where nuisance arises through the breeding of mosquitoes, and on the information at present available he doubts whether further legislation is required.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary request the Minister of Health to ask the Home Office for a report on these undesirable aliens?

asked the Minister of Health if he intends in the present Session to introduce a Measure amending the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act to enable those fishermen who are not employed persons in the ordinary sense, but are paid by shares in the profits of the venture, to participate in the benefits of the Act?

Fishermen who are not compulsorily insurable as employed contributors under the National Health Insurance Act may become voluntary contributors and entitled to benefits under that Act and the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act if they are qualified by virtue of a previous period of insurance or service in His Majesty's Forces during the late War. It would not be practicable to introduce amending legislation in the present Session even if my right hon. Friend were satisfied that a ease for it had been established, but the whole question will be reviewed in connection with the Amendments of the National Health Insurance Act which will come under consideration in the near future.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether this legislation is likely to be introduced in the forthcoming Budget, having in view the importance of this question to the fishing community?

This is a matter which would be more appropriately dealt with by at. amendment to the National Health Insurance Act, and consideration will be given to this point when we are considering proposals for the amendment of that Act.

When does the hon. Gentleman hope to consider the amendment of the National Health Insurance Act? Can he say?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what date all farmers who consigned milk to the London emergency milk pool will have received payment of their accounts; what action is being taken in respect to milk accepted for consignment by rail to London, but which is alleged not to have been received by the pool; whether the accounts of the pool are being audited by a Government auditor and whether a Report on the operations of the pool committee, including a detailed statement of the various sources of supply that were stopped, will be published for the information of the producers concerned?

The accounts of farmers for milk consigned to London during the recent emergency are in process of settlement by the Milk Pool Committee, and a considerable number have already been paid. Settlement is delayed in some cases by the failure of the producers to render their accounts in sufficient detail. In cases where doubt has arisen as to the receipt. of consignments of milk in London, producers are being requested to forward to the accountants to the pool copies of the original railway waybills. A firm of chartered accountants has been appointed to audit the accounts, and the Board of Trade are prepared to accept the certificate of this firm. I will consider whether a report would usefully be issued when all accounts have been settled and transactions have been liquidated.

Is the Board of Trade insisting that the pool price for the milk should be paid by all retailers, whether they obtained their supplies from the pool or not?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the latest Report of the Imperial Economic Committee has been adopted by the Government; and when the publicity campaign to further the sale of Dominion and Colonial produce will commence?

The Report in question is engaging the active attention of the Empire Marketing Board, who are considering its recommendations and are already taking steps to give effect to a number of them. I cannot yet give a definite date for the opening of the publicity campaign; but I can assure my hon. Friend that this question also is under the immediate consideration of the Board and that the campaign will be pressed forward as soon as the necessary plans have been framed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the interests of economy, he can arrange that the English version only of foreign treaties and agreements should be published in Command Papers, as is already done in certain cases; and what the average cost is annually of this not being done?

The average annual cost of printing texts in foreign languages in Parliamentary Papers of Foreign Office origin is about £50. I am unable to accept my Noble Friend's suggestion that the texts of treaty engagements with foreign countries should be laid before Parliament in English only, When a governing or authoritative text is in another language than English, that text must be made generally available both for diplomatic and legal purposes.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Teignmouth Urban District Council have yet taken any steps to formulate a housing scheme, and with what result; and, if not, whether, in view of the urgent need of houses in this district, he will approach the council in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the council on the matter. They have formulated a scheme for assisting private enterprise in the erection of houses for letting, and I understand they are at present negotiating with local builders.

May we expect that the local council will take immediate steps to build these houses?

Yes, Sir; I understand that is so, and I believe they are now negotiating with the builders for that purpose.

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the notice on the Order Paper regarding the case of Louie Calvert, who is under sentence of death, and whether it is true that this woman is in a state of pregnancy?

The statement in the Notice of Motion is mistaken. Any doubt which may have existed as to this prisoner's condition has since been dispelled, and it is now certain that there was no pregnancy.