asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the agreement made in 1923 by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer with the brewers by which, in consideration of the Budget of that year proposing a rebate of 20s. per barrel of beer, the brewers would reduce the price of beer by 24s. per barrel, is still in force; if so, whether he is satisfied that no brewer has increased his charge by 4s.; and, if not, whether action is taken to insist upon the price being in accordance with the agreement?

The arrangement made in 1923 was designed to enable the beer trade as a whole to reduce the price of beer to consumers generally by per pint, and I am satisfied that the public are still obtaining the full benefit of this arrangement. The allocation of the burden involved on the trade has always been a matter of arrangement between the different sections of the trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of revenue raised by taxes on food in the years 1924–25 and 1025–26, respectively?

On the assumption that in this connection, tea, cocoa, coffee and chicory, as well as sugar and dried fruits, are regarded as food, the figures are as follow:

1924–25	28,153,000
1925–26 (approximately)	26,698,000

[on Monday, 21st June] asked the Home Secretary the number of boys and girls, respectively, in the reformatory and industrial schools

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF COMMITTED CHILDREN IN HOME OFFICE SCHOOLS ON DECEMBER IN EACH YEAR DURING THE PERIOD 1920 TO 1925, INCLUSIVE.
—	Reformatories		Industrial Schools		Day Industrial Schools.		Total.
	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls	Total
1920	3,702	356	8,374	2,035	522	214	15,203
1921	3,076	259	6,868	1,788	324	176	12,491
1922	2,423	184	5,420	1,480	239	140	9,886
1923	2,160	144	4,523	1,313	189	105	8,434
1924	1,952	138	3,871	1,177	212	113	7,463
1925	1,876	124	3,667	1,091	201	110	7,069
In addition to the above, many Home Office Schools maintain large numbers of voluntary cases (i.e., children committed without an Order of a Court), but it is not possible to supply these figures.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF INMATES IN BORSTAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE LAST TUESDAY IN DECEMBER IN EACH YEAR DURING THE PERIOD 1920–25:
	Boys.	Girls.
1920	973	189
1921	1,045	166
1922	1,010	151
1923	1,015	92
1924	1,018	59
1925	1,106	63

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing habit of motorists drawing up motor cars on the tan ride in Hyde Park, which forces persons riding horses, for whom the tan is provided, to move on the slippery hard-surfaced road in the midst of fast-moving motor traffic and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this?

The First Commissioner's attention was drawn to this matter last year, and an order was made prohibiting motor cars from remaining stationary

furnished the following information:on the sanded track on the East Carriage Road in the forenoon on any day except Sunday. I am assured by the police that this rule is being enforced. It is not considered desirable to extend the notice to apply to any other periods or any other tracks.

asked the Minister of Health the number of blind persons in receipt of pensions under the Old Age. Pensions Act during the year ended 31st March, 1926, male and female separately; the number at the varying rates of pension paid during the year ended 31st March, 1926; the total amount Maid in pension during the same period; the number of blind persons who are in receipt of pensions who are also in receipt of poor relief during the year ended 31st March, 1926; and the total number of blind persons in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively?

On the 31st arch1926, 13,663 blind persons in March, England and Wales between the ages of 50 and 70 were in receipt of old age pensions under Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and it is estimated that about 8,880 blind persons over the age of 70 were in receipt of old age pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts. Information is not available as to the numbers of male and female pensioners, respectively, or as to the numbers of blind persons in receipt of the several varying rates of pension payable. It is estimated, however, that 93 per cent. of all pensions are at the full rate of 10s. per week, and that the total amount of pensions payable to blind persons at the 31st March, 1926, was at the rate of £550,304 per annum. No information is available as to the number of blind persons in receipt of pensions who are also in receipt of Poor Law relief. There were 39,326 blind persons in England and 2,514 in Wales at the date of the last return received by my Department. Questions relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland should be addressed to my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Home Secretary, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons employed as Poor Law officers (England and Wales), asylum and mental deficiency institution officers (England and Wales), local government officers (England and Wales), and officers of local authorities who are subject to pension schemes under local Acts; and will he give distinguishing particulars, if any, of the pensions which are on a contributory basis?

According to the information available, the approximate number of officers and servants in the Poor Law service, the asylum and mental deficiency services, and in service subject to the provisions of the Local Government and Other Officers Superannuation Act, 1922, ale respectively 50,000, 28,000 and 70,000. The superannuation schemes applicable to the above persons are on a contributory basis. No definite information is available as to the number of officers and servants of local authorities subject to contributory pension schemes under local Acts, but the number may be very roughly estimated at 40,000. All the above figures relate to England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the urgency of the matter, when he proposes to issue the proposed new Order in connection with the supply of milk?

I regret that I cannot give any precise date for the issue of the Milk and Dairies Order, but I hope to be able to make the Order very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many administrative cadets or assistant principals have been promoted to the rank of principal in his Department since 31st May, 1925, together with the number of principals who have been promoted, transferred to other appointments, or struck off his Department during the same period?

Two assistant principals have been promoted to the rank of principal since 31st May, 1925. Two principals have been promoted since the same date; none have been transferred to other appointments or struck off the establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many infantry officers have been drafted into the Tank Corps during the last three years; and in how many instances such officers had had no mechanical experience?

During the last three years the number of infantry officers who have transferred to the Royal Tank Corps is 234. It is not possible to answer the last part of the question without much inquiry, the expense arid labour of which I hope my hon. and gallant. Friend will agree should not be incurred.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners (1) how many farms are now under the control of the Forestry Commission; whether a profit or loss is shown as a result; and, if so, what is the amount for the last three years;(2) the cost of stock for the past year in connection with the Forestry Commission; and what is the loss for that period?

The Commissioners now have five farms under direct management, the land being either in process of absorption in afforestation and forest workers' holdings, or of early disposal if not required for the purposes of the Commissioners. At the instance of the Public Accounts Committee the question of keeping profit and loss accounts for farming operations has been discussed between the Treasury and the Commissioners. It has been decided, in view of the incidental character of these operations, not to keep separate accounts but to include the receipts and expenditure in the commercial accounts for the forests. The value of the livestock owned by the Forestry Commission at the beginning of the forest year 1924–25 was £5,465. Payments for stock purchased during the year amounted to £7,073, and receipts for stock sold to £3,810. The value of the stock on hand at the end of the year was £7,910, and the loss was therefore £818. In the acquisition of large areas of land for afforestation it is occasionally necessary to take over sheep stock. Steps are taken to dispose of this stock without delay, and the loss in realisation is the difference between a compensatory valuation (including acclimatisation value) and the market realisation. When the acquisition of an area involves purchase of sheep stock the Commissioners, in valuing the plantable land, take full account of the probable loss on resale of the sheep.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the number of men employed as workmen in connection with afforestation; and what is the estimated annual wages paid to them for the work?

The numbers employed on the Forestry Commission's areas in the forest year ended 30th September, 1924, ranged from 792 to 2,076 (excluding foresters, foremen and gangers) and the wages amounted to £112,500, while in the year ended 30th September, 1925, the numbers ranged from 1,485 to 2,485, the wages being £166,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Government will consider the desirability of making arrangements for the reopening of the Old Passage ferry over the Severn, between Beachley and Aust, as an alternative to any proposal for the construction of a bridge?

The provision and operation of a ferry is not a matter in which I can take the initiative. As my hon. Friend is aware, various projects have been under consideration by county councils and other bodies for the improvement of road and rail communications in this neighbourhood.

asked the Minister of Labour the rate of wages paid to steel workers in Great Britain, Holland and Belgium?

In steel works in Great Britain the recognised time rates of wages of unskilled adult main labourers range, in different districts, from about 38s. 6d. to 45s. for a full week of six days or shifts. Skilled men are paid mainly according to output, and data as to their wages are not available; but, according to information collected by the National Federation el Iron and Steel Manufacturers, the earnings of all workpeople employed at iron and steel works in March, 1926, averaged 63s. 1d. per week. I regret that similar particulars are not available as to the wages of steel workers in Holland and Belgium.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department 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 employés?

I regret that I have no information, but I am asking the Consul-General at Salonica to make inquiries, the result of which I will commnicate to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British shopping weeks which have been held since the commencement of the year; in how many cases the proposals to this effect have been abandoned; and for what reasons?

I understand that upwards of 50 "British Shopping Weeks" have been held during the present year, and I am not aware of any having been abandoned. In some cases a "Shopping Week" extended to more than one borough or district.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of hours extra duty worked by the regular staff, and the cost involved, by weekly averages during the last 12 months at the General Post Office; and whether, bearing in mind the low earnings of the auxiliary sorters, he will consider the advisability of creating a floating force among these men, so as to assure them a reasonable weekly wage?

During recent months the average amount of overtime worked by sorters and postmen at the headquarters offices has been, approximately, 8,600 hours a week, equivalent to about 1¼ hours per officer employed. The weekly cost of the overtime is, approximately, £900. The amount of overtime fluctuates widely from day to day; and it would not be practicable economically to provide for it by creating a floating force of auxiliary sorters on the lines suggested by the hon. Member. Auxiliary sorters are already employed on overtime when this can conveniently be arranged, and so far as the work to be performed is proper to their grade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give any information as to the extent the practice obtains of shipping Argentine live cattle to Belgium and killing for the sale as fresh meat in Great Britain?

The trade from the Argentine to Belgium, in cattle for slaughter at Zeebrugge and sale as fresh meat in Great Britain, commenced on the 11th March last, when the first cargo arrived from Argentina. The number and size of all the cargoes to date are:

Ex s.s. "Louis," arrived 11th March	296 cattle
Ex s.s. "Talisman," arrived 2nd April	244 bullocks
Ex s.s. "Talisman," arrived 2nd April	118 sheep
Ex s.s. "Anderton," arrived 12th April	292 cattle
Ex s.s. "Roi Leopold," arrived 2nd May	259 cattle
Ex s.s. "Patagonier," arrived 11th June	348 cattle
Total on five vessels in three months	1,439 cattle
	118 sheep

Under the Importation of Carcases (Prohibition) Order of the 2nd instant, this trade will cease after the arrival of a sixth consignment which left Argentina on 31st May, and before the Order was issued.The casualties in the above cargoes were heavy, namely:

On s.s. "Louis"	4 cattle
On s.s. "Talisman"	6 cattle
On s.s. "Talisman"	5 sheep
On s.s. "Anderton"	7 cattle
On s.s. "Roi Leopold"	41 cattle
Total	58 cattle
	5 sheep

I understand that the carcases were thrown overboard, but I have no information as to the cause of these casualties, and I have no control over the manner in which these live cattle are carried across the ocean. It is significant that the sale in Belgium of the carcases and offal is prohibited by Belgian Decree on account of the risk of introducing disease into Belgium.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of wireless messages sent for the year ending the 31st March, 1926, to and from ships and to foreign countries, respectively?

The total number of messages sent between Post Office wireless stations and ships during the year ended the 31st March, 1926, was about 223,600, and the number sent from Post Office wireless stations to foreign countries was about 228,000.