asked the Home Secretary how many Russian subjects are employed in this country by an organisation known as Centrosoyus; and how many possess permits as permanent residents?

I am informed that the employés of Centrosoyus (England) Limited, included 21 Soviet citizens on 1st January. No visas have since been authorised for others to join that organisation. Neither these nor any other aliens hold permits to reside here permanently.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Russian nationals in this country to whom the British Government has accorded diplomatic immunity or other privileges of any kind; the number of British nationals enjoying the same privileges and treatment in Russia; what privileges connected with diplomatic post-bags or other means of written or verbal intercourse are enjoyed by representatives of Russia or other Russian citizens in this country; and will he give the same particulars as to privileges to British representatives and British citizens in Russia, and the number of such citizens to whom such privileges are granted by the Russian Government?

There are 26 Soviet nationals who receive diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom. There are 12 British subjects who enjoy the same immunity in the Soviet Union, and three more who enjoy limited privilege. The privileges as regards means of communication with Russia, to which alone I presume the hon. Member refers, are defined, as far as the trade delegation are concerned, in the Trade Agreement, though the weekly weight of the bag has been raised by agreement to 5 kilogrammes. As regards the diplomatic mission, they are the customary privileges enjoyed by diplomatic missions, but the weekly weight of confidential bags allowed is limited to 10 kilogrammes. The head or acting head of the British Mission in Moscow enjoys similar privileges.

Why are the Russian privileges double those accorded to us?

I do not think that is the case. One refers to diplomatic missions in this country and the other to the head of the trade delegation.

Do I understand there are two bodies from Russia who have diplomatic privileges, one the trade delegation, with sealed bags and special representatives, and also the diplomatic mission, with other sealed bags and other representatives? Are there two sets of persons?

As I explained yesterday, under the Trading Agreement one Russian official has been appointed with diplomatic privileges. As a matter of fact that individual is also in the diplomatic mission as commercial counsellor—the same man.

Is it a fact that other Embassies and Missions in this country have attached to them commercial attachés who really carry out many of the same duties as are carried out by the trade delegation of Russia?

Do they also carry out propaganda against this country?

I am not quite sure that I appreciate the hon. Member's question. Russia is the only country which has this special Trade Agreement and under it each country has the right to appoint certain officials for the purpose of this trading business, and Russia has appointed one trade official under that agreement. As a matter of fact he is also the same gentleman who acts as commercial counsellor in the Russian Mission.

Are there not commercial counsellors attached to other Embassies just the same as Russia?

Certainly.

I am not yet clear. Are there two sets of sealed bags, one going to the diplomatic Mission, and one to the Trade Delegation?

I thought I had made that clear. On the Trade Delegation there is one Russian official who has the right to receive sealed messages, and naturally the Russian Mission also has a right to receive sealed messages

We must not now discuss this question of policy.

Have commercial attachés attached to other foreign Embassies the same right to receive sealed bags, apart from the diplomatic bags, which the Russian Commercial Attaché evidently has?

I really think this would be more properly discussed in Debate. There is a special Trade Agreement with Russia. Owing to the fact that Russia is the only country which is in this position, it does not apply to other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the despatch bags of the Russian Trade Delegation are allowed into this country uncensored?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a question asked yesterday by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Mr. Walter Newbold, late Communist Member for Motherwell—

I should like to see that question first.

Is it to be presumed that the Trade Delegation is not competent to carry on its business if its correspondence is subject to the ordinary censorship?

That question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the claims for compensation from the Soviet Government for personal injury have been satisfied; whether Mr. Joseph Martin; who was repatriated under the authority of the British Government, has yet received any compensation in response to the representations made by the Foreign Office; and what further steps His Majesty's Government intend to take to obtain satisfaction of these claims?

So far as I am aware, only two such claims have been paid. Mr. J. Martin has not yet, so far as I am aware, received any compensation, but his case will be included in the list of all such claims to be brought forward when a suitable opportunity offers.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, in an answer on 23rd July, 1923, an hon. Member was informed that "in the case of compensation for personal injury a settlement is open to negotiation on the lines of the recent correspondence with the Soviet Government? This matter will be proceeded with without delay." I ask whether any steps have been taken to obtain compensation in any of the two or three hundred cases of British subjects who received personal injury from imprisonment by the Soviet Government.

; Various efforts have been made, but the Soviet Government have made it clear that they will not consider any of these claims apart from a much wider settlement, and that settlement is to take place on terms which are not acceptable to His Majesty's Government.

Are we to understand that the Government are perfectly powerless to give any protection or obtain any compensation for there terrible injuries?

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken, or will be taken, to carry out the provisions of Part I of the Criminal Justice Act, 1925, which comes into operation on the 1st of July next, with regard to the probation of offenders?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Circular Letter which I sent to Magistrates in April and to the Probation Rules recently issued. I will send him copies.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons under 21 years of age who have been executed in England and Wales during the last 30 years and the relative ages of each?

The number of persons is 22, of whom five were between 18 and 19, nine between 19 and 20, and eight between 20 and 21 years of age upon conviction.

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of officers and men of the Metropolitan Police Force engaged in connection with the race meeting at the village of Ascot; what was the cost of their attendance; and whether any part of that cost will fall on the ratepayers in the Metropolitan Police District?

The number of police varied from day to day, the maximum being 606 apart from those engaged in regulating traffic on roads within the Metropolitan Police District. The cost was approximately £4,200, and was almost wholly borne by the various racecourse authorities.

asked the Homo Secretary whether prison warders now use firearms or any other lethal weapon?

At the convict prisons of Parkhurst and Dartmoor, and at the Camp Hill Preventive Detention Prison, at all of which parties of prisoners are employed outside the walls, some of the officers, when on duty outside the walls, are armed with carbines. Apart from these, prison officers carry no weapons except staves.

asked the Home Secretary whether, and how soon, he proposes to introduce legislation to restrict the operations of international share swindlers; and if it is practicable to exercise greater vigilance in preventing the entry into this country of these individuals?

So far as the Company Law is concerned, I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that the amending legislation contemplated as the result of the report of the Company Law Amendment Committee will include provisions bearing on this question. So far as the law relating to the control of aliens is concerned, the existing provisions are adequate. Certain special instructions were given as soon as these activities came to my notice, and the result is being carefully watched.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all company swindlers are not aliens?

I am sorry to say that is perfectly true, but in regard to those who are aliens I happen to have rather useful powers.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to take action to check the issue of motor licences to blind, deaf, and otherwise dangerous drivers?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As I have previously stated, I have the general question of the issue of driving licences to persons suffering from physical disabilities under consideration in connection with the Bill for the better regulation of road vehicles referred to in the Gracious Speech from the Throne.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he subscribes to this description of all deaf drivers as dangerous? Is he aware that many deaf men are extremely intelligent and have excellent sight, and that any man driving certain vehicles is deafened by the noise?

As I am somewhat deaf myself, I entirely subscribe to the hon. and gallant Member's statement.

Does this mean that this is the reason why the same answer has been given after 12 months?

I have been considering it.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many forms and returns are required by the Board to be prepared by teachers and educational authorities each year in respect of elementary schools and secondary schools, respectively; what are the subjects of the inquiries made; what is the estimated time occupied in preparing the replies; to what use are these returns put when made; how many clerks, approximately, are occupied in the Department in connection with them; and what means are being adopted to reduce and simplify these returns, so as to free teachers and educational authorities for their other duties?

I find some difficulty in answering my hon. Friend's question because I do not know what he intends to include under the description "forms and returns." If he will confer with me I will see what information I can give him.

Will the Noble Lord ask two or three business men who are interested in education to go through these manifold forms and see whether they cannot be cut down, with great advantage from the point of view of economy?

If the hon. Member will confer with me he will find that a good many of the forms which he holds in his hand have already been revised.

Is it not the fact that these many forms which I hold are those in use for educational bodies throughout the country? Those are the forms on which they are working.

I do not know what forms the hon. Member has in his hand, but I quite agree that there has been a good deal too much complication in this administration, and if he will confer with me I will see what information I can give to him and to the House which shall be accurate and not misleading information.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether he is aware that, on application being made to the Somerset Education Committee that the children in one part of the county should be fed, the Education Committee requested the names of the children requiring food, and that the teachers in the schools which the children attended were then instructed to observe and weigh the children in order to ascertain whether they are suffering as the result of the mining stoppage; whether this action is in accordance with the Regulations of the Board; and, if not, what steps he is prepared to take in the matter?

I have no information as to the action stated to have been taken by the Somerset authority. It is for the local authority to decide whether there is a need in their area for the exercise of their powers to provide meals, and I do not think that I can properly interfere with their discretion in the matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that in a serious matter of this kind he has no power to see that the provisions of the Act are properly carried out? If I send him information of a school where the children were weighed the first week with their boots off and the second week with their boots on, will he investigate the matter?

May I ask the Noble Lord if he has any reason to think that the Somerset Education Authority is not carrying out its duties properly?.

In answer to the last supplementary question, I have no reason to think so. In answer to the first supplementary question, if the hon. Member will look at the Act of Parliament he will see that the local authority is only empowered to provide meals at its own cost when it is satisfied that children are unable, owing to lack of nourishment, to derive full advantage from the education provided and that no funds other than public funds are available to defray the cost of feeding them. These two things can, in their very nature, only be decided on local knowledge, and, therefore, under the terms of the Act, I think I have no right to interfere.

Is it the view of the right hon. Gentleman that whether a child needs to be fed can only be discovered by weighing it?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have put the Acts for the feeding of school children into operation; how many of them are providing two meals per day; and how many are providing three meals per day?

The present number of authorities exercising their powers under the Education Act, 1921, to provide meals for school children is 146, of whom, according to the returns furnished to my Department, 36 provide two meals a day and 16 three meals a day.

Has the Noble Lord had any complaints from any districts that the Feeding of School Children Act has not been put into operation?

As far as I know, no complaints have come personally to my attention.

Can the Noble Lord say whether these meals are given on seven days of the week?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether there have been any cases of anthrax, contracted through infected shaving brushes, since the beginning of the year; if so, how many; and what steps have been taken to prevent any recurrence from similar sources?

One such case has occurred this year, happily without fatal result. All practicable steps have been taken to trace other shaving brushes which have been imported into this country from the same source, with a view to their being destroyed or withheld from sale. Steps have also been taken to deal with any future consignments of shaving brushes from this source, and the matter has been referred to the Government of the country of origin in order that appropriate action may be taken.

Has the Minister considered the advisability of compelling the disinfection of shaving brushes? Does he remember that the Government have a splendid disinfecting station?

I do not think it is practicable.

In view of the importance of the question, may I ask for a reply?

I said that I did not think it was practicable.

Is it not possible to disinfect the bristles in bulk?

May I ask the Minister further—

I think further questions ought to be put on the Paper. The question seems to have been fully answered.

asked the Minister of Health how many voluntary contributors have become insured under the widows', orphans' and contributory old age pension scheme; and whether it is proposed to extend the period beyond the 4th July on which the scheme will be open for the admission of voluntary insured persons?

The number of voluntary contributors under the contributory pensions scheme cannot be stated until returns are received from the approved societies after the end of the current half-year. The Regulations enable me in special circumstances to extend the time for taking up voluntary insurance to a date not later than the 2nd January, 1927, and this power will be exercised in suitable cases.

Is there any lack of co-ordination between the right hon. Gentleman's Department and certain approved societies with regard to these applications?

I am not aware of any.

asked the Minister of Health what additional provision is being made, as a consequence of the miners' dispute, for the supply of milk to nursing and expectant mothers and to young children through the county councils or local authorities?

I have no information as to any special action taken in this matter by local authorities. On the question of policy, I may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Abertillery on the 10th instant.

asked the Minister of Health what he proposes to do with regard to the communications from the Whiston Board of Guardians asking his sanction to grant relief on loan of a sum, not exceeding 10s. per week, to the single miners who are locked out?

I have informed the guardians that this proposal is not one which they can lawfully put into operation.

asked the Secretary for Mines what amount of money was set apart in 1924 for the purpose of stimulating the activities of the Fuel Research Department; and how much of such money has been spent hitherto?

I have been asked to reply to this question, on behalf of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In 1924 the Government authorised the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to increase the annual expenditure on fuel research by a sum then estimated for 1925 at about £25,000, and for subsequent years at £35,004. The actual expenditure of the Department on fuel research was £48,145 in 1924, and £76,241 in 1925, an increase of £28,000. The expenditure for 1926 is estimated at from £92,000 to £102,000, a total increase of about £45,000 or more over the 1924 expenditure.

Have the experiments which have been carried out in low-temperature carbonisation reached such a stage as to become a commercial proposition, or to be likely to become a commercial proposition in the near future?

There is another question on the Paper in reference to that point.

Is the Noble Lord aware that in the Debate last Tuesday the Minister of Health declared that no smokeless fuel suitable for domestic grates had been discovered after all this expense?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Mines Department have prepared any scheme during the past three years for the transfer of miners from less prosperous to more prosperous districts?

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements exist for co-operation between my Department and miners' associations in the transfer of unemployed miners to vacancies notified to the Exchanges. No formal schemes of transfer have been prepared.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether in these schemes for transfer arrangements are made as to fares, the removal of the man's furniture, and the supply of housing accommodation in the district?

I am not quite sure that I caught the hon. Member's question.

At the present time, as far as I understand, the scheme men are simply sent to different areas, but very little is done as regards arranging for railway fares, and there are certainly no arrangements for lodging or housing or anything of that kind, either for single or for married men?

The arrangements in question are arrangements between my Department and the local associations, which endeavour to find out, before sending a man to another district, whether there is a vacancy in that place which he would be likely to be able to fill.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that miners going from Durham, say to Yorkshire or Derbyshire, are often crowded into houses, through no fault of their own or of the people in those par- ticular areas, and can he not see that something is done to meet this immediate demand?

The hon. Member had better put down a question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that complaints are being made regarding increases in the wholesale price of coal, in some instances amounting to as much as 120 per cent. above the pre-strike price; if he has yet concluded his inquiries into the cases of increase of cost already supplied to him by the hon. Member for Hillsborough; and whether he will now state what steps the Government are taking to prevent profiteering in coal?

I have written to the hon. Member in detail concerning the cases of increases of price of which he has given me particulars. On the general question, I have recently circularised all collieries warning them that the charging of excessive prices may necessitate the Government taking action to requisition stocks or control prices. I hope this will have the effect of keeping increases within reasonable limits.

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman has recognised that excessive charges are being made, since he has issued a warning, may I ask how long he is going to wait before putting into effect the requisition of stocks?

I think that, if the hon. Member will come and have a word with me, he will, when he has seen my letter, if he has not already got it, find in it a good deal that we can discuss together.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what basis he has intervened in cases where he has already intervened and secured a reduction in price, as in Dundee; and is he aware that, even after his intervention, which secured a reduction of 6d. per cwt., the price is still 3s. 6d. per cwt.

Yes, Sir. Of course, it is quite inevitable that, under the present conditions, there should be some increase in price; the point is whether there is actually profiteering by an undue increase, and that is a matter that I am going into.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, even after his intervention, the price has gone up 200 per cent.?

No, Sir, not after I intervened. If the hon. Member has any case in mind, perhaps he will give me particulars?

Is it not the case that coal which is presently being sold to consumers was dug at the old price, so that any increase that is now being made over what would have been charged had there been no dispute is undoubtedly profiteering; and will the right hon. Gentleman put a stop to that?

I think the hon. Gentleman is too keen a business man not to realise that, if he is distributing coal under the present ration in very small quantities over a large area, it is obviously going to cost more than when it is distributed in larger quantities.

Is it not the case that the areas have not increased since the dispute started, and, consequently, that the cost of distribution is the same now as it was before the dispute?

We cannot now argue the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the low-temperature carbonisation of coal is to form part of the Government scheme for the reorganisation of the coal trade; if so, whether it is intended to proceed by administrative action; and whether it will take the form of assisting private enterprise or by the Government establishing carbonisation plant in various parts of the coalfields?

I have been asked to reply to this question on behalf of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In the opinion of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, it is doubtful whether any of the existing schemes for low-temperature carbonisation, though they contain many elements of promise, have as yet got beyond the experimental stage. Low-temperature carbonisation cannot, therefore, as yet form part of any scheme for the reorganisation of the coal trade. As soon as any process or processes of low-temperature carbonisation are shown to be commercially practicable, it cannot be doubted that private enterprise will rapidly develop them. In the meanwhile, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is carrying on its own investigation at the fuel research station, and is giving its assistance in testing results which are obtained elsewhere. The hon. Member will see that in these circumstances the latter part of the question does not for the moment arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Ashington Co-operative Society have refused to supply goods to anyone in exchange for relief tickets except their own members owing to their fear of rendering themselves liable for Income Tax if they did so; and if he will inquire into the position of persons not belonging to co-operative societies who received from Poor Law guardians tickets which are only negotiable at co-operative stores?

I hope to be able to-morrow to communicate to my hon. and gallant Friend the result of the inquiries which are being made.

In view of the importance of this matter to the public, may I ask the Minister to communicate the result of the inquiry to the House?

If the hon. Member likes to put down another question, I shall be very glad to do so.

Supposing I put down an unstarred question on Monday, will the right hon. Gentleman answer it?

Yes.

Is not the practice when the Minister cannot reply to a question right away and he wishes to give the information later, to publish the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

There is no rule on the matter, but Ministers are always ready to meet the House in that respect. I understand that a further question is to be put down on Monday, and then the answer will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not the general practice for the Minister, instead of stating that he will send the answer to the hon. Member, to ask him to put it down on the Paper?

That is to be done, I understand.

asked the Minister of Health if he proposes to introduce legislation in pursuance of the Order made under Part II of the Housing Act, 1925, relating to unhealthy areas, on the same basis as in the case of contributions made under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which gave on the 22nd April last to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Smethwick.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many dwelling-houses are under construction by his Department; what is the average estimated cost; and how many dwelling-houses the Office of Works completed in 1925?

(for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): With the exception of a few houses required for Government employes (mainly coastguard personnel), no dwelling-houses are under construction by the Office of Works. In 1925, 20 flats were completed under the Shoreditch local authority's housing scheme at an average cost of £694 inclusive of administrative charges.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in a case where a local authority is negotiating for the purchase of land and where sanction by a Government Department is required although no State moneys are involved, the assistance of the district valuer is available?

In the case referred to, the assistance of the district valuer is available. He may furnish a valuation but can negotiate only where State funds are involved.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of deaths due to puerperal septicæmia, following childbirth, in the Kingston area; and, in view of the fact that many of these cases have been connected with one nursing home in particular, will he cause a full inquiry to be made as to the effectiveness of the existing County Council regulations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, an inquiry has already been made into these cases by one of the medical officers of my Department, and her Report is now under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when we may have the contents of this Report, because this is a very serious matter? Is the Minister aware that the coroner said that he had examined six cases from this one nursing home this year?

Yes, Sir; I do regard it as a very serious matter, and perhaps I shall be able to give further information to the House when I have had an opportunity of considering the, Report which is being made.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the injurious effect of local rates on the shipbuilding industry, referred to in the Report of the joint committee of shipbuilding employers and employés, he is prepared to consider the recommendations which they make thereon?

The Report mentioned has not yet been referred for my consideration. I may say, however, that the provisional proposals for the reform of the Poor Law system issued by me would have considerable bearing on the principle of the first recommendation mentioned by the hon. Member. As regards the second recommendation I am, as at present advised, doubtful whether the suspension of sinking funds would be a sound policy.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the opinion expressed by certain members of the Committee in their Report on schemes of assistance to necessitous areas that it is possible to adopt some of the principles embodied in those schemes so as to give a basis of assistance to areas which are suffering severely from the heavy burdens of rates due to post-War conditions?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member's question on the 27th April.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter further, seeing that the Committee report that certain proposals are possible to be carried out?

The Report was before the Parliamentary Secretary when he gave the reply to which I have referred.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown on the question of the position of Poor Law guardians with reference to relief given to boys under 16, which he undertook to submit to these officers?

The question is before the Law Officers, but I have not yet received their opinion.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount outstanding of loans granted by the government to boards of guardians; what generally is the security on which these loans have been made; and what is the interest which is charged on loans to guardians?

The total amount outstanding of loans granted to hoards of guardians is £3,761,675. The loans are secured by mortgages on the poor rates of the parishes and all the funds, properties and revenues of the guardians. The rate of interest charged an each loan is fixed at the time of issue of the loan. The rates for loans issued since 1st January has been 5 per cent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in regard to that £3,000,000 to which boards of guardians it has been loaned?

The answer to that question would be rather long, and perhaps my hon. and gallant. Friend will put a question on the Paper.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any prospect of recovering any of this money?

Yes, Sir; I hope to recover the whole of it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons entirely relieved from the payment of Income Tax through the increase in the earned income allowance provided in the Finance Act, 1925?

It is estimated that, as a result of the increase in the earned income allowance and the relief accorded to persons over 65 years of age whose total income does not exceed £500 per annum, approximately 300,000 persons were entirely relieved from payment of Income Tax for 1925–26 who would otherwise have paid and borne tax for that year. It is not possible to divide this figure between the two reliefs but much the greater part of it is attributable to the increase of the earned income allowance.

also asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer if he can state the number of persons over 65 years of age with unearned incomes of less than £500 a year who have obtained reductions in their Income Tax assessments through the provisions of the Finance Act, 1925?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum levied as Income Tax, Schedule D, on the profits of universities and public schools in the last financial year; and how much is estimated to be yielded under the same head by universities and public schools in the current financial year?

I regret that I am unable to furnish this information, as the statistics collected in regard to the charge of Income Tax on profits do not distinguish the profit s made by schools and colleges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received a request from the retail trading community of Acton asking that the cooperative societies should be treated on the same basis as themselves for the purposes of taxation; and what has been the nature of his reply?

There is no record of the receipt of the request to which my hon. Friend refers. With regard to the taxation of co-operative societies, I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a reply which was given on the subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-on-Thames on the 8th June.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to make inquiries from his colleague in the Post Office as to what has happened to this interesting communication?

If the right lion Gentleman receives this communication, will he give it his careful consideration, so that there will be equity between the ordinary shopkeeper and co-operative societies?

Is there not a very widespread feeling in that sense throughout the country?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts invested in, and the withdrawals or repayments from, the Post Office Savings Bank and National War Savings Certificates, respectively, for the years 1924 and 1925; and the total amount of National War Savings Certificates?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the claim made by the Dunfermline Town Council for compensation for loss sustained through the closing of Rosyth Dockyard has yet been examined by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; whether a decision is likely to be arrived at shortly; and whether, before a final decision is given, the officials of the town council will have an opportunity of discussing with the Lords Commissioners any points upon which they may be dissatisfied?

The Treasury are at the moment engaged in examining with the Admiralty the further documents submitted by the Dunfermline Town Council in support of the claim which they have made, and I hope that it may be possible to arrive at a decision thereon shortly. I am not yet in a position to say whether it will be necessary to ask the town council to send representatives for further oral discussion of the points raised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Royal Agricultural Society of England was consulted before the recent Order allowing 100 Friesian cattle to be imported from South Africa was issued; and whether the British Friesian Society itself has been consulted in the matter?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. I would point out that the Importation of Pedigree Animals Act, 1925, only requires consultation with the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many men invalided from the Air Force 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 wars the decision reversed as the result of such reinvestigation?

There were 77 appeals to the Air Ministry from airmen invalided in 1925 for disabilities not considered to be directly attributable to Air Force service, and in three cases the appeal was allowed. I may add that the findings of local invaliding boards are investigated in all cases by the medical authorities at the Air Ministry independently of any reinvestigation on appeal.

Can the hon. Baronet say if his Department is considering the setting up of a proper appeal tribunal at the Ministry for these cases?

There is a proper appeal tribunal. Each case is investigated twice, first by a board and again by the medical authorities at the Air Ministry.

Is the man allowed to be represented at the appeal?

I should like to have notice of that question.

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

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Southwark Central (Colonel Day), on 18th June.

Since the hon. Baronet gave that answer, has it not been borne in upon him that it is a very great injustice to deprive a man of an allowance in respect of his children because he was not married before he reached the age of 26?

They are not deprived. They are made an allowance for children born before the airman reached the age of 26.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can inform the House as to the progress which has been made in the efforts to create an auxiliary Air Force defence scheme for London; and what is the position of that force to-day?

The work of completing the four squadrons mentioned in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) on 31st March last, is proceeding satisfactorily. It is expected that a fifth squadron will be formed towards the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total strength of the Royal Air Force Reserve, and what is the number of reserve pilots available for actual flying?

As regards the first part of the question, the strength of the Royal Air Force Reserve as at 30th April last was 991 officers and 6,238 airmen. The answer to the last part is 708, of whom 588 are in regular flying practice and immediately available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total mileage flown by British civil aircraft during 1925; what was the number of miles flown by Imperial Airways, Limited; and what was the average cost per mile flown?

As regards the first part of the question, the total mileage flown by British civil air services flying for hire or reward was 1,031,000 miles. No full record of other mileage flown is available. The answer to the second part is 811,711 miles. As regards the last part of the question, I am not sure what the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, but, on the assumption that he is referring to the cost to the State of subsidised services, the answer is 3s. 4½d. per mile flown.

Would it be possible for the hon. Baronet to give me information—not necessarily now—as to the total cost, say per ton mile flown, or some formula of that kind?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put a question down.

Do the figures show an increase of mileage flown over 1924?

There is an increase, but the whole basis has now been altered, and it is going to be horsepower miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of Messrs. Taylor, Taylor, and Hobson, Limited, of Stoughton Street Works, Leicester, to reinstate some 30 of their men since the general strike unless they leave their trade union; and whether, in view of the fact that this firm is on the list of contractors to the Air Ministry, he will take such facts into consideration in the allotment of future contracts?

I have no information in regard to the case referred to by the hon. Member, but the matter is in any event not one falling within the scope of the Fair Wages Clause in Government contracts, and appears to be one for discussion between the parties concerned.

Will the hon. Baronet make inquiries with regard to this matter, and does he not think, in view of the Prime Minister's statement, that it is a matter which should be taken into consideration?

Is it not a fact that these men left their employment, without giving any notice at all?

Is the hon. Baronet aware that this firm manufactures articles which protected under the Key industries Act, and does he not think that people employed in such an industry ought to remain at work?

In any event, the Air Minisiry has no power to interfere in regard to the employment of union or non-union workpeople by an independent employer.

Is it the sole concern of the. Ministry to get the best jobs?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Committee appointed by the Government to inquire into the question of the Poll Tax in Ceylon has issued a Report; if so, whether he will state the recommendations made therein; and whether it is the intention of the Government to act on those recommendations?

So far as I am aware, no Report has yet been issued; and I have no information as to the intentions of the Ceylon Government in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce has made further complaint of the delay which traders are compelled to suffer as a result of the present Customs arrangements; that a case was submitted to the secretary of the Customs House on 21st June which showed that an Italian order for British goods was compelled to wait upon the passage through the British Customs for samples which, though despatched from Milan on 29th April, had not reached their postal destination in England on 7th Jane; and whether he can provide any remedy?

A complaint as to delay in the delivery of goods was received by the Customs Department on the 22nd June from the Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce, who have been invited to furnish particulars which will enable the importation to be traced. On the receipt of this information, inquiries will be made forthwith, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the first occasion on which goods have been delayed to a considerable extent owing to the action of the Customs authorities, and that British traders are losing orders on account of samples not being received by them?

Is not British trade suffering greatly from other interference as well?

As to the last part of the hon. Member's question, I doubt very much whether that is accurate. No doubt, there have been cases of delay, but I think they have been few and far between, and are becoming more rare than they were.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received the recommendations passed by the international conference at Washington on the subject of the pollution of the sea by the discharge of oil from ships; and whether, in view of the urgency of the matter, he will take immediate steps to see what remedial action can be taken to stop this nuisance?

I would refer my hen. Friend to the replies which I gave on Tuesday on this subject, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to conclusion (M) on page 73 of the Third Report of the Imperial Economic Committee concerning the cost of distribution of fruit; and, if so, state what steps he proposes to take to remedy the high cost of distribution?

My attention has been called to this conclusion, and I understand that the Executive Committee of the Food Council will have the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee before them at their meeting next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 20,000,000 artificial teeth are imported annually into this country; and if he has received a request to set up a Committee under the Safeguarding of Industries Act to inquire into the position of this industry?

I am aware that considerable quantities of artificial teeth are imported, although precise figures of the imports are not available from official sources. With regard to the latter part of the question, I must adhere to the practice that statements as to whether an industry has or has not applied under the safeguarding procedure should not be made except on the appointment of a committee of inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 10,000 men who ought to be employed in this industry, but many of whom are unemployed, and does he not think that it ought properly to come under the category of a key industry? Does he agree with the policy of "British teeth for British mouths"?