asked the Secretary for Scotland if it is proposed to introduce legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Report of the Scottish Committee of Inquiry into the prevalence of child assault cases; and, if so, when will the Measure be introduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject on the 23rd March.

asked the Minister of Labour the reasons which resulted in the Metropolitan District Court of Referees refusing benefit, on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking employment, to Mrs. Jenkins, 30, Theobald Street, Southwark, S.E.1, on the 13th May last; and will he cause this case to be reviewed by the Umpire?

This applicant appeared before the Court of Referees and explained her ease. On the evidence before them, the Court were not satisfied that she was making sufficient personal effort to obtain employment, and they accordingly disallowed her claim. Leave to appeal to the Umpire, which could only be given by direction of the Court, was not granted, and I am unable to intervene.

asked the Postmaster-General the grades in the Post Office recruited by open competition and limited competition respectively?

In addition to the Treasury grades, which are common to the whole Civil Service, the following grades in the Post Office are recruited partially or wholly by competition: Open and limited competitions: Probationary Assistant Engineer. Probationary Inspector in the Engineering Department. Assistant Superintendent of Traffic. Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. Telegraphist. Sorting Assistant. Limited competition: Sorter and Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist (Postal). Paperkeeper.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of employés in the Post Office, established and unestablished, respectively?

The total number of employés in the Post Office in Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the lst April last was 223,605, of whom approximately 143,000 were established.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent Report of the health inspector's visit to the Kingsbridge Poor Law Infirmary; and what action has been taken with a view to adequate heating and supply of blankets being provided at this institution?

Yes, Sir. I am having further inquiries made into this case.

asked the Home Secretary what offence is charged against a person named John Holt, or John Holt Wolstenholme, who is at present imprisoned in Strangeways Prison, Man- chester; whether he has been charged before a magistrate; and has any sentence been passed upon him?

John Holt Wolstenholme was committed for trial from Manchester City Police Court to Manchester Quarter Sessions, and on 6th August, 1925, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on several charges of receiving.

asked the Home Secretary how many appeals in the matter of rent-aid allowances in the Metropolitan Police have not been settled; and whether those appeals which are several months outstanding are likely to be settled at an early date?

I am only aware of one outstanding case, which is now under consideration.

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the sitting of the Whit-church (Cardiff) Police Court on the 21st June was adjourned owing to the absence of magistrates; and, in view of the expense incurred by court officials, the police, and persons summoned to the court, will he take such action that will result in the necessary two magistrates being available when the court is summoned?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. On inquiry, I find that the arrangements at this Court for securing the attendance of Justices for many years have worked satisfactorily, but on this one occasion they broke down because certain Justices on the rota found themselves at the last moment unable to attend and every effort to obtain others proved unsuccessful.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the sum of £5,300,000 allocated by the Government to meet the claims of those who suffered loss and damage through enemy action has been distributed to claimants; and how soon will the full amount allocated for this purpose be paid out?

The total amount distributed to claimants up to the present date is £4,889,560. It is impossible to state when the payment of outstanding claims will be entirely completed, as many claimants have not yet returned the forms issued to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reason His Majesty's Minister is now absent from Addis Ababa; how long he will be absent; and who will represent His Majesty's Government in his absence?

His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa has been granted the leave of absence to which he is entitled by the Regulations after two years' absence abroad. In his absence His Majesty's Consul at that capital represents His Majesty's Government as Chargé d'Affaires and Acting Consul-General.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations a copy of the Draft Slavery Convention presented to the Sixth Assembly, and referred by it to the Governments, together with several other proposals made by the Norwegian delegate; if so, whether His Majesty's Government have replied; and to what effect?

The answer to the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The reply of His Majesty's Government, which it is understood will shortly be published by the League of Nations, was mainly directed to suggesting improvements in the drafting of the Convention; it also expressed the hope that it would not be found necessary to amend the draft Convention in any manner which might lessen its efficacy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Minister at Peking has made any representations to the Chinese Government as to the payment of arrears of interest on the British issue bonds of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway; and whether he has received any indication as to when payment is likely to be made?

Strong representations have been repeatedly made to the Chinese Government by His Majesty's Minister at Peking since this loan fell into default, but I regret that I can give no indication as to when arrears are likely to be paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the 34 munition factories in Germany authorised by the Military Commission are actually at work at the moment?

I learn that the number of factories authorised is 33 and not 34 as stated in reply to the hon. Member's question of the 8th June. All the factories authorised are working and have the right to manufacture war material within the limits laid down by the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control, but I am informed that they are chiefly engaged in commercial production at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the quantity of coal exported from the territory of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics during the months of March, April and May, 1926, respectively, and the country to which such exports were made, giving the figures in each case so far as possible?

I have cabled to our Representative at Moscow for this information, as far as it is available.