asked the Home Secretary how many horses employed by the Metropolitan mounted police have been injured whilst engaged in traffic control duty in the streets during the past two years?

Twenty-nine horses have been injured while engaged on traffic control duty since 1st July, 1924.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of parcels sent by air post through the Post Offices of Great Britain, either express or non-express, to Paris and Holland for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

For the 12 months ended 30th June last, the numbers were as follow: To Paris 3,458; to Holland, 1,903

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state the percentage of sugar unextracted from the beets handled by British sugar factories; and how this figure compares with the percentage of sugar unextracted by the sugar-beet industry in the United States?

In the case of the United States I am informed that the percentage of recovery of sugar to the total sucrose in the beets was 84.75 in the period 1914–20 and 86.21 in 1924. In view of the fact that the sugar-beet factories in this country are mostly in their first or second year of working, I do not think that a fair comparison can be made between their average results and those of the old-established factories in the United States. I am not in a position to publish the results obtained by individual factories.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of subsidy paid in 1925–26 to the British sugar-beet factories?

I have been asked to reply. The total subsidy paid to date in respect of home-grown beet sugar and molasses produced during the 1925–26 manufacturing season is £1,092,365 4s. 5d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider legislation with a view to the taxation of cats?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of the passing of the Adoption of Children Bill, an amendment of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Act will be proposed, to secure that a child adopted as a result of an Adoption Order will have the same rights under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions Act as the legitimate child of an insured man or the widow of an insured man?

Provision is already made by Section 6 of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, under which if a widow ceased to support the child on its adoption by some third party, the allowance payable in respect of the child could be paid to the adopter. The Bill to which the hon. Member refers does not appear to have any bearing on the Widows, Etc., Act, 1925.

MERCHANDISE MARKS ACTS. Particulars (as to consignments detained during the years ended 31 st March , 1921–1926 inclusive. Year ended 31st March. Consignments detained. Disposal. At the Ports In the Parcel Post. Total. Delivered. Exported or returned to Port of shipment Seized. As British returned good. On removal or qualification of marks. As imported. 1921 1,750 297 2,047 172 1,161 478 181 55 1922 1,551 444 1,995 124 1,172 419 249 31 1923 1,775 667 2,442 125 1,472 487 325 33 1924 1,875 701 2,576 140 1,431 583 385 37 1925 2,400 535 2,935 141 1,622 823 326 23 1926 3,198 927 4,125 180 2,099 1,496 318 32

asked the President of the Board of Trade. (1) what were the values of glass goods manufactured, of all kinds, imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925, respectively;

(2) what were the values of enamelled hollow-ware goods manufactured of all kinds imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1925, respectively?

I.—GLASS AND GLASSWARE. Imports into the United Kingdom from all sources. Year. Plate and sheet glass All other descriptions of glass and glassware. Total glass and glassware. £ £ £ 1921 1,354,957 3,268,346 4,623,303 1922 1,547,630 2,927,540 4,475,170 1923 1,526,454 2,839,528 4,365,982 1924 1,588,559 2,991,858 4,580,417 1925 1,681,662 3,169,958 4,851,620

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of consignments detained under the Merchandise Marks Acts at the ports and in the parcel post for the years ending 31st March, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926; and whether he can state how these consignments were disposed of and how many of them were seized?

The following is the information required:

The following statements show the declared values of (1) glass and glassware, and (2) enamelled hollow-ware, registered as imported into the United Kingdom in each of the years 1921 to 1925. For the years 1921 and 1922, and for the first three months of 1923, the figures relate to Great Britain and the whole of Ireland, and for that period, I am unable to furnish particulars of the imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland. For the last nine months of 1923, and for the years 1924 and 1925, the figures relate to Great Britain and Northern Ireland only:

II.—ENAMELLED HOLLOW-WARE. Imports into the United Kingdom from all sources. Year. Enamelled Hollow-ware Cast. Enamelled Hollow-ware Wrought Total. £ £ £ 1921 … … … … … … … 171,833 487,514 659,347 1922 … … … … … … … 135,871 374,657 510,528 1923 … … … … … … … 9,951 284,769 294,720 1924 … … … … … … … 14,031 340,901 354,932 1925 … … … … … … … 49,098 497,676 546,774

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of imports, re-exports, retained imports and exports, of cotton lace per month from July, 1925, to 31st May, 1926?

Month. Total Imports. Re-exports. Imports retained. Exports (United Kingdom manufacture). 1925 £ £ £ £ July … … … … … … 84,036 62,461 21,575 219,358 August … … … … … … 23,619 6,763 16,856 173,770 September … … … … … … 36,345 5,637 30,708 164,077 October … … … … … … 35,273 4,794 30,479 155,293 November … … … … … … 38,007 4,020 33,987 136,611 December … … … … … … 35,752 3,851 31,901 152,863 1926 January … … … … … … 39,581 7,162 32,419 173,639 February … … … … … … 31,605 3,263 28,342 186,752 March … … … … … … 39,671 5,622 34,049 169,363 April … … … … … … 26,209 3,526 22,683 119,666 May … … … … … … 17,260 3,750 13, 510 106,605

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount and value of orders placed with British shipbuilding firms by Canadian firms and undertakings during the 12 months preceding the last convenient date?

I regret that I am unable to give the particulars for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cases

The following statement shows the declared value of the import and export trade of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in cotton lace and net in each of the months specified.

of grape fruit imported into this country during each of the last five years, together with the number of such cases imported from British Possessions?

The particulars required to be furnished by importers of grape fruit show the quantities by weight, not by numbers of cases. It is understood that the weight of the fruit in a case varies considerably according to the country of origin, and lies generally between 62 and 80 lbs.

The quantities of grape fruit imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1921–5 have been as follow:

Imports of Grape Fruit, Raw. Year Consigned from Foreign Countries. Consigned from British Countries overseas. Total Imports. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. 1921 14,284 7,165 21,449 1922 19,681 11,919 31,600 1923 30,952 19,197 50,149 1924 61,067 20,300 81,367 1925 135,891 31,726 167,617

From 1st April, 1923, the above particulars exclude the direct imports into the Irish Free State from countries outside the British Isles.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Treasury Minute d/12th December, 1800, relative to the compulsory retirement of Government servants, is still applicable; whether it applies to those joining the service after 1890; and, if so, whether he will state which rule determines that it shall apply to this latter category of cases?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to Treasury Circular dated 12th December, 1890. This Circular brought to the notice of Departments the provisions of the Order in Council of the 15th August, 1890, as regards, inter alia, compulsory retirement. The provisions of that Order in Council in that respect have been re-enacted in subsequent Orders in Council with slight modifications, and these provisions apply to all civil servants irrespective of the date of their joining the Service.

asked the Minister of Health the number of writing assistants and members of the typing grades respectively employed in his Department who are at present classified A, or above-average for promotion purposes?

The number of writing assistants and members of the typing grades employed in this Department who are at present classified A for promotion is 21 and 8 respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport if any strengthening of Charing Cross railway bridge has been undertaken since the War, and what is the maximum weight for a locomotive allowed on it?

The reply to the first part of this question is, I understand, in the negative. As regards the second part, I am informed by the railway company that locomotives up to 140 tons weight may pass over the western portion of the bridge, and that upon the eastern, or original, portion, the weight is limited to 96 tons, but that under the electrified working now in operation, the latter portion will be traversed by electric stock, the loads from which are considerably less than locomotive loads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the many accidents occurring to pillion riders, he will take steps to introduce legislation to prevent this practice?

This and all relevant matters will be taken into consideration in connection with the Roads Vehicles Bill, which I hope to have the opportunity of presenting to the House in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused by the closing of the York Road Station of the Piccadilly and Brompton Railway; whether he is aware of the fact that the average takings at this station have been much higher than the takings of other stations on this line, the closing of which is still under consideration; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to whether York Road Station could be opened at least with a modified service at an early date?

I am aware that the closing of the station to which the hon. Member refers has caused inconvenience, and I have been in communication with the railway company on the subject. The company hope to be in a position to re-open this station very soon.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the work performed by the technical advisers to the Special Grants Committee, which is of importance to the War dependants concerned, is to be abolished?

Industry and Occupation. Approximate percentage Increase in Time Rates of Wages for a full week (unless otherwise specified* at 30th April, 1926 in comparison with the level of August, 1914). 1. EXPORTING INDUSTRIES: Coal Mining.— (Average earnings per man shift worked).† Northumberland 52 Durham 60 Yorks and East Midlands 64 Lanes, N. Staffs. and Cheshire 66 S. Wales and Mon. 59 Scotland 52 Iron Mining.— Cleveland 27 to 50 Cumberland 27 to 49 Iron and Steel Smelting, Rolling, etc. (Comparison of percentage additions to basis rates). N. of England (Iron Puddling and Iron and Steel Rolling) 56‡Ş Midlands (Iron Puddling and Iron and Steel Rolling) 45‡ Scotland (Iron Puddling and Rolling) 52‡ S. Wales and Mon. (Iron and Steel Rolling) 15‡ Various Districts (Steel Smelting) 13 to 18‡Ş Labourers at Steel Smelting Shops and at Iron and Steel Rolling Mills, in some of the principal Districts in England and Wales. 56 to 75 Pig Iron Manufacture. (Comparison of percentage additions to basis rates, allowing for increases in such basis rates). Cleveland and Durham 35 to 75 Cumberland 40 to 70 S. Wales and Mon. 15 Engineering. (Average of recognised district time rates of wages in 16 centres). Fitters and turners 45 Ironmoulders 44 Patternmakers 45 Labourers 76

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the percentage increase of wages at 30th April, 1926, over August, 1914, of the important sheltered trades and important unsheltered trades?

The following table gives for 30th April, 1926, figures corresponding to those given for 30th June, 1925, on pages 88 to 91 of the survey of industrial relations prepared by the Committee on Industry and Trade. The particulars given are subject to the qualifications to which reference is made in pages 84 and 85 of the survey:

Industry and Occupation. Approximate percentage Increase in Time Rates of Wages for a full week (unless otherwise specified* at 30th April, 1926 in comparison with the level of August, 1914). Shipbuilding. (Average of recognised time rates of wages in 9 principal centres). Shipwrights 35 Platers 35 Rivetters 38 Ship joiners 44 Labourers 68 Cotton Industry— (General increase on list prices modified to allow for the effect of reductions in hours of labour). 61 Wool Textile Industry— (General increases, excluding increases granted in compensation for reduced hours of labour). Time-workers 90¶ Piece-workers 80¶ Chemical Manufacture— (General minimum time-rates recognised by the Employers' Federation and the Trade Unions). Day labourers 115 Shift (process) labourers 106 Boot and Shoe Manufacture.— (General minimum time rates for manufacturing processes agreed upon by the employers' and workers' organisations.) Men—heelbuilding and stock and shoe rooms 111 Men—other departments 100 Women 100 to 112 Dock Labour.— (Rates recognised at principal ports.) General cargo-workers 103 (based on average of daily rates). II. INDUSTRIES OF THE "SHELTERED" TYPE. Building.— (Average of recognised time rates in 40 large towns.) Bricklayers 81 Masons 86 Carpenters and joiners 84 Plumbers 86 Plasterers 85 Painters 101 Labourers 106 Railway Service.— Engine Drivers** 85 to 95 Guards 110 to 132 Ticket Collectors 115 to 135 Goods Porters 122 to 147 Passenger Porters (Class 2) 140 to 155 Road Transport.— (Average of recognised rates in 12 towns). One-horse drivers 108 Tramways.— (Average of recognised rates in 52 towns). Drivers 94 Conductors 105 Printing and Bookbinding— (Average of recognised rates in 26 towns). Hand compositors on book and jobbing work 107 Bookbinders and machine rulers 117 Industry and Occupation. Approximate percentage Increase in Time Rates of Wages for a full week (unless otherwise specified* at 30th April, 1926, in comparison with the level of August, 1914). Baking.— (Average of recognised rates in 13 large towns). Fore hands 87 Table hands 111 Local Authorities (Non-Trading Services).— (Average of rates in 24 large towns). Labourers 99 * In most of the industries referred to, the normal weekly hours of labour were less at April, 1926, than at August, 1914. The percentage increases in hourly rates of wages, therefore, were generally higher than the figures quoted. † The figures quoted are based on the average earnings per man shift worked at June, 1914, and in the quarter ended March, 1926. The information available is insufficient to enable a satisfactory calculation to be made as to the percentage increase in rates of wages. ‡ The full amount of the increases quoted applies in the case of full-time weekly wages only to the lower-paid men. The increase over pre-war weekly full-time wages for the higher-paid men i s generally less. Ş Special bonuses were being paid at April, 1926, to certain of the lower-paid workers. The information available is insufficient to enable the effect of such bonuses to be expressed as a percentage of 1914 rates, but the total percentage increase on the 1914 rates for such workers is in excess of the figures quoted. ║In some occupations the increase was greater. ¶In the case of higher-paid workers the increases were not so great but for some occupations in certain districts the increases over pre-war rates were greater than those quoted. ** The increases shown do not take into account variation in the mileage payments made to drivers of long-distance trains.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Government grants which have been discontinued to the Agricultural Organisation Society in England will be discontinued to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society?

The grant in aid of the work of the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society is being continued for the current financial year. As the hon. Member is aware, the question of this grant is subject to annual review in connection with the presentation to Parliament of the Estimates of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. The main question that has been raised with

respect to grants in future years is that the Government have intimated to the Society that a larger independent income ought to be secured by the Society from private sources.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will publish a Return showing the scale of wages paid to farm servants in each county in Scotland?

A table showing the current wages of farm servants in each county is issued half-yearly by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. The table showing the wages at Whit Sunday last is now in the Press, and I will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy when it is ready.