asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of officers not holding permanent Regular commissions who are still employed with the Regular Army, and their departments?

The number of officers not holding permanent Regular commissions still employed with the Regular Army on 1st July, 1926, wail as follows:

Corps. Number. Royal Engineers 30 Infantry 3 Hoyal Army Service Corps 2 Royal Army Medical Corps 35 Army Dental Corps 60 Royal Army Ordnance Corps 12 Staff for Royal Engineer Services 10 152

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, arising out of a question as to rates of wages paid to box porters and to a cutter in the Royal Army Clothing Department whether the Report of the Trade Board inspector is to be accepted and the Trade Board rate recognised in each ease

As I informed the hon. Member on the 8th July, reports of this nature are confidential. The Trade Board have laid down no rate for box porters, which is not a designation used in the outside trades. The claim is that the box porters should be paid as warehousemen, but the box porters' duties are not wholly or mainly those performed by warehousemen for whom the Trade Board have laid down a rate. As regards the man referred to as a cutter, the matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any action has been taken by his Department with a view to considering the revision of the existing road warning signs, in order that such signs may be brought; up to date in the interests of modern road transport?

This matter is kept under constant observation by my Department, but it must be remembered that in the interest of the wider motoring community a certain degree of international uniformity is essential. Any proposed changes have to be carefully scrutinised in the light of this consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the number of accidents to motor cyclists .and their passengers owing to more than one pillion passenger being carried; and will he consider legislation prohibiting the use of motor cycles for carrying more than one pillion passenger?

I have been asked to reply. The desirability of controlling the practice of carrying more than one passenger on the pillion of a solo motor bicycle will be taken into consideration in connection with the Road Vehicles Bill which I hope to have the opportunity of presenting to this House in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amounts of arrears of Super-tax remain from the financial years 1924–25 and 1925–26?

The work of assessment of Super-tax is continuous throughout the year, and the only information I can give regarding arrears is the total amount of tax due to be paid, but not paid, under assessments already made at a given date

It is estimated that at the 30th June last, including all assessments made un to that date, the total amount of Supertax assessed, but not paid, was approximately £15,000,000, of which the greater part would represent. tax for the years 192–25 and 192–96

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Government's revised Export Credits Scheme is applicable to trade done between British nationals and the nationals of Finland, Esthonia, Latvia. Lithuania. Poland, and Rumania, whether the Governments of these countries have agreed to accept responsibility for any portion of the War and pre-War debts contracted by the Tsarist Government?

No arrangement has been made for the assumption by Finland. Esthonia, Latvia, or Lithuania of responsibility for any portion of the debts contracted by the former Russian Government. As regards Poland and Rumania. I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Article 21 of the Treaty between Poland and the Allied and Associated Governments of 28th June, 1919, and to Article 8 of the Treaty between the principal Allied Governments and Rumania of 28th October, 1920.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any part of the British Empire is not, directly or indirectly, a member of the Inter-International Labour Organisation set up under the Versailles Peace Treaty?

I would refer the hon. Member to Article 387 of the Versailles Peace Treaty by virtue of which the British Empire, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the Irish Free State and India are each members of the International Labour Organisation. The position of Colonies, Protectorates and other Dependencies which are not fully self-governing is governed by Article 421 of the Treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of revenue derived from the opium monopoly in the Straits Settlements during the last three years?

The net revenue derived by the Government of the Straits Settlements from its opium monopoly in the years 1922, 1923 and 1924 amounted to $14,730,724, $15,047,419 and $11,564,457 respectively. I have not yet received a report for 1925.

also asked the amount of revenue derived by the Hong Kong Government from the opium monopoly in the same period

The net revenue derived by the Government of Hong Kong from its opium monopoly in the years 1923, 1924 and 1925 amounted to $4,946,150, $4,459,756 and $2,567,670 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will give particulars of military conscription in any States other than Colonies in the British Empire?

The particulars which the hon. Member desires, in so far as the self-governing Dominions are concerned are as follow:

Canada.-Section 10 of the Canadian Militia Act provides: All the male inhabitants of Canada of the age of 18 years and upwards, and under 60, not exempt or disqualified by law, and being British subjects, shall be liable to service in the Militia: Provided that the Governor General may require all the male inhabitants of Canada, capable of bearing arms, to serve in the case of a levee en masse.

Commonwealth of Australia. —Section 59 of the Commonwealth Defence Act provides: All male inhabitants of Australia (excepting those who are exempt from service in the Defence Force) who have resided therein for six months and are British subjects and are between the ages of 18 and 60 years shall, in time of war, be liable to serve in the Citizen Forces.

Section 125 provides: All male inhabitants of Australia (excepting those who are exempted by this Act), who have resided therein for six months, and are British subjects, shall be liable to be trained, as prescribed, as follows:— ( a ) From 12 years to 14 years of age, in the Junior Cadets; and ( b ) From 14 to 18 years of age, in the Senior Cadets; and ( c ) From 18 to 25 years of age, in the Citizen Forces; and ( d ) From 25 to 26 years of age, in the Citizen Forces: Provided that, except in time of imminent danger of war, service under paragraph (d) shall be limited to one registration or one muster-parade.

New Zealand. —Section 27 of the New Zealand Defence Act provides: All the male inhabitants of New Zealand between the ages of 17 and 55. not hereinafter exempted, who have resided in. New Zealand for a period of six months are liable to he trained and serve in the Militia.

Section 35 provides: Subject to the provisions of this Act, all male inhabitants of New Zealand who have resided therein for six months and are British subjects shall he liable to be trained as prescribed as follows:— ( a ) From 12 years to 14 years of age or to the date of leaving school, whichever is the later, in the Junior Cadets; and ( b ) From 14 year; of age or the date of leaving school, as the case may be, to 18 years of age, or in the case of those who on attaining the age of 18 are attending a secondary school, then to the date of their leaving school, in the Senior Cadets; and ( c ) From 18 years of age. or from any later date on which they cease to attend a secondary school a; aforesaid, to 21 years of age, in the General Training Section; and ( d ) From 21 years to:30 years of age, in the Reserve."

Union of South Africa. —Sections –3 of the Union Defence Act provide: Subject to the provisions of this Act, every citizen shall be liable between his 17th and his 60th year (both included) to render in time of war personal service in defence of the Union in any part of South Africa whether within or outside the Union. Subject to the provisions of this Act, every citizen shall be liable to undergo the course of peace training for military service in the Defence Forces of the Union which is prescribed by Section 64 of this Act. Every citizen may be required to commence that training in his 21st year, and to complete it riot later than his 25th year, but a citizen may voluntarily commence that training in any year between his 17th year and his 21st year (both included) and shall complete it in the fourth year from the year of commencement. Of the total number of citizens throughout the Union liable to peace training under the last preceding Section, only 50 per cent. shall actually undergo that training unless, out of moneys specifically appropriated by Parliament for the purpose, provision is made for the training of a greater percentage: Provided that whether provision has been so made for 50 per cent, or for a greater percentage, a margin of increase or decrease not exceeding five per cent. shall be permissible.

asked the Secretary for Mines on what date the Coal Advisory Committee last met, who was present, when the next meeting is to be held; and whether a summary of its more recent discussions, or of the heads of discussion, can be published?

The Committee last met on the 11th February, 1925. The

EMPLOYERS' PANEL. Nominating Body. Number of Representatives. Persons Nominated. The Huddersfield Engineering Employers' Association, District Bank Chambers, Hudderefield. 2 Mr. H. C. Calvert. Mr. G. Thompson. The Huddersfield Wholesale Clothiers' Association, Station Street Buildings, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. G. Thompson. Huddersfield Building Trades Employers' Association, Railway Street, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. W. Tunnacliffe. Huddersfleld Woollen and Worsted Federation, 9, Imperial Arcade, Huddersfield. 2 Mr. G. C. Hirst. Mr. J. Mercer. Fine Cloth Manufacturers' Association, Station Street Buildings, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. C. H. Kaye. Huddersfield Chamber of Trade, Sun Fire Insurance Offices, Britannia Buildings, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. C. W. Haigh. Chemical Employers' Federation (Yorkshire Section), 38, Well Street, Bradford. 1 Mr. Chas. K. Crosland. Chamber of Commerce, Sergeantson Street, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. H. Smith. Huddersfield Yarn and Spinners' Association, 9, Imperial Arcade, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. N. G. Pogson. Individual (Transport Industry) 1 Mr. D. Wainwright.

following members were present. Sir Andrew Duncan ( Chairman ), Mr. F. McAvoy, Colonel W. O. Blaekett, Mr. A. J. Cook, Dr. C. H. Lander, Mr. M. F .Maclean, Captain P. Muschamp, Sir Adam Nimmo, Right Hon. Thomas Richards, Mr. W. P. Richardson, Mr. H. Cecil Rickett, Mr. Herbert Smith, Mr. Ben Tillett, Mr. Ben Turner, and Mr. Evan Williams. No date has been fixed for the next meeting. It would be contrary to recognised practice to publish reports of the proceedings of Departmental Advisory Councils.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give information as to the constitution of the advisory committee set up to hear claims for extended unemployment benefit; and if he can give particulars, including names and addresses, of this advisory committee in Huddersfield?

I am sending the hon. Member a leaflet (L.E.C. I, 1925), which gives a general description of the constitution and functions of the local employment committees. The names of members of the Huddersfield Employment Committee and of the organisations they represent are as follow:

WORKPEOPLE'S PANEL. Nominating Body. Number of Representatives. Persons Nominated. Huddersfleld and District Engineering and Allied Trades' Federation, 33, Estate Buildings, Huddersfield. 2 Mr. F. Shaw. Mr. W. H. Richardson. Transport and General Workers' Association, Tylers Chambers, Market Walk, Hudders-field. 1 Mr. J. P. Stubbs. The Tailors' and Garment Workers' Union, 11, Beast Market, Haddersfield. 1 Mr. H. Firth. National Federation of Building Trades' Operatives (Hudderafield and District Branch), 53, North Street, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. C. H. Farnhill. National Union of Textile Workers, 41, Fitz-william Street, Huddersfield. 3 Mr. W. H. Hudson. (1 a woman). Mr. B. S. Shrigley. Mrs. M. Scott. Huddersfield and District Associated Trades and Labour Council, 52, Taylor Hill Road, Lockwood Huddersfield 1 Mr. J. S. Armitage, J.P. Workers' Union, 33, Estate Buildings, Railway Street, Huddersfield. 2 Mr. J. Gr. Stevens. (1 a woman). Miss M. Doherty. National Union of General and Municipal Workers, 10, Ark Road, Halifax Old Road, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. J. Moss.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS' PANEL. West Riding Territorial Army Association, 9, St. Leonards. York. 1 Colonel G. P. Norton, D.S.O., T.D. Juvenile Advisory Committee, Bleak House, Oakes Road, Huddersfield. 1 Mr. A. Gee, O.B.E., J.P. The British Legion, (Huddersfleld Branch), 70, John William Street, Huddersfleld. 1 Mr. J. K. D'Arcy. Huddersfield Corporation, Town Hall, Huddersfield. 1 Councillor A. E. Sellers.

TKMPOUARY CO-OPTED MEMBER. Huddersfield Board of Guardians 1 Councillor R, C. Walshaw, J.P It is not the practice to publish the private addresses of members.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that about 100 men are employed getting outcrop coal near Harriseahead, North Staffordshire; and what steps are taken to see whether the person, or persons, employing these men stamp their health insurance and employment cards?

My right hon. Friend is aware that a number of men are getting coal as stated in the question, but according to the information in his possession they are not employed under a

contract of service, and consequently health and unemployment insurance contributions are not required to be paid.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now give a full statement as to the measures taken in various parts of the country for securing uniformity of administration with regard to vagrants, whether through the setting up of statutory vagrancy committees or otherwise?

Some particulars on this subject will be given in the Annual Report of the Ministry of Health which will shortly be published.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the great building development in Regent Street and in the surrounding streets, he will, in the interests of traders and others concerned in the locality, consider the advisability of opening a new post office on the east side of Regent Street or in some position -adjacent thereto?

Regent Street itself ought, in my opinion, to be adequately served by the existing

BIRTH-PLACE PER 1,000 POPULATION IN METROPOLITAN BOROUGHS. Metropolitan Boroughs were not constituted until November, 1900. In 1911 and later years births occurring in Institutions have been transferred to the Borough in which the usual residence of the parents is situated. The 1901 figures are not, therefore, comparable with the later figures, and the figures for 1911 have accordingly been included to afford a basis for comparison. Borough. 1901. 1911. 1924. 1925. City of London … 13.7 11.6 7.1 7.5 Innter and Middle Temples … 13.7 11.6 13.7 3.5 Nattersea … 29.7 26.1 18.4 18.5 Bermondsey … 34.2 31.1 24.3 22.6 Bethnal Green … 35.6 31.5 22.1 22.0 Camberwell … 28.2 24.5 18.8 17.7 *Chelsea … 22.1 19.1 14.3 14.4 Deptford … 30.8 27.4 20.6 18.8 *Finsbury … 37.7 30.6 21.6 22.4 Fulhma … 33.3 26.8 18.2 17.2 Greenwich … 29.0 24.8 20.0 18.7 Hackney … 28.9 23.5 18.6 17.9 Hammersmith … 26.9 24.1 17.9 17.5 Hampstead … 18.0 14.9 13.5 12.2 *Holborn … 28.4 19.2 13.4 12.2 Islington … 27.6 24.8 19.9 19.3 Kensington … 20.4 18.9 16.3 15.8 *Lambeth … 30.2 24.5 19.0 17.8 *Lewisham … 25.7 21.2 16.4 15.7 Paddington … 23.4 21.3 17.1 15.9 Poplar … 34.6 30.9 22.9 22.7 *St. Marylebone … 30.2 20.2 14.5 14.1 St. Pancras … 26.9 25.5 18.9 18.0 Shoreditch … 34.7 31.8 25.0 24.5 Southwark … 33.4 29.7 22.5 21.3 *Stepney … 37.2 31.3 21.3 20.8 Stoke Newington … 21.6 20.6 16.6 15.4 Wandsworth … 26.2 21.5 14.7 14.3 Westminster … 17.8 14.8 11.2 10.7 Woolwich … 30.1 23.1 17.9 17.8 Administrative County of London … 29.0 24.7 18.6 17.9 * Lying-in HOspitals are situated in these Boroughs.

post offices at No. 4, Great Portland Street, at Nos. 3 to 9, Heddon Street, in Church Place, Piccadilly, and at the junction of Charles Street with the Haymarket. The volume of traffic at these offices will be carefully watched. I am having further inquiry made as to the provision of a new post office in the area situated to the east of Regent Street.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give particulars of the birth-rate per 1,000 in each of the London boroughs for the years 1900, 1924 and 1925 respectively?

The following statement gives the best information available in reply to the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the birth rate per 1.000 in Great Britain, and for the principal countries in Europe, for the last year in respect of which statistics are available?

The figures desired are as follow:

Birth Rate per 1,000 Population. Great Britain 1925 18.6 Great Britain 1924 19.2 England and Wales 1925 18.3 England and Wales 1924 18.8 Scotland 1925 21.3 Scotland 1924 21.9 Sweden 1924 18.1 (provisional France 1925 19.6 (provisional) Finland 1924 22.4 Germany 1925 21.3

Denmark 1923 25.4 Switzerland 1924 18.7 Netherlands 1925 24.3 (provisional) Belgium 1924 19.9 Spain 1925 29.4 (provisional) Hungary 1924 26.8 Czechoslovakia 1924 25.8 Austria 1923 22.5 (provisional) Italy 1923 29.3 Bulgaria 1922 41.2 (provisional) Norway 1922 23.1 *Republique Socialiste Federative Sovetique de la Russie 1923 42.6 *Republique Socialiste Sovetiquedel Ukraine 1923 35.4 * These are the only parts of Russia in Europe for which figures are available.