asked the Minister of Labour on what evidence the Court of Referees decided, on the 29th June, that Mrs. G. L. May, of 27, Danson Road, Southwark, S.E., Borough Exchange, was not genuinely seeking employment, in spite of the fact that this claimant informed the Court of the places and situations she had sought; and, in view of the fact that this woman has paid unemployment insurance contributions since 1920, and this is her first claim for benefit, will he have this case referred to the Umpire?

The evidence at the hearing in question was the appellant's own statement of her efforts. She attended in person, but failed to satisfy the Court, which did not give leave to appeal to the Umpire. I regret that I cannot intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour if, during the coal stoppage, with a view to avoiding discrepancy in the payment of unemployment benefit, he will circulate to all Employment Exchanges, as soon as they are given, the decisions of the Umpire which, though relating to individual cases, are precedents for similar cases and lay down general principles?

Arrangements are already in force for making decisions available as quickly as possible for the guidance of local offices.

asked the Secretary for Mines the countries from which the 1,012,789 tons of coal was imported into England and Wales between 1st May and 3rd July, and the respective amounts from each countiy?

The 1,012,789 tons of coal mentioned in my reply of 7th July to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) were the arrivals in the ports of Great Britain during the period 1st May to 3rd July. For particulars of the countries from which coal imported into the United Kingdom was consigned, it is necessary to use the records furnished to the Customs. For the months of May and June the particulars are as given below. It must be remembered that importers are allowed some time after the arrival of goods to prepare their entries for filing with the Customs authorities, so that the whole of the coal on vessels which entered our ports in May and June is not represented in the record of registrations in those months.

Table. Countries whence Consigned. Quantity. Tons. Russia … 316 Sweden … 75 Norway … 911 Poland (including Danzig) … 15,266 Germany … 130,248 Netherlands … 147,172 Belgium … 190,531 France … 48,091 Spain … 10 Italy … 850 United States of America … 63,122 Canada … 6,364 Irish Free State … 1,296 Total … 604,252

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken following the second warning from the British Government to the Egyptian Government concerning the treatment accorded Judge Kershaw?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the Note addressed by His Majesty's High Commissioner to the Egyptian Government on the 28th of June inquiring if certain articles which appeared in the Egyptian Press purporting to give the views of the General Assembly of the Court of Appeal on the resignation of Judge Kershaw were to be considered as an authoritative expression of the views of that Court. The Egyptian Government replied to that Note on the following day denying ex- plicitly the accuracy of the reports in question and expressing the Government's regret that the newspapers concerned had published such misleading information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received a report with regard to the position of Judge Kershaw as to pension rights; and what action the Government are taking with regard to this matter and about the whole controversy?

I propose to take an opportunity of discussing this matter with Lord Lloyd, who is now on leave in England. Meantime, I am not in a position to make a statement upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a recommendation will be made by His Majesty's Government that the Sub-Committee of the preparatory Commission appointed by the League of Nations to draw up plans for a disarmament conference should hold their meetings in public?

I shall be obliged if the hon. Gentleman will postpone his question until Wednesday next.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Miss Olga Charnock's father was arrested by the Soviet Government before or after the date on which the Russian Commissar for foreign affairs protested against the presence of British naval forces in Russian harbours or the presence of British military forces on Russian territory?

The arrest was made after the protest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many, if any, British subjects who have lodged claims against the Soviet Government on the grounds of imprisonment by that Government were arrested in Russia before 28th June, 1918, on which date M. Tchitcherin, Russian commissar for foreign affairs sent a Note to the British Government protesting against the landing of British armed forces at Murmansk?

This question would require prolonged investigation by the Department concerned, which would be obliged to communicate with many of the claimants, who number about no. I do not consider that the matter is of sufficient importance to warrant such an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what check is exercised in issuing and renewing passports in regard to the signature of persons supporting the application of the holder of the passport; what is the number, respectively, of passports and renewals of passports refused during the two years ending June, 1926; and what, if any, is the number of prosecutions during that period for false statements by applicants?

In dealing with applications for passports, all such precautions are taken against fraud as are compatible with reasonable expedition in the issue of the passport. The information desired in the second part of my hon. Friend's question is not available. During the two years ending June, 1926, criminal proceedings were taken against six persons who made false statements for the purpose of obtaining passports.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has, any statement to make on the discontinuance of the Tariff Conference at Peking?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for South East Essex (Mr. Looker) on the 7th of June last. There has been no change in the situation as regards the Tariff Conference since that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the net migration movement outwards from Great Britain to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the Empire overseas for the rest of the Empire overseas for the first six months of 1926, and the comparative figures for the corresoponding periods in 1924 and 1925?

I have been asked to answer this question. Figures for June are not yet available. During the first five months of 1924, 1925 and 1926, the British subjects recorded as leaving permanent residence in Great Britain to take up permanent residence in the British Empire Overseas, exceeded those recorded as leaving permanent residence in the Empire Overseas to take up permanent residence in Great Britain by the numbers shown below:

Excess Outwards of British Emigrants to, over British Immigrants from 5 months ended 31st May. 1924. 1925. 1926 Canada 26,360 11,812 17,361 Australia 11,846 10,243 13,358 New Zealand 2,717 4,013 4,465 Best of British Empire Overseas. *4,089 *2,693 *2,731 Total British Empire Overseas. 36,834 23,375 32,453 * Excess Inward of British Immigrants.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the condition of the temporary surface on the new London to Southend road, he can say if a permanent surface will be put in hand in the near future?

Arrangements are being made for re-surfacing at certain points where settlement has occurred on embankments, but elsewhere the permanent surface has already been applied.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that James Cameron, sub-postmaster at Fionaphort, Mull, proposes to erect a post office and shop on a feu of a quarter of an acre granted by the Duke of Argyll at Fionaphort; that the consent of five small landholders interested in the common grazing is required before the said post office building can be erected; that four of the said landholders have signed the agreement consenting to the erection of the said necessary buildings but the fifth has declined; and that a post office is urgently needed at Fionaphort; and whether he will take steps, as Postmaster-General, to dispense with the said consent and have the post office building erected?

I am having inquiries made in the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to hasten the recovery of the bodies of the men McInnes and Livingstone, who were killed by an explosion or land slide at the Cragmore Quarry, Aberfoyle, Perthshire, on the 26th June, and whose bodies are buried beneath fallen rock at the said quarry?

I am taking up this matter, and will give what assistance I can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that two vessels have recently grounded on the coast of Anglesey, close to the entrance to Carnarvon Bay and the Menai Straits, namely, one at Treardden Bay and the other at Rhoscolyn, and that these strandings are due in a large measure to the removal of the Carnarvon Bay lightship; and whether he is now prepared to recommend the replacing of this lightship or a powerful gas buoy with a fog signal so as to minimise the risk of loss of life and property?

I am advised that on the evidence available these strandings cannot be attributed to the removal of the Carnarvon Bay lightship. With regard to the second half of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 1st December last to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Griffiths), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish information as to the wholesale prices, both for inland and export sale, of methylated spirits, alcohol used for industrial purposes, whisky, brandy, gin and rum?

I have no information as to any differences between the prices of the varieties of spirit mentioned, for inland sale and for export, nor regarding the wholesale prices of potable spirits. According to information reported in the "Oil and Colour Trades Journal" of 17th July, the wholesale price of industrial methylated spirit (ordinary), 64 per cent. over proof, is at the rate of 3s. per gallon, and that of mineralised spirit (coloured violet), of the same strength, at the rate of 4s. ld. per gallon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the net emigration from Great Britain to the United States of America for the year ending 30th June last; and what quota has been fixed for British immigrants into the United States for the current year?

Figures for June are not yet available. During the 11 months ended May, the British subjects recorded as leaving permanent residence in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take up permanent residence in the United States numbered 27,227, and those recorded as leaving permanent residence in the United States to take up permanent residence in Great Britain and Northern Ireland numbered 6,317. The official quota of British immigrants from Great Britain and Northern Ireland to be admitted into the United States during the year commencing 1st July, 1926, is 34,007.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing, in connection with the scheme for rural housing, some system of loans for restoring the condition of cottages which have fallen into disrepair, so as to provide habitations for agricultural workers at a rental which they are able to pay?

The matter referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is receiving consideration in connection with the proposals dealing with rural housing, which I hope shortly to place before Parliament. I may, however, point out that there are already in the Housing Act, 1925, provisions enabling local authorities to lend money to persons proposing to improve houses.