asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the appointment by the Camberwell Board of Guardians of an officer to find work for the unemployed; and it the intention of the Govern- ment to allow a board of guardians to supersede the Employment Exchanges in such manner?

I do not think that there is any question of this officer superseding the Employment Exchanges. I have no doubt that he will make the greatest possible use of the exchanges.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Departmental Committee appointed by him to inquire if any Amendments are required in the Local Government and other Officers Superannuation Act, 1922, and in particular whether it is desirable that the scheme of superannuation established by that Act should now be made obligatory on all local authorities, have yet reported to him; whether he is aware that the Association of Municipal Corporations of England on 30th June last adopted the Report of a special Committee, recommending that the proposal to make The Local Government and other Officers Superannuation Act, 1922, compulsory upon all local authorities should not be agreed to; and will he receive representations upon the subject from those who are opposed to further financial responsibility being imposed upon local authorities at the present time of commercial stringency?

This Committee is still continuing its investigation. I am aware of the decision referred to in the second part of the question. I have no doubt that the Committee will be glad to consider any representations from persons interested in the subject matter of their inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to seek powers to inspect bacon factories and carcases purchased by them from abroad?

Officers of local authorities already have powers under the Public Health Acts to enter bacon factories and inspect all carcases found therein. I may add that all carcases imported into this country are liable to inspection at the port of entry.

asked the Minister of Health what and if any alternative accommodation is to be provided for the inhabitants of the Tabard Street area in Southwark during the proposed clearance and rebuilding scheme of this area; and whether he is aware that many of the people displaced are engaged in industries which find their central outlet in that immediate neighbourhood and a distant removal may amount to a real hardship?

As indicated in the reply to a previous question by the hon. Member, accommodations has already been provided for 2,388 persons in tenements erected on the area dealt with by the scheme referred to. Two further blocks of tenements are to be erected on the area with accommodation for about 336 persons. In order completely to satisfy the obligations imposed on them as to re-housing it will be necessary for the county council to provide some dwellings away from the area, but in allocating dwellings the council will have regard to the considerations indicated by the hon. Member in the last part of his question.

asked the Minister of Health the average price throughout the country of the parlour and non-parlour house, respectively, built by local councils with the aid of the subsidy now and at the beginning of 1925?

The average price of parlour type houses in contracts let by local authorities during the month of June, 1926 (excluding the cost of land and development) was £501, and of non-parlour type, £435. The corresponding prices for the month of January, 1925, were £501 and £438.

asked the Minister of Health whether all local authorities who are responsible for submitting housing schemes under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 have in fact submitted such schemes; whether he has investigated cases where no schemes have been submitted; and whether, in such cases, he is prepared to exercise the powers conferred on him under Section 9 of The Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924?

Of the 1,800 local authorities in England and Wales, 1,612 have received approval to schemes under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924. I have in a number of cases, upon complaint being made, investigated eases where no schemes have been submitted, but no instance has yet occurred in which I have felt it necessary to exercise the powers conferred on me by Section 9 of the Act of 1924.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses that have been built by Scottish coalowners in the counties of Ayr, Dumbarton, Fife, Lanark, Mid, East, and West Lothian, and Stirling during each year since 1919; whether they received any subsidy; and, if so, the amount of subsidy given for each completed house?

I regret that the statistics desired by the hon. Member are not available in full. According to returns furnished to the Board of Health in December, 1925, Scottish colliery companies had, since 1919, built 1,989 houses in the mining areas of the counties in question. Of these 1,848 houses were built under promise of subsidy. Figures are not yet available as to the amount of the subsidy, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the recent complaints regarding the harbours of Hopeman, Burghead, and Lossiemouth, and referring to the difficulty of drifters nego- tiating the narrow entrances, especially in rough weather; and whether, in view of the fact that when these harbours were built boats of upwards of 80 feet in length were not contemplated, and that the needs of the fishing industry tend to require even larger boats, he proposes to take any action now or in the immediate future?

No complaints or representations have been received recently by the Fishery Board for Scotland on this matter, which is one for consideration by the local harbour authorities in the first place.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is yet in a position to state the result of the inquiries addressed to the Government of India in regard to the Madras Planters' Labour Act?

No, Sir. An inquiry has been addressed to the Govern-merit of India by mail, but there has not been time for an answer to be received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will inform the House as to the number of criminal proceedings taken against plantation coolies and maistries for breach of contract under the Madras Planters' Labour Act during the last year in the Wynad Taluk and the Nilgiris; and what proportion of these proceedings in the Wynad Taluk were taken by European planters?

I have not the information asked for, but inquiry will be made should the hon. Member so desire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the £54,500 contributed by India to the League of Nations includes a contribution towards the upkeep of the International Labour Office; and, if so, what proportion of the above amount this contribution represents?

Yes, Sir; the cost of the International Labour Office represents about a third of the total expenditure of the League, of which India bears a little under 6 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement regarding the names of the persons chosen to represent India at the round table conference between South Africa and India on the position of Asiatics in South Africa?

The Government of India have not yet selected their representatives.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the respective strengths of the Indian and Afghan Air Forces?

I have been asked to reply. As regards India, there are in that country six Royal Air Force squadrons of 12 machines each. As regards Afghanistan, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on the 14th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to the observation made in the Annual Report of the Native Affairs Department of Kenya Colony that the whole of the Kikuyu tribe is in a state of anxiety about the security of its land tenure, whether any steps are being taken to allay the anxiety of this and other tribes?

I regret that I am unable to acid anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Gillett) on the lath of March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the resolu- tion passed in February last by the Convention of Associations of the White Settlers in Kenya., urging the necessity of tightening up administration in the reserves and of securing work of some sort from every adult native; whether Government officials were present on this occasion; and whether any steps were taken then or subsequently to make clear that this policy would not have the support of His Majesty's Government?

I have seen the resolution in the local Press, but the phrase there used is "every able-bodied adult native." I have no information to show that any Government official was present. The policy of the Government is by no means hostile to the idea of male natives working; so long as they a-re free to choose where they will work, either in direct production in. their reserves or Government works or other employment outside the reserves, and I see no reason to take any action on the resolution such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the effect on the prestige of the Great Powers caused by the need for constant reference to the views of the smaller nations with insignificant interests in China; and whether, under the circumstances, His Majesty's Government will consider without delay the. desirability of acting in the Far Fast, either independently or in co-operation with the Great Powers concerned only?

While I am aware of the difficulty that might on occasion arise in securing unanimity among the Powers having Treaty relations with China, there are obvious objections to His Majesty's Government taking any step which would impair the solidarity of the diplomatic body at Peking, or which might be regarded as being contrary to the Washington Treaties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the contents of the covering letter and the Note which have been sent by the Abyssinian Government to the League of Nations in connection with the Anglo-Italian Agreement. affecting Abyssinia?

The Note referred to by the him). Member was published in extenso by the Press on the 30th of July. The covering letter was a formal document, forwarding this Note together with copies of the relevant correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Note which has been sent by the Regent of Abyssinia to the Secretariat of the League of Nations, protesting against the recently-concluded Anglo-Italian Agreement relating to his country and stating that the Agreement was concluded without the knowledge of the Abyssinian Government and is opposed by that Government, will be laid before Parliament; and whether he proposes to make any comment upon it?

The correspondence is at present incomplete, but I shall be glad to publish it when it is concluded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, whilst negotiating with Italy regarding the economic spheres of influence in Abyssinia, he kept in touch with the Government of Abyssinia; and whether and when that Government agreed to the building of a barrage for Lake Tsana?

The building of the Tsana barrage by His Majesty's Government or the Government of the Sudan was foreseen in assurances given to Sir John Harrington by the Emperor Menelik in March, 1902, and confirmed by an exchange of Notes but the Agreement of the Abyssinian Government to an actual scheme remains to be obtained. The communication to the Abyssinian Government during the course of protracted negotiations with Italy of information regarding their progress would not have contributed to their successful outcome. Once agreement had been reached the Abyssinian Government were immediately informed of the substance of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the conferences with General Andrews, of the United States of America, in respect to the suppression of smuggling and granting rights of search of British or alleged British ships or other means of freighting cargoes of drink, he will insist that reciprocal facilities will be given to this country arid its dependencies?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the statement made on this subject in this House on the 27th of July and to the White Paper issued in May (Command 2647). I do not understand how the question of the grant of reciprocal facilities to this country arid its dependencies arises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the names of the species and the approximate number of birds illegally imported and confiscated by the Customs authorities from the 1st April to the end of June, 1926, together with the approximate amount of plumage involved in each vase

The following is a list of birds (22 in number) the plumage of which was illegally imported, and was confiscated by the Customs authorities under the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1921, during the period 1st April, 1926, to 30th June, 1926,, together with the approximate amount of plumage involved in each case:

Name of bird and approximate quantity of plumage.

Avocet.— skin.

Burma Pigeon.—2 wings, 1 tail.

Bird of Paradise.—2 millinery mounts, 1 head.

Crane.—24 feathers.

Egret.—2 skins, 136 feathers, 1 small bundle, 4 millinery mounts.

Greenfinch.—1 skin.

Heron.—1 millinery mount, 12 small bundles.

Indian Roller.—2 wings.

Name of bird and approximate quantity of plumage.

Indian Love Bird.—2 wings.

"Indian Jay."—2 wings.

Jungle Cock.—4 millinery mounts.

Kingfisher.—24 brooches each containing a small portion of this plumage, 2 wings.

Oyster Catcher.—1 skin.

Peacock.—1 skin, 5 fans, 1 millinery mount,, 476 feathers.

Parrot.—19 wings, 12 feathers, 1 millinery mount.

Copper Pheasant.—1 fan.

Lady Amherst Pheasant.—2 skins.

Rhea Darwini.—84 feathers.

Stork (Leptoptilus).—17 feathers.

Sparrow.—1 skin.

Thrush.—1 skin.

Wood Snipe.—1 skin.

In addition to the foregoing, four consignments of miscellaneous prohibited plumage were seized.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the cost in the way of labour and material in the manufacture of the penny; what number of these coins was minted during the last 12 months; and whether, in view of the considerable bulk and weight of this coin, he will give consideration to designs for something smaller and of more convenient size to be introduced at an early date?

On a broad average the cost of manufacture may be taken as one-third of a penny. It varies of course with the price of metal and the size of the order to be executed. No pennies have been struck since 1922, the stocks held by bankers and others being sufficient. I am not aware of any general demand for a smaller and lighter coin.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the Federation of British Industries, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, respectively?

The information asked for is not in my possession, and I have no means of obtaining it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists among the temporary clerks who sat for the Southborough examination regarding the manner in which the Departmental marks were awarded; that many men who had been dismissed by their Departments as non-efficient received higher Departmental marks than men retained by the same Department; and whether he will consider what steps can be taken in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle West (Mr. Palin) on the 26th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which has been caused among the staff of his Department by the recent appointment, on a permanent basis, to the post of chief clerk to His Majesty's Trade Commissioner, Calcutta; whether he is aware that when the officer concerned was appointed temporarily to this post an assurance was given by the official side of the Departmental Whitley Council that consultation would take place with the staff side before any permanent appointment was made; whether he is aware that, despite this assurance, the staff side have been given no opportunity of expressing their views in regard to the permanent appointment which has now been announced; and whether he will give an undertaking that, in future, the official side of the Departmental Whitley Council will carry out the undertakings which it gives to the staff?

No report of any dissatisfaction has reached me. No representations have been made either to myself or to the permanent head of the Department or to the official side of the Whitley Council, although before the final steps were taken in connection with the placing of this appointment on a permanent basis the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council were informed in the usual manner. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I am not aware that any such assurance was given, but, as I have just stated, the staff side were given ample opportunity of expressing their views. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether time will be given to enable the Legitimacy Bill to reach the Statute Book before the end of the Session?

I hope that it will be possible to pass this Bill into law before the end of the Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there have been cases recently in the Potteries where young girls have suffered from attacks of lead poisoning similar to those which were frequent before the introduction of the 1913 special Regulations , whether he can account for these cases: and what steps he intends to take to enforce the Regulations with a view of stamping out the disease?

I find that, during the last 18 months there have been three reported cases of lead poisoning among girls under 21 employed in the Potteries. All three eases, I am glad to say, were slight. I regret it has not been possible to ascertain definitely how these attacks arose. The most careful attention is paid to the enforcement of the Regulations, but, so far as the Factory Inspector could discover, none of these cases was due to any breach of the Regulations or to any defect in the working of the process.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the exports of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, respectively, to Great Britain for the year 1925 exceed the value of Great Britain's exports and re-exports to these countries individually, whether His Majesty's Government intend to debar trade between Great Britain and Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland from the benefits of the Trade Facilities Acts, Overseas Trade Acts, and the revised export credits scheme?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the electrocution of a child near his home in Horsefield Road, Hatcham, owing to coming into contact with, a live rail on the Southern Railway; and whether he will take steps to compel railway companies to protect all their electric lines, with a view to public safety?

The railway company have reported an accident to a boy who was fatally injured by electric shack between. Kidbrooke and Well Hall, and my right hon. Friend, the Minister, is in communication with the company in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the rates of wages paid to workers engaged on beet-sugar cultivation in Great Britain and in the various sugar-producing countries in Europe?

In England and Wales workers employed on the cultivation of sugar-beet are entitled to be paid at not less than the general minimum time rates applicable under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act to all workers employed in agriculture, although it is understood that in actual practice employment on lifting and topping the beet is generally paid for at piece rates, which yield to an efficient worker wages above the minimum time rates. I have no precise information as to the rates paid on the Continent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease are attributed by his Department, directly or indirectly, to the importation of carcases from abroad; and if he can furnish any estimate of the cost which has thereby been incurred in administration and compensation?

Thirty-four outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in the Lanarkshire area between 22nd May and 30th July, 1926, which may be attributed directly or indirectly to imported carcases. In respect of these outbreaks approximately 227,500 has been paid in compensation and £7,000 spent on administration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take powers to withhold payment of compensation payable in connection with an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in cases where it appears to be in the public interest to do so?

Section 20 (7) of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, provides that the Minister may withhold, either wholly or partially, compensation in respect of an animal, slaughtered under the Act where the owner has, in the judgment of the Minister, been guilty in relation to the animal of an offence against the Act. This power has been exercised in the past, and I do not propose to seek further powers. I am under no obligation to require slaughter in cases of foot-and-mouth disease, but where the ownership of animals is assumed by the Ministry and they are slaughtered in the public interest, it is only equitable that the owner of the animals should receive compensation. It would be contrary to the public interest to deprive an owner of compensation where he has not been guilty of any offence.

asked the President of the Board of Education when he expects to publish revised Regulations for teachers; and whether they will contain guidance in respect of the teaching of history?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the volume of "Suggestions for the consideration of Teachers and others concerned in the work of Public Elementary Schools." A revision of this volume is now in hand, and I hope it may be published early in the New Year. Like the previous editions, it will contain a chapter on the teaching of history.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is satisfied that in the preparation of syllabuses and examination papers in respect of the subject of history the Examination Board is guided by the best and most up-to-date text books?

I do not know to what examination board the hon. Member refers. I should not think that any board of examiners is necessarily guided by any particular text books in drawing up syllabuses or setting papers for examinations.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the expressed opinion of Mr. W. H. Upjohn, K.C., with regard to the Burham .award on salary scales, following his consultation with the Essex County Council: and whether it is intended to seek Parliamentary power in order to place the powers of his Department beyond doubt?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 12th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Sir E. Turton) and to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of established, un-established, and temporary officers, respectively, in the Post Office manipulative grades, excluding supervising officers?

The numbers are as follows: 104,000, 36,000 and 7,500. The figures do not include Scale-Payment Sub-Postmasters.