RUBBER EXPORT RIGHTS.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the official announcement he has made respecting the future Regulations for the output restrictions of rubber for the next 12 months, what arrangements he proposes to make regarding unused export allowances known as unused coupons, of which there are a considerable amount now in existence?
The question of what action, if any, is required in regard to rubber export rights, whether held in coupon or other form, in Ceylon and Malaya is under consideration, and I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly. I fear that I can make no statement in the meantime.
POST OFFICE AND INLAND REVENUE OFFICE, OXFORD.
asked the Under-Secretary to the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is proposed to acquire or lease the premises known as No. 41, St. Giles, Oxford, on behalf of the Post Office; and, if so, can he state the terms on which the premises are being acquired by His Majesty's Office of Works?
The premises known as No. 35, St. Giles, Oxford, are being taken for Post Office purposes, and part of the premises known as No. 41, St. Giles, for Inland Revenue purposes. It is contrary to the practice of the Department to disclose the terms of Government hirings.
CASUAL WARD (HEATING ARRANGEMENTS).
asked the Minister of Health whether in any union there is a casual ward without any heating arrangements, the names and counties of such unions, in each case what steps the Ministry or its inspectors have taken to induce the guardians to provide heating, and what he proposes to do now to compel them to make such provision?
There are eight casual wards in England and Wales which, according to my right hon. Friend's information, at present have no heating arrangements. He is informed that in some of these cases arrangements are in hand to make good the deficiency, while in others the matter is receiving the con-
DEVONPORT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE.—Number of Persons on the Registers at the beginning of each week in the months of July and August, 1926. Date. Numbers of Persons on the Registers. Men. Boys. Women. Girls. Total. 5th July, 1926 … … 1,141 107 135 86 1,742 12th July, 1926 … … 1,385 104 122 81 1,692 19th July, 1926 … … 1,361 103 107 82 1,653 26th July, 1926 … … 1,394 104 119 77 1,694 2nd August, 1926 … … 1,419 106 133 70 1,728 9th August, 1926 … … 1,397 106 126 75 1,704 16th August, 1926 … … 1,413 100 119 77 1,709 23rd August, 1926 … … 1,399 105 119 88 1,711 30th August, 1926 … … 1,394 109 125 96 1,724
sideration of the guardians, and in the circumstances I trust that my hon. Friend will not press for the names of the unions. My right hon. Friend would not hesitate to exercise his powers to secure the proper heating of casual wards if such a course became necessary.
UNEMPLOYMENT, DEVONPORT.
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, specifying men, women, boys and girls on the Devonport Employment Exchange during the months of July and August?
The following table gives the information asked for: