asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the increase in the price of coal; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the British citizen from extortionate costs?

Pithead prices have been reduced during the past few days; and consequential reductions are being made in retail prices. In the London district the price of household coal has just been reduced by 3d. per cwt., making the price in Central London 4s. per cwt. I confidently expect that, as supply overtakes demand, further reductions will follow.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the restrictions on the acquisition of coal imposed by the coal emergency directions, a truck of British coal from a colliery at Nuneaton was recently unloaded at Worcester, and the coal divided amongst the Government offices in the town without permits from the local coal control officer having been obtained; and what action the Mines Department propose to take in the matter?

It is understood between the Mines Department and the Office of Works that British coal required for Government offices shall only be supplied under permit by the local authority, and steps have been taken to guard against any repetition of the oversight that led to the incident referred to.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Pontypool Guardians have given instructions to their officers to cease the payment of poor relief to miners' dependants, and what steps he has taken in the matter?

On being informed of the decision of the Pontypool Guardians, my right hon. Friend communicated with the clerk to the guardians, pointing out that so far as that decision indicated a refusal to consider applications for relief it was contrary to the statutory duties of the guardians, and further, in so far as the resolution purported to override the duty of the relieving officers to grant relief in cases of sudden or urgent necessity, it was ultra vires. He understands that the relieving officers are performing their duties, and has intimated to the guardians his willingness to consider an application for a further loan in respect of their current expenditure.

asked the Minister of Health if the Leigh Board of Guardians have passed a resolution that after Tuesday, the 16th instant, and during the present dispute in the coal trade, outdoor relief shall not be granted to coal miners and their dependants save in sickness or other exceptional circumstances, and whether he intends to take any steps in the matter?

I am aware of this resolution, which is within the discretion of the guardians, and I do not see that any action on my part is called for.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many places are entirely without any system of public lighting in the streets owing to the interpretation of the Ministerial order that economy in lighting is to be observed; and whether this arrangement, which is inconvenient to local residents, meets with the approval of his Department?

I am not aware of any place which is entirely without street lighting for the reason stated. In Article 31 of the Coal (Emergency) Directions, which provides for the restriction of public lighting, power is specifically given to chief officers of police to require the maintenance of such public lamps as they may consider necessary for the public safety.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is proposing to take, in view of the recent decision in the Scottish Law Court in the Etna Iron and Steel Works case, which makes it more difficult for parish councils fixing and raising the rates?

The Rating (Scotland) Bill by abolishing the deductions allowed under Section 37 of the Poor Law Act, 1845, in respect of parish council rates will remove the difficulties which have arisen out of the Court's decision in the Etna case. It is proposed to proceed with the remaining stages of the Bill this Session, so that it may come into operation on the 15th May, 1927.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Report of the Land Court will be issued?

The Report of the Scottish Land Court for the year 1925 was presented to Parliament on 15th June last. It is not possible at this stage to state when the Report for 1926 will be ready.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of money that has been lent through the Public Works Loan Board for the establishment of the Welwyn Garden City, and the total amount of public money given as subsidies for houses and grants for public health services at Welwyn?

Apart from housing loans and subsidies to the Welwyn Rural District Council, as to which it is not possible to distinguish between the Welwyn Garden City and other parts of the rural district, the information for which the hon. Member asks is as follows: Loans by Public Works Loan Board. £ Advances to Welwyn Garden City Company 288,454 Advances to public utility societies erecting houses on land acquired from Garden City Company, Housing Act, 1919 132,927 Subsidies. Payable to public utility societies erecting houses on land acquired from Garden City Company, Housing Act, 1919 (per annum (reducible by 20 per cent. after 1927) for 50 years) 5,360 Payable to public utility societies erecting houses on land acquired from Garden City Company, Housing Act, 1923 (for 20 years (estimated)) 4,000 Grants to private persons [Housing (Additional Powers) Act] 4,117 Grants for infant welfare centre (4 years) 300

asked the Minister of Health how many new officials have been appointed by his Department since 1st January, 1926; how many are established; and what will be the total of salaries payable for the present financial year as compared with 1920?

Since 1st January, 1926, 491 new officials have been appointed in my Department, of whom 423 are established. The total amount provided for salaries in the estimates for my Department for the current financial year is £1,466,214, as compared with an expenditure of £1,915,547 for the financial year 1920–21.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that the licence granted in South Africa to commercial travellers of British nationality bears the words "representative of a foreign firm"; and will be make representations to the South African Government to remove these words?

I understand that for the purpose of the Union legislation governing this matter a firm established in any country outside the Union of South Africa is described as a foreign firm. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the large number of accidents at level crossings, the Government will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to provide for the installation of automatically-locking level-crossing gates throughout the country?

Close attention is continually being given by my officers to the question of the proper protection of railway level crossings, and I should not hesitate to ask Parliament for further powers should I find that my present powers are inadequate. With regard to the particular suggestion made by my hon. Friend, I am advised that, although it might have certain advantages, it could not be recommended for general adoption at the present time. I am glad to say that on a few important main roads the allocation of grants from the Road Fund has rendered it possible for local authorities to face the expense of erecting bridges over level crossings, while in other cases, as on the London-Tilbury road at Purfleet, and at Coln-brook on the Bath Road, the construction of new by-pass roads has been undertaken to afford alternative and shorter routes free from level crossings.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation whereby applicants for motor-drivers' licences should be subjected to some tests for efficiency and of the etiquette of the road?

As regards tests of efficiency, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 6th July to the hon. Member for the Hartlepools (Sir W. Sugden), of which I am sending him a copy. I am doubtful whether the etiquette and courtesy of the road can be made the subject of a test. I have made arrangements with the registration authorities for the issue of one of the National Safety First Association's pamphlets on "road sense" and "safe motoring" with each driving licence, and I hope this will have some effect in checking thoughtless and discourteous driving.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has favourably considered the question of chars-a-banc, and similar vehicles carrying more than six passengers, being compelled to carry first-aid ambulance outfits; and, if so, what steps he proposes taking to ensure this measure of protection to the road-travelling public?

While I view with considerable satisfaction the action of many operators of public service vehicles in equipping their vehicles with first-aid outfits and appliances, and in training their employés in their use, I do not think it a practicable suggestion that the provision of such equipment should be made compulsory, nor, indeed, have I at the present time any powers in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of expense that will be saved by the proposed alteration in the status of the Llandyssal post office.

The saving is estimated at about £400 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General the expenditure incurred it, respect of the "Say it by Telephone" postal cancellation stamp?

Yes, Sir, £11 3s. 10d.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the standard of artistic merit displayed in much of the advertising matter issued by his Department, he will take steps to secure that properly-qualified publicity expert is placed in charge?

If the hon. Member will indicate the advertising matter issued by the Post Office which falls short of his standard of artistic merit, it will assist me in considering his suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action, if any, has been taken by the League of Nations Assembly with a view to making a fixed Easter?

The question was recently considered by a League Committee appointed to inquire into the reform of the calendar. The Committee issued an exhaustive report but did not make any definite recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now sanction the release for exhibition for War charities or other trade purposes of the War-time official Somme film?

Arrangements have already been made with a commercial firm for the release of films based on the official Somme film, but the production is not expected to be completed until towards the end of next year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reason for the omission of gloves and cutlery from the schedule of dutiable articles exhibited at ports to travellers arriving from abroad?

As its title indicates, the schedule in question is confined to the principal articles which passengers must declare to the Customs and does not profess to be exhaustive. It is purposely drawn in a simple form, as being more convenient to the traveller. Gloves and cutlery were among the articles omitted, but as the result of experience it has been decided to include gloves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount paid into the Exchequer by other parts of the Empire in respect of War Loans during the six months ended 30th September, 1926?

In the six months ended 30th September last £3,140,394 18s. 7d. was received into the Exchequer on account of War advances to the Dominions and Colonies and £463,438 18s. 3d. in respect of the Indian and Isle of Man War contributions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will lay upon the Table the Reports of the deputations he received from the University of London on 17th and 29th June on the question of the adequate housing of the university?

It would be unusual to lay on the Table the reports of deputations to Ministers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider an inquiry with a view to income Tax return forms being drawn up in such a manner as to be readily comprehensible to the average salary or wage-earner?

I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the general question of simplification of Income Tax forms was the subject of exhaustive inquiry by a Departmental Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Rowlatt, which reported in July, 1923 (Command Paper 2019). I hardly think that the time is ripe for any further inquiry of this kind; the need for simplification of Income Tax forms is a consideration which is always kept in view.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to introduce the system of the totalisator on the racecourses in England; and, if not, whether he will state the objections to this system of course betting?

I am aware that as the result of certain recent events the question of using the totalisator on racecourses in this country has been the subject of public discussion. I can only say that I have noted the suggestion, and as regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to paragraph 52 of the draft Report of the Chairman of the Select Committee on Betting Duty, 1923, in which the matter is considered in its various aspects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost involved from the date of the introduction of the Betting Duty up to the 1st November, 1926; the number of new officials appointed to administer the collection of this tax; the amount of salary, inclusive of bonus (if any), paid to each official; and the estimated annual cost of collection of the Betting Duty?

The total cost involved in initiating the Betting Duty up to the 1st November, 1926, was approximately £7,000. This sum includes the printing of supplies of Revenue tickets. The only special staff which has been appointed is one Betting Duty Inspector at an inclusive salary of £600 a year, four Senior Bettina Duty Officers at inclusive pay of £6 a week rising to £7 a week, and twelve Betting Duty Officers at inclusive pay of £4 a week rising to £5 a week. This staff is composed entirely of ex-police officials and is employed in the revenue supervision of bookmakers on racecourses. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave on the 15th June last to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the difficulties of operating the Betting Duty in its present form, whether he will con- sider the imposition of a flat-rate licence for bookmakers and a smaller betting licence for backers operating through credit accounts, and the elimination of all taxation on cash betting on the racecourse.

I had occasion to examine these proposals whilst the Betting Duty was before Parliament, but I was unable to adopt them.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the ratification of the Locarno Treaty, and the consequent guarantee of continued friendly relations between this country and France, the Government will reconsider its objections to the construction of a Channel tunnel?

I am not prepared to reopen this question, having regard to the considerations on which a decision was taken.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, women and young people, respectively, registered at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange on the last convenient date, together with the number registered on the corresponding date last year?

The following table gives the information asked for: