asked the Secretary for Mines what Voluntary amalgamations of collieries have, since the passing of the Mining Industry Act, been carried out or announced?

As soon as the present emergency is ended, and my Department can resume its normal work, information will be regularly collected on this subject. But I have not at present the necessary information to enable me to give a full answer to my hon. Friend's question. Certain information in regard to proposed amalgamations has, of course, appeared in the Press, which I have no doubt my hon. Friend has seen.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the ban on the export of British coal is having an injurious effect on the coal industry, and in some districts telling against the men resuming work; and will he consider the; advisability of doing away with the restrictions as soon as possible?

In view of the great need for coal in this country, I cannot accept the suggestion contained in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the public by the system in the issue of coal permits; and will he now reconsider the whole question with a view of either doing away with permits or making the permit do for a continuous fortnightly supply of coal without the necessity of further applications to the local authority?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have given to-day to a private notice question by the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Rainey.

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of the Post Office vans purchased last year, or ordered this year, were in all respects British?

In the last financial year, the vans of British manufacture consisting wholly of British-made parts purchased by the Post Office represented about 38 per cent. of the total value purchased. The remaining 62 per cent. consisted of vans of British manufacture but containing foreign parts to the extent of 3 per cent. of their value. For the present financial year, the corresponding percentages are 67 and 33 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health the number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, employed by his Department in each town outside London where such staffs are employed?

The number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, employed by my Department outside London is as follows:

asked the Home Secretary the number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, employed by his Department in each town outside London where such staffs are employed?

Four temporary shorthand-typists and five temporary typists are employed by the Home Office in towns outside London. They are distributed as shown in the following table:

asked the Home Secretary when he intends to issue the circular to the police authorities dealing with the appointment of a sufficient number of police women to perform appointed duties, which he promised in his reply to a deputation upon 23rd March last?

I have been giving my consideration to all the matters raised by the deputation, and I expect to issue a circular to police authorities at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to a Resolution passed by the Middlesbrough and District War Pensions Committee condemning the delay of the Ministry in the case of a Middlesbrough ex-service man, when 12 months elapsed between examination for pension and the granting of the claim; whether he is aware of the growing discontent at these delays; and whether procedure can be introduced which will speed up the examination and decision of such claims?

I have enquired into the facts of this case about which the hon. Member has perhaps not been fully informed. The case referred to is one in which final settlement was made by a final award in 1921, and is not one in which a claim to pension was made or was under consideration, as appears to be suggested, for twelve months. The man's case came under consideration towards the end of last year and is entirely exceptional inasmuch as almost immediately afterwards the man was given medical treatment as an in-patient and during the greater part of the period since then he has remained in this condition and in receipt of full allowances. During this period, and indeed until the man's condition at the conclusion of treatment had been deter- mined, it was not possible to give consideration to the question of the existence of any serious and permanent error in the final award which had been made him in 1921. A further medical board has been held on the man since the conclusion of his treatment and a decision is on the point of being given. With regard to the last part of the question, there is now no delay in the settlement of claims to pension in which category this case does not, however, fall, but I would point out that the determination whether a further grant should be given in cases in which a final settlement has been made calls necessarily for most careful consideration, and every possible step is taken to expedite the settlement of these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of aeroplanes it is proposed will be used when the Cape-Cairo air service is completed and in working order?

It is too early to discuss the details of the organisation of a regular air service between the Cape and Cairo. An experimental air service is to commence early next year on the portion of the route between Khartoum and Kisumu, and further experimental flights are to be carried out by Service aircraft on other portions of the route to connect, so far as possible, with this service. The information obtained from these experiments will, of course, be utilised for the subsequent development, when possible, of a through route on commercial lines, an object which will be kept in view throughout.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the direct result of the subsidisation of light aeroplane clubs; and whether he has any statistics showing the present numbers of amateur flyers and amateur-owned planes?

As regards the first part of the question, there are now six subsidised light aeroplane clubs in existence, with a total of 962 members and associates; of these, a large number are under training as pilots, and 44 have already trained and qualified on club aircraft. It may interest my Noble Friend and hon. Members to know that a number of these pilots have already joined the Air Force Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force. As regards the last part of the question, there were, on 1st November, 117 private pilots' licences held by persons other than serving Royal Air Force officers, and 33 privately-owned aeroplanes were on the register.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will consider the creation of a small aerodrome in Hyde Park for the benefit of light aeroplane taxi companies or clubs, having regard to the impetus such a measure would give to flying owing to the convenience it would afford to business men, officials, and others to whom quick access to the centre of the Metropolis is all important?

My Noble Friend's suggestion has already been considered by the Air Ministry, but, under present conditions of flying, Hyde Park is not considered suitable for the purpose suggested, owing to the proximity of high buildings and trees and its densely populated surroundings.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what company, and for what airship, was the sum of £60,000 paid during 1925 and the £30,000 in this year's Estimate?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the amounts of £60,000 and £30,000 appearing for "Purchase of Airships" at page 30 of the Air Estimates, 1926. Both were taken for payments to the Airship Guarantee Company, Limited, for the purchase of the R.100. The former sum, though estimated for, was not earned and no payment was actually made in 1925. As regards the latter sum, it is expected that an instalment of £30,000 will mature for payment under the contract before the end of the present financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what sums have been paid, and to what companies, for the civil types of aeroplanes ordered by the Air Ministry, the three-engined Handley-Page "Hampstead," the Avro "Andover," the Vickers "Vanguard," the De Haviland "Highclere," the Armstrong-Whitworth "Argosy," the Beardmore three-engined monoplane, and the freight carrier; to what uses have these machines been put; if these machines are still the property of the Air Ministry; and, if they have been disposed of, to what company and for what amount have they been sold?

As regards the first, third and last parts of the question, it would not be in the public interest and would be contrary to established practice to disclose prices paid or received by the Air Ministry. The "Hampstead" was not ordered by the Air Ministry, but the "Hamilton," which is a similar type of aircraft built by the same firm, was purchased from Messrs. Handley-Page, Ltd. The constructors of the remaining aircraft are as given in the question. No contract has yet been placed for the freight carrier. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the "Hamilton" has been sold to Imperial Airways, Ltd., the "Argosy" is undergoing acceptance tests, and the three-engined monoplane has not yet been delivered. Of the remaining aircraft which are all still Air Ministry property, the "Andover" is being prepared for service tests abroad, and the "Vanguard" and "Highclere" are being put through the tests referred to on pages 25 and 26 of the Annual Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation, 1925–26 (Cmd. 2707).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the number of foreign buyers who visit the Leipzig Fair, his Department are organising a, British section of exhibits to place the claims of British manufacture before European buyers?

My Department is not organising a British section in the Leipzig Fair. I think it is preferable rather to concentrate on strengthenng and developing the British Industries Fair, but my Department will gladly render any assistance in its power to industrial manufacturers who may wish to exhibit at Leipzig.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will restrict the granting of visas to passports during holiday seasons with a view to keeping British citizens at home to enjoy the amenities of British pleasure resorts, thereby retaining money in the country and giving employment to a greater number of persons who can cater for holiday makers?

My hon. Friend's question is based on a misapprehension. A British visa is not required to enable a British subject to leave this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the personnel, together with the annual cost incurred in retaining the military permit office, which deals with the issue of military visas or passports for military zones?

The Military Permit Office was abolished in 1922. There is, however, a section of the Passport Office which deals inter alia with permits to enter territories in military occupation and the issue of war grave passes. The staff of this section consists of five persons; the cost is included in the total establishment of the Passport Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Report of the Extra-territorial Commission of Inquiry in China has now been received; and whether it is intended to make this Report public?

The Report of the Commission on Extra-territoriality in China was received on the 22nd of November. It is now being printed and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Report of Lord Willingdon's Committee on the allocation of the Boxer Indemnity was received; whether the Report has yet been issued; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

The Report of the Willingdon Delegation was received by the Statutory Committee in July last; it will be issued very shortly, together with the Report of the Statutory Committee. It had to be carefully considered by the Committee before publication, and there has been no unreasonable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps to secure the immediate publication of the Report prepared by the military sub-committee of the preparatory committee for the Disarmament Conference which was adopted at its last meeting in Geneva on 7th November?

The Report is being printed, and I have not yet received a copy. As soon as I do so, I will consider the question of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government have come to any decision as to the ratification of the convention upon traffic in arms and munitions of war?

His Majesty's Government consider that it would be inadvisable to ratify unless the other arms-producing States are prepared to ratify simultaneously. They have put forward this suggestion to the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United States, but the replies which have been received indicate that there is no immediate prospect of simultaneous ratification by all these Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information of the terms of the new Treaty between the United States of America and Panama; and whether it has been registered with the League of Nations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, a synopsis of the Treaty having appeared in the Press of the United States and of Panama. So far as I am aware, the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The Treaty, I understand, still awaits the approval of the United States Senate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken to remedy the sterility of whales in order to safeguard the Antarctic industry?

Various questions relating to the breeding habits of the whale and the conservation of the whaling industry in Antarctic waters are being actively investigated under the auspices of the "Discovery" Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will give the last available figures showing the extent to which forced labour was used in the Cameroons province for the transport of Government loads, together with the rates of remuneration; and whether it is possible to use motor transport to a greater extent or, alternatively, to offer a wage which will attract Voluntary labour?

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 166 of the Report on the British Cameroons for 1925, published as (Colonial No. 22), which gives the latest information in my possession. It must not be assumed that the 9,398 carriers referred to were engaged on this work for more than a few days each during the year. The hon. Member will observe from the paragraph to which I refer that the number of carriers required was 3,895 less than in 1924 that the large majority of those used in the Bamenda Division were Volunteers. The rate of pay given is quite adequate. The use of motor transport depends upon the existence of roads, and the construction of roads in a tropical jungle is a matter which needs time and money. Roads capable of bearing motor traffic are being constructed as rapidly as possible and I trust that the wasteful and uneconomic use of labour in head carriage will be further reduced as time goes on.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Fleet accountant officers on the staffs of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleet, have ever been accommodated in the Fleet flagship since the appointments were created?

The Fleet account, ant officer on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, has been accommodated in the Fleet flagship since the post was first instituted, but the Fleet accountant officer on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, has not been accommodated in the flagship of that Fleet through lack of available space.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the paucity in promotion to warrant rank of Masters-in-Arms; and to what cause is it attributable?

The last promotion to Warrant Master-at-Arms took place in September, 1923, since when no vacancies have occurred. As stated in Admiralty Fleet Order 2675 of the 24th September last, the list is at present surplus to requirements by two and promotions are to be made in alternative vacancies until the surplus is removed. It is anticipated, however, that there will he sufficient vacancies before the end of 1927 to allow of the list being reduced to requirements and of two promotions being made in addition.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty with reference to the £1,200,000 contract for the construction of the Admiralty dock at Singapore, from what funds payment will be made; and whether any agreement has been reached, and, if so, on what terms, as to the quota of each Dominion?

The cost of construction of this floating dock falls upon Vote 8, Section 3, of the Navy Estimates, and provision for its commencement was approved by Parliament in the Estimates for the present year. The sum mentioned by the hon. Member as the contract price is greatly exaggerated. The contributions at present made or promised by members of the Empire towards the cost of the Singapore naval base are as follow:

• Hong Kong, £250,000.
• Federated Malay States, £2,000,000.
• Straits Settlements, gift of land for the base.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can see his way to amend the present practice whereby established men are transferred from higher-paid lo lower-paid jobs, seeing that no injustice would be involved in allowing them to keep the higher rate of wages to which they become entitled, in view of the fact that in the Navy men receive different rates of pay for exactly the same work and the same practice of differentiation exists in the railway system?

asked the Minister of Labour what rule or instruction has been issued to his special unemployment insurance officers by which they are able to justify the marking of the papers of claimants for benefit, before those papers reach the local rota committees, with the

No, Sir. It is better that a man for whom there is no higher-paid work available should accept employment on lower-paid work if he wishes rather than be discharged, but work in His Majesty's dockyards cannot be paid for at rates higher than those appropriate to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government proposes to publish the text of the Colwyn Report?

The Report will be presented to Parliament in due course; but I am unable at present to give the precise date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can give the figures showing the total burden of the National Debt and the amount per capita in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States of America, respectively?

Owing to the differences in the political constitution of the countries named, it is not possible to give strictly comparable figures. The figures below give the debts of the central Governments in the respective countries:letters N.M.R.E. (not making reasonable effort); arid, if there be no rule or instruction, will he instruct his officers to modify their requirement that claimants shall visit places in search of work where it is well known no opportunity of securing employment exists?

It is the duty of the officer dealing with a case to note on the appropriate form for the information of the rota committee all relevant facts ascertained by him, and I understand it is sometimes the practice to indicate, in some such manner as is described in the first part of the question, the point on which doubt may arise. This is in no sense an instruction to the committee, whose responsibility it is to examine the case on its merits, but I do not consider that it is open to objection. As regards the second part of the question, officers are already enjoined to exercise due discretion on this point.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men have been trained in civil pursuits under courses provided by his Department within the last two years; how many of these men have obtained employment on the completion of their training; how many have failed to obtain it in consequence of trade union difficulties; and will he indicate what these difficulties mainly are and with which unions they have principally arisen?

During the two years ended 31st October, 1926, 8,657 disabled ex-service men completed a course of training under the industrial training scheme. The great majority are believed to have obtained employment. I have no information that recently any difficulties as to their employment have arisen with trade unions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if there is any provision for assisting ex-service men to get on the land, and to whom application should be made; and what grants are available to assist these men in the purchase of poultry, pigs, and cattle, and the setting up of their small holdings?

Ex-service men who possess the necessary farming knowledge and capital are eligible to apply for a small holding to the county council for the county in which they live, or if they reside in a county borough where small holdings have been provided, then to the council of that county borough. No new holdings are being provided by local authorities at the present time, but I hope that a fresh start will be made when the Small Holdings and Allotments Bill now before the House is passed into law. In reply to the last part of the question, Section 18 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, provides certain facilities for loans to tenants of statutory small holdings, but, for the reasons given in the White Paper dealing with the Bill to which I have referred, it is proposed to repeal this Section.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, if, taking any three typical British factories he desires, he can now give the estimated cost of manufacturing one ton of white sugar from beet?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Forrest) on the 18th March last. I regret I am unable to give the information desired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the projected sugar-beet factories at Bardney and Frimley have been or are being constructed; and whether any new factories have been planned since 1st January, 1926?

No constructional work has been begun on the projected beet sugar factories at Bardney and Frimley. Since the 1st January last proposals have been made for the erection of factories at Selby, Bletchley and Walcott (near Shrewsbury), but it is too early to say whether any of these proposals will materialise.