asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the provinces in China in which an extra non Treaty Customs Surtax is being demanded by any Chinese provincial authorities; and whether, in any such case, British importers have been advised to pay it and are paying it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him on the 10th of November. In paying the taxes under protest, British merchants are acting in accordance with the advice given by His Majesty's Consuls at the ports affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the request from the Belgian Government for the support of His Majesty's Government in opposition to the action of the Government of Peking in denouncing the Sino-Belgian Treaty of 1865?

His Majesty's Government have intimated in reply to an inquiry from the Belgian Government that in their view the Chinese Government have no legal right under the Treaty of 1865 to propose a revision of that instrument.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give in values the imports into China of British manufactured goods for the last complete six months for which statistics exist, comparing the total with that for the corresponding six months in the previous year?

Figures of imports into China from individual countries are, not compiled by the Chinese Maritime Customs for periods other than calendar years. From the British official trade returns it appears that the total value of British exports registered as consigned to China and Hongkong was £9,782,000 in the six months ended September, 1926, and £9,158,000 in the corresponding period of 1925. These figures relate to exports of British goods as a whole, figures for manufactured goods exported to individual countries being only available for calendar years. In 1924 and 1925 over 90 per cent. of our total exports to China and Hongkong consisted of manufactured goods.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is considering the amendment of Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925, with a view to removing injustices to certain owners of properties in slum areas; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. I hope to be able to introduce legislation on this subject, but I am unable at present to give any indication of the date of its introduction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now found some new basis of compensation for the owners of sanitary property taken under clearance schemes for new housing which would be fairer than the, present one; and when the necessary legislation will be introduced?

The question of an Amendment in some respects of the present basis of compensation has been receiving my attention, but I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether a civil servant, or any other person in an excepted employment, is accepted as a Voluntary contributor under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, even though he or she has not paid 104 contributions to national health insurance?

Yes, Sir. The Regulations made under Section 15 (5) of the Act allow such a person to become a Voluntary contributor under the combined scheme of health insurance and pensions provided that contributions under the Act are no longer compulsorily payable in respect of him, and that since the 15th July, 1912, he has been continuously employed for at least 104 weeks in excepted employment for which pensions contributions have been payable, or would have been payable if the Act had been in force.

asked the Minister of Health whether any extension has been made of the period during which persons may become Voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and, if so, what is the latest date at which applications to become Voluntary contributors will be considered?

The Regulations made under Section 13 (1) of the Act provide that the time within which a person who was not insured at the commencement of the Act may, if duly qualified, become a Voluntary contributor under the Section referred to may he extended to a date not later than the 2nd January next, where the circumstances of the particular case justify such an extension.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made for a woman, an insured person, who, in 1927 or subsequent years, marries an uninsured man to enable her to continue to receive sickness and disablement benefits and the old age pension at 65?

A woman who on marriage continues to be employed will remain an insured person and be entitled to the normal benefits provided by the Health Insurance Act and the Contributory Pensions Act. A woman who on marriage ceases to be employed cannot herself become a Voluntary contributor hut, if she marries an uninsured man, an option is given to him to become a Voluntary contributor in right of her previous insurance and, if he exercises that option, he will, in addition to becoming entitled to the ordinary health insurance benefits, be in a position to secure both for himself and for his wife, an old age pension at the age of 65.

asked the Minister of Health whether women who served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps or similar organisations, but did not serve overseas, are accepted as Voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans, and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts provided they served two years in one of the auxiliary corps attached to the services?

Women who served in these organisations do not fall within the category of persons serving in the forces of the Crown during the late War, for whom special provision is made by Section 44 (5) of the Act. Their eligibility for Voluntary insurance under the combined scheme of health insurance and pensions must accordingly depend upon the circumstances of each case.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken by his Department with a view to investigating the causes of encephalitis?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject on the 16th instant to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Norwich (Captain Fairfax). Special reports on this disease were published in 1918 and 1922.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the lack of accommodation for the members of the council and the officials of the urban district of Mitcham; and whether he will reconsider the refusal of his Department to allow the council to raise a loan of £14,000 for the extension of the office accommodation and the building of a council chamber?

My decision in this case was given after a local inquiry had been held and after careful consideration of all the facts, and I regret that I cannot, at present, under take to reconsider the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of amending Clause 16 of the Milk and Dairies Order so as to prevent any person engaging in the milking of cows who is suffering from cow-pox, tuberculosis, venereal disease or skin diseases generally?

The Prevention of Tuberculosis Regulations, 1925, contain provisions for preventing any person who is suffering from tuberculosis of the respiratory tract from milking cows. I am advised that there is no evidence that the other diseases mentioned are likely to be transmitted to consumers through the medium of milk, and consequently I do not at present propose to modify the Order in the sense suggested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the percentages of leading rates, petty officers, and chief petty officers, respectively, of the seaman, signal, telegraphist and stoker branches, respectively?

The percentages on 15th November, 1926, were as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of naval ratings borne during the financial year 1913–14; and the number invalided with tuberculosis, also for the financial years 1921–22 and 1924–25?

The numbers of naval ratings and Royal Marines invalided with tuberculosis during the three years in question were 192, 235 and 179 respectively. The average numbers borne were 130,490, 110,823 and 90,527 respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of men invalided from the Navy with pulmonary tuberculosis during the year 1925; and the number of these whose disease was claimed not to be attributable to the Service?

The number of men invalided from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines with pulmonary tuberculosis during the year 1925, was 189. The number of these whose disease was considered not to be attributable to the Service, was 187. It is believed that a certain number of these 187 men claimed disability pensions from the Ministry of Pensions on the ground that the invalidating disability was attributable to War service. The results of these claims are not. known at the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cause of the loss of His Majesty's Ship "Valerian"?

The court-martial which was held on 1st November has found that the loss of His Majesty's Ship "Valerian" was due to the forces of nature overwhelming the power of the ship. There was no fault in navigation or in the construction or seaworthiness of the ship, which remained tight throughout, and successfully rode out the hurricane for four and a-half hours till overwhelmed by the strength of the wind. The evidence shows that there was steady discipline to the last, and that the highest traditions of the Service were maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in future years he will be good enough to arrange that there is available for Members in the Library copies of the Memorandum on Estimates which is to be laid annually before the Legislative Council of Kenya Colony?

Two copies of the Memorandum relating to the Estimates for 1927 are being placed in the Library of the House, and similar arrangements will be made in future years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to lay before Parliament a copy of the despatch directed to him by the Governor of Kenya on the subject of the problems confronting scientific research workers in Kenya, and mentioned by the Governor in his speech to the Legislative Council on 12th October, 1926?

The questions opened up by the despatch referred to are at present being considered in consultation with the Committee of Civil Research, and I am not in a position, at tins stage, to lay papers before the House.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of high-power broadcasting stations, together with their respective power and range areas, existing in European countries?

Excluding the Daventry station, there are seven broadcasting stations in Europe using power of 10 kilowatts or more. It is not possible to state the range of these stations, as this depends upon the sensitivity of the receiving apparatus used.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the existing Volume of unemployment and to avoid dismissals on the eve of Christmas, the Treasury will approve the suspension until the new year of all notices of discharge on account of redundancy now being issued to ex-service temporary clerks in the Civil Service?

I fear that I should not be justified in sanctioning the retention of staff which is not required for the proper performance of the work of the various Departments, but I may remind the hon. Member that ex-service men discharged on redundancy receive priority of consideration through the Joint Substitution Board for temporary posts in Government Departments which may require staff.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as the appointment of permanent civil servants as area and deputy area officers has resulted in an increase in the expenditure for the administration of the officers concerned, it is proposed to effect economy in other branches of the Ministry to meet the additional cost of local administration?

The hon. Member may rest assured that in the allocation of officers to the various posts in the Ministry full weight is given to the consideration of the economies that have been and continue to be effected in administrative expenditure, subject to the overriding condition of efficiency.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the room now used as a public office by the City 25th Income Tax district was converted from the bedrooms used by the staff of the hotel which formerly occupied the building; that the height of this room, which is occupied by 10 officers of the Inland Revenue Department, is not more than eight feet, and that it is heated from two small smoking fireplaces; and whether steps will be taken to provide more suitable accommodation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The height of the room is rather more than eight feet and the accommodation is adequate for the staff in occupation, no complaints of smoking fireplaces have been received and the fireplaces are believed to be satisfactory. It is not proposed to provide alternative accommodation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider devoting some proportion of the money collected annually as Entertainment Duty from cinemas to financing British films?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that there is now only one register of electors published annually, the Government is prepared to pass into law before the end of the qualifying period, let June, 1927, a simple franchise Measure giving votes to women at 21, and on the same terms as men, to ensure that these names will be included in the 1927 register?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for the Edge Hill Division, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the number of accidents occurring at the Puthall Gate in Saver-flake Forest, crossing the main London-Bath road; and whether any action can be taken with a view to such danger being obviated?

I have had correspondence on this subject in past years with the Wiltshire County Council, but without arriving at any feasible solution.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will suggest to shopowners in London releasing a proportion of their female staff at an earlier hour in order to facilitate their travelling and easing the congestion?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I doubt whether the arrangement suggested by my Noble Friend would be feasible, but I will look into the matter, in consultation with the Ministry of Transport, and inform him of the result.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of applicants who have been refused unemployment insurance benefit at the Walworth Road Employment Exchange during each of the six months preceding the last convenient date; and upon what grounds?

The following table shows the applications for extended benefit considered by the local committee at the Borough Employment Exchange, and the recommendations in regard to are these applications during the six months

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the present price of bread in London, which is still 9½d. per 41b. loaf, in spite of the fact that the price of standard grade flour was reduced to 47s. 6d. on 15th November; and what action his Department proposes to take to ensure that the public benefit by reductions in the price of flour?

The price which the London Associations of Bakers recommend their members to charge is, I understand, still 10d. the 4-lb. loaf, and not 9½d. I am informed that this matter is being considered by the Food Council at their meeting to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the current prices of sugar beets paid to the farmer in the different European countries where sugar beet is grown?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that the information at my disposal is not sufficient to enable me to give the current prices paid to farmers for sugar beet in European countries.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his Department has refused sanction in any district to proposals for the feeding of necessitous children; and whether any applications for permission to erect nursery schools have been refused; and, if so, in what districts or towns?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second part, no such proposal has been rejected by my Department, but in one case the authority failed to secure sanction to raise a loan for the purpose, in view of the financial position of the area. The area in question is that of the Waltham-stow authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of elementary School children, 14 years of age, who left School in 1914, and every successive year up to and including 1925?

The total number of children aged 14 and over who left public elementary schools, including children who left to proceed to places of higher education, in the years 1919–20 to 1924–25, inclusive, was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there are any districts where the local education authority has restricted the number of children in classes in the primary schools to not more than 40 in each class; and what steps the Board are taking to secure the reduction of the size of classes in primary schools to the same number of pupils as are authorised for classes in the secondary schools?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the immediate aim of the Board is that set forth in Circular 1325, issued by the right hon. Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan) in 1924, i.e., the elimination of classes of over 50 children and the reduction to 40 children of classes for pupils over the age of 11 years.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of trained certificated teachers who were unemployed on 1st November in the years 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively?

The information asked for is not available. From returns furnished by the training colleges in December, 1925, it appears that out of 6,900 students who left training colleges in July, 1924, and about whom the college authorities possessed information, 195 had at that date failed to obtain posts, and that out of 6,845 students who left college in July, 1925, and about whom information was available, 431 had failed to obtain posts.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of applications for pensions which have been rejected' owing to their having been made more than seven years after demobilisation; and how many of these affect cases of mental trouble which have slowly developed?

I cannot, I regret, give the information desired, as there is no classified record of all the applications which for various reasons are not proceeded with. I may add, however, that any case of the kind referred to in the last part of the question would be considered in which connection between the mental condition and the man's war service was clearly shown.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of noncommissioned officers and men who have lost their lives in accidents to aircraft since 1st January, 1926; and whether he is satisfied that due precautions are taken before airplanes and pilots are allowed to ascend?

The answer to the first part of the question is 28. In addition, three Naval or Marine ratings lost their lives in Royal Air Force accidents and one airman was killed by being struck by an aeroplane whilst he was working on the ground. As regards the second part, I am satisfied that every precaution is taken. A complete system of inspection of aircraft is in force. All pilots pass a series of thorough tests before they are allowed to fly sofo and again before they are allowed to carry a passenger. Their flying is also continually watched and supervised by their senior officers. For further information in regard to the measures taken to prevent accidents I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton) on the 22nd November.

asked the Under-Secrelary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India with a view to the enforcement of the Children's Act (India), 1924?

There is no Act of the Indian Legislature with the title quoted. There are Children Acts of the Madras, Bombay and Bengal Legislatures, one of which, namely, the Bombay Children Act, 1924, belonged to the year named. The action taken on it was explained in the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 15th November.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have yet received the Report of the Skeen Committee; and whether it is proposed to publish this Report for the information of Members of this House?

My latest information is that the Committee were on the point of presenting their Report, though I have not yet heard whether the Government of India have actually received it. I cannot therefore say anything at this stage on the question of publication.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any Indian troops are serving outside India, except at Aden, at the expense of the Indian Government; and, if so, whether he will give information as to the numbers so employed?

The only Indian troops serving outside India of which the cost is borne in whole or in part by the Government of India are a small number of other ranks forming the Consular escorts in Persia, and half a company of Indian Infantry stationed temporarily at Bahrein.

asked the Home Secretary whether any and, if so, what representations have been made to him of the destruction of racing pigeons by birds of prey; and the result of his inquiries into the matter?

I have received representations from the National Homing Union who supplied me with a list of places where the greatest damage is alleged to be done to homing pigeons by the peregrine falcon, and I have promised to consider them for special action if and when the Wild Birds Protection Bill becomes law.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to a case at Bow Street, where a man named Henry William Hewett was sentenced to six months' hard labour for stealing two young dogs, and a month's bard labour for cruelty to them, and that Hewett, according to the evidence, was taking the animals to the University Hospital School for Physiofogy, by which institution he was employed to supply animals for experimental purposes; whether he noted the observation of the magistrate that if there were no receivers there would be no thieves; and if he intends to take any action with regard to the University Hospital School of Physiofogy?

I think the replies which I gave to a series of questions on this subject yesterday cover the points raised in this question. I have nothing to add to them at the moment.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the theft of dogs for use at medical schools in the Bloomsbury district; and whether he will investigate the purpose for which dogs are used at such institutions, and the methods employed by those who buy such dogs?

I have nothing to add to the answers which I have already given on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the recent municipal elections one candidate stood for six wards in the Borough of Hornsey; that in no case did he poll more than six per cent. of the votes cast, and that his action involved the municipality in unnecessary expense; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the forfeiture of a deposit of not less than £10 by a candidate who polls less than one-eighth of the votes cast at a municipal election, and to enact that a candidate who is nominated for more than one ward cannot recover more than one deposit?

My attention has not been drawn to the case mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. As I stated in reply to a similar question on the 18th March last, the introduction of legislation on the lines suggested is not practicable at the present time, but the question has been noted for consideration when the amendment of the law is undertaken.

asked the Home Secretary the number of factories inspected since 1st January of this year to the last convenient date; and whether he has under consideration such increase of the inspectorate, as would permit every factory being visited at least once during a year?

I am afraid I could not give the number of works inspected for any part of the present year without calling for a special return from each district, and I would ask the hon. Member to wait, till the end of January next when the complete figures for 1926 will be available. As I have stated on several occasions, I am not satisfied with the present strength of the Inspectorate, but I do riot think it possible to deal with this question pending the passage of the Factories Bill. As soon as that Bill has passed into law, or at. any rate has made substantial progress, I propose to set up a Committee to make a comprehensive survey of the whole position.

asked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Factory Bill?

The Bill has been withdrawn for this Session. As I explained in the Memorandum on the Bill (Cmd. 2716), and also in the course of the Debate on the 26th March last on the Second Reading of the Factories Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Middlesborough, the Government Bill was introduced in order to give the different industries affected the opportunity, during the autumn and winter, of examining the proposals, of consulting among themselves with a view to arriving at agreements on disputed points, and of submitting any representations they desire to the Government. It was not proposed to proceed further with the Bill during the present Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the practice of re-arresting prisoners on leaving gaol at the expiration of their sentences for offences committed prior to those they have expiated; and whether, seeing that such a policy is not desirable, suitable instructions could be issued to those concerned that all offences should he taken into consideration when a prisoner is before the Courts?

My attention has been called to a few instances of the kind referred to, but so far from amounting to a practice, they are I think exceptions to the rule which on all convenient occasions I have indicated to the police as desirable, namely, that any outstanding charges which a prisoner admits at the time of the trial should be brought to the notice of the Court so that they may be taken into consideration, and that if other charges are in question later, steps should be taken to have them dealt with during the currency of any existing sentence.

asked the Home Secretary the number of men and women, respectively, acting as Magistrates?

As regards men magistrates, very great labour would be required to ascertain how many of those who have been appointed are still alive and are acting. The Lord Chancellor hopes, therefore, that this part of the question will not be pressed.The number of women magistrates who have been appointed to the Bench since

the passing of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, 1919, is:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state, for the period from 1st May to 1st November, and from the information supplied through the Sheffield City police, the number of different places within the city at which outcrops have been worked; the number of collieries within the city from which coal has been raised; and the maximum number of outcrop workers and of coal getters, respectively, employed at any one time during the period?

There are eight mines within the city boundary of Sheffield, which normally employ about 4,800 workpeople. All these have produced some coal during the period mentioned. The maximum number of workpeople employed at any one time was about 2,100. I regret that I have not the information asked for about outcrop working.