asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons who applied for unemployment benefit the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange during the last three months, and the number refused the same in that period?

During the three months ended 15th November, 1926, the number of fresh and repeat claims to benefit made at the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange was 13,658. Out of a total of 11,615 applications for extended benefit considered by the local committee during that period 10,671 were recommended for allowance and 944 for disallowance. Statistics are not available regarding the decisions on claims for standard benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of engineers normally employed in the motor industry now registered as unemployed in Coventry?

The only figures available are those for ties industrial group — "construction and repair of motor vehicles, cycles and aircraft." In this group at 22nd November, 1926, a total of 2,871 persons were recorded as unemployed at Coventry, including 2,623 males and 148 females.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange to publish monthly in the Labour Gazette a statement as to the number of new entrants into unemployment insurance during the previous month?

I am arranging to have the numbers of new centrants into unemployment insurance stated each month in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette." The totals for men, boys, women and girls will be shown separately.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the amount paid from 11th November, 1918, to 13th November, 1926, in out-of-work donation to ex-service men and women and civilians respectively:(2) the amount of our-of-work donation paid under the Ministry of Labour's scheme which cam: into operation on 25th November, 1918, and the number of men and dependants, women, and boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 who received benefit?

The amounts paid between 25th November, 1918, and 13th November, 1926, in out-of-work donation to ex-service men and women and civilians respectively are approximately as follow:

Ex-service men and women	£40,723,000
Civilians	£21,725,000

The civilian donation scheme expired on 24th November, 1919, and practically the whole of the ex-service donation was paid before 31st March, 1921. Exact figures are not available with regard to the number of separate individuals to whom payment was made, but it is estimated at about 5,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount paid in covenanted and standard benefit and uncovenanted and extended benefit, respectively, from 11th November, 1918, to 13th November, 1926?

The total amount of unemployment benefit paid from 11th November, 1918, to 13th November, 1926, was £275,157,000. I regret that I have no information which would enable me to divide this expenditure, as requested by the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether all the motor cars utilised in connection with the Imperial Conference of Dominion Prime Ministers were of British manufacture: and, if not, the origin of these cars?

Yes, Sir. These motor cars were all of British manufacture.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the First Artillery Brigade at Aldershot, which has been mechanised for two years at great cost to the taxpayers has been ordered to India where this training will be of no advantage, as they will in India revert to horse-drawn vehicles?

The 1st Field Brigade will be at the top of the foreign service roster during the trooping season 1927/28, and it would be unfair to other units if it did not proceed to India in its turn. Bait some of the personnel at present serving in this unit will be transferred to the Field Brigade at home which is to be mechanised in its place, and so their technical services and experience will not be lost.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any British officers have been given leave to serve with any of the contending armies in China: if so, with which armies: and in what capacity are they serving?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Mines what, if any, steps he has taken, or is taking, to ensure that there shall be no unwarranted increase in the price of coal now that the restrictions on domestic consumption have been removed?

The present trend of prices is downwards, but I shall continue to keep in close touch with the position until normal conditions have been restored.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reason for the delay in recommending for the Imperial Service Medal established men who retired from Bull Point, Devonport, in some cases over two years ago, after. 20 to 30 years' service?

It is presumed that the hon. and gallant Member's question has reference to the ease of seven men who were discharged to pension from the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Bull Point, during 1924 and 1925, who, although eligible for an award of the imperial Service Medal, were not recommended for it at the time of their discharge owing to a misinterpretation locally of the Regulations governing awards. Recommendations were, however, subsequently received, and it has been ascertained that the medals were recently forwarded to the establishment, and that presentation has actually been made to six of the men. The seventh man is, I understand, away from the neighbourhood, and it has not yet been possible-to present the medal to him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to eliminate the noise of pneumatic drills used in schemes of road construction under his control?

So far as I am aware, noiseless pneumatic drills are not obtainable at present, but I share my Noble Friend's view as to their desirability, and if an efficient type can be devised, I will do my best to encourage its use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of joint industrial councils and interim industrial reconstruction committees who forwarded Resolutions of support for the Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) Bill?

In addition to the Association of Joint Industrial Councils and Interim Reconstruction Committees, ho voiced the views of a considerable number of those councils and committees, five separate industrial councils or committees have made representations in favour of Merchandise Marks Legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what proportion of fatal accidents in the Air Force this year have been on machines of a type introduced before 1917?

The answer is 32 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of recruits enrofled into the Royal Air Force during each of the 12 months preceding the last convenient date?

The following table gives the information requested by the hon. and gallant Member:

	Recruits.
Month and Year.	Men.	Apprentices.
November, 1925	137	—
December, 1925	60	—
January, 1926	47	501
February, 1926	10	—
March, 1926	23	—
April, 1926	108	—
May, 1926	21	—
June, 1926	21	—
July, 1926	6	—
August, 1926	3	—
September, 1926	—	506
October, 1926	2	—
	438	1,009

Apprentices are recruited by means of examinations which are held twice a year.