asked the Minister of Labour what is the position in regard to claimants for extended benefit who, during the four weeks prior to the date of claim, have been in receipt of 50 per cent. of their normal earnings; whether rota committees may instead of four weeks take a longer period when arriving at a decision in regard to a claimant's average earnings; and whether, if a claimant is disallowed extended benefit on the ground that during the preceding four weeks he has been in receipt of 59 per cent, of his normal earnings and continues to be unemployed, he will say for what period the disallowance holds good; and has a claimant any claim for retrospective payment?

The directions to committees with regard to cases of this class are contained in paragraphs 9, 10 and 11 of L.E.C. 82/17, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. This document does not define the period for which a disallowance is to hold good, but normally not more than four weeks is allowed to elapse before a claim is reviewed. There is no provision for retrospective payment except when it can he shown that the original decision was erroneous.

There are five sub-offices under the Hamilton Employment Exchange. The staff

NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS for Extended Benefit considered by the Local Committees at certain Employment Exchanges in Lanarkshire, together with an analysis of the Committees' recommendations.
Exchange.			Application considered.	Applications recommended for		Applications postponed for a definite period.
				Allowance.	Disallowance.
			12th January, 1926, to 15th November, 1926.
Airdrie	…	…	8,275	7,594	659	22
Coatbridge	…	…	12,329	10,797	1,526	6
Hamilton	…	…	19,624	17,476	1,743	405
Motherwell	…	…	15,733	14,397	1,188	148
Wishaw	…	…	15,368	13,802	926	640
Rutherglen	…	…	8,001	7,194	807	Nil

asked the Minister of Labour the 'la tube, of claimants who have been refused extended benefit at the following Employment Exchanges in Lanarkshire: — Airdrie. Coatbridge, Hamilton, Motherwell, Wishaw, Cambuslang, and Rutherglen, for the periods from 1st January, 1926, to 1st November, 1926, and 1st May. 1926, to 1st November, 1926, respectively?

The figures are as follow:

Exchange.			Applications considered.	Applications recommended for		Applications postponed for a definite period.
				Allowance.	Disallowance.
			11th May, 1926, to 15th November, 1926.
Airdrie	…	…	5,754	5,166	586	2
Coatbridge	…	…	8,161	6,922	1,235	4
Hamilton	…	…	12,715	11,502	987	226
Motherwell	…	…	11,760	10,779	897	84
Wishaw	…	…	10,630	9,675	633	322
Rutherglen	…	…	5,394	4,867	527	Nil
Separate statistics in respect of Cambuslang are not available, the figures being included in the Returns received from Rutherglen Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of sub-offices under the control of the Hamilton Employment Exchange; and how many persons are employed in each, including the Hamilton Exchange, with the salaries payable to the manager, sub-managers. clerks, and other persons employed?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 6f.; Grade III posts allotted to Army pay offices have been filled by pre-War employés and successful Southborough candidates, respectively; and how the 66 Grade III posts have been divided amongst the various regimental and command pay offices?

59 of the Grade III posts have been, or are in process of being, filled by pre-War established employés; the remaining seven posts will, it is anticipated, be filled by successful Southborough candidates. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for King's Norton (Mr. Dennison) on 3rd June.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association communicated with his Department on 10th- April, 1926, respecting a claim to balance of civil pay of an ex-member of his Department (War Office letter 60/H/448 (F. 6) refers), and that, in spite of repeated reminders, no decision has yet been given on the claim; and whether he is in a position to say when the Civil Service Clerical Association will be furnished with a definite reply?

The claim was not put forward to the War Office till over six years after the employé's demobilisation. This, combined with the fact that it was found to have been previously presented and rejected by the Board of Inland Revenue, necessitated considerable correspondence and research. But on 3rd August last, the Civil Service Clerical Association were informed that. the claim could not be entertained by the war Department. The Association appealed against the decision and certain aspects of the matter are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association communicated with his Department on the 25th September, 1925, asking whether the balance of civil pay of a second-class writer serving in the Royal Ordnance Factory, Enfield, might be reassessed; that this communication was acknowledged by his Department on the 28th September, 1925, reference 60/F/151 (F 6); that a formal rejection of the claim was made by his Department in a letter dated 27th November, 1925; that this rejection was contested by the Civil Service Clerical Association in a further letter dated 28th November, 1925; that following a series of reminders, and after a lapse of a further six months, his Department stated that before considering the claim further certain information was required; that the information asked for was communicated to the War Office by the 'Civil Service Clerical Association on the 2nd June, 1926, and that, in spite of repeated reminders, no decision has yet been given by him Department and whether he will take steps with a view to an early decision being given on the matter, and the prevention of the recurrence in future of delay in giving decisions on similar matters affecting the staff?

A reassessment of balance of civil pay has already taken place in this case, with the result that a sum of £65 13s. 7d. was paid to the employé in July, 1925. The claim made by the Association for the reassessment on a more favourable basis has raised an important point of principle on which a final decision cannot be given at present, but the matter will be expedited as far as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists respectively employed in his Department in each town outside London where such a staff is employed?

One temporary shorthand typist is employed at Newcastleon-Tyne.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, employed in Scottish intermediate or provincial towns by collectors of Income Tax?

There are three temporary shorthand typists employed in offices of collectors of Income Tax in Scottish provincial towns. No temporary typists are employed in offices of collectors of Income Tax in Scotland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of temporary shorthand typists and typists, respectively, employed in each of the following Scottish offices of the Inland Revenue Department: Comptroller of Stamps and Taxes Office, Edinburgh; Estate Duty Office, Edinburgh, and the Chief Inspector of Taxes (Head Office), Edinburgh?

No temporary shorthand typists or typists are at present employed in any of the offices in question.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, employed in area and other out-station offices under his control in London, in intermediate towns, and in provincial towns?

The following table contains the desired particulars:

Area Offices	Temporary Shorthand Typists.	Temporary Typists.
London	40	9
Intermediate provincial towns	74	38
Other provincial towns	147	47

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of hours overtime performed by members of the temporary and established clerical staffs in the Inland Revenue Department for the past 12 months, together with particulars of the cost thereof?

The total number of hours of paid overtime performed by members of the staff in question for the 12 months ended 3Otb September, 1926, the latest period for which figures are available, was, approximately, 567,500: the cost was, approximately, £59,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, according to the Statistical Summaries of Industrial Assurance for 1925, issued by the Industrial Assurance Commissioner, there was included under the heading of expenditure a sum of £3,431,152 for miscellaneous and that such sum consisted mainly of transfers to profit and loss account and reserve and contingency funds: whether any part of such sum was used during the year for expenses of management; whether he is aware that the expenses of management, including commissions, is £16.983,868: whether he is aware that, in addition to the sum of £16,531,195, stated in the said summaries to have been paid for claims on death and claims on maturity and surrender, a sum of £17,899,807 was added to the funds to meet the year's increase of liabilities in respect of policies; and whether he will state the total sum paid to or set aside for the benefit of policy owners?

The answer to the first, third and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question no part of the £3,431,152 entitled "miscellaneous" was used for expenses of management. In answer to the last part of the question, the sum shown by the Statistical Summaries to have been paid to or set aside for the benefit of policy owners is £34,431,002.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared in his next Budget to amend the law so that contributions received from foreign countries to the funds of any organisation engaged in a trade dispute may be made liable to taxation?

I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total yield of the Betting Duty from 1st November to 27th November, inclusive; what was the amount received from racecourse betting; the amount of rebates claimed in this period from racecourse betting; the amount received in this period from office betting; and the amount of rebates claimed in this period from office betting?

As the hon. Member for Central Southwark was informed on the 29th November last, figures relating to the yield of the betting taxation will not be available for publication until the middle of this month and I would suggest to my hon. Friend that he should repeat his question in a week's time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the local tenants who have received notices of termination of the park and plantation adjoining Conon Lodge have been offered renewal of their leases, or whether the park and/or plantation has been, or will be, offered to the purchaser of Conon Lodge, or was promised to him when he purchased the lodge?

The local tenants of Rha Park and Plantation have not been offered renewal of their tenancies. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 7th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the extent of Rha Park, adjoining Conon Lodge; whether it is suitable for a small holding; whether any applications for small holdings in this district are still waiting; and, if so, why this land is being sold to a private purchaser of Conon Lodge?

The area of Rha Park is approximately 7 acres. It is not considered suitable for a small holding. The number of outstanding applications from Kilmuir Parish for small holdings amounts to eight. This land is being sold because of its unsuitability for a small holding and because it is no longer required for the Board's purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of acres which have been given for use to the smallholders either in enlargements of holdings, new holdings, and grazings since the Kilgow Estate was purchased by the Congested Districts Board?

The total area which has been subdivided for new holdings and enlargement of existing holdings and grazings on Kilmuir Estate amounts to approximately 20,700 acres, being about 12,700 acres for new holdings and 8,000 for enlargements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applicants for new holdings and enlargements of existing holdings have not yet obtained land through the Board of Agriculture; and how many men, apart from those who took forcible possession of land, has the present Government placed on new holdings in Skye?

Assuming that the question refers wholly to Skye the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have on their lists 218 outstanding applications from ex-service men for new holdings and three outstanding applications from ex-service men for enlargements. The corresponding numbers for other applicants are 244 and 322 respectively. The reply to the last part of the question, taking the period from 1st November, 1924, is 67. None of the 67 men settled is in occupation of land forcibly taken by him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in October the Wigtownshire County Council granted a licence for a slaughterhouse at Port William within 15 yards of dwelling-houses and shops after the district committee had refused to grant the licence; that the owners of these premises objected to the granting of the licence; that at the same meeting the county council refused the licence for a knackery on the objection of a member of the council that it would impair the value of his estate, although it would be over 1,400 yards from his house and the nearest inhabited house would be approximately 200 yards away; and, if so, whether, in view of such apparent differences in administration by county councils, he will inquire into the matter?

It is not the case that the Wigtownshire County Council granted a licence for the establishment of a slaughterhouse at Port William after the district committee had refused it. The district committee at first refused sanction but, after inspection of the premises, this decision was reconsidered and sanction was granted unanimously. The county council confirmed this sanction. An appeal was lodged with the Scottish Board of Health who, after inquiry on the spot, have decided that sanction was properly given. In regard to the knackery referred to I have no information. Where, however, sanction is refused to the establishment of the business of a knacker, there is an appeal to the Scottish Board of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number and names of the persons holding positions as honorary sheriff-substitutes in the county of Lanark; by whom are they appointed; and what are the qualifications for holding such a position?

I am in course of obtaining the information asked for in the first part of the question, and I shall communicate it to the hon. Member as soon as possible. Honorary sheriff-substitutes are appointed by the sheriff of the sheriffdom under Section 17 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907. The sheriff appoints such persons as he thinks proper to hold the office, and no further statutory qualifications are prescribed.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many of the 187 men invalided from the Navy and Royal Marines with pulmonary tuberculosis during the yeas 1925, whose disease was considered not to be attributable to the service, claimed disability pensions from the Ministry of Pensions on the ground that the invaliding disability was attributable; and how many such claims were admitted to be well founded and a disability pension allowed?

I regret that the information desired is not available, as no separate record is kept of naval claims classified according to the year of discharge. I would point out that in order to establish a claim by any of the men referred to, it would be necessary to show that their disability was occasioned by their service during the Great War, that is, during the period prior to September, 1921.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that inspectors appointed by the Ministry inspect every London casual ward at least once in every four months. he will state how often on the average the inspectors visit provincial casual wards; whether they inspect the provincial wards at night after the casuals are in bed; and whether he will arrange that the provincial casual wards shall be inspected at least once every four months, and that at least one inspection per year shall be at night?

Casual wards in the provinces are inspected at least once in every year, and more often when the conditions of the wards make closer inspection desirable; visits are not infrequently paid at night, and nearly all inspections are in the nature of surprise visits. I am satisfied that the present system of visiting according to the needs of the case is preferable to a system of visits at fixed periods or times.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report of the master of the workhouse recently submitted to the Amersham Board of Guardians and forwarded to his Department, giving statistics of the overcrowding and other grave conditions prevailing in the casual wards of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Middlesex; and, in view of the facts submitted, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has not been called to this report, but I am aware that there has been considerable pressure on the accommodation of certain casual wards in the counties mentioned. Steps have already been taken to meet the situation by building now wards, extending existing wards, and reopening wards which had been closed.

asked the Minister of Health the number of boards of guardians which have exercised their powers of assisting emigration in suitable eases during the present year; and the number of persons and families affected?

The number of boards of guardians who, since 1st January last, have been authorised to incur expenditure in assisting the emigration of poor persons is 162. The number of persons affected was 938 including 143 families composed of 634 persons.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief on 30th November, 1926?

The total number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales on the 20th November, 1926, the latest dates for which figures are available, was approximately 2,213,000. This number does not include lunatics in county and county borough asylums, casuals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only, of whom there are at present approximately 120,000.

asked the Minister of Health if, taking the areas of the country which are classed as necessitous, he will state in each case the payments of Poor Law relief for the month of April, and for each succeeding month to the end of November?

I know of no classification of Poor Law areas such as my hon. Friend has in mind, and I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give him the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of the subsidy on houses by the Rochford District Council; if he is aware of the scarcity of and demand for houses, and the number of men usually employed in the building trade who are at present out of work, as reported at the Employment Exchanges in the district; and if he will take steps to induce the council to resume the encouragement of house building?

Approval was given to a proposal of the district council to grant subsidies in respect of a further 100 houses a few weeks ago. I understand that the Council have come to the conclusion that the need for the grant of subsidies in their area is passing, and they have proposed, for the present, to limit themselves to the exercise of the authority for 100 houses recently given to them. I am informed that there are practically no skilled building workers unemployed in the neighbourhood, and that there has been a serious rise in the cost of building houses in the district. I am, however, obtaining further informa- tion from the Council with a view to advising them as to their policy in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the need for additional houses and the amount of unemployment in the building trade, his Department will consider the desirability of securing the adoption of better means of transport for workers and the provision of purely temporary housing to enable all arrears to be caught up, particularly in view of the fact that the full subsidy will only be paid on sanctioned houses which are completed by 1st October, 1927?

I would point out to the hon. Member that housing is only one part of the building industry, and that the great. bulk of unemployed persons in the industry are not members of the skilled trades which are essential for house building, but consists largely of labourers and others. I am not aware that any serious difficulty arises in securing the transfer of skilled labour to areas where it may be required.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected under State-assisted schemes which are now occupied by agricultural workers?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. and gallant Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department is in a position to state the amount of money paid by way of contributions to the health insurance scheme from the date of the Armistice to the year ending 31st December, 1923: and the amount actually paid out to insured persons by way of benefits during the same period?

The amount of money paid by way of contributions to the health insurance scheme in England and Wales for the seven years from 1st January, 1919, to 31st December, 1925, was £154,000,000. Of the amount of 414.3,000,000 spent on benefits in England and Wales during the same period, £86,000,000 represents amounts actually paid out to insured persons by way of benefits, and £57,000,000 the cost of medical benefit provided for them through insurance committees. The information asked for as respects the part of the year 1918 subsequent to the date of the Armistice is not available, as such statistics are compiled for complete calendar years only.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the persistent default of the Poultonle-Fylde Urban District Council in complying with the Board's requirements as regards the purity of the gas supplied by that council, he will take steps to enforce compliance by the council with statutory requirements?

I am informed that the local gas examiner has reported against the purity of the gas supplied by the council on two occasions, on 5th April, 1926, and on 20th November, 1926. I understand that in respect of the second report the council have appealed to the Chief Gas Examiner, and hence the matter is now sub judice. The forfeiture to which the council are subject in the event of a proved default is specified in the Gas Regulation Act, 1920 (Section 9 (2)), and I am not authorised to intervene in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the advertising space now being filled by a margarine advertisement on the hack of old age pension books was advertised in the Press as being to let before the tender in question was accepted and, so, whether he will state the publication., in which the announcement appeared?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The advertisement was obtained by one of the advertising contractors to the Department.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of temporary shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, employed in intermediate or provincial towns in the stores department, engineering department, district managers' offices, postmaster surveyors' and postmasters' offices, respectively, and in the headquarters of the Post Office at Edinburgh?

The detailed figures asked for are not readily available, but the following particulars from the latest statistical return will perhaps suffice:

Temporary Typists and Shorthand-Typists employed in the Post Office on 1st October, 1926.
Stores Department (outside London)	Nil
Engineering Department (outside London)	19
District Managers' Offices	75
Surveyors' Offices
Postmaster Surveyors' Offices
Postmasters' Offices
Secretary's Office, Edinburgh	2
	96

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the estimated cost in 1926–27 of the fortified harbours which Britain has in the Irish Free State under British control?

I have been asked to reply. The estimated cost on Army Estimates of the coast defences an the Irish Free State is, approximately, £165,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of employés in the service of the Admiralty at Gibraltar in October, 1925, and October, 1926?

The numbers of workpeople employed were 1,926 in October, 1925, and 1,600 in October, 1926.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of employés in the service of the Admiralty at Simonstown and Bermuda in October, 1925, and October, 1926?

At Simonstown the numbers of workpeople employed were 553 in October, 1925, and 586 in October, 1926. At Bermuda the numbers were 741 in October, 1925, and 740 in October, 1926.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that under the pension scheme approved by Order in Council, 7th November, 1924, the widow of a naval rating killed in the service of his country receives 10s. 6d. per week and that naval ratings are required to subscribe 4½.d. per week under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, and that such widows receive no benefit under that Act and if he will see to it that the widow of the rating shall receive the pension her husband has paid for or that the rating be relieved from payment?

I am aware that under the provisions of Order in Council of the 7th November, 1924, the widow of a naval rating killed in the service of the Crown is eligible for a minimum pension of 10s. 6d, a week and also that, while serving, naval ratings are required to contribute under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925. As regards the remaining portion of his question, I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Minister of Health.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of iieutenant-commanders of 38 years and over it is contemplated will be retired under the further naval reductions?

Owing to a temporary surplus of lieutenant-commanders, a scheme of retirement for a small number of the older officers of this rank is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to give details. Any scheme, however, will be entirely Voluntary, and in the circumstances it is not possible to give an estimate of the number who will retire.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any non- established men, transferred to southern dockyards front Rosyth or Pembroke, have been discharged; if so, how many; and whether due regard is being given to the services these men rendered at these dockyards?

Four men have been discharged since they were transferred, two at their own request and two on reaching the age limit; due regard is given to the service of the transferees.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what fees, if any, are paid to members of a court-martial Or court of inquiry?

No fees are paid to any member of a court-martial or court of inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances connected with the death of Private William Kincaid, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed by falling from a railway train near Arksey, Doncaster, on Wednesday morning, 24th November; is he aware that, although the Army authorities were communicated with the same day, no action was taken for several days concerning the burial of the deceased; that they sent no one to the inquiry; that the body lay in the mortuary from Wednesday to Monday afternoon, and that an appeal to the Poor Law authorities to bury him was narrowly avoided; and the reason for all these delays?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the case of Private Robert Arthur. I have already called for a report on the matter and I will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War for how long have experiments with a view to the adoption of a streamline bullet been conducted by his Department; whether such experiments have been made in conjunction with unofficial tests; and has such a bullet been now finally adopted for service use?

Experiments in connection with the streamline bullet have been in progress since 1920, but so far no streamline bullet has been found suitable for adoption in the Service. Any information relating to this type of bullet is always welcomed by the War Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take with reference to those Territorial Army County Associations that showed deficits in their balance-sheets for the year ended 31st March, 1926?

The position has been steadily improving, and no special action is called for. Only seven out' of 85 associations showed deficits in 1925–26, and the combined deficit was £4,500. In 1924–25 there were eight associations with a combined deficit of£08,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers and men on the War Department vessels in October, 1925, and October, 1926?

Precise figures are not available for the two months in question, but the numbers were approximately 400 and 380.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that crosses from the graves of British soldiers in the Cologne military cemetery are being burned by the German authorities as refuse; and what steps were taken by the Imperial War Graves Commission with a view to affording relatives and friends of the soldiers buried at Cologne facilities for obtaining possession of these mementoes?

As regards the first part of the question I am not aware that this is the case. When permanent headstones have been erected in a cemetery, it is the practice of the Imperial War Graves Commission to burn the temporary wooden crosses, if they are not wanted by relatives, and to have the ashes worked into the soil of the cemetery. Notices have appeared in the Press from time to time informing relatives how they could obtain possession of the wooden crosses should they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Yugo-Slavian Government have yet made any arrangements with the Hungarian Government for the free exports of their goods via the port of Fiume; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government has been notified of any treaty by which Yugo-Slavia is bound to grant this facility to Hungarian merchandise?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative, but I understand that there have been discussions between the Yugo-Slav and Hungarian Governments with a view to facilitating the passage of Hungarian trade through some port on the, Adriatic.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many States are at the present time bound by all-in arbitration treaties; and whether he can give the names of the contracting States in each case?

No, Sir. A comprehensive answer to these inquiries would entail considerable research. In the case of States which are members of the League of Nations; the treaties would doubtless be registered with the League, and published by the latter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the annual contribution which is made by Kenya towards the cost of the King's African Rifles; and whether he will give the strength of the troops employed in Kenya in return for this contribution?

There is no question of a contribution. Each Dependency in East Africa raises, administers and pays for its own garrison of King's African Rifles. The garrison of Kenya at present consists of six companies of King's African Rifles and a supply and transport unit. The total cost of this service for 1927 is estimated at £125,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what increase in revenue is estimated to accrue from the proposed addition to the poll-tax on the Indian community in Kenya, and from the tax on male servants, in excess of two, in European employ?

The additional amounts required for the education of European and Indian children in Kenya are approximately £31,000 and £20,000 respectively. The tax in respect of servants in European employ is estimated to yield 27,000 and the poll-tax on Asiatic adults £12,000. The balance is to be raised by special consumption taxes on spirits and wines, the incidence of which is at present estimated as follows:

			£
Europeans	…	…	24,000
Indians	…	…	8,000

thus providing the totals of £31,000 and £20,000 to be contributed by the, respective communities. It is recognised that their shares in the incidence of the consumption taxes may be subject to readjustment and the Government proposes to obtain consumption statistics next year in order to determine more precisely the allocation of these taxes.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, when the Canadian medical service for the examination in this country of prospective settlers in Canada will be established; how many medical officers will be appointed; and where they will be placed?

The matter is being dealt with by the Government of Canada, and I am not in a position at present to supply the detailed information asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, arising out of the reaffirmation by the Imperial Conference of the view of defence, namely, the necessity for the maintenance by Great Britain of a home defence air force of sufficient strength to give adequate protection against air attack by the strongest air force within striking distance of her shores, whether he can state what size of air force, in comparison with the strongest neighbouring air force, is adequate for this purpose?

The programme for the expansion of the Royal Air Force for home defence—which I may remind the hon. Member was approved by the late Government as well as its predecessor, so that it has been endorsed by three successive Administrations—aims at the creation of a force of 52 squadrons in the first instance, this being the strength recommended by the Sub-Committee on National and Imperial Defence of 1923.

asked the President of the Board of Education the numbers of children attending elementary schools in the following age groups, under five, between five and six, and between six and seven, now and two years ago, respectively?

The number of children in the age groups in question on the registers of public elementary schools in England and Wales was as follows:

Year ended 31st March.	Aged under 5.	Aged 5 and under 6.	Aged 6 and under 7.
1924	211,343	433,372	481,188
1926 (Provisional).	181,063	614,781	661,882

asked the President of the Board of Education the estimated total population between the ages of 14 and 16 now and two years ago and the numbers of young persons of those ages attending full-time at State-aided and at other schools, respectively, at the same dates?

According to information supplied to me by the Registrar-General the estimated total numbers of children in the age-group 14–16 in the years 1924, 1925 and 1926 are 1,462,500, 1,429,100 and 1,407,400, respectively. These estimates refer to the middle of each year and are based, as regards 1924 and 1925, on the usual returns of deaths and migration; as regards 1926, the estimate is based on the actual number of deaths and an estimate only of migration. For the r umber of children in the age-group 14–16 attending Various types of State-aided schools and institutions in 1923–24 and 1924–25, I would refer my hon. Friend to Table 2 of the Volume of Statistics of Public Education for the year 1924–25. Corresponding figures for the year 1925–26 are not yet available. It should be borne in mind that a very considerable proportion of the children in this age-group at State-aided schools in each year were attending public elementary schools, and of these the majority would not stay beyond the end of the term in which they reached the age of 14. I can give no figures of the number of children attending schools and institutions outside the purview of my Department in the years in question.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amount of grants paid by the Board to the London School of Economics. either direct or through the University of London, during the financial year 1925–26?

No grants were paid by my Department to the London School of Economics in the financial year 1925–26, but in that financial year the School received from the Exchequer, on the recommendation of the University Grants Committee, a grant amounting, I understand, to £22,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of admis- sions to grant-earning secondary schools during the present term as compared with a year ago?

The number of new pupils admitted to secondary schools on the grant-list in England and Wales at the beginning of the current School year was about 69,000, as compared with 67,218 a year ago. The hon. Member may find more useful for his purpose the figures showing the numbers of pupils over 10 admitted' during the current and the previous year, which are estimated to be for 1925–26–74,982, and for 1926–27–77,361.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the Government of India proposes to publish the Report on the working of the provincial loans fund referred to in the agenda of the recent conference of finance members at Delhi?

I am communicating with the Government of India on the subject of the hon. Member's question and will advise him on the receipt of the reply.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of deaths due to lead poisoning in the pottery trade during 1925; the average age of the deceased; and whether an improvement is shown on 1924?

The total number of deaths in 1925 was five, and the average age 58. These figures are better than the corresponding figures for 1924, which were 18 and 52.

asked the Home Secretary if Lieut.-Colonel Lelean is still acting as inspector of vivisection laboratories under the Act; whether he has recently paid a visit to University College in that capacity; and whether he himself is the former holder of a vivisection licence?

Colonel Lelean resigned his post as inspector on 14th February last. The rest of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce legislation to repeal the prohibition of the sale of tobacco goods in hotels, restaurants, public-houses, theatres, music halls and other places of public resort after 8 o'clock at night, so that persons desirous of being supplied with such goods at convenient times may not be denied the right of purchasing the same?

I regret I can add nothing to the replies given by the Home Secretary to the questions asked on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for North Croydon (Lieut.-Colonel Mason), by the hon. Member for East Islington (Mr. Tasker) on the 12th November last, and by the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Sir Frank Meyer), on the 29th November.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that. under the operation of the eight-hour day inconvenience is caused at some collieries owing to the fact that the Licensing Regulations make it impossible for workers on the second shift, to obtain reasonable refreshments after having been working underground for eight hours; and whether he will introduce a one-Clause Bill giving discretionary powers to the Home Office or the magistrates to vary the present hours of supply in canteens in mining districts where proof is given that local circumstances require such variation, and subject to such restrictions as the Home Office or the magistrates may consider desirable?

As has been said before, the Government can hold out no hope of legislation on any part of the licensing question at present.

asked the Home Secretary what proportion of the 103 fatal accidents and the 1,758 non-fatal accidents which occurred on Durham roads last year were caused by conveyances licensed to carry passengers, commercial vehicles, and private care, respectively?

The figures are as follow:

Accidents in Durham County Police District caused by mechanically-propelled vehicles.
	Fatal.	Nonfatal.
By conveyances licensed to carry passengers	60	573
By commercial vehicles	10	237
By private cars, etc.	21	681
Total	91	1,491

asked the Minister of Transport whether he or the Home Secretary has power to prohibit motor vehicles having trailer vehicles in tow using the streets of large cities during hours when traffic is very dense; and, since accidents are liable to occur to foot-passengers attempting to cross the road, being unaware that a trailer is attached to the motor lorry, whether some compulsory sign to be carried on the towing vehicle, visible by day and night, can be insisted upon in forthcoming legislation?

So far as I am aware neither the Secretary of State for the Home Department nor I have any general powers to prohibit the use of the streets of large cities by motor vehicles with trailer vehicles in tow, during the hours when traffic is very dense, provided that the streets are otherwise suitable. Certain powers of regulation in matters of a similar nature are, however, conferred upon me, in respect of the London Traffic Area, by the London Traffic Act, 1924. As regards the latter part of the question, the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Road Vehicles in their Second Interim Report, came to the conclusion that the avoidance of accidents could best be promoted by a regu- lation providing that the distance separating the towing from the towed vehicle should not exceed 10 feet between their nearest points. In connection with the Bill for the better regulation of road vehicles, which I hope to introduce, the question of conferring powers on the Minister of Transport to deal with this and other similar matters will receive very careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increasing use of petrol in transport, he can assure the House that his Department will not place difficulties in the way of the use of rail motor cars, especially as the restrictions formerly in use were imposed with a view to restricting only horse-drawn traffic?

Where a railway company is not legally debarred from using petrol engines, and I am satisfied that proper precautions are taken and safety appliances adopted, no difficulties are placed in the way of the use of rail motor cars, but it will be appreciated that each case must be considered on its merits.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the restricted facilities afforded to the public of travelling in omnibuses during the rush hours; and whether, with a view of obviating the discomforts to the travelling public, especially women, he will authorise an extension of the numbers allowed to stand inside omnibuses, at any rate during the winter season?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to reopen this question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that overcrowding on the East End section of the District Railway is increasing during the rush hours, he contemplates taking any action to lessen this grievance?

The Metropolitan District Railway Company inform me that an additional train was put into service on the 1st December, but that it is impossible to increase further at the moment the service between their system and East Ham and Barking. I understand, however, that certain alterations are being carried out on the London. Midland and Scottish Railway which will permit of increased services in the future.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that delays, apart from those caused by fog, appear to be increasing on the District Railway from East Ham to the Mansion House, and whether he will communicate with the responsible authorities to ascertain the cause?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, and the Metropolitan District Railway Company, whose attention I have called to this complaint, state that they have no knowledge of increased delay in dealing with the traffic on this section of their line. Perhaps the hon. Member could give me some further particulars.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the petitions submitted to him by the representatives of many professions, praying for an inquiry into the question of English spelling; whether he is willing to advise in favour of such an inquiry or to consider the matter by receiving a deputation of the promoters of the petitions, so that the case may be fully put before the Government?

I have carefully considered the representations made to me on this subject, but I do not think that in the circumstances the appointment of a Royal Commission or other Committee of Inquiry is called for. My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that a deputation on this subject was received in 1924 by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan). Full information is in the possession of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, and in these circumstances I do not think that any further deputation is required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many types of cheese makers in this country are developing their industry by adopting a scheme of registration which involves the grading of the cheese with a view to greater uniformity of quality; and what stimulation and assistance he is giving to this movement?

As far as I am aware, the Cheshire Cheese Federation is the only body in this country which has decided to adopt a scheme of registration on the lines referred to by my hon. Friend. I am in sympathy with any movement of this character, and the Ministry have given such advice and help as lay in their power to the Cheshire cheese manufacturers. I have also under consideration an application from the Federation for financial assistance in furtherance of the scheme.