asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if his attention has been drawn to the difference between the wages paid to employés in the royal parks and the rate paid by Metropolitan local authorities for similar labour; and if he will consider the adoption of the rate fixed by the Joint Industrial Court for this class of labour in the London district?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the difference between the wages paid to employés in the Royal parks and those paid by certain local authorities. There is no such body, however, as the Joint Industrial Court, and the hon. Member is apparently confusing the Joint Industrial Council for local authorities' non-trading services with the Industrial Court. set up under the Indus trial Courts Act for 1919. The rates paid to the. Royal parks employés were awarded by this latter body in March of last year after a full investigation of all the facts, and my right hon. Friend cannot see his way to interfere with the decision of the Court.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what action is being taken by his Department with a view to the punishment of persons who disfigure the Royal parks with rubbish and litter?

The new regulations which it is proposed to make under the Parks Regulation Bill, now awaiting the Royal Assent, will give the Department power to prosecute offenders.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the roads and approaches to the clocks of London are among the most congested in the United Kingdom and are totally inadequate for their purpose; and, seeing that the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, in reporting on the Victoria Dock Road improvements scheme in 1925, stated that it stood first in order of priority amongst road improvements in London, and that the same Committee, in their recently issued Report, described the execution of the scheme as an urgent necessity, will he, if funds are not immediately available, arrange for the postponement of certain other contemplated improvements or proposed new works in order that the Victoria Dock Road scheme may be commenced early in the coming year?

The question whether any moneys can be made available from the Road Fund towards the cost of the construction of a new Victoria Dock board is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport the statutory and other obligations in respect of the Kennet and Avon Canal from which the Great Western Railway Company are seeking to be released under the abandonment order for which they have applied; whether any officer of his Department has been appointed and sent to inspect the canal referred to in the company's application; and whether he will publish at once such evidence and information as may be furnished to him by the company in support of their application and also the Report of any officer appointed by him to obtain evidence relative to the proposed abandonment, so that owners and occupiers of land adjacent to the canal may have an opportunity of considering the consequences to them of the abandonment if authorised?

The railway company applied for authority to abandon the Kennet and Avon Canal and its associated waterways, and to be released from all liability to maintain the navigation and from all obligations in respect thereof, but have since informed me that they do not intend to proceed with that portion of their application relating to the section of waterway from Bath to Hannam Mills. I have not yet appointed an officer to inspect the canal, but my present intention is, if there are important outstanding objections to this application, to arrange for a public inquiry into it. The company have been required to publish full particulars of their application.

asked the Minister of Transport when the conference suggested by the London County Council, with a view to full inquiry being held into the loss of life and limb due to street accidents in London, is likely to be held?

I received the Resolution referred to last Saturday and am considering the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department are prepared to make Regulations relative to the dimming of motor headlights when passing on-coming vehicles?

At present I have no powers in the matter, but I am considering the question of seeking additional powers to deal with the lighting of road vehicles in the Bill which hope to introduce as soon as Parliamentary time is available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private George Lawrie, No. 24578, King's Own 'Scottish Borderers, received a statement of accounts, dated 30th January, 1919, on his discharge from the Army, showing that the sum of £10 10s. had been lodged with the Post Office Savings Bank in his name; that Lawrie mislaid this statement of accounts, and, on finding it again, wrote the paymaster, who advised him to write the Post Office Savings Bank for further information; that this was done, and Lawrie informed that £10 10s. had been paid in his name on the 30th January, 1919, but this had been cancelled on 12th February, 1919, by the regimental paymaster; that Lawrie, on communicating this information to the pay office, has been told that nothing further can be done; why this account was cancelled; upon whose authority the paymaster cancelled this account; and when this money will be paid to Private George Lawrie?

In accordance with the promise which I gave the hon. Member on 23rd November, I have already communicated to him the result of my inquiries. Briefly, so far as the facts can be ascertained at this distance of time, it appears that the deposit had been placed to the soldier's credit in error.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the persons serving on the Wild Birds Advisory Committee for his Department and the names of the organisations they represent?

The members of the Committee are

• Mr. Hugh S. Gladstone, F.R.S.E. (Chairman).
• Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, I.S.O., LL.D. Mr. Walter E. Collinge, D.Sc.
• Mr. H. M. Conacher (representing the Board of Agriculture for Scotland).
• Mr. H. J. Crowe (representing the Fishery Board for Scotland).
• Mr. J. Ritchie, D.Sc.
• Professor J. Arthur Thomson, LL.D.

With the exception of the Departmental representatives named, these gentlemen were not appointed to represent specific organisations. Mr. Gladstone is on the Council of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Dr. Eagle Clarke, who had acted for 20 years as adviser to the Scottish Office on wild bird protection matters, and Professor Thomson, who was selected as being one of the leading ornithological authorities in the country, are also members of that society and honorary presidents of the Scottish branch. Dr. Collinge is a scientist who has done much valuable work in connection with the investigation of the food of birds. Dr. Ritchie, who succeeded Dr. Eagle Clarke as keeper of the natural history department of the Royal Scottish

District.				Total No. of applications received by B.O.A.S.		Total No. of applications withdrawn.		Total No. of applications granted.
				New Holdings.	Enlargements.	New Hoi din	Enlargements.	New Holdings.	Enlargements.
Skye	…	…	…	1,126	587	289	88	370	174
Lewis	…	…	…	1,192	607	365	78	263	278
Mull	…	…	…	171	39	61	12	33	3
Rum	…	…	…	Nil.	Nil.	Nil.	Nil.	Nil.	Nil.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the Island of Rum is under cultivation by tenant farmers and smallholders; and how much is devoted to sport, such as deer and grouse?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the rental of the shootings and fishings on the Eriball Estate in the first place for each of the years 1913, 1914, and 1919, respectively, and in the second place for each year while it was in the possession of the Board?

The sporting rent which was on a net basis in 1913, 1914 and 1919 was £200 in each of these years. This applied to a somewhat larger area than the estate acquired by the Board of Agriculture. The rents in the years 1920–1926, inclusive, were £195, £100, £200, £230, £230, £230, and £220 respectively. These latter are net figures calculated by snaking the appropriate deductions from the aggregate rents received by the Board of Agriculture and are comparable with the rents applicable to the years 1913, 1914 and 1919, subject to the consideration above mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for small holdings or enlargements of existing holdings have been received by the Board of Agriculture since its formation in the Islands of Skye, Lewis, Mull, and Rum, respectively; and how many have been granted?

The information desired is as follows:

I understand that the whole of the Island of Rum is in the occupation of the proprietor. The areas of arable land, rough grazings and deer forest land on the island are approximately 50 acres, 15,000 acres and 26,000 acres, respectively.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the amount paid in out-door relief at. Fort William in the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1902, 1923, 1924 and 1925, respectively; and the rates levied per £ in the district in each of those years?

It is not possible to give separate figures for the Burgh of Fort William as the parish is the administrative area for Poor Law purposes. In the Parish of Kilmallie (population 3,624) which contains the Burgh of Fort William (population 1,913) the expenditure on outdoor poor relief and the poor rates were as follows:

—	Expenditure.	Poor Rate.
		Owner.	Occupier.
Year ended—	£	d.	d.
16th May, 1919	1,171	8·8	9·9
16th May, 1919	1,233	10·0	11·7
16th May, 1919	1,391	10·0	11·7
16th May, 1919	1,491	9·0	10·4
16th May, 1919	1,317	10·0	11·7
16th May, 1919	1.409	9·9	11·6
16th May, 1919	1,360	9·2	10·7

WEST OF SCOTLAND AGRICULTURAL, COLLEGE.
Table showing rates of salaries of whole-time members of staff (exclusive of advisory and administrative staffs, laboratory assistants, etc.).
Post.		Scale (Basic Salary).	Present Remuneration.			Remarks
			Basic Salary.	Bonus at cost of living figure of 70.	Total.
		£	£	£	£
Principal	…	—	800	196	996
Central Staffs:
Agriculture Department:
Senior Lecturer	…	—	300	123	423
Junior Lecturer	…	200	99	299
Chemistry Department:
Professor	…	—	500	172	672
Lecturer	…	250	111	361
Assistant Lecturer	…	—	120	73	193
Demonstrator	…	85	59	144
Analyst	…	—	150	83	233
Botany Department:
Professor;	…	400–20–500	420	152	572
Lecturer	…	—	250	111	361

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the purchaser of Conon Lodge stated to what purpose he intended putting Rhu Park and Rhu Plantation when he made an offer to purchase these lands?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the salaries paid to teachers in the West of Scotland Agricultural College and the salaries paid to teachers in similar colleges in England?

The salaries paid to members of the staff of the West of Scotland Agricultural College are given in the appended table. I am not in a position to give comparative figures for agricultural colleges in England in view especially of the varying duties and responsibilities attaching to particular posts which may or may not be similarly designated.

asked the Postmaster General what proportion of the motor vans now in use by his Department are of British manufacture?

On the present capital value of the vans in use by the Department the figures are:

	Per cent.
Purely British vans	36·8
Purely British parts of remainder	61·3
Foreign parts	1·9

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his Department has had under consideration any steps with a view to the utilisation of a large supply of brown coal available in this country, especially for the purpose of cheap electrical generation?

I have been asked to reply to this question, on behalf of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Although there are large deposits of brown coals (or lignites) in many parts of the British Empire, notably Canada and Australia, these coals only occur in the British Isles in impersistent beds of inferior quality and rarely in sufficient development to be mined No steps are under consideration for the special utilisation of these deposits in view of their small economic value, either present or potential.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what estates are being planted by the Forestry Commission; where they are situated; what are the wages paid to the established and the unestablished workers; what wages are paid to the workers in the Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight; whether they are paid for wet time; and what have been the average wages of these workers during the months of September, October, and November of this year?

The following areas are being planted by the Forestry Commission:County and Forest Units.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give particulars as to the changes which have occurred since 1925–26 in the list of appointments under the Crown carrying remuneration at the rate of £2,000 and above since last year's Return?

The following are the changes to be made in the Return in respect of the year 1926–27:

Additions to list shewn in 1925–26	Removals from list shewn in 1925–26 Return
AIR FORCE.
Officers in Command.
Air Officer Commanding, Wessex Bombing Area.
Air Officer Commanding, Fighting Area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the receipts from the Excess Profits Duty in each year since the duty vas imposed, together with the repayments made in respect of this duty in each year.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the tables relating to this duty on pages 110 and 112 of the 68th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper No. 2547). Table 75 shows, for Excess Profits Duty and Munitions Levy separately, the net receipt in each year since the duty was imposed; this net receipt,, which includes interest on arrears, represents the net amount collected in the year after making all repayments. The amount of the repayments made will be found under that heading in Table 78. I may add that the net yield of these duties to the Exchequer, from the date of their imposition to the 31st March, 1926, was approximately £1,190,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared to consider the introduction of the necessary legislation to authorise officers of Customs and Excise to administer grants of representation in estates not exceeding £1,000 in value in view of the depreciation of values since the existing limit of £500 was fixed and the convenience such an extension would confer on the executors of small estates?

The reply is in the negative. The considerations arising in connection with the payment of Death Duties are, in the case of estates exceeding £500 gross value, different from those arising in the case of estates below that figure, and are such as render the adoption of the course suggested by the hon. Member inappropriate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of giving relief from Income Tax to Voluntary contributors to the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, similar to that already allowed to compulsory contributors under Subsection (1) (b) of Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1918?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is not one that I feel able to adopt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mr. W. C. Russell, Killarney House, Shore Road, Belfast, while in temporary employment at Barrow-in-Furness, was asked in May, 1923, to pay £3 17s. for Income Tax; that he informed the. official that he had lodged a claim for a rebate of £10; that when he returned to Belfast shortly after the date named he called on the Income Tat collector, at 82, Royal Avenue, and explained the whole circumstances to him; that the collector told him that it was not necessary to pay the £3 17s. until a definite decision, was reached on the claim for the rebate; that in May last a clerk called for the amount named at Mr. Russell's house, and when informed of the circumstances went away apparently satisfied; that, without further notice or warrant, the collector accompanied by a bailiff on the 19th October, forcibly entered Mr. Russell's house in his absence, demanded payment and threatened if the money was not forthcoming to seize a valuable article of furniture; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this official?

From inquiries which I have made into this case I think that some of the statements contained in the hon. Member's question may require correction. I am, however, proposing to arrange for Mr. Russell to be seen by a senior officer of the Inland Revenue Department in order that certain doubtful points may be investigated, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of rebates claimed for the month of November in respect to the Betting Duty, either for betting taking place on a racecourse or office betting; and whether such rebates have been claimed by persons carrying on business as turf accountants, commission agents, or licensed bookmakers?

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of temporary clerk-shorthand-typists and clerk-typists respectively employed by the Bankruptcy Department in London, in intermediate towns, and in provincial towns?

The information required is as follows:

	Temportaray Clerk-Shorhand-Typists,	Temporary Clerk-Shorthand-Typists.
London	8	2
Intermediate towns	7	3
Provincial towns	9	—

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the total amount of money spent or allocated by his Department for advertising Empire products during the present financial year, for newspaper advertising, posters and miscellaneous advertising respectively; and who are the advertising agent or agents employed and on what basis they are being remunerated?

No money has been spent or allocated by the Department of Dominion Affairs for the purposes referred to. The total amount of money allocated from the Empire Marketing Fund during the present financial year under the headings specified in my hon. and gallant Friend's question is approximately as follows:

	£
For newspaper advertising	61,000
For poster advertising	51,000
For miscellaneous advertising	2,000

The agents employed up to the present in connection with the newspaper advertising are Messrs. S. H. Benson, Ltd. In regard to the last part of the question, I am unable to depart from the settled policy of treating contract prices as confidential.