asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople registered at Employment Exchanges as unemployed from the chemical trade in the months of October, 1924, October, 1925, and October, 1926?

The number of persons classified as belonging to the chemicals industry, and recorded at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain as unemployed at 25th October, 1926, was 11,219, as compared with 9,346 at 26th October, 1925, and 8,615 at 27th October, 1924.

Are the figures based on the classification made last year or on the earlier classification?

I think they are based on the classification of last July, but I am not quite sure.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workpeople registered at Employment Exchanges in October, 1926, as unemployed from the plain net and lace trade in Derby, Nottingham, Long Eaton, Somerset and Devon?

The numbers of persons classified as belonging to the lace industry recorded as unemployed at 25th October, 1926, in the areas in question were as follow:

Derby	…	…	…	103
Nottingham	…	…	…	885
Long Eaton	…	…	…	525
Somerset	…	…	…	65
Devon	…	…	…	173

Has the Department any figures to show that the inclusion of this industry under the Safeguarding of Industries Act has brought any material advantage to the particular districts mentioned?

No, Sir, but I think that had it not been for that Act, the figures would have been much larger.

Do the figures include plain net as well as lace?

I think so, but I should need to verify that statement. I think it includes both.

Are we to assume that Tariff Reform means work for all"?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Edward Jones, of 87, Bournville Road, Blaina, has been employed as a clerk in the Blaina Employment Exchange; that Jones was discharged in January, 1926; that he has been refused unemployment benefit; and will he have this case investigated with a view to benefit being granted?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that John David, 25, Florence Road, Treowen, Newbridge, Mon., has been refused unemployment benefit; that he has been employed as a stoker at North Celynen Colliery at fixed periods during the coal stoppage; that he has always been available for work during the stoppage; that during certain periods of the stoppage he has been unemployed; that he is an ex-service man, with only a small disability pension to maintain his wife and family; and will he have this claim for unemployment benefit considered at the earliest moment?

I am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

Arising out of the answers to this question and question No. 12, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he can expedite this business? I have had a number of cases in his office, and I am, waiting for a reply very anxiously, and so are the applicants.

Yes, I will do my best to see that there is no undue delay, but the hon. Member must realise that I received notice of this case only the day before yesterday.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the Blanesburgh Committee will be issued?

I have every hope that the Report will be issued early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons at present unemployed in Glasgow, the number of male and female workers affected, and the figures for the same period in Glasgow in 1924 and 1925?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the results of the tests of the gyroscopic fog-guide device; and whether any of these instruments have been ordered by the Ministry?

On the assumption that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Cooke-Schilovsky Turn Indicator, recently referred to in the Press, the answer to the first part of the question is that this instrument has undergone satisfactory tests, and to the second part, that arrangements are being made to order a number for extended service trials and for training purposes.

Will these instruments be made in Great Britain?

I could not reply without notice, but I think it is the case that they will be so made.

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the numbers for 1924 or those for 1926 are the greater?

I can give those figures at once. In 1926, exclusive of persons in the coal-mining industry, the total was 82,884, and in December, 1924, the figure was 74,338.

Does that not prove that the Conservative Government have brought unemployment to the workers in that industry?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of officers and men of the Royal Air Force killed in flying accidents during each of the three years preceding the last convenient date, together with the number of fatal accidents in the French Air Force during the same period?

The figures as regards the Royal Air Force during the 12 months ending 9th December in each of the years named were as follow: 1926: 46 officers, 2 cadets, 28 airmen; 1925: 40 officers and 11 airmen; 1924: 48 officers, 1 cadet and 23 airmen. In addition the following naval, military or civilian personnel were involved in fatal accidents to Royal Air Force machines:—In 1926, 7; 1925, 4; 1924, 2. As regards the French Air Force, according to my information statistics of the number of fatal accidents are not made public by the French authorities. I may say, however, that in the course of a debate in the Chamber, at the end of November, it was stated that there had been 13 fatal accidents in the French Military Air Service on a single type of machine in the space of two months. Whilst this, no doubt, represents an exceptional period such as all air services must experience from time to time, it is apparent from this fact and other confidential information in my possession that figures which have recently been cited in this House purporting to suggest that the accident rate in France has, during the past two or three years, been more favourable than in this country, are totally inaccurate.

asked the Prime Minister if an independent inquiry, with a chairman not connected with the Air Force, will be set up immediately with full powers to investigate and report upon all the circumstances connected with flying accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, which have occurred recently in the Royal Air Force?

No, Sir. As I informed the House last Thursday, I am satisfied that every possible precaution is being taken, and an inquiry of the kind proposed would, in my view, serve no useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that orders have been issued by the Meteorological Office that all meteorological work at the Lerwick Observatory is to be stopped on 31st December; if the opinion of the Scottish Advisory Committee has been asked as to the proposed stoppage: if so, what opinion has been given by the Committee; if he will state what are the reasons for the stoppage of observational work; and if he will consider whether it would be possible for the order to be held in abeyance until a Report on the matter has been received from the Scottish Advisory Committee?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it intended to close this station?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Report of the arbiter in the Erribol sheep stock valuation has yet been received; and, if so, what is the amount of the valuation to be paid by the purchaser for the sheep stock?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The amount declared by the arbiter to be the value of the sheep stock to be taken over by the purchaser is £9,388 11s.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that for a sheep stock, for which his Department seven years ago paid over £43,000, he has now received only a. little over £9,000?

The price of sheep has not remained stationary. It has dropped by 50 per cent during that period. Further than that, the sheep actually taken over by the present purchaser are not the total sheep stock of the property, nor do they represent the total number bought originally.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's figures that the price of sheep has fallen only 50 per cent., whereas the value received for this farm shows a falling of 500 per cent. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] Well, a fall from £43,000 to £9,000, and is the right hon. Gentleman receiving the value for the sheep which ought to be received according to the usual practice?

As regards the question of the value of the sheep falling by 50 per cent., probably I am understating the fall in the value.

In view of these facts, does not the right hon. Gentleman see that it is essential that full information should be afforded to the House, and that we should have the minutes of reference to the arbiter and the arbiter's Report as well, so as to understand the meaning of the extraordinary loss which has been made in this transaction by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

The hon. Member must not make a speech.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost of the Erribof Estate, Sutherland, the cost of the stock taken over with the estate, the price at which the estate was sold, and the stock disposed of, respectively, when the decision was taken that the estate was unsuitable for small holdings?

As regards the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on the subject on the 11th and 16th November. With regard to the last part, I would refer him to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a tremendous amount of dissatisfaction exists in connection with the disposal of this estate and stock; and will he consider setting up a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the matter?

No, Sir; certainly not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this transaction is dragging the Government into even greater contempt in Scotland?

Would it not be better if all transactions of this kind were left to private enterprise?

Arising out of the original reply, can the right hon. Gentleman now say when he is prepared to place the arbiter's Report on the Table of the House.

I think it would be perfectly intolerable if every transaction in which the Board of Agriculture happens to be involved were to be treated in that way. I have answered every kind of question on the subject, have given the fullest information to the House and, as I have said, on the Scottish Estimates there will be an opportunity of discussing the subject further.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman promise to lay the arbiter's report on the Table when he received it; and as he has now received it, what reason is there for refusing to give the House this information?

I have no recollection of any promise to lay the arbiter's report on the table, and, as I say, I think it would be most undesirable if we were to deal with every transaction of this kind in this way.

Having regard to the very serious and substantial loss of money involved in this transaction, cannot the right hon. Gentleman make any representation to the arbiter, as is often done in such circumstances, asking him to reconsider his award?

This was a business transaction, and the matter was referred to the arbiter by agreement between the two parties, and his arbitration is final.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men and women, respectively, at present in receipt of able-bodied parish relief in the City of Glasgow?

As the answer involves a statement of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of Weir houses that have been built in the city of Glasgow and are ready for occupancy, and the number of such houses that are occupied?

At the 30th November, with the aid of State funds, 296 Weir houses had been built in Glasgow. Of these, 150 were ready for occupancy, and all were occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, seeing that portions of the Island of Rum have been recommended by Royal Commissions for small holdings or small sheep farms, he will say whether any action has been taken by the Board of Agriculture to provide such small holdings or sheep farms; and how many are now existing or in process of being opened up?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland has not received any applications for small holdings on the Island of Ruin, and no action has been taken by them with a view to the constitution of holdings thereon.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Christmas mail arrangements will follow the same lines as last year?

As regards administrative arrangements, the answer is generally in the affirmative. I have already stated, however, that it is not proposed to have a delivery on Sunday 26th, but to have a general delivery of letters and parcels on Boxing Day. I would appeal to the public to co-operate by paying special attention to the closing hours of posting for Christmas deliveries, which are, broadly speaking, early on the 22nd for parcels, and before noon on the 23rd for letters. The precise hours are intimated locally. If this co-operation is secured, I believe that arrangements will work satisfactorily; but I should add that no amount of precautionary arrangement can avert the consequences of late running of trains owing to fog or other causes.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of Post Office employés who were liable to be placed on half-pay due to sickness extending over a period of six months, and the percentage of employés actually placed on half-pay or on pension rate pay, during the last six months of 1925?

All established Post Office employés are liable to be placed on half-pay after a period of six months' continuous sick leave. 1 am unable to state the percentage of employés placed on half-pay or pension rate of pay in consequence of long continued illness during the second half of 1925, and the information could not be obtained without expense which I do not think would be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a woman at Birmingham has been awarded £3,000 damages and £149 special damages for injuries caused through being run down by a Post Office motor van; and whether it is the intention of the Government to accept liability for payment of the said damages?

Counsel's opinion is being taken as to the advisability of entering an appeal in this case on behalf of the defendant, who is a Post Office servant

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an unidentified deaf-and-dumb man, suffering from loss of memory, is at present in hospital at Rotterdam and supposed to be a British soldier; and if any information is available?

I am aware of the case, but after exhaustive inquiries it has been established beyond all reasonable doubt that, although the man served in the British Army during the War, he is not a. British citizen. Further, the evidence available indicates that. his loss of memory is quite recent, and that this is not a case of the reappearance of a British soldier reported missing during the War.

In view of the fact that some people think that this man may be a relative of theirs, a view which seems to be common up and down the country, causing certain anxiety, could the right hon. Gentleman not get that report circulated in a fairly widespread fashion?

I hope the question asked and the answer given in the House will cause considerable publicity to the case. There have been a great many hopes raised in various people's minds that this man was one of their relatives, and I hope the inquiries that have been now answered will set doubts at rest.

In view of the fact that in Scotland one of the newspapers gave great publicity to this case, and that large numbers of people thought it might be a relative, can the right hon. Gentleman not approach the broadcasting authorities with a view to the information being broadcast over the wireless?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an independent person was in Rotterdam this last week-end, and that, after careful examination of this soldier, he believes that he is a British subject? I can confirm what has been said about the mental anxiety of many women in this country in this connection, from knowledge of such cases in my own constituency.

My information, of course, is based on inquiries made through the Foreign Office and the Consul, and so far as I know I have no reason whatever to doubt the information I have given in answer to this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office is granting facilities for the production of an American film portraying the life and work of Florence Nightingale by permitting British soldiers, in uniforms appropriate to the period of the Crimean War, to assist in the production of the film; whether he is aware that a film dealing with the work of this British heroine is being prepared for production by a British producing company; and whether, in view of the national character of this production, he can see his way to giving preference to British producers by granting such facilities to them rather than to a foreign producer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that a British company has asked for facilities in connection with a film of this kind, and their proposals, when they reach me, will receive full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in connection with the introduction of grade 4 clerical rates of pay in the War Office out-stations, an increment of 2s 6d. per week was withheld from Mr. A. J. Unsworth, a clerk in the Infantry Record Office at Hamilton, from 1st April, 1925, to August, 1925, on the grounds that he had been promoted temporarily to deputy-superintending clerk during the financial year 1924–25; whether he is aware that clerks who had not been so promoted received the 2s. 6d. increment with effect from 1st April, 1925; and whether he will issue instructions that Mr. Unsworth be granted the increment for the period stated, and so ensure to him equality of treatment as compared with the clerks whom he supervised up to 31st March, 1925?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many tanks have been supplied to the Shanghai Municipal Council and on what dates; what were the conditions of their supply; and whether tanks have been supplied to any other localities in China?

No British tanks have been supplied to the Shanghai Municipal Council, or to anyone else in China.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the speech made by Lieut.-General Sir Charles Harington at York on 2nd December, in which he urged the issue of an ultimatum to China; whether this officer is General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command; whether, in expressing these views, General Harington is expressing official views; and, if not, whether he will take steps to restrain expressions of opinion such as these, which are likely to jeopardise our relations with China?

I have not seen a report of the speech referred to, but Sir Charles Harington informs me that he expressed no such view as is attributed to him in the first part of the question.

May I draw the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the report in the "Daily Telegraph" to that effect, and if that report be correct, is it not desirable that the Government should make it clear that such expressions are not the official view of the Government?

This is hypothetical.

Do I understand that Sir Charles Harington denies the accuracy of the report in the "Daily Telegraph"?

I have not called his special attention to that particular report, because I did not know of it, but Sir Charles Harington informs me that he expressed no such view as that attributed to him in this question.

also asked the Prime Minister what naval or marine, military, and Air Force units have been drafted to China and Hong Kong in the past two months, and for what purpose?

In regard to Naval and Air Forces, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 1st and 8th December in reply to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Looker) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Rear-Admiral Sueter). These forces have been sent to the Far East in order to ensure as far as possible the effective protection of British subjects in China.

As far as military units are concerned, one heavy battery, Royal Artillery, and one battalion of Infantry have moved to Hong Kong during the past two months, but these moves were in the normal process of relief of similar units which have moved elsewhere.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines which have re-started in the South Wales area and the number of men they now employ, together with the corresponding figures for April last; and whether he has any statistics showing the comparative output now, as compared with the period specified?

At the 4th December, 1926, the latest date for which information is available, 443 mines in South Wales had restarted, and 107,400 persons were employed. At the end of April last 461, employing 215,700 persons, were at work. As work was only in process of being resumed in South Wales during the week ended 4th December, it is not possible to give figures of output which are comparable with those in April.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many miners have been refused employment when work has been available?

That does not arise on this question.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to a colliery shaft accident which occurred at William-thorpe Colliery, near Chesterfield, a few days ago, and in which eight men were injured; and whether his Department have submitted to a practical test any of the various safety devices brought to their notice and which it is claimed would prevent such accidents?

This accident has been fully investigated, and the possibilities of preventive measures are being explored. The accident was due to the cage being lowered, when it dashed into the bottom, instead of being raised. There was no breakage of the winding-rope, and the devices planned to deal with that contingency do not apply to this accident.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Ross Patent Safety Device for Colliery Cages has been submitted to him for examination, and, if so, what were the results of the examination?

The Minister ought to have notice of that question.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that there is at present a grave shortage of domestic supplies of coal throughout the country, and that delays of 12 to 14 days are being experienced in transport of supplies from the pithead to merchants with consequent dislocation of business due to fluctuating prices; whether this delay is not due to the shortage of railway trucks caused by the movement of foreign coal at the expense of British supplies; and whether, in consequence, he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs which will lead to large numbers of domestic consumers of coal being without supplies at Christmas?

My information does not bear out the hon. Member's suggestion about a shortage of domestic coal. If he is aware of a shortage in any locality, I shall be glad to look into it, if he will give me particulars. As regards the rest of the question, I am aware that the railways are at present finding some difficulty in the transport of coal, and that their difficulty is increased by the arrival of foreign coal ordered before the stoppage ended. But I do not understand in what respects he suggests that it is within my power to remedy this. Government importation of coal ceased some time ago.

The right hon. Gentleman says he will be glad to look into any case of a shortage of coal. In my district in North Islington the shortage is very great indeed, and only yesterday I made representations on the subject to the Minister of Transport, who, I believe, is the Minister concerned.

Arising out of the latter part of the reply, in the event of the Government having made a profit by the purchase of foreign coal, would it not be better to apply some portion of the profit to cancelling unexecuted orders for foreign coal, which are now congesting our railways, and preventing miners continuing in work?

I can assure my hon. Friend that all powers of cancellation have been carried out by the Government, and also by private importers. As regards the other part of the question, if he will give me particulars, I will look into it and see what can be done.

I understood the Secretary for Mines to say that he had no power in this matter. If that be the case, is there any possibility of improvement if we give him direct and definite information about the shortage?

No, Sir; what I said was that I had no powers to deal with the difficulty of the shortage of railway wagons, due to the importation of foreign coal as mentioned in the question. I do not know how I can affect that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not a sack of coal is obtainable in Bethnal Green from any of the coal merchants?

My information does not exactly tally with what the hon. Gentleman says, but I will certainly inquire to see whether his statement is correct.

Are we to understand that foreign coal is being imported into this country, and can the Minister tell us how much is being imported per week?

No, Sir, not, offhand. Of course, there are certain contracts that have been made in the past by private importers, by railways and so on, under which deliveries are still being made, and that will go on for a short time.

Can the Secretary for Mines say whether the Government are selling the coal that is being imported at a loss, in order to compete with British coal?

I have already said—and if the hon. Gentleman had listened to my answers he would have heard—that Government importation ceased some time ago.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in the Bethnal Green area there is no domestic coal available of any kind, and whether he will make arrangements with the railway companies to give priority to domestic coal until the immediate demands are satisfied?

I was not aware of the fact stated in the hon. Member's question. I will communicate with the railway company.