asked the Minister of Health the number of houses of wooden construction that have been completed by the London County Council to the last convenient date, and the amount of subsidy paid by the State in respect of such houses?

Twenty-three houses of timber construction have so far been completed by the London County Council, and the subsidy in respect of these houses to be included in the payments to the Council by the State is £9 per house for 40 years. The Council have under construction 304 additional houses of this type.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken during the past three months to reduce the amount of overtime in his Department, and if such steps have resulted in the employment of temporary staffs declared redundant in other Government Departments?

I regret that, while overtime has been substantially reduced during the last three months, it has been necessary to have recourse to a certain amount of overtime during this period, which has, in the main, been due to special work, and seasonal pressure. Additional temporary clerks, whose services had terminated in other Depart- ments, were engaged in the summer and early autumn specifically to obviate, as far as possible, recourse to the undesirable expedient of overtime. But my hon. Friend will appreciate that at certain times and for special purposes it is necessary to call upon the existing trained and experienced permanent staff to work overtime, and that this cannot be wholly avoided by the employment of temporary staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of members of the temporary and established clerical staff in the Post Office, Inland Revenue, Ministry of Health, and Customs and Excise Departments, respectively, who worked overtime in the past 12 months?

I am afraid that the particulars asked for are not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is intended that the Liquidation and Disposals Commission shall come to an end in March next; what is the number of the staff now in existence, and whether any will be retained after the month mentioned: and what stocks, if any, still remain to be handled?

The Surplus Stores, etc., Liquidation Department will cease to exist on 31st March next. Any business outstanding on that date will be transferred to existing Departments

—			Clerical Glasses (Men).	Clerical Classes (Women).	Writing Assistants (Women).	Shorthand Typists and Typists (Women).
Numbers—
1st April, 1924	…	…	24,763	6,831	4,297	2,848
1925	…	…	26,133	6,792	4,120	3,188
1926	…	…	26,221	7,339	4,603	3,378
Deaths in financial years:—
1924–5	…	…	81	6	8	3
1925–6	…	…	93	6	10	4
1926–7	…	…	Figures not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the extra cost to the Treasury during the last three

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, taking the following three classes, the clerical class, the writing assistant class, and the typist class, he will state the respective numbers of established civil servants employed in each or 1st January, 1924, 1925 and 1926, respectively; and the number of deaths occurring among such members in 1924, 1925 and 1926, respectively?

The reply to the question can most conveniently be given in tabular form.The figures immediately available are compiled on the basis of financial—not calendar years. The particulars as to clerical posts include Departmental clerical classes and a number of posts in clerical or Departmental clerical establishments above the basic grades.Figures for typists, apart from shorthand typists, are not available:years incurred be Ministers and by other Government servants in specially-arranged visits to various parts of the Empire and to other countries; and if he can specify the amounts as attached to each individual expedition?

To obtain the information desired by my hon. Friend would involve a considerable amount of research which I do not think would be justified by the result. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press his request.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give instructions to the probate-of-wills authorities to issue on request certificated copies of the probate of a will at a nominal cost, and in such form as will satisfy the legal requirements of companies and institutions in which the deceased person owned property; and, if necessary, will he arrange for a clause to be inserted in the forthcoming Companies Amendment Bill designed to render such certificated copies legal proof of probate in all circumstances.

Trades.	Men.		Women.		Total Adults.
	1925.	1926.	1925.	1926.	1925.	1926.
Agriculture	21,590	18,453	4,407	3,051	25,997	21,504
Mining	13,352	9,097	13	46	13,365	9,143
Brick, Tile etc. Making	950	1,546	327	463	1,277	2,009
Pottery, Earthenware etc.	20,364	10,230	24,293	11,094	44,657	21,324
Glass Trades
Ammunition Explosives, Chemicals etc.	3,747	6,806	1,392	1,127	5,139	7,933
Metal Manufacture	20,833	18,755	321	294	21,154	19,049
Engineering etc.	54,033	51,352	5,454	3,943	59,487	55,295
Construction and Repair of Vehicles.	2,190	2,911	541	329	2,731	3,240
Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing	14,603	14,019	43	52	14,646	14,071
Metal Trades	5,549	5,318	5,521	5,990	11,070	11,308
Textile Trades	12,928	20,219	52,825	62,393	65,753	82,612
Leather and Leather Goods	2,345	2,095	2,281	1,721	4,626	3,816
Clothing Trades	13,931	10,176	40,452	33,154	54,383	43,330
Food, Drink and Tobacco	6,079	5,546	15,863	14,497	21,942	20,043
Sawmilling, Furniture and Woodwork.	7,307	7,989	2,594	2,505	9,901	10,494
Printing and Paper Trades	4,225	4,230	4,133	4,690	8,358	8,920
Building and Construction of Works.	251,011	173,822	56	93	251,067	173,915
Other Manufacturing Industries	2,156	1,220	2,498	2,411	4,654	3,631
Gas, Water and Electricity Supply Industries.	19,142	8,951	9	2	19,151	8,953
Transport and Communication	74,025	69,685	5,289	5,278	79,314	74,963
Commerce, Banking, Insurance and Finance.	20,002	15,472	11,930	12,086	31,932	27,558
Domestic Service	12,238	10,675	129,847	112,034	142,085	122,709
Miscellaneous Trades and Services	19,580	17,828	11,794	11,646	31,374	29,474
General Labourers	114,226	84,913	3,275	2,485	117,501	87,398
	716,406	571,308	325,158	291,384	1,041,564	862,692

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the questions raised by the hon. Member are receiving the consideration of the Lord Chancellor and the President of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the posts filled, trade by trade, through the instrumentality of the Employment Exchanges in 1925 and 1926?

The following table gives an industrial analysis of the vacancies filled by persons 18 years of age and over through the instrumentality of Ministry of Labour Employment Exchanges during 1925 and 1926:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, women, and juveniles, respectively, at present signing at the Exchanges throughout Britain who have been registered as unemployed for 18 months or more?

I regret that there are no statistics available giving the information desired.

Percentage Rates of Unemployment among Insured Persons in certain Industries in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at March, June, September and Decemher,1926.
Industry.	22nd March, 1926.	21st June, 1926.	20th Sept, 1926.	20th Dec, 1926.
Construction and repair of Motor Vehicles, Cycles and Aircraft.	5·9	10·4	11·3	8·5
Construction and repair of Carriages, Carts, etc.	9·1	14·0	13·8	12·1
Railway Carriage, Wagon and Tramcar Building.	5·8	17·2	21·5	17·0
Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing	36·7	39·2	41·1	42·2
Sawmilling and Machined Woodwork	9·7	11·6	11·1	10·0
Building	8·6	9·6	10·8	13·5
Public Works Contracting	17·2	19·0	22·3	22·1

It should be noted that prior to November, 1920, the figures relate only to persons employed wholly or mainly by

asked the Minister of Labour the number on the unemployment register at Blaina, Abertillery, and Crumlin Exchanges, respectively, on 31st January, 1926, and on 31st January, 1927?

The following table gives the information desired:

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployment in building, construction of works, shipbuilding, construction of vehicles, and saw-milling each year from 1920 to 1926, respectively?

The following are the figures at quarterly intervals for 1926. The earlier figures will be found on pages 54 to 73 of the Eighteenth Abstract of Labour Statistics of the United Kingdom (Cmd. 2740)Way of manual labour. Moreover, owing to a change in the basis of classification and in the statistical grouping of indus tries introduced in June, 1923, the figures from that date onwards are not strictly comparable with those for earlier periods.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of men. women, and young people, respectively, registered at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange on the last convenient date, together with the figures for the corresponding date last year

On the 7th February, 1927, there were 6,142 men, 1,577 women and 808 juveniles on the registers of the Borough Employment Exchange. The corresponding figures for 8th February, 1926, were 5,934 men, 1,627 women and 645 juveniles.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, women, and young people, respectively, who found situations through the medium of the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange during the year 1926?

The number of vacancies filled through the instrumentality of the Borough Employment Exchange in the period 5th January, 1926, to 20th December, 1926, was 11,083, of which 3,528 were filled by men, 2,080 by women and 5,475 by juveniles.

asked the Minister of Labour which industries have experienced difficulties in meeting their labour requirements from 1924 to the present year?

I am afraid it would hardly be possible to deal with this point within the limits of a Parliamentary answer. Precise statistical information is not available, and such difficulties as have come to notice have in general been local temporary and concerned with skilled workpeople in particular occupations.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the number of cases in the past 12 months where it has been found that the assessment for amputation was below the the scheduled rates of the Royal Warrant for 1919 and the corresponding Orders in Council; and whether the pensioners have received arrears of pension from the original date of the incorrect assessment?

In eases of the kind referred to the arrears claimed would be paid back to the date as from which the pension should have been adjusted where it is clear that the failure to adjust the rate was due to error or oversight on the part of the Ministry. I have no precise record of the number of eases of the kind, but am informed that they have been very few in number.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the desirability of amending the pension warrants so that the pension of a widowed mother which has ceased on re-marriage may be reissued in the event of the second husband dying and the widow being in pecuniary need and unable to work by reason of age or infirmity?

The proposed amendment would be contrary to the longstanding principles on which compensation by way of pension is awarded to female dependants, either under the Warrants of the Great War, or those of the Service Departments. In these circumstances, I fear that I could not adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of proceedings instituted for failure to take out wireless receiving licences to the last convenient date; the number of convictions obtained; and the minimum and maximum amount of fines inflicted in such cases?

The number of persons prosecuted for the use of unlicensed wireless apparatus during the period between the passage of the Wireless Telegraphy (Explanation) Act in the autumn of 1925 and the 31st January, 1927, was 583. The number of convictions obtained was 579. The penalties ranged from a fine of 2s. 6d. to a fine of £10 in addition to £10 costs.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the complaints about the male retiring room at the Colchester Post Office, the inadequate size and lighting of which were admitted in December, 1923, he will take steps to have the enlargement scheme proceeded with immediately, so that proper accommodation may be provided for the staff in accordance with the recommendations of the Report of the Joint Committee on Accommodation and Fittings?

Pending a general enlargement of the Colchester Post Office premises, for which no provision can be made in the next financial year, the male staff have been offered additional available space which would have increased their retiring accommodation above the amount recommended by the Fittings and Accommodation Committee. As the staff refused to accept the room offered or to discuss the matter apart from the general enlargement scheme, it has not been possible to proceed with the matter.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many men are employed on afforestation in Scotland; what are the names and whereabouts of the estates at present being planted; and whether negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition of further estates or the planting of privately-owned lands?

The number of persons employed by the Forestry Commissioners on afforestation in Scotland is 893. The Commissioners are planting 6,570 acres this season in 51 forests in Scotland and have approved as eligible for grants 139 schemes on private estates. I have handed to the hon. Member for Tradeston a list of these forests and estates. The Commissioners are negotiating for the acquisition of further estates and, while they do not plant privately-owned lands, they provide grants for the planting of such land, subject to compliance with the Grants Scheme Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, when carrying out the reorganisation of certain of the Departments in Scotland, he will bear in mind the need for a more sympathetic spirit in regard to land settlement administration?

The hon. Member seems to be under a misapprehension as to the relations between a Minister and a Department for which he is responsible to Parliament. It is the duty of the Department to carry out loyally and efficiently the policy laid down by the Minister, and I have no reason to suppose that any of the Departments under my control have ever interpreted their duty differently. In my proposals for reorganisation I shall have full regard to the efficiency of administration and I am not to be taken as accepting the suggestion underlying the hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the destruction of two Weir steel houses by fire at Bo'ness on Saturday, 12th February, and the failure of the asbestos partition walls to stop the flames spreading from one house to the next; and whether he will have inquiry made into all the circumstances with a view, if necessary, of issuing Regulations for the safeguarding of the lives and effects of tenants of steel houses?

My attention has been drawn to the outbreak of fire referred to by the hon. Member. I am having inquiry made into the circumstances, and have called for special reports. On receipt of these, I shall give the matter my careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the success which has attended the experimental plan of trailing young non-commissioned officers at Sandhurst, there is any intention of increasing the number of vacancies open to non-commissioned ranks?

As a result of experience of the scheme, I am proposing to extend it to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, where three vacancies each half-year will be offered to non-commissioned officers from February, 1928.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT of his Department that arms and munitions of war imported into China during 1925 amounted to 7,199,438 taels, whereas the amount in the previous year was only 1,589,669 taels, any explanation can be given for the increase shown; and whether any indication can be given as to the country of origin of the arms and munitions of war so imported?

The returns issued by the Chinese Maritime Customs, from which the figures in question are taken, show that the hulk of the arms referred to were imported into China via Newchwang and other Northern ports. Presumably they were destined for the armies in the North. According to the Chinese Maritime Customs Returns, more than half of the total was shipped from German ports. These returns relate only to the Treaty ports and take no account of arms imported through other channels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the troops patrolling the frontier between the British leased territory and Chinese territory at Kowloon have crossed the frontier and penetrated into Chinese territory; whether the village of Shataukok is considered to be in Chinese or British territory; whether it has been entered by British troops; and, if so, for what purpose?

The frontier between British-leased territory and Chinese territory divides the village of Sha Tan Kok. I have no reason to suppose that there has been any infraction of the boundary by British troops.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government will publish, as a White Paper, the correspondence between the Government of India and His Majesty's Government on the subject of the recent despatch of Indian troops to the Far East?

His Majesty's Government are of opinion that it would be premature to consider the publication of correspondence relating to the despatch of troops to the Far East.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that, in relation to the resolution passed by the Indian Legislative Assembly governing the use of Indian troops outside India, Sir Godfrey Fell, on behalf of the Government of India, accepted the definition that the obligations resting on India should be no more onerous than those resting on the self-governing Dominions, and should be undertaken subject to the same obligations as are applicable to the Dominions, His Majesty's Government will withdraw their requirement that Indian troops should be despatched to Shanghai until all the self-governing Dominions are asked to send troops and consent to take such action; and whether, in view of the undertaking that any despatch of Indian troops shall be under similar conditions to the despatch of Dominion troops, the consent of the Indian Legislative Assembly will be asked before any such action is taken?

No undertaking was given on the part of the Government of India in respect of the resolution quoted, nor in any case can my noble Friend accept the implications which the hon. Member appears to read into its terms.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the provisional estimate of the total charge to the three Service Departments in respect of the despatch of troops to the Far East includes the cost incurred in transporting officers and men of the Indian Army?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what measures have been adopted by the Government of India with a view to the reduction of the internal consumption of opium in India, following the conference of Ministers of Excise from the various provinces held recently at Simla?

The object of the conferences recently held was to enable the Government of India to discuss with the representatives of the Provincial Governments and the latter to discuss with each other certain aspects of excise policy, but the representatives had no authority to reach decisions binding on the Central or Provincial Governments, Those Governments are now considering the result of the discussions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the Indian delegation to the recent round-table conference between the Government of India and the Union Government on the question of the position of Asiatics in South Africa has yet been received by the Government of India; and, if so, whether he is in a position to inform the House of the terms of the Report?

The Indian delegation has informed the Government of India of the results of the conference, but my Noble Friend does not know whether it has presented a formal report. I understand that announcements on the subject will be made simultaneously in the Union Parliament and in the Indian Legislature.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the approximate extra cost to the annual Estimates of his Department if home-grown meat was used, where possible, by the Navy instead of imported supplies?

On the basis of present market prices, the extra annual charge on Navy Votes would be at least £100,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what grounds it has been decided to relieve lower grade established men in His Majesty's dockyards of their weekly deductions towards pensions; and whether the Admiralty will consider granting similar relief to all established men in His Majesty's dockyards?

As the hon. Member has been informed on previous occasions, the rates of pay of employés on the Established List who, in the normal course will become eligible for pensions on the termination of their service, are lower than the rates of pay of hired employés, and I regret that no general departure from this rule can be entertained. The only exceptions made, and these are in accordance with long standing practice, are in respect of a very few established men on the lowest rates of pay for skilled and unskilled labourers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received representations suggesting the desirability of instituting an inquiry into the cost of educating and training Air Force cadets at Halton and Cranwell; and whether any action is proposed in this direction?

I have been asked to reply. I presume my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind certain paragraphs in the Second Report of the Public Accounts Committee, 1926. These are engaging the attention of both the Air Ministry and the Treasury at the present time. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that everything possible is being done to limit the expense of the Cadet College at Cranwell and the Apprentices School at Halton to the minimum compatible with efficient training.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the reasons which make it necessary to employ 116 officers and 860 men to supervise the training of 2,000 boys at Halton, while at Beachley 18 officers and 200 men are found sufficient to look after 980 boys; and is he aware that the cost of training a boy at the latter place is £115 a year compared with £195 at Halton?

I have been asked to reply. The number of apprentices at present under instruction at Halton is 2,487. This number will be gradually increased to 3,000. The authorised establishment of officers and airmen for the instruction of the 3,000 apprentices and for the upkeep and administration of the station is 88 officers and 819 airmen, but the forthcoming Estimates will show that the staff is less than these numbers. By the courtesy of the War Office, the Army establishment at Beachley was lately visited by representatives of the Air Ministry, and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the differences in numbers employed and in the cost of the two establishments are due to the greater complexity of the equipment in use at Halton and of the training required by the aircraft apprentices, for whom a large amount of individual instruction is essential to fit them for their future responsibilities for the safety of aircraft in flight.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the gas containers for the British airship R.100 are being manufactured in this country; and, if not, where they are being manufactured?

The gas containers referred to are being manufactured by the B.G. Textilwerke G.M.B.H. of Berlin.

asked the President of the Board of Education if inquiry has been made as to the value of ultra-violet glass on the health of children; and, if he is satisfied as to its beneficial results, will he see that in all new schools erected this glass is used?

I understand that tests and inquiries are being made in certain areas, but they have not yet reached a stage at which any general recommendation on the subject can be made.

asked the President of the Board of Education the average size of classes in the elementary schools of Rossington, Armthorpe, and Thorne on 1st February or the most convenient date for which figures are available?

The late date for which figures are available is the last day upon which each school was open prior to the 1st April, 1926. The average size of classes on that date was 46 in the case of the Rossington Schools, 49 in the case of the Armthorpe Schools, and 41 in the case of the Thorne Schools.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the advisability of appointing some women to the the Prison Commission and as governors of women's prisons?

Yes, Sir. As regards governors, there are only two establishments in which women only are detained: one of these has a woman governor, the other a woman deputy-governor. As regards Prison Commissioners, there are four of them, dealing with a male population of 10,341 and a female population of only 912. I am sorry that, like my predecessors, I do not see my way to appoint a woman Commissioner.

asked the Home Secretary the number of complaints lodged in the Metropolitan police district for fraudulent conversion or embezzlement of slate or loan club funds during the recent share-out period; and whether it is intended to expedite legislation in this regard.

I have been asked to reply. Thirty-two such complaints were received by the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police during the recent share-out period. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his question of the 25th November, 1925.

asked the Home Secretary the number of proceedings that have been instituted under the Betting Duty Regulations; and the number of convictions obtained, together with the minimum and maximum amount of fines inflicted?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for the Everton Division (Colonel Woodcock) on the 15th February, the total number of prosecutions in connection with the Betting Duty was 44 up to the 8th February. Convictions were obtained in 39 cases. In the remaining five cases the offenders were dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907. The minimum and maximum fines imposed were ten shillings and £100 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Customs duty rebated by way of preference, on imports of Empire produce during the year 1925–26 under their various headings; and the total amount of such rebates?

The approximate amount of rebate granted upon goods of Empire origin and consignment delivered for home consumption at preferential rates of duty during the year 1925–26 was as follows:

	£
Cocoa	105,000
Coffee	18,000
Dried Fruit	156,000
Spirits	176,000
Sugar	1,537,000
Tea	982,000
Tobacco	1,414,000
Wine	108,000
Clocks and Watches	1,000
Motor Cars	93,000
Musical Instruments	1,000
Silk and Artificial Silk	1,000
Hops	1,000
Lace and Embroidery	500
Cutlery	500
Total	£4,594,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of revenue was received for the whole of the year ending 31st January, 1927, and for each month of that period, respectively, from the Entertainments Duty?

The net amounts of Entertainments Duty received in each of the months and during the year ended the 31st January, 1927, were:

1926.			£
February	…	…	509,000
March	…	…	517,000
April	…	…	518,000
May	…	…	397,000
June	…	…	478,000
July	…	…	395,000
August	…	…	418,000
September	…	…	519,000
October	…	…	541,000
November	…	…	470,000
December 1927.	…	…	468,000
January	…	…	549,000
Total	…	…	£5,779,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of key industry products, in their various classes, imported free of duty from the Empire abroad during 1925–26?

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that leatherette, an article of a kind which is not manufactured in this country, is liable to a. duty of 16⅔ per cent., while articles made of this dutiable material are admitted into this country without any duty being levied upon the leatherette of which they are made, and are thus enabled to compete with exactly similar articles made by British labour from this imported raw material; and what action he proposes to take to protect those engaged in this British industry from unfair competition?

My hon. Friend may recollect that this matter was discussed on the Committee stage of the Clause in last year's Finance Bill imposing the wrapping paper duty, when an amendment to exempt leatherette was rejected by the House. The position is that paper of a packing or wrapping description which has been coated or treated, is subject to duty, and that the duty also applies to articles made either entirely from such paper, or from such paper with the addition only of some adhesive substance or other material, the value of which does not exceed one-sixth of the total value of the whole article. I should add that my hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that leatherette is not made in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the export of agricultural machinery to Russia in 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926, respectively??

The figures are as follow:

Year.		Exports of Agricultural Machinery (including Agricultural Tractors) of British Manufacture consigned to Russia (U.S.S.R.).
		Quantity.	Value.
		Tons.	£
1921	…	—	—
1922	…	63	4,991
1923	…	98	7,338
1924	…	233	16,549
1925	…	97	7,951
1926	…	412	23,773

NOTE.—Prior to 1st April, 1923, the particulars relate to the exports from Great Britain and Ireland to Russia (U.S.S.R.). From that date they relate to the exports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamships owned by Areas, and sailing under the British flag, are being actively utilised as a means of anti-British popaganda among British mercantile seamen, and whether he will consider the withdrawal in this case of privileges appertaining to the use of the British flag?

The first part of the question is covered by the reply given by the Home Secretary to Question No. 10. The conditions entitling a ship to be placed on the British register are laid down in Section 1 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. There is no power to remove a ship from the British register so long as the statutory qualifications are complied with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average price per ton of coal purchased by Government agents abroad during the dispute f.o.b.; the average cost per ton freightage to British ports; and the average price at which this coal was sold to consumers?

I regret that I am at present unable to give these particulars. Government purchases were on a large scale, and many accounts have still to be settled. But full details of these transactions will be set out in the trading account to be presented in accordance with Section 5 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1921.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal accidents which occurred in the coal mines of Great Britain between 1st May and 1st December, 1926; and the number of fatal accidents which have occurred since 1st December?

From the beginning of May to the end of November, 1926, there were 141 fatal accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Acts, causing 145 deaths. For the period 1st December, 1926, to the end of January, 1927, the corresponding figures were 164 and 173.