asked the Minister of Health how many urban and rural district councils, respectively, have applied, under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, to be allowed to operate the Measure; and what steps he is taking, similar to those which he has taken in the case of county councils, to explain to district councils their powers under Clause 5 of the Act?

33 urban authorities and 35 rural authorities have made applications to be declared local authorities for the purposes of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926. In view of the very wide publicity which this Measure received during its passage through Parliament, I have not deemed it necessary to circularise the authorities of county districts, in addition to county councils and county borough councils, who are primarily the local authorities under the Act.

asked the Minister of Health the number and names of local authorities who impose the stipulation, as a condition of tenancy, that decorative work in council houses shall be carried out wholly or in part at the expense of the tenant?

I regret that the information desired is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to introduce legislation so as to provide for residence as a patient in a sanatorium to be excluded, as in the case of a hospital, for the purposes of the proviso to Section 1 of the Poor Removal Act, 1846, from the time to be taken into consideration in ascertaining the period of residence for the purposes of a Poor Law settlement?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation so as to place residents in a sanatorium on exactly the same lines as residents in a hospital in respect of fixing the period of residence qualifying for a Poor Law settlement?

I am advised that the expression "hospital" in the cited enactment includes a sanatorium, so that the object which the hon. Members seek is already secured.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that medical officers of health at Sheffield, Southport, and other towns, have reported that severe reactions have occurred through vaccination or revaccination, especially of adults; and on what grounds a representative of his Department has suggested to the medical officers of health that a different method of vaccination from that prescribed in the vaccination order should be adopted, and only one insertion of vaccine lymph be made in stead of four?

I understand that severe reactions following vaccination have been reported at Sheffield and other towns, but I am not aware that any representative of my Department has made the suggestion mentioned in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the practice of the Bridgnorth Board of Guardians, as publicly affirmed by them and published, of compelling casual paupers to wear nightshirts after the same shirts have been worn by one or more casual paupers, without washing or fumigation; whether he is aware that such practice is calculated to spread vermin and disease among casual paupers and from them to the rest of the community: and, in view of Article 5 of the Casual Paupers Order, 1925, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The guardians have recently informed me that they are perfectly satisfied that the regulations in the matter of the provision of suitable night-clothing are carried out, but I am in communication with them on certain aspects of their administration in regard to casuals, and I will take the opportunity of making further inquiries on the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications for widows' pensions, orphans, pensions, and old age pensions have been received since the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act became operative; and how many have been accepted and rejected?

On the latest figures available for England, Scotland and Wales, the position is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what Section of a Finance Act he has demanded the payment of Income Tax in the hank interest on the funds of a railway employés sick and dividend club?

Income Tax is chargeable upon all 'rank interest subject to the title of the recipient to any exception provided by the Income Tax Acts. I am not aware of fie demand to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will give me particulars of the club I will gladly have inquiry made into its title to any exemption.

asked the Chancellor of tin Exchequer whether he can give an estimate of the amount of royalties that a-re paid out of this country for film rights; and the amount of money that would be received if these royalties were taxed in the same way that patents are taxed?

I estimate that the amount paid to film producers abroad in respect of the exhibition of their films in this country is in the region of £3,000,000 per annum. Income Tax levied on this gross sum would be £600,000, but that simple statement of fact must not be interpreted as tying me to any opinion as to the propriety of imposing such a duty. On that subject I am not disposed to make any statement at the present

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what income the revenue derived during the last financial year from motor taxation in Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

In 1925 the Motor Tax revenue paid into the Exchequer was £18,056,000, of which £600,956 5s. was paid over to the local taxation accounts and the balance issued to the Road Fund. These figures relate to Great Britain only; motor taxation in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Parliament of Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gallons of motor spirit were consumed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the year 1926; and what sum would have accrued to the revenue if a tax of 6d. per gallon had been in force?

The retained imports of motor spirit in 1926 were approximately 544 million gallons. Official statistics are not available either of the quantity produced in this country in 1926 from crude materials or of the variation in stocks as between the beginning and end of the year. I am, therefore, unable to give the particulars asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of grape juice has been imported into this country from Greece since the 1st January; and has the amount increased since the restriction on imports of wine was imposed?

There have been no importations of unfermented grape juice into this country from Greece since the 1st January, 1927.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take powers to amend the present provision of the Superannuation Acts whereby only those dockyardsmen who have seven years' service in His Majesty's dockyards are eligible for gratuity; and whether he can see his way to reduce the qualifying period, seeing that many hired men who fall short of this period have run, and still run, the risk of being discharged through no fault of their own, and that some might be willing to make room for others if they did not thereby sacrifice their gratuities?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if a decision has been reached regarding the position of officers in the Royal Fleet auxiliary service, and the snaking of this service a pensionable one?

No, Sir. The matter is receiving close attention, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the monthly average of recruits coming into the Royal Navy is so low from royal naval depots as compared with other recruiting stations?

The figures of 5, 6 and 8 given in the reply of the 28th June, 1926 (OFFICIAL REPORT, Col. 834) are accounted for by the fact that with the exception of entries in a few branches men recruited at the three home ports are included in the numbers returned by the main recruiting offices at London, Southampton, and Bristol.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the method now adopted by the Paymaster Director General for selecting names of chief writers for promotion by the Board of Admiralty to warrant writer?

Selections for promotion to warrant writer are made in accordance with the factors laid down in King's Regulations (1926), Article 318, Clause 3.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the issue of a Fleet order informing naval ratings of the existence of Form D 145 B, and of the importance of properly completing the same before being invalided; and whether he will consider the possibility of officers of divisions being directed to assist in the preparation of this form, observing that there is no appeal board for post-War invalided naval ratings?

This question has been carefully considered, and as at present advised I am of opinion that the facilities already available to naval ratings about to be invalided are adequate. I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the reply which the First Lord gave him on the 1st December last (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 1179).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty decides the request of an invalided naval rating to have his disability considered as attributable, or whether this matter is left solely in the hands of the Medical Department, observing that in recent cases men who have questioned the invaliding board's decision have been informed by the Accountant-General the Navy that the naval medical authorities have decided disability not due to service?

The matter is not left solely in the hands of the Medical Department. The cases referred to by my hon. Friend are those in which the naval medical authorities arrive at their opinion on the medical facts in accordance with definite principles approved by the Board of Admiralty for their guidance. Whenever the circumstances leave any element of doubt the case is laid before the Board for final decision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the final items of the building and sale of the Woolwich locomotives and uncompleted parts have yet been compiled, so as to enable a balance sheet to be presented concerning this experiment?

The total cost of the 50 completed locomotives and of the uncompleted parts for 50 more was £1,339,580. The total amount realised was £281,500.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Section 5 of the Superannuation Act of 1887, which debars persons from receiving two State pensions for one and the same period of service, is applied in the case where a man may be awarded a disability pension, or whether the latter is covered by Article 1163 of the Royal Warrant of 1914?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply 70 the hon. Member for Wandsworth (Sir H. Jackson) on the 8th December last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state when the Meston Committee is going to make a Report; and whether any charges in respect of this Committee will fall on the State?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, payments have been made amounting to £367 50. almost wholly in respect of travelling expenses.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state, for each of 30 of the principal trade unions which have had a ballot under the Trade Union Act, 1913, the number of members, the numbers voting for and against the political levy, and the number of exemptions claimed?

I have been asked to reply. It is presumed that by "principal unions" the hon. Member means unions with the largest membership. Several of these are unregistered and the details desired are not available. The following table gives the required particulars in respect of the 12 registered unions having the largest membership:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the latest figures showing the number of individual accounts in the trustee savings banks; and the total amount represented by these accounts?

The position as at 20th November, 1926, was as follows, the figures being still subject to slight correction:

• Number of accounts: 2,362,000.
• Amount due to depositors: £82,035,531.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the comparative figures for the Navy, Army and Air Force of the sums payable for travelling and other expenses in respect of wives of officers who may join their husbands abroad?

The hon. Member will find the conditions under which these expenses are allowed set out in Articles 840 and 1676 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, 1926; paragraphs 281 and 388 to 400 of the Regulations for the allowances of the Army, 1924; and Articles 2982, 3080, 3082, 3083 and 3086 of the King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions, 1924. Comparative figures of the sums paid there-under are not available, as such charges are not separately recorded.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is able to give the latest estimate of the National Savings Committee for the amount held by small investors in War and national savings certificates?

The cash value of certificates outstanding at the present time, including accrued interest, is about 483,000,000. No data exist for estimating the distribution of savings certificates amongst various classes of investors, and no such estimate has, so far as I am aware, been made by the National Savings Committee. But it can hardly be doubted that the majority of these certificates are held by small investors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, with regard to the changes contemplated with the attendants' staff at Somerset House, he will say what arrangements are being made to protect the interests of the men displaced; whether this matter has been discussed by the appropriate Whitley Council; and, if not, whether, before any changes are made, they will be discussed with the men's representatives?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply given to him on the 6th December last. It is hoped to extend an offer of employment under the Office of Works to all the men concerned. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 15th December last, the position was long ago made known to the men's representatives. I am not aware that any desire has since been expressed for further discussion, but if such a desire were notified, I do not doubt that it would be acceded to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement as to the policy of his Ministry with regard to the holding of directorships by employés in his Department?

Members of the Air Ministry staff are prohibited from taking part in the management of any firm or company which would interfere with or affect detrimentally their official duties, as, for instance, by involving at any time their attendance elsewhere during office or working hours or by giving them an active interest in undertakings which may have contractual relations with the Ministry. This is in accordance with the general practice of Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total value of all contracts arranged for in respect of aeroplanes, seaplanes, and their parts and accessories with private firms or Government constructional Departments in Great Britain between the 1st November, 1925, and the 1st November, 1926?

The answer is approximately £4,400,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of fatal accidents in the Air Force during the 12 months previous to 31st January last, indicating those that took place to machines attached to the Navy and to those which were of an experimental type; and what is the total loss in value of the wrecked machines?

As regards the first part of the question, there were 58 fatal accidents in the Royal Air Force during the period stated. Eight of these affected machines belonging to Fleet Air Arm flights, and two affected experimental types of machines. As regards the last part, the undepreciated value of the machines involved in these accidents was £135,000. The value of the parts salved cannot be estimated without undue labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of aeroplanes and seaplanes of all types ordered by the Government to be constructed in Great Britain between the 1st November, 1925, and the 1st November, 1926, for use with the British and Allied forces?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information requested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what -is the present total number of civil aviators holding pilots' certificates; and can any steps be taken by the Government to increase this reserve force?

The answer to the first part of the question is 233, this number being exclusive of serving Royal Air Force officers, 63 in number, who hold civil pilots' licences. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Acton and for Southampton (Lord Apsley) on 15th and 24th November last, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the new British-German Air Traffic Agreement has been signed; and, if so, whether it will be laid before Parliament?

The agreement has not yet been signed; the draft of it has been referred to the German authorities and is at present under consideration by them.

asked the Minister of Transport. whether he is aware of the conditions in which the people of Leyton and Leytonstone have to travel to and from their work in the trains of the London and North Eastern Railway; and whether, in view of the prevalence of influenza, he can take any steps to prevent the unhealthy overcrowding of rail-way carriages on this line?

I received a few days ago certain representations in regard to this service, and am causing inquiries to be made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has investigated the question of the four great groups of railways having different powers in regard to the carriage of goods and passengers; and whether legislation is contemplated to put them all on 5,11 equal basis?

The whole question of railway charges was dealt with by the Railway Act, 1921, and jurisdiction over those charges was conferred upon the Railway Rates Tribunal established by that Act. I am not clear in what respect the hon. and gallant Member thinks that new legislation is desirable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Traffic Advisory Committee are now in a position to report on the steps they propose taking to secure a reduction in the number of accidents in the streets of London?

I am expecting to receive within the course of next week a Report from the London Traffic Advisory Committee on street accidents in London. I may add that I have also convened a conference for the 21st March, of representatives of all local authorities and other bodies concerned, in the metropolitan area, to consider the best means of checking the number of street accidents in London.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the successful adoption of the system of circular traffic in certain parts of the Metropolitan Police Area, he will consider its introduction in some of the squares in that area with a view to reducing the Invite number of dangerous traffic crossings at present in existence?

Proposals for the extension of the "Roundabout" system of traffic working, at places in the London area other than those where it is now in force, are under examination, and I hope that from time to time it will be found possible to introduce this system at other points. The number of places, however, where this system can be operated with advantage is limited and each congested traffic point presents a separate problem for solution.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Roads (Vehicles) Bill will be introduced before the House rises for the Summer Recess?

asked the Minister of Transport when the Bill dealing with traffic control will be introduced?

I propose to circulate very shortly a draft of a Road Traffic Bill for the purpose of discussion. It must, however, be understood that the Government will be in no way committed to the details of the draft, or to the time of its introduction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the delay in the delivery of coal by rail to small towns and villages in the eastern counties where there is in consequence a great shortage of coal; that at least 20 trucks of coal loaded at collieries for various stations in the eastern counties on the 8th January had not arrived at those stations on the 17th February; and whether he will make representations to the railway companies concerned with a view to remedying these conditions?

I am aware of the general position with regard to the delivery of coal in the Eastern counties, and I am in communication with the railway company on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that as the result of the operation of the Eight Hours Act some 100,000 miners are thrown out of employment; and what action the Government propose taking to find employment for these men?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Government is already considering measures in connection with recruitment.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed underground in the coal mines of this country who are over 60 years of age?

The latest information is that obtained from the Decennial Census of Population of 1921, when 4·8 per cent. of the persons employed underground in the coal mining industry were 60 years of age or over.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give figures showing the number of youths, to the last available time, who have not yet been able to enter into employment during the last four years, three years, two years and one year, and their present age; and what steps are being taken to remedy the position?

I am afraid that the statistics required are not available. Some information, however, bearing on the subject is contained in the Report of an Inquiry into the Personal Circumstances and Industry History of a representative number of juveniles registered for employment in June and July, 1925. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the situation in Bernera, in the parish of Uig, owing to the recent change in the medical service and whether he will make inquiries with a view to improvement?

I am aware of the wishes of the people of Bernera in the matter of medical service for the Island. The Scottish Board of Health are at present in communication with the Parish Council of Uiv.r, in regard to a rearrangement of medical practices in the parish, and the views of the residents of Bernera will be bon e in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the provisions of paragraph 1441 of King's Regulations, whereby officers on the regimental list of the Royal Artillery who are seconded or ordered to pay annual subscriptions towards the upkeep of the regimental band, are held to apply to seconded officers not in receipt of any pay whatsoever from Army funds?

Yes, Sir, subject to the exceptions mentioned in that paragraph.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the pay of recruiting officers was last raised, and by what amount?

The pay of approximately two-thirds of the number of recruiting officers was raised from £150, plus bonus, a year to £200 plus bonus a year in February, 1925. These rates are drawn in addition to retired pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why certain recruiting areas are now being amalgamated; and whether officers who become redundant will be offered alternative employment or monetary compensation in cases where the appointment was only recently taken up and expenses incurred;(2) whether any command recruiting officers have been or are being appointed and, if so, what scale of pay they will receive; and whether any regimental recruiting officers who become redundant through amalgamation of areas will be eligible for these appointments?

The amalgamation of certain recruiting zones is under consideration for reasons of administration and economy, but matters are not sufficiently sufficiently advanced for me to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the refusal of the Government of the 'Union of Socialist Soviet Republics to send representatives to the International Economic Conference if it is to be held in Geneva, he will take steps to urge upon the appropriate bodies of the League of Nations the desirability of giving consideration to the invitation made to the Council at its December meeting, by the representative of Holland, to hold the conference at Amsterdam?

In view of the expense and inconvenience involved in holding conferences of this nature elsewhere than at the headquarters of the League of Nations, it has been decided that as a general rule they should all he held at Geneva. His Majesty's Govern ment see no reason for suggesting a de parture from this rule in the ease of the International Economic Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Shanghai Municipal Council has under its own control any other armed force except the Indian police force?

The only armed force under the control of the Shanghai Municipal Council is the volunteer corps which is international in composition. The police force, which is mainly Chinese but also includes Europeans, Japanese and Indians, do not carry arms, unless engaged on some special duty which renders such a precaution necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to lay upon the Table of the House the papers, which were promised to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on the 14th July, 1924, relating to the communication received from the Chinese Government protesting against the action of the commander of His Majesty's Ship "Cockchafer" in threatening to bombard the town of Wanhsien unless the municipal authorities ordered the execution of two junkmen alleged to be the murderers of an American citizen, Mr. Hawley, and also ordered the municipal authorities to walk in the procession on the occasion of the funeral of Mr. Hawley; and whether he can inform the House what reply was sent to the protest made by the Chinese Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 17th of December, 1924, to which I have nothing to add. The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition when Foreign Secretary promised to publish these papers. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government no good purpose would be served by their publication now.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total strength of the British Fleet in Chinese waters on 1st March, 1926, and on 1st February, 1927?

The following statement shows the strength of the China Squadron on 1st March, 1926, and on 1st February, 1927:1ST MARCH, 1926.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many definite complaints have reached the Board in the last year of teachers who have taught party politics of any kind to the children under their charge; bow many cases he has investigated; and what action he has taken in any such cases?

I do not know what exact meaning the right hon. Member desires to attach to the words "definite" and "party politics." The instances referred to in my speech at Liverpool on 6th January were all based on actual incidents which had been brought to my notice and in the same speech I pointed out the difficulties of taking administrative action to deal with such incidents. My information does not support but, on the contrary, negatives the idea that such incidents are frequent. All it shows is that in the teaching profession, as in every other profession, there are a few injudicious people, but that the profession as a whole consistently and admirably resists the pressure put upon it from certain quarters to give tendencious teaching.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state in haw many places does the expenditure per head of average attendance in public elementary schools on administration and other expenses exceed 45s., in areas under county councils (other than London), boroughs, urban districts, county boroughs, London and all areas, respectively?

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the expenditure per head of average attendance in public elementary schools for 1925–26 and the estimated expenditure for 1926–27 on administration and other expenses in areas under county councils (other than London), boroughs, urban districts, county boroughs, London and all areas, respectively?

The pre-audit returns for 1925–26 show 72 areas in which the net expenditure upon administration and other expenses exceeded 45 shillings per head of average attendance-11 Counties, 21 County Boroughs, 19 Boroughs, 20 Urban Districts, and London. These returns, however, include expenditure which is not recognisable for grant, as well as, probably, expenditure falling outside the standard, and until the audited accounts are received and examined, it is impossible to say in how many areas the recognisable expenditure to which the standard applies will be found to exceed 45 shillings, but it is estimated that the recognisable expenditure for 1926–27 will average 43s. 11d. per head.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give the names of the Members of the Committee set up to advise on Empire education; and how many meetings were held during 1926?

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the Advisory Committee of the Imperial Education Conference. The Committee is composed of the High Commissioners and Agents-General of the Overseas Governments, with representatives of the India Office, the Colonial Office, the Board of Education and the Scottish Education Department. It consists of the following members:

• Sir Aubrey V. Symonds, K.C.B. (Chairman).
• The High Commissioner for the Dominion of Canada.
• The High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia.
• The High Commissioner for New Zealand.
• The High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa
• The High Commissioner for Newfoundland.
• The High Commissioner for India.
• The High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia.
• The Agent-General for British Columbia.
• The Agent-General for Ontario.
• The Agent-General for Quebec.
• The Agent-General for Nova Scotia. The Agent-General for New South Wales.
• Secretary of the Office or the Agent-General for Queensland.
• The Agent-General for Tasmania.
• The Agent-General for South Australia.
• The Agent-General for Victoria.
• The Agent-General for Western Australia.
• Mr. P. H. Dumbell, India Office.
• Lord Gorell, C.B.E., M.C. Board of Education.
• Sir Edmund Phipps, C.B., Board of Education.
• Mr. A. R. Ainsworth, Board of Education.
• Sir George Macdonald, C.B., F.B.A., LL.D., Scottish Education Department.
• Mr. G. W. Alexander, Scottish Education Department.
• Mr. L. McQuibban, C.B.E., Northern Ireland.
• Mr. H. Vischer, C.B.E., Colonial Office.
• Mr. E. B. Boyd, Colonial Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can see his way to impose a certain duty per reel per day upon the exhibition of non-British films, the money received by this duty to be used for the further improvement of the British film industry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Viscount Sandon) on 15th February, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to include in the proposed quota legislation a Clause for the creation of a committee to inspect all British films and to decide what films are worthy of benefiting from the quota scheme?

I am afraid that I cannot give detals about the Bill in advance of its introduction.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has accepted the whole of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance?

As announced by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India, on the 18th November, the Government are prepared to accept, as a whole, the recommendations of the Royal Commission, subject to such further consideration of details as may prove necessary. Draft legislation has already been prepared and published by the Government of India.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the advantage of providing an alternative to the present type of desk telephone which would combine the hearing and speaking instruments similar in pattern to those in universal use in France and other countries?

The pattern of telephone in general use in this country was adopted because of its proved superiority in regard to transmission of speech. The question of using other patterns has often been reviewed, and should improved types be designed, the matter would receive further consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General the circumstances in which an officer classified as A for promotion purposes was passed over in a recent promotion in the engineer-in-chief's department of the Post Office in favour of another officer of less seniority whose qualification for promotion purposes was B?

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will furnish me with fuller particulars, I will have inquiry made in the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of widows who have been refused pensions because their husbands, who were in receipt of pensions for war disabilities, did not die within seven years of the termination of their active service?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension, as the circumstances referred to in the question would not be a ground for refusal of pension to the widow of a pensioner, whose case is expressly provided for by the Royal Warrant of 14th January, 1924.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that a request made by the Midlands Advisory Council for information as to the procedure for the correction of errors in awards was refused; and whether he will supply local committees and advisory councils with a copy of the Regulations and issue instructions to local area officials that they should inform men who are in receipt of life pensions or whose final award has expired, and who are of opinion that they have been incorrectly assessed or are under-assessed, of the procedure to be adopted to secure a revision of pension or reconsideration?

The only Regulations made in the matter of final awards are those published under the War Pensions Act of 1921. The power to make a further grant in the few cases in which, after a course of medical treatment, a serious and permanent error is found to have occurred is exceptional and is not a matter of regulation. Local Committees have been informed accordingly. I could not adopt the course suggested in the last part of the question which would obviously give rise to the wholly erroneous view that a new Court of appeal over and above that provided by statute had been set up.

asked the Minister of Pensions at what age the moneys deducted from the pensions of children are handed over to the unrestricted control of the child to whom the pension was granted; and if the amount so handed to the children includes the capital sum involved and interest?

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the maximum and minimum deductions made from certain children's pension allowances; whether the money is placed weekly in the Post Office Savings Bank in the name of the children; and whether the books are in the charge of the women and children's sub-committees of the local war pension committees, so that the guardians or the sub-committees may purchase such clothes as the children require without unnecessary delay?

The only class of child from which at the present time any portion of the weekly allowance or pension is being reserved, while the child is in employment and earning wages, is the class of neglected children who are under my care by virtue of the provisions of Section 9 of the War Pensions Act, 1918. In their case there are no maximum and minimum deductions. The amount reserved is from time to time determined by the advice of the War Pensions Committee, who judge the individual circumstances of each case. Any amounts so reserved are from time to time placed at interest in the Post Office Savings Bank by Pension Issue Office. The book remains in the hands of the. Ministry and not of the War Pensions Committee, but no delay in meeting expenditure, when necessary, arises, because the chief area officer, in conjunction with the committee, is authorised to incur expenditure, when necessary, within a maximum limit without prior sanction from Ministry headquarters. When the child ceases to be under the care of the Ministry the balance standing to his credit may be disposed of in the child's interests and at his request in the purchase of tools, etc., or the bank book which stands in the child's name credited with the balance mentioned, together with the accrued interest thereon, is either handed to the child or to a voluntary worker or a member of the committee acting as the child's friend, according to the circumstances of the case. In any case the beneficiary is given full control of any balance remaining on reaching the age of 21.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any proposal to transfer territories occupied by natives to the Union of South Africa is under consideration?

There has been some informal discussion with General Hertzog recently regarding the question of the possible transfer of Swaziland to the Union of South Africa, but no definite proposal for such transfer has as yet been put forward by the Union Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will obtain and place in the Library a copy of the Return which was moved in the Legislative Assembly, Southern Rhodesia, on 17th December, 1926, showing the number of complaints by natives regarding the non-payment of wages and the number of prosecutions following such complaints?

The motion for a return of the nature indicated was, with the leave of the Legislative Assembly, withdrawn. I shall, however, be glad to supply the hon. Member with a copy of the debate on the motion, if this would be of interest to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Kenya have received any protests from the white inhabitants of the Colony as to the proposals for enforced military service laid down in the Kenya Defence Force Bill?

I have received no definite protest from the Colony, though I am, of course, aware of the objections which have been urged during the recent discussions of the matter as reported in the local press.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received any information concerning the inquiry as to Mr. Jasper Abraham, of Kenya?

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for affording me this opportunity of giving publicity to the facts. The Governor of Kenya reports that there is no ground for the suggestion that Mr. Jasper Abraham has again been brought to trial for assaulting a native; that he has not been accused much less convicted, of any offence since his sentence in 1923; and that he is believed on all sides to be doing his utmost to retrieve his character.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the proposal that a land and agricultural bank should be set up in Kenya; and whether he will take steps to ensure that such a bank, if established, should be open to natives of the Colony desiring credits as will as to the white settlers?

I am aware of the proposal but the matter has not yet reached a stage at which I could express any opinion in the point raised in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will bring forward his promised proposals for long-term credit for farmers?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on the 14th February to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Norfolk (Mr. Buxton), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what losses were sustained by county councils on small holding estates for the year ended 31st March, 1926; and whether he can make any statement as to the liability of the Ministry arising out of the valuations ma de under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Amendment Act, 1925?

The aggregate amount of the claims made by county councils and councils of county boroughs in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1926, for losses on small holdings is £1,012,385. This figure includes losses which are strictly attributable to previous years, but have been carried forward and brought into the final year's claims. In reply to the last part of the question, it is not yet possible to state the amount that will be payable by the Ministry under the terms of the valuation made in accordance with the Land Settlement (Facilities) Amendment Act, 1925. It will several months before the valuations are completed and the amount of the Ministry's contributions ascertained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of agricultural holdings of one acre and of not more than 50 acres in England and Wales for the year 1926?

The number of agricultural holdings above one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in England and Wales on 4th June, 1926, was 261,826.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the damage to inshore fisheries and deep-sea pelagic fisheries which have been caused by oil pollution; and whether he has taken any steps to secure the remedying of this evil?

Complaints of damage caused to inshore fisheries by oil have from time to time been received, but such evidence of specific damage as has been produced has related rather to the fouling of gear than to injury to fish. Recent investigations have failed to give any clear indication of injury to fish and marine life generally resulting from this cause, but damage may possibly arise in course of time in coastal waters through oil residues accumulating on the bottom of the sea. There is no evidence to show that oil pollution has any material effect on pelagic or other fisheries in the deep sea. The Government have accepted in principle the recommendations of the International Conference held at Washington last year, and hope that effect will be given to those recommendations by an International Convention signed by all the maritime Powers. The main recommendation is that oil should not be discharged within at least 50 miles of a coast, and the shipowners of this country have already adopted this voluntarily and given the necessary instructions to the masters of their ships. Similar action has been taken in the United States.