asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Ministry of Agriculture has greatly encouraged the breeding of light horses in Northern Ireland; and will he see that the Army remount officers support the Ministry's effort by purchasing, when possible, there?

I am aware that the Government of Northern Ireland encourages the breeding of light horses in Northern Ireland by granting subsidies for stallions. Of the total number of light horses purchased for the Army during the current financial year over 55 per cent. were purchased in Ireland; and over one half of these were purchased in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inform the House the number of soldiers discharged from the Army during the year 1926 under the headings For wounds and For diseases, respectively; and the number that were granted disablement pensions under each heading?

The total number of disability cases (including those of men already discharged) dealt with by the Chelsea Commissioners during the year 1926 was 2,546. 105 permanent pensions and 764 temporary pensions were granted. No distinction is made between wounds and injury cases on the one hand and disease cases on the other, and I regret that separate statistics are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will inform the House the number of airmen discharged from the Air Force during the year 1926 under the headings For wounds and For diseases; respectively; and the number that were granted disablement pensions under each, heading?

As regards the first part of the question, wounds and injuries are classified together and during. 1920, 28 airmen were discharged under this heading and 235 for diseases. As regards the second part, 11 disability pensions under post-War Regulations were awarded to airmen discharged for wounds and injuries, and 11 to airmen discharged for diseases. In addition four cases of discharge for diseases were referred to the Ministry of Pensions, and it is understood that pension was awarded in each case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has taken legal opinion as to whether the Government is entitled to deprive a widow of a naval rating of her pension, or any portion of it, under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, in cases where a widow is also entitled to a pension in respect of the death of her husband which was either attributable to or connected with his service in the forces?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is advised that Subsection (1) of Section 24 of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, gives the necessary authority.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons insured under the Unemployment. Insurance Acts in July, 1926, as compared with July, 1925?

The estimated number of persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; including persons insured under special schemes, was, 12,041,000 at July, 1926, as compared with 11,892,000 at July, 1925. For Great l3ritain only the figures were 11,773,700 at July, 1926, as compared with 11,623,000 at July, 1925.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice of his Department to stop unemployment benefit pending inquiries that it may be found necessary to make into the bona fides of an applicant?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons receiving extended unemployment benefit; and how many of them are over 60 years of age?

I regret that statistics are not available giving the information desired.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that pensioners from the Royal Navy, Army, and Air Force are allowed to draw unemployment benefit, whereas no provision is made for similar advantages in respect of pensioner dockyardsmen, he can see his way to propose an amendment of the Unemployment Insurance Act which shall allow pensioner dockyardsmen to receive the same benefits from the unemployment insurance fund as are received by men of the fighting services?

As I explained in reply to the hon. Member on 29th March last the reason for this distinction is that unemployment insurance contributions are paid in the one case and not in the other. This disability could be removed from established dockyard men by requiring them to pay contributions during their employment, but I am not aware that there is any demand for this on their part.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether typhoid fever is prevalent at Malta at the present time; and whether any cases occurred during the month of February?

I have no information on this matter, nor has the Ministry of Health, where inquiry has been made.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention, in connection with the proposed legislation, foreshadowed in the King's Speech, for defining and amending the law with reference to industrial disputes, to introduce a Clause altering the conditions regarding the political levy whereby trade unionists will have to contract in instead of, as at present, contract out?

Perhaps my right hon. Friend will put this question on the Notice Paper for some other day, and address it to the Prime Minister.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of David Scott, who deserted from the British ship "Svorono" in December, 1923, at Novorrossisk, Russia; and whether it is proposed to take action against this man under the Merchant Shipping Act for this offence?

It is not the practice of the Board of Trade to take proceedings against a seaman for desertion, and it is not proposed to do so in this case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the values of the machinery imports into the United Kingdom in the years 1924, 1925 and 1926;(2)what was the value of the imports of earthenware and glass into the United Kingdom in the years 1924, 1925 and 1926, respectively;(3)what was the total value of rubber tyres and tubes imported into the United Kingdom in 1924–25 and 1925–26?

My hon. Friend will find the figures at pages 60, 52 and 75 of the Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United. Kingdom for December, 1926.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of accidents that have resulted fatally for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date to passengers using or workmen employed on the railways of Great Britain?

During the year ended 30th September last, the number of fatal accidents to passengers using, or workmen employed on, the railways of Great Britain was 74 and 223, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether the medical officer of health for Mexborough has performed any vaccinations during the recent smallpox outbreak; and, if so, what fee he has received or will receive for such vaccinations?

This medical officer of health is also public vaccinator for Mexborough. I have no information as to the number of vaccinations he has performed, but in his capacity of public vaccinator his fee for domiciliary vaccination is 6s. per ease.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken, or is contemplated by Hs Department, with a view to combating the mosquito pest during the summer months?

Since the conclusion of the War my Department, in collaboration with -be British Museum (Natural History), has devoted a great deal of attention to this subject, and has carried out, or assisted in, various investigations, the results of which are embodied in a pamphlet published by the British Museum. This pamphlet gives advice to local authorities as to the best measures to combat the mosquito pests. My Department is also prepared to advise local authorities on request and has done so on many occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average inclusive price for Weir, Atholl, and Cowieson houses, respectively, completed up to the present by the Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust, Limited), exclusive of the cost of land, foundations, paths, and fencing; what is the average cubic space of each type; and what is the average rent charged for each type, respectively.

I am advised that the tender price per house of each type is:—For the Weir make—bungalow of three apartments, £369 10s.; flat of three apartments, £361 10s.; and cottage of four apartments, £399 10s. For the Atholl make—flat of three apartments, £388, with a reduction of £7 7s. 6d. per house if the firm obtains a minimum number of other orders. For the Cowieson make —bungalow of three apartments, £380; and cottage of three apartments, £380. These tender prices are for the superstructure and standard foundations only. Transport is additional and varies for the different types according to site. The other costs for the houses completed up to the present cannot be ascertained until after the contracts have been completed.The cubic space of each type is:—Of the Weir make—bungalow of three apartaments, 10,075 cubic feet; flat of three apartments, 9,031 cubic feet; cottage of four apartments, 9,991 cubic feet. Of the Atholl make—flat of three apartments, 8,902 cubic feet. Of the Cowieson make —bungalow of three apartments, 10,080 cubic feet; cottage of three apartments, 8,728 cubic feet.The average annual rent charged for each type is based on the rents of comparable houses, and is: Weir make —bungalow of three apartments, £27 2s. 6d.; flat of three apartments, £26 13s. 7d.; and cottage of four apartments, £34. Atholl make—flat of three apartments, £26 5s. Cowieson make— bungalow of three apartments, £21 1s. 6d. and cottage of three apartments, £27 10s. 6d.

asked (1) the Minister of Pensions what is the number of writing assistants having over two years' service and under two years' service, respectively, who have been classified A, or above-average, for promotion purposes in his Department; and what is the number of members of the typing grades in his Department with over five years' service who have been similarly classified;(2)the Home Secretary what is the number of writing assistants with over and under six years' service, respectively, but with more than two years' service, who have been classified. A, or above-average, for promotion purposes in his Department; and what is the number of shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, with over five years' service who have been similarly classified?

asked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, with over 'five years' service who have been classified A, or above average, for promotion purposes in his Department;(2)the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of shorthand-typists, and typists, respectively, with over five years' service who have been classified A, or above-average, for promotion purposes in his Department?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of shorthand-typists and typists, respectively, with over five years' service, who have been classified A, or above average, for promotion purposes in the Colonial Office and in the Dominions Office, respectively?

I have been asked to answer these questions and would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to questions on the, same subject on the 28th February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to introduce legislation to authorise long-term credits for farmers?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 14th February to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Norfolk (Mr. Buxton).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the repository for old horses at the Elephant and Castle; what are the statistics as regards old and worn-out horses that are disposed of at the repository, and what proportion of such horses is sold to dealers engaged in the worn-out horse traffic to Continental ports; and whether steps will be taken to prohibit the traffic in horses which, in the opinion of veterinary surgeons, are linable to travel?

I have no information with regard to the number and condition of horses sold at the Elephant and Castle Repository, nor as to the persons to whom such horses are sold. All horses exported to the Continent must be certified by a veterinary inspector of the Ministry at the port of shipment as fit to travel without cruelty and to be capable of working without suffering. No worn-out horses would be passed as fit for shipment.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is the intention of the Government to lay a new cable between Northern Ireland and England, via the Isle of Man, so as to effect an improvement in the telephonic communication between Belfast and Britain, with a view to enabling subscribers in Northern Ireland to enjoy the benefits of the recently opened trans-Atlantic service?

Consideration is being given to the question of including in an early programme of telephone capital works a cable between Northern Ireland and England, via the Isle of Man, with the object of improving telephonic communication between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and places beyond.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any representations have been made to him suggesting the subsidising of British opera from funds paid in respect of wireless licences; and whether he can make any statement in this connection?

I have received no representations on this subject.