asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a candidate for a second-class certificate has to prove, according to the rules laid down by the board for mining examinations, that he has five years' practical experience, whereas the candidate for a fireman's certificate need only have three; that the board has laid it down that the questions set at the examinations for second-class certificates shall be suitable for practical working miners; and whether he will consider an amendment of Regulation 47 which would automatically raise the term of practical experience required in the case of an oversman from three years to five?

The suggestion made by the hon. Member has already been considered in connection with other proposals for amending Regulation 47 and rejected. I regret that I do not see my way to adopt it.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the delay in coal transport to the Louth district of the London and North Eastern Railway; if he is aware that five wagons from Hems-worth, New Stubbin colliery and Bull-croft colliery, have not arrived after being from seven weeks to a fortnight on the way, while the usual time is three or four days; and if, in view of the effect on coal prices to the small consumer, he proposes to take any steps to expedite the general delivery of coal wagons?

I am already in communication with the London and North Eastern Railway Company with regard to the general question of the conveyance of coal traffic. I will make inquiries with regard to the particular case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and will communicate with him in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of interest saved on the National Debt by the actual exchange of loans into conversion stocks since 1920?

My hon. Friend will find a detailed statement on this subject in Appendix VI to the Report of the Colwyn Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that confusion and loss have been caused to the wine trade by the issue, on 1st February and 9th February, of orders restricting clearances of wines from bond; and what reasons made the issue of such orders necessary so long before the Budget?

Any restriction upon the freedom of traders to clear goods from bond is, I fear, bound to cause some inconvenience to individual traders. But I would point out that the original scheme of restrictions underwent considerable modifications as a result of trade representations. The application of the restrictions from 2nd February was necessary in view of the fact that abnormally large clearances had already begun to take place.

asked the Chancellor of the Excehquer what was the total amount borne by local taxation in England and Wales and the total amount contributed by the Treasury in each of the years 1913–14 and 1925–26 in respect of the following services: poor relief, asylums, highways, education, police, and health services, including under highways the contributions from the Road Fund?

I have been asked to reply. Fairly complete statistics of the nature described in the question are contained for the year 1923–24 in Appendix XII of the Annual Report of the Ministry of Health for 1925–26. It is hoped to include corresponding figures for 1924–25 in the next Annual Report. Complete figures for 1925–26 will not be available for some months. Corresponding statistics for 1913–14 are not readily available, but the hon. Member will find a good deal of information on the subject in the Summary of the Local Taxation Returns (England and Wales) for that year.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men drawing 100 per cent. disablement pensions in January, 1925, and January, 1927, or the nearest available dates?

The number of men drawing pension at the maximum rate of 100 per cent. was in January, 1925, approximately 32,000. The number of the same class in January, 1927, was approximately 34,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions the basis on which he arrives at a decision regarding applications for need pensions; and whether there is any scale of parental income which governs the amount of need pension granted?

The award of a pension of the class referred to is conditioned by the existence of incapacity for self-support owing to age or infirmity. Subject to these conditions the grant of any pension within the limits fixed by the Royal Warrant is determined, following the recommendations of the Select Committee on Pensions, by reference to the reasonable expectation of support which in the circumstances the deceased son might have been expected to contribute had he survived, regard being had also for this purpose to the appropriate share in that support attributable to other members of the family, if any. With regard to the last part of the question, where the existence of need is satisfactorily ascertained pension may be awarded, according to the circumstances of the case, within a maximum potential means limit of 25s, a week in the case of one parent and 35s. in the case of two.

asked the Minister of Pensions if treatment is only given by the Ministry of Pensions in respect of disabilities due to war service and accepted as such; and, if so, whether he will consider such amendments of the Royal Warrants and Orders in Council as will secure the grant of pension to the widow and children of any pensioner who dies while under treatment in a Ministry of Pensions institution?

The need of medical or surgical treatment for a war disability is the normal criterion for admission to hospital; but a patient's case may be, and often is, complicated by conditions (as, for example, by some other disease) which are not due to his war service. Where death occurs, all the factors in the case have to be considered in determining a claim to pension on the part of the man's widow. I could not, therefore, in equity, recommend an extension of the Warrants, which would have the effect of imposing a liability to award pension in a number of cases where the man's death was not the result of war service.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state, to the last convenient date, the number of widows, whose husbands died more than seven years after discharge, who have been refused a pension under Article 17a of the Royal Warrant of January, 1924; and the number of cases where the degree of disablement of the pensioners was assessed at 40 per cent., 50 per cent., 60 per cent., 70 per cent., 80 per cent., 90 per cent., and 100 per cent., respectively?

The records of my Department do not, I fear, enable me to give the detailed information asked for with regard to the particular sub-head of the Article referred to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when he hopes to be in a position to inform the House of the personnel of the Indian delegation to the forthcoming International Economic Conference at Geneva?

I hope to he able to make a statement on Monday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the reasons for the delay in the publication of the findings of the Indian Tariff (Cotton Textile Inquiry) Board, whose Report was signed in January last?

It is the normal practice of the Government of India not to publish Reports of the Tariff Board until they have considered the action to be taken on them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the telegrams sent by members of the Bengal-Nagpur Labour Union to members of the Indian Legislative Assembly were censored and suppressed by the Government; and the reason for this?

My Noble Friend has no information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received a resolution, passed by the Burma Legislative Council without a division, stating that in the opinion of that council the best interests of the province are likely to be served by State management of Burma railways on the termination of the present contract; and what steps the Secretary of State and the Government of India intend to take in the matter?

My Noble Friend has been informed of the passing of the resolution referred to by the hon. Member. He is awaiting the recommendation of the Government of India in regard to the management of the Burma railways after 1928.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of open air schools under the county and local educational authorities of Staffordshire, and the number of children in attendance?

There are at present two open air schools in Staffordshire, and two hospital schools conducted on open-air lines. The total number of children on the registers of the four schools on 31st March, 1926, was 158. The hon. Member will, however, understand that the total number of children dealt with in institutions of this type during the year is very considerably larger than the number in attendance on any given date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the new infant school for Wednesbury, sanctioned in January, 1926, is in course of erection; and, if so, what is the approximate date of completion?

My right hon. Friend understands that the building of this school has been delayed by difficulties in securing supplies as a result of the industrial dislocation last year. It is now proceeding, but he is unable to say when it is likely to be completed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any elementary schools under the control of the Wednesbury Education Committee have been condemned as unsuitable and incapable of improvement; and what is the number of children in attendance at such schools?

Two schools in this area have been reported by His Majesty's Inspectors, as in their judgment, unsuitable and incapable of improvement. The number of children on the registers on the 31st March last was 336. The new school referred to in my answer to the hon. Member on the 3rd March will, I understand, replace one of these.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children on the registers at the end of December, 1926, attending the elementary schools, of Walsall, Willenhall, Bilston, and Coseley, respectively?

The average numbers of children attending public elementary schools in Walsall, Bilston and Coseley during the quarter ended the 31st December, 1926, were 15,611, 5,228 and 4,019, respectively. Similar returns are not available for Willenhall, which is not an independent authority for education, but for the year ended the 31st March last the total average attendance at schools in Willenhall was 3,409.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will call for a Return of the number of street accidents on the Victoria Embankment in the neighbourhood of Charing Cross underground station, and consider the desirability of introducing a speed limit of 10 miles per hour past that point?

The total number of street accidents, involving injuries to persons, which occurred on the Victoria Embankment in the neighbourhood of Charing Cross underground station during the year 1926 was 41, made up as follows:

Fatal injuries	3
Serious injuries	1
Slight injuries	37

There are objections on general traffic grounds to a special speed limit at this point, and in my opinion the imposition of such a limit would be ineffective. I am informed that the Commissioner of Police concurs in this view.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the practice of indicating places at which pedestrians are requested to cross the street, he is suggesting to the police authorities that special arrangements should be made to ensure that they do so under conditions of safety; and whether he proposes to warn motorists of the need for extreme care at such points?

I have been asked to answer this question. In connection with the experiment with specially marked crossing places for pedestrians, now being tried in Parliament Square, the Commissioner of Police has instructed police officers on point duty to render all possible assistance to pedestrians desiring to cross the street at the places indicated. The whole question of street accidents in Greater London, including the suggestion contained in the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, will be discussed at a conference which I have convened for Monday next.

asked the Minister of Transport how many points there are in the Metropolitan area where the gyratory system of traffic is operating; and whether any point of this system has been tried and found ineffective, and, if so, which?

The gyratory system of traffic, as distinguished from "one-way" streets such as the Haymarket, Long Acre, etc., is in operation at seven places, namely: Parliament Square, Hyde Park Corner, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Marble. Arch, Knightsbridge and Sloane Square. With regard to the last two, the system has only recently been put into experimental operation and I am awaiting reports on its operation from the Commissioner of Police and the London Traffic Committee. So far as the other five are concerned, all the information available tends to show that the systems have been effective.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the Government's intentions in regard to the recommendations of the Lee Report?

:I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to questions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the dimensions (diameter and length) of the 5,000,000 cubic feet airship now under construction at Cardington; and what is the estimated weight, without load, of the ship and machinery when completed?

In answer to the first part of the question, the diameter of the airship is 130 feet and her length 730 feet. As regards the second part, the Air Ministry is working to the same weight as that laid down for her sister ship which is being built by the Airship Guarantee Company, namely, a maximum of 90 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the ascertained lifting capacity, in tons, of the 5,000,000 cubic feet airship now under construction at Cardington?

The actual lifting capacity of the airship cannot be ascertained until the airship has been built; the estimated total lift is 150 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the estimated weights of the following: 200 soldiers with their kits, ammunition, and equipment; the necessary crew and their baggage; and the stores, fuel, food, water, and furniture for a voyage not exceeding six days?

The estimate asked for in the first part of the question is approximately 30 tons; in the second, approximately 4 tons. As regards the last part of the question, the answer would depend upon the distance to be covered, the speed to be maintained, and other factors; but it may be stated that, in addition to the weights indicated above, sufficient fuel and stores could be carried, it is estimated, for a voyage of 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the estimated weight of a squadron of fighting aeroplanes with their pilots and mechanics, their equipment and fuel, and munitions?

The weight of a squadron of fighter aeroplanes of existing service types, with pilots and nucleus maintenance party, would be approximately 17 tons. The weight of the equipment, fuel and other stores would vary with the length of the flight and the purpose for which it was undertaken.

asked the Minister of Health which were the five years during which the amount of relief administered by the overseers in England and Wales was less than 1500 in all; how many orders were given for medical attendance and bow many for the casual ward, giving in each case the name and county of each parish or, if inconvenient to obtain this information for five years, then for the last of the five?

The years referred to are the financial years 1920–21 to 1924–26. The actual expenditure in those years was £225. I regret that the information sought in the latter part of the question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any communication from the London Municipal Society relating to the Government's proposals for the alteration of the Poor Law; and, if so, the nature of the representations made

Yes, Sir. Last July I received a letter from this society dated the 9th of that month. The letter which related only to London and contained a number of detailed suggestions appeared in the Press about the same time.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the desirability of introducing a short amending Bill to the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act to permit any person becoming a voluntary contributor for old age pensions based on the age scale applicable to persons in excepted employment, and to secure in the case of male persons so insured that pensions shall be granted, to their wives, widows, and children on the same terms as are applicable to the wives and widows of insured persons under the Act of 1925?

For reasons fully stated to the House on the 13th of July, 1925, in Committee on the Bill, it would be impossible to graft a voluntary scheme as suggested on to the compulsory system without either upsetting the finances of the system or introducing a, scale of varying contributions on a much higher level than the flat rate now in operation. In these circumstances, I do not consider that legislation in the sense suggested is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what rent the estate and farm of Eriboll were included in the Sutherland valuation roll for the year 1920–21?

The entries in the valuation roll for the county of Sutherland for the year 1920–21 in respect of the estate and Farm of Eriboll are as follow: Eriboll Farm, £461; grazings, Choire Island, £24; shootings, £195; smaller subjects, £5 17s. 6d.; total, £685 17s. 6d.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Grants Committee has made any grant towards the sewerage works relief scheme advanced by the Corporation of Edinburgh; and, if so, what is the extent of the grant and the numbers of men which it is estimated will be found employment by the scheme?

The Unemployment Grants Committee have not recently promised a grant-in-aid of a sewerage scheme proposed by the Edinburgh Corporation. The last scheme of that character submitted by the Corporation was approved for grant in March, 1924, on condition that it was completed by March, 1926.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the string band of the Prince of Wales Volunteers, South Lancashire Regiment, on the 21st February attended in uniform and performed at a meeting of the Junior Imperial League at Shipton; and whether such participation in a meeting of a political character is permissible?

My attention had not previously been called to this matter. I have made inquiries and find that the band was allowed to attend the meeting after the regimental authorities had been assured by the promoter that the organisation was non-political.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Ilford Town Council submitted to the arbitrator the decision as to the price to be paid for 10 acres and one rood of land situate on the east side of Goodmayes Lane, and scheduled for allotments; that the owner of the land claimed £4,540; that the expert witness for the council estimated the value of the land at £1,627: and what was the previous net rateable value of the land and the sum awarded by the arbitrator?

I have been asked to reply. I have no knowledge of the facts stated in the first part of the hon. Member's question. The net rateable value of 13 acres of land of which this 10 acres forms part is £18. In any case I could not admit that there is any connection between net rateable value and the capital value of land. I am informed that the amount of the arbitrator's award is £3,125.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the Regulations affecting seeds imported and used for agricultural purposes in Canada and America, requiring them to be stained distinctive colours under Customs supervision, thus signifying their adaptability or otherwise for agricultural purposes; and if he is prepared to introduce safeguards on similar lines for agriculturists using foreign seeds imported into this country?

I am aware of the Regulations to which my hon. Friend refers, requiring the staining of certain kinds of seeds when imported into the United States of America and Canada, but I have received no representations as to the desirability of dealing with seeds imported into this country in a similar manner. At the same time the requirements of the Regulations made under the Seeds Act of 1920, whereby a statement as to the country of origin must be made in the case of a sale of any of the principal kinds of grass and clover seed, should, in my view, afford a sufficient safeguard for agriculturists against the use of seeds coming from countries where the conditions make them unadaptable for use in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount contributed from the Local Taxation Account in connection with foot-and-mouth disease in the years 1923, 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively?

The amounts drawn from the Local Taxation Accounts (England and Scotland) in aid of the costs and expenses payable out of the Cattle Pleuro-Pneumonia Account in each of the undermentioned years were as follows:

	£
1923	833,978
1924	270,000
1925	225,000
1926 *(to date)	200,000
* Further calls (if any) on the Local Taxation Accounts during the few remaining days of the current financial year would not be for more than comparatively small amounts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in an operation performed on horses, a squeezing instrument known as a clam is used, which causes great suffering, this being followed by a searing process; that, alternatively, the bleeding is stopped by crushing or by caustic and crushing, which also causes great agony to the animal; and whether he will consider the desirability of making compulsory the employment of a complete and general anæsthetic in these operations on all horses over four months old?

The methods adopted in performing the operation to which the hon. Member refers were considered very carefully by the Select Committee of the House of Lords, who examined the Animals (Anæsthetics) Bill, 1919, and I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 17th February last to a similar question put to me by the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Cadogan), a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.