asked the Minister of Pensions the number of disability pensions that have ceased in the three years ending on the 31st December, 1926?

The total number of cases in which disablement pension ceased from any cause during the three years in question amount approximately to 19,000 net, after allowing for fresh additions to the list of pensioners; and to 55,500 gross. Of the latter figure 26,200 belong to the year 1924, 16,150 to 1925 and 13,150 to 1926.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in many cases, when a pension has been stopped owing to disability having apparently passed away, the wound or sickness frequently breaks out again, and a man who wishes to appeal is not allowed to do so except within a certain time; and whether he will allow cases of this kind that have passed the time limit to be submitted to a tribunal for decision as to whether the pensioner shall be allowed to appeal?

The time limit of a year for the making of an appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals is statutory and is binding on the tribunal as well as on the Ministry. The hon. and gallant Member's suggestion could not therefore be adopted. Cases of he kind referred to are, however, comparatively few and are naturally met by the provision of medical or surgical treatment, in the course of which the Ministry is enabled to judge whether any special action is called for in the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the time of his predecessor this course was actually adopted, and that pensioners used to be allowed to go before a tribunal so see whether they could appeal or not? Will he reconsider the point?

I am not aware that there is any change whatever in the procedure.

If a case of this sort is submitted to the Minister, has he any discretionary power to hear it?

Any case submitted to me would naturally be dealt with in accordance with the circumstances of the case.

Have there been many cases where appellants have been allowed to go before the Court to show good reason why they were not able to be in time; and can that still be done?

Oh, yes. If there are good reasons why the appellant did not appeal within the time, then the case can be reviewed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under his predecessors at the Ministry it was possible to submit fresh medical evidence and get a case reopened and considered by the Minister, but that that does not seem to to apply now?

The statement made by the hon. Member under the guise of a question is not accurate. There has been no such change in the policy of the Ministry.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to deal with these cases, because cases have been brought to his notice and he says he has no power?

I did not say I had no power. The figures of the number of cases dealt with were given to the House last Tuesday.

Is it not the case that every case we bring before the right hon. Gentleman from this side of the House he deliberately turns down?

Withdraw!

On a point of Order, speaking for myself, may I disabuse the Minister's mind of the idea that we on these benches have any special grievance against him because we sit on this side of the House?

The hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) is too new in this movement to stand here and speak for us. I repudiate him. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] Only five minutes in the party!

I think it would be better if hon. Members would settle these interesting matters outside.

The time to settle them is now.

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the pension payable to the widow of an ex-Service man, in receipt of a pension, who dies as a result of his war disability, is only payable from the date of her application; if he is aware that a great number of these widows are un aware of the Regulation and often are unable, through various circumstances, to apply until several weeks after the date of their husband's death; and whether, in view of the hardship caused, he will consider arranging for these pensions to become payable automatically from the date on which pension was last paid to the husband?

The hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed. In the case of widows the Ministry have been enabled (by way of exception to the general rule) to make an award payable from the date of the husband's death, if application is made within two months of that date. The necessity for prompt application is pointed out in a note on the pensioner's identity certificate, and in the experience of my Department it is rare for an application to be delayed more than two months after the death of the pensioner. In these circumstances I should not be justified in adopting the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that very often it is the poorest, and perhaps the most ignorant women who suffer in this way, and that a woman who can employ a solicitor to help her gets a greater sum of money than her poorer sister?

The suggestion that applications should be made at once is made quite clear by the Ministry, and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any case in mind I shall be very happy to go into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that light metal limbs are now issued in certain cases of below-knee amputations, he will consider the desirability of giving the pensioner in every case a choice between the improved wooden limb and the light metal limb?

It is always open to a pensioner to indicate any grounds on which he considers one type of limb more suitable than another in his case, but I could not advisedly give a free choice to the pensioner, whether as regards this or any other type of artificial limb or appliance, which might result in the supply of a limb such as was not, in the opinion of my expert advisers, called for by the requirements of the case or best suited to it.

Would my right hon. Friend say if it is not the practice, in the case of a second disability, to issue a metal limb? If that be so, why should a man who has lost a leg in the defence of his country be deprived of such an appliance because he has not got a second disability?

I do not think the question of any other disability is necessarily decisive. We can supply two kinds of limbs, and when our doctors consider that a metal limb should be rightly given that is the limb which is provided for the pensioner.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Australia and Canada men have a right to have a metal limb if they desire it?

It is hardly possible for me to explain the whole situation at Question Time, hut a number of misstatements, none of which I attribute to the hon. Member, have been made. For one thing, the latest wooden limb is lighter.

Is there any truth in the statement in the Press that the Ministry are supplying wooden stumps instead of artificial limbs?

I did see in one paper a statement that the Ministry are supplying wooden stumps. As the originators of that statement well know, it is absolutely untrue.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give these men the right to have a metal limb if they want it?

I cannot undertake to take the matter entirely out of the hands of my expert advisers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the Report of the proceedings at the inquest at Kingston on Mr. James Robert-son Grant, of East Molesey, an ex-Air Force officer; and if he will cause further inquiry to be made info the circumstances under which this officer was wounded in France, when destroying unused bombs, with a view, if the facts appear to justify that course, of granting a pension to his widow?

I have seen a Press report of the proceedings in question. The circumstances in which the late officer sustained his injuries were fully known to the Ministry at the time he applied for retired pay, and when his application for retired pay was rejected by the Ministry he made no appeal against the Ministry's decision. The official reports on the case at the time of the accident show that the circumstances were not such as were suggested at the inquest. The accident occurred in 1919 after the conclusion of hostilities, while the officer was in the act of firing a rifle grenade outside his quarters in France. The grenade detonated prematurely and severely wounded him. It was no part of his duty to fire the grenade; indeed, this was not one of the authorised methods for the disposal of these explosives. Moreover, he had been specifically warned by a senior officer not to carry out his declared intention of firing the grenade, and his act involved grave risk not only to himself, hut to others in the vicinity. His commanding officer reported that he was to blame. In view of these facts an award of retired pay was definitely precluded by the terms of the Royal Warrant, and for the same reason his widow is not entitled to pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many-persons were drawing pensions arising out of the late War on the 1st March last, and the corresponding figures on the 1st March, 1926?

On the 31st December, 1925 and 1926—the nearest dates to those stated in the question for which figures can be given—the number of persons, including widows, drawing compensation in respect of disability or death, was 1,058,000 at the earlier date, and 1,022,000 at the later date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that sacks containing 224 lbs. and 336 lbs. are man-handled by dock workers; and will he consider Regulations having as their object a maximum weight in respect of sacks that have to be so handled?

This matter was carefully investigated by the Factory Department two or three years ago. The reports showed that the workers handle sacks of the weights mentioned in the question, though it would seem that sacks as heavy as 336 lbs. are only occasionally handled, and that in such cases two or more workers are usually employed. The inquiry did not disclose any evidence of injury to health such as would justify me in issuing Regulations under the Factory Act, but if the hon. Member has any definite evidence on this point, and will forward it to me, I will, of course, consider it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many motorists have complained, when being caught in a speed trap, that they have no opportunity of comparing the measursed distance over which they are alleged to have exceeded the speed limit; and will he consider giving instructions to the police officers in charge of the speed-limit trap for motorists that motorists should be informed of where the trap is in existence so that they can check the distance if they desire?

The police instructions provide that the officers timing, if so requested, are to show their chronographs, and state the situation of the controls.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of entirely abolishing these unnecessary and un-English methods?

It might strengthen my hands if the hon. and gallant Member could suggest some method of abolishing the unnecessary and unreasonable practice of disobeying the law of the land.

Having regard to the improvements which have taken place recently as compared with earlier times, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be better that the 20-mile limit should be done away with, and punish people who drive to the danger of the public?

That question does not arise.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons convicted of spreading revolutionary propaganda have been deported since 1st January, 1925; and, of these, how many are subjects of the Russian Soviet Government?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my noble and gallant Friend the Member for the Newark Division on the 16th instant. I am afraid that I cannot undertake a further search to the date mentioned by my hon. Friend. I can only repeat what I said on the 10th March, namely, that it is most rare to find an alien at the present time who indulges in such propaganda.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question to which he refers applied to the number of aliens deported since the termination of the stoppage in the coal trade? I was trying to get data as from 1st January, 1925.

The difficulty is that the aliens who are deported are not classified in any particular list as to whether they were aliens, Communists or criminals of any particular type. [An HON. MEMBER: "Or Tories".] That is very rarely the case, and I think my hon. and gallant Friend may be satisfied that all those of whom I had knowledge as having been actively engaged in unlawful propaganda have been deported.

Has the Home Secretary had any occasion to make any representations to the Russian Government as to the behaviour of any Russian residents in England?

That does not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is meant by revolutionary propaganda? Will he give a definition?

It is a little difficult within the short space of an answer to a question to give an indication of what is meant by revolutionary propaganda, but I shall be glad to confer with the hon. Member if he does not already know.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recent case of an Englishman arrested at the instance of the British authorities under an extradition warrant at Boulogne; whether, seeing that the detenu was on his way to board the steamer for England, he will say why he was not allowed to continue his journey to England; and how long extradition proceedings are likely to take and on whom the cost of these will fall?

I am aware of the circumstances of this case. His Majesty's Government applied to the French Government at the beginning of the month for the extradition of this man on certain criminal charges. The French Government at once took steps to comply with this application, but were unable to effect his arrest till the 18th. The time taken in extradition proceedings varies with the circumstances, including the attitude of the accused. The expenses of the proceedings in France do not fall upon this country.

asked the Home Secretary when he expects to receive the Report of the Departmental Committee on young offenders?

The Report has been received and presented to Parliament. I understand it is likely to be published next week.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fine of 10s. per week for 12 months inflicted upon Police Constable Drysdale, St. Helen's Borough Police Force, by the watch committee; and whether the fine has been inflicted as such under Statutory Regulation 24 or as a reduction in rate of pay under Statutory Regulation 22?

Yes, Sir. From a preliminary report it appears that the punishment was a reduction in pay which is governed by the provisions of Regulation 22.

Does not the answer entirely dispose of any suggestion that the watch committee acted ultra vires?

No, Sir. The answer simply gives the hon. Member the information which he asked for as to the particular Regulation under which the fine was inflicted. I have already said that I am not in a position to make a full statement on the case.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the secondary schools catering for school children attending the elementary schools of Wednesbury, Wilienhall, Bilston, Walsall, Tipton, Darlaston and Coseley; the total accommodation provided; the number of free places occupied; and the number of fee payers?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the information asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that in Bradford the present net expenditure per pupil in maintained secondary schools, including aid to students and to ex-students attending universities, is about £30 per annum; and whether he will reconsider the new limit of £25 per additional pupil in secondary schools now imposed by the Board, which will have the effect of prohibiting the provision of new secondary schools?

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that in Durham the present net expenditure per pupil in maintained secondary schools, including aid to students and to ex-students attending universities, is over £29 per annum and that the estimated loss of grant, if Circular 1388 is enforced, will amount to £10,000; and whether he will reconsider the Circular?

With the hon. Members' permission I will answer these questions together. The hon. Members appear to have overlooked the fact that certain factors, such as the progressive cost of scholarship schemes, are explicitly recognised in Circular 1388 as justifying expenditure in excess of the standard in certain cases. The Circular is based on the assumption that every authority will proceed with its programme proposals for 1927–28 for the provision of new secondary schools and will take all measures necessary to utilise to the fullest advantage all available accommodation in existing schools. This is, I believe, a valid assumption for the country as a whole, but if any authority apprehends that the approximate standards I have suggested may have the effect of limiting entry or restricting the grant of free places, they have only to communicate with the Board, as several authorities have already done, with, I think, satisfactory results.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state the number of hours per annum worked by the temporary inspector of art in secondary schools, part time, who receives a salary of £600 per annum?

This officer is not engaged upon an hourly, but upon a yearly basis, and is required to give about 150 days in the year to his duties under my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education with regard to the application from the Selly Park Training College, Birmingham, to be placed on the grant list, if he is aware that during the past 15 years those responsible for the management of the college have had to meet an annual deficit of about £1,600, and that the efficiency of the training carried out by this college has been admitted to be as good as that provided by grant-earning colleges; and, seeing that under the new Superannuation Act teachers in this non-grant-earning college suffer serious disadvantages, is he now in a position to recognise the college as eligible to be placed on the grant list?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Board have recently undertaken a review of the whole training college position. In connection with that review, revised regulations for training colleges were issued last year which removed certain restrictions, dating from 20 years ago, on the recognition of new voluntary colleges. The present application of the Selly Park College is, I understand, in some measure due to this change, but in connection with it I have also to consider the proposals which, in response to Circular 1377, training colleges are now submitting to me for the number of students which they desire the Board to recognise for the three years begining 1st August next. It is only reasonable that I should examine all these applications as a whole, in relation to the probable demand for teachers in the next few years and in relation to the cost involved. I may add that Selly Park has already been accepted for the purposes of the superannuation scheme under Section 21 (1) (a) of the Act of 1925.

Would my Noble Friend say when he thinks he will be able to give a decision in the case of the Selly Park Training College, Birmingham?

I cannot give a definite reply to that question now because I have to consider all the other proposals at the same time. The fact that I did revise the Regulations shows quite clearly that I am not disposed against them.

Has any complaint been made against the efficiency of this training college? Lord E. PERCY: No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the State grant for feeding of necessitous children in England, and total expenditure for same, for the years 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively; and what is the estimate for 1927?

As the reply to this question contains a quantity of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the cost to the country caused by sickness owing to bad housing conditions, he will consider the introduction of legislation having as its object the licensing of all property owners who own and let houses with a rateable value under £80 a year, so as to enforce an approved standard of sanitation and repair in these houses?

Local authorities already have wide powers under the Housing Act and Public Health Acts to secure the remedy of defects in, and the necessary repairs to, any houses, including power to execute the works themselves in default of the owners and to recover their expenses from the owners. In the circumstances I do not consider that legislation on the lines- suggested is necessary.

Can the Minister of Health bring any pressure upon the local authorities to see that they do their duty in regard to this question?

Yes, continuous pressure is being placed upon local authorities in regard to this subject.

asked the Minister of Health the total amount expended from Imperial funds on housing improvement and reconstruction schemes since 1919?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Exchequer assistance granted to local authorities in respect of schemes for clearance of slum areas. If so, I would refer him to the answer given to his question of the 24th February or the same subject.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons licensed to sell pasteurised milk during 1926, the number of establishments, and how often such establishments were inspected?

According to the information received from local authorities, the number of licensed pasteurising establishments in England and Wales at the 31st December, 1926, was 99, and the number of shops and other establishments licensed for the sale of pasteurised milk was 591. These licences are issued by the local sanitary authorities, and I have no information as to the number of times the establishments were inspected.

asked the Minister of Health the number of producers' licences for certified and grade A milk issued in England and Wales during 1926; and whether any increase is shown upon the figures for 1925?

The numbers of producers' licences for certified, grade A (tuberculin tested), and grade A milk current in England and Wales on the 31st December, 1926, were 120, 131 and 258 respectively. The corresponding figures on the 16th December, 1925, were 95, 93 and 170. I should add that the licences for grade A milk arc granted by local authorities, and that the figures which I have given in regard to this grade are only approximate.

asked the Minister of Health if in future approved societies can be notified when any of their members receive pensions under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 11th February.

asked the Minister of Health whether a widow, aged 65, who was not eligible for widow's pension on the death of her husband, aged 70, an insured person, because she had no children under 14 years of age, will be eligible for the old age pension on 2nd January, 1928?

In the circumstances indicated in the question, the widow will not be entitled to an old age pension on 2nd January, 1928, unless she is herself an insured person and satisfies the statutory conditions.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, when a widow, one of whose children has attained the age of 14 years, has to change her book of vouchers, she has to wait in some cases many weeks before her new book is returned to her, and in the meantime has to apply to the guardians for relief; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into this matter with a view to this state of affairs being altered?

The existing arrangements are designed to secure continuity of payment of pensions in the circumstances referred to, and, if the hon. Member will supply particulars of any cases in which this result has not been obtained, I will look into them.

I will supply the information.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons have been refused pensions although they contributed to the National Health Insurance scheme until they were 70 years old, but by reason of their age have not been able to fulfil the qualification that they should have been continuously insured for five years?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. There is no requirement in the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, of a period of five years' continuous insurance as a condition for the grant of an old age pension at the age of 70.

asked the Minister of Health the number of orders of admission to the workhouse which have been offered and issued by the West Derby (Liverpool) Board of Guardians during the last 12 months to ex-service men, single and married, respectively; and the number of ex-service men at the present time in receipt of indoor and outdoor relief, respectively?

Statistics on the point referred to by the hon. Member are not in my possession.

Is not that information in the possession of the West Derby Board of Guardians?

I imagine it could be obtained by them, but in fact it would involve a good deal of inquiry, and I have already answered a number of questions on the same point, my answer being that I did not think it would be worth the expense and trouble of getting out figures of this kind.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to inquire of the West Derby Board of Guardians as to whether they have the information, and, if they have it, it would not cause very much trouble to transmit it?

I could not ask them without also consenting to ask in any other case in which a similar request was made, and, as I have already said, I really do not think it would be worth the trouble.

asked the Minister of Health why he has issued instructions to the chief officers of his Department requiring them to refuse to sanction any further loans or overdrafts for special unemployment relief to Poor Law guardians in necessitous areas except on condition that a reduced scale of relief is paid to unemployed persons and their dependants?

No such general instructions have been issued, but, where a board of guardians applies for sanction. to borrow to meet their current expenditure, it is obviously necessary, before sanction can be given, that I should be satisfied that their expenditure is not excessive in comparison with the expenditure of other apparently similar unions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us one recent case in which the Department have sanctioned an overdraft for a necessitous area without compelling a reduction?

If the hon. Member will put that question down, I will answer it.

asked the Minister of Health the average weekly amount of special unemployment relief paid out by the Lincoln Board of Guardians in the month of October, 1925, the month of February, 1926, and the month of February, 1927?

The average weekly cost of out-relief in money and kind given in the Lincoln Union to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation, and to the wives and dependent children of those persons, during the months mentioned, was £357, £576, and £1,078, respectively.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us to what he ascribes this enormous increase in the amount paid out by the guardians?

No, Sir, I could not do that without notice.

Is it not a fact that the bulk of it is due to the harsh regulations now governing the administration of Unemployment Insurance?

That is another matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of cases in which a member of a board of guardians who is a member of the legal profession acts professionally for the board of which he is a member; and whether he will take steps to prevent this practice?

My attention has not been drawn to cases of this kind, and, on present information, it does not appear that action on my part is necessary. A guardian who acts professionally and for payment for the board of which he is a member would be disqualified for membership.

asked the Minister of Health in what respect the action of the Chester-le-Street guardians, in the administration of relief, went beyond Circular 703, issued by his Department?

Apart from any other matter, the Circular to which the hon. Member refers included a statement of the law governing the grant of relief during an industrial dispute, and the guardians refused to observe the requirements of that law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that counsel's opinion was taken on the general interpretation of the Merthyr Tydvil decision, which involves Circular 703, and, in view of that fact, is he prepared to admit that counsel's opinion was given against the Ministry's decision more than against the guardians?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health in which county and county borough the 83 deaths from chicken-pox took place, as reported in the Registrar-General's Report for 1925?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to set up an inquiry into the physical, as opposed to chemical, methods of improving flour which are mentioned with favour in the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Treatment of Flour with Chemical Substances?

I understand that the improvement of flour by physical means is still in an experimental stage, and that, before making their Report, the Departmental Committee on the Treatment of Flour with Chemical Substances had before them all the evidence that is at present available on the subject. In these circumstances, I do not propose to set up any further inquiry into the question at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has decided to set up a committee to inquire into the question of registering opticians; and, if so, will he state the terms of reference and the personnel of the Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The terms of reference to the Commitee will be to consider the Optical Practitioners (Registration) Bill, and to make recommendations. The personnel of the Committee is not yet quite complete, but I hope to be in a position to announce its composition at an early date.

May I take it that the Committee's terms of reference and their deliberations will be entirely confined to the question of opticians only, and will not deal with any other section?

The Optical Practitioners (Registration) Bill is the one they will consider.

Can the Minister say whether the Committee is likely to report before the 13th May, the date on which the Bill is set down for Second Reading?

I do not think I am in a position to answer that question. The Committee is only just being set up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any loss has fallen on the Treasury as a result of guarantees made under the Trade Facilities Acts to Lithuania, Latvia, Poland or Estonia; and, if so, whether he can state the amount of the loss separately for each country concerned?

The only guarantee given under the Trade Facilities Acts to any of these Governments is that to Estonia in respect, of a loan of .£130,000. No loss has been incurred.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the existing position in Shanghai, the Government propose to extend full diplomatic recognition to the Nationalist Government?

His Majesty's Government are continuing to maintain contact with the Nationalist authorities at Hankow through a member of Sir Miles Lampson's diplomatic staff who has been detached for residence at Hankow for that purpose. As regards the future, His Majesty's Government must be guided by circumstances, and I cannot forecast what modification, if any, of their attitude may be rendered necessary by present or future developments.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that when the lives and property of so many of our people arc- concerned [interruption]—better opportunities of saving British lives can be made by extending full recognition to the Government in whose charge they are, than by sending more men to kill them?

That is not a proper supplementary question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the ineffectiveness of the present systems of Parliamentary control over expenditure, he will consider the appointment of a Select Committee for the purpose of devising a more satisfactory method of control?

No, Sir. I think the present machinery, including that of the Estimates Committee, provides ample opportunity for the exercising of control over expenditure, if hon. Members desire to use it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the amount of time taken up by certain Members of this House in the delivery of their speeches and for the purpose of increasing interest in debate, he can see his way to arrange for a short discussion on the subject of the limitation of the length of speeches at an early date?

I am afraid that it is impossible for the Government to spare the time asked for, but, if the desire for such a discussion be general, there should be no difficulty in finding the occasion.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the greatest municipal body in the world, the London County Council, limits speeches to 15 minutes, and finds that the practice works exceedingly well?

Before my right hon. Friend replies, may I ask whether it would be possible to make some arrangement whereby, on private Members' evenings and on Fridays, speeches generally would be limited, say, to 10 minutes, giving the Mover of a Motion and the Opposer a reasonable amount of time, and, of course, Ministers, because, if I may say so with respect, a large amount of time is wasted at the expense of other Members?

This question only asks for facilities for discussion; we must not enter into the merits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the reduction of the 13 different bases of assessment in force for Income Tax purposes, which make the compilation of Super-tax returns so complicated as generally to require professional assistance, at considerable additional expense to the taxpayer?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the object which he has in view will be largely achieved by Part IV of the Finance Act, 1926, which comes into operation next year. Under this Act there is, generally speaking, one uniform basis—the income or profits of the preceding year—for the assessment of Income Tax under Schedule D, which at the same time is enlarged to include various sources of income, e.g., the profits of mines and docks, which have hitherto been assessable under Schedule A on varying bases.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that the complication of the forms in connection with this tax is so great that one of his own predecessors could not fill them up, and was consequently very much overcharged?

I agree that everything should be done to simplify the procedure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken during the past year in connection with the proposal for taxpayers to make only one return for Income Tax and Super-tax, so that, in the majority of cases, the Super-tax assessment could be made locally by the inspector of taxes and forwarded to the Special Commissioners for approval, thereby effecting considerable economy to the Exchequer, as well as saving labour, expense, and worry to the taxpayer?

As I have previously stated, I have always shared my hon. and gallant Friend's desire to reduce the complications of the present system, but. I am not in a position to make any statement on the matter at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts have been recovered by His Majesty's Government from foreign Governments since 11th November, 1918, in discharge of capital liabilities; what amount out of these has taken the form of the cancellation of mutual indebtedness; what amount has been put to revenue under special receipts; and what amount has been otherwise dealt with?

As the war debt funding agreements provide for the settlement of these debts by means of fixed annuities, it is not possible to distinguish capital and interest in regard to these payments. Up to date, approximately £34¼ millions has been received in the form of cancellation of mutual indebtedness and £12,689,295 in cash payments. £3,018,974 has been paid to the National Debt Commissioners for cancellation of debt and the balance has been paid into the Exchequer from which the general debt sinking fund is provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cause of the increase in the indoor clerical staff of Customs and Excise from 1,248 to 1,652 in numbers, and in cost from £245,405 to £347,942; and whether they are engaged in the collection of revenue under silk and other import duties imposed by recent budgets?

About one-third of the increase referred to is due to the progress of reorganisation under which a number of posts of officer have been converted into posts in the clerical establishment with corresponding reduction in the number of officer posts, and the remaining two-thirds to the increase in the general work of the Department.

Is the increase in the general work of the Department due to experiments, such as the Safeguarding of Industries and the Silk Duties?

Yes, certainly. Obviously, if nearly £17,000,000 or £18,000,000 of taxation is raised by new methods of luxury taxation and otherwise, it entails some addition to the staff, but an addition which is well repaid.

Is it correct to say that the percentage in relation to revenue is less than one-half per cent.?

I cannot say.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the cost of issuing the 24-page document giving in great de tail the results of the recent competition held for appointments for typists in the Civil Service?

The cost of printing the table of results of the recent competition for appointments as typists in the Civil Service was £29.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much has been provided, in the Estimates for 1927–28, to meet the cost of government so far as salaries are concerned, that is to say, the total proposed to be paid by way of salaries, wages, and allowances to all employés of the State, other than the manipulative staff in the Post Office, manual workers in dockyards, arsenals, and the Office of Works, serving soldiers, sailors, and airmen, but including all such soldiers, sailors, and airmen engaged on administrative duties at the War Office, Admiralty, and Air Ministry; and will he, for comparison, add the corresponding totals for 1926–27 and 1914–15?

The particulars desired are not immediately available, but a comparative statement on the lines indicated by my hon. Friend will be prepared and circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will arrange for the publication of an annual report on the work of the Ministry of Agriculture?

The question of combining in one volume the various statutory and other annual reports which are published by the Ministry was carefully considered by the late Minister, but he decided, and my right hon. Friend concurs in his view, that the present practice of publishing separate reports was preferable, hiving regard to the diversity of the Ministry's activities.

Is the hon. Baronet aware that the Scottish Board issues an annual survey, and could we not have a survey for England in the same way?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that numbers of allotment holders have been, and are being, evicted from their holdings; and what steps, if any, he is taking to urge upon local authorities the necessity of using their statutory powers to provide alternative land for dispossessed holders?

My right hon. Friend is aware that in urban areas a number of allotment holders have been, or are being, required to leave their plots owing principally to building developments. All cases brought to the notice of the Ministry are carefully investigated, and every opportunity is taken to urge local authorities to acquire land to meet the requirements of the disturbed plot-holders or any other suitable applicants in the area. The hon. Member will realise, however, that the provision of land for allotment purposes within a reasonable distance of the homes of applicants is becoming increasingly difficult in thickly-populated centres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, since it is permissible only to charge 2s. rent per week for agricultural cottages, he would be prepared to introduce legislation to prevent such cottages being assessed at a higher rental value than the controlled rent?

I have been asked to reply. I understand my hon. Friend's question to refer not to a controlled rent but to a value taken for the purposes of the Order of a County Agricultural Wages Committee. I may remind him that Parliament has only recently laid down a statutory definition of gross value, and I could not undertake to introduce fresh legislation for the purpose of modifying this definition in the case of a particular class of hereditaments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers have a very genuine grievance in being assessed at three times the amount of their rental value, and could he not suggest some remedy?

I imagine that all those circumstances are taken into account when the value is estimated in accordance with the statutory definition.

Is it not a fact that, under the Agricultural Rates Act, the farmers got a very big concession in their assessment?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be better to introduce legislation to ensure a living wage for agricultural labourers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes have occurred in the prices of British artificial silk yarn since the silk duties were imposed in July, 1925?

The prices of artificial silk yarns generally were not increased in 1925, and during 1926 there was a fall in prices which is estimated at from 15 per cent. to 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any in formation regarding the increase in the number of people employed in the silk and artificial silk manufacture since July, 1925?

At July, 1925, the number of insured workpeople classified as belonging to the silk and artificial silk industry in Great Britain was 46,890 as compared with 51,210 at July, 1926, giving an increase of 4,320. I regret that figures for later dates are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage of wholly unemployed people in the silk and artificial silk industry; and how this compares with the corresponding figure for industry as a whole?

At 21st February, 1927, the percentage of insured workpeople in the silk and artificial silk industry recorded as wholly unemployed was 3·6. The corresponding figure for all insured industries was 8·8.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a contract has recently been made by a Middlesbrough steel and iron firm for the supply of 20,000 tons of coke from Germany; whether he can state the price of this coke and the prices tendered by English firms for the same contract; and whether he can give any explanation of this matter, in view of the reductions of wages suffered by the miners in the northern coalfield, from which source Middlesbrough usually takes its coal and coke?

I have seen a statement to that effect in the Press, but have no official information on the subject and am unable to give the hon. Member the particulars for which he asks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to get to know the facts asked for in the question?

Yes, but I do not think there is anything my Department can do. It is purely a question of difference in price.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men in the Northern coalfields have had drastic reductions in wages, that coke is packed up in various yards in Durham produced at these lower rates, and that it is still 10s. a ton over the pre-stoppage price?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Food Council has considered the desirability of visiting Grimsby and other important fishing centres to investigate on the spot the methods of disposing of the catches of fish;

The Food Council have already begun their investigation, and are considering the desirability of visiting Grimsby and other centres.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of the fish caught by the Hull trawlers is sent direct by carrier to Billingsgate, and would he bring this fact to the notice of the Food Council?

I am sure that would be known to the Food Council.

If the hon. Gentleman is going to Grimsby, will he also visit Loch Fyne?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are more fish landed at Grimsby in. one day than at Loch Fyne in 20 years?

Hon. Members must do their advertising elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men are at present in training at residential training centres established and organised by his Department; how many men passed through the centres up to 31st January; the cost per head; and the total amount of money per week, or other emoluments, paid trainees in addition to board and lodging?