asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the number of Indian residents in Shanghai and how many of these reside within the international concession?

The census taken on 21st October, 1925, showed a total of 1,076 Indians resident in the, international settlement and 78 in extra-settlement areas, exclusive of the French settlement, in respect of which no statistics are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any allowances are to be granted to dependants of men of Section A Reserves who are called up for service in China or elsewhere?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 8th March to the hon. Member for the South-West Division of Bethnal Green (Mr. Harris).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons who are at present serving periods of imprisonment or awaiting trial for any alleged offence arising out of the late coal dispute?

38 persons are at present serving sentences of imprisonment in Scotland for offences arising out of the coal dispute. Three persons are awaiting trial for such offences, but none of these are in prison.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons who were convicted for alleged offences during the late coal dispute and recently sentenced in Fifeshire; the nature of offence; and the length of sentence in each case?

Since the 1st March 37 persons have been convicted and sentenced in Fife for offences arising out of the coal dispute. The offences were mobbing and rioting, assaults on constables and workers, damage to property, etc. The sentences were as follow:

• 2 persons, 12 months.
• 3 persons, 9 months.
• 15 persons, 8 months.
• 1 person, 6 months.
• 3 persons, 4 months.
• 2 persons, 2 months.
• 3 persons, fine of £5 or 30 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the area of Scaristaveg, in South Harris; how much of it is suitable for small holdings; to what use the present proprietor is putting it; whether any stock and, if so, the number on the farm; and what price was paid for it on its purchase from the estate of the late Lord Leverhulme?

The area of Scaristaveg farm is about 1,682 acres of which about 92 acres is arable and the remainder pasture. The whole farm is considered to be suitable for a scheme of land settlement embracing new holdings and enlargements of existing holdings although it is below the limit for compulsory taking under the Small Landholders Act, 1911. I understand that the present proprietor works the farm as a stock rearing subject, but I do not know the number of stock on the farm. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the cost to the State of maintaining the unemployed registered at the Devonport Employment Exchange for the latest week for which the figures are available?

For the week ended 2nd April, 1927, the amount paid from the Unemployment Fund in respect of unemployed persons registered at the Devonport Employment Exchange was approximately £960. As the Exchequer contributes 2/7;ths of the income of the Fund, the cost to the Exchequer is about £275.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and the number of women who signed the register as unemployed in the county of Monmouthshire during the months of January, February, and March, 1927, giving the number at each Employment Exchange; and will he state the number offered employment during the period referred to?

The following table shows for Employment Exchanges in Monmouthshire the average weekly number

WEEKLY AVERAGES for January to March, 1927, inclusive.
Exchanges			Numbers on Register.
			Men.			Women.
			January.	February.	March.	January.	February.	March.
Abergavenny	…	…	304	273	240	9	3	4
Abertillery	…	…	4,177	2,193	1,775	33	23	14
Black wood	…	…	646	565	502	7	5	6
Blaenavon	…	…	1,382	1,707	1,140	15	11	8
Blaina	…	…	1,490	711	1,028	9	7	7
Caldicot	…	…	96	92	74	6	5	6
Chepstow	…	…	412	354	332	12	13	12
Crumlin	…	…	2,639	2,110	1,641	29	23	18
Ebbw Vale	…	…	3,786	2,123	2,832	44	37	24
Monmouth	…	…	198	148	120	9	5	4
Newport	…	…	3,382	2,661	2,254	294	224	257
Newport Docks	…	…	1,595	1,178	776	—	—	—
Pontnewydd	…	…	1,099	1,011	860	39	24	27
Pontypool	…	…	4,033	3,157	3,516	82	56	49
Risca	…	…	4,973	3,829	3,465	40	17	17
Tredegar	…	…	1,018	708	612	13	8	5

Over these Local Offices the average weekly numbers of vacancies notified and filled (exclusive of those notified and still unfilled at the commencing date of this return) for men were 45 and 44 and for women 16 and 17.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of trained teachers unemployed on 31st March, 1927?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by me on the 10th March to the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. Briant), and on the 3rd March to my hon. Friends the Members for Romford (Mr. Rhys) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon), copies of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health whether any specific cases have been brought to his notice where country boards of guardians have increased the task work of unemployed men in receipt of relief to such an extent that it is only on Saturday when they can seek work; and whether, in any such cases, he will state the action he is taking?

I have not received any complaint on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can arrange that men in the Hartshill district of Dudley who have to go on unemployment benefit can make their applications to the Dudley Exchange and be dealt with there, rather that at an exchange not in the borough of Dudley, where they are not known?

In general, it is open to a claimant to choose for himself the local office at which he will make his claim. The claimants residing in the Hartshill district may accordingly be dealt with at the Dudley Exchange if they attend there.

asked the Minister of Labour whether provision can be made so that the minister of religion or other person signing an application for unemployment benefit can also be asked to sign a statement that the applicant has to his knowledge continuously sought employment; and whether provision for that purpose can be made on the form?

The method suggested is used in cases where the claimant resides so far from the Exchange that he is excused from attending there. I doubt, however, whether it should be adopted generally. It would still be necessary to apply all the existing safeguards and the suggested certificate would therefore be an additional requirement, for which there is not on the whole sufficient justification. If a claim is challenged on the ground that the, claimant is not genuinely seeking work, it is open to the claimant to render a certificate of this kind, if he so, desires, and due weight is then given to it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what saving will be made as a result of the discharges from Devonport of the 600 odd men who have recently received notices of dismissal?

The estimated saving on the wages vote is approximately £96,000 per annum.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the need of economy in the fighting services, he will state the cost of maintaining the gyroscopical section of the Admiralty research department since its inception; and whether the expense has been commensurate with the results achieved?

The answer to the first part of the question is about £50,000. With regard to the second part, the Admiralty are satisfied that the expense incurred has been justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that ex-service representatives in his Department were recently informed that security of tenure could not be given to temporary ex-service contract officers, owing to the necessity of absorbing redundant permanent executive officers, and that temporary ex-service officers have since been dismissed and their places taken not by such redundant ex-service officers but by promoted clerical officers; and whether, in accordance with the spirit of the Lytton and Southborough Reports and the declared policy of the Government, steps will be taken to see that efficient ex-service men are not discharged to provide avenues of promotion?

I do not quite know what is the recent statement to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I am afraid I cannot accept the first part of his question as expressing correctly the policy which the Department has adopted. The central feature in this has been that the work of the contracts directorate would be performed by members of the executive class. It is true that in a letter to the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants of 25th February, 1924 (of which I will send a copy to my hon. and gallant Friend) reference was made to the existence of redundant officers in that grade, but this was as an additional reason for not departing from the approved policy which applies also to the contracts work in the Admiralty and War Office. The reservation of appointments in the contracts directorate for members of the executive class is a point of principle and in no way contingent upon the existence of redundants in that class. I can certainly assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the declared policy of the Government in this matter will be adhered to carefully.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what groups of clerical officers, other than Lytton and Southborough entrants, the commencing rates of salary prescribed by the Southborough Report have been applied; and the names of the Departments concerned?

Apart from its application to Lytton and Southborough entrants, the scheme of starting pay recommended by the Southborough Committee has been applied in full to certain pre-War unestablished clerks in the Ministry of Health, the Welsh Board of Health and the Treasury Solicitor's Department.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of documents presented for stamping at the Inland Revenue Office, Baldwin Street, Bristol, for each of the past two years; what is the total staff employed at that office at the present time and a year ago; whether any other towns of the population of Bristol have the chief stamping office closed during the important hours of one and two o'clock; and, if so, which towns?

The number of documents, including unexecuted forms, stamped at the Inland Revenue Stamp Office, Baldwin Street, Bristol, for the year ended 31st March, 1926, was 446,382, and for the year ended 31st March, 1927, 467,671. The total staff at 31st March, 1927, consisted of one officer of the executive class (who alone is qualified to assess Stamp Duty on documents) one clerk and two stampers; the corresponding staff at 31st March, 1926, was two officers of the executive class and two stampers. In two towns with a population exceeding that of Bristol, namely, Sheffield and Leeds, the Stamp Office is closed from 1 to 2 p.m.

asked the Minister of Health if the increase in the number of staff in his Department between 1st October, 1925, and 1st January, 1927, of 851, is expected to be permanent or temporary?

I regret that I cannot give a definite answer to my hon. Friend's question until I am able to estimate the additional burden thrown permanently on the Ministry by the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and other recent legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will state the total proceeds from the sale of the dockyard at Kidderpore; whether, pending the passing by the Indian Legislature of legislation consequent on the enactment of the Indian Navy Bill, the amount derived from this source will be retained in a special suspense account; and whether the Government of India propose to devote the whole amount to the capital developments under the proposed reorganisation of the Indian Marine into an Indian Navy?

The available property of the late Royal Indian Marine Dockyard, Kidderpore, was sold to the Commissioners for the Port of Calcutta for Rs.48,31,978, payable in annual instalments. The amounts realised from the Port Commissioners are being credited to the lands and buildings sales account head "Suspense Deposit," and no final appropriation of funds from this source for any purpose will be made until the requirements of the Royal Indian Navy have been considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total cost of the Territorial Anti-aircraft Defences, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Signals in 1926, including the expenses of commands and staff, annual rental value of headquarters' premises, offices and drill halls, and the lighting, heating, repair and administration thereof; and what is the estimated saving for 1927 under the reduced establishments notified by the War Office under date of 25th March, 1927?

As regards the first part of the question, the estimated total cost of the Territorial Anti-Aircraft Defences in 1926 was £212,000. As regards the second part, establishments have not been reduced, but it has been decided to limit recruiting within the existing establishment. This limitation will, it is estimated, effect an actual saving of approximately £2,000 in 1927, and will avoid an ultimate increase of £50,000 a year in future years.

asked the President of the Board of Education the estimated anticipated number of pupils entering and leaving school during the present year for the public elementary and secondary schools, respectively?

I cannot give a reliable estimate of the numbers of pupils entering and leaving public elementary and secondary schools during the current year. My hon. Friend will, however, find some relevant information as regards elementary schools on pages 15 to 18 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates, 1926, a copy of which I am sending him; and I may add that the number of children who left elementary schools in 1925–26 was 710,058. As regards secondary schools on the grant list, the numbers of pupils entering and leaving during the course of the school year ended July last were 86,908 and 78,209, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give a comparative table of the age, or range of ages, at which compulsory education commences in Great Britain, the United States of America, France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, and any other countries that it may be thought desirable to include; and whether the Board has any medical Reports showing the relative susceptibility of very young children to infectious diseases?

In England and Wales attendance is obligatory from the age of five to the end of the term in which the age of 14 is reached; in France attendance is obligatory from six to 13; in Holland from seven to 13; in Italy and Belgium from six to 14; in Denmark, Sweden and Norway from seven to 14. In the United States, Germany and Switzerland there is some variety of practice as between one State or Canton and another. I will, however, send my hon. Friend such information as I have. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, but some interesting information on the subject of the incidence of infectious diseases in children of school age is given in the Chief Medical Officer's Reports for 1923 (Section V) and 1924 (Section VII), and, as regards London in particular, in the Annual Reports of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, that the age incidence varies according to the nature of the infection, but, generally, for the commoner infections the age period chiefly affected is three to five years of age. Fatality is greatest in the first year of life and declines progressively thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a non-service man is still retained as teacher of the boys' school and/or mess manager at the Royal Aircraft establishment, South Farnborough; whether he is substitutable; and whether en-service men are available to fill such posts?

I assume my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the case of Mr. Mackay. A strongly worded representation was received in 1924 from the local branch of the association of ex-service civil servants, protesting against the substitution of Mr. Mackay and it was then decided, after a review of the case in all its aspects, that no further steps to replace this gentleman should be taken. In reply to the last part, I fear I cannot commit myself as to whether and how this post would be filled should a vacancy arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that certain disabled overseas industrial gradings at the Royal Aircraft establishment, South Farnborough, have recently been discharged or degraded; that non-service men or non-disabled en-service men of the same gradings have been retained without reduction; and why the declared policy of the Government as to the order of discharge has not been pursued?

As regards the first two parts of the question, the facts are that one disabled overseas man, who has been employed at Farnborough for some years past and has until recently been paid as a fitter, has been regraded as a labourer. The reason for this step is that the man has never been properly trained as and is not capable of doing the work of a skilled fitter, and it was only from consideration for his disability that he was not reduced in grading some years ago. As regards the last part of the question, the terminating of the man's employment in a grade the duties of which he was not capable of performing and the offer to him of alternative employment on unskilled work which he is capable of performing are in accord with the declared policy of the Government to grant preference for employment to disabled men.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what authority is empowered to grant applications for the export of aircraft?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which was given by the Parliamentary Secretary, Board of Trade, to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 28th March and from which he will see that no export licence is required for aircraft, though it is for any armament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of the reduction in duty payable in respect of British goods entering each of the Dominions and Colonies which grant preferential rebates to Great Britain for the latest available year?

The amount of the rebate on preferential imports into Australia from the United Kingdom in the trade year ended June, 1925, was £7,975,000. The corresponding rebate on the imports into South Africa in the calendar year 1925 was £643,000, of which £155,000 was in respect of the last five months of the year, after the changes in the tariff took effect. Corresponding figures have not been published by the Canadian and New Zealand authorities, but my Department have estimated that the amount of the rebate in 1925 on preferential imports from the United Kingdom into Canada was approximately £2,500,000, and into New Zealand £2,850,000. I am unable to give estimates of the amount of the rebate on imports into other parts of the Empire which grant a preferential rebate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the present position is in regard to British-born women who by marriage became German subjects and had property rights or interests within Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles; whether he can ascertain from the British Ambassador in Germany particulars showing what percentage of such assets credited through the Clearing Office to the German Government has been in fact received by the claimants in question from the German Government; what income is being received by such women in this country from the administrator of German property out of the total income of which, but for the Treaty of Versailles, they would be in full enjoyment; whether it is the duty of the administrator of German property to answer questions by such British-born women who are German subjects by marriage about their property subject, to charge under the Peace Treaty; and whether there have been since 1923 any questions of policy bearing upon the subjects of the previous questions, and, if so, whether any decision has been come to?

It has been open to British-born women, who by marriage became German subjects, to make applications to Lord Blanesburgh's Committee under its terms of reference for recommendations for the release of their property, rights and interests in this country subject to the charge created pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, and, in fact, releases have been made and are still being made to such applicants on the recommendation of the Committee. Income that is not so released is the subject of a credit given by the Clearing Office in account with the German Government under Article 297 (h) of the Treaty, and on receipt of that credit, which is the equivalent of payment, the German Government is under an obligation to pay compensation to the German nationals concerned. I understand that the compensation hitherto paid by the German Government under its internal legislation relating to this matter represents only a small percentage of the amount of the sterling credit notified by the British Clearing Office. This, however, is a matter for which His Majesty's Government is in no way responsible, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by requesting His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin to make the inquiry suggested by my hon. and learned Friend. The figures of the releases made to British-born women are not kept separately from those of releases to other classes of applicant, and the extraction of the figures asked for would entail a very large amount of additional labour and considerable expense. The Administrator of German Property is prepared to answer any questions which come within his province relating to German property subject to the charge. As regards the last part of the question, I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy of the Special Report of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee (Cmd. 2046), where he will find set out the terms of reference which were approved by the Board of Trade in 1924. It has been decided that the scope of releases in the case of British-born women cannot be further extended, and that any income not released must be credited through as explained above.

asked the Prime Minister when the Government proposes to introduce a Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Insurance Companies Act?

I am not able at present to say when it will be possible to introduce a Bill for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary what, if any, action it is proposed to take in connection with the Report of the Departmental Committee on the treatment of young offenders?

The Report which has just been issued will receive my careful consideration, but it is too soon for me to make any statement.

asked the Home Secretary the makers and the country of origin of the chassis of the motor cars and motor prison vans that are at present in use by the police in the Metropolitan police area?

The chassis are of the following makes:

• Austin.
• Bean.
• Crossley.
• Jowett.
• Tilling-Stevens.

In each case the country of origin is Great Britain.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the coroner, at an inquest held at Hammersmith, to the effect that the time had come when legislation should be introduced to prohibit the purchase of large quantities of deadly poison, such as crude carbolic acid, from hawkers in the streets; and, in view of these remarks, will he consider the bringing of this and other poisonous disinfectants under the Poisons and Drugs Act?

If the hon. Member will refer to Schedule A of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, he will see that the retail sale of crude carbolic acid is already restricted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of certificates taken out by bookmakers or commission agents to the last convenient date?

The number of bookmakers' certificates issued up to the 31st March, 1927, was 12,833.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of rebates claimed, to the last convenient date, in respect to the Betting Duty, by persons holding bookmakers' certificates, either for betting taking place on a race-course or office betting?

The total amount of rebate paid up to 31st March last was approximately £36,000. No payment was made except to persons holding a bookmaker's certificate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated yield in 1926–7, allowing for the increased use of cheques, if 1d. cheques had been in circulation instead of 2d. cheques; what was the yield of 2d. cheques; and what is the estimate of the ultimate gain in a reduction of the currency notes if we return to the system of 1d. cheques?

The stamp duty on cheques was increased from ld. to 2d. in 1918. Since that date the revenue at the higher rate of tax apart from minor variations due to exceptional circumstances, has shown a steady increase. The net receipt was £2,890,400 in 1919 and £3,421,684 in 1925–26. It is not practicable to estimate what the yield would have been on the basis of 1d. stamp duty. With regard to the last part of the question, I observe that the Colwyn Committee considered that "the effect of the 2d. stamp is a good deal exaggerated" and that as regards the prospect of a reduction in the duty reducing the currency note circulation "we cannot believe that such a step would have any considerable bearing on the monetary position even if the result were a marked increase in the use of cheques."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what period the internal debt would be paid off by an accumulative sinking fund of £75,000,000 per annum?

The period cannot be determined unless the rate of interest at which the Sinking Fund will accumulate is specified. The hon. Member is himself quite capable of making the necessary assumptions and calculations. His question appears to imply the continuance of the present provision for the interest charge on the internal debt plus the full charge for interst and repayment of external debt plus £75,000,000 a year. On such a basis I do not see how the period required to repay the internal debt could well exceed 44 years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that arrears of pension are claimed to be due to ex-Warder John Williams, of 4, Albany Terrace, Hunny Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight, and to the widow of ex-Warder Silvester of 127, Hunny Hill, Isle of Silve, Wight, in respect of their re-established service not having been added to their former established service for the calculation of their pensions; whether, in view of the fact that the pensioners were officially recalled under The Superannuation Act, 1859, Section 11, he will state why their recalled and re-established period of service was not added to their former service and counted for pension purposes; whether the reason for rejecting the claim is that the officers were over 60 years of age when recalled; whether he is aware that, under the authority of the Treasury Minute dated 19th July, 1900, 11 persons were retained after the age of 65 and the additional period of service pensioned; and that five prison officers over 65 years of age in Ireland were retained and the extended service subsequently counted for pension under the Imperial Government?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. The officers in question were re-employed in a temporary capacity and Section 11 of the Superannuation Act, 1859, was not applicable to their case. The officers referred to in the last two parts of the question continued to serve in an established capacity up to the date of their retirement. As stated in my reply of 13th July, 1926, to the hon. Member for the Edge Hill Division of Liverpool (Mr. Hayes), I have carefully considered all the circumstances of these cases, but I regret to be unable to depart from the decision previously reached.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the number of species and the approximate amount of plumage illegally imported and confiscated by the customs authorities, under the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1921, during the period between 1st January and 31st March, 1927?

The following is a list of birds, the plumage of which was illegally imported and was confiscated by the customs authorities under the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition)

Name of Bird.	Approximate Amount.	Name of Bird.		Approximate Amount.
Bird of Paradise	8millinery mounts.	Owl	…	3 skins.
Budgerigar	2 skins.	Penguin	…	1 skin.
Cockatoo	1 feather fan.	Peacock	…	146 single feathers
Eagle	6 feathers.			11 fans.
Egret	14 millinery mounts.			5 millinery mounts.
	3wings.			1 mechanical made-up bird.
	93 single feathers.
Glossy Starling	2 millinery mounts.	Pelican	…	2 single feathers.
Hawk	2 wings.	Parrot	…	4wings.
Heron	2 millinery mounts.			1 tail.
Heron, white	2 skins.			56 single feathers.
Hummiug Bird	2 imitation singing birds.			1skin.
Ibis, scarlet	1 wing.	Stork	…	2 single feathers.
Jungle Cock	24 single feathers.	Teal, Baikal	…	400 single feathers.
Kingfisher	7 brooches, comprising small amount of plumage.

In addition to the above, 8 parcels containing plumage not identified, but within the prohibition, were seized.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason why gyroscopic compasses have been included under the provisions of the Key Industries Act when entirely British-made instruments are sold at a considerably lower figure than apparatus of foreign origin?

The Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, as amended and extended by the Finance Act, 1926, imposes a duty on all scientific instruments, and gyroscopic compasses are subject to duty as falling within that category.

asked the Minister of Health what is the attitude of his Department at the present time towards the grant of county borough powers in municipal boroughs adjoining the Metropolis?

My hon. Friend is aware that the creation of a county borough is a matter for Parliament. The submission to be made by the Minister of Health on any particular Bill depends on the circumstances of the particular case, and I could not make any general statement on such a subject.

asked the Minister of Health the total expenditure during 1926 in respect of each class of additional benefit under the National Health Insurance Act?

The total expenditure during 1926 in England and Wales in respect of each class of additional benefit under the National Health Insurance Act—other than additional benefits which take the form of increases of ordinary cash benefits—was approximately as follows:

	£
Dental treatment	1,146,700
Ophthalmic treatment	155,900
Treatment in hospitals	228,800
Treatment in convalescent homes	43,400
Surgical appliances	33,900
Provision of premises for convalescent homes	9,700
Provision of nurses	7,100
Repayment of contributions	12,800
Payments in want or distress	8,500

Note.—The amount of additional benefit paid by way of increases of ordinary cash benefits (Sickness, Disablement and Maternity) is not separately recorded.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain councils are supplying householders with a pamphlet on how to fight the mosquito menace; and will he consider instructing all health authorities to supply householders with similar literature?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on this subject on the 1st March. The attention of medical officers of health throughout the country has already been drawn to the pamphlet mentioned in that answer.

asked the Minister of Health what were the average prices of houses included in contracts let by local authorities during May, 1926, and January, 1927, respectively, excluding the cost of land and development?

The average prices of houses in contracts let by local authorities, excluding the cost of land and development were, in May, 1926, £436 in respect of non-parlour houses and £495 for parlour houses; the corresponding figures in January, 1927, were £427 and £492.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the City of Liverpool there are approximately 1,000 empty houses which cannot be regarded as being available to meet the existing housing shortage so long as they are allowed to remain for sale; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to secure that such houses may become available for letting, thus making a substantial contribution to meeting the pressing need for housing accommodation?

I am aware that there is always a certain number of unoccupied houses throughout the country which are held for sale, but I have no statistics as to their numbers, which, of course, are constantly fluctuating. I would point out that local authorities already have power to purchase or lease houses suitable for the working classes, and I do not consider that it would be practicable to promote further legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries regarding the report of the master of the workhouse at the recent meeting of the Tiverton Board of Guardians, in which it was stated that 11 casuals were detained from Friday night's admission and 44 were admitted on Saturday night, that owing to lack of room he had to refuse one man who applied for admission, and that 31 were accommodated on the floor of the casuals' day-room and various passages; what was the size of the room on the floor of which the casuals were accommodated; whether the man refused was entitled to accommodation in the workhouse, or, if it was full, to outdoor relief under the Merthyr Tydfil case; and whether he will make it known that the regulations as to detention do not apply if their application involves overcrowding, or, if they do apply, whether he will modify them;(2) whether the regulations as to detention of casuals in casual wards apply in cases where compliance with them would cause overcrowding; if not, will he make this known to boards of guardians; and, if they do not apply in such cases, will he modify them so that they shall not?

It is the fact that the number of casuals admitted to the Tiverton Workhouse on the night in question was abnormally high, and that mattresses and rugs Were provided for the excess number admitted on the floor of the corridor and the dayroom. The dayroom measures 25 feet by 12 feet. The accommodation at present provided by the guardians consists of 23 beds, and I am asking them to consider some further provision. As is indicated in the question, one man was provided with accommodation outside the institution, but I do not see in what way his position could be affected by the Merthyr Tydfil Judgment. The regulations as to detention apply in all cases, and it is the duty of the guardians' officers in a case of an unexpected influx of vagrants to make emergency arrangements for their accommodation or to provide for their relief outside the institution. I am not at present aware of grounds for a modification of the regulations in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health what number of children under the age of 16 were relived by the overseers during the last two years by relief in kind, or by orders for medical attendance or for the workhouses or casual ward; what were the names of the parishes, unions, and counties in which such relief was given; and will he give particulars of the cases?

This information is not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are now any casual wards in England or Wales where the guardians do not supply night clothing for both men and women; if so, will he state the names and counties of such unions; will he ascertain, in the unions which do supply night clothing, whether, after being used for one inmate, such night clothing is always washed before being given to another; and whether he has, since 17th February, 1925, arranged for evening visits to casual wards by a, woman medical inspector of the Ministry of Health?

In June, 1926, there were 22 such casual wards. I have every reason to believe that this number has been substantially reduced and in these circumstances I should prefer not to publish the names of the 22 wards. With regard to the second part of the question I would 'refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 7th instant, of which I am sending him a copy. The women inspectors of the Ministry (who hold a nursing but not a medical qualification) do inspect the casual wards and I will arrange for them to do so from time to time in the evening.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to inform the House of the personnel of the Special Commission to be sent to Ceylon to inquire into, and advise upon, the matter of the revision of the Constitution?

No appointment has yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the hours of labour of women and children employed on the plantations in the Federated Malay States is subject to any statutory limitation; and has he received any requests for legislation on the subject?

The hours of labour of women are subject to the general conditions of Section 67 of the Federated Malay States Labour Code which provides that no labourer shall be bound to work on more than six days a week or more than six consecutive hours or more than nine hours a day of actual labour, and that any labourer who works for longer hours shall receive overtime. Children are not eligible for employment under agreement and may not be employed on any form of labour except in accordance with the rules made under the Children Enactment, 1922, which make their employment subject to medical supervision. I have not received any representations for further legislation in this respect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the Newcastle-on-Tyne staff with the Promotion Board's choice of an officer for appointment to the post of assistant inspector in charge of boy messengers; that, in accordance with established procedure, the staff side submitted, among others, the name of Mr. G. H. Hodgson, who has held the rank of acting-assistant inspector for 25 years and has had considerable experience of the higher duty; and that their recommendations were disregarded, and an acting-head-postman appointed who has had almost no experience of the duty in question; whether he will state the reasons for the failure to appoint Mr. Hodgson; and whether he will have the whole matter re-examined?

Mr. Hodgson, who is an Acting-head-postman, was not on the acting list for substitution on assistant inspector's duties and, in accordance with the agreed promotion procedure, was therefore ineligible for consideration for promotion. I can find no reason for dissenting from the Promotion Board's choice of the officer who was promoted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give assurances that cherries from those districts abroad which are infected by the maggot of the cherry fruit fly will not be imported into this country this summer.

I understand that by arrangement with the French Ministry of Agriculture, the French cherry exporters are forming a national syndicate, the members of which bind themselves not to export to this country certain varieties of cherries which are known to be highly susceptible to the attacks of the cherry fruit fly. Consignments will be examined by officers of the syndicate to see that this regulation is complied with. Consignments will also be inspected by officers of the French Phytopathological Service, and no consignments will be allowed to enter this country from France unless it appears that such examination has not revealed the presence of the fly in any stage of its existence, and unless each package in the consignment bears the official label of the syndicate. A new Order under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts giving effect to this arrangement will be issued shortly.