asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to elaborate the table on pages 16 and 17 of the Financial Statement so as to show under each head the amount of customs duty expected to be received at the full rates and at the preferential rates, respectively?

The following table shows the approximate amounts of customs revenue received in 1926–27 at the full rates and the preferential rates of duty, respectively. A corresponding analysis of the Budget estimate for 1927–28 is not available:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons resident in Ireland who were assessed for Income Tax purposes as possessing incomes of £2,500 per annum and upwards for the financial years 1913–14 and 1920–21, respectively?

It is regretted that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to giving effect to the policy of restricting new entrants into the Civil Service for the remaining years of this Parliament, he will take the necessary steps to provide that appointments from the forthcoming women clerical officers open competition should be limited to the minimum number advertised to candidates; that no further women clerical officers open competitions should be held for several years, say five years; that wastage, etc., vacancies in clerical posts open to women during that period should be made good by promoting qualified writing assistants, typists, and other women with claims to such promotions; and that vacancies arising from the promotion of writing assistants and copying typists should he used to retain temporaries, averaging 10 years' service, who would otherwise he liable to discharge?

The Regulations for the competition referred to did not contain any reference to a minimum number of posts to be filled. As regards the rest of the question, the detailed arrangements for giving effect to the policy of restricting new entrants to the Civil Service are now under consideration, but it is not the view of His Majesty's Government that the complete suspension of open competition is either feasible, or desirable in the public interest.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what progress has been made with his investigation into the charges of Income Tax evasion made by Mr. J. V. Snaith, of Middles-brough; when the results of such investigations may be expected; and whether, in view of the financial sacrifices made by Mr. Snaith in giving this assistance to the Income Tax Department, some interim award can be made?

I cannot yet say when the inquiries into the case referred to will be concluded, nor whether, when the investigation is complete, it will be found that Mr. Snaith is entitled to any reward. in these circumstances, I am unable to authorise the Board of Inland Revenue to make any interim payment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that under the present Regulations sample packets of dutiable chemicals coming by post into this country, addressed to chemical merchants, are held up by the Customs authorities; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to traders and the small amount of duty involved, he will give instructions that such packets should be admitted without charge?

There is a general prohibition against the importation of dutiable articles by the letter and sample posts, such goods thus imported being liable to forfeiture. Bona fide trade samples of dutiable chemicals are, however, in practice admitted on payment of duty and a fine. I regret that it is not practicable to waive the prohibition in favour of chemicals and admit them free of any charge. I may add that there is no objection to the importation of dutiable chemicals by the parcel post, provided that the contents of the parcel are duly declared by the senders; and chemicals so imported are delivered on payment of duty.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any representations have been made to his Department for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date by local authorities relative to toll bridges in this country; if so, what are the names of those authorities; and Whether any action is contemplated by his Department in this connectīon?

Negotiations are in progress between my Department and several local authorities who are endeavouring to find means for the freeing of certain toll bridges—an aim which has my entire sympathy. I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose to furnish a list of all the local authorities interested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of schemes which the Electricity Commissioners have placed before the Board set up under the new Act; and how many of such schemes have been sanctioned by the Board?

I have been asked to reply. A scheme relating to Central Scotland has already been prepared by the Electricity Commissioners and transmitted to the Central Electricity Board for consideration. The preparation of a second scheme, namely, for Central England, is in an advanced stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received an application from the joint industrial council, representing manufacturers and operatives in the boot and shoe industry, asking him to consider bringing this industry within the scope of the Merchandise Marks Act, so that all imported boots and shoes, except those from the British Colonies, should be stamped "Of Foreign Manufacture"; and what action his Department proposes to take in the matter?

An application for the making of an Order under Section 2 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, has been made by the Joint Industrial Council in question, and is being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any estimate has been made of the extent to which the calculation that coal formed 80 per cent. of our export cargoes has been modified by recent changes?

The Board of Trade estimated that in 1913 exports of coal accounted for 80 per cent. of the weight of the total exports of goods the produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom. Corresponding estimates have not been made by the Board of Trade for recent years, but according to estimates made by the Liverpool Steam Ship Owners' Association, the corresponding proportions would be as follow:

asked the Secretary for Mines how many colliery companies are now using low-carbonisation plants; and how many companies are now taking steps preparatory to using such plants in future?

I have not heard of any colliery company using a low-temperature carbonisation plant; nor have I at present any information about the intention of any colliery company to use such a plant in the future.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the treatment of flour with chemical substances, he is considering the introduction of legislation to enforce a recommendation that flour should be in the product of the milling of wheat without the addition of any foreign substances; and, in view of the menace to the health of the nation, will he consider incorporating in any legislation introduced a Clause that will in future prohibit the making or kneading of bread by hand by the introduction and installation of mechanical mixers?

No, Sir. I am not proposing, at present, to introduce legislation of the nature suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what are the wages paid to chowkidars on the Bengal-Nagpur Railway?

I am informed that the pay of chowkidars varies from Rs.10 to Rs.14 or 15 a month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Tanganyika Government has received any inquiries from any of the societies in Germany which are propagating the settlement of her nationals in that territory; whether financial backing is afforded by such societies; and whether he has any statistics as to the number of Germans in that territory, their annual rate of entry, and their several occupations?

I have no information on the points raised in the first part of the question. The Governor of Tanganyika informed me in December last that, since the removal in June, 1925, of the restrictions upon the entry of German nationals into the territory, 646 British, 586 Germans and 214 other Europeans had entered the territory. He added that many of the Germans were merely visitors and had since left.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a resolution, signed on behalf of shopkeepers, the public and shop-workers, protesting against the suggested repeal of the Shops Act, 1920; whether he is aware that at the present time juvenile shop-workers can be employed up to 74 hours per week; and whether he will consider in any amending legislation the introduction of a Clause to alter the working hours of all workers in shops to 48 hours per week?

I have received a number of resolutions in favour of the continuance of the Act of 1920, though I cannot trace the one referred to by the hon. Member. The Act of 1912 fixes a maximum weekly limit of 74 hours including mealtimes for young persons under 18 employed in or about a shop. As to the last point, consideration of any proposals for amending legislation must, I think, be deferred until I have received the Report of the Departmental Committee, which is now inquiring into the question of the continuance of the Early Closing Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total number of sheep was belonging to the Erribol sheep stock, whether on the estate or wintering elsewhere, on the 14th October, 1926?

The total number of sheep included in the. Erribol stock on 14th October, 1926, was 4,229.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether negotiations were re-opened in August with the eventual purchaser of Erribol on the latter's initiative or on that of the Board of Agriculture?

The negotiations in August were re-opened by the Board of Agriculture acting on my instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons, both male and female, whose age exceeded 100 years, and whose death has been recorded, for the five years ended to the last convenient date?

The information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member with respect to deaths registered in Scotland is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any further statement to make on our relations with the United Soviet Socialist Republics?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has nothing at present to add to his previous statements.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women registered as unemployed from the artificial silk trade?

At 21st March, 1927, 1,490 insured men and 2,292 insured women in the silk and artificial silk trades in Great Britain were recorded as unemployed. I am unable to give separate figures for the artificial silk trade.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles registered as unemployed in London at the end of March, 1925, 1926 and 1927?

The following table shows the number of juveniles on the registers of Employment Exchanges and the Juvenile Employment Bureaux of Local Education Authorities in the area of Greater London at the dates given:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres under sugar cultivation in France and Great Britain, respectively, and the comparative financial assistance afforded by the Governments in each casa?

The area under sugar beet in France and Great Britain in 1926 was 513,000 acres and 129,000 acres respectively. The acreage figures for 1927 will not be available for some weeks, but it is estimated that the figure for Great Britain will exceed 200,000 acres. The financial assistance given to the British beet industry is laid down in the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, and, as regards sugar, amounts during the period of the highest rate of subsidy ending 30th September, 1928, to 19s. 6d. per cwt. on sugar exceeding 98 degrees polarisation. Excise duty amounting to 7s. 4⅔d. per cwt. is paid by the home manufacturer as compared with the Customs duty on foreign sugars of 11s. 8d. per cwt. So far as I am aware, no direct subsidy is enjoyed by the old-established sugar industry in France. I understand, however, that the French producer is protected by a Customs duty on foreign sugars which amounts at the current rate of exchange to 6s. 10d. per cwt. on sugar exceeding 98 per cent. Colonial and indigenous sugars do not pay this duty. I am informed that on all sugars in France of home, colonial and foreign origin an internal consumption tax of 10s. 3d. per cwt. is levied.