asked the Finansial Secretary to the Treasury what grades in the Royal Dockyards and Admiralty establishments which are industrial classes are established; and whether it is the practice to establish men employed under trade conditions and with trade qualifications such as instrument makers and fitters?

In the industrial grades establishment is allowed not by grade, but for a limited number of workmen in each of the principal classes; men with trade qualifications such as those referred to in the question may be transferred from the hired to the established list in vacancies under Admiralty conditions; the established men continue to be employed under the same working conditions as hired men, but with the different relationship to the Department that establishment entails.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that certain permanent clerks in the dockyard are paid 50s. 5d. per week, while the temporary clerks doing the same work are paid 54s. 5d. per week, and that temporary clerks when placed on the permanent list are paid 50s. 5d.; and if he will inquire into the matter?

The position indicated in the first part of the question arises from the fact that there are two scales of pay in force at present, a revised system having been introduced in September last. The latter is more advantageous than the former in the earlier years of service, but less advantageous in later years. The question of allowing clerks on the old scale to transfer to the new scale is under consideration. No alteration is made in the scale of a temporary clerk when granted permanent non-pensionable status.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the names and ages, respectively, of the men selected for appointment to the technical clerical posts in the motor transport stores depot at Feltham; the technical qualifications possessed by the nominees; and the practical motor-trade experience, if any, of each nominee prior to his appointment as a temporary civilian clerk;(2) whether he is aware that his Department has in contemplation the appointment of approximately 20 temporary clerks at the motor transport stores depot at Feltham to permanent technical posts at that depot, without other than medical examination; and whether he will issue the necessary instructions to ensure that the recommendation contained in paragraph 45 of the Third Interim Report of the Lytton Committee (which recommends,

Twenty technical posts have been authorised at the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot, Feltham. These posts demand a knowledge of the engineering and motor trades, not ordinarily possessed by clerks recruited through the normal channels. Of the 20 posts in question, two have been filled by temporary technical clerks who were successful at the Southborough examination. In addition, 18 ex-service clerks employed at the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot, of whom 15 were actually covering technical posts, have been selected for appointment. The three other clerks possessed the requisite technical experience and were selected by the Selection Board out of all the clerks in the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot as being the most competent to discharge the duties of these posts. In all cases the names of the individuals concerned have been submitted to the Civil Service Commissioners for the issue of the necessary certificates of qualification. The procedure followed is not at variance with the recommendations of the Lytton and Southborough Reports. I would add that of the 20 men selected for appointment, 18 had, prior to the War, practical motor trade or engineering experience ranging from four to 20 years; 14 served in the Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) during the War, while all have been employed in a civilian capacity at the Mechanical Transport Stores Depot for six years or more. I am sending my hon. Friend a statement of the names and ages of the personnel in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Clause 43 of the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia gives natives the right to purchase land anywhere outside the reserves on the same terms as Europeans; that a proposal is now before the Rhodesian House of Assembly to set apart certain areas where natives alone can acquire ownership and certain other areas where Europeans alone can acquire it; whether any representations have been made to him on the subject; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I would refer the hon. Member in this connection to the despatch of the 22nd December, 1921, published in Cmd. 1573, from which it will be seen that in explaining the proposed new Constitution for Southern Rhodesia the then Secretary of State for the Colonies referred to the suggestion which had been made that specified districts should be set aside in which natives alone might acquire land, and stated that if full and impartial inquiry should show, after responsible government had come into force, that some amendment of the law is necessary, His Majesty's Government would be prepared to consider an amendment. In consequence of this suggestion, the Southern Rhodesian Government appointed a Commission in 1925 to inquire into the matter under the chairmanship of Sir Morris Carter, formerly Chief Justice of Tanganyika, Territory, and the Commission has reported in favour of the policy of setting aside areas in which the acquisition of land should be confined to Europeans and natives respectively. The Premier of Southern Rhodesia discussed the question with my right hon. Friend when he was in London last year, and he informed him that it could be understood that the broad lines of the Report of the Commission are in principle acceptable to His Majesty's Government, but that it would be necessary for His Majesty's Government to reserve the detailed consideration of the Report for a later stage.The matter was left as follows: The Southern Rhodesian Government would submit a resolution to the Legislative Assembly asking for their general approval of the Report, and if such approval was given, a detailed scheme would then be prepared by the Southern Rhodesian Government, and submitted to His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that French shells were fired from Chinese ships in the recent brief bombardment of the French concession at Shanghai; whether he is aware that Japanese shippers and merchants are alleged to be supplying Chang Tso-lin with arms; and whether, in view of the terms of the Arms Embargo Agreement of 1919, by which Britain, France, Japan and other nations undertook to stop their subjects from supplying China with munitions of war until a government acceptable to the whole of the country should be established, he has drawn the attention of the responsible authorities in the countries concerned to those breaches of the Agreement?

I have seen a report in the Press to the effect that the shells fired at Shanghai on the 22nd February last were Hotchkiss six-pounders, but I am not able to confirm this statement. I am aware that the various charges against the different Powers of affording assistance to rival Chinese leaders include an allegation that Chang Tso-lin is supplied with arms by Japanese interests, but I know of no evidence substantiating this report. It would, obviously, be improper for me to approach the French and Japanese Governments on the subject of such unconfirmed rumours.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the gold that has been exported to India during the last two years?

The Trade and Navigation returns of the United Kingdom show the following exports from the United Kingdom to British India of gold bullion and coin:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings are likely to result in the cost of the Board of Inland Revenue from the proposed simplification in the assessment of Income Tax and Super-tax?

I do not anticipate that any saving will be practicable. The new procedure is designed for the convenience of taxpayers and, if adopted, the economy it effects will be indirect. It will not lessen the burden on the Revenue machinery, and for the first few years may even slightly increase it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, seeing that this country has undertaken an advertising campaign on behalf of Dominion products, any reciprocal arrangement exists or is envisaged under which the Dominions on their part propose to under-take an advertising campaign in the Dominions in favour of manufactured articles from the United Kingdom?

The question of a reciprocal arrangement such as that mentioned is one for the consideration of the Government concerned: in each case so far, I have not heard that any such steps have been taken. I ought to add, however, that the expenditure on the Empire Marketing Board is itself in substitution for certain tariff preferences which it had originally been proposed to give in reciprocity for the preferences given to British trade in Dominion markets.

asked the Minister of Health whether the inquiry has now been completed with reference to the prevention of further burials taking place in the Tooting Parish Church graveyard; and, if so, what are the findings?

I have received the Report of this inquiry, and will furnish the hon. Member with a copy of the letter conveying my decision.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any statistics which show, the number of houses that were condemned for human habitation in England and Wales to the last convenient date; and if he can state the average number of persons occupying those houses and the average number of rooms contained in each house?

According to the annual reports of medical officers of health for the year 1925, the latest date for which information is available, 14,035 houses were reported in that year as unfit for human habitation in England and Wales. Statistics are not available giving the further information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that established vacancies for postmen in Bristol are being given almost entirely to ex-messengers in preference to ex-service men; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the agreement under which 50 per cent. of such posts are allotted to ex-service men is fulfilled?

I am having inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any efforts are being made to extend the telephone service to the capitals of any Continental countries in addition to those with which we are now in communication; and, if so, when will the further extended service in this regard be carried out?

Arrangements for extending the telephone service to several foreign countries are under consideration, but completion of these extensions depends largely on the Continental administrations concerned. I cannot, therefore, give even an approximate forecast of the time at which such services can be opened, but I can say it is probable that a direct Anglo-Swiss service will be open shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to make any progress with the Ouse Drainage Bill before Whitsuntide; and, if not, whether he expects to pass the Bill into law this Session?

My right hon. Friend is not yet able to say when the Second Reading of the Ouse Drainage Bill will be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any representations from angling clubs as to the increasing pollution of rivers; and whether he can give any information as to the steps that are being taken to deal with this matter?

Yes, Sir; arising out of such representations an influential deputation of authorities and organisations interested in the purity of rivers was received by the Lord President of the Council, on behalf of the Prime Minister, on 15th February last. The case submitted by the deputation is receiving most careful consideration by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and myself with a view to evolving some practical scheme for overcoming the many difficulties surrounding the problem.