asked the President of the Board of Education how many infants' schools or departments have been closed, or merged into, or combined with other (e.g., junior, senior, or mixed) schools or departments during the years 1924, 1925, and 1926, apart from complete

—	1924–25.	1925–26.	1926–27.
1. Number of infants' schools or departments closed, excluding complete closure of schools which comprised other departments as well as infants' departments.	14	19	18
2. Number of infants' schools or departments merged into or combined with other schools or departments.	127	80	79

Proposals for the closure of infants' schools or the amalgamation of infants' departments with other departments, are considered on their merits, regard being had, amongst other things, to the size, character and scope of the schools or departments affected. The Board's suggestions on the organisation of elementary schools are contained in Circular 1,350, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. As regards closure, I would refer him to the provisions of Section 19 (1) of the Education Act, 1921.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the Board of Education have obtained from their inspectors any general educational reports on types of schools, subjects of insruction, or educational experiments during recent years; have any such Reports been published; and, if so, what are their names and are they available for Members of Parliament?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Board's List of Official Publications, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of volumes in the library of the Board of Education; where is the library housed; is the library available for use closure of whole rural schools; have the Board any policy with regard to the closure of infants' departments and schools; and is there any number of children on the roll or in average attendance which is regarded by the Board as a standard number justifying the keeping open of small infants' departments and schools?

The particulars asked for in the first part of the question are as follow:by members and officials of local education authorities and by teachers; is there a catalogue; and, if so, is it available for Members of Parliament?

The Board's library contains upwards of 58,000 books and is housed in the offices of the Board of Education in King Charles Street, Whitehall. It is a reference library and is open to the general public. There is no printed catalogue, but an author-catalogue on cards is available for the use of visitors. For further details I would refer the hon. Member to Chapter XII of the Board's Annual Report for 1925–26.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the terms of reference to the Committee which is considering the planning of school buildings; and how is it constituted?

The terms of reference are as follow:

"To inquire and report as to the construction of school buildings with special reference to

(i) the use of new materials and methods of construction; and

(ii) the reduction of cost."

The following are the members of the Committee:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, since the building Regulations of the Board of Education were repealed, any guiding principles are available for local education authorities in the planning, modernisation, or remodelling of school buildings; have the Board in contemplation the issue of a statement of the principles of school planning upon which the Board proceed in criticising the plans submitted to them; and, if so, when it is proposed to issue such a statement?

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 5 (d) of Circular 1375, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board of Education are in a position to make a statement as to what has been done in the case of elementary schools reported upon as having unsatisfactory premises; what is the number of schools in the various categories which are now regarded as satisfactory; what is the number which have been closed; what is the date when these reports were first issued to the local education authorities or to the managers; and are there any eases in which the Board have made representations to the local education authorities or to the managers as to delay in meeting the Board's requirements?

As regards the first and last parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on the 24th March last. Generally speaking the programmes of local authorities show that the bulk of the provided schools will be dealt with by the end of the programme period in 1930; as regards voluntary schools, while the information as to the managers' intentions is less complete, substantial progress is being made. The Board are in constant communication with local authorities and managers in regard to individual cases, but, as I have previously pointed out, the rate at which the schools can be replaced must depend upon the particular circumstances of the individual areas concerned. In many cases the problem is affected by movements of population consequent upon housing developments, and it is important that replacement should be undertaken in connection with a considered scheme of reorganisation. Seventy schools have been closed or replaced, and in 126 others the defects have been removed; in addition, plans have already been approved for the reconstruction or replacement of 321 other schools. The lists were issued to urban authorities about January, 1925, and to county authorities about six months later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any decision has been arrived at by the Government of India in regard to the replies received from local governments on the subject of legislation for the settlement of trade disputes; and whether he can give any indication as to when such legislation is likely to be brought before the Indian legislature?

My Noble Friend has nothing to add to the reply given on the 4th April to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any requests have been received by the Government of India from representatives of any of the Indian States asking that, preceding the statutory inquiry into the Indian reforms, an inquiry, either by a committee or commission, should be made into the position of the Indian States with relation to the Government of India and the paramount Power?

As far as my Noble Friend is aware, no such requests have been received by the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any Departmental Inquiry or other inquiry is being made by the Government of India preliminary to the setting up of the Statutory Inquiry into the Indian Constitutional Reforms?

My Noble Friend thinks it is probable, though he has no definite information, that the Government of India are beginning to consider the collection and marshalling of some of the information the Commission is likely to require, but my Noble Friend is not aware of any other preliminary inquiry being in progress.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to give some indication as to the date on which it is proposed to publish the Indian Cotton Textile Tariff Board Inquiry; and whether the views of the Government of India in regard to all the Recommendations of the Board will be made public at the same time as the Report?

The Report will be published next Tuesday together with a Resolution of the Government of India stating their conclusions regarding the principal recommendations of the Board.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the president of the Indian Tariff Board is proceeding to England on leave; whether his visit to this country is connected in any way with official business; and who will act in his stead during his absence as president of the board?

Mr. Ginwalla, the president of the Indian Tariff Board, is at present in this country, but my Noble Friend has no further information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any representations have been received by the Government of India from the Women's Indian Association urging that legislation should be introduced to raise the age of consent for girls to 16 years and reform the law of inheritance concerning Hindu women, with a view to giving widows and daughters a share in the property of a deceased husband or father; and whether any legislation on these lines is con- templated by the Government of India, or whether it is proposed to take no action in this matter?

My Noble Friend has no definite knowledge that the suggestion made in the first part of the question is correct, but has no reason to doubt that the hon. Member is well informed. My Noble Friend is inquiring of the Government of India as to their intention in the matter of legislation on these lines, and will inform the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that, the League of Nations invited the Government of India to send five non-official delegates to the International Economic Conference, he will state the considerations the Government of India had in appointing only three delegates, one of whom was an official European and only two unofficial Indians; and whether any representations have been received by the Government of India with regard to the personnel of the delegation?

The reasons for appointing only three members for India were that the problems to be discussed were primarily European and that the expense of sending five members would not be justified by the extent of India's interest in the agenda. Many other Governments, including those of other parts of the British Empire, took the same view. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the resignation of five Sikh members of the Punjab Legislative Council as a protest against the continued detention of Guadwara, prisoners, even after the passing of the Guadwara Act, and in spite of the passing in the Legislative Council of a resolution urging their immediate release; and whether any proposal for the release of the prisoners is under consideration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, as far as my Noble Friend is aware, in the negative, if by release is meant unconditional release. The hon. Member is doubtless aware that a number of these prisoners have been released on agreeing to accept certain conditions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give information as to the extent of the cholera epidemic in Bombay Presidency; and whether the epidemic is still spreading?

The latest official figures of attacks and deaths from cholera in the four affected districts in the Bombay Presidency relate to the week ended 16th April, and are as follow:

		Attacks.	Deaths.
Belgaum District	…	1182	575*
Dharwar District	…	872†	401†
Bijapur District	…	743‡	256‡
Kanara District	…	21	21
* Including 541 attacks and 249 deaths.
† Including 666 attacks and 316 deaths.
‡ Including 194 attacks and 56 deaths.

which occurred previously but were reported during the week. According to Press reports, the totals in the four affected districts in the two following weeks were:

		Attacks.	Deaths.
Week ended 23rd April	…	1401	607
Week ended 30th April	…	1092	461

The latest official information received contains no figures, but indicates that the conditions continue to improve.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of males and females, respectively, insured under the National Health Insurance Act in Scotland at the end of 1926, and the increases as compared with 1925?

At the end of 1926 there were 1,144,000 males and 571,000 females insured in Scotland under the National Health Insurance Act. These figures represent an increase of 28,000 and a decrease of 1,000, respectively, on the corresponding figures for 1925.

asked the Home Secretary the number of males and females, respectively, insured under the National Health Insurance Acts in Northern Ireland at the end of 1926, and the increases as compared with the end of 1925?

I understand from the Government of Northern Ireland that the numbers at the end of 1925 were 194,300 and 139,700, respectively, and that it is anticipated that the figures for 1926 which are not yet available will not, show any material change.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any representations have been made to him as to the overcrowding and generally unsatisfactory conditions under which the staff of the Grimsby No. 2 district tax office are expected to carry out their duties; and what steps, if any, he is taking in this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; arrangements are being made to allocate to Grimsby No. 2 District part of the accommodation in the building that has recently been rendered available by the transfer of No. 1 District to other premises.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in some of the provincial cities, police officers on point duty wear white overalls; and can he say whether it is intended to introduce white overalls in the Metropolitan police service?

I am aware that in some provincial police forces constables on traffic duty wear white overalls, but as I am informed the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on 28th ultimo, I do not think that a case has been made out for their adoption in the Metropolitan Police Force.

asked the Home Secretary whether there have been any women police doctors appointed in the Metropolitan police area?

No women have been appointed to these posts.

asked the Home Secretary whether any two-seater taximeter cabs have been presented to his Department for licensing?

The position is still the same as stated in my reply of 26th May.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence by the Kenilworth magistrate of two months' imprisonment in the second division passed on Edward Erswell, aged 15, for breaking into a fog-man's hut and stealing detonators valued 8d.; whether he has received a petition signed by the townspeople of Leamington asking him to review all the circumstances of this sentence; and, in view of the age of Erswell, will he consider recommending his release?

As I stated in reply to a question yesterday, inquiries are being made into this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the operations of bogus agents who endeavour to engage girls as dancing partners, both in this country and abroad, on discreditable terms of contract calculated to lead to immorality; and whether he will cause the police to exercise vigilance in the matter?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been called to certain newspaper articles. If there was any reason to suppose that girls were being procured in this way for immoral purposes it would be the duty of the police to intervene, but I have at present no evidence whatever which would warrant such intervention.

asked the Home Secretary if he proposes to publish the evidence given before the Southborough Committee on the disinterested management of public-houses?

No, Sir, for the reasons given in máy answer to my hon. Friend the Member for North Cumberland (Mr. F. Graham) last Thursday.

asked the Home Secretary the number of boys under 18 recruited for the Army from industrial schools during the year 1926?

The number of boys under 18 recruited direct for the Army from industrial schools during the year 1926 was 71. During the same period 20 boys from industrial schools were placed in the Navy and one in the Royal Air Force.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet arrived at any decision regarding the question of a capital for Wales, having regard to the ever-increasing demand on the part of the population of Wales, Monmouthshire, and Shropshire for the selection of such a capital?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on the 6th May of last year, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary what evidence he has showing that the copy of the missing War Office document was made by means of the photostat on the premises of Arcos, Limited?

The evidence was sufficient to satisfy both myself and the magistrate who issued the warrant, but it would not be in the public interest to give any further details.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Serbian medals awarded in 1922 to the British troops which participated in the retreat of 1915 have been distributed and, if so, to how many men; and, if this is not the case, whether he can give the reason for the delay?

Of over 2,000 Serbian decorations and medals awarded to British troops, 1,600 have been distributed. The remainder have not yet been received from the Serbian authorities. I am unable to say how many of the decorations and medals actually distributed were awarded to British troops who participated in the retreat of 1915.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date will the British Legation in the Argentine be elevated to an Embassy?

The status of His Majesty's Legation at Buenos Aires will be raised to that of an Embassy on the 9th July.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any arrangements are being made, and, if so, what, to return to England time-expired engine-room artificers or others now serving on the China station?

No special measures are necessary, since it is the general practice to send home any ratings who are nearing the end of their engagements and do not wish to remain on the station to complete the commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of money it has cost the Government since 1918 up to the financial year ending March, 1927, for our commitment in Iraq and Palestine; and what it has cost the Government since March, 1927, up to the week ending 21st May?

I have been asked to take this question. Expenditure in Palestine and Iraq since the 1st April, 1921, has been included in the Middle Eastern Services Vote, full information as to which is in the possession of the House. I am unable to give any figures for the period prior to April, 1921. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies informed the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Short) on the 14th March last, it is not possible to calculate with any accuracy how much of the expenditure incurred can be said to be directly due to our commitments in the two countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of pre-War pensioners who are precluded from benefiting from the Pensions Increase Acts, 1920 and 1924, owing to the operation of the age limit and, being under the age of 60 years, are still receiving pensions on the pre-War scale; and the numbers in the various categories separately: Navy, Army, Civil Service, teachers and police?

In the absence of any knowledge of the extent to which the means limits would operate in these cases, it is impossible to say what is the number of pre-War pensioners who are precluded from benefiting under the Pensions Increase Acts owing to the operation of the age limit only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before proposing the change in the Finance Act, 1928, under which he proposes to cancel the existing arrangements whereby contributions made under covenant to chari- ties over periods of more than six years have been exempt from taxation, he will make careful inquiry to ascertain the views of charitable organisations and the effect which the new proposal will have upon their charitable work?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is one to which I have already given effect. My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary has received a deputation on the subject, and he and I will carefully examine the representations made upon the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many copies have been sold and distributed, respectively, of Command Paper 2833?

The number of copies sold and the number of copies distributed of Command Paper 2833 (Report of the Delegation Appointed to Study industrial Conditions in Canada and the United States of America) are as follow:

Number sold (approximately)	3,500
Number distributed to Parliament and to Public Departments, etc.	960

asked the Minister of Health whether any standard test of purity and quality is applied to the importations of condensed milk into this country, especially from Switzerland; and, if so, what it is and how is it carried out?

Samples of condensed milk are examined by the Government chemist and by public analysts to verify that it complies with the standard of composition laid down in the Public Health (Condensed Milk) Regulations, and is other wise free from adulteration. The tests applied are matters for the discretion of the officers concerned, no standard tests being prescribed. I am not aware that any special attention is given to imports from Switzerland.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the West Ham Poor Law Commissioners have cut away relief from 1,500 families during the last few months; that the families in question are suffering great hardships; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am aware that there has been a considerable reduction in the number of persons relieved in the West Ham Union. I am not aware that any real hardship has been caused by the action of the guardians, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of any specific case which he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the modern developments in the science and art of healing, he will cause to be appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into the operation of the Medical Acts of 1858, with a view to the alteration of the law, especially with reference to the powers and privileges of the General Medical Council?

No, Sir. I do not think that modern developments in therapeutics necessitate any revision of the powers and duties of the General Medical Council, and my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council shares my view.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his decision conveyed in his letter of the 5th May to the town council of the Borough of Kidderminster, when he declined to declare that council the authority within their own district under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, in view of the fact that it is unlikely that there is any property in the borough to which the Act can apply, and that it is undesirable that an administration already dealing with their own housing matters should ho joined with a county scheme in reality pertaining to districts outside the borough?

I have carefully considered, in consultation with the Worcestershire County Council, the application of the Kidderminster Town Council to be constituted the local authority for the purposes of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, to the exclusion of the county council; but I do not consider that any sufficient reason has been shown for granting this application, with the effect of excluding the borough from the cost of the scheme which the county council have caused to be prepared for the county as a whole.

(A) Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1919.
STATEMENT showing the average prices of houses included in contracts let, and approved estimates for the carrying out of direct labour schemes by local authorities in the County of Durham (including Associated County Boroughs) during the under-mentioned years.
Year					Houses included in contracts let by local authorities.		Houses included in direct labour schemes of local authorities.
					Non-Parlour.	Parlour.	Non-Parlour.	Parlour.
					£	£	£	£
1920	…	…	…	…	900	992	841	980
1921	…	…	…	…	742	880	709	776
1922	…	…	…	…	427	420	434	Nil.
1923	…	…	…	…	325	400	330	390
The above average prices exclude the cost of land, roads and sewers.

(B) Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924.
STATEMENT showing the average prices of houses included in contracts let, and approved estimates for the carrying out of direct labour schemes by local authorities in the County of Durham (including the Associated County Boroughs) during the under-mentioned years.
Year.				Houses included in contracts let by local authorities.		Houses included in direct labour schemes of local authorities.
				Non-Parlour,	Parlour.	Non-Parlour.	Parlour.
				£	£	£	£
1923 (5 months)	…	…	…	372	414	354	500
1924	…	…	…	386	424	401	462
1925	…	…	…	420	443	420	493
1926	…	…	…	409	451	418	470
1927 (4 months)	…	…	…	403	459	388	Nil.
The above average prices exclude the cost of land, roads and sewers.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that more than half the parents of this country withhold their children from vaccination, he will introduce legislation

(on 19th May) asked the Minister of Health what was the average cost of the erection of houses by the various local authorities in the County of Durham for the years 1920 to 1926, inclusive, by direct labour and by contract, respectively, for non-parlour and parlour houses?

The following statement gives the information promised.requiring the minority that believe in vaccination to make a statutory declaration of their belief in the operation in order to have the right to subject their children to this operation?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has issued any regulations dealing with the standardisation of vaccines and sera; and, if so, whether such regulations have been published for sale?

Draft Regulations under the Therapeutic Substances Act, 1925, were published and placed on sale last April. Substantive Regulations have now been made after consideration of representations from the trade and other interests concerned, and will come into operation on the 6th August next, except those relating to labelling which will not come into operation till 6th February, 1928. These Regulations will be laid before Parliament, and will be available immediately after the Whitsun Recess.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardships suffered by commercial travellers and others who have to make long waits at railway junctions at times of day when facilities for warmth and refreshment are not available, such as the early hours of Sunday morning; and whether he will initiate consultation between the railway companies and the commercial travellers' associations with a view to remedying this state of affairs?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with full particulars of any case in which he thinks that reasonable representations have not been met, I will consider whether there is any action that I can usefully take.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is in a position to state on behalf of the Government whether the Government have completed negotiations with the London County Council and decided what portion of the remaining 25 per cent, should be borne by London in connection with the Victoria Dock Road scheme?

The answer is in the negative. Discussions are proceeding, but must of necessity take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the mileage of rural roads which obtained a grant for the first time for maintenance during 1926–27 in England and Wales?

Under the scheme which was inaugurated last year for assisting the highway authorities of rural areas in the maintenance of selected unclassified roads, 35,859 miles of rural roads in England and Wales became eligible for the first time for maintenance grant. It is not possible to state the exact mileage of roads to which grants were actually made, as on some roads no maintenance expenditure was incurred during the year in question.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total amount collected from motor licences of all descrip tions for the year 1926–27?

The total amount collected in respect of licences for mechanically propelled road vehicles, horse drawn carriages and motor drivers, together with other miscellaneous receipts under the Roads Act, 1920, amounted in the year 1926–27 approximately to £21,810,000. The exact figures are not yet available. From the gross receipts certain deductions have to be made to meet the prior statutory charges set out in Section 3 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920, and the payment to the Exchequer under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1926.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the cause of accident to an aeroplane at Gaza, in Palestine, in which Flying-officer R. D. V. Howard and Wireless-operator A. E. Turvey were killed; and if it is proposed to hold an inquiry?

I have as yet no information as to the cause of the accident. A Court of Inquiry is being held.

asked the Prime Minister whether be will consider setting up a Royal Commission for the purpose of investigating the financial difficulties of the voluntary hospital system?

The financial position of the voluntary hospitals has already been exhaustively examined, and no useful purpose would be served by setting up a Royal Commission as suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.