asked the Minister of Labour the number of boys who have left school each year since 1921; the numbers of those who have found work; and the total number of boys who left school during that period and have never been employed?

Information in reply to the first part of the question is given below.Statistics as to the proportion of boys leaving school since 1921 who have found work is not available. Some information, however, bearing on the subject is contained in the Report of an Inquiry into the Personal Circumstances and Industrial History of a representative number of juveniles registered for employment in June and July, 1925. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.The following is the information regarding school leaving:The numbers of boys who are recorded as having left public elementary schools in England and Wales for employment, during each of the years ended 31st March, 1921–1926, inclusive, were as follow:

1921–1922	…	…	…	227,683
1922–1923	…	…	…	256,715
1923–1924	…	…	…	254,356
1924–1925	…	…	…	273,789
1925–1926	…	…	…	276,751

The numbers of boys who are recorded as having left secondary schools on the grant list in England and Wales, during or at the end of the school year (31st July), excluding those known to have entered other secondary schools and those whose parents removed from the district, were as follow:

1921–1922	…	…	…	33,019
1922–1923	…	…	…	35,754
1923–1924	…	…	…	35,839
1924–1925	…	…	…	34,920
1925–1926	…	…	…	34,217

As regards Scotland, it has not been possible in the time available to obtain figures regarding boys only: the following figures relate to boys and girls who

finally left grant-earning day schools in Scotland during each of the years ended 31st July, 1921–1926, inclusive:

1921–1922	…	…	…	91,383
1922–1923	…	…	…	91,933
1923–1924	…	…	…	93,549
1924–1925	…	…	…	91,937
1925–1926	…	…	…	88,497

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the numerous cases in which miners have been refused extended benefit on the ground that they are not making reasonable efforts to obtain employment; whether he is aware that in the majority of such cases it is a matter of common knowledge that at all the collieries in the neighbourhood large numbers of those normally employed in the colliery are out of work, and that to visit such collieries in search of work would be useless; and whether he will take steps to revise the Regulations as to the evidence required in such cases to prove that reasonable efforts have been made?

These disallowances of benefit are imposed in almost all cases on the recommendation of rota committees, who have knowledge of local circumstances such as those referred to in the question, and I know of no reason for supposing that such circumstances are not taken fully into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of wages paid per £1,000 of production, in the years 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively, in the following trades and industries: agriculture, mining, iron and steel, shipbuilding, brewing and distilling, cotton, woollen, lacemaking flour milling, and electrical appliances?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to give information of this character. At a later date, when it becomes possible to make comparisons of the census of production figures and the figures of wages paid to workpeople collected by the Ministry of Labour, it is hoped to publish information of this kind in respect of 1924. For the other years mentioned particulars are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of factories in this country manufacturing condensed whole milk and separated or skimmed milk powders; how many employés do they employ; and how many tons of condensed milk and how many tons of separated or skimmed milk powder are manufactured in this country annually?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, except as regards the, quantity of condensed milk produced in this country in the year 1924. This latter figure will be ascertained in due course from an examination of the census of production returns, and will be published, when available, in the series of census of production reports issued each week in the "Board of Trade Journal."

asked the Home Secretary the number of unfounded complaints of incivility on the part of individual officers of the Metropolitan Police Force received for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

To give figures would require a search through the records, which I do not feel justified in asking the police to undertake.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of persons convicted, fined, and imprisoned, respectively, under the Emergency Powers; and the number, if any, still in prison at any given recent date, showing males and females, respectively, in each instance?

The figures asked for in the first part of the question were given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Beckett) On 25th May. (OFFICIAL REPORT, Cols. 2009–10.)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been instituted by the Inland Revenue authorities against persons for carrying on the business of bookmakers without a licence in contravention of the Finance Act, 1926?

Up to 31st May, 139 persons were prosecuted for carrying on business as a bookmaker without having in force a proper certificate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to state the position of matters in reference to the indebtedness of Yugoslavia to this country; the amount of such debt; and whether any arrangement has yet

STATEMENT showing the Total Amounts of Customs and Excise Revenue derived from the Taxes on Silk and Artificial Silk during each of the Months from February to May, 1927, inclusive.
Month.		Silk (Imported).				Artificial Silk (Imported).
		Cocoons and Waste.	Raw.	Yarn.	Tissues.	Waste.	Singles Yarn and Straw.	Doubled or Twisted Thread.	Tissues.
1927.		£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
February		7,343	11,264	17,420	251,485	166	15,969	545	92,640
March	…	4,880	13,588	16,436	309,789	596	20,124	278	123,468
April	…	11,388	9,504	19,485	257,897	674	13,733	653	116,788
May	…	11,850	13,669	16,940	225,484	915	24,296	Deduct 22*	117,252

Month.		Articles made wholly or in part of Silk or Artificial Silk.	Total Customs Receipts.	Deduct Drawbacks.	Net Customs Revenue.	Net Excise Revenue from Artificial Silk Yarn and Waste.	Total.
1927.			£	£	£	£	£
February		108,134	504,966	52,182	452,784	67,207	519,991
March	…	152,150	641,309	72,464	568,845	64,316	633,161
April	…	114,450	544,572	48,268	496,304	91,894	588,198
May	…	111,005	521,389	87,767	433,622	68,212	501,834
* Excess of repayments.

The amounts of the debts of the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government to this country as on 31st March, 1927, are as follow:

	£
War Debt	29,492,000
Relief Debt	2,687,000
Debt for repatriation of Serbian nationals	187,000

No arrangements have yet been come to for the liquidation or funding of these debts, but I am informed that the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government are about to submit fresh proposals for a settlement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amounts of Customs and Excise revenue received by the Treasury from silk and artificial silk in February, March, April and May, 1927, under the various headings of these taxes, including the amount of drawbacks refunded in the same months?

The information requested by my hon. Friend is contained in the following table:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of women, higher clerical officers, executive officers, lower clerical officers, superintendents of typists, shorthand-typists, copying typists, and writing assistants, respectively, who have been granted marriage gratuities since 1920?

The following particulars are available as to the number of resignations with marriage gratuity among established women staffs in the financial years 1923–24 to 1925–26 inclusive:

Executive grades	…	5
Clerical grades	…	764
Writing assistants	…	320
Typists and shorthand-typists, etc	…	344
Total	…	1,433

The particulars as to executive and clerical grades include certain posts above the basic grades and cannot be divided in the mariner indicated in the question under reply. Figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many oak and beech trees of 100 years old and more have been cut in the New Forest since 1st January, 1926; what has been the total number of cubic feet sold; and the average price per cubic foot received for their sale?

15,856 oak and beech trees of 100 years old and more have been cut in the New Forest since 1st January, 1926; many of these trees were in a very unhealthy state following repeated defoliation by caterpillars; 206,584 cubic feet have been sold, and the average price per cubic foot received for their sale was for the oak 10d. and for the beech 4d.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any particulars regarding the strike of about Loa workmen employed in the public works department workshop, Royapuram, Madras, on 31st May?

My Noble Friend has not yet received any detailed information regarding this strike.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the position of the strike at Massey and Company's iron works, Royapuram, Madras; and whether there has been any extension of the strike to other allied industries?

According to a report received from the Government of India, about 600 workmen of Messrs. Massey and Company's engineering workshops struck work on the 25th May as a protest against the dismissal of 30 men. The management is said to have decided to close the works department indefinitely. I have no information in regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that an order, under Section 144 of the Criminal Proceedings Code, has been served on Dr. Moonjee by the District Magistrate, Surat, prohibiting him from addressing or attending any public meeting in Surat or within a radius of five miles; and whether he can state the reason of the issue of such an order?

I have seen this fact reported in the Press. I have no definite information as to the reason for the order, but have little doubt it was due to the apprehension that Dr. Moonje's speeches as President of the Hindu Mahasabha would exacerbate Hindu-Moslem relations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of men employed in the Chopwell Woods, County Durham, the number of hours worked per day, and the rate of wages paid per day or week?

I have been asked to reply. The number of men employed by the Forestry Commission in the Chopwell Woods is 10. The number of hours worked per day from Monday to Friday is nine, and on Saturday five. The rate of wages is 31s. per week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to do anything

Recommendation.	Action taken.
1. The attention of port inspectors should again be called to their powers to slaughter rejected horses.	This has been done.
2. The time has now arrived when the Ministry should insist on its full requirements as regards the fittings of vessels and that exemption should be for a definite period, and that the question of renewal should depend on the record of casualties, and on the number of vessels engaged in the traffic which fully comply with the Order of 1921.	This is being carried out where practicable when exemptions of particular vessels under review. Only small variations from standard are allowed and some of vessels have already been withdrawn from traffic on account of reduction in horse traffic and provision during the last three years of 15 new vessels which entirely comply with standard regulations.
3. Opportunity should be taken by Order of the Minister of making it an offence to carry horses on a vessel when there are reasonable grounds for supposing that rough weather will be encountered on the passage.	Effect will be given to this recommendation by the issue shortly of an order on lines of recent Transit of Animals Order regulating cross channel and coastwise trade in cattle.
4. Local Authorities at ports should be required to provide a suitable place at which rejected horses could be slaughtered.	In last six years only 12 horses were ordered to be slaughtered at ports as being unfit to be kept alive. Considered unreasonable therefore to require Local Authorities at all ports of shipment to provide special abattoirs for this purpose.
5. Efforts should again be made to get the Belgian and Dutch Governments to amend their regulations with respect to the importation of horse carcases.	Within the last few years efforts made without success to secure amendment of Belgian and Dutch regulations, and present time not considered opportune for making further representations.
6. Inquiries should be instigated by the Ministry into the trade in the export of horse flesh (dead), with particular reference to chilling of flesh and improvement of transport facilities.	The Ministry has made efforts to persuade shippers and shipping companies to improve conditions in carcase trade, but has no statutory control over it.
7. Port Inspectors should be under the direct control of the Chief Inspector.	This has been done.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average length of the manufacturing season at homegrown sugar-beet factories?

The length of the 1926–27 manufacturing season, taking an average of all factories in England and Wales, was 114 days; the average for the 1925–26 season was 87 days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the constitutional reforms in British Guiana will involve any legislation by the Parliament of the United Kingdom; and,

The following state ment shows the action taken on the seven recommendations of the Departmental Committee:if so, when the necessary legislation will be introduced?

The first part of the question will require careful consideration, and I am not at present prepared to express an opinion on the point. No action can be taken until the local commission which is about to be formed has reported upon the nature of the modifications required in the constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to make any further statement as to the reorganisation of the Amani Institute?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. H. T. Mills, late acting vice-consul at Monrovia, Liberia, submitted his claim for travelling expenses on the 14th February last; that the necessary vouchers were submitted by the 1st April; that payment of part of the expenses was not made until the 3rd May; whether he can give the reason for this delay and for the non-payment of the remainder of the travelling expenses; and whether, seeing that Mr. Mills submitted his claim for rent allowance on the 17th February, that vouchers in respect of this were submitted by the 4th March, that payment was not made until the 25th May, that he submitted his claim for high cost-of-living bonus on the 17th February, that payment of this claim has not yet been made, and that Mr. Mills informed the Foreign Office on the 5th May that he would shortly be leaving England and desired a settlement before his departure, he can facilitate the prompt settlement of this claim?

(1) Travelling expenses.—The facts are as stated. The reason for the delay was that one of the items in the claim was for Mrs. Mill's passage; no evidence was furnished to the effect that this had been paid for by Mr. Mills, and correspondence with him took place on the subject. As the result of this correspondence it was established that Mr. Mills had not in fact paid for Mrs. Mill's passage, and he was accordingly informed that payment for it- would not he made to him by the Foreign Office. This is the item to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers as remaining unpaid.(2) Rent allowance.—The delay in making this payment arose from the fact that Mr. Mills's claim included sums which he had expended, without obtaining the prior sanction of the Foreign Office or of his superintending officer, in excess of the amount which he had been authorised to expend. A special request had therefore to be made to the Treasury, and correspondence with the superintending officer was also necessary. Treasury sanction for the excess expenditure was obtained on 21st May, and payment was made on 25th May.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present position in regard to Pembroke naval dockyard; whether work of any kind is proceeding there; and how far the closing of this base entails the abandonment of the Milford Haven forts and other military establishments?

A considerable portion of the dockyard has been leased to a firm of shipbreakers who are carrying on operations there. The intention is that Pembroke dockyard is to be kept ready to be re-opened at short notice in the event of war. In view of the possible naval use of this port in time of war, the defences cannot be abandoned and are being reorganised.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to a new kind of glass, called vitaglass, through which the health-giving rays in daylight pass without hindrance; and whether, in view of the fact that ordinary glass entirely cuts off these rays, he will authorise the universal use of vitaglass for new windows and replacement in all schools?

I have nothing at present to add to the reply given by me on the 17th February last to the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. Briant), a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member.