asked the Secretary for Mines what is the average price per ton of coal export and at home, respectively, before the subsidy and at the present day?

The average declared value per ton f.o.b. of coal exported was 20s. 1d. in July, 1925, and 18s. 4d. in May, 1927. I regret that figures of the average price of coal sold at home are not separately recorded, and those of the average price of all coal during the first quarter of this year are not yet fully available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give figures showing the reduction in consumption of coal per head of the population in the chief industrial countries since the year 1908?

The hon. Member will find in Table A of Appendix No. 1 of Volume 3 of the. Report of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry (1925) the figures for this country, and in Appendix No. 18 (pages 161–173) such figures as are available for Belgium, France, Germany and the United States of America.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give figures showing, since the year 1908, the increased production of coal in countries which formerly bought, on balance, a large quantity of coal from this country?

The following are the particulars asked for:

asked the Postmaster-General what steps his Department are taking for the purpose of developing the telephone system of Great Britain?

As far as it is possible to reply within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, it may be said that with the purpose of developing the telephone system of this country the Post Office is making continuous efforts to maintain and raise the quality of the service by improved engineering, technique and operating methods, to provide adequate margins of equipment and other plant in order to meet future growth, and to increase the number of subscribers by personal canvassing and other means.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will again consider the mail which comes to Ardrishaig, proceeding on to Tarbert, Loch Fyne, so that letters for Tarbert may be received in time to be answered by the afternoon post?

I regret that in existing circumstances the desired improvement could only be given at an unjustifiable expense. The question will be borne in mind in case any opportunity should present itself of effecting the change with less expense.

asked the Postmaster-General why the post of telephone operator in the town of Tarbert, Loch Fyne, which was advertised as vacant in February last, was given to a female operator, notwithstanding that it had been stated in the notice that preference would be given to ex-service men, when as a result of such intended preference some possible applicants refrained from applying, and of the 10 ex-service men who did apply only two or three were interviewed and considered?

The post in question is one for a telephone caretaker-operator, who is required to

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the

asked the Minister of Transport the total expenditure on the maintenance of roads during the year 1926, distinguishing between first-class, second-class, and unclassified roads, and between funds provided by the Exchequer and by the rates?

Information regarding the actual expenditure of highway authorities on the maintenance of roads during the year 1926 is not available, but I have had a statement prepared on the lines of my hon. and gallant Friend's question giving the estimated expenditure during the year 1926–27 by highway authorities in England and Wales and Scotland upon the maintenance (as distinguished from major improvements), of Class I, Class II and scheduled unclassified roads, and of the grants made to meet such expenditure.

On the 31st March, 1927, there were 3,981 teachers receiving superannuation or disablement allowances under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts, 1908 and 1912. and the average amount of these allowances, excluding annuities, was £37 10s. The present number of teacher pensioners receiving no increase of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920–24, is 902, and the average amount of pension received by them under the Acts of 1898 and 1912 is £39 4s.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the position of the agricultural industry of this country, he will consider the appointment of a commission of inquiry?

I should be very glad to appoint a Committee for the purpose suggested if I thought that any useful result could be anticipated. It has to be remembered, however, that several inquiries have been held during the past few years, of which I may instance the Agricultural Tribunal, the Linlithgow Committee and the recent Report on the Agricultural Output of England and Wales in 1925. The Reports provide a considerable body of information in regard to agriculture, and I doubt if a further inquiry would materially add to our present knowledge, or lead to suggestions which would place the Government in a better position to consider the problem than they are at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the picture of the holding down of the Speaker in his chair has been removed from its place; whether it has been relegated to a Committee Room; and whether, in view of the empty spaces still remaining on the walls of St. Stephen's Hall, room can be found for the new pictures without removing this one?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I gave to a question on the 7th March last, when the House was informed of the intention to remove the pictures from St. Stephen's Hall. The whole of the eight panels are now occupied by the new paintings.