asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the number of Grades 1 and 2 shorthand typists, and Grades 1 and 2 copying typists, respectively, employed by his Department; and what is the average length of service of those concerned?

The numbers are as follow:

Shorthand Typists, Grade I	…	1
Shorthand Typists, Grade II	…	1
Copying Typists, Grade I	…	5
Copying Typists, Grade II	…	2

The average length of service of those concerned is two years and nine months.(Note.—Only the temporary typing staff is classified in grades, not the established staff.)

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the number of Grades 1 and 2 shorthand-typist and Grades 1 and 2 copying typists, respectively, employed by his Department; and what is the average length of service of those concerned?

The numbers of temporary shorthand typists and temporary typists employed in the office of Works are as follow:

Grade I.—Shorthand Typists	…	15
Grade II.—Shorthand Typists	…	9
Grade I.—Typists	…	5
Grade II.—Typists	…	6
Grade III.—Typists	…	1

Of these, eight have served for less than one year, eight from one to three years, seven from three to five years, and 13 upwards of five years. The average length of service of all members of these classes is four years three months.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Board of Customs and Excise have issued an instruction asking collectors and heads of departments to recommend a certain number of departmental clerks for promotion to the officers' grade; that an age limit of 30 has been imposed, and that this rules out all Lytton and Southborough entrants; and whether he will be prepared to arrange for a scheme whereby Lytton and Southborough entrants can be allowed to deduct from their present age their years of Army service?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to an almost identical question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Bromley Division (Lieut.-Colonel James) on the 23rd June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total cost to the Exchequer, by way of subsidy and remission of Excise Duty, in respect of the last financial year, in connection with the manufacture of sugar from homegrown beet?

I have been asked to reply. The expenditure during the financial year ended 31st March, 1927, in respect of subsidy on home-grown beet sugar and molasses was £3,225,858. Of this amount, approximately £1,004,300 was returned to the State in the form of Excise Duty. There has been no remission of Excise Duty since the passing of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the clearances for home consumption, since 1st April, of foreign refined sugar, British refined sugar, and home-grown sugar, respectively?

The quantities cleared during the two months April and May, 1927, were:

	Cwts.
Imported refined sugar	2,029,000
British refined sugar	2,744,000
Sugar manufactured from home-grown beet	295,000

asked the Postmaster-General who is responsible for disinfecting and cleaning of public telephone boxes situated inside shops or upon private premises?

The call office attendant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the starting of national contributory pensions, he is prepared to continue accepting new business under the Post Office insurance scheme?

The matter is under the consideration of the Government, and I am unable at present to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of uninsured persons now in the two months' file; and whether there has been any recent investigation into a proportion of the men on this file with a view to determining how many of these persons are working in uninsured occupations, how many are receiving help from the guardians, and how many have died?

The two months' file consists of unemployment books, and therefore relates exclusively to persons who were insured when information was last available with regard to them. There has been no special investigation of the file, but among others the books of all persons known to be at work or to be deceased would be excluded from it under the ordinary procedure.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the improvement which has been observed in the condition of goitrous and mentally-backward children in Cumberland as a result of the iodised tablets given to them in the schools during the past 12 months; and whether he will circulate particulars of this method of iodine therapy?

I am aware of the observations which are being made in Cumberland and elsewhere in the iodine treatment of goitre and other conditions of school children. The matter is dealt with in the Chief Medical Officer's Reports for 1924 and 1925 and will, I understand, be the subject of further reference in his next report. Any action on my part would, I think, at the present stage be premature.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Order A.F.O. 3277, 20th November, 1925, is still in force, or whether any departure has been made from the terms of the order and, if so, by whose authority was the departure made; and whether any notice was given of any proposed alterations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The remainder does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the present system of transport of invalids from foreign stations affords continuity of treatment on the passage home to sick naval ratings?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a decision has been arrived at as to the introduction of waterproof covers for hammocks for men travelling?

It has been decided not to incur the expense of introducing waterproof covers, but an Admiralty Fleet Order is about to be issued on the subject of the protection of the hammocks and bedding of men travelling.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on entering the service candidates are required to produce their birth certificate and that this birth certificate is retained by the Admiralty; and whether he will authorise the return of all birth certificates after the necessary information has been obtained and registered?

The statement in the first part of the question is correct, but the birth certificate is always returned if the candidate asks for it.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the lack of accommodation at the recreation grounds at Imber Court, which is used by playing and non-playing officers of the Metropolitan Police Athletic Association, he will consider the appointment of a Departmental Committee for the purpose of considering and recommending ways and means of providing the special amenities needed?

I do not think this is a question for inquiry by a Departmental Committee.