asked the Home Secretary whether the attention of the police has been drawn to the excessive speed at which motor omnibuses pass down Ranelagh Gardens, Barnes, and to the damage to the houses on that route caused thereby; and will he take steps to see that the legal speed limit is observed?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that he has received complaints, though not recently, of damage done to houses in Ranelagh Gardens, and of excessive speed in that thoroughfare. The police are constantly on the alert to deal with excessive speed and convictions are from time to time obtained.

Is it not true to say that if every driver drove as carefully as the drivers of the London omnibuses there would be a great diminution of accidents?

asked the Minister of Transport whether any changes have taken place in the membership of the Roads Advisory Committee during the past 12 months?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport how many meetings of the Roads Advisory Committee have been held during the past 12 months, and the number of members present at each meeting?

Two meetings have been held during the past 12 months, i.e., on 29th November, 1926, and 31st March, 1927. At the first of these meetings six members were present, and at the second eight.

May I take it from that answer that as a rule this Committee meets twice a year?

Oh, no, the hon. Member must not assume that; he must only assume that during the last 12 months they met twice.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the complaints of the prevalence of vitiated air in the tube railways of London; and if he will state what steps he is taking for the purpose of insuring adequate ventilation?

I have not received any recent complaint in regard to this matter, but if the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to let me know what particular section of the underground railways he has in mind I will communicate with the company.

Is it not one of the proudest boasts of the tube railways that the traveller has the privilege of breathing rich ozone?

Yes. I have seen it stated that the ozone in the tube railways is equal to a day at Southend.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Essex Police Force is under the requisite strength in view of the great increase of population which has taken place; that an additional volume of work is thrown on the police stationed in the area through which the new Southend road passes owing to the necessity of constables being on point duty at level crossings during the weekend; that an increase in the force was recommended by the Standing Joint Committee but refused by his Department; and will he take steps to see that the force is brought up to the requisite strength?

I am aware that in the Essex Constabulary, as in other forces, a number of vacancies are being maintained in the interests of economy, but it is not the case that I recently refused the Standing Joint Committee's request to increase the strength of the force. In fact I allowed them to add 10 men, and in so doing I took into consideration among other things the additional duties arising from the traffic on the new Southend road.

asked the Home Secretary why, in returning the last Commission Rogatoire to the examining magistrate at Boulogne, who is inquiring into the murder of Nurse May Daniels, an expressed wish accompanied it from the British authorities that it should not be published; and was there any special reason for this request?

The only request for non-publication related to the present whereabouts of a witness, which had been disclosed in confidence to the authorities here by that witness's representatives in order that the Commission Rogatoire might be executed as requested by the French authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on account of this request certain rumours are getting about that the British Government have something to hide, and will he try to dispose of these rumours, especially so far as the French public are concerned?

I am quits sure that if everybody knew the British Government as well as the hon. Member they would know that they have nothing to hide.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons are undergoing penal servitude at the present time, and the corresponding figure at an approximately similar date in 1917 and 1907, respectively?

1,473 persons are now undergoing penal servitude in this country. On 26th June, 1917, the number was 1,392 and on 26th March, 1907, it was 3,038.

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens have been allowed to enter this country during each of the last three years for the purpose of working as hotel employés?

Aliens are only allowed to enter this country for employment if in possession of permits granted by the Minister of Labour. The number admitted with such permits is shown in the published returns of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Questions as to the issue of such permits are for the Minister, but I understand from him that in the three and a-half years ending the 30th June, 1927, 620 permits in respect of hotel employés were granted and 167 refused, and that of the permits granted 286 were on condition that a British subject, normally employed in the hotel arid restaurant industry, secured a position abroad by way of exchange.

In the latter case, is the employment permanent in the case of the Briton who goes abroad in exchange for the foreigner who comes here, or is it a temporary job?

A rough balance is struck between the employment there and the employment here.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us where all the foreign waiters which one sees in restaurants come from, having regard to the fact that only 600 appear to have been admitted?

A great many of them are British subjects, born here of British parents. They are not under my care at all. I do not know where the others come from. I know that full returns of the number are kept, but I have not the same experience as my hon. Friend of restaurants.

Where permission is given to aliens to come here to act as waiters, is that permission valid only while they are acting as waiters, or does it become invalid if they leave the hotel and take other employment?

A very strict record and watch is kept of all men who come here under the permission of the Ministry of Labour, and, if they cease to fill the occupations for which they came here they have to return. This is to help the labour market.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, of the total estimated expenditure by the Board of Education and the local education authorities upon higher education, it is possible to separate the amounts spent on secondary education and technical education, respectively; and what was the total expenditure on secondary and technical education, respectively, during each of the five years ending 31st March, 1927?

I will circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Am I to understand that the figures asked for will be furnished separately?

No. Sir. There are some figures I can furnish separately, and some that I cannot.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities have submitted schemes of educational work as contemplated by the Education Act, 1918; have the Board adopted any general policy of approving or disapproving of such schemes; what was the date when the Board received the scheme drawn up by the London County Council; have the Board addressed any communication to the London County Council on that scheme; and what has been the nature of such communication or communications?

Ninety-nine local authorities submitted schemes. The details of these schemes were discussed with the authorities, but in view of the financial position existing at the time my predecessors in office did not feel justified in giving their statutory approval to the schemes which would make it obligatory upon the authorities to give effect to them. The scheme prepared by the London County Council was received by the Board on the 27th July, 1920, and it was subsequently intimated to the council that in the then existing circumstances the Board would have to defer the question of giving statutory approval to the scheme. The hon. Member is, I think, aware of the position in regard to the programmes submitted by local authorities under Circular 1358.

asked the President of the Board of Education if there is any standard of certification for mental deficiency governing the admission of children to schools for mental defectives; if so, what is the standard; have any instructions been issued to local education authorities by the Board on this subject; if so, what is the nature of such instructions; has there been during recent years any variation in the standards used by the school medical officers of the local education authorities or advice by the Board's medical officer; and have the Board issued any memoranda, or are there any reports available, which would inform local education authorities as to the Board's views and policy with regard to mentally defective children?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to Section 55 (1) of the Education Act, 1921, and, as regards the last part, to the Annual Reports of the Board's chief medical officer, particularly to Section VII of the Report for 1925. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 1359 of the 23rd April, 1925, together with the form of report referred to therein, which relates to the question of uniformity of examination. The Board have not made any alterations in the advice given by them to local authorities, nor are they aware that there has been any variation in the standards adopted by the authorities' medical officers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the Report of the county medical officer for the Yorks (North Riding) education authority, which states that at a large number of schools the playgrounds are in a bad state of repair, and in some cases are so small that the work is restricted and the children deprived of proper games and activity; and whether, in view of these facts, he will take such steps as are within his power as shall ensure that every elementary school shall have a playground fit for children to play in?

I have seen the report in question. I believe that the North Riding authority is fully alive to the importance of doing all they can to provide adequate playground accommodation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many schools where the Board of Education syllabus on physical training cannot be carried out because of the inadequacy of the playgrounds?

That also is in the report to which the hon. Member has referred. I was in the North Riding the other day, and I visited a good many of these small schools. If the hon. Member is acquainted with the condition of the small rural schools in the North Riding, he will appreciate the difficulty which the local authorities must be under. I am quite sure that they are doing all they can.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to arrange for the free distribution to all public libraries of a copy of the recent Report of the Committee dealing with that subject?

Public free libraries are authorised to obtain copies of Government publications from His Majesty's Stationery Office at one-half the published price, and I am afraid that I cannot undertake to make the further concession suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Are the public libraries aware that they can obtain the report at half the published price?

If they did not know it before, I think they will know it now.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inconvenience and annoyance suffered by the public through certain ditches in the country becoming silted up and overgrown, causing a breeding place for mosquitos and other insects, he will give instructions to all local authorities that owners of land containing such stagnant pools be compelled under the Public Health Act to have these places cleaned out and sprayed with an adequate insecticide?

I have no authority to give such instructions. Under Section 91 of the Public Health Act, 1875, any pool, ditch, etc., in such a state as to be a nuisance or injurious to health is to be deemed a nuisance liable to be, dealt with under the Act. The question whether any particular pool is a nuisance is one of fact to be determined by the Court in any proceedings instituted under the Section.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to draw the attention of local authorities to this particular section, as a good many of them are not aware of it?

I do not think that there is any necessity for that.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the imports of skimmed condensed milk in the first five months of the year were the approximate equivalent of 25¾ million gallons of liquid milk; and what measures he proposes to take for the more effective protection of the child population from this unsuitable form of food?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Lieut.-Colonl Howard-Bury) on the 23rd instant.

When does the right hon. Gentleman think he will be in a position to inform the House as to the measures he proposes to take to meet this need?

I think it will not be very long.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Eastbourne Local Authority initiated legal proceedings against a local firm of dairymen with respect to insanitary conditions in their dairies contrary to the provisions of the Milk and Dairies Order, and that subsequently the proceedings were withdrawn although the infringement of the Order was not denied; and whether he will take steps to see that the Order is strictly enforced?

I am aware of the facts stated in the question, but I understand that the summonses were withdrawn in consideration of the defendant paying the costs incurred and taking satisfactory steps (including a change of staff) to ensure that the Order would be complied with in future. While I have no jurisdiction to interfere with the action of the authority taken in a particular case, I may say that the course which was followed in this instance is one which is frequently adopted with advantage by local authorities, especially in the administration of new legal provisions.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the recent death of a man from a mosquito bite; and what action has been taken by his Department to diminish the number of mosquitoes in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 1st March to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Colonel Day).

asked the Minister of Health what is the present estimated annual requirement of new houses to meet the growth of population and the number required to replace closed and demolished houses; and if he has any figures as to the addition to the housing accommodation during the year ended 31st March last due to the conversion of existing houses into flats?

It is difficult to frame a reliable estimate of the annual need for new houses, but the present annual requirement in order to meet the growth of population has commonly been estimated at about 70,000 houses. Statistics are not available of the number of houses at present being closed or demolished, or with regard to the information desired by the hon. Member in the last part of his question.

May I ask upon what standard these estimates are based?

What standard?

Yes, the number of persons per house, space, and so on.

I think they are based on the figures in the census, and upon an assumed average of the number of persons per family.

May I ask whether the National Housing Town Planning Committee does not place the requirements at a much higher figure?

The hon. Member is probably confusing two estimates. The estimate to which he refers includes the number of houses required to replace those which are demolished.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that houses are being demolished in sufficient numbers for the purposes of the various slum clearance schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the Eighth Annual Report of the Scottish Board of Health, and, in particular, to Chapter 2, paragraph 16, as to the insanitary conditions in Glasgow slums; and if any action has been taken on this Report or, if not, if the Board of Health contemplate immediate action to deal with these conditions?

I am aware of the terms of the paragraph in question. As indicated therein, it is a quotation from the Report of the Commissioner appointed by the Scottish Board of Health to inquire into an improvement scheme submitted by the Corporation of Glasgow under Part II of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925. Details of the corporation's proposals for dealing with the areas to which the Commissioner's Report refers will be found in paragraph 15 of the Report. The improvement scheme has now been confirmed by the Board, and the local authority are in course of carrying out its provisions, which include the demolition and clearing away of the insanitary properties and the provision of new dwellings to re-house the dispossessed tenants.

Is there any reason to doubt the truth of the terrible statement made by the Commissioner?

No, Sir, there is no reason to doubt that the conditions are accurately described.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to approach the Corporation of the City of Glasgow, so that something shall be done?

I have explained that the Corporation of Glasgow are already dealing with this particular area, and I am taking every step to try to expedite housing in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to ensure suitable town-planning, including the provision of adequate sanitation, in rural areas adjoining large towns in which extensive building is taking place?

Town planning schemes are in course of preparation for the whole or parts of 127 rural districts, either by the rural district councils themselves or by neighbouring urban authorities, and I am encouraging other local authorities to take similar action, where needed, by promoting joint town planning committees of neighbouring authorities to consider the town planning needs of their areas. Provision for sanitation is usually made under the general law, apart from town planning schemes.

Does the Minister propose to extend the Housing and Town Planning Acts? Am I right in believing that the Housing and Town Planning Acts only apply to towns with populations of over 20,000?

Yes. I am not proposing to take any further steps.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the principles of town planning contradict the idea of reducing the size of houses advocated in his speech of yesterday?

No, Sir. I do not agree.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the necessities of town planning may require an adequate number of dwellings of the size necessary for the people concerned?

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows in receipt of pensions under the Act of 1925 in the port of Leith and the city of Edinburgh, respectively, and the average weekly amount paid to them?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that the information is not available as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Health if he can furnish an estimate of the probable reduction in total assessment for farmers which will result from the extension of the Agriculture Rates Act to farm buildings under the Bating and Valuation Act, 1925?

I am not in a position to add to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Broad) on the 26th April, 1926. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how far he has been able to make use of the grant allotted from the Empire Marketing Board for the marketing of British cereals to consider the special features of barley marketing in the interests of British producers?

No grant has been expressly made to my Department in regard to the marketing of British cereals, but the work now being undertaken by the Ministry, with the aid of the general grant of £40,000 a year, includes an investigation into the marketing of cereal crops. A report, embodying the general results of this investigation, will, I hope, be issued in the autumn. Due attention will be given in the report to the marketing of home-grown barley.

May I ask whether attention has been called to the difficulties of barley growers?

I have drawn the attention of those who are compiling this information to my hon. and gallant Friend's question, and I am sure that this aspect of the matter is not being neglected.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to get a report?

I am afraid I cannot give any approximate date without notice.

Without decrying in any way the attempt to establish Empire marketing on a sound basis, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it would not be as well to pay as much attention to British agriculture as to agriculture in the Dominions?

British agriculture is now getting a grant from the Empire Marketing Board, which is being devoted to an examination of, and a report upon, the conditions of marketing. We believe it is very necessary, if the farmer is to get the profits which now escape, that he should have the opportunity of organising marketing on an economic basis.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that British fruit can be sold as cheap as Empire fruit is at railway stations?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the terms on which financial assistance is given to the English Sugar-beet Corporation, Limited, require that a percentage of the corporation's contracts shall he placed in this country, he can say in which country the corporation has placed its contract for one million jute sugar bags for the year 1927?

There is no statutory provision which compels beet-sugar factory companies to obtain their requirements in this country, other than that laid down in the British (Subsidy) Act, 1925, which requires that not less than 75 per cent. of the plant and machinery installed in the factories shall be manufactured in Great Britain. I have, therefore, no power to intervene in the placing of contracts for jute bags. I am, however, informed that the English Beet-sugar Corporation has purchased 1,918,000 sugar and pulp bags for the coming manufacturing campaign on behalf of itself and the other factories in the Anglo-Dutch group. Of this number, I understand, that 1,218,000 bags were purchased from British firms and the balance from Dutch firms.

Arising out of the last sentence of the answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether those purchases from British firms relate to bags produced in this country or whether British firms are purchasing, or may purchase, these bags abroad?

I understand they are bags of British production. As a matter of fact, they are from ½d. to ld. dearer than the foreign bags, but, naturally, I am doing everything in my power to encourage these companies, where possible, to obtain all their requirements in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have been made to the Ministry from county councils for sanction to carry out schemes for small holdings under the Small Holdings Act of 1926, the total acreage of the schemes, and the estimated cost?

Eight proposals for the acquisition of land and its equipment and adaptation for small holdings have been submitted to the Ministry under Section 2 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926. The area involved is 774 acres and the estimated capital expenditure for purchase and equipment is £36,967.

In addition, 12 cases have been submitted under Sub-section (5) of Section 2, relating to the further equipment of land already acquired, the estimated cost of such further equipment being £7,563.

Have these applications all been passed?

I am not certain how many of the applications have actually been passed, but I take it they are undergoing the ordinary process of examination and that they will all be passed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that on 23rd June an unemployed man, in possession of a travelling card and a current national health card with 22 stamps, left Middlesbrough to travel by road to Catterick, where he had an assurance of work, but on arrival at Darlington he had to seek shelter for the night in the casual ward; that in the morning he was told he would be detained until the next day in accordance with the Regulations; that ultimately the man was allowed out from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to get his unemployment card stamped at the Exchange but was not allowed to sign for unemployment benefit on the ground that he was an inmate of the workhouse; and whether he will amend the Regulations so that the detention of a man in these circumstances shall not be required?

My attention has not previously been called to this case, but I will make inquiries.

Is it within the discretion of the board of guardians to allow a man who is genuinely seeking employment to go, without performing any task?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has any record of the amount of money paid to the Inland Revenue authorities for betting taxation on illegal betting; and, if so, the amount so received?

The information is not available.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman call the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the fact that last week a man who was fined £100 for illegal betting, said he had disclosed his books to the Treasury and that the Treasury had written asking for a further 4½d. due on illegal betting.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Board of Inland Revenue have declined to consider the payment of certain reclaims in respect of Income Tax, Schedule D, after their duly appointed officer, the inspector of taxes, had undertaken that the re-claimants should not be debarred from relief in respect of their original payments; and whether he will inquire into any cases of which particulars are furnished?

I will certainly make inquiry into any case of the kind which my hon. Friend brings to my notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts paid in Super-tax for the years 1923–24, 1924–25, and 1925–26, and the number of persons paying Super-tax in each of the three years, respectively?

The hon. Member will find the latest information on this subject in paragraphs 57, 61 and 62, Tables 64, 67 and 68, of the 69th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper 2783).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has instituted an inquiry regarding the possibility of substituting a tax on petrol for the present motor taxes; and, if so, what is the result of the inquiry?

The position remains generally as I indicated in the Budget Statement last year.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman promise in last year's Budget that he would favourably consider holding an inquiry and is he aware that each year sees more countries adopting the petrol tax, and that they have overcome in those countries the difficulties that permanent officials raise in order to prevent a change over from horse-power to petrol?

The difficulties that have prevented us from adopting it have not been difficulties raised by the permanent officials, who have shown extraordinary skill in avoiding those difficulties. The reasons we were governed by were those of general policy. The matter is still under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider sending out a Select or other Committee to go into the matter?

I really do not think a Committee could give any more information than we have at our disposal.

Has not the incidence of the horse-power tax materially contributed to the great improvement of the engine power of British cars?

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted petrol companies with regard to the possible collection of a petrol tax, and, if so, what are their views?

I do not think the difficulties are insuperable, but the matter must be most carefully considered.

Has not the horse-power tax cramped the design of cars and allowed the Americans to gain the Australian and Canadian markets?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if His Majesty's Government have entered into negotiations with the United States Treasury Department with a view to the abolition of double Income Tax; what form the negotiations took; and what is the present position?

An agreement has been reached, and is in force, with the United States for relief from double Income Tax on the profits from the business of shipping; but there have been no negotiations with that Government with a view to a general agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. In this connection I would invite my hon. and gallant Friend's attention to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Maryhill on 23rd June: I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there is any outstanding loan or debt owing to this country by the Government of Persia, either for money advanced or work done for or material supplied to the Government of Persia; and, if so, what is the amount of such loan or debt?

In April, 1925, His Majesty's Government agreed to reduce their claim in respect of various loans made to the Persian Government from over £4,500,000 to £2,000,000 and to accept repayment by means of 25 annuities of £180,000 each to begin in 1926–27. The Persian Government accepted this offer in March, 1926, and promised to submit it for ratification by the Persian Legislature. This has not yet been done, and accordingly representations were made to the Persian Government on 10th May last, urging that the agreement should be submitted for ratification without further delay.

Does that arrangement provide for interest as well as the reduction of the capital sum?

Yes, Sir. The annuities of £180,000 represent seven per cent. interest and two per cent. sinking fund.

How many years are the payments to run?

Twenty-five.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Persian Budget balances better than his, and that the state of the country is, proportionately, more prosperous than the state of this country under his Government?

If any opportunity occurs of discussing the matter with the representatives of the Persian Government, I shall not fail to bring to their notice the points mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of civil servants engaged in the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise Departments, respectively, on 1st April in each of the last three years.

With my Noble Friend's permission, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the reasons which have necessitated an increase in the number of officials and other persons employed in His Majesty's Customs of over 500 since 1924; and whether he anticipates any further increase in the near future?

The increase in the number of persons employed in the Customs and Excise Department since 1924 is attributable to the additional revenue and non-revenue work since imposed upon the Department by legislation. As regards the last part of the question, some further increase will be necessary, but it is anticipated that on the basis of existing volume of work the position will soon be stabilised.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government have repeatedly stated that no increases will be required in connection with the new duties and, in that case, how does he account for this state of affairs?

I have no doubt, where that statement applies, it will prove to be correct.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one hundred of these officials are housed in His Majesty's Mint, there is such an increase owing to the Safeguarding Duties?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inaugurate a uniform method throughout the service of the payment of the salaries of all officers established as the result of the Lytton and Southborough examinations; whether he can see his way to abolishing the present practice of paying such salaries at the monthly rate of eight per cent. to the nearest £1below; and whether he will consider the desirability of substituting payment at the rate of one-twelfth of the annual salary each month?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to an identical question put by him on the 26th May last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of temporary staff employed in the headquarters offices and outports of his Department, respectively, in each of the following grades: Grade 1 shorthand-typists, Grade 2 shorthand-typists, Grade 1 copying-typists, and Grade 2 copying-typists; and the average length of service of the shorthand-typists and copying-typists concerned?

The figures so far as concerned the Admiralty are as follow:

			Average Service:
		No.	Years.	Months.
Shorthand-typists:
Grade I.	…	23	6	5
Grade II.	…	2	4	4
Typists:
Grade I.	…	55	7	0
Grade II.	…	1	2	0

There are also two Grade III. typists, average service two years. The supply of similar information in regard to the out-port staff would necessitate considerable enquiry, and therefore, unless the hon. Member thinks this information of such

Were the machines they use made in Britain or America?

May I consult with the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of temporary staff employed as Grade 1 shorthand-typists, Grade 2 shorthand-typists, Grade 1 copying-typists, and Grade 2 copying-typists, respectively, in each of the following departments of the Board of Trade: Establishment Department; Census of Production Office; Solicitor's Department; Industrial Property Department, including Patent Office; Manchester Trade Marks Office; Companies Department; Department of Overseas Trade; and Mines Department?

The answer has been prepared in tabular form. Perhaps the hon. Member will, accordingly, allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, if any, economies have been made in the administration of the Civil Service since the Budget statement, whether by reduction of recruiting or otherwise?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Nottingham Central (Mr. Bennett) on 22nd June.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the attention of the Civil Service Commission has been drawn to the fact that two officers employed in the Post Office Savings Bank, Messrs. F. L. Mynett and A. E. Ellis, who were refused establishment in the clerical class on medical grounds in 1919, have continued to render effective service ever since, and that they have now been selected for permanent posts in the P-class; and whether, in view of these facts, he will direct that the original refusal of establishment, on medical grounds shall be re-opened?

Mr. F. L. Mynett and Mr. A. C. Ellis were rejected on medical grounds in November, 1921, and April, 1923, respectively, and their cases were again considered in February, 1927, by the Civil Service Commissioners, who saw no grounds for re-opening them for further medical examination. The Commissioners cannot regard these officers as eligible for appointment to pensionable posts, and I am not prepared to interfere with their independent discretion in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the proportion and value of British contracts for meat for the Army, Navy and Air Force which are given to foreigners in spite of the Government's general policy of preference for British goods?

The total meat purchases for the Army, Navy and Air Force for the last three years, including tinned meat, amounted to approximately £3,000,000. Purchases of foreign meat (mainly tinned) amounted to £106,000, or less than 4 per cent. These figures do not include home stations at which requirements are less than 100 lbs. a day, or certain foreign stations where contracts are made locally.

From which foreign country does the bulk of this foreign meat come?

I could not say without notice, but I think the Argentine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Empire Marketing Board to induce the authorities concerned to carry out the Board's precept of Buy British Goods in respect of meat purchases for the Army, Navy and Air Force; and whether the Board will consider making a grant or taking other means to ensure a ration of at least two days of British home-grown meat in each week?

The Empire Marketing Board has been in frequent consultation with the Departments concerned, and as my hon. Friend is aware from the answer given to him on 20th June by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the general contract policy of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain to give substantial preference to Empire over foreign goods is applied to meat purchases for the fighting forces. I do not think the proposal suggested in the last part of the question is likely to commend itself to the Empire Marketing Board.

How many meat contracts are now given to British home producers as a result of the hon. Gentleman's representations?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all the potatoes, other vegetables, and fruit served to the troops are grown in this country; and, if not, whether he can estimate what proportion of them is home-grown?

Of potatoes and other vegetables served to the troops, by far the greater quantity, with the exception of onions, which are mainly imported from Spain and Egypt, is grown in this country. In addition, every endeavour is made to encourage local production by the obtaining of supplies direct from farmers or local markets in the vicinity of military stations. As regards vegetables generally, small quantities of new potatoes are obtained from Spain, St. Malo and Jersey, and of tomatoes, for cooking purposes, from Spain and Teneriffe at periods of the year when home-grown supplies are not available. With regard to fruits, the supply, in the main, is limited to apples, oranges and bananas. Of apples, a large proportion of those supplies is grown in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, while a certain quantity is imported from America, English apples being supplied when available. As regards bananas and oranges, the farmer are mainly supplied from Jamaica, a small proportion being obtained from the Canary Islands, while the bulk of the supply of oranges is obtained from Spain, with a small proportion from South Africa.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all the potatoes, other vegetables, and fruit served to the men in His Majesty's ships and dockyards are grown in this country; and, if not, whether he can estimate what proportion of them is homegrown?

Although the great majority of such supplies are British grown, it is not possible to estimate what proportion of the vegetables and fruit consumed in His Majesty's ships and naval establishments is home-grown.

Are steps taken to encourage those in authority in these several centres to buy British home goods where even they can?

Yes, whenever it is possible British home-grown goods are obtained.

Why should what is possible for the War Office, which has given a most picturesque answer, be impossible for the Admiralty?

I have no doubt I could give as picturesque an answer as that given by my right hon. Friend, but one picturesque answer is good enough for one day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware how the present index cost-of-living figure affects the Services; and if he will consider the alteration of this figure as far as it affects the Army?

The rates of pay, half-pay and retired pay for officers sanctioned in 1919 were settled in relation to the cost-of-living index figures published by the Ministry of Labour. The periodical review to which these rates are subject is, therefore, necessarily based on those figures, as explained on pages 228 and 282 of the current Army Estimates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the last review of the cost-of-living index figure took place, and whether the Minister of Labour consulted his Department as far as it affected the Services?

No, Sir; I do not think a review has taken place, because the contract was based on the figures then in existence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister of Labour stated in this House only a few days ago that he did review this figure, and consulted the Trades Union Congress with reference to the alteration of the figure; and was the War Office considered in this matter?

I am afraid it is not material, because the contract was based upon certain figures, and the successors of those figures still govern the contract.

Could my right hon. Friend explain to the House the relationship between the cost-of-living of a working man and that of an officer?

I am afraid not at Question Time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware how the present index cost of-living figure affects the Services; and if he will consider the alteration of this figure so far as it affects the Navy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Minister of Labour on 22nd June to the Noble Member for Shrewsbury (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 1856–7).

Have the Admiralty had any opportunity in the last six months of making representations to the Minister of Labour on this matter as far as it affects the pay of the naval forces?

The Admiralty are perfectly well aware of the difficulty in this matter. The answer that the Secretary of State for War gave just now equally applies to the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can report any progress with the proposal to provide cheaper credits for farmers and other agriculturists; what are the present obstacles to the introduction of the necessary legislation; and whether part of the proposed credits will be made available for the deep-sea fisheries of the country?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to agricultural credit. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on the 16th May last to the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply to which he has referred me does not deal at all with deep-sea fisheries; and will he also be kind enough to answer the second part of the question?

I find on reference to the reply that it did not specifically deal with deep-sea fisheries but obviously a form of agricultural credit to be advanced on land mortgage could not be suitable for the fishing industry, where the security would only be the boats and gear.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question?

I have explained that matter thoroughly in the answer to which I have referred the hon. Member. We are negotiating, but I am doubtful if it would be helpful to discuss the details of the difficulties in Parliament at this stage.

May I ask whether the Press agitation decrying the condition of British agriculture is crippling the Government's effort to provide credit for this industry?

I am getting a good many representations that, owing to the decrying of agricultural credit, merchants are pressing farmers to pay off their debts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when he will be able to answer the first part of this question?

I have said in answer to at least three questions in the last week that we are doing all we can to find a, solution, and when I have anything to announce I shall announce it.

Is there any possibility of its being announced this Session?

I really have nothing to add to what I have said.

With regard to the right hon. Gentleman's answer about the Press agitation, does he not think that agriculture has been helped by previous agitations, and why does he ride off by blaming the newspapers?