asked the President of the Board of Trade the total export of British goods during the first six months of this year and 1925, respectively, of a kind on which Customs duties were imposed during the years 1925 and 1926?

It is not possible to give complete figures of the exports of goods on which import duties were imposed in 1925 and 1926, since the duties are chargeable, in some cases, only on parts of the groups into which exports are classified. The identifiable exports of such goods, however, amounted, in the first half of 1925 to approximately £14,000,000, and in the first half of 1927 to approximately £15,000,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports and exports of key industries goods during the first six months of the present year, and, for comparison, during the corresponding periods of 1925 and 1926?

My hon. Friend may remember that I stated in the House on 31st May that I would consider what further particulars could be published with respect to key industry goods. It is not possible to give complete information as to imports and exports of these goods, but it has now been arranged that particulars of the imports from foreign countries of goods on which key industry duties have been paid shall be published quarterly in the Accounts of Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom. The July issue of these Accounts will contain particulars for the first two quarters of the current year. As key industry duties are not leviable on goods produced in and imported from the British Empire, the figures to be published will not cover such imports.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience, damage, and loss caused to the wine trade through clearance from bonded warehouses being restricted for as long a period as three months; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation reducing the maximum period of restriction from three months to one month?

I expressed regret in my Budget Statement that it had been necessary to cause inconvenience to the wine trade by imposing restrictions on clearances so early as the 1st February. But, as I pointed out, the rate of clearance at that date had become so abnormal that unless immediate action had been taken the revenue for this year would have suffered. I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no intention of imposing restrictions on clearances for a longer period than is essential in the interests of the Revenue, but I could not agree to limit the existing powers of the Treasury in the manner suggested.

Is it not a fact that the greatest interest of this country is a greater output in industry, and that the more you release the wine trade the more production naturally goes down as was proved during the War?

I would not attempt to answer that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there has been any reduction in the last year in the armies of occupation on the Rhine; and, if so, when the reduction took place and in what it consisted?

During the 12 months ending June, 1927, the strengths of the Allied Armies of Occupation have fallen by, approximately, 6,000.

How many of these are our troops and how many are French?

I must have notice as to the actual figures, but I think ours are approximately 1,000 down.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the garrison theatre in Tidworth Barracks, the cost of which was subscribed by officers and troops of the garrison, has been handed over to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute, and is used as a cinema theatre; that there is a large cinema theatre adjacent to the barracks, specially built for the purpose, and for which the War Department is drawing a high ground rent; and whether he will consider the transfer of the garrison theatre to the garrison committee for the use of the troops, who are now deprived of its use for their own entertainments and dances for which it was constructed?

The Garrison Theatre, Tidworth, is rented by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes from the War Department as a cinema theatre, but the troops have the right to use the theatre at stated times for dances, concerts, lectures, etc. I am informed that the present arrangements are considered satisfactory.

What is the rent?

Speaking from memory, I think it is £189 a year, but I shall have to have notice to give the exact figure.

Is there any difference in the rent paid for the theatre by either of the forces that rent it?

Certainly not. It is rented by a lessee, and the lessee is the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office has refused to cable to a soldier on active service in China the information of his wife's death in England, on the ground that they cannot do so at the public expense; and, in view of the fact that many private soldiers and their friends are quite unable to afford the necessary expense to cable themselves, will he reconsider this refusal in the case of soldiers on distant active service?

I regret that I cannot authorise the sending of private cables to soldiers whether in China or elsewhere, at the public expense.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make an exception in the case of the death of a wife?

I very much regret to have to refuse, but if I make an exception there is no end to exceptions.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider making the death of the wife the one exception?

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose he intends to use the Knightsbridge Barracks; and, if it is not required for War Office purposes, will he consider handing it over to a public authority for housing purposes?

Knightsbridge Barracks are still required for military purposes for which no alternative accommodation is available.

Is it not a fact that these stables on a most valuable site are not being used, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it extravagant not to make full use of a valuable site of this character in the centre of London?

Use, and good use, is being made of the barracks.

Is it not a fact that only the dwelling parts of the building are in use and that the valuable stables are lying practically vacant?

asked the Secretary of State for War what have been the numbers of the Shanghai Defence Force from the commencement of the expedition to the present time; and what has been the cost to the country each month up to the latest date available?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consult or has consulted with the United States of America as to the simultaneous recognition of any new de facto Government in China?

As was stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on the 2nd May last, His Majesty's Government is in constant communication with the Governments of the United States of America and Japan on all matters which concern their joint interests in China. Such consultation would include the question of recognition if it should at any time arise.

Would the hon. Gentleman indicate to the House whether there is any risk of the United States Government recognising any Government in China before we do so, and can we take it that the consultation between us and the United States Government is likely to obviate that disaster?

I should have thought that at the moment there is no risk of anyone recognising any Government in China, but the right hon. and gallant Gentleman may rest assured that we certainly should not recognise any de facto Government in China without consulting the other Governments.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if that would be the policy of the United States Government also?

I cannot say that. It must lie within the discretion of any other Government as to what exact action they adopt.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if there are any private schools in Scotland recognised by the Scottish Education Department; if so, how many; and in which education areas are they situated; and

(2) if there are any private schools in Scotland which receive grants from the Scottish Education Department payable out of the Scottish Education Fund; and, if so, what is the system regulating payment of grant?

A complete list of the schools which receive grants from the Scottish Education Department is given in Table 1 of the Department's Annual Return. Where the school is not under the direct control of an education authority, the name is printed in italic type, and the grant is paid either out of the Education (Scotland) Fund, under the Miscellaneous Grants Regulations, 1925, or out of the Vote, under the Regulations as to Reformatory and Industrial Schools, 1921. Apart from grant-earning schools, between 50 and 60 private schools in Scotland are annually inspected by the Department in virtue of the powers conferred by Section 19 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1878, and many of them present their pupils for the leaving certificate examination. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the latest list of these private schools grouped under education areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he takes to ensure that the education provided for children in private schools is of an equal standard to that demanded by the Department in schools controlled by the education authorities?

Unless any question arises as to the adequacy of the school accommodation provided by an education authority, the Department have no statutory right to inquire into the education provided for children in private schools or to determine its standard.

Are we to understand that any parent can send his children to a private school without their having to undergo the same scheme of examination they would have to undergo in an ordinary publicly-controlled school?

It is the duty of the education authority to ensure that every child in its area receives efficient education, whether in a public or a private school or otherwise.

Am I to understand that education authorities can demand that pupils of given ages must be presented for examination by the authorities' inspectors?

They must be satisfied that the child is being properly educated.

Are these schools in all cases inspected by the board, or are there any exceptions?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of all the schools that are excepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, and when, the Government propose to introduce legislation extended to Scotland on the lines of the Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Bill?

I would refer to the reply which I gave on 21st June to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen).

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a lot of communications from various organisations, and is he now convinced that there is a widespread desire for such legislation?

I have received some communications, but they are not numerous.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Members of Parliament have received widespread support from various shopkeeping interests, and particularly from supporters of the right hon. Gentleman, for this kind of legislation?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has come to any arrangement with the Glasgow Education Authority as to the new schools which are to be built in that city; and, if not, when he will be in a position to make a statement?

The position with regard to this matter has not altered in the 13 days which have elapsed since the date of the hon. Member's last question on the subject. In reply to the latter part of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on that occasion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any approximate idea as to when these negotiations will come to a conclusion?

I do not think it is possible to give any definite date. This is a very big problem, and the discussions, of course, have covered a considerable time.

Seeing that the negotiations have extended over a period of years, and that there are certain schools in a very bad condition, cannot the right hon. Gentleman at least make temporary arrangements for the schools in a bad condition to be replaced or reconditioned?

I am satisfied that the Departments and the authorities are discussing the matter, and every attempt will be made to expedite it.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman promise us a statement before we rise?

I cannot give a definite promise.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the first available opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons who are at present in prison as a result of any offence arising from the late coal dispute, and the various counties in which the offences took place?

Twenty-one persons are at present serving sentences of imprisonment for offences arising out of the coal dispute. All the offences were committed in Fifeshire.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any deputation with a view to mitigating the sentences on these persons?

I have received certain representations, and I have given them careful consideration and have not found it possible to make any alterations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the number of houses at present under construction under the slum clearance schemes in Glasgow, the number expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the average rent of those houses, including rates, and

(2) What steps have been taken by the Glasgow local authority, in accordance with their statutory powers, to require the owners to make habitable the 1,300 houses in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow, which have been declared by the sanitary authority as unfit for human habitation, until new houses can be provided for the people concerned?

I am endeavouring to ascertain the information desired by the hon. Member in these questions, and I shall communicate with him after the inquiries which are now being made have been completed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me an answer if I put it down for this day week?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the proportion of the amount available for small holdings that was actually spent by his Department in this connection last year and the previous year, respectively?

The amount spent for the land settlement purposes of the Small Landholders Acts, Small Holding Colonies Acts and Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, during 1925–26 and 1926–27 was £150,039 and £141,611 respectively.

In view of the widespread demand in Scotland for small holdings, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is advisable to spend up to the full figure of his estimate of £175,000?

We are very nearly doing so, and I would point out that you cannot judge these things by a single year, for it is carried over in a great many cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware there would be a great deal more satisfaction in Scotland if he were overspending his estimate rather than underspending it?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will ascertain from the mail contractors the approximate date when they expect to have the proposed fast new commodious ship on the Stornoway service?

Yes, Sir; this will be done as soon as arrangements for a new contract have been substantially settled.

May I ask when that will be?

A meeting is taking place this week.

Will it be this year, or next year?

Some time, or never?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of hours per week normally worked by members of his Departmental staff; what proportion of the staff are entitled to holidays in excess of four weeks per annum; and the maximum period of annual holiday allowed in the higher grades?

The minimum hours worked by the staff of the Mines Department are those fixed for the Civil Service generally—42 per week with a half holiday on Saturday if the state of the work permits. One-fifth of the staff at headquarters are entitled, subject to the exigencies of the public service, to holidays in excess of four weeks per annum. The maximum period of annual leave allowed to the higher grades is 48 days. In the conditions which have existed in the last few years, however, it has not been possible to pay much attention to these minimum hours of attendance and maximum periods of leave owing to the amount of work which has fallen on the staff.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman do his best during his tenure of office to get the same hours for people down the mines as are worked by those in the Mines Department, and the same number of holidays with pay?

asked the Secretary for Mines the name of the new medical adviser to the Mine Department and his qualifications to enable him to deal with the various diseases peculiar to the mining industry?

The last date for receiving applications for this appointment is 31st July, and after that the qualifications of the applicants must be carefully considered. The appointment cannot, therefore, be made for some time, but will be announced as soon as possible.

If I put a question down for the first day after the Recess, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think he will be able to give me a reply then?

Oh. yes, certainly.

Is this a new appointment?

Yes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what proportion of Stationery Office paper supplies comes from within the British Empire; and whether he will give a complete list of the allocation of all such consumption by this Office, as to the country of origin, of the raw material, and the manufactured product?

The whole of the paper purchased by the Stationery Office is obtained from British mills with the exception of certain special papers and cards which are not made at all in this country, and for which no satisfactory British substitute exists. In view of this policy, separate statistics are not kept regarding the origin of purchases, but the total obtained from abroad certainly does not exceed 2 per cent. The source of the raw material is unidentifiable in the manufactured product, and the Stationery Office has no information as to the countries of origin.

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make a stipulation, as regards the 2 per cent. which comes from foreign mills, that the country of origin of the raw material should be within the British Empire?

I do not think there would be any advantage in that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of inspectors employed by the Government in the various Departments, showing variations in numbers compared with the year 1914; and if he will consider how reductions in the number of inspectors can best be effected?

A statement giving the particulars asked for is being prepared, and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the latter half of the question, the number of inspectors employed, in common with other staffs, is under constant review.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) if he is aware that about 1,500 miners are receiving notice to terminate their employment at the Prince of Wales Colliery, Abercarn, Monmouthshire; and the reasons given to the Mines Department for closing this colliery;

(2) if he is aware that the Vivian Colliery, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, has been closed for over one year; that this colliery has been equipped with new machinery at great cost; and why this mine has been closed down for this long period?

The reason given to me in each case is want of trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries that have been closed in the County of Monmouth since January, 1920, and the number of mines reopened during that period; and the number of collieries at present working in the County of Monmouth and the names of the mines affected in the first part of the question?

Of the mines which were at work on 1st January, 1920, 41 are now closed. At present there are 104 mines at work, including 27 which have opened since 1st January, 1920. I will send the hon. Member lists of the mines closed and opened.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that some 2,000 miners have terminated their employment at the Nixon's Navigation Colliery, Mountain Ash; the reasons given to the Mines Department for the closing of this colliery; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?

The company inform me that this pit has been temporarily closed owing to lack of trade; that it will be reopened as soon as trade conditions permit; and that meanwhile some of the men normally employed there will be found employment at other pits belonging to the company.

asked the Secretary for Mines when he proposes to set up the promised inquiry into the use of the harness known as the Guss; what will be the personnel; and what will be the Terms of Reference?

I have to-day appointed Sir H. Frank Heath, G.B.E., K.C.B., Mr. C. G. Douglas, M.D., F.R.S., and Mr. George Gibb, Consulting Mining Engineer, to be a Committee:

"to inquire and report whether the use of the harness known as the 'guss' for hauling wheelless tubs in the Somerset coalfield is harmful from the point of view either of health or of safety, and if so, what practicable methods of working could be employed to obviate its use.''

Sir Frank Heath will be the Chairman.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think there ought to be some representation of the workers upon such a Committee, and that at least there ought to be a representative from the particular coalfield who knows the practical uses of the guss?

No, Sir. The Committee will be able to get evidence on all these points, and it is far better that the experts should come before the Committee to give evidence of their knowledge and then that the Committee should form their own opinion.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not asked the Miners' Federation to send a member to sit on the Committee, and does he not think that they should be represented on such a Committee?

No, Sir, I have neither asked the Miners' Federation nor the Mining Association. This Committee is a Committee which is absolutely independent. They will be able to hear the expert opinion of all the witnesses they call.

asked the Secretary for Mines to state the number of mines working full time in South Wales; and for how many weeks have these collieries worked full time during the past two months?

The returns relating to time worked at coal mines are tabulated not according to the number of collieries but on the basis of the number of workpeople employed. From this it appears that, in South Wales, during the week ended 2nd July, 102,600 wage-earners, or 53 per cent. of the whole, were employed at pits which lost no time owing to bad trade. During the previous two months the corresponding percentage was on the average 73 per cent. per week.

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate number of pit ponies in use in the coal mines of this country; what is the difference in cost between their use and that of mechanical haulage; and how far are they being superseded by mechanical haulage?

The number of pit ponies employed underground has decreased during the last four years from 65,979 to 56,745 and the decrease is due no doubt in part to the substitution of mechanical methods of haulage. I regret that information as to relative costs is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to do away with the military toll-gates on the Rye-to-Winchelsea road; whether an arrangement has yet been come to with the local authorities to take over this road; and, if so, on what terms?

Negotiations are proceeding between the Departments and local authorities concerned for the taking over by the latter of the road to which the hon. Member refers. The exact terms of the agreement are still under discussion, but I fully expect that a final settlement will very shortly be reached. The terms shall then be communicated to the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the owners of the land along the side of this extraordinarily bad road are being asked to contribute towards the cost?

I do not know. I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Transport what Orders have been granted to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company in connection with the Cannock Light Railway development for transport of coal; when the Order was originally made; how often it has been necessary to renew it; and what developments have taken place within the past 10 years to meet the expanding increase of coal output?

As the reply is rather long, perhaps the hon. Member will permit me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider making a regulation that all chars-a-bancs proceeding on trips of more than one day's duration shall carry an attendant in addition to the driver so that the safety and interests of the passengers in case of emergency may be safeguarded?

I have no power to make a regulation of this kind.

Does the right hon. Gentleman concur in the view that it is desirable that these chars-a-bancs shall carry an extra attendant?

I do not go quite so far as that, but I concur in the view that certáin inspections and examinations are necessary.

Is this matter under the consideration of his Department?

It is no more under the consideration of the Department than many of these questions, but it can be dealt with under the Road Traffic Bill.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has come to any decision with reference to the introduction of legislation to meet cases which may arise in the future for the protection of tenants occupying flats of buildings where the owner makes a demand on his Department for the immediate removal by the Post Office of all telephones used by the tenants occupying such places?

No, Sir. It would, in any event, be impossible to introduce legislation on this subject during the current Session.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider introducing it in the next Session in view of the very great unrest in the minds of people who have telephones in their flats?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the circumstances in this particular case have been satisfactorily adjusted, and I will consider the whole question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the poles carrying telephone wires erected on the sidewalks in many thoroughfares in the North London district are intended to be permanent or temporary; and, if the latter, when they are likely to be removed and the wires placed underground?

The retention or removal of the poles in question depends entirely on the development of the telephone service in the respective neighbourhoods. In residential districts it is the usual practice for the main wires to the exchange to be run in underground cables, and for the wires connecting these main cables to subscribers' premises to be erected overhead from distributing poles. These poles remain until the density of telephone subscribers has increased sufficiently to justify the greater expense of underground distribution.

As these poles may probably be of a permanent character will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of attaching a light, so that pedestrians in foggy and bad weather can be safeguarded?

asked the Postmaster-General what is the capital cost of the new Holborn Exchange; and how many lines it will feed when complete?

The approximate capital cost of the new Holborn Exchange which will have a total capacity of 9,400 subscribers' lines, is £374,000, including site and building.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the cost per line will work out very expensive and that it will not be profitable but will cause a loss to the Post Office?

I do not think so; otherwise, we should not embark upon it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the regular policy of his Department to appoint Welsh-speaking staffs to all post offices in predominantly Welsh districts; and, if so, what practical tests are imposed?

It is not the regular policy to appoint Welsh-speaking staffs to post offices in Welsh districts, but in certain towns the Postmaster is required to possess a knowledge of Welsh. No special tests are imposed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of prosecutions under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, during the last year to the nearest convenient date; the number of convictions; the amount of fines imposed; and the number of inspectors employed under this Act for this work?

I have been asked to reply. The number of prosecutions which were instituted under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, during the year ended 14th July was 103. Convictions were obtained in 80 cases, and fines amounting to £225 13s. 0d. were imposed. The number of inspectors at present employed under the Act is 16.

Does the Minister not think there ought to be a great increase in the number of inspectors in view of the large number of men there are who are being badly paid and dare not complain because of intimidation and victimization?

I understand that since last December the number of inspectors has been increased by five, and that they are now able to make test inspections.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what drainage operations for the improvement of agricultural land are being undertaken by drainage authorities; what is the amount of Government aid in respect of each undertaking; and whether any pressure is being brought to bear on any drainage authority to carry out this work?

My right hon. Friend has no definite information in regard to works now being undertaken by drainage authorities except in those cases where schemes are being assisted by grants from the Ministry. The total number of such schemes to which grants have been given or promised is 47; the grant varies from 33½ per cent. to 50 per cent. of the total net cost, and the Ministry's total commitments are estimated at £337,000. As regards the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend has no statutory authority enabling him to compel drainage authorities to carry out any drainage works.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any information as to how many farms in this country are provided with electric power?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to the number of farms in this country that are equipped with electric power; but according to returns collected in connection with the Census of Production in 1925, there were in that year rather more than 700 electric engines in use on farms in England and Wales.

Can the hon. and learned Member say how many of these engines were supplied by the municipal authorities, or were they supplied direct from their own plant?

I shall require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture at what rate per annum is arable land going out of cultivation?

The average annual reduction in arable land in England and Wales during the five years 1921–1926 has been 214,000 acres, the reduction in the last of those years being 134,000 acres. I would direct the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to the Report on the Agricultural Output of England and Wales, 1925, in which the changes in the agricultural area in this country are discussed.

How much of this land which has gone from arable land has been laid down to permanent pasture, which can hardly be described as going out of cultivation?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the maximum money value of food per annum that could be produced in this country if the land was fully employed?

I am afraid it is impossible for my right hon. Friend to make any estimate of this hypothetical question.

Are there any means of estimating whether land is fully employed or not?

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman ask the Minister of Agriculture whether it is possible to utilise the land better than it is being utilised to-day for the production of food?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in the case of a man at Forest Row, Sussex, it has been decided that an agricultural worker who employs and works with two or three other agricultural workers in the woods in winter in cutting wood for firewood, pea boughs and bean sticks, and for besoms for path sweeping, which he makes in the bad weather, and in the season similarly works grass cutting, hay making, and market and other gardening, is liable for unemployment contributions in respect of the men so employed; that such a charge is impossible out of profits, which barely exceed the wage of an agricultural labourer, and means the extinction of this village industry; and whether he will take some steps, whether legislative or otherwise, to preserve this and similar surviving village industries?

I have been asked to reply. As my hon. Friend is aware, I inquired into this case a short time ago, and on the facts then reported it seemed clear that for the main part of the work unemployment insurance contributions are payable. In order, however, to make sure that the facts have been fully ascertained, I will make further inquiry and consider the matter again.

I am obliged to the hon. Member. Does he also realise that the bulk of this work is done in the woods not under cover, that the earnings of the employer are only those of an agricultural worker, that he is really only a nominal employer, and that this village industry must perish if these charges are laid upon it.

Yes, Sir. These are exactly the points to which I have referred and upon which I want further information. Of course, my hon. and learned Friend will realise that what we have to consider is whether or not this particular occupation comes within the definition of those occupations, such as agriculture or forestry, which are exempted under the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of unemployed persons in Scotland during the first six months of 1927 who have been disallowed benefit under the National Insurance Act, and are now in receipt of relief from the parish councils; and whether he will give the amount of extra expenditure falling upon the parish councils?

I would refer the hon. Member to the last sentence of my reply to his question on the 10th May last, in which I indicated that I have no information as to how many persons in Scotland who have been disallowed unemployment benefit have subsequently been found to be entitled to parish relief.

May I ask if there are any means of getting statistics relating to the whole area as the answer of the right hon. Gentleman only gives statistics for certain principal towns. Ought not figures to be available for the whole area so that parish councils may get some idea of the burden to be borne by them?

I think it would be costly to undertake. I really do not think the advantage would be commensurate with the cost.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the transfer of unemployed from the Insurance Fund to the Poor Law is becoming a very big issue in Scotland, and would it not be well for him to take steps to get this information?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that no notice is displayed at the entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, informing visitors that the conservatories and plant houses are closed during certain hours of the day, and that in consequence considerable annoyance is caused to those visitors who are debarred from entering the houses after paying the full price of admission to the gardens charged on Tuesdays and Fridays; and whether he will make arrangements for the display at the entrance of a conspicuous notice showing the hours during which the conservatories and plant houses are closed?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been recently called to this matter; and he is making arrangements of the nature suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to an incident which happened to an oxygen receiver belonging to the Liquid Air Company at the Bolton Super-heater Works, Adswood, in which two men lost their lives; and whether the officers of his Department are investigating this occurrence?

Yes, Sir. The circumstances of this accident have been carefully investigated by the Factory Department. Their report shows that it was caused by the clothing of the two unfortunate men catching fire when they were inside the receiver. There was no sign, however, of any explosion, and it has not been possible to obtain any definite evidence as to how the fire originated. Inquiry will be made into the practice in other works where similar plant is in use with a view to considering what precautions are necessary to prevent any such accident in future. This is the first ease of the kind that has come to the notice of the Department.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether this receiver contained oxygen before the men entered?

I would like to draw attention to the coroner's summing up, in which he said it was clear from the facts that one of the unfortunate victims had received no instructions to go inside the receiver; and it was not necessary, I understand, for the men to enter the receiver in order to carry out the work entrusted to them.

May I ask my hon. and gallant Friend if he is aware that the two companies named have done all in their power to find out the cause of this accident, and to prevent any recurrence of it and both they and the Members of Parliament for Stockport, where these works are situated, are quite as concerned about this accident as any other hon. Member of this House?

Everyone is concerned about the accident, and we are helping investigations to prevent accidents of that kind recurring.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that British civil aviation is falling behind some other countries, whether he will consider setting up an independent public inquiry into the whole question of civil aviation and the comparative merits of control by a military department and entire independence of military control, as in the case of the mercantile marine?

No, Sir. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by adopting my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any representations have been made to the British Government by the Government of Newfoundland regarding the financial position of the Newfoundland Power and Paper Company; and the nature of such representations and the reply thereto?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my Noble Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Viscount Sandon) on the 28th June.

In that answer there was no reply to the point mentioned in the question as to whether the Newfoundland Government had made any representations. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the total amount of the guarantee of the Newfoundland Government is similar to that of this country?

The hon. Member is mistaken. In the answer to which I have referred, I said that a communication had been received by the Secretary of State for the Dominions, but that I was unable at that time to make any statement with regard to the negotiations which were proceeding.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the sale is complete or not?

That is the subject of the next question.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that the British taxpayers are responsible for the interest on this loan?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sale has been completed of the Cornerbrook Power and Paper Company's works, Newfoundland, to the International Paper Company, United States of America; what security there is that the money used out of the £2,000,000 guarantee under the Trade Facilities Act will not be lost to this country; and if he will state the names of the British Government representatives on the board of directors and the fees paid to them for their services?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, I can add nothing to the reply I gave to my Noble Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Viscount Sandon) on the 28th June. In reply to the third part of the question, the Treasury director on the board of the Newfoundland Power and Paper Company, Limited, is Sir George Stapylton Barnes, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., who is paid a fee of £600 per annum.

Is the Treasury director in Newfoundland at the present time?

No, I think not.

Has he been to Newfoundland?

Yes.

Are the interests of the British taxpayer being watched in the case of this sale, and may we be assured that their interests will prevail over all other interests?

Certainly. The belief of the Treasury is that if this sale is carried through the security of the British taxpayers will not be prejudiced in any way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of direct taxation paid under the present basis of taxation by a married man with three children where such a man has an earned income of either £250 a year, £500 a year, £1,000 a year, or £10,000 a year?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find the information he desires, as regards Income Tax and Super-tax, in Table 48 (A) on page 74 and Table 66 (c) on page 97 of the 69th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper No. 2783).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts of revenue raised under direct taxation and under indirect taxation, respectively, in the financial year 1926–27?

The following were the amounts:

May I ask in what category the Motor Vehicle Duties are?

They come under direct taxation.

Is the tax on commercial vehicles included as direct taxation?

Yes, Sir; these figures include the Motor Licence Duties under the heading of direct taxation, so far as I am at present aware. I may be wrong, but I think that that is so. I should have to have notice in order to make certain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of National Savings Certificates exchanged into Four and a-half per cent. Conversion Loan of 1940–44?

The value of the Savings Certificates, including accrued interest, exchanged up to 30th June last into Four and a-half per cent. Conversion Loan, is £720,602.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount outstanding of National Savings Certificates, including interest to date, as on 30th June, 1927?

About £493,500,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in cases where he decides that, in view of the trade depression, certain otherwise desirable reforms in factory and workshop law should not now be imposed, he will, instead of omitting them from the Government's proposals, insert them with a proviso as to delayed application?

In the event of any such decision, the suggestion of my Noble Friend would be considered.

asked the Home Secretary what was the extent of the police assistance granted for investigating the circumstances in which bogus invitations were issued to a party given on 13th July; what was the number of police officers detailed for this duty; and whether any claim will be made by the Home Office against either the persons responsible for issuing the bogus invitations or the person giving the party for reimbursement to the Department of the costs so incurred?

No investigation by the police took place, and no expenses, therefore, were incurred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the Terms of Reference remitted to the Commission proceeding to Ceylon to consider a further extension of self-government?

The Terms of Reference are now under consideration, and will be announced as soon as the arrangements for the appointment of the Commission are complete.

Is the Commission going out during the coming cold season, and may the Report be expected during next Session?

Yes, Sir.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to give the names of the members of this Commission?

Certain invitations have been sent out, and I hope it will be possible to give the Terms of Reference and the names before the House rises for the Recess.

Will the Terms of Reference include communal representation as one of the matters for consideration?

I think the Terms of Reference will be general—something in the nature of making recommendations as to any changes in the Constitution. I do not think that detailed Terms of Reference are contemplated. The exact wording is now being discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the comparative figures for the British Empire to the 3,806 air ports or landing stations in the United States of America; and what are the figures for Great Britain?

I have been asked to reply. The number of landing grounds and air ports in the British Empire is 845, of which 237 are in Great Britain. I should add that information is not available as to the principles on which places are classified in the United States as air ports or landing stations, the latter especially being a/ very elastic term, and it is, therefore, not possible to say whether the British figures are fairly comparable with the American.