asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether China is still represented on the League of Nations; and, if so, who is the acting delegate?

As was stated in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) on the 27th of June last, China has been represented on the Council of the League of Nations by Mr. Chu. I understand that Mr. Chu has now resigned his appointment and left his post; I have no information as to the appointment of his successor.

Has China paid her quota to the League of Nations expenses?

She is in arrear for a considerable time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the outstanding problems between Albania and Serbia have been yet settled; and if the League of Nations has, or will, play any part in the settlement?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to state that the recent incident between Albania and Yugoslavia has now been satisfactorily settled. It was not necessary to have recourse to the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a Conference in connection with the League of Nations at Geneva recently approved a Convention establishing an international relief union; what the objects of the union are intended to be; what is its relation to existing humanitarian and other societies; whether Great Britain was represented at the Conference; whether the Convention has been ratified by any countries; whether His Majesty's Government contemplate ratification; if so, whether the Convention will first be submitted to Parliament; and whether the Dominions and India have expressed any opinion on the Convention?

Yes, Sir. The objects of the Union and its relation to existing humanitarian and other societies are stated in the Convention, which will be published by the League of Nations; His Majesty's Government in Great Britain were represented at the Conference; so far as I am aware, no country has yet ratified the Convention; the attitude of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain towards the Convention depends principally on the degree of support which the Union receives from other countries; no decision has been taken regarding the submission of the Convention to Parliament before ratification; so far as I am aware, His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions and the Govern-merit of India have expressed no opinion on the Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to publish a report of the recent session of the League of Nations Council as a White Paper?

In accordance with the usual practice, a detailed report on the last session of the Council of the League will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to pay an official visit to Berlin shortly; and, if so, when?

No, Sir. I have no such visit in contemplation at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has been approached by the Greek Government on the subject of the Navarino celebrations in October next; and what steps the Government proposes to take to associate itself therewith?

The matter has been the subject of informal discussion, and no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have taken any steps to return to the Sheikh of Mohommerah his personal freedom and his territory?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under some misapprehension. The decision does not lie with His Majesty's Government, who, however, have repeatedly urged the Persian Government to put into practice their frequent and categorical assurances that the Sheikh's affairs would be settled on a just and equitable basis. Negotiations between the Sheikh and the Persian Government are reported to be still in progress and His Majesty's Government earnestly trust that a solution of this long outstanding question will be found without further delay.

Is it not a fact that a definite promise was given to the Sheikh that in return for his services to this country during the War we would guarantee him his possession?

If my hon. Friend wants information as to past history, he must really give me notice. His Majesty's Government received assurances from the Persian Government as to the way in which the Sheikh would be treated, and we look to the Persian Government to fulfil those assurances without further delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations are proceeding with the Egyptian Government as to the four reserved points; and, if so, when he will be able to make any statement to this House on the subject?

I have naturally taken advantage of His Excellency's presence in this country to discuss Anglo-Egyptian relations with him, but it is not his intention or mine to conclude any new agreement during this visit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cruisers were added to the Royal Navy during the late War?

The number of cruisers (excluding battle cruisers) added to the Royal Navy during the late War was 40.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there has been any change in the policy of his Department with regard to Rosyth Dockyard; and whether negotiations are still proceeding with private firms for the utilisation of any part of the dockyard property?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the last part in the affirmative.

Do I understand from that answer that there is no intention of opening this dockyard as a destroyer base?

There is no intention whatever of doing anything more than we have already expressed our intention of doing. There is no change in the policy of keeping Rosyth on a care and maintenance basis.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the personnel of the Navy on 31st December, 1913, and 1st July, 1927?

The numbers on the nearest available dates were as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider granting uniform allowances at the rate of £12 10s. per annum to a warrant officer, £15 per annum to a commissioned officer from warrant rank, and £20 per annum to a lieutenant, seeing that the cost of uniforms still remains about double that of pre-War?

The present allowances, the existing rates of which were fixed after the War, are intended to be in aid of the initial expenses incurred by officers on promotion to warrant rank and to the equivalent rank of Lieutenant, any expenses of maintenance being regarded as a responsibility of the officers themselves. This arrangement is common to all classes of officers and no reason is seen for altering it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether seeing that the policy of his Department is that rates of pay are so arranged as to be not less favourable than those obtaining in the district for similar work, he will look into the position of first-class masters of His Majesty's tugs with a view to this policy being carried out in their case?

The present rates of pay of the masters of the dockyard tugs are based on an arbitration award. The question of the adequacy of the emoluments is, however, being again examined, with due regard to the relevant circumstances.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that these men are considerably worse off than those in similar employment under Trinity House?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the granting to warrant officers of the same amount per day climate allowance as is paid to commissioned officers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his some what similar question on the 9th March, 1925 (OFFICIAL REPORT Columns 948–9). I am unable to recommend any departure from the existing practice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the staff at the Admiralty on 31st December, 1913, and 1st July, 1927?

The numbers of the staff employed at the Admiralty (Headquarters) on the 31st December, 1913, and the 1st July 1927, were 2,062 and 3,154 respectively.

Are we to understand that while the personnel has gone down the staff at the Admiralty has gone up?

The figures speak for themselves, but because the personnel has been reduced, it is not always possible to reduce the staff proportionately. However, there have been reductions in the staff, and further reductions may be possible.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the total figures of the Admiralty Office are never given in the Navy Estimates, and is he aware that it is necessary to go through pages of figures before an intelligent comparison can be made between one year and another; and will he see that these figures are put in the same way as other Departments deal with them?

I cannot accept the statement of the hon. Member that these figures are never given in the Navy Estimates. I think it is perfectly clear in the Navy Estimates what the numbers are. There is no attempt to disguise them and I have just given the figures to the hon. Member.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the 1913 staff proved to be utterly inadequate during the War?

I am perfectly certain that there was not a sufficient naval staff before the War.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officials in executive positions in the Air Ministry and the Department of Civil Aviation are without flying qualifications?

I am not sure what the hon. Member means by officials in executive positions; the expression would cover officials concerned with the issue of stationery, the audit of accounts, the building of barracks, or other duties in which flying qualifications would obviously be wasted. I can assure him that all executive posts in which flying qualifications are necessary are held by officials possessing such qualifications. I may add, since there seems to be an impression that there is a bias against ex-service men at the Air Ministry, that my Department has always been at pains to further the legitimate interests of ex-service men in its employ. It has, moreover, been so successful in this direction that reference to the latest quarterly statement relating to the employment of ex-service men in Government offices (Command Paper No. 2867) will show that the percentage of ex-service men to total staff on the 1st April last in the Air Ministry was higher than in any other Government Department. The hon. Member will, therefore, appreciate that this impression is entirely baseless, and I hope he will bring the actual facts to the notice of any ex-service interests with whom he may be in touch.

asked the Minister of Labour if any other actuarial reports, in addition to that contained in the Blanesburgh Report on unemployment insurance, will be called for by his Department before the draft of the projected Bill for unemployment insurance is finally approved?

In accordance with practice the Government Actuary is consulted on all actuarial matters arising in the preparation of the Bill. A Report on the Bill will be made by the Actuary as soon as its terms are finally settled.

How can hon. Members get the information promised by the Prime Minister if the Bill is not printed? Will they have to apply to the Minister, or will Members have a copy circulated?

I hope arrangements be made to see that a copy will he circulated to all hon. Members.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a previous answer it was stated that the Bill was in draft, and why is it that Members cannot get a copy?

The whole Bill is not yet complete, but it will be circulated in ample time.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider so amending the Unemployment Insurance Acts as to provide that those persons who, through old age or other disability beyond their control, cannot be regarded as normally employed in insurable employment under the Act, are not compelled to pay unemployment contributions during their periods of casual employment in view of the fact that they derive no benefit from such contributions?

I will bear this point in mind in connection with the Unemployment Insurance Bill which is in preparation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that three of his staff at Blaenavon visited the homes of some of the unemployed and, if the men were at home, told them that they should be out looking for employment, and in some cases where the men were digging the garden stopped a day's pay; that several of the mines in the district are totally or partially closed and no employment is obtainable; and if he will investigate the matter?

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. C. Edwards), on 1st June last, inquiries may be made at the homes of applicants for unemployment benefit, at the request of rota committees or otherwise, if the circumstances appear to call for investigation. I cannot trace any foundation, however, for the specific allegations made in the first part of the question, and should be glad to have full details in order that I may make further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed registering at the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange for the last available week and the corresponding figures a year ago?

At 11th July, 1927, the number of persons on the register of the Middlesbrough Employment Exchange was 5,617 as compared with 17,050 at 12th July, 1926.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there has been any reduction in the debt of the Unemploy-Fund to the Exchequer from the amount outstanding on 21st February, namely, £24,460,000; if so, what is the present amount of the debt of the Unemployment Fund; and what is the estimated sum that will be paid to the Exchequer in respect of interest on the borrowed moneys in the financial year ending 31st March, 1928?

The debt of the Unemployment Fund to the Exchequer on 15th July last was £23,690,000. The sum of £596,227 16s. 10d. was paid to the Exchequer on 30th June last in respect of the interest due for the six months ended on that date. A further half-yearly payment of interest will be due at the end of December next, but I am unable to give an estimate of the amount which will then become payable as it depends upon the extent of unemployment in the intervening period.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that in the table published in the "Labour Gazette" the difference between the expenditure and the income over a given period is not always the same as the change in the amount of debt over that period?

If the hon. Member will confer with me as to the details of any particular statement, I will undertake to give him the reason for any apparent discrepancy.

What is the rate of interest charged on this debt?

Five per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons in Manchester and Salford who have been refused benefit for the 12 months ending 30th April, 1927, because of the income test as applied in the Act of 1925?

During the 12 months ended 9th May, 1927, out of 129,000 applications for extended benefit, 7,500 were recommended for disallowance by the local committees in the Manchester and Salford area, on the ground that the family income was deemed to be sufficient to provide for the applicants concerned. The number of separate individuals contained in this figure cannot be stated.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the Boroughs of West Ham and East Ham for the months of April, 1926, and April, 1927, respectively?

At 26th April, 1926, the numbers of persons registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in West Ham and East Ham were 14,862 and 2,869, respectively. The corresponding figures for 25th April, 1927, were 11,586 and 2,042.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the officers of his Department have completed their investigations with regard to an alternative air route from Basra to Karachi; and can he give particulars?

No, Sir; the investigations are still proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the new aerial battleship "Valkyrie" has successfully completed the Air Ministry tests; to what use in the near future it is intended to put this class of airship or flying boat; and can he give the House full particulars?

An aircraft of the type referred to has lately completed its tests, and it is intended that it should take part in a cruise of flying boats in the Baltic in the near future. It is a three-engined flying boat and carries a crew of five.

Can the right hon. Baronet say from what station the tests were made?

Off-hand, I should say from Felixstowe, but, if the hon. Gentleman will give me notice, I will verify that.

Is it intended to include any of these aerial battleships in the Home Defence Squadron?

Obviously, that does not arise out of this question.

Does not the question ask to what use this particular type of flying ship is going to be put?

The answer I have given is that it is going to be further tested, and until the tests are completed cannot give any answer to that question.

Can the right hon. Baronet say what will be the number of the crew that this battleship will carry?

I have already told the hon. Member that it is five.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give full particulars of the six winding accidents in which the cage has struck the shaft bottom which have been reported to him for the six months ended the 30th June last; and the number of injuries caused to persons in each accident?

As the reply consists of a tabular statement, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these, cages were inspected by the inspectors of his Department before the accident occurred?

Yes, Sir. I am circulating a full account.

Does the statement say when the cages were inspected—how many days before?

No, Sir, the statement does not say that.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether in the monthly Returns showing the number of days worked per week by the mines, and in regard to which allowance is made in all the cases for short time, such allowance takes any account of cases where full man-shifts are not worked; if so, to what extent; and whether, if no such account is now taken, there is any difficulty in its being ascertained?

Parts of a day or shift are counted as such in both sets of employment figures published by the Mines Department. The first, which is published monthly in the "Labour Gazette," shows the number of days or parts of days on which the pits wind coal, and allowance is made where less than a full day is worked by the pit. The second, which is published in the Quarterly Statistical Summaries of output, proceeds, etc., of the coal industry, gives particulars of man-shifts worked. Instructions are given on the form of return that a fraction of a man-shift is to be counted as such.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that some 68,000 men are unemployed in the South Wales coalfield and that numbers of collieries are closing down, while others are working short times; and what steps the Government propose taking to deal with the situation?

I have been asked to reply. These matters were fully discussed during the Debate last week, and I have nothing further to add.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to give effect to the findings of the Royal Commission on Mining Subsidence during the lifetime of the present Parliament?

I have been asked to reply. The recommendations of this Committee will require much more attention than there has been time to give them at present, and it is impossible at the moment to say more than that they will receive the fullest consideration.

Are we to understand it is the intention of the Government to do nothing in regard to the mining question?

The hon. Member must understand the very clear answer I have given.

Have the Government started to do anything yet?

I will read the answer again.

No, that would he repetition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of classes in the respective education authority areas where the umber of pupils is 60 or more; and the number of classes with less than 60 but with 50 or more in these same areas?

The latest complete Return is that of March, 1926, and I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving for all Scotland the figures then obtained. These show a considerable improvement as compared with February, 1924, the date of the previous Return. Since March, 1926, the Department, through His Majesty's Inspectors and otherwise, have been in frequent communication with the individual education authorities in whose areas the size of classes appeared to be excessive. As a result, I anticipate that in the next complete Return, which is to be called for in October, a further marked advance will be apparent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of untrained teachers now teaching in rate and state-aided schools in Scotland, with the number employed within the area of the respective education authorities?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the figures asked for. In the collection of statistics, the Scottish Education Department no longer distinguish between those certificated teachers who are trained and those who have not passed through a training college, the latter being merely the remnant of an old class which is rapidly disappearing from the schools. The latest figures available are for the year 1919–20, when, of a total of 20,695 certificated teachers, 3,725 were untrained. I am sending the hon. Member the detailed figures arranged under education areas.

Are we to understand that the education authorities are not now engaging any new untrained teachers?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Board of Agriculture has been approached by applicants for small holdings on the Glenshiel estate, in Kintail, Ross-shire; and whether, in view of the fact that their proprietor has offered them as a free gift capital sufficient to stock their new holdings, he will instruct the Board to take immediate steps to procure such holdings for them?

I am informed that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland received on the 13th instant an application on behalf of four applicants on Kintail estate for small holdings on the adjoining estate of Glenshiel. The application is receiving consideration, but it may be pointed out that the proprietor referred to in the question, who is the owner of Kintail estate, does not own Glenshiel.

When will my right hon. Friend be in a position to let me know what action his Department is taking in the matter?

I will make inquiries and communicate with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends bringing in a Bill for Scotland giving business tenants compensation rights against the landlord for improvements to property and goodwill?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of yesterday to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. T. Kennedy), and to the previous reply of 21st June therein mentioned.

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland unaware of the fact that the question previously put to him did not deal, as this question does, with a separate Bill for Scotland, but with the application of the Bill now before the House, namely, the Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Bill, and does he now understand that this Bill cannot apply to Scotland, because of the difference in land tenure and other phases of the law relating to land; and does he intend to bring in a Bill for Scotland?

The question yesterday applied to a separate Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the case a claims admitted for payment since the end of the financial year 1926–27 for drainage grants in respect of work carried out during that year, payment will be made out of the sum of £20,625 voted for that purpose last year, or whether it will be made out of money voted by Parliament for the current year?

Claims for drainage grants in respect of work done during the year 1926–27, and admitted for payment since 31st March last, will be met from money voted by Parliament for the current year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that we shall be deprived of the balance between what was actually granted last year by the Board of Agriculture and the amount voted by Parliament? Shall we lose that for drainage purposes?

Will my right hon. Friend publish a statement explaining how this money has been spent per county in Scotland?

I will consider that point, but, of course, there is considerable overlapping from year to year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer my supplementary question, namely: Does this mean that we shall lose the difference between what was actually spent on draining during last year and what was voted by Parliament—that that money will not be available for drainage in Scotland?

The money for drainage appears on the Vote each year, and the money which is not spent in any particular year, of course, will not be available afterwards.

Who gets this money for drainage? Is it the Scottish landlords?

Can my right hon. Friend say why there is this surplus that is going back to the Treasury this year? Why will it not be applied in the counties of Scotland where drainage is necessary?

There are considerable administrative difficulties. In some cases it is the fault of people who apply for grants and then do not carry out their drainage. That, no doubt, creates some of these difficulties.

asked the Minister of Pensions the grounds on which pension claims, inadmissible under the seven-years' ban, can be considered by his Department; and if such consideration is an act of grace?

The cases with which my right hon. Friend is enabled to deal are, as he has previously explained to the House, those in which a man shows that he is seriously incapacitated by an injury or disease clearly due to his war service, and there was good reason for his failure to make a claim within the seven years following his discharge. Such cases, not being eligible for consideration under Ministry Warrants, are dealt with by way of grant under special sanction.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say, in regard to a case where a man has persistently refused to make a claim and his relatives have made a claim in opposition to the man's own inclination, whether that would come in?

I would not Like to say, but, if the hon. Member has a case like that, and will let me know about it. I will find out for him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, the total number of one-apartment houses built in Scotland and the total number of two-apartment houses built since 1919?

As at 30th June last no one-apartment houses, and 7,222 two-apartment houses, were built in Scotland since 1919 under State-assisted housing schemes. No reliable information is available as to houses of one and two apartments built without State assistance during that period, but such information as I possess indicates that the number is very small.

How is it we have two-apartment houses built in Scotland and none in England?

For the very good reason that there is a clamant demand for that type of house. I would only add that when one speaks a two-roomed house of the present day it includes other things, such as scullery and bathroom.

Is it not because of the poverty of Scotland and that people are not able to pay the rent for three-apartment houses?

Is it not the case that there is a clamant demand for one-apartment houses and we give way to that When are we going to raise the standard of housing?

I have repeatedly stated that it is not the policy of the Board of Health to authorise the building of single-apartment houses. Two-apartment houses, with the addition of sanitary conveniences, are considered proper and suitable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every Housing Commission that has been set up by this House to inquire into housing conditions in Scotland, Tory, Liberal and Labour, has unanimously reported against two-apartment houses, and will he take steps to carry out their findings?

That is a matter for debate.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that two apartments are sufficient for him and his wife.?

That can be debated on the Estimates.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of one-apartment and the total number of two-apartment houses built since 1919 under any form of State grant?

There is no record of any one-roomed tenements having been approved by my Department since 1919 in connection with State-aided schemes. There have been some few instances where local authorities have provided two-roomed tenements for childless couples and single persons. No statistics are available, but the hon. Member may take it that the number of such tenements is negligible.

Does the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these two-apartment houses let to childless couples are kept solely for childless couples?

That is a matter for the local authorities.

Am I to understand that the Ministry of Health has very few, if any, applications from local authorities for two-apartment houses?

That is another matter altogether.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the many schemes for rehousing the people in slum areas now under discussion, he could make arrangements for the model and plans of the proposed new block dwellings at Ossulston Street, St. Pancras, which the Landon County Council propose to build, to be shown in the Tea Rooms or elsewhere in the House of Commons before the Adjournment.

My right hon. Friend will ascertain whether arrangements can be made on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can account for the 300 per cent. increase of the imports of American motor cars into this country in the first six months of this year as compared with last year?

I think the principal explanation is that the imports in the first half of 1926 were smaller than they would normally have been, because the heavy importations in the spring of 1925, in anticipation of the re-imposition of the duty, had not been worked off.

Is not this great increase of American imports a very serious matter for this country, and will not the hon. Gentleman take steps by which our own motor industry could fill up this gap?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the numbers and the value of American motor cars assembled or partly manufactured in Canada to an extent sufficient to obtain the reduced rates of Imperial Preference that have been imported into this country in the first six months of this year; and whether there is an increase as compared with last year?

I regret that the available particulars are not sufficient to provide the information which my hon. and gallant Friend desires.

asked the Minister of Transport how many meetings have been held of the Central Electricity Board; and when it is anticipated that the first scheme will be submitted?

The first scheme was published by the Board on 11th May. After consideration of the representations which had been made, the scheme was adopted as modified by the Board on 99th June and published in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926, on 1st July. I have no information on the point raised in the first part of the question.

Has the Minister reason to believe the members of this Board are fully earning the money the House has granted?

More than fully earning it.

Are the dates the right hon. Gentleman has given the only dates on which the Board has met?

Is Mr. Frank Hodges working as long here as he recommended the miners to do?

asked the Prime Minister what steps His Majesty's Government have taken to draft the legislation which, in the opinion of the Forestry Commission, it is urgently necessary to pass at the beginning of next Session; and whether he will direct a systematic survey of the whole country to made forthwith in order that accurate information should be available, county by county, as to the amount of waste land which could be profitably planted?

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) on 30th June, the future policy of the Government in regard to afforestation is now under consideration.

Since then has the Report of the Forestry Commission been published, saying the matter is now urgent, and can the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance with regard to the second part of the question as to a systematic survey county by county?

I have no doubt that will be considered, as the whole future policy of the Government in relation to afforestation is being considered, but as the representative of the Treasury I should most strongly deprecate embarking on ally such costly enterprise, the usefulness of which is very problematical.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what steps have been taken to secure the land in the parish of Glyncorrwg for planting trees; and is he aware of the large number of unemployed in that area due to the closing down of collieries?

As a result of the Forestry Commissioners' inquiries in the parish referred to they secured an offer of 1,454 acres, but on survey it was found that owing to exposure, rock outcrop and adverse soil conditions it would not be possible to raise an economic crop on the area. Inquiries have disclosed the fact that much of the plantable land in the parish is either utilised for coal tips or is reserved for this purpose.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what steps have been taken in the Dulais Valley, Glamorgan, to secure land for afforestation; and is he aware of the number of workmen unemployed in that area who cannot be absorbed in the mines?

The Forestry Commissioners have made repeated inquiries in the district referred to during the last six years, but no afforestable land has been available nearer than Rheola in the neighbouring Neath Valley where 1,084 acres have been leased and planting is proceeding. The Commissioners expect to secure shortly about 1,200 acres adjacent to the Neath area. Forestry work on these areas will provide some additional employment.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the attention of the Commissioners has been drawn to the desirability of securing for the country the growing oak in Mathrafal Wood, Welshpool, North Wales; and whether he will consider obtaining Treasury sanction for its purchase, particularly in view of its rapidly increasing value?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part the Commissioners are of opinion that purchase would not be to the public interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average transportation and handling charges on wheat, oats, and barley from the farmer to his customer; and if he can give comparative figures on imports of this class?

I am afraid that it is impossible to compile average figures for the whole country which would be of any practical value. The average charge attributable to rail haulage is obtainable from published statistics, but no distinction is made between home and imported grain; further, handling charges vary according to circumstances, and in the case of imported grain, from one port to another. I will, however, see that due attention is given to the nature and incidence of these charges in a Report on the marketing of cereals which is now in preparation. Transport and handling charges were discussed in the Linlithgow Committee's Report on Cereals, Flour and Bread, issued in 1923, and figures relating to charges on wheat will be found in Annex I to the Report of the Royal Commission on Food Prices published in 1925.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider, as an immediate aid to agriculture and to increase the production of the land, the provision of manure and fertiliser free on rail at the nearest station to the farmers?

I am afraid that a scheme of the nature suggested in the question could not be entertained by the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the lord of the manor in proceeding to enclose common land at Little Hampden, near Chequers, Bucks; whether his Department has been notified; and whether he has inquired into the matter?

My attention has been drawn to reports in the Press with regard to the enclosure to which the hon. Member refers, but no communication on the subject has been received in my Department. If common land is enclosed without the consent of the Minister of Agriculture or without some special statutory authority, the county council or district council or the lord of the manor or any other person interested in the common, may, under Section 194 of the Law of Property Act, 1925, apply to the County Court to make an Order for the removal of the fence or other obstruction erected.

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not even the oldest inhabitant can look back to a time when there was any enclosure at ail on these 50 acres. They have always had grazing rights. Will he make inquiries before he goes any further?

I have no power of any kind to intervene in these cases. I understand the point at issue is whether or not this is common land.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether this land grabber—

That is not a proper expression for a question.

—this gentleman has been paying income Tax under Schedule A and rates in respect of the land that is now enclosed or whether he has hitherto escaped paying rates and taxes, and on what valuation he has been paying?

I really have no competence to call for this information. I have no standing in the matter. All these considerations may, be relevant to cases in the Courts, but they do not concern the powers Parliament has given to my Department.

In view of the power conferred on the right hon. Gentleman under the Law of Property Act, 1925, will he not make inquiries and see whether or not he has the power to turn this person away from the land, should he be unable to prove that it actually belongs to him?

No. I have power under the Act of 1925 under certain conditions to make Orders for enclosure, but I have no power to set the law in motion to throw open land which is enclosed.

If the right hon. Gentleman has not the power, to whom are the common people of England to look for protection when their land is stolen?

To the Courts of the country. In the answer, I have detailed who has the right to apply to the Courts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any other means of preventing both motorists and others from defiling the countryside?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's colleague, the Minister of Health, any powers in this matter?

No, there is no power residing outside the Courts.

I cannot allow this subject to develop into a Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the Regulations concerning bands of His Majesty's Territorial or Regular Army performing at political gatherings?

It is contrary to established practice to permit bands of the Regular or Territorial Army to accept engagements at political gatherings.

Having regard to the reply of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, will he cause inquiries to be made into the fact that the band of the 16th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, per formed at a Tory party gathering in the Yardley Division of Birmingham on Saturday last, and that a similar band is advertised to perform at a gathering at Chelmsford, where the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Health is advertised to speak. Will an inquiry be made and information given that the practice is undesirable and ought not to be carried out?

I will make inquiries into any allegation the hon. Gentleman may like to send to me.

I will send it.

Thank you.