asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what amounts of money have been given to the transferred departments in the various provinces out of the funds released by the Government of India through the remission of provincial contributions?

The effect of the emission of a provincial contribution is to place additional resources at the disposal of the provincial administration as a whole. These resources form part of the general revenues and balances of the province from which the requirements of all provincial services are met. Although these remissions will enable increased grants to be made to the transferred side, I have no information as to the extent to which transferred departments in each province have benefited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if it is the intention of the Government of India to make New Delhi its permanent location; and when it is proposed that the annual migration to Simla should cease?

I am not aware of any such intention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how often the power of certification has been used by the Governor-General of India and by provincial governors during the past three years, and for what purposes?

I invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) on 27th July last, which still holds good.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if any protests have been received by the Government of India from the Indian Association of Calcutta regarding the non-formation of an urban unit in that city of the Indian Territorial force; whether he can state the policy of the Government in the matter; and whether the recommendations of the Shea Committee are to be followed, and to what extent?

I understand from a reply given in the Legislative Assembly that the answer to the first part is in the affirmative. The Shea Committee recommended that urban units should be raised in large centres, subject to the concurrence of the local Governments. Urban units are accordingly being raised in Madras, Bombay and the United Provinces. The Bengal Government did not recommend the formation of urban units in Bengal at present and the Government of India have accepted their view.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any action has been taken on the Report of the Auxiliary and Territorial Forces Committee; and whether he can state the proposals of the Government of India in connection therewith?

The Government of India announced on the 20th August last that the Committee's recommendations had in the main been accepted. I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the Report and of the Government of India's resolution, which shows the steps they are taking.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of hours worked weekly oh the Government railways in India under normal condition?

I understand that the number of hours worked varies with the class of employé I have no definite information as to the hours actually worked in normal conditions.

asked he Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India propose to purchase and take over the business of the Peninsular Locomotive Company, Limited; whether he can state the amount paid or payable; and whether it is the intention of the Government of India to build locomotives and railway wagons instead of having to rely on private enterprise?

The Government of India have purchased for a sum of 20 lakhs of rupees the works of the Peninsular Locomotive Company and intend to use them for the manufacture of carriage under frames. So far as I am aware, the Government of India have no intention of building locomotives and railway wagons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what engineering surveys have been sanctioned by the Railway Board of the Government of India, and the purpose of these surveys?

Information regarding recent surveys authorised by the Indian Railway Board will be found on pages 93–99 of the East India Budget Return for 1927–28, which has been presented to Parliament. Such surveys are undertaken in order to ascertain whether the construction of, a new line is likely to prove advantageous.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any particulars of the arrest at Coimbatore of Mr. N. S. Ramaswami Iyengar, a vakil of the High Court of Madras and president of the local labour union; whether any charge has been made against this man; and whether he has yet been tried?

The vakil referred to was arrested on the 23rd August last on a charge of inciting to violence, in accordance with the provisions of Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which relates to security for keeping the peace. The final result has not been reported.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information about the shooting accident near the Khat Railway Station, Bengal Nagpur Railway, which resulted in an Indian being killed by a private of the Wiltshire Regiment?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the resolution moved by Sir P. S. Sivaswamy Aiyer in the Indian Legislative Assembly on 17th February, 1921, which was accepted by the Government of India and unanimously adopted by the Assembly, that the Army in India should be entirely under the control, real as well as nominal, of the Government of India, and should be free from any domination or interference by the War Office on matters of military policy, organisation, or administration, and that such co-ordination as may be desirable between the military policies or organisations of different parts of the Empire should be secured by discussion and agreement at conferences at which India is adequately represented; and whether this position is accepted by, and is the present policy of, His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. I am afraid I misunderstood the hon. Member's question on Monday, but the terms in which it was expressed were of much wider application than the resolution he now quotes. The latter represents the general policy followed by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the authorities in India have not replied to the application for passports made to them 'by the Maharajah of Nabha some time ago, he will ask the Secretary of State to request the proper authority to reply to the Maharajah's application without further delay; whether he is aware that the Maharanee of Nabha has applied for passports for herself and children to leave India, and although the application has been made some time no reply has been received; and will he ask the Secretary of State to take the necessary action to secure that a reply is sent to the Maharanee as soon as possible?

My Noble Friend has not received information regarding the matters of detail referred to in the hon. Member's question, but he is confident that a decision will not be unnecessarily delayed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give figures showing the number of Indians who have returned to India from Trinidad during each of the last three years?

I have been asked to reply. The numbers of returning immigrants from Trinidad shown in the annual Administration Reports of the Protector of Immigrants are as follow:— 1924 886 1925 898 1926 996 Total 2,780

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the plight of the large Indian community in Trinidad where, owing to the absence of adequate facilities for repatriation, many Indians, in spite of the conditions and wages prevailing, are subjected to enforced residence; whether he is aware that there is no one, official or non-official, to look after the interests of the community and that the Emigration Department of the Government of the Colony, which was partly responsible for the well-being of the community, has now been abolished; whether, in view of these conditions, the Secretary of State will recommend the appointment of an agent to watch Indian interests in Trinidad; and whether he will consider the advisability of negotiating with the Government of the Colony with a view to providing adequate facilities for repatriation?

I am not aware that the situation of the Indian community is such as is suggested by the hon. Member. The hon. Member would also appear to be misinformed in regard to the Immigration Department which, as far as I am aware, is still in existence under the supervision of an officer entitled the Protector of Immigrants.

My Noble Friend will communicate with the Government of India regarding the suggestions contained in the last two parts of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in-connection with the city improvement schemes of Georgetown, British Guiana, more especially the sewerage scheme, he can state how these schemes were financed and under whose administration they have been executed from the outset; the original estimate for the main drainage scheme; who designed the scheme and prepared the estimates for it; and whether the consulting engineers were responsible for the due performance of this work according to the design and the estimate therefore?

These schemes are being financed by advances from the Crown agents pending the raising of a loan. They were originally carried out by a contractor under the supervision of consulting engineers, but are now being completed by direct labour. The original estimate of the net basic cost of the main drainage scheme was £248,446. The estimate was prepared by the contractor and approved by the consulting engineers, who designed the scheme and were responsible for the supervision of the performance of the work by the contractor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Georgetown Town Council has sent a delegation to the Colonial Office to complain of the excessive expenditure and faulty administration of the city improvements schemes of Georgetown, British Guiana, by the Colonial Government and to seek relief, he will say whether any relief has been given to the city of Georgetown as a consequence; and, if not, whether the Colonial Office intend to give the relief, and in what form?

The reply to the first part of this question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Colonial Government have recently informed the town council that the present time is inopportune to consider any amendment in the allocation of the burden of these schemes between the ratepayers of the city and the taxpayers of the Colony, and I see no reason to take a different view.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the result of the official inquiries into the case of Robert Sambo (a native of Nyasaland who was deported from Southern Rhodesia to Portuguese territory) which was promised on 11th July last; whether he will state why Sambo was deported to Portuguese territory, having regard to his domicile as a native of Nyasaland; and whether he has any further information regarding the endeavours which are being made to prevent the natives of Southern Rhodesia from organising in a trade union?

I am taking this question as it is addressed to me, although it should have been addressed to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. I understand that an Order was issued for the removal of Sambo from Southern Rhodesia because he persisted, after due warning, in activities which in the opinion of the Southern Rhodesia Government were likely to cause unrest amongst the native community. I have no information with regard to the matters referred to in the second and third parts of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what Colonies in the. West Indies have their own printing establishments; the average amount spent by each of the Colonies of Jamaica and Trinidad on public printing and supply of forms during the past 10 years; the average amount spent on printing and supply of forms during the same period by the Colony of British Guiana; how many years, consecutively, the printing and supply of forms in British Guiana has been in the hands of the present contractors to that Government; and whether he will give directions to the Government of that Colony to take steps to inaugurate a Government printing establishment there before the present contracts expire

The Governments of the following West Indian Colonies maintain their own printing departments: Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada. St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Leeward Islands. The average sums voted annually during the past 10 years for the maintenance of the printing departments of Jamaica and Trinidad have been £12,213 and £13,773 respectively. The average amount voted annually during the same period by the British Guiana Government for printing has been $29,825. I have no information regarding the cost of supplying forms, in so far as this is not comprised in the existing printing contract. Government printing in British Guiana has been executed under various contracts by the present firm since 1906 inclusive. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to give the number of natives of Nigeria who have been tried and executed during the year 1926 without being allowed to employ counsel in defence in the Courts; and what is the complete number of such executions during the last five years?

In 1926 the number of persons executed after trial before the Provincial and Native Courts was 59. The figures for previous years are: 1922 87 1923 89 1924 72 1925 73

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can inform the House as to the progress being made for the forthcoming British Industries Fairs in London and Birmingham; on what dates, respectively, will they be open; and how the applications to take part compare with those of previous years?

Up to Saturday last the total exhibition space applied for in the forthcoming British Industries Fair, to be held in London and Birmingham from the 20th February to the 2nd March, 1928, was 403,488 square feet. By the equivalent date of last year the area applied for was 285,848 square feet. The total exhibition area of the last Fair was 300,258 square feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the approximate areas of arable and pastoral land benefited as a result of the grants made by the State for drainage purposes in Scotland during the years 1925–26 and 1926–27

The approximate figures are as follow: In respect of the year 1925–26, 2,500 acres of arable land and 50,000 acres of pastoral land. In respect of the year 1926–27, 3,800 acres of arable land and 56,000 acres of pastoral land.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the recent outbreak of small-pox in the Easington Union of the County of Durham has cost the ratepayers a sum of £16,000, equivalent to a rate of 8d. in the £, and that in every case it was proved that the person attacked by the disease had either not been vaccinated at all or had not been vaccinated within the previous 15 years; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation on this subject?

I have no official information as to the cost of this outbreak. The returns made to my Department show that no person under the age of 15 years contracted smallpox who had been vaccinated prior to infection. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on this subject on the 24th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook).

asked the Minister of Health whether the suggestion made by the joint tuberculosis council is to be adopted by his Department; whether any steps have already bean taken to put these recommendations and suggestions into practice; and can he give particulars?

I do not know to what suggestion the hon. Member is referring.

asked the Minister of Health the names of those county councils in England who have mot yet submitted a scheme under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act?

The county councils in England and Wales who have not submitted schemes under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, are as follow: Berkshire Buckingham Cambridge Cornwall. Durham. Glamorgan. Hertford. Isle of Ely Isle of Wight. Lincoln (Kesteven). Merioneth Norfolk. Radnor. Shropshire. Soke of Peterborough. Warwick.

In some of these cases it is hoped that schemes will shortly be submitted, but in others the councils of the county districts have been declared the authorities for the purposes of the Act.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate cost of administration, including collections and disbursements, of health insurance in the year ended 3rd July, 1927?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the question of the hon. Member for the Don Valley division (Mr. T. Williams) on the 24th instant, and to that of the hon. Member for the Elland Division (Mr. W. C. Robinson) on the 17th instant.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women and girls who were unemployed during each week in October, 1927, in Kendal and district?

The following Table shows the number of women and girls respectively on the registers of the Kendal Employment Exchange on the Monday of each week in October, 1927.

Date. Women. Girls. 3rd October, 1927 105 27 10th October, 1927 113 23 17th October, 1927 106 27 24th October, 1927 110 24 31st October, 1927 106 16

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women who undertook short-time work of an agricultural nature during the past year; and what was the nature of the work; what was the average period; and how, many were insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts?

I regret I have no figures on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any arrangement whereby an unemployed man, who has an invitation from an employer to interview him regarding employment at the hour when he is due to sign at the Employment Exchange, can have his time of signing altered to allow him to accept the invitation?

Yes, Sir; the standing instructions to Employment Exchanges expressly provide that signature at any time within the recognised hours may be accepted if the claimant gives a reasonable excuse for not attending at the time when he is personally due to sign.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons under the Unemployment Acts were employed in the sugar-refining industry in this country in the years 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927, ending October; and how many persons were registered as unemployed in the industry in each of the above years, ending October, 1927?

For practical reasons it is not possible to tabulate statistics in regard to every industry, and a system of grouping has been adopted under which industries are classified into 100 groups. Sugar-refining is included with a number of other industries to form the group "Other Food Industries," and I regret, therefore, that statistics of the numbers insured and insured persons unemployed in this particular industry do not exist.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the employers at the Swansea Brickworks, Forestfach, have locked out their employed in consequence of their refusal to accept a reduction in wages; that there is a possibility of the dispute extending to other workers; and whether any efforts have been made by his Department to get the matter settled?

I am aware of the dispute to which the hon. Member refers. As a result of action taken by my De- partment a joint conference of the parties was held on Friday last and proposals are now being considered by both sides which I hope will result in a settlement of the dispute.

asked the Home Secretary what proportion of the premium paid as insurance against accidents under the Workmen's Compensation Act was absorbed as working expenses and profits for the last year ended for which figures are available?

The provisional figures for the year ended 31st December last show that in that year the total expenses and profits of all the companies amounted to approximately 44 per cent, of their total income. The hon. Member must not, however, overlook the agreement between the Home Office and the Accident Offices Association, which is set out in Parliamentary Paper Cmd. 1891, and which, in the case of companies belonging to the Association, limits these charges to 40 per cent, of the premiums.

asked the Home Secretary what amounts were included in the accounts of the State-management district under the Licensing Act, 1921, in respect of licence and other duties (beer, spirits, etc.), taxes (other than Income Tax, Schedule D), and rates or contributions in lieu thereof; and whether any amounts are included in respect of taxes or super-taxes which would have been payable had the houses been in private ownership?

The published accounts relate to more than one State Management District under the Licensing Act, 1921, and the total payments included in the accounts in respect of the items mentioned in the first part of the question amounted for the year 1926–1927 to £198,868 6s. 11d. No amounts are included in respect of Income Tax (Schedule D) and Super-tax.

asked the Home Secretary the reasons for which the State has taken over the refreshment rooms at Carlisle station from the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company?

These refreshment rooms have not been taken over and there has been no change in the arrangement made by the Central Control Board as long ago as May, 1917, under which the railway company acts as the agent of the State Management Districts for the supply of intoxicating liquor.

asked the Home Secretary ether he has made any inquiries into the allegations made in connection with the West Ham Socialist Sunday School?

I am not sure to what allegations the hon. Member refers. If he will communicate them to me, I will consider the matter.

asked the Home Secretary what specific inquiry he is making to ascertain whether the new sixpenny rate for taximeter cabs is such as to provide a reasonable livelihood for owners and drivers?

I have stated more than once that I am not prepared to reopen the question of the new scale of fares until proper experience of its working has been obtained.

asked the Home Secretary how many convicts in Parkhurst convict prison have been punished under prison rules since 30th June, 1927; for what offences such punishments were imposed; what has been the nature and extent of the punishments; and whether he intends to hold any inquiry into the administration of this prison during the last 18 months?

72 convicts have been punished for 26 offences of violence, one of attempted escape, three of idleness and 64 other breaches of rules. The punishments awarded have been, corporal punishment, one; loss of stage or remission, 92; dietary punishment, 38; close confinement, 40. There is no reason for any inquiry, and no inquiry will be held.

asked the Home Secretary how many educational lectures have been provided for the convicts at Parkhurst convict prison since 1st September, 1927; upon what subjects and by whom such lectures have been given and the average attendance at them; what educational lectures have been definitely arranged to be given during the next six months; whether the offer of the Isle of Wight education authority to provide a course of weekly lectures during the winter and spring has been accepted; and, if the offer is not accepted, what steps will be taken to ensure the regular and systematic provision of educational lectures for the prisoners in this prison?

During the period in question there have been no educational lectures for the general body of prisoners, but educational classes have been held for prisoners likely to profit by them as follows: Nine classes in "The Progress of Aviation" and "The History of the British Empire" taken by Lieut. Carr, R.A., and Lieut. Craney, R.A., with an average attendance of seven. Twelve choral classes, taken by Mr. Russell, with an average attendance of 33. Thirteen band classes, taken by an officer of the Church Army and a prison officer, with an average attendance of 13. There have also been three concerts, with an average attendance of 159. At the present there are two educational classes, two choral classes, and one band class weekly, and these arrangements will continue at any rate till Christmas. No definite arrangements have been made beyond that date.

As regards the offer made by the education authority for the Isle of Wight, I am sending the hon. Member copies of the correspondence which the Prison Commissioners have had with the authority, from which he will see how the matter now stands. I hope that the authority will feel able to co-operate with the Governor, but in any case arrangements have been made locally to enable the Governor to obtain advice and assistance in preparing his educational programme.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that Section 35 of the Poor Law Act, 1927, repealed Section 54 of the Poor Law (Amendment) Act, 1934, he will consider the advisability of issuing a fresh Circular to magistrates' clerks, explaining the powers conferred on magistrates by the Act of 1927 of ordering Poor Law relief?

It is not usual to issue Circulars in regard to every Act but only in special cases, and I do not think it necessary to issue a Circular letter to justices' clerks upon this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the unreliability of electric lighting, he will consider the desirability of installing gas lighting in the Houses of Parliament to ensure a reliable source of light?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, after the inconvenience inflicted on the House on the 24th instant, owing to the failure of the electric light, he will take immediate steps to provide that a second circuit shall be available in future?

My Noble Friend regrets the inconvenience caused to this House by the failure of the electric light on Thursday last, which, as the House is aware, was due to the fusing of the main cable at the power station of the Supply Company, as the result of a fire in an adjoining hut.

In normal circumstances, an alternative source of supply would have been available, but, unfortunately, the gear for switching over was not in operation, owing to alterations which are in progress in connection with the linking-up of various London stations.

For the same reason, the power station itself was without light, and the change over had to be effected by hand in the darkness, which accounts for the delay.

My Noble Friend considered two years ago the advisability of installing an independent stand-by generating set in the Houses of Parliament, but, apart from the need for economy, the assurances given by the electricity company convinced him that such an installation was unnecessary. I can assure the House that when once the stations are linked up, a complete failure of the supply will be practically impossible, and in the meantime, every possible step will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the trouble.

To instal gas would not only be extremely expensive, but would not meet the requirements of the case, as electricity is necessary both for the ventilation of the Houses and for smoke extraction.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Department is engaged on the building of houses in any district or for any other Department by direct labour; if so, what is the cost per cubic foot; and whether His Majesty's Office of Works still administers any cottage property, the district where it is situated, and the rent charged for cottages of two, three, four, and five rooms, respectively?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise. I am sending the hon. Member, separately, particulars of the rents charged for houses on the several housing estates administered by the Office of Works. The accommodation generally consists of four or five rooms. In addition to these houses, a few cottages occasionally become available for letting on Coastguard Stations scattered over the country, the rents of which vary according to the accommodation provided and to local conditions.

Particulars of Rents charged for houses on the Housing Estates administered by H.M. Office of Works. Estate. Number of Houses. Rent per Week. England. Dudley (Temporary) … 301 5s. 10d. to 7s. 6d. inclusive. Barrow-Roosegate (Temporary) … 134 4s. to 6s. 3d. exclusive. Sheffield (Temporary) … 684 8s. and 8s. 3d. inclusive. Woolwich Group of Estates (Temporary) 2,250 7s. to 10s. 6d. inclusive. Chepstow (Permanent) … 406 5s. 3d. to 15s. exclusive. Birtley (Temporary) … 906 5s. 9d. to 20s. inclusive. Scotswood (Temporary) … 402 6s. to 7s. 8d. inclusive. Scotland. Alexandria (Temporary) … 150 5s. 11d. to 6s. 7d. plus occupier's rates. Invergordon (Permanent) … 118 8s. 3d. inclusive. Midlanark and Mossend (Permanent) … 549 8s. 2d. to 10s. 6d. plus occupier's rates. Inchinnan (Permanent) … 52 7s. 10d. to 11s. 0d. plus occupiers rates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of copying typists and shorthand-typists, respectively, promoted to the woman clerk class in 1913 and 1919, and the number in each grade who have been promoted to the clerical class or allied departmental clerical classes in the year 1916–17, together with the number employed in each typing grade during each of these periods?

The particulars asked for are not available from existing statistics, and I do not think the special inquiries, which would be necessary in order to obtain this information, would be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of writing assistants employed in the Civil Service and the complement of writing assistants for the service?

The total number of writing assistants employed in Departments on 1st April, 1926, was 4,603. Particulars of the total number on 1st January next will be available early in the new year. Particulars as to the number of posts of writing assistant, for which provision is made on the Votes of each Department, will be found in the Estimates for the current financial year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of Betting Duty inspectors, senior Betting Duty officers, and Betting Duty officers who are employed by the Treasury in connection with the Betting Duty, and the remuneration paid to these officers?

One betting duty inspector at an inclusive salary of £600 a. year, four senior betting duty officers at inclusive pay of £6 a week rising to £7 a week, and 14 betting duty officers at inclusive pay of £4 a week rising to £5 a week are employed in connection with the betting duty.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the net capital value of property on which Estate Duty was paid in Great Britain for the 12 months, ended to the last convenient date?

The net capital value of all property on which Estate Duty was paid in Great Britain in the year ended 31st March, 1927, was £466,466,978.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount received for Silk Duties for the 12 months ending to the last convenient date for silk apparel for private use which is not intended for sale, and also on articles which are intended for sale?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, as figures for apparel are not separately recorded from those for other articles made wholly or partly of silk.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of teachers who qualified for the teachers' certificate under the Government training scheme for ex-service men?

According to the most recent information, 4,878 ex-service students trained under the Board's scheme for the higher education of ex-service men had obtained teaching appointments, but I cannot say how many of these were certificated.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of fully-trained certificated teachers (men) at present employed in full-time service in elementary schools who are over 35 years of age and who, through late entry into the profession, receive salaries of less than £300; and the number in receipt of less than £250

The information asked for by the hon. Member is not at present available, and its collection would entail a very considerable expenditure of time and labour, which my right hon. Friend is afraid he would not be justified in undertaking.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the number of coal mines which were producing coal in the county of Durham on the latest available date, and for the corresponding date of the year 1924;

(2) the total wages paid per week to the workpeople employed at the coal mines in the county of Durham on the latest available date, and for the corresponding date of the year 1924;

(3) the number of workpeople employed at the coal mines in the county of Durham on the latest available date, and for the corresponding date of the year 1924

At the middle of November, 1927, 211 pits were producing coal in the county of Durham and 122,600 wage-earners were employed. The corresponding figures for 1924 were 241 and 158,700. During September, 1927, the latest date for which information is available, the estimated total weekly wage bill was £272,000, and during September, 1924, £388,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any units of the Shanghai defence force have at any time been sent to Tientsin or Hankow for the better protection of British subjects and interests at those ports or either of them; and, if so, whether any such units are still stationed at either of those ports?

In addition to the battalion normally stationed at Tientsin, one battalion of the Shanghai defence force was sent there in June last, and is still there. No portion of the Shanghai defence force has been sent to Hankow.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what the position is regarding the Washington surtaxes; whether they are being levied and paid by all nationalities alike and at all ports alike; and what attitude is being adopted by His Majesty's representatives in China regarding the payment of these surtaxes by British subjects?

The Washington surtaxes are being levied and paid by all nationalities at all ports with the following exceptions: At Shanghai the surtaxes on wines and rolled tobacco are not paid by Japanese and Americans and at Antung and Dairen the surtaxes are not paid on goods in the hands of Japanese. The levy of these surtaxes is in accordance with the policy advocated by His Majesty's Government in the memorandum of the 18th December, 1926: and therefore the British authorities in China do not intervene to prevent their payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Marion Smith, widow of the late Dr. L. Satchwell Smith, who was murdered by Chinese Nationalist soldiers at the taking of Nanking on 24th March, 1927; whether he is aware that Mrs. Smith has been offered the small sum of £1,000 by the Nationalist Government as compensation; and whether he will make representations to the Nationalist Government about her case?

The case of Mrs. Smith is one with which my right hon. Friend feels great sympathy and which he is following with close attention.

On the 24th August last His Majesty's Consul-General at Nanking reported that he had received from the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs a cheque for $110,000 (about £1,000) payable to Mrs. Smith. The cheque was accompanied by a letter stating that the Nationalist authorities "considering the circumstances of Dr. Smith's widow had decided to make her a compassionate allowance" of this amount, and expressing their regret and sympathy.

was reluctant to accept this cheque unless it was made clear that it was in no way in prejudice of her claim to full compensation. The decision as to the answer to be given to the Nationalist authorities was left in her Hands, in consultation with her lawyers, and I have not yet been informed whether she has accepted the cheque or not. In the letter handed to the Chinese authorities at Hankow and Shanghai on the 11th April last it was stated that His Majesty's Government required "complete reparation for personal injuries and material damage done." It is our intention to persist in this demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is prepared to see a deputation with regard to the effect of the regulations to be enforced from 1st January, 1928, with regard to the milling of barley or if he has any statement to make

A deputation of the barley millers is being received by the Ministry of Health and the Scottish Board of Health jointly on an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage under wheat, barley, and oats in the county of Lincoln in 1913, 1920, 1924, and 1927, respectively?

The following statement gives the acreage under wheat, barley and oats in Lincolnshire as returned on the 4th June in each of the years mentioned in the question: Years. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Acres. Acres. Acres. 1913 158,510 211,311 116,958 1920 161,415 199,308 118,854 1924 172,343 168,778 129,068 1927 195,174 137,560 108,484

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now give an estimate of the amount of home-grown sugar produced this year and, for comparison, the amount produced last year?

3,069,757 cwt. of home-grown beet sugar were produced in the 1926–27 season. In the present (1927–28) campaign, it is estimated that 4,780,000 cwt. will be produced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any steps have been taken to prevent motorists driving their cars on the grass in areas immediately infected with foot-and-mouth disease

With the assistance of the Automobile Association, to whom the Ministry is much indebted, notices have been posted at frequent intervals in prominent positions along the New Forest roads asking motorists to keep off the grass. The Ministry's inspectors and the police report that this request is being observed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of British egg producers at the refusal to approve the marking of imported foreign eggs; whether he is aware that the British egg producers contend that their eggs are now properly graded for market; and whether, in view of the fact that the Merchandise Marks Act was originally passed mainly to afford protection to such British eggs, he will facilitate further inquiry into the matter?

I am aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction among British egg producers as a result of the recommendations of the Standing Committee appointed under the Merchandise Marks Act. Whether or not British eggs are properly graded for market is obviously a matter of opinion, and I am not aware that any definite contention on this point has been made on behalf of British egg producers as a whole.

I shall, of course, be happy to facilitate as far as I can any representative application to the Standing Committee,

STATEMENT showing Subsidy paid to Beet Sugar Factories during Manufacturing Seasons 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27, and 1927–28 (to 31st October, 1927). Factory. Manufacturing Season. 1924–25. 1925–26. 1926–27. 1927–28 (to 31st Oct. 1927). Total. £ £ £ £ £ 1. Cantley … … 299,181 373,669 508,064 63,063 1,243,977 2. Kelham … … 134,660 97,958 270,971 5,441 509,030 3. Ely … … — 217,011 538,375 92,693 848,079 4. Ipswich … … — 60,980 438,697 26,590 526,267 5. Colwick … … 75,359 159,948 249,959 14,323 499,589 6. Spalding … … — — 143,718 14,217 157,934 7. Kidderminster … … — 63,164 164,076 15,613 242,853 8. Poppleton … … — — 158,536 15,213 173,749 9. Felstead … … — — 95,271 8,615 103,886 10. Bury St. Edmunds … — 92,398 384,322 52,304 529,024 11. Wissington … … — 52,348 111,468 22,965 186,781 12. Peterborough … … — — 187,878 — 187,878 13. Bardney … … — — — 9,676 9,676 14. Selby … … — — — 1,866 1,866 15. Greenock … … — 4,105 17,968 — 22,073 16. Cupar … … — — 56,090 — 56,090 Total … … 509,200 1,121,581 3,325,393 342,579 5,298,753 NOTE.—Three new factories King's Lynn, Eynsham and Allscott, had not started working by 31st October, 1927.

and meanwhile as I have already stated, the Report has been referred to the Poultry Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of subsidy to the sugar-beet industry paid since 1924 to 31st October, 1927; the amount per year per company since 1924; the increase in the total number of persons employed in the factories receiving the subsidy; the amount per year per person employed; and the capital per firm; and the total employed in the industry?

The following statements supply the information desired in regard to the amount of subsidy paid and the capitalisation of the companies. The approximate number of persons employed in the sugar-beet factories was in 1924–25, 1,455; in 1925–26, 4,584; in 1926–27, 7,157; and in 1927–28, 8,400.

The number of persons employed on the land and in ancillary occupations arising out of the subsidy is not known and the relation of the total number of persons employed to the annual subsidy cannot consequently be stated.

STATEMENT showing the CAPITALISATION of Beet Sugar Factory Companies. Company. Factory. Issued and Paid-up Shares. Debentures (including Trade Facilities Guarantees). Total. Companies operating in 1926–27 and previous seasons. £ £ £ Position as at 31 st March, 1927. English Beet Sugar Corporation, Ltd. Cantley 450,507 — 450,507 Home-Grown Sugar, Ltd. Kelham 125,000 168,109 293,109 Ely Beet Sugar Factory, Ltd. Ely 450,000 97,440 547,440 Ipswich Beet Sugar Factory, Ltd. Ipswich 400,000 97,440 497,440 Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation. Ltd. Colwick 425,000 830,000 1255,000 Spalding West Midland Sugar Company, Ltd. Kidderminster 180,000 150,000 330,000 Second Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation, Ltd. Poppleton (york) 240,500 865,000 1,105,500 Felstead Cupar British Sugar Manufacturers, Ltd. Wissington 348,730 256,428 605,158 United Sugar Company, Ltd. Bury St. Edmunds. 300,000 — 300,000 Central Sugar Company, Ltd. Peterborough 175,000 185,000 360,000 Orchard Sugar Company, Ltd. Greenock 147,291 165,838 313,129 Total 3,242,028 2,815,255 6,057,283 Companies operating in 1927–28 for first time. Position as as 19 th November, 1927. Sugar Beet and Crop Dryers, Ltd. Eynsham 73,050 35,000 108,050 Lincolnshire Beet Sugar Company, Ltd. Bardney 332,500 225,000 557,500 King's Lynn Beet Sugar Factory, Ltd. King's Lynn 450,000 Nil 450,000 Yorkshire Sugar Company, Ltd. Selby 196,874 190,000 386,874 Shropshire Beet Sugar Company, Ltd. Allscott 322,559 Nil 322,559 Total 1,374,983 450,000 1,824,883 Grand Total 4,617,011 3,265,255 7,882,266