asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the pledge to temporary non-service female clerks, in regard to immunity from displacement by juniors from outside, has been extended, whilst temporary ex-service men have been and are being discharged?

My predecessor has already given an undertaking that no efficient temporary ex-service clerk will be discharged in order to make room for successful candidates from the examination now being held for the admission of boys and girls to the clerical classes. The undertaking referred to in the question dealt with the position of efficient temporary women clerks employed in headquarters establishments, who are engaged upon work specially appropriate to women. It was to the effect that they should not be discharged to make room for successful candidates from open competitions for the writing assistant class, or clerical class (women) held after 1st January, 1926. This undertaking does not in any way prejudice the continued employment of temporary ex-service clerks. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the Lytton and Southborough Committees on the Employment of Ex-Service Men in the Civil Service recommended that such women should not be regarded as substitutable by ex-service men.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been directed to the claim of Mr. Robert Atkinson, a Southern Irish resident, whose devotion to the service of the Empire has entailed personal loss to the extent of £20,000, owing to the seizure of his property; and will he state the reason for the rejection of this claim by the Irish Grants Committee, seeing that this man and his wife and children are now destitute?

I understand that the claim of Mr. Robert Atkinson has been the subject of the most careful consideration by the Irish Grants Committee, who decided, after hearing Counsel on behalf of Mr. Atkinson, that the facts laid before them did not justify them in making any recommendation in his case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, pending the decision of certain cases before the High Court, the return of Income Tax to certain scientific societies hitherto regarded as charitable institutions is being withheld; and, as such action, especially in the cases of those societies which have annually to distribute funds for research purposes, is a hardship and one which must necessarily curtail research work carried out in our universities and university institutions, will he arrange to have these taxes refunded?

Appeals to the High Court are pending against decisions of the Special Commissioners of Income Tax holding that two societies were not entitled to exemption from Income Tax as charities. These two societies, after discussion between representatives of a large group of learned and scientific societies and the Revenue authorities, had been taken as test cases. Unless these decisions of the Special Commissioners on appeal are reversed by the Courts, it would not be possible for the Inland Revenue to continue to make repayments of tax in respect of income of the general funds of other societies of the same character. If, however, my hon. Friend is aware of any cases in which relief has not been admitted in respect of income which is subject to a specific trust for application to research in a university or university institution, I shall gladly make further inquiry on being furnished with the necessary particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what time limit was fixed for lodging claims for the repayment of Excess Profits Duty; what was the aggregate amount collected under this duty from its inception to the latest available date; how much has been repaid during that period; what is the estimated total amount of claims for repayment outstanding; and what is the present estimated amount of the arrears due to the Exchequer?

I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 38 of the Finance Act, 1926, relating to the assessments and claims for repayment of Excess Profits Duty. In view of the number of cases which are still open and in which claims for duty or repayment may be raised, I am unable to furnish any estimate of the amount of claims for repayment outstanding or the amount of tax remaining to be collected. The aggregate gross receipt and the aggregate repayments of Excess Profits Duty and Munitions Levy up to 30th November, 1927, are as follow:

£ Aggregate gross receipt 1,440,215,000 Aggregate repayments 245,228,000

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from Cardiff resolutions passed in that city protesting against the continuance of the State management scheme and asking him to receive a deputation; and whether any reply has been given to this request?

I do not recollect having received any request for a deputation since June last, when I sent a reply of an explanatory, and I thought conciliatory, character. Any further request would, of course, have my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a large number of municipal authorised undertakers maintain that Clause 5 of the South-East England Electricity Scheme is ultra vires, on the ground that the 1926 Act gives no power to the Central Electricity Board to lay down in the scheme the precise terms on which electricity shall be paid for under temporary arrangements; and whether he will refer this matter to the Central Electricity Board for inquiry?

I understand that representations on the point to which the right hon. Gentleman refers have already been received by the Central Electricity Board, and are at present under their consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any further reports as to the movements of the special force that has been sent to the Solomon Islands for the purpose of restoring order; whether any arrests have been made; and can he give full particulars?

No recent reports have been received as to the movements of the constabulary force sent to Malaita. 67 arrests have been reported.

asked the Postmaster-General when the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Telegraph Service will be published; and if it will be laid as a White Paper?

I understand that the Committee referred to will probably be in a position to report early in the New Year. No decision has yet been taken as regards publication.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox have been reported from the workhouse at Newcastle-on-Tyne; how many of them had been vaccinated or re-vaccinated; when was the last general re-vaccination of the inmates prior to this outbreak; and whether any inmates recently vaccinated or re-vaccinated who were attacked by small-pox were suffering from any other disease at the time of the attack?

Forty-five cases of small-pox have recently occurred in the Newcastle-on-Tyne Poor Law Institution. Forty-two of these cases had, at the time of infection by small-pox, been vaccinated in infancy only, and their ages ranged from 17 to 70 years. In addition, one had been re-vaccinated 10 years ago. Prior to the present outbreak there has been no general re-vaccination of the inmates during the past 15 years. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, but in none of these cases was the vaccination successful

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the loss of working days caused by sickness during the years 1925 and 1926?

There are no data available as regards the general population. As regards persons insured under the National Health Insurance Act (some 14 millions in England and Wales), it has been estimated by reference to the sums paid by way of sickness and disablement benefit under the Act, that the time lost by sickness in England and Wales was: During 1925, upwards of 150,000,000 working days During 1926, upwards of 169,000,000 working days

In making these estimates account has to be taken of a number of uncertain factors, and the result can only be regarded as a rough approximation.

asked the Minister of Health what local authorities have built houses under the Housing Acts at rents, exclusive of rates, of under 6s., 6s. 1d., 7s., 7s. 1d., 8s., 8s. 1d., 9s., 9s. 1d., 10s., 10s. 1d., 11s., and 11s. 1d. to 12s., giving the number and types of houses, and indicating under which Acts and subsidies they have been built?

Particulars of rents in the forms desired by the hon. Member are not available in my Department. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the tables showing particulars of rents charged by certain local authorities, given in reply to the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) on 11th November, 1926

asked the Minister of Health whether he has authorised the Hendon Rural District Council, in the area which it has town planned, to make a serious deviation from the plan which would entirely spoil the locality; and, if not, will he prevent the proposed erection of shops on the village green at Stan-more?

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position of the town-planning scheme for Stanmore; whether he is aware that the Hendon Rural District Council is proposing to depart from the plan by sanctioning the erection of shops on the village green; and whether he has received representations from public bodies and local residents protesting against any such destruction of the amenities of this village?

A preliminary statement of the council's town-planning proposals has been approved. It is within the discretion of the council to allow this development, and I do not think it right that I should interfere with their exercise of that discretion. I have received some representations on the matter, and have replied to this effect

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the monthly returns of imports for the present year, to the latest month available, of tobacco from Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and Canada, and the corresponding monthly figures for the last two years?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th Decem- ber, 1927; col. 1164, VOL. 211], supplied the following statement:

STATEMENT showing the quantities of Un-manufactured Tobacco consigned from Rhodesia, Nyasaland and Canada respectively and imported into the United Kingdom in each month from January, 1925 to October, 1927. Consigned from 1925. 1926. 1927. Rhodesia. LBS. LBS. LBS. January 108,449 101,007 524,613 February 47,766 208,007 166,719 March — 15,092 241,983 April 23,326 50,348 162,317 May 19,267 23,052 203,397 June 106,393 161,014 274,564 July — 169,220 413,735 August — 235,562 1,658,339 September 27,691 121,885 2,163,556 October 188,070 231,964 1,638,477 November 247,364 529,930 — December 262,839 457,928 — Nyasaland. January 259,103 84,015 110,313 February 23,892 73,078 16,718 March 49,947 44,958 146,038 April 15,367 32,913 18,957 May 8,627 — 185,053 June 560,245 546,550 970,693 July 975,257 1,941,455 1,251,003 August 1,378,269 1,851,318 2,612,467 September 1,794,768 1,583,873 3,026,497 October 829,044 1,253,641 3,280,100 November 1,029,330 1,222,725 1,252,051 December 146,636 449,569 — Canada. January 119,717 326,638 475,563 February 161,386 244,442 849,649 March 329,961 950,587 1,521,808 April 314,195 897,728 1,424,988 May 379,298 884,995 974,414 June 365,744 994,088 283,706 July 129,467 232,060 135,118 August 1,450 108,154 101,184 September 7,654 98,197 2,545 October — 90,220 2,225 November 49,431 33,954 — December 221 52,823 —

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position in China; and whether any fatalities have been reported among the European staff of the tramways at Shanghai?

Feng Yuhsiang's threat to Shantung, which was mentioned in my reply To The hon. Member on the 7th instant, appears to have proved ineffective. The latest reports show that about a week ago the Ankuochün (Northern Army) gained a victory at Hsuchowfu, as a result of which Feng Yu-hsiang was compelled to retreat. The friction between the rival military factions at Hankow continues, and the latest reports show the situation there to be disquieting. On the 11th December, Communists and the Red Labour Unions at Canton, with the assistance of a certain number of revolted troops took advantage of the absence of the main forces on an expedition up the West River and seized control of the city. They issued proclamations in the name of the Canton Soviet, ordering the confiscation of land and houses, the extermination of landlords and the destruction of title-deeds, and they released all prisoners. The local authorities took refuge on the south bank of the river, which they still hold. They hurriedly brought troops from the out-lying districts and commenced a counterattack on the morning of the 13th December, and are now reported to have retaken the city and to be restoring order.

On the 12th December, His Majesty's Vice-Consul at Canton proceeded down the river in His Majesty's ship "Moorhen" to evacuate foreigners from the suburbs of the city. The party was heavily fired on by Communists on the way down, but succeeded in bringing away without casualty 81 refugees, of whom 11 were British, 15 American, and 55 German. As far as is known no foreigners at Canton have been molested in the course of this rising. The preliminary conference of the Kuomintang, sitting at Shanghai, decided on the 10th December that Chiang Kai-shek should resume his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Nationalist forces. The proceedings of the conference exhibited divergencies of view between the various sections of the Kuomintang. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question, I am glad to say that in the course of the present tramway strike at Shanghai, no fatalities have been reported among the European staff

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the anti- Semitic riots at Oradea Mare, in Transylvania, during which an American citizen, Captain Keller, attempted to protect from insult at the hands of the rioters a Union Jack which had been hoisted by a Jew in a vain attempt to protect his premises; whether he is aware that Captain Keller was beaten and stabbed; what is now his condition; and does he propose to take any action in the matter?

I have received telegraphic reports on the riots at Oradea Mare from His Majesty's Ministers at Budapest and Bucharest. The official Rumanian account states that some students removed the Union Jack from the premises on which it was flying and paraded it, together with the Rumanian flag, in procession acclaiming Great Britain as a friendly country. An American citizen named Keller was wounded apparently while endeavouring to prevent the rioters from entering the Y.M.C.A. premises, and I understand that the United States Minister at Bucharest is making representations to the Rumanian Government on the matter. The incident is, however, being thoroughly investigated both by His Majesty's Minister at Bucharest and the Rumanian Government, and I propose to await further reports

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir Denis Bray, the Political Secretary to the Government of India, who has recently left India for Persia, is undertaking any mission in that country on behalf of the British Government and making any specific requests from the Persian Government; arid whether he will inform the House as to the contents of the recent British Note to Persia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to this question on the 1st December

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the works de- partment in Rosyth Dockyard is given an opportunity of submitting estimates for all classes of work which can be undertaken in the yard; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of giving that department the same chance of tendering as is given to outside contractors?

The works staff at Rosyth is not maintained on a scale capable of doing any important repair work, but if there is work in the yard within its capacity the question of doing it there will be considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty which of the former coaling stations of the Navy have now been converted into oil depots, and which stations it is proposed to convert in the future?

Coal requirements for the Navy still continue but on a much smaller scale than pre-War, and stocks of coal are still held at the various naval bases and ports of call. Stocks of oil are similarly distributed

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the size of the largest submarine, built or building, of each of the five leading naval Powers, together with the cost in each case, along with the comparable figures for the year 1913?

I am having the various particulars prepared, and, with the hon. Member's permission, will circulate them in the Official Report as soon as possible

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the names and numbers of ships and the number of officers and naval ratings that have been employed or taken part in any films produced in conjunction with the Admiralty, giving the approximate number of hours employed by the ships or naval ratings for each picture; whether any casualties have occurred during the making of any of these films; and, if so, will he give particulars?

I am unable to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question without calling for returns from the Fleet, and I hardly think that the value of the information would justify the time and labour expended in preparing it. No casualties have been reported as having occurred during the making of any films in which His Majesty's ships have been engaged

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total cost of the last extensions and additions which were made to the naval yard at Hong Kong, and the estimated value of the site if disposed of at current prices?

The last large extension to Hong Kong Dockyard was carried out between the years 1896–1911 and included new dock, wharf, reclamation and contingent works, machinery, etc., at a total cost of nearly £1,500,000. Apart from the above, works on a smaller scale (confined since the signing of the Washington Treaty to what has been necessary for the maintenance of the yard) have been executed from time to time, during the above period and subsequently, at a total cost approximating to £343,000. No valuation has been made of the site, and, as the freehold is not vested in the Admiralty, it is not possible to give any figure as to what its value may be

asked the Attorney-General when the last meeting was held of the West Riding (Yorks) Advisory Committee; and whether the list of recommendations of April, 1926, have yet been reconsidered?

I have been asked to reply. I must refer the hon. Member to the answers given to his questions on this subject on the 14th July and 21st November. The Lord Chancellor has not yet received the advisory Committee's report upon the list of recommendations which he referred back to them for reconsideration in May last

asked the Attorney-General whether His Majesty's Government have considered the Report, dated 18th February, 1927, of the Crown Proceedings Committee; whether they intend to present to Parliament a Bill as suggested by that Committee; and, if so, when its introduction may be anticipated?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government do not propose to present to Parliament the draft Bill contained in the Report of the Crown Proceedings Committee; but they hope in the course of next Session to deal by legislation with certain aspects of the question

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the removal and subsistence allowance circular, dated 16th June, 1926, as applied to the prison and Borstal service in England and Wales, does not apply to the Scottish prison and Borstal service; and will he take steps to bring the Scottish system into line with the English?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, it appears, on the information before me, that the existing rules applied by the Prison Commissioners for Scotland adequately meet the special conditions of the Scottish Prison Service; but if the hon. Member has any special point in view, I shall be ready to look into it

asked the Minister of Transport whether the preliminary survey in connection with the proposed road bridge across the Forth has yet been completed, and when a Report may be expected on the matter?

It is unlikely that the Report, which involves lengthy and difficult investigations, will be ready until next summer, or even later.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the employers at Milnwood Colliery, Bellshill, altered the hours for lowering the men on the back-shift without any consultation with the representatives of the men; whether the divisional inspector of mines was consulted in the matter; and what action, if any, has been taken by him?

I am aware that there has recently been an alteration in the time of beginning work on the back-shift at this pit, but this is a matter over which the inspectors of mines have no jurisdiction. At the same time, a question has arisen in regard to the winding time, and this latter point is being dealt with by the divisional inspector.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the success of the wheat-conditioning factory established near Grantham, in Lincolnshire; and whether he will consider the erection of similar factories in other agricultural centres throughout the country?

The factory to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is a provender mill in which a small drying plant has been installed. I am aware that 700 to 800 quarters of grain have been successfully treated at this centre during the present season, but apart from the fact that the mill is owned and operated by a farmer, there is nothing unique in either the plant or the practice as far as this country is concerned. It will be appreciated that the question of whether it is a business proposition to erect special plant for the collective cleaning, drying, grading and storing by farmers, of their cereal crops is one of some complexity, and I propose to take early steps to ascertain the views of various interests concerned. The general question will also receive attention in the Report now being prepared in my Department on the marketing of cereals in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what percentage of the total number of eggs produced in Great Britain come from general farms and poultry farms, respectively; and what steps the Ministry is in a position to take to assist poultry farmers in grading and marketing their produce;

(2) whether, in consultation with the Board, he will consider the advisability of publishing an official standard for the age of new-laid eggs, irrespective of the class of trade in which they are sold, and that the term preserved should be more clearly defined, so as to ensure that before preserving they are not unduly old; and whether, in view of the quantity of imported eggs sold in this country which are often kept in cold storage, any further steps can be taken so that the public can distinguish between British produce and imported eggs?

In January, 1926, the Ministry published as No. 10 of its Economic Series a Report on Egg Marketing in England and Wales. In this Report it is estimated that more than 80 per cent, of the home-produced eggs sold for consumption are marketed from the flocks of general farmers and smallholders. Following the publication of this Report, the Ministry has given 11 demonstrations at selected centres in different parts of the country. These demonstrations have illustrated in a practical way the various suggestions for improved marketing made in the Report; I hope to arrange to continue these demonstrations during the coming year. In addition, leaflets containing hints on egg marketing and others explaining the grading idea have been distributed free at these demonstrations and circulated widely through the medium of interested organisations. About 45,000 copies have been distributed to date.

As there is every indication that the industry, as a whole, is now ready to formulate an agreed programme of marketing reform, I have recently reconstituted my Poultry Advisory Committee by extending the representation of the distributive trades. The reconstituted committee met for the first time on 9th December and set up a small subcommittee to prepare a scheme for the better marketing of eggs produced in this country. This sub-committee will, no doubt, consider the points to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.