asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of British-made morphia was exported in the year 1927; and to what countries these exports were consigned?

I am afraid I am not able to give my hon. Friend this information at present, as the statistics for 1927 have not yet been completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the Bill introduced in the French Legislature to provide funds for loans to French shipowners for the construction or purchase of vessels; and whether, in view of the intensified competition which may be expected to result from this measure, he will devise a system of credits to assist British shipping when necessary?

My attention has been called to the French proposals to which the hon. Member refers. It is not proposed to introduce a measure of this kind in this country. The hon. Member will recollect that Parliament decided not to renew the Trade Facilities-Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that several brickyards have been closed recently and numbers of men discharged owing to the importation of foreign bricks; and, in view of the desirability of increasing production in this country and restricting unemployment, will he take such steps as may secure this objective?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the hon. Member for Mitcham (Mr. Meller) yesterday, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workers employed in the gramophone industry in 1925 and 1927, respectively?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when a Post Office servant has committed an offence for which the penalty is dismissal, any consideration is taken of his length of service, age, or capacity to find other employment?

Before a Post Office servant is dismissed all the factors in his case are carefully considered; but some offences so clearly demonstrate the unfitness of the offender for retention in the Service that the nature of the offence must be the governing factor.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that the cable from Islay to the mainland has broken down and remains unrepaired, to the loss, injury, and damage of the agricultural and distilling industries; and whether, in view of these constantly recurrent breakages throughout the year, he will now institute wireless telegraphy and telephones in the island?

The cable will be repaired as soon as possible; but it may be some weeks before a cable ship can be sent north to carry out the repairs. Meanwhile an emergency wireless service is in operation. Interruptions of the cable are not so frequent as is suggested in the question; the last was in 1925. I am satisfied that the cable, supplemented by a temporary wireless installation when it is interrupted, affords on the whole the best means of providing Islay with telegraphic facilities, regard being had to financial and other considerations. I regret that I cannot connect Islay with the telephone system except under a substantial guarantee, which there seems at present to be no prospect of obtaining.

asked the Postmaster-General the reason of the postcard rate of the Empire and the United States not being on the inland rate as in the case of letters; whether he will negotiate to secure this; how much money it is estimated to cost to effect it; whether he has any figures as to under-stamping in this connection at present; and whether he can give all the above particulars as to the postage rate to Iraq not being classed within the Empire, as is the case of other mandated territories?

The postage on letters addressed to other parts of the Empire and to Egypt and the United States of America is 1½d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce, as compared with the inland rate of 1½d. for the first 2 ounces and ½d. for each additional 2 ounces. The Imperial postage scheme has never included a reduced rate for postcards, which are subject to the ordinary international rate, formerly 1d., but increased to 1½d. on the 1st of January, 1922. It is estimated that the cost of reducing the rate on postcards from 1½d. to 1d. would be £3,500 per annum, but I am not prepared to make such a reduction unless and until it is practicable to reduce the letter rate. The estimated number of insufficiently prepaid postcards sent hence to other parts of the Empire and to Egypt and the United States of America is 290,000 per annum. The Post Office of Iraq levies the ordinary international rate of postage on letters addressed to Great Britain, and, following the usual practice, the international rate is charged here on letters addressed to Iraq.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any arrangement for the payment of compensation in respect of the loss of any article from a registered letter to or from a place abroad; and, if not, whether he will amend the Regulations or notify the public that there is no use whatever in insuring such communications?

The international registered letter service is governed by the Regulations of the International Postal Convention, which provide that compensation is only payable in the case of the entire loss of a registered letter and not in the case of loss of contents. The rule is clearly stated in the Post Office Guide, and on the receipt form given to the sender of a registered letter. There is, however, an insured letter service to many countries, which is distinct from the registration system. This service covers payment for loss from the contents of the packet.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the sorting staff at York perform their duties in a building which 40 years ago was erected as a temporary structure; and whether the promised new building will be proceeded with at an early date?

The plans of the new sorting office at York have been settled, and it is anticipated that building operations will be commenced early in the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to ensure that men reaching the age of 65 shall be eligible for standard unemployment benefit and for monetary benefits under National Health Insurance for 12 months after the payment of their last contribution in respect of these insurances?

Legislation would be required to continue the right of an insured person to unemployment and sickness benefits after the age of 65, at which his liability to pay contributions in respect of such benefits ceases, and he normally becomes entitled to an old age pension. The question was fully considered during the passage of the Contributory Pensions Bill, and my right hon. Friend sees no sufficient reason to ask Parliament to reconsider the decision at which it then arrived.

asked the Minister of Health what contributions and to whom, should be paid toy a man aged 65 whose contributions under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, are refused by his approved society on the ground that the man has reached the age of 65, while pension is refused by the Ministry of Health on the ground that it has not been possible to verify the age?

As the contribution cards which have been in use since the 2nd January are not due to be surrendered to approved societies until July next, I cannot understand how the situation indicated has arisen, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case of the kind referred to. I will look into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health whether he will review the decision given in respect of the claim made for arrears of widow's pension made by Mrs. E. L. Elton, 67, Suffolk Road, Portsmouth, in view of the following facts: that Mrs. Elton lived apart from her husband for some time, she in Southsea and the husband in Swansea; that the husband died on 17th January, 1927; that the woman with whom he was living at the time of decease registered the death and described herself as the widow of the deceased; that until Mrs. Elton was advised by the magistrate's clerk, on 15th February, 1927, she was unaware of her husband's death; and that payment of pension and allowances was made to her from the date of her application, namely, 15th March, 1927, but that her claim for arrears from the date of death, 17th January to 9th March, has been disallowed in spite of the fact that there is a Clause in Section 28 of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, providing that where an application is delayed owing to circumstances over which the applicant has no control payment will be made; and whether, if this is not considered a case of circumstances over which the applicant had no control, he will state the reason?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend has overlooked the words "in any such case as may be prescribed" which appear in the Section to which he refers. The circumstances outlined in the question do not bring the case within any one of the types specified in the Regulations made under the Section. I would, however, point out that Mrs. Elton has appealed against the Minister's decision, and in connection with her appeal has furnished certain information which was not before the Department when the original decision was given. Further inquiries are being made, and the case will be reconsidered when these inquiries are completed.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been called to the stoppage of sickness benefit by insurance societies to members who attain the age of 65, irrespective of whether they are entitled to an old age pension; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent such stoppage until the member is actually in receipt of a pension;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the hardships caused by the stoppage of unemployment benefit and sickness benefit to all people insured under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act on attaining the age of 65; and whether steps will be taken so that such benefits are continued until the actual receipt of an old age pension, to be later refunded by the applicant?

Under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act the title of an insured person to sickness benefit and unemployment benefit ceases on his attaining the age of 65, when his liability to pay contributions' also ceases and the insured person ordinarily becomes entitled to an old age pension. As a claim for a pension may be made at any time within four months of the attainment of the pensionable age there should not, as a rule, be any interval between the cessation of sickness benefit or unemployment benefit and the receipt of an old age pension, but if the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of any case in which there has been delay in the award of a pension, I will look into the matter. There is no power to authorise the continuance of sickness benefit or unemployment benefit during any such interval.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the charges made on approved society members by dentists supplying artificial dentures and for extractions; and, if so, whether, seeing that the charges so made are excessive in comparison with pre-War charges for similar supply and extraction, he will inquire if such charges are in proper relation to the economic value of the dentures supplied and the services rendered?

The charges referred to by the hon. Member were arrived at by direct negotiation between representatives of all types of approved societies and representatives of the dental profession. They have been voluntarily adopted by more than 95 per cent, of societies and my right hon. Friend thinks, therefore, that they represent the best terms on which societies have found it possible to secure a satisfactory service for their members.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will see that Table 9 of the Report by the Government Actuary on the Second Valuation of the Assets and Liabilities of Approved Societies [Cmd. 2785] is amplified by a statement showing, for men and women separately, the number of insured persons where the average of 5s. 7d. (the annual sum available for non-cash bene- fits at the highest rates specified) is exceeded, the statement to commence, say, at 6s., rising by 1s. stages?

As indicated in paragraph 39 of the Report of the Government Actuary, 52 per cent, of the total insured population was comprised in approved societies and branches which, on the last valuation, had surpluses available for distribution sufficient to provide additional sickness benefit of 5s. a week, with corresponding increases in disablement and maternity benefits. The number of such societies and branches was 5,848, and in order to supply the information asked for by the hon. Member it would be necessary to examine the valuation results of each of these units and make special calculations in each case before the desired classification could be made. I regret that I do not feel justified in asking the Government Actuary to undertake such a large piece of work, having regard to the small staff at his disposal and the many demands with which he has to deal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury will arrange that the pension officers, including the surveyors of Customs and Excise, be instructed in every case in which the officers' investigations of yearly means for the purpose of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, show that a person who apparently was or is required, or permitted voluntarily to contribute under the National Health, Pensions, or Unemployment Insurance schemes, as an employed person has omitted to do so, to write to the Ministry of Health or other the responsible body or officer, as the case may be, drawing attention to such omission, and to explain to every such person, who has omitted to pay the contributions, orally, if practicable, but in all cases by leaving with or for such persons official leaflets for their information, the advantages of the insurance schemes to such persons, particularly in any cases where the persons may be under no legal obligation to insure but appear to be afforded by one or any of the schemes an option of insuring thereunder; and, if the sug- gested arrangements are not considered to be advisable, to state the ground or grounds of the decision?

The hon. Member is apparently under some misapprehension. The persons to whom he refers will normally be aged 7b or upwards. In the case of persons over 65 who are engaged in employment coming within the compulsory provisions of the National Insurance Acts, the obligation to pay contributions rests on their employers, and no contribution is payable by the employed person. Moreover, persons of that age are not entitled to pay contributions as voluntary contributors. The persons referred to are, therefore neither required nor permitted to pay contributions, and the remainder of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to extend the investigation at present proceeding in regard to the recent Thames floods within the County of London area to those districts beyond this area; if so, what local authorities will be represented; whether any relief Has been extended to the sufferers by these floods from public funds; and, if so, to what extent?

Though it has been thought well first to investigate the London position, the case of authorities outside that area is not being overlooked, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the arrangements in due course. I understand that payments have been made out of the Lord Mayor's Fund to outer areas, including Richmond.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that the annual statement giving the amount of the local rates in England and Wales does not supply the information contained in the return presented to Parliament on 7th May, 1913, dealing with the areas and rates of urban districts, he will have the return of 7th May, 1913, brought up to date?

My right hon. Friend does not wish to multiply the returns which local authorities are called upon to make, but in connection with any further special returns as to local rates, he will bear in mind the hon. Member's desire for separate particulars relating to agricultural land.

asked the Minister of Health why he has refused to approve or make a grant in aid of expenditure by the Southgate Urban District Council of £19, the salary of the medical officer, in respect of a proposed new maternity and child welfare centre to be held on premises belonging to the council for two hours monthly, for medical inspection of children between the ages of two and five years, in view of the figures submitted to him by the Southgate Council showing that less than one-sixth of the children in the district between those ages now attend the ordinary maternity centres, and that the physical condition of infants admitted to the elementary schools in the district at the age of five years shows the urgent need for providing for the medical inspection of such children; and whether he will reconsider his refusal?

Sanction to this proposal was withheld because my right hon. Friend was advised that the facilities already provided by the urban district council should be sufficient to allow of the medical inspection of children between the ages of two and five years. But it is proposed to arrange for a further inspection by a medical officer of the Department of the arrangements made by the council for maternity and child welfare, and my right hon. Friend will give further consideration to this proposal when he has received a report on this inspection.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of men and boys who offered themselves for service in the Royal Navy during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1927; the number accepted for service; the number rejected; and the reasons for such rejections?

The following approximate figures relate to entries in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines combined, separate details not being available: number of candidates 53,915, number accepted 5,655, number rejected 47,866, and number awaiting decision on 31st December, 394. Candidates were rejected for physical, medical or educational unfitness, but detailed information on this head is not available.

asked the First Lord of of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty receive a fixed sum for the use of Admiralty material, ships, and naval ratings that are utilised in the making of films, or whether a percentage of the profits is arranged in each case and the amount received by the Admiralty to date, together with the number of films that have been made with Admiralty consent; and whether a separate contract is made for the production of each film?

In answer to the first part of the question, the amount received to date is £8,600 and consists mainly of a percentage of the profits. Sometimes a fixed sum is agreed. As regards the second part, no further contracts have been made since my reply of 14th December [OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 2334]. The answer to the last part is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many men and boys offered themselves for service in the Royal Air Force during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1927; the number accepted for service; the number rejected; and the reasons for such rejections?

The following is the reply:

The chief causes of rejection were educational unfitness, unsuitable references, dental defects, deformities of feet, poor physique, diseases of ears or heart, respiratory diseases and defective vision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of any application on the part of Spain to rejoin the League of Nations?

No, Sir, but I need scarcely say that His Majesty's Government would warmly welcome the resumption by Spain of her active co-operation in the work of the League to which, through her distinguished representative, she rendered such valuable service for many years.

asked the Attorney-General if he will issue a statement showing how many days were allocated, during the winter assizes of this year, to each of the various assize towns; and what was the actual time occupied at each of such towns by the trial of criminal and/or to civil cases, respectively?

257 days are available during the present winter assize for the trial of civil and criminal business at 46 circuit towns, details of which appear below. At eight of these places two Judges sit. In addition, the number of days available at the six places at which the respective assizes terminate is unlimited and determined only by the quantity of business. It is impossible to state the actual time occupied at each of these 52 towns during the present assize. Some half of the towns have not yet been visited, and the statistics as regards those which have been visited cannot be collected at such short notice.

Note. —These totals include the Commission day in each case.

^* No time allotted: Judges sat until business disposed of.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that the grouping of the counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke and Cardigan has enabled a Judge to sit in London a week or so later than he otherwise would have done and hear a number of important cases, he will state whether any similar grouping of assize towns has been put into operation during the winter assizes; and, if so, the names of such towns?

In addition to the Orders made under Section 77 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Consolidation) Act, 1925, relating to Haverfordwest and Lampeter, a similar Order was made with respect to Appleby, directing that the business, if any, which, if the Order had not been made, would have been transacted there should be transacted at Carlisle. No other such Order was made with regard to the present winter assize.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to issue, in White Book form, for the information of the House, the correspondence covering the negotiations with the Abyssinian Government in connection with the proposed barrage of Lake Tsana?

The negotiations are still in progress, and I regret that I cannot, therefore, at present give any indication of the form in which their outcome will be brought to the notice of the House.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of applications made to the Civil Service Commissioners to sit at the competitive examination for the minor and manipulative grades; how many are male and how many are female; and of the total number of applicants how many are ex-service men?

The total number of applications received from those eligible to compete at the competitive examina- tion among established members of the minor and manipulative grades, for appointment to the clerical classes, was 1,369, of which 989 were male and 380 female applicants. Of the male applicants, 466 are ex-service men.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of candidates applied for toy Departments to the Civil Service Commissioners for appointment to the clerical classes of their Departments from the competitive examination held for boys and girls for entry into the established clerical classes of the Civil Service?

The result of the examination referred to has not yet been ascertained and applications have not been received from Departments for the assignment of candidates from the examination. It is not possible at the present stage to forecast the number of appointments which may be made on the results of this examination.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the taking off of the ½d. tax, placed on tobacco last year, during the coming Budget?

It is unusual to anticipate the Budget Statement.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the present tax offices in Salisbury are very unsatisfactory; that in many of the rooms artificial light has to be used all day; and that the sanitary accommodation is very deficient; and what steps, he proposes to take?

( for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question by him on the 23rd May last; the premises referred to therein have proved to be unsuitable, but negotiations are now proceeding for the acquisition of another set of premises which appear to be suitable for occupation as tax offices.

asked the Home Secretary the number of executions in Great Britain for each year from 1918 to 1924, inclusive?

The number of executions in, Great Britain was in 1918, 10; in 1919, 13; in 1920, 23; in 1921, 5; in 1922, 22; in 1923, 14; and in 1924, 9.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any complaints as to difficulties in the operations of the Coroners Act recently passed through this House; and, if so, what is the nature of those complaints?

No serious complaints have reached me. Such difficulties as have arisen are only such as might have been expected at the outset, and have been successfully overcome.

asked the Home Secretary what number of Petty Sessional Courts have already appointed a probation officer or officers; and what steps he proposes to take to secure the appointment of probation officers where the local Courts have failed to do so?

There are 1,031 petty sessional divisions in England and Wales. Of these, 541 are now included in combined areas for purposes of the probation service. There are 37 combined areas, in 30 of which probation officers have been appointed to serve these areas. In the remaining seven, combined areas arrangements for the appointment of probation officers are now under consideration. The number of single areas is 490, and of these all but about 17 have appointed probation officers. Considerable progress has been made with the development of probation work, and I hope that before long every Court will have the services of a probation officer.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a report of a meeting of the Magenis Tenants' Society, in County Antrim, incorporating resolutions unanimously passed, in which they complain of the sale to private individuals of areas of turbary and asking for the declaration of the appointed day that a period may be put to these sales and a supply of turbary left to meet the needs of the tenants and sub-tenants on the estate; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have seen the report, but I am afraid there is no action I can take in the matter. The Land Purchase Commission, in accordance with a Statutory Rule, deal with estates as far as possible in the order of their priority on the record of the Commission. They cannot take the estate out of its order, but I am assured that there will be no avoidable delay when its turn is reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of married persons who are in receipt of able-bodied relief in the City of Glasgow; the number of their dependants on behalf of whom relief is paid; and the number of single persons, male and female, to whom relief is paid?

The total number of destitute able-bodied unemployed in receipt of relief in the parishes of Glasgow and Govan at 15th January last was 16,734, of whom 15,470 were males and 1,264 females. The dependants of these 16,734 numbered 33,227. Statistics of the condition as to marriage are not contained in the Returns furnished to me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 189 furnaces were in blast in April last as against 149 in December; and, if so, how many men have been thrown out of employment as a consequence?

I have been asked to reply. Returns furnished by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers show that the numbers of pig-iron furnaces in blast at the end of April and December last were as stated in the question. Statistics regarding the number of workpeople who thereby lost employment are not available. The total number of persons classified as belonging to the pig-iron industry recorded as unemployed at 19th December, 1927, showed an increase of 224 as compared with the number at 25th April, and this represents the net increase in unemployment in this industry between the two dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in receipt of poor relief at corresponding dates in 1913, 1914, and 1918 to 1927, respectively, distinguishing between men, women, and children, and between in-door and out-door relief; the number of vagrants at these dates; and the total expenditure on Poor Law relief for each of these years, distinguishing between in-door and out-door relief?

A statement containing the information desired is being prepared, and I shall send a copy to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amounts of housing subsidy paid under each of the Housing Acts since the War to March, 1927?

The total amount of State subsidy paid under each of the Housing Acts since the War up to the close of the financial year ended the 31st March, 1927, is as follows:

In addition to the sums given above the board made payments out of their Vote during the period in question amounting to £733,000 to the Second Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust), Limited, in respect of the erection of steel houses on behalf of the Government. During the same period a sum of £3,500 was also paid out of the board's Vote in respect of the 17 demonstration steel houses erected in various parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses completed by local authorities and by private enterprise, with State assistance, in each year since the War?

The number of houses completed by local authorities and by private enterprise in Scotland with State assistance in each year since the War is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the efforts being made in cer-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of retired public elementary school teachers in Scotland whose pensions are less than £50 a year; whose pensions are £50 a year or more, but less than £100 a year; and whose pensions are £100 a year or more, respectively?

I regret that it is not possible for me to answer the hon. Member's question precisely as he has put it, or to give a reply which is free from the risk of misunderstanding. In the first place, the Department's records do not arrange the beneficiaries according to the type of school in which their pensionable service has been given. In the second, the only figures in the Department's possession are those of payments made by themselves from the Education (Scotland) Fund, whereas it is known that in many cases supplementary pensions, particulars of which are not available, are being paid by education authorities and other governing bodies. Moreover, certain of the beneficiaries are simultaneously receiving an allowance from the Board of Education in respect of service given in England and Wales. The following table, therefore, merely classifies the beneficiaries under the successive Superannuation Schemes for Teachers (Scotland) according to the amount which they are receiving annually out of the Education (Scotland) Fund.

tain industries to extend the hours of working per day; and whether, to insure that the workers' hours shall not exceed eight per day, he will take the earliest opportunity of ratifying the Washington Convention?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister last night.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a letter from the Roads Improvement Association putting forward a suggestion with regard to the finance of the Western Avenue which would enable the delayed work to be put in hand forthwith; whether he has consulted with the Treasury as to the practicability of the suggestion; and, if not, whether he will make some arrangement which will ensure that this relief road will be completed and opened for traffic by the early part of 1930?

I have received the suggestions referred to by my hon. Friend. I am keeping the whole question of the completion of the Western Avenue under consideration, but am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which I made to my hon. Friend on the 22nd November last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has recently been in consultation with local authorities regarding the question of the co-ordination of regulations and restrictions concerning foot-and-mouth disease made by his Department for the country as a whole, and those made by local authorities for the areas under their jurisdiction; and, if so, with what result?

Consultation has taken place from time to time with representatives of local authorities regarding the question of the co-ordination of regulations concerning foot-and-mouth disease made by the Ministry and by local authorities. The question was also considered by the Departmental Committees on Foot-and-Mouth Disease in 1922 and 1926. In accordance with the recommendations of the Committee of 1935 an Order was made requiring the regulations which local authorities are empowered to make affecting the movement of animals into and within their districts to be submitted to the Ministry for approval and confirmation before becoming operative. The Ministry itself makes the regulations which it considers necessary for preventing the spread of infection when outbreaks occur, but, subject to confirmation by the Ministry, powers remain with local authorities to supplement the Ministry's Orders where the local authorities think such a course desirable as an additional safeguard aaginst the risk of the introduction of disease into their districts. The Ministry indicated in a circular letter to local authorities dated 1st July, 1925, the character of the regulations of local authorities which it would be prepared to approve and confirm.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with investigations into the causes of and cure for foot-and-mouth disease either in this country or abroad, any experiments have been carried out to determine the aftereffects on animals which have had the disease and recovered from it; and, if so, with what results?

No experiments of the kind suggested have, as yet, been carried out by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee. There is, however, considerable evidence from abroad that the after-effects of the disease are variable. Store cattle suffer a serious loss of condition, but as a rule recover, whereas milch cows and ewes often develop permanent defects of the udder and teats which either depreciates their value or destroys their usefulness. Mortality among unweaned stock is very high. The continental view is that a certain proportion of the recovered animals become "carriers" of the disease, and are for a long time capable of infecting susceptible stock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to bring in a Bill dealing with land drainage to carry out the proposals of the Royal Commission held last year?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, if it is the intention of the Government to bring forward legislation dealing with the recommendations of the Land Drainage Commission?

The Report of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage is now receiving careful consideration. I cannot at the moment say when it will be possible to introduce a general Bill dealing with land drainage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to bring in a Bill to deal with the problem of the Ouse drainage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Sir H. Lucas-Tooth) on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of county councils which have submitted schemes of additional small holdings to the end of December, 1927, under the Small Holdings Act, 1926; the number of such schemes; the number which have been authorised; the number rejected or remaining in abeyance; and the total area of land which the county councils have been authorised to purchase or hire?

Twenty-five councils have submitted schemes for the acquisition of land involving a contribution from the Ministry under Section 2 of the Act. The number of schemes submitted is 42. The number approved and to be carried into effect is 32, comprising an area of 3,142 acres. Of the other 10 schemes, five were abandoned owing to the land not being acquired; one, relating to less than an acre of land, was refused; two, comprising 250 acres, were withdrawn on being made self-supporting schemes, and two are still under consideration. I have no information at present as to the extent of councils' operations under other Sections of the. Act, but returns are being obtained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of workers employed in the sugar-beet industry in 1924 and 1927, respectively?

The approximate number of workers employed in the beet-sugar factories in Great Britain in the manufacturing season 1924–25 was 1,455 and in 1927–28, 8,560. The total number of persons employed on the land and in ancillary occupations arising out of the beet-sugar industry is not known.