asked the Minister of Labour why the Ministry of Labour has stated its decision to allocate 200 vacancies to new entrants to the Civil Service at a time when 122 ex-service temporary clerks are being dis- missed as being redundant; and if he will adhere to the undertaking to retain and allocate their due share of promotions to ex-service men?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to questions on this subject on the 17th February, 1928.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what agreement the cleaners at the Claims and Record Office, Kew, are employed as to hours, wages and conditions of service?

I have been asked to reply. The hours of duty, wages and other conditions of service of cleaners at the Claims and Record Office, Kew, are laid down in the standard letters of appointment issued to male and female cleaners respectively, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is proposed, having regard to the unsatisfactory accommodation for the Walsall third tax district, to adapt the old post office buildings,, which have recently been vacated, in order to house the whole of the Walsall tax districts?

The answer is in the affirmative. Steps have now been taken to make the necessary contract arrangements for the works of adaptation being carried out. The building will not be completely vacated by the Post Office until September next, and it is anticipated that the premises will be ready for reoccupation as tax offices within two months from that date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated number of vacancies to be filled from the competition held for boys and girls for established classes of the Civil Service?

It is not yet possible to forecast the number of appointments that may be made on the results of this examination.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount per head of population contributed out of rates and taxes to public social services in Great Britain and the comparable amounts so contributed in the United States, France, Germany and Italy?

While there is no doubt that the amount per head of population is larger in Great Britain than in the countries mentioned, I have no adequate data for a detailed comparison. The differences between the administrative arrangements and social economy of the countries mentioned and those of our own country would, I think, of themselves preclude any valuable comparison being made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, rice, maize, etc., sugar, etc., and hops used in brewing in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year ending 30th September, 1927, together with the bulk barrels produced?

The quantities of certain materials used in brewing and the number of bulk barrels brewed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year ended 30th September, 1927, are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt, unmalted grain, molasses, and other materials used in distilling in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year ended 30th September, 1927, and the number of proof gallons distilled?

The quantities of certain materials used in distilling and the number of proof gallons of spirits distilled in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year ended 30th September, 1927, are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of beer (standard and bulk barrels), spirits, and wine retained for consumption during the calendar year 1927 in Northern Ireland, and the estimated revenue attributable thereto?

The approximate quantities of beer, spirits and wine retained for consumption in Northern Ireland during the calendar year 1927, and the estimated revenue attributable thereto, are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of bookmakers who took out a licence for the last 12 months of which he has record; what is the amount for such licences received by the Treasury; and what was the number of licences in force at the beginning and end of such period?

I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that bookmakers' certificates taken out at any time expire on the 31st October next following. As stated in the answer given him on the 29th February, the number of such certificates taken out for the year ended the 31st October, 1927, was 15,194, and the net amount of revenue derived therefrom was, approximately, £151,700. The numbers of bookmakers' certificates in force on the 31st January in 1927 and 1928 were, respectively, 10,998 and 10,966.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of Betting Duty for the last 12 calendar months of which he has record; and how much of this was received from street bookmakers?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave to his question yesterday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the proportion of the Fleet at the present time serving on foreign service; the number of men on home service; and the number of men actually enjoying a rest at the home ports?

The answers to the first and second parts of the question are 36 per cent. and 64 per cent., respectively. The third part of the question is not understood; but if it refers to leave, this is granted to men on home service at the rate of 14 days per annum.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the discrepancy between the armament given in the Return of Fleets (1927) for the Japanese 10,000-ton cruisers as eight 8-inch guns and that given in unofficial year books as 10 8-inch guns; and whether he is in possession of later information?

The reply is in the affirmative. The information given in the Return of Fleets (1927) was the latest available at that date. The Return of Fleets (1928), published to-day (1st March), shows these cruisers with 10 8-inch guns.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite the Governments of Holland and the United States to co-operate in a scheme for adjusting the production of rubber to the world demand at prices agreed upon by producers arid consumers?

Pending the receipt of the Report of the Civil Research Committee, His Majesty's Government do not propose to institute any negotiations on the lines proposed by the hon. Member.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government will introduce a Bill to constitute a Court of Criminal Appeal in Northern Ireland?

I should be prepared to give sympathetic consideration to any responsible representations from Northern Ireland in favour of such a measure, but no proposals in the matter are at present before me.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can arrange for the Metropolitan Police Lost Property Office to remain open for an hour earlier in the morning and an hour later in the evening than at present, as the hours now in force are not always available for many workers in offices and banks?

This question has been considered more than once, but I have not seen my way to extend the hours on account of the difficulties of staffing and consequent expense which would ensue. I would add that every effort is made to effect identification of property by means of correspondence, if the loser is unable to call personally.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons of all ages, over 60 and over 65, in receipt of police pensions; the total cost and from what, sources it is met; and whether any estimate is available of future numbers and cost?

The total number of ex-members and widows and children of members of police forces in England and Wales who are in receipt of pensions and allowances is 33,655. I am not in a position to state the number who are over the ages mentioned. The total amount paid by way of pensions, allowances and gratuities in 1925–26 was £3,959,262, and the estimated figure for the current financial year is £4,418,500. The cost is met in part (about one-eighth) by the statutory contributions from the pay of serving members of the force and other receipts, and the balance from the rates and the Exchequer. Preparations are being made for an actuarial investigation into the future numbers and cost.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the serious difficulty which obtains in regard to British firms engaged in export trade in securing competent correspondents and shorthand writers in foreign languages; and whether, in view of the importance of correspondence with foreign clients being conducted so far as possible in their own language, he will facilitate arrangements by which firms in this country may introduce such foreign correspondents?

I have been asked to reply. I know that certain firms experience difficulty in obtain- ing in this country the services of persons competent to deal with foreign correspondence. Permits as required by Article 1 (3) (b) of the Aliens Order, 1920, are in consequence issued for such persons fairly freely, if the salary to be paid is consistent with the qualifications required. During 1927, the permits issued in respect of alien secretaries, correspondents, clerks and typists numbered 296.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has given his consent to the sale, by the Strode Foundation, Egham, Surrey, of land situated at Beckton Road, West Ham; and for what reason the land is being sold?

The Board's consent has not yet been given to the sale of the land in question, the public notices of the proposed sale being still current. The sale is proposed on the ground that it is for the benefit of the Foundation.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received a draft agreement between the Southern Railway Company and the Surrey County Council with regard to the widening of the Streatham Road railway bridge; and whether he is now in a position to authorise a grant towards the cost of the reconstruction of the above bridge?

The draft agreement has been received and is now being examined in my Department, but, until the terms have been finally settled, I shall not be in a position to authorise a grant towards the cost of the work.