asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken with regard to the application of the Glenshiel ex-service men for settlement on small holdings?

:The land has been inspected, and inquiries have been addressed to the Forestry Commission and the adjoining proprietor with a view to ascertaining whether and on what terms they would be prepared to co-operate in a scheme to meet the applications, but a decision has not yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applications for small holdings which were granted between 31st December, 1925, and 31st December, 1927, exclusive of applications for enlargements?

The number is 361.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applications for small holdings, exclusive of applications for enlargements, which were withdrawn between 31st December, 1925, and 31st December, 1927?

The number is 2,377.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of female writing assistants employed in the Scottish Board of Health; the number recruited since the inauguration of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; and whether duties are allotted to that grade in accordance with Part IV., Section A (19), of the Civil Service National Whitley Council Reorganisation Report?

:The number of female writing assistants on the staff of the Scottish Board of Health is 75. The number recruited since the inception of the Pensions Scheme under the Act referred to is 42, of whom 26 were appointed to fill vacancies caused by resignations or promotions. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of men employed in the shale mines for the years 1925, 1926, and 1927, and the number unemployed in the same years?

In December, 1925, there were 4,340 persons employed at shale mines; the corresponding figures for 1926 and 1927 were 2,869 and 2,694 respectively. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that separate figures in respect of unemployment among shale mining workers are not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines if any accidents have occurred through shot-firing where the imperial shield for detonators has been in use; and, if so, how many and where?

I am not aware that this device is in use to any appreciable extent, but I am making further inquiries, and if the hon. Member will put down a question for this day week I will give such information as I obtain.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the safety appliance committee has recently considered the question of making the use of the imperial shield for detonators compulsory; and what their decisions were?

The Committee has examined this device on several occasions—the last quite recently. I am advised, as were all my predecessors, that there is no reason to think that such devices would add appreciably to the factor of safety. Their use is permissible but I am not prepared to make it compulsory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by the Report of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage; and, if so, when?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 14th February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Wells), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if there is any agency in association with his Department which could carry through tests of the food value of British home meat as compared with imported chilled meat; and whether such tests will be made?

There are a number of centres in Great Britain where investigations of the nutritive value of various foods are regularly undertaken. So far as I am aware, the particular problem referred to in my hon. Friend's question is not at present being investigated, and I am advised that it is of considerable complexity from the scientific point of view, and would require a long series of very carefully controlled tests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the promised legislation providing credits for farmers will be introduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 29th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Sir F. Nelson), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any settlement has been reached between the local authority and the teachers in Abertillery; and, if not, what provision he is making for continuing the education of the children in that area?

I understand that the notices given to the teachers have been further suspended until the 30th April with a view to the continuance of negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost, in the years 1926 and 1927, respectively, of the Chinese expeditionary force?

The estimated extra cost to Army funds in respect of the additional troops sent to China is £1,026,500 for 1926 and £3,090,000 for 1927.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a new drill hall is now being built for the 53rd and 54th City of London Antiaircraft Brigades, Royal Artillery (Territorial Association), at Lytton Grove, Putney; whether the building has been constructed on the lines for utilisation of an anti-aircraft travelling target; and whether he will at once give authority for installation of the target, while the present scaffolding is standing, so that all ranks may be in a position to obtain the necessary training?

The target for this drill hall is the first of its kind to be installed, and the form it should take requires special consideration, but I hope that a decision will be reached shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received protests from any foreign Power within the last four years against the presentation of plays in which either their subjects or their conditions of life were depicted under unattractive circumstances; and, if so, whether he will state the names of the countries and the productions thus objected to?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Within the last four years protests have been received from the Cuban Legation against "A Cabaret in Cuba" and from the Chinese Legation against "The Silent House," "The Yellow Mask," "Listeners," "Tin Gods," and "Hit the Deck."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received any information from the Governor of Kenya Colony about the proposed removal of the Atharaka natives from land in the Meru reserve?

No, Sir, but I will remind the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received any information from the Governor of Kenya Colony as to the amount of money assigned by the Kenya Government to road making on land alienated to non-natives, roads connecting Government stations in native reserves, and roads in native reserves other than those in the first and second category, respectively?

I have not yet received the Governor's reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many machines took part in the recent air raid or raids on Kataba; what number and weight of bombs were dropped; what damage was caused; whether he has information as to any persons killed or injured and whether they were combatants or non-combatants; whether our own forces suffered any casualties; and whether the Imam of Sanaa has now evacuated the territory we lay claim to?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given yesterday to a similar question. It would not be in the public interest to furnish the particulars asked for whilst these operations are still in progress. No casualties were suffered by our own forces.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of land were afforested in the county of Durham for the years 1926 and 1927; and what is the programme for 1928?

The Forestry Commissioners planted 22 acres in the county of Durham in 1925–26 and 189 acres in 1926–27. The programme for the current season is 237 acres.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the decline in planting private woodlands in this country, the fact that our annual consumption of timber amounts to double the quantity planted, and the uncertainty regarding the continuance of imports from abroad, he will, in order to make the position of the nation secure in regard to its timber supply, consider drawing up a greatly extended scheme of afforestation?

The Prime Minister stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dundee on 30th June last that the future policy of the Government in regard to afforestation is now under consideration. The views of the Forestry Commissioners have been submitted to the Government.

asked the Minister of Pensions the policy of the Ministry in the matter of balances of deceased pensioners of all ranks; whether these balances are paid to the estates of each deceased pensioner; whether the adoption of this procedure is of recent date; and, if so, whether relatives may now apply for the payment of balances retained by the Ministry in past years?

Balances due to the estates of deceased pensioners have always been paid to the person shown to be beneficially entitled according to law. There has been no recent change of practice in this respect. All applications made in respect of such balances are considered in the normal course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to reconsider the case submitted on behalf of retired regular Army ranker officers in respect of pensions and gratuities, in so far as these are less generous than those granted to other classes of men who held the King's Commission during the late War?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the disabled ex-service men in Dundee and district are examined by a medical officer sent three times a week from Aberdeen; that a man taken seriously ill on the Tuesday evening in Dundee cannot see a medical officer of the Ministry until the Friday following; and whether, in the interests alike of economy and efficiency, he will appoint a spare-time resident medical officer in Dundee?

I would remind the hon. Member that, as I informed his fellow-Member for Dundee on the 8th instant, the services of a medical officer resident in Dundee are already available in case of necessity.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the recommendations of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the machinery of administration of the Ministry of Pensions regarding the reconstitution of areas have been adopted; whether these are in efficient working order; and, if so, whether he will now consider the decentralisation of issues to local offices in accordance with the further recommendation of that Committee?

The recommendations referred to have been carried out and the administration is working smoothly. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the Committee to which he refers expressed the view that, even if the number of local offices were largely reduced, the difficulties under existing circumstances of administration and financial control were such as would make issue locally less efficient and reliable than it was under the central system. The further experience gained since the Committee reported and the far-reaching changes in the Ministry's local and central administration which have been carried out have all tended to strengthen this view, and I am satisfied that the issue of pensions could not be decentralised without injury both to the general interests of pensioners and the administration of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the constitution of, and the names of, the Board of Selection who select the men required for the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic Service; and the qualifications required for membership of the Board of Selection?

The Board of Selection has hitherto generally consisted of the First Civil Service Commissioner, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, one or two other Members of the House of Commons, one other person of business experience and repute unconnected with the public service, and two members of the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service. The individual members of the Board vary from time to time. I think I may leave it to the hon. Member to deduce, from the answer given to the first part of his question, the kind of experience required for membership of the Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of the staff employed in the main offices under his charge in Glasgow; the number of buildings occupied by them; if there is one administrative chief for the whole area; and if the amalgamation of offices is receiving his attention?

The staff of the Collector of Customs and Excise in Glasgow numbers 48, housed in one building. The total staff of the various offices of the Inland Revenue Department in Glasgow is 356, housed in six buildings. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative, and to the last part that the amalgamation of these services is not under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can give the reply sent to the representatives of the temporary typing staffs of the Civil Service as regards their proposal for a central pool for the replacement of typists become redundant in particular Departments?

I am in communication with the Departments mainly concerned, and hope to be able to give a decision within a few days.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Army pay offices throughout the country contemplate installing German addressing machines instead of British; and why British manufacturers are not being asked to tender?

There are only two types of addressing machine suitable for the work of the Army pay offices. Neither of them is wholly British made. There is very little difference between the two machines as to the total materials of British make they contain. The choice of the machine selected was made after exhaustive inquiry on the ground of its special suitability for the work to be done.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what profits have been made by the Post Office Savings Bank, annually, for the last five financial years; what proportion of these profits goes to the Treasury; and for what purposes are these profits used?

The following is the information for which the hon. Member asks:

—			Surplus retained to meet Depreciation.	Surplus paid to the Exchequer.
			£	£
1922	…	…	1,339,108	1,339,108
1923	…	…	1,546,053	1,546,053
1924	…	…	1,579,329	1,579,329
1925	…	…	703,044	2,812,176
1926	…	…	730,586	2,922,344

The surplus paid to the Exchequer operates in relief of taxation and can be used to meet any expenditure chargeable on the Exchequer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the yield of the Betting Duty from 1st April, 1927, to the latest convenient date?

The net revenue derived from betting taxation from the 1st April, 1927, to the 29th February, 1928, inclusive, was approximately £2,543,100.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of cases in which a bookmaker who has been granted a bookmakers' certificate under Part II of the Finance Act, 1926, has subsequently been fined for illegal betting?

I regret the information required is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of prosecutions instituted against bookmakers for evasion of the Betting Duty under Part II of the Finance Act, 1926, and Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1927, and for failure to take out a bookmaker's certificate under Part II of the Finance Act, 1926?

The total number of prosecutions instituted up to 29th February for evasion of Betting Duty or failure to take out a bookmaker's certificate was 1,276. Separate figures for each kind of offence are not readily available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of moneylenders' licences issued under the 1927 Act?

Up to the end of January, 1928, which is the latest date for which figures are at present available, 3,676 licences had been taken out under the Moneylenders Act, 1927.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the increased taxation placed on all visitors to France; and whether he proposes to introduce any similar taxation on foreign visitors to Great Britain?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I can only repeat that the whole field of taxation is reviewed on the occasion of each Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the financial effect of eliminating the age limit from the Pensions (Increase) Acts?

As I have previously informed my hon. and gallant Friend, in the absence of any knowledge of the extent to which the means limit would operate in these cases it is impossible to form a precise estimate of the financial effect of the abolition of the age limit, but it is considered that the cost would probably be between £50,000 and £75,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the considerable surplus of milk produced annually in excess of the quantity retailed for human consumption; and whether he will consider the question of organising arrangements for supplies to be placed at the disposal of medical officers of health in necessitous areas for distribution to children and sick persons?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, local authorities are empowered to supply milk for expectant and nursing mothers and young children who are medically certified to need a supply on grounds of health.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated consumption of fluid milk per head per day in England and Wales?

It is estimated that the consumption of liquid milk per head per day in England and Wales is approximately half a pint.

asked the Minister of Health how many companies have been formed under Section 5 of the Dentists Act, 1921; and whether any of the directors of such companies are officers of approved societies?

I understand that 45 dental companies appear on the statutory list kept by the Dental Board. Of these, 30 were incorporated prior to the passing of the Dentists Act, 1921, and 15 subsequently. The Board have no information as to whether any of the directors of these companies are officers of approved societies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the possibility of a reduction in the duty on spirits when bought for medicinal purposes under a doctor's certificate?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 15th December last to the hon. and learned Member for Argyll (Mr. Macquisten).

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of domiciliary relief at the last convenient date, giving comparable figures for 1926?

The number of persons in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in England and Wales (excluding casuals and persons receiving medical relief only) on Saturday, 25th February, 1928, was 974,430. On the 27th February, 1926, the number was 1,040,684.

asked the Minister of Health the number of men, women, and children, respectively, who were in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales to the last convenient date, giving comparable figures for the same period for the 12 months previous?

According to the monthly returns furnished by boards of guardians, the average numbers of men, women and children who were in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief other than medical relief only, in England and Wales during December, 1927, were 228,302, 347,588, and 396,232, respectively, as compared with 376,154, 498,439, and 684,852 in December, 1926. The available information as to the number of men, women and children in receipt of institutional Poor Law relief in England and Wales is contained in the annual Poor Relief Returns relating to the 1st January. Those returns show that the numbers of men, women and children (excluding lunatics in asylums and casuals) in receipt of institutional relief in England and Wales on the night of 1st January, 1927, were 92,651, 72,923, and 60,453, respectively, as compared with 89,401, 71,321, and 61,264, respectively, on the night of 1st January, 1926.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons, including wives and dependent children, who were ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation who received Poor Law relief in England and Wales at the last convenient date?

The average number of persons in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief (other than medical relief only) in England and Wales who were ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation, and the wives and dependent children of those persons during December, 1927, was 498,640. Persons in receipt of institutional relief who are ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation are not distinguished in the returns furnished by boards of guardians.

asked the Minister of Health the number of casuals relieved in England and Wales on the last Friday night in each of the quarters of 1927?

The numbers were 11,542, 11,471, 9,735, and 10,065, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the present state of the law, where the wife and/or family of a man possessing a disability pension has or have become chargeable to a union, it is impossible to attach any portion of his pension, even if he has been sentenced for neglecting to maintain her or them; and whether he is considering the question of introducing legislation to deal with this question?

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

asked the Minister of Health the number of men, women and children benefiting in Wiltshire from the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925?

The information asked for is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Health if he will adopt the recommendations, on pages 17 and 18 of the seventh Report of the Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind, that a detailed inquiry should be made into the financial and other circumstances of the 31,667 so-called unemployable blind persons in England and Wales?

:Yes, Sir. I propose to ask the local authorities concerned to furnish me with the return suggested by the Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of companies with a share capital on the register at the 31st December, 1927, giving the totals of public and private companies separately?

The approximate figures for England and Scotland are 17,000 public companies and 87,000 private. Exact figures are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total oil and motor spirit imports in the several ascertainable grades and their values for the years 1910, 1920, 1926, and 1927, respectively?

The following table gives the information for which the hon. Member asks:

The total quantities and declared values of the undermentioned descriptions of Crude and Refined Petroleum imported into the United Kingdom in each of the years 1910, 1920, 1926 and 1927 were as follow:
Descriptions.		1910.	1920.	1926.	1927.
		Quantities (1,000 Gallons).
Crude Petroleum	…	187	4,180	537,444	664,800
Refined Petroleum:
Lamp Oil	…	138,828	160,952	201,951	214,276
Motor Spirit	…	55,049	206,911	562,093	538,307
Spirit, other than Motor Spirit	…	240	14	2,921	6,694
Lubricating Oil	…	58,561	105,915	91,816	91,593
Gas Oil	…	57,507	53,565	117,833	96,003
Fuel Oil	…	34,363	347,771	398,693	439,421
Other Sorts	…	734	72	351	212
		Declared Values (£1,000).
Crude Petroleum	…	3	236	8,188	9,627
Refined Petroleum:
Lamp Oil	…	1,851	11,785	4,760	4,595
Motor Spirit	…	1,341	23,276	21,564	16,261
Spirit, other than Motor Spirit	…	5	3	92	211
Lubricating Oil	…	1,706	15,070	4,670	4,706
Gas Oil	…	478	3,351	2,085	1,691
Fuel Oil	…	262	12,818	5,390	6,194
Other Sorts	…	17	14	51	34
NOTES.—The figures for the years 1926 and 1927 exclude the direct foreign imports into the Irish Free State.
The figures for 1927 are provisional.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of mixed woollen and silk rags imported into Great Britain for the years 1924–25, 1925–26, and 1926–27?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of semifinished steel imported into this country last year and finished at home rolling mills and eventually sold as British steel?

Particulars of the principal classes of crude and semifinished steel products imported into the United Kingdom in 1927 are shown in the accounts relating to trade and navigation for December last. I am not in a

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the relative proportions of British steel and imported foreign steel used in the construction of vessels now being built on the Clyde?

I regret I am unable to give the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish particulars, under the headings of quantity and values, of the importations into the United Kingdom of foreign flowers and bulbs in the financial years 1925–26, 1926–27 and 1927–28; whether he has received representations with regard to the expansion of foreign imports from the bulb growers and florists of the Scilly Isles, Cornwall and the Eastern counties; and, if so, whether and how he proposes to respond to those protests?

—					1925.	1926.	1927.
Flowers, Value	…	…	…	…	£285,044	£313,549	£439,542
Bulbs, Number	…	…	…	…	254,662,080	306,702,455	383,936,915
Value	…	…	…	…	£1,094,036	£1,116,668	£1,368,182

Representations on the subject of the increase in the imports of foreign bulbs and flowers have been made on behalf of the bulb growers and florists of this country, and are receiving my consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate figures for each of the five years before 1914 and for each of the last five years of the amount of capital invested abroad, distinguishing investment in the Empire and investment in the rest

Year.				United Kingdom.		Empire Countries.		Foreign Countries.
				Government.	Other.	Government.	Other.	Government.	Other
				£000.	£000.	£000.	£000.	£000.	£000.
1909	…	…	…	3,840	14,841	29,153	45,605	22,072	66,845
1910	…	…	…	24,595	35,701	35,632	56,746	18,431	96,333
1911	…	…	…	Nil	26,146	10,790	54,205	24,245	76,374
1912	…	…	…	Nil	45,335	14,673	57,969	9,584	83,288
1913	…	…	…	Nil	35,951	26,279	49,858	26,158	58,290
1923	…	…	…	77,536	56,379	69,409	23,314	26,462	18,293
1924	…	…	…	13,776	70,836	50,081	22,196	40,620	11,817
1925	…	…	…	45,686	109,332	30,699	30,221	Nil	16276
1926	…	…	…	4,667	124,509	31,866	21,308	23,818	24,615
1927	…	…	…	66,084	140,800	55,697	44,115	11,823	36,647

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the danger which exists at the London and North Eastern railway station at Palmers Green by reason of the large space between the platform and the footboard of the railway carriages, which in one case was a contributory cause of

Statistics of the importation into the United Kingdom of foreign flowers and bulbs for periods corresponding with financial years are not readily available, but the figures for the calendar years 1925, 1926 and 1927 are as follow:of the world and the amount of capital invested at home?

There are no official records of the annual investments of capital. The following particulars, which have been extracted from the "Economist" newspaper, show the geographical distribution of new capital raised by public issues in each of the years 1909 to 1913, and 1923 to 1927. The figures exclude issues or portions of issues made for purposes of repayment, conversion or replacement. There is, of course, no information as to private investments made abroad each year.death; that the Southgate Urban District Council has made representations to the company to remedy the danger without success; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received notification of an accident that occurred recently at this station, but my attention has not been called to the point to which the hon. Member refers. I am, however, communicating with the railway company in the matter, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is aware of the complaint regarding the prices charged by electricity companies; and whether, seeing that the Midland Electric Power Distribution proposes to maintain its dividend of 15 per cent. and to distribute a bonus to its ordinary shareholders of one new share for every share held, he will consider the advisability of seeking statutory powers to restrict the prices charged?

I am aware that complaints are sometimes made regarding the prices charged by electricity undertakers. As regards the last part of the question, I already possess statutory powers to revise periodically, on the application of local authorities, or a prescribed number of consumers, the prices charged by such undertakers.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent case in the Croydon Police Court in which a car was left at night in a secluded place and with the lights turned off; and whether legislation will be introduced for dealing with this practice?

I have seen a Press report of this case. The question whether the police have adequate powers under the existing law to deal with cases of the kind is being investigated.

asked the Home Secretary the number of police officers in the Metropolitan police who died whilst serving, after having completed the necessary service to qualify for pension, during the years 1908 and 1918, inclusive?

The number is 41.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the suggestion made to him by the National Council of Women that the establishment of women police should be increased, any decision has been arrived at by his Department?

:The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary seeing that inspectors of factories are empowered by Section 104 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, to enforce in every dock, wharf, quay and warehouse, and any premises within the same, the provisions specified in that Section, whether for this purpose visits have been paid to the fish quay at Grimsby and to premises thereon during 1926 and 1927; whether notices of all accidents occurring have been received by the inspector for the district; and, if so, what is the number of such accidents in the same period?

About a dozen visits appear to have been paid by factory inspectors to Grimsby fish docks in 1926 and 1927 for the purpose of enforcing Section 104 and those parts of the Docks Regulations which are applicable. So far as the district inspector is aware, the provisions as to reporting accidents are generally well observed at these docks. The numbers of accidents reported to him were 54 in 1926, and 60 in 1927.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an insured person is liable to be unjustly deprived of State unemployment insurance benefit on the grounds of not genuinely seeking work, owing to the existing procedure denying him full knowledge of, and the opportunity to combat, the evidence submitted to the Court of Referees by the Employment Exchange officer; and whether he will consider the advisability of providing that a copy of any Report of the Employment Exchange officer alleging not genuinely seeking work shall be sent in advance to the insured person concerned with the opportunity to submit in writing any observations thereon for the consideration of the Court of Referees when called upon to adjudicate on the matter?

I am not aware that the existing procedure has led to any injustice. In order, however, to make sure that the appellant in cases of this kind knows in advance the facts to be submitted to the Court of Referees, I have already arranged that the Report to be laid before the Court should be given to him in writing in good time before the hearing. This procedure will come into operation in the next few weeks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state what decision has been reached with reference to the resolution passed at the last headquarters naval canteen committee regarding the placing of all canteens under the management of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether seeing that many capital ships and none of the county class cruisers with power-worked mounts have any ordnance officers, and seeing that promotion in the ordnance branch is severely restricted, he will consider the possibility of increasing the establishment of officers and chief ordnance artificers?

As the present establishment of ordnance officers was settled only two years ago, the answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached as a result of the representations made to him at an interview on the 26th August, 1926, with the Association of First Class Masters of His Majesty's Tugs regarding increased pay and improved conditions of status and service for members of the association; and, if not, when it may be expected that a definite reply will be given?

As a result of the representations of the tug masters, it has now been decided that the senior pilot at each home port shall be a salaried officer at £220 per annum, plus Civil Service bonus. He will continue to act as tug master as occasion requires, under the instructions of the captain of the dockyard.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the contract to tow the new floating dock to Singapore has been given to a foreign firm, and what is the cost of this operation?

The main contractors, who are responsible for delivery of the dock to Singapore, decided after careful consideration, and with Admiralty approval, to entrust the actual work of towage to a Dutch firm as the most reliable organisation possessing the necessary qualifications and equipment for undertaking this difficult task. It would be contrary to public policy to disclose details of the sum included in the contract on this account.