asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can explain the serious discrepancy between the current shipping freight rates on jute and gunnies from Calcutta to Dundee and from Calcutta to Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, the former being 37s. 6d. and 41s. 3d. less 10 per cent., and the latter only 16s. 6d. net; and, in the interest of British trade, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the shipping companies grant as fair terms to British merchants as they do to the foreigner?

The discrepancy arises from a rate-war which has been initiated by a United States line. With reference to the last part of his question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement which I made in the Debate on the Vote on Account on 1st March.

asked the Home Secretary the number of police officers still alive who were pensioned, with and without medical certificates, respectively, from the Metropolitan Police prior to the 1st September, 1918, their ages, and whether married, single, or widowers; the number of widows of the same class of pensioners and their ages; and whether the same information can be given for the provinces?

The number of such Metropolitan Police pensioners is about 5,000. Particulars of their age and the cause of their retirement could only be ascertained by search through the individual records, which would involve much time and labour. There are no records of the number of widows of such pensioners.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons have been refused benefit at the Walworth Road, Borough, Employment Exchange, during the months of December, 1927, and January and February, 1928; and the reason for the disallowances?

The following table shows the applications for extended benefit^* considered by the Borough Local Employment Committee, and the results of such applications dur-

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any troops from India have been landed at Koweit for the purpose of guarding the town against attack from the Wahabi tribesmen?

As the hon. Member will have learned from my reply to the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Warwick and Leamington (Captain Eden) on the 12th March, the answer to this question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths that have occurred through the diphtheria epidemic at Whittlesey, in Cambridgeshire?

Since the beginning of this year three deaths from diphtheria have been registered in the Urban District of Whittlesey.

asked the Minister of Health why no pension has yet been granted to Mr. W. Sargent, 10, Henniker Road, Stratford, E.15?

Pension has now been awarded to Mr. Sargent, and arrears from 5th January will be payable to him. I would point out that, although application forms have been available since May last for persons entitled as at 2nd January, 1928, Mr. Sargent's application was not received until 17th February, and it was necessary to return it to him as it was submitted in an incomplete form.