asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has been arrived at by his Department, in conjunction with the Air Ministry and Trinity House, with reference to the question of establishing an experimental station for the purpose of introducing experiments into the wireless loop direction-finding system?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) on the 27th March, a copy of which I am sending to him. This question is still under consideration, but I hope that a decision will be reached on it very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will set up a Government inquiry into the high charges for pilotage in most ports of the United Kingdom?

Pilotage charges are frequently under review by the various local pilotage, authorities, with whom, under the Pilotage Act of 1913, rests the initiative with regard to any revision of the charges. I do not think a general inquiry would be useful.

Does the right hon. Gentleman subscribe to the description in the question of the charges for pilotage as high; and is he aware that pilots have to work extremely hard for very little more than they were receiving before the War?

All these ancillary considerations show how wide is the procedure necessary for dealing with each pilotage case on its merits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the committee appointed to inquire into the present system of lighthouse administration, under which shipowners have to bear the whole cost of the service, has yet reported; and, if not, when it may be expected to do so?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Parliamentary Secretary gave him on the i3th March, that certain questions connected with the administration of the lighthouse service were being discussed with representatives or shipowners. These discussions are still proceeding. No committee of inquiry has been appointed.

When are these discussions likely to terminate, and when may we expect the result, to be made known?

I cannot say with certainty. I know that the representatives of the shipowners and of Trinity House have been dealing with the subject very fully, and I expect that we shall have a report from them in due course.

When the right hon. Gentleman receives that report, and is giving it consideration, will he have regard to the position of the man engaged in the lighthouse service?

I think the hon. Member knows that it does not rest with the Board of Trade to deal with the lighthouse services. These services have been vested by Parliament in Trinity louse and the Northern Lights Commissioners.

But seeing that the financial control is vested in the Board of Trade, will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that these bodies are riot cribbed or confined in their expenditure, in order that wages may be cut down?

I must decline to accept responsibility for a service for which, by law, I am not responsible. The administration of the lighthouse services is, as I have said, vested by Parliament in the lighthouse authorities I have named.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many junior engineers sat for their examinations for Board of Trade certificates during 1927; and how many were successful?

1,342 candidates sat for examination for Board of Trade certificates as second engineer in 1927, and of this a timber 818 were successful in obtaining certificates at a first or subsequent attempt.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these Regulations ate too severe?

No, Sir, I should be very sorry to agree to that proposition. I think the standard in the British mercantile marine is high, and is rightly high, and that, it is being maintained wthout difficulty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a scarcity of engineers for the mercantile marine is becoming very apparent?

No, Sir, I should be sorry to accede to that statement either. I really do not think that we should improve either the service or the men who get into the service, if we lowered the present standard—a standard with which this great service undoubtedly does comply without any great difficulty.

Is there any scarcity of engineers?

I do not think so, but I should like to have notice of that question. I have not heard of any.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the number of sea-going engineers who are at present unemployed?

I do not know the precise number, but the hon. Member's question bears out what I say, namely, that we are able to maintain our high standard in this service.

is there at the moment any dearth of engineers sitting' for their certificates?

No, I think it is obvious there is not, because there were 1,342 candidates.

is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in most ports in the British Isles there is a great scarcity of lust-class marine engineers?

But we should not get first-class engineers by lowering the standard of the examination.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that this question relates, not to first-class engineers, but to junior engineers?

It is because the shipowners do not pay the engineers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any record is kept of the various categories of cutlery imported into this country; and, if so, whether farriers' knives is one of those categories?

Cutlery is divided into seven categories for the purposes of the import returns. Steel knives are grouped together in one of those categories, and there is no separate enumeration of farriers' knives.

Is it not the fact that the farriers' knife made in Britain is far superior to the imported article?

I have no doubt of that fact.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of tea imported into this country during the last completed year from India, Ceylon, China, and Java, respectively, and the quantities of tea from each of those respective sources which were held in. this country on the date of the last available return?

Particulars as to imports of tea during 1927 are given on page 27 of the Accounts of Trade and Navigation fur December last. As to bonded stocks, particulars distinguishing the countries from which the tea was consigned are not compiled, but, a total figure of tea in bond at the end of 1927 is given on page 215 of the same issue of the Monthly Accounts, and a corresponding total for the 31st, March will be found on page 215 of the March accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the rents charged for houses of four, three, and too apartment respectively, which are controlled by the county councils of Fife, Stirlingshire, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Midlothian?

As the information desired involves a number of figures I propose with the hon. Member's permission to circulate it in tabular form in the OFFICIAL LEPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received resolutions from the parish council of Tiree and from public meetings at Cornaigmore, Scarinish and Baleinartine, Tiree, regarding the inadequacy of the steamer service proposed in the new mail contract for the exposed and dangerous route to Time, Coll and Barra; and whether he proposes to take the necessary steps to ensure a more safe and commodious service than can be supplied either by the "Cygnet" or the "Plover"?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, by the contract which is before the House the contractors have undertaken to provide a new boat for this service within five years provided it is the intention of both parties to continue the contract at the expiry of that period. As soon as a new boat is built to take the place of the "Plover" in accordance with the contract, the latter will replace the "Cygnet," and that will undoubtedly be an improvement. I do not know on what the hon. Member bases the suggestion that either of these boats is unsafe.

Has the right hon. Gentleman also received resolutions from a large number of meetings in South Uist protesting against the present service, and protesting against the entrance into the new contract; and is he not aware that is is the opinion of all these people that the handing over of the Highlands and Islands to this steamboat company, will result in the destruction of the Highlands?

Are these people to understand that they will have to wait five years for an improved service until a new boat is built?

indicated dissent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an opportunity of debating this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, in pre-war times, there was a three-days-a-week steamer direct service from Oban to the Skye ports, which service is now discontinued; that passengers for the thickly-populated crofting district of Glendale now reach Portree from Kyle or Mallaig at 6 p.m and require to hire motor transport for 32 miles; and whether, before signing the new agreement for a subsidised service, he will make provision for adequate transport arrangements between the mainland and the West of Skye?

I am aware that direct services by mail-boats from Oban to certain ports on the West of Skye are no longer provided. These ports, however, have regular calls from cargo boats. Glendale is linked with the mainland (via Portree or Kyleakin) by road transport, which in modern conditions is rapidly developing. I learn that a daily motor-omnibus service between Glendale and Portree is about to be instituted. I see no reason to differ from the conclusion reached when post-war facilities were investigated that, having regard to the traffic, there is no justification for the provision of another regular steamer service to the Skye ports.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there will be an early opportunity of discussing the proposed arrangement with the MacBrayne Steamship Company?

That is a matter which is not in my hands. No doubt there will be an opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that Poor Law inspectors are taking into account the full amount of friendly society benefits paid to members in assessing the amount of relief to be granted when application for such relief is made; that The Out-door Relief (Friendly Societies) Act, 1904, only allows boards of guardians to take into consideration sums received from friendly societies in so far as such sums exceed 5s. a week; and that this Act does not apply to Scotland; and, if so, what action, if any, does he propose to take to extend the provisions of the foregoing Act to Scotland?

I am aware that the legal position is as stated by the hon. Member. I understand, however, that the practice of parish councils varies, some taking into account only part of any benefit received from friendly societies. As at present advised, I am not prepared to take any action to extend the statutory provisions to Scotland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the guardians of the poor are to arrive at decisions without taking into consideration every sort of income of the applicant?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has made to those sheep farmers who have protested against the taking over of sheep grazings by the Forestry Commissioners; and what action he has taken, if any, to enable those sheep farmers to continue the rearing of sheep?

The protests which I had in mind when I answered the hon. Member's question on 4th April related to the year 1924 and were the subject of correspondence between the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, the Forestry Commission and the National Farmers' Union of Scotland at the time. As regards the question of action on my part, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the second part of his question of 4th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the conditions are being observed un which the Land Court permitted Blair Farm, Muir of Ord, to be taken from its previous occupants; whether its present occupant owns another farm; and whether he lives in the farm house of Blair farm?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into this matter, because my information is that this individual is not living on the holding?

I will make inquiries, but I do not think that I have any power to intervene in this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this particular holding was taken from a farmer, in whose occupancy it was for many years, in order to give this proprietor the right to occupy it, and that the condition laid down was that he should live in the farmhouse, which, I am informed, he is not doing?

As I said, the Court decided this matter, and, the Court having decided it, I have no more jurisdiction.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not bear in mind that the condition laid down by the Court was that this individual must occupy the farm? My question is whether he occupies the farm in accordance with that condition?

If after inquiry the right hon. Gentleman finds that this individual is living in a hotel, and not in the house on the farm, what action is he going to take?

As I have explained, there is no action which I can take.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is intended to take any action to fix a close time for the commencement of the herring-fishing season in Scottish waters?

The matter is under consideration by the Fishery Board for Scotland, but no action can be taken so far as this year's fishing is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Report of the Committee on the Costs of Land Settlement in Scotland will be published?

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the question on this subject addressed to me on the 20th March by the hon. and gallant Baronet the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).

Will the Report be published?

As soon as I get it, I will consider that, but no doubt it will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many aliens or men of alien parentage there are in offices affected by the Sheriff Courts and Legal Officers (Scotland) Act, 1927: whether these aliens have become naturalised British subjects; and on what grounds it is proposed to place them on the establishment of His Majesty's Civil Service?

The admission of persons to established situations in His Majesty's Civil Establishments is governed by Regulations made by the Civil Service Commissioners, with the approval of the Treasury, under the authority of the Order-in-Council of 22nd July, 1920. These Regulations provide, inter alia, that every candidate shall satisfy the Commissioners that he or she is a natural-born British subject and the son or daughter of a father also a natural-horn British. subject; hut exceptions to this provision may be made in specified cases, among them those of persons serving in unestablished uncertificated employment which in normal course, departmental custom or by the grant of establishment to an unestablished class, confers a claim to nomination to the establishment and who satisfy the rule in respect of nationality for established appointment which was in force when their unestablished service began. The Regulations referred to will be duly applied to persons who have a claim to nomination to establishment under the Schemes of Reorganisation of the Sheriff Clerk and Procurator Fiscal Services, to which effect has been given by the Act referred to in the question. The nominations under these schemes have not yet been dealt with by the Civil Service Commissioners and the information asked for in the first and second part of the question is not at present available; but I would add that aliens are not eligible in any circumstances for appointment to established posts in the Civil Service.

If the right hon. Gentleman is not in a position to give the number of aliens in the Sheriff Courts, may I ask him whether, in any appointments that are made, preference will be given to ex-Service men, owing to the large number that have been dismissed recently and are under notice?

All the Depart merits give preference, as far as possible to ex-Service men, and that policy will be continued.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the great majority of Members of this House prefer to see British subjects in these appointments, rather than aliens?

Will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that the hon. and gallant Member is a real, genuine British subject?

I happen to be one.

Are any aliens in the employ of the Scottish Office?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated economy to the national Exchequer which resulted in the past financial year from the reorganisation of certain Ministries mentioned in his Budget speech of last year in so far as that reorganisation has been carried out?

For the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Tottenham North (Mr. R. Morrison) on 31st December last, the proposed reorganisation was not proceeded with. If the hon. Member will refer to Class VI of the Civil Estimates for the current year, he will find, in the Votes for the Departments concerned, details of the economies to the total of about £30,000 which have nevertheless been effected.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel, in view of his reply, that it is time that the results of these labours were brought before the House?

No, Sir, I do not agree with the opinion of the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that women are employed on Customs work in other European countries, he will consider the appointment of suitable women as Customs and Excise officers here?

Owing to the nature of many of the duties on which officers of Customs and Excise are employed, it has been found necessary to reserve these posts to men; but during recent years certain duties, previously performed by officers, have been assigned to a clerical class to which women are eligible for appointment, and, as far as practicable, work in connection with old age pensions has been assigned to a separate grade of women pension officers for which men are not eligible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain grades of work for which women are not considered eligible in England are being perforated by women in other countries, and does he think that women in England are less able to carry out those duties than are women in other countries?

I cannot know what goes on in other countries. But I know that women might possibly be maltreated or insulted if they carried out such duties at docks, harbours, breweries, and places where rather rough treatment might be expected. It is for that reason only that these duties are closed to women.

Is it not the case that if that argument held good we should never have women police; and did not women very often, during the War, handle rough men better than men themselves?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to give a list of the coal mines in Scotland which have been or are being closed under the pooling arrangements made by the Scottish coalowners; whether he can give the number of mine workers unemployed as a result of these arrange- ments; and what steps, if any, are being taken to provide suitable alternative employment?

I am informed by the Scottish coalowners that 46 pits are to be temporarily closed in the immediate future, and I am asking for a list of these pits. The number of men normally employed at these pits is 8,557, of whom about 503 will continue in employment to keep the pits in good order. The coalowners state that the object of their scheme is to prevent as many men as possible being thrown out of regular employment and to give more regular work to those who can be continued in employment. They are satisfied that, but for the scheme, the number of pits closed and men thrown permanently out of work would have been greater. Should there be an expansion of trade in the future, men will be drawn from the areas in which the collieries are closed to those where work is being carried on.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, which has been put to him on three successive occasions, namely, what steps are being taken to find alternative employment for the colliers who are displaced as a result of the coal-owners pooling scheme?

That is a question for the Minister of Labour.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that an answer given yesterday by his hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, was to the effect that he could not state when the Report would be furnished by the Industrial Transference Board?

Is it not an integral part of the mine-owners' scheme that they will compensate the owners whose pits are closed, but that there is no provision to compensate the colliers?

The miners who are displaced have the ordinary facilities provided by the Government for unemployment pay.

Is the Minister aware that many of the men who are unemployed are being deprived of unemployment pay by the Employment. Exchanges, and will he look into that matter?

This is a matter for the Minister of Labour.

Is it not the duty of the Secretary for Mines to look after the interests of the miners? Surely if miners are displaced, it is his business—

Order order!

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries closed down in Great Britain since January, 1927; the number of men thrown out of work thereby; the number of pits permanently closed as a result of being worked out; and the number temporarily closed owing to trade depression?

Since 1st, January, 1927, 769 pits in Great Britain, normally employing 80,800 wage-earners, have closed down and not reopened. Of these, 273 pits employing 14,800 wage-earners have been definitely abandoned. Of the remaining 496 which have been notified as closed but not abandoned, 343 pits employing 60,800 wage-earners were closed owing to trade depression, and 153 employing 5,200 wage-earners were closed for a variety of reasons, such as accidents, repairs and reconstruction.

Was it not admitted in the evidence of the Labour party at the Samuel Commission that there would be at least 300,000 miners permanently out of work?

In view of the serious state of revealed in the Minister's answer, are the Government contemplating taking any steps to put the matter right?

We cannot discuss that at Question Time.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of employés engaged in and about the mines in the Counties of Stirlingshire and Mid and East Lothian, respectively, in December, 1924 and 1925, and February, 1928, or the nearest date to that for which figures are available?

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL DEPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that three men lost their lives as the result of an explosion at the Temple Pit, Waterloo Main Colliery, Leeds, on Friday last; and whether he proposes to set up a Government inquiry into the causes of the explosion?

An exhaustive investigation into all the circumstances of this explosion is being conducted by His Majesty's inspectors of mines and also, I have no doubt, full evidence from competent witnesses will be heard at tile adjourned inquest. When this has been completed it will be my duty to consider what, if any, further action is necessary. I have reason to think that the full facts will then have been made public. If I think they have not, I will certainly consider the question of holding a further public inquiry.

asked the Secretary for Mines the terms of the contract arranged with the Gas Light and Coke Company in respect of scientific treatment of coal?

The necessary plant for a three years' trial on a commercial scale is being erected at Richmond, on a site provided by the Gas Light and Coke Company, by a company formed for the purpose, known as the Fuel Production Company. The latter company have received a guarantee under the Trade Facilities Act in respect of a loan of £100,000. The Gas Light and Coke Company will act as managers for the Fuel Company and bear all the running expenses, and have an option to purchase the plant at the end of three years. Steps have been taken to safe- guard the public interest in any patents that may be taken out as a result of this experiment, and full details of the plant and of the results obtained will be made available. The hon. Member will find the matter more fully explained in a statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education on 11th May, 1927 (OFFICIAL REPORT, Cols. 507–14, Vol. 206).

Can the Minister say why it is that when public money is involved, and it is proposed to render assistance to this private company, they should have the option of purchasing the plant outright at the end of three years? Is it not desirable to retain the plant in the hands of the Government?

No, Sir, it is not Government money; it is money guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act.

But can the Minister say whether it is not true that Government servants, technicians and others, are to render service to the Gas Light and Coke Company in connection with the installation of this plant and its maintenance?

I should like to have notice of that question, but, of course, the Fuel Research Board are taking a keen interest in this experiment.

Can we have from the Minister a statement as to when there will be an opportunity afforded to this House to discuss this very important matter?

Can the hon. Member inform us what earthly use the plant will be to the Government or in Government hands after the experiment?

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of money paid from the Royalties Welfare Levy to the Miners' Welfare Fund; and if he is in a position to say how much of this has been allocated towards the provision of pithead baths up to the year 1927?

The total amount paid into the Miners' Welfare Fund in respect of Royalties Welfare Levy at the 31st March, 1928, was £332,000. The whole of this sum has been appropriated for the provision of pithead baths, together with £169,300 from other resources of the Miners' Welfare Committee.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his Department has instituted proceedings for prosecution for breaches of the Eight Hours Coal Mines Act since December, 1926; and, if so, will he state the number of eases taken to Court and convictions secured?

One such prosecution has been made in respect of offences committed at two collieries owned by the same company and convictions were obtained in both cases.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many other cases there are?

No, Sir; those are the only cases that have been notified to my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any decision has been arrived at by his Department with regard to the question of making experiments in the Metropolitan area with automatic traffic regulators; and, if so, where these regulators will be erected?

There are various systems of automatic traffic regulation, and I am not clear whether the hon. Member has any particular system in mind. The question of carrying out experiments in this direction in the Metropolitan area is at present under consideration by my Department.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether satisfactory reports have been received of the electrical traffic regulators used in London?

So far I have had no reports.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, when the new Boothferry bridge is completed in a few months' time. the traffic which will cross this bridge will then enter a very narrow roadway with consequent congestion; that a bypass road from the bridge to link up with the new road leading into Hull is urgently needed, and that the city of Hull has contributed £10,000 to the scheme; whether it is proposed to construct this necessary by-pass road; and, if so, when the work will be commenced, in view of its importance to the commerce of the port of Hull?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 12th March last to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Howdenshire Division (Major Carver) of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the Minister aware that that answer did not deal with the point of my question; and is he aware that when this magnificent bridge is built it will dobonch into a lovers' lane, 11 feet wide, and that no steps are being taken to widen that road as yet?

I will certainly look into the question sympathetically to see if the lovers' lane in Hull can be widened.

But this is not in Hull; it. leads out of Hull.

Is the Minister aware that the Ministry of Transport have down there their own engineer and staff who have prepared plans at the Ministry's request, and that the local authorities will do nothing until the Ministry carry out their obligations and promises?

Oh, no; I cannot admit that there are any obligations or promises which have not been carried out; but I am going into the whole matter to see whether arrangements can be made with the local authorities.

Will the Minister refer to the correspondence which took place in August and October, 1924, between the East Riding County Council and the Ministry?

I have referred to that correspondence. In August, 1924, I was not responsible.

Is it not the fact that this scheme was all ready when the Road Fund was depleted, and has been held up since?

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the danger to traffic ore the Bath Road caused by the two narrow gates at the entrances to Savernake Forest, he will consider authorising a grant from the Road Fund towards the reconstruction of these gates so as to allow of a double line of traffic through them?

I am aware of the inconvenience caused by these gates and am prepared to assist any feasible proposal which the responsible highway authority may submit for effecting an-improvement.

Is it not the fact that in the heart of London there are many such cases to which, unfortunately, the Ministry has not yet made any contribution?

Arising out of the original answer, will the Minister consider, in reference to this and many other similar cases, the adoption of the simple Gates on Highways Bill which I introduced into the House last Session?

This has nothing to do with gates on highways. This concerns a road through a private park.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received communications from the local authorities of North London protesting against the recent increases in omnibus fares: and what action he proposes to take?

I have in the course of the past few days received a copy of a resolution passed by the Southgate Urban District Council with regard to a recent increase in omnibus fares, and I am inviting the observations of the omnibus proprietors concerned.

Under the London Traffic Act is there not power to veto any increase in fares—to approve or disapprove?

If a Deal authority mikes a submission to me under the Act 1924 that any fare is unreasonably high, I can then go into the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he will make public the observations he receives from the London General Omnibus Company.

I should have to see, first, what the observations were. The hon. Member will appreciate that I am acting in a judicial capacity in this respect, and therefore I ant not at liberty to publish things which I otherwise might publish.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for something two years reasonable fares have been afforded to the people in North London, and that the action of the company in increasing the fares has thereby reduced the advantages enjoyed by the inhabitants?

Is the hon. Member aware that what is a reasonable fare is a matter of opinion?

Is not this the natural result of the granting of a monopoly under the London Traffic Act?

Is it not the fact that the Minister has received several complaints about these increased fares, and has frequently invited the observations of the company, but has never taken any further action?

Speaking without refreshing my memory, I think this is the first official intimation I have received.

Is not London getting a taste of what we have experienced in the Highlands?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the reasons for issuing square motor-car licences for round holders, necessitating the cutting of the licence to fit the holder; whether he is aware that there is a circle at the back of the licence which does not coincide with the circle on the front, and that if the licence is cut by following the back circle an essential part of the licence is cut away; and whether in future licences will be issued in a more convenient form?

The form of motor-car licence is adapted for fitting either into a rectangular holder, or, when cut down, into a circular holder, as the licensee may find convenient. For accounting reasons it is necessary to issue licences to licensing authorities in book form with counterfoils, and for this a rectangular shape is essential. In the case of all licences which I have examined, the exterior circle on the front coincides with the circle on the back, and no essential part of the licence, so far as I am aware, is cut away if the latter line is followed. But the latter circle can be omitted, and I will consider the desirability of doing so in future prints.

Is it not the essence of bureaucracy to try to fit square pegs into round holes?

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of deposits held by the Post Office which have been made by persons who were originally telephone subscribers and whose telephones have now been disconnected, and the amount of deposit that has not been reclaimed?

No figures are available as to the total amount of deposits made by persons who were subscribers and have relinquished the service. At the end of December last the accumulated amount of deposits which have not been repaid owing to the impossibility of tracing the holders was £17,422.

Have any steps been taken by the Post Office to get this money hack to the rightful owners?

I have certainly tried to trace the owners where possible, but the total amount is only £75,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is a minimum height limit required in regard to persons seeking employment as postmen; if so, will he state what is this minimum; and whether it is insisted upon in the case of applicants who have served in the fighting Forces of the Crown?

For appointment as postman there is a minimum height limit of 5 feet 4 inches. This limit applies to all applicants.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these men who were just under 5 feet 4 inches were able to serve in the War and carry out their duties, and can he not give a little more elasticity to the Regulations applying to ex-service men?

I have already explained that this question is due to practical difficulties in connection with the height of the fittings in the office. In view of the fact that 50 per cent. of the vacancies are reserved for ex-service men and the other for boy messengers, there is an ample supply of ex-service men of suitable height.

Why should there be any height limit at all so long as the men are strong enough?

They have to reach to the top of the fitting.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the extension of the cash-en-delivery system promised for 30th April, whether he will consider the advantages of inaugurating an agricultural parcels post which would allow farmers and housewives to make use of the new facilities; and, if financial considerations do not at present permit of this experiment, whether he will consult the Empire Marketing Board with a view to securing support for the trial of a service which has proved of value abroad as a direct channel between producer and consumer?

Proposals for reduced rates for agricultural produce sent by parcel post have been very carefully considered, but it was definitely decided that the difficulties of such a service in this country were too great to render its institution advisable. Accordingly, the alternative of an arrangement with the railway companies was pursued, and I believe that farmers will derive considerable advantage from the extension of the cash-on-delivery system in connection with the railway companies' parcel service, which permits of larger consignments and therefore seems generally better adapted to their requirements than the parcel post.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any rule or Regulation in his Department that bill stamps are not to be issued from a post office after four p.m.?

Although the normal hours of sale of Inland Revenue and fee stamps at post offices are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which are those during which such stamps are sold at Inland Revenue offices, arrangements are made wherever possible for applications made after 4 p.m. to be dealt with.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware mat many important post offices are absolutely precluded from issuing these stamps after 4 p.m.; and is he not aware that it is precisely after 4 p.m. until the time of the posting of the mail that these stamps are required most, because business men cannot ascertain earlier than 4 o'clock the exact denominations they require?

I will reconsider this matter in view of the representations made by the hon. Member. These stamps are fixed in concurrence with the Inland Revenue Department, and the demand for them is comparatively small.

Are not the stamps always there in the post office, and why should they not be handed out to anyone who wants them?

I will explain the matter to the hon. Member if he will confer with me.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of the oil fuel consumed in vessels of the Fleet is derived from shale produced in Scotland?

Scotch shale oil was consumed in vessels of the Fleet to the extent of approximately 2 per cent. of the Fleet expenditure during the financial year 1927–1928.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is the considered policy of the Government to advise the purchase of British goods, and, having regard to that fact, is it not desirable that the Admiralty should purchase larger quantities of Scottish shale oil?

It would be very pleasant indeed if the Admiralty could afford to do so, but unfortunately it is too expensive.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many discharges have taken place in Devonport Dockyard on the responsibility of the dockyard authorities since the issue of the order in December last giving them powers to discharge workmen without consulting the Admiralty; and the total number of discharges from Devonport Dockyard since the issue of this order?

The numbers are 122 and 252 respectively; 151 more have been discharged on account of age, invalidity, death or at their own request.