asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, in pounds sterling, the next excise revenue of India for the years 1924ô25, 1925–26 and 1926–27, respectively: what was the recorded consumption of country spirits in each of those years in Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Sind, Bihar and Orissa, the United Provinces, the Punjab, the Central Provinces, and Berar, Assam and Burma, respec-

The following statement gives the information asked for:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the quantity and value in pounds sterling of potable spirits imported into India during the year 1926–27; the amount of revenue derived therefrom; and the countries from which the spirits were exported?

The following table gives the information asked for:—IMPORTS into India by sea during 1926–27 of potable spirits, distinguishing countries of origin. (Note: Values are shown in sterling, converted at the rate of 1s. 6d. the rupee).

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he has given consideration to the great increase of unemployment revealed by the numbers registered at the Motherwell and Wishaw Employment Exchanges in the return he has just issued, as compared with the similar figures for the corresponding date in 1927; and how far this increase is due to the closing down of mines in the immediate area;(2) whether, in view of the present increase of unemployment in the Burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw, he has considered any special scheme or schemes of training for the unemployed in that area, or any special work that could be undertaken for the relief of unemployment; and whether he can indicate the steps he is taking to cope with the situation?

Between the two dates the numbers of persons unemployed in the areas of Motherwell and Wishaw rose by 2,966. Of this increase, 843 occurred in the coal mines industry, the bulk being in industries other than coal mines in the Motherwell area. As regards schemes of training or other measures, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in this House on Monday last.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women engaged in the asbestos industry in Great Britain in April, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively?

This industry is not separately distinguished in the

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners at present unemployed in England and Wales; and what steps, if any, are being taken to provide suitable alternative employment for these men?

On the 26th March, 1928, 180,164 persons belonging to the coal mining industry were recorded as unemployed in England and Wales, including 49,604 temporarily stopped. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Debate in the House on Monday, 30th April.

asked the Minister of Labour when the next

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women employed in the tobacco trade in Great Britain in April, 1926, 1927 and 1928?

The following statement gives the available information:Abstract of Labour Statistics will be published?

I hope it will be possible to publish the next Abstract of Labour Statistics in July.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployed in the iron and steel industry, shipbuilding industry, marine engineering and mining industries for 1927; and the number of unemployed miners in South Wales and Durham, and the percentage of unemployed for the whole country for the first three months of l928.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st May, 1928. col. 1537, Vol. 216] supplied the following statement:

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of men and women employed in gas undertakings in Great Britain in March, 1927 and 1928, respectively;(2) the number of people employed in waterworks undertakings in Great Britain in March, 1927 and 1928;(3) the number of men and women employed in electricity supply undertakings in Great Britain in March, 1927 and 1928?

Separate statistics in respect of each of these three classes

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of new buildings assessed to income tax (Schedule A) for the first time in England and Wales, Scotland and Great Britain to the 5th April in the last convenient year, showing the total figure at which these buildings were assessed?

The hon. Member will find this information for the year 1926–27 in Table 52 of the recently published 70th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper 2980).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the costs have been taxed for the hearing in the three Courts in connection with the proceedings taken by the Inland Revenue Commissioners versus Wilson; and if he is now in a position to state the total legal cost?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. It is estimated that the total costs in this case will not exceed £1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what accumulated sums of money were transferred by the Congested Districts Board to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on the constitution of the latter; whether these sums were ear-marked for congested areas in the Highlands; whether this money has been spent in the Highlands; and, if so, what sums were allocated to and spent in each county?

As indicated in the First Report of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland (published in 1913: Cd. 6757) in which this matter is discussed, the sums standing to the credit of the Congested Districts Board at 31st March, 1912, and transferred to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on the constitution of the latter amounted to £86,265, which sum was, however, subject to liabilities exceeding £60,000 previously incurred by the Congested Districts Board. After consultation with the Law Officers of the Crown, the funds transferred were carried to the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund in terms of Section 5 of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, and applied in terms of Section 6 of that Act. The money was not specifically ear-marked for Congested areas in the Highlands, but the sums actually spent by the Board of Agriculture in these areas since 1st April, 1912, very greatly exceed the balance of moneys received from the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications for small holdings not yet granted in England and Wales in 1927; and whether this is an increase over the number in 1926?

According to returns recently furnished by councils of counties and county boroughs in England and Wales, the approximate number of unsatisfied applicants for small holdings or cottage holdings on their lists at the 31st December, 1927, was 5,820, of whom about 2,520 had been approved as suitable and the remainder were awaiting further investigation. The number of applicants on councils' lists at the 15th December, 1926, the date of the passing of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926, was approximately 5,560.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state what action has been taken to obtain enlargements off the farm of Sciberscross for the applicants in the parish of Rogart, in the County of Sutherland?

I have given my approval to proposals submitted to me by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland with a view to the initiation of a scheme for the constitution of new holdings and enlargements of existing holdings from the farm referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that land at present sublet by the Upminster Parish Council for allotments is wanted for the purpose of laying out a golf course and the allotment holders have received notice to leave in September; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to the continuance of the allotments?

My attention has been drawn to the facts to which the hon. Member refers. I am informed that the land in question has been sold to a golf club, who have given notice to terminate the council's tenancy in accordance with the, terms of the agreement under which the land is held. In these circumstances, I have no power to intervene, but I will make inquiries as to the possibility 01 providing alternative accommodation for the dispossessed plot holders.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will draw up a statement with regard to the increase or decrease in home agricultural produce as to amount and as to value from a standard pre-War year, 1913 if convenient, for each post-War year?

A Report embodying this information so far as is available is in course of preparation and will, I hope, be published before the end of the year. I may remind my Noble Friend that a good deal of information in regard to the variations in home agricultural production both as regards quantity and value was given in the Report on "The Agricultural Output of England and Wales, 1925" (Cmd. 2815).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number and acreage of holdings of one to five, five to 20, and 20 to 50 acres in the County of Lindsey in the years 1914, 1924 and 1927?

The following statement shows the number and acreage of pieces or parcels of land separately returned as used for agricultural purposes in the three smallest size groups in the County of Lincoln (Lindsey) on 4th June, 1914, 1924 and 1927.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the French Customs authorities have made an additional tax on imported horse meat or whether an octroi duty only has been imposed; if it is a Customs duty, can he state the amount of the increase and the total duty now imposed; if it is only an octroi duty, can he state what this comes to in the case of the city of Paris, and by how much it has recently been increased; whether this tax or octroi has had an adverse repercussion on the British export trade in horseflesh; and, if so, whether he has any intention of taking steps to safeguard the dead meat export trade?

Increases in the French Customs duties on a number of agrarian products took place in November and again in March last, as a result of which the duty on horse meat, which is identical with that on beef and veal, has been raised from 59½ francs to 175 francs per 100 kilogrammes, which is almost exactly the equivalent in sterling of the duty of 35 francs in force before the War I have received a complaint of its adverse effect on the British trade concerned, but I do not think that His Majesty's Government could usefully take any steps in regard to this special matter, apart from the general representations in regard to the recent French tariff increases which have already been addressed to the French Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies registered under the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, and the preceding Acts, showing their nominal capital for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The latest information compiled on this subject is contained in the 36th General Annual Report by the Board of Trade laid before both Houses of Parliament under Section 283 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. I would, in particular, refer the hon. Member to the statement appearing in Annexes Nos. V and VI of that Report.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as it is part of the duty of a registrar of deaths to decide whether to give a burial certificate or whether to send a case to the coroner, he will provide that officers of the boards of guardians shall not be appointed registrars of deaths for the future, and vice versa?

A registrar of births and deaths is required by regulations to report to the coroner every death which, on the information before him in the medical certificate or other, wise, was due to any one of certain prescribed causes or occurred in certain prescribed circumstances, and, pending consideration by the coroner, to defer registration and the issue of an authority for burial. He has thus no discretion to decide whether to report such cases or not. I am aware of no reason for apprehension that registrars of births and deaths do not discharge faithfully the duties of their office in those cases where they also hold Poor Law office.

asked the Minister of Health the inside area, the compounded rent, and the Act under which they were built, of each of the last four lots of non- parlour type houses erected by the Stourbridge, Lye, Halesowen, and Oldbury local authorities, respectively?

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has been arrived at following the conferences between the officers of his Department and the committee of management of the Belmont institution, with a view to reorganising the arrangements of that establishment; and, if so, will he give the full particulars?

No decision has yet been reached, but the matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of relief in the borough of Southwark at the last convenient date; and the total number of persons relieved during the previous 12 months?

The total number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in Southwark Union (which is coextensive with the borough), excluding lunatics in county and borough asylums, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only, and casuals, on Saturday, the 28th April, 1928, was 12,745. Particulars as to the total number of persons relieved during the last 12 months are not furnished to my Department.

The particulars asked for are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether he can supply county valuation committees and other rating authorities with information as to what portion of special properties (excluding agricultural property) which will receive relief under the Budget proposals will be still rateable, and so enable those counties and boroughs where the re-valuation under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, is uncompleted to obtain the necessary data for that valuation without the expense of a special valuation in a year's time?

No, Sir. It would not be possible to supply such information as my hon. Friend suggests till the necessary Valuation Bill has become law, but my right hon. Friend hopes it will be found practicable to a large extent to combine the work entailed by the new proposals with the work of revising valuations which in most areas will presumably be proceeding in the Autumn of this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether wharves and their warehouses will be included in the Government's scheme of rating relief?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I can- not undertake to make any statement as 'to the application of the Government's proposals to particular classes of hereditament in advance of the introduction of the necessary Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the causes of removal of the aircraft depot at Ascot to Chester; whether it is intended to transfer the whole of the, staff; whether removal expenses of the employ—s will be borne by the Department; what are the facilities for housing accommodation on the proposed new site; and, in the event of the men not being transferred, what action is proposed in regard to future employment of the men concerned?

As regards the first part of the question, the buildings at Ascot are of wartime construction and unsatisfactory- for permanent occupation, which has indeed never been contemplated. Accommodation, which would otherwise have been surplus, can be suitably adapted for the purposes of this depot at Sealand, near Chester, which is better situated geographically, and has an aerodrome, whereas there is none at Ascot. As regards the second, third and last parts, the established staff will be transferred and their expenses will be borne by the Department, so far as they are admissible under the regulations. Pivotal men of the temporary staff will also be transferred, and consideration is being given to the question of a grant towards their expenses. The remainder of the temporary staff will be given preferential consideration for employment at Sealand but no expenses nor grant-in-aid will be admissible. As regards the fourth part, civilian employés ordinarily provide their own housing accomodation, but the possibility of making available for this purpose any surplus buildings on the site is being investigated.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the catalogue of abandoned mines in Cornwall deals with the 156 mines which were in operation in 1855 as against the 14 now stated to be working; and does it deal with the 50 lead mines and the same number of copper mines engaged in production in 1855?

Particulars of nearly 900 plans of mines in Cornwall are included in the catalogue and probably those referred to by the hon. Member are among them, but I cannot say definitely as many plans are undated and names are sometimes changed.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal accidents and non-fatal, accidents that occurred in the mines of Great Britain during the year 1927, and the average number of men and boys engaged during the same period?

During the year 1927, there were 1,028 fatal and 172,883 non-fatal accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act, resulting in 1,128 deaths and disablement for more than three days to 173,449 persons. The average number of persons employed was 1,037,400.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount paid as local rates in the mining district of Cumberland by the coal companies and the rates per ton output during the latest available six months?

It is estimated that the total amount of local rates payable by colliery companies in Cumberland in respect of the six months ended March, 1928, was £16,800, or 3.22d. per ton of saleable output.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount paid to royalty owners in the mining district of Cumberland and the amount per ton output during the latest available six months; and how much is paid out of royalty rates towards local rates?

The total amount of royalties payable in Cumberland in respect of the six months ended March, 1928, was approximately £45,000, or 8.60d. per ton of saleable output. Royalties are not assessable to local rates in this district.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of children in England and Wales, between the ages of five and 16, who are both blind and deaf; and what special provisions exist for the distinctive educational training of such children necessary to save them from the complete physical and mental inefficiency which, without such training in early life, is likely to ensue?

The latest available returns of local authorities, which relate to the 31st March, 1927, show 26 children, classed as mentally normal between the ages of five and 16 who are blind and deaf. There is a certified special school at Penn in Buckinghamshire with accommodation for 79 children who are deaf and also suffer from some other defect, including blindness, and I understand that the residential special school for deaf children at Birmingham is prepared to admit children who are also blind provided that there is a sufficient number of these children to form a small class.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Essex County Council has agreed to fix the rent for the hostel at Palmer's girls' school, Grays, at £360 per annum; whether he is satisfied that this figure meets the conditions laid down by him that the rent to be paid and the payments of the boarders should be such that no cost will fall upon the rates; and whether, in view of the fact that the hostel is to be handed over to the head mistress of the girls' school for her private profit, he will see that it is made clear that, in addition to the rent, she will be liable for payment of the rates levied upon her residence and upon the boarding establishment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am satisfied that the payment by the head mistress of an annual rent of £360 during the currency of the loan charges is likely to be sufficient to cover the whole capital cost of the building. I am communicating with the Authority with regard to the liability for the payment of rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has yet made any attempt to stimulate emigration from industrial areas where there is a high degree of unemployment to countries within the Empire by means of free exhibitions of instructional cinema films depicting life and conditions in the Dominions and Colonies; and, if not, will be consider the advisability of making the experiment?

Cinematograph films are being used for educational purposes by the Overseas Settlement Office (in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour), by the Dominion Governments, and by the Canadian Railway Companies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the southern section of the proposed trans-Persian railway will approach the Iraq frontier and run parallel with it for a considerable distance, the Iraq Government has proposed, or intends to propose, to the Persian Government to connect the railway in question with the port of Basra?

No, Sir. I am not aware that the Iraq Government have raised the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he contemplates making any change in the Regulations which govern the West African political service in regard to the 18 months tour?

No, Sir, but the whole matter, which is fully discussed in the Report of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary, on his visit to West Africa, is being kept under careful survey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any particulars of the British company which in February of this year applied to the Colonial Office for the concession to finance and develop the Dead Sea salt deposits; and whether the Colonial Office have given any consideration to this offer?

I was approached in February last by a firm of chartered accountants acting on behalf of a British group desiring to interest itself in the exploitation of the Dead Sea salts. The firm were informed in reply that it had been decided in principle to grant a concession to other applicants, and that, unless and until the negotiations with those applicants proved abortive, it was not possible to entertain other offers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the rapid disappearances of wild animals in Africa, any tracts of land in the East African Dependencies are set apart as game preserves; and, if so, how many, in what districts are they situated, and what is their aggregate area?

Yes, Sir. In each of the East African Dependencies legislative power exists to constitute game reserves, and, in addition to partial reservations in which killing of particular animals is prohibited, a large number of game reserves has been declared. A list of these reserves is given below. I regret that information as to the total area of these reserves is not available, but the two Kenya reserves cover over 20,000 square miles.List of Game Reserves in the East African Dependencies compiled from information available at the Colonial Office:1.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a young Chinese house-boy named Yeung Ping Wong was recently sentenced to six months' hard labour and 20 strokes of the birch at the Central Magistracy in Hong Kong for having in his possession two copies of a publication entitled the "Red Flag": and whether he will inquire into this sentence?

I am informed that a Chinese house-boy named Yeung Ping Kwong, aged 26, was sentenced as stated for having in his possession copies of the "Red Flag" and other seditious literature, including a scheme involv- ing the establishment in the Colony of Red pickets trained in street-fighting methods. The sentence was in accordance with the law and does not, I think, call for special inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any Ordinances prohibiting strikes and closing labour unions have been issued by the Government of Hong Kong, and are still in force?

An Ordinance entitled the Illegal Strikes and Lock-outs Ordinance, 1927, was passed last year in Hong Kong. It is based on the Imperial Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927, and provides for the prohibition of strikes in certain circumstances and for the regulation of trade unions. In addition, labour unions, if acting unlawfully, may come within the scope of the Societies Ordinances, 1920, and of the Regulations made under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, 1922.