asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in certain cases sailors are only allowed to sign on on their ships on giving an I.O.U. authorising the shipowners to pay a sum of money to the National Union of Seamen; and whether he will take steps to prevent this practice?

I understand that many shipowners have agreed to employ as seamen in their vessels only members of the National Union of Seamen, and that an arrangement is in force by which seamen desiring employment who are not members of the union, or whose subscriptions are in arrear, can get the privileges of membership on signing an authorisation for the union entrance fee, or arrears of subscription, to be deducted from their wages at the end of the voyage. The matter is not one which calls for intervention by the Board of Trade.

Seeing that the Government have taken steps to protect workmen against trade unions which they wish to join, would the Government not take steps also to prevent men being compelled to join unions which they do not wish to join?

No, Sir. Even accepting that as a statement of the case, I think it is wise for the Board of Trade in this Administration to follow the lines adopted by the Board of Trade in the Socialist Administration.

Is the Minister aware that men who have been unemployed for a long time are sometimes compelled to pay as much as £2 or £2 10s. before they are allowed to obtain employment, and will the right hon. Gentleman not do something to protect these men?

I have no power to intervene between a trade union organisation and its members.

Is it not a fact that the amounts deducted from the men are returned in the account of wages, and that the account of wages is a Board of Trade document; and does not that fact give the Board of Trade power to intervene?

No doubt the hon. Member, when a member of the Socialist Government, made all these representations to his colleagues in that Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 95 per cent. of all British sailors and firemen are voluntarily members of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union and that it is the only union in this country that has not had a strike during the last quarter of a century?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the question addressed to him does not relate to the proposed intervention of his Government; and will he reply to my question, as to whether his Department is not bound to intervene where the account of wages, an official Government document, is used for purposes other than that for which it is intended?

No, Sir. I am quite satisfied that the Board of Trade is not bound to intervene. If the hon. Member's argument is correct, it would have been as correct when addressed to his colleagues in the Socialist Government as it is addressed to the present Government.

I give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that shipowners regard pilotage charges, particularly on the west coast of England and Wales, as being unreasonably high, especially in the case of coasting steamers; and whether he will institute a general inquiry into the pilotage rates of all the ports of the United Kingdom?

I am aware that shipowners hold the view mentioned as regards pilotage charges in some of our ports, but, under the Pilotage Act of 1913, they can obtain full consideration of any representations they desire to advance. As I informed the hon. Member on 24th April, I do not think that a general inquiry into these charges would be useful.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bristol Channel pilotage rates from Barry Roads are 94.7 per cent. higher than the charges of pre-War days?

I am sure the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I cannot answer off-hand questions of detail relating to comparative charges with anything like accuracy; but the very fact that he cites one example seems to show that the argument used by me on previous occasions is right, and that these matters are much more conveniently dealt with, as provided by Statute, by going into the individual cases where necessary rather than by general inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the rates in the West of England are fixed by the pilotage authorities on which the shipowners are well represented; and is he aware that in the case cited by the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) the pilots have to keep their vessels going at much greater cost than before the War and that the rates are well justified?

All this seems to show how sound is the answer that each case should be investigated and decided; on its own merits.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that a general inquiry is necessary, having regard to the great anomalies that exist—for instance a deeply-laden ship being charged the same rates as a lightly-laden ship?

I think the fact that hon. Members who take different views can produce such a variety of instances based on differing circumstances shows how wise it is to deal with the individual cases, and not to attempt to deal with the matter in a general way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give an approximate estimate of the amount per ton relief that will come to coal and steel as the result of the relief to productive concerns in respect of rates and freights?

Relief from three-quarters of the local rates would, for the year 1927, have been equivalent to about 2½d. a ton on the saleable coal raised. The proposed freight rate reduction would amount to about 4d. a ton on all coal carried by railways. Three-quarters of the local rates on collieries, coke ovens, iron ore and limestone mines, furnaces and rolling mills are equivalent to about 3s. a ton on finished steel, and the proposed freight rate reductions on coal, coke, ore and limestone are equivalent to about 1s. a ton on finished steel.

Since the suggested relief to collieries only approximates to 6½d. per ton, when the actual loss is about 1s. a ton, what advantage are the miners going to get out of this rating relief?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the amount of rates paid annually by hospitals which are supported by voluntary contributions; and whether he will consider the possibility of relieving them of this burden when he brings in his proposals for the relief of rates in industries?

No complete statement of the amount of rates paid in respect of voluntary hospitals is available. In my right hon. Friend's opinion any proposal to de-rate voluntary hospitals must be considered in the light of past inquiries into that proposal and in relation to similar claims made on behalf of other charitable and public institutions. It is not germane to the Government's proposals for giving relief from rating burdens to agriculture and industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made as to the relief in rates by which he expects to relieve the engineering trade in October, 1929, under the Budget proposals?

I have been asked to reply. No comprehensive information is available, but on the basis of the available data it is roughly estimated that the direct relief to the engineering industry in respect of local taxation will be from £2 millions to £2½millions a year.

May we be given the line that has been drawn indicating what is the engineering trade for the purposes of this relief?

I assume that the hon. Gentleman in putting down his question took the line given in the Census of Production, and that is the line which I took.

Does that line include marine engineering?

I rather think that marine engineering is under a separate heading, but I would like notice of that question.

Are we to take it that marine engineering is not to get any relief from the rates?

Certainly not. The question is whether marine engineering is included in general engineering, or included, as I think it is, in shipbuilding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether under the proposals of the Budget for the partial de-rating of productive industries, breweries and distilleries will be classed as productive enterprises?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Croydon North (Colonel Mason).

Are not these industries in exactly the same position as factories which manufacture ginger-beer and lemonade?

On what grounds has it been decided to effect these de-rating proposals when, since the War, between £100,000,000 and £200,000,000 profit has been made by them? In what sense do they need de-rating?

The hon. Member can debate that later.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to charge a duty on the turpentine, white spirit, and other oils contained in paints, colours and varnishes imported into this country; and, if so, at what rate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Under the provisions of Section 7 (1) of the Finance Act, 1901, duty will be chargeable in respect of imported paints, varnishes, colours, etc., which contain dutiable hydrocarbon oils, at the rate of 4d. per gallon on the quantity of such oils used in their manufacture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he now contemplates reducing the Excise duty on mechanical lighters from sixpence to threepence?

It was understood that there would be a further opportunity of discussing this matter during the Debates on the Finance Bill.

Has the hon. Gentleman taken the opportunity in the meantime to consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any Regulation which states that a man who has not less than 14 years' qualifying service and is in receipt of a disability pension of not less than 20 per cent. shall be entitled to a service pension?

The Regulation to which the hon. Member refers is contained in Army Order 330 of 1918. It provides that a soldier who served in the Army during the Great War and left with between 14 and 21 years' total service, of which at least 14 years reckoned as qualifying service, may be given a service pension provided that he was disabled in the Great War and granted a disability pension by the Ministry of Pensions. If the soldier's total service is less than 18 years, the disability pension must be a permanent one.

Can the hon. Gentleman send me a copy of the Regulation?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of any man being recalled to the colours during a time of national emergency, the time served in the Reserve counts as a qualifying service or, if he volunteers for service in such an event when Sections A, B and D have been recalled, does such service count as qualifying towards pension?

No, Sir, not if he enlisted after 12th September, 1919, and is therefore governed by the current Regulations.

In the case of any reserve soldier who joined in 1914, does this particular regulation not govern his period of service and any disability which he suffered during the late War?

If he joined at the earlier date, his case would be governed by the earlier Regulation.

What is the earlier date? Is it 1914?

Prior to September, 1919.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the number of men serving in the band of the 11th Hussars; how frequently new uniforms are issued to them; what length of cloth is required to make these uniforms, and how many years will be taken to use up for this purpose the uniform cloth in stock which was formerly worn by this regiment?

The authorised establishment of the band is 27, but uniform is also provided for supplementary players, including boys under training, not in-chided in the establishment. New uniforms are not issued at fixed periods but are supplied as and when required. There are approximately 2⅙ yards in these uniforms, of which more than a yard is required for the trousers made of the material peculiar to this regiment.

How long does the hon. Gentleman estimate it will take to use up the cloth which they have in stock? That is asked in the Question, but there is no reply to it.

As already stated new uniforms are issued when required and not at fixed intervals. It is therefore impossible to calculate the exact period for which the present supply of cloth will last, but, roughly speaking, it should last for a considerable period—some 50 or 60 years, or even longer.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the wearing of crimson pants has been a tradition of this regiment for many years and will he make sure of preserving the tradition by preserving the crimson cloth?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that long before 50 or 60 years this cloth will be of no value whatever?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the damage done to crops and property in the neighbourhood of Garmouth, Morayshire, owing to the repeated flooding of the River Spey, due to the sweeping away of a bulwark on a neighbouring estate; whether he is aware that no compensation is payable to the farmers and others for their losses; and what steps he proposes to take, by legislation or otherwise, to remedy this state of affairs?

I am aware that considerable damage is caused to agricultural land by the periodical flooding of the River Spey, and my attention has already been drawn by the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. J. Stuart) to the damage in this instance. I am not aware that there is any statutory provision for the payment of compensation in such cases. Regarding the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1st instant on the subject of the flooding of the River Kelvin. The whole problem is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that floods have taken place on this land on 15 different occasions since September, 1927; that the land is going out of cultivation; that the railway embankment is being undermined, and that a village has been cut off; and cannot he, as the representative of the Government, take steps to deal with the situation?

I am getting the Board of Agriculture to report on the whole circumstances of the case. I can do no more at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to provide George Ross, of North Cluanie, Glenshill, and his brother with small holdings; whether he is aware that George Ross served in the Army from August, 1914, to 1919, and that he and his brother applied to the Scottish Board of Agriculture while in the Army in France and whether he is aware that they have since applied to the Board of Agriculture, and that they are at present unemployed and without land?

An application by these men on the grounds stated in the question is at present before the Board, and inquiries are proceeding relative to the possibility of providing holdings at North Cluanie.

Is it not the case that these individuals sent in their applications while they were serving in the Army in France; and does it take the right hon. Gentleman a matter of 10 years to find suitable land in this part of Scotland to give these two men small holdings?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I made application some time ago to the Board of Agriculture asking them to give special consideration to the case of these two men who are very deserving applicants; and will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that, in the consideration of the whole question, their cases are not overlooked?

I am aware that the right hon. Gentleman drew the attention of the Board to the circumstances of these cases. All I can say at present is that the Board is investigating the circumstances in the hope of finding some solution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my Supplementary Question Does it take the Board of Agriculture 10 years to find, in this part of Scotland, suitable ground for small holdings for two ex-service men? Could not this matter have been dealt with long ago? The right hon. Gentleman has been Secretary of State for Scotland for several years, and the matter has not come to an end yet.

asked the Secretary for Mines, if he will give a list of the collieries in South Wales and Monmouthshire which have installations for the treatment of coal for by-products; and the figures for the output of the more important by-products during the last five years?

The only information I have relates to coke-ovens. I will send the hon. Member a list of the colliery companies to which these works are attached, but I regret that I am unable to state the amount of the byproducts recovered.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether he is aware that pumping operations were discontinued at the South Rhondda Colliery early last February, causing a great accumulation of water in the workings of this colliery in seams to the rise of the same seams which were being worked at the adjacent Meiros Collieries at Llanharran, Glamorgan; and why the Mines Department permitted this situation to arise, which has resulted in the throwing out of work of about 200 miners, whose lives were endangered at the Meiros Collieries by the risk of an inundation of water from the abandoned mine at South Rhondda Colliery?

On 11th April, there was a small make of water in the Pentre Seam of the Meiros Colliery and the manager withdrew the workmen from the Six Feet Seam pending examination. Work has not been re-started in that seam, but in the opinion of the Divisional Inspector of Mines the position is devoid of danger.

Is it not a fact that the South Rhondda and the Meiros Collieries which adjoin, are owned by the same parent company, Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefold; and are they not responsible for providing for the safety of the whole undertaking? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that 200 miners have been thrown out of work because of this carelessness?

No, Sir, I am not. As I have just informed the hon. Member, the opinion of the divisional inspector is that the position is devoid of danger.

If that is so, why have these 200 men been withdrawn? Was it not specifically because of the danger of an inundation of water from this abandoned mine. Ought not the hon. and gallant Gentleman to make special inquiries into this carelessness of his Department?

No, Sir. I presume that the reason they are not working the seam is because the seam is not economic.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to give his authority for the statement that the seam is not economic; and is he not aware of the fact that this is the most valuable seam in South Wales, and that to my personal knowledge the company is making handsome profits this year out of this very seam of coal?

Arising out of his reply, may I ask the hon. and gallant Gentle- man if this is one of the mines dealt with in the catalogue of abandoned mines?

No, Sir. It is not abandoned.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of pits working, the number of men employed, and the weekly wages paid in the Durham coalfield in October, 1924, and April, 1928, respectively?

In October, 1924, 226 pits were at work, employing 158,700 wage-earners. The corresponding figures for April, 1928, were 217 and 126,200. The estimated wekly wage hill in October, 1924, was £378,000, and in March, 1928, the latest month for which information is available, £248,000.

In view of the large number of men who have been thrown out of work since this Government came into office, do not the Government propose to take any steps to help these men now instead of in 18 months' time?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount paid as local rates and the amount paid to royalty owners in each mining county in Scotland by coal companies; and the rates, or amount per ton, on output during the latest available six months?

Information is only available for Scotland as a whole. The estimated amount of local rates payable in respect of the six months ended March, 1928, was £108,000, or 1.46d. per ton of saleable output, and of royalties, £453,000, or 6.13d. per ton.

Why is it impossible for the hon. and gallant Member's Department to give the specific amounts for each local authority's area in all the Scottish coalfields, instead of merely a lump sum for the entire country?

Because we have not the information, which is not supplied to us.

Is it not a simple thing for each local authority in every coalfield in Scotland to give the specific information for its own area?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the terms of the Cannock Chase Collieries Commercial Association's decision to fix a quota of coal production; whether it is intended to increase the price of coal for industrial and domestic purposes; and to what extent the proposal will limit employment in the pits?

I understand that the quotas under the Midland scheme are fixed by a committee of the Central Association and not by the District Association. As regards the answer to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 3rd May to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne). More experience of the scheme is necessary before its effect on employment can be judged.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is indicated already that the number of shifts will be reduced 12 per month?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries were working full time in Yorkshire during the week ending 28th April; and how many collieries were working three days a week or less?

During the week ended 28th April, 1928, 62 pits worked full time, 132 pits for four or five days, 132 pits for three days, and nine pits for less than three days.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the short time is absolutely attributable to the Five Counties' Scheme, and can he say what the Government intend to do to help those men who are suffering from underemployment and from low wages?

No, Sir, the unemployment is due to lack of demand for the commodity.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that there has been a large demand for Yorkshire coal at the Humber ports which could not be supplied, although the pits were only working three or four days a week?

I understand there was a temporary shortage in Hull, but I believe that is being dealt with.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that there is still a great shortage in Hull?

Is not the Five Counties' Scheme, with its raising of coal prices, in direct accord with the recommendations of Sir Herbert Samuel's Commission?

asked the Secretary for Mines how many boys between the ages of 14 and 16 have entered the mining industry in the first three months of this year, and the number of new entrants other than boys for the same period?

I have been asked to reply. The available statistics include only persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and accordingly do not relate to boys below 16 years of age. During the three months to 31st March last, 7,506 boys, aged 16 and 17, in the coal mining industry entered insurance as well as 95 girls of those ages, 511 men and 34 women. Most of the boys and girls were, no doubt, already in the industry when they reached 16 years of age and became insurable, but separate statistics of these cases are not available.

Does not that prove that the voluntary arrangement between the owners and the Miners' Federation in respect of the recruitment of new labour for the mining industry has completely failed?

I should draw precisely the opposite conclusion.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the quantity or the equivalent of coal required to produce the hydrogen for hydrogenation, gas for heating, and power for compression, etc., in working the Bergius plant;

With regard to these questions, replies on such highly technical subjects would need so much qualification that it is not possible to keep them to a reasonable length. If the hon. Member will communicate to me more exact details of his requirements, I will provide him with a statement.

How is the House to be informed of that which it is supposed to deal with if we get answers like this? The two questions I have put down are the most simple questions that could be put to the Mines Department. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"] I am not talking about those who are cackling now. I want to know—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—I want your ruling, Mr. Speaker, on this point. After having put down two questions, I am requested, as there seems to be so great a wealth of detail in them, to submit to some sort of underhand, behind-the-Speaker's-Chair method, because they do not want these things made public. It is these underhand efforts—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

I cannot allow questions to be put in that form.

On a point of Order. I desire to get this information through a question on the Order Paper, and I want to know whether, if I put these questions down in different words, they will be again ruled out of order?

I cannot rule in advance on something I have not seen. The hon. Gentleman will no doubt take into account what the Secretary for Mines said to-day, and perhaps between them they will be able to arrive at a form of question which will enable the technical and scientific information to be given for the benefit of the whole House.

Is it not in order to put "et cetera" when we get the impression from the answers given that there is something that we cannot get to know, and we use "et cetera" in order to get at the truth?

May I submit that the information required cannot be, in the nature of the case, within the cognisance of the Secretary for Mines or any other Minister in this House; and that such information as is available has already been published in the public Press and in the proceedings of the various scientific societies, and that all those who are really interested in this matter are perfectly well aware that the information which has already been published is as much as we can expect to get in the present state of our knowledge?

Can we not arrange for the hon. Member for Mossley (Mr. Hopkinson) to sit on the Treasury Bench to answer these questions?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any reply to the invitation he made to the omnibus proprietors in the London area asking them for their observations with reference to the recent increases in omnibus fares; and whether he will inform the House what further action he proposes to take?

No, Sir. I am still awaiting replies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether steps are being taken to watch and record the increases of fares imposed by the London General Omnibus Company, in view of the fact that the cost of petrol to-day, including the tax, is lower than when the standard fares were fixed?

The London Traffic Act, 1924, provides that any person to whom a licence has been granted for an omnibus to ply for hire in the City of London and the Metropolitan Police area, subject to the condition of maintaining a regular service, shall deposit with the licensing authority a schedule of the fares which he intends to charge. Copies of such schedules are sent to me and recorded in my Department. I am not sure that I understand the hon. and gallant Member's reference to the fixing of standard fares.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement made by the officials of the London General Omnibus Company to the effect that they have lost some hundreds of thousands of pounds by the imposition of the tax of 4d., and has he compared that with the figure of the amount they have saved by the decrease in the cost of petrol since they fixed the present fares?

No, Sir, I have not seen that statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to inform himself upon these vital matters?

If the hon. and gallant Member will kindly send me the statement, I will certainly go into it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the United Counties Omnibus Company, operating in the Wellingborough Parliamentary area, has increased its workmen's fare by 50 per cent., and that as a consequence workmen have to pay a day's wage per week in omnibus fares; and what steps he proposes to take in order to prevent this increase?

The company to which the hon. Member refers is not a statutory company, and I have no control over the fares charged by them.

Will the Minister make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pointing out to him that the workmen are paying for the Petrol Duty?

asked the Minister of Transport when the Underground companies propose to instal escalators at Leicester Square Station?

I am informed by the railway company that they realise that, in view of the continued growth of the traffic at Leicester Square Station, this station must, in order to avoid congestion, be reconstructed at an early date, and that schemes with this object are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that in the agreement between himself and the county council in October, 1924, it was agreed to bear the whole cost of the section of the Liverpool-Hull trunk road between Selby and Hull, including the road connecting with the new bridge to be built at Boothferry, and that his engineers and the trunk road engineers sketched out the route for this section of the road instead of the county surveyor, he can state when the road leading from the Boothferry bridge to link up with the new road to Hull will be commenced; whether he has now received the report of his chief road engineer, who recently examined the existing state of affairs and, if so, what is its nature; and if he is aware that the first span of the new bridge at Boothferry has been placed in position and that there is no time to he lost before commencing the necessary road leading from this bridge?

The understanding between the county council and my Department was that a certain allocation should be made from the Road Fund towards the improvement of the Hull-Selby road. That allocation is being duly spent, and will not cover the cost of the Boothferry Bridge approach, only a small part of which can be said to lie on the Hull-Selby road. It is true that my staff have taken part in the preparation of plans for the bridge approach, but assistance of this nature which is not infrequently given to local authorities, does not, in any way, imply that the execution of the work will be undertaken by my Department. I am aware of the progress of the bridge construction, towards which I have made a 50 per cent. grant, and I am desirous of assisting the local authorities in the formation of the approach on the terms usually applicable to such schemes.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but may I ask him what steps the Corporation of Hull are to take in this matter, as until the county council and the right hon. Gentleman's Department come to some agreement the whole work on the road is held up and traffic is disorganised?

If the local authorities will approach me, I shall be pleased to hear what they have to say.

Does that apply to the Corporation of Hull?

Certainly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there are any negotiations at present pending for the purpose of reducing the transatlantic telephone charges between Canada and Great Britain; and can he make a statement thereon?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second does not therefore arise.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that ten guineas for three minutes is an inducement to the public to use this service?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Transatlantic charge is precisely the same as in the case of Canada, £9 for three minutes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that £9 for three minutes is an inducement to the public to use the service?

Yes, I do, otherwise I should not be charging it.

asked the Postmaster-General by whom postage stamps, bill stamps, and other such documents are printed and on what terms; when the last contract was allotted; and how many firms tendered?

The bulk of postage stamps, entertainments duty stamps, and insurance stamps are printed by Messrs. Waterlow and Sons, under a contract running for ten years from the 1st January, 1924. High value postage stamps (2s. 6d. and upwards) are printed by Messrs. Bradbury, Wilkinson and Company under a contract originally concluded for three years from the 1st August, 1918, and now running from year to year. Four tenders were received for the former, and six for the latter contract. Sixpenny postage stamps, Inland Revenue stamps and a few insurance stamps are printed at Somerset House by the Inland Revenue Stamping Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the disclosures which have come to light in the case of "Waterlow and another," and learn any lesson which is to be learned from those facts?

I think that is a reference to a legal case now before the Courts.

May I submit that the legal case has a direct reference to my question on the Paper? In that case it came to light that certain firms conspired not to tender—

I am under the impression that there is a case on this point before the Courts which has not yet concluded.

It has concluded.

I did not know that.

May I therefore, ask the Postmaster-General whether he will examine the facts which have come to light in that case of "Waterlow and another," and see whether he cannot do anything to ensure that such malpractices will not occur again if he can help it?

I have already told the hon. and gallant Gentleman—of course, I am not accepting any statement of alleged facts; obviously, it would not be proper to do so—that this particular contract was concluded for the first time in 1924 and has a currency of 10 years. I do not know, because I have not examined it, whether when the con- tract was entered into provision was made for its determination at an earlier date, but, as the hon. Member has asked me, I will look into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the terms of the contract are being carried out?

asked the Postmaster-General on how many occasions from 1st July, 1927, to 30th April, 1928, the 8.30 mail train from Euston was more than 15 minutes late at Perth and Aberdeen, respectively; and on how many occasions it missed the connecting trains at Aberdeen in consequence?

During the period in question the lateness of the train at Perth and Aberdeen on week-days exceeded 15 minutes on 85 and 80 occasions respectively: the mails failed to connect at Aberdeen with the Keith-Elgin and Deeside trains on 60 occasions and with the Buchan train on 33 occasions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any special instructions have been issued from his Department to the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange, during the period of 12 months ended to the 9th April, 1928, which caused the local employment committee to recommend for disallowance 4,037 applications for extended benefit out of a total of 12,363 applications considered?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that 1,300 of these applications have been refused, because the committee have considered that the applicants have not been genuinely seeking work, and does he not think that this is an absurd number for such a cause to be given?

No, I am not aware of that figure. It is obviously a question for the committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is the figure which he gave me last week?

If the hon. Gentleman says so, I take it that it is so.

Does the hon. Gentleman not consider that 33⅓ per cent. of disqualifications is a very large proportion, and can he say what is the general figure for the country?

The question on the Paper asks if there were any special instructions issued.

asked the Minister of Labour how many shale miners and oil workers in the county of West Lothian were registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges in March of this year, and how many were in receipt of benefit?

As stated by my hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary for Mines, on 15th March last in reply to the hon. Member for the Bothwell Division (Mr. Sullivan), separate figures

asked the Minister of Labour what districts have made application for the transfer of juveniles into their area for placing in employment?

Vacancies notified by individual employers have been filled

Why is it that the figures cannot be furnished in respect of unemployment in this particular industry; are shale miners not classified in a separate category?

No; that is exactly the reason I cannot give them; they are not classified.

Will the hon. Gentleman make arrangements to have the proper qualification made?

I will consider that, but I cannot say at the moment if it is practicable or advisable.

Is there any reason why the hon. Gentleman cannot get this from the local Employment Exchange?

Yes, because they are not classified.

asked the Minister of Labour how many mine workers were registered as unemployed at the Doncaster and Mexborough Employment Exchanges on 23rd April, 1926, and on the same date in 1928?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. Gentleman make known to the House the district or the areas into which these juveniles have been sent?

Yes; Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South of England are three of the districts, and there may be others.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when building operations will be commenced for the new Employment Exchange at Darlington?

The plans of the new Employment Exchange at Darlington are at present under discussion, but it is hoped to commence building towards the end of the year.

Cannot the matter be expedited, so that the building can be occupied before the winter?

That would not be possible, because provision has only been taken in this year's Estimates for part of the building, and we cannot complete the building on the amount taken in this year's Estimates.

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the manifesto drawn up by Prince Carol of Rumania, now in this country, and printed in London, calling upon the people of Rumania to oust King Michael and recall Prince Carol to the Throne; and whether he does not consider this action a breach of the comity of nations which would justify him in requesting Prince Carol to leave this country forthwith?

I would like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, why this question was ruled out of order yesterday and has been permitted to be answered to-day?

I do not think that I had a question submitted to me yesterday on this subject.

I handed several questions in at the Table last week.

I do not think I saw them.