asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the scheme of family emigration to Canada with assisted passages is widely regarded as discriminating against people who cannot qualify and have to pay high fares, and is consequently operating as a deterrent to many desirable immigrants, especially young single men; and will he consider broadening the basis of qualification, so as to extend some assistance to all intending settlers who are sound in mind and body?

The Canadian assisted passage scheme is not confined to families; single men, experienced and inexperienced in farm work, are eligible for assistance if willing to take up work on the land, and single women if going to household work. In view, however, of the desirability of encouraging family migration, and of the fact that openings for families overseas are strictly limited owing to the difficulty in finding suitable places, special schemes have been arranged for the settlement of families on farms of their own.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that there are widespread complaints, both here and in Canada, that the new system of medical inspection has antagonised the British medical profession and created an atmosphere unfavourable to emigration to Canada; and whether he will discuss this with the Dominion Government?

I have seen Press statements of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, but I am not prepared, at present, to express any opinion as to the effect of the new system of medical inspection on the movement from this country. From the latest information in the Press I gather that it is proposed materially to modify the new system.

asked the Minister of Health the expenditure in England and Wales in 1926–27 and 1927–28, respec- tively, on out-relief to children boarded out, to persons ordinarily employed, and on other out-relief, in continuation of the 1925–26 figures for these items shown in Table 7 of the Annual Taxation Returns, Part I, 1925–26?

The expenditure by Poor Law authorities in England and Wales in rile financial year 1926–27 on out-relief to children boarded out was £251,432; to persons ordinarily employed and their dependants £15,001,350; and on other out relief £8,661,277. The annual returns for the year 1927–28 have not yet been received, but the approximate amount spent on out-relief in that year to persons ordinarily employed (and their dependants) was £6,920,000 and on all other out relief, £8,163,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will instruct boards of guardians to arrange for the medical inspection of casuals to be carried out in the eve Ling before the risk of infection of clothes and bedding has been incurred, and also in order that men may be released early in the morning and thus be given time to search for employment en route for the next casual ward?

I am afraid that the varying conditions of staff and accommodation in the different casual wards, and the late hour of arrival of some casuals, make it impracticable to arrange t rat effect should be given to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number and situation of the provincial centres of agricultural education describe the advisory staff at each centre; and enumerate the farm institutes within each provincial area?

There are 11 provincial centres of agricultural education in England and Wales, and in addition there are three centres which act in an advisory capacity only. Their situation is shown in the table below, which also shows the specialist advisory officers at each centre and the farm institutes in each province.

asked the Minister of Health the percentage of deaths of mothers at childbirth where doctors attend the birth of children with uncertificated midwives in attendance; and what is the percentage of deaths of mothers at childbirth when attended by certificated midwives only?

No complete statistics are available on these points. As regards the last part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to page 42 of the recent Report issued by my Department on the "Protection of Motherhood," on which is a summary of the results of an analysis of the midwifery work of the Queen Victoria Jubilee Institute over a period of years.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that many ex-service pensioners suffering from chronic disabilities are now being referred to national health insurance for treatment, he will reconsider this decision and grant institutional treatment and allowances, in view of the hardships suffered by such pensioners?

It is the duty of the proper medical officers of the Ministry for prescribe whatever form of treatment they may consider necessary, and in a case where no special treatment beyond attention from a general practitioner is required, the pensioner is advised to consult the practitioner whose services are available to him under the Health Insurance Acts. This is the long standing practice of the Ministry, and I should not be justified in requiring, as the hon. Member suggests, the provision of hospital treatment in all cases regardless of medical views as to whether such treatment is necessary or not.