asked the Minister of Labour whether any regulations have been made by his Department whereby when a worker who is himself not ill has to abstain from work on account of infection in his family he cannot get unemployment benefit?

I have seen the statement referred to. It is not correct. An insured worker who is not himself ill and has to stay away from his work on account of infection in his family would not, on that account, lose any unemployment benefit to which he is otherwise entitled.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of per- sons, specifying men, women, boys and girls, on the Devonport Employment Exchange for the months of August, September and October, 1928, respectively, and the corresponding figures for Plymouth?

—			Men.	Boys.	Women.	Girls.	Total.
1928.				Plymouth,
August 6th	…	…		Figures not available—Bank Holiday.
August 13th	…	…	3,150	95	270	64	3,579
August 20th	…	…	3,170	109	269	71	3,619
August 27th	…	…	3,165	95	258	62	3,580
September 3rd	…	…	2,913	105	258	69	3,345
September 10th	…	…	3,064	99	252	74	3,489
September 17th	…	…	3,042	87	270	84	3,483
September 24th	…	…	2,972	89	297	105	3,463
October 1st	…	…	3,044	80	314	94	3,532
October 8th	…	…	3,310	80	341	78	3,809
October 15th	…	…	3,476	85	405	76	4,042
October 22nd	…	…	3,450	87	435	83	4,055
October 29th	…	…	3,432	87	438	94	4,051
				Devonport.
August 6th	…	…		Figures not available.
August 13th	…	…	1,490	52	128	52	1,722
August 20th	…	…	1,491	51	133	49	1,724
August 27th	…	…	1,471	52	117	47	1,687
September 3rd	…	…	1,452	55	116	54	1,677
September 10th	…	…	1,468	54	129	54	1,705
September 17th	…	…	1,504	56	138	53	1,751
September 24th	…	…	1,482	55	126	53	1,716
October 1st	…	…	1,520	53	154	53	1,780
October 8th	…	…	1,517	50	149	50	1,766
October 15th	…	…	1,534	46	144	54	1,778
October 22nd	…	…	1,549	48	155	54	1,806
October 29th	…	…	1,576	43	174	52	1,845

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men over 40 years of age, but under 65 years of age, on the register at the Walworth Road (Borough) Exchange at the 31st October, 1928?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men of over 40 years and under 65 on the register at the end of September last?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers, respectively, of

The following Table shows the numbers of persons on the Live Registers of the Employment Exchanges at Plymouth and Devonport, respectively, on each Monday of August, September and October, 1928.Government employés, municipal employés, insurance company employés, and all others who were compulsory contributors but were excluded from being voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, on the ground that they had not sent in their applications within the period allowed?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of women who have been refused either an old age pension or a widow's pension on the ground that the husband had reached the age of 70 before 4th January, 1928?

The hon. Member would appear to be under a misapprehension with regard to widows' pensions. The widow of a man who was over 70 on 2nd January, 1928, would not on that account be disentitled to a widow's pension. As regards England, the number of claims for old age pensions made by married women who were under 70 on 2nd January, 1928, which were rejected because their husbands were over 70 on that date is approximately 10,000. This number does not include claims which though rejected on the first application were subsequently admitted on the wives attaining the age of 70.

asked the Minister of Health the number of widows in receipt, at the latest available date, of a pension by reason of their having children under the age of 14 years; and the total number of widows in receipt of a widow's pension under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act?

As regards England and Wales, on 30th September last, the latest date for which the information is available, 74,820 widows were receiving pensions by reason of their having children under the age of 14; the total number of widows in receipt of widows' pensions on the same date was 201,307.

asked the Minister of Health the number of Children in respect of whom allowances are being paid under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and how many of these children are orphans and are receiving the orphans' allowance?

As regards England and Wales, the number of children in receipt of children's allowances or orphans' pensions on 30th September last, the latest date for which the information is available, was 239,020; of these 13,019 were orphans in receipt of orphans' pensions.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of old age pensions, both contributory and non-contributory, payable on the last available date, and the value of such payments?

In the last week of September the number of old age pensions payable under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, in England and Wales to persons between the ages of 65 and 70 was 463,665 and the number payable under the Acts of 1908–1924 by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, to persons over 70 was 274,202. The approximate value of these pensions per annum would be £12,055,000 and £7,129,000 respectively. As regards the pensions under the Acts of 1908–1924, to which the means restriction applies, a question should be addressed to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now make any statement as to the intentions of his Department to introduce legislation in favour of the grant of reasonable compensation to owners of habitable house property which may be included in slum clearance schemes?

It is the intention of the Government to introduce, at the earliest practicable moment, legislation dealing with slum areas, which will provide for an amendment in certain respects of Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, in consequence of thousands of carcases of mutton from Patagonian Chili being seized and condemned by the inspection authorities in the City of London on account of the disease known as Gaseous lymphadenitis, the authorities have placed an embargo on all wharves, stores, and markets within their area and refuse to pass for sale any sheep until the glands of the legs and shoulders have been incised and the carcase found immune; that the Port of London sanitary authority refuse to adopt a similar precaution; whether any action is being taken to safeguard against this disease at the ports of Avonmouth, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to prevent the flooding of the country with these infected sheep?

Yes, Sir, I understand 'that it is the practice in the City of London to examine all sheep's carcases for caseous lymphadenitis before they are distributed to retailers. The Port of London Sanitary Authority have recently decided to examine for this disease a percentage of the carcases arriving at the docks, and to release the remainder to cold stores in the London area on condition that they are not removed there-from without the permission of the local medical officer of health. My right hon. Friend is making inquiries as to the practice at the ports of Avonmouth, Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester, and he hopes it will be possible to arrange for uniform action to be taken at all ports for preventing the distribution of meat infected with this disease.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that guardians of the poor now have to pay extra remuneration to their medical officers in respect of the medical examination of casuals owing to epidemics of small-pox, he will

			Number of persons in receipt of
—			Institutional relief (including casuals but excluding lunatics in county and borough asylums).	Domiciliary relief (excluding persons in receipt of medical relief only).	Total.
Union County of Durham	…	…	6,519	89,447	95,966

The desired information as to scales of relief is not available and could be obtained only through the medium of a special Return from the unions in the county. The use of scales is optional and scales of relief if made do not require my approval. Further, such scales can only be properly used as a general guide and their use does not relieve guardians of their responsibility of assessing the amount of relief required to relieve destitution in each individual case, and in every union the application of the scale of relief depends upon the practice of the guardians and usually upon various more or less complicated rules and conditions relating to it. I do not think, therefore, that the trouble and expense of collecting the information would be justified.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of outdoor relief paid to single men in Durham county and the

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a previous similar question on Thursday last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in Durham County, together with the scales of relief paid in different parts of the county?

The following statement shows the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in unions in tie County of Durham on Saturday, 27th October, 1928:conditions imposed before such relief is paid?

I regret that this information is not in my possession, and could only be obtained through the medium of a special return from the clerks to the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health the amount expended per head of estimated population by Poor Law authorities in England and Wales on Poor Law relief in 1914 and in each of the: act 10 years, and indicate in each case how much was expended in outdoor relief in money and kind.

The following table gives the desired information. Figures for the year ended 31st March, 1928, are not yet available.

asked the Postmaster-General the average cost of the erection of telephone kiosks, together with the average yearly takings per kiosk?

I regret that cost statistics in the form desired by the hon. Member are not available. The average gross receipts are about £40 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that salaries paid to officers in the Post Office medical service are lower than in any other Government Department and that it is the only Department in which unequal rates of payment as between men and women obtain, and if he proposes to take suitable action in the matter?

The salaries of the officers in question were recently the subject of a claim before the Industrial Court, who have referred the matter back to the parties for reconsideration. Pending further developments, I cannot make any statement in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General how many accidents have been reported to him since November, 1924, directly or indirectly attributable to ob- struction of the highway owing to the laying or repair of telephone and telegraph wires or posts?

A summary is not kept of accidents which may be attributed, directly or indirectly, to telegraph or telephone works on highways, and I regret not to be in a position to give the information desired. The number, however, is relatively very small.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is satisfied that his Department is in a position to collect the full amount due in respect of wireless licences from holders of portable wireless sets?

My Department does its best to ensure that every person who owns a wireless set of any kind shall pay a wireless licence fee. The number of wireless licences now in force is over 2,500,000. I do not think there is any widespread evasion, nor have I any reason to suppose that the owners of portable sets are more prone to evade their legal obligations than other members of the community.

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the average daily all-in cost of the Rugby station from let May to date: and what has been the average daily revenue during the same period?

From 1st May to 30th September last (which is the latest period for which complete statistics are available), the average daily all-in cost of the Rugby station, including the receiving stations worked in conjunction with it, was £383 and the average daily revenue was £397.

asked the Minister of Transport what facilities, if any, are placed by the Government at the disposal of inventors who may wish to submit, as gifts to the State, devices designed to reduce traffic noises such as improved types of silencers and horns?

While it is not my practice to express approval of any particular device or accessory for use on motor vehicles, inventors frequently submit their devices for examination by the technical officers of my Department. A record is kept of such devices for the purpose of assisting me in framing future regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of the Hilton Young Commission on East Africa will be available?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave today to a similar question by the hon. Member for Montrose District (Sir R. Hutchison).

asked the Home Secretary the number of metal grinders who have been discharged in consequence of failing to pass a medical test in accordance with the Statutory Rules and Orders, 1927, No. 380, in respect to the metal-grinding industries (silicosis) scheme, and have not been able to qualify for workmen's compensation?

No medical test for employment is imposed by this scheme. I understand that workmen employed by certain firms in these industries have been required by their employers for the purposes of insurance to pass a medical examination, and that some of them who failed to pass have been discharged, but I have no information as to the number affected. I may add that a workman employed at or after the commencement of the scheme has a right to claim compensation under the scheme for total disablement after he has left the employment, provided he has been employed in the dusty processes within the previous three years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that the office accommodation provided in Glasgow for the Scottish Board of Health continues to be overtaxed by persons applying for advice in relation to the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions and Health Insurance Acts; and that the office provided is very unhealthy; and if he will take steps to have this put right?

The First Commissioner is not aware of any serious congestion; he understands that the number of applicants for advice is diminishing. The provision of a district office at Kilmarnock, now under consideration, would afford relief to the offices in 250, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, but this proposal is awaiting the reorganisation of the Scottish Board of Health. The First Commissioner is advised that from the health point of view the office is satisfactory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how, long the site for the new Employment Exchange in Glasgow has been purchased; how long since the occupants of the same have vacated it; and how long will it be until the new building is proceeded with?

The site was purchased in February last and vacated by the tenants at the end of June. I am glad to say that agreement has now been reached as to the other Government staff to be provided for in the building, and that detailed plans are in hand. It is hoped that building operations may begin early in the next financial year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average number of days taken for sick leave per head per annum during the last three complete years by the women staffs of the London Telephone Service Accounts Branch, the Board of Education, and the Ministry of Health, respectively?

The average number of days sick leave per head per annum taken by the women staffs in the Departments referred to during the years 1925 and 1927 was as follows:—

asked the hon. and gallant Member for North-East Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who is the official appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to authorise payment of episcopal costs in ecclesiastical causes under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners' Measure, 1926; whether the solicitors employed by the Bishop of Gloucester in the action against the Rector of Avening last April were previously approved in accordance with that Measure; and whether the payment of the bishop's costs in the action have been approved by the appointed official and what was the amount?

The official so appointed is Mr. Geoffrey Lawrence, K.C.; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners approved the solicitors appointed by the Bishop, being the firm of which the Bishop's legal secretary is a member; the Bishop's costs will be payable by the Commissioners, but the Bill has not yet been delivered. When the amount is known, I shall be happy to inform the hon. Member.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has received a communication from Mr. S. Rosenberg, of No. 3, Denning Road, Hampstead, relative to the conduct of litigation in which he has been involved in the Law Courts; and, in view of the fact that there is no Government Department which has powers to investigate such charges, whether he will take any action in the matter?

I have received no such communication, but in February and March, 1927, communications were addressed to my predecessor by a person writing under the name S. Rosen. He was the plaintiff in an action tried on 16th February, 1927, in which he claimed damages for breach of contract and negligence against a firm of estate agents. He was represented by well-known counsel. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant with costs at the end of the plaintiff's case. During the course of the trial the plaintiff made allegations against his own counsel which the learned Judge described as entirely unfounded, and since the trial he has made allegations of negligence against his solicitors. The latter complaint has been considered by the Law Society, who replied that the matter was not one with regard to which the Society has jurisdiction to intervene. I cannot take any action in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether compulsory labour prevails in any of the Indian States subject to the paramountcy of His Majesty's Government?

The information in the possession of my Noble Friend points to the existence of some kinds of compulsory labour. Since the conclusion at Geneva in 1926 of the Slavery Convention, one of the articles of which prescribes certain limitations on the resort to compulsory labour, the attention of the Darbars of Indian States has been called to these provisions, which have been accepted on behalf of British India, with a view to their endeavouring to work steadily towards the same standard.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any treaties or other obligations exist between His Majesty's Government as the paramount Power and any of the Indian States, providing for the protection of a feudatory by the British Government from the rebellion of his subjects against misrule or oppression?

I hope that the hon. Member will excuse me from making a statement on this subject at the present moment, when the relationship between the paramount Power and the States is under investigation by the Indian States Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the representatives of the peoples of the Indian States have been refused permission either to hear the arguments of the counsel for the Indian princes or to give evidence before the Committee; and whether he will inform the House of the reasons for this course, in view of the fact that there are treaty obligations by which the Indian princes have agreed to secure the contentment of their peoples and to ensure justice in administration?

The procedure to be adopted in regard to the taking and hearing of evidence is a matter for the Committee itself and my Noble Friend is not prepared to interfere with their discretion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the Indian States inquiry will be submitted to the Government of India or to His Majesty's Government; whether the Report and the evidence given before the Committee will be published; and whether the recommendations of the Committee concerning the economic and financial relations between the Government of India and the States will be placed before the Indian legislature for its consideration and opinion?

The Report of the Committee will be submitted to the Secretary of State. I am not at present in a position to make any statement in regard to the other matters mentioned in this question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that despite the fact that the Indian transport drivers have to be out in all weathers, in peace as well as in war, no shirt is issued to them, with the result that they have to wear their drill coats next to their skin unless they buy cotton shirts out of their own pocket; and whether, seeing that the transport driver is the only combatant soldier in the Indian Army who is not allowed shirts of any description and in view of the hardship involved, he will take steps to adjust this anomaly?

So far as I am aware, the regulations do not provide for the issue of shirts to drivers of animal transport units in time of peace. My hon. and gallant Friend's question will, however, be brought to the notice of the Government of India for a report on the points to which he draws attention, and I will communicate with him when it is received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that on the Doom Dooma Tea Company's plantation in Assam, in 1924, out of a total working population of 8,691 there were 1,559 children at work, he is now able to state what is the average age of these children, how many hours they are required to work on the plantations, and what are the wages paid to them?

The average age of children employed on this estate in 1924 was stated to be 14 years, the aver age hours of work about four, daily and average earnings approximately Rs.8 per mensem, with various benefits in kind in addition.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the importance of the South American markets, he will state the measure of assistance being rendered by his Department in connection with the six months' British trade exhibition which it is proposed to hold in Buenos Aires in November, 1929?

The British Chamber of Commerce in the Argentine is proposing to organise a British Empire Trade Fair in Buenos Aires from November, 1930, to February, 1931. I have informed the President of the Chamber that my Department will be prepared to cooperate wholeheartedly so soon as a fully representative committee has been formed, and the necessary arrangements have been made for financing the exhibition.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that all the leading producing countries in the world with the exception of England are represented at the International Motor Show which opened in Berlin on 8th November; and whether the exhibitions and fairs division of his Department will give the reason for the omission?

I am aware that an International Motor Show opened in Berlin on 8th November, and is still in progress. I am informed that, whilst British makers of cars are not exhibiting, British manufacturers of motor cycles, engines, components and accessories are well represented. Information with regard to the exhibition was circulated by my Department to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and to the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Traders and Manufacturers' Union in February last. The question of participation is a matter for the trade themselves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the year ending 31st March, 1928, the number of proof gallons of British spirits distilled in England and Scotland, respectively.

The number of proof gallons of British spirits distilled in England and Northern Ireland and in Scotland in the year ended 31st March, 1928, is as follows:—

	Proof Gallons.
England (and Northern Ireland)	12,391,868
Scotland	18,988,437

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total quantities of methylated spirits issued during the year ended 31st March, 1928, distinguishing power, industrial, and mineralised methylated.

The quantities of methylated spirits issued during the year ended 31st March, 1928, were as follow:—

		Bulk Gallons.
Power	…	16,745
Industrial	…	4,183,301
Industrial (Pyridinised)	…	323,682
Mineralised	…	1,577,144

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the many obsolete restrictions which are hindering the development of the gas industry today; and whether, in the interests of consumers and workers, he will introduce amending gas legislation this Session to enable the gas industry to develop its resources to the full?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Sutton, Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 8th November, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the value of the exports per head of population of manufactured goods, after deducting the imports of manufactured goods, for Great Britain, the United States, France and Germany; (2) whether he has any figures that he can make public showing the value of the imports of food per head of the population, after deducting the value of the exports of food, for Great Britain, the United States, France and Germany?

The following statement shows, for the countries specified in the questions, the values per head of the population of (a) Manufactured goods exported in excess of similar goods imported, and (b) Food and Drink imported in excess of similar merchandise exported, during the year 1927. The range of articles included in each category varies according to the classification adopted in each country. Figures based throughout on a uniform classification are not available.

1927.
—	Manufactured goods exported in excess of similar goods imported.			Food and Drink imported in excess of similar merchandise exported.
	Value per Head of Population.
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
United Kingdom	5	17	4	9	18	0
United States	1	17	10		1	9
France	5	8	0	1	13	7
Germany:
Including Reparations in kind.	4	0	7	3	2	5
Excluding Separations in kind.	3	18	0	3	2	11

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much money was advanced under all the Irish Land Acts to enable farmers to purchase their holdings in Ireland up to 1923 through the Irish Land Commissioners and through the Estates Commissioners, respectively?

In round figures, £91,000,000 (£73,000,000 in cash and £18,000,000 in stock) was advanced up to 1923 through the Estates Commissioners; and £26,000,000 (£12,000,000 in cash and £14,000,000 in stock) was advanced by the Irish Land Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the year ending 31st March, 1928, the number of 'brewers is England and Scotland, respectively, distinguishing brewers for sale from private brewers?

The particulars asked for are as follow:—

Brewers for sale:
England and Northern Ireland	1,550
Scotland	49
Private brewers:
England	12,257
Scotland	842

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of elementary schools that have wireless installation; and whether there are any funds, from which an extension of this apparatus to additional schools can be made in order that advantage can be taken of educational lectures to children by wireless?

I have no information as to the number of elementary schools that have wireless installation. I understand that such installations have been provided mainly out of voluntary funds, though in certain cases the local education authority have contributed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the mechanisation of the two cavalry regiments is now completed; whether their new organisation is considered efficient; whether the maintenance and equipment of these two mechanised regiments will cost less than they did as cavalry regiments; and, if so, how much less?

Good progress is being made with the mechanisation of the two cavalry regiments, but it is not yet complete. So far as our experience goes, the new organisation promises to be a success. As regards the last two parts of the question, it is too early to say what will be the financial effect of the change.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph Farrelly, residing at 61, Princes Road, Plumstead, S.E.18, was a permanent foreman in the Ordnance Department at Woolwich Arsenal from May, 1901, till August, 1924, when he was discharged on reaching the age limit, and that, although he passed the necessary medical examination for establishment in 1922, he has been informed that he is not eligible for pension; and whether he will have this application for pension reconsidered?

Mr. Farrelly was, with others, medically examined in 1922 in order to ascertain his fitness as regards health for appointment to the pensionable establishment when further appointments were being made. But the scheme under which such further appointments were eventually made did not come into operation until 1st April, 1926, and applied only to those who were under 60 years of age at that date and were still serving. Mr. Farrelly had been discharged at the age of 60 nearly two years earlier and is not therefore eligible for pension under the scheme. He received on discharge the gratuity to which his service entitled him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in percentages, the nationalities of the personnel of the technical staffs employed at British sugar-beet factories?

The total number of employés in British beet sugar factories is 8,172. Of these 7,998 are British, 95 Dutch, 44 American, 29 Czechoslovak, 2 German, 2 Hungarian, 1 French, and 1 Italian. As regards the higher technical staff, the total number employed is 443, of whom 372 are British and 71 other than British. The proportion by nationality of the higher technical staff is British 84 per cent., American 10, Dutch 4, Czechoslovak 1, French, German, Hungarian and Italian together 1.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of sugar-beet factories in existence in 1927 and the acreage now under cultivation?

The number of beet sugar factories in Great Britain in 1927 was 19. The area under beet during the current year was 178,900 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to state to what extent the Agricultural Credits Act has been utilised and which of the joint stock banks, if any, are unable to accept applications from farmers to obtain loans under the terms of the Act; and what steps, if any, have been taken to inform farmers and others how to make application for financial assistance under the terms of the Act?

I understand that the company referred to in Part I of the Act is being incorporated this week. I am informed that agricultural charges under Part II of the Act have been registered in respect of 201 farmers up to 8th November. All the principal banks have been approved for the purposes of this part of the Act, and I am not aware that any of these banks are unable to accept applications for loans in suitable cases. After the passing of the Act the Ministry issued a notice to the Press briefly summarising the provisions of the Act and informing farmers as to where applications should be made. A memorandum on Part II of the Act has also been prepared which is forwarded by the Ministry to any applicant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics that will show the number of cows in Great Britain at the last convenient date, giving comparable figures for the years 1926 and 1927?

—		Cows in milk.	Cows in calf.	Heifers in calf.	Total cows and heifers.
1926.		No.	No.	No.	No.
England	…	1,797,091	262,480	355,366	2,414,937
Wales	…	268,027	32,110	34,212	334,349
Scotland	…	357,315	42,868	57,263	457,446
Great Britain	…	2,422,433	337,458	446,841	3,206,732
1927.
England	…	1,820,501	274,657	351,672	2,446,830
Wales	…	275,886	32,402	35,585	343,873
Scotland	…	355,460	49,273	55,584	460,317
Great Britain	…	2,451,847	356,332	442,841	3,251,020
1928.
England	…	1,795,008	270,347	325,268	2,390,623
Wales	…	271,486	31,435	30,000	332,921
Scotland	…	354,900	49,400	53,000	457,300
Great Britain	…	2,421,394	351,182	408,268	3,180,844

asked the Minister cf Agriculture, if he is aware that 7,000 acres of the Essex coast are in danger owing to the damage done to sea walls during the tidal wave last January; and what action is being taken in the matter?

I am aware of the damage referred to. As the House was informed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8th November, the Government propose to make certain extensions in regard to land drainage and allied schemes assisted out of State funds, subject to the employment of unemployed persons from distressed districts. Schemes dealing with the class of damage to which the hon. Member refers will be eligible for consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many drainage authorities there are in the Thames watershed; what rates they are levying; and what is the work they are responsible for.

The total number of statutory Drainage Authorities in the Thames watershed is 14, of which one is

The following statement gives the number of cows and heifers in Great Britain on 4th June in each of the years 1926, 1927 and 1928:not operating and levies no rates. The rates levied by the others during the year 1927–28 varied from 1¼d. per acre to £1 per acre. Two of these authorities operate under Inclosure Awards, four others, including the one not operating, are elective Drainage Boards acting under the general land drainage law, while the remaining eight consist of the Thames Valley Drainage Commission and its seven subsidiary District Boards. These last operate in the middle and upper reaches of the Thames with powers that are practically co-extensive with those of an Authority acting under the general law, the Commissioners being responsible for main arterial works in their area and the District Boards for minor works.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the intentions of the Government with regard to Sheerness dockyard.

There is no change of policy as regards Sheerness Dockyard. The announcement made in the time of the late Government that the Admiralty are ready to consider an offer for its conversion to commercial work still holds good.