asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the railway station of Neyland, Pembrokeshire, has reached a degree of dilapidation which is not only unsightly but dangerous, and that gaps between the platform and the train footboards are a source of danger to passengers and staff; and whether he will make inquiry with a view to compelling the Great: Western Railway Company to make an improvement in the facilities and accommodation provided at this point in their system?

I am informed by the railway company that, as the accommodation at Neyland Station is considerably in excess of requirements, it is their intention shortly to demolish portions of the buildings. They also state that the condition of the buildings is not dangerous, and that there is nothing exceptional in the construction of the platform or of the rolling stock which serves it.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost of constructing the Glasgow-Edinburgh road; the number of men employed; the amount of the total cost spent on wages; and the amounts for other costs of construction?

The total estimated cost of the new Glasgow-Edinburgh road is about £2,200,000, of which amount approximately £1,086,000 has already been expended. Out of this latter sum the amount paid to workmen by the contractors is, I am informed, about £494,000. I can, however, give no estimate of the further amount-indirectly paid in wages in the preparation of materials, etc., purchased by the contractors for the purposes of the work. The number of men now employed on the road is 800.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Underground Railways have put before him any definite proposals for extensions in North London; and will he make a statement?

No such proposals have been put before me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that at the present time farmers are compelled to employ a third man to walk in front of a traction engine and threshing machine when moving from farm to farm; whether he will consider the additional hardship on labourers in having thus to walk considerable distances after a hard day's work; whether this regulation can be waived; and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to do away with it, particularly since no other mechanically-propelled vehicles are penalised by any restrictions of this character?

I have no power to waive the statutory requirement to which my hon. Friend refers which applies to all locomotives other than road rollers, but my proposals for the amendment of the law are contained in the draft Road Traffic Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport if his Department has carried out any experiments with a view to obtaining an efficient substitute for woodblock paving in London streets?

In paragraphs 66 to 71 of the Report upon the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1927–28 particulars will be found of the experiments which are being conducted by my Department upon various classes of road materials. The experiments are not aimed, however, at the elimination of any particular method of paving.

asked the Minister of Transport whether an inquiry has been held into the accident at Duncannon Street, near Trafalgar Square, on 27th October, when an omnibus ran into three pedestrians, killing a woman and injuring two men; and, in view of the possibility that the double line of one-way traffic operating in this street was the cause of the accident, can he make a statement upon this point?

The accident in question did not fall within the category of street accidents into which I have power to hold an inquiry under the London Traffic Act. The circumstances were investigated at the inquest, when the coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death and exonerated the driver of the omnibus from blame. At the point where the accident occurred there are warnings on the roadway telling pedestrians which way to look. An examination of the evidence given at the inquest does not lead me to the conclusion that this unfortunate accident was attributed to the fact that Duncannon Street is a "One-way" street.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the advisability of placing prominent notices on all refuges at street crossings, where one-way traffic is operating, directing pedestrians to look in the direction from which traffic is coming?

Consideration has been given to the desirability of placing prominent notices bearing the words "One-Way" on the lamp standards on refuges in "One-Way" streets, as well as continuing the present practice of marking the words "Look Left" or "Look Right," as the case may be, on the carriageway adjacent to such refuges. Arrangements will shortly be made to conduct an experiment on these lines in an important "One-Way" street in Central London.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he can give any indication as to when the work of reconstructing Waterloo Bridge is likely' to be commenced?

The question of the reconstruction of Waterloo Bridge is dependent upon whatever decision may finally be reached in the matter of the proposed Charing Cross Bridge. On this subject, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, negotiations are still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Transport if at any time instructions have been issued regarding the maximum length of freight trains; whether he is aware that such trains frequently have a make-up from 50 to 60 wagons; and whether, in shunting such long trains into sidings to permit of the passing of fast passenger trains, the risk of accidents arising is increased?

The make-up of freight trains is a matter for the railway companies, but it is the case that such trains are frequently at the length which the right hon. Gentleman mentions. I am advised that there should be no danger in shunting such trains into sidings provided that the usual precautions are observed.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to, the inadequacy of many of the rear reflectors affixed to pedal bicycles; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Rear red reflectors fitted to pedal bicycles must satisfy certain conditions laid down in Section 3 of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1928. I am satisfied that the standards of reflection, etc., laid down in that Section are adequate, and I do not think I can do anything further in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated cost of widening the road across Exmoor from Coppleham Cross to Brendon Two Gates; what is the estimated cost of the' projected road to avoid Porlock; what portion of the cost in each case will fall upon the public purse; and on what grounds these intersections of Exmoor, which will completely alter its character, are being undertaken?

The estimated cost of reconstructing the whole length of the Class II road between Coppleham Cross and Brendon Two Gates is£120,000. Towards the cost of the sections of the scheme which have already been undertaken grants have been made from the Road Fund of the rate of 75 per cent., which is the usual percentage applicable to schemes under which, as in this case, a classified road is transferred from a rural districts council to a county council, and has to be brought up to "main" road standard before it can be taken over by the county council. The need for the improvement of the road has been urged upon my Department for six years past by the Dulverton Rural District Council and the Somerset County Council, on the ground that the maintenance of the road in its original state was prohibitively expensive under present traffic conditions. I am informed that the Somerset County Council are preparing a scheme for the construction of a new road in substitution of the existing road up Porlock Hill, but particulars have not yet been submitted to my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will prepare estimates of the cost of providing an efficient ferry service across the Firth of Forth in the vicinity of Queensferry, so that this information may he available for comparison with the estimated cost of the contemplated Forth road-bridge?

I will bear my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion in mind when the preliminary report upon the bridge project is before me.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Central Electricity Board have adopted measures to acquire compulsorily the property and works belonging to Masson, Scott, and Company, Limited, in Town-mead Road, Fulham, daily employing an average of 115 persons and having a record of steady trade for 16 years; and whether, in order to avoid creating this unemployment by forcibly closing a, going concern, he will direct the Central Electricity Board to select another site?

I am informed by the Central Electricity Board that they have taken no steps to acquire land or works at Fulham, but that at the request of the Board the Fulham Borough Council is considering the extension of their existing generating station. Should it be necessary for them to apply for compulsory powers for this purpose under the machinery provided by the Electricity (Supply) Acts, it would fall to the Electricity Commissioners, before making an Order in the matter, to take into consideration all the circumstances of the case. I might remind the hon. Member that suitable sites for generating stations for the requirements of Greater London are extremely hard to find and almost necessarily involve the acquisition of land now used for some other purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General what external beam wireless telegraph services are operated from this country in addition to the four Imperial services worked by the Post Office; the dates on which each of these services came into operation; and the location of the transmitting and receiving stations here and abroad?

Beam wireless services are operated from this country by the Marconi Company to the Argentine, Brazil, the United States and Egypt. The first two of these services came into operation on 5th August, 1927; the United States service on 28th October, 1927, and the Egyptian service on 15th January, 1928. The transmitting station in this country for all four services is at Dorchester and the receiving station at Somerton (Somerset). The transmitting and receiving stations in the Argentine are in the vicinity of Buenos Aires; those in Brazil in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro; those in the United States are on Long Island, and those in Egypt are in the vicinity of Cairo. The stations in the United States and Brazil are operated on the beam system, but those in the Argentine ant: Egypt are not.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is proposing to give the Government Overseas Cable and Wireless Operators' Association an assurance that considerations involving questions of the proposed transfer of Government staff to the communications company shall be strictly confined to officers borne on the cable-room establishment, in so far as the London operating staff is concerned; and if all the telegraphic assets of the home Government which are to be transferred are now operated by officers of that establishment?

As I have already informed the association in question, their representations on the point referred to will be borne in mind, but the negotiations in connection with the transfer of staff have not reached a stage which would enable me to say anything more. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General why the cost of a telegram of 12 words to Northern Ireland has been increased from is to 1s. 6d.?

There has been no increase in the rate for telegrams from this country to Northern Ireland and none is contemplated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the road and pavement at the bottom of Gads Hill Road, Eastville, Bristol, on the Fishopnds main road has now remained open for a very long time owing to Post Office excavations; whether he is aware that the pavement is very narrow at this point, and that the opening is a source of danger to the public, especially to children; and whether he will endeavour to expedite the work?

It is hoped to complete the work this week. Progress bas been unavoidably slow owing to the fact that the excavations had to be carried out in rock. I am informed that the excavations have been properly guarded, that the traffic along this part of the road is light, and that there has been no appreciable risk to the public.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that the only public telephone is inside the post office at South Mimms, and that this office is closed daily at 8 p.m. and at 1 p.m. on one day a week and altogether on Sundays; and if he will take steps to have a public telephone placed in a kiosk available for use at all reasonable hours;(2) whether he is aware of the delay and inconvience caused to users of the public telephone at South Mimms by local calls having to go through a London exchange instead of a local exchange; and whether he will take steps to rectify this procedure?

The public telephone at South Mimms, which is inside the post office, is at present available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each week-day, and from 9 to 10.30 on Sunday morning. Calls from this telephone are dealt with at the London Colnev Exchange which is connected to St. Albans exchange. I am considering the possibility of establishing a kiosk at South Mimms. I am not aware that calls from this call office suffer undue delay, but additional junction plant is being brought into use shortly at London Colney Exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the position of the negotiations between himself and the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters on the question of the proposed reduction of remuneration for allowance form work by 50 per cent.; and what reply he has returned to the request of the federation to refer the dispute to the Industrial Court?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that a reduction of remuneration for sub-postmasters is proposed for the payment of Army and Navy allowances and pensions, which would mean a total reduction of about£120,000 over the whole class, he will be prepared to submit the question to the industrial court specially established to deal with questions of this kind?

As I stated yesterday, I propose to refer the matter in dispute to the Industrial Court.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of his refusal to permit any question of the accuracy of his account of the, number of calls of telephone subscribers, he will consider the attachment of an automatic meter to each telephone instrument for the purpose of recording all connected outgoing calls?

asked the Postmaster-General whether a telephone subscriber can contest the accuracy of the number of calls made per quarter and, if so, how; and whether he will consider, in the design of future instruments, the fitting of a suitable counter to enable subscribers to know the number of calls made at any time, even if a small extra rental fee is charged?

I am always prepared to investigate complaints of overcharge and to make allowance where there is clear evidence of error on the part of the Post Office but, following the practice of other telephone administrations, I cannot in other cases accept a subscriber's record in preference to that of the exchange. I should welcome a device which would place the possibility of error beyond dispute but no automatic register suitable for attachment to a subscribers' telephone instrument has yet been found capable of distinguishing between effective and ineffective calls.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether any special wire between Sheffield and London has been removed; and, if so, what is the reason therefor;(2) whether he is aware that complaints continue to be made as to telegraphic delays between Sheffield and London; and what is being done to remove the cause?

A direct telegraph circuit between the London Stock Exchange and the Sheffield Post Office has recently been suspended because the traffic was not sufficient to warrant its continuance. I am aware that complaints of delay have been made, and the matter is under investigation and discussion with the Stock Exchange authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is considering the establishment of a radio broadcasting station for North Wales, with predominantly Welsh programmes?

The British Broadcasting Corporation have a scheme for the replacement of their existing stations by a smaller number of high-power regional stations. They inform me that they propose that one of these regional stations should be located in South Wales to replace the Cardiff and Swansea stations. They do not propose to establish a station in North Wales. With regard to programmes, the Corporation state in their annual report for 1927 that, "In all parts of the country, whether in England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales, full respect has been paid to national and local sentiment and tradition, and local resources have been drawn upon where suitable."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the highest and lowest rates of Poor Law relief paid in England, and the comparison with the rates of relief paid by the Govan and Glasgow Parish Councils?

As regards the first part, I am informed that the desired information is not available. I am accordingly unable to make the comparison suggested in the second part.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the nature of the extra accommodation he is providing to solve the shift system that has been adopted in the schools in certain districts in Glasgow and whether he can give any definite information as to when it is expected that children of school age in those districts will be able to receive full-time education?

The education authority of Glasgow, on whom the responsibility for solving the difficulty primarily rests, is providing additional accommodation in temporary premises pending the acquisition of certain sites for the erection of permanent schools. It is anticipated that the measures now being taken, supplemented by the reorganisation of classes and the employment of additional teachers, will result in the disappearance of all the double-shift classes by January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of the total imports and retained imports into this country of pig-iron, wrought iron, heavy steel products, wire, wire netting, and woven wire for the year 1913, and the years following the War?

Particulars of the total imports and retained imports of iron and steel products are published in considerable detail in Vol. I of the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom. Figures relating to the years 1913 and 1919–22 will be found on pages 30–3 (Total Imports) and pages 198–200 (Retained Imports) of Volume I of this publication for the year 1922. Corresponding figures relating to the years 1922–26 appear on pages 30–3 and pages 202–4, respectively, of Volume I of the issue for the year 1926. As regards data for 1927, these will appear in the corresponding volume of the Annual Statement for 1927 which will be published shortly, and meanwhile less detailed figures will be found in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom ' for December, 1927, which show on pages 53–5 and pages 196–7, respectively, the total imports and the re-exports of the principal kinds of iron and steel products during each of the years 1925 to 1927.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what countries outside and inside the British Empire have statutes against dumping; and whether those statutes in any case have precluded them from obtaining most-favoured-nation treatment?

There are legislative provisions against dumping in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa., and in the following foreign countries, namely, Cuba, Japan, Portugal and the United States of America. These are the only cases of which I am aware, and I do not know of any case in which the existence of such statutory provisions has precluded the countries concerned from obtaining most-favoured-nation treatment for their own goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average weekly wholesale price per pound for a recent week of North Indian, South Indian, Ceylon, and Java tea, respectively, and the average retail price of tea in the United Kingdom at the same date?

The average prices per pound for tea at the auction sales held in London during the week ending 1st November were reported as follow:

Northern India Tea.		Southern India Tea.		Ceylon Tea.		Java Tea.
s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
1	4·83	1	2·97	1	9·49	1	0·20

These prices are as published weekly by the Tea Brokers' Association of London, and are exclusive of Customs duty of 3⅓d. per lb. for India and Ceylon tea and 4d. per lb. for Java tea.The average retail price of tea in the United Kingdom on 1st November, as ascertained by the Ministry of Labour in connection with the cost of living index, was 2s. 4½d. per lb.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tea consumption of the United Kingdom in 1925, 1926, and 1927, distinguishing the proportion thereof derived, respectively, from India and Ceylon and from the Dutch colonies of Java and Sumatra; and the corresponding figures for the year 1928 to date?

The following statement shows the total quantity of tea retained for home consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the periods specified, together with the proportions of British East Indies, Ceylon and Java, Sumatra and other Dutch possessions in the Indian seas:

—	1925.	1926.	1927.	1928 (1st 10 months).
Total Quantity of Tea Retained for Home Consumption	Million lbs.	Million lbs.	Million lbs.	Million lbs.
	398·7	403·1	410·0	349·5
Of which proportion:	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
Of British East Indies (except Ceylon)	59·4	56·5	55·6	55·8
Of Ceylon	27·3	27·5	26·6	28·3
Of Java, Sumatra and other Dutch Possessions in the India Seas.	10·2	12·8	14·7	13·4

asked the President of the Board of Trade, approximately, the quantity of Java tea marked as such and sold to the public of the United Kingdom in packets during 1927?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can hold out any prospect of instituting an inquiry into the nature and administration of British patent law, with a view to adopting such features of the patent law of foreign countries as have commended themselves to technical and non-technical circles and may be presumed not to result in any loss to the Exchequer?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of whole-time cinema exhibitors have not yet paid licensing fees; and how much money accrues thereby to the Treasury?

I cannot say at present whether there are any whole-time exhibitors who have not applied for licences.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many British concessions have been taken up in Russia; and which, if any, have been confiscated by the Soviet?

So far as I am aware, since the War about six British companies have taken up concessions of importance in the Soviet Union. Of these, only two are believed to be in active operation at present. I have no precise information regarding the reasons for the inactivity of the others.

asked the Minister of Health, whether in view of the hardship caused to an old age pensioner by the withdrawal of his book on entering a Poor Law institution for medical or surgical treatment and the delay in issuing a new book on his discharge, he will consider the advisability of instructing the pension officer on the withdrawal of the old age pensioner's book to issue an emergency form to the master of the institution in which the pensioner is an inmate, such form to be handed to the pensioner on discharge from the institution and to be available for one payment, and that on receipt of the emergency form at the pension issue office a new book be immediately forwarded to the pensioner?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the same question asked by the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne, East (Mr. Connolly) on 15th November.

asked the Minister of Health by how much the total assessments of land entitled to the 50 per cent. relief under the Agricultural Relief Act, 1896, has increased since the passing of the Act; and by how much in the aggregate the grants actually made to local authorities under that Act have fallen short of the rates lost to them?

The rateable value of agricultural land in England and Wales, according to the Valuation Lists in force at the date of the passing of the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, was £24,565,058, and according to the Valuation Lists in force in April, 1927, was £25,978,762. The information asked for in the last part of the hon. Member's question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will provide a statement showing for the administrative county of Glamorgan the extent to which, according to the best estimate that can at present be made, the estimated grant allotted to the county under the derating scheme of the Government, the poundage of the rates levied in the year 1926–27 in the several rating areas in the county, and the poundage that would have been levied in that year under the scheme?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to give an estimate as to the effect of the derating proposals upon the county of Glamorgan and upon the various urban and rural districts within the area of the county, respectively?

A further White Paper will shortly be issued containing illustrative figures based on the estimated particulars for 1926–27 for a number of counties of which Glamorgan will be one.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a statement showing the percentage of rate reduction estimated by the Ministry of Health to accrue to the various districts in the administrative county of Glamorgan under the Government's derating proposals?

I propose to issue shortly a further White Paper containing illustrative figures based on the estimated particulars for 1926–27 for a number of counties, of which Glamorgan will be one.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the loss or gain to the City of Bradford during the first five years under the Derating Bill; what will be the loss when the derating scheme is in full operation; and what action does the Minister propose to take to safeguard the City of Bradford from any loss under the Bill?

During the first five years of the scheme, the City of Bradford will gain the equivalent of 1s. per head of population as compared with the standard year. As regards future quinquennial periods, I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 78 (2) of the Local Government Bill and to paragraph 38 on page XV of the Financial Memorandum attached to the Bill from which it will be seen that every county borough is guaranteed such a minimum grant as on the calculation of the standard year will in any quinquennial period secure it against loss by reason of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health the average amount of rates in the £ paid in the following counties during the last year for which figures are available, and the amount produced by a 1d. rate in each case: Essex, Middlesex, Hants, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, and Yorks (West Riding)?

The following statement gives the desired information.

Name of Administrative County.	Average rate per pound of assessable value of rates levied in the financial year 1927–28.		Product of a penny rate in 1927–28 as estimated for the purposes of Section 9 of the Rating and Valuation Act,1925.
1.	2.		3.
	s.	d.	£
Essex	17	0	20,493
Middlesex	12	11	39,512
Southampton	11	6	10,049
Dorset	12	9	4,973
Devon	12	9	9,559
Somerset	12	1	8,371
Cornwall	14	10	5,018
York, West Riding.	14	4	32,683

asked the Minister of Health the respective contributions of the State, the employers, and the insured person to the National Health Insurance Fund for the year 1927–28?

As the National Health Insurance Fund Accounts are made up for calendar years, figures for the financial year are not readily available. For the year 1927 the approximate contributions of employers and insured persons in England and Wales were:

		£
Employers	…	11,866,000
Insured persons	…	11,748,000

The State contribution, which represents the statutory proportion of the cost of benefits and administration, together with the cost of central administration, was, in 1927, £6,842,000.

—	Fifteen months from 1st January, 1926, to 31st March, 1927.	Twelve months from 1st April, 1927. to 31st March, 1928.
Contributions—	£	£
State*	3,520,000	3,520,000
Employers	11,900,000	10,690,000
Insured Persons	11,385,000	10,204,000
Disbursements in benefits and administrative expenses.	8,036,000	10,590,000
* The amount of the State contributions here given represents the approximate share that may be estimated as applicable to England and Wales out of the total annual grant of £4,000,000 payable for Great Britain under Section 11 (3) of the Contributory Pensions Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether be can make a statement as to any progress achieved as the result of the Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Act, 1926?

There are now five regional advisory committees, including one for Greater London, and one executive committee with administrative powers. An Order has been made bringing new processes under the operation of the Alkali Act. By-laws as to the emission of black smoke have been approved for a number of local authorities, and generally there is a marked quickening of interest and activity in the work of smoke abatement.

asked the Minister of Health in which countries rabbits are

asked the Minister of Health the respective financial contributions of the State, the employers, and insured persons to the cost of the widows', orphans' and old age contributory pension scheme for the years 1926–27 and 1927–28, respectively, and the disbursements from the fund in benefits and administrative expenses for the same years?

The approximate amounts of contributions and disbursements in England and Wales under the contributory pensions scheme are as follow for the periods named:not used for the purpose of strengthening vaccine lymph; and whether those countries have displayed any special freedom from post-vaccinal encephalitis?

I would refer the hon. Member to the passage on page 12 of the recent report of the Committee on Vaccination, in which it is stated that almost all vaccine establishments use rabbits for the purpose of improving and maintaining the quality of the seed lymph. My Department have no information as to any countries in which this practice is not followed, and I am not, therefore, in a position to reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary the number of men and women employed as factory inspectors at the present time; and is there any likelihood of an increase in the number in the next few months?

At the moment there are 165 men and 34 women Inspectors. Vacancies exist for 7 men and these are being filled, but the question of any further increase must await the Report of the Committee which my right hon. Friend has set up to consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mrs. Jane Govan, 47, Reid Street, Govan, was in receipt of a pension of 9s. 2d. per week; that she received a letter, dated 8th February, 1928, intimating that this pension had been reduced to 5s. per week as from 5th January, 1928; that the letter states that, as the need pension of 9s. 2d. per week continued to be paid until 13th February, 1928, she has been overpaid 4s. 2d. per week for five weeks and five days, a total overpayment of £1 3s. 10d., and informing her that 2s. per week would be deducted from her pension of 5s. per week until the overpayment to her was repaid to the Ministry; on what grounds the reduction was made; and whether, as she was unaware that any overpayment was being made to her, the money deducted will be returned to her?

The pension in issue by my Department in this ease was one based on need and financial circumstances, and an adjustment became necessary owing to the fact (of which perhaps the hon. Member is not aware) that both Mr. and Mrs. Govan were each granted a pension of 10s. a week under the Contributory Pensions Act with effect from 5th January, 1928. It was not possible to adjust the need pension prior to the date of the new grants, and it was, therefore, necessary to effect recovery of the amount of need pension overissued by small deductions from the current pension. It is made clear to recipients of need pension that their pensions are subject to adjustment in the event of any permanent change in their financial circumstances, and I am unable, therefore, to adopt the course suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has considered the representations made to him by the annual conference of the British Legion (Scotland), urging the removal of the seven-years' time limit in regard to pension claims and the reintroduction of the medical examination of all disabled men' who have no pension and whose disabilities have reasserted themselves; and whether he is prepared to introduce the necessary amending legislation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the latter part, I am afraid that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 8th instant to a question on the same subject from the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr Thurtle), of which I am sending the hon Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest estimate of the number of people engaged in industry as wage earners from 60 to 65 years of age and those at 65 years and over, separately?

Precise statistics on these points are not available, but it- is estimated that, including persons unemployed, there are approximately 500,000 wage-earners aged 60 to 64 inclusive in industry and approximately 340,000 aged 65 and over. These figures include persons employed in agriculture, but exclude those employed in private domestic service.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons formerly employed in the shale-oil industry in West Lothian have been found employment elsewhere as a result of the transference scheme?

No shale-oil miners from West Lothian have as yet been transferred by the employment exchanges under the transference scheme, but a number have moved to other areas on their own account. The hon. Member will find an account of this movement in the Labour Gazette of July, 1927.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed tin miners registered in September and October, 1928?

Separate figures for tin miners are not available, but the numbers of insured persons classified as belonging to lead, tin and copper mining recorded as unemployed were 658 at 24th September, and 798 at 22nd October, 1928.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give any figures as to the number of men who have been given work as a result of the Prime Minister's circular to employers in August last?

Since the issue of my right hon. Friend's appeal, the Employment Exchanges have found employment for not less than 5,000 persons from the depressed areas. In addition, as a result of the appeal, men from those areas have obtained work otherwise than through the Employment Exchanges, but the exact number of the latter cannot be given.

asked the Minister of Labour if any decision has been arrived at on the question of the application of trade board rates to the work performed at Messrs. E. A. Brough's, of Liverpool?

I understand that this firm is engaged in the keg and drum trade. Following on a recent amendment of the definition of the hollow-ware making trade, a separate Trade Board for the keg and drum trade is now being formed, and it will be the duty of this Board to propose minimum rates of wages for the trade.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding the progress made by the special committee appointed by the League of Nations to draft a convention on the supervision of the private manufacture of arms and ammunition?

At the second session of the Commission, which was held at the end of August, considerable divergences of view were expressed, and the Commission were unable to agree upon a single text for a draft Convention. The particular questions at issue are now being examined by the Governments represented on the Commission and, as I informed the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) yesterday, the next session of the Commission will open at Geneva on 5th December.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Portuguese Government have made any modification 4n their flag discrimination decrees; and whether His Majesty's Government have renewed their representations on this subject?

Decrees were issued in December last by the Portuguese Government which somewhat mitigated the discriminatory measures against foreign shipping in Portuguese ports, but the position remains very unsatisfactory and further representations were made last month to the Portuguese Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can furnish particulars of the administration of the Conscription Act in Kenya and the particulars of the number of Europeans who have refused compulsory military service?

As regards the position generally, I am not able to add anything to the reply returned to the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on 12th November. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that the total number liable for training under the Ordinance would be between 5,000 and 6,000. I have no information as to the numbers who have re-fused to enrol.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of revenue derived from stamps on cheques during the financial year 1926–27?

The hon. Member will find this information in Table 33 of the 70th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper No. 2989).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost of the social services per head of the population at 31st March, 1914, and 31st March, 1928, in Great Britain, the United States of America, and in as many as possible of the European countries?

As regards Great Britain, I would ask the hon. Member to await the return which has been moved for the right hon. Member for the Aston Division (Sir E. Cecil). I am afraid there are at present no adequate data for a detailed comparison with other countries, though there is no doubt that the amount per head of population is in general much smaller than in Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of betting certificates that have been issued to the last convenient date; and how many applications have been made for betting certificates and have been refused?

I am not yet in a position to complete the figures of bookmakers' and entry certificates issued for the year ending 31st October, 1928, but for the 11 months up to 30th September, 1928, the figures were 14,448 and 7,481 respectively. As regards the last part of the question, I have no information, but I would remind the hon. Member that any bookmaker in respect of whom an order of disqualification has been made by a competent Court would automatically be refused a certificate so long as the order remains in force.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of rebates claimed during the previous 12 months in respect of Betting Duty by persons holding bookmakers' certificates either for racecourse or office betting?

The total amount of rebate paid during the 12 months ended 31st October, 1928, was approximately £142,000. No payment was made except to persons holding bookmakers' certificates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether arrangements have yet been made regarding Christmas leave of officers and men of His Majesty's Ship "Rodney"; and whether, seeing that His Majesty's Ship "Rodney" is a Devonport manned ship, and in view of the travelling expenses that otherwise will be incurred, be can arrange for the ship to give leave in her own manning port?

His Majesty's Ship "Rodney" is due for docking at the end of the present month. Owing to her size it is not possible to dock the vessel at Devonport, and I regret that this operation cannot be completed in time to allow her to proceed to her manning port in time for Christmas leave. Arrangements have accordingly been made for officers and men to take leave at Portsmouth. To delay "Rodney's" leave until after docking would prevent her taking part in important exercises.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of savings certificates sold and their value in the years 1926, 1927, and 1928, respectively; the number withdrawn in the same periods, with their value and the accrued interest paid to depositors; and the number of investors represented by these transactions?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total annual additional sum which will be charged to the milk consumers of the Metropolitan area under the recently arranged agreement between the milk distributors and the National Farmers' Union?

It has been stated that the retail price charged by distributors will be increased by 1d. per quart in the months of April and September, 1929. The consumption of milk per head per day in this country has been estimated at approximately one-third of a pint, and on this basis the additional average cost would be 10d. per head for the two months. Taking the population of Greater London at 7,810,000, this is equivalent to £325,400.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what is the estimated number of people in England and Wales and Scotland who are capable of being fed today by food produced in those countries;(2) what is the estimated maximum population in England and Wales and Scotland which would be capable of being fed by food produced in such countries if the maximum amount of land were under cultivation; and when was such estimated maximum population last fed from such food;(3) whether he can give an estimate of the average number of days' supply of food produced in England, Wales, and Scotland in each of the years 1913 to 1927, inclusive?

I regret that I cannot undertake, within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question, to furnish a definite reply in regard to the highly complex problems raised by the hon. Baronet. The subject of the relation of the home production to the total food supply of the country is, however, being studied by my Department, and it is hoped in due course to issue a report which will provide some information bearing on the points mentioned in these questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will be willing to consider imposing an export duty on worn-out horses exported to the Continent in order to discourage this trade, which in many cases causes much suffering?

I have been asked to reply. The Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, as amended by the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, prohibits the export to the Continent of horses which are not fit to travel or to work without suffering. This prohibition is rigidly enforced by the Ministry. Worn-out horses cannot therefore be exported. The Departmental Committee which inquired into the export of horses to the Continent in 1925 investigated a suggestion that an export tax or examination fee of £20 should be imposed on all horses sent alive out of the country, except those under six years of age or over £40 in value, and reported that such a proposal was unnecessary and impracticable, and that an examination fee should not be fixed at any higher figure than was necessary to cover the cost of inspection. I agree with the re- commendation of the Committee and cannot, therefore, accept the hon. Member's proposal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of home-grown wheat in Great Britain; the total acreage under wheat; and the

						Great Britain.		United Kingdom.*
Year.						Area.	Production.	Net Imports of Wheat (including flour expressed as wheat).
						000 acres.	000 tons.	000 tons.
1913	…	…	…	…	…	1,756	1,541	5,963
1920	…	…	…	…	…	1,929	1,515	6,269
1921	…	…	…	…	…	2,011	2,027	4,825
1922	…	…	…	…	…	2,032	1,742	5,576
1923	…	…	…	…	…	1,799	1,586	5,515
1924	…	…	…	…	…	1,594	1,412	6,126
1925	…	…	…	…	…	1,548	1,414	4,889
1926	…	…	…	…	…	1,646	1,360	5,533
1927	…	…	…	…	…	1,703	1,488	5,958
* Great Britain and Northern Ireland only from 1st April, 1923.

The area and production of wheat in Great Britain and imports of wheat (including flour expressed as wheat) into the United Kingdom in the undermentioned years were as follow: