asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made for chief constables whose posts are abolished under the terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Bill?

I would refer the hon. Members to the provisions of Clause 7 of the Bill, which deal with the transfer of and compensation to officers of local authorities, including chief constables.

asked the Minister of Transport whether imported raw materials, used for the manufacture of iron or steel will be qualified to come under the railway freightage reduction scheme?

Yes, Sir. Railway carriage charges on imported materials comprised in the selected traffics will be subject to the appropriate rebates under the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now prepared to have withdrawn the notices to the 40 ex-service temporary civil servants in the Scottish Board of Health?

The notices that have been issued to the ex-service temporary clerks in question merely convey a warning that their services may require to be dispensed with. It has not yet been necessary to put into operation any final notices of discharge, but, having in view the uncertainty as to the date or extent of the anticipated diminution in the volume of work in connection with the introduction of the contributory pensions scheme, I regret that I cannot see my way to withdraw the warning notices already issued.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of members of the "P" class authorised and employed, respectively, as on 1st April in each year since the class came into existence in each department and in each of the main sub-departments of the larger departments in which this class is employed, together with the number of promotions to the clerical class from the ranks of "P" class men in each department concerned during each year since the class was instituted?

The number of "P" class clerks authorised under the Guinness Agreement was 8,000: this number was supplemented by the addition of approximately 900 "P.U." Clerks in War Office Outstations. The numbers of these clerks employed on 1st April, 1927, and 1st April, 1928, respectively, are shown in the subjoined Table, together with the number of promotions to the clerical and departmental clerical classes authorised up to and including 30th November, 1928. Details of distribution by sub-departments are not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many clerks are at present working overtime in the Stationery Department; how many hours per week each person is working; and what arrangements he proposes to make to put an end to overtime worked in this and other Government Departments?

At the present time nine clerks are each working between eight and 12 hours overtime per week owing to the incidence of seasonal work and the temporary absence of staff on sick leave. In the duplicating branch 130 operators in November worked 2,078 hours overtime, equivalent to approximately four hours per week per operator. The working of overtime is reduced to a minimum, but the unequal incidence of the work prevents its total elimination.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is within the competence of members of the writing assistant class under any section of the Reorganisation Report to authorise the expenditure of public moneys; and whether there is any limit to the sum of money the expenditure of which a writing assistant may authorise in a given case?

The authorisation of expenditure is not within the range of duties assigned by the Reorganisation Report to the writing assistant class though it would include comparison of signatures, checking of particulars, etc., in respect of claims on which issues are made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses built in Glasgow since the War by any form of State aid; the total now building; the total for which plans are prepared, but not yet started; and the same figures for houses without State aid?

I am informed that at 30th November last the total number of houses built in Glasgow since the War by any form of State aid is 17,899, that the total number now building is 8,216 and that the total number approved but not yet commenced is 1,898. The respective figures for non-aided houses are, according to information supplied by the Town Clerk, 2,161, 125 and nil.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, having regard to the consideration which he was giving last Session to the use of cinema films as a medium of publicity in connection with empire settlement, he can now state that a more comprehensive scheme has been decided upon; and, if so, can he give details?

In addition to the films of life in Canada and Australia which are being exhibited in this country by the oversea Governments, films have been prepared showing the work at the Ministry of Labour Training Centres at Brandon and Claydon for training men in farm work with a view to settlement overseas and of the work at the Centre at Market Harborough for training women for household work in Australia. These films will be shown throughout the country. Proposals for further film publicity are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to a speech made by the Canadian director of emigration on 4th December advocating a big national movement from the Motherland to the Overseas Dominions; and will he give information as to what is being done to carry into effect the desire of Canada as expressed by the director of emigration?

In view of the reports which have appeared in the Press subsequent to the speech in question, my hon. Friend will appreciate that I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to make any statement in regard to the granting of a concession by the Palestine Government for the right to extract chemical salts from the Dead Sea; what is the reason for the delay in granting this concession; and whether the work will be entrusted to a British undertaking, the rights and royalties being reserved for the benefit of Palestine?

I am awaiting a reply from the Trans-Jordan Government on points of detail which they recently raised in connection with the draft concession. Some delay is inevitable when points of detail have to be discussed with two other Governments, but I hope that a final decision will be taken shortly. As regards the last part of the question, the position is that, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman was informed on 15th December last, it has been decided in principle to grant the concession to Major Tulloch and Mr. Novomeysky, subject to terms satisfactory to the two Governments concerned being agreed upon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the contract for the construction of Takoradi Harbour has now been satisfactorily completed; and whether any terms and conditions were laid down with the contractors which necessitated them purchasing materials and plant in Great Britain or other parts of the British Empire?

The harbour was opened for public traffic on 3rd December, but it is too early yet to say that it has been finally completed as certain minor work remains to be done, and the contractors are bound to maintain the works for a period of six months after completion. A clause in the contract provided that all materials and machinery supplied by the contractors should be wholly of British manufacture.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of typewriters at present in use by the Empire Marketing Board and the country of origin?

Twenty-five typewriters are at present in use in the office of the Empire Marketing Board, of which 22 are of British manufacture. The remaining three were made in the United States of America.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet arrived at a decision, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Air, regarding the establishment of a regular air service between Egypt and East Africa, with a possible extension southwards, which was proposed as the outcome of an experimental service between Khartoum and Kisumu; and, if so, will he give particulars?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the basis of an agreement has been reached between Imperial Airways, Limited, and Cobham-Blackburn Air Lines, Limited, for the operation of an African air route, but pending the receipt of their proposals, which I am expecting shortly, I am not in a position to make any further statement in the matter beyond saying that I trust a through African service will be found practicable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the considerable sum of money saved each year from the provisional allowance of naval ratings by the general mess system, he will authorise this surplus to be used in increasing the messing allowance to ships' companies on foreign stations?

As explained in answer to previous questions by my hon. Friend on this subject, there is no money allowance, as such, under general messing, and the question of a surplus does not therefore arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any exceptions have been made to the Admiralty Order making general messing compulsory in all chief and petty officers' messes on 1st January, 1929, whereby certain establishments are not included, and that His Majesty's Ship "St. Vincent" training establishment is to be excepted?

The answer is in the negative. The Admiralty Order bringing chief petty officers and petty officers under the general mess system on 1st January, referred only to establishments (i.e., the three Royal Naval Barracks and "Vernon") where the system of general messing was in force for all other ratings. In His Majesty's Ship "St. Vincent," only the boys under training are victualled on the general mess system; all other ratings are, at present, on the standard ration and messing allowance system.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a naval rating invalided home after serving two years on a foreign station, and who is subsequently invalided from the Service, is entitled to foreign service leave and allowances in addition to the 28 days allowed to all men invalided?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent concessions to naval tuberculosis cases, he will review all cases of men invalided through this disability who, after 31st August, 1928, disputed the naval medical board's ruling that the disability was not attributable to service?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on 28th November [OFFICIAL REPORT, cols. 405–6].

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of lieutenant- commanders and lieutenants promoted from mate who applied for the staff course, and the number selected?

Two lieutenant-commanders and lieutenants (ex-mate) remain on the list of candidates for consideration for selection for the Royal Naval Staff course, but no officer (ex-mate) has been selected for the next course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of lieutenants (ex-mate) who have applied for the next G, T, N, and A/S specialist courses; and the number selected for each course?

Four lieutenants (ex-mate) have applied for the next gunnery specialist course and one has been selected. The same figures apply for the torpedo course. Four lieutenants (ex-mate) have applied for the next navigation specialist course, but a final selection has not yet been made. Two have applied for the next anti-submarine course, but no course will be held in 1929.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) in the zone for promotion to commander in December, 1928; the number who are below 40 years of age; and how many are at present serving in appointments from which promotion is probable?

Twenty-five lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) are in the zone for promotion to commander in December, 1928; of these eleven are below the age of 40. As an officer's whole service is considered in connection with his promotion, the question of the appointments from which promotion is probable, does not arise.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of refusals he has received from buyers following his Department's invitation to overseas buyers to attend the forthcoming British Industries Fair; and can he give particulars of in which countries these refusals have originated?

My Department has only received 408 letters from overseas buyers, either definitely declining the invitation to attend the Fair or giving no indication of their intention to visit the Fair. These refusals come from 58 different countries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the details in his possession regarding the small-pox deaths in the following countries in each of the years 1918 to 1926: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Japan?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the need of a bridge over the mouth of the Neath river; that the lack of it has always caused, and is increasingly causing, delay and expense to traffic by road between Swansea and eastern Glamorgan; and whether he will invite the local interests which would be concerned to a conference upon this matter?

Informal discussions regarding such a project have taken place between officers of my Department and representatives of some of the local authorities concerned, but without definite result. I am fully prepared to encourage the study of the proposal by the parties concerned, with a view to the possible safeguarding of the route.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to a recent accident on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, at Skellingthorpe Road (Lincolnshire) level crossing; and whether, in view of the number of children and others who

The following table gives such information as is in the possession of my Department:daily use this crossing, he will take steps to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to protect the public?

I have been informed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company of an accident that recently occurred at the Boultham level crossing which crosses the Skellingthorpe Road, which is, I assume, the crossing to which the hon. Member refers. I am in communication with the railway company in regard to the point raised in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies in Great Britain engaged in the artificial silk industry?

I am informed that last month 18 firms were producing artificial silk yarn in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In addition to these a large number of firms, of course, make use of artificial silk yarns, often in conjunction with other textile materials.

asked the Home Secretary whether Reports have recently been re- ceived from factory inspectors as to the health conditions in artificial silk factories in Lancashire and Peterborough?

All the factories in question have been reported upon during the present year and several of them, including the works at Littleborough and Peterborough, were visited quite recently. The Reports show that the health conditions generally are satisfactory except in the case of the Littleborough works, where there was a recent outbreak of eye trouble. This was due to a breakdown of the ventilating fans, which has since been remedied, but the chief inspector is by no means satisfied with the ventilation and other conditions at this mill. The question of the action to be taken with regard to this firm is receiving serious consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to state when a British court of inquiry will be set up to inquire into the loss of the steamship "Vestris"; and what steps have been taken to enable the necessary evidence to be heard, in view of the fact that it is reported that a fresh official inquiry is about to be undertaken in the United States of America?

A Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of the "Vestris" will be held as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made for preparing the case and placing it before the Court. The inquiry will probably take place in London, and will be held by a Wreck Commissioner and Assessors. In order that a thorough investigation may be made into all the relevant circumstances by this tribunal, arrangements have been made for statements to be taken from witnesses in America and every possible effort will also he made to secure the presence at the inquiry here of witnesses whose oral evidence is important.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is some misconception as to his authority over the police outside the London area; and, in view of the drastic action taken by certain chief constables against whist drives, lotteries, etc., for hospitals and charities, whether he has issued any advisory circulars of any kind on these matters?

I do not think there ought to be any misconception. It has often been explained that the Secretary of State has no direct authority over the action of the police outside the Metropolis except that, if the discipline and efficiency of a force cannot be certified, the Exchequer contribution can be withheld. In other matters, however, he may make his views known and chief constables in their discretion commonly act upon those views. As regards the second part of the question, public lotteries are definitely illegal, the law making no distinction regarding the purposes for which they are held, and, when my attention is called to a public lottery, I am, of course, bound to bring it to the notice of the chief officer of police concerned, who usually gives a warning and does not prosecute unless the warning is disregarded. This cannot be called drastic action on the part of the police. I have issued no special circular on this subject. As regards whist drives, the position is conveniently explained in a circular, issued to the police on 18th June, 1928, which sets out questions asked and answers given in this House. As this document is rather long, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, send him a copy instead of stating its contents in full.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that a recent inquest at Ashton-under-Lyne was held on licensed premises, whilst other premises were available, and one of the witnesses, who was ordered to remain outside the coroner's room in charge of a constable, had to wait in a public bar; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the whole of the circumstances and make inquiries as to the desirability of holding inquests on licensed premises whenever other suitable accommodation is available?

My attention has been called to these matters. The law on the subject, to which the attention of coroners is drawn by a Home Office circular, is contained in Section 83 of the Licensing Act, 1910. I am in communication with the coroner who held the inquest referred to.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a letter from the Monmouthshire County Council complaining that the standing joint committee, as constituted, have power to order the county council to find the funds for the purposes which the council may think unnecessary and which are to be carried out at a cost which the council may think excessive; and will he take steps to amend the Local Government Act, 1888, so as to place in the hands of the council the control of the expenditure now exclusively controlled by the above committee?

I have received the resolution of the county council, but cannot take any action in the sense suggested.

asked the Home Secretary what is the normal prison diet for a person undergoing a sentence of hard labour?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the dietary table, which is the same for all prisoners in the second and in the third division, whether sentenced to hard labour or not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the assessment to Income Tax of a rubber plantation company incorporated in April, 1925, which commenced operations in July of that year; if he is aware that the profits earned to 30th June, 1927, as adjusted to an Income Tax (Schedule D, Case 1) basis, amounted to £209,379, and the profits for the nine months now under review similarly adjusted were about £18,000, making a total of £227,379 to 31st March last, and that the company, owing to recent changes in Income Tax Law, has now been assessed by the Inland Revenue for this period on the sum of £306,920, and for the year to 5th April next on a further £93,800, the total assessments thus amounting to £400,720, or a sum of £153,000 in excess of the profits accrued and estimated for the same period and what action, if any, he proposes to take in this and similar cases, in view of the effect of such provisions upon the assessees?

I am aware of the case to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that the company are now in communication with the Inland Revenue authorities, and that it is anticipated that on the basis of further accounts recently received the liability will be much less than is suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of moneylenders' licences issued under the Moneylenders Act, 1927?

Licences under the Moneylenders Act, 1927, are annual licences, and the licence years run from 1st August to the following 31st July. For the initial period from 1st January, 1928, the date on which the Act came into operation, up to 31st July, 1928, the Act provided that special part-year licences should be issued at a reduced rate of duty. The number of licences issued up to 30th September last, the latest date for which figures are at present available, was:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to making available at the British Museum space for recent newspapers and periodicals, consideration can be given to the removal elsewhere of copies of comic songs, volumes of out-of-date fiction, back numbers of foreign periodical publications, obsolete scientific works, and other books for which there is little or no demand?

This matter has been considered by the Trustees. The amount of space that would be made available by such removal would be inconsiderable, and would entail disproportionate inconvenience.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether a large sum of money has accumulated in respect of unused balances of mining disaster relief funds; if so, what is the total amount of such balances; and whether the Government has considered the question of taking any steps, including Parliamentary action if necessary, to make it possible to apply such balances in relieving the distress of unemployed workers in the mining industry 'and their families, without prejudice to outstanding claims on these funds?

There are no large unused balances in mining disaster relief funds. I informed the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn) on 3rd April that in every case, with the exception of one small fund, the money is serving a useful purpose. The one small fund then referred to has been wound up by the transfer of the outstanding balance to the Central Association of Miners' Permanent Relief Societies.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) how many local education authorities in South Wales and Durham are carrying out in the schools the process known as medicinal feeding; of what diet does this process consist; and whether he is exerting any influence upon the authorities to adoptthis process in preference to the provision of meals as allowed under the Education (Provision of Meals) Act;

Of 20 local authorities in the mining districts of South Wales and Durham, 12 are already providing meals for school children, two are preparing to do so, and six are not, so far as I know, providing any meals. Five of the authorities who are now providing meals are doing so on a medical basis of selection, and I understand that one other authority is preparing to adopt this basis. Some months ago I communicated with the local education authorities in other mining areas suggesting that a special medical survey of the schools should be made before the end of the summer term. As a result of this survey, feeding has now been undertaken in certain of these areas also. Children selected on a medical basis may be provided with ordinary dinners, or with special nourishment such as milk, cod-liver oil, and malt. I have emphasised the importance of local authorities making adequate provision for mal-nourished children on many occasions during the course of this last year, and I have pointed out some of the advantages of the medical basis of selection as compared with the income basis, but have pith no pressure upon them to adopt the former in preference to the latter. Where the medical basis is adopted I have urged that borderline oases should be re-examined at frequent intervals, and that the schools as a whole should be periodically re-surveyed. In certain cases arrangements are also made for the temporary feeding of children between the visits of the medical officers, if the head teacher has reason to believe that any child is not receiving sufficient food.Perhaps I may add that the distinction which appears to be drawn in the hon. Member's questions between medicinal feeding and feeding children who are hungry is based on a misapprehension. "Malnutrition" for this purpose means that the child is "unable by reason of lack of food to take full advantage of the education provided for" it. This is the test prescribed by the Education Act, and the distinction is between selection on this basis by medical inspection and supervision of the children themselves and selection according to the size of the parents' income.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) what number of Glamorgan children in the elementary schools are receiving milk and malt; whether these children are improving in health and physique; are they receiving the nourishment for seven days weekly or for school days only; and what percentage of the cost will he borne by the Board?(2) What percentage of children in the Glamorgan elementary school area who are attending school are in need of food; and, if there are any, will he make a grant for that purpose?

In the schools which have been surveyed by the Glamorganshire Education Authority the percentage of mal-nourished children was found to vary between 9 and 8.9. The number of school children receiving milk during the week ending 30th November was 698, of whom 57 were given, in addition, cod-liver oil and malt. I am advised that the improvement in health and physique shown by children who have received this treatment for some time is clearly marked. I understand it is provided on school days only. Grant is payable by the Board on the authority's net expenditure at the rate of 50 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will inquire into the cause of the decrease in attendance in the Glyncorrwg group area for the three weeks ending 30th November as compared with the preceding three weeks ending 9th November, giving each school separately?

Yes, Sir; I have already set on foot inquiries into this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that about 2,000 men are idle at Cwmfelinfach, Ynysddu, and the immediate neighbourhood in consequence of the colliery being stopped; that at Bedwas and Tre Thomas the same number of men are idle as a result of the Bedwas colliery stoppage; that at neither of these places are the men, so far, in receipt of unemployment benefit; that no less than 3,000 miners at Tredegar are on the unemployed register through the collieries being stopped, and that in every mining district in Monmouthshire without exception large numbers are unemployed; whether in any of these places the children are being fed in the elementary schools; and, if not, will he order an immediate inquiry into the condition of these children?

The Monmouthshire Education Authority have instructed their medical officer to make frequent and careful surveys of the conditions in their area, and according to my latest information 818 children were being fed by them. I cannot at the moment say whether school meals are being provided in the places mentioned by the hon. Member, hut I will make inquiries and let him know.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has been made aware of the complaints of the coal exporters, particularly those recently voiced by the Humber Coal Exporters and Shippers Association, of being unable to obtain sufficient supplies of coal to meet demands by foreign purchasers owing to the artificial restrictions imposed under what is known as the Five Counties Marketing Scheme; if he is aware that the Association complains of loss of trade, particularly in the Humber ports, as a result of these restrictions: and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter, especially in view of the subsidies being given to the coal export trade through freight rebates paid for by the general body of taxpayers?

I have seen in the Press criticism by the Humber Coal Exporters of the policy of the Central Collieries Commercial Association and of the reply made by the latter Association. I do not propose to enter into this controversy, but I should like to point out that the latest figures in the possession of my Department show that from April last, when the Central Collieries Commercial Association's policy became effective, to 31st October, exports from the Humber had increased 74.5 per cent. and foreign bunker deliveries by 8.5 per cent. compared with the corresponding period of 1927. I do not accept the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion that the advantages secured to the coal mining industry by the Government's de-rating proposals can properly be described as a subsidy.

asked the Secretary of State for 'War whether he has any particulars and can state what compensation was paid to the relatives of the soldier who lost his life in the production of the film "Mons" in 1926; whether any compensation was paid to the man who had his right leg fractured and eye severely injured; and whether any compensation was paid to the soldier who had his thigh bone fractured in the making of the film "Balaclava" in October, 1928?

In the first case I am informed that there was no one dependent on the soldier. In the second case, legal proceedings are pending, and the case will, I understand, shortly come up for hearing; in the meantime, without prejudice to the legal proceedings, steps have been taken to ensure that the injured man is receiving regular means of support. In the third case, the soldier is still in hospital and has not up to the present put forward any claim to compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute have received similar instructions to those con- tained in Army Council Instruction 470, of November, 1928; and whether the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute is providing facilities for commanding officers to carry out the recommendations contained in this Army Council Instruction?

As regards the first part of the question, the attention of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute has been drawn to the Army Council Instruction referred to. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Their pricelist shows which goods sold are of British or Empire origin.

asked the Secretary of State for War the name of the vessel which salvaged the gun-barge "Cog" when she lost a naval gun in the Thames?

The "Cog" was found by the Trinity House vessel "Alert" and handed over to the "Darent," belonging to the Port of London Authority, which handed her over to the War Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men who are in receipt of temporary disability pensions; and whether it is his intention to make such awards permanent in cases where there is no hope of the pensioner being cured?

The number of conditional pensions in issue to men in respect of disabilities sustained in Great War service is approximately 125,000. It is my right hon. Friend's intention to make final awards in these cases as soon as this can fairly be done.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, seeing that Charles William Wilson, ex-sergeant, No. 2812662, Seaforth Highlanders, was found unfit for further service by reason of a 30 per cent. disability, he will say why a 30 per cent. disability pension is not awarded?

This man's disability was not caused by military service. He has, therefore, no entitlement to disability pension under the post-War Regulations. The pension which he is receiving was granted under the terms of the 1914 Pay Warrant to which he had a reserved right, and it is the maximum amount to which he is entitled from Army funds. Awards under the 1914 Pay Warrant are not based on an exact percentage of incapacity.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give figures showing the number of applications for unemployment benefit received at the Armley Employment Exchange for the last 12 months and the number of claims rejected during the same period on the grounds that applicants were not satisfying the condition as to genuinely seeking employment?

Statistics of the number of claims at the Armley Employment Exchange disallowed on the ground that the applicants were not genuinely seeking work are not available prior to 19th April, 1928. From 19th April to 12th November, 1928, inclusive, 18,390 fresh and renewal claims were made at the Armley Employment Exchange and 484 claims were disallowed on the ground that the applicants were not genuinely seeking work.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage rate of unemployment in the German iron and steel industry before the lock-out began?

The only statistics available relate to the German metal and engineering industries as a whole. At the end of October, 1928, before the trade dispute of 1st November, 1928, in the German iron and steel industry, 6.2 per cent. of a total of 989,500 members of German metal workers' trade unions making returns were wholly unemployed and 7.8 per cent. were working short time. The corresponding figures for the end of September, 1928, were 5.7 per cent. wholly unemployed and 6.5 per cent. working short time.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the British representatives and advisers who attended the last International Labour Conference at Geneva?

The following are the names of the British representatives and advisers who attended the International Labour Conference at Geneva in May and June, 1928:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what obligation or obligations Germany has not fulfilled, other than that of reparations, so as to entitle her as of right under Article 431 or otherwise of the Peace Treaty to demand the withdrawal of the forces at present occupying the Rhineland before the expiry of the period laid down in the Treaty?

In connection with the precise legal bearing of Article 431 on the present situation, His Majesty's Government have not found it necessary to take into consideration Germany's obligations under the Treaty of Versailles other than those relating to reparations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is now satisfied that the position is improved regarding the granting of leave to non-commissioned officers of the Indian Army Ordnance Corps; and whether the regulations whereby non-commissioned officers are eligible for 12 months' leave after six years' service abroad are now being duly carried out?

The Government of India took steps last summer to provide the full leave reserve necessary to enable these non-commissioned officers to take the leave to which they are entitled, and ensured that the full complement could take leave during the present trooping season.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the correspondence asking for a public call-office at Claxby, at the railway station or other suitable spot; if he is aware that the nearest call-office is four miles away; and if, having in view the difficulty of summoning a doctor in case of need for a population of over 200, he will have one erected?

I have seen the correspondence to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. A public telephone at Claxby would not pay its way, and I should not be justified in providing one except under guarantee. The responsibility for financing unremunerative telephones for emergency use does not rest with the Post Office, which has no funds at its disposal for that purpose. I should be pleased to supply terms as to guarantee under which a telephone can be supplied to the parish council, if so desired.