asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in the agreement between the Government and the British steamship companies to carry migrants from this country to Canada at a passage rate of £10, any arrangement has been made as between the steamship company or the Government and the migrant binding him to reside in Canada for a certain number of years; and, if not, what does the terms "permanently reside" mean, in view of the opportunities to, and the number of British subjects who do, leave Canada for the United States of America?

Persons who avail themselves of the £10 British migrant rate to Canada will be required to sign a declaration that it is their intention to reside permanently in Canada. On arrival in Canada, they may be required to repeat this declaration under oath.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to the future arrangements for migration to Canada?

As the House is aware, the question of migration has been the subject of most anxious attention by the Government here during the last few months—particularly in relation to Canada. My Noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs made a special visit to the Dominion in August and September, and the schemes which he discussed with His Majesty's Government in Canada have been carefully examined since the conclusion of his visit. These discussions have not in some cases reached a stage where it is possible to make any definite statement, but it will be remembered that on one most important point, viz., the passage rates to Canada, I was able to make announcements in the House on 7th December and 17th December which show a considerable advance. A statement which summarises the position in regard to passage rates and also indicates the progress made in other directions, is appended.I would add that His Majesty's Government have been so much impressed with the need for strengthening the machinery in this country for supervising and coordinating migration arrangements that it has been decided to appoint a Chair-of the Oversea Settlement Committee who will be able to devote his whole time to the work. I am happy to be able to announce that my Noble Friend the Par- liamentary Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs has been asked by the Prime Minister to undertake the task, and has accepted. As the House knows, he has, unfortunately, had a temporary breakdown in health caused by the strain of his recent tour, but I am hopeful that he will be able to commence work again soon after the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any modification of the terms of the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Kabaka and chiefs of the Uganada Protectorate of 1890; and, if any such modification is contemplated, whether this House will first be consulted?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Uganda Agreement of 1900 between Her Majesty's Special Commissioner in Uganda and the Regents and Chiefs of Buganda. Several supplementary agreements have been concluded with the native Government of Buganda since 1900, for example, the Buganda Agreement (Allotment and Survey), 1913, and the Uganda Agreement (Taxation of Natives), 1922. So far as I am aware, no modification of the Uganda Agreement of 1900 is at present in contemplation; but the Kabaka of Buganda was informed last year that the agreement is a solemn pledge of the King's Government, and that, if the experience of time shows that it can usefully be varied, it will be varied only with the full consent of the Kabaka and his councillors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the building of Takoradi harbour was commenced; what was the contract time for the work; when it is expected that the additional works necessary to make good the defects in the arrangements at the harbour will be finished; upon whom the cost thereof will fall: and what is the estimated loss in revenue owing to the delay that has taken place?

Work was commenced in August, 1921, the original date for completion being 31st December, 1924. The present contractors took over the work on 15th September, 1924, and their original contract date for completion was 31st December, 1927. Additional works were, however, authorised during the progress of the contract, and the contract date was extended to 31st December, 1930. The remedial work to make good defects is expected to be completed at an early date. The cost of the remedial work falls on the contractors. The defects have caused a delay of three months in opening the harbour, but it has still been opened more than two years before the contract date.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the report he has received from the factory inspector as to the conditions operating at Messrs. Brand and Company, of Sidcup, with particular reference to the hours worked at that establishment, if any action is contemplated?

The reports received show that there has been no infringement of the Act, and there appears to be no ground for any action on the part of my right hon. Friend. The factory is a modern building, well ventilated and lighted, and the inspector reports favourably on the welfare and safety arrangements.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the attempt to escape made by two boys from the Hightown industrial school, and the wounding by one of the boys of the attendant who was taking them back to the school; how many times these particular boys have absconded; and what is the total number of absconsions from this school during the past school year?

I have called for a report regarding the incident, and I find that the boy who injured an officer of the school was charged before the magistrate and has since been certified, presumably either under the Lunacy Act or the Mental Deficiency Act. The other boy had previously absconded once. The number of abscondings notified to the Home Office by the Hightown School during the present year is six, including these two boys.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now see his way to remit a part of the sentence of six months' imprisonment inflicted upon Mrs. Chaney by the borough bench of High Wycombe on 22nd October for a first offence of theft?

My right hon. Friend has again considered very carefully all the facts of this case, but he much regrets that he would not feel justified, consistently with his public duty, in recommending any interference with the sentence of six months' imprisonment, of which the prisoner has not yet served two months.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the growing practice of attaching imprints to printed matter that do not bear the name of the actual printer but of the agent who is represented as being the printer; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the law relating to imprints is enforced in every respect?

I have been asked to reply. The provisions of the Newspapers, Printers and Reading Rooms Repeal Act, 1869, require that, the actual name of the printer, together with particulars of his usual place of abode or business, shall be printed on every paper or book to which the Act applies. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Statute render the printer, publisher and disperser, and those who assist them, liable to a penalty of for every copy of the paper or book so printed, published or dispersed. Penalties are recovered in the name of the Attorney-General, and I shall certainly enforce the law in any case where I am satisfied that the facts warrant the institution of proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General whether any steps have been taken to ascertain whether the agreement or terms of settlement in the case of the Attorney-General v. Whitfield, of 4th October, 1927, have been carried out; and, if so, is he satisfied that such agreement has been honoured?

I have been in communication with the solicitors charged with the conduct of these proceedings on several occasions since the matter was before the Court, and I have received an assurance from them that the balance of the fund in question is being spent in the relief of distress amongst ex-service men and their dependants, and not towards any other object of the British Legion. This is in accordance with the terms of settlement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the fears that have been widely expressed that the sacristy proposed to be built on the north side of Westminster Abbey will disfigure that side of the Abbey church; that it will occupy an open space long enjoyed by the public; and that to provide access to it from within the church certain monuments of considerable value may have to be disturbed, will the Government offer the Dean and Chapter the use of the Chapter House for the storage and display of their valuable old and modern vestments and plate and as a place where the clergy and others may vest or robe themselves on occasions of special importance, seeing that the magnificient floor of the Chapter House can be protected during such use?

The First Commissioner has received no representations on the subject from the Dean and Chapter, or from any other body, but, although he does not wish to commit himself to the view that my hon. Friend's proposals are practicable, he is prepared, if any such representations are made, to give them full and careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any chairs have been purchased through his Department during the three years ended to the last convenient date; and can he state the country of origin of these chairs?

Approximately 69,000 chairs have been purchased by the Office of Works during the three years ended 31st March, 1928. Practically the whole of these were purchased from British manufacturers. A few were selected from trade stocks, and, so far as is known, these also were of British manufacture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any complaints from the manufacturers or users of chemical dyes that raw materials from which their dyes are made, and which are not obtainable in this country, have to bear an import duty?

No, Sir. Organic intermediate products imported for the manufacture of dyestuffs are not dutiable.

asked the. President of the Board of Trade what percentage of machine capacity now enters into production in the cotton trade; and how much of this is approximately absorbed in the home trade, the foreign trade and the Empire trade?

I regret that I am unable to state exactly the percentage of normal full-time production which is now being worked by spindles and looms in the cotton industry. According to the November issue of the "International Cotton Bulletin," the organ of the International Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations, the actual production in the American cotton spinning section in this country was, in October, between 70 and 80 per cent. of normal, while in the Egyptian section the latest position was satisfactory. It was added that in the weaving section 70 to 80 per cent. of the looms were running. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave him on 27th November regarding the distribution of our cotton trade as between these markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there has been a variation in the prices of British silk and artificial silk since the duties were imposed, and in musical instruments since the duties were reimposed; and, if so, whether he can give the variations?

As regards artificial silk yarn, there are many grades and makes, but in general it would appear that prices have fallen since June, 1925, by 25 per cent. or rather more. There appears also to have been a reduction in price of British natural-silk goods, but on account of their variety I fear I cannot give any useful estimate of the general change in prices. I understand that the average price reduction since June, 1925, on some 20 models of British pianos is about 20 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received recently any Report from His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington on contemplated increases of tariffs in the United States on imported manufactured goods?

His Majesty's Ambassador has, of course, reported on the general tariff situation, but not on contemplated increases of tariff. While the possible amendment of the tariff laws at present in force is giving rise to considerable discussion in the United States, no decision on the subject has yet been announced, nor have any new proposals yet been submitted to the legislature.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of long films, giving the approximate gross number of feet of the negatives that have been imported into this country during the present; year, and the country of origin of these films?

The lengths of individual films imported are not recorded. The length of negative cinematograph film imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the present year (January to November, 1928,) is as follows:

Countries whence consigned.	Linear feet of the standard width of 1⅜ inches.
Germany	…	1,177,613
Belgium	…	153,802
France	…	1,068,773
Italy	…	277,304
United States of America	…	3,357,226
Other countries	…	451,989
Total	…	6,486,707

There is no record available of the country of origin of the films as distinct from the country whence consigned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, seeing that since the War period the percentage of carbon monoxide, the chief poisonous constituent of coal gas, has been raised from 7 per cent. to as much as 15 per cent., and in some cases 20 per cent., and that such increase militates against the recovery of persons accidentally poisoned by gas, whether steps can be taken to ensure that the thermal efficiency is obtained in some

England and Wales.
Deaths registered during the years 1913 and 1927, which have been classified to gaseous poisoning, distinguishing Accident and Suicide.
Nature of Gas as stated in Death Registers.		1913.		1927.
		Accident.	Suicide.	Accident.	Suicide.
Coal gas	…	40	130	148	994
Carbon dioxide	…	8	2	4	—
Carbon monoxide	…	11	4	29	—
Other, or not stated, gases, fumes, etc.	…	30	24	14	4
Totals	…	89	160	195	998
NOTE.—The number of deaths shown above under "Accident" include a number of cases for which "Open Verdicts" were returned at inquests.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided to lower the pitch for military bands; and, if so, whether there will be in consequence any charge on public funds?

The increase in the content of carbon monoxide is due to the increased use of water gas, a development which started long before the War, and which has many advantages. The possibility of safeguards against the dangers arising from the presence of carbon monoxide has been under consideration by various committees and the gas industry itself, and I shall be glad to call the latter's attention to the right hon. Member's question. But the problem is far from easy, and if the right hon. Member has any suggestion to make, I shall be happy to consider it.

asked the Home Secretary whether a record is kept of the number of deaths by suicide and accident due to gas poisoning; and, if so, will he state the number of such deaths for the years 1913 and 1927, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. The deaths referred to are distinguished in the Registrar-General's mortality statistics, and the particulars asked for are contained in the following table:

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. An Army Council Instruction will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there have been any cases of suicide amongst British troops stationed in the Rhineland; and, if so, how many?

The figures from 1921 onwards are as follow:

Year.					Number.
1921	…	…	…	…	2
1922	…	…	…	…	2
1923	…	…	…	…	4
1924	…	…	…	…	2
1925	…	…	…	…	3
1926	…	…	…	…	2
1927	…	…	…	…	1
1928*	…	…	…	…	1
*To 30th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make any statement in respect to the situation between Bolivia and Paraguay?

Since the answer which I returned on Monday to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) there has been further correspondence between Monsieur Briand, the President of the League Council, and the Bolivian and Paraguayan Governments. This correspondence, which shows the present position, is appended. I may add that the Pan-American Arbitration Conference now in session at Washington has formally offered its good offices in settling the dispute. For this purpose a special committee has been appointed by the Conference to act on its behalf. Both Paraguay and Bolivia have accepted the good offices of the Conference, the Bolivian Government adding that they consider it essential that the origin of the present conflict should be investigated.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children who left school last year aged between 14 and 15 and aged between 15 and 16; the corresponding number for the present year; and the probable num- ber for the next three years, assuming no substantial change in educational policy?

Excluding those pupils who proceeded to secondary schools or other institutions for further full-time education, the number of pupils who left public elementary schools maintained by local authorities, between the ages of 14 and 15 (including pupils who left at the end of the term preceding the holiday period during which they became 14), during the years ending 31st March, 1927, and 1928, was 494,935 and 524,174, respectively. The numbers leaving between the ages of 15 and 16 were 12,811 and 14,730, respectively. As regards the next three years, the hon. Member will appreciate that many unkonwon factors are involved, but there will probably be a decrease in the number of pupils leaving between the ages of 14 and 15 in the years 1930 and 1931 corresponding with the fall in the birthrate in the years 1916 and 1917, while there may be a slight increase in the numbers of those leaving between 15 and 16.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the steel and iron works at Jarrow-on-Tyne, Newburn-on-Tyne, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Hartlepools, Hull, Leeds, Frodingham, Scunthorpe, Appleby, Port Talbot, Margarm, Cardiff, Newport (Monmouthshire), Hawarden, Irlam, Barrow-in-Furness, and Workington are in the distressed areas for the purposes of the proposed grants?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the relief fund for miners includes the Cleveland ironstone miners, who have been out of work since 12th February, 1920?

I will answer these two questions together. As hon. Members are aware, neither the Lord Mayor's appeal, nor the Prime Minister's announcement, contemplated the extension of the scope of the fund beyond the distressed coalfields. Within these areas, on the other hand, there is no intention of confiding the benefits of the fund to the families of the miners, and any distress in the coalfields which may be due to depression in industries other than the coal industry will, therefore, fall within the scope of the fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total acreage and rental of tenant farmers in Scotland under the Agricultural Returns (Scotland), 1928, for acreage; and the proposed rating relief in respect of these rentals as applying to tenant farmers and landlords, separately?

The total area of land under crops and permanent grass returned as occupied by tenants on 4th June, 1928, is 3,346,603 acres. No information is available as to the area of rough hill grazings occupied by tenants and owners respectively. As the total rental of the land occupied by tenants has not been ascertained and could only be ascertained by an extensive inquiry, I am not in a position to reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister, seeing that the joint deputation of owners and workmen's representatives, which approached him shortly before the relief to the coal industry was antedated to 1st December, agreed that relief must come from outside as they had reached the limits of sacrifice within the industry, whether he will make it a. condition that relief shall not be given if further wage reductions are enforced in any coalfield?

I have been asked to reply, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) and Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that, owing to the date on which the university electoral registers in Scotland are made up, young women under 30 in the Scottish universities will be unable to vote at the next General Election; and will he state if the Government intend to take steps to bring in a Bill to remedy this?

My attention has already been drawn to the date on which, under the existing practice, university registers are made up in Scotland. I have suggested that under their existing powers the governing bodies of the universities should direct the 1929 registers to be made up to 1st May, 1929, the 1928 registers being continued till that date. This would ensure that women qualified under the 1928 Act to vote for the Scottish University constituency will be able to exercise their votes, in common with the new electors for other constituencies, on or after 1st May, 1929. The four universities are at present in con sultation on the matter, and I have no reason to suppose that any difficulty will arise in carrying out this arrangement

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the date upon which the application for renewal of the club licensing certificate at 727, Springburn Road, Glasgow, was dismissed; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the authority under which this club operated between June, 1928, and the date upon which the application for renewal was dismissed?

As regards the first part of the question, the application was dismissed by the Sheriff on the 11th instant. As regards the second part, Sub-section (5) of Section 79 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act, 1903, provides that where a renewal of a certificate of registration has been applied for, the current certificate shall remain in force pending the final decision of the Sheriff for a period not exceeding three months, unless the Sheriff shall his discretion extend the time for a period not exceeding three additional months. I am informed that no extension was granted by the Sheriff, and that the date by which the club's operations accordingly fell to be terminated was 9th October, 1928. I am not aware that the club continued operations after that date, but I am making further inquiry on the point.

asked the Home Secretary the number of jute factories and mills in Dundee to which the special orders regarding limewashing, etc., of 2nd November, 1903, 1st July, 1911, and 19th April, 1912, apply; and how many of such mills and factories have received exemption?

The inspector reports that there are two jute mills at Dundee which are exempted under the Order of 2nd November, 1903, so far as regards the parts of the works where jute yarn is treated with tar. There are no mills exempted under the Order of 1st July, 1911. The Order of 19th April, 1912, does not apply to jute mills.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any project has been brought before him for an American air service which would link up two or more of the West Indian Islands; and whether, before any suggestion of this kind becomes an accepted fact, an effort can be made to see that this series of British islands be joined together by a service carried out under British ownership and British management?

As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that arrangements have been made by an American company to establish an experimental air service between Miami, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas, and that the eventual extension of this service to the other West Indian Islands has been proposed. As regards the second part, I am in the fullest sympathy with my hon. Friend's desire that the linking up of the islands by air should be in British hands, but the matter is essentially one for commercial enterprise, with or without subsidy from the local Governments. The whole question of civil air transport in the West Indies was dealt with by the Committee mentioned in the reply given to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) on 6th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the various kinds of manufactured goods sent to this country as reparations from Germany; whether timber and potash are included; and, if so, the quantity and value of this portion?

No part of the British reparation receipts is at present being taken in the form of timber, potash or other goods directly imported for account of His Majesty's Government. A small amount is taken in German currency for payment of services, etc., supplied to the British Army on the Rhine. But, with this exception, our receipts are being drawn in sterling, collected mainly by means of the Reparation Recovery arrangement made in 1925 (Command Paper No. 2384 of 1925).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he has received a resolution from the Hull Local Pensions Committee, supporting a resolution sent to him by the Gateshead Committee, drawing attention to the hardship for an old age pensioner who has been an inmate of a Poor Law institution for medical treatment for a period exceeding three months having to make a fresh application for a pension, and suggesting an alternative procedure which would obviate this hardship by the issue of an emergency form by the pension officer to the master of the institution to be handed to the pensioner on discharge available for one payment and for obtaining a new book; whether this matter is under consideration; and what answer he is making to the Hull Pensions Committee?

I understand that the resolution in question has been received in the Ministry of Health, and acknowledged. The point which it raises was dealt with in the answer which I gave to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne, East (Mr. Connolly) on 15th November.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of men and women, respectively, promoted from a Departmental clerical class sub- ject to a male maximum of £180 basic to a male maximum of £250 basic in each year since 1920, and each of the Departments and the main sub-Departments of

I.—Promotions from Basic Grade of Departmental Clerical Classes.
Department.	Promotions from Grade with £180 maximum* to Grade with £250 maximum* during the years ended 1st April
	1921.		1922.		1923.		1924.		1925.		1926.		1927.		1928.
	M.	W.	M.	W.	M.	W.	M.	W.	M.	W.	M.	W.	M.	W.	M.	W.
Air Ministry	Departmental class instituted 1922.				—	—	11	—	12	—	9	—	8	—	6	—
Home Office	Departmental class instituted 1922.				—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Board of Trade	Departmental classes instituted 1923 and 1926.				—	—	—	—	1	—	11	—	3	—	5	—
County Courts	Departmental class instituted 1924.						—	—	5	—	14	—	21	—	20	—
Ordnance Survey	Departmental class instituted 1924.						—	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	4	—
War Office (Out stations).	Departmental class instituted 1925								3	—	4	—	17	—	22	—
Admiralty	7	—	196	—	19	—	24	—	16	—	15	—	17	—	14	—
Labour Ministry	—	—	350	57	41	9	47	25	36	30	109	52	97	38	102	32
Inland Revenue	457	—	605	—	68	4	75	11	207	20	216	38	296	70	208	30

II.—Main Sub-Departments.
Air Ministry.
Meteorological Office.	Departmental class instituted 1922.				—	—	5	—	—	—	2	—	2	—	5	—
Other Departments	Departmental class instituted 1922.				—	—	6	—	12	—	7	—	6	—	1	—
Board of Trade.
Bankruptcy and Companies (Ex. H.Q.).	Departmental class instituted 1923.						—	—	1	—	11	—	2	—	4	—
Mercantile Marine (Outports).	Departmental class instituted 1926												1	—	1	—
Adminralty.
Supply and Accounting Departments.	5	—	154	—	16	—	8	—	12	—	6	—	10	—	3	—
Professional Departments.	2	—	42	—	3	—	16	—	4	—	9	—	7	—	11	—
Inland Revenue.
Tax Inspecting Branch.	457	—	605	—	68	4	75	11	207	20	216	38	295	70	169	30
Other Departments	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	39	—
* Including officers on the corresponding scales for Women.

Following is the information required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the conditions under which gratuities are granted, under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1867, to temporary officials of Government Departments on completing seven years' service; whether the qualifying period is reckoned from 1st September, 1921, only; whether officials with over seven years' service, whose appointments were terminated on grounds of redundancy before 1st September, 1928, are excluded from consideration; and, if so, why?

Under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, the Treasury may, if they think fit, grant compassionate gratuities to whole-time unestablished employés whose remuneration is paid entirely out of moneys provided by Parliament, if they have served for not less than seven years and are removed in consequence of the abolition of their employment. In the case of persons other than industrial employés who were engaged during the War period from 4th August, 1914, to 31st August, 1921, service is reckoned only from 1st September, 1921, the date of the official termination of the War, since it is not considered that their temporary employment during the War period could properly be regarded as coming within the category of non-pensionable employment to which the Section was intended to apply. Accordingly, gratuities have not been Awarded to such persons if they were discharged before 1st September, 1928.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have purchased any typewriters during the past two years; and what was the country of origin?

The number of typewriters purchased or Acquired on an exchange basis for old machines of various makes, during the past two years was 753. Six hundred and twenty-seven are of British and 126 of foreign make. Of the latter, 14 were purchased for supply on repayment terms to some authority other than an ordinary Government Department, and the remainder are special machines for which there was no British-made substitute.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the number of men and women authorised and employed, respectively, in each of the following Departmental classes in each of the Departments and the main sub-Departments of the larger Departments in which the classes concerned are employed, as at 1st April, 1920, and 1st April, 1928, respectively; Departmental clerical classes subject to a male maximum of £180 basic; Departmental clerical classes subject to a male maximum of £250 basic; and Departmental clerical classes subject to a male maximum of £400 basic?

The following information relates only to the position as at 1st April, 1928. Similar information for the corresponding date in 1920 is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the desirability of requiring that, when Government contracts are placed with private contractors, a Clause should be inserted in the contracts to ensure preference being given in the case of any unskilled labour required to the unemployed in the district or town where the contract is being carried out; and, further, that such labour should be drawn from the local Employment Exchange?

I do not think that it would be practicable to make this requirement a condition of Government contracts. I am informed that Government contractors do in fact use the Employment Exchanges to a considerable extent for the engagement of labour, and I may point out that by doing so they and other employers can contribute materially towards assisting the unemployment position.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed on the live register at each of the respective Employment Exchanges in the County of Monmouth on the latest available date, and the number on the corresponding date in the year 1927?

It has not been possible in the time available to tabulate the information, but I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the number and estimated cost of schemes approved by the Employment Grants Committee during September, 1928, together with the estimated amount of unemployment in man months?

Three schemes of relief work were approved for grant by the Unemployment Grants Committee during September, 1928. They are estimated to cost £27,116 and to afford 1,300 man months employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles at present under training at the training centres of Blaina and Abertillery, and the number who have been placed in employment from the above centres during the year 1928?

The average daily attendance of boys at the juvenile unemployment centres at Blaina and Abertillery was 78 and 75 for the week ending 14th December. The numbers transferred to employment in other districts since February, 1928, are 89 and 63.

asked the Minister of Labour the districts where juvenile training centres have been established in South Wales and the number of persons in attendance at each centre, with the average weekly cost per person in attendance?

The following table gives the information asked for in the first two parts of the question. The total average daily attendance is 2,067 for the week ending 7th December. The weekly cost in respect of recurring expenditure (including travelling expenses) was, during the six months eliding 30th September, approximately 6s. 4d. per juvenile in attendance at the centres in South Wales.

Centre.		Average daily attendance during week ended 7th December, 1928.
		Boys.	Girls.	Total.
Aberdare	…	121	—	121
Abertillery	…	88	—	88
Ammanford	…	88	—	88
Bargoed	…	74	—	74
Blaina	…	81	—	81
Caerphilly	…	125	—	125
Cardiff	…	131	139	270
Ebbw Vale	…	125	—	125
Ferndale	…	134	—	134
Maestag	…	108	—	108
Merthyr Tydfil	…	53	—	53
Neath	…	101	—	101
Pontypool	…	75	—	75
Pontypridd	…	126	—	126
Port Talbot	…	111	—	111
Swansea	…	229	—	229
Tonypandy	…	158	—	158
Total	…	1,928	139	2,067

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in the quarrying industry and the number of general labourers on the unemployment register for the year ending 31st December, 1927, and for the nine months ending 31st October, 1928, stating the cost in unemployment pay for the separate periods?

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th December, 1928; col. 1402, Vol. 223], supplied the following statement:

NUMBER Of INSURED PERSONS classified as belonging to the Quarrying Industries and recorded as Unemployed in Great Britain.
Date.		Stone quarrying and mining.	Slate quarrying and mining.
1927.
24th January	…	4,078	232
21st February	…	3,010	173
21st March	…	2,478	170
25th April	…	2,627	122
23rd May	…	2,180	366
20th June	…	2,289	117
25th July	…	2,306	91
22nd August	…	2,517	110
26th September	…	3,032	137
24th October	…	3,331	249
21st November	…	3,909	397
19th December	…	5,290	405
1928.
23rd January	…	5,086	418
27th February	…	4,462	452
26th March	…	3,731	400
23rd April	…	3,127	422
21st May	…	2,994	403
25th June	…	3,164	571
23rd July	…	3,147	399
20th August	…	3,493	358
24th September	…	3,806	363
22nd October	…	4,505	449

No separate record is kept of benefit payments in respect of particular industries. A rough estimate can, however, be made on the assumption that the payment of benefit is at the same average per head as for all insured trades taken together, due allowance being made for the rate of unemployment and the proportion of women and juveniles. On this basis the amount of benefit paid to persons classified as belonging to stone and slate quarrying during the year 1927 was approximately £112,000, and for the first 10 months of 1928 approximately £129,000. Corresponding figures in respect of general labourers are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there were any claims for unemployment insurance benefit referred to the Umpire from the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and in how many of these cases benefit was allowed?

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

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. Fred Cutter applied to the Blackwood (Monmouth) Exchange for a travelling ticket to enable him to go further afield to look for work; that he came to London and after a fortnight's search secured work; that some days later he received a letter from his wife stating that she had been refused his unemployment benefit and that he would have to come home to receive it personally; and that he, being unable to send any money home and owing three weeks' board in London, and knowing that his wife and five children were unprovided for, decided to return home after wasting his train fare and losing a job; and will he inquire into this case?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, specifying men, women, boys and girls, on the Devonport Employment Exchange for the month of November; and the corresponding figures for Plymouth?

The following table shows the number of persons on the live registers of the Employment Exchanges at Plymouth and Devonport, respectively, on each Monday of November, 1928.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the great extent to which clerks and warehouse staffs in cities have to work in basements, insufficiently ventilated, often facing north, and in artificial light all day; and whether he will institute inquiries into these conditions, with a view to subsequent legislation?

My right hon. Friend is aware that basement rooms are used, but there is not sufficient evidence to warrant a general conclusion as to the effect on health. Local authorities have powers to deal with insanitary conditions. He cannot promise a special investigation at the present time, but if the hon. Member has specific information of ill results from present conditions, my right hon. Friend will be glad to receive it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at the end of last year there were only 183 centres equipped for administering artificial sunlight treatment; and, in view of the fact that 53 per cent. of the children of the nation are authoritatively stated to be suffering from rickets or its effects, will he take steps towards equipping more centres with facilities for artificial sunlight?

There are now 237 centres of this kind which have been approved by my Department or the Board of Education for artificial light treatment. The establishment of such centres is primarily a matter for the local authorities, and the figure which I have given shows that steady progress is being made with the provision of these facilities. My right hon. Friend is not aware of the authority for the statement that 53 per cent. of the children of the nation are suffering from rickets or its effects. The figure of 53 per cent. given in the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department for 1926 related to a portion of a comparatively small sample of 1,000 children who were specially examined, and it included all children who showed the slightest signs of rickets.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any Report showing in how many of the 196 cases of houses for the working classes not in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation, in the rural district of the Isle of Wight, notices under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925, have been issued by the local authority, and in how many of the 33 cases of houses actually unfit for human habitation in that rural district closing orders have been made; and what were the dates at which such notices were issued or such orders made?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health the price of bricks in this country in October of each year since 1921 to date, and the price of light castings for house-building in the same period?

Figures are not available for the years 1921 and 1922. As regards bricks, prices vary according to grade and locality, but the following statement shows prices in certain districts statement which gives the prices for the in October of the years 1923 to 1928. As various kinds of light castings in Leeds regards light castings, prices vary slightly at the same periods, may be regarded as in different districts, but the following

Statement showing Prices of Bricks in certain Districts at October, 1923–28.
District.	Description.	October Price (per 1,000).
		1923.		1924.		1925.		1926.		1927.		1928.
		s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
London (Willesden)	Fletton (delivered site).	59	3	65	6	65	6	60	0	59	9	59	0
								to
								66	0
Birmingham	Common (local) (at yard).	55	0	60	0	60	0	70	0	60	0	60	0
Bristol	Common (local) (at yard).	60	0	67	0	67	0	80	0	65	0	50	0
Leeds	Common (local) (at yard).	45	0	55	0	60	0	65	0	50	0	40	0
Manchester	Wire cut (delivered site).	55	0	65	0	65	0	75	0	55	0	50	6
										and		and
										54	0	52	3
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.	Common (local) (at yard).	55	0	59	0	55	2	54	2	52	6	40	0
Swansea	Common (local) (delivered site).	57	0	76	6	76	6	75	0	72	6	57	6

Statement showing Prices of Light Castings in Leeds at October, 1923–28.
Description.	October Prices—
	1923.			1924.			1925.			1926.			1927.			1928.
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
R.W. Pipes, per yd. lin. (3 ins. diameter ⅛ in. metal).	0	2	2	0	2	2	0	2	6	0	2	6	0	1	10½*	0	1	7½*
R.W. Gutters, per yd. lin. (4½ ins. half round ⅛ in. metal).	0	1	5¼	0	1	5¼	0	1	5¾	0	1	5¾	0	1	3*	0	1	0½*
Soil Pipes, per yd. lin. (3½ ins. diameter 3/16 in. metal).	6	3	8	0	3	8	0	4	0½	0	4	0½	0	2	10*	0	2	5*
Kitchen Range, each (3 ft. 6 ins. Barracloughs No. 70).	6	8	10	5	11	8	6	0	0	6	8	6	6	4	6	5	4	9
Bath, each (5 ft. Greenstone enamel with a 2 in. roll with feet but without fittings).	4	5	0	4	5	0	4	5	0	4	3	0	3	6	0	2	17	6
*Special Housing Scheme prices.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that dockyard men working abroad do not come under the Workmen's Compensation Acts but under the Treasury Warrant framed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, he will consider introducing a

The Workmen's Compensation Acts do not apply to injuries sustained abroad except in the case of seamen and crews of aircraft. Such injuries to dockyard men abroad are therefore dealt with by Warrant under Section I of the Superannuation Act, 1887, and not by scheme under the Workmen's Compensation Acts. The provisions of Section I differ in various respects from those of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and the Warrant and the scheme cannot be assimilated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the continuance of piracy in the China seas, he has considered the possibility of detailing armed naval ratings as temporary members of the crews of merchant ships while they are in the danger zones; and will he state, as far as is advisable, what measures he has adopted, or is about to adopt, for the protection of shipping in those seas?

Armed guards—both naval and military—are at present being furnished in ships as far as it is practicable to do so. The whole question, which touches many interests, is now and has been under the earnest consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total cost of building His Majesty's ship "Dorchester" in His Majesty's dockyard, Portsmouth; and how much of this cost is attributable to overhead charges, specifying under which heads these fall?

The hon. Member probably refers to the "Dorset-shire." This ship is still in the early stages of construction, so that the total cost of building her cannot be stated.