asked the Postmaster-General the number of life insurance policies that have been issued by the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office for the years 1925, 1926 and 1927?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Postmaster-General what, if any, amount of money has been spent by his Department in the years of 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927, respectively, to advertise and popularise the life insurance policies issued by his Department?

No money was spent in the years mentioned in specific advertisement of the life insurance policies issued by the Post Office; but information on the subject appeared in the Post Office Guide, in Post Office Savings Bank deposit books, and in the Telephone Directory.

asked the Postmaster-General in which three years from the commencement of the Post Office life insurance scheme have the greatest number of policies been issued; and will he give the number of policies issued in those particular years?

The required information is shown below: —

asked the Postmaster-General the number of trans-Atlantic telephone calls that have been passed between the United States of America and Great Britain for the months of September, October, and November, 1928, respectively?

The figures are as follow: —

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the values of the import of woollen and worsted manufactures (including yarn) into the United Kingdom from France and Germany, respectively, for the years 1914, 1924, and 1927; and what were the values of the exports of woollen and worsted manufactures (including yarn) from the United Kingdom to France and Germany, respectively, for the same years.

The answer is being prepared in tabular form, and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he can furnish an estimate of the balance of trade for 1928?(2) If he can furnish the index of production for the year 1928?

The necessary investigations are now proceeding, and, as soon as the inquiries are completed, statements embodying the information asked for by my hon. Friend will be published in the Board of Trade Journal.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people employed in the month of October in each year since 1924 in the production of silk goods and artificial silk goods, and of all classes of articles subject to the following import duties: key industry duties, new import duties, and safeguarding duties?

The following table includes all the industries referred to in the question for which separate figures are available. The figures in the table with regard to numbers insured are given for July in each year, since they are based on information, relating to that month, derived from the annual exchange of unemployment books.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses built in Glasgow last year under the slum clearance scheme and the corresponding figure for the previous year; and how many slum houses it is estimated remain to be dealt with?

The total number of houses completed in Glasgow under slum clearance schemes was 996 in 1928 and 838 in 1927. I am informed that the estimated number of slum houses in the city remaining to be dealt with is 13,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men and women, respectively, who have become voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Act in Glasgow and Scotland, respectively?

Approximately, 16,250 men and 2,750 women in Scotland have become voluntary contributors under the health insurance and pensions schemes consequent on the passing of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925. The corresponding figures for Glasgow are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the increase in the debt of the Unemployment Insurance Fund during 1928?

The increase in the debt of the Unemployment Insurance Fund during 1928 was £8,540,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated changes since 1923 in the numbers of registered unemployed in Great Britain due to legislative and administrative changes in unemployment insurance, showing additions or decreases in every case?

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th December, 1928; col. 2486, Vol. 223], supplied the following information:It is possible to estimate approximately, as is done in the following Table, such increases or decreases in the

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any scheme in mind to prevent erosion on the North-east Coast, especially in view of the fact of there being so many unemployed in that area and the large amount of land which has been and is being taken by the sea?

If within the jurisdiction of a Statutory Drainage Authority, schemes of sea defence works designed for the protection of agricultural land are eligible for grants, but it rests with the authority concerned to initiate the schemes. No proposal has been submitted to my Department from the North-East Coast.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of men and of women clerical officers, respectively, promoted to the higher clerical class and to the executive class, respectively, in each year since 1920, in each of the departments where these classes are employed and in the main sub-departments of the larger departments concerned?

In continuation of the reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th December, 1928; cols. 3256–60, Vol. 223], the following is the information asked for so far as concerns promotions to the executive class.