asked the Secretary for Mines if any, and, if so, how many, mines have re-opened since the beginning of the year, and the number of miners thereby affected?

At the 26th January, 56 pits, which were closed at the end of December, 1928, had re-opened and were employing 7,360 wage-earners. Ten pits account for 6,765 of the workpeople.

asked the Secretary for Mines what veterinary qualifications are possessed by the special inspectors appointed under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, for ensuring the welfare of horses and other animals used in mines; and whether he will consider the desirability of appointing, in the future, only such persons as possess recognised veterinary qualifications?

Each of these inspectors had, prior to his appointment, extensive practical experience in the care and management of horses; and I am satisfied that they are fully competent to perforin the normal duties required of them. Whenever a special occasion demands it, a consulting veterinary surgeon is called in to assist the special inspector. These arrangements are effective, and I see no reason to alter them.

asked the Secretary for Mines if there has been any reduction in royalty rents during the past two years; and, if so, in which districts such reduction has taken place and the amount of the reduction?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply yesterday to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Shinwell).

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the average royalty and wayleave rent charged per ton of coal and iron-ore, respectively, for the latest available four years in each of the mineral counties of Scotland, England and Wales; and what has been the total amount paid during that period?

The information available for coal is appended. I regret that I have no figures of royalties for iron ore.Average amount of royalty and wayleave rent per ton of coal disposable commercially for the four years 1924, 1925, 1927 and 1928, and estimated total amount during the period:

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that licensees of houses under the State management do not take out a justices' licence, the issue of which is compulsory in the case of houses privately managed; that the State management open new licensed houses and close others without reference to the local licensing bench; and whether he will consider putting the State houses under the same restrictions as private licensed houses?

The practice pursued in the State Management Districts is in accordance with Statute, and I have no power to alter it. I may perhaps mention that in this sort of matter I always ask the advice of the local advisory committee, which includes amongst its members representatives of the local licensing Bench, and that the usual Excise Licence Duties are paid in respect of the premises in which the sale of liquor is carried on, and the managers of the houses are subject to the statutory provisions affecting licence-holders, and the restrictions imposed upon them by law.

asked the Home Secretary the number of permits to enter and carry on their profession in this country issued to alien exhibitors of performing animals during the last 12 months; and whether he will consider the desirability of cancelling any such permits as may now be operative and of not issuing others?

I have been asked to reply. I have no precise statistics with regard to such permits, but the number must be quite small, and in any event, the permits would be for strictly limited periods. I do not think I should be justified in taking the action suggested in the last part of the question with regard to the withdrawal or refusal of these permits.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the document, O.C. 877, presented a few days ago to the Opium Advisory Committee of the League of Nations, which is now sitting in Geneva; how the 734 kilogrammes of heroin seized in Hong Kong in 1924 and brought to Great Britain for disposal were disposed of; and what quantities of this drug have when seized been disposed of during the last five years?

Yes, Sir. The heroin referred to was sold in this country in 1924 to persons duly authorised under the Dangerous Drugs Acts and Regulations to possess heroin. The total quantity of heroin seized and brought to this country for disposal from 1924 to date was 38,549 ounces. It was all disposed of to persons licensed under the Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what became of the 70 kilogrammes of heroin seized in Hong Kong in 1928, and the 228 kilogrammes seized in Hong Kong in 1927?

I have been asked to reply. These two seizures were brought to this country and disposed of here to persons duly authorised under the Dangerous Drugs Acts and Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the import of raw opium from India into Hong Kong rose from 11,998 kilogrammes in 1926 to 17,089 kilogrammes in 1927; and what the consumption of Government opium amounted to for each of the last five years per head of the Chinese population of Hong Kong?

The opium imported into Hong Kong from India in 1927 was the authorised amount under the system of restricted exports introduced by the Government of India as from that year. It was based on the average imports of the previous five years, and happened to be greater than that for 1926 because in that year imports were considerably below the average. The consumption of Government opium in Hong Kong per head of the estimated Chinese population, for the last five years for which figures are available, was:

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that sexual offences against children have increased during 1928; that the number of indecent assaults against boys have increased to 125 and on girls to 959: and whether, in view of these facts. ho will state what further steps he proposes to take to carry out the recommendations made three years ago by the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Persons?

The figures cited, which relate not to the total number of offences committed, but only to the numbers of persons proceeded against in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, refer to the year 1926 and not to the year 1928, for which year statistics will not be available for some time to come. In 1927 the corresponding figure for assaults on boys was 167, a rise of 42; and for assaults on girls 935, a fall of 24. The question whether further action can usefully be taken on the Report of the Committee is still under consideration, mainly in connection with the proposed amendment of the Children's Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if his attention has been called to the fatal accident on the Serpentine on Sunday the 27th instant through the breaking of the ice; if he is aware that no lifebelts, ropes, or other appliances were at hand; that the only boat available was on the far side of the pond and had to be dragged round the bank; and whether he will sec that further precautionary appliances are provided?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. At the time of this regrettable accident there were warning notices in position. The boat and the appliances are kept by the Royal Humane Society, with whom the Department is in consultation as to the desirability of further precautions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to issue an Order, in compliance with the recommendation of the Standing Committee appointed under the Merchandise Marks Act, requiring that imported grave monuments and grave enclosures of granite, or parts thereof, shall bear an indication of origin at the time of sale or exposure for sale?

Provisions for the marking of granite monuments are included in the draft Order-in-Council which was laid on the Table on Monday of this week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what date the Government propose to introduce the Bill to consolidate the law relating to joint stock companies?

The preparation of the Bill is well advanced, and if the hon. Member will put down a question early next week, I think I shall be able to give him some definite information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there are any treaties or agreements which prohibit the importation of potatoes, flour, and malting barley under licence?

By virtue of the Anglo German Commercial Treaty and the Protocol thereto, both countries are precluded from imposing any new prohibitions, except prohibitions instituted for one of the purposes specifically recognised by the Treaty as legitimate, as, for example, prohibitions on sanitary grounds. Moreover, a general convention which has recently been concluded under the auspices of the League of Nations, and which, though not yet in force, has been signed on behalf of H.M. Government, would equally preclude the imposition of such prohibitions as those referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it was known at the time Aircraftsman Shaw, whose real name is Colonel Lawrence, enlisted in the Royal Air Force that he was enlisting in a false name; and, if so, why this was permitted?

Colonel Lawrence's identity was known when he transferred from the Army to the Air Force under the name of Shaw; he preferred to be known by that name, and no objection was seen to his being accepted for service under it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of members of each of the light aeroplane clubs who have obtained their A licence during the past year?

The following table gives the information requested.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the vacant land in Margaret Street, Finsbury, purchased some years ago for Post Office purposes, is now required; and, if not, whether, in view of the overcrowded condition of the people living in Finsbury, he will be prepared to consider the sale of the land to the Finsbury Borough Council if it so desires?

This site was purchased some years ago when the General Post Office East site was sold to provide alternative accommodation for headquarters staff partially housed in rented premises. For financial reasons it has been impracticable to commence building operations; and furthermore the property is partly occupied by weekly tenants who would have to be dispossessed before the site could be fully developed. The possibility of its disposal has recently been the subject of a communication from the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury, and the matter is now under investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total disbursement of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pension Scheme in Scotland from the commencement of the scheme to 31st December, 1928; and how much was received as the State contribution to the cost of such a scheme in Scotland during that period?

The total sum disbursed up to 31st December, 1928, in payment of pensions awarded in Scotland under the Contributory Pensions Act, including administration expenses, was £4,421,900. As regards the second part of the question, the expenditure on pensions during the period referred to has been met out of accumulated pensions contributions, and it has not yet been necessary to draw upon the State contribution of £4,000,000 per annum for 10 years being paid into the Treasury Pensions Account in terms of Subsection 3 of Section 11 of the Contributory Pensions Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of the recipient of a widow's pension proceeding to the Dominions, she forfeits her right to pension; and if so, whether she receives a grant of money in lieu thereof?

The answer to the first. part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that wives of old age pensioners under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1926, who, in consequence of being medically unfit are unable to obtain employment, must obtain a medical certificate to that effect; and if he has authorised such instructions to be issued?

I am not clear as to the class of case which the hon. Member has in mind, but if he will furnish me with particulars of a specific case I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of blind persons in the West Riding of Yorkshire and, if possible, those who reside in the constituency of Penistone?

According to the returns made to my Department on 31st March, 1927, there were then 1,377 registered blind persons in the West Riding of Yorkshire. No separate figures are available for the Parliamentary Division of Penistone.

asked the Minister of Health how many claims to pensions under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, were received at the Ministry of Health during the year ended 30th September, 1928; how many appeals were received thereat during that year against the disallowance of such claims by the local pensions committees on the ground that the claimants did not fulfil, or did not appear to fulfil, the statutory condition of blindness; in how many of such appeal cases the committees were, before they disallowed the claims, advised by eye specialists: in how many such cases he has decided in favour of the claimants and what was the actual, or estimated, cost incurred by the Ministry in obtaining professional advice on the question of the claimants' eyesight; in how many such cases he has not yet given his decisions and what is the estimated cost which will be incurred by the Ministry in obtaining such advice in these cases; how many claims to such pensions will be likely to be received at the Ministry during the quarter beginning on 1st April 1929: and what would be the lowest estimated cost in respect of the year 1929–30 of providing the committees with such professional advice, in the case of all claimants, except those without eyes, who are reported by the pension officers to be, apart from the question of eyesight, qualified for the pension, as would, in the event of appeals, ordinarily be accepted by him, such provision utilising, so far as possible, with the object of minimising expense, the medical staffs of the local authorities and /or the Ministry?

174 appeals of the kind specified in the second part of the question were received at the Ministry of Health and 111 thereof were decided in favour of the claimants. All these appeals have been decided. It is regretted that materials are not available to enable replies to be given to the remaining parts of the question.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses that were built and completed during the year 1927?

273,229 houses were completed in England and Wales during the year ended 30th September, 1927.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the position arising under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, whereby occupiers having been required to give particulars of their property receive no written notice of their new assessment; that the provisions of the Act regarding notices of appeal against assessments in the draft lists and the period within which appeals may be lodged are being differently interpreted by various authorities; that owing to the absence of written notices of assessment many occupiers will be unaware of increased assessments until they receive demand notes for rates, by which time it will be too late to appeal against the assessment; and whether, in order to clarify the procedure and preserve the right of appeal to occupiers, he will take steps to provide for written notice of assessment being served upon every occupier affected by a revised assessment?

Under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, as amended by the Rating and Valuation Act, 1928, it is not necessary to notify an individual occupier of an increase of his assessment. The position in this respect is the same as it was under the genera] law formerly in force in England and Wales (outside London). If an occupier who is aggrieved by any incorrectness or unfairness in the draft valuation list, as deposited, omits to lodge an objection thereto within the prescribed time, it is still open to him to make a proposal for the amendment of the approved list after it has come into force. Any such proposal must be considered and determined by the Assessment Committee in the same way as if it were an objection to the draft list and the decision on the proposal will operate from the beginning of the rating period in which the proposal was made. In the circumstances, I do not consider that there is any necessity for an alteration of the existing statutory provisions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received representations from the Sheffield, Rotherham and District Millers' Association with regard to the application of the railway freight rebate anticipation scheme to inland flour mills; and, if so, whether he is prepared to grant the concession desired by the association?

I have been asked to reply for the Minister of Agriculture. Yes, Sir. But I would remind the hon. Member that the freight relief afforded by this scheme is designed to benefit the farmer. As the sum available for this purpose is strictly limited, my right hon. Friend is afraid that he cannot see his way to extend the list of selected traffics in such a way as seriously to reduce the benefit already afforded.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of the freight relief which commenced on 1st December, 1928; and whether the anticipations of the Government have been realised in the reductions of the prices of iron and steel and also export coal?

The railway freight relief scheme has been in operation for barely two months, and it would be premature to attempt any estimate of its results even if it were possible to isolate them from the variety of other factors to be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children have been fitted and supplied with spectacles in England by the education authorities during the previous 12 months; and whether any and, if so, how many of these authorities have the advantage of an experienced oculist?

The number of children provided with spectacles in England, under arrangements made by the education authorities during 1927 (the latest period for which returns are avail- able) was 120,413. Out of 288 authorities in England 286 have the services of an experienced oculist.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that it is a principle of British overseas administration that there can, in law, be no discrimination in British citizenship resting upon race, creed, or colour, he can say how many legislative bodies under the control of the Colonial Office incorporate inhabitants other than immigrant white races; and how many and which of these legislative bodies are composed solely of immigrant white races?

I know of no legislature to-day in any of the territories under the control of the Colonial Office whose membership is by law confined to Europeans. The only legislative bodies whose membership is, in fact, composed only of representatives of the immigrant European community are those of Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and the Falkland Islands.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the Dumber of seaman-pattern duck caps and cloth caps issued in the Royal Navy on repayment between 1st January, 1928, and 30th September, 1928; and whether he is aware that, owing to the unpopularity of the present pattern cap, naval ratings dressed in Class II uniform purchase this article of uniform extensively from private dealers?

The answer to the first part of the question is 12,850 and 6,400, respectively. As regards the last part, it is known that ratings purchase caps from private dealers. I may add that the present official patterns of caps were introduced as recently as 1926, and that they are under consideration at the present time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that seaman boys in training in His Majesty's Ship "St. Vincent" are not allowed to wear overcoats; and whether, in view of the severe weather, he will authorise a stock of store overcoats which can be issued on loan to boys when going on shore or engaged in duties where overcoats are necessary?

The regulations provide for overcoats being worn when necessary. As the general rule, it is found that the waterproof coat, which is issued to every boy on entry, together with the jersey and underclothing, meets all ordinary requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any, and, if so, how many, bombing or other squadrons have been despatched to the Indian North-West frontier during recent months; the date on which they were sent; and for what purpose?

I have been asked to reply. Two additional squadrons equipped with general purpose aircraft left for India on 29th December last, in accordance with the decision taken in May, 1927, to which I referred in the House last Thursday. These squadrons are now on their way to the North-West Frontier Province. No other movements of squadrons have taken place in India, except for the machines actually concerned in the evacuations from Kabul. The object of increasing the strength of the Air Force in India, from six to eight squadrons was to keep the Indian defence organisation abreast of modern developments, in view of the growing recognition in all countries of the importance of air-croft.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many rank and file and other ranks are Indian and British, respectively, in the Indian Army, Navy and Air services; and what is the cost, respectively, of the British and Indian subjects in each of the fighting services for the last year for which the figures are available?

The information so far as it is available is being collected, and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that the agreement in the case of the Attorney-General v. Whitfield of 4th October, 1927, has never been carried out; that of the sum of money involved more than three-fifths was used for purposes entirely alien to the agreement and the remaining two-fifths was disbursed without regard to the before-mentioned agreement; and will he call for a detailed statement and ensure that such agreements cannot be wilfully ignored?

I would direct the hon. Member's attention to the reply which I gave to a similar question on 19th December last, in which I stated that I had received an assurance that the money involved was being applied in accordance with the terms of settlement. I would add that I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of this statement.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the full number of miners that was required for working the Harworth Main Colliery, Bawtry, eight miles from Doncaster, has yet been secured; and whether, in view of the fact that there were houses available and that there are many thousands of miners unemployed in the Yorkshire area, he can give the reason for the difficulty hitherto experienced in obtaining sufficient labour?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that this colliery has now obtained all the labour required at present.

asked the Minister of Labour if any transference of unemployed has taken place in Scotland through the machinery of the industrial transference scheme: and, if so, how many, from what districts have transferences been made, and to what other districts?

I am obtaining such information as is available, and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the terms upon which the refund of contributions will be made to the Glasgow Corporation as employers and to workmen employed in the Parks Department of the Corporation who have been declared to be outside the Unemployment Insurance Act?

These refunds will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (Return of Contributions) Regulations, 1926, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men and women residing in the Borough of West Ham who were registered at the local Employment Exchange during the week ending 7th January, 1928, and for the week ending 5th January, 1929?

Statistics in respect of 7th January, 1928, and 5th January, 1929, are not available. It is estimated that at 23rd January, 1928, 8,500 insured men and 1,200 insured women resident in the County Borough of West Ham were recorded as unemployed. The corresponding figures for 21st January, 1929, are 9,500 insured men and 1,150 insured women recorded as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in Middlesbrough who are at present unemployed but who are not in receipt of unemployment benefit?

At 21st January, 1929, out of a total of 8,864 on the registers of the Middlesbrough Exchanges, the number who had no claim to benefit admitted or under consideration was 1,444.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, have been refused benefit in Middlesbrough for lack of stamps since the operation of the 30-stamp qualification?

At present the condition requiring the payment of 30 contributions during a period of two years applies only in the case of juveniles. During the period 19th April, 1928, to 14th January, 1929, the number of claims of juveniles made at Middlesbrough dis-allowed on this ground was 11.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate waiting accommodation for men at the Cardiff Employment Exchange; if he will cause an adequate shelter to be erected over the pavement to protect the men from the rain whilst waiting to register or, alternatively, will he arrange for a temporary hutment to be erected in the rear of the Employment Exchange for this purpose?

I am aware of the fact that the present temporary Employment Exchange accommodation in Cardiff is not satisfactory, and it is intended to provide improved permanent accommodation as soon as possible. There is, however, no necessity for men to wait outside the present premises if the timing system in force is observed. In view of this fact and of the temporary nature of the present premises, I cannot adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's proposals.

asked the Minister of Labour the average hourly rate of wages of all workpeople for the years 1918 to 1928, and the hourly rate of real wages for those years, stated as a percentage of 1914?

The information necessary for computing the percentages desired by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available on an hourly basis, but I will have a statement prepared giving such figures as are available, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour if he proposes to circulate the extracts from the proceedings of the General Council of Soviet Trade Unions, now being published by the International Labour Office, for the information of the public as to revolutionary propaganda in this country?

These extracts appear in the periodical "Industrial and Labour Information," published by the International Labour Office, which is on sale and in the House of Commons Library. In these circumstances, no further action seems to be necessary.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Eye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if any of the men recently dismissed from employment by the Forestry Commissioners were, or had been, in insurable employment prior to their employment by the Forestry Commissioners; and, if so, whether any scheme can be adopted by the Forestry Commissioners to continue such men in unemployment insurance?

The Forestry Commission have not the information asked for in the first part of the question; the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the arable land acreage under cultivation; and the population in England and Wales for the years 1871, 1927, and 1928?

I have been asked to reply. The area of arable land and the population in England and Wales in each of the years 1871, 1927 and 1928 were as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number and acreage of allotments in England and Wales at the end of 1927; how they compare with the previous year; and the proportion of this number provided by local authorities and by private landowners?

The number of allotments in England and Wales as returned to the Ministry on 31st December, 1927, was 1,022,530 on an area of 152,435 acres. These figures compare with 1,047,318 allotments on 156,496 acres at the corresponding date in 1926. The allotments provided by local authorities constituted 47.5 per cent., and those provided by private landowners 52.5 per cent. of the total number.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statistics that will show the number of prosecutions that were instituted in Great Britain against motorists for the year ended 31st December, 1928; and how many of these prosecutions were for exceeding the speed limit?

No, Sir; but I am having statistics collected, and shall be happy to answer a question when they are ready.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that Government grants are only given towards the upkeep of minor roads in country districts provided such roads are tarred, and that such minor roads are the only roads on which farmers can move their produce, the main roads being so slippery that farm horses cannot use them, he will take the necessary steps for the maintenance of roads used by farmers?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. It is not a condition of grants from the Road Fund towards the upkeep of minor roads that they shall be tarred. A large proportion of the total length of about 60,000 miles of these "scheduled" roads in rural areas, now receiving grants at the rate of 25 per cent., is not tarred.

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of motor-vehicle licences that have been issued from 1st January to 15th January, 1929?

Statistics of the number of motor vehicle licences issued are kept on a monthly basis, and I am unable to give any figures for the period 1st to 15th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to him or to the Council of the League of Nations by or on behalf of the Bulgarian Government relative to the refusal of the Yugoslavian Government to accord to Bulgarians in Macedonia the minority rights promised them in international treaties; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the matter?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been tailed to the complaint of Mr. Justice Rowlatt of the unintelligible nature of Income Tax forms as now issued; and whether he will consider some method of simplif cation of these forms?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find that the complaints to which he refers relate to Income Tax Acts, not Income Tax forms, and I may remind him that I have already appointed a Committee to draft a Bill to codify the law relating to Income Tax, with the special aim of making the law as intelligible to the taxpayer as the nature of the legislation admits. As regards Income Tax forms, the general question of their simplification was the subject of exhaustive inquiry by a Departmental Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Rowlatt, which reported in July, 1923.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of food taxes levied in the United Kingdom for the two years 1926–7 and 1927–8, respectively?

On the assumption that in this connection tea, cocoa, coffee and chicory, as well as sugar and dried fruits, are regarded as food, the figures (which relate to Great Britain and Northern Ireland) are as follow: