asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has received any representations regarding the inadequacy of the pay of the British private soldier serving in India; and if he will consider the question of increasing the rate of 2s. per day during service in India?

The British soldier in India is paid in rupees, and at present receives Rs. 1½ for the 2s. laid down for him in this country by the Royal Warrant. I am not aware that the pay is regarded as inadequate, but if the hon. Member has evidence to that effect, perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now received a full report upon the Peshawar bombing accident; and, if so, if he will give the contents and the result of the inquiry made into the occurrence?

The following is the text of a statement made on the subject in the Indian Legislative Assembly on 11th February.His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has received and considered the report of the Court of Inquiry appointed to investigate the terrible accident that occurred at Peshawar on 23rd January. The story of the accident is as follows:Bombing practice with live bombs is part of the normal training in units of the Royal Air Force and is regularly carried out by them over areas of ground which are reserved as bombing ranges in the same way as artillery and rifle ranges are reserved for use by artillery and troops of the line. There is a bombing range in the neighbourhood of Jamrud, which is used by the Royal Air Force stationed in Peshawar. It had been decided by the local Air Force authorities that bombing practice should be carried out on this range on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 25th January. On such occasions the Royal Air Force unit concerned is responsible for taking certain preliminary steps. It has to notify the district magistrate and obtain from him a statement that there is no objection to bombing taking place on the range on the dates mentioned. It has further to notify the superintendent of police, the Tehsildar and the local military headquarters in order that human beings and cattle may be safely cleared off the ground before practice begins, and in order that both the civil and military authorities in the station may he made aware of the fact that bombing is to take place. All these precautions were duly complied with on 12th January by the officer commanding, No. 20, Army Co-operation Squadron, the unit of the Royal Air Force concerned; and, in addition, a copy of the notice was sent direct to the officer commanding, Poona Horse, as that regiment would be required, in accordance with the usual procedure, to provide four troopers and a non-commissioned officer to help in clearing the danger area of human beings and cattle at the times and on the dates mentioned. Notice of bombing practice appeared in the ordinary course in the local military orders of 16th January.Some days later it was decided at short notice by the local armoured car authorities to allow, for the benefit of an Inspecting Officer, a technical exercise which had been carried out by an armoured car company over a large area, which included the Royal Air Force bombing range, on 11th January. A feature of this exercise on both occasions was that a squadron of cavalry should enact the role of a party of raiders supposed for the purpose of the exercise to be escaping from Peshawar over the border. It was the function of the armoured car company engaged in this exercise to cut off the supposed raiders before they could have made their way into tribal territory. Arrangements were accordingly made by the Officer Commanding, Armoured Car Company, in Peshawar through the authorities concerned, for the repetition of the tactical exercise which I have described to take place on 23rd January, which was the third of the dates already notified for bombing practice by the Royal Air Force on their bombing range. On the morning of the 23rd the "Safeties," that is, the officer of the Royal Air Force who was detailed to supervise the clearing of the bombing range for live bomb practice, went down early to the range where he met the four so wars and the non-commissioned officer, who had been sent to help him. It was raining and the lorry which should have brought the Air Force personnel required for duties on the ground during the bombing practice, as well as the signals which are used on such occasions, had not arrived. The Safety Officer thereupon went back to the aerodrome at Peshawar, a distance of four miles, on his bicycle. He found the delay to have been due to the fact that the weather conditions were not very good, and that it had not yet been decided whether the bombing practice would take place that morning or not. While he was there, a machine was sent up to test the weather. The Safety Officer was meanwhile told to return to the range and clear it, and, if no bombing had taken place by 10.30 to pack up and return.This was at about 9 a.m. The Safety Officer accordingly returned to the bombing range, this time in a tender, accompanied by two armourers and an Indian driver, taking with him the signals required on the range. He made his preparations for clearing the range, and sent out sowars to remove any cattle and human beings that might be on the ground. At that moment "C" Squadron, Poona Horse, which had been detailed for the tactical exercise, appeared with two British officers, neither of whom appears to have known that bombing practice was to take place that day. The party were anxious to get across to the other side of the bombing range in order to carry out their part in the exercise. After some colloquy, the Safety Officer agreed to the squadron crossing the ground as there was ample time for it to do this before the range was cleared. The squadron accordingly moved off, led by the two British officers, to cross the range. Meanwhile the Safety Officer proceeded to lay out upon the ground a signal which would be read by any aeroplane coming over the bombing range and which means "await further signal; do not bomb." He had only just finished doing this when a bomb fell from an aeroplane on to the squadron which was now some distance away, but still crossing the danger area. The officer who was piloting the aeroplane had arrived immediately before at a height of 4,000 feet over the bombing range, and had mistaken the signal to wait for the signal which means "all clear." This officer had, it would seem, good reason to suppose that the ground would have been cleared by the time that he arrived. The men of the squadron were dressed in khaki overcoats, as it was raining, and wore white turbans. They were not seen by either of the two occupants; and a very careful reconstruction of the accident convinced the Court of Inquiry that a squadron thus clad could not have been seen from that altitude in the conditions prevailing.Both occupants had their eyes fixed on the target from which the squadron was then about 200 yards distant. The bomb over-shot the target and, falling as it did upon the squadron in close formation, caused fearful havoc. Three Indian officers and 10 non-commissioned officers and Sowars were either killed on the spot or succumbed to their injuries the same day; 12 non-commissioned officers and Sowars were injured, of whom three subsequently died in hospital. Sixteen horses were killed. Fifteen were injured and had to be destroyed. Medical aid was rushed to the spot as soon as possible, and everything that could be done for the injured was done. The next-of-kin of the deceased were informed without delay, both by telegraph and by letter, and shortly afterwards messages of sympathy from His Excellency the Viceroy, the Secretaries of State for India, War and Air, His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, and the Air Officer Commanding the Royal Air Force in India were received and conveyed to them.The Government of India considered immediately the question whether special compensation or gratuities should be paid to the heirs of those who were killed, and also to those who were permanently injured. Under the ordinary rules both these categories are entitled to pensions on an adequate scale, and pensions will be issued in the ordinary course. In addition, the Government of India have decided to grant to the heirs of the three Indian officers who have been killed gratuities on the same scale as are admissible when death is caused by active service, namely, Rs.1,200 to the heirs of Risaldars, and Rs.600 each to the heirs of Jamadars. They are also sanctioning gratuities of Rs.200 each to the heirs of non-commissioned officers and Sowars. For such of the injured as may have to be discharged to pension, they are sanctioning disability pensions at a special rate instead of the ordinary rate.From information at present before them, Government are provisionally of the opinion that the following were the principal contributory causes of the accident:First, the fact that certain authorities who had at different times received information both of the forthcoming bombing practice on 23rd January, and of the intended tactical exercise which was to be held in the vicinity on the same day, failed to connect these two events in their minds. It was this failure of memory and co-ordination that in the first instance apparently rendered the accident possible.Secondly, the despatch of the bombing aeroplane over the range before there had been time to clear the range.Thirdly, the mistaking of the warning signal for the signal that all was clear.The Court of Inquiry has found certain officers to blame in connection with the causes that I have mentioned. His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has most carefully considered the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry and the opinions of the local commanders, and has decided that summaries of evidence should be prepared with a view to the trial of certain officers by court-martial. To some extent, the disaster may be found attributable to a combination of mischances against which no amount of forethought could have prevailed. On the other hand, it may be found due also to failure in judgment on the part of individuals or to some defect in the prescribed system of safeguards. I would ask the hon. Members of this House and, through them, the Press and public, not to form too hasty conclusions, and above all not to express opinions or conjectures that might in any way prejudice the judicial proceedings.I need hardly add that the sympathies of the Government and, I am sure, of the whole House, go out to the men who have been disabled, and to the widows and children of those who have perished so tragically and so suddenly in the prime of their lives and in the perform once of their duty.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that no facilities exist for the purchase of stamps at King's Cross railway station; and whether he will consider opening a post office there, or, if not, installing automatic postage stamp machines?

Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son hold a licence to sell stamps at each of the four bookstalls at King's Cross Station. There is a branch post office about 150 yards from the station. The question of opening a post office or of installing automatic stamp vending machines has been considered from time to time, but I regret that it has not been found possible to make satisfactory arrangements with the railway company.

asked the Postmaster-General at which of the London railway termini postal, as apart from telegraphic and telephonic, facilities are available?

There are post offices at Euston, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Victoria and Waterloo railway stations.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any steps are being taken to establish a closer co-operation between his staff of Post Office detectives and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan police?

I am satisfied after inquiry that there is no foundation for the statements which have been made regarding lack of co-operation between my staff and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police, and I have ascertained that my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, and the Commissioner of Police concur in this view.

asked the Minister of Health whether the sub-committee of the Ministry's advisory committee on water, to which the question of the liability for the maintenance of service pipes under streets has been referred, has yet reported; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take?

The sub-committee have not yet reported. I am, however, informed that their report is in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate amount of financial benefit that is expected to accrue from the Local Government Bill to the following local authorities, Abertillery, Abercarn, Nantyglo, and Blaina?

The hon. Member will appreciate that it is impossible to give any precise figures of the rate relief which will be secured in 1930–31 and subsequent years by any particular area under the provisions of the Bill until the facts on which the grants will be based have become available not only for that area but for the whole country. The estimates, based on figures for 1926–27, which have been used by my Department for the purpose of illustrating the working of the scheme indicated that (apart from the rate-relief to be given specially in respect of mines and other industrial properties, freight transport undertakings, and agricultural land and buildings) the rate relief in respect of dwelling houses and similar properties might be approximately in Abercarn urban district 6d. in the £, in Abertillery parish, upwards of 2s. in the £, and in Nantyglo and Blaina urban district 5s. in the £.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the special grants to Highland counties for education under the Highland Minute of the Scottish Education Department are affected by the Local Government (Scotland) Bill?

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the proviso to Section 1 of the existing Regulations under which grants are made to education authorities in Scotland. While the terms of these Regulations must be open to reconsideration from time to time, it is contemplated that they will contain a similar provision in future years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Clauses, by reference to their numbers, of the Local Government Bill it is proposed shall apply to Scotland, in view of the terms of Clause 127 of the English Bill?

Sub-section (4) of Clause 76, Clause 125, and the Third and Eleventh Schedules.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the rebate of 10 per cent. on railway rates on timber for coal pits is intended to be passed on to the home timber merchants whose trade comes under the category of a depressed industry, or is the benefit intended entirely for the coal trade?

asked the Minister of Transport whether the 10 per cent. rebate on mining timber under the reduction in rail freights scheme can be claimed by the purchaser or whether it is intended as relief for the merchant of timber or whether it should be shared equally between seller and buyer?

With the permission of the hon. Members, I will answer these questions together by referring them to the answer which I gave to a question asked on 12th December last by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Sir W. Preston), of which I am sending them copies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the depressed condition of the home timber trade, the rebate of 10 per cent, on railway rates granted on timber used for coal-mining purposes, and where such railway rate is paid by the timber merchant, can be retained by him and not passed on to the coal master?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question asked on 12th December last by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Sir W. Preston), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport what pressure is brought by his Department upon the different road authorities if the officers of his Department advise the application of tar or other similar material to minor roads and the local authorities do not act on such advice; and, if these local authorities refuse to tar roads when so advised by his Department, whether the grants from his Department for the upkeep of such roads are withdrawn?

I explained the general policy of my Department in the reply which I made to my hon. Friend on 5th February. It is not possible to proceed upon any fixed formula in dealing with the widely varying circumstances of different areas. I am not aware of any cases where grants towards the upkeep of scheduled unclassified roads have been withdrawn.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can explain the reasons which prevent the exchange as between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Transport of the responsibility for the mercantile marine and electricity?

Whether or no my Noble Friend's suggestion is advisable as a practical measure is not a matter which can be dealt with by way of Parliamentary question and answer, but is one which would require lengthy and detailed examination. I may also mention that, even if in the result any change were found desirable, legislation would be required to give effect to it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there have been any reductions during the previous 12 months in the higher posts of the Civil Service; and can he give particulars?

During the period in question reductions in the number of higher posts in the Civil Service have been effected in the following Departments:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the number of men and of women authorised and employed, respectively, in the administrative class (other than cadets) and in allied departmental classes, subject to male maxima falling within the following ranges, in each of the Departments in which the administrative class is employed; £500 basic per annum, £700 basic per annum, exceeding £700 but less than £1,000 basic per annum, £1,000 to £1,500 basic per annum, and above £1,500 basic per annum?

I append a table showing the position as at 1st July last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the number of men and of women authorised and employed, respectively, in the cadet administrative classes and in allied departmental classes, respectively, as at 1st April in each year since 1920 in each of

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that writing assistants and members of the typist and shorthand-typist grades selected for promotion to the clerical class before reaching the maximum of their old class on grounds of special merit suffer some slight immediate loss on promotion owing to the increments of junior women clerical officers being smaller than those of the basic clerical grades concerned; whether there are any other grades to which promotion means an immediate financial loss, and, if so, which; and in

A table is appended showing the position as at 1st July last. I regret that the further information desired by the hon. Member is not available.the case of what other grades does promotion involve no immediate increase in pay?

I am aware that officers promoted to pasts carrying scales of salary which overlap the scales of their former posts may, in certain circumstances, incur a slight immediate loss owing to a change in the rate of their annual increment. This is offset, however, by advancement on the salary scales of their new posts, and in many instances by improved conditions of service. With regard to the last part of the question, the general rule is that officers promoted to posts carrying scales of salary which overlap the scales of their former posts enter the higher scales either at the minimum, or at their existing rate of salary, whichever is the greater. In these cases, and also in cases where the minimum of the scale of the higher post is identical with the maximum of the scale of the lower post, a promoted officer if on the maximum of his old scale at the date of his promotion would not normally receive any immediate increase unless he had been for three years or more at that maximum.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is intended to revise the existing bonus scheme for civil servants?

The Civil Service cost of living bonus scheme has recently been under consideration by a Committee of the National Whitley Council. This Committee has not yet presented its Report to the Council. Meanwhile, I can make no pronouncement on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state, for the years 1923 to 1928, the annual expenditure under each of the various Acts referred to in the Return on Public Social Services, and indicate in the total for each year the amount contributed respectively by Parliamentary votes and grants, local rates, contributions of employers, contributions of work-people, contributions from individuals, and from other sources?

I would refer the hon. Member to the annual Returns of Expenditure on the Public Social Services (Parliamentary Papers Nos. 205 and 135 of 1926, tO8 of 1927 and 16 of 1928) giving the information required, so far as it is available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that foreign musicians on entering this country to carry out engagements are permitted to import musical instruments which in many cases they sell here without paying import duty thereon; and whether he will consider the desirability of imposing a deposit duty on instruments so entering this country?

As regards the first part of the question, the position is that a deposit of duty is required in respect of all musical instruments brought into this country by foreign musicians for temporary professional use except in the case of used portable musical instruments, which are delivered without deposit of duty on receipt by the Customs Officer of a satisfactory declaration in writing by the owner that the article has been in his possession and use abroad for not less than one year and that it, is not intended for other persons or for sale. As regards the second part of the question, if my hon. Friend can supply me with definite information as to the abuse of the concession I will look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts estimated to be payable under Local Taxation (Scotland) Account Grants in 1928–29, as Estate Duty grant, liquor licences, Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, Section 88 (1); carriages licences, Roads Acts, 1920, Sections 1 and 2 (2); other licences, Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, Section 20, and subsequent legislation; local taxation, Custom and Excise Act, 1890, and Revenue Act, 1911, Section 17 (1); and grants, etc., under Agricultural Rates Acts, namely: Agricultural Rates, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1896, Local Taxation Account (Scotland) Act, 1898, and Agricultural Rates Act, 1923?

I would refer the hon. Member to the table in paragraph 6 of the Financial Memorandum on the Local Government (Scotland) Bill. The Estate Duty Grant, which depends upon the total Estate Duty actually collected, is now estimated at about £700,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest is required to pay estate duties on properties left to it for the benefit of the public unless such properties are left free of duty, and that the trust was consequently called upon to pay duties in respects of Bodiam Castle and Tattershall Castle, left to it by the Marquis of Curzon, with a view to encouraging such bequests, he will consider an amendment to the law whereby Estate Duty is not to be required to be paid on them?

My right hon. Friend will bear the suggestion in mind, but my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount was received last year from licences for male servants; and whether, in order to encourage employment in that kind of service, he is prepared to abolish or reduce the tax?

The proceeds of the Male Servant Licence Duty for the year ended 31st March, 1928 (the latest period for which figures are at present available) were £140,588. As my right hon. Friend has explained on previous occasions, this duty is not an Imperial but a Local Taxation Duty. He is afraid that he could not undertake to introduce legislation which would deprive local authorities of part of their revenue unless he were sure of their unanimous consent, and that a demand would not be made upon the Exchequer to replace the revenue so surrendered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects a report from the special committee appointed to examine into the question of German reparation payments; and whether any proposed settlement will be submitted to Parliament before being finally approved by His Majesty's Government?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to forecast the date at which the Committee of Experts will make its report. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in connection with the reparation negotiations, he is taking account of the consequences which a settlement which made worse the standard of life of the workers of Germany would have on the British standard of life and British employment; and if he can indicate any limiting conditions to the House by which he proposes to be guided?

When the Report of the Committee of Experts considering proposals for a final settlement of the reparation problem has been received by the Governments concerned, it will be considered by His Majesty's Government in the light of all relevant considerations. In the meantime my right hon. Friend must not be taken as agreeing with the view that the payment of reparations by Germany on a scale commensurate with her capacity of payment will have any adverse effect on the standard of life and employment in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Hankow authorities are in default in the payment of interest on the municipal debentures?

Interest for the first half of 1928 was duly paid, and on 31st December last interest was paid in full for the second half of 1928, together with that for the second half of 1927 which was in arrears. There is, therefore, now no default except in respect of the interest for the first half of 1927, which was paid in depreciated notes of the Hankow Central Bank. No final decision has been taken by the Municipal Council with regard to this, but the Minister of Finance of the national Government recently announced that he was undertaking measures for the eventual redemption of these depreciated notes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Rumanian Government has given an undertaking, similar to that given to France, to place orders in this country as a consideration for the subscription of £2,000,000 of the stabilisation loan; and, if so, to what extent?

Yes, Sir. The Rumanian Government have given an undertaking to allot contracts to foreign countries in proportion to the amount of the loan subscribed by each, so far as possible. I understand that they will, however, be guided by considerations of the price and quality of the goods offered in each country before deciding finally as to the extent to which this undertaking can be implemented—especially as regards railway material.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the present position in regard to tests of processes for the slow carbonisation of coal; if any of these processes have yet been proved to be successful on a commercial basis and; if, in view of the continued depression of the coal industry, the Government are taking any steps to facilitate the adoption of such a process?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to low temperature carbonisation processes. The Director of Fuel Research is authorised to test, free of charge, as regards technical results, any processes which have reached a sufficient stage of development. Reports of five such tests have been published, a sixth is being printed, and two more are being arranged. The present position of commercial plants was given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) on 18th December, 1928. Commercial success depends on local conditions as well as on the process, and can only be proved by continued working over a prolonged period. The Government do not propose to take any steps beyond those already announced.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, as reported by the agent of the Nine Mile Point Colliery, Monmouthshire, although the Rock Vein pit of that colliery has been open for work since Monday, 28th January, and 600 men could have been started at the pit, fewer than 50 men had applied for work in response to the invitation of the management; and whether, having regard to the unemployment existing amongst colliers in Wales, he has any statement to make regarding the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made in the House on Wednesday last regarding this colliery.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. William Pilling was deprived of benefit by the Ashton-in-Makerfield Employment Exchange because he would not go to Wrexham, where there were over 200 miners unemployed during the whole of December quarter, 1928; whether the Exchange had exact information as to the special class of man required at Wrexham; whether this man was told the special kind of work he had to do; and what steps were taken by examination or otherwise to assure the Exchange officials that he was qualified to undertake the special work offered?

The answers to the first, second and third parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, the insurance officer was of opinion that the work offered was suitable and this view was confirmed by the Court of Referees on appeal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the number of persons who, though on the registers, have no claim to benefit is much larger in some areas than in others, he can give for the 20 areas where the proportion per 1,000 on the register is largest, the name of the areas, the numbers on the register, the numbers having no claim to benefit and the proportion of these per 1,000 on the register, and the corresponding figures for Great Britain?

It would not be possible to give this information without undue labour, since it would mean analysing the detailed figures for every local office in order to discover the 20 offices with the highest proportion. If the hon. Member would give me a list of a limited number of offices for which he would like the information, I would endeavour to obtain it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, whilst on 21st January, 1929, the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain who had no claims to benefit amounted to 14.3 per 1,000, in Sheffield the number who had no claims to benefit amounted to 20.5 per 1,000; and whether he can explain the reason for this difference?

The difference is partly accounted for by the proportions of uninsured persons on the registers, which was 9 per cent, at Sheffield as compared with 6.3 per cent. on the average for the whole country. I cannot say without prolonged inquiry how the rest of the difference is accounted for; a large number of factors would enter into it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons trained in training centres controlled by his Department have been found work during the past six months in the cities of Manchester and Birmingham, and the County of London; the nature of the occupation, trade, or calling these trainees have been passed into; whether any guarantee of employment for a certain period has been given by those who employ the trainees; and how many men have been trained for migration and how many have been migrated to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Tasmania since the inception of the training centres?

The numbers of persons trained in the Government instructional centres who have been found work during the past six months in the cities of Manchester and Birmingham, and in the County of London are, none, 233 and 144 respectively. They were placed, for the most part, in the building, furniture and wood-working, engineering, coach building, catering and hairdressing trades. Employers are not required to guarantee employment for any definite period, but it is not the practice to place men in work of a purely temporary character. The number of men who have completed a course at the overseas train- ing centres since their inception is 3,312; of these 1,465 have proceeded to Canada, and 1,801 to Australia. Migration to New Zealand and Tasmania does not come within the scope of the training scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of miners were unemployed in the Wrexham area during the months of December and January, respectively; the number of fresh miners now required through the Unemployment Exchange; and will he refrain from introducing additional labour into the district before the unemployed men are found work?

The insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry recorded as unemployed at the Wrexham Employment Exchange at 17th December, 1928, number 229 as compared with 242 at 21st January, 1929. The number of definite vacancies for colliery workers at present unfilled by the Exchanges in the area is about 60, mostly for hauliers and fillers. There are no workers unemployed locally who are regarded by the colliery companies concerned as suitable to fill them, and the Exchanges in the normal course of their duties are endeavouring to obtain suitable applicants from other areas. I should add that this is not, of course, a case in which the Department are endeavouring to bring men in under the transfer policy.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively, who have been refused benefit at the Wrexham Employment Exchange for the last 12 weeks on the grounds of not genuinely seeking work; the number, respectively, who have appealed; and the number, respectively, who were successful on appeal?

During the 14 weeks ended 14th January, 1929, 80 claims to benefit made by men and 30 by women at the Wrexham Employment Exchange were disallowed by insurance officers on the ground that the applicants were not genuinely seeking work. I am unable to state in how many of these cases appeals were lodged. During the same period the Court of Referees recommended for disallowance on the same ground 30 claims by men and four by women on review after 78 days' benefit in the previous six months had been received.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of building workers now out of work in Glasgow, and the total of classified skilled and unskilled?

The following statement gives the information asked for:Insured persons classified as belonging to the building industry recorded as unemployed in the Glasgow area on 21st January, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the average cost of diet at Borstal institutions is 5s. 8d. per week, at industrial schools 5s. 9d. per week, and at reformatory schools 6s. 3d. per week; and whether it is proposed, in view of these circumstances, to increase the allowance of 2s. per week per dependent child allowed in unemployment pay?

This allowance in respect of dependent children does not stand by itself but is a supplement to the basic rate of unemployment benefit and (in general) the allowance in respect of a wife or housekeeper. The rate of the allowance is in accordance with the recommendation of the Blanesburgh Committee, and is fixed by Statute.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the frequent complaints regarding the inadequate accommodation in the way of conveniences and shelters for persons attending Longton (Staffs) Employment Exchange; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter?

The present conditions in this area are abnormal, and I am having inquiry made into the possibility of securing additional accommodation. The provision of shelters would not meet the difficulty.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the item in the cost-of-living index relating to fuel and light includes electricity or is based only on gas, coal, oil, and candles?

The cost-of-living index number is designed to indicate the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-War standard of living of working-class families. As electricity was much less important than gas as a means of light and heat in working-class dwellings before the War, it is not included in the fuel and light group of items used in the compilation of the cost-of-living index number. This group of items comprises coal, gas, oil, candles, and matches.

asked the Minister of Pensions if there is any fixed period that surgical boots provided by the Ministry have to last before they can be replaced by new ones; and, if so, what this period is?

Surgical boots are issued in duplicate, and while each pair is expected to last two years, they may be replaced at an earlier date if worn out by fair wear and tear.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of emigrants who left the British Isles for other parts of the British Empire and for foreign parts, respectively, for each year since 1919; and the amount of money spent out of the annual grant in each case?

The following table shows the numbers of British emigrants who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in the British Isles to take up permanent residence in other parts of the British Empire and in foreign countries during each of the years 1919 to 1927, and during 1928, so far as the information is available:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any official information of the recent voyage of a ship from England to Australia on pulverised fuel; and if he can make a statement on the matter?

The s.s. "Hororata," of the New Zealand Shipping Company, left the Thames in December on a voyage to Australia and back, fitted with an arrangement for burning pulverised fuel in three out of the six boilers. The Board of Trade have no information yet as to the manner in which this system has worked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how often examinations for master's and mate's certificates are held at Plymouth; and how many candidates apply annually from this port?

Examinations for master's and mate's certificates are held at Plymouth twice in each month, except August, when there are no examinations. In 1928 there were 212 examinations of candidates at this centre, including repeated attempts by the same candidates. Of this number, 133 examinations were examinations of candidates whose addresses were given as in or near Plymouth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the disadvantages, financial and otherwise, that must follow in connection with the development of any new territory where provision is not made for the ultimate adoption of a standard uniform gauge in the railway system and which has been particularly referred to by the Economic Committee recently in Australia, he will take all possible steps to provide that in the railway-building programme now being carried out in those parts of Africa under British control this position is so safeguarded that all main arterial systems may be eventually unified

Yes, Sir. As a necessary preliminary, standard load and structure gauges have been prepared by the technical advisers of the Crown Agents for the Colonies. The Governments and private companies concerned in British Africa are being asked to consider the desirability of adopting these gauges for all future railway extensions and for new works on existing lines, with a view to minimising expense and inconvenience in the event of the ultimate introduction of a single standard gauge for all railways in Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the annual cost of the forces in Iraq to the British and Iraqi Governments, respectively; and the strength of the British and Iraqi forces in Iraq, respectively, during each year of the occupation.

The figures asked for, in so far as they are available, will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the principal of Achimota was invited in 1927 by the Government of Nigeria to make a survey and report on native education in both provinces of Nigeria; whether Reports have been published; and whether it is the intention of the authorities to amalgamate the educational services of Southern and Northern Nigeria?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would invite reference to the reply which I returned on 25th June last to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Morris). It is proposed to appoint one director to advise and co-ordinate educational policy as far as possible, but no proposals for closer amalgamation have yet been put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the statement made to the League of Nations Opium Commission at its recent session by the British representative regarding the excessive consumption of opium at Hong Kong, he can state what measures are being taken by the Government of Hong Kong to restrict the consumption; and what reasons it gives for its failure?

As was explained by the British representative in his statement to the League of Nations Advisory Committee, the excessive consumption of opium in Hong Kong is due to the large quantities of smuggled opium which pour into the colony from China. The Colonial Government has established a legal Government monopoly of the sale of opium with the intention of restricting consumption by charging high prices for Government opium. That monopoly, however, is not effective, because in spite of an energetic preventive service which seizes large quantities of illicit opium and the punishment of large numbers of offenders by fines and imprisonment, it has been impossible to prevent the smuggling on account of the abundance of cheap opium in China and the facilities for illicit traffic provided by the close proximity to and regular intercourse with Chinese territory. Primarily in the hope that it will suggest a means of solving the extremely difficult problem in Hong Kong, His Majesty's Government suggested last year that the League of Nations should send a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the opium problem in the Far East and the League have agreed to do so.

asked the Home Secretary the number of occasions on which the provincial police authorities have called in the assistance of New Scotland Yard during the past 10 years, and with what results?

There have been 41 such cases. In seven of them no arrest was made. Of the remaining 34, 23 resulted in convictions and 11 in acquittals.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of deaths that have occurred through accidents to aeroplanes under the control of his Department for the months of December, 1928, and January, 1929; and whether he has any information, and can give similar particulars, with regard to naval seaplanes?

The answer to the first, part of the question is, four deaths in December and four deaths in January. As regards the second part, there were no fatal accidents involving aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm during the two months in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what length of time on home service chief and engine-room artificers usually spent on home service after having been abroad for two or three years; whether he is aware that many of them are now, after two and a half years' service abroad, only allowed six months at home; and will he state the reason for this shorter period?

The average length of time spent by engine-room artificers on home service after having been abroad is about two years, but in certain trades there is a temporary shortage which, for some few men, involves a considerable reduction on this average time. This temporary shortage is being rectified as recruiting permits.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what are the approximate average rating assessments under the 1925 Act on lands purchased or leased by the Forestry Commission for planting purposes in England and Wales; and what are they assessed at for sporting rights?

The assessments vary from 5d. to 4s. per acre, the average being about Is. 9d. On areas where the sporting rights are unlet the value is taken into account in estimating the annual value of the land. On areas where the sporting rights are let the tenants are assessed direct.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men discharged from the Army in 1928 suffering from tuberculosis, and in how many cases was the disability attributed to service and a disablement pension awarded?

The figures for 1928 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has any recent Reports as to economic conditions in Russia and as to the prospects of developing Anglo-Russian trade?

I have been asked to reply. I have no Reports upon the actual economic situation in the Soviet Union other than those published by the Soviet Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information showing that the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease near Catterick originated among animals fed on swill from Catterick Camp; and whether Dutch potatoes were supplied to that camp?

The oldest lesions of disease were found in pigs which had been fed with swill from Catterick Camp, but it is impossible to say whether infection originated in the swill. I am informed that only locally grown potatoes were being supplied to the camp.