asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes to include marriage allowance for naval officers in this year's Navy Estimates, seeing that in 1925 the House of Commons approved of such a provision being made, but the Estimate was sub sequently withdrawn.

The answer is in the negative. In this connection I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 5th August, 1925 (OFFICIAL REPORT, cols. 1344–5).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is to be the tonnage, when complete, of the two cruisers to be ordered or laid down before the end of the present financial year to complete the current shipbuilding programme; and whether there has been any departure with regard to the size of these ships from those proposed in the naval compromise programme agreed upon in 1925?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is to be the tonnage of the two cruisers of the 1928 programme to be laid down at Devon-port and Portsmouth respectively?

As has been already announced, certain changes were decided upon with regard to the cruiser programme laid down in the 1925 White Paper (Cmd. 2476). These changes affected the years 1927 and 1928. Two cruisers were dropped from the former year and one from the latter. When it was thought that there was still a hope of international agreement along the lines we proposed at Geneva in 1927 the 10,000-ton cruiser in the 1927 programme was cut out and also for reasons of economy one of the two 8,000-ton cruisers. In 1928, when it became clear that agreement on a maximum of 13 10,000-ton cruisers was not attainable, it was decided to proceed with the 10,000-ton cruiser deferred from 1927 and with the similar cruiser in the 1928 programme, the two 8,000-ton cruisers in the latter programme being cut out. As already stated, the decision included deferring commencement of the ships till the end of the financial year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he received reports from the doctors, in accordance with Article 59 of the Poor Law Institution Order, 1913, of the deaths of Richard Walker, who died on 28th November, in the Gilbert Street institution, Halifax, of Harvey, who died at Chailey casual ward on 26th November; and of all other persons who died in Poor Law institutions (other than those who were not in receipt of relief at the time of any accident causing his or her death) during the year 1928; will he state the names, unions and counties of such institutions; and also in which cases inquests were held, and whether the Poor Law inspector for the district was present?

The death of William Harvey was reported by the medical officer, that of Richard Walker by the master of the institution. As regards the second part of the question, compliance with the requirements of the Article of the Order quoted by the hon. Member is general, but in individual cases of failure to observe the Regulation I have taken suitable action. I will send the hon. Member a statement of the further information which he desires, but I may say that it is not the practice that my officers should actually attend inquests.

asked the Minister of Health whether seeing that it is part of the duty of the clerk to call the attention of a board of guardians to the illegality of any sentence they propose to pronounce he will say whether the clerk did so in the case of James Wilder and, if not, why not; at what date did the Ministry's officers visit the Easthampstead Infirmary; who they were and what did they report; and what steps, if any, he has taken or will take to prevent guardians pronouncing illegal sentences on inmates of workhouses?

It is understood that the clerk at first sight failed to appreciate the exact effect of the relevant regulations. The institution was visited on 4th December by an assistant general inspector. James Wilder was seen on that date and had no complaint to make. I do not see that the case calls for further action in my part.

asked the Minister of Health the maximum amount of relief per week that is being granted in England and Wales to a man and wife with one and two children, respectively, under the able-bodied scale; and whether, in view of the severity of the winter and the hardships endured by poor people at these times, he will consider suggesting to relieving authorities a higher scale for the winter months?

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available. The so-called scales of relief do not require my sanction and, as I have pointed out on previous occasions, the amount of relief granted in any case must be determined by the individual needs of the case and not by any fixed scale. I have no reason to suppose that the guardians, who frequently do grant higher relief during the winter months, require any such admonition from me as is suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health the number of destitute able-bodied men and women in receipt of poor relief in London in the years 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1928, respectively?

Separate figures of the numbers of able-bodied and non-able-bodied recipients of relief are not available. The following is a statement of the available information, showing the number of males and females over 16 years of age in receipt of Poor Law relief in London on 1st January in each of the undermentioned years who were not suffering from sickness, accident or bodily or mental infirmity.

1st January in the year.			Men.	Women.	Total.
1924	…	…	34,252	40,632	74,884
1925	…	…	26,921	33,163	60,084
1926	…	…	34,275	40,773	75,048
1927	…	…	35,558	40,888	76,416
1928	…	…	31,737	37,131	68,868

asked the Minister of Health whether he has seen a report of an inquest on William Harvey, who died at the Lewes Guardians' casual ward at Chailey; whether he is aware that this man was aged 62 years and was admitted on Saturday evening and died early on Monday morning, 4th December; that he became ill at about 1.30 a.m. and a fellow casual rang the bell for the porter in vain; that the ward was unheated and the occupants slept on a wooden floor with four blankets each; that the doctor giving evidence would not say that death was accelerated by the treatment, but expressed the opinion that the sanitary arrangement in the cells was bad; that the coroner expressed disapproval of the men having to sleep on the floor, of there being no warmth, and of the men being locked in; whether, at the official survey made in 1923–24, the Chailey male casual ward was then unheated; will he say who is the Poor Law inspector of the district; and whether he will forthwith send a medical inspector to visit and report upon this ward?

The suggestions made in the question in regard to this case do not entirely agree with the information in my possession, but I am making some further inquiries before sending the hon. Member a full reply. As I stated in reply to a previous question in connection with this case, steps are being taken by the guardians with a view to making other arrangements in case of pressure in this ward.

asked the Minister of Health what is the approximate percentage increase in the new assessments of rateable hereditaments generally under the terms of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, which are due to come into force in the next half-year, compared with the general assessments in force for the current half-year, in each of the following administrative counties, Glamorgan, Monmouth, Durham and Northumberland, and in the county boroughs of Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Sunderland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne?

I am obtaining the desired information from the local assessment committees, and will communicate with the hon. Member when I have received it.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn by the National Association of Auctioneers to the fact that many of the hospitals of the country are being subject to increased rates owing to the operation of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925; whether he is aware that no uniform method of assessing hospitals has been adopted by local rating authorities; and whether, having regard to the fact that scientific and literary societies are exempt from rates under the Scientific and Literary Societies Act, 1843, he will take steps to provide for the total exemption of voluntary hospitals from all local rates, or at least to provide for some uniform method of assessing them on a preferential basis?

I have received a communication from the National Association of Auctioneers on this subject. I am not yet in possession of any general information as to the effects of the revaluation on hospital assessments, and I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle).

asked the Minister of Health if he has received a resolution of the Deptford Borough Council expressing their alarm at the action of the Housing (Revision of Contributions) Order, 1928; if so, how many similar representations has he received from other bodies; and what action does he propose to take in the way of dealing with these representations?

I have received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers, and I have received similar representations from six other Metropolitan borough councils. The Order in question was approved by Resolution of this House after a full Debate on 12th December last.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount of expenditure that has been sanctioned in connection with the various road schemes in Scotland in the current year up to the latest available date; and whether there have been any steps taken in recent months by his Department to encourage local authorities to initiate new schemes?

The expenditure on the maintenance and reconstruction of classified roads and on the maintenance of unclassified scheduled roads in Scotland, which has been approved for grant during the current financial year up to 31st January last, amounts to approximately £3,570,000. The total expenditure approved for grant in the case of major improvement works on classified and unclassified roads cannot be ascertained at the present time without considerable labour. These figures, however, are always included in the Annual Report presented to Parliament upon the Administration of the Road Fund. Local authorities are so well aware of the terms upon which assistance is obtainable from my Department towards road schemes that any special steps on my part such as suggested by the hon. Member are unnecessary.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can yet say if he has made any settlement as regards Wylam Bridge, Northumberland?

Negotiations have taken place between the county council and the bridge company with respect to the purchase of the toll-bridge. I have asked the county council to furnish me with certain information, which will, I hope, enable me to reach a decision upon the application made to me for assistance from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to introduce the gyratory system of traffic at any other points in London; and, if so, where?

The London Traffic Advisory Committee are continuing their investigations as to the introduction of the roundabout system of traffic at various other points in London with a view to eliminating the number of traffic cuts at road junctions. In all such cases it is necessary to come to an agreement with the local authorities concerned as to the erection of signs, and other matters, and it is not possible to make a final announcement until such points have been settled. I may, however, add that roundabout working will probably be introduced at an early date at Hen don Circus, at Marlborough Gate, St. James's Park, and at the junction of Green Lanes and Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, and the Burroughs, Hendon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of emigrants from this country to all countries outside Europe during the year 1928, indicating the number of men, women, and children under 12?

The number of British subjects who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in the United Kingdom to take up permanent residence in places outside Europe during 1928 was 136,834, including 66,716 males of 12 years and upwards, 50,265 females of 12 years and upwards, and 19,853 children under 12.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the joint Advisory Committee set up by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Health have been given power to recommend fresh legislation under circumstances where this may appear to them to be necessary?

The joint Advisory Committee of the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Health have power to advise on any question affecting the health of the mercantile marine that either Department may refer to them. There is nothing to prevent the Committee from making proposals involving fresh legislation on any such question, if such a course appears to them to be desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total output of butter from factories in England and Wales in the last census-of-production year, and the amount of home-made and imported butter used for blending purposes in these factories in the same year?

The Returns for the year 1924, the latest year in respect of which a census of production has been taken, show that the quantity of butter produced in creameries in England and Wales in the census year was 38,000 cwt. and that the quantity purchased and blended in those creameries was 672,000 cwt. These figures are exclusive of 9,000 cwt. in respect of which the information needed for discriminating between butter made and butter purchased for blending was not furnished (as it was not a statutory requirement) and correspond to those contained in the Preliminary Report issued with the Board of Trade Journal on 21st July, 1927. The separation of home-made from imported butter purchased for blending was not asked for in the census forms, but it may be noted that the quantity returned as sold off farms in England and Wales in the year ended 4th June, 1925, is stated in the Report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on the Agricultural Output of England and Wales as 454,000 cwt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Bill before the Indian Legislature to reserve to Indian vessels the coastal traffic of India; and whether, in view of its effect upon British shipping if passed into law, he proposes to make any representations to the Government of India on the subject?

The attention of the Board of Trade was drawn to this Bill when it was first introduced, and they wrote to the India Office at the time expressing their views with regard to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the increase or otherwise of overseas trade since the beginning of the year and the comparison with similar figures of a year ago?

Overseas trade in January last shows a substantial increase over the volume of similar trade a year ago. Net imports show an increase of £16,000,000, or 18 per cent., compared with January, 1928. There is an increase of £9,000,000 in raw materials, of £5,500,000 in food, drink and tobacco, and of £900,000 in net imports of manufactures. British exports show an increase of £7,000,000, or 12 per cent. Of these, exports of manufactures are up by £5,500,000, or 11½ per cent., compared with January, 1928, and exports of raw materials show an increase of £900,000, or 15 per cent., compared with the same month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the equivalent in the shape of an export bounty on German wheat of the provision in the German tariff law affecting agricultural produce; and whether this provision comes within the operation of any international convention?

The German system, which is of long standing, is to give to the exporter of cereals a negotiable licence permitting the importation of an equivalent quantity of cereals free of duty. The practice is not, so far as I am aware, in conflict with the provisions of any international convention.

asked the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Wells division of Somerset, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what were the terms of the bequest of £l,000 made by the late Sir A. Jacoby for the benefit of the attendants and waiters of the House; what is the amount now standing to the credit of the fund; in whom it is vested; and what payments, if any, have been made therefrom?

The terms of the bequest made by the late Sir James Alfred Jacoby in. 1909 are as follow: "I give the sum of £1,000 free of legacy duty to the Serjeant-at-Arms attending the House of Commons in trust to found a fund for pensioning or assisting aged, ill or disabled members of the staff of the refreshment department of the House of Commons." This amount was invested by the Charity Commissioners in £l,188 3 per cent. London and North Eastern Railway Debenture Stock, the income from which is £35 12s. 10d. per annum. The accumulated income has from time to time been reinvested, and the following stocks are now held in the names of the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee for the time being, who are trustees for the income:

• £56 6s. 3d. 5 per Cent. War Loan 1929–47, Post Office issue, cost £53 6s. 8d.
• £21 6s. 3½ per Cent. Conversion Loan, Post Office issue, cost £15 (originally £15 5 per Cent. National War Bond).
• £21 1s. 6d. 8 per Cent. War Loan 1929ߝ47, cost £20.
• £500 21 per Cent. Consols, cost £296 2s. 6d.

There is also on current account the sum of £128 3s. 8d. waiting reinvestment. The total income from all sources for 1928 was £52 14s. 10d. In 1912 the trustees granted a pension of 10s. per week to a waiter, Mr. T. Wallace. This was continued to the time of his decease in December, 1923. Since that date no other payments have been made from the fund.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he can give an estimate of the number of men to be employed on the work in connection with the forestry scheme in Devon and Cornwall; and whether the Commissioners will give priority to the claims of the unemployed in Devon and Cornwall in allotting the work to be done?

It is estimated that the number employed by the Forestry Commission in Devon and Cornwall during the current season will range from a minimum of 58 to a maximum of 88. At present 71 are employed. Local labour only is being employed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Wednesbury Education Committee have decided to build a new school to cater for children residing on the municipal estates, Wood Green; and, if so, whether tenders have been invited?

I understand that the authority have decided to provide a new junior and infants' school to serve the Wood Green area, and my Department has requested the local education authority to issue the necessary public notices of the proposal under Section 18 of the Education Act, 1921. The proposal has not yet reached the stage when tenders can be invited.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any elementary schools in Wednesbury have been scheduled for closing or, alternatively, for substantial alteration and extension?

Two schools in this area were included in the Black List as apparently unsuitable for continued recognition and incapable of improvement. One of these schools has since been closed and replaced by a new school. Plans for the remodelling of the other school, in which only one department was on the Black List, are now under consideration by the managers in connection with the reorganisation of schools in this area.

asked the President of the Board of Education what were the numbers of children being educated in provided and non-provided schools, respectively, on a given day in the years 1903, 1913, 1923, and 1928, or nearest date?

The numbers of children educated in provided and non-provided schools, elementary and secondary, during the years in question were:

Public Elementary Schools (maintained by Local Education Authorities).
Average Number on Registers.
—			Council.	Voluntary.
1902–3	…	…	2,870,213	3,097,065
1912–13	…	…	3,682,270	2,364,405
1922–23	…	…	3,681,689	2,066,803
1927 28	…	…	3,671,804	1,939,259

Secondary Schools (on the Grant List).
Number of Full-time pupils.
—			Provided.	Non-provided.
1903–4*	…	…	—	—
Jan., 1914	…	…	89,661	97,546
Oct., 1923	…	…	183,052	175,902
Oct, 1928	…	…	212,902	180,279
* Total provided and non-provided for this year=44,576.

asked the President of the Board of Education the amount paid from the Lord Mayor's Fund to the county of Stafford, and the name and address of the secretary acting for the county?

I am informed that the Divisional Committee for the group of coalfields which includes those lying in the county of Stafford is holding its first meeting to-morrow. When this committee has met and elected its officers, a grant will be made to it for the purposes of the Fund. In the meantime I understand that steps have already been taken by the Stafford County Education Authorities, with the concurrence of the Lord Mayor of London and the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, to commence a distribution of boots to the children in cases of proved necessity in the mining areas of Stafford.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of established and temporary female staff serving in the Civil Service on 3rd August, 1914; the number of established and temporary female staff entered into the Civil Service since 4th August, 1914, and who are still serving; the number of established and temporary ex-service men entered into the Civil Service since 4th August, 1914, and who are still serving; the number of established and temporary ex-service men entered into the Civil Service since 11th November, 1918, and who are still serving; and the number of established and temporary female staff entered into the Civil Service since 11th November, 1918, and who are still serving?

I regret that I have no data which would enable me to furnish the hon. Member with the particulars he desires.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of promotions among temporary staff in the Civil Service since 11th November, 1918, showing their respective grades and the grades to which they were promoted; and the number of promotions of ex-service men made in the Civil Service since 11th November, 1918, showing their respective grades and the grades to which they were promoted?

No statistics are available which would enable me to supply my hon. and gallant Friend with the information for which he asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the taxable income charged at half the standard rate, 2s., for Great Britain and Northern Ireland on assessments to Income Tax made in 1926–27?

The amount of taxable income in Great Britain and Northern Ireland charged at the half standard rate was, for the year 1926ߞ27, £269,947,286.

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

During 1928, 18 airmen were discharged from the Royal Air Force suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. In three of these cases the disability was held to be attributable to service and a pension was awarded accordingly; in a fourth, in which the disability was not attributable, pension was awarded in respect of service.

asked the Minister of Pensions in how many Great War pension cases final awards were reviewed during 1928, and with what results?

During the period referred to, about 1,300 cases (including cases of re-amputation and second disabilities) have been reviewed and have received a further grant under special sanction.

asked the Home Secretary what county or other authorities have established homes of remand for boys outside the precincts of prisons or houses of detention; and what county or other authorities still commit boys remanded for trial to prisons, houses of detention, or establishments within the precincts of prisons and houses of detention?

I am in full sympathy with the object of this question and am at present in consultation with one or two local authorities as to schemes for providing homes or making use of existing homes for this purpose. I should be glad to consider suggestions from any local authority for the provision of suitable accommodation for young persons whom the Courts cannot remand on bail. At present there is usually no place other than prison to which such persons can be sent for custody and observation while on remand.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the deaths of two men who were killed in consequence of the collapse of the scaffolding at the Birmingham Corporation electricity generating station; and, if so, whether he intends to investigate the cause of the accident?

No, Sir, but perhaps the hon. Member has in mind an accident which is reported to have occurred on the 8th instant to two men employed by a Birmingham firm at the Leicester Corporation generating station. That accident is being investigated by the Factory Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there are any counties which are not taking part in the egg-grading scheme; and, if so, for what reason?

The answer is in the affirmative. The counties from which, as yet, no applications have been re- ceived for registration under the scheme are as follow:—England:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet considered the Report of the Donough-more Commission on a constitution for Ceylon; whether he approves of the recommendations made by this Committee; and whether he will give this House an opportunity of discussing the proposals before taking any action to put them into effect?

I fear that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone) and to the right hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on this matter on 28th January.