asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any assistance was given by his Department in the production of the film entitled, "We are in the Navy now"?

The reply is in the negative. I understand that this film was produced in the United States of America.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why such a small percentage of officers has been advanced to the rank of Commander and upwards in the dental branch of the Navy, as compared with all other branches; and whether any action and, if so, what will be taken to remedy this inequality?

The establishment of surgeon commanders (D) and surgeon captains (D) is regulated by the requirements of the Service. The present establishment was fixed in 1926, and no reason is seen for revising it now.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the dental branch of the Navy only three officers have been advanced since July, 1926, to the rank of commander, while others of equal number of years' service in rank of lieutenant-commander were not so advanced in rank, which they would have been in all other non-executive branches of the Navy; and what is the reason for this?

Advancement is by selection to fill vacancies in a definite establishment, and is not automatic after a prescribed period of service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether sea service is an essential for advancement to commander's rank and positions above that rank of the dental branch of the Royal Navy; and, if so, whether this principle has been strictly adhered to in all appointments during the last 10 years?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to place the order for the construction in Chatham Dockyard of the submarine depot ship of the 1928 programme?

The ship will be ordered very shortly—during the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state to the latest available date the total number of workpeople engaged in the various industries enjoying safeguarding duties at the present time?

I regret that separate figures are not available in respect of the specific industries to which the Safeguarding of Industries Act applies, with the exception of those re- lating to lace. It is estimated that at July, 1928, there were 17,070 insured work-people aged 16 to 64 in Great Britain classified as belonging to the lace industry.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of workpeople engaged in the productive industry of this country which is to receive de-rating advantages under the Local Government Bills at present before Parliament to the latest available date this year, last year, and 1924, respectively?

In view of the importance of this matter, I should be glad if the hon. Member would repeat his question on Wednesday next.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases before the Court of Referees in Glasgow during the latest week for which figures are available; the number of cases in which the Court was fully constituted; and the total number of workers' and employers' representatives whose services were made use of in hearing cases?

During the week ended 23rd February the Glasgow Court of Referees actually heard 642 cases in the course of 22 sittings, at 10 of which the Court was fully constituted. Fifteen employers' representatives and 12 insured contributors' representatives in all attended the sittings. Appeals are, of course, not heard by incomplete Courts except with the consent of the appellant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the strength of the police force as at the last convenient date in 1928?

The authorised strength of the Scottish police forces on 31st December, 1928, was 6,607 and the actual strength 6,528.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Canadian Government was not kept informed of the progress of the Anglo-French naval negotiations, he will take steps to bring about an improvement in the arrangements made to ensure adequate consultation?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs), and, as regards the second part of the question, to the reply returned on 13th February to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bright-side (Mr. Ponsonby).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations with regard to the proposed transfer of the examinations of marine engineers from North Shields to Newcastle-on-Tyne; whether, before coming to a decision, he will take account of the inconvenience and hardship the change would involve for the candidates, nearly all of whom are students at the marine school, South Shields?

The Board of Trade survey work is being transferred from North Shields to Newcastle and the examinations of engineers would naturally follow this transfer. Representations were made by the marine school at South Shields against the transfer of the examination work and these were very carefully considered, but it was felt that no sufficient case had been made out against the transfer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the figures of emigration from this country to the Empire, and to foreign countries, respectively, in the 10 years preceding the War and in the years since the War?

The following table shows the balances outward of passengers of British nationality from the United Kingdom to ports in the British Empire and in foreign countries, respectively, in each of the years 1904 to 1913, and 1919 to 1928. The balance of the passenger movement is the only measure of the net emigration available for both series of years.

Year.		Balance Outward of British Subjects to:
		British Empire (outside Europe).	Foreign Countries (outside Europe).
1904	…	59,539	67,315
1905	…	77,059	62.306
1906	…	105,178	89,493
1907	…	131,433	103,659
1908	…	58,592	32,564
1909	…	81,722	57,971
1910	…	158,878	74,831
1911	…	210,382	51,427
1912	…	219,988	48,497
1913	…	188,635	53,362
1919	…	31,046	4,044*
1920	…	118,436	54,311
1921	…	84,078	34,860
1922	…	71,707	28,175
1923†	…	119,230	71,153
1924	…	85,287	3,121
1925	…	67,877	19,179
1926	…	100,125	23,204
1927	…	85,065	18,538
1928	…	66,456	16,374
* Inward Balance.
† From 1st April, 1923, the figures are exclusive of passengers who departed from, or arrived at, ports in the Irish Free State.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the steel trade in this country in obtaining sufficient supplies of scrap iron and scrap of other metals at reasonable prices; and whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the best methods of organising the available supplies in this country so as to utilise, them to the best effect?

I am aware that complaints have been made in the sense of the first part of the question, but I think that if the shortage is sufficiently serious to call for special arrangements, the negotiation of such arrangements should properly be conducted between the steel industry and the scrap merchants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the restrictions imposed by France on export of scrap iron and scrap of other metals; what quantity, if any, is allowed to be exported annually; whether this quantity is subject to variation; and whether any negotiations have taken place with the French Government with a view to an increase in the quantity?

The exportation from France of scrap of non-ferrous metals is free from restriction. The export of iron and steel scrap is only permitted under licences which are granted up to specified total quantities for each country of destination during each quarter of the year. The quantities are fixed yearly by the French Government. I am not aware of the total amount allowed to be exported, but the allotment to this country during the last four years has been 30,000 metric tons per annum. The whole of this quantity has never been taken up, and there has, therefore, been no occasion to approach the French Government for an increase in the allotment.

asked the Secretary for Mines what prosecutions have been brought during the 12 months ending the 31st January, 1929, against persons accused of cruelty to pit ponies and other animals used in mines; and what the result of the prosecutions, respectively, has been?

Prosecutions taken in respect of contraventions at three collieries of the Regulations for the care and treatment of pit ponies have been heard during the period in question. Two of these collieries are in the Swansea Division and one in the Cardiff Division. The details are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities who have made by-laws under Section 6 of the Housing Act, 1925, in respect of houses let in lodgings for occupation by the working classes?

The number of series of by-laws made up to 31st December last under Section 6 of the Act of 1925 and the Section in the same terms in the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, is 78.

Local Authority.		Scheme.		Number of owner occupiers.
Plymouth Town Council	…	New Street and Cas le Street	…	3
Wolverhampton Town Council	…	Brick Kiln Croft	…	10
Dudley Town Council	…	Birmingham Street	…	12
Ipswich Town Council	…	Currier Lane	…	2
Brighton Town Council	…	Carlton Hill	…	12
Derby Town Council	…	Nos. 1 and 2 Areas	…	4
Stoke-on-Trent Town Council	…	John Street, Langton	…	2
Knaresborough Urban District	…	Beech Hill	…	Nil.
Exeter City Council	…	No. 4 Area Reconstruction Scheme	…	3
				48
Out of the 48 properties referred to above, 14 are included by the local authorities themselves for purposes of efficiency in the schemes as submitted to me.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons

asked the Minister of Health what schemes for the clearance of alleged insanitary areas submitted to him by local authorities for approval are now awaiting his decision; and, in the event of his sanctioning such schemes, how many owner-occupiers in the area of each scheme, respectively, will have their property acquired by the local authority under such scheme

The following statement gives the information desired:in receipt of parish relief in the towns of Devonport and Plymouth, respectively, specifying the various categories, during the month of January, 1929?

The following statement shows the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief on Satur-

—		Number of persons in receipt of—		Total.
		Institutional Belief (including casuals, but excluding lunatics in county: and borough asylums).	Domiciliary Relief (excluding persons in receipt of medical relief only).
1. Parish of Devonport	…	246	1,950	2,196
2. Parish of Plymouth	…	687	2,650	3,337

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons residing in the borough of Southwark who were insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and who received poor relief during unemployment in the months of December, 1928, and January, 1929?

The average number of persons unemployed and in receipt of Poor Law relief residing in the Southwark Union (which is co-extensive with the borough) who were insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts was 624 in December, 1928, and 670 in January, 1929.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a new regimental quick march has been approved for the Royal Corps Of Signals; and for what period this matter has been under consideration?

A regimental quick march for the Royal Corps of Signals was approved at the beginning of this year. The proposal for this march came from the Corps Committee last October.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the marriage allowance under the allowance regulations of 1924 has been dealt with and what decision has been arrived at, showing the rates of marriage allowance to operate between April of this year and March, 1930?

The rates of marriage allowance for the financial year depend upon the cost of living figure published by the Ministry of Labour for the previous 1st January. The figure for 1st January last was published in the middle of January. The rates of marriage allowance for the ensuing year will be the same as in the current year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give the figures showing the extent to which farmers are taking advantage of the provisions of Part II of the Agricultural Credits Act?

The number of farmers' names on the register of agricultural charges on 21st February, 1929, was 963.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, taking 1913 and the latest available year, he will give the comparative number of farmers and farms, the acreage of arable land, the acreage of grass land, the labourers employed, the total number of people engaged in agriculture, and also the number of allotment holders?

The following statements show for 1913 and 1928 the number of holdings in respect of which returns were received by the Ministry, and also the acreage of arable land and grass land, and the number of agricultural workers employed in each of these years. The number of allotment holders is given for 1913 and 1927. The number of holdings includes land other than ordinary farms, and in regard to the number of workers employed the figures for 1913 and 1928 are not comparable owing to the fact that in 1913 all members of occupiers' families were excluded from the returns, whereas in 1928 only occupiers and their wives were so excluded. Any comparison

—					1913.	1928.
Number of holdings	…	…	…	…	435,677	400,895
Acreage of arable land	…	…	…	…	11,058,233 acres	10,108,745 acres
Acreage of permanent grass	…	…	…	…	16,071,149 acres	15,396,507 acres

Number of Workers.			1913.			1928.
			Regular Workers.	Casual Workers.	Total.	Regular Workers.	Casual Workers.	Total
Males	…	…	508,000	78,000	586,000	583,184	86,953	670,137
Women and Girls	…	…	43,000	22,000	65,000	67,418	35,270	102,688
Total	…	…	551,000	100,000	651,000	650,602	122,223	772,825

The returns of allotments for the years 1913 and 1927 (the latest available) are not comparable. In 1913 returns were collected only from the councils of towns, urban districts and parishes. Moreover, the returns show the occupiers of allotments partly as individuals and partly as associations, comprising an unknown number of individuals. In 1927 returns were collected from the above authorities and from parish meetings in addition, the number of authorities being 13,979 against 8,300 in 1913. Returns were also collected of allotments provided privately. The totals for the two years are as follow:

—	Allotment Holders.	Number of Authorities furnishing returns.
1913	118,240 and 49 associations.	7,950
1927	1,022,580	12,733

The followig figures show the totals, excluding parish meetings and private allotments:

1913	…	118,240 and 49 associations.	7,950
1927	…	483,903	8,094

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Dutch potatoes have been supplied to the soldiers at Catterick Camp, Yorkshire; and whether he has satisfied himself as to the connection between this fact and the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the North Riding?

I am informed that only locally-grown potatoes have been supplied to the troops at Catterick Camp during the last few months; the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of drainage schemes proposed by county authorities and already sanctioned, the approximate total, the estimated cost, and the approximate area affected?

A certain number of schemes have been the subject of correspondence recently between county councils and the Ministry in connection with the transfer of unemployed labour, but no scheme has yet been finally sanctioned. I would also add that although no county council has yet carried out any scheme under Section 1 of the Land Drainage Act, 1926, considerable use has been made by county councils of the other powers afforded to them under that Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the principal items of State expenditure in relation to agriculture in England and Wales during the present financial year?

The principal items of State expenditure in relation to agriculture in England and Wales during the present financial year are as follow:

	£
Collection of Agricultural Statistics	36,000
Agricultural Education	303,750
Agricultural Research	310,750
Eradication of Diseases of Animals	185,000*
Live Stock Improvement	52,900
Land Settlement	920,000†
Land Drainage	95,500
Agricultural Wages Regulation	36,900‡
Agricultural Credits and Cooperation	328,000§
Improvement of Marketing of Agricultural Produce	25,000
Rural Industries Development	10,600
Beet Sugar Subsidy	2,975,000
Relief of Agricultural Rates	4,735,000
Total	£1 0,014,400
The figures in this statement are based generally on the Parliamentary Estimates for the year. They exclude expenses of administration (salaries, travelling, rent, rates, stationery and printing, superannuation, postage, etc.).
* Includes Scotland. This figure does not include provision for any contributions from the Local Taxation Accounts under statutory direction which may be necessary if

—		1926.		1927.		1928.
		No. of hours.	Cost.	No. of hours.	Coat.	No. of hours.	Cost.
			£		£		£
Paid overtime:
Established Staff	…	264,627	55,010	242,322	37,456	268,228	41,624
Temporary Staff	…	276,474		119,609		142,176	41,624
Unpaid Overtime:
Established Staff	…	156,691	—	157,776	—	153,466	—
Totals	…	697,792	55,010	519,707	37,456	563,870	41,624

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total capital guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act and the amount in respect of which guarantees are still outstanding?

The total amount guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts was £74,251,780, and the amount in respect of which guarantees are still outstanding is £66,870,751.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amount of overtime, paid and unpaid, was recorded among members of the clerical staff, established and temporary, of the taxes branch of the Inland Revenue Department for the years 1926, 1927, and 1928, respectively, and the cost thereof?

The following statement supplies the required information:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons who paid Super-tax on an amount of £100,000 or more for the last financial year?

The statistics collected concerning the Super-tax do not distinguish the payments made in any year by reference to the total income of the payer. The only information available by reference to total income relates to the assessments made for a year, and particulars of these will be found in the Super-tax sections of the Annual Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any steps have been taken, or are in contemplation, for carrying out the proposals in regard to the Indian military service family pensions contained in the circular letter issued by the India Office in July, 1927 (A.G. 12,436/26)?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 14th November to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has now had an opportunity of considering the Report of the Mental Deficiency Committee; whether he is aware that there is a desire amongst all persons interested in questions affecting mental deficiency, both voluntary societies and statutory bodies, to have an early opportunity of perusing the Report; and whether it will be possible to publish at least the portion of the Report dealing with the educational side of the Committee's work before the end of March?

Perhaps I may refer my right hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave last Thursday to a question by the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison). For the reasons I then gave, I am afraid that the Report cannot be ready for publication before Easter.