asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called by his Department to the failure of a Welsh coal miner to get any kind of work despite diligent efforts on his part to secure it both in South Wales and in the Midlands, namely, Alfred Hunt, of 11, Hilder Street, Treforest, Glamorganshire, who is only 29 years of age, in good health, a skilled miner, with wife and child; is he aware that this man went to the Midlands on the advice of the local court of referees on 21st January last and has failed to get work there to date; and will he ascertain why this man was sent to the Midlands by his officials?

Mr. Hunt was not sent to the Midlands by officials of my Department, and I cannot say whether he was advised by the court of referees to go there. I understand, however, that he is a native of the Wolverhampton district, having gone to South Wales in the last few years for coal-mining work and having been unemployed in South Wales for a year and nine months.

asked the Minister of Labour approximately the number of unemployed in the following countries: United States of America, France, Belgium, and Germany?

Information with regard to these and other countries is given monthly in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette." The following is a summary of the latest available information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the granting of assistance to schemes for tile and open draining in those counties where local unemployment is severe?

The financial facilities which were recently announced in connection with land drainage schemes for the relief of unemployment were designed with one object in view, namely, to assist the transfer of unemployed labour from certain depressed mining areas. I have specially considered the position in Northumberland and Durham, but I regret that I cannot see my way to consider schemes of the kind referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend in these depressed areas, as such schemes would conflict with the objects underlying the Government's existing programme.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that several colliery companies in South Yorkshire are refusing to pay the recognised minimum wage; and, if so, what steps does he intend to take?

I have received no complaints of this nature from South Yorkshire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of Dominion and foreign timber imported into this country in each of the last three years?

The following table shows the quantities and declared values of wood and timber, imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland dur-

Description and Year.	Imports consigned from Foreign Countries.		Imports consigned from British Countries.
	Quantities.	Declared Values.	Quantities.	Declared Values.
Recorded by cubic feet (comprising most of the hard woods):	Thousand cubic feet.	£'000.	Thousand cubic feet.	£'000.
1926	22,631	5,670	8,352	2,276
1927	26,207	6,330	9,891	2,438
1928	27,267	6,573	11,437	2,860
Recorded by loads (mostly soft woods, including pitprops, etc.):	Thousand loads.		Thousand loads.
1926	7.290	29,523	285	1,790
1927	9,884	38,876	373	2,022
1928	8,226	31,385	319	1,740
Total declared value:
1926		35,193		4,066
1927		45,206		4,460
1928		37,958		4,600
Note.—The figures for 1928 are provisional.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of blast furnaces in Great Britain, Belgium, France, and Germany at the beginning of the year, and the number then in blast in each of the countries named?

The following table shows the numbers of blast furnaces in Great Britain, Belgium, France and Germany at the end of 1928 and the numbers in blast, as reported by the competent authorities in the several countries.

Country.	Total number of blast furnaces. 31st December, 1928.	Number of furnaces in blast. 31st December, 1928.
Great Britain	424	132
Belgium	61	56
France	221	153
Germany	184	101

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any letter of protest from the Glasgow Corporation regarding certain authorities' refusal to deal with the problem of sewage purification on the Clyde, and asking that the delay in dealing with this problem should now end; and if he has taken action on the matter?

I would refer to the reply on this subject given to the hon. Member on 20th December, 1928. Since that date the only communication received by my right hon. Friend from the Corporation of Glasgow is one dated the 15th instant. The matters dealt with in that communication are at present receiving attention, and it is hoped that it will be possible to reply to the Corporation at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales at the last convenient date, showing the total number of persons relieved?

The total number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales, excluding lunatics in asylums, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only, and casuals, on Saturday, 9th February, 1929, was 1,131,888. The number of persons in the excluded classes was approximately 127,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in Scotland at the last convenient date?

The following table gives the desired information as at 15th September, 1928:

—	Poor.	Dependants.	Total.
Destitute Able-bodied Unemployed.	24,571	53,834	78,405
Ordinary Poor (including Lunatic Poor*).	81,952	49,525	131,477
	106,523	103,359	209,882
* Separate figures for Lunatic Poor are not available as at 15th September, 1928. The number of Lunatic Poor chargeable at 15th May, 1928, was 18,711, and the figure does not vary to any appreciable extent.

asked the Minister of Health what representations have been made to him by, or on behalf of, the London County Council, or some com- mittee thereof, regarding the operation of Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925; what suggestions have been made to him by, or on behalf of, that authority or committee for the amendment of the law relating to the payment of compensation to the owners of dwellings which would be unexceptional if not situate in an insanitary area; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?

I have not received any representations from the London County Council or any of its committees on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total expenditure of the Passport Office; and what is the amount derived in fees?

The total expenditure of the Passport Office, including the branch office at Liverpool, for the year ended 31st March, 1928, was £70,133. The total sum received in fees during the same period was £106,178.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of War medals issued during each of the years 1927 and 1928; and the total staff of the medals branch at the War Office during each of these periods?

The approximate numbers of medals, clasps, etc., issued in 1927 and 1928 were 37,000 and 28,500, respectively. The staff of the medals branch for the two years, as provided in Army Estimates, was two officers, 33 civilians and one officer, 21 civilians, respectively. The issue of medals, however, is not the only function of this branch.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons enlisted for regular service in the Army during the year 1928; and what percentage of the recruits were unemployed at the time they enlisted?

The number of recruits for the Regular Army finally approved during the recruiting year ending 30th September, 1928, was 30,185. As regards the second part of the question, records are only available in respect of the London area, where 71 per cent. of the recruits were stated to be unemployed at the time of enlistment. This percentage is obtained from the statements of the recruits; no independent check is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a conclusion has now been come to in regard to the future of the site of Chilwell?

No, Sir. The question is one of some complexity depending on the co-ordinated consideration of a variety of related factors, and I regret that it is not yet possible to come to a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that road work has been the principal occupation of the roads and communications department in the Southern Command since 1925, and that its plant is adapted for modern road-making and not for the reinstatement of camp sites; will he state the amount of expenditure incurred in the maintenance and improvement of roads under the control of the department during the last 12 months; and whether, in view of the fact that the roads and communications department has a body of men skilled in the work, and possesses its own plant, such as tar-sprayers, lorries, etc., he will reconsider the decision to close the department down and give the work out to contract?

As the salvage and reinstatement work, for which the roads and communications department was primarily designed, has gradually reached completion, the proportion which the road work bore to the total has naturally increased though its actual volume has not. Much of the road plant is worn out and would require re- placement if the organisation were to continue. As regards the second part of the question, £35,000 was allotted during the current financial year for road work. As regards the last part, I regret that it would not be justifiable on financial or administrative grounds to continue this separate organisation indefinitely.

asked the Secretary of State for War the strength of the British force in German territory, distinguishing the separate arms?

The strength of the British Army of the Rhine, excluding a small infantry detachment of about 100 serving in the Saar district, on 1st February, 1929, was as follows:

Cavalry	…	499
Royal Artillery	…	370
Royal Engineers	…	248
Royal Corps of Signals	…	169
Infantry	…	3,523
Royal Tank Corps	…	44
Other Services	…	1,149
Total	…	6,002

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of payments of £50 or less made to those claiming compensation from the Irish Grants Committee, also the aggregate amount paid?

The number of payments of £50 or less made or in course of being made on the recommendations of the Irish Grants Committee is 244, amounting in the aggregate to £8,531 10s.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office are giving out work in the East of Scotland in connection with cable-laying to outside contractors?

A small amount of duct-laying work in this district will shortly be carried out by contractors.

asked the Postmaster-General how many men have been dismissed from the Post Office service in the East of Scotland district during the last 12 months, and how many of these were ex-service men; and, in view of the declared policy of the Government, why these men are not transferred to ether Post Office work instead of being turned out after years of service, sometimes with only two days' notice?

In consequence of completion of work, the services of 236 men in the Engineering Department (of whom 191 were ex-service men) have unfortunately had to be terminated in the Scotland East district since 1st February, 1928. The terms of engagement of these workmen admitted of their discharge without notice, but it is the practice to give as long notice as possible, and I understand that seven only were given less than a week's notice. Employment in an unestablished capacity in the Engineering Department gives no claim to employment in other subordinate grades in the Post Office, e.g., as postmen, for which there are long waiting lists of ex-service men. It is however, of course, open to ex-service men discharged from the Engineering Department to register at the Employment Exchange for postmanships; and they would then be considered in their turn with other ex-service men. The discharged men will be considered for further employment in the Engineering Department as opportunities occur.

asked the Postmaster-General what revenue is derived from the display of advertisements in post offices; whether any restrictions are imposed upon the nature of the advertisements; and, if so, what these restrictions are?

The revenue derived from advertisements in post offices during 1928 was £36,700. An additional revenue of about £5,700 accrued from advertisements in tele- phone call boxes, making a total of £42,400. Restrictions are imposed to prevent the acceptance of advertisements which are regarded as unsuitable for display. In particular, all advertisements are refused which relate to betting, gaming, or to any illegal or immoral business, or which appear to be contrary to public safety.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is now in a position to state the terms of settlement of scaffolders' wages in connection with the difficulties which have arisen during the renovation of the Houses of Parliament?

Agreement has been reached for an additional payment of 2d. per hour to scaffolders in view of the difficulties involved in their work, in addition to which they will be paid height money in accordance with the trade agreement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if his attention has been called to the unclean state of the windows of the Palace of Westminster; whether the cleaning of such windows is let out to contract; and, if so, the terms of the agreement, setting forth the periods when each set of windows are cleaned?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The frequency of periodic cleaning is laid down in a lengthy schedule and varies according to the character and use made of the accommodation, but I may say that in the main windows are cleaned either once in six weeks or once in 12 weeks, regard being had to the Sittings of the Houses. If the hon. Member will indicate any particular windows which he has in mind, the First Commissioner of Works will consider if any additional cleaning is called for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many persons were recruited for the Navy in the year 1928, and what percentage of such recruits were unemployed at the time of enlisting?

The question as first put down asked for the figures for 1929. This date has now been altered to 1928, but the amount of work involved in getting out the figures for 1928 would be very great. If the hon. Member would like to have the figures for a sample period of seven weeks in 1928, I will have them worked out or, alternatively, supply the figures for the seven weeks of 1929 for which he originally asked and which have been prepared.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what percentage of the annual meat supply to the land forces of the Navy is represented, according to the last available figures, by meat of British origin, including Irish Free State, Empire origin, and foreign origin, respectively, stating what percentage is represented by fresh, chilled, frozen, and preserved, and giving the cost in each ease?

The meat (other than preserved) supplied from Service sources is "frozen" and is of Empire origin. The last annual purchase of preserved meat was 40 per cent. Empire origin and 60 per cent. foreign origin. The approximate cost on this basis has been:

	£
Frozen meat (Empire origin)	62,500
Preserved meat (Empire origin)	1,700
Preserved meat (foreign origin)	2,300

Preserved meat of foreign origin was purchased because no further quantities of meat of Empire origin of a quality suitable for naval requirements were offered by the firms tendering.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what would be the estimated extra cost if only British, including Irish Free State, meat were supplied to the land forces of the Navy for one day a week, two days a week, and three days a week, respectively?

The meat supplied to Royal Navy shore establishments and Marine divisions is "frozen" and of Empire origin, and the extra cost per day of supplying home-killed fresh meat to these establishments would be approximately £130, or, say, 87 per cent. over the cost of the Dominion frozen meat.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, seeing that his agreement to subsidise the National Flying Services, Limited, in respect of each pilot trained contains no other condition than that the company either itself or by the aid of municipal authorities should provide a certain number of landing grounds, in view of the wide scope planned for this company's activities, he has retained any voice in framing its policy and administration?

The answer is in the negative. The essence of the scheme is that it is one of payment by results, and it must be left to the company to decide without Government interference the nature of the policy and administration which will lead to those results.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether before entering into an agreement to pay a subsidy exclusively to the new company, the National Flying Services, Limited, he took consultation with accredited representatives either of light aeroplane clubs or of existing commercial enterprises other than Imperial Airways or of the aircraft industry?

There has been no undertaking to make payments exclusively to the new company, nor could there be, since payments to the light aeroplane clubs will continue under existing agreements. I have throughout been well aware of the points in which the scheme might affect, or be thought to affect, other interests, and there was therefore no necessity for prior consultation. I may add, however, that at a subsequent stage I consented to receive, and did in fact receive, a deputation from the only interests who applied to me for an opportunity for discussing the scheme with a view to the elucidation of certain points as to which they expressed themselves as in doubt.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the subsidy promised to National Flying Services, Limited, in respect of each pilot trained by them will be payable a second time in respect of a pilot who requalifies after the lapse of his certificate and whether it is proposed to pay the subsidy in respect of pilots who originally qualified at a light aeroplane club and who, after a lapse, requalify under the subsidised company's instruction?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative, subject to the fulfilment of the general terms of the agreement, which are not yet finally settled, regarding past or present service in the Air Force, etc. I would draw the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the fact that, as explained in the White Paper recently laid (Cmd. 3264), the proposed agreement with National Flying Services will provide only for flat rate grants (1) of £10 per annum during the first three years and (2) of £5 per annum for the next seven years in respect of each club member who qualifies for the issue or renewal of a pilot's licence, i.e., there is no special differential rate payable on first qualification. The agreements with the light aeroplane clubs, on the other hand, provide for an initial payment of £50 for each club member on first qualification and a subsequent licence grant of £10 annually for each such member who continues to hold a pilot's licence, in addition to a payment of £1 10s. in respect of each hour's flying, up to an annual maximum of 20 hours, i.e., £30.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the staircase exit at the Aldwych tube station has a locked gate, preventing the public from using it, and the only means of exit is by the lift, which is also used as a booking office, and would cause danger to life in case of emergency; and will he take steps to have this staircase exit made immediately available to the public?

I am informed that the gate at the top of the emergency stairs at this station is not locked but opens outwards only. There is, therefore, nothing to prevent passengers from using the stairs for exit purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of teacher-pensioners who are receiving pension under the Acts of 1898 and 1912; the average amount of that pension; and the number of those teacher-pensioners who receive no increase of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924?

On 31st January, 1929, there were 3,494 teachers receiving superannuation or disablement allowances under the Acts of 1898 and 1912, and the average amount of these allowances (excluding annuities) was £37 4s. The present number of these pensioners receiving no increase of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, is 948.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of licensed premises and registered clubs in England and Wales as at the last convenient date in 1928?

On the information at present available it would appear that on 1st January, 1928, there were 79,330 premises with on-licences, 22,174 premises with off-licences, and 12,481 registered clubs. Final figures will be published in the volume of licensing statistics for 1928.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of persons in receipt of War pensions, grants, and allowances, giving the total amount payable as at the last convenient date?

The total number of pensioners is estimated to be about 975,000. The total amount payable in pensions, grants and allowances for the current financial year, included in the Vote for my Department, is £53,887,000.