asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been transferred from mining areas to employment in some other part of this country in each of the weeks since 31st December, 1928?

The total number of men transferred from the depressed coal areas through the Employment Exchanges to employment in other parts of the country from 31st December to 22nd February is approximately 4,700. Statistics for each calendar week are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Employment Exchange at Garston had not drawn sufficient money to pay unemployment benefit on Friday the 22nd instant, and did not realise this until the banks were closed, and that some of the men entitled to benefit had to wait till the following Monday; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to stopping the recurrence of any such inconvenience?

There was sufficient cash at the Garston Exchange to meet normal requirements on Friday, 22nd February, but an unusually large number of claimants attended late on that day to apply for payment of benefit for previous weeks which they had not called for on regular pay-days. At about 7 p.m. it became apparent that the cash in hand was insufficient, and as the banks were closed the Exchange was unable to obtain more money. About 55 claimants who could not be paid were invited to attend on Monday, 25th February, when payment was made. I regret that steps were not taken to make payment on Saturday, 23rd February, as would have been possible under the existing instructions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are prepared to give further financial assistance to local authorities in dealing with the problem of unemployment?

The Government have nothing to add at present to the statements already made on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there exists any special campaign pension for men who served in the Boer War who possess a medal and who are now 65 years of age; and if there are any further conditions precendent to the grant of such a pension?

The conditions governing the award of special campaign pensions are contained in Article 1061 Pay Warrant, 1926, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of industrial employés in the service of the War Department; and the number of such employés who are entitled to at least one week's holiday with pay each year?

The number of persons at War Department establishments at home who are classified as industrials is approximately 24,000. Such employés, in general, receive pay on certain public holidays, the number of which varies at different establishments. As a body they do not receive annual leave with pay, as distinct from those holidays, but there are approximately 1,000 of them of somewhat special grades to whom six or more days annual leave with pay is at present granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make a statement on the cause of the explosion, followed by fire, which took place at Woolwich Arsenal on 4th March?

A Court of Inquiry has been appointed, and, until I receive its report, I am unable to make any statement regarding the cause of the explosion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of blast furnaces in operation during the month of February of this year; and the total tonnage of imported pig iron for the years 1912, 1913, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1928?

The number of blast furnaces in operation in the United Kingdom at the end of January last, as reported by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers, was 139. The corresponding figure for the end of February is not yet available. The following statement shows the total tonnage of pig-iron imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years 1912, 1913 and 1919 to 1928:

Year.	Tons.
1912	168,088
1913	184,774
1919	159,772
1920	214,309
1921	673,824
1922	153,566
1923	90,556
1924	287,221
1925	264,375
1926	477,778
1927	597,258
1928 (a)	93,733
(a) The figures for 1928 are provisional.

NOTE.—From 1st April, 1923, the above figures exclude direct foreign imports into the Irish Free Stat

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of the claims of British subjects resident in Great Britain for injuries received by enemy action in the late War; and what amount of money has been paid in settlement of these claims?

The information asked for is not available, as no separate records were kept of the number or amount of claims preferred by British subjects resident in Great Britain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of claims preferred by British subjects resident in Great Britain for compensation for injuries received by enemy action in the late War; and how many of these claims have been settled in full?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the other answer which I have given him on the subject of these claims.

asked the Postmaster-General why his Department has asked for the mail sailings between the Isle of Man and Liverpool to be changed from day to night sailings; whether the proposed times of arrival and departure at Douglas can be furnished; the reasons which have actuated the Post Office in requesting the change of sailings; whether he is prepared to consult with the staff; and whether he has taken any steps to obtain public opinion on the island as to the suggested change?

No such request has been made by my Department, and the other parts of the question do not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will give details of the causes of the disturbances which took place in Mirzapur Park, Calcutta, on Monday last; and of the arrest of Mr. Gandhi and Dr. K. S. Roy?

Mr. Gandhi was not arrested. The facts are that in view of an announcement in the Press that a meeting was to be held in a public park in Calcutta on the evening of 4th March to burn foreign cloths, the Government of Bengal caused the Secretary of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee, Mr. Kiren Roy, to be notified that the lighting of a bonfire would be a contravention of the Calcutta Police Act. At the meeting Mr. Gandhi stated that he was advised that the notice bad no legal effect, and took personal responsibility for the bonfire. Mr. Gandhi's persistence in his interpretation of the law led to a melee in which two inspectors of police, 14 sergeants, 17 other ranks and some members of the public received more or less serious injuries, and 26 persons were arrested. Mr. Gandhi left the meeting and was afterwards informed that he would be prosecuted. Later it was arranged that the prosecution would be postponed until his return from Burma on his undertaking for himself and the Congress that no similar bonfire should take place in Calcutta in the meantime.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if it is proposed by the Government of India to create a fund for road development in India out of the proceeds derived from an increase of the present duty on motor spirit?

The reply is in the affirmative, but the proposals still await the approval of the Indian Legislature.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give particulars as to the constitution of the Board of Revenue set up by the Government of India to examine applications for permission to import dangerous drugs into India?

The Central Board of Revenue, which has now been appointed by the Government of India to be the competent authority for the purpose referred to by the hon. Member, was constituted in 1924 under the Indian Central Board of Revenue Act, 1924, for the discharge of various administrative functions relating to income tax, customs, salt, opium, excise and stamp duties. The Board, which is appointed by the Governor-General in Council, consists at present of two members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Finance Minister of Mexico has stated that in future the national income will permit the complete payment of the interest and amortisation of various sections which compose the public debt, he will ascertain when it is the intention of the Mexican Government to make good its obligations towards British holders of Mexican Government bonds, which that Government has failed in whole or in part to pay for the last 15 years?

His Majesty's representative has reported that the Mexican Congress during their December session passed a law authorising the Government to negotiate a new settlement of Mexico's foreign debt with the International Committee of Bankers, who represent the foreign bondholders. I understand that the negotiations have been in progress for some time past. No inquiries of the Mexican Government are contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make any statement relating to the revolutionary outbreak in Mexico, in the State of Vera Cruz, on 3rd March; and is he satisfied that the lives and properties of British nationals are adequately protected during the trouble?

According to reports from His Majesty's representative at Mexico City, the position on the Vera Cruz front is as follows: A revolt broke out in Vera Cruz on 3rd March under General Aguirre, who obtained control of the State of Vera Cruz and of the railway to Mexico City as far as the central plateau. The Mexican Government have rapidly concentrated troops on this front, and the rebels are stated to be falling back before them. As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government can rely with confidence on His Majesty's Minister at Mexico City to take such steps and to make such recommendations as the situation demands for the protection of British life and property in Mexico.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the Italian Government has decided to forgo the payment on visas by American visitors to Italy, His Majesty's Government will consider taking a similar step with a view to encouraging a larger number of American visitors to England?

No, Sir. The very careful inquiries which have been made into this question have not revealed any evidence that visa fees influence tourist traffic, and in the circumstances His Majesty's Government are not prepared, in the absence of exact reciprocity, to incur the financial sacrifice which an arrangement of this kind would inevitably entail. I would remind my hon. Friend that the arrangement accepted by the Italian Government confers considerably greater benefits upon United States citizens than upon Italian nationals.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as the new German armoured vessels will be of 10,000 tons standard displacement, he will say what figure would represent that tonnage if measured by the method which was in force at the time of the Treaty of Versailles?

As no information has been published as to the fuel to be carried in these German vessels, it is not possible to estimate the resulting difference between the various tonnage measurements.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the extra cost for petrol per week for the Air Force as the result of the recent increase in price?

The extra cost based on average weekly consumption is estimated at £640 per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of civil flying machines of all kinds now in use or available for use under British control?

The number of civil aircraft registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 453, of which 361 have been granted certificates of airworthiness and may be regarded as in use or available for use; the remaining 92 are aircraft in various stages of construction or under examination for certificates of airworthiness.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any arrangements have yet been entered into in reference to the establishment of a seaplane service in the West Indies?

The position as regards British civil air transport in the West Indies remains unchanged since my reply to my hon. Friend on 19th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements are being made by the Government to offer hospitality to the foreign teams who are coming to England this autumn to take part in the international competition for the Schneider trophy?

Hospitality will be afforded to the visiting teams at the Royal Air Force base, Calshot.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of public elementary pupils under 11 and 11 and over, respectively, in classes 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and over 70, respectively, at a suitable date in each year from 1923 to 1928?

I am afraid that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available, but I should be happy to send him particulars of the number of classes containing 41–50, 51–60, and over 60 pupils, respectively, over a series of years, if they would be of assistance to him.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the number of men and youth, respectively, employed in the work of afforestation by the Forestry Commissioners on the latest available date?

On the 1st ultimo the Forestry Commission were employing 2,378 men, 44 women and 283 juveniles.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the number of bunaglows at Greenwich, Eltham and Welling sold by his Department, and the average amount per house realised by the sale?

The number of bungalows sold was 1,822. I regret that I cannot disclose the prices paid without the consent of the purchasers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the bungalows at Welling, Kent, sold by his Department were sold subject to any restrictions with regard to the rent to be charged to the tenants by the Holbrook Estate Company, as agents for the purchasers?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary the number of hours of overtime worked by stewards and clerks in the prison service for the year ended 31st December, 1928?

The aggregate figure for the year is 22,418 hours, which gives an average of under two hours per week per man. For an explanation I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question on 13th December last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to revise electoral law so as to provide that; where electors live a distance of two miles or more from a polling station conveyances shall be provided at State expense to enable them to travel in order to use their votes?

I do not think that legislation for this purpose is practicable.

asked the Home Secretary what is the annual cost of providing a police officer on point duty; how many such points for traffic control are maintained by the Metropolitan Police; whether his attention has been called to the light signals in use in the borough of Wolverhampton; and whether he will consider the adoption of such signals in the Metropolitan Police district?

The average cost of a constable, allowing for the prospective pension, is at the rate of about £320 per annum. The number of traffic points being worked at a given time varies a good deal, but may be taken as about 700. I am aware of the use of traffic signal lights at Wolverhampton and elsewhere, and as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport stated on the 5th instant, he is endeavouring to arrange for lights to be installed experimentally in London.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to registration fees that are charged by private employment agencies to applicants making application to them; and will he consider the introduction of legislation to have as its object the abolition of these fees and the placing of private employment agencies that are not licensed under police control?

If the hon. Member refers to the preliminary fees which may be charged by an employment agency for placing an applicant's name on its books, I am advised that by-laws limiting the amount which may be charged in this way can be made under the existing powers given by the Public Health Act, 1907, and such by-laws have been made by, for instance, the London County Council.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a crane which crashed on Saturday morning, 23rd February, and overhung in Burleigh Street, Strand, injuring one person; and whether cranes or machinery erected in the public streets of London are tested by any of the officers of either his Department or the Metropolitan Police authorities?

I have received a report which shows that this crane was erected on a building in course of construction adjoining a public street, and that the building regulations in force under the Factory Act applied. Machinery of this kind is not tested by the police or any officers of my Department, but under the regulations it is the duty of the building contractor, so far as practicable, to have it examined in position at least once in every week by a competent person. The question of strengthening the regulations both in this and other respects has been under discussion with the makers of cranes and the building employers and operatives, and I am glad to state that an agreement has now been reached which should secure a higher standard of safety. Amending regulations to give effect to this agreement will be proceeded with as soon as practicable.

asked the Home Secretary the number of proceedings for drunkenness and convictions for drunkenness, male and female, in the Metropolitan Police district and the

Year.		Metropolitan Police District.			City of London.
		No. of proceedings.	Number of Convictions.		No. of proceedings.	Number of Convictions.
			Males.	Females.		Males.	Females.
1919	…	23,683	15,486	5,188	446	322	57
1920	…	33,185	23,581	6,375	491	399	44
1921	…	30,091	21,916	5,494	416	329	49
1922	…	33,912	24,389	6,410	557	432	102
1923	…	32,983	23,414	6,610	498	396	70
1924	…	33,018	23,512	6,536	426	332	57
1925	…	32,900	23,197	6,384	442	334	60
1926	…	32,010	22,631	6,226	388	269	48
1927	…	30,123	21,177	5,977	411	293	84
1928	…	26,057	18,364	4,916	386	280	81

The figures for 1919 to 1927 are taken from Table VI of the Annual Volumes of Licensing Statistics, and those for the year 1928 are estimated for the Volume now in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Health what number of persons died of small-pox during the recent epidemic; what number died of influenza during the present epidemic; whether he has consulted, or will consult, his medical staff as to the importance of early medical attendance in influenza; and will he make an order under the power reserved to him under Section 2 (1) of the Poor Law Act, 1927, and his other powers, empowering the guardians of every rural parish of which any part is three miles or more from a relieving officer to make the same order in cases of illness for medical and other relief, but not in money, which the overseers could have made before their powers were transferred to the relieving officer in 1927?

The number of deaths classified to small-pox for the purposes of the Registrar-General's statistics during the 13 months ended on 31st January last was 58. No statistics are at present available as to the total number of deaths from influenza during the current year. I am aware of the importance of early medical attention

The number of proceeding for drunkenness and convictions for drunkenness in the Metropolitan Police district and City of London during the years 1919 to 1928, are as follow:—in cases of influenza, but as at present advised, I see no reason to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the statement of the medical officer of health for Stepney to the effect that many cases of small-pox have been mistaken for influenza; and whether any special instructions have been issued by his Department to medical officers under his control for special precautions to avoid these occurrences in future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, no special instructions have been issued, but reference has been made to the matter in a Circular issued by my Department last year and in the Annual Reports of the Chief Medical Officer.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any record of the arrears of rent and rates owing in respect of houses owned by local authorities; and, if so, what amounts were owing at the date of the latest returns?

Local authorities are not required to render returns of arrears of rents and rates in respect of houses owned by them, and no such returns are in fact made. The only records in my Department as regards arrears of rent are contained in the assisted scheme accounts rendered by local authorities under the 1919 Housing Act, but these, of course, refer only to houses provided under that Act.

asked the Minister of Health the number of condemned houses in England and Wales as at the last convenient date; and has he any figures that will show the approximate number of the inhabitants of these houses?

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the approximate number of persons who live in areas designated as slums in England and Wales as at the last convenient date?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what are the estimated amounts for each rating authority's area in Somerset of the loss of rates due to derating, distinguishing the amounts in respect of agricultural hereditaments, industrial hereditaments, and freight-transport hereditaments, respectively; and the loss of rates due to withdrawal of grants now paid?

With regard to the first part of the question, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Part X of the Return "Rates levied by Local Authorities (England and Wales)," which contains, on pages 3 and 10 to 13, full information as to the amount of rates estimated by the rating authorities to have been levied in the year 1927–28 in respect of the various classes of rateable property in each rating area in Somerset. With regard to the second part of the question, the amount of the Exchequer grants which would have been discontinued in the year 1926–27 under the provisions of the Local Government Bill, if those provisions had then been in force, in respect of areas in Somerset, is estimated to be £365,000. This sum includes £358,000 in respect of services which under the Bill would be administered by the county council and £7,000 in respect of services which would be administered by town and district councils.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Glenville Glanmore Jones, of Newcastle Emlyn, the orphaned child of parents who were not married but who were both insured, the mother having died in 1920 and the father, who while he lived contributed regularly to the boy's support, in 1928; and whether, seeing that a claim for an orphan's pension has been rejected on the ground that the child is not an orphan within the meaning of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, in a case which involves, as this does, exceptional hardship, he will exercise discretion in favour of the applicant?

I find that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question; as regards the second part the hon. Member is undo a misapprehension in thinking that I have a discretion in the matter. I have no power to award a pension where the conditions of the Act are not complied with.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of representing to local authorities that only British subjects should be employed by them?

I do not think that local authorities need any representations from me in a matter of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the condition of the buildings of the infectious diseases hospital (tuberculosis section) for the burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw owing to subsidence; whether it is within his knowledge that with the view of protecting their property the town council acquired a seam of coal in 1915 at a cost of £750, but found that the cost of complete protection by this method would be prohibitive, and that buildings which cost altogether £22,000 are now damaged and show signs of serious subsidence; and if he will consider whether assistance can be given to the town council for the purpose of restoring the damage?

My attention has been called to the circumstances referred to in the question. I understand that on technical advice and after consultation with the Department of Health for Scotland the town council have decided to defer permanent measures for the restoration of the damage until the mining operations are finished, and are meantime carrying out only such repairs as are immediately necessary to keep the buildings habitable. No request has been made by the town council for Special financial assistance and, apart from any assistance that may properly be given by the Department of Health from the annual tuberculosis grant, I am not satisfied that there is any ground to justify assistance from national funds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of Civil Service pre-War pensioners on the rolls to-day; the number receiving the benefits of the Pensions Increase Acts, 1920 to 1924; and comparative figures when the Pensions Increase Acts, 1920 to 1924, came into force?

So far as can be estimated, the total number of Civil Service pre-War pensioners on the rolls on 25th February, 1929, was 13,765, and the number receiving on that date the benefits of the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, was 8,633; the comparative figures when the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, came into force were:

August, 1920	23,982 and 14,896
August, 1924	19,064 and 12,183

In the above figures the term "pre-War pensioners" is taken as meaning not only persons in receipt of pensions granted before 4th August, 1914, but as including also those whose pensions were granted before 16th August, 1920 (the date of the passing of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920) where the increase over the corresponding pre-War pension by way of supplement on account of bonus or otherwise was less than the increase authorised by that Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty contemplate filling, in whole or in part, by open competitive examination the five vacancies existing for second-class draughtsmen in the hydrographic department of the Admiralty; and, in view of the definite policy of His Majesty's Government, as expressed in paragraph 45 of the Third Interim Lytton Report, which provides that all technical vacancies shall be filled from among existing competent temporary ex-service technical personnel, and that five temporary ex-service draughtsmen who have rendered from four to 12 years satisfactory temporary service in Government Departments, chiefly in the Admiralty, at present serving in the hydrographic department, have repeatedly been informed that when the complement of cartographers in the hydrographic department is filled they will be discharged, will he say why establishment cannot be extended to these men?

The manner in which these vacancies should be filled has not yet been decided, but the case of these temporary draughtsmen is receiving every possible consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Mr. H. Scales, of 160, Well Wynd, Innerleven, Methil, Fifeshire, who was at one time in receipt of a pension, has been advised by the Ministry to consult his National Health Insurance doctor with a view to treatment in respect of his War service disability; that this man's arm and hand are permanently disabled to the extent that he has been certified to be fit only for the lightest form of employment; and whether, seeing that the final award in this case was a serious under-estimate of a permanent disablement brought about by War service, he will exercise his power to make an award of pension or grant under special sanction?

In the case referred to the only treatment considered to be necessary by my medical advisers was of a character which could be given at home without interrupting Mr. Scales's employment. As regards the remainder of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the award in this case was at the rate fixed by the Independent Appeal Tribunal as a result of an appeal by the man, and that, as I have already informed him, renewed medical consideration of the case affords no grounds for the hon. Member's contention.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will explain why the application for a special bed rest for Frederick A. Keeble, late private, No. 241,596, Royal West Kent Regiment, of 37, Mallinson Road, Battersea, was refused although the tuberculosis medical officer was of opinion that it was urgently required; and on what grounds it was decided that a bed rest was unnecessary or that an ordinary chair with a cushion made a satisfactory bed rest and that, if the tuberculosis officer thought otherwise, the bed rest should be supplied by the local authority?

Arrangements for all forms of treatment of tuberculosis are the responsibility of the local health authority, but the Ministry supplements them on occasion in cases of home treatment by the supply of a special appliance if certified by Ministry advisers to be essential for the treatment of the case. An air cushion and bath chair had actually been supplied by the Ministry in this case, but the provision of the article referred to in the question could not be so certified.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. F. P. Cox, now an inmate of Beneden Sanatorium, was demobilised in March, 1919, with a disability pension; that the medical superintendent of the sanatorium gave a medical certificate to the effect that the present tubercular trouble of Mr. Cox arose out of his military service; and whether, having regard to these facts and that he is likely to be invalided out of the Post Office service on the grounds of ill-health, the matter can be specially reviewed with a view to a pension being granted?

The award made to Mr. Cox at the conclusion of his period of two years' service at home in 1919–1920 was in respect of a slight degree of disordered action of the heart, and at the latter date medical examination showed no affection of the lung. No application was received from Mr. Cox in respect of tuberculosis until 1927, when I was medically advised that there were no grounds for connecting Mr. Cox's disease with his war service. I would add that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the purport of the statement made by the medical superintendent of the sanatorium, to which he refers and which does not bear the interpretation placed upon it. In the circumstances, I am unable to take further action on the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it is the practice of the Ministry of Pensions, when awarding disability pensions to ex-service men resident in Canada, to accept the degree of disablement found by the examining medical boards in that country; if he can furnish any figures of the amount distributed in relief annually to disabled ex-service men of the British forces by the Department of National Health and Pensions in Canada; and if any contribution to this expenditure is borne on the Vote for his Department?

With regard to the first part of the question, the Ministry would ordinarily accept the view of the medical authorities in Canada. With regard to the second part of the question I have no information as to the amount of any relief by way of compassionate grants that may be distributed by the Canadian Government by virtue of domestic legislation to ex-service men of Imperial as distinct from those of other Forces. No contribution to any such expenditure is borne on the Vote of my Department.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will investigate the circumstances attending the continued refusal of hearing for disability pension to ex-Private Frederick Dipper, of 19, Temple Mill Lane, E.15, No. 6.672, Royal Army Medical Corps; and whether, as this man has recently had a relapse of tuberculosis of the lung, he will expedite an inquiry?

In this case a claim to pension was rejected in 1919, as the result of a medical examination which disclosed no affection of the lung calling for compensation. The Ministry have no later information regarding the case and in the absence of evidence connecting the man's present condition with his War service, I regret that I can take no action.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons were employed in dairy farming, market gardening, small holdings, and general farming during the years 1913 and 1927, respectively, and the number of acres of land devoted to dairy farming, small holdings, market gardening, and general farming during the same years; how many acres of land at present are waterlogged in each county; and the amount of agricultural produce produced during each of the years mentioned above and its value, showing, if possible, the amount and value under each category?

I regret that the information at my disposal does not enable me to give the specific information asked for by the hon. Member. I would, however, point out that the Report on the Agricultural Output of England and Wales, 1925, contains certain information relative to the change in the number employed in agriculture as between the pre-War and post-War period, the output of agricultural produce in 1925 as compared with 1908 and the number and character of holdings in the former year. In particular I would refer the hon. Member to Chapters VI, VII, and VIII of that Report. Statistics of the area of land actually waterlogged at any particular time are not available, but it is estimated that over 1,000,000 acres of agricultural land in England and Wales are urgently in need of drainage and another 500,000 acres are capable of improvement by drainage, these estimates being exclusive of land where field drainage alone is required.