asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the profits of brewing concerns for the accounting years ended in the Income Tax year of 1927–28, including in addition to brewing profits any profits arising from the carrying on of any trade ancillary to the main business?

The profits of brewing concerns for accounting years ended in the Income Tax year 1927–28 are estimated at £24,000,000. This figure represents the profits as computed for Income Tax purposes less the amounts allowed for wear and tear of machinery and plant, and includes profits arising from the carrying on of any trade ancillary to the main business.

asked the Home Secretary the number of widows of Metropolitan police officers and pensioners who are at present in receipt of widows' pensions, giving the gross amount paid to them yearly?

The number of widows in receipt of pensions is 1,024, and the aggregate amount of the pensions £32,621 per annum.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the loss of packets committed to the post by Messrs. George Harding and Sons, Limited, Southwark, on the following dates: 21st September, 1928, 16th October, 1928, and 22nd December, 1928, addressed to Tonbridge, Palmers Green, and Chichester, respectively, and on 9th January, 1929, 26th January, 1929, and 23rd February, 1929, addressed to Norwich, Sidcup, and Maidstone respectively; whether he is aware that not one of these parcels has been traced nor the contents returned to the owners; what steps are being taken to safeguard the property of the public committed to the post; and what is the reason for the losses in the post now taking place?

I am aware of the loss of the packets referred to by the hon. Member. I regret that it has not been possible to trace them. As the hon. Member is aware, no record is kept in the post of unregistered packets; but all cases of loss are fully inquired into, and every endeavour is made to trace responsibility.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons appointed to act as chairman of the court of referees for Liverpool prior to the 1927 Unemployment Insurance Act and now; the rate of the chairman's remuneration per sitting; the total amount paid to the chairmen from 1st July to 31st December last; and the cost of administration of the court of referees for the same period?

Prior to April, 1928, the court of referees for the Liverpool area, which covers Liverpool, Birkenhead, Wallasey and Bootle, had one chairman and two deputy-chairmen. It now has six chairmen and ten deputy-chairmen. The fee paid to a chairman or deputy—chairman for a sitting is 2½ guineas. The total amount of such fees paid in respect of this court from 1st July to 31st December, 1928, was £1,333 10s.; in addition £58 7s. 11d. was paid to chairmen and members of the court in respect of travelling and subsistence allowances and compensation for loss of earnings.