asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of persons employed in industry over the age of 65; and whether he has-any information as to the effect of the Pensions Act of 1925 on this class?

It is estimated that, including persons unemployed, there are approximately 340,000 persons aged 65 and over in industry. This figure includes persons employed in agriculture, but excludes those employed in private domestic service. Although precise figures cannot be given, it is probable that the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act of 1925 has led to the retirement from employment of a small proportion of those who are in receipt of Old Age Pensions.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of men transferred to employment in other districts under the scheme of the Industrial Transference Board?

During the period 19th August, 1928, to 25th March, 1929, approximately 15,100 men have been transferred under the scheme of the Industrial Transference Board.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the increase in the number of persons at work this week compared to the number at work on the date of the last General Election?

It is estimated that the number of insured persons aged 16 to 64 years in employment in Great Britain has increased by approximately 591,000 between 27th October, 1924, and 25th March, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the manufacture of motor cars and motor cycles in 1914 and 1928, respectively?

The estimated number of insured persons in Great Britain aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to the industry group, "construction and repair of motor vehicles, cycles and aircraft," at July, 1928, was 232,560. Comparable statistics for 1914 are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the manufacture of gramophones and gramophone records in 1914 and 1928, respectively?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the manufacture of motor tyres in 1926 and in 1929, or the latest available date?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any information that will show the number of persons engaged in sea fishing for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, giving separate figures for those employed as shore workers?

Particulars for the year 1928 are given in Table 9 of the Fishery Board for Scotland's Annual Volume of Statistical Tables of the Sea Fisheries which was published by the Stationery Office towards the end of last month. From this table it will be seen that the total number of fishermen and boys engaged in the Scottish sea fisheries was 25,043, and the total number of those engaged in ancillary occupations was 41,633.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will take steps to secure that the interests in respect of university education of the 4,000,000 inhabitants of London not residing within the county of London shall not be prejudiced by the exclusion of the education authorities representing those inhabitants from all direct representation on the court of the university constituted by the Statutes made under the University of London Act, 1926?

I have no reason to doubt that the University of London, under its new constitution, will give wise consideration to the needs, in respect of university education, of those who do not reside within the county of London. I would remind the hon. Member that it is not the practice of universities in this country to confine their benefits to those who are directly represented on their governing bodies.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any additional precautions are now taken to provide security for mail bags in transit; and, if so, of what nature?

I cannot add anything at present to the information already given by my right hon. Friend to the House on 4th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the House the substance of his conversations with Signor Benito Mussolini at Florence?

Having decided for personal reasons to spend Easter week at Florence, I asked His Majesty's Ambassador to inform Signor Mussolini of my intention and to say what pleasure it would give me to see him again if, as I thought possible, he himself were to be in the neighbourhood. Signor Mussolini, who was spending a few days at Forli, was good enough to motor over to see me. This was the fifth occasion on which we have met including our first meeting at Rome in 1924, and I welcomed it as giving me another opportunity for such an exchange of views with him as I habitually have with other Foreign Ministers at Geneva. No special importance attached to the meeting and no subjects were proposed for discussion at it, but, as was natural, we passed in review the general European situation as well as the relations between our two countries, which are happily of the most cordial character. It will not be forgotten that Great Britain and Italy are guarantors of the Treaty of Locarno and have thus a common interest in the maintenance of peace and the promotion of good relations among all the signatories of that Treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of persons to date assisted to emigrate under the Empire Settlement Act of 1922 and the amount of expenditure thereon for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The total number of persons who have been assisted under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act up to 31st March, 1929, is approximately 306,531. The expenditure under the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, for the twelve months to 31st March, 1929, was £1,126,150.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of persons employed in the manufacture of beet sugar in 1923 and 1928, respectively?

The approximate number of persons employed in the beet sugar factories in Great Britain in the manufacturing season 1923–24 was 1,159, and in 1928–29, 8,172.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of orders that have been issued prohibiting the removal of animals under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Regulations for the three months ended to the last convenient date; and can he give particulars of the number of animals affected?

The number of Orders issued by the Ministry prohibiting the movement of animals on account of foot-and-mouth disease during the three months ended 15th April is 10. The number of animals slaughtered as affected or in contact with infection dining the same period is 1,804.