asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the dates of application to, and approval by, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in respect of the reference supplied by the Assistant-Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to Commander Kemble, Royal Navy, when applicant for the Chief Constableship of Warwickshire; and whether it is proposed to extend the same facilities to members of the Metropolitan police when making applications for similar appointments?

No such application was made or was necessary. The testimonial in question related exclusively to knowledge of Commander Kemble which had been gained in the Navy and was given by Admiral Royds on that footing. Applications for testimonials by members of the Force who are applying for chief constableships are considered on their merits.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman afford the same facilities to officers of the police as appear to have been granted to people who have no association with the Police Service?

Any officer of the service who is applying for a chief constableship can apply to the Commissioner or to any officer in the Force whom he knows, and the Commissioner can give permission, and does give permission, for a testimonial to be given.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that there is a vast difference between an officer when submitting his application being able to append a certificate from the Commissioner and his telling the local authority to whom he is applying that they can have a certificate if they apply to the Commissioner for it?

I will consider whether the Regulations can be modified in that respect.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether pre-War retired police officers applying for an increase of pension under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, are required every year to render a detailed statement of their total means from all sources; and whether it is the practice of the Treasury to refuse or reduce an increase in the pre-War pensions of these police officers according to this statement of means?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Under Section 2 (3) of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, which applies to all classes of pensioners (including police pensioners) covered by the Acts, it is one of the statutory conditions for an increase of pension that the pensioner must satisfy the pension authority that his means, including his pension, are less than £150 per annum if unmarried, or £200 per annum if married. If on examination of his statement it appears that a pensioner fails to comply with this statutory condition, the pension authority have no alternative but to adjust the amount of the increase accordingly.

Is it not clear that this kind of condition is a direct preventive of thrift, and is it not time also that something was done to make this a right instead of a charity?

A contribution is made by Parliament, and I do not think that it is quite fair to call it a charity. It is a right by Act of Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given any general instructions regarding small whist drives of a social character organised amongst friends where small prizes are competed for; if he is aware that in certain cases in the Metropolitan area the organisers of these little tournaments are being pestered and hunted and warned of their illegality; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have called the attention of all chief officers of police to the views of my predecessors, which I stated and endorsed in reply to a question in this House last year—namely, that the police should not interfere unless harm is being done. There is no reason to think that there has been interference unnecessarily in the Metropolitan police district, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any information to a contrary effect, I should be glad if he would send it to me so that I may look into it.

May I ask if that answer means that the right hon. Gentleman will look into cases that have arisen in the provinces?

I am quite prepared to consider any case. Of course, I cannot pledge myself as to any course of action, because I have to consider what powers I have.

In view of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the codification of the law is likely to be undertaken to repeal some of these old-fashioned enactments?

Naturally, it is my duty to read and consider, as I have already considered, the Report of the Royal Commission. The hon. Member knows that it is not possible to undertake any legislation in this Parliament, but the matter will undoubtedly be considered in the next.

Is not this the broad dividing line, that where no personal profit is made out of these whist drives there is no illegality and the police do not interfere?

I think it would be very much better if my hon. and learned Friend would read the answer which I gave in the House about a year ago. It was a very full answer setting out the views of my predecessor, which I endorsed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that this form of pastime is perfectly legal?

That is the difficulty. It is so difficult to get the exact facts, and some of these pastimes may be technically illegal. What I have done is to advise the police—I cannot do more than that, as I told the House last year—not to prosecute in these cases unless real harm is being done to the community.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive from me a contribution for the Borstal Fund if my number happens to be the winning number in the Stock Exchange Sweepstake?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that many employers desirous of employing ex-service men suffering from war disability find difficulty in effecting insurance upon them to cover liability under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, or when they are effected they have to pay very high premiums, and that this militates against the employment of such ex-service men; and whether this matter has received, or will receive, his attention?

No, Sir. The Disabled Men (Facilities for Employment) Act of 1919 was passed for the express purpose of preventing any trouble of this kind. Under that Act agreements were entered into with a number of insurance companies under which the companies undertook to insure disabled men at the same rate as ordinary workers and, so far as I am aware, these agreements have been effective. If, however, any complaints have come to the knowledge of the hon. and gallant Member and he will furnish me with the necessary particulars, I shall be glad to investigate them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that during the last few months 75 men, all under the age of 45, were selected for stone-breaking by the authorities of casual wards of the Metropolis, but that no one was put on the task unless he had been passed for it by the medical officer of the ward, with the result that 31 were removed from the list; that at Westbury- on-Severn recently Frederick Sevier protested vigorously against being put on stone-breaking on the ground of his health and asked to see the doctor; that his protest was over-ruled by the Westbury officer and he was set to work; and that he was taken ill on the same day and when he arrived at Ross was found to be very ill indeed and died within five days; and whether he will either abolish stone-breaking as a task for casuals or require that no one be put on the task unless he has first been passed for it by the medical officer?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I will send the hon. Member a copy of the answer given to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring on the 26th March, 1929, which showed that in the case referred to there was no connection between the task performed and the cause of death. As regards the third part of the question, the Regulations direct that a casual shall not be required to perform any task unsuited to his age, strength and capacity, and provide for medical attention to any casual appearing to require it. I see no need for amending the regulations on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to see that in the case of tasks of this kind the medical inspection is efficient?

That is the duty of the local authorities, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not carrying out their duty.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to abolish this task altogether?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are 16 young children maintained in the Market Bosworth Poor Law institution and that there is no proper accommodation for these children, and that they cannot be separated from adult and weak-minded inmates; whether he will state the longest period during which any one of these children has been detained in this institution; and whether he will make representations to the board of guardians on the matter?

I am already in correspondence with the guardians of the Market Bosworth Union concerning their failure to comply with the requirement of Article 4 of the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913, that children between the ages of three and 16 shall not be retained in the institution for a period exceeding six weeks, except on medical grounds. The number of children so detained is at present eight. I will communicate the information requested in the second part of the question to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain rating authorities are making abortive the excusal of rates in cases of poverty by the passing of resolutions of compounding and so placing upon the owner the power and liability to collect from the tenants excused; and if he will take steps to prevent this?

The excusal of rates on the ground of poverty and the operation of the compounding provisions are matters entirely within the discretion of the rating authority, and I have no power to interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated amount of relief which will accrue to landowners in the county of West Lothian in the first year arising from de-rating?

The estimated relief from rates on agricultural lands and heritages in West Lothian in the case of owners is approximately £12,200 of which one half will fall to be passed to occupiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated amount of relief to the owners of mineral royalties in the county of West Lothian in the first year from de-rating?

The estimated relief to owners in respect of mineral rents, including mineral royalties, in the county of West Lothian is approximately £5,000. Where the subject is let on lease, the whole of the relief falls to be passed to the occupier.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the sum paid in rates in respect of industrial hereditaments in the county of West Lothian in the past year and the estimated amount of relief arising from the de-rating proposals?

The estimated total amount of rates paid in respect of industrial lands and heritages in West Lothian for 1927–28, the latest year for which detailed information is available, was £77,800. The estimated amount of relief for the year would be £58,350.

asked the Minister of Health whether the British Empire Cancer Campaign was consulted before the Government decided its action with regard to the proposed radium appeal; and whether the Campaign, as the principal association for the promotion of cancer research, will be asked to undertake the appeal to the public for funds?

The answer to both questions is in the negative. While I appreciate the work being done by the British Empire Cancer Campaign in regard to cancer, I should hesitate to accept the estimation of its position in regard to cancer research contained in my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

Does the Minister of Health not know that the Cancer, Campaign prepared an appeal some time ago on a very extensive scale, and has he considered the advisability of putting the appeal into their hands?

I understood that that was a matter for research and research only, but, according to the general opinion, it is much more than a matter of research.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the term "research" is used because it is used in the report of the Committee? As a matter of fact, they have appealed very widely for radium, and they have a large stock in hand. Therefore, they are the body to do exactly what is suggested by the Committee on Civil Research. Will the right hon. Gentleman not give us a chance of discussing this question before an appeal is made?

I do not see any necessity for that at all. My hon. and gallant Friend is mistaken if he supposes that the whole of the recommendations of the Committee dealt with research.

Will the appeal to the public to subscribe take place before the General Election?

I have every reason to suppose that it will take place before the General Election.

asked the Prime Minister what guarantees the Radium Committee have received that the proposed purchase of 20 grammes of radium by voluntary and State funds can be effected at a lower price than the existing price for Great Britain of £12,000 per gramme?

I have been asked to reply. The sub-Committee were not in a position to secure any guarantee that 20 grammes of radium bought through a single agency would be cheaper than very much smaller amounts bought by numerous purchasers; but the hon. Member will find their reasons for their opinion on the point in paragraphs 71 and 82 of their Report.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, at the inquest proceedings recently on the death of a Shoreditch man named Daniel Fitter, the coroner who presided commented on the inadequacy of the home treatment of this panel patient and of panel patients in general; and if he will inquire into the home treatment given to insured persons?

I have seen Press reports of this case. Insurance practitioners are required by their terms of service to visit and treat patients whose condition so requires at any place within the districts in which the practitioners have undertaken to visit patients; and any complaint that a practitioner has failed to visit a patient when necessary should be made in the first instance to the local Insurance Committee, who must have it investigated. I do not think the present case affords sufficient reason for a general inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests.

Will the Minister say whether he has received many other such complaints as this?

If, by "such complaints as this," the hon. Member means complaints of inadequacy of the home treatment of panel patients, I am not prepared to say that I have received many complaints. There are very few complaints.

asked the Minister of Health if any cases of small-pox have been notified during the past week from passengers or crew on the steamships "Tuscania" and "Mashobra," or from contacts with such persons; if any further deaths have occurred during the week; and what was the vaccination history of the fatal cases that have occurred hitherto?

According to the information at present available, two cases of small-pox have been notified during the past week from the "Tuscania." No further deaths have occurred, and no case of small-pox has been reported from the "Mashobra." Information as to the vaccinal history of the fatal cases from the "Tuscania" is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received the observations of the Godstone Rural Dis- trict Council on the petition presented to him by 49 applicants for cottages in the area, and supported by a covering letter signed by the rectors of the parishes, the four medical practitioners in the district, and a number of representative local government electors; if so, what is the nature of the council's comment; and whether he will take steps to hold an inquiry into the housing conditions in the parishes of Oxted and Limps-field unless he receives a satisfactory assurance that the necessary number of houses will be erected by the council?

I have been informed by the district council that the matter has been referred to a special committee for investigation, and that it is expected that this committee will be in a position to report to the council on the 17th May. On receipt of the council's reply, I will consider what further action may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state what were the actuarial figures in 1925, when the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act was passed, as to the number of widows in England and Wales?

The answer is in the negative. The Report of the Government Actuary dealt with the financial proposals of the Bill, but, as these did not include the provision of pensions for all widows, no estimate of the aggregate number of widows was necessary.

Are we to understand that, when the Government brought in their Bill in 1925 providing for widows' and orphans' and old age pensions, the Minister then did not know and had no estimate of the number of widows in the country?

We made an estimate of the number of widows to be provided for under the Bill.

How could the right hon. Gentleman make an estimate of the number to be provided for unless he knew the total number of widows in the country?

I see no necessary connection between the two.

asked the Minister of Health why the appeal for a widow's pension by Mrs. M. J. Roberts, of St. Just, Cornwall, has not yet been settled although the application was made over two years ago?

I find that a notice of the rejection of her claim to a widow's pension was sent to Mrs. Roberts on 23rd December, 1927. Notice of appeal against that decision was lodged by her on 10th February, 1928. The appeal raised very difficult questions, and the Referees found it necessary to suspend their action until a decision could be given under Section 89 of the National Health Insurance Act on the question whether an employment in which the deceased husband was engaged was insurable. Following that decision, it was necessary to have an oral hearing of the appeal, as certain facts with regard to the stamping of a contribution card were in dispute. The oral hearing took place on the 12th February last, and I am informed that the Referees should be in a position to issue their decision on the appeal within the next week.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman expedite the settlement of cases such as this, in view of the fact that this particular case has been more or less in process of settlement for the last two years?

I admit that it has been a very long time, but that, as the hon. Member will appreciate, is because the pressure of work on the Department is very great, and this case presented peculiar difficulties, which I think account for the exceptional delay. On the whole, I must say, I think it is surprising that there are not more complaints of delay, considering the enormous amount of work that has to be done.

Why is not the staff increased, in view of the great pressure?

Work of this kind has to be done by specially trained and experienced people, and it is not the slightest use taking on fresh hands to make these investigations. In cases of this kind, we must have people who know the work.

There are people who have been employed there for nine years. I have a similar case in my pocket now.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 12 months' cases are not uncommon, and will he not consider whether the postponed increase in the Ministry's staff should now take place?

I do not think that 12 months' cases are common—

Not uncommon.

That only applies to cases in which Section 89 is in question. Those cases take a very long time—six or 12 months—because they require a great deal of correspondence and information from other authorities, which, of course, cannot be hurried by the Department.

asked the Minister of Health the number of P-class clerks recommended by his Department for promotion to established clerical grade under Clause 5 of the Government memorandum of 12th January, 1925; and the number of appointments to the clerical class or classes of his Department from open competition since 1st January, 1928?

The number of P-class clerks promoted to the established clerical grade in my Department is 78. The number of appointments made to the clerical class from open competition since 1st January, 1928, is 45.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is prepared to reconsider the application of the P-class of civil servants for an improvement in their scale of pay, to place them on a similar footing to other civil servants as regards pensions?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his intention to rectify the question of pay of the P-class of ex-service civil servants, as promised during the negotiations on the Guinness agreement?

The ques- tion referred to is receiving further consideration. The hon. Member for South Battersea is, however, under a misapprehension in suggesting that any undertaking has at any time been given to improve the terms of remuneration of P-class clerks prescribed by the Guinness agreement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 8,000 ex-service men in this class, that in the Provinces, where they have no pension provided for them, the average pay is £2 17s. 4d. a week, and that many of the men are married with large families and have in many cases to depend on charity?

I have said that the question is receiving further consideration.

May I have an assurance that it is receiving immediate attention, and can the right hon. Gentleman promise that something will be done before the 10th proximo?

It would not be proper for me to give an undertaking of that kind, because consideration must necessarily precede an assurance of that description, but the matter will receive prompt attention.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not had months of time to consider the matter, and is it fair for him to shoulder the responsibilities on to his successors?

I have never said anything which could lead the hon. Member to infer either that I should shoulder this responsibility on to my successor or that I should have an immediate successor.

asked the Prime Minister whether the subjects to be investigated by the proposed Royal Commission on the Civil Service will include the working of the machinery of Whitley councils in the service and the general question of the employment of ex-service men in the Civil Service?

Yes, Sir.

Does that mean that the Terms of Reference are sufficiently wide to enable all questions regarding ex-service men in the Civil Service to be inquired into?

Will it include what is known technically as the "Colour Service to count," question?

I have been asked a specific question to which I have given a definite answer. I must have notice of any further questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to avoid shelving the questions at issue for a long period, he proposes to expedite the proceedings of the Royal Commission which is to investigate the removal of the marriage bar and other matters concerning the Civil Service; and of what these other important questions consist?

The object of the Royal Commission is, not to shelve, but to undertake a dispassionate and informed examination of the Civil Service from the point of view of its efficiency as a national instrument and of its own well-feeing. The Commission's Terms of Reference and constitution will be announced when the new Parliament meets, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that the inquiry will be conducted with despatch.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that cases have recently occurred in the Civil Service of the communication of confidential departmental information to ex-civil servants to be used for propaganda purposes; and what steps he is prepared to take to prevent such a breach of discipline?

I am not aware of any cases of the kind referred to. If the hon. Member is in a position to give me any specific information, I will of course have inquiry made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the nature of that inquiry would be—what form it would take?

It would largely consist of questions being asked of persons who are likely to be able to give information.

I learned that quite early when I went to school. I am asking a serious question. There are many precedents for cases of this character, and I am asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer to indicate what form the inquiry will take, and he has not answered. I know it means asking questions, but the right hon. Gentleman knows that there was a case quite recently in the Civil Service, and I wish definitely to know what form this investigation will take. If I do not get an answer to that question I cannot give the information.

If I had it, I might be able to give further information as to the kind of inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the extra charge on the Health Insurance Fund down to 31st March, 1929, due to the increased authorised cost of medical benefit under the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1926?

Prior to the 1st January, 1927, the actual cost of medical benefit exceeded the charge authorised by the National Health Insurance Act, 1920, upon the funds from which benefits are ordinarily payable. The excess was temporarily met under the National Health Insurance (Cost of Medical Benefit) Act, 1924, from unclaimed stamps and other sources within the National Health Insurance Fund. These temporary provisions came to an end on 31st December, 1926, and, as recommended by the Royal Commission, the full charge not exceeding 13s. per insured person was placed by the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1926, upon the funds from which benefits are ordinarily payable. The amount by which the actual cost exceeds the charge previously authorised upon the funds from which benefits are ordinarily payable is in England and Wales about £2,000,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total sum lost to the Health Insurance Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund in consequence of the reduction in the amount of the State contributions to these funds under the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1926?

The reduction in the amount of the State contribution to the National Health Insurance Fund made under the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1926, was effected in consequence of the revision of the actuarial basis of the system. The revision of the actuarial basis was adopted on the recommendation of the Royal Commission, and the financial results are fully explained in the Report of the Government Actuary (Cmd. 2603). Any question relating to Unemployment Insurance should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Ossett Urban District Council has recently deprived upwards of 50 families in the borough of water supplies for reasons of non-payment of water rents; that many of these families are miners' families, suffering from unemployment and whose needs are such that they have been receiving assistance from the Lord Mayor's fund; and that the local council has a by-law which prohibits householders from supplying others with water; and if, in the interests of the preservation of health, he will inquire into the matter?

I have no information on this matter, and am making inquiry of the council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to discontinue the Treasury deduction from the Road Fund income when payments from the Road Fund under Clause 80 of the Local Government Act become due?

I gather that the hon. and gallant Member, in speaking of a Treasury deduction, alludes to the sumptuary tax on private motor vehicles levied for purposes of general revenue. There is nothing in the Local Government Act which furnishes any ground for discontinuing this tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the list of schemes to be submitted by the railway companies, in consideration of the repeal of the railway passenger duty, have been placed before the Government; and whether the construction of short avoiding lines to avoid congestion at level crossings are within the terms of the understanding between His Majesty's Government and the railway companies?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have not yet received particulars of the schemes which the railway companies are to submit when Parliament has approved the repeal of the duty. The principal object of these schemes will be the development and modernisation of railway transport. As regards level crossings, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield (Mr. L. Smith).

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the reply to which he has referred me has no relevance whatever to this matter?

The reply given yesterday referred to the allocation of money from the Road Fund for level crossings. On the general question we must wait and see what schemes the railway companies put forward, and whether the suggestions they make are adequate.

Are we to understand, from, the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's reply, that schemes for the construction of avoiding lines are not excluded from the proposals of the Government?

We must wait and see what the proposals of the railway companies are, and then we shall consider the whole matter.

In view of the fact that the Government have made an arrangement with the railway companies, could we not have an answer to the question whether or not the alleviation of the level crossing difficulty is included or excluded?

I could not say that until I see what proposals the railway companies put forward.

Are we to understand that it is being left entirely to the railway companies to suggest how this money shall be spent, and that the Government have made no suggestion?

The railway companies have been asked, within certain limits, to put forward their suggestions. The Government will then consider them, and come to their decision.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether level crossings are likely to continue to be used, or whether it is suggested that they should be discarded?

I cannot say till I have seen the suggestions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the total remission of the duty on tea and the consequent cessation of charges for bond storage and transport thereto, he contemplates any means of passing on the benefit to the consumers of tea?

I understand that consumers have already reaped the full benefit of the repeal of the Tea Duty through lower retail prices.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the reduction in transport charges and bonded store charges is considerable, and is actually computed at as high a figure as 2d. per lb.; and does he intend to take no steps to see that that reduction is passed on to the consumer?

I should certainly not accept, without close examination, the various statements which the hon. Gentleman has just made, but the House is probably aware that the reduction of duty is 4d. per lb. on foreign tea only, and that it averages rather less than 3½d. per lb. over all tea; that is to say, the average reduction of the duty is ½d. less than the general reduction in retail prices.

May I take it from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that the Treasury have not computed at all the saving due to the reduction in transport and bonded store charges, and intend to take no action to see that the benefit of that reduction is passed on to the consumer?

The Treasury have made the sacrifice involved by the abandonment of the Tea Duty of 4d. per lb., and we must allow that important step to carry its effects steadily forward through every range of the tea industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in Greater London alone, 2,500 men are about to be paid off; is not that a serious addition to the amount of unemployed labour; and does the Treasury intend to take no steps to counterbalance it?

I can quite understand the chagrin with which the hon. Gentleman views the removal of the Tea Duty.

Has the right hon. Gentleman no answer at all to the question on the Paper?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think he can evade an answer to the question that has been put, by insolence?

What was the reason for taking 4d. off the duty on tea?

Is it in conformity with Parliamentary procedure for the word "chagrin" to be used in answer to a question?

On a point of Order. I want to know why it was that you, Sir, stopped the Chancellor of the Exchequer from answering my question. He was quite prepared to answer it.

The hon. Member's question had nothing to do with the question on the Paper.

In your judgment, Sir, is it not desirable for Members of the Front Bench, when replying to questions, to address themselves seriously to the question put, rather than to make clowns of themselves?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what payment has been made by France and Italy since 1918 in respect of their debts to this country?

Up to date the French Government have paid £18,000,000 and the Italian Government have paid £14,000,000 on account of their respective war debts to this country.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer tell the House whether there is any arrangement with the French Government as to repayment of the debt?

Yes, and Parliamentary papers have been laid upon that subject which would well repay the hon. Member's study.

I have read what has taken place here.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total sum provided in the Defence Estimates for 1929–30 for pay, pensions, and allowances as compared with the provision for similar payments in 1913–14; and how the remainder of defence expenditure compares for the two years in question, allowance being made in each case for the change in the value of money?

As the answer is rather long, and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Entertainments Duty was levied upon the charge of admission to an arts and crafts exhibition held in the Mechanics' Institute, Brechin, on the 27th March to the 30th March, 1929; and whether, in view of the fact that the exhibition was entirely educative and that no entertainment of any kind was given, he will consider refunding the duty charged?

I am aware that exemption from Entertainments Duty was not granted in respect of the arts and crafts exhibition referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, but I am advised that the exhibition is an entertainment within the meaning of the law relating to Entertainments Duty, and that it does not fall within any of the statutory exemptions from that duty. In these circumstances, I have no power to sanction the repayment desired.

Does my hon. Friend not think that an exhibition of such educational value should, as in the case of agricultural shows, be exempt from Entertainments Duty, and would he recommend the necessary alteration in the law of the land?

I went into the matter myself a couple of hours ago, and I could see no loophole by which I could, with the sanction of the law, do what the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggests.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will not represent Brechin after the General Election?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet decided on any action to place the Royal Veterinary College on a modern footing?

No, Sir. I am unable to come to & decision on this question pending the receipt of the Report of the Committee, to which reference was made in the answer given on my behalf to the question put my my Noble Friend on the 14th February last.

It is a very long time ago.

The Committee are still hearing evidence though I understand they are approaching the end of their labours.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any Return showing the loss to the dairy industry caused by the shrinkage in the demand for fresh cream consequent upon the operation of the order of the Ministry of Health prohibiting the use of preservatives in food and the manufacture of reconstituted or synthetic cream?

No, Sir; and I fear that there is no information available which would enable any conclusions to be drawn on the subject.

Seeing that this is the result of Government action, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is desirable that his Department should be closely in touch with the trade in order to see the consequences of it?

We are in touch with the trade. I do not know whether the hon. Member suggests that it is wrong for the Ministry of Health to take the necessary steps to prevent injury from undesirable treatment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of the £30,000 which is to be set aside for the fishing industry will be available to the English as distinct from the Scottish section of the industry; and in what way it is proposed to distribute the English allocation?

Approximately one-third of the £30,000 will be allocated to England and Wales. Of that amount a considerable proportion will, for the time being, be devoted to the expenses of exploratory voyages undertaken at the request of the fishing industry with the object of discovering new banks suitable for fishing. The balance will be available for the relief of dues upon fishing at any ports used by inshore fishermen where it can be shown that the existing charges are so high as unduly to hamper the prosecution of the industry and for furnishing assistance to the fishing industry in any other ways which may hereafter prove to be necessary or expedient.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in his speech the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when announcing this concession, specially mentioned the herring industry, and is it not a fact that, in view of this statement, there is nothing to be done for the English herring industry, and is there not a great necessity in the English industry as well as in the Scottish industry?

If any British ports show that they are unduly hampered, they will be eligible for the same kind of assistance as the Scottish herring ports.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any portion of the money is to be paid over to the Lights Fund so that the lightkeepers at Yarmouth may have increased wages?

Is it the intention that this research of the trawling grounds will be of value to the herring industry? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the habits of the herrings are already sufficiently well known?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the question, he will see that it refers to the fishing industry generally, and that his is a supplementary question which limits the inquiry to the herrings.

What is the principle which the right hon. Gentleman has followed in allocating two-thirds of this grant to Scotland and only one-third to England?