asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. H. Wale, sorting clerk and telegraphist, Worcester, was recently passed over for an overseership and removed from the acting list; that he had interviewed the assistant-surveyor, who informed him that all the reports on his work and on his conduct were excellent; and that it was stated that it was the Post Office view that he would not make a satisfactory supervising officer on account of deafness; whether it is known that Mr. Wale first became aware of his slight deafness in 1918, after serving in the Army during the War, and that a subsequent claim for disability pension was rejected; and whether, having regard to his admitted efficiency, his desire for restoration to the acting list and consideration for promotion can be favourably re-examined?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member. I regret that it was necessary to pass over Mr. Wale on account of his deafness, but I am satisfied from the report of the local promotion board, who interviewed him before making their recommendation, that the infirmity would seriously handicap him in the performance of the higher duties. I regret that I cannot find any ground for setting aside the board's conclusions. I understand that the military authorities do not accept the view that Mr. Wale's disability is attributable to his Army service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any and, if so, how many and in what villages new telephone stations have been opened in the County of Lindsey as a result of the Budget proposals?

I am making inquiries and will let the hon. and gallant Member have the information he requires in the course of a few days.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of panel patients there are at the present time in Great Britain, and the number of doctors who have been removed from the panel; and can he give particulars?

The number of insured persons entitled to medical benefit in 1928 was about 14,800,000. Forty-six insurance practitioners have been removed from the medical list since 1913, when medical benefit came into operation. These figures relate to England and Wales. Questions relating to Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the coroners' inquests on deaths following upon vaccination; whether he is aware that since July, 1928, there have been 65 cases of serious illness following vaccination, 32 of which proved fatal; and whether he will consider the setting up of a committee of inquiry to go into the whole question of vaccination, and have among the personnel of any such committee representative of the public?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, 27 cases (and not 65) in which symptoms suggestive of disease of the central nervous system following within a month of vaccination, were reported to have occurred during the period from the 1st July, 1928, to the 30th June, 1929. Of these cases 13 were fatal. As regards the third part, the whole question of vaccination has been recently examined by an expert Committee, a report by whom was published last year and is now receiving my careful consideration. Investigations are still being made into certain questions by this Committee, and I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment, at the present time, of a further Committee of Inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some of the registrars of births and deaths are refusing to accept statutory declarations from mothers claiming exemption from the vaccination of their children; and will he take steps to place the mother in the same position as the father for the purpose of the Vaccination Acts?

Registrars of Births and Deaths do not deal with statu- tory declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination, this being the duty of the Vaccination Officers appointed under the Vaccination Acts. I am advised that the obligation to cause a child to be vaccinated is placed on the person having the custody of the child, and, consequently, a declaration made by the mother, under the Vaccination Act, 1907, would not exempt the father from liability if he has the legal custody of the child. As regards the last part of the question, any such action would require fresh legislation which I could not at present undertake to introduce.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the progress made in granting loans through the Agricultural Mortgage Bank in England, any loans have been made in Scotland under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928; and, if not, why is Scottish agriculture not getting similar treatment?

The Act to which the hon. Member refers does not apply to Scotland. A similar Act applying to Scotland was passed in the last Session of the late Parliament, but the Government of that day were unable to set up the loan company contemplated by the Act owing to a failure to obtain the necessary co-operation of the Scottish banks. I am considering how the situation may be met.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the arrest of Lester Hutchinson at Bombay; and whether he will state the exact nature of the charge against Mr. Hutchinson?

Yes, Sir. Mr. H. L. Hutchinson, with the other accused persons in the Meerut conspiracy case, is charged, under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code, with conspiracy to deprive the King Emperor of his sovereignty of British India.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to make a statement with reference to the Government's attitude on the taxation of racecourse totalisators?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made yesterday on this matter.