asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any statement with regard to the intention of the Argentine Government to reduce the import duties on goods containing British artificial silk?

I understand that a Presidential decree has been issued in the Argentine by virtue of which duties on British artificial silk goods will be reduced by 50 per cent. from 1st January next on receipt of a declaration on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain and Northern Ireland that it is not their intention to impose duties or restrictions on the importation of certain Argentine food products. The terms and exact scope of the declaration are still under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a recent consignment of toys, Reference No. 35,573, was held up as liable for duty as containing dolls with artificial silk bows to the value of 3s. 10d; that a duty of a fraction of a 1d. was demanded and paid and that the collection of this amount involved special entries and declarations including a journey to the case office of His Majesty's Customs several miles away from the port of arrival, in addition to special carrier's charges for clearance of dutiable goods, as well as other delays; and, in view of numerous transactions of a similar character, whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of authorising the Customs authorities to exempt from duty consignments of toys and fancy goods which contain minute quantities of dutiable material?

From such inquiries as I have been able to make in the time available I understand that the consignment in question was not held up by the Customs. Entry was made and accepted in the ordinary way at the Custom House, London, on the 16th October; silk duty amounting to a penny was paid on the 17th and the goods were cleared on the following day. There is no general provision exempting goods from duty on the ground that the amount in any particular case is small, but even if there were, the goods would still have to be entered and examined by the Customs as part of the ordinary import procedure. The Customs are in no way re- sponsible for the charges made by agents and carriers in connection with the clearance of goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information showing when a decision may be expected in the Columbia District Courts as to the two millions sterling worth of American securities held by Germans through banking or brokerage houses in London that were turned over to American custody by the British Government and which we are now claiming should be returned; and why these securities were originally handed over?

The American suit has been set down for trial, but the parties thereto are now considering the possibility of arriving at an amicable settlement in the event of the final acceptance of the Young Plan. The date of hearing is therefore uncertain, and a trial of the issues involved may be found to be unnecessary. The amount involved is much greater than indicated in the question. As the arrangement under which the securities were handed over to the United States Alien Property Custodian is a matter which is sub judice, the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that it would not be right for me to make any pronouncement about it at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of accounts showing a balance due of £50 or less kept by the Enemy Debts Department; and what steps are being taken to clear up these items and so save the cost now imposed by reason of the number of people employed to look after these small accounts?

In the records of the Clearing Office, Enemy Debts Department, there are 102 accounts showing a balance due of £50 or less. Of this number 58 are being liquidated by agreed instalments, 17 await the realisation of insolvent estates, and six form the subject of compromise, leaving 21 in respect of which negotiations are proceeding for settlement. The work involved in these matters occupies only a small part of the time of one officer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what reason Circular E of the 10th September, which gives benefits to conscientious objectors, is not to apply to the Defence Departments?

The hon. and gallant Member is perhaps unaware that it is only as regards eligibility for first appointment to the public service that the circular does not apply to the Defence Departments.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the number of officers above the lower clerical grade employed in his Department, and the number of appointments in each grade which have been filled since 1921, when the Civil Service was declared by Parliament to be equally open to men and women, by direct recruitment, by promotion within the Department, and by transfer from other Departments, respectively, showing men and women separately and including professional posts?

I regret that the particulars desired by the hon. Member are not readily available, and could not be obtained without disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the number of temporary clerks and temporary technical and professional officers appointed to established rank in his Department from 4th August, 1914, to 11th November, 1918; the number of temporary clerks and temporary technical and professional officers appointed to established rank in his Department from 12th November, 1918, to 30th September, 1929; and the number of unestablished and temporary technical and professional officers and unestablished and temporary ex-service clerks serving in his Department as at 31st October, 1929?

I regret that the particulars desired by the hon. Member are not immediately available and could not be obtained with accuracy without disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government has considered the proposal to create an overseas department in the Government of India; and whether they have arrived at any decision in this matter?

If the Government of India wish to create such a department they will no doubt communicate with me. I have not yet received any such communication.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information as to the areas affected and the damage inflicted on crops by the recent visits of locusts to India; and whether the Government of India have under consideration a proposal to appoint a special officer to carry out investigations and report on methods of dealing with these ravages?

I have seen Press reports of damage done by locusts in Sind, Gujerat and the Agra and Meerut Divisions. The newly established Council of Agricultural Research is collecting information regarding locust damage in India and will shortly consider the question of the steps to be taken to reduce the damage.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Central Committee set up to co-operate with the Statutory Commission has presented its Report; whether it is within the discretion of the Viceroy to accede to the request of the chairman of the Committee to publish the Report of the Committee immediately; and, if so, whether any decision has been arrived at in regard to its publication?

As regards the first part of the question the Indian Central Committee have presented their Report to the Viceroy. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative, and as regards the third arrangements are being made for the publication of the Report as soon as possible, but I cannot yet state the approximate date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been called to the protests against the establishment of a great aerodrome for military purposes in the immediate proximity of Oxford; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government propose to continue a project which will go far in destroying the amenities of the University and in increasing the danger to which it might be subjected in time of war?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend is aware that objections have been raised, and they have naturally received his most careful consideration. The site at Abingdon was, however, only decided upon after an exhaustive reconnaissance had failed to discover any feasible alternative in the vicinity, and the aerodrome now under construction is an essential part of the scheme for the air defence of this country. It is, in fact, more than five miles distant from the centre of the city of Oxford and arrangements will be made that transport proceeding to and from the aerodrome will normally avoid passing through Oxford and thus adding to the traffic congestion. It is not admitted that the establishment of this aerodrome will have either of the results which the hon. and gallant Member fears, and indeed, to judge by their tenor, the representations which have been made are largely due to misapprehension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the approximate average weekly cost of maintenance, including overhead charges, wages of staff and crew, repairs, etc., of airship R 101?

The average weekly cost for the few weeks during which R 101 has been in the air, inclusive of hydrogen as well as the services mentioned, has worked out at approximately £600. The repairs included are only running repairs while at the mooring tower. Expenditure on fuel is not included, as it varies directly with the amount of flying. Much longer experience will be necessary before it is possible to give an all-in average figure which would be useful as a guide to the cost of commercial operations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the numbers of men who have received training at the Army Vocational Centres; how many have been trained for agriculture or similar work; and how many of those so trained have secured employment at home or in other parts of the Empire?

Approximately 7,400 serving soldiers have been trained at the Army Vocational Training Centres. Included in this number are some 1,360 trained in agriculture or similar work, of whom over 1,000 have obtained employment immediately on leaving the Centre. In addition it is known that considerable numbers have settled overseas at various times after leaving the Centre, but definite figures are not available. The figures exclude 47 ex-service families trained at Chisledon under a scheme arranged with the Oversea Settlement Department and the British Legion and approximately 370 men under a scheme arranged with the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that ex-Gunner Frederick Gallagher, late No. 4602218, 68th Field Battery, Royal Artillery, a re-enlisted soldier, was induced to serve in India by a promise, which promise was authorised by a memorandum from the record office, which was shown to him at the time, that he would be allowed to re-engage and extend his service, counting his first service for pension, notwithstanding the interval between his first and second periods of service; whether he is aware that ex-Gunner Gallagher was not told his re-engagement was irregular until 18 months afterwards, when he was serving in India and his wife and children had been sent out to him; and whether, see- ing that ex-Gunner Gallagher was induced to serve in India by a promise authorised by the record office that he would be allowed to re-engage and extend his service, counting his first period of service for pension, the Secretary of State will see that the promise is kept or, alternatively, that a service pension is granted to ex-Gunner Gallagher on account of the service he has actually given?

I have already had correspondence with my hon. Friend on this case and I fear that there is nothing to add to what I have already told him. Gunner Gallagher was in fact given the opportunity of extending his service and had he done so he could later have reengaged to complete 21 years with the Colours and so qualify for pension. He refused the opportunity and was therefore transferred to the Army Reserve, and I regret that he cannot be now re-instated in the Service. Nor can he be granted a pension as the service he has already completed is not sufficient to qualify him under the regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War when a claim was made for salvage money by the Trinity House vessel "Alert" for her work in salvaging the gun-barge "Gog" and the naval gun lost in the Thames?

No claim for salvage has been received from Trinity House in respect of the War Department gun-barge "Gog." No claim could arise in respect of the naval gun as it was not salved.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increased number of accidents at night to pedal cyclists owing to their non-compliance with the law to fix red reflectors at the back of their machines, he will instruct the police to rigorously enforce the regulation in the interests of the public as well as of the pedal cyclists themselves?

This has been done. A circular to all chief officers of police was issued last June.

asked the Home Secretary whether the question of the reintroduction of the spring register of electors will be included in the terms of reference of the Committee that has been set up to go into the question of electoral reform, seeing that the Speaker's Conference of 1917 thought it an advantage to have two registers a year?

The spring register of electors was discontinued from motives of economy, and it is not contemplated that the question of its revival will be dealt with by the Conference.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that during the last four months the City of Leeds has submitted schemes amounting to over £581,000 to the unemployed grants committee; and why none of these have been sanctioned?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Pudsey and Otley (Mr. Gibson) on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that during the last four months the City of Leeds has submitted schemes to his Department amounting to over £634,000 and has only been allowed to proceed with two schemes amounting to £4,369; and can he expedite matters for the benefit of the unemployed?

I have received from the Leeds Corporation details in respect of six schemes estimated to cost £131,744. The details have been examined and in the case of two schemes, estimated to cost £4,369, the grants have been issued. The four remaining schemes have been approved in principle, but the data were insufficient, and the Corporation have been asked to furnish further information. This information is now awaited. Fifteen other schemes estimated to cost £291,631, have been submitted in outline, and I hope it will be possible to indicate at an early date to what extent and on what conditions assistance for these schemes can be offered.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give an estimate of the number of adults and juveniles, respectively, who will be absorbed into employment in the 12 months following the extension of the school age in 1931 as a direct result of such extension; and if she anticipates that a similar additional number will be absorbed in each subsequent year?

I regret that it is not possible at present to form any reliable estimate of these numbers.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of boys and girls who will be kept off the labour market during the 12 months following the extension of the school age, and the principal industries affected in which there now exists unemployment?

It is estimated that between 350,000 and 400,000 boys and girls will be kept off the labour market in Great Britain during the 12 months following the extension of the school age in April, 1931. The principal industries in which insured boys and girls are employed and in which there now exists unemployment are, for boys, distributive trades, coal mining, building, engineering, shipbuilding and ship-repairing, and the cotton industry, and for girls, distributive trades, cotton, woollen and worsted, tailoring, and hotel and boarding house service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been drawn to the case of Charles Jenkins and Edward Parry, both unemployed miners from Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan, who were sent to work under the transfer scheme for the firm of Dunsford, at Ringwood, near Bournemouth, with a guarantee of 12 months' work at 1s. 0½d. per hour; is she aware that these two men were employed by this firm from 31st October to 9th November and gave every satisfaction at their work, but were paid off on 9th November by the fore- man on the grounds that he had too many men on the job; that they were refused any financial help by the local Exchange to pay them two weeks' board and lodging and train fares home to Gilfach Goch; and will she inquire into the matter?

I have had a report on these cases, but as the circumstances are under consideration by the statutory authorities in connection with the men's claim to benefit, I do not think I ought to make any statement at present. I will communicate later with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give the figures of men and women registered as unemployed at the Barrow Employment Exchange during the last full week in October, 1929, and for the corresponding week in 1928?

At 28th October, 1929, there were 2,703 men and 360 women on the registers of the Barrow Employment Exchange, as compared with 1,852 men and 269 women at 29th October, 1928.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has received representations from the Frome Trades Council regarding a fuller representation on the local boards of assessors; and what steps she proposes to take in this matter?

I have not received such representations. I may mention, however, that this trades council and a number of others have written to me with regard to representation on the local employment committees and I have this matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new German Unemployment Insurance Bill has been printed; whether she has received a copy; and, if so, if she could arrange for a translation to be placed in the Library or for a summary to be printed in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette"?

The new German Unemployment Insurance Act has been printed and a copy has been received. I will arrange that a summary of its provisions shall be published in the December issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that a communication has recently been sent by the Unemployment Grants Committee to the Woolwich Borough Council, in connection with their application for a Grant-in-aid of work at Harrowfield playing fields, stating that, if it desires to obtain aid from State funds, it should contribute to the solution of the problem regarding transferred labour; and whether this statement was sent with her approval?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative, but the percentage of transferred labour required will now be modified in accordance with the announcements made by the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

in the House of Commons on 4th November.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give the number of claims, men, and women, which have been disallowed under the not-genuinely-seeking-work disqualification at the Cardiff Exchanges for each month during the present year; and whether she can state the number of men and women who have been placed in employment through the medium of these Exchanges during the same period?

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th November, 1929; col. 2262, Vol. 231], supplied the following statement:

The following statement gives the number of disallowances, on the ground "not-genuinely-seeking-work," in each month of the period January to October, 1929, of claims to benefit made at the Cardiff Employment Exchanges, together with the number of vacancies filled through the medium of these Exchanges:

asked the Minister of Labour if her officers have advised her of the threatened national lock-out of carpenters and shipwrights employed in the shipbuilding industry, that 15,000 men will be involved, and that the lockout notice is to take effect on the 23rd November; and will she say whether she proposes to take any steps to avert this threatened lock-out?

I am glad to be able to say that an agreement was reached between the parties to this dispute on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is intended to extend the provisions of the Washington Convention to commerce, including the distributive trades?

The Washington Convention is concerned only with the regulation of the working hours of persons employed in industrial undertakings. The question of a similar international arrangement in regard to the hours of persons otherwise employed was discussed at the last International Labour Conference, and is at present under the consideration of the Governments of the various countries.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs if it is his intention to appoint a committee of inquiry to investigate the whole field of emigration from this country to His Majesty's Dominions?

No, Sir. As at present advised my Noble Friend is of opinion that no useful purpose would be served by such a committee as that proposed by the hon. Member. I am at present engaged in a careful examination and review of the work of the Oversea Settlement Department. But as the whole question of migration closely concerns His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, I have no doubt it will be one of the questions which will be the subject of discussion at the forthcoming Imperial Conference.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is prepared to consider the award of a disablement pension to William Henry Lacey, late Private, No. M/344,709, Royal Army Service Corps, in view of the fact that he is blind as a result of war service, and has in consequence lost his employment and been totally unable for more than two and a-half years to contribute towards the support of his wife and four children?

I am inquiring into the facts of this case and will communicate later with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many authorities provided meals for necessitous school children in 1927–28; and what was the total elementary school population covered by those authorities?

The number of local education authorities who provided meals for necessitous school children in 1927–28 was 132, and the average attendance of children at the public elementary schools in the areas of those authorities was 2,770,114.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what expenditure has been incurred to date in connection with the Haig memorial statue; and what has been accomplished on this account?

The expenditure to date has been £460, which is almost entirely made up of the fees paid to the sculptors who were asked to submit designs. In addition the Department has agreed to pay the sculptor whose design was selected £500 for preparing a larger model, modifying his original design as recommended by the assessors. This will not be ready for some months.

asked the Attorney-General if he can state the numbers of cases which have been decided before the referees under the Landlord and Tenant Act as far as London is concerned?

The number of cases which have been decided in London before referees is 38.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the last promotions were made to mate and how many ratings were commissioned at that time; and when it is anticipated that the next batch of promotions to mate will be announced?

The last promotions to mate rank were made on the 1st December, 1928, when eight ratings were promoted. The next promotions, which have already been announced, will be made on the 1st December, 1929, when five ratings will be promoted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many ratings have passed for mate rank; and what percentage of those so passed are likely to be promoted to the rank of mate?

For the promotions on the 1st December next there were seven candidates who had obtained the necessary qualifications, and of those five are being promoted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has been arrived at on the question of a pension fund for officers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service, which was put before the Admiralty by a deputation from the Imperial Merchant Service Guild in 1926?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday (OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th November, 1929; cols. 471–2, Vol. 232) to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will approve of chief petty officers of the Royal Navy keeping their caps on when being paid?

Yes, Sir. This is the ordinary custom of the Service at payments by open muster.

asked the Minister of Agriculture where and how Government lymph is now prepared; what animals are used in its preparation; and how many animals were so treated in 1928?

Government lymph is prepared at the Government lymph establishment at Hendon. My hon. Friend will find a full statement of the technique and procedure on pages 15 to 17 of the Report of the Vaccination Committee, 1928. During 1928, 438 calves and 38 rabbits were used in the preparation of the lymph.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the growing and serious menace of river pollution all over the country and of the inadequacy of existing powers to deal with the matter, other action is contemplated to deal with the situation; and, if so, what?

The whole question of river pollution is at present under consideration by the Joint Advisory Committee on River Pollution and in particular they are considering measures to prevent pollution by trade effluents. They have issued a preliminary report in which they express the opinion that much more can be done, under existing powers, through the appointment of joint committees by the councils of counties and county boroughs. I am urging the authorities to set up such bodies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he proposes to encourage the issue of a public appeal, or to take any other steps similar to those being taken by the Secretary of State for Scotland in order to raise funds for the purpose of assisting the English fishermen who also suffered heavy losses of nets and gear in the recent disastrous gale;

(2) whether he has any information regarding the extent and amount of the losses incurred by the English fishing fleet from Yarmouth and Lowestoft in the recent gale which caused so much damage to the Scotch fleet?

I am informed that 31 English vessels lost about 1,500 nets, valued, with their auxiliary gear, at about £5,000. The loss of gear by the English vessels will not to any appreciable extent fall upon the fishermen themselves, but upon the shore owners of the vessels. These owners have made no appeal for public assistance and I have no reason to think that they desire it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the wholesale destruction of fish in the River Witham as a result of the pollution of the water by an effluent from the Bardney beet-sugar factory; and whether he will state what immediate action the Ministry propose to take to prevent further pollution of these waters?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Horn-castle (Mr. Haslam). Proceedings for the prevention of pollution can be taken only by the authorities—of whom the Ministry is not one—entrusted with that duty by Statute, or by aggrieved persons under the common law.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the Malvern Hills conservators have refrained from making application for an order prohibiting quarrying on the hills; to what extent the mineral rights have already been purchased; how much has been expended for this purpose; and what further properties can be acquired under the Act of 1924?

I am informed by the Malvern Hills Conservators that the reason why they have refrained from making application to the Minister for an order prohibiting quarrying on the hills is the lack of funds for the payment of compensation in the event of such in order being made. The Conservators have already expended £34,000 in connection with the purchase of mineral rights under their statutory powers. The Conservators are now negotiating for the purchase of the only remaining quarry on the hills which can be dealt with under the Malvern Hills Act, 1924.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the names of the visiting committee at the Dorset Mental Hospital, Herrison, have been withheld from certain patients; and will he take steps to secure free access to such names so as to permit communication between patients and the visiting committee?

I will cause inquiries to be made and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the restrictive effect exercised on new buildings by the continuation of the Rent Restrictions Acts in their present form; and whether he proposes to make an inquiry into their modification before continuing them for another period?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the statement I made on this matter in reply to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on 31st October.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the total number of persons in Great Britain in receipt of poor law relief, old age pensions, widows' pensions, and Army and Navy pensions, respectively?

The following table gives the particulars asked for by the hon. Member.

The figures other than those relating to poor relief and pensions awarded under or by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, have been obtained from the Departments concerned.

(Figures are given as at latest available date—Not earlier than 27th September, 1929 in any case.)

Total number of persons in receipt of:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of cases in which children's allowances under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act have been disallowed or reduced on account of compensation being paid under the Workmen's Compensation Act; the number of children affected; and the total amount involved?

The number of cases in England and Wales is 4,750; 10,300 children were affected, and the amount involved in removing the disqualification as regards such of these children as are still within the specified age is estimated to be £89,000 in the first full year.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now give the name of the chairman of the departmental committee on the disposal of London refuse, appointed to succeed the late Sir John Gatti; and can he state when the committee is likely to report and when the Report is likely to be published?

I have appointed Mr. Ernest Sanger to be Chairman of the Departmental Committee. As re- gards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 7th instant to a number of questions on the subject of the disposal of London refuse.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the present unsatisfactory position in regard to the disposal of refuse in London; if his attention has been drawn to the successful method of refuse disposal adopted by the borough of Shoreditch; and if he will urge the rest of London to follow the example of Shoreditch in this matter?

I am aware of the position. The method of refuse disposal in Shoreditch is known to my Department, but as regards this matter and the remainder of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 7th instant to a number of questions on the subject of the disposal of London refuse.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in Berkshire have submitted schemes for slum clearance; when these proposals were received by the Ministry; and how soon these authorities may expect to Hear the decision of the Department?

No such scheme is at present before me. A scheme submitted by the New Windsor Town Council was confirmed in 1923. No other scheme has been submitted from Berkshire since 1919.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the proposed reduction in the minimum age for unemployment insurance, it is proposed to reduce the age for health insurance to the same level?

No decision has yet been come to on the point raised by the hon. Member, but the matter will receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mrs. Elizabeth Renwick, of Hull, was certified by her panel doctor on 10th October last for medical treatment and sickness benefit and that her approved society has so far withheld the benefit; and will he make local inquiries why she has been refused the health insurance pay?

I will have inquiries made into the case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the introduction of legislation in order to enable concerts and other efforts which are organised for the purpose of raising funds to assist blind persons to be free from the payment of any form of Entertainments Duty?

Entertainments given to assist the blind may be exempted from Entertainments Duty under the existing law as being philanthropic or charitable, provided that the statutory conditions are complied with. I am sending my hon Friend a leaflet explaining those conditions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that women have displaced men in so many occupations, resulting in more men applying for situations in domestic service, he will take steps to ascertain if local authorities will consent to forego the revenue now received from male servant licence duty, as its incidence restricts the employment of men in these situations?

No, Sir. I should not feel justified in instituting such an inquiry in present circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a copy of the terms of the resolution in regard to double taxation passed by the International Chamber of Commerce at its recent congress in Amsterdam; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to enter into bilateral conventions with the principal industrial countries for the purpose of eliminating double taxation based upon the principle of residence either in its unrestricted form or with suitable modifications, as circumstances may render desirable?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, the Government are prepared to enter into negotiation with foreign Governments with a view to the conclusion of bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation based in the main on the principle of residence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the pensions officer for the borough of Derby, when assessing the means of a claimant for a pension under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, took into account the value of a free pass on the corporation tramways and omnibuses granted to the claimant by the tramways committee which the officer assessed at an annual value of £5 4s.; and if he will issue instructions which will prevent the recurrence of such action?

The facts of the case are as stated in the question, but the claimant's means as calculated by the pension officer were far below the limit for a 10s. pension, and the sole issue in the case was whether the statutory definition of blindness was fulfilled. In reply to the second portion of the question, I would explain that under the law the yearly value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed by a person must be taken into account in calculating his means for blind pension purposes, and accordingly pension officers cannot discriminate between a free pass and any other privilege or income enjoyed by a claimant or pensioner.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Department of Health has any information as to whether the county council of Aberdeenshire, the county council of Kincardineshire, or any burgh or local authority within these counties, respectively, has taken steps to implement the obligation resting on them under Section 2 of the Welfare of Blind Persons Act, 1920, for promoting the welfare of blind persons in their areas with regard to workshops, hostels, or homes, or otherwise; if so, what precise steps have been taken; whether he is aware that, although nine years have elapsed since the passing of the Act, over 700 blind persons resident in the North-East of Scotland area are understood to be receiving no benefits at the present time under Section 2 of the Act; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the obligations under Section 2 are forthwith carried out by the local authorities referred to, either separately or in combination, by promoting schemes adequate to the needs of the blind persons resident within their respective areas?

The county council of Aberdeenshire, the town council of Aberdeen, and the county council of Kincardineshire, who are the local authorities under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, in the area referred to, have prepared and received approval to schemes for the exercise of their powers under Sub-section 1 of Section 2 of the Act.

Under these schemes the councils make arrangements for promoting the welfare of the blind by means of the provision of institutional services through the medium of the Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind. They also make arrangements through the medium of the Aberdeen Town and County Association for the Blind and the Forfarshire Mission to the Blind for the provision of services for non-institutional blind persons which include visitation, home teaching, employment under approved schemes for assistance to home workers, pastime employment and general care and assistance.

As regards the third part of the question, my right hon. Friend is informed that although all blind persons in the North-East of Scotland do not receive direct financial benefits under the Act, every known case of blindness is receiving the benefit of the institutional or non-institutional services already mentioned.

As regards the last part of the question, the Scottish Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind are about to submit a report on their inquiry into the working of existing schemes together with suggestions for a revised model scheme for the guidance of local authorities, and when these are received the question of the provision of more adequate arrangements by local authorities will be considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of the various additional financial commitments undertaken by the present Government since it assumed office?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 19th November to questions addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Members for Rugby (Captain Margesson) and Lewis-ham, East (Sir A. Pownall), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the price of 5 per cent. War Loan on the day prior to the announcement of the issue of the new Conversion Loan and the price of 5 per cent. War Loan at the present time; and what is the amount of capital depreciation represented by this fall?

I have no source of information on this matter which is not equally available to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the National Debt on the 31st July, 1914, the amount of the National Debt on the 31st October, 1929, and the amount paid in interest on the National Debt between the 31st July, 1914, and the 31st October, 1929?

The nominal amount of the National Debt on 31st July, 1914, was approximately £645,000,000 and on 31st October, 1929, £7,554,000,000. The hon. Member will find full details of the interest payments in the annual Finance Accounts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider supplying Members of this House with suitable despatch cases for conveying their official correspondence and other papers in connection with their work?

No, Sir. I do not think it would be justifiable to supply such articles at the public expense.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the proposals made by the right hon. Member for Bradford East to the Select Committee on Procedure in 1913, particularly in relation to Committees of the Whole House and to the avoidance of all-night sittings; and whether the Government is prepared to submit to the House proposals for the rationalisation and reform of Parliamentary procedure on these lines or on other lines such as will secure fuller consideration of the Clauses of Bills and of the Estimates, and effective criticism of Departmental administration by a Committee of Members, representative of all parties, for each Department of State?

I am always prepared to consider suggestions for improving our procedure, but I am unable to adopt proposals such as those referred to in the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any oversight is exercised by the Board of Inland Revenue over the rates of pay and conditions of service of staffs employed by clerks to commissioners of taxes and collectors of taxes; and, if not, whether he is prepared to institute measures designed to ensure that fair wages are paid by these officers, having regard to the fact that they are remunerated out of public funds?

Clerks to Commissioners and Collectors of Taxes appointed by Commissioners are not the employés of the Board of Inland Revenue: the work for which each is responsible is paid for by an inclusive sum, and the Board have no power to interfere as regards their employment of subordinate staff. I cannot accept the implication in the question that fair wages are not paid.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of coal mines at work in Germany in 1926, 1927, and 1928, the number of men employed below ground in these mines during 1926, 1927, and 1928, the total tonnage of coal raised, and the number of horses employed below ground

asked the Secretary for Mines if it is his intention to intro-

for the same three years in German mines; whether he will give the number of mines at work in the United Kingdom for the same three years, the number of men and ponies employed below ground, and the total tonnage of coal raised for each of the three years; whether he can give the main kind of haulage used underground in German mines; whether he has any knowledge of a recent investigation into methods of haulage in use in German mines; and whether, in view of the relatively higher degree of safety and efficiency of electric haulage, he will take steps to secure its introduction into British mines and the supersession of the use of ponies?

Following is the answer:

duce legislation relating to the care and welfare of ponies and other animals used in coal mines?

I have given further consideration to this matter, but I do not, as a result, find myself able to add anything to the answer I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 8th July last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received a request from the chief librarian of the Birmingham Public Library with reference to the deposit of a free copy of the great catalogue of the British Museum; and whether he can accede to this request?

The request has been received and is receiving consideration, but I am not yet in a position to give a decision.