asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of men and women cotton workers registered as unemployed in September, October, and November, 1929?

The following table gives the number of insured persons aged 16 to 64 classified as belonging to the cotton textile industry recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 23rd September and 21st October, 1929. Figures for November are not yet available.

unemployed and 257,824 were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

asked the Minister of Labour if any and, if so, how many men have been transferred from distressed areas to, and been found employment in, the Chatham, Rochester, and Gillingham district of Kent; and what the respective occupations of such men are?

During the period 14th March to 11th November, 1929, 41 men were transferred from depressed areas to employment in the Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham district of Kent. I regret that statistics are not available regarding the occupations in which they obtained employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of persons claiming at the Armley and Stanningley Employment Exchanges whose applications for benefit have been

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of persons whose claims were rejected on the grounds of not genuinely seeking work at the Eccles, Swinton and Pendlebury Exchanges from January to May and May to October this year?

rejected on the ground of non-compliance with the fourth statutory condition for the four weeks immediately preceding and the four weeks immediately following the adoption of the procedure for the reference of disputed claims to local boards of assessors?

The following table gives the information available. The Boards of Assessors procedure was instituted on 10th September, 1929. It will be seen that the figures for the period since that date are in respect of five weeks, while for the earlier period they cover four weeks.

The following table shows the number of claims made at the Eccles, and Swinton and Pendlebury Employment Exchanges which were disallowed on the ground "not genuinely seeking work" during the periods, nearest to those referred to, for which figures are available:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what amount of money has been devoted to Carmarthenshire from the Unemployment Grants Committee?

Since the 1st June, 1929, the Unemployment Grants Committee have approved for grant in the County of Carmarthen four schemes in respect of expenditure amounting to £69,987.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state separately the estimated extra expenditure involved in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 (3), and the Second Schedule, of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, the total of which it is estimated may increase benefit expenditure by £3,250,000 per annum?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. White) on Thursday last. The Clauses in question react on one another and it is not practicable to divide the estimate in the manner desired. As regards the Second Schedule, the amendment of Section 5 (5) of the 1920 Act relates to a charge on the Exchequer of about £20,000 a year. The cost of the amendment of Section 41 of the same Act cannot be estimated but will be relatively small. The last amendment in the Schedule is dealt with in paragraph 2 of the Memorandum prefixed to the Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour if a Return may be made for the purpose of ascertaining the total number of registered unemployed who give their occupation as that of an agricultural labourer now and again at the end of December and the end of February of next year, showing the figures for each county in England and Wales?

The following table gives the number of wholly unemployed men and women registered at Employment Exchanges in each county of England and Wales on 21st October, 1929, as applicants for work in agriculture and horticulture.

Corresponding figures will be available in respect of 30th December and 24th February next.

It should be noted that, as agriculture is not insured under the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, and facilities for registration by personal attendance at the Ministry's offices are not generally avail- able in rural areas, the figures in the table cannot be taken as representative of the total amount of unemployment in agriculture.

asked the Minister of Labour what is at present the average number of dependants of unemployed persons of each of the following classes in respect of whom unemployment benefit is being paid: wife, female person having the care of the claimant's dependant children, mentally or physically incapacitated husband, widowed mother or

asked the Minister of Labour what is at present the incidence of unemployment among boys and girls aged 16, 17, and 18, respectively; and what is the anticipated incidence of unemployment among boys and girls of 15, respectively, when these latter become insurable?

At 21st October, 1929, there were 19,117 boys and 14,011 girls, aged 16 and under 18, insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. These numbers represent 3.3 per cent. and 3.2 per cent. respectively of the numbers insured at July, 1929. I regret that separate statistics are not available for each of the ages 16, 17 and 18 nor in respect of unemployment among boys and girls aged 15.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware

step-mother, mother who has not been married or whose husband is permanently disabled?

Statistics of the number of dependants of various classes for whom dependants' benefit is payable are not regularly compiled, but some figures were obtained from an analysis on a sample basis regarding claimants on the register at 4th April, 1927, and these are given in the following table. I regret that separate figures for the last class mentioned in the question, and for mentally or physically incapacitated husbands, are not available.

of any industries in this country where the recognised working week, exclusive of overtime, exceeds 48 hours; if so, what those industries are; and how many workers they employ.

pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th November, 1929; col. 2193, Vol. 231] supplied the following statement:

For the following classes of workers there are agreements fixing hours in excess of 48 per week:

Pig iron manufacture — Process workers.

Steel smelting—Gas producermen and certain other classes who are required to work at week ends.

Heavy chemical Manufacture—Shift workers.

Lead smelting—Process workers.

Spelter manufacture—Process workers.

Coke oven workers—Shift workers in certain districts.

Gas manufacture—Shift workers in certain districts.

Electricity supply—Shift workers in certain districts.

Brick making—Kiln burners in certain districts.

Ironstone mining—Surface workers in Cleveland.

Shale mining—Surface workers in Scotland.

Lace manufacture—Twist hands, levers section at Derby and Nottingham.

Lace embroidery workers—Nottingham.

Herring fishery coopers—Scotland.

Tugboatmen—Tyne, Tees and Wear.

In the first nine industries in this list the hours are in excess of 48 owing to the fact that work is continuous over the week end.

In coal mining the hours of labour of surface workers exceed 48 in some districts, while those of underground workers are seven and a half per shift in some districts and eight in others, ex-elusive of one winding time.

In agriculture the hours in respect of which the minimum rates fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board are payable exceed 48 in some districts in summer and in other districts all the year.

Information as to the number of workpeople covered by the arrangements referred to above providing for a week in excess of 48 hours is not available, but an inquiry made by the Ministry into Earnings and Hours of Labour in 1924 showed that 7.3 per cent. of the workers covered by the returns had a normal week exceeding 48 hours. Particulars as to the proportions in the different industries are given on page 117 of the 19th Abstract of Labour Statistics.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will give a list of the buildings, ancient monuments, etc., under the Office of Works or otherwise on which it proposed to carry out restoration work as an assistance to the solution of the unemployment problem, and the number of persons likely to be so employed?

The historic buildings and ancient monuments in the charge of the Office of Works at which it is proposed to carry out works which will assist in the relief of unemployment are as follows:

Arbroath Abbey, Forfar.

Balvenie Castle, Banff.

Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey.

Berkhampstead Castle, Herts.

Brougham Castle, Westmorland.

Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire.

Byland Abbey, Yorks.

Cardoness Castle, Kirkcudbright.

Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight.

Castleacre Priory, Norfolk.

Coity Castle, Glamorgan.

Crichton Castle, Midlothian.

Crossraguel Abbey, Ayr.

Denbigh Town Walls, Denbigh.

Dirleton Castle, East Lothian.

Dover Castle.

Duffus Castle, Elgin.

Dunkeld Cathedral, Perth.

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland.

Finchale Priory, Durham.

Framlingham Castle, Suffolk.

Grosmont Castle, Monmouth.

Harlech Castle, Merioneth.

Helmsley Castle, Yorks.

Huntly Castle, Aberdeen.

Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthen.

Kirkham Abbey, Yorks.

Norham Castle, Northumberland.

Nunney Castle, Somerset.

Ogmore Castle, Glamorgan.

Old Sarum Castle, Wiltshire.

Pendennis Castle, Cornwall.

Pevensey Castle, Sussex.

Pickering Castle, Yorks.

Portchester Castle, Hants.

Richborough Castle, Kent.

Rievaulx Abbey, Yorks.

Roche Abbey, Yorks.

Sweetheart Abbey, Kirkcudbright.

Tantallon Castle, East Lothian.

Tintern Abbey, Monmouth.

Torphichen Preceptory, Linlithgow.

Tynemouth Priory, Northumberland.

White Castle, Monmouth.

The work, which is not restoration, but the clearance and excavation of moats, foundations, etc., on which unskilled labour can be employed, has already commenced. The number of men engaged until about the end of March next will fluctuate between 500 and 700.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is prepared to pub- lish the names of the Royal Warrant holders and public authorities who are not members of the King's National Roll or, alternatively, to make membership of the King's National Roll compulsory?

There have been previous suggestions that the names of local authorities not on the King's National Roll should be published. The matter was discussed by the King's Roll National Council in the Interim report of July, 1923 (Cmd. 1919) and definitely rejected, for reasons which are given in the Report and which still hold good. The same reasons apply to the publication of names of Royal Warrant holders. As regards compulsory membership of the King's National Roll, the Select Committee of 1922 which examined various schemes for securing the employment of disabled ex-Service men reported in favour of the continuance of a voluntary system, and the considerations which led to that conclusion appear to have equal force to-day.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the number of cases where ex-service men have had hospital treatment during the first six months of 1929; and in how many of these cases was treatment allowance paid to the families of these men?

About 13,300 officers, nurses and men received hospital treatment during some portion of the first six months of the present year. Allowances would be payable in the great majority of cases, though I have no record as to the precise number.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the memorial of the Foreman's Association of India, dated 11th September, 1929, regarding the inadequacy of pay and the grant of passage concessions, has been brought to his notice; and what action he proposes to take in regard to it?

I have not yet received this particular memorial with the Government of India's comments, but, as I stated in reply to a question on the 4th November, the question of passages is already engaging the active attention of that Government and myself.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any provision is made by the Government of India for the financial assistance of Indian repatriates from South Africa to aid these repatriates to a settled life on their arrival in India?

I have no information on the point, but will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the general service clerks of the Indo-European Telegraph Department with less than 10 years' service have been asked to consider the advisability of voluntary resignation in order to obtain employment elsewhere, in view of the proposed reduction of staff; whether, in case advantage is. taken of this suggestion, he will state what compensation, gratuities, and payments will be made and, more particularly, whether proposals which have been brought to his notice will be accepted by the Department; and will he make as detailed a statement as possible with regard to the future of the Indo-European Telegraph Department and its staff?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part therefore does not arise. As regards the third part, proposals in regard to the future of the Department are under consideration which may necessitate reductions in various grades of personnel employed by the Department, in which case the question of compensation for the retrenched officers for the loss of employment will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the acreage under opium cultivation in India in each year from 1923 to 1928; how many chests of Indian opium have been exported each year from 1923 to 1928; the value thereof; and the destina-

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the total amount of opium and other narcotic drugs required annually for medical needs in Great Britain in accordance with the formula worked out by the Health Committee of the League of Nations; the actual amount of opium derivatives and narcotic drugs of all categories manufactured in Great Britain in the latest year for which figures are available; and the actual amount of narcotic drugs of all categories exported from Great Britain in the latest year for which figures are available?

The Health Committee of the League of Nations estimated (but with some qualifications) that in countries possessing a highly developed system of medical assistance the maximum requirements of opium and its alkaloids and derivatives for medical and scientific purposes were, in terms of raw opium with 10 per cent. morphine, 450 milligrammes per head per year, and of cocaine seven milligrammes per head per year. Upon the basis of this calculation and with an estimated population of 45,525,000 the maximum requirements of Great Britain and Northern Ireland were in 1928; 45,263 lbs. of raw opium and 704 lbs. of cocaine.

tions to which these exports were consigned?

The figures are given in the statement below:

The quantities manufactured in Great Britain in 1928 of the drugs to which the Dangerous Drugs Acts apply were as follows:

Medicinal opium—6,859 lbs.

Morphine and its salts—9,056 lbs. (including 4,868 lbs. used in the manufacture of derivatives of opium or morphine which are not within the Dangerous Drugs Acts).

Diacetylmorphine and its salts—675 lbs.

Cocaine and its salts—308 lbs.

The quantities exported in 1928 were:

Raw opium—15,956 lbs.

Medicinal opium—3,394 lbs.

Morphine and its salts—3,114 lbs.

Diacetylmorphine and its salts— 377 lbs.

Cocaine and its salts—278 lbs.

Figures are not available in regard to opium derivatives which are not subject to the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Acts.

asked the Home Secretary what is the present position with regard to the stabilisation of Easter; whether the Government proposes to lay a draft Order in this connection before both Houses of Parliament during the present Session; and, if not, what are the reasons for the delay?

In reply to a question on the 6th instant by the hon. and gallant Member for Oxford (Captain Bourne), I stated that His Majesty's Government were communicating with other European Governments, and I am not in a position at the present time to answer the second paragraph of the question. It was explained by my predecessor when the Bill received its Second Reading that it would be necessary to consult the Governments of the other commercial nations before taking action, and this necessarily takes time.

asked the Home Secretary what information he has as to the number of works councils established in factories in this country, and the number of employés involved?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Memorandum on Works Committees furnished by the Ministry of Labour to the Committee on Industry and Trade which appears on pages 302–306 of the Committee's "Survey of Industrial Relations," published in 1926. It would appear from the estimate given in that Memorandum that, up to and including 1922, considerably over 1,000 works committees' had been formed but that this figure (which embraced other industries besides factory industries) has since then been substantially reduced, and I understand that the information at present available is not sufficient to enable any revised estimate to be given. I may add that the number of special safety committees which have been set up in factories with the express object of promoting safe conditions of work has, I am glad to say, considerably increased of late in the circumstances explained in the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1928 (pages 14–22) though I am afraid it is not possible to give any figures.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information and can he state the amount of cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride that has been manufactured in Great Britain under the authority of the Home Office during the three years ended to the last convenient date?

Since the coming into force of the Dangerous Drugs Acts no cocaine was manufactured until 1028, when 1,047 ounces of cocaine and 3,887 ounces of the salts of cocaine were manufactured under Home Office licence.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the great disparity in the basic rates of pay of prison pharmacists as compared with the rates in other Government departments, particularly the Royal Navy and Poet Office; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the rates of prison pharmacists, in order that a more satisfactory rate may apply to them?

The remuneration of these officers was substantially improved in 1923 when a Departmental Committee reviewed the pay and conditions of service of the prison staffs generally; and I am advised that if all relevant factors are taken into consideration the remuneration of pharmacists in the prison service does not compare unfavourably with that of pharmacists engaged on comparable work in other Government departments, including those mentioned by by hon. Friend; but if he will furnish me with particulars of the points he has in mind, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many discharges have taken place from the Woolwich Dockyard since 31st May?

There are no Admiralty employés at Woolwich Dockyard. At the Royal Naval Armament Depot, situated in Woolwich Arsenal, six employés in all have been discharged since the 31st May last: two on account of age, two on account of medical unfit-ness, one on account of reduction, one on account of misconduct.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the amount of compensation paid to the dependants of workmen who are fatally injured in the course of their employment in Woolwich Arsenal and the dockyards under his control and the amount paid in respect of workmen whose accidents do not prove fatal; and whether the amount is paid in a lump sum for fatal cases or by a system of weekly payments?

The amount of compensation paid to the dependants of Admiralty workmen who are fatally injured in the course of their employment in Woolwich Arsenal and the home dockyards is governed by the relevant Workmen's Compensation Act or the Government Scheme of Compensation framed thereunder, as also is the amount payable in respect of workmen whose accidents do not prove fatal. The amounts payable under the Acts and the various schemes are substantially the same, but in no case are the benefits of the schemes less favourable than those of the Acts. In fatal cases dealt with under the Government schemes it is usual for the amount awarded to be paid to trustees whose proposals for administering the award, whether by weekly payments or otherwise, are subject to approval by the Treasury before payment is made. Where, however, it is clearly in the best interests of all the dependants that payment should be made in a lump sum, arrangements are made accordingly. Awards made under the Acts are administered in accordance with the provisions of the Acts.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to reply to the deputation of representatives of unions which waited upon him on 7th November, asking for the same basic rate to obtain in the naval establishments in Woolwich Arsenal danger buildings as that which obtains in establishments under the control of the War Office; and if he will state whether he is prepared to make any concessions, such as irksome and dirty money, for men employed outside the panels of piece-work production in the same departments?

The various representations made on behalf of the employés to whom my hon. Friend refers are still under consideration. I hope to be in a position to send a reply shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the value of reparations received from Germany in the form of iron manufactures and machinery for the period 1st January to 31st October, 1929?

No reparations were received by this country from Germany in the form of iron (manufactures and machinery for the period 1st January to 31st October, 1929. As the hon. Member was informed on the 19th November, no details are available as to the deliveries of this kind to other countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total sum expended to date, including any miscellaneous items if available, in consequence of the appointment of the Food Council?

The cost of the Food Council from July, 1925, to the end of October, 1929, excluding certain miscellaneous items such as rent, heating, lighting, postal and telephone services and stationery, the cost of which is not readily available, has been £12,430.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department to what countries goods which have been the subject of export credit guarantees by his Department have been exported or sanctioned for export during his tenure of office; and if he can state the amount of the guarantees for each country separately?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the last quarterly return published in the Board of Trade Journal of 10th October, of which I am sending him a copy. With regard to the second part I do not feel it is desirable to give this information which, as my hon. Friend will see from the return, relates to about 70 countries. If, however, my hon. Friend desires information as to any specific country I shall be glad to supply him with it.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many applications for export credit facilities have been received by his Department since the 1st August last; and the number and values of the guarantees which have been given for credit exceeding 12 months' duration?

No figures in regard to the first part of the question are available. With regard to the second part of the question 11 contracts covering exports to the value of £235,443 have been entered into between the 1st August and the 23rd November.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can state the names of the advisory committee to which applications for export credit facilities are referred; and whether the decisions of the Committee are binding upon the Minister?

As to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 4th November to a question by my hon. Friend, the Member for the Western Division of Wolverhampton. With regard to the second part, the Advisory Committee was set up in accordance with the provisions of the Overseas Trade Acts, 1920–1929, the relevant part of which lays down that the powers of the Board of Trade, under these Acts, may be exercised "With the consent of the Treasury and after consultation with an Advisory Committee."

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether it is the practice of British commercial representatives overseas or in foreign countries to report, for the information of British firms concerned, all cases of ship-repairing requirements which may come under their notice?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is now in a position to indicate the attitude of the Government upon the Bill passed by the Southern Rhodesia legislature for the permanent settlement of the land question?

The examination of the points arising in connection with the Bill has not yet been completed. But I hope to be in a position to indicate the attitude of the Government before very long.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what was the rank and length of experience of the official who tried for murder and sentenced to death Dr. Knowles in Ashanti?

His substantive post was that of Police Magistrate, which he had held for seven years at the date of the trial. He was acting as the Circuit Judge at the time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many series of advertisements have been posted on the Empire Marketing Board hoardings since these were set up; and how many of these advertised home and Dominion products, respectively?

Forty-eight sets of posters-shave so far appeared on the Empire Marketing Board's special frames. Of these sets, 22 either dealt with the subject of Empire buying in its general aspects or combined a reference to home and oversea Empire products. Seven sets were devoted exclusively to home products and 19 dealt with the products of the Dominions and the other oversea. Empire countries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the confusion that exists in the public mind due to the varieties of designated milk sanctioned by his Department; and whether he proposes to take steps to reduce their number?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Kedward) on the 18th instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has had to communicate during the previous 12 months with any local authorities for failure to take a sufficient number of samples to supply tests so that a proper check can be made on the adulteration of milk; and if he can give particulars?

In the course of last year my Department corresponded with 19 local authorities whose reports warranted an inquiry as to the adequacy of the numbers of samples of milk taken for the purpose of checking adulteration. In most of these cases either a sufficient explanation was forthcoming or arrangements have now been made for more samples to be taken in future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that during the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in East Sussex cattle were grazing in adjacent fields and became infected, whilst at one farm, where all the cattle were at once brought in, no cases have occurred; and will he consider this alternative to wholesale destruction as a preventive?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Ministry has power to enforce the housing of animals or to move them from one pasture to another, and exercises this power when occasion demands. It must be used, however, with discretion, for it is sometimes better to keep animals in the fields rather than to risk creating a fresh centre of disease by moving them into buildings where usually the main herd is kept. Moreover, on some farms there is insufficient accommodation to house all the animals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the advisability of raising the embargo on Dutch pork, in view of the fact that the Netherlands is quite clear of foot-and- mouth disease; that the supplies from Ireland are diminishing; and the price of pork is increasing?

The withdrawal or modification of the embargo cannot be contemplated until all the Western European countries have been comparatively free from foot-and-mouth disease for a period long enough to ensure that the disease is under effective control. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend of the answer which I gave to him on this question on the 4th instant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the application from Mr. Bryant, of Preston Bissett, for assistance under the field drainage and water supply scheme was refused?

I am informed that Mr. Bryant's application for a grant has not been refused. His forms of application were only received by the Bucks County Council on the 14th November, and he has been asked for further information to enable the agricultural committee to deal with it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is in a position to make a statement or give any information as to the boycott of meat bearing the national mark by the retail trade?

The boycott of beef bearing the national mark has undoubtedly diminished among London traders as a result of the publicity given to this attempt to frustrate the scheme. I am considering what special steps can be taken to deal with the situation in those parts of the London area where, as shown by letters reaching my Department, consumers are still unable to obtain national mark beef although they repeatedly ask for it and ample supplies are available for the trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any objections to the operation of the national grading and marking scheme in the meat trade; whether he is aware that butchers who only deal in the highest class of Scotch and English beef experience great difficulty owing to the inclusion of inferior beef from the Irish Free State, which has appeared on the market as good English home killed; and whether, in view of the difficulty of reconciling the antagonistic views of those who have to handle and sell the goods as to what class they should be graded in, he will consider the inadvisability of any further expenditure of public money on the scheme?

It is well known that a section of the London trade are, for various reasons, opposed to the scheme for the grading and marking of home-killed beef although, in my opinion, no valid objections have yet been raised to it. The term "Good English home killed" referred to by my hon. Friend is not a grade designation for the purpose of the scheme, and there is no reason to suppose that purveyors of best Scotch and English beef are in any way injured by the fact that Irish beef, which has always been in competition in the London area with English and Scotch beef, and has been very generally sold to the public as one or the other, is also graded and marked when killed in this country. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. I have been personally assured by representatives of the London wholesale and retail trade that the standards of quality laid down in the regulations are being accurately observed by the grading officers of my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information concerning- legislation passed in Germany to insure a portion of homegrown wheat being milled with all imported wheat?

By German legislation dated the 4th July, 1929, it was provided that between the 1st August and the 30th November, 1929, German mills grinding foreign wheat must grind at least 40 per cent. of home grown wheat during that period, and at least 30 per cent. during the 12 months from 1st August, 1929, to 31st July, 1930. By a further decree dated 2nd October, it was provided that the proportion of German wheat to be ground by the mills during the period 1st October to 30th November, 1929, will be increased from 40 per cent to 50 per cent., and that the average proportion of home grown wheat to be milled during the period August to November, 1929, inclusive shall not be less than 45 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the maximum number of soldiers and their families which can be accommodated at the Albany Street Barracks, Regent's Park; and what regiment and number of soldiers and their families are stationed there?

There is accommodation at Albany Street Barracks, where the Life Guards are now stationed, for 44 married soldiers and 362 single men. This accommodation is fully occupied, apart from a few married quarters which are at present under repair.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in certain cases the War Office and regimental commanders have refused to supply information that might enable German mothers to trace the fathers of illegitimate children that have been left in the Rhineland by evacuated British troops; and whether the Minister will cause an inquiry to be made?

I am not aware that any such cases have been dealt with at the War Office. As regards the Rhine, I have received a report from which it appears that it has been the practice of the military authorities there to give every assistance in such cases, but if my hon. Friend has grounds for believing that assistance has been unreasonably refused in any individual case and will furnish me with full particulars, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a member of the West African Frontier Force is eligible to receive the Victoria Cross as is the case with the rank and file of the Indian Army; and whether there were any recommendations for that honour in that force when employed in operations in the Cameroons and East Africa during the late War?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, one recommendation for the award of the Victoria Cross was received at the War Office in respect of an officer seconded to the West African Frontier Force, and he was awarded the decoration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have now come to a decision concerning the scheme recently submitted for the establishment of a contributory pension scheme for retiring aged workers in the ordnance factories at Woolwich and elsewhere?

The scheme is at present under actuarial examination, and I am informed that some time must necessarily elapse before this examination can be completed. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to say when a decision will be reached on this complicated question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the West, East and North of Scotland colleges of agriculture stipulate in their curriculum qualifying for lectureships in poultry keeping that candidates shall take courses of study at only one centre, Kilmarnock, extending for one year; that applicants during these courses have to incur board and lodging costs in addition to college fees; that these regulations are exclusive in their operation and entail unnecessary hardship and expense on applicants; and whether he will take steps to secure that additional centres for such qualifying courses shall be provided in addition to Kilmarnock and to reduce the period from one year to six months, which is believed to be sufficient?

I am aware that instructresses in poultry keeping attached to the three agricultural Colleges in Scotland are normally required to possess a diploma in poultry keeping. The only Scottish agricultural college which awards such a diploma is the West of Scotland Agricultural College. Certain of the subjects qualifying for the diploma can be taken at other colleges, but the requisite practical instruction is provided only at Kilmarnock. I have no evidence that there is any demand which would justify the institution of additional centres at which a diploma course could be taken in its entirety, and I do not consider that the present arrangement entails unnecessary hardship or expense on students. In view of the importance of the poultry industry, I would deprecate any proposal to reduce the period of training which is at present considered necessary for candidates for the diploma.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, owing to the Act of Sederunt, made under the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, and dated 16th July, 1929, regulating fees payable in the Sheriff Courts of Scotland, having been laid upon the Table four days prior to the Adjournment of the House on the 26th July last, parties affected have been deprived of their full rights to object to the same within a period of 36 days, as provided by the said Act of 1907; and whether he proposes to take any steps to provide that in future cases where an Act of Sederunt has to lie upon the Table for 36 days it shall be laid upon the Table for 36 days before the Adjournment of the House?

I am aware that, owing to the date at which the Act of Sederunt was passed, it was not possible to lay the Act before Parliament until close upon the Adjournment. I understand, however, that the delay in making the Act was largely due to the careful consideration which the Court gave to the representations of parties. As regards the second part of the question, I shall consult the Court on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had any representation in favour of the Gregg system of shorthand being included in the curriculum for teachers' training classes which are likely to be formed in response to the Scottish Education Department's Circular No. 81; and whether he will take steps to comply with these representations?

The reply to the question is in the negative. The determination of the curriculum to be offered at such classes is primarily a matter for the Training Authority.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will, within a reasonable period, introduce legislation to consolidate the Coal Mines Regulation Acts, 1887, 1908, 1911, and 1914, and amend Section 102, sub-section (5), of the 1911 Act, thus authorising workmen to initiate proceedings before a court of summary jurisdiction against an owner, agent, or manager for breaches of the Coal Mines Regulation Act not personally committed by them?

In the present pressure on Parliamentary time it is not possible to suggest a consolidation of the Coal Mines Acts. In any case such a consolidation would not affect the second point raised by my hon. Friend as regards which he appears to be under some misapprehension. Under the existing law a workman can institute proceedings of the kind referred to provided he obtains my consent in the first place.

asked the Secretary for Mines, (1) whether his attention has been called to the statement contained in the Report of His Majesty's Inspector for Mines (Yorkshire Division) for the year 1928, relating to the increase in the death rate of horses killed or destroyed as a result of accidents in coal mines and to the recommendations contained in such report regarding adequate supervision by managers, improvement in discipline, more careful loading and lockering, careful investigation of all accidents, use of limbers instead of chains on inclined roads, packing of crossings, and single shifts; and whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what action in the matter;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the statements contained in the Report of His Majesty's Inspector of Mines (Northern Division) for 1928 relating to the tendency at a few mines to keep at work old ponies which ought to be past service, indifferent shoeing, and overwork, resulting in harness sores, and to the appeal contained in such Report that all mine managers should give careful consideration to the proper training of boys for pony driving, with a view of drawing up and adoption of an efficient scheme of training; and whether he has any statement to make upon the matter?

I am aware of the statements contained in Reports addressed to me by His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, but I would point out that the extracts given from the Inspectors' Reports are misleading when quoted apart from their contexts. Most of the criticisms are not of general application, but only relate to a limited number of cases; and the general standard of care and treatment of horses is said in both Reports to leave little cause for complaint. The somewhat extensive references to horses in these Reports are evidence of the detailed and critical attention that has been paid and is continuing to be paid to the question by the Inspectors; and I am watching the position myself with great care and with every sympathy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the House the names of the British members of the International Committee of Bankers on Mexico?

As will be seen from page 150 of the edition for 1929 of the "Stock Exchange Official Intelligence," the British section of the International Committee of Bankers on Mexico consists of:

Mr. Vivian H. Smith (Chairman),

Mr. Lawrence Currie,

Sir Clarendon Hyde,

Mr. E. R. Peacock,

Mr. Frank C. Tiarks,

Mr. Vincent W. Yorke.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have a representative on any boards of directors of private companies; can he give their names and the particulars, and the amount of remuneration paid to them by the Government; and whether they receive remuneration as directors' fees in addition?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate amount that an increase of one per cent. in the bank rate involved in the cost of floating indebtedness; and what is the total expenditure, already incurred on this score, over the Budget

The following list shows, so far as the information is available to my Department: (1) the names of the companies concerned; (2) the names of the Government directors or representatives; and (3) whether or not they receive fees or salary from the companies. In only one case (noted below) does a director receive remuneration from public funds.

ments shall have been approved by the Government, and one of these is to be Chairman of the Communications Company, and his appointment as such is subject also to Government approval. The two directors, whose appointments were approved by the Government, are Sir B. Blackett, K.C.B., K.C.S.I. (Chairman) and the Earl of Clarendon.

3. The Government director on the board of Home Grown Sugar, Ltd., surrenders to the Government the whole of his director's fees in return for a payment of £300 per annum.

Estimate for the first seven months of the financial year owing to the increased bank rate?

The volume of floating indebtedness varies considerably at different dates in the year but on a rough average an extra charge of 1 per cent. would correspond to an increased cost for interest of £5,500,000 per annum. In reply to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Wimbledon on the 19th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the counties which have not established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government?

The following is the answer:

Czechoslovakia has not established formal diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but each Government maintains a "de facto" mission in the capital of the other, the members of which, by mutual understanding, enjoy diplomatic privileges on a basis of reciprocity.

The Kingdom of the Hejaz receives a Soviet agent, but has no normal diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statistics that will show in how many cases Articles 9 and 11 and the Fifth Schedule of the Casual Poor Relief Order, 1925, have been used in the Metropolitan area during the previous 12 months; and how many casuals have been given the task of stone breaking?

The Metropolitan Asylum Board, which is the body responsible for the relief of the casual poor in London, comply with the requirements of Articles 9 and 11 and the Fifth Schedule of the Casual Poor Relief Order, 1925, and make liberal use of their powers to discharge in suitable cases earlier than the hours prescribed by Section 71 of the Poor Law Act, 1927. I am informed that the number of persons admitted to the casual wards during the 12 months ended the 31st October, 1929, was 74,189, and that of these 16,565 were granted such early discharge. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is 19 in the last 12 months.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the extensive damage that is bei0ng done to roads by heavy vehicles with defective tyres; and if he will include in any legislation regarding road transport a Clause that will enable local authorities to take proceedings against the owners of such vehicles?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 31st October to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Abertillery Division (Mr. Daggar), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General which are the 11 submarine cables reported damaged by the earthquake off Cape Breton on Monday last, and which North Atlantic submarine cables are still in action?

I am informed by the companies concerned that five Transatlantic cables were interrupted, in addition to a number of cables between Newfoundland and the coast of North America, and that 12 Transatlantic cables are at present working.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, with reference to the policy announced regarding ex-service temporary clerks, his attention has been drawn to the appointment of 302 candidates to the clerical classes from open competitive examinations and the possibility of the appointment of a further 200 such candidates to those classes; and whether these appointments will affect the position of temporary ex-service clerks who have been serving for a considerable number of years in such capacity in the Civil Service?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will approach the Ministry of Health with a view to finding employment for the female clerks recently discharged from the Holloway Money Order Office?

The Ministry of Health have been approached. They do not anticipate having to engage any additional temporary staff, but if they do they will consider those who are now redundant in other departments or have recently been discharged.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can state the revenue of and also the number of men employed on British railways in the years 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928 and 1929, respectively?

My hon. Friend will find the particulars he requires in the Annual Railway Return and the Annual Census of Railway Companies' Staff issued by the Ministry of Transport. The Annual Return for 1929 cannot be available until some months after the close of the year.