asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the recent increase in the import duty on sulphate of copper imported into Portugal, for the spraying of vines, from, approximately, 9s. per ton to approximately £4 10s. per ton, which is equivalent to nearly 20 per cent. ad valorem; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter;(2) whether he is aware that the duty on importation of sulphate of copper into Portugal specially affects the trade of this country, in view of the fact that the value of the sulphate of copper exported from this country to Portugal during the year 1928 was about six times the value exported into that country by all other countries together; and will he make representations to the Portuguese Government on the matter;(3) whether he is aware of the fact that, if the Portuguese tariff on sulphate of copper is maintained, the effect will be, in practice, to prohibit the importation of the commodity into Portugal and thereby will mean a considerable increase of unemployment in this country; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

My attention has already been called to the increase of the duty levied on copper sulphate imported into Portugal, and, acting on telegraphic instructions sent to him at the instance of my Department, His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon has already made representations on the matter to the Portuguese Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what immediate steps, if any, it is proposed to be taken by representation or otherwise to the Portuguese Government to remit the increase in tariff on sulphate of copper, having regard especially to the peculiar advantages that country has in the British market, inasmuch as the annual value of port wine imported from Portugal into this country is nearly 30 times as much as the value of sulphate of copper exported from this country to Portugal and, furthermore, it is a custom of the trade in this country to apply the word "port" exclusively to wine grown in the Douro district of Portugal, thereby granting a virtual monopoly to that particular district, and that this custom enables the Portuguese wine exporters to avail themselves of the protection of the Merchandise Marks Act to the disadvantage of Empire wine growers?

As I have informed my hon. Friend to-day, my attention has already been called to the increase of the duty levied on copper sulphate imported into Portugal, and acting on telegraphic instructions sent to him at the instance of my Department His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon has made representations on the matter to the Portuguese Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will have prepared and issued a White Paper giving the information contained in Parliamentary Paper, No. 248 of 1913, and continued for the years 1913 to 1929, inclusive (excluding the Irish Free State where necessary and the years 1914 to 1918 if more convenient)?

I have been asked to reply. In view of the increased range of the particulars included in the Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom, it does not appear that the White Paper referred to is now needed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can inform the House of any representations received by his Department relative to the likelihood of a change in the fiscal policy of this country so far as the British Dominions are concerned?

No such representations have been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, seeing that the Empire Marketing Board will consider supplementing the efforts now being made to advertise and popularise the British potato, he will state the extent and nature of any assistance the Board will give in order profitably to market this season's crop?

The Empire Marketing Board will shortly be issuing a press advertisement on the subject of home potatoes. They are also preparing special leaflets with recipes for issue to the public and window display strips for use by retailers.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he has yet received the engineer's report on the Lower Thames Tunnel.

Yes. I would refer my hon. friend to the answer which I gave on 21st January to a question by the member for the Dartford Division (Mr. Mills), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will place in the Members' Tea Rooms the plans of the general scheme of the proposed new Charging Cross Bridge?

The only plans of the general scheme available are the deposited plans, and a plan signed by Sir Edward Lutyens, the engineers, and Sir Henry Maybury, and I am making immediate arrangements for these plans to be exhibited in the Members' Tea Rooms as suggested. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, a model illustrating the proposed scheme is, as is usual in large schemes, being prepared in ordinary course as part of the evidence for the promoters. I hope that this will be completed within the next few weeks, and so soon as it is available I will arrange for its exhibition in the House.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent fatal accident at Elliot Junction, near Arbroath, when a man crossing the railway by a public path to the public park, belonging to the town of Arbroath, was run over by a train and killed; and whether he will take steps to direct that a bridge, or some other means of safety, be adopted, in view of the fact that large numbers of women and children, during the summer months, use this means of access to the public park?

I have received a report on this accident from the railway company. I have no power to require the company to provide a bridge at this crossing, but I will communicate the hon. Member's suggestion to them.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to introduce a Bill for mothers' pensions?

My right hon. Friend is not quite clear what my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he refers to family allowances, the answer to his question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to introduce legislation dealing with slum clearance and unsatisfactory housing conditions so that improved facilities may be given to local authorities in dealing with this problem?

My right hon. Friend is afraid he can add nothing to the statement made by the Prime Minister on this subject on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of slum clearance schemes carried out since May last; the total number of persons rehoused under such schemes; and the number of schemes submitted during such period and approved?

In England and Wales work has been in progress since May last on 89 slum clearance schemes, three of which, involving the provision of re-housing accommodation for 697 persons, were completed by 30th September last, the latest date to which figures are at present available. Eight schemes of this kind have been submitted during the period in question, none of which has yet been confirmed.

asked the Minister of Health the average area of parlour and non-parlour houses, respectively, excluding flats, in contracts let by or in direct labour schemes of local authorities for each month from November to date?

As regards houses to be built in England and Wales the figures were as follow: For November, 1929, parlour houses 894 square feet, non-parlour houses, 749 square feet; for December, 1929, parlour houses, 937 square feet, non-parlour houses, 801 square feet.

asked the Minister of Health the average price of parlour and non-parlour houses let by or in direct labour schemes of local authorities during each of the months June and December, 1928, and June and December, 1929, or other approximately near date as may be convenient?

The following statement gives the desired particulars as regards houses to-be built in England and Wales.

Month.			Parlour Houses.	Non-Parlour Houses.
1928.			£	£
June	…	…	426	356
December	…	…	429	338
1929.
June	…	…	404	355
December	…	…	404	370

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of houses

Month.				Number of State Assisted Houses.
				Completed during the month.		Authorised but not completed at the end of the mouth.
				Housing, etc., Act, 1923	Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.	Housing, etc., Act, 1923.	Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
1929.
September	…	…	…	26,377*	8,967	—	51,912
October	…	…	…	—	6,278	—	51,131
November	…	…	…	—	4,555	—	51,642
December	…	…	…	—	3,674	—	57,229
* This figure may be subject to adjustment.

The following statement gives the desired particulars:

Month.	No. of State-assisted houses authorised in England and Wales during the month under the:
	Housing, etc. Act, 1923.	Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
1928.
October	3,996	3,271
November	3,356	4,778
December	6,261	3,643
1929.
October	—	5,497
November	—	5,066
December	—	9,261

asked the Minister of Health for the months of September, October, November, and December, 1929, the number of houses completed and the number authorised but not completed under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924; and the number of houses erected without State assistance, of a rateable value not exceeding £78 (or £105 in the Metropolitan Police District), for the six months ended September last?

The following statement shows, for each of the months in question as regards England and Wales, the number of houses completed, and the number authorised but not completed under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924:

asked the Minister of Health the number of dwellings completed at 31st December, 1929, or the last convenient date under the provisions of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, in agricultural parishes?

The number of dwellings completed at 31st December, 1929, under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, in agricultural parishes in England and Wales was 15,594.

asked the Minister of Health the number of dwellings in respect of which grants and/or loans for which assistance has been promised under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, and the number of dwellings on

Name.		1928.		1929.
		Houses completed during 1928.	Authorised but not completed at 31st December, 1928.	Houses completed during 1929.	Authorised but not completed at 31st December, 1929.
London County Council	…	9,036	6,916	2,561	5,120
Battersea	…	—	18	6	12
Bermondsey	…	4	—	—	—
Bethnal breen	…	—	16	16	—
Finsbury	…	11	—	—	12
Fulham	…	—	—	—	—
Greenwich	…	76	98	168	22
Hackney	…	—	100	100	127
Islington	…	—	—	—	152
Kensington	…	—	3	—	3
Lambeth	…	—	—	—	120
Lewisham	…	132	100	100	—
Poplar	…	—	194	86	116
St. Marylebone	…	—	—	—	—
St. Pancras	…	—	—	—	61
Stepney	…	290	21	18	3
Wandsworth	…	18	34	30	4
Westminster	…	77	—	—	—
Woolwich	…	440	116	131	—

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, owing to the fact that four deaths have taken place in

Up to 30th September last, the latest date for which figures are available, assistance had been promised under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act in respect of 2,200 dwellings in England and Wales. Work had been actually commenced on 2,034 of these and completed on 1,402.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built during 1928 and the number built in 1929 under the Housing Acts by the various councils in the Metropolitan area; and the number of houses authorised but not completed for the same years, respectively, by each of such councils?

The following statement shows the number of houses built under the Housing Acts by the various councils in the Metropolitan area during 1928 and 1929, and the number of houses authorised but not completed for the same years.Germany recently from psittacosis, the authorities there have placed a ban upon the import of parrots into that country; and will he consider the advisability of taking similar action in this country?

My right hon. Friend has seen newspaper reports to the effect that the action referred to has been taken in Germany, but he has no official information on the subject. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to add anything to the answer given on the 23rd instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Warwick and Leamington (Captain Eden).

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department are taking any steps to increase the supply of radium available for use in the hospitals of Great Britain; and can he give particulars?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the position with respect to the use of public funds in aid of the purchase of radium to be supplied on loan to hospitals is that no part of the moneys voted by Parliament for this purpose, which were limited to £100,000, has been placed at my disposal. The whole of this contribution of £100,000 from public funds forms part of the money held by the Radium Trust, who, as my hon. Friend will be aware, are not appointed by me but are constituted by Royal Charter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has in his possession information regarding small-pox notifications and fatalities in the European countries referred to in the epidemiological reports of the health organisation of the League of Nations?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the increasing sale of poisons in the form of disinfectants and to the fact that suicides from drinking disinfectants have increased from seven in 1918 to 287 in 1928; whether this is a matter now being considered by his inter-Departmental Committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts; when he expects the report of this body; and whether he proposes to schedule such disinfectants among the lists of poisons or to take any other action to limit the free sale of such products?

My attention has not been called to the increasing sales referred to by the Noble Lord. The Report of the Departmental Committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts, set up by the Lord President of the Council, is expected shortly and will be laid before Parliament. Under the existing law I have no power to add to the Schedule of Poisons, such power being vested in the Pharmaceutical Society, whose action has to be approved by the Privy Council.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the Regulations of the Board of Education governing the remuneration of the principals of training colleges?

The salaries of principals of training colleges have to be submitted for the approval of the Board for grant purposes; but the circumstances of different colleges vary too widely to allow scales of salary to be drawn up, and each case is accordingly considered on its merits.

asked the President of the Board of Education what further action the Board of Education proposes to take in order to secure the additional number of men teachers who are likely to be required owing to the policy of the raising of the school-leaving age on 1st April, 1931?

In my answer to the hon. Member for Hackney North (Captain A. Hudson) on 12th December, of which I am sending the; hon. Member a copy, I explained that men formed half of the additional students whose admission to training colleges had been arranged. I am now negotiating with the college authorities with a view to the admission of further additional students next autumn.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any figures and can state the amount of money at present in hand in the Lord Mayor's Fund which was raised for the purpose of relief of distress in mining areas?

I am informed that grants of £189,000 were paid last week to the mining areas of Durham, Northumberland, South Wales, West Riding and Lancashire, and that the present balance of the fund in London amounts to £60,000.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that it was only after repeated representations had been made to the Government of India that the question of the protection of the Indian chemical industry was referred in 1928 to the Indian Tariff Board; if he is aware that, although the Report of the Tariff Board was presented some time ago and its publication was promised for November last, the recommendations of the Board have not yet been made public; and whether, in view of the anxiety caused by this delay, he will state the present position in this matter and will press upon the Government of India the desirability of the early

Contributions to the Central Government by Provincial Governments.
Province.	1921–22.	1922–23.	1923–24.	1924–25.	1925–26.	1926–27.
	Rs.	Rs.	Rs.	Rs.	Rs.	Rs.
Madras	3,48,00,000	3,48,00,000	3,48,00,000	3,48,00,000	2,21,98,000	1,65,19,000
Bombay	56,00,000	56,00,000	56,00,000	56,00,000	34,00,000	28,00,000
Bengal	63,00,000	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)	(a)
United Provinces	2,40,00,000	2,40,00,000	2,40,00,000	2,40,00,000	1,83,83,000	1,50,85,000
Punjab	1,75,00,000	1,75,00,000	1,75,00,000	1,75,00,000	1,13,84,000	85,73,000
Burma	64,00,000	64,00,000	64,00,000	64,00,000	44,35,000	50,23,000
Bihar and Orissa (b)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central Provinces and Berar.	22,00,000	22,00,000	22,00,000	22,00,000	13,00,000	22,00,000
Assam	15,00,000	15,00,000	15,00,000	15,00,000	9,00,000	15,00,000
Coorg (c)	—	—	—	12,000	12,000	12,000
Total	9,83,00,000	9,20,00,000	9,20,00,000	9,20,12,000	6,20,12,000	5,17,12,000
(a) Bengal's contribution was specially remitted for the years 1922–23 to 1926–27.
(b) Under the award, no contribution was payable by Bihar and Orissa.
(c) Coorg was constituted a separate province with separate revenues in 1924–25.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information as to the number of privately-owned and managed railways in India; and as to

I am aware that the reference to the Tariff Board was made in consequence of representations from chemical manufacturers. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, except that I am not aware of publication having been promised for November. As regards the third part, I have no reason to suppose that the delay caused by the consideration of this exceedingly complicated question has been unduly prolonged.

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of the contribution made to the central Government by each of the provincial governments in each year from the introduction of the Meston award until the final remission of provincial contributions in 1928–29?

I append a table giving the required information, down to 1926–27, inclusive. The entire amount of the outstanding provincial contributions was remitted in 1927–28, although a portion of the remission (totalling Rs.2,58,00,000) was then stated to be temporary. Complete and final remission was sanctioned with effect from 1928–29.the total mileage and the duration of the existing contracts in each case?

The following statement gives the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend:

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of the land revenue receipts in the several provinces

Land Revenue Receipts in the several Provinces of India for the years 1919–20 to 1927–28.
Year.		Madras.	Bombay.	Bengal.	United Provinces.	Punjab.
		Rs.	Rs.	Rs.	Rs.	Rs.
1919–20	…	5,97,58,371	5,28,37,766	3,00,96,527	6,63,39,689	3,12,08,701
1920–21	…	5,79,81,189	4,34,73,774	3,03,91,183	6,80,47,676	2,99,61,548
1921–22	…	6,07,48,050	5,47,43,707	3,01,88,957	6,80,91,040	2,45,55,994
1922–23	…	6,09,20,714	5,58,69,288	3,12,62,431	6,79,52,521	3,23,14,317
1923–24	…	5,86,78,094	5,08,89,322	3,13,01,640	6,92,22,261	3,64,39,618
1924–25	…	6,15,05,867	5,16,52,815	3,10,73,587	6,71,08,534	3,53,68,120
1925–26	…	6,39,79,269	5,41,10,654	3,00,57,344	6,90,24,716	3,07,12,548
1926–27	…	6,22,00,112	4,66,94,344	3,11,18,096	6,87,97,093	3,21,25,856
1927–28	…	6,23,76,640	5,23,18,901	3,15,12,155	6,92,55,996	3,00,14,925

The following statement gives the information desired:

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present position with regard to the claim of the War Office to a contribution by India towards the cost of raising, training, equipping, and transporting annual Army reliefs and drafts from England; and what is

Cost of Raising, Training and Equipping (i.e. Capitation Rate Payments) and Transporting (Sea Transport) Annual Reliefs and Drafts from England.
Year.		Capitation payment (Cost of Raising, Training and Equipping).	Cost of Sea Transport* (after allowing for annual contribution by War Office of £130,000). To the nearest thousand.	Total.
		£	£	£
1920–21	…	2,018,000	774,000	2,792,000
1921–22	…	1,959,000	704,000	2,663,000
1922–23	…	1,663,000	568,000	2,231,000
1923–24	…	1,700,000	483,000	2,183,000
1924–25	…	1,455,000	348,000	1,803,000
1925–26	…	1,400,000	464,000	1,864,000
1926–27	…	1,400,000†	409,000	1,809,000
1927–28	…	1,400,000†	326,000	1,726,000
1928–29	…	1,400,000†	407,000	1,807,000
1929–30	…	1,400,000†	370,000‡	1,770,000
* These figures include the cost of passage between India and United Kingdom of personnel of the Indian Army.
† Provisional: subject to adjustment.
‡ Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount in British currency contributed for the upkeep of the British Army in India by Indian revenues for each of the past five years; and what proportion this is of the total Indian revenue in each of these years?

No figures are available showing separately the cost of the British Army in India, as distinct from the total military expenditure borne by

The incidence of these charges is under discussion with His Majesty's Government. The sums paid by India during the past 10 years are given below.Indian revenues. The distribution of military expenditure under the various heads is shown in the annual Finance and Revenue Accounts, of which copies are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India what sums have been appropriated by the Central Government by way of revenue earned in the several provinces during the last five years for which figures are available under each of the following heads: customs, income tax, salt, opium, post and telegraphs, and railways?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the "Account of the Revenue of the Central Government in the several Provinces of British India and in England," included in the annual "Finance and Revenue Accounts of the Government of India," which have been laid before Parliament, and of which a copy is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Home Secretary how many protests against offensive action and language by members of the Metropolitan Police Force have been received during the past 12 months; in how many cases an investigation has been held; how many officers, if any, have been found guilty; and what, if any, disciplinary action has been taken?

In the course of last year 324 such complaints were received. All were investigated and 52 were the subject of special inquiry by the Chief Constable or Superintendent concerned. In 42 cases the complaint was definitely substantiated: 11 cases were dealt with by punishment (including two dismissals and one reduction in rank) and 30 by caution. In the remaining case the officer was found to be mentally afflicted and was sent to a mental home.

asked the Home Secretary how many cases have occurred during the past 12 months where members of the Metropolitan Police Force have given unsupported evidence against a member of the public which has been set aside by the Magistrate; and how many of these cases occurred in the C (Bow Street) division?

Instances may not infrequently occur where a case which rests on police evidence is dismissed, but, in the absence of specific adverse comment on the Magistrate's part, its dismissal implies no reflection on the evidence of the police officer or officers concerned. My right hon. Friend regrets therefore he is not in a position to give figures in reply to the question as it stands, but if the hon. Member can inform him more precisely as to the cases he has in mind, my right hon. Friend would be glad to make further inquiry with regard to them.

asked the Home Secretary whether the temporary modification of the height standard of the Metropolitan constabulary which was introduced during the previous 12 months is still in existence; and whether there is still difficulty in obtaining sufficient suitable recruits at the normal minimum height?

The temporary reduction of the minimum height to 5 feet 8½ inches has not been removed, but in practice it is found possible at present to obtain sufficient recruits of 5 feet 9 inches or over; with very few exceptions.

asked the Home Secretary for what purpose Lowdham Grange, near Epperstone, Notts, has been bought; whether he is aware that the buildings being erected there are spoiling the beauty of the neighbourhood and are causing dissatisfaction in the neighbourhood?

A contract has been entered into to purchase this estate for the purposes of a new Borstal institution. No buildings have as yet been erected or started, so my right hon. Friend finds it difficult to understand the ground for the suggestions in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as a result of his consultation with the Governor of Kenya Colony upon the deportation of Harry Thuku, the latter will now be allowed to return to his home?

My Noble Friend does not expect to receive for some weeks a reply to his communication to the Governor on the subject, and it is not possible to say yet what decision will be arrived at.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is proposed to make any change in the administration of Bechuanaland, either as a whole or any part of the territory?

No change in the method of administration of the Bechuanaland Protectorate is under consideration at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, during the consultations regarding the Soviet Government's undertakings as to propaganda, all the Dominion Governments expressed the view that the proposed undertakings were satisfactory?

The answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's question on this subject on 22nd January applies also to his present question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any evidence of propaganda by the Soviet Government or by the Third International since M. Sokolnikoff presented his credentials?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I returned to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery) on Wednesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the arrest of Mr. Marcus Daley in the French Congo?

The inquiries to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member on 9th December are taking longer to complete than I anticipated, and I am still not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's proposals for getting old people out of industry by means of augmented pensions?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost would be of pensioning persons of 60 years of age from industry at 30s. weekly, and the likely savings in other directions?

I regret that it is impossible to give any reliable figures without entering into considerations which cannot be adequately discussed within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of building operatives unemployed on 31st December, 1929, or last convenient date; and the number, respectively, unemployed for each quarter in 1928 and 1929?

The following Table shows the numbers of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to the building industry recorded as unemployed in Great Britain:

1928.		Number	1929.		Number.
26th March	…	87,964	25th March	…	101,069
25th June	…	77,869	24th June	…	67,742
24th Sept.	…	91,845	23rd Sept.	…	84,585
17th Dec.	…	120,715	16th Dec.	…	135,983

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed on the registers of the Dudley Employment Exchange on 1st June last and 1st January, 1930, respectively?

At 30th December, 1929, there were 3,609 persons on the registers of the Dudley Employment Exchange as compared with 2,550 at 3rd June, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men, women and juveniles at the various Exchanges in the Parliamentary Divisions of Derby, Belper, Ilkeston and

PERSONS on the Registers of Employment Exchanges in the undermentioned areas at 13th January, 1930, and 14th January, 1929, respectively.
Area.	13th January, 1930.				14th January, 1929.
	Men.	Women.	Juvs.	Total.	Men.	Women.	Juvs.	Total.
Parliamentary Borough of Derby.*	3,062	774	320	4,156	3,657	1,060	510	5,227
Parliamentary Divisions of—
Belper†	1,373	459	73	1,905	827	234	41	1,102
Ilkeston‡	3,679	865	201	4,745	3,824	863	247	4,934
South Derbyshire§	1,401	334	92	1,827	1,821	293	103	2,217
* The figures relate to the area covered by the Derby Employment Exchange.
† The figures relate to the area covered by the Belper and Alfreton Exchanges.
‡ The figures relate to the area covered by the Ilkeston, Ripley and Heanor Exchanges.
§ The figures relate to the area covered by the Long Eaton and Swadlincote Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of unemployed registered at the Newcastle-on-Tyne exchanges at mid-January, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively, and mid-June. 1929?

Date.			Men.	Boys.	Women.	Girls.	Total.
16th January, 1928	…	…	14,369	659	1,248	643	16,919
14th January, 1929	…	…	16,941	801	2,026	801	20,569
13th January, 1930	…	…	14,915	649	2,343	763	18,670
10th June, 1929	…	…	13,477	433	1,420	380	15,710
* The figures relate to the numbers on the registers of the Exchanges at Newcastle-on-Tyne Elswick and Heaton.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the equivalent weekly rates of pay, compared with persons similarly employed in their country at trade union rates, of individuals employed in the following occupations in the countries indicated, in each case expressing the salaries and wages in sterling on the basis of present rates of exchange: policeman, postman, engineer (shopman), marine engineer, locomotive engineer,

pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd January; col. 306, Vol. 234], supplied the following statement:

The following table shows the numbers of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the Newcastle-on-Tyne area^* at the dates given:municipal sanitary workman, dock labourer, cotton operator (female), coal miner, agricultural labourer (average), and tradesman carpenter, in France, Germany, Italy, Czechoslovak Republic, the United States of America, and Australia?

I am having a statement prepared which will contain such of the desired particulars as are available, and will communicate it to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as it is ready.

asked the Minister of Labour at what ports action has been taken to implement the findings of the Dock Transport Workers' Committee on the decasualisation of port labour?

In accordance with the recommendations of the Dock Transport Workers' (Registration and Guaranteed Week) Committee, 26 registration schemes covering approximately 86,000 registered port transport workers are already in operation at the following ports or groups of ports:England:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in considering the question of 10,000-ton cruisers, the Admiralty have had special regard to the "Salt Lake City," the latest development in the United States of the 10,000-ton cruiser?

In considering the question of the 10,000-ton cruisers the Admiralty have taken into consideration all relevant factors, including the building programmes of other Powers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether consideration has yet been given to the representations made on 2nd January, 1930, to the Secretary of the Admiralty by the Electrical Power Engineers' Association in connection with the filling of vacancies for appointment as assistant electrical engineers by the promotion of suitable engineers within the Admiralty service; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir; and a reply has been sent to the Electrical Power Engineers' Association to the effect that every consideration will be given to the claims of subordinate officers serving in the dockyards for promotion to the rank of assistant electrical engineers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an extensive refit is to be allocated to Devonport Dockyard; and, if so, what is the nature of the work?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the "Courageous," which is to taken in hand at Devonport early in February for refit and retubing of boilers.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what structures have now been scheduled on the list of the Ancient Monuments Commission; and whether this list can be published for general information?

A complete list of the monuments scheduled under the Act up to the end of 1928 has been published and is on sale through the Stationery Office. This list is now under revision to include the monuments scheduled during 1929. The revised list will be on sale shortly.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of clerical staff of all grades to be removed from the offices at the corner of Dorset Street and Baker Street, Marylebone; and whether the Exchequer will be freed from all liability when the building is vacated at Lady Day next?

The total number of staff (including administrative, technical, clerical and typing grades) to be removed from these offices is 203. I should add that the expenditure on accommodation for this office and the location of the office are matters with which the Imperial War Graves Commission, which is represented in this House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, is primarily concerned. The cost of the accommodation, which is provided by my Department on repayment terms, is not a charge on the Votes of the Office of Works. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why some, if not all, the Government staffs at Sanctuary Buildings, Westminster, should not be housed in buildings not less than three miles from Charing Cross; and why the work now performed at Sanctuary Buildings cannot be carried out with equal efficiency in buildings outside the highly-rented districts of the Metropolis?

The staffs housed in Sanctuary Buildings are all headquarter organisations, or parts of headquarter organisations, and, as such, require to be housed in the central area; as regards the second part of the question, I may say that the possibilities of transferring official staffs from premises in the central area of London were exhaustively investigated by an Interdepartmental Committee some years ago, and that the recommendations of that committee were adopted so far as was considered practicable without serious detriment to the public service.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has submitted the design for the building to be erected on the Calton site in Edinburgh to the Fine Art Commission; and whether he has consulted with the Commission regarding the selection of the architect?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. The plans of the proposed buildings will be finished early in February, but they will not be submitted to the Fine Art Commission until a scale model of the buildings, which the Commission have requested to be furnished, has been prepared.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation removing the present disabilities of free speech and action on political matters at present imposed on civil servants?

His Majesty's Government endorse the well-established rule of the Civil Service that civil servants should take no overt part in public political affairs, and I am not prepared to introduce legislation which would be inconsistent with the maintenance of this general principle of conduct.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to the dismissal of 100 temporary ex-service clerks from the Ministry of Labour, Kew; and whether, in view of the announced policy of His Majesty's Government, he will state the reasons for a departure from that policy as expressed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Every effort will be made, in accordance with the pledges which have been given, to provide the men concerned with fresh work in Government Departments on the termination of their present employment, and I have good reason to believe that these efforts will be successful. There has been no departure from expressed policy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the average dividend, free of tax, declared by the six largest industrial assurance companies for 1928?

The average dividend, free of tax, declared for 1928 by the six largest industrial assurance companies (other than mutual companies) is 54 per cent. on the total paid-up share capital. The dividend is derived from all classes of business undertaken, not solely from industrial assurance business.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that the service pensions granted to retired officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines have been reduced on account of a fall in the cost of living and that the pay of the civil staff at the Admiralty and the dockyards has been increased owing to a rise in the cost of living, he will explain the reason for this anomaly?

The hon. and gallant Member is misinformed in suggesting that the pay of the civil staff of the Admiralty is being, or has recently been, increased in consequence of a rise in the cost of living or for any other reason. The position is that the Government have decided that Civil Service pay and pension, and Service officers' pay and retired pay, which are all subject to adjustment according to the cost-of-living index figures, shall for limited periods be related in each case to an assumed index figure of 70, instead of to the less favourable figures which actually obtain. I cannot, therefore, agree that any anomaly has arisen. I may, perhaps, remind the hon. and gallant Member that the present rates of officers' pay and retired pay are related to cost-of-living figures for 1926 and took effect from 1st July, 1927. Since that date Civil Service pay has been subject to cost-of-living adjustment on four occasions and pension on eight occasions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that naval pay is being reduced, due to a fall in the cost of living, and that the pay of the civil staff at the Admiralty is being increased in consequence of a rise in the cost of living, he will explain this anomaly?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the previous reply which I have given him to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of British troops at present stationed in Gibraltar and in Malta, respectively?

The strength of the British troops in Gibraltar and Malta on 1st January last was approximately 1,500 and 2,450 respectively. Of the normal establishments of these stations, as shown on pages 28 and 29 of the current Army Estimates, one battalion from Gibraltar and two from Malta are temporarily in China and Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for War with reference to his visits to Gibraltar and Malta to see the conditions under which the troops served, whether these visits resulted in effecting any economies; and, if so, in what directions?

My visits to Gibraltar and Malta were undertaken to assure myself that the conditions under which officers and other ranks were living were satisfactory. I know of no specific economies which have resulted as a consequence of these visits. I have satisfied myself that everything possible is being done for the comfort of all ranks and that due economy is being exercised.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total of the extra financial commitments of the present Government in respect of the current year and for 1930–31?

It is estimated that the total expenditure falling on the Exchequer in consequence of the commitments specified, apart from expenditure in connection with schemes for the promotion of employment, will amount to approximately £8,500,000 in the current year, and £21,000,000 next year. The details of this expenditure are substantially as stated in reply to similar questions addressed to me on 19th November and 24th December last, with the addition of the projected expenditure under the Coal Mines Bill, of which details are given in Command Papers Nos. 3456 and 3476. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal will shortly present a further White Paper regarding schemes for the promotion of employment.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the complaints still arising in regard to the treatment of ex-service men's claims to pension, he will set up a committee to inquire into and report upon the extent to which the nation's obligations to ex-service men are being satisfactorily met; the question whether and, if so, how the present War Pensions Acts, Royal Warrants, and Regulations require amendment; and the possibility and desirability of centralising the payment of all pensions in a single Department?

I have been asked to answer this question. I see no reason for the proposed inquiry. I am satisfied that any complaints that may arise can be, and are being, fairly met under the existing procedure.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he proposes to seek the necessary powers which will allow him to make allowances to mentally or physically incapacitated war orphans which now cease at the age of 21, although brothers and sisters who were dependent on the dead soldier are allowed to draw allowances while their incapacity and need exists?

It is a well-recognised principle of pensions administration that the liability of the State in respect of the children of ex-service men should not extend beyond the attainment of their majority, and after the fullest consideration the Government have not found it possible at this stage to contemplate any general departure from this principle. I am, however, impressed by the special claim of the invalid child of the deceased ex-service man who has also become motherless before the age of 21, and I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that I have obtained power, where public provision is not otherwise made, to continue pension beyond the age of 21 in this class of case if the infirmity on account of which the pension has been extended from 16 to 21 still lenders the child totally and permanently incapable of earning a living. I am taking immediate steps to give effect to this extension.

asked the Postmaster-General what sum was awarded to Mr. Comerford as a reward for recovering a lost mail bag; and whether the amount was the normal one?

A reward of 2s. 6d. was paid. There is no fixed standard in such cases, but by a practice of long standing the local officer-in-charge is empowered to make small payments at his own discretion without reference to headquarters. Substantial rewards have been authorised from time to time when the circumstances justified them.

asked the hon. Member for Carlisle, as representing the Church Estates Commissioners, whether the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are aware of the unanimous wish of the parishioners of Great and Little Massingham, Norfolk, to retain and continue their separate parochial lights of worship in their respective parish churches as in the past; and upon what grounds it is proposed to close one or other of these ancient churches?

The scheme for the union of the benefices of Great and Little Massingham is prepared under the Union of Benefices Measure, 1923, and will leave the parishes distinct as heretofore but under one incumbent: each church will remain a parish church and neither will be closed.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps are being taken to overcome the danger created in mines by inability to hear the cracking of the roof owing to the noise made by electric cutting-machines?

This point is bound up with much larger questions of roof-control and support in machine mining generally which are receiving the close attention of the Inspectors of Mines and the Safety in Mines Research Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps his Department is taking to assist in organising plans at East Coast fishing ports designed to secure by means of motor transport and cold storage a wider distribution of fresh fish in the inland villages and towns?

The Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research appointed to inquire into the fishing industry is instructed to consider the marketing and distribution of fish and to recommend any measures which appear to be desirable and practicable for their improvement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of drainage schemes and the areas affected in East Anglia, the total cost, and the proportion which will be met from Exchequer funds?

The number of State-aided drainage schemes which have been completed since 1926 in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge and the Isle of Ely is 13, of which the cost has been £32,647 and the Exchequer grant £11,725. 19 schemes are still in operation or are due to begin, of which the estimated cost will be £387,564 and the Exchequer grant £189,228. The area affected by all the above schemes is estimated at about 381,000 acres. In addition there is one large scheme in operation which is being assisted from the funds of the Unemployment Grants Committee. This scheme is estimated to cost £200,000, and the Government grant amounts to 75 per cent. of the loan charges for the first 15 years of the loan period, and 37½ per cent. of the loan charges for the second 15 years of the loan period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any information regarding the conditions under which Algerian potatoes are raised in order to compete with British potatoes in the spring; and, if not, whether he will call for a Report from the competent British representative and present it to this House?

In view of the differences between this country and Algeria in climate, soil, and numerous other respects, I do not think that the results from the preparation of a special report would justify the time and labour required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to Report No. 8 of the Empire Marketing Board dealing with experimental consignments of potatoes from Palestine into this country, and that these potatoes are likely to be marketed during the months of February, March and April; and whether, in view of the fact that there is an ample supply of good British potatoes available, he will discourage these importations and so assist in the marketing of the British crop?

I understand that in 1928 and 1929 the Empire Marketing Board were asked to obtain the views of the trade upon certain very small and experimental consignments of potatoes sent to them by the Government Experimental Station in Palestine. So far no commercial consignments have been attempted, and I am informed that it is doubtful whether Palestine is able to adapt its agricultural practices go as to send commercial consignments in the three months, February, March and April, mentioned. In view of the fact that there will certainly not be any commercial supplies of Palestine potatoes on the market this year to compete with the home crop, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any system of loan or otherwise has been introduced by the present Government whereby smallholders may be enabled to farm their holdings?

The administrative measures adopted by the Government in the interests of agriculturists, including smallholders, do not include the provision of further credit facilities, which would require legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to take steps to grade and fix the retail prices of agricultural produce?

Steps have already been taken under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1928, to define by regulations grade designations for apples and pears, eggs, tomatoes and cucumbers, all-English flour, malt extract and home-killed beef. I have now under consideration proposals for establishing statutory grades for other descriptions of agricultural produce. I have no power, however, to fix retail prices of agricultural produce.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in regard to each of the provinces, the total number of milk producers and the number who are taking advantage of the facilities offered by the agricultural colleges for periodical tests to ensure a satisfactory standard of cleanliness in their milk?

I regret that it is not possible to give the information desired by my hon. Friend without examining a very large number of returns, at a disproportionate cost of time and labour. He has no doubt seen the general account of the work done for the improvement of the milk supply -which is contained in the Report of the Work of the Research and Education Division of the Ministry for the year 1927–28, published last year by the Stationery Office.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how far advantage has been taken of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, by farmers in the East Riding and West Riding of Yorkshire?

Applications for loans under Part I of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, received by the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation from the East Riding and West Riding of Yorkshire up to and including Saturday, 25th January, 1930, are as follow:

	£
East Riding: Loans on Mortgage (53)	314,935
West Riding: Loans on Mortgage (51)	108,271
Improvement Loans (2)	504
	£423,710

Of these the following have been completed:

	£
East Riding: Loans on Mortgage (29)	110,550
West Riding: Loans on Mortgage (22)	56,900
Improvement Loans (1)	195
	£167,645

In addition, the following have been approved by the Directors of the Corporation, subject to the satisfactory completion of the formalities:

	£
East Riding: Loans on Mortgage (4)	8,550
West Riding: Loans on Mortgage (4)	9,850
	£18,400

The number of agricultural charges under Part II of the Act in the Register at His Majesty's Land Registry up to and including Friday, 24th January, 1930, is as follows: East Riding, 46; West Riding, 136; Total, 182.