asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that he administers regulations governing the granting of licences to those conducting wireless telegraphic business in this country, he will refrain from entering into commercial competition with those to whom he grants licences?

No, Sir. Licences granted under the Wireless Telegraph Acts are not exclusive, and I cannot give any pledge such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make any statement with regard to the future policy of the Government relating to radio-telephony?

I regret that, at the moment, I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given on this matter by the Prime Minister on 3rd February.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of canvassers employed in developing the telephone service; and the method of their remuneration?

The number of officers employed on canvassing duties in connection with the telephone service is approximately 600. They are paid on scales which rise to £200 in London and £180 in the provinces, with the ordinary Civil Service bonus; and, in addition, a commission payment is made in respect of each new order obtained.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in cases where subscribers to the telephone service who have been accustomed to use the old type of multi-coin boxes, and who have expressed their willingness to accept the new type of coin-box, facilities have been withdrawn and their renewal refused; on what grounds the Department justifies its action; and will he investigate the circumstances which are relied upon for the refusal to continue the service, and the claim to terminate existing contracts relating to the same?

I am not aware of any case in which facilities have been refused to any subscriber who has agreed to accept a new box under current conditions; and if the hon. Member will supply me with particulars I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Postmaster-General how, in the absence of definite figures as to the cost of collection by the Post Office of money in private telephone coin-boxes, and the cost of collection from public call kiosks, cabinets, or call offices, respectively, he has come to the conclusion that the former operation is the more expensive; and upon what basis is that conclusion founded?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 4th instant, the ratio between the cost of collection and the amount collected is higher in the case of a private coin-box than in public call offices. This arises in part from the fact that the amount collected per visit is lower in the case of the private box, and partly because it is not always possible to gain access to the box, and this involves repeated visits for the purpose of clearing it.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is his intention to initiate any developments in the telephones department to provide employment for the men who have been discharged from the engineering department during the past 12 months?

I am extending the programme of trunk telephone development; and it is estimated that this will provide employment for about 2,200 men and women, among whom will be some of the men discharged from the Post Office Engineering Department.

asked the Postmaster-General whether British postage stamps are on sale by any steamship company on board liners carrying mails between Great Britain and any of the Dominions or Colonies; and, if so, why they cannot be made available for sale on Union Castle liners carrying mails between Great Britain and South Africa?

I understand that British postage stamps are obtainable on the P. & O. and most other lines providing a mail service between this country and the Dominions and Colonies. I fear, however, that I am not in a position to contest the view of the South African Post Office, which provides the mail service between this country and South Africa, that the revenue from the sale of stamps on board their Packets should accrue to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any complaint from British subjects resident in Russia of interference with their habits of religious worship?

No such complaint has reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the use of smoke screens, tear gases, and high-explosive shells producing poisonous fumes are prohibited under the Geneva Protocol (Protocol for the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases, and of bacteriological methods of warfare. Geneva, 17th June, 1925. Cmd. 3398); and, if not, what steps His Majesty's Government are prepared to take in order that the use of poison gas in any form and for every purpose of warfare may be completely proscribed?

Smoke screens are not considered as poisonous and do not, therefore, come within the terms of the Geneva Gas Protocol. Tear gases and shells producing poisonous fumes are, however, prohibited under the Protocol. In the circumstances, no further action by His Majesty's Government is necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that discontent is alleged still to exist among the native inhabitants of the district of Some Agbosome, in the Gold Coast Colony, on account of the subordination some years ago of the Stool of Agbosome to the Stool of Awunas, which is alleged to be contrary to the customs and desires of the inhabitants; whether any inquiry has been made into this grievance and with what result; and, if no inquiry has been made, will he undertake to go into the matter?

The history and the constitution of the various Stools in the district in question were the subject of a very full inquiry in the year 1912, which was conducted by the then Secretary for Native Affairs in the Gold Coast, who was appointed a special commissioner for the purpose. In this inquiry the commissioner reviewed the past history and the present conditions of the various communities, and came to the conclusion that the Agbosome Stool was one of the subordinate divisions of the Paramount Stool of Awuna. That opinion has been maintained and acted upon by the Colonial Government ever since. The Gold Coast Constitution provides a regular course of procedure to be followed by a Chief who wishes to be declared a Head or Paramount Chief, and establishes a tribunal in the shape of the Provincial Council of Chiefs before which all such claims are to be inquired into and determined. So far as I am aware, the Chief of Agbosome has not made any such claim to the council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will issue a tabulated statement giving the infantile mortality rate in the different islands of the West Indies for

RETURN showing Infantile Mortality Rate in the Different Islands of the British West Indies for the period 1924 to 1928.
—		Infantile Mortality Rate per 1,000 live births.
		1924.	1925.	1926.	1927.	1928.
Barbadoes	…	298	312	314	201	331
Jamaica	…	161	173	168	173	157
Turks and Caicos Islands	…	*	*	*	281	103
Trinidad and Tobago	…	124	134	142	120	129
Windward Islands:
Grenada	…	111	116	137	104	110
St. Lucia	…	125	106	112	131	125
St. Vincent	…	99	115	125	112	133
Leeward Islands:
Antigua	…	249	144	134	128	181
Dominica	…	123	135	150	135	134
Montserrat	…	147	260	139	92	135
St. Kitts	…	202	229	258	180	*
Nevis	…	284	175	155	89	*
Anguilla	…	85	90	169	105	*
Virgin Islands	…	159	106	110	156	*
Bermuda	…	103	92	122	87	102
*Information not available.
There is no information available regarding Infantile Mortality in the case of Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many schemes in the Crown Colonies dealing mainly with health questions have been sanctioned?

I assume that the question relates to schemes falling under the Colonial Development Act, 1929. The number sanctioned up to date is 22, of which I shall be happy to send a list to my hon. Friend if he so desires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has been advised of the intention of the Government of Nigeria to raise a loan of £4,650,000 in Great Britain, the proceeds to be devoted to railway construction,

I annex a statement giving the information for the West Indian Islands and Bermuda. With regard to Cuba, the inquiry should be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.waterworks, bridges, and a sewerage scheme for Lagos; and if he will endeavour that as large a proportion of this loan as possible will be spent upon contracts in this country, in order to increase the openings for employment of persons now unemployed?

The Nigerian Government took power in October last to issue a loan of the amount and for the objects stated. As regards the railways, they have already been constructed and are open to traffic, and the funds raised by the loan will be used to repay the cost of construction which has been advanced from Nigeria's surplus balance pending flotation of the loan. In accordance with the usual policy, all material required for the works in question will be purchased in this country so far as possible. Of the two large bridges, the one over the Benue river is being constructed by Messrs. Arrol and Sons under contract, and the other is being constructed by the Colonial Government direct. The loan was opened for subscription on 17th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of nursery schools in Scotland?

The Department are aware of the existence of 16 nursery schools in Scotland, six conducted by education authorities in conjunction with the infant departments of schools, one

NUMBER OF HOUSES completed in SCOTLAND annually from 1919 to 1929, inclusive.
Year.			By Local Authorities with State Assistance.	By Private Enterprise.
				With State Assistance.	Without State Assistance.
1919	…	…	—	—	6,850
1920	…	…	817	140
1921	…	…	4,342	1,237
1922	…	…	9,445	1,027
1923	…	…	6,451	167
1924	…	…	2,964	1,424
1925	…	…	4,822	3,375	1,852
1926	…	…	8,383	4,091	1,815
1927	…	…	15,581	3,467	2,017
1928	…	…	14,747	3,025	2,147
1929	…	…	14,316	3,924	1,275
Total	…	…	81,868	21,877	15,956

Total houses completed with State Assistance	103,745
Total houses completed without State Assistance	15,956
Total	119,701
In addition, there were erected by the Second Scottish National Housing Co. (Housing Trust), Ltd., on behalf of the Government—Steel houses	2,552
Grand Total	122,253
* Estimated figure, as detailed returns for these years were not obtained from Local Authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of persons of all classes in receipt of Poor Law relief on 4th January, 1930?

The total number of persons of all classes in receipt of Poor Law relief on 15th September, 1929, the latest date for which

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will furnish a Return showing annually from 1919 to 1929 the number of houses completed in Scotland by local authorities with State assistance, by private enterprise with State assistance, and without assistance, respectively, the total with State assistance, and the total all houses?

The following table contains the particulars desired:information is available, was 207,253, including 100,017 dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will prepare and issue as a White Paper a comparative memorandum on the position of local rates in Scotland, similar to and in continuation of Cmd. 1233 (1921)?

Owing to the pressure of work in connection with the de-rating provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, I regret that it is not possible at the present time to undertake the task referred to by the hon. Member, but I shall be glad to reconsider the matter when the pressure referred to is over.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total indebtedness of local authorities throughout Scotland; and the total annual interest on it?

At 15th May, 1926, the latest date for which information is available, the outstanding debt of local authorities in Scotland was £111,251,518, and the amount paid in interest during the year ended on that date was £4,970,880.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Central Electricity Board proposes to extend the main transmission lines into the Highlands and other rural areas of Scotland; and whether a scheme for this purpose has been framed or is now in course of preparation?

A preliminary engineering survey of Southern Scotland and Northern Scotland has already been made by the Electricity Commissioners, and the results are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any of the smallholders on the Glencruitten estate, Oban, has had his rent increased and the size of his holding reduced; and, if so, what are the reasons for this proceeding?

By the courtesy of the Land Court, I am informed that in the exercise of their powers they recently increased the fair rent of a holding on the estate referred to from £50 to £59. The size of the holding had, I am informed, been slightly reduced by agreement between the landlord and the tenant, but the tenant had sub-let about one-fourth of his holding at a rent of £50 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the conditions of let imposed by the Board of agriculture of Scotland upon smallholders on the Glencruitten Estate, Oban?

The tenants of the holdings constituted by the Board in 1914 on the Glencruitten Estate occupy their holdings under the Small Landholders Acts subject to conditions of let which were approved by the Land Court, I cannot detail the conditions in a Parliamentary answer, but I can let the hon. Member see a copy of the document if he so wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of prosecutions for sheep worrying by dogs in the county of Dumbarton for the period January to December, 1929, and from January, 1930, to the present date?

Sheep worrying as such is not an offence, in respect of which criminal proceedings can be taken. Section 1 of the Dogs Act, 1906, provides a remedy at civil law against the owner of a dog for injury done to sheep. I understand that no civil actions were brought in Dumbarton County under that provision in the periods referred to in the question. The Act also enables a Court of Summary Jurisdiction to make an order under Section 2 of the Dogs Act, 1871, requiring an owner of a dog to keep it under propel control or to have it destroyed if it is proved to have injured or chased sheep. In Dumbarton County eight such orders were made during 1929, and three have been made in 1930 to date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that sufficient British films of high quality comparable to American films are now being produced under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and, if not, what action he proposes to take?

I am satisfied that the Act is serving its purpose of encouraging the increased production of British films of high quality.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of men and women employed in the Isle of Man by the Board of Trade; the work upon which they are engaged; and how they are recruited?

The only members of the staff of the Board of Trade employed in the Isle of Man are 11 men in the Coastguard Service. The chief duty of the Coastguard Service is to maintain a look-out in order that prompt assistance may be rendered to any vessel observed or reported to be in distress. Members of the Coastguard are normally recruited from men not over 45 years of age who have had service as seamen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of cases in which a company director is by alteration of articles of association redescribed as a managing director, in order to escape the obligation, under Section 128 (1) (c) of the Companies Act, 1929, to disclose his remuneration; and whether, as a result of this evasion of the intention of the Act, he will consider amending the law so as to remedy the flaw in the Act thus disclosed?

I have seen some references to this matter in the Press. The provision in question has been in operation for so short a time that I am disposed to think that it would be desirable to have further experience before considering an amendment of the law, but I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that for reasons of economy a preference was given by the Anglo-Hungarian Clearing Office for enemy debts to all persons whose accepted claims were for under £5 in that they were paid off in full at once, he will state what grounds he has for not taking a similar course for a similar purpose by paying off in full forthwith the balance of individual claims where the sum unpaid is less than £25?

The procedure referred to in the first part of the question which was adopted in 1923 involved the payment of the first £5 in full on all claims, not merely the payment of claims not exceeding £5. An additional dividend was paid at the same time on all other claims. The proposal which the hon. Member now makes would result in unduly preferential treatment of certain claimants all of whom have already received 15s. 10d. in the £, and would effect no appreciable economy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the numbers and the gross tonnage of British registered vessels that have been removed from the register on sale to foreigners during 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927, respectively, and the total price paid in each of these years?

The numbers and gross tonnage of British registered vessels removed from the register on sale to foreigners were:Year 1921–401 vessels of 903,263 gross tons.Year 1922–447 vessels of 920,607 gross tons.Year 1923–411 vessels of 868,174 gross tons.Year 1924–465 vessels of 870,067 gross tons.Year 1925–425 vessels of 669,159 gross tons.Year 1926–367 vessels of 731,465 gross tons.Year 1927–380 vessels of 895,762 gross tons.I have no information as to the prices paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the condition that 1,000,000 tons of British coal are to be conveyed solely in Italian ships to Italy, a similar condition has been laid upon Italy that all Italian goods for this country must be conveyed in British ships?

The answer is in the negative. I am not aware of any condition that the coal in question is to be carried only in Italian ships. The position is, as already stated in reply to questions in the House, that the arrangements for sea conveyance were left to the Italian Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in connection with his schemes for the reorganisation of industry, he proposes to take steps to form an industrial credit institution analogous to the recently-created organisation to provide agricultural credits?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28th January to the hon. Member for Graves-end (Mr. Albery), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Lord Privy-Seal if his attention has been drawn to the number of unemployed in Carmarthenshire; what sums have been allocated by the Unemployment Grants Committee; what works have been started; and if he will ascertain the reasons for the delay in starting works of relief and remove the causes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, I am having information collected on the points raised and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible. I fully appreciate the importance of the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will introduce legislation to extend unemployment insurance to all fishermen working on drifters and trawlers?

As my right hon. Friend explained on 11th February in reply to a question by the Noble Lord, fishermen are ordinarily insurable against unemployment unless they are members of the crew of a fishing vessel who are wholly remunerated by a share in the profits or the gross earnings of the working of the vessel. My right hon. Friend cannot at present give any undertaking to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour the figures for persons refused benefit for any reason during the four months ended September, 1929; and the same figures for the same period in 1928?

During the four months ended 9th September, 1929, 246,068 applications for benefit made at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain were disallowed by insurance officers, and 19,447 cases were recommended;or disallowance by Courts of Referees on review after payment of 78 days' benefit. The corresponding figures for the four months ended 10th September, 1928, were 171,873 disallowances by insurance officers and 4,411 by Courts of Referees. At 10th September, 1928, the procedure for the review of 78 day cases by Courts of Referees had been operative for rather more than a month only.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any information to give as to the negotiations with the Great Western Railway Company in regard to the new entrance to the King's, Queen's, and Prince of Wales' Docks, Swansea; and when this work will be commenced?

An application by the Great Western Railway Company for assistance under Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees, and Grants) Act, 1929, towards the construction of a new entrance at the Swansea Dock has been under consideration by the Advisory Committee, and it is anticipated that a decision will be reached very shortly.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been called to the fact that the output per man in the shipyards has been increased from 6.7 tons to 9.9 tons, an increase of almost 50 per cent. per man employed, the tonnage increasing from 1,538,052, with men employed 229,379, in 1921, to 1,560,254 in 1929, with number of men employed 156,938, during the last eight years; and whether the rationalisation plans of the Government are to be applied to this industry?

I am afraid that the figures to which my hon. Friend refers do not present a sufficiently comprehensive statement of the work carried out in the shipbuilding and other industries covered by the figures relating to the numbers employed to justify the deduction he has drawn. As he is aware, the question of the improvement of production has been the subject of inquiry by the employers and the trade unions jointly. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 28th January to the hon. Member for Pudsey and Otley, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention ha" been called by the Furniture Trades Federation to the fact that agents for furniture manufacturers in Finland are endeavouring to obtain designs and working drawings of English-made furniture so that they may be copied in Finland for export to this country; and what answer has he sent, or proposes to send, to these representations?

Yes, Sir, this matter has been brought to my notice. It is always open to those who have been approached to withhold their designs, and I assume that this is the course that will be followed.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he tendered any advice, and, if so, of what nature, to the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, at Glasgow, in the efforts which were made to prevent its sending abroad contracts for special machinery for its tin ware factory?

asked the Lord Privy Seal what answer he has returned to the representations he has received concerning the action of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society in recently deciding to send a large order for machinery abroad; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received representations as to the purchase of German machinery by the Scottish Wholesale Co-operative Society at Glasgow; and whether in view of the fact that similar machinery can be made in this country and of the increasing unemployment in this country, he will say what reply he has returned and what action he proposes to take?

I have received representations regarding the purchase by this society of laundry machinery from abroad, and am inquiring into the reasons for this.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any statistics showing the extent to which the increase in the unemployment figures as compared with January, 1929, is due to the depression now existing in the Lancashire cotton industry; and what action he proposes to take with a view to stimulating a revival of that industry?

62,639 persons in the cotton trade were unemployed on 21st January, 1929. The corresponding figure for this year was 110,784. This shows an increase of 48,000, amounting to 73 per cent. of the total increase in unemployment in all insured occupations between the two dates. Since 27th January there has been an increase in the number of persons on the register of Employment Exchanges of 28,500. Of this increase it is estimated that about three-quarters is due to increased unemployment in the cotton textile districts of North-West England. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 11th February to the hon. Member for Sowerby (Mr. Tout), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the prospect of a reduction in Great Britain's naval forces, the Government have in view any plans for the absorption in civil employment of the ratings who will become surplus to service requirements?

I am not at present aware of circumstances being likely to arise which would render inadequate the normal arrangements whereby sailors on discharge from the Navy are absorbed into civilian life.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any estimate has been made, and, if so, what, of the cost per ton of coal which will be entailed by the adoption of the quota system on the part of those collieries subject to it?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to admit that any extra cost is involved.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make a statement as to the present position of the proposals relating to London traffic and when the Bill is to be introduced in Parliament?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member on this subject on 5th February.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) if the chief area officer is, in practice, the sole judge as to whether a case outside the seven years' limit shall be submitted to the Minister for reconsideration;(2) if he will make generally known to pensioners the various channels through which they may make application to have their cases reconsidered after the expiration of the seven years' limit?

All applications now made for the first time for compensation in respect of disablement by Great War service should be made, as has been the well understood practice in the past, through the local area office of the Ministry. The chief area officer has definite instructions to transmit all such applications to the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been drawn to the endorsement by the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research in India of the proposal of the Sugar Committee, in its interim Report, that the present ad valorem duty of low grade sugar should be converted into a specific duty, and of the recommendation of the sugar committee that the general question of import duties on sugar should be referred by the Government to the tariff board for investigation; and if the Government of India propose to take action along the lines recommended?

Except for reports which have appeared in the Press, I have no information on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health the number of orphans who were in receipt of orphans' pensions at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he has any statistics that will show how many of these pensioners were in institutions?

The number of children in England and Wales for whom orphans' pensions were in payment on 31st December, 1929, was 13,269. 2,000 of these children were resident in, or in the charge of, various institutions to whom their pensions were being paid. An inquiry regarding the number of pensions in payment in Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health the amounts available for investment by all approved societies for each of the last 10 years?

The approximate amounts available for investment by approved societies in England and Wales for each of the 10 years from 1919 to 1928 are given in the appended statement. The amounts available for investment for a given year are roughly the equivalent of the amount invested (including sums carried to the National Health Insurance Fund Investment Account) in the next succeeding year, but the amounts shown in the statement for some years include certain sums in respect of interest on and redemption of reserve values referable to earlier years. For the years 1926, 1927 and 1928 the expenditure of approved societies was affected by the increased additional benefits made available from surpluses disclosed as the result of the Second Valuation; the sums required to meet the cost of additional benefits, instead of being drawn from accumulated funds, were, to the extent of upwards of £6,000,000 per annum, drawn from current income, and reduced pro tanto the amounts available for investment.

	£
1919	8,400,000
1920	5,500,000
1921	6,600,000
1922	6,100,000
1923	8,600,000

Month.				Year 1928.		Year 1929.		Year 1930.
				Non-Parlour Houses.	Parlour Houses.	Non-Parlour Houses.	Parlour Houses.	Non-Parlour Houses.	Parlour Houses.
				£	£	£	£	£	£
January	…	…	…	389	437	341	422	321	434
February	…	…	…	356	430	344	393	—	—
March	…	…	…	365	445	336	420	—	—
April	…	…	…	378	431	348	401	—	—
May	…	…	…	372	445	344	406	—	—
June	…	…	…	356	426	355	404	—	—
July	…	…	…	366	434	337	377	—	—
August	…	…	…	349	417	348	409	—	—
September	…	…	…	365	429	347	423	—	—
October	…	…	…	369	427	344	419	—	—
November	…	…	…	354	417	341	427	—	—
December	…	…	…	338	429	370	404	—	—

asked the Minister of Health whether he will prepare and issue as a White Paper a statement showing the amount of the local rates per £ of assessable value for the years 1924 to 1930, in continuation of and similar to the Statements, Cmd. 1155 (1921), Cmd. 1633 (1922), and Stationery Office Publications for 1923 and 1924?

Statements in continuation of and similar to those mentioned by the hon. Member have been published for the years up to and

asked the Minister of Health if he will furnish a Return showing, monthly from January, 1928, to the latest convenient date, for England and Wales, the average prices of non-parlour and parlour houses, respectively, included in contracts let by or in direct labour schemes of local authorities?

The following statement gives the desired particulars for each month from January, 1928, to January, 1930, inclusive.including 1928–29. A statement for the current financial year is in preparation.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from tuberculosis in Great Britain for the years 1927, 1928, and 1929?

The numbers of deaths certified as due to tuberculosis in England and Wales in the years 1927 and 1928 were 38,173 and 36,623 respectively. The figures for 1929 are not yet available. With respect to Scotland, my hon. Friend should address his inquiry to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health the infantile mortality rate in West Ham at convenient dates, each quarter, for the last two years?

The figures asked for are as follow:

Infantile Mortality-(approximate or provisional figures).
				West Ham Union per 1,000 Births.
1928:
1st Quarter	…	…	…	79
2nd Quarter	…	…	…	52
3rd Quarter	…	…	…	40
4th Quarter	…	…	…	53
Year	…	…	…	56
1929:
1st Quarter	…	…	…	102
2nd Quarter	…	…	…	49
3rd Quarter	…	…	…	41
4th Quarter	…	…	…	71
Year	…	…	…	66

asked the Minister of Health whether, since the Ministry do not consider that notification of cancer should be compulsory because such an order would entail legislation and might not be effective in securing early diagnosis, he will take steps to acquaint medical officers of health throughout the country with the decision of his Department so that publicity may be given to the fact that cancer is in no way an infectious disease and that there should be therefore no prejudice on account of occupying a house or room where previously the occupant had died of the disease?

The first memorandum on cancer issued by the Minister on 14th August, 1923, on the advice of the Departmental Committee on Cancer, stated that "There is no evidence to show that cancer is an infectious or contagious disease." The memorandum has been sent to medical officers of health and has had considerable general publicity.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a resolution from the Warwickshire County Council with regard to the onerous terms placed or local authorities who wish to acquire water rights; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to deal with the matter?

My right hon. Friend has received this resolution, which suggests that local authorities should be given compulsory powers of acquisition of water rights and he hopes to deal with the matter When a favourable opportunity occurs.

asked the Minister of Health the number of boards of guardians who have requested a change in the dietary as served in the casual wards of our Poor Law institutions; and what changes, if any, he has authorised?

So far as this information is recorded in the Department, requests of the nature indicated by my hon. Friend have, during the last four years, been received from seven boards" of guardians and from one joint vagrancy committee. As regards the second part of the question, my hon. Friend is doubtless aware that the administration of the relief of the casual poor is now under consideration by a departmental committee which my right hon. Friend appointed in September last: he will await the committee's report before making any change in the provisions of the existing Order.

asked the Minister of Health the number of casuals, according to the latest returns of England and Wales, and the corresponding figure for 1929?

The number of casuals in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales on the night of 24th January, 1930, was 11,284 as compared with 11,051 on the night of 25th January, 1929.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the posting up at casual wards of notices of vacancies in employment in the locality?

My right hon. Friend has forwarded a copy of the question to the Departmental Committee on the Relief of the Casual Poor for their consideration.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons, men, women and children, were accommodated in casual wards and other Poor Law institutions in England and Wales, excluding

Year.							Men.	Women.	Children	Total.
							England and Vales (Excluding the County of London).
1927	…	…	…	…	…	…	9,149	518	71	9,738
1928	…	…	…	…	…	…	9,066	430	44	9,540
1929	…	…	…	…	…	…	10,139	473	66	10,678
1930	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	9,900 (approx.).
							County of London.
1927	…	…	…	…	…	…	909	15	1	925
1928	…	…	…	…	…	…	895	15	0	910
1929	…	…	…	…	…	…	797	19	2	818
1930	…	…	…	…	…	…	712	19	0	731

asked the Minister of Health if he will state at a convenient date in each month since June last, the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in West Ham, Bedwellty, and Chester-le-Street, respectively?

—				Total number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief (excluding lunatics in county and borough asylums, casuals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only).
				West Ham Union.	Bedwellty Union.	Chester-le-Street Union.
1929.
29th June	…	…	…	18,789	4,624	4,091
27th July	…	…	…	19,042	4,761	4,108
31st August	…	…	…	19,122	5,077	4,351
28th September	…	…	…	19,276	5,221	4,589
26th October	…	…	…	19,880	5,509	4,553
30th November	…	…	…	20,571	5,962	4,781
28th December	…	…	…	20,159	5,889	4,973
1930.
26th January	…	…	…	20,765	6,177	5,308
1st February	…	…	…	21,073	6,413	5,240

Figures relating to casuals, distinguishing men, women and children, accommodated in casual wards and other Poor Law institutions, are available only for the night of 1st January, in each year. The following statement gives particulars for the years 1927 to 1930 so far as available at present.

The following is a statement showing the total number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in the West Ham, Bedwellty and Chester-le-Street Unions, on certain dates in each month from June, 1929, to February, 1930.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons who have received institutional or domiciliary relief in the borough of Woolwich for the months of October, November, and December, 1928, and 1929, respectively?

The following STATEMENT shows particulars for the last Saturday in each of the months for the two Unions in which the Borough of Woolwich is situate.
—			Number of persons in receipt of—		Total.
			Institutional Relief (excluding lunatics in county and borough asylums and casuals).	Domiciliary Relief (excluding persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only).
Lewisham Union:
October, 1928	…	…	1,318	3,573	4,891
November, 1928	…	…	1,333	3,845	5,178
December, 1928	…	…	1,324	3,734	5,058
October, 1929	…	…	1,314	3,451	4,765
November, 1929	…	…	1,291	3,906	5,197
December, 1929	…	…	1,316	3,806	5,122
Woolwich Union:
October, 1928	…	…	1,006	5,636	6,642
November, 1928	…	…	1,040	5,505	6,545
December, 1928	…	…	1,074	5,599	6,673
October, 1929	…	…	979	5,003	5,982
November, 1929	…	…	977	5,172	6,149
December, 1929	…	…	976	5,074	6,050

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the terms and conditions of service of the second-class bookkeepers at the Royal Arsenal and their request for adequate representation on the Whitley Industrial Council; and whether it is his intention to improve their conditions and status?

The position of second-class book-keepers with regard to Whitley representation has recently been before the appropriate Whitley bodies, and I will inform the right hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the civil employés working at the Royal

Separate particulars are not available as regards the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in the borough of Woolwich, which is not co-extensive with one or more than one Poor Law area.Army Ordnance Corps Depot at Didcot are accommodated in houses the property of the Government; whether it is intended to increase the number of men engaged at the depot in the near future; and, if so, what steps the Government propose to take to relieve the local authority and local ratepayers of meeting the financial obligations of providing houses for Government workers?

As regards the first part of the question, there are 1,016 civilian employés at the Royal A my Ordnance Corps Depot at Didcot of whom 129 are accommodated in Government houses. As regards the last part of the question, there has been no decision to increase-the number of men engaged at the depot.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether and, if so, how far the Regular Army and the Territorial Force, respectively, are below establishment?

The regimental establishments of the Regular Army (including India) and Territorial Army, and the

—	Regimental Establishment, Army Estimates, 1929.			Strength on Regimental Establishment on 1st January, 1930.
	Officers.	Other Banks.	Total.	Officers.	Other Ranks.	Total.
Regular Army (British Troops).	10,240	188,216	198,456	9,762	179,495	189,257
Territorial Army (including Permanent Staff).	8,430	171,797	180,227	7,214	130,509	137,723

asked the Secretary of State for War, what is the actual and the establishment strength of the British forces in India, Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar, the Far East, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain, respectively; how many recruits have been accepted during the last six months; and what proportion does this represent of the total number of men who offered themselves?

As regards the first part of the question, the annexed table shows the regimental establishments for the stations in question included in Army Estimates, 1929, and the corresponding strengths on 1st September, 1929, just before the trooping season. As the trooping season is still in progress, it would be misleading to give figures of strength for a later date. As regards the remainder of the question, the number of applicants for enlistment in the Regular Army during the six months ended 31st December, 1929, was 32,749, of whom 11,963 were finally approved.

Station.	Regimental Establishment as shown in Army Estimates, 1929–30.	Strengths on 1st September 1929.
India	59,987	58,859
Egypt	10,073	7,920 (a)
Malta	4,791	3,565 (b)
Gibraltar	2,624	1,438 (c)
Far East—
China	4,035	6,469 (d)
Malaya	1,556	1,359
Ceylon	256	254
Northern Ireland	3,894	3,658
Other Home Stations.	102,724	96,134

asked the Secretary of State for War the establishment of the Territorial Force, officers and other ranks and the present strength; and the establishment of officers and other ranks of the Territorial Air Force and the present strength?

As regards the first part of the question, the establishment of the Territorial Army (including Permanent Staff), as shown in Army Estimates, 1929, was 8,430 officers and 171,797 other ranks, and the strength on 1st January, 1930, was 7,214 officers and 130,509 other ranks. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air informs me that the establishment of the Auxiliary Air Force is 125 officers and 766 other ranks and that the strength on 7th February was 100 officers and 718 other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present-day cost of maintaining for 12 months at home, in India, and at other overseas stations of a battalion of infantry, a battery of artillery, a company of garrison artillery, and a regiment of cavalry; and how does this figure compare with 1913?

The hon. and gallant Member will find the approximate annual effective cost of typical units at home given on pages 292 and 293 of Army Estimates, 1929. As regards the Artillery, figures are given for the cost of a brigade which consists of a headquarters and three batteries. The Royal Garrison Artillery no longer exists a" such, its functions being included in those of the Royal Artillery generally. The cost of units in India is borne by the Government of India, and I am unable to give figures. The establishment of a unit stationed overseas differs from that of a unit at home, and the cost is appreciably higher, but varies according to its station. As regards the cost of units in 1913, no comparable figures are available as changes since 1913 in establishments, organisation, equipment, rates of pay and the general level of prices would render any comparison difficult.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether in any Government Departments, and, if so, which, the practice of private and spare-time work being undertaken by salaried officials is recognised; and whether Income Tax surveyors and Government solicitors or accountants adopt this practice?

The extent to which a civil servant can engage in outside occupations would normally be governed by the Regulations of the Department in which he is employed. Article 17 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, provides that no officer shall be allowed to accept any part in the management of any society, or any trading, commercial, industrial, or financial firm or company which would require the attendance of such officer at any time between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and by Treasury Circular of the 11th August, 1927, the attention of Departments was drawn to the following principles, which, in the Treasury view, should be embodied, together with the Article above quoted in all Departmental Regulations dealing with this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will extend the terms of reference of the Committee to be presided over by Sir Howard Frank so that it may be able to consider and report upon the desirability of the Department of Overseas Trade being accommodated in the same building as the Board of Trade, thereby effecting increased economy and efficiency in the working of those two Departments?

No, Sir. I should not consider it desirable to add to the Committee's task by referring to it questions relating to the allotment of accommodation as between Departments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the need for the continuous consideration and supervision of the size of the staff at the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts, Cornwall House, what steps are now being taken to reduce forthwith the staff of 400 persons as at 15th January last?

The staff of the Clearing Office is kept under constant review, and since 15th January a reduction of 15 has been made, making a total reduction of 114 in the past 12 months. Further reductions will be made as the state of the work permits.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treausry, whether he will grant permission in approved cases to retired Territorial officers of the rank of major to sign applications for pensions?

I have been asked to answer this question. It is a necessary qualification for a person who attests declaration forms for pensions that he should be in a definite official or quasi-official position so that he can be readily identified and his signature easily verified. Retired Territorial officers would not, I think, always necessarily fulfil this condition, and as the list of persons qualified to attest is already very long, I regret that I cannot agree to its further extension.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount paid in duty on imported films and on musical records, respectively, for the years 1927, 1928, and 1929?

The net amount of duty paid on imported films and musical records, respectively, for the years 1927, 1928 and 1929, was as follows:

Years.		Consigned from Netherlands.				Consigned from France.				Consigned from Spain.				Approximate amount of Duty collected on quantity delivered for Home Consumption.
		Proof gallons.	Value.	Liquid gallons.*	Value.	Proof gallons.	Value.	Liquid gallons.*	Value.	Proof gallons.	Value.	Liquid gallons.*	Value.
			£		£		£		£		£		£	£
1921	…	26	—	—	—	1,112	—	102	—	142	—	—	—	2,300
1922	…	—	—	—	—	388	—	156	—	1,009	—	47	—	2,500
1923	…	—	—	—	—	1,386	—	115	—	684	—	365	—	2,800
1924	…	—	—	—	—	964	—	202	—	814	—	159	—	3,300
1925	…	—	—	—	—	625	972	—	—	634	1,090	14	30	2,700
1926	…	184	460	—	—	562	1,073	—	—	520	880	—	—	2,600
1927	…	473	1,027	—	—	277	387	12	7	655	1,181	—	—	2,700
1928	…	504	1,089	1	4	390	573	—	—	549	975	—	—	3,400
1929	…	395	745	—	—	271	336	40	27	639	1,016	58	138	2,800
*NOTE.—The quantities shown in the columns headed "liquid gallons" are additional to those shown in the columns headed "proof gallons." The former represent quantities which are entered by the importers as not to be tested for strength, and consequently are liable to a higher rate of duty.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will make further inquiries as to the reason why British manufacturers lost the order for six locomotives, Class 16 D. A., recently placed by the South African Railways Administration in Germany;

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state separately the amount and value of absinthe, vermouth, and absinthe-containing cocktails imported into this country in each of the years from 1921 to 1929; from what countries do these spirits come; and what is the total duty levied upon them in each of these years?

No separate particulars are available with regard to vermouth or absinthe-containing cocktails, which are classified as "wine" or "liqueur" cordial mixtures and other preparations containing spirits respectively. The following information is available with regard to absinthe:whether the loss of the order was because British manufacturers could not deliver by the required date; and, if such was the case, will he state the reasons for the inability?

I am informed that the South African Railways Administration do not make public particulars of tenders submitted to them and object on principle to disclosing such information. I am, therefore not in a position to answer the second part of the question, and the third part consequently does not arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sources for the collection of economic data exist in civil departments apart from the National Economic Council; and what steps it is proposed to take to co-ordinate their activities?

Suitable provision is made by each Government Department concerned with the development of trade and industry for the compilation of economic data required for the effective discharge of its special responsibilities. It will be the duty of the Economic Advisory Council to keep in close touch with these Departments and to use each statistical or other information as may be needed for its own purposes.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of talking machine apparatus imported into Great Britain from the United States of America in 1929 and the amount of duty paid thereon; and how much of this duty was paid by the Western Electric Company?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, as the amount in question is not separately recorded. Further, as regards the last part of the question, it is not the practice to give information as to the duty paid by individual traders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the League of Nations Report dealing with the imposition of countervailing duties; and whether any record exists that this country has ever disclaimed the right to impose such duties ex necessitate?

I regret that I have not been able to identify the League of Nations Report referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, as my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member in answer to a question on 28th January, there are treaty obligations which make it impossible for His Majesty's Government to impose countervailing duties on the goods of a large number of important countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the countries which have intimated their intention to take part in the Tariff Truce Conference and the names of those who have refused; and if he has any information as to whether the Government of the United States of America intends to take part and, if not, can he state the reasons for such refusal?

The list of participating countries, together with the names of the countries which have declined to take part, are appended. I understand that the Government of the United States of America have intimated that they do not feel that they could at this time usefully participate in the Conference, but that they will send an observer. I am not aware of the reasons for this decision.The Governments of the following countries have intimated to the League of Nations that they are prepared to participate in the Conference:

Austria.	Japan.
Belgium.	Latvia.
Bulgaria.	Lithuania
Czechoslovakia.	Luxemburg.
Denmark.	Netherlands.
Estonia.	Norway.
Finland.	Poland.
France.	Portugal.
Germany.	Rumania.
Great Britain.	Spain.
Greece.	Sweden.
Hungary.	Switzerland.
Irish Free State.	Yugoslavia.
Italy.

The Governments of Australia, Canada, Egypt, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Venezuela have replied that they do not desire to take part in the Conference. The Governments of Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the United States of America will send observers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the proposals for a tariff truce which the Government intend to submit to the forthcoming International Conference?

The preliminary draft Tariff Truce Convention, which has been prepared to serve as a basis for discussion at the Conference, was drawn up by the Economic Committee of the League of Nations. This draft has been published by the League of Nations, and copies are obtainable from the booksellers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for the periodical collection and publication of statistics which would indicate the wholesale and retail prices of a number of important commodities in the Dominions and in some of the larger foreign countries, and which would enable some comparison to be made between British and overseas prices?

The Noble Lord is probably aware that the Monthly Bulletin of Statistics issued by the League of Nations contains tables showing, by means of index numbers, the wholesale and retail price movements in a considerable number of countries. The International Labour Review of the International Labour Office contained in its issues for October and December last, particulars of average retail prices in towns situated in 17 different countries, and dealing separately with between 30 and 40 commodities, according to the information available in each case. The index numbers are prepared on different bases in different countries, but the data specified may be of assistance to the Noble Lord.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make any further statement in respect of the D'Abernon agreement with the Argentine Government?

If the hon. Member is referring to the duties on artificial silk goods in the Argentine, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 21st January in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Moseley (Mr. Harmon) and Devizes (Mr. Hurd). If the reference is to the reciprocal trade agreement, I would refer to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Devizes on 9th December.