asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered, at a convenient date in each month since June last, at the Employment Exchanges at West Ham, Bedwellty and Chester-le-Street?

The following table gives the information desired:

Persons on the Registers of Employment Exchanges in certain areas.
Date.	West Ham.	Bedwellty.	Chester-le-Street.
1929.
17th June	10,810	3,899	2,616
15th July	10,550	5,105	2,442
12th Aug.	9,704	4,169	2,370
16th Sept.	9,542	5,176	2,367
14th Oct.	10,818	7,294	2,336
11th Nov.	11,877	8,396	2,179
16th Dec.	12,098	7,479	2,195
1930.
13th Jan.	14,164	6,628	2,359
10th Feb.	14,170	6,564	2,186

asked the Minister of Labour the average number of unemployed on the Sheffield register for January, 1930; and what were the corresponding figures for the same month in each year since 1924?

The following table gives the information desired:

Average number of persons on the registers of the Sheffield and Attercliffe Employment Exchanges.
Month.			Numbers.
January, 1924	…	…	27,405
January, 1925	…	…	25,524
January, 1926	…	…	25,248
January, 1927	…	…	28,352
January, 1928	…	…	24,903
January, 1929	…	…	27,740
January, 1930	…	…	31,136

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figures at the Gravesend and Rochester Employment Exchanges at the last available date and 12 months previously?

Employment Exchange.			Gravesend.		Rochester.
			10th February, 1930.	11th February, 1929.	10th February, 1930.	11th February, 1929.
Men	…	…	1,401	1,012	3,082	2,573
Boys	…	…	69	113	271	381
Women	…	…	109	81	333	293
Girls	…	…	143	207	303	380
Total	…	…	1,722	1,413	3,989	3,627

asked the Minister of Labour whether any complaints have reached her respecting the inadequate accommodation provided at the Leyton Employment Exchange; and, if so, what she proposes to do in the matter?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the area of the Acton Employment Exchange who were refused unemployment benefit on the grounds of not genuinely seeking work for the six months ended 31st December, 1928, and for the six months ended 31st December, 1929; and the area which is included under the administration of the Employment Exchange at Acton?

During the six months ended 13th January, 1930, 36 applications for benefit made at the Acton Employment Exchange were disallowed by Insurance officers on the ground "not genuinely seeking work" and 15 claims were recommended for disallowance on the same ground by Courts of Referees on review after payment of 78 days benefit. The corresponding figures for the six months ended 14th January, 1929, were 208 disallowances by Insurance officers and 28 by Courts of Referees. The area served by the Acton Employment Exchange covers approximately 10 square miles and is bounded on the east by

The following table shows the numbers of persons on the registers of the Gravesend and Rochester Employment Exchanges, respectively, at 10th February, 1930, and 11th February, 1929:Askew Road, Shepherds Bush, on the west by the River Brent at Hanwell, on the north by the Grand Junction Canal, and on the South by the District Railway.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons on the live register for Bristol for the week ended 30th May, 1929, and for the last complete week for which the figures are available?

The number on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in the Bristol area was 11,034 on 27th May, 1929, and 17,175 on 10th February, 1930. The Exchanges covered are Bristol, Eastville, Avonmouth and Kingswood.

asked the Minister of Labour when she proposes to issue instructions to local Employment Exchanges as to the changes made in administration under the recent Unemployment Insurance Act?

I expect the main instructions to be at the local offices this week.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will furnish a table showing the average level in 1929 of rates of wages of earnings and of real wages for the following countries: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States?

Comparisons of real wages in June-July, 1929, in most of the countries specified, prepared by the International Labour Office, are given in the issues of the International Labour Review, the journal of the International Labour Office, for October and December, This information (together with a statement of the important reservations to which the figures are subject), except that relating to Canada, Germany and Italy, is contained in an article in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for October, 1929, of which I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy. The figures for the above countries, published in December, are as follow:

Country.		Index Numbers of Real Wages.	Index Numbers of the Cost of the Budget.
Canada	…	171	120
Germany	…	71	114
Italy	…	42	125
Corresponding figures for Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Japan are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if any steps, other than those he has already reported to the House are being taken by the Government of Kenya to prevent the practice of the circumcision of girls?

My Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has communicated fully with the Governor of Kenya upon this subject, but there has not yet been time for him to hear what further steps the Colonial Government would now feel able to take in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that married captains of the King's African Rifles serving in Tanganyika Territory are not permitted by the regulations to have their wives with them, whereas police officers and administrative officials serving in the territory are allowed this privilege, he will state the reasons that exist for this distinction?

There is no distinction between the regulations for civil officers in Tanganyika and those for officers of the King's African Rifles as regard married officers being accompanied by their wives. In both cases the Governor's permission is required before an officer's wife may join him in the territory; and where such permission is given the usual allowance towards the cost of family passages, granted to civil officers, is also made to officers of the King's African Rifles.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will delay the issue of a proclamation of regulations for mining in the Bechuanaland Protectorate until he has had an opportunity of consulting the paramount chief of the Bamangwato, who is shortly expected in this country?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have to-day given to other questions in regard to this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the British South Africa Company has published the statement that negotiations with the Colonial Office are well advanced for the preparation of a mining law for Bechuanaland and similar negotiations in hand in respect of Nyasaland, in which the company claims to hold extensive mineral rights, he can say what stage these negotiations with the Government have reached?

The preparation of a revised mining Ordinance has for some time been under consideration in Nyasaland, but the draft of the new Ordinance has not yet been received. The Secretary of State has been in communication with the British South Africa Company in regard to the proposed legislation in view of the mineral rights possessed by the company in the Protectorate. As regards the Bechuanaland Protectorate, I would refer to the reply which is being given by the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to a number of questions relating to mining in that Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the issue by the Government of Hong Kong of a notice that Chinese nationals will be permitted to sit at the Board of Trade examinations for masters, first mates, and chief engineers on the same conditions as those which apply to British subjects; if such notice has received the approval of His Majesty's Government; and whether, in view of the fact that the issue of Board of Trade certificates of competency to aliens is prohibited in this country and throughout the British Empire, he will state why a special concession is being made to Chinese nationals which may have injurious effects upon the employment of British mercantile marine officers?

I have seen the notice to which the hon. Member refers. While Chinese nationals will be permitted to sit at the Board of Trade examinations, it is expressly stated that they will not receive a certificate of competency, which can be granted only to British subjects, but will receive in lieu thereof a letter signed by the Chief Examiner (the Harbour Master of the Colony) certifying that the examination has been passed. This letter will not entitle the holder to the rights conferred by a certificate of competency. The action of the Colonial authorities has been taken with the approval of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any official information in regard to the postponement by the Western Australian Government of the farm settlement scheme of immigration which was arranged with that Government and the Commonwealth Government under the Overseas Settlement Act due to the discovery of the presence of certain alkali deposits: and what proportion of the 4,000,000 acres included in the scheme is affected?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor on 31st October last, in which the hon. Member was informed that while it was understood that certain proposals for developing wheat-growing land in the vicinity of Southern Cross, Western Australia, were under consideration by His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, no recommendation in favour of any such scheme had been received from that Government. I have therefore no official information concerning the abandonment of the scheme, but I understand that the area found to be adversely affected by deposits of alkali comprises the southern section of the whole area covered by the scheme. I am not aware of the extent of the affected area.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will publish a White Paper showing separately for each Dominion the tariffs chargeable upon British goods by such Dominion and any preferences allowed to British as compared with foreign goods?

For the reasons explained by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in answer to a similar question on 11th February, I regret that my Noble Friend does not feel able to comply with this request.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what action it is proposed to take with respect to the Ordinance for the abolition of Clause 43 of the Southern Rhodesian Constitution which provides for the sale and leasing of land in Southern Rhodesia to the natives upon the same conditions as to the white immigrant races?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this matter which I gave on 22nd January to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for New-castle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood), to which at present I cannot add anything.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the territories detached from the Turkish Empire after the War have met obligations imposed upon them in respect of the pre-War Turkish Public Debt, and to what extent?

The Government of Palestine have made provision for the complete discharge of the obligations of Palestine in respect of its share of the Ottoman Public Debt. Proposals for the complete settlement by the Government of Iraq of the Iraqi share of the Debt are at present under discussion between that Government and the Debt Council, and certain details only remain to be settled. An agreement was reached between the various States of Syria under French mandate and representatives of the bondholders in January, 1929, for the settlement of the Syrian share of the Debt: and, according to reports received last March, the agreement was duly ratified by the various States concerned, about a year ago. A final settlement in respect of the share of the Debt allotted to the Dodecanese was made by the Italian Government soon after the ratification of the Treaty of Lausanne.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position as to the ownership of the South Polar region?

The question of the ownership of many of the vast territories in the South Polar region is a very complicated one, and I could not state the present position within the compass of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British representative in Afghanistan has taken up his duties; whether any damage has been done in the recent troubles to the Legation buildings; and whether His Majesty's Government has received any further information as to the present position of affairs in that country?

His Majesty's Minister, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) on Monday last, left London on that date and is expected to be able to reach Kabul some time in March. The Legation buildings suffered considerable damage at the time of Habibullah Khan's attack on Kabul in December, 1928. I am not in a position to say if they have suffered further material damage since then, but if the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Shinwari disturbances, about which I gave an answer on 17th February, these did not take place anywhere near Kabul. According to my latest information, conditions in Afghanistan generally are quiet, and the recent trouble with a section of the Shinwari tribe has subsided,

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the assistance given by the Norwegian Government in looking after British interests during the rupture of negotiations with the Soviet Government has now come to an end; whether suitable thanks have been sent to the Norwegian Government for the assistance and what was the cost of such assistance; whether any outstanding problems which arose during this period still remain to be solved; and, if so, what is their nature?

As regards the first part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative except that the Norwegian Government have courteously consented to allow their Consular officers to continue to look after the interests of British subjects in certain places to which British Consular officers have not yet been appointed. The thanks of His Majesty's Government have been officially conveyed to the Norwegian Government for the assistance given by them during the period when diplomatic relations were suspended, and it will be remembered that I made a statement on the subject in this House on 23rd December last. The cost of the secretarial assistance incurred by the Norwegian Government and repaid to them during the period under review (that is, from May, 1927, to December, 1929) was at the rate of approximately £900 per annum. As regards the last part of the question, no questions other than those of a routine nature were left outstanding at the time of the arrival of His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow in December last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that an old-established and important Manchester firm of shippers has gone into liquidation solely owing to the seizure and confiscation of the whole of its assets; including mills and textile goods, in Russia, amounting to millions of pounds sterling; and does he propose to take steps to endeavour to obtain restitution or reparation for those losses?

I have seen the Press reports of the case to which the hon. Member no doubt refers, and understand that the liquidation was largely the result of losses sustained owing to the nationalisation of certain properties by the Soviet Government in 1918. The claim of the company in question, which, of course, is one of many, has been registered and will be considered at the appropriate time.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons of Russian and Polish birth resident in the United Kingdom at the time that the Census was taken in 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921; and how many in each period were naturalised British subjects?

I have been asked to reply. The available figures for the series of years in question will be found on pages 14 to 16 of the Statistical Abstract for the United Kingdom, published in 1929 (Cmd. 3253). Among the persons enumerated in England and Wales at the 1911 and 1921 Censuses as having been born in Russia, Poland and Finland, 9,082 and 17,443 persons respectively were described as being naturalised British subjects. The corresponding particulars for earlier Censuses are not, however, available.

asked the Home Secretary whether the legislature of the Isle of Man submitted for assent a Bill for old age pensions, widows' pensions, and children's allowances, under which the small business man and woman would be insured; and has that Measure received assent and become law?

The Bill which has now received the Royal Assent does not contain any provision for voluntary insurance of persons other than past compulsory contributors.

asked the Home Secretary under what powers he appoints medical men to the factory service; are such medical men under lay control in his Department; and, if so, whether, in view of the recommendation adopted by this country at the Washington Conference, he will constitute a separate health department for this service?

The medical inspectors of factories are appointed in pursuance of the general powers conferred by Section 118 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, for the appointment of such inspectors as may be necessary for the execution of the Act. They constitute a separate, but integral, branch of the Factory Department, and the senior medical inspector who is in charge of the branch acts under the directions of the Chief Inspector of Factories. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. As already explained to the hon. Member in reply to his question of the 11th instant, it is understood that the intention of the Washington recommendation was to secure the establishment of a medical branch in connection with factory inspection, and this is already given effect to in the existing arrangements.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with regard to the Chilian battleship which is being reconditioned at one of His Majesty's dockyards, whether he is aware that such battleships have hitherto always been reconditioned at private shipyards; whether the Admiralty have offered the Chilian Government a fixed price for the reconditioning in question or are they charging cost plus overhead and a percentage for profit; and whether our private yards had an opportunity of putting in a competitive price?

The hon. Member is doubtless unaware that had this work not been obtained by the Admiralty it could not have been undertaken in this country at all, since no private yards had the necessary facilities at their disposal to enable them to undertake the contract. In view of the large value of the order and the employment given through its means, not only at Devon-port but in other areas engaged on production of material for the refit, it would have been unfortunate in the extreme had the contract had to be placed outside this country. I do not, therefore, regret the decision to carry out this work at a Royal Dockyard.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any of the world's navies are equipped with means for using poisonous gas as a weapon; and whether it is proposed to discuss at the Naval Conference the question of the prohibition of such gas in any form as a weapon of war at sea?

I have no information in regard to the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can furnish an estimate of the number of men in the Royal Navy who will be thrown out of employment if effect is given to the proposals issued by His Majesty's Government on 7th February?

The proposals are at present necessarily in general terms, in order to form a basis for discussion with the other Powers, but there is no reason to apprehend that they will necessitate the compulsory discharge of any ratings from the Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of workpeople in Government establishments and private factories, respectively, who will be affected if effect is given to the proposals issued by His Majesty's Government on 7th February?

Until the proposals in question assume more definite proportions, and the effect of their adoption, or any part of them, on the Royal Navy has been worked out in detail, it is not possible with any degree of certainty to state what direct effect they will have on the employment of workpeople in Government establishments and private factories.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of money disbursed in the past financial year on account of allowances to men employed in His Majesty s dockyards for dangerous and objectionable employment, and for work in confined spaces, submarines, etc.?

The amount paid in the past financial year to workmen employed in His Majesty s Dockyards at Portsmouth, Devonport, Chatham and Sheerness, on account of allowances for dangerous and objectionable employment, work in confined spaces, submarines, etc., is as under:

				£
Portsmouth	…	…	…	24,719
Devonport	…	…	…	17,715
Chatham	…	…	…	15,391
Sheerness	…	…	…	2,899
				£60,724

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of established dockyardmen who, on their jobs becoming redundant, have been die-missed and re-engaged for service in an inferior grade and at a reduced wage during each of the past five years?

To ascertain the number of established men who have accepted employment in a lower grade, as the alternative to discharge on reduction, during each of the last five years would involve more work in a detailed investigation at the dockyards than the circumstances seem to warrant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the lack of adequate curatorship of the naval museums at Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham, he will have qualified curators appointed and better educational use made of the museums?

The dockyard museums are under the charge of the Admiral Superintendents and there is no real need for appointing any permanent staff such

—		Number of Invalidings.	Number invalided for Tuberculosis.	Percentage of total.
Chief Engine Room Artificer	…	5	4	80·0
Engine Room Artificer	…	21	12*	57·14
Engine Room Artificer Apprentices	…	9	2	22·22
* Includes one case non-pulmonary—(T.B. Lumbar Vertebræ).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is arranging to receive from outdoor officers of the Department of Agriculture Reports as to the extent of unemployment among farm workers in their respective areas?

The Department has no staff available for such inquiries, which could not, therefore, be undertaken without a considerable expenditure.

—	1929.	1928.	1927.	1926.	1925.	1924.
Regular Workers:—
Males 21 years old and over	60,605	59,897	59,826	60,803	59,750	58,014
Males under 21 years old	21,471	21,709	22,273	22,483	22,896	22,073
Women and Girls	19,009	18,957	19,486	19,692	19,619	20,098
Casual Workers:—
Males 21 years old and over	6,186	6,140	5,859	8,534	7,276	5,801
Males under 21 years old	3,335	3,181	3,379	4,434	3,188	2,958
Women and Girls	7,430	7,416	8,452	10,149	9,333	8,398
Total Workers	118,034	117,300	119,275	126,095	122,062	117,342
Note.—Excluding the occupier, his wife, and domestic servants.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what percentage of the total number of chief engine-room artificers and engine-room artificers, respectively, invalided during 1929 was due to tuberculosis?

The percentages of the total number of chief engine-room artificers and engine-room artificers, respectively, invalided during 1029, for tuberculosis were as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of agricultural workers in Scotland under each separate category for the year 1929 and for each of the five preceding years?

The following statement shows the numbers of workers employed on agricultural holdings in Scotland, above one acre in extent, for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive:

asked the Minister of Health if he will furnish a Return for England and Wales bringing up to date

STATEMENT showing as regards the houses authorised to be erected under the various Housing Acts, the progress made up to 1st February, 1930.
Name of Housing Act.	Number of houses in Local Authorities Schemes.			Number of houses in Private Enterprise Schemes.
	Completed	Under construction.	Authorised but not started.	Completed.	Under construction.	Authorised but not started.
1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.	7.
	A. Urban.
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919.	135,806	—	2	12,914	—	—
Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919.	—	—	—	23,207	—	—
Housing, etc., Act, 1923	65,465	—	—	252,560	—	—
Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.	242,249	22,216	26,408	3,548	612	1,568
Total (Urban Areas)	443,520	22,216	26,410	282,229	612	1,568
	B. Rural.
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919.	34,284	—	—	1,631	—	—
Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919.	—	—	—	15,979	—	—
Housing, etc., Act, 1923	8,430	—	—	110,178	—	—
Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.	34,262	2,171	4,254	1,019	171	1,029
Total (Rural Areas)	76,976	2,171	4,254	128,807	171	1,029
Total (All Areas)	520, 496	24,387	30,664	411,036	783	2,597

asked the Minister of Health what is the superficial area and the net and gross rent of the lowest-rented municipal A 3 house in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds?

I will have inquiries made and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local authorities are in the practice of prohibiting the erection of buildings which exceed a certain height; and if he will consider the desirability of issuing a the statement made on 17th February, 1928, regarding numbers of houses built, etc.?

The following is the information for England and Wales which my hon. Friend desires:circular to local authorities that, save under special circumstances, no restrictions as to height should be imposed upon persons seeking to erect buildings?

I have no information to the effect of my hon. Friend's statement.

asked the Minister of Health the number of married inmates of lunatic asylums certified since 1921; and how many of these have been in the asylums for more than five years?

The statistics of annual admissions show that the total number of married persons certified in the years 1921–1928 inclusive were 37,872 men and 43,276 women. Statistics are not available as to the number of these still remaining under care or the number that have been in mental hospitals for more than five years.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to certain public statements by His Majesty's Judges regarding the consequences of mentally deficient persons bearing children, which results in considerable cost to the ratepayers; and whether he will consider setting up a committee to inquire into the whole matter unless this subject can forthwith be referred to an existing Commission, so that legislation in accordance with their recommendations may be introduced at an early date?

I have been asked to answer this question. The reply to the first part of it is in the affirmative, and the subject has for some time past been under consideration. The issues involved are far-reaching and controversial; they could only be examined effectively by a suitable body specially set up for the purpose; and I fear that I cannot undertake to initiate such an investigation at the present moment.

Period.	Estimated grant payable to meet loss due to derating.		Payment on account of grant made up to 14th February, 1930.
	Rural Areas.	Rest of England and Wales.	Rural Areas.	Rest of England and Wales.
Half-year ending 31st March, 1930.	3,700,000	8,300,000	2,597,600	5,351,300

The new Exchequer grants, which will be payable as from 1st April next under the more permanent arrangements provided for in the Act, will extend beyond derating and will be paid in large measure to county councils towards the cost of expenses charged by them under the provisions of the Act and otherwise on rural and urban areas alike. It will therefore not be possible to state the

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain local authorities are making use of his recent Circular 1060 as authority for adopting a policy of preference for home and Empire foods without regard to comparative prices; and whether he proposes to take steps to safeguard the ratepayers in this respect?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that local authorities are abusing their discretion in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated annual cost of the Derating Act in rural areas and for the rest of England, respectively; and how much has been spent up to the present time in these two categories?

The derating provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929 (to which it is presumed the hon. and gallant Member's question relates), operated from 1st October, 1929. The following table shows (i) the estimated amount for the current half-year of the temporary grant provided for in Section 112 of the Act, and (ii) the amount paid up to the present time to local authorities on account of that temporary grant.amount of these grants in rural areas as distinct from other areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any payments have been made on account of suffering and damage arising out of enemy action during the War to British nationals who were, at the outbreak of hostilities, permanently domiciled outside the British Empire; and whether any claims have been refused on the grounds that the British nationals in question were permanently domiciled outside the British Empire at that period and had every intention of remaining so domiciled?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide relief and remedy against the present system of charging Income Tax upon book royalties, under which authors resident abroad have to pay tax on sums deducted from royalties as fees and commissions due to literary agencies, which in turn have to pay tax on these sums?

This question has been brought to my notice, and I will give it due consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any steps are being taken to provide an air squadron for the University of London Officers' Training Corps in a. similar manner to those already existing at Oxford and Cambridge; and, if any steps are being taken, how long it would be before the University of London Officers' Training Corps will be provided with an air squadron.

My Noble Friend regrets that financial considerations preclude any immediate addition to the number of University air squadrons, but he will further consider the proposal in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the subsistence allowance for a Royal Air Force officer below the rank of group captain, away from his station for over nine hours, is reduced from 11s. 6d., less ration allowance, to 8s. under the proposed revised scale; and if, in view of the fact that there is no relative fall in the cost of living to compensate for this reduction, the Air Ministry will consider the matter before enforcing the new rates?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. As I stated in my reply of 12th February, these changes in subsistence allowance rates are part of a general revision of allowances and of travelling concessions, and one particular item in that revision cannot fairly be picked out and considered without relation to the general effect, which is advantageous to officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the projected flight of airship R.101 to India will take place?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 18th December last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the trials that have been made of a silencer for aeroplane engines; whether those trials have been conducted under the supervision of the Air Ministry; and whether he can state if the trials have been satisfactory?

As regards the first two parts of the question, a number of engine exhaust silencers are under investigation at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. As regards the last part, all designs involve the carrying of considerable extra weight, and no decision has yet been reached as to the design which achieves the best compromise between weight and efficient silencing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a Royal Air Force officer on the married establishment posted to a Royal Air Force station at Malta is entitled to a Government pass-age for his wife and family, whereas a similarly placed Royal Air Force officer posted to an aircraft carrier, based on Malta, is not entitled to a passage for his family; and if he will state the reasons for this and consider its removal by placing those officers posted to aircraft carriers on the same basis as officers posted to land stations at the same locality?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the reason for the difference of treatment is that the tour of duty in an aircraft carrier is of shorter duration than that at the land stations abroad, including Malta, to which passages for officers' wives and families are allowed. My Noble Friend regrets, therefore, that he is unable to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Air Council have been competing for ground which the Glasgow Corporation were also trying to secure for a municipal aerodrome; and whether he will take steps to prevent such competition?

I cannot admit my hon. Friend's implication that the Air Ministry stepped in and began to compete for a site which the corporation were trying to secure. The position is that the Air Ministry had the Abbotsinch site under consideration as an aerodrome for the Glasgow Auxiliary Air Force Squadron for some time before the corporation decided to provide a municipal aerodrome. It was feared at first that the drainage of the site would present insuperable difficulties, and this led to a temporary abandonment of the proposal, which, however, was resumed as soon as it was found that the difficulties could be overcome. I am afraid that Abbotsinch must be kept for the Auxiliary Air Force, who must have an aerodrome close to Glasgow, but I see no reason why the corporation should not be able to find a suitable alternative site for a civil aerodrome; I trust and believe that they will.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the reply of the French authorities to representations by the Air Ministry on the complaints of non-compliance with regulations with regard to the reporting of cross-Channel aircraft not equipped with wireless; and whether the Air Ministry are satisfied that cause for similar complaint is likely to be lessened in the future as the result of these representations?

As regards the first part of the question, assurances have been received that fresh instructions have been issued to the French staff concerned, and the answer to the second part is, therefore, in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of employés of industrial and unindustrial groups at present employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield; and the number of these who are established?

The number of employés of industrial and non-industrial classes on the strength of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, is approximately 1,050, of whom 88 are established.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of men and women in the Isle of Man who are in receipt of pension; and the number of pensions granted since March last?

The statistical records of the Ministry do not show the number of pensions in payment in any particular locality, and I regret, therefore, to be unable to furnish my hon. Friend with the figures for which he asks.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is the policy of his Department to allow entirely free choice of qualified teachers for appointment to headships of junior mixed infants' schools to local authorities or to tender advice as to the selection; and, if so, on what principle is such advice given?

The appointment of teachers rests with the local authorities and managers, and it is not the policy of the Board to interfere with their discretion in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the scheme of the Commissioners of Northern Light houses for a lighthouse on Strathy Point has yet come before the Board of Trade; and, if so, what decision has been reached in regard to the proposed lighthouse?

The scheme for a lighthouse and fog signal on Strathy Point was discussed at the Lighthouse. Conference held at the Board of Trade on 7th February, when the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses made a full statement in support of the proposal. The representatives of the shipowners, merchant", etc., on the Advisory Committee strongly opposed the scheme, and they were supported by the Trinity House. After reviewing all the circumstances, the Board of Trade have decided that their sanction should not be given to the scheme.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is prepared to suspend his present activities and future projects in regard to the royal parks until an opportunity has been given for a full discussion on this subject?

I am afraid I cannot give the hon. and gallant Member any such undertaking. There will be an opportunity of discussing the subject when the Supplementary Estimate for Royal Parks comes before the House on Monday next.

asked the Attorney-General the number of poor persons' cases in which the King's Proctor has successfully intervened since the establishment of the Poor Persons' Department in 1914, and in how many of these cases he has failed; the total number of successful interventions and failures; and the approximate cost to the State of each intervention?

No separate record exists dealing with the class of case to which the hon. Member refers, and I am informed that it would entail a considerable amount of labour to compile the information for so long a period. In these circumstances, I regret that I cannot furnish the information which the hon. Member desires.

asked the Minister of Transport whether representations have been mad (c) to him regarding the unnecessary destruction of trees between Slough and Maidenhead during the widening of the Bath road now in progress; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

No representations have been made to me; but I understand that the trees which were felled were considered to be dangerous as a result of sewerage operations carried out by the local authorities. The county council will consider the planting of trees along this section of the road in connection with the widening works which are now in progress.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the present price per ton of potatoes in Canada and the present price per ton of the same article in this country?

According to figures published in the "Montreal Gazette" of 5th February last, the price of certain varieties of potatoes in that town ranged between £8 17s. 6d. and £9 7s. 6d. per ton. For the week ending 5th February the price of potatoes at wholesale markets in England and Wales averaged £3 10s. per ton. I am unable to say to what extent the above figures are comparable from the point of view of the qualities involved.