asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the public nuisance created in and around great cities like London by the dumping of household refuse in places of public access; and what steps he proposes to take?

So far as London is concerned, any general action must await the report of the Departmental Committee which is now considering the collection and disposal of refuse. On the general question, I may say that, if the method of controlled tipping is adopted, with strict observance of the precautions recommended by my Department, of which I will send the hon. Member a copy, there need not be any nuisance.

asked the Minister of Health whether his investigations have brought to light from what part of the world the parrots have come which have been found responsible for infecting human beings with psittacosis; whether they are the green or grey variety; and whether he can assure the public that parrots which have been in this country for a certain period of time, and have not been in contact with the disease, are immune from spreading infection?

I understand that the parrots associated with cases of psittacosis in this country have been mostly green parrots imported from South America. As regards the last part of the question, I am not in a position to give any definite assurance, but I am advised that the risk of contracting the disease from a parrot which has been in this country for some months, and has not been in contact with infected birds, may be regarded as negligible. I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of a memorandum on the subject which has recently been issued to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health under what statute local authorities are prohibited from giving information regarding birth control to nursing mothers, attending maternity and child welfare centres, who need this advice on medical grounds?

I am not aware of any such Statute.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government Chemist is satisfied, as a result of analyses made by his own Department within the past 12 months, that all the forms of preserved milk which are at present being imported into this country in any considerable quantity are nutritious and that they do not contain anything likely to render them harmful as an article of diet?

From the reports of the Government Chemist on the samples of imported preserved milk analysed by his Department within the past 12 months, I am satisfied that all the milks examined were nutritious, and that they did not contain anything likely to render them harmful as an article of diet.

asked the Minister of Health if he has had Reports from his inspectors during a period of three years with regard to the menace to the health of the residents at Haverton-Hill-on-Tees caused by the emission of grit and soot from the Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Company's works at Billingham; and whether, in view of the repeated assurances given by the company to take measures in the matter, what action he intends to take to protect immediately the health of these residents?

The matter was first brought to the notice of my Department 14 months ago. The reports I have received do not indicate that any danger to health is being caused, and I am assured that the company are making earnest endeavours to deal with the problem in a satisfactory manner.

asked the Minister of Health the principles which should govern local authorities in the imposition of test work?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question on the 7th November last in which I indicated what I think are the broad principles in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases in the past 12 months officers of his Department have urged local authorities to be less lenient in the conditions of test work?

The principles upon which the officers of my Department have acted are those indicated in the reply I made on 7th November last to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood); I cannot, of course, say how often or on what occasion my officers may have had to give advice with regard to the application of these principles.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that his decision regarding the superannuation allowances to be paid to the two retiring relieving officers is unanimously regarded as unsatisfactory by the Sleaford Board of Guardians; and whether, in view of the services of these officers during the War period, he will reconsider his decision?

On the information at present before me, I cannot accept the view that the officers in question have not been liberally treated, though I am of course prepared to consider any further grounds which the board of guardians may desire to submit on the case.

asked the Minister of Health whether any steps are taken to ascertain the views of the inhabitants and house owners of a residential district before permission is granted for the erection of shops in that district?

I have recommended local authorities to ascertain and consider the representations of persons likely to be seriously affected by any proposed development before granting permission for it while a town planning scheme is in course of preparation, and I believe that local authorities generally observe the spirit of my recommendation.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state what steps he is taking to deal with the situation caused by the decrease in the building of houses which has occurred during recent months?

I cannot accept the hon. Baronet's statement as to the present situation. The number of houses completed under the 1924 Housing Act in the last quarter of 1929 was 14,507 as compared with 12,661 in the same period of 1928; and the number of houses under the same Act authorised in the last quarter of 1929 was 19,824 as compared with 11,692 in 1928.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses sanctioned for subsidy under the 1923 Act and which were not completed by 30th September, 1929; whether he has received representations thereon; and will he consider any case where lack of materials or labour prevented the completion of the contract within the specified time?

The number of houses authorised under the 1923 Act which had not been completed by 30th September, 1929, was approximately 46,500, but only about 5,000 of these had actually been commenced by that date. I have received a few representations, including one from my hon. Friend, on the subject, but I have no power to grant such an extension of time as he suggests.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will so expedite the making up of accounts relevant to the cost of slum-clearance schemes under the Housing Act, 1923, that the House may have, at least, approximate figures showing the average expenditure per dwelling incurred out of public funds in, at least, some of the schemes carried out under existing legislation before it is asked to embark on a new policy of slum clearance under the promised new Bill?

Although, as I have informed the hon. Member, figures of average annual lose on slum clearance schemes have not in any case been fixed, the final accounts showing the capital cost of several of the completed schemes have been made up and estimates have been made of the probable average annual loss on the basis of present rents and on certain assumptions as to the selling price of the cleared sites. These estimates show as regards 10 completed schemes under the Housing Act, 1923, for which accounts have been received an average annual loss of about £2 per person displaced from the slum areas.

asked the Minister of Health the annual number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to the Ministry from 1919 to 1929 and the number confirmed; how many schemes have been undertaken by local authorties and the number completed since 1919; the total amount paid on account by the State towards slum clearance from 1919 to 1929; and the ultimate State liability in respect of schemes approved between 1919 and 1929?

The following statement shows the number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas in England and Wales which were submitted and confirmed respectively in each year from 1919 to 1929 inclusive:

Year.		Number of slum clearance Schemes:—
		Submitted during the year.	Confirmed during the year.
1919	…	2	1
1920	…	9	—
1921	…	3	1
1922	…	9	12
1923	…	29	21
1924	…	28	28
1925	…	11	20
1926	…	11	10
1927	…	12	13
1928	…	19	14
1929	…	10	1
Totals	…	139	121

It is the statutory duty of the local authorities concerned to carry out all the confirmed schemes, and 43 of those schemes have been completed. The total amount paid as Exchequer Subsidy from 1919 to the end of 1929 was £290,874. The ultimate annual Exchequer liability on completion of the schemes is roughly estimated at from £100,000 to £130,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to his Department from 1919 to 1929 and the number affirmed; how many schemes have been undertaken by local authorities and the number completed since 1919; the total amount paid on account by the State towards slum clearance from 1919 to 1929; and what is the ultimate State liability in respect of schemes approved between 1919 and 1929?

The annual number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to the Department from 1919 to 1929 is as follows:

1919	…	…	…	…	None
1920	…	…	…	…	None
1921	…	…	…	…	None
1922	…	…	…	…	None
1923	…	…	…	…	3
1924	…	…	…	…	5
1925	…	…	…	…	5
1926	…	…	…	…	7
1927	…	…	…	…	3
1928	…	…	…	…	4
1929	…	…	…	…	2
Total	…	…	…	…	29

All these schemes have been confirmed with the exception of one which was submitted in December, 1929, and which is now being inquired into. All the schemes are being undertaken by local authorities, and the number completed is nine. The total amount paid to 31st December, 1929, in respect of the State contribution towards meeting the annual loss on slum clearance schemes, including re-housing schemes, where the insanitary houses are being closed by means of Closing Orders, is £247,715. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to state what the ultimate liability to the State will be in respect of these schemes. The State contribution is 50 per cent. of the average annual loss over the period allowed for the repayment of the loans required to meet the capital cost of carrying out the schemes, and the capital cost can only be ascertained after the schemes have been completed.

asked the Minister of Health how many variations from town-planning proposals and maps have been scheduled by rural district councils in England and Wales under the Town Planning (General Interim Development) Order, 1922; whether any appeals by house owners or residents have been made against such variations; and whether any interests other than those of land speculators have been considered in dealing with such appeals?

The Town Planning (General Interim Development) Order relates to development while a town planning scheme is being prepared, and not after it is in force, and no question of variations of approved town planning proposals therefore arises. The power to grant permission under the Order rests with the local authority preparing the town planning scheme and, though a number of complaints reach me on the subject, I have no reason to think that the local authorities do not take reasonable account of all legitimate local interests to the best of their abiity in the exercise of their power.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any reports which will enable him to give the superficial area and the rents of the municipal houses built in Vienna during the last 10 years; and whether he proposes to take steps to secure the building of similar houses at similar rents in this country?

The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The conditions in thus country and in Vienna are not comparable. The standards of accommodation provided in the Viennese schemes fall considerably below those thought necessary in this country. About 75 per cent. of the tenements consist of a kitchen and one room and have an area of from 400 to 450 square feet. The rents are based only on maintenance costs and take, no account of capital charges.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause a special investigation to be made by an inspector of the Ministry into the condition of the council houses at Brill, Bucks, and private houses in Windmill Street, Brill, Bucks, and also into the finances of the Long Crendon and Brill Rural District Council?

I understand that this rural district council is taking steps to improve its financial arrangements and the condition of its houses at Bill, and will in the near future be considering the general position of defective properties. For the present, at any rate, I propose to await the results of this action.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the hardship and discomfort caused to the inhabitants of Laindon and other places in South-East Essex by the state of the unmade roads in the district; whether he has made representations to the Billericay Rural District Council with a view to their adopting the Private Street Works Act, 1892, Section 19 of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1907 (Power to carry out works of urgent repair in private streets), and Section 35 of the Public Health Act, 1925 (Power to vary width of carriageway and foot-way on making up private streets); whether representations have been made on more than one occasion; and whether, in view of the transfer of the above powers to the Essex County Council in April, he will consider approaching the Unemployment Grants Committee for assistance in cases where the streets to be made up would be in the nature of thoroughfares for the general use of persons other than the frontagers concerned?

I am aware of the condition of the roads at Laindon and other places in South-East Essex. The attention of the district councils concerned, including Billericay, has been directed on more than one occasion to the enactments mentioned by my hon. Friend. If the county council apply to the Unemployment Grants Committee for a grant in the cases described in the last part of the question, the application will be considered on its merits.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department supervises the methods by which sinking funds are administered by public authorities over which he has control; whether there are any regulations issued by his Department as to how public authorities should operate their sinking funds set up to amortise debt gradually during currency or to redeem in a lump sum debt at a fixed future date?

The methods by which the sinking funds of local authorities are administered are laid down by Statute except in the case of stock issued under the Stock Regulations, where they are laid down by regulations made under Statute. My Department has the duty in a large number of cases, but not all, of seeing that the requirements of the Statutes or the regulations are complied with. These requirements include the methods in which sinking funds are to be applied.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Prudential Approved Societies are refusing massage treatment for insured patients whose panel doctors recommend it as the only possible cure in certain cases; and if he will use his powers to see that these societies carry out their statutory duties to provide adequate treatment to their members?

I have not received any representations on the matter referred to by my hon. Friend. An approved society which has a disposable surplus on Valuation may adopt one or more additional benefits, such as treatment in hospitals or convalescent homes or nursing, within the scope of which massage, in suitable cases, might he comprised, but no society is under any statutory obligation to provide treatment of this kind for its members.

asked the Minister of Health if he will indicate to what extent local authorities, and especially rural district councils, are using their powers to preserve commons, protect commoners' and manorial rights, and prevent refuse disposal and other nuisances?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply. Since the passing of the Commons Act, 1899, the Ministry have sanctioned 173 schemes prepared under that Act by local authorities, including 116 by rural district councils, for the preservation of commons and the prevention of nuisances thereon. Certain local authorities have been entrusted by local Acts with the regulation of commons in their districts, but my right hon. Friend has no information as to the extent to which they are exercising their powers. He is not aware of any powers conferred on local authorities for the protection of manorial rights.

asked the Minister of Agriculture on what consideration it is estimated that the supply of home-grown meat to the Forces for six months in the year would increase the cost of meat to the public; and whether there is any reason for revising this estimate?

The late Government, in promising to supply home-fed meat to the Forces, obviously believed that this arrangement would tend to raise the price of home-fed beef to an extent that would prove beneficial to the home feeder. Unless this was anticipated, their promise was valueless. The present Government, after reviewing all the circumstances, came to the conclusion that, in practice, the proposal might also raise the price of fresh beef to the consumer in some seasons. There is no reason to revise this conclusion as, although the proposal has not been put into operation, there are already indications of a rise in beef prices due to various causes and if the War Department were now in the market as a buyer for the Forces, my right hon. Friend is advised that the rise might be accentuated to a point affecting retail prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications for land received by county agricultural committees in England and Wales remain unsatisfied; and what does he intend to do with regard to acquiring the land necessary for the purpose?

The latest returns available show that on 31st December, 1928, there were 2,320 approved applicants awaiting holdings, and 3,225 whose cases had been deferred. Some of these approved applicants no doubt have since been accommodated either on holdings becoming vacant, or on land since acquired. The Ministry has no power to acquire land for small holdings, but county councils have all the necessary powers and my right hon. Friend would welcome the much more active use of them. In this connection, I am glad to say that subject to the approval of the county council the Cheshire Small Holding Committee have practically arranged to purchase a property of some 1,200 acres for small holdings purposes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the memorial signed by the, chairman of the Royal Empire Society, the chairman of the Empire Day Movement, and members of other organisations interested in Empire development, regarding the branding of imported butter sold under various proprietary names; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to questions on this subject on the 17th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider placing an embargo on all potatoes coming from any country suffering from the potato disease known as Colorado beetle?

The Colorado beetle is known to exist in North America and in certain parts of France. The importation of potatoes from the Dominion of Canada and the United States of America is already prohibited, and importation from France is restricted to potatoes officially certified as having been grown more than 40 kilometres from any place where the beetle exists or has existed. On the evidence available at the present time, my right hon. Friend would not feel justified in placing further restrictions under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts on the entry of French potatoes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a copy of the resolution passed at a mass meeting of farmers at Ormskirk on Saturday, 1st February, stating that the meeting was strongly of the opinion that an embargo should be put on all potatoes being imported from France on account of the danger of bringing the Colorado beetle into the potato growing areas of this country; and whether he has any statement to make on this matter?

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. The importation of potatoes from France is restricted to those officially certified as having been grown more than 40 kilometres from any place where the beetle exists or has existed. On the evidence available at the present time, my right hon. Friend would not feel justified in placing further restrictions under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts on the entry of French potatoes.

Year.				Regular Workers.		Casual Workers.		Total.
				Men and Boys.	Women and Girls.	Men and Boys.	Women and Girls.
				Thous.	Thous.	Thous.	Thous.	Thous.
1925	…	…	…	579	60	115	49	803
1929	…	…	…	577	67	91	35	770

My right hon. Friend regrets that for various reasons which are set out in Chapter VIII of the Report on the Agricultural Output of England and Wales, 1925, it is not possible to supply reasonably comparable data for pre-War years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much wheat grown in Great Britain is at present used in the manufacture of bread; and in what proportion as compared with other wheats?

The quantity of homegrown wheat available for flour manufacture necessarily varies from year to year and I regret that I have no data which would enable me to furnish the hon. Member with the information desired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will provide adequate financial assistance for a continuation of the research work, to be carried out at Wye College, on the

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons were engaged in agriculture in Great Britain in the years 1913 and 1929, respectively; how many of these were men and how many women; and what was the number of agricultural labourers?

It is estimated that the total number of persons engaged in the agricultural and horticultural industries in England and Wales in 1925 was 1,100,000, of which about 300,000 were employers or working on their own account and about 800,000 employed. According to the returns collected annually by the Ministry, the numbers of persons employed on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre on 4th June of that year and for the year 1929 were as follow:diseases of sheep, particularly those known as struck and gangrene, which cause serious loss among, approximately, 250,000 sheep in Romney Marsh and the adjoining pastures?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a similar question on 17th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of horses exported in 1929 to countries other than Belgium, Holland, and France, specifying in each case the number of horses exported to each of the countries in question?

The following statement shows the number of horses exported from Great Britain during the year 1929 to countries on the Continent of Europe, other than Belgium, Holland, or France, under the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, as amended by the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, and gives the countries of destination:

Germany	…	…	…	201
Denmark	…	…	…	167
Sweden	…	…	…	17
Total	…	…	…	385

In addition to the above, 2,916 horses were exported to the Irish Free State, and 2,989 to other countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of horses and ponies exported to the Continent from England and Wales during December last, stating the countries of destination?

The following statement shows the number of horses and ponies exported to the Continent from England and Wales during the month of December, 1929, with the countries of destination:

Belgium	…	…	…	54
Holland	…	…	…	306
France	…	…	…	363
Germany	…	…	…	4
Denmark	…	…	…	10
Sweden	…	…	…	1
Total	…	…	…	738

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of horses and ponies exported to the Continent from Scotland during December last, stating the countries of destination?

The following statement shows the number of horses and ponies exported to the Continent from Scotland during the month of December, 1929, with the countries of destination:

Belgium	…	…	…	8
Holland	…	…	…	232
Germany	…	…	…	1
Total	…	…	…	241

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of wheat imported from France during the four weeks ended 7th February; and was any drawback or other bounty, direct or indirect, allowed to the exporters by the French Government?

The imports of wheat from France during the period specified amounted to 119,400 cwts. in addition to 98,000 cwts of wheatmeal and flour. As regards the second part of the question, I have no information as to whether any refund of duty was made in connection with the above quantities of wheat and flour. The provisions of the relevant French law on the subject have already been explained in the reply of my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture to the question asked by the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd) on 23rd January.

asked the Prime Minister the names of the persons appointed to the staff of the Economic Advisory Council at salaries of £1,500, £750, and £650 per annum, respectively, and further indicate which persons are respectively on an established and un-established basis?

The three officers referred to are Mr. H. D. Henderson, who has been appointed on an established footing with a salary of £1,500 a year, and Messrs. H. V. Hodson and Colin Clark, who have been appointed on an unestablished footing with salaries of £750 and £650 a year respectively.

asked the Home Secretary the number of police authorities who have instituted a women's police force; and in how many cases the women police possess powers to arrest?

Police women are employed in 41 forces, in 28 of which they are attested and have power of arrest.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the hardships inflicted upon the victims of silicosis and their dependants who contracted this industrial disease prior to 1st January, 1929, due to the following conditions laid down in the Various Industries (Silicosis) Scheme, 1928; that no compensation is payable to any workman who contracted silicosis prior to 1st January, 1929; nor where the silica rock worked upon contains less than 50 per cent. free silica; and will he undertake to antedate the operation of the order by a year or two at least and at the same time effect a substantial reduction below the present 50 per cent. of free silica in the rocks worked?

The only persons not covered by the scheme are those who had ceased to be employed in the industries before 1st January, 1929, and while I fully appreciate the hardship which may arise in such cases, I am advised that I should have no power under the Act to give the Scheme any such retrospective application as my hon. Friend suggests. As regards the 50 per cent. limit, I would refer him to the reply I gave to a similar question on 18th November last by the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Hopkin). No cases of hardship caused by this limitation have been brought to my notice, but if my hon. Friend has any evidence to the contrary I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Home Secretary how many miners have been granted compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts due to silicosis, in pursuance of the Various Industries (Silicosis) Scheme, 1928, for the year 1929, or for as many quarters of that year as the data are available, showing the total of cases for each coalfield, separately?

I regret that no figures are available at present. Returns under this scheme are collected as part of the general returns under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and as the Regulations under that Act provide only for annual returns which are not due until 1st March, and as the tabulation necessarily occupies a considerable time, I am afraid it will be several months yet before I am in a position to furnish any reliable figures for 1929.

asked the Home Secretary if he has had his attention drawn to the sentence of three months' imprisonment imposed upon May Christian for stealing a perambulator and its contents on 13th February, at Tottenham Police Court; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure its remission or reduction?

I had seen reports of this case and I have had special inquiry made in several directions. All concerned, including the Justices, have been anxious that the best course in the girl's own interests should be taken. Those interests would not be served by simply discharging her from custody now. Further information and observation are necessary before I can decide what action it will be best to take.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Committee of Experts reached any conclusion on the question of the right of British women married to foreigners to retain their own nationality; and whether the British Government contemplate any immediate step to secure this right to British women?

The function of the Committee of Experts was not to pronounce upon the merits of any particular proposal involving a change in nationality law, but to study certain aspects of the constitutional position and relationships of the various legislatures within the Empire in the light of the conclusions of the Imperial Conference of 1926. The views of the Committee on the general question of nationality as affecting the whole Commonwealth will be found on pages 24–25 of the published Report. The question to which my hon. Friend refers is among the matters to be considered at the forthcoming International Conference at The Hague, and, pending the results of that Conference, in which representatives of the Dominions are likely to take part, I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has under consideration the further closing of prisons; if so, what prisons it is intended to close; and to what use it is proposed to put the sites?

The only prison for the closing of which definite arrangements have been made is that at Plymouth. I am, however, considering a proposal made by the Kent County Council for the purchase of Maidstone Prison, and, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Mr. R. S. Young) last week, I should be prepared to examine proposals to acquire one of the London prisons for housing purposes.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons over 16 years of age were whipped in His Majesty's prisons in the years 1927, 1928 and 1929, respectively; and, if any, how many of these received parts of their whipping on separate occasions?

As regards the first part of the question, figures of sentences of whippings passed by Courts are not yet available for 1929. The answer to the second part is none.

asked the Home Secretary whether any persons sentenced to be whipped and unable, in the opinion of the medical officer of the prisons, to receive their full sentence at one time are brought back at a later date to receive the remainder of their whipping; and, if so, whether, having regard to the provisions of Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914, he will see that this practice is discontinued?

No, Sir. If the medical officer stops a flogging on medical grounds, that is final and the flogging is never resumed at a later date. That has been the practice for very many years. I stated this in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Dr. Hastings) on the 17th instant, but misstatements on the subject are so common that I am glad to have this opportunity of again denying them.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention, in revising the existing code of prison rules, to deal with the question of separate confinement for the first weeks of sentences of penal servitude?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary if, in his contemplated plans for the closing down of Holloway prison, he will give preference in the disposal of the site, &c., to the public authorities concerned for working-class housing schemes, and that the price of sale, &c., will be such as to make it practicable for such houses or tenements to be let at rents within the means of poor people?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to-day to his other questions on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary the number of orders approved during the last six months for working of the two-shift system; the number of people covered by such orders; and the industries concerned?

The number of two-shift orders granted during the six months August, 1929, to January, 1930, was 61. The orders do not limit the number of persons who may be employed under them, but the total number the firms stated they expected to employ on the shifts when they applied for the orders, was 1,540. They were granted to firms engaged in a variety of industries, the chief being hosiery, artificial silk and light engineering and metal works. For further details, I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of these orders which has been placed in the Library and is brought up-to-date every three months.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that treatment allowances are not granted to the dependants of an ex-service disabled man who is undergoing hospital treatment, who was unemployed before he went into hospital, even though his unemployment was in a large measure due to his disability; and whether he will take steps to have treatment allowances granted in every case while the man is in hospital for treatment?

My hon. Friend is perhaps under some misapprehension. The special allowances referred to are payable only where the patient has incurred loss by having to give up a remunerative occupation in consequence of the treatment. Nevertheless, the allow ances are payable to a man who is in hospital, if he is shown to be ordinarily a worker and dependent for the support of himself and his family upon his earnings, even though he may have been temporarily unemployed at the commencement of treatment. There would be no authority for the payment of these allowances to men whose ability to support themselves and their families is in no way adversely affected by their treatment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is expected that Switzerland will ratify the Convention in regard to the establishment of the Bank for International Settlements?

I understand that it is expected that the Convention in regard to the establishment of the Bank for International Settlements will be submitted to the Swiss legislature for ratification very shortly, but I am not in a position to name a precise date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has arranged that the representative of the Bank of England upon the Board of the Bank for International Settlements will be fully acquainted with the policy of His Majesty's Government before acquiescing in the operations of the bank, particularly in regard to the purchase and sale of gold;(2) whether the approval or disapproval to be given under Article 20 of the statutes of the Bank for International Settlements in connection with the operations of the International Bank will be subject to previous consultation and approval by the Treasury; and whether it is intended that the Treasury or the Bank of England shall be permanently represented at Basle?

While His Majesty's Government welcome the creation of the Bank for International Settlements, it is, as I have previously stated, a non-political institution, and national Governments will not be concerned with the direction of the policy of the Board. Neither the action of individual directors, nor the action of a Central Bank under Article 20 of the Statutes requires the prior approval of the Treasury of the country to which the director or the Central Bank belongs. At the same time the hon. Member may be assured that the Bank of England is in regular touch with the Treasury on matters which call for such discussion. There will be no Treasury representative at Basle.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Report of the West Indian Commission, he is prepared to make an early announcement of his intentions in respect of the sugar duties?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department is taking steps to use the information furnished by the recent Rating and Valuation Act for the purposes of assessment to Income Tax?

Yes, Sir. Under the provisions of Section 43 (2) of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, Inspectors of Taxes are empowered to obtain copies of, and extracts from, valuation lists.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the gross assessment received from Income Tax under Schedule A for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The gross income assessed under Schedule A was £404,264,573 for the year 1927–28 ended 5th April, 1928: for the year 1928–29 ended 5th April, 1929, it is estimated at £415,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has any information to show the extent to Which British subjects are now residing abroad as a result of high taxation in this country; and what steps the Income Tax authorities take in all these cases to satisfy themselves as to the bona fide nature of the residential qualifications?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that all practicable steps are taken to verify the correctness of claims to exemption from Income Tax on the ground of non-residence.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any steps are being taken by the Government of India, and, if so, what, to make representations to the Union Government in South Africa in regard to the rights of land ownership by Indians, in view of a recent judgment of the Supreme Court?

I do not know what action, if any, the Government of India have taken in the matter, but will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for India the chief points in the Measure passed by the Indian Legislative Assembly for concentrating in the hands of the central Government the control of the drug traffic?

I have not yet received the text of the Measure recently passed by the Indian Legislature. When this is received I shall be glad to supply my hon. and gallant Friend with a copy, if he so desires.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the arrangement made in 1927 for the collection of duties on goods imported into British India through the Kathiawar States is regarded by the Government of India as a final solution of the customs question raised by the development of the ports in Indian States territory in Kathiawar?

The Government of India have never excluded the possibility of considering alternative proposals which would secure their object of safeguarding the fiscal interests of British India.

asked the Secretary of State for India what contributions, if any, have been made by the railway department to the central road fund in India, as recommended by a special committee of both Houses of the Indian Legislature in 1928?

The recommendation of the committee was that the Indian Railways Act and the Devolution Rules should be amended so as to enable the railway administration to contribute towards the construction and maintenance of feeder roads. No such amendments have yet been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that 24 sorting clerks and telegraphists, who are redundant on the telegraph side of the head post office at Belfast, are being continuously employed in the blocking of an equal number of vacancies on the postal side; and whether, as these redundant officers are all expert telegraphists with service ranging from 10 to 15 years, who are being employed on bag-opening and letter-sorting duties, he will consider the advisability of finding outlets for them in other branches of the Civil Service, where their clerical and telegraphic qualifications would be of greater benefit to the State?

I am aware of the position. The redundant telegraph staff is being employed to good advantage on postal duties. Various outlets for the staff are provided by means of limited competitions, of which I hope the Belfast staff will take advantage; but I do not consider preferential treatment to the detriment of other interests would be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of live insurance policies at present in existence with the Post Office Savings Bank Department; and the gross amount for which these policies have been issued, and the average number of years for which they have been in existence?

The number of live insurance policies in existence on 1st January, 1930, with the Post Office Savings Bank was 9,642; the gross amount for which these policies have been issued was £463,622; and the approximate average number of years for which the policies have been in existence is 20.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the conclusion arrived at on the consideration of laying a new cable between this country, Jersey, and the Channel Isles?

Negotiations with the island telephone authorities for the opening of public telephone service between Guernsey, Jersey and the mainland are now practically completed. An existing cable will be used, but its diversion and lengthening, together with extensive work on the land connections, is necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount due to be paid for the conveyance of mails between Liverpool and the Isle of Man during the current financial year?

As the hon. Member will see from the Estimates for Revenue Departments (page 65), the amount due to be paid for the conveyance of mails between Liverpool and the Isle of Man during the current financial year is estimated at £11,630.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the number of men and women teachers working in the boys, girls, and mixed schools, respectively?

I think that the following figures will give the hon. Member substantially the information which he requires: In March, 1929, men teachers were taking 20,814 classes of boys, 122 classes of girls, and 14,460 mixed classes. Women teachers were taking 6,709 classes of boys, 27,391 classes of girls, and 81,436 mixed classes. Puller details will be included in the Board's Annual Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether dockyardmen, not established, who have served in His Majesty's Dockyard, Bermuda, and who have become redundant there, are eligible for unemployment benefit on returning to this country without having to complete another qualifying period?

If 30 contributions have been paid during the last two years the dockyardmen would be eligible for benefit under the normal conditions. If eight contributions have been paid in the last two years or 30 at any time, the transitional conditions would apply, and it would have to be decided by the statutory authorities in each case whether the claimant is normally employed in insurable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the county of Derby 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?

During the six months ended 13th January, 1930, 671 applications for benefit made at Employment Exchanges in Derbyshire were disallowed by insurance officers on the ground "Not genuinely seeking work," and 185 cases 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 1,329 disallowances by insurance officers and 312 by Courts of Referees.

asked the Minister of Labour the number, respectively, of unemployed men and women over and under the age of 16 registered at the Employment Exchange, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, and resident in the borough of Leyton, on 15th January, 15th March, 15th June and 15th September, 1929, and 15th January, 1930?

Separate statistics are not available regarding the numbers of unemployed juveniles under the age of 16 nor of the number of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchange who are resident in the borough of Leyton. The following statement gives

Date.				Men 18 and over.	Boys 14–17.	Women 18 and over.	Girls 14–17.	Total.
14th January, 1929	…	…	…	3,229	193	647	188	4,257
11th March, 1929	…	…	…	3,283	124	443	155	4,005
17th June, 1929	…	…	…	2,319	77	367	96	2,859
16th September, 1929	…	…	…	2,088	139	268	129	2,624
13th January, 1930	…	…	…	3,469	123	669	107	4,368

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men from the depressed areas who have been placed in employment by the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange under the industrial transference scheme for the six months ending to the last convenient date?

During the six months ended 10th February, 1930, 44 men were transferred from depressed areas into employment in the area of the Borough Employment Exchange under the industrial transference scheme.

Employment Exchange.			10th February, 1930.			11th February, 1929.
			Wholly unemployed.	Temporarily stopped.*	Total.	Wholly unemployed.	Temporarily stopped.*	Total.
Keynsham	…	…	115	24	139	166	8	174
Clutton	…	…	118	17	135	159	12	171
Chew Magna	…	…	89	1	90	123	3	126
Midsomer Norton	…	…	317	92	409	381	36	417
Frome	…	…	180	8	188	180	31	211
Separate statistics for Peasdown are not available as there is no Employment Exchange in that area.
* The numbers temporarily stopped include short-time workers who were not at work on the dates in question, and others who were temporarily suspended from work. Separate figures for short-time workers are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can furnish an estimate of the additional employment in the sugar-refining factories which resulted from the reduction in 1928 of the duty on home-refined sugar?

I regret that separate statistics are not available respecting employment and unemployment in the sugar refining industry. such information as is available regarding the numbers of persons on the registers of the Leyton Employment Exchange at the dates mentioned:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons wholly unemployed, together with the numbers of short-time workers, now registered at the respective Exchanges: Keynsham, Clutton, Chew Magna, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Peasdown, and Frome, and the corresponding figures for 1929?

The following Table shows the numbers of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges mentioned at 10th February, 1930, and 11th February, 1929, respectively:

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that the accommodation for the staff at both the women's and men's Employment Exchanges at Ramsgate is unsatisfactory as regards ventilation, heating, sanitation, and available working space; and if she will state when work will commence on the proposed new building for which a site has been acquired and plans been under consideration for some weeks, and give an assurance that all possible steps will be taken to speed the completion?

I am aware that the accommodation provided for the Ramsgate Employment Exchange is unsuitable. Building operations will start at the earliest possible moment and will be pressed forward without delay.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of officers employed at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange and the average salaries paid to these persons, including the cost-of-living bonus at the current rate and the gross amount of salaries, including overtime, paid to such persons for the year ending 31st December, 1929; and the cost of maintenance, heating, light, and cleaning, including cleaners' wages, for the year 1929?

The number of officers employed at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange on 1st January, 1930, was 57; their average salary (including cost-of-living bonus at the current rate) being approximately £247 10s. per annum. The gross amount of salaries, including overtime, for the year ended 31st December, 1929, for this staff was £14,106. The cost of maintenance, heating, lighting and cleaning (including cleaners' wages) for the year was £673.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the contract for the building of the new Employment Exchange at Walsall has yet been assigned; and, if not, whether, cœteris paribus, he will see that the contract is, if possible, assigned to a local firm?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Tenders will be invited as soon as possible by public advertisement in accordance with the Department's usual practice, and tenders from local firms will, of course, be considered on their merits with any others received. I can give no guarantee in advance as to the award of the contract.

asked the Minister of Transport if there is a vacancy on the Electricity Commission; and, if so, when appointing a commissioner will he give special attention to the claims of the applicant who has had experience in rural areas?

At present there is no vacancy on the Electricity Commission nor, apart from any unforeseen circumstances, is it anticipated that any further appointment will be required. In any case I do not think the Commission would be suitably constituted by the appointment of members representing special interests, however important, but I may add that a technical officer was appointed to the staff of the Electricity Commission last year to deal particularly with questions of development in rural areas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the new British Criminal Code has passed through the Kenya Legislative Council; and, if so, what penalties it will provide in the case of persons who perform the circumcision operations, major or minor, on girls, against their will, or what penalties it will provide in the case of parents who exercise pressure on girls to undergo this operation against their will?

A Bill to bring into force a new Penal Code based upon English law has been introduced in the Legislative Council of Kenya, but no report has yet been received from the Governor as to the passing of the Bill or as to amendments which may have been made in the draft Code during the course of debate on the Bill. Pending the receipt of the new Code in its final form, a reply to the last two parts of the question cannot be given, but the Noble Lady may be assured that the importance of an adequate penalty for acts of a kind which would include the performance of the operation against the will of the girl concerned will not be over-looked, and the point has, in fact, been brought already to the notice of the Government of Kenya.