asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the telephone cable under the Dartmouth Road, Paignton, was out of order for 64 hours last week, and so caused inconvenience to many subscribers in Paignton and the district; and will he endeavour to accelerate the work of repair in such cases in the future?

The cable became defective on the morning of the 13th instant owing to corrosion of the lead sheathing. The fault was located, a length of cable withdrawn and a new cable drawn in and jointed, the operations being completed by 11.15 a.m. on the 14th instant. There was no avoidable delay in restoring communication.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is intended to commence work on the new telephone exchange at Wolverhampton?

Building operations are expected to begin about the middle of April next.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) on what authority his Department continues to erect telephone poles and overhead wires in the county borough of West Ham, notwithstanding the objections of the local authorities and the local inhabitants to overhead wires and consequent poles;(2) what consideration is given to the wishes of local authorities when his Department desires to erect telephone posts and wires in the various localities?

Overhead telegraphic lines in streets and public roads are constructed by virtue of the Telegraph Acts with the consent of the road authority, which is invariably sought. In the event of consent being withheld an appeal lies to the Courts. In actual practice, consent for overhead lines is only sought where it would be unsound financially to lay underground cables, and every endeavour is made to comply with the wishes of local authorities in regard to the position of overhead lines, so far as such wishes can be reconciled with engineering and economic requirements.

asked the Postmaster-General what effect has been given to the recommendations of the Hardman Lever Committee on the Inland Telegraph Service?

Action has been or is being taken on the recommendations numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 17 in paragraph 67 of the Report of the Hardman Lever Committee. It has been decided not to adopt recommendations 7, 14 and 16, and no action has so far been possible under recommendation 1.

asked the Postmaster General if he will give the following information with regard to the post office at Stow-on-the-Wold: the average weekly amounts of business under the following heads: letters, parcels, telegrams, money and postal orders, pensions, and insurance; the number of the staff employed and their wages: and the remuneration of the postmaster, with a statement of what expenses connected with the office must be met by the postmaster out of that remuneration?

The following are the desired particulars of postal business at Stow-on-the-Wold: letters 16,000, parcels 670, telegrams 100, money orders and postal orders 400, pensions 150, and insurance stamp sales £40. Out of annual remuneration of about £300 the sub-postmaster provides accommodation and any indoor help required. He employs one assistant and, including the assistant's wages of 40s. weekly, the total expenses are stated to be £159 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the difference in contracts between this country and South Africa and this country and Australia which prevents British stamps being sold on mail steamers between England and South Africa, and allows them to be sold on mail steamers between England and Australia?

The essential difference is that the Peninsular and Oriental line conveys mails between this country and Australia under contract with the British Post Office, whereas the Union Castle line conveys mails between this country and South Africa under contract with the South African Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General with which European and extra-European countries is the Post Office free to establish and operate wireless telegraph services; and with which countries are such services actually functioning?

No exclusive right to operate wireless telegraph services has been granted to any company, although under the scheme which was adopted on the recommendation of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference, 1928, the Post Office beam stations were leased to the Imperial and International Communications Company for a period of 25 years, dating from 1st April, 1928, and the Imperial wireless services worked from those stations were transferred to the company. In addition to certain wireless services of a special character, which are operated in one direction only, the Post Office is at present conducting wireless telegraph services with the following countries, namely: Czechoslovakia, Danzig, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Poland and Rumania.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of men and women, respectively, engaged as inspectors of physical exercises in 1914 and in the current year?

In 1914 the Board employed two men and three women as inspectors of physical exercises; they now employ three men and seven women.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many schemes of reorganisation have been submitted to his Department from local education authorities to date; and in how many of these schemes proposals for new nursery schools are included?

Up to the present I have received 177 programmes from local education authorities, 21 of which contain proposals for new nursery schools. The hon. Member will realise that many local education authorities had prepared their programmes before the receipt of the joint circular issued by the Minister of Health and myself, and where the programmes of urban authorities do not deal with the question of nursery schools I am taking the matter up with them.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many men and women, respectively, entered the training colleges for teachers recognised by the Board in 1927, 1928, and 1929?

The numbers for the three years are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason why Redcar and district has not been selected for any of the Territorial camps during the coming summer; whether there has been any difficulty in securing suitable training areas from landowners; and whether it is the policy of the Department to encourage local authorities to purchase land suitable for training under an agreement with the War Office by which such land can be annually used for military training?

The reason for not selecting Redcar and district for any Territorial training during 1930 is that the land available is not considered good for the purpose. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that the landowners concerned are willing to assist the military authorities but have made certain reservations. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the lowest age at which boys are sent for Army service to India and other parts of the world?

Boys enlisted as such may be sent overseas to India or elsewhere provided they are 15 years of age at the date of embarkation and are medically fit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have any intention of removing all restrictions which prevent the Woolwich Arsenal authorities from tendering for private work; and whether any proposals have been approved permitting the Arsenal to undertake alternative work?

The question of the work to be undertaken by Woolwich Arsenal during the coming financial year is one of policy intimately connected with the Estimates for the year, and I regret that I am unable to make any statement on it in advance of the introduction of those Estimates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the respective prices paid for home-grown and imported barley used in the manufacture of alcoholic drink?

According to the London Corn Circular of 24th February last, the price of English malting barley ranged from 28B. to 45s. per quarter of 448 lbs., while quotations for imported varieties were as follow: Californian 35s. to 44s; Chilian 34s. to 39s.; Chilian Chevalier 40s. to 50s.; Australian Chevalier 38s. to 40s.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he intends to place any proposals adopted by the Agriculture Conference before a three-party committee of this House?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I gave to a similar question on 28th November, to the effect that subsequent action must depend upon the proceedings of the Conference.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if there is any limit to the advances which may be made to any individual or company under Part I of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928; and, if so, the extent to which such advances may be made?

The amount which may be advanced under Part I of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, is limited by Section 2 of the Act to two-thirds of the estimated value of the property at the time of the loan.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of smallholders who have been granted loans under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, and the smallest acreage in respect of which a loan has been granted?

The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation has granted loans to 287 borrowers on the security of farms having an area of 50 acres or less. The smallest acreage in respect of which a loan has been granted is two-and-three-quarter acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation has fixed a limit as to the acreage of farms in respect of which applications for loans under the Agricultural Credits Act are not entertained?

I am informed that the Directors of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation have not fixed a limit as to the acreage of farms in respect of which applications for loans under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, Part I, are not entertained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of the sugar-beet production in England and Wales during each of the last seven years?

The following statement gives the tonnage of sugar beet delivered to the beet sugar factories in England and Wales in the last seven manufacturing campaigns:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to provide any financial assistance for the research work on the diseases of sheep to be carried out at Wye College?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on 17th instant, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average cost of production in England of a quarter of wheat, oats and barley, respectively; of a two-year-old beast fit for the butcher; and of a sheep, a lamb and a bacon pig, respectively, the figure being a general average taken from costs quoted from all over the country?

I regret that the information as to costs referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question is not available.

asked the Home Secretary if the representatives of the Soviet Government in this country are in exactly the same position as the representatives of other friendly nations in the matter of police protection?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary how many individuals were prosecuted in 1929 for contravention of the Hyde Park regulations as to the soliciting of alms; how many convictions were recorded; how many individuals suffered imprisonment; what was the usual charge; and was the charge one of soliciting alms by speech or action?

14 persons were prosecuted for soliciting alms in Hyde Park during 1929. Nine were convicted, of whom two went to prison in default of payment of fines. The other five were dealt with without conviction, and no penalties were imposed. The usual charge was soliciting and collecting donations in Hyde Park contrary to General Regulation No. 3 of the Hyde Park Regulations. In all cases the solicitation was by word of mouth.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state, as a result of revelations recently made before the League of Nations Advisory Committee on Opium, what action he proposes to take with a view to the more effectual suppression of illicit drug traffic in this country?

The cases referred to in the question had no connection with this country, and there is no evidence before me to show that the measures taken here for the suppression of the illicit traffic are not effectual for the purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to issue statutory Regulations for policewomen; and, if so, how soon may they be expected?

I have not come to any decision on the subject, but I propose to bring it before the Police Council at the meeting of the Council to be held next Tuesday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of industrial employés who have left the Civil Service through age, invaliding, or by death during 1927, 1928, and 1929?

I regret that figures for 1927 are not available. In 1928 614 established industrial civil servants were retired for age, 170 upon medical certificates and there were 164 deaths in the service preceded by service of five years and upwards. The figures for 1929 are not yet complete but I hope to be able to send them to my hon. Friend shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many candidates were appointed to the Civil Service from the last Second Division examination held, i.e., the examination of September, 1914?

The number of candidates appointed from the examination in question was 425.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of established women civil servants in 1907?

It is estimated that the number of established women civil servants employed in 1907 was about 14,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of women civil servants in the principal grades who received marriage gratuities in each of the past five years; the number of women civil servants in each of these grades; the average amount of the gratuity; and the average length of service of those receiving gratuities?

I regret that I cannot yet add anything to the replies given by me to a question on this subject from the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division (Viscountess Astor) on 5th February last and by my predecessor to a question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Bondfield) on 27th June, 1927, copies of which I am sending my hon. Friend. I will send him the fuller information for 1929, which is being collected, as soon as it is available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of additional persons to be brought on to the unemployed live register as a result of the provisions of the last Unemployment Insurance Act; whether any additional work will be created in the Claims and Record Office, Kew, arising therefrom; and, if so, whether the terminal notices already issued to temporary ex-Service clerks in that office can be withdrawn?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6th February to the right hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth (Sir A. Steel-Maitland). With regard to the remainder of the question, the decision to dispense with the temporary clerks referred to was taken after consideration had been given to the work likely to be involved by the new Unemployment Insurance Act. These clerks have now been reallocated either to other branches of the Ministry or to other Government Departments, with the exception of three in whose cases there are special circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the difference between the wage rates paid to French and British operatives in the lace industry?

I have no recent statistics as to the rates of wages of operatives employed in the lace industry in France, but I will make inquiry of the International Labour Office and forward to the hon. Member any information that may be available.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what amount of ad valorem duty is charged by Australia, Canada, South Africa, Argentine, and Brazil on the importation of steel rails, steel girders, and railway locomotives into their respective countries?

The information is given in the published relevant official documents of the countries named. I am, however, sending the hon. Member a statement containing the particulars desired. The majority of the duties are specific, and I regret I am not able to convert these to ad valorem equivalents.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the new tariff of 60 per cent. imposed by Australia on clothing hitherto imported from Leeds will stifle the trade, thereby causing further unemployment; and can he make representations with a view to its modification?

I am fully alive to the serious effects on employment in this country of the recent increases in the Australian import duties on apparel and other commodities. As I have explained in answer to previous questions, general representations on the subject have been made to the Commonwealth Government and, in addition, a more detailed memorandum has been forwarded to that Government for their consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the pre-War and post-War levels of British shipping freights, taking for the purpose any six typical ocean runs from this country to foreign ports?

It is not possible to give comprehensive figures which will indicate the general level of shipping freights for all commodities on any particular route from this country. Shipping freights for manufactured goods on any particular route vary, e.g., with the class and type of article, and the schedules of such rates are not published by the shipping companies. As regards bulk cargoes from this country, figures supplied by the Chamber of Shipping show the pre-War and post-War freight rates for coal shipments applying to six typical ocean runs from this country as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the annual output in tons of Ballachulish, Cullipool, Easdale, and the other West Highland quarries; and what quantities of slates have been available in stock at each of these quarries during the last 12 months?

The output of slate from quarries in the Western Highlands in 192S was 8,318 tons, of which 8,186 tons was produced at the Ballachulish, Cullipool and Easdale quarries. I have no information as to the quantities of slate in stock at quarries.

asked the Minister of Labour the figures of the increase in the number of textile workers out of employment since the present Government took office?

At 27th January, 1930, there were 75,199 more insured persons classified as belonging to textile industries recorded as unemployed in Great Britain than at 24th June, 1929. I am having prepared a tabulated statement, which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons it is estimated will obtain benefit when the Unemployment Insurance Act comes into operation; and whose books were in the two months' file and in the dead file, respectively, on 3rd February instant?

It is not possible to make any precise division as between these two files of the 70,000 persons not now on the Register who, as indicated in my reply to a similar question on 6th February, may be expected to renew their claims when the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, comes into operation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the fact that men who wish to engage in a period of training as omnibus conductors, and receive no pay during that period, are not eligible for unemployment benefit; and whether, in view of the fact that these men still have to support themselves and their families and that many are thus precluded from undertaking such training, she will propose legislation at an early date to remedy the situation?

The position is as stated in the first part of the question, if there is a definite understanding that the person being trained will, when he becomes proficient, be employed for wages by the employer giving the training. I regret I cannot give any undertaking to introduce legislation on this subject at present.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will investigate the circumstances under which unemployment benefit is paid in Bury; whether she is aware that queues often wait two hours and then, when the clerks close the offices for luncheon, have to go away and return later for another long wait; and whether steps will be taken, by readjustment of the staff, to avoid this inconvenience?

Some delay in dealing with applicants took place at the Bury Exchange during January. This was due to the extremely heavy increase in the register over the holiday period. I should mention, however, that according to my information no claimants were sent away at the mid-day interval and asked to return later, although some who attended in the morning went away voluntarily and came again in the afternoon. The staff at the Exchange has been further strengthened and steps are being taken to secure additional premises.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will investigate the circumstances under which unemployment benefit is paid in a political club in the Bury area?

Owing to the increase in unemployment in this area it was decided, at the request of the urban district council, to deal separately with the claimants living in Tottington. After careful search the club in question was the only suitable building that could be obtained for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour what use is made of voluntary agencies for finding places for young women from the north-eastern district who are willing to enter domestic service in London and the South of England?

The number of vacancies for young women willing to enter into resident domestic service is always in excess of the supply and my Department experience no difficulty in providing employment of the kind required for suitable applicants. In these circumstances it is not necessary to enlist assistance from outside agencies in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that a number of miners were sent from Hamilton Employment Exchange to Blackpool for training and were, at the end of six weeks, transferred to work at a job at Redditch being carried on by the Worcester County Council; that the county council only paid these men at the rate of 9s. 6d. a week, from which they had to pay 3s. a week travelling expenses to and from their work; whether there is any agreement with this county council that they should be provided with labour under such conditions; whether she is aware that considerable feeling has been aroused in the locality where this work is being carried on and these men were being accused of blacklegging, with the result that they left the job and, after tramping back to Blackpool, they were sent home to Hamilton; that on reporting the circumstances at the Hamilton Employment Exchange insulting references were made to trades unionism by one of the clerks to whom they were making application for unemployment benefit; and what action she proposes to take in the matter?

I am having inquiries made, and will write to my hon. Friend; but I should mention that such information as I already have by no means bears out the allegations contained in the question.

asked the Minister of Labour to what she attributes the increase in the number of unemployed persons over those registered a year ago, and when she expects the unemployment figures to fall?

The trades in which there were, at 27th January, 1930, the largest increases in the numbers unemployed, as compared with a year ago, are the textile trades and the distributive trades. I am unable to forecast the date on which the unemployment figures may be expected to fall.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will consider the publication of a periodical statement showing the increase and decrease of the unemployment figures on a regional basis?

Statistics of unemployment on a regional basis, with comparative figures for the previous month and the previous year, are already published each month in the Ministry of Labour Gazette, and are also given in the Local Unemployment Index, a copy of which will be found in the Library.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the hesitation shown by some authorities to take advantage of his proposals, he will extend his offer of financial assistance to shipbuilders and shipowners, with a view to improving export facilities and relieving the abnormal unemployment in the shipyards?

If I am correct in assuming that my hon. Friend is referring to the statements which I have made as to the attitude of the City towards the reorganisation of industry, I would remind him that these proposals are not limited to particular industries, and the question of extending their scope does not, therefore, arise. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the difficulties of the industry to which he refers arise largely from the insufficiency of the present volume of trade to occupy existing tonnage. In the circumstances, any artificial stimulation of the construction of additional tonnage would, I am satisfied, do more harm than good.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that a Brazilian shipping company, 05 per cent. of the shares being held by the Brazilian Government, is proposing to build 20 new ships for the Brazilian coasting trade, and that it is proposed to build those ships in this country; and will he take steps to facilitate the placing of this contribution to relieve unemployment in our shipyards?

I have interested myself in the case to which my hon. Friend refers, and I understand that the position is being closely watched in this country. I hope that if these ships are built they will be built in British yards, but I do not think that the matter is one in which the Government can usefully intervene.

asked the Minister of Health if he will institute an inquiry into the therapeutic and prophylactic values of medicinal and nutritional preparations of vitamin extracts, with a view to their standardisation and prescription, as far as may be deemed advisable, under the National Health Insurance scheme?

My hon. Friend is probably aware that methods for the quantitative estimation of vitamins are being actively studied under the auspices of the Medical Research Council. I am advised that knowledge in this subject is not yet sufficiently advanced to justify the consideration of the question of adopting and applying official standards of strength for medicinal preparations of these substances.

asked the Minister of Health the quantity of condensed skimmed milk which requires a label "unfit for infants" imported during the last six months; and whether, in view of its poor food qualities and the widespread use still made of it by families who think they are purchasing a useful product, he will take steps to limit its further importation?

I understand that during the six months ended 31st January last 964,944 cwts, of condensed separated or skimmed milk were imported. I see no sufficient reason for further action as suggested in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health the date by which the committee set up in June, 1928, to inquire into the causes of maternal mortality will issue a Report?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel) on the 21st instant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that objection has been raised to model bye-law 9b on the ground that ptomaine poisoning is alleged to result from the eating of bacon prepared from pigs which have been humanely slaughtered in accordance with that bye-law; and what information is in his possession bearing upon this matter?

I am not aware of this objection, and have no evidence in support of it.

asked the Minister of Health whether any attempt has been made for combined research under the League of Nations into rheumatic diseases or for co-ordinated work in different countries?

I understand that the appropriate committee of the League of Nations was requested in 1928 by the International Society of Medical Hydrology to take action with a view to international co-ordination in the investigation of rheumatic diseases, but that the committee, for various reasons, were unable to comply with the request. Since that date the International League against Rheumatism has been founded by the International Society of Medical Hydrology with the object, inter alia, of making comparative studies of rheumatism in various countries, including the collection of international statistics and the stimulation of research.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the presentation of the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government, when the claims of different towns for increased municipal status will be taken into consideration; and what procedure in connection therewith will be adopted?

As the hon. Member is aware, the Royal Commission on Local Government recommended certain changes in the procedure in connection with the grant of Charters of municipal incorporation. This matter has been under consideration by the Departments concerned and a communication has been addressed to those who have petitioned indicating the revised procedure which must be adopted by them. When the new requirements have been complied with it will be possible for consideration of petitions to be resumed. As the communication in question is somewhat lengthy I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what is the annual cost of wages paid to public assistance officers?

The records of my Department do not enable me to answer this question.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of grant allocated from the Road Fund to each rural district council in the administrative county of Leicester for the years 1928–29 and 1929–30?

The information is appended in tabular form.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that foreign potatoes are being imported into King's Lynn and are receiving the full benefit of reduced railway rates under the Derating Act; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in order to prevent this continuing?

Potatoes, other than new potatoes, were included in the Eleventh Schedule to the Local Government Act of last year as one of the traffics to benefit under the scheme of rebates from railway carriage charges, after consultation with agricultural interests, and it is not proposed to introduce amending legislation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any representations with regard to the closing of the Brompton Road tube station; and whether, in view of the effect on road traffic which the closing of this station would involve, he will inquire into the matter?

I have not received any representations with regard to this matter, but I will make inquiries and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are taken by his Department to verify assurances by local authorities that negotiations and discussions have taken place with all interested owners before the routes of new traffic roads are defined?

Such assurances, given by the responsible officers of local authorities, would be accepted without verification.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps were taken by his Department to ascertain that all interested owners were consulted before the new traffic road through the Park Langley Estate, West Wickham, was diverted from its original line?

It is not the function of my Department to ascertain the views of interested owners of land in the case of roads the construction of which forms part of a town planning scheme. I would refer the hon. Member to my answers to his previous questions and to the letter which I addressed to him on 14th February.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration the compulsory use of some type of direction indicator by all motor vehicles; and what are his intentions in this connection?

Clause 30 of the Road Traffic Bill would enable me to make Regulations on this subject if it were thought desirable to do so. On this point I am not at present prepared to express an opinion.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the numerous accidents in London caused by motor cars colliding with street islands, he will take steps to ensure that policemen on duty at such points shall be sufficiently visible, and that the pedestals at the ends of these islands are painted in white instead of the present dull grey?

In the opinion of the Commissioner of Police, the visibility of constables on traffic duty is best secured by improving the lighting where constables are posted, and much has been done in this way by the responsible local authorities on the Commissioner's representations. The painting of pedestals on refuges is a matter for the local authorities, but I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is investigating the possibility of making them more conspicuous.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the local authorities of Montrose, and of Chatham, Kent, have passed resolutions urging that provision should be made in the Finance Act, 1930, whereby the exemption from duty under Section 13, Sub-section (4), of the Finance Act, 1920, of fire engines (vehicles kept by a local authority for the purpose of their fire brigade service), ambulances, and road rollers may be extended to cover all mechanically-propelled vehicles used exclusively for the essential services by local authorities; and whether he is prepared to give consideration to the suggestion?

I have been asked to answer this question. Resolutions to this effect have been received from many local authorities. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 27th November to a question asked by the hon. Member for North East Bethnal Green (Major Nathan) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of raising revenue from a tax or licence on automatic machines?

The hon. Member's suggestion has been noted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been paid and to what number of persons on the claims of inventors against the Government in connection with the War, and what percentage does this sum represent of the total sum claimed; whether the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors can now be discharged; and, if not, whether a time limit can be set to that Commission's activities?

The amount of money paid under awards of the Royal Commission since their appointment in March, 1919, is approximately £1,334,000, and the number of cases with which they have dealt is 1,794. I have no particulars of awards made before March, 1919, nor is it possible to distinguish between payments for inventions which were of service in the War and other payments. As regards the third part of the question, I am informed that in a large number of cases no specific amount was claimed by the applicant, and I am unable therefore to state the percentage. With regard to the last part of the question, although the Commission has a few cases only outstanding, I am not in a position to make any announcement as to the future.