asked the President of the Board of Education which local education authorities have an agreed syllabus of religious instruction in provided and non-provided schools, respectively?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle). For the reason then given I regret that I am unable to give the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has received a resolution passed by the managers of the Southbroom council senior school at Devizes protesting against any proposal to raise the school age for elementary scholars for at least the next three years; and whether he has received other such protests and, if so, how many?

My right hon. Friend has received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. He has not received a similar resolution from any other body of school managers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the control examination in primary schools is optional and is conducted by an examining board, composed usually of teachers and the executive officers; under how many authorities and in how many schools in Scotland no control examination is held; whether the teachers have the power to withhold or veto the control examination; whether the control examination is unofficial or is recognised by the Department; and whether, in the interests of both primary and advanced education, he will cause the control examination to be made compulsory upon all pupils and have it made official and conducted under the supervision of His. Majesty's inspectors of schools?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the schemes for the promotion of scholars who have satisfactorily completed the work proper to the senior division which must be submitted for the approval of the Scottish Education Department in terms of Article 17 of the Code of Regulations for Day Schools. A considerable latitude is allowed to the authorities in framing these schemes and I do not think it is desirable to restrict this. The approved schemes vary, but it is generally the case that, where there is a formal test, the presentation of individual pupils is at the discretion of the teachers and the test is conducted by an examining board of the nature indicated in the question. In five areas no written tests are imposed under the approved scheme. The arrangements for promotion from the senior division are under the continuous supervision of the Department through their staff of inspectors, and I do not feel that any such action as is suggested in the last part of the question is called for.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, out of 91,599 pupils who left primary schools or departments for the year 1928–29, no fewer than 13,603, or about 15 per cent., had not qualified for proceeding to receive instruction in an advanced or secondary school; and whether, in view of this state of matters as regards primary education, he wll see that steps are taken for a thorough overhaul of elementary education in Scotland.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter referred to in the second part of the question is one which cannot be adequately dealt with within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question. I can assure the hon. Member that the position of primary education is continually engaging my attention and I would refer him to the discussion of the matter which will be found on pages 20 and 21 of the Report of the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland for the year 1929–30. It is there stated that the proportion of pupils sent out "unqualified" from the primary schools was 21 per cent. in 1920–21, whereas this proportion has now been reduced to under 15 per cent.; and that of those who enter upon post-qualifying courses the proportion who leave without completing at least a full year of the course has been reduced from 23 per cent. in 1922–23 to a little over 18 per cent. in 1928–29. I am confident that under the careful administration of the education authorities and through the zealous and intelligent work of the teachers this improvement will steadily continue.

asked the Postmaster-General how many rural telephone call-offices are in course of installation in the county of Lindsey?

I have no information to hand further than that, of the 30 call offices referred to in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on 17th April, 10 have now been opened, and another will be opened to-morrow.

asked the Postmaster-General when, in view of the fact that it is now possible to establish telephonic communication between London and Java, he anticipates that a similar telephone service will be available between London and Singapore?

The question of establishing a wireless telephone service between London and Singapore is under consideration, but it will be some considerable time before I shall be in a position to make any definite statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General the total revenue received by the Government for the advertisements exhibited in post offices?

The total revenue received by the Government during the last financial year from the display of advertisements in Post Offices was £36,925.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any figures and can state the number of institutions under his control that are fitted with wireless?

I regret that no statistics on this matter are available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of poor relief in the county borough of Plymouth, specifying the various categories, for the month of May, 1930?

Statement showing the number of persons in receipt of poor relief in the county borough of Plymouth on Saturday, 24th May, 1930.

Number of persons in receipt of
Institutional Relief (including casuals but excluding lunatics in County and Borough Asylums)	Domiciliary Relief (excluding persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only).	Total.
992	4,703	5,695

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that pyaemia, referred to in the death certificate of the infant which recently died from small-pox and pyaemia at the Joyce Green Hospital within five days after being vaccinated, was attributable to the operation of vaccination; and whether, in view of the fact that in this case and other similar cases there is strong ground for believing that vaccination after small-pox has commenced to incubate merely adds to the patient's troubles, he will direct his medical officials to discourage as far as possible the vaccination of small-pox contacts?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend is referring to the case of Frank George Young, I am informed that death took place 25 days and not five days after the infant was vaccinated. I have caused inquiries to be made into the case and am advised that the pyaemia referred to in the death certificate supervened on the small-pox, and that the death is not in any way attributable to the vaccination. As regards the second part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on this subject on 3rd April.

asked the Secretary of State for India the nature of the Afridi attack on our troops on the North-West Frontier of India and the results of the military operations; and if he has any information as to the reasons which have induced these acts of aggression?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I read at the end of Questions to-day in reply to a private notice question by the right hon. Member for West Birmingham (Sir A. Chamberlain), to which I would add that the Peshawar Movable Column is reported to be clearing up the area south and south-west of Peshawar.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the pay of a police constable in India; how does the rate of pay compare with that authorised in 1913 and 1920; and what has been the estimated increase in the cost of living in India in that period?

The pay of police constables in India is fixed by the local governments and therefore varies in the different provinces. Ordinarily a time scale is in force, and in the years in question the monthly rates ranged between the following limits:—

	City Police.	District Police.
1913	Rs. 9–17	Rs. 7–18
1920	Rs. 13–17	Rs. 9–17
1930	Rs. 22–36	Rs. 13–25

No statistics exist for the whole of India, but an index figure prepared for Bombay shows the cost of living to have been 142 in March, 1930, as compared with 100 in 1914.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the strength of the police forces in India at this date; how does this compare with 1913 and 1920; and in each case how many British were there employed as inspectors, commissioners, etc.?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 12th May to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox). The corresponding figures for 1913 are:

Civil Police (Sanctioned Strength):
Officers	917
Other Ranks	195,387
Military Police (Sanctioned Strength):
British Officers	91
Indian Officers	749
Other Ranks	25,467

I have no information as to the number of Europeans except in the commissioned grades.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the distribution of leaflets outside the Fenham Barracks, Newcastle, at the week-end of 24th May, advising soldiers to refuse to go to India if so ordered; and what action was taken to prevent the circulation of the leaflets and to apprehend the distributors?

My attention has been called to this case. Enquiries are being made with a view to establishing the identity of the distributors in order that the possibility of action being taken may be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of families of soldiers, now in married quarters, which are waiting to go into a larger quarter owing to the overcrowding and for whom there are no vacancies?

No information is available at the War Office as to the number of families on the married quarters roll to whom a larger quarter would be allotted were it available. This information could only be obtained by calling for special returns, and I trust, therefore, that the hon. and gallant Member will not press for it.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of married families of soldiers in Great Britain which are waiting to go into married quarters and for whom there are no vacancies?

The number of married families of soldiers on the married quarters roll at home stations who are not provided with public quarters is approximately 1,140. But this number includes the families of soldiers serving in the War Office and at the Horse Guards, for whom accommodation would in many cases not normally be provided. Soldiers on the married quarters roll for whom accommodation is not provided receive lodging allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph Farrelly, of 61, Princes Road, Plumstead, was selected as foreman at the Royal Arsenal after having passed the usual medical examination, and was retired two years later, having reached the age limit; that men who were selected with him and were established in 1926 had their services antedated to 1922, the date of the medical examination; that Mr. Farrelly had 23½ years' service in the Royal Arsenal; that he volunteered for service during the War, but was not allowed to enlist; that because of the difference of treatment in his case from that of men who were put on the establishment he was placed at a disadvantage in regard to pension; and whether, considering this man's record and the circumstances of the case, he will have his claim for an appropriate pension reconsidered?

Mr. Farrelly was, with others, medically examined in 1922 in order to ascertain his fitness as regards health for appointment to the pensionable establishment when further appointments were being made. But the scheme under which such further appointments were eventually made did not come into operation until 1st April, 1926, and applied only to those who were under 60 years of age at that date and were still serving. Mr. Farrelly had been discharged at the age of 60, nearly two years earlier, and is not therefore eligible for pension under the scheme. He received on discharge the gratuity to which his service entitled him.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of barracks in Great Britain which are condemned?

No barracks in Great Britain in the occupation of troops have been condemned by the medical authorities as unfit for habitation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Government is considering the appointment of women to the British delegation to the Imperial Conference and to any of the committees associated with the Conference?

The composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Imperial Conference, including the question of the attendance of women, either as representatives or as advisers, will be considered at a later stage in the light of the subjects which may appear on the agenda.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give, in respect of Walsall, for each of the past three years, apart from test work, the number and character of schemes of work for the relief of unemployment; the cost of each scheme in

Year.			Nature of work.			Estimated cost. £	Number of men to be continuously employed.	Estimated direct employment in man-years.
1st June, 1927 —31st May, 1928.			Nil.			Nil.	Nil.	Nil.
1st June, 1928 —31st May, 1929.			Land Reclamation.			400	12	4
			Land Reclamation.			600	15	5
			Land Reclamation.			1,200	20	6
			Sewers	…	…	310	12	1
			Sewers	…	…	907	20	4
			Roads	…	…	400	12	3
			Sports Centre		…	4,800	30	21
Total	…	…				8,617	121	44
June, 1929 —31st May, 1930.			Roads	…	…	10,200	20	30
			Roads	…	…	3,909	12	15
			Electricity		…	7,000	20	10
			Electricity		…	15,500	20	20
			Sewers	…	…	2,794	36	12
			Sewers	…	…	1,416	20	5
			Gas	…	…	1,865	25	6
			Gas	…	…	6,855	30	15
Total	…	…				49,539	183	113

As regards road schemes submitted to the Ministry of Transport, apart from the 5-year programme and trunk-road schemes initiated by the present Government there has been no special scheme of unemployment relief works during the past three years.Under the 5-year programme, the Walsall Corporation have submitted the

Scheme.					Estimated cost.	Estimated direct employment in man-years.
					£
1. Sutton Road, widening and diversion			…	…	13,250	27
2. Sutton Road, diversion	…	…	…	…	12,000	24
3. Springhill Road and Sutton Road, corner improvement.					2,730	5
4. Pratts Mill Canal Bridge, Bloxwich Road			…	…	2,500	5
5. Wolverbampton Street, canal bridge			…	…	3,000	6
6. Wallows Lane, railway bridge		…	…	…	5,000	10

The Unemployment Grants Committee have, during the past three years, approved for grant the following schemes of work for the relief of unemployment in respect of Walsall Town Council:undermentioned major schemes on classified roads and bridges for commencement during the current financial year. The estimate of employment has been calculated on the assumption that an expenditure of £1,000,000 provides on an average direct work equivalent to the employment of 2,000 men for a year.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the purchasing power of unemployment benefit for men at the present time as compared with its purchasing power in December, 1920?

Between 1st December, 1920 and 1st May, 1930, the level of the cost-of-living (according to the statistics published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette) changed in the ratio of 269 to 155. There is, however, some element of seasonal change involved in a comparison of December and May. If the average cost-of-living figures for the beginning of each of the six months December, 1920, to May, 1921, is compared with the corresponding average for December, 1929, to May, 1930, the change in the level of the cost-of-living is in the ratio of 248 to 162. In December, 1920, the rate of benefit for a man was 15s. a week, and there was no dependants benefit. At present, the rate of benefit is 17s. a week for a man, with 9s. a week for an adult dependant, and

CLAIMS TO BENEFIT made, and Claims to Benefit Disallowed on certain grounds, in the Glasgow Area.
Employment Exchange Area.					Total number of fresh and renewal claims made 10th March to 12th May, 1930.		Number of claims disallowed between 13th March and 12th May, 1930, by Courts of Referees.
							Less than 8 contributions in previous two years or 30 at any time.	Not normally insurable.	Total.
Glasgow Central			…	…	7,951		37	1,301	1,338
Glasgow South Side			…	…	12,910	17,130	332	1,543	1,875
Rutberglen		…	…	…	2,172
Cambuslang		…	…	…	2,048
Bridgeton		…	…	…	12,751		14	1,801	1,815
Finnieston		…	…	…	4,643		52	372	424
Govan	…	…	…	…	7,259		79	413	492
Kinning Park		…	…	…	4,131		95	161	256
Maryhill		…	…	…	5,884		89	562	651
Parkhead		…	…	…	7,003		—	720	720
Partick	…	…	…	…	5,900		24	477	501
Springburn		…	…	…	6,807	7,521	48	492	540
Kirkintilloch			…	…	714
Total		…	…	…	80,173		770	7,842	8,612

asked the Minister of Labour in what cases unemployment benefit is paid other than from offices permanently used as Employment Exchanges; and in such cases to what uses are the buildings normally put?

Excluding payments through associations, the cases of this kind are those where, owing to abnormal pressure, payment is made at buildings temporaily hired for the purpose, or, in a small number of instances, at the establishments at which work-people on short-time are employed. In the former class of cases the buildings are frequently halls of various kinds ordinarily used for religious or social purposes, but almost every variety of building is represented.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who made a claim for benefit under the conditions of the recent Act at each Exchange in Glasgow and the number refused as not being normally in insurable employment.

, pursuant to her reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th June, 1930; col. 2405, Vol. 239), supplied the following statement:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of unemployed in Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Russia, respectively, at the latest date?

Information with regard to all these countries, with the exception of Russia, is given monthly in "The Ministry of Labour Gazette." The following is a summary of the latest available information:

asked the Lord Privy Seal the names of the various industries with the representatives of which he has conferred on the subject of rationalisation, and the results so far obtained?

, pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th May, 1930; col. 972, Vol. 239), supplied the following statement:The principal industries in which the subject of rationalisation has been under discussion, directly or indirectly, with their representatives are the following:

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state how many local authorities in the. West Riding of Yorkshire have submitted schemes of work; the total value of such schemes; the number that have been approved up to date; and the number under consideration.

, pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th May, 1930; col. 810, Vol. 239), supplied the following statement:The Unemployment Grants Committee have since the 1st June, 1929, received applications for grant in respect of works for the relief of unemployment from 81 Local Authorities and other statutory bodies in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The estimated total cost of the schemes submitted was £3,528,000. The Committee have approved for grant 167 schemes estimated to cost £1,168,000 and 50 schemes estimated to cost £856,000 are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total cost of unemployment insurance in Germany per annum; in what proportion it is respectively met by employed, employers, and public funds; and what is the total number of workpeople covered by such insurance?

The total expenditure (including all benefit payments, the cost of the public Employment Exchanges, and general administrative expenses) on unemployment insurance in Germany was 1,163.9 million Reichsmarks in 1928, and 1,579.7 million Reichsmarks in 1929. The costs of standard unemployment benefit and of the Employment Exchange system, and administrative expenses, are met out of equal contributions from employers and workers, any deficiency being made up by loans from the Federal Exchequer. The cost of emergency benefit is borne as to four-fifths by the Federal Exaequer and as to one-fifth by the local authorities. Early in 1929 a special scheme for the payment of benefit to unemployed seasonal workers was in operation, the costs of which were borne as to four-fifths by the Reich, the remaining fifth being met out of income from insurance contributions. The total number of workers insured against unemployment at the end of 1929 was approximately 17,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the amount of benefit paid to an unemployed workman under the German unemployment insurance system; and under what conditions and during what period is benefit so paid?

The amount of benefit paid to an unemployed worker under the German unemployment insurance system varies according to the wage class to which he belongs and the number of his dependants. Insured persons, without distinction of age or sex, are grouped under eleven wage classes, Class I including workers in receipt of weekly wages not exceeding 10 Reichsmarks, while Class XI comprises those whose weekly wages exceed 60 Reichsmarks. For each wage class a unit wage has been fixed, ranging from 8 Reichsmarks in Class I to 63 Reichsmarks in Class XI. The amount of weekly benefit is assessed as a percentage of the unit wage, varying from 75 per cent. in Class I to 35 per cent. in Classes VIII to XI for workers without dependants in respect of whom dependants' allowances are payable: this is increased by 5 per cent. of the unit wage for each such dependant, subject, however, to a maximum rate, which ranges from 80 per cent. of the unit wage in Class I to 60 per cent. in Classes VIII to XI. Thus the lowest weekly rate of benefit is 6 Reichsmarks (or the amount of the wage if less than 6 Reichsmarks) for a worker without dependants, and the highest weekly rate is 37.8 Reichsmarks for a worker with five or more dependants. The conditions under which benefit is paid and the period for which it is paid are set out in two articles in the issues of the Ministry of Labour Gazette for August, 1927, and December, 1929, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether any investigations have been made by his Department into claims recently made by Germany with reference to the hydrogenation of coal and coal tar, by which large quantities of motor spirit can be obtained per ton of coal treated whether any of these processes are being worked in this country; and can he give the results attained?

No precise information is available as to the actual results being obtained in Germany from the hydrogenation of coal and coal tar. These processes are not as yet being worked commercially in this country. They are, however, being actively investigated, in both their scientific and commercial aspects by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., and research in connection with the scientific problems involved is also in progress by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. For further information I would refer my hon. Friend to the Annual Reports of the Fuel Research Board.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the total amount of gifts in the form of Government securities received by the Government for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and will he give particulars?

During the last financial year, securities to the nominal value of £5,407 were received as gifts. In addition, securities to the nominal value of £13,600 were given subject to payment of the dividends to the donors during their lives. Gifts in cash were also received during the same period of £26,807 (including £10,401 sent to the Treasury for transmission to the Trustees of the "National Fund").

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, what is the present amount of the appropriation for the British Government exhibits in the British Empire Exhibition at Buenos Ayres; and how this amount compares with the amounts to be spent by Canada and Australia, respectively?

The answer to the first part of the question is £10,000. With regard to the second part, I understand that the Canadian Government propose to spend £30,000, whilst the Australian Government do not intend to participate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will consider the desirability of bringing to the notice of the Council of the League of Nations the necessity that exists for international action to be taken to make the discharge of crude oil from ships upon the high seas illegal?

Since it has so far unhappily proved impossible to obtain the consent of certain Powers to the draft oonvention for the prevention of oil pollution drawn up at the Washington Conference of 1926, in which 12 of the 13 participating maritime Powers are members of the League of Nations, I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by submitting this problem to the Council at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information as to the relative proportions of the total supplies of fruit and vegetables, shown separately, obtained from British orchards and gardens and those imported?

It has been estimated that in recent years the value of the home production of fruit in Great, Britain accounted for about 16 per cent. of the value of the total supplies of all kinds of fruit. If the comparison is limited to raw fruit of the kinds normally grown in this country the proportion represented by home produce is about 44 per cent. In the case of vegetables home production accounts for about 70 per cent. of the total supplies, or about 59 per cent. if potatoes are excluded information on this subject will be found in the Report on the Agricultural Output and Food Supplies of Great Britain recently issued by the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what treaties involving military obligations are in existence between indivdival countries in Europe, so far as is known, and which of these have been registered with the League of Nations?

Article 18 of the Covenant provides that every Treaty or international engagement entered into by any member of the League after the establishment of the League shall be registered with the Secretariat, and shall, as soon as possible, be published by it. In pursuance of this Article, the Secretariat publishes a series of all Treaties registered with it, and the hon. Member will find all the information he requires in that publication. It may be that there are Treaties involving military obligations which have not been registered with the League. If this is the case, the intention of the parties obviously was that the Treaties should be kept secret, and His Majesty's Government, therefore, must necessarily be unaware of their contents. I may add that any unregistered engagements of the nature referred to are, by the terms of Article 18 of the Covenant, invalid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the breach of contract committed by the Soviet Government against a British company in refusing to attend the Lena arbitration proceedings, now sub judice, in Berlin, he will instruct a representative of the Foreign Office to attend at such proceedings in order to watch British interests and report thereon?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for adopting such a course; nor have the company suggested it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to appoint a Minister to the Holy See at an early date or whether the post will be left vacant pending a settlement of the dispute between the Vatican and Malta?

Mr. Chilton, recently His Majesty's Minister at the Vatican, is proceeding to Santiago as His Majesty's Ambassador to Chile. No appointment has yet been made, and my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to say when he will be able to announce the name of Mr. Chilton's successor.

asked the Home Secretary whether any special instructions by way of memoranda have recently been issued to the police of the Metropolitan Police Force calling their attention to the bylaw of 12th March, 1914, with reference to slow-running traffic in the Metropolis keeping near the kerb?

No recent memoranda have been issued to the Force on this subject, but certain officers in uniform have been detailed during recent months to patrol busy roads with a view to the detection of offences of this kind.

asked the Home Secretary how many men are employed in the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police; the number of horses trained or in training; and the total annual cost of maintaining this branch of the service?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question on the 29th ultimo.

asked the Home Secretary whether it has been decided to appoint a number of women to the staff of the Criminal Investigation Department; and, if so, in what numbers and to what stations will the allocation be made?

No, Sir. The subject is being explored, but no decision has been taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent his department is co-operating with the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust; and what results have been obtained?

While the Board are fully appreciative of the efforts of the Carnegie Trust in the matter of the provision of libraries for seamen, the only occasion for definite co-operation with that body has been that the Board have sanctioned the expenditure by the lighthouse authorities of sums of money to meet the annual cost of renewing books purchased from capital grants made by the Carnegie Trust and of arranging for their distribution and collection. I have no reason to believe that the results are otherwise than wholly satisfactory.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many male and female clerical officers, respectively, were promoted to executive and higher clerical posts, respectively, during the year 1929 and during any subsequent period in respect of which complete figures may be available?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras, South-East (Mr. Romeril), in reply to a similar question on the 3rd June, a copy of which I am sending her.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of revenue obtained in the last financial year in respect of key-industry duties?

The information will be found in Table XIII (pages 20 and 21) of the Budget White Paper—Financial Statement (1930–31), House of Commons Paper No. 112.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Members of the present House have intimated that they do not desire to receive the Parliamentary salary?

One; Sir.