asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made in the negotiations between Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Jayakar, and Gandhi and other Congress leaders?

I regret that I am still not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for India which parties or communities in India have expressed their willingness to send delegates to the round-table Conference?

I fear I have not at present the detailed information necessary to answer my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India in respect of the recommendation of the Haj inquiry committee that a centralised agency should be set up to keep the Government in close touch with the problems relating to Haj pilgrims?

The Government of India have constituted a Standing Committee of the Indian Legislature to advise them in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will inform the House of the steps that have been taken by the Government of India to represent to His Majesty's Government the dissatisfaction of the Indian community in Fiji with the electoral system introduced under the recent constitutional reforms in the Colony whereby the electoral roll for the colonial legislature is divided along racial lines?

The Government of India still have the matter under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the differ- ence between the allowances paid to officers and men in the Sudan and in Egypt, respectively?

A statement showing the current rates of Colonial allowance in Egypt and the Sudan is appended. These rates, which are fixed in relation to the special expenses of the command to which they apply, are due for revision as from 1st July last, but the new rates are not yet settled. As regards other allowances, lodging, furniture and servant

Colonial Allowances.
The current daily rates of Colonial allowance in Egypt and the Sudan are as follow:
—	Egypt.					Sudan.
	Married.			Single.		Married.		Single.
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Officers	7	6	2	6	6	0	2	0
Warrant Officer, Class I	2	6	0	6	—		0	6
Warrant Officer, Class II, and Staff Sergeant.	1	6	0	3	—		0	3
Sergeant	1	0	—		—		—
Rank and File	0	6	—		—		—
Note.—There are no families of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers or men in the Sudan, but married warrant officers and staff sergeants draw the single rate of Colonial Allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the conditions prevailing at the Moascar Camp, Egypt, where the types of buildings provided do not offer suitable protection in such a climate; whether he can have these buildings replaced by stone ones; whether he is aware that neither proper shutters nor fly-netting is provided; that there is an insufficiency of electric fans owing to the restriction of the electricity supply permitted to be used; that there is a Shortage of refrigerators; that there are no proper recreation grounds owing to the stinting of the water supply; that in winter no heating is provided; that generally the whole camp does not contain proper amenities, particularly in view of its isolated situation; and whether he can hold out any hope that greater consideration will be shown to those who are stationed in this place?

I can assure the hon. Member that the desirability of supplying allowances are the same in both countries. Ration, fuel and light allowances are fixed locally to represent the appropriate scale of issues in kind. They differ in Egypt and the Sudan only in so far as the prices of commodities differ, and in the case of fuel in so far as the allowance in Egypt is based on an issue of coal, while that in the Sudan is based on an issue of wood. The latest rates of locally fixed allowances have not yet been reported to the War Office.amenities for the troops at Moascar is fully appreciated at the War Office. Various measures are at present in hand, such as an irrigation scheme, which will provide tree belts, gardens and a playing park for children, and other services are under consideration. The hon. Member will understand that final arrangements in Egypt must depend on any treaty agreed upon between her and ourselves.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the number of animals, in their respective categories, submitted to tests in connection with chemical warfare; what was the number killed under experiments; and what number was it necessary to destroy since the figures given to Parliament in July, 1929?

The following statement shows the number of animals used for experimental purposes at the Experi- mental Station, Porton, and in the experiments conducted at the Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, on behalf of the War Department. The figures for the

STATEMENT showing the number of animals used for experimental purposes at the Experimental Station, Porton, and in the experiments conducted at the Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, on behalf of the War Department.
Animals by species.			Experimental Station, Porton.			Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge.
			10th July, 1929–30th July, 1930.			1st January, 1929–30th July, 1930.
			Number used.	Number killed by the experiment.	Number destroyed afterwards as a result of the effects of the experiment.	Number used.	Number killed by the experiment.	Number destroyed afterwards as a result of the effects of the experiment.
Rabbits	…	…	190	43	Nil	159	126	Nil
Guinea Pigs	…	…	175	84	Nil	—	—	—
Cats	…	…	39	26	Nil	105	105	Nil
Goats	…	…	10	1	Nil	—	—	—
Mice	…	…	104	41	Nil	—	—	—
Sheep	…	…	2	1	Nil	—	—	—
Horses	…	…	8	—	Nil	—	—	—
Rats	…	…	92	48	Nil	—	—	—
Pigeons	…	…	—	—	—	16	2	Nil

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given consideration to the case of Mr. Raymond Alfred Walden, a Territorial gunner, who on 4th August, 1928, was being carried by a Territorial motor lorry from Woolwich to Aldershot which collided with a gun carriage, with the result that a wheel of the gun carriage went over his head and killed him; whether he is aware that a coroner's jury brought in a verdict that there was a general lack of supervision by officers and that the driver of the vehicle was an inefficient driver; that Mr. Walden contributed to the support of his mother, who is in poor circumstances and is unable to meet certain expenses which still have to be met in connection with her son's funeral; and whether, under these circumstances, he can make a further grant by way of compensation to Mr. Walden's mother?

The circumstances of this case have been fully considered. Under the regulations, a claim for a dependant's pension can only be granted if the parent is in pecuniary need and largely depend-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of housing schemes since 1919 built by the corporation of Glasgow in which the roads and sewers were carried out by direct labour, and the estimated cost of roads and sewers in each scheme, the value of the work carried out, the actual cost of the work, and the savings obtained?

I regret that it has not been possible to obtain the information asked by my hon. Friend. It is, however, in course of preparation and when available the particulars will be forwarded to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the recent spread of grass sickness in the north-east of Scotland; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the causes of this disease and the best methods of dealing with it?

I would refer the hors. Member to my replies of the 8th July to questions on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for Forfar (Sir H. Hope)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of the repayment of loans to the Public Works Loans Commission under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, during the year 1929–30 and how much it is estimated will be required for that purpose during the current year?

The total amount of the repayment of loans to the Public Works Loans Commission under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, during the year 1929–30 was £134,916 15s. 7d., including £79,106 interest; the sum which it is estimated will be required for that purpose during the current financial year is £116,000 including £77,000 interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the report of the Deer Forest Commission of 1921?

Following a meeting in February last with representatives of Scottish agricultural societies and of the Scottish Land and Property Federation, an advisory committee was appointed with whom the Department of Agriculture should consult with a view to reaching a measure of common agreement as to the heads of prospective legislation. The suggestions of the individual members of the committee have now been received and are being examined. I am not in a position at present, however, to indicate when it may be possible to introduce a Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of money voted by Parliament, the amount applied for, and the total payments actually made, for land drainage in Scotland each year from 1924–25 till the present year?

The particulars are as follow:

Year.		Amount voted by Parliament.	Amount of grants applied for.	Total payments made.
		£	£	£
1924–25	…	43,500	109,543	29,831
1925–26	…	16,500	25,417	9,110
1926–27	…	20,625	38,573	14,732
1927–28	…	10,950	31,777	7,767
1928–29	…	13,010	34,513	10,056
1929–30	…	15,750	37,742	11,829*
* Claims to the amount of £67 are still outstanding.

NOTE.—In each year the amount of the grants approved was equal to the amount voted by Parliament. Some farmers, however, abandon their proposals and fail to notify the Department of Agriculture in time to allow them to offer grants elsewhere; and others are often prevented from carrying out their full programme of work by adverse weather, shortage of labour or tiles, sickness, etc. As a result the actual payments made in each year are less than the amount of grants approved. In the year 1930–31 Parliament has provided £29,950 for this service. Approximately the whole amount has already been allocated among suitable applicants. The grants applied for amounted to £40,215.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is his intention during the Recess to continue his negotiations with the Corporation of Edinburgh and the Scottish Fine Art Commission regarding the design of the buildings to be erected on the Calton gaol site?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet in a position to announce the results of the preliminary engineering survey of the Highlands and other rural areas of Scotland by the Electricity Commissioners; and whether the scheme for extending the main transmission lines into those areas has yet been framed or is now in course of preparation?

As the outcome of the survey, a scheme under the Act of 1926 is now in course of preparation for Southern Scotland and the Electricity Commissioners hope to transmit it to the Central Electricity Board in the early part of the autumn. With regard to Northern Scotland, further investigations are still in progress and the Commissioners have not yet come to a conclusion whether a scheme under the Act of 1926 for extending the main transmission lines into Northern Scotland will be economically practicable.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any decision has yet been made to transfer the work of maintenance and repair of buildings in his care from contract to direct employment?

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will now make a statement regarding the direct employment of workmen by his Department in Edinburgh?

I am pleased to be able to announce that it has now been decided that, as from April next, the workmen required, to the number of approximately 1,500 in London and 100 in Edinburgh, for the maintenance and repair of buildings under the Office of Works shall be directly employed by the Department, instead of, as hitherto, through contractors.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will endeavour to make arrangements for Osborne House to be open to the public on Saturdays?

The State apartments at Osborne are normally opened on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the summer months, and also on Thursdays for the five weeks ending 13th September. The apartments are usually cleaned on the other days, but I am inquiring, and will let my hon. Friend know, whether it would be practicable to open them on Saturdays in lieu of Thursdays.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will secure the removal of Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais to a place where it will be seen to better advantage?

I do not think there is any other site under my control which would be more suitable. Moreover, the present position was selected by the sculptor himself, after considering all possible alternatives and personally inspecting a number of sites.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the increase of duties announced by the Spanish Government on imported motor cars, motor bicycles, pedal bicycles and pneumatic tyres, and the consequent effect on the British exporters of these articles, whether he has made any representations to the Spanish Government in this direction?

Increased duties were imposed in Spain on 23rd July on various goods in respect of most of which the United Kingdom is not the principal supplier. Full particulars will be published in the Board of Trade Journal of 31st July. The question whether there is any ground on which His Majesty's Government could usefully approach the Spanish Government in the matter will be considered if representations are received from trades likely to be affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the imports of foreign-made paper during the first four months of this year have increased by 30,000 tons over the previous four months, while unemployment in the British paper-making industry has increased from 4 per cent. to 7.8 per cent., whether he proposes to take any action to control the importation of this article and to assist British manufacturers?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, certain packing and wrapping paper is subject to duty on importation, but His Majesty's Government do not intend to propose any new Safeguarding duties.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what trade organisations were consulted with regard to the question of the despatch of an Economic Mission to the Far East?

Discussions regarding the Mission to the Far East took place with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations, the Wool Textile Delegation, and less formally through their officials with the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers and the British Engineers' Association. I would add that the Overseas Trade Development Council with its panel, who made the original recommendation, includes in its membership gentlemen who either hold or have held important positions in great industrial organisations such as the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of British Industries.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why no discussion has taken place between representatives of His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with a view to increasing the trade in cured herring; and whether he will take early action in this connection?

It is customary for discussions to take place direct between the British exporter and the representa- tives of the Soviet. Government. It is not considered that there would be any advantage in introducing a change such as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the terms under which the Calcutta Corporation decided to give the whole of its contract for gas mantles to Germany, seeing that the larger part of the contract for such mantles had been given to British firms for many years?

His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in reporting the fact that no part of the contract was awarded to firms in this country did not report the terms upon which the contract was placed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations are being made to the Government of the Netherlands Indies in regard to the present position of the rubber industry, in view of the fact that the Government are already in communication with the Rubber Growers' Association on this subject?

So far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, the answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated daily consumption of bread in this country per man, per woman, per child, and per unit of population?

The information available with reference to the production of bread in this country, particularly of bread not baked for sale, is insufficient to furnish precise data on the subject of the average daily consumption. The total quantity of bread made, as estimated at the time of their inquiry some six years ago by the Royal Commission on Food Prices, was sufficient to provide between 7 and 7½ ounces per day per person. The consumption by men, women and children respectively cannot be estimated with precision.

asked the Attorney-General whether the advisory committee for the West Riding (Yorks) have held a meeting during the present year and, if so, how many new justices of the peace have been created; and will he state how many of such persons represent the various political parties?

A meeting of the West Riding (Yorks) advisory committee has been held recently and recommended the appointment of 42 magistrates. The Lord Chancellor has this list under consideration. The reports of the advisory committee are confidential, but my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor endeavours to include persons holding different views in politics in all lists of appointments to the Bench.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of men, established and hired, respectively, employed in Devonport Dockyard in each of the months of May and June, 1930?

The numbers of work-people at each of the following dates were:

—		Established.	Hired.	Total.
31st May, 1930	…	2,997	7,304	10,301
28th June, 1930	…	2,982	7,199	10,181

The figures relate to Vote 8 departments and are in correspondence with those given in reply to the hon. Member's question on 28th May, 1930, [OFFICIAL REPORT, column 1312].

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of men in employment in each of the royal dockyards for the second quarter of 1930?

The figures required to supplement those given in reply to the question of the hon. Member on the 28th May, 1930, [OFFICIAL REPORT, columns 1311–12] are:

			JULY, 1930.
Portsmouth	…	…	10,538
Devonport	…	…	10,069
Chatham	…	…	7,482
Sheerness	…	…	1,844
Rosyth	…	…	202

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, whereas the whole of the established men employed at His Majesty's naval dockyard at Chatham are now entitled to a week's holiday with full pay, a large number of unestablished men working there are not so entitled; and whether he will consider the desirability of directing that, so far as a week's holiday with full pay is concerned, unestablished men shall be treated in precisely the same way as established men?

No such discrimination is made against unestablished men. I would remind the hon. Member that the concession does not extend to any employé with less than 12 months' service.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of school camps arranged by local education authorities for this season, and the total cost thereof borne by the Government?

I am unable to state the exact number of school camps arranged by local education authorities, as a number of authorities have not yet submitted particulars of their arrangements for the present season. Arrangements already approved will involve expenditure of about £13,000 from public funds, apart from contributions by parents or from voluntary sources. Grant from the Board in respect of this expenditure will amount to, approximately, £3,800.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been directed to the inadequate powers given by Sections 147 and 155 of the Education Act, 1921, to local authorities and the Board of Education for the proper supervision of small private schools conducted under conditions inimical to the health of the students; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to deal with the matter?

My right hon. Friend has received certain representations, but he is afraid that he cannot undertake to introduce legislation dealing with this matter at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children receiving secondary education in England in the year 1925, boys and girls separately?

On 1st October, 1925, the number of full-time pupils in secondary schools in England recognised by the Board was as follows:

—	Boys.	Girls.	Total.
(a) Grant - aided schools.	177,130	157,064	334,194
(b) Other efficient schools	28,579	26,053	54,632
(c) Total	205,709	183,117	388,826

asked the Postmaster-General if he is preparing a scheme for supplying fresh milk to children in schools?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2nd June to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Freeman), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the decision of the annual conference of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers to press for the abolition of the training centres for building trade workers now controlled by her Department; and whether she proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have seen Press reports with regard to the proceedings at the conference to which the hon. Member refers, but have not yet received any communication on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the number of persons who have been refused benefit for not having signed at the Employment Exchanges between 1926 and 1929 at a time when the existing Act was not contemplated, she will consider the advisability of legislation in the near future to remedy this defect?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen) on 17th July last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to ensure that men employed on road schemes financially assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee are given fair wages and working conditions?

It is a condition of grant for all approved schemes that where the work is carried out by contract, the contract must include the Fair Wages Clause as inserted in Government contracts; where the local authority undertakes the work by direct labour, the rate of wages paid must not exceed the local authority's rate to its own workmen on similar classes of work, or the recognised district rate if that is lower.

asked the Minister of Labour if there are any figures available to show the number of persons who have been married while in receipt of unemployment benefit?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the terms of the reference under which the Three-Party examination into the working of unemployment insurance is operating; and whether, in view of the importance of this investigation to the public, it is proposed to issue from time to time statements on the subject to the Press?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Transport how many counties have submitted schemes of road construction or widening and bridge replacement, new construction, or widening; and how many have replied to the circular issued by him?

The circular issued by my Department on 9th July, 1929, invited county councils and the councils of county boroughs and of large burghs in Scotland to submit programmes of major works of improvement on classified roads and bridges (and the construction of new roads and bridges of classification value) which could be put in hand at an early date and carried out during a period of five years. In response to the invitation, 71 counties have submitted programmes and programmes are expected from six other counties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the investigation which has been made in connection with the question of applying the Trade Boards Acts to the catering trade has now been concluded; whether she has received its report; and, if so, when she proposes to publish it?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to-day to a similar question by the hon. Member for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen).

asked the Minister of Labour the number of blind institutions participating in, and the consequent number of blind persons employed in, the manufacture of coir yarn in this country for the years 1913 and 1928, respectively?

I regret that no Statistics on this matter are available in my Department?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any reports with reference to the condition of affairs on the frontier between Iraq and Nejd; and whether any recent raids have taken place by either Trans-Jordan or Nejd tribesmen?

No special reports have recently been received about the situation on the frontier between Iraq and Nejd which has been normal since the early part of this year. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, but, so far as I am aware, none of the raids that have recently taken place was of a serious character.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air who is having to pay for the uniform supplied to the crew of R.100?

The members of the crew are civilians, and are required to pay for their uniform (jackets and trousers), which will become their property. This does not apply to the caps and badges, which are a free issue at public expense, and will not become their property.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal-cutting machines are at present in use in the coal mines of Great Britain; how many of these machines are worked by electricity; and how many fatal and nonfatal accidents have occurred in the area where such machines are in use during each of the last three years?

In 1929 there were 7,361 coal-cutting machines in use at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain; of these 3,787 were driven by electricity. The last part of the question involves the preparation of a statistical statement. I am having this prepared and will send it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Mines what work is being done at the present time in connection with scientific research concerning the mining industry; and what change and advance have taken place since the publication of the report of the Royal Commission on the mines?

The progress made in the work of utilisation of coal is detailed in the published reports of the Fuel Research Board, a list of which I sent to the hon. Member recently. The net annual expenditure on fuel research provided in the Vote of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is now nearly double what it was six years ago. The physical and chemical survey of the national coal resources now covers the principal coalfields; increased attention is being given to coal cleaning, the use of pulverised fuel and the hydrogenation of coal, while work on carbonisation steadily continues. As regards the winning of coal, research is undertaken by the British Colliery Owners' Research Association, and so far as I am aware there have been no substantial changes in it since the Royal Commission reported.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of miners employed in the county of Durham during July, 1920, 1924 and 1930, and the average wage per shift for the same periods?

In July, 1920, there were 171,000 wage-earners employed at coal mines in Durham and their average earnings per shift were 16s. 7½d.; in July, 1924, the figures were 172,600 and 10s. ld.; at the present time they are 128,400 and about 8s 1d. The earnings do not include the value of allowances in kind, no w estimated at 1s. 1d. per shift.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the practice adopted in coal mines in Canada of attaching electric storage battery lamps to the bottom of the collars of horses employed in such mines for the purpose of enabling such horses to see the roadways more easily, and consequently avoid accidents; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a circular to colliery proprietors advocating the use of such lamps in coal mines in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. One or two mines in this country have tried the effect of providing some of the horses with lights, but there is not sufficient evidence yet to enable me to judge whether such provision would be advantageous and practicable generally. I am endeavouring to arrange for further trials and experiments, and if, as a result, I can make any general recommendations in the matter, I will do so.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider the desirability of publishing in pamphlet form the lecture recently given, on the instructions of his Department, by Mr. R. L. Layfield, one of His Majesty's horse inspectors in mines, relating to the care and welfare of horses and other animals employed in coal mines, and of causing such pamphlets to be circulated amongst mining men throughout the country?

This lecture is only one of a series of lectures given by the inspectors of horses, each framed with special regard to conditions in different coalfields and from the inspector's intimate knowledge of those particular conditions. I am doubtful if any one of these lectures, in pamphlet form, would be altogether suitable for circulation throughout the country, but I have under consideration the preparation of a more general pamphlet for the purpose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the profits made on the newspaper publishing and printing business of the British Broadcasting Corporation are now assessed for the payment of Income Tax?

The question of the liability to Income Tax of the British Broadcasting Corporation is at present sub judice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to institute an inquiry into the unrestricted dumping of foreign fruit; and whether he is aware of the position in which growers of soft fruit in this country now find themselves owing to the impossibility of obtaining adequate remuneration for their products?

I am aware that in many cases growers of soft fruit in this country have been receiving unremunerative prices for their produce. As I indicated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 28th July, this state of affairs cannot for the most part be ascribed to foreign importations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the working of the National Mark Beef Scheme in Birmingham?

A careful examination of the working of the National Mark Beef Scheme in Birmingham has shown me that:1. During the period from the commencement of the scheme in November, 1929, to the end of May last, the wholesale meat salesmen in Birmingham generally afforded the Ministry much assistance in developing the trade in National Mark beef; the wholesalers, in fact, adopted an attitude towards the scheme which was distinctly helpful. This, I am very glad to acknowledge.2. If, during this period, progress was comparatively slow, the reason was certainly not any want of good will on the part of the wholesalers, but was probably due to the inability of the Ministry to give the National Mark Beef Scheme in Birmingham the same wide and intensive publicity that it was able to devote to the London area, where the scheme has been an undoubted success.3. The wholesalers' decision at the end of May appears to have been reached in the genuine belief that, at the expiration of six months, they were justified in withdrawing their co-operation without further consultation. In coming to their decision, they assured my predecessor that the scheme had no possible disadvantages or advantages to themselves, and that consequently their decisions were based purely upon their own conceptions of the public interest. As the wholesalers were an important factor in the creation of the trade for National Mark beef, so the withdrawal of their co-operation has naturally resulted in decreased supplies of this beef being available in the Birmingham area.4. It has since been made possible for the retail butchers in Birmingham to get their beef marked and a steady trade has been carried out under the special arrangements now in force. So far as I am aware, nothing has been done by wholesale salesmen on the market to interfere, in any way, with the freedom of retail butchers to have beef marked under the new arrangements.5. What is wanted now is the resumption of active co-operation by the wholesale trade—in other words, the resumption of grading and marking on the wholesalers' own stalls. This would be most welcome and public-spirited gesture which would be very greatly appreciated by all parties in this House as being in the national interest. Combined with the extensive publicity which the Ministry is now able to undertake, it would, I feel sure, have a. striking effect on the future progress of the scheme in Birmingham by enabling its administration to proceed not only with economy but with a maximum of good will, both within the trade and on the part of the public at large.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will reconsider, with a view to its withdrawal, the importation of the Raw Apples Order of 1930, dated 21st June, 1930 (D.I.P. 557), in so far as it prohibits the importation of commercial grade applies from the United States of America?

The Importation of Raw Apples Order was made as the result of the discovery last autumn of consignments of apples from the United States containing heavy infestations of the apple fruit fly, a dangerous pest which is not present in English orchards. It was only after very serious consideration that it was decided to admit the grades specified in the Order, and I regret that I cannot agree to any further admissions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the number of horses exported from this country to Continental ports for butchery purposes during the past two months; the places to which such horses were respectively consigned; and what were the methods used for the slaughter of such horses, respectively?

During the two months ending 30th June—the latest date for which figures are available—the number of horses which were exported to the Continent for immediate slaughter on arrival was 441. Of this number 432 went to Holland and nine to France. As regards Holland, all horses are required by law to be slaughtered with the mechanical killer. I am informed that the nine horses exported to France were also slaughtered with the mechanical killer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can furnish comparative tables respecting the scales of out-relief now paid by the Essex Public Assistance Committee and that paid by the late hoards of guardians operating in the same area?

Scales, if adopted, are not required to be submitted to me, and the information in my possession does not enable me to supply the comparative tables desired. In one of the unions there was no scale; as to 11, I have no information; as to three, I have only partial information and full particulars are available only for the West Ham Union which, as I have said, is not comparable with the county generally.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to test work in Walsall?

The council's proposals for a scheme under the Relief Regulation Order involve a variation of hours worked to correspond with the amount of relief. Such an arrangement was deprecated by the inspector in a conversation which he had several weeks ago with the clerk, and which had reference to the possibility of establishing a general scheme of work, training and instruction, such as had been in fact contemplated by the board of guardians. There was no insistence on any specified number of hours. The council s scheme is still under my consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will advise public assistance authorities that casuals detained at the institution because of illness ought not to be discharged until certified as fit by the medical officer?

A casual could not be detained even in such circumstances as my hon. Friend has in mind if he desired to leave. Where he is medically unfit and does not desire to leave, I do not think that any public assistance authority would discharge him, but if my hon. Friend has definite information to the contrary I should be glad to be informed of it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, acting on the advice of his inspector, the Liskeard Public Assistance Committee has decided that where a person, in the absence of any local lodging-house accommodation, applies for admission to the casual ward and offers to pay, he will be charged and also detained to do the usual task; and whether he will take steps to arrange for such as are able to pay, but are unable to obtain other accommodation for the night, to be accommodated in the institution and not detained?

The advice given by the inspector was in accordance with the present regulations. The matter is among those dealt with by the Departmental Committee on the Casual Poor and I have their recommendations under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health which casual wards have been closed during the past three months; and whether he will state, in each case, from whom the request for closure originated and how far are the nearest open casual wards to those closed?

The ward at Sheppey was closed permanently last May and the ward at Chertsey for six months quite recently, at the request, in the former case, of the Kent Public Assistance Committee, and in the latter of the Surrey County Council. The nearest open wards are, Milton, about eight miles, and Staines, about six miles, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. H. Barnes, of 47, Bryngwyn Road, Abertillery, who, having been unemployed since October, 1927, has been notified by his approved society that, as his last contribution was for 16th October, 1927, and as he was not 60 years of age when his last employment ceased, his ordinary free period of insurance expired on 30th June, 1929, and his extended year ended on 30th June, 1930, and he therefore ceases to be entitled to further insurance benefit; and whether he proposes to take the necessary steps to deal with this and other similar cases?

I am having inquiry made with regard to the case to which the hon. Member refers, and I will let him know the result of the inquiry as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the rise since 1921 in the average number of claims for sickness benefit in the case of contributors to national health insurance?

The latest information on the subject referred to in the question will be found in Table B of the report by the Government Actuary on the sickness and disablement experience of approved societies (Cmd. 3548), a copy of which I have sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Section 4 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1928, which precludes insurance committees from making grants unless the Minister is satisfied that they are of an eleemosynary character, will abolish next December the laboratory diagnostic service of the Lancashire Insurance Committee which since 1926 has provided out of local funds a free laboratory diagnostic service for 800,000 insured persons in Lancashire at a cost of less than one farthing per head; and, in view of the importance of such a service to the public health, will he take steps to delete the word "eleemosynary" from Section 4 above mentioned?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, under Section 4 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1928, the Lancashire Insurance Committee is now precluded from making grants necessary for the continuance of the laboratory diagnostic services in Lancashire; and whether, seeing that the entire community is in favour of such grants being made in view of the valuable work carried out by these services, he proposes to introduce legislation at an early date to alter the law so as to leave the making of grants within the unfettered judgment of the Minister of Health?

I am aware that the National Health Insurance Act passed in the late Parliament will produce the effect to which the hon. Members refer. Alternative means of securing services of this character have been suggested to representatives of the committee, but I cannot undertake to propose an amendment of the law on the point.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report of the Council of the British Medical Association recommending the extension of the benefits of the national health insurance to dependants of all persons insured thereunder; and whether he proposes to take any action in that direction?

I am aware of the report to which the hon. Member refers, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement in reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider appointing a woman inspector for permanent duty in the hop-pickers' camps in all hop-picking districts?

The answer is in the negative. The appointment of inspectors for permanent duty in the hop-fields is not a matter for my Department, but rather for the local authorities, whose duty it is to enforce by-laws for securing the decent lodging and accommodation of persons engaged in hop-picking.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the circumstances attending the payment of pension to Mrs. E. Peitz, of 91, Gurney Road, Stratford, E., who attained the age of 70 on 19th February, but only received payment from 4th July?

As the late Mr. Peitz died before 4th January, 1926, and there were no children under the age of 14 living on that date, Mrs. Peitz was not entitled to a widow's pension under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925. An application for an old age pension under the Old Age Pensions Acts, 1908–1924, as from 19th February, 1927, the date of Mrs. Peitz's 70th birthday, was rejected because she was not a British subject. Moreover, as Mrs. Peitz was not herself an insured person, she could not be granted an old age pension in right of insurance (free of conditions as to means, nationality, etc.) by virtue of Section 20 of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925. In accordance with the provisions of Section 2 (2) of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, Mrs. Peitz became entitled to an old age pension in right of her husband's insurance as from 1st July, 1930, and payment of this pension has been made as from 4th July, 1930, the first pay day following the date of entitlement.

asked the Minister of Health the average price for parlour and non-parlour houses, respectively, let by or in direct labour schemes of local authorities in England and Wales during June, 1930?

The average prices were: For parlour houses £403 and for non-parlour houses £339.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses finished under the various Housing Acts for the quarter ended June, 1930?

The number completed in England and Wales during the quarter in question was 11,351. All these houses were erected under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.

asked the Minister of Health the number of working days lost through sickness for each of the years 1921 to 1929, inclusive?

I can only give particulars with regard to persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts. The following table, which refers to England and Wales, shows the approximate number of weeks for which sickness and disablement benefits were paid under the National Health Insurance Acts during each of the years from 1921 to 1929:

Year.				Million weeks.
1921	…	…	…	19
1922	…	…	…	19½
1923	…	…	…	20½
1924	…	…	…	23¼
1925	…	…	…	25
1926	…	…	…	28¼
1927	…	…	…	30½
1928	…	…	…	26¾*
1929	…	…	…	29½
* As from 2nd January, 1928, the age at which sickness and disablement benefit ceased to be payable was reduced from 70 to 65.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any action to give effect to the recommendation contained in the report of the Royal Commission on London Squares; and can he give the House particulars?

I am not in a position to give further information on this subject at present, except that I am in communication with the London County Council,

asked the Home Secretary whether he has issued any warrants to the Postmaster-General during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date in respect of books printed and published on the Continent; and can he give particulars?

During the last 12 months, I issued a warrant to the Postmaster-General in respect of one such book on account of its obscene character. It would not be in the public interest to give further particulars.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to introduce legislation in the early autumn to revise the whole present system of workmen's compensation in this country?

This question is receiving the serious consideration of the Government, but I am not in a position at present to make any announcement as to the introduction of legislation.

asked the Home Secretary how many Russian nationals have, during the last 12 months, been deported to Russia?

None, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary the result of his investigations into the recent sworn statements of M. Sava Popovitch?

I regret that I cannot usefully make any statement on this matter.