asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the recommendations of the Chelmsford Committee, he will arrange that the London section of the British Industries Fair in 1931 should be open to the public on every day of the week from 2 p.m.?

I am afraid it would not be possible to adopt this suggestion for the 1931 Fair, as the existing regulations which provide for the admission of the public from 4.30 p.m. are embodied in the form of agreement which has been signed by all exhibitors.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total losses incurred to date in respect of guarantees under the Overseas Trade Acts, 1918 to 1929; and the total losses incurred up to 31st March, 1929?

The losses written off as irrecoverable under the Overseas Trade Acts, 1920–30, are as follow:

It is impossible to say what further losses may be incurred in respect of the liabilities outstanding on these dates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of administering the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act; and to what extent this cost has been met by payments received in respect of import licences or other appropriations-in-aid?

The cost of administering the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920, from its inception to 30th November last, was £37,442, of which £30,550 was covered by fees charged for import licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) whether he will present a statement showing the import in quantities and values of chain cables, chains and springs (laminated and coil), during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930;

(2) in quantities and values the import of safes, cash and deed boxes, trunks and suit cases of sheet iron or steel, during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930;

(3) the import in quantities and values of metallic furniture for hospital and office use, and bedsteads, during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930;

(4) whether he will present a statement showing the import in quantities and values of tubes, pipes and fittings, both cast and wrought, during the 10 months ended 31st October last;

(5) in quantities and values the import of wire manufactures, including wire mattresses, during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930;

(6) the import in quantities and value of stoves, grates and ranges for domestic cooking and heating during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930;

(7) the import, in quantities and value, of implements and tools during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930;

(8) the import, in quantities and value, of window frames and casements during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1930?

The answers to the above eight questions are contained in the following table, which shows the total quantity and declared value of the undermentioned goods imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland as registered during the period January to October, 1930.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the recommendations of the report of a committee on the economic consequence of disarmament, representing the Trade Union General Council, the national executive of the Labour party, and the Parliamentary Labour party, urging the reintroduction of the trade facilities scheme for the benefit of the engineering and shipbuilding trades, and to a similar recommendation for the reintroduction of this scheme agreed to by a representative group of employers presided over by Lord Melchett on 12th March, 1929; and whether, in view of the unemployment in the heavy trades, the Government propose to introduce legislation accordingly?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) on 28th July last to which I cannot usefully add.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present amount of the Exchequer liability in respect of loans guaranteed under the Trades Facilities Acts; what is the total loss to date; and if he can state separately the losses in respect of guarantees for capital expenditure in Great Britain, losses in respect of guarantees to Empire undertakings, and losses in respect of guarantees given to foreign undertakings?

The present amount of the Exchequer liability in respect of loans guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts is approximately £63,202,000. The loss to date is approximately £695,000. The whole of this loss is in respect of guarantees to undertakings in Great Britain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will consider improvement in the Board of Trade standard of berthing accommodation for crews on all British-built ships to the same standard which obtains in Germany and Holland;

(2) if he will consider legislation, if necessary, to scrap all British shipping that fails to come up to the standard of the regulations of Germany and Holland?

I have no information in regard to the crew space regulations of Germany and Holland which would support the suggestion of my hon. Friend. For the rest, I would refer him to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. T. Lewis) yesterday on the subject of crew accommodation.

asked the Minister of Labour what, on the basis of 2,250,000 unemployed, will be the annual extra cost to the Exchequer under the Unemployment Insurance Acts of 26th July, 1929, and 6th February, 1930?

The additional charge on the Exchequer under the Act of 26th July, 1929, namely, the increase of the Exchequer contributions to the Unemployment Fund to one-half of the combined contributions of employers and employed is approximately £3,500,000 per annum. The further charge on the Exchequer under the Act of 6th February, 1930, is the cost of transitional benefit. This depends on the numbers in the total register in respect of whom transitional benefit is paid. The charge for transitional benefit for the week ended 28th November was approximately £425,000, the live register then being about 2,286,000. It should be mentioned that the charge is increasing.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a record is kept by the Ministry of the number of ex-service men in receipt of unemployment benefit; and whether it is the policy of the local exchanges to give preference to these men?

Separate statistics of the numbers of ex-service men in receipt of unemployment benefit are not regularly compiled. It was found from an inquiry by way of sample made in April, 1927, that at that date about 34 per cent. of the men aged 18 and over who were claimants for benefit had served with the forces during the War, but I am unable to say whether this figure holds good at the present time. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 30th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour what schemes have been sub-

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will indicate which of the Government Departments in Leeds it is desired to accommodate in the new premises it is proposed to erect, and the total annual value of the premises now occupied by the same Departments?

It is proposed to re-house the Employment Exchange, the work of which is carried on in two separate buildings. The men's department is housed in huts erected on a freehold site purchased some years ago for £37,000 and the remaining departments in premises hired at £335 per annum. In addition, owing to trade depression, two other premises have been temporarily hired.

mitted during the past year for the reduction of unemployment by the municipalities of Rochester, Chatham, and Gillingham; and what number of men would be employed upon such schemes?

During the last 12 months, 18 schemes of work for the relief of unemployment estimated to cost £447,233, were submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee by these three local authorities. The estimated employment value of those schemes was 17,437 man-months. The detailed particulars are as follow:

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the proposal now being inaugurated by a private company in Swindon and in Southampton, in cooperation with the local authorities, for the provision of wireless at a weekly charge to each subscriber by means of wires taken from the post office; whether separate licences are required; and whether it is his intention to encourage this system nationally?

Authority has been given for the establishment of wireless exchanges of this character in a number of towns. Each subscriber to an exchange is required to purchase an ordinary wireless licence from the Post Office. The development of this system of wireless reception is being kept under observation; and the question whether any modification is required in the conditions under which wireless exchanges are authorised will be reviewed from time to time.

asked the Postmaster-General what, for each of the last five years, has been the expenditure incurred by the Post Office in advertising telephones?

The main publicity expenditure on behalf of telephones is the cost of the canvassing staff, which is estimated to have absorbed about £105,000 in 1926, £120,000 in 1927, £135,000 in 1928, £155,000 in 1929, and will absorb about £180,000 this year. It is not practicable, without considerable research, to isolate the expenditure on the distribution of leaflets and other subsidiary methods of advertising the telephone service.

asked the Postmaster-General bow much leave of absence for eye tests and how much sick leave occasioned by eye strain has been granted during the last two years to clerical officers in the Savings Bank Department in general and in the ledger sections of the Department in particular?

Leave of absence for eye tests is not separately recorded, and I am unable to say how much has been granted. The sick leave of clerical officers in the Savings Bank attributed to eye strain was 239 days in 1929 taken by 32 officers, and 399 days in 1930 taken by 34 officers. The greater part of this sick leave, namely, 225 days in 1929 and 381 days in 1930, was taken by 25 and 30 officers, respectively, in the ledger sections.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the unemployment in the polished cotton-yarn trade, he will stiplate that goods made with polished cotton-yarn ordered by his Department shall be of British production?

The relative specifications already provide that the cotton used shall be spun yarn of British manufacture at all stages.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the fact that letters from Whitefield are now being stamped with the Prestwich post-mark; whether he is aware that decisions of this nature deprive the district concerned of any publicity; and whether he will reconsider the decision of his Departmental officials in making the change?

Under a recent rearrangement designed to improve the delivery and collection services at Whitefield, letters posted in Whitefield are taken direct to Prestwich for sorting and despatch, and in accordance with the standard practice such letters are date-stamped with the post-mark of the office of despatch.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it is not possible to send week-end letters to China, though it is possible to send them to Japan and South America; and whether, in the interests of business, he will arrange with the cable companies concerned to introduce this facility?

I am informed by the cable companies concerned that they have been endeavouring for some time past to introduce a week-end letter telegram service to China, but that so far they have been unable to make the necessary arrangements with the Chinese authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the parcel post charges from this country to other parts of the Empire are higher than those from continental countries to these parts, he will consider if it would be advisable for the United Kingdom to become a member of the Parcel Post Union?

For services which compare in speed and frequency with those provided from the United Kingdom, the rates charged by continental countries are generally equal to, and in many cases higher than, those charged in this country. Parcel rates within the Empire would not be affected by the adhesion of Great Britain to the Parcel Post Agreement of the Postal Union.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of complaints received per month in regard to late delivery of letters from January to November, inclusive, in the London area?

The number of complaints alleging late delivery in the London area received between January and November was as follows:

On investigation, 240 of these proved to be unfounded, while 104 others were due to exceptional pressure or to temporary dislocation following a rearrangement of deliveries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in what way an average pension for a chief engine-room artificer differs from that of an engine-room artificer; and what rank additions are allowed to increase the basic service rate?

Both chief engine-room artificers and engine-room artificers now reaching the pension list are classed as chief petty officers and the same constituent elements of pension apply, viz., basic service element, additions for badges, good conduct medal and character, rank additions for petty time and additions for chief petty officer allowance. The additions to the basic Service element (except chief petty officer allowance) are, however, affected by circumstances, i.e., whether the man is in possession of the maximum number of badges and the good conduct medal, whether his service record is V.G. throughout, and whether his character in the grades reckoning for petty time has been V.G. Further, certain artificers commence pensionable service for a short period in a lower grade. All these factors contribute to a slight variation in the pension rates. The rank and other additions to the basic rate of 2s. 9d. a day are:

The highest rate of long service pension possible to a chief engine-room artificer or an engine-room artificer now reaching the pension list who has the fullest pensionable qualifications throughout his service, is £100 7s. a year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of candidates were accepted and what number rejected, during the past four months, of those who applied as the result of advertising for men to join the Royal Navy as engine-room artificers?

During the period 1st August to 30th November, 1930, 46 candidates for engine-room artificer were accepted and finally entered, and 774 were rejected.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the scales of pay of men and women laboratory assistants in the Royal Naval Cordite Factory?

The scales for men are:

1st Class: 44s. a week rising by annual increments of 3s. a week to 60s. a week (basic).

2nd Class: 17s. a week rising by annual increments of 3s. a week to 23s. a week and thence by annual increments of 2s. a week to 42s. a week (basic).

The normal method of recruitment to this class is by the entry, direct from school, of boys of 16–17 years of age. Provision is made, however, for adults entering this class, to be paid initial salaries not exceeding 32s. a week (basic).

The scale for women is:

23s. a week rising by annual increments of 2s. a week to 27s. a week (basic).

All these scales carry Civil Service bonus in addition.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, now that the regional traffic commissioners are appointed, he can make any statement as to the numbers of staff that will be allocated to them, and what will be the cost of such staff?

Apart from a certifying officer and public service vehicle examiners, whose appointments are specifically provided for by the Road Traffic Act, the staff in each area will consist of a small office staff of clerks and typists and supervising officers. The numbers of this staff will vary somewhat from area to area. The total cost of the salaries and expenses of the commissioners and their staff (including the certifying officers and public service vehicle examiners) is estimated at £150,000 for the year 1931–32, which in part represents expenditure transferred from the existing licensing authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with the amount of road work that has been actually commenced, having regard to the volume of road-improvement schemes that have been authorised and the need for providing immediately all possible work for the unemployed; and if the amount of road work now actually in progress is greater than the corresponding period for last year, and, if so, approximately by what percentage?

My constant attention is given to seeing that where schemes have been "approved in principle," the highway authorities press forward with the detailed plans so that the schemes can be approved for commencement and that when that definite approval has been given, work is actually started. In general, I am satisfied that highway authorities are doing their best to proceed with schemes which have been sanctioned. Returns on 31st October last relating to the construction and improvement of classified roads and bridges show an increase from £15,750,000 to £27,750,000, i.e., 76 per cent., in the value of schemes actually in operation as compared with the position at the corresponding date in the previous year.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of financial assistance guaranteed to the railway companies under the terms of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, on the proposed expenditure given by his Department, as underground and Metropolitan railways over £11,000,000, and main line railways £10,000,000; and what have been the amounts already paid to each group and to each separate company?

A White Paper is being published containing information with regard to the financial assistance given towards the cost of approved schemes under the Development Act. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, the first interest grants payable in respect of these schemes do not fall due for payment until about nine months after the work has been actually commenced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that the police interpretation of the meaning of the words "a proper seat," as applied to pillion riding on motor-cycles, very much differs in different parts of the country, and that in consequence the manufacture of some seats is being impeded; and whether, in view of the importance of the issue to unemployment, he can issue regulations defining what is the nature of such a seat?

By Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, it is unlawful for any person in addition to the driver to be carried on a motor bicycle otherwise than sitting astride the cycle and on a proper seat securely fixed to the cycle behind the driver's seat. I have no power by regulation to define what is meant by the expression "a proper seat."

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has considered a proposal to open Hyde Park for more direct omnibus traffic between Paddington and South Kensington?

Heavy traffic has always been excluded from the royal parks on account of the disturbance to

quiet and the damage to the roads. Moreover, to give effect to the proposal would involve an expenditure (apart from increased maintenance costs) of over £200,000 in strengthening the bridge, widening the roads and gates, and erecting railings. In these circumstances I do not propose to take any action on the lines suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give figures showing the total number of bushels of wheat grown in Canada, Australia, Argentine, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in the following years: 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930?

The following statement shows the estimated production of wheat in each of the years 1913 to 1930 inclusive in each of the undermentioned countries:

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Government propose to introduce legislation with regard to the creation of a Wheat imports board?

I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the inspectors acting under the Ministry assure themselves that adequate food and water is provided in the ships in which horses are exported from this country for the use of the horses on the journey by sea; and whether there is adequate accommodation in the ships for the numbers of horses to be conveyed?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. The matters to which the Noble Lady refers are regulated by the Exportation and Transit of Horses, Asses and Mules Order of 1921, and subsequent amending Orders, and I am sending her copies of these Orders.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of teachers employed in the elementary schools in each of the years 1919 to 1929, respectively?

The answer is as follows:

Information is not available for the years 1919 and 1920. The figures for the years from 1921 to 1927 (inclusive) are calculated on a different basis from those for the subsequent years and are not precisely comparable. Further details (e.g., as to the variations in the number of teachers of different types) are given in Tables 9–11 of the Board's Annual Statistical Volume for 1928 and 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Education what were the numbers of teachers admitted to the training colleges and university training departments, respectively, in each of the years 1919 to 1930?

The answer is as follows:

asked the Lord Advocate if he is aware of the fact that Scottish makers of bird appliances advertise and offer for sale goods, such as swivel bird braces and bird lime for the capture of birds, which are illegal in terms of Section 1 of the Protection of Birds Act, 1925; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent these appliances being brought into use?

No contravention of the Statute referred to is involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the resolution adopted by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland in favour of the State control of imports of agricultural produce; and what action the Government intend to take in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a resolution adopted by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland on 11th December, urging the establishment of an import board to control the import of cereals as part of any scheme for dealing with the depression in arable farming; and whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, and it will have my consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement as to the establishment of import boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the quantity of cereals, under their separate categories, produced in Scotland during the latest year for which figures are available, the proportion and amount so produced which was placed on the market, and the proportion and amount used by the producer for consumption on their farms?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply of the 8th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for North-East Bethnal Green (Major Nathan).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to issue the Order fixing the appointed day for the raising of the school age in Scotland and to introduce the Bill providing for maintenance allowances in Scotland; and if he can state the figures he has had before him when proposing to fix the appointed day as on 1st September, 1932, indicating the additional expenditure to be provided for consequent upon the raising of the school age in Scotland and the additional number of school teachers and school places to be provided?

I propose to introduce the Bill providing for maintenance allowances in Scotland at an early date. The Order fixing the appointed day for the raising of the school age will be issued as soon as the Bill is passed, but I propose to issue a draft of this Order at an early date. A financial memorandum which will be circulated with the Bill will indicate the additional expenditure to be provided for.

asked the hon. Member for Carlisle, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, what income the Commission drew from mineral rents, royalties, wayleaves, etc., in each of the last five years?

The figures taken from the reports of the Commissioners as presented annually to Parliament are as follow—for the year ended 31st October in each case:

asked the Secretary of State for India how many sentences of corporal punishment have been inflicted in India during the last 12 months for which statistics are available in the case of children or young persons, adults, under sentence of the court, and as a punishment for offences against prison discipline; what are the crimes for which such punishments are inflicted; what is the maximum number of strokes; and is there any provision for medical examination before and after the infliction of the punishment?

The latest available figures are those for 1927, during which year 5,354 persons were sentenced to corporal punishment by order of the courts and 243 for prison offences. The following is a relevant extract from the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V. of 1898):

Mode of inflicting punishment .

392.—(1) In the case of a person of or over sixteen years of age, whipping shall be inflicted with a light rattan not less than half an inch in diameter, in such mode, and on such part of the person, as the Local Government directs; and, in the case of a person under sixteen years of age, it shall be inflicted in such mode, and on such part of the person, and with such instruments, as the Local Government directs. ^*

Limit of number of stripes .

(2) In no case shall such punishment exceed thirty stripes† (and, in the case of a person under sixteen years of age, it shall not exceed fifteen stripes).

Not to be executed by instalments .

Exemptions .

393. No sentence of whipping shall be executed by instalments; and none of the following persons shall be punishable with whipping, namely:

( a ) females;

( b ) males sentenced to death or to transportation or to penal servitude or to imprisonment for more than five years;

( c ) males whom the Court considers to be more than forty-five years of age.

Whipping not to be inflicted if offender not in fit state of health .

394.—(1) The punishment of whipping shall not be inflicted unless a medical officer, if present, certifies, or if there is not a medical officer present, unless it appears to the Magistrate or officer present, that the offender is in a fit state of health to undergo such punishment.

Stay of execution .

(2) If, during the execution of a sentence of whipping a medical officer certifies, or it appears to the Magistrate or officer present, that the offender is not in a fit state of health to undergo the remainder of the sentence, the whipping shall be finally stopped.

^* For manner in which whipping shall be inflicted in—

(1) Assam, see Assam R. & 0. (2) Bombay, see Bom. R. & O. (3) Burma, see Bur. It. M. (4) Central Provinces, see C. P., R. & O. (5) Coorg, see Coorg R. & O. (6) Madras, see Mad. R. & O.

† These words were added by s. 7 of the Whipping Act, 1909 (IV of 1909), General Acts, Vol. VI, Appendix.

asked the Secretary of State for India the total number of political prisoners in classes A, B, and C, separately, at the most recent known date?

The latest figures in my possession are those given in reply to the question of the hon. Member for North St. Pancras (Mr. Marley) on 3rd November.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now state the result of his investigations into the sworn statement of M. Sava Popovitch on the activities of the Soviet agents in this country?

As my right hon. Friend informed the right hon. Gentleman in reply to a question on 3rst July last, there is no statement which he can usefully make.

asked the Home Secretary whether rules have yet been made under Section 4 of the Poor Prisoners' Defence Act, 1930; and at what date he intends to lay such rules before Parliament?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the work of preparing these rules is not completed, but he expects that the rules will be available before 1st January next, when the new Act comes into operation. They will be laid before Parliament on its reassembly after the Christmas Recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a meeting held in the Central Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday, 9th December, for the purpose of protesting against the use of poison-gas experiments on living animals; whether he is aware that at this meeting there was an organised disturbance caused by certain persons using stink-bombs, throwing live fish on the floor, and by other objection- able means; that similar organised disturbances have taken place on previous occasions; and what action he proposes to take to prevent similar disturbances in the future?

My right hon. Friend has seen reference to this meeting in the Press and has received a report from the police. It appears that a disturbance arose when some students who were present and had commenced to smoke were asked by the stewards to desist. The police were called in, and after a few students had been ejected, the rest went away. My right hon. Friend is aware that other meetings held with a similar object have been disturbed and regrets these occurrences, but the position of the police is clear. They are not responsible for seeing that speakers at public meetings secure an uninterrupted hearing. Their only duty is to intervene, if called upon by the promoters, to prevent a breach of the peace. In this instance the police action was prompt and effective, and they will be ready to take similar action on future occasions if need should arise. There is no further action that my right hon. Friend can take.

asked the Home Secretary the number of licences refused for the performance of experiments on living animals in 1928, and the reasons, if any?

If the hon. Member will explain for what purpose this information is required and what interest or value it has to anyone, I will consider the question of furnishing it. But in view of the pressure of work on my Department at present, I should not be justified in taking my staff off their regular work in order to collect details of this kind, unless I were satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether conversations are taking place with the other permanent members of the Council of the League of Nations with reference to the question of accepting the obligations of a special guarantor under the Convention on Financial Assistance approved by the eleventh assembly of the League of Nations in September?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the definition of poisonous elements that prohibits poison gas being used under the classification of smoke screens under the Gas Protocol?

My hon. Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. The Gas Protocol of 1925 makes no mention of smoke screens; it merely prohibits the use in war of "asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of all analogous liquids, materials or devices." The exact gases, liquids, materials and devices which are prohibited are not defined, either in the Gas Protocol or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any information regarding the petition of the Hungarian minority in the Czech Parliament to the League of Nations relating to the manner in which the recent census in Czechoslovakia was taken; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the matter?

As regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer returned to the hon. Member for Flint (Mr. Llewellyn-Jones) on 8th December last. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government at Nanking for the appointment of a British naval mission to China was signed; whether any appointments have been made under the agreement; and, if so, the names and rank of the officers and petty officers appointed?

The agreement in question was signed on 20th June, 1929. Captain Baillie Grohman has been appointed head of the naval mission to China, and Lieut.-Commander Pitt naval instructor to the Chinese cadets and sublieutenants sent to this country for naval courses in accordance with the agreement. No other officers or ratings have yet been appointed.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state when the report of the committee which is inquiring into the fishing industry will be completed; and whether it will be published?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 3rd November in reply to questions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue a table showing the total cost of each separate department and of headquarters for chemical warfare research for each year since the War?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the published Army Estimates for the years in question, but owing to changes in the form of those Estimates, including the change from the cost to the cash form which occurred after 1924, an effective comparison is not easy to establish.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government after consideration of the proposal to finance the Jamaica Producers' Association and the Jamaica Direct Fruit Line for the purpose of building ships?

His Majesty's Government have, on the recommendation of the Colonial Development Advisory Committee, approved of a loan of £50,000 at 4 per cent., repayable within 10 years on an annuity basis, being made from the Colonial Development Fund to the Government of Jamaica, to be re-lent by that Government on the same terms to the Jamaica Banana Producers' Association and devoted to meeting the first instalment of the cost of the second of the two new ships which they propose to purchase. The Governor of Jamaica was so informed by telegraph on 24th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any cinematograph films have been made during the previous 12 months or are at present in production on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board; whether they have been or are being produced on the contract basis; and will he give particulars?

As stated in reply to my hon. Friend yesterday, seven films are now in preparation for the Empire Marketing Board. In addition, 27 films have been completed or produced during the last 12 months, most of them being designed for non-theatrical distribution. All these films have been produced by or under the supervision of the Board's film officers, and under general or special contracts made with British producing companies.

asked the Attorney-General if he is now able to state when he will introduce legislation to protect leaseholders, both of business premises and private houses?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot give any indication of legislation on this subject at the present moment.

asked the Minister of Pensions, (1) if he will give instructions for the reconsideration of cases of wounded ex-service men who have been disallowed their insurance benefit by a court of referees under the Unemployment Insurance Acts on the ground that their physical disability prevents them from being capable of following an insurable occupation;

(2) if he will have inquiries made into cases of wounded ex-service men who, because of not receiving a 100 per cent. pension for wounds or disability, have to have recourse to the local guardians or public assistance committees?

The award of disability pension is uniformly based solely on the degree of physical disablement, as medically determined, which results from the effects of an injury, ailment or disease assignable to War service. It would be a breach of this principle, which has been consistently upheld by Parliament, and would not generally be in the best interests of pensioners that the grant or the amount of pension should be determined by the pensioner's earning capacity in any particular occupation, or the state of the labour market, or by other factors of an economic kind. I regret, therefore, that I could not undertake the general review suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Harold Victor Michell, of the Red House, Nelson Road, Lexden, Colchester, whose service with the Royal Air Force expired in October, 1926, and who was thereupon transferred to Class A of the Reserve of Air Force officers, but who has never received the reserve pay due to him despite repeated applications; and why the pay is being withheld?

This officer was transferred from the active list to Class A of the Royal Air Force Reserve in September, 1926. During the year ended 1st September, 1927, he failed to carry out the necessary flying training as laid down in the regulations and consequently he was not eligible to receive the retaining fee. After full consideration of his position in the Reserve and of the merits of the case, it was decided to transfer him to Class C of the Reserve with effect from 15th November, 1927. Service in Class C of the Reserve carries with it no liability for annual flying training and no retaining fee. The position has been explained to Mr. Michell on more than one occasion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total charges in pounds sterling in respect of War loans in the United States of America, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Great Britain, respectively, for the last financial year; and what was the total amount of reparations paid by Germany in the same period?

With regard to War loans, I do not think any significant comparison could be made. In Germany the internal War debt was eliminated by inflation. In other countries it would be difficult to distinguish War debt from post-War debt. The amount of Germany's reparation payments in the last financial year was £107,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is our estimated expenditure upon defence during the current financial year; what ratio does it bear to our estimated net national income; and how does this ratio compare with the corresponding ratio in 1890 and 1930, respectively?

The aggregate net provision in the Estimates for the three Defence Departments amounts to £113,930,000 for the year 1929-30 and to £110,297,000 for the year 1930-31. The net expenditure on the Navy and Army in 1890–91 was £31,522,700. No official estimates of the National income are available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that, as recently as 20th November, 1930, letters were sent out by the Civil Service Commission to P-class clerks subjecting them to further medical tests by a physician selected by them and stating that the fee of £2 2s. must be defrayed by the applicant; and if he will instruct the Commissioners to make it clear that the costs will be borne by the Commissioners?

In the single case, on which my hon. Friend's question appears to be based, the man concerned had no Great War service, and the practice of the Civil Service Commission as stated in my answer of 1st December, did not apply. But in response to his appeal for a reduction of the fee of two guineas, he was informed on 28th November last that it would be paid in full by the Commissioners.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department differentiates the total assessments to Income Tax by counties; and, if so, will he give the total assessments to Income Tax for the County of Lancashire for each of the years 1913 to 1930, inclusive?

The answer is in the negative. The only geographical distribution of statistics of Income Tax assessments is that shown in the annual reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue as between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the gross receipts from Income Tax, Schedules A, B, C, D, distinguishing profits of busi- nesses and weekly wage earners, and E for the year 1929–30, estimated or actual, and the estimate for the year 1930–31?

The produce of the Income Tax cannot be divided between the different schedules of charge. The hon. Member will find in the Income Tax sections of the 72nd Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper 3500) the latest available information as to the amount of income coming under charge under the various schedules.

asked the Secretary for Mines the present staff of the South Staffordshire Mines Drainage Board, the total salaries, and the amount collected in rates, both for surface drainage and mines drainage?

I am unable to give the staff employed in respect of mines drainage and surface drainage separately, as I understand that the majority act for both purposes. This, I am informed, includes the general manager and engineer, law clerks, secretary and accountant, cashier, and chief inspector of output. The total annual salaries now being paid are £2,796 15s. Of this total, £1,093 7s. is charged against the Tipton district mines drainage rate and £1,703 8s. against the surface drainage rate. The amounts collected in the year ended 30th June, 1930, were: Tipton district mines drainage rate £465 13s. 11d.; surface drainage rate £4,323 19s. 7d.