asked the Minister of Health how many houses in respect of which there is any State subsidy were built in the years 1924–30, inclusively and respectively, and how many of these houses were constructed by municipal and private enterprise, respectively?

The following statement gives the desired information:—

STATEMENT showing the number of houses built in England and Wales with State Assistance during each of the years 1924 to 1930 inclusive.
Year.		Built by Local Authorities.	Built by Private Enterprise.	Total.
1924	…	17,269	35,461	52,730
1925	…	37,360	62,137	99,497
1926	…	68,504	76,115	144,619
1927	…	110,486	86,103	196,589
1928	…	57,707	46,628	104,335
1929	…	60,804	59,219	120,023
1930	…	49,703	2,592	52,295
	Total	401,833	368,255	770,088

These figures do not include houses erected by local authorities in replacement of houses demolished under improvement and reconstruction schemes. The hon. Member is, of course, aware

Number of Houses of a Rateable Value not exceeding £78 (£105 in the Metropolitan Police district) completed in England and Wale.
Year ended—				With State Assistance.	Without State Assistance.	Total.
30th September, 1927	…	…	…	212,916	60,313	273,229
30th September, 1928	…	…	…	101,791	64,624	166,415
30th September, 1929	…	…	…	132,360	71,083	203,443
30th September, 1930	…	…	…	51,324	110,375	161,699

These figures do not include houses erected by local authorities in replacement of houses demolished under improvement and reconstruction schemes. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses built with and without, the assistance of subsidy, respectively, in Great Britain during 1930?

Returns as to houses erected without State assistance are obtained only for half-yearly periods ending in March and September respectively. The last year for which complete figures can therefore at present be given is that ended 30th September, 1930. During that year 161,699 houses of a rateable value not exceeding £78 (or £105 in the Metropolitan Police district) were completed in England and Wales, of which 51,324 were erected with and 110,375 without State assistance. These figures do not include houses erected by local authorities in replacement of houses demolished under improvement and reconstruction schemes.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected in England and Wales during the year to September, 1930, or any later date for which complete figures are available, giving the number built with the assistance of State subsidy and the number built without; and the numbers built during the year to the corresponding date in 1927, 1928 and 1929?

The following statement gives the desired information:financial assistance under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, was not available in respect of houses completed after 30th September, 1929.

asked the Minister of Health which are the ingredients of costs that bring the price of best British stock bricks to 83s. 6d. per 1,000 in December, 1930, as against 36s. per 1,000 in August, 1914; and will he have the costs of production of best British stock bricks dissected and published in an early issue of the Board of Trade Journal in order to show the details of the 133 per cent. increase in cost?

My right hon. Friend will make inquiries, and see if the information which the hon. and gallant Member desires can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Health how many adults and children, respectively, are at present living in houses in Devonport and Plymouth in respect of which closing orders have been made?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the number of public assistance committees in Lancashire that apply test work as a condition of granting relief to able-bodied persons, the number of persons in receipt of such relief, and the nature of the work they are called upon to do; if he will give corresponding figures for the whole of England and Wales; and, should such information not be available, whether he will take the necessary steps to procure it?

I am forwarding to my hon. Friend a detailed statement of the latest information available in the Department on the subjects raised in his question, and would like to take this opportunity of explaining that the principles governing the grant of domiciliary poor relief to able-bodied men are contained in the Relief Regulation Order, 1930, and the Circular (No. 1097) which my right hon. Friend issued to the new public Assistance authorities with the Order. My hon. Friend will realise that the new public assistance authorities, especially those responsible for the relief of very considerable numbers of able-bodied men, have not yet had time fully to develop their arrangements for training, instructing or setting to work these men, and for this reason the statement is necessarily not complete. The return relates solely to assistance granted in the form of poor relief.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate cost per year of maintenance and treatment of the sick and infirm in the Poor Law infirmaries?

The cost of poor relief in Poor Law infirmaries, for which separate accounts are kept, in the year ended 31st March, 1929 (the latest year for which particulars are available) was 25,379,000 approximately.

asked the Minister of Health what reply he made to the deputation from the Woolwich Borough Council in relation to the effects of the Local Government Act, 1929, upon the finances of the borough; and what steps he is taking concerning the suggestions that there has been an over-estimation of the gains which the poorer boroughs receive by the complete centralisation of the Poor Law in the standard year and that the investigations into the working of the scheme, for which provision is made under Section 110 of the Act, should be expedited?

The deputation referred to submitted certain financial statements to me which I undertook to examine. They are still under consideration. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member on 18th December last.

asked the Minister of Health whether instructions have been, or will be, given to officials of the Ministry at the ports concerned to inspect all imports into this country of Russian timber, including doors ready to be placed in houses, produced under in- sanitary conditions, in order to avoid danger to the public health by reason of insects bred in such conditions being imported with the timber?

The answer is in the negative. My right hon. Friend is advised that there is no reason to apprehend danger to the public health from the importation of this timber.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the petition from the miners employed at the Hirstrigg Colliery, Salsburgh, demanding the repeal of the Coal Mines Act; if so, what reply he has made to that petition; and does he propose to attend a meeting of the men and the owners to hear objections to the Act?

No, Sir. The petition has not yet reached me, and I am informed that it is still in preparation. After receiving and studying the petition, I will consider whether any useful purpose could be served by receiving a deputation from its promoters.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of shots fired in coal mines during the 12 months ended 1929; the average for each person employed; and what district had the highest percentage?

The estimated total number of shots fired in coal mines during the year 1929 was about 53,250,000, or an average of 70 per person employed underground. The highest averages occurred in Scotland and Northumberland where, to a substantial extent, it is permissible and customary for miners to fire their own shots.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average weekly wage for all persons employed in coal mines in Lancashire during 1929 and the latest figures for 1930; and what is the average wage for the same period over the whole of Great Britain?

The average weekly cash earnings of all persons employed in coal mines in Lancashire and Chesire during 1929 was £2 1s. 11d., and during the nine months ended September, 1930, £2 1s. 1d. The corresponding figures for Great Britain were £2 5s. 6d., and £2 3s. 9d., respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the order from the Swedish State railways for, approximately, 44,000 tons of coal was secured by Britain in December last; if not, what country secured the order; and what was the difference between the nearest British tender and the price at which the order was placed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I understand that the whole of the contract for 44,000 tons was secured for Polish coal, subject to the option of supplying 12,000 tons of British coal if the latter was available at stipulated prices. I have no information as to whether this option was in fact exercised or as to the prices at which British coal was tendered for this contract.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can make a statement on the progress of experimental work on the subject of coal carbonisation by the low-temperature process; and whether he has any report from the Fuel Research Board as to the commercial possibilities of oil production on a considerable scale?

The subjects to which the hon. and gallant Member refers are dealt with at length in the annual reports of the Fuel Research Board, and I would refer him particularly to the last two reports, those for the years ended 31st March, 1929, and 31st March, 1930.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of men employed in the coal-mining industry, the aggregate output, and the average selling prices of coal, for the four years ended December, 1930?

The information is as follows:

Year.				Average Number of Persona (including Clerks and Salaried Persons) employed at Coal Mines.	Total Output of Coal (including miners' coal and mine consumption).	Average Proceeds per ton of Coal disposable commercially.
					Tons.	s.	d.
1927	…	…	…	1,023,900	251,232,300	15	1
1928	…	…	…	939,000	237,471,900	13	3
1929	…	…	…	956,700	257,906,800	13	11
1930 (provisional)			…	942,000	243,750,000	14	1
						(January-October).

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the steps taken by his Department to improve trade between Great Britain and Abyssinia; if he is aware that French, Italian, and American traders receive greater facilities from the Emperor of Abyssinia than British traders; and what steps he proposes to take to improve this position?

In reply to the first part of the question, His Majesty's diplomatic and consular officers in Abyssinia closely watch commercial developments, and always report upon any likely opening for British trade. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not arise.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can give the House a list of orders which His Majesty's Government have obtained for British traders?

My Department are constantly assisting British exporters to secure business in markets abroad; but I am afraid it would not be practicable to submit such a list as is asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the imports into the United Kingdom of cutlery in 1924 and during each of the years in which Safeguarding Duties on this article were in operation; and what were our corresponding exports during each of these same periods?

As regards the imports and exports of cutlery of dutiable kinds during the years 1924 to 1929, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 27th February, 1929 (columns 1995–6 and 2007–8) and 17th April, 1930 (columns 3123–4 and 3129–30). I am having similar particulars for 1930 compiled in respect of the various commodities covered in the previous tables, and will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is proposing to take steps to revise the terms of appointment of the committee set up under the Dyestuffs Import Regulation Act, with a view to carrying out the undertakings given that dyes will be available in the home market of the same quality and on the same terms as foreign dyes?

The committee to which the hon. Member referred is an advisory committee constituted in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 (3) of the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920. It has no special terms of reference. The House will remember that during the recent discussions on the future of this Act, the dyestuff makers declared their willingness to agree that applications for licences to import, on the ground of differences between the prices quoted by British and foreign makers respectively, should be granted if British makers would not supply at the foreign prices, so long as such prices were not what they termed dumping prices. I assumed (and I may say that the advisory committee agreed) that the makers in using the word "dumping" in this connection had regard to the possibility of foreign makers offering dyes for use in this country at prices below those at which they were selling in other countries.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider sanctioning, as in the case of the cotton textile trade, a special obliterating stamp advocating the increased use of British iron and steel?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Shakespeare) on 26th January, in answer to a similar question.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has any information on the recent decision of the German Government to subsidise German industries by diverting funds formerly used for unemployment benefit to firms who employ an increased number of workers?

So far as I am aware, no decision by the German Government on this subject has been announced. My hon. Friend may be alluding to the speech made by Dr. Dietrich, the German Minister of Finance, at Stuttgart, on 6th January. I understand that Dr. Dietrich said on 17th January, before the Budget Committee of the Reichstag, that his proposals were not stated in the specific form given to them in the Press, and that Dr. Stegerwald, the German Minister of Labour, was studying the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the fact that American patent trouser buttons are only being charged 22½ per cent. import duty through no tax being charged on the eyelet for fastening the button on the cloth; and if he will take steps to see that the full duty is charged?

I am not aware of any case in which duty has been charged on the basis suggested, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with full particulars of any specific importation he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications that have been considered by his Department, during the previous 12 months, for an exemption certificate for non-compliance with the quota provisions as laid down in the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927?

Such applications have been received in respect of the last quota year, i.e., the year ending 30th September last, from about 130 exhibitors, out of a total of over 4,000 licensed exhibitors.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give the following information in regard to each of the undermentioned unions: the date at which a ballot was taken under the Trade Union Act, 1913; the number of votes cast for and against the adoption of political objects; the total membership of the union at the time when the ballot was taken; and the total membership on 31st December, 1930, in respect of the following unions: Amalgamated Engineering Union; Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers; National Union of Railwaymen; Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen; National Union of Textile Workers; National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants; Amalgamated Association of Card Blowing and Ring Room Operatives; Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers; Railway Clerks' Association; National Union of General and Municipal Workers; and United Society of Boilermakers?

The details asked for in respect of ballots and membership have been collected (so far as available) in the form of a tabular statement as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, specifying men, women, boys, and girls, on the Employment Exchanges of

Date.				Men.	Boys.*	Women.	Girls.*	Total.
Plymouth.
1st	December	…	…	4,505	134	993	163	5,795
8th	December	…	…	4,629	125	971	151	5,876
15th	December	…	…	4,596	129	931	133	5,789
22nd	December	…	…	4,328	146	934	128	5,536
29th	December	…	…	4,728	138	1,030	139	6,035
Devonport.
1st	December	…	…	2,223	—	464	—	2,687
8th	December	…	…	2,302	—	467	—	2,769
15th	December	…	…	2,262	—	467	—	2,729
22nd	December	…	…	2,040	—	433	—	2,473
29th	December	…	…	2,045	—	477	—	2,522
* Statistics of unemployment among Juveniles living at Devonport are included under Plymouth.

The following table shows the number of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges at Plymouth and Devonport, respectively, on each Monday in December, 1930.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed on the register of the Employment Exchange at Woolwich, and similar

Number of Persons on the Registers of the Woolwich Employment Exchange at 19th January, 1931, and 20th January, 1930.
Date.		Men.	Boys.	Women.	Girls.	Total.
19th January, 1931	…	4,848	209	1,897	256	7,210
20th January, 1930	…	3,042	143	737	202	4,124

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of grants allocated to each of the local authorities in the County of Leicester, including the city of Leicester, for schemes submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee?

Since 1st June, 1929, grants from Exchequer Funds have been approved under Part 11 of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, in aid of schemes of work for the relief of unemployment promoted by local authorities in the County of Leicester as follow:

Name of Local Authority.	Number of schemes approved for grant aid.	Estimated Total Cost.
		£
Ashby-de-la-Zouche U.D.C.	2	19,550
Ashby Wolds U.D.C.	1	5,350
Barwell P.C.	1	1,100
Blaby R.D.C.	4	45,300
Coalville U.D.C.	3	37,622
Hallaton R.D.C.	1	2,000
Hinckley R.D.C.	10	42,565
Hinckley U.D.C.	3	19,881
Leicester C.C.	1	10,015
Leicester T.C.	2	41,059
Loughborough T.C.	6	51,375
Market Bosworth R.D.C.	4	22,503
Market Harborough R.D.C.	1	1,350
Shepshed U.D.C.	1	4,300
Thursmaston U.D.C.	1	40,340
Wigston Magna U.D.C.	2	9,877
Total	43	£354,187

The following table gives the information desired:

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether the Government have taken, or will take, any steps to bring to the notice of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance the fact that considerable numbers of applicants have been disallowed as not normally employed in insurable employment on the ground that they have before application been engaged in non-insurable work, notwithstanding that such work was undertaken for a comparatively short period and then only because the applicant preferred to work rather than remain idle, or was driven to work in non-insurable employment through stress of circumstances;(2) whether the Government have taken or will take any steps to bring to the notice of true Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance the fact that large numbers of applicants have been and are being disallowed as not normally employed in insurable employment on the ground that they have had no work for some years, notwithstanding that they have maintained registration throughout, and have performed no non-insurable work?

These points are being dealt with in the Department evidence before the Royal Commission.

asked the Home Secretary the number of proceedings which have been taken for exceeding the speed limit in each of the Royal parks since 1st November, 1930, and the number of convictions registered during the same period?

The number of police summonses for exceeding the speed limit in Royal parks heard at courts between 1st November, 1930, and 22nd January, 1931 (both days inclusive), was 530, resulting in 529 convictions. The remaining summons was withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the loss incurred by motor auctioneers in cases where stolen cars owned under the hire-purchase system and subsequently found to be covered by a bill of sale are submitted for auction; and if he can take steps to see that motor registration books under such circumstances are endorsed as to the exact ownership?

A motor vehicle is registered and licensed in the name of the person keeping and using it, who may or may not be the legal owner. I cannot see my way to require the name of the legal owner to be endorsed on the registration book, as this would involve investigation of questions of title by the registration authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that officers of the Inland Revenue Department engaged in assessing Stamp Duties payable on deeds were given executive terms under the reorganisation report of 1920; that it devolves on the second-class clerks of the department of the Registers and Records of Scotland to see that all deeds presented for registration are adequately stamped; and whether he will take steps to secure for the second-class clerks at least the same terms as those enjoyed by the officers referred to?

I understand that the officers of the Inland Revenue Department referred to in the first part of the question were formerly second division clerks. As at present advised, I am unable to accept the implication in the second part of the question that the duties and conditions of second division clerks and of second class clerks in the Department of the Registers and Records of Scotland were comparable. As regards the third part, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to-day to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for West Edinburgh (Mr. Mathers).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that depredations by trawlers are still taking place within the three-mile limit on the west coast of Scotland, particularly in the Minch, as well as on the east coast; and if he will institute stricter policing of these waters and also consider the introduction of a Bill increasing the penalties for illegal trawling?

I am aware that complaints of illegal trawling in the waters in question continue to be received. The areas have received and will continue to receive as close attention as the resources at the disposal of the Fishery Board permit. The question of legislation is being kept in view, but in the present state of Parliamentary business I cannot hold out prospects of the early introduction of a Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the need for additional staff in the Scottish Record Office on a basis of equality with the Public Record Office to ensure that the facilities for the study of Scottish history should be as adequate as those for the study of English history; and whether he will consider providing such additional staff?

I am aware that much remains to be done towards making the historical records of Scotland fully available to students, but I cannot hold out hopes that further financial provision from State funds can be made for the purpose meantime. Nor can I accept the financial comparisons implicit in the hon. Member's question. I propose, however, to consult with the appropriate authorities and societies in Scotland with a view to considering to what extent it is practicable and expedient to accelerate the work of classifying, indexing and publishing the records.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present position of the proposal to acquire the Cairngorms as a national park for Scotland?

I understand that evidence relating to this proposal has been received by the National Park Committee, and that the Committee hope to be in a position to report at an early date. In the meantime I am unable to anticipate the terms of their recommendation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what new flying clubs have been started within the last 12 months; and which of them are receiving grants?

I believe that several non-assisted flying and gliding clubs have been started during the period in question, but I have no official information regarding them. As regards assisted clubs, one club—Blackpool (and Fylde)—whieh has started since 1st January, 1930, is affiliated to National Flying Services, Ltd., and will thereby benefit by grants paid by the Air Ministry to that organisation. Three clubs—Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Southern —which started before that date have now been approved for direct financial assistance under the Air Ministry Light Aeroplane Clubs scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of officers and other ranks in the Auxiliary Air Force in Northern Ireland?

There is only one Royal Air Force unit in Northern Ireland; it is a cadre squadron and consists partly of regular and partly of Special Reserve personnel. The strength of the squadron is 28 officers and 189 airmen; of these, 14 officers and 81 airmen belong to the Special Reserve.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will invite a committee of three Members of the House to visit Acton to enable them to see whether the most advantageous use, without injury to health, is being made of the office accommodation at Bromyard Avenue?

No, Sir. I have the matter fully in hand, and I do not consider it necessary to avail myself of the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, taking the whole Civil Service, he will give the numbers of those in receipt of less than £3 a week salary and bonus included, less than £4 per week, less than £5 a week, and those over £5 a week; and the increase in actual cost of the Civil Service between let July, 1929, and 1st January, 1931?

As regards non-industrial whole-time staffs, the numbers within the various limits of salary and bonus referred to in the question are approximately as follow:

£3 per week and less	…	94,000
£4 per week and less	…	174,000
£5 per week and less	…	205,000
Over £5 per week	…	61,000

The totals in the second and third categories include those in the category preceding them. Included in these three figures are 27;000 non-adults. Part-time staffs are excluded in all cases. Similar information is not available as regards industrial staffs numbering approximately 123,400. I regret that the figures required for the reply to the second part of the question are not available.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any progress has been made since April, 1930, in the negotiations for suitable alternative accommodation for the inspectors of taxes and their staffs at Birkenhead?

I regret that the original negotiations, which were started in April last, for the hire of suitable accommodation for the Birkenhead Tax Offices, have proved abortive, and an alternative scheme of rehousing is now under consideration. Every effort has, in the meantime, been made to relieve, as far as possible, the congestion in the existing accommodation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number

Customs and Excise Department.
STAFF of Departmental Higher Clerical Officers, Departmental Clerical Officers, "P" Class Clerks and Temporary Clerks employed on 1st October, 1930, in the Outdoor Service other than in Collectors' Offices and Sub-Offices, and the allocation of such Officers to the various Collections.
Collection.				Departmental Higher Clerical Officers.	Departmental Clerical Officers.	"P" Class Clerks.	Temporary Clerks.
Aberdeen	…	…	…	—	2	—	—
Belfast	…	…	…	—	8	—	—
Birmingham	…	…	…	—	1	—	—
Brighton	…	…	…	—	5	—	—
Bristol	…	…	…	—	17	—	—
Cardiff	…	…	…	—	8	1	—
Chester	…	…	…	—	2	—	—
Derby	…	…	…	—	1	—	—
Dover	…	…	…	—	9	—	—
Dundee	…	…	…	—	6	—	—
Edinburgh	…	…	…	—	3	—	—
Glasgow	…	…	…	—	29	7	—
Greenock	…	…	…	—	4	—	—
Grimsby	…	…	…	5	—	—	—
Hull	…	…	…	—	10	1	1
Inverness	…	…	…	—	1	—	—
Ipswich	…	…	…	—	3	—	—
Leeds	…	…	…	—	3	—	—
Leith	…	…	…	—	14	—	—
Liverpool	…	…	…	—	54	10	—
London Port	…	…	…	6	277	60	—
London Cental	…	…	…	—	19	8	—
London North	…	…	…	—	9	—	—
London South	…	…	…	—	5	—	—
Manchester	…	…	…	—	10	—	—
Newcastle	…	…	…	—	10	—	—
Newport	…	…	…	—	3	—	—
Northampton	…	…	…	—	1	—	—
Norwich	…	…	…	—	4	—	—
Plymouth	…	…	…	—	5	1	—
Portsmouth	…	…	…	—	2	—	—
Preston	…	…	…	—	3	—	—
Southampton	…	…	…	—	11	2	—
Sunderland	…	…	…	—	1	—	—
Swansea	…	…	…	—	6	—	—
				6	551	90	1

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the State taking

The particulars requested are given in the following table:over the insurance of all those industries which come under the Workmen's Compensation Act?

My hon. Friend may be assured that the suggestion he makes will not be overlooked when an opportunity arises to deal further with the subject.

asked the Home Secretary what number of alien exhibitors of performing animals have entered this country for the purpose of following their vocation under his licence during the past 12 months; how many there are now in this country; and whether he will consider the desirability of refusing to grant permits to such persons for such purpose in the future?

I regret that figures such as those asked for in the first two parts of the question are not available. The issue of permits for the purpose of Article 1 (3) (s) of the Aliens Order is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, after a specific promise had been made to the managers of the Chuch school, Mells, that, if they would raise £1,400 locally and reorganise their school, the older children should remain in the village school and that other neighbouring villages would be required to send their quota of 11 + children to Mells, the local authorities, in spite of the fact that the money was raised and the improvement carried out, have now decided that the 11 + children should be sent to Frome, causing inconvenience and expense to all concerned; and whether he will stake steps to persuade the local education authority to reconsider their decision in this matter?

I am not aware that any promise of the kind suggested was made. The primary purpose of the improvements and alterations carried out by the managers of the Mells school was to enable them to provide accommodation to replace the boys' department, the use of which was given up on account of the unsatisfactory condition of the premises. The authority's proposal that the senior children from this school should attend the Church of England school at Frome appears to be conceived in the interests of the children's education, and I see no reason to make any representations on the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ranks and ratings of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at present on the books of H.M.S. "Caroline," Belfast?

The total numbers of ranks and ratings of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the books of H.M.S. "Caroline," Belfast, on the 1st instant were as follow: Officers, 36; Ratings, 341.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information to show whether the recent piracies carried out in Chinese waters have, to any extent, been facilitated by the withdrawal from all vessels of the supply of guards from His Majesty's Forces in China?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to allegations of the ill-treatment of British citizens by the immigration and deportation authorities of the United States, he will consider calling for a report from the British Ambassador at Washington on the question of the deportation of British citizens from the United States of America?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned yesterday, to his Question No. 11.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the British Tanker Company's vessel, the "British Premier," arrived at Swansea on the 2nd instant and discharged 1,170,000 gallons of illuminating oil from Batum, and in view of the further fact that the British Tanker Company is controlled by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, in which latter company the British Government have a controlling interest, he will cause inquiries to be made as to the number of men discharged from the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's refining plants at Swansea during the last three months?

As has been stated on many occasions, His Majesty's Government are pledged not to interfere in the commercial management of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. The statement of that obligation is contained in Command Paper No. 7419 of 1914.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House information on the question of the extension of the franchise in Bermuda, in view of the fact that there has been no extension of the franchise in this Colony since 1834; and what reply he has given to the memorial addressed to him by the Bermuda Women Suffrage Society?

No question of the extension of the franchise in Bermuda otherwise than to women has hitherto arisen, but the officer administering the Government will be asked to report upon the matter. The officer administering the Government was requested to reply to the memorial of the Bermuda Women Suffrage Society that my Noble Friend had read the Memorial with interest, that he had not failed to note that the society had more than once approached the House of Assembly with a view to the conferring upon women of the parliamentary or municipal franchise, but that he was of opinion that these questions fell within the province of the local Legislature, and that, having regard to all the circumstances, he did not see his way to intervene in the matter. My Noble Friend added that he felt confident in the ability of the Colony to work out its future political and constitutional development on sound lines. I may explain that under the constitution of Bermuda as in Barbados and the Bahamas, the Crown has no control over the local elected Assembly, and no power to legislate by Order in Council. Apart from an Act of Parliament, any alteration of the franchise rests entirely with the local Legislature.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can give any information as to the representatives of the Empire Marketing Board who are visiting the public assistance committees and advising them of the necessity of central bulk purchases; by whoses instructions this advice is being given; and if he is aware of the disturbance to trade caused by these instructions and the extravagance and waste to which they will lead if carried out?

Three officers employed by the Empire Marketing Board are at present visiting local authorities with the sole purpose of promoting increase in their purchases of home and oversea Empire produce. They are instructed that the machinery of purchase adopted by local authorities is the concern of the authorities alone and that they are in no case to advocate one system in preference to another. Inquiries indicate that these instructions have been duly followed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is considering the question of the sale of the site of the Duke of York's headquarters, Chelsea, for building development; and whether, in view of the historical importance of the building and the value of the open space, he will give an undertaking that no action will be taken for disposing of the site until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of expressing its view?

No such proposal is at present before me, but the whole subject of the disposal of Government property which may be found to be surplus to requirements is under the consideration of a Committee appointed by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. So far as I am concerned, I gladly give the undertaking asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of horses were purchased annually by the War Office from England, Scotland, and Wales for each year from 1924 to 1930, inclusive, giving the figures for each country separately?

The numbers are as follow:—

—			England.	Scotland.	Wales.
1924	…	…	1,936	24	78
1925	…	…	1,136	21	25
1926	…	…	940	14	24
1927	…	…	451	6	30
1928	…	…	382	3	46
1929	…	…	704	13	24
1930	…	…	620	10	26

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department has considered the purchase of any sound-film bioscope machines for use either in canteens or on transports; and will he give particulars?

The running of cinemas for troops at home in connection with canteens is at present undertaken by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes and I understand that apparatus for sound films has been installed in one cinema for which the institutes are responsible. As regards transports, cinema installations, including the use of sound films, are at present in the experimental stage, and I am unable to say what permanent arrangements will be made should these experiments prove satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many schools previously receiving grants towards the maintenance of cadet corps have applied since March last for permission to establish a contingent of the Officers' Training Corps; and in how many instances such permission has been granted?

Of the schools which previously received grants towards the maintenance of cadet corps, 18 have applied since March last for permission to establish a contingent of the Officers' Training Corps. In none of these cases has it been possible to grant this request, since the total establishment of the Officers' Training Corps is limited.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total amount of reduction in wages to date at Enfield effected by the recent abolition of piecework; and how many workers were adversely affected?

The number of men affected by the recent temporary suspension of piecework was 504 and the difference in wages is estimated at £15,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that all departments at the Royal Arsenal received pay on the minimum-wage scale during the Christmas holidays except the storemen (A) of the ordnance services department; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?

Storemen Grade "A" of the Army Ordnance Services at the Royal Arsenal are, like other industrial grades, eligible to be treated under the regulation relative to the issue of the minimum rate for whole-time adult unskilled labour during weeks containing closed periods, and I am not aware that any storeman eligible for such payment during the last Christmas holidays has not received the pay admissible.