Written Answers
Silver
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the respective values of silver per ounce in 1909, 1914, 1920, 1928, and 1931, respectively; and how many countries operate on a silver currency and approximately the total population of those countries?
The average price per standard ounce of silver in the London market during the years mentioned was as follows:
| Average for year. | Pence. |
| 1909 | 23 11/16 |
| 1914 | 25 5/16 |
| 1920 | 61 9/16 |
| 1928 | 26 ¾ |
| 1931 (January to August) | 13 1/16 |
Cadet Corps And Rifle Clubs (Firearms)
asked the Home Secretary if he will now state what applications have been received for the approval of corps and other civilian organisations during the present year in order that they may enjoy the facilities authorised by Parliament in Section 1 (8) (e) of the Firearms Act, 1920, the number of the applications and the persons by whom they were made, and similar figures and information for the three previous years?
I understand that there have been several hundred applications, and all but a very few have been found after inquiry to be in order and have been granted. The compilation the details asked for would, however, involve an expenditure of time and labour which I am very reluctant to impose in present circumstances.
Housing
asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed with State assistance and by private enterprise without State assistance between 3rd June, 1929, and 24th August, 1931, under the Addison, Chamberlain, and Wheatley schemes, respectively?
The figures most nearly approximating to the dates mentioned are as follow. The numbers of houses completed with State assistance between 1st June, 1929, and 31st July, 1931, were:
| Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919 | 32 |
| Housing, etc., Act, 1923 | 44,289 |
| Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924 | 124,514 |
Transport
Traffic Commissioners
asked the Minister of Transport the number of persons employed in the various offices of the traffic commissioners under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, the total or approximate amount paid in salaries, wages, and travelling expenses; the total rents payable for such offices to the 30th June, 1931; and the cost of furnishing such offices, including alterations and decorations thereto?
The number of persons at present employed in the offices of the traffic commissioners is 436. The amount paid in salaries, wages and travelling expenses up to the 30th June, 1931, was £44,540. The amount payable in respect of rents up to the 30th June, 1931, is approximately £3,500. I am not at pre- sent in a position to inform my hon. Friend of the cost of furnishing the offices, including alterations and decorations, but this information is being obtained and I will communicate with him later.
Railways (Joint Lines)
asked the Minister of Transport whether he has taken, or contemplates taking, any steps to give effect to the recommendation contained in paragraph 92 of the final re- port of the Royal Commission on Transport, 1931, in regard to the merging in one or other of the larger groups of railways of the numerous joint lines still in operation?
I am in communication with the railway companies regarding this and other recommendations in the report of the Royal Commission, and in the meanwhile I am not in a position to state what further steps will be taken in the matter.