Written Answers
India (Air And Mail Service)
asked the Secretary of State for India the arrangements that are being made for the carrying on of the air-mail service from this country, in so far as it traverses Indian territory?
The air-mail service from Karachi to Delhi will be continued until the expiry of the present charter on 29th December. As was stated in this House on 29th June last, the preparations that had been made by the Government of India for operating an air-mail service between Karachi and Calcutta, after the end of this year, have been under consideration by the Indian Retrenchment Committee. Until the recommendations of that committee have been received and considered, I cannot usefully make any statement on the subject.
Post Office Buildings
asked the Postmaster-General what sums were expended on the provision or extension of postal, telegraph and telephone buildings, respectively, during 1913–14 and each of the past 10 years?
The use of Post Office buildings, or of portions of buildings, by the postal, telegraph and telephone service s constantly changing, and the capital expenditure on Post Office buildings is therefore not divided year by year between the respective services. The capital records show the total expenditure on buildings which, for the years desired, is as follows:—
| £ | ||||
| 1913–14 | … | … | … | 296,385 |
| 1921–22 | … | … | … | 607,469 |
| 1922–23 | … | … | … | 565,914 |
| 1923–24 | … | … | … | 429,708 |
| 1924–25 | … | … | … | 855,405 |
| 1925–26 | … | … | … | 1,103,791 |
| 1926–27 | … | … | … | 1,105,844 |
| 1927–28 | … | … | … | 1,268,253 |
| 1928–29 | … | … | … | 1,237,734 |
| 1929–30 | … | … | … | 1,390,424 |
| 1930–31 | … | … | … | 1,336,000 (provisional) |
The foregoing figures are for buildings only, that is, they exclude the expenditure on land, and on electric lighting, lifts and other accommodation fittings.
asked the Postmaster-General what was the cost of repairs to and maintenance of postal, telegraph and telephone buildings during 1913–14 and each of the past 10 years?
The total cost of maintenance and repairs, the bulk of which is incurred by the Office of works, is apportioned between the postal, telegraph and telephone services according to their respective occupation of Post Office buildings year by year. The total costs and apportionments for the years, desired are as follow:
| — | Total. | Postal. | Telegraph. | Telephone. |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 1913–14 | 263,187 | 148,311 | 56,032 | 58,844 |
| 1921–22 | 354,413 | 199,918 | 63,766 | 90,729 |
| 1922–23 | 293,605 | 164,578 | 52,346 | 76,681 |
| 1923–24 | 269,717 | 145,186 | 45,005 | 79,526 |
| 1924–25 | 303,090 | 159,413 | 50,482 | 93,195 |
| 1925–26 | 373,685 | 196,451 | 59,821 | 117,413 |
| 1926–27 | 309,960 | 159,203 | 47,412 | 103,345 |
| 1927–28 | 356,475 | 179,823 | 54,716 | 121,936 |
| 1928–29 | 344,792 | 171,850 | 49,957 | 122,985 |
| 1929–30 | 396,909 | 187,979 | 54,072 | 154,858 |
| 1930–31 | 427,000 | 201,000 | 53,000 | 173,000 |
| provisional. |
Tanganyika (Lighterage Rates, Agreement)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will, with the object of facilitating trade, publish the agreement governing lighter-age rates to Tanga concluded between the Government of Tanganyika and the companies concerned?
I have not yet received any copy of the agreement, and I am not therefore in a position to consider publication.
Trade And Commerce
Shipbuilding
asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of merchant shipping under construction in Great Britain and Ireland in June, 1929, and in August, 1931, respectively?
According to returns published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, the tonnage of merchant vessels of 100 tons gross and upwards under construction in Great Britain and Ireland was 1,454,000 tons gross on 30th June, 1929, and 556,000 tons gross on 30th June, 1931, the latest date for which the information is available.
Caramel (French Customs Analysis)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the method of chemical analysis used by the French Customs authorities for ascertaining the percentage of sweetening matter in caramels estimates not only the sugar content but also the protein matter; and whether he will make representations to the French authorities with a view to assimilating their methods of analysis to those used in this country?
I am aware that difficulties have arisen in connection with the fixing of the percentage of sweetening matter in caramel imported into France from this country, and that the possible inclusion of protein with sweetening matter, owing to the methods followed by the French Customs analysts, is one of the grounds of complaint. The points involved are highly technical, and arrangements were recently made to put certain exporters in this country in direct touch with the French Customs on the matter. On hearing the result of these steps the Board of Trade would be prepared to consider whether they could usefully take any further action.
Shipping (Laid Up Tonnage)
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that over 70 ocean-going vessels are laid up in the River Fal; and whether he can give approximately the total number and tonnage of such vessels having a port of registry in Great Britain similarly laid up owing to trade depression?
According to the quarterly returns of laid up tonnage issued by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom 74 British vessels of 251,000 tons net were laid up in the River Fal on 1st July, 1931. At the same date in all 743 British vessels of 2,018,000 tons net were laid up at ports of Great Britain and Ireland. The number of those which are ocean going is not recorded. Information as to the number and tonnage of vessels registered in Great Britain laid up throughout the world is not available.
Special Campaign Pensions
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the measures for the reduction of soldiers' service pensions will include a revision of special campaign pension conditions?
Yes, Sir. The present rates of special campaign pensions were introduced in 1921, and these will be reduced to a scale which, like that adopted for service pensions, takes into account the fall in the cost of living. Men who have been granted special campaign pensions before 1st October, 1931, will, however, continue to receive the higher scale of pension. It has also been decided to discontinue the provision for special campaign pensions in respect of any future campaigns.