asked the Minister of Health if he is now able to state the result of the investigation into the grievances of owner-occupiers initiated by his predecessor; and what recommendation he is prepared to make to local authorities on this question?

My right hon. Friend assumes that this question refers to the investigation into the law and practice with regard to charges for private street works. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of 1st instant, given to a similar question on this subject, by the hon. Member for Blackley (Mr. P. Oliver).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Abbey Road Building Society, the Woolwich Equitable Building Society, and the Co-operative Permanent Building Society, among others, are refusing to continue the financial arrangements which have obtained since 1924; and whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made into the causes of these decisions, as work on many estates now being developed in Bexley, Welling, Crayford, and Dartford are to be immediately suspended?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such refusal as is suggested in the first part of the question. Accordingly, the second part does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health how many small houses for aged people have been approved by his Department; how many have been completed; and what is the average weekly rent?

The erection of 1,380 houses of this type has been approved and 130 were completed by 31st August last. I have no information as to the rents charged for these houses.

asked the Minister of Health when the report of the auditor on the last valuation of approved societies will be published?

The report of the Government Actuary on the third valuation of approved societies is in an advanced stage of preparation, but the date of its publication cannot yet be determined.

asked the Minister of Health the cost of the regional medical service under the National Health Insurance scheme for each of the last five years?

Following is the cost of the service in England and Wales:

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the charge for space at Olympia made by Exhibition, Limited, per square foot; and whether, in view of the increased taxation and the demand for more economical overhead expenses in industry, the Department will ensure reduction of the charge?

The Department of Overseas Trade is solely responsible for all matters concerning the organisation of the British Industries Fair at Olympia. There is therefore no question of charges for space being made there by the firm in question or by any other firm. The charge for space made by the Department of Overseas Trade in the London section of the Fair is 3s. 6d. per square foot. With regard to the possibility of a reduction in the charge, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the bon. Member for St. Pancras South-East (Mr. Romeril) on 24th September. I am sending him a copy. There has been a marked increase in the number of firms applying for space in the Fair during the last fortnight.

asked the President of the Board of Education the approximate amount of expenditure which will be incurred by local education authorities arising from the decision of the Government to reduce the salaries of teachers by 10 per cent.?

It is estimated that in the first full year the proposed reduction of teachers' salaries would lead to a saving of approximately £5,000,000 to public funds. It is proposed to distribute this saving in such a way that the rate expenditure of local education authorities would benefit to the extent of rather less than £500,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government propose to reduce the pensions payable from the Consolidated Fund for naval and military services?

The only pensions of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend are those payable by statute to Earl Nelson and Lord Seaton respectively. Lord Nelson has already made a voluntary contribution of £500 to the Exchequer and proposes to make a similar contribution next year. Lord Seaton has suggested that his pension should be abated by 10 per cent. for the

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the prevailing unemployment among skilled engineers and other skilled artisans, he will make representations to the Russian Government with a view to the possibility of some of these skilled men being found

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons on the unemployed register at Grantham on 3rd June, 1929, and on the latest date available before the coming into office of the present Government?

At 3rd June, 1929, there were 620 persons on the registers of the Grantham Employment Exchange. At 24th August, 1931, the number was 1,812.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered at the Blackburn Employment Exchanges as unemployed; and how many of those registered have drawn benefit for 26 weeks or more during the present benefit year, the figures to be given separately for juniors and males and females?

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons now drawing unemployment benefit in Blackburn will come under the proposed provisions for transitional benefit, giving separate figures for men and women?

The following table gives the information desired:work in Russian factories or engineering works?

The answer is in the negative; but it is, of course, open to any person desirous of obtaining employment in the Soviet Union to apply to the Soviet authorities for the necessary permission.

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

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, classified according to sex, in receipt of unemployment benefit in the county borough of Southampton at the last convenient date; and the number in receipt of transitional benefit?

At 21st September, 1931, there were on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county borough of Southampton 9,732 males and 924 females with claims to benefit admitted or under consideration. Of these numbers 596 men and 52 women had claims authorised for transitional benefit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sum has been expended, or is estimated will be expended, for the season of 1931 in providing allotments for the unemployed and in assisting with the purchase of seeds and tools for such allotment holders in England and Wales?

The following table gives the information desired:

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) on 28th September, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the result of the representations made to the Chinese Government with regard to the recent ill-treatment of British subjects at Hankow?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the City of Chester (Sir C. Cayzer) on 17th September. His Majesty's Minister in China reports that the Chinese superintendent of the police station, where these foreign residents were temporarily detained, has also been dismissed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the decision which has been reached by the League of Nations Council in regard to the suggested offer of sympathetic services in settling the trouble between China and Japan; and what is the attitude of the British Government on the point?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 30th September. At the Council meeting on 1st October, the President read a statement emphasising the importance of the withdrawal of the Japanese troops to the railway zone, while at the same time recognising that a certain time must be allowed for the withdrawal. He, therefore, submitted a resolution taking note of the declarations hitherto made by both parties, exhorting them to do all in their power to restore normal relations and to furnish the Council at frequent intervals with full information, and proposing that the Council should meet again on 14th October, unless the situation is by then so far restored to normal as to render this meeting unnecessary. The Japanese and Chinese delegates accepted this resolution, which was unanimously adopted, and the Council adjourned. The attitude of His Majesty's Government is in complete accord with that of the League Council as described above.

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if the Commissioners are now prepared to grant to the coal and lead mining industry any allowance of the royalty rents imposed by the Commissioners in view of the difficulties that those industries have now to face?

In appropriate cases the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have made and are making to their mineral lessees concessions in respect to tonnage and other rents for the purpose of enabling workings to be continued; they have no power to use any portion of their diminished revenues from this source in the manner suggested.

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if the Commissioners have now came to a decision on the question of granting their employés working in woods and forests an annual holiday with pay?

The matter is still under investigation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the full grant will be made towards the total expenditure to be incurred on the Parkgate improvement scheme, Darlington?

I am unable to state the position with respect to grant for the Parkgate improvement scheme until I have had an opportunity of considering the views of the Darlington Corporation in response to my recent circular to local authorities regarding the limitation, at the present time, of expenditure on road works.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the negotiations regarding alternative and better office accommodation for His Majesty's inspector of taxes and staff at Bexhill are now complete; and when it is proposed to effect the transfer to the new premises?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; it is anticipated that the transfer to the new premises will be effected early next year.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if the Commissioners have now come to a decision on the question of granting their employés an annual holiday with pay?

The Commissioners have not yet come to a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust has completed the scheme for ex-service men to obtain their cottages?

I understand that the scheme referred to has been completed, and that it is hoped to publish it as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has confirmed the River Towy Fisheries (Limitation of Salmon Netting Licences) Order, 1931; and, if so, if he has considered the effect of the restriction on the livelihood of the 47 coracle fishermen of Carmarthen?

Yes, Sir. I have confirmed the Order because I am satisfied that to do so would be to the advantage of all interested in the river, and, in particular, of the regular fishermen who are dependent for their livelihood in coracle fishing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the yield of a duty of 1½d. per pound on sugar and of a duty of 4d. per pound on tea?

Allowing for the existing preference on Empire sugar and for the former preference on Empire tea, the estimated yield would be something over £20,000,000 and £6,000,000 a year, respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines how much coal was exported from the Humber ports to the principal European countries in 1913 and for each year from 1920 to 1930, inclusive?

I am sending the hon. Member the information required, which involves a long tabular statement.

asked the Secretary for Mines how much coal was exported from this country to countries within the British Empire, and to foreign countries, in 1913, and for each year from 1920 to 1930, inclusive?

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present position in regard to the preparation of the scheme for the establishment of an Indian Air Force?

The Government of India are now promoting a Bill to facilitate the establishment and to provide for the administration and discipline of the new Indian Air Force. As regards other measures, six Indian cadets are now under training at Cranwell with a view to qualifying for commissions in that Force, and further vacancies are being offered. Steps are being taken in India to provide and train the subordinate personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information to show to what extent the non-commissioned personnel of the Indian Army is drawn from non-nationals belonging to territories outside the boundaries of India; if he will state the average recruitment each year of this class to the Indian Army; and what proportion of the non-commissioned ranks of the Indianising units of the Indian Army consist of non-nationals?

The answer to the first part is, to the extent of about 20,000.