asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue instructions to local authorities making it obligatory to use British tar for road purposes when grants are made from the Road Fund?

I have no reason to suppose that tar used for road work in this country is of other than British origin.

asked the Minister of Transport, if before the House rises, and in view of the fact that the police are at present prosecuting motor-coach drivers for travelling between 30 and 35 miles per hour, he will state when he proposes to introduce any increases in the speed limit as affecting these vehicles?

A speed limit of 30 miles an hour was fixed for motor coaches in the Road Traffic Act, 1930. I have at present under consideration the question of the simplification and amendment of the Schedule of maximum speeds in certain respects, but I have reached no decision. Any amendment of the Schedule would require to be ratified by Parliament.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what reductions have recently been made in the prices paid to women piece-workers employed in the Royal Army Clothing Department, Pimlico, for the making of overcoats; and what are the average weekly earnings of these piece-workers working a full week?

No reductions in prices for the making of overcoats at present manufactured at the Royal Army Clothing Factory have actually been brought into operation. The rates fixed for the manufacture of overcoats in next year's programme are based on a new process of manufacture, and any comparison between rates paid under different systems must be fallacious. It is impossible to give the average earnings under the new process, as it has not yet been in operation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the percentage of horses and mules belonging to the Army that were destroyed for veterinary reasons, admitted for treatment of injuries of all kinds, and admitted for treatment of ailments other than injuries, respectively, during the year 1930?

For the year ending 31st March, 1931, the figures are as follow:—Destroyed, horses 4.86 per cent., mules 1.62 per cent.; admitted for injuries, horses 47.89 per cent., mules 20.93 per cent.; admitted for ailments, horses 58.81 per cent., mules 11.79 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what armaments, or machinery that can be utilised for making armaments, have been sup- plied to the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics since the date mentioned in the reply given on this subject on 24th June last?

The following TABLE shows the total quantity and declared value of the domestic exports of arms, ammunition and military and naval stores (except sporting arms and ammunition) registered during the five months ended November, 1931, as consigned to the Soviet Union.
Description.	Quantity.	Declared value.
	Cwts.	£
Automatic, machine and quick firing guns and parts thereof.	17	10,766
Military, naval and ordnance stores and appliances, not elsewhere specified in Export List.	Recorded by value only	124,827

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of cane and wicker furniture during the period of September to November for the last two years?

The total declared value of the imports of cane and wicker furniture into the United Kingdom registered during the three months September to November, 1930 and 1931, was £3,444 and £1,406 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a table giving a percentage comparison between imports Class 3, iron and steel goods, during September, October, and November of 1929, and during the same months in 1931, together with a similar percentage comparison relating to Class 3 goods on which a Customs Duty has been already imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931?

My hon. Friend will find particulars of the imports of iron and steel and manufactures thereof during the months of September, October and November, 1929 to 1931, in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for those months of 1931. Similar particulars have not been compiled for the aggregate of the goods covered by the Orders made under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, but for most of these goods particulars will be found in the monthly accounts in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he

, pursuant to his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 9TH DECEMBER, 1931; col. 1853, Vol. 260]; supplies the following statement:proposes to take in relation to the petition from the manufacturers of poultry appliances for the imposition of import duties, in view of the amount of unemployment in this trade, and seeing that the busy season in the sale of these goods is now commencing?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 8th December to my Noble Friend the Member for Newark (Marquess of Titchfield) and other hon. Members.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds aseptic hospital furniture was specifically excluded from the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) (No. 1) Order issued on 20th November; and whether, as British manufacturers are in a position to provide all the aseptic furniture required for hospital use at prices not in excess of those at present charged, he is prepared to reconsider his decision.

The full heading in the Import and Export List under which imports of metallic furniture were found to be abnormal, specifically excludes aseptic hospital furniture. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 8th December to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. L. Thompson) and several other hon. Members.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantity of bitumen imported for road purposes for the quarters ended October, 1930, and October, 1931, respectively?

Particulars of the imports of bitumen, as such, into the United Kingdom are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom. The hon. Member will, however, find particulars of the imports of "asphalt and bitumen" in the monthly "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom." I am unable to say what proportion of these imports was intended for road-making purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his expressed intention to take notice of the discrimination against our trade by foreign countries and in view of the preferential customs duty granted by the Portuguese Government on goods shipped in Portuguese steamers, which makes it impossible for British shipowners to compete for the carriage of cargo under equal conditions, he will inform the Portuguese Government that, unless this flag discrimination practised by them immediately ceases, he will take steps to increase the duties on all goods entering this country from Portugal.

I am asking my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for

—	Cotton Yarns.		Cotton Piece Goods.		Other Cotton Manufactures.
	Empire.	Foreign Countries	Empire.	Foreign Countries	Empire.	Foreign Countries.
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Australia (1929–30)	572,429	367,180	6,299,690	774,201	578,100	50,587
Canada (1930)	136,004	80,135	1,416,218	2,261,012	278,476	696,285
*Irish Free State (1930)	42,455	—	1,080,362	—	448,363	—
Newfoundland (1929–30)	2,446	40,145	29,054	67,749	26,776	73,455
New Zealand (1930)	†	†	1,655,600	217,013	19,647	460
‡Union of South Africa (1930).	66,661	52,627	2,236,461	1,264,478	380,934	236,335
South West Africa (1930)	354	2,230	8,511	45,818	3,481	8,276
* Details as to countries of origin are not available. A note is given in the Irish Free State Statistics that the principal country from which the imports were consigned was the United Kingdom. There were no consignments of any importance from foreign countries.
† The Trade Returns show values of the combined imports of cotton and silk yarns and sewing, &c, threads. Figures for cotton goods of these classes are therefore not given.
‡ The figures for the Union of South Africa include those for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the figures of imports for 1930 into each of our Colonies of cotton yarns, piece-goods, and other cotton manufac-

asked the President of the Board of Trade the importations since the respective orders were introduced of the different articles dealt with under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, comparing such importations with the importations of the same articles in the corresponding previous month.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hen. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Herbert) on 24th November last, respecting statistics for shorter periods than one month.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what were the figures of imports for 1930 into each of our Dominions of cotton yarns, piece goods, and other cotton manufactures, from the British Empire and from foreign countries, respectively.

The figures are given in the following table.tures from the British Empire and from foreign countries, respectively.

A statement furnishing the figures required is in course of preparation, and will be communicated to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as it is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for India, what were the figures of imports for 1930 into India of cotton yarns, piece-goods, and other

IMPORTS into India of cotton yarns, piece goods and other cotton goods from the British Empire and from foreign countries for the financial year ending 31st March, 1930.
Article.	British Empire.		Foreign Countries.
	Quantities.	Values.	Quantities.	Values.
		Rs.		Rs.
Cotton Twist and Yarn (1bs.)	20,208,811	2,96,59,399	23,673,230	3,03,26,316
Piece Goods (yds)	1,250,326,603	33,77,77,879	669,019,909	16,47,32,957
Other Cotton Manufactures	—	1,25,39,948	—	1,98,36,629

Note.—Figures for 1930–31 are not yet available. Statistics containing the information asked for are not compiled in respect of calendar years.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, if he can state the number of Foreign buyers and the number of buyers from the Dominions who attended the last British Industries Fair; the value of the orders placed by them; and the amount spent by his department on the fair.

The number of overseas buyers who visited the last Fair was 2,642 in London and 1,984 in Birmingham, a total of 4,626. Of this number approximately one third came from the Dominions and Colonies and the remainder from foreign countries. Exact information as to the value of the orders placed at the Fair is not obtainable and the amount of orders so placed represents only a part of the whole value of the Fair. Except for this special grant for publicity the British Industrits Fair is organised on a self-supporting basis so as to involve no charge on public funds.

asked the Postmaster-General what instructions have been issued this year for the engagement of auxiliary postmen to deal with the Christmas mail traffic; how the number of these men will compare with the number

The following are the figures asked for:engaged in previous years; and whether, as a result, deliveries will be earlier so as to enable the regular postmen to spend part of Christmas Day with their families?

I am looking into this question and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of the importance of the forthcoming Cotton Textile Exhibition at the White City, he will consider the advisability of issuing a special obliteration stamp bearing the words "Buy British Cotton Goods"

I am considering whether it is practicable to comply with this suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General, if he will give returns showing the charges made under the cash-on-delivery system and the number of parcels sent under this system in the several years since the system was inaugurated?

The fees charged for collecting the value of an article sent by the inland cash-on-delivery service are as follow:—

Trade Charge not exceeding						Fee
						s.	d.
10s.	…	…	…	…	…	0	4
£1	…	…	…	…	…	0	6
£2	…	…	…	…	…	0	8
£5	…	…	…	…	…	0	10
£10	…	…	…	…	…	1	0
£15	…	…	…	…	…	1	2
£20	…	…	…	…	…	1	4
£25	…	…	…	…	…	1	6
£30	…	…	…	…	…	1	8
£35	…	…	…	…	…	1	10
£40	…	…	…	…	…	2	0

These charges are additional to ordinary postage and registration fee (if any).Postings have been, in round figures, as follow:—

Year.		Number.
1926 (from 29th March)	…	767,000
1927	…	1,521,000
1928	…	1,863,000
1929	…	2,290,000
1930	…	2,375,000
1931 (to 28th November)	…	2,324,000

The figures include packets sent by registered letter post, to which the service was extended on 30th April, 1928, but these comprise only a small proportion of the total.

asked the Secretary of State for India, if he can now state the total cost to our own and to the Indian Exchequer of the Round Table Conference?

I am not yet in a position to give these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of the present Salt Tax in India and what proportion the tax bears to the wholesale and the retail price of salt in India; and if he will give information showing the total revenue to the Government of India from this source?

The excise duty is Rs. 1.4.0 per maund plus a surcharge of 25 per cent. imposed in September last. The customs duty is the same as the excise with an addition of 4½ annas per maund. I have no recent information as to the price of salt in India, and am obtaining this from India. It is estimated that the total salt revenue for the year 1931–32 will amount to about Rs. 8,18,00,000 (equal to £6,135,000 at 1s. 6d. to the rupee).

asked the Secretary of State for India the total cost to the British Exchequer of the Statutory (Simon) Commission, including the cost of the Auxiliary Committee on Education, the Indian Central Committee, and the Provincial Committees, and also of printing and publishing the several reports issued by them.

The total cost to the British Exchequer of the inquiries of the Indian Statutory Commission and its auxiliary inquiries was a contribution of £80,000. The cost estimated by the Stationery Office of printing and publishing the two volumes of the Commission's report and the three supplementary volumes of reports referred to in the question was £10,461, but the whole of this latter sum has been more than covered by sale-proceeds.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the discontent among tenants living in decontrolled houses; and whether the Government will introduce a one-Clause Bill conferring the same powers on county court judges that they exercise on controlled houses?

My right hon. Friend cannot add anything to what the Prime Minister has said as to the legislation which the Government have decided to introduce.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the large reductions of temporary technical staff employed by local authorities, such as the London County Council; the reasons which actuate such reductions; and whether, in view of the difficulties attendant on the collection of an efficient technical staff, he will suggest to those concerned the desirability of spreading any necessary discharges of technical employees over as long a period as possible?

My right hon. Friend is not usually informed of the discharge of temporary or other staff by local authorities. He has no doubt that such authorities themselves will be alive to the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend, and no special steps on his part seem to be necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the respective tax upon alcohol in beer, imported foreign wines, imported Colonial wines, foreign spirits and liqueurs, whisky and gin, and other spirits distilled in the British Isles?

I gather that my right hon. and gallant Friend wishes to compare the incidence of the duty per unit of alcohol in the case of the various classes of beverage he mentions. I fear that this would not be practicable on the lines suggested in the question, as the incidence per unit in the case of beer and wine varies very considerably at different gravities or strengths.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now state the Revenue Returns for beer from November, 1930, and November, 1931, and the barrelage for the two years?

The number of standard barrels of beer assessed to duty and the amount of duty assessed, during the month of November in each of the years 1930 and 1931 were as follow:

	November, 1930.	November, 1931.
Quantity (standard barrels)	1,353,000	1,057,000
Amount of duty	£5,244,000	£5,643,000

The figures refer to brewings during November, on which the duty is payable in December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Government's decision not to proceed with land valuation, he will cause notification to be made that no further returns of land transactions to Somerset House will be required under the Finance Act, 1931?

No, Sir. The provisions of Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1931, to which I assume my hon. Friend refers, are not affected by the decision of the Government to suspend work upon the valuation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much money has been spent by Government departments on the purchase of foreign imports during the years 1928, 1929, 1930, and the first six months of 1931?

Such purchases, except in the case of petroleum products, are small, as an effective preference is given to British goods where available. It would be impossible to give precise figures without great labour, but roughly the purchases apart from petroleum products may have been £700,000 in 1928, £500,000 to £600,000 in 1929 and 1930, and about £170,000 in the first six months of this year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the increases, decreases, and the cases of men under notice in the staffs of the different departments of State now as compared with 1st November last?

The information asked for is not immediately available and could only be obtained at considerable expenditure of time and labour. Particulars of increases and decreases are given in the periodical staff returns presented to Parliament.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Government factories or other similar structures built during the War are now let to private firms or undertakings in part or as a whole; and the names of these factories and the rent received in each case?

There are four such cases, namely, the aircraft buildings at Hendon, part of the factory and buildings at Waddon, part of the Queensferry premises and part of the buildings at Irvine. Part of a factory at Dudley until recently occupied by the Ministry of Labour is about to be put on the market for disposal or letting. A part of the property at Waddon referred to above, which is at present let, has been disposed of, the sale to be completed in March next. It is not customary to publish details of the rents received for particular properties, and I do not think the public interest would be served by doing so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of mail-carrying vessels which have been built with Government subsidies since 1919;

						Fat Pigs.
Month.				Barley Meal.		Baconers.				Porkers.
						1st Quality.		2nd Quality.		1st Quality.		2nd Quality.
1930.				£	s.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
December	…	…	…	5	14	13	9	12	7	18	1	16	8
1931.
January	…	…	…	5	8	14	0	12	9	17	9	16	3
February	…	…	…	5	5	13	11	12	9	17	4	16	0
March	…	…	…	5	14	13	8	12	5	16	10	15	6
April	…	…	…	6	2	13	7	12	4	16	2	14	10
May	…	…	…	6	11	13	3	12	0	15	3	13	11
June	…	…	…	6	8	11	11	10	10	13	6	12	3

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average price of oil cakes during the months of December, 1930, and January, February, March, April, May, and June, 1931; and

The answer to the first part of the question is none, and the second part therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated increase in the price of a 4–1b. loaf under the British wheat quota scheme?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply which I gave to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander) on 3rd December last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average price of barley meal during the months of December, 1930, and January, February, March, April, May, and June, 1931; and what was the average price of pigs per score pounds during the same months?

The following statement gives the information desired.what was the average price of fat cattle per live hundredweight during the same months?

The following statement gives the information desired.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has considered the communication sent to him from the president of the National Association of British and Irish Millers on the question of His Majesty's Government's proposal to introduce a quota system for home-grown and Dominion wheat; what was the purport of the communication; and what decision His Majesty's Government have come to with regard to it?

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement on this subject later in the day.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the marketing branch of his department has prepared a milk marketing scheme, in accordance with Report No. 33 in the Ministry's Economic Series, which will increase the prices now paid to producers for liquid milk and secure profitable prices to producers for milk purchased for conversion into cheese, butter, etc.?

No, Sir. The preparation of a scheme under the Agricultural Marketing Act is a matter for producers, or it may be entrusted by the Minister to a Reorganisation Commission. As I have already indicated, I should not feel justified in appointing a Commission in the absence of clear evidence that such a course is desired by producers themselves.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made with the national mark scheme as applied to eggs, and if he will consider making it compulsory for all eggs of British origin to be thus marked?

The National Mark scheme for eggs came into operation in 1929. In the year ended 31st October, 1930, 151,000,000 eggs were packed under the National Mark. In the year ended 31st October, 1931, 222,000,000 eggs were packed under the Mark, an increase of 71,000,000, or practically 50 per cent. in one year. As regards the last part of the question, it is already possible for egg producers, if they so desire, to submit a scheme or schemes under the Agricultural Marketing Act, which might include provisions for compulsory grading and marking.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the non-inclusion of foreign peaches and nectarines among the fruits specified in the Schedule to the Horticultural Products (Emergency Customs Duties) Bill, he will consider the desirability of including the taxation of such imports in the future agricultural policy of the Government?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider legislation to turn the teachers' superannuation scheme into a genuine insurance whereby, if a man dies shortly after retirement, his widow may receive the pension for which he subscribed?

I do not at present contemplate any legislation for the amendment of the School Teachers' (Superannuation) Act in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend. The Act provides not only for a pension, but also for the payment of a lump sum, on retirement, or, if a teacher dies while still in contributory service, for the payment of a death gratuity to his representatives. Where a teacher dies shortly after retirement, if the lump sum and the pension accruing to the date of death are less than a death gratuity would have been, the balance is payable to the representatives of the pensioner. It would not be possible to provide for additional benefits to be payable, unless the contributions paid by teachers and their employers were correspondingly increased.

asked the the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the approximate cost to the State on account of subsidy for each ton-mile operated by Imperial Airways, Limited, for the financial year 1930–31 in respect of the England-Egypt air service; and what are the terminals of the route covered by this subsidy?

The cost of subsidy per ton-mile for the year in question in respect of the England-Egypt air service was 15s. 3d. The terminals of this route are London (Croydon) and Alexandria.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what subsidy was actually earned by Imperial Airways, Limited; what sums were actually paid to Imperial Airways, Limited, in respect of subsidies for the England-Egypt service for the financial years 1928–29, 1929–30, and 1930–31; and what unearned balance was held by the company at the end of these financial years?

The information requested is given in the following table:

Imperial Airways, Limited. England—Egypt Air Service.
—	1928–29.	1929–30.	1930–31.
	£	£	£
Subsidy earned	Nil	88,750	95,565
Subsidy paid	Nil	80,000	98,750
Unearned balance held.	Nil	Nil	Nil

asked the Minister of Health if he will investigate the circumstances attending the non-payment of pension to Mr. Charles Piper, 8, Earl Street, Stratford?

On the information at present available, the statutory conditions governing the award of an old age pension are not satisfied in this case, but inquiries are still being made, and the decision on the claim will be communicated to Mr. Piper without avoidable delay.

asked the Minister of Health the number of sewerage schemes necessitated by the extension of residential and industrial development in the districts immediately outside the Metropolitan area which his department has sanctioned in the last three years; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists as to the delay in sanctioning such schemes; and what action he proposes to take to remove the cause of complaint?

During the past three years, loans for 306 schemes or sewerage and sewage disposal have been sanctioned by my Department for districts within 25 miles of Charing Cross and outside the Metropolitan area. These schemes have, in large measure, been necessitated by residential and industrial development. Their estimated cost was over £3,700,000. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and as regards the last part I shall be glad to be furnished with any instances of alleged delay.

asked the Minister of Health whether the annual reports of medical officers of health are public documents; whether members of the public have a right to see them on demand; and whether there are any rules or regulations in existence governing this matter?

There are no regulations regarding the publication of these reports, and the question is one for the decision of the local authority concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the reasons for the decision of the Air Ministry to close the mechanical transport repair depot at Harlescott, Shrewsbury?

The decision was taken as a measure of economy. It involves the transfer of part of the repair work on Royal Air Force mechanical transport to the Home Aircraft Depot at Henlow and putting the remainder out to contract.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the average annual cost of the mechanical transport repair depot establishment at Harlescott, Shrewsbury; the original cost of the land and buildings; and the estimated sale value of the same.

The answer to the first part of the question is approximately £73,500. As regards the second part, the depot was built during the war at a cost of approximately £450,000 and subsequent capital expenditure amounted to approximately £100,000, including the cost of purchase of the site. As regards the last part of the question, my Noble Friend would prefer not to disclose this information in order not to prejudice any negotiations which may be undertaken in this connection.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that tenders have been called for by the Admiralty for the supply of 300 tons of Italian hemp; and if, in view of the "Buy British" campaign, the Admiralty will give consideration to the purchase of Empire-grown fibre hemp?

Tenders have been invited by the Admiralty for a smaller quantity of Italian hemp than that named in the question. The Admiralty consistently give consideration to the purchase of Empire-grown products, including hemp, but for the purpose for which this present purchase is necessary, no satisfactory Empire-grown substitute is available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the nature of the infortion he has now received regarding the more extended use of Empire-grown sisal in His Majesty's Navy?

As a result of small scale trials of sisal, a purchase of 50 tons of this description was made this year to enable extensive trial on various naval stations to he made, in actual use, of cordage made from this material. This cordage has not yet been in use sufficiently long to enable any conclusion to be drawn as to its suitability in comparison with Manila hemp.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that in order to adjust the wages of the workmen at Brompton Cemetery on an agreed basis an inquiry was recently made into the wages paid to workmen in municipal and private cemeteries; and, seeing that the wages paid to gravediggers employed by 13 municipal authorities and 10 private cemetery companies are on the average 11s. 6d. per week higher, and in the lowest case 6s. 6d. higher, than those paid to gravediggers at Brompton, whether he will review the wages at Brompton to bring them up to a scale adopted for comparable work elsewhere?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Brompton Cemetery, however, is a part of the Royal Parks establishment of the department, and the gravediggers are a portion only of the cemetery industrial staff. Comparison with municipal and private cemetery wages is, therefore, only one of the factors relevant to the wages question, and owing to a decrease in municipal wages and an increase in Brompton gravediggers' wages since the date of the inquiry mentioned, the differences are now less than those quoted by the hon. Member. From the beginning of last month the wages of the Brompton Cemetery staff were fixed in relation to those awarded to the staff in the Royal Parks by the Industrial Court in June, 193], and they are subject to review every six months in accordance with the Civil Service cost-of-living bonus. In these circumstances, I do not consider any other review is necessary.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will give a statement showing, at 31st March, 1931, the weekly amount of individual disability pensions in each of the percentage categories for officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, and the allowances made for each kind of dependant in each of the three classes?

I regret that the statistical records of the Ministry do not enable me to sub-divide, in the detailed manner desired by the hon. Member, the total figures of disability pensions and allowances which I gave in reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on the 7th instant. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that in most foreign countries there are no exemptions from compulsory pilotage, he will consider the desirability of applying similar regulations to all vessels in British waters?

As was explained to my hon. Friend in the reply to her question on the 8th instant., the exemptions from compulsory pilotage in this country arise under the Pilotage Act, 1913, and apply to all vessels, British and foreign. There does not appear to be any sufficient reason for changing the law in this respect.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed persons, male and female, respectively, in the Aspull, Blackrod, Norwich, Hindley, and Westhoughton areas, separately, for each week since the end of October, 1931; the numbers transferred to the transitional benefit category during that period; and the numbers now in receipt of transitional benefit payment?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in West Bromwich for the months of September, October, and November, respectively; and the number of claims for unemployment benefit in that district which have been rejected since 31st August to the latest available date?

I am having the information asked for extracted, so far as available, and will communicate it, to the hon. Members when available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in consequence of the complaints which have arisen in regard to the operation of Sub-section (2) (d) of Section 1 of the anomalies provisions of the 1931 Act, he will consider the advisability of its repeal?

No, Sir.