asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether Article 946, paragraph 2, King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, gives engineer officers authority to carry out executive duties and assume military command in His Majesty's ships, observing that orders have been given by senior executive officers for engineer officers to carry out executive duties and assume military command outside their own Department in addition to their engineering duties?

The position of engineer officers with regard to the exercise of command is laid down in Article 169, Clause 2, of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, and Article 946, Clause 2, gives no authority beyond that contained in the previous article mentioned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that within the past month two vessels, the privately owned yacht "Magdalene," and the Jersey ketch "Louis Ernst," have collided with the wreck of His Majesty's monitor "Glatton," in Dover Harbour, the yacht requiring a tug to get her off, and the ketch being so badly damaged that she sank whilst being towed into dock; and whether he will now take immediate steps to have the "Glatton" removed, and such remains of her gallant crew as maybe discovered suitably interred?

I believe the facts to be as stated in the first part of the question, although no report has been made in regard to the "Louis Ernst." With regard to the last part of the question, the difficulty and cost of salvage operations would be so great as to be. beyond the present resources of the Admiralty to undertake, and they are of opinion that sentimental considerations alone, far from justifying salvage operations, would be against the inevitable disturbance of the remains which such operations would entail.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of officers and men whose duties do not normally take them in the air, and the number of qualified pilots and observers whose duties normally take them in the air and are now actively so employed?

Officers and men whose duties do not. normally take them in the air include, in the first place, officers belonging to the stores, chaplains, and medical branches, and these number 550. In addition, there are a certain number, about 70, of officers on the general list who are medically unfit for full flying duties. With regard to the airmen, there are 24,535 whose duties do not normally take them in the air, but a considerable number of these have to go up for the testing of engines, wireless operations, and other duties. The num- ber of qualified pilots and observers, whose duties do normally take them into the air, comprise not only pilots and observers employed with Service squadrons, but also officers employed as instructors in flying training schools, and other instructional establishments. There arc also those whose duties include the inspection of stations, or the testing of new devices like cameras, wireless apparatus, bombs, etc., all of which necessitate their going into the air. These, in addition to the pilots, account for practically all the officers on the general list, who, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 27th February last, number nearly 2,200, exclusive of the ex-naval warrant officers referred to therein.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the effect of Ministry Circular No. 2,097 is practically to preclude the issue of special diet altogether; and whether he will take steps to provide that the issue of special diet should still be governed by the Regulations in force prior to the issue of such Circular?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Members for Burslem (Mr. Finney) and Southwark Central (Mr. Gilbert) on the 26th and 29th June, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Private W. T. Rimmer, No. 15619, Royal Fusiliers, of 83, Tram Street, Plate Bridge, North Wigan, has been unable to follow his work since the 21st February, 1922, through H. E. wounds through his left thigh; that his own medical man states that he requires operative treatment, which he is willing to undergo; that he has not received treatment allowance, and has a wife and four children to support with no income except his small pension; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case at once and, if he finds that this man is entitled to treatment allowance, authorise its payment at once?

Four medical examinations made during the past year have shown that the remaining disablement is slight. In view, however, of my hon. Friend's representations I am having arrangements made for a further medical examination, with a view to determining whether the man is in need of treatment for his disability.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has recently made any effort to push the application of the Schick treatment for diphtheria in all institutions controlled or helped by his Department; whether any recent circulars on this treatment have been issued by his Department; and whether any of them suggest that it shall be applied to all school children who are in institutions under the control of his Department?

The answer to each of the three parts of the question is in the negative. No circular has been issued by my Department on this subject since November last. I propose, however, to issue a memorandum, at an early date, containing information on the proper use of the test.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the evictions now being carried out in cases where an order for demolition of property has been given; and whether, as this is being obtained by owners of houses who refuse to repair, he will state whether he is prepared to insist on the provision of alternative accommodation, and, if not, to withhold the permit for demolition?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case he, has in mind, I shall be pleased to look into it.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of houses which, according to survey made by local authorities under Section 1 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, were required to make good the shortage in 1919, the number of houses erected since that date, and the balance still required; and, if he does not accept that number as now being necessary, what figure does he consider a correct estimate of present needs and upon what evidence is his estimate based?

The gross estimate according to the survey, to which the hon. Member refers, of the number of houses required to meet the shortage due to overcrowding was 506,700. Information as to the number of unsubsidised houses built since 1919 is not available, but the number of houses completed under the State assisted schemes on 1st June was 149,207. The difference between the two figures quoted is 357,493, but the hon. Member must not take it that I regard that as representing the present effective demand for houses of this type. I have on previous occasions pointed out to him the difficulties in arriving at the figure of effective demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the increasing amount of oatmeals, including rolled oats and groats, which is being imported into this country, the number of tons imported per week being for 1920, 639 tons; for 1921, 806 tons; and for four months of 1922, 419 tons; and if he will favour the compulsory marking or ticketing of imported oats exposed for sale so as to distinguish them from home-grown oats?

I am aware that considerable quantities of these products are being imported into the United Kingdom. As regards the last part of the question, the Government, as at present advised, do not propose to seek powers wider than those embodied in the Merchandise Marks Bill which is now before the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large quantities of oatmeal and rolled oats which are imported from Germany and America, and which are sold as best Scottish, he will take steps to prevent the exploitation of the public; through such fraudulent imposition by issuing an Order that foreign produce shall not be sold under a home label?

These products are mainly derived from the United States of America and Canada, and the quantities imported from Germany recently are inconsiderable. It is an offence under the existing Merchandise Marks legislation to apply a false trade description to goods, and in certain cases relating to agricultural products the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are empowered to prosecute. I would therefore suggest that my hon. Friend should submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries any evidence in his possession that imported oatmeal and rolled oats are being labelled as "best Scottish."

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the tariff imposed by America on imported white wool has caused serious loss to farmers of this country; whether he has made any representations on the subject; and if he can hold out any hopes of a better market in the future for this class of wool?

A duty was imposed by the United States Emergency Tariff Act of May, 1921, on certain descriptions of wool. The imports of wool of United Kingdom production, during the period immediately preceding the imposition of the duty, however, consisted mainly of carpet wool, and this description of wool has continued to be free of duty, and to be imported in increasing quantities. I have not previously had my attention directed specifically to the loss which may have been sustained by the farmers who produce wools of other descriptions, but I understand that, taking United Kingdom wool as a whole, the imports into the United States were greater in the 11 months following the passing of the Act than in the corresponding months of the previous year or before the War. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and I am not in a position to say anything as to the third part.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government have put forward claims with regard to Tangier which are unacceptable to the Government of this country and that of Spain; and whether he will give the House some information as to the difficulties, if any, which have arisen in this matter?

It was agreed in 1913, between Groat Britain, France and Spain, that Tangier should be internationalised. Negotiations respecting the precise manner in which such internationalisation should be effected were interrupted by the War. It is hoped to resume them shortly and so to arrive at a settlement satisfactory to all parties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government has given no undertaking to the Government of the United States of America regarding the policy to be pursued towards Mexico, and that there is no doubt that the International Committee of Bondholders will, if asked, inform His Majesty's Government of the terms of the agreement reached between themselves and the Mexican Finance Minister, and, further, that a mixed claims commission may be set up as soon as His Majesty's Government desire, if he will state what are the obstacles which stand in the way of placing our relations with Mexico on a friendly footing and of securing mutual recognition?

The agreement between the International Committee and the Mexican Finance Minister has, I understand, not, so far, been accepted by the Mexican Government. The proposals of the Mexican Government for the establishment of a claims commission are being further examined, but would apparently exclude from consideration a large class of British claims. I regret, therefore, that the difficulties which have affected the relations of the two countries cannot yet be said to be entirely removed, though I trust that the negotiations now in progress may have this result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the action taken by the Greek Government in 1918–19 in carrying on the war with the Turkish Nationalists was approved by the British, French, and Italian Governments; whether, subsequently, any or all of the Allied Governments have expressed their disapproval of the fact or manner of the Greek operations; and, if so, upon what occasions?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to a similar question from him by the Prime Minister on the 6th instant, to which I cannot add anything.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been received from any British chamber of commerce concerned with trading to the Near East and Asia Minor regarding the grave financial loss involved to British traders and merchants by the continuation of a state of war between Greeks and Turks: and what steps have been taken by the British and Italian Governments to urge upon the French Government who have concluded a commercial treaty with the Turkish nationalists, the importance of securing an early peace in Asia Minor?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government continue in earnest discussion with their French and Italian allies as to the best means of arriving at a peace settlement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Central Commission of Reparations has demanded the surrender of 900 railway trucks from Bulgaria; whether these trucks are to be distributed among Serbia, Rumania, and Czecho-Slovakia; and whether, seeing that such removal of rolling stock is likely further to cripple the country, he will instruct the British representative on the Reparations Commission to secure the reconsideration of this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the Regulations governing the addition of overtime pay to salary for superannuation purposes?

I may refer the hon. Member to Section 28 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, and Section 2 of the Superannuation Act, 1850. The question whether overtime payments can be included among pensionable emoluments, and, if so, to what extent, depends on the circumstances of the employment, and is not governed by Regulations.

asked (1) the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state definitely the age from which Mr. W. R. Crawley, established warehouseman in the Stamp Section, General Poet Office, is entitled to count for superannuation purposes the unestablished portion of his service under the Inland Revenue Department; whether he will give instructions that, to allay uneasiness, each of the established non-clerical officers of the Stamp Section who were compulsorily transferred from the Inland Revenue Department to the General Post Office in 1914 shall be furnished with a statement as to the age from which their unestablished service will be reckoned for superannuation purposes;(2) the Postmaster-General why, if the question of superannuation so far as it affects the Stamp Section of the Post Office has not yet been actually settled, one officer has already been officially notified that his unestablished service will not count from the age of 16: whether he is aware that in March, 1915, the then Assistant Postmaster-General informed the representatives of the staff concerned that the, Treasury had been approached, and had agreed to recognise their claims: and whether he will now state the exact terms of this agreement referred to on that occasion by the said Assistant Postmaster-General?

Mr. Crawley's case has not yet been submitted to the Treasury, and no decision has been arrived at as regards the commencement of his pensionable service. The notification made to Mr. Crawley on the subject was premature. The undertaking given in 1915 was simply to the effect that the pension rights of the staff of the stamp section would not be affected by their transfer to the Post Office. This undertaking still stands.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. William S. G. Wear, a naval architect, of Walkerville, Newcastle-on-Tyne, who, holding an exemption certificate under the National Health Insurance Act, was compelled to pay contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Act whilst holding a temporary appointment extending over a period of four months from the 1st October, 1921, to the llth February, 1922, and was subsequently granted an unemployment exemption card; whether repeated applications to his Department for a refund of these contributions, amounting to 13s., have been refused; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Wear has been unemployed for a considerable period, and it is extremely unlikely that he can ever benefit by the provisions of the Act, and that the small sum in question is one of substantial importance to him, he will give instructions that the contributions deducted from Mr. Wear's wages during the, temporary appointment in question be returned to him?

I understand that the contributions which Mr. Wear claims should be repaid to him were paid prior to the date on which he obtained exemption from unemployment insurance. He already held an exemption certificate under the National Health Insurance Acts, but this did not exempt him from the payment of unemployment insurance contributions. If an employed person holding such a certificate desires to obtain exemption from unemployment insurance, he must make a definite application that the certificate granted to him under the National Health Insurance Acts shall be applied to unemployment insurance. The contributions paid by Mr. Wear before he was granted exemption from unemployment insurance were properly payable, and I have no power to authorise a refund of these contributions.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present cost of living as compared with 1914?

On 1st June, the latest date for which statistics have been completed, the average increase in the cost of maintaining the pre-War standard of living of working-class families, as indicated by the figures compiled by the Ministry of Labour, was approximately 80 per cent. above the level of July, 1914. The corresponding figure for 1st July is now being calculated and will be published on or before 18th July.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Ulster ladies who sold property under the Wyndham Land Act, 1903, Record E.C. 7434, Evelyn Thompson and others, at May, 1908, have not yet been paid; that the purchase money was lodged in the Bank of Ireland in Dublin to the credit of the estate on 21st June, 1921: that Messrs. Greer and Hamilton, of Ballymoney, County Antrim, have completed all legal requirements, and have urged the examiner to act on the copies of the rulings in their possession and pay over the moneys to the ladies, who have now been for more than a year without either principal or interest: and whether, in the circumstances of Messrs. Greer having completed the discharge of the rulings:, he can see his way to issue instructions for the immediate payment of the moneys?

I am in communication with the Estates Commissioners regarding this case, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I receive a reply.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of teachers who retired prior to April, 1919, in view of the Superannuation Act of that year; and whether he proposes to take immediate steps to remedy the discrimination between these teachers and those who retired subsequently to the passing of that Act?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 2nd March by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board to the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay (Colonel Burn).

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the serious state of decay of the facade of the terrace of the Houses of Parliament; and what steps he proposes to take to arrest the dilapidation?

The First Commissioner is fully aware of the serious disintegration of the stonework both on the terrace and in other parts of this building. A sum was provided in this year's Estimates to enable the Department to take steps to prevent damage from falling fragments. Meanwhile the whole question is receiving most careful consideration.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the continued prosecutions of ex-Inspector Syme; and whether, as this man's grievance was recognised to the extent of offering him reinstatement as a sergeant in the Metropolitan Police, he will consider other steps than the present-policy of imprisonment and release?

Syme's alleged grievance has been repeatedly considered by my predecessors and by myself, and no reason has been found for reopening the case. The necessity for constantly taking proceedings against Syme and for keeping careful watch upon his movements while he is at large is due to the fact that he persists in threatening to molest His Majesty and members of the Royal Family.

asked the Home Secretary who is responsible for the new notice of keep to the left; and if he has received representations that it would have been better to have altered our rule for vehicular traffic from the left to the right, in conformity to the almost world-custom?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question on this subject yesterday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the cause of the delay in the completion of the new road connecting Lee with Welling, Kent?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the new arterial road known as

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will state the amount of the actual or estimated expenditure on road improvement and maintenance by highway authorities in Great Britain during the year ended 31st March last; the estimated expenditure by the same authorities for the same purposes during the current year; the actual or estimated proportion of that expenditure in respect of which grants from the Road Fund have been or will be made: and the total actual or estimated grants from the Road Fund in respect of Class I and Class II roads, respectively, for each of the two years?

It is not yet possible to give actual figures but the estimated figures are as follow: