asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that all meat imported into this country must be ticketed and sold as such, he will take necessary steps, in the interests of agriculture and the oat- meal milling industry in Scotland, to make it compulsory for all imported oat- meal and rolled oats, from whatever)

—					British vessels.		Foreign vessels.
					No.	Tonnage.	No.	Tonnage.
Twelve months ended—
March, 1915	…	…	…	…	311	455,621	646	558,577
March, 1922	…	…	…	…	142	200,038	756	605,600

Figures for the calendar years 1914 and 1922 are not available. The figures given above relate to vessels (exclusive of junks), including their repeated

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 12th July to the hon. and gallant Member for East Fife (Sir A. Sprot).

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many gallons of motor spirit were imported into the United Kingdom during the last 12 months; and what proportion of these imports wore subsequently exported?

The quantity of motor spirit registered during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1922, as imported into the United Kingdom was 284,161,000 gallons. The quantity of motor spirit of foreign or colonial manufacture registered during the same period as reexported from the United Kingdom was 25,625,000 gallons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the numbers of British ships trading to Bangkok in 1914 and 1921; and what was the number for those years in comparison with the shipping of other countries?

The following statement, which has been compiled from the Bangkok Market Report and the Quarterly Record of the Siamese Board of Commercial Development, shows the number and tonnage of ships that entered the port of Bangkok with cargoes and in ballast during the 12 months ended March, 1915, and March, 1922, respectively:voyages, entering the port of Bangkok. The number of individual vessels represented cannot be stated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, considering the importance at the present time of increasing trade between this country and the South American Republics, and particularly with regard to the large British interests on the West Coast, he will reconsider the appointment of a Commercial Secretary at Santiago?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for the Moseley Division, Birmingham (Mr. Hannon), on Thursday, the 13th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the mark and the estimated difference between its external and internal value on 1st and on 10th July, respectively; and to what extent would a flat rate duty of 33⅓ per cent. in respect of goods imported from Germany on each of these two dates have been effective in counterbalancing any advantage derived by Germany in her export trade through the difference between the external and internal value of her currency?

The complete particulars necessary for the calculation of the differences referred to in the question are not available for either of the dates mentioned. So far as relates to 1st July, the partial information available indicates that the average level of wholesale prices in Germany was, at that date, about 80 to 90 times as high as in 1913. On the same date, the average wholesale prices of commodities in this country, expressed in marks at the rate of exchange of the day, were about 145 times as high as in 1913. If prices for export from Germany were the same as those on the internal markets of the country, a duty equal to one-third of the value would appear to offset something like three-fifths of the advantage derivable from the difference between the depreciation of the mark for internal and for external purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the cross-Channel paddle steamer "Pas do Calais" has recently been examined by his Department; whether he is satisfied as regards her seaworthiness; her age; and how long it is proposed to allow her to be used?

As stated, in reply to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on the 21st February last year, the steamer "Le Pas de Calais" sails under French Merchant Shipping Law and Regulations, which, under an arrangement made with the French Government several years ago, are recognised as being substantially equivalent to our own. Under this arrangement, the Board of Trade accept the passenger certificate issued to the vessel by the French authorities, after compliance with French Merchant Shipping Regulations. No inspection of the "Pas de Calais" is, therefore, made by the Board's surveyors. The vessel is about 23 years old.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the separate amounts by which the various railway companies in England have had their rates reduced owing to the revised assessments recently arranged by the National Assessment Committee?

I am sorry I am unable to give the information asked for, as the same is not in the possession of the Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he can give, for 1913 and for the latest accounting period, the respective percentages of English railway receipts paid out in dividends, placed to reserve and expended in maintenance, renewal, and development of tracks and equipment; and whether he has any information to the effect that charges on passenger and goods traffic have been kept high in recent months to enable the companies to show large receipts, dividends, and reserves which would assist them in negotiating for grouping or fusion?

I am unable to give figures for the railways in England and Wales, as distinct from Scotland, since during the period of control division of receipts between companies was suspended. The receipts of the companies in Great Britain from all sources, including compensation from the Government brought to account during the year 1921, amounted to about £306,000,000, and the dividends paid represented about 16 per cent. of this total as compared with 34 per cent. of the total receipts of £135,000,000 in 1913. The sums charged in respect of maintenance of way and works and rolling stock were £25,000,000 in 1913 and £86,000,000 in 1921. In the latter year certain companies were overtaking arrears of maintenance. The aggregate reserves for all purposes on the 31st December, 1913, 1920 and 1921 were £20,300,000, £75,700,000 and £95,400,000 respectively. The actual amounts set aside in 1913 are not known but in 1921 are seen to be £10,700,000, including a proportion of the first moiety of the lump sum payable under Section 11 of the Railways Act, 1921. I do not see how the level of rates, which applies equally to all companies, has any effect upon their negotiations with one another.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any orders have yet been given out for guns, gun-mountings, armour-plate, or machinery to be used in the new capital ships; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, orders were placed for the guns, gun-mountings and armour plate for the four battle cruisers originally contemplated before the construction of these ships was cancelled as a result of the Washington Naval Treaty. Work done on these items prior to suspension can be partly used for the two new battleships, but as the question whether the laying down of these two ships can be commenced at an earlier date than that provided for in the Navy Estimates is still under consideration, no definite contracts have yet been entered into for the hulls. machinery, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date Catterick aerodrome was handed over to the Disposal Board?

Instructions to hand over this aerodrome to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission were issued on the 15th instant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, as a result of his inquiries into the expenditure incurred in the building construction of the ordnance depot, Hilsea Lines, Portsmouth, and the removal of various stores to Didcot, he can now state the comparative cost of the upkeep of the two establishments?

The comparative costs of maintenance are, approximately, Didcot £234,000, Hilsea £80,000 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are missing from the British military forces in Ireland to-day or who have served in Ireland during the last two years any officers or other ranks; and what is the total number of officers and other ranks who have been either killed or reported missing during the last two years?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative. During the past two years, 47 officers and 118 other ranks have been killed in Ireland, and the numbers missing are 3 and 244 respectively. Included in the latter figure are men who have absented themselves from their units for various reasons, some of whom may have since rejoined. Inquiries were instituted several weeks ago to ascertain the exact number of these, but as some of them belonged to units which have now left Ireland and are serving overseas in India and elsewhere, some time must elapse before accurate figures are forthcoming.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if his attention has been called to the levy en masse in Ireland which has been proclaimed by the Provisional Government of Southern Ireland; and whether any financial obligation has been incurred by the British Government for payment of the present army and the armies proposed to be raised by the Provisional Government?

My attention has been drawn to the "Call to Arms" proclaimed by the Provisional Government, which I understand has been well responded to. It does not amount to anything like a levy en masse, and I understand that all the men needed will soon be obtained. No liability rests on the British Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that many old age pensioners dare not cultivate their allotments after they become widowers for fear lest ninepence a week should be stopped from their pensions; and if there is any Regulation in force to this effect?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the recalculation of an old age pensioner's means which has to be made when his wife dies in order to determine to what rates of pension (if any) he is then entitled. If the hon. and gallant Member has any special case in mind and will send me particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a credit balance of £139 was paid to the Treasury by the Official Receiver on 5th July, 1914, being the balance remaining after payment in full of all creditors on the estate of Mr. J. P. Wicks, now of 13, North Hill, Colchester, and that delay has occurred in the payment of this sum to Mr. Wicks; and whether he will take steps to expedite the matter?

I have been asked to reply. The facts are not correctly stated in my hon. Friend's question. The sum of £139 was the amount of certain dividends payable by the estate of Mr. J. P. Wicks to a company which had been dissolved and these dividends therefore belonged to the Crown as bond vacantia. Mr. Wicks is not entitled to payment of the amount in question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that R. M'Donnell, of Cockfield, county Durham, an ex-service man, who was twice wounded and had shell shock, and has only had 12 months' work since being demobilised due to the pit being stopped, and cannot find work, and has had his unemployed pay stopped for over three months by the unemployed tribunal, and the reason given was that his father and brother should keep him; that his father is 68 years of age and only has 13s. per week superannuation, and that his brother lost both feet in the War and has to have a motor cycle to take him to and from his work at Bishop Auckland, and it takes all he gets to pay for his tyres, other repairs, and petrol, without being called on to keep his brother; and if inquiries will be made into this case?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an unemployed crippled ex-service man selling chocolates on the Thames tow-path at Richmond was recently ordered away by the police as he had no permit to do so; whether he is aware that the Port of London Authority, who are the responsible body, will not grant permits; and, if so, will he take action whereby this man (and others), who has been unemployed for over 15 months and in receipt of unemployment benefit, will be given an opportunity to earn his livelihood in this manner?

I have on authority to interfere with the discretion of the Port of London Authority in this matter, but am communicating with the Authority and will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Home Secretary the cost of the administration of the Aliens Act at Newhaven, Sussex, in 1913 and 1921, respectively, and the number of passengers inspected in those two years, respectively?

The cost in 1913 was, approximately, £1,220 and in 1921, £2,890. The number of passengers examined in 1913 was 9,532 and in 1921, 22,274.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, taking the 50 largest towns in the country, he can give the amount spent by each education committee on free school meals: and. in each case, the amount per head of the population which the total presents?

The latest available statistics relating to the provision of meals by local education authorities are given in Appendix A of the Board's Circular 1261, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend thinks that this Appendix will give him what he requires though not in the exact form in which he has asked for it, and my right hon. Friend thinks he will agree with him that the school population as shown by the average attendance is a better index figure than the whole population.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the position in which the people of Manmoel (Mon.) find themselves in regard to water for drinking and domestic purposes; that there are farms without any supply whatsoever; and that farmers have to take their cattle, etc., long distances to another farm for the purpose of watering them; whether he will take steps to secure arrangements by which a supply may be conveyed to some central and convenient spot so as to remedy this inconvenience; and whether, seeing that prior to mining operations there was a plentiful supply, he will take powers to force the mineral owners to contribute to the cost of the same?

I am making inquiries as to this matter, and will communicate further with the hon. Member. There is no statutory authority for requiring the mineral owners to make a special contribution to the cost of the water supply.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is reverting to the policy of permitting the transaction of postal business till 8 p.m. instead of, as now, 7 p.m. in many industrial centres, and the despatch of letters up to 9: and whether he will take into consideration the fact that mills stopping at 5.30 does not leave workers adequate time to deal with letters and postal business at the earlier hours?

The normal hour of closing at all, except the largest, post offices is 7 p.m. I do not think that that hour unreasonably curtails public facilities, and I do not propose to restore the 8 p.m. closing. The time of the final despatch of letters depends on considerations which vary in different localities: if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing among business men in the country with reference to the Regulations laid down on the printed paper rate in his Department; and whether he will take into consideration the question of extending the time from 3.30 to a later hour so as to enable the printed papers to be delivered by the first post in the mornings?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Assistant Postmaster-General on the 6th of July to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Alfred T. Davies).

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to traders by the Regulations governing the printed paper postal rate and to the delay and consequent expense in the delivery of this class of postal matter, particularly that which occurs in the case of advice notes to consignees of goods: whether he is aware that the usual routine of business does not permit matter of this class to be posted before 3.30 p.m.; and will he take steps to remove this inconvenience?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Assistant Postmaster-General on the 6th of July to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Alfred T. Davies).

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total number of temporary female clerks employed in the Savings Bank Department, West Kensington, including the South Kensington branch; and how many of these women are employed upon women's work?

756 temporary female clerks are at present employed in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office; all of whom are engaged on duties which are regarded as proper to women. 248 of these women are employed on part-time duties only.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total number of temporary male clerks employed in the Savings Bank Department; and whether a number of these men have completed three years service in the Department without the possibility of promotion, and will he approach the Treasury with a view to the creation of unestablished posts for all efficient ex-service men employed in this Department?

240 temporary male clerks are at present employed in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office, 40 of whom have completed three years' service. Temporary ex-service clerks throughout the Civil Service have had or will have an opportunity of securing permanent posts by means of the special limited competitions recommended by Lord Lytton's Committee: and I regret that I am unable to see my way to approach the Treasury for the creation of a number of unestablished posts in the Savings Bank Department for ex-service men who may be unsuccessful at any of these limited competitions.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total number of ex-service men appointed to the Post Office Savings Bank from the special clerical class competition; how many of these men who have reached the officially recognised marrying age, namely, 24 years, are receiving a salary of £80 per annum basic; and will he give the total number of clerical officers of 21 years of age and under who have entered the Savings Bank Department through channels other than the special examination for ex-service men who are in receipt of more than £80 per annum basic salary?

245 ex-service men have been appointed to the clerical class in the Savings Bank Department of the Post Office from the special clerical class competition. 214 are 24 years of age or over, and in accordance with the recommendations in the Report of Lord Lytton's Committee, 126 of these were appointed at a basic salary of £80 per annum, equivalent with current cost of living bonus to an inclusive rate of £164 per annum. The other 88 were appointed at basic salaries ranging from £90 per annum to £135 per annum, and averaging £96 17s. 6d., which is equivalent with current cost of living bonus to an inclusive rate of £195 9s. 0d. 92 officers of 21 years of age or under have been appointed in the Savings Bank Department from other competitive examinations, and are in receipt of more than £80 basic salary. The average basic salary of these officers is £87 1s. 10d. per annum.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Crown lands, which include the site of the present 21, Regent Street branch post office, are being advertised to let by tender with the proviso that the post office must be rehoused on the site of the present No. 17, Regent Street: and whether he will give an assurance that the proposed rebuilding of this branch office is not intended to involve a reduction of the post office facilities in this area?

It is the case that the Post Office will have an option to acquire accommodation in the new building for rehousing the 21, Regent Street branch post office. I can assure my hon. Friend that before coming to any decision in the matter the fullest consideration will be given to the requirements of the public.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the delays to business occasioned in Scotland north of Edinburgh and Glasgow by breakdown through storm in the overhead telegraph trunk system, he will now proceed to have the system put underground with the view of remedying this defect at an early date, and at the same time providing work for the unemployed?

The provision of underground cables between Edinburgh or Glasgow and the North of Scotland would involve heavy expenditure, and cannot be undertaken at present. I fully appreciate, however, the importance of electrical communication to the fishing and other industries in the north of Scotland, and I have under consideration the questions of specially strengthening one of the overhead routes and of providing a wireless service between Stonehaven and a station in the south for use in emergency.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the observations of two members of the Court of Appeal upon the right of trial by jury; whether he is aware that the said right has been impaired by legislation; and if, and when, he will introduce amending legislation with a view to restoring trial by jury in civil proceedings?

I have been asked to answer this question. The whole matter is at present under the consideration of the Supreme Court Rule Committee, and will receive the consideration of the Lord Chancellor and of myself. The subject is too extensive to permit me to deal with it exhaustively by question and answer.