asked the Postmaster-General the capital value per telephone at which the Post Office acquired from the National Telephone Company the then existing installation; the present capitalisation per telephone; and how this compares with that of other countries?

I do not think that any useful comparison can be made of costs of equipment provided during the 30 years from 1882 to 1912 with the costs of modern equipment the great part of which was purchased post-war. I have seen the figures £23 and £77 quoted as the capital value per instrument of the Post Office installation in 1912 and to-day respectively. The former figure is apparently arrived at by dividing the purchase price fixed by the arbitrator in the proceedings between the Telephone Company and the Post Office by the number of telephone stations then in service, and it makes no allowance for a large sum fixed for depreciation. The latter figure includes a large item for trunk plant, while the National Telephone figure relates exclusively to local line plant. The National Telephone system consisted almost wholly of magneto and other relatively cheap forms of plant; the Post Office system includes a great quantity of automatic plant which is even more costly than high-grade modern manual plant. So far as the cost per telephone in other countries is concerned, it is difficult again to make any useful comparison between costs in different countries under different conditions, but in a comparison of the costs between this country and, for instance, America, due regard must be made to the lower telephone density in Great Britain, and particularly to the objection hi this country to the use of overhead plant, and to the extended use of underground cables.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the modifications in the relationship between the Exchequer and the Post Office, which he has announced have been approved by the Government, will require legislation?

Yes, Sir. I have now been advised that legislation will be necessary, and the exact proposals to be placed before Parliament are now being considered.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the last postal delivery in the county borough of Walsall is at 4 p.m.; and whether he will establish a later delivery for the convenience of the inhabitants?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the number of claims outstanding for pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts; and the average time taken to deal with a widow's claim to pension and the claim of an insured person to old age pension?

The number of claims for pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts awaiting decision in England and Wales on 15th December was 24,999. The average time taken to deal with a claim for a widow's pension under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, is 26 days, and for a widow's pension under the Act of 1929, 45 days, while for an old age pension the average period is 35 days. I would remind the hon. Member that in the case of the last two pensions, the claim for pension may be made at any time within four months prior to the date on which the specified age is reached.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average yield per acre of the potato crop in England and Wales in each of the years 1923 to 1932, inclusive?

The estimated average yield per acre of potatoes in England and Wales in each of the years 1923–1932 was as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will supply a list of the local education authorities which have not yet adopted the Education (Provision of Meals) Act?

The list is as follows:LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITIES which are taking no action, at present, under Sections 82–84 of the Education Act, 1921.