asked the Minister of Labour the number of Irish labourers of Irish Free State nationality who are now in receipt of the dole in this country?

I regret that the records of the Department do not enable me to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government accept responsibility for accidents to men employed in their training centres; and whether payments have been made in connection with any such accidents?

I assume that my hon. Friend's question refers to men under training in the centres. Trainees are not employed persons within the meaning of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, but it is the practice to make ex gratia payments to trainees who sustain an injury which, if it had occurred during employment, would have given a workman a claim to compensation under these Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour the reason why Frank Connor was disallowed benefit by the Dundee Court of Referees on 29th June, 1934, and the evidence upon which their decision was arrived at?

This claim to transitional payments was unanimously disallowed by a frilly constituted Court of Referees, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the record of the court's proceedings.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the letter sent by the Town Clerk of Dundee drawing his atten0tion to the case of Frank Connor, who was disallowed benefit by the Dundee Court of Referees on 29th June, 1934; and what answer he has returned?

Yes, Sir, and a reply will be sent in a day or so.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the percentages of unemployment in Scotland and England and Wales, respectively, in June of each of the years 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1932?

The following table shows, for England and Wales, and for Scotland, the percentage of persons insured against unemployment who were recorded as unemployed on the dates specified:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the success which has attended the provision of more modern and commodious open-air refreshment facilities in Hyde Park, he will consider the further extension of such arrangements at an early date, including the provision of all types of meals, alcoholic refreshment, etc.?

The more modern refreshment facilities which have already been provided are in Kensington Gardens, and, as I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North Kensington (Mr. J. Duncan) on 17th July, a drawing of the proposed extension to the Ring Tea House in Hyde Park is now exhibited in the Tea Room. The provision of meals is in the hands of a contractor, who is not restricted as to the scope of such provision, and I have given authority to the contractor to apply for a licence for the sale of alcoholic drinks with meals if he desires to make such application.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of inter- preters in German on the staffs of the Commander-in-Chief or the Admiral Superintendent at Portsmouth; and what arrangements are made for the attendance of interpreters on the occasion of a visit of a foreign warship or warships?

One naval officer in the Portsmouth Command is appointed as German interpreter for the port. In addition to this officer, four other officers qualified as German interpreters were available during the recent visit of the German cruisers. One of these officers was detailed to act as liaison officer for the period of the visit. When foreign warships visit British ports, steps are taken by the senior naval officer to detail Royal Navy officers qualified in the particular foreign language from among available personnel. The senior naval officer is assisted in this selection by the list published in the Navy List of all officers who have qualified as interpreters.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the half cut in Civil Service salaries has actually been paid from 1st July to any Civil servants; and if so, the grades which have benefited?

I understand that, as a general rule, in the case of staff paid weekly, payment has already been or will this week be made at the increased rates operative from 1st July. In the case of staff paid monthly, no payment, of course, falls to be made until the pay day at the end of the present month.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Borough of Brentford and Chiswick is anxious to repay the sum of £75,353 borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board over the period of 1926–28, but is unable to do so in view of the fact that a premium of £27,633 has been demanded on account of such premature repayment; and whether, in view of the large number of local authorities who would similarly like to repay such loans were it not for the excessive premium asked, he will consider the possibility of offering to the holders of Local Loans stock some alternative form of investment which will enable sufficient interest-saving to be effected to permit of the reduction of these premiums without loss to the Exchequer?

As explained in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. G. Griffiths) on 5th July, concessions of the character suggested could only be granted by asking the taxpayer to provide a direct subsidy for the relief of borrowers, a course which the Government is not prepared to take. The conditions under which Local Loans 3 per cent. stock is issued do not permit the Government to redeem the stock below par, and an offer of voluntary conversion would clearly be useless. As long as the price is below par, therefore, the suggestion made in the last part of the question is riot practicable.