asked the Minister of Labour what was the total sum of money deducted under the means test regulations, while temporarily in force, from the allowances of persons registered at the Shoreditch Employment Exchange?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. R. T. Evans) on 14th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour approximately the number of registered unemployed between the ages of 30 and 50 in the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Cumberland, separately if possible, and the present approximate cost of these unemployed men per annum to the country in unemployment benefit?

The current statistics are not compiled on a basis which would enable me to give the desired information, but some information as to the ages and length of unemployment of unemployed persons in the West Cumberland and Durham and Tyneside areas is given for May, 1934, and June, 1934, respectively on pages 25, 59 and 118 of the report (Cmd. 4728) of the investigations recently made into industrial conditions in these areas. No later statistics on this subject have been compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the yearly output of oil from the pipeline at Haifa?

The pipeline has only recently been opened, and so far as I am aware no figures of output have yet been published by the Iraq Petroleum Company.

asked the Minister of Health approximately the number of unemployed men who are receiving assistance from the public assistance committees in the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Cumberland, separately if possible, and the present approximate cost per annum of the assistance given?

The following statement gives the desired information so far as it is available. The figures include cases in which the primary cause of relief was sickness and not unemployment. Particulars as to out-relief to unemployed persons who are not registered at Employment Exchanges are not available.

County (including associated County Boroughs).	Average number of unemployed men registered at Employment Exchanges in receipt of out-relief in Jan., 1933.	Expenditure on out-relief in money and kind to unemployed persons registered at Employment Exchanges and their dependants during the twelve months ending 26th Jan., 1935.
		£
Durham	10,606	448,856
Northumberland	5,090	240,131
Cumberland	968	33,324

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the policy of the open door is still regarded as applying to Eastern Mongolia?

Yes, Sir. It applies to all parts of the Chinese Republic.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the records kept by Army medical officers showing the results of the vaccination or re-vaccination of recruits disclose more serious results during the last 10 years than during the preceding 10 years; and how many soldiers entered hospital during the last 10 years for treatment in consequence of the results of vaccination?

The number of soldiers who were admitted to hospital for treatment in consequence of the results of vaccination during the 10 years 1924 to 1933 was 3,873, the numbers decreasing from 507 in 1924 to 301 in 1933. I think it may be inferred from this decrease that the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The detailed local records referred to in my answer of 11th February are not available at the War Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education to what extent machines have been substituted for hand clerical labour in his Department; and what is the estimated annual saving deriving from the substitution, allowance being made for the purchase and/or renting of machines, maintenance thereof, and material used in connection therewith?

The hon. Member refers, I presume, not to the ordinary calculating and adding machines, which are a common feature of modern office equipment, but to the machines used for the preparation of the Board's statistics. Owing to changes in the Board's work and staffing since the machines were installed in 1928 on the centralisation of their statistical work,

year				Dartmouth.	Special Entry.		Commissions from Lower Deck.
					Executive.	Engineering.	Executive.	Engineering.
1930…	…	…	…	110	11	23	6	4
1931…	…	…	…	97	14	20	12	4
1932…	…	…	…	100	16	16	8	4
1933…	…	…	…	105	23	11	6	4
1934…	…	…	…	99	26	12	5	4
1935 (Estimated)		…	…	120	37	12	*	4

Year.				Paymaster Cadets.	First Appointment in the Royal Marines.
1930	…	…	…	19	10
1931	…	…	…	28	6
1932	…	…	…	26	16
1933	…	…	…	25	14
1934	…	…	…	28	25
1935(Estimated)			…	25	21
* The number actually promoted will depend largely on the qualifications of the candidates coming forward.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of mates (E) promoted to engineer-commander, the number of mates promoted to commander, the number of lieut.-commanders (ex-mate) in the zone for promotion to commander on 31st December, 1934; the reasons why none of these officers were selected; and whether it is intended that

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of cadets entered for Dartmouth College by the special entry scheme, executive and engineering; the commissions awarded to lower-deck ratings, executive and engineering; and the number of paymaster cadets and Royal Marine officers entered in the years 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and the numbers for this year?

The figures are as follow:no further lieut.-commanders (ex-mate) are to be promoted?

59 mates (E) have been promoted to engineer-commander. 12 lieut.-commanders ex-lower deck have been promoted to commander to date. The number of lieut.-commanders ex-lower deck in the promotion zone on 31st December 1934, was 22. These officers were considered for pro motion on their merits together with all other officers in the zone. In the future, as in the past, officers promoted from the lower deck will be considered on their merits as officers in the same way as all other officers in the promotion zone.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number and places where the Fleet selection boards for candidates for sub-lieutenant were held in 1934; the number of candidates interviewed and recommended for the petty-officers' course; the number who appeared before the final selection board; and the number who were awarded commissions?

The particulars are as follow: Fleet selection boards were held in 1934 in the Home, Mediterranean and China Fleets and in the Plymouth Command for general service ratings. There were no candidates on other stations. Nineteen candidates were interviewed. Ten of these were

Officer A	…	…	…	25 years 3½months	Average age 22 years 11 months.
Officer B	…	…	…	21 years 5 months
Officer C	…	…	…	21 years 10 months
Officer D	…	…	…	24 years 7 months
Officer E	…	…	…	22 years 0 months
Officer F	…	…	…	22 years 6½ months

They are due for promotion to lieutenant at the following ages:

Officer A	…	…	…	26 years 10½ months	Average age 24 years 9 months.
Officer B	…	…	…	22 years 10 months
Officer C	…	…	…	23 years 10 months
officer D	…	…	…	26 years 7 months
Officer E	…	…	…	23 years 9 months
Officer F	…	…	…	24 years 6½ months

The minimum, average and maximum ages at which Dartmouth and special entry cadets are promoted to sub-lieutenant and lieutenant are as follow:

—			Minimum.	Average.	Maximum.
To Sub-lieutenant:
Dartmouth	…	…	20 years 5 months…	20 years 9½ months	21 years 2 months.
Special Entry	…	…	20 years 1 month…	20 years 9 months	21 years 5 months
To Lieutenant:
Dartmouth	…	…	21 years 6 months…	22 years 10 months	24 years 2 months.
Special Entry	…	…	21 years 2 months…	22 years 9½ months	24 years 5 months

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the positions obtained in the various classes, the certificates gained, prizes won, amount of accelerated promotion obtained, and the dates

asked the First Lord of the. Admiralty the ages of the six sublieutenants (ex-lower deck) on the date of their commissions, and the age of Dartmouth and special entry cadets when commissioned; and the age of the six sublieutenants (ex-lower deck) on the date they are due for promotion to lieutenant, and the age of Dartmouth and special entry cadets on promotion to lieutenant?

The particulars are as follow: the ages of the six sub-lieutenants (ex-lower deck) selected in 1933, on the date of their commissions as sub-lieutenants were as follow:of promotion to lieutenant for the first class of six sub-lieutenants promoted from the lower deck?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in present circumstances the pensions of many established Admiralty civil servants are insufficient to enable them to maintain their families without taking additional work; and whether, on that account, he will now consider arranging for the Unemployment Statutory Committee to examine the possibility of allowing such civil servants to contribute to unemployment insurance so that they may qualify for benefit on leaving Admiralty employ?

I am not aware of any special disabilities affecting established Admiralty civil servants in particular. The provisions of the Superannuation Acts under which the amount of pension is dependent upon length of service and upon pay at the date of retirement, and also the rule that established civil servants are excepted from unemployment insurance because of the conditions of their employment, apply to all established civil servants, and I am not prepared to ask for special treatment for those in the Admiralty service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Kate Davies, daughter of the late Private No. 6,058, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action on 11th June, 1915, is a confirmed invalid, being an imbecile; and whether, having regard to this fact, he will look into the case with a view to the re-issue of war orphan's allowance which ceased on 10th May, 1923?

I have no authority to re-issue allowances which ceased 12 years ago in favour of the young person referred to. It is a long established principle that pensions' liability for children should not extend at the utmost beyond the attainment of their majority, and although an exception has been made as regards the special and limited class of young persons who become motherless as well as fatherless before reaching the age of 21, I cannot hold out any hope of a departure from the decision of the late Labour Government that the concession must be limited to that class.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to introduce legislation providing the compulsory registration and licensing of window cleaners, both masters and workmen, on the lines of the Glasgow Corporation Police Acts, 1866 to 1925?

I see no prospect of the Government undertaking to introduce legislation to deal with this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now completed his inquiries regarding the town clerk of Kensington acting as clerk to the justices when dealing with summonses for the non-payment of rates; and whether he will take steps to ensure the discontinuance of such a practice in this and other boroughs?

I have been considering this matter. The present practice, which is a survival from ancient procedure, is authorised by Statute, and could only be altered by fresh legislation. The point has been noted for consideration when an opportunity for legislation occurs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated number of eggs produced in this country during 1934, with separate figures for Lancashire; and what the percentage increase or decrease was in 1933?

The estimated number of hen eggs produced on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in 1934 was 3,179 millions in England and Wales and 431.7 millions in Lancashire. These figures represent increases of 1.6 and 1 per cent. respectively compared with 1933.

asked the Home Secretary how many applications have been

Country whence Imported.			1930.	1931.	1932.	1933.	1934
			Haikwan Taels.	Haikwan Taels.	Gold Units.	Gold Units.	Gold Units.
France	…	…	50,880	39,166	208,439	36,769	756,138
Italy	…	…	21,068	270,900	394,489	816,956	241,774
Great Britain	…	…	141,235	550 541	604 372	217,553	376,007
United States	…	…	2,816,258	3,074,649	516,763	4,594,544	3,193,008

I will give the figures for 1934 and 1935 to date for the boroughs of Bethnal Green, Stepney, Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington. In 1934, 36 applications were received and four—all new ones—were refused. This year 26 applications have already been received, four have been granted, 16 are still under consideration, and in six cases—all previously approved—permission has been withheld. In every case the Commissioner of Police has acted on the advice of his advisory committee.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information as to the value of the imports into China for aeronautical material from America, France, Italy, and from this country for each of the last five years?

The following statement shows the value of aircraft and accessories (including those for use of the Army and Navy) imported into China from France, Italy, Great Britain and the United States during each of the years 1930 to 1934.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can furnish any statistics showing imports of cotton piece goods into the Colonial Empire from the United Kingdom since quotas were introduced, giving comparative figures for the period immediately preceding their introduction?

I have called for reports showing the effect on. United Kingdom trade of the introduction of quotas on the importation of cotton and artificial silk piece goods into

STATEMENT showing comparative figures of imports of Cotton and Artificial Silk piece goods from the United Kingdom into certain Colonies, etc., during the first and last quarters of 1934.
Colony, etc.			Unit.	Cotton Piece Goods.		Artificial Silk Piece Goods.
				1st Quarter of 1934.	4th Quarter of 1934.	1st Quarter of 1934.	4th Quartet of 1934.
Bahamas	…	…	sq. yds.	73,499	300,139	—	11,017
Barbados	…	…	yds.	632,487	3,273,770	13,828	123,814
Jamaica	…	…	yds	1,402,202	6,388,243	95,201 (a)	347,025
Trinidad	…	…	sq yds.	1,007,520	2,153,256	6,949	252,580
Windward Islands—
Grenada	…	…	yds.	143,782	348,367	1,428	21,123
St. Lucia	…	…	yds.	70,284	212,982	(b)	(b)
St. Vincent	…	…	yds.	58,208	204,484	381 (c)	18,334 (c)
Cyprus	…	…	yds.	277,724	755,093	2,952	4,977
Nigeria	…	…	sq. yds.	9,048,128	13,970,764	199,319	427,042
Gold Coast	…	…	sq. yds	3,372,224	10,648,241	54,625	472,988
Sierra Leon	…	…	sq. yds	1,066,517	1,382,272	39,641	54,553
Gambia	…	…	sq. yds	413,885	749,023	3,053	19,314
Ceylon	…	…	yds.	1,792,763	5,996,835	40,556	298,471
Malaya	…	…	yds.	6,826,000	6,625,000 (d)	89,000	84,000(d)

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount realised by tile export duty on raw jute in each of the last five financial years?

The gross amount of export duty collected in India on raw jute in each of the five years ending 31st March, 1934, was as follows:

Year.			Rs.
1929–30	…	…	1,98,84,812
1930–31	…	…	1,48,51,593
1931–32	…	…	1,44,07,568
1932–33	…	…	1,36,68,905
1933–34	…	…	1,77,56,148

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount realised by the export duty on jute products in each of the last five financial years?

The gross amount of export duty collected in India on jute manufactures in each of the five years ending 31st March, 1934, was as follows:

Year.				Rs.
1929–30	…	…	…	2,67,39,478
1930–31	…	…	…	1,95,76,732
1931–32	…	…	…	1,65,93,642
1932–33	…	…	…	1,70,78,097
1933–34	…	…	…	1,69,10,704

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will submit particulars for each of the years 1929 to 1934, showing as follows: British exports of tin plates and coal to Belgium; Belgian exports of tin-plate bars to Britain; Belgian imports of tin plates from Germany; and German imports of bars from Belgium?

The following statements show the desired information, so far as it is available. Particulars of the trade in tin-plate bars or bars are not separately distinguished in the trade returns of Belgium or Germany, respectively.

I.—Exports of United Kingdom goods consigned to Belgium.
Year.		Tinned Plates.	Coal.
		Tons.	Tons.
1929	…	23,366	4,139,634
1930	…	20,823	3,444,715
1931	…	9,790	1,979,321
1932	…	8,702	1,590,549
1933	…	6,619	1,430,883
1934	…	2,334	972,404