asked the Secretary of State for War the daily average cost per head of victualling the personnel of the Army for the years 1912 and 1913, and for the years 1934 and 1935; and what substantial changes have taken place during these periods with regard to the quality or quantity of the food supplied?

The approximate daily figures at home are 7.9d. for 1912, 7.8d. for 1913, 9.17d. for 1934 and 9.37d. for 1935. It is not possible to make a direct comparison between the quality and quantity of the present day ration and that in issue before the War, but the allowance for articles of diet, other than bread and meat, has been approximately doubled since 1913, and this increase, after allowing for increase in market prices, undoubtedly and designedly gives the troops a higher standard of ration.

Why is chilled meat supplied to the troops at the present time, whereas British meat was previously supplied?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many recruits have been obtained for the Regular Army since the beginning of the current year; and the corresponding figure for last year?

The number of recruits obtained for the Regular Army during the first five months of this year was 10,371, and in the corresponding period of last year 12,229.

Does the Minister still think there is hope that we shall get the recruits required to complete the establishment this year?

I should not like to abandon hope.

Will you ever be able to get them until you remove margarine from the dietary?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in view of the improvements made by successive occupiers on the smallholding at Woodhouse, Tarbert, Argyll, including 6½ acres tile draining, convoying a water supply to the holding, building an additional room, erecting a large wooden shed, lining ceiling of dwelling-house, enlarging kitchen fireplace, and fitting in range, etc., he will arrange for its continuance as a small land holding and prevent these improvements being taken over without compensation by the landowner?

My information as to the circumstances is that a voluntary agreement as to compensation was arrived at between the landlord and the outgoing tenant. I understand that the dwelling-house is dilapidated, and as the landlord is not bound by law to re-let the holding, I cannot take any action in the matter.

Has the Scottish Office no power at all to safeguard crofting tenants in such parts as Tarbert?

The tenant could have made a claim to the land court, but decided not to do so, I presume on his own initiative. If the hon. Member has any further information and will send it to me, I shall be happy to look into it.

Is it not a fact that the Scottish Office has the powers, and has exercised them in the past, in cases where poverty struck, as it struck in this case, in order to save a man who was doing valuable work on the land?

The tenant had his rights, and could have appealed to the land court, had he desired to do so. He did not do so, and I presume he did not think it desirable.

He had not the money.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the amount paid out in public assistance in Linlithgowshire for the year ended on the latest convenient date and similar particulars for the preceding five years, showing the number of persons involved in each period;

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the price of oats in Aberdeen on 1st June, 1936, 1935 and 1925?

The price of oats at Aberdeen on 1st June, 1936, was 4s. 10d. per cwt., and on 1st June, 1935, 6s. 8d. per cwt. The Department's records of the price of oats at Aberdeen date only from the year 1929; the price at Mont-rose, the nearest market for which records are available, was 9s. 6d. per cwt. on 1st June, 1925.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland particulars of any instances brought to his notice during the last 12 months of food of any description fit for human consumption having been destroyed; whether he will state the reasons in each case for the destruction; whether action was taken under his authority before or since the food was destroyed; and whether it is his intention to seek any further powers he may have found necessary to prevent such waste?

(2) the total amount paid out by public assistance committees in Edinburgh and Leith, if possible separately, for the year ended on the latest convenient date and similar information for the preceding five years, showing the number of persons in each period?

As the answers involve a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL EEPOET.

According to the information possessed by the Scottish Departments concerned, the position in Scotland for the year ended 31st May, 1936, is as follows: Approximately 1,200 tons of herring and 50 tons of other fish were destroyed at ports in Scotland. These amounts represent less than ½ per cent. of the total landings in Scotland, namely, 275,000 tons. The principal reasons were that supply was in excess of market demand, and that the fish was of poor quality. There was also a small quantity of milk which could not be utilised economically on non-school days. I am not aware of any other instances. I have no authority to take any action in the matter. As regards the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Member, so far as fish is concerned, to the answers given to similar questions by the hon. Member for Bradford, Central (Mr. Leach) on 25th May and the right hon. Member for the Western Division of Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. Johnston) on 26th May.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the position, for example, as it prevailed at Lerwick last Saturday, when 2,500 crans of herring were unsold, when an appeal was made by telegram to the Herring Board and a reply was received after 16 hours, saying that a letter was being sent? The letter will hardly be there now. Does he think that that is a satisfactory way to deal with important foodstuffs, or does he claim that those herring were also of bad quality?

I have looked into the matter and have given it consideration this morning. It is not free from difficulty. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Herring Board is fully alive to the serious consequences of such instances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recommendations of the board that so many fishing boats should not be congregated at one port at one time are being disregarded, and does that not necessarily mean gluts of fish at one port while starvation may exist at another?

From the information I have—and I speak subject to correction—I gather that the main reason was that there was an exceptionally large catch of fish outside that port on that particular day. It appears to be very difficult for any amount of skilled organisation to overcome that transitory difficulty.

May I ask, while supporting the statement made from the other side by the right hon. Gentleman for West Stirling (Mr. T. Johnston), if the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland will bring to the notice of the proper authorities the point that it is in any case wrong to allow boats to go to sea to catch immature fish three weeks before the season opens?

In respect to the part of the right hon. Gentleman's reply which dealt with milk, could not some method be devised to distribute the milk on non-school days?

I will bring that point before the Milk Marketing Board.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the question put by the hon. Member for Farnham (Sir A. M. Samuel)?

I have already looked into this matter this morning, and I will bring it to the notice of the Herring Industry Board to see what steps can be taken to achieve what we all desire.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the district selling organisations to be set up under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, will be under an obligation to supply coal of the quality required by the consumers?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in any selling schemes under Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, he will insert provisions to ensure that there shall be an obligation to supply coal of the description and quality required; that there shall be no unfair discrimination as between one consumer and another; and that there shall be a right of appeal to some impartial and judicial tribunal in order to guarantee that the consumer shall be protected?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the proposed district selling organisations will be under a statutory obligation similar to that imposed upon gas, water, and electricity undertakers, to the effect that no undue preference should be shown to any consumer or class of consumers?

I would remind the hon. Members that Parliament has conferred no power on me to insert provisions in the schemes in force under Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930. The initiative in this matter rests with the coalowners. I have no reason to believe that consumers will be unable, in the future, to obtain the coal they require, but I do not think it is practicable, in the case of a raw material like coal, to make it a statutory obligation that the description and quality asked for must be supplied. I would, however, refer the hon. Members to the provision in the draft Orders now before the House for ensuring the maintenance of quality. With regard to the possibility of discrimination between consumers, the basis of the operation of these schemes must be fairness and equity, and if in any case there is unfair discrimination the consumer has a right of appeal to Committees of Investigation which have already been set up in each district, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the 1930 Act, to deal with complaints from consumers.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider inserting a Clause in the new Bill, which I understand is to be introduced in the autumn, giving him power to prevent undue preference to certain consumers, so as to secure that public utility societies will buy coal at the right price?

I have dealt in my answer with the position as it is to-day, with the existing powers. Any question of future powers is another matter.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the coal-owners or the consumers will be the judges of the quality that the consumers require?

Is the Minister fully seized of the fact that there is grave anxiety on the part of consumers and undertakers, and will he take that fact fully into consideration with a view to making what modifications may be necessary?

I assure the hon. Member that that fact had not escaped my notice, but there will be an opportunity of discussing these matters when the draft Orders relating to the Central Scheme come up for approval in this House, and I think it will be within the Rules of Order to raise all these points there, where they can be much better dealt with than by question and answer at the present moment.

May I have a reply to my question?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will cause to be set up in each district, in connection with the selling schemes under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, an effective tribunal to deal with complaints as to undue preference and other matters arising from the working of the schemes?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement in respect of any further safeguards for coal consumers under the coal selling schemes proposed to be set up under the Coal Mines Act, 1930?

Consumers will be entitled to appeal to the Committees of Investigation set up in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the Coal Mines Act, 1930. I have already informed the Conjoint Conference of Public Utility Undertakings that I am prepared to consider any suggestions they may make, within the limits imposed by the Statute, for strengthening these committees, and I shall, of course, be prepared to give careful consideration to similar suggestions made by any other bodies.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend give an undertaking that, when the new Coal Mines Bill is introduced in the autumn, opportunity will be taken to insert the safeguards required?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams) always supported the setting up of the investigating committee under the Agricultural Marketing Bill, which was the only safeguard that the consumers had?

Sir Percy Harris.

On a point of Order. I asked a supplementary question, and there was a facetious comment from the benches opposite. May I have an answer?

I am not prepared to assume, as my hon. Friend does at the moment, that there are no safeguards.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will arrange, in connection with the new district selling organisations, that public utility undertakers and other large users of coal shall have access to the prices at which different classes of coal are sold to different classes of consumers?

I am not prepared to press upon the coal industry a proposal which would, in effect, mean a complete disclosure to their customers of all their commercial transactions.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will take steps to include a provision in the proposed central and district selling schemes to spread the liability of maintaining the export coal trade over the whole industry, and also arrange for the draft schemes to be made available to Members of Parliament before he agrees to them?

In answer to the first part of the question, I would refer to the reply I gave on 26th May to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and to the reply given to-day to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson). I am not prepared to accept the proposal contained in the second part of the question. Under the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, it is provided that the detailed amendments of the schemes within the scope of the draft Orders which have been laid before Parliament shall be approved by the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether anything has been done to deal with the problem of flooding in the mining area of South-West Durham; whether anyone has been appointed to make a special survey of this area; and, if so, when will a report be issued?

Yes, Sir In August last the South-West Durham Reconstruction and Development Board appointed an eminent mining engineer to make an industrial survey of the coal mines in South-West Durham, with special reference to the water problem. I understand that this gentleman's report is likely to be ready for submission to the board at the end of next month.

asked the Prime Minister whether, when he introduces the Bill dealing with mining royalties, he will see that it contains provisions to compensate local authorities and others who have suffered damage through displacement of the surface caused by the removal of underground strata?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot anticipate the terms of the Bill, but generally its object will be to unify the ownership of mineral rights in coal and not to alter the existing law relating to support.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House when the Bill is likely to be introduced? Will it be this Session?

I am afraid that I cannot make any statement about that matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines the age at which boys are permitted to work in the mines of France, Germany, Holland and Russia, and the maximum hours they are permitted to work each day?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving this information as far as it is available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys between 14 and 15 years of age and between 15 and 16 years of age who were injured fatally and non-fatally in first shift and second shift, respectively, in the counties of Durham and Northumberland during the years 1933, 1934 and 1935?

I regret it is not possible to divide the accidents satisfactorily between the different shifts worked, but, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the available figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, when an accident occurs, the time of the accident is duly recorded? If that be so, where is the impracticability of separating these shifts for the purpose of giving the information for which I ask? Is the hon. and gallant

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Messrs. Richard Thomas and Company, Limited, of Swansea, intend to proceed with their plans to erect a new strip mill at Irthlingborough, which is causing grave, concern as to the future prospects of the tinplate industry in Llanelly and district, which provides employment for many thousands of workmen; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this company from destroying the economic life of a large community?

I have seen reports in the Press regarding the programme of future development said to be under consideration by the company to which the hon. Member refers. I do not gather from those reports that that programme is calculated to have the effect suggested in the latter part of the question.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the chambers of commerce and all the councils in the area believe that it will have a very bad effect, and has he not received representations of that kind?

I am quite well aware that the moving of an industry or a portion of an industry from one district to another may have some detrimental effects, but I had pleasure in reading in the speech referred to in the question that the speaker said that the existing works in South Wales would remain in operation for many years.

In view of the variations in the speech of this gentleman, would not the right hon. Gentleman suggest that some understanding should be arrived at so that apprehensions may be brought immediately to an end?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have had representations from time to time, and I am keeping in close touch.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds he has declined to permit the re-importation by Messrs. Robert Farnworth, Limited, of Bolton, of a quantity of artificial silk yarn sent to Italy for special processing before sanctions had come into operation?

The only dispensing power possessed by the Board of Trade in respect of the prohibition of importation of Italian goods is that conferred by Article 1 of the Treaty of Peace (Covenant of the League of Nations) No. 2 Order, 1935. This Article provides that the Board of Trade may authorise by licence the importation of any goods consigned from or grown, produced or manufactured in Italian territory if they are satisfied that the price of the goods was wholly paid on or before 10th October, 1935. In the case referred to by my hon. Friend, a payment to a concern in Italy is outstanding in respect of the processing carried out there and there are, therefore, no grounds on which a Board of Trade licence to import the goods could be issued.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a permit to allow them to import a quantity of goods equal to the value of the goods which they themselves sent? Is not this a sanction against Bolton and not against Italy?

If a suggestion of that kind is put forward, I shall be pleased to examine it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give comparative figures showing the total trade with Italy of Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom, respectively, during the first quarter of 1935 and of 1936?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the value up to date to Yugoslavia of the tariff concessions granted to her imports into the United Kingdom as compensation for the losses which she incurred as the result of the imposition of sanctions against Italy?

The tariff concessions in question related to dead poultry (turkeys and fowls) and eggs in shell; in addition, certain increased imports of bacon were permitted. It is not possible to frame any exact estimate of the value of these concessions to Yugoslavia, but in the period January to April, 1936, inclusive, the imports of eggs in shell and bacon from Yugoslavia were higher by slightly over £30,000 as compared with the corresponding period of 1935, while the imports of dead poultry were less by some £33,000.

Is it not true that friendly relations, even business relations, with Yugoslavia are very important to this country at present?

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds His Majesty's Government are giving compensation to Yugoslavia for losses suffered as a result of the imposition of sanctions against Italy, and at the same time are refusing to give compensation to British subjects who have suffered similar losses?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the refusal of His Majesty's Government to pay compensation to British subjects for losses incurred as a result of the application of sanctions against Italy is on the grounds of principle or due to administrative difficulties?

The decision of His Majesty's Government that compensation cannot be granted for losses attributable to the sanctions imposed on Italy, was reached on grounds of principle. The provision of compensation for losses sustained as the result of sanctions would involve making similar provision from public funds for losses of trade or employment due to other causes. The grant of special facilities in the United Kingdom market for the import of limited quantities of certain Yugoslav produce, rests on different considerations as explained in the reply given to questions by my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Newbury (Brigadier-General Clifton Brown) and Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte) on 10th February last.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this differentiation to the detriment of British subjects is equitable?

I am afraid I could not accept the hon. Member's description of the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that samples of Coronation goods are being received by agents for such goods in Canada; and whether he will approach the Canadian Government with a view to negotiating a temporary increase in duty on such foreign articles, in order that British manufacturers may have a fair opportunity of supplying the Canadian market?

I would remind my hon. Friend that United Kingdom manufacturers of these goods in general already enjoy tariff preferences in Canada.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what extra tonnage of cargo was carried between 1932 and 1936 by British ships as a result of the increase in outward and inward cargoes between the United Kingdom and those countries with which Ottawa Agreements were concluded; what proportion of this increased tonnage is represented by imports from the Dominions; and what approximately is the total freight value of such increase to British shipping?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is unable to say whether any advantage has accrued to British shipping from the Ottawa Agreements?

No. That would be a very foolish deduction.

If that is a foolish deduction, would the right hon. Gentleman give us the right deduction?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the report of the Indian Tariff Board will be published; and what action the Government of India is taking in relation thereto?

I am informed that the Government of India will shortly be in a position to announce their decisions on the report of the Indian Tariff Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft were exported under licence in the years 1934, 1935, and in the first four months of 1936?

Under the open general licence of the Board of Trade 298 complete aeroplanes were exported during 1934, 453 during 1935, and 133 during the first four months of 1936.

asked the hon. And gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry' Commissioners, how many acres of land have been finally secured, and the situation of such land, under the scheme of forestry for alleviating unemployment in the Special Areas?

None has yet been finally secured.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are thousands of men in the Special Areas waiting for this scheme to be started?

It would be quite impossible to do any afforestation until November, even if there were hundreds of acres.

asked the hon. And gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many roe deer have been killed by direction of the Forestry Commission since that Commission started operations?

Records of roe deer killed by direction of the Forestry Commission prior to 1933 have not been kept. In each of the last three years approximately 390 have been killed.

Are we to understand that it is the policy of the Commissioners to exterminate these deer in the woods over which they have control?

Certainly not. Roe deer are increasing rapidly and steadily.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any further information to give the House regarding his discussions with employers of labour on the question of a reduction of working hours?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any further statement upon the outcome of his conversations with industrial representatives with reference to a shorter working week in industry, and the date of the most recent discussion?

No further meetings have taken place since those referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on 21st May. As a result, however, of my right hon. Friend's meeting with representatives of the distributive trade the organisations agreed to appoint representatives with whom the Department could consult for the further examination of the position with regard to wages, hours and working conditions in those trades, and communications have been received from other organisations who wish to be associated with these discussions. As pointed out in the previous reply, the principal effect of the discussions has been to cause closer attention to be given to the question relating to absorption of more workpeople into employment, but my right hon. Friend proposes to have a report prepared on the discussions for the information of those interested.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention been called to the reduction of hours in France, which will materially affect any negotiations with regard to industrial hours?

When is it expected that the report will be made public?

My right hon. Friend wishes to present the report as soon as he reasonably can.

Will it be this Session?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment have reviewed the system of authorised courses and the question of providing meals in the various centres; and, if so, will he state the result of their deliberations?

My right hon. Friend has lately asked the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment to review the system of authorised courses. It is anticipated that the Council will include in their deliberations the question of the provision of meals in Junior Instruction Centres.

Is it possible to expedite these inquiries, as no less than 77 per cent. of the boys attending these junior instruction centres are certified to be suffering from malnutrition?

I do not think it is ever the desire that an inquiry on such a subject should take longer than is necessary, and I am sure that is the case here.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the matter has been before the Department for 12 months, and nothing has been done?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has been reached to introduce legislation at an early date to give effect to the recommendations of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee for the insurance of non-manual workers?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that continued delay on the part of the Government is causing the most serious disappointment to hundreds of thousands of people for whom no provision whatever has been made, and does he recall that there was something in the nature of a promise in the manifesto of the Government at the last Election?

My answer simply indicated that no decision had yet been reached about legislation.

Would it not be a good thing to put a woman on that council?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a statement concerning the new regulations for the administration of unemployment assistance?

There is nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on this matter in the Debate on the Adjournment before the Recess.

Is the Minister of Labour bearing in mind the fact that many of the supporters of the Government at the General Election stated that certain aspects of the means test having a bearing on family life would receive early attention?

I think that the Minister is bearing very closely in mind all the Election statements made by the Government.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Minister promised to produce his Regulations after Easter, that Easter has long since passed, and that it is now nearly midsummer?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the great increase in the number of immigrants into Great Britain from the Irish Free State; whether he is aware that approximately 57,000 persons have emigrated from the Free State to the United Kingdom from 30th March, 1932, to 30th March, 1936; and whether he can make a statement to the House as to the effect of this immigration on employment in Great Britain?

The number of immigrants into Great Britain from the Irish Free State is not recorded, but such information as is available indicates that the figure mentioned is an overestimate. That figure roughly corresponds to the net movement of passengers between Great Britain and the Irish Free State, but it would be unsafe to conclude that this represents the number of persons remaining in Great Britain. So far as the effect of this immigration on employment in this country is concerned I would remind my hon. Friend that the number of insured persons in employment increased by 1,113,000 during the period to which he refers.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that, at any rate, there are very large numbers of workers coming from the Irish Free State to this country and taking jobs which would otherwise be available for English and Scottish workers, while, at the same time, English and Scottish workers in the Free State are precluded from taking employment; and does he not think that there should be some reciprocity in this matter?

Is it not true that it is almost a scandal the way Irishmen are pouring into Liverpool, and yet we cannot obtain any answer as to how many are coming in and getting permanent jobs in this country?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman also consider the advisability of workers from Northern Ireland not being allowed into England?

They are different.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the total annual cost of a scheme of old age pensions for all employed persons with an income of less than £500 a year to operate at 60 years of age at the rate of £1 per week for the recipient and £1 per week for the recipient's wife?

The hon. Member will realise that calculations of this sort, of which there may be innumerable variants, involve very considerable labour. He will find very full information on the subject in the speech of the then Financial Secretary on 21st February, 1934, and perhaps he will be good enough to consider whether the figures there given, showing a net cost of £207,000,000 a year for a scheme on the general lines of that suggested in his question though with rather different assumptions, do not really give him in general the information he requires.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider whether a refund of Stamp Duty might be permitted upon the revocation of those educational trusts the income under which it is now proposed should be aggregated with the parent's income for the purpose of Income Tax?

No, Sir; I fear I cannot accept this suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many licences for male servants were issued for the year ended March, 1936; the total sum thus obtained, the approximate cost of collection, and the number of county and county borough councils engaged in collecting this tax?

The latest particulars of the Male Servant Licence Duty at present available are those for the year ended 31st March, 1935, and in that year the number of licences issued was 174,248 and the amount of duty paid £130,670. I have no information as to the approximate cost of collection of the duty. The number of county and county borough councils concerned is 146.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) what total weekly contribution would be necessary to allow an increase in the old age pensions of married couples to 30s. at 65 years of age and at 60 years of age, respectively;

(2) what total weekly contribution would be necessary to reduce the old age pension age to 60, and to pay pensions of 15s. per week or of £1 per week, respectively;

(3) what total weekly contribution would be necessary to pay an invalidity pension of £1 per week to males and to females, respectively, on retirement by reason of invalidity prior to pensionable age?

I am afraid that it would be a formidable task to work out the addition to contributions which would be necessary to cover ultimately each of the six specified extensions of the benefits of the social insurance schemes which are involved (including alternatives) in the hon. Member's questions. Moreover, if—as I assume to be the intention—such extensions were to be brought into immediate operation, a charge would have to be imposed on the Exchequer (additional to any share which it bore of the contributions) until the time, many years ahead, when the pension list consisted entirely of persons who had contributed on the extended basis since their entrance into industry. Each of the hon. Member's suggestions involves such heavy cost as to render it impracticable, and in the circumstances I do not feel justified in incurring the expense necessary to the Calculation of the contributions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the beet-sugar factories which have installed a plant to prevent pollution, of rivers?

I understand that practically all the beet-sugar factories have some form of plant for the purification of effluent with a view to the prevention of pollution. If the hon. Member desires further information in regard to particular factories and will let me know, I will do my best to supply it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the increasing pollution of the River Irwell and the consequent menace to health; and what steps are being taken to insist upon adequate treatment of sewage effluent discharged into the river?

My inquiries do not suggest that the pollution of this river is increasing. The supervision of the discharges into the river is vested in the Mersey and Irwell Joint Committee, and I have no reason to suppose that their duties are not being satisfactorily performed. If my hon. Friend has any information on the matter, I shall be glad if he will let me have it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay a visit to the River Irwell and see the position for himself?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the source of the information that he has given in his answer, because it is quite contrary to the facts?

I am aware of the source of my own information. If the hon. Member has any information, I would ask him to send it to me.