asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the amount of overtime worked by clerical and sub-clerical grades in Government Departments during the last year; the reasons for the need for such overtime; and, in view of the national problem of unemployment, what steps have been taken to abolish this evil and to staff the Departments concerned on a proper basis?

The latest period for which statistics are at present available is the year ended 31st March, 1936, and in that year the total amount paid for overtime in clerical and sub clerical grades, including typing staffs, was £414,000, distributed over an average total staff of about 95,000. Overtime arises from various causes, but usually it is incurred to meet the needs of the public service, such as a sudden expansion of work, or in circumstances where the employment of additional staff is not immediately practicable or could not be justified by reason of the purely temporary character of the requirement. The hon. Member may rest assured that establishments are constantly under review to ensure that additional staff is authorised as soon as it is found to be justified, and that overtime is kept within the narrowest possible limits. I may add that during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, the clerical and sub-clerical establishments were increased by 4,900 posts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in the case of assistant keepers (second class) of the Science Museum, the board is departing from the normal service practice of recruiting men and women civil servants at the same minimum salary; and, if that is the case, whether he can state the reason for the change of policy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is the normal practice in the national museums in which assistant keepers (second class) are employed for the minimum salary for women to be lower than that for men.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, assuming that persons over 55 years were allowed to enter the new pensions scheme in the first year on condition that their contributions were the actuarial equivalent of the benefits provided, he can state what the amount of such contributions would be?

In his report on the Financial Provisions of the Voluntary Contributors Bill, the Government Actuary estimated that the weekly contribution actuarially equivalent to the benefits up to age 70 in the case of an entrant to the scheme aged 55 next birthday was 7s. 4d. in the case of a man and 3s. 6d. in the case of a woman. If the over-70 pension is included, the weekly contributions become 15s. 1d. (men) and 8s. 2d. (women). The rapid rise of contribution with age of entry is illustrated by the figures for a person aged 6o next birthday, which would be about 15s. for a man and 8s. for a woman for benefits up to age 70, and more than double these figures if they were required to cover the over-70 pensions as well.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now give particulars of the arrears of contributions by member States of the League of Nations which have been cancelled, showing the dates thereof, the countries affected, the amounts, and the respective periods of the arrears?

The attached table shows the amounts of contributions which have been cancelled in respect of member States of the League of Nations, together with the dates on which, and the years in respect of which, cancellations have been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House any information in connection with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, in which the British Government hold the controlling interest; what amount of new ordinary stock it will receive; what will be the total dividend paid on its £7,500,000 holding; and any other information that he can give about the matter?

Following is a statement which was issued by the Directors of the Company at their meeting on 1st June. The amount of new ordinary stock the Government will receive is 3,750,000 £1 fully paid shares: the dividend for the year is 20 per cent. plus a bonus of 5 per cent.:

"The profits for the year 1936 amount to £6,123,469 to which has to be added £511,126 brought forward from 1935.

"After providing for Extra Depreciation £514,976 and placing £1, 200,000 to General Reserve, the Directors have decided to recommend at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 21st June, 1937, a final dividend of 15 per cent. (making 20 per cent. for the year) together with a bonus of 5 per cent. both less Income Tax at 5s. in the £ on the Ordinary Stock and to carry forward £492,135.

"At the Annual General Meeting the Directors will recommend the adoption of resolutions for the capitalisation of £2,327,500 from Debenture Stock Redemption Reserve and £4,385,000 from General Reserve and for the creation and issue by way of capital bonus of 6,712,500 new Ordinary shares of £1 each fully paid being at the rate of one new share for each £2 Ordinary Stock held on the 3oth June, 1937, fractions being adjusted in cash such new shares to rank for dividend in respect of the year commencing 1st January, 1937."

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report of the analyst for the county of Monmouthshire in which it is stated that the composition of a large number of milk samples was highly unsatisfactory, as in a number of cases a large percentage of water had been added, and in other cases the amount of fat removed was extremely high; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure to the public that milk available for sale shall be of the highest quality and free from adulteration?

My attention has been called to this report and I am in communication with the county council in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state when the annual Report for 1936 of the chief inspector of factories will be published?

I hope before the end of this month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in connection with the operation of the new bell scale at Leeds prison, there are periods when from eight to ten officers have to man upwards of 500 prisoners; and whether he is satisfied that custody at this prison is safe under such conditions?

The number of prisoners in this prison is normally about 450, and during hours when they are working out of their cells the number of officers on duty varies from 33 to 45. The number is reduced to 14 in the evenings, but that is when the prisoners are for the most part locked in their cells. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether, in view of the serious effect of mining subsidence upon properties at Blaengarw and Pontycymmer, Glamorgan, and the financial loss sustained by owners and the local authority, he will institute an inquiry into the matter?

As I informed the hon. Member on 1st June, there are no funds available for the payment of compensation in such cases. I cannot, therefore, see that any useful purpose would be served by holding an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that rent is being charged for the tents now loaned by his Department to the Basque Refugee Children's Committee; and whether he will consider, as an act of grace, only charging the committee with the actual out-of-pocket charges incurred?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to tentage lent to the National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief. The tentage and other camp stores were lent to that committee as a special case in view of the urgency of their demand, and the loan was made on terms which were accepted before the issue of the stores. I see no reason to vary those terms.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, as on 27th May or the last convenient date, the number of persons who, being in receipt of statutory benefit, are also receiving supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board?

In the week ended 8th May, 1937, supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board were paid to 1,900 persons who were in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit, including persons in receipt of agricultural benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present position of his inquiries into the hours and conditions of work in the retail distributive trades?

I have been for some time in consultation with representatives of the organisations of employers and workers concerned. Joint sub-committees have now been set up to formulate proposals as to suitable machinery for regulating wages and conditions. The subcommittees are engaged in active exploration of a complex subject, and I am satisfied that real progress is being made. I would point out also that since these discussions commenced a number of distributive undertakings have made agreements which are giving satisfaction to both sides.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how long the application for an increased duty on foreign eggs has been before the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and when he expects to receive their report?

I understand that this application was received by the Import Duties Advisory Committee on 23rd September, 1936. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Peters-field (Sir R. Dorman-Smith) on 4th May, 1937, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number of new factories established in South Wales and Monmouthshire, and financed either wholly or in part by the Special Areas Reconstruction Association; and also the total amount of capital advanced in connection with the establishment of those factories?

It would be misleading to measure the work of the Special Areas Reconstruction Association by reference to the number of new factories established with its assistance, since the association is able also to make loans to existing concerns or to new concerns which will occupy existing premises. The total number of loans so far approved by the association in South Wales and Monmouthshire is 19, involving a sum of £154,150.