asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the House information as to the nature and terms of reference of the depressed classes and Aboriginal Tribes Committee which is sitting in Bombay?

I regret that I have not this information.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of cases in each year since 1926 in which action has been taken by the Government of India under the Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act, 1911, and under Part II of the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908?

I have not these statistics, To- but am asking the Government of India to supply me with particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of journeys from England to India and back carried out by aircraft of Imperial Airways, Limited, since the commencement of this route; the number of such journeys when mails arrived late to their schedule or failed to arrive; and the number of times the mail has had to be transported for part of the journey by methods of ground or sea travel instead of entirely by air?

Between the opening of the England-India air snail service on 31st March, 1929, and 30th November, 1929, the number of completed flights to Karachi was 35 and from Karachi 31. Up to 31st October, the mail arrived after the schedule date on three occasions at Karachi and on three occasions at Croydon, and in addition it was lost on the occasion of the two accidents, at Jask outwards and near Spezia homewards. The service has throughout been organised on a basis of the carriage of mails by train for the stage between Basle and Genoa. Since 1st November, however, largely owing to climatic conditions on the alternative mid-European route, temporarily operated from that date, the air mail has been carried on all occasions for longer stages by train, and on some also by sea, and it has not in consequence been possible to adhere to a completely regular schedule.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the late deputy chief clerk of the Clearing Office, Enemy Debts, warned the controller of collusion between a member of the accountancy staff and one of the agents acting for applicants to statelessness; and what action was taken to prevent access to the files and documents with which this agent was concerned?

There is no record of any warning having been given to the controller of the Clearing Office of collusion between a member of the accountancy staff and an agent for applicants to statelessness. About July, 1927, prior to the date on which it was decided to negotiate with one of the agents in question, the controller was told that an official of the Clearing Office had accepted hospitality and received messages from him, and before agreeing to accept him as an agent of the applicants the controller obtained from him specific assurances as to his relationship with members of the staff. He also issued strin- gent special instructions to prevent improper access to files regarding claims to statelessness.

asked the Minister of Pensions the salaries paid respectively to the chief area officers of the South-Eastern, Metropolitan, Edinburgh and Southampton areas of the Ministry of Pensions, and to the deputy chief area officers of the North-Western London and West Midland areas, also to the assistant area officer of the South-Western Metropolitan area?

The following is the answer:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will issue a Paper showing the details of the amounts granted under the Trade Facilities Act; the amount of funds granted; how much has been repaid; what were the conditions of such grants; and what are the amounts yet to be repaid, with the date for such repayment?

Information with regard to the amount and period of all guarantees given under the Trade Facilities Acts is available in the White Papers which have been issued from time to time in terms of the Act. It would, I fear, be impossible to summarise the conditions on which the guarantees were given. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the last White Paper (House of Commons Paper, No. 95 of 1929), setting out the position with regard to repayments made and guarantees still outstanding as at 31st March, 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that during the last six months there has been a great diminution in the manufacture of cinematograph films in this country, resulting in some studios being closed down, with consequent increase in unemployment; and what action his Department is taking or will in future take to see that the provisions of the Cinematographs Films Act are enforced?

I am informed that for various reasons the great increase in British production which took place last year, has not been maintained during the present year, but that there are now distinct signs of improvement. In reply to the second part of the question, it is certainly the intentien of the Government to maintain the Films Act and enforce its provisions. It is of course for the renters concerned to take steps to acquire the quota of British films laid down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, when exporting goods to foreign countries and also to the Dominions and Colonies, the British manufacturer is called upon to declare the domestic value of such goods; and if he is prepared to compel the foreign exporter to make a similar declaration in respect of goods imported into this country?

I understand that this requirement is enforced by most of our Dominions, but not by the majority of our Colonies nor by more than two or three foreign countries, of which the United States of America is the chief. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to publish the report of the inquiry held under the Merchandise Marks Act on the marking of imported slates?

I hope that this report will be published early in January.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that one of the secretarial rooms is sufficient for Members desiring to dictate letters; and whether he will reserve the second room for Members who use their own typewriters and thus afford reasonable accommodation for Members who have no secretaries?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. A room is already provided on the top committee corridor in which Members may do their own typewriting, but as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone) yesterday, I am arranging to allocate the Oratory to Members' secretaries.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, seeing that, owing to the seating arrangements in this House, Members have difficulty in hearing some of their respective leaders, and are to a large extent deprived of the advantage of seeing their faces, he will consider altering the seating arrangements and providing desks similar to other modern debating chambers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of people in Shetland who have been drawing blind pensions whose pensions have been withdrawn by the Department of Health on the recent report of their specialist inspector; the length of time for which the various pensioners have drawn pensions; and the reasons assigned for the withdrawal in each case?

The number of persons who have had their blind pensions withdrawn in the circumstances mentioned is 13, of whom one has since been awarded an old age pension under the Acts of 1908 to 1924. In addition, pension was withdrawn in one case following a considerable improvement in vision resulting from a successful operation. As regards the second part of the question, I am sending the hon. Member a statement giving particulars in each case of the date from which payment of pension was first allowed. As regards the last part, the reason for the withdrawal of blind pension in all 14 cases was that the persons in question were reported not to satisfy the statutory condition of being "so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which eyesight is essential."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in Scotland in receipt of parish relief at the last date for which figures are available; the number of these persons who were natives of the Irish Free State; and, if possible, the length of time for which they had been resident in Scotland before they claimed such relief?

The total number of poor chargeable in Scotland at 15th May, 1929, was 210,956 (including 103,060 dependants) of whom 74,439 (including 50,823 dependants) were destitute able-bodied poor. As regards the second part of the question, na particulars are available regarding the number of natives of the Irish Free State chargeable in Scotland, but of the total of 210,956 poor persons chargeable at 15th May, 1929, 14,726 (including 6,717 dependants) were natives of Ireland. The information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is intended to introduce legislation to give effect to alterations in existing methods of coal distribution in small capacity wagons, the pooling of wagons, and the cost of altering terminal points?

As the hon. Member is aware, recommendations on the subject to which he refers are contained in the First Report of the Standing Committee on Mineral Transport which is now under consideration by the Secretary for Mines and myself. I am not yet in a position to say whether legislation will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that there is no road between Douglas Pier and Carrick Castle, which is served only by a small motor boat, he will favourably consider giving a grant to the district committee of 80 per cent. of the cost of constructing a third-class road, which is urgently needed by the inhabitants if they are still to continue to remain in the district, which otherwise threatens to become derelict?

I am prepared to consider an application for a grant towards an approved scheme for the construction of a new road between Douglas Pier and Carrick Castle, but as the new road, when constructed, will have but little through traffic value, I cannot agree that the scheme will merit a grant from the Road Fund in excess of 50 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether temporary labour in connection with Christmas traffic is engaged by the Post Office through the Employment Exchanges; what number have been engaged for this Christmas season through that medium; and what are the wages offered and the conditions of employment?

The temporary Christmas force required by the Post Office is recruited through the Employment Exchanges where such Exchanges exist. Approximately 9,500 men are being engaged in London, but figures are not available as regards the Provinces. The men are paid at flat rates according to local circumstances, up to a maximum of 1s. 2d. an hour. The rates are increased by one-half for work on Sunday and Christmas Day.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to ensure the employment of local men in the development of the telephone service now in hand in the Ross-on-Wye postal area, in view of the fact that the contractor is importing three-fourths of the unskilled labour required?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. Of the 24 men engaged by the contractor on the work in question, 20 were obtained through the Ross Employment Exchange. The remaining four (including the foreman) are skilled men employed on special work.

asked the Minister of Health whether houses erected in urban districts with the assistance of the subsidy have gas laid on in all cases, or whether there are cases in which houses are only wired for electricity; and, if so, the reason for the preference given in the latter case?

No general information is available as to 'the methods of heating and lighting adopted in houses erected with the assistance of the subsidy. The matter is not one in which any approval on my part is required.

asked the Minister of Health the probable date of the introduction of the Government's slum clearance Bill?

I regret that a date cannot be fixed at present, but I hope that I shall be able to introduce the Bill on an early day after the Recess.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the failure of county councils adequately to administer the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, and of the fact that applications for assistance will cease to be entertained after 1931, he proposes to take any further steps to improve the condition of rural housing or to secure more energetic administration of the Act?

As regards the Act of 1926 I am prepared, as I have been in the past, to consider any representations that special circumstances exist in any particular case which would justify me in declaring that the council of the county district shall be the local authority for the purposes of the Act. As regards wider measures for the improvement of rural housing, I would ask the right hon. Member to await the introduction of the housing legislation which is now in preparation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to take steps to see that representations against the exportation of bounty-fed foreign cereals to this country are addressed through the appropriate channels to the Governments of those foreign countries which have accepted and ratified the conclusions of the Geneva Economic Conference?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade on this subject, on 4th and 13th November, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the effect on the home producer, he will state what countries have arrangements in force whereby cereals and/or flour exported from those countries enjoy the benefit of an export bounty or any equivalent assistance?

According to the information in the Department of Overseas Trade, exporters of grain in Germany, Austria and Poland may obtain remission or refund of certain import duties. I am not aware of any other countries where similar privileges are granted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what countries prohibit the importation from Great Britain of goods packed in hay or straw on account of foot-and-mouth disease infection; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to enforce a similar prohibition in this country?

The Irish Free State is, so far as I am aware, the only country which prohibits absolutely the importation from Great Britain of goods packed in hay and stray on account of foot-and-mouth disease infection. The regulations of Northern Ireland, Canada and the United States of America permit importation subject to certain conditions, which include disinfection before or after importation or destruction after unpacking. The evidence of the Departmental Committee on Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and subsequent experience, clearly shows that there is no sufficient warrant for such a prohibition in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can form any estimate of the total imports of fresh asparagus into Great Britain in 1929; what relation these imports bear to the home-produced article; at what dates imported and home-grown asparagus in bulk, respectively, reached the home market; and what were the average prices ruling at these dates?

I regret I am unable to give an estimate of the total imports of fresh asparagus or of the home production. I understand, however, that the bulk of the imported asparagus is on the market from April to June, and the home crop from May to July. Owing to the differences in the varieties of asparagus sold and the diversity of the sizes of the bundles, it is not possible to give an average price covering either the imported or home-produced article, but I am sending the hon. Member a tabular statement summarising particulars of certain prices reported to the Ministry during the season.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of wheat-flour imported into this country from France during the months of September, October and November and the corresponding quantities for 1928?

The total quantities of wheat meal and flour imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and consigned from France, registered during the months of September, October and November were respectively, in 1929:104,4779, 87,281 and 83,305 cwts., and in 1928, 9,009, 9,023 and 10,608 cwts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Empire Marketing Board will consider making a grant for testing the varying efficacy of the present tests employed in connection with tuberculosis in dairy cattle; whether he has any reports from different parts of the Empire overseas as to the methods of testing milk adopted in Great Britain; whether there is any colonial evidence to show that the milk from certain types of cow condemned as tuberculous is capable of transmitting tuberculosis to human beings; and whether the Empire Marketing Board will take the initiative in forming a new Empire-wide commission of inquiry to investigate scientifically the conflicting data on the whole matter?

The Empire Marketing Board is guided in such matters as those raised by the hon. and gallant Member by the advice received from the Departments for Agriculture and Health in Great Britain, and I understand that all important reports on this question whether originating in this country or overseas are available to those Departments. Hence it would be for the Departments in question, rather than for the Board, to take the initiative as regards the institution of any such inquiry as is suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many canning factories exist in this country and with what agri- cultural products they are concerned; and whether any special assistance is being given to them under any Government scheme?

Although I have no precise information, I understand that about 80 firms are engaged in this industry. The produce dealt with includes many kinds of fruit and vegetables, jam, meat and milk. In reply to the last part of the question, the results of researches at the Chipping Campden Research Station and by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research are freely available to the industry.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the employment to be provided on roads specified in the White Paper, No. 3449, page 9, is additional to work now available; and, if so, to what extent there will be a net addition to present employment?

The trunk road programme of £9,500,000 represents entirely new work on important reconstruction and improvement of selected Class I roads. Under the five-year programme, apart from works which might not have been undertaken at all in the absence of a long-term programme, there is an acceleration of work, a substantial proportion of which would not on the forecasts available have been undertaken in the ordinary course within the five-year period.

asked the Lord Privy Seal under what conditions the full financial terms, namely, 75 per cent. of the interest and sinking fund for the first 15 years, and 37½ per cent. for the second 15 years, will be afforded to local authorities which have submitted unemployment relief schemes in areas where the number of unemployed is 10 per cent. or over; and what percentage of transferred labour from adjoining or other areas is required in order to qualify for the full financial terms in areas where the number of unemployed is under 10 per cent.?

The present terms and conditions under which the Unemployment Grants Committee are authorised to recommend grants for relief works are fully set out in a leaflet recently issued to local authorities by the committee. I am informed that a copy has already been sent to the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will be happy to supply him with any information he may require about the application of these terms in any particular case.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that at its meeting on 5th December the Renfrewshire Education Authority decided to close the training centre for juvenile unemployed in Greenock; and what action the Ministry proposes to take in the matter?

According to the latest information which I have, the education authority does not see its way to continue this centre on the terms of grant which will be applicable after the end of December. These terms are on the basis unanimously recommended by the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment in Scotland, and are equivalent to 75 per cent, of approved expenditure. I cannot depart from these terms, and I shall regret it very much if the centre has to close owing to the unwillingness of the education authority to contribute the remainder of the cost.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will inquire into the complaint made by Messrs. A. E. Carstairs and D. Stewart that they were ordered out of the Deptford Exchange by the police and told that this was not the place to come to for work?

I have made careful inquiries into the matter, but am unable to find any confirmation of the complaint. If, however, my hon. Friend will supply me with further particulars, I will immediately inquire again.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the type of written instructions which the insurance officers will give to any unemployed men seeking work; and whether these will refer only to calls at specified factories where vacancies are likely to occur or whether they will deal with the need for men making personal examination of the advertisement columns of the papers and general inquiry in all local circles where employment may be forthcoming?

I presume the hon. Member has in mind the provision contained in Clause 4 of the Unemployment Insurance Bill. The nature of the written directions to be given by officers of the Employment Exchanges will depend on the circumstances of each ease. The new Clause indicates that they must be reasonable, having regard both to the circumstances of the claimant and to the means of obtaining the employment in question usually adopted in the district in which the claimant resides.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of ex-Service men at present on the unemployed registers?

Statistics are regularly compiled only with respect to disabled ex-Service men and not ex-Service men generally. The number of the former on the registers on 25th November, 1929, the latest date for which information is available, was 25,991.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware of the number of musicians who are out of employment through the change in cinemas from silent to talking films; that many of these musicians are not insurable under the National Insurance Acts; and if she will take steps to meet their difficulties?

I have no reliable information as to the extent to which employment available for musicians has been reduced owing to this cause, and regret that there is no special assistance which I can give. I may mention that musicians employed under a contract of service are insurable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts if their rate of remuneration does not exceed £250 per annum.

asked the Minisiter of Labour what was the amount paid into the National Unemployment Insurance Fund by employers and employés during 1928?

During the calendar year 1928, the amount paid into the Unemployment Fund by employers and employés was approximately £30,7780,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the amount of overdraft on the National Unemployment Insurance Fund during the first week in December?

The, debt of the Unemployment Fund to the Treasury on 7th December, 1929, was £37,640,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the annual increase in the Unemployment Fund debt in each year since this debt began to be incurred?

The Fund began to run into debt in July, 1921. Since then the amount of the debt has fluctuated, and the amounts outstanding in July of each year are as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the special position and necessities of the two junior instruction centres at West Ham; whether, she has recently been requested to give some further financial assistance to these centres; whether She is aware that the West Ham Education Committee and the West Ham Town Council have now decided to close both centres on the 31st instant; and whether she is taking any action in the matter?

I have been in communication with the authority and understand that they are giving further consideration to the possibility of continuing these centres.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, natives of the Irish Free State but resident in Scotland, who were in receipt of unemployment benefit on the last date for which figures are available?

I regret that statistics are not available giving the information desired.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider the desirability of laying before the House a White Paper giving, in the case of each educational authority, the estimated cost of the necessary new buildings which will be entailed by the raising of the school-leaving age, separating into different categories the outlay in connection with denominational and undenominational schools?

As was explained in Circular 1,404, it would be difficult, if not impracticable, to differentiate capital expenditure directly referable to the raising of the school-leaving age from other expenditure on the provision of new accommodation. I will, however, consider what information I can usefully supply when the authorities' programmes have been examined. Particulars of the cost of new buildings for denominational schools are not obtained by the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the supply of drinking water at Brampton School, Suffolk, has been declared highly polluted; that there has been an epidemic of scarlet fever among the children; that from the health point of view the school building is in an unsatisfactory state; and will he take steps to have the matter remedied?

I was not previously aware of the particular circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, although I knew that the school premises were defective. I am having inquiries made and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether under the Elementary Education Amending Regulations, No. 6 of 1929, he is prepared to recognise for the purposes of grant outlay on the provision of buildings, equipment, and playgrounds for senior elementary schools on the same scale as similar outlay in respect of secondary schools, or whether he proposes to adopt a lower standard of outlay foe senior than for secondary schools?

I would refer the Noble Lady to a reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede), on 7th November, of which I am sending her a copy.