asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, for each of the last 10 years for which statistics are available, the total number of medical officers in the Navy, and the number who joined and the number who left the Service in each year?

The figures are as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how far work on His Majesty's Ship "Maidstone" was advanced when the building was cancelled; and what is to be done about the assembled material and material ordered?

His Majesty's Ship "Maidstone" had not actually been laid down, but certain material had been taken in hand. As regards the small amount of assembled material, the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that it will not be wasted. The same applies to material which was on order in so far as it was not cancelled outright.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount in tons of steam coal and the value of it purchased by the Admiralty in 1913 and 1929?

1,690,000 tons of Welsh steam vessel coal were purchased in 1913, at the cost of £1,915,000. In 1929 the quantity was 150,000 tons and the cost £197,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the amount in tons Of fuel oil purchased by the Admiralty in 1928 and 1929 from British and foreign registered companies?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to furnish in detail the information asked for. All purchases were from British registered companies, but if the hon. Member wishes to know how far the actual producers were firms in which British capital is predominant, I may state that the proportion produced by firms in which British capital predominates was 86 per cent. in 1928 and 93 per cent. in 1929.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why chief and petty officers have to remove their caps when receiving their pay from an officer of the accountant branch, when Article 155 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, as amended by Volume II, 19281, permits them to keep their caps on when being inspected by a flag officer, or captain, or by the officer in command of the ship; and if he will take the necessary steps to see that the intention of Article 151 is complied with in all ships and establishments?

I have no knowledge that chief and petty officers do remove their caps when receiving payment. I should be glad if the hon. Member would quote a specific instance, when the matter will be investigated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that early advancement to leading rate and petty officer is being offered to ratings in receipt of the old rates of pay, provided they will accept the new rates of pay authorised for ratings who entered the Navy subsequent to 4th October, 1925; and by whose authority such offers are made?

No, Sir, the offers referred to in the question are without authority, and in view of their nature I consider that it would be in the interest of the Service if the hon. Baronet would let me know the source of such statements.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the duties of the engineer overseer in the Manchester and Liverpool district; and what work he is at present engaged in overseeing?

The Manchester and Liverpool district engineer overseer is responsible for, and is engaged upon, the inspection of all Admiralty machinery contract work in this district (which comprises Lancashire, part of Cheshire, and North Wales) other than the machinery for Admiralty vessels under construction by Messrs. Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead, for which a special officer is borne. In addition, the duties of the Admiralty engineer overseer include the inspection of:Machinery sub-contracts for the R.I.M. Sloop "Hindustan."Propelling machinery under construction for motor pinnaces for Air Ministry.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of unestablished dockyard employés, other than ex-apprentices, who have served continuously since 1st January, 1920?

The information asked for is not readily available, and there does not appear to be adequate purpose for undertaking the work of such a detailed examination of the records at the dockyards as would be necessary to obtain the information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what the average cost per head per day was to victual ratings under the general messing system in ships and establishments at home for the year 1st January to 31st December, 1929?

The average cost per head for food was 1s. 4d. a day, for the period referred to.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total amount spent by accountant officers in charge of general messing in all ships and establishments at home for the year 1st January, 1929, to 31st December, 1929, with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes and private traders, respectively?

The amounts are as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to the suggestion that one of the Fleet aircraft carriers should be sent to the Empire Exhibition at Buenos Aires next year to stimulate the sale of British aircraft in South America and generally to assist British participants in this exhibition; and whether he can make any statement in this connection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I need hardly add that the object in view is one that I fully endorse. As regards the second part of the question, the matter is under consideration, but Fleet and training requirements and the heavy expenditure on fuel which would be involved present very real difficulties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many labourers have been placed on the list of established dockyardsmen in each of the past five years?

Including skilled labourers, the numbers are 18 in 1925, 24 in 1926, 25 in 1927, 26 in 1928 and 39 in 1929. It is unusual to place ordinary labourers on the established list.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the average amount of home service now served by ratings of the engine-room artificer, mechanician, and stoker branches?

It is not clear from the question whether the hon. Baronet wishes to know the average time spent on home service as opposed to foreign service by each separate rating of the branches mentioned throughout the whole period of their career, or the average time that each separate rating spends at present on the "longest at home roster." In either case I regret that the compilation of this information would entail an expenditure of lime and labour which I am sure the hon. Baronet will agree would not be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what ships, if any, will represent this country in honour of the opening of the exhibition at the port of Antwerp by the King of the Belgians on 26th April?

None of His Majesty's ships will be present at Antwerp in connection with the opening of the international exhibition on 26th April. Arrangements are, however, being made for the presence of His Majesty's ships "Frobisher," "Norfolk," "York" and "Hawkins" during the British Week which falls between 17th and 23rd July.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the approximation of grading and advancement of the accountant branch, namely, writers, supply and naval cook ratings, with those of the seaman and engine-room branches, the same advantages for promotion will be extended to ratings of the accountant branch by establishing the rank of mate (A)?

The position of writers, supply and cook ratings is so different from that of ratings of the seamen and engine-room branches, that it has not been thought advisable to attempt the extension of the mate scheme to those branches. Examination of the mate scheme in all its aspects will, however, form part of the review of the whole question of promotion from the lower deck.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any difficulty is being experienced with the present system of advancement rosters; and the average time now served by petty officers of the seamen and stokers' branches of the Portsmouth Port Division before advancement to chief petty officer?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, according to the latest returns available, the average time now served by petty officers of the seamen and stoker branches of the Portsmouth Port Division before advancement to chief petty officer is 11.2 and 11.4 years, respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of employés of the Admiralty who were in receipt of hurt pay in 1929 and the amount expended as hurt pay in the same year?

The number of employés who received hurt pay during 1929 in Admiralty establishments at home was 1,995 and the amount paid was £10,100. The amount of hurt pay issued in establishments abroad during the same year was £1,680, but the number of recipients cannot be stated.

asked the Postmaster-General why the mails arriving in the Isle of Man after 8.30 in the morning are not delivered until the evening post in the business centre of Douglas?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member later.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the handicap suffered by British trade with South America in competition with the United States, owing to the fact that the cost of cabling between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro and London is more expensive than between those places and New York, notwithstanding that there is little difference in the respective distances; and that it costs more to cable from Buenos Aires to London than to Germany, Belgium, and France, although the distance is less; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to take any action in the matter to rectify these anomalies?

I am aware of the differences of telegraph rates mentioned in the question. The direct routes between London and Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are under the control of Imperial and International Communications Limited; and the rates charged on these routes are, I understand, under examination by the Imperial Advisory Committee, to which certain functions in regard to the Communications Company's rates are assigned under the agreement with the company.

asked the Postmaster-General who is responsible for the decision as to whether the contract with the Union Castle Mail Steamhip Company to carry mails between this country and South Africa is made by the British Post Office or by the South African Government?

The contract for the conveyance of the South African Mails has been continuously in the hands first of the Government of the Cape of Good Hope and subsequently of His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa for more than 50 years. When the contract has been renewed from time to time no reason has been seen for suggesting an alteration in this arrangement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give the latest available returns for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date of the number of letters, postcards, printed papers, and newspapers that were delivered by the Post Office?

Separate figures for each class of correspondence are not available. The estimated total number of packets delivered, excluding parcels, during the year ended 31st March, 1929, was 6,230,000,000, of which more than half were letters.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the classes which are separately dealt with for the purpose of estimating the pension liability in preparing the Post Office commercial accounts; and what are the percentages of wages, including bonus, for each class in respect of which a separate percentage is employed?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The classes dealt with separately and the percentages of wages (including bonus) represented by the current provision for pension liability, following actuarial investigation, are as follow:

asked the Postmaster-General particulars showing the extent to which the cash-on-delivery system has been used for the 12 months previous to the last convenient date?

The number of inland cash-on-delivery parcels and packets posted during the year 1929 was, in round figures, 2,290,000; and the number of cash-on-delivery consignments sent by railway during the same period was 70,010.

asked the Minister of Transport if it is proposed that the grid should be carried on to Carmarthen from Llanelly; and if any steps are now being taken to supply electrical energy to the rural parts of Carmarthen?

With regard to the first part of the question, I understand that representations on this matter have been made to the Central Electricity Board and will be discussed by the Board with the undertakers and others concerned shortly. With regard to the second part of the question, no application has been made for statutory powers to supply electricity in the unoccupied rural parts of Carmarthen.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the accident which occurred at the crossing-gate at Horninglow, on the Burton to Derby road, in which a train travelling at 50 miles an hour collided with a motor car; and, in view of similar accidents in the past, will he consider in any future transport legislation the introduction of a clause which will make it incumbent upon railway authorities to alter their level crossings in particularly dangerous spots so that all vehicular traffic may pass under them?

My attention has been called to this accident which appears to have been caused by lack of care on the part of the driver of the motor car concerned. As regards the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I would remind him that under the provisions of Section 7 of the Railway Clauses Act, 1863, I already have the power to require railway companies to abolish level crossings to which that section applies, if necessary for the public safety. I am prepared to consider applications from highway authorities for financial assistance towards well considered schemes for the erection of bridges at level crossings and have just caused a circular letter on this subject to be issued to them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to state the position regarding the sug- gested tube railway from Liverpool Street via Bethnal Green, to Ilford and beyond?

I understand that the position in regard to this matter is still as stated in the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on 5th February.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is receiving any applications for assistance towards the improvement of any unclassified roads in agricultural districts, which are repairable by inhabitants at large; and what steps he has taken to make known the readiness of his Department to consider such applications?

Grants in respect of the ordinary maintenance and repair of unclassified roads in counties will be discontinued as from 1st April next in accordance with the provisions of Section 85 of the Local Government Act, 1929. Applications for grant in respect of schemes for the improvement of unclassified roads in rural areas are continuing to be received from local authorities and will be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet given his sanction to the applications of the Manchester City Council in respect of Princess Road, the eastern by-pass road, and the Valley Road?

A grant has been issued towards the cost of the Princess Road scheme. Parliamentary powers are being sought with respect to the other two schemes, and in the meantime consideration is being given to the making of grants from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport if the by-pass road he has approved for Leatherhead includes any provision whereby the traffic from Guildford to Epsom may avoid the existing narrow bridge over the Mole and the narrow streets and dangerous cross-roads on the Epsom side of that river; and, if not, how he proposes to deal with the volume of traffic using that route, especially on days when races are being held at Epsom?

The bypass scheme in its complete form makes provision for diverting the traffic to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is unlikely that the entire project will be carried out simultaneously by the county council, and the construction of the particular section in question may be deferred until the more urgently needed parts of the by-pass have been con-constructed.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to whether any negotiations are in progress for the construction of a tube railway for South-East London?

I am not aware of any negotiations with regard to such a scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, at a meeting of the Northumberland County Council held on 2nd May, 1929, it was announced by the chairman that an agreement with regard to the freeing of Wylam bridge, Northumberland, had been ratified and that the Ministry of Transport had agreed as to a grant-in-aid; and if he will now make representations to the proper authorities to hasten the completion of this work?

I am not aware of the announcement referred to in the first part of the question, but, as I informed the hon. Member on 12th March, a grant has already been offered from the Road Fund and I am awaiting the formal application from the County Council.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that heavy steam lorries, belonging both to public authorities and private contractors, are carrying road metal from the quarries at Chipping Sodbury, Tytherington, and Cromhall, in the county of Gloucester, in increasing numbers, with heavy loads at high speed to districts as far as Hampshire and Oxfordshire; and whether, in view of the damage caused thereby to the roads leading to and from the quarries and consequent expense to the local authorities concerned, and in view of the fact that all these quarries are adjacent to railways, he will take steps to secure that road metal is carried by rail whenever and as far as possible?

I have no power to require the adoption of any particular form of transport for the conveyance of road stone or of any other class of materials.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons killed by motors during last week and the corresponding week of 1929, or the nearest week for which figures are available?

I regret that weekly figures are not available. The Return for the year 1929 will be ready for publication probably about the end of next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of prosecutions instituted in Scotland in each of the last five years against persons charged with being drunk while in charge of motor cars or other mechanically propelled vehicles, including cases where the driver was charged with culpable homicide; the number of cases in which convictions were obtained; and the penalties imposed in each case?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to furnish the figures desired by the hon. and learned Member. I expect to be able to communicate them to him in a day or two.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that Indian medical degrees are not recognised by the British Medical Association; and does he propose to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that the General Medical Council have withheld recognition of Indian degrees. I am in communication with the Government of India on the subject, and am not at the moment prepared to make any statement. I need hardly say that I am most anxious that a settlement should be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for India for each of the past 10 years for which statistics are available the total number of British officers in the Indian Medical Service, the number who joined, and the number who left the Service in each year, respectively?

I am having such information as is available collected, and will circulate it as soon as it is ready.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India will consider the advisability of so amending the Trades Disputes Act as to provide for the compulsory reference of disputes to the courts of inquiry set up under the Act, and for the establishment of machinery for negotiation in the case of disputes in public utility industries?

The Act already enables the Government of India or a Provincial Government to refer a dispute to a Court of Inquiry or Board of Conciliation without the consent of either party to the dispute; and it also enables disputes in public utility industries to be referred to a Court or a Board.

asked the Secretary of State for India details of the proposed Bill presented to the Assembly recently dealing with hours of work and weekly rest-day for workers in India?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Indian Railways (Amendment) Bill. This Bill has been introduced in the Legislative Assembly and referred to a Select Committee, which has proposed certain amendments. I have no information as to what has happened since the Select. Committee's report was presented. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Bill as amended by the Select Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will arrange a special showing of the film produced by the Empire Marketing Board for the convenience of Members of Parliament?

I shall be happy to arrange a special showing of this film, and will endeavour to fix a time and place convenient to Members.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies the position as regards the proposed pipe line from Iraq to the Mediterranean, and the proposed route of the same?

I understand that the question is still under consideration by the Iraq Petroleum Company and that no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any settlement has yet been arrived at of the conditions of service of British officials on the Iraq railway; and, if so, what is the nature of the settlement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part of the question does not therefore arise. As I informed the House last Wednesday in my reply to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Everard), the matter is at present under negotiation with the Iraq Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the sums expended during the years 1923–24 to 1029–30, under the heading Middle Eastern Services, Iraq and Palestine, Defence, have been payable in respect of Iraq to the Air Ministry, the Government of India, the War Office and other recipients, if any?

I attach a statement showing the allocation of the sums expended during the years 1923–24 to 1929–30

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the annual revenue from Customs Duties on spirits during the last 10 years in Bermuda, the Bahamas and British Honduras, respectively; what are the current rates of Customs Duties in these Colonies; have there been any changes made in these rates during the 10 years; and, if so, when did these changes become effective?

Statements are annexed giving the information desired by the right hon. Member, so far as it is available.STATEMENT showing the present rates of Customs Duty on Spirits imported into Bermuda, the Bahamas and British Honduras and also the alterations made in the rates of duty during the last 10 years.Bermuda:Alcohol: The gallon 8s. and 25 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total value of exported coffee from Tanganyika during the 12th months ended to the last convenient date; and the percentage of the native-grown coffee that was exported during the same period?

The latest year for which full figures are available is 1928, in which coffee to the value of £739,657 was exported. No exact figures are available as to the amount of native-grown coffee exported, but this formed approximately three-quarters of the total export by weight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government have given any reply to the address to the Secretary of State, passed by the House of Assembly and Legislative Council of Barbados on 25th February, petitioning the Government to declare immediately their policy with regard to the West Indian sugar trade?

I would invite reference to the replies returned on 5th March to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) and also on 12th March to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd), to which I am not at pre- sent in a position to add anything, save that my Noble Friend hopes shortly to send a reply to this and other similar representations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether copies of the Report of the Olivier Sugar Commission have been sent to the Governments of the West India islands concerned?

Copies of the Report will be in the hands of the Governments of all the West Indian Colonies concerned and the Government of British Guiana as soon as possible after the Report has been published in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any response has yet been made to the offer of the Government of guaranteed loans in respect of the sugar industry in the West Indies and Mauritius; and, if so, of what nature?

No, Sir. There has not yet been time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any information regarding the public auction at Nairobi, on 31st March next, of 54 farms of Crown land, comprising a total of over 158,000 acres in the Kenya highlands, on leases of 999 years; and whether His Majesty's Government will order the suspension of this sale until a decision, as recommended by the Report of the Commission on Closer Union in Central and Eastern Africa, has been taken on the principles which should govern such sales to non-natives, and also the questions governing the putting into force of the Native Land Trust Ordinance have been settled?

Yes, Sir. The Government of Kenya has given notice of an auction of these farms to be held on 31st March. My Noble Friend has made inquiry and has received an assurance that these are ordinary sales in accordance with accepted policy; that the farms in question link up with other occupied farms, and that no possible native rights or claims are involved. In the circumstances he sees no reason to ask the Governor to suspend action.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a Report from the Straits Settlements Government as to the reasons why the commemorative gold medal promised by that Government to the late Mr. Yeo Bian Chuan for his heroic conduct at the time of the mutiny of the 5th Light Infantry in Singapore in 1915 never materialised?

My Noble Friend has received the despatch which explains the circumstances of the case, and I shall be happy to show it to the hon. Member for his information if he so desires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he is aware that a committee of the House of Assembly of the Colony of Bermuda was appointed in 1919 to prepare a Bill to extend the franchise to women; that this committee never reported and no Bill was ever introduced by it, although a promise was made in 1923 by the committee that steps would shortly be taken to carry out the instructions of the House, and although the women of Bermuda have taken every step open to them to call attention to the disabilities imposed on them; and will he take all the steps in his power to see that some action is taken in the matter;(2) whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a commission of inquiry into the constitution of the Colony of Bermuda, in view of the facts that it has undergone but slight modifications during the past three centuries, no change having been made in the number or distribution of seats in the assembly since the year 1691; that out of a population of 30,884, of whom 15,556 are white persons and 15,328 are coloured persons, only 1,377 persons are entitled to vote, 216 of these being plural voters possessing from two to eight votes apiece; and that women, irrespective of their colour, education and stake in the country, are completely excluded from its legislature and franchise, whether parliamentary, municipal or parochial?

My Noble Friend has recently received through the Governor of Bermuda a Memorial submitted by the Bermuda Women Suffrage Society on the subject of the local franchise and other matters relating to the constitutional affairs of the Colony. This memorial is now receiving my Noble Friend's consideration, and until there has been time to consider it fully I shall not be in a position to make any statement on the points raised in the hon. Member's questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the interests of the colonies, protectorates and mandated territories will be separately represented at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference in the same manner as was done at the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923; and what steps are being taken to assure a similar panel of advisers and experts on behalf of these dependencies?

The question of the method of representation of the interests of the colonies, protectorates and mandated territories is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether each and all of the colonies, protectorates and mandated territories will be represented at the forthcoming second Colonial Office Conference in June; whether the full agenda is now complete; and whether this agenda will be published before the meetings of the Conference and, if so, at what date?

The Secretary of State has not yet received replies from all the Governments concerned, but he anticipates that all the larger colonies and protectorates and mandated territories will be, represented. The agenda has not reached its final form, but it will be published as soon as it has been settled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state when the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the recent disturbances in Palestine will be published; whether the evidence will be published at the same time; and whether such evidence will include the whole or any part of the evidence given in camera?

The Report has been received and is now under consideration. I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the exact date of publication, beyond what I said on Monday in reply to a question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore). It is not proposed in any case to publish the evidence given in camera.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, now that the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Palestine has been received, it is proposed to publish the minutes of evidence at the same time as the Report; and when is it expected that the Report will be published?

As already stated, the Report will be published at the earliest convenient date. At present and pending consultation with the High Commissioner, I cannot say how soon that will be. No decision has yet been taken with regard to the evidence which is very voluminous, and some of it, taken in camera, must necessarily be excluded from any publication. It is not proposed to delay the publication of the Report itself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any recent decision has been made with reference to the question of the admission of women to legal practice in Palestine; and the last date and with what result this matter was considered by the Palestine Advisory Council?

The matter was last before the Secretary of State in July, 1929, when it was decided in principle that women might be admitted to practise law in Palestine. I have no information with regard to subsequent developments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has recently been loaned by the Government of Malaya to the Perak Hydro-Electricity Company?

The sum recently advanced to the company by the Government of the Federated Malay States is £850,000. It is secured on all the assets of the company in priority to all other charges except the first debentures, and carries interest at 5 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to complete the hospital at Kuala Lumpur; and what sum has been allocated to this purpose in the current estimates by the Government of Malaya?

I understand that plans for the new hospital are now under consideration and though it is possible that the work of construction may begin in 1931, no date has been fixed for completion. No provision has been made in the current estimates.

asked the President of the Board of Education the estimated saving which would result from the adoption of a means test if applied to the maintenance grants under the proposed raising of the school-leaving age from 14 to 15, and the estimated cost of carrying the means test into operation?

In answer to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 13th February, to the hon. Member for North Lanark (Miss Lee), of which I am sending him a copy. In answer to the second part, I am advised that the adoption of a means test would not involve any substantial addition to the administrative expenses of the local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will consider the advisability of convening a national conference, representative of education authorities, the universities, training colleges, and the teaching profession, to consider a policy of co-operation to meet the need for additional teachers arising from the proposal to raise the school-leaving age?

I fully realise the importance of securing the co-operation of the various bodies mentioned in regard to the measures to be taken for increasing the supply of teachers, and I have every reason to believe that they are willing to give me such co-operation, but I doubt whether a national conference would be the best means of achieving this result.

asked the President of the Board of Educaticn the names of any local education authorities who have definitely stated that they expect to be able to carry through the necessary reorganisation and other arrangements in time to provide for the full number of additional children who will be retained in the schools after 1st April, 1931, assuming that the school-leaving age is raised at that date; the names of those authorities whose programmes indicate that the schemes of reorganisation proposed are likely to become effective in time; the names of those authorities whose programmes do not justify this belief; and the names of those authorities who have definitely stated that they cannot carry through the necessary reorganisation and other arrangements in time?

A detailed examination is being made of the programmes submitted by local education authorities, and when the investigations have proceeded further I shall be glad to provide the Noble Lady with the information for which she asks, so far as I am able.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any reports from the provincial police forces as to the results attained by mounted policewomen in the use of motor cycles for the purposes of their duty; can he give particulars; and whether it is intended to adopt this principle in the Metropolitan district?

I regret I am not in a position to give any detailed particulars regarding the work of the policewomen in county forces who use motor cycles for purposes of their duty. There is no intention of adopting any new basis of organisation in the case of the Metropolitan policewomen until the review of the whole position, to which I have referred in replies to other questions, has been completed.

asked the Home Secretary how many on-licences, and how many off-licences there were in the city of Carlisle, exclusive of the adjoining districts, which were taken over by the Liquor Control Board; and how many there are in the same area to-day?

The number of licensed premises taken over by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in the city of Carlisle, exclusive of the adjoining districts, was 116 of which 12 were off-licences. There are now 59 premises in the city of Carlisle in which the sale of liquor is carried on by the State and of these five are used exclusively for off-sales.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention to admit to the police college persons other than those who joined the ranks of the police service in England and Wales in the ordinary way; and, if so, whether the other persons it is proposed to admit will be those in training specially for and consigned to the Colonial police service?

There has been no decision as to the extension of the scheme to serve the purposes of Colonial police services. So far as regards the police forces of England and Wales, my intention was that entrants should be selected exclusively from serving members of those forces.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether Article 3 of the annex to the Irish Treaty of 1921, by the terms of which a convention was to be made between the British and the Irish Free State Governments for the regulation of civil connection by air, has been carried into effect; and, if not, what the present position is?

No convention under the Article to which the hon. Member refers has yet been made, but no difficulties have in practice arisen in this country through its absence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether there have been any new Customs aerodromes approved during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and whether arrangements have been made at the principal aerodromes situated on the coast for the Customs clearance of passenger traffic?

As regards the first part of the question, the following Customs aerodromes have been approved during the year ending 31st January last, namely, Southampton, Heston (Hounslow), Liverpool and Manchester. As regards the second part, arrangements of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend have been made at each of the Customs aerodromes situated on the coast, namely, Southampton, Liverpool and Dover.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he bas received any proposals for the establishment of aerodromes in the County of Durham; and if he has given any decisions on such proposals?

The answer is in the affirmative. Certain sites have been inspected by the Air Ministry at the request of the Central and North Durham Joint Town Planning Committee and an inspection has just been made of a possible site for a sea aerodrome near South Shields. I understand certain other municipalities (with whom, of course, the initiative rests in this matter) have under consideration the question of providing aerodromes in their vicinity, but no further concrete proposals have been communicated to the Air Ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for each of the last 10 years for which statistics are available the total number of medical officers in the Service, the number who joined, and the number who left the Service in each year?

Following are the figures required in respect of the years for which statistics are available:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what was the gross cost annually during the years 1923–24 to 1928–29, and the estimated gross cost for 1929–30 and 1930–31 of the Royal Air Force in the Middle East Command (excluding Palestine, Transjordan and the Sudan), in Palestine and Transjordan, and in Iraq, respectively?

The Air Estimates and accounts prescribed for presentation to Parliament are not framed on a basis of territorial cost and consequently the full information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks is not already available and could be obtained only at the cost of an expenditure of labour and research which would not, I think, be justified. It is possible, however, to give figures for (a) Iraq and (b) Palestine and Transjordan for the financial years 1923–24 to 1927–28 as a result of the special accounting arrangements made in order to comply with the Parliamentary requirement that the cost of the Royal Air Force in those two commands should, during the years specified, be met from the Vote for Middle Eastern Services. The figures in question are:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total expenditure involved in the schemes submitted for the relief of unemployment by the Hull Corporation; how much money has been granted towards this total cost; and what is the total number of men who will receive work as a result?

I have been asked to reply. Since 1st June, 1929, the Unemployment Grants Committee have approved grants in respect of schemes submitted by the Hull Corporation estimated to cost about £240,000. Schemes estimated to cost about £125,000 are still under consideration by the Unemployment Grants Committee and an extensive programme of road works is under consideration by the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Minister of Labour if, taking the different Employment Exchanges of the country, she can state how many posts have actually been filled by the exchanges within the last six months?

During the six months ended 24th February, 1930, 802,152 vacancies for employment were filled by Employment Exchanges in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Labour if any special instructions have been issued to the managers of Employment Exchanges in connection with the operation of the new Unemployment Insurance Act; and, if so, whether she will state their nature?

Various circular instructions have been issued to local offices in connection with the operation of the new Act, and copies of the more important have been placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will inquire into the circumstances under which six miners from Drumlemble, in the Mull of Kintyre, were induced by the Ministry of Labour to leave their homes and proceed to Leven, in Fifeshire, to engage in mining at a coal pit there; whether she is aware that these men were guaranteed 11 shifts per fortnight at 11s. per day and that, on arriving at Leven, no provision for providing them with work had been made and, although some work was offered, no wages could be stipulated for; whether, in view of the fact that there are about 1,000 men already unemployed in the district in Fife in question, she will state the reason for bringing men from other areas; and, in view of the outlay incurred by the men in question, if she will make some compensation to them?

I am having inquiries made, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware of the inadequate Employment Exchange accommodation at Saltburn; and if she will consider proper accommodation being provided for the unemployed who have to attend this Exchange and who reside at Saltburn, Marske, New Marske, Brotton, Skelton, Lingdale, and Boosbeck, at a more convenient centre?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate direct with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour the figures of unemployed insured persons classified as belonging to the theatrical, music hall and cinema industries for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

Separate statistics are not available respecting the numbers unemployed in the theatrical, music hall and cinema industries. For statistical purposes such persons are included in the group "Entertainments and Sports." The following Table shows the numbers of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to the entertainments and sports group recorded as unemployed in Great Britain during the last 12 months:

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number and total face value of the con- tracts definitely concluded between his Department and exporters in Great Britain in respect of exports to Russia under the Export Credits Scheme during each month since the decision was taken to extend these facilities to exporters from this country to Russia; and the share of the risk which the Government have accepted under these contracts?

The number and face value of contracts entered into under the Exports Credits Guarantee Scheme in respect of exports to Russia since 1st August, 1929, together with His Majesty's Government's liability thereon are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the output of British-made wrapping-paper has increased during the past three years; and, if so, to what extent?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member on 4th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any highly protected countries in which the wages paid are half those in this country; and will he give details?

In the issues of the International Labour Review for October and December, 1929, tables are given showing the comparative index numbers of real wages in the large towns of different countries, generally in June-July, 1929. The countries shown in this table as having real wages less than 50 per cent. of those paid in this country are Austria, Spain, Italy, Estonia and Portugal. It must be borne in mind that these index numbers are subject to the important reservations set out in detail in the Review. In a publication entitled "Tariff Level Indices," issued in 1927 by the League of Nations, the tariff level in different countries, including three of those above mentioned, are estimated by various methods on the basis of the tariffs in force in 1925. Taking their tariffs as a whole, the three countries are placed in the following groups: Austria, 10 to 15 per cent.; Italy, 15 to 20 per cent.; Spain, over 40 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount raised by Customs tariffs per capita in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, United States of America. France, Germany, and Italy, respectively?

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th March, 1930; col. 64, Vol. 236], supplied the following information:The Customs revenue of the United Kingdom in 1928–29 was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had any communication or is in a position to make a statement concerning the new tariff proposals of the Egyptian Government?

A translation of the draft Egyptian Customs Tariff issued on 17th December was published in the Board of Trade Journal for 9th January. The tariff itself came into operation on 19th February. The issue of the Board of Trade Journal for 27th February shows in detail the points in which the tariff in force differs from the original draft.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what additional work is being or proposed to be done this year in afforestation in the county of Carmarthen, and how many additional men will be employed on this additional work?

The Forestry Commission's planting programme in Car- marthenshire this season is 59 acres more than last season. The present number of the Commission's employés in Carmarthenshire is 10 more than a year ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of emigrants from Great Britain to Canada and Australia, respectively, during the months of January and February, 1930, and for the corresponding periods in 1927, 1928 and 1929?

The numbers of British subjects who are recorded as leaving permanent residence in Great Britain to take up permanent residence in Canada and Australia, respectively, during the months of January and February, 1930, and during the same months of the years 1927, 1928 and 1929, were as follow:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the announcement by the Canadian Minister of the Interior that in future British immigrants will not only have to provide their own passages, but to bring with them sufficient funds to support themselves and their families for a reasonable time after landing in Canada; and if he can state the exact nature of the changes that are to take place with regard to the conditions of emigration from this country to Canada?

My attention has been called to statements in the Press regarding the restrictions on migration to Canada of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, but the Secretary of State has received no official information from His Majesty's Government in Canada in regard to the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now prepared to withdraw the embargo upon the importation of Dutch meat?

As I have said on several previous occasions, I am satisfied, after careful inquiry, that this embargo is necessary for protection of livestock in this country from disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, taking the last three years, he will state the reduction in forage and root crops entailed by laying down arable land to pasture; and whether he is investigating the effect of the diminution of rotation crops upon the number of cattle which farms can carry through the winter?

The reduction in the area of forage and root crops in England and Wales since 1926 is 134,400 acres, or approximately 9 per cent. There has been a very slight reduction in the numbers of cows and heifers in calf and in milk. Other cattle have decreased by about 7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of horses that were exported from this country to the Continent during 1929 and the towns to which they were sent; how many inspectors were employed in this matter last year; and whether he will publish their most recent Report?

9,912 horses were shipped from Great Britain to the Continent during 1929. A list of the towns to which they were sent is given below. The number of inspectors employed in the examination of horses immediately before shipment at the ports during 1929 was 16. As regards the last part of the question, periodical reports are received from the inspectors at the ports of shipment, consisting, in the main, of the numbers of horses examined, shipped, and rejected, the destinations to which they are sent, and the purpose for which they are intended on arrival on the Continent, and generally as to compliance with the regulations both as regards the fittings of vessels in which the horses are carried, and arrangements for feeding, watering, etc., and these are summarised in the Annual Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry. The Report for 1929 will be published during the next few months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any further statement to make to the House with regard to the export of horses for slaughter to the Continent?

The position with regard to the export of horses from this country has been fully stated in my replies to recent questions, in particular that which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on the 10th instant. Briefly, the facts are that no horse which is not certified by the Ministry's inspectors as fit to travel and (it to work without suffering is allowed to be exported. This condition has been rigidly enforced for many years and the Ministry has in no way relaxed its vigilance. Statements which recently appeared in the Press with regard to methods of slaughter at a certain abattoir on the Continent have no relevance whatever to horses exported from Great Britain for slaughter, since no horses have been sent to that abattoir from this country since 1925. According to my information, all I he horses exported from Great Britain in 1929 for immediate slaughter were slaughtered with the humane killer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the quantities of potatoes in the country and the fact that they are almost unsaleable, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of early potatoes from abroad until present stocks are appreciably reduced?

The action suggested by the hon. Member is precluded by the International Convention for the Abolition of Prohibitions and Restrictions on Imports and Exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion of new potatoes included in the imports of potatoes into this country, as set out in the Board of Trade Returns for the months of January and February last?

Separate statistics of the imports of new potatoes are not available, but from an examination of the countries whence potatoes were consigned, it would appear that of the total imports of potatoes registered during January and February last, about 17 per cent. and 28 per cent., respectively, consisted of new potatoes. I may add that two-thirds of the total weight of potatoes imported during January and February were consigned from the Irish Free State.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can make any statement regarding the Royal Veterinary College?

The Development Commissioners have recommended, and the Treasury has approved the recommendation, that, subject to certain conditions, a grant not exceeding £100,000, on a pound for pound basis, should be made to the governors of the Royal Veterinary College for the reconstruction of the college on the present site.

asked the Secretary for Mines the output of the tin mines in Cornwall for the years 1928 and 1929?

The output of dressed tin ore from mines in Cornwall was 3,836 tons in 1928 and 4,363 tons in 1929. In the same years, 985 tons and 1,249 tons, respectively, of dressed ore were produced from other workings.

asked the Secretary for Mines what methods are employed in driving hard headings in the anthracite district of South Wales; what means of protection is afforded the men against the dust; and whether silicosis is increasing in this district?

The danger of silicosis in work of this character arises from the use of percussive drills in sandstone or other highly silicious rock; and under these conditions protection against the dust is afforded by the compulsory use of water or of a mechanical dust trap. I have no reason to think that silicosis is increasing in the anthracite district, and hope, on the contrary, that these preventive measures will check it.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons under 15 years of age employed in or about the coal mines of Great Britain?