asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with regard to providing a suitable settlement for the Assyrians of Iraq; and whether he can make any statement with regard to this matter?

In a note dated 2nd September His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom communicated to the Assyrian Committee of the Council of the League of Nations a detailed statement regarding the possibilities, in so far as they are known, of settling the Assyrians in the Rupununi district of British Guiana. In a note of 24th September the French Government put forward for the Committee's consideration the idea of settlement in the bend of the River Niger in French West Africa. Both Governments urged the importance, however, as a first step of despatching Missions of investigation to the areas in question to pronounce upon their suitability for the particular purpose of Assyrian settlement. The Com- mittee has since despatched a Mission of Investigation to British Guiana. It is estimated that this Mission, which was due to arrive in the colony on 31st October, will require three months for the accomplishment of its task. The question of sending a similar Mission to French West Africa is to be considered further by the Assyrian Committee on the receipt of supplementary information which it has asked the French Government to furnish.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the banning in Iraq of the "Jewish Chronicle" and other Jewish journals; and whether he can give any information as to what steps, if any, the Government have taken in regard to this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Bag-dad has already been instructed to ascertain and report whether such a ban has in fact been imposed, and if so, for what reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is now the position of the committee of the Disarmament Conference set up to consider the problem of the private manufacture of, and trade in, arms and ammunition; and what is the attitude of the British Government to the draft articles on the international control of armament licences adopted by the Disarmament Conference special committee on the trade in arms on 2nd July, 1934?

The Committee for the regulation of the trade in and private and State manufacture of arms and implements of war, which was requested by the General Commission of the Disarmament Conference in June last to resume its work forthwith, completed its task on 2nd July by the adoption of a report and draft articles. The report and draft articles were communicated to the members of the General Commission for the consideration of the Governments represented at the Conference. As regards the second part of the question, I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter, which is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is now the position with regard to the proposed embargo on arms and ammunition to Bolivia and Paraguay; which countres have expressed their willingness to cooperate in such an embargo; and which countries, if any, have put such embargo into operation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Wolverhamption East (Mr. Mander) yesterday, in which the present position of the embargo on the supply of arms to Bolivia and Paraguay was explained. The lists requested in the second part of his question are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has informed or proposes to inform British nationals that contracts and agreements with the de facto Government in Manchuria are unenforceable in view of the fact that the establishment of this Government is contrary to the rights of the Chinese Government as guaranteed by the Nine Power Treaty, and that His Majesty's Government would therefore be precluded from rendering any assistance to them in the enforcement of such contracts?

The exceptional conditions now ruling in Manchuria are well known to British interests having business there. Opportunity has, however, been taken as it arose of pointing out informally the difficulties inherent in the situation.

asked the Secretary for Mines what proof he requires that there is in existence a satisfactory automatic firedamp detector to show the presence of gas in coal mines; and what steps he is taking to obtain such proof?

The proof that any type of automatic firedamp detector, having passed appropriate laboratory tests, is reliable in operation under working conditions and of practical value to those concerned, would be obtained from the experience of its actual use in mines on a sufficiently large scale, and over a sufficient length of time. Such experience is in process of being obtained at the present time.

asked the Secretary for Mines the position with regard to the suggested regulations for the compulsory use of gas detectors underground?

The hon. Member is aware that a preliminary draft of regulations to deal comprehensively with the provision of means for the detection of firedamp by workmen underground has been under consideration in consultation with representative bodies in the industry. As a result of the discussions which have taken place, I have caused the draft to be revised in certain particulars—in such a manner I may add, as to go some way towards meeting the suggestions made by the workmen's representatives, and I propose shortly to publish the draft regulations formally, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Coal Mines Act, 1911. The representatives of the workmen, however, have intimated their desire to discuss the matter further with me before that is done. I have replied that I am ready to discuss it at any time, and have invited them to fix as early a date as possible for the purpose.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of wage-earners employed in the mining industry on the latest date available; and the number so engaged on the same date in 1931?

On 20th October, 1934, the number of wage-earners on colliery books in Great Britain was 767,200, and at the corresponding date in 1931, 831,700.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many ponies were employed below ground at the Gresford Colliery at the time of the disaster in September last; how many were killed as a result of the explosion; how many were employed on rescue work before the mine was sealed; and how many were brought to the surface?

I am obtaining the information and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government will consider introducing legislation to embody the recommendations of the Royal Commission on mining subsidences?

I am afraid that I am still unable to hold out any hope of early legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any form of inquiry is being held 'as to the harmful effects of fumes from motor vehicles on the general health of the public?

I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery), in reply to recent questions on this subject by him, that the report of a Home Office Departmental Committee which considered this matter did not suggest that there was any such evidence of injury being caused by exhaust fumes to the health of drivers and conductors or of persons using the highway as would justify legislative action. I added that the examiners appointed under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, were required to look for defects in exhaust pipes in the public service vehicles and goods vehicles which they examined.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the feeling in the country in favour of a speed limit in towns, he will put into force without further delay the speed limits as specified in the First Schedule to the Road Traffic Act, 1934?

asked the Minister of Transport at what date it is intended to bring into operation the proposed speed limit in built-up areas?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now reimpose a speed limit in built-up areas?

I am formally asking local authorities to consider what roads in built-up areas should not be subject to the speed limit and what roads should be subject to the speed limit although they are not in built-up areas. I 'am also inviting their comments, through their representative organisations, on regulations and directions which I have drafted. I hope to be able to settle these matters by the New Year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that George Dade, who was employed as a shunter at Stratford Market sidings on the London and North Eastern Railway, was killed while carrying out his duties on 9th January last; whether it is the practice of his Department to hold inquiries into all fatal accidents on the railways; and, if not, whether he will hold an inquiry in this case to ascertain whether it is possible to improve the existing safety provisions at these sidings with a view to preventing such accidents in future?

It is the practice to hold inquiries into accidents on railways, whether fatal or not, whenever it is considered that such investigation would be likely to lead to useful results, but inquiries are not always necessary where the accident is clearly attributable to misadventure. In this case the verdict at the coroner's inquest was to the effect that the unfortunate man was accidentally killed by being knocked down by an engine in a thick fog, and in these circumstances no inquiry was held. There has been no suggestion that conditions at these sidings contributed in any way to the accident, but I should, of course, consider any point which the hon. Member may wish to bring to my attention.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with regard to the large quantities of painted metal posts with hollow glass heads that have been set up to mark pedestrian crossing places, he will state how many of these so-called beacons have been ordered by his Department and by local authorities, and at what cost per beacon, including erection?

The cost of a complete beacon (including the cost of erection) is 30s. As I informed the House on Tuesday last, about 5,000 pedestrian crossing places have already been provided, the majority of which have been, or are in the course of being, provided with beacons.

asked the Minister of Transport what action is now being taken to provide the town of Selby with a new bridge free of toll?

The responsible local authorities have at my instance agreed to the appointment of consulting engineers who will report as soon as possible upon the most advantageous route for a by-pass at Selby, incorporating a new bridge over the River Ouse.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why the Albert Gate is kept closed?

When Knightsbridge was closed to traffic for the purpose of repaving, it was necessary to close the Albert Gate. When this work was completed, the repaving of the spur road from Knightsbridge to the Gate was undertaken and the traffic conditions in Knightsbridge were so much improved as a result of the inability of the traffic to turn into the park at this point that I was asked by the police to agree to the permanent closing of the Gate to all but foot passengers and riders. I have agreed to this for an experimental period of three months, when the position will be reviewed in the light of the experience gained during that time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the increased volume of imports of retained manufactures during the three months ended 30th September, 1934, as compared with the same period in 1933?

If the effect of price changes is eliminated, the volume of retained imports into the United Kingdom of goods classified in the trade returns as wholly or mainly manufactured was greater by 12 per cent. in the quarter ended September, 1934, than in the corresponding quarter of 1933.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated total value of shipbuilding work now in progress on the Clyde and Tyne, respectively; and the estimated value of shipbuilding work still to be laid down in each case?

According to returns published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping in respect of merchant vessels of 100 tons gross and upwards, work was in hand on 30th September, 1934, in the Clyde district on 48 vessels of 290,841 tons gross and in the Newcastle district on 10 vessels of 61,430 tons gross. I have no information to enable me to estimate the value of the work in progress or the value of the work on ships still to be laid down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that from 1st November, 1934, to 1st February, 1935, no further licences are being issued by the Dutch Government for the importation of British pottery into Holland; and, having regard to the serious injury caused thereby to the British pottery industry, if he will take the necessary steps in the matter to bring about the removal of this restriction?

A number of complaints have been received of difficulty in obtaining the issue of licences for the importation of pottery and certain other goods from this country into the Netherlands and the matter has already been taken up with the Netherlands authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he will consider taking powers to impose special duties against the imports of countries which sell their products at a price less than that in the country of origin and where export subsidies, either direct or indirect, are granted.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 30th October to a similar question by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester East (Mr. Lyons).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of pairs of artificial silk stockings and hose imported into this country from 1st January, 1934, to the latest date for which figures are available, and the number imported in the same period of 1932?

The information desired is set out on page 88 of the issue for September last of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Russian authorities have agreed recently to purchase 170,000 barrels of herrings from Holland on 12 months' credit; and if similar credit facilities will be arranged for the herring exporters of Great Britain in view of the economic distress caused by the present state of the herring-fishing industry?

I am informed that certain private firms in Holland have recently concluded the sale of 25,000 barrels of herrings to Russia. This is no doubt the transaction to which my hon. Friend refers. I have no information as to the terms of credit, if any, that were offered. The Advisory Committee to the Export Credits Guarantee Department are open to consider applications for guarantees by exporters of goods produced or manufactured in the United Kingdom, and they will be willing to consider any specific applications by exporters of herrings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department retains £19 14s. 11d., wages due to Patrick Rowlands, 41, Slade Street, Liverpool, late fireman on the steamship "Essex"; and is he prepared to hand this money over to Mr. Rowlands?

The amount in question was received over 14 years ago under Section 28 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, and cannot legally be paid to the seaman because the shipowner has given written notice of objection to such payment under Sub-section (8).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish a statement giving particulars of the arms and munitions and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, in respect of which he has issued licences to export to China and Japan in June, July, August, September, and October, 1934?

The following statement gives the desired information.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has decided to allow telephone trunk calls to be sent anywhere in Britain on Christmas Day for 1s; and, if so, whether a similar concession will be made in Scotland during New Year's Day, 1st January?

These matters are under consideration, and my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the success attending the recent reduction in the telephone charges, he will consider the advisability of reverting to the penny post?

I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope of the early introduction of penny postage.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now say what prospects there are of the minimum rate for telegrams being reduced to 9d. in the near future?

The investigation into the question of telegram charges is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the attenuated number of His Majesty's judges, apart from the King's Bench, is causing delay and confusion in the transaction of legal business in the courts; and whether steps will be taken for a sufficient number of extra judges to be appointed to obviate such inconvenience to the bench, the bar, and the public?

I am unable to follow the suggestion made by my hon. Friend that the number of judges, apart from the King's Bench Division, is attenuated. I shall make a statement upon the steps which His Majesty's Government propose to take with respect to the general situation when moving the Motion which stands in my name for to-day.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that, instead of the customary two judges, a commissioner alone has been sent to take the assizes at Newcastle-upon-Tyne; that, in view of the heavy business, a second court, presided over by one of the leaders on the north eastern circuit, has had to be hurriedly convened to relieve the congestion; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in future two judges, or at least one judge and a commissioner, are allocated to these assizes?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that it is customary that two judges should go to Newcastle on the autumn assize. The Order in Council of 1912 regulating the circuits of the judges provides for one judge only for that place on that occasion. It is not unusual, when business is heavy on assize, that a leader on the circuit should assist the administration of justice by presiding in a second court. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor regrets that, by reason of the fact that there are two vacancies in the King's Bench Division which could not be filled until Parliament reassembled, it was necessary to send a commissioner instead of a judge on the north eastern circuit this autumn. A resolution will be moved in this House with a view to filling the vacancies.

asked the Attorney-General (1) the number of judges in each of the provinces of Canada, apart from the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada, distinguishing between the judges in the court of appeal, the puisne judges, and the county court judges, with the estimated population of each province, respectively;(2) the number of judges in the supreme court of each state in the United States of America, distinguishing between the courts of appeal and the high courts, with the estimated populations of each state, and the number of judges in the United States Federal Courts?

I regret that I am not able to give the information desired.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make on the present position of the water supply?

The average rainfall for September was above the normal, but October has been dry, particularly in the Midlands and the South. Returns received from water undertakers show that the position generally is better than it was in the summer, and that, where shortage exists or is threatened, remedial measures have been taken by providing additional supplies, or by economies in consumption. Water undertakers generally have the situation in hand, provided that, where necessary, consumers continue to co-operate by reasonable economies in the use of water. There has been no serious curtailment of supplies in urban areas except in a very few instances. In rural areas, the primary need for permanent supplies is being met with the help of the Government grant. A large number of schemes have already been passed for grant, and authorities should expedite any schemes which they propose to put forward.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for a conference to be held between the Ministry of Health, county council associations, and the Milk Board on the difficulties which have arisen over the accredited producer scheme; and whether he will consider regulations on the lines of the Milk Re-organisation Committee's report which the county councils could operate immediately?

It would, I think, be for the Milk Marketing Board, as the body responsible for preparing the Accredited Producers' Scheme, to call such a conference, but if they decide to do so I shall be glad to arrange for the representation of my Department. As regards the second part of the question, I have no power to prescribe the conditions to be complied with by accredited producers.

asked the Minister of Pensions, in regard to the death of Edward Hickey, of Regent Street, Liverpool, Private, No. 145,208, Royal Army Medical Corps, why pension has been refused to the widow; and if he is prepared to reconsider the case?

The late Mr. Hickey was not in receipt of a disability pension in respect of Great War service at the time of his death, his claims having been rejected by the independent appeal tribunal, and for that reason it is not in my power, under the terms of the Royal Warrant, to entertain his widow's claim to pension. I have, nevertheless, had special consideration given to the case, but I am advised that there are no grounds on which exceptional action would be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement as to what progress has been made in the naval discussions with America and Japan?

No useful purpose would be served by any statement while these discussions, which are of an exploratory nature, are still in progress.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, in connection with the recent proposals affecting the superannuation of Admiralty industrial employés, a decision to obtain the views of associations of Admiralty industrial employés in addition to those of the Admiralty Industrial Whitley Council was reached because the council in question cannot be held to be properly representative of all Admiralty industrial employés and especially of those who are established; and whether he will give early consideration to a complete revision of the system of negotiations between employer and employed so far as the Admiralty and its industrial civil servants are concerned?

The Board of Admiralty has always exercised the right of consulting any of their employés whenever they think fit, and on the occasion referred to they merely followed their usual practice. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total value of Ad- miralty orders placed on the Clyde and Tyne, respectively, since 1st January, 1933, and the value of such work now in progress in each case?

The total values of Admiralty orders for ships and machinery placed on the Clyde and Tyne, respectively, since 1st January, 1933, are approximately as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the total sum collected to date in respect of the Irish Free State Special Duties Act, 1932, and the total amount withheld by the Irish Free State Government for Land Annuities and under other heads?

Up to 31st March, 1934, the amount collected under the Irish Free State (Special Duties) Act was £6,484,240, and the amount of the payments withheld by the Irish Free State £9,673,995. During the current financial year the amount collected under the Special Duties Act for the six months ending 29th September, 1934, is £1,870,669, and the amount withheld by the Irish Free State in respect of those six months is £2,357,379.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider making all aerodromes under the control of the Royal Air Force independent of outside supplies of electricity?

The course suggested by my hon. Friend has been considered; but in the interests of economy it has been decided to obtain electricity supplies from the grid or local distributing authorities where this is the cheaper, and gradually to instal stand-by plants where necessary, to provide against a failure of the outside supply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Graf Zeppelin and the new German airship now under construction at Frederickshafen will shortly inaugurate a regular trans-Atlantic service; and, having regard to the growing importance of aerial travel, will he reconsider his decision as to the construction of air-ships?

It seems unlikely that the new German airship will be ready for trial before the late spring of 1935. Until she has started regular operation, my Noble Friend thinks it would be premature to consider departing from the policy decided on as a result of the May Committee's Report in September, 1931. Under this policy the Air Ministry maintains a nucleus staff which keeps in the closest touch with airship development in other countries, and carries out certain experiments, but no production work is undertaken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) whether the meteorological reports furnished by railway signalmen are based upon the visibility of different objects at different distances in different localities; and how far account is taken of the peculiarities of local boxes as, for example, when they are situated in cuttings or depressions;(2) whether he is aware that some of the signal-boxes from which meteorological reports are received are unoccupied for several hours, and in certain cases during the whole of Sunday; and from what sources are reports obtained when those signal-boxes are not available?

The meteorological reports supplied by railway signalmen relate to the visibility on the railway line and are supplied to the companies for railway use; they are not supplied to the Air Ministry. In connection with the recent inquiry at Manchester, the information contained in certain of these records was kindly placed at the disposal of the Air Ministry by the London Midland (SL Scottish Railway Company as a special measure and was examined in the Meteorological Office with a view to assessing the normal visibility at certain localities outside Manchester where no observations are taken by the Meteoro- logical Office itself. In making the assessment, due allowance was made for the factors referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the evidence given by the assessor in the recent airport inquiry, held at Manchester, that weather reports rendered by pilots Are generally unreliable; and in what way reports furnished from signal-boxes are superior?

The representative of the Directorate of Civil Aviation who, at the request of the Ministry of Health, attended the Manchester airport inquiry, did not attend as an 'assessor but simply to answer any technical questions that might be put to him. The statement to which my hon. Friend refers was intended to make the point that actual observations of fixed objects from a fixed point form a better basis for comparing the normal visibility in different localities than the impressions of a pilot in a rapidly moving aeroplane.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, in view of proof afforded by the recent air race to Australia of the practicability of running high-speed commercial air services to the distant parts of the Empire, he will propose a new basis of agreement with Imperial Airways which will enable that company to maintain British air prestige?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, as the result of the information provided by the recent England to Australia flight, any new proposals have been adopted for the increased speed and efficiency of British commercial air services to India and Australia?

Concrete proposals for curtailing materially the present times taken by the existing air services between London and the other Empire capitals have been under consideration for many months past, but I am not in A position as yet to make any public statement. I must, however, enter a caveat that, important as is the speed factor in commercial air transport development, other considerations, such 'as safety, reliability, regularity and comfort, have also to be taken into account. This is illustrated by the fact that, even although Air France had re-equipped their fleet with materially faster machines on the London-Paris route as long ago as January last, Imperial Airways during the three months July to September, in, elusive, carried over three times as many passengers as Air France on this route. Further, whereas the number of passengers carried by Imperial Airways during these three months was somewhat larger than the corresponding figure for the same period in 1933, the French figures, despite the use of these faster machines, showed a decline of nearly 30 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how the annual subsidy paid from public funds to Imperial Airways, Limited, compares with the subsidies paid by foreign governments to their commercial air lines; and whether in future he will lay down minimum conditions as to speed and reliability as a condition of the continuance of the subsidy to Imperial Airways, in order to bring the performance of British commercial flying machines up to the level of that of foreign airways?

It is impossible to deal adequately with the very complex issues raised in this question within the limits of a Parliamentary reply. I may say, however, that the annual subsidy paid to Imperial Airways is materially lower than those paid in such countries as the United States, France, Germany and Italy, largely because the object of the British subsidy is to develop air transport on a sound commercial basis. As regards reliability, Imperial Airways have an unrivalled record; as regards speed, I would refer my hon. Friend to what I have already said in reply to a previous question. I may add, however, that appropriate minimum conditions will certainly be laid down in any agreements which may be concluded with Imperial Airways in the future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking to prevent the British air lines operating routes to the East being hampered by any refusal on the part of the French Government to permit British machines to fly between Le Bourget and Marseilles when carrying commercial loads?

Negotiations are still proceeding with the French Government in this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the backward condition of British commercial aviation, as witnessed by the recent England to Australian air race, and in view of the minority report of the Gorell Committee, he will give an early day for the discussion in this House of the recommendation contained therein to remove civil and commercial aviation from the control of the Air Ministy?

At the time of the publication of the report of the Gorell Committee, His Majesty's Government made it plain that they had no intention of removing civil aviation from the Air Ministry. It would, indeed, be a retrograde step, when the majority of other great nations have followed our example in unifying and rationalising their air organisation. In view of the great congestion of Parliamentary business, I can see no prospect of its being possible to give a day for debating this question in the early future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his officers have yet reported, and what steps he intends to take, in regard to the Broadford Pier which has been closed?

I received a report on the state of the pier during the Recess, from which it appears that complete reconstruction at considerable cost would be required to meet local needs. The position is being further explored in the light of this report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish National Building Trades Employers' Federation, representing contractors engaged on municipal housing schemes in Scotland, have sent out circulars levying from their members £1 per head to collect expenses to oppose Labour candidates in the forthcoming municipal elections, and are also supplying vehicles for the same purpose; that the proceeds of the levy are to be used to finance Moderate candidates and propaganda during the campaign; and whether he proposes to take action, in view of the declaration all candidates have to sign in accordance with the Local Elections Expenses Act, 1919?

I have no information in the sense of the first two parts of the hon. Member's question, With regard to the third part, the matter is not one in which I have any authority to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of the closing of the Crinan Canal in the month of July last, owing to shortage of water, in view of the inconvenience then caused?

I have been asked to reply. An additional reservoir for supplying water to the canal has recently been provided, but owing to the exceptionally low rainfall during the winter of 1933-34 and the last summer, the reservoirs supplying water to the canal have not filled. It has not, therefore, been possible to take advantage of the additional storage capacity made available by the provision of the new reservoir, which, in future, should afford adequate reserves.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can give any information as to the cause of the fatal accident that occurred from the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament; whether the staging was properly protected; and what compensation will be paid?

The fatal accident was the subject of a coroner's inquest on 30th October, when a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was recorded. The staging was properly protected. The deceased workman was employed by a firm of contractors and any question of compensation falls to be settled between the dependants of the deceased man and the contractors.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any stands are being erected by his Department for Members of Parliament desiring to view the Royal procession on the occasion of the wedding of His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent?

In order to meet the desire of Members of both Houses to view the procession, I am arranging for stands to accommodate 700 persons to be set up in the southern portion of Parliament Square green, facing east and south. The charge will be the cost price of erecting the stand, which is unlikely to exceed £1 per seat, and arrangements for a ballot for these seats will be made in the usual way; in the case of this House through Mr. Speaker's Secretary.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed previously in receipt of public assistance now receiving unemployment allowance from the Unemployment Assistance Board?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question put on Tuesday by the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn).

asked the Minister of Labour whether any comparisons have been instituted between the number of persons registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges and the number of persons of all classes who described themselves as unemployed at the time of the last census of population; and if he can furnish an estimate of the number of persons unemployed on the Census day who were not included on the live register?

The total number of persons enumerated as out of work in Great Britain at the Population Census of 1931, which related to the night of Sunday, 26th April, was 2,524,514. The number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges on 27th April, 1931, was 2,520,113. These totals, however, are not strictly comparable, since the Census figures cover all persons who described themselves as out of work, including those who were not registered at Employment Exchanges, whilst it seems probable, on the other hand, that some of the persons who registered at the Employment Exchanges as temporarily suspended from their employment did not describe themselves as out of work on the Census schedule. As the statistics compiled by my Department are classified by industries and not by occupations, whilst Census figures for England and Wales, so far as published, are on an occupational basis, detailed comparisons cannot yet be made. When the Census figures, classified by industries, have been published, I will consider how far a comparison may properly be drawn between them and the statistics compiled by my Department, but in view of the differences in the bases on which the two sets of figures are compiled, I doubt whether they will provide a satisfactory means of estimating the number of unemployed persons not registered at the Employment Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of British seamen, including all sea-going persons other than fishermen, unemployed at the latest available date, and comparable figures for 1933, 1932, and 1929?

The number of unemployed seamen, aged 18 and over, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 23rd July, 1934, the latest date for which figures are available, was 32,093. The corresponding figures in July, 1933, 1932 and 1929 were respectively, 36,921, 37,882 and 15,150. Separate statistics in respect of seamen of British nationality are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the shipbuilding industry at the latest available date, and comparable figures for 1932 and 1933?

At 24th September, 1934, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 70,607 insured persons in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. The corresponding figures for 26th September, 1932, and 25th September, 1933, were 107,577 and 91,880 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the possibility of providing in the near future in Palestine an aerodrome more conveniently situated for the large centres of population than the existing aerodrome in the desert at Gaza; and whether the scheme for a landing ground and basin for aeroplanes and hydroplanes at Tel Aviv is receiving consideration?

Certain sites in Palestine have been provisionally selected for civil aerodromes, and the High Commissioner is obtaining expert advice as to the measures which would be necessary to convert them into permanent landing-grounds. As regards the last part of the question, I am aware that such a project has been mooted, but I have no official information on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a decision has been arrived at regarding the new uniform for the Army that has recently been on trial?

No, Sir. The trial was extended to the end of the training season, and has only just been concluded.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the Government have decided to select an alternative site for Woolwich Arsenal; and, if so, whether in this connection the Suitability of ground at Rosyth under the control of the Admiralty will be considered?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 30th October to the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks). In the course of the inquiry all relevant considerations will be taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the receipts from Entertainments Duty for each month since April last, inclusive, together with the corresponding figures for a similar period last year?

The receipts from Entertainments Duty for each month from April to September, 1934, together with the corresponding figures for the same period of 1933 follow:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the exemption of the Old Vic and Sadlers Wells theatres from the Entertainments Duty, he will consider the exemption of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon also?

Exemption has already been granted to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon in respect of the entertainments included in the programmes for the forthcoming season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects to receive the report of the Sugar Industry Investigation Committee, of which Mr. Wilfred Greene, K.C., is the chairman, and whether any advice will be tendered on behalf of his Department upon the constitutional question raised by the marketing schemes which have been submitted; and will the report be printed and circulated before the probable date when this House is called upon to discuss the long-term policy of His Majesty's Government?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on Tuesday last to my hon. Friend the Member for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith), when I indi- cated that it was expected that the Committee would report in November. As regards the second part, the Committee has already examined representatives of the Ministry upon every aspect of the marketing schemes. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the request from the Card and Blowing Room Operatives Union asking that their members suffering from the effects of dust in the course of their employment shall be included within the schedules of the workmen's compensation laws; and what reply has been returned to such request?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given to-day to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Sir J. Haslam).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the representations from county and municipal authorities with regard to the present state of the herring fisheries; and if he proposes to take any action thereon?

Yes, Sir. Full consideration has been given to the representations in question. The representations refer especially to the great desirability of ensuring the market in foreign countries for the produce of the herring fisheries. As my hon. Friend will recall, I informed the House on Tuesday last that most active steps were being taken to arrive at an agreement for mutual trade with Germany, and I would further refer my hon. Friend to the answer to further questions to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the Order Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether the inquiry ordered into the deaths of four youths in the Blackley (Manchester) bleach mills has now been concluded; and, if so, what are the findings?

As regards the findings as to the cause of this accident, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 21st June. A technical committee, on which employers and workmen are represented, has since been set up to study possible methods of preventing similar accidents.