asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the numbers of staff in posts in Government Departments on 1st September, 1937, under each of the following heads established shorthand-typists, including clerk-shorthand-typists; established typists, including clerk-typists; temporary shorthand-typists, including temporary clerk-shorthand-typists; temporary typists, including temporary clerk-typists; and how many of the temporary officers employed on that date were blocking permanent shorthand-typist or copying-typist posts?

The following table gives the numbers in the grades in question as at 1st April 1937:

—	Established.	Temporary.
Shorthand-typists, including clerk shorthand-typists.	4,400	850
Typists, including clerk typists	4,900	1,600

I regret that details cannot be furnished showing the number of temporary officers who were employed in permanent posts for shorthand-typists or copying-typists.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the approximate number of established and unestablished clerical staff employed under the Admiralty in each of the following years: 1913, 1920, 1930, and 1937?

Complete statistics are not available, and it is not possible without a considerable expenditure of time and labour to give the required figures for the years 1913 and 1920. The approximate figures, excluding locally entered staff abroad, for the years 1930 and 1937 are:

Year.		Established.	Unestablished.
1930	…	2,670	870
1937	…	3,680	750

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the approximate number of established and unestablished men employed by the Post Office in each of the following years: 1913, 1920, 1930, and 1937?

The numbers of established and unestablished men employed by the Post Office in 1913, 1920, 1930, and 1937 are as follow:

—	Established.	Unestablished full-time and part-time.
1913—as at 1st April	96,403	76,504
1920—do.	106,106	69,007
1930—do.	114,252	62,471
1937—do.	126,361	75,733

The figures for the years 1913 and 1920 include the staff then employed in what is now the Irish Free State.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the approximate number of established and unestablished men employed in the Stationery Office in each of the following years: 1913, 1920, 1930, and 1937?

—	1913.	1920.	1930.	1937.
Clerical—
Established	130	225	461	443
Unestablished (including Messengers)	24	358	92	65
Warehouse—
Established	27	79	65	81
Unestablishcd	138	1,021	533	562
Printing Presses—
Established	—	—	29	109
Unestablished	—	845	1,046	1,060
Total—
Established	157	304	555	633
Unestablished	162	2,224	1,671	1,687

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that insurance companies and Lloyds are not prepared to quote for war risks to property, His Majesty's Government intend to promote any scheme whereby a property owner may insure against such a risk?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answers given on 2nd and 9th November to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel), of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any consultations are now taking place with either the United States of America or France with regard to monetary policy; if so, what is the object of such conversations; and, if not, whether he proposes to initiate discussions with a view to remedying the defects in the technique of price stabilisations disclosed by recent events in the city of London?

His Majesty's Government are in frequent contact with the United States and French Governments with regard to monetary policy, with the objects which were set out in the Tripartite Declarations of the 26th September, 1936. My right hon. Friend does not propose to initiate any special discussions at the present time.

The information is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the Government of the United States of America still adheres to the monetary technique embodied in the agreement of September, 1936?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain the nature of the calculations leading to the decision to increase the fiduciary issue from £200,000,000 to £220,000,000 rather than to any other figure?

The additional figure is, of course, a round figure estimated to be adequate and suitable in the circumstances of the approaching Christmas demands.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the present position with regard to the signature of the conventions for the repression of terrorism and for the setting up of an international criminal court at The Hague; what countries have signed; and what is the attitude of the British Government?

A conference to consider these two conventions has been held at Geneva. I understand that 35 States took part and that the conference concluded its labours on 16th November, when 19 States signed the Convention on the International Repression of Terrorism, 10 of these also signed the convention on the creation of an international criminal court. The United Kingdom delegates did not sign either convention. A report on the proceedings of the conference is awaited.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with legal proceedings pending, he has been asked for, or intends to grant, a certificate that the Emperor of Ethiopia still enjoys the status of a sovereign?

I have been asked, in connection with legal proceedings now pending, to supply in the form of a certificate answers to certain questions concerning the present position of Ethiopia, one of which inquiries, "whether His Majesty's Government still recognise His Majesty Hailé Selassie I as de jure Emperor of Ethiopia." It is clearly not possible for me, pending the proceedings in Court, to say anything with regard to the answers which will be given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the average cost per place of public elementary schools provided by local education authorities in England during the last 12 months?

The average cost per place of new public elementary schools for which loans have been sanctioned since 1st January, 1937, is £41 in the case of junior and infant schools and £63 in the case of senior schools.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Buckinghamshire local education authority have recently opened a public elementary school in Slough for 390 junior children at an inclusive cost of under £24 per place; whether he is fully satisfied with the building and accommodation; and whether he will encourage local education authorities to use this type of semi-permanent building, which will last until it becomes obsolete?

My Noble Friend is aware that the Buckinghamshire local education authority have recently opened the new junior department at Manor Park Council School, Slough, but particulars of the final cost have not yet been received by the Board. The building is timber-framed on a brick and concrete foundation. The Board have always been ready to approve construction of this kind as an alternative to traditional construction, as they made clear in paragraph 80 of their Educational Pamphlet No. 107.

asked the First Commissioner of Works who was responsible for the selection of Mr. Hardiman's statue of Lord Haig, recently erected near Whitehall; what was the total cost of the statue, including any modifications made; and whether any other tenders were asked for or made, and their comparative estimated cost?

Five sculptors were invited by my predecessor in 1928 to submit competitive designs. Three accepted the invitation, and the recommendation that Mr. Hardiman's design be selected was made by a committee of assessors which comprised nominees of the Royal Academy, the National Gallery, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal Society of British Sculptors, with an independent chairman. I am not at present in a position to state the actual total cost of the statue. It was not considered that a matter of this nature could appropriately be dealt with by the process of competitive tendering.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider publishing a White Paper containing the results and experiences of his visits to the local pensions committees and his consultations with representatives of the committees in certain areas?

No, Sir. These consultations are of an informal character and I do not consider that the course suggested would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider granting special campaign pensions to militiamen, members of volunteer companies attached to their Regular units, together with the members of the St. John's Ambulance Corps, who served in South Africa during the war of 1899–1902?

Special campaign pensions, like service pensions, are confined to those men who have served on regular engagements.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any final decision has yet been reached with regard to the representation of British interests at the Paris Exhibition when this is reopened in 1938; and whether he has any information as to which countries have definitely signified their intention of participating again on that occasion?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have decided, after careful consideration, that it is not possible for them to accept the French Government's invitation to continue United Kingdom participation in 1938, and the French Government have been informed accordingly. With regard to the second part of the question, no information is yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now been able to consider the memorandum submitted by the Cheshire and Lancashire Cheese Factors' Association with regard to the present shortage of Lancashire and Cheshire cheese; and whether he proposes to take any action to assist the cheese-manufacturing industry in this connection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the reply which I have caused to be sent to the Cheshire and Lancashire Cheese Factors' Association. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary) on 25th November.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in respect of the divisional officers appointed to control and regulate foodstuffs who are not empowered to take steps in the direction of increased food production, every facility will be given them for co-operation and exchange of views with the officials of the Departments who are concerned with the increase of food production at home?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend may be assured that there is full collaboration between the Departments concerned with food production and distribution.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give information, to the latest available dates, as to the amounts which have been allocated by county councils by way of grants and loans, respectively, under the Rural Workers' Housing Acts; and will he give this information for each county council concerned?

I will send the hon. Member a statement giving this information for each county council concerned. It will be appreciated that in certain areas the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts are administered by the rural district councils.

asked the Minister of Health whether borrowing powers have recently been granted to the North Mimms Parish Council, Herts, for purchasing land for a playing field; and, if so, what are the area and the price of the land that has been bought; and what was its previous rateable value?

Yes, Sir. The area of the land is approximately seven acres and the price paid was £910. The land was agricultural and therefore derated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given approval to the proposal of the Coventry City Council to purchase Stoke Aldermoor farm for the educational and housing needs of the city; if so, what price is being paid and what is the area and the previous rateable value of the land?

No proposal for the purchase of this site by the Coventry City Council has so far been submitted to my right hon. Friend for his approval.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the result of the negotiations of the Solihull Urban District Council for the purchase of a site for depot purposes adjoining the existing fire brigade depot; and, if this land has been purchased, what was the area, the price, and the value at which the [and was assessed for rating purposes?

I am informed that the negotiations have not yet been concluded.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious plight of growers of watercress in north-west Hampshire and elsewhere resulting from the refusal of retailers to buy, in consequence of public fear of typhoid infection; and whether he can give an assurance that there is no evidence to show that watercress is responsible for the present outbreak and that the public incur no danger by eating watercress, particularly when grown, as in Hampshire, a great distance from any known centre of infection?

Yes, Sir, the attention of my right hon. Friend has been drawn to Press statements on this matter. While he could not properly express an opinion as to the cause of the present outbreak, pending the result of the forthcoming public inquiry, my right hon. Friend may say that he has no evidence to suggest that it is any way connected with the eating of watercress.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what ships are under construction, or projected, in Portsmouth Dockyard; what is their tonnage; and the years in which such construction was approved by Parliament in the Navy Estimates?

The 5,200-ton cruiser "Aurora," of the 1934 New Construction Programme completed at Portsmouth a few days ago, and work is due to commence next month on the 5,450-ton cruiser "Sirius" of the 1936 programme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what ships are at present undergoing repairs and refits in Portsmouth Dockyard; when those repairs and refits were commenced; and when they are expected to be completed?

It is not in the public interest to give details of the dates on which His Majesty's ships are taken in hand and expect to complete, but the following is a list of the ships at present refitting at Portsmouth Dockyard:

Battleships.	Acheron.
Queen Elizabeth.	Sabre.
Nelson.	Antelope.
Battle Cruiser.	Amazon.
Renown.	Ambuscade.
	Vivacious.
Aircraft Carrier.	Verity.
Courageous.	Winchester.
Cruiser.	Submarines.
Ajax.	Otway.
Escort Vessel.	Oberon.
Milford.	Spearfish.
	Oswald.
Destroyers.
Faulknor.	His Majesty's Yacht.
Forester.	Victoria and
Fury.	Albert.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he proposes to erect a Royal Air Force depot at Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the decision to establish an aircraft storage depot at Bishop's Cleeve, in the county of Gloucester, has been reconsidered?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he will be in a position to announce the Government's final decision in respect of the location of the Royal Air Force store which it is proposed to erect at either Bishop's Cleeve of Quedgeley?

After reconsideration of all the factors involved, it has been decided not to proceed with the establishment of an equipment depot at Bishop's Cleeve. Negotiations for an alternative site at Quedgeley are being resumed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what has been the average cost per acre of land purchased for aerodromes during the last two years by the Air Ministry?

The average cost has been £36

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether before the federal portion of the Government of India Act, 1935, is put into operation, the Governments of the Provinces of British India will be taken into consultation as well as the princes of India?

The purpose of Parliament in passing the Act of 1935, as will be clear from the Debates of the first two days of the Committee stage in this House and the Debate on an Amendment moved on Report on 23rd May, was that the Federation should come into being as soon as the required minimum of rulers of Indian States had acceded in accordance with provisions carefully prescribed in the Act itself. It does not appear, therefore, that any purpose would be served by the suggested consultation with the Governments of the Provinces unless the revision of the Act is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the standard of the family of normal composition referred to in the instruction issued by the Unemployment Assistance Board is based upon the composition of the average family in the country or to the average number of dependants upon married claimants for unemployment assistance?

It is difficult to be more precise than in the answer furnished to the hon. Member in reply to his question on 22nd November. The expression, household of normal size and composition, is given a reasonable application by the officers of the Unemployment Assistance Board by whom it is well understood.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can inform the House as to the number of cases to date within the present year in which the Unemployment Assistance Board has exceeded the normal allowance due to special circumstances?

Information is not available to show the aggregate number of determinations made in the current year which include discretionary increases over the amounts calculated strictly in accordance with the scale and rules laid down in the Board's regulations. But as stated in the Board's annual report for 1936 the number of such cases current at the end of that year was about 115,000.

asked the Minister of Labour to what commodities, and the measure of their increased prices, may be attributable the increased allowances recommended by the Unemployment Assistance Board?

I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 22nd November.

asked the Minister of Labour the exact nature of the instructions which have been given to the Special Areas Commissioner for England and Wales to encourage the clearing up of ruins of factories and slag heaps?

The clearance of sites is part of the statutory duty of the Commissioner to initiate and assist measures which are designed to facilitate the economic development and social improvement of the Special Areas. My hon. and gallant Friend will observe from paragraphs 335 to 345 of his recent report, Cmd. 5595, that the Commissioner is engaged on several major schemes of site clearance, and from paragraphs 404 to 409 that he is assisting numerous minor schemes carried out on a voluntary basis.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any steps are being taken to include chauffeurs in an unemployment insurance scheme, as recommended by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee; and, if so, could he state on what conditions chauffeurs will be insured and when such scheme would come into operation?

As stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the hon. Member for Totnes (Major Rayner) on 24th November, it is proposed that private chauffeurs should be brought into the general scheme of unemployment insurance and draft regulations for this purpose are now under consideration by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee. It is proposed that contributions should first become payable in respect of private chauffeurs on 4th April, 1938.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed in Haltwhistle at the latest available date; the total number on the register; and whether he can give comparative figures for 12 months ago?

At 18th October, 1937, 438 persons aged 14 and over were registered as unemployed at the Haltwhistle Employment Exchange. The corresponding figure for 26th October, 1936, was 637.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the increase in the cost of living since July, 1914, specifying the increases in food, rent, clothing, coal, fuel and light?

At 1st November, 1937, the official cost-of-living index number showed the following average percentage increases over the level of July, 1914: food, 46; rent (including rates), 59; clothing, 110; coal, 95; fuel and light (including coal), 80; all items included, 60, Further details are given on page 454 of the November issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he hopes to be able to circulate to Members a report or White Paper on the Colonial Office works of the year before introducing the Estimates?

The matter is under my consideration, but I am not in a position to give any undertaking on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what conditions alien immigration is allowed into Cyprus; and, in particular, whether he will contemplate permitting the immigration of Jewish or other refugees who bring £1,000 capital, such as have hitherto immigrated and brought prosperity to Palestine?

Alien immigration into Cyprus is governed by the Immigration Law of 1936, and by the Regulations made under it. As was stated by my predecessor, in reply to a question by the right hon. and gallant Member on the 1st July, 1935, the immigration policy of the Cyprus Government is directed to safeguarding the livelihood of the existing inhabitants of the island, which would be prejudiced by allowing immigrants to enter the colony freely. But it is open to individuals desiring to settle, who satisfy the conditions imposed under the Immigration Law, to enter the island: and it is specifically provided under Regulations made on the 9th December, 1936, that any person who is in bona fide possession and freely disposes of a capital of not less than £1,000 is eligible for the grant of a certificate of immigration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the profits of all electricity undertakings in Great Britain for the years 1935 and 1936?

Following is the information:The figures for the gross surplus of authorised electricity undertakings (public authority and company undertakings) in Great Britain and for the appropriation thereof in the year 1935–36 are as follows:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has completed his inquiries into the charge that vacancies notified at the Bridgend and district Employment Exchanges are filled by newcomers to the district, to the exclusion of local men; and whether steps are being taken to see that the undertaking to engage local men is carried out?

This matter has now been investigated and I am glad to be able to tell the hon. Member that there is no evidence in support of the charge. The proportion of local men employed upon the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bridgend is being kept under review in my Department, and I am satisfied that the contractors are keeping their promise to employ local labour so far as is reasonably possible.