asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he is contemplating in order to fit the higher naval command for combined action with the other defence services?

Holders of the higher naval commands are already fitted, by methods of training common to all three Services, for the conduct of combined operations. Among the measures taken to this end are the combined exercises held on the various naval stations, and the attachment of naval officers to important courses of the other Services and to the Imperial Defence College. The Admiralty have every intention of continuing, by these and other suitable methods, to fit naval officers for action in co-operation with the other Services.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is considering the abolition of boy entry into the commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy and the substitution of public school and university candidates, such as has proved its value in the other fighting Services?

No, Sir, I am satisfied that the present system of recruitment for commissioned ranks in the Royal Navy is better calculated to meet the requirements of the Service than one restricted in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the road-accident officer appointed by him for the area which includes the county of Oxford has considered the recent report of the Oxfordshire county surveyor on the investigation of four years' fatal accidents in that county; and, if so, whether he confirms the view expressed in that report that the risk of road accident has been reduced by the carrying out of certain comparatively minor road improvements systematically as a result of that investigation?

The report to which my hon. Friend refers has been carefully considered in my Department. I am satisfied that the risk of accident has been reduced at the points where improvements have been made. Within the limits of question and answer it is not easy to discuss the possible effect of similar improvements upon other roads elsewhere; but I shall continue to encourage highway authorities to effect improvements wherever the conditions appear to make them necessary in the interests of safety.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons were killed and injured, respectively, on the main roads between Glasgow and Edinburgh during the year 1937; how many road accidents were covered by these casualties; and what are the corresponding figures for casualties and accidents on the railways between Glasgow and Edinburgh during the same period?

Forty-two persons were killed and 767 persons were injured in 650 road accidents which occurred on the main roads between Glasgow and Edinburgh during the year 1937. The corresponding figures of casualties and accidents on the railways between these cities were 46 killed and 196 injured in 40 rail accidents. The railway figures cover all train and movement accidents and include 35 killed and 164 injured in the recent accident at Castlecary.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the export of coal from this country having fallen by, approximately, 20,000,000 statute tons since 1930, whereas the export of coal from Germany during the same period has sustained no reduction, he will appoint a committee to inquire into the causes of this country's declining coal exports, and to make recommendations as to the measures necessary to restore our former position as a coal-exporting country?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 21st December, I do not think the appointment of such a committee would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of schoolchildren subject to dental treatment at 31st December, 1937, or the nearest convenient date, and the number who received treatment accordingly?

Figures for the year ended 31st December, 1937, will not be available until next May. The latest figures are those for the year ended 31st December, 1936, which are contained in the reply which I gave to my hon. and learned Friend on 31st May last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of children on the register of the public elementary schools of the city of Leicester at the latest convenient date in 1937?

The number of children on the register of the public elementary schools of the city of Leicester was 33,299 on the 1st October, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employed insured workers in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively, are in receipt of 50s. per week or less, and of these how many are in receipt of 40s. per week or less?

I regret that the available information is insufficient to enable satisfactory estimates to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of compensation to be paid by the Japanese Government in respect of killed and injured British soldiers and sailors?

Yes, Sir. The Japanese Government have been asked, and have agreed, to pay the sum of £1,500 to cover the amount of compensation in respect of those British soldiers killed and wounded at Shanghai. The compensation to be claimed in respect of the naval ratings killed and injured amounts to approximately £920.