asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that Scottish farmers are unable, on account of climatic conditions, to get the same return as English farmers, he will consider basing the Scottish wheat subsidy on the average price received for Scottish wheat?

While I have noted the point made by my hon. and gallant Friend, I am unable to give any indication of a revision of the arrangement under which the rate of wheat subsidy is determined in relation to the average price obtained by registered growers throughout the United Kingdom for home-grown millable wheat.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the financial grants for pier and harbours made by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to each of the counties of Ross, Inverness, Argyll, Sutherland and Caithness and Orkney and Zetland in each of the years 1930–31 to 1937–38; and whether and what remission of debt was made to these authorities since 1929 in each year?

I shall communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the information for which he asks is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Edinburgh Town Council to prohibit in Edinburgh the march of the Scottish unemployed who desire to send a deputation to his Department; and whether, in view of the orderly conduct of such marches in the past, he will make representations to the Edinburgh Council requesting them to conform to the attitude of every other British city in similar circumstances?

I am informed that the town council decided on 26th October last to allow the proposed march.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the decrease in the number of allotments available for the unemployed and dwellers in urban areas; to what extent his Department has urged local authorities to provide for such recreation; and whether the Government are prepared to assist financially in the prosecution of a policy calculated to foster this recreation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a question by the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on the subject of a letter which I have received from the Joint Committee of the Scottish National Union of Allotment Holders and the Society of Friends.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases of asbestosis reported during the last 12 months?

During the 12 months ended 31st October last 12 cases of disablement or suspension were certified by the Medical Board. In addition 14 deaths came to the notice of the Department, including several cases previously certified during life.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the total quantity of coal exported from the Humber ports, respectively, and the f.o.b. price per ton during this year, and the comparative figures for 1937, 1936, 1932, and 1930?

The information is as follows:

asked the Home Secretary for what reason summer time starts two weeks later in England than in France; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused in the disorganisation of rail and air schedules and in other directions, he will suggest to the French Government that in future summer time should start simultaneously in both countries?

I understand that this matter was recently discussed at a Railway Time Table Conference at Budapest and that as a result it is hoped that arrangements may be made next year to begin summer time in France on the same date as that fixed for this country by the Summer Time Act, 1925.

asked the Home Secretary in how many county boroughs and municipal boroughs, respectively, advantage was taken of the Local Government (Extension of Polling Hours) Act, 1938, to extend polling hours throughout the borough and in at least one ward?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of persons deported from Palestine to the Seychelles; for what offences was their deportation ordered; was it preceded by any public trial or conviction; and how many of these deportees ae still in the Seychelles?

Five persons, of whom four had been members of the Arab Higher Committee, were deported from Palestine to the Seychelles in October, 1937, when, as a result of the organised campaign of terrorism and assassination, the Officer Administering the Government found it necessary to institute action, by virtue of powers under the Palestine (Defence) Order in Council, against certain persons whose activities had been prejudicial to the maintenance of public security in Palestine, and who were thus regarded as morally responsible for those events. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. All five of these persons are still in the Seychelles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to investigate the complaint received from the United States authorities concerning the alleged theft by British forces of the safe and contents belonging to the Standard Oil Company in Jenin and with what result?

I have no information on this subject, but I will ask the High Commissioner for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of destruction caused by punitive methods used against the Palestinian town of Jenin; how many houses were destroyed; how many prisoners were shot while trying to escape and how many other civilian casualties were reported; and will he take steps to see that an inquiry is instituted into the methods used, the damage done, and into the complaints of ill-treatment of citizens and looting?

I am not in possession of the details for which the hon. Member asks, but I will ask the High Commissioner for a report. Pending receipt of this report I cannot add anything further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the cost of a radio-telegraphic message from a British ship to Gibraltar is at the rate of 1s. 1d. per word, as compared with 8d. per word for a similar message sent to the British Isles; that the land charge for the reception of such message at Gibraltar is 6d. as against 4d.; that an additional charge of 3d. per word is made in respect of alleged currency depreciation; and what is the reason for such excessive charges and, in particular, for the charge for alleged currency depreciation in a British colony?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government has given further consideration to the desirability of a loan to China, in view of the importance of British trade connections and the need for maintaining friendly working arrangements with China?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for the Kingswinford Division (Mr. A. Henderson) on 2nd November.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to say when he proposes to confirm the order submitted to him by the London Electric Supply Company with regard to charges for the supply of electricity in the borough of Mitcham?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the county of London Electric Supply Company (Surrey) Special Order, on which I hope to announce my decision at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the number of destroyers which are at present listed for conversion into escort and anti-submarine units; by what date it is anticipated they will be ready for service; and whether arrangements are to be made for them to be manned?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to give details of this programme, but the hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that the programme, which is already in hand, is being executed as expeditiously as possible and that personnel will be available to man these ships on mobilisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present number of established and unestablished men employed in the three Royal dockyards at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport, respectively, and how these figures compare with those at the same date in 1937?

The numbers of established and unestablished workmen borne at the Home Dockyards named on the dates referred to are as below: