asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Government intend to accept the findings of the Rae Committee and to act on the recommendations contained in their report?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government accepts the findings of the Rae Committee and steps are being taken to implement the recommendations as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered representations from Glasgow Corporation with reference to the facilities existing in Glasgow for the production of aircraft and component parts; and what action has been taken?

Yes, Sir. I have received a request from the Corporation of Glasgow to receive the members of a special sub-committee of the corporation on the subject of the suitability of Glasgow as an area for the production of aircraft and component parts; and I am arranging to receive this deputation at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total amount allocated to Scotland for future air force expansion; and the amount expended up to date?

For purposes of air defence Scotland, like England, is regarded as an integral part of the United Kingdom; and there is no separate allocation from Air Votes for expenditure in Scotland. Expenditure on a considerable scale has, however, been undertaken in Scotland in connection with the expansion scheme. More than one million pounds is being spent on the erection of new Air Force Stations and flying training schools, and on the improvement of existing stations in Scotland. A large factory has been erected at Dumbarton for the manufacture of aircraft in connection with the expansion scheme and considerable extensions are being carried out at other factories.I hope that we shall be able to make even greater use of Scottish engineering and industrial resources in the future.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the occasion of the Radio Exhibition, the Electrical Trades Union sought, by the distribution of leaflets and the showing of placards outside Olympia, to draw attention to the conditions of work of radio service engineers, and were informed by the police of a regulation prohibiting this form of publicity although, at the same time, the Radio Manufacturers' Association employed dozens of men selling or distributing advertising literature outside the premises; and whether he will state the reason for this discrimination?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that on 24th August, the opening day of the Radio Exhibition at Olympia, a number of sandwichmen, some carrying boards and placards advertising wireless sets and others bearing complaints regarding the conditions of work of members of the Electrical Trades Union, paraded in Hammersmith Road in front of Olympia. The Commissioner has made Regulations which provide that during exhibitions and other events at Olympia sandwichmen are not permitted in a number of roads in the vicinity, including Hammersmith Road. These regulations were explained to the sandwichmen, who thereupon went away. Soon afterwards, a member of the union asked the police whether he could distribute handbills in the vicinity of Olympia. He was informed that he could do so, so long as bills were not thrown down and left in the street, as this would be an offence under local by-laws. He was also given a copy of the Commissioner's Regulations. Apart from the ordinary vendors of newspapers and periodicals who stand on the forecourt of the building during events at Olympia, no persons (acting either on behalf of the Radio Manufacturers' Association or of any other body) were seen by the police to sell or distribute advertising literature during the progress of the Exhibition.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the many problems before the hotel and restaurant industry, which is handicapped in consequence of the restrictions imposed under the Licensing Acts, he will consider introducing legislation to amend these Acts to enable this industry to cater more adequately for visitors from overseas and the Continent?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I am by no means indifferent to the claims made by this industry, but I am afraid that I can hold out no hope that there will be time for legislation on this subject during the present Session.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any fresh instructions have been issued to the local authorities in country districts about the billeting of refugees from the towns in case of emergency; and, if not, when will they be issued?

The long-term plans for evacuation require careful and detailed preparation in the light of the experience gained during the recent crisis. Steps are being taken at once to enlist the co-operation of local authorities and representative people in the localities in the preparation of these detailed plans.

asked the Minister of Labour what advice has been given to the Unemployment Assistance Board's local advisory committee in the Western Isles with regard to winter allowances for the unemployed on Board assistance?

This matter was considered by the local advisory committee last winter and no fresh advice has been given by the committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of insured persons who have been disallowed benefit on the ground that they have received payment under a holidays with pay agreement?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of applicants who have been disallowed benefit at the Birkenhead and New Ferry Labour Exchange on the ground that they have received money under a holidays scheme?

Industry.	—	1937			1938
		26th July.	23rd August.	13th September.	18th July.	15th August.	12th September.
Building	Number	363	361	359	288	256	292
	Percent.	24.2	24.1	23.9	19.2	17.1	19.5
Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing.	Number	1,797	1,523	1,618	1,758	1,740	1,724
	Per cent.	35.0	29.7	31.5	34.3	33.9	33.6
General Engineering, etc.	Number	117	114	109	115	133	137
	Per cent.	4.0	3.9	3.7	4.0	4.6	4.7
Marine Engineering, etc.	Number	406	384	379	384	350	373
	Per cent.	9.7	9.2	9.1	9.2	8.4	8.9
Shipping Service	Number	181	170	213	204	177	206
	Per cent.	15.9	14.9	18.7	17.9	15.5	18.1
Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Industries	Number	105	94	92	196	100	100
	Per cent.	10.7	9.6	9.4	20.0	10.2	10.2
Distributive Trades	Number	741	757	766	797	714	776
	Per cent.	17.4	17.8	18.0	18.8	16.8	18.3
Dock, Harbour, Canal, etc., Service.	Number	502	386	494	291	448	356
	Per cent.	52.8	40.6	52.0	30.6	47.1	37.5
All other industries and services.	Number	1,766	1,817	1,809	1,664	1,704	1,890
	Per cent.	21.9	22.5	22.4	20.6	21.1	23.4
Total, all industries and services.	Number	5,978	5,606	5,839	5,697	5,622	5,854
	Per cent.	20.5	19.3	20.1	19.6	19.3	20.1
NOTE:—The figures given in the table above are exclusive of unemployed insured persons within the agricultural scheme, numbering 34, 36 and 28 at 26th July, 23rd August and 13th September, 1937, respectively, and 35, 38 and 35 at 18th July, 15th August and 12th September, 1938, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated sum of money expended to date upon each of the trading estates?

£1,460,000 has been advanced to the North Eastern Trading Estates, Limited, for development of the

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate the course of employment by numbers, industries, and percentages, respectively, for Greenock for the months of July, August, and September, 1938, and the corresponding months of 1937?

The following table shows for the area served by the Greenock Employment Exchange the numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64 years, in the principal industries recorded as unemployed at a date in July, August and September of the years 1937 and 1938, and these numbers expressed as percentages of the estimated numbers insured at July, 1937.Team Valley Trading Estate and £72,000 for the provision of factories on other sites. £763,273 has been advanced to the South Wales and Monmouthshire Trading Estates, Limited for development of the Treforest Trading Estate and £298,000 for the provision of factories on other sites. The advances to the West Cumberland Industrial Development Company, Limited, amount to £77,057. These figures relate only to money actually advanced and take no account of undischarged commitments. As regard trading estates and sites in Scotland, I would suggest that the hon. Member should address his inquiry to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of persons, male and female, above 21 years of age, respectively, employed in industries situate in each of the trading estates?

Figures for persons under the age of 21 are not available. 585 men and 342 women over the age of 18 years were employed in factories on the Team Valley Trading Estate on the 30th September. 349 men and 128 women were employed in factories on the Treforest Trading Estate on the 31st October.

asked the Prime Minister whether, on the entry into force of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, he proposes to make any representations to the Italian Government concerning the presence of Italian aeroplanes and other warlike material in Spain?

The question of the presence of Italian war material in Spain is primarily a matter for the Non-intervention Committee.

asked the Prime Minister how many letters of protest have been sent by the Government in the past two years to other governments, including the insurgent authorities in Spain; and in how many cases satisfaction has been forthcoming?

The information requested is not readily available and would take a considerable amount of time and labour to collate. I regret that, in view of the present state of public business, my Noble Friend is not prepared to attempt to supply it.

asked the Prime Minister whether inquiries have been made from General Franco as to the reason for placing long-distance artillery to the west and south of Gibraltar; and, if so, what reply has been received?

No, Sir. The situation has been closely watched and His Majesty's Government do not consider it necessary to make any representations at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with Article 7 of the Munich Agreement regarding the right to opt from one territory into another, there is a provision for the setting up of a juridical tribunal which will be empowered to deal with the right of optants to be compensated for any property which it may be impossible for them to transfer to the territory to which they opt; and whether any such tribunal will be set up to act as a court of appeal in the case of disputes?

Article 7 of the Munich Agreement laid down that the details of the option should be determined by a German-Czechoslovak Commission. I understand that the arrangements to be made in this matter are now under consideration by the German and Czechoslovak representatives on the commission. I am unable to say how the points raised by the hon. Member are likely to be dealt with.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement of the German Propaganda Minister, Dr. Goebbels, at Weimar, on 30th October, declaring that Germany is marching with, in one hand, Mein Kampf, and in the other the sword, for its advance as the new world power; and whether, in view of the expressed desire of His Majesty's Government for friendly relations with Germany, steps will be taken to inquire of the German Government if the programme of Mein Kampf is to be regarded as the official programme of the German Government?

I have seen reports of the speech referred to, but my Noble Friend does not consider that any good purpose would be served by an inquiry such as that suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have supported the recent Washington protest to Japan in regard to trading rights in China; and, if so, whether they will immediately publish the full text of the communication made to the Japanese Government?

As I stated in yesterday's Debate, His Majesty's Government have for their part made a number of formal protests to the Japanese Government, as and when occasion demanded, in the same sense as the United States Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether any movement has been made by the Japanese authorities indicating their intention to take over the administration and control of the customs at Shanghai or elsewhere in China; and what action has been taken by the Government to make it clear that such a proposal will be strongly opposed by this country?

The Japanese Government claim that the Provisional and Reformed Governments established in China should exercise a certain control of the customs in the occupied areas, but my Noble Friend has no information that the Japanese Government intend to destroy the integrity of the customs, which they have on the contrary undertaken to maintain as far as possible in existing circumstances. The importance which His Majesty's Government attach to its maintenance has been made quite clear.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the great importance of maintaining British interests in the shipping of the Yangtse and the necessity of the trade of that river being open for British tonnage; what action has been taken in the matter; and whether any protest has been made against the closing of the British concession at Hankow contrary to the agreement of 1927?

Yes, Sir, and the appropriate representations have been and will continue to be made to the Japanese Government. As regards the last part of the question, the policing of the former British concession at Hankow was by agreement taken over on 29th October by the Japanese military police: but the remainder of the administrative services continue as before. The gates of the former concession are at present closed every night from 6.0 p.m. to 6.0 a.m. as a measure of security. The inconvenience of this has been represented to the Japanese authorities and it is hoped that these restrictions will be relaxed soon.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make concerning impending dismissals of officials of the League of Nations?

My Noble Friend has no information concerning impending dismissals of officials of the Secretariat of the League of Nations.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to remove the present hardship to property owners, he will reconsider the question of compensation for property demolished under the 1930 Act?

As my hon. Friend is aware, Parliament has, on several occasions, affirmed the principle that the proper basis of compensation for houses unfit for human habitation is site value and this decision was again endorsed after full discussion during the passage of the Housing Bill of 1935. On that occasion certain amendments of the law were made with a view to mitigating hardship. I do not, as at present advised, contemplate further amendment of the law.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of persons, male and female, receiving contributory and old age pensions within the area of the Rhondda Urban District, together with the number of widows under 65 years of age in receipt of widows' pensions?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available as the records of pensioners are not arranged on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of the population of Great Britain has attained the age of 65 years and over?

On the basis of the last available estimates of the respective Registrars-General for England and Wales and Scotland, namely, those for mid-1937, the percentage asked for was then 8.4.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of applications received and accepted to date under the provisions of the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937?

On 2nd November, 1938, the latest date for which the figures are available, 322,138 applications for admission to the new voluntary pensions scheme had been received in England, Scotland and Wales and 236,694 applicants had, at the same date, been found to be qualified for admission to the scheme. 24,526 applications were still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state, in further reference to the question addressed to him on 19th May, what is the present position with regard to the miners' houses at Hampstead Village, Great Barr; and what is the present stage of the re-housing efforts of the owners which were then stated to be in an advanced state?

I am making inquiries and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give particulars of the number of houses that have been erected for sale or to let during the two years ended at the last convenient date; and has he any particulars of the number of houses at present under construction?

During the two years ended 31st August, 1938, 157,269 houses were built by local authorities and 4,737 houses by private enterprise with State assistance under the Housing Acts. Practically the whole of these houses were built for letting. The number of houses which were in course of erection at 31st August, 1938, by local authorities and by private enterprise with State assistance was 76,968.Statistics of houses built by private enterprise without State assistance are obtained half-yearly. In the two years ended 31st March, 1938, 530,597 houses were so built. Statistics of the proportion of such houses built for sale and for letting respectively relate only to houses of rateable value not exceeding £26 (£35 in Greater London). Of the 530,597 houses, 463,625 were houses of a rateable value not exceeding the figures mentioned and of these 145,544 were shown in the returns as in the occupation of persons other than their owners. The number of houses at present under construction by private enterprise without State assistance is not known.

asked the Minister of Health which of the principal local authorities in England and Wales still forbid occupants of their council houses to keep poultry; and whether he is taking any action to persuade these local authorities to withdraw that ban?

I have no complete information on this point, the general management, regulation and control of houses being by Statute vested in the local authority. If my hon. and learned Friend has any particular case in mind where difficulty has arisen I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the desirability of increasing, in the interests of Defence, the number of persons with experience in handling fast motor sea-craft, he will reconsider the advisability of amending, in connection with his next Budget, the present road duties imposed on petrol used for motor-boats at sea?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I cannot anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department is in a position to issue a report on the profitableness of farming in England and Wales, on the lines of the report issued for many years as to the profitableness of farming in Scotland?

Investigations into the profitability of farming in England and Wales are not undertaken by my Department. Inquiries into financial and other conditions of farming are, however, made by the Agricultural Economics Research Institute at Oxford, and the provincial agricultural advisory centres. Reports on the results of these investigations are issued from time to time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what service schemes have been put into operation or are being drafted under Part VI of the Livestock Industry Act?

No service scheme under Part VI of the Livestock Industry Act, 1937, has yet been made. The Livestock Commission have received requests for the making of two service schemes; one from the Hide and Allied Trades Improvement Society and the other from the Livestock (Emergency) Committee, representing the livestock auctioneers of England and Wales. The proposals for these two schemes are at present the subject of discussion between the Livestock Commission and the organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is prepared to organise a safety week throughout the coalfields so that accidents to boys might be minimised in future?

I am in sympathy with the proposal but I fear it would be premature for my Department and the industry to attempt so big a piece of organisation on a national scale without experience, at present lacking, on a local or district scale. I understand that a proposal of the kind is under consideration in Durham and with the cooperation of all parties concerned I should be glad to give all the help in my power.

asked the Secretary for Mines at what number of collieries surface boys are trained in the principles of safety?

During the last session of the safety classes a total of nearly 14,000 boys were enrolled and over 7,000 of them obtained badges or certificates. Separate figures in respect of boys employed on the surface or of other forms of safety training are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to safeguard British manufacturers against German subsidised exports to Australia, New Zealand, and India?

The question of the trade relations between Germany on the one side and the Dominions and India on the other, including the question of the treatment to be accorded to German goods in those countries, is primarily one for settlement between Germany and the Overseas Governments concerned.I am, however, always ready to examine any specific cases brought to my notice where United Kingdom trade interests are being prejudicially affected and to consider the possibility of approaching those Governments with a view to finding a solution of the difficulty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will now abrogate the treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye as a necessary step towards the furtherance of the export trade of Great Britain?

I would refer to the answer which I gave to my hon. and learned Friend, the Member for Withington (Mr. Fleming), on 31st May last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the amount spent on the Royal Navy each year since 1931?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Statement printed on pages 8 and 9 of the Navy Estimates for the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken with regard to the recommendations of the Commission on the marketing of West African cocoa?

I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply which I gave on 3rd November to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. H. Kerr).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jews have been executed in Palestine for offences under the Emergency Regulations?

The answer is one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the cost, up to date, of military operations in Palestine; and whether such expenditure will be met entirely from the British Exchequer?

The additional cost of the Air Force in Palestine over normal expenditure has been as follows:

	£
1936–37	59,000
1937–38	—
1938–39 to date	11,000

It is net possible to furnish figures of the total cost of the military forces in Palestine for the same period, but the following figures show the extra cost of maintaining Army units in Palestine over and above the cost of maintaining them at their normal stations:

	£
1936–37	1,369,000
1937–38 (estimated)	650,000
1938–39 (estimated)	1,700,000

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the references in the Pim Report as to the conditions approximating to slavery attaching to the Masarwa, and of other published documents, have hitherto referred only to the Bamangwato territory; whether his attention has been called to the probability that similar conditions prevail in other parts of Bechuanaland and adjacent territory; and whether it is proposed to undertake an inquiry as to the extent and nature of the systems obtaining in these other territories?

I understand that the reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hon. Member will appreciate that the conditions referred to have now ceased to exist. As regards the other parts of the question, I am not aware that similar conditions prevail in other parts of Bechuanaland and adjacent territory, but a local committee is now studying the position of the Masarwa, or Bushmen, in South Africa generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, in view of the fact that there is nothing in the legislation either in Northern or Southern Rhodesia which forbids any native from looking for and selling gold on lands in native occupation, whether he will ascertain how many permits have been applied for and granted to natives in Northern and Southern Rhodesia within the last 10 years?

Inquiries are being made of the Governments of Southern and Northern Rhodesia, and I will communicate with the hon. Member on receipt of their replies.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. W. V. Dawkings, of 62, Canterbury Road, Whitstable, a disabled ex-service man, in receipt of disability pension; whether he is aware that this man has been compelled to serve a term of imprisonment owing to his being unable to pay his rates because of the serious reduction in his pension; and whether he is prepared to reconsider this case, and grant a pension more in keeping with the disability sustained?

I am fully aware of the circumstances of this case. Mr. Dawkings has been awarded a pension appropriate to the degree of his physical disablement, but his claim to alternative pension on the basis of loss of earning capacity has not been substantiated. As I have already intimated, I am quite prepared to review this claim at any time on the production of reasonable evidence as to earning capacity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the serious overcrowding of trains from Wallington, Waddon, Carshalton and Hackbridge to London and back at certain times of the day; and whether he will consult with the Southern Railway Company with a view to an improvement of the existing conditions?

I have received no complaints regarding the Southern Railway services between London and the stations mentioned. I have, however, sent a copy of this question to the company for their observations, which I will in due course communicate to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport when the city of Birmingham proposes to complete the dual carriageways on the Walsall road and the Kingstanding road?

I am considering the making of a grant towards a scheme for the provision of dual carriageways on 2½ miles of the Walsall road up to the city boundary. The construction of dual carriageways on a section of King-standing road is about to begin.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is intended to commence work on the proposed Selby bypass scheme and whether tenders have been invited?

The necessary preliminaries for the acquisition of land are in hand, but I cannot yet say when tenders will be invited or when work will commence.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, whilst the East Riding County Council have agreed to contribute to the cost of freeing the tolls and rebuilding the present bridge at Selby, the West Riding Council Council refuses to help and are holding up the scheme; and whether he will take the matter up with this council with a view of expediting a much needed improvement between the East and West Ridings?

In reply to the first part of the question I greatly regret that the West Riding County Council have not seen their way to agree to contribute to the scheme. As regards the second part, I have made an offer to the local authorities concerned, which I intend to leave open for the present, but I have no power to compel its acceptance.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any scheme is now under consideration by his Department for improving the facilities for crossing the Tyne east of Newcastle so as to prevent traffic having to go from Jarrow, Sunderland, and South Shields to Newcastle in order to get to North Shields, Tynemouth, and the north generally; and whether any consultations are now taking place with the local authorities concerned and his Department in regard to this question?

Yes, Sir, and I hope personally to discuss the matter with the local authorities concerned when I visit Newcastle in a few days time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inadequacy of car-park accommodation in the London area; will he consider the advisability of providing adequate car-park space underneath our parks and open spaces in places where such accommodation is needed; and will he, in planning their construction, have regard to their suitability for air-raid shelters in time of war?

I myself have no power either to provide or to require the provision of car park accommodation, but I am doing all I can to encourage the local authorities in London to provide car parks where existing facilities are inadequate. I am advised that an application to the Home Office by a local authority for a contribution in respect of additional expenditure proposed to be incurred in adapting underground garages for the purpose of a public shelter will receive consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the serious and fatal accidents which have occurred at Weeford in the county of Stafford; and what steps are being taken to prevent any more such accidents?

My attention has been called to accidents which have occurred at the junction of A.5 and A.446 near Weeford. Authority was given on 1st November for the erection of "Halt" signs at this point and I am informed that the Staffordshire County Council are giving very early consideration to the question of constructing a roundabout there.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now see his way to grant the request of the responsible council and local residents of East Acton for a speed restriction for Western Avenue, where numerous accidents have occurred and where grave anxiety exists among all sections of the residents?

This road is being provided with dual carriageways, cycle tracks, and footbridges or subways at certain points, and in my judgment these measures are more calculated to ensure the safety of all road users than the imposition of a speed limit would be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the inadequate educational facilities available in the Great Barr district of the Staffordshire County Council, causing children to travel long distances to school; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The local education authority for Staffordshire have the question of school accommodation in the district of Great Barr under active consideration and contemplate the early provision of schools for junior and for senior children. The sites for these schools have already been approved by the Board and preliminary plans for the junior school are now under consideration.