asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the percentages of overcrowding in the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields; and the average of that for England and Wales for 1937?

The percentage of overcrowding at the end of 1937 in the areas to which the hon. Member refers was approximately 8, 20.6, 13.4, and 2.9, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of houses in this country reconditioned under the Act of 1936 in respect of which 10-year certificates of fitness have been issued, and the number of local authorities who have issued, and who have not issued, respectively, such certificates?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what hours are being worked by nurses in the various hospitals in England and Wales; whether there is any general demand for shorter hours; and will he consider an increased grant to the authorities to provide these improved facilities, particularly in depressed areas?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the interim report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Nursing Services which I expect to receive shortly.

asked the Minister of Health what number of old age pensioners there are in Wales drawing full pensions of 10s. per week; what number are getting financial assistance from public assistance committees in addition to the statutory amount; what is the average per person per week; and will he give Glamorgan separately?

On the 30th September, 1938, the approximate number of old age pensions in payment in Wales at the full rate was 143,500. A separate figure for Glamorganshire is not available as pension records are not kept on a territorial basis. On the 1st January, 1938, the number of old age pensioners in receipt of poor relief in Wales was 25,094 of whom 9,620 were in the administrative county of Glamorgan. I regret that the information asked for in the third part of the question is not available as the returns received in my Department do not distinguish the cost of poor relief to old age pensioners.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief and the amount of rates levied

Area	Number of persons in receipt of poor relief on the last Saturday in November in the undermentioned years. (The figures include dependants but exclude rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals.)
	1931.	1936.	1937.	1938.
Administrative County of Durham	53,260	64,906	56,882	57,550
Sunderland County Borough	8,525	5,795	12,099	12,255
South Shields County Borough	3,597	4,745	4,640	5,024

With reference to the second part of the question the following Statement gives the desired information so far as it is available. The figures show the revenue expenditure on poor relief falling to be met out of rates and the Block Grants under the Local Government Act, 1929, and the equivalent of that expenditure

Area.	Revenue Expenditure on Poor Relief falling to be met out of rates and the Block Grants.
	Amount and equivalent rate in the pound.
	Year ending 31st March
	1931.		1936.		1937.		1938.
Administrative County of Durham	£981,784		£1,210,362		£1,275,278		£1,360,135
	6s.	9.5d.	7s.	11.5d	8s.	2.2d.	9s.	1.2d.
Sunderland County Borough	£218,241		£300,773		£312,643		£306,110
	5s.	9.5d.	7s.	3.1d.	7s.	4.1d.	7s.	1.2d.
South Shields County Borough	£100,805		£117,651		£118,280		£123,393
	4s	7.7d.	4s.	1.1d.	4s.	9.4d.	4s.	11.0d.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider legislation to set up a food research institute on which bodies interested in health, nutrition, and food might be represented, and to the support of which insurance companies dealing in life and sickness insurance should be invited to contribute on an equitable basis?

Following is the answer:expressed as a rate in the pound. Since 1st April, 1930, it has not been possible to state to what extent the cost of any particular service has fallen on rates, inasmuch as the Block Grants are applicable to local government expenses generally and cannot be apportioned to individual services.

There is at present a great deal of research on food problems and my right hon. Friend doubts if a single institute of the nature suggested would be of service.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Midwives Act is being used as a means for providing a short training in maternity nursing; and, as this is not a desirable state of affairs, whether he will consider amending the Midwives Act, 1936, in order to remedy it?

My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that there are good grounds for modifying the decision of Parliament, as expressed only two years ago in Section 6 of the Midwives Act, 1936. My right hon. Friend does not think he could agree with my hon. Friend that the arrangements referred to in the first part of the question are to be deprecated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the progress of plans for evacuation in case of an emergency?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given last Thursday by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis). I will send him a copy of the Circular to which the reply refers as soon as it is issued.

asked the Prime Minister what is the name and address of the official with whom firms should communicate in connection with the newly-established panel of business men; and what the official designation of this panel will be?

As I announced on 12th December, in reply to a Private Notice Question by the right hon. Gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, the Secretary of the Advisory Panel of Industrialists is Major J. A. Davies, of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Communications should, therefore, be addressed to him at 3, Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, S.W.1. It would be of assistance in dealing with correspondence if firms making representations to the Panel would include information as to contacts with the Service Departments or as to any contacts they have made in regard to sub-contracting work under the Rearmament Programme.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the number of persons in the North Riding of Yorkshire that have to date volunteered for the civil defence services; and the number that is likely to be required for the scheme of voluntary national service in the Riding?

Complete figures are not available but approximately 10,400 persons have been reported as enrolled for air-raid precautions services in the administrative county against an estimated requirement, which is at present provisional, of some 10,300.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider the advisability of publishing as a White Paper or otherwise the measures contemplated to be brought into operation after passage into law on the outbreak of war in connection with the internal civil administration affecting local authorities, with a view to fully acquainting those concerned with the schemes and promoting agreement?

I have already informed the local authorities that they will be taken into consultation on any measures of this kind affecting them, but I will consider whether there is occasion for any further publication of these measures apart from this consultation.

asked the Minister of Health what are the terms of reference of the panel of food experts and chemists which has been established to inquire into the problem of food storage in time of national emergency; and what steps the Government propose to take to expedite this inquiry so that a report may be available as soon as possible, and this House informed of its purport?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the Food Group of the Society of Chemical Industry has recently formed a Nutrition Panel for the study of food in relation to health and disease, and that the question of food storage in a national emergency will come within the scope of the work of the panel. I have, however, no information on this subject apart from what has been published in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any further statement regarding the proposed amendment of the regulations affecting the special police in Scotland?

So far as legislation is necessary in this matter I am not in a position to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 22nd November. There are, however, certain improvements which can be made by administrative action, and I am issuing a circular on the subject to local authorities and chief constables.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the relations between the Department of Agriculture and the Forestry Commission in Scotland as regards purchase of agricultural or sheep lands by the latter body?

The Forestry Act, 1919, provides that before acquiring any land in Scotland under that Act the Forestry Commission shall consult the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the name of the chairman of the Housing Association and also the names of the members of that body?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in certain parts of Glasgow large tenement houses are being occupied by several families; that in certain cases houses of six apartments are occupied by as many as five families; that rents are charged as high as 14s. for a room weekly; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with this matter?

I am aware of the very unsatisfactory conditions which prevail in certain tenement houses. The corporation have certain powers to deal with the matter under a local Act passed last year and I understand that a number of cases where the requirements of the Act have not been complied with have been brought to the notice of the Dean of Guild Court. The position is a result of the shortage of houses in Glasgow which is engaging the active attention of the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of houses unfit for habitation in the Dennistoun, Whitevale and Mile End wards, respectively, of Camlachie Parliamentary division of Glasgow?

The numbers of houses which are being dealt with under the Housing (Scotland) Acts as unfit for human habitation, or which are on the corporation's list as being in that condition, are, in the Dennistoun ward, 12; in the Whitevale ward, 140; and in the Mile End ward, 309.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases a grant has been applied for in Edinburgh for the reconditioning of houses of historical or architectural importance during the last three years; and in how many cases a grant has been allowed?

I presume that my hon. and learned Friend has in mind the payment of Exchequer grant for new houses in which a local authority may incorporate features of architectural, historic or artistic interest belonging to existing buildings on the site. No application for grant has yet been received from Edinburgh Corporation, but I understand that they have two such schemes in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider setting up a committee to inquire into the steps necessary for the better government of Scotland and the prevention of the drift of industry to the south?

As the hon. Member is aware, proposals for improving the efficiency of Scottish administration are now before Parliament and I do not propose to institute a further inquiry at this time. As regards the location of industry I would remind the hon. Member that this question is now being considered by a Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total number of persons receiving public assistance relief in money or kind in Edinburgh and Glasgow, giving separate figures for Leith and Maryhill, for the years ended October, 1937 and 1938?

The number of persons in receipt of public assistance in Edinburgh at 15th October, 1937, was 14,406, and at 15th October, 1938, was 13,777. The corresponding figures for Glasgow were 96,730 and 92,646. Separate figures for Leith and Maryhill are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of prosecutions for drunkenness caused by methylated spirits during the first six months of experience under the Methylated Spirits (Sale by Retail) (Scotland) Act, 1937; and also during the corresponding six months of the previous year?

The Act referred to came into operation on the 1st January, 1938, but the local returns relate to six-monthly periods commencing on 1st May and 1st November, and comparative figures for the first six months of the year are not therefore available. The latest returns show that in the course of the six months from 1st May to 31st October, 1938, 297 persons were charged with offences of the nature referred to as compared with 1,243 persons in the corresponding six months of last year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is proposed to provide with uniforms those air raid wardens who, in war time, will be engaged on full-time duty?

As at present advised I do not contemplate the provision of uniforms as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the Liverpool Air-Raid Precautions Committee recently postponed action intended to provide in various parts of the city some 10 combined first-aid posts and decontamination centres because of the lack of information from the Government as to the apportionment of the cost; and when he will be able to inform and reassure local authorities on these matters?

I am aware of this decision, but not of the reasons which led the committee to reach it. After discussion with officers of the corporation early in November, my Department agreed in principle to the provision of nine combined first-aid posts and decontamination centres and I know of no difficulty or lack of information about the apportionment of cost.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether badges and brooches have yet been supplied for wardens and other air-raid precautions workers in the Stroud district of Gloucestershire?

1,000 badges and 600 brooches have been supplied to this rural district council, and 300 badges and 200 brooches to this urban district council, in accordance with demands received.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now say when he proposes to make the appointments for the Fire Service Commission and Central Advisory Board for Fire Services in England; and if, apart from the chairman, any members have been selected for either of these bodies?

I hope to announce the constitution of the commission shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to consult the Joint Council of the British Fire Services or any other fire-service body as to the constitution of the Fire Service Commission and the Central Advisory Board for Fire Services; and how far these bodies will be composed of members who have had practical fire-brigade experience?

As stated on the 8th instant in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wallasey (Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon) I am proposing to take an early opportunity of consulting the associations representing fire authorities regarding the constitution and proceedings of the Central Advisory Council for Fire Services, under Section 18 of the Fire Brigades Act, 1938, and it is also my intention to ask bodies representative of the Fire Service to nominate representatives to the Council. Similar consultation has not been necessary in connection with the appointment of the Fire Service Commission.

TABLE I.
Number of appointments to posts above the rank of Inspector annually since 1928.
Ranks.	1928.	1929.	1930.	1931.	1932.	1933.	1934.	1935.	1936.	1937.	1938 from 1.1.38 to 9.12.38.
Inspectors (Uniform and 2nd Class C.I.D.) to S.D. Inspector and 1st Class C.I.D. Inspector.	29	52	32	41	34	53	68	49	41	32	64
S.D. Inspector and 1st Class C.I.D. Inspectors to Chief Inspector.	6	21	6	9	10.	26	32	17	19	21	29
Chief Inspectors to Superitendent.	3	13	1	6	7	11	11	7	9	6	11
Superintendent to Chief Constable.	—	1	—	—	2	2	2	1	5	—	4
Totals	38	87	39	56	53	92	112	74	74	159	108

TABLE 2.
Number of Junior Station Inspectors appointed annually since 1933.
1933	…	…	…	Nil.
1934	…	…	…	61
1935	…	…	…	32
1936	…	…	…	30
1937	…	…	…	59
1938	…	…	…	15
Total	…	…	…	197

Of this number 46 are now station inspectors, and three of those appointed in 1934 were promoted in 1938 to the rank of sub-divisional inspector. These three are included in the 64 promotions to this rank shown in Table 1.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the total Parliamentary electorate on the latest register?

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of appointments to posts above the rank of inspector in the Metropolitan Police Force for each year since 1928, and the number of junior station inspectors appointed for each year since 1933?

The particulars of such appointments up to the rank of chief constable are given in the following tables:—

Figures for the register which recently came into force are not yet available. The total Parliamentary electorate of England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the previous register was 28,772,053. I understand that the corresponding figure for Scotland is not in the possession of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the Parliamentary electorate of the seven universities represented by the 12 Members?

The latest available figures are as follow:

University of Oxford	25,071
University of Cambridge	37,804
University of London	19,475
Combined English Universities Constituency	32,646
University of Wales	9,292
Queen's University of Belfast	4,008
Total	128,296

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the continuous increase in convictions for drunkenness in England and Wales, from 33,100 in 1932 to 52,425 in 1937; the incidence of convictions per million being over three times as great in Greater London as in the rest of England and Wales; and whether he will institute special inquiries with a view to ascertaining how far this increase is attributable to the greatly increased consumption of cheap wines?

In the years from 1924 to 1932 there was a steep fall in the number of convictions for drunkenness. Since 1932 the figure has risen each year, though the total is still substantially lower than in 1930. The question of what steps can usefully be taken to elucidate the causes of the increase is at present engaging my attention and I am not in a position to say whether the factor to which my hon. Friend refers has contributed materially to the increase.

Total quantities of coal exported as cargo, bunker coal shipped for the use of steamers, etc., engaged in the foreign trade and of fishing vessels and coke exported from the specified groups of ports in the United Kingdom during the first To months of 1937 and 1938.
—	North-East Coast Ports.	Humber Ports.	Scottish Ports.	Bristol Channel Ports.
	Thousand tons.
Coal Exported as Cargo:
January-October, 1938	9,875	2,775	3,637	12,419
January-October, 1937	11,161	3,441	4,566	13,490
Increase (+) or decrease (-) in 1938 as compared with 1937.	-1,286	-666	-929	-1,071
Foreign Bunkers:
January-October, 1938	1,323	1,920	1,497	2,283
January-October, 1937	1,487	2,129	1,660	2,454
Increase (+) or decrease (-) in 1938 as compared with 1937.	-164	-209	-163	-171
Coke Exported:
January-October, 1938	921	182	117	88
January-October, 1937	1,141	400	186	73
Increase (+) or decrease (-) in 1938 as compared with 1937.	-220	-218	-69	+15

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the ship-

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the total amount paid for full, partial, and fatal accident compensation, respectively, and the number of recipients, in the mining industry of Northumberland for the years 1931 to 1937?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the total amount paid for full, partial, and fatal accident compensation, respectively, in the county of Durham during the years 1931 to 1937?

I am afraid these figures are not available for particular counties, nor can cases be distinguished according to whether the workman was wholly or partially incapacitated. Figures for the whole country were given in a reply by my hon. Friend, the Secretary for Mines on the 13th instant.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the shipment of coal, including bunker coal, and coke from the principal shipping ports in the United Kingdom, namely: North-east coast ports, Humber ports, Scottish ports, and South Wales ports for the 10 months 1938 and 1937, respectively, giving the increase or decrease in tons shipped?

Following is the information:ments of coal, including bunker coal, and coke from the River Tyne to principal countries; and also coastwise shipments, excluding London, and also London, for the II months ended November, 1938, November, 1937, and November, 1929, respectively?

Coke and Coal Shipments from Newcastle and North and South Shields.
Foreign Shipments.			January to October.*
			1929.	1937.	1938.
Coal:			Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
Cargo	…	…	10,500,424	5,795,580	5,320,973
Bunkers	…	…	1,713,240	801,499	770,675
Coke	…	…	Not available.	868,464	718,172
Coastwise Shipments.
Coal:
Cargo:
To all destinations	…	…	3,216,355	3,959,148	3,736,697
To London	…	…	2,789,502	3,439,718	3,256,160
Bunkers	…	…	104,977	98,283	90,180
Coke	…	…	14,740	16,960	14,084
* Latest available information.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to make a statement to the House indicating what financial and/or other aid is to be afforded to the export of coal from this country to markets in which heavily subsidised foreign competition exists?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to state the measures adopted by the Government to assist the export trade in coal?

On 16th December, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) I informed the House of the satisfactory result of His Majesty's Government's efforts to secure improved safeguards for the coal export trade to France, which is our largest coal export market.With regard to the other matters which are under consideration, I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on 6th December to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins).

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of boys between the age of 14 and 16

The figures for shipments of coal, including bunker coal, and coke from the River Tyne by destinations are not readily available, but the figures for total coal and coke shipments are as follow:who were killed in the mines of Yorkshire for the nine months ended 30th September, 1938?

During the nine months ended 30th September, 1938, four boys under 16 years of age were killed by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Yorkshire.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the names of the counties that produce haematite iron ore, and the quantity so produced during the 12 months ended the last convenient date?

During the year ended 30th June, 1938, haematite iron ore was produced in Cumberland, 745,655 tons; Lancashire, 123,469 tons; and Glamorganshire, 233,032 tons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give details of the special expenses incurred in distilleries which produce only non-potable alcohol, which the allowance of 5d. per proof gallon is intended to cover?

The chief restrictions upon distillers which give rise to the payment of an allowance are the prohibition on concurrent brewing and distilling, the prohibition on Sunday working, the prohibition on mixing worts, the limitation as to hours of collection of worts and restrictions on the manufacture of yeast.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will state the names of the members of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council?

An Export Guarantees Advisory Council has not yet been constituted. An advisory committee was constituted for the purposes of the Export Guarantees Act, 1937, and the names of the members are as follow:

• Colonel the Hon. Sir Sidney Peel, Bt., C.B., D.S.O. (Chairman).
• Sir John Caulcutt, K.C.M.G. (Deputy Chairman).
• Sir Amos Ayre, O.B.E.
• Sir Ernest Bain, K.B.E.
• E. H. Gilpin, Esq.
• F. M. G. Glyn, Esq.
• F. Goldsmith, Esq.
• T. St. Quintin Hill, Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E.
• G. A. Isaacs, Esq.
• H. K. Kindersley, Esq., M.C.
• Captain O. Lyttleton, D.S.O., M.C.
• G. A. McEwen, Esq.
• F. H. Nixon, Esq., C.B.
• Sir John Niven.
• Sir Charles Seligman.

It is with profound regret that I have to add that Colonel Sir Sidney Peel died yesterday. As chairman of the advisory committee since 1919 and in many other ways, Colonel Peel had rendered invaluable assistance to his country; I am confident I am expressing the feelings of the whole House as well as of the Government in testifying to the immense debt of gratitude which we owe to his memory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the effect of the new import restriction duties imposed by the New Zealand Government is anticipated to have on the British imports to that Dominion?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the hon. Members for Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) and Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on r3th December, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further consideration has now been given to the conditions under which vessels are entitled to be registered as British and to fly the Red Ensign; and whether it is intended to make any changes in the near future?

The statutory requirements relating to the registration of British ships are contained in Part I of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. As I stated on 5th July last in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson), it is not proposed to alter the existing law of registry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all isolated British lighthouses now possess sufficient means of signalling to passing vessels or of communicating with the mainland in the event of serious illness amongst the lighthouse staff; and, if not, whether he will take steps to provide such means?

I am informed by the General Lighthouse Authorities that all the isolated light stations in their services possess sufficient means of signalling to passing vessels or of communicating with the mainland either by wireless telephone or by a system of visual signals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that for a fortnight the lighthouse keepers at the Longships Lighthouse have been living on hard biscuits owing to relief being overdue; and whether some better system of provisioning over a longer period cannot be devised?

My hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. During the period referred to the lighthouse keepers at the Longships Lighthouse had ample supplies of tinned meat, milk, vegetables and fruit. Arrangements are made to ensure that all isolated lighthouses have an adequate stock of food against the longest expected period of delay in relief.

asked the Minister of Transport the reasons why, in paragraph 4 of Circular 499, his Department refuses to allow the word Halt to be written on the road at halt signs; and whether he will state in which counties the ruling is being carried out and in which counties it is being ignored?

The "Halt" sign, If properly sited, is conspicuous, and in my opinion it is unnecessary and undesirable to repeat it. I am aware that in the case of both this and other traffic signs some highway authorities have not yet observed their obligations under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. I am in communication with Highway Authorities generally on the subject of unauthorised traffic signs, but I regret that I am not in a position to give the specific information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider approaching all local authorities with the object of getting the word Halt written on the road at halt signs as well as the white lines?

I should be reluctant to take the course suggested by my hon. Friend. The "Halt" sign is conspicuous, and if it is properly sited there should be no difficulty in seeing it. It would be undesirable to accept the principle that a driver cannot be expected to see and observe a traffic sign unless it is duplicated or repeated. If the principle were accepted generally there would be an enormous increase in the number of signs.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to which of the road schemes for the Metropolitan area, recommended in the Bressey Report, are to be adopted in the near future?

Discussions with the London County Council and other responsible highway authorities are still proceeding but I am not at present in a position to add to my statement in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Widnes (Mr. Pilkington) on 16th November.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that pedestrians are largely unaware that they have no rights of priority at police-controlled and light-controlled crossings; and whether, in view of the dangers and hindrances due to this fact, he will arrange for the studs to be removed at such points?

The rights and duties of pedestrians at controlled crossing places are clearly set out on pages 11 and 23 of the Highway Code of which over 20 million copies have been distributed. I am not aware that pedestrians generally are unacquainted with them. The marking of such crossings indicates the proper place for pedestrians to cross, to the advantage of both pedestrians and drivers. I regret, therefore, that I do not see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that owing to the fact that certain sections of the London to Fishguard trunk road near Chepstow are unfit to carry heavy traffic, such traffic is compelled to make a detour over Wilton Bridge, Ross-on-Wye, and that the stability of this bridge, which is an ancient monument, is in danger thereby; and whether the Government is prepared to make a grant from the Road Fund above the normal rate towards the cost of widening and strengthening the Wilton Bridge?

I have received from the county council a full statement of the circumstances relating to Wilton Bridge and I am prepared to make a grant at the rate of 60 per cent. towards the cost of an approved scheme of reconstruction. I am unable to increase this rate of grant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to the number of people who have been killed or injured by uninsured motorists in each of the last three years and in respect of whom no proper compensation has been paid?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the recent complete breakdown of the electricity supply throughout a large area of West Surrey; if there was any alternative supply available from the grid system; and, if so, why it was not brought into service?

My attention has been drawn to this breakdown, which occurred while new switchgear of larger capacity was being installed in the Kingston generating station in place of the existing switchgear. The Electricity Commissioners at once arranged for a public inquiry, which was opened yesterday. A supply was available at Kingston from the grid system, but as the switchboard and associated cables in the station were destroyed by fire, this supply could not be used until other connections were made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the London-Dublin air service has been excluded from any subsidy in Command Paper 5894?

The London-Dublin air service is not one of those for which a subsidy is proposed in Command Paper 5894, as it does not rank as an internal air service needing a licence from the Air Transport Licensing authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in which of the II air lines mentioned as eligible for subsidy in Command Paper 5894 are Railway Air Services interested; and which of the companies mentioned are entirely independent from Railway Air Services?

The company known as Railway Air Services has no financial interest in any other air operating company, but railway companies are directly or indirectly interested in the following companies mentioned in Command Paper 5894: Railway Air Services, Limited, Jersey Airways, Limited, Scottish Airways, Limited, Western Isles Airways, Limited, Isle of Man Air Services, Limited. There is, as far as I am aware, no railway interest in the remaining companies mentioned in that paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that an internal air line is compelled to employ a suitable proportion of members of the Air Force Reserve, or Auxiliary Air Force, in order to qualify for subsidy under the scheme for encouraging internal aviation; and why the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve has been deliberately excluded?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this matter. Legally the term "Air Force Reserve" includes the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, but as this may not be generally realised my right hon. Friend is taking steps to have the position made clear to the Companies concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that oil from the expropriated Anglo-American companies in Mexico is being sold to Germany; and whether he is taking steps to accelerate a settlement between these companies and the Mexican Government so that the question of ownership may be finally settled?

I am aware that certain quantities of Mexican oil are being sold to Germany. Whilst His Majesty's Government would welcome a settlement of their unfortunate dispute with the Mexican Government, the latter Government, as indicated in my reply of the 2nd November to the hon. Members for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) and Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) have as yet shown no signs of reconsidering their attitude towards the expropriated British oil companies.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolutions sent him from local authorities respecting the urgency of an international air disarmament conference; whether he will receive a deputation from these authorities; and whether he intends in the near future to initiate proposals for such a conference?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 14th December. In the circumstances a decision to receive a deputation must necessarily be deferred.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recall to Germany of 12,000 German and Austrian domestic servants working in this country; and whether he will propose to the German Government an arrangement to allow 12,000 Jewish and other young German women who desire permanently to leave Germany to take the place of the young women being recalled?

My Noble Friend has not received any report of the recall of such domestic servants from this country. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now confirmed that the Japanese are attempting to create a monopoly of the trade in raw cotton in the area round Shanghai; and what action he is taking in the matter?

It appears that the attempt made to establish such a monopoly has now been abandoned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consult with the High Commissioner in Palestine as to steps which could be taken to convey to those charged with selecting the Palestinian Arabs to attend the discussions on Palestine that it is desirable for representatives of the Arab working population to be included?

I have nothing to add to what I said in reply to questions on the subject on 7th December.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that many parents have no knowledge of the law which states that children who reach the age of 15 during a school term are bound to remain at school until the end of the term; and whether he will take steps to see that all parents are informed of this?

The provision that a child attending a public elementary school who attains any year of age during a school term shall not be deemed to have attained that year of age until the end of that term, was introduced by the Education Act of 1918 and has been in force for 20 years, and the law of school attendance has been administered accordingly during that period. I have no reason to think that the law in this respect is not generally familiar to parents. Except in the few areas in which the school-leaving age has been raised to 15 by by-law, the leaving age until 1st September, 1939, the appointed day under the Act of 1936, is the end of the term in which the child attains the age of 14, or 14 if that age is attained during the school holidays.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider extending the practice under which married women with special qualifications can be allowed to remain in the Civil Service, as the restriction of this permission to the highest grades only is regarded as unfair by other grades?

Applications from established women civil servants for retention on marriage are considered individually, whatever the grade of the woman concerned, under Regulations of 12th June, 1934. The Regulations, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, were made under Order in Council of 22nd July, 1920, and provide that an exception may be made to the Regulation requiring resignation on marriage in a case where the Head of the Department and the Treasury are satisfied after joint consideration that the employment in the public service of a married woman is advisable in the light of her special qualifications, or special experience in relation to the duties required of her, or of the special requirements of the Department in which she is serving. I do not think it would be in the public interest to modify these arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the exact nature of the objection to the proposal that the Government's offer to increase the barley subsidy to £1 an acre should be amended so that, instead of having to choose between deficiency payments under the Wheat Act and the barley subsidy, farmers growing both crops should be entitled to both measures of assistance?

After full debate last year, Parliament approved the principle embodied in the Agriculture Act, 1937, that in general reasonable financial assistance would be afforded to cereal cultivation if that assistance were limited to either the wheat crop or the barley and oats crops. The quantitative limit upon which full wheat deficiency payments are made was increased under that Act from 27,000,000 to 36,000,000 cwts., and the wheat grower is guaranteed this year a price approaching 45s. per quarter for the largest crop that he has ever obtained, averaging over 20 cwts. per acre, or a gross return averaging nearly £10 per acre. The sum which Parliament will be asked to make available for emergency assistance to barley growers should, in the opinion of the Government, be concentrated for the benefit of those barley growers who have not grown appreciable quantities of wheat on their land and whose need therefore is greatest.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the approxi- mate cost of abolishing the maximum of 30s. per week sunder the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Act?

The extent to which the amount of unemployment benefit, paid to applicants under the agricultural scheme, is reduced owing to this restriction would vary according to the level of unemployment and other factors; on the basis of the benefit paid in the past 12 months the reduction is estimated at about £9,000. This sum does not necessarily represent the full cost that would be entailed by the abolition of the restriction, and there are, of course, wider considerations involved in any such proposal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of claims admitted for benefit under the Agricultural Workers Insurance Act from 1st December, 1937, to 30th November, 1938, and the amount paid into the fund by the workers, employers, and the State, respectively, during the same period?

The average number of insured persons aged 16–64 with claims admitted for agricultural benefit in Great Britain during the 12 months December, 1937, to November, 1938 (as indicated by the figures compiled for one date in each month) was 18,350. In that period the approximate contributions paid to the Agricultural Account of the Unemployment Fund were as follow:

		£
By employers	…	620,000
By employed persons	…	620,000
By the Exchequer	…	620,000

asked the Minister of Labour what was the average amount of unemployment within the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Act for the year ended 30th November, 1938, and what was the surplus in the fund at that time?

The average number and percentage of persons, aged 16–64, insured under the Agricultural Scheme recorded as unemployed in Great Britain during the 12 months December, 1937, to November, 1938 (as indicated by the figures compiled for one date in each month) were 36,600 and 5·5 per cent. respectively. On 30th November, 1938, the balance on the Agricultural Account of the Unemployment Fund was about £2,770,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of unemployed persons in the division of Stalybridge and Hyde in August, 1931, and for July and November this year, respectively; and the percentage decreases or increases in unemployment?

The available statistics relate to persons registered as unemployed at the Stalybridge and Hyde Employment Exchanges. The numbers of such persons, aged 14 and over, on the registers of these two Exchanges at 17th August, 1931, 18th July, 1938, and 14th November, 1938, were 10,935, 5,489 and 4,525 respectively. The percentage decreases as compared with 17th August, 1931, were accordingly 49.8 per cent. at 18th July, 1938, and 58.6 per cent. at 14th November, 1938. The decrease between 18th July and 14th November, 1938, amounted to 17.6 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour how many factories are tenanted on the Team Valley trading estate at Gateshead; and whether he will give the total number of employés in those factories, the number of men over 21 years of age, the number of women over 21 years of age, the number of youths under 21 years of age and the number of girls under 21 years of age?

The number of factories tenanted on the Team Valley trading estate at 30th November was 85 of which 79 were in production. In addition there were 25 factories erected or in course of construction for tenants. The number of persons employed in the factories was approximately 1,700.The latest available details of persons employed, relating to the position at 30th September, 1938, were furnished in the reply to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. Daggar) on 29th November, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the total number of registered unemployed at the Employment Exchanges of Blaenavon, Pontypool and Pontnewydd, for each month from January, 1937, to the most recent date?

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, on the registers of the Blaenavon, Pontypool and Pontnewydd Employment Exchanges at one date in each month from January, 1937, to November, 1938.

Date.	Blaenavon.	Pontypool (including Abersychan).	Pontnewydd.
1937.
25th January	1,124	3,939	1,202
22nd February	1,101	3,647	1,045
15th March	1,087	3,642	1,017
19th April	1,069	3,584	990
24th May	988	3,726	2,059
21st June	929	3,417	967
26th July	886	3,379	1,048
23rd August	874	3,388	2,063
13th September	834	3,566	907
18th October	865	2.941	946
15th November	875	3,232	997
13th December	882	3,367	980
1938.
17th January	935	3,995	958
14th February	844	3,927	1,307
14th March	881	3,352	1,165
4th April	840	3,492	1,372
16th May	890	3,899	1,263
13th June	926	4,115	1,231
18th July	860	3,972	1,392
15th August	861	4,130	1,474
12th September	865	3,738	1,443
17th October	795	4,136	1,181
14th November	778	3,302	1,631

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state to what extent his Department is giving a lead to the country by encouraging the reduction of atmospheric pollution and by the consumption of smokeless fuels in Government offices and furnaces; and whether he can give any statistics by way of illustration?

It is only in London that Government buildings under the control of my Department exist in such numbers or in such concentration as materially to affect the smoke question. During the present winter, about 8,000 tons of coalite will be used in about 7,000 open fires in the Westminster, City and South Kensington districts. A few grates have been adapted for the use of gas coke as an experiment. In outlying districts, house coal is still in use. Most of the smaller central heating installations in Government buildings in London burn gas coke. The majority of the larger installations burn low volatile fuels such as large Welsh steam coal or Welsh Steam grains or blended fuels. With proper stoking, no smoke trouble should arise from the use of these fuels. In a few installations bituminous fuels (Northumberland and Scotch nuts) are used, but even these, with the use of mechanical stokers, should not give more than a grey haze of smoke. The position may be summarised as follows. The tonnage given is the estimated amount to be used in the London area during the current heating season:

Low volatile smokeless fuels.
	Tons.
Large Welsh Steam coal	10,000
Welsh Steam Grains	20,000
Blended fuels	6,000
Gas coke	50,000
Coalite for open fires	8,000
Bituminous fuels.
Northumberland and Scotch nuts	16,000
House coal for open fires	5,000
	115,000

By far the major part of the fuel in use by my Department in London may therefore be described as smokeless.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will take immediate steps to instal an electrical lift, as agreed, in the office of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, Arundel Crescent, Hendon Central, N.W.4, as the work has been at a standstill for at least two months?

Instructions have been given for the work of installing an electric book lift to be proceeded with and it is expected that it will be completed during February.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will make arrangements to expedite the re-housing of certain of the staff of His Majesty's inspector of taxes housed at 17, North Audley Street, where severe overcrowding has existed for a very long time, in view of the fact that he has been aware of this and that alternative accommodation is readily available?

Proposals for re-housing part of the Inland Revenue staff now in 17, North Audley Street are under consideration and instructions have been given for the matter to be dealt with as speedily as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to amend Articles 1162–67 of the Royal Warrant for the Pay, etc., of the Army so as to enable pensions to be granted from Army funds to the widows and dependants of warrant officers, Class II and Class III, in suitable cases?

The advantage given to Warrant Officers, Class I, is of long standing and exceptional. In this respect, the attractions of promotion to Warrant Officer, Class I, contain an advantage over those enjoyed by the great majority of employés both inside and outside Government employment. Since the introduction of the Contributory Pensions Act, there would be more ground for withdrawing the concession than for increasing its scope. There is, however, no proposal to withdraw the concession. Provision is already made for the widows and children of other classes of warrant officers whose deaths are due to service.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cases of small-pox and deaths from that disease were reported amongst women and children in the British Army in India in the year 1934?

Two women and one child are recorded as having been admitted to hospital for small-pox during the year 1934 in India. There were no deaths.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the conversion of units to anti-aircraft purposes officers on the Territorial Reserve were informed that they could transfer to the general reserve or retire; and why such officers were not given the option of continued attachment to the re-equipped unit?

The instruction is in the contrary sense. It is headed "Disposal of personnel not wishing to serve in their unit after re-equipment" and contains information for those to whom this applies. If my hon. Friend knows of any cases in which the instructions were misinterpreted, I should be glad if he will send me particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War what charge is made to those

—		Warrant Officer Class I.		Warrant Officer Class II.		Warrant Officer Class III and Staff Serjeant.		Serjeant and below.
		s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Wife	…	23	6	20	0	19	6	17	0
1st child	…	5	6	5	6	5	6	5	6
2nd child	…	3	6	3	6	3	6	3	6
3rd child	…	2	0	2	0	2	0	2	0
4th child	…	1	6	1	6	1	6	1	6
Each additional child	…	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	0

I also announced that, in the event of a soldier occupying married quarters (in which case he would also be provided with furniture, fuel, light, water, sanitary services and maintenance of the quarter) the wife's portion of the allowance would be deducted. This practice is followed at Lichfield, as elsewhere.Of the thirty quarters at Lichfield rented by the War Department, 28 are at present occupied by soldiers. Their ranks, and

In introducing Army Estimates on 10th March last, I announced the establishment of a system of family allowance to be payable to married soldiers.The weekly rates provided are:the current normal daily rates of pay (exclusive of allowances) of those ranks, are as follow:

1	Warrant Officer Class II	8s. 6d. to 9s. 0d.
3	Serjeants	6s. 0d. to 6s. 6d.
6	Corporals or Bom-bardiers	4s. 0d. to 5s. 6d.
3	Lance Corporals or Lance Bombardiers	3s. 3d. to 4s. 9d.
15	Privates or Gunners	2s. 0d. to 4s. 3d.

according to length of service, conduct, and/or degree of proficiency.