asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he. can state the number of vacancies that exist for upper section preventive officers in His Majesty's Customs, and also as to why such vacancies are not being filled up?

There are four such vacancies. Three of them are in process of being filled; the fourth, an immigration appointment in London, is held in abeyance for the present, as the existing immigration staff is sufficient for the duty they have to perform.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state to what extent the Excise survey by supervisors and officers on brewers for sale has been relaxed since 1st January, and the grounds of relaxation?

Certain relaxations of survey have been authorised in the case of the smaller and less important brewers. The details involved in this change are numerous, and cannot conveniently be described within the ordinary limits of an answer to a question.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware of any case where the sole right to fish for salmon in territorial waters has been granted to a private individual; and, if so, will he state the date of the charter and the name of the person to whom it was granted?

The answer is in the negative. The Board have no authority to determine questions affecting private fishing rights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to introduce a Shop Hours Bill this Session; and, if so, whether he can give the date when the Bill will be presented?

Yes, Sir. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for North Hackney last Monday, I hope to introduce the Bill soon, but I am not yet in a position to name a day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can say why the composite licences to drivers and conductors of stage carriages, which were expected to be issued from 1st May last, cannot be obtained; and can he say definitely when these licences will be obtainable?

I regret that there has been some delay in this matter, but it has been unavoidable. It is proposed that the Order authorising the issue of these composite licences should come into operation on the 1st proximo.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the necessity of extending the area now covered by 30 and 31 Vic, c. 134, relating to the setting down and taking up of passengers; and whether, owing to the increase of electric traction, he intends to promote further legislation in this direction for the convenience of the public?

If my hon. Friend has in mind the extension for all purposes of what are known as the "general limits" fixed by the Metropolitan Streets Act, 1867, the question is under consideration, but I cannot promise legislation on the subject. But if he refers only to the power of the Commissioners of the Metropolitan and City Police to appoint the places at which stage carriages may stop to set down and take up passengers, I may point out that section 4 of the London Cab and Stage Carriage Act, 1907, extended this power to the whole of the Metropolitan police district.