asked the Postmaster-General if he will circulate a statement giving particulars of the high-power wireless telegraph stations worked either by the Governments or commercial enterprise in the United States, France, Germany and this country?

has since issued the following statement : —

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to publish the valuations of land made under the Finance Act, 1909–10, for the city of Glasgow, showing the total value and full site value of each hereditament?

I am unable to accede to the hon. Member's request. Sub-section (2) of Section SO of the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, provides that particulars of valuations of any land made under the Act can be supplied only to persons interested in the land or to persons authorised by persons interested, but does not authorise a general publication.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the qualifications of the officials who have been re-assessing property under Schedule A; and whether they are required to satisfy a definite standard as regards experience and knowledge?

It is, of course, the District Commissioners of Taxes who sign and allow the assessments, but in practice, in this, as in other previous re-assessments, the main part of the technical work has fallen upon the Inspectors of Taxes, who are fully com- petent to perform the duties entrusted to them. As has before been stated, in difficult cases involving expert professional knowledge of the value of landed property, the advice of competent professional valuers has been available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the value of rectory-houses and vicarages to rectors and vicars does not change with fluctuations in the property market and that their occupation thereof is not optional, he will have the recent assessments of these houses re-adjusted?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on the 11th May to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Henley (Captain Terrell). I am sending him a copy of that reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give instructions that the public shall have access to all property assessments under Schedule A to enable ratepayers to make comparison with property of similar size and value?

Under the existing law, notice of an assessment is given either by sending a particular notification to the person assessed or by making available for inspection a copy of his assessment. Having regard to the confidential nature of a good deal of the information contained in the Property Tax assessment books, it would be contrary to the public interest to permit a taxpayer to inspect other assessments in addition to his own.

asked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider the question of giving help or relief to the necessitous areas?

A revised plan of relief proposed by representatives of some of the areas referred to is under examination, but I am not yet in a position to announce the decision of the Government upon it.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average cost of the light castings used in houses costing £800 and £1,000, respectively, prior to the recent increase of 10 per cent, by the light castings trade?

The price of light castings has varied considerably since working-class houses were erected at a cost of £800 and £1,000 each. The price of light castings required for an average non-parlour house prior to the 10 per cent, increase referred to would, however, vary between £20 and £25 per house.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Committee on the Price of Building Materials has taken any action as regards the recent increase of prices quoted for various kinds of building materials by the firms included in the National Light Castings Association; and, if so, what action?

The Committee have asked for an explanation of the 10 per cent, increase, and a Sub-committee is shortly going to Scotland to investigate the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what profits, represented by 5 per cent. War Loan, 1929–47, have so far been secured and invested on the exchange of other securities, held by the Ministry as investments for account of approved societies generally, into that particular stock?

No profits have, so far, been received on the exchange of other securities held as investments for account of approved societies into 5 per cent. War Loan, 1929–47.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that a number of temporary men now employed at Cumberland Green, Regent's Park, under the Ministry of Health unemployment scheme, were formerly employed independently by his Department on the same work at a much higher wage, but were subsequently discharged and reappointed at the present lower scales of pay; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to this method of working the unemployed scheme for the purpose of decreasing wages?

The work on reconstitution in Regent's Park was a charge on the Public Buildings Vote. The work was not quite completed by the end of the financial year, and no further sum was provided on the Public Buildings Vote. The men were therefore discharged, and the work was completed, and men engaged on the unemployment relief programme for the current year were placed on the jobs. Men employed on such work are paid at the rate of 75 per cent, of the district rate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many emigrants the Overseas Settlement Committee assisted to settle overseas during the months of March and April last?

The number of persons who proceeded overseas during the months of March and April with free or assisted passages was 5,655. This figure is made up as follows:

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the compulsory vaccination law that has been enacted in St. Lucia, provision has been made for the exemption of those who are prepared to declare that they conscientiously object thereto; and, if no provision for conscientious objection has been made, whether he will point out to the officials who have the matter in hand that it would be advisable to put the inhabitants of St. Lucia on the same footing as regards compulsory vaccination as the people of Great Britain?

The St. Lucia Ordinances relating to public vaccination, which were passed many years ago, do not provide for exemption on grounds of conscientious objection. I have no information as to any recent legislation or administrative action taken or contemplated by the local Government, but inquiry will be made of the Governor.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the 'restoration of seized British trawlers for cash payments, he can state whether the Soviet Government is adopting this policy in regard to other British property which has been seized in Russia?

The answer, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware, is in the negative.