BENN asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a letter written by M. Rakovsky, Russian Chargé d'Affaires in London, to the Association of British Creditors of Russia, in which he states that the right to private property has been re-established in Russia; and whether this change in the Russian civil code has been taken into account in considering the question of reopening negotiations with the Russian Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, M. Rakovsky refers in this letter to Soviet decrees published in 1921 and 1922. As the terms of these decrees were not retro-active, they could have no bearing on the reopening of any negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate effect on the revenue derived from the Entertainments Duty if a uniform rate of tax of 10 per cent., 15 per cent. and 20 per cent. of the total cost of each taxable ticket, with a minimum tax of ½d., were substituted for the present scale of tax; and at what percentage of the total cost of each taxable ticket with the same minimum tax the yield would equal the yield of the tax under the present scale?

It is estimated, on such information as is available, that the annual yield of ad valorem duties on the total payments for admission, including those at present exempt from duty, with a minimum duty of ½d. per admission, would be as follows: Million £. 10 per cent. tax (less than) 5 15 per cent. tax (about) 7 20 per cent. tax (over) 9 It is also estimated that to produce the present yield of £58 million a year, a uniform ad valorem tax, with a ½d. minimum, would have to be approximately 12½ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, in view of the judgment of Mr. Justice Rowlatt in Grainger v. Maxwell, what is the position in regard to the various securities issued under the War Loan Acts, 1914 to 1917, forming one category or of being treated as separate heads of income for tax purposes?

As at present advised, the Board of Inland Revenue propose to appeal against the judgment to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can say in how many cases Excess Profits Duty was assessed upon the basis of the percentage standard, and what was the total amount of money so assessed and claimed; in how many cases Excess Profits Duty was assessed upon the make-up to the guaranteed standard, and to the special or substitute profits standard, and what was the total amount of money so assessed and claimed; and can he say under what Acts and Clauses the Commissioners of Inland Revenue were authorised to make such assessments and claims?

I regret that the figures asked for by the hon. Member are not available. As regards the last part of the question, the charge of Excess Profits Duty was imposed by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, and continued in subsequent Finance Acts up to and including 1921.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of Income Tax repayments made during the last financial year to registered trade unions and registered friendly societies under Sub-section (2) of Clause 39 of the Income Tax Act of 1918?

The approximate amounts of Income Tax repaid in 1924–25 to registered trade unions and registered friendly societies were £35,000 and £865,000 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total value of estates of over £1,000 which have been subject to Death Duties during 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924, respectively, in which there were no direct descendants?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the surveyors of Customs and Excise who act in respect of the County of London as pension officers under the Old Age Pensions and Blind Persons Acts have kept any record of the number of books, issued by them or under their survey, of orders for payment of the pensioners; and, if so, what is the approximate number of pensioners for the County of London?

Records are kept of the number of order books issued by pension officers for the payment of old age pensions, but pension districts are not co-terminous with county areas. As explained in the reply given to the hon. Member for Lambeth North (Mr. Briant) on the 21st May, there are no statistics at present available from which the information requested by my hon. and gallant Friend could be furnished.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of staff in the Employment Exchanges on 8th June, 1924, and 9th June, 1925?

The number of staff working in the Employment Exchanges on the 9th June, 1924, and the 8th June, 1925, the nearest dates for which information is available was as follows: 9th June, 1924 7,593 8th June, 1925 8,804

— 1920. 1921. 1922. March Quarter. 1923. 1924. 1925. £ £ £ £ £ £ Employed Persons 384,000 2,040,000 3,720,000 4,000,000 4,365,000 4,360,000 Employers 384,000 2,040,000 4,130,000 4,450,000 4,845,000 4,840,000 Service Department a (in respect of men discharged from the Forces). — 187,000 185,000 122,100 75,600 100,300 Exchequer 256,000 1,086,000 2,850,000 3,060,000 3,320,000 3.320,000

In addition, during the March quarter of the years 1922, 1923 and 1925, sums of £6,350,000, £950,000 and £2,020,000, respectively, were advanced to the Unemployment Fund by the Treasury by way of loan, and during the corresponding quarter of 1924 a sum of. £2,240,000 was repaid to the Treasury in respect of previous advances.

asked the Minister ox' Labour the value, expressed as an addition to the weekly wage of insured persons, of the contributions of the employer and the State to unemployed insurance?

asked the Prime Minister if the Government intends to reintroduce this Session the Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Bill?

I have been asked to reply. In view of the state of public business I see no prospect of the introduction of such a Measure this Session.

asked the Minister of Labour the total moneys contributed towards unemployment insurance by the State on account of both uncovenanted and covenanted benefit, and the amounts contributed by employers and workers during the quarter ended 31st March, 1925, together with the comparative figures for the March quarters in 1920 to 1924, inclusive?

The total contributions to the Unemployment Fund during the March quarter of the years 1920 to 1925 were as follow:

The rates of weekly contributions by employers and the Exchequer in respect of employed persons under the Unemployment Insurance Acts are as follow: — Payable by Employer. Exchequer. d. d. In the case of men 10 6¾ In the case of men women 8 5¼ In the case of men boys 5 3⅞ In the case of men girls 4½ 3⅝

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can sanction the retention of the county land drainage officers beyond 31st July next, as otherwise such officers will then be dismissed and in the autumn fresh officers will have to be appointed; and whether county agricultural committees may have an early decision on this point?

I have been asked to reply. The retention of the officers in question is dependent upon the continuance next winter of the Ministry's land drainage schemes for the relief of unemployment. This matter is still under consideration by His Majesty's Government, but I hope to be able to make an announcement very soon.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will inquire into the oases of three smallholders at Cladville, Portnahaven, Islay, who were placed in their holdings at the time of high prices and granted bonds to the Board of Agriculture for their buildings, but are unable to implement their bonds owing to the slump and bad harvest, and are now threatened with legal proceedings by the Board; and whether he will cause these cases to be reconsidered, and the smallholders given the same terms as those who entered their holdings at a later date when the depression had manifested itself and whose bonds were granted on easier terms?

I have made inquiry with regard to the three smallholders at Cladville, Islay, who are referred to in the question. The settlement at Cladville was effected at Whitsunday, 1916, and the buildings were transferred to the holders at pre-War valuation. The holders' continued failure to meet their obligations cannot, therefore, be attributed to entry to holdings at a time of high prices, and the Board cannot accept the view that it is due to the slump and bad harvest. In the circumstances I am not prepared to accede to the proposal made in the latter part of my hon. and learned Friend's question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of prosecutions for illegal trawling in Scotland and the number of convictions for first, second, and subsequent offences for the past year?

In 1924 there were 24 prosecutions for illegal trawling in Scottish waters. Convictions were obtained in 18 cases, viz., 10 convictions for a first offence, six convictions for a second offence, one conviction for a third offence, and one conviction for a fourth offence.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will have an Admiralty Fleet Order issued stating that, if there are any boys in the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, or sans of warrant officers, petty officers, and men not in the Royal Hospital School, but who possess the requisite educational and other qualifications for entry as naval cadets, and are within the age limits for entry into Dartmouth, facilities will be granted to enable them to attend the necessary interview and examinations?

The Regulations for the entry of naval cadets at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, are published in the Navy List, and make it quite clear that the sons of warrant officers, petty officers and men of the Royal Navy, if eligible, may be interviewed and examined, whether educated at Greenwich Hospital School or elsewhere. It is therefore not considered necessary to issue a Fleet Order having special reference to the entry of such boys. In this connection I would call the attention of my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on the 18th June.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why it is undesirable for cadets to enter Dartmouth except at the normal age?

If boys were to enter Dartmouth above the normal age they would be at too great a disadvantage professionally and educationally to enable them to reach the level of their contemporaries.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Mr. A. W. Betts, late No. 8,850, pioneer-sergeant, Cold-stream Guards, of Nash Road, Great Horwood, Winslow, Bucks (Ministry of Pensions, Reference No. 11/M/272,497), who has received no communication from the Ministry of Pensions, Awards Branch (M), Acton, since a letter dated the 17th January, 1925; why there has been this delay; and will he have Mr. Betts's claim in connection with the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1924, and his claim in connection with artificial teeth, settled without further delay?

I regret that I am not yet in possession of the full facts in this case, but I have called for a report, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am able to complete my investigation.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inform the War Pensions Committee of any area which he or his Parliamentary Secretary proposes to visit in order that the members of the committees may be permitted to put before him the local reasons for dissatisfaction with recent decisions of the Ministry; and whether similar arrangements can be made enabling the men concerned or their representatives to state in person their views of the Ministry's action in individual cases or categories of cases?

It is my intention and practice where opportunity offers to see the chairman or members of the War Pensions Committee and ex-service men. But it is essential to the object I have in view, namely, that of observing the working of the local machinery of my Department, that the visits to local offices which have been and are being made by my hon. and gallant Friend and myself should not be announced beforehand.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Mr. W. Bellard, of 19, Fairbridge Road, Islington, who has been in and out of hospital as a result of war injuries since 1922, his last term being 17th March to 2nd June, 1925, during which time he was entitled to 100 per cent. disablement benefit, of which 16s. per week was put aside until his discharge, has been refused payment of his seven months' arrears, which they admit are due, by the Islington Area Office until such time as instructions are received by the Ministry; and, as until such time as instructions are received he is deprived of 12s. per week which he received previously, will he lake steps to expedite the authorisation of these payments?

The hon. Member appears to have beer misinformed as to the facts in this case. The man referred to completed an eight months' course of in-patient treatment in March last, and the full balance of allowances due in respect of it was paid to him. A further course of treatment was commenced in May last, but was prematurely terminated by serious misconduct on the part of the man which gravely prejudiced the progress of his case. In these circumstances the balance of allowances was not payable to him under the standing Regulations of the Ministry. I may, however, add that pension for the two weeks immediately following his discharge from hospital was paid on the 10th June, and the necessary authority to enable payment of pension through the Post Office to be resumed was given at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it has been possible to find any site in the neighbourhood that will obviate the withdrawal from arable cultivation of 400 acres near Odiham; and what is the estimated time of flight by an aeroplane from Aldershot to Odiham and Stockbridge respectively?

I regret that it has not been found possible to find an alternative site to Odiham. As regards the second part of the question, the estimated time of flight from Aldershot to Odiham is eight minutes, and from Aldershot to Stockbridge 36 minutes, whilst the distances by road are about nine miles and 40 miles respectively. I would, however, point out that the distance by air from the Army units with which it is to co-operate is not the only factor governing the location of an Army Cooperation, Squadron such as that which it is intended to station at Odiham; if co-operation is to be effective, accessibility by ordinary means of ground transport is also of the first importance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the growing practice in certain regiments of making it obligatory or, at all events, customary, on young officers, many of whom are quite unable to afford it, to subscribe to all sorts of objects from a sweepstake to gratuities to retiring noncommissioned officers and their wives; and whether, seeing that these burdens ultimately fall on the parent or guardian of the young officer, he will lay the matter before the Army Council with a view to its discontinuance?

I am not aware that there is any such growing practice: it would be contrary to the letter and spirit of the King's Regulations for a commanding officer to permit it. If the hon. Member can furnish me with information about a specific case, it shall be inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War the strength of the Supplementary Reserve as at 1st June, and state whether any section of it will be called up for training this year?

The strength of the Supplementary Reserve on 1st June was Category B: Officers 208 Other ranks 2,168 Category C: Officers 5 Other ranks 5,275

All members of Category B will undergo training this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the bands of Territorial regiments are prohibited from accepting engagements at gatherings of a political nature; and whether he will see that this is impartially enforced?

would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the same question which he addressed to me on the 12th May last.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give any reasons for the shortage of officers in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and what steps he is taking to relieve that shortage?

There are several reasons which may account for the present shortage of Royal Army Medical Corps officers. I am afraid that it would not be possible for me to deal with these reasons, or the steps we are taking to find a remedy, within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, in connection with the removal from Woolwich to Didcot of the ordnance stores, the men transferred as inspectors are inadequately housed; that men who have been accustomed to live in their own houses are now expected to live with their families in military quarters of the B and C type; that only 10 quarters of these types have so far been provided; and whether, seeing that the quarters in which they are expected to live involves a definite lowering of the standard of life of these men and their families, he will consider whether sufficient and improved housing accommodation for them can be found?

The only quarters which are available at present for occupation by civilian employés at Didcot are 42 of the B and C type; but a scheme is under consideration for the provision of 63 more quarters, and, if this be approved, inspectors will get officers' quarters, principal viewers warrant officers' quarters, and viewers the B and C quarters. No employé is under any compulsion to occupy Government quarters, if he prefers to make his own arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has noticed that, owing to big supplies and poor demand for fish at Fleetwood, large quantities of this human food have been used for fertilising purposes; and whether he has considered what steps can be taken to avoid this waste of human food?

During the recent heat wave, considerable quantities of fish were disposed of otherwise than for human food, both at Fleetwood and at other fishing ports. Although much of this fish was at the time of sale fit for human food, it is quite likely that, in the circumstances of the time, it would not have been in saleable condition at the end of a railway journey. In such exceptional weather conditions, the loss of a certain amount of fish is, I think, unavoidable, but I shall be happy to discuss with my hon. Friend any practical suggestions he may have to offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he proposes to take to ensure the highest possible safeguards to safety of life at sea, in view of the impaired efficiency of the marine wireless service, consequent upon the issue on 21st April, 1925, of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rule Amendment Rules, 1925; and whether he will exercise his discretion, and alter the Statutory Rules and Orders, dated 10th July, 1920 (S. R. & O., 1920, 976), so as to ensure that a ship of Class II shall carry only certificated wireless operators;

(2) if he will inform the House of the reason or reasons for the issue on 21st April, 1925, of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Statutory Rules, amending rules modifying the qualifying sea service period of marine wireless operators from 12 months' experience to six months' experience; and whether he will inform the House of the changed circumstances, seeing that the Board of Trade have hitherto considered 12 months' experience to be necessary?

Representations were made some time ago to the Board of Trade and the General Post Office that, owing to the small field for training wireless operators at sea, great difficulty was being experienced in complying with the requirement that operators in charge of a ship must have 12 months' sea service; and that unless some action were taken to amend the rules, there would soon be a serious shortage of experienced men available for the sea service. The matter was very fully discussed by the Board of Trade and the Post Office with representatives of the wireless telegraphy companies, the shipowners and the Association of Wireless and Cable Telegraphists. As a result of these discussions, the Board and the Post Office came to the conclusion that it was advisable to reduce the requirement to six months' service. While it would have been preferable, if possible, to retain the 12 months' qualification, the Departments considered that the reduction could be made without impairing the efficiency of the service, and that it was better to take this action now than to allow matters to reach a position when a much more drastic alteration of the rules would have been necessary. It is not considered that the amendment of the Merchant Shipping Wireless Telegraphy Rules contained in the amending rule of 21st April last, will impair the efficiency of the Mercantile Marine Wireless Service. With regard to the second part of the first question, the Board of Trade have no power under the Merchant Shipping Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1919, to require a ship of Class II to carry more than one certificated wireless operator.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that under Article 25 of the Russian-Italian Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, approved by the Italian Government on 4th June, 1925, vessels of the contracting countries shall be permitted, in the course of their voyage and for a period of two years, to engage in the maritime transport of goods and passengers between the following ports: Trieste, Genoa, Naples, Leghorn and Catania on the one side, and Odessa, Novorossik, Poti, Batum and Rostov on the other; and what steps does he propose to take to obtain similar facilities for British shipping?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, British vessels have no rights under the Trade Agreement of March, 1921, to participate in the coasting trade of Russia, but under an exchange of Notes dated September, 1904, British vessels are entitled to participate in the Italian coasting trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the figures of British exports to the Empire in 1924 compare with those of 1923; and will he give corresponding figures for exports to foreign countries?

The declared values of the exports of produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom to the British Empire and to foreign countries during 1923 and 1924 were as follow: — 1923. 1924. Consigned to— £ £ British Countries Overseas. 300,602,626 332,536,252 Foreign Countries 466,655,145 462,828,329

From 1st April, 1923, these figures include the trade of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the Irish Free State and exclude the direct foreign trade of the Irish Free State. For further particulars I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Table IX of the Monthly Trade Accounts for January, 1925.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number of cotton spindles in the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States, respectively, in 1900 and 1924; and what were the number of bales consumed in each country in those years?

The numbers of spindles and the number of bales of cotton consumed in cotton mills in the year 1900, in the countries specified, were approximately as follows, the particulars being based on official information as far as possible: — Spindles. Cotton consumed. No. Bales. United Kingdom 42,500,000 3,000,000 United States 19,500,000 3,900,000 Japan 1,100,000 630,000* * Bales of 500 pounds weight.

According to the information given in the "International Cotton Bulletin," the total estimated number of spinning spindles at the end of January, 1925, and of bales of cotton consumed in mills in the previous 12 months, in the same countries were: — Spindles. Cotton consumed. No. Bales. United Kingdom 56,710,000 2,904,000 United States 37,886,000 5,461,000 Japan 5,110,000 2,344,000

It may be added that the weights of the bales varied with the class of cotton used.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the very small proportion of British films that are being shown in British theatres as compared to foreign films; whether this matter is engaging the-attention of his Department; and whether he will consider what steps can be taken to increase the proportion of British films shown?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given him yesterday by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade.

asked the Home Secretary how many voluntary visitors attend to give instruction at the prisons at Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs; and whether classes are given in carpentry or any trade likely to assist inmates to become members of the building industry on their return to civil life?

At Wandsworth there are 47 voluntary visitors and 11 voluntary teachers; at Wormwood Scrubs, 30 voluntary visitors and 12 voluntary teachers. Visitors and teachers are, as a rule, though not always, distinct. One of the Wandsworth teachers gives instruction in workshop drawing at wood and metal work, but, apart from this, they do not teach any of the building trades. At both prisons, however, a number of men are employed in the building and allied trades, under paid instructors, during the working hours of the day.

asked the Postmaster-General which steamship lines, running services between Great Britain and the British Dominions, at present have a mail contract with the Government; and if he will give the amounts paid annually to these steamship lines for such contracts?

Apart from the cross-Channel services to the Irish Free State, the only steamship line now under contract with the British Post Office for the conveyance of mails to a British Dominion is the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which provides a service with Australia, Egypt, India and the Far East for an inclusive annual payment of £295,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the Pembroke Education Committee, who have decided not to accept the Burnham award unless compelled so to do; and will he state whether action is being taken with a view to this authority being compelled to pay salaries to teachers under their authority on the scale laid down by the Burnham Committee?

My attention has been drawn to the decision referred to. As regards the second part of the question, I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the recent official announcement in the Press indicating my attitude with regard to the adoption of the scales laid down in Lord Burnham's award.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to bring in legislation to deal with the Report and recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Superannuation of School Teachers; and, in particular, to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee relating to the positions of grant-aided schools?

The hon. and gallant Member appears to have overlooked the Bill which I introduced on the 19th March and which was read a Second time on the 12th May.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that the devaluation of money values has resulted in the substantive grant to highly rated local education authorities being of less value than the amount granted in 1914; and whether he is prepared to consider the revision of these grants in order to place education authorities in these areas in no worse position than they were before 1914?

If the hon. Member will refer to the figures which I gave him in my reply of 19th May last, he will see that the statement made in the first part of the question does not appear to accord with the facts. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can make any statement as to the effect of the Circular issued by him at the end of last year, urging local education authorities to make provision for the education of abnormal children by establishing special schools or special classes?

The replies which I have received to the Circular issued on 12th January last, indicate that authorities are generally alive to their responsibility for making proper provision for the education of defective children. They have submitted, or have under consideration, proposals for a substantial increase of special school accommodation and, where mentally-defective children cannot be accommodated in existing special schools, for the establishment of supervisory arrangements and special classes for dull and backward children. A number of authorities are contemplating orthopædic schemes for crippled children. In considering these and any other proposals which I may receive I shall, of course, have regard to the general programmes of educational development which I have asked authorities to submit to me.

asked the Minister of Health the number of dwelling-houses erected and in course of erection in the County of London or in the area of Greater London for the 12 months ending 31st December, 1924; how many of these houses were of the non-parlour type erected under the State-assisted housing scheme; and the average cost of land and development per house?

During the 12 months ending 31st December, 1924, 5,546 houses were completed in connection with schemes under the Housing Acts in districts wholly or partly in the Metropolitan police district, and a further 4,908 houses were in course of construction on the 31st December. Precise information as to the number of non-parlour houses included in these figures is not available, but it is estimated that two-thirds of the houses were of this type. Similar information in regard to houses erected by private enterprise without State subsidy is not available for the period in question, but during the 12 months ending 30th September last the houses so completed were: Not exceeding £35 rateable value 10,162 Exceeding £35 but not exceeding £70 rateable value 3,954 Exceeding £70 but not exceeding £105 rateable value 426 Total up to £105 rateable value 14,542

On the 1st October the following numbers of houses were in course of construction: ( a ) Five rooms or less 3,845 ( b ) Six, seven, or eight rooms 5,049 ( c ) Nine rooms but not more than 12 rooms 288 Total 9,180

Information is not available as to the average cost of land and development per house.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to empower boards of guardians to take legal proceedings before the birth of an illegitimate child against the putative father for recovery of the cost of maintenance of the mother during such time as she may be in a Poor Law institution and for the expenses of her confinement?

The Government are not in a position to undertake legislation of the kind suggested at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Bordeaux mixture (sulphate of copper and lime), containing a proportion of arsenic, is being used as an insecticide on apples; and, as these apples are frequently eaten by children before being cleaned, will he take such action as will secure the removal of any insecticide deposit before the apples are packed or sold for human consumption?

Yes, Sir. The matter has been under the observation of my Department for a number of years, but the quantities of arsenic which had been actually found on apples exposed for sale had been so minute as not to justify the institution of special restrictive measures.

asked the Minister of Health how many blind persons are cared for under the blind home-workers' scheme in the administrative county of London at the present time; and what is the cost per annum of the Ministry's grant or grants on their behalf?

There are at present 105 blind home-workers included in approved schemes in the administrative county of London. The estimated amount of grant payable during the current year by my Department in respect of these persons is £1,670.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government have now arrived at any decision with regard to allocating a portion of the grant for propaganda and education relating to the prevention and combating of venereal disease to the Society for the Prevention of Venereal Disease; and, generally, what action the Government are taking with reference to the recommendation of the Trevethin Report?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 7th May to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for the Frome Division (Mr. Geoffry Peto).

asked the Minister of Health when the House will be in possession of the findings of the Committee set up to inquire into the question of the extension of county boroughs and cities?

I have been asked to reply. I presume the reference is to the Royal Commission on Local Government, and I am afraid I can add nothing to the answers which I have already given to questions on the same subject on the 5th March and 21st May last.