asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to the rise in the price of household coal at Cardiff by 2s. 6d. per ton; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I understand that the increase in price referred to represents the restoration of an equivalent reduction made about a month ago, when the demand for coal was much less than it is at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total estimated number of acres in our Overseas Dominions, Australia, Africa, and the West Indies, suitable for growing cotton?

I regret that it is not possible to make any such estimate of the acreage suitable for growing cotton in the territories in question. Even if the information were available, I consider that it would be misleading, as much of the area suitable for cotton growing would probably be found to be already under cultivation, with other crops. Moreover, where cotton is under cultivation, there must be a rotation of crops, so that land under cotton cultivation in one year is under a different crop in the next.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the fact that at the last meeting of the West Ham Town Council consideration was given to the circular from the Unemployment Grants Committee asking for a. programme of the works proposed to be put in hand for the relief of unemployment during the ensuing winter, and that the council decided that it was not financially in the position to undertake any further contributions to schemes; whether he is aware that West Ham is one of the most necessitous areas, and that recently several large industrial works have closed down and the guardians are compelled to ask for a local rate of 9s. 6d. in the £; and whether, as there seems no prospect, of early improvement industrially, he will make substantially increased grants towards local relief schemes?

I am not aware that the West Ham Town Council have reached the decision stated in the question, but a communication from the Council dated 25th June has been received supporting a suggestion made by the Middlesbrough Town Council that increased grants towards the cost of relief works should be given. As I have previously stated, I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to offer more favourable rates of grant than those generally in operation.

asked the Postmaster-General how many men are engaged in the repair and maintenance of telephone lines and telegraph lines; what are the hours worked in each week; and what is the total weekly wage bill for these employés, including supervising staff? Viscount WOLMER: I shall be glad to send my hon. and gallant Friend this information in a few days I am unable to give it without reference to the various districts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Civil Service Commissioners had the authority of His Majesty's Government for announcing, as they did, to candidates for officerships of Customs and Excise under reconstruction Regulations that seniority among those appointed would go by date of birth and not by date of appointment; and, if so, whether he can give an assurance that he will not allow this question to be re-opened without clear evidence being forthcoming as to the consent of all officers who might conceivably be adversely affected by any retrospective revision of these Regulations governing the appointments which they have accepted?

The rule is as stated by the hon. Member. I am not aware that any revision of the rule is in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that tuberculisation in childhood affords the final key to the prevention of tuberculosis, he will state what steps are being taken, or contemplated, as to educating public opinion, especially parents or guardians of the young, in order that attention may be focussed on the initial process of this disease?

While expressing no view on the claim in the question as regards tuberculisation, I am satisfied that much valuable educational work on the prevention of tuberculosis is being carried on, and further provision is proposed in the Public Health Bill now before Parliament amplifying the powers of local authorities in this direction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the railway bridge in St. Mark's Road, W., is outside the area of diversion of traffic caused by the repairs to Ladbroke Grove; that the diversion of traffic along St. Mark's Road now in operation is dangerous to the children attending the Lancaster Road schools, owing to school exits; and that the children have been in continuous use of the St. Mark's Road exits for a number of years; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the children from the danger caused by this diversion of traffic?

The hon. Member will be glad to learn that the road repair works in Ladbroke Grove have now been completed, and that traffic has reverted to the normal routes.