asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of rubber was exported to the United States of America last year from British possessions, and the average price paid c.i.f. New York?

As the answer involves a table of figures, I propose, with the concurrence of my hon. Friend, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any firms exhibiting at the British Industries Fair this year have made their participation in the exhibition conditional on an inquiry into their industry under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of British firms and American firms, respectively, who have rented space for exhibition purposes at the Leipzig Fair in February and March this year?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

May I ask why this information is not available?

I am afraid it is not available, because the Department have not got it.

As this is a World Fair, which has been held for the last 600 years, and buyers are there from all parts of the world, should not the right hon. Gentleman's Department make itself familiar with the facts as to whether this country and its products are being suitably represented there, and advertised in foreign countries?

We have done a good deal to advertise British products in connection with our own Fairs. I hope to get from our Consul at Leipzig the report which is always rendered about the Leipzig Fair. I think it will probably include the information for which the hon. Member asks, and I shall be glad to let him have any information that we can get.

As we have a Consul there, and as this question has been on the Order Paper for some days, could not the information have been obtained, as all the names of those who are exhibiting at Leipzig are already known?

The Question on the Paper asks whether I have the information, and I am told that the Department of Overseas Trade have not got it. The hon. Member also asks whether it is not desirable that British products should be exhibited. We cannot, however, make people exhibit, and I think that British manufacturers are probably themselves the best judges in the matter.

I have asked the number of those who are exhibiting.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the number of foreign bricks imported into this country during the last three years?

The number of bricks imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland, registered as consigned from foreign countries, amounted to 7,372,000 in 1923, to 85,015,000 in 1924, and to 159,002,0000.

Has there been a request that this industry should come under the safeguarding of induries Act?

Could not the answers to this and many other questions be obtained by Members themselves, if they would refer to the books which are to be obtained free at the Vote Office, and so save public expense?

I should indeed be glad if hon. Members would do that.

Is it not worth while calling attention to the fact that these bricks could be made in this country, and so provide a tremendous lot of work for people who are unemployed?

I am under the impression that most of the brickworks in this country are pretty fully occupied.

On a point of Order. Are not questions supposed to be put for the purpose of obtaining information, and not for the purpose of drawing attention to alleged irregularities or otherwise?

I hope so, but I am not always sure.

Does not the experience of the London County Council show that, if it were not for the import of foreign bricks, they would not be able to build houses?

I should require notice of that question, but, even if I had notice, I do not think it is a question that I could answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Stevenson rubber restriction scheme has been modified in any way and, if so, for what reason, and whether he will give an estimate of the financial result of any change?

The system under which the percentage of rubber exports at the minimum rate of duty was raised or lowered at quarterly intervals according to the average London price of rubber has been modified in respect of the three months beginning 1st February. The decision to increase the percentage by 15 instead of 10 for that quarter was taken in order to ensure some prospect of relief to manufacturers who found themselves faced with the necessity of buying rubber at the excessively high price temporarily ruling. As regards the last part of the question, if my hon. Friend has in mind the effect on the spot price of rubber, I fear that too many factors enter into the question to enable me to give any estimate of the effect of this particular change.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate number of aliens at

If the hon. Member will allow me, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for which he asks.

Information as to the number of alien seamen employed in the British Mercantile Marine was contained in an answer given to the Noble Lord the Member for Southampton (Lord Apsley) on the 17th December, 1924, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member, with additions to bring the statistics up to date.

May I ask what steps the right hon. Gentleman is taking to discourage the wholesale employment of aliens in British ships, in view of the unemployment among British seamen?

That hardly arises out of the Question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to carry out the recommendations of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee to abandon the British rules dealing with the carriage by ships of deck cargoes of timber and to substitute others on Continental lines?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have come to any decision regarding the necessity for formulating new Regulations to enable modern types of cargo vessels to carry timber on deck in the winter months to a greater extent than is at present permitted, in view of the competition by foreign lines which are not subject to the same restrictions as exist in the case of British ships?

The recommendations of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee on the subject of timber deck cargoes are now being considered by the Board of Trade. I am unable to say at present to what extent the Committee's recommendations will be adopted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent collisions near the Black Deep, at the mouth of the Thames, he can now give any information as to changing the present arrangements for clumping by hoppers at the mouth of the Thames?

The collisions to which the hon. Member refers were some 11 to 12 miles away from the area in which dredgings are deposited. The position with regard to this deposit area is as stated in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 1st December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Essex Heath" was recently in grave peril at sea; that the vessel was forced to abandon her voyage from Port Talbot to New York; that she had to put back to Queenstown owing to the damage sustained in the heavy weather; that she was not able to communicate her plight; that the captain was compelled, against his will, to proceed to sea without a wireless operator; and that the Board of Trade exempted the ship from the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; what was the nature of that exemption; and under what Statute was the exemption given?

I am aware that the steamer "Essex Heath," on a voyage from Port Talbot to New York, had to put back to Queenstown owing to damage sustained in heavy weather. In a deposition taken from the master by an officer of the Irish Free State Government, the former stated that he decided that it would be prudent to turn the vessel round and make for the nearest port. He, therefore, put into Queenstown in order to make the ship seaworthy again. No wireless operator was carried during the voyage in question. The master's deposition makes no mention of unwillingness to proceed to sea. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Camberwell Nortn. (Mr. Ammon) on the 22nd December last.

I do not know what was the nature of the reply given to the hon. Member for North Camberwell, but I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether we are to assume, from this reply and the exemption given to the shipowners, that he considers that the interest of the shipowners is of greater importance than the lives of the seafaring men and passengers?

No, Sir—

We have had that point several times.

Was not the reply to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred rather misleading, inasmuch as the Act makes no reference to wireless operators, but only to certain ships being exempted from the necessity of carrying the apparatus?

If the hon. Gentleman is challenging the legality of anything done by His Majesty's Government, that must be done in the Law Courts, where alone an authoritative pronouncement can be obtained. If he is referring to the administrative action which His Majesty's Government have taken, that was taken after full consideration, and following precedents which have been set up on two previous occasions.

I am challenging the accuracy of the right hon. Gentleman's reply as based on the Act to which he referred.

That is a matter for Debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since a representative of the general public was allowed to appear before the Worsted Committee and put the case for the ultimate consumer, it may now be understood that evidence of this kind can be heard at their discretion by all future committees appointed under the safeguarding scheme?

As I have previously stated in this House, the admissibility or otherwise of any evidence which may be tendered in any case is a matter to be determined by the Committee concerned, in the light of the particular circumstances, and I am not disposed to interfere with the discretion of the Committee.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it right that there should be a differentiation between one class of consumers and another in this matter? Do the Government think it right?

I think it right to give the Committee a discretion.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will kindly give me an answer to my question, which, surely, is a very important question? It is this: Does he think it right that, in an important matter of this kind, which affects the prices of commodities, one class of consumers should be favoured at the expense of another class?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will kindly look at the answer which I have already given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any application has been made by the brush industry with a view to receiving protection under the Safeguarding of Industries Act; if such application has been made in the matter now under investigation before a committee; and, if so, what progress has been made?

A committee was appointed to consider an application from the Brushmaking Industry, and its report was published in December last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a canteen board for the British troops in India has been instituted; and whether the rebates therefrom compare favourably with the rebates units received from the previous system of employing civilian contractors?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Army Canteen Board (India) pays to unit funds a fixed rebate of 7½ per cent. of cash and messing purchases. Under the previous system the rebate varied according, to the arrangements made between the unit and the contractor in each case. A comparison is therefore difficult. I am not aware of any evidence that the present system is less favourable in this respect in the average of cases.

asked the Prime Minister if the Committee of Imperial Defence and the Admiralty fully considered the establishment of an Indian naval force, as recently announced by the Viceroy, before that announcement was made; and if the Committee of Imperial Defence and the Admiralty advised the course which it is proposed to adopt?

The Admiralty have been consulted throughout and were represented on the Committee which examined this question in India. They are in full agreement with the general scheme, subject to further discussion of one or two particulars.

Do I understand that the Committee of Imperial Defence was not consulted?

The Admiralty were satisfied that it was not necessary to lay it before the Committee of Imperial Defence. Of course, it is a matter that can be raised on the India Office Vote or the Civil Service Vote.

May I ask whether the one or two particulars about which agreement will be come to did not include the question of allowing Indians to hold the King's Commission?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what Act of Parliament pensions were paid to the workers in the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock in 1861 and from the 4th June, 1870, to 31st December, 1889; why these pensions ceased at the latter date; and under what authority the Act granting these pensions become inoperative?

Workmen who entered the Royal Small Arms Factory after 17th December, 1861, were no longer entitled to pension, under the Regulations made under the Superannuation Act, 1859. Owing, however, to a failure to bring this condition effectively to notice, men who entered between 17th December, 1861, and 4th June, 1870, were considered to have had a reasonable expectation of receiving pension, and a special Act was passed, the Superannuation Act, 1890, to enable pensions to be granted to men entering between those dates in respect of their service rendered up to 31st December, 1889.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that pensions for the workers in small arms and other ordnance factories will be considered?

I cannot make any promise that pensions will be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of entrants for the approaching examination for admission to the Staff College at Camberley; the number of admissions by pass and by nomination that are available; and the number of these places that are reserved for officers in the British Army who pass or obtain nominations, respectively?

There are 440 entrants for the approaching examination for admission to the Staff College at Camberley. There are 34 vacancies open for competition, of which 22 are for British Army officers, and about 16 vacancies to be filled by nomination, of which 10 are for British Army officers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say there are only 440 entrants?

Yes, 440 entrants for the approaching examination.

In view of the large number of applicants desiring to go into the Staff College, will the right hon. Gentleman seek to increase the number of vacancies by granting facilities for larger colleges?

It is a very difficult matter to increase the accommodation at Camberley.

asked the Secretary of State for War what changes have been made in gun practice at Southend; if he is aware that firing from the new base is causing annoyance to the residents at Leigh-on-Sea; and whether he can stop this nuisance, which has become prejudicial to the health of invalids and nervous people of the district?

The disturbance to which the hon. Member refers is due to the experimental firing of guns from Grain Island. Firing from Grain Island has taken place for very many years; but with the increased calibre of certain guns, the disturbance from the concussion has increased. A series of experiments has been made to ascertain the atmospheric conditions most favourable for reducing the effect of the concussion, and every effort is made to carry out the firing when such conditions prevail. But in the interests of the State it is impossible to place any absolute restrictions on the firing or to discontinue it altogether.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of transferring the firing to Colchester.

There is no suitable range at Colchester.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total cost of administration of the Army record offices for the year ended 31st March 1925; the number of officers-in-charge of record offices and the total amount of salaries paid to them for the financial year 1924–25; the number of assistant officers and the total amount of salaries paid to them for the financial year 1924–25; and the number of civilian clerks, superintending clerks, deputy-superintending clerks, and clerks, and the salaries paid to them for the financial year 1924–25?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many millions of the Verey light cartridges, some of which caused the explosion at Slade's Green on 18th February, 1924, when 13 girls were killed, still remain to be broken down; whether, as they are now being broken down at the same place, but in a Government factory, he is aware that the whole of these cartridges were condemned by the arbitrator during the recent case in reference to the explosion as unsafe to move, store, or handle without risk to life or property?

I have been asked to answer this question. As the result of a recent legal arbitration approximately 6¼ million Verey light cartridges were held by the arbitrator to be unsafe to store, handle or move. Of these approximately half a million have, since the date of the arbitration, been broken down by employés of the Surplus Stores Liquidation Department, under special regulations which have been approved by the Home Office. The accident referred to, which took place on the 18th February, 1924, occurred when breaking down was being carried out by a contractor, and under conditions which materially differ from the present system of breaking down. The alternative to breaking down the cartridges where they are stored would be to move them by lorry, put them on barges, and dump them at sea. This alternative would involve much greater risk of damage to life and property than breaking down on the spot under the present stringent regulations.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider this regulation adequate to safeguard the lives of the workers?

I have looked very closely into the matter as far as I could, and I see that the same expert who gave evidence before the arbitrator to the effect quoted in the question said that, if these regulations were followed, there ought to be no reasonable danger of accident.

How is it they have 6,000,000 Verey light cartridges to destroy, and yet in the last six months of the War it was almost impossible to get them in France?

No, I cannot answer that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers employed at the War Office at salaries of £500 or over, and the number of such officers employed before the War?

The number of officers at the War Office whose pay and allowances at post-War rates amount to £500 or over is 265, as compared with 156 at pre-War rates in 1914.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if overtime is paid for in Government Departments to the clerical staff and, if so, in which Department,; and if any record is kept of overtime actually worked in Departments for which no payment is made?

With the exception of the higher clerical grades, overtime is payable to the clerical grades, including temporary officers, in all Departments. The attendance of all officers is recorded departmentally, but I have no available collected statistics showing the amount of overtime worked by classes whose salaries are inclusive of overtime.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of persons employed and the total salaries paid by the fisheries section of his Department in the financial years ending 31st March, 1914, 1925 and 1926, respectively?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not a fact that in the last two or three years the officers in this Department have been shown as temporary, and is there any intention of gradually dispensing with their services?

I must lock into that. There are more officers employed than in 1914, but without notice I cannot say how many are on a temporary basis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage and value of our total exports of coal from this country in 1925 as compared with the two previous years; and what quantity of coal is now being used for bunkering purposes at British ports as compared with the average of recent years?

I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines when he will be in a position to publish a Report of his inquiry into the subject of short weight in rail-borne coal?

I fear I cannot yet say when it will be possible to complete the inquiry. I have every intention of doing so as soon as opportunity may offer, but, in present circumstances, it has had to take place second to other more urgent and important matters.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many additional coal miners have secured employment since the coal subsidy came into operation and whether he will give figures showing production and export of coal for each month of subsidy, for each of the equivalent number of months preceding the subsidy, and for each of the months of the year 1924–25 corresponding to the months of subsidy?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal miners certified as having nystagmus in each of the years from 1921 to 1925, inclusive?

The number of certificates of disablement given by certifying surgeons was: In 1921, 1,986; in 1922, 4,047; in 1923, 4,050; in 1924, 3,446. The figures for 1925 have not yet been compiled by the Home Office.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of pits in Great Britain where electric lamps are used underground; and the approximate number of men using such lamps?

At the end of 1924 there were 356,817 electric safety lamps in use, practically all of them underground, at 1,012 mines. I cannot give even an estimate of the number of men who use these lamps.

asked the Prime Minister whether the forthcoming Report of the Coal Commission will be an interim Report or whether it will report on the whole field of the inquiry?

I understand that it is the intention of the Commission to present a full report at the earliest possible date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the amount of grant paid to English maternity institutions; whether any similar grant is paid to similar institutions in Scotland; and, if not, whether, in view of the new Regulations which come into force in Scotland on 1st May, 1926, increasing the cost and extending the period of maternity nurses, he will make representations to the Treasury for a proportionate grant to be made to Scottish maternity institutions?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Minister of Health. As regards the second part, under the maternity service and child welfare schemes in Scotland, no payments of grant are made directly to maternity institutions, but where a local authority has made approved arrangements with a voluntary institution or itself provides an institution, the approved cost rates against the maternity and child welfare grant. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of yesterday to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the whole question of the finances of voluntary hospitals in Scotland has been the subject of a remit to a special Committee whose Report I have just received.

Why, when I put a question to the Secretary of State for Scotland asking for a statement that will enable a comparison to be made, am I referred for a reply to part of my question to the Minister of Health for England? Could not the information have been obtained by the Secretary of State for Scotland, and a straight answer given so that we could compare the grants given in Scotland with those for similar institutions in England?

The obvious answer is that my Department has not this information at its disposal. It is much better that hon. Members, if they desire this information, should question the Department themselves.

The latter part of the question is bound up with the former. Surely courtesy to Scottish Members would have given the Secretary of State for Scotland the right to approach the Ministry of Health for England and ask for these figures.

Is it not the fact that the regulation of 1st May increasing the cost and extending the period of training for maternity has added considerably to the expense of institutions which undertake that work, and that no money is coming from national or local sources to meet that additional burden which has been imposed on them?

Quite obviously, cannot answer a question about a specific order unless after notice.

That is the question that is here.

The question has been misunderstood.

By the right hon. Gentleman.

Perhaps it can be repeated in a form which will bring out the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the discontent amongst the fishing communities along the Moray Firth in consequence of their trade with Russia being at a standstill; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter with a view to reviving trade, and thereby removing the more immediate cause of poverty prevailing in the area from Wick to Lossiemouth and from Buckie to Peterhead?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that there is some discontent among the fishing communities in the area mentioned, on account of their trade with Russia not being resumed on the full pre-War scale. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Mile End on 9th February, a copy of which I am sending him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these fishing communities declare that in 1924 their prosperity was greater than it had been before or since for some considerable time, and can he explain why?

I can only explain it by the fact that other countries, happily, were able to purchase where Russia is not.

Is there, in fact, any obstacle as far as the Government are concerned to these fishing communities making contracts with Russia if they are able and see fit to do so?

No, Sir; there is no obstacle to prevent it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us whaler the Government are taking any steps to meet the demands of the fishing community?

It rests with Russia to create those conditions which will give the fishing community confidence to make contracts.

Is it a fact that Russia has expressed her willingness to create those conditions if the British Government are willing to respond?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities in Scotland have reduced all their classes to the maximum of 60 pupils for primary departments as demanded by the Scottish Education Department in 1924: and, if all have not done so, what action does he propose to enforce that no class shall exceed more than 60 in the primary department and more than 40 in the post-qualifying departments?

The reports received by the Department indicate that there has been a steady improvement since the date of the last return, which was obtained in April, 1924: A fresh return is now being called for. When that has been completed, I will consider what action, if any, it may be desirable to take.

Is it necessary for the Secretary of State for Scotland to consider what action he will take as against giving instructions to carry out the instructions already given?

My information is that the instructions have been largely carried out.

On a point of Order. May Members under the Gallery have light?

Can the Secretary of State for Scotland not give us the number asked for in the question?

I have just asked for a fresh return.

Can the right hon. Gentleman expedite his inquiry? I asked him a similar question a fortnight ago, and I was expecting to get information?

I hope to send the hon. Member certain figures in our possession.

asked the Minister of Transport on what grounds the assistant secretary to the Ministry was forbidden to reply to certain questions addressed to him at the sitting of the Railway Rates Tribunal on 10th January last?

On the ground stated in the affidavit furnished to the Tribunal, which is published in their proceedings.

Is it the intention to conceal the fact that the amount of economies actually effected was very much less than were announced by Sir Eric Geddes when he brought in the proposals to combine the railway companies?

The hon. Member is quite mistaken.

Is it not right that Parliament should have the information underlying these railway amalgamations, in order that we may know the facts?

I do not think it is possible to give the information, because it was confidential information furnished to the Minister.

asked the Minister of Transport how much money is at present in the Road Fund; what has been the expenditure to date during the present financial year; and what surplus, if any, he expects to have in hand at the end of the financial year?

The cash and investment balances of the Road Fund at 31st December, 1925, were £11,932,713. This figure had temporarily increased to about £19¼ millions at the 31st January as a result of the high collections of duty which are made in the early part of the year. The total payments out of the Road Fund during the 10 months ending 31st January last amounted to about £14,163,000, and the cash balance at the end of the current, financial year is estimated at £17,000,000. It will, of course, be understood that there are always large commitments outstanding against the Fund in respect of grants promised but not yet paid.

Over how many years does the £17,000,000 spread?

I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received letters from the Farmers' Union in Monmouthshire and also from the county council protesting against the threatened use of the Road Fund for any purpose other than that for which it was intended, namely, the construction and maintenance of new roads; and will he state the policy of the Government on this matter?

I constantly receive many letters on this and other topics connected with the finance of the year, but I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 9th February, to similar questions on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport how much has been offered as a grant from the Road Fund to the Middlesex County Council and other local authorities for planting trees along new arterial roads; how much does it cost to plant a mile of these roads with tree; and with the smaller flowering species it is proposed to put in the intervals; and whether it is proposed to give an annual maintenance grant for these trees out of the Road Fund?

I have offered a 50 per cent. grant towards an expenditure of £4,202 which the Middlesex County Council propose to incur in planting trees along 24 miles of arterial roads. The estimated cost thus works out at £175 per mile. This does not include smaller species which may later be planted in the intervals and for which no estimate has been submitted. No other grants of this kind have yet been made. The maintenance of the trees will rank for grant at the appropriate classification percentages.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it more important at the present time to give any spare money like that towards the lessening of the burden of the rural ratepayer rather than towards beautifying these very ugly roads?

No, I think the hon. and gallant Member must have a sense of proportion. If you have good roads, their is no reason why you should not have pretty roads, and roads on which it is pleasant to drive.

Why is it that, while the Minister is spending the Road Fund money on planting trees, many rural authorities and local authorities are requiring the owners of land to cut down trees?

When they are required to do that, it is a question for the local authority, who know the circumstances.

Are we to take it that, since the Minister of Transport is giving grants for the planting of trees, in future all questions upon afforestation will be answered by the Minister of Transport?

- That is another matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the complaints which have been made of the serious delay in handling goods owing to the shortage of trucks on the London and North Eastern Railway; and whether he will be willing to make further inquiries as to the extent of the hindrance to trade complained of?

I am aware that certain complaints of this kind have been made against the railways, especially after the periods of fog and snow that occurred during the winter. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with the particulars on which his complaint is based, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the condition of the rolling stock at present employed on parts of the Southern Railway, especially between London, Dartford and Gravesend; if he will take steps to ensure that this railway company will, in future, provide the travelling public in these districts with similar accommodation to that provided on some parts of the Southern Railway and by other railway companies in this country; and is he aware that the public in these districts resent being charged full fares for such inadequate travelling facilities?

I do not think that I have recently received any representations on this point. I may, however, remind my hon. Friend that the suburban lines of the Southern Railway in North Kent are in process of being electrified, and the normal type of electrical rolling stock will then be substituted.

In view of the dirty and dilapidated condition of this rolling stock, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will send an official of his Department to inspect it, and to report to him?

I will consider that suggestion.

Private enterprise!

asked (1) the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the high cost of road maintenance and to the destruction caused by vehicles shod with steel and with other forms of solid tyres, and by obsolete and badly-sprung vehicles, he will state what steps he is taking to save the money which is being wasted by the disintegration of our roads;

(2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the destruction to roads which is caused by trains of caravans drawn by traction engines, and by other vehicles shod with solid tyres, he will consider the desirability of imposing increased taxation on all such vehicles?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, reply to these questions together. A revision of the rates of licence duties payable for mechanically propelled vehicles is now under consideration, and I cannot anticipate any decision that may be arrived at with regard to the particular types of vehicles referred to by the hon. Member. Additional powers for regulating the construction and use of vehicles will be sought in the Bill, which I hope to present to the House during the course of the Session. As regards the steel-tyred vehicles to which the questions refers, I have made representations, pending legislation on the subject, to the Showmen's Guild, and to the National Traction Engine Owners' and Users' Association, with a view to ensuring the substitution, wherever practicable, of rubber-tyred wheels for steel tyres.

Seeing that the second question applies to caravans, which are the property in most cases of comparatively poor people, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter before taking any steps that will throw extra burdens on these people?

I do not think that I can discriminate in that sense. The first thing I have to consider is the damage done to the roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, for the purpose of additional safety during night travel, his attention has been called to an experiment recently made by cyclists of carrying a small white disc on the rear wheel of their machines; and whether he will have this device inquired into?

A suggestion has been made that the rear mudguards of bicycles should be painted white for the purpose of additional safety at night. Experiments are new being carried out to test this and other proposals put forward for a similar purpose.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman agree to carry out an experiment with this inexpensive device if I ride the bicycle?