asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the proposal to introduce legislation with regard to the blind booking of films; and, if so, whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill covering this subject?

asked whether he is able to give an approximate date for the introduction of the Bill which is intended to carry out the recommendations of the Imperial Conference in regard to British and Empire films?

The whole subject of Empire film production is under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, with regard to the blind booking of films, whether the policy adopted by other Departments is entirely at variance with the policy he has put before the House?

I am not aware that any policy is being adopted by other Departments. At the proper time, when the Cabinet has considered the matter, I will, of course, make a statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the policy of the Admiralty is to have their films blind booked at the present time?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many German baths have been imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the past 12 months?

During the 12 months ended 31st October, 1926, the aggregate weight of "iron or steel baths (porcelain enamelled or other finish)" imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and registered as consigned from Germany, amounted to 6,426 tons. Baths are not entered in the trade returns by number.

Are not these baths included in the returns of enamel hoflowware?

No. There is an entry in the trade returns of steel and iron baths, "porcelain or other finish."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will include Highland tweeds under the scheme for advertising Empire products?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will include Shetland hand-knitted woollen goods in the scheme for advertising Empire products?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. My right hon. Friend has not contemplated that expenditure on the advertisement of manufactured articles of the kind referred to should be met from the Empire Marketing Fund.

May I ask, why not?

Because the terms of reference to the Marketing Committee is limited to foodstuffs.

May I ask the Under-Secretary to set a good example to his colleagues in the Government by wearing occasionally a Harris tweed suit?

I will point out that the Empire Marketing Fund is not limited to advertising goods produced in the Dominions, but also to produce produced in the United Kingdom.

If it is limited to the pushing of foodstuffs, will the Under-Secretary push the sale of haggis in the Dominions?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the Joint Industrial Councils and Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committees who forwarded Resolutions of support of the Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) Bill?

The five separate Joint Industrial Councils or Interim Reconstruction Committees referred to in the answer given to the hon. Member on the 1st December are the National Council of the Pottery Industry, the Joint Industrial Councils for the glove-making industry, for the printing and allied trades, and for the needle, fish-hook and allied trades, and the Gas Mantle Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the number of Joint Industrial Councils in the country?

I cannot tell the hon. Member that, but I can tell him this, that the Resolution I quoted in my speech was passed by the Association of Industrial Councils, which I understand represents all of them, whatever their number.

May I ask whether, in forwarding that Resolution to the right hon. Gentleman, the Association intimated that it was carried with unanimity?

Speaking from memory, I do not remember whether there was any such intimation, but I gather that the Resolution must have been carried, otherwise it would not have been sent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of imports, exports, and re-exports of all commodities subject to safeguarding of industry and ad valorem duties for the first 10 months of 1924 and 1926, respectively?

I am having a statement prepared, and will send it to the hon. Member as soon as it is ready. I ought to add that any statistics covering the prolonged period of the coal stoppage obviously relate to an abnormal period.

May I ask whether the statement will indicate at what period safeguarding ceased in 1924?

I can add that to the statement. I was not proposing to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as I do not think any statistics which cover the absolutely abnormal period of trade depression in this country during the past seven months of the coal stoppage are of the least value as information whatever.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the coal equivalent of the fuel oil imported into this country during the coal dispute and during the corresponding period of last year?

Approximately 277 million gallons (about 1·1 million tons) of fuel oil were registered as imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the period from 1st May to 30th November, 1926, inclusive, compared with 198 million gallons (about 0·79 million tons) in the corresponding period of 1925.

With regard to coal-equivalents, I would refer to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend on 24th March last year, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the retail prices of soaps; whether he is aware that the increase in retail prices of soaps, 63 per cent. fatty acids, is 133 per cent. increase over pre-War price, whereas the increase in cost of raw materials is less than 8 per cent.; and whether he proposes to take any action to check profiteering in this commodity?

I understand that the retail price of household yellow soap is to-day on the average about 70 per cent. greater than in July, 1914. The prices of raw materials have risen to a less extent, although more than is suggested in the question; but there are other factors entering into the cost of production, and I do not think the position is such as to necessitate special action on the part of the Government. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the price of soap has fallen greatly, since the high level reached immediately after the War.

In view of the fact that this information is supplied by the trade, and in view of the importance of the question to the trading community and the householder, will the right hon. Gentleman form a tribunal to inquire into this particular form of profiteering?

I do not think that is necessary. There has been a fall in price since 1920, from 11d. to 6d. I am not saying whether it is sufficient or not, but I am sure of this, that to have a large number of inquiries instituted into trades at the present time is not the best way to assist trade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price has actually increased in the last few weeks?

As the right hon. Gentleman has sanctioned inquiries having for their purpose the rising of prices, why will he not sanction an inquiry having for its purpose the lowering of prices?

That is a different point.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the furniture in the shooting lodge at Erribol is to be taken over at valuation by the purchaser; and, if so, by whom it is to be valued?

The furniture in the lodge at Erribof has been taken over at valuation by the purchaser; the valuer was Mr. F. Thomson, Braes of Enzic, Portgordon, who was the sole arbiter for the valuations of the sheep stock and others to be taken over by the purchaser of the estate.

Is there any precedent for a sheep farmer valuing the furniture in a shooting lodge. Is it not the fact that when the Scottish Board of Agriculture bought this property the sheep farmer who was carrying out the valuation declined to act?

I am not aware of the facts, but obviously an arbitrator was agreed upon between the parties.

Is there any foundation for the belief very prevalent among the Scottish population that this whole transaction is nothing but a barefaced scandal?

There is no ground for a supposition of that kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in possession of the arbiter's report, and, if so, will he take steps to have it laid on the Table of the House?

I have already answered that question. I will supply the House with all the information that I receive.

Has the right hon. Gentleman got the report yet?

No, I have not got the full details.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by the Board of Agriculture, while the estate of Erribof was in their possession, on drainage, permanent improvements, and manures; and whether the Board of Agriculture are to receive the usual valuations at outgoing for these?

The answer to the first part of the question is as follows: On drainage, £415 10s. 6d.; on permanent improvements, £670 16s. 10d.; on manures, £478 3s. 9d.; the two former amounts include expenditure on necessary repairs. The purchase price is an inclusive price, and it is not usual for items of the character referred to in the question to be valued apart from the purchase price in the case of the sale of a property which has been in the occupation of the seller.

Surely it is the case in all sales of property that almost invariably there is compensation paid for improvements?

Will the history of this example of the public ownership of land be circulated for the information of hon. Members opposite?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of what claims, other than the difference between a Martinmas and a Whit-Sunday valuation, the sum of £1,000 was paid by the Board of Agriculture to the way-going tenant at Armadale in 1919?

No detailed claim was submitted by the tenant, but in negotiations for settlement and in payment consideration was given to the fact that he could competently claim for loss of profits and for loss due to deprivation of opportunity to build up his transferable stock to full numbers.

Does not that mean that the whole of the £1,000 was paid for the difference between the Martinmas and Whit-Sunday valuation?

No, Sir; not entirely. There were other material considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the inclusive contract prices being paid by the Second Scottish National Housing Company for 1,000 Weir, 500 Cowieson, and 500 Atholl type houses respectively, prices to include foundations but not land, drainage and fencing?

I assume that what is desired is the price per house, which works out at approximately £415 each for Weir and Cowieson houses and £431 for Atholl houses. These prices do not include the cost of land, sewers, or fencing, nor do they include the cost of roads, transport, or administrative charges, particulars of which are not yet available.

May I assume, in view of the cheaper cost of the Atholl houses for the same accommodation, that efforts will be made to further the erection of Atholl houses?

A question of policy arises there.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of complaints by inmates that the deafening between Weir houses is bad, he will state what the party walls are composed of and the thickness of the substance employed?

I am not aware that complaints have been made by tenants that the deafening between Weir houses is bad. The party wall is 12 inches thick, composed of two standard partitions of varying thickness, and a cavity between the partitions in which are placed 2-inch thick fire-resisting slabs or ⅜-inch celotex sheeting fixed to rough boarding. The room side of partitions is covered with 3–16th inch beaver boarding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the houses erected by Messrs. Weir at Dundee, for the Second National Housing Company, have proved satisfactory to the tenants; whether there have been complaints and, if so, of what nature and extent; and whether any steps have been taken to prevent recurrence of the causes of complaint?

I am advised that the houses in question have proved satisfactory to the tenants generally, and that such complaints as have been made have reference to minor defects not unusual in newly-completed houses, such as down-draught, defective hot-water supply, rain driving under entrance doors, and leaks. These complaints affect only a small proportion of the houses, and steps have been and are being taken to remove all causes of complaint, and to prevent a recurrence of the defects disclosed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that chimneys on Weir houses in Linlithgow and Robroyston have been blown down; and if he can state the number?

I am not aware of Weir houses erected in Linlithgow. A number have been erected in various sites in the County of Linlithgow, and if the hon. Member has any of these in mind, I shall be glad to have inquiry made, if he will inform me of the name of the particular site. As regards Robroyston, I am informed that during a gale last month 20 chimneys of unoccupied Weir houses, newly erected or in course of erection by the Scottish National Housing Company, were blown down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of Crofters in Orkney and Shetland, respectively, who have purchased their Crofts since the War and the number of smallholders remaining as tenants?

I am not in a position to furnish the information asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of barrels of herring exported from Scotland to Hamburg and the Baltic ports during 1926, and the number remaining on hand; and the weight of freshed herring exported to Hamburg for the same period?

143,005 barrels of cured herrings have been exported from Scotland this year up to the end of November to Hamburg and 707,642 barrels to Baltic ports; 39,464 barrels remain on hand; 325,388 cwts. of herrings have been exported fresh to Altona for Hamburg during the period mentioned.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as repre- senting the Forestry Commissioners, whether his Department is investigating or, if not, whether it will investigate the possibilities of afforestation on peat lands in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland?

The Forestry Commissioners are already planting in the Highlands on amenable peat areas. There is no line of research to which they attach more importance than the investigation of peat formations, and investigations on an extensive scale are being prosecuted both in the field and in the laboratory. With regard to the Islands of Scotland, the Commissioners are planting in Mull and are pursuing inquiries in Skye. Whilst the peat problem exists on the Islands as well as in the Highlands, there are additional difficulties to planting schemes in view of extreme exposure and the allocation of land amongst Crofters.

Will my hon. Friend do me the favour of making investigations in the Outer Hebrides?

We are, as a matter of fact, making investigations now, but, as the hon. Gentleman will understand, we are anxious to deal first with those lands which are nearest markets and most suitable for planting.

Are these inquiries into the possible use of peat lands, confined to Scotland or are the peat lands in the Pennines also included in the inquiry?

The investigations are intended to deal with peat lands generally in England, Scotland and Wales.

How many acres have already been planted?

That question was asked on Thursday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land in the Parish of Sleat was available for small holdings when the Board of Agriculture was formed; whether any additional land (has been obtained since; and why, If land was available, no offer of such land was made to the 32 applicants for small holdings and 68 applicants for enlargements?

No land belonging to the Government was available for small holdings in the Parish of Sleat when the Board of Agriculture was formed, and none has since been acquired. It is not practicable to give the acreage of land belonging to other owners which was available and suitable for the constitution of small hodings at the time referred to. The requirements of this district were less urgent than those of other districts, but, as I informed the hon. Member on the 6th and 8th December, the Board of Agriculture are at present in negotiation for a scheme of settlement on a farm in the Parish of Sleat, and all the ex-service applicants in that parish have already been afforded an opportunity of applying for holdings in other parishes in Skye.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the size of the farm for which the Board are in negotiation?

No, Sir; not without notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate number of miners who have returned to work on an eight hours', seven and a half hours', and a seven hours' day, respectively?

On the 4th December, the latest date for which I have figures, the numbers of workpeople employed on the basis of a seven and a-half hour and an eight hour underground working day were respectively about 265,550 and 456,160. So far as these figures relate to Northumberland and Durham, where the hewers are on a seven and a-half basis and the other underground workers on eight, they are necessarily estimates. I believe that a few pits in different districts are still working seven hours, but I have no information on which I could estimate the extent to which the figures that I have given should be modified on this account.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of any case where the hours put up by the owners have been subsequently decreased, as a result of negotiations between the owners and the men?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will call for a return of the times fixed for the commencing and ending of the various shifts for boys employed at the various pits in the County of Durham between the ages of 14 to 18 years, together with the number of hours to be worked by such boys?

No, Sir, I have no power to do more than enforce the laws which Parliament has made, and I have no reason to believe that they are not being observed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that boys of fourteen years of age are being taken into the pits at midnight, and are "on" until three or four o'clock—that they are in the pit until three o'clock next morning? Does he not think it a scandal to British manhood, and that something ought to be done to protect these boys?

Are we to understand that the Minister has not power to ask for a return?

No, Sir. What I said was that I did not think it necessary. If the hon. Gentleman will tell me that the law is not being properly administered or is being broken, it is my duty to see that it is carried out.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was no necessity for any law prior to this great change that has been made, and that now this injustice is being perpetrated on these boys? Ought there not to be some inquiry into the matter, in the interests of justice?

I will make inquiries if the hon. Gentleman will help me by telling me what is wrong and where the law has been broken.

I am not suggesting that the law is broken. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that young boys between 14 and 18, who formerly finished at four in the afternoon, are not now finishing until ten minutes to nine at night? Does he think that is a proper state of affairs?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that coal-mining statistics results show management, salaries, insurances, repairs, office and general expenses, depreciation, etc., to have cost upwards of £29,000,000 for the year 1925, and no separate information as to cost of directors' fees and expenses; and will he obtain information as to the amount of directors' fees and expenses separate for 1925 and the quarter ending March, 1926. having regard to the State subsidy paid during such period?

I am aware that the facts are as stated by the hon. Member. But in view of the statement of the Royal Commission with reference to directors' fees, that "their amount is negligible—less than ½d. per ton," I do not think that the collection of further information on this subject would serve any useful purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman procure the information? I am not asking about a half-penny per ton; I am asking about the amount paid in fees to directors.

I suggest that the hon. Gentleman should take the trouble to read the Report of the Royal Commission, in which he will get a great deal of information that is very useful.

Is the Minister aware that some of the directors, having regard to the number of companies that they are interested in as directors, receive £10,000 a year?

No, Sir.

How long is the right hon. Gentleman going to rely on rejecting the findings of the Royal Commission in cases where he dislikes them, and accepting the findings when they suit him?

This is not the time for debate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the dangerous surfaces to be found on many parts of our main and secondary country roads, he will recommend to county councils the use of a uniform and safe road surface which will be suitable for horses and beasts as well as motor-driven vehicles?

I see no possibility of any one particular material being singled out, as being exclusively suitable for all main and secondary roads, seeing how wide are the variations in local conditions, local resources and local traffic.

Can my right hon. Friend not employ scientific research to provide us with a safe surface for all kinds of traffic in the near future? Does he not think that the use of British granite will, to some extent, solve this problem?

The matter is being investigated, but, as my hon. Friend knows, it is a very difficult thing to provide a surface suitable for all classes of traffic.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the definition of the latest section of the road to Romsey as "like a butter slide"?

No, Sir; I do not.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether experiments are being undertaken by his Department in this matter?

Oh, yes, Sir; very extensive experiments have been undertaken ever since the Bill of last year gave us power to conduct such experiments.

asked the Minister of Transport if, when considering the introduction of the use of reflectors or of rear-lights on foot bicycles, he will have experiments made so as to ascertain the difficulties of keeping a rear light burning when travelling on a windy night or when traversing bumpy roads?

The hon. Member may rest assured that before I make any Regulations relating to the lighting of bicycles, I shall take the necessary steps to satisfy myself that such Regulations are technically practicable.

Is it not a fact that a largely increased number of cyclists show their common sense by fixing rear lights?

I hope so, but I Personally sec little evidence of it.

Has the consideration given to this matter by the right hon. Gentleman's Department for the last two years led to any useful result?

The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that it is impossible to legislate for everything at the same time. My Department has had one Bill already dealing with other matters, and I hope to have a Bill next year to deal with these matters.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Sherva road from Kilsyth Road to the village of Twechar, Dumbartonshire, has been closed by the county council's order to motor omnibuses carrying more than 14 passengers; that there are between 2,000 and 3,000 people living in Twechar; that they have no railway facilities; and that the order is to last for a period of five years; and whether, under the circumstances, he will have the state of the Sherva road re-examined with a view to making it fit to bear the traffic required by a growing industrial population?

The Order to which the hon. Member refers was made by me on the application of the County Council of Dumbarton after a public inquiry. Before making the Order I satisfied myself that the use of the road by larger passenger-carrying vehicles was dangerous and that the widening of the road to carry such traffic was unjustifiable on the ground of its cost.

is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that in the allocation of public funds for expenditure on the roads of Dumbartonshire the money is equitably spent as between the roads in working-class areas and the roads in the residential areas?

Yes, I am, most decidedly. I would point out that in this case it is quite possible to have a service of 14-seater omnibuses on this road, or, alternatively, to have a service of larger omnibuses about a mile and a-half to the north.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the danger to pedestrians in one-way traffic streets of vehicles travelling on one side of the thoroughfare suddenly crossing over to the other; and whether he will take steps to prohibit this practice?

It is an essential part of the "one-way" traffic system that drivers should pass from one side of the thoroughfare to the other in order that they may reach their objectives. I do not know that the practice involved any special degree of danger, if carried out with reasonable care, and the police have been instructed to take action where any instance of dangerous driving is observed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, with a view to avoiding misposting in the East Central and West Central districts of London, he will cause pillar boxes containing separate receptacles for London and abroad and country, respectively, to be so illuminated as to facilitate posting in the correct receptacle?

I can see no justification for the heavy expense involved in providing and maintaining special lights on the pillar boxes in question, the positions of which were chosen with a view to adequate illumination by existing street lamps. But I shall be happy to investigate any case in which the hon. Member finds the existing illumination inadequate.

How many letters of this type are mis-posted every week and what is the delay due to mis-posting?

A very large number, something approaching one million.

What is the delay due to mis-posting?

It varies according to the destination of the letter. In some eases it may be as much as 24 hours.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the 4bersychan Urban District Council and other bodies have approached the postmaster at Pontypool with a view to opening a sub-post office at Waterloo, Talywain; whether he is aware that there are 2,000 inhabitants in this village and that they have to walk over a mile to send a telegram or get on the telephone; and whether he will take any action in the matter?

Applications have been received for the opening of a sub-post office in the locality to which the hon. Member refers. There are already three post offices within a radius of half a mile, at two of which telegraph and telephone business is transacted, and I do not consider that the circumstances warrant the establishment of an additional office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in consequence of the Betting Tax a certain sporting newsagency has discontinued the use of 80 telephone circuits, involving a loss to the revenue of approximately £120 a week, and the discharge of 40 employés who will be thrown on the unemployment market; and whether he will publish at. the end of a quarter or a half year from the operation of such duty particulars of such total losses as he is able to trace which are attributable to the same cause?

I am aware that a sporting newsagency has given notice to terminate its agreement for 79 circuits. In the normal course some 26,000 agreements are terminated every quarter for reasons which are not recorded. I am not prepared to authorise the labour which would be required to ascertain and classify the causes of cessations.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of officially recognised post-franking machines approved by his Department?

Three distinct types of machine have been licensed.

Are these machines made in Great Britain?

I should like notice of the question; I think two are British and one is American.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when telephones are cut off by the Post Office, owing to no fault of the subscriber, he will consider making some arrangement to deduct from the annual subscription a sum proportionate to the loss of the service?

It is not possible to ensure complete immunity from faults, and the most that can be undertaken is restoration of communication as promptly as possible. Telephone charges have been fixed on the basis that no rebate would be made in respect of short interruptions; and I do not consider that the interests of subscribers as a whole would be served by a change of procedure.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will furnish a Return showing the amount sanctioned by way of loan to local authorities in respect of unemployment relief for the financial year 1925–26 and for the period since the beginning of the present financial year?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for South Leeds (Mr. Charleton) on the 7th instant.

asked the Minister of Health, if he is aware that unemployed men between 60 and 65 years of age, normally employed in insurable occupations, and signing at the Employment Exchanges as available for such employment, are being instructed that they must themselves place a certain number of insurance stamps upon their cards during the period of unemployment or become ineligible for old age pensions at the age of 65 years; will he issue instructions to correct this; and will he say whether any decision has been come to as to whether failure to pay arrears of sick insurance incurred during unemployment periods will affect a claim for an old age pension at 65 years?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, my right hon. Friend is not aware that instructions in the sense indicated are being given, but if the hon. Member will I supply him with particulars of specific cases, he will look into them. As regards the third part of the question, my right hon. Friend would point out that one of the statutory conditions for the grant of an old age pension is the payment of 104 contributions. Subject to this condition being satisfied, failure to pay arrears due to sickness or unemployment can have no effect on a claim for an old age pension at the age of 65.

Arising out of the first part of the answer, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the question of amplifying Circular 303/X, which is very ambiguous and gives a good deal of anxiety and misunderstanding?

I think it would be better if the hon. Member would send me any case where any difficulty has arisen.

I will.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there appears to be no uniform policy in regard to friendly societies in applying for the prolongation of the Insurance Act?

No, I am not aware of that, and if the hon. Member will send me particulars, I will inquire into that also.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have sent plenty?

No.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the homeless workers of Westminster have to seek accommodation in neighbouring London boroughs that are already carrying heavy financial burdens, in spite of the fact that housing sites are available in Westminster itself; and whether he will cause the attention of the Westminster housing authority to be drawn to the desirability of making use of sites that from time to time become available for housing the workers?

My right hon. Friend appreciates the need of additional housing accommodation for workers in Westminster, and has fully discussed with the Westminster City Council the possible building sites which are available. The high cost of land in Westminster materially increases the difficulty of providing housing accommodation at a reasonable rent, and, while my right hon. Friend would be glad to consider any further proposals submitted to him by the City Council, relief for the overcrowded population of Central London must come, in the main, from the large building schemes of the London County Council.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a site known as the Pulford Street site, which would house about 500 families, and will he use his influence with the Westminster Council, so that it may be secured for this purpose?

That is a different matter. The hon. Gentleman is now referring to a particular scheme, but this is a general question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Westminster City Council has in hand at the present time two housing schemes, one of which will provide 77 tenements, and that during the last eight years the Westminster City Council has contributed to the London County Council housing schemes no less than £250,000?

Is it not also a fact that a very large number of workers in Westminster live outside the city from choice, and are very happy to do so?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the City of Westminster there are at the present time large numbers of empty houses that have been standing empty for many months, and will he take steps to see that those houses are utilised?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of amending legislation as between landlord and tenant and the grievances and abuses which exist under the present laws, he will consider the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the subject with a view to legislation during the present Parliament?

Is it contemplated that such legislation will include the relationships between owners and tenants who are not now under the Rent Restriction Acts?

That will be apparent when legislation is introduced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that practically the whole electorate of the parish of East Ilsley petitioned the Ministry against the decision of the Wantage Rural District Council to erect additional council houses on the eastern front of their churchyard and council School playgrounds, and that the parish council maintains that a site has now been obtained which fulfils the conditions laid down in the letter addressed by the Ministry to the Wantage Rural District Council on 18th September, 1926, and was approved by the inspector of the Ministry of Health; and whether he will use his powers under the Housing Acts to secure that the wish of the parishioners is not overridden?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the representations referred to, and at the time of their receipt he took steps to ensure that the rural district council should give full consideration to all aspects of the matter, including the question of alternative sites, before taking a final decision. After consideration and inspection of other sites, the council decided to adhere to their original proposal, and my right hon. Friend saw no sufficient reason for interfering with their discretion. A loan for the acquisition of the site was, therefore, sanctioned on the 11th October last, and it is understood that the contract for the erection of the houses has been completed and the work commenced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can arrange to publish half-yearly, in conjunction with the return of new houses completed, a statement showing the number of houses demolished or closed as unfit for further habitations?

Statistics as to the numbers of houses in respect of which Closing Orders have been made under the Housing Acts, and the numbers demolished in pursuance of Demolition Orders, are published in the Annual Reports of the Ministry of Health. These statistics are compiled from information supplied in the annual reports of medical officers of health, and my right hon. Friend does not think that any useful purpose would be served by calling for these statistics each half-year.