asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the desirability of publishing the Report on street accidents prepared by the London Traffic Advisory Committee?

I have already authorised the publication of the Report referred to by the hon. Member, and I hope that copies will be available in the course of a few days.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dangerous speed frequently used by motorists in Risley Avenue, Tottenham, where there are many dangerous cross turnings and a large school; and will he approach the police with a view to greater supervision along this road?

During the past 12 months only four accidents, one unfortunately fatal, have been reported. The fatal accident was due to a child running suddenly into the road, and the driver of the vehicle was exonerated. The police have made special arrangements for the safety of children entering or leaving the school, and will continue to give all the supervision in their power.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if his attention has been drawn to the need of more street refuges and fixed crossings for pedestrians, especially in main roads in South London, where there is a frequent tramway service; and whether he will make representations to the responsible authorities with a view to these provisions being made at the earliest opportunity;(2) if his attention has been drawn to the necessity of splaying the tram-lines in the main roads of South London at certain points to enable refuges to be erected between the two sets of rails; and whether he will make representations to the responsible authorities with a view to such alterations being made?

The whole question of street refuges and fixed crossings for pedestrians in London is under consideration by the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and I understand that they propose to give special consideration to those main thoroughfares in which the number of street accidents is abnormally high (including those in South London). I am unable to anticipate any recommendations which the Committee may make in the matter, but I am drawing their attention to the hon. Member's questions and to this reply.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of the unemployed in December, 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively, in each of the following industries, namely, motor cars and cycles, clocks and watches, musical instruments, cinematograph films, hops, silk, artificial silk, lace, cutlery, gas mantles, gloves, commercial motor vehicles, and packing and wrapping paper?

The following table shows the numbers of insured persons, classified as belonging to certain industry groups, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain in December, 1924, 1925, and 1926.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of commercial travellers registered under the Health Insurance Acts?

I have been asked to reply. The information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, specifying men, women, boys, and girls, on the Devonport Employment Exchange during the month of February?

The following table shows the numbers of persons on the registers of the Devon-port Employment Exchange at each Monday in February, 1927.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether any recent representations have been made to the United States on the question of the American copyright law, with a view to that country adopting the provisions of the Berne Convention;

No representations on the subject have been made to the United States Government. Questions concerning the protection of literary and artistic works will arise for discussion at the Conference of the International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works which will probably be held at Rome this year. For this reason, I am not prepared to introduce any legislation for the amendment of the copyright law at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the number, value and types of rolling stock manufactured in British workshops to the order of foreign, Dominion and Colonial railway companies, respectively, in the years from 1921 to 1926, inclusive;(2) what were the number and value of locomotives, both steam and electric, manufactured in British workshops to the order of foreign, Dominion and Colonial railway companies, respectively, in the years from 1921 to 1926, inclusive?

I am unable to state the number and value of locomo-

Description.	1925.		1926.
	Quantity.	Value.	Quantity.	Value.
	Number.	£1,000.	Number.	£1,000.
Passenger motor cars; chassis for passenger cars with motors built in; bodies for passenger cars.	1,491*	655*	1,267	420
Goods motor wagons and similar motor vehicles; street rollers (other than steam rollers) and the like; chassis for such motor vehicles with motors built in.	1,057†	499†	814	453
* Separate bodies for passenger cars were not included prior to 1st October, 1925.
† Agricultural tractors were included prior to 1st October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of British trade with Soviet Russia during the years 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Everard) on the 16th February, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the value of motor vehicles exported from Germany for the year ending 31st December, 1926, giving comparable figures for the previous year and the number of these vehicles that were either for commercial or private use?

The following statement shows the number and value of motor-cars exported from Germany during the years 1925 and 1926:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any firms or companies in Great Britain engaged in the manufacture of aeroplanes for use in warfare hold licences for the export of these machines; and, if so, can he inform the House what quantity, if any, were exported, and the ports of destination, during the years 1924, 1925 and 1926, respectively?

No licence is required to export aeroplanes from the United Kingdom. If, however,, the aeroplanes are fitted with any armament such as machine guns or machine gun mountings, a licence would be required before that armament could be exported. As regards the second part of the question, aeroplanes for use in warfare are not distinguished in the trade returns, but a statement covering the exports of all aeroplanes and parts thereof from the United Kingdom in 1924 and in 1925, and showing the principal countries to which those exports were consigned, is given on pages 425–6 of Volume III of the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom for 1925. Similar particulars for the year 1926 have not yet been published.

asked the Minister of Health the grounds upon which he has recently refused to sanction a further overdraft to the Lincoln Board of Guardians for the payment of special unemployment relief?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter addressed to these guardians upon the 17th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that arrangements recently concluded with the Government of Canada provide for the concession of reduced passage rates to women willing and well qualified to take up domestic service in Canada, but without experience; that reduced passage rates have recently been refused to such women, though recommended by responsible authorities in this country; and if so, whether he would be prepared to approach the Canadian Government with a view to such a modification of Regulations as would encourage the migration of women so recommended?

The Canadian Assisted Passage Agreement contains provision for the grant of assisted passages to women proceeding to Canada to engage in household work, irrespective of experience. There is, however, only a limited demand in Canada for inexperienced household workers, and in practice assisted passages are only granted to inexperienced women for whom suitable openings are guaranteed. The Canadian authorities are being consulted in regard to certain cases in which passages appear to have been refused to inexperienced women who were recommended as suitable, but my hon. Friend will, of course, understand that the final decision must rest with the Canadian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of British emigrants, men, women and children, that have left these shores for Canada under the Government subsidy scheme for the three months ending to the last convenient date, the names of the ports from which these emigrants have been embarked, and the number from each port?

The total number of assisted migrants to Canada during the three months ending 28th February, 1927, was as follows:

Men	…	…	…	144
Women	…	…	…	412
Children	…	…	…	270
				826

These migrants sailed from either Liverpool, Glasgow, Southampton, Belfast or London, but the numbers proceeding from each port are not tabulated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether certain claims arising out of the Sutton v. Rex decision have recently been agreed in the Office of Works, and when the officers concerned will receive payment?

The claims referred to are presumably those relating to ex-boy clerks and flight cadets. Payment was made to the first mentioned claimants on the 10th instant and to the last mentioned on the 11th instant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that there are a number of writing assistants employed by the Customs and Excise Department who, prior to their establishment, were only retained as temporaries on account of the hardship of their personal circumstances, such as the burden of maintaining dependants, and who have given many years' service to the Department, who either have already had sufficient service as writing assistants to be eligible for promotion or will shortly become eligible; and whether he can give an assurance that the claims of these women to promotion will be fully considered when further promotions to the clerical class are made in the Customs and Excise Department?

The relative claims of all qualified writing assistants will be borne in mind in making promotions therefrom to the clerical class.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any United States marines have been landed in the International Settlement at Shanghai; if so, the number; and if they are now stationed on shore?

The American marines at Shanghai were landed in the Settlement on the 21st of March. I believe they number about 1,200. They are in support, and in close co-operation with, the British troops which are in the line in the Markham Road Bridge area on the northern border of the Settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. O'Malley has reached Peking; if he has received a further Report from him; and, if so, can he state the result of his visit to Peking?

I do not understand the hon. Member's question. Mr. O'Malley has left Hankow for Peking in order to resume his normal duties as Counsellor of Legation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Chinese passengers for Chinese ports embarking at Singapore are not searched for arms as is the case at Hong Kong; and whether he will give instructions that all Chinese passengers embarking at Singapore for Far Eastern ports are searched and that their luggage is examined?

It is the practice to search Chinese passengers embarking at Singapore whenever information giving grounds for suspicion is received. To search every ship would cause great delay to commerce, and is opposed by the local shipping agents. I am not yet satisfied that the circumstances call for such a drastic measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what difference there exists between the work of Sub-Commission B set up by the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament and the work of the Joint Commission set up by the Council of the League; and whether Sub-Commission A and Sub-Commission B have made any Reports to the Preparatory Commission?

It was originally intended that the Preparatory Committee should be assisted by two advisory sub-committees, namely, the Permanent Advisory Commission on military, naval and air questions and a Joint Commission consisting of representatives of the various League organs on all other questions. To meet the views of States not members of the League, and consequently not represented on the organs of the League, it was subsequently decided to interpose between the Joint Commission and the Prepara- tory Committee a special sub-committee entitled Sub-Commission B, consisting of representatives of all the States represented on the Preparatory Committee. This arrangement permits Governments not represented on the Joint Commission to express an opinion on financial and economic questions through their representatives on Sub-Commission B. Both sub-commissions have issued reports, which may be seen in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether a reply to the Note of the Italian Government on the question of alleged military activities on the Albanian frontier has been sent by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether he can indicate the nature of the reply;(2) what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government with regard to the proposal that the military attaches of the various Powers represented in Belgrade should investigate the charges made by the Italian Government against the Yugoslavian military authorities?

I am in communication with the Governments concerned, but no definite decision has yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government with regard to the obligation incurred under Article X of the covenant respecting the independence and integrity of Albania?

As no threat to the independence and integrity of Albania has materialised, the question of the obligations of His Majesty's Government under Article X of the covenant does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any correspondence or negotiations have taken place during the past six months between representatives of the Greek Government and His Majesty's Government regarding the future relations between the Governments of Greece, Yugoslavia, and Albania; and, if so, what is the nature of such correspondence or negotiations?

There have been no correspondence or negotiations between the Greek and British Governments on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the qualifications for the franchise in Palestine; and what majority of the adult inhabitants were on the register at the last election?

Any male person is eligible for the municipal franchise in Palestine who (1) is a Palestinian citizen not less than 25 years of age, (2) is not under any disability, (3) has not been sentenced in Palestine to a term of imprisonment of one year or more, or, if so sentenced, has received a free pardon, and (4) had paid, prior to the 31st of December last, taxes on immovable property owned by him within a municipal area of an amount of at least 50 piastres in respect of the financial year 1926–27. As regards the latter part of the question, there have not previously been any municipal elections under the British administration in Palestine.If the hon. Member refers not to the municipal franchise, but to the franchise for the Legislative Council, I would refer him to Cmd. 1889.

asked the Home Secretary how many local authorities have adopted and put into force the Advertisements Regulation Act, 1925?

This is not an adoptive Act, but confers on local authorities the power of making by-laws. I have confirmed by-laws made by 24 authorities; and in 24 other cases bylaws have been provisionally approved and are awaiting the completion of the procedure prescribed by the Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether any local authority has been given powers in a local Act of Parlia- ment with a view to lessening street noises and to regulate the loudness of motor horns or to prevent their indiscriminate use?

I am not aware of any provision in a local Act for the regulation of motor horns. Certain provisions in regard to street noises used, I believe, to be allowed in local bills in the past; but borough and county councils have now general powers to deal with nuisances of this character by by-laws under the Municipal Corporations Act and the Local Government Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that allotment holders of Ridgill Avenue, Adwick-le-Street, have received from the urban district council of Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster, one month's notice to quit, expiring on 31st March; that this notice does not comply with the provisions of Section 1 of the Allotments Act, 1922; and what action he proposes to take to protect the rights of these allotment holders?

The case referred to by the hon. Member was brought to my notice by representatives of the allotment holders concerned on the 25th March. Inquiries are being made and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am acquainted with the circumstances of the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any decision has yet been arrived at by the Government with regard to the recommendation of the Indian Auxiliary and Territorial Force Committee that the Territorial Force should be reconstituted to afford further opportunities for Indian gentlemen of military training; and, if so, when he hopes to be in a position to inform the House of this decision?

My Noble Friend still has the Government of India's views on the Committee's Report under his consideration. I am afraid I cannot say at the moment when decisions are likely to be reached.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can give figures showing the progress made towards the reduction in the size of classes in our elementary and secondary schools?

The number of classes in public elementary schools with more than 50 children on the roll was 19,982 on 31st March, 1926, as compared with 21,345 on 31st March, 1925, and 24,972 on the corresponding date in 1924. As regards secondary schools, there is no special problem of over-large classes, though there was an actual decrease, between 1923–24 and 1925–26, in the average number of pupils per class—the figures being 232 and 23, respectively. The problem is rather one of school provision, and my hon. Friend will find fuller particulars, both as to this subject and as to the reduction of the size of elementary school classes, in the statement which I made in the House last Thursday.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of preparatory schools have accepted the pension scheme of the Board of Education?

Up to the present about 20 applications for acceptance under the scheme have been received from such schools, and have either been approved or are under consideration.