asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the public is being invited to subscribe to the capital of certain new companies in such a manner that the bulk of the profits of such companies, if successful, go to the holders of a very small proportion of the subscribed capital, and that the holders of this small proportion of capital are granted voting power considerably in excess of the proportion due to their share of the capital; and will he consider the advisability of including a clause in the Company Law Amendment Bill to prevent this practice from becoming an abuse?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the growing practice, of company promotion, as illustrated in a recent appeal to the public, whereby the class of shareholders which provides the great bulk of the capital obtains neither a controlling interest in the company nor a commensurate share of profits; and will he take steps to protect the investing public against this abuse of the principles of sound finance by introducing appropriate safeguards in the proposed Measure amending the present company laws?

It is impossible, within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, to state fairly the relative advantages and disadvantages of legislation on this subject. There will be full opportunity of discussing the matter adequately on the proceedings on the Companies Bill, which is down for Second Reading to-day.

Does my right hon. Friend propose to make any further statement on this matter when introducing the Companies Bill?

I propose, in moving the Second Reading of the Bill to-day, to say something on the subject.

Has my right hon. Friend consulted, or will he consult, the Stock Exchange Committee and the leading bank interests in London, to ascertain their views as to whether steps should be taken to check this practice or not?

Before we decide, on the Committee stage, whether any provision should be inserted—and there are already certain provisions in the Bill which are relevant to the matter—obviously it would be necessary for the House to take into account all considerations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new patents registered in 1927, and the number which lapsed owing to the failure of the patentees to pay the renewal fees?

The num her of patents granted in 1927 was 17,624, and the number which lapsed owing to non-payment of renewal fees was 13,289.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any requests from the Provincial Entertainment Proprietors' and Managers' Association, who represent cinema exhibitors owning theatres of great value in Great Britain, asking that one of their members should be appointed to the Advisory Committee set up under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and what is the reason for representation being refused to this association.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I appointed as representatives of the exhibitors on the Advisory Committee those gentlemen who had been chosen on a ballot of the members of the Exhibitors' Association, among whom, I understand, the greater number of the exhibitors connected with the Provincial Entertainment Proprietors' and Managers' Association are included.

Did the right hon. Gentleman take any notice of this very powerful organisation, which owns a very great number of cinema theatres, with very large amounts of capital invested, and does he not think that they ought to have been consulted as to some appointment on this Committee?

I answered precisely that question last Tuesday, when the hon. Member asked some supplementary questions.

As this is very important, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in making any fresh appointments, he will take into consideration the views of this very large organization?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the answer I gave last Tuesday, and the answers to supplementary questions which he put, he will see exactly what considerations move me in making these appointments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of imports and exports of artificial silk stockings for the first month of 1928, or the last available complete month?

Stockings of artificial silk, or of which the chief value is artificial silk, were imported in January last to the sum of £41,909. British exports of these articles in the same month were valued at £53,089, and our re-exports at £3,186.

Do the Government; intend, in face of these figures, to take any further steps to safeguard this industry?

We are dealing with artificial silk, which is already subject to duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tin mines now being worked in Cornwall and the number which have been closed down?

Eleven tin mines are being worked, and at 10 others only prospecting or development work is in progress. In addition, there are 11 mines not working, but no statutory notice of abandonment has been given.

Are any steps taken by the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department to see that these mines are not kept closed when they are capable of being worked?

I have no power, of course, to interfere in the opening or closing of mines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to give the annual exports of cotton yarns and cotton cloth to Russia from 1924 to 1927, inclusive, and the figures for the month of January, 1924 to 1928, inclusive?

The answer involves a table of figures, and, with, the right hon. Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give just the first set of figures, from 1924 to 1927?

The following table shows the Total Quantities and Declared Values of Cotton Yarns and Piece Goods (of United Kingdom manufacture) exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, registered as consigned to Russia during the periods specified:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any instructions have been given as to the advice to be tendered to local authorities who' inquire, for their own guidance, what is the attitude of the Government with regard to the purchase of Soviet oil derived from British-owned oilfields in Russia; and, if so, the nature of such instructions?

I thought the right hon. Gentleman wanted rather more particulars, and I have them all set out, for cotton yarns and piece goods year by year in quantities, in value and in months.

Gould we have the particulars now for January, 1927, and January, 1928?

I will try to extract the figures. In the case of cotton yarns, for the year 1927, the quantity was 184,400 lbs., and the declared value, £44,872. In the month of January the quantity was 59,400 lbs., and the declared value, £8,696. For the month of January, 1928, the quantity of cotton yarns was 25,100 lbs., and the declared value, £10,121; while in the case of cotton piece goods the quantity was 300 square yards, and the declared value, £11.

Following is the table:

The Government have frequently stated that it is their intention not to interfere in any way with Russian trade, or with the freedom of, and facilities for, such trade. Inquirers as to the propriety of purchasing Russian oil are, therefore, informed that every person in this country is free to do as he pleases in this matter. So far as the Departments of Government are purchasing Departments, it is their practice to avoid the purchase of goods formerly the property of their own nationals which have been confiscated without compensation.

If inquiries are made from municipalities, would it not be advisable for the President of the Board of Trade to inform those municipalities of the action that the Government are taking, and that it is detrimental to the interests of this country that they should buy stolen oil?

I have answered my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question in the answer I have just given to the House. That is exactly the information which is given to all inquirers, whether they are municipalities or anyone else.

I am sorry; I did not quite understand my right hon. Friend. I apologise.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any first-hand knowledge as to whether or not the oil now being sold is stolen oil, or whether it is coming from new oil wells?

I have not the least doubt that a very large proportion of the oil which finds its way from Russia into this country is got from the large concession areas which were previously the property of British and other companies.

And it is now stolen oil.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it wise to make a categorical statement such as he has made in his reply to this question, unless he is absolutely sure that this oil is not coming from new wells?

I do not Bay that there are not here and there some new holes drilled in the ground; that is the way in which the mineral is obtained from the earth; but that the great bulk of these areas were under lease to concessionaires, including British subjects, is, of course, absolutely well known.

Will the Department do all that they can to impress upon all municipalities the desirability of buying British products in preference to foreign?

Municipalities have their own authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the importance of maintaining, in the interests of British agriculture, our export trade in pedigree stock to the Dominions and elsewhere, what steps are being taken to ensure that that trade is not hindered by temporary outbreaks of foot-and-mouth or other annual diseases in this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can furnish any estimate of the production of gas mantles in 1925 and 1927, respectively?

Complete data, of the production of gas mantles in this country in the years specified are not available. From the particulars available, however, it is estimated that the number produced in 1925 was about 310,000 gross, and that in 1927 the output exceeded that of 1925 by between 5 and 10 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated production of motor cars in 1927 and 1924, respectively?

From he Returns received in connection with the Census of Production, it appears that in 1924 about 140,000 motor vehicles were produced in this country, including cars assembled from imported components. According to the estimates of the trade, the number of motor vehicles constructed in 1927 exceeded by about one-half the output of 1924.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the approximate tax levied on British shipping in American ports as retaliation for sour lighting dues; and whether this tax is levied on any ship ping of other nations?

I am not aware that any tax is levied on British shipping in American ports as a retaliation for the light dues levied in this country. So far as is known, the tonnage tax imposed at United States ports is levied on vessels of the United States, and of other countries, without discrimination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the demand for an explanation by the Liver pool Steamship Owners' Association of approximate figures of the cost of lighting 2,763 miles of coast in France at £139,693, as compared with £448,723 ex pended in lighting 2,405 miles of our coast line; and, in view of the burden of the light dues on shipping, whether he can bring pressure to bear in favour of economy?

My attention has been drawn to the comparison to which my hon. Friend refers, but, as the Royal Commission on Lighthouse Administration reported in 1906, the conditions in the two countries differ in so many ways that any comparison of this kind requires most searching investigation before it can be accepted as even approximately accurate. Every effort is made to secure economy in the administration of the lighthouse services.

Do not the Board of Trade acknowledge that the coast of France is very well lighted?

That is by no means a complete answer to the difficulties I have indicated. For instance, there are comparatively few shoals outside the coast of France, and, I think, also, that there is a number of items which do not appear in the French accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of British capital invested in the rubber-producing industry in 1921 and the amount so invested at the latest convenient date after the rubber restriction scheme had been put into force?

I have no information as to the amount of British capital invested in the rubber plantation industry. According to figures compiled by the "Economist," the amount of new capital raised on the London market by rubber plantation companies in the years 1922–27, inclusive, was £25,420,000. This sum excludes issues or portions of issues made for purposes of repayment, conversion or replacement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of staff now employed in connection with the separate printing press at the War Office; and, as this section was installed as a temporary emergency at the time of the Crimean war, whether he will now abolish this separate printing establishment in the interests of economy?

The staff employed in the War Office Press totals 26. As regards the last part of the question, the Select Committee on Estimates, 1926, of which my hon. and gallant Friend was a member, in paragraph 4 of their Second Report, expressed the doubt whether any appreciable economy would result from the abolition of this Press, and the Committee of Inquiry into Government Printing Establishments, 1927, in paragraph 392 of their Report, recommended that the Press should be continued as a matter of policy. I do not, therefore, propose to abolish the Press.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any other temporary Departments of the same antiquity that he has overlooked?

No, it has not been overlooked, but as a matter of policy it has been retained as a useful thing.

Are the Government carrying out the other recommendations of the same Report, which were to do away with some printing?

That does not arise here.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of temporary ex-service civil servants employed in the Departments under the control of the Scottish Office and the Board of Health, respectively?

The total number of temporary ex-service civil servants employed in the Departments referred to is 100, of whom 85 are employed by the Scottish Board of Health. These numbers are exclusive of ex-service men holding unestablished posts and of the quasi-permanent non-pensionable clerks who belong to the special class which was constituted in 1925.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the recent issue of notice of discharge to several efficient ex-service clerks in the Sussex area of the Ministry of Pensions, while similar notices have not been given to other temporary clerks, male or female; and whether he can state the decisions that have been arrived at by the heads of Departments concerned, as provided in paragraphs 9 and 17 of the third Report of the Lytton Committee?

I have been asked to reply. There are five temporary ex-service clerks in the office of the Sussex area of the Ministry of Pensions, all of whom have received notice of discharge owing to redundancy due to a decrease in the amount of work. The staffs in all Departments of the Ministry are continually under review owing to the necessity for making adjustments to meet the fluctuating requirements of the work in various offices. When reductions have to be effected, the recommendations contained in the Third Report of the Lytton Committee are followed closely in selecting individual clerks for discharge and, as provided in paragraphs 9 and 17 of that Report, special consideration is given, subject to efficiency, to all cases of hardship.

If there is any question of discharging a certain number of these temporary servants, will the right hon. Gentleman consider discharging those who have not seen service and give the work to' these service men by changing them from one Department to another as may be necessary?

Service, and particularly service overseas, is a matter which is taken into account. It is not possible to transfer these temporary clerks in the way suggested when it is a case of reducing the whole staff.

Surely this could be easily arranged as they are performing merely mechanical work?

Is, the right hon. Gentleman aware that the action described is creating a considerable amount of hardship and will he permit me to make representations to him on the matter?

I shall be most happy to receive the hon. and gallant Member's representations, but I must remind him that these men have been kept on much longer than others and this does clearly indicate that their service has been taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the growing competition with civilian musicians who are members of the Musicians Union by military bands is causing discontent amongst men who are being thrown out of employment thereby; and whether, as the military bands are subsidised out of taxation, he will cause steps to be taken to remove this competition?

Military bands are only permitted to accept civil engagements because there is a public demand for their services, and they are not permitted to do so on terms which are lower than those which would be offered in the same circumstances to a civilian band. I see no reason for altering the present policy in this matter.

Would it not be advisable to pay them sufficiently, so that they shall not be dependent upon additional earnings elsewhere?

They like to play in public.

Do the musicians get any extra remuneration?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman did not listen to my answer. It is that they are employed at civil rates.

What wages are paid to the band at the Kat-Cat Club?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of young persons serving in His Majesty's forces overseas between the ages of 15 and 17, 17 and 19, and 19 and 21, respectively?

On 1st October last there were serving abroad (including Indian but excluding the Rhine) 851 boys under 18 years of age, 584 soldiers between 18 and 19, and 7,549 between 19 and 21. A separate figure is not available for those between the ages of 15 and 17.

Considering the conditions that exist in many places abroad, for instance, those that existed at Shanghai until recently, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of raising the age at which men may be sent abroad?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present establishment of His Majesty's Territorial Army; what is the present strength; and how many unite are complete?

The answer to the first part of the question is 181,700, to the second part 137,978, and to the third part 10.

Is recruiting improving for the Territorial Army in view of these startling figures?

It is. about holding its own.

In view of the fact that only 16 units are complete, how many unite are there?

I am afraid that the hon. and gallant Gentleman must give me notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of trade unionists at present enrolled in the Army Supplementary Reserve; and whether he can give the figures, respectively, for railwaymen, transport workers, engineers, and miners?

No, Sir. The information is not available.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the War Office has absolutely no figures as to the Army Supplementary Reserve? Are no-payments made, no register kept, no entries made anywhere at all?

Yes, a great many entries are made and payments are also made, and we have some information, but not the information for which the hon. Member asks.

Surely the War Office must have information as to the exact number enrolled now?

Would it not be inadvisable in the interests of the country if trade unionism was recognised in the Army qua Army?

asked the Secretary of State for War what hospital accommodation is provided for Army purposes in the Portsmouth district; what is the number of patients that can be dealt with and what is the average number in residence; and what is the annual cost of upkeep?

There is now no military hospital at Portsmouth Military personnel are treated either in the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, or in the Royal Victory Hospital, Netley.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any decision has been made regarding the date upon which housing subsidy as applying to Scotland will cease, or whether any change in the basis of payments has been made?

No decision has yet been arrived at. The whole matter is at present engaging my attention.

In the answer the right hon. Gentleman has just given, there is involved a statement which he made to a deputation. He was going to give an answer. That was some months ago—in November. Has nothing been done since then?

Yes, I have been considering the matter, but cannot make a statement at present.

In view of the urgency of the matter, cannot the right hon. Gentleman say when he is likely to be in a position to make a statement?

No, I am unable to do so at present.

Are we to understand that municipalities are not to be informed in due time as to the nature of their obligations?

They will be informed in due time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the distress prevailing and the inability of occupants of new houses in housing schemes to pay the rents, any steps are being taken to prevent ejectments for non-rent payment?

I am not aware of any general failure on the part of the occupants of houses erected with State assistance in Scotland to pay the rents fixed, but as the management of these houses is in the hands of the various local authorities any steps necessary, on the failure of tenants to pay rents, must be left to the discretion of the authorities themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average costs of upkeep for steel houses and those of stone and brick, or a combination of these materials?

I am not in a position to add anything to my reply on this subject given to the hon. Member on the 17th November last.

Is there any prospect of my being able to obtain these comparative figures at any time?

I can make no estimate.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses that have been completed at 1st February, 1928, in agricultural parishes in England and Wales under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, by local authorities and private enterprise, respectively; and whether he has any information as to how many of these houses are actually occupied by agricultural labourers or other country workers of similar economic status?

The number or houses completed in agricultural parishes in England and Wales under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, up to the 1st February, 1928, was 9,312 by local authorities and 556 by private enterprise. Statistics are not available in regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that trained women house property managers have recently been appointed by the Corporation of Bristol, by Chesterfield, and other authorities for work on their housing estates; and what other local authorities are now making use of the services of women managers, either in salaried posts or part time?

My right hon. Friend has noted with satisfaction that trained women house property managers have been appointed by certain local authorities, but he has no complete record of the authorities which have made such appointments. My right hon Friend will, however, have inquiries made, and will communicate further with the Noble Lady.

In thanking the hon. Gentleman, may I ask him to look into the case of the property managed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners? They have women house managers, and I would suggest that the hon. Member might study their reports.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has had any information from the medical officers of health of East Ham, West Ham, and Essex, as to the insanitary condition of certain of the new houses built by the London County Council in their district; and will he ascertain to what extent trained women managers are employed by the London County Council as a means of assisting tenants to keep new houses clean?

My right hon. Friend has received no representation to the effect mentioned either from medical officers of health or from any other quarter. As regards the second part of the question, he understands that the housing estates of the county council are in the charge of resident superintendents; and that no women are employed in that capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of towns, if any, in Scotland which have approached him for power to make venereal disease compulsorily notifiable; and if he intends to exercise his powers in this direction in any town?

Since August, 1921, resolutions in favour of the general principle of compulsory notification of venereal disease, in one form or another, have been submitted to the Scottish Board of Health by 29 burghal authorities, by combined venereal diseases authorities representing burghs in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, and by the Con- vention of Royal Burghs. The Corporation of Glasgow, at a deputation about a year ago, also raised the question of compulsory notification. In present circumstances I do not consider that the exercise of such powers as the Board have under the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897, would be an appropriate method of dealing with the matter.

In view of the fact that certain corporations are approaching the House for powers, would it not be better, before powers are granted to anybody, if a full inquiry were instituted into the subject by the Department?

No. The best way would be to allow the matter to be discussed in the House.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not also received strong protests against the suggested course of action?

Yes, there have been pro and con.

Is it not against the best interests of government, either national or local, to do things by piecemeal, such as taking one town as against another? Would it not be better to have a full review and then legislate.

That is a matter that can be argued on the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of nursery schools in Scotland; if they receive any grant from local or national funds; and how many are in Glasgow?

The Department know of 11 nursery schools in Scotland, four of which are in Glasgow. Three of the four schools in Glasgow are conducted by the education authority and receive grants from national funds. Of the others, two are assisted by local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of children in Glasgow last year who received either free boots and clothing or free food, or both, from the education authority?

I regret that the available statistics do not permit of an answer to the question in the exact form in which it is put. My information is that, during the year ended 15th May, 1927, 19,264 children were supplied by the education authority with boots or clothing or both. Within the same period 176,830 breakfasts, 477,540 dinners and 151,352 teas were supplied to necessitous children at ordinary feeding centres. The greatest number of children supplied with food free on any one day was 2,418.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women; applicants have been refused old age pensions in Scotland owing to their husbands not having reached 65 years of age?

As at 16th February, 1928, the number of women in Scotland who had been refused contributory old age pensions for the reason that their husbands, on whose insurance their claims were based, were under the specified age of 65, was 247.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women applicants for old age pension "have been refused in Scotland owing to their husbands reaching 70 years of age prior to 2nd January, 1928?

As at the 16th February, 1928, the number of women in Scotland who had been refused contributory old age pensions for the reason that their husbands, on whose insurance their claims were based, were over 70 on the 2nd January, 1928, was 2,596.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us how many of them have received the pension?

I cannot do so without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any announcement to make as to the position of share fishermen under the Insurance Acts?

I have given this question careful consideration. From reports I have received the indications are that there is a general desire among share fishermen in Scotland to come within the scope of the Health and Pensions Insurance Scheme. An opportunity will therefore be taken of inserting an appropriate provision in the forthcoming National Health Insurance Bill, but the hon Member will appreciate that I cannot at present indicate the precise nature of that provision as certain details have yet to be adjusted.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many amalgamations have taken place under the Act of 1926; where they are situated; and the number of employès affected?

Three amalgamations have been sanctioned under the Act, two in Yorkshire and one in South Wales. The number of persons employed at the collieries affected is approximately 22,000. In addition, a number of other amalgamations have been effected without recourse to the Act. Some information regarding them was given in answer to a question by the hon. Member on 13th December last.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give us any idea as to what advantage these very small amalgamations have been to the industry?

No. I suppose they have been carefully considered by those who have amalgamated.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys employed underground in coal mines between the ages of 14 and 16; if a record is kept of the shifts worked on night turn by them; and, if so, how many they worked in 1927?

It is estimated that in the middle of December last the number of boys between the ages of 14 and 16 employed below ground was about 28,000. I have no records of the number of shifts worked by boys.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the importance of the second, part of the question, and will he endeavour to get the information asked for?

If the hon. Gentleman will see me afterwards I will find out what information he requires and see how I can meet the point.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say if these boys are medically examined as to their fitness for this work before being sent down the pit?

Is there anything that the Government can do to prevent children between the ages of 14 and 16 years from working underground?

In reply to the first supplementary question, I think that in most cases boys are medically examined. [HON. MEMBERS: "No !"] May I say some.

State one case, or one place.

I shall be only too glad to give details if the hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper. With regard to the other supplementary question, I have no power to interfere in the matter at the present time.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend not think that it is advisable that these boys should be medically examined between the ages of 14 and 16 years of age just as boys are before they enter the textile factories?

The hon. Gentleman should put the question on the Paper.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is impossible for boys to work on the surface between the hours of nine p.m. and six a.m. now, and is there no possibility of extending this provision to boys working underground?

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the Commission which is now seeing into the question of transferring the labour of the coalfields will look into the matter in view of the fact that boys are going into the pits to take the places of men?

This question should be put upon the Paper.

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made by the Committee who are in vestigating the use of the guss for hauling wheelless tubs; and when their report may be expected?

I understand that the Committee has made good progress with its investigation and has started to draft its report. The report will not, however, be completed until the Committee has had an opportunity to observe the results of experiments with other or modified haulage arrangements which are being conducted in certain mines. The Committee intends to visit Somerset again as soon as these experiments have progressed far enough.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps have been taken by his Department to improve the equipment of first-aid appliances in coal mines in Great Britain during the past-two years?

Recommendations for improvement, based upon an extensive medical inquiry at the collieries, were published by my Department towards the end of last year and the special attention of colliery owners has been drawn to these recommendations by letter. The recently appointed Medical Inspector of Mines is giving the matter his close attention by inspection at the collieries and otherwise; and, with his assistance, the preparation of revised regulations has been put in hand.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us how many of the 271 collieries which in 1926 were declared to have an unsatisfactory equipment—17 of them having very unsatisfactory equipment—have had their equipment improved since then?

I cannot give that information without notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines if any progress is being made with the provision of pit head baths in England and in Scotland; and how much money has been collected from royalty owners for this purpose?

Yes, Sir. Satisfactory progress is being made with, the provision of pit-head baths under the Mining Industry Act, 1926. Detailed information on this subject will be contained in the Sixth Annual Report of the Miners Welfare Committee, which I hope? will be published this week.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of pits at which the standard rates applying to pieceworkers have been reduced since January, 1927, and the approximate number of persons affected thereby?

These are matters of arrangement between the owners and workmen at the individual pits, and I have no records of them.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in every district from John o' Groats to Land's End the miners have been on the minimum for eight months, and that in a good many cases they have had their standard rates attacked, even in scores of cases? Is he further aware of the appalling poverty that exists in these districts, and, in view of this, are the Government prepared to do anything to try and prevent a further reduction so as to save the miners from sinking further below the poverty line?

The hon. Member is arguing the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport the date when the inquiry respecting' the Severn Barrage Scheme was commenced, if the investigations are now completed, and upon what date a report may be expected; the total expenditure that has already been incurred in connection with the investigation and what is the estimated amount required to complete the inquiry if it has not yet been completed; and what was the result of the Admiralty's Report on the scheme?

In accordance with the recommendations of the Committee of Civil Research, a small Expert Committee was appointed in 1926 to undertake certain preliminary investigations with a view to determining whether the technical difficulties of constructing a Severn Barrage can be surmounted. These preliminary investigations are still in progress, and it is not likely, I understand, that they can be completed for a considerable time. The expenditure already incurred is about £30,000, and the total cost of the investigations is estimated at £32,300. As part of these investigations a survey of the Severn Estuary has been carried out by the Admiralty, and the information obtained is being considered by the Expert Committee.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is a matter of common knowledge that this is a most impracticable scheme, and for how long are we going to waste further money on this matter?

We are investigating to see if the scheme is practicable.

I asked whether we had received a report yet, and if it was not a matter of common knowledge in the district that the whole scheme is impracticable?

If the hon. and gallant Member's friends in that district know better than the experts, why does he ask the question?

I want to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman why lie should waste public money on it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is a condition of grants from the Road Fund that only British road stone is to be used by the authorities to which the grants are made?

The condition that British materials alone should be used, except with the express approval of the Department, is only imposed in the case of road works expedited for the relief of unemployment, but local authorities have been urged to use British goods and materials where reasonably practicable in the case of road works as well as other works of public utility.

Is it not rather anomalous for the Government on the one hand to be pressing a policy which it does not seek to impose with the other. Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make it clear that it is the desire of the Government that British materials should be used on all occasions?

In cases where works are expedited for relief of unemployment there is an absolute condition that British material must be used. In regard to local authorities, we trust them to use British materials.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases in which the foreign quotations are actually higher than the British, and still the foreign material is used?

Quite so, but the last word rests with the local authorities and not with myself. I hope the local authorities will always give preference to British material, if they possibly can.

Would it not be best to follow the example of the West Riding who have purchased their own quarries and can now supply the stone cheaper than the contractors?

asked the Minister of Transport when the Coal Wagon and Transport Committee are likely to issue their Report?

I understand that the Standing Committee are still engaged in the collection and consideration of the data conected with the matters remitted to them and I am unable to say when they are likely to issue a Report.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the desirability of making a regulation that motor licences shall only be granted after a medical examination for physical fitness and a test of general capacity for driving?

My proposals with regard to the conditions with which applicants for driving licences should comply are contained in Clauses 14 and 15 of the Draft Road Traffic Bill which I caused to be published and circulated some time ago.

May I ask when the right hon. Gentleman proposes to introduce the Bill?

I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Transport if any progress is being made with the construction of the bridges over railways at the Glasgow end of the new Edinburgh-Glasgow road, without which this road is practically useless to the public; and when are these bridges likely to be completed?

Work has been started on the following bridges at the Glasgow end of the Edinburgh-Glasgow road: (a) over the Wishaw-Coltness line at Orchord, (b) over the Woodhall Colliery Branch Railway. I am informed that work will be commenced by the Glasgow Corporation this week on the bridge under the Rutherglen and Coatbridge branch, and with that over the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (Glasgow lines) at Haghill.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a large block of buildings is being erected on the Hammersmith Road, on the right-hand side going out of London, on the Holland Park estate, and that although these buildings are being erected on land which was covered with grass a few months ago, they are not being set back from the Hammersmith Road, and apparently there will not be any appreciable widening of that thoroughfare, which is practically the only western exit towards Bristol and the great west road from London; and whether he will take powers to prevent new buildings being erected in congested thoroughfares without any widening of main roads of traffic?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to shops and flats now in course of erection at the corner of Melbury Road and Kensington Road. I have ascertained that there will be an average road widening of 12 feet on this frontage when the buildings are completed. The London County Council have ample powers as to the prescription of building lines within their area, and powers in this matter were conferred on all local authorities under Section 5 of the Roads Improvement Act, 1925.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that in this and all other cases the roads are being sufficiently widened, and, if not, will he take powers in order to compel the extra width which may be necessary?

I am doing all I can to widen these roads, but the hon. and gallant Member must remember that it costs money.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the frontage line on this particular thoroughfare was settled a good many years ago, before there was any thought of building, on what the London County Council and local authorities thought was a proper width?

I think that is so.

asked the Prime Minister whether the conference between the Home Government and the Do-minions on the question of beam versus cable communications has finished; what are the conclusions arrived at; whether the recommendations will be presented to Parliament before adoption; and why have the discussions been in private?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, the second part therefore does not arise. As regards the third part, it is not possible at present to make any statement. As regards the fourth part, the issues involved are such that it is obviously in the public interest that the discussions should be held in private.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a resolution from Leigh Town Council asking the government to legislate to give local authorities power to prohibit or license greyhound racing tracks and to make betting thereon illegal; and will he say what they intend to do in the matter?