asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to factories being opened, or their opening being contemplated, in this country by foreign firms manufacturing tyres since the duty on imported tyres was imposed in April, 1927?

I understand that two such factories are already at work, and that four others are being erected or equipped.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware t hat members of the engineering trades are complaining that they are now unable to secure supplies of Indian inks previously available; that supplies of ink manufactured in America with dyes purchased from British dye manufacturers are refused import into this country; and that supplies are now lying at the docks and have been for months; and whether he will remove the prohibition at present obtaining on such imports?

I have not received any representations regarding Indian ink, which material does not come within the scope of any import prohibition. The import of coloured drawing inks which are synthetic organic dyestuffs, colours or colouring matters, is prohibited under the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920. As to these I have not received any complaints from the engineering trade, and I can hold out no hope of the removal of the restriction. But I shall be glad to make inquiries as to the consignments mentioned by the hon. Member, if he will furnish the particulars necessary to enable them to be identified.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive representations, if I bring them to him?

I will receive information from the hon. Gentleman and make inquiries, but I can hold out no hopes that I can invite Parliament to repeal the Dyestuffs Act, which has been such a singular success.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what number of Indian children of school age in Kenya are receiving some education, and what number are without facilities for education?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the figures, but I have already arranged with the Governor of Kenya for the inclusion in future of detailed statistics in the annual reports of the Education Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the four new posts of inspectorships created in 1926 in connection with education in Kenya have been filled?

Yes, Sir. I may add that provision for a fifth appointment of this nature has been made in the Estimates for the current year, and that steps are being taken to select a candidate to fill it.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee on Imperial Wireless and Cable Communications has yet reported?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference. The Conference has not yet reported.

Am I to take it on the authority of the Prime Minister that the statement in the Press that the report has been delivered and is being considered is inaccurate?

I have not seen the statement. So far as I know, it is entirely erroneous.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications for safeguarding received up to the end of May last; the number refused by the Board of Trade; and the decisions of the committee to which the other applications were referred?

49 applications have been received, of which two are in abeyance; whilst, in respect of four duties were imposed in Finance Acts. 20 applications were referred to committes; in seven, safeguarding duties have been imposed; and in two, safeguarding duties have been proposed in this year's Finance Bill. In 11 cases the reports of the committees were unfavourable to the applicants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the countries to which British enamelled hollow-ware was exported in 1913, 1923, and 1927, respectively, specifying the quantity sent to each country?

The answer takes the form of tables of figures, and the hon. Member will perhaps permit me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the enamelled hollow-ware exports of this country, and, for comparison, of Germany, Belgium, and Czechoslavakia, respectively, for each of the last six years?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures giving, as far as possible, the information for which he asks in this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the reason why the two shipping companies owing between them the sum of £565,000 to the Government on account of reparation vessels cannot meet their obligations in this respect; and whether he is aware that in both cases considerable dividends have been paid to shareholders in recent years?

The terms of sale of the ships concerned laid it down that payments should be made by instalments. The companies have paid the instalments and interest regularly, and have consequently met their obligations.

Is it not the fact that it is now more than seven years

That does not seem at all a reasonable proposition. The contract which was entered into with these two companies was to sell them three vessels, which were to be paid for by instalments, those instalments carrying interest. The instalments and the interest have been regularly paid, and I cannot conceive how the Government could now ask the companies to vary the contract and pay the balance immediately.

When the agreement was reached with these companies, was a statement laid before the House in relation to this instalment agreement? Is it not a fact that no information was conveyed to the House at all in respect of such an agreement?

I should certainly like to have notice of that question. I do not think I was in office at the time and I doubt whether the present Government, were in office, but I am sure there has never been any with-holding from Parliament of the, conditions under which all these sales were transacted. On the contrary, frequent statements have been made, and frequent debates have taken place.

When a question of this sort is asked, which naturally reflects on the shipping community, ought not the names of these shipping companies to be supplied?

It is not for me to supply the names. I agree that if a charge is made it is convenient that details should be given. On the general position, the Government have been singularly fortunate in the sales they have made of all these ships, and it is also very fortunate that, all contracts, or so many contracts, have been fulfilled.

Is it not a fact that there has been an enormous depreciation and loss since the ships were sold, and, if there is to be any variation, should it not be in favour of the purchasers?

I should be very sorry on the part of the taxpayer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reopen the question of the sale of the ships.

Can we have the names?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the allegations which have been submitted to him concerning the relations between officers of the Enemy Debts Department and private concerns having dealings with the Department, he has instituted any inquiry into the matter?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a Memorandum forwarded to the Board of Trade by a member of the staff of the Clearing Office in which a variety of allegations are made. I have instituted the fullest inquiries into these matters. These inquiries have satisfied me that the allegations are unwarranted.

In view of the many unsettling statements that are flying about, will this House be acquainted with the terms of the memorandum?

No, Sir, certainly not. If allegations are made against anybody in my Department, it is my business, and the duty of the senior officers of the Department, to make a close investigation. When that investigation has been made, it is no part of my business to give currency to unwarranted charges.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps have been taken to secure the services of pharmacists in Royal Army Medical Corps Territorial units?

Provision for the enlistment of dispensers is made in the establishments of field ambulances and general hospitals of the Territorial Army.

Are pharmacists invited or desired to serve in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

Certainly, they would be eligible if they desired to enlist.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state at what time in their military career quartermasters of the Royal Army Medical Corps receive instruction in the storage of drugs and medical supplies in such a manner as to prevent waste and deterioration; whether they are at any time subjected to an examination on this subject; and, if so, what steps are taken to ensure that the examiners themselves possess an intimate knowledge of the storage of drugs and medicines?

Drugs and medical supplies are only stored in military hospitals in quantities sufficient for approximately the current six months' requirements. Instruction in their storage is given as part of the course of dispensing which all soldiers of the Royal Army Medical Corps have to pass before attaining the rank of sergeant. The examination at the end of the course is conducted by a Board of Medical Officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it is not generally known among those intending to take commissions in the Army that they may be compelled to go up in aircraft as passengers; and whether he will give instructions that they shall be advised of this fact at any early stage?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the First Lord of the Admiralty as to the naval practice, by which only volunteers are taken? Plenty of volunteers are available, and the result has been altogether satisfactory.

I do not think the result of the Army practice has been unsatisfactory.

Would it not be much better to call only for volunteers? Has the right hon. Gentleman any doubt that he would get just as many as the Navy did?

There is no trouble about it now.

asked the Secretary of State for War seeing that Army Order 304 of 1924 imposed no new liability upon Army personnel to go up in aircraft as passengers, but only drew attention to an existing obligation, if he will state whether a definite Army Order to this effect was ever issued; and, if so, at what date?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War if for each of the last three years he can state what percentage of the soldiers enlisted in this country were unemployed at the time of their enlistment?

Records are only available in respect of the London area, where, during the last three recruiting years, the percentages were 60, 68 and 71 respectively. These figures are compiled from the statements of the recruits: no independent cheek is possible.

Would it not be possible to get the information for the whole country?

I suppose it would be possible, but I am not sure that there is any public service to be served by doing so, and, of course, it would be expensive.

I take it we may assume that, although these figures are confined to London, they probably represent roughly, the same state of affairs all over the country?

No. I think that would he dangerous.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these figures for the whole country have been published in a paper called "The Fighting Forces"?

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers of lads over 17 but under 18 who were enlisted in the Army during each of the last three years?

The numbers for the last three recruiting years were respectively 49, 32 and 40.

In view of the smallness of the numbers, does the right hon. Gentleman not think he could raise the recruiting age to 18?

Many of them were enlisted as boys and for special purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what special facilities were given for school children to witness the dress rehearsal of the sham fights for the forthcoming Aldershot Military Tattoo; whether children were admitted free and whether educational authorities were invited to give facilities; and whether next year he will consider staging a pageant of a different character at Aldershot instead of a sham fight, in view of the American proposals for the outlawry of war?

Tickets at greatly reduced rates were issued to enable school children to attend the daylight rehearsal of the Aldershot Tattoo, and notice of these facilities was given to the educational authorities in Hampshire and the neighbouring counties and in some parts of the London district. I do not share the apprehension of the hon. and gallant Member as to the effect of the presentation of historical episodes.

May I ask what apprehension my right hon. Friend sees in my question; and, when he has told me that, will he be good enough to answer the last part of my question?

My answer referred to the last part of the question.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman would mind answering the last part of my question instead of throwing compliments at me?

I have no other answer to give to the last part of the question. I do not think that the type of tattoo which we now stage is in any sense objectionable.

Does the Secretary of State for War think that the apprehensions which he attributes to me will stop if the outlawry of war treaty is carried through?

The hon. and gallant Member seems to be debating this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scot- land whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the need for hospital accommodation in the island of North Uist?

I am aware of the circumstances of North Uist and of the fact that there is no hospital in the district. The provision of an adequate hospital service is complicated by transport difficulties, by the comparatively small population to be served, and by the position of the Highlands and Islands (Medical Service) Fund, which is mortgaged to present commitments. The matter is, however, receiving my consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that Gaelic-speaking pupils in Highland schools who attend the Scottish Mod as competitors, with the full approval of, and in company with, their teachers, are marked absent in the school registers; and, in view of the special educational value of the Mod to Highland children, will he arrange that in future they will not be penalised in this manner?

While the Department are unable to allow attendances of competitors at musical festivals such as the Scottish Mod to be entered in the School registers as actual attendances at school, they raise no objection to such attendances being recorded in the school registers by a distinctive mark and included in the totals for the purpose of calculating the percentage of average attendance. Where schools adopt this course, no question of penalising anybody arises.

asked the Lord Advocate whether it is proposed to appoint additional justices of the peace for the county of West Lothian; and whether the Labour party in the county will be consulted when such appointments are made?

I have been asked to reply. Justices of the peace for the county of West Lothian are appointed when, in the opinion of the Lord Chan- cellor and his advisory committee, additional appointments are required for the administration of justice. The last appointments were made in August, 1920, and no evidence has been put before the Lord Chancellor since that time showing that further justices are required. It is not the Lord Chancellor's practice to consult any political party, as such, when he is appointing justices. The advisory committee includes members of all political parties, who will be consulted when such appointments are made.

Is the learned Attorney-General not aware that in practice political parties are consulted, and that on the last occasion when Justices of the Peace were appointed very few were appointed from among those associated with the Labour party, although the Labour party is predominant in the district?

The Attorney-General can only reply on information given to him by the Lord Chancellor.

May I not have an answer to my question?

The hon. Member is raising a matter which is not under the control of the Minister.

On a point of Order. May I ask, in that case, why the learned Attorney-General has replied to my question at all?

Certain facts can be obtained from the Lord Chancellor regarding these matters, which are not under the control of Parliament, and a question has to be put upon the Paper in order that the information may be obtained.

Is it not the case that this House can review appointments made even by the Lord Chancellor, and is not that the point of my hon. Friend's question?

No, that is not possible.

Then why is this question allowed to go on the Paper?

It is by an act of courtesy that the Lord Chancellor gives information on these matters.

Is it to be understood that hon. Members have no right to question the Attorney-General on matters affecting the appointment of Justices of the Peace?

This has always been a difficult matter, and I would rather not give a hasty Ruling which might limit what has already been the practice of the House.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, when it will be convenient to ask for your ruling as to whether questions relating to the appointment of Justices of the Peace under the prerogative of the Lord Chancellor may be asked in this House, and, further, whether this House is debarred from asking questions as to the method of appointment and the number of Justices of the Peace appointed by Advisory Committees responsible to the Lord Chancellor?

If the hon. Member will give me notice in writing of the question he wishes to ask I will communicate with him when I am prepared to answer it. These are questions which are better answered after due consideration rather than in a hasty manner.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that in 1925 no less than 75 per 1,000 of the ponies employed underground in Yorkshire were killed by accident, whilst the average for the whole of the mines in Great Britain was 44 per 1,000; whether he is satisfied that the regulations in the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1911,, regarding ponies are being properly carried out in Yorkshire mines; how many cases have been reported of cruelty through roofing, lack of supply of good drinking water, or overwork; whether any of His Majesty's inspectors, other than pony inspectors, ever report on the treatment of ponies; whether any of the pony inspectors visit the actual part of the mine in which the ponies work; and whether the Government are prepared to increase the number of inspectors, in order to see that the regulations operate effectively and to decrease this rate of mortality?

As this question necessarily entails a long answer, I will with the hon. Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me whether the Government are prepared to increase the number of inspectors in order to decrease the mortality?

No, Sir.

Can the Secretary for Mines explain why there has been an increase in the death-rate in Yorkshire as compared with the rest of the country; is it due to a deficiency of inspectors?

No, sir; I do not think it is due to a deficiency of inspectors. As the number of ponies is decreasing every year, there seems to be no occasion for an increase in the number of inspectors.

asked the Secretary for Mines w many coal mines have been closed in Yorkshire during the present year; and how many men were affected?

Eleven pits, employing 4,430 persons, have closed down in Yorkshire this year.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman attribute the cause of these pits being closed and these men being thrown out of employment to the five counties scheme of ca' canny on the part of the coalowners of Yorkshire?

No, Sir; the Midland Counties Scheme has probably kept many pits from closing down which otherwise would have closed down. The cause is due to a decrease in the demand for coal.

How is it that more than 4,000 men have been thrown out of work since the adoption of the Five Counties Scheme? Is the hon. and gallant Gentieman not aware that there are 30,000 more unemployed miners at the present time than there were at the beginning of the year in the coal mines of this country?

The decrease in employment is due to a decrease in the demand for coal.

Are we to understand that the hon. and gallant Gentleman considers that the Midland Counties Scheme has been a success?

No, Sir; nothing must be understood beyond what I have said. I simply state that the scheme has probably saved many pits from closing down.

Is not the closing down of these pits in Yorkshire due so attempts to carry out the recommendations of the Samuel Commission?

asked the Secretary for Mines how many persons have obtained work in the coal mines in Yorkshire during the first five months of this year who had had no previous experience of coal-mining, stating those under 18 years of age and over 18 years of age, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. As regards persons over 18 years of age, I am making inquiries as promised in my reply to the hon. Member on 22nd May. Corresponding figures are not available with regard to persons under 18 to whom the restrictions on recruiting do not apply.

Is it not possible to obtain the figures, particularly with regard to persons under 18 years of age, at the same time that the hon. Gentleman is making inquiries?

No, Sir. I do not think I can obtain them at present in the case of persons under 18, because the agreement does not apply to them. I am making further inquiries on the point which has been raised by the hon. Member. At the same time, I would welcome any information which the hon. Member has in his possession which might help me in making my inquiries.

In view of these contracts for the employment of men under 18, is it not time that some machinery was set up to get to know the actual facts rather than trusting to the coal-owners themselves?

I have made full inquiries, not only from the coal-owners, but from all available sources, in order to obtain correct figures, to which I attach just as much importance as the hon. Member does.

Would it not be better to set up some machinery under which these lists would be gone through systematically and periodically, rather than trusting to the coalowners or the coal-miners to report as they think fit?

We are considering the most efficacious means of obtaining correct figures, to which we attach great importance.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total deficiencies under the present ascertainment schemes up to the last date for which figures are available for the counties of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland?

The deficiencies under the present ascertainment schemes up to April, 1928, amounted to £4,541,658 in Yorkshire, £3,835,926 in Durham, and £1,276,949 in Northumberland.

When the hon. and gallant Gentleman next gives figures relating to the wages of the miners in Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland, will he bear in mind that all the time they are getting deeper and deeper into debt?

That is quite obvious from the figures I have given.

Will the Secretary for Mines say how much of this and the other disabilities from which miners are suffering is due to the imposition of the Eight Hours Act?

That question does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate annual saving to the mine owners of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland, separately, under the scheme for reducing rates on productive industries.

On the basis of the amount paid in local rates in 1927, the annual reduction in rates on coal mines in the three districts mentioned will be as follows:—

In view of the figures just given, is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at the proposed rate of relief it will take Yorkshire nine years to get rid of its deficiency; and, as they cannot increase their wages until the deficiency is removed, will the Secretary for Mines tell us what the Government are going to do in the meantime for the Yorkshire miners?

Or any other miners.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received notice of any recommendations made by coroners juries that the lighting of motor vehicles is frequently too brilliant, and that legislation should be passed to control it; and what action he has taken in the matter.

My attention has not been drawn to any recent recommendations by coroners' juries on the subject. The degree of "dazzle" unfortunately does not merely depend upon the power of the headlights, but also upon their construction, focussing and other factors. I am not aware of any headlight which provides an adequate driving light without some degree of dazzle. All technical developments are being closely watched by my Department, but, at the present juncture, I do not consider it desirable to make any Regulations under the powers recently conferred on me by the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, with a view to limiting the power of motor vehicle headlights.

May I ask if the Minister of Transport has power to prohibit the use of headlights in London?

I have power to regulate them, but not to prohibit them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to regulate the use of big headlights in London when they are quite unnecessary.

No, Sir. With our present experience, I should not like to venture upon the regulation of headlights.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that headlights are at present prohibited in Paris?

No, Sir.

Well, they are.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take with reference to the recent increases in omnibus fares in the London area?

The observations of the omnibus companies have been communicated to the local authorities and other bodies interested and are, no doubt, receiving their consideration. In the meantime I do not think that there is any further action which I can usefully take in the matter.

Can the Minister of Transport say whether he has received replies from all the omnibus companies with whom he has communicated?

Yes, I think so.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he has received any Reports of the all-electric automatic traffic regulator that has been installed in Leeds and Edinburgh; whether his Reports show that this system of traffic regulation is successful; and whether it is intended to introduce similar systems in the London area?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reports received indicate that a certain measure of success has been attained by the use of these automatic signals, but they are still in the experimental stage. The question of making experiments on similar lines in the Metropolitan area is already under consideration.

Will the officers employed by the Minister of Transport keep their eyes on the signals in order to see whether the experiment is successful?

Yes, Sir. They are constantly under observation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to take any further steps to safeguard pedestrians, especially in rural areas, by making more widely known any existing rules of the road; and whether he will consider obtaining the co-operation of the British Broadcasting Corporation towards this end?

I am always glad to receive any suggestions for minimising the dangers arising from road traffic, but, so far as I am aware, accidents to pedestrians are not commonly caused by a lack of knowledge of the rules of the road, either on their part or on the part of the drivers of vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport what income the Conway Bridge Commissioners have received from tolls each year since 1920?

As the reply to this question contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate the desired information, so far as it is available, in the OFFICAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also supply information as to the purpose for which this money has been used?

Perhaps the hon. Baronet will communicate with me privately as to the specific information that he desires.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take with regard to any petitions and letters received from consumers of electricity in Bournemouth, Parkstone, and Poole asking for a reduction of the maximum charge for electricity in those districts?

Certain representations have recently been received with regard to the prices charged for electricity by the Bournemouth and Poole Electricity Supply Company, Limited. These representations are being considered, and, in the first instance, the Electricity Commissioners will communicate with the company on the subject.

Am I to understand that it is not at present proposed to hold an inquiry?

As I explained to the hon. Member, I think before the holidays, when I receive a request either from the local body or from consumers in the area, it will be my duty to go into the matter and hold an inquiry if I think it right to do so.

Do I not understand that the Minister has already received, not only one petition from at least 20 consumers, but a large number of letters from individual consumers?

No, Sir; I have not received any communication which can be regarded as an official request for an inquiry. If the bodies which can make such a request, that is to say, the corporation or 20 consumers, write to me officially, I will at once go into the matter.

Would the Minister say under what Act he is now prosposing to take action?

I think the Act of 1919, but I should have to have notice of that question.

Is the Minister aware of the confusion that arises all through these districts because his Department has never made it plain that what applies to one area will also apply to any other case, and are steps going to be taken to rectify that?

Does the word "consumer" include private consumers, and can 20 private consumers of electricity forward a petition?

Yes, Sir; a petition can be forwarded by 20 individuals, all of whom consume electricity.

asked the Postmaster-General how many demonstrations of television have been witnessed by technical officials or engineers in his Department; what was the date of the last demonstration; and whether his Department has received any information concerning the progress made in America?

Technical officers of my Department have witnessed four demonstrations of television—three in this country and the fourth in the United States a few weeks ago. The company most active in the matter in this country agreed in September last to give my officers a further demonstration, but so far this promise has not been fulfilled. I have seen a statement in the Press that television tests were recently conducted by an American broadcasting station, but that after a week of tests no one had reported reception of the moving images.

Have any inquiries been made with regard to these tests in Vienna?

Oh, yes; but I think, if I am correct in my assumption as to the tests to which the hon. Member refers, that those were not, strictly speaking, tests of a process of television, but tests of a process for the transmission of drawings, which is another matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now examined the facts which were disclosed in the recent case of Gronow v. Water-low and, in particular, the action of the last-named company in connection with tenders for Post Office printing contracts; whether the directors responsible for that action are still associated with Waterlow and Company; and, if so, whether this firm is still on the list of Post Office contractors?

I have examined the facts referred to, most of which had already been disclosed in previous litigation and were then the subject of severe criticism by the Court. In consequence, the position was fully investigated by the Committee of Inquiry into Government Printing Establishments, which reported last year, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to pages 96–101 of their Report, Cd. 2828 of 1927. The Committee came to the conclusion, with which I agree, that the tenders for the current contract, which was made with Messrs. Waterlow and Sons in 1923, were really competitive. I understand that one of the present directors of the firm was a director at the time when these incidents occurred.

With regard to the last part of my question, which the right hon. Gentleman has not answered, does he think that it would be right to enter into any new business relations with a firm which has been guilty of these malpractices while it remains under the same executive control?

The incident to which the hon. and gallant Member refers in his question is not an incident which occurred yesterday or the day before, but is one which occurred 30 or 40 years ago, and I should hesitate to say, from the account of that past history, that it would not be desirable to enter into future contracts. At the moment, however, no question of that kind arises, because the existing contract is a continuing contract, which has something over five years to run.

If the same people are in control, can the Ethiopian change his skin?

Is it not the fact that the directors in that particular case are not now directors of the company?

asked the Postmaster-General whether the pay of employés of the Post Office, who are enrolled as Territorials or in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, is subjected to deduction when they are absent by reason of their selection to foam members of guards of honour at public ceremonies?

There is no definite regulation on the subject, but it would usually be the practice to grant leave with pay in such circumstances if permission is applied for. If my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind, and will furnish details, I will have inquiry made into the circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is telephonic communication between the Isle of Man and the mainland; and is such communication adequate to the demands and available at night as well as daytime?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second, the provision of a service to the mainland entails the laying of a submarine cable, and this is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the procedure by which new medical or other evidence which was not before a pensions appeal tribunal on the hearing of a War pension claim and which, had it been before the tribunal, would or might have resulted in a decision different from that arrived at, is brought to the notice of the tribunal; and whether the claimant in such circumstances is given an opportunity before the tribunal of leading and being heard on, and having his claim reconsidered in the light of, such new evidence?

The decision of an appeal tribunal is, by Statute, final, and the provisions of the War Pensions Act, 1919, do not admit of a re-hearing by the tribunal of cases once decided. As, however, the House has on more than one occasion been informed, the Ministry have been enabled, in exceptional cases where fresh material evidence is produce, to reconsider the claim. If such evidence is produced in a case where an appeal has been made and has failed, it is their practice to consult the president of the tribunal informally before making any recommendation for a grant, in order that no point in favour of the claimant may be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any steps have yet been taken to deal with the drainage problem in the Doncaster district, as recommended in the sub-commission's Report?

The Ministry has been in communication with county councils and other bodies affected by the recommendations of the Doncaster Area Commission, and the question of the preparation of a Bill to give effect to those recommendations is now under consideration.

Are we to understand that there is a possibility that this Bill may be brought in before long?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any repayments of duty on oils used on board fishing vessels have been allowed; and, if so, to what amount?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the announced concession regarding the proposed repayment of duty on oils used on board registered fishing vessels and embodied in Notice 171, dated April, 1928, issued from the Custom House, London, has now been withdrawn; and, if so, on what grounds?

The concession in question has been withdrawn, and the withdrawal has been announced in a new Notice, numbered 171A. The grounds for the withdrawal were the same as those which I gave to the House on 1st May for the withdrawal of the similar concession originally proposed for agricultural tractors, namely, that kerosene, which is the oil principally used in fishing vessels, has been excluded from the duty and that petrol is only used in very small quantities to start up the engines. No repayments were made prior to the withdrawal of the concession.