asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to find time for the passing into law during tilt present Session of the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Bill?

No, Sir. I can hold out no hope of it being possible to pass this Bill into law this Session.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to farmers owing to rural railway stations not being connected up by telephone; and will he take steps to have such connection made?

I am desirous of minimising so far as possible the inconvenience in question, and I am prepared to instal a telephone at any railway station where the receipts are likely to cover the expenses, or where the railway company or responsible local people will guarantee the difference between the receipts and the expenses: or, of course, where the railway company is prepared to rent a line.

asked the Postmaster-General the approximate receipts received by the British Post Office for the calls passed either to America or Canada from Great Britain on the Transatlantic telephone service for the three months ended 19th April, 1928?

I regret that the figures for the broken period asked for are not available.

asked the Postmaster-General the annual cost of the mail subsidy to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man; and the approximate number of bags despatched monthly to each place?

The annual amounts paid for the conveyance of letter mails to and from the islands referred to are as follow:

asked the Postmaster-General whether there are any male officers in his Department employed on whole-time shorthand typing or copying typing duties: and, if so, the grades of the officers concerned and their scales of salary?

There are 18 officers so employed in the Post Office Engineering Department. They are graded as unestablished male shorthand writers and typists and their weekly pay, including Civil Service cost-of-living bonus at the present level, ranges from 49s. 9d. to 82s. 8d. in London and from 43s. Bd. to 71s. 5d. in the provinces.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any decision has now been arrived at with reference to laying the submarine cable between the Isle of Man and the mainland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Kelly).

asked the Postmaster-General whether any applications have been made to him from the British Broadcasting Corporation for his permission to adopt the process of radio transmission that will enable listeners to pick up current pictures from other parts of the world?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if, taking the 12 months completed at the end of June, he will give the numbers and names of towns in which his Department has secured or sought Government offices for more than one Department; and whether he has been consulted by the Post Office in any of the towns in question in regard to buildings which they were similarly and simultaneously erecting or securing?

The official records are not kept in such a. form as to render the information asked for in the first part of my hon. Friend's question readily available, and the preparation of a reply in detail would involve a considerable amount of inquiry. In regard to the second part of the question, if my hon. Friend has any individual town or towns in mind, and would be good enough to furnish particulars, the First Commissioner will be pleased to supply the information desired.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there has been any change in the duties of women pensions' officers employed by the Customs and Excise Department along the lines anticipated in Industrial Court Award 1,143; and what is the nature of the duties at present allocated to women concerned?

The duties of women pension officers (namely, the investigation of claims and questions in connection with the Old Age Pensions Acts) have remained unaltered since the grade was established.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of bulk barrels of beer produced in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, respectively, during the year ended 31st March, 1928, and the average specific gravity for each country?

The bulk quantity and average specific gravity of beer produced by brewers for sale during the year ended 31st March, 1928, were as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of proof gallons of British spirits distilled in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, respectively, in the years ended 31st March, 1927, and 1928?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of distilleries actually at work in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, respectively, on 30th September, 1926, and 1927?

The particulars required are as follow:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the declared intention of the Spanish Government to impose increased duties upon certain British manufactures, including wire rope, oil engines, and linoleum; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard British export trade?

So far as I am aware, no such declaration of intention has been made by the Spanish Government, but my hon. Friend has no doubt in mind the representations which have been made to that Government by the Spanish manufacturing interests concerned for an increase in these duties. His Majesty's Ambassador has already received instructions on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what commercial treaties were entered into by His Majesty's Government during the 12 months ending 30th June, 1928; and in what instances was a reduction in the rates of duty between the contracting parties effected?

Five commercial agreements came into operation during the period named. That with Haiti secured the extension to British goods of certain reductions of duty previously granted by Haiti to France. The treaty with the Serb-Croat-Slovene State conventionalised certain reductions of duty which had already been granted by that country to British goods by an earlier provisional exchange of notes. As regards the treaty with Persia, which is temporarily in force pending ratification, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken-worthy) on 14th May. The remaining agreements were the Treaty with Hungary and a supplementary convention to the Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty, neither of which affected rates of Customs duty. None of these five agreements modified the Customs duties leviable in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that overloading is rife on ships trading from St. Lawrence, and that the casualties due to it are heavier than those on the River Plate route: and whether he will approach the Canadian Government in regard to this matter.

I am unable to corroborate either of the statements made in the question, but if the hon. Member will be so good as to inform me of the facts on which his statements are based, I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade approximately the value of the orders for ships which have been placed in British yards since the War by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Canadian National Railways, and other Canadian concerns, respectively: and what those orders represent, approxi- mately, in British wages in the shipbuilding, iron and steel, engineering, coal mining, and other industries.

I am informed that since the War the Canadian Pacific Railway Company have built, or placed orders for, new tonnage in British yards costing approximately £14,000,000, and during the last three years have carried out, or placed orders for, the machinery conversion in British yards of three of their passenger steamers, representing an expenditure of approximately £1,000,000. This is understood to be exclusive of a further new ship under consideration by the company. For the Canadian Steamship Lines, according to information given in Lloyd's Register, 15 vessels of an aggregate gross tonnage of about 31,000 tons have been built in this country since the War, but I am not in a position to state the amount of money spent in constructing them, or the extent of orders placed by other Canadian Steamship owners. I am afraid I cannot answer the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been called to the recommendation of the Economic Consultative Committee of the League of Nations, addressed to the Governments and peoples of the countries there represented, that they should give continuous attention to the questions of the economic tendencies and policies of their countries as affecting world peace; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any specific steps with this end in view;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Economic Consultative Committee of the League of Nations in which they urge that the League should give effect to the recommendations of the Economic Conference, and in collaboration with the various Governments study the development of industrial agreements and cartels; and what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to co-operate in this inquiry?

I will answer these questions together. The recommendations referred to relate to the study of certain aspects of international economic affairs which the League of Nations has entrusted definitely to its competent organs, and His Majesty's Government are at all times ready to give such assistance as may be requisite and proper in respect of such investigations.

asked the Secretary of state for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the encounter between a Fleetwood trawler and the gunboat "Spey" off the West Coast of Scotland, to the endeavours of the trawler to conceal its name and identification marks, and to the forcible resistance offered by the crew to the officers of the gunboat; whether he is in a position to state the name of the company owning this trawler; whether trawlers belonging to the same company have previously been convicted of similar offences; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation on the lines recommended by Lord MacKenzie's committee for the increase in the penalties for illegal trawling?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The owners of the trawler concerned according to the certificate on board the vessel are the Wyre Steam Trawling Company, Limited, Fleetwood. The skippers of trawlers belonging to that company have previously been convicted of somewhat similar offences. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not satisfied with the existing position, and I am in consultation with the Board of Trade and other Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that Mrs. Connolley, residing at South Wellington Street, Glasgow, has been refused a widows' pension although her husband had a good record of insurable employment; and if he will have this reconsidered?

Mrs. Connolley's claim for a widow's pension under the Contributory Pensions Act was refused by the Scottish Board of Health on the ground that the statutory condition which requires that her deceased husband should have been an insured person at the time of his death was not satisfied. I understand that an appeal has been lodged by Mrs. Connolley against the Board's decision, and that the case is at present under the consideration of the independent referee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses at present being built in Glasgow by the Glasgow Corporation; the number for which plans have been got ready but not yet started; and if he is satisfied as to the rate of progress?

As at 30th June, 1928, the number of houses being built with the assistance of State subsidy by the Corporation of Glasgow was 5,468 and the number approved for subsidy, but not commenced, was 2,630. Having regard to the great shortage of houses in Glasgow I would like to see a higher rate of progress, but I recognise that the output of houses is conditioned by the building resources of the city, and I have no reason to suppose that the corporation are not alive to the necessity of utilising these resources to the fullest extent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of subsidy houses completed, and the number authorised but not completed, by local authorities and by private enterprise under the 1923 and 1924 Housing Acts, respectively, in each month since October, 1926; and the average price and average superficial area in each of these months?

I have not included in the following table the average superficial areas of the houses, as these could only be ascertained at considerable trouble, but if the hon. Member particularly desires them I shall see if they can be obtained. All superficial areas must, of course, be within the limits prescribed by the Statute.

HOUSING, SCOTLAND.—Statement of Particulars under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, and the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland who appoints agricultural arbiters; and are the farmers' associations or other competent bodies in the community asked for an opinion before appointments are made?

Under Statute the selection of an arbiter otherwise than by agreement between the parties is made by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland from the panel of arbiters appointed by the Lord President of the Court of Session. I am informed that in connection with appointments to the panel the Lord President receives and considers suggestions and recommendations by farmers' associations and other competent bodies and persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether salmon fishings entered in the valuation rolls will be relieved of rates in the same manner as other lands and heritages in the Rating and Valuation Bill?

As at present advised. I am not satisfied that there is a case for granting a rating relief in respect of salmon fishings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of young persons between the ages of 14 and 21 who have been convicted of any offence during the last 12 months at the Glasgow Southern Court: and the same figures for the Queen's Park Court?

The number of persons between the ages of 14 and 21 convicted at the Southern and Queen's Park Police Courts, Glasgow, during the past 12 months were respectively 1,759 and 209.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to accept the recommendation of the Salvesen Committee that a short handbook should be published descriptive of the educational system in Scotland?

I hope that it will be possible to undertake the preparation of a handbook of the kind suggested when I have fully considered the general recommendations of the Report with my colleague the Minister of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to introduce legislation enabling drainage areas to be delimited and drainage boards constituted in Scotland?

I cannot at present give any undertaking as 'to the introduction of legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any estimate from the latest returns available, or from any other source, as to the number of homeless men, women, and children in England, Scotland, and Wales, and the number of casuals?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. On the night of 1st January, 1928, there were in England and Wales 10,497 persons in receipt of relief as casuals. Of that number 10,000 were men, 448 were women, and 49 were children.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the high rate of infectious disease amongst casuals, he will consider the issue of Regulations by which medical officers who are wholly employed by, and resident in, a Poor Law institution will be required to inspect casuals on the evening of their arrival, rather than after they have been in the institution long enough to spread any disease from which they may be suffering?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of the need for the issue of any special Regulations in this matter, but if the hon. Member has any case in mind in which a whole-time medical officer fails to inspect the casuals on the evening of their arrival, and will inform my right hon. Friend, he will look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire as to the washing arrangements for casuals at the casual wards at Hitchen, Hudders- field, Rochdale, Barnsley, Aylesbury, Thame, King's Lynn, Devizes, Pewsey, Yeovil, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Wallingford, Wisbech, and Edgware?

Yes, Sir. Officers of my Department will give special attention to these arrangements in their inspections of these institutions.

asked the Minister of Health whether any women are at present employed on inspectoral work in connection with children under the care of local authorities who are boarded out with foster parents; if so, what grade of officer is employed on this work; and what are the duties allocated to the staff concerned?

There are 10 women inspectors, on a scale of salary of £250, rising to £400 per annum, exclusive of cost-of-living bonus, whose work includes the inspection of boarding-out. Their duties in this connection are to ascertain and report upon the manner in which boarding-out committees are carrying out their work and to advise such committees. The actual inspection of individual children and of the houses of foster parents is a duty of the boarding-out committees themselves.

asked the Minister of Health why the formula in Cmd. 3134 results in a reduction in rates of 4¾. in Seaham Harbour, of 6d. in Houghton-le-Spring, and of 4s. 10¾d. in Bishop Auckland?

The redistribution of Poor Law charges and of certain highway expenditure in the manner indicated in Cmd. 3134 would necessarily cause considerable alterations in the incidence of rates within a county. Thus, in the year taken for the purposes of the illustration given in Cmd. 3134 the poundage of the rates levied for Poor Law charges was 6s. 9½d. in Seaham Harbour, 6s. 11½d. in Houghton-le-Spring and 12s. 10d. in Bishop Auckland, while it is estimated that, on such a redistribution of these charges as is contemplated, the uniform county rate would have been 8s. O¼d. This alteration, with other alterations, is reflected in the figures quoted by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health why the formula given in Cmd. 3134 results in a relief of rates of 5s. 5d. in Leyton, 5s. 8¼. in Walthamstow, 9.7d. in East Ham, and 9d. in West Ham?

The redistribution of Poor Law charges on the basis indicated in the latter part of paragraph 30 ( a ) of Cmd. 3134 would, it is estimated, result in a considerable reduction of the rates in such parts of the West Ham Union as are situate in the Administrative County of Essex, and this reduction is reflected in the figures for Leyton and Walthamstow quoted by the hon. Member. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that the figures given in Cmd. 3134 are, as is explained in paragraph 35, subject to adjustment and are not intended to be more than a rough illustration of the working of the scheme. They must not be taken as showing the precise reduction of rates which will be secured in any particular case. I would also refer her to the first paragraph on page 24 in which the position of the West Ham Union is explained. The case of this Union is exceptional and is receiving further consideration.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government is likely to be presented?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the Royal Commission hope to present a Report on certain questions within their terms of reference towards the beginning of November.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now recommend the issue of an Order in Council granting a charter of incorporation to the urban district of Walthamstow?

The consideration of applications for charters of incorporation is being deferred by the Privy Council until the Royal Commission on Local Government have made their report.

asked the Minister of Health, for the years ended 31st March, 1925, 1926, and 1927, the sum of the Government grants received by local authorities in England and Wales?

The amounts of Government grants received by local authorities in England and Wales in the years ended 31st March, 1925 and 1926, were £81,741,763 and £84,634,809, respectively. The amount received in the year ended 31st March, 1927, was approximately £87,000,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number and the names and situation of the collieries in which coal is raised that is won from seams being worked under the sea: and what is the total quantity of under-sea coal thus raised in each of these collieries in Great Britain for the year 1927, or for 1925 if this is not available for 1927?

A list is appended of the mines which, so far as the information is available, have the right to obtain some portion of their output from under the sea. The total output of these mines in 1927 was about 15,500,000 tons, but I am unable to say what proportion of that output was under-sea coal. As regards the output of the individual pits, I am not at liberty to publish this information.

Mines with Under-Sea Working Rights in 1927.

England.

Cumberland:

Harrington No. 10.

St. Helens No. 3.

Risehow.

Whitehaven:

William Pit.

Ladysmith.

Haig and Wellington.

Durham:

Dawdon.

Seaham.

Easington.

Hylton.

Wearmouth.

Whitburn.

Ryhope.

Horden.

Blackhall.

St. Hilda and Vestoe.

North Biddick.

Northumberland:

Cambois.

North Seaton.

Cowpen Mill.

Newbiggin.

Ashington.

Ellington.

West Sleekburn.

Hauxley, including Newburgh.

Wales.

Carmarthen:

Morlais.

Crown.

Flint:

Point of Ayr.

Englefield.

Bettisfield.

Glamorgan:

Broadoak.

Beili Glas Wern.

Bertylwdd.

Scotland.

Argyll: Argyll.

Edinburgh: Newcraighall.

Fife:

Leven.

Seafield.

Valleyfield.

Dysart.

Michael.

Muiredge.

Rosie.

Wellesley.

Haddington:

Prestongrange.

Prestonlinks.

Linlithgow:

Carriden.

Bridgeness No. 2.

Bridgeness No. 6.

Bridgeness No. 7.

Stirling:

Manor Powis.

Polmaise Nos. 1 and 2.

Polmaise Nos. 3 and 4.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recent disaster at London Bridge Station and the complaints regarding delays and uncertainty of train services, he can make any statement as to the working of the signalling and points system under the new conditions; and what are the prospects that normal working will soon be established?

Some delays have, I understand, occurred in connection with the initiation of the new signalling and intensive service conditions at London Bridge, but such delays, so far as they are due to electrical faults, are now diminishing. I am informed that the faults, which must be expected to occur at the initial stage of such a considerable undertaking, are not in any case likely to be a source of danger.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of dead-end branch lines on our railways and their aggregate mileage: what are the number and mileage of those that are worked at a loss; and whether he will consider empowering the companies to close such branches as are permanently unprofitable on condition that they provide adequate alternative facilities by road under their new powers?

I have no information that would enable me to answer the first two parts of this question. With regard to the third part, I have no power to authorise railway companies to close such branch railways as are permanently unprofitable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Central Electricity Board has considered the possibility of laying transmission lines underground so as to avoid a repetition over the country side of the kind of disfigurement which has followed electric development at the foothills of Snowdonia; and how the cost of such underground lines would compare with overhead transmission?

The Central Electricity Board have considered the question of underground cables and are satisfied that in the present state of knowledge it would be impracticable on technical grounds to employ underground cables for the main transmission lines of the grid. Even if it were possible, the cost of cables would probably be from three to four times as much as overhead lines, and perhaps, therefore, I should add that the Government in promoting the 1926 Act were animated with a desire to organise electrical production (of which this main transmission is a necessary part) on the most economic lines.

asked the Minister of Labour what precautions are taken by managers of Employment Exchanges when sending unemployed men to vacancies at a distance from their own town to see that there are no local unemployed men who are suitable for the vacancies?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 5th July, of which I am sending him a copy. It explains the normal procedure of the Exchanges and the special procedure which has recently been adopted for the benefit of men from the depressed areas.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of mine workers unemployed at the latest possible date; and will he give separately the number unemployed in Yorkshire?

The number of persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry who were recorded as unemployed in Great Britain on 25th June was 299,449, of whom 130,483 were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers. The corresponding figures for the County of Yorkshire were 46,580 and 30,451 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, who were receiving unemploy- ment benefit have had their benefit discontinued since 30th December, 1927, solely on account of their having reached 65 years of age?

Between 1st January, 1928, and 2nd July, about 32,800 men and 1,100 women in Great Britain ceased to have current claims for unemployment benefit by reason of their having attained the age of 65. There are no statistics showing how many of them remained unemployed.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many non-provided schools have been closed or transferred to local authorities during the last four years; and the causes to which such closures and transfers have been due?

The number of non-provided public elementary schools which have been closed or transferred to the local authority during the last four years for which complete particulars are available is 386–128 in 1923–24, 86 in 1924–25, 85 in 1925–26 and 87 in 1926–27. The corresponding number for the previous four years was 466. These closures and transfers are due to a variety of causes, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the effect of the so-called "Black Lists" on the position of voluntary schools, he will see from these figures that the issue of those lists has synchronised with a reduction, rather than an increase, in the mortality rate among these schools.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will inquire into the circumstances attending the refusal of dental treatment to Mr. A. S. Norton, of 2, Francis Street, Stratford, E.15, late private, No. 426234, Labour Corps?

I have ascertained that no application for dental treatment has been received from the pensioner referred to. The only communication on the subject of dental treatment in this case was a letter of inquiry from the hon. Member himself. As dental trouble has not been accepted as an element of the pensioner's war disablement, dental treatment would not ordinarily be given at the expense of the Ministry, and I understand that the hon. Member has been correctly informed to this effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the agreement made between the British Government and the United States Government in 1920, which provided, in part, that either Government could within four months of the confirmation of the agreement present any claims which they desired to submit to arbitration, whether he will say what claims were submitted by the respective Governments to each other for arbitration?

The hon. Member must be under some misapprehension. No such claims agreement as that described by the hon. Member was concluded between Great Britain and the United States in 1920.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the military and intelligence authorities refused permission to Lieut. T. S. Knowles, 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, to travel into the interior of China, he can say why the legation authorities gave this young officer, who had only recently arrived in China, permission to go into the disturbed country west of Peking; and if he will say when the promised investigation into the facts is to take place and what is causing the delay?

In view of the general warning against travelling in the interior issued by His Majesty's Minister at Peking at the time of the withdrawal of British subjects to the coast in the spring of last year, Lieut. Knowles was refused leave by the military authorities unless the Chinese authorities provided the usual passport, and His Majesty's Legation raised no objection to his journey. The passport was granted by the Wai-chiao-Pu in the usual way. Two British and American parties, including a number of ladies, had visited during the summer the places to which Lieut. Knowles wished to travel, and early in September Mr. Teichman, the Chinese Secretary to His Majesty's Legation, had returned from a three weeks' tour with his wife in the same country. They had found the district perfectly peaceful and undisturbed either by soldiers or brigands, and in view therefore of the immediate experience of Mr. Teichman and his wife no reason was seen for objecting to Lieut. Knowles' trip. The outbreak of hostilities in these regions at the beginning of October occurred quite suddenly and without warning. It is hoped to conduct an investigation on the spot into the circumstances of Lieut. Knowles' death as soon as conditions permit. For the moment it is impossible to send any such mission to the locality because, as is always the case in regions where Chinese civil warfare has prevailed for any length of time, the countryside is now reported to be in a very disturbed state.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement has been entered into between this or any previous British Government and the United States Government for abandoning the claims of British bondholders for money loaned to states and cities in the United States and upon which no interest has been paid for a number of years?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the method adopted by the French authorities in this country for recruiting young Englishmen under age to the French Foreign Legion: and whether he will come to some understanding with the French Government that no facilities whatever be given to young Englishmen to join the French Foreign Legion?

The hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. The French authorities in this country do not recruit any persons for the French Foreign Legion. I understand that no facilities are knowingly given to young Englishmen under the age of 21 to join the French Foreign Legion. I may, perhaps, add that the French Government refuse to consider the release of any person from the Legion unless he was under 18 years of age when he enlisted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress" was last put into commission; what was the cost of commissioning her: how long she was in commission; and what expenditure is incurred on care and maintenance when not in commission?

The answer to the first part of the question is 8th February, 1926; to the second part £191 17s. 4d.; to the third part thirteen days; and to the last part £2,645 a year. I may add that the future of the "Enchantress" is now under my consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India the number of the rank and file in the British Army stationed in India?

The strength of the rank and file of the British Army stationed in India on 1st April. 1928, was 55,712. If warrant officers and noncommissioned officers are included, the figure is 60,201.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any regulations are in force in regard to the compulsory insurance of civilian air pilots?

There are no statutory regulations making the insurance of civil pilots compulsory. I understand, however, that it is not unusual to find provision made by the larger civil aviation undertakings for the insurance of their pilots as one of the conditions of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he proposes to make special arrangements for adequate allowances and a competent staff to be provided for the High Commissioner for Great Britain in Canada: whether the High Commissioner will travel throughout the Dominion with the object of promoting British trade interests; and if ample provision for his expenses for this purpose will be made?

Details of the arrangements as regards staff and expenses are still under consideration. It is certainly intended that travel in Canada should form part of the High Commissioner's duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the recently appointed High Commissioner for Great Britain in Canada will enjoy privileges similar to those of foreign diplomatic representatives; if he will take precedence over representatives of all foreign powers; and if, in submitting proposals respecting British commercial interests to the Government of Canada, he will have the full diplomatic support of His Majesty's Government?

The matters referred to in the first and second parts of the question are primarily for the consideration of His Majesty's Government in Canada. Inquiries are being made, but on the question of precedence I would remind my hon. Friend of the analogous case of Dominion High Commissioners in this country who rank immediately after Cabinet Ministers, but not before foreign representatives. As regards the third part of the question, it is, of course, contemplated that the High Commissioner for Great Britain in Canada should be authorised to make representations on commercial questions to the Canadian Government when instructed to do so by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has considered the particulars of a claim made by Mr. St. Vincent Bowen Down, lately trading in Sarawak, against His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak, and submitted to him by the Governor of the Straits Settlement and British agent for Sarawak; and what action he proposes to take?

I have given full consideration to Mr. Down's claim but, as he has been informed, I am unable to take any action on his behalf.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the public protests made against the extent of the gambling connected with the Singapore racecourse meetings made by His Highness the Sultan of Johore and by representative public men; and will he make inquiries as to the advisability of taking legislative action to check the evils connected with and arising out of such gambling?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore immediately arise. If, however, the hon. Member will communicate to me the information on which his question is based, I will gladly give it my consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to recommend to the House legislation to secure that the representation of all two-Member seats should be on a geographical basis or, failing that, that there should he uniformity of method in all such cases by the other means; and, if he is not so prepared, whether he will consider this in connection with the next Redistribution Bill?

I am afraid I cannot promise legislation on the subject, but I will certainly have the point noted as suggested in the latter part of the question.