asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the departmental investigation commenced in June last of the question of assets and depreciation in co-operative trading and the loss to the Exchequer of Income Tax is now complete; whether the Report shows that the loss under the existing Income Tax law is limited to £100,000 per annum; and whether he intends to take any steps to collect the tax now lost?

This investigation is a laborious one, and has not yet been completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any records or means of finding out how many British people reside abroad over six months in each year with the object of being exempt from payment of Income Tax; and what loss approximately the revenue suffers from this source?

No, Sir, there are no data on which any estimate of the kind suggested can be based.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any official restrictions have been placed upon the stabilisation of pensions at the rates set out in the War Warrants and, if so, what are the restrictions?

No, Sir. The position is as stated in the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Hexham (Colonel Brown) on 31st July last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions the amount of money still available in the voluntary funds at his disposal for the assistance of ex-service men or the widows and children of men who gave their lives for the country; whether the fund or funds is administered by trustees or is at his unfettered disposal; the number of applications received in the 12 months ending 30th September, 1928; the number granted and the amount of money disbursed; and the conditions under which grants are made and the specific objects or purposes in respect of which a pensioner or the widows and children of deceased sailors, soldiers, or airmen not admitted to pension may receive assistance?

The balance not already earmarked for specific distributions is approximately £16,000. The Fund is administered by my right hon. Friend as sole trustee under a scheme made by the Charity Commissioners under the Charitable Trusts Acts. During the year ended 30th September, 1928, 1,418 applications were received, and 546 grants were approved of a total amount of £3,386. It is impracticable within the scope of an answer to detail the regulations governing the Fund or to describe the very varied types of cases assisted. Disablement or death by Great War service is a condition precedent to the issue of a grant. The majority of grants now being made are for the benefit of children of deceased men, and in the main with the object of assisting them to earn a livelihood. In a small number of cases grants are still being made to enable pensioners who have been in receipt of treatment for prolonged periods to set up in business.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether there is still a cinema officer employed by the Empire Marketing Board; what is his salary; what are his duties; has he had any previous experience in cinema work; and what is the estimated amount to be spent by the Empire Marketing Board this year upon film production?

A cinema officer is employed under the Empire Marketing Board at a salary of £1,250. His duties are to supervise all the activities undertaken on behalf of the Board in regard to films, including the production, by established firms in the trade, of any films which the Board may require for publicity purposes. The officer had not previously been engaged in technical cinema work, but he had had experience which was felt to qualify him for the Board's particular requirements in this field. The present commitments of the Board for production purposes in the current year are limited to £3,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilian pilots qualified at the five light aeroplane clubs during the first nine months of 1927 and 1928; and how many civilians passed a qualified pilot's test outside the clubs?

As regards the first part of the question, there were six light aeroplane clubs in operation during the period January to September, 1927, and 11 at the beginning and 13 at the end of the period January to September, 1928. The number of new licences issued to club members during the former period was 56, and during the latter period 171. As regards the second part, the number of civil licences issued to persons other than those above during the same periods was 87 and 136 respectively. in all cases licences issued to serving Royal Air Force officers are excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has at any time received representations from Imperial Airways, Limited, or the Government nominees upon its board of directors, to the effect that the railway companies were refusing reasonable co-operation with them in the development of their through freight and passenger services; and whether, in view of the intention of the railway companies to inaugurate air services, he intends by any official or unofficial intervention to attempt to improve the relations between these two branches of transport?

As regards the first part of the question, I have been aware that negotiations have been (and, I understand, still are) taking place between Imperial Airways and the railway companies, but I have not as yet received any official representations of the kind referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. As regards the second part, the question is primarily one for arrangement between Imperial Airways and the railways, but I should be happy to render any assistance in my power, if and when it appears that such action is likely to serve a useful purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the site for the equestrian statue of Earl Haig has vet been decided; and, if not, what is the present position of the negotiations?

The Government, after very full consideration, have come to the conclusion that, on national grounds, the most suitable site for this statute is in the centre of Whitehall, between the Scottish Office and the Royal United Services Institution.

asked the Minister of Health if he can make a statement as to what the intentions of his Department may be regarding the housing subsidy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Thursday last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Wellock).

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the hardship and injustice caused to the owners of leasehold property required for improvement and reconstruction schemes by the provisions of Section 46 of the Housing Act, 1925, as to compensation; and whether he proposes to amend the Act?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Nottingham Central (Mr. Bennett) of which I will send the hon. Member a cope.

asked the Minister of Health the amount paid by boards of guardians to ordinarily employed persons and their dependants during each of the first three quarters of the present year, and the number of such persons in each case?

The amounts paid by boards of guardians in England arid Wales, in out-relief in money and kind, to persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants during each of the first three quarters of the present year were as follow:During the quarter ending—

		£
March, 1928	…	1,689,700
June, 1928	…	1,446,600
September, 1928	…	1,245,500

The average numbers of persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation and their dependants to whom these amounts were distributed were 498,321, 438,320 and 381,089 in the respective quarters.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the circumstances affecting the non-payment of the contributory old age pension to Mr. A. J. Wells, of 112, Gurney Road, Stratford, West Ham?

I have made inquiries and find that the pension order book was at the selected post office on 20th October, but the form issued to Mr. Wells to enable him to claim the book apparently miscarried. A new form was issued on the 8th instant, and the arrears of pension have now been received by him.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the extent of the ravages of Dutch elm disease in this country, and the measures by which it is to be combated?

The survey which was carried out this year has shown that Dutch elm disease is attacking elm trees in 20 counties in the Midlands and South East of England. Pending results from research work now in progress, it is impossible to recommend any measures beyond the destruction of severely infected trees. A leaflet dealing with the disease is in course of preparation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of officers of the Excise Department who are employed in artificial silk factories?

The number of officers of Customs and Excise who are employed solely in artificial silk factories is 29.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many industrial and other employés have been discharged from Government establishments under the War Office since the Prime Minister's letter to employers in August last?

I am not in a position to give this information, which could only be obtained with considerable labour by inquiry from the various establishments concerned. But from figures available at the War Office, it appears that between 1st July and 1st October last the net decrease from all causes in the number of employs in War Department establishments in the United Kingdom was less than 1 per 1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make on the present position in Egypt?

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 30th July.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether results of the first school examination are taken by the Board to supply a rough measure of the efficiency of the individual secondary schools which take the examination?

No, Sir; the Board never apply rough measures to secondary schools.

asked the Minister of Transport the annual amount of money spent on the up-keep of roads in Great Britain in 1926–27, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1923–24, and 1924–25?

The information desired by my hon. Friend will be found, so far as it is available, in Appendix 13 of the Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1927–28.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the outbreak of fire in the railway accident at Charfield, and to Tie fact that the carriages were lighted with gas; and whether, in view of the repeated recommendations that gas, as an illuminant for railway carriages, should be dispensed with, he will consider the desirability of taking steps to enforce these recommendations?

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the recent railway accident at Charfield, which resulted in serious loss of life by burning and suffocation through the train being lighted by gas, what steps he is taking with the railway companies in order that this inflammable system of lighting trains by gas may be superseded?

As regards the use of gas for lighting railway carriages, I would refer hon. Members to the answer given on 8th November to a question on this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Heywood (Colonel England). I may add that any recommendations on this subject which may be made as a result of the inquiry into the particular railway accident mentioned in the questions will be carefully considered as soon as I receive the report of that inquiry.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the serious injury often sustained by persons from motor vehicles and the failure to obtain compensation owing to the want of means of those responsible, he will introduce a measure to compel third-party insurance of all holders of licences?

A scheme of compulsory insurance applicable to motor vehicles generally would involve great difficulties, but I have included in the Draft Road Traffic Bill certain proposals with regard to insurance against third party risks on the part of owners of motor omnibuses and motor coaches.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received any complaints of injuries or accidents caused by the emission of sparks or coarse atoms from the smoke stacks of steam lorries and tractors; and if there are any regulations governing the control of these vehicles as regards screens for smoke stacks or other preventives of nuisance in the direction indicated?

I have received complaints of the danger attending the emission of sparks from steam vehicles. At the present time I have not the power to prescribe the fitting of spark arresters to all classes of steam vehicles, but when Parliamentary time is available I propose to seek the necessary powers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the work in connection with the survey of the proposed road bridge over the Forth has been completed; and when he expects to receive a report on the matter?

In view of the wide scope and the difficulties of the investigations which have to be conducted, I do not expect that the report wilt reach my Department until the spring of next year.

asked the Minister for Transport what progress has been made with the operations in prospecting for the proposed Tay road bridge; and whether he can now report on the borings which have been in process for some considerable time?

The borings have been completed, but the engineering reports are not yet in my hands.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position of the negotiations between his Department, the London County Council, and the Southern Railway Company regarding the proposed new Charing Cross bridge?

Negotiations are still proceeding, but owing to the magnitude and complexity of the proposals the negotiations must necessarily be prolonged. I am afraid I shall not be in a position to make any statement on the subject in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport, having regard to the recent decision of the Corporation of London to apply to Parliament for an extension of time for the construction of St. Paul's Bridge, whether he is prepared to support the recommendations of the Royal Commission appointed last year, which decided that the bridge should not be built?

No official communication has been received from the City Corporation on the subject of the most suitable alternative to the St. Paul's Bridge scheme for which the Corporation first obtained Parliamentary powers in 1911. The existing Parliamentary sanction expires in April, 1929, and I understand from reports in the Press that the Corporation propose to apply to Parliament for an extension of these powers for a further period of two years from that date. Parliament will have an opportunity in due course of deciding on the merits of the application.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Joint Departmental Committee on Mineral Transport has yet issued its Report or made any recommendations; and whether any results in the improvement of the transport of coal have resulted from the deliberations of this committee?

Sir Arthur Duck-ham, the Chairman of the Committee, who is at present in Australia as leader of the Government Trade Mission, informed me that the committee was not at present in a position to make any definite recommendations as it had found it necessary to make detailed investigations into the existing facilities, the present user of wagons and other matters affecting its reference. I understand that while considerable progress has been made with these inquiries they are not yet complete, but that it is hoped that the committee will be able to prepare a report containing its recommendations and suggestions during the earlier part of next year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the question of requiring applicants for motor-driving licences to undergo a physical examination is being investigated by the Public Control Committee on the London County Council; and whether his Department will now take up this matter with regard to licences for prospective drivers throughout the whole of the country?

I shall be interested to learn the result of the investigation to which my hon. Friend refers. 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 last year. Under the existing law, there is no authority for the physical examination of applicants for driving licences.

asked the Minister of Transport as to the present position of the new Victoria Dock Road scheme?

Agreement has now been reached as to the contributions to be made by the various local authorities concerned to the cost of the scheme and the London County Council and the West Ham Corporation are promoting a Bill in the present Session to secure the necessary Parliamentary powers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to introduce the Road Traffic Bill during the present Session?

The pressure on Parliamentary time is such that I am afraid there is no prospect of the Bill being introduced during the present Session.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to assist our iron, steel, and coal industries, he will cause inquiries to be made among the railway managers as to the possibility of substituting pooled or separate orders for steel sleepers for the present timber supplies coming from abroad?

This question has, I understand, been considered from time to time, but I will bring my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion to the notice of the railway companies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the dangerous state of the Colnbrook by-pass section of the Bath road during wet weather; and what action he has taken in the matter?

When this new bypass was first opened, parts of the carriageway were found to be slippery under certain weather conditions. The surface has since been satisfactorily improved by the application of suitable dressings.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the negotiations between the Kent County Council and the Southern Railway Company in regard to freeing the King's Ferry bridge from tolls have been definitely concluded?

I understand that negotiations are in progress, but that no conclusion has yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of accidents that have occurred during the last twelve months in London where the one-way traffic system has been introduced, giving particulars of those that have resulted fatally?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The number of accidents that have occurred during the twelve months ending 30th September (the latest date up to which they have been collated) in London at the 26 places where the one-way traffic system has been introduced is as follows:

Injuries. (Metropolitan Police District and City of London).			Damage to Property only (Metropolitan Police District only).
Fatal.	Non-Fatal.
	Serious.	Slight.
3	44	539	2,232

Brief particulars of the three fatal accidents:(1) 8th June, 1928. 1.50 p.m. Pall Mall East, opposite Hamptons.—Man aged 82 years, crossing roadway was knocked down by a motor omnibus.(2) 7th July, 1928. 1.50 p.m. Pall Mall, opposite No. 125.—Man, aged 61 years, crossing roadway, hesitated and was knocked down by a motor omnibus.(3) 8th September, 1928. 10.19 p.m. Mare Street, Hackney, opposite Old Town Hall.—Pedal cyclist, aged 15 years, collided with a motor omnibus and fell beneath it.During the month of October two further fatalities occurred, brief particulars of which are as follow:(1) 4th October, 1928. 10.40 a.m. Duncannon Street junction of Morely's Hill.—Man, aged 64 years, stepped off refuge in front of a motor omnibus and was knocked down.(2) 27th October, 1928. 2.45 p.m. Duncannon Street junction of Trafalgar Square.—Woman, aged 38 years, stepped off refuge and was knocked down by an Omnibus.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motor-car accidents between 1st November, 1927, and 1st November, 1928, have been due to the practice of leaving motor cars and lorries in a stationary position facing oncoming traffic?

I have been asked to reply to this question. There are no available statistics on the subject. I may add, however, that as respects the Metropolitan Police District, I am informed that such accidents are probably quite few in number, except perhaps in one or two localities such as the vicinity of Covent Garden.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can indicate the results following the milk publicity campaign to which the Empire Marketing Board contributed £225,000; and what further measures are in view in co-operation with the organisations of farmers and distributors?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Empire Marketing Board have obtained returns from milk retailers throughout the country, including private firms and cooperative societies, showing their weekly retail sales of milk before and after the Board's milk publicity campaign was launched, with corresponding figures for the year 1927. The normal consumption of milk is greater in the summer than in the winter months, but in 65 per cent. of the returns the increase in sales after mid-April this year was greater than the corresponding increase last year. Of the remaining 35 per cent., a large proportion were in districts where industrial depression is most acute. The Empire Marketing Board intimated, when the original grant of £25,000 was approved, that, in considering the question of any further grant for this purpose, they would in part be guided by the prospect of producers and distributors themselves devoting to a campaign for the same purpose a sum equal to the contribution on behalf of the Board. No indication has been received either from producers or distributors that such a contribution would be forthcoming, and the question of further measures is, accordingly, not at present before the Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can indicate the progress of the movement for the grading and marketing of English cheese by cooperative methods with the support of the Empire Marketing Board?

Since let June, 1927, when the Cheshire Cheese Federation commenced grading, the total quantity of cheese graded and marked up to 31st October, 1928, was 2,700 tons. The number of accredited makers at the latter date was 230. The English Cheddar Cheesemakers' Federation, which began grading on 1st August, 1927, had graded and marked 600 tons of cheese up to 31st October, 1928, when it had a membership of 318 cheesemaking farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the complaints made that the continued restrictions in connection with foot-and-mouth disease upon the importation of pigs' feet, heads, etc., from abroad have so increased the cost to the foreign exporters of sending the goods to this country as to cause many shippers to abandon the traffic; that the reduction of supplies is causing hardship to many poor people to whom these commodities are a staple article of food; and that the restrictions are having the effect of crippling the packing trade in these goods for export to West Africa; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

I have received only one complaint against the conditions imposed in respect of pigs' feet, heads, etc., imported into this country from the Continent, and I am not aware that the restrictions have seriously affected the import trade in these products, nor that they are causing hardship to people who rely upon these products as an important article of food. I have no information as regards the last part of the question, but will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the appointed day has yet been fixed for the coming into operation of the Companies Act, 1928; and whether and, if so, when he proposes to recommend His Majesty to issue the necessary Orders in Council under Section 118 (4) to make the provisions of the Act effective?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, it is not intended to issue Orders in Council until legislation consolidating the Companies Acts has been passed. I hope that it will be possible to pass this legislation before the end of the Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Law so as to give greater freedom and facilities to gas undertakings to enable them to raise capital under modern conditions to enter into working arrangements with allied industries and to improve from the point of view of the consumer the method of charging for gas?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade last Thursday to the hon. Member for Sutton, Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) a copy of which I am sending him.

—			Imports.	Exports.	Re-exports.
1928:			£	£	£
1st Quarter	…	…	2,021,151	797,660	356,916
2nd Quarter	…	…	4,059,011	787,004	704,281
3rd Quarter	…	…	7,551,944	705,746	579,132
Total of above	…	…	13,632,106	2,290,410	1,640,329

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the Report of the committee appointed by the British Science Guild to consider the reform of the British patent system; and whether he will state the views of his Depart-

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the interests of trade and commerce, he will consider the need for providing facilities for the introduction of gas legislation this session, removing some of the existing hampering restrictions; and whether he will endeavour to arrange for a moderate and non-controversial Bill to that end?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade last Thursday to the hon. Member for Sutton, Plymouth (Viscountess Astor), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total values of the imports from Soviet. Russia in each of the first three quarters of 1928 and the total value of the British exports to Soviet Russia during the same three periods, distinguishing in the latter case between exports of British manufactures and re-exports?

The following statement shows the total declared values of merchandise imported into and exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered as consigned from and to Russia during each of the first three quarters of 1928:ment on the various proposals therein contained?

I recently received a copy of this Report, which is a document of some 48 pages, containing a number of suggestions for the alteration of Patent Law and administration. The Report will receive careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present position as regarding the proposed reduction in the remuneration of sub-postmasters for payment of Army and Navy allowances and pensions?

asked the Postmaster-General whether any reductions contemplated in the remuneration of sub-postmasters in respect of the payment of Army and Navy allowances and pensions will be submitted by him to the Industrial Court before they are enforced?

I will answer these two questions together. This matter is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend hopes to reach a decision in the course of a few days.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department has considered the position of television; whether he considers it is necessary to revise the present Wireless Telegraphy Acts; and whether, if the Royal Charter granted to the British Broadcasting Company does not include the transmission of photographs by such methods as the Fultograph process, any application has been received to increase the scope of the power of the British Broadcasting Company to include television?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the subject of television to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 8th November. I do not consider it necessary to revise the Wireless Telegraphy Acts or the Royal Charter of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The question whether any modification is desirable in the terms of the Corporation's licence is at present under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General why, seeing that 100 members of the staff of the Central Telegraph Office, London, have been asked to retire before reaching the normal retiring age, one member of the staff was recently granted six months' extension over the retiring age; and will he cause inquiries to be made as to the reasons for this apparent discrepancy?

The extension of service, to which the hon. Member refers, is no doubt one of a number granted before the decision was taken to reduce the staff of the Central Telegraph Office. In some cases, where it was found that a curtailment of the extension already granted would cause material inconvenience and hardship to the officers concerned, they have been allowed to remain till the date already notified to them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will again have inquiry made into the telephone facilities at the post office, Chaddersley Corbet, Worcestershire; and whether he is aware that in that office, in which there is barely room for two persons to stand at the public counter, the telephone is not enclosed in any way and any telephone conversations are quite public?

I will have local inquiry made again, and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of saving he hopes to effect by having placed two bronze-wire contracts with French and German firms instead of with British firms; and what steps he is taking to insure that future contracts are executed in this country?

The quotations of the associated British manufacturers for the conversion of the raw material (which is of foreign origin) into the finished article exceeded the foreign quotations by between £9,000 and £10,000, or over 37 per cent. As for future orders, my right hon. Friend will continue to apply the policy of an effective preference for British manufacture where reasonable quotations are obtainable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the lack of ventilation in the public telephone boxes throughout the country; and whether he can see his way to taking some steps to remedy this defect?

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the ventilation of public telephone boxes; but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind, I shall be glad to inquire into them.

asked the Postmaster-General, (1) if the workmen now being discharged from the Post Office engineering department are connected in any way with telephone installation; and, if so, whether all such installation work is fully up to date?(2) the reasons for the discharge throughout the country of a number of workmen hitherto employed in the Post Office engineering department; the numbers of such dismissals according to districts of the department; whether expert men, with many years' service are being discharged with one week's salary only; and whether, in view of the desirability of avoiding any increase of unemployment at the present moment, he will suspend the notice of all such dismissals.

I will answer the hon. Member's questions together. Most of the workmen discharged from the Post Office Engineering Department were previously engaged on the construction of telegraph and telephone lines. The workmen whose services have been retained are considered to be sufficient in number to cope with demands for telephone installations now on hand. It has, unfortunately, been necessary to discharge some men who have given considerable service to the Post Office. I will send the hon. Member a schedule showing the discharges, district by district. The terms of engagement of workmen admit of their discharge without notice, but it is the practice to give as long notice as possible. I am afraid that I should not he justified in retaining the services of men for whom no work is available, but the discharged men will be considered for further employment as opportunities occur.

asked the Postmaster-General what special circumstances prevailed in the appointment of Captain F. G. Lee from the position as ware- houseman at the stores department in Birmingham to the postmastership of Stonehouse S.O., Stroud, Gloucestershire; whether Captain Lee had any knowledge of work in a post office; and whether, since his appointment as postmaster, it has been necessary for the staff at Stonehouse to perform overtime owing to his inexperience?

Appointments to postmasterships are open to all grades in the Post Office service. Captain Lee was selected for the post referred to because his past record and the reports from his superior officers indicated that he possessed the qualifications necessary for the successful control of the office, and his claims were regarded as stronger than those of any of the other candidates. He was appointed on 1st July last, and a small amount of overtime was incurred during the first two weeks while he was making himself acquainted with the details of certain items of duty at the office.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed in rural stations in Essex; and whether he is taking any steps to expedite the provision of such telephones?

Twenty-two up to date; fifteen more are in hand.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the arrangements made between the British Broadcasting Company and Wireless Pictures (1928), Limited; and whether these arrangements received his approval prior to the issue of the prospectus for public subscription?

The answer to both parts of the question is generally in the affirmative.

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to instal telephone communciation with the Channel Islands; and what have been the obstacles hitherto?

I am examining the possibility of providing telephone communication with the Channel Islands, but am not yet able to furnish any definite information. The obstacles have been and are both financial and technical.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the daily average number of messages sent by the telephone transmitter at Rugby from 1st May, 1928?

The figure for the period 1st May to 7th November was 28.9.

asked the Postmaster-General the present state of the negotiations between the General Post Office and the telephone administrations of the 18 European countries with which Great Britain is in telephonic communication for the purpose of establishing a person-to-person service?

The negotiations are in an early stage, and I regret that at present I am not in a position to make any statement about their progress. There is no difficulty so far as Great Britain is concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General what telephone exchanges are now operated on the automatic system and the number of subscribers affected; and what further extension of the automatic system is contemplated in the near future?

The number of automatic telephone exchanges already working is 129 comprising about 150,000 subscribers' lines. I am sending a schedule of these exchanges to my hon. Friend separately. It is hoped to open about 50 additional exchanges by the end of 1929.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of wireless licences in existence to the last convenient date?

The number of wireless receiving licences in force on 31st October last was in round figures 2,543,000.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of cable lines and telegraph and telephone trunk circuits that were totally disconnected owing to the recent fire which took place in the Victoria Embankment subway; and whether all these lines are now restored to full service?

The number of Post Office telephone and telegraph circuits disconnected as a result of the fire in the Victoria Embankment subway on 8th September was:

Telegraph	…	85
Telephone trunks	…	129
Telephone junctions	…	1,800
Subscribers' circuits	…	1,375

All these circuits have been restored.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephone kiosks that have been erected in the Metropolitan district to the last convenient date?

At 30th September last there were 1,119 telephone kiosks in the London telephone area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain the circumstances under which a cavalry regiment of His Majesty's Army engaged in the French army manoeuvres on German territory this summer?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone).

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the growing number of visitors coming by char-a-bane and otherwise during the summer months from the Devonshire holiday resorts to the vicinity of Dartmoor with the object of seeing convicts at work in and around Princetown; and, if so, will he take steps to prevent such an exhibition?

Yes, Sir. There is a public road which goes through the prison land, and sightseers by loitering on this road have been able to catch sight of parties of convicts going to or from their work. Arrangements are being made which will in future reduce to a minimum the possibilities of observation, and I hope that next summer these arrangements will frustrate this ill-mannered curiosity.

asked the Home Secretary the number of work places, the approximate number of persons employed, and the principal trades in which Saturday has been definitely abolished as a working day; and whether the weekly earn- ings of the workers affected under the five-day system have been maintained at the same level as under the six-day system?

I regret that no figures are available as to the number of works or persons employed. The reports of the factory inspectors show that the five-day week has been introduced in a number of factories in different industries either as a permanent arrangement or temporarily as a method of working short time, but there does not appear to be any industry in which it has been universally or even generally adopted. I have no information as to the last part of the question, but the fact that where the system is in operation the workers seem to be almost unanimously in favour of it may be taken to indicate that the weekly earnings have not been substantially affected.