asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a request for financial assistance towards the North Cliffs Improvement Scheme, Camborne; and what action he proposes to take?

A local resident has called my attention to the desirability of improving the access to the coast and constructing cliff-walks, but I have received no application from the local authorities, with whom, as I have pointed out to my correspondent, the responsibility rests for initiating schemes of this character.

asked the Minister of Transport what action, if any, has been taken to deal with the overcrowding on trains running between 8 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. on the Underground Railway, particularly the section between Kennington and Euston?

No representations have recently been made to me in regard to this matter, but I have brought the hon. Member's question to the notice of the railway company and asked them for information on the point he raises.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make available for inspection by Members, either in the Library or elsewhere, the report of the surveyors and estimate of probable costs in connection with the proposed scheme for a Forth and Clyde canal?

I would remind the hon. Member that many schemes have been put forward for the construction of a ship canal between the Forth and the Clyde. Various schemes were considered by the Royal Commission on Canals and Inland Navigations before the War, and by the Admiralty, and in 1918 the Ministry of Reconstruction, in conjunction with the other Departments, examined the proposals and came to the conclusion that the estimates of the cost of constructing such a canal, prepared by Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company, and others, could not be satisfactorily tested until a detailed geological survey of the route had been carried out. It is, as has previously been explained, for the advocates of the canal to make any necessary survey of this nature. In all the circumstances, I do not propose to place in the Library or elsewhere the reports or estimates put forward by any of the parties who have from time to time made proposals.

asked the Prime Minister whether, considering that the latest scheme for a new Charing Cross bridge, approved by the London County Council on 31st July, 1928, differs substantially from and is more expensive than that contemplated when he made a statement to the House on 16th March, 1927, he will afford an opportunity for further discussion in the House before the country is committed to this expenditure, particularly in view of the detailed criticism of the scheme which has been circulated to every Member of this House?

The statement which I made in March, 1927, related to proposals of the Royal Commission on Cross-River Traffic in London. Since that date the Committee of Engineers have reported on the engineering details and on the cost of the combined road and railway bridge at Charing Cross suggested by the Royal Commission. The report of the engineers was to the effect that a bridge of this character at Charing Cross would prove to be more costly than the Commission estimated, and suggested an alternative scheme which, in their opinion, would be less costly and generally more advantageous to traffic. A scheme on the lines recommended by the engineers, involving the removal of Charing Cross station to the south side of the river, is now under discussion with the London County Council and the Southern Railway. The Minister of Transport will no doubt make a statement to the House on the subject so soon as he is in a position to do so, but the investigation of a proposal of this magnitude and complexity must necessarily take some time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will furnish detailed illustrative figures for the county borough of Lincoln showing the financial effect of the proposals in the Local Government Bill, 1928, for the first five years' working of the scheme, together with an estimate of the working on a permanent basis at the end of 15 years?

So far as can be estimated on available figures after making full allowance for the transfer of Poor Law, Lincoln would, during the first quinquennium, gain the equivalent of 1s. per head of population as compared with the standard year. It is, of course, impossible to make any forecast of the effect of the scheme in 15 years' time, but it is estimated that if the scheme were brought into full operation at once without any guarantees, Lincoln would gain about Is. per head as compared with the standard year.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the loss or gain to the borough of Birkenhead during the first five years under the Local Government Bill; what will be the loss when the full de-rating scheme is in full operation; and what action does he propose to take to safeguard the borough of Birkenhead from any loss under the Bill?

During the first five years of the scheme, every county borough will gain at least the equivalent of 1s. per head of population as compared with the standard year. As regards future quinquennial periods, every county borough is guaranteed such a minimum grant as on the calculation of the standard year will secure it against loss by reason of the scheme. So far as can be estimated on the available figures, after making full allowance for the transfer of Poor Law, Birkenhead would, during the first quinquennium, gain the equivalent of Is. per head of population as compared with the standard year. If the scheme were in full operation the gain would be between 2s. and 3s. per head.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the details of his proposal in connection with the exceptional consideration to be given the county borough of West Ham referred to in Command White Paper 3134, relative to the Government proposals for reform in local government and in the financial relations between the Exchequer and local authorities?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the explanation which will be given in the course of the Debates on the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that the spread of infectious diseases among the working classes is mainly due to the shortage of housing accommodation and the lack of proper sanitary conveniences; and will he consider setting up an inquiry to investigate this question?

No, Sir. It is, of course, well known that overcrowding and deficient sanitary accommodation contribute to the spread of certain infectious diseases, and there appears to be no need for further inquiry on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses owned and let under the Housing Acts, 1919, 1923, and 1924, by each urban and each rural district in each of the following coalfields: South Wales and Monmouthshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland; and will he state the total arrears of rates and of rents to 31st March, 1928, in each of the said coalfields?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd November, 1928; col. 1900, Vol. 222] supplied the following statement:

Statement showing the total number of houses built by each local authority under the Housing Acts of 1919, 1923 and 1924, in certain coalfields.
Name of Local Authorities.	Total number of houses built under the above-mentioned Housing Acts
Durham, Coalfield.
South Shields C.B.	1,455
Annfield Plain U.D.	284
Bishop Auckland U.D.	—
Brandon and Byshottles U.D.	337
Chester-le-Street U.D.	565
Crook U.D.	228
Hetton U.D.	319
Houghton-le-Spring U.D.	242
Leadgate U.D.	38
Ryton U.D.	112
Seaham Harbour U.D.	351
Shildon U.D.	126
Southwick-on-Wear U.D.	168
Spennymoor U.D.	—
Stanley U.D.	520
Tanfield U.D.	136
Tow Law U.D.	—
Whickham U.D.	493
Wellington U.D.	180
Auckland R.D.	176
Barnard Castle R.D.	20
Chester-le-Street R.D.	1,033
Durham R.D.	672
Easington R.D.	1,162
Houghton-le-Spring R.D.	482
Lanchester R.D.	465
Sedgefield R.D.	224
South Shields R.D.	518
Sunderland R.D.	436
Northumberland Coalfield.
Ashington U.D.	404
Bedlingtonshire U.D.	454
Blyth M.B.	553
Amble U.D.	—
Crumlington U.D.	242
Earsden U.D.	564
Longbenton U.D.	176
Newbiggin - by - the - Sea U.D.	196
Newburn U.D.	618
Prudhoe U.D.	222
Seaton Delaval U.D.	—
Seghill U.D.	115
Weetslade U.D.	183
Castle Ward R.D.	84
Haltwhistle R.D.	57
Morpeth R.D.	88
Lancashire Coalfield.
St. Helens C.B.	1,454
Wigan C.B.	631
Abram U.D.	150

Name of Local Authorities.	Total number of houses built under the above-mentioned Housing Acts.
Adlington U.D.	55
Aspull U.D.	—
Atherton U.D.	248
Billinge and Winstanlev U.D.	20
Blackrod U.D.	24
Farnworth U.D.	600
Haydock U.D.	102
Hindley U.D.	150
Kearsley U.D.	196
Little Hulton U.D.	89
Little Lever U.D.	148
Orrell U.D.	144
Rainford U.D.	34
Skelmersdale U.D.	—
Standish - with - Langtree U.D.	57
Swinton and Pendlebury U.D.	412
Tyldersley-with-Shakerley U.D.	146
Upholland U.D.	8
Westhoughton U.D.	366
Worsley U.D.	300
Chorley R.D.	176
Leigh R.D.	320
Wigan R.D.	—
Yorkshire Coalfield.
Barnsley C.B.	1,887
Adwick-le-Street U.D.	822
Altofts U.D.	34
Ardsley East and West U.D.	278
Bentley-with-Arksey U.D.	794
Bolton-upon-Dearne U.D.	888
Clayton West U.D.	1
Conisbrough U.D.	120
Cudworth U.D.	618
Darfield U.D.	144
Darton U.D.	58
Dodworth U.D.	44
Emley U.D.	20
Featherstone U.D.	360
Flockton U.D.	30
Garforth U.D.	30
Greasbrough U.D.	116
Hemsworth U.D.	530
Hoyland Nether U.D.	686
Kirkburton U.D.	36
Lepton U.D.	77
Methley U.D.	96
Mexborough U.D.	480
Normanton U.D.	232
Ossett M.B.	292
Pontefract M.B.	682
Rawmarsh U.D.	449
Rothwell U.D.	4,56
Royston U.D.	346
Skelmanthorpe U.D.	—
Stanley U.D.	143
Swinton U.D.	247
Thurnscoe U.D.	466
Wath-upon-Dearne U.D.	556
Whitwood U.D.	144

Name of Local Authorities.	Total number of houses built under the abovementioned Housing Acts.
Wombwell U.D.	521
Worsborough U.D.	392
Barnsley R.D.	58
Doncaster R.D.	275
Hemsworth R.D.	1,968
Hunslet R.D.	300
Kiveton Park R.D.	540
Penistone R.D.	—
Pontefract R.D.	1,256
Rotherham R.D.	1,388
Tadcaster R.D.	728
Wakefield R.D.	240
South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalfield.
Brecknock:
Brynmawr U.D.	150
Crickhowel R.D.	—
Veynor and Penderyn U.D.	—
Ystradgynlais	18
Carmarthen:
Ammanford U.D.	74
Burry Port U.D.	—
Cwmamman U.D.	40
Kidwelly M.B.	12
Carmarthen R.D.	—
Llandilo Fawr R.D.	—
Llanelly R.D.	194
Glamorgan:
Merthyr Tydfil C.B.	440
Aberdare U.D.	80
Maesteg U.D.	92
Mountain Ash U.D.	215
Ogmore and Garw U.D.	210
Pontypridd U.D.	410
Rhondda U.D.	238
Glyncorwg U.D.	282
Cowbridge R.D.	284
Gower R.D.	64
Llantrisant and Llantwit Fardre R.D	744
Neath R.D.	86
Penybont R.D.	654
Pontardawe R.D.	659
Swansea R.D.	528
Monmouth:
Abercarn U.D.	132
Abersychan U.D.	476
Abertillery U.D.	126
Bedwellty U.D.	642
Ebbw Vale U.D.	264
Tredegar U.D.	175
Bedwas and Machen U.D.	328
Blaenavon U.D.	144
Llanfrechfa Upper U.D.	18
Mynddislwyn U.D.	304
Nantyglo and Blaina U.D.	140
Pontypool U.D.	223
Rhvmney U.D.	60
Risca U.D.	270

asked the Minister of Health whether the accounts of the Daison housing scheme, Torquay, have been audited.?

The accounts of this borough are not subject to audit by the district auditor except as regards particular subjects, of which housing under the Act of 1923 is not one. In regard to this the district auditor gives a certificate on certain points, but his certificate is not material for the purpose of the present questions. I do not know whether the elective auditors have audited the accounts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he approved a scheme submitted by the Torquay corporation for the erection of houses on the Daison estate; and whether he accepted as reasonable the prices charged to purchasers?

I assume that the bon. Member's question has reference to the grant of assistance by the Torquay Town Council, under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, for the erection of houses by private enterprise on the estate in question. The grant of assistance in individual cases does not require my approval, but sanction was given by me to the Town Council's general scheme of assistance to private enterprise, which included a condition that the maximum selling price of houses in respect of which subsidy was promised should not exceed £600, inclusive of land, but on the basis that the builder would in addition be entitled to receive the subsidy. I understand that this scheme was brought to an end nearly three years ago.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any representations from ratepayers of Torquay with regard to the administration of the housing scheme on the Daison estate; and whether, in view of the allegations made, he will order an inquiry?.

I received certain representations with regard to the scheme of the Torquay Town Council for the assistance of private enterprise under the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, but as I have previously stated in reply to similar questions on the subject, I was satisfied, after careful consideration, that there would be no advantage to the public generally, or to the purchasers of subsidy houses in particular, in now holding an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of boards of guardians inviting persons to enter the Poor Law union, it is the practice for Poor Law authorities to store the household effects of such persons until they are discharged from the union?

I understand that in suitable cases boards of guardians sometimes adopt this practice.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider the de-

Month.				1924.	1925.	1926.	1927.	1928.
				Quantities (Thousand Tons).
May	…	…	…	5,480	4,652	1,448	4,803	4,487
June	…	…	…	4,882	3,734	34	4,313	4,346
July	…	…	…	5,488	4,442	7	4,176	4,163
August	…	…	…	5,075	3,272	2	4,257	4,274
September	…	…	…	5,098	3,902	5	4,242	3,995
October	…	…	…	4,933	4,382	4	4,141	4,630
November	…	…	…	4,759	4,338	5	4,127	—
December	…	…	…	5,168	4,632	1,609	3,886	—
				Declared Values (£1,000).
May	…	…	…	6,678	4,799	1,392	4,408	3,500
June	…	…	…	5,728	3,769	38	3,849	3,396
July	…	…	…	6,364	4,465	8	3,600	3,244
August	…	…	…	5,733	3,160	3	3,540	3,311
September	…	…	…	5,738	3,660	4	3,580	3,064
October	…	…	…	5,492	4,018	2	3,473	3,620
November	…	…	…	5,178	3,987	6	3,415	—
December	…	…	…	5,572	4,275	1,885	3,125	—

The above figures exclude coal shipped for the use of steamers engaged in the Foreign Trade (including Fishing Vessels).

I do not consider that any such step is called for, or would, if taken, have results commensurable with the expenditure involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of coal exported from this country for the months of May to December in the years 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and from May to the latest available month in the year 1928, respectively; and the value of such exports for each month?

The following table shows the total quantities and declared values of coal registered as exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during each month, May to December, 1924 to 1927, and May to October, 1928.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of feature or long films made by British film-producing companies which have failed to comply with the necessary conditions as laid down in the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, and accordingly cannot be termed, for the purpose of wholly complying with the conditions of this Act, British films?

Three films claimed as British have failed to satisfy the requirements of the Act as to what constitutes a British film, but of these only two were made by British companies within the meaning of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of wireless beacons at present in operation; the number in course of erection; and whether sanction has been obtained for any further beacons to be erected around the coast?

There are seven wireless beacons in operation on or around the coasts of Great Britain and the Irish Free State, and seven are in course of erection. Since the reply given to the hon. Member on 24th April last, the erection of wireless beacons at Tory Island and Mizen Head has been sanctioned. These are in addition to the beacons mentioned above.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the adoption of a regulation compelling the owner of every private aeroplane to join a licensed organisation, which shall be held responsible for all damage to property wrought by its members or associates through accident or otherwise?

In general, so far as I am aware, the owners of private aircraft do already cover third-party risks by insurance, and I am not satisfied that the need has been shown for the adoption of such a suggestion as that put forward by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the names of the members of the Export Credits Advisory Committee; when any changes were made; and whether any changes are proposed in its constitution?

The names of the members of the Advisory Committee to the Export Credits Guarantee Department are as follow:—

• Colonel The Hon. Sidney Peel, D.S.O. (Chairman).
• Mr. John Caulcutt (Deputy-Chairman).
• Mr. Chas. D. Seligman.
• Sir Edward Crowe, C.M.G.
• Mr. G. M. Gillett, M.P.
• Mr. F. Goldsmith.
• Major J. W. Hills, M.P.
• Sir William Larke, K.B.E.
• Mt. W. E. Preston.
• Mr. E. R. Pulbrook.
• Sir Gilbert C. Vyle.
• Mr. W. E. Wells.

There have been no changes since the reconstitution of the Committee in July, 1926, when the present scheme was introduced, except that Mr. Wells joined it in February last. No further changes are at present proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement as to the present position of the demand by the Imperial Government for the revision of the sums hitherto paid by the Straits Settlements as its military contribution to the expenses of the garrison; whether he is aware of the strong opposition of everyone in the Straits Settlements outside official circles to tie suggested increase in this contribution as a result of local expenditure on the Singapore dock; and whether, before reaching any definite decision, he proposes to consult expert Far Eastern opinion on the subject?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement beyond that the matter is receiving the careful consideration of his Majesty's Government. I am well aware of the views held locally on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now give the figures for the Straits Settlements as to the nationality

1927.
—			Total imported.	Percentage.	Total banned.	Percentage of imports banned.
				Per cent.		Per cent.
American	…	…	4,000,700	72	547,000	12
Chinese	…	…	1,044,700	18·8	183,300	17
English	…	…	289,000	5·2	15,300	5·3*
German	…	…	161,100	2·9	21,700	12
Other origin	…	…	61,200	1·1	21,600	33
			5,556,700		788,900
1928 (5 months).
American	…	…	1,692,000	67·5	219,400	12
Chinese	…	…	611,000	24·4	92,400	15
English	…	…	65,400	2·4	15,700	25†
German	…	…	101,700	4·3	5,100	5
Other origin	…	…	33,600	1·4	—	—
			2,503,700		332,600
* Eliminate 155,600 feet English Topicals and percentage banned is 11 per cent.
† English Topical is only 5,100 feet this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what cinema productions are being produced by the Empire Marketing Board; and whether a film will be forthcoming this year in connection with the £3,500 commitments of the board for the current year?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on 19th November. I am not yet in a position to say when the film referred to will be ready for exhibition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the export of palm kernels from Sierra Leone to Great Britain and Germany in each year from 1920 onwards?

The figures requested by the Noble Lord are as follow:—

The figures are as follow:

—			To Great Britain (U.K.).	To Germany.
			Tons.	Tons.
1920	…	…	50,424	—
1921	…	…	40,357	50
1922	…	…	47,646	109
1923	…	…	57,733	1,811
1924	…	…	59,369	837
1925	…	…	54,814	7,994
1926	…	…	36,487	28,111
1927	…	…	27,664	37,314

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Norwegian Government guarantees the bills drawn by its herring exporters on the Russian trading organisations in Norway; and whether he is prepared to extend similar assistance to the herring exporters in this country?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that there is complaint that the Forestry Commission is ignoring the possibilities of afforestation which are available in the highlands of Central Wales, and that a larger scheme in this area would go far towards easing unemployment there and save the districts from a heavier poor rate; and whether he will make a statement?

Exhaustive inquiries have been prosecuted throughout the Principality during the past nine years for afforestable land either on long lease or by purchase, generally with a satisfactory measure of success. In the highlands of Central Wales the causes which have militated against land acquisition for forestry purposes are (1) the extensive areas of land subject to common rights in this part of the country and (2) the relatively high value for sporting purposes of much of the otherwise suitable land.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the system of inquiry by a coroner and jury into deaths due to other than natural causes which occur in British India is in force throughout British India; and, if not, in which provinces, if any, the said system of judicial inquiry is in force at the present time?

The system is in force only in the Presidency towns of Calcutta and Bombay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that 18,000 jute workers have been locked out by owners of mills of the Fort Gloucester group near Calcutta since 16th July last, with great hardship on the workers; if the Government have inquired into the conditions of hours and wages of these workers; and if they intend to intervene with a view to bring about a just settlement?

My Noble Friend has received reports of this dispute the latest of which indicates that work has not been resumed. So far as I am aware, Government have not instituted, as the result of this dispute, any special inquiry into the conditions of the workers involved which, I believe, are already known. The reports received do not indicate any present intention on the part of the Government of Bengal of intervening in the dispute.

asked the Postmaster-General how many male clerical officers, women clerical officers, writing assistants, and members of the typing grades, respectively, have been placed on trial for promotion to the clerical class; on probation for appointment to the clerical class; as examination appointees and as promotees, and on efficiency barrier tests in each of the ledger sections of the accounts branch of the London telephone service during the period 1st January, 1926, to 1st July, 1928, and, for the same period, how many in each of the above categories have had their period of trial, promotion, or test extended; how many in each of the above categories have received written warnings of unsatisfactory work during the period of trial, probation, or test; and how many in each of the above categories have been rejected at the end of the initial period or an extended period?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is of a confidential nature, and I regret that I do not feel able to supply it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the proposed dismissal of temporary women clerks from the Savings Bank or other Departments?

I regret I am not yet in a position to make any statement, but if the hon. Member will put down his question again in a week's time, I hope by then to be able to announce a decision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of boys and girls declared successful at the examinations held in November, 1927, for posts in the General and Departmental clerical classes; what number of qualified candidates have since been declared successful; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government further to extend the list?

350 candidates were declared successful when the result of the examination held in November, 1927, among boys and girls for posts in the General and Departmental clerical classes was announced. Additional qualified candidates have since been declared successful, bringing the number of appointments to be made from the examination up to 600. No further extension of the list is contemplated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many barrels of beer paid duty in each of the years 1913 to 1927, inclusive; and what was the consumption of beer per head of the estimated population for each of such years?

The figures for which my hon. and learned Friend asks may be found, down to the year 1926, in Table No. 37 (pages 76–77) of the Fourteenth Report of His Majesty's Commissioners of Customs and Excise (Command Paper No. 1933) and in Table No. 124 (pages 136–137) of the Eighteenth Report (Command Paper No. 2960). For the year 1927 the figures are 20,931,791 standard barrels and 16.59 gallons per head of population.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the question of issuing dog licences for 12 months from payment at any time of the year, in view of the fact that many licences are discontinued and dogs turned adrift or destroyed at the end of the year owing to the difficulty experienced by the owners in paying licences on the top of other heavy obligations at this period?

The Dog Licence Duty is not an Imperial but a local taxation duty. I doubt whether my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal would be practicable, but in any case I could not consider the initiation of legislation to give effect to it unless it were supported by the various local authorities concerned.