asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any Regulations issued by his Department requiring that shipowners or masters should see that the drinking water and biscuits stored in lifeboats are changed at regular intervals; and can he give the particulars?

Section 430 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, requires that all the lifesaving appliances on a ship (which would include the equipment carried in the boats), must be "kept so as to be at all times fit and ready for use"; but there is no specific requirement as to the intervals at which the water and biscuits have to be changed, or at which the other items of the equipment in the boats have to be renewed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement made that the water was stagnant and that the biscuits were so hard that they could not be eaten has any foundation?

No, I cannot, and I really would ask that no questions should be put or answered on that subject until we have had the full Board of Trade inquiry.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to introduce any Regulations to see that water is changed regularly and that biscuits are changed also?

Is there anything contained in the Regulations which lays it down that periodical inspections of these things have to be made, to ensure that these things are kept in such a way that they can be used?

That certainly is implied in the Regulations, which lay down categorically that every part of the equipment has got to be ready for use—and that means effective use—at all times.

But is there any periodical inspection?

No, but if you lay down that every officer who is responsible for the conduct of a ship has to keep the whole of the equipment at all times ready for use, that implies that he has to see that at all times it is SD ready.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now give further particulars of the proposed international conference on safety of life at sea, which he has stated is being arranged to take place next spring; where is it proposed to hold this conference; and which of the nations will be invited to send delegates?

It is proposed that an international conference should meet in London next April to revise the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea which was signed in London in 1914. The proposals of the Board of Trade on the main subjects covered by that Convention are shown in the White Paper No. 51–166 of 1927. Invitations to the Conference are being issued to the Dominions and to India, and to Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent disasters at sea caused by distressed vessels having no means of calling for help and vessels having no means of hearing a call, he will make it compulsory that all ships should be fitted with wireless transmitting and receiving apparatus, have at least one qualified operator on board, and a continuous and efficient watch, human or automatic?

I am not aware that any recent disasters at sea have been caused by insufficient wireless apparatus on British ships. The establishment of uniform standards in the matter of wireless on all ships can only be effected by international action, and the question of establishing such international standards will be one of those to be considered by the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea which will meet in London in April next.

Is it not a fact that in a recent disaster that occurred a ship that was near was unable to come owing to the fact that it was not supplied with wireless?

But the ship to which the hon. Gentleman refers was not a British ship.

I am quite aware of that, but I am only anxious that all British ships should be supplied with wireless.

The British standards are extremely high. I am more interested in trying to secure that the universal standards should come up to our level.

rose—

The hon. Gentleman was given a very full answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the crew of the liner "Vestris" were British subjects and how many were aliens?

I am informed by the owners that the steamship "Vestris" carried a crew of 197, of whom 179 were British subjects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state when the inquiry into the loss of the steamship "Vestris" will be held; where it will be held; and what will be the constitution of the Court?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon (Major Glyn) of which I am sending him a copy.

Did that reply, which I am sorry I missed, contain the composition of the Court?

No. It contained the nature of the Court, that it would be held by a Wreck Commissioner and Assessors, but not the names.

Will the Assessors be professional seamen?

Of course, in a wreck inquiry all the Assessors are men of the very highest competence.

Will arrangements be made for representations from the seamen's organisation?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Load Line Committee which he appointed last year has yet concluded its Report; and whether he proposes, once the Report is concluded, to send it to foreign countries for their consideration and to invite such Governments to attend an international conference on the subject?

I am informed that the Load Line Committee has made considerable progress, but has not completed its work. When the revision of the load line rules is completed, it will be sent to Dominion and foreign Governments for their consideration. Every effort will be made to secure international agreement, but it is too early yet to say what the precise steps will be.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea when this Committee will complete its work, approximately?

No, I have not.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not tell the House whether, since the load line was altered by a Regulation of the Board of Trade, it cannot now again be done by a Regulation of the Board of Trade, without having to have a conference on the matter?

Of the first legal supplementary question, I should like notice, but what is happening now is that an expert committee, a very strong expert committee, is inquiring into the present load line Regulations, and it will then report, but in these questions of load line and other safety matters, it is very important to get international agreement. If we can agree in this country on what ought to be done, in view of what we have done in other safety matters, we shall see whether we can get agreement with other countries.

Is it not the case that no international agreement was arrived at when the Plimsoll line was established?

Does this mean that it is proposed to endanger the safety of seamen in the interests of competition?

I hoped the hon. Gentleman knew sufficient of the British standard of safety to know that we lead.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that—

One question seems to be leading to another.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government contemplates imposing more severe penalties for violation of the load-line rules; and, if so, will consideration be given to the point of view that it is the owners rather than shipmasters who are generally responsible for overloading, and that a fine commensurate with the offence, with or without imprisonment, would act as the most effective deterrent?

The Board of Trade are considering, in consultation with the shipping industry, whether further steps can be taken to prevent overloading. In accordance with regular practice any proposals would be discussed with the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee. If such proposals should involve an increase of penalties the hon. Member may rest assured that every effort will be made to secure that these penalties shall fall on the right shoulders.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that sailing from British ports at the present time are many vessels that are overloaded and that there is no efficient inspection to prevent this kind of thing going on?

No, I am not aware of any such thing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make regular inspection of the ports to ascertain whether or not there is any truth in that statement?

The hon. Gentleman, I think, knows that there is a very regular inspection at the ports, and I think that, if he studies the matter, he will find that where the difficulty occurs is not nearly so much in British ports as in foreign ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any reports have been received from the Board of Trade inspectors on the lightships and steamboats of Trinity House and the Northern Lights Commissioners, and especially as to the supply of clean water?

No, Sir. Under the Merchant Shipping Acts the power of the Board of Trade to inspect water and provisions does not extend to ships belonging to the general Lighthouse Authorities.

Will the Board of Trade endeavour to take some powers in view of complaints that are made as to the water that the men are compelled to drink being unclean?

My powers are laid down under the Merchant Shipping Act, which excludes these from my purview. If the hon. Gentleman wants to put a question about what steps are taken by other authorities which are not under my control, it would be convenient if he would put it on the Paper, and I would give him a fuller answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of barley and the amount of maize imported into this country in the years 1925, 1926 and 1927, respectively; and what percentage of both these products is imported for malting purposes?

The answer is rather long and contains a table of figures. Accordingly my hon. Friend will perhaps permit me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that substitutes for leather, particularly the leather used for footwear, are being sold under fancy descriptions such as tufhide, itshide, uskhide, durhide, etc., which titles are liable to mislead the public into the belief that, they are purchasing material made from real hides and skins; whether he will consider legislation to compel the marking or stamping of goods to indicate whether the material is genuine leather or an artificial substitute; and, failing legislation, whether he can suggest any other method of protecting the public?

I believe that fancy descriptions of this kind are occasionally used, but I should have doubted whether they were in fact misleading. As at present advised, I do not see my way to propose legislation such as the hon. Member suggests.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that certain of these substitutes are actually being advertised as leather made by an improved process, whereas they contain no leather whatever, or only a small percentage of leather dust made from scrap and refuse?

There is already, under the Merchandise Marks Act of 1887, a provision which makes a false trade description a criminal offence. I make no pronouncement on the statement that the hon. Gentleman has made, but, if facts were brought to the notice of the Board of Trade which, in the opinion of our legal advisers, constituted a breach of the Act of 1887, we would consider taking action.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider "itshide" a false trade description?

I do not think so. It does not convey to my mind any animal of which I am aware.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that these substitutes for leather hear the same relation to real leather that ginger beer bears to beer?

I am not sure of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if his department is experimenting with, or has in stock, any kind of poisonous gas with a view to its employment for offensive purposes?

Research and experiment relating to defence against gas are directed towards the methods and appliances for individual and collective protection, and also towards the treatment of gas casualties. Research and experiment are primarily concerned with defence against gas, but it is essential, for the purpose of protection against gas, to investigate the possibilities of new gases and other forms of chemical warfare which might be illicitly employed against this country.

Is the secondary reason for these experiments to discover how gas can be employed offensively?

I think that my answer is a very full one.

Is it not only right that the Government should take steps to prevent the utilisation of gas by a possible enemy?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men have been discharged from the Army during the last four years because they were suffering from tubercular disease; and in how many of these eases pensions were granted on the ground that the disease was due to military service?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of the proportion of those rejected from the Army for tubercular disease who have received any kind of pension?

Between 20 and 30 per cent. in the last two years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that his regulations are such as to ensure that each man rejected for this reason is given a fair examination to see whether he is due to get a pension or not?

I hope so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total grant now being paid to Scottish authorities for nursery school purposes and the sum for last year; and if it is proposed to urge the local education authorities to increase the number of such schools?

As the grants to Education Authorities are not allocated for particular services, but are determined by the general principles of the Education Authorities (Scotland) Grant Regulations, the reply to the first part of the question can only be in the negative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6th March, 1928.

Do I understand that the children who are in the nursery schools and the teachers will come under the scope of these regulations?

The hon. Gentleman had better put down a question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any further steps to urge the education authorities to set up these schools?

Is it not true that the Minister of Health has always promised to look into this, and to encourage all authorities, both in England and Scotland, to get on with these schools?

The inspectors of my Department take every care to encourage those local authorities with whom the responsibility lies to institute this kind of service. All I can say is that, when we get a co-ordination of these services under a central authority, they may be better.

Is it not a fact that the Scottish Education Fund is entirely separate from the General Fund, from which payments will be made to these authorities?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any request from the West of Scotland Committee for the welfare of the blind for permission to spend added sums for the treatment of the blind; the nature of such request; and what has been the answer?

I assume that the hon. Member's question has reference to recent proposals by the Glasgow and South West of Scotland Joint Committee for the administration of the Blind persons Act to establish a central clinic for the medical certifications of blind persons and to institute a scheme of allowances to blind persons who are unemployable. The Scottish Board of Health have approved the proposal to establish a central clinic. They have also indicated to the Joint Committee that they will be prepared to approve any scheme of allowance on reasonable lines that the Joint Committee may submit, but that no State grant will be available towards the cost of such a scheme.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to consider a State grant for this very laudable service?

The whole matter will, of course, come under review in the reform of local government, with which we are now dealing.

Since the Secretary of State's Department has approved of this particular object, does he not think that approval ought to carry with it some form of State grant?

Not necessarily.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to fill the vacant judgeship in Scotland; the reason of the delay in making the appointment; and if it is likely to be filled before May, 1929.

It is hoped to make this appointment shortly. I am not aware that there has been unusual or avoidable delay in filling this vacancy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the acreage of agricultural land in the county of West Lothian and how much is in need of drainage?

There are approximately 61,000 acres of agricultural land (including rough grazings) in West Lothian. I have no information as to the acreage of land in the county that is in need of drainage.

Is not a survey proceeding at present, and is it not possible to find out?

It is true that we are making surveys of certain counties in Scotland for certain purposes, but not necessarily to deal with this particular problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the great disadvantage under which the retail sale of fruit is conducted through the restriction of closing hours to 8 p.m. on week days and 9 p.m. on Saturdays as compared with the retail sale of confectionery up to 9.30 on week-days and 10 o'clock on Saturdays; and will he take steps to introduce such amending legislation as would put the retail dealers in perishable goods on the same footing as those engaged in the confectionery business?

The closing hours referred to were fixed by the Act passed last Session giving effect to the recommendations made by a Departmental Committee after an exhaustive inquiry. I am not prepared to introduce legislation amending that Act as it applies to the sale of fruit.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise the gross injustice which is done under these conditions, and will he not therefore do his best to facilitate such a step being taken?

The hon. Member must realise that he must bring very strong representations for an alteration in the law, in view of the very recent legislation which this House passed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that on the Eastriggs Estate, Dum- friesshire, brick hostels, formerly Government property, each of which is capable of being converted into four houses with all the latest sanitary arrangements, are being scrapped by the firm which has acquired them; and whether, in view of the shortage of housing accommodation and of the fact that other houses on the estate have been condemned, he will take steps with a view to utilising these hostels for working-class accommodation?

From inquiries I have had made, it does not appear to be the case that there is a shortage of housing accommodation for the working classes at Eastriggs or that houses on the estate have been condemned. My information is that at this place there are at present 20 unlet brick houses available for immediate occupation if tenants could be found, that some of the hostels have already been converted into dwelling houses, and that the demolition of others is taking place as there is no demand or need for them either in their present state or as converted houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state what steps will be taken by the Fishery Board to prevent ring-net fishing for herrings in the sea lochs on the north and west coasts of Sutherland during the coming winter?

The answer is in the negative. The Fishery Board do not consider that sufficient evidence has emerged to justify interference with this method of fishing in the localities mentioned in the question, but the matter is being kept under close observation.

Does that mean that further investigations will be made on the spot, where very strong feeling is expressed about the depredations of these ring trawlers?

We are fully alive to the problem, and are keeping close observation upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the grievance felt by smallholders in certain parts of Scotland who have built houses on their holdings for the purpose of summer letting and have had their fair rents increased in respect of the proceeds received from those lettings; and whether he is prepared to introduce amending legislation to deal with this grievance?

I am aware of the position, but I have received no recent representations on the subject. As regards the second part of the question, I can give no undertaking as to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the result of his consultations with the Board of Trade and other Departments with regard to the necessity of taking more stringent measures than those now in force to restrict illegal trawling?

Consultations have taken place with the Departments referred to, and consideration of the various questions involved is proceeding, but I am not in a position to make a statement regarding the matter at present.

Will any proposals need legislation, or will the House have any opportunity of reviewing them?

If they require legislation, it will have to be brought to this House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Regulations covering the payment of contributions in respect of the admission of share fishermen to national health insurance will be published?

Notice of proposal to make a Special Order will be published in the Gazettes on Friday next, and a Provisional Special Order will be laid before the House immediately thereafter.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has had a Report from his inspector as to the circumstance in which, on 20th and 29th November, when Follonsby Pit, County of Durham, was idle, the management employed officials of the colliery to do the work of the ordinary workmen; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received a Report on this matter, but it does not disclose any breach of the Coal Mines Acts.

But would it not be a breach of the Coal Mines Act for an official to take charge of the signals when a certified man always ought to take charge?

I am not saying what is or is not a breach, only that the evidence in this case shows that there was no breach of the Act.

How can they use a pit without a man at the signals?

rose—

The hon. Member has had a full answer to his question.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines which were producing coal in this country on the latest available date and for the corresponding date for the years 1924, 1925 and 1927; the total wages paid per week to the workpeople employed at the coal mines of this country on the latest available date and for the corresponding date for the years 1924, 1925 and 1927; and the number of workpeople employed at the coal mines of this country for the same periods?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines producing coal in South Wales and Monmouthshire on the latest available date, and for the corresponding date for the years 1924, 1925 and 1927; the total number of wage-earners employed in the same area for the same periods; and the total wages paid per week to the wage-earners employed in the coal mines of South Wales and Monmouthshire for the same periods?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether he can state the estimated increase in the cost of coal production which might result from a return to the seven hours day, taking as a basis the period of 12 months ending on 30th September this year; and how many additional miners would be employed as a result of such reduction in the hours of labour?

The best estimate that I can make of the increase in the cost of coal production which would result, from a return to a seven hours day is, in round figures, two shillings per ton. In reply to the second part of the question, I believe that such an increase in the cost of production would lead to a reduction in employment.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has any information regarding the position at Nixon's Collieries, Mountain Ash and Merthyr Vale; whether the liquidator has completed negotiations for the sale of these collieries; and whether there is the possibility of work being resumed at these collieries in near future?

I have no information at present as to the future prospects of these collieries.

Will the hon. and gallant Member inquire as to what is likely to be the position in the course of the next few days?

I have nothing to do with proceedings in bankruptcy and liquidation.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether he is aware that developments are in process for the production of oil from coal in Australia and Canada; and whether it is the intention of the Government to undertake such development in this country as a means of reviving the mining industry?

I am aware that certain companies are endeavouring to exploit the production of oil from brown coals, lignites, shales, etc., in Australia and Canada. In answer to the second hart of the question, the Government have no present intention of doing more than they are already doing.

Will the Minister tell us what the Government are already doing?

I should have thought it was well known. The Government are rendering great assistance to research through the Fuel Research oard, and, in all, are giving some £l00,000 a year for research other than in connection with safety and health; and they have also given this oil a preference over imported oil.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent decision of the Railway and Canal Commission in the case of Lord Cromwell v. Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, Limited; is he aware that such action has already cost the colliery company, approximately, £10,000 in legal expenses, etc.; and will he take steps to simplify the procedure so that costs may be reduced in future cases?

I have been asked to answer this question. The case referred to was an application by the colliery company for certain rights and reliefs in respect of the working of coal belonging to Lord Cromwell. I do not know the amount of the costs which the parties incurred, but I can imagine that they were heavy. At the same time, it must be remembered that without the Mines Working Facilities Act a compulsory grant of the rights and reliefs applied for could not have been sought at all; that the issues at stake were very large; that the subject matter was highly technical and difficult to elucidate; and, above all, that the powers which are reposed in the Court are of so important and far-reaching a character that it is essential that a full and competent inquiry shall be held before a grant is made. I see no means whereby either Parliament or the Court could have kept down the costs of this application except by curtailing the inquiry to an extent which, presumably, would have rendered it less full than was required.

Is the Minister not aware that oppressive costs such as these are apt to be regarded by other owners as a means of intimidating colliery owners to accept terms that otherwise would not be accepted, and does he not think that some means might be found whereby such costs can be reduced?

No, I do not think the costs in this case will be considered heavy compared with the benefits received.

By the colliery company?

Yes.

It is the other fellow who receives the benefits.

Does the Minister think that, while the majority of colliery companies are losing money, any Commission ought to grant an increase to any royalty owner?

It depends—

That question deals with a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the fact that motor lorries, omnibuses, and chars-a-bane continually exceed the statutory speed limit, and that many of them have scheduled runs which do not permit them running at sustained speeds under an average of 20 to 25 miles an hour; and whether, in view of the damage to the roads, danger to the public, and strain on the drivers necessarily imposed by their long and regular runs at high speed, he will consider making some such regulation as the fitting of governors to the engines of all heavy motor vehicles, preventing them from exceeding a speed of 30 miles per hour?

The question of the automatic limitation of speed by mechanical means so as to prevent vehicles from exceeding the appropriate speed limit was fully considered by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles. Apart from the question of the desirability of such a course on grounds of public safety, the Committee were of the opinion that it was impracticable, both on account of the engineering difficulties and the expense involved and of the facility with which such a mechanical arrangement could be tampered with or altered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, in the case of Metropolitan District Railway trains starting from Barking station which are supposed to connect with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company's trains from Southend, the time allowed for the connection is insufficient to permit passengers to board the District trains in safety; and whether he will bring this matter to the notice of the Metropolitan District Railway authorities?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend calls attention, but I will bring his question to the notice of the Metropolitan District Railway Company.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I myself witnessed what might have been a serious accident to a passenger who got his foot on the step of a train, and was thrown hack among the other passengers as the train started?

I think that instance ought to be communicated to the railway company.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the North of England Coal Trade Association have passed a resolution supporting the private mineral railway owners' claim to equal relief with the users of public railways under the Rating and Valuation Act; and whether he is prepared to give this resolution his serious consideration before giving a final decision on the matter?

I have been asked to reply. I have seen the resolution referred to. The Association was not prepared to support the private railways at a time when their inclusion would have reduced the rate of rebate on coal conveyed over public railways, and I presume therefore that the new resolution means only that the Association will lend its support to an effort to secure an additional grant from the Exchequer. This the Government is not prepared to recommend to the House. If the resolution means more than this the Association can meet its own views by pooling the rebates which its members receive and sharing them with the owners of private mineral railways.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the resolution states very definitely that the Association desires that the private mineral railway-owners should receive relief on the same terms as the others?

It is perfectly easy for them to arrange for it under the pooling system.

Do the Government favour a readjustment by agreement between the whole of the coal-owners concerned, and will the Government take steps towards this end?

Oh no, Sir; it would be purely a matter between the coal-owners themselves.

But would the Government take a lead in a matter of this kind?

Oh, no; it is not a matter in which the Government could interfere.

If one coal-owner objected, would it be—

Sir Douglas Newton.

asked the Minister of Transport if steps are being taken by the Electricity Commissioners to frame a standard form of wayleaves agreement; and, if so, when such agreement will be made public?

I am informed by the Electricity Commissioners that they hope soon to be in a position to submit a draft form of electricity wayleave agreement to Associations representing interested parties.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any further information of the intention of the Electricity Commissioners to acquire compulsorily the area in Fulham, comprising Regina Wharf, Coronation Wharf, and Shell Wharf, and would he inform this House as to the firms at present operating within these confines and the number of workpeople employed by them; and have the Electricity Commissioners made any survey of the grounds of the Hurlingham Polo Club, in the close vicinity of the above and occupying an area over four times greater than the one suggested?

The hon. Member appears to be under some misapprehension. The Electricity Commissioners have no intention and, indeed, no power to acquire land in Fulham or elsewhere. The position in regard to this matter was explained in the answer which I gave to the question asked by the hon. Member on this subject last Tuesday, to which I would refer him.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Electricity Commissioners are inducing the local borough council to exercise their powers to shut down factories, leaving the neighbouring polo ground alone; and that they are utilising the ground of the factory for another purpose?

If that be so, all those matters will come before the Commissioners if and when the inquiry is held.

asked the Minister of Transport the average cost of erection of an overhead transmission line in rural areas in England; and how it compares with the cost of erection of a line used for similar purposes in Sweden?

I am not in a position to give comparative figures, but I would remind my hon. Friend that this question is discussed in the recent Report of the proceedings of the Conference on Electricity Supply in Rural Areas.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when the form of way-leave agreement is likely to be made public?

If the hon. and gallant Member had been present earlier, he would have heard the answer which I gave to a question on that point.

asked the Minister of Transport how many inquiries respecting the erection of overhead transmission lines have been held during the past two years; and the average delay between the date of application, the holding of such inquiries, and the announcement of a decision upon the matter?

There have been 75 such inquiries since the beginning of 1927. The average time which has elapsed between the date of the application and of the inquiry is about five-and-a-half weeks, and between the date of the application and of the announcement of my decision about 17 weeks. It not infrequently happens that at an inquiry both the applicants and some of the objectors express their desire that the Minister's decision should be deferred pending further negotiations between the parties with a view to effecting an amicable settlement.

Is the Minister of Transport aware that these delays are causing great inconvenience, add to the ultimate cost of the erection of the lines, 'and consequently increase the price of current to the consumer; and will he take steps to strengthen the panel which deals with these inquiries?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to my notice, and I am going into the matter personally in order to see whether anything can be done.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of farms in England supplied by public undertakers with electricity during the present and past three years, respectively?

I am not able to give my hon. and gallant Friend the information for which he asks, but he will find some figures relating to the supply of electricity to farms in rural areas on page 19 of the recently published Report of the proceedings of the Conference convened by the Electricity Commissioners on electricity supply in rural areas.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to certain recent fatal accidents caused by faulty insulation of electricity in bathrooms, etc.; and whether he is issuing regulations or taking other steps as regards the installation of electrical appliances with a view to avoiding such accidents in future?

I am aware that certain fatal accidents due to the causes mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend have recently occurred. The wiring arrangements in private houses are not under the control either of my Department or of the Electricity Commissioners, but a well-known code of regulations for the electrical equipment of buildings has been prepared by the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that there would have been fewer accidents if all the local authorities had power to do their own wiring?

Not necessarily, because it is open to any person who desires to have his or her house wired to put a condition in the contract to have the wiring done according to the specification of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Does that mean that in some of these areas there is no local authority with any power to see that the wiring is done in accordance with the regulations?

As I have already stated, neither my Department nor the Electricity Commissioners have any power in this matter.

Would it not be wise to give such powers to local authorities in the same way as they have been given to borough councils?

That is a matter of opinion.

Since these defects are admitted, is the answer given by the Minister to be taken by the House as implying that those who are responsible for the wiring are not skilled or efficient men?

No, the hon. Member must not assume that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the growing distress in mining areas and the inadequacy of the help so far from private subscriptions, he will be prepared to ask the House for a substantial Treasury grant before the Christmas adjournment?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to question3 on this subject, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that up to now the public funds have reached a very paltry figure compared with the Russian workers' contribution of £1,000,000 two years ago?

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can give a detailed statement of the needs of school children in the West Riding of Yorkshire as to food, boots and shoes, and clothing, and the extent to which these needs are being met by the activities of his Department?

I apologise for the length of this answer. There are 22 education authorities in the West Riding. Of these, during the week ended 1st December, 12 were providing meals for 5,000 children. I have, as yet, received no official return from the West Riding county authority, but I understand that they also are now feeding about 1,000 children. Of the remaining nine authorities, some are understood to be making preparations for feeding. Surveys by the authorities' medical officers of the condition of the children were conducted in a number of the areas last summer, and recently in the Barnsley area. The results of the surveys varied considerably in different areas, e.g., 8 per cent. of the children were found to be malnourished in the districts of the county surveyed, and 3.6 per cent. in Barnsley. In Doncaster, Pontefract, Rotherham, and Sheffield, the surveys failed to reveal at that time any abnormal conditions. The surveys are concerned primarily with the state of nutrition of the children, and I have not the same amount of information in regard to boots and clothing, but they tended to confirm what is generally known as to the unsatisfactory state of the children's boots and clothing in the distressed areas. Thus, in the West Riding survey of last summer, 21 per cent. of the 44,000 children examined were found to have had hoots in the recent Barnsley survey, approximately, 6 per cent. were returned as badly clothed.

In view of the fact that the examination seems to have been undertaken mainly during the summer, and in view of the very serious developments since then, does the Noble Lord propose to give further co-operation in the West Riding?