asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the statutory limit to the hours of employment of Indian labourers in Malaya; the minimum rates of wages for male, female, and child labourers; and whether these minimum rates are exclusive of necessary medical attention or are subject to deductions on account of any obligatory charges?

The Labour Laws in force in Malaya fix the hours of employment of Indian labourers at nine a day, of which not more than six should be worked continuously. Standard daily rates of wages of 50 cents for adult males and 40 cents for adult females in the Province Wellesley, and of 58 cents for adult males and 46 cents for adult females in the inland districts of Pahang, were introduced in 1927. These rates have been accepted by the Government of India, who have urged the Malayan Governments to take steps as soon as possible for the adoption of standard rates for the rest of Malaya. As regards child labourers, an amendment of the Labour Code, recently passed, provides for the fixation of standard rates of wages for children of 10 years of age and over. With regard to the last part of the question, employers are prohibited by law from making any deductions from wages other than for rice or other foodstuffs advanced to labourers or small cash advances paid in anticipation of wages for the purchase of provisions. This information, which is the latest available, is taken from a report for the year 1927.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India to postpone further the operation of the emigration enforcing a definite sex ratio among the Indians recruited for labour on the Malayan plantations; and whether he will inform the House of the subject of the discussions between the controller of labour in Malaya and the Government of India during the former's recent visit to Delhi?

The Government of India have decided to extend, subject to certain reservations, the exemption of Indian emigration to Malaya from the restriction on the emigration of single men, laid down in Rule 23 of tie Indian Emigration Rules, until June, 1930. As regards the second part of the question, the controller of labour in Malaya recently visited India for the purpose of discussing this matter and other questions affecting Indian emigration to Malaya with representatives of the Government of India. My Noble Friend has not received a detailed Report on these discussions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what progress has been made in the erection of the mooring mast and other necessary ground equipment at the air port at Karachi; what is the total estimated cost to the Government of India; and whether any part of this cost is being borne on the military budget?

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, in the reply which he gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) on 20th March, it is expected that the mooring tower at Karachi will be completed during the summer. As regards the other necessary ground equipment, it is understood that three-quarters of this has already been completed and that the remainder will be ready by about 1st August next. Besides meeting the cost, estimated at £55,000, of the mooring tower, and contributing Rs.4 lakhs (representing Customs duties on materials imported for the construction of the base) towards the cost of the Imperial airship scheme, the Government of India anticipate spending a total sum of Rs.1,83,759 on the acquisition of a site for the airship base at Karachi. In addition they are providing meteorological and wireless facilities for civil aviation in India generally, the separate cost of which at the Karachi air port cannot be stated. No portion of this expenditure is being borne from military funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to give the names of the delegates and their advisers appointed by the Government of India to represent the employers, workers and the Government at the forthcoming International Labour Conference?

The composition of the Indian delegation to the forthcoming International Labour Conference has not yet been finally settled, but it is hoped that an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount of rate relief to be given to the brewing and distilling industry under the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Bill?

The information desired is not available, and could be obtained only by special researches on the part of local authorities, which I do not feel justified in asking them to undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of new holdings and enlargements, respectively, were constituted in Scotland during each of the years 1927 and 1928?

During the years 1927 and 1928 the Board of Agriculture for Scotland provided and gave applicants entry to 75 new holdings and 17 enlargements, and 71 new holdings and 46 enlargements, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether arrangements have yet been made for the constitution of new holdings and enlargements of existing holdings from the farm of Sciberscross, in the Parish of Rogart, in Sutherland?

Schemes for the constitution of new holdings and for the enlargement of existing landholder's holdings have been served on the landlord and tenant of Sciberscross Farm. The statutory procedure must be completed before a decision can be made as to whether the schemes should be put into operation or abandoned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any and, if so, what steps are taken by him to prevent aliens resident in this country from filling situations which would otherwise be open to unemployed Englishmen?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Subject to certain exceptions in connection with pilotage and shipping, an alien who is resident in the United Kingdom is not debarred from taking employment, unless his admission to the country was subject to an understanding that he should not do so.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any record is kept showing what aliens are in employment in this country and the nature of such employ- ment; and whether, in the event of there being no such record, he will cause one to be made?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am afraid that registration under the Aliens Order, 1920, is not conducted in such a way that I could produce a record of employment, and it would be difficult and expensive to establish one.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Reports received by his Department during 1928 regarding the health and conditions of working of persons employed in factories and workshops in England and Wales; the number of prosecutions which have taken place since 1st January, 1928, in consequence of factory inspectors' reports; and the number of convictions?

If the hon. Member is referring to the inspection reports made by the factory inspectors—which are very numerous—I regret that these are not recorded and classified in such a way as would enable me to give the figure desired. If, however, he will let me know more precisely the object of his inquiry, I might be able to assist him. There were 667 prosecutions in Great Britain during 1928. These included 1,647 charges on 1,489 of which, convictions were obtained. I regret that I am not able at present to give separate figures for England and Wales or figures for the current year.

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons serving on common juries during the year 1928 at the assizes in England and Wales in criminal and civil cases, respectively; at the High Court of Justice, London, other than in assize cases; at the county courts throughout England and Wales; and at coroners' courts throughout England and Wales?

No figures are yet available for 1928, and the figures for 1927 do not give the information in the precise form required. All I can say is that in that year 31,174 jurors were summoned to assizes, 5,303 to the High Court, round about 14,000 to county courts, and between 7,000 and 11,000 to coroners' inquests.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information to show the number of fatal road accidents during the year 1928 and the causes thereof?

I have been asked to reply to this question. A return giving certain information is presented and published annually. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the return for 1927. The figures for 1928 will be ready shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated number of level crossings in Great Britain and in what number of cases do modern traffic conditions require their replacement by bridges?

There is no record of the number of level crossings in Great Britain; but in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for the Anglesey Division (Sir R. Thomas) on 28th February last, I stated that there are about 250 level crossings of more than ordinary importance. In several cases negotiations by local authorities are in progress for the erection of bridges with assistance from the Road Fund—a policy which I steadily encourage.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of the Government grants towards the elimination of level crossings in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1928; the total expenditure on such work in each of the years in question; and the number of level crossings thereby eliminated?

Since 1923–24, 16 schemes involving the elimination of 20 level crossings have been approved for grant from the Road Fund. As in many cases the grant is made in respect of a comprehensive scheme, embodying widenings or other improvements in addition, the amount applicable specifically to the elimination of these level crossings is not recorded. I cannot, therefore, state the total expenditure incurred by the various local authorities concerned on works of this nature.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the damage caused by traffic vibration to buildings and underground services, any technical tests have been undertaken to ascertain whether rubber roads, such as are now under demonstration in London, as compared with other methods of road construction, have a beneficial effect; and, if not, whether these tests will be made?

I am watching with interest the trials of rubber paving in streets, which are now being made, and, while I will bear in mind my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, I cannot at present undertake to carry out special tests of this particular surfacing in preference to other experimental work.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give information as to what extent heavy motor vehicles are taking advantage of reduction in taxation by substituting pneumatic instead of solid tyres; and whether the Government will give further encouragement by further reduction to alleviate vibration, of which householders complain?

The information referred to in the first part of the question will not be available until the census of motor vehicles has been taken in September next in ordinary course, but I trust that the inducement of the existing rebate will be found to have been material.

asked the Minister of Transport the productive capacity of British road-stone quarries in a year, assuming that they are working to full extent?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will appoint a committee to consider the danger of the present system of separate compartments on railway trains, the overcrowding of third-class compartments, and the introduction of corridor trains and Pullmans, together with the abolition of the special discrimination against the railways in the taxation of certain passenger fares?

I do not at present contemplate setting up a committee to consider the matters to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

asked the Minister of Transport when the London electric railways are to carry out the promise made to increase the number of coaches on the tube railways in order to prevent the dangerous overcrowding which now takes place in the morning and evening hours?

I am informed that since November last 11 six-car trains have been increased to trains of seven cars each, that a further 10 trains will be similarly augmented by the middle of next month, and that a further 13 cars are expected to be placed in service by the end of June. The company also state that nine old-type trains have been replaced by new and improved trains of larger capacity and fitted with pneumatic doors.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department or the Committee of Medical Research have investigated the Cardigan alleged cure for cancer; and, if so, what is the Report thereon?

This is on,; of several alleged cancer cures regarding which my right hon. Friend has made some inquiries through the Departmental Committee on Cancer. No information of scientific value was obtained by those inquiries, and no Report dealing with the cure has been made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has had his attention called to a Report by the medical superintendent of the Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, that nearly 100 deaths occurred there within three weeks and that many of the lives might have been saved if it was not for the overcrowding; that the Romford Board of Guardians was waiting for the sanction of the Minister to enlarge the accommodation, but no approval has been received; and can he state the cause of the delay and what he is doing in the matter?

I have seen a Report by this officer in which he states, that some of these deaths which apparently occurred last month, could have been avoided had the guardians taken some notice of his repeated advice with regard to the lack of accommodation. Proposals for the provision of increased accommodation for cases of tuberculosis were submitted by the guardians in August of last year. After consultation with the Essex County Council, I came to the conclusion that the provision of additional wards of the ordinary hospital type was necessary, and the guardians themselves adopted this view in a letter addressed to me on 14th January last, when they made proposals for extensions at an estimated cost of £33,000. On 18th January I informed the guardians that I was prepared to consider the provision of additional hospital wards and on the 22nd instant a deputation of the guardians was seen by my officers. No detailed proposals had been submitted to me before the interview, but arrangements have now been made for the immediate discussion of the necessary plans between the guardians' advisers and my officers. There has been no delay on my part in dealing with any proposals of the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health the extra provision of hospital accommodation set aside in the last 12 months for the treatment of acute rheumatism among children; and what is the total number of beds so set aside?

No complete particulars are available, but as regards London, the Metropolitan Asylums Board have, during 1928, set aside 38 additional beds in their institutions for the treatment of rheumatic affections among children (including rheumatic fever, acute endocarditis and chorea). The total number of beds provided by the Board for this purpose was 170 at the beginning of the present month, and they are providing 350 additional beds in buildings now in course of construction. Accommodation is also provided for children suffering from rheumatism in other hospitals, institutions, and schools for physically defective children recognised by the Board of Education, but exact particulars as to the number of beds so provided are not available. I may, however, refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the information given on page 65 of the Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Board of Education for the year 1926, and to pages 123 and 124 of the Report for the year 1927. Reference may also be made to page 211 of the Report of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department for the year 1927.

asked the Minister of Health exactly what treatment can be obtained under the National Health Insurance Acts by persons suffering from different forms of rheumatism?

All insured persons in Great Britain (with almost negligible exception of voluntary contributors with an income exceeding £250 a year) are entitled to medical benefit. Under this benefit, insured persons suffering from any form of rheumatism are entitled to receive from insurance practitioners all such treatment as the practitioners consider to be proper and necessary, except treatment involving the application of special skill and experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners as a class cannot reasonably be expected to possess. Further, if an insured person who is a member of an Approved Society which has adopted additional benefit No. 10 receives treatment as an in-patient of a hospital, the Society may make payment towards the cost of his maintenance and treatment. Finally, as soon as suitable arrangements can be made under additional benefits Nos. 8 and 16, it will be open to Societies which adopt those benefits to make payment towards the cost of any special form of treatment of rheumatism (not included under either of the heads referred to above) either by a registered medical practitioner in accordance with an approved special scheme, or through the agency of an approved charitable institution.

asked the Minister of Health the total of the milk supply grants to local authorities in England in each year since the grants started?

The grants for this purpose are included in the total grants paid to local authorities in respect of their maternity and child welfare services, and no separate figures are available showing the actual amount of grants paid for the supply of milk. The following statement gives the closest estimate which can be formed of the total grants paid for this purpose in respect of each of the financial years 1919–20 to 1927–28:

	£
1919–20	80,000
1920–21	179,500
1921–22	140,500
1922–23	103,500
1923–24	95,500
1924–25	91,000
1925–26	93,500
1926–27	103,000
1927–28	98,000

asked the Minister of Health whether any investigation is taking place as to the water supply of the various districts of the country, such as the towns and country areas where complaint has been made in the past as to the shortage of supply?

Investigations are constantly being made in individual cases. Further, I have the assistance of an Advisory Water Committee in dealing with general questions. The best way for a systematic survey of local water resources is through the appointment of Advisory Regional Water Committees, regarding which I recently issued a booklet. I may add that a Report on rural water supplies will shortly be issued.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the effect on the surrounding neighbourhood of the Melton Cement Works, East Yorkshire; and if he is prepared to send his representative to the meeting of inquiry which is to be held at North Ferriby on 25th March?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him on the 12th ultimo. The district alkali inspector is keeping in close touch with the situation. I am also arranging that one of the medical officers of the Department shall visit the district at an early date, but I am afraid that I cannot arrange for a representative to attend the meeting on the 25th instant.

asked the Minister of Health if he is in a position to issue a statement showing the local authorities which have reduced the poor rate for the half-year ending September, 1929, together with the amount of such reduction?

My right hon. Friend intends, in accordance with usual practice, to ask local authorities for information as to the poundage of their rates for the ensuing half-year, and when the information has become available, he will send to the hon. Member particulars relating to the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any figures as to the number of applications made to the county councils under the Rural Housing Act which have been refused by them?

Up to 3ls1 December last, the latest date for which information is available, 2,070 dwellings were included in applications made to county councils for assistance under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, and in 577 cases assistance had been refused.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 to build houses by the corporations of Wandsworth, Hastings, Felixstowe, Cardiff and Hendon?

The following numbers of houses had been erected up to the 1st instant by the local authorities in question under the Acts of 1923 and 1924:

Wandsworth M.B.G.	468
Cardiff C.B.C	2,008
Hastings C.B.C	262
Felixstowe U.D.C	38
Hendon U.D.C	109

Each of these authorities also erected houses under the Act of 1919; and in the case of Wandsworth it will be appreciated that the large schemes undertaken by the London County Council include provision for the needs of Metropolitan boroughs.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in England and Wales of the total private family population who are living more than two per room?

The latest available figures are contained in Table XXVI of the General Report upon the Census of 1921 to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what is the net increase of the population since 1914, allowing for emigration and migration to countries of the Empire?

The estimated net increase in the population of England and Wales between the middle of 1914 and the middle of 1928 is approximately 2,521,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statistics that will show the number of British subjects who have been killed or wounded, either by mob or military violence, in China during the previous five years?

So far as I can ascertain, 17 British subjects have been killed in China during the last five years by mob or military violence. To this figure should be added 15 cases of murder by pirates or robbers. I regret that, in the absence of full particulars, I cannot give a return of the British subjects wounded in similar circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information showing the amount of British capital invested in the Peking-Mukden Railway?

The amount of British capital invested in the Peking-Mukden Railway is as follows:

	£
(1) Original sterling loan of 1899 (£2,300,000) outstanding at 1st February, 1929	920,000
(2) Double Track sterling loan of 1921 (£500,000) outstanding at 31st December, 1928	395,000
(3) Double Track silver loan of 1921 ($2,000,000), outstanding at 15th March, 1929, $1,000,000	1,000,000
	£1,415,000

I understand that most of the outstanding bonds in the above loans are held in England.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of directors' fees received by the two Government nominees on the board of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company for the last financial year of the company; and whether these fees are retained by the directors in question or paid into the Exchequer?

Since 1923 the position is as follows: The Government directors are remunerated on the same terms as ordinary directors of the Company, the amount being determined by the Company. I am informed that, under the Articles of Association of the Company, each director is entitled to receive remuneration for his services at the rate of £1,000 per annum. In addition to this, however, I understand that directors are or may be members of the boards of certain important subsidiary companies of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, in respect of some of which they receive further remuneration. No payment is made by or to the Exchequer in the case of the two present Government directors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of bulk barrels of beer produced during the calendar year 1928 in England and Wales and Northern Ireland and Scotland, respectively; and the number of bulk barrels of beer imported into Great Britain for home consumption during the same period?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the particulars given on 18th March in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves). As regards the last part of the question, the number of bulk barrels of imported beer retained for home consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the calendar year 1928 was 1,332,262.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give particulars of the number of persons who are engaged in sea fishing in Great Britain, giving separate figures for those who are known as shore workers?

The estimated number of men and boys employed in sea fishing in Great Britain in the year 1927, the latest year for which complete figures are available, was 60,018. The number of persons estimated by the Fishery Board for Scotland to have been employed in Scotland in the same year in occupations ancillary to the fishing industry was 41,794. I am not in a position to frame a corresponding estimate for England and Wales.