asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the raw materials quoted in the letter of protest from the British High Commissioner at Ottawa to the Canadian Government as involving over 50 per cent. of the cost of certain finished articles on import into Canada from Britain, and thereby not being eligible for the Empire preference, could be procured from within the Empire and thereby enable the preference to operate, instead of coming from the United States?

At present it would be difficult, if not impossible, for manufacturers to obtain adequate supplies of materials from Empire sources for the manufacture for the Canadian market of the goods to which my noble Friend refers. I may add that the Canadian Government are now carrying on investigations in this country as to the difficulties which manufacturers and exporters experience in complying with the new Canadian conditions.

Does my right hon. Friend think it really impossible to get these raw materials within the British Empire?

Yes, I said so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of fine chemicals imported during the years 1926, 1927 and 1928, and the amount of duty collected thereon; and if he will give the names of fine chemicals which have been removed from the list of dutiable articles during the years 1926, 1927 and 1928 and those which have been placed in the list in the same period?

The answer is rather long, and the hon. Member will perhaps agree to my circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

With regard to the second part of the question, could the right hon. Gentleman just give the total number of articles taken off and the total number added?

No, I am afraid I could not do that, because there are three White Papers which give them in detail. I will certainly send the hon. Member copies of them if he is not otherwise able to obtain them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether radium compounds have at any time been in this list?

Again, I have not got the exact list before me, but, speaking from memory, radium was at one time in the list and is now exempted from duty, but I would rather the hon. Gentleman put down a question, so that I could give him a precise answer. My recollection certainly is that at the present time radium and, I think, radium compounds, are exempt from duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the production of British lace during 1928 compared with the production during the year prior to the introduction of the Safeguarding Duty?

I am not in possession of complete figures of production covering all firms engaged in the lace industry; and I cannot, therefore, give absolute figures of comparison. But the figures of machine output and the returns of sales which the lace trade have furnished (and which cover a large part of the industry) both indicate a material improvement in activity in the industry since the imposition of the duty.

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House how many people would be displaced from employment if this duty were repealed?

I have no doubt it would be a very considerable number, not only those who have been added to the industry since the duty was imposed, but a number of others as well.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any official figures, and, if so, will he give them, instead of assuming things?

I have not assumed things. What I said was that I had got figures which were given me by the lace trade, covering a very large proportion of it. These have already been published in the papers, and they certainly indicate, on both the production and sale sides, a remarkable advance.

Is it not a fact that there are fewer lace workers in the industry to-day than there were when the duty was put on?

No, it is not in the least. There are some specious figures which I have seen advanced of numbers of people who figure on some list, but, when you come to the actual number of lace workers who are at work, there are very considerably more at work in the industry to-day, and there are very many more working whole-time who were only working part-time before.

Is there any case of which my right hon. Friend knows in which the price of lace has been raised since the imposition of the duty?

No, I know of no such case.

Are we to take it that all the figures that have any bearing against the right hon. Gentleman's arguments are specious, and that all the others are to be depended on?

I have no reason to suppose at all that the figures I have cited are not entirely correct, and, if the hon. Gentleman would visit Nottingham and see what is happening there in the development of the lace trade, he would find what the facts are.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the date of the first sitting of the Committee appointed to consider the application of the Yorkshire woollen industry for safeguarding; how many sittings the Committee held; the number of witnesses heard; the date of the last sitting of the Committee; whether he can give any indication as to the date when the Committee's Report may be expected; and whether he can state the reason of the long delay in reporting the decision of the Committee?

The first public sitting of the Committee took place on the 4th of February, and the last on the 28th of March. I understand that the hearing occupied 24 sittings and that 37 witnesses were called. I am not able to say when the Committee will present their Report, but, in view of the importance and complexity of the case, I do not think it would be reasonable to suggest that any undue delay has taken place.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that uncertainty with regard to the future is very prejudicial to the course of the industry, and that there is evidence that foreign manufacturers are taking advantage of this state of uncertainty now, and can he indicate whether any announcement will be made, in view of the fact that the Finance Bill was introduced yesterday and that the period of the present Parliament is running out?

Obviously, I can make no announcement of any kind until, first of all, the Report has been received, and then the Government have had the opportunity of considering it. I may say that I think one of the members of the Committee was taken seriously ill just at the end of the inquiry and was only able to continue and return to work a short time ago, but I am certain that a responsible Committee of this kind will not incur any unnecessary delay.

If it is true that Safeguarding does these wonderful things, why do the Government refuse to apply it to agriculture?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of licensed pilots in the United Kingdom on the last convenient date, and their average net annual earnings?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the House of Commons paper, "Abstract of Returns relating to Pilotage for 1927," which was ordered by the House to be printed in November last. It appears that there were 1,725 licensed pilots in the United Kingdom on 31st December, 1927, and that the average net earnings per pilot for the year 1927 were £513.

Are those the latest figures, and, if so, is the right hon. Gentleman unable to obtain more recent figures?

That is the last annual Return presented to Parliament, and they certainly are the last complete figures available.

In asking this question, I would point out that the words "seeing that" should be omitted, as I am not sure whether the lease does in fact come up for review.

It does not make any difference to the reply. The lease in question, which is of the nature of a yearly tenancy determinable by three months' notice, was granted after local advertisement to the Exmouth Urban District Council last year for the purpose of enabling them to regulate the removal of materials below low water mark, the removal, it was represented, being detrimental to the safety of property in the district. The Council, acting under the lease, have decided to prevent removal within its limits altogether, and, after careful consideration, I am not prepared to take any action with regard to their decision, to which they strongly adhere, I am communicating with my hon. Friend as to the possibility of allowing dredging in an area of the Exe outside the limits of the lease.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of anxiety is being caused by the depredations of the raiders from the other side of the river?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of gravel has very greatly increased during the last 20 years at the point at which this dredging takes place, and that the Exmouth Council have themselves been selling quantities of sand?

I am seeking an opportunity of finding a solution which will be agreeable to both my hon. Friends and the interests which they represent. No doubt there was a very strong case for preventing dredging in this particular area, because it was likely to cause, and was, I think, causing damage, but I am trying to see if there is not some area of the Exe in which this dredging can take place without damage being caused.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of a man in receipt of the special campaign pension being awarded an old age pension, it is the practice to withdraw the special campaign pension; and, if so, will he state the regulations governing the award of special campaign pensions?

The grant of old age pension does not necessarily result in the withdrawal or reduction of special campaign pension, but it may do so if the pensioner has other means, as one of the conditions governing the grant of a special campaign pension is that the income of the recipient must not exceed certain fixed limits. Old age pension must be taken into account in this connection. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the regulations governing the award of special campaign pensions.

Is it the general practice to take away the special campaign pension if the means are above 19s. a week, and does the right hon. Gentleman think that that is fair treatment of these old soldiers?

I am not sure of the figure, but there is a scale beyond which the special campaign pension is not payable.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter with a view to allowing these old soldiers to enjoy their special campaign pension as well as their old age pension? They are no better off.

I wish that I could, but of course that would involve the question of further funds being granted for the purpose.

Has it not been the custom to regard other cases of special campaign pensions as for services rendered and not as a charity grant; is it right, therefore, to take it away?

I do not think that either of those terms can apply to the special campaign pensions; they are in a special class by themselves.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the cost of living and other considerations, that he ought to go into this matter and see if it be not possible to grant a higher limit?

It is not a case of what I think; it would be easily solved if it were a question of what I think; but the question of funds is important.

Do I understand from the reply that the right hon. Gentleman's Department is under an obligation to reduce this pension automatically when the old age pension is granted?

Not quite; the special campaign pension is only payable to old soldiers whose total income is under a certain scale. If the receipt of the old age pension brings them beyond that scale, the special campaign pension is not payable, and they are not then entitled to it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman right when he says that the special campaign pension is payable to all old soldiers?

I did not say so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements in connection with the General Election will be made for Territorials in camp?

Territorials who are registered as Parliamentary electors and are absent at annual training in camp will be able either to record their vote as absent voters or to obtain leave and vote in person. Those who wish to vote as absent voters will be required to send in their applications on the appropriate form to the Registration Officer as indicated in the Instructions about to be issued. A stock of the appropriate form will be available at the headquarters of those units which are due to be in camp on polling day, and instructions will be issued that all ranks are to be given the opportunity of obtaining this form and filling it in before going to camp. Posters will be displayed in the drill-halls of the units concerned calling attention to these arrangements. Territorials who have been put on the absent voters list under this procedure will receive their ballot papers in camp and post them to the returning officer in the usual way. Territorials who wish to vote in person will be granted leave for the purpose as laid down in paragraph 245 of the Regulations for the Territorial Army.

As regards activities prior to polling day, as permission cannot be granted for speakers or canvassers to visit the camps or for Territorial officers and other ranks in camp to institute or take part in demonstrations for party or political purposes, arrangements will be made for the grant of leave from camp to those Territorials who so desire it from 27th May until after the election. Such leave, as well as leave granted to enable a Territorial to record his vote, will count as days in camp for the purpose of pay and allowances, bounty proficiency grant and the Territorial Efficiency Medal.

Territorials who are granted leave either to vote or for the period prior to polling day and do not return to camp will be given free conveyance as if they had returned from camp at the normal end of the training, provided they have completed eight days in camp.

I take it that there is no longer any camp censorship of letters?

No, certainly not.

There used to be.

As there has been no previous official announcement of the date of the Election, may we take it that it is the date mentioned in the right hon. Gentleman's reply?

The right hon. Gentleman did not observe my caution. I said "from the 27th May until after the Election." I mentioned no date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say the maximum amount of leave which is to be granted from the 27th May?

No, Sir; I said "from the 27th May until after the Election," and until the date of the Election is fixed I cannot answer the hon. Gentleman.

Are Territorials who are taking part in the Election permitted to wear their uniforms?

There is nothing to prevent them going to the poll in uniform, but I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Regulations with regard to wearing uniforms at meetings and so forth.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why speakers from the various parties should not be allowed to address the soldiers?

Under what paragraph of the King's Regulations does the right hon. Gentleman forbid meetings at Territorial camps?

I cannot without notice give the number of the Regulation, but the hon. Gentleman will find that it is so.

May we assume that, in the interests of strict neutrality as between the various parties, the right hon. Gentleman himself will refrain from visiting these camps?

If a Territorial who leaves camp to record his vote returns to camp, will he be granted a free pass?

No, he cannot have it both ways. He can have a free pass home once, but not twice.

asked the Prime Minister, if he will take steps to provide that there shall be a general holiday on the polling day at the forthcoming General Election.

No, Sir.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware of the very great difficulty that many electors have in recording their votes after they have finished work for the day?

The statutory hours of polling are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but a candidate or election agent is empowered, at the time of the nomination, to notify that he wishes the polling to commence at 7 a.m. or be kept open till 9 p.m. The enactment of a statutory general holiday would be attended by many complications. For one thing, it would render the payment of wages for that day not obligatory upon employers. At any rate, there would be many difficulties, and it has never been done in the past.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there will be more difficulty at the next Election—which we have been told is to take place on the 30th May—than before—

Why?

I will tell the right hon. Gentleman. It is because of the manner in which the Government have increased the hours of miners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of houses, including the steel houses, completed in Scotland with State assistance from 1919 till 1st October, 1928; the total capital cost of these houses; and the amount of the State subsidy paid in respect thereof?

The total number of houses, including steel houses, completed in Scotland with State assistance from 1919 to 1st October, 1928, was 82,844, and the amount of State subsidy paid at the latter date was £8,268,027 9s. 3d. I regret that the capital cost of these houses is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses under construction and the number authorised but not started under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 respectively on 1st April?

At 1st April, 1929, the position was as follows:

Under construction:
	Houses.
1923 Act	28,359
1924 Act	27,628
Authorised but not started:
1923 Act	57,229
1924 Act	32,449

Do those figures include steel houses?

As all these houses are being built under pre-1925 Acts, how does the Conservative party justify the figure of 800,000 houses?

asked the Minister of Health the number of assisted houses completed during the three months ended 31st March, 1929; and if he can furnish any estimate of the extent to which building was retarded by the severe frost during the quarter in question?

The number of houses completed in the quarter ended 31st March, 1929, was 20,225. Building was undoubtedly retarded by the severe frost experienced during this period, but I am afraid it is not practicable to estimate any reliable figure to express this quantitatively.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic consideration where the building has been delayed on this account, and will he consider the advisibility of extending the date?

That is another matter altogether.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has had submitted to him the plans for clearance and rebuilding in the neighbourhood of East Street, King and Queen Street, and Browning Street, Southwark; if so, whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements are being made for the accommodation of the families to be displaced pending the completion of the scheme; and whether he will take steps to secure that the families now living in the district shall have preference as tenants of the new houses?

I understand that the London County Council have decided to make an improvement scheme in respect of the area referred to by the hon. Member, but no scheme has yet been submitted to my right hon. Friend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the cause of the delay?

I will if the hon. Gentleman desires it. Perhaps he will let me know the exact particulars.

asked the Minister of Health the three cheapest types of artisan dwellings which have received the subsidy in the last six months; the places of erection; and the details of expenditure, including the cost of land?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to the cheapest types which have received a subsidy in the last six months, but the lowest prices obtained in tenders for the erection of dwellings which have been accepted by local authorities during that period are: Nottingham, £217 per flat; Gateshead, £234 per flat; and Carlisle, £240 per house, excluding the cost of land and development. In Gateshead the cost of land worked out at about £8 per flat, and the cost of street and sewer works at about £40. In the other two cases the houses form part of the development of large estates, and information is not available as to the portion of total cost of land and street works properly chargeable to the individual schemes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what in particular constitutes an artisan dwelling?

That, I should think, may be defined by Act of Parliament. The premises referred to here, where the cost is £217 per flat, have an area of 500 superficial feet, one living room (large), one bedroom (large), and the usual offices. Bathroom accommodation is also provided in the building.

I take it that an artisan dwelling is not necessarily a cheap dwelling?

No, Sir; I think the authorities at Nottingham would very strongly resent that description.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men and women who have been in receipt of able-bodied relief in Glasgow and Govan, respectively, for each week of this year to the latest available date?

As the answer is in tabular form, I propose, with the hon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons who have been convicted of offences in Glasgow Eastern Police Court and the number of those under 21 years of age; and if he can give similar figures for Glasgow Northern and Glasgow Western Police Courts, respectively, for the first three months of this year?

The total numbers of persons convicted in the Glasgow Eastern, Northern and Western Police Courts during the first three months of the year 1929 were 1,109, 636 and 616, respectively. The numbers of persons under 21 years of age included in these totals were 484, 231, and 191, respectively.

Can the right hon Gentleman say why the number is so much larger in the Eastern Police Court,

No, Sir, I have no reason to suppose that any one is being unduly or improperly harassed by the police. As regards the area of open space available, as the hon. Member knows, we are all anxious to see it increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of voluntary schools transferred to education authorities under Section 18 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, giving the number, respectively, transferred by sale, lease, or otherwise, to each of the respective education authorities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 27th November, 1928, as to the number of the schools in question in each education area. I am obtaining the additional details now asked for, and will communicate them to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the new regulations relating to first-aid appliances, &c., at collieries were issued; and what steps his inspectors are taking to see that such regulations are being adhered to.

The First Aid Regulations at present in force are those of 10th July, 1913, and their observance is checked by inspections at all the collieries. The proposed new Regulations on this subject are being discussed with representative bodies of the industry, and have not yet been issued.

Is it the intention under the new regulations to insist upon skilled ambulance men being available both at pit tops and pit bottoms in cases of injury?

As I say, the details of the new regulations are now under discussion among those interested in the industry, and I cannot give a definite reply.

Will the particular case which was brought to the attention of the hon. and gallant Member a few weeks ago be brought to the notice of those who are considering these regulations?

Oh, yes, all relevant matters will be considered.

Is it not the case that the proposed new regulations have been before the Department since 1924, and what is the reason for this delay?

That is not the case. The regulations in the form now being submitted were drawn up only last autumn.

But is the hon. and gallant Member aware that in 1924 the Department were considering proposed new regulations in respect of first-aid appliances?

The hon. Member must not complain that I have brought to completion what was started in his time.

May I ask why these regulations have not yet been brought to completion?

Because they have not yet received the full consent and approval of those interested in the industry.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the total deficiency owing by the Yorkshire mine workers to the mine owners at the last available date?

I am informed that at the end of February last it was 7¾ million pounds.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make representations to the various railway companies of Great Britain asking them to have one or more compartments set aside and labelled for ladies only on all non-corridor trains?

I have brought the hon. Member's suggestion to the notice of the railway companies.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say what has been the reply and whether the companies propose to deal with these carriages as suggested?

When I receive the replies I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the plans for the proposed Tay road bridge are now complete; and when does he intend to publish a report?

No, Sir. The preliminary report of the engineer has not yet been received. As I informed the hon. Member on the 19th March, I expect to receive this report next month. The question of publication is a separate matter which can be considered in due course.

As there is considerable competition between the three political contractors, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman push forward the specifications so that the most liberal offer may be accepted by the community especially interested?

I do not think that I can usefully add anything to my answer until I receive the report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether anything further is being done about building a barrage across the River Severn and generating electric power by tidal water; and how many men is it estimated would be employed on this scheme if it were put in hand?

The question of the practicability of constructing a barrage across the River Severn for the purposes of generating electric power by tidal water is being investigated by an expert committee which was appointed on the recommendation of the Committee of Civil Research. It is not possible to give any useful estimate of the number of men who might be employed on any scheme of this kind.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when they will make their report?

I could not say.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this scheme excites considerable apprehension among authorities in Sharpness and Avonmouth Docks, and, if the scheme is proposed, will he see that the representatives of these ports have full opportunity of representing their views?

I think I had better wait until the Committee report.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how long the Committee have been sitting?

Quite a long time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any agreement has now been arrived at between his Department and the British Broadcasting Corporation by which facilities will be granted for the purpose of broadcasting by television; which station the British Broadcasting Corporation will be utilising for these experiments; and will he give particulars?

I have already announced my willingness to agree to a station of the British Broadcasting Corporation being utilised for television experiments outside broadcasting hours. The corporation, however, cannot provide the desired facilities for simultaneous transmission of speech and television until the completion of their new station at Brookmans Park, which is expected to be ready in July next.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the broadcast television will comprise all the services of television, or only one? Will it comprise the new one which has just been brought out in Vienna?

Those particular arrangements are matters between the television companies and the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Would it not be a considerable handicap to the success of broadcasting if listeners saw some of the speakers?

Do we understand that it is only permission For the Baird system, or that the other companies will have the same opportunities?

No other application has been made to me.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to a coroner's criticism at a Surrey inquest of the telephone service, in which he stated that it was not the first case that had come before him where an urgent summons had been sent through to the telephone exchange during the night and no reply had been received; and what steps he intends to take to render the night telephone service efficient?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has held an inquiry into the alleged failure of the night telephone service to which attention was drawn at a recent inquest at Croydon; and what is the result?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the father of a young man taken ill recently in the early hours of the morning attempted to telephone for a doctor, but failed to get a reply from the exchange, although he tried for three-quarters of an hour; that the coroner subsequently stated that this was not the first case in his experience when the exchange made no reply to an urgent night summons; and whether he will make a general statement on the question of night staffs for telephone exchanges?

I have made full inquiry into this case, and greatly regret to find that there was a failure of the night telephone service on this occasion. It has not been possible to determine the precise cause of the failure, and I can find no record of a similar case in the same locality. A system of periodical testing has been for some time in force at night telephonist exchanges, and the latest records show that the average speed of answer by the operators is satisfactory. I propose to extend this testing system further, and am at present considering the best means of so doing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there has been very considerable, almost universal, dissatisfaction with this service for a very long time? Has his attention been called to the specific complaints made by doctors, and, in particular, by the hon. secretary of the blood transfusion service of the Red Cross Society, in which allegations are made about loss of life owing to the delays in this service? Is he doing anything to expedite an inquiry into this matter?

I cannot say that I have an accurate recollection of that particular complaint, but I am aware that there have been complaints and that is the reason why the tests were made. As I have said, the tests show that on the average the speed of answering is not unsatisfactory. The average speed of answering, taken all over, is something like 10 seconds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the specific case mentioned the coroner said that it was a very serious case, and was not by any means the first within his knowledge?

I am aware of the statement made by the coroner, who was kind enough to communicate personally with myself, and it is for that reason that special attention was paid to the investigation of the case; but, as I have said, it is impossible to trace the precise fault or failure, and I have no record of any similar case.

The coroner said that he knows of other cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the night staffs are greatly reduced, and that that is the cause of this delay?

There has been no reduction.

Is the Department experimenting with any particular device for dealing with emergency calls?

Oh, yes, and the trouble here was that owing to a mechanical defect it failed to function.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now make a statement with regard to the provision of telephone facilities at Good Easter?

A canvass will take place next week for a rural exchange in the neighbourhood. If this is successful, and the prospects of success are reported to be good, a call office will be provided at Good Easter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of messages or words transmitted by the Government's Beam wireless telegraph system and by its cables, respectively, during the first quarter of the present year and, for comparison, during the first quarter of last year?

The following were the approximate numbers of telegrams (sent and received) in the first quarter:

By the Post Office Beam stations:
Last year	451,000
This year	506,000
By the Imperial Cables:
Last year	115,000
This year	123,000

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the recent frequency of mail-bag robberies, whether he proposes to transfer to Scotland Yard the entire work of preventing and investigating mail-bag thefts; and will he make a general statement on this matter?

The course suggested by the hon. Member is really impracticable as in some cases not only do technical questions of internal Post Office working arise, in which case investigation by the Post Office staff is most appropriate, but the theft may have occurred in circumstances which can best be investigated by the local or railway police.

When mail-bags are transported by railway does the entire responsibility rest with the railway company, or does the Department exercise supervision?

There is a further question on that point.

Are the inquiries with regard to these mail-bag robberies proceeding to the satisfaction of the right hon. Gentleman?

I cannot say anything more on that point than I have already said.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the usual practice to allow mail-bags to be taken off the trains by railway servants; and, if so, whether he will consider issuing instructions that postal matter may only be handled by or in the presence of Post Office servants?

The practice is a common one, especially as regards parcel mails, for the transfer of which the railway companies are responsible by law. In view of the number of mail-bags which are conveyed daily by train in all directions throughout the country, the cost of providing Post Office staff at every station of transfer would be out of all proportion to any additional security which might be obtained.

Accepting what the Postmaster-General has said, would it not be possible for the Department to exercise a little more supervision over the method adopted of storing mail-bags during the night hours?

I am engaged with the railway companies on the whole matter, but, as I have already said, the responsibility in the case of parcel mails is primarily with the railway companies.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is customary to leave mail-bags overnight unguarded in ordinary railway station parcel offices; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes to take for the proper protection of postal matter in transit, in view of the rifling of the mail at Kendal on the night of 17th–18th April?

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Scotland Yard authorities have been asked to assist in the inquiries into the recent mail-bag robbery which took place at Kendal on 18th April, 1929; and whether his Department has now introduced any fresh safeguards to protect mail-bags during transit on the railways?

Such an arrangement is not uncommon where the mails reach the station at an hour when the Post Office is closed and no postal staff is on duty. The robbery at Kendal was reported to the police authorities without delay. The Committee to which I referred in my statement of the 4th of March is examining in detail the question whether any additional means of providing protection for mails in transit are practicable within reasonable limits of cost and without involving such delay to mails as would inconvenience the public.

Can the Postmaster-General answer that part of my question which asks whether the Scotland Yard authorities have been asked to assist in the inquiry into the recent mail bag robbery which took place at Kendal?

The local police have the matter in hand. I am not certain whether Scotland Yard have taken a hand in those investigations, but the local police, who are primarily responsible, have the matter in hand.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Department are paying any compensation to the people who have suffered through these robberies?

I should require notice of any question of that kind.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he has taken, or is about to take, as a result of the Report made by the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the New Oxford Street explosions of 20th and 21st December, who recommend the immediate examination of the whole of the existing Post Office tube, the installation of adequate ventilation, and the employment of continuous detectors to give warning of the presence of gas; and can he made a statement regarding the estimated extent and the cost of the alterations required?

The Commissioners' recommendations are receiving the close attention of my advisers, but the nature and extent of the work involved is such that it must be some time before it is possible to make any statement of the kind desired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that part of the Crown lands on Roundway Downs, near Devizes, has been wired in and that public indignation and breaches of the peace have arisen from the interruption in the enjoyment by the public of this historic open space; and what steps will be taken to safeguard the public interest?

I have gone very carefully into the matters which my hon. Friend has previously brought to my notice in a personal interview, and to which he refers in the question. They involve points of some difficulty and are the subject of litigation pending in the High Court. It would therefore be improper for me to make any statement bearing on the merits of the case. I may say, however, that the Commissioners of Crown Lands are doing everything in their power to bring about an amicable settlement between the parties.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether plantations are insured against fire and other risks; whether any expenditure falls on the Commission in these connections; if so, to what monetary extent in a year; whether preventive legislation has been contemplated as to such fires; and how many trees, stating their value, have been so lost annually?

The Forestry Commission's plantations are not insured against fire or other risks, the general practice of the public service being that no insurance should be effected against the risk of any loss, which, if it arose, would fall directly upon public funds. 2s. 6d. per £100 expenditure on plantations is however carried to fire insurance reserve in the Commission's commercial accounts. The Commissioners are bearing in mind the possibility of legislation and will ask for additional powers if it is found that such powers can be made effective. During each of the last three forest years ended 30th September, which were normal seasons the area of the Commission's plantations damaged by fire has been 571 acres, 563 and 545 respectively, the damage being £1,935, £2,073 and £2,874 respectively. It is not possible to state the number of tree plants lost but the average number per acre may be put at 1,700. During the present abnormal fire season, which still continues, the losses are proving much higher.

Can the hon. Baronet state what is the total acreage belonging to the Commissioners so that we may be able to judge the total figure in relation to the acreage?

Is provision made by way of turning over the soil along the boundary as is commonly done abroad?

Yes, fire lines are maintained wherever possible, but during the last few months it has frequently happened that they have been ineffectual because the high winds have carried sparks from the bracken over the fire lines into other blocks of timber.

Can the hon. and gallant Baronet say to what extent this 2s. 6d. meets the losses?

It will certainly meet the losses so far as estimated under normal circumstances, but it will not go very far towards meeting the losses under abnormal conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information in regard to recent happenings in the Maltese Parliament; and, if so, will he convey the same to this House?

I have been asked to answer this question The hon. Member will, I think, realise that such matters fall outside the province of this House.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware of the recent imprisonment of the ex-Chancellor of the Maltese Parliament, and can he make any statement on that subject?

I am afraid that I cannot make a statement on that question, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put another question on that specific point.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the Returns of the Registrar-General showing that in the first quarter of this year the deaths recorded exceeded the births by 24,105, the deaths for the most part being due to the influenza epidemic; whether he is aware that in the Midlands in the first week of March the death-rate from influenza alone, not including derivative diseases, reached the figure of 9.67 per 1,000; and whether any research into this disease has been undertaken by the Medical Research Council during the past year or is being undertaken or contemplated by the council at the present time?

The returns issued by the Registrar-General show that in the first quarter of this year the deaths in 107 great towns in England and Wales exceeded the births by 25,108. The deaths numbered 111,003, influenza being certified as one of the causes of death in 12,711 cases. No similar figures are yet available for the country as a whole. The death-rate from influenza quoted in the second part of the question relates only to the great towns in the Midlands. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that the Medical Research Council are actively promoting researches into the group of diseases to which influenza is believed to belong.

asked the Minister of Health whether there exists any international machinery, and, if so, of what nature, to enable the fullest prior exchange of views between the health authorities of different countries before, by any one country, a health or sanitary ordinance is issued against the subjects of another?

The International Sanitary Convention of 1926 defines the measures that may be taken by countries which are parties to the Convention in order to prevent the introduction and spread of certain communicable diseases. The Convention does not require that there shall be an exchange of views between the countries concerned before the restrictions authorised by the Convention are imposed.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give an estimate of the number of widows who are not in receipt of either a widow's pension or an old age pension?

The answer is in the negative.

Are we to understand stand that the Minister of Health introduced the Contributory Pensions Bill in 1927 and did not know the number of widows who were not in receipt of pensions?

That is not the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that my question is whether the Minister can give an estimate of the number of widows who are not in receipt of either a widow's pension or an old age pension.

Yes.

If the Government cannot give these figures, how can they justify the statement that many thousands of these people have been relieved from the pressure of want?

That does not arise.

If the Minister of Health has the number of widows in the country, he must also have the number receiving pensions, and why cannot he give the figure?

I have gone carefully into this matter myself, and the answer I have given is one that has been supplied to me. I would remind hon. Members opposite that but for the Conservative Government no widows would be receiving pensions at all.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that, when the Actuary's Report was presented to his Department, no figures were given as to the number of widows in the country?