asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the town of Colwyn Bay, with an estimated population of 25,000, has no resident postmaster, and that it has been placed for administrative purposes under a postmaster resident at Llandudno, in another county: and whether, in view of the continued growth in the residential population of the former town and the protests of its inhabitants, he will restore to it a resident postmaster?

The Llandudno and Colwyn Bay postal districts were amalgamated under one head postmaster last year for reasons of administrative convenience, efficiency, and economy; and, after acquainting myself with the circumstances, I see no reason to modify the decision.

asked the Postmaster-General his intentions in regard to the extension of telephone services in rural areas, as contained in the undertaking given by the Conservative Government when in office?

This matter is under consideration, but my hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the state of the telephone service at Romiley, Cheshire; whther he is aware that the promises made by the Post Office to provide a new automatic exchange have not be carried out; and when this state of affairs will be put on a satisfactory basis?

The promise to which the hon. Member refers was to instal a temporary manual exchange to serve the Romiley area pending the provision of an automatic exchange. This promise is being carried out and the temporary exchange should be available for service in about six months time. The automatic exchange cannot be ready for some long time as it forms part of a large scheme for introducing automatic working into the Manchester area?

asked the Postmaster-General the names of the local post offices throughout the county of Cornwall where, up to the present, no telephone facilities have been provided?

I will send the hon. Member the information he requires.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, considering the lack of a public telephone at Kirby Misperton and the fact that the nearest telegraph office is four miles distant, he will make some provision for more speedy communication to and from this township?

The provision of a telephone call office at Kirby Misperton is under consideration in connection with the recent Budget proposals for the provision of call offices at certain post offices in rural areas. I will write to the hon. Member when a decision is reached.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will allow any picture postcards produced in the Empire and advertising any portion of the Empire to go for one halfpenny with a limited number of words allowed on the left half of the address side, provided such cards are licensed by the Empire Marketing Board?

I fear that it is impracticable to adopt a special rate of postage for postcards licensed by the Empire Marketing Board in view of the demands for similar concessions which would naturally arise from many other quarters.

asked the Postmaster-General the annual cost of the alterations in pay and allowances of the Post Office manipulative grades resulting from Award No. 1325 of the Industrial Court?

The estimated ultimate annual cost, including bonus at the current rate, of the alterations in pay and allowances of the Post Office manipulative grades resulting from Award No. 1325 of the Industrial Court is £570,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statistics that will show the number of fast goods carriages that are fitted with screw couplings and the number that are fitted with ordinary loose couplings?

I am not in possession of any statistics giving the information which my hon. Friend asks for.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration a scheme for the reconstruction of Wandsworth Bridge?

The reconstruction of Wandsworth Bridge was one of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Cross-River Traffic and would undoubtedly be a desirable improvement. I understand, however, that the London County Council, which is the authority primarily concerned, has arrived at the conclusion, with which the London Traffic Advisory Committee concur, that the improvement of Putney Bridge should take priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the part of the road connecting Edmiston Drive, Govan, with Shieldhall Road, Govan, will be completed?

I have been asked to reply. Details of the works required for the construction of sections of a road connecting Edmiston Drive, Govan, with Shieldhall Road Lane have recently been received from the Glasgow Corporation. As soon as these particulars have been examined by my Department, I shall be able to reach a decision upon the application for a grant from the Road Fund, but I cannot say how long it will take the Corporation to complete the road.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of men employed on county council road schemes during 1927, 1028, and at the present time in Lindsey?

My Department has no record of the numbers of men employed from time to time by highway authorities, and I should be reluctant to put public bodies to the trouble of furnishing such returns.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to a scheme for a by-pass road proposed in order to relieve the congestion at the level crossing on the main London-Kingston road, involving acquisition of property and considerable expenditure; and whether he is prepared to co-operate with the highway authorities concerned in a scheme to deal with the level crossing and so remove the necessity for the proposed by-pass road and impose upon the railway company recognition of the potential liability devolving upon them under Section 22 of the Wimbledon and Croydon Act, 1853?

Various tentative proposals have been submitted to my Department for improving traffic conditions at the point which I assume the hon. Member has in mind, namely, on the Merton-Kingston road just north of Merton Station. Discussion is still proceeding, and at this stage I am not prepared to express an opinion upon the merits of the alternative projects.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a memorial from Mr. C. N. B. Smart, a resident engineer in the service of the Great Indian Pensinsula Railway Company; if so, whether the memorial has been considered; and what is the result of such consideration?

I am informed by the Government of India that I may expect to receive this memorial within the next two months or so. I regret the delay, but I understand that the memorial raises a general issue of some complexity and one which affects a number of officers. I have asked that the matter may be expedited.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of Indians repatriated under the Cape Town Agreement in each year since the agreement became effective?

According to the Report of the Agent of the Government of India in South Africa for the year 1927, during the five months August to December, 1927, 1,655 Indians were repatriated under the provisions of the Assisted Emigration Scheme, which came into operation in August, 1927. No later official figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a copy of the Report of the Madras Provincial Committee which sat with the Simon Commission in Madras; and if he will state the procedure it is proposed to adopt with regard to issuing this Report in full?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that the Report of the Madras Provincial Committee, like a number of other Provincial Committees' Reports, has been forwarded to the Statutory Commission, which has already announced that it will give such Reports full consideration and will include them in the appendices to the Commission's own Report.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the vessels to be built under the 1928 shipbuilding programme will be laid down?

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on Wednesday last (OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th July, column 855).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will have inquiries made into the dissatisfaction with the action of certain members of the regulation branch, particularly in Mediterranean depot ships?

The Admiralty have not received any official complaints on this matter, but I will cause certain inquiries to be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he proposes to continue the policy of the last Government and allow the Royal Dockyards to tender for outside work?

It is proposed to continue the policy of allowing the Royal Dockyards to tender in competition with outside contractors for the supply of items for Naval service and for other State Departments.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the importance of the British Empire Trade Fair in Buenos Aires in 1930, whether he will arrange for visits to be paid to the Argentine by battle-cruisers and cruisers during the progress of the exhibition?

A decision to send any of His Majesty's ships to the Argentine during the progress of the exhibition at Buenos Aires in 1930–1931 must depend upon the wishes of the Argentine Government, and the extent to which His Majesty's Ships of the appropriate type can be made available. The Admiralty are aware of the importance attached to this exhibition, and the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured of sympathetic consideration being given to any representation that His Majesty's Navy should participate.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is his intention to assist the local education authorities to extend the system of nursery schools throughout the country?

Perhaps I may refer my hon. Friend to a reply which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for North Islington (Mr. Reginald Young), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of mentally deficient children in Great Britain now receiving education in special schools; whether he is considering further developments of such institutions in the near future; and whether the teachers are required to have special qualifications?

The number of mentally deficient children attending certified special schools in England and Wales for the year ending 31st December, 1928, was 15,339. For information in regard to Scotland I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for Scotland. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member will be aware that a Joint Committee of the Board of Education and the Board of Control have recently presented a Report which is receiving my careful consideration. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a memorandum indicating the requirements in regard to teachers in schools for mentally defective children.

asked the President of the Board of Education the comparative cost of educating a normal child, a blind child, a deaf child, and a mentally-defective child, respectively; and whether part of this cost could be saved in future years by a judicious health expenditure in infant years by the development and extension of infant-welfare centres?

The cost per child in an ordinary elementary school in 1927–28 was £11 15s. 4d. According to the latest statistics available, the cost (excluding loan charges) of educating a blind child is approximately £29 in a day school and £88 in a residential school, the corresponding figures for the deaf being £43 and £82, and for the mentally defective £25 and £71. The second part of the hon. Member's question raises issues which it is difficult to deal with in the limits of an answer to a question.

asked the President of the Board of Education if every supplementary teacher employed in a public elementary school in England and Wales has to be individually approved by His Majesty's inspector of schools before such employment; what record is kept of such first approval; and how many applications for approval were rejected during the year ended 31st March, 1928?

Local authorities are required to inform the inspector of all appointments, including transfers, and must terminate an appointment at any time if required by him. As regards the second and third parts of the question, my Department do not keep records of the approval or rejection of individual supplementary teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a table showing, separately, for provided schools, Church of England schools, Roman Catholic schools, Wesleyan schools, and any other non-provided schools, the number of such public elementary schools in England and Wales, the number of departments into which they are divided, their recognised accommodation, and the number of children on their respective rolls, as at 31st March, 1903, and on the 31st March of every fifth year since 1903?

No figures for 1918 are available, but the following table gives the information desired for the other years:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the local education authorities will be represented on the committee to consider the raising of the school-leaving age?

No, Sir. The committee, which is, of course, already at work, is a purely inter-departmental committee. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that I shall take the local education authorities into consultation in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Education which local authorities have made by-laws under the Education Act, 1918, requiring the compulsory attendance of children at school until they are 15 years of age?

The four local education authorities which have made by-laws raising the age of compulsory attendance to 15 are Carnarvonshire, East Suffolk, Plymouth and Cornwall.

asked the President of the Board of Education the average cost of instruction of children in public elementary schools of the central school type; and the cost of instruction of children attending secondary schools?

I am unable to state the average cost of instruction in public elementary schools of the central school type, as the accounts submitted by the local education authorities do not show separately the maintenance cost of individual schools. Particulars of the cost per pupil in secondary schools maintained by local education authorities are given on page 13 of the Memorandum on the Board of Education Estimates for 1929 [Cmd. 3275], of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a summons for non-attendance at school which was heard on 5th July at Blackwood (South Wales) Police Court; whether, seeing that the reason why the child in question was not attending school was that it had no boots; that the mother stated that another child had only half boots and two at home had no shoes at all; and that, further, having given evidence she fell fainting to the ground and was stated to be suffering from extreme hunger, he will state in what union this woman resided; and whether he will make inquiries of the appropriate board of guardians on the matter?

My right hon. Friend's attention had not previously been drawn to the case mentioned by my hon. Friend, but he will make inquiries and communicate further with her.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the British delegation gave an assurance to the Assembly of the League of Nations, last September, that the British Government would forward to the League of Nations a Report upon the effect of the abolition of slavery in the protectorate of Sierra Leone, he can now say whether such Report is available; and whether it will be forwarded for the information of the Assembly this year?

Yes, Sir. A report has been received from the Governor and forwarded to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, for the information of the States members of the League and parties to the Convention on Slavery.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a woman as one of the three principal delegates in the British delegation to the League of Nations Assembly this year?

The composition of the British delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations was announced by me in the reply to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. R. Taylor) on the 4th instant. The rules of the League only make provision for three principal delegates from each country and these posts will be filled so far as the British delegation is concerned by the Prime Minister, the President of the Board of Trade and myself. I would, however, draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that for the first time two women will be included in our representation at the Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether it is the intention of the Government to ratify the Arms Traffic Convention of the League of Nations;(2) whether it is the intention of the Government to ratify the declaration regarding the territory of Ifni of the League of Nations?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Montrose (Sir R. Hutchison) on 8th July, the question of the immediate ratification of the Arms Traffic Convention of 1925 is among the questions which His Majesty's Government have under consideration. The declaration regarding Ifni provides for the inclusion of this territory in the special zones specified in the Arms Traffic Convention. Its ratification is, of course, dependent on the ratification of the main convention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the gross weight of virgin copper produced from the copper mines of Great Britain for the years 1927–28; and the gross weight of virgin copper imported from abroad?

The metallic copper obtainable from copper ore and copper precipitate produced at mines in Great Britain in the years 1927 and 1928 was 177 tons and 68 tons respectively. The total imports of copper ore and copper bars, blocks, etc., into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during these years were as follow:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether British Honduras proposes to prohibit, except under licence, the importation of certain dyes and dye-stuffs which are not products or manufactures of any part of the British Empire; whether this policy is being adopted by other Colonies; whether the Colonial Office recommends to British Colonies that they should adopt a policy of this nature; and, if not, whether it will consider the desirability of doing so?

Ten years ago a number of British Dependencies, including British Honduras, on the invitation of His Majesty's Government, passed legislation prohibiting the importation, without licence, of certain dyes and dye-stuffs not the produce or manufacture of any part of the British Empire. This legislation, so far as I am aware, remains unrepealed. I have no intention of recommending that other British Colonies should adopt a similar policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the difference in the amount of harbour dues imposed on fish being landed in France from British and French fishing vessels?

My information on the subject, which is not complete, appears to indicate that the position is not identical in all French ports. If the hon. Member will let me know the particular ports in regard to which he would like information, I will endeavour to procure it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to vessels propelled by internal combustion trawling within the three-mile limit; and whether he intends to take any steps to put an end to this practice?

I am aware of the complaints that the installation of internal combustion engines in fishing boats has lead to an increase of trawling within the three-mile limit. Investigations have been in progress for some time to determine the effect of such trawling upon the stock of fish. Local sea fisheries committees have powers to make by-laws, subject to my confirmation, to prohibit or regulate trawling within the limits of their several districts, and most of them have availed themselves of this power. I have no authority of my own motion to interfere in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of families living in one-room tenements and the number in two-room tenements in the borough of Acton as shown in the last Census Return, or later figures if available; and whether his Department will take steps to prevent a council selling land originally purchased for the purpose of erecting houses thereon to let to working-class tenants?

At the Census of 1921 there were enumerated in Acton Municipal Borough 946 private families, comprising a population of 1,859 persons, occupying one room each; and 1,383 private families, comprising a population of 4,098 persons, occupying two rooms each. A private family for census purposes may consist of one person only. As regards the second part of the question, local authorities have powers for the sale or lease of land acquired under the Housing Acts, but such powers can only be exercised with my consent.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statistics that will show the present estimate of the shortage of housing accommodation in Great Britain?

No such statistics are available, and I do not think it would be practicable to make a really reliable estimate. Elaborate statistics dealing with housing conditions are however contained in the Census Reports.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Port of London Authority intend to commence their housing scheme to accommodate the residents of the houses to be demolished in order to construct the Victoria Dock arterial road?

The Port of London Authority have been good enough to give certain land for re-housing, but the houses will be erected by the West Ham Corporation. I have every reason to hope that a start will be made on the re-housing scheme in the early autumn.

asked the Minister of Health the average cost of non-parlour houses completed during each quarter year since the beginning of 1924?

Particulars as to the average cost of houses completed dur-

asked the Home Secretary if he will have a Return published showing the constituencies that have more than 500 plural voters, giving the numbers of such voters with the names of the constituencies?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave last Thursday to the hon. Member for Yardley (Mr. Gosling). His suggestion will be considered when the full particulars are received from the constituencies.

asked the Prime Minister whether Lord Ullswater's Committee on Electoral Reform will deal with the question of a redistribution of seats?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to-day in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to give financial assistance out of the Road Fund to highway authorities charged with the responsibility of providing remedial measures for alleviating the dangers and inconvenience caused to road traffic by railway crossings on main roads?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 9th July to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Freeman), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, when considering schemes for the construction of new bridges, he will recognise the necessity of constructing a bridge over the River Severn at Highley, Shropshire, in view of the lack of bridges over the River Severn in this neighbourhood?

If the road authorities concerned are prepared to put forward a suitable scheme and to make an adequate contribution towards its cost, I will consider any suggestion they may make for assistance from the Road Fund.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his plans for development work in connection with the railways include the construction of a new London, Midland and Scottish Railway station at Wolverhampton?

I have been asked to reply. The suggestion has been noted, along with others, and for the present it is not possible to say more.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is prepared to carry out a Government scheme for the better marketing of milk from Carmarthenshire; and, if so, when will such an experiment commence?

I have no plans in contemplation relating particularly to the marketing of milk from Carmarthenshire. If my hon. Friend has any proposals in his mind, perhaps he will communicate them to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, when considering schemes, as foreshadowed in the Gracious Speech, for the improvement of agriculture, he will take into consideration recent scientific discoveries, especially with regard to intensive treatment of grass land with nitro chalk and other chemical products; and will he make available for the farming community as a whole any information he may obtain on this subject?

The Ministry is constantly engaged in promoting scientific research in agriculture and the application of the results of research, and special attention is at the present time being given to the treatment of grass land with nitrogenous fertilisers. By means of numerous publications of many-kinds intended for different classes of readers, through the agency of the newspaper press, wireless and correspondence, and especially through the activities of the staffs of research institutes and agricultural colleges and the agricultural staffs of the county councils every effort is made to bring to the notice of the farming community the most up-to-date information with regard to advances in agricultural practice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the success attending measures for the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease, he will continue all the restrictions and prohibitions put in force by his predecessor?

I have every intention of continuing such measures as may be necessary for the protection of livestock in this country from foot-and-mouth disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can inform the House of the regulations, if any, as to hours and wages of farm workers in France, Holland, Denmark and Belgium; whether there is a minimum wage for a minimum week; and what are the conditions for overtime?

So far as I am aware, there is no system of official regulation of hours and wages of farm workers in the countries mentioned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the advisability of taking steps to prohibit the export of old horses for slaughter abroad?

The Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, as amended by the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, prohibits the export to the Continent of any horse unless certified after examination by a veterinary inspector of the Ministry at the port of shipment to be fit to travel and to work without suffering. This prohibition is rigidly enforced by the Ministry. The question of the age of any horse presented for shipment does not, therefore, arise unless the animal is physically unfit to travel or to work. The whole question was thoroughly investigated by the Departmental Committee appointed in March, 1925, who were satisfied that no horse which could be described as decrepit, had been passed for export, and that the provisions of the Acts were efficiently carried out. The position is the same at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture which local authorities have adopted by-laws making the use of the humane-killer compulsory for the slaughter of cattle and other animals in England and Wales?

I have been asked to reply. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the authorities in question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a circular to those local authorities who have not adopted byelaws making the use of the humane-killer compulsory for the slaughter of cattle and other animals recommending them to consider the advisability of doing so?

I have been asked to reply. I doubt whether the present time when local authorities have their hands full of other matters is opportune for a circular on this subject, but I will consider the matter?