asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the colony of Swaziland will be eligible to receive financial assistance from the annual sum to be devoted to colonial development.

I have been asked to reply to this question. The answer to which is that Swaziland will, like, other Protectorates, be eligible to receive such financial assistance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether with a view to the encouragement of employment in this country, he will give instructions that all articles of equipment purchased for the use of His Majesty's naval forces shall be of British manufacture?

The existing practice is to specify British manufacture when essential on Service grounds; otherwise it is customary to grant a substantial preference to goods and materials which are produced from British Empire sources. The result is that the great bulk of the equipment bought by the Admiralty is obtained from British manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will introduce at an early date a Bill to amend the Unemployment Insurance Acts in order that persons engaged in training without pay may no longer of necessity be regarded as in employment and therefore ineligible for unemployment benefit.

There is at present no express provision in the Unemployment Insurance Acts with regard to persons undergoing training without pay, and in accordance with the Umpire's decisions, the question whether they are entitled to benefit depends on the precise circumstances. As regards legislation, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. A. Bevan) on 10th July.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will take steps to provide for the payment when due of unemployment benefit for which there is a perfectly valid claim when for some department reason or other the claim has been sent to Kew by the local exchange?

I do not understand what kind of case my hon. Friend has in mind, and should be obliged if he would give me particulars.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the category of unemployment cases in which the onus of proof has so far been thrown upon the man as a matter of policy?

Section 1 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927, lays upon the applicant the onus of proving that he satisfies the statutory conditions for receipt of benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for unemployment insurance benefit which have been disallowed in Scotland during the year 1928; how many of these claims were disallowed by the chief insurance officer; how many were referred to courts of referees; and how many were disallowed benefit by courts of referees' decision?

The following statement gives the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks: Determination of claims to unemployment benefit made in Scotland:

asked the Minister of Labour whether she proposes immediately to introduce legislation to prevent the umpire from debarring unemployed persons from receiving benefit who have been restored during the transitory period?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the question on this point asked by the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 9th July. As regards legislation, I can add nothing to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. A. Bevan) on 10th July.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have been refused unemployment benefit during the month of June in the county of Carmarthen; and on what grounds the applicants have been refused benefit?

The following statement gives the figures required.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will review the Regulation whereby unemployment benefit is disallowed to insured persons on. attaining the age of 65, and in particular to insure that evidence as to age on which action is taken will also be accepted by the Ministry of Health as evidence of entitlement to contributory pensions?

The cessation of unemployment benefit at the age of 65 is statutory and I have no discretion in the matter. As regards the second part of the question, it is necessary that the age should be verified, and if claimants will put in their application for a pension in good time, as they are urged to do, no difficulty arises. I may add that as was stated by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health, in reply to a question on 11th July, the possibility of dealing specially with the class of case to which the hon. Member refers is being considered in connection with an amending Bill which is being prepared at the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she proposes during the present Session to take action to secure the abolition of the existing gap period as a condition of qualification for unemployment insurance benefit; and, if so, will she state the nature of such action?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if she is aware of the hardship caused by the disallowance of dependants' benefit in respect of housekeepers of insured men as soon as. the youngest child attains the age of 14; and if she will take steps to amend this Regulation;

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that the result of a sample inquiry into the live register of the unemployed carried out in April, 1927, showed that about 300,000 individuals were seriously unemployed and the remaining workers were in and out of employment in the course of the year and, seeing that all those who have drawn benefit for more than six months have for some months past had their claims specially reviewed by the Court of Referees, she is able to make any statement or give any statistics as to the result of those reviews?

Under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts a claim to benefit is reviewed by a Court of Referees when 78 days' benefit has been paid within a prescribed period not exceeding six months. The following table gives the results of this procedure during the period 10th July, 1928, to 10th June, 1929:(2) if she intends to take action to reduce the waiting period for unemployment benefit from six days to three days?

The provisions referred to are statutory and could not be altered without legislation. As regards dependent children, I may point out that the allowance may continue up to the age of 16 if the child is under full-time instruction at a day school.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of applications for unemployment benefit refused during April, May, and June, 1929, respectively, at the Employment Exchanges at Stonehaven, Laurencekirk, and Banchory; and the principal reasons for such disallowances?

The following table shows the number of disallowances of

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications for unemployment benefit have been refused during the month of June in the C5hat-ham and Gillingham (Kent) district, and upon -what grounds such applications were, respectively refused?

The following table shows the number of disallowances of claims to benefit made at the Chatham and Rochester Employment Exchanges during the period 14th May, 1929, to 10th June, 1929, classified according to the reasons for disallowance:

asked the Minister of Labour the procedure for calling upon deputy chairman of courts of referees to sit; and the reason why one of the five deputy chairmen of the Bristol Court of Referees sat 130 times out of a total of 299 sittings of the court during the period 19th April, 1928, to 8th June, 1929, while during the same period he sat as chairman of the Kingswood and Eastville court 116 times out of a total number of 126 sittings of that court?

The attendance of a deputy chairman is arranged for by the chairman on occasions when he is unavoidably absent. Normally, a chairman is expected to take most of the sittings himself. In the case of the Bristol court, however, there are special circumstances. The Department are desirous of retaining the services of the chairman of that court for cases of special difficulty, and it has been necessary to allow a considerable number of the Bristol sittings to be taken by one of the deputy chairmen who is also chairman of a neighbouring court.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give instructions that all Circulars and Regulations sent to the chairman of the court of referees shall be issued to the other members of the court?

The Regulations and other documents supplied to chairmen are accessible to other members of the courts. I am not sure that the additional expense involved in my hon. Friend's suggestion would be justified, but I am considering it in conjunction with other matters relating to courts of referees.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the extensions in the transference scheme; what it is expected they will cost: and what are the modifications which will make the scheme more elastic?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken when the work on which men transported into a district under the transference scheme to undertake is completed; and whether arrangements are immediately made to transfer them to other districts or whether they are left, in the event of them not being eligible for unemployment benefit, as a charge on the rates of the locality to which they have been transferred?

Men transferred from the depressed mining areas to work in other areas are advised to register at the Employment Exchange when their work is finished, if they have no other work in view. Steps are then immediately taken to find them other suitable employment either in the district or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any men, and, if so, what number, have been transferred from distressed areas to Devon-port and Plymouth since 31st May last; and the nature of the work on which these men have been engaged?

Between 28th May, 1929, and 1st July, 1920, inclusive, five men from depressed areas were transferred to employment in the area of the Devonport and Plymouth Employment Exchanges. As regards the second part of the question, the information asked for could not be obtained without detailed local inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will make inquiries as to whether there have been any cases of administrative persecution in connection with the working of the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

As I have already stated in the House, I am examining the whole of the administrative procedure, and, so far as changes are necessary, the hon. Member may be assured that they will be made.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has issued any circulars or instructions to the Employment Ex-Changes: and, if so, how many and of what nature?

In the period 8th June to 10th July, 13 general circulars were issued to Employment Exchanges one only of which related to the administrationNUMBERS of PERSONS (insured and uninsured) on the registers of the Grimsby Employment Exchange at 8th July, 1929, and those numbers expressed as percentages of the insured population.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of unemployed insured workers are under 18 years of age?

At 24th June, 1929, the number of insured persons, aged 16 and 17, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 28,566.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of the Employment Exchanges and services ancillary thereto for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and the figures of the amount attributable to the administration of unemployment insurance for the same period?

The latest available figures relate to the year ended of Unemployment Insurance and was designed to ensure speedier action on certain classes of cases dealt with by Courts of Referees. In addition, there were a number of circular minutes and amendments of printed codes of instruction dealing principally with matters of routine.

asked the Minister of Labour for the latest date available, the number of unemployed persons registered at the Grimsby Employment Exchange, in the following categories; men wholly unemployed, men part-time unemployed, women, and juveniles, and the percentage of unemployment for the area covered by this exchange?

The following statement gives the figures for which the hon. Member asks:31st March, 1928. The total cost of Employment Exchanges, including services ancillary thereto, was £5,002,990; of this amount £4,913,576 was attributable to the administration of unemployment insurance and was recovered from the Unemployment Fund.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed at the Bristol Central Employment Exchange on 30th June last, together with the number of males and females, the number of persons disallowed benefit for that month, and the reasons for such disallowance?

At 1st July, 1929, there were 8,333 persons on the registers of the Bristol Employment Exchange, of whom 6,904 were males and 1,429 females.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in securing the exclusion of foreign trawlers from British fishing waters; and whether, in view of the recent increase of poaching in the Clyde estuary by Fleetwood and other trawlers, he will take steps to have carried into effect the recommendations, made by the MacKenzie Committee in 1924, for greatly increasing the facilities for the apprehension and also the penalties inflicted upon those who engage in illegal trawling in prohibited waters?

The question of trawling by foreign vessels in the Firth of Clyde depends on the general question of territorial waters which is at present under examination by the League of Nations; and pending the result no action is possible with a view to the exclusion of foreign trawlers from the extra-territorial waters of the firth of Clyde. I am considering what steps are possible with a view to dealing more effectively with the matter of illegal trawling in the Firth of Clyde and in other waters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be in a position to announce his proposals for the improvement of the fishing industry in Scotland; and if he proposes to put into effect the remaining recommendations of the Lord MacKenzie Report?

My consideration of the various questions affecting the fishing industry is proceeding, and I have arranged to receive a deputation from the herring fishing industry at an early date. I cannot at present state when a decision on particular matters will be reached. I shall certainly bear in mind the outstanding proposals of the MacKenzie Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take for the improvement and upkeep of piers and harbours in Scotland; and if the Government will take over at once any monetary guarantees that may have already been given by private individuals or local authorities in connection with the construction and improvement of public piers and harbours?

As regards the first part of the quesiton, I would refer the right hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Millar) and the hon. Member for Argyll (Mr. Macquisten) last Tuesday. The question of transferring obligations under guarantees from private individuals or local authorities to the Government would obviously raise very serious issues and I am not in a position to give any undertaking in the matter at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the practically unanimous desire on the part of Scottish fishermen for a close time in herring fishing; whether he will take steps to find out whether the operation of the voluntarily imposed close time which ended on Monday, 10th June, 1927, has been beneficial to the herring industry; and, if so, whether he will instruct the Fishery Board to issue regulations to make such close time compulsory in future?

I am aware of the position and shall have inquiries made as suggested. Pending the result of those inquiries I am unable to express any opinion on the third part of the question, but in the meantime I may say that legislation would be necessary before the Fishery Board could issue regulations as suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether the rules of the Scottish Rural Workers' Approved Society were approved by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee; whether he is aware that the rule providing for the election of the board of management is at variance with the provisions of Section 29 of the National Health Insurance Act, and that the present members of the board of management have been elected contrary to these provisions; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the rules of the society are brought into conformity with the Act and a board of management elected in accordance therewith?

The present code of rules of the Scottish Rural Workers' Approved Society was approved by the Scottish Board of Health on behalf of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that, doubts having arisen regarding the provisions of Rule 3 (3), which provides for the election of the Board of Management, an amendment of the Rule will be submitted to the forthcoming general meeting of the society. As regards the last part, in accordance with Section 34 of the National Health Insurance Act any amendment of the Rule must be submitted for the approval of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee and, before approval is given, the new Rule will be carefully considered in relation to Section 29 of the National Health Insurance Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the national mark shown on Marketing Leaflet No. 10a, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; whether he is aware that this mark shows a map of England and Wales and the motto "Produce of England and Wales"; if a separate mark has been decided upon and designed for Scotland or whether the national mark shown on this leaflet is supposed to include Scotland; and, if so, whether he will either withdraw the present mark or issue one to distinguish the products of Scotland separately?

I have been asked to reply to this question. A separate national (or grade designation) mark has been designed and adopted for Scotland in terms of Section 2 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1928. It consists of a map of Scotland in silhouette, together with designs representing the Union Jack and the Cross of St. Andrew and with the words "Produce of Scotland" and "Empire Buying Begins at Home." So far the Scottish mark has been made available in respect of eggs, by regulations dated 17th January, 1929, and in respect of tomatoes, by regulations dated 17th April, 1929. Authority to use the grade designation marks may be granted by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to persons who satisfy the Department that they will comply with such general conditions as the Department may from time to time require to be observed with regard to the use of the grade designation marks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of education authorities having approved schemes for the orthopaedie treatment of physically defective children that include operative treatment where necessary and remedial after-care; and the number of such schemes that are provided jointly with the authorities for maternity and child welfare?

No educational authority makes independent provision for major operative treatment of physically defective children, such treatment being ordinarily carried out by the voluntary hospitals. Thirteen education authorities have approved arrangements for the treatment of deformities by massage and remedial execises, and 21 education authorities have approved arrangements for treatment by orthopaedic appliances. In practice all education authorities supply splints, surgical boots and such like appliances where necessary. As regards the last part of the question, there is no scheme for orthopaedic treatment provided jointly by an education authority and a maternity service and child welfare authority, though there are a number of cases in which there is co-operation between the two authorities in the use of premises.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in order to assist trade and industry in the North-East of Scotland, he has considered the question of improving the postal facilities which were cut down during the War and have not since been restored?

If the hon. Member will indicate in what respect the existing service is regarded as inadequate, I shall be happy to have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to stop the use of the dangerous metal fasteners on envelopes now passing through the post to the injury of postal servants?

The use of "dangerous" metal fasteners on envelopes is, as indicated at page 12 of the Post Office Guide, prohibited by the postal regulations. Instructions are in force for any packets so secured to be detained if observed in the post, and the matter taken up with the sender.

asked the Postmaster-General how many circuits are at present in use at the Rugby wireless station for the Atlantic telephone service; how many calls have been passed between Great Britain and the United States for the three months ended to the last convenient date; and whether any negotiations are pending for the purpose of reducing the existing charges of the Atlantic telephone rates?

There are now three radio telephone circuits in commercial operation between Great Britain and the United States; the transmitters are concentrated at Rugby. The total number of calls passed over these circuits during the three months ending 30th June last was 3,881. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of recent developments in the transmission of pictures by telegraphy, he has considered the advisability of establishing a public service of this character between this country and the Continent?

It has been decided to establish a public service between London and Berlin for the transmission by telegraphy of pictures, photographs and other similar matter. There have been consultations with the German Administration, who are willing to co-operate. The apparatus has been ordered. The rates of charge and conditions of service are at present under discussion between my Department and the German Administration. It is hoped that the new service will be opened within two or three months. The service will at the outset be of an experimental character; and the question of its permanent adoption and its extension to other routes will be considered when sufficient experience has been obtained.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the remuneration accorded to rural sub-postmasters for looking after new rural telephone extensions is as low as £1 1s. per annum; and will he endeavour to ensure that adequate payment shall be made for this work?

I would refer to the answer given to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) on 9th July. A readjustment of various items in the remuneration of sub-postmasters, including the telephone allowances, was recommended by the Industrial Court and has been discussed with the Federation of Sub-Postmasters, but it has not been possible to secure agreement.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Mr. Henry Holgate, of Stainers Farm, Kirby Misperton, Yorkshire, and several other farmers in that township, do not enjoy a daily delivery of letters although they live within 440 yards of the main road; and if he will take steps to remedy this failure of the postal service?

It has not hitherto been practicable to give a daily delivery at these farms except at disproportionate cost, but proposals for a re-arrangement of the local service are under consideration, and I will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of rural centres in East Fife in which telephones are at present installed, and the further rural centres in East Fife in which it is proposed to instal telephones during the present year?

I am making inquiries and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General when a full telephone service will be in operation betwen the Isle of Man and the mainland?

A full public telephone service between the Isle of Man and the mainland was brought into operation on 28th June.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any conditions as to the rate of wages paid to workmen were imposed by the Ministry when a grant was made to the Liskeard Rural District Council for the making of the Looe-Polperro road, in the county of Cornwall?

In accordance with the invariable practice of my Department, a condition was attached to the grant that the Fair Wages Clauses should be inserted in any contracts entered into in connection with the works.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken, and will be taken, in the public interest to ensure satisfactory plans from an architectural standpoint in connection with the proposed new bridges at Richmond and Hampton Court; and whether he takes any action in the base of bridges generally to ensure their complete adaptability to their natural surroundings?

The county councils of Middlesex and Surrey, in conjunction with my Department, appointed well-known architects to collaborate with the engineers in the design of the bridges over the Thames. This is in pursuance of the usual policy of my Department, as explained in a circular issued to all local authorities in 1925, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether His Majesty's Government intend to introduce a Traffic Bill in the coining Session; whether, in that case, it will be on the lines of the draft Bill which has already been circulated to local authorities; and, if not, whether the draft of the proposed new Measure will be similarly circulated to them for their comments before it is introduced?

As regards, the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury), of which I am sending him a copy. The suggestions received from local authorities and from other bodies on the provisions of the Draft Road Traffic Bill, circulated by my predecessor, have been carefully noted, and at present I see no reason for supposing that it will be necessary to circulate any proposed new Measure to local authorities for their comments before its introduction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the exact cost of the Coin-brook by-pass road has yet been ascertained; and whether the approved estimates for this scheme have been exceeded?

The exact cost cannot yet be ascertained, but I do not think that the approved estimates will be found to have been exceeded.

asked the Minister of Transport if up to the present any land has been purchased at or near Dartford with a view to the construction of the Thames Tunnel on the Purfleet-Dartford site?

Certain lands have been acquired to safeguard the line of approach to any future Lower Thames Tunnel in this neghbourhood.

asked the Minister of Transport the nature of the engineering objections to the construction of the Lower Thames tunnel at the Tilbury-Gravesend site; and the date on which the last investigation into the engineering aspect of this matter was made?

A report was made to my Department by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice on this subject on 21st July, 1924. The contents of the report cannot conveniently be summarised in a reply to a Parliamentary question, but I should be happy to give the hon. Member an opportunity of discussing the matter with a technical officer of my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received the report of the civil engineer with regard to the proposed cross-river communications between Nor and South Shields; and, if so, whether he has decided to take any action in the matter?

The Report of the engineers was presented in April, 1925. The subject has been considered by the North and South Tyneside Joint Town Planning Committee, but I have received no definite proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the effect of the de-rating scheme will be to place the coastwise shipping industry at considerable disadvantage as compared with the railway companies; and, if so, whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

I am not aware that de-rating will operate to the disadvantage of the coastwise shipping industry, and, on the facts at present before me, I see no reason to propose legislation amending the Local Government Act, 1929, in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he has received representations from many important public bodies asking for the postponement of the coming into force of the Local Government Act; and, if so, whether he can make any statement on the matter?

My right hon. Friend has received a certain number of representations from local authorities: it is not the intention of the Government to postpone the coming into force of the Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to introduce legislation applying the principle of tow n planning to built-up areas?

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health the number of agricultural cottages built in rural areas under the 1923 and 1924 Housing Acts and the average rents at which such houses are let?

Particulars of the number of agricultural cottages built in rural areas are not available, but the total number?. of houses erected in rural districts with the aid of subsidies under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 up to the 1st June last were 107,092 and 30,126 respectively, and, of the latter, 12,449 were built in agricultural parishes. The rents charged for houses provided under the Acts in question are not subject to my right hon. Friend's specific approval, and particulars of the rents actually charged are not available in my Department. I may add, however, that information as to the rents in certain rural areas was specially obtained in 1925, and a statement was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 11th May, 1925. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the statement.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the advantages which accrue, from the point of view of cleanliness, from the increasing use of wrapped bread, especially in urban areas; and whether he is taking any steps to cause bakers to instal machinery for the purpose of wrapping bread?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the advantages to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but he does not feel justified at the present time in requiring bakers to incur the expense of installing machinery for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to reduce the age at which pensions are paid to blind people?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Colonel England) on 11th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the disabilities suffered by the deaf; and whether he will consider the grant of pensions to these people on the same conditions as they are granted to the blind?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a previous question put to my right hon. Friend in this connection by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, East (Mr. W. Baker), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of a widow, Mrs. May Sekerson Leigh, 68, Wordsworth Street, Bootle, who is in receipt of only 1s. per week allowance although having three children; and whether ht will inquire into this case?

I have looked into this case and find that Mrs. Leigh was awarded a widow's pension, but the allowance for her children, which would normally have been at the rate of 11s. a week, had to be reduced, in accordance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, because compensation had been awarded under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The issue raised by the case is receiving my consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the proposed amendment of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, he will consider the possibility of extending the Act so as to allow disabled ex-service men who are unable to work to become voluntary contributors, so that in the event of death their widows may become eligible for a pension?

It is not clear precisely what class of persons the right hon. Member has in mind. Disabled ex-service men who have been continuously unable to work owing to incapacity duly notified to their approved societies are already insured persons for the purposes of widows' pensions and do not need to become voluntary contributors whilst those who in the absence of such incapacity had lapsed from insurance before the inception of the Contributory Pensions Act were normally eligible to become voluntary contributors within the prescribed time in 1926 on the ground of service in His Majesty's Forces during the late War.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will consider taking the initiative in calling immediately an ad hoc conference composed of representatives of miners, mineowners, and of Governments, concerned in the European coalfields, to be assisted by the Inter-national Labour Office, with a view to securing an early reduction in the hours of employment of miners?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend was informed in answer to his question of 8th July of the action that was already being taken by the League of Nations Economic Committee and the International Labour Office. There is nothing further I can add at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether his attention has been called to the fact that at Annesley Colliery, Nottinghamshire, 200 colliers have been threatened with dismissal unless they join the Nottinghamshire Miners' Industrial Union; and whether, in the interests of industrial peace, he will take steps to deal with this matter;(2) whether he is aware that immediately after the formation on 16th June of a branch of the Nottinghamshire Miners' Association at Bilsthorpe Colliery, Nottinghamshire, the president, treasurer, and two members of the committee of the branch were dismissed from the colliery, whilst a delegate of the branch was informed by an official of the colliery that he would be discharged if he continued to have anything to do with the Nottinghamshire Miners' Association; and whether he intends to institute an inquiry on this matter?

Inquiries are being made but are not yet completed. I should be glad, therefore, if my hon. Friend would be good enough to repeat his questions next week.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of horses and ponies killed and injured in mines during each of the past 10 years?

The following table shows the number of horses and ponies killed or destroyed and the number injured in mines of Great Britain^* during the years 1919–1928.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines which are worked entirely without horses and ponies and use only mechanical haulage; and if he will give the number of electric storage-battery locomotives used in coal mines and a list of mines which use mechanical haulage to the total exclusion of horses and ponies?

In 1928 the number of mines under the Coal Mines Acts in which no horses were employed was 1,247, but this figure includes many small mines where the absence of horses does not necessarily imply the presence of mechanical haulage. Most of the larger mines use some form of mechanical haulage, whether horses are also employed or not. Information as to mines which use mechanical haulage exclusively is not available. Consent to the introduction of electric storage battery locomotives below ground has been given at 13 mines under the Coal Mines Acts.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will consider setting up coal-selling agencies for the sale of export coal and particularly a coal-selling agency at Swansea for the sale of anthracite coal?

I would refer ray hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on Monday, 8th July.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is prepared to appoint a committee to inquire into the working of the anthracite collieries in South Wales, to investigate the cause there of underemployment and unemployment amongst the miners, and to inquire into the reasons why non-combine collieries are working more regularly and under better conditions for the miners than in those of combine collieries?

No, Sir. As already stated, the Government are now considering the whole position of the coal mining industry. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by any special investigation of the circumstances of the anthracite coal trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total number of fatal accidents and the number killed in the mines of the United Kingdom for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, and the total number of persons who were seriously injured by accidents in mines during the same period?

During the 12 months ended June, 1929, there were 966 fatal accidents which caused 1,004 deaths at mines under the Coal Mines Act. The number of persons seriously injured during the same period was 4,165.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of young persons 16 years of age and under who were fatally injured and the number of young persons 16 years of age and under who, due to injuries, were rendered idle for a period of three days and more in the