asked the President of the Board of Education the number of classes in grant-aided schools which include more than 50 children in a class; the number of these classes which he estimates will have been reduced below 50 by 1st April, 1931; the number of additional teachers which will be entailed by such a reduction; by what date does he estimate that education authorities will have found it possible to reduce all such classes; and what will be the total additional number of teachers required for this purpose?

The number of classes with more than 50 pupils was 16,686 on 31st March, 1928. Figures for 31st March, 1929, are not yet available, but should show a decrease. I am afraid I cannot give any reliable estimate as to the rate of reduction or the number of additional teachers required for this purpose. As the Noble Lady is aware, this is not an isolated problem, but is closely bound up with the problems of reorganisation, the Black List, and the needs of new housing estates.

asked the President of the Board of Education what instruction in Welsh is at present given in Llandovery College; and, seeing that the intent of the founder of the college is not observed nor the endowment deeds enforced, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Arrangements have been made for the chief inspector for Wales to visit the college, if possible, before the end of this month, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result of this visit.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any information as to the number of head masters of secondary schools who have not as yet been permitted to reach the maximum salary fixed for them by their respective local education authorities at the time of the introduction of the Burnham salary scales?

I am afraid that I have no information on this point.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a certificated woman teacher who, notwithstanding the terms of Circular 1,003, was granted leave of absence in the later months of 1917 in order to engage in War (V.A.D.) nursing, and who was willing to serve abroad but was not sent and was not therefore accorded a Victory medal, is now suffering under the regulations governing the War service of women teachers attached to the Burnham scales loss of increment in respect of her period of absence and may eventually suffer loss of pension; and whether he is prepared to review the circumstances in any such case which is submitted to him, with a view to a modification of the restrictions placed upon recognition of War service in such cases?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers, but these questions of the recognition of War service were settled some years ago after full and detailed discussion, and I doubt whether they can be reopened at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Education if ho is aware of the insanitary condition of the elementary school at Swanwick, Derbyshire; and whether any steps are being taken to deal with this matter?

I am aware that the Swanwick school, which has recently been transferred to the authority, was included in the black list, but I have not yet heard what action the authority propose to take with regard to the premises. I am making inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education what arrangements are in force in the West Biding of Yorkshire in regard to the feeding of school children; and if he is satisfied that the arrangements are such as may be expected to prevent malnutrition among such children?

Since December last arrangements have been in operation in the West Riding of Yorkshire for children selected by the medical officers and teachers to receive supplementary nourishment, and, in accordance with these arrangements, about 7,000 school children are at present being fed. I understand that the authority have been making a careful survey of the whole of the coal district, and I am sure that they will take whatever action is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many children of either sex left primary schools during the last year for which statistics are available; how

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the desirability of providing seats for persons waiting to hire boats on the Serpentine in Hyde Park?

The following statement gives the information which the hon. Member desires:

I will look into the question raised by my hon. Friend, and see what can be done.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the cost of upkeep per annum of the accommodation for equestrian exercise in Hyde Park; and, in view of the fact that no contribution is made by those using Rotten Bow for riding, whether he would be prepared to receive voluntary contributions from them?

The cost of maintaining the riding tracks in Hyde Park may be put at approximately £2,000 a year. My Department is always happy to receive voluntary contributions towards the upkeep and attractiveness of the parks.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give figures for each of the last three years showing the number of cases of prosecution for employing children under 13 years of age in the mines of British India contrary to the Indian Mines Act?

In 1925 and 1926 there were no cases. In 3927 there was one case, in which the mineowner concerned was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.30 or in default to undergo one week's imprisonment. No later figures are available at present, but I hope that particulars for 1928 will soon be received from India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the statutory ban which prevents Indian high court vakils from becoming chief justices, he will consider the possibility of taking legislative action as soon as possible with a view to removing this disability?

A Bill was before the last Parliament which inter alia would have had the effect suggested, but in various quarters of the House reluctance was shown to proceed with it, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether a contract has been made for the operation of a subsidised air mail and passenger service from Karachi to Delhi; and, if so, when it is anticipated this service will commence?

Negotiations are in progress, but a contract has not yet been concluded. It is hoped that the service will commence during the last three months of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether seeing that in the case of letters addressed to Bombay a considerable part of the advantage in time in transporting these letters to India by air is lost in conveying them by railway from the present air terminus at Karachi to Bombay, he will advise the Government of India to consider the institution of a subsidiary air-mail service from Karachi to Bombay?

The Government of India have already considered this question and have decided to give priority to the service from Karachi to Rangoon. When arrangements are nearing completion for that service further consideration will be given to the question of providing funds for other lines.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has made any representations to the Imperial Government in regard to the statement of Sir Samuel Wilson to the Indian deputation in Kenya, led by Pandit Hridayanath Kunzru, that the question of a common electoral roll in Kenya could not be reopened?

I am not aware that Sir Samuel Wilson made any such statement.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there has been any change in the situation at Jamshedpur, where the tinplate workers have been out on strike since early in April; and, if not, whether any action is contemplated by the Central Government to attempt a settlement of this dispute?

I have no information later than that given to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 8th July.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the Government of India have made any progress towards the establishment of an All-India Medical Council; and why no steps have been made to appoint a Government commissioner of medical qualifications and standards despite the fact that this appointment is provided for in the existing law and has been approved in principle by the central and provincial Governments?

The Government of India recently convened a Conference of representatives of Provincial Governments to consider the proposal to create an All-India Medical Council. I have not yet received a report of the Conference. I hope to be able shortly to make an announcement regarding the appointment of a Commissioner of Medical Qualifications and Standards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information as to how many orders have been placed for the Royal Indian Navy since it was inaugurated by the Viceroy on 6th February, 1926?

I have been asked to reply. It will be remembered that the Royal Indian Marine has not been converted into an Indian Navy, but that it has been reorganised on a combatant basis. This has resulted in the placing of orders for one new sloop, and for the additional requirements, such as gunnery and mine-sweeping equipment, that are necessary to enable the force to undertake its new functions. Apart from this, orders have been placed in the ordinary course for stores required for current maintenance.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the officers in the Royal Artillery, infantry of the line, and other branches of the Regular Army receive pay estimated to be sufficient to meet the total normal expenses commensurate with their rank?

The rates of pay of all officers in all branches of the Service were fixed, both in the 1919 revision and again in the 1925 revision, after very careful consideration, at such figures as it was estimated would enable an officer without any private means who practised due economy to live on his pay while meeting the normal expenses of his rank. This is still the position.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total cost per annum to the taxpayer of the Officers Training Corps attached to public and other schools?

The estimated cost for the current financial year is £75,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will prohibit the employment of serving guardsmen as supers in London productions when there are so many ex-guardsmen and others out of employment?

If the employment in question is in the soldier's spare time and does not interfere with his military duties, I see no ground on which I could refuse to him the right enjoyed by other men of accepting part-time paid work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement regarding the committee to inquire into the iron and steel industry?

This inquiry, like that on the cotton industry, will be conducted by a sub-committee of the Committee of Civil Research. The sub-committee will consist of the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for War, Sir Cecil L. Budd, Mr. C. T. Cramp, and Sir William Plender; and their terms of reference will be, "to consider and report upon the present condition and prospects of the iron and steel industries and to make recommendations as to any action which may appear desirable and practicable in order to improve the position of those industries in the markets of the world."

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the view of the Food Council concerning the 80 per cent. to 100 per cent. margin over the farmers' prices to be charged by the milk combine and other distributors under the scheme now under consideration; and what he proposes to do about it?

The scheme under consideration is a complicated one, designed to apply to the milk trade throughout both England and Wales. The Food Council consider it necessary to consult the associations of milk distributors in order to have the details more clearly before them, and the matter will accordingly be discussed with those associations as soon as practicable. The scheme, if approved, would not in any case come into force until 1st October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the declared policy of the Government that the best way to meet competition when labour conditions are low is by international action to raise those conditions, what steps the Government are taking or propose to take in this direction?

The Government have this matter under their consideration, and I cannot at present add anything to the statements which have already been made in this House on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that

I cannot usefully add to the statement made by the Lord Privy Seal on the subject of Trade Facilities during the course of the Second Beading of the Development (Guarantees and Loans) Bill (OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th July, 1929, cols. 804 and 805).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what it the increase of total exports and exports of manufactures per head of population from Great Britain and the Irish Free State combined, France, Germany, and the United States of America, respectively, between the years 1880 and 1928?

The following statement shows, for the countries specified in the question, the values per head of the population of (a) the exports of domestic produce and manufactures, and (b) the exports of such articles which were classed as wholly or partly manufactured:described in the trade returns of the respective countries as follows:United Kingdom: "Articles wholly or mainly manufactured."France: "Objets fabriqués."Germany: "Fabrikate"—old classification; and "Fertige Warren"—later classification.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the Trade and Navigation Returns just published, which show that the importation of woollen tissues has increased from 14,600,933 square yards in the first six months of 1927 to 15,817,575 square yards in the same period of 1929, and that the largest increase is scheduled as coming from other countries; and will he state the names of those countries, with the quantities in each case?

The following table shows the quantities of woollen tissues imported into the United Kingdom, registered during the periods January-June, 1927 and 1929, distinguishing the principal countries from which these imports were consigned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of farming bankruptcies for the county of Suffolk since Michaelmas, 1922; and the number of ex-service men contained in that figure?

The number of cases in which farmers in Suffolk became bankrupt or entered into deeds of arrangement with their creditors between the end of September, 1922, and the end of June, 1929, is 126. I regret that I have no information with regard to the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to ensure that, in connection with schemes for the more efficient marketing of homegrown food, proposals are included to prevent waste in times of glut and to make available adequate supplies at reasonable prices for the consuming public?

The problem of waste prevention in times of glut is partly one of distribution and partly one of conservation. The standardisation of product, pack and package, which is the main feature of the marketing schemes initiated by my Department, should prove a valuable aid by facilitating widespread distribution. The question of efficient conservation is examined in detail in the various reports on marketing which are being issued by my Department and is also the subject of extensive scientific research. My hon. Friend may, therefore, rest assured that the problem to which he draws attention is not being overlooked.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to increase the number of inspectors with a view to the enforcing of a more uniform application of the minimum wage rates to agricultural workers?

I have made careful inquiries into the general position with regard to the observance of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, and I am satisfied that in far too many cases wages below the minimum rates authorised for the area are being paid. I propose, therefore, to take steps to secure the better observance of the provisions of the Act and with this end in view I am increasing the number of inspectors engaged on this work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to evidence recently published connecting outbreaks of undulant or Malta fever in human beings with the consumption of milk from cattle suffering from contagious abortion; and whether he will take any action to clear this matter up, either by veterinary research or in conjunction with the Medical Research Council?

I understand that the Ministry of Health will shortly issue a Report containing the evidence, mainly obtained abroad, on which is based the theory that a form of undulant fever is caused by the bacillus which produces abortion in animals. The publication of this comprehensive Report will attract the attention of medical and veterinary practitioners and research workers to the study of this question, on which, so far as this country is concerned, there is at present very little information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, fronting the Stockwell tube station, Clapham Road, S.W. 9, there is an area of some acreage, formerly occupied by railway workshops, and now considered locally as suitable for a housing site; and will he state, with regard to this land, which is Crown property, what leases or commitments attach to it, and whether it can be made available for the erection of dwellings suitable for working-class tenants?

The area in question was acquired by the Commissioners of Crown Lands, by arrangement with the Ministry of Transport, with a view to its utilisation as a site for dwellings for working-class tenants displaced on account of demolitions in connection with the new Charing Cross Bridge. Meantime it has been let on short tenancy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity of raw sugar imported into this country since the Sugar Duty reduction on raw sugar in the Finance Act, 1028, as compared with the quantity imported in the previous 12 months; and whether any of this extra import of raw sugar is being acquired by the sugar-beet factories in addition to the established refineries?

The net imports of unrefined sugar during the period 1st May, 1928, to 31st March, 1929, amounted to 34,063,000 cwts., an increase of 10,326,500 cwts. on the net imports of the corresponding period of 1927–28. I am advised that the quantity of imported unrefined sugar used in the home-grown beet sugar factories during the year ended 31st March, 1929, amounted to 2,359,500 cwts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the operation of the farming credits scheme; if he is aware that Mr. A. J. Norton, a smallholder on the Wilsthorpe estate, Bridlington, who was wishing to replace a cow which died, applied to the National Provincial Bank, Limited, at Bridlington, for a loan of £30, and that the manager at that bank refused him a loan under the Short-term Credits Bill, although there was ample security to cover such loan; and if he will inquire into this matter?

I have no knowledge of the application referred to by the hon. and gallant' Member other than what is given in the question. These matters are entirely within the discretion of the banks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the rent per acre charged by the East Riding County Council for small holdings on the Wilsthorpe estate, Bridlington; if he is aware that smallholders are compelled to pay over four times as much for their lands as farmers in the same district are paying to landlords; and if he will take action to bring about a revision of these rents?

I am informed that the actual rent paid by the tenants of this estate prior to its purchase by the County Council was £882 per annum for 638 acres or approximately 28s. per acre. There were then only two equipped holdings on the estate. The Council have erected 20 new houses and 17 sets of farm buildings, and have carried out works of adaptation at a cost of over £25,000. The estate now comprises an area of 604 acres let at a total annual rent of £1,429 or about 47s. per acre. The rents of the holdings compare favourably with those of similar equipped holdings let by other landlords in the district, and up to the present time there has been no difficulty in obtaining satisfactory tenants when any of the holdings have been to let.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Scottish border counties receive financial aid for tile and open drainage schemes while English border counties do not; and if he will give equality of treatment to both sides of the border?

I am glad to be able to announce that it is the intention of the Government to provide financial assistance towards the cost of approved schemes of field drainage in this country. Details of the proposed scheme, which is designed for the relief of unemployment as well as for the benefit of agriculture, are being prepared and will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reason of the long delay in printing and issuing the final Report of the committee which inquired into the subject of poisonous road dressings?

I understand that while a considerable amount of valuable data on this subject was collected by a biological expert engaged by the Committee, difficulties have been experienced in preparing a report from the material, the services of the expert not having been available for this purpose. A draft report is now being considered by the Committee and will, I hope, be published in the near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Report of the Standing Committee on River Pollution, which the Ministry undertook to issue after a decision reached in February, 1928, can now be issued?

The preparation of this Report involves an analysis of a large number of river surveys. I anticipate that the Draft Report will be ready for the consideration of the Standing Committee in the Autumn, and the review of river surveys will include those carried out in 1928.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to amend the foot-and-mouth disease regulations to enable compensation to be paid to agricultural workers who are put out of employment through the compulsory slaughter of animals on the farms on which they work?

This would require legislation as to which I am not in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will appoint a committee of inquiry to investigate the whole question of the burden upon agriculture of tithe payment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the Noble Lord, the Member for Basingstoke (Viscount Lymington) on 22nd July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any, and which, of the samples of tar or mixtures containing tar which have been scientifically tested and examined by the experts of his Department have been found non-injurious to fish when used for the purpose of dressing roads adjacent to rivers?

The Department has not hitherto been able to satisfy itself that any road dressing containing tar can be used on roads draining directly into rivers containing fish without the risk of injury to fish, but the question is being further studied in collaboration with the British Road Tar Association.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will withhold subsidies from local authorities which unlawfully use as dressings on roads adjacent to rivers any substances or mixtures which would poison fish when washed into rivers?

A circular was addressed to all highway authorities in 1923 urging the use of asphaltic bitumen free from tar products for the treatment of road surfaces draining directly into fishing waters, and I should seriously consider withholding grants from the Road Fund with respect to such sections of roads upon which dressings are used which are injurious to fish life.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any estimate has been made as to the extra cost which would be involved in setting up a separate Ministry for fisheries?

As it is not the intention of the Government to adopt this proposal, no estimate of the cost involved has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to remit or suspend the debt charges on certain fishing harbours in Scotland, as proposed by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer in the last Budget statement; and, if so, whether inquiries into the financial position of these harbours are taking place?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 18th July to the hon. Member for Eastern Fife (Mr. Millar) on this subject. I understand that inquiries into the financial position of the harbours are now taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the changes under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, if he is considering the issue of a scale of minimum payments that the new local authorities may make to able-bodied unemployed persons who are compelled to apply to the parish for relief?

I have no power to issue any scale of payments such as are suggested. The amount of relief to be granted is a matter within the discretion of the local Poor Law authority and should be determined by the circumstances of each individual case though in practice many authorities have found it convenient to give relief in accordance with a scale which they have adopted. If the relief granted to any applicant is inadequate he has a right of appeal to the Department of Health for Scotland who are then empowered to intervene if satisfied that the complaint is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation in Scotland that will give protection to a farmer who has his crops damaged or destroyed by rabbits, enabling him to kill the rabbits not only on his farm but on land immediately adjoining?

My right hon. Friend will keep in view the suggestion contained in the question, but he is not in a position at the present time to give any undertaking as to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received a communication, signed by all the small landholders and others on the Heights of Strathpeffer, urging the immediate necessity of putting into repair the road leading from Achperneed railway station to the Heights of Fodderby, of forming a new road from there to join the existing road at the Heights of Dochcarty, and of improving the last-named road; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this grievance?

I have received the communication referred to. It is a matter for consideration in the first place by the local authorities concerned whether this scheme of work should be undertaken. If proposals for carrying out the work and for adding the roads to the county list of highways for the purpose of future maintenance are made to the Department of Agriculture for Scotland by the county council, the possibility of making a Grant-in-aid of the work will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the Report of the Deer Forest Commission of 1921?

The matter is under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement with regard to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the urgent need for the cleaning and deepening of many Scotch fishery harbours, he is prepared to recommend that the expense of the services of a dredger should be met by a Treasury grant where harbour authorities are at present unable to meet these charges?

Half the expense of the dredger belonging to the Fishery Board is already met from the Development Fund in cases where the financial position of a harbour justifies that special concession. The point raised by the hon. and learned Member will be kept in view in connection with my examination of the question of harbour finances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Report of the Committee on the Protection of Minorities, League document No. C.C.M. 1, 1929, 1, printed on 18th May and presented to the League of Nations Council on 7th June, has been published and is on sale to the public; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that its publication and that of the meetings of the Council sitting in committee to examine this question was ordered by the Council on 13th June, His Majesty's Government will make representations to the secretariat at Geneva to ensure that each of these documents will be put on sale without further delay?

I am informed that both these documents will be published shortly in the form of a special supplement to the Official Journal of the League of Nations, which is purchasable in this country.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the communications sent to the Dominions with regard to the proposed signing of the Optional Clause, the desirability of taking decisive action at the forthcoming meeting of the League of Nations has been impressed upon them; and whether it is his intention to secure their unanimous approval before committing this country to the provisions of the Clause in question?

The Governments of the Dominions are being consulted by telegraph and they are therefore presumably aware that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom regard the question as urgent. Until the exchange of views has been completed, I do not think I can properly add anything to the statements of the Government's views which have already been made in the House.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of promotions from the clerical class to the executive officers' class in the Civil Service since 1921?

The number of promotions from the clerical to the executive class (£1/400) in the nine years ended 31st March last was approximately 500.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of new entrants appointed to the Civil Service as a result of the examination for the executive class held last autumn?

Up to the present date 117 certificates have been issued to successful candidates at this examination, 16 of whom had already been certificated by the Civil Service Commissioners in respect of some other situation in the Civil Service.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of redundant officers at present performing executive duties in the Civil Service?

On 1st April last the total number of redundant officers in receipt of the executive scale of pay was 251. This number includes 221 redundant Second Division Clerks assimilated to the executive scale.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state, by Departments, the number of temporary ex-service men appointed to the Civil Service above the temporary clerical grades since 1914; the number of such officials who have been granted retention of employment until the age of CO under the provisions of Clause B of the Government Memorandum of 12th January, 1925, relating to temporary salaried officers; and whether the Government intend to grant established status to these officers?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part of the question, the number of temporary salaried officers, who have been granted "P" Class status under paragraph B of the Memorandum of 12th January, 1925, and who were serving in Departments on 1st April last was 217. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that an application for establishment has recently been made on behalf of "P" Class salaried officers serving in one Department, and is now under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that Scottish and English esparto papers are more economical and more suitable for many publications than the usual printing and writing papers, he will give full and favourable consideration to this quality of paper when placing orders for paper for Government publications?

Esparto as a furnish for paper purchased for Government use is not barred in the specifications issued by the Stationery Office except in regard to a few papers for which an all rag furnish is considered essential. Paper makers in both England and Scotland are at liberty therefore to use esparto in manufacturing paper for Government use in the great majority of cases if they find it more economical than other materials.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any temporary ex-service clerks at present under notice to terminate their services in his Department; and can he state the number of hours of overtime that have been worked in his Department during the previous three months?

There are no temporary ex-service clerks under notice in my Department. The number of hours overtime worked during the last three months was 8,567.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the prevalence of street accidents; and whether he is prepared to call a conference of representatives of the London safety-first-council and local authorities at an early date with a view to a closer examination of the subject?

This subject has recently been examined in detail by the Royal Commission on Transport whose First Report was presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty on Monday last. I need hardly add that the recommendations of the Royal Commission will receive immediate and careful consideration. A conference of local authorities in the area of Greater London, and of other interested parties, was convened by my predecessor in March, 1927, to consider the question of street accidents. The recommendations of the conference were circulated to all the authorities concerned. Since that date the London Traffic Advisory Committee had been conducting further inquiries, and I have recently received two Reports from them, the first dealing with street accidents generally and the second with street accidents to children. These Reports will be published very shortly, and the question of convening a further conference at a later date will be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the accumulation of accidents directly or indirectly due to motor traffic which have to be treated in the hospitals of the country, often to the exclusion of local patients, he will investigate the possibility of legislation aimed at permitting such hospitals to recover expenses as in the analogous case provided by Section 16 of the Local Government Act, 1929, or by some earmarked addition for the benefit of the hospitals to the statutory motor licence or driver's licence?

I am advised that Section 16 of the Local Government Act, 1929, applies to hospitals maintained by local authorities. I do not think that it would be practicable to apply similar provisions to other hospitals or to impose an additional statutory charge for drivers' licences with a view to dividing the proceeds among them.

asked the Minister of Transport for the six months' period during 1929, the registered number of motor cycles, motor cars, and other mechanically driven vehicles in the United Kingdom; and the number of road accidents, persons killed riding, respectively, motor cycles without pillion passengers, number with pillion passengers, motor cars, and other mechanically driven vehicles of every class separately specified as far as may be available?

The approximate number of licences for mechanically propelled vehicles current on 31st May, 1929, was 2,059,000. As regards accidents, the figures for the first six months of this year are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal, and how many non-fatal, accidents have happened to persons riding pillion during the past five years?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Figures are contained in the published Returns of street accidents caused by vehicles for 1927 and 1928. I am sending the hon. Member copies of these Returns. Corresponding figures are not available for previous years.

asked the Secretary for Mines 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?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to. I am informed, by way of explanation, that it has been the policy of this company, for many years, to make it a condition of employment that their workmen shall be members of the trade union with which the employers have concluded the agreement which regulates the conditions of work; and that all their workmen upon engagement accept this condition. The company, however, have now offered to consider the matter further, and not to discharge any workmen till they have communicated with me again.

asked the Secretary for Mines 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?

With regard to the first matter I am informed that the four men referred to were presumably four out of 15 men who were dismissed as a result of a certain face being closed. The total number so displaced was 70, of whom 55 were absorbed in other parts of the pit and 15 could not be so absorbed. I am assured that the selection of none of the 15 was due to their trade union membership or activity. I am further assured that the policy of the Nottinghamshire Coal Owners Association and of the owners of Bilsthorpe Colliery remains as stated to representatives of the Trade Union Congress last year, namely, "that they make no inquiry or discrimination with regard to a man's employment as to his membership of any Trade Union." With regard to the second matter, I am assured that if any such intimation was given (and this is denied), it was contrary to the policy and definite instructions of the owners and manager.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the action of the manager of the International Colliery, Abercrave, owned by the Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries, Limited, by continuing to allow coal to be weighed in February, 1929, in spite of the fact that a serious defect had been pointed out to him of the screening apparatus; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been called to this case, and I understand the facts to be as follows. In certain parts of the colliery the wages are, by agreement, dependent upon the amount of large coal passing over the screen. On 4th February last the manager was asked by the checkweigher to test the distances between the bars of the screen. This was done the same day and variations in the distances between the bars were found to exist. The bars were straightened during the morning of 5th February. I do not think that there is any action which I am called upon to take in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has made inquiries into the dispute at Binley Colliery, and with what result?

I have made inquiries into this matter. The circumstances shortly stated are as follows. The company gave notice to reduce contract rates in places where coal getting machinery was in use. The men refused to accept these reductions and on 18th June work at the colliery ceased. Subsequently a member of my staff visited the locality, and, with the concurrence of both parties, did his best to bring about a settlement. The company made, through my representative, a revised and improved offer. This having been refused, they eventually offered to re-open the pit on the old terms and conditions, on the understanding that all questions in dispute should be referred to arbitration whilst work proceded. This, I regret to state, was not accepted and both offers made through my representative have now been withdrawn.

asked the Secretary for Mines in how many cases miners have initiated proceedings against colliery managements for offences against the Coal Mines Act during the past 12 months, and the section or sections under which proceedings were instituted?

Such proceedings are not necessarily reported to my Depart- ment and I cannot therefore answer the question with certainty. I can only say that my Department are not aware of any such proceedings having been instituted during the last 12 months.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is the intention of the Government to deal with the nationalisation of mineral royalties in the autumn?

I can add nothing to the statement of the Government's intentions regarding the mining industry made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on Tuesday, 23rd July.

asked the Secretary for Mines, if he will cause a complete Return to be made of the number of collieries which have been closed down by the Amalgamated Anthracite combine during the last three years, and the approximate amount of coal lost by such action?

I am informed by Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries, Limited, that in the last three years they have closed five collieries, but that in two cases the coal is being worked from adjoining collieries. The combined output of these collieries was about 25,000 tons a month. In the same period, however, the company have re-opened five other collieries which had been closed by their previous owners. These five collieries have a combined output slightly greater than the figure mentioned.