asked the Home Secretary what is the number of cases of anthrax infection reported to his Department during the present year, giving the place of employment where the disease was contracted and stating also the number of cases in which infection proved to be fatal?

The number of cases of anthrax reported during the present year in factories and workshops is 35, three of which were fatal. In addition, four cases occurred among dock labourers, two of which were fatal. The following list gives the place of employment in each case:

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of men in and around Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, who are suffering from anthracosis, and the number of men who have died from this complaint; and if he is now prepared to schedule anthracosis as an industrial disease?

No information or complaint to the effect suggested by my hon. Friend has reached my right hon. Friend, and, as he pointed out in reply to my hon. Friend's previous question on this subject in July last, he has at present no evidence that the blackened condition of the lungs described as anthracosis is a cause of disablement. If, however, my hon. Friend can furnish me with definite particulars of cases where this condition is stated to have caused death or disablement, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider them in consultation with the Mines Department and to make any necessary inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction that exists amongst the workpeople with the Statutory Rules and Orders of the silicosis schemes under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, and especially to the proviso that this scheme shall not apply where the rock contains less than 50 per cent. of silica; and what immediate steps he proposes to take to change this proviso?

My right hon. Friend has received no complaint of any hardship caused by the limitation referred to, but if my hon. Friend has any evidence to the contrary, my right hon. Friend will be glad to receive and consider it. I may explain that the limit was inserted in the scheme for the purpose simply of excluding the granite industry, which is the subject of a special medical inquiry, and the question of its retention or otherwise will in any case come up for review when the report of that inquiry is available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has seen the annual report of Dr. Waldo, His Majesty's senior coroner for London, in which attention is drawn to the danger to the public of subways in which electric cables capable of sparking are carried in close conjunction with gas mains; and whether the Government propose to hold an inquiry at an early date with regard to this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the South East Division of Southwark (Mr. Naylor) on the 15th instant.

asked the Home Secretary if he can now state the terms of reference of the proposed Select Committee on Capital Punishment?

The proposed terms of reference will appear in due course on the Order Paper.

asked the Home Secretary if he will obtain from the Commissioner of Police the number of taximeter cabs that have been licensed, giving the year of their construction in each case; whether the Metropolitan police regulations are likely to be modified in regard to certain details of cab construction; and since what date has any alteration been made in these regulations?

Owing to the destruction of old records in many cases, the precise information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. To elicit the year of construction in each case where complete records still exist would, moreover, be a task involving much time and labour. The conditions of fitness of motor cabs formed the subject of inquiry by a Departmental Committee in 1927, and, as a result, these conditions were revised on 7th July, 1928. So far as can be foreseen at the moment, no modification of the existing conditions is likely to take place in the near future.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of licensing benches which, during the past three years, have made representations to the Home Office with reference to the existing law relating to registered clubs; and if he will give the names of these licensing benches together with a general summary of the representations received?

I regret that I cannot comply with this suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary how many foreigners resident in this country are called upon annually to return to their country of origin for the object of undergoing their conscription service; whether there is any convention whereby the sons of foreigners who have either been born in this country or who have been educated and resident here for 10 or 15 years can be forced to leave this country for that purpose; and to what extent do the police assist foreign Governments in tracing these individuals and serving papers on them?

I have no information as to the numbers of foreigners who may be thus called upon. So far as I am aware there are in existence no conventions with other countries under which foreigners may be compelled to leave this country for the purpose of fulfilling their military obligations and no assistance to foreign Governments in this matter is given.

asked the Home Secretary what directions are given to Metropolitan police constables regarding the humane killing of dogs and animals, other than the horse as defined by the Protection of Animals Acts, which in consequence of street accidents are mortally injured or which it is cruel to keep alive?

The police are instructed to obtain the services of a veterinary surgeon whenever circumstances permit and in most cases the police have no difficulty in doing so. Where it is not possible to obtain the services of a veterinary surgeon promptly enough the constable on the spot must use his discretion as to the speediest and most humane way of killing the animal if such a course is necessary. No special instructions as to the method to be used are laid down.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the wages, other costs, including royalties, proceeds, and profits per ton of saleable coal raised at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain and Northumberland, and the number of workpeople employed during the years 1910 to 1914, 1917 to 1926 and 1927 to date?

The information available is as follows—

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the quantity and average price of explosives, ordinary and high explosive, used at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain and Northumberland during the years 1909 to 1913 and 1924 to 1928?

The figures are as follow—

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the quantity of

coal produced and quantity and proportion cut by machinery at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain and Northumberland during the years 1909– 13 and 1924–28?

The figures are as follow—

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the number of accidents, fatal and non-fatal, that have occurred in Hilton Main Colliery, South Staffordshire, during each of the last five- years and, similarly, the averages for the whole country per thousand?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of tons of coal imported from Canada for the year 1928, and for the nearest available date for the current year?

No coal registered as consigned from Canada was imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1928 and the first 10 months of 1929.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the amount of royalty paid to the ground landlord of brick-making works; and whether such royalties are paid on the output of bricks per thousand or according to the number sold per thousand?

Information on this subject is not collected by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the Government is aware of the confidential circular issued by the Home Department of the Government of India to the Provincial Governments not to encourage the art exhibitions organised by the Indian National Congress; if he will state on what grounds the circular was issued; and if he will lay upon the Table Papers relating to the matter and replies from the Provincial Governments?

The figures are as follows:

I would refer the hon. Member to the questions and answers in the Legislative Assembly on 2nd September last, of which I am sending him a copy, and to which I have nothing to add save that, in my opinion, it is clearly no part of the Government of India's duty to support enterprises organised by political parties as such.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the Khanzadi murder case in Larkana, in Sind; if he can give particulars about it; if he is aware of the fact that the Government of Bombay ordered withdrawal of the legal proceedings against Mr. Bhutto, the suspect, who was already released on bail; and if the Government will order the reopening of the case?

I have no official information about the case in question; but so far as I am aware the implication in the last part of the hon. Member's question that the prosecution has been withdrawn is incorrect. I understand that the application of the Public Prosecutor for permission to withdraw the prosecution was not accepted by the Sessions Judge and that in consequence the case is still sub judice. This being so I am not in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the necessity for maintaining an atmosphere of goodwill in India, he is pre- pared to recommend an amnesty of the Meerut prisoners or, alternatively, to see that they are given a trial by jury?

No, Sir. The matter is in the hands of the courts and I am not prepared to interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the estimate of the costs of the Indian Government of the conspiracy trial, the preliminary investigation in connection with which is now taking place at Meerut?

I regret that I am unable to answer this question as I am not in possession of the information necessary.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he can see his way to improve the lighting of the back row of benches in the House of Commons?

The lighting of the back benches in this Chamber can be increased, but before giving instructions for this to be done, I must ask hon. Members to make representations through the usual channels?

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will consider the provision of a small gymnasium where Members of this House might take exercise?

I am prepared to consider the matter, but, at the same time, I must warn my hon. Friend that the demands on accommodation in the House of Commons are such as to render it very difficult to allocate any accommodation for the purpose in question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works in which of the Royal Parks additional lighting has been provided in the evening during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and can he give particulars?

Six additional lamps were provided in Hyde Park in the autumn of last year. I am considering whether this is sufficient.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that deck chairs are not provided in Regent's Park nor are private individuals permitted to take such chairs into the park; and, in view of the increased comfort that these chairs provide, especially to invalids, would he be prepared to give instructions that such chairs be provided in the royal parks at similar charges to those made in the London County Council parks?

I am aware that deck chairs are not provided in Regent's Park, but there is no rule against individuals bringing in such chairs for their own use, provided that no obstruction is caused. I will consider the question of the provision of deck chairs.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what progress he is making with sun-bathing facilities by the Serpentine?

I propose to permit mixed bathing in the Serpentine next summer, but I do not at present contemplate making any special arrangements for sun-bathing.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether representations have been made to him regarding the buildings to be erected upon the site of the Calton Gaol, Edinburgh; if he is prepared, while there is yet time, to put the design of the proposed new buildings out to open competition; and, failing his consent to this, is he prepared to secure amenity by adhering to the features of the present buildings and making only partial alterations instead of going in for total demolition?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second part in the negative; after careful inquiry I have come to the conclusion that the existing building cannot be adapted to any practical use, but the amenities will be secured by the submission of the designs of the new building for consideration and advice to the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland and thereafter to the Corporation of the City of Edinburgh.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can state the number of new Employment Exchanges that are at present being erected in England and Wales, giving particulars of the towns in which these are being erected and the cost of building for each Exchange?

The position of the programme of building new Employment Exchanges was as follows on the 1st November. The cost given in each case is the estimated cost of the actual building.

In 14 cases work is actually proceeding on new buildings. These are:

In one case adaptations are being carried out to an existing building which has been bought for the purpose. This is:

In two cases, adaptations are being carried out to hired buildings. These are:

In 10 cases tenders have been received. Some of these have now been accepted and the rest will shortly be accepted. These are:

In 25 other cases, sites have been or are being secured, and plans for new buildings are in preparation; and in four cases plans for adaptations to existing buildings are in preparation.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of men registered as engaged in the wireless industry and the number unemployed in the same industry during the last four months?

I regret that separate statistics are not available for the wireless industry. For statistical purposes the greater proportion of the numbers in this industry are included partly in the industrial group "Electrical Cables, wire and electric lamps" and partly in the electrical engineering group.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to cement, lime and whiting manufacture, were recorded in Great Britain as being unemployed on the 9th November, 1929; and how many were wholly unemployed and temporarily stopped, respectively?

At 21st October, 1929, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to the cement, lime and whiting industry recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 1,521, of whom 1,177 were wholly unemployed and 344 temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can state the number of registered unemployed workers in North Lambeth on 5th June and on the latest date on which figures are available?

Separate figures for North Lambeth are not available, but the following table shows the numbers of persons resident in the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth who were on the registers of Employment Exchanges at 17th June and 11th November, 1929. These are the only dates in the months in question for which figures for the Metropolitan Boroughs are available:

asked the Minister of Labour what steps she proposes to take to improve the arrangements for assisting persons in the rural areas of Wales to find employment and for giving vocational guidance to young people about to leave school in those areas?

My right hon. Friend is giving special consideration to the need for extended facilities of the kind suggested in the question in the rural areas of the country.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the statistics of unemployment are circulated to the whole of the London daily Press each week; and whether, if her attention is drawn to any daily paper which has refrained from publishing these figures, she will give instructions that the schedule be no longer sent to such paper?

These statistics are sent to all the daily newspapers on the ordinary list, which includes, I think, all the non-technical Press of general circulation. As regards the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend would not propose to omit any paper from the list except at the request of the paper itself.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will state the number of persons registered as unemployed in the building trades on the 3rd June, 1929, and the 9th November, 1929, respectively?

The number of insured persons aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to the building industry, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 21st October, 1929, was 104,176, compared with 69,852 at 27th May, 1929. Figures are not available for the precise dates referred to in the question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured men, aged 18 to 64, classified as belonging to the slate quarrying and mining industry, were recorded as unemployed in Great Britain on the 9th November, 1929, and how many were wholly or temporarily unemployed, respectively?

At 21st October, 1929, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of insured men, aged 18 to 64, classified as belonging to the slate mining and quarrying industry recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 1,545, of whom 613 were wholly unemployed and 932 temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether she has considered the case of unmarried men who receive no consideration in the call for recruitment of men in connection with the unemployment relief schemes; and whether she will give instructions to the various Employment Exchanges that where unmarried men have dependants an opportunity shall be given them in accordance with the merits of the case;

(2) what instructions, if any, are issued to the various Employment Exchanges in respect to the method by which labour will be recruited for the various relief of unemployment schemes; and whether such instructions include the engagement of men who have exhausted their Employment Exchange benefits and are now not on the live register?

The instructions issued to Employment Exchanges with regard to the recruitment of labour for relief schemes are to the effect that, subject to fitness for the work, selection for employment depends upon the needs of the individual, preference being given to those who, whether married or unmarried, have dependants. Due regard is paid to the claims of those who are registered at the Exchanges but are not in receipt of benefit. It is clearly not possible for the Exchanges to submit for employment persons who are not registered, but it is open to the Poor Law authority to arrange for the supply of men for relief works provided that particulars of men so supplied are furnished to the local Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the number of unemployed in South Wales, he has any proposals for developing farming, agriculture, afforestation, or land drainage schemes in Wales?

Authority has recently been given to the Forestry Commissioners to increase their planting programme for the 10 years now beginning from 237,000 acres to 353,000 acres, and so far as can be seen Wales will participate in the increase proportionately with the remainder of Great Britain. As regards land drainage, county councils and drainage authorities have been informed of the conditions on which grants can be made towards approved schemes; several have already been approved, and I understand that others are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is able to give any estimate of the number of agricultural workers who are now unemployed in Leicestershire?

No statistics are available of unemployment among agricultural workers, but from information I have received from local officers of the Ministry unemployment amongst the workers in Leicestershire who are normally engaged in agriculture is at present negligible. It is understood, however, that isolated cases of unemployment exist among the unskilled and casual workers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any form is issued to school teachers asking for particulars of children leaving school to indicate what sort of employment they desire to take up, the condition of their health, and their general capabilities; and whether, if no common form exists for this purpose, he can say what local authorities have adopted such a system and if it has proved of use in finding suitable employment?

In areas covered by juvenile advisory committees, or in which the local education authority has undertaken the responsibility for choice of employment work, school-leaving cards or forms are issued, for completion each term by the head teachers of practically all elementary schools, and of many secondary schools. These cards or forms, though varying in minor detail, generally indicate the child's educational attainments, his desires regarding employment, and his aptitude for the selected or alternative occupations. Practically every local authority concerned has adopted this procedure; and the reports of the local juvenile committees show that they are greatly assisted by the records in offering advice as to appropriate employment. School medical records are, in many cases, also made available for the committee's guidance.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in connection with the Bristol passenger omnibus services no cheap workmen's fares are allowed; and, in view of the hardship thus created, if he will consider the desirability of incorporating in his new Road Traffic Bill proposals for dealing with cases of this kind?

The fact mentioned by my hon. Friend had not been brought to my notice, as I have no powers to control the fares charged in respect of omnibus services except in cases where such powers are specifically conferred upon me by Act of Parliament. I will consider the point in connection with the proposed legislation dealing with omnibus traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received representations with regard to the circumstances of a motor car accident in Akerman Road, Brixton, on 4th October, whereby Doris Futer, a child of seven, was killed; and whether he proposes to take any action in this case?

I have not received any representations in regard to this accident, and I understand that at the subsequent inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned and the driver of the vehicle was exonerated from blame.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in relation to the projected Battersea power station, he can now make any statement as to the Government's conclusions on the interim Report of the Government's chemists in relation to experiments on the prevention of the evolution of oxides of sulphur?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the right hon. Baronet, the Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare), on the 5th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information concerning the traffic dangers at Eltham Hill, Eltham Road and Well Hall Road, Woolwich; and whether he is prepared to consider an application for speed limits to be fixed in these roads?

In view of the recommendations on the subject of speed limits contained in the first report of the Royal Commission on Transport I should be reluctant to impose any fresh special speed limits for motor vehicles until Parliament has had an opportunity of considering the legislative proposals which are shortly to be introduced and which are largely based on the Royal Commission's recommendations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many cases have been decided by the Irish Grants Committee; how many more remain to be heard; and when it is expected that the Irish Grants Committee will have completed their labours?

The Irish Grants Committee have made recommendations in respect of 3,850 claims. There are now only 180 cases to be considered, and it is anticipated that the Committee will have completed their task by the end of the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, with a view to promoting the sale throughout the British Empire of British-made or British-produced goods, he will consider the desirability of approaching each of the Dominion Governments with a view to the formulation by them, respectively, of some scheme similar to that of the Empire Marketing Board or otherwise?

My Noble Friend concurs in the view expressed by his predecessor in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member in the last Parliament, that the matter is not one on which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom could initiate suggestions to the Dominion Governments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many fairs and exhibitions have been held during the current financial year out of the fund of £56,585 provided by the Empire Marketing Board, and at what places were they held?

The Empire Marketing Board has participated in nine exhibitions during the current financial year at Alder-shot, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Hull, London, Newcastle-on-Tyne and Plymouth, respectively. In addition arrangements have been made to participate in six further exhibitions before the end of the financial year, which take place in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London (two) and Portsmouth, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the date upon which the Government of Mexico defaulted upon her national debt bonds held by British investors; upon what date interest was last paid upon the bonds of the national railroad of Mexico; and what steps His Majesty's Government, in collaboration with the American committee, is now taking to protect the rights of those who have lent money to Mexico and developed her railroads?

The Mexican Government defaulted on the bonds of the Mexican external debt on the 1st July, 1914. Interest was paid in full on the bonds of the National Railways of Mexico up to 31st December, 1913. A payment was made on the National Railways of Mexico guaranteed general mortgage 4 per cent. seventy-year sinking fund gold bonds on 4th February, 1927, in respect of the financial half-year ended 1st January, 1925. This is, so far as I am aware, the last payment which has been made in respect of interest on the bonds of the National Railways. His Majesty's Government would not be in a position to take any steps in regard to these defaults until they were approached in the matter by the properly qualified agents of the British bondholders concerned who are, of course, already in collaboration with the American bondholders. Any such representations would receive the most careful attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will be prepared, if all the other parties involved are agreeable, to consider making the Suez Canal an international waterway under the control of the League of Nations?

I regret that I cannot say what the attitude of His Majesty's Government would be in the hypothetical circumstances envisaged by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can make any statement as to his efforts to make the post offices in this country more picturesque; and what it is estimated will be the cost in the present financial year?

Proposals for improving the existing conditions in the greater number of the Crown Offices are being investigated, and the actual work involved in carrying out the various recommendations will be put into operation as soon as practicable. The estimated cost involved during the present financial year is about £45,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the average number of persons per telephone in Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) and in Northern Ireland, respectively?

The average number of persons per telephone in Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) at 30th September last was 24, and in Northern Ireland 56.

asked the Postmaster-General if any portion of the sum of £1,500,000 to be expended this year and next on extensions of the telephone service is to be allowed to improve the telephone service with Northern Ireland apart from expenditure in connection with cross-channel lines; and, if so, how much?

£40,000 will, as I stated in my answer of the 12th instant to the hon. Member, be spent in Northern Ireland in connection with the scheme of acceleration. No further portion of the sum under this scheme is in connection with Northern Ireland, but other expenditure will of course be incurred in Northern Ireland under the normal programme of development.

asked the Postmaster-General how many temporary clerks have recently been discharged from the Money Order Office, Holloway; and what steps are being taken to find them alternative employment, either in the Post Office or in another Government department?

The number of temporary female clerks recently discharged from the Money Order Department is about 30. There is unfortunately no alternative employment available for them in the Post Office; and although endeavours have been made to find them suitable employment in another Government department they have not proved successful. The women discharged were engaged as recently as the beginning of last year, on the understanding that their employment was purely temporary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to assisting the British motor-car industry and reducing unemployment, he can now make a statement as to the Government's intentions with regard to the existing import duties?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the evidence disclosed by the reports of annual meetings of companies engaged in motor production as to the serious effect of the uncertainty with regard to the maintenance or removal of the McKenna Duties on the motor industry; and whether, in view of the effect of the present state of uncertainty on winter employment, he will take an opportunity of making an early statement as to the intentions of the Government?

I have noticed various remarks made by leading members of the motor manufacturing industry on the subject of the Import Duty, but I have nothing to add to the statements; which I made during the Debate on the Address as to my intentions in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the multiplicity of milk grades in this country which cause confusion in the public mind; and whether he will take steps to simplify the designations?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the criticism which is directed against the present classification of graded milk, and the lack of agreement among producers. He is advised also that legislation would be necessary before any alterations could be made. My right hon. Friend is afraid that time will not permit of the introduction of legislation on this subject during the present Session.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to extend the system under which the Ministry's certificate is given to growers of black currants that their stocks are true to type to growers of apple, pear, and plum stocks?

This subject will be discussed at a meeting of my Horticultural Advisory Council on the 27th instant, and I shall give careful consideration to any recommendation the Council may make.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious losses suffered by milk farmers from epizootic abortion, he will issue regulations to make it a notifiable disease; and whether research work is being carried out to find a cure for the prevention of this scourge?

Epizootic abortion differs from the diseases of animals which are scheduled, in that this disease may persist in a herd from three to seven years or even longer, and therefore, if it were made notifiable and the movement of animals on to and off the infected farm controlled, stock farming would be most difficult and the cost of administering the Order enormous. It is possible by means of a test, which is within the means of all stockowners, to detect infected animals and protect healthy herds against disease. Research work on this subject is being conducted all over the world, and it is the policy of the Ministry to encourage research workers in this country to concentrate on a cheap means of immunisation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has been able to ascer-

I have no information as to costs of production in Australia or Argentina.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is taking steps to call a conference to discus agricultural questions; if so, to whom have invitations been extended, and with what result?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Invitations to send representatives to a conference to discuss a number of agricultural questions have been sent to the following bodies: —

National Farmers' Union.

National Union of Agricultural Workers.

Transport and General Workers' Union (Agricultural Workers' Section).

Central Landowners' Association.

The Land Union.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the result.

tain what is the cost of production per quarter of wheat in Argentina, the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, respectively; and, if so, will he state what those prices are?

Following is the reply:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to the continued reduction in the acreage of arable land and the discouragement to wheat growing afforded by the fluctuation in the price of wheat, he will institute an investigation of the plan, for stabilising the price of wheat suggested by the departmental inquiry into the stabilisation of agricultural prices set up in 1924?

The details of this proposal are at present being carefully examined by my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the number of workers engaged in agriculture in Wales; if His Majesty's Government has any intention of providing them with the benefits of an unemployment insurance scheme; and, if so, when?

The number of workers employed on agricultural holdings above one acre in extent, as returned on the 4th June, 1929, in Wales was as follows:

These figures are provisional and subject to revision.

As regards the last part of the question, I can add nothing at present to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville) on the 31st October, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will institute an inquiry into the cycle of low prices offered to the wheat growers in this country in proportion to high prices of retail bread?

The price of home-grown wheat, which is largely governed by the world price of wheat, is only one of the factors in the price structure of the loaf. The question of retail bread prices is kept under review by the Food Council.

The Ministry is aware of the existence of a large number of cures for foot-and-mouth disease and the proportion of deaths does not normally exceed 3 per

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will initiate a comprehensive inquiry into animal diseases, particularly with reference to swine fever and erysipelas?

Provision for the comprehensive study of animal diseases in this country is already made at three research institutes devoted to research in animal pathology. These are the Institute of Animal Pathology in the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Animal Pathology, attached to the Royal Veterinary College, Camden Town, both of which are supported by annual grants: the third institute is maintained by the Ministry at Weybridge. Attention is already given to swine diseases, and it is the intention of the Ministry to strengthen the staff at Weybridge and to give increased attention to these diseases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give comparative figures during recent years of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in this and adjacent Continental countries; whether he has information to show that cattle that have been affected by this disease can be cured of it and suffer no serious subsequent harm; and, if not, what permanent harm is suffered?

The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain and adjacent Continental countries during the past five years and the first half of the current year are shown in the following statement:

cent. in the case of cattle with a slightly higher figure in the case of sheep and pigs. Although curable the disease has, however, secondary consequences which are often serious, especially amongst dairy herds and breeding stock. Permanent harm is sometimes caused to one or more quarters of the cow's udder. Owing, moreover, to the extraordinary infectivity of foot-and-mouth disease the aggregate losses which would result from the isolation of affected animals for remedial treatment would be enormous. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Committee which reported on the 2nd February, 1925 (Cmd. 2350), expressed the opinion that a policy of isolation would be equivalent to the abandonment of any hope of eradicating the disease from this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the fact that national marked beef is now available in large quantities in the metropolitan area, will he now consider the advisability of arranging with Government Departments to supply this beef to His Majesty's Forces in that area and thereby give practical assistance to the marketing scheme which his Department is commending to the public?

I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Horncastle (Mr. Haslam) on the 4th instant, and the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War gave to the Noble Lord, the Member for Aldershot, on the 12th instant. I am sending copies of the replies to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can give the latest figures indicating the total loss of nets and gear sustained by the Scottish fishing fleets at Yarmouth and other ports as a result of the storm on Monday last and the cost of replacement?

The hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland gave notice of a similar question on Thursday last and in order to enable me to answer it I at once instituted inquiries in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries for the purpose of obtaining detailed information of the losses sustained. The collection of these particulars necessarily involves considerable labour but the work is being done as quickly as possible and I hope to be in a position to give full information to the House on Wednesday.

The House will be interested to know that last week I was in personal communication with the Lords Provost of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth and they have agreed to issue an appeal to the people of Scotland to contribute to a National Fund to enable the fishermen to replace their nets.

I have also invited the support and cooperation of the Press and I am confident that the appeal, which has been launched to-day, will evoke a generous response from the public in view of the widespread sympathy with the fishermen in their arduous and hazardous calling and in this recent misfortune.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in his survey of the smaller piers in Scotland, he will pay attention to the pier at Applecross, Ross-shire, which is greatly in need of repair?

No representations have been made to me regarding the condition of the slipway at Applecross, but I am having inquiry made in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the executive and legislative councils of the Protectorate of Zanzibar, created under the Zanzibar Councils Decree, 1926, consist solely of elected members, or partly of official, nominated, and elected members; and whether, if there are any elected members, he can state the proportionate number of elected members, the nature of the franchise, the total electorate, and the total population?

The executive council of Zanzibar, over which His Highness the Sultan presides, consists solely of Government officials. The legislative council, over which the British resident presides, consists of Government officials and nominated unofficial members only. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of deaths certified as being from diphtheria, cancer, typhoid fever and small-pox in

Great Britain during the years 1926, 1927, 1928, and to the latest date for which figures are available in 1929?

Following is the answer: