asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that in the reorganisation of the Birkenhead Post Office in 1928 a number of employés were transferred from the Birkenhead Post Office to Liverpool, a change involving them in additional travelling time and expenditure; if a petition has been received by him relating to this matter; and, if so, what reply has been made?

I am aware of the circumstances in this case. I have received representations on behalf of the staff concerned, to which I hope shortly to send a reply.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider reinstating the order to pay the travelling expenses of temporary postmen at Liverpool when they have to work on split duties away from home?

I cannot trace the order to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will give me particulars of the case he has in mind, I will make further inquiries.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that down to 1914 the city of Oxford enjoyed the evening posts at seven and nine o'clock; and on what grounds he has arrived at the conclusion that the citizens do not desire their restoration?

It is the case that in 1914 there were deliveries in Oxford at about the hours mentioned by the hon. Member; many other towns then enjoyed similar facilities. The most recent information available does not suggest that there is any widespread dissatisfaction among the citizens of Oxford with the present deliveries.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now state what the Christmas postal arrangements will be?

The arrangements will be on the same general lines as last year. There will be a delivery of letters and parcels in most towns in England and Wales on Sunday, 22nd December, a general delivery of letters and parcels in all parts on Christmas Day, and no delivery on Boxing Day. The closing hour of posting for Christmas delivery will be noon on Monday, 23rd December, for letters, cards, parcels and packets. Later times of posting for letters for local delivery and neighbouring towns will be announced locally. If the public will, as in recent years, co-operate by posting their Christmas correspondence as early as possible and not later than noon on the 23rd, I anticipate that the arrangements for dealing with the traffic will prove adequate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the heavy deficit on the working of the Post Office telegraphs in the last financial year; and whether, in view of the cheap facilities provided to the Press by this section of his Department, he is prepared to submit the tariffs charged in this connection to a revision in an upward direction?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the deficit on the telegraph account of the Post Office. An increase in the Press tariff would require legislation, which I am not at present prepared to initiate.

asked the Postmaster-General if, before the erection of overhead telephonic or telegraph lines, he will consult with the local authority of the district, as in the opinion of some authorities overhead lines create a nuisance or destroy the amenities of the neighbourhood, and are not as suitable as underground lines?

In accordance with the provisions of the Telegraph Acts the consent of the local authority is sought before any overhead line is placed in any public road under their jurisdiction and consultation, if necessary, follows. Due regard is paid to the question of amenities in framing applications for such consents and the lines are laid underground whenever this can be justified financially. In many cases the cost of underground plant would be prohibitive.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the staff at Carnarvon are dissatisfied on account of the passing over of five senior officers in the selections for the 1929 acting list; that representations to the head postmaster, the surveyor, and the secretary on behalf of three of the officers elicited only replies in general terms to the effect that the officer selected is the one best qualified; that the three officers who made representations have performed satisfactorily all the duties proper to a candidate for supervising appointment; that one of the officers was formerly on the acting list; and whether, in the circumstances, he will review the selections?

I am aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend. The officer selected was the best qualified for inclusion in the Acting List and I am satisfied that the five officers who were passed over were rightly excluded owing to lack of qualifications. The one officer who was formerly on the Acting List, was removed from it because he failed to give satisfaction on the higher duties. Under these circumstances, I am unable to find any ground for reviewing the selections.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has decided to use concrete telegraph posts for the future; and, if so, when a beginning is likely to be made?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 19th instant by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, to the hon. Member for Woodbridge (Mr. Fison).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will furnish a Return for Scotland showing at 31st March, 1928, and 31st March, 1929, the average number of scholars on the registers per teacher in primary, secondary and special schools, respectively?

At 31st March, 1928, the average number of scholars on the registers per teacher in primary schools was 35, in secondary schools 24 and in special schools 18. I regret that the figures for 1929 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the Scottish town and county councils taking over the schools next year, he will consider urging these bodies to consider conducting classes in horticultural subjects for the older pupils so as to fit them for taking up small holdings upon land not at present in use; and will he consider encouraging local authorities to secure farms for such purposes under qualified teachers?

The Day Schools Code provides for instruction in gardening, agriculture and dairying to pupils enrolled in advanced division courses in rural schools; and such instruction is already given in a number of schools in which the conditions are suitable. His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools will continue to bring the advantages of such instruction to the notice of the appropriate education authorities. With reference to the second part of the question the Department will give sympathetic consideration to proposals made by local authorities for increasing the efficiency of the instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the procedure at the Glasgow Small Debt Court and the conduct of certain officials; and, if not, can he state when he is likely to do so?

I am in communication with the sheriff in the matter; but I am unable to say when I shall be in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number of agricultural workers in Scotland insured under the National Health Insurance Acts, giving the figures for male and female workers separately?

As National Health Insurance records are not arranged on an occupational basis, I regret that the information asked is not available. According to the census of 1921 there were 160,601 males and 22,390 females over the age of 16 engaged in agricultural occupations in Scotland.

asked the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring, as representing the Charity Commissioners, if he will seek to have submitted to the Wolsing- ham Parish Council a statement of income and expenditure from the Wolsingham Market Tolls Charity for each year since the last statement was submitted, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1894?

The trustees of the Wolsingham Market Tolls Charity are under no obligation to submit their accounts to the parish council. The parish council can, on application to the Charity Commissioners and payment of the fees prescribed by Section 44 of the Charitable Trusts Act, 1855, obtain from them copies of the accounts rendered to them by the trustees.

asked the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring, as representing the Charity Commissioners, if he will state what is the number of trustees required according to the trust deeds for the Wolsingham Town Hall and Market Tolls Charity, respectively; how many are serving; when were they appointed; and if he will take steps to fill vacancies, if any exist?

The original trustees of the Wolsingham Town Hall were 12 in number. Trustees were last appointed in 1913, of whom the Commissioners were informed in February last that three were then surviving. The trustees of the town hall are the trustees of the Market Tolls Charity. The Charity Commissioners have given instructions for the preparation of a scheme for the appointment of a representative body of trustees.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal pits have been closed down in Lancashire in the last 12 months; and how many of the entire number have been working short time;

Nineteen pits in Lancashire employing 3,700 wage earners have been closed and not re-opened during the last 12 months. Practically all pits in this district have worked short time to a lesser or greater degree during that period, and on the average 1.61 coal winding days were lost per week owing to want of trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the estimated maximum amount of coal that could be produced in one year by the mines of Great Britain without further expenditure of capital in plant and development?

It is estimated that the mines at present at work and those temporarily closed could produce, under present conditions of development, at the rate of about 320 million tons per annum.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give an estimate of the total annual capacity of production of coal of the mines in Great Britain; what was the actual amount of coal raised last year; and the estimated amount that will be raised this, year?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply just given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Withington (Mr. Simon). As regards the remainder of the question, the amount of saleable coal raised for last year was 237½ million tons, and it is estimated that 255 million tons will be produced this year.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state, based on the latest available figures as to the consumption of British coal for different purposes, what tax would be necessary per ton, if levied on coal used for domestic purposes and for gas works or, alternatively, on coal used for industrial purposes, in order to provide a subsidy of 3s. per ton on all export coal, excluding bunkers?

I do not see that any useful purpose is to be served in working out calculations of the kind suggested by the hon. Member based on a purely hypothetical set of circumstances.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of persons and horses employed below ground in 1928 and the first half of 1929 in the mines in Scotland, Durham, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and South Wales coalfields, respectively; the total tonnage of coal raised in each of these five coalfields; and the percentage of horses and ponies employed in each coalfield in relation to the total number of persons employed below ground in each of the five coalfields mentioned and the total tonnage of coal raised in each of

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any information as to the average cost per ton-mile of the mechanical transport of coal

these coalfields; and whether he can state the kind of mechanical transport in use in these coalfields other than that done by horses and ponies?

The information requested is shown in the following table:

underground in mines; whether he can give any information as to the average cost per ton-mile of the haulage carried out by horses and ponies underground; and whether he intends to issue any definite recommendations as to the more general use of mechanical transport in mines to replace animal transport?

I have no information which would enable me to answer the first two parts of the question. With regard to the third part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on the 19th instant to a question by the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Winter-ton), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the aggregate horse-power of electrical motors, compressed air haulage engines, electric battery locomotives, and other forms of mechanical haulage machinery, including conveyors, in use underground in mines; and what relation the total volume of horse haulage in mines bears to the aggregate horse-power employed in mine haulage as a whole?

The aggregate horsepower of electric motors in use below ground for haulage is 381,399, and for conveyors and loaders 18,821. I regret that I am not able to give figures relating to other forms of power, and beyond saying that at 30th June last there were 50,823 horses employed below ground, I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the number of employés in the mining industry who get holidays with pay and the grade of work they do?

I have no definite information on this question, but I understand that holidays with pay, where such arrangements are in force, are only granted to officials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government's scheme to be presented to Parliament with reference to the coal mining industry will include provisions having the effect of increasing the price of coal to various consumers in this country by output and price regulation?

I am afraid I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many amalgamations of collieries have been effected since 1st January, 1925; what is the tonnage of coal affected; and to what extent have compulsory powers under the 1926 Act been used?

A report was issued in November last (Command 3214) which embodied particulars of the colliery amalgamations which had been effected since the passing of the Mining Industry Act, 1926. I propose, in the near future, to present a second report which will bring this information up to date and I would be obliged if the hon. Member would await its publication.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been drawn to the slippery surface of the floor of the Outer Lobby of this House, with the resulting danger to hon. Members and strangers; and whether his Department will consider the possibility of 'treating such surface with some form of anti-slip compound?

The floor of the Members' Lobby is already treated at intervals with an anti-slip compound, but I have arranged that this shall be applied more frequently.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give figures for the last five years showing what proportion of the total expenditure from Indian revenues, central and provincial, was devoted to education in British India?

The latest year for which figures are at present available is 1927–28. The table below gives the desired information in respect of each of the five years 1923–24 to 1927–28. In addition to the expenditure from central and provincial revenues considerable sums derived from local and municipal funds and from fees and other sources were spent on education.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state the number of deaths in the Royal Air Force due to accidents whilst flying during the year 1929?

During the period in question there have been 29 fatal accidents, involving 39 deaths.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has received a petition from the employés in the Balerno Bank Paper Mills regarding the threatened shutting down of part of that plant owing to a dispute with the Edinburgh Corporation regarding effluent; and, if so, will he give the matter his careful attention in view of the unemployment which will result if no settlement is reached?

Yes, Sir. I have received the petition and am examining the matter in co-operation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any schemes have been submitted to him by the Camberwell Borough Council; and, if so, how many and of what nature?

No, Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state the number, nature, and cost of relief works for which State assistance has been applied for by the Sheffield Corporation since the present Government took office, and the extent to which grants have actually been approved, and the volume of employment thereby afforded?

Since the 1st June, 1929, applications for grant have been submitted by the Sheffield Corporation to the Unemployment Grants Committee in respect of 11 schemes involving water supply, unclassified road works and works in parks, estimated to cost £785,000. Six of these schemes have so far been approved, of a total value of £686,700, estimated to afford employment equivalent to that for about 2,500 men for a year. In addition six schemes, estimated to cost £47,675 and to afford work equivalent to the employment of about 100 men for a year, have been submitted to the Ministry of Transport. These schemes, which are understood to be the first instalment of the Sheffield programme, have been approved in principle for grants from the Road Fund. The grants proposed represent 60 per cent. of the total cost as to £38,000 and 50 per cent. as to the balance.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many schemes put forward by the Durham County Council have been accepted; how many have been refused by the Unemployment Grants Committee; and the reasons for such refusals?

Applications for grant in respect of 12 schemes at an estimated cost of £15,500 have been submitted by the Durham County Council to the Unemployment Grants Committee. Eight of these schemes, estimated to cost £13,889, have been approved for grant by the Committee and three schemes, estimated to cost £1,400, have been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, for the purpose of grant from that Department. The application in respect of the remaining scheme was withdrawn by the local authority. The above figures take no account of road schemes, totalling over £280,000, submitted to the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether schemes for railway extension work in Cardiff will contain a definite proviso to the effect that the labour necessary for such work shall be secured from the 9,000 unemployed in Cardiff and not imported from localities outside the city?

It is a condition of these assisted schemes that all additional labour required shall be selected from suitable men submitted by the Employment Exchange, and the Exchange will give full consideration to the position of the unemployed in Cardiff.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, taking the normal family of an unemployed man, namely, his wife and three children aged 18, 16, and 12, she can state the maximum number of dependants who could, in addition, benefit under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill; whether this agrees with the recommendations of the Blanesburgh Report; if not, in what respect; and what is the maximum family weekly revenue which would be obtainable under the new Bill in such a case, provided the full limit of dependants was maintained by the claimant?

In the case of a family with no other members than those mentioned in the question, dependants benefit could be paid for the wife and the youngest child. This is consistent with the recommendations of the Blanesburgh Committee. The only change made by the Bill is that the wife's allowance would be 9s. instead of 7s. making the total benefit and allowance 28s. instead of 26s. under existing legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state in each case the exact amount of assistance which has been given by the Unemployment Grants Committee in respect of any schemes for the relief of unemployment to those areas which are customarily classified as necessitous?

There is no classification of areas as "necessitous" for the purposes of the Unemployment Grants Committee. If the hon. Member will let me know more precisely what he requires, I will see whether the information can be given. But I ought to point out that the staff of the Committee is working under great pressure and I do not wish to burden it with additional clerical work which is not really necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour how many umpires there are under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; and on how many cases they collectively had to adjudicate in the year ended May, 1929 and from June to October, 1929, inclusive, respectively?

There are at present one umpire and five deputy umpires One of the deputy umpires was appointed on 24th June, 1929, prior to which there were three, and the fifth was appointed on 1st November, 1929. 7,650 decisions were given in the 12 months ended 13th May, 1929, and 3,733 between 14th May and 14th October, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the amounts of assistance guaranteed by the Unemployment Grants Committee to the different counties of Scotland up to 31st October in connection with schemes of improvement aimed at the relief of unemployment?

Since the 1st June last, the Unemployment Grants Com-

asked the Minister of Labour if she can give the figures for the months of July, August, September

mittee have approved for grant 44 schemes submitted by local authorities in Scotland, in respect of expenditure amounting to £282,740. The Committee have now under consideration about 100 schemes submitted by local authorities in Scotland, estimated to cost £2,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour if she can state the number of claims to unemployment benefit at the Bridgeton, Springburn, Maryhill, Park-head and Southside Exchanges, Glasgow, respectively, in which the 30 stamps qualification was satisfied, and the number in which claims were made under the transitional arrangements, and the number of refusals of benefit in each case for the four weeks ended 7th October, 1929.

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th November, 1929 col. 301, Vol. 232], supplied the following statement:

An inquiry was made on a sample basis on 14th October, 1929, regarding the number of claims authorised for benefit in which the 30 contributions provision was not satisfied (apart from any modification in respect of sickness or disability) and the estimated numbers at that date for the Exchanges in question are given in the following table. Separate statistics of disallowances are not available in respect of claims which satisfy or which fail to satisfy the 30 contributions rule, but the total number of disallowances for the five weeks ended 14th October, 1929, are given below.

and October, 1929 of the people disallowed benefit for not genuinely seeking work at the Liverpool Employment Exchanges; and the figures for the corresponding months in 1928?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he proposes to introduce legislation to repeal Section 5 of the War Pensions Act, 1921?

No, Sir. The arrangements which I announced in the House on the 18th instant are, in the Government's view, the preferable method of dealing with the situation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the enclosure of roadside waste in Bluntigoes Lane, in the parish of Belton, Leicestershire, in June, 1928; and, seeing that this enclosure constitutes a decided encroachment on the highway and that the Loughborough Rural District Council for 17 months has declined to take action, whether he will send an inspector to report on the whole matter?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information on this matter. The parish council can make representations to the district council in regard to encroachment on a roadside waste, and, if that council refuse or fail to take action, they can petition the county council, who can then resolve to take over the relevant duties from the district council. I have no jurisdiction in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the Treasury will provide the means whereby free copies of the proposed new edition of the catalogue of the British Museum could be deposited in the Birmingham public reference library and in the reference libraries of other large centres throughout the country, in order that this key to our national literary treasures shall be readily accessible to taxpayers who do not happen to be resident in London?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the King's Norton Division (Major Thomas) on the 21st November.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the competition suffered by village shops from hawking and from shops in larger towns, he will consider the desirability of enforcing a pedlar's licence for the sale of food, groceries, etc., from vehicular traffic?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I am afraid that it is not one with regard to which I should be prepared to promote the necessary legislation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many conscientious objectors are affected by the Circular issued by the Treasury on 10th September authorising reinstatement of pensions and emoluments; what is the extra cost to the Treasury of this action; and how many ex-service men are in consequence passed over or have their promotions delayed?

In reply to the first and third parts of the question, I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of my reply on 5th November to a similar question from the hon. and gallant Member for North Hackney (Captain Hudson). As regards the second part, I will send the hon. and gallant Member, in due course, the information which is being collected to answer a similar question on the 5th November from the hon. Member for the Gillingham Division (Sir R. Gower).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to arrange for the publication of a White Paper showing, year by year, our re- ceipts at the 31st March last from Inter-Allied Debts and Reparations and our payments in respect of the debt to the United States of America, together with the estimated receipts and payments during each year in which these transactions will take place?

The publication of a White Paper giving detailed figures over a period of some 70 years would, I think, involve undue labour and expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the 5 per cent. Conversion Loan was applied for by Government Departments and for the Insurance and other Funds the administration of which is controlled by Government Departments?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer which I have given to-day to the hon. Members for Lewisham, East (Sir A. Pownall) and Paddington, North (Mr. Bracken), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the condition governing the award of the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount received in respect of inter-Allied debts and reparations during each of the last three years and the amount expected to be received during the present year and also during next year, stating for each year the amounts from each country concerned?

The answer is as follows:

Territorial decoration, which provides that only officers gazetted prior to 4th August, 1914, can reckon their war service as double, operates unfairly against all those who attained commissioned rank after the outbreak of war; and if he will take steps to ensure that all officers shall be allowed to reckon their war service on equal terms?

To qualify for the Territorial decoration a Territorial officer must have 20 years' qualifying service. In the normal way Territorial service in the ranks counts half towards this period. But these men who were serving in the Territorial Force on 4th August, 1914, and went overseas prior to 11th November, 1918, or signed an undertaking to do so, are allowed to count their embodied service in the ranks as full qualifying service instead of half qualifying service towards the requisite 20 years. They are thus treated on the same lines as those who were serving as Territorial officers on 4th August, 1914, and are allowed to count their war service as double what it would otherwise have done. This concession was granted in order to afford special recognition of the patriotism of members of the Territorial Force in preparing themselves in peace for home defence and in taking upon themselves the further obligations of service overseas.

asked the Secretary of State of War whether he will inform the House of the names of the Commissioners of the Chelsea Hospital who are responsible for dealing with post-War disability pension claims?

The answer is as follows:

List of the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Ex-officio:

The Paymaster-General.

The Secretary of State for War.

The Under-Secretary of State for War.

The Finance Member of the Army Council.

The Permanent Under-Secretary of State for War.

The Governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

The Director-General of Army Medical Services.

The Director of Staff Duties.

The Director of Personal Services.

The Director of Movements and Quartering.

The Director of Ordnance Services.

The Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Specially appointed:

The Hon. Brigadier-General F. L. Banon, C.B.

Lieut.-General Sir Herbert E. Belfield, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.B.E., D.S.O.

The Right Hon. the Viscount Brentford.

The Hon. Brigadier-General G. Christian, C.B., C.I.E., D.S.O.

Major-General C. G. Donald, C.B., C.B.E.

Major-General T. W. Gibbard, C.B., C.B.E., M.B.

Lieut.-Colonel the Right Hon. Sir Samuel J. G. Hoare, Bt., G.B.E., C.M.G., D.L., M.P.

Sir William P. Perry, Knight, C.B.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the full nature of the charge libelled against the three members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in connection with alleged mutiny at Jamaica who were tried by court-martial; when the trial took place; the sentence that was passed; if the prisoners were defended, and how and by whom; and if he will reconsider the whole circumstances and, if possible, release the men concerned?

There were two separate charges of joining in a mutiny against the three soldiers concerned, the offence in each case being a combination by them to disobey in a wilful and defiant manner the repeated orders of an officer. The trial took place at Up Park Camp, Jamaica, between 26th July and 21st August, the Court sitting on 15 days during that period. The sentence in each case was five years' penal servitude and to be discharged with ignominy from His Majesty's Service. The three accused were defended by a Barrister-at-Law. The proceedings of the Court Martial reached the Judge Advocate-General late on the 19th instant, and are now under review.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the Government are taking to decrease the dependence of various Colonies on revenue from opium in view of our obligations under the Geneva Opium Convention, 1925?

In most of the territories concerned special funds have been established which will facilitate the financial re-adjustments which will become necessary on the cessation of revenue from opium sales as the gradual suppression of opium consumption, which is contemplated in the Geneva Agreement and Protocol of 1925, becomes practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the use of granite setts on new main roads is on the increase; and whether his Department favours this form of construction as against asphalt, &c., in the main streets of towns?

My information is not sufficiently complete to enable me to reply to the first part of this question. Many of the proposals submitted to my Department provide for the use of granite setts, but the choice of a material for surfacing roads depends upon a variety of considerations, including the character and intensity of the traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport what the reason is for the delay in the construction of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main road; and whether he can say when the road will be open for public service?

The delay is due in part to protracted negotiations with the railway companies with regard to bridges and in part to the fact that the constructional work on seven miles of the existing road was intentionally postponed until the cost of the other sections could be more closely determined. The negotiations with the railway companies have come to a satisfactory conclusion and the work of bridge construction is well in hand. Several sections are open to traffic and it is anticipated that the whole road will be available by the middle of next summer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the repeated complaints of delay in the ferry service from Rhu Point to Rosneath, Dumbartonshire; and whether, in view of the handicap to the workers and passengers in the district, he will cause inquiry to be made into the possibilities of a publicly-owned efficient ferry service?

I have received complaints with regard to this ferry service from a firm of boatbuilders at Rosneath, and a few of their workmen, and have recently received an assurance that the tenant of the ferry will make every effort to meet the needs of the public. On the information available I am not satisfied that the suggested inquiry is needed, but it would be open to the parties interested in the ferry to make representations to the county council, which has certain powers under Section 11 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1908, to take over ferries by agreement with the owners.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to complaints regarding a nuisance in the parishes of Saltford, Kelston, and Northstoke, arising out of the disposal of the Bath sewage work; and if he will order an investigation into the nature and cause thereof?

My right hon. Friend understands that complaints were made to the town council last August of nuisance from smell, which the council's advisors attribute to the drought, but that conditions have been rectified and no further complaints have been received by the Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the long-distance travel necessitated by the meeting of the guardian committees operating in county areas under the Local Government Act, 1929, he will make provision for the payment of reasonable expenses out of public funds, so that the working class shall not be deprived of proper representation on these important committees?

The expenses of members of a committee of a county council which only discharges functions over a portion of the county area are not authorised by the Local Government Act, and my right hon. Friend has no power under that Act, as it stands, to sanction such expenditure.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of persons who have received institutional or domiciliary relief in the borough of Southwark for the months of September and October, 1929, respectively?

:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the total tonnage output and the number of men employed in British shipyards during

The estimated numbers of persons in the shipbuilding, ship repairing and marine engineering, etc., industries, who were insured against unemployment in July in each of the years from 1924 to 1928 inclusive, were as follows:

The average numbers unemployed in these years were:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether

each of the following years: 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928?

The total tonnage launched in the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1924 to 1928 inclusive was as follows:

he can state the amount contributed by the British Exchequer to the general lighthouse fund since 1922 for the maintenance of Irish lights?

No such contribution has been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the wreck of the mine-sweeper His Majesty's ship "Spider," lying about a quarter of a mile to the north of Lowestoft harbour; and whether, since this vessel was wrecked in 1914, and seeing that it has been found necessary to launch the Lowestoft lifeboat on no less than nine occasions in order to assist other vessels which were in distress owing to the dangerous location of this wreck, he will take steps to have it removed?

My attention has been drawn to this case. In 1920 the Board, in exercise of their duties under Section 533 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, decided that for the purposes of the power of wreck removal conferred by Section 530 of the same Act, the wreck lies in or near an approach to Lowestoft harbour. From this it follows that the wreck in question is one which the local authority have power to remove. The Board fully appreciate the importance of this matter, and are considering what steps can be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what amount milk products, including butter, were imported into this country from Siberia in 1928?

The total imports of milk products into the United Kingdom consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) during the year 1928 were as follows:

Butter.—336,252 cwts. of a declared value of £2,656,372.

Cheese (hard).—783 cwts. of a declared value of £3,044.

I regret that separate particulars of consignments from Siberia are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total trade of the Empire is carried on within the Empire?

Of the total value of the merchandise passing in the external trade of British Empire countries during 1927 and 1928, it is estimated that about 26 per cent. represented goods passing in inter-Imperial trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that at a public auction held at Luton on the 30th October, 1929, 2,700 dozen of Italian wool felt hoods were sold at 3s. 6d. per dozen, that the selling price of these goods in this country is normally from 13s. to 18s. per dozen; and, seeing that half the employés in the hood industry at the present moment are unemployed, if he will state what action he intends to take to deal with this competition?

I have no information as to the particular circumstances of the auction sale mentioned by the hon. Member. The fiscal policy of the Government has already been made clear, but I shall be glad to consider any suggestions consistent with that policy which the hon. Member may care to make with a view to improving employment in any industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether seeing that as a sequel to the slump in the United States of America American products are likely to be dumped in this country in considerable quantities at prices under cost of production in the United States of America, he is prepared to facilitate applications under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, for the imposition of duties on such dumped goods and to give consideration to any recommendations which the committee of inquiry may submit to him?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any representations urging the abolition of the McKenna duties on motor cars; and, if so, from whom?

I have received various representations, and I would remind the hon. and gallant Member of the overwhelming majority in favour of Free Trade at the General Election.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what countries insist on British salesmen carrying commercial travellers' licences when doing business in their territory; and what is the cost of these licences in each case?

The details of the fees payable in each country can hardly be reviewed within the scope of an answer to a Parliamentary Question, but I shall be glad to furnish the available informa- tion for any specific country for which particulars are desired if the hon. Member wishes to communicate with me.

"List of countries which, according to the information available in the Department of Overseas Trade, impose a licence fee or analogous charge on British commercial travellers."

British Empire:

Union of South Africa.

Newfoundland (municipal only).

Southern Rhodesia.

Irish Free State (excisable articles).

New Zealand.

Kenya.

Nyasaland.

Tanganyika.

British Honduras (municipal).

Saint Lucia (municipal).

Fiji.

Mauritius.

Bechuanaland.

Basutoland.

Swasiland.

South West Africa.

Northern Rhodesia.

Foreign countries:

Argentina.

Belgian Congo.

Brazil (State and municipal).

Bolivia (municipal).

Bulgaria.

Chile.

Colombia (municipal).

Costa Rica (municipal).

Denmark, Faroe Islands.

Ecuador.

Estonia.

Finland.

France and various French Colonies and Possessions (professional identity card).

Guatemala.

Hayti.

Honduras (municipal).

Iceland.

Jugoslavia.

Lithuania.

Nicaragua (municipal).

Norway.

Panama.

Peru (municipal).

Paraguay (municipal).

Poland.

Portuguese East Africa.

Sweden.

Salvador (municipal).

Syria.

Uruguay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to what the effect of the recent financial crisis in the United States has had on the sale and production of motor cars; what stocks are left in the hands of the manufacturers; and, if he has not the information, if he will obtain the facts from the trade commissioners in the United States?

I understand that stocks of motor cars in dealers' hands in the United States are larger this year than last, but I have no particulars of production there for any period later than 30th September last. Arrangements have been made for the Board of Trade to receive any definite information that may become available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the present severe depression on the American Stock Exchange, and the probability that the great reduction in the purchasing power of the American public will lead to the dumping of surplus American motors in this country, he proposes to reconsider the question of removing the McKenna duties in order that the position of the motor car industry in this country shall not be endangered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements I made during the Debate on the Address with regard to these duties and the purpose for which they were imposed, to which I have nothing to add.