asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the scheme submitted for the improvement of Southwold harbour; and whether the London and North Eastern Railway Company has included the Mid-Suffolk Railway in its submitted programme?

As regards the first part of the question, the company who owned this harbour are now in liquidation, but I understand that the Corporation are considering the desirability of seeking powers to acquire the undertaking. Until this matter is cleared up no schemes can be submitted by a responsible authority. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he proposes to introduce legislation to enable local authorities to acquire land required for and lying alongside new road improvement schemes at the value of the land before such improvements were contemplated; and whether compulsory purchase will be granted to enable schemes to be started without the delays usually accompanying the purchase of land?

I am fully alive to the urgency of these matters, and the Government are considering the most appropriate means of dealing with the situation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether approved schemes to pro- vide work submitted by local authorities are being held up owing to the local authorities being without the necessary powers to proceed; how many schemes have been delayed for this reason; whether any steps were taken to obviate this difficulty; and whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the further holding up of approved schemes?

The existing procedure which local authorities and statutory bodies have to follow in order to acquire the necessary powers to carry out their schemes is at the present time under consideration with a view to seeing in what respects it may be possible to expedite matters. The extent to which schemes may be delayed depends upon the powers already possessed by the local authorities concerned, and these vary considerably.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many men have been given employment by the Lanarkshire County Council since 1st July on work schemes, sanctioned and financially assisted by his Department or by other Government Departments, utilising funds or guarantees intended for the relief of unemployment?

I am informed that, on 25th October (the latest date for which exact information is available) 405 men were in employment in Lanarkshire on work schemes assisted by the Ministry of Transport or the Unemployment Grants Committee. I understand that the local authorities have now decided to submit further proposals for works to be carried out with assistance from the Ministry or the Committee.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's proposals for getting aged workers out of industry and making their places available for others?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation for the purpose of providing pensions for workers of 60 years of age subject to their retirement from work?

The question of the provision of retirement pensions for industrial workers is still under consideration.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of employment schemes approved for the Counties of Derby and Nottingham; the expenditure involved; and the number and estimated cost of schemes under consideration?

This information is being obtained, and I will circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is in constant touch with the representatives of the cotton industry to ascertain from them what are their difficulties and in what way the Government can properly help; and, if so, what is the result of his consultations with them?

I am not at present consulting with the representatives of the cotton industry for the reason that, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, an inquiry into that industry is now being conducted by a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the exact date on which the promised White Paper, giving the amounts of any loans, guarantees, or subsidies for which His Majesty's Government have become responsible through various schemes sanctioned by his Department since June last, will be available at the Vote Office?

I hope this Paper will be available at the week-end.

asked the Lord Privy Seal in view of the rising figures of unemployment, if he has any new schemes for dealing with the situation?

The plans which I outlined in the Debate on 4th November are being steadily and progressively developed. As I stated on Tuesday last, in reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) the increases in the unemployment figures in recent weeks are the normal seasonal in- creases, and are indeed for the period since the present Government took office considerably less than during the corresponding period last year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has drawn the attention of the local authorities to the successful efforts made by certain municipalities to attract new industries to their localities?

I welcome the spirit of enterprise to which my hon. Friend refers, and I have not failed to direct the attention of other authorities to the results which may be obtained when a municipality adopts a policy designed to attract new industries into its area.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated percentage of openings for employment which are handled by the Employment Exchanges out of the number of such openings carrying remuneration under the maximum income permitted under the Unemployment Insurance Acts which exist annually in this country?

I assume the hon. Member wishes to know what proportion of vacancies in the insured trades is filled through the Exchanges. Precise figures are not available, but it is probable that this proportion is about 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in notifying openings to non-manual workers on the live register, her Department adopts any system of selection according to ability or whether, when such openings exist, the Department refers unemployed workers to employers without sufficient knowledge of their actual fitness to fill the position available?

When a worker registers for employment or is subsequently interviewed at the Employment Exchange, full particulars are taken of his qualifications and of the duration and nature of his previous employment and industrial experience. The Exchanges endeavour to submit the applicants considered to be most suitable for the particular vacancies.

asked the Minister of Labour, if, taking the total number of unemployed boys on 11th November at 34,200 and of girls as 31,200, she will state the type of worker thus affected and the districts in which most of them live?

The principal industries concerned are—for boys, distributive trades, coal mining, building, engineering, shipbuilding, ship-repairing, and the cotton industry; and for girls, distributive trades, cotton, woollen and worsted, tailoring, and hotel and boarding house service. As regards geographical distribution, I would refer the hon. Member to the tables on page 415 of the November issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette which was sent to him recently.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers regarded as seasonal have applied for exemption from paying unemployment insurance contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927; and the numbers from each district affected?

Applications for exemption under the provision in question have been received from 2,150 seasonal workers. I regret that I am unable to divide this number exactly into districts, but I may mention that about 90 per cent. of the applications were made by fish workers.

asked the Minister of Labour how many schemes have been approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee in July, August and September, 1929; what is the estimated expenditure involved; and how many men it is estimated will secure employment?

The Unemployment Grants Committee approved for grant during July, August and September, 1929, 178 schemes in respect of expenditure amounting to £1,956,418. The schemes were estimated to provide 75,650 man-months of employment.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the numbers and names of the towns which have accepted a grant from the Unemployment Grants Committee on condition that 50 per cent. of the labour employed are men transferred from the depressed areas; and how many towns have, after application, felt unable to accept this condition?

The pressure on the staff is very great at present, and the extraction of this in formation would cause delay in dealing with applications. I shall be glad, therefore, if the hon. Member will defer his request.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a communication from the Nantyglo and Blaina Urban District Council with regard to the decision of the Society of Friends' Coalfield Distress Committee that the provision in the existing scheme of one day's work per week be discontinued as soon as possible, and in any case by 23rd November, 1929; and whether, in view of that decision, he proposes to take steps to mitigate the hardship that will be inflicted upon unemployed single men because of the inability of the Coalfield Distress Committee to continue its scheme of providing employment for these men?

I cannot trace a communication from this council on the subject, but I am aware of the decision taken by the Central Committee for the administration of the Lord Mayor's Fund in respect to the Society of Friends' scheme. My right hon. Friend is prepared to continue and, if necessary, extend the co-operation between her Department and the club authorities, by which any men in the clubs who are willing to undertake a course of training and who appear likely to profit by it are taken into one of the training centres administered by the Department and paid allowances in lieu of unemployment benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour what numbers of workmen over 60 years of age attached to the shipbuilding, ship-repairing, and marine engineering industries have been partially unemployed for 12 months and wholly unemployed for 12 months or longer, respectively?

The exact figures are not known. An analysis made on the basis of a 1 per cent. sample on 16th September, 1929, indicates that at that date there were probably about 2,500 claimants for benefit aged 60–64 on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain who were classified as belonging to the shipbuilding, ship-repairing and marine engineering industries, and that perhaps one in 12 of these had been unemployed continuously for 12 months or more. I am unable to say how many men in the industry have been partially unemployed for 12 months.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the workmen on a road scheme (£200,000) carried out by the Monmouthshire County Council have been paid a guaranteed week's wages; that the wet-time lost has been 10 per cent. of the total and that labour costs have not increased thereby; and whether he can see his way clear to advise local authorities to pay the guaranteed week's wages upon schemes assisted by public funds?

I am aware that workmen on a road improvement scheme carried out by the Monmouth County Council by direct labour have been paid a guaranteed week's wages. I am not, however, in a position to check the percentage of wet-time lost, or its effect on labour costs, or to offer advice to local authorities in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of unemployed persons, women, men and juveniles, respectively, registered in the Plymouth area on 14th November, 1929, and on the corresponding date in November, 1928; and the number of persons disqualified from receiving benefit under the not-genuinely-seeking-work clause in the same area for the three months prior to those dates in each year.

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th November, col. 1592, Vol. 232], supplied the following statement:

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that under the insurance of boys of 15 years there will be a net gain to the Unemployment Fund of £500,000, she will state the approximate age at which this sum is expected to be returned to the boys in unemployment benefit?

Unemployment insurance is not based on separate calculations for age groups and the accounts of the Fund are not kept so as to show the revenue or expenditure in respect of persons of particular ages. I regret, therefore, I cannot give the information asked for. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the additional benefits now being granted to young persons will substantially offset the increased revenue to be derived from boys and girls under age 16, particularly when account is taken of the cost of training.

asked the Secretary of State for (Scotland whether the leaving certificate issued by the Scottish Education Department and the day schools (higher) certificate are accepted as equivalent to the eight school certificates for the purposes of admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force entrance examinations?

The Regulations for the Army, Navy and Air Force entrance examination provide for the acceptance, in the case of a candidate educated in Scotland, of a certificate from the Scottish Education Department showing that the candidate has attained a standard equivalent to that of the school certificate of the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board. The Department would normally have no difficulty in issuing this "certificate of equivalent attainment" to the holder of a leaving certificate. The possession of the day school certificate (higher) would not in itself be regarded as evidence that the pupil had reached the necessary standard.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons killed or injured in Scotland during each of the last five years as a result of motor accidents?

The number of persons killed or injured in Scotland by accidents caused by mechanically propelled vehicles, other than tramcars and trackless trolley vehicles, is as follows:

Figures of the number of persons so killed or injured in 1924 and 1925 are not available, but in these years the number of accidents were:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of unemployed among the deaf and dumb in Scotland; and what percentage of the total number of deaf and dumb in Scotland are unemployed?

I regret that the information asked is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the results of the experiments in the cultivation of peat bogs of the Department of Agriculture carried out in the Island of Lewis with the financial provision made by Mr. T. B. Macaulay; whether these experiments are to be continued and whether they are to be repeated in any other parts of the country; and whether, in devising the experiments, the co-operation of the Forestry Commission has been obtained, so that their results may assist and accelerate the development of afforestation on moss land?

Although I have authorised the fullest co-operation of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, the demonstration farm referred to has been established entirely from funds provided by Mr. Macaulay, and without consulting him I am not in a position to make public the results of the experiments being conducted. These experiments will be continued and it is hoped that in due time other demonstration areas will be set up in different parts of the country. With regard to the last part of the question, I should explain that Mr. Macaulay's experiments on the demonstration farm in Lewis are confined to the reclamation of peat land for agricultural purposes. Certain planting has been done, however, for shelter and amenity and the Department have been in communication with the Forestry Commission as both the Commission and my Department are deeply interested in this experiment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the investigations into the possibility of the Government having instituted a comprehensive scheme of insurance for fishermen; and how long the investigations are likely to take?

The question of insurance of fishing gear is a difficult and complicated one. The necessary inquiries are proceeding, but I am unable to say when they will be completed. The fishing communities in Scotland may, however, rest assured that there will be no delay so far as I am concerned in having this matter fully explored.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the distressed fishermen in Campbeltown will be included amongst those to be assisted from the funds being raised in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and elsewhere, in respect that their need is as great as the need of any class of fishermen?

The Lord Provosts' Funds are being raised with the specific object of assisting those Scottish fishermen who suffered loss of nets in the gale disaster off East Anglia, and I do not think that the funds could be made available for other purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to secure the co-ordination and administration of the various relief funds inaugurated in Scotland to meet the losses sustained by Scottish fishermen in the recent fishing disaster off the East Anglian coast?

In the letter which I sent on 16th November, suggesting to the Lord Provosts that they should promote an appeal to the people of Scotland with the support of the Press, I indicated that I should be glad to discuss the question of co-ordinating the relief funds and the method of their allocation if so requested by the Lord Provosts. Up to the present time no such request has been made to me by any of the Lord Provosts. I have no doubt, however, that the Lord Provosts have in view the point raised in the hon. and learned Member's question and the offer which I made in my original letter of course holds good.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why only one member has been allotted to the burgh of Largs on the new Ayrshire County Council; whether he is aware that other burghs in that county are, by the orders recently issued, being given greater representation in proportion to their rateable values and true population; and whether he will make an early opportunity for reconsidering his decision in this matter, so that Largs may be given a representation on the Ayrshire County Council, shortly to be elected, which shall be more in accordance with its relative population and wealth?

One representative on the County Council of Ayr has been allocated to the Burgh of Largs, because this is the number to which on the basis of population it is entitled and other considerations do not justify a second representative in this case. The representation of other burghs was determined on the same basis as that of Largs. The town council may make representations at any time for an increase in the number of its representatives under Section 51 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, but, no Order amending the Order recently made would affect the representation of the burgh on the reconstituted county council which is now being elected.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the consequences resulting from the pollution of the River Leven, in Fifeshire, he will call for an early Report on the subject from the Scottish Advisory Committee on Rivers Pollution Prevention?

The order in which the Committee will undertake the investigation of rivers is a matter for the Committee to determine, but I am asking them to give consideration to the suggestion that the conditions of the River Leven, in Fifeshire, should be next investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, invite the League of Nations Union, the National Council for the Prevention of War, and other peace organisations to present a peace tableau at the Aldershot Tattoo to be held this year?

The Aldershot Tattoo is the production of the troops in the Aldershot Command. I do not think it is necessary to ask for extraneous assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether discipline in the Army has suffered owing to the abolition of flogging; and whether there is any intention of reintroducing this form of punishment?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the receipts and payments of the revenue account of the Road Fund for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

My hon. Friend will find the particulars which he requires in the Annual Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the financial year 1928–1929 which was issued last week.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that upwards of 180 accidents, involving life and limb, have occurred during the last 12 months on Eltham Hill, Eltham Road, and Well Hall Road, Woolwich, and that he has declined to consider the question of the imposition of a speed limit, he proposes to take any immediate action to avoid danger to the public?

Arrangements have been made with the co-operation of the London County Council for the junction of Well Hall Road, and South Circular Road and the Shooters Hill By-pass to be laid Out as a "roundabout." A "roundabout" is also to be provided at the junction of Eltham Road and the South Circular Road. It is anticipated that the effect will be to re- duce the danger at these crossings. A passage way through the embankment by the railway bridge in Well Hall Road is now being constructed with a view to providing additional accommodation for pedestrians. Police constables are on duty at the more important pedestrian crossings in Well Hall Road and also in the vicinity of schools at Eltham Hill for the assistance of school children.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Colliery Clerks' and Officials' Association is to have representation on the proposed national wages board to be set up for the coal industry?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill dealing with this question.

asked the Secretary for Mines the annual consumption of coal in this country by private residents, manufacturing concerns, by gas undertakings, and by electric light undertakings, respectively?

The average annual consumption of coal in this country for the purposes specified during the past two years was as follows:

OLIVER asked the Secretary for Mines whether the increase in the price of coal announced to take effect in London on 1st December is attributable to any increase in pit-head prices; whether such increase will be general in London; what increases in price have taken place since 31st August, 1929; and whether such increases, or any of them, have been due to increase in pit-head prices or, alternatively, any organised scheme in which the mining industry as a whole will benefit?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the prices of house coal are to be raised 1s. per ton by the colliery owners from 1st December; and whether he has any information as to whether there is to be any increase in prices to the general public?

Retail coal prices in London were increased by 1s. per ton on 1st September, 2s. per ton on 1st October, and 1s. per ton on 2nd December. I understand that these increases have followed similar increases in pit-head prices.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government are prepared to introduce legislation to prohibit the employment of ponies in mines?

I would refer my hon. Friend to replies which I gave on 8th July and 21st November to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower).

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the number of non-manual workers engaged in the mining industry; and whether he has any information as to the number displaced by the recent amalgamations?

The number of clerks and salaried persons at coal mines in December, 1928, the latest date for which particulars are available, was 17,539. I have no information as to the number displaced by recent amalgamations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the pro- posed Zambesi bridge will be in Portuguese territory, he can say in what territory or territories native labour for this bridge will be recruited?

It is not proposed to restrict the contractor to engaging labour from any particular area.

asked the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring as representing the Charity Commissioners, if, in the scheme that they are preparing for the election of the number of trustees required for the Wolsingham Town Hall and market charities trust deeds, they will take steps to consult the parish council, as the body of elected representatives of the parish, in seeking to have a representative body of trustees?

The parish council will be afforded ample opportunity in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Charitable Trusts Acts of representing its views to the Commissioners upon publication of the draft scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communication from the Russian Soviet Government as to the interpretation of Clause 7 of the Protocol of 3rd October, 1929, since the issue of the White Paper [Cmd. 3418]?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of Indian and European officers in the executive and engineering branches of the Royal Indian Marine; how many of these have been appointed since the service was transformed into a combatant force; whether any of the Indian candidates for the executive or engineering branches of this service since its transformation have been given the opportunity of training in the Royal Navy or in the shipyards of this country; and whether any proposals are under consideration designed to bring about an increase in the recruitment of Indian gentlemen for the commissioned ranks of the Royal Indian Marine?

The present strength in the executive branch is: Indian officers none, European officers 71; and in the engineering branch: Indian officer one, European officers 49. Since the reorganisation, two Europeans have been appointed to the executive branch and one Indian and 11 Europeans to the engineering branch. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer to the replies I have given on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Central Hull on the 25th November and 2nd December, from which it will be seen that as yet no Indian candidates have been or are under training with the Royal Navy for the executive branch. No Indian candidates have as yet been selected for shipyard training for the engineering branch; but the Indian recently appointed as engineer sublieutenant, who was already a qualified engineer when selected, was given a three months' course under the Admiralty. It was decided in 1927 to recruit officers for both branches in the ratio of one Indian to two Europeans, and that policy is being pursued by offering vacancies to Indian candidates in that ratio. Thus, three vacancies in the executive branch and five in the engineering branch were offered to Indian candidates at the combined examination that has just been held in India.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the course of his discussions with the representatives of the British motor car industry, he received representations respecting the continuance of the McKenna Duties; and whether he can indicate the nature of his reply?

This matter has been discussed at the meetings I have had with the representatives of the motor industry, but I am not able to add anything to the reply which I gave on 5th November to the hon. Member for North Newcastle (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on this subject, a copy of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the present duties imposed on British hosiery by Holland, Belgium, Norway and Sweden?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the increased tariff put upon manufactured goods by the Australian Government has already led to the cancellation of hosiery orders in the Midlands; and whether he proposes to take any steps, either through the Imperial Conference or the Economic Council of the League of Nations, to deal with the question of tariff barriers to trade?

I have seen in the Press a statement that orders for hosiery have been cancelled in consequence of the new Australian tariff. The question

The following statement shows the rates of Customs Duty leviable upon socks and stockings, of cotton, wool, silk and rayon, on importation into the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Sweden:—

whether any communication should be made to the Commonwealth Government in the matter of the new tariff is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the present and what are the proposed new Australian duties on British hosiery; and whether he has received any representations from manufacturers on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is contained in the following statement. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the presidential decree issued in the Argentine regarding imports from Great Britain is dependent upon any undertaking to be given by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, what that undertaking is?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on 21st November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to suggest to foreign governments that they should stabilize their tariffs at present rates for a period of time; and, if so, whether he proposes to accompany that suggestion with a guarantee that British import duties will not be raised during the same period?

The proposal which I made at Geneva was that we should try to obtain an agreement not to increase tariffs above their existing level for a period of two years within which conferences of government representatives should make practical efforts to bring about actual reductions in tariffs and effect other positive progress in removing trade barriers. By a resolution of the Assembly it was agreed that a conference should be held with a view to the conclusion of a definite international agreement not to increase protective tariffs above the present level for a period of two to three years. I understand that the League has invited all its members and also non-member States to such a conference. This invitation has been accepted by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of how the amount of £12,430 was expended on the Food Council from July, 1925, to October, 1929?

The amount of £12,430 expended on the Food Council from July, 1925, to October, 1929, is made up of:

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that, in order to conform to the American copyright law which refuses protection unless the work for which copyright is claimed is composed (set up) in the United States, the text of important publications, such as that of the new edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, has been composed in the United States instead of in this country; and whether, in view of the employment continually lost in Great Britain by the operation of the American coypright law, he will take whatever steps may be necessary either to provide for a similar discrimination in regard to copyright of American works in this country or to secure from the United States such modification of its copyright law as will put the two countries on an equal footing In regard to the granting of copyright?

I am aware of the requirements of the United States copyright law respecting the printing and publishing in the United States of the works of British authors as conditions of the enjoyment of the full protection of that law. The question of the possibility of placing the copyright relations between the United States of America and this country upon a more satisfactory basis is receiving consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the Circular of the Treasury, dated 10th September, relating to conscientious objectors as regards the cancellation of the pledge given by the Government in 1918 that conscientious objectors should not be promoted over the heads of civil servants who had served; and whether, in view of the concessions now made to conscientious objectors as regards pensions and increment, he will now arrange that ex-service men who were taken on as temporary civil servants, and who have made good, should be taken on the established staff and be allowed to count for pension and increment the period for which they were employed on a temporary basis?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The decision of the Government announced in the Circular referred to was to terminate the undertaking given in 1918. As regards the second part, there is no relevance between the removal of the disabilities imposed on conscientious objectors during the War and the suggested amendment of the Guinness Agreement by which the conditions of employment of the ex-service men referred to are governed. As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the Royal Commission on the Civil Service have been specially invited in their terms of reference to consider those conditions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of conscientious objectors in the Civil Service who will be affected by Treasury Circular E of 10th September last; and how many ex-service men there are serving in the Departments in which conscientious objectors are working who will be prejudiced by the cancellation of the pledge given that conscientious objectors should not be promoted over the heads of civil servants who had served?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 5th November to a similar question from the hon. and gallant Member for North Hackney (Captain A. Hudson), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what date it is calculated that the arrears of £145,925,000 paid by this country to the United States will be cleared off, if all the Allied debts and reparations as arranged at The Hague Conference are paid on the due date?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 31st October, The Hague Agreement gives us advantages worth approximately £2,000,000 a year for 37 years, as a set off against the accumulated deficit between our receipts and our debt payment in the past, but that deficit will at no time be fully covered and would not have been covered if the Dawes Plan had continued in operation.

asked the Minister of Health the number of slum clearance schemes completed since 1923, the number of houses eligible for State assistance erected under each of these schemes, and the cost to the Exchequer and to the local authority, respectively, of each of these schemes per house per annum, and for how many years?

The number of slum schemes completed since 1923 is 37, but final figures of cost have not yet been agreed with the local authorities. The following statement shows the number of houses in each scheme eligible for Exchequer assistance:

asked the Minister of Health how many slum clearance schemes have been submitted for approval by local authorities under Part II of the Housing Act, 1925, since 1st January, 1929, and how many of such schemes have been approved, disapproved, or held in suspense; and, in the case of the last two categories, what is the main reason for disapproval or holding in suspense?

Since 1st January, 1929, nine schemes of the kind have been submitted by local authorities, two of which have been disapproved in view of the decision in the Court of Appeal in the case of R. v. Minister of Health, ex parte Davis. The remainder are still receiving consideration or are in suspense either on account of the decision already mentioned, or pending the new proposals which my right hon. Friend hopes to lay before the House at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that since July the cost of building houses has been steadily rising; and, if so, to what causes he attributes the rise?

No, Sir. The average price of houses has varied very little in recent months. It happens that in the last three months the average size of non-parlour houses shows some increase on the average area in July; the average cost per square foot has in fact declined since July. In the case of parlour houses, the average cost in July was abnormally low, in consequence of an unusually favourable tender having been obtained for a large proportion of the houses included in the contracts made during the month. The figures for subsequent months more nearly represent the recent normal cost of houses of this type, taking into account the variations in the size of such houses, and the localities in which they are built.

asked the First Commissioner of Works to what Vote the expenses incurred by his Department for the provision of organised games in Regent's Park are chargeable; and what has been the amount of such charge in each year since 1920?

Such expenses are charged to the Vote for Royal Parks and Pleasure Gardens. As mentioned in any reply to the question asked on 25th November by the hon. Member for Cumberland North (Mr. F. Graham), it is difficult to state exactly what the expenses amount to, but in the years referred to the charge has been very roughly as follows:

from which, of course, a substantial revenue is obtained.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the many difficulties of providing and maintaining buildings for social activities of villages in scattered rural areas, he is prepared to consider the proposal that a relief in rates should be granted to village buildings occupied solely by branches of the women's institute or the British Legion?

The Government are not at present prepared to introduce the legislation which would be necessary to give effect to the hon. Member's proposal. It would not be practicable to propose the total or partial exemption from rating of institutions such as those to which the hon. Member refers without considering the claims for similar exemption of other charitable and public institutions.

asked the Minister of Health by what authority local authorities impose the Schick test against diphtheria on school children; what evidence is there that it prevents. diphtheria; what instructions are issued to the parents concerning the matter; how many children were so operated on in 1928 and how many times each: and what is the cost per head of each operation?

Local authorities do not "impose" this test on school children. Parents are invited to have their children tested, and if desired, immunised. The procedure is entirely voluntary. Local authorities are empowered to act for this purpose with the sanction of my Department under Section 133 of the Public Health Act, 1875, or Section 77 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. Advice is given to parents by the local authority but no instructions are issued. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is advised that there is abundant evidence that the practice of active immunisation, applied to persons who have been shown by the Schick test to be susceptible to diphtheria, protects such persons against the disease. My right hon. Friend has no information in regard to the last two parts of the question.

asked the Minister of Health the number of people who were receiving institutional Poor Law relief on 9th November last; how many were in receipt of outdoor relief on the same day; and how these figures compare with those of one year previously?

The number of persons in receipt of institutional Poor Law relief in England and Wales on Saturday, 9th November, 1929, excluding lunatics in county and borough asylums and casuals, was 216,782, and the number in receipt of outdoor relief, excluding persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only, was 830,930. The numbers on the corresponding Saturday in the previous year were 220,882 and 862,127 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the danger of pollution of the Dartmoor rivers by opening china clay works on Dartmoor; and whether he will consider, without interfering with what may be a valuable industrial enterprise, taking measures guarding against pollution of those rivers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, the prevention of pollution is a matter for the local authorities and no doubt this particular case will engage their attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any representations have been made to him with regard to the action of the Post Office in sending packages labelled "Air Mail," but bearing insufficient stamps, by ordinary post without informing the sender; whether this action is necessitated by international regulations; and, if so, whether, pending an alteration being made in these regulations, he will make arrangements informing the senders in all cases where their packages are withheld from the air mails in order that they may make alternative arrangements?

Yes, Sir, such representations have been made to me. The action of the Post Office is necessitated by international regulations. As regards the third part, every effort is made to inform the senders, where they are known, that their letters are underpaid for air transmission, but the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that in the majority of cases the name and address of the senders cannot be ascertained.

asked the Postmaster-General what quantities were sold of each of the denominations of postage stamps issued in commemoration of the Congress of the Universal Postal Union?

The quantities issued were approximately:

asked the Postmaster-General the number of paid words, press or news messages, telegraphed from Rugby for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The total number of paid words in press and news messages transmitted by the Post Office Wireless Telegraph Station at Rugby during the 12 months ended the 23rd November, 1929, was 2,663,250.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on 26th July last the Woking Co-Operative Society requested the London Telephone Service to instal the telephone at their Tolworth branch; that the necessary forms were completed and returned on 26th August; and that requests have since been made, and repeated, that the telephone should be installed, but without success; and will he, in the case of the Post Office being unable to do the work within the next fortnight, allow a private firm to make the installation on behalf of the Post Office?

The relative agreement was accepted in August last subject to three months' delay owing to the absence of spare wires in the underground cables which could be utilised to connect the applicants' premises with the exchange. The demands for telephone facilities in the Tolworth area have been greater than was anticipated, and a comprehensive scheme for the provision of fresh ducts and cables has been put in hand. It is hoped to give telephone service to the Woking Co-operative Society within the next few days.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that girls who have been at secondary schools are ineligible for certain posts at the Post Office which can only be obtained by girls under 15 years of age; that the school-leaving age for secondary schools is generally 16; and if he will make arrangements that girls who have received a good education should have all suitable avenues of employment open to them?

The hon. and gallant Member no doubt refers to the situation of girl probationer in the Post Office, for which the maximum age limit is 15. All satisfactory girl probationers are promised a permanent career in the Post Office; and in order that they may be absorbed into adult situations it is necessary to keep their number at a minimum and therefore to recruit them at a comparatively early age. It is found that candidates of a suitable type are forthcoming from the elementary schools. Girls who leave school at 16 are eligible to compete for all other situations in the Post Office open to women.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the shortage of cottages for the permanent population of the villages, he will consider the provision by his Department of dwelling-houses for postmen in the rural areas?

This question has been considered on more than one occasion and the conclusion reached has been that, apart from the administrative difficulties involved, it would be undesirable for the Post Office to adopt a policy which might have the effect of placing it in competition with local housing authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange that all telegraph and telephone wires adjoining the aerodromes of municipalities and light aeroplane clubs shall be put underground?

I am always willing to make the best arrangements practicable for diverting to underground, or to another route, overhead telegraph and telephone wires in the vicinity of aerodromes, provided that the owners of the aerodromes will bear the expense.

asked the Postmaster-General what number of employés will be displaced when, after 2nd December, Post Office public telephone call-boxes on the underground railways are to be cleaned by the station staffs; and what, if any, alternative employment will be offered to the employés so displaced?

None of the staff concerned will be displaced, and the question of offering alternative employment will not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General how much is paid to the underground railway companies for rent for telephone kiosks; and if they are to receive any other sum for the cleaning of these telephone boxes?

The railway companies in general, including the underground, receive as rent a commission on the revenue from each telephone cabinet on their premises. This rental payment does not cover the work of cleaning the cabinets; and for this service a separate payment per cabinet has been agreed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any advance has been made with the perfecting of wireless telephony in a manner that will make the system applicable for inter-communication between islands?

Experiments with wireless telephony have been undertaken, but up to the present the results have not been altogether encouraging. Experiments are being continued, and the hon. Member may rest assured that advantage will be taken of any development in wireless communication which may render feasible its use for intercommunication between islands.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to consider the re-establishment of a daily postal delivery on the mainland of Orkney?

I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department or the Food Council have ever investigated the desirability of allowing the railway companies to establish food markets and/or fruit markets under suitable restrictions?

There are already a number of important food markets in existence owned by railway companies, and I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a statement setting out the position as the Ministry has found it in the course of its marketing investigations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity of potatoes exported during each of the last five years from this country, giving the figures showing the quantity exported to each different country?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member will find the particulars, in respect of each of the years, 1924 to 1928, on page 29 of Volume III of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom" for 1928. Corresponding figures for the period January to October, 1929, are as under:

Exports of potatoes, the produce of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, registered during the period, January to October, 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the terms of the declaration on behalf of His Majesty's Government in connection with the importation of certain Argentine food products will provide for the retention by His Majesty's Government of the right to impose a countervailing duty on products imported from Argentina which have been subject to a bounty on export?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to the hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) on 25th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average price received by the producer of British wheat, beef, and potatoes in July, 1914, compared with the average price received by him to-day; and what is the increase to-day in the cost of living compared with July, 1914?

In comparing the prices at the two dates it must be remembered that wheat and fat cattle are normally dearer in July than in November, while in the case of potatoes the comparison is open to the serious objection that the July price is for first earlies and the November price for main crop.

The increase in the cost of living on 1st November, 1929, as compared with July, 1914, was 67 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of fresh fish landed from British and foreign vessels, respectively, during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1929, at North Shields, and at each of the other chief fishing ports on the east and northeast coast?

The quantity of fresh fish landed by ( a ) British, and ( b ) foreign fishing vessels during the ten months ending 31st October, 1929, at the chief fishing ports on the east and north-east coasts was as follows: