asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any request has been addressed to His Majesty's Government to sanction exploration by the Government of Uganda of the possibilities of the development of the Lake Albert oilfield at a probable cost of £100,000 from the Colonial Development Fund; and, if so, what decision has been reached on the subject?

No proposal to this effect has yet been received.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what practical effect is now being given to initiate an air survey of areas suitable for cotton growing in East Africa?

I have been asked to take this question. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the question of the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. Somerville) on 7th November. I might add that aerial surveys are contemplated in parts of Northern Rhodesia and the Tanganyika Territory. Although these are not being undertaken with special reference to the possibility of growing cotton, useful information on this subject is expected to result from them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the present inconvenience to the district concerned, the new telephone exchange at Gateside, Kincaldrum, Angus, will be opened?

I hope that the new rural automatic exchange at Kincaldrum will be opened before the end of January.

asked the Postmaster-General the results to date for the inland cash-on-delivery registered letter service; and for figures of consignments of goods despatched through the railway clearing house?

The number of inland cash-on-delivery registered letters sent during the year ended 30th September last is, in round figures, 80,000. The number of cash-on-delivery consign- ments sent by railway during the same period is 63,123.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the business of the life insurance section of the Post Office has yet been acquired by a private company; and, if not, whether he will take steps to place the advantages of the insurance department before the general public?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. The Post Office does not now accept proposals for life insurance, but those already entered into remain in force.

asked the Postmaster-General the daily average number of paid words (private telegrams) telegraphed from Rugby for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

During the 12 months ended 30th November, 1929, the average daily number of paid words transmitted by the wireless telegraph station at Rugby was 7,767, of which 462 were contained in private radiotelegrams and 7,305 in press or news messages.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the additional telephone construction work to the amount of £750,000, which is now to be included in the current year's programme, is to be undertaken at greater cost as a result of its acceleration; and, if so, what is the difference between the original and the present estimates for this work?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what facilities, if any, exist for training the necessary personnel in the use of engines of the type carried by the airship R101 other than those actually in use on the R101?

I am not sure what my hon, and gallant Friend has in mind. The engineer crew of R101 consists at present of three watches of men who have been trained in the use of the engines both at the maker's works and in the airship.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is satisfied that the personnel of the airship R 101 as regards numbers is adequate to requirements; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the personnel to bring it to three-watch strength?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. The crew personnel was recruited on a full three-watch basis before the recent flying operations began, and there were three officers available for duty. Further operational experience is necessary before the numbers required can be finally settled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the airship R 101 is now definitely housed for the winter months; and what is the estimated cost of maintenance during that period?

R 101 will remain in the shed while R 100 is at the only mooring mast available. During this period certain modifications will be carried out which may require some time for their completion. Apart from the cost of these modifications, maintenance charges will be negligible, as the crew will be usefully employed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been drawn to the complaints of the effects on the Devonport and Plymouth unemployed of the transfer of men from distressed areas to Devonport and Plymouth, and whether she can give an undertaking that this practice will cease as far as Devonport and Plymouth are concerned?

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to bind herself by giving an undertaking such as is asked for, but I can assure the hon. Member that in this and in other eases the transfer machinery will be administered with careful regard to the particular circumstances. I may mention that only one man has been transferred direct through the Employment Exchange machinery from a depressed mining area to Devon-port and Plymouth since the end of October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government propose to alter the regulations governing unemployment centres so that in the future no centre will be given a grant unless the following new conditions are observed, namely, that there should be within a radius of five miles 50 unemployed juveniles each of whom has been out of work for 12 consecutive days, and of whom at least 35 must be claimants to unemployment benefit; and whether a further condition is that the average attendance at the centre shall be 40 instead of 20, which has been the usual figure hitherto?

As I think the Noble Lady is aware, the First Reports of the National Advisory Councils for Juvenile Employment made recommendations on these points. These recommendations have been adopted and are being put into force as from 1st January next. I may point out that in addition to the provision for what are termed centres, the new scheme will permit in certain areas of classes for unemployed boys and girls, where the numbers required for opening and closing are about half those stated by the Noble Lady, and I may add that my right hon. Friend proposes immediately to consult the councils as to the arrangements which it will be practicable to make in areas where the numbers of juveniles concerned are smaller than the lower limits specified in the Reports referred to.

asked the Minister of Labour how many juvenile employment centres for boys only, how many for

asked the Minister of Labour what provision is at

Education authorities are at present receiving grant from the Ministry of Labour in respect of 54 junior instruction centres for boys, 19 centres for girls, and seven centres where the instruction is given to both boys and girls in the same building.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the total cost of unemployment insurance to the State since 1918?

The total cost of unemployment insurance to the Exchequer during the period 1st April, 1918, to 30th November, 1929, was approximately £114,900,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the workers in the wood and furniture trades in the County of London were unemployed in December, 1912, December, 1920, and December, 1928?

I regret that comparable statistics of unemployment in these industries are not available in respect of the years 1912 and 1920. The following table gives figures in respect of December, 1923, the earliest year for which comparable figures are available, and for December, 1928:present being made for the training of unemployed persons of either sex; where are they being trained; in what occupa- tions; under what system of selection; and at what cost to the State?

The existing schemes administered or financially assisted by the Ministry of Labour provide for training of fit men at Government training centres for employment in

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps to ensure that the road-stone, curb, and setts, and the cement used by the local authorities in road making and repairing in this country shall be quarried and made, respectively, by British workmen?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 9th July, 1929, to the hon. Member for the Bosworth Division (Sir W. Edge), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of hours overtime recorded as having been worked by P-class and temporary clerks in the Taxes Branch of the Inland Revenue Department for the years 1927, 1928, and the nine months ended 30th September, 1929, respectively?

The information required is as follows:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of temporary ex-service clerks serving in Government Departments who are eligible for consideration for permanent non-pensionable status under the provisions of the Government Memorandum of 12th January, 1925; the number of Grade IV clerks serving in the War Department's out-stations eligible for P.U. status under the same agreement; and the respective numbers of temporary ex-service clerks serving in Government Departments and in the War Department out-stations not eligible for such consideration?

The total number of temporary ex-service clerks employed on 1st October last in War Office out-stations was 1,786, and in other Government Departments 7,771. No central record is kept showing the distribution of these totals between clerks eligible for permanent non-pensionable status and those not so eligible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the scheme for the unification of London traffic, he proposes to include the main lines of railways having termini in London; and, if not, how it is proposed to adjust their conflicting interests with those of the other means of transport?

I am not in a position to add to my statement of the 2nd December, in which I stated that the relations to be established between the consolidated enterprise and the amalgamated railway companies will receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the ever-increasing congestion of traffic on the south-eastern and south side of London; and whether he has sanctioned any proposals with the object of the mitigation of such, congestion and of improving the traffic facilities for South-East London?

In response to an application from the London County Council, I have indicated my willingness to contribute towards the cost of constructing the section of the South Circular Road between Well Hall Road and Burnt Ash Hill. In addition, I am prepared to offer the council financial assistance towards the cost of approved schemes for facilitating traffic at the Elephant and Castle and Vauxhall Cross, and schemes to this end are now being considered by the council.

asked the Minister of Transport the exact terms upon which Sir William McLintock has been engaged as a chartered accountant with regard to the proposed Traffic Board to control London traffic; what fees are to be paid to him; what is the exact nature of the work he will do; and what authority he will possess in any negotiations he may carry on with the traffic organisation concerned?

Sir William McLintock has been appointed to advise the Government upon the financial aspects of the problem. His fee will be settled with due regard to the magnitude of the task and to the time which he requires to devote to the subject, but the charge for the services of his professional staff will be according to the usual scale of accountants' fees for the time actually spent upon the work.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration any scheme for the improvement of streets in the vicinity of the Elephant and Castle for the purpose of relieving the congestion which now exists in that area?

I have recently discussed with the London County Council the question of the relief of congestion at the Elephant and Castle, and I understand that the council now has the matter under consideration with a view to the formulation of the most practicable scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the number of cases dealt with by hospitals in London and the provinces, he proposes to take power to secure insurance by motorists to cover the cost of treatment of cases taken to hospitals as the result of motor accidents?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Banbury Division (Major Edmondson) on 7th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the representations of the Crewe Town Council, suggesting legislation with a view to railway companies bearing the entire cost of maintaining highways over railway bridges, has been brought to his notice and whether he will consider legislation having as its object the imposition of such liability on the railway companies concerned?

I have received the representations to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that there has been no authoritative decision as to the extent of the liability falling upon railway companies in the matter of the maintenance of highways carried by bridges owned by them. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport why no progress has been made with the removal of the toll-house at Lount cross-roads, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where a motorist was burnt to death after a collision in July last; whether he is aware that there have been several narrow escapes of accidents at this spot since his attention was last called to the matter; and what steps he proposes to take to bring about the removal of the building, which is an obstruction and a danger to the community?

I am informed that the Leicestershire County Council have been in negotiation with the owner of the Lount Toll-gate, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, for the acquisition of the toll-gate cottage at Lount cross-roads, and it is hoped that a settlement will be reached at an early date. As soon as the property has been acquired, the county council will arrange for its demolition.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that the repairs to the cavity in Archway Road are being pressed forward with all possible speed; and when it is expected that they will be completed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and given better weather the borough council hope to complete the repairs in about two to three weeks' time. The abnormal rainfall since the roadway collapse has greatly delayed the work.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, in view of the damage to water mains in the residential roads now used for the diversion of traffic off Archway Road, Highgate, he will consider sending at least heavy lorries by some other route;(2) if he is satisfied that the steps taken to reduce the speed of traffic on the diversion off Archway Road has been effective; and whether he contemplates any further measures to reduce the damage to residential property and minimise the inconvenience to the inhabitants?

The Commissioner of Police has taken all possible steps to reduce the speed of traffic on the diversion off Archway Road and with a view to minimising the inconvenience to residents, arrangements have been made with the Commissioner for the diversion of heavy lorry traffic via Highgate Hill, High Street and North Hill.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet received the engineer's report on the Lower Thames tunnel?

I have not yet received the formal report, but I am in close touch with the results of the engineers' investigations, and am pursuing negotiations with the local authorities regarding the promotion of the Bill of which notice has been given.