asked the President, of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the action of the Australian Government in imposing higher duties on textiles imported into that Dominion is having harm- ful effects on the textile industry of the West Riding of Yorkshire; and does he propose making representations to the Australian Government protesting against these increased duties?

I am aware that the recent imposition of higher duties on these and many other classes of goods is likely to have an adverse effect on industry in this country, and general representations on the subject have already been addressed to the Commonwealth Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any reports of cancellation of orders for goods placed with manufacturers in this country consequent upon the introduction of the new Australian tariff; and if he has made any representations to the Australian Government on behalf of shippers with whom orders had been placed before the 22nd ultimo that their goods should be admitted at the old rate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have already communicated with His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth respecting the recent increases of duty, but having regard to the invariable Australian practice of enforcing increased duties from the date on which they are announced, I fear that any request for exemption in favour of goods already on order would not serve a useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken by the Government to safeguard British labour conditions against unfair foreign competition and goods made from sweated labour pending the fruition of the efforts of the International Labour Organisation of the League of Nations?

I have indicated on previous occasions, that in the opinion of the Government this matter can in the circumstances of this country be dealt with effectively only by international action and that the Government will continue to take every opportunity to promote international agreement on labour standards.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is making any inquiries as to the extent to which shipbuilding in foreign countries is being helped by a system of trade facilities where such facilities are granted?

No special inquiries have recently been made on this subject, but my hon. Friend may care to refer to Annex II of Chapter III of the Survey of Overseas Markets issued in 1925 by the Committee on Industry and Trade. The Annex contains an account of subsidies to shipping and shipbuilding in certain countries. The names of the countries in which State assistance to shipbuilding in some form appears to exist, were given in my reply to my hon. Friend on 10th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any representations from the shipbuilding industry in favour of the institution of a scheme of trade facilities for that industry?

My hon. Friend has sent me a communication in this sense from one firm of shipbuilders, but I understand that the shipbuilders as a whole do not favour the extension of trade facilities to the industry. I have also received representations in favour of the extension to shipbuilding of trade facilities from certain trade unions concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position with regard to the proposal made by him at Geneva for a tariff truce between this country and foreign countries; and to what extent this proposal would involve the acceptance by this country for a period of years of the existing high tariffs of foreign countries against British goods entering such countries without the possibility of the imposition of similar duties on goods coining from such countries to Great Britain?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 3rd December to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle). As regards the second part, the proposal is that, during the limited period of the truce, existing duties shall be treated as the maximum, and it is without prejudice to any action that may be taken for their reduction. Futher, the truce is only to be a preliminary to concerted international action for reducing tariffs. His Majesty's Government will, therefore, by participating, be entitled to enjoy the benefit of any ultimate reductions which may result from the negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will undertake to make representations to the Soviet Government at an early date with a view to increasing employment by extending British trade with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

One of the main objects of resuming diplomatic relations, with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is to increase British trade with Russia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of articles wholly or mainly manufactured in the United Kingdom exported to Empire or foreign countries for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Sir D. Newton) on 15th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of wheat and wheat-flour was shipped from Canadian ports in 1928 on consignment to Great Britain; and what proportion of such consignments was deflected in transit so as ultimately to reach foreign ports?

The quantities of wheat and of wheat-flour recorded in the Canadian official returns as shipped from Canadian ports to the United Kingdom during 1928 were as follow:

Wheat: 73,000,000 bushels (equivalent at 60 lbs. to the bushel to 39,000,000 cwts.).

Wheat-flour: 2.2 million barrels (equivalent at 196 lbs. to the barrel to 3.9 million cwts.).

These quantities do not include wheat and flour produced in the United States and exported via ports in Canada. I am unable to say what proportion of the exports recorded as to the United Kingdom was diverted in the course of transit to other destinations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what relation the consumption of British manufactures in Great Britain bears to exports of similar manufactures to foreign countries and to British countries, respectively?

The value of the goods of all kinds produced in the United Kingdom in 1924 is estimated at approximately£2,655,000,000, this estimate being based on values at the places of production and excluding duties of Excise or of Customs on the goods or on the materials of which they were made. The declared value of the exports of produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom in 1924 amounted to£801,000,0010, f.o.b. at the ports of shipment,£463,500,000 of which represented goods consigned to foreign countries and£337,500,000 represented goods consigned to British countries. For comparison of these latter figures with the total value of the goods produced, allowance should be made for the charges incurred in moving the goods from the places of production to the ports of shipment and in loading on the exporting vessels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the annual value of British manufactured goods sold in Spain for the years 1913, 1919, and 1925, and the most recent figures available; whether the commercial treaty with Spain has increased the business done between the two countries; and, if not, what are the obstacles to increasing the trade balance?

The following table shows the total declared value of the exports from the United Kingdom of goods of United Kingdom manufacture classed in the trade returns as wholly or mainly manufactured, consigned to Spain during the years 1913, 1919, 1925 and 1928.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any negotiations had taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Dominion of Canada before the recent change in the tariff applicable to the imports of British cotton yarns and piece goods into the Dominion; and if he is now prepared to try and secure a modification of the increased percentage of material and labour in the qualification for preferential treatment?

Yes, Sir. The regulation providing that 50 per cent. of the value of any goods must be due to British labour or materials of Empire origin in order to be entitled to preference became operative on 1st February last, and some time before that date the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Canada called the attention of His Majesty's Government in Canada to the difficulties which certain United Kingdom manufacturers, including those in the cotton industry, would experience in fulfilling the new requirement if literally interpreted. Since then we have been in continuous touch with His Majesty's Government in Canada, and the matter was taken up in particular by the Lord Privy Seal in connection with his visit to Canada. His Majesty's Government in Canada recently referred the particular question of cotton goods to the Canadian Tariff Board. That body has concluded its inquiries, but has not yet reported.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount and value of building materials, set out below, that have been imported into the British Isles for each of the years 1919 to 1928, inclusive: bricks, tiles, slates, laths and cement?

Volume 1 of the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom for 1928 contains the import figures relating to bricks and roofing and other tiles (page 28) and roofing slates and cement (page 30) in respect of the years 1924 to 1e8, and similar figures for the years 1919 to 1923 are given in earlier issues of the Annual Statement. Laths are not separately specified in the trade accounts, and no information is available regarding the amount and value imported. Up to 1st April, 1923, the figures relate to imports into the British Isles and subsequently to imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, with the loss of the "Garthpool," there is no ocean- going, square-rigged sailing ship left on the British register; and whether, in view of the acknowledged value of seamanship training in sailing for future officers of the Royal Merchant Navy, he will consider the guarantee of a sufficient sum of money annually to make it possible for at least one large sailing ship to be maintained for the training of cadets combined with service as a cargo carrier?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, if any definite proposals for a scheme of training, of the kind suggested in the question, are put before me I shall be prepared to examine them in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Education, but it is not likely that the Government could contribute to the cost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of sea-going ships registered under the British flag which was built during the past 10 years and during the 10 years before that decade and the tonnage that is more than 20 years old?

Excluding sailing ships, the gross tonnage of vessels registered at ports in the British Empire according to age is as follows:

Under 10 years	…	10,673,000
Between 10 and 20 years	…	7,889,000
20 years and upwards	…	4,280,000
Total	…	22,842,000

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the frequent practice of the employment of foreign captains and officers in British ships trading between foreign ports; and whether, in view of the unemployment existing in the merchant navy, he can see whether steps can be taken to ensure that British officers are employed in British ships as far as possible?

The law prohibiting the employment of an alien as the master, chief officer or chief engineer of a British ship registered in the United Kingdom makes a specific exception in the case of a ship employed habitually in voyages between foreign ports. I do not think that an amendment of the law is required and I doubt whether such amendment would achieve the object of increasing the total employment of British captains and officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the negotiations with regard to the constitution of new holdings and enlargements from the farm of Sciberscross, in the parish of Bogart, Sutherland, have yet been completed; and, if so, whether it has been decided that the scheme should be put into operation?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to him on the 22nd ultimo to which I am not yet in a position to add.

asked the Secretary a State for Scotland the countries of origin of the several alien murderers executed in Scotland during the last 20 years?

I regret that as definite information as to the nationality of persons executed in Scotland during the last 20 years is not available in the records of the Scottish Office, I am unable to furnish the particulars desired.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the appointment of a committee to inquire into the position of the deaf and dumb in Scotland, especially in respect of employment?

As at present advised, I am not satisfied that the appointment of a committee of inquiry is necessary, but I am taking steps to supplement the information now before me, and the matter will have my further consideration in due course.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Government are in occupation of any premises, other than those on the ground floor, at the corner of Dorset Street and Baker Street, Marylebone; whether there has been or is being paid any monetary or other consideration from the public purse in respect of all or part of the premises; and whether there is an intention to vacate these offices?

The Imperial War Graves Commission occupy all the upper floors of these premises, for which a rent is being paid. In regard to the last part of the question, it is proposed to vacate these offices next year.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Government have any remaining interest in the empty ground-floor offices in the premises at the corner of Dorset Street and Baker Street, Marylebone; and, if so, whether any attempt has been or is being made to realise the value of such interest?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the conclusions of the investigation into the Enemy Debts Department which in 1928 was conducted by the Treasury officer of accounts and an officer of the finance branch of the Board of Trade; and what action was taken as a result of the book-keeping, accounting and recording methods then investigated?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on this subject on 18th July last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sections of the temporary women clerks were allowed to sit for the following examinations, what conditions as to length of temporary service were imposes and what were the age limits: tae examina- tions for, clerical posts in the Ministry of Labour-of October, 1918; women clerks of October, 1919; clerical posts in the Ministry of Labour of July, 1920; the clerical classes of October, 1920; the writing assistant class of December, 1920; the departmental clerical class of the Customs and Excise Department of August, 1922; the tax clerk grade of the Inland Revenue Department of August, 1922; the clerical classes of October, 1922; clerical posts in the Ministry of Labour of 1924; the writing assistant class of January, 1925; the clerical classes of March, 1925; and the departmental class in the county courts of July, 1926?

The conditions as to service and age limits prescribed for the specified examinations were as follow:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the average proceeds per ton since 1924 from the sale of coal as declared in wage ascertainments have declined by 30.2 per cent., whereas the average market price for coal, as shown in the "Iron and Coal Trades Review," has declined by only 20.9 per cent.; whether he has any evidence showing that this divergence is due to an increased proportion of output transferred to associated concerns at less than the realisable market prices; and whether, in this case, he proposes to take steps to prevent the reduction of miners' earnings on account of such wage ascertainments?

In comparing the price of coal in the wages ascertainments with published quotations, my hon. Friend is comparing the average price for all coal with the average quotation for certain qualities only. In addition, in calculating the difference between quotations in 1924 and those in 1929, he is comparing a rising market when published quotations are apt to lag behind actual taking prices with a more steady market when quotations and taking prices are more nearly equal. Without knowing which quotations from the publication referred to my hon. Friend has used, I cannot make any useful detailed comment on his figures, but if he will supply me with particulars of the material on which his calculations are based I will have the position examined. Although I have frequently heard the allegation, I have no concrete evidence that coal is transferred to associated companies at less than realisable market values. The third part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Secrefary for Mines if he is aware that the charge for explosives is a heavy burden on miners' wages; and if he proposes to take any action to reduce this charge?

I am aware that in certain cases the cost to the miner in respect of explosives may be considerable, but the question whether explosives should be supplied free or not is one for settlement by local agreement between owners and workmen, and is taken into account in settling the wages rates. It is already provided in the Coal Mines Act, 1911, that if a charge for explosives is made by the owner it must not exceed the actual net cost. Beyond this I do not think it is a matter in which Parliament could intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will give instructions for the payment of unemployment benefit on Friday, 20th December, for the two weeks ending Wednesday, 18th, and Wednesday, 25th December, respectively: and if she will state upon what days during the week ending 28th December the Exchanges will be closed for the purpose of taking signings?

I am afraid that it would not be possible to pay on the 20th December an the assumption that claimants would be unemployed during the following days, and unemployment benefit for the week ending Wednesday, the 25th December, will be paid on the normal pay day, Friday, the 27th December. Exchanges will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, the 25th and 26th December, in England and Wales, and on Wednesday, the 25th December, in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the relatively heavy fees charged by private registry offices engaged in placing men and women in domestic work, she will consider the advisability of Employment Exchanges setting up machinery for the regulation of domestic employment?

The regulation of private employment agencies is not within the province of my Department. I may point out that the Employment Exchanges are available free of cost to employers wishing to engage men and women for domestic work and workpeople seeking employment in that occupation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what sum since 1st June, 1929, has actually been approved for grant by the Unemployment Grants Committee for the borough of Woolwich?

As the right hon. Member has already been informed, the Woolwich Borough Council has not seen its way so far to submit an application to the Unemployment Grants Committee under the conditions applying to the area. The committee consequently have been unable to approve any schemes for the borough of Woolwich since 1st June, 19

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can make a, statement on the progress of the scheme for the electrification of the Great Eastern section of the London and North Eastern Railway; what is the reason of the delay in undertaking this necessary work; and if the Government have placed all requisite facilities at the disposal of the railway company?

A scheme of the kind referred to by the hon. Member would be eligible for consideration with a view to assistance under the Development (Loan Guarantee and Grants) Act, 1929. There has been no delay as no application for assistance has been received.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any proposals now before the Government for assisting the export of motor cars and motor cycles include also the aircraft engine industry; and, if not, whether the addition of this industry to any scheme can be considered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 26th November. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of that reply, from which he will see that I have already met the representatives of various trades, and that I hope as opportunity offers to meet the representatives of many other industries in this country.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many men have been employed in Berkshire on work schemes sanctioned by his Department and other Government Departments since 1st July, 1929?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any works have been sanctioned to make further provision against the flooding of the River Lee, and thus employ a certain number of men?

No scheme is before the Ministry of Agriculture. Any scheme submitted by the appropriate authority will receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the reason of the delay in replying to the Eston Urban District Council's request for a grant from the Unemployment Grants Committee towards their scheme of street reconstruction, seeing that there is a large number of unemployed in that area who are in urgent need of assistance?

I understand that the application from the Eston Urban District Council to the Unemployment Grants Committee was received by the Committee on 30th November last. It is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, with a view to increasing employment in the cotton industry of Lancashire, he has taken any steps to meet in conference the manufacturers of cotton goods; and, if so, whether he can state the nature of the conversations?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave on 3rd December to the hon. Member for Royton (Dr. Davies), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the damage caused to private houses in Felixstowe by the firing of the 9.2-inch guns in Brackenbury Fort during August; and whether he proposes to take steps to compensate the owners for the damage done?

Representations on this subject were received last August, and the War Department is considering in connection with the training programme for future years whether arrangements can be made that will obviate to the fullest possible extent the inconvenience caused to the local residents. As regards the last part of the question, the artillery practice was necessary for the training of Territorial units, and I regret that claims for compensation cannot be entertained.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the qualifications of the newly-appointed military attaché to His Majesty's Embassy at Moscow; whether this officer has any knowledge of the Russian language; and whether he was selected by the General Staff?

No such appointment has been made, nor is it the present intention to make such an appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army regulations forbid recruits on joining the Army sending back their civilian clothes and boots to their families; and, if so, whether in cases of hardship or poverty he can give instructions for some modification of such regulations?

No, Sir. The Recruiting Regulations state that a recruit may send his civilian clothing home.

asked the Secretary of State for War what total number of British troops have been evacuated from the Rhineland; whether any remain; where the evacuated troops are now stationed; how many are in permanent barracks and temporary hutments, respectively; and whether accommodation for the wives and families of soldiers married on the strength has been provided in all cases with the unit with which the married soldier is serving?

The strength of the British Army of the Rhine at the beginning of September (including the detachment in the Saar District) was approximately 6,200. The evacuation is complete with the exception of one man who, is unfortunately seriously ill. All the returning troops are accommodated in permanent barracks with the exception of the Royal Army Service Corps at Catterick, who are in temporary huts, and a field battery at Larkhill, who are in hutted barracks. A list of the stations is appended. As regards the families on the married quarters roll, all are in quarters at the places where the husbands are stationed except 16 families which are in receipt of lodging allowance and have been able to secure accommodation locally, and one family which is in married quarters at the station of the regimental depot.

• 2nd Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment, Catterick.
• 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire), Catterick.
• 2nd Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, Catterick.
• 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, Tidworth.
• 2nd Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, Colchester.
• 2nd Battalion, The Dorsetshire Regiment, Portland.
• 19th Field Brigade, Royal Artillery, Newcastle, Sheffield and Larkhill.
• 8th King's Royal Trish Hussars, Alder-shot.
• Royal Army Service Corps, Catterick and Aldershot.
• Royal Tank Corps, Lydd.
• Royal Engineers, Colchester.
• Royal Corps of Signals, Scarborough.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the many difficulties connected with sub-tenancies under the Rent Restriction Act, he proposes to take steps to deal with the matter in the immediate future?

This matter will receive consideration in connection with any legislation amending the Rent Restriction Acts, but, as my right hon. Friend has indicated in reply to other questions, it will not be practicable to introduce further legislation in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total percentage advance in light castings used in the building of houses since the formation of the National Light Castings Association in 1911 up to the latest available date?

I regret that the figure asked for by the hon. Member is not available. Certain information as regards the Light Castings Association is contained in the Report made in 1921 by the Central Committee under the Profiteering Acts (Cmd. 1200) and in the Report issued in 1926 (Cmd. 2719) by the Inter-departmental Committee on Prices of Building Materials, and I may perhaps refer the hon. Member to these Reports.

asked the Minister of Health the average number of deaths from cancer during the last 10 years; and whether there has been any substantial increase or decrease recently?

Particulars of cancer deaths and mortality rates in each of the last 10 years will be found in the Registrar-General's Statistical Review for 1928, Part I, Tables 4 and 5, on pages 10 and 24–25, and in the Chief Medical Officer's Report for 1928, pages 167–175. With regard to the latter part of the question, so many factors are involved in any discussion of the tendencies of mortality from this cause that I can only refer the hon. Member to the commentary upon the subject which is annually contained in the Text Volume of the Statistical Review, and of which the last example will be found commencing on page 58 in the Text Volume for 1927.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of fatal accidents to passengers on omnibuses and railways, respectively, for the period from 1st July to 31st December, 1928?

I am afraid that information in the exact form which my hon. Friend desires is not available. Perhaps, however, the information given in the Annual Home Office Returns of Street Accidents and in the Railway Accidents Returns will substantially cover the point he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to permit the use of enclosed vestibules to tramcars in London in order to prevent the drivers being subject to inclement weather?

This is a matter which is primarily for the consideration of tramway undertakers. I may say, however, that I have recently suggested to tramway authorities that they should consider the desirability cf equipping their cars with such devices, and that I understand that the London County Council propose to fit vestibule fronts to some cars for experimental purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will investigate the overcrowding on the underground railways which takes place during the morning and afternoon, particularly on the Hampstead line, since the reduction of the number of coaches on each train?

I am informed by the company that there has been no reduction in the rush-hour services since the introduction of the winter schedules in October, and that in the case of the Hampstead and City line the service was strengthened on the 2nd December by two additional six-car trains.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in pursuance of the powers conferred on him by the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, any regulations for the purpose of limiting the power of motor vehicle head-lights in the London area have been issued by this Department?

The answer is in the negative. The question of the further regulation of motor vehicle head-lights is under consideration in the Light of the recommendation on the subject made by the Royal Commission on Transport in their First Report. I might add, however, that I am not satisfied that a limitation of candle-power is the correct solution of the anti-dazzle problem.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the male night telephone staff in trunks and toll exchanges will, under present conditions, enjoy approximately an average of only one Christmas Day free from duty every 10 years; whether he has given consideration to the great pressure of work entailed on this staff during Christmas evening and night, due to the lower fees chargeable for calls in that period; whether he has considered any method of encouraging the public to use the telephone earlier in the day; or what arrangements he can make which will allow the staff to have a better opportunity of enjoying relief on Christmas evening and night similarly to other sections in the Post Office service, and other industries where restricted services are in force on Christmas Day?

The number of telephone calls to be dealt with during the night period on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is as great as the number on ordinary nights, and it is necessary if the work is to be properly handled that the night telephone staff on duty at the exchanges named should be maintained at its usual strength. Any measures which could be taken in order to encourage earlier telephoning, even if successful, would make it necessary to increase the number of day telephonists employed in the afternoon, and would thus benefit the night staff at their expense. I am afraid that the exigencies of the telephone service necessarily require the staff to work a part of a time at Christmas and holiday seasons; but I may explain that night telephonists receive additional pay at rate and a half for all attendance on Christmas Day, and have a day's holiday in lieu of Boxing Day.

asked the Postmaster-General for each of the five financial years, 1924–25 to 1928–29, the percentage of registered packets lost to the total number despatched, and the percentage of unregistered parcels lost to the total number despatched?

The following table gives the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks:

Percentage of Cases of Loss to Number of Packets Posted.
—	Inland Registered Postal Packets.	Inland Unregistered Parcels.
1924–25	0·0016	0·0064
1925–26	0·0014	0·0061
1926–27	0·0025	0·0067
1927–28	0·0011	0·0062
1928–29*	0·0019	0·0075
*Includes losses caused by the railway accident at Charfield, Gloucester.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will cause to have printed on the inside of the 2s. books of stamps the information and tables, etc., already printed on the 3s. book of stamps?

Arrangements are being made to include in the 2s. books of stamps the information to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Postmaster-General in how many districts during the current year new poles and overhead wires have been erected in connection with new telephone development work; in how many instances protests have been made against their erection by the local authorities concerned on the grounds that they create a nuisance or detract from the amenities of the district; on what conditions these protests are acceded to; and why, in view of the fact that it is the ultimate aim of his Department to have all telephone wires underground, it is decided to erect them overhead in the first instance?

Overhead lines have probably been constructed in practically all districts during the current year in connection with the development of local telephone services; and a number of local authorities have intimated their objection, on various grounds, but it is not possible, without a disproportionate expenditure of time and trouble, to furnish precise figures on either point. Underground cables are laid to the fullest possible extent consistent with economy, but a proportion of overhead wires is essential to the widespread development of the service unless altogether prohibitive expenditure is to be incurred.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the custom of his Department, in engaging ex-service men for any form of work, to regard the term "ex-service" as reserved for men who have served in the Army as a profession and have left it; and, if not, whether he will notify the different postmasters that this restriction of the term is not accepted by his Department?

The answer is in the negative, but I should mention that for permanent full-time situations in the Post Office preference amongst ex-service men is given to ex-regulars who served during the War. Postmasters have full instructions regarding the employment of ex-service men, but if the hon. Member will let me have defails of any particular case he has in mind, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will review the whole question of postal facilities in the rapidly growing areas of Welling, Bexley Heath and Dartford Heath; and, in view of their increasing proximity to New Eltham and Sidcup, whether he proposes to create a new postal centre or district office?

The postal facilities in these districts are kept under constant review and compare favourably with those in similar areas near London. There is at present no case for provision of a new postal centre or office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the residents of the village of Gwaenysgor, near Prestatyn, in the county of Flint, have made a request that the afternoon delivery of letters which was discontinued some years ago should be restored on the ground that they are suffering from serious inconvenience owing to the discontinuance; and whether he will favourably consider the question of acceding to this request?

I have received such a request, but I regret that the facility could not be given except at expense which would be out of proportion to the amount of correspondence benefited.

asked the Postmaster-General the cost of issuing a wireless receiving licence and upon what basis the cost is calculated?

The average cost during the last financial year was about 1s. 1d. per licence. This cost was based upon returns of the time occupied, and it included provision not only for the issuing recording and renewing of annual licences, but also for headquarters work and for such duties as the detection of unlicensed stations and any subsequent legal proceedings.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of part-time employés in the Post Office?

The total number of part - time Post Office employés in Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 1st October last was 48,847. This figure includes approximately 20,600 scale payment sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses and 1,500 caretaker operators.