asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the forms of application under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, will be available in the post offices in Scotland?

Arrangements have been made to secure that the forms of application applicable to the new category of pre-1926 widows will be available at Post Offices in Scotland on 3rd January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of Government grants made last year to committees in Scotland concerned with the after-care of mental and physical defectives; the number of the committees among which this amount is divided; and the average sum received by, each?

The total amount of Government grants, made last year to societies in Scotland assisting and supervising uncertified mental defectives was £750. Of this sum £600 was paid to a central association, with headquarters at Paisley, which operates through local care committees in various parts of Scotland, and £150 to a society in Edinburgh. Of the £600 grant to the central association a sum of £200 was allocated last year to 11 local care committees—an average of approximately £18 each.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the late sittings of the House and to provide opportunities for exercise for hon. Members, he will provide facilities for deck games to be played on the Terrace during such times as it is not being used for other purposes?

No, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General how long it has been the custom and practice for letters in excess of one in number addressed to Members of this House, delivered by hand on matters of urgency, to be stamped with the appropriate postage stamp to ensure delivery

The hon. Member apparently refers to the practice under which the Serjeant-at-Arms Messenger (not the Post Office) is forbidden to accept more than one letter at a time for delivery within the House. If, after refusal by the Serjeant-at-Arms Messenger, batches of letters for delivery within the House are tendered at the House of Commons Post Office, they must of course be stamped in the ordinary way.

asked the First Commissioner of Works his intentions as to the use of and his policy generally in relation to the remaining hutments at Eltham now the property of the Office of Works?

The only hutments in the Woolwich area which are still the property of the Office of Works are those known as the Shepherd's Farm Estate and the Bostall Estate. The Woolwich Borough Council have rights of preemption over the Shepherd's Farm Estate, and negotiations are now in progress for the immediate exercise by them of these rights. The site of the Bostall Estate must, by the terms of the original conveyance to the Government, be cleared of houses and re-sold to its original owners by a fixed date.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what method it is proposed to adopt for the selection of designs foe the new Government buildings in Whitehall and Edinburgh; and whether they will be the subject of open competition in accordance with the usual precedent?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given this afternoon to the hon. Member for Paddington, North (Mr. Bracken) and the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he intends to give an opportunity to the architectural profession to compete for the work of designing the proposed new Gov- ernment offices in Whitehall and upon the Calton site in Edinburgh?

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps he proposes to take for the selection of an architect for the new public buildings in Edinburgh; whether representative Scottish societies are being consulted; whether an open competition will be held; and, if so, by whom the designs will be judged?

The proposals for the erection of Government buildings in Whitehall have not yet reached the stage at which the method of selecting designs can be decided. As regards the proposed buildings in Edinburgh, the design is being prepared under the supervision of the chief architect of my Department. The views that have been expressed by various Scottish societies as to the selection of an architect, have been very fully considered but I do not propose to hold a competition.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that, despite the recent installation of an additional radiator, the heating arrangements at the office of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, 44–46, Bloomgate, Lanark, are inadequate, the temperature in the forenoon being frequently under 40 degrees; and whether he proposes to take steps to remedy this defect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the matter will receive immediate attention and steps will be taken to remedy any deficiency of heat which may be found to exist.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Enemy Debts Department deals with applications for the release of sequestrated property on the applicant's legal claim to statelessness; how many such cases were dealt with by compromise between the Department and Mr. Samuel Cromer, acting as agent for the applicant; and what is the total sum involved in such compromise releases to date?

The position in regard to the matters referred to in this question remains as stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 2nd July, 1928.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the memorandum from Mr. Ormsby was the only memorandum received from a member of the staff of the Enemy Debts Department asking for an inquiry into one aspect or another of the administration of the Department; and what Departmental action was taken with regard to this officer and to any other memorandum that was submitted?

I have nothing to add to the information on this matter which was given to my hon. Friend in reply to his previous questions on 4th November last and earlier dates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the condition of certain condemned but still tenanted dwellings in the town of Monmouth, as revealed by the recent floods; and whether, in view of the menace to the health of the tenants and the public, he will send an inspector to report?

My right hon. Friend has no details of the dwellings referred to by my hon. Friend. It is for the local authority, in the first place, to consider the matter, but if they will furnish my right hon. Friend with particulars he will see whether the Department can be of assistance.

asked, the Minister of Health (1) if his attention has been called to the increasing demobilisation of the residential portion of London's population by the alteration of residential areas into commercial centres; and whether, as this throws burdens on the outer London councils, he will appoint a committee of inquiry;(2) if his attention has been called to the decreasing sleeping accommodation to, the acre in London by the destruction of dwelling houses and their conversion into shops and factories; whether he is aware that in, many areas of London the sleeping accommodation has reached the density of 90 to the acre; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this danger to the inhabitants of inner London?

The difficulties of housing the population of Greater London were considered by the Royal Commission on the Local Government of Greater London. The proper control of development in Greater London is a matter which is being considered by the Greater London Regional Committee. I may add that my right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation extending town planning powers to built up areas.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now prepared to sanction the housing scheme for Stowmarket, Suffolk?

I am approving the proposal of the urban district council of Stowmarket to purchase the Brook House estate for housing purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of Indians and Europeans who have been granted King's commissions in the Indian Army in each of the last five years; and how many Indian and how many European officers there are at present in the Indian Army holding King's commissions?

In the last five years King's commissions have been granted to 49 Indians and 263 Europeans. Fuller particulars are appended. There were on 1st April last 91 Indian officers out of an establishment of 3,365.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether periodical Reports in regard to the affairs of the Indian communities in Mauritius, British Guiana, Fiji, and Trinidad are received by the Government of India from these Colonies; and whether, in each of these Colonies where there is a large and important Indian community, there is a Government officer speaking the language of the Indian community and specifically charged with the responsibility of keeping watch over the affairs of the community?

The Government of India receive regularly official information on all matters of importance affecting the Indian communities overseas. An officer possessing special Indian experience and language qualifications has been appointed to the Fiji Government Service with a seat in the Fiji Legislative Council to act as Adviser to the Governor on questions relating to the Indian community. There is no corresponding appointment in Mauritius, British Guiana or Trinidad, but the Protectors of Immigrants are available to give advice and help to British Indians in those Colonies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many miles per day are flown on regular air routes in this country and on Imperial routes; and at what number of aeroplanes he would estimate the manufacturing capacity of this country at the present time?

As regards the first part of the question, I am not quite clear in regard to the scope of the hon. and gallant Member's question. The only regular British air services which operate over this country are those to and from the Continent and to and from India; the latter service is a weekly one and the others are not all on a daily basis. It would be difficult, in consequence, to give a figure of daily mileage flown, and I think the best answer will be to state the route mileage. The answer in that case is that the mileage of the routes operated by British commercial air lines throughout the Empire is approximately 18,700 miles, of which approximately 5,800 is represented by the lines operating from Croydon (to the Continent and India) and the rest by lines in Canada, Australia and South Africa. As regards the second part, an estimate of manufacturing capacity would have to be related to specific types of aircraft produced and would vary enormously according as large multi-engined commercial machines or small light aeroplanes were assumed to be in production in the various factories. I am consequently not in a position to give any useful figure in reply to this part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary for Air what has been the total cost of the airship R 101 up to October, 1929; and what has been the labour cost?

The figure of £527,000 given in Air Estimates as the cost of It 101 will, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on 6th November, be somewhat exceeded, though the actual figure is not yet available. £120,000 of this sum represents shop and design labour at Cardington. The cost of labour employed by the various contractors in the manufacture of girders, engines, and miscel- laneous equipment is included in the figures shown in Air Estimates for material and power plant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what has been the cost of building the airship R 100?

If my hon. Friend means the actual cost of construction incurred by the contractor, I have no official information, but it has been publicly stated that it largely exceeded the contract price of £350,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money expended in unemployment benefit in the counties of Midlothian, including the City of Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife, for each year since 1924, giving the amount spent in each county separately?

The amounts of unemployment benefit paid in the counties of Midlothian including the City of Edinburgh, West Lothian and Fife during the calendar years 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928 are approximately as follows:

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the danger and damage caused by the flooding of the Thames in the Thames Valley, he will call a conference of representatives of the county councils, the Thames Conservancy Board, and the Port of London Authority to deal with this problem, which would not only provide useful work for the unemployed but would remove a menace to that district?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave en 10th December to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) and the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain Macdonald). Since that date the Minister of Health has approved the limited schemes for the Wey Valley and the Thames (between Weybridge and Teddington), subject to settlement of some questions of detail with the authorities concerned. The Ministers concerned are keeping in close touch with the whole situation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will consider the weekly publication of the amount of debt of the Unemployment Fund, just as in the case of the unemployment figures, with the object of enabling the public to appreciate any increase or decrease in expenditure?

The amount of the debt of the Unemployment Fund is published monthly in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," and more frequent publication appears to be unnecessary.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that the incidence of the Derating Act is more favourable to the railway companies in comparison with the coastwise shipping companies and that the grants he is making to the railway companies for purposes of reconditioning further strengthen the railway companies in their competition with the coastwise shipping companies, he is prepared to receive representations from the latter in an appeal for equality of treatment?

My colleagues and I are always prepared to receive representations from responsible shipping associations, but I must not be taken to accept as facts the statements made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will urge upon the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company the desirability of an early removal of their railway across the land secured by the Bolton Corporation for town development, such development and the employment which it will afford being delayed in consequence of the continued obstruction by the presence of the railway?

I was not aware that any difficulties of the nature suggested had arisen, but if my hon. Friend will send me details, I will have inquiry made into the position.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed signing on at the Employment Exchange at Ripley, and how many reside at Heage and Nether Heage?

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th December, 1929; col. 627, Vol. 233], supplied the following statement:At 9th December, 1929, there were 612 persons on the registers of the Employment Exchange at Ripley, Derby, and of this number 87 resided at Heage and Nether Heage.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed signed on at the following Employment Exchanges, Alfreton and Belper, during October, 1928, and October, 1929?

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th December, 1929; col. 627, Vol. 233]. supplied the following statement:NUMBERS OF PERSONS on the Registers of the Employment Exchanges at Alfreton and Belper in October, 1928, and October, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed on the unemployment registers in each Employ- ment Exchange area in the county of Durham.?

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th December, 1929; col. 627, Vol. 233], supplied the following statement:Number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county of Durham on 9th December, 1929:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what schemes for dealing with unemployment have been settled or are under consideration in respect of the borough of Tynemouth?

Since 1st June, 1929, four schemes of an estimated value of 1169,280 have been submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee by the county borough council of Tynemouth. Two of these schemes have been approved by the committee in respect of expenditure amounting to £36,980. The committee are considering the other two schemes, one of which, of an estimated value of £123,000, was submitted only on 4th December. In addition, the Tyne-mouth Council have submitted to the Ministry of Transport three schemes in outline which are stated to form part of a comprehensive five years' programme. These schemes, which are estimated to cost £74,500 exclusive of the acquisition of land and Properties, have been approved in principle for grant from the Road Fund, and discussion is now taking place with the council on the detailed conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that employés proceeding to their homes from this House are unable to journey direct as a result of the all-night service from Westminster to Catford via Lewisham failing to connect with the Woolwich-Eltham service which runs only to Lee Green and back instead of proceeding to a junction with all-night traffic; and whether he will bring this to the notice of he Traffic Advisory Committee?

The London County Council inform me that the last tramcar from Lee Green to Eltham and Woolwich is a staff car which leaves at 1.9 a.m., and that no previous request has been made to them for this car to commence its journey at Lewisham. The council, however, would be prepared, if there is any demand, to arrange, as an experiment, for this car to leave Lewisham Clock Tower at about 12.55 a.m., thus connecting with the all-night service from Victoria Embankment.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the raising of motor omnibus fares in various parts of the country as a result of the monopoly position of certain companies; that, for example, an increase of 25 per cent. has taken place on the cost of monthly season omnibus tickets between Shepps and Glasgow; and whether he will establish machinery for controlling the rates of fares on motor omnibuses?

The Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament contains provisions which would empower the Traffic Commissioners, whom it is proposed to set up under Clause 56 of the Bill, to fix minimum or maximum fares in respect of omnibus services on representations being made to them that such a course is necessary or desirable in the public interest. At present, generally speaking, I have no power to control fares.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the London Midland, and Scottish Railway Company are keeping engine drivers and firemen on duty for hours in excess of their normal hours and in excess of hours allowed by any agreement; that this is taking place after such men have completed their train service and gone to the depots to the extent of cutting down their normal periods of rest for their next turn of duty, and by employing fewer men for excessive hours of duty is adding to the unemployment problem; and will he call for a return of overtime worked by engine-drivers and firemen in the employ of this company for each week for the past six months?

I have no information in regard to this matter apart from that contained in my hon. Friend's question. As he is aware, suitable machinery exists for dealing, if necessary, with any questions relating to rates of pay, hours of duty, or other conditions of service of railway employés, and in the circumstances I should hesitate to take the action suggested in the last part of his question unless it can be shown that the public safety is likely to be endangered.

asked the Minister of Transport when the contractors will commence operations on the road work in respect to the new Victoria Dock arterial road scheme?

As my hon. Friend is aware the only work which can be commenced, until rehousing accommodation is provided, is the construction of the bridge over the River Lee. Work on rehousing will be commenced this week. The London County Council have received tenders for the construction of the bridge over the Lee, and it is hoped that the contract will be let very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to he dangerous condition of the road near Barclay's Bank, High Street, Eltham; and whether he can take any action to expedite the widening of the High Street, with a view to mitigating the danger to pedestrians and vehicles and their passengers?

My attention has been called to this matter. The Woolwich Borough Council have already widened the High Street on the west side of Barclay's Bank with the assistance of a grant from the Road Fund. My Department is now in communication with the council as to the extension of the improvement; it is understood negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of the necessary property.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the revision of the existing regulations concerning the size and position of identification number plates carried in front of the handlebar on motor bicycles in view of the added danger caused by the sharp plate causing a bad wound to any person run down by a motor cyclist; and whether arrangements will be made for the fixing of these identification plates in a manner uniform with the method adopted for motor vehicles?

I have under consideration the amendment of the regulations governing the size and position of motor-cycle number plates, but I do not propose to alter the existing requirements as regards the size and position of the front number plate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the number of accidents occurring at the corner of Bayswater Road and Leinster Terrace, in the borough of Paddington; and will he consider taking special measures for the control of traffic at that point?

My at-attention had not previously been drawn to the number of accidents occurring at this point. I am having the matter investigated to see whether any remedial measures can be adopted.

asked the Minister of Transport if passenger omnibuses are compelled to carry any appliances, such as a saw or jack, which would enable those in charge of the vehicle to extricate persons who have been run over?

The existing law does not require the carrying on omnibuses of appliances such as those to which the hon. Member refers, and I am advised that equipment effective for the purpose would of necesity be very heavy and cumbersome. If the Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament is passed in its present form the provisions of Clause 61 would enable me to make regulations with regard to the carrying by motor omnibuses of such equipment as may be considered necessary in the interests of public safety.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons who have been killed as a result of explosions in mines for each of the last three years, distinguishing between collieries where naked lights have been in use and others where safety lamps were in use?

The following table of figures gives the information asked for:Where naked lights used:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in connection with the Coal Mines Bill it is proposed to introduce measures restricting the importation of competitive foreign coal?

No, Sir. I am satisfied that no such measures are now necessary or likely to be necessary in the future.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that automatic gas detectors have now been in use at certain collieries for a period exceeding two years; that in each case entire satisfaction has been given; and what period of time he regards as necessary before accepting the test as conclusive?

I am not aware of any collieries where automatic firedamp detectors have been in regular use for a period exceeding two years, or of any colliery where more than two or three such detectors have been used at a time. While, with some exceptions, the results of these few small tests have been reasonably satisfactory, I should be unwilling to specify any exact period of test as this must necessarily depend on the circumstances of the tests, but as I informed the hon. Member on 4th December, I am satisfied that the daily use below-ground is not yet sufficiently broad to enable my advisers to judge finally of their complete reliability and practical value as compared with the flame safety lamp.

asked the Secretary for Mines what schemes have been adopted or are under consideration under the Miners' Welfare Fund in South Staffordshire?

All the nine schemes recommended by the South Staffordshire District Welfare Committee have been approved by the Miners' Welfare Committee, the amount allocated to date being £19,701 17s. 6d. The whole of this sum has been paid to the grantees and the schemes are in operation. Six of them are recreational, two educational, and one is for the provision of tickets of entry into convalescent homes. I do not know what other schemes, if any, may be under consideration by the District Committee, but not yet submitted to the Miners' Welfare Committee. The Miners' Welfare Committee, however, also have under consideration the provision of a pithead bath at one of the collieries in this district under the Mining Industry Act, 1926.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that Spanish potatoes for importation into this country are transferred from Spanish railway wagons to French railway wagons at Cebere, a junction on the Spanish and French boundary, and that this station is situate in an area affected with the Colorado beetle; and whether he will consider prohibiting the importation of such potatoes?

I am aware that it is the practice to transfer Spanish potatoes into French railway wagons at the frontier station of Cebere. So far as I am aware that station is not in or near an area affected with the Colorado Beetle, but I am asking the French Government for the latest details of the distribution of the pest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total value of the produce of British agriculture in the latest year for which particulars are available; what is the value of the corn crops produced and the value of the wheat separately; and what is the proportion borne by the corn crops and by the wheat to the total produce?

The estimated value of the agricultural and horticultural produce sold off farms (a) in Great Britain in 1927–28 (b) is as follows: