asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by local authorities with regard to the purchase of land for municipal air ports; and if he will consider the desirability of providing statutory powers for the compulsory acquisition of land required for the purpose of establishing municipal air ports?

I am aware that difficulties have arisen in certain cases. A general power to acquire land for aerodromes by agreement is, of course, conferred upon local authorities by Section 8 of the Air Navigation Act, 1920, and some municipalities have taken compulsory powers for this purpose in special Acts which they have promoted. Whether it will be possible to grant them such powers by means of any general legislation, I am not in a position to say, but the question is receiving consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed in the near future to make arrangements for Members of Parliament to participate in a trial flight in the airship R100?

Fine weather is so essential for these short flights, between fixed hours, if they are to be enjoyable, that I think it will be better to make no arrangements for the present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if Airship R100 is considered safe for use in tropical climates while fitted with the present petrol-driven motors; and, if not, whether it is intended to confine this airship to northern latitudes or change the type of engine used?

R100 is not considered suitable for use in tropical climates while fitted with petrol engines, and her operations will consequently be confined at first to northern latitudes. It is not proposed to re-engine her for the present with compression ignition engines, as used in R101, since these are still in the experimental stage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what charge, if any, fell upon public funds as a result of his recent air tour of the Continent?

The answer is £75 14s. 4d. including the expenses of the Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation who accompanied me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the estimated total subsidy to be given to light aeroplane clubs during the current financial year and the extra sum involved if the unsubsidised clubs were included?

The answer to the first part of the question is £18,000 and to the second £4,000, both figures being for the lull year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State, for Air the number of approved landing grounds for civil aircraft in Great Britain at the beginning of 1929 and 1930, respectively?

The number of licensed aerodromes, to which I assume that the hon. Member refers, was 77 at the beginning of 1929 and 90 at the beginning of 1930. I would add that during the course of each year a large number of aerodromes are normally licensed for short periods, generally for joy-riding purposes; thus the total number of aerodrome licences issued in 1928 was 206 and in 1929 320, apart from renewals in each case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, with regard to the new attempt to be made for a record non-stop flight, this attempt will be made by a specially built Royal Air Force machine; and the approximate cost of the machine?

No proposal to make a further attempt upon the long-distance flight record has yet been considered and the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed in connection with the Royal Air Force display this year to stage an event, as was done last year, bearing a relation to the possible duties of the Royal Air Force under the Covenant of the League of Nations?

The programme and set-piece for this year's display are not yet finally settled.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of civilian employés engaged by the Air Ministry at Cardington in January, 1923, 1929 and 1930, respectively?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to industrial employés. On this assumption, the numbers employed on 1st January in each of the years named were:—

1928–329 men,	96 women.
1929–409 men,	120 women.
1930–445 men,	86 women.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the Government's unemployment schemes, work has yet been started on Waterloo Bridge; and when he expects to start on Charging Cross Bridge?

The answer to the first part of the question is that work has not yet begun and, as regards the second part, I must await progress of the necessary Bill, which is now before the House.

asked the Minister of Transport if there has been any change in the policy of the Government as regards the allocation to the hospitals of a certain proportion of the moneys paid under motor car owners' third-party insurance policies for the treatment of in- jured persons by these hospitals; and whether they are still ready to receive sympathetically representations from the hospitals on this matter?

An opportunity for raising this matter will arise on the Road Traffic Bill, and I would prefer not to anticipate discussion.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount standing to the credit of the Road Fund on 31st December, 1929, and on the corresponding date of 1928, together with the expenditure borne by the fund during the calendar years 1928 and 1929, respectively?

The accounting year for the Road Fund is the financial year ending on 31st March, and particulars of the amount standing to the credit of the fund at the end of each financial year and of the expenditure falling on the fund during each such year will be found in the Annual Reports on the Administration of the Road Fund. The hon. Member will appreciate that the greater part of the income of the fund is received during the last three months of the financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to introduce his proposals in relation to London traffic?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Wednesday, 29th January, to the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Mr. Harris), and I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the dangerous condition of the main road between Erith and Bexley Heath, its lack of pathways for pedestrians, and its inadequate lighting; and whether, in view of the rapid growth of the district, he will raise the question with the Kent County Council?

My attention has not been previously called to the matter, but I will cause inquiries to be made. The question of lighting is entirely one for the local authority.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the dangerous state of the main road between Bexley Heath and Dartford and to the absence of proper footpaths and lighting; and whether he has been asked to sanction any scheme of widening or improvement?

Grants from the Road Fund have recently been made towards the cost of the widening and improvement of the carriageway and the construction of footpaths on three lengths of this road, i.e., Crook Log, Welling High Street and Park View Road. A start has already been made with these improvements and they will be continued as soon as arrangements have been made for the acquisition of the necessary land. The question of lighting is entirely one for the local authority.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any decision has been come to by His Majesty's Government with regard to the improvement of transport facilities for road vehicles across the Firth of Forth?

At my suggestion the Edinburgh Corporation are convening in the near future a conference of local authorities who are to consider the question in its widest bearings.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is yet in a position to state whether, in connection with the Government's plans for the relief of unemployment, any steps are being taken for the construction of an electric railway to Ilford and beyond via Bethnal Green?

The London and North Eastern Railway Company have informed me that they have under consideration the question of the construction of a tube railway between Liverpool Street and Ilford, and are at present in communication with a well-known firm of engineers with a view to the preparation of a plan and estimates for a line of this description.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to acquire powers in the Road Traffic Bill to compel the removal of trees which are in a dangerous condition or position on, or adjoining a public highway?

I cannot at present undertake to include provisions of the nature suggested by the hon. Member in the Road Traffic Bill, but I will consider any representations that may be made to me on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the danger to users of vehicles and to pedestrians arising from the increasing number of dazzling headlights on motor-cars; and whether he is taking any steps with a view to minimising this danger?

The question of the further regulation of motor vehicle headlights is under consideration in the light of the recommendation on the subject made by the Royal Commission on Transport in their First Report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of^* the increasing number of accidents caused to pedestrians by motor-cars, he will lay down, and publish, a distinct rule as to the side of the road to be kept by pedestrians on roads where there are no footpaths?

I have no power to make such a rule, but the Road Traffic Bill contains provisions which would enable me to issue directions for the guidance of all users of the highway, including pedestrians.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider making adequate provision for the cyclist on main, secondary and other roads where practicable, particularly of a special track as is provided in Holland along most of their roads?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 15th November last to a similar question by the Member for South-East Southwark (Mr. Naylor) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the excessive vibration caused by heavy motor vehicles and the serious damage occasioned to properties adjoining roads; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to minimise this damage and consequent loss to householders?

Complaints have been made to me from time to time on this subject. I think that there is reason to hope that the vibration caused by heavy traffic will diminish owing to the improvements which are continuously being made, both in road surfaces and in the design and construction; of heavy vehicles. As the hon. Member is aware, encouragement is given to the equipment of the heavier types of vehicles with pneumatic tyres by a substantial rebate in taxation.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases reported by the police in the Metropolitan area for alleged dangerous driving by motorists, and how dealt with, showing the number for which proceedings were instituted, and the results, during the year 1929?

The number of cases of alleged dangerous driving of motor vehicles reported by the Metropolitan Police in 1929 was 2,525. Proceedings for dangerous driving were taken in 1,935 cases, warnings were given in 117 cases, proceedings for offences other than dangerous driving were taken in 77 cases, no action was taken in 364 cases. Proceedings are being taken in 32 cases. Of the 1,935 cases in which proceedings were taken, 1,412 resulted in convictions and 341 in dismissals; in 182 cases proceedings were withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of profit and the rate of dividend per cent. declared by the Notting Hill Electric Company, Limited, for 1928, together with the amount paid in wages for that year?

The amount of profit, after allowing for interest on loan liabilities and for statutory payments to sinking funds, was approximately £32,600. The rate of dividend on preference capital was 6 per cent. On each of the deferred shares (nominal value 1s.) the dividend was 14s. 4d. The deferred shares, however, amount to a sum of £1,352 10s. only, out of a total share capital employed in the undertaking of £201,352; the average return on the share capital as a whole being 15.6 per cent. The amount paid in wages and salaries in the year 1928 was approximately £13,800 (wages alone £7,800), but this does not include any wages in connection with generation as energy was purchased in bulk.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost of management per unit, total cost, and average revenue per unit of electricity sold in 1928 by the Poplar Borough Council and the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company, Limited, respectively?

In view of the difference in the nature of the supplies given by the two undertakings, it is difficult to give strictly comparable figures. The cost of management at Poplar was £1.26 per consumer and.096d. per unit, and at Notting Hill £1.08 per consumer and 0.36d. per unit. The total cost of energy at Poplar, including capital charges, was approximately 0.83d. per unit sold, the load factor being 31 per cent., and at Notting Hill, where the supply was purchased in bulk, 1.2d. per unit, the load factor being 24 per cent. The average revenue per unit at Poplar was for lighting and domestic supplies 2.63d. and for power 1.23d., while at Notting Hill the average for lighting and domestic supplies was 4.7d. and for power 1.52d.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any Electricity Commissioners or any members of the Electricity Board are shareholders or directors of electricity undertakings; and, if so, how many?

This matter is governed by Statute. A commissioner is not allowed to have, directly or indirectly, any share or interest in any undertaking for the supply of electricity otherwise than as a ratepayer in the case of an undertaking of a local authority. Somewhat similar conditions apply under the Act of 1926 to the chairman or any whole-time member of the Central Electricity Board, but do not apply to members of the Board who are not whole time. I have no information as to any such holdings by members of the Board, but the Act is so framed as to allow the Board to include some members directly connected with the industry, including, of course, the publicly-owned supply undertakings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of passports which have been issued during the last six months to British subjects wishing to go to Russia; and the number of visas of Russian passports during the same period for Russian subjects wishing to come to this country?

Prior to 4th January last no British passports were endorsed for Soviet territory. Since that date a certain number of passports have been specifically endorsed for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, while others have been issued with an endorsement valid for all European countries, which would include Russia. To as certain the exact number would entail the examination of 16,000 passport application forms. Since 1st August, 1929, 360 British visas, including diplomatic and transit visas, have been granted or authorised to enable Soviet citizens to travel to the United Kingdom. In addition 154 return visas have been granted in this, country to Soviet citizens, who are residing here for business purposes or some other reason, to enable them to return to the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to secure from the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics the same privileges for British shipping in Russian ports as those enjoyed by Italian shipping under Article 25 of the Russo-Italian Treaty of 1924?

In the negotiations for the regulation of the commercial relations between the United Kingdom and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will follow their invariable policy of endeavouring to secure for British ships, on a basis of reciprocity, treatment in this matter not less favourable than that accorded to the ships of any other foreign country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to issue for the guidance of British subjects wishful to carry on their normal avocations in China a statement of the policy of His Majesty's Government on the subject of extraterritoriality in China, more especially as regards legal proceedings, in view of the growing anxiety felt by such British subjects with regard to their position in China?

The gradual and progressive transfer of jurisdiction over British subjects from British to Chinese Courts, with a view to the ultimate abolition of extra-territoriality is now the subject of negotiations between His Majesty's Minister and the Chinese Government. I fear it might only prejudice the negotiations if I attempted to give details. In the meantime British subjects remain in full enjoyment of their Treaty rights until such time as the Treaties now in force may have been modified by mutual consent.

asked the Secretary of State for India as to the decision arrived at in regard to the communication of the Netherlands Minister asking that facilities for further trial flights on the Dutch air-mail route across India should be granted?

No decision has yet been arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of air squadrons at present kept in India; and whether any additional squadrons have been sent to India during the previous 12 months?

The answer to the first part is eight, and to the second, none.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Jewish immigrants who arrived in Palestine during the four months preceding the riots in August, 1929, and the four succeeding months?

During the four months ended 31st August, 1929, 631 Jewish immigrants entered Palestine and 367 Jewish travellers were given permission to remain in the country. The total Jewish immigration for the four months ended 31st August, 1929, was therefore 998. The corresponding figure for the three months ended 30th November, 1929, the date of the latest return received from the High Commissioner for Palestine, was 2,309, comprising 2,059 Jewish immigrants who actually entered Palestine during that period, and 250 Jewish travellers who were granted permission to remain in the country. As the return for December, 1929, is not yet available, I regret that I am unable to give the figures for the full four months subsequent to 31st August, 1929.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total exploitable land surface of Palestine; how many dunams are considered as cultivable, and how many dunams are in Jewish possession?

The total area of Palestine is about 26,000,000 dunams. In the absence of an exact definition it would be difficult to say what proportion can be regarded as exploitable. The estimated area of cultivable land, excluding some 1,000,000 dunams in the Beersheba district, which are occupied by Bedawin, is about 11,000,000 dunams. Approximately 1,000,000 dunams are in Jewish possession.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recent ordinance by the Palestine Government, which reduces to a minimum the compensation claims of the victims of the riots, has been approved by His Majesty's Government?

The notice regarding compensation issued by the Palestine Government did not require the approval of His Majesty's Government; but correspondence on the subject with the High Commissioner is proceeding.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a number of impressed labourers called out to work on the Jinja-Kampala railway refused to obey the order, and were thereupon sentenced in the courts of Uganda; and whether he will call for a Report on this case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander) on 23rd January.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to ask Lord Olivier to do all in his power to expedite the presentation of the Report of the recent West Indian Sugar Commission; whether the Report will be submitted to the House and printed as soon as possible; and whether the Government will announce their policy on this issue as soon as possible?

Lord Olivier and his colleague Mr. Semple have already submitted the whole of those parts of their Report which deal with the immediate situation of the West Indian sugar industry and their recommendations for its relief. His Majesty's Government will, of course, require a little time to consider their policy in a matter of such importance, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that there will be no avoidable delay either in this or in the submission of the Report to the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs when the Irish Grants Committee will finish their inquiries; and whether a. Report will be issued?

The Irish Grants Committee concluded the hearing of cases on Saturday last, 1st February. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs when the negotiations regarding the transfer of the Irish Lights are likely to conclude?

I am afraid that it is not yet possible to indicate when the negotiations on this matter are likely to be concluded.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the South African Railways Administration has accepted a German tender for six Class 16 D.A. locomotives, and at what price; whether any British firm put in a tender; and, if so, what was the lowest price quoted by a British firm?

His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in South Africa has reported that the South African Railways Administration accepted a tender for six locomotives Class 1C D.A. from a firm in Germany and that at the same time another order was placed with a firm in Great Britain for 18 locomotives Class 15 C.A. I understand that as the locomotives in question were required very urgently, the tenders were called for at short notice, but that the local agents of British manufacturers were invited to tender, and did in fact do so. I have no official information as to prices, but it was stated in the Press that the cost of the 16 D.A. locomotives placed in Germany was £40,500.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total sum available for guaranteeing credits under the Export Credits Scheme; how much is now outstanding; and how much is still available?

Under the Statutes governing the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme, the aggregate amount outstanding at one time may not exceed £26,000,000. The amount used or in use on 31st December last was £4,828,079; the amount available on that date was therefore £21,171,921.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the maximum length of credits which have been granted under the export credits scheme; what are the terms; what fees or charges are now made; and by whom are they fixed?

The longest period of credit which has been agreed to under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme is five years. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the terms on which guarantees are given and the premiums charged vary with each transaction. They are fixed after consultation with the Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the names of the committee responsible for administering the export credits scheme: what are their qualifications; and whether the number of the members on this committee is limited?

With regard to the first and second parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to replies which I gave to questions put to me by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton West (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 4th November, and the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. R. Taylor) on 9th December, copies of which I am sending him. With regard to the last part of the question, there is no statutory limit-to the number of members of the Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a White Paper showing all the obligations and agreements entered into by this country restricting in any way its right to control its imports?

The International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions and the Anglo-German Treaty of 1924 restrict the right of His Majesty's Government to impose prohibitions or restrictions on the importation of goods except in certain specific instances or on certain grounds, such, for example, as those of public security and the protection of the health of animals and plants. Treaties with a large number of other countries prevent prohibitions and restrictions upon the importation of goods from those countries unless such prohibitions and restrictions also apply to the like articles from all other countries. As the Anglo-German Treaty and the other Treaties are published in the Treaty Series, in which the Convention will also shortly appear, I do not think I should be justified in incurring the expense which would be involved in preparing and publishing a White Paper on the lines suggested in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate quantities of coal and oil used in the manufacture of gas in England and Wales?

The quantity of coal carbonised in 1928 by statutory and non-statutory gas undertakings in England and Wales was 16,523,254 tons. Oil used by statutory gas undertakings in 1928 for carburetting gas amounted to 56,037,150 gallons. The quantity of oil so used by non-statutory gas undertakings is not known but is small. The above figures do not include coal carbonised in coke oven plants producing, as a by-product, gas which is bought by gas undertakings for distribution to the extent of approximately 2 per cent. of their total sales.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons aged 16 to 64 estimated to be in employment in all the manufacturing industries, other than motor vehicles, lace, silk, artificial silk, and musical instruments, in July, 1925, and July, 1929, respectively?

The following Table shows for July, 1925, and July, 1929, the estimated numbers of insured persons aged 16 to 64 in Great Britain classified as belonging to industries other than the following: motor vehicles, lace, silk and artificial silk, musical instruments, fishing

Estimated Numbers insured at July.		Numbers Unemployed at end of June.		Differences.
1925.	1929.	1925.	1929.	1925.	1929.
6,325,820	6,564,320	695,040	626,318	5,630,780	5,938,002

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has any information upon the question whether the results of the inquiry made in 1925 into conditions in the light refreshment and dining room (non-licensed) branch of the catering trade may be regarded as representing the conditions in that branch of trade at the present time?

My right hon. Friend caused an inquiry to be made during August and September last with regard to wages and conditions in the catering trade. The results of this inquiry are not yet complete, but they appear to indicate that the general level of earnings in the branch to which my hon. Friend refers have not changed since 1925.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is considering the possibility of erecting grain elevators in British centres of distribution, with a view to increasing the amount of wheat milled in this country?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wavertree (Mr. Tinne) on 10th December, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he proposes to

It is not proposed to issue any formal statement, but I have no reason to suppose that any delay is in fact occurring on this account, and I am already in touch with a number of leading employers in certain industries. Those who feel any uncertainty on the point referred to by the hon. Member may care to apply to their bankers in the first instance. I should be prepared in appropriate cases to give information as to the most suitable procedure. Naturally the procedure will vary according to circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of unemployment, limited markets, and excess of productive capacity over demand, she will ask the Economic Council to examine and report on the advisability of reducing the existing average working week of five and a-half days by one day so as to absorb by rotation of workers a big percentage of the unemployed?

My right hon. Friend will arrange for the hon. Member's suggestion to be noted for consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as part of the Government unemployment plans, the work of the Electricity Commissioners has been accelerated by undertaking work additional to or in anticipation of the normal programme?

If, as I assume, the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the new regional schemes which are being carried out by the Central Electricity Board, the answer is in the affirmative as regards the large programme of standardisation of frequency to be carried out in connection with such schemes. The grid lines for such schemes are being constructed as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of farm workers now unemployed on the arable farms in the counties of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Essex who have been given temporary work by the highway authorities in their respective areas?

These details are not available, and I understand that they could only be obtained, if at all, at a considerable expenditure of time and labour. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press for them.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if his attention has been called to the inadequate lighting of the clock tower on the Houses of Parliament; and if he proposes taking steps to have this remedied?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not sure whether my hon. Friend refers to the lighting of the clock faces or to the signal light above, but in my opinion the lighting of both is adequate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity and value of fish landed each month during 1929 at the Fish Quay and the Albert Edward Quay, North Shields respectively, distinguishing between the landings from foreign vessels and British vessels?

The quantity and value of wet fish landed at the Fish Quay, North Shields, during each month of the year 1929, were as follow:

Wet Fish.
—		Quantity	Value.
		cwts.	£
January	…	21,101	27,765
February	…	18,974	30,132
March	…	32,075	36,669
April	…	28,704	32,625
May	…	51,770	44,993
June	…	57,333	45,157
July	…	105,313	54,363
August	…	112,616	70,555
September	…	51,178	51,412
October	…	30,468	46,670
November	…	24,920	37,028
December	…	19,500	30,174
Total for year	…	554,012	507,543

The above figures do not include shell fish, the value of which averages about £350 per month. Apart from a quantity of 113 cwts., valued at £27, landed in July, no wet fish was landed from foreign fishing vessels during 1929 at the Fish Quay. No fish is landed by fishing vessels, British or foreign, at the Albert Edward Quay, North Shields. Particulars with regard to imported fish landed at this Quay from foreign merchant vessels are not readily available, but they can be obtained if the hon. Member so desires.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the Stationery Office does not print on charts of ocean surveys "Crown Copyright Reserved," as they do on Admiralty pilots and other and similar Government publications?

The us of the words "Crown Copyright Reserved" on hydrographic charts is under consideration by the Admiralty and the Stationery Office.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of women employed in his Department in the following grades: writing assistant, typists and shorthand writers, clerical officers, higher clerical officers, executive officers (training grade), higher executive officers or equivalent rank, administrative (Class I), and technical grades?

The following are the figures required:

Writing Assistants	Nil
Typists and Shorthand Writers (including Comptometer Operators)	134
Chief Superintendent and Superintendents of Typists	8
Clerical Officers (including temporary Clerk and Clerical Assistant)	5
High Clerical Officers	Nil
Executive Officers (Training grade)	Nil
Higher Executive Officers or equivalent rank	Nil
Administrative (Class I)	Nil
Technical Grades	Nil

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of clerical officers who resigned from the Civil Service during the years 1927, 1928, and 1929, who were paid a marriage gratuity, together with the number of women clerical officers employed during each of those years in the grade?

The total number of marriage gratuities paid to non-industrial women civil servants in 1928 was 1,550, but I am unable to say in how many cases the recipient was a clerical officer. Information in fuller detail is being collected for 1929, and I will send it to the Noble Lady in due course. I regret that I am unable to give figures for 1927.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of his Department to continue to grant all recognised statutory bank holidays to manual workers in addition to the annual week's holiday; and whether in the latter case all employés will take their holidays at one and the same time?

As stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, West (Mr. W. J. Brown), on 11th December, five paid public holidays will be granted to industrial workers, in addition to six days' annual leave. The five days to be selected for this purpose are still under consideration. As regards the second part of the question, it, is proposed to close certain manufacturing establishments for one week. All these employés, save those required for maintenance duties, in such establishments will take their six days' leave in the closed week. At other establishments employés will, subject to the exigencies of the Service, take their leave at such periods as they wish.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of miners certified as suffering from miners' nystagmus, for the years 1922 to 1929, in the following districts: Fife, Mid and East Lothian, Ayrshire, and Lanarkshire?

It would take a great deal of time and labour to get these figures out, and I doubt if it would be possible to give them in the form in which my hon. Friend probably wishes to have them. I should like to confer with him in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the statement of one of the British assessor; at the recent meeting of the League Advisory Committee on the traffic in opium and other narcotic drugs to the effect that the destruction of life caused by this traffic could be compared with that of a modern battle, he can give any statistics showing what the mortality is in this country from drugs?

I have seen a Press report of the remarks made by the President of the Central Opium Board. They obviously related to the world traffic in drugs rather than to the state of affairs in any one country. The Registrar General has furnished me with the following figures relating to deaths from drugs coming within the Dangerous Drugs Acts:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the extent to which the banks benefit through unclaimed balances; and whether he will introduce legislation to compel bankers to communicate with trustees in the event of a client's death or to communicate with clients after a certain lapse of time that a balance is standing to the credit of an account?

My right hon. Friend has considered the matter referred to by the hon. Member, but he cannot see his way to introduce legislation in the sense desired.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can undertake that furniture for Penzance, Hastings and Exeter (fireproof, light pattern) will be made in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, seeing that the new type of fireproof light-patterned furniture, chests of drawers for officers' clothing, nests of drawers for papers, folding lavatories, bottle racks, towel rails, knee-hole and roll-top desks has been done exclusively in the dockyards hitherto, and that if this work is given to outside firms it will mean the discharge of joiners from His Majesty's Dockyards?

As a result of competitive tendering, nearly all of the furniture in question will be manufactured in the dockyards, the distribution between the dockyards depending on the respective tenders and on the amount of other similar work in hand.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under the Regulations of the Service, an officer on the active list of His Majesty's Navy may publish books; and whether, if permission to do so be necessary, such permission was given in the case of the book called "Retreat," published under the authorship of an officer on the active list?

The Regulations do not require an officer on full pay to obtain Admiralty permission to publish a book unless it contains matter or information relating to the Naval Service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the estimated financial saving by the abandonment of two cruisers, two submarines, a netlayer, and two sloops of the 1929–30 Naval Programme, originally destined to be built in His Majesty's dockyards and now abandoned; and what was the estimated number of men to be employed on these ships in the financial year?

The total estimated direct financial saving on New Construction due to the abandonment of two cruisers, three submarines, four destroyers, two sloops, and the netlayer included in the Navy Estimates, 1929, New Programme, as originally laid before Parliament is £6,500,000. None of these cancelled ships had been ordered and no compensation is therefore payable in respect of them. Orders for the ships remaining in the programme are now proposed to be allocated as follows:Cruiser—Devonport Dockyard. Two Destroyers—Portsmouth Dockyard. Four Sloops (of which two have already been ordered)—two Chatham, two Devonport. One Leader and two Destroyers—Contract.A decision respecting the three submarines remaining in the Programme is held in abeyance pending the conclusions of the London Naval Conference. In regard to the last part of the question, the financial provision for the 1929 New Programme, and the estimated expenditure during the present financial year on the vessels as now ordered, are both so small that the effect of the change on employment of men is practically negligible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the estimated financial saving by the abandonment of four destroyers, two sloops, one submarine of the 1929–30 Naval Programme originally destined to be built by private firms and now abandoned: whether any compensation is payable in respect of the abandonment of these ships; and, if so, the amount of money that is to be paid?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his other question to-day.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any patented tobbell buoys are used by the Admiralty in the River Medway or anywhere else?

These buoys cannot be recognised by the description furnished. The standard Admiralty pattern bell buoy is used in the River Medway.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of lieut.-commanders (ex-mate) who have retired during 1929 due to reaching the age limit and under the special retirement scheme, respectively?

Three lieut.-commanders ex-mate were retired during 1929 on reaching the age limit, and six under the special retirement scheme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of apprentices accepted with a view to employment in His Majesty's Dockyards in each year since 1913; the number that have been entered as journeymen on the expiration of their probationary period following the completion of apprenticeship; and the number of hired workmen placed on the established list in each of these years?

The approximate numbers of apprentices entered in the home dockyards, excluding Rosyth and Pembroke Dock now closed, in each of the 17 years were as follow:

Year.					Number.
1913	…	…	…	…	513
1914	…	…	…	…	582
1915	…	…	…	…	693
1916	…	…	…	…	768
1917	…	…	…	…	818
1918	…	…	…	…	805
1919	…	…	…	…	695
1920	…	…	…	…	516
1921	…	…	…	…	399
1922	…	…	…	…	250
1923	…	…	…	…	179
1924	…	…	…	…	257
1925	…	…	…	…	287
1926	…	…	…	…	200
1927	…	…	…	…	188
1928	…	…	…	…	183
1929	…	…	…	…	198

As a rule, all the apprentices who complete their apprenticeship are entered as journeymen; the numbers who for various reasons may not have completed their apprenticeship could not be given without further investigation. The number

of hired workmen placed on the established list in each of the last seven financial years are:

Financial Year.					Number.
1922–23	…	…	…	…	32
1923–24	…	…	…	…	37
1924–25	…	…	…	…	64
1925–26	…	…	…	…	69
1926–27	…	…	…	…	43
1927–28	…	…	…	…	50
1928–29	…	…	…	…	63

For the earlier years the figures are not readily available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the contract for jute twill sacking was placed in this country?

No, Sir. On the occasion of the recent competition the lowest tender for sacking made in Great Britain was disproportionately high, and I awarded the contract to the lowest tenderer who offered sacking made in India.