asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received from the Bootle, Lanes, education committee a resolution urging that grants given to the reorganisation and development of provided schools should be given also to non-provided schools to enable them to secure the same degree of reorganisation and development; and whether he will give this his favourable consideration?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, but I cannot at present add anything to the answer which I gave last Thursday in reply to similar questions addressed to me by the hon. Members for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) and Blackburn (Mr. Gill).

asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of nursery schools in England and Wales?

The number of nursery schools recognised by the Board at the present time is 30.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he has taken to have additional teachers qualified in time for the raising of the school age next year; and how many additional teachers have recently entered the training colleges?

I invited the training colleges last summer to provide for the admission of an increased number of students, and arrangements are now being made to secure a further extension of their accommodation. On the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Mr. Harris), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education for counties and county boroughs in England, respectively, the number of children on the registers of public elementary schools, the number and percentages receiving dental inspection, found to require treatment, actually treated, the number of dentists employed by local education authorities expressed in terms of whole-time service, and the number of children to each such whole-time dentist?

I am considering the question of publishing it Return. In the meantime, I will send the hon. Member a statement containing the information he desires.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for particulars of the proposed reductions in the pay of naval officers which are to come into operation in July next?

Particulars of the rates of pay of naval officers to come into operation on 1st July next will shortly be published. I may, however, state, for the information of the hon. Member, that rates of full pay, unemployed pay, half pay and retired pay will be affected, but not allowances. The reduction in the standard rates will be approximately 7 per cent. instead of 6 per cent. as at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of his Department to prepare the cruiser "Dartmouth" for service for the Devonport torpedo school in the place of "Defiance I": and, if not, what the intention of the Admiralty is?

The condition of the vessels constituting the "Defiance" establishment necessitates consideration being given to their replacement. Until permanent arrangements can be effected, "Dartmouth" is being made available to accommodate personnel.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of victualling allowance spent for the quarter ended 31st December, 1929, by paymaster-commanders in charge of general messing in His Majesty's ships "Excellent," "Vernon," and Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, with private traders; and the amount spent with the Navy, Army, and Air Force institutes?

There is no victualling allowance for general messing, but the amounts expended with private traders and Navy, Army, and Air Force institutes during the period mentioned were as follow:

—	Private Traders.	N. A. A. F. I.
	£	£
H. M. S. "Excellent"	2,075	1,602
H. M. S. "Vernon"	2,039	1,656
Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth.	3,977	5,220

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present number of hired workmen in His Majesty's dockyards who have served continuously for 10 years or more since the completion of their apprenticeship?

The number is 771.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Imperial Advisory Committee on Communications has any voice in the fixing by the British Post Office of wireless telephone rates and in the conducting of wireless telephony between Britain and the rest of the British Empire?

The answer is in the negative. The functions of the Committee referred to are defined by an agreement dated 29th May last, between the Treasury and the Dominion and Indian Government on the one hand, and the Communications Company and its associates on the other, and relate to the telegraph services controlled by that company.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of transatlantic telephone calls, which originated in Great Britain, passed to Canada and America for the months of October, November and December, 1929?

The figures for October are: To United States of America, 420; to Canada, 69; total, 489. The corresponding figures for November are 357 and 48, total, 405; and for December 281 and 47, total 328.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is prepared to consider "reduction in the present scale of surcharges on letters by air mail to and from India, with a view to developing this service?

The Indian air fees are fixed strictly in accordance with the actual costs. They were reduced as recently as November last, and are very appreciably lower than those charged for comparable services conducted by other countries.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to expedite the delivery of the English mail in Belfast, arrangements can be made for sorting on the train between Kingstown and Belfast?

Judging from Press reports which have been broughgt to my notice, the dissatisfaction in Belfast with the English mail service appears to arise from occasional failures to secure delivery in the morning rather than from the time at which the morning delivery is made. These failures are due to the mail missing the connection in Dublin, usually owing to the boat being late, and the attachment of a sorting carriage to the normal train would not provide a remedy. It would entail a special staff being sent the previous evening to Dublin to return by the mail train the next morning. The expenditure involved would be of the order of £6,000 a year, and the acceleration in delivery thereby obtained would be something less than half an hour. The question of adopting other means for improving the transmission of mails between Great Britain and Belfast is, however, at present under consideration, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of owners of wireless sets who were in possession of receiving licences at 31st December, 1928?

The number of wireless receiving licences in force on 31st December, 1928, was 2,828,562.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. F. E. Bennet, who claims to have been dismissed from the Post Office service without being afforded an opportunity of being heard, has applied for permission to present his case either to a committee of inquiry or to the Postmaster-General; and whether such an opportunity may be afforded him?

Mr. Bennet had full opportunity of replying to the charges against him. I am satisfied that no injustice has been committed, and I regret that I can find no grounds for ordering a further inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the prices charged for pork, the Food Council has given consideration to the matter; and, if not, will he request the Council to institute an inquiry and take evidence from all bodies and persons who can throw light on the cause of the prices prevailing?

I understand that the Food Council have not hitherto given special attention to the prices of pork apart from the general question of butchers' profits. If my hon. Friend has any information showing that excessive retail prices are being charged, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of war savings certificates issued by his Department during each year from the commencement of the scheme, with the amount paid through the Post Office for such certificates?

; The following table gives the required information regarding savings certificates issued during each year from the commencement of the scheme to 31st December, 1929:

Years ended 31st March.	No. of Certificates.	Purchase Price.
		£
1916	97,558,384	75,607,747
1917
1918	85,825,262	66,514,577
1919	126,349,959	97,921,218
1920	92,283,190	71,519,472
1921	53,156,062	41,195,949
1922	120,211,044	93,163,558
1923	49,810,802	39,842,989
1924	56,515,817	45,212,654
1925	40,282,689	32,226,151
1926	43,897,397	35,117,918
1927	39,905,979	31,924,783
1928	46,760,957	37,408,766
1929	52,342,219	41,873,775
	904,899,761	709,529,557
To 31st December, 1929.	37,531,039	30,024,831
Total	942,430,800	739,554,388

Of the total amount thus borrowed from time to time of which some part must be regarded as representing reborrowings, about one-half (excluding interest) was outstanding at 31st December, 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the men employed in the Irish lights service had their bonus reduced last September?

The bonus paid to the staff in the Irish Lighthouse Service is based on the Irish Free State cost-of-living figure, which, for the purposes of bonus, was computed at 75 for the six months ended 31st August, 1929, as against 80 for the six months ended 28th February, 1929. The bonus payable for the six-monthly period, beginning 1st September, 1929, was therefore based on a cost-of-living figure of 75.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of imported fish landed at Albert Edward Quay, at North Shields, during each month of the year 1929?

I regret that this information is not available, as the official records of imports at a port do not distinguish the quays at which goods were landed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount in value of cotton merchandise imported from Japan in the years 1929, 1928 and 1927 respectively?

Description.	1927.	1928.	1929.
	£	£	£
Cotton, Raw	930	2,829	—
Cotton Linters	—	—	—
Cotton Waste, Unmanufactured	126,770	125,139	131,604
Cotton Yarns	—	—	—
Cotton Manufactures (except Apparel and Embroidery):
Piece Goods: Grey, Unbleached	245	195	1,300
White, Bleached	40	1,399	881
Printed	439	8,593	11,946
Dyed in the piece	19,556	18,972	41,625
Manufactured wholly or m part of Dyed Yarn, and commonly known as coloured cottons.	5,472	21,307	14,786
Flags, Handkerchiefs and Shawls, wholly of Cotton, not in the piece.	30	—	82
Lace and Net	119	196	896
Finished Thread	—	90	—
Small Wares, including Ribbons and Trimmings	634	682	726
Made up Cotton Goods for Household Purposes	96,771	109,965	127,658
Manufactured Cotton Cleaning Waste	2,916	—	848
Cotton Manufactures, not elsewhere specified Apparel:	13,716	9,029	15,527
Fabric Gloves, wholly or in part of cotton	—	—	1,207
Hosiery of Cotton or of which the chief is cotton:
Stockings and Hose	39,684	120,697	118,512
Underwear	274,132	417,730	368,992
Fancy Hosiery	604	707	10,049
Total of above	582,058	837,530	846,639
Notes.—In addition to the above items, other articles of apparel imported from Japan are probably made of cotton, but such articles are not classified in the Import Returns according to the material of which they are made, and therefore are not included in the above table.
The figures for 1929 are provisional.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any estimate of the amount of British capital annually invested abroad; and of the amount of such capital invested in foreign countries and in British territory overseas?

The amount available for the acquisition of additional investments abroad varies considerably in

The following table shows the total declared value of the undermentioned descriptions of cotton merchandise imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years 1927, 1928 and 1929 and registered as consigned from Japan (including Formosa and Japanese leased territories in China).different years. I would refer my hon. Friend to the Board of Trade Journal for 28th February last year, in which it was estimated that, in the years 1926, 1927 and 1928 the amounts so available were £9,000,000, £114,000,000 and £149,000,000. The corresponding figure for 1929 will not be available for a few weeks. As to the division of new investment between Empire countries and foreign countries, the calculations of the Midland Bank, reported for the years 1927, 1928 and 1929 in the Board of Trade Journal for 9th January of this year, show that, in those years, the proportion of the new issues classed as for British countries overseas to those for foreign countries were in the proportion of about three to two. It is not known whether these or other proportions applied to the investment of new savings and the re-investment of sinking funds on former investments abroad, or how far the replacement of one investment abroad by another may have been involved in the subscriptions to the new issues; nor is it known to what extent the subscriptions may have been provided for from the resources of persons not resident in this country. These and similar considerations render it impossible to furnish the precise information for which my hon. Friend has asked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the dumping of textile goods in this country from Soviet Russia at a price less than their cost of production in that or any other country; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard employment in Lancashire?

I am aware that Russian textile goods are being offered at low prices to British export houses, and that a certain quantity has come upon the United Kingdom market. As regards the last part of the question, I can add nothing to the statements already made as to Government policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the circumstance that the number of unemployed in the cement, limekilns, and whiting works in the Rochester, Chatham, and Gillingham districts (Kent) has increased from 61 to 272 during the six months ending January, 1930, he will consider the desirability of imposing a prohibitive import duty on all foreign cement entering this country?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his Department has given any assistance since June, 1929, to shipbuilders or their agents in this country under the exports credits scheme; and, if so, what countries are concerned and what are the nature of the ships built or about to be built?

Although the Export Credits Guarantee Department have offered guarantees to shipbuilders or their agents in several cases since June, 1929, no contracts have so far been entered into. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of imported foreign motor cars at present in bond in Customs warehouses in Great Britain and the number in bond at the same time last year; and whether he is able to give the country of origin of these cars for both periods?

I am endeavouring to obtain the particulars asked for in respect of motor cars at present in bonded warehouses, and I will communicate them to the hon. and gallant Member. I am afraid that similar particulars for last year could not be obtained without large expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether before definitely settling the main features of his Budget, he will conduct an inquiry into the effect of all existing duties aimed at stimulating British trade upon employment in those trades; and whether, in that case, he will publish the result of his inquiry?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can supply a table showing the trade done between the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and the British Colonies for the period 1922 to 1929?

The statistics for which the hon. Member asks for the period 1922 to 1928, so far as they are available, are given in the following table. No figures are yet available in respect of the year 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the placing of a warning light on the Shag-stone Rock, near Plymouth, in view of the danger to fishing and other vessels?

The placing of a light on the Shagstone Rock has already been considered by the Board of Trade in consultation with the Trinity House, and it has been decided that, as a light in this position is not required for general navigation, it would not be a justifiable charge on the General Lighthouse Fund. The Board of Trade have no funds at their disposal for the purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position of the controversy over the suggested change in helm orders?

The position in this matter remains as stated in the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Tyne-mouth (Mr. West Russell) on 10th December last, and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider the case of Private Richard Wright, late 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, who is now in Maidstone Prison serving a life sentence?

It was decided at the time when the sentence of death was commuted to penal servitude for life, that the case should come forward for review in 1935. I have gone carefully into the case, but I do not feel that there are any grounds for altering that decision, nor can I anticipate what the result of the review will be.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the recent concession to grant certain holidays to industrial employés, he has had his attention drawn to the position of men in the Army Ordnance Department with leave rights under the Warrant of 1895; whether these men are outside the scope of the new concession and whether he proposes to take any action?

I am aware of the position of these men. The intention of the concession referred to by the right hon. Member was to grant leave with pay to employés who did not already receive it, and as the men in question already enjoyed a measure of leave with pay, they fell outside its scope. They have, however, been allowed the choice of coming under the new scheme of leave and public solidays, subject to absorption of their previous leave privileges, or of remaining as they are.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of pensions awarded to 31st December, 1929, under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and the number current at that date?

The number of pensions awarded to 31st December, 1929, and the number in payment on that date under or by virtue of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, in England and Wales was:

—	Awarded.	In Payment.
Widows	332,661	249,524
Orphans	15,598	13,452
Old Age Pensions (65 to 70 years of age).	709 273	511,461
Old Age Pensions (over 70 years of age).	270,112	363,600*
Total	1,327,644	1,138,037
*Note.—This figure includes persons who have attained age 70 since being awarded widows or old age (65–70) pensions.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement for the guidance of county councils showing the alterations that will take place in respect of their relations with their respective mental hospitals when the De-rating Act comes into force?

A memorandum is in preparation explaining the effect of the Local Government, 1929, upon the provision of the Lunacy Acts, which will probably meet the points which the Noble Lord has in mind.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of persons of all classes in receipt of Poor Law relief on 4th January, 1930?

Statement showing the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales on Saturday, 4th January, 1930:

Number of persons in receipt of		Total.
Institutional Belief (excluding lunatics in county and borough asylumsand casuals).	Domiciliary Belief (excluding persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only).
222,124	871,220	1,093,344

The approximate numbers in the classes of persons excluded from the figures shown above were:—

Lunatics in county and borough asylums	106,400
Casuals	10,600
Persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only	12,100

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received representations from local authorities suggesting an amendment of the law to enable them to take proceedings in respect of offences at any time against the Children Act, 1908, and also an amendment of Part I of the Children Act, 1908, to compel intending foster parents to register their premises with the local authorities before receiving any nurse infants; and what action he proposes to take?

In so far as the question relates to Part I of the Children Act, 1908, which is the only part of the Act affecting my Department, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) on 29th January. Any question relating to the remainder of the Act should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that tenants of council houses erected by the Long Crendon Rural District Council at Brill have no drinking water supply, although paying water rate; and whether he will take action to secure a remission of the extra 6d. per week paid by tenants in rent for this purpose?

I am aware of the difficulty experienced by this council and I understand that active steps are being taken by the council with a view to meeting that difficulty. The fixing of the rents is a matter for the determination of the council, and is not one in which I can take action.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received a petition from persons resident in the area of the Maidens and Coombe (Surrey) Urban District Council alleging that that authority is failing to make sufficient provision of houses to let in their district; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am already in communication with this council on the question of the provision of additional houses and I am now awaiting an intimation of their decision in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed during each of the months October, November, and December, 1929, and, for comparison, the corresponding figures for the same months of 1928?

Returns as to houses erected without State assistance are obtained half-yearly only, but the following statement shows the number of State-assisted houses completed during

Month.						Number of State-assisted Houses completed during month under the—
						Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919.	Housing, etc. Act, 1923.	Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
1928.
October	…	…	…	…	…	—	6,174	4,585
November	…	…	…	…	…	—	4,152	4,195
December	…	…	…	…	…	—	3,871	3,881
1929.
October	…	…	…	…	…	4	—	6,278
November	…	…	…	…	…	10	—	4,555
December	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	3,674

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed with State assistance during the year ended 30th September, 1929?

The number of such houses completed in England and Wales was 132,360.

asked the Minister of Health the average cost per superficial foot of non-parlour and parlour houses included in contracts let by or in direct labour schemes of local authorities in England and Wales during 1929?

The figures are—for non-parlour houses 8s. 11¾d., and for parlour houses 9s. 0¼d.

asked the Minister of Health in what circumstances the insurance funds may be used to restamp a card in place of one which has been lost; and whether there is any differentiation as between the employer and the insured person in reference to the losing of a card?

Health insurance funds may be used to restamp a card in place of one lost in the post. They may also be used where a card has been lost by an employer provided he has, as required by the regulations, taken proper steps for its safe custody. If such steps each of the months in question in England and Wales:have not been taken, the employer must replace the card at his own expense. As regards loss of cards by insured persons, benefits depend on the cards and anything which would conduce to laxity in the care of them is to be highly deprecated in the interests of insured persons. It has accordingly been thought impossible to provide for recoupment in this case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that as the direct result of the Economy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1926, approved societies have received reduced State grants, and have had to bear increased charges for medical benefits, and their surplus funds available for additional benefits have been diminished by a sum of at least £5,000,000 per annum, and that the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund was depleted of a sum of £1,100,000; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation for the repeal of the Act in regard to these funds with a view to restoring to them the sums which they have lost or whether any other remedial steps are in contemplation?

Apart from an overstatement in the figures, the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the Navy, Army and Air Force Insurance Fund. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18th July last in reply to the hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Shakespeare). With regard to the remaining portion of the question I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the desirability that every tin of skimmed condensed milk that is sold to the public should bear on it a printed notice that its contents are unsuitable as food for infants, whether he is intending to introduce legislation to make this compulsory?

Such a condition of sale is already required under regulations made by my Department. I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the researches at Sheffield University, now being published by the Medical Research Council, into the effect of a proper dietary for expectant mothers and for children in the prevention of dental decay; and whether he will issue to maternity and child-welfare centres a paper of simple information and guidance for those attending such centres?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, it is the common practice at these centres to give advice as to a correct dietary, including instruction with a view to the prevention of dental decay, and as at present advised I do not consider it necessary to issue any special paper on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the menace to health of the residents at Haverton-Hill-on-Tees caused by the emission of grit and soot from the works of the Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Company at Billingham, due to the use of pulverised fuel without adequate apparatus for dealing with the grit; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the matter?

I am aware of the complaints which have been made of the emission of grit and soot from these works. The company are taking measures in the matter, which is receiving the close attention of my inspectors.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what are the further plans of the Empire Marketing Board to promote the larger consumption of British liquid milk, especially among the young?

The Board has just approved a grant of £5,000 for a milk-feeding investigation in Scotland, which is designed to demonstrate the nutritional value of milk and to promote a larger consumption, especially by children. For further particulars of the scheme, which is under the direction of the Department of Health for Scotland, I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information as to the recent loss of money from the Legation at Durazzo; the amount of the loss and how it arose; if this country will bear the loss; and, if not, how the loss is to be made good?

The loss referred to was occasioned by defalcations by the clerk in His Majesty's Legation at Durazzo some two years ago. Of the total loss of £1,143 9s. 5d. the Minister and a Charge d'Affaires, who were responsible for the supervision of the Legation accounts, were called on to refund approximately one-half, and it was possible still further to reduce the loss by £63 18s. 11d., being the amount realised by the sale of the clerk's effects at Durazzo. The balance of £504 10s. 6d. was charged as a loss irrecoverable in the Appropriation Account for Diplomatic and Consular Services for 1928.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received from Sir Francis Watts a Report on the position of the sugar industry in Mauritius; and if and when it will be made public?

The Report has been received, but the set of annexures is not yet complete. The Report will require consideration, and I am unable to give any undertaking as to the exact date of publication. My hon. Friend may, however, rest assured that the Secretary of State fully appreciates both the seriousness of the situation in Mauritius and elsewhere, and the very natural desire of all concerned for an early indication of the Government's decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention to publish immediately both the Reports on the sugar industry in the West Indies and in Mauritius without waiting for a Government decision on the policy to be adopted; and whether the Reports will be available this week?

The Reports, so far as they have been received, are being actively considered in conjunction with the latest information from the several Colonies, but it is impossible at present to state the exact date on which they can be published.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air what is the present cost-of-living figure on which officers' pay is based; and what is the figure on which it is proposed to base it in July next?

The cost-of-living figures to which the present rates of pay and those which will be operative from 1st July next are related are 74 and 70, respectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether there have been any reforms in prison matters or alterations in the methods of selecting chief constables since his accession to office?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Reform in prison matters is progressing steadily. The answer to the socond part of the question is in the negative, but the whole position is under consideration.

asked the Hume Secretary whether, seeing that the present film censors are appointed and paid by the film trade in the public interest, he will consider the desirability of appointing independent Government censors?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 28th November last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to place the control of all the police in the hands of his Department in order to ensure co-ordination and a universal scale of discipline?

No, Sir. I do not contemplate any such measure, and I do not consider there is any occasion for it.

asked the Home Secretary whether, with regard to ox-Constable Allsopp, of the Metropolitan Police, who resigned in February, 1928, with a character of general good conduct, and was refused an omnibus conductor's licence in March of that year, he will state the reason for such refusal; and seeing that ex-Constable Allsopp has since been granted a licence, what new facts were brought forward to justify such issue in view of the previous refusal?

I am informed by the Commissioner that the reason for the refusal of the licence was that, having regard to the nature of the offences of which Allsopp had been found guilty, he was not regarded as a suitable person to hold a conductor's licence. Subsequently, on the receipt of representations from Allsopp, the matter was reconsidered by the Commissioner in relation to the terms of the certificate of conduct held by him, and a licence was issued. There were no new facts brought forward in connection with this latter decision—only a reconsideration, at the request of Allsopp, of facts previously known.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the legislation he proposes to introduce setting up medical boards for the purposes of the diagnosis and treatment of silicosis, for research purpose and training, the central bureau is to be in Sheffield; and when it is proposed to introduce such legislation?

Yes, Sir; it is contemplated that the centre of the new organisation, which would be set up for the purposes of the medical examinations required under the Act, should be at Sheffield. I regret I am not in a position to say when the proposed Bill will be introduced, but my hon. Friend may be assured that everything possible will be done to expedite the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether any experiments by vivisection are conducted or allowed with the object of benefiting dogs; and, if so, how many were performed last year?

Such experiments would be allowed in suitable cases. During 1929, 451 experiments (all inoculations), of which 74 were on dogs, were performed with the object of discovering a prophylactic serum for distemper. No doubt other of the experiments performed were done with the direct or indirect object of benefiting dogs, but the information in my possession does not enable me to distinguish them with any certainty.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons, other than dependants, insured against unemployment who were in receipt of Poor Law relief on 31st December, 1929, or on the nearest available date, showing separately the number on the live register of the Employment Exchanges and the number not on the live register?

The average number of persons, exclusive of dependants, in receipt of domiciliary Poor Law relief in England and Wales during December, 1929, who were unemployed and insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts was 53,535. As it is the policy of boards of guardians in the case of unemployed persons to require registration at an Employment Exchange as one of the conditions of being afforded Poor Law relief, although the precise number not maintaining registration cannot be stated, it is probably very small.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed on the register of the Stockport Employment Exchange on the last available date in January, 1930, 1929, and 1928?

At 27th January, 1930, there were 7,341 persons on the registers of the Stockport Employment Exchange as compared with 4,975 at 28th January, 1929, and 4,121 at 30th January, 1928.

asked the Minister of Labour how long a period of continued unemployment, in the opinion of the Ministry or in the ordinary practice of the trades unions concerned, disqualifies a skilled tradesman from describing himself as such on the live registers of Employment Exchanges?

There is no disqualification of this kind at the Employment Exchanges. The practical question which arises is not whether a skilled tradesman may continue to describe himself as such, but whether and at what point he can be required to accept employment outside his trade or else be disqualified for unemployment benefit. The answer must necessarily be dependent on the circumstances of the individual case, but the general rule to be applied is that laid down in Section 5 (2) (ii) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927. I have no information regarding trade union practice on this point.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the umpire has decided in the case of Mr. C. Newton, of Crewe, that under the terms of the Unemployment Insurance Acts the wife of claimant is regarded as engaged in an occupation ordinarily carried on for profit on the ground that such applicant's wife makes a practice of taking in boarders for odd periods and of making a charge of 4s. 6d. per day for bed, tea, and breakfast, she will consider the advisability of amending the existing regulations so as to provide that dependants benefit shall not be disallowed when the average sum from such source of income is not over 4s. per day?

The conditions for the receipt of dependants benefit are laid down by Statute. By virtue of an amendment made by the Unemployment Insurance Act which has just become law, a claimant's wife would not be disqualified for dependants benefit by the provision of board and accommodation for not more than one lodger as a member of the family. As the matter was dealt with so recently, I cannot undertake to propose any further amendment at present.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in connection with his schemes for the relief of unemployment, any assistance is being given and, if so, what to riparian repair undertakings necessitated by the recent inundations?

It is open to local authorities or other statutory bodies who may be responsible for riparian repairs to make application for assistance towards the cost of such repairs under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the delay which always occurs between the date of the grant and the completion of the acquisition of the land required for road improvement schemes, in many cases as much as two years, steps will be taken to expedite land acquisition in order that works may be commenced?

I am aware of the considerable delay that often occurs in the acquisition of land required for road improvement schemes, though a delay of as much as two years on this account can only arise in very exceptional circumstances. A large proportion of the land is acquired by agreement and the progress of negotiations and the necessary legal formalities are often unavoidably slow. The question of speeding up the procedure in cases where compulsory powers are sought is engaging the attention of the Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received particulars of the dangerous bottle-neck condition at the bridge over the River Calder at Bridge End, Brighouse, Yorkshire; and whether any grant-in-aid to the West Riding County Council has been sanctioned in respect of this bridge?

I have asked to reply. This scheme is included in the five years' programme of road and bridge works submitted by the West Riding County Council, but the plans and detailed estimates have not yet been forwarded. A loan has been sanctioned for the purchase of property, but it is understood that the county council do not propose to put the works in hand until 1932–33.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there has been any alteration in the percentages of unemployment which are required before the Unemployment Grants Committee can contribute to any scheme involving the transference of labour and, if so, what; and whether any such alteration is in contemplation and, if so, of what nature?

No alteration has been made or is contemplated in the policy announced in this House on 4th November, namely, that in areas in which the average level of unemployment amongst men is below 10 per cent., no grant can be recommended by the Unemployment Grants Committee in respect of relief work unless a proportion of transferred labour is to be employed upon the work.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the local authorities in London who have not yet agreed to undertake works for the relief of unemployment and which would at the same time render assistance to the unemployed in the necessitous areas?

It would perhaps be more convenient if I give the names of local authorities in London who have agreed to undertake works for the relief of unemployment involving the employment of a proportion of transferred labour. They are as follow: The Borough Councils of Finsbury, Hackney, Hammersmith, Stoke Newington and Wandsworth, and the London County Council. Such works have also been undertaken by the Lee Conservancy Board, the Metropolitan Water Board, the Port of London Authority and the Thames Conservancy Board.

asked the Minister of Labour the terms of the lease or rental of the Nottingham Employment Exchange; the area covered by the buildings; of what do the buildings consist, namely, percentage of wooden structure and the percentage of other material used in the buildings; what is the area of advertising hoardings surrounding the building, whether the rental of such advertisements is paid to the Department; if so, what is the amount paid; how many persons were signing on at this Exchange at the latest convenient date; are plans yet approved for building a new Exchange; and when is it expected work will be commenced?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Nottingham Employment Exchange is built on a site of which the freehold is owned by the Crown. The area covered by the buildings is 14,420 square feet. About 80 per cent. of the buildings are of wooden construction and 20 per cent. of other materials. 2,607 square feet of space are let for advertising purposes. The rent for the hoardings is £3 Vs. 6d. per month and is paid to my Depart- ment. I am informed by the Minister of Labour that 9,810 people were signing on at the Exchange on 3rd February, 1930. Plans for a new building are being prepared, but it is at present impossible to say when work will begin.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can give an estimated figure of the number of insured persons who were in employment in Great Britain on 30th November, 1928, and 30th November, 1929?

At 25th November, 1929, the estimated number of insured persons aged 16 to 64, in employment in Great Britain was 10,173,000 (provisional figure) as compared with 9,926,900 at 26th November, 1928. In arriving at these estimates allowance has been made for the numbers unemployed and the numbers directly involved in trade disputes and a deduction of 3½ per cent. has been made in respect of sickness and other forms of unrecorded non-employment other than temporary holidays.

asked the Minister of Labour approximately, in percentages, the ratio of males and females engaged in remunerative occupations in any year prior and subsequent to the Great War, preferably in 1911, and 1929, respectively?

The only years before and after the War, for which comparable statistics of all gainfully occupied persons are available, are 1911 and 1921. In 1911, of the total number of such persons in Great Britain, 70.44 per cent. were males and 29.56 per cent. were females. In 1921, 70.55 per cent. were males and 29.45 per cent. were females.

asked the Minister of Labour when the last Report was made as to the spacing accommodation of the 2,904 persons comprising the clerical and subordinate grades now housed at Kew; and whether she will allow three Mem- bers of the House of Commons to examine the accommodation at Kew, with a view to ascertaining whether more economical use can be made of the space without detriment to health and efficiency?

No recent special report on the accommodation at Kew has been called for, but the matter is one which is kept under constant review in connection with the movements of staff and sectional re-allocations of floor space which have to be made from time to time to meet the changing requirements of the work. As regards the second part of the question, I am always ready to make arrangements for hon. Members to visit the office at Kew, but it would not be possible, or fair, for me to delegate my responsibilities to them. If the hon. Member will let me know what point he has in mind, I will gladly have it inquired into.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what agricultural products are imported into this country and sold at prices below their cost of production in their country of origin?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not in a position to furnish the desired information, in view of the fact that precise data are not available as to the cost of production in the countries of origin.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many fruit growers' associations have agreed to use the National Mark for strawberries and what are the localities which have adopted it?

There is not yet any National Mark scheme for strawberries, but a scheme is under consideration with a view to its introduction for the 1930 crop.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the statement published in the monthly publication entitled "The Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture," on 1st June, 1926, to the effect that there was no evidence as to the danger of foot-and-mouth disease infection to livestock from imported meat which was consumed as pork, was made by him officially on behalf of the Ministry?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No official statement was published either in the Journal of the Ministry to which he refers, or, so far as I am aware, elsewhere, to the effect referred to. On the contrary, the findings of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee stow that it is possible for the virus of foot-and-mouth disease to remain active in any carcase imported from the continent so as to constitute a danger of foot-and-mouth disease infection to livestock in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of traders regularly stocking supplies of National Mark beef in the residential districts of South and West Kensington and in the industrial districts of Walthamstow and Battersea?

The number of retail butchers shops, the owners of which have signed a statement that they are regularly stocking supplies of National Mark beef, in the districts referred to by my hon. Friend, is:

South Kensington	…	…	5
West Kensington	…	…	1
Walthamstow	…	…	17
Battersea	…	…	14

asked the Minister of Agriculture the percentage of hotels and restaurants in the West-end of London regularly supplying their customers with National Mark beef?

I would refer my hon. hon. Friend to the reply which the Minister gave on 27th January to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd). Inquiries made last month by officers of the Ministry from the wholesale trade indicated that the percentage of hotels and restaurants in London supplying their customers with British beet did not exceed five. How much of this bore the National Mark, I am unable to say. I am pleased to say, however, that since the inquiry one important hotel company has undertaken to see that National Mark beef is served in its West End hotels and restaurants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the lower minimum standard of wages and longer hours fixed in some areas, he will introduce legislation to secure a national standard for agricultural workers' wages and hours?

I am unable to consider the introduction of such legislation at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a communication from the Federation of Journeyman Butchers pointing out that the embargo against Continental pork has resulted in the closing down of certain bacon factories, thereby depriving men of work through dismissal and short time; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the last part, I can add nothing to the statement which my right hon. Friend has made on several occasions on this subject to the effect that he is satisfied, after careful inquiry, that the embargo is undoubtedly necessary for the protection of livestock in this country from disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that his Department called upon the Glasgow Corporation some time ago to disinfect its abattoir against foot-and-mouth disease and that in the process considerable damage was done to the personal property of the slaughtermen employed in the abattoir; and, if so, will he see to it that the men are compensated for their loss?

My right hon. Friend is aware that a claim has been made for alleged damage to the slaughtermen's personal property. The disinfection of the abattoir was carried out, in accordance with the requirements of the Foot- and-Mouth Disease Order of 1928, by and at the expense of the Glasgow Corporation. Any claim arising out of the disinfection is a matter for the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Corporation of Glasgow are considering an offer by a private company to acquire building sites which at present are being developed for housing schemes; and will he see that before any such proposal is completed the fullest inquiry is made by his Department?

I am aware that the Corporation of Glasgow are considering an offer such as is referred to by my hon. Friend. I understand that the offerers propose to erect working-class houses on the sites in question with assistance from the local authority in terms of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, so that the houses will be for letting and the rents will be determined as provided for in that Act. The consent of the Department of Health for Scotland is required to the transaction, and all the circumstances of the case will be fully considered before such consent is given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the exports from this country of bunker coal in 1913, 1920, and 1929?

The total quantity of coal shipped from the United Kingdom for the use of steamers engaged in the foreign trade, including fishing vessels, amounted to 21,024,000 tons in 1913, to 13,840,000 tons in 1920, and to 16,420,000 tons in 1929. The figures for 1913 and 1920 relate to the British Isles as a whole, while the figure for 1929 relates to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines rescue stations operating in Scotland, giving the names of each station, the rescue equipment provided in each, and the number of trained workers attached to each rescue brigade?

The position at the end of 1929 is shown in the following table. I have recently approved proposals for reorganisation, under which it

Rescue Stations.		Equipment.		No. of trained rescue workers (excluding Instructors).
		Breathing Apparatus	Smoke Helmets and Equalisers.
		Suits.	Sets.
Coatbridge	…	15 ("Proto")	5	159
Larbert	…	12 ("Proto")	2
Bathgate	…	14 ("Proto")	2
Lesmahagow	…	9 ("Proto")	2
Kilmarnock	…	20 ("Proto")	5	93
Auchinleck	…	15 ("Proto")	2
Cowdenbeath	…	30 ("Proto")	9	175
Heriot Watt College	…	23 ("Meco-Briggs")	4	147
Total 8	…	138	31	574

asked the Secretary for Mines how many persons were killed in coal mines underground during 1929, giving the number of those killed at the coal face by falls of roof, haulage roads, and by explosions?

The particulars are as follow:

Number of persons killed below ground at mines under the Coal Mines Act, during 1929.
Cause of Accident.	No. of Deaths.
Falls of Ground:
At the working face	403
On roads	176
Haulage Accidents	220
Explosions of Firedamp or Coal Dust	34
Other Underground Accidents	161
Total	994

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now make a statement as to the reason for the prolonged delay by the authorised undertakers, the Wessex Power Company, in carrying out contracts and obligations for the supply of light and power in various towns and is intended eventually to merge the rescue stations at Larbert, Bathgate, and Lesmahagow, with the rescue station at Coatbridge.villages in North Berkshire; the reason why officials who were dealing with various residents and local authorities on behalf of the authorised undertakers have in many cases left the district, thus causing much delay and extra work; and whether the Electricity Commissioners will take the necessary steps to investigate the situation and report to the Minister of Transport?

The area of supply of the power company has been divided into three main portions for the purpose of the submission of schemes of development to the Electricity Commissioners. A scheme for the first portion has been submitted and approved and is in process of being carried into effect. A scheme for the second portion, comprising North Berkshire and other areas, has been submitted but the Commissioners have asked for certain amendments and extensions which are at present under discussion, and the Commissioners have also asked the company to expedite the preparation and submission of their scheme for the remaining portion of the area. I have no information with regard to the point referred to in the second part of the question, but, as regards the future, the Commissioners believe that now that the Central Board's regional scheme for main line transmission has been published, development should be expedited, and they are keeping in touch with the company in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary the number and percentage of accidents and prosecutions involving riders of motor-bicycles between the ages of 14 and 16; and how this number compares with accidents at other ages?

I regret I am unable to give these figures.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes, by a central guarantee fund or otherwise, to provide support for schemes of development in the underground transport system of London, or by what other means does he intend to ensure financial aid for such projects?

In the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act the Government has already provided a machinery whereby approved schemes of development of such a kind can be assisted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any Government loan or guarantee has been offered in connection with the projected tube railway extension from Finsbury Park northward; and, if so, upon what terms?

An application from the Underground Group for assistance under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act in respect of various schemes, including the scheme mentioned in the question, has been received and is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the existing duty on beer tends to restrict its consumption as well as the demand for barley; and whether, in view of the failure of the Government to produce any policy to assist the growers of barley, he will consider reducing this duty in the forthcoming Budget

This suggestion has been noted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the value of the silver in each of the following coins: sixpence, shilling, two shillings, half-a-crown, and five shillings, according to current prices of silver?

Taking the price of silver at 20 pence an ounce, the approximate value of the silver in the current coinage is as follow:

Coin.				Value of Silver Content.
6d.	…	…	…	1d.
1s.	…	…	…	2d.
2s.	…	…	…	4d.
2s. 6d.	…	…	…	5d.
5s.	…	…	…	9¾d.