asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the Port Facilities Committee of the Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee has specifically recommended the adoption of a scheme for the improvement of the channel of the Lune between Glasson Dock and Lancaster and the reclamation of land in the vicinity, of which one of the chief beneficiaries will be the Duchy of Lancaster; and whether, in view of the fact that any such work, if carried out, will stimulate employment, the Duchy is prepared to contribute to the scheme, since local effort is unable to undertake the cost single-handed?

I understand that whilst the Port Facilities Committee of the Shipowners Parliamentary Committee considered that the scheme, to which the hon. Member refers, would be useful in reducing unemployment, they did not consider that there was sufficient probability of the necessary increase in the revenue to cover either interest or sinking fund charges. The Duchy of Lancaster is not an adjoining landowner, and it is not clear that it will benefit by the proposed reclamation. Unless it is established that it would so benefit, the Duchy has no power to contribute to the scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Northampton boot and shoe manufacturers have intimated to him their acceptance of the verbal suggestion, which he recently made to a deputation from Northampton, that the boot and shoe industry should embark upon a scheme of rationalisation?

At the meeting to which the hon. Member refers the practicability of rationalisation in the boot and shoe industry was discussed, but I have no information at present as to schemes that may be under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with entitlement to benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, she has issued any instructions, and, if so, what, to insurance officers to guide them in their decisions on claims submitted to them?

I have no authority to issue instructions to the insurance officers for this purpose. In arriving at their decisions these officers must be guided by the statutory provisions as interpreted by the decisions of the Umpire.

asked the Minister of Transport the value of the work on roads sanctioned by his Department for Carmarthenshire since last July; and the number of men now employed on these works?

Grants from the Road Fund have been made in the case of 16 road schemes, the total expenditure of which is estimated at £31,150. In addition I have approved in principle for grants from the Road Fund, under the Trunk Road Programme, schemes estimated to cost £22,700, and I am now awaiting details. I have no information as to the number of men at present employed.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what schemes for the reduction of unemployment in the Medway area have been submitted by the Borough Councils of Chatham and Gillingham and by the City Council of Rochester since June, 1929?

Since 1st June, 1929, no schemes for the relief of unemployment have been submitted by the Borough Council of Gillingham or the City Council of Rochester. Three schemes for the relief of unemployment, estimated to cost £6,000, have been submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee by the Chatham Borough Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated site value of the various barracks in the London district; how many are the property of the War Department, or of the Woods and Forests, or the Office of Works, or private individuals or companies; what is the annual sum expended on their maintenance; and how much would have to be spent to put each in such a condition as to carry out the recommendations that have been made for the past 25 years in order to bring the officers' and men's quarters up to date?

As regards the first part of the question, it would not be in the public interest to publish this information, especially having regard to the deliberations of the Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Howard Frank. The annexed table gives the information asked for in the second part of the question. As regards the third part, the average annual sum spent on the maintenance of these properties is approximately £47,000. As regards the last part, I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of civilian employés engaged in the service of the War Department at Feltham in January, 1929, and 1930, respectively?

The numbers of civilian employés engaged in the service of the War Department at Feltham in January, 1929, and January, 1930, were approximately 390 and 380 respectively. These figures include some 20 employed in the War Department Constabulary and by the Chief Inspector of Mechanical Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the objections recently expressed by the men employed at the Royal Arsenal and Royal Dockyards, Woolwich, and other Government factories to the scheme recently posted in relation to the annual week's holiday, and particularly that all leave is to be taken in a particular week in the year; whether he is aware that when concessions were granted in 1929 a satisfactory arrangement was made which permitted holidays to be taken at times convenient to the men concerned; and whether he can reconsider the present scheme so as to meet the greater convenience of the men concerned?

I am aware that objections have been raised to the proposal that in the manufacturing establishments at Woolwich and elsewhere the annual week's leave shall be taken, so far as the requirements of the factory permit, in one particular week during which the establishment will be closed. As regards the year 1929, the time available after the grant of the concession did not permit of similar arrangements being made. Representations from certain quarters have already been fully considered, and I can hold out little hope of any modification of the decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what year State trading in zinc concentrates commenced; what has been the total expenditure by the British Treasury up to date; what has been the loss incurred in 1928 and the total loss up to the present time; and how long it is proposed that the present arrangements shall continue?

The existing contract for the purchase of zinc concentrates was entered into in the year 1918. The total gross expenditure recorded to date in connection therewith is £15,718,109. The loss on trading incurred in 1928 was £1,133,388 and the total loss at 31st March, 1929, as shown in the latest completed accounts was £5,800,688. The contract expires on 30th June, 1930, and it is expected that the balance of stocks then remaining will be disposed of by 30th June, 1931.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is able to make a statement on the investigations of the experts appointed to examine Dr. Voronoff's experiment with reference to the improvement of breeds, and have any definite conclusions been arrived at?

A report on Dr. Voronoff's experiments by a delegation appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland was published by His Majesty's Stationery Office in January, 1928, and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. The report indicated that the claims made in respect of these experiments could not then be regarded as established, and the results of subsequent investigations have not been favourable to those claims. Experiments are still proceeding in various parts of the world.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of oats exported from Great Britain for each of the last 10 years?

Separate figures relating to exports of individual classes of goods from Great Britain alone are not compiled. The exports of oats from Great Britain and Ireland in certain years prior to 1923, and from Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1924, and subsequent years, are shown in the table given below. The figure for 1923 relates to the exports from the former area prior to 1st April, 1923, and exports from the latter from that date to the end of the year. It should be added that, in the later series (1927 excepted), the exports to the Irish Free State have exceeded those to all other destinations, and, further, that imports of oats from the Irish Free State have largely exceeded exports to that country.

asked the Minister for Agriculture the quantity of oats grown in Great Britain for each of the last 10 years?

The total production of oats in Great Britain for the years 1920–29 was as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now in a position to state what decision has been come to in regard to the Royal Veterinary College?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the charge against Mr. Connelly, 89, Bedford Street, Glasgow, and now a prisoner in Duke Street prison; how long he has been in prison; and how long he will be kept without any charge against him?

Peter Connelly was incarcerated as a civil prisoner in Duke Street prison on 17th December, 1929, for failure to implement a decree of the Glasgow Sheriff Court. He was liberated at the instance of the incarcerating creditor on I5th February, 1930.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the agricultural loans arranged by the British Military Palestine Administration were stopped, and for what reason; whether the minutes of the Haycroft Commission of Inquiry of 1921 are available; and, if so, whether the question of the continuation of the loans was discussed?

These loans were continued under the Civil Administration until 1923, when they were stopped on purely financial grounds. There is no record in the Colonial Office of the evidence given before the Haycroft Commission, and I am not, therefore, in a position to reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information regarding the proposed sale of 9,000 dunans of land in a single block in Palestine for the purpose of establishing a colony of distressed Armenians now in French Syria; whether such a sale is under the control of the Palestine Government; whether the scheme is supported by the League of Nations Commission dealing with refugees and minorities; and whether the establishment of such a colony in Palestine is considered to be consistent with the articles of the mandate for Palestine?

My Noble Friend has no information with regard to any such proposed sale, and, in the absence of particulars, it would be difficult to state to what extent the sale would be under the control of the Palestine Government, or to give any reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether an annual contribution is made by the Government of India to the Women's Medical Service for India; and, if so, the amount of this grant and the manner in which it is administered?

An annual grant of Rs.3,70,000 is made by the Government of India to the National Association for Supplying Medical Aid to the Women of India, towards the cost of the Women's Medical Service. The grant is administered by the council of the association.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the unanimous resolution passed by the Indian Legislative Assembly with regard to the proposals of the Government of Ceylon to make the possession of a certificate of permanent settlement and renunciation of the protection of the Government of India by Indian emigrants essential conditions for eligibility to vote; and whether any steps are being taken following on that resolution?

The resolution has been communicated to me together with the views of the Government of India and will be considered by His Majesty's Government before a decision is reached.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken by the Government of India to carry out the recommendation of the Indian Railway Committee of 1920 with a view to the establishment of a new department to be responsible for all types of transport and communications in British India?

The Railway Board was reorganised generally on the lines recommended in the Acworth Committee's Report, but the Committee's recommendation for the establishment of a new department of communications was not adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has received information to the effect that certain Sikh peasants, with elephants and horses, marched to Lahore and caused disturbance to the Indian National Congress last December?

There was, I believe, a Sikh procession at Lahore on 29th December. I have no information that it caused disturbance at the Indian National Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government intend to take steps to ensure that complaints and petitions from minorities, whose rights were safeguarded under the Versailles and other treaties, are given proper consideration, and whether His Majesty's Government is satisfied with the present procedure; whether he is aware that petitions from the Ukrainian minority in Poland were addressed to the League of Nations on 4th December, 1928, and 15th January, 1929, and acknowledged by the Secretary-General; and what is the present state of affairs concerning these petitions?

I have no reason to believe that complaints and petitions from minorities are not given full and proper consideration by the League of Nations. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, the procedure with regard to the treatment of minorities petitions was modified as recently as last year, and all the Governments represented at the Assembly last September agreed to give the revised procedure a trial. I have hitherto received no information regarding the two petitions mentioned in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government are now prepared to carry out strictly the obligation of this country under Article 8 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, under which the members of the League undertook to interchange full and frank information as to the scale of their armaments, their military, naval, and air programmes, and the condition of such of their industries as are adaptable to warlike purposes?

His Majesty's Government have nothing to conceal and full information concerning the scale of their armaments and their expenditure thereon is obtainable from official publications and from the Armaments Yearbook, published by the League. His Majesty's Government do not yet officially exchange information with other members of the League because, as I informed the hon. Member on 12th February in reply to a previous question, the methods and scope of such exchange are still under consideration in connection with the work of the League of Nations Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the nations to the Tariff Truce Conference have been given full powers to negotiate and sign a convention; and how many only have powers to take part in the discussion?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press as to the number of delegates to this Conference who have been furnished with full powers. It is reported in the Press that the delegates of Austria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Japan and Spain have received full powers. Full powers have also been issued to the United Kingdom delegates.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as a result of revelations recently made before the League of Nations Advisory Committee on Opium, he is taking any steps to secure co-ordinated legislation and closer co-operation between the different countries concerned in the illicit manufacture and distribution of dangerous drugs?

The Home Office has for a long time past done everything in its power to promote co-operation in the enforcement of the international conventions relating to dangerous drugs and in the suppression of the illicit traffic. As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the League's Advisory Committee, on which His Majesty's Government is represented, has given constant attention to this question, and as a result of the recommendations which they have drawn up, very great progress in the direction of co-ordinated action and closer cooperation has been made. The discoveries referred to in the question were, in fact, made as a result of the co-operation between the authorities of several countries. I understand that the Advisory Committee, in the report which it has submitted to the Council of the League on the proceedings at its recent meeting, has made further recommendations on the subject, and these will receive the careful and sympathetic consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Home Secretary the number of reports made against officers at Leeds prison for alleged disciplinary offences for the six months ended 30th June, 1929, and for the corresponding period ended 31st December, 1929?

The figures are 26 for the first six months and 43 for the second.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the name of the manufacturer and the horse-power of taximeter-cabs appears on the licence issued by the London County Council, and that the driver who receives his licence from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police is restricted to driving any particular make of taximeter-cab, under these circumstances, he will consider taking steps to provide an annual list of taximeter-cabs of foreign and British manufacture, and to undertake that all drivers shall be qualified to drive British-manufactured cabs?

The compilation of a list of the kind suggested would involve a good deal of work, and would serve no useful purpose so far as the police are concerned. Drivers are at present only tested in relation to the types of cab which they actually intend to drive. I am advised that it is not desirable to impose the condition proposed.

asked the Home Secretary what was the average number of hours per day spent in the cells by convicts at His Majesty's convict prisons at Parkhurst and Dartmoor during 1929 on Sundays, Saturdays, and normal working days, respectively?

Excluding the hours of the night between 8.30 p.m. and 6.30 a.m. the average hours spent in cells are:At Parkhurst:

asked the Home Secretary, seeing that on foggy days convict at His Majesty's convict prison, Parkhurst, are not taken to work in association in the workshops, but spend the day in their cells, if he will say on how many days during the past four months have these conditions prevailed?

It is not the case that on foggy days convicts at Parkhurst Prison are not taken to work in the associated workshops. On such days the workshop parties work as usual, while the parties normally employed outside the walls work in association in the halls.

asked the Home Secretary how many convicts at His Majesty's prison, Parkhurst, have been punished by whipping, solitary confinement, and dietary punishments, respectively; and how many of these were punished for offences of violence or for attempts to escape?

During the calendar year 1929, there were at Parkhurst Prison two corporal punishments, 95 dietary punishments, and 109 punishments by close confinement. Of these 50 were awarded for offences of violence and four for attempts to escape.

asked the Home Secretary whether an educational adviser has been appointed to His Majesty's Convict Prison, Parkhurst; and, if so, what are the educational qualifications of the gentleman appointed?

An educational adviser has been appointed at this prison. The gentleman appointed has no diplomas as a teacher, but I am satisfied that he is fully qualified for the post and has taken a keen and valuable interest in the work.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of William Sidebotham, charged at the Chester Assizes on the charge of murder, and who was ordered to be detained as a criminal lunatic on the ground that he was unfit to plead; if he is aware that the coroner's jury have returned a verdict of accidental death; and what action he intends to take?

I am aware of the facts. An order for Sidebotham's removal to Broadmoor Asylum has been made. I am not sure that any further action is required at present, but I am looking into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether there have been any cases of foreign seamen coming into this country at Tyneside ports and leaving their ships to establish themselves on land; what steps are taken in such cases to repatriate these men; whether he has received any complaints with regard to their presence and trading activities; and whether in all cases local authorities use their utmost efforts to prevent settlement in this country of non-British seamen?

Cases occur from time to time of alien seamen who leave their ships without the permission of the immigration officer. When found, such men are liable to prosecution and repatriation and in proper cases steps are taken to this end. I have received some complaints on this subject, but, after inquiry, I am satisfied that both my Department and the police use their utmost efforts to enforce the provisions of the Aliens Order.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Arabs living on Tyneside, and the number of these men who are British subjects?

I am informed that there are 388 Arabs registered as aliens in the various police districts on Tyneside. I have no information in regard to persons of Arab descent who are British subjects.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the school at Woodnesborough, Kent, has been closed down and that children of all ages have two miles or over to go to Sandwich Council School, and that the latter school is now so crowded that there are not sufficient forms in some of the class rooms for the pupils in some of the classes; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The Woodnesborough school was closed nearly three years ago, and I should not be able to approve any proposal to re-open it as a public elementary school unless its premises were much improved. I am informed that the present attendance at the Sandwich school is causing some inconvenience and that the local education authority are already considering a proposal for providing new accommodation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Income Tax collectors have been approaching taxpayers personally instead of following the usual methods of sending in notices; and whether he will have this discontinued?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I will have inquiry made, if the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case in which a personal call for payment has preceded issue of a demand note.

asked the Prime Minister how many committees of inquiry have been set up since the present Government assumed office and the total estimated cost of the inquiries?

I would refer the hon. Member to the information furnished by the Prime Minister in his answers given on 15th and 21st November last. Since the latter date the appointment of nine further committees has been announced. No reliable estimate of total cost can be given, since it is not possible to forecast the respective dates on which the various bodies will conclude their deliberations.

asked the Attorney-General if the Advisory Committee for Carmarthenshire has been completed; and, if so, will he give the names of those serving thereon?

The members of the Carmarthen County Advisory Committee in addition to the Lord Lieutenant are:Lieut.-Colonel Sir Francis. Dudley Williams-Drummond, K.B.E., J.P., Hafodneddyn, Llandilo, South Wales.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether pension will be continued beyond the age of 21 to those orphans who become motherless before the age of 21 and who are totally and permanently incapable of earning a living but who are receiving assistance from the Poor Law authorities?

Continuance of pension will be allowed in the case of young persons who may be in receipt of outdoor relief, but pension will not be continued to an orphan for whom maintenance is provided in an institution.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inform the House if there is any difference in the treatment of the widow of an ex-Service man who at the date of death was receiving an allowance under the scheme agreed to by the Government in connection with the over seven years' cases and the widow of an ex-Service man who was pensioned within seven years; whether such widows are granted the same facilities of claim and appeal; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any steps to bring the two cases into line?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 2nd December last to the hon. and gallant Member for the Fairfield Division of Liverpool (Major Cohen), of which I am sending him a copy.