asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount of money that has been allowed to the coal-mining industry of Great Britain, and of Northumberland in particular, such to be given in totals and per ton, through the de-rating scheme?

Particulars are not yet available of the extent to which collieries have benefited by relief from local rates under the de-rating scheme. As regards the railway freights rebates scheme, information of the amount which had been credited to the selected coal traffics was supplied in the answer given on 12th March by my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to a question by the right hon. Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer); but inasmuch as this relief is accorded to the person paying the carriage charges, it is not possible to say what proportion has accrued directly to the coal-mining industry.

asked the Secretary of Mines what was the total number of miners employed above and below ground, respectively, in 1913, 1919, and 1929; what was the total quantity of coal produced, and its value at the mine mouth; and what were the average wages paid per miner employed, giving the particulars separately for each coalfield in each of the years 1913, 1919, and 1929?

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of money paid into the Miners' Welfare Fund from the royalty levy of the Act of 1926; and the number of pit-head baths erected out of this fund; the amount used for this purpose; and how many are in course of erection or where plans have been sanctioned?

The total amount paid into the Miners' Welfare Fund from the Royalties Welfare Levy at 31st March, 1930, was £721,000. The Miners' Welfare Committee have supplemented this sum for the provision of baths by adding £409,141 from their other resources, and £72,647 has been earned by way of interest on the outstanding balances. The number of pit-head baths (including two extensions) which have already been completed under the Mining Industry Act, 1926, is 12. These have cost approximately £170,000. Forty-seven other installations (including one extension) are in course of erection, the cost of which will be approximately £713,000. Preliminary plans have been approved for 37 further schemes, estimated to cost approximately £530,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of colliery explosions, the names of the collieries, and the loss of life in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the years 1910 to 1929?

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the fact that British collieries have secured contracts from the Belgian railways for 300,000 tons of coal; and if these contracts were in any way subsidised by increased prices in this country?

I have seen references in the Press to these contracts, but I have no official information of their terms.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount granted in subsidies to the coal industry during the last 10 years?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 5th December last in reply to a similar question by the right hon. Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of towns which have agreed to the running of motor speed-boats; the number of those which have refused; and the number of those which, while objecting, have no power to withhold permission?

I regret that I am not in a position to supply the information required by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any consideration has recently been given by his Department, in consultation with the Irish Free State, to the wages and conditions of the men engaged in the lighthouse service in the Free State area?

The general position of the men engaged in the Irish lighthouse service in the Free State area is, of course, one of the questions included in the negotiations which are in progress with regard to that service, but it is not possible to make any statement at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply complete quarterly average figures of production, prices, imports and exports for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in the motor tyre industry?

As regards imports and exports, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 4th February last, of which I am sending him a copy. I regret that I am not in a position to supply complete figures of production or prices during the periods specified in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade particulars of the retained imports and exports, in quantities and in value, of the outer covers of motor tyres for the years 1926 to 1929, inclusive, excluding those which, prior to 12th April, 1927, were fitted to completed vehicles and chassis; and particulars of the imports and exports, in quantities and values, of the outer covers of motor tyres for the years 1926 to 1929, inclusive, including those which, since 12th April, 1927, were fitted to completed vehicles and chassis?

The following table shows the retained imports into and the domestic exports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during each of the years 1926 to 1929, of outer covers for pneumatic tyres for motor vehicles.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the creation in Germany of a maize import board; whether he is aware that the operations of this board are intended to reduce the consumption of imported feeding stuffs in favour of native rye and potatoes; whether he will consider the effect of this action upon the Anglo-German treaty and the International Convention for the Prohibition of Import Restrictions; and whether he is prepared to take similar action for the protection of British interests against the dumping of subsidised German wheat?

I am informed that a law comes into force in Germany today which gives to an organisation designated by the Government the sole right of disposal in the home market of all maize (including crushed and ground maize) whether imported or grown in Germany. Importers and growers are bound to offer their maize to the organisation, which must pay an adequate price for the maize it takes over, but is not bound to purchase. I gather that the object aimed at is that indicated in the second part of the question. With regard to the third part, the position is that there is nothing in the Anglo-German Treaty of 1924, nor in the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions which precludes the creation of a board with monopoly rights of control over any class of goods so long as the

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply complete quarterly average figures of production and prices for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in the clock and watch industry?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply complete quarterly average figures of production and prices for the years 1924 to 1925, inclusive, in the cinematograph film industry?

I regret that comprehensive information of this kind is not available, but I understand that the price operations of the board cover not only imports but also home production. The proposal to set up a board for the purchase of grain in this country is, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, at present being examined by the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now furnish the statistics of production and employment in the leather glove and fabric glove industries for the third and fourth quarters of 1929 on lines similar to those contained in the table which he furnished on 14th November, 1929?

The following statement is compiled from information supplied to the Board of Trade by the Joint Industrial Council for the glove-making industry:of British blank cinematograph film in both those years was

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total declared value of merchandise exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and consigned to Germany and the United States, for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

As recorded in the issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for January last, the total declared value of merchandise exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered as consigned to Germany and the United States of America, respectively, during the year 1929 was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply complete quarterly average figures of production, prices, and imports and exports for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in respect of that part of the packing and wrapping paper industry, the products of which are, on importation, liable to duty?

As regards imports and exports, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 4th February last, of which I am sending him a copy. As stated in reply to previous questions, I am not in a position to supply complete figures of production during the period specified, and as regards prices I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the information which the hon. Member desires.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply complete figures of production and prices for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in respect of that part of the lace industry the products of which are, on importation, liable to duty?

As has been explained in answer to previous questions, the Board of Trade are not in possession of complete figures of production in the lace industry, and I regret that no information regarding prices is available.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if she will supply complete quarterly average figures of wages, employment, and unemployment for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in the clock and watch industry;(2) complete quarterly average figures of wages, employment, and unemployment for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in the motor-tyre industry;(3) complete quarterly average figures of wages, employment, and unemployment for the years 1924 and 1925, inclusive, in the cinematograph film industry;(4) complete half-yearly average figures of wages, employment, and unemployment for the years 1927 to 1929, inclusive, in respect of that part of the button industry the products of which are, on importation, liable to duty?

asked the Minister of Labour if she will supply complete average figures of wages, employment and unemployment for the years 1920 to 1929, inclusive, in respect of those parts of the fine chemical, scientific glassware, mathematical instrument, and magnetic industries, the products of which are, on importation, liable to duty?

I regret that separate statistics are not available for the industries or parts of industries covered by these questions?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will abolish or decrease the deposit required from subscribers for the telephone service?

Deposits are required partly as security against loss and partly to help in financing the service during the period of credit, and I regret that I am unable at present to recommend their abolition or reduction.

asked the Postmaster-General the total estimated capital expenditure involved in his proposal to provide telephone services with Canada, Australia, South Africa, India and the Argentine, and the dates by which he can guarantee the services will be in operation?

The capital expenditure involved is about £125,000, exclusive of land lines, but this depends on an agreement with the distant countries concerned as to the hours per day they wish the service to be open and the number of alternative wave lengths which they are prepared to use. The dates of opening similarly depend on the negotiations which are proceeding with the telephone administrations concerned. In regard to India and South Africa, I think it desirable to add that it is doubtful whether those countries will be in a position to co-operate in opening a service for some time to come.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Dominions have been consulted as to whether they would prefer that the inter-Imperial telephone service should be conducted by the Post Office or the Imperial Communications Company; and, if so, what replies have been received?

No, Sir. The type of organisation required in this country is a matter for the decision of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any loss will occur to the State by his refusal to accept the guarantee offer of Imperial International Communications, Limited, to provide an overseas wireless telephone service for this country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General what case was submitted to the independent wireless telephony experts, and in what terms; what was their answer; and will he publish, as a White Paper, the evidence taken before the special committee?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will publish the evidence on which he decided his inter-Imperial wireless telephone policy?

I have already published as a White Paper the questions addressed to the experts and their replies. As to publishing further evidence before the Cabinet Committee, I would refer the hon. Members to the statements made in the House in the course of Debate last week by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and myself.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to maintain the telephone call office at Holton-le-Moor without requiring a guarantee?

The telephone call office at Holton-le-Moor will be maintained without guarantee as from 1st July, 1929.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state from the observations made during the six months ended to the last convenient date if there has been any improvement as regards quickness and accuracy of connection in respect to the automatic telephone exchanges in the London area; and can he give the results?

The observations taken during the six months from August to January last indicated a general improvement, despite temporary disturbances inevitably created by the opening of new automatic exchanges—eight in number—during that period They showed a decrease in the average time elapsing between the lifting of the receiver and the ringing of the called subscriber's bell and in that taken by the operator to answer calls when her assistance was sought. They showed also an increase in the percentage of calls satisfactorily completed at the first attempt.

asked the Postmaster-General how many automatic stamp machine there are in Hull; and whether it is proposed to increase the number?

Automatic stamp machines have been installed by the Department at five post offices in Hull, and the number will be increased in the near future.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to state which of the recom- mendations of the Commission of Inquiry to the United States to investigate the organisation and method of working of the American telegraphic system are to be adopted and put into operation?

In conformity with the recommendation of the Commission, teleprinter apparatus is being installed as rapidly as it can be obtained from the manufacturers, and a number of changes are being introduced in the organisation and layout of instrument rooms. Some of the recommendations of the Commission involving important changes of organisation and methods are under discussion with the Post Office staff associations whose interests are affected, and others are the subject of practical experiment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any post offices have now been established in any of the London railway termini?

There are post offices at Euston, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Victoria. and Waterloo Stations.

asked the Postmaster-General what advantages this country gains in return for agreeing to the contract to carry mails between Great Britain and South Africa being concluded between the Union Castle Steamship Company and the Government of the Union of South Africa without our being even a party to such contract?

Under the present arrangement, by which the contract with the Union Castle Steamship Company is made by His Majesty's Government in South Africa, payment is made for the carriage of mails from this country under ordinary Postal Union conditions. No more favourable terms would result from direct participation by this country in the contract, and there is no reason for modifying an arrangement which has been in force for more than 50 years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that it will no longer be possible to use King Edward VII postage stamps after 1st April, the postal authorities will refund to the possessors of such stamps either their original cost or will exchange them for other stamps which are valid?

Adhesive or embossed stamps of King Edward VII's reign will be exchanged for current stamps of equivalent value if application is made to the Cashier's Branch, Accountant-General's Department, General Post Office (North), London, E.C.1; to the Accountant, Edinburgh, or to the Postmaster Surveyor, Belfast, on or before 30th September, 1930.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now make any statement as to the result of the consideration of the Report of the Channel Tunnel Committee by the Committee of Imperial Defence?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 20th March in reply to questions on this subject, to which at present I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the conditions under which the Warrington local War Pensions Committee meet and of the existing lack of conveniences for pensioners and applicants who have to interview the committee; whether he has received any resolution of protest from the local committee respecting this matter; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the grievance?

Complaint has been received on the matter referred to and active inquiries are in progress with a view to securing more convenient accommodation for the committee.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state, with the object of clearing up misconceptions, whether the Government have abandoned the seven years' limit without reservation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement which I made on 18th November last, outlining the new arrangements for dealing with fresh claims for disablement by Great War service, in which I stated without reservation that "these arrangements will effectively secure that no bar is raised to the making or consideration of a claim."

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is proposed to build a new school, junior and infants, at Llandebie, an infants' school at Penygroes, and a school, junior and infants, at Penybank, in the county of Carmarthen?

The Carmarthen-shire local education authority have informed me that they propose to provide new schools at the places named, but I have not been able to give a decision pending the authority's submission of their three-year programme. I am also awaiting the authority's decision as to the continuance of the practice of differential rating, under which three-fourths of the gross cost of the loan charges on these schools would he borne by the parish of Llandebie.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which has recently been expressed by representatives of various denominations in Scotland with the present state of the law regarding the proclamation of banns for marriages, which is only valid at present when it is carried through in a parish church of the Church of Scotland and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to enable the certificate of a registrar for marriages to be accepted as evidence of no impediment to a proposed marriage in England or Scotland when one of the contracting parties is domiciled on either side of the Border?

I have not received any recent representations on the subject, but I am aware of the difficulty to which I understand my hon. Friend refers, namely, that a certificate of notice of marriage cannot be obtained from a registrar in Scotland unless bath parties are resident in Scotland. This question amongst others has been noted for consideration when an opportunity for amendment of the registration law presents itself.

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements have been made to exclude Scottish quarry owners, operating quarries where silicosis is unknown, from the provisions of the silicosis order?

Certain representations have been received but my right hon. Friend is not satisfied on the evidence at present before him that there is any sandstone quarry to which the scheme applies, whether in Scotland or elsewhere, in which there is no risk of silicosis. The medical inquiry into silicosis among sandstone workers, which was arranged for by the Home Office and Mines Department in 1028, and which extended to Scotland, disclosed cases of silicosis in every area in which examinations were made and showed that quarrying was among the dangerous occupations. Fuller information will be obtained from the medical examinations which are now being made at the quarries by the medical board set up under the scheme, and my right hon. Friend's intention is, when these are completed, to review the position. I may add that the sandstones at the Scottish as at other quarries are highly siliceous, and do not, I am advised, differ geologically from sandstones worked in other parts of the country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost, during the last 12 months, to State funds of the subsidies to airway companies?

The cost of civil aviation subsidies in respect of air transport services in the year just ended was £341,500.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the annual cost of a bombing squadron in Egypt and in Iraq, respectively?

The annual cost of squadrons in Egypt and Iraq varies considerably with their location, the type of aircraft with which they are equipped and the character and extent of the duties on which they are employed. Any very precise figure is impossible but as a rough estimate based on the maintenance cost of squadrons equipped with a standard type of single-engine bombing aircraft, the annual cost might be stated as about £120,000 in Iraq and £110,000 in Egypt.

asked the Minister of Labour what training centres have been established in Newcastle-on-Tyne for unemployed insured juveniles; and, in view of the provisions in the new Unemployment Insurance Act, what steps are being taken to develop training schemes in this area?

There are two junior instruction centres at Newcastle-on-Tyne, one for boys and one for girls, open to all unemployed juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18. My right hon. Friend is in negotiation with the local education authority on the question of the development and improvement of these centres.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed in the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich on a convenient date in the first week of June last; and the number so registered as unemployed on the last convenient date this month?

The number of persons resident in the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich on the registers of Employment Exchanges at 17th March, 1930, was 3,266, as compared with 2,104 at 3rd June, 1929.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of allowed and disallowed claims, male and female, respectively, at each of the Employment Exchanges in the South Wales coalfield, in the months of December, January and February last?

Separate statistics are not available in respect of claims to benefit which have been allowed, but I will send my hon. Friend a table showing the numbers of fresh and renewal claims to benefit made, claims disallowed by insurance officers, and claims recommended for disallowance by courts of referees on review after payment of 78 days' benefit at each Employment Exchange in the South Wales coalfield.

asked the Minister of Transport the rate of wages being paid in the county of Cornwall, and the number of hours worked on road and other schemes for which grants have been made from the Road Fund and the Unemployment Grants Committee; and, in view of the fact that these rates are insufficient for married men transferred from distressed areas, will he call upon the authority concerned to pay a higher rate?

I have been asked to reply. I have no record of the actual wages paid or hours worked, but it is one of the conditions of grant, wherever the work is let out to contract, that the Fair Wages Clause shall be applied. Where the work is done by direct labour, the rate of wages is governed by the authority's rate to its own workmen on similar classes of work, or the recognised district rate if that is lower.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any grants have been made under Part II of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, to harbour and dock authorities carrying on their undertakings under statutory powers otherwise than for profit?

Under Part II of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, the Unemployment Grants Committee since 1st June, 1929, have approved for grant 24 schemes of harbour and dock works estimated to cost £3,601,692.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will supply the complete quarterly average figures of wages, for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, of workers engaged in the manufacture of musical instruments?

In connection with the special inquiries into earnings, made by the Ministry of Labour in respect of the weeks ended 18th October, 1924, and 27th October, 1928, information was secured relating to a large part of this industry. The particulars obtained in regard to the earnings of workpeople engaged in the manufacture of pianos, organs, and other musical instruments (excluding metal instruments) are set out in an article which appeared on page 436 of the December, 1929, issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I regret that comparable figures for other years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War the maximum number of students which can be trained at each course held at the Royal Army Medical College; the number actually taught at each course for the last three years for which statistics are available and the total cost of such courses; and if the vaccine department is working to full capacity?

The maximum number of students which can be trained at any one time at the Royal Army Medical College is 68 officers and 24 other ranks. The subjoined Table shows the numbers who attended each course during the period 1927–29. The estimated total cost of the college, including the vaccine department, as shown in Army Estimates, is:

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men serving in the Army who profess the following religious convictions: Anglican, Nonconformist, Jewish, Roman Catholic, and others; the number of chaplains of such denominations; and the total payments made for their services?

The religious denominations of the warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men on the regimental strength of the British Army, including the Indian establishment, but excluding Colonial corps and Indian Army troops, on 1st October, 1929, as shown on page 74 of the General Annual Report on the British Army, for the year ending 30th September, 1929, were:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether recruits are allowed to state on enlistment that they belong to no denomination; whether, if such is not the case, he will take steps to give such recruits liberty to profess no religion or no religious denomination, instead of automatically classing them as members of the Church of England; and whether he will extend the same liberty to men already serving?

Every recruit on enlistment is required to declare his religious denomination, and no recruit is automatically classified as a member of the Church of England. If a recruit declares he is an atheist, he would be entered as such and would be allowed, instead of taking the oath of allegiance, to make affirmation thereof. As regards the last part of the question, the Regulations lay down the procedure for a soldier who wishes to change his religious denomination.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are other laboratories in addition to Porton where experiments on living animals are con- ducted; and, if so, will he give the number and kind of animals for each place that have been used in each of the last 10 years, together with the numbers that have been killed?

The only laboratory other than that at the experimental station, Porton, where experiments on living animals are conducted in connection with chemical warfare is the Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge. The following table shows the number and kind of animals used for such experiments during the years 1927–1930. I regret that records prior to 1927 are not available:The numbers and kinds of animals used and killed in connection with chemical warfare experiments at the Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, during the years 1927–30 are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the guns which have been placed at Wellington Barracks; and whether, in the interests of peace and the amenities of St. James's Park, he will have them removed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the possibility of granting railway warrants to families of soldiers married on the strength who are stationed in places where no military hospital exists, and at some distance from large civil hospitals, in order that the families of these men may be enabled to attend at such hospitals and obtain treatment such as they would receive free of charge were their husbands fortunate enough to he stationed in the vicinity of a military hospital?

Travelling expenses of families of soldiers married on the strength attending or admitted to civil hospitals away from their stations are in ordinary circumstances not allowed. In cases, however, where admission to hospital is necessary and where consider able extra or unusual travelling expenses would fall on the soldier, the General Officer Commanding may make a special grant in aid.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reply he has now made concerning the proposed pension scheme for Royal Arsenal workmen; and whether any financial provision has been made for such a scheme in the new financial year?

A reply has been sent to the men's representatives informing them that, as the result of an actuarial examination of the scheme, it has unfortunately been found that the cost to public funds resulting from the scheme would be prohibitive. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. But as stated by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary in the Debate on Army Estimates, the scheme will be considered again in the light of the criticisms which have been made on it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the allowances made to officers and soldiers serving in the Sudan are to be reduced; and, if so, upon what grounds?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave on 25th March to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number and percentage of recruits rejected through failure to pass the educational test, and the standard of that test?

In the Foot Guards and Infantry the educational standard required of recruits is that they should be able to read and write. In other Corps it varies with the requirements of the Corps. I regret that no information is available in the War Office to show the number of applicants for enlistment who failed to pass the educational test.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can now state the Government's decision in connection with short time at Woolwich Arsenal and the abolition of piece work at the Government establishment at Enfield?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can make any statement respecting the negotiations which have taken place between himself and the representatives of the workmen in regard to the proposal to institute short time in the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich; and whether he regards this proposed reduction of working hours as a temporary measure?

At the Ordnance Factories, Woolwich, a short working week of 43⅓ hours in place of the present 47 hour week will be introduced from Monday, 7th April, the reduction being effected by suspension of work on Saturday mornings. At the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, piece work will be suspended with effect from the same date. As I have already intimated during the discussion with representatives of the workpeople, I hope that the need for these arrangements may prove to be of temporary duration.

asked the Minister of Health the cost to the State of the rebate of rates on agricultural land since the year 1896?

The Government grants paid to local authorities in England and Wales since the year 1896 in respect of the partial exemption from rating of agricultural land under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896 and 1923, and the total exemption from rating of agricultural land and agricultural buildings under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1929, and Section 112 (2) of the Local Government Act, 1929, amount approximately to £70,335,000. Relatively small sums still remain to be paid in respect of the year 1929–30 under the Acts of 1923 and 1929.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the closing of the flour mills at South Luffenham (County Rutland) and Huntingdon; and how many other power-driven flour mills have been closed during the last 12 months under rationalisation schemes or otherwise?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information as to the closing of the flour mills at South Luffenham and Huntingdon. According to information given by the National Association of British and Irish Millers, seven flour mills and the flour-milling portion of 12 mixed businesses have been closed down under the rationalisation scheme for the flour-milling industry. The Association add that some of these mills would have been closed down through economic reasons even if the rationalisation scheme had not been in existence. I understand that the scheme has been in operation since the beginning of September, 1929. I am unable to say how many mills have been closed during the last 12 months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the cost to State funds of the subsidy on British-grown sugar beet?

The total amount of subsidy paid since the date of the passing of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, to 25th March, 1930, is £16,168,079 18s. 8d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any figures as to the total amount of milk consumed in this country in quantity and cost; and the average amount per head?

It was estimated in connection with the last Census of Production that the consumption of milk in liquid form in Great Britain was about 875,000,000 gallons in 1924–25, equivalent to a per head consumption of 20 gallons. The cost to the consumer of this amount of milk, based on the average of the monthly retail prices published by the Ministry of Labour for 1929, would be about £91,000,000 with a per head cost of 41s. 8d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of horses which have been exported from this country during the last 12 months; the ports from which they have been exported; the uses for which they have been intended; and the number of refusals to export which have been recorded by his inspectors?

During the 12 months ended 28th February, 1930, the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available, 9,965 horses have been exported from Great Britain to the Continent. The ports from which they were shipped are Folkestone, Goole, Harwich, Hull, Leith, London and Southampton. According to information furnished to the Ministry's inspectors at the time of shipment, 4,719 of these were intended for immediate slaughter on arrival abroad. The remainder include horses exported for use as army remounts, hunters, polo ponies and for ordinary working purposes. During the same period, 1,564 horses presented for shipment were rejected by the Ministry's inspectors.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the practice of alien sailors of entering this country by means of irregular documents; and what steps he is taking to tighten up the Regulations?

No, Sir; my right hon. Friend knows of no such practice, and has seen no reason to take special steps in this matter. If the hon. Member has some specific case before him, perhaps he will let my right hon. Friend have details.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the Isle of Man Government a Bill to amend the law as to gaming and betting; whether he has given consideration to the Clause which permits of tampering with the telephone to discover people who are suspected of betting, and to the Clause which prohibits the sale of newspapers containing advertisements on gaming; and what action he proposes to take?

I am aware that Tynwald have under consideration a Bill to amend the law on gaming and betting, but the Bill has not been submitted for Royal Assent.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are any English members of the health organisation of the League of Nations; whether the publications of the health organisation are submitted to the representatives of each country represented on the health organisation; and what steps are taken by the Government of a country to bring to the notice of the health organisation any objections they may have to statements in the publications of the health organisation?

The "Health Organisation" of the League of Nations includes the Health Committee, of which a medical officer of my Department is a member, and the Health Section of the Secretariat. The latter includes certain British members, but they are not appointed as representatives of this country. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, it would be open to the Government concerned to communicate with the Secretary-General Of the League in the customary manner if in its opinion the circumstances required this course to be taken.

asked the Minister of Health in how many Poor Law institutions the authorities still compel the casual poor to break stones; and is it proposed to abolish this work in Poor Law institutions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Oxford University (Sir C. Oman) on 6th March.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has under consideration the question of requiring a regulation that bread should be sold by a reference to its dry matter content; and, if so, whether any decision has been arrived at on the subject?

No, Sir, I have no power to make such a regulation.