asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire, through the Council of the League of Nations, whether it is the intention of the permanent Mandates Commission to direct any special inquiry to be made into the condition of affairs in Western Samoa, in view of the continued difficulties being experienced there?

I think that the Permanent Mandates Commission can safely be trusted to suggest any action in this matter which it may consider desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what conventions are referred to in line 13 of Section 17 of his Report on the 58th Session of the Council of the League of Nations; and whether these have now been ratified?

The conventions referred to in Section 17 of my Report on the 58th Session of the Council of the League of Nations are as follow:

(a) Convention for the suppression of the international trade in arms and ammunition and in implements of war, of 17th June, 1925.

(b) Protocol for the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating poisonous and other gases and of bacteriological methods of warfare, of 17th June, 1925.

(c) Convention on the execution of foreign arbitral awards, of 26th September, 1927.

(d) International convention relating to economic statistics, of 14th December, 1928.

(e) International convention for the suppression of counterfeiting currency, of 20th April, 1929.

(f) Protocol concerning the revision of the statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice, of 14th September, 1929, and

(g) Protocol relating to the accession of the United States of America to the protocol of signature of the statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice, of 14th September, 1929.

All these international agreements have now been ratified, with the exception of those relating to economic statistics, counterfeiting currency and foreign arbitral awards. Ratification of these three instruments may be expected shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Government to make a contribution to the work of the Inter- national Educational Cinematograph Institute of the League of Nations at Rome and what grants are being made by other countries?

It is not at present the intention of His Majesty's Government to make a contribution to this institute. The only countries that at present make a grant are Italy, Hungary and Rumania. Their respective contributions are as follow:

				Lire.
Italy	…	…	…	890,000
Hungary	…	…	…	25,000
Rumania	…	…	…	15,000

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any representations from the Chinese Government on the suppression of the Kuomintang by the Governor of the Straits Settlements and Malaya; and, if so, whether any action has been taken thereon?

The Chinese chargé d'affaires, acting under instructions from his Government, has made representations to me on this subject. The nature of the reply to be returned is at present under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any action and, if so, what, has been taken in connection with the reversal or modification of the suppression of the Kuomintang by the Government of the Straits Settlements and Malaya?

No such action has been taken by my Noble Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he has received any intimation as to the intention of China to abolish foreign navigation in the inland waters of the country?

I have received no intimation that the Chinese Government intend to abolish foreign navigation in the inland waters of China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish in a White Paper the memoranda of November, 1928, on criminal and civil jurisdiction, which were drawn up by experts, judges, and practising lawyers at the instance of the British Union and British community in Egypt, and were transmitted to the Foreign Office by the High Commissioner?

The memoranda to which the hon. Member refers are mainly of a technical character relating to the details of legal procedure. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by publishing them in a White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of passports which have been issued within the last eight months to British subjects wishing to visit Russia; and how this total compares with the corresponding figures for each of the two preceding periods of eight months?

In view of the fact that passport applications are not classified according to the countries for which they are granted, it would be necessary, in order to obtain the information desired by the hon. Member, to examine approximately 360,000 passport application forms. Such an enquiry would clearly involve an increase in the staff of the Passport Office, and I trust, therefore, that the hon. Member will not press his question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any despatch from the Governor of Nyasaland regarding the needs of that protectorate for development in connection with the decision to proceed with the construction of the Zambesi bridge; whether any such despatch, together with papers connected with the Zambesi bridge and related questions, can now be published; and, if so, in what form?

A despatch has been received, but it is of a confidential nature and no undertaking can be given that it will be published. The question of laying papers connected with the Zambesi bridge and related schemes will receive consideration as soon as the arrangements are complete.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonies and Protectorates have any voice in the selection of the two members who represent them on the Imperial Economic Committee; and what direct acquaintance through residence or travel, these members have with the Colonies and Protectorates?

The two members representing the Colonies and Protectorates on the imperial Economic Committee are appointed by my right hon. and Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. One is a member of the staff of the Colonial Office and the other member is elected by a panel consisting of representatives of various Colonial associations in this country. The Committee undertakes inquiries into various products, and the panel has usually tried to elect a member who is interested in that part of the Colonies from which that product chiefly comes. Sir Edward Davson, Sir Sydney Henn and Mr. J. H. Batty have been members, and I believe that all of them have travelled in that part of the Colonies in which their interests lie. It will be appreciated that it is almost impossible to secure members who have experience, by travelling or otherwise, of all the Colonies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of persons that proceeded to British North America, Australia, and New Zealand, with assistance under the Empire Settlement Act, 1927, during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and has he any information regarding the number of assisted migrants who returned to the United Kingdom during the same period?

The total number of persons proceeding to British North America, Australia and New Zealand with the intention of permanent residence during the year ending 31st December. 1929, was as follows:

British North America	…	65,558
Australia	…	18,377
New Zealand	…	4,700

Of these the following numbers received assistance under the Empire Settlement Act:

British North America	…	21,634
Australia	…	11,525
New Zealand	…	1,849

In addition 37,140 persons proceeded to Canada at their own expense under the special passage rate of £10, whilst 3,428 persons proceeded to Canada, and 680 to Australia, with free passages after a period of training in this country, for farm work.The total number of persons returning from the countries in question to this country with a view to permanent residence here during 1929 was as follows:

British North America	…	12,294
Australia	…	9,516
New Zealand	…	2,704

It is not possible to say how many of these persons were originally assisted migrants from this country.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he will be in a position to announce his decision respecting the continuation of the payment of grants to naval units of cadet corps; and, whether, before reaching a decision, he will give organisations and persons interested in the question an opportunity of expressing their views?

The whole matter is still under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many apprentices completed their training in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, during the year 1929; and how many of these have been retained in Devonport dockyard as hired men since completing their apprenticeship?

The numbers are 72 and 55 respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when a visit by any units of the Atlantic Fleet was last paid to Morecambe; and whether it is his intention that any such visit shall take place during the coming summer?

There is no record of a visit to Morecambe, but Heysham was visited by His Majesty's Ship "Liffey" on 20th February, 1930. Arrangements are being made by the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, for Morecambe and Heysham to be visited this year from 29th June to 4th July by His Majesty's Destroyers "Watchman" and "Whirlwind."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, according to Admiralty Fleet Order 2060 C.W. 11920, the engineer officer is in future to have entire charge of the electrical-motor driving machines, etc.; whether this will lead to some reduction of staff for electrical duties; and, if so, will he explain the increase of 41 electrical artificers provided for in Vote 1?

The engineer officer is in future to have entire charge of the electric motors driving machinery within his department. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative as the change merely involves a transfer of responsibility from one department to another with corresponding adjustments in complement. As regards the third part the increase of electrical artificers is necessitated by the extended use of torpedo and electrical apparatus in new ships.

asked the Minister of Health the annual cost of administration of pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, by post offices and the Ministry of Health, respectively; the number of staff employed by the Ministry of Health on work resultant from the operation of the Act; and the increase of staff due to the introduction of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, and the cost thereof?

The costs incurred by Public Departments in England and Wales and recovered from the Pensions Account for the year 1928–29 (the latest year for which accounts have been completed) in respect of the administration of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, are as follow:

			£
Ministry of Health	…	…	460,670
General Post Office	…	…	354,129
Other Departments	…	…	89,800
Total	…	…	£904,599

The salaries of the staff employed by the Ministry of Health during 1928–29 amounted to £380,000. The number employed at 31st March, 1929, was 1,500. The estimated costs by Public Departments in England and Wales to be incurred in the year 1930–31 in respect of the administration of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1929, are as follow:

			£
Ministry of Health	…	…	575,000
General Post Office	…	…	509,000
Other Departments	…	…	105,000
Total	…	…	£1,189,000

The cost of staff employed by the Ministry of Health in connection with the two Acts for the year 1930–31 is estimated at £530,000. The number at present employed is 2,200.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give a return showing the totals for the counties, for the county boroughs, and for all other rating authorities, respectively, of moneys payable in 1929–30 by the Treasury in respect of grants-in-aid, with particulars under the following heads: compensation for rate reliefs under the Agricultural Rates Acts and the Local Government Act; housing subsidies; education; Poor Law relief and mental deficiency; highways; police; and public health and other services apart from the housing subsidies entered under the second head?

It is not practicable to give a Return in the form desired by my hon. Friend. Grants were payable in 1929–30 to local authorities other than rating authorities and the areas of those authorities in many cases extended into two or more counties or into two or more rating areas. The following statement relates to the grants paid to local authorities in England and Wales by my Department during 1929–30:

	£
Under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896	1,321,551
Under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1923	3,293,850
Under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1929	2,059,698
Under Section 112 of the Local Government Act, 1929	10,887,628
Other grants out of the Local Taxation Account (including £807,260 for higher education, £3,102,958 for police, and £2,100,000 for Poor Law Relief)	8,103,982
Housing	10,930,490
Mental Deficiency	676,954
Tuberculosis (including capital grants)	1,845,640
Venereal Diseases	307,372
Maternity and Child Welfare	929,828
Welfare of the Blind	7,360
Port Sanitary Service	43,046

As regards the other services mentioned, the grants are paid by other departments and particulars will not be obtained by my Department until the annual returns of receipts and expenditure under the Local Taxation Returns Acts in respect of 1929–30 are received.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases of suicide and attempted suicide, respectively, which occurred in each of the past 10 years in institutions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Control?

The Board of Control have no information in regard to cases of attempted suicide. In mental deficiency institutions suicidal acts are extremely rare. The Annual Reports of the Board of Control state each year the number of patients who have died in institutions for the insance as a result of suicidal acts committed either while in residence or on leave or before admission. The figures for the last 10 years are as follow:

1920	…	…	…	…	47
1921	…	…	…	…	45
1922	…	…	…	…	52
1923	…	…	…	…	39
1924	…	…	…	…	44
1925	…	…	…	…	47
1926	…	…	…	…	55
1927	…	…	…	…	69
1928	…	…	…	…	64
1929	…	…	…	…	61

asked the Minister of Health the total of persons employed on staff duty during each of the past 10 years in the institutions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Control?

The only figures available relate to the charge and ordinary nurses employed in county and borough mental hospitals. The numbers on 31st December in each of the last 10 years were as follow:

1920	…	…	…	…	14,880
1921	…	…	…	…	15,439
1922	…	…	…	…	15,563
1923	…	…	…	…	15,824
1924	…	…	…	…	16,060
1925	…	…	…	…	16,460
1926	…	…	…	…	16,855
1927	…	…	…	…	17,252
1928	…	…	…	…	17,662
1929	…	…	…	…	17,748

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what flying training schools of the Royal Air Force now exist; what are the numbers of civilian status trained by each last year; and what was the approximate cost per flying hour and total of such training up to licence A standard?

In answer to the first part of the question, the flying training schools are those at Netheravon, Digby, Grantham, Sealand and Abu Sueir (Egypt). As regards the second part, persons of civilian status are not trained at those schools, but if the hon. Member refers to short service officers the numbers who qualified according to Royal Air Force standards in 1929 were 16, 35, 29, 54 and 35, respectively. As regards the last part, the standard to which pupils are trained at these schools is, as I explained in my reply of 2nd April, a much higher one than that required for the A licence, and any figures which I might give in answer to this part of the question would be hypothetical and of small value.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the amount that has been expended on the construction, supply of materials, and upkeep, and any necessary wages that have been paid to date, on the airship R101, including the cost of petrol and oils used in all flights to date?

The total expenditure on R101 up to 31st March, 1930, including design, construction, power plant, experimental engines, overhead charges, shed and flight trials, running repairs, modifications and maintenance, was approximately £603,500.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Liverpool Corporation have invited the Air Ministry to approve the Speke aerodrome project; and whether this project has the approval of the Ministry?

The project is under discussion between the Air Ministry and the corporation. The original scheme proposed was not altogether satisfactory, and an alternative scheme has been suggested to the corporation whose reply regarding it is awaited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether with reference to the Anglo-Italian air agreement for the operation of the London—India air service, there has been any change in the policy of the present Government as against that followed by the previous Government; and what are the reasons for the breakdown of the negotiations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the negotiations broke down, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Malone) on 26th February, because it has been found impossible up to the present to conclude with the Italian Government arrangements which were commercially satisfactory to Imperial Airways, Limited.

asked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions for exceeding the speed limit against drivers of motor vehicles which have taken place in the county of Sussex for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and how many of these prosecutions have taken place in the divisions of Brighton, Shoreham, and Worthing?

During 1929 there were 149 such prosecutions in East Sussex, including one in Brighton; and 868 in West Sussex, including 16 at Worthing and 177 at Shoreham.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the committee which is examining the question of constructing a tidal barrage across the River Severn is also considering a bridge for road and rail traffic in conjunction with the scheme?

The Severn Barrage Committee of the Economic Advisory Council is considering all the questions raised by the proposal to construct a barrage across the River Severn.

asked the Minister of Labour whether consideration has been given to the building of a new Employment Exchange at Westminster for dealing with the work of placing juveniles into employment?

My right hon. Friend has at present under consideration the provision of alternative accommodation for the juvenile work of the Westminster Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether any application has been received from the corporation of the city of Nottingham for sanction for any bridge building; if so, when such application was received, in respect of what scheme, at what estimated cost, and how many men are expected to be employed thereon; and what answer, if any, has been returned to such application;

Scheme.	Date when details were furnished by the Corporation.	Estimated cost.	Estimated period of Employment in men-months on the basis of 24,000 men-months of direct labour per £1,000,000 of expenditure.	Decision on Application.
		£
(1) Nuthall Road widening …	26th July, 1928*	50,000	1,200	Grant made for a section estimated to cost £29,530.
(2) Cinderhill Road, Coventry Road and Main Street widening.	14th November, 1928.*	45,512	1,092	Grant made.
(3) Alfreton Road—widening and diversion at Bobbers Mill and construction of bridges over the L.M.S. Railway and River Leen.	Revised details* 22nd November, 1929.	69,057	1,657	Approved for grant.
(4) Mansfield Road and Hucknall Road corner improvement.	Not yet received	1,000	24	Approved in principal for grant.
(5) New road from Valley Road to Wollaton Road.	5th October, 1929.	252,372	6,057	do.
(6) Forest Road and Hucknall Lane improvement.	Not yet received	1,835	44	Deferred for further information.
(7) Derby Road—widening of road and bridge.	do.	22,410	538	Approved in principle for grant.
(8) Radford Marsh and Wollaton Road improvement.	do.	9,300	223	do.
(9) Wollaton Road and St. Peter Street corner improvement.	do.	4,050	97	Deferred for further information.
* These schemes were under discussion before being incorporated in the five years' programme. The schedule which follows gives particulars of a number of further works which the Corporation have submitted as part of their five years' programme, but I understand that none of these works will be put in hand during the current financial year:

It is not practicable to separate the works on roads from those on bridges and the following reply covers both the hon. Member's questions:In August, 1929, the Nottingham Corporation submitted a programme of works which they proposed to put in hand during the next five years. The programme has been discussed with the corporation and I am advised that the under-mentioned schemes can be put in hand before 31st March, 1931:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the value of the work schemes submitted to him by the corporation of Darlington; the value of those sanctioned; and the number of persons they are calculated to employ?

Since 1st June, 1929, two schemes, estimated to cost £13,000, and calculated to provide direct work equivalent to the employment of about 50 men for one year, have been submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee by the corporation of Darlington. Both have been approved. The corporation have also submitted to the Ministry of Transport a programme of works of improvement and new construction comprising 18 schemes, estimated to cost £344,000. Eight of these schemes, estimated to cost £144,000, were approved in principle in November, 1929, for grants from the Road Fund on the understanding that they were put in hand at an early date. The remainder of the schemes, estimated to cost about £200,000, involved negotiations with other local authorities, and the corporation were informed that further consideration would be given thereto when agreement with such authorities had been reached. It is understood that only three schemes, estimated to cost £97,000, out of the eight to which approval in principle has already been given, can be started prior to 31st March, 1931. These should provide direct work equivalent to the employment of about 200 men for one year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of applications, the nature of the work, and tile amounts which have been put forward under the various Acts to provide work for the unemployed in the borough of Northampton; and will he indicate which have been approved?

Since 1st June, 1929, two schemes have been submitted by the Northampton Town Council to the Unemployment Grants Committee for grants in connection with works for the relief of unemployment. One scheme is for an extension to the main sewerage system and for the construction of new sewage disposal works at Northampton, estimated to cost £181,830. It is hoped that a decision on this will be reached shortly. The other scheme, which has only recently been submitted, is for the reconstruction of non-classified roads, estimated to cost £34,823. The town council have also submitted to the Ministry of Transport a proposal for the construction of a new road from Harborough Road to Denton Road, the cost of which is estimated at £85,000. The greater part of the route lies, however, outside the area of the county borough, and before such a scheme could be put in hand it will be necessary for an arrangement to be reached with the county council.

asked the Minister of Labour the policy of the Government with regard to the regulation of hours for salaried employés, which subject is to be discussed at the session of the International Labour Office at Geneva in June; and whether it is intended that the Report recently prepared by the International Labour Office shall be published?

The policy of the Government is stated in the reply sent to the International Labour Office Questionnaire and published in the "Blue Report" on Hours of Work of Salaried Employés, which is on sale at the London branch of the International Labour Office. The text of the reply is as follows:

"His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is most anxious to join in taking all possible steps to safeguard the hours and conditions of work of all classes of employés. It wishes, however, to avoid any action which will not produce effective international results. It is of opinion that the conditions of those employed in the wide range of miscellaneous occupations of very different kinds covered by the Questionnaire are not susceptible of being dealt with in a single instrument, whether a Draft Convention or a Draft Recommendation. It feels that, if a workable convention or recommendation is to be achieved, a closer and more detailed examination must be made of the circumstances in which each class of work is carried on and that more adequate consideration must be given to those circumstances before proposals for the international regulation of hours can be formulated. The necessary amount of information is not in the possession of His Majesty's Government and, therefore, they are not in a position to make detailed proposals, as required by the Questionnaire, on the method of regulating hours of work.

His Majesty's Government has come to the conclusion, therefore, that it is not in a position to furnish detailed replies to the Questionnaire, and that it is not practicable for it at the present time to proceed further than to attempt to secure the adoption of a recommendation providing for an inquiry being undertaken by the various States' members in their respective territories into the conditions of employment in the distributive trades. It would, however, be prepared to give favourable consideration to such extension of the scope of inquiry as may be generally agreed upon. In reaching this decision His Majesty's Government is actuated by a desire to make effective progress in the application of international standards of working conditions."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses agreed to be improved under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, in each year since the Act came into operation, and in each county or county district in Scotland; and in which counties or county districts no action has yet been taken?

The numbers of houses agreed to be improved in Scotland under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, in the years 1927, 1928 and 1929 were 280, 1,109 and 2,129 respectively. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a tabular statement containing the information asked in the remainder of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses repaired under the Rural Housing Act in Berwickshire and Haddingtonshire, respectively, and the total Government grants expended thereon?

As at the 31st March, 1930, the total numbers of houses repaired under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act in Berwickshire and East Lothian were 126 and 468 respectively. The total grants paid as at the same date were £9,891 in Berwickshire and £43,400 in East Lothian.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses built in the county of Haddingtonshire by the respective county and borough councils during the last 10 years?

The total numbers of houses built in the county of East Lothian by the county council and town councils respectively during the 10 years ended 28th February, 1930, are as follow:

Local authority.	Number of houses.
County council:
Eastern district	20
Western district	504
Cockenzie Town Council	72
Dunbar Town Council	127
East Linton Town Council	16
Haddington Town Council	74
North Berwick Town Council	68
Prestonpans Town Council	133
Tranent Town Council	122

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses built in the county of Berwick by the respective county and borough councils during the last 10 years?

The total numbers of houses built in the county of Berwick by the county council and town councils respectively during the 10 years ended 28th February, 1930, are as follow:

Local authority.	Number of houses.
County council:
East district	24
Middle district	—
West district	—
Coldstream Town Council	28
Dims Town Council	20
Eyemouth Town Council	50
Lauder Town Council	—

asked the Minister of Agriculture the cost of carrying into effect the two resolutions passed by the agricultural conference in regard to supplying home-grown produce to Crown forces and public institutions, quoted at the end of the communiqué he issued to the Press on 19th March?

It is estimated that the increased annual cost which would be incurred in supplying the Forces at home with fresh beef would be about £430,000. I am unable to state what extra cost, if any, would be involved in supplying flour and bread made from home-grown wheat to the Forces. I am not in a position to form any estimate of the increased cost which would be in- volved in supplying home-grown produce to public institutions

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Hundred Foot and the Old West River from Ely to Denver Sluice will both be classified as main channels under the new Drainage Bill?

It will be the duty of the Minister, if Parliament approves the Land Drainage Bill, to have prepared for each catchment area a map giving particulars including those indicated by the hon. Member. I do not think it would be either practicable or desirable for me to make any announcement of these particulars at the present stage with regard to any of the catchment areas.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of dwellings erected at Didcot to house the employés at the Didcot store of the War Department?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, gave on 18th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon (Major Glyn), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General the result of his inquiries into the late delivery of mails in Douglas, Isle of Man, when the boat from the mainland arrives after 8.30 a.m.?

It is the practice during the winter months to despatch a special mail from Liverpool when the Steam Packet Company run a night cargo boat. Owing to tidal and weather conditions the boats occasionally arrive late, and, as the commencement of the morning delivery cannot be delayed indefinitely, the latest time of arrival of the mail at the Douglas office to connect with that delivery has been fixed at 8.30 a.m.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the increase in production and employment in the industries producing optical and other scientific apparatus and instruments since those industries were safeguarded in 1921?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will furnish a list of the trade agreements which the Dominions have concluded with other Empire countries?

The following are the particulars asked for:Canada.—Australia Trade Agreement, 1925.(The benefits accorded by Canada to Australia under this Agreement have been extended to New Zealand.)Canada—South Africa Customs Agreement, 1904.Canada—Newfoundland Trade Agreement, 1928.Canada—West Indies Trade Agreement, 1926.Australia—New Zealand Tariff Agreement, 1922.New Zealand—South Africa Customs Agreement, 1922 and 1925.Union of South Africa—Southern Rhodesia Customs Agreement, 1930. (Ratification not yet complete.)Union of South Africa—Northern Rhodesia Customs Agreement, 1930. (Ratification not yet complete.)Newfoundland—Jamaica Tariff Agreement, 1923.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the conditions in British industry and of the need to extend existing and to find new markets overseas for British products, he will consider an extension of the purposes for which the Empire Marketing Fund is provided so as to cover the popularisation of British products in the Dominions and Colonies?

The whole question of the methods by which the Government here can best assist in furthering the sale of United Kingdom products outside this country is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines the present prices of export coal to foreign purchasers, together with the class of coal in each case and the corresponding prices at present to home purchasers of such classes of coal?

The only official information regarding the price of coal for export is the average declared value (f.o.b.). Similar information for coal consumed at home is not available. But an attempt is made in Chart No. VI on page 185 of the Eighth Annual Report of the Secretary for Mines, a copy of which is in the Library, to show, over a series of years, the relationship between the average pit price of all coal and the average f.o.b. values of all coal and of particular varieties of coal exported. I would refer the hon. Member to this chart, and would remind him that the f.o.b. value includes transport costs from the pits to the ports and shipping charges at the ports.

asked the Prime Minister if he can furnish a statement as to the number of men, including trained reserves, in the whole of the armed forces of the British Empire per million of the population and the corresponding proportions for the other principal countries?

Figures quoted in an answer to a question of this nature might be interpreted in more than one manner and would, therefore, tend to be misleading. The hon. Baronet will, however, find the latest information on the subject in the League of Nations Arma- ments Year Book (No. 5) for 1928–29 which was published in January, 1929.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement as to any revision which may have been made in the method of transferring prisoners from police court to prison?

If my hon. Friend will put down a question stating exactly what revision he has in mind, my right hon. Friend will do his best to give him an answer.