asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of unemployed in the Newark Employment Exchange district for March, 1929, and March, 1930?

At 31st March, 1930, the number of persons on the registers of the Newark Employment Exchange was 706 as compared with 358 at 25th March, 1929.

Is not the increase entirely due to the obsession and futility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Will the Minister say to what it is due? She is in charge.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state what amount of money has been expended in unemployment insurance benefit for the last complete year to the last convenient date?

The amount of money expended in unemployment insurance benefit during the year ended 31st March, 1930, was approximately £45,910,000.

How does the Government expect this country to keep—

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give the number of immigrants and their nationalities who came into this country during the years 1927, 1928, and 1929; and the number of emigrants who left this country during the same years?

As the answer contains a number of figures I shall, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Under-Secretary can tell us whether the numbers are increasing or decreasing. Will he give us a summary? He could do so quite easily.

It would be much better if the hon. Member would read the full answer. It is quite full.

Is the number increasing or decreasing?

I will read the answer:

"During the year 1927 the total numbers of alien passengers excluding transmigrants, landed and embarked in the United Kingdom were 412,686 and 409,925. The corresponding figures for 1928 were, landed 439,419, embarked 432,853, and for 1929, landed 457,414, embarked 449,645. For further details and an analysis of the figures I would refer the hon. Member to the statistics in regard to alien passengers for 1927 and 1928 (Command Papers 3130 and 3332) and the Quarterly Returns of Alien Passengers for 1929 (Command Papers 3334 and 3334, I, II and III). As regards British emigrants I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that figures will be found in the Board of Trade Journals of the 7th March, 1929, and the 6th March, 1930. I will send copies of the journals to the hon. Member."

May I have a copy of those particulars?

Does it not appear from those figures that there are more people coming into this country and taking up their residence here than there are going out; and, in view of the appalling number of unemployed, will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of putting some restriction on foreigners coming into this country and residing here and taki ng British work away from British workers?

My right hon. Friend has these matters always under observation, and I would point out that at present no one can come into this country and take employment except with a permit from the Ministry of Labour. will certainly see that these particulars are sent to the hon. Member for Torquay (Mr. C. Williams).

Do these figures include the Isle of Man?

asked the Home Secretary why a chief inspector and three other officers in the Public Carriage Department of Scotland Yard have been reduced to the rank of constable; and will he make a statement in regard to the matter?

My right hon. Friend does not know what are the particular cases that my hon. Friend has in mind, but it is the fact that the conduct of certain officers connected with the Public Carriage Department has recently been the subject of disciplinary proceedings, arising out of their alleged improper relations with persons having business with the Department. As some of the officers concerned have not yet exhausted their rights of appeal my right hon. Friend regrets he cannot make any further statement at the present time.

Are there so many of these cases that the hon. Gentleman cannot identify particular individuals; is he aware that there is great alarm among the public concerning the practice of this department in regard to licensing; and will he also state what circumstances led to the deposition of these particular officers?

As these officers have the right of appeal, and have not yet exercised it, I do not think that I ought to be pressed to make any further statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received any further information as to the Russian subjects ordered by the Soviet Government to return to Russia, who are liable to be punished capitally under the laws of the Soviet Union, either for non-compliance with such order or for other reasons?

My right hon. Friend has now received a list of the names of the persons dismissed from Soviet organisations in this country, and the inquiry into the position of these persons is being pursued.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider ordinary reasons of humanity in deciding whether to renew these permits or not?

My right hon. Friend is known to be very humane, and I have no doubt that all these considerations will be taken into account.

Is it proposed to make an early statement in the House on this matter?

I should not like to pledge myself, but perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question after the Easter holidays.

What has happened to the campaign to clear out the Reds?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the present difficulty of deporting Russian nationals back to their own country even when in possession of a passport, he will issue orders that no more be allowed to land in this country until more satisfactory arrangements are concluded which will enable him to deport any who may be considered undesirable?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any difficulty having arisen where the alien is already in possession of a valid passport. In these circumstances the second part of the question does not arise.

Surely it is a fact that the individuals referred to in question 16 had valid passports to return to Russia?

I think the right hon. Gentleman is in some confusion on this matter. As far as I am aware, there is only one case. I think that happened in 1926, and, as a result of representations, made through the usual channels, the difficulty was overcome.

Have not those Russians valid passports to return to Russia who are under a threat of the death penalty if they do return?

The right hon. Gentleman is now seeking to get me to say something in connection with the inquiry which is going on in relation to these matters. I think that is hardly fair.

What happens if they have not valid passports?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the window slashing which has recently taken place in Sloane Street; whether he will consider the advisability of offering a substantial reward to anyone giving such evidence as will lead to a conviction; and, if so, whether he will give wide publicity to such an offer?

My right hon. Friend has seen newspaper accounts and has received a report. He could not consider the offer of a reward. There are serious objections to the offer of such rewards, and in any event there are no funds for such a purpose.

Is it not the case that there has been a great deal of window slashing in London and that the culprits have not been discovered; and can the hon. Gentleman assure me, without going into any details, that he has this matter under constant observation and that he has hopes of finding a means of catching these people?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that every effort is made to ensure the capture of these people and to prevent this practice as far as possible.

Has there been an increase or decrease in the number of these cases?

My hon. Friend ought to put down a question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that windows were slashed all down one side of Sloane Street on Sunday night and that considerable damage was done?

asked the Home Secretary the number of woollen mills working in the West Riding in 1919; and the number of woollen mills working there at present?

The number of woollen mills on the Factory Registers at the end of 1929 was 1,242. No similar figure is available at the Central Office for 1919, but inquiry will be made to see whether figures can be obtained from the district offices. The hon. Member may be interested to know that in 1904 when a return of woollen mills was got out for the purposes of a Parliamentary Return, the number registered at that time in the West Riding was 1,315.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the failure of the employers in the worsted and woollen industries to carry into effect the recommendations of various committees and commissions of inquiry as to the necessity of comprehensive reorganisation, the Government propose to take any action in order to avoid further reductions in the wages of the workers in the industry, or have sought or obtained the advice of the Economic Advisory Council in the matter; and, if so, what was the nature of the advice given?

I am not sure to what specific recommendations my hon. Friend refers, but I would refer him to the reply which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave him on the 1st April, endorsing the suggestion in paragraph 62 of Lord Macmillan's Report, that possible sources of economy of the kind he has in mind should be examined further.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any steps are being taken by the employers to examine those sources of economy before pushing down wages?

I am not aware of that, but I know that the employers in the West Riding of Yorkshire are very difficult people to deal with, and that a great many unsuccessful efforts have been made to carry out the reorganisation of the industry.

Does not the Government think that the measures taken, or proposed to be taken, for the cotton industry ought to be considered in the case of the woollen and worsted industries also, before wages are reduced?

I have told the hon. Member that a good many efforts of that sort have already been made, but, unfortunately, they have not been successful.

Is it worth while to refer this matter to the Economic Advisory Council, staffed as it is by guinea pigs?

Perhaps if there were a few less guinea pig directors in our industrial concerns, the latter would be much more efficient and prosperous than they are to-day.

May ask where the right hon. Gentleman ascertained that the employers in the West Biding were very difficult to deal with?

As an employer in the West Riding, my hon. Friend will, I am sure, sympathise with the view that I express.

asked the Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department whether he will arrange to pay a visit next month to Bradford and Huddersfield, and bring before local labour leaders a suggestion for an investigation into the causes of the decline in the export trade to South America of woollen textiles of inexpensive quality?

I do not think the time is opportune to act on the suggestion put forward by the hon. Member.

Is it not the case that one of the main difficulties is the inefficient and expensive marketing methods?

The question only refers to a visit to Bradford and Huddersfield.

asked the President of the Board of Education what will be the extra number of certified teachers required when the leaving age is raised to 15; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the requisite number will be forthcoming?

I cannot at present add anything to the answer which I gave recently to the Noble Lady the Member for Kinross and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any protest from any association of teachers, because, if this Bill is passed, it will—

Order!

The hon. Member is not putting a question.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many scholars in the elementary schools of England and Wales are being supplied daily with milk; is he satisfied with the Reports received as to the benefits derived; and, if so, will he give every encouragement to local education authorities to extend the system?

The National Milk Publicity Council estimate that about 350,000 school children are now receiving milk under their schemes. I am not able to say how many children are receiving milk under arrangements made by the Local Education Authorities, but I am taking steps to obtain this information. The reports received as to the benefits derived by the children are very satisfactory. I am anxious to give every encouragement to the extension of the movement in the schools, and I am now considering the most effective means by which I can do so.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any grants for this purpose have been made from the Exchequer?

Certainly, where the local authorities have spent the money, they have got the grant.

What steps are being taken to see that this milk is free from tuberculosis?

I believe that the National Milk Publicity Council are very particular about that matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in favour of every child having this daily supply of milk?

I should be very glad to see it.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding his conversations with representatives of the Church of England and of the Roman Catholic Church on the subject of raising the school age?

Yes, Sir; I am happy to be able to inform the House that the conversations which I have had with representatives of the Churches, the local authorities, and the teachers, have been animated throughout by a spirit of good will on all sides, and that, as a result, a considerable measure of agreement appears to be obtainable. I propose within the next few days to issue a White Paper indicating the special circumstances which have led His Majesty's Government to take up this question at the present time and the proposals which seem to them to be most likely to obtain general acceptance.

Would legislation be involved in order to alter the present law in any way?

Yes, legislation would be involved.

Are the special circumstances the Roman Catholic vote?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether these conversations have been directed to the further provision of public money without public control in schools, and, further, are they concerned with the revival of tests?

I think my hon. Friend had better wait until he sees the White Paper, and then he will see exactly what has been done.

Are we to understand that the matters to which I have referred are not included in the White Paper. If they are, why does not my right hon. Friend deal with them now?

If I were to give a piecemeal account of what I have done, an entirely wrong impression would be created.

Is it not a very happy circumstance that such a degree of agreement has been arrived at?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has obtained records for consideration as to the effect upon the health and vitality of the children of central heating, open-fire heating, or no heating, respectively, in elementary school rooms?

I have not obtained records on these points, and I should doubt whether they would lead to any modification of the now generally accepted view that, in normal circumstances, some form of central heating is the most suitable system for schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his Department has issued instructions as to the methods of warming elementary school rooms; and whether he proposes to reconsider and improve upon them at an early date?

Apart from the general suggestions contained in the Building Regulations, 1914, the Board have issued no instructions in regard to the heating and ventilation of elementary schools. The question has received the constant attention of local authorities and of the Board, and the Board's officers are always ready to advise on particular proposals; but as the problem is affected by a number of highly technical and varying factors I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the issue of instructions at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health the death rate per million from small-pox, with the percentage of the population vaccinated in all countries for which this information is available during the last known year?

The information at my disposal does not enable me to answer the question put by my hon. Friend.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the action of the German Federal Medical Council who have recommended the total abolition of compulsory vaccination throughout Germany owing to its failure to prevent small-pox?

I do not think that that arises out of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for an independent medical examination to be provided for all infants before being compulsorily vaccinated to certify that they are in a fit state to withstand the effects of the operation?

Under the Vaccination Acts certificates of postponement of vaccination must be given in the case of infants who are not in a fit and proper state to be vaccinated, and the instructions to public vaccinators emphasise that only infants in a fit state of health must be vaccinated. I see no reason, therefore, to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

In view of the information which the right Ion. Gentleman gave me last week, namely, that more children in this country died last year as a result of vaccination than from small-pox, is it not desirable that an independent medical examination should be given?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inform the House of the progress that is being made to ensure that milk supplied to the public shall be free from tuberculosis; has he consulted members of the medical and veterinary professions; what other inquiries has he made; and will he state briefly the present position and what further action he proposes to take?

I understand that an increasing number of local authorities are carrying out regular veterinary inspections of cattle and having samples of milk tested for tubercle bacillus, with a view to the exercise of their powers under the Milk and Dairies Act. I am not proposing to introduce any further legislation on this subject at the present time, but I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a view to the issue of a circular to local authorities indicating the further steps which they might advantageously take under existing powers. For this purpose I shall, of course, have regard to the views of the medical and veterinary advisers of the two Departments, as well as those of other members of the two professions who have communicated with my right hon. Friend and myself.

In view of the national importance of getting the milk supply free from tuberculosis, especially for the children in school, will the right hon. Gentleman take what steps he can to speed up this inquiry, and to ensure that the milk supplied should, as far as possible, be free from tuberculosis?

I hope the circular will be issued to local authorities very shortly.

asked the Minister of Health when the Departmental Committee's Report on the disposal of house and trade refuse, following on the Report of the Department's inspector, will be available?

I understand that the Committee may be expected to make their Report at an early date.

May we know whether that will be followed by prompt action? This Report has been held up so long that I would like an assurance from the Minister, if possible.

May we conclude from the lack of an answer that there will be no promptitude?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the imports of liquid and dried eggs from China are free from contamination and without danger to public health; what is the value of such eggs annually imported in these two forms; and for what purposes are they chiefly used?

So far as I am aware, these imports are free from contamination, and if they arrive in good condition are without danger to the public health. They are required to be free from preservatives, and in common with other imported foods they are subject to inspection at the port of entry and may be seized and destroyed if they are found to be unsound, unwholesome, or unfit for human consumption. The value of such eggs imported from China during the year 1929 was £3,574,640. I understand that these eggs are mainly used by the baking trade for cake making.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what class he himself prefers?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the inadequate provision made for the disposal of sewage in the districts of Mitcham, Beddington and Wallington, and Merton and Morden, inasmuch as the present works are only capable of dealing with a population of 80,000, whereas the population is now approximately 115,000 and is rapidly increasing, particularly in the district of Merton and Morden, which contains a part of the St. Heliers estate; that a scheme to enlarge the works has been under consideration by the Ministry since June last and is still awaiting sanction; can he give any reasons for the delay; and will he see that steps are immediately taken to safeguard the health of the districts affected?

I am aware of the need for improvement of the arrangements for disposing of the sewage of the districts in question, and I have under consideration a scheme for this purpose, the estimated cost of which is £174,000. In view, however, of the inquiry which is now proceeding into the whole question of sewerage and sewage disposal for the Greater London area, the present scheme must be regarded as part of a larger problem, and I am anxious that no expenditure on works at the present site should be incurred which can be avoided by the substitution of alterna- tive arrangements to those submitted. My decision is, therefore, being deferred pending the result of further investigations. I am not aware that there is danger to health, but the hon. Member can rest assured that there will not be any avoidable delay in dealing with this difficult problem.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been under consideration since June last, that during that time the population has increased considerably, and that during the next few months we may expect to see the population rising considerably higher than it is now; and is he satisfied that the health of the public will be safeguarded by the postponement of this scheme until he can bring in a very much larger scheme than that which is contemplated by the local authority?

It is not a question of a larger scheme; it is a case of protecting the local authority from spending nearly £200,000, which might be quite useless in a very short space of time, because there may be further development.

But surely a space of nine months is sufficient time to consider the scheme!

asked the Minister of Health what interpretation is placed by the Ministry upon the term working classes in administering the Housing Acts of 1890, 1909, 1923, 1923 (No. 2), 1924, 1925, and in the Bill now before the House?

The term "working classes" is generally well understood, and I am not aware of any practical difficulty in its interpretation. The term has not been defined for the general purposes of any of the Acts mentioned in the question, and I do not propose to attempt a definition which Parliament and previous Ministers of Health have refrained from giving.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how he expects local authorities to know what classes of persons should be admitted to the houses subsidised by the State if the Ministry have no accepted definition, and whether he is aware that large numbers of persons are taking advantage of subsidised houses and asking leave to build a motor garage?

The local authorities have never found any practical difficulty in defining it for themselves.

Is there any reason why a working man should not have a motor car and a motor garage?

asked the Minister of Health whether stone-breaking as test work is still being continued; whether he has yet reached any conclusions on the reports of the inspectors of the Ministry on test work; and whom he proposes to make available to the House the contents, or a suitable summary, of such reports?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is that the report on test work will be published in due course, and deals with the matter referred to by the right hon. Gentleman. As regards the second part, I would refer to my answer to a question by the hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Shakespeare) on the 13th ultimo.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this report will be available during the next few days, in order that we may have it before the Debate when we resume our proceedings after Easter?

I think it has gone to the printers to-day. If it is possible to have it early, I will see that it is done.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any form laid down by the Ministry for relief tickets; whether he is aware that in London no provision is made for the person receiving assistance drawing supplies of potatoes and vegetables; and whether, in the interest of the health of the recipients of relief, he will issue a standard as to what relief in the form of relief tickets should include?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I think the matter may suitably be left to the discretion of the new authorities.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable in these days that, if tickets are to be issued, they should be made available for vegetables and potatoes, because a vegetable diet is to be encouraged for people receiving relief?

I should imagine that in most cases the tickets do include vegetables.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in London they do not include them?

So I understand.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the resolution recently passed at Blackpool by the National Union of General and Municipal Workers Approved Society, calling upon the Government to introduce legislation for the nationalisation of national insurance; and whether any action is to be taken in the matter?

I do not appear to have received a copy of this resolution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not familiar with this Resolution, and does he not think he might spend the Easter Recess in drafting a few of these Bills in order to carry out his undertakings?

I cannot be familiar with it until I see it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in discussing the so-called Safeguard Clause in the Three-Power Naval Treaty to allow for additional warship building for the Royal Navy, in the event of accelerated shipbuilding by the Continental nations, the strength of the French and Italian navies in combination is to be considered?

The Clause will not be aimed at any special fleet or combination of fleets.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to afford facilities this Session for the Land Valuation Bill?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Taxation of Land Valuation Bill before the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill?

As I announced in the Budget speech, a Bill to provide for land valuation will be introduced forthwith in view of the importance of beginning the work of valuation at the earliest possible date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question as to whether he proposes to give facilities this Session? In other words, is this Measure to have precedence of the Trade Disputes Bill, the Raising of the School Age Bill, etc.?

The right hon. Gentleman had better wait and see.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my question asks whether or not the Land Values Bill would have precedence of the others?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer question Number 48?

I gave that in reply to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood). I asked him to wait. I am not going to give an answer to a question like this. [Interruption.]

Is it not in the power of the Opposition to facilitate the passage of the Land Values Bill?

Then there is no answer?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what charge, if any, falls on public funds in connection with a Commission under the Great Seal to give the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament?

No specific charge falls upon public funds in this connection. It is not possible to ascertain what proportion of the general expenses of the House of Lords and the Lord Chancellor's Department is attributable to the procedure leading up to the giving of the Royal Assent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to provide and maintain publicity for national-mark schemes introduced by his Department in order that the general public may be better informed as to the advantages to be obtained by the purchase of national-mark Home products?

I am glad to say that the Government have arranged through the Empire Marketing Board to provide a publicity grant in favour of the Ministry at the rate of £55,000 for the financial year 1930, as an initial grant for the purpose of providing and maintaining foreground publicity for National Mark schemes, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer has undertaken that Parliament shall be invited to make special financial provision for the purpose in 1930. Arrangements are already being undertaken to put this grant to effective use. I should emphasise that this grant for National Mark publicity is additional to the publicity for home produce as a whole which has regularly been provided by the Empire Marketing Board, and which that Board hopes to maintain in the future upon as ample a scale as hitherto.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can specify the horticultural products to which the National Mark has been applied; whether he contemplates extending the scheme in the coming season; and, if so, to what products?

The horticultural products which are already the subject of National Mark Schemes are apples and pears, tomatoes and cucumbers, and Cornish broccoli for export. Schemes are about to be introduced for strawberries and cherries. There is every hope of bringing cyder and canned home-grown fruits under the Mark in the coming season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the advisory committee on agricultural science has yet reported upon the application from Wye College for a special research grant to enable investigations to be conducted into struck and gangrene diseases of sheep on Romney Marsh?

Yes, Sir. On the recommendation of the Committee, the Treasury has authorised a special research grant of £300 for the six months ending 30th September next. Grants such as these are made from year to year beginning on 1st October, and the college has been invited to apply for the renewal of the grant from 1st October next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture Whether he will appoint a committee to inquire into the dumping of foreign cereals in this country and to consider what steps should be taken by the Government to protect the home producers?

The Government are fully aware of all the facts and circumstances connected with the importation of what is generally known as bounty-fed cereals, and it has done and will continue to do whatever is practicable in the matter. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not consider that the appointment of a Committee as suggested by the hon. Baronet would serve any useful purpose.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George), and does he not realise the vital necessity of doing something in this matter before next harvest?

I fully realise that necessity, and we shall do all that we can. For all that, however, I do not consider that this Committee would serve any useful purpose.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the harvest is only a few months off?

Yes, I am well aware of that fact.

What has been the result of the negotiations that have taken place at Geneva on this matter?

I should have to have notice of that question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman look with any more favour on the proposals of the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) than he generally does?

The right hon. Gentleman says that he has taken steps; what steps has he taken?

At the moment, I am not able to make any further statement, but I would like to say that the hon. and gallant Member will certainly find that our efforts in this direction will be much more useful and valuable than those of the last Government.

Is the answer to this question like the answer which I received from his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer—a guinea pig?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the circular letter which is being issued by Queen Anne's Bounty on the subject of the redemption of small tithe rent-charges was issued with his knowledge and approval; and whether the Ministry, in view of the depressed state of agriculture, will refuse all applications for compulsory redemption of tithe rent-charge on lands used solely for agricultural purposes?

My right hon. Friend has seen the circular letter to which the hon. Member refers. Its approval by the Minister is not necessary, as it is issued on the sole responsibility of Queen Anne's Bounty. As regards the second part of the question, every application for compulsory redemption is carefully considered in the light of all relevant circumstances, including any objections that may be made by landowners on the ground of hardship, and my right hon. Friend is not, therefore, prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Do the Ministry approve of this particular form of intimidation through this circular, which suggests that, unless they redeem tithe at 22 years' purchase voluntarily, the Ministry, whom they suggest are in the pocket of Queen Anne's Bounty, will tell them to redeem it at 25½ years' purchase; is this method of intimidation approved by the Ministry of Agriculture?

I am not aware that it is a matter of intimidation. Of course, the authorities of Queen Anne's Bounty are acting within their legal rights, and the Ministry cannot interfere; but, as far as these applications for the redemption of tithe are concerned, a good many cases arise from the splitting up of estates, in which a trivial amount of tithe has to be met. I think that it is very desirable that in those cases, if possible, redemption should take place, for it saves the new owners from being continually harassed and pressed for small sums only.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that demands have been made on small agricultural people for sums of £8, £10 and £15; and, in view of the fact that they are already undercapitalised, and have a job to find the money with which to carry on, why should they be harassed and threatened by Queen Anne's Bounty and by the Ministry of Agriculture suggesting that they have no option in the matter?

If the hon. Member will send details of cases, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he would be prepared to consider issuing Regulations for compulsory roundabout traffic in all London squares, in view of the dangers to pedestrians and motorists of the present disorganisation?

The suggestion made by the Noble Lord has already received most careful consideration, and I am advised that a general Regulation making compulsory roundabout traffic in all London squares, irrespective of circumstances, would not be desirable from the point of view of either traffic convenience or public safety.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to extend this system?

Yes, extensions of the one-way traffic system are constantly under consideration and being sanctioned.

Is it not a fact that the matter has really been considered in the past from the point of view of traffic control, and not from that of public safety?

The Ministry of Transport never separate the question of traffic control from considerations of public safety.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Justices of the Peace he has appointed since his acceptance of his present post?

I have appointed 58 Justices of the Peace since I became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

How many were women?

I would like to ask for notice of that question.

Does the hon. Baronet know so little about his work that he cannot answer?

asked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether all meat supplied to the House of Commons has been killed by the use of a humane killer?

In repy to the hon. Member, the butchers who supply the Refreshment Department are instructed to purchase only the best English or Scotch meat in the market. We are given to understand that the majority of abattoirs now use the humane killer, but the Kitchen Committee cannot guarantee that all meat supplied to the House of Commons is slaughtered by this method.

May I ask why Welsh meat is excluded; and also, in view of the sympathetic reply which the hon. Member gave yesterday with regard to another animal, whether he will not consider making the use of a humane killer a condition in regard to meat supplied to the House of Commons?

For the purpose of the business of this House, I understand that Wales is included in the term "England." With regard to the second part of the question, I cannot add anything to what I have already said, except that, if the Kitchen Committee should decide to kill bullocks down in the kitchens, we certainly shall use the humane killer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give comparative figures of the export and import trade of the United Kingdom for the period January to March, 1930; and the comparable figures for 1929?

The hon. Member will find the figures for which he asks on page 1 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts of the United Kingdom for March, 1930.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners what is the total acreage of the Forestry Commission's plantations in Shropshire; and what proportion of this acreage is planted with deciduous trees?

The total acreage of the Forestry Commission's plantations in Shropshire is 1,302, of which 16 are hardwoods.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that report to be satisfactory?

As a matter of practice, we plant as far as possible all the acreage that comes into our possession.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total sum expended since its inception by, and the present balance to the credit of, the Miner's Welfare Fund; and, in particular, the amount expended on the provision of pithead baths and the estimated number of men for whom bathing facilities are now available?

The total sum expended by the Miners' Welfare Committee since the inception of the Miners' Welfare Fund up to the 31st March last was £7,278,329 9s. At that date the unexpended balance of the fund was £2,493,193 1s. 1d., but of this sum £1,610,820 15s. 9d. had already been earmarked for future payments for various purposes. The total amount at present allocated for pit-head baths already constructed or in course of construction or for which tenders have been received is £1,111,888 15s. 2d. The sum actually paid out is £456,876 8s. Bathing accommodation is now available for approximately 40,500 men (including about 7,000 provided for outside the Miners' Welfare Fund) and the schemes now in hand will provide for about 64,000 more.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost of the alterations to the airship R.101; and when he expects they will be completed?

The cost of the labour and materials for the various alterations is estimated at £35,000. This includes the cost of the additional bay, which it is hoped to insert in the airship in the later summer. The other alterations are approaching completion.

Will the hon. Member say where this work is being done?

It is being done at Cardington.

Will the hon. Member say if any alterations are being made to the engines of R.101?

Yes, I believe that in the case of one of them, at least, alterations are being made.

Could the hon. Member say approximately the number of men who are engaged?

I must have notice of that question.

Will the alteration to the engine give the airship any more speed?

asked the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring, as representing the Charity Commissioners, the number of schemes for modifying the terms of charitable trusts which are under the consideration of the Commissioners at the present time and the amount of capital income covered by such schemes?

I regret to say that the information asked for by the hon. and gallant Gentleman is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can make any statement on the present position of the investigations undertaken by the Fishery Board for Scotland on the life history of the sea trout?

The investigations are proceeding, and a number of papers have been published in the Fishery Boards Salmon Fishery series, reporting results obtained. I should like to take the opportunity afforded by this question of acknowledging the very valuable voluntary assist- ance in this matter of Mr. G. H. Nale, who is giving freely of his time and money in furthering these investigations.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will reconsider the cases of the widows and children of ex-service men who die of wounds received prior to marriage?

The liability of the State in respect of the death of ex-service men has always been limited by the Royal Pensions Warrants (applying both to the Service Departments and to the Ministry of Pensions) to the man's family obligations as existing at the date of the contraction on service of the fatal disability. No change in this long-established principle is in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, when a sum of money has been granted in commutation of a portion of a war pension and has been applied to the particular purpose for which it was granted, the Ministry claims any further rights, legal or otherwise, in respect of this sum?

Commutation is a privilege and not a right, and the grant of it by the Ministry is subject to the condition, in the pensioner's interest, that the object in view is to his permanent advantage. Any action which the Minister can reasonably take to ensure this object is taken.

Does the Minister think it is much good giving a pensioner a lump sum for a specific purpose if at some future time that sum may be taken away or the Ministry may claim some sort of right over it?

I am afraid I did not Understand that that was conveyed by the Question on the Paper. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars, I will look into the matter.

Will the hon. Member consider the case of men who through partial incapacity or poor health are not able to carry on regular employment, but who might be able to do a good deal of work if they could buy a small business?

I am afraid that type of case would not come within the terms of the Regulations.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men, disabled by the Great War, are still in military hospitals; how many have been discharged within the last year; and what is to be the future of the military hospital at Orpington?

Military hospitals are not used by my Department. Disabled ex-service officers and men needing treatment are provided for in hospitals which belong to the Ministry or in which accommodation is secured at a capitation rate. The number of patients (apart from cases of mental affection in public institutions) was, at the end of last month, approximately 4,700. The hospital population fluctuates considerably in the course of the year, the aggregate number of discharges, which is about 18,000, being but slightly in excess of the number of admissions. In regard to the last part of the question, no change in the position or use of the Ministry's hospital at Orpington is at present contemplated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the cost last year, exclusive of grant, of the privileges accorded by the War Office to cadet corps?