asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any of the grants made in connection with colonial development have been up to the present productive of employment in this country for British workers; and, if so, whether he can indicate the nature of such work and the number of workers affected?

The grants made from the Colonial Development Fund involve, as the hon. Member will see if he studies the White Paper which was published last month, the placing of considerable orders, and consequently the provision of considerable employment, in this country. I cannot add to the statistical and other information published in the White Paper. Arrangements for carrying out the works assisted from the Fund are made by the Colonial Administrations concerned. The Secretary of State has asked the Colonial Governments to submit half-yearly progress reports, which will include statements of the amounts expended in this country, and when some of these have been received I shall be in a position to give fuller information.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women and girls who received training in domestic science at centres under the Ministry in the last three years, respectively; and the number of trainees who afterwards entered domestic service, distinguishing, if possible, between private service and service which is insurable?

The number of women and girls who completed courses of training in homecraft centres for the preceding three years and of those placed in domestic service is shown in the following

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air which civil aerodromes in this country at present have means of communicating with aircraft by wireless telephony; and whether it is intended to give assistance to other stations to be equipped in this manner?

The civil aerodromes at Croydon and Lympne and the airship station at Cardington have means of regular communication by wireless telephony with civil aircraft. In addition, the wireless telegraphy stations at Pulham and Renfrew have telephony equipment. Experiments for instructional purposes in communication by wireless telephony from the ground to aircraft in flight are being conducted at the civil aerodrome At Heston. The question of giving assistance at other civil aerodromes is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the subsidy given to light aeroplane clubs, any condition is made to the effect that the aeroplanes used by members must be of British manufacture?

Such a condition has not been considered necessary in the agreements hitherto made with the clubs, in view of the obviously outstanding merits of British light aeroplanes and

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what sums have been allocated for research work upon auto-gyro machines during the present year?

Research work on this type of aircraft was provided for and is being pursued, but it is, not possible to state the precise allocation for this purpose; the provision for it is merged to a great extent in the estimate for general research, from which it cannot be segregated. The amount of expenditure must depend, of course, on the progress made.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what alterations and improvements have now been sanctioned with the object of improving the conditions of the Woolwich County Court?

The alterations which have been sanctioned consist of the enlargement of the cash and plaints office, and the provision of a new window. The new office will be entirely redecorated prior to reoccupation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the traffic-control signals in operation in the provinces have proved successful; and whether there has been any decrease in the number of accidents since they were installed?

I am advised that light signals of a proper type and properly placed at suitable junctions have facilitated the flow of traffic and have to some extent reduced the need for control by police officers on point duty. They may thus be said to have successfully fulfilled their main object. I have no information on which to form an opinion as to the effect of their installation on accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken for the erection in the streets of London of electric traffic-control signals?

It is proposed, subject to the concurrence of the local authorities, to make an experiment with electric traffic control signals in Oxford Street. The question of erecting such signals at certain road junctions in other parts of London is also under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the replacement of fixed-rail tramways by trolley tramways in the London suburbs, he proposes to recommend to the London County Council the consideration of the replacement of the existing tramways in their area by such trolley tramways; and whether there have been any entirely new systems of fixed-rail tramway's established in this country in the last five years; and, if so, where?

The answers to the first two questions asked by the hon. Member are in the negative, and in the circumstances his third question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Transport the position with regard to the proposed by-pass road at Ferry-bridge, Yorkshire?

A grant towards the cost of this by-pass road was issued on 5th February last. I am informed that tine West Riding County Council are now in negotiation with the landowners, and that the works will be commenced as soon as the necessary land is available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to state the increase in the cost of the Dartford-Puirfleet tunnel as the result of the decision to construct it at a greater depth; and whether, in the event of the revised estimate showing a considerable increase, he will be prepared, in the interest of public economy, to consider the alternative of a high-level steel bridge?

As regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 14th May. In considering schemes of this nature, I have always before me the interests of public economy.

asked the Minister of Transport which of the schemes for by-passing Ewell, Surrey, he proposes to approve; and when notification of such approval may be expected by the Surrey County Council?

A grant was made by my Department in November, 1928, towards the acquisition of land needed for laying out a bypass on the east side of Ewell in a position agreed with the Surrey County Council. I am prepared to make a grant towards the actual construction of the road in this position upon receipt of plans and estimates, and an intimation from the County Council that they are in a position to proceed with the work.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Grey Seals Protection Bill?

The date must depend on the exigencies of the Parliamentary Time Table in relation to other more urgent business, and I am afraid. I cannot give a mote precise indication at the present moment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the actual cost of administering the Old Age Pensions Acts which come under his Department in the area covered by the city of Liverpool?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the details furnished to him by the Soviet Ambassador of the rooms in Bush House actually to be occupied by the Soviet Trade Delegation?

Yes, Sir. The Soviet Trade Delegation will occupy a self-contained suite of 13 rooms, two ante-rooms and a box-room on the fifth floor, east wing, of Bush House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any reports as to the relations of Outer Mongolia, an integral part of the Republic of China, with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?

For the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member for West Belfast on 11th November last, there is no British representative in Outer Mongolia. In the absence of such a representative, I have necessarily received no authoritative reports on the situation in this autonomous province of the Chinese Republic, or on its relations with the Soviet Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any further statement as to the ownership, destination and contents of the ship which recently sailed from the Persian Gulf for the Far East with a large cargo of narcotics?

The ship in question is reported to be a Chinese vessel, and to have sailed from Bushire on 27th April with a cargo of 2,308 cases of unlicensed opium declared for Vladivostock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the date on which the Agricultural Conference last met; and on what date it will next meet?

The Agricultural Conference last met on 21st March. The Conference then adjourned to await the results of certain technical examinations, and, having consulted several members of the Conference, I find that the wish is to defer meeting until material is available for a useful discussion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the great success of the Black Currant Mite (Norfolk) Order of 1928, he will bring it to the notice of other county councils where black currants are grown, so that they may consider the advisability of adopting a similar order for their counties?

I have been glad to note the successful working of this Order, and I should be prepared to consider requests from other local authorities for the issue of similar Orders.