asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give the names of the rural post offices and railway stations in Northern Ireland provided with telephones since April, 1929?

Following is the list: TELEPHONES provided at Rural Post Offices and Railway Stations in Northern Ireland from 1st April, 1929, to 31st May, 1930.

Rural Post Offices.
Annaclone.	Glenone.
Annsborough.	Glynn.
Arboe.	Granville.
Articlave.	Killaloo.
Ballenderry, Lower.	Kilmore (Armagh).
Ballyonghlis.	Kilmore (Belfast).
Ballyeaston.	Kilwaughter.
Ballykinler Camp.	Kinallen.
Ballynaconnelly.	Laurelvale.
Ballynagarrick.	Laurencetown.
Ballynease.	Lislea (Ballymena).
Benburb.	Littlebridge.
Blackwatertown.	Magheralin.
Carland.	Maghery Castle.
Castlereagh.	Mays Corner.
Clontoe Richardson	Maze.
	Milebush.
Coolsallagh.	Millbrook.
Craigs.	Moneyglass.
Crawfordsburn.	Moneyslane.
Creenagh Corner	Monkstown.
(Moira Co. Down).	Muldonagh.
	Mullaslin.
Culcrum.	Newtownbreda.
Culmore.	Oritor.
Derrylee.	Portballintrae.
Downhill.	Ravarnett.
Drumahoe.	Rubane.
Drumannon.	Spa.
Dunadry.	Straidarran.
Dundonald.	Suffolk.
Eden.	Tamnamore.
Edendork.	Tiroony.
Fallaghloon.	Toy.
Galliagh.	Tullintrain.
Giants Causeway.	Tullyrone.
Gilnahirk.	Woodburn.
Glenariffe.	Woodview.
Rural Railway Stations.
Aldergrove.	Killylea.
Annaghmore.	Lisnaskea.
Aughnacloy.	Maze.
Ballycarry.	Magherabeg Halt.
Ballymoney.	Marino.
Carnalea.	Moira.
Carrickmore.	Mullafernaghan.
Derriaghy.	Richhill.
Doagh.	Trooper's Lane.
Hilden.	Tynan.
Hillsboro.	Whiteabbey.
Jordanstown.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give an estimate of the annual loss to the Post Office due to the free re-direction of telegrams, letters, and postcards?

There is no free re-direction of telegrams. As regards letters and postcards, the loss is very roughly estimated at £125,000 a year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the interval which must elapse before the reintroduction of the Education Bill dealing with the raising of the school-leaving age, he will endeavour to meet and satisfy the criticisms which have been made of this Measure by educational and religious bodies?

I should be very glad to meet any reasonable criticisms, but, as I said in my speech on the Second Reading of the Bill, the arrangement which I proposed to the House represents a balance which would easily be upset, and concessions in one direction might arouse irreconcilable opposition in another.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the withdrawal of the Education Bill, he has intimated to local education authorities the desirability of suspending expenditure on extension schemes arising out of the raising of the school age?

No, Sir. As the Prime Minister stated in the House last week, the Government propose to carry out their intention to pass into law, before the end of the calendar year, a Measure to extend the school-leaving age.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the estimated total cost of elementary and secondary education falling upon the State or upon the rates and taxes for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks will be found in paragraph 21 of the Memorandum on the Board of Education Estimates, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the number of certified day open-air schools for children in England and Wales?

The number of day open-air schools for delicate children in England and Wales, certified by the Board, is 70.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the case referred to him of the refusal by the education committee of the Lancashire County Council to approve the appointment of an assistant teacher in the Little Hulton Primitive Methodist School on the ground that she had not served as a teacher since September, 1921; whether he is aware that the man who was appointed had not served as a teacher for a much longer period; and whether he proposes to approve of the action of the County Council under the circumstances?

I have considered this case, and have decided in favour of the Authority upon the only question which arose for my determination, namely, whether the reason given by the authority for withholding their consent to the appointment proposed by the managers was an educational one. I am informed that no permanent appointment to the post in question has yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that out of 46,437 primary pupils who had qualified for enrolment in an advanced division, only 10,165, or about 22 per cent., obtained day school certificates, 9,361 lower and 804 higher; whether he can state the reasons for the low percentage mentioned; and what steps are proposed to be taken to increase the results of advanced division education?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question No. 30 of 24th June, 1930.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct the Education Department to send annually to each education committee complete statistics as to qualifying and advanced divisions examinations (during progressive years) for each school under the respective authorities, and request each authority to consider these results and how they may be improved from time to time?

With regard to the first part of the question, I do not think that anything is to be gained by sending to education authorities large masses of information which are already in their possession. As to the second, it is to be assumed that the education authorities do consider these results and how they may be improved; I may add that the performance of each school comes under the periodic review of His Majesty's inspector for the district in the course of his normal duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state what are the five areas, and how many schools in each area, in which there is no formal test examination for senior division pupils under Article 17 of the Code of Regulations for Day Schools in Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that proper test examinations shall be held in these areas and schools in future?

The education areas in which the schemes approved under Article 17 of the Code of Regulations for Day Schools, 1923, make no provision for a uniform and formal qualifying or control test, and the number of primary schools in each, are as follows:

				Schools.
Aberdeenshire		…	…	219
Angus	…	…	…	102
Bute	…	…	…	20
Clackmannan	…	…	…	14
Perth	…	…	…	161

With regard to the second part of the question the arrangements for the promotion from the senior division are under the continuous supervision of the Department through their staff of inspectors and it does not, therefore, seem necessary to take any special steps to require a formal and uniform written test or examination.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now state the number of persons who have been arrested and remain in custody in India since the commencement of the present disturbances?

On 31st May the number of persons who had been convicted in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement since 1st March and were still serving sentences was 3,302.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state what were the instructions given to the Sikh troops in Delhi on 6th May; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the firing that took place round the Sis-ganj Gurdwara on 6th May. The firing on this occasion was by the police. They fired in order to prevent a party of police who had gone to the rescue of their comrades from being heavily assailed by a mob with stones and brickbats. No Sikh troops were present and no troops, British or Indian, were called upon to fire. There were no casualties either among British or Indian troops.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state what economies will be effected in the staff of the Admiralty as the outcome of the provisions of the London Navy Treaty?

So far as can be seen at present there are no provisions in the Naval Treaty which will have the effect of diminishing the administrative work of the Admiralty. I hope, however, to continue the policy of steady reduction of the numbers of staff which has been in force for several years past, as a result of constant and painstaking review of the organisation and methods of work of the Department.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state whether any reductions have been made in the staff at the Admiralty for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and what was the amount of reduction in salaries during that period?

There has been a net reduction of 32 in the total staff borne on the 1st April, 1930, as compared with the numbers borne on the 1st April, 1929. There was a slight increase, amounting to about £5,000, in the quarterly cost of Admiralty staffs borne on the 1st January, 1930, as compared with the numbers borne on the 1st January, 1929, these being the figures available for the nearest corresponding dates. The reason for this increase is generally set out in the explanation of differences to the Navy Estimates for 1930, and is, as there stated, accounted for by progressive increases of salary, increases in emoluments to certain grades consequent on an award of the Industrial Court, increase of cost-of-living bonus, etc.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any representations have been received from the officers concerned in the matter of lower-deck promotion, in particular as regards the abolition of the distinctive title of mate?

So far as I can ascertain, no such representations have ever been made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that Mr. T. A. Robins, of 6, Althorpe Street, Northampton, has been disallowed unemployment benefit on the ground that he unreasonably refused an offer of employment with the Eldorado Ice Cream Company at a wage of 21s. per week for 13 hours per day, including Sundays; and whether she will inquire into the matter with a view to the grant of unemployment benefit?

The decision as to the allowance of benefit is not within my control. I am, however, having inquiries made into the case mentioned and will communicate the result to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the average percentage of State assistance given to loans for the relief of unemployment which different local authorities of the country have contracted?

During the period 1st June, 1929, to 30th June, 1930, the total estimated cost of schemes of work for the relief of unemployment, to be financed by way of loan, which were approved through the Unemployment Grants Committee for grant from Exchequer funds, was £37,203,000. The present value of the estimated Exchequer grant, in respect of these schemes, is £14,595,000, approximately 39 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state how many training centres for boys and girls have been established since June, 1929, for the purpose of enabling them to be more adaptable to changes of occupation and how many she proposes to establish; whether the training at such centres is or will be whole or part time and for how long a period; and for how many young people the training centres do and/or will provide?

Nine junior instruction centres and four junior instruction classes have been established since June, 1929. These centres and classes are established by local education authorities with the aid of grants from the Ministry. I am constantly in touch with authorities on the subject and endeavour to secure the establishment of centres or classes wherever the need exists. The hours of instruction vary from 15 to 30 per week. Attendance is in general compulsory so long as the unemployed juvenile is in receipt of benefit and voluntary otherwise. During the week ended 18th June, the last week for which figures are available, there was an average of 7,298 boys and 1,952 girls in attendance; 25,250 boys and girls have attended the centres since the 1st April, 1930.

asked the Minister of Labour how many additional places in centres of training for domestic service have been provided since June, 1929; and if she intends to provide any further places in centres of this kind; and, if so, how many?

The increase in the number of places provided in the Home Training Centres of the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment between the end of June, 1929, and the present month was 140. Other domestic courses in contemplation will provide 150 places. I am always prepared to consider, in consultation with the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, who conduct those centres on behalf of my Department, any proposal which may be made for establishing new centres in any places where an effective demand for such training exists.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the danger to themselves and the deterrent effect on traffic of cyclists riding in the middle of the road and two or three abreast; and whether he will consider taking steps to enforce cyclists keeping the rule of the road in the spirit as well as in the letter, and incidentally to enforce the carrying of a rear light on cycles?

As regards the first part of the question, the matter will be carefully considered in connection with the recommendations of the Highway Code to be issued under the Road Traffic Bill. As regards the last part of the question, the enforcement of the law requiring cyclists during the hours of darkness to carry a rear red light or reflector is a matter for the police.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now give any information as to the result of the conference with the London County Council with a view to further powers being obtained to deal with the intensive development of central sites in London, whereby the traffic in congested thoroughfares is intensified and the difficulties of the London traffic problem aggravated?

Certain aspects of the problem were explored at a Conference of representatives of the London County Council, Home Office, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport, but no final conclusions have yet been reached and the matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the development of the Staines, Egham, and Virginia Water areas whereby the trunk road from London to Southampton is obstructed by regional traffic, while on the other hand local and shopping traffic and traders are unduly disturbed by the through traffic, he will enter into negotiations with the county councils of Middlesex and Surrey with a view to arranging for the continuation of the Staines extension of the Great West road to Virginia Water by a new bridge across the river or, alternatively, whether he will invite the London Traffic Advisory Committee to consider and report upon the problem of increased road and bridge facilities in this area?

The road from Bedfont and Staines has been recently widened and reconstructed. The Surrey County Council are now preparing a scheme for a by-pass to avoid Egham, whilst further improvements will shortly be put in hand between Egham and Camberley. These works will improve traffic facilities on this route. I can assure my hon. Friend that the problem of communications in this and other similar areas is the subject of continuous study by my Department and the London Traffic Advisory Committee.

Period.		Number of houses completed with State assistance under—		Number of houses completed without State assistance.*
		Housing, etc., Act, 1923.	Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
Year ended:
30th September, 1923	…	991	—	52,749
30th September, 1924	…	30,934	—	73,032
30th September, 1925	…	78,409	12,385	66,735
30th September, 1926	…	84,431	46,489	65,689
30th September, 1927	…	115,073	97,316	60,313
30th September, 1928	…	47,969	53,792	64,624
30th September, 1929	…	78,826	53,516	71,083
Six months ended:
31st March, 1930	…	—	25,078	53,393
* (1) Houses having a rateable value exceeding £78 (or £105 in the Metropolitan area) are excluded.
(2) The figures given in this column include houses erected by local authorities without State assistance. The number of these houses is ordinarily negligible, but in the half-year ended 31st March. 1930, there were 1,605 such houses, presumably houses which were intended, but were not completed in time, to obtain subsidy under the Act of 1923.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the desirability of stimulating the breeding of pigs by smallholders and others, he will consider the desirability of instituting a scheme of insurance against loss through disease?

This question has been considered, but in the absence of any demand for new facilities from agriculturists, and in view of the unavoidably high premiums which would be required, the matter has not been pursued.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have been received for permission to pay less than the prescribed rates under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act; how many have been granted; and the extent of the remission, if any, in Breconshire and Radnorshire during the last 12 months?

The number of applications received by the Radnor and Brecon Agricultural Wages Committee during the 12 months ended 31st May, for permits authorising the payment of workers at less than the minimum rates of wages prescribed under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, was 51, and in addition 38 applications were received far the renewal of existing permits. Twenty-eight of the new applications and 31 renewals were granted. Most of the permits (including renewals) were granted for rates of wages varying from 2s. to 8s. per week below the minimum rates otherwise applicable, but in some cases the permit rate was less than 2s. below the weekly minimum, and in others as much as 15s. below the minimum.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the acreage of potatoes under cultivation in this country in 1928, 1929 and 1930 respectively, and the corresponding figures for cereal cultivation?

The areas under potatoes and cereals in England and Wales in 1928 were 489,019 acres and 4,493,071 acres respectively, and in 1929 the corresponding figures were 518,808 acres and 4,479,714 acres. I regret that particulars for 1930 are not yet available.