asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he now proposes to take any action for the purpose of introducing legislation to deal with the question of the registration of irregular marriages which take place at Gretna Green (Scotland), and can he give the House particulars?

This matter is being considered, but I am not at present in a position to give any undertaking as to legislation on the subject.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he will be in a position to give an answer? I have raised this matter, not only with him but with his predecessor, on two occasions.

Arising out of the original answer, can the right hon. Gentleman say if there are many irregular marriages in Scotland?

That does not arise on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is in a position to say when the construction of the Bays of Harris road will be put into operation and if he will see that work is begun at both ends of the road?

The question of the provision of funds to meet the cost of completing the construction of this road is being considered, but meantime I am not in a position to say when work on the road will be put in hand. The suggestion that the work should be begun at both ends will be kept in view if and when arrangements for undertaking it are made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the letter written on the 5th July, 1919, in which a promise was made that this road should be constructed; does he not consider that it is now time that it was done; and will he not do his best to expedite it?

I can assure the hon. Member that this matter is receiving very careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a disease styled grass sickness is causing serious loss to farmers in the north-eastern counties of Scotland by death to horses; and whether he will bring skilled scientific and veterinary examination to bear on the problem in order to elucidate the cause and the cure for the illness?

I am aware that serious loss is caused by this disease, which has been the subject of investigation by the Animal Diseases Research Association for a number of years. In their investigations the Association have enlisted the services of specialists in a number of subjects which appeared to have a possible relation to this obscure disease, but up to the present time it has not been found possible to ascertain the cause or to prescribe curative treatment. The investigation is being continued.

Will the sight hon. Gentleman make a greater attempt to get something done, as this disease is inflicting grievous harm and loss on the farmers in this part of Scotland?

This is a matter which will receive the continued attention of the Department. I can assure my hon. Friend that we realise its importance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any steps are being taken by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland for the development of the pig industry in Scot- land;and whether, when approving bylaws for pig styes, the Department of Health and Agriculture will have regard to the need for avoiding the placing of any unnecessary restrictions on the growth of the industry?

In 1929 the Department of Agriculture set up a permanent ad hoc committee composed of representatives of the industry, bacon-curing factories and scientific workers to advise them on all questions relating to pork and bacon production. In addition to experiments at the agricultural colleges, research work on pig feeding and breeding is in progress at the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, and the Animal Breeding Research Department, Edinburgh University. This work is being developed with the aid of a grant from the Empire Marketing Fund. The confirmation of by-laws for pig styes, made under Section 35 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897, rests with the Department of Health for Scotland, and in terms of Section 185 of that Act, the Department are required, before granting confirmation to any proposed by-laws, to consider any objections that may be submitted to them within the prescribed period by any persons who may be aggrieved. Any objections that may be so made on the ground that the by-laws would impose unnecessary restrictions on the growth of the industry will receive the Department's consideration.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, if something can be done to minimise the risk of asphyxiation which we are suffering at the moment?

I have given instructions that the windows shall be opened.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the stocks of last year's potatoes which are still held by Scottish potato growers and merchants at the present date?

Returns received by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland from 762 large growers and merchant-growers, covering 306,000 tons of potatoes, or 26.5 per cent. of the estimated total crop of 1929, show that on 1st June the total quantity in the hands of these persons was 58,250 tons, or 19 per cent. of the quantity mentioned above. This proportion cannot, however, be safely applied throughout Scotland. Probably the proportional amount left in the hands of smaller growers is less. No returns have been received from merchants who are not growers.

Have any steps been taken to ascertain what use can be made of the surplus stocks still in the hands of the growers, and has the right hon. Gentleman considered that matter?

Perhaps the hon. Member would put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can make a statement with regard to the proposed potato pool in Scotland, and if it is the intention of the Government to guarantee credit facilities in order to assist in the development of marketing arrangements?

I understand that Scottish Potato Growers, Limited, have obtained signatures from about 1,300 potato growers to an agreement to market their potatoes through this agency for the three years, 1930–1932, inclusive. The area thus contracted for is about 17,000 acres. It has, however, been decided that the agreement shall not apply to the 1930 crop. The matter raised in tale second part of the question is receiving my consideration in connection with the report of the Committee on Agricultural Co-operation in Scotland. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement on the subject shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the promoters of this marketing arrangement feel that they would have got much further if they had been promised some credit facilities?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered assisting in the erection of power alcohol distilleries to take the surplus stock of potatoes, as is done on the Continent?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the reason for erecting specimen frames of the Em- pire Marketing Board in overseas Empire countries; and whether this is to advertise British or other Empire produce abroad?

A specimen of the Empire Marketing Board's poster frame has been erected in a few important cities in certain overseas Empire countries, with the object of giving a practical illustration to the people of the country concerned of the work that the Board are undertaking on behalf of Empire produce in the United Kingdom.

Is it intended to extend the erection of these boards beyond the specimen stage?

I hope that the general principle on which the Empire Marketing Board is doing so much may be appreciated and recognised in the Dominions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that consideration is given to this matter on the simple point whether it is desirable or not to try to redress the balance as between Empire and foreign produce?

Certainly; that is a matter which will be taken into consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if any of the 11 poster sets used by the Empire Marketing Board in advertising British goods have been displayed in the Dominions and Colonies; and, if so, in which?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board dealing with the produce and manufactures of Great Britain are exhibited in the overseas Empire; and, if not, whether arrangements can be made for their exhibition with the object of drawing attention to the products of this country?

Specimen copies of all the posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board are sent regularly to His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in the Dominions, the West Indian and East Africa Colonies and Malaya, for such display as local conditions permit. The object of sending out these specimens is to give a practical illustration to the people of the territories concerned of the work that the Board are undertaking on behalf of Empire produce in the United Kingdom. In regard to the second part of Question No. 18, the Board's activities are limited by the terms of the Empire Marketing Vote to furthering the sale of Empire products (including home agricultural products) in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the volume and value of foreign imported potatoes during the first six months of this year and the corresponding figures for last year?

The total imports of potatoes into Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered as consigned from foreign countries during the five months ended 31st May, 1930, amounted to 1,115,000 cwts. of a declared value of £897,000, as compared with 980,000 cwts. valued at £904,000 during the corresponding period of 1929. I will send the hon. and gallant Member similar information for the full six months as soon as the particulars in respect of the month of June, 1930, are available.

In view of the very large supply of potatoes, could the right hon. Gentleman see his way to prohibit the import of foreign potatoes?

That raises the whole question of the prohibition of imported foodstuffs. I cannot deal with that in answer to a supplementary question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication of the tonnage of last year's crop still remaining in the country?

I cannot without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of the mineral oils and oil products imported into and retained in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland during last year?

The total declared value of petroleum, crude and refined, mineral jelly and paraffin wax imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year 1929, less re-exports during that year, amounted to £41,895,000. The declared value of the domestic exports of these products from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the same year amounted to £3,859,000, and my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that practically the whole of these were probably derived from imported oils. The latter figure does not include oil-fuel shipped for use as bunkers, the value of which is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether boots and shoes made by convict labour in Sing Sing Prison, America, are imported and sold in Great Britain?

I have no information that boots and shoes, made as stated in the question, have been imported into the United Kingdom.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries whether there are such boots imported?

Under the Foreign Prison Made Goods Act, 1897, there is power to deal with a matter of this kind if we get information, but in all these cases I have never been able to get precise information from anyone.

Surely the Labour party will not object to boots and shoes coming in.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever seen an American Consular invoice?

I have received a goad many documents in my time, but the Rouse must understand that we require information to be tendered to the Customs or other authorities before we can act. That information I have never been able to get.

If the right bon. Gentleman finds that there is any truth in the suggestion in this question, will he take steps to prohibit the importation of such articles?

Of course, that is hypothetical. I must get the information, and, if the case falls within the Act, it is for the Government to decide whether steps should be taken.

Is it not a fact that, whatever the right hon. Gentleman proposes, the Liberals will not let him do it?

That is not a fact.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Italy undertook under The Hague Convention, which became operative on 1st June, 1928, to modify her own patent laws, in accordance with the regulations of the convention, but in fact has not yet done so; that under the convention of 1925, which became operative in 1928, exploitation was unnecessary and a system of compulsory licences was introduced but, as Italy has not modified her laws, the Italian courts still hold that patented articles must be absolutely manufactured within the country, and that the result of this is that British patentees who have been working under the terms of the convention now find their patents useless and their ideas exploited by others in Italy without redress; and whether he will take action to bring the matter at once to the notice of the Italian Government?

The International Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, signed at The Hague on 8th November, 1925, came into operation between Italy and this country on 1st June, 1928, and British subjects are accordingly entitled to claim the benefits of that Convention in Italy as from that date. I have just received particulars of a case in which it is alleged that a British firm has been refused such benefits and I am considering whether any action should be taken.

When the right hon. Gentleman goes into the case that has been put before him, which is the case on which this question is based, will he take special note of the fact that it is not that they are not getting justice in Italy, because they are getting the justice that is laid down by the present Italian law, but the fact that Italy has not altered her laws in accordance with the undertaking she gave at the time of the Convention, and that thereby British subjects and other foreigners lose all their rights?

I have just received the case in detail, and I have given instructions for a, very full inquiry to be made. I will certainly bear in mind also the additional point which the hon. Member has put.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me an opportunity of discussing the matter with him?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is now able to say what further economic missions he proposes to send to different parts of the world?

The Overseas Trade Development Council have been giving special consideration to the question of economic missions as a means of assisting the export trade of this country. Various proposals are being examined, and I hope it will be possible to make a definite announcement in the near future.

In view of the fact that the hon. Gentleman gave exactly the same reply about six months ago, is it not possible for him to say when a decision is likely to be reached?

The hon. Member has overlooked the fact that I have already announced that a mission is to be sent to the Far East. That announcement was made less than six months ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many houses have been built in Kerry by the Soldiers and Sailors Land, Trust for ex-service men; how many more it is proposed to build; and what rents are being charged?

I am informed that 14 cottages were completed by the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust at Tralee, and occupied in February, 1928, and that the Trustees propose to build 16 other cottages. The rents of the existing cottages at Tralee are 10 at 5s. per week, and four at 6s. 6d. per week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any representations have been made by societies or individuals in Southern Ireland protesting against the rents charged, and also against the number of cottages that are built?

I have not the foggiest notion about that, but I will have it looked into.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built during the 12 months ended 25th June, 1930, showing separately the number that have been built with State assistance and private enterprise, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for the previous 12 months?

Figures for houses built without subsidy of a rateable value not exceeding £78 (or £105 in the Metropolitan

Have the Government now revised their views about private enterprise in housing?

Will the Parliamentary Secretary now take back all the things that she said against private enterprise?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how many unemployed men emigrated last year, and how many emigrated the previous year?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims to benefit

asked the Prime Minister whether, in relation to the Advisory Committee on Unemployment, he will state the nature of the papers which are to be supplied to members of the which have been refused to applicants registered at Bridgeton and Parkhead Employment Exchanges, Glasgow, respectively, for each week since the coming into operation of the new Act to the latest available date on the ground that applicants were not normally in insurable employment, and the corresponding figures for the previous year?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether there has been an increase in the figures?

I have asked my hon. Friend to look at the figures for a certain date. As they are extremely complicated, I could not answer the question in, detail.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how it is that these figures have now become so complicated compared with what they used to be?

The right hon. Gentleman will understand that, as the body to which he is presumably referring is a Committee of the Cabinet, I cannot undertake to give any information either as to its proceedings or procedure.

Is not the Prime Minister confusing the Committee to which I am referring? I am referring to the Committee of which he and the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) are joint members. That is the Committee about which I want information.

I am very sorry; from the right hon. Member's question I did not draw that conclusion.

May I repeat the question?

Please do.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that the Singer Sewing Machine Works at Clydebank are to be closed from 17th July until 4th August; and whether the workers laid off will receive unemployment benefit during the period the works are closed?

I am not aware that the dates of closing have been definitely fixed. The question of eligibility for benefit can only be decided by the statutory authorities before whom all the facts will be laid.

I am telling the hon. Member that the date is definitely fixed. It is up in the works. There is no doubt about it. Why should he say that he does not know the date when I am telling him that it is definitely fixed? It was his duty to make inquiries, and give me an answer.

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for the information, but officially we know nothing about it.

In view of the importance of the matter and the wide- spread concern in the West of Scotland regarding it, has the hon. Gentleman asked that a local inquiry should be made, and will he take steps to see that the authorities give a decision at an early date?

This is a very serious matter. We have put down a definite question, and we are told that the Government have no definite information. [Interruption.]

Mr. Kirkwood. Question No. 60.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that many piece-workers at Singer's Sewing Machine Works at Clydebank are deprived of receiving unemployment benefit by being compelled to remain in the factory for 30 hours per week in the hope of further work being provided, which on many occasions does not materialise; that many of these people are married men with families who are earning less money in such circumstances than they would receive in unemployment benefit if totally unemployed; and what steps she proposes to take in the matter?

I have asked for a report on this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive it.

I must appeal to the House. We did not hear that reply.

I said that I have asked for a report in this matter and that I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have received it.

If the hon. Gentleman finds, as a result of his inquiry, that there is a direct evasion of the Unemployment Insurance Act will he take steps—

That appears to be a hypothetical question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now been able to reconsider the question of the recent reduction in ration allowances to non-commissioned officers and men on leave; and if he is unable to restore the original position, whether he can improve the present rates?

Yes, Sir. I have gone very carefully into this question, but regret that it is not possible to make any change during the current financial year. I am, however, arranging that the matter shall be very fully considered in connection with next year's estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many suits of civilian clothes are supplied annually to soldiers on discharge or transfer to the Army Reserve; whether these clothes are supplied by the Army Clothing Department; if not, what is the source of supply; and what is the price paid by the War Office for each suit?

Soldiers are not provided with plain clothes on discharge or transfer to the Army Reserve, but are granted a money allowance to assist them in the purchase of such clothes. They may, if they wish, purchase suits from Army stocks and the average number of suits so purchased during the last three years was 8,000 a year. These suits are made up under contract and are supplied by the Royal Army Clothing Department. It would be contrary to practice to fur- nish the information asked for in regard to prices.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the material of which these suits are made is manufactured in this country?

Not without notice of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of recruits obtained for the Regular Army and the Territorial Forces in the first six months of 1930; how the numbers compare with 1929; and to what cause he attributes the decline, if any?

For the first five months of 1930, 11,949 recruits enlisted into the Regular Army and 15,647 into the Territorial Army. The comparable figures for 1929 were 12,753 and 14,770. Figures for June, 1930, are not yet available. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it possible to attribute the fall in recruiting for the Regular Army to any single cause. I might add for the information of the hon. and gallant member that the number of applicants for the Regular Army served with notice papers during the first three months of 1930 and 1929 were 18,988 and 20,197 respectively and of these totals only 8,098 and 8,292 were accepted as recruits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to make up the deficiency in recruits, which is really serious, being only about 10 per cent.?

Every kind of effort which has previously been made is being made to-day. I am fully aware of the gravity of the position. The figures which I have given of the numbers of people who offer their services to the Army and are turned down because of defective physique are raising the greatest anxiety not only in my mind but in the mind of everyone who has a love for his country.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that one of the contributory causes of the decline of recruiting is the fact that a more enlightened view of war is now spreading?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider countering the position by a personal recruiting campaign in the country?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all soldiers on the married establishment in the London district are in occupation of quarters and, if not, how many such soldiers are there for whom quarters are not available?

The number of married families of soldiers on the married quarters roll in the London district who are not provided with public quarters is approximately 260. But this number includes the families of soldiers serving in the War Office and at the Horse Guards, for whom accommodation would not in many cases normally be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to provide the 400 families at Aldershot who are in quarters which are too small for them with fresh quarters?

The general proportion of the different sized quarters built for married families was fixed as the result of a census taken some years ago, and I am having inquiry made to see whether any alteration in that proportion is desirable. The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that this question has been a difficult one for years and that the problem is not capable of easy and quick solution.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the situation has been aggravated by bringing back the Army from the Rhine, and will he do all that he posibly can to expedite the clearing away of the slum conditions in the British Army?

I believe that there has been little or no aggravation of the position through bringing back the Army from the Rhine. I have heard allegations that there are quarters which date back to the Crimea, and of the intervening period since then we have only been responsible for two years. I will do my best to see that we meet our responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many married families of the British Forces there are in the Woolwich district which are in quarters which are too small for them and for which larger quarters are not available?

The number of families in married quarters in the Woolwich district to whom a larger quarter would be allotted were it available is 70.

Is not the position with regard to this matter so serious in Woolwich that the right hon. Gentleman himself has taken action for ejectment in the Woolwich County Court on several occasions?

The position is exactly what it was under the late Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that he himself has taken several actions for ejectment quite recently in the county court there?

Answer.

The right hon. Gentleman personally has taken no action whatever; his Department has.

Is it not a fact that in all these proceedings the plaintiff on the summons appears as the Secretary of State for War, and is the right hon. Gentleman going to shelter himself behind his Department?

Answer!

asked the Secretary of State for War the fee at which the War Office were prepared to agree to the request of a British film company to lend a battalion or more of British soldiers as actors for the film "Tell England"; and whether this offer was accepted?

It would be contrary to practice to give information as to contract prices. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Will my right hon. Friend take care that soldiers do not undertake work which legitimately be longs to unemployed film actors?

I thought that the complaint in this case was that the Army had demanded too much money; that the complaint was from the film com- pany that they could not pay the money owing to the excessive demands of the Army for payment?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that British film producing companies receive preference?

I did not know that we ever supplied soldiers for foreign films.

Is it not a fact that the last Government supplied soldiers for a foreign film?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inform the House of the number of service pensioners who have commuted a portion of their service pension during the past two years for the purpose of migration to British Dominions or Colonies, and the average age of such pensioners?

During the two years ended 31st March, 1929, which is the latest period for which statistics are available, approximately 60 service pensioners commuted part of their pensions for the purpose of emigration to the Dominions or Colonies. No separate record is kept of the names or ages of these men, and these particulars could only be obtained after considerable research. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to supply the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for the practice of declining to give the address of a soldier against whom there are legal claims in respect of goods bought from tradespeople and not paid for?

The War Office have been advised that they are under no legal liability to furnish addresses in these cases, and it is understood that in refusing to communicate information of this kind to third parties for private purposes, the Department's long established practice is in consonance with that of such private institutions as banks.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many divisional inspectors of mines, senior, junior and sub-inspectors of mines and quarries, respectively, there are in Wales and Monmouthshire; and how many in each category have a knowledge of the Welsh language?

In Wales and Monmouthshire there are employed three divisional inspectors, four senior inspectors, eight junior inspectors, 10 sub-inspectors of mines and quarries, and two horse inspectors, a total of 27, three of whom spend only part of their time in Wales. Of these 27 inspectors, 13 have a thorough knowledge and eight others some knowledge of the Welsh language.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state what was the total quantity of mineral oil produced in the United Kingdom from coal, shale, etc., during last year?

In the case of coal information is not available of the amount of mineral oil produced by various processes. As regards oil produced from shale it is estimated that, expressed in terms of crude oil and naphtha, the production from this source amounted in 1929 to rather more than 40,000,000 gallons.

Is any other source of oil supply being tapped now? My hon. Friend will be aware that there was at one time in this country a little oil produced from the soil.

As far as I know, there are no natural oil wells in the country which are being exploited.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to state the nature of the decision reached at the International Labour Conference witn reference to international action regarding hours of work in mines?

A Convention dealing with the hours of work in coal mines was drawn up in committee and secured a majority of votes in the full Conference, but narrowly failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority in the final vote. The Conference then decided by a large majority to place the question on the agenda for next year.

Is the hon. Member aware that the conferences which have been held up to the present time have been abortive; and may I ask whether it is intended to continue them?

I take the opposite view. I think they have achieved a large measure of success.

Will the hon. Member say what practical results have been attained up to the present?

I could, if there were time.

asked the Secretary for Mines what amount of the 1,000,000 tons of British coal to be shipped to Italy under agreement with the Italian Government has now been shipped from this country; and whether any quantity has been carried in British ships?

I am advised that 502,500 tons of this coal have already been shipped, practically all in Italian vessels.

May I ask whether it was not an understanding when this arrangement was made that a certain proportion of this coal should be shipped in British bottoms, and whether any representations have been made to the Italian Government to that effect?

My information is to the opposite effect.

Are we to understand that the agreement was to ship this coal in Italian bottoms?

The question did not arise in a definite form. It was an arrangement for the supply of coal, principally from South Wales, to Italy.

When this arrangement was made, was there a definite understanding that this coal should be shipped in Italian bottoms?

That is not so.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many boys, under the age of 16, are at present working underground in the coal mines?

In December, 1929, the latest date for which definite information is available, the total number of boys under 16 years of age employed below ground at coal mines was 28,800.

If the Bill raising the school age to 15 is passed, would not it take these boys out of the mines?

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephone call-boxes that have been installed at rural railway stations and villages in England during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; whether the fees payable for them are under a special agreement; and will he give particulars?

The number of rural call offices provided in England and Wales during the year ended the 31st March last was 3,694, of which 357 were at railway stations. The ordinary call office fees are charged for calls made from them.

May I ask whether there are any automatic boxes from which people can pay for trunk calls?

A certain number of them.

asked the Postmaster-General why he refuses to sanction the laying of telegraph wires underground in the borough of Stoke Newington; and if he is aware that his decision will necessitate the erection of telegraph posts on footways in Springfield Road, Aden Grove, Shakespeare Road, Cowper Road, and Milton Road, Stoke Newington, and that the erection of these posts will meet with the opposition of the Stoke Newington Borough Council?

Underground lines have been and are being laid in Stoke Newington wherever financial considerations warrant that course. A certain amount of overhead plant must, however, be erected where wholly underground construction would involve unremunerative capital expenditure; and it is for this reason that posts are being erected in the roads named, with the consent of the borough council.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state, of the 2,950 road transport vehicles in the Post Office fleet, how many are of British manufacture and, of the 600 added during the last year, how many are of British manufacture?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on the 24th of June. Of the vehicles purchased or ordered during the last 12 months 100 have been of 80 per cent. British manufacture and 512 wholly British manufacture.

Can the Postmaster-General say how many of the previous ones were ordered by the late Government?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Charles Stapleton, acting as temporary postman from 19th May to 28th June, 1930, for the Lyndhurst rural district of Mansfield, found that, owing to the heavy loads and the distance to be covered, it could not be done within the time allowed, and consequently, although paid at the usual rate per hour for temporary postmen, was not paid for the time he actually worked; and if he will have the time allowance for this delivery adjusted and this man paid for the actual time worked?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the nature of the inquiry made into the means of persons who have a need pension; at what intervals is such investigation made; when a reduction is proposed how long notice is given; and if any chance is given to the person in receipt of such a pension to appear before any committee before such a reduction operates, or if any kind of hearing takes place?

In the absence of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Pensions, I have been asked to reply.

I am informed that inquiries, which take the form both of correspondence and investigation by a local officer of the Ministry, are usually instituted, not at regular intervals, but only as and when some material change in the financial circumstances of the case is indicated (whether on the application of the pensioner or otherwise) which makes reconsideration of the pension necessary with a view either to its increase or decrease. Where any prospective change of the pensioner's circumstances is involved, as long notice as possible is given to ensure that that change will have taken place before the reduction becomes operative. Changes in the rate of pension are made only on the basis of accomplished facts or of ascertained expectations, but any pensioner who considers that the facts have been misinterpreted has the usual right of making a complaint to the War Pensions Committee.

Cannot these people have the same right as anybody else; that is to say, that before a reduction takes place their case shall be heard by some committee? These are the only persons who are not given an opportunity of stating their case before a reduction takes place.

I cannot answer the question, but I will convey the remarks of the hon. Member to the Minister of Pensions.

And will the hon. Gentleman also ask the Minister of Pensions to introduce a little human touch into this matter?

asked the Minister of Pensions the total number of claims made to his Department for review of pensions claims under the new procedure which are outside the seven years limit; and the total number which have either a new pension or an improvement on their present pension?

Some 14,500 fresh applications have been received in the past seven and a-half months, of which over 4,000 are still under consideration and investigation. 541 applications have been recognised either by way of treatment or pecuniary compensation.

May I ask whether a promise to abolish the seven years' limit will continue to form part of the programme of the Labour party?