asked the Secretary of State for War whether barrack wardens have been recently informed that they are no longer to occupy married quarters, as they are required for troops; and whether it is the custom for barrack wardens to have Government married quarters, and what steps he is taking in the matter?

As regards the first part of the question, it was notified, after full consideration, in 1928, on the occasion of a review of their pay and conditions of service, that it was not regarded as essential that barrack wardens should occupy public quarters. As regards the remainder of the question, a certain number of barrack wardens are in occupation of Government quarters. Such occupation is not disturbed unless the shortage of quarters for troops entitled thereto is in the opinion of the General Officer Commanding so acute as to call for the surrender of any quarters occupied by barrack wardens.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what action he intends to take in future on this question of barrack wardens' accommodation, and in special reference to the shortage of married quarters at Aldershot and Woolwich?

Will my right hon. Friend say whether there has been an increase of surrenders during the past year, and whether there were any evictions during the tenure of office of the late Secretary of State for War?

The right hon. Gentleman cannot answer for a former Secretary for War.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the circumstances in which, on the 3rd May last, he instituted proceedings in the Woolwich County Court against Mr. Frederick Sheppard, a barrack warden, for possession of premises at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich; whether he can state the length of service of Mr. Sheppard; and whether, seeing that he gave up private quarters in order to occupy the public quarters that had been allotted to him and is liable to be ordered away at any time to serve in some other station, he proposes, under these circumstances, to evict Mr. Sheppard and his family?

As the military quarters in the occupation of this barrack warden, who is a civilian employé, were required for soldiers on the married quarters roll, he was warned in December, 1928, that in another twelve months he would be given notice to vacate public quarters. Formal notice to quit was given in February, 1930, and as he did not vacate the quarters, proceedings were instituted in May of this year to recover possession. Mr. Sheppard's appointment as a barrack warden dates from December, 1924. As regards the last part of the question, the facts stated would not justify me in authorising his continued occupation of public quarters to the exclusion of the military personnel for whom they are required.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter came before the county court judge, who was so impressed with the circumstances of this man that he said the Secretary of State ought to consider the matter again? Is he prepared to do so?

I am not aware of the circumstances stated by the right hon. Gentleman. I have given the answer to the question that he has put, and if he will put another question on the Paper I will give him an answer to that.

What does the right hon. Gentleman propose that this man should do?

This man has had 18 months' notice to terminate the occupation of these quarters—notice that was given to him by my predecessor. With the best will in the world, I cannot spend all my time abolishing the decisions of my predecessors.

Is this a new policy or simply the policy carried out by the late Government?

This is no new policy, and, as a matter of fact, the actions taken in the year preceding the present year were 20 per cent. higher than during the present year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman always going to shelter himself behind the actions of his predecessors?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers serving in the Guards are still granted the privilege of being employed at evening and matinee performances at London theatres; can he say whether for the purpose of these engagements soldiers are excused any part of their military duties; is permission also granted to Guardsmen to be absent from their military duties for rehearsals; have any inquiries been made into this subject; and can he give the House particulars?

As regards the first and last parts of the question, soldiers, whether belonging to the Guards or to other regiments, are at liberty to spend their leisure time as they like provided that there is no interference with their military duties. Instructions were issued last autumn to make the position clear in this respect and to make it clear also that any engagements which soldiers accept in their spare time are purely of a private nature and that touting for engagements in any shape or form is forbidden. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the answer is in the negative.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the fact that these soldiers attend rehearsals in the morning, performances at matinees in the afternoon, and appear again at night, does not interfere with their military duty?

Will the right hon. Gentleman not say that this is what his predecessor did?

If my hon. Friend will give me details of cases where it is evident that soldiers have been taking private engagements at the expense of their military duties, I will take steps to deal with the matter.

Is not what was stated impossible? If they took private engagements at the expense of their military duties they would be brought before their Commanding Officer, who would punish them.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that if they take private engagements at the expense of ex-service men it is not helping the unemployed?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the following information with regard to the milk supplied to the Territorial units which camped at Kinmel Park and Voryd, near Rhyl, in the county of Flint, from 8th June last up to the end of the month, namely, whether any of the milk supplied to the officers' mess and to the sergeants and privates, respectively, was foreign tinned milk; if so, what was the proportion of such milk to the whole of the milk supplied in each case; and whether any of the milk was obtained from local farmers, and, if so, the approximate proportion in each case?

The supply of milk to Territorial units in camp is a matter for the officer commanding to arrange. It will therefore be necessary to call for reports from some dozen units to obtain the information for which the question asks, but if the hon. Member will let me know if he wishes this done I will have the necessary instructions given and communicate with him when the reports are received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greater part of the milk supplied to the soldiers was foreign milk, and that this occurred in an important agricultural district in which at the present time there is a great glut of milk?

I am not aware of those facts. I have given the information that I have, and, if the hon. Member desires the collection of the information for which he now asks, which will be a matter of considerable work, I will try to get it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is a matter of considerable importance to the farming community in this district?

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the arrangements in force for providing medical attention for the families of officers and men serving in the Army?

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the right hon. Gentleman include the provision of medical service for the families of those serving overseas?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my answer, which will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I think it will give him the information that he desires, but, if it does not, information is always at his disposal if he asks for it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the appearance of a Territorial Army band at a Conservative party gathering at Corstorphine on 21st June; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent the recurrence of such a breach of regulations?

I have received a report on this case from which it appears that the engagement was accepted in the belief that it was for a garden and musical fete, and not for a political gathering. The Regulations for the Territorial Army clearly lay down that bands are not permitted to play at political demonstrations and this isolated and unintentional departure from them does not suggest that any special steps are necessary to secure their observance. I hope that the publicity given to this matter by the question and answer will prevent any such mistake in future.

If I show the right hon. Gentleman that this particular engagement, in which this band was involved, was advertised a week before the event took place, and that the advertisement in the "Edinburgh Evening News was headed" Corstorphine Unionist Association," will he take action?

The hon. Member had better send the Minister the information which he has.

Will the Government show the same zeal for regulations that will prevent the use of Service aircraft by Cabinet Ministers?

asked the Secretary of State for War what British troops are stationed in Egypt and at what places; and what was the strength a year ago by comparison with the present time?

The regimental establishment of the British troops in Egypt, as given on page 29 of Army Estimates, consists of three cavalry regiments, six batteries of artillery, six infantry battalions and ancillary troops. There has been no change in the number of these units since last year. The actual strength of the troops in Egypt on 1st June this year was approximately 9,800, compared with 9,600 on 1st June, 1929. The troops are stationed at Cairo, Ismailia, Alexandria and Port Said.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received a resolution passed by the reconstituted county council of Ross and Cromarty urging that steps should be taken to separate for all administrative purposes the island of Lewis from the mainland part of the county; and what action he proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. To give effect to the desire of the county council would require legislation, and until experience has been gained of the result of the administrative changes effected by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, consideration of the county council's proposal would be premature.

Will the right hon. Gentleman carefully consider the demand put forward by the people of Lewis for as large a delegation as possible of health and highway services from the county council of Ross and Cromarty?

These are matters which I have already considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to say when, and where, the present inhabitants of St. Kilda are to be settled in their new surroundings, and the nature of the employment found for them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday on this matter in the debate on the Estimates of the Department of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to state how the expenses connected with the evacuation of St. Kilda are to be met; and how far the Government is prepared to meet the said costs?

The matter is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will furnish figures showing for 1928–29 the number of children leaving primary schools, and the number and percentage of these proceeding to some form of full-time education; and the percentage of primary school children who eventually proceed to universities?

The total number of pupils leaving primary schools, i.e., schools conducted under the Code of Regulations for Day Schools, 1923, during the year 1928–29 was 90,025, of whom 21,143 or 23.5 per cent. were transferred to secondary schools. If pupils leaving the primary departments of schools conducted under the Secondary Schools (Scotland) Regulations, 1923, are included the figures are 103,129, 31,599 and 30.6, respectively. I regret that I have no information as to the number proceeding to other forms of full-time education, or as to the percentage of primary school children who eventually proceed to universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland have adopted the sewage purification system; and how many local authorities are still without a system whereby rivers and streams are polluted?

I am having certain returns in ate possession of the Department of Health for Scotland examined with a view, if possible, to furnishing the hon. Member with the particulars he desires, and I hope to be in a position to communicate with him upon the matter at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the Rivers Pollution Committee may be expected?

I am informed that the Department of Health for Scotland expect shortly to receive the report on the River Tweed by the Advisory Committee on Rivers Pollution Prevention, and that the committee's report on the River Esk is in course of preparation.

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise, in the light of yesterday's debate, that this is a very important matter; and will he do what he can to have this report as speedily as possible?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the annual cost to local authorities of providing travelling facilities for school children?

Travelling facilities for school children are provided by education authorities under section 4 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, or under sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, as amended by paragraph 5 (a) of the Fifth Schedule of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, and section 4 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1925. The powers of education authorities under these sections of the Acts are not limited to the provision of travelling expenses and I regret that the available statistics do not enable me to separate the expenditure on this service from the related expenditure incurred under the same sections of the Acts referred to.

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to get some particulars on this score. The question merely asks what is the cost of these travelling facilities. I am not doubting that it is in order—

Order!

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the hardship caused to applicants for old age pensions in Scotland who, in cases of doubt, are obliged to produce their birth certificates in support of their claims and to pay fees for searching the registers or for extracts of certificates of birth; and whether he will take steps entirely to exempt such applicants from payment of fees?

While birth certificates already in the possession of claimants have been produced in support of the majority of the claims submitted to the Department of Health for Scotland for consideration under the Contributory Pensions Acts, and while applicants are asked to submit certificates to facilitate the investigation of their cases, they are under no obligation to do so and are not required to obtain duplicate certificates for the purpose. As regards the latter part of the question, it is in fact the Department's practice to arrange, free of cost to the applicant, for a search to be made in the available records for verification of the date of birth where satisfactory evidence has not been submitted with the claim. It is estimated that this course has been taken in about 25 per cent. of the cases in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of petitions for ejection of tenants of working-class houses brought before the Dundee sheriff court during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1929; how many petitions were granted; and how many tenants were actually ejected?

In the summary removing court the number of new actions raised during the period in question was 238 and the number of cases called in the Continued Roll was 176. The number of warrants of ejection granted was 98. In the ordinary sheriff court 21 actions of removal or ejection were initiated, and 17 decrees were granted. The actual number of ejections, according to figures obtained by the sheriff clerk, was 32.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of inhabited houses in Dundee which have been condemned by the sanitary authority as unfit for human habitation; and if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to prevent rent being charged for such houses in Dundee and elsewhere in Scotland?

I am informed that there are in Dundee 651 inhabited houses which have been condemned by the local authority as unfit for human habitation. The local authority are actively engaged in the erection of 300 houses and are in course of taking tenders for the erection of 306 more, making a total of 606 houses for the tenants to be displaced. As my hon. Friend is aware, we have introduced a Bill for the better and speedier provision of alternative accommodation, but my right hon. Friend can meantime give no undertaking as to further legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Fishery Board for Scotland are proposing to initiate further experiments for the location of herring shoals by means of spotting from aircraft?

The experiments carried out some years ago did not give very promising results; but I propose to consult my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Air as to the possibility of carrying out further experiments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this system has proved so successful in Iceland that a flying boat is attached to the herring fleet; and will he get a report from our Consul-General in Iceland on the matter?

I will keep that information in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state the total expenditure on posters and the displaying of them by the Empire Marketing Board for the year 1929; whether he has any evidence as to the advertising value of these posters; and whether he will take advice from the heads of private advertising firms who are not represented on the Empire Marketing Board?

The total expenditure from the Empire Marketing Fund on posters and on their display during the financial year 1929 brought to account to date is £62,996 11s. 4d. In regard to the advertising value of these posters, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Sevenoaks on the 12th February last. In reply to the last part of the question, the Board are advised in this as in other publicity questions by a representative committee specially appointed for the purpose. I need hardly add, however, that they are always open to receive suggestions for the improvement of their work.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that these posters are constantly diminishing in value as time goes on?

Yes, and that is why we continually substitute them by others.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the £62,000 spent on posters display has been spent only on displays in Great Britain or also on displays in the Colonies?

Mainly in Great Britain.

Are we right in thinking that the President of the Board of Education has been called in for purposes of display?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs why, in an advertisement issued by the Empire Marketing Board exhorting Empire purchases and extolling Australian and New Zealand butter, Devonshire butter has been omitted; and, in view of the recognised quality of Devonshire butter, will he draw the attention of those responsible for the advertisements of the Empire Marketing Board to the desirability of giving equal prominence to home produce?

The advertisement referred to by the right hon. Member is one of a series dealing in turn with selected commodities from various parts of the Empire, designed to illustrate the Empire Marketing Board's general theme of Empire buying. A special advertisement, dealing exclusively with various kinds of home produce, is due to appear in this series immediately.

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress on the Board that had it not been for the men from Devonshire, there would have been no Empire produce to advertise?

And perhaps to keep in mind also that there are such places as Derbyshire.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the Empire Marketing Board that the Irish Free State also produces butter?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether during his visit to Canada last year he discussed with the Canadian Government the establishment of a British import board to control the purchase of oversea imports of wheat into Great Britain; and, if so, what decision was arrived at?

The nature of my discussion in Canada was indicated in a reply which I gave on the 25th February last to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery). I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that any action of the right hon. Gentleman induced the Canadian Wheat Pool to hold up wheat in the last season?

On the contrary, I took the view that when wheat was at one dollar forty cents, it was a bit too high.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of armaments and munitions of war exported from this country into Afghanistan during 1927, 1928, and 1929?

During the year 1928, 3,363 military rifles and carbines, six sporting guns and. 10,000 loaded sporting cartridges were exported from the United Kingdom, registered as consigned to Afghanistan. No consignments were registered during 1927 and 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and value of roofing slates imported during the quarters ended March, June, September, and December, 1929, and March and June, 1930?

I will circulate the requisite table of figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now satisfied, after examination of certain documents which have been submitted to him, that Russian timber being imported into this country is produced by convict labour?

The documents submitted by the right hon. Member lend support to the allegations which have been made in the House that some forced labour, including that of prisoners, is employed in the timber industry in the Soviet Union.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take action under the powers that he possesses under the Foreign (Prison Made) Goods Act, so that this timber may be kept out of this country?

That is precisely the problem. I should doubt whether this, in fact, comes under that Act, which of course relates to penetentiaries, houses of correction and prisons, but my view at the moment is that it is not covered by that Act.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman admit that this timber is made up by convict labour?

Is the matter still under consideration, or has the right hon. Gentleman come to a definite decision with regard to it?

I am not clear what decision the hon. Member means. If it is a decision to prohibit importation, then there is no suggestion to that effect at this time.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the Law Officers of the Crown on this question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman apply to this question of forced labour in Russia exactly the same principles that he applies to the question of forced labour in Africa and other countries?

I should not like to reply with regard to any other part of the world at the moment. On the legal point, I should require notice of any questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the same action as the United States Government have taken?

asked the President of the Board of Lade whether he has now any further information to give to the House concerning the operations of the Tariff Truce; and if he proposes to take any further steps to secure the reduction of tariffs?

The reduction of tariffs is, as I have previously explained, not dealt with in the Commercial Convention or so-called Tariff Truce, but is to form the subject of negotiations, along with other questions, under the Protocol regarding Further Negotiations. The League of Nations is at present taking certain preliminary steps with a view to these negotiations.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is time that this farce was finished?

No, Sir; it is very difficult to finish anything whim has never begun.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain a copy of the recently issued bankers' resolution and send it to Geneva, as the resolution will have more effect in reducing hostile tariffs than any action of the Tariff Truce Conference?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average cost for freight of a bale of any specified class of cotton goods from Osaka to Bombay and from Manchester to Bombay, respectively; what is the difference in distance from the two ports; and how much of the freight on English goods is accounted for by Suez Canal dues?

I am informed that the average cost of freight per bale of cotton piece goods from Osaka to Bombay is 8s. 9d. and from Manchester to Bombay 15s. 9d. The distance from Osaka to Bombay is nearly 1,100 miles less than that from Manchester to Bombay. It is not possible to estimate the real effect of Suez Canal dues on rates of freight for any particular commodity as this depends on the size of the vessel and the classes and quantities of goods carried.

Does not the difference arise very largely from the different standard of wages paid in the mercantile marines of the two countries?

That is undoubtedly one of the factors in the situation.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he proposes to publish any reports in relation to trade with Russia which he has received from our trade commissioners in Russia?

The reports so far received by my Department from the Commercial Counsellor at Moscow relate to matters which are of interest to particular firms and as such are not suitable for general publication.

Has the hon. Gentleman received a request for a loan in any of those reports?

When will the reports be circulated?

I must have notice of that question.

Does the hon. Member propose to follow the practice followed by his offices in all other countries and publish an annual report prepared by the trade commissioners?

I have not actually considered the matter, because they have not been there for a year.

Have these reports already been circulated?

Only to special firms who are interested.

Are the reports sent out to all firms, or only to firms who request them?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question.

Will the reports be available to Members of Parliament who wish to consult them in detail?

I have no doubt whatever that the information will be given to Members of Parliament.

Will these reports contain any reference to the Soviet delegation's wish to place an order in Northampton for 3,000,000 pairs of boots to be paid for five years after delivery?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the plans officially foreshadowed by the Soviet Government for the initiation in the autumn of an extensive dumping campaign in respect of Soviet produce; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiries to be made.

I have no information that any such programme as is described by the hon. Member has been formulated. His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow will not fail to report any development of this nature which may occur.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the negotiations with the Irish Free State in respect of Irish lights have yet been concluded; and, if not, whether he can say what is the present position?

Negotiations on this matter are still proceeding. I am afraid that it is not possible to indicate when they are likely to be concluded.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the interests of Northern Ireland will be protected in any arrangement that is come to?

I will give an assurance that everybody's interests will be safeguarded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the Joint Committee set up 12 months ago to consider and advise on any questions affecting the health of the mercantile marine; and when a report on the subject is likely to be made?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to his question of the 1st April last and to that to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Albans (Lieut.-Colonel Fremantle) on the 24th December last on the work of this Committee; and would add that the inquiries into the mortality statistics of seamen and the hygiene of crew spaces are making satisfactory progress, but that it must necessarily be some time before the Committee can complete its consideration of these problems.

If I put a question down in 12 months time will the right hon. Gentleman be able to reply?

I can make my Friend a better offer. If he will communicate with me in a week or two, I will give him as full a reply as I can.

asked the Minister of Health to whom has been transferred the responsibility previously borne by the Board of Trade for the administration of the Royal Seamen's Pension Fund; and, if it is administered by a committee, will he state the names of the members thereof?

The Seamen's Special Fund, now known as the Royal Seamen's Pension Fund, has not at any time been administered by the Board of Trade. Under Section 64 (2) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, as amended by Section 22 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1928, the Fund is administered by a governing body constituted in accordance with a scheme prepared by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee after consultation with the Board of Trade.

The governing body consists of fourteen members, seven representing shipowners and seven representing all classes of persons entitled to benefits out of the Fund. The present members of the governing body are: Mr. C. McLaren, Mr. M. Tearle, Mr. S. G. Le Touzel, Captain C. H. Holttum, Mr. D. Bramah, Mr. W. Wood and Mr. C. McVey, representing beneficiaries and Mr. F. C. Allen, Mr. M. Hill, Sir Norman Hill, Mr. C. Laws, Mr. D. Radcliffe and Mr. H. B. Gordon Warren representing shipowners (one vacancy).

Is there any representative of English fishermen serving on this committee, and, if not, will the hon. Lady and her colleague consider appointing someone to represent the English fishing industry?

There are some representatives of the beneficiaries on the committee.

English fishermen?

Will the hon. Lady make inquiries as to whether there is a representative of English fishermen on the committee? We know that there are representatives of the Scottish fisheries.

I will make inquiries and communicate with the hon. Member.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when it is proposed to appoint a member to the vacant seat on the committee?

I cannot say.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of wheat imported in the year 1929 and in the first and second quarters of 1930 from all countries, France and Germany, respectively?

I will circulate the figures asked for in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average cost of constituting a small holding in 1920 and in 1929 respectively?

Owing to the wide variations in the size, type and equipment of small holdings, it is not possible to give general average figures as desired, but I may say that the cost of land purchased for this purpose has fallen by 25 per cent. from approximately £40 per

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give effect to the recommendation of the Balfour Committee and require safeguarded and protected industries to furnish periodical statistics relating to their volume of production, wages and employment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft) on 23rd July and 26th November last year, of which I am sending him copies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of persons applying for small holdings in the years 1927, 1928 and 1929 respectively, and the number of holdings provided in each of those years?

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

Under Section 6 (3) of the Finance Act, 1925, on proof to the satisfaction of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that lace on which import duty has been paid has been re-exported as merchandise, a drawback equal to the amount of the duty paid is allowable, provided the goods have not-been used in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. The title to drawback is not affected by the lapse of the import duty as from the 1st July, and there is no authority for continuing the duty charge upon lace re-imported on or after that date. I am not aware of the extent to which duty-paid stocks of lace are being re-exported with the intention of re-importing them duty free, but it must obviously be limited to the excess of the duty-paid stocks in the possession of traders on the 1st July when duty-free importations were available. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that this practice involves a loss to the Exchequer and to the British taxpayer?

No; it is just the ordinary practice whenever duties are changed.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many accidents to miners have occurred during the last 12 months at the Clifton Pit, Nottingham; and how many times during the same period was the pit visited by inspectors of the Department?

During the last 12 months, 11 accidents at this colliery, of which four were fatal, have been reported to the inspector. Nine of these accidents were caused by falls of roof or sides. During the same period 24 inspections have been made, of which five were on the surface, 17 were underground, and two were horse inspections. The question of preventing accidents at this colliery has been engaging the close attention of the management and of His Majesty's inspectors, and special steps are being taken which it is hoped will reduce the risk of falls.

Were the figures mentioned in the reply communicated by the officials of this colliery, or were they collected from independent official sources?

I rather imagine that they are collected from information supplied by the colliery, but they are carefully checked.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the youngest age at which boys are employed working underground in the coal mines, and the maximum hours a day that boys under 16 years of age are thus employed?

No boy may be employed in a coal mine until he is 14 years of age. The law as to their hours of employment is the same as that for other underground workmen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the position of the men who have been awarded compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts at the Blaenhirwarn colliery, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire; and whether there is a prospect of having this question settled soon?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the receiver in charge of the colliery that the position has not changed since his letter of the 12th November last, a copy of which was supplied to my hon. Friend. He is afraid that payment of any further compensation in the outstanding cases depends on the sale of the colliery, and he regrets to say that the receiver states that in spite of all efforts to that end he has not yet been able to effect a sale.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the issue of a special peace postage stamp that can be used as an alternative stamp by those who care to adopt this method of testifying to their desire for peace and disarmament?

The policy of the Post Office is opposed to the issue of special stamps, save in the most exceptional circumstances, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot agree to the issue of a special peace and disarmament stamp.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the number of districts in England and Wales which do not have a daily delivery of letters; and whether any action has been taken by the Post Office to remedy this inconvenience?

There are a number of isolated places in various parts of England, Scotland and Wales where it has not hitherto been possible to provide a daily delivery without incurring quite disproportionate expense, but particulars of the precise number of such places are not available. The possibility of increasing the frequency of delivery in these cases is kept under review, and a considerable number of them have been dealt with in the last few months.

Can my hon. Friend say how many deliveries they have per week where there is not a daily delivery.

In most cases there are three or four a week.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department lays down any minimum conditions as to cubic space per worker and ventilation in telephone exchanges in the United Kingdom; if so, what are the regulations; and has he received any complaints as to their not being observed?

The variations in size and type of telephone exchanges, and in the methods of housing them, render it impossible to deal with this question within the limits of a Parliamentary reply. If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of the case he has in mind, I will make inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider providing the public telephone call-boxes with a shelf, in order that members of the public may be able to consult the telephone directory more conveniently than is at present the case?

Shelves to accommodate the telephone directory are being provided in all kiosks of the cast-iron type (the red ones). The question of providing shelves in concrete kiosks (the cream ones with the red windows) is receiving consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the revenue earned by the Rugby wireless station during the present year; and what have been the outgoings incurred in maintenance and service?

The actual figures in respect of the revenue and expenditure of the services conducted by the Rugby wireless station for the financial year 1929–30 are not yet available. The approximate figures are as follow:

	£
Revenue	222,000
Expenditure	208,000