asked the Secretary of State for India whether there will be any occasion for bringing under review the sentences recently passed by court-martial in the case of the Royal Garhwal Rifles?

Yes, Sir. All sentences of imprisonment passed by courts-martial are in the ordinary course brought periodically under review; and this procedure will be applied in the case to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for India when he expects to have the views of the Government of India as to the proposed formation of an Indian Medical Council, and as to the admission to the Indian medical service of candidates not holding qualifications recognised by the General Medical Council; and whether, in view of the hardship caused to students now becoming qualified in India, who are thereby losing the advantages of British registration, and the importance of these matters to the welfare of Indians and Europeans in India, and in order to secure its earliest consideration by parties and persons interested, he will publish the reply without delay?

I have not heard when the Government of India expect to be in a position to send me their views, but, I have no doubt that they will deal with the matter as expeditiously as possible. I cannot undertake to publish the reply of the Government of India before I have seen it, but I will bear the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancy between the statement made in the current memorandum supplied by the Indian Central Board of Revenue to the Public Accounts Committee that the salt depots at Dharasna and Chharwada are Government depots and the statement that they were not Government depots but private property, made in the special circular issued by the Bombay Government in April after Mr. Gandhi had announced his intention of making a salt raid on these two depots; and whether he can make any statement on the matter?

I have not received a copy of either of these documents, but, according to a Press report, the Bombay circular said that "The salt in the Dharasna Chharwada Salt Works is not the property of the Government." This is not inconsistent with a statement that the depots are Government depots.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give an estimate of the financial results of the Post Office services for the year 1929–30 on the basis of the commercial accounts?

The following are the figures required, subject to minor adjustments and after charging interest on capital:

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the inadequate facilities for trunk calls in North-East Suffolk; and will he take steps for the improvement of these telephone arrangements?

If the hon. Member will let me have the names of the places between which he has found trunk telephone facilities unsatisfactory, I shall be glad to investigate the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will explain the discrepancy of 1,600 day school lower certificates for 1929, stated in the report of the Council on Education to be 10,961, whereas the number stated in the Table V appended to the report is 9,361; if he will explain why the examination for these certificates is restricted to pupils who are about to leave school; and whether he will consider relaxing this restriction, which imposes hardship on pupils who, if they fail, must leave school without a certificate of any kind?

As stated in the report, the first figure quoted by the hon. Member refers to the calendar year 1929, whereas the second refers to the educational year ending 31st July, 1929. Further, the former figure includes the certificates granted to pupils in secondary departments, while Table V covers only primary schools and departments. With regard to the second part of the question, presentation for the day school certificate (lower) is not restricted to pupils who are about to leave school. Pupils may be presented when they have completed two years in an advanced division, though the certificate is not issued until they leave school. In these circumstances, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is prepared to transfer the central office and staff of the Scottish Education Department to Edinburgh so that it may be in close contact with all educational matters in Scotland, available for continual conference with education committees, and amenable to Scottish public opinion on education?

The permanent secretary, two assistant secretaries, the accountant and the larger part of the staff of the Department have been stationed at an office in Edinburgh for many years. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the results contemplated in the latter part of the question are fully attained under this arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the sum of £7,516,051, representing salaries to 26,662 full-time teachers in day schools for the year to 15th May, 1029, includes secondary school teachers; will he supply particulars of the salaries and number of teachers in secondary schools; whether the above-mentioned sum includes part-time or visiting teachers for special subjects, such as science, mechanics, cookery, drawing and other extra subjects; and will he supply particulars of the salaries and number of these teachers?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative, though I should mention that these figures refer only to day schools managed by education authorities. The number of teachers in grant-aided secondary schools, whether under education authorities or bodies of managers, is 6,452. The statistics available do not enable me to reply to the remaining parts of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the views upon the necessity for better marketing of agricultural produce recently discussed between the National Farmers' Union of Scotland and the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, and which embody the policy of the National Labour party on the subject of co-operation in agriculture, are to be given effect to?

I am aware that at the meeting referred to general agreement was expressed with the proposals for the better marketing of agricultural produce and for the encouragement of co-operation among farmers which as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware formed the subject of recent and unanimous resolutions by the Committee on Agricultural Co-operation presided over by Major Sprot. A Measure to further these objects is being introduced this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take a housing survey throughout rural Scotland with a view to providing adequate cottage accommodation in every village at a rent the farm worker can pay and which will also relieve unemployment it the building trade?

The Department of Health for Scotland have already urged local authorities of county areas to institute a survey of the houses occupied by farm workers with a view to the necessary action being taken by the local authorities to secure improvement in the housing conditions of these workers, and I am informed that many of these local authorities have already obtained or are in course of obtaining reports from their officers. I also caused a special letter to be addressed in May last to each reconstituted county council in Scotland urging them to consider the means that should be adopted to secure, through the assistance of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, improvements in the housing of agricultural workers in the county areas. Clause 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill at present before Parliament will lay a duty on local authorities to review the housing conditions in their areas and to submit proposals to the Department of Health. In these circumstances, I do not consider that any further survey is necessary meantime.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now make any statement as to the steps which have been taken to bring into operation the provisions of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply of yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the grounds upon which recognition cannot be given to the appointment of Professor of Geology of Glasgow University as approved employment within the meaning of Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1914, and on what principles a distinction is drawn, for the purposes of that Section, between such an appointment and the recent appointment of Registrar of the University of Oxford, which has been recognised as approved employment within the meaning of the Section?

The duties of the Registrar of the University of Oxford are largely of an administrative and financial nature, and in view of the considerable grant of public moneys made to that University the application to the civil servant selected by the University for the post of the provision for "approved service" was in the public interest. These considerations did not apply to a purely academic post, such as that of the Professor of Geology in the University of Glasgow.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will present a return of educational endowments given to denominational schools in the rural district of Dartford, and of how many children have benefited in any given year since 1919?

The endowments attached to denominational schools in the rural district of Dartford were given for general purposes, and do not, therefore, provide separate benefits for individual children. There are a few endowments for exhibitions, prizes, or other indi-

asked the President of the Board of Education whether full effect is being given to the recommendations of the League of Nations sub-committee of experts and those of the joint committee of associations of local education authorities and teachers on education in the aims and work of the League?

I am watching with interest the endeavours which are being made to extend and improve instruction in the aims and work of the League of Nations. While I am unable to state in detail the action taken as a result of the recommendations to which the hon. Member refers, I have every reason to believe that increased attention is being given to this subject by teachers, local authorities and governing bodies.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will furnish information as to the number of unemployed registered at the various Employment Exchanges in Flintshire at mid-January and mid-June, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively?

The following statement gives the particulars required:

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed women in the County of Lanarkshire and the number for whom work has been provided by work schemes financially assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee since June of last year?

The number of women on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the County of Lanarkshire on 14th July was 18,117. Direct employment is not afforded for women by schemes assisted by the Unemployment Grants Committee. Employment for women has no doubt been afforded indirectly by such schemes but the numbers cannot he ascertained.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed workers in the County of Lanarkshire and the number for whom work has been provided by Government-assisted relief works since June of last year?

The total number of persons on the register of Employment Exchanges in the County of Lanarkshire on 14th July, was 107,742. The number of men in this area for whom work has been provided by State-aided schemes is not immediately available, but I will write to my hon. Friend when my inquiries have been completed.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has yet appointed the new chairmen and deputy-chairmen for the courts of referees in the Glasgow area; and if she can state the names of the persons so appointed?

I am afraid I cannot yet add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on Thursday last.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps, following on the meeting held in Glasgow on 13th June, she has taken particularly with a view to improving the attendance of insured contributors' representatives summoned to attend as members of courts of referees?

I have taken certain steps with a view to ensuring that the machinery of courts of referees is fully effective. It is most important that insured contributors' and employers' representatives on the panels of courts of referees should attend sittings of courts when summoned, in order that the courts may be fully constituted and may adequately discharge the functions entrusted to them in the decision of claims to benefit. The selection of these representatives for appointment on the panels is normally made on the advice of the local employment committees. It seems to me appropriate, therefore, that wherever there is difficulty about the attendance of such representatives at sittings of the courts a sub-committee of the local employment committee should be charged with the duty of looking into the matter and proposing such remedial measures as may seem appropriate and likely to be effective. I am, in the first instance, suggesting the appointment of such sub-committees to the local employment committees in certain areas, including Glasgow and Lanarkshire, and I propose to watch carefully the results which they achieve. As there appears still to be some misapprehension with regard to the standing of the panel members on the courts of referees, I wish to make it clear that they are full members, and not merely assessors, and have each equal voting power with the chairman, except that in case of equality of voting the chairman has a second or casting vote. Any member dissenting from the decision of the court is entitled to record his view and his reason for them. Arrangements are being made to supply each court, for the use of the two panel members, with two copies of recent important decisions of the umpire and also of a volume containing an analysis of umpire's decisions, as soon as the necessary copies of this volume can be printed.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in Paisley who have obtained employment on schemes promoted by local authorities during the past year?

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when work will begin on the building of the new exchange at Ipswich; and why it has taken so much time to arrange for the conveyance of the land seeing that the price was agreed upon in March last?

The Ipswich prison site is being acquired by the local authority, who are willing to convey part of it to my Department for Employment Exchange purposes. The price has not yet been settled, as the local authority are not yet owners, and the exact area required has only recently been determined. I cannot say definitely when work will begin, but my hon. Friend may be assured that there will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she call now say precisely when the report of the evidence taken in the inquiry into the catering trade will be available?

The report is now with the printers and will, I hope, be published before the end of August.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has considered a proposal to clear away the buildings and ornamental water from the site f the Botanical Gardens in Regent's Park and to erect a series of huts, cottages, and houses to reproduce early British architecture, as well as a folk museum; and whether he has authorised the setting up of a committee to examine this proposal?

The President of the Board of Education and myself propose to appoint a committee to advise on the desirability of setting up a folk museum, as recommended by the Royal Commission on National Museums, and one of the sites suggested is the area covered by the Botanical Gardens.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total number of cases in which the amount of the need pension has been reduced subsequent to either parent of the dead soldier receiving either a widow's or old age pension during the past 12 months; and the total estimate of the sum saved?

This information is not available, as no special record is kept of the adjustments which have from time to time to be made in the about of the War pension, in consequence of any material change in the circumstances of the pensioner, including the grant et old age or widow's pension. With regard to the last part of the question, I may say that the net result of the grant of old age pension or widow's pension to parents already in receipt of need pension is in the aggregate, not a saving, but an increased charge upon the Exchequer for the reasons stated in the answer which I gave on the same point to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on 30th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government, in making itself responsible for the safety of foreigners in Egypt, has received any communications, and, if so, what, from any foreign nations on the subject of the protection of their nationals in the recent and current rioting?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned by my right hon. Friend to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woolwich West (Sir K. Wood) on 21st July. No further communications or inquiries have been received since then.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make a statement as to the composition, terms of reference, and itinerary of the proposed Economic Mission to the Far East?

The composition of the Economic Mission to the Far East is as follows:

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the report's of the commercial counsellor at Moscow to his Department are available for the information of Members of the House?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on 22nd July, and of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the committee which the Lord Chancellor and he have appointed to consider trade practices which lead to the withholding from particular retail traders supplies of goods except on the conditions imposed by the suppliers have now started to hold their meetings; if so, what trade practices have been considered up to the present; and which practices it is proposed to investigate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that the evidence heard by the committee has been largely concerned with the practice of the enforcement by manufacturers of fixed or minimum retail prices, and with the so-called "distance limit policy" in the newspaper trade. As regards the last part of the question, I assume that the committee will investigate the trade practices falling within the scope of their reference so far as they may consider necessary, in order to carry out the task entrusted to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, before the Recess, he proposes to make any statement as to the negotiations he has undertaken with reference to the reconstruction of various industries; and whether he has any further plans in connection therewith?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave him on the 30th June, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any further statement as to the action, if any, which the British Government are taking, either single-handed or in connection with the Netherlands Government, to deal with the economic situation resulting from the continued fall in the price of rubber?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sir Cecil Clementi, the Governor of the Straits Settlements and the High Commissioner for Malaya, has gone to pay a State visit to the Dutch East Indies; if so, whether he intends to discuss with the Dutch authorities the question of rubber restriction; and, if not, whether the Government will instruct him to do so?

Sir Cecil Clementi will, I understand, visit the Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies towards the end of August. It is not proposed to send to him any instructions as to the subjects which he and the Governor-General may discuss.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of land have been acquired

The Forestry Commissioners have acquired in the county of Cumberland 16,115 acres, of which 8,849 are plant able. They are at present negotiating for additional areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of the present Public Works Loans Commissioners, with the date of the first appointment of each, and, in the case of any having a broken period of service, the length of time the office has been held; the number of meetings of the Commissioners held during the current term of office; and the number of meetings attended by each Commissioner?

Since 7th August, 1925, when the Commission was last appointed by Parliament, there have been 118 meetings of the Board, in addition to which a Commissioner has to attend from time to time for the purpose of signing certificates for advances of loans. The date of the first appointment of each Commissioner and the number of attendances during the last period are as follow;

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, as at the last convenient date, the sums borrowed by the county councils in England and Wales from the Public Works Loans Commissioners for education, small holdings and allotments, housing, isolation hospitals, allotments (when acting in lieu of the local authority), and other purposes, respectively; the sums outstanding at the same date similarly detailed; and the figures under each heading for the counties of Durham and Surrey, respectively?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will institute an inquiry into the operation and effects of the de-rating provisions applicable to productive industries; and if he will issue a statement showing the total amount of rates of which each of the principal industries have been relieved during the first year since the provisions came into operation?

I have been asked to reply. No; Sir. My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to institute such

It would require great labour to investigate all past borrowings by county councils. In the following table the figures of "amounts advanced" exclude all loans which have been entirely repaid. It should be rioted that the figures include loans which were not borrowed originally by county councils but the liability for which has been transferred to county councils by Act of Parliament.an inquiry as the hon. Member suggests. As regards the latter part of the question, he has nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by the Financial Secretary on 10th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the question of the deduction of Income Tax from grants towards unemployment relief schemes is at present engaging the consideration of the Treasury; whether some decision will be announced soon; and whether, in view of the uncertainty prevailing as to whether future grants will be made subject to such deduction, he is in a position to make any further statement on the subject?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, I have explained in previous answers what, 1 am advised, is the liability under the Income Tax law in this respect, and I see no ground for proposing any modification of the existing statutory provisions. This view of the legal position has recently been confirmed by the High Court in a case which is now under appeal to the Court of Appeal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to charging with Income Tax the surpluses of members of friendly societies which are accumulated in accordance with Section 42 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896; whether any change is proposed in this respect from the attitude hitherto adopted by the Board of Inland Revenue; and, if so, to what considerations this change is due?

The matter in question, which is one of some difficulty, is still being examined. The hon. Member may feel assured that a decision will be come to as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies up to 5th April, 1930, had exercised their right under Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1928, of submitting their accounts to the special commissioners with a view to ascertaining their position in relation to Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1922; if any such applications were received, in how many eases did the special commissioners call for further information within 28 days of the Finance Act, 1928, Section 18 (2), intimate within three months that they intended to take further action under the Finance Act, 1928, Section 18 (3, a), or proceed to give a direction in relation to the company within six months under the Finance Act, 1928, Section 18 (3, b); and if he will state the total number of applica- tions under the said Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1928, in respect to which the special commissioners deemed it unnecessary to issue a direction?

Up to 5th April, 1930, 125 applications under Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1928, were received. Further steps under the Section were taken by the special commissioners in 38 cases. Directions were issued in 13 cases. In 111 cases no direction was issued. One application is still under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of royal commissions, select committees, departmental and other committees that have been set up since the present Government assumed office, with the names of the persons appointed?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Peckham (Mr. Beckett) on 14th July, a copy of which I am sending him. Since that date the appointment of one further committee with five members has been announced. My hon. Friend will find particulars of the membership of all commissions and committees of importance in the announcements of their appointment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors has not allowed a hearing to any naval patrol skipper's claim for U-boat net inventions; when such claims were considered; and whether there is any prospect of any award being made in the near future?

In December, 1919, the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors considered a claim from Mr. A. Close regarding the use of an electric wire net and buoy contrivance, and were not prepared to recommend that any remuneration should be allowed to him in respect thereof. Certain other claims have been received from naval patrol skippers and these, in accordance with the normal practice of the Commission in the case of claims not based on any actual patented invention, were in the first instance referred to the Commission's investigating committee, over which the chairman presides in person. This committee decided that the claims afforded no reasonable prospect of success, and were not suitable for consideration by the Commission as a body. There are no claims in respect of U-boat net inventions at present before the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to fix a date for the Road Traffic Act to come into force; whether Part I, that deals with the speed limit, and the dangerous driving clauses are to come into force at once; when it is proposed to enforce the regulations regarding compulsory insurance and the control of public service vehicles; and when the road code is to be drawn up?

asked the Minister of Transport the approximate date or dates on which he intends to bring into force the various sections of the Road Traffic Bill?

A number of regulations have to be made and machinery has to be set up before the Road Traffic Act can be brought fully into operation. A statutory obligation is also placed on me to consult with representative bodies before any regulations are made. I cannot therefore, at the moment, although I am most anxious to avoid any unnecessary delay, give a definite undertaking as to the dates on which the various provisions of the Act will become operative. The dates which I have in mind and to which I shall work, are approximately as follows:Part 1.—I have given anxious consideration to the question of the date at which the change in the law as to speed limits can most conveniently operate and have come to the conclusion that this should be from the 1st January next. By that date I hope that it may be possible to issue the Highway Code and local authorities will have had reasonable time to consider and arrange for the organisation of mobile police units as contemplated by the provisions of the Act. As regards the remainder of Part 1, I have in mind the first of November. It would hardly be practicable to make the necessary Regulations with regard to the form of the driving licence and applications for licences and declarations as to physical fitness, and also to make arrangements for these documents to be printed in large numbers and made available for licensing authorities before that date.Part II, which deals with cover against third party risks, should come into operation on 1st January, 1931, the date which is the beginning of the licensing year for motor vehicles.Part III (amendment of the law relating to highways) on 1st November, 1930.—I attach great importance to the highway code and shall lose no time in bringing it into force, but as it will affect all classes of road users whose views I shall have to take into account, and as in addition it requires an affirmative resolution by both Houses before coming into force, it is impossible for me to indicate precisely the date on which the code will itself become operative.Part IV (Regulation of Public Service Vehicles).—I propose that the sections of this part of the Act, which provide the necessary machinery for the appointment of the Traffic Commissioners, etc., should come into force on 1st November; as also the sections giving the Traffic Commissioners when appointed the necessary powers to execute their duties, consider applications for licences, etc. The requirement, however, that omnibus and motor coach services cannot be operated except under a road service licence granted by the Commissioners will not become operative before 1st March, 1931, at the earliest. The bringing into force of this part of the Act will necessitate the employment of my powers to make transitory provisions.Part V of the Act, which deals with the operation of municipal omnibus services, I propose shall come into force on 1st January next.I should point out that it may be necessary to postpone the operation of individual sections of the Act.

asked the Minister of Transport what will be the total cost of the new free bridge at Loftsome; what proportion of this sum has been, or will be, provided by the Ministry of Transport; whether, before providing any sum towards the construction of this bridge, he will consider the alternative scheme of assisting to free the Loftsome toll-bridge, which is adjoining; and whether the public needs require two bridges in the same immediate area?

The estimated cost of the new free bridge at Loftsome with the necessary approaches is £38,037, of which 85 per cent. will be borne by the Road Fund. The existing bridge, if purchased, would require entire reconstruction, and it is considered preferable to construct the new bridge on a site where an improvement in the alignment of the approaches can be effected.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the proposed Elephant and Castle by-pass road?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the London County Council promoted a late Bill in this Session to obtain the necessary powers to carry out an extensive scheme for the improvement of the conditions of traffic at the Elephant and Castle. The House, however, decided yesterday that further consideration of the Bill should be deferred till next Session.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any complaints of the breaking of sewers in the Derby Road, at Kegworth, Leicestershire, as a result of heavy motor traffic; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to deal with the matter?

No such complaints have reached my Department.

asked the Attorney-General what magisterial appointments have been made in the County of Derbyshire during the last five years; and what number, if any, can be regarded as working-class representatives?

The number of appointments for the period mentioned is 89. In making these appointments care has been taken to secure a reasonable representation of all classes of the community, hut my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor cannot undertake to specify the occupation of each person appointed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what is the present policy with regard to the education of Moslems in the northern provinces of Nigeria;(2) what is the annual Government expenditure on the education Of Moslem women and girls in the northern provinces of Nigeria; and how much of this expenditure is devoted to buildings and equipment and how much to salaries;(3) how many Moslem female pupils are now under instruction at Government educational centres in the northern provinces of Nigeria; and how many have actually passed through these centres?

It is not possible to give a statement of policy at full length, but in general terms the policy of Government is to encourage the education of Moslems in every possible way having regard to their religious susceptibilities and the present necessity of strict economy in every Department. Expenditure on the education of women and girls is not shown separately, nor is the expenditure on buildings divided between male and female. The two Government educational centres for women are only in process of being established, and therefore it is not likely that any girls have passed through them, nor have I any information as to the members under instruction; but my Noble Friend will make inquiries on all the points raised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a Commission has been appointed to consider railway policy in Tanganyika; what are the composition and terms of reference of the Commission; and what steps will be taken to co-ordinate the matter with railway policy in Uganda, Kenya, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland?

I would refer the right hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on 25th June, of which I am sending him a copy. Apart from the appointment of Sir Sydney Henn as Chairman, my Noble Friend has not yet been notified of the actual composition of the Commission. As regards the last part of the question, the Commission's report, with the Governor's observations upon it, will be considered in relation to general rail-way policy in Eastern and Central Africa.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what the annual rateable value was of the three farms at Fintry, Stirlingshire, which were recently bought by the Commissioners of Crown Lands from the Duke of Montrose?

The Commissioners of Crown Lands are informed that the annual rateable value of the three farms at Fintry is £137 10S.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to circulate a Bill containing the Government's proposals for the better marketing of agricultural produce before the close of the Session?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any reason for the delay in announcing the Government's proposals for the more efficient marketing of agricultural produce; and whether he is aware of the general agreement of the agricultural community with the suggested policy of the Government to assist co-operative marketing?

A Bill embodying proposals for the more efficient marketing of certain agricultural products through the agency of commodity marketing boards is being introduced to-morrow for the purposes of information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider taking action to prevent imports of certain fruit into this country in eases where the home crop is amply sufficient to meet the home demand?

I am afraid that the action suggested by the hon. and gallant Member is precluded by our international obligations.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his Department has conducted any inquiry during the past 14 months into the process of the Turner method of the treatment of coal, with a view to an improvement in the conditions of the miners and, if so, with what result; and if any representations have been made to his Department on this subject and, if so, by whom?

I have received representations concerning the Turner low temperature carbonisation process from several quarters. As my hon. Friend was informed in reply to a question on this subject which he asked on 19th November last, the Director of Fuel Research had carried out a test of the plant under the published schemes for testing such plants—a report of which has since been issued—and that arrangements were being made for a further test of a special feature of this plant. There bas been seine difficulty in concluding these arrangements, but the matter has recently been discussed by me with Mr. Turner and representatives of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and as a result, I hope that arrangements will now he completed for carrying out the further test.

asked the Secretary for Mines if there is a committee investigating anthracosis disease in mines; if so, who are the members and their qualifications; and whether a report of their findings is to be given?

I have been asked to answer this question on behalf of the Lord President. The subject is within the scope and under the close attention of the Committee on Industrial Pulmonary Disease recently set up by the Medical Research Council. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the public announcement of the membership and functions of this committee. The results of their investigations will be published in due course.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the small number of corporal punishments inflicted on children under 16, namely,.76 per cent. in 1928, he will consider abolishing this form of punishment entirely for children forthwith?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 24th instant to the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. W. J. Brown).

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue instructions that separate records be kept in future of all punishments inflicted upon children at each year of age for inclusion in his statistical report?

I regret that I cannot adopt this suggestion, as the collection of this information annually would involve a large amount of additional work. I gather that my hon. Friend has punishment by whipping in mind. I will consider whether a special return on this subject can be obtained from juvenile courts and published in the next report of the children's branch.

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens have received permits to come to Great Britain during the past six months; whether the numbers are in excess or less than the numbers admitted during the same period of the last three years; and to what extent?

During the period 1st January to 30th June, 1930, 199,814 aliens, exclusive of transmigrants, were given leave to land in the United Kingdom. The corresponding figures for 1927, 1928, and 1929 were, 171,831, 186,556, and 192,610, respectively.

asked the home Secretary whether he will inquire into the position created owing to the granting of licences for the storage and sale of petroleum, enabling pumps and filling stations to be erected in opposition to the wishes of local authorities to such erection and, particularly, having regard to the by-laws made by local authorities under the Petroleum Consolidation Act, 1928; and whether he will inquire into any specific case supplied to illustrate the anomaly?

I am always ready to inquire into any anomaly so far as I have responsibility in respect of it, but I am not sure I understand what inquiry is wanted by the hon. Member. If, as I can only presume, his question relates to a case where, in pursuance of my statutory duties, I inquired into and allowed an appeal against a refusal of a local authority in Surrey to grant a licence for the storage of petroleum spirit, I ought to explain that the only considerations which I was entitled to take into account were considerations of public safety. I may add that when I gave my decision, no by-laws affecting the site were in force nor had I received any for confirmation. I see no ground for further inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether there has been any alteration in the method of transporting prisoners from Darlington to Durham Goal during the past six months; and, if so, what the present practice is?

No, Sir: I am not aware of any alteration dining the past six months: the practice for many years has been for Darlington prisoners to be taken in a police van to Darlington Station, thence by rail to Durham, and by police van from Durham Station to the prison.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of a native of Motherwell, A. C. Mason, who was sentenced to death but afterwards reprieved in August, 1923, and has now served nearly seven years of his life sentence; is he aware that he was convicted partly owing to discrepancy in his own evidence as given at the police court, and subsequently at his trial, and partly on the evidence of a companion in crime; and whether he will cause a searching inquiry to be made into the circumstances of the crime and the reliability of the evidence tendered at that time in regard to the part taken by this youth?

Mason's appeal against his conviction was dismissed by the Court of Criminal Appeal after a full hearing. I am not aware of any ground for inquiry at the present time. If entirely fresh facts bearing upon the conviction were brought to my notice, I should consider whether to refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

asked the Home Secretary if ex-Warders J. Williams and J. Silvester, late of Park-hurst Prison, when recalled to duty under the Superannuation Act, 1859, Section 11, were informed that their re-established service would not be calculated for pension; and whether re-established service is normally pensionable under the Superannuation Acts?

When these officers were re-employed in 1918 they were not informed that the additional service would not be calculated for pension, but as has been explained in reply to previous questions they were over 60 at the time and further service after retirement and attainment of that age is not regarded as pensionable.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what facilities are known to the War Office to be available for financially assisted pilgrimages by War widows to their husbands' graves in the French and Belgian War areas?

There are no official grants for this purpose, but I am informed by the Imperial War Graves Commission that War widows are, in certain cases, assisted financially to visit their husbands' graves by the Young Men's Christian Association, 8, Great Russell Street, W.C.1; The Church Army, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, W.1; The Salvation Army, 101, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.4; The St, Barnabas Pilgrimages, 7, Hobart Place, S.W.1; The British Legion, 26, Eccleston Square, S.W.1; and The Ypres League, 9, Baker Street, Portman Square, W.1.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the amount of beef consumed last year by the Air Force and the cost thereof; and what proportion came from within the Empire?

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of beef consumed by the Army last year; the cost thereof; and what proportion came from within the Empire?

The amount of beef consumed by the Army and Royal Air Force at Home, Mediterranean and Chinese Stations during the year from 1st January to 31st December, 1929, is estimated at 36,000,000 pounds. The cost of this beef was approximately £780,000. The proportion which came from within the Empire was over 99 per cent. In addition, preserved beef to the value of £54,000 was purchased. This was of foreign origin. The purchases at stations abroad, other than the Mediterranean and Chinese Stations, are made locally and complete figures cannot be given. I should add that the figures given may also cover some relatively small issues of mutton made at home stations at the option of the troops, of which no detailed information is available at headquarters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of beef consumed by the Navy last year; the cost thereof; and what proportion came from within the Empire?

The cost of the 11,758,000 lbs. consumed was £263,600. 95 per cent. was of Empire origin.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there has been any increase in recent months in the per- centage of cases of tuberculosis which have been granted pensions on account of attributability to the conditions of service?

The latest figures available are those for 1929. These, compared with the figures for 1928, show a slight decrease of some 2 per cent. in the number of cases of tuberculosis in which pensions have been granted on account of attributability to the Service.

asked the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring, as re-Presenting the Charity Commissioners, if the Charity Commissioners propose to hold an inquiry into the charities affecting the parishes of Bledlow and Bledlow Ridge, in the county of Buckingham?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a firm at Darlington forwarded materials for testing to the Naval Testing Station at Portsmouth in March last; that nothing more was heard until five months later: and that, consequently, orders dependent upon the result of the test were held up or lost and workpeople discharged; and whether he will therefore take such steps as will prevent delay in the future?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirma-

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the system of summer leave during the summer leave tive, and to the second and third parts in the negative. Such delay as occurred was due to the fact that the material concerned was untried and unproved so far as the Admiralty were concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in instructions recently issued (Appendix 17, volume II of King's Regulations) alterations have taken place in that acting engine-room artificers, fourth class on entry, need not be engine-fitters, whereas before the alteration any applicants between the ages of 21 to 28 had to be engine-fitters; and whether such new entries who are not engine-fitters are considered to be capable of watch-keeping duties on board?

No alteration has been made to the appendix of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions quoted by my hon. Friend respecting be entry of fitters as acting engine-room artificers. Instructions have been given that an additional qualification as turner, which is not laid down as necessary in the appendix to the Regulations need not be insisted upon. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many vacancies there have been in the establishment in each of the past five years in each of His Majesty's dockyards, respectively?

The numbers are:period (1st to 22nd August) for the sick-berth staff of the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth; and whether, seeing that, owing to shortage of labour, some of the staff will have to be continuously on duty for 13½ hours per day with a possibility of a further four hours' night watch in the event of an accident or serious case being received in the hospital, he will consider whether better arrangements can be made?

Owing to the exigencies of Fleet requirements, the sick berth staff of the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, is temporarily short of the authorised numbers. It is also inevitable that during long leave extra work falls on ratings who are not on leave, but no member of the staff is continuously on duty for as long as 13½ hours.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether able-seamen candidates for rank of mate undergo a syllabus of full-time instruction in gunnery, torpedo, navigation, educational and other subjects before being commissioned, or whether they are promoted direct to acting-mate without preliminary training?

Candidates selected for acting-mate do not undergo special courses before promotion to that rank. Before they are confirmed in the rank of mate, however, they undergo instruction in theoretical and practical navigation, mathematics, English, history, gunnery and torpedo.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information and can state the number of naval guards that have been furnished to ships during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date in the China seas; and whether, in view of the continuance of piracy in these seas, it is proposed to increase them?

As regards the first part of the question, figures as to the number of naval guards furnished are not available. With reference to the second part, arrangements are now in force between the shipping companies and the Hong Kong police for the supply of police guards according to the requirements of the companies, who bear the cost.