asked the Minister of Agriculture when the inquiry into the application for a butter-marking order under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1928, will be resumed; and whether he is prepared to take steps to simplify procedure and reduce the cost of making applications for merchandise marks?

The Standing Committee was engaged on this inquiry for four days towards the end of October, and arrangements had been made for its continuance on 10th November. Unfortunately, these arrangements had to be cancelled owing to the appointment of the chairman, Mr. Mitchell Innes, as a Commissioner of Assize. I have no doubt that the chairman will arrange for the hearing to be resumed at the earliest pos- sible moment. As regards the concluding part of the question, I do not think any simplification of procedure would be possible without endangering the interests of one or other of the parties to these inquiries, but the cost in each case is dependent mainly on the form of representation which each party chooses for itself.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to improve the position of homegrown agricultural produce on the home market, he will take steps to ensure that imported food, milk, and other dairy produce are subject to regulations concerning quality and purity similar to those enforced in the case of home produce?

Regulations concerning the quality and purity of food are made on public health grounds or otherwise to protect the interests of the consumer. In general, therefore, home-produced and imported foods are subject to the same requirements. In many respects the actual control of imported foods is the stricter since these articles are subject to inspection at the time of importation as well as at the time of exposure for sale. As regards imported milk, the quantity of which is insignificant, it would not be practicable to enforce the detailed requirements of the Milk and Dairies Order, and in lieu thereof a strict bacteriological condition is imposed which does not apply to home-produced milk.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that record consignments of butter, of an estimated total of 140,000 tons, are expected to arrive in this country during the current season; and whether, in view of the facts disclosed by the recent report of the economic section of the Empire Marketing Board regarding the demand for Empire butter in various parts of the United Kingdom, he is contemplating any action to persuade or induce housewives in the North of England to exercise a voluntary preference in favour of Empire butter?

This question engaged the special consideration of the Empire Marketing Board at their meeting on 17th December, and the possibility of special action is being carefully examined. I am not yet in a position to say what the result of that examination will be.

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of silver which has been disposed of by the Government of India since the rupee was stabilised at 1 s . 6 d. ?

As stated by the Finance Member of the Government of India in the Indian Legislative Assembly on 5th March last, 67.8 million fine ounces of silver have been sold by the Government of India since the date of the Currency Commission's report up to the end of February, 1930.

asked the Secretary of State for India the total number of political prisoners in classes A, B, and C, men and women, under 21 and under 18, separately, at the most recent known date.

As I explained in answer to my hon. Friend's Question of 17th December, the latest figures in my possession are those given in my answer of 3rd November.

asked the Attorney-General the names and addresses of the members of the advisory committee acting with the Lord Lieutenant of the County of London for the purpose of recommending justices of the peace for the said county; and for what periods they are appointed and the dates of their appointment?

The membership of the advisory committee acting for the County of London for the purpose of recommending justices of the peace is as follows:

Lord Lieutenant and Chairman of the Committee:

The Most Hon. The Marquess of Crewe, K.G., Crewe House, Curzon Street, W.1.

Vice-Chairman:

Sir William Collins, K.C.V.O., D.L., J.P., 1, Albert Terrace, Regents Park, N.W.1.

Secretary:

M. H. Cox, Esq., LL.B., J.P., The County Hall, S.E.1.

Sub-Committee and Members.

Blackheath (Blackheath Petty Sessional Division):

†R. G. Brew, Esq., J.P., Snaefell, 306, Brownhill Road, Catord, S.E.6.

^* Colonel H. A. H. Newington, D.S.O., 31, Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath, S.E.3.

^* G. F. Rowe, Esq., J.P., 5, Lyncroft Gardens, Hampstead, N.W.6.

^* Herbert Morrison, Esq., M.P., J.P., 352, Well Hall Road, Eltham, S.E.9.

†Miss Mabel Crout, J.P., 3, New Road, Woolwich, S.E.18.

Newington (Newington Petty Sessional Division):

^* Frank Rider, Esq., J.P., Stanstead House, Durand Gardens, Clapham Road, S.W.9.

†Sir Henry Cubitt Gooch, J.P., 23, Wetherby Gardens, S.W.5.

†J. G. Spradbrow, Esq., J.P., 74, Grove Park, Camberwell, S.E. 4.

T. G. Newland, Esq., J.P., 44, Blackfriars Road, S.E.1.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marshall of Chipstead, Temple House, Temple Avenue, E.C.4.

Wandsworth (Wandsworth Petty Sessional Division):

†Alderman A. W. Mathias, J.P., 12, Gwendolen Avenue, Putney, S.W.15.

†H. T. Selley, Esq., J.P., 60, Elmbourne Road, Tooting Bec Common, S.W.17.

^* Thomas Pocock, Esq., J.P., 27, Matthews Street, Battersea, S.W.11.

†C. A. G. Manning, Esq., J.P., 51, Barmouth Road, Wandsworth, S.W.18.

Kensington (Kensington Petty Sessional Division):

^* Dame Hudson Lyall, D.B.E., J.P., 36, Onslow Gardens, S.W.7.

Sub-Committee and Members.

^* Sir Ernest Meinertzhagen, Esq., J.P., 4, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, S.W.3.

†Lord Dickinson, K.B.E., D.L., J.P., 41, Parliament Street, S.W.1.

^* R. M. Gentry, Esq., J.P., 20, Harbord Street, Fulham, S.W.6.

†Councillor W. Turney, J.P., 20, Old Oak Road, W.3.

Westminster (Strand, St. James's, St. Margaret's, Hanover Square, St. Marylebone, Paddington and Hampstead Petty Sessional Divisions):

^* The Lord Jessel, 24, South Street, Park Lane, W.

†Sir Duncan Watson, J.P., M.I.E.E., 47, Hollycroft Avenue, N.W.3.

^* Dame J. W. Phipps, D.B.E., J.P., 3, Culford Gardens, S.W.3.

†Sir William George Perring, J.P., "Beaulieu," Arthur Road, Wimbledon Park, S.W.19.

^* G. A. Macmillan, Esq., J.P., 27, Queen's Gate Gardens, S.W.7.

^* Miss Gertrude Tuckwell, C.H., J.P., 13, Chester Terrace, S.W.1.

†Dr. Morgan Ignatius Finucane, J.P., 10, Ashley Place, S.W.1.

St. Pancras (St. Pancras, Holborn, Finsbury and Stoke Newington Petty Sessional Divisions):

^* J. E. Cecil Bigwood, Esq., J.P., 11, King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.4.

†Alderman D. Davies, J.P., 11, Duke's Road, Tavistock Square, W.C.1.

^* Sir William Collins, K.C.V.O., D.L., J.P., 1, Albert Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W.1.

†A. Pugh, Esq., C.B.E., J.P., 76–78, Swinton Street, W.C.1.

†Councillor H. M. Tibbles, J.P., 76, Croftdown Road, N.W.5.

Tower (Tower Petty Sessional Division):

^* Alderman Sir W. Ray, Kt., J.P., 5, Holmbury View, Springfield, Upper Clapton, E.5.

†Alderman William Cowlishaw Johnson, J.P., L.C.C., 26, Hampstead Way, N.W.ll.

†E. Friend, Esq., J.P., 21, John Street, Bedford Row, W.C.1.

Sub-Committee and Members.

^* Miss Marion Phillips, D.Sc, J.P., 33, Eccleston Square, S.W.1.

†Councillor H. W. Butler, J.P., 32, Wallisfield Road, E.5.

^* Appointed or re-appointed for six years as from 1st January, 1927.

†Appointed or re-appointed for six years as from 1st January, 1930.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, seeing the Chelmsford Committee has issued its report and has recommended a greater measure of financial assistance from the Government to the British Industries Fair, he is considering also assistance to British exporters who are anxious to exhibit their manufactures at the Leipzig Fair in March, 1931?

The Chelmsford Committee's recommendations are confined to the British Industries Fair. My Department is, and has always been, prepared to render any assistance which it properly can to British firms wishing to exhibit at Leipzig, and to co-operate with any suitable body which might undertake the organisation there of a joint exhibit of British manufactures.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he now has any information concerning a special commission in this country for aeroplane engines on behalf of the Soviet Government?

I understand that authorisation has recently been given for the visit to this country of three aeronautical engineers to purchase aeroplane engines and other equipment on behalf of the Soviet Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of wheat, barley and oats have been imported into the United Kingdom during the month ended 30th November, 1930, from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what was the value of such imports?

The total quantities of wheat, barley and oats imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the month of November, 1930, as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) were 5,500,106 cwts., 1,126,932 cwts. and 768,234 cwts., respectively. The corresponding declared values were £1,616,097, £211,400, and £157,223.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the recommendation of the Imperial Economic Committee that, under the League of Nations Economic Committee, further steps should be taken to ensure that trade statistics should be based on rules to make them more truly comparable, what progress has been made, what nations have the decimal system, and what nations use the long and short ton, respectively?

The Convention relating to Economic Statistics, drawn up at a Conference held at Geneva two years ago, has now come into operation. Eleven countries, of which the United Kingdom is one, are at present covered by its provisions, and it is anticipated that others will be included in the near future. The securing of greater comparability between the trade statistics of different nations is one of the prime purposes of this Convention, and the precise definition of the units of quantity employed, so as to facilitate comparisons, is among the matters for which provision is made. The Conference did not find it practicable to provide for the use of the same units of measurement by all the countries adopting the provisions of the Convention. I will furnish the hon. and gallant Member with a note containing such information as is available in regard to the question as to the countries which have adopted the units of measurements to which he refers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total liabilities incurred by successive Governments under the Trade Facilities Acts, from the date of the enactment to the date of the expiry of these Acts, to all foreign countries; and the date in each case on which each separate liability expires?

I understand the hon. Member to desire information as to the total guarantees given under the Trade Facilities scheme in respect of undertakings operating in foreign countries. The total was approximately £9,096,000. In the majority of cases the companies concerned were registered British companies. No losses have been incurred to date. The sums already repaid amount to £1,670,000. The liabilities under the separate schemes expire at various dates up to 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what answer he has returned to the resolution from the

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 97 deaths from post-vaccinal encephalitis, referred to on page 73 of the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for 1929, appear in the annual statistical reviews of the Registrar-General as caused by vaccination?

Of the 97 deaths in question, 30 have been classified to vaccinia, and have appeared under that heading in the annual statistical reviews of the Registrar-General.

National Farmers' Union of Scotland urging the control of imports?

No answer has yet been sent to the resolution. I would refer to my reply to Questions on this subject on Wednesday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amounts that have been paid in grants to local authorities in the county of Fife this year, giving, as far as possible, the sums paid to large burghs, small burghs, and the county councils, respectively; and how these compare with the previous two years?

It is assumed that the question refers only to grants discontinued and to grants payable under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929. ^*

The grants paid to local authorities in the county of Fife are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health whether awards are still paid to public vaccinators under the regulations issued by the Local Government Board in January, 1896, which prescribed that the scars produced by the vaccinator must be thoroughly well marked in the foreation, and must have collectively at least half a square inch total area; and, if so, what standard of merit is now used, having regard to the substitution of one insertion of vaccine, under the new vaccination order which came into force on 1st October, 1929, instead of the four previously advised?

Awards to public vaccinators are now payable under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929, and in determining whether an award should be made in any particular case account is taken, inter alia, of the revised Instructions to Public Vaccinators contained in the Vaccination Order, 1930, which includes no reference to the area of vesiculation to be aimed at.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the continued occurrence of deaths from post-vaccinal encephalitis after the use of Government lymph extracted from the vesicles of rabbits, he will consider the desirability of dispensing with the use of these animals in connection with the preparation of the Government lymph supplies?

Notes. .—The areas to which the German post-War figures relate differ not only from that on which the 1913 figures are based, but also to some extent from one another.

This question has been fully considered, but as I am advised that there is no evidence that post-vaccinal encephalitis is attributable to the use of rabbits in connection with the preparation of lymph, I do not consider that any change in the present practice of the Government lymph establishment is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a table showing the death rate in this country and in Germany for children under 16 years of age from tuberculosis each year since the War and in 1913.

The following table gives the best information available on this subject.

The rates given for Germany are taken from the following publications, namely, 1913, 1920–1924 from "Die Bewegung der Bevolkerung" for the respective years; 1919 from "League of Nations Pre- liminary Report on recent decline of Tuberculosis Mortality"; 1925 and 1926 from "International Health Year Book, 1928"; and 1927 and 1928 from "Statistische Sonderbeilage Reichs-Gesundheitsblattes, No. 30".

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the figures given in the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer for 1929, which show that while 1,036 cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified during the year 1929, the actual number of deaths for that year as recorded by the Registrar-General was 1,037, he can say what proportion of the deaths in question had been previously notified as cases of the disease; and what steps he proposes to take to compel doctors to notify this disease?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My hon. Friend will, of course, be aware that the deaths from this disease in any year include a number of cases notified in previous years. As regards the second part, encephalitis lethargica is compulsorily notifiable in England and Wales under Regulations made in 1919, and I have no reason to think that medical practitioners fail to comply with their obligations under the Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to state what further orders for construction work it is proposed to place with the Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham in the near future?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to my reply of the 10th December [OFFICIAL REPORT, columns 387–8].

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total cost of the projects recommended by the Colonial Development Advisory Committee for assistance from the Colonial Development Fund, and the general nature of the works to be undertaken?

The total estimated cost of the 152 projects towards which assistance from the Colonial Development Fund has hitherto been recommended by the Colonial Development Advisory Committee is £8,793,624 10s. Of this total, slightly over two-thirds is required for railways, roads, bridges, telegraphs and other means of internal communication, the development of mineral resources accounts for over £1,000,000. Large sums have been allotted to various proposals (49 in all) designed to improve the health of native communities, and over three-quarters of a million will be spent on the improvement of agriculture. If the hon. and gallant Member requires more detailed information, I shall be happy to send him a complete list of the projects recommended to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what treaties or agreements brought forward at this year's Assembly of the League of Nations it is proposed to accede to or ratify on behalf of this country?

The only treaty brought forward at this year's Assembly of the League of Nations was the Convention on Financial Assistance. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, it will be necessary to introduce and pass a Bill enabling His Majesty's Government to advise the King to ratify this treaty as it contains a contingent financial commitment, and I cannot say when it will be possible to introduce the necessary legislation. If the hon. Member has in mind the General Act for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, I would refer him to my answer of 17th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to whether Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, San Salvador, and Uruguay have yet accepted the invitation of the United States to participate in the Treaty for the Renunciation of War signed by the remaining 61 nations?

So far as I am aware, none of the countries referred to by the hon. and gallant Member has yet accepted the invitation of the United States Government to adhere to the Treaty for the Renunciation of War. His Majesty's Minister at Bogota has, however, reported that the Colombian Congress in their last session passed a Bill authorising the Colombian Government to adhere to the Treaty.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the mining industry in Great Britain who receive annual holidays with pay?

asked the Home Secretary the amount spent in repairing and

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the mining industry in Great Britain who have a guaranteed week?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of colliery clerks and colliery officials employed in the mining industry in Great Britain on 31st December, 1913, and on the latest date available, giving the figures for the various districts separately.

The information is as follows:

modernising the licensed premises in Carlisle during the part year; whether the work is now completed; and whether all the premises are now of a modern character?

I cannot give exact figures in answer to the first part of the question, but I think that a sum of some £20,000 would cover the amount spent in this way in the period for which the latest accounts have been published, namely, the financial year ended March last. As regards the last two parts, I would say that the work is not yet complete. Improvements are carried out every year, as circumstances permit, and there is still much that I should like to see done.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the fact that there are firms trading in bird appliances which advertise for sale bird lime and also bird braces for the capturing of birds by methods illegal under the Protection of Birds Act, 1925, he will take steps to prohibit the sale of such appliances?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but if my hon. Friend will give me any particulars that he has in his possession, I shall be happy to look into it.

asked the Home Secretary what action is proposed on the recommendation of the Select Committee on Private Bills that the appointment of the Local Legislation Committee be not continued?

I have been considering this recommendation in consultation with the Ministers of Health and of Transport. We have also had the advantage of consulting with the chairman of the Select Committee. It is not proposed this year to reappoint the Local Legislation Committee, but arrangements have been made by which the Committee of Selection in choosing the members of committees to which Bills promoted by local authorities are to be referred will generally appoint the chairman and at least one other member from a list of members with special experience, the others being selected from other Members of the House. It is hoped that the principal objects which the Select Committee had in view will thus be secured as well as the uniformity of policy which is desirable in local legislation. I should like to add my appreciation of the valuable services which have been rendered in the past by members of the Local Legislation Committee.

asked the Home Secretary if he proposes to place before the House Amendments to the Lottery Act which will enable charitable institutions in this country to raise large sums of money, by sweepstakes, on classic racing events?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Southwark (Mr. Day) on the 11th instant.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds he has handed over the accrued pension of a pensioner who has been adjudged bankrupt to the official receiver; and will he in future see that the payment of all disability pensions is continued in spite of any bankruptcy that may occur?

So far as the hon. Member's question refers to pension which has accrued to a pensioner but has not been paid by the date on which he is adjudged bankrupt, I would refer him to Section 53 of the Bankruptcy Act, 1914. Pension which accrues after the date on which a pensioner is adjudged bankrupt is paid to the pensioner, unless the court makes an Order under Section 51 (2) of the above-named Act, for the payment of the pension or any part thereof to the trustee in bankruptcy of the debtor's estate. Where the court makes such an Order my Department is bound by the Order of the court.

asked the Postmaster-General how many parishes of over 200 inhabitants in the county of Lindsey are still without a telephone call-box?

There are 16 such parishes in Lindsey where there is a Post Office but no public telephone call office. Arrangements are in hand for providing call offices in five of these parishes.

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of Post Office established employés in the clerical, manipulative and industrial grades, respectively, retire each year at the normal retirement age; and what percentage of the whole established staff?

I regret that figures are not available in the form desired, and could not be obtained without much expenditure of labour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the dispute between the Imperial League of Opera and the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate, payment of the proposed subsidy will be suspended pending satisfactory arrangements for the artistic control of the proposed National Opera Company?

asked the Minister of Labour how many carpenters, ships' carpenters, and wood workers in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, are now out of employment;

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Balham and Tooting (Sir A. Butt) on the 15th instant.

asked the Minister of Labour, (1) the proportion of the numbers on the registers of the Employment Exchanges whose claims have been admitted for the three months to the latest convenient date and for the corresponding three months in 1927, 1928, and 1929;

(2) the proportion of the numbers on the registers of the Edinburgh Employment Exchange whose claims have been admitted for three months to the latest convenient date and for the corresponding three months in 1927, 1928, and 1929.

pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th December, 1930, col. 503, Vol. 246], supplied the following statement:

and how many are calculated to have been in employment as at 30th November 1928, 1929, and 1930.

The following table gives such information as is available:

asked the Minister of Labour, if she can hasten the decision of the Unemployment Grants Committee in the matter of the prevention of flooding of roads in the Picardy Street area of Erith.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to a scheme for surface water drainage of streets adjacent to Picardy Street. This scheme has now been approved for grant on the recommendation of the Unemployment Grants Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour, the numbers of agricultural labourers who have applied for employment at the offices of Boston, Grimsby, Lincoln, and Scunthorpe, and their sub-offices at the latest convenient date.

I am having the information desired extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as the figures have been tabulated.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated number of insured persons in Glasgow, classified as belonging to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry at the 1st July, 1930, the number of unemployed in those industries in Glasgow and the percentage at 24th November, 1930; and the comparative figures at the corresponding dates, 1929?

asked the Minister of Labour if she will take steps to ensure that unemployment benefit is not withheld in those instances where females have declined to take up positions as domestic servants on account of the wages or working conditions being unreasonable?

The decision whether benefit should be withheld rests with the Court of Referees or the Umpire. In arriving at a decision, these authorities have full regard to the wages and working conditions of the situation.

asked the Minister of Labour the hours that Elizabeth Sharples, Mary Caulfield, Alice Bamber and Elizabeth Beckett were expected to work in the positions which were offered to them as general servants in Blackpool?

Inquiries are being made regarding this matter and I will write to my hon. Friend when they are complete.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has had her attention drawn to the case of Miss Doris Agnes Wade, of 50, Melbourne Street, Barrow-in-Furness, a girl of 18 years of age, who has been refused the unemployment benefit by the deputy umpire because she refused to take work in an Army canteen 200 miles away from her home; and how many similar cases have occurred in Barrow during the last six months?

I have received particulars of this case. During the last six months the claims of 13 women at

The following table gives the information desired:

Barrow have been disallowed by the statutory authorities for refusal to accept employment in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of aliens who have received unemployment benefit during the year ended November, 1930?

I would refer the hon. and gallant member to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given on 11th December to the hon. and gallant Member for the Waterloo Division (Captain Bullock).

asked the Minister of Labour whether in future statistical returns of unemployment figures, in view of the small extra expense, if any, and of the fact that details of all towns are given in the cases of five counties in Wales, she will also give similar details for the remainder?

I propose in future issues of the Local Unemployment Index to give, as far as figures are available, separate statistics of the numbers insured and percentage rates of unemployment for each county in Wales and Scotland, and for each Employment Exchange area with an insured population of 2,000 or more.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that numbers of unemployed men in the mining areas have been transferred by the Employment Exchanges to employment in connection with certain schemes in Berkshire and Bucks at the rate of 8½d. per hour, while the established rate in those districts is 1s. 1d. per hour; and whether she proposes to take such action as will prevent the transference of men under such conditions?

I am not aware of any scheme in the two counties in question on which the proper rate of wages is not being paid. If my hon. Friend will send me full details of the schemes he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons entering this country from the Irish Free State during the past 12 months seeking employment and the nature of the employment which they obtained?

I regret that the information desired is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any recommendation has been made to him by the London Traffic Advisory Committee to close Oxford Street to horse-drawn traffic; and, if so, whether he will, before acting upon the recommendation, meet the interested parties in order to obtain a clear expression of opinion from those directly affected by the recommendation?

I am advised that slow-moving traffic—including horse-drawn traffic—is likely to prejudice the satisfactory operation of the proposed traffic control signals in this street, and I am considering whether some restrictions, and, if so, what could be placed upon such traffic during certain hours of the day. My hon. Friend may rest assured that before any regulations are made, persons who would be affected thereby will be given every opportunity of making representations on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport the reasons for the delay in proceeding with the work on the Rochester, Chatham, and Gillingham by-pass road?

The scheme is a large one, and presents some difficult physical problems. It also affects many interests, including several local authorities. While negotiations are proceeding, some time must elapse before the local authorities concerned are likely to be able to formulate a definite scheme for consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the outcome of the negotiations between his Department and the Cardiff City Council regarding the schemes for the construction of an orbital road, and what is the position now?

The Cardiff City Council have recently submitted to my Department their proposals for this scheme. Agreement has been reached as to the greater part of the engineering details, and 1 understand that the council will shortly give notice of an Order for the compulsory acquisition of land under the Public Works Facilities Act, 1930.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continual coast erosion that is taking place on the section of the south coast between Worthing and Hastings; and whether any recent applications have been made to his Department for the construction of protective works?

The Board of Trade have from time to time received information of erosion along this part of the coast. During the present year, the Department have assented to the construction of sea-walls and groyning works by the Brighton Corporation and the Hastings Corporation, and they have at present under consideration applications from these bodies in respect of further protective works at Rottingdean and Bulverhythe.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the recent number of fires in large passenger steamers under the German, American, French and British flags in harbour or on the stocks; whether he is satisfied that the Board of Trade Regulations as to inflammable materials are sufficiently stringent; and whether any inquiries are being made, through his Department or through the Committee of Civil Research, into fireproofing materials?

Full inquiries are made into the circumstances attending all fires on British passenger steamers, and occasionally details are obtained, either through Press reports or otherwise, of fires on foreign passenger ships. No suggestion has been made that the Board of Trade Regulations as to fire protection are inadequate, and I have no reason to think them unsatisfactory. With regard to the last part of the question, inquiries are made in every case in which it is proposed to utilise material other than steel in the construction of those parts of a ship which, under the Regulations, are required to be fireproof.