asked the Minister of Labour the annual cost of maintaining the Shobden, Herefordshire, labour camp; how many Government officials are employed there; what are the salaries of these officials; and how many men are at present receiving training there?

This transfer instructional centre opened on 1st January, 1931, takes the place of the Presteign centre, which has been closed for sanitary reasons. The estimated annual cost of maintaining the centre is £6,740. The staff of all kinds numbers 24, and the wages and salaries amount to £4,663 per annum. The number of trainees at present is 85, and is in course of increase up to the capacity of the centre, namely, 150.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Hull on 1st January, 1931, and the corresponding figure on let January, 1929?

At 29th December, 1930, the date nearest to that given by the hon. and gallant Member for which figures are available, there were 16,973 persons on the registers of the Hull Employment Exchange as compared with 14,376 at 31st December, 1928.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has now further reviewed the existing arrangement between the Royal Dockyards and the Employment Exchanges in respect of the engaging of men for work in the dockyards; and whether, seeing that at present a large number of men are registered at the Devonport Employment Exchange with the express purpose of obtaining work in the yard, but that owing to a system of nomination by the dockyard authorities there is little likelihood of the great majority ever securing employment in the yard, she will lay down a clearer definition of the respective

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed, men, women, and juveniles being shown separately, at any convenient date in November and December, 1928, 1929, and 1930?

The following statement gives the particulars for which the hon. and gallant Gentleman asks:functions of the dockyard authorities and the Employment Exchanges in filling dockyard vacancies that may occur, so that applicants may know the position?

The hon. Member is asking me to usurp the functions of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, which I must respectfully decline to do.

asked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements can be made to secure employment for ex-apprentices recently discharged from Devonport Dockyard during the last six months who find it difficult to obtain employment, in view of the fact that these young men have been through a special training by the Government?

I find that during the last six months no apprentices have been discharged from Devonport Dockyard immediately on completion of their apprenticeship. In August last, 18 ex-apprentices were discharged, all of whom had been employed in the dockyard for periods varying from one to four years after the completion of their apprenticeship. Of these men, one has since found work as an agent, one has returned to the dockyard as a skilled workman, and the remaining 16 have accepted employment as labourers which was offered to them by the dockyard authorities. On the 9th January, two ex-apprentice coppersmiths were discharged on redundancy, and are still unemployed. Every effort will be made by the Employment Exchange to find them suitable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour for each insurance year for which figures are available, the contributions paid into the Unemployment Insurance Fund in respect of workers in each of the following industrial groups and the amount paid out in unemployment benefit in respect of workers in each of these same groups: mining, metal manufacturing, engineering, cotton manufacturing, food, drink, tobacco, building and public works contracting, transport and communication, distributive trades, commerce, banking, insurance and finance?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Memorandum of Evidence submitted by the Department to the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance, which contains an appendix giving such information as is available on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest reliable statistics on unemployment in Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Holland, Poland, the United States, Canada and Australia, respectively?

The latest available statistics of unemployment in the countries named, with the exception of Poland and Australia, are given on page 32 of the current issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. In Poland, the number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges on 29th November, 1930, was 211,918. In Australia, of the members of trade unions in respect of which information is available, 20.5 per cent. were reported as unemployed for three days or more in one week during the third quarter of 1930. I have no later figures for either of these two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the services rendered to education by this organisation, he will make a declaration of the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the future of the establishment of the Army Educational Corps?

Certain measures of reorganisation are in contemplation, but as it would not be possible to deal fully with the matter within the limits of question and answer, I will have a statement prepared which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it is ready.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as the only smallholdings available now or during this year for 2,000 ex-service applicants and 5,000 civilian applicants are a few holdings at Camptoun, East Lothian, Bargarron, Bishopton, Renfrewshire, and Inglismaldie, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, he will say what steps he proposes to take to meet the demand for holdings; and whether he will advertise widely from time to time lists of available holdings, showing locality and approximate acreages, for the information of applicants?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Smallholdings are being constituted and will be made available during the current year on areas other than those stated in the question. As the hon. Member knows, there is presently before the House an Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill which, when placed on the Statute Book, will enable me to make provision for a large number of smallholders of varying types. In the meantime, I have speeded up land settlement to the maximum extent possible within the limits of the funds available. With regard to the last part of the question, I am advised that there is no necessity for incurring expenditure in advertisements in the Press as the Department have no difficulty in finding suitable applicants for holdings available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can announce when the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act will commence to operate; and, if not, in view of the hardship suffered by Scottish agriculturists, if he will take steps to secure the Act's operation at the earliest possible date?

The outcome of the negotiations with the Scottish banks to which I referred in previous answers is that, while four of the banks have finally refused to participate, a definite scheme is now under consideration by the four remaining banks, and there is a reasonable probability that it will prove acceptable to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the desirability of enlarging the committee appointed to investigate the coastguard service; and whether he will consider the addition of some representatives from the shipowners' interest and from the shipmasters' societies?

The composition of this committee was very carefully considered, and I do not think there is sufficient reason for altering it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of amending the Foreign Prison-made Goods Act, 1897?

As has been stated on several occasions, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to initiate legislation to extend the scope of this Act, and I need only add that they do not propose to move for its repeal.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if the deliveries have been completed of sugar to Russia guaranteed by export credits; and, if so, what was the date of the last delivery?

It is not the practice to disclose particulars of individual transactions, and I regret that I cannot reply to this question without departing from that practice.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the law under which exporters of barley from Czechoslovakia are entitled to import licences at the rate of 7s. 6d. per quarter is now in operation?

According to my information, the law is still in force. The "import bonds" granted in respect of exported barley are valued at the rate of approximately 6s. 8d. per quarter of 400 lbs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what report he has received as to broadcast messages from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics which have been received by listeners in Great Britain during the Recess?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 21st January to the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the Commissioners' report on the R101 airship disaster will be made public; and whether he will consider the appointment of a small committee to go into the whole question of future airship development in this country and deal with any questions arising out of the report of the Commissioners?

As regards the first part of the question, owing to the need for certain intricate technical calculations, I understand that the Court has not yet finally completed its report. It is impossible, therefore, at present to name a definite date for publication. It would be premature to take any decision as to further procedure until the report has been presented, but note will be taken of the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many light aeroplane clubs are at present qualified for the Government grants, and the total number of A licensed pilots trained during the present financial year by all those clubs collectively?

Fourteen light aeroplane clubs have been approved for financial assistance under the Air Ministry scheme; in addition, six clubs are affiliated to National Flying Services, Limited, and thereby benefit by grants paid by the Air Ministry under the agreement with that organisation. The number of new pilots trained by these clubs during the present financial year, up to the end of November, was 365.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the interests of air development and business accruing from the Schneider trophy race, the Government will reconsider their decision and make a grant to the Royal Aero Club to enable British machines to compete in the race this year; and whether any objection would be made should any Air Force officer desire to pilot a civilian machine in this race?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) and to the right hon. Member for Hythe (Sir P. Sassoon). As regards the second part, the decision precludes the Air Council from allowing any serving officer of the Royal Air Force to take part as a competing pilot.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been made to the British-Canadian proposal submitted to the British Guiana Government and to the Secretary of State to finance road construction in the hinterland of British Guiana; and what is the nature of the proposal?

A despatch has recently been received from the Governor of British Guiana in connection with proposals by certain British-Canadian interests for road development in the Colony. This despatch is at present under consideration, and it would be premature to disclose the details of the proposals at the present juncture.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give any information as to the number of local education authorities in England and Wales which allow school children to use their school recreation grounds after school hours and during holidays and the number of children affected; and give separate figures showing, at March, 1930, the number of play centres conducted, respectively, by local education authorities, by voluntary associations, and jointly, and the figures of average attendance in each category?

I am unable to state the number of local education authorities which make arrangements for allowing school children to use school playgrounds after school hours and during holidays. I assume that the latter part of my hon. Friend's question refers to organised evening play centres recognised by the Board under their Regulations and conducted, in most cases, in the premises of public elementary schools. During the year ending on 31st March, 1930, 173 such centres, with an average attendance of approximately 45,650, were conducted by local education authorities, and 129, with an average attendance of approximately 19,500, by voluntary bodies. Nearly all the centres conducted by voluntary bodies receive assistance in some form from the local education authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give comparative figures for 1928–30 showing in public elementary schools the number of classes having under 40, 41–50, 51–60, and over 60 pupils; the average for England and Wales for each of the three years, and for grant-aided secondary schools for the same years; the number of classes containing over 30, 35, and 40 pupils; and the average for England and Wales?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make a statement dealing with the recent incident that occurred in the submarine depot ship His Majesty's Ship "Lucia"?

I shall be prepared to make a full statement after the Court-Martial proceedings have been concluded and have been reviewed by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the condition of the surface of many level crossings; and whether he will consider taking action to have these made safe?

So far as I am aware, the surface of level crossings is in general adequately maintained by the railway companies concerned, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with

The figures for which my hon. Friend asks are as follow:particulars of any information he may have to the contrary I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the number of workpeople and vehicles held up for considerable periods owing to the long time the swing bridge over the Millwall dock entrance is closed to traffic; and whether he will take any action to remedy this delay by the Port of London Authority?

I have received representations regarding the inadequacy of the bridge to which my hon. Friend refers, and am in communication with the London County Council and the Port of London Authority with a view to ascertaining whether arrangements can be made for the construction of a new bridge at this point. A new bridge would not do away with delays to traffic caused by the opening of the bridge, but, in so far as it could be more rapidly operated, delays would be reduced.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that workmen travelling by motor cycle and pillion to their daily work are being stopped by constables in order to examine pillion seats; and whether there is any instruction yet issued as to what constitutes a pillion seat?

By Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, it is unlawful for any person in addition to the driver to be carried on a motor bicycle otherwise than sitting astride the cycle and on a proper seat securely fixed to the vehicle behind the driver's seat. The enforcement of the law is a matter for the police. I have no authority to define by regulation or otherwise what is meant by the expression "a proper seat."

asked the Home Secretary whether any instructions have been given to the police to question a person as to his or her nationality when taking particulars of traffic obstruction?

Not so far as my right hon. Friend is aware.

asked the Minister of Transport the minimum and maximum charges for light and power supplied in each area under the control of the Electricity Commissioners, and the names of such areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to a similar question which he asked on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider appointing a select committee to report at an early date on the application of the Sunday Observance Act, 1780, to modern conditions?

My right hon. Friend can add nothing at present to the answers which he gave to other questions on this subject on 11th December.

asked the Minister of Health the county and local authorities which have scheduled any areas for slum clearance under the Housing (No. 2) Act?

I have been informed of 79 declarations made by 27 local authorities under Part I of the Housing Act, 1930, and I will send my hon. Friend a list of the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities in England and Wales who are at present building houses under various housing schemes by direct labour?

The number is 110.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make an announcement with reference to future legislation with regard to profiteering in various building materials?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a similar question recently put by my hon. Friend, the Member for Derby (Mr. Raynes), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Minister of Health's recent statement that he will not consider any reduction in social services represents the considered policy of His Majesty's Government?

His Majesty's Government would not regard a contraction of efficiency in the existing social services as a desirable form of national economy.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of rates collected by local authorities in England and Wales in 1929 and 1930; and the amount of Government grants given to such authorities in each of these two years?

The following statement gives the information desired.

asked the Attorney-General if he will give a list of the names of the advisory committee for the county of Middlesex; and the date of the last meeting of the committee?

The following are the members of the advisory committee for the county of Middlesex:Lord Lieutenant: Lord Rochdale, Lingholme, Keswick, Cumberland, and Old Hall, South Grove, High-gate, N.6.Sir William Barber, Park House, Englefield Green, Surrey.C. F De Salis, Esq., J.P., Holly Cross House, Cragies Hill, Henley-on-Thames.Sir H. F. Bowles, Bart., D.L., J.P., Forty Hall, Enfield.The Earl of Lucan, K.B.E., C.B., J.P., Lalcham, Staines.B. Todd, Esq., J.P., Elm Grange, Nether Street, Finchley, N.3.Mrs. M. W. Ackworth, J.P., 35, Shoot-up-Hill, N.W.2.Sir Montague Sharpe, K.C., D.L., J.P., Brent House, 34, Corfton Road, Ealing, W.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, since the prospects of the season's sugar-beet crop are imperilled by the delay in arriving at an agreement between the farmers and the sugar-beet factories, the Government intend to recommend assistance in bridging over the crisis in the industry in order to obviate the closing of factories and the restricted cultivation of sugar-beet crops?

I am fully informed of the situation, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the existing situation of the beet-sugar industry; and what steps, if any, he is taking to bring about a settlement between the factory representatives and those representing the growers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. On my suggestion, discussion has been resumed between the parties and I am keeping in close touch with the situation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take any steps to assist the Royal Veterinary College to carry on their work of training students?

I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the reply which I gave on 27th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver). I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present number of unemployed farm workers in Great Britain?

I regret that statistics are not available showing the number of agricultural workers at present unemployed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what measure of financial assistance is given by the State to agriculture in the chief European countries and in the United States of America?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, and it could only be obtained as a result of very exhaustive inquiries.