asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the tenants originally put on to smallholdings under the Acts of 1906 and 1919, respectively, are still in occupation or have left to acquire larger holdings or have died?

New holdings have been provided in Scotland under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, Smallholding Colonies Acts, 1916–1918, Sailors and Soldiers (Gifts for Land Settlement) Act, 1916, and Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, on private estates and on properties acquired by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. Statistics regarding the changes of tenancy on smallholdings formed on private estates are not available. On estates acquired by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland 1,627 new holdings were formed; and of the new holders originally settled 1,194 remain in occupation, 50 have removed to take larger holdings or farms, and 45 have died.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres have been acquired by purchase and by hire, respectively, for small holdings; and the number of separate holdings in each county in Scotland?

The statistics desired will be found:

(a) for the period ended 31st March, 1912, in the 14th report of the Congested Districts Board for Scotland (Part V) and

(b) for the period 1st April, 1912, to 31st December, 1929, in Appendices 2 and 3 of the 18th report of the Depart-of Agriculture for Scotland.

NOTES:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to give effect to the outstanding recommendations of Lord Mackenzie's Committee on Illegal Trawling; and, in particular, when he proposes to introduce legalisation to increase the penalties on conviction?

The outstanding recommendations of the Trawling (Scotland) Committee are being borne in mind with a view to action being taken when suitable opportunities occur. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 27th January to the right hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Macpherson).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what terms grants are made available for the year 1931 under the Government's land drainage scheme; and how much money will be available for this purpose?

The terms generally will be similar to those offered in 1930. I am not yet in a position to state what amount will be made available for distribution.

asked the Minister of Health the name of the workhouse where Mrs. Wise and her children were refused admittance last Christmas; and can he inform the House of the circumstances, and especially of the conduct of the master?

I am advised that the facts of this case are as follow. On 13th November, 1930, Mrs. Olive Kathleen Wise applied to the relieving officer for the Walthamstow district of the Essex County Council for the admission of her four children into the central home belonging to the West Ham Borough Council, which is used by arrangement for applicants from this area of the county. The relieving officer offered her an order for herself as well as for the children in accordance with the usual practice. This order was not accepted, and no further application was made to the officer or his assistants or direct to the central home. As the offer was not accepted, the master was in no way concerned with the case. Mrs. Wise had been previously at times in receipt of both indoor and outdoor relief, and was accordingly familiar with the method of obtaining relief in case of need.

asked the Minister of Health how many children over the age of three years are living in the Aylsham institution?

There were at the end of January, 28 children over three in the Aylsham institution. I recently called the attention of the Norfolk County Council to the need for children's homes in the county and am informed that a sub-committee has been appointed to consider the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that 15 children over the age of three are living in Poor Law institutions in Carnarvonshire, contrary to the regulations of the Ministry, and if he will take steps to remove them?

I have been in correspondence with the county council on this subject, and I understand that all children over three, other than those in sick wards, halve now been removed from the institutions.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes taking regarding certain types of claims for widows' pensions upon which a legal decision has recently been sought?

This matter is now under consideration and I am at present unable to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Health what were the ages of the seven children under two years of age who were reported to have died from smallpox in the year 1930; whether any of them were suffering from any other disease; and whether any other disease appeared on the death certificate?

The ages of the seven children and the diseases, other than smallpox, which appeared on the death certificate, were as shown in the following table. I have no information as to whether any of the children were suffering from any disease not entered on the certificate.

—		Age.		Certified Cause of Death (in addition to Smallpox).
1.	…	3 weeks	…	—
2.	…	18 days	…	Prematurity Jaundice.
3.	…	8 months	…	Brouchial Pneumonia.
4.	…	8 months	…	Broncho Pneumonia Pertussis.
5.	…	1 month	…	Pyæmia.
6.	…	13 days	…	—
7.	…	7 weeks	…	Pyæmia.

asked the Minister of Health in view of the length of time which Mrs. Thirkettle, of 27, Mayville Road, St. Peter's, Broadstairs, has been waiting for admission to a sanatorium for tubercular treatment since being recommended for admission by the local tuberculosis officer, when Mrs. Thirkettle is likely to obtain a vacancy?

I have no information as to the case mentioned in the question, but I am making inquiries and will communicate the result to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of their practical experience of matters of health in relation to diet, he will consider the appoint- ment on the health and nutrition advisory committee a nominee of the national vegetarian societies or be prepared to consider evidence submitted by that body?

This committee is appointed to advise me on the practical application of modern advances in the knowledge of nutrition, and I cannot entertain the question of adding to it a nominee of any particular societies. I will, however, pass on to the committee my hon. Friend's suggestion that they should consider evidence from the societies mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health what was the expenditure, national and local, respectively, involved in the public administration of vaccination during the last completed year for which the figures are available; and, in view of the fact that less than half of the parents of England are now availing themselves of this public provision, he will consider the desirability of bringing in legislation to put an end to this expenditure of public money?

During the year ended 31st March, 1929, which is the latest for which complete figures are at present available, the expenditure by local authorities in England and Wales on the administration of the Vaccination Acts amounted to £191,643. The cost of the Government lymph establishment during the same period, after allowing for receipts from the sale of lmyph, was £11,598. As regards the last part of the question, I have under consideration the whole subject of vaccination, but in present circumstances I cannot undertake to introduce legislation dealing with this question.

asked the Minister of Health how many Provisional Orders under Section 10 of the Local Government Act, 1888, have been made in each quinquennial period since the passing of that Act; and how many such Provisional Orders were confirmed by Parliament?

One such Order has been made—in June, 1889—but the Bill for its confirmation was not proceeded with after it had been considered by a Select Committee.

asked the Minister of Health if be will furnish a return for England and Wales bringing up to date the statement made on 19th February, 1930, regarding the number of houses built, etc., including the 1930 Rousing Act on a comparable basis?

I will send to my hon. Friend a statement of the detailed information which he desires so far as it is available.

asked the Minister of Health for the year 1930 the number of schemes for the improvement of unhealthy areas submitted to the Ministry, and the number confirmed; how many schemes have been undertaken by local authorities and the number completed; the total amount paid on account by the State towards slum clearance; and the ultimate State liability in respect of schemes approved, in continuation of the information given by him on 20th February, 1930?

During the five months between the passing of the Housing Act, 1930, and the 31st December, 1930, resolutions were passed declaring 75 areas in England and Wales to be clearance areas under the Act. These resolutions do not require confirmation by me. In addition, one improvement scheme under the old legislation was confirmed during the year 1930, and nine of the schemes confirmed under that legislation were completed during the year. The amount paid on account by the State during the year 1930 was £101,500, and the ultimate annual State liability is roughly estimated at between £140,000 and £170,000.

asked the Minister of Health how many schemes for improvement areas and clearance areas, respectively, under the Housing Act, 1930, have been finally approved by him; how many local inquiries have been held in connec- tion therewith; and how many houses are included in any contract for new houses let under the Act?

Resolutions have been passed declaring 98 areas in England and Wales to be clearance, areas under the Act. These resolutions do not require approval by me. Local inquiries have been held in connection with clearance or compulsory purchase orders which have, been submitted in respect of six of those areas. Proposals for dealing with improvement areas under the Act are being prepared or are under consideration by a number of local authorities, but no resolution declaring any area to be an improvement area has yet been actually communicated to me. I am unable to give separately the number of houses included in contracts let by or in direct labour schemes of local authorities for the purposes of the Act of 1930. 8,180 houses authorised up to 1st January last will be available if required at the time of completion for the reception of persons displaced under that Act, but have not in general been as yet specifically allocated for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether the money available for unemployment grants in respect of approved employment schemes is nearing exhaustion; whether it is proposed to continue the 100 per cent, grants; and, if so, whether he will consider reducing the present percentage qualification from 15 per cent. to 10 per cent, where the rateable value of any area falls to 10 per cent. below normal?

As was stated in reply to a question asked yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey), the sum voted for this purpose has been allocated with the exception of a small sum kept in hand to meet engineering contingencies and provision has not been made for additional grants of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health the number of schemes sanctioned under the Development (Loans, Guarantees, and Grants) Act, 1929, for public utility undertakings within the adminis- trative county of Somerset; the name of the authority or company; and the cost of the scheme?

Since 1st June, 1929, applications for grant in respect of schemes of work for the relief of unemployment submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee by local authorities and other statutory bodies in Somersetshire eligible to make application under Part II of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, have been sanctioned as follow:

Local Authority.	Number of Schemes sanctioned.	Total Cost.
		£
Axbridge R.D.C.	4 schemes	41,006
Bath R.D.C.	1 scheme	1,900
Bath T.C.	6 schemes	108,375
Bridgwater T.C.	6 schemes	18,984
Burnham-on-Sea U.D.C.	2 schemes	32,250
Chard R.D.C.	2 schemes	2,850
Clevedon U.D.C.	1 scheme	1,010
Clutton R.D.C.	1 scheme	4,421
Ilminster U.D.C.	2 sehemes	7,485
Keynsham R.D.C.	1 scheme	25,730
Midsomer Norton U.D.C.	2 schemes	17,986
Radstock U.D.C.	1 scheme	1,090
Taunton T.C.	2 schemes	20,290
Weston - super - Mare U.D.C.	4 schemes	42,283
Wiveliscombe U.D.C.	1 scheme	2,000
Yeovil T.C.	5 schemes	5,420
Total	41 schemes	£333,080

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give details of any schemes for grants applied for by the Brecon and Radnor County Councils to the Unemployment Grants Committee during 1929 and 1930, showing the date, amount of grant, and whether there are any applications outstanding?

Since 1st June, 1929, no application for grant in respect of schemes of work for the relief of unemployment has been made to the Unemployment Grants Committee by the Radnor County Council. An application for grant in respect of one scheme, estimated to cost £863, was made by Brecon County Council on 1st August, 1930. A grant has been approved in this case and no other applications are outstanding.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applicants for unemployment benefit to the Dewsbury Employment Exchange for the three months ending 21st December, 1930; the number of applications which were successful;

CLAIMS to BENEFIT made in toe DEWSBURY AREA* in the period 14th October, 1930 to 12th January, 1931.
—	Men.	Women.	Juveniles.	Total.
Number of fresh and renewal claims made	9,119	6,206	634	15,958
Number of claims disallowed by Courts of Referees on the ground—not normally insurable and will not normally seek to obtain a livelihood by means of insurable employment.	35	165	—	200
Separate figures giving the number of cases in which benefit was allowed are not available.
* The figures relate to claims made at the Dewsbury, Mirfield and Ossett Employment Exchanges.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the figures showing the number of men unemployed in each of the royal dockyards for each quarter since January, 1929?

Date.			Chatham.	Sheerness.	Devonport.	Portsmouth.
11th March, 1929	…	…	2,576	328	1,791	4,024
17th, June, 1929	…	…	2,069	242	1,847	3,033
16th September, 1929	…	…	2,045	357	1,849	3,080
16th December, 1929	…	…	2,782	335	1,531	4,177
17th March, 1930	…	…	2,882	374	1,550	4,223
16th June, 1930	…	…	3,028	473	1,910	4,068
15th September, 1930	…	…	3,126	457	2,056	4,308
15th December, 1930	…	…	3,787	536	2,262	6,110

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware of the organisation at the temporary women's Employment Exchange at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts, which results in queues of girls and women waiting for long periods in the cold and wet, and that on Friday, 6th February, some of the girls collapsed from exposure and fatigue; and if she will consider obtaining the use of more suitable premises till the new Employment Exchange is built?

I will have inquiry made at Sutton-in-Ashfield and will communicate further with my hon. Friend.

The following statement gives the particulars desired:

I have been asked to reply. The following table shows the numbers of men on the registers of Employment Exchanges at each of the royal dockyard towns at quarterly dates in 1929 and 1930:—

asked the Minister of Labour if she has any recent information as to the incidence of unemployment in the United States of America, France, and Germany?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given on 10th February to similar questions put by the hon. Members for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) and Lincoln (Mr. R. A. Taylor).

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that a considerable number of miners lose unemployment benefit because they are allowed to pass the fireman's station before learning that no work is available; and what steps does she propose to take in the matter?

I am aware of the point which my hon. Friend has in mind. The rule in question is laid down in umpire's decisions and could only be changed by legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the evidence of the Government Actuary before the Unemployment Insurance Commission, she has taken any action with regard to a professional football player who is paid £6 10s. a week and receives unemployment benefit for being unemployed for four days a week?

The case referred to was one in which benefit had been allowed by a court of referees. The action which I took was to bring it to the notice of the Royal Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the number of unemployed farm labourers; and in what parts of the country is such unemployment most severe?

I have no means of ascertaining the precise number of agricultural workers unemployed. The areas which are reported as being most affected by unemployment this winter are the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire, Kent, the Kesteven and Lindsey Divisions of Lincolnshire and the Lea Valley glasshouse area of Hertfordshire. Reports have also been received that a certain amount of unemployment amongst regular workers exists in parts of East Anglia.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can yet state when the Report of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance will be before the House; and will he undertake to publish it, if possible, before the Budget is introduced in April?

I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in this connection during yesterday's Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons that enlisted in the Army during each of the last five years; how many made application to be released during the first six months after enlistment; and how many of such applications were granted?

As regards the first part of the question my hon. Friend will find the figures for the recruiting years 1925–29 on page 12 of the General Annual Report on the British Army for 1929 (Command Paper 3498). The total number of recruits finally approved during the recruiting year ended 30th September, 1930, was 26,550. As regards the remainder of the question, I regret that information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the Allied medal, granted to military members of the Upper Silesian Commission, is allowed to be worn by the English recipients when in uniform; and whether the Russian medals granted to certain English officers engaged in the late General Wrangel's anti-Russian forces may be worn by these officers in uniform?

In reply to the first part of the question, British subjects are not authorised to wear the medal; in reply to the second part, no objection has been made to the wearing of Russian decorations and medals conferred upon British military personnel after the fall of the Imperial Regime and up to 21st June, 1920, when it was decided that no further awards of the kind could be allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps, if any, are being taken to make service in the Territorial Army more attractive to recruits; and what is the present deficiency of strength?

I am not aware in what way the hon. Member considers that service in the Territorial Army is not attractive, but I can assure him that, within the limits necessarily imposed by financial considerations, everything possible is done to provide for the comfort and well- being of members of the Territorial Army both in their drill halls and in their camps. I shall, of course, be happy to consider any suggestions that may be made to me. The deficiency of some 32,000 on 1st January compares not unfavourably with that existing in past years.

asked the Secretary of State for War tie peace-time and mobilisation strengths of the armies of the following countries, namely: France, Spain, Italy, and Russia?

Figures relating to mobilisation strengths are not published by the countries mentioned in the question: as regards peace strengths, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the information published in the League of Nations Armaments Year Book.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many representatives of his Department are at present stationed in Soviet Russia; where are they stationed; what are their duties; and what is the nature of any reports which they make?

There are two Commercial Diplomatic Officers in. Soviet Russia: a Commercial Counsellor and a Commercial Secretary, both stationed at Moscow. There are also a Consul-General and Vice-Consul at Moscow, and a Consul and Vice-Consul at Leningrad. The duties of these officers are those normally assigned to commercial diplomatic and consular officers respectively. The subjects upon which they report are similar to those reported on by officers in the two services in other countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute inquiries into the usage of British merchant ships for Russo-British trade; and whether, in view of the shortage of available British ships of tonnage less than 6,000 tons available for this Russian trade, he will bring this fact to the notice of British shipowners and shipbuilders?

I am informed that there is no shortage of British ships for Russo-British trade, and I have no reason to doubt that British shipowners and shipbuilders are fully aware of the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what countries, since 1926, have imposed new, or have augmented existing, duties upon imported silver; and what are the rates of duty imposed?

According to my information, Customs duties have been imposed, or increased, on bar silver since 1926 in the following countries: India (present duty, 4d. per oz.); Turkey (present duty, 1.6d. per oz.); Rumania (present duty, 0.18d. per oz.); Egypt (present duty, 1.2d. per oz.); Mexico (present duty, 3d. per oz.); Salvador (present duty, 1 per cent. ad valorem); and Guatemala (present duty, 1 per cent. ad valorem).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the invitation issued by His Majesty's Government to the Governor of the Reserve Bank of South Africa to proceed to Shanghai to report upon the slump in silver has been accepted; and, if so, whether any indication can be given as to the date when the report may be expected?

I presume that the Noble Lord has in mind the proposal which is now under consideration of sending a mission to Hong Kong to inquire into and advise upon the question of Hong Kong currency. I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to what the composition of such a mission would be.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Government propose to recognise in some special manner the services of Captain Malcolm Campbell to the British motor industry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject given yesterday to the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking).

asked the Home Secretary how many cases of murder were committed in 1930 for which no arrests have been made; and if he can give the corresponding figures for 1929?

Complete information for the year 1930 is not yet available. In 1929 there were 84 known cases of murder involving 103 victims aged over one year. In 38 cases the suspect committed suicide or died; in 42 cases there were arrests; only in the remaining four cases (one of which involved three victims who were poisoned) was no arrest made. There were also 26 known cases of murder of very young infants, newly-born or of ages up to one year. In 15 of the cases of finding bodies of newly-born infants no arrest was made. In three cases, involving four infant victims, the suspect committed suicide; in all the eight other cases arrests were made.

asked the Home Secretary the grounds upon which he refused permission to Alexander Bourdt, of 2, Stueler Strasse, Berlin, to land in this country?

I cannot give reasons for my decisions in such assure my hon. Friend that I went carefully into this case and was satisfied that the decision that Bourdt ought not to come to this country was in the public interest.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has bee' drawn to the sentence of four months' hard labour passed by the Burton-on-Trent bench on 31st January on Thomas Foster, aged 56, for stealing 3½d.; and if be will consider this case with a view t a reduction of the sentence?

I have inquired very carefully into the facts of this case. On the same day that the police had chari- tably helped this man with money, he went to a licensed house and stole there-from a collecting box prominently marked as being for a charity, which turned out, however, to contain only 3½d. As regards the last part of the question, I have the case under consideration and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary when the report of the Licensing Commission will be issued to Parliament?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on the 9th instant.

asked the Home Secretary how many appeals to Quarter Sessions have been made from Courts of Summary Jurisdiction during the past year against conviction or sentence, and how many appellants have been successful in their appeals; and how many of those successful have been awarded costs?

Figures for 1930 are not available. In 1929 there were 232 appeals; 51 resulted in the quashing of convictions and 59 others in the modification of sentences. I have no information as to the number of appellants awarded costs.

asked the President of the Board of Education the present aggregate accommodation and attendance at all the non-provided elementary schools, distinguishing the figures as between Church of England schools and Roman Catholic schools?

The figures, for which the hon. Member asks, are given for the latest available date in my answer of the 20th January last to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of Roman Catholic public elementary schools and the number of scholars therein for the year before the Education Act, 1902, and in the last complete year; and the expenditure of public money on these schools during each of the two years referred to?

In the year ending 31st August, 1902, there were 1,056 Roman Catholic public elementary schools in England and Wales, with an average number of 328,552 children on the registers. In the year ended 31st March, 1930, the corresponding numbers were 1,177 schools with an average number of 370,962 children on the registers. It is not possible to separate the expenditure incurred on the maintenance of these schools from the expenditure on elementary education generally.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of new Roman Catholic elementary schools opened during each year since 1902, showing in each case the present accommodation and attendance at the school?

The following table shows the number of new Roman Catholic public, elementary schools, in England and Wales, opened during each year:

1902-1903			not available.
1904	…	…	nil.
1905	…	…	10
1906	…	…	6
1907	…	…	3
1908	…	…	6
1909	…	…	10
1910	…	…	14
1911	…	…	7
1912	…	…	8
1913	…	…	8
1914	…	…	4
1915	…	…	7
1916	…	…	5
1917	…	…	1
1918	…	…	2
1919–1920	…	…	3
1921	…	…	4
1922	…	…	8
1923	…	…	6
1924	…	…	5
1925	…	…	2
1926	…	…	5
1927	…	…	7
1928	…	…	7
1929	…	…	22
1930	…	…	12

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will furnish particulars bringing up to date the information contained in his statement regarding nursery schools, given in the House of Commons on 19th December, 1929?

The most recent available information as to the numbers and cost of nursery schools was given in my reply of 26th January last to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Broad), of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of money spent for the year ended 31st December, 1930, by paymaster-commanders in charge of general messing in His Majesty's ships "Excellent," "Vernon," and "Dolphin," and in the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, with private traders, and the amount spent with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes?

The amounts expended with private traders and Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes during the year ended 31st December, 1930, were as follow:—

—	Private traders.	N.A.A.F.I.
	£	£
H.M.S. "Excellent"	7,912	5,071
H.M.S. "Vernon"	8,934	5,648
Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth.	16,764	15,935

H.M.S. "Dolphin" is not victualled on the general messing system.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of boy ratings of all branches of the Royal Navy who were invalided during the year ended 31st December, 1930; and the number in the same period who were invalided with tuberculosis and heart complaints?

The number of boy ratings of all branches of the Royal Navy who were invalided during the year ended 31st December, 1930, were:—

Boys	…	44
E.R.A. apprentices	…	4
Band boys	…	3
Buglers (ages 15 and 17)	…	2
		53

The number in the same period invalided with tuberculosis was two (including one case of tubercular adenitis). The number invalided for heart complaints was 17 comprising 15 of organic heart disease, one of rheumatic myocarditis and one of tachycardia.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of naval and marine ratings invalided between 1st January, 1930, and 31st December, 1930, and the total number whose invaliding disability was accepted as attributable to service?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on 6th February [OFFICIAL REPORT, column 2260].

asked the Minister of Labour the average wages, working hours per day, and working days per week of joiners in Sweden employed in manufacturing doors?

I am looking into this question, and will write to the Noble Lady.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any maps showing the catchment areas in Sussex which include the River Arun and the River Mole have yet been prepared under the Land Drainage Act, 1930; if so, where those maps can be inspected; and whether the Thames catchment area map has yet been completed?

The map of the River Arun catchment area was placed on deposit for public inspection for a period of one month, as required by the Land Drainage Act, 1930, and has now been approved under seal. The River Mole is within the River Thames catchment area and the map of this area also has been on deposit but has not yet been approved, various objections being still under consideration. Copies of both maps may be inspected at the offices of the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give an assurance that no authority will be given for the continuance of the Round Table discussions in India until the House has had an opportunity of examining the agenda of the Conference?

Perhaps the hon. Member would await the announcement of the Government's plans for carrying on the work of the Round Table Conference. It was stated on 9th February that such an announcement will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether financial considerations will now permit a scheme of reconstruction in permanent form of the officers' quarters and other Royal Air Force buildings at Milton depot to be considered, in view of the condition of some of the buildings?

A scheme for the reconstruction of officers' quarters and other Royal Air Force buildings at Milton has been considered, but, in view of the existence of more pressing needs, I regret that financial considerations preclude its adoption.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can make a statement as to the present practice with regard to confidential reports in the Civil Service?

I am forwarding to the hon. and gallant Member copies of Circulars of 12th November, 1920, and 26th April, 1922, which set out the agreed practice with regard to the communication of adverse reports, and in connection with the annual reports on members of Civil Departments' staffs, respectively.

asked the Attorney-General the names of the advisory committee for Durham county; the dates of their appointment, the qualifications, if any, of their membership; and the date of their last meeting

The names of the members of the Advisory Committee in Durham county are as follow:

• His Majesty's Lieutenant: The Most Hon. the Marquess of Londonderry, K.G., M.V.O.
• J. S. G. Pemberton, Esq.
• Lieut.-Colonel Rowland Burdon, J.P., D.L.
• Sir Frank Brown, J.P.
• Mrs. Shafto, O.B.E., J.P.
• Mrs. Fryer.
• Mrs. Gilliland.
• Alderman Charles Macfarlane, J.P.
• The Rev. E. Pace, D.D.
• P. Lee, Esq., J.P.
• W. N. Smith, Esq, J.P.
• Lieut.-Colonel G. N. Stobart, J.P.

The Committee was appointed in July, 1924. The Lord Chancellor has no official notice of the date of the last meeting of the committee. He understands, however, that a meeting has recently been held. My Noble Friend appoints to his advisory committee persons whom he considers best fitted by character, training and experience to advise him.

asked the Attorney-General whether any special considerations are given as to the length of service on local authorities or public work in the appointment of justices of the peace; and how many of the appointments in Durham since 1924 have such qualifications?

In considering the suitability of persons for appointment as justices of the peace the Lord Chancellor gives due weight to such public services as have been rendered by the persons recommended for appointment. No record is kept of the public services of persons appointed in Durham since 1924, but those appointed have generally a long record of public service.