asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state what were the total acreages under arable cultivation and permanent grass, respectively, and what were the acreages producing wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, small fruit, and hops, respectively, for last year (1930) compared with 1920?

Following is the table:

Acreage under permanent Grass, Wheat, Barley, Oats, Potatoes, Small Fruit, and Hops, and the Total Arable Land in England and Wales in 1930 and 1920.
—		1930.*	1920.
		Acres	Acres
Arable lane	…	9,833,140	12,019,745
Permanent grass	…	15,547,750	14,487,266
Wheat	…	1,346,100	1,874,652
Barley	…	1,020,460	1,637,222
Oats	…	1,778,220	2,271,703
Potatoes	…	424,410	544,615
Small fruit	…	66,210	58,814
Hops	…	20,000	21,002
* The figures for 1930 are provisional and are subject to revision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state how many sugar-beet factories operated in the 1930–31 manufacturing season; and what are the names and addresses of the companies operating these factories?

18 beet sugar factories in Great Britain operated in the 1930–31 manufacturing season. The names and addresses of the companies operating these factories are as follow:Name of Factory and Address of Factory Company.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present position regarding the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Sussex; if any cause can be assigned to the outbreak; and what animals were destroyed and at what cost to the State?

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed on the 18th January at Stanmer, in the parish of West Meston, East Sussex. No further outbreaks of disease occurred in that locality and the general restrictions imposed were completely removed on the 9th February. The origin of the case is obscure. 52 cattle, 97 sheep and 102 swine were slaughtered by the Ministry at a cost in compensation of £1,488 1s.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average tonnage of freight trains in the years 1908, 1913, 1919, 1924, and 1929?

I have been asked to reply. Prior to 1920 the average net load of freight trains in Great Britain was not known, but the figures for the years 1920, 1924, and 1929, were as follows:

Year.				Tons.
1920	…	…	…	132.49
1924	…	…	…	132.64
1929	…	…	…	130.90

asked the Minister of Transport if it is the intention of the Government to make use of the procedure under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, and to acquire additional land on either side of roads or whether, in view of the small amount of land purchased since it took office, it is proposed to introduce legislation giving additional powers?

In every case where these powers could be exercised, I obtain advice regarding the desirability of acquiring additional land. I do not at present propose to seek additional powers in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the position in relation to the compensation for weekly tenants, who are shopkeepers, under the Royal Victoria Dock Approaches (Improvement) Act, 1929; whether any compensation has been paid and upon what basis; and whether, in connection with the sums paid for shops that are taken over in the Barking Road, the district valuer has been consulted?

In the circumstances of this case I am advised that there is no legal authority for the payment of compensation of any kind to dispossessed weekly tenants. My Department, however, on whom the cost of the scheme mainly rests has already indicated that approval will be given to a payment towards the reasonable cost of removal of such tenants, and where the tenancy comprises a dwelling it is also proposed to offer the dispossessed tenant alternative accommodation in the houses and flats now in the course of erection in the vicinity of the new road. I am informed that the district valuer was consulted in regard to the compensation paid by the West Ham Corporation, who are the promoters of the scheme, to the shopkeepers in Barking Road.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the restrictions on the activities of our official diplomatic and commercial representatives in Soviet Russia, he proposes to impose any analogous restrictions on the Soviet diplomatic and commercial representatives in this country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take with regard to representations he has received from the central committee representing the amalgamated textile operatives since the meeting in Manchester on Saturday last, asking for action by the Government on the line of carrying out the purposes of the Government inquiry into the industry?

I have received no representations from the Central Committee since the meeting to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House of Commons an early opportunity of reconsidering the arrangement under which the British Broadcasting Corporation are required to exclude political discussions from their programmes?

I regret that in view of the state of public business I cannot provide facilities for a discussion of this subject. Political broadcasting is in fact allowed under arrangements agreed by all parties, and I am informed that the right hon. Member for Bewdley (Mr. S. Baldwin) is delivering a party speech in to-night's programme.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what method is used of assessing overhead charges in the Royal Dockyards when tendering for outside work?

It is not the practice of the Admiralty to quote fixed tenders for work performed by the Royal Dockyards, though an estimate may be given of what the charges will probably be, when work is undertaken for private concerns or individuals. On completion of the work the actual cost is claimed. This is computed by the accounting system in force and includes due contribution towards all overhead charges; the exact method by which overhead charges are assessed and applied is undergoing change, as the accounting system of each dockyard is being modernised. Briefly it might be stated that, under the old system, the gross overheads are expressed in terms of average percentages of direct charges plus fixed time charges for the use of equipment; and that, under the new system, there is attached to each hour of labour its pertinent oncost, according to the type of the labour, and to the extent of the call it makes on what is provided by the expenditure on "overheads"; and to each unit of use of equipment or service a charge designed to absorb on usage the complete coated expense of that equipment or service; this presents what is termed in modern costing the "factory production cost."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the amount of money paid into the sullage fund of His Majesty's ships "Vernon" and "Excellent," Royal Naval Submarine Depot, Fort Blockhouse, and Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, for the year 1930; the amount of expenditure under the various items; and how the disbursements were decided upon and by what authority?

Inquiries are being made and I will let the hon. Member have the required information as soon as it is available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that one of His Majesty's inspectors has warned the vaccination officer for Derby that declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination, except in cases of illegitimates and parents separated, cannot be made by mothers, and that after 10th February such declarations will not be accepted, on the ground that the father, not the mother, is the parent of the child; and has this change in practice been sanctioned by the Minister?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any inspector of his Department has recently seen the vaccination officer for Derby on this subject, but he is advised that under the Vaccination Acts the obligation to cause a child to be vaccinated is placed on the person having the custody of the child, and consequently that a declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination made by the mother would not exempt the father from liability if he has the legal custody of the child.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reason for the delay in granting a widow's pension to Mrs. N. Flavell, of 15a, Castle View, Dudley?

In this case the deceased husband, by reason of illness, did no work during the last three years of his life. The title of his widow to a pension depends on whether in these circumstances he can be held to have had a normal occupation of insurable employment during that period. As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for South- ampton (Mr. Morley) on the 12th instant, this matter is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some areas the Press is being excluded from conferences of parish, district, and county councils concerned with the rearrangement of local government areas; and whether, with a view to assuage friction, he can devise means of encouraging a contrary practice?

It is in the discretion of county councils whether the Press shall be admitted, and my right hon. Friend is not disposed to interfere with their discretion, especially in view of the fact that the frankest possible interchange of views is likely to be conducive to the public interest.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the overcrowded condition of the Poole casual ward, where the accommodation is for 37 and the average number admitted is 70; and whether he can take any immediate steps to deal with the situation that nightly exists there?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the accommodation in these casual wards is inadequate for the numbers at present relieved, although not quite to the extent suggested by my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend understands that the Dorset County Council have under consideration plans for the extension of the wards and are making immediate arrangements for the provision of additional temporary accommodation pending the completion of the proposed extension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the increase in the traffic in intoxicating liquors in territory held under mandate by this country in the Cameroons and Togoland, what action the Government proposes to take?

The latest reports to the Council of the League of Nations on the administration of these mandated territories indicate a decrease rather than an increase in the traffic in intoxicating liquors, except for an increase in the consumption of wine and beer in the southern section of Togoland. The reasons for this exception are given in paragraphs 115 and 138 of die reports for 1928 and 1929 respectively. The measures recently introduced in the Colony of the Gold Coast for the gradual abolition of all imports of gin, and the restriction of the imports of other alcoholic liquors, will have the same effect on the liquor traffic in the southern section of Togoland as in the Colony. The importation of all alcoholic

NUMBERS of persona on the registers of the Dudley Employment Exchange in January, 1930, and January, 1931.
Date.					Men.	Boys.	Women.	Girls.	Total.
1930.
6th January	…	…	…	…	2,161	115	832	204	3,312
13th January	…	…	…	…	2,242	125	829	219	3,415
20th January	…	…	…	…	2,246	107	838	186	3,377
27th January	…	…	…	…	2,248	110	845	190	3,393
1931.
5th January	…	…	…	…	5,054	202	1,674	295	7,225
12th January	…	…	…	…	5,261	209	1,687	325	7,482
19th January	…	…	…	…	5,020	226	1,572	331	7,149
26th January	…	…	…	…	4,954	217	1,524	336	7,031

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is prepared to attach to the receipt of unemployment benefit a test of need or means?

I have no power to attach any conditions to the receipt of unemployment benefit. That can only be done by Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of assistance granted for the year ended 15th May, 1930, under Section 4 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, by local education authorities to students attending universities, giving, if possible, a separate figure for the proportion in respect of students

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of registered unemployed on the Dudley Labour Exchange for the months of January, 1930 and 1931, respectively?

Following is the statement:who received part of their education at primary schools?

In the year ended 15th May, 1930, the assistance granted under Section 4 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, to students attending universities amounted to £73,000. The available statistics do not enable me to give a figure in respect of students who received part of their education at primary schools, but it may be taken that the greater part of the expenditure was in respect of such students.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any reports have been received from His Majesty's representatives in the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics on the working out of the economic reconstruction of the country known as the five-year plan; and whether any economic reports have been, or are to be, published as is done annually in the case of Germany?

In regard to the first part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the bon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Lewisham (Sir A. Pownall) on the 2nd February, 1931.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if the Advisory Committee under the Exports Credits scheme is still in existence; and, if so, who is its Chairman, where is it located, what are its functions, and how often does it sit?

The Advisory Committee to the Export Credits Guarantee Department is still in existence. Its Chairman is Colonel the Hon. Sidney Peel, C.B., D.S.O. It meets at frequent intervals at the offices of the Department at 9, Clements Lane, E.C.4. Its function is to advise the Board of Trade in the exercise of their powers under the Overseas Trade Acts, 1920–1930.

asked the Home Secretary in how many cases during the past year have appellants to Quarter Sessions of Middlesex and the County of London against conviction or sentence by Courts of summary jurisdiction been awarded costs following a successful appeal?

In one case, at London Sessions.

asked the Home Secretary the number of convictions for drunkenness in Great Britain in the year 1930?

The compilation of the figures is not yet complete and I cannot give an exact total. But I expect the convictions for drunkenness, in England and Wales, will be shown to have exceeded 53,000 in the year 1930.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of villages in the Tavistock Division of Devonshire in which a public telephone has been installed since July, 1929?

The number is 26.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any of the mail bags supplied to his Department are made in His Majesty's convict prisons; if so, what are the rates of wages paid to the convicts engaged in this work; and whether such mail bags are used in the foreign mail services?

Yes, the work of stitching the mail bags is performed in His Majesty's convict prisons. These bags are used in the foreign and home mail services. The second part of the question is outside my province, but I understand that the answer is "None."

asked the Postmaster-General if it is his intention to erect a new post office at Langley, Oldbury, in the near future?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total values of the imports into, and exports from, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, and Japan of manufactured goods, distinguishing between refined petroleum or the manufactured products of petroleum and other manufactures, and in the case of Germany between reparations in kind and other exports, during each of four successive periods of six months, ending with December of last year?

The following statement shows the value of (a) refined petroleum and petroleum products, and (b) other goods classed as manufactures imported into and exported from the undermentioned countries during the periods specified, so far as the particulars

—	1929.		1930.
	January—June.	July—December.	January—June.	July—December.
United Kingdom.	£'000.	£'000.	£'000.	£'000.
Total Imports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum product	20,119	20,252	23,933	19,602
Other manufactures	143,292	152,010	136,209	128,840
Domestic Exports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum product	1,447	1,543	1,473	1,264
Other manufactures	287,356	292,968	241,790	203,660
Re-Exports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	1,414	2,058	1,253	1,192
Other manufactures	12,134	13,365	11,782	10,004
France.
Imports (for consumption):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	9,550	11,757	11,324	(a)
Other manufactures	38,489	41,448	46,475	43,950
Exports (Domestic):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	69	77	73	(a)
Other manufactures	123,746	129,822	113,985	103,066
Germany.
Imports (for consumption):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	7,528	9,039	10,432	8,905
Other manufactures	57,942	53,135	47,915	40,078
Exports (Domestic), excluding deliveries on account of Reparations:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	659	837	810	1,073
Other manufactures	222,574	239,509	212,840	204,602
Deliveries on account of Reparations:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	—	8	7	8
Other manufactures	8,006	11,206	12,432	12,491
United States.				July—November.
Total Imports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	6,763	6,307	8,148	7,302
Other manufactures	185,796	187,113	148,245	98,873
Exports (Domestic):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	52,967	54,572	52,194	36,907
Other manufactures	302,462	259,988	235,091	139,761
Japan.				July—November.
Imports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	2,766	2,554	2,569	2,080
Other manufactures	35,541	30,972	26,272	16,157
Exports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	28	26	40	38
Other manufactures	87,548	98,927	62,366	52,280
(a) Particulars not yet available.

NOTES.
1. The range of articles included in "other manufactures" varies according to the classifications adopted in the trade returns of the respective countries. Figures based throughout on a uniform classification are not available. The classes of goods included, apart from refined petroleum and petroleum products, are described in the trade returns of the respective countries as follows:—
United Kingdom:	"Articles wholly or mainly manufactured", together with manufactured tobacco.
France:	"Objets fabriques".
Germany:	"Fertige Waren".
United States and Japan:	"Manufactures ready for consumption" and "Manufactures for further use in manufacturing".
Manufactured foodstuffs are excluded throughout
2. Conversion from foreign currencies into sterling have been made at the par rates of exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the total income of the League of Nations in the years 1929 and 1930; what were the amounts contributed by Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany in each of those years; what is the amount of the arrears unpaid; and from which countries are the arrears due?

The following are the figures:

—				1929.		1930.
				G. Fs.	£	G. Fs.	£
Great Britain	…	…	…	2,702,598·57	(108,100)	2,900,767·72	(116,030)
France	…	…	…	2,025,284·98	(81,010)	2,174,383·65	(86,975)
Italy	…	…	…	1,533,736·87	(61,350)	1,646,976·34	(65,880)
Germany	…	…	…	2,078,011·34	(83,120)	2,227,110·01	(89,085)
Total	…	…	…	8,339,631·76	(333,580)	8,949,237·72	(357,970)

The contributions unpaid in respect of the years 1920 to 1929 inclusive were given in replies to questions by the hon. Member for Colchester on the 4th and 9th instant. The contributions unpaid in respect of the year 1930, according to the latest return, are as follows:

	Gold francs.	£
Albania (entire contribution)	27,296.57	(1,092)
Argentine (entire contribution)	791,290.53	(31,652)
Bolivia (entire contribution)	112,765.07	(4,510)
Bulgaria (entire contribution)	135,472.36	(5,419)
Chile (balance)	16,150.94	(646)
China (entire contribution)	1,296,798.23	(51,872)
Colombia (balance)	44,230.37	(1,769)
Cuba (entire contribution)	247,572.43	(9,903)
Dominican Republic (entire contribution)	28,073.32	(1,123)
Guatemala (entire contribution)	27,607.06	(1,104)
Honduras (entire contribution)	28,191.27	(1,128)
Liberia (balance)	3,732.88	(149)
Nicaragua (balance)	16,517.53	(660)
Panama (entire contribution)	27,014.75	(1,080)
Paraguay (entire contribution)	27,553.28	(1,102)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the aggregate estimated expenditure on defence during the current financial year; and how does this compare with the aggregate expenditure on defence in the financial years 1890–91, 1904–5, 1913–14 and 1924–25, respectively?

The figures of aggregate net expenditure on defence for the years in question, including non-effective charges, are as follow:

		£
1890–91	…	34,687,319
1904–5	…	65,755,305
1913–14	…	77,098,723
1924–25	…	117,677,039
1930 (estimate)	…	110,764,200