asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the insufficiency of the funds provided by the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics for the relief of destitute Russian nationals in this country, he will consider some arrangement by means of which such Russian nationals can be exchanged for destitute British nationals in Soviet Russia?

As the hon. Member was informed on 18th February, arrangements are already in existence for assisting destitute British nationals in Soviet Russia, also for their repatriation should they so desire. Most of these prsons are infirm and many of them are aged. Inquiries have been made as to their wish to be repatriated, and it has been found that, having resided in Russia for many years, they are unwilling, and many of them unable, to leave. Relief funds are provided, partly by the British Exchequer, and partly by charitable subscriptions, organised through the efforts of Lady Muriel Paget, who has also arranged for a lady welfare worker to reside at Leningrad and personally supervise the relief.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how the premiums charged by the Export Credits Department for guarantees in respect of exports to Soviet Russia compare with those in respect of exports to the British Dominions; and what were the respective volumes of credit guaranteed in each case during the past year?

As regards the first part of the question, I do not think it is desirable to make comparisons between the rates of premium charged by the Exports Credits Guarantee Department for guarantees for different countries. As regards the second part, during the 12 months ended 14th March last, the Department entered into contracts covering credits for £4,771,825 in respect of exports to Russia, and £250,192 in respect of exports to the Dominions. In both cases its liability was limited to approximately 60 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many aerodromes have been provided, directly or indirectly, by the National Flying Services since the agreement made in 1919; where these aerodromes are situated; and how many landing grounds have been similarly provided, and their situation?

As regards the first two parts of the question, National Flying Services, Limited, have directly or indirectly arranged for the provision of six aerodromes since the date (1st August, 1929) from which their Agreement with the Air Ministry commenced to operate; these aerodromes are situated at Blackpool, Hanworth, Hull, Nottingham, Reading and Stoke. In addition, the company indirectly maintain an aerodrome at Sherburn-in-Elmet which was in existence prior to the Agreement. As regards the last part of the question, the company have inspected 106 sites for landing grounds with a view to the selection of the 80 which they are required, under the Agreement, to provide within three years, but none of these has as yet been finally selected and licensed.

asked the Minister of Labour particulars of insured persons classified as belonging to various occupations in the building industry who were recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at the last convenient date?

The following table shows the number of insured persons in the building industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 23rd February, 1931.

asked the Minister of Labour for an estimate of the numbers of persons employed in Great Britain in the home trade and the export trade, respectively, at the latest convenient pre-War date and at the latest date for which figures are available?

I regret that the available information is insufficient for the purpose of such an estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of wheat exported in each of the years 1925 to 1930, inclusive, from each of the following countries: the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, India, Hungary and Russia, and also the total of world exports of wheat in each of the years in question?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the value of the material from which the outer covers for motor tyres are made consists of manufactured cotton; and the quantity and value of the retained imports of the outer covers of motor tyres for the years 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930?

The following statement shows the aggregate of the world exports of wheat, distinguishing the quantities exported from the countries specified, in each of the years 1925 to 1930 (compiled mainly from statistics published by the International Institute of Agriculture):

As regards the first part of the question, I regret I am unable to furnish any information. The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of the imports of pneumatic outer covers for motor cars, motor cycles and tricars retained in the United Kingdom during each of the years 1925 to 1930, inclusive:

asked the President of the Board of Trade for details of the quantities and values of the retained imports for home consumption in the years 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 of the undermentioned goods manufactured wholly or mainly of cotton, and of any other such cotton goods for which the information is available: cotton yarns; cotton piece goods of all kinds, including handkerchiefs and scarves and shawls; cotton lace, net, and embroidery; cotton stockings, hose and gloves; cotton underwear; fancy hosiery and neckties wholly or mainly of cotton; garments of all kinds wholly or mainly of cotton; cotton slippers, shoes and headware; cotton haberdashery, tapes, shoe and other laces; ribbons and thread; and cotton web, cord and braid for upholstery?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware

As regards the years 1925 to 1929, inclusive, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Table 20 in Volume I of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom," 1929, which contains all the information that is available regarding the retained imports of cotton goods (see under Cotton in Index, page 210). For the year 1930, particulars of the imports and re-exports of cotton yarns, piece goods, small wares (including ribbons, trimmings and tape), stocking and hose, underwear and fancy hosiery are contained in the issue for December, 1930, of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" (see under Cotton in Index, page 209). The following table shows, in respect of the remaining cotton goods for which particulars are available, the quantity and declared value of the retained imports during the year 1930.

that there is still a shortage of coal in the county of Kesteven, more especially in Sleaford, owing to the working of the quota system, and that many householders are without coal; and whether he will at once take steps to assist the local coal merchants to obtain supplies of suitable quality?

I have had inquiries made, and I am informed that, while there have been difficulties in Sleaford, ample stocks of coal are now available in that town.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many first and second division civil servants of pensionable age, or over, are actively employed to-day?

The second division class of the Civil Service was assimilated into the executive class in 1920. On 30th September last, which is the latest date for which information is available, there were three officers over the age of 65 still serving in the administrative and executive classes.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the present position in Southern Ireland as to the operation of the Irish Land (Provision for Soldiers and Sailors) Act, 1919?

According to the latest information received, about 13,000 acres of land in the Irish Free State have been acquired and distributed under Section 1 of the Act. Purchases of land and resale to ex-service men under this Section have been completed.