asked the Minister of Labour how many places are at present provided in the training centres for unemployed women and girls; and how many trainees were actually in residence on any convenient date in February?

The number of places provided in training centres for unemployed women and girls—including residential and non-residential home training centres and centres for older women—which were in operation during the week ended 28th February, 1931, was 1,684. The number of women in attendance during that week was 1,516 including 95 in residence at residential centres.

Is the right hon. Lady satisfied with the progress she is making in this respect?

Yes.

Is the right hon. Lady thinking of opening fresh training centres?

Wherever reasonably possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacant places there are in the Department's training centres?

In the week ending 21st March the total number of training places provided was 7,233 and the number in training was 6,741. This difference of 492 is mainly due to the opening of new centres which are not yet fully operative and to the normal outflow of trainees which necessarily results in a proportion of temporary vacancies.

Can the right hon. Lady tell us what proportion of trainees who have passed through the centres are now in employment? Has she any record?

No; I should require to have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any agreement has been reached between her Department and the representatives of the quarrying industry with regard to the scheme for training stone kerb-dressers; and, if not, on what date was the last communication between her Department and these representatives?

Proposals intended to secure increased production of granite kerb have now been submitted to myself and to the other departments concerned, in consultation with whom the matter will be considered.

Can the right hon. Lady say when she expects to be able to put those proposals into force, because there has been a shortage of labour in this important industry, I understand, for many months?

The matter will have to be considered before a decision is arrived at.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can give the amount, or an estimate of the annual cost to the rates, entailed in respect of relief schemes approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee?

I am unable to make such an estimate.

Has the Minister consulted the Minister of Health on this matter, because my question was originally addressed to him. Is no estimate possible?

The difficulty rests in the fact that a very large number of schemes are revenue-producing schemes, and it is not possible to say how far the rates are affected by the unemployment grants schemes.

asked the Minister of Labour how many times a month the Unemployment Grants Committee meets; and how many work schemes are before this committee awaiting adjudication?

The Unemployment Grants Committee generally meets once a week, but more frequently as occasion demands. On 24th March schemes under consideration by the committee numbered 1,021, estimated to cost £15,289,000.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is no avoidable delay in adjudicating upon these schemes?

I am quite satisfied that there is no delay in that connection.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has yet received any intimation when an interim report from the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance will be presented?

asked the Minister of Labour what is the earliest date by which a report from the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance may be expected?

I have nothing to add at present to what I said in the Debate on 16th February last.

Is it proposed to communicate with the Commission soon to ascertain when the report will be ready?

indicated assent.

On this particular subject?

Yes.

Am I to understand that the Trade Union Congress are prepared to give evidence?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are directly employed on State-aided unemployment relief works in England, Scotland and Wales; and what proportion of the total number of persons registered as wholly unemployed this represents?

Of the total number of about 200,000 men estimated to be employed on State-aided schemes in December last, the number directly employed on the site of the works was 93,000. These figures were equal, respectively, to about 16 per cent. and 7½ per cent. of the number of men registered as wholly unemployed.

Can the right hon. Lady say if there is any prospect of this proportion being materially increased by any immediate or practical steps which the Government have in mind?

Yes. I think that the schemes are tending towards the peak when more people will be in employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the basis of the estimate of £30,000,000 for transitional benefit and cost of administration during 1931–32; and what is the estimated number of unemployed for which the provision of £47,429,700 is made for the coming year?

The sum of £45,429,700 is largely accounted for by two items. First, £15,108,000 in respect of the ordinary contribution to the Unemployment Fund, equal to half the contribution of employers and employed. Second, the sum of £30,000,000 for transitional benefit; the charge in this respect is more dependent on the average level of unemployment in the past two years than on the level during the year, and the estimate is necessarily of a speculative character. Under existing legislation the transitional benefit begins to expire in October, 1931. In view of this the estimate makes provision for payment of transitional benefit to an average of about 550,000 persons in the first half of the year and of about 475,000 in the second half.

Does this estimate include the whole of the cost of Unemployment Insurance for the year 1931–32, including the borrowing?

No.

Can the right hon. Lady state the number of unemployed in respect of which this total of £30,000,000 is estimated?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the amount estimated to be required for transitional benefit in the half-year ending 30th September?

About £16,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the total cost of work schemes undertaken by the local authori- ties in the administrative county of Durham which have received Government assistance since August, 1929, up to date, and the number of persons who have been employed?

The estimated total cost of schemes submitted by local authorities in the administrative county of Durham which were approved between 1st June, 1929, and the end of February, 1931, was £2,433,876. The returns relating to the employment provided on State-assisted schemes give the numbers employed on one day in each month. On 30th January, 1931, the number of men directly employed on the site of schemes then in operation was 4,094, representing about 8,000 directly or indirectly employed.

asked the Minister of Labour the result of the inquiry into the application of the Weardale Rural District Council for grants towards extension of their rural water supply?

The Weardale Rural District Council made application to the Unemployment Grants Committee for assistance from Exchequer funds towards the cost of six schemes of work for the relief of unemployment involving the construction of rural water supply. Four of the schemes have been approved for grant, but two have been found not to comply with the conditions.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of clerical workers registered as unemployed at Walsall Employment Exchange; and the number, if any, who have been engaged through the said Exchange for work in connection with the forthcoming census?

The number of male workers registered at the Walsall Employment Exchange in the appropriate clerical classifications is 74. A number of those who are now so registered or were so registered a short time ago, have been engaged for work in connection with the forthcoming census, though not through the Exchange. I understand that the local registrars are at present in communication with the Exchange, with a view to consideration, of further candidates.

Will the Minister say whether there is any specific number engaged?

I think the number at present is 10, but more to be.

asked the Minister of Labour when the new Employment Exchange at Walsall is to be opened?

I hope that the new Employment Exchange will be opened in August.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is prepared to introduce legislation providing that no changes shall be made in the fixing of piece rates in industry without prior consultation with the employés' representatives?

No, Sir

Is not the right hon. Lady aware that a great deal of harm is being done in that industry through employers failing to take action of the kind described in the question? May I have a reply?

asked the Minister of Labour if she will make inquiries as to whether the continuous working week is still in force in Russia; and what is the latest estimated percentage of industrial workers with a continuous working week?

From official statements it appears that by the end of the year 1930, about 70 per cent. of Russian industrial workers had been brought under the system of what is described as the "uninterrupted working week" of five days, i.e., the workpeople work four days and rest one day, while the undertaking operates on each of the five days.

Does that represent the estimated percentage of the number of workers, because it is a very great increase on the last published figures of the International Labour Office?

Those are the industrial workers, and I assume that it does not include agriculture workers.

It includes the two groups of industrial workers into which the Russian figures are generally divided?

I understand that that is so.

Both?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour why His Majesty's Government were represented at the last meeting of the governing body of the International Labour Office by an official of the rank of principal officer; and whether, in view of the importance of the work of the International Labour Office to the workers of this country, she will give the House an assurance that His Majesty's Government will be represented at all future meetings by a Minister of the Crown?

It is the policy of the Government that a Minister should attend meetings of the governing body whenever possible. On the occasion referred to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour was nominated as the principal representative of this country, but was unavoidably prevented from attending.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to announce any redistribution of the police force in the Metropolitan area?

No, Sir, I cannot at present add anything to my answer given on 26th February last.

Does that include the probable increase of numbers, as well as the redistribution?

Oh, yes. I may add that, while the question is under review, it is undesirable to state what is the complete scheme until after the Chief Commissioner returns next month.

Then the statement in this morning's papers about an increase of 500 is quite incorrect?

There has been no official news communicated to the papers.

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases referred to the medical referee under the Workmen's Compensation Act in the mining industry in Lancashire for 1929 and 1930; and will he give the percentage for and against the workmen?

The total number of cases referred to the medical referees from the county courts in Lancashire was in 1929, 299, and in 1930, 503. I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the latter part of the question, except as regards cases of industrial disease where the employer or workman appealed from the decision of the certifying surgeon under Section 43 (1) ( f ) of the Act. These cases form only a very small proportion of the total. There were 30 such cases in 1929, 12 of which were decided in favour of the workman, and 19 in 1930, in six of which the workman succeeded.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent recommendations of the Miners' Federation, he proposes to introduce legislation amending the Miners' Minimum Wage Act?

I am not at present prepared to make any statement.

I will put a question down after the Recess.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of shifts worked, and tonnage raised, in the Somerset coalfield during the period of the working of the quota system of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, and the days worked, and tonnage raised, for the corresponding period of 1928 and 1929?

During the 11 weeks ended 14th March, 1931, 194,200 tons of coal were raised in the Somerset coalfield, and the number of days on which coal was raised was 65½. The corresponding figures for the same period of 1929 were 205,200 tons and 64¼ days, and for 1928, 169,200 tons and 48¾ days. Particulars of the shifts worked, which are supplied only for quarterly periods in this district, are not yet available for 1931.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the Grimsby agent for the Bentley Colliery, South Yorkshire, has given notice to trawler owners in Grimsby having contracts with that colliery that, as this pit is closing down for the next fortnight, no coal can be supplied during that period; and will he intimate where coal of a comparable quality can be procured, so as to enable these trawlers to continue to operate and prevent unemployment?

I understand that this colliery up to the present has not only fulfilled its contracts with the trawler owners but has supplied coal in excess of its contracts; also that it is closing down from to-night until the 8th April. I am informed that coal of a comparable quality from other coalfields is on offer in Grimsby.

Can the Minister tell us at what price, and whether the freight is the same as from this particular colliery? Is he aware that coal has been offered on which the freight is as high as 16s. a ton?

I am not aware of freight as high as 16s. a ton, and, if the hon. Member will give me instances of that kind, I will have them examined. As regards the price at which coal is on offer, I understand that it is a reasonable, one.

Will the workmen at this colliery be eligible for unemployment benefit owing to this operation of the quota system?

If they come within the regulations, certainly.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that certain steamers, usually obtaining bunker coal in Yorkshire ports, have been compelled within recent time to bunker abroad owing to shortage of supply; whether he will give any details in his possession with regard to these cases; and whether he will inquire into the causes of the shortage?

No, sir. No such cases have been brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average price of coal in Great Britain for the first three months of 1930, and the average price in 1931 up to date?

The average proceeds per ton of coal disposable commercially in the first quarter of 1930 were 14s. 5½d. Similar figures for 1931 are not yet available.

My hon. Friend must have some figures in his possession. Is it his view that the price will be higher or lower in the first quarter of 1931?

Without giving specific figures, I understand that the average price for the first quarter will be somewhat lower than for the corresponding period of last year.

Can the Minister give us anything approaching a percentage?

I prefer to await the exact figures.

Was not the Coal Mines Act introduced to raise the price of coal?

The bare figures I have given rather suggest that all the predictions about dear coal have been falsified.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the result of the representations made to him by the various organisations representing theatres and other places of entertain- ment with regard to Sunday opening of places of entertainment?

As a result of the representations which they have received and in view of the evidence of a public demand for a review of the problem of Sunday entertainment, the Government have decided to introduce a Bill, for the purpose, not of advocating a particular policy, but of affording to Parliament an opportunity of discussing the situation which has arisen from the recent decisions of the courts and of endeavouring to find a solution which will approximate most closely to the wishes of the nation as a whole. In the Government's view, the most satisfactory starting point for a free Parliamentary discussion is the position as it existed before the recent decisions in the courts. The Bill will accordingly provide machinery for regularising the existing practice under which certain classes of entertainment have been given on Sunday, and it will be left to the local authorities to decide whether Sunday opening for these purposes is expedient in their area and in accordance with a substantial local demand. Local authorities will be empowered to grant permission for Sunday opening subject to such conditions as they think fit, and provision will be made in the Bill for the continuance of the existing practice under which the Sunday opening of cinemas has been subject to the conditions that the profits shall be given to approved charities and that no employee shall work seven days a week. The Bill thus deals only with existing practice and it will be for Parliament in its wisdom to determine whether the existing law, as declared by the Courts, shall remain unaltered, whether the existing practice should be legalised or whether that practice should be modified or extended.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the Bill will be introduced, and may I ask whether it will be left to a free vote of the House?

Yes. The intention is to leave it free to hon. Members to vote as they desire. In regard to the earlier part of the supplementary question, I can only say that the Bill will be introduced as early as can be arranged after Easter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the local authorities to whom he refers will be the same authorities as those that have hitherto given these orders?

In the Bill the local authorities will be described as the county councils and the county borough councils.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the vote will be fully free; whether it will be as free as the vote in connection with the Deposited Prayer Book?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Bill will be so drafted as to allow for amendment in regard to theatres as well as cinemas?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the fact that some of the proceeds go to charity wipes out the crime so far as Sabbath opening is concerned?

It is too early to enter into a Debate on that point, but an opportunity will be given.

Is it intended to exclude Wales from the Bill?

Will it apply to Scotland?

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were killed in the years 1928, 1929 and 1930 in the United Kingdom from accidents in which taximeter cabs were involved?

The number of persons killed in Great Britain as the result of accidents attributable to mechanically-propelled cabs licensed to ply for hire (whether fitted with taximeter or not) was in 1929, 86, and in 1930, 78. I regret that figures are not available for 1928, and I am not able to say whether any, and if so how many, fatal accidents attributable to other vehicles may have resulted in the death of a person riding or driving in a cab.

asked the Home Secretary what were the convictions per 10,000 for drunkenness during 1930 in the following towns: Bristol, Stoke-upon-Trent, Sheffield and Carlisle?

I fear I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to wait for the licensing statistics for 1930 which are now in preparation. As regards Carlisle, I will give the information available in reply to the next question by the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my constituency is the soberest in the whole country?

I am glad to hear it.

asked the Home Secretary how many convictions for drunkenness there were in Carlisle in the years 1928, 1929 and 1930?

The figures are shown in the annual volumes of licensing statistics and for 1928 and 1929 were 60 and 54. The volume for 1930 is not yet complete but the figures may be given provisionally for Carlisle as 84.

Are not these figures extraordinarily high? Does it not show the disadvantage of the Government having anything to do with the sale of liquor?

That would be a matter of opinion, and I have no experience on which to found one.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state if, and when, it is proposed to proceed with legislation to abolish night baking?

As previously announced, it is the intention of the Government to deal with this matter in the Factories Bill.

Is it not a fact that there is a variety of opinion in the bakery trade as to the advisability of this suggestion?

Yes. I found that by visiting the trade myself.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Factories Bill will be introduced?

I am unable to give any answer.

asked the Home Secretary if a man who last worked in May, 1930, and was certified as suffering from silicosis in September, 1930, and is now totally disabled, is now entitled under regulations to receive compensation?

I gather that my hon. Friend is inviting my opinion as to whether the Order made in December last to amend the Various Industries (Silicosis) Scheme, 1928, applies in the case of a miner who had ceased to be employed in the industry before the Order took effect. This raises a question of legal interpretation which I have no authority to decide, and I do not think that it would be desirable that I should express any opinion on the point.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether negotiations are still proceeding with a view to the settlement of the question of special grants to non-provided schools; and whether he has any statement to make on this matter?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member a fortnight ago.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman can say whether these negotiations are still proceeding, in view of the fact that he stated in the House that he was going to reintroduce the Education Bill and try to pass it under the Parliament Act?

I am personally exploring the subject, but I am not actually dealing with any official body at the present time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it is likely that the Bill will be introduced?

No.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of persons who visited the Bethnal Green Museum during the years 1925 and 1930, respectively?

The number of visitors to the Bethnal Green Museum in 1925 was 385,700, and in 1930 was 371,800.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the specific purposes for which the contents of the Bethnal Green Museum are exhibited?

The purpose of the Bethnal Green Museum has never been precisely defined; but its function is, broadly, the exhibition of objects of artistic merit in a manner likely to be attractive and valuable to the people living in the neighbourhood. The museum is in particular organised so as to display objects associated with the history of the locality or illustrating local industries, such as furniture-making and silk-weaving.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children attending the elementary schools in the county of Durham who require medical or dental treatment, and how the figure compares with the average for England and Wales?

Of the children who were examined in the course of routine medical inspections last year in the administrative county of Durham, 8,618, or 23.2 per cent., were found to require treatment. The corresponding percentage for England and Wales was 20.8. No information is available as to the total number of children in the county requiring dental treatment; but out of 20,462 children inspected by the school dentists in 1930, 14,218 or 69.5 per cent., were found to require treatment, the percentage for England and Wales being 68.8.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has given the further con- sideration which he promised as to the continuance of the increased building grants which were introduced in September, 1929?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that it is intended to continue the special rate of grant to the end of the period originally contemplated, i.e., 31st August, 1932.

Is this included in the Estimate?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated total grant payable by his Department during the present financial year towards maternity and child-welfare services, giving the comparable figures for 1928?

I would remind my hon. Friend that under the Local Government Act, 1929, separate grants for maternity and child-welfare services, other than the training of midwives and health visitors, ceased to be payable in respect of any year after the financial year 1929–30. The amount of the discontinued grant paid for these services during the year 1928–29 was £1,047,890, and this amount was included in determining the loss on account of grants under the Act.

May I ask whether the hon. Lady has now decided that it is possible to do away with all the poverty and lack of milk within a period of three weeks as she promised before the last Parliament dissolved?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a boy of 13, sent from a Bootle clinic to a Liverpool public hospital, was transferred to the Mill Road mental hospital where, together with another boy, he was kept for several days in the male ward with the adult cases until forcibly taken away by his father; whether the inclusion of uncertified boys with certified adults is within the regulations; and whether it is pro- posed to continue the reception of mental cases to Mill Road in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the building?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiry into this case, of which he has at present no information, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend understands that it is proposed to remove the mental patients from Mill Road Hospital as soon as alternative accommodation is available, and it is anticipated that this will take place at an early date.

With regard to the middle part of the answer, is not the inclusion of a boy of 13 uncertified in the same ward as certified males against the regulations?

I have said that my right hon. Friend will inquire into the matter as soon as possible and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an order has been issued by the housing committee of the London County Council prohibiting the use of Russian timber on their housing schemes, and that in consequence of this Scandinavian timber is being used on these schemes at from £1 to £2 a standard dearer than Russian; and whether, in view of the expenditure of public money through grants on these schemes, he will make representations to secure the use of the cheaper timber?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any such order has been made. It is the practice of this council to give preference so far as is practicable to materials produced in the British Empire.

Will the hon. Lady say whether the Government approve of this practice in principle?

asked the Minister of Health when the departmental committee on the Rent Restrictions Act is expected to make its report?

My right hon. Friend understands that this inquiry is making good progress, but he is unable at present to give any precise indication of the date when the report may be expected.

In view of the fact that a large number of people are not now affected by the Rent Restrictions Act and are being subjected to considerable exploitation, will the Minister of Health consider expediting the publication of this report?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the committee is pushing on with the matter. It has already held 27 sittings, heard a large number of witnesses, and considered a mass of printed matter. The matter is going forward with, I think I may say, satisfactory progress.

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that rent is a big factor in view of wage reductions?

asked the Minister of Health what number of houses have become decontrolled under the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Acts to the latest possible date?

I have been asked to reply. The only information available is that obtained in connection with the compilation of the cost of living index figure. This information does not enable me to state the total number of houses which have become decontrolled, but it is estimated that approximately one-eighth of working-class tenancies formerly controlled are now decontrolled.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of houses built in the areas covered by the Stanhope Urban District Council and the Weardale Rural District Council, respectively, for each year from 1919 to 1930?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The following statement shows the desired particulars, so far as they are available:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the smallest A 3 house in Manchester costs nearly £500 all in, whereas other towns are building A 3 houses for under £400; whether he can state what will be the average rent of a £500 and a £400 house, respectively, under the Housing Act, 1930; and, since it is impossible to fulfil the objects of the Act if the houses cost as much as £500, can he state whether he has made or will make, representations to the Manchester City Council as to the importance of building houses at a cost more in line with that of other great cities?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question of the 18th December last; as regards the second part, a three bed-roomed non-parlour house holding five persons and receiving the ordinary rate contribution would, if costing £400 all in, be let on average at about 5s. a week exclusive of rates and, if costing £500, at about 7s. a week exclusive of rates: as regards the third part, the costs of building at Manchester have frequently been the subject of discussion with my officers, and do involve a heavy additional rate charge if houses are to be let at rents suitable for displaced slum tenants.

Will it be correct to say that, if 15,000 houses are financed during the next five years and let at the same low rent as in other towns, the excessive cost of these houses will involve an extra burden on Manchester ratepayers of £75,000 a year, or £3,000,000 in 40 years?

Yes, that would seem to be the case, if the rent referred to is 5s. per week.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference of the Committee on National Expenditure can be amended so as to allow the committee to consider the economies that would be effected by the establishment of a single Ministry of Defence?

I think the terms of reference of the committee sufficiently wide, and my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that it is for the committee itself to determine the directions of its inquiry within its terms of reference.

Will this committee take into consideration the fact that since this question was last examined there has been considerable progress in aviation?

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of poor relief in one day in Great Britain in February, 1931, and the coresponding figures of 1929 and 1930?

The total number of persons in receipt of poor relief in England and Wales—excluding persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only and casuals—on the last Saturday in February, 1931, was 1,038,733. The cor- responding numbers for 1929 and 1930 were 1,202,778 and 1,102,535 respectively. The number of persons in the excluded classes was approximately 25,000 in each of these years. With regard to Scotland, I would refer the right hon. Member to the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Health how many local Poor Law authorities there are in England and Wales; how many require signature of the register at an Employment Exchange as a condition for the receipt of poor relief; and what is the estimated proportion of applicants who have been granted poor relief who have so signed?

There are 145 Poor Law authorities in England and Wales, excluding combinations of these bodies, to deal solely with relief to casuals. I believe that it is a general practice among these authorities to require able-bodied applicants for out-door relief to register at Employment Exchanges, and a return relating to the week ending the 7th February, 1931, showed that more than 91 per cent. of the persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation who were relieved on account of unemployment had furnished proof of registration at Employment Exchanges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the national income of the United Kingdom for the years 1929 and 1930 is estimated to be in respect of those persons whose incomes are below the Income Tax limit?

I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the estimates desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether all the typewriters purchased for use in Government Departments are now of British make?

All typewriters purchased for use in Government Departments are now of British make with the exception of a small number of machines of special kinds for which no suitable British-made substitutes are at present available.

Can the Financial Secretary say the exact number? He said it is a small number.

I could not give the exact number without notice.

May I ask whether the answer means that all the typewriters in use are of British make?

The types purchased are of British make.

Is it not the case that there are at present in use a certain number of foreign typewriters which were purchased by the previous Government?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the New Zealand Dairy Board to describe their standardised cheese as Cheddar cheese; and seeing that this standardised cheese is not full-cream cheese, whereas Cheddar cheese as made and sold in this country is full-cream cheese, whether he will take steps under the Empire Marketing Board to secure a proper description for this imported cheese?

This matter which had already been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice is receiving attention, but he is not in a position to make any statement

Will the hon. Member make representations through the Ministry of Agriculture to the Empire Marketing Board in order to ascertain whether a report can be received on this question?

I will bring that matter to the notice of the Minister of Agriculture.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is in a position to announce the decision of the inquiry held on 14th January into the question of the aerodrome at Wednesfield?

The Central Electricity Board's application for the Minister's consent in respect of certain overhead electric lines near Wednesfield is still under consideration. I will inform the hon. Member as soon as a decision has been reached.

Can the hon. Member say how many more months are going to pass before something is produced?

I have said that the Minister of Transport will inform the hon. Member when a decision is reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if the Empire Marketing Board has now been reconstituted in accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Conference, and who compose the new board?

The question of changes in the organisation of the Empire Marketing Board is being carefully explored, but I am not yet in a position to indicate what action will be taken.

Is it not a fact that a new committee has actually been appointed, and, if that is so, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the names here and now?

It is a fact that a committee has been appointed to consider the question on the Paper, and that is the reconstitution of the Empire Marketing Board. A committee has been appointed to consider that particular question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that military officers serving in Hong Kong recruited on a sterling basis are now paid on the basis of half at the true exchange and half at the artificial exchange; whether officers now being recruited are to be paid on the same basis on arrival in Hong Kong; whether a remission to meet the anticipated deficit will be considered; and generally what steps he has taken to meet the position of officers serving in Hong Kong arising out of rate-of-exchange difficulties?

Military officers at Hong Kong are not paid in the manner stated in the question. The majority of these officers draw their pay in sterling through the Army agents, but some officers elect to draw their pay through the Command Paymaster, and are paid in dollars at the official rate of exchange.

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to recommend that War loans should be repaid on the basis suggested in this question?

asked the Secretary of State for War to what countries the contracts for the supply of tinned meat for the Army are being given for the coming year?

The contract for preserved meat during 1931 provides for supply from the Argentine.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this saving of a few thousand pounds is worth all the ill-feeling created in Australia and our Dominions?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether His Majesty's Government propose to sell Knightsbridge Barracks, or any part thereof, at an early date; and, if so, what conditions will be imposed as to the user of the site?

The whole question of the possibility of selling Knightsbridge Barracks is under consideration in all its implications.

Was this a recommendation of the Howard Frank Committee?

The report of that committee has not been published. It is a confidential report, and I think I would rather not answer the question.