asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now give the imports of coal for 1930 into Canada, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, distinguishing the principal countries of origin?

The following statement shows the quantity of coal imported into Canada, Finland, Norway and Sweden during 1930, distinguishing in the case of Canada, the principal sources of supply. Similar information as to sources of supply in the case of Finland, Norway and Sweden is not yet available.

Canada.		1930 Thousand tons.
Imports for consumption: of which from	…	16,761
United States	…	15,463
United Kingdom	…	1,022
Soviet Union	…	260
Finland (a).
Total Imports	…	1,063
Norway.
Total Imports	…	2,239
Sweden.
Imports for consumption	…	4,694

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the volume of the dust and slack having no economic value produced in British coal mines in 1930: and whether any of this, and if so, what proportion, would be amenable to treatment by process of low-temperature carbonisation?

There are no official statistics of the production of "small" coal, but I would refer my hon. Friend to Chapter VI of the report of the National Fuel and Power Committee (Cmd. 3201) published in 1928, which contains some estimates prepared for that committee and gives some information on the utilisation of low grade fuels. It is not practicable to make an estimate of the proportion of the kind of coal referred to in the question which would be suitable for treatment by low temperature carbonisation processes.

asked the Minister of Health the approximate cost of Poor Law relief paid to coal miners and their families in each of the past 10 years?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments

—	1929(31st December)		1930(31st December).		1931(15th May).
	Number.	Acres.	Number.	Acres.	Number.	Acres.
Allotments provided and let by the Council.	3,104	278	2,961	265	No later in formation,
Area unlet	—	20	—	20
Total area of Council's allotments.	—	298	—	285	—	286
Allotments provided privately	400	41	400	41	No later in formation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the export of cows, bulls, and bullocks from Lincoln to the Continent of Europe is being handicapped by shipping charges that are excessive as compared with freights from the Irish Free State; and whether, in order to assist the export of Lincolnshire livestock, he will make representations to the transport companies concerned?

The Board of Trade has not received any complaints regarding excessive shipping charges in respect of the export of cattle from Lincoln to the Continent, but I have ascertained that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is making certain inquiries in regard to the matter as the shipments are made in railway steamers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of expenditure on land settlement in Scotland during the year 1930–31; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1931–32?

The net capital expenditure during the year 1930–31 on schemes of land settlement in Scotland held in Walsall in the years 1929, 1930, and 1931; the total acreage in use in those years; and the total acreage at the disposal of the borough council for such allotments in 1931?

The following statement gives such information as is at present available:was £189,290. Similar expenditure during 1931–32 is estimated at £250,000. This estimate is exclusive of any expenditure for land settlement which may he incurred under the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill if, and when, it becomes an Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any progress has been made with the production of a parasite or fungus, which will be innocuous to other vegetation for the destruction of bracken?

No fungus so far investigated as a parasite on bracken has proved to be of practical utility as a means of eradication, but intensive research into bracken disease and experiments in methods of eradication are being continued this year. The possibility of damage being caused to other vegetation by any agency affecting bracken will be carefully tested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the existing provisions for the inspection of industrial schools in Scotland?

The statutory provisions relating to the inspection of certified industrial schools are contained in Section 46 of the Children Act, 1908.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps have been taken by his Department to institute inquiries as to the opening up of new markets for cured herrings in Europe and in other parts of the world; and whether the inquiries made in previous years through the questionnaire issued by the Fishery Board for Scotland, which was circulated by his Department, have been followed up with a view to the development of the export trade in herrings?

At the request of the Fishery Board for Scotland the Department has in past years conducted inquiries into various markets for cured herring in Europe and other parts of the world. The results of these inquiries were transmitted to the Fishery Board for Scotland for the use of the fishery interests. The overseas officers of the Department have also been able to render assistance to a representative of the Fishery Board for Scotland, who has from time to time conducted investigations in a number of European countries.

asked the Home Secretary why the police timing motorists in the Royal Parks confine their operations to those parts of the parks where there is no pedestrian traffic: and why no trapping is done in those parts of the parks where pedestrian traffic is heavy?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the timing of motor vehicles by the Metropolitan Police in the Royal Parks is not confined to places where there is no pedestrian traffic. On the contrary, the controls that are operated cover important foot crossings and places where there is considerable pedestrian traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the dangerous character of the road between Erith and Bexley Heath; and whether, in view of the development of Barnehurst and the Bexley Heath area, he will take steps to have the sides of the road paved for pedestrians?

My attention has not been called to the condition of this road since my hon. Friend's previous question in February of last year. I understand, however, that the road is being widened to 50 feet as building development takes place, and that land which is added to the highway from time to time is made available for the use of pedestrians. Also that the urban district council are now carrying out necessary repairs to the existing footway on the west side of the road.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the dangerous state of the main road from Welling to Woolwich; whether he is aware that at a bend on the steep hill there is no footpath on one side for passengers to alight from or enter tram-cars serving the area; and will he consult the Bexley Council as to what can be done to ensure safety?

Since my hon. Friend's question on the subject in November last, I have received representations from only one source with regard to the road between Welling and Woolwich. I am aware that the footway is confined to one side of the road along the section to which he refers, and I have been in communication with the Kent County Council in the matter. I am informed that the appropriate committee have visited the site, and have decided to defer consideration of the provision of a second footway until the frontage is developed. In the circumstances, I do not consider that I can usefully take any further action at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport the total value of the contracts placed to date by the Central Electricity Board?

I understand that the contracts placed by the board to the end of April, 1931, amounted to approximately £19,500,000. This figure does not include expenditure on standardisation of frequency in connection with which the board have specifically approved expenditure estimated to amount to £5,250,000.

asked the Minister of Transport how many authorised distributors of electricity there are in the country to-day?

There are 665 separate authorised undertakers at the present time in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of petitions in each year, both those held to be receivable and those not receivable, sent in to the League of Nations by minorities in Jugoslavia since 1920?

It is not the practice of the League of Nations to publish information concerning petitions which have been held to be not receivable. As regards those held to be receivable, the discovery of the particulars requested by the hon. Member has necessitated considerable research. It would, however, appear that the number of petitions presented on behalf of minorities in Jugoslavia since 1920 are as follow:

					Petitions.
1923	…	…	…	…	1
1924	…	…	…	…	1
1928	…	…	…	…	1
1929	…	…	…	…	2
1930	…	…	…	…	10

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the date of the meeting of Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Russian Joint Committee at which it was decided to make a report to the Main Committee; and what is the present position of Sub-Committee B?

The meeting was held on 5th May. Sub-Committee B is now awaiting the directions of the Main Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of raising the age to which promotion from, the ranks may be made, to 30 years, and reserve at least six of such promotions to commissioned rank each year to non-commissioned officers of the higher grades, and the age for compulsory retirement in these cases also being raised?

As I stated during the Debate on Army Estimates, a Departmental Committee presided over by the Under-Secretary of State is carefully examining the question of the supply of officers. The suggestion made by my hon. Friend will be considered by this Committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that an assistant cook may be rated cook after six months' service if passed and recommended, while the equivalent rating of officers' cook (fourth class) cannot be rated officers' cook (third class) until he has served two years; and if he will amend the regulations to grant the same privilege to the officers' cooks now enjoyed by the naval cooks?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. It is in contemplation at any early date to amalgamate the ships' cook and officers' cook branches by a common entry of naval cook ratings. It is therefore unlikely that any further entries of officers' cooks will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval officers and men will be thrown out of employment in consequence of the withdrawal of His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" from the Second Cruiser Squadron and her recommissioning in reserve?

The personnel available when His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" reduces to reserve will be employed in other vessels of the Royal Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether, having regard to the circumstance that the projected naval treaty with France and Italy has not materialised, he will reconsider the desirability of withdrawing His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" from the Second Cruiser Squadron and the retention of the ship in the country's effective naval forces:(2) for what reason he has transferred His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" from the Second Cruiser Squadron, in which she has been flag ship, and recommissioned her in reserve, having regard to the circumstances that she is an effective vessel of war and of modern type, and of comparatively recent construction?

His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" is being reduced to reserve on relief by His Majesty's Ship "Dorsetshire" as flagship of the Second Cruiser Squadron. The "Hawkins" will remain an effective unit of the Royal Navy, and it is anticipated that next year the "Hawkins" will proceed to the East Indies Station as flagship, relieving His Majesty's Ship "Effingham."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a statement to men employed in His Majesty's naval dockyards in this country and about to be transferred to naval dockyards abroad, the statement to explain what the position of such men under the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Acts will be after their transfer has taken place; and what steps such men should take to keep themselves and their dependants covered for benefit under those Acts during the time they are abroad?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the position of industrial employés who are appointed for service under agreement at estabments abroad, in relation to the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Acts. The agreement which these men are required to sign on their appointment for such service already contains some general notes regarding the effect which service abroad may have in relation to the insurability of these men under the Acts referred to, and as the men concerned may, when they so desire, obtain more detailed information on this subject from the cashier at the home establishment from which they are appointed, the issuing of a statement to the men concerned is not considered necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can ascertain from the wholesale manufacturers and state the reason of the small percentage reduction in the retail price of cocoa compared with the fall in the wholesale price of raw Accra cocoa between July, 1930, and April, 1931?

I will look into the matter; but I would point out that the figures my right hon. Friend gave in reply to the hon. and gallant Member's previous question showed a reduction of 3d. per lb. in the price of proprietary cocoas as compared with a reduction of less than 1¾d. per lb. in the price of the raw material. It is evident that the prices of the raw material and the finished article could not be expected to Vary by the same percentage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of fall in volume in 1930 as compared with 1929 of exports in those European countries for which statistics are available?

The only figures which are available, in addition to those which were furnished to the right hon. Gentleman on 10th February last, are in respect of the domestic exports from Italy which, compared with 1929, showed in 1930 a decline in volume of 4.9 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of the total imports of oil and oil products into this country for each of the past 10 years?

The desired information for each of the years 1920 to 1924 is given in Volume I of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom" for 1924, and for the years 1925 to 1929 in the corresponding volume for 1929. Certain provisional particulars in respect of the year 1930 are published in the issue for December last of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total export of pit props and railway sleepers, respectively, from Soviet Russia in 1930; and what were the percentages that came to this country?

According to the trade returns of the Soviet Union, the total weight of pit props and railway sleepers exported from that country in 1930 amounted to 949,000 tons and 345,000 tons, respectively. Separate particulars of the exports to the United Kingdom are not recorded in these returns, but from the trade returns of the United Kingdom it would appear that about three-quarters of the pit props and nearly half the sleepers come to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the figures of the volume of production of marine motors in Great Britain for the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931, and the volume of retained imports of marine motors during those years; and the volume of export?

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th May, 1931, col. 372, Vol. 252], supplied the following particulars:Information for a series of years as to the production of marine motor engines is not available, but the following figures of Marine Diesel oil engines under construction in Great Britain and Ireland, taken from the quarterly Shipbuilding Returns published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, indicate the relative activity at the end of March in the years 1926 to 193l.

Date.			Number.	Thousand indicated horse-power.
End of March—
1926	…	…	50	232
1927	…	…	80	320
1928	…	…	78	354
1929	…	…	75	375
1930	…	…	108	458
1931	…	…	41	166

The first return containing information in this subject related to June, 1925, and at the end of that month the indicated horse-power of oil engines under construction in Great Britain and Ireland was 207,000 and the number 57.The following table shows, in respect of marine internal combustion engines, the total quantity and declared value of the retained imports into, and domestic exports from, the United Kingdom during the undermentioned periods.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total number of "P" class clerks who have been promoted to the clerical class in the various Post Office Departments since 31st December, 1926?

28 "P" Class Clerks have been promoted to the established Clerical Class, and five further promotions have been authorised provided that the officers concerned can obtain the necessary Civil Service certificates.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the interests of economy he will issue stamps of the value of 4½d. and 5½d. to cover the cost of registered letters for inland and foreign postage and thereby save the cost of printing two stamps for each registered letter?

The issue of postage stamps of the value of 4½d. and 5½d. would entail additional expense, direct and indirect, which would quite outweigh any small saving on the printing of stamps of existing denominations.

asked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he is aware that the coffee-pots in use in the Members' Dining Rooms are of foreign manufacture; and if he will undertake to buy British ones in future?

I am aware that a few earthenware coffee-pots of foreign manufacture are still in use in the Dining Rooms. These are old stock, and no foreign earthenware coffee-pots have been purchased for some time past.