asked the President of the Board of Trade, with respect to the latest year for which figures are available, what was the value of feeding stuffs and the value of fertilisers imported into the United Kingdom, distinguishing between imports from Empire countries and from foreign countries, with the percentages in each case?

The following table shows the total declared value of (a) feeding stuffs for animals and (b) fertilisers imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1930, distinguishing the amount and the proportion of the imports consigned from British countries and from foreign countries respectively.

—	Declared Value.	Proportion of Total Imports.
(a) Feeding-stuffs for Animals*	£	Per cent.
Total Imports	5,745,034	100·0
Of which consigned from—
British countries	2,248,885	39·1
Foreign countries	3,496,149	60·9
(b) Fertilisers.†
Total Imports	2,598,410	100·0
Of which consigned from—
British countries	82,771	3·2
Foreign countries	2,515,639	96·8
* As so classified in the Trade Returns of the United Kingdom.
† So far as the information is available from the Trade Returns of the United Kingdom and including phosphate of lime and rock phosphate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity of wheat imported by this country from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics during the period 1st July, 1930, to 30th June, 1931?

The total quantity of wheat imported into the United Kingdom and registered during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1931, as consigned from the Soviet Union was 26,018,000 cwts.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give the list of the orders and the values of the contracts made with the Russian trade representatives in London under the new terms of credit since 1st July?

The Russian trading authorities in London inform me that they have placed the following orders for engineering equipment during the period 1st to 29th July. I am, however, not in a position to indicate the credit terms upon which individual orders have been placed.

Manufacturers—Machinery and Equipment—Value.
	£
Ruston, Bucyrus, Limited, Lincoln.
Excavators and Excavating Equipment	83,500
J. Lang and Sons, Limited, Glasgow.
Machine Tools	98,447
Metro' Vickers, Limited (Manchester).
Electrical Equipment	79,495
Turbines	97,598
Power Gas Corporation, Limited, Stockton-on-Tees.
Complete Gas Plant	75,000
Alfred Herbert, Limited, Coventry.
Machine Tools	77,774
H. W. Kearns and Company, Limited, Broadheath.
Machine Tools	75,000
John Stirk and Sons, Limited, Halifax.
Machine Tools	60,000
Duncan, Stewart and Company, Glasgow.
Forging Presses	49,140
B.S.A. Tools, Limited, Birmingham.
Tools	42,164
Wm. Asquith, Limited, Halifax, Machine Tools	36,688
Climax Rock Drill and Engineering Works, Limited, Cornwall.
Drill Hammers and Drill Sharpeners	35,000
Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company, Limited, Fraserburgh.
Drill Hammers and Pneumatic Drills	31,857
General Electric Company (Manchester) London.
Transformers	19,577
Turbines	18,500
Churchill Machine Tool Company, Limited, Manchester.
Machine Tools	18,775
H. W. Ward and Company, Limited, Birmingham.
Machine Tools	17,181

asked the President of the Board of Trade 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

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total output of pig iron and steel in the years 1929, 1930, and those months of 1931 for which figures are available, in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, Germany, France and Belgium?

The following table gives the information asked for, so far as it is available:products of petroleum and other manufactures, and in the case of Germany between reparations in kind and other exports during the first six months of this 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 are available from the trade returns of the respective countries.

	Value.
	£'000.
United Kingdom (January-June, 1931).
Total Imports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	14,505
Other manufactures	110,324
Domestic Exports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	843
Other manufactures	152,529
Re-exports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	760
Other manufactures	8,389
France (January-May, 1931).
Imports (for consumption):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	6,394
Other manufactures	32,689
Exports (domestic):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	41
Other manufactures	69,708
Germany (January-June, 1931).
Imports (for consumption):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	7,361
Other manufactures	33,321
Exports (domestic), excluding deliveries on account of Reparations:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	897
Other manufactures	168,486
Deliveries on account of Reparations:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	6
Other manufactures	8,083
United States (January-May, 1931).
Total Imports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	5,172
Other manufactures	76,709
Exports (domestic):
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	24,115
Other manufactures	122,151

	Value.
	£'000.
Japan (January-May, 1931).
Imports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	1,981
Other manufactures	14,736
Exports:
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	26
Other manufactures	40,326

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of exports and the amount per head of the population exported from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and Germany for the calendar year 1930, excluding exports of refined mineral oils; and the total amount of exports and the amount per head of the population exported from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and Germany for 1930?

The following table shows in respect of the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Germany, the values of the exports of merchandise, (a) including refined petroleum oils, and (b) excluding refined petroleum oils, and the values of such exports per head of the population during the year 1930.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a table showing, in respect of each administrative county and county borough, respectively, in England and Wales, the population according to the Census of 1931; the number of rate-aided and rate-maintained secondary school places in each such area; the number of free secondary school places there are in the secondary schools aided or maintained by rates in these areas; and the proportion per thousand of the population this provision of secondary school places and free places, respectively, represents?

I propose to issue statistics in respect of the school year 1930–31 on the lines of the statistics contained in List 61, a copy of the last edition of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the amount per child received for education in England and Wales from national funds in the years ending 31st March, 1914, and 1931, respectively?

The total expenditure from national funds on education within the purview of the Board of Education, per pupil in full-time attendance at grant-aided schools, was approximately:

				£	s.	d.
1913–14	…	…	…	2	8	0
1930–31	…	…	…	7	11	0

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state what arrangements have been reached with the four Scottish banks who have agreed to subscribe the necessary share capital to bring the Government's agricultural credits scheme into operation; when the company will be ready to begin operations; and on what terms loans will be advanced?

The law agents of the four Scottish banks concerned have been informed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland that they have approved the memorandum and articles of association of the Agricultural Security Corporation. As indicated in my replies to previous questions on this subject, the further stages in the formation of the corporation are being carried out, but I am not yet in a position to say when the corporation will be ready to commence operations, or on what terms the corporation will make loans.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were proceeded against for murder in Scotland during each of the years 1920 to

Year.		Number of persons proceeded against for Murder, whose cases were disposed of within the year (i.e., all persons apprehended whose cases were disposed of within the year, including those discharged without being called for trial, but excluding persons charged with murder and found guilty of some lesser offence).	Number of persons convicted of murder.	Number of persons convicted of murder and executed.	Number of persons proceeded against for Murder and ordered to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure on being found (a) to have committed the act charged but to be not guilty on the ground of insanity at toe time, or (b) insane and unfit to plead at time of trial.		Number of persons proceeded against for Murder and found guilty of some lesser offence.
					Insane.
					(a) At Time.	(b) In Bar.
1.		2.	3.	4.	5.
1920	…	13	2	2	—	2	6
1921	…	47*	—	—	—	2	5
1922	…	17	2	1	1	—	7
1923	…	10	3	3	—	2	3
1924	…	9	1	—	—	4	3
1925	…	12	1	1	1	3	3
1926	…	5	—	—	—	1	5
1927	…	14	1	1†	—	5	4
1928	…	14	3	2	1	5	2
1929	…	9	1	—	1	4	2
* 40 of these were apprehended in connection with the murder of one man.
† The execution took place in January, 1928.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any report to make on the case of the child of Mr. and Mrs. Nance-Kievill, of Newport, Monmouthshire, who died on 11th July, following vaccination on 6th June?

I have obtained a report on this case from one of the medical officers of my Department, who has investigated it locally. The death of the child appears to have been due to septicaemia following septic infection of a vaccinated arm. Evidence of this infection appeared four days after vaccination. There was no reason to consider that it had been introduced by the vaccine lymph employed. The lymph used was not obtained from the Government-Lymph Establishment, but was supplied by a well-known maker. The vaccination was performed in the ordinary course of practice by a medical practitioner who is not a public Vaccinator.

The following table gives the information desired:

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the sewage which is going to be discharged into the River Stour, Kent, will satisfy the Ministry's requirements as to sanitation or, if not, will he withhold his consent from the scheme?

I should ordinarily have jurisdiction in a case of this kind only if application were made to me to sanction a loan, and I have not up to the present received such an application.

asked the Minister of Health his reason for refusing to accept the offer of Dr. Watson, of 2, Third Avenue, King's Park, Glasgow, to give his Department the patent rights of a process for extracting, disinfecting, and replanting teeth and a machine for the purpose of boring and tapping teeth; and whether he is aware that America has accepted the patent rights?

I have not considered it desirable to take advantage of Dr. Watson's offer because, as has been explained to him on several occasions, his proper course is to follow the customary practice of making full scientific publication of his methods and results, with a view to trial and criticism by his professional colleagues. I have no information on the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average length of time from the inoculation before the determining tuberculous lesions develop in the animal or animals used for experiment; and how are such lesions differentiated from non-tuberculous lesions?

I am advised that the average length of time for an experimental tuberculous lesion to develop varies with the virulence and type of strain of tubercle bacilli inoculated, with the route of inoculation and with the type of animal employed in the experiment. In most experimental animals the lesion may be well marked about the tenth day. The lesions are differentiated from non-tuberculous lesions by the presence of the bacillus tuberculosis or, failing that, by their specific structural character.

asked the Minister of Health where, as a rule, is the place of inoculation for the prevention of tuberculosis, and if the method of inoculation is usually subcutaneous?

I am not aware of any method of inoculation for the prevention of tuberculosis in man which is practised on an extensive scale. If my hon. Friend is referring to Professor Calmette's method of prophylaxis by a vaccine (BCG), I am advised that this is given to new-born infants by mouth as a rule and not by the subcutaneous route.

asked the Minister of Health, with regard to a copy of a resolution he has received from the councils of Gloucester, Walsall, and other places, with regard to impure milk, and requesting him to take steps to set up a definite bacteriological standard for milk, what action he proposes to take?

I will consider this resolution in conjunction with other questions relating to milk.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of British spirits distilled in the United Kingdom and the divisions thereof during the year ended 31st March, 1931; the quantities of British spirits exported (with value) during the same period; and the number of bulk barrels of beer produced in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, respectively, during the same period, with the average specific gravities?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the net receipts of customs and excise for beer, British spirits, foreign and Colonial spirits, wine, British wine, liquor licences, and monopoly value for the year ended 31st March, 1931?

The net receipts of Customs and Excise in respect of duty on beer, British spirits, foreign and Colonial spirits, wine, British wine, liquor licences, and monopoly values for the year ended 31st March, 1931, were as follow:

		£
Beer Imported	…	6,428,744
Beer Home-made	…	69,269,299
Spirits Imported	…	5,501,193
Spirits Home-made	…	35,137,338
Wine Imported	…	4,095,969
British Wine	…	203,288
Liquor licences	…	4,444,756
Monopoly values	…	137,397

Financial Year 1930–31.
—				England and Wales.	Scotland.
Total Number of Liquor Licences	…	…	…	164,149	18,440
Total net receipts	…	…	…	£3,969,673	£302,892

Retailers' Licences, viz:		England and Wales.		Scotland.
		Number.	Net Receipts.	Number.	Net Receipts.
			£		£
Spirits "on" (Publicans')	…	57,284	2,919,658	5,822	208,031
Beer "on"	…	20,703	413,275	124	556
Wine "on"	…	3,165	25,772	14	56
Beer "off"	…	17,053	57,087	2,551	7,748
Wine "off"	…	11,853	52,363	2,486	9,010

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the percentage of total Income Tax paid by limited liability companies at the latest convenient date?

I regret that I am unable to divide up the receipt of Income Tax so as to show how much has been paid by companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government propose to take to give effect to the recommendations of the Macmillan Report in regard to greater elasticity of currency and for freeing the currency from the present gold reserve policy?

I would refer to the reply which I gave on 15th July to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. R. A. Taylor).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of liquor licences, and the net receipts therefor, for England and Scotland, respectively, distinguishing between publicans' licences, beer and wine on retailers' licences, and beer and wine off licences, respectively?

The figures asked for are as follow:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will indicate what qualifications are necessary for an ex-service civil servant to be regarded as an overseas man for the purpose of selection for the P clerical class, with particular reference to the nature and period of the overseas service which must have been rendered?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Townend).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cause of his offer in 1924 to consolidate Civil Service bonuses not reaching the officials of the Civil Service organisations?

It is the case that in 1924 I was prepared to consider the question of stabilisation, but no specific offer was made at that time, or, indeed, until 1928 when the official side of the National Whitley Council proposed for discussion stabilisation on the basis of a cost-of-living figure of 67½ for a period of 15 months from 1st September, 1928, with subsequent revision at intervals of 12 months in lieu of the periods of six months prescribed by the Agreement of 1920. The present position is that the whole question is under consideration in the light of the report of the Royal Commission on the Civil -Service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service in the matter of permanency for the ex-service men; and whether he will give an undertaking that there shall be no further open competitive examinations for the recruitment of boys and girls to the established clerical classes until guarantees are provided of definite promotions from the proposed new obsolescent class to the established clerical classes?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of books to be sorted by the staff at the Claims and Record Office, Kew; the number of the staff to be engaged on that work; the number of stools available for that staff; and the number of hours per day during which the staff without stools will have to stand?

The annual exchange of the last year's unemployment books, which is proceeding now, involves the receiving and sorting at Kew of 12,250,000 books, and occupies varying numbers of staff for about two months. The maximum number is 500, and the number employed on 17th July was about 400. As regards the provision of seating accommodation, there are sufficient chairs available, but a special kind of stool has been found to be more suitable. Only a limited number of stools can be provided this year, but it is intended to provide a full supply for next year.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the proposals for re-housing His Majesty's inspector of taxes and staff of Soho first district have now been approved; and, if so, the date on which it is hoped to effect the transfer to the new office?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, it is hoped to transfer the staff of the Soho first district to the new office before the end of September next.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the general principle, regulation, or rule as to engaging ex-service men up to a 75 per cent. standard is adhered to in appointing new entrants to His Majesty's Dockyards?

The degree of preference given to ex-service men for employment in His Majesty's Dockyards is not measured on a percentage basis. Subject to the fitness of the candidates to undertake the work to be performed, ex-service candidates and men who have served satisfactorily in the dockyards are given preference for entry over all other candidates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the details of the new scheme of promotion from the lower deck to commissioned rank, announced on 20th May, will be issued in Fleet Orders for the information of the lower deck?

Details of the new scheme of lower-deck promotion to commissioned rank will be issued in Fleet Orders shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the results since the passing of the Infanticide Act, 1922, he will consider extending its operation to children of five years of age; and whether he will take steps to introduce such an amending Bill at the earliest possible moment?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government propose to send representatives to the League of Nations conference in October on the reform of the calendar?

The conference in question is a General Conference on Communications and Transit and the reform of the calendar is one of a number of items on the agenda. His Majesty's Government will be represented at the conference.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider the appointment of a Departmental Committee to consider information available on the question of the reform of the calendar?

I do not think there is any need to appoint a Departmental Committee. The question has been studied by a League of Nations Committee, and is to be considered this autumn by the League of Nations General Conference on Communications and Transit. When the results of this conference are received, they will, of course, be carefully considered by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation at an early date to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on transport in regard to road transport vehicles obaining a licence before carrying on the public highways, and also in regard to the suggested vehicles' duty and the regulation of wage rates and conditions of labour as affecting the drivers?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member's question relates to the recommendations numbered LXV, LXVI and LXVII of the final report of the Royal Commission on Transport. It is unlikely that an early opportunity will present itself of introducing legislation for the further regulation and control of vehicles engaged in the transport of goods by road, but full consideration will be given to those recommendations when the time comes for revising or extending the powers of the traffic commissioners recently appointed under the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that the time schedules of the passenger transport companies are so arranged as to enable drivers of coaches to keep time without exceeding the 30-mile speed limit; and whether he is satisfied that the measures taken are effective for the purpose?

Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, provides that the traffic commissioners shall not grant a road service licence in respect of any route if it appears to them, from the particulars as to journey times required to be furnished under that section, that the speed-limit provision of the Act is likely to be contravened. The commissioners are also empowered to attach conditions to a road service licence for securing the safety and convenience of the public. It must be borne in mind that the commissioners have only recently started work, and that so far only a proportion of the passenger road services throughout the country have been brought under their review. My jurisdiction in these matters only arises in the event of an appeal being lodged under Section 81 of the Act. I hope that the provisions referred to will prove effective, with the co-operation of the police in the enforcement of the general law.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that a person driving a motor car after the expiry of a licence forfeits a licence for 12 months, he will consider legislation to make all licences expire on the same day in the year?

The Noble Lady is under a misapprehension. Driving a motor vehicle after the date of expiry of a driving licence is an offence under Section 4 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, but does not necessarily involve any period of disqualification. There is, however, a penalty of disqualification for 12 months (unless the Court otherwise orders) if a person drives a motor vehicle when he is not covered against third party risks. Some difficulty arose owing to the fact that many insurance policies contained a condition that the policy was only valid if the insured person was the holder of a driving licence. This difficulty has now been removed as a result of discussions with insurance interests, and I recently issued an announcement to the Press on the subject, of which I am sending the Noble Lady a copy. The suggestion that all driving licences should be renewed on one specific date has frequently been considered, but has been discarded as impracticable.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of money the expenditure of which has been authorised on roads and bridges in Caithness and Sutherland in each of the years from 1925 to 1931?

The expenditure approved for grants from the Road Fund in the two counties and in the particular years mentioned amounted to:

			Caithness	Sutherland.
			£	£
1925–26	…	…	24,382	43,568
1926–27	…	…	42,130	45,860
1927–28	…	…	36,810	47,312
1928–29	…	…	39,682	46,622
1929–30	…	…	33,184	46,651
1930–31	…	…	116,460	63,688

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that owing to the system of paying Territorials in camp the wives of some of the men are becoming chargeable to the public assistance committees during the training period; and whether he will consider taking such steps as will make it unnecessary for public assistance to be sought?

If, as I presume, my hon. Friend is referring to the fact that Terri- torials in camp who are under 26 years of age do not receive marriage allowance, I regret that I am unable to make any change in the existing regulations, which apply equally to the Regular Army.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the number of mail bags landed at the port of Plymouth has decreased considerably in recent years, and that these mail bags are carried on to other ports, incurring delay in delivery of the mails; what is the reason for the decrease; and whether he will take steps to secure that the mail bags on vessels calling at Plymouth shall be landed at that port?

The number of bags landed at Plymouth has decreased lately owing to the fact that much of the mail from the United States of America is now carried by the new fast German liners which do not call at that port. It is not, however, the case that the mails have been delayed in delivery on this account. When incoming ships call at Plymouth, it is the normal practice to land any mails they may be carrying there. The selecttion of the ships which carry incoming mails to this country is entirely outside my control.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the counties in which wage reductions have taken place in respect of agricultural labourers since September, 1929; and whether he has any information as to the prospect of further reductions in these counties or in other counties?

Since September, 1929, reductions in the weekly minimum rates of wages for ordinary adult male workers have been made in the eastern area of Lancashire, the Holland Division of Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Suffolk, and in the East and North Ridings of Yorkshire (although in the case of the East Riding the reduction had been preceded by an increase, with the result that the rates are now the same as at the beginning of the period). As regards the last part of the question, the fixing of mini- mum rates is entirely in the hands of the Agricultural Wages Committees, and I have no information as to their future intentions except that the Nottinghamshire committee has given public notice that it proposes to increase the hours on which the weekly rate is based, and that the West Riding Committee has just decided to give notice proposing to reduce the weekly minimum rates of wages.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will grant a Return under various headings, of the amount of credits, grants, or cost to the State, for the 10 years 1920–21 to 1930–31, for trade facilities, export credits, unemployment grants, and any other forms of State expenditure designed to assist the unemployment problem, including the cost of unemployment insurance to State, to employers, and to employed?

The following is the information for which my hon. Friend asks:

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND GUARANTEES, 1920–31, DESIGNED TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT.
Trade Facilities Acts.
1921–1926
Statement of Guarantees and of the net payments made in fulfilment of Guarantees.
Financial Year.	Amount of loans approved for Guarantee of Principal and Interest.	Net amount paid in fulfilment of Guarantees.
	£	£
1920–21	Nil	Nil
1921–22	14,958,145	Nil
1922–23	7,270,500	Nil
1923–24	15,977,000	4,400
1921–25	17,372,166	4,589
1925–26	8,613,469	11,522
1926–27	10,060,500	14,326
1927–28	Nil	126,415
1928–29	Nil	180,894
1929–30	Nil	213,675
1930–31	Nil	231,377

NOTES.—Interest amounting to £15,505 has been received in respect of sums advanced by the Treasury in fulfilment of Guarantees given under the Acts.As the result of adjustments in the amount of Guarantees after completion of the scheme on 31st Match, 1927, the total has been reduced by £2,158,012.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of money paid under the Peace Treaty by Germany to date and the amount of money received by her in that period by loans from outside sources?

During the period from the Armistice to the coming into force of the Dawes Plan on 1st September, 1924, German payments under the treaty, in foreign currencies or by way of Deliveries in kind, amounted to about £370,000,000 (taking £1 = 20 gold marks). No considerable amount was received by Germany during this period from foreign loans, though a very large sum was obtained from the sale of marks. During the period from the coming into force of the Dawes Plan up to the present, Germany has paid about £500,000,000 for Reparations and other treaty charges, and she has borrowed some £360,000,000 by way of long-term foreign loans. In addition. Germany has obtained short-term credits, the amount of which cannot be definitely ascertained, but was unofficially estimated at £360,000,000 a year ago. A considerable amount of these short-term credits has since been withdrawn.