asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Montrose public assistance committee are still insisting on test work for applicants for able-bodied work; and if he now proposes to take any steps to end this practice?

I am informed that the destitute able-bodied poor who apply for relief at the Montrose public assistance office are not required to perform work, but if they are willing to work, every endeavour is made to find work for them. In these circumstances, the second part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the acreage under barley in Scotland and Perthshire, respectively, in each of the years 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931?

The information desired is as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour the direct and indirect total costs of administration of the court of referees and committees under the Unemployment Insurance Acts; and the relative cost per £1 of the funds administered?

The direct expenditure on courts of referees and committees under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in 1931 was £133,974. This sum includes all payments made to chairmen and other members in connection with the work of the courts, and travelling expenses of claimants. The expenditure in respect of clerical assistance, premises and other incidental matters could not be calculated without excessive labour. The sum above mentioned is equivalent to.28d. per £1 of the total expenditure on benefit (including transitional benefit and payments) for the same year.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the grounds for the large increase in the estimated space rentals at the 1933 British Industries Fair?

The estimate for this year's fair, prepared 16 months in advance, did not envisage the great increase in the demand for space which actually took place. The estimate for the 1933 fair allows for a nominal increase in size over this year's fair.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any survey of white fishing grounds is being undertaken on a limited scale by any other vessel pending investigations by His Majesty's Ship "Challenger"?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General the reasons for the increase in the sales of sixpenny postal orders to the extent of 9,000,000?

I am, of course, only able to draw my own conclusion, but I presume that a considerable amount of the increase may be due to the popularity of certain newspaper competitions.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the elections held under the reformed constitution in the North-West Frontier Province have now been completed; and what percentage of the electorate recorded their votes?

The elections are, I understand, completed, but I am not yet in possession of any statistics of voting.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any detailed information regarding the rioting which occurred at or near Allahabad on Friday, 8th April; and whether the police force of that city has been reduced this year and to what extent?

My information shows that a considerable disturbance occurred in Allahabad on the evening of 8th April, arising out of an attempt by a Congress procession to enter the civil lines. The police were assailed with stones and brickbats for some hours and suffered several casualties. It was necessary to disperse the procession and crowd by force, and two rounds of buckshot were fired. Another procession on 9th April resulted in a renewal of disturbances. Owing to continuous stone and brick throwing, resort was had to firing, and 30 rounds were discharged. Two persons were killed and about 20 injured. As regards the second part of the question, I have asked for information regarding the strength of the police forces in the United Provinces, but have not yet received it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Govern- ment of Bombay has yet succeeded in restoring trade, industry, and security in Bombay City; and, if not, whether the Government will consider taking over the regulation of the exchanges and markets, as was done in the War, with a view to countering the intimidation exercised over their institutions by supporters of the Congress boycott?

I am satisfied that the Government of Bombay is doing everything in its power to restore normality in trading and industry in Bombay, and I have every confidence in its capacity to deal with the situation.

asked the Secretary for Mines the tonnage per month of Scottish coals imported into Bristol Channel ports from June, 1931, to March, 1932, inclusive?

The quantities of coal shipped as cargo from Scottish ports to British Channel ports since June, 1931, were as follow: