asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has issued advice to local authorities as to the scale of expense of members of such authorities serving on deputations in London and attending congresses; and, if not, whether, in the interests of economy, he will consider the desirability of doing so?

I have not issued any general advice directed particularly to this matter, nor do I think it necessary to do so. Local authorities are well aware of the necessity for economy in present circumstances, and of the scrutiny to which expenditure of the kind referred to is subjected by the district auditors when it comes under their review.

asked the Minister of Health how many insurance cases have been dealt with by his Department in which applicants have been disqualified by reason of the failure of the employers concerned to stamp their cards; and how many prosecutions have been instituted in such cases against the employers for the breach of the law?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. As regards the second part, the total number of prosecutions of employers in England and Wales for failure to pay health and pensions insurance contributions was 1,104 in 1931, butSTATEMENT showing number of unestablished and unpensionable subordinate officers employed on 13th April, 1932, in each of the London prisons (other than those specially recruited to fill vacancies caused by temporary transfer of officers to Dartmoor).

asked the Minister of Health under what Housing Act the 28 houses have been erected at Wyberton Causeway; what local authority was responsible for erection; and what will be the financial obligations of such authority?

The 28 houses referred to were erected by the Boston Rural District Council under the Housing Act, 1925, and the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924. I regret that the information sought in the last part of the question is not in my possession.

asked the Home Secretary the number of unestablished and unpensionable subordinate officers employed in each of the London prisons other than those specially recruited to fill vacancies caused by the temporary transfer of officers to Dartmoor?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is as follows:—

asked the Prime Minister whether the position regarding Empire air communications has undergone any change in the last month; whether the development of civil aviation is now to be included in the agenda of the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa; whether he will indicate what particular aspects are to be dealt with; and whether a delegate with specialised knowledge on this subject is to be included in the official delegation from this country?

As regards the first three parts of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member on 9th March. As regards the last part of the question I would refer to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Air to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 13th April.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many blind persons are now receiving a pension under the Blind Persons Pensions Act; and how this total compares with the number of blind persons in the country?

The number of persons in receipt of pensions under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, on 31st December, 1931, the latest date for which figures are available, was 24,387. According to the latest returns received from the local authorities, the number of registered blind persons in England and Wales was 52,727 on 31st March, 1929. Returns are now being obtained from local authorities of the number of registered blind persons in their areas on 31st March, last. According to unofficial figures obtained from the Counties' Associations for the blind there were 60,598 registered blind persons in England and Wales on 31st March, 1931. The number of registered blind persons in Scotland on 31st March, 1931, was 8,821.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will issue instructions to the Customs officials at the ports to the effect that reasonable elasticity should be allowed in the interpretation of the Import Duties Act to avoid causing difficulty and irritation to travelers?

I take it that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the necessary examination for Revenue purposes of incoming passengers' baggage. I have no reason to think that Customs officers in carrying out their duties in connection with the administration of the Import Duties Act will not do so with all reasonable consideration. May I ask, in return, for ready and full co-operation on the part of the passengers with the officers who are carrying out their statutory duties under conditions which are still novel to all concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the advisability of appointing at each Custom house, particularly where personal luggage is dealt with, a proportion of female officers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my Noble Friend the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 11th February last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the respective rates of Income Tax imposed in other countries besides our own which adopt this form of taxation?

The systems of income taxation in other countries are not easily comparable with that obtaining in this country in view of the varying principles on which they are based and the different methods of graduation and assessment employed. A mere statement of the rates of tax would be not only useless, but misleading, and I regret that I cannot undertake to furnish such a statement as my hon. Friend desires.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department as to the progress being made in Denmark of the "Buy British" campaign?

The interest in Denmark in United Kingdom products is being strongly maintained. Exports to Denmark during the March quarter compared with the corresponding period in 1931 increased by £32,573 to £2,282,958. The forthcoming Exhibition of British goods which is to be held in Copenhagen from 24th September to 9th October is arousing much enthusiasm in Denmark.