asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the position as regards the Customs Administration in Manchuria; and whether this Government will represent to the Japanese Government that the whole of the revenues shall be regarded as definitely allocated to the Chinese Government administration?

Present conditions in Manchuria necessarily create a difficult and anomalous situation with regard to the Customs Administration. My latest information, however, is to the effect that there has not so far been any interference by the new authorities in Manchuria with the Administration itself, though I understand that there is difficulty in remitting the surplus Customs revenue collected in Manchurian ports to Shanghai. In the circumstances, it would hardly seem desirable to make representations in the sense suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet received confirmation from France and Italy that they will sign documents agreeing to 4 per cent, interest on their debts to the United States postponed under the Hoover plan?

As I stated in reply to my hon. Friend on 9th June, all the other Governments concerned have agreed in principle to sign such agreements; moreover, I see that it is reported in the Pre3s that France has now signed.

asked the Minister of Transport how many Orders he has made under Section 46 of the Road Traffic Act, imposing a speed limit on motor vehicles not subject to a general speed limit; and whether, in view of the increasing number of motor accidents, he is taking any action to encourage local authorities to make applications to him under that Section?

Only one Order has been made under Section 46 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, involving the imposition of a local speed limit. The Order in question applies to certain roads within the area of the Southampton Docks. Experience has tended to show that local speed limits, apart from the difficulty of enforcement, are not effective as a means of promoting public safety, and it was a recognition of this fact which no doubt influenced Parliament in repealing those imposed by Regulations under the Motor Car Act, 1903. I am not disposed, therefore, to take any action to encourage fresh applications, though I am prepared to consider carefully any exceptional circumstances attaching to a particular case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action it is proposed to take with reference to the report of Lord Gorell's Committee on Art and Industry?

The report is under review by the Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Health the rate of State sickness benefit and old age pensions now being paid in Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States of America; the rate of contributions payable by the insured persons; and, if possible, the number of persons receiving such benefits in each country?

In the case of the United States, there is no Federal scheme of insurance for sickness benefit and old age pensions. In Germany, France, Russia and Italy the rates of sickness benefit, old age pensions and of contributions are not uniform. The rates of sickness benefit is these countries and the contributions payable to secure that benefit vary according to the wages of the insured person. In France and Russia the rates of old age pension also vary according to the wages of the insured persons, while in Germany and Italy the rate of old age pension is determined by adding to a fixed sum an amount which varies according to the number of contributions paid. The rate of contribution payable for old age pension purposes in these four countries varies according to the wage group in which the insured person is included. Information is not available as to the number of persons at present in receipt of sickness benefit and old age pensions in those countries.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Air whether he will arrange facilities for Members of Parliament to visit the air display at Hendon on Friday, 24th June, as well as Saturday, 25th June?

My Noble Friend is reluctant to extend the limited scope of admission to the rehearsal, especially as no suitable arrangements can be made on that day for the reception of hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many drainage schemes have been submitted to his Department by the Doncaster Drainage Board, the estimated cost of each scheme, and the attitude of his Department towards them?

One scheme for the cleansing of part of the River Torne at an estimated cost of£300 was submitted in August last by the Doncaster District Drainage Board, for which the Ministry was unable to sanction a grant. As I explained in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 23rd November last, I informed this and other similar drainage authorities on 19th September that, in view of the existing financial situation, no further applications for grants could be entertained. Drainage authorities are, of course, empowered to carry out schemes of work financed from their own resources, although Government grants are withdrawn, and in such cases there is no necessity for schemes to be submitted to my Department for approval.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many catchment boards have submitted proposals for draining their areas to his Department; the estimated cost of such schemes; in how many cases the schemes were approved; and what grants have been given by the Government?

Catchment boards are not required to submit to my Department drainage schemes which they propose to carry out, unless they desire to obtain a Government grant under Section 55 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930. On 14th October last, I informed catchment boards that, in view of the need for economy, no further applications for grants could be considered except in cases of the utmost emergency. Since the passing of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, four catchment boards have submitted schemes for a grant under Section 55, one being an emergency scheme since the date mentioned. The estimated cost of these schemes is£28,330, and the Government grant which was sanctioned is estimated at£10,675. In addition, four catchment boards made inquiries as to the possibility of a grant, but the Ministry was unable to recognise the cases as being of real emergency. The estimated cost of these schemes cannot be stated.