asked the Minister of Transport On what lines he proposes to proceed with regard to the recommendations of the Salter Report; and whether it is intended to introduce any legislation with regard to such recommendations during the next Session of Parliament?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to an answer which I gave on 20th October of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the complete cost of the new bridge and approaches recently carried out at Loftsome alongside the existing toll bridge; how such complete costs compare with the original estimate and the cost of purchasing the toll bridge; and what arrangements have been made to warn traffic using the bridge of the penalties for using it in such manner as to infringe Clause xliii of the Loftsome Bridge Act?

The cost of the new bridge is not yet known, but it is expected to be less than the amended estimate of £48,000. The increase over the original estimate of £39,000 has been due to exceptional trouble with the foundations. Whatever would have been the cost of purchasing the toll bridge, I am advised that even if the purchase had been effected it would have been necessary to construct a new bridge in place of the existing timber one. I understand that the county council are satisfied that users of the new toll-free bridge will not render themselves liable to penalties.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that 'a charge is now imposed on any persons ferried across Poole Harbour by independent ferrymen and landed on the foreshore in Shell Bay; and whether, in view of the decision recently reached as to the legality of independent ferrymen operating in competition with the toll ferry in that place, he will consider, in the interests of public transport, the desirability of taking steps to enable such ferrymen to land their passengers free of charge?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the landing of passengers at the landing stage of the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company at South Haven. I understand that the right to land passengers at this stage free of toll was the subject of a decision of the Court of Appeal in 1930. I have no power to intervene in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Miss E. Read, of Holywell Cottage, Wotton-under-Edge, was compelled to pay 1s. 8d. to the Bristol Tramways to recover a small parcel as a result of the Public Service Vehicles (Lost Property) Provisional Regulations, 1931, dated 21st May, 1931, made by the Minister of Transport under the Road Transport Act; and whether he will consider withdrawing this regulation in view of the annoyance caused to travellers?

While my attention has not previously been drawn to this particular case, I have already consulted the various interests concerned as to the desirability of amending these Regulations, and am considering the matter in the light of their replies.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many cases he has received requests within the last six months for assistance towards the reconstruction of bridges; and whether he will state the attitude of his Department to such requests, in view both of their value in providing skilled employment and of the fact that the work is paid for by the transport-owning public?

So far as the limited resources of the Road Fund will permit, I am continuing to make grants for the reconstruction of bridges. Considerable labour would be involved in ascertaining the number of applications received during the last six months, and I trust my hon. Friend will not press for this information.

asked the Minister of Transport when the new power station at Battersea will be completed; and whether any reduction in London electricity charges may be anticipated subsequent to that date?

I understand that the new station will probably he opened in the summer of 1933. It will be operated in conjunction with the grid system for South-East England, and it may be anticipated that consumers of electricity will, in due course, benefit from economies in generation effected by that system.

asked the Home Secretary the cost incurred for marshalling 1,000 police and special constables at the County Hall to prevent disturbances on 24th October in connection with the deputation of unemployed to the London County Council?

Apart from a sum of £15 for the hire of horses for mounted special constables, the only extra expenditure involved was for travelling expenses and, in some cases, for refreshment allowances. I should add that the total of 1,000 includes the police on duty not only at the County Hall but also in the surrounding districts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of liquor licences taken out in England and Scotland, respectively, during the year ended 31st March, 1932; the number of publicans' licences, on-beer licences, and on-wine licences during the same period in the said Kingdom; and the net receipts of duty in respect thereof?

The figures asked for are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the respective quantities of rum, brandy, and geneva and beer imported into the United Kingdom, and the quantities of beer exported from the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1932?

The following table gives the particulars required:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the net receipts of Customs and Excise for beer, home-made and imported; spirits, home-made and imported; wine, imported; British wine; liquor licences; and monopoly value for the year ended 31st March, 1932, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

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 value for the year ended 31st March, 1932, were as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of occasional licences taken out in England and Scotland, respectively, in the year ended 31st March, 1932, and the total days involved?

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for India the cause of the death at Poona, on 30th September, of Mr. Thengdi, one of the principal accused in the Meerut conspiracy case?

I understand that Mr. Thengdi died from hypostatic congestion of the lungs supervening on general physical debility.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the provision of 77 additional seats for the depressed classes as arranged at Poona,

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any steps have yet been taken with 'reference to the Congo Basin treaties?

No, Sir; the matter is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the exports to and imports from France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy and Czechoslovakia, in both square yards and value, of woollen and worsted a modification of the communal award will be necessary?

Yes, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in the Indian Legislature on 26th September, of which I am sending him a copy. The total number of Hindu seats remains unchanged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the total imports, less re-exports, from France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy and Czechoslovakia for the year 1931 and the nine months ended September, 1932?

The particulars for which my hon. Friend asks are compiled in respect of calendar years only, and are given in the following table for the year 1931:tissues for the year 1931 and the nine months ended 30th September, 1932?

Most of the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks will be found on pages 55, 164 and 166 of the issues for December, 1931, and September, 1932, of the accounts relating to trade and navigation of the United Kingdom. I am sending him a complete statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether any arrangements have been made with the War Office to supple- went the police in the extra duties involved on the occasion of the march on London by the unemployed; and the approximate cost involved?

It is the practice of the police and local military authori- ties as part of their ordinary duties to keep in touch, so as to ensure that military aid will be forthcoming if required. Apart from this, no action has been taken and no expenditure has been incurred.