asked the Minister of Health if he has now received replies from the 67 local authorities which had not replied on 27th October, 1932, to Circular 1,167; whether the 61 local authorities who had this matter under consideration have now decided to take action, and, if so, what action; and if he is taking any steps with regard to the 93 local authorities which are not proposing to make any improvement in their services?

During the past six weeks one further local authority has replied to the Circular in question, and three others have notified me of their decision to extend their maternity services. It should be made clear that the matter is one in regard to which improvement is to be looked for in the normal course of development of local government. The hon. Member will be glad to be informed that it is within my knowledge that adequate services are already provided in many of the areas referred to by him. In other cases, I think action can be most conveniently taken either in connection with the ordinary health sur- veys made by officers of my Department or as a result of special inquiries where requisite.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a statement showing the extent to which milk is being supplied now in Northampton under maternity and child welfare schemes as compared with a year ago?

I will communicate with the local authority with a view to furnishing the hon. Member with the statement for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of jute and linen factories, respectively, which have closed down in Scotland within the last two years?

So far as I have been able to ascertain, five establishments have closed down in the linen trade, and eight in the jute trade within the last two years. I am informed also that three new jute factories have been opened during the period.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men and women registered at the various Employment Exchanges in Flint-shire at the end of May, 1930, 1931, and 1932, and at the end of November, 1930, 1931, and 1932, respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amounts of black currants grown in England for the years 1921 to 1932, inclusive?

I regret I am unable to give estimates of the production of black currants for years prior to 1926. The estimated total production in England and Wales for each year from 1926 to 1931 is shown in the following table. The figures for 1932 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amounts of black currants grown in Scotland for the years 1921 to 1932, inclusive?

I regret that the information desired by my Noble Friend is available only in respect of the years of the quinquennial Census of Agricultural Production in 1925 and 1930. In these years the total estimated production of black currants in Scotland was 1,570 cwt. (from 310 acres) and 7,230 cwt. (from 623 acres) respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of black currants and blackcurrant pulp imported into this country from 1921 to 1932, inclusive?

The information desired is not available, as particulars of the imports into the United Kingdom of black currants and black-currant pulp were not separately recorded prior to the year 1932. During the first 11 months of this year imports of black currants and blackcurrant pulp, preserved without sugar, other than canned or bottled, have amounted to 72,325 cwts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the wholesale price of imported chilled or frozen meat at Smithfield on the 1st November and the last available date, together with the prices obtaining in Australia and New Zealand on similar dates?

The following table shows the wholesale prices of various classes of imported chilled and frozen meat at the London Central Markets, Smithfield, on 1st November and 13th December. Information with regard to prices of livestock on these dates in

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in reviewing all proposals connected with the unemployment problem, the Government will reconsider the recommendations contained in the Weir Committee's Report on the electrification of railways?

I understand that the railway companies are pursuing their in vestigations into the problem of mainline railway electrification in the light of the Weir Report. They have informed me, in particular, that certain schemes of London suburban electrification are now under consideration, and that in the event of the London Transport Bill becoming law they will be prepared to submit proposals to the Standing Joint Committee of the Transport Board and the railway companies which the Bill proposes to set up.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to give effect to the decisions of the Amulree Committee as published in the final report of the committee of inquiry into London Motor Coach Services, dated 2nd August, 1932?

The first and final reports of the committee need to be read in relation to one another. The short distance services dealt with in the final report must be considered together, and it would not be proper for me to give any decisions on appeals relating to these services pending the decision of the High Court on the application now before them for a mandamus, which has been made at the instance of one of the operators.