asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who were unemployed in the Wigan district on

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers on the dead register of the Employment Exchanges on the latest convenient date or comparable figures 12 months ago?

The number of unemployment books in the "two-months" file of books lodged at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 23rd October, 1933, was 94,470. The corresponding number at 24th October, 1932, was 118,502.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of temporary male non-ex-service clerks employed in each division of his Department as at the nearest convenient date?

The number of temporary male non-ex-service clerks employed in the various Divisions of the Ministry of Labour on 13th November, 1933, was as follows:—

The following statement gives the information required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the names of the organisations at present recognised by the Treasury as representing unestablished and temporary paper keepers and messengers in the Civil Service; whether such associations hold a certificate of approval under the Civil Service (Approved) Associations' Regulations; and what is the total number of the grades concerned in each of the organisations so recognised?

In reply to the first and second parts of the question, the Government Minor and Manipulative Grades Association, which holds a certificate of approval under the regulations referred to, and the Whitehall branch of the Transport and General Workers Union are at present jointly recognised in respect of the grades in question. In reply to the third part, it would be contrary to practice to disclose information supplied by associations as to their membership in particular grades except by consent of those associations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have taken any decision with regard to paragraph 415 of the Royal Commission's Report on the Civil Service?

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government have taken note of the recommendation made in paragraph 415 of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, and, in order to give effect thereto, my right hon. Friend proposes shortly to set up a committee to advise him on the matter, so that the Government may have all the facts and information before them necessary to enable them to examine the position.

asked the Minister of Health the number of urban district councils in necessitous areas who have found it financially impossible to submit slum-clearance schemes; and what steps he proposes to take to assist them?

No urban district council has informed me that on financial grounds it is unable to submit the programme which in common with other housing authorities it has been asked to

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give information

asked the Minister of Health if he can give an estimate of the number of houses built without State assistance during the year ended 30th September, 1933, which were to let, and to let for rents of 12s. 6d. per week, inclusive, or less, respectively?

I regret that no statistics are available to enable me to reply to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed during the year ended 30th September, 1933, under each of the several Housing Acts since the War; the number completed during the same year without public financial assistance; and the totals under the same headings erected since the War?

The following statement gives the desired information.in regard to rents owing from tenants on London County Council housing estates, and the housing estates of other local authorities?

I regret that this information is not generally available. I am informed, however, that the amount of irrecoverable arrears of rent on the estates of the London County Council in respect of the year 1932–33 was £4,488, representing 0.18 per cent, of the total rentals.

asked the Minister of Health when the Advisory Committee on Town and Country Planning will be constituted?

This committee will be set up forthwith, and I am asking a number of representative organisations to suggest the names of suitable persons.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses improved under the Rural Workers Housing Act in Gloucestershire since the Act came into force, and the total number of houses improved under this Act in the Stroud rural district?

Up to 30th September, 1933, the number of houses reconstructed or improved under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts in Gloucestershire was 79, of which 38 were in the Stroud rural district.

asked the Minister of Health in how many, and which, areas in the country, there was a serious shortage of water during the past summer; and whether any action is proposed by the Government to deal with this matter?

The number of localities for which the Ministry received information of serious shortage was 31. Details are appended. I am anxious that every effort should be made to improve the water supplies in areas inadequately served, and I have in a special circular urged county councils and rural district councils to make full use of their powers of financially aiding the provision of water schemes. The Ministry assists and encourages the exercise of these powers on all favourable opportunities.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now give a date for the coming into operation of the Order under Section 46 of the Local Government Act, 1929, giving effect to his decision on the Kent County Council scheme for the review of county districts?

I am not yet in a position to state, the date because I am awaiting the reply of the County Council to the letter of decision sent to them. I expect to receive the reply very shortly.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cards issued in respect of employed persons over the age of 65 under the National Health Insurance Acts?

The number of cards issued in respect of these persons employed for one or more weeks during the first half of this year was approximately 330,000.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether a person unemployed from July, 1932, to July, 1933, and who pays half the arrears of contributions to health and pension insurance will receive any monetary benefits for sickness or disablement in the year 1934;(2) what benefits, other than free doctor and medicine and the conservation of pension rights, are available for a person unemployed for 12 months and who pays half the arrears due to unemployment in accordance with the Insurance Act, 1932?

A person who will be entitled to remain in health insurance after the end of this year and was continuously unemployed from July, 1932, to July, 1933, will be credited with 26 contributions, in respect of that period, and even if no arrears be paid will be entitled to medical and maternity benefits during the year 1934 in addition to the conservation of his pensions rights. By paying 10 arrears at 9d. within the time allowed he will become entitled to sickness and disablement benefits at the minimum rates in the year 1934, but the title to such benefits will not commence until four weeks after the date of payment of the arrears. The payment of further arrears, will secure higher rates of sickness and disablement benefits.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a list of the local authorities which have power to establish general insurance funds, distinguishing those which are exercising their powers?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of local authorities who have obtained power by local act to establish comprehensive insurance funds. Local authorities are not required to notify me when they exercise this power, and I am therefore unable to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause an inquiry to be made into the dissemination of diseases by rats; and what special measures he is taking in regard to the rat menace in connection with the present slum-clearance campaign?

Measures for the prevention of spread of disease by rats are in constant operation by my Department, particularly at ports, and in consultation with health authorities abroad. I do not consider that any special inquiry is necessary. Slum clearance no doubt displaces rats from their homes: and they should be prevented from settling else where if possible, but local authorities are, I am confident, alive to that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the amount, of destruction caused by rats in this country is estimated at £15,000,000 a year; and if he proposes to take action to enforce the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act on a larger scale than that involved in the present institution of Rat Week?

I am aware that a great amount of destruction is caused by rats. Under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, it is incumbent on the occu- piers of infested premises to take all necessary and reasonably practicable steps to destroy rats and mice. Local authorities are responsible under the Act for the enforcement of its provisions, and are also entrusted with the duty of advising oh the best methods of rat-destruction. The Ministry has power to take action in the event of default by local authorities. Apart from this the Department has no powers beyond those of general supervision and propaganda such as Rat Week.

asked the Home Secretary if he has any information to show whether the increase in the number of aliens landed in this country over the period of nine months ended 30th September, 1933, as compared with the same period last year, is due to the recent action of the German Government in relation to its Jewish citizens; and can he state the exact number of immigrants who are described as German-Jewish refugees?

The number of aliens coming from all parts of the world including tourists, business visitors, students and others during the nine months ended 30th September last was 279,826 as against 278,351 last year, the difference between the two years being only 1,475. How many of the persons coming here from Germany have been affected by conditions prevailing in that country, it is impossible to state from statistics collected from the ports, but approximately 1,250 persons who have arrived from Germany during this year have been granted permission to prolong their stay for periods of varying duration as a result of applications which indicate that present conditions in Germany are the main reason for their desire not to return at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary the number of Germans Who have been admitted to this country since the 1st January last; how many Germans have been naturalised since that date; what conditions are imposed on foreigners entering this country as to their means of subsistence and as to the time they can remain in this country; and under what conditions are they allowed to take up employment in this country?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I have already given to my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Mr. Rhys). Any foreigner seeking admission to this country is required under the Aliens Order, 1920, to satisfy the immigration officer that he is in a position to support himself and his dependents and, if he is desirous of entering the service of an employer in the United Kingdom, leave to land cannot be granted to him unless he is in possession of a permit issued to his prospective employer by the Minister of Labour. If an immigration officer thinks fit, he may, in granting leave to land, attach a time condition limiting the alien's stay in the country. Genuine visitors are often landed without an express condition attached to their passport; they are, however, expected to leave the country in accordance with their statements made on arrival, and if they fail may be required to do so. An alien who is given leave to land as a visitor is not at liberty to take up employment or otherwise establish himself in this country without my consent. On any application for employment which is made to me, my practice is to consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. While the Government has every desire to accord sympathetic and liberal treatment to persons who have been obliged through force of circumstances to leave Germany and have been admitted to this country as visitors, the policy of the Government, as announced on several occasions, is to give first consideration to the interests of our own people and no consent to employment is given unless it is clear that no displacement of British subjects will result. As regards naturalization—except in certain special cases, such as those of British-born widows, applications can only be considered if the applicant has resided in this country for five years at least. The number of certificates granted during the period in question to persons of German nationality, other than British-born women, is 128, but none of these are recent immigrants.

asked the Home Secretary how many Germans since 1st January have taken up appointments as doctors, teachers, or lecturers in our hospitals, colleges, schools, research de- partments, etc.; and under what conditions and for what length of time have these appointments been sanctioned?

About 80 Germans have been permitted to take posts as teachers in schools: the number is not in excess of those admitted in previous years. About 50 of these have come for short periods under a special agreement arranged by the Board of Education for a mutual interchange of German and British teachers, and most of the remainder are teaching German in schools which require a German teacher. As regards the other classes, about 130 research workers, medical and other, have found temporary accommodation in universities. With a very few possible exceptions these persons hold no formal appointment; they are merely given facilities to continue their research work for the time being in the hospitals or laboratories, and are not displacing British subjects.

asked the Home Secretary under what conditions was the German school, recently established in the South of England, allowed to be started; whether all the teachers, pupils and staff, or what proportion of them, are of German nationality; and for what period and under what conditions was permission granted for the establishment of this school?

The school referred to was obliged to close down in Germany because the majority of the children attending it were of Jewish race, and permission was given for its transfer to this country in order that these children might be able to continue their education in England, the cost of their education being borne by their parents in Germany. In addition to the two principals, who are German women, permission was given to bring over six of the teaching staff who are Germans and one German matron, but it was stipulated that any domestic staff engaged should be British and that by the spring of next year at least six British mistresses would be engaged.

asked the Home Secretary what conditions govern the admission to this country of political refugees from Germany; if he will give, to the nearest convenient date, the number of such refugees who have been granted, and refused, permission to land; and whether he is satisfied that no undesirable aliens have gained access to this country by representing themselves to be refugees?

Persons claiming to be refugees from Germany are subject to examination at the ports in the same way as foreigners coming from any other country; they are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Aliens Order which I have explained in the answer which I have given to—day to the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Sir P. Dawson), and if they fail to satisfy the immigration officer may be refused leave to land. As regards the numbers who have been admitted as visitors, I would refer to the reply already given. The total number of Germans arriving from all parts of the world who have been refused leave to land during the nine months ended 30th September was 293, as compared with 184 for the same period last year. It is not possible to say how many of these came from Germany and regarded themselves as refugees. I am fully satisfied that the system of immigration control is adequate to secure that undesirable aliens, whether or not they represent themselves to be refugees, are not admitted to this country.

asked the Home Secretary what proposals he outlined at the recent police conference with regard to extending the new officer class established for the Metropolitan Police to the provinces; and when he proposes to table the proposals?

I think there must be some misunderstanding. At the central conference of the Police Federation of England and Wales, I referred to the measures which are being taken for the selection and training of men for the higher ranks of the Metropolitan Police, but I outlined no new proposals and I made no suggestion that the measures designed for the Metropolitan Police should be extended to other forces.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the method of selection employed in the appointment to superior officer ranks of the Metropolitan Police of persons without previous police experience; and whether any further appointments of a similar character are to be made?

The officers in question have been selected after a careful examination of the records and qualifications of a number of persons considered suitable for the duties of the posts to which they have been appointed. Only very few more such appointments are needed to complete the Government's proposals for the reorganisation of the force.

asked the Home Secretary the names of persons appointed to the Metropolitan Police from outside sources since the appointment of Lord Trenchard

asked the Home Secretary under what statutory regulations recent appointments to the rank of chief inspector were made in the Metropolitan Police; what were the special qualifications possessed by the men who had no previous police experience; and what as Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; the ranks to which appointed and dates; the subsequent promotions of such officers and the respective salaries, conditions of service, and pension commitments; and also the total annual cost that will fall upon the Police Vote?

Particulars are appended. The conditions of service are as laid down for the force generally, and for pension as under the Police Pensions Acts: none of the persons appointed is entitled to reckon any previous service for pension. The total annual cost for salaries, allowances and pensions will be approximately £15,000 per annum, of which half will fall upon the Police Vote, England and Wales.arrangements are being made for their tuition and training as police officers?

There is no specific regulation dealing with appointments to the rank of chief inspector in the Metropolitan Police from outside the force, and no regulation preventing such appoint- ments. Of the four officers concerned, two had much administrative experience, one as Provost Marshal, the third had been selected for the Indian police, and the fourth has technical experience needed in the post which he is to take up. They will be put under the immediate supervision of experienced senior officers, who will take such steps as may be necessary to familiarise them with their duty.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in industrial areas throughout the country the ordinary street and patrol duties of the police forces are curtailed as the result of their services being transferred to schools for the safe transport of children leaving for and returning from meals, and that many constables who have been on night duty have been recalled for special school duty; and if he will institute an immediate inquiry, with a view to strengthening the forces where these discrepancies exist and, if necessary, take steps to appoint an auxiliary force to replace constables employed on that duty?

I am aware that in various places patrol duties are so arranged that constables will be available for this purpose, though I do not think there is any regular practice of recalling night duty men. Local police authorities have been pressed in some instances to provide additional men for the purpose, but neither they nor I regard such intermittent requirements as justifying permanent additions to the force and the heavy increase of cost which they would entail. The question whether any alternative arrangements are practicable is being explored.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the accident which occurred at the British Broadcasting Corporation station at Wychbold, near Droitwich, when some staging slipped and caused the death of one man and injured four others; and whether an inquiry is to be made into the circumstances and to ascertain whether the staging was faulty?

This accident was notified to the Factory Department and the hon. Member may be assured that all the circumstances will be fully investigated. The inquest has been opened, but stands adjourned till the 28th instant.

asked the Home Secretary if he will ascertain from the taximeter-cab licensing authority for the Metropolitan area whether any steps are taken by that authority to prevent worn-out cabs, for which they have refused renewal licences, being offered by their owners to other authorities for licence to ply for public hire in other areas?

There are, I understand, over 1,000 licensing authorities in the country and, apart from the considerable expenditure of time and trouble which would be involved in circularising them all, the Commissioner of Police informs me that, in his view, no useful purpose would be served by action on the lines suggested by my right hon. Friend, since the only question to be determined is whether a particular vehicle complies with the conditions of fitness prescribed by the licensing authority for the area in which a licence is sought. Very occasionally inquiries are received by the Metropolitan Police from other licensing authorities on the question whether particular vehicles have been rejected in London, and these inquiries are duly answered

asked the Home Secretary how many reports have been made against officers at Bristol Prison during the past 12 months ended 30th September; the number of the existing subordinate staff; and the kind of punishment awarded by the Governor?

Any failure by a prison officer to perform his duties properly—even if the irregularity is of a comparatively minor character—is normally dealt with by a report. During the 12 months ended 30th September last, 11 reports were made against 10 officers at Bristol Prison. In each ease the officer was admonished by the Governor. The authorised subordinate staff of this prison as on 30th September was 27.

asked the Home Secretary how many, if any, of the convicts who were convicted again in connection with the Dartmoor mutiny and transferred to other prisons have been transferred back to Dartmoor; and whether he is satisfied with the present strength of the staff at that penal settlement?

The answer to the first part of the question is three. I have no reason to doubt that the present strength of the staff is adequate.

asked the Home Secretary how many prison officers have been certified and detained in mental institutions during the preceding two years to the latest date available?

During the period in question one case is known of an officer who after being superannuated was certified and admitted to a mental hospital, but no serving officer has been so dealt with.

asked the Home Secretary if he will consider nominating to the advisory committee which assists him in administering the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, one or more persons holding suitable qualifications who may represent the section of public opinion opposed to these experiments?

The Royal Commission on Vivisection which reported in 1912 and which recommended that an advisory committee shall be appointed to assist the Secretary of State in the administration of the Act, also recommended that these advisers should be selected by him from a list of names submitted to him by the Royal Society and the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in London. This recommendation was adopted by my predecessor in 1913 and I propose to continue to rely on the assistance of these learned bodies in selecting members of the advisory committee.

asked the Home Secretary if he is satisfied that the irregularities mentioned in the report of the inspector appointed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, as having occurred in1932, and particularly the case of the lady who administered curare, a drug which prevents all movement but leaves the feeling of pain still acute, were sufficiently punished by admonitions and warnings to be more careful in future?

The answer is in the affirmative. As regards the experiment in which curare was used the licensee was a man and not a woman. The animal was anaesthetised before curare was administered and killed before recovering consciousness, the dose of anaesthetic given being enough to, maintain deep anaesthesia for a much longer time than the animal was kept alive.

asked the Minister of Health what results of value to the community were obtained in the course of the experiments upon living animals performed in 1932 on the instructions of his Department

Animal experiments were carried out during 1912 at the Ministry of Health laboratories in connection with the preparation of vaccine lymph, of anti-rabic vaccine, and for the diagnosis of certain diseases. The value of these experiments lies in their necessity to ensure the quality of the preparations and the assistance given to public health authorities in the control of infective diseases. There were also experiments directed to improved methods of lymph production.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that young children in Longleavens are kept awake by a loud speaker installed on the greyhound racing track at Longleavens, near Gloucester; and whether he will take steps to regulate the use of loud speakers at these tracks?

I received a complaint in October alleging that a loud speaker used at the greyhound racing track referred to is a nuisance to residents in Longleavens and I forwarded the complaint to the Gloucestershire County Council. I have no power to regulate the use of loud speakers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost of maintenance of county courts for the years 1923, 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932, respectively?

Particulars of the cost of the county courts services are given in the return of the gross and net cost of public departments, presented annually to the House. The total expenditure on county courts services for the financial years 1928–1931 was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the

I regret that the desired information is not available, as particulars of our trade with Manchuria (exclusive of the Kwantung Peninsula) are at present included with those for China

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the total export of cotton goods from this country to Sweden, Denmark, and the Argentine was during the last three years, and also the total import of cotton goods into these countries for the same period?

The following statement shows the value of imports of cotton goods into Sweden, Denmark and Argentina, respectively, during each of the years 1930, 1931 and 1932, distinguishing imports from the United Kingdom.those for Argentina are official tariff values expressed in gold pesos. Estimated "real values" of imports of cotton goods, as a whole, into Argentina exceeded tariff values by 37 per cent, in 1930, 33 per cent, in 1931 and 35 per cent, in 1932. The "real values" purport to represent approximately c.i.f. values.4. As regards the particulars of imports from the United Kingdom, the Swedish and Danish returns record goods as imported from the country in which the goods were purchased; the Argentine returns record the country shown on the certificate of origin, vised by the Argentine Consul and accompanying the bill of lading.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the representations received from trade organisations and chambers of commerce calling attention to the injuries inflicted on several branches of British productive industry through the operation of most-favoured-nation treatment neutralising the effect of recent trade agreements with foreign countries, he will state the policy of the Government in this matter?

I am not aware that there is any strong feeling in responsible commercial circles that the benefit of the tariff reductions obtained from foreign countries under recent trade agreements is neutralised by the operation of the most-favoured-nation provision. Although these reductions are extended to the products of third countries, they relate for the most part to trades in which the United Kingdom has a predominant or an important interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the Swedish blow lamps and Primus wickless stoves imported into this country during the present year; whether imports are on the increase; whether he is aware that as a consequence of the depreciation in the Swedish rate of exchange the benefit to British manufacturers of the 20 per cent, tariff has largely disappeared; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The information asked for in the first two parts of the question is not available as blow lamps and wickless stoves are not separately enumerated in the trade returns of the

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the exports from the United Kingdom to Canada for the six months ended 1st November, 1933, and the value of the exports to Russia from the United Kingdom for the same period?

During the six months ended September, 1933, the total declared value of merchandise exported from the United Kingdom and consigned to Canada was £9,602,000, including re-exports valued at £522,000. Corresponding figures for the Soviet Union are £2,118,000 and £643,000. No later figures are available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that unprinted sensitised photographic material imported into this country pays 25 per cent, duty, whereas the same material printed abroad pays only 10 per cent.; and what action he proposes to take to remove this difference?

The duties on foreign imports of the materials referred to are as stated by my hon. Friend. Any proposal for an amendment of these duties is a matter in the first place for the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give particulars of the export of arms for the months of June, July, August, September, and October to China, Japan, Bolivia, Paraguay, Colombia and Peru?

I am sending my hon. Friend a statement showing the desired particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any indication as to the extent to which recent trade agreements have resulted in increased British textile exports during the past three months?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 7th November, a copy of which I am sending him. The increase in exports of cotton piece goods to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland referred to in that answer applies generally to exports of textiles during recent months to the three first-named countries. Particulars of exports of such goods to Iceland are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the negotiations in progress for the establishment of an international cocoa conference?

My hon. Friend will remember that by a resolution of the Monetary and Economic Conference the Governments of countries interested in cocoa production were invited to send in memoranda to the Secretariat of the Conference. A draft memorandum setting out the attitude of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom has been prepared and sent to the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates concerned for concurrence. I hope that it will be possible to send it to the Secretariat of the Conference in the course of the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount of credit held against claims under the Export Credits Insurance Scheme; and what is done with premiums paid on orders afterwards cancelled?

The meaning of the first part of my hon. Friend's question is not clear. The sums required to meet the claims arising under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme are voted annually by Parliament. For the current financial year, as the Estimates show, it is expected that receipts will exceed expenses. Any surplus will, under present arrangements, be paid into the Exchequer. As regards the second part of the question, the normal practice is to refund a substantial part of any premiums paid by exporters in respect of orders afterwards cancelled by the purchasers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount paid by this country to America for the hire of films and the amount of film import duty collected on this purchase; and if, in view of the efficiency now reached in the production of British films, he will take steps to increase the rate of import duty per negative foot or impose an ad valorem duty on all foreign films under contract for exhibition in this country?

As regards the first part of the question, I regret that the information asked for is not available. As regards the second part, I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I am afraid that his proposal for an ad valorem duty is not practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Hungarian Government, while failing to pay British bondholders, is subsidising the Royal Hungarian State workshops, which produces equipment at uneconomic prices, undercutting British locomotive builders in the Indian market; and whether he will take steps to prevent the use of British capital by a foreign Government to cause unemployment in this country?

The only important Hungarian Government long-term loan held in this market is the League of Nations Loan of 1924. Up to the present the interest on this has been paid in full. In 1934 it is intended to pay 50 per cent, of the interest in foreign exchange, 50 per cent, being retained in a blocked account in Hungary. This money will be lent back to the Hungarian Government to be employed on productive works. It is therefore hardly true to say that money due to British bondholders is being used to subsidise the iron works.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's Government have yet made representations to the German Government about the preferential treatment enjoyed by Swiss and Dutch holders of German municipal bonds compared with British bondholders, and with what result; and, if not, will he initiate representations forthwith?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the question asked on 13th November by the hon. Baronet the Member for Farnham (Sir A. M. Samuel).

asked the Minister of Transport if, with a view to checking reckless driving, he will make a regulation that any driver of a motor car who has had two accidents in any one year, involving death or bodily injury, should be compelled to carry on his car a distinguishing mark in the form of a yellow disc and be limited to a speed of 25 miles per hour for a period of 12 months, and that in the event of that person being involved in a further accident within that period he should be compelled to carry a red distinguishing disc and be subjected to a still lower speed-limit?

I have no power to make regulations on the lines which the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will issue instructions to local education authorities urging upon them the necessity for school teachers arranging plans by which the safe transport of children leaving and returning to school shall become their responsibility or to implement school caretaking staffs where necessary to perform this duty, and so relieve the burdens at present placed upon the police?

My Noble Friend assumes that the question refers to the protection of children at road crossings. He is satisfied that local education authorities and teachers are fully alive to the importance of doing all in their power to protect children from traffic dangers. The particular method to be adopted in individual cases must depend on a knowledge of local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to approach the Swansea dock authorities to install modern and up-to-date plant for shipping with a view to reducing the loss entailed in degradation of coal by the present process of shipping?

I am not at present in a position to add to the information given in reply to the question which the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. D. Grenfell) asked last Tuesday on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the chutes for tipping coal at Swansea are stationary; how many times has a vessel to be moved during the process of being loaded with coal; what is the approximate additional time taken in loading vessels owing to these removals; and what is the approximate additional cost per thousand tons of coal shipped?

I am not at present in a position to add to the information given to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. D. Grenfell) in reply to the question which he asked on this subject last Tuesday.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) how many mechanical chutes are used for shipping coal at the King's dock and Prince of Wales's dock, Swansea;(2) if he will take steps to reduce the drop from the coal truck that is tipped to the chute leading to the vessel at the Swansea docks; and can he give an estimate of the percentage degradation of bituminous and steam coals with this process?

I am not at present in a position to add to the information given in reply to the question which the hon. Member asked last Tuesday on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of countries which were represented at the League of Nations Assembly this autumn without having paid the subscription due by them; and how much money is now in default?

Nineteen countries which were represented at the last meeting of the League of Nations Assembly were in arrears with subscriptions due by them. The total amount in arrears on 6th October last was 21,603,342.50 gold francs. Of this sum 8,377,426.23 gold francs was in respect of consolidated arrears. The sterling equivalent of the total arrears is approximately £1,300,000 at the present rate of exchange and £864,000 at par.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the neutral attitude adopted by the British Government in relation to the violation by one of the signatories of the Covenant of its principles in connection with the Far Eastern trouble, he can state whether any other Power equally signatory with ourselves has adopted this policy in this dispute or in any other of a similar nature?

I do not quite understand the hon. Member's reference to a "neutral attitude." I would, however, draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that His Majesty's Government were not alone in subscribing to the resolution adopted by the Assembly of the League of Nations on 24th February, 1933. It was, in fact, unanimously adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Mr. Clifton R. Bassett, who deposited £100 with the British Consul at Buenos Aires for convenience unconditionally, on applying for repayment was refused the money until he had signed a declaration exonerating the British Government from responsibility in case he became destitute?

I have at present no information regarding this matter, but His Majesty's Consul-General at Buenos Aires has been asked to furnish a report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total cost to date of this country's participation in the Disarmament Conference?

The total cost of the British Delegation to the Disarmament Conference up to date amounts approximately to £53,000.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the removal of the ventilating fan installed in the Strangers' Terrace smoking-room; and whether he will expedite its reinstallation and minimise the inconvenience to Members?

The fan in question has been replaced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education for what reason teachers' pensions are paid quarterly; and whether, in view of the inconvenience 'and dangers involved, he will consider the possibility of arranging for these to be paid at briefer intervals?

The quarterly payment of teachers' pensions is required by Clause 7 (1) of the First Schedule of the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1925, and corresponding provisions of earlier Acts. The Acts give no discretion to my Noble Friend to vary this provision. Experience does not suggest that any inconveniences or dangers which may be involved are such as to call for the introduction of legislation for the amendment of this provision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any countries have adopted compulsory powers for the teaching of swimming to school children; and whether, in any case, he will consider the desirability of introducing such legislation in Great Britain?

So far as my Noble Friend is aware, no country pre- scribes swimming as a compulsory subject of instruction in all its schools. As regards the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the operations of the milk marketing scheme are resulting in inhabitants of rich milk-producing areas of this country being compelled to subsist on foreign tinned milk; and what action does he propose to take?

I have no information on the point raised by my hon. Friend. As I have stated on other occasions, machinery exists for the examination of complaints against the operations of marketing schemes. If it is suggested that the price of milk is unreasonably high, the consumers could take steps to approach the Consumers' Committee which is now being set up.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that co-operative societies are now charging 2d., instead of Id. as heretofore, for the collection of farmers' milk; and what steps are being taken to ensure their compliance with the rules laid down by the Milk Marketing Board?

In accordance with the terms of the contracts prescribed by the Milk Marketing Board, collecting charges for milk are a matter for settlement between vendor and purchaser. I understand that all contracts are scrutinised by the board before registration, and any charges which appearto be abnormal are taken up with the purchaser.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now state whether there is any intention of bringing into force in the near future the scheme for grading the carcases of cattle, sheep, and pigs in this country on a dead-weight basis; and whether this scheme has been approved by the farmers' organisations?

An experimental scheme for the consignment of gradable fat cattle from farm to abattoir for sale on a grade and dead weight basis was introduced, in conjunction with the National Farmers' Union, in May, 1930. Facilities for operating the scheme are available at the National Mark beef grading centres at London, Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford and Halifax. Early in 1933 at the request of the National Farmers' Union the scheme was extended experimentally to sheep, and a successful large-scale experiment for fat lambs and ewes has been carried out during the summer of this year at Manchester and Liverpool on behalf of the North Wales Marketing Committee of the National Farmers' Union. More recently experiments on similar lines have been made, in conjunction with producers' organisations, in regard to certain classes of pigs.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when consideration was last given to the possibility of instituting a scheme for sick leave with pay to established men in His Majesty's Dockyards; and whether he can now look into the possibility of making this concession in order to bring Admiralty civil servants into line with the majority of other civil servants in this respect?

The trade union side of the Admiralty Industrial Council raised the matter on behalf of Admiralty industrial workers generally on 19th October and stated that similar applications were being made at other Departmental Councils and that it was intended to pursue the matter at the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments. I think this question can best be dealt with under the existing negotiating machinery.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give any estimate of what Naval construction work will be available for His Majesty's Dockyards during 1934?

Pending settlement of the Navy Estimates for 1934, which are at present receiving attention, it is not possible to state what Naval construction work will be available for the Dockyards during 1934. The hon. Member may, however, be assured that there is no reason to anticipate that the volume of Dockyard work in 1934 will be less than that of 1933.