asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any scientific inquiry has recently been made into the question of whether ring-net fishing is destructive of immature fish: and, if not, whether he will cause such an inquiry to be made at the earliest moment?

The question of the effect of ring-net fishing on the stock of herring has been investigated in the past by two Royal Commissions, a special commission on herring fishing generally and two committees of the Fishery Board. None of these bodies found this method to be so detrimental, or so destructive of immature fish as to require special measures of restriction, The Fishery Board's scientific staff are constantly watching the effect of the various methods of fishing on the stock of fish. In the circumstances, I think that a special inquiry of the kind suggested is unnecessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of new holdings and enlargements which were constituted during each of the years 1931, 1932, and 1933; and the estimated numbers for 1934?

The numbers of new holdings and enlargements constituted by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland during each of the years 1931, 1932 and 1933 were respectively:

Year.			New Holdings.	Enlargements.
1931	…	…	146	58
1932	…	…	64	7
1933	…	…	134	17

It is not possible, at this date, to forecast with accuracy the numbers of holdings and enlargements which will be constituted during the present year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to make any proposals to Parliament with regard to the maintenance of small harbours and piers?

A Bill on this subject has been prepared in consultation with other Departments concerned; but I am not in a position to say whether it will be possible to proceed with the Measure during the present Session.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what was the cost of maintaining each of the Army vocational training centres for each year since they have been instituted, respectively?

The following table shows the net expenditure in respect of each of the Army vocational training centres for the years indicated. I regret that I am unable to furnish similar figures for the previous years.

Year ended 31st March.		Aldershot. Net Expenditure.	Hounslow. Net Expenditure.	Chisledon. Net Expenditure.
		£	£	£
1929	…	968	6,648	—
1930	…	1,795	7,106	6,712
1931	…	3,113	8,515	7,294
1932	…	4,197	9,379	8,553
1933	…	4,012	8,404	10,430

The amounts shown cover the details referred to on page 113 of Army Estimates, 1934, namely, expenditure and receipts under Vote 4 of Army Estimates, and in addition take account, on the one hand, of the value of stores and supplies required for training purposes which have been drawn from Army stocks, and, on the other hand, of the value of approved work services, etc., carried out by vocational training students.

asked the Home Secretary the number of remand homes which have been provided up to this date under Section 77 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, by councils of counties and county boroughs, either by separate authorities or in conjunction with other authorities; and what is the number of remand homes proper, police stations, public assistance institutions, voluntary homes, probation officers' houses, police officers' quarters, and private houses that have been provided for this purpose?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to-day to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander).

asked the Home Secretary what is the number of visits paid by His Majesty's inspectors since 1st November, 1933, to premises used as remand homes; what is the number of places which have been approved by the Secretary of State for the reception of children and young persons; and what is the number of places which have been considered unsuitable for the purpose?

The number of visits paid to remand homes since 1st November, 1933, by inspectors is 18. The Secretary of State has no statutory duty to approve premises used as remand homes, but local authorities frequently consult the Home Office about the suitability of premises and have done so in five cases since 1st November last, in none of which has an adverse opinion been expressed.

asked the Home Secretary if he will take steps to obtain power to supervise the health and working conditions of boiler sealers of ships in dock as he does for those employed in factories?

This point has been noted for legislation when opportunity arises, but I see no prospect of this during the present Session. I understand that conditions have improved during the last few years, and I will consider what more can be done without legislation.

asked the Home Secretary how many candidates appeared before the recent selection board for the prison service to be considered for a post as matron in a Borstal institution; how many of the candidates were serving female officers in the prison service; the number selected for interview by the selection board from outside the service without any knowledge of dealing with inmates; whether, seeing that an outside candidate was selected, he will state why she was selected in preference to a serving officer with years of experience; whether he is aware that there is scarcely any prospect of promotion in the prison service for the female staff; and whether he will give the names of the chairman and other members of the selection board?

Nine candidates appeared before the selection board. Two of these were officers in the prison service. The candidates selected were chosen for the reason which is, and always must be, the predominating consideration, namely, that they appeared to be the best qualified for the duties of the post in question. The suggestion that women prison officers are excluded from prospects of promotion is mistaken. They have certain opportunities of promotion in the women's prisons, and they are also eligible for appointments in the Borstal institutions. At the present time, of the 23 posts for Borstal house-matrons, 10 have been filled by women who were previously prison officers and one by a member of the prison nursing staff; but it would be wrong to confine these appointments in institutions for the training of boys and young men to women whose experience has been of the very different conditions in women's prisons. The responsibility for the appointments rests with the Prison Commissioners, and it would be contrary to recognised practice to mention the names of the members of the selection board who advised the commissioners on this occasion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has authorised the distribution by the Ipswich Public Health Committee of a pamphlet in favour of vaccination; and whether the cost of this comes out of the rates?

Any local authority may arrange for the publication in their area of information relating to health or disease, and may defray the whole or part of the expenses incurred. My approval is not required. I am informed that the cost to the Ipswich rates of distributing a pamphlet on vaccination through the vaccination officers is approximately 36 shillings per annum.

asked the Minister of Health whether proof has ever been forthcoming that the cases of tuberculosis in which the bovine germ has been found were caused by that germ; and, if so, where such proof can be found?

I am advised that the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The scientific proof will be found in the Second Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis (Human and Bovine). Part I (Report), 1907, [Cd. 3322].

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and fresh-milk equivalent of the foreign butter imported in 1933 from countries with which we have no treaty arrangements in respect of butter imports?

His Majesty's Government are under treaty obligations in respect of the treatment of goods (including butter) in relation to practically all foreign countries. If the hon. Member will indicate the particular countries which he has in mind, I will endeavour to supply the information desired.