asked the Minister of Transport what replies he has received from the manufacturers of motor cars to his inquiry with regard to making it compulsory for the rear wings of cars to reach to within 8 inches of the road, instead of about 18 as at present, in order to minimise the splashing of mud on to the windscreens of following cars; and whether he proposes to take any action?

I have now received from the manufacturers their views on the suggestion that the rear wings of motor vehicles should reach to within 8 inches of the road. In their opinion, mere lengthening of the mud-guard would not effectively meet the difficulty, and would indeed give rise to inconvenience where vehicles come in contact with gate stops, kerbs or roughnesses in the road. Moreover, wings giving an 8 inches clearance when the vehicle was laden would give a considerably greater clearance when the vehicle was light. The manufacturers recognise the importance of the problem, and state that they are continuing to keep it under examination and experiment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that the present restrictions imposed on certain classes of visitors to Palestine will not affect adversely the success of the enlarged Levant Fair of 1934; and whether any steps are being taken to modify the restrictions during the currency of this fair?

In the case of visitors to the Levant Fair, the High Commissioner for Palestine has decided to authorise the grant of travellers' visas without the requirement of deposits to merchants, manufacturers, and large shop keepers, and to officials connected with trade pavilions and officials of foreign trade delegations, on the recommendation of the appropriate Government Department or Chamber of Commerce, or in the case of officials of trade pavilions, of the Committee of the fair, provided that the usual conditions in regard to the grant of travellers' visas are satisfied. These concessions should adequately facilitate the business of the fair. The High Commissioner does not consider it possible to allow any further relaxation of the regulations, in view of the relatively large illicit immigration which took place during the previous Levant Fair.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether, in connection with the recent annual fleet selection boards for candidates for the rank of sub-lieutenant, he will state how many boards were held and the ports at which they were held; and whether he will give the number of candidates and the number who were successful, together with the number who were also selected last year and rejected at the final selection board?

Full particulars have not yet been received at the Admiralty of the fleet selection boards held this year or of the ratings recommended as suitable for promotion to commissioned rank. Information in regard to last year was given in replies to two questions by the hon. Member on 31st May, 1933, and to questions by him and the hon. Member for Aberavon (Mr. Cove) on 29th November, 1933.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers of the ratings who took the March higher educational test for sub-lieutenant and sub-lieutenant (E), respectively; and the numbers who were successful in each case?

As all the worked papers from distant stations have not yet been received, the results of the educational examination held in March last for promotion to acting sublieutenant are not available, but it is hoped to announce them by the middle of this month. No examination for promotion to acting sub-lieutenant (E) took place in March. This examination is now held only once a year—in October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the figures showing the value of imports and exports between Denmark and this country since the coming into force of the recent Trade Agreement?

The Trade Agreement with Denmark came into operation as from 20th June, 1933. During the nine months ended 31st March, 1934, the total declared value of the imports of merchandise into the United Kingdom consigned from Denmark (including the Force Islands) amounted to £25,926,000, while exports to Denmark amounted to £9,722,000, including re-exports valued at £502,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether certificates to perform operations upon living animals are proposed to be granted to the Birmingham Medical School, the new wing of the Birmingham Hospital?

The medical school of the Birmingham General Hospital is not registered under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, for the performance therein of experiments on living animals.