asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that representations were first made to his Department, with regard to the differences in practice at the several dockyards in the manner of giving credit for acting service in a higher grade to certain hired industrial employés when they are subsequently confirmed in the higher situation, on 4th April, 1933, he can arrange for a decision in the matter to be expedited?

As stated in my replies to my hon. Friend's previous questions of 26th February and 18th April, this matter is being actively investigated and will be pursued with all possible expedition. I will inform him of the decisions reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many promotions from warrant to commissioned rank in His Majesty's Navy were made in the year 1933?

Sixty-five promotions were made from warrant to commissioned rank (i.e., commissioned officer from warrant rank) in the Royal Navy in the year 1933.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of shipping under construction in this country and abroad, respectively, at the close of the quarter ending 25th March, 1933, and on the last available date, respectively?

According to the returns published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, the tonnage of merchant vessels of 100 tons gross and upwards under construction on 31st March, 1933, in Great Britain and Ireland was 252,401 tons gross, and in the rest of the world (excluding Russia) 488,543 tons gross. These figures compare with 481,440 tons gross and 597,731 tons gross, respectively, on 31st March, 1934.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total exports of the Argentine Republic was taken by the United Kingdom for the year 1933, or the latest available date?

The value of exports to the United Kingdom represented 36.6 per cent. of the total value of the exports from the Argentine Republic in 1933.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the apprehension which exists among the staff of the Department of the Registers and Records of Scotland as to the possible extensions of service beyond the age of retiral, whether any such extensions are contemplated in the near future?

It is proposed, with the consent of the Treasury, to retain the services of the Prefect of Copying for a short period beyond the date at which he would otherwise have been retired, so as to allow of adequate consideration of the future staff requirements of the copying branch in the light of experience of the use of the photographic methods of reproduction recently introduced. With this exception, it is not proposed to extend the services of any officer of the Department, who is due to retire under the age limit in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for India if a memorandum, signed by 16 Ordinaries of South India and presented to the Ministry of Education of the Madras Presidency, has been forwarded to his Department; and will its observations be taken into account in considering the introduction of the Champion scheme?

I have not received a copy of this memorandum, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution passed at the annual meeting of the National Anti-Vaccination League and submitted to him; and whether he can see his way to undertake not to decide the form that legislation on the vaccination question shall take until he has received a deputation from the opponents of vaccination?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I will consider the suggestion in the second part before introducing legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health the proportion of aliens to the total population in Great Britain; and if he can give any figures showing, as nearly as can be ascertained, the corresponding proportion in the case of France?

The proportion of foreign-born population of alien and unstated nationality to the total population enumerated in Great Britain at the 1931 Census was 45 per 10,000. Corresponding figures for Prance do not appear to be as yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of permits issued for the immigration of aliens to employment in this country during the past six months?

During the six months 1st December, 1933, to 31st May, 1934, 5,005 permits were issued.