asked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what authority was anti-war literature, circulated during the military pageant in Edinburgh last week, seized by the police?

I am informed that the police took possession of the literature referred to in the exercise of their duty of enforcing Section 193 of the Edinburgh Corporation Order Confirmation Act, 1933.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has considered the representations from the farmers in Perth, East Lothian, and Fife protesting against the Scottish Milk Marketing Board's policy, because of its unfairness to them in comparison with farmers who produce milk for manufacturing purposes; and will the Government consider the amendment of the scheme to secure equitable treatment for farmers and lower prices in summer for consumers;(2) if the committee of investigation appointed to consider complaints by consumers against the charging of winter prices for summer supplies has yet made

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to secure for British industry a substantial share of the trade resulting from Persia's prosperous development in recent years; and what further steps are contemplated?

The complaints made by the East of Scotland Milk Producers' Federation as to the operation of the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme and also the report of the Consumers' Committee as to the summer retail prices of milk have been referred to the Committee of Investigation in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Committee are fully aware of the desirability of dealing expeditiously with the matters referred to them. On receipt of their reports I shall consider what action, if any, is called for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the import and export figures of British trade with Persia during the past three years, stating separately the figures in connection with the oil industry?

The following table shows the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks:

I would point out that United Kingdom domestic exports to Persia rose from £727,000 in 1931, to £1,056,000 in 1933. His Majesty's Government are always ready to take any steps that may be practicable to increase United Kingdom exports to Persia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any statement on the contemplated initiation with the Italian Government of negotiations for a new commercial treaty?

Commercial discussions of limited scope have recently been opened with the Italian Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Law and Practice relating to Trade Marks, that some of the recommendations made by the Committee involve fundamental changes in the existing trade-mark law and are of importance and urgency to commercial and industrial interests, he proposes to introduce shortly a Bill to amend the law relating to trade marks?

The recommendations made by the Committee are at present under consideration, but I can hold out no hope that it will be possible to introduce legislation this Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet considered the criticisms in the report of the Milk Reorganisation Committee on the unfairness of the Food and Drugs Adulteration Act, 1928, to the milk producer in certain cases; and will he now take steps to secure that the Act works fairly?

Yes, Sir, but I am not at present satisfied that there is need for legislation on this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the ignorance which is prevalent as to the terms of Article 12 of the public assistance committees' code, which enables supplementary benefit to be obtained by individuals in receipt of transitional benefit, he will take steps to make the provisions of this section more generally known?

I cannot identify the code to which my hon. Friend refers. The situation in regard to supplementation of transitional payment in cases of need is, I am advised, generally very well known in the local areas and I do not think any further notification on the matter is requisite.

asked the Minister of Transport by what authority white lines for the guidance of pedestrians have been drawn across public highways in the city of Westminster and the borough of Holborn; and whether, in view of the confusion already caused by the presence of such lines and of the disfigurement of such highways, he will take steps for the withdrawal of such lines or for the modification of this design?

Authority to make regulations prescribing these crossing-places is conferred by the London Traffic Act, 1924, and the Road Traffic Act, 1930. The existing markings are experimental and their position and design will be reviewed as soon as sufficient experience of their operation in guiding pedestrian and other traffic has been obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when Sir Alan Pim, the commissioner sent out to report on the economic conditions in British Honduras, returned from Belize, and when his report is likely to be published; and what steps are being taken to provide an adequate water supply for Belize, whose inhabitants are at present dependent upon rain water for domestic purposes?

Sir Alan Pim returned to this country from British Honduras on 5th February. Copies of his report are already on their way to the Colony, and as soon as they arrive simultaneous publication will take place in British Honduras and in this country. The question of the water supply of Belize did not figure in Sir Alan Pim's terms of reference, but the matter is one which has for some time been engaging attention, and will be further examined by the new Governor of British Honduras as soon as he can conveniently do so after taking up duty in the Colony.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what requests have been made to him from seaside resorts that warships should collaborate in special schemes for seaside illuminations; and the nature of such requests and the attitude of his Department towards such requests?

Requests for His Majesty's ships to be illuminated would ordinarily be addressed to the flag officer commanding the squadron or to the captain of the ship concerned, and in normal circumstances would be complied with. No such requests have been received at the Admiralty.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in relation to Lieutenant J. Slater, he will state the grounds on which this officer was granted retired pay of £200 a year to be paid retrospectively; and whether this officer was serving, and, if so, in what rank, on 31st July, 1914, the nature of his first commission, his period of service on demobilisation, and in what ranks?

This officer was serving in the rank of sergeant on 31st July, 1914, and on demobilisation he had three years' commissioned service and 14 years' service in successive ranks from gunner to warrant officer. He was first appointed to a temporary commission instead of to a permanent commission; but this was found to have been a mistake and the error was then rectified. Accordingly he was awarded retired pay from the date of his retirement on 17th October, 1920.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the families of many men of the Territorial Army have to seek public assistance during the absence of such men at the annual training, owing to separation allowances not being payable to men under 26 years of age; and whether the Government will sympathetically consider an alteration of the regulations so as to entitle married men of the Territorial Army to separation allowances irrespective of age?

This proposal and others are under consideration by the War Office, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary how many convicts are confined today in how many prisons; what is the average annual cost of maintaining a convict, both male and female; and how do the figures compare with those of 1927?

On 5th June there were 1,605 men and 59 women undergoing terms of penal servitude in 29 prisons. Of the 1,605 men, 1,349 are in the four prisons set apart for convicts. The average cost per head in convict prisons for men, including administrative charges and charges in respect of the pay and pensions of the staff, was £136 4s. 2d. in 1932. Calculated on a similar basis it was £145 18s. 2d. in 1927. I cannot give similar figures relating to women convicts, since the cost cannot be isolated from that of other women in the same establishments.