asked the Minister of labour whether he can now state the name of the chairman and the names of the other members of the statutory comitee under Part I of the Unemployment Act; and what salary the chairman, the vice-chairman, and the other members of the committee are to receive?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce the constitution of the statutory committee, but I will make the announcement as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount of money vated by theis House for the National Council of Social Service; the amount spent by them; and where it was spent?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the organisations that are recognised by the court of referees and the umpires to select the person or persons to put the case for the workers before referees or the umpire?

There is no list of recognised organisations for this purpose. A claimant for benefit may select any person, not being counsel or a solicitor, to represent him before the court of referees, and an association of employed persons, of which a claimant is a member, has a right of appearance before the court if the claim has been made in accordance with an arrangement made with that association under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. An appeal to the umpire may be made by an association of employed persons on behalf of a member, and it rests with the umpire to decide whether a particular organization is such as association.

Do I understand that all those who appear before the courts of referees or the umpire must be members of organisations recognised by the Minister?

Oh no, Sir.

Then does it mean that anybody, whether he belongs to an organisation or not, can appear before the courts of referees and the umpire?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large number of women who will be affected by the working of the Unemployment Assistant Board, he will ensure that a due proportion of the higher con-

Any individual not acting as a solicitor or counsel can appear before a court of referees and any individual can appear before the umpire if the applicant is himself entitled to appeal.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons totally unemployed and partially unemployed in Wigan for the years 1930, 193], 1932 and 1933, ending on 31st March, giving separate figures for men and women?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The appointment of staff is a matter for the board. I have no doubt that they have this point fully in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, under the scheme for grouping Employment Exchanges for the purpose of removing anomalies in connection with the discharge of temporary staffs, the exchange at Ebbw Vale has not been grouped with any other parent exchange, and that, as a consequence, junior staffs in neighbouring exchanges have been given greater opportunities of retention than senior staffs at Ebbw Vale; whether he is aware that the agreement made on the Whitley Council provided for grouping to take place having regard to local travelling facilities, and that certain of the staffs in the neighbouring exchanges actually reside at Ebbw Vale; and whether he is aware that the divisional arrangements to give effect to the agreement reached on the departmental Whitley Council in so far as they involve Ebbw Vale have not been the subject of any discussion with the staffs employed in that exchange, and that there is resentment at this particular arrangement; and whether he will give instructions that the position at this exchange in relation to the grouping system should be reviewed?

The general principles of these arrangements were agreed upon by the Ministry's Departmental Whitley Council and the local details in Wales were discussed with representatives of the staff associations recognised by the Department as representing exchange staffs. I was not previously aware of any complaint regarding Ebbw Vale, but in view of the hon. Member's question, the position there will be further discussed with these associations.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is now in a position to state the total number of surplus workers in the respective areas where investigations are being made by the four commissioners; the chief industries in which these workers were employed; and the total population affected?

No, Sir. Any estimate of the surplus industrial population in any area must depend on so many hypothetical factors that I should be loth to commit myself to any figure.

Would the commissioners be able to get those figures? Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that one of the reasons of the Minister of Labour for sending out these commissioners was that the data as to surplus population were not up to date?

I am quite familiar with that point, and I hope it may be possible, when we get the reports and study them, to get some idea, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do, it can only be an idea. I hope we shall have data which will enable us to form an opinion, but to get actual figures is almost impossible.

Will those data be available to the House?

I could not answer that question. The reports have not been received, and it is too early to commit myself as to the course we shall take.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give serious consideration to this question, as it is very difficult for the House and the country to deal with the matter unless they get data upon which to work?

I quite see that, and when we come down to grapple with the subject, which hitherto has baffled all Governments, we shall have to get sufficient information to enable us to form an opinion.

Do we understand the Lord President to say that the Government have not yet made up their minds as to what they are going to do with the reports? May one ask whether the House is to be given the opportunity of seeing the reports?

That question has been answered already.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed in the County of Carmarthen on 30th June of each of the last three years; and the number representing the coal, steel, and tin-plate industries, respectively?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, cir-

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons receiving ordinary benefit and transitional benefit in the Wales division on the latest available date, as compared with June, 1932, and June, 1933?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of young persons under 21 years of age in the Wales division; the numbers employed in the coal industry and the steel and tinplate industry, respectively; and the number who have been unemployed for a longer period than one year?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of commissioners and their staff in the County of Durham from their appointment to the latest available date; and whether such cost has been sanctioned by this House?

The cost of the commissioners and their staff in the County of Durham from their appointment in December, 1932, to 30th June, 1934, is approximately £82,000. Authority for this expenditure is given by Article 7 of the Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, together with the approval by Parliament of the annual estimates for the Ministry of Labour.

Then were the Estimates Committee wrong when they said that this sum had not been voted by Parliament?

No, that is not what the Estimates Committee said. They did not question any lack of statutory authority. What they did say was that an opportunity might have been taken to present the matter in a more formal way, and that point will be considered.

Does that mean that we can now have an opportunity of debating it?

Oh, no, we are considering the future.

Can the Minister say whether the cost of the administration saved the amount which would have been paid if no commissioners had been appointed?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the 25th anniversary of Their Majesties' coronation and of the desire of manufacturers to produce articles in commemoration of that event, it is his intention to issue regulations as to the use which can be made in this connection of reproductions of portrait heads of Their Majesties?

It is not proposed to issue any regulations on the subject.

Will there be an official recognition?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from the chief inspector of police for Richmond, Surrey, in connection with a meeting of the Richmond branch of the British Union of Fascists; and whether anyone was arrested and what was the charge and the outcome of the case?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has obtained a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who informs him that on the 7th instant a Fascist meeting was held in Heron Court, Richmond, and was followed after an interval of 15 minutes by a Communist meeting. A number of persons were standing in the footway at the corner of Heron Court causing obstruction to foot passengers. The police instructed them to disperse, and one person was arrested and charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duty. He appeared before the justices on the 9th instant when the case was dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the magistrates in question dispute the evidence given by the police; and does it not seem rather strange that the Fascists get off every time and the others get convicted?

asked the Home Secretary on whose authority a raid was made on the Stainforth Democratic Workmen's Club on 26th June; whether the documents and books have now been returned; and what action, if any, has been taken against the club?

A report on this case has been received from the chief constable. of the West Riding of Yorkshire. The club was entered by the police on the authority of search warrants granted by a magistrate under the Gaming Act, 1845, and the Licensing (Consolidation) Act, 1910, and proceedings against the club under the latter Act are in contemplation. The documents which were seized, under the authority of the warrant, in the course of the raid, and which I am informed will be required for the purposes of the proceedings, are still in the possession of the police.

Do we understand from the reply that the charge was one of having fruit machines, or similar machines?

I cannot say anything about the matter as it is sub judice

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to introduce legislation in order to carry out the recommendations of the departmental committee on the composition and description of food?

The report of this committee is under consideration, and I

As the answers involve tabular statements, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health what number of nurses were employed by local authorities in Wales in 1926, 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933; and the number for Glamorgan, separately, for each of the years?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT tables containing the

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Board's recommendation last year that the annual reports of school medical officers should be abridged as much as possible holds for the present year; and whether, in view of the valuable nature of these reports, the Department will reconsider its views on the question?

The Board have not recommended that the annual reports of school medical officers should be abridged as much as possible. In a memorandum which they issued to local education

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can now give the names of the 10 local education authorities which are intending shortly to use their school meals powers under the Education Act, 1921?

Proposals made by the following seven local education authorities have been formally or conditionally approved by the Board: Cannock, Caernarvonshire, East Retford, Hereford (Borough), Llanelly, Loughborough, Staffordshire. A scheme of the Bedford Borough Authority was approved some time ago, but the authority have not yet put it into operation owing to the assistance received from voluntary funds. Two authorities (Chadderton and Worcestershire) were not included in the 190 authorities mentioned in my speech of the 30th May last on the Board's Estimates, as they were not at that time exercising their powers, although they had done so at an earlier date. Their arrangements have been approved.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of houses built and under construction at the last convenient date under the Housing Act, 1930; and what additional number of houses is added thereby to the total housing accommodation which the new houses replace?

The numbers of new houses completed and under construction under this Act at the 31st March last were 17,569 and 10,512 respectively. The number of houses which had been demolished under this Act at the same date was 19,840.

asked the Minister of Health which insurance committees have now applied for the abandonment of economy cuts in the salaries of their officials; and whether approval has been given to such applications?

Thirty-five insurance committees have applied for the complete restoration of the cuts made as an emergency economy in the salaries of their officials. In one case approval has been given. With permission, I will circulate a list of the names of these committees in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular issued to insurance committees following the decision of the Government that one-half of the economy deduction made in 1931 shall be restored from 1st July. Replies to that circular are now being received, and consent is being given to the restoration of one-half the cuts originally imposed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet filled the post of medical officer for maternity and child welfare rendered vacant by the resignation of Dame Janet Campbell and, if not, when he proposes to do so?

I have placed in charge of the maternity and child welfare work a most experienced woman medical officer, who previously acted as deputy to Dame Janet Campbell. She is directly responsible to the chief medical officer, and receives additional remuneration for her increased responsibilities. An additional woman medical officer will shortly be added to the staff engaged in this important branch of the work of the medical staff.

Is it a fact that the successor to Dame Janet Campbell has not been given the same rank as she had; and may I ask whether it is proposed that she shall have such rank?

No, Sir, the title of the office is subject to an alteration, which I shall be very glad to explain to my hon. Friend if he requires the information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of temporary clerks in the employ of his Department, the number of clerks who have been employed by managers of local branch Employment Exchanges, and the number of temporary clerks who are to be established in the reorganisation which is due shortly to take place?

On 1st July, 1934, 9,359 temporary clerks were employed by the Ministry of Labour, of whom about 2,000 have been engaged on a casual basis for the annual exchange of unemployment books. The branch managers affected by the reorganisation proposals to which the hon. Member presumably refers employ on the work of the Ministry 1,080 full-time clerks who are the private employés of the branch managers and are not included in the figure of 9,359. Subject to efficiency and to the requirements of the work at the date of reorganisation, these clerks will be taken over by the Ministry as temporary clerks.

Are any of these men likely to be immediately displaced by the new organisation?

That will depend on their efficiency and the requirements of the work to be done.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the percentage of married women wage-earners to all married women in England and Wales in 1911, 1921 and 1931;

With respect to the first question, the percentage of married women "employés" to all married women in England and Wales was 7.76 in 1921 and 8.91 in 1931. Corresponding figures are not available for 1911. With respect to the second question, figures of married women "employés" are not available by local areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to make a statement on the methods adopted by Canadian motor-car manufacturers to fulfil the 50 per cent. content for preference purposes of entry into this country?

As promised on the 28th June, I have written to the hon. Member on this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the manner in which the Canadian Government have carried out the arrangement in regard to the 50 per cent.?

As this is an allegation against the Canadian Government made upon the Floor of the House, will the Chancellor of the Exchequer not give the details equal publicity?

I shall be very pleased to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the letter which I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardships inflicted on those carrying considerable stocks of artificial silk through the sudden reduction of the excise duty on that commodity; and whether he is prepared to make some concession in order to mitigate that hardship?

Representations have been made to me on this matter, but after careful consideration of the circumstances I do not feel able to make any concession.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is prepared to give time for the Motion in the name of the right hon. Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Amery) and other hon. Members on the subject of the trade agreement with Lithuania?—

"That this House greatly regrets that the provisions of the trade agreement with Lithuania will, through the operation of the most-favoured-nation clause, extend by a further six months the restrictions contained in the trade agreement with Denmark on our power to safeguard the British production of butter, bacon, hams, and eggs.

In view of the state of public business, I regret that I can hold out no hope of special facilities being granted for this discussion. I would remind my right hon. Friend that opportunities for raising this subject will occur in the normal course of business.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before ratifying the trade agreement with Lithuania, he is prepared to endeavour to arrange that in respect of butter, bacon, ham, and eggs its provisions shall terminate on the same date as the trade agreement with Denmark, namely, 20th June, 1936 instead of on 31st December, 1936?

My right hon. Friend is unable to adopt this suggestion. I would remind my hon. Friend that the agreement with Finland, which contains similar provisions in regard to these commodities, is not due to expire until 23rd November, 1936.

Does that mean that the subsidy in respect of milk products will have to be continued for some weeks longer than would otherwise be the case?

My hon. Friend is not quite correct on a technical point in regard to this question.

Is not the 31st December later than the 23rd November in most countries?

I cannot discuss the matter within the compass of question and answer, but I could clearly demonstrate to my hon. Friend where he is in error.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what tariff and other commercial concessions have been made to Great Britain by Canada since the Anglo-Canadian Trade Agreement?

The import duty has been reduced, or the preference increased, on United Kingdom goods in the case of some 40 items or parts of items in the Canadian Customs Tariff. In addi- tion, the Excise Tax of 3 per cent. on United Kingdom goods has been reduced to 1½ per cent., and a number of modifications have been made in Canadian Regulations with a view to facilitating the trade of this country with Canada.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement on the subject of the new tariff preferences being granted by New Zealand in favour of United Kingdom goods?

A large number of modifications in the New Zealand Customs Tariff came into force on 10th July. I am not yet fully informed as to the effect of the changes, but I will have a complete statement of them published in the Board of Trade Journal at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the position of foreign investors resident abroad under the German debt agreement signed on 4th July, 1934, which discriminates between bonds of the German International 5½ per cent. Loan, 1930 (the Young Loan), held by British nationals or foreigners domiciled in Great Britain on the one hand and bonds held by foreign nationals resident abroad on the other, in spite of the fact that these bonds have been publicly issued in London and officially quoted on the London Stock Exchange and nowhere else; and, in view of the adverse effect of such discrimination, what action he proposes to take to maintain the volume of investments from abroad on the London Stock Exchange and the revenue accruing therefrom to His Majesty's Government?

The position of bonds of the sterling issues of the Dawes and Young Loans, which were on 15th June, 1934, owned by foreigners resident abroad, was very fully considered during the course of the negotiations. I regret that the German Government were not willing to extend to these bonds the same treatment as that given to bonds owned by British holders, but I do not consider that any further action can usefully be taken by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is contributed annually to the British Exchequer by Bermuda, Cyprus, Ceylon, Mauritius, the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong and India in respect of payment for the establishment and upkeep of British forces in these Colonies; and what is he percentage of the total revenue of the respective Governments required to pay these contributions?

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the different dates upon which the year is presumed to end in respect of national finances and, in particular, to the provisions whereby the year is regarded as ending on 5th April in respect of Income Tax, on 24th March in respect of Land Tax, and on 31st March in respect of the revenue and expenditure figures as contained in the Financial Statement; and whether, with a view to simplification, he will consider the selection of one date for the ending of the financial year?

Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to this matter and the question of assimilating the ending date of the year of assessment to the ending date of the State's financial year has been considered; but as no real inconvenience arises from the present system, which is due to historical causes, and as any alteration would cause considerable complications, it has been decided that no action in the matter is necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total interest cost of the floating debt for the financial year 1933–34, when the average rate of interest was 12s. 6d. per cent.?

The total cost was £4,139,174.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if alcohol distilled from molasses and used as motor fuel is subjected to taxation as such; and, if not, will he state the reason for such exemption?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on this subject to the hon. and gallant Mem- ber for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner) on 6th March, and to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 3rd May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the highest ground rent charged in respect of the recent building leases in Regent Street to a sitting tenant; and what alternative was available to such tenant if he had refused to accept the terms offered by the Crown Lands Department?

The highest ground rent per square foot which was agreed with a sitting tenant was 36s. for an unusually valuable site in Lower Regent Street, extending into Piccadilly Circus. The remainder of the question is hypothetical and I am accordingly afraid I can express no opinion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a tenant who occupied large ground floor and upper floor space in a Regent Street building was recently offered a tenancy direct from the Crown in the Haymarket at a rent lower than that which could economically be accepted in the Regent Street building, owing to the high ground rent charged by the Crown Lands Department; and whether he will assure the House that this practice will not be continued?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the case of a company who were sub-tenants of accommodation at Nos. 14–16, Regent Street. The tenancy in the Haymarket referred to was not offered direct from the Crown, but was a sub-tenancy granted by the Crown lessees of the Haymarket premises in question, and the commissioners are not aware of the rent charged under the subtenancy. The last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a Crown lessee in Regent Street was recently obliged to let space to the Income Tax Commissioners at a rental of approximately 5s. a square foot; that this rental was determined by a valuation made by Government surveyors; that such valuation is only half what would be necessary if the building were let at a figure sufficient to cover the ground rental charged by the Crown Lands Department and the cost of the building erected to the Crown's requirements; and whether he will make an inquiry into the circumstances of this case?

I understand that a Crown lessee in Lower Regent Street recently granted a fourth-floor tenancy for the purpose of an Income Tax office at a rental of 5s. a square foot, exclusive of rates, taxes and cleaning, that being the rate offered by the lessee after negotiations between his agents and the Office of Works. The rental was not determined by a valuation made by Government surveyors. In the absence of full information as to the history of the premises since rebuilding, the amount of the expenditure incurred on building and equipment respectively, and the various lettings and the accommodation provided in each case, I can express no opinion on the calculations made in the third part of the question.

Is it fair that a price should be offered which has been fixed by the Crown Surveyor, and which, if accepted, makes it utterly impossible to let such premises at an economic rent?

I have stated that the rent was not determined by a valuation made by the Government Surveyor.

I am informed that it was.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the serious position of the export trade in ships' biscuits, owing to the incidence of the wheat quota; and what steps he proposes to take to help this industry to regain this trade?

Representations have been made to me from time to time, by persons concerned with the export trade in ships' biscuits, in favour of refunding quota payments made under the Wheat Act, 1932, on flour used in the manufacture of ships' biscuits which are subsequently exported. The matter has been given most careful consideration, but it has not so far been found possible to overcome the practical difficulties involved.

Is the right hon. Gentleman's mind finally closed on this matter, or is he prepared to give further consideration to it in order to arrive at some scheme of drawback?

I would be very ready to examine any scheme which my hon. Friend brought forward. I know the difficulties.

Is it beyond the wit of the Ministry of Agriculture to discover a formula which would define the contents of ships' biscuits?

We are very stupid people in Agriculture, and we hope to get some assistance from the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much chilled meat has been imported into this country from Uruguay and Brazil during April and May last; and whether he is aware that this meat competes to a greater extent with the home product than the frozen meat from the Dominions?

The following quantities of chilled beef were imported into the United Kingdom from Uruguay and Brazil in April and May last:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the protests by representative associations of periodical and magazine publishers against the publication of the "Home Farmer" by the Milk Marketing Board and if in future his Department, or organisations set up by it, will refrain from using public funds for the purpose of entering the competitive newspaper and periodical field?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I am not aware that public funds are being used in the way suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend in the second part of his question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the rivers of the Yorkshire Ouse watershed are potentially salmon-producing, but contain numerous obstructions to the passage of salmon; and whether he will exercise powers under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act of 1923, or will confer with the conservators of the Yorkshire fishery district to use some of the £3,500 now held by those conservators, to improve and develop the salmon fisheries in this district?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With reference to the second part, I have no powers, within the district of a Fishery Board, either to carry out works or to require them to be carried out.

Has the Minister any powers under Part II of the Act to watch these questions of salmon fisheries?

I have not any powers to deal with works.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the application made to him to prevent access to Rombalds Moor, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, during the months of April, May, August and September in every year, he will say whether any and, if so, what representations in respect of such application have been made to him by local authorities concerned; and whether, before assenting to such application, he will give full consideration to the fact that the moor is subject to a statutory right of the public to access for air and exercise which is of benefit to the thickly populated neighbouring districts?

An application has been made to me in accordance with Section 193 of the Law of Property Act, 1925, to impose certain restrictions on the public rights of access conferred by that Section to Rombalds Moor. I have received no representations of protest, but formal public notice of the application has yet to be given in the locality, and a period of three months is allowed for objections. If any objection of substance is put forward no decision will be reached until a public inquiry has been held at which all persons or authorities interested in the matter will be entitled to be heard. The hon. Member may rest assured that the fullest consideration will be given to all relevant circumstances.

What would the right hon. Gentleman consider an objection of substance? For instance, would it be an objection of substance against closing the moor that the public of the neighbouring districts have a right of access to it, under the Law of Property Act, 1925?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this district is a popular resort, particularly during these months, and will he give the matter further consideration in order that no unreasonable check may be imposed upon the tourists and visitors during that period?

My hon. Friends may rest assured that the fullest consideration will be given to all these varied circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many revised plans the Ordnance Survey published in 1913 and 1933, respectively; and what number of revised plans it is hoped to publish this year

The only comparable figures are those in respect of the 25 inch plans, of which 2,448 were published in 1913 and 680 in 1933. I regret that I cannot say at present what number is likely to be published during the present year.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why the general public are still deprived of part of the Botanical Gardens, Regent's Park, by tennis courts used only by relatively few persons; and will he, without depriving the tennis players of their enjoyment, transfer the courts elsewhere to enable a much larger number of the general public to enjoy the gardens as a quiet retreat during the summer months?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the last portion of the reply given on the 5th July to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Sir N. G rattan-Doyle).

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the dissatisfaction expressed about the Regent's Park inner circle gardens and the St. John's Lodge scheme, he will take steps to transfer these national possessions to the Marylebone municipal authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932?

I cannot agree that there is any widespread dissatisfaction with my management of these gardens, and I am unable to entertain my hon. and learned Friend's suggestion.

Would my right hon. Friend allow the Parks Committee of the London County Council to supervise some of the Inner Circle Gardens?

No, certainly not. We are extremely proud of the Royal Parks as they have been maintained in the past, and not only are there no complaints of the way in Which they are managed, but usually there is considerable envy on the part of other authorities.

Would my right hon. Friend be kind enough to send a copy of his answer to the Home Secretary, who, upstairs this morning, thought that local government was better than national government?

Is it not a fact that residents in the neighbourhood are very well satisfied with the general administration of the Park?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recommendation contained in paragraph 5 of the Special Report from the Committee of Public Accounts relating to the amendment of Standing Order No. 74; and whether he intends to ask the House to implement that recommendation?

Yes, Sir. The Government accept the Committee's recommendation, and an amendment of Standing Order No. 74 will be put down for discussion as soon as opportunity offers.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, with regard to the fireguard strip at the west side of the National Gallery, his Department will divest the strip of the temporary structures and design an architectural screen to hide the present untidy appearance?

A scheme somewhat on the lines of that suggested by my hon. and learned Friend has been approved, and will be put in hand shortly. The existing trellis will be removed, and a high wood fence screened by an evergreen hedge will be substituted further back, so as to shut out the back view of the site. The front part of the site will be laid out as lawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the demand for houses and business premises in Tel Aviv and Haifa is considerably in excess of the supply; what has been the consequent percentage rise in rents; and what steps are being taken to meet the demand for additional labour required in the building trade?

On the recommendation of a local committee, temporary legislation was enacted in Palestine last April in order to restrict the increase of rents of dwelling-houses in the larger towns. The committee estimated that in Tel-Aviv the average in- crease demanded in 1934 in the rents of dwellings, as compared with the previous year, was between 40 and 50 per cent. In the case of Haifa the committee did not make an estimate of the increase, but they remarked that rents which had been rather low from the end of 1929 began to rise steeply last July. The Director of Immigration in Palestine is empowered by law to admit persons skilled in certain trades or crafts who possess capital of not less than £250, provided that he is satisfied that the economic capacity of Palestine is such as to allow such persons to be absorbed in the trade or craft which they propose to follow; and I understand that 500 such persons will be admitted in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the Palestinian Government's total surplus on 30th April, 1934; and what was the surplus for the year ended 31st March, 1934?

The total surplus of Palestine on the 30th April, 1934, was £2,634,460. The surplus at the 31st March, 1934, was £2,510,932.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest recorded number of men employed on public works in Palestine and how many of these were Jews?

The annual report on Palestine for the year 1933 shows that, during the period from the 1st April to the 31st December, employment in the Public Works Department amounted to 790,065 men days, of which Jewish labour accounted for 68,982 men days. The total spent in wages was £125,615, of which £26,993 was paid to Jewish labour.