asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department is contemplating the reduction of the minimum charge for telegrams; and, in that case, whether he can give any details?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, East (Brigadier-General Nation) on the 9th instant, the question of telegram charges is at present receiving careful consideration, but the investigations involved must necessarily occupy some time yet. No conclusions have been arrived at, and I am therefore not in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in deciding on giving the air-mail contracts to railway air services, he took into consideration similar services which could be rendered by private air-line companies; and whether he asked them to tender?

The use of the Inland Air Services which have been placed at my disposal by Railway Air Services, Limited, is purely experimental. My hon. Friend may rest assured that before final arrangements are made, due regard will be taken of any available air service which will be suitable for Post Office requirements.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the delivery of telegrams by motor-cycle messengers is proving successful; and whether it is to be extended and, if so, in which districts?

The experiment is proving successful in the limited field in which the local conditions are specially suited to motor-cycle delivery of telegrams. Extensions are in view in London, Nottingham and Dundee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider making an issue of new or commemoration stamps in connection with the celebration of the King's Silver Jubilee next year?

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General what use has been made during the past 12 months of the Empire Marketing Board films taken over by the Post Office; whether he can give a list of the titles of these films; and if he can indicate in what manner they can be used for the direct advantage of the Post Office?

During the last 12 months the films in question have been widely shown in schools and other institutions, and at special displays arranged by the Post Office. They have been found to provide an appropriate background for the display of films directly illustrating the Post Office services. As the list of film titles is lengthy I am sending it to my hon. Friend.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, during negotiations with the University of London respecting the use of St. John's Lodge, Regent's Park, by that body, he will arrange for the current productions of Metropolitan art schools to be exhibited in the building?

A very considerable amount of money would require to be spent on St. John's Lodge before it could be made suitable for any purpose, and in these circumstances I cannot entertain the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is intended at the expiration of the tennis court leases to use the Botanical Gardens, Regent's Park, wholly as gardens or partly as a sports area; and, if the latter is the case, will he provide, on adjacent Crown property, an equal garden area to compensate for the garden displacement within the Botanical Gardens enclosure?

As I have already stated in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Fulham (Sir C. Cobb), I have made no decision about the future of the tennis courts. I should like to make it clear that no new tennis courts have been constructed since my Department took over the gardens from the Boyal Botanic Society, and that consequently no question of displacement arises.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps are being taken by the Government of Bengal and by the Government of India to relieve the famine and destitution in Eastern Bengal consequent on the recent earthquake and floods in Assam and the Sylhet Valley?

I will ask the Government of India for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for India, in reference to the earthquake in Bihar, what are the approximate amounts raised by each of the relief funds in this country and India; what have been the total amounts contributed by the Government of India and the Government of Bihar; whether much flooding has been caused by the monsoon rains in-the devastated areas; whether it is anticipated that further help will be needed from this country; and whether it is proposed to issue any report on the earthquake and the whole subject of relief?

The latest available figures of subscriptions in, India are: Viceroy's fund £419,500, Babu Rajendra Prasad's fund £166,400, Mayor of Calcutta's fund £35,600. In this country the Lord Mayor's fund now amounts to more than £53,000, in addition to about £6,700 received by the High Commissioner for India. The position as regards contributions from Central revenues is somewhat complicated and is explained in the speech of the Finance Member when he introduced the Budget. I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Precise information as to the expenditure that may fall on Bihar revenues is not yet available. Severe floods have occurred in and around Muzaffapur, but so far as my information goes not elsewhere in Bihar. Further contributions from this country will be most welcome and useful. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a report issued by the Bihar Government on 21st June regarding the progress of reconstruction measures.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Pandit Nehru was sentenced on any charges including violence or incitement thereto; and whether, seeing that prior to his imprisonment he was engaged in the condemnation of terrorism in Bengal, the Secretary of State for India will order his release in view of the abandonment of the civil resistance movement?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 16th July.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the case of one J. E. Locke, against whom in April last three non-bailable warrants were issued by the chief presidency magistrate of Calcutta, in spite of the production at the court of medical certificates verifying the serious illness of the said Locke, and which warrants were eventually cancelled by the Calcutta High Court; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the matter?

I have no information regarding the case referred to. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the replies given to the right hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) and the hon. Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether he will suggest that the Government of India should release Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a leader of the Congress movement, in view of the abandonment of the civil disobedience movement by the Congress and its adoption of a plan of constitutional opposition; (2) whether Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the leader of the Congress movement in the North-West Frontier Province, is detained in gaol on any specific charge and, if so, what; whether he has received any trial by any court or authority in British-India; and whether he has been informed of his offence or the term of his imprisonment?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Congress leader of the North-West Frontier Province is detained in gaol on any charge or after any form of trial; whether the Khan is guilty of violence or incitement thereto; and whether the Government will now order his release?

Abdul Ghaffar Khan has been detained since 27th December, 1931, under Regulation III of 1818. State prisoners detained under the Regulations are not placed on trial before a Court nor is any specific charge preferred against them, but Abdul Ghaffar's activities before his arrest included very definite incitements to violence. He will be released when Government are satisfied that his detention is no longer essential in the public interest and that his release will not cause trouble in the Province.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many men and women are still in gaols in India in connection with the civil disobedience movement; and whether he will request the Indian Government to order their immediate release and thus make a gesture of response to the abandonment of civil disobedience by Congress?

The number of convicted civil disobedience prisoners at the end of June was 747 as compared with 32,458 in April, 1932. This figure represents a decrease of 165 in the total during the last month and, as was stated by the Government of India in their Communique of 6th June, the policy of expediting the release of such prisoners will be continued by local Governments in the light of local conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there are any men or women detained in any Province of India in camp gaols, prisons, or concentration camps without trial; if so, are they detained for definite or indefinite periods; are the offences of which they are alleged to he guilty stated or known; and whether they will be brought up to trial?

Yes, Sir, there are a certain number of prisoners detained without trial both under the State Regulations and under the Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act. Such detenus are not charged with an offence, and are not therefore brought up for trial. Their period of detention is indefinite, subject to periodic review by the local Government concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the prisoners detained in any part of India without trial include boys or girls under the age of 18, and what their number is?

None of those detained under the Regulation are under the age of 18. I have no information as to the ages of those detained under the Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Home Department of the Government of India have reserved 25 per cent of Government appointments for Mohammedans, 8⅓per cent for other minorities, 9 per cent. in Post, Telegraph, and Railway Departments for Anglo-Indians and domiciled Europeans, in addition to the number they may secure in open competition; whether he has authorised this discrimination; and if he is aware that this action is resented in India, in view of the fact that the whole question of recruitment is a subject now under consideration by the Joint Select Committee?

I approved the arrangements recently announced by the Government of India. These are, however, different from those stated in the question, in as much as the percentages reserved are not in addition to the places obtained by competitive entry but inclusive of them, and there is no special reservation for the Anglo-Indian and domiciled European community in the superior grades of the Posts and Telegraphs and Railways, though the community's position in regard to employment in the superior grades of the railways will be reconsidered if the community should fail to secure sufficient vacancies to maintain approximately their present representation in these grades. The full position can be seen from the copy of the announcement by the Government of India of these arrangements which has been placed in the Library of the House. My information is that the arrangements have been as well received as can be expected where so many different interests are affected. Though the arrangements are, of course, administrative, and not constitutional, the Joint Select Committee lave been kept informed in regard to them.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the inconclusive nature of the report of the Bombay Labour Office on wages and unemployment in the Bombay textile industry, he will request the Bombay Government to cause an inquiry to be made into the wages and conditions of employment of the workers in the Bombay textile industry, with a view to ascertaining the full value of the service rendered by the workers to the industry?

The Bombay Labour Office was instructed in February last to undertake a special investigation to ascertain the facts, under a number of specified heads, regarding wages and unemployment in the Bombay cotton textile industry. The report, which covers 220 pages, is now being examined by the Bombay Government, who will doubtless consider whether any further materials are required.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the ban imposed on organisations of the Indian National Congress has been removed in all Provinces of India, in view of the abandonment of the civil disobedience movement; and whether the Government contemplate imposing any restrictions on the activities of the Congress movement which do not involve violence or civil disobedience?

The notifications declaring unlawful the various constituent parts of the Congress organisation have been withdrawn in all Provinces, except in the case of certain revolutionary organisations or organisations considered to be a danger to the peace of the country, such as the Red Shirts organisation in the North-West Frontier Province. As regards the second part of the question, no restrictions on the activities of Congress are contemplated, so long as these do not constitute an offence against the law or indicate an intention to revive civil disobedience in any form.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the ban imposed on the Congress committee in the North-West Frontier Province has been removed; and, if not, on what grounds such discrimination is made against that predominantly Moslem Province, in view of the fact that the Congress organisation there is part of the Indian Congress movement which has now called off its civil resistance campaign?

I have nothing to add to the communique issued by the Government of India on 6th June, which dealt fully with the subject of the Red Shirts organisation in the North-West Frontier Province and of which I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Mr. P. C. Joshi was arrested by the order of the magistrate at Cawnpore, under Section 107 of the Indian penal code; what was the charge against him; what sentence was passed on him; what class treatment is being accorded to him; and whether he can state the condition of the health of this prisoner?

Mr. P. C. Joshi was convicted in Cawnpore in April, 1934, and sentenced to two and a-half years imprisonment on charges of "sedition" and "promoting enmity among classes." I have no information regarding the other parts of the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the total of Argentine and Finnish imports into the United Kingdom and exports from the United Kingdom for the periods October, 1928, to March, 1929, and October, 1930, to March, 1931;

(2) the total of the German imports into the United Kingdom and the exports from the United Kingdom to Germany for the periods April, 1928, to March, 1929, and April, 1930, to March 1931;

(3) the total of Danish, Icelandic, Swedish, and Norwegian imports into the United Kingdom and exports from the United Kingdom for the periods July, 1928, to March, 1929, and July, 1930, to March, 1931?

The following table shows the total declared value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in the trade with the undermentioned countries during the periods specified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any representations have been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee by home manufacturers for an increase in the duty on foreign binder twine and cords imported into this country; and, if so, when any decision on this matter may be expected?

No such application has recently been advertised by the Import Duties Advisory Committee, to whom any representations on the subject would naturally be addressed.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) the quantity and value of jute bacon-wrappers purchased by Denmark from the United Kingdom during the first six months of the present year and during the corresponding periods of 1933 and 1932;

(2) the quantity and value of jute bacon-wrappers purchased by Denmark from the United Kingdom during the months of April to June, inclusive, of the present year, and during the corresponding periods of 1933 and 1932?

The Danish trade statistics include jute wrappers and new sacks under the same heading but the bulk of the imports consist of wrap- pers. The following table shows the imports of jute wrappers and new sacks into Denmark from the United Kingdom for the periods specified.

Period.	Weight.	Value.
	Kilos.	Kroner.
January-June inclusive
1932	478,300	364,000
1933	501,700	461,000
1934	462,200	377,000
1932—April	88,000	73,000
May	97,100	83,000
June	62,900	54,000
Total	248,000	210,000
1933—April	60,200	58,000
May	72,000	68,000
June	82,300	78,000
Total	214,500	204,000
1934—April	56,200	61,000
May	67,700	66,000
June	37,600	36,000
Total	161,500	163,000

The above figures are exclusive of United Kingdom jute cloth exported for the manufacture of wrappers in Denmark. According to information supplied by the Dundee jute industry, over 1,000,000 yards of cloth were so exported during the first six months of 1934. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Messrs. Harrods, Limited, of Knightsbridge, are selling cartridges the cases and caps of which were manufactured abroad but which were filled in this country; that these cartridges bear in large type the name of the firm and in small type the words "Filled in Great Britain"; and whether he will institute a prosecution against this firm under the Merchandise Marks Act as the wording is of a kind calculated to deceive the purchaser?

I have seen a specimen cartridge which is marked "Loaded in Great Britain." I am informed that a considerable proportion of the cost of these cartridges is attributable to British labour and materials, and I am advised that in the circumstances the use of the name of this British firm on the cartridges is not an offence against the existing law.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is taking any steps for the prohibition of Sunday fishing during the autumn season at Yarmouth; and whether he is obtaining the co-operation of the English Ministry and the English branch of the industry?

I have been asked to reply. I have no power to prohibit or restrict herring fishing on Sundays or at any other time and the only way whereby the restriction could be effected would be by agreement within the industry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will amend the law so that no arrests for offences against public morals can be made by police officers in plain clothes?

No, Sir; I do not think that an amendment of the law in the sense suggested would be in the public interest.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will amend the law so as to prohibit the publication of any particulars concerning the case of an individual arrested for an offence against public morals unless a conviction results?

I recognise that where a person is charged with an offence of this kind, press publicity may in many cases be detrimental to the defendant even if the charge is eventually dismissed; but there are other cases where it is in the interest of the defendant that publicity should be given to his acquittal. There would be great difficulties in restricting publicity in the way which my hon. Friend suggests, and I do not see my way to initiate legislation for the purpose.

asked the Prime Minister the form of the invitation issued to the Powers concerned to attend the next Naval Conference; and whether the full text of such invitations has been made public?

No such invitation has as yet been issued.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in regard to wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, beef, mutton and eggs, the amount of home production, of imports from Empire sources, and of imports from foreign countries in each of the last 10 years and in the first half of 1934; and the average price, or price index number, with reference to any convenient standard year in each period?

The information desired is given in the following statements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to give further particulars with regard to the arrangements contemplated for the purposes of payments to producers under the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Bill?

By the provisions of Clause 4 of the Bill it is the duty of the cattle committee to prepare and submit to the appropriate Ministers particulars of the arrangements referred to, and the hon. Member will of course appreciate that I cannot anticipate the detailed proposals likely to be submitted. At this stage I am only in a position to give general indications having regard to the advice already received by the appropriate Ministers from representatives of organisations of persons engaged in the fat cattle trade. The system to be adopted will provide for the examination and weighing of the live cattle and of carcases of cattle in respect of which claims for payments out of the cattle fund will be made; for the recording of their weights; and finally for certification that they have complied with the provisions of the Act. Centres at which these operations can take place will have to be approved throughout the United Kingdom. For live cattle such centres will probably be established at existing cattle markets which are equipped with the necessary weighing; facilities and penning or tying accommodation. The duty of examining and certifying animals as eligible for payment will be a responsible one. Thanks to the offer of assistance from the representative organisations of farmers, auctioneers and meat tradesmen and from the representatives of local authorities, it is hoped that, at the minimum expense to producers, it will be possible to arrange that this duty will be performed at each centre by three persons, each representing one of these interests. Different arrangements for examination and certification will have to be made for Northern Ireland owing to the different conditions prevailing there, but I am not yet in a position to give particulars. The permanent mark applied to an animal at the time of certification will probably take the form of a snip from the edge of the ear and a hole in the ear which will be made by means of an ear punch. The form of certificate is receiving careful consideration. There will probably be two forms for live animals, one for use in cases where the certifying officer is in a position to certify that a sale has actually taken place, and the other for use in all other cases. This will enable a producer to retain an animal for a limited time, if desired, after having it certified, without foregoing his right to payment under the Act. I am not yet in a position to give particulars of arrangements at dead weight centres. I hope to be in a position to announce the composition of the cattle committee as soon as the Bill has completed its passage through Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the Governments represented at Geneva have stated that they will not agree to the international supervision of armaments or to the guarantees for the execution of a Disarmament Convention; and, if so, will he give particulars and the dates on which such declarations were made?

; Proposals for various forms of international supervision have from time to time been submitted by different Governments, who have accompanied them with reserves or with parallel proposals on other subjects, but while there has been no general agreement on any form of supervision, no Government has explicitly rejected the principle. The question of guarantees for the execution of a Disarmament Convention has only recently come before the Conference as a specific issue. It has been studied by a small committee at Geneva, the chairman of which has submitted on his own responsibility a tentative note on the subject for the consideration of Governments, who have as yet had no public opportunity of expressing their views.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the text of the Paris Air Agreement of 7th May, 1926?

The text of the Paris Air Agreement of 1926 is published as No.1381 in Volume 58 of the League of Nations Treaty Series, 1926 to 1927, pages 331 to 374. The hon. Member will find the publication in question in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the air committee appointed by the General Commission of the Disarmament Conference has not yet met; and whether he has any information as to when it will hold its first meeting

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 18th July, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the Governments represented at the Disarmament Conference have declared themselves in principle opposed to the internationalisation, or international control, or supervision of civil aviation; and, if so, will he give the dates on which such declarations have been made?

The Governments of the Argentine, Canada, Japan and the United States declared in a document dated 3rd April, 1933, that in non-European regions they considered the internationalisation or international control of civil aviation presented insuperable difficulties to fair, just and reasonable application and was in consequence not acceptable. Apart from this declaration, I am not aware that any Government opposed in terms the idea of internationalisation or international control of civil aviation, but I should add that, pending the working out of some effective practical scheme, there has been no general agreement among other Governments on this principle.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the Governments represented at the Disarmament Conference have definitely declared themselves opposed to the abolition of military aviation with or without the internationalisation or control of civil aviation; and if he will give the dates on which such declarations were made?

I do not think that any Government has explicitly declared itself opposed to the abolition of military aviation, but it is generally recognised that, without accompanying measures designed effectively to prevent the misuse of civil aviation, such abolition is not practicable.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any cases have been brought to his notice in which commutation of pension has been followed after a lapse of time by enforced recourse to the Poor Law on the part of the commuter; and, if so, how many of such cases have there been?

No such cases have been brought to my notice. The statutory regulations with regard to the matter are directly aimed at restricting commutation in order to prevent the occurrence of such cases, inasmuch as commutation is not granted unless it can be shown that the pensioner would suffer grave hardship if it were refused, and that a substantial proportion, which is never less than 16s. a week, of the pension remains uncommuted. Every effort is made by the Ministry to safeguard the future interests of applicants by careful examination of the prospects in each case.

asked the Minister of Pensions the future policy of his Department in regard to hospital treatment of pensioners; whether it is proposed to continue the existence of Ministry of Pensions institutions or whether pensioners will receive in-patient treatment in voluntary and/or rate-aided hospitals at the Ministry's expense; when such change, if any, will be effected; the number of pensioners admitted to Ministry institutions for treatment for the years 1931, 1932, and 1933, and the number admitted to other institutions for treatment, approved by the Ministry, for the same years?

The policy of the Ministry is to make use of civil hospitals as far as possible consistently with the interests of the Ministry's patients, but there are certain types of war disability as, for example, nervous and mental disorder, epilepsy, paraplegia and certain types of surgical case, for which either ordinary civil institutions do not provide or which can be more suitably dealt with in specialised Ministry institutions. No change is contemplated, in this policy, which will continue to be pursued so long as the interests of the patients demand. The particulars asked for in the remainder of the question are as follow:

Number of cases* admitted to hospital as in-patients.
—	1931.	1932.	1933.
In Ministry Hospital†	7,501	6,264	5,790
In Voluntary Hospitals and General Civil Hospital.	3,478	2,541	1,966
Totals	10,979	8,805	7,756
* Not including pensioners certified as of unsound mind in Public Mental Hospitals.
†Including Queen Mary's Hospital, Roebampton.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of

Number of houses completed in Scotland during the quarter beginning 1st January, 1932, and each succeeding quarter to date.
—				State-Assisted Houses. (Local Authorities and Private Enterprise.)	Unassisted Houses. (Private Enterprise.)
1932.
Quarter beginning 1st January	…	…	…	3,185	1,726*†
Quarter beginning 1st April	…	…	…	4,371	1,726*†
Quarter beginning 1st July	…	…	…	3,856	1,726*†
Quarter beginning 1st October	…	…	…	4,406	1,726*†
1933.
Quarter beginning 1st January	…	…	…	3,441	5,570*†
Quarter beginning 1st April	…	…	…	5,610	5,570*†
Quarter beginning 1st July	…	…	…	5,514	5,570*†
Quarter beginning 1st October	…	…	…	6,350	5,570*†
1934.
Quarter beginning 1st January	…	…	…	7,140	818†
Quarter beginning 1st April	…	…	…	4,710	1,680†
* Quarterly Returns of unassisted houses were not obtained prior to the quarter beginning 1st January, 1934. Before that date the Returns were made annually.
† These figures show the total numbers of houses built by unassisted private enterprise. They respectively include 1,456, 5,202, 737 and 1,524 houses of five apartments or under.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what burghs in Scotland notified the Department pf Health at the end of 1933 that they had no slums?

The general statement submitted by the town councils of the following burghs under Sub-section 2 of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, showed that no houses were estimated to be required during the five years 1934–38 to replace houses unfit for human habitation:

Abernethy.	Kilrenny.
Ballater.	Kintore.
Bridge of Allan.	Ladybank.
Cove.	Largs.
Crail.	Lauder.
Cullen.	Laurencekirk.
Culross.	Millport.
Dornoch.	Monifieth.
Elie.	New Galloway.
Fortrose.	Newport.
Falkland.	Portknockie.
Inveraray.	Prestwick.
Inverbervie.	Tobermory.

The particulars desired are given in the following table:The Department of Health have accepted these statements in the case of

Abernethy.	Fortrose.
Cove.	Largs.
Cullen.	New Galloway.
Elie.	Prestwick.

but in the other cases further investigations are being made.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed in England and Wales during the quarter beginning 1st January, 1932, and in each succeeding quarter?

Since the returns as to houses provided without State assistance are furnished only for half-yearly periods ending March and September, it is not possible to give the figures for each quarter as desired. The following statement shows the number of houses completed in England and Wales during each half-year since 30th September, 1931:

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses under construction by local authorities at the end of each month during the present year?

The numbers of dwellings under construction by local authorities in England and Wales with the aid of Exchequer subsidy under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, or the Housing Act, 1930, at the end of each month from January to June, 1934, inclusive, were 29,121, 26,206, 21,720, 19,441, 17,429 and 16,020 respectively. These figures include progressively diminishing numbers under the first mentioned Act, and progressively increasing numbers under the Act of 1930. Monthly returns of the number of houses constructed by such authorities without financial assistance from the Exchequer are not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the firm of builders. were declared bankrupt before the completion of their contract, and that the necessary correspondence with the Ministry of Health for permission to advertise for further tenders was responsible for the amount of time which would have allowed the houses to be completed by 30th June, he is prepared to grant a short extension to the Ledbury Urban District Council for the completion of certain houses in order that they may continue to qualify for a subsidy under the 1924 Act?

I approved the 14 houses in question for subsidy under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, on 11th July, 1933, subject to their completion by 31st March, 1934. In view of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers, I agreed to an extension of the period of completion to 30th June, 1934.

I regret that I am unable to grant any extension in a particular case beyond this date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the present situation in respect of the Albany Street site in St. Pancras; whether he is aware that this property has now been empty for three years and that if a more reasonable figure had been asked for it it could have have been disposed of some time ago for housing purposes; and whether he will take steps to make this site available for slum clearance?

I am aware of the circumstances with regard to the site in question. New steps are now being taken to dispose of the property. The price asked for it has been fixed on expert advice, and I do not think it can be considered to be unreasonable. It is not proposed to use this particular block of the Crown Estate for slum clearance dwellings, but other parts of the estate are being so used.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the bare appearance presented by those parts of Eastern Avenue, leading to Southend, which are not planted with trees or shrubs.; and whether, in view of the fact that some sections of this road have been so planted, he will take steps to complete this planting?

It has long been the policy of my Department to encourage the planting of trees and shrubs by the side of highways, and to assist the highway authorities, who are responsible for roads in their respective areas, by means of grants. The County of Essex have not shown themselves slow to take action in suitable cases; and I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to their notice.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there have been complaints recently at the action of the London Passenger Transport Board in withdrawing omnibus ser- vices without giving notice to the public; that the most recent case is that of omnibuses serving North Cheam, which were withdrawn without notice following upon some protest against the unnecessary running of omnibuses over private roads in the Cheam; and whether he will make representations to the Board on the matter?

I was not aware that there had been any such complaints, but I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that the North Cheam service which was commenced on 27th June was withdrawn last week at the request of the Sutton and Cheam Urban District Council, who stated that one of the roads concerned had not so far been adopted as a public highway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the confusion of rights which appear to exist on certain pedestrian crossing-places where traffic light-control systems are in operation and the traffic can only move from one street to another, he will consider the removal of all central white lines from all crossings where light traffic-controls exist, in order to show that they are not pedestrian rights of way and instal the studded system of crossings indicating pedestrians' rights of way, as used in Paris on all selected crossings where no traffic light-control system is in operation?

I shall keep carefully in mind this and other suggestions which my hon. and gallant Friend has been good enough to make.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to increase the number of "C" pedestrians' crossing-places in the Metropolitan area; whether he can inform the House of the estimated cost of one of these, equipped as at present, with white lines painted on the carriage-way and two "C" signs on the pavements with electric lighting installed showing up each side of them; and how the cost of this design of crossing compares with the ordinary metal studded one which is used for the same purpose in Paris?

I have already invited the co-operation of the local authorities in extending this experiment to some 90 miles of roads radiating from the centre of London to the outer suburbs and at a number of crossings the "C" signs are to be erected. The cost of marking one crossing-place on the carriageway, including the erection and wiring for lighting of two "C" signs, is about £42 inclusive of maintenance for three months. The estimated cost of a cross marking with metal studs is about £20. It was considered necessary in initiating this system to take every possible means to ensure that drivers as well as pedestrians had their attention clearly drawn to the existence of these crossings, but I hope that as the system spreads and becomes better known, it may be possible to dispense with these signs and thus substantially reduce the cost of the markings. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware the system now in operation must be regarded as an experiment and before a final decision is taken as to the type of marking which should be permanently adopted all considerations, including that of economy, will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no notice on the road as to the termination of the 30-miles speed limit at Oxford; and if he will see that the point where the limit ceases is indicated clearly to motorists?

:I do not think there is in practice much difficulty in discovering where these speed limits end, but I am obliged to my bon. and gallant Friend for drawing attention to the point, and will consider it in connection with the signs to be used for indicating the speed limit of 30 miles per hour in built-up areas generally.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will represent to local authorities the necessity of placing omnibus and tramcar stops as near as possible to the entrance of schools, especially where these are situated on main traffic routes, in order to avert the danger which arises from children trying to board or dismount from omnibuses or tramcars in motion?

I do not think that a general rule of this kind would make for the safety of traffic, but if the hon. Member has particular cases in mind, I would look into them.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of persons employed on the railways at the latest convenient date this year and the number so employed at the same period in 1931, 1932, and 1933?

A census of the staff employed by the railway companies is taken annually for a week in March and details are published in the Railway Companies' (Staff) Return. The numbers of persons employed by the railway companies (including persons employed in their ancillary businesses) during March of 1931, 1932 and 1933 were respectively 615,592, 597,971 and 566,300.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can give any information to the House in regard to the accident that occurred when a bridge collapsed over the Avon at Temple Meads, Bristol; and the number of persons injured and the cause of the accident?

I am informed that on 26th July, while the bridge in question was being demolished, an arch collapsed and fell into the river, and six persons were injured. The adjacent public highway was not affected.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can give any information to the House in regard to three men, haulage contractors of Slough, who appeared before the Doncaster Police Court for working an employé longer hours than allowed under the regulations of the Road Transport Act?

I have no information in regard to this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the action taken by the London and North Eastern Railway Company in serving notice on coalowners that it is the intention to close the River Derwent for navigation as from 1st August; and whether, having regard to the injury which will be done to the inhabitants of the districts adjacent to the River Derwent by the waterway being closed to navigation, as is proposed, he will consider the desirability of securing by legislation or otherwise that the waterway in question shall be kept open?

I have noticed statements in the Press to the effect that the railway company, on behalf of the proprietors of the navigation, have notified owners of boats that the locks in the river will be closed, but I am not fully aware of the present position. I will, however, make inquiries and let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is his intention to schedule areas in which during certain night hours the use of motor horns will be forbidden; and whether this experiment is to be confined to the Metropolitan area?

I intend to try this experiment, and not to limit it to the Metropolitan area.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many of the machines in the new squadrons are to be bombers and how many fighters?

The programme for the expansion of the Royal Air Force is still in course of elaboration, but at present it is contemplated that the proportion of bomber to fighter will he 2 to 1.