asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the declaration of the Common Serjeant at the Central Criminal Court on 22nd October, anent the impossibility in the present state of the law of deporting undesirable convicted Cypriots; and whether he will consider strengthening the law in respect of the deportation of convicted persons of alien birth?

I have seen the statements on this matter which have appeared in the press. In consequence of the annexation of Cyprus, a large number of Cypriots became British subjects, and there is no power to deport British subjects from this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the "City of Paris," on which there was a recent explosion in the boiler-room, carries a crew of 196, all lascars; and whether he is satisfied that the proportion of white seamen is being maintained on vessels of this type?

I am informed that when the steamship "City of Paris" opened her agreement with the crew at Birkenhead on 27th September, 1934, for the current voyage, the crew consisted of 34 Europeans and 170 lascars, and that the proportion of Europeans has been approximately the same for several years.

asked the Prime Minister whether on the occasion next year of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Coronation, it is proposed to invite delegates from the different parts of the Empire overseas to attend the various functions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Lord President of the Council in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee) on 30th July last.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the commissioners inquiring into the death of Mrs. Molly Taylor, of Manchester, state that at least an hour should elapse before the transfer of a newly confined mother to an ambulance unless the doctor in charge otherwise decides; and whether, seeing that in the opinion of the authorities of the best hospitals such as the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies, quoted by Sir George Newman as one of those having the lowest maternal mortality rate, a period of 24 hours is indicated, the Minister is prepared to uphold the lower standard suggested by the commissioners?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The commissioners did not suggest a standard but a minimum which should not be disregarded even in exceptional circumstances. There is no question that it is highly desirable that a longer period than one; hour should elapse before the removal of a maternity patient after delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition of 4th December from the East Fife branch of the Herring Producers Association, representing the great majority of herring fishermen in the district, with regard to the desirability, in the interests of the winter fishing season, of confirming the proposed by-law No. 42 of the Fishery Board; and if, before coming to a decision on the matter, he will bear in mind that the drift net is the traditional method of fishing in the Firth of Forth?

I have received the petition referred to and shall keep it in view, together with my hon. Friend's representations, when I am considering the question of confirming the by-law.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of towns which have refused to put down pedestrian crossings; whether there are any such towns in Wales; and, if so, will he give their names?

I have not yet fixed the date by which schemes from outside the London Traffic Area shall be submitted to me.