asked the Minister of Pensions what would be the estimated cost of granting an extra day's pay to ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions on 6th May in celebration of His Majesty's jubilee?

The estimated cost is £56,000.

asked the Home Secretary how many licences to experiment on animals under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, were granted in 1934 to persons not holding any medical or scientific degrees?

19 licences were granted during 1934 to persons not holding any medical or scientific degrees, but in each case satisfactory evidence was produced that the applicant was qualified to perform the experiments for which the licence was granted.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of people, if any, killed or injured in the City of London during the 12 months prior to the erection of beacons; the number of beacons which have been erected in the City of London and their cost; and the number of people, if any, killed or injured in the City of London since the installation of beacons?

Beacons began to be erected at pedestrian crossing-places in the City of London on 22nd December, 1934, and 87 beacons have been installed. The cost of the beacons was £95. During the 12 months prior to 22nd December last, 14 persons were killed in road accidents in the City and 603 were injured, and during the subsequent six weeks one person was killed and 43 were injured.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give an estimate of the approximate mileage of the electric tramway services in the United Kingdom; what proportion of them draw their current from the overhead system of supply and what proportion of them from the central underground rail system; and how many miles, approximately, have been transformed into trolley-bus services and how many miles scrapped and changed into the ordinary motor omnibus services during the last three years or so?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find the latest information available as to tramways and trolley vehicle undertakings in Great Britain in the annual return for the year 1933–34 which has been presented to the House. The approximate route mileage of electric tramways at the end of the period covered by this return was 1,752. Ninety-three per cent. of the mileage is operated on the overhead system and 7 per cent. (all in London) on the underground conduit system. The mileage abandoned during the year 1933–34 and the two previous years was approximately 400 miles. I have not in all cases definite information as to the nature of the services, if any, which have replaced the tramways thus abandoned, but trolley vehicles have been substituted on about 110 miles and motor omnibus services have probably been substituted over the remaining routes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if official or private reports have reached his Depart- ment relative to a condition of famine in British East Africa among the natives; and have any relief measures been instituted?

I have received no recent reports indicating a state of famine in any part of East Africa. Early in 1934 a serious food shortage developed in the Coast Province of Kenya owing to heavy locust infestation and the cumulative effects of four seasons of drought. The sum of £3,000 was voted by Legislative Council on 15th February in relief. In April a further £2,000 was provided by Government for the coastal areas to supplement contributions of £1,750 from other sources. At the same time, £1,500 was voted for the Turkana district where prolonged drought, extending over several years, had destroyed the pasturage; and in August a further £750 was provided from Government funds, mainly for the Turkana district.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated net revenue derived from duties on spirits, home and imported, beer, home and imported, imported wine, British wine and hops during the calendar year 1934?

The following table gives the particulars for which the hon. Member asks:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information in regard to the matter of making suitable arrangements for the purpose of ensuring that persons attending the Employment Exchanges in the Caerphilly area can do so under shelter from bad weather; and whether he will have this matter inquired into?

Steps have been taken already with a view to the provision of new accommodation for the Caerphilly Exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General the reasons for the exceptional promotion of an assistant supervisor in the Central Telegraph Office to the post of supervisor, higher grade, passing over 92 officers; whether he is aware that the selected officer has passed over several officers of her own age or younger; that her experience is limited to the phonogram room; that she has never been employed as an assistant supervisor on circulation or instrument-room floor duties; that she does not hold the necessary technical qualifications that would have given her a double increment; that she has never acted as a supervisor; and that the appointment has caused great dissatisfaction and discouragement to other officers?

I am aware of the circumstances. Full consideration was given by the Central Telegraph Office Promotion Board to the claims and qualifications of all the supervising officers concerned. The officer who was recommended for promotion is regarded as possessing special qualifications for the vacant appointment, and I am satisfied that her promotion is in the best interests of the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of money expended upon the erection and improvement of dwelling-houses under the scheme of the Department of Agriculture for loans for crofter housing; and the number of houses built and reconstructed in 1934?

The amount of money expended by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland for the improvement or rebuilding of dwelling-houses or other buildings of landholders, cottars and others from 1st April, 1920, to 31st December, 1934, was approximately £395,000. During the year 1934 loans were made for rebuilding 87 houses and for the improvement of 220 existing buildings (mostly houses).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Department of Agriculture is refusing applications from landholders for buildings loans solely on the ground that funds are not available; and when he proposes to put the Department's scheme for the improvement of housing in the rural districts of Scot- land, where it is urgently required, into full operation again?

Advances made by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland under Sections 4 and 5 of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, and Section 9 of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, continue in operation as formerly. The annual appropriation of £25,000 for this service from the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund has not been reduced. With a view to the earliest utilisation of the annual provision for the purpose at the most suitable time of the year, the offer of loans to applicants is made as soon as possible after the commencement of the financial year. It follows, therefore, that there is little or no prospect of advances being authorised in the latter half of the year, viz., from October to March. The Department expect to be able to authorise advances from the provision for the financial year commencing on 1st April next, very soon after that date. Applications made during the preceding months receive priority of consideration.