asked the President of the Board of Trade what imports of meat are subject to statutory regulation; whether such regulations are in fact in force; if so, since what date and in regard to what classes of meat; and what has been the effect of such regulation?

The importation of frozen mutton, frozen lamb, frozen beef (carcases and boned beef) and chilled beef from foreign countries has been regulated by statutory Order since 1st January, 1933. So far as frozen meat is concerned, the effect of the regulation has been a progressive reduction in imports, in accordance with the Ottawa Agreements, up to 35 per cent. of the quantity imported in the basic period of 12 months ended 30th June, 1932. Voluntary arrangements have been made for the reduction of imports of foreign chilled beef below the quantity provided for in the Ottawa Agreements. The importation of cattle from the Irish Free State has been regulated by statutory Order since 1st January, 1934, and the importation of beef and veal and edible beef and veal offals from that source has been prohibited by the same Order since that date. The effect of the regulation has been to reduce imports of fat cattle from the Irish Free State in 1934 by some 50 per cent. as compared with 1933, and to keep imports of the other regulated classes of cattle within the quantity im ported in 1933. Under the arrangement relating to coal and cattle provision has been made for some increase in the quantities of cattle to be admitted from the Irish Free State this year. Imports of foreign bacon, including hams and certain other kinds of cured pig meat, have been regulated by statutory Order since 1st December, 1933, with the object of maintaining total supplies on the home market at the level recommended by the, Reorganisation Commission for Pigs and Pig Products. All the Orders referred to are still in force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what voluntary agreements for the limitation of meat are in operation, and with what countries they have been concluded?

Voluntary arrangements are in operation for the limitation of imports of chilled beef, frozen beef offals, canned beef and frozen pork from foreign countries. These arrangements have been made with the importers. The arrangements in regard to pork will shortly be placed on a statutory basis, and an Order for that purpose will be laid before this House at an early date. A valuable measure of co-operation in the arrangements for the regulation of meat supplies has been secured from Empire countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with what countries there are at present voluntary agreements in force for the limitation of eggs and poultry, and what is the nature of those agreements?

There are no voluntary agreements in regard to poultry. The Governments of exporting countries have been invited to regulate their exports to the United Kingdom of eggs in shell during the current quarter in such a manner as to effect a ten per cent. reduction in the total imports from foreign countries as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1934.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses completed in England and Wales during each half-year from 31st March, 1931, to the half-year ended 30th September, 1934, showing separately the figures for State-assisted and unassisted houses?

I would refer the right hon. Member to Table II on page 6 of the housing progress return issued in December last, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that at the request of 15 nations the question of the nationality of women, with particular reference to the equal nationality treaty signed by 21 republics at Montevideo in December, 1933, has been placed upon the agenda of the 16th Assembly of the League of Nations, and that New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada have already taken steps in this direction, the Government will propose to the other Governments within the British Commonwealth of Nations that the common status of the married woman shall be placed upon the same footing as regards British nationality as that of a man or single woman without delay?

I have considered my honourable and gallant Friend's suggestions but, as at present advised, I do not feel that any useful purpose would be served by an approach to the Dominion Governments at the present time on the lines suggested by him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education when approval was given by his Department to plans for a new all-age school for 220 children in the parish of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Cambridge; when was his Department first approached on this matter; and whether there has been any undue delay?

Sketch plans for the enlargement, in new buildings, of the Cambridge Union Road Roman Catholic school, which I presume is the school referred to, from 136 to 220 places were approved by the Board on 1st February, 1935. The period of publication of notice under Section 18 of the Education Act, 1921, of the proposed enlargement expired on 3rd June, 1933. The case presented great difficulties owing to the smallness of the site; and there were numerous letters and correspondence between the Board, the local education authority and the managers, and also between the secretary of the Catholic Education Council and myself.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of wireless licences taken out in each of the counties of Wales during 1932, 1933 and 1934?

The following statement shows the approximate number of wireless receiving licences issued in each of the counties of Wales during the years 1932, 1933 and 1934. The figures are only approximate, as the records available relate to postal districts, the boundaries of which overlap in many cases the boundaries of the counties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement upon the proposals made to him by the deputations representing the Cornish fishery industry when he recently visited the county of Cornwall?

Most of the proposals made by the deputations representing the Cornish fishing industry related to matters falling within the sphere of the Sea-Fish Commission. The Commission have already reported on the herring industry and the Government's proposals in regard to this industry are embodied in the Herring Industry Bill, which is now before Parliament. The Commission are now investigating white fishing problems and intend to pay a visit to Cornwall at an early date.