asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent air reconnaissances and air patrols are being made use of to protect British shipping in Chinese waters from capture by pirates?

As the type of piracy prevalent in the China Seas takes the form of an attack from within the ship, air patrols are of little use as a preventive measure. Aircraft are, however, employed against pirates as far as possible with the limited resources available, whenever a ship is believed to have fallen into their hands. In the two most recent cases, aircraft were employed in this manner with great success.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many days were spent at sea, and in carrying out exercises, respectively, by each of the capital ships in His Majesty's Navy during 1934; how the average number compares with that spent at sea by the capital ships of His Majesty's Navy in pre-war years; and what would be the additional cost in fuel at the present time for each additional week spent at sea by the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets?

Since the answer is somewhat long and involves a tabular statement, I will with my hon Friend's permission circulate most of it in the OFFICIAL REPORT I may say how ever that the average number of days spent at sea by capital ships in 1934 is 47, Compared with 38in 1913.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long His Majesty's Australian Ships "Australia" and "Brisbane" are to remain in home waters; and what arrangements are being made to ensure that adequate hospitality is extended to the officers and men of these Dominion ships during their stay here?

The "Australia" will probably remain in home waters until early in May. The "Brisbane" will arrive in home waters early in July, and will in due course be scrapped, on replacement by the "Sydney," which will be manned by her crew. Arrangements for extending hospitality to the officers and men of both ships are under active consideration. I may mention that the Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of London have very kindly invited a representative party from the "Australia" to luncheon in Guildhall on the 10th April. I hope that these men and officers may see the Boat Race, and the Spring Meeting at Epsom.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a fair wages clause is insisted on in connection with all contracts entered into with his Department?

All contracts placed by the Admiralty with firms in this country include the fair wages clause.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why no officers on the emergency list are to take part in the Jubilee naval review at Spithead; and what is the object of maintaining an emergency list of officers, as distinct from the ordinary retired list, if they are not to be given that occasional training which would be of value to them?

The number of officers required in addition to those on the active list is limited, and the most satisfactory way of meeting the requirements is to afford officers of the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve the opportunity of performing their obligatory periodical training at the time of the Review. I think that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension as to the nature of the emergency list. This does not consist of retired officers who hold themselves in some special sense available for service, but of officers who have resigned their commissions, but have requested to be allowed to undertake the same responsibility to serve in time of emergency as is incumbent upon all officers on the retired list.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any special facilities will be given to Members of Parliament to see the Naval Review on 16th July?

Arrangements are in hand, and I hope will shortly be completed, whereby an opportunity will be given to Members of both Houses of Parliament to see the Review of the Fleet at Spithead on the 16th of July. The accommodation that will be available should make it possible to reserve about 1,200 places in all for members of the two Houses and their wives. The hospital ship "Maine" and two Southern Railway steamers will convey guests round the Fleet in the wake of the Royal Yacht "Victoria and Albert" and the Admiralty Yacht, "Enchantress." Special trains will be run from London to embark guests, and if there is sufficient demand it may be possible to arrange for a subsequent journey by steamer to see the illumination of the Fleet which takes place from 10.30 p.m. till midnight. It will be necessary to make a charge of £1 per head to cover the railway journey and such meals as are taken in the train. Members who wish to see the Review will be asked later to enter their names in a book in the office of the Speaker's Secretary. It will not be possible to allot more than two tickets to any member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the possibility of permitting military or other bands between certain hours on the night of 6th May to play dance music in specified streets or squares in London, such streets or squares to be selected by him for their proximity to areas where large crowds are likely to-gather, and with a view to the minimum congestion of traffic, so that the public may have the opportunity of celebrating the Jubilee by dancing in those places?

No, Sir; I think that my hon. Friend's suggestion would greatly add to the difficulty, which will in any event be great, of regulating the crowds on this occasion.

Will my right hon. Friend not reconsider the desirability of having some such arrangements at any rate in the poorer districts of London?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the extensive building of wharves and quays at the French West African port of Dakar, he is satisfied with the primitive arrangements at Freetown and Bathurst; and whether he proposes to take any action?

I have received no complaints of the inadequacy of the wharfage and quay accommodation at Bathurst and Freetown. Improvements of the Government wharfage accommodation at Bathurst are at present being carried out, and it is expected that they will be completed during this year. A grant from the Colonial Development Fund of approximately one-half of the cost of construct-

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information to give as to the outbreak of yellow fever on the West Coast of Africa; whether the outbreak is now stopped; and whether the necessary help from research stations and personnel at home has been promptly forthcoming?

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any complaints as to the immigration of Syrian (French) persons for trading in the Colonies of the West Coast of Africa; and whether the deposit asked for has proved insufficient?

Representations on this subject have been received from a private firm and from the Government of Nigeria, but the opinions of the West African Governments generally are divided, and no specific proposals have been laid before me. I have no reason to believe that the deposit to which my hon. and gallant Friend alludes is insufficient for the purpose of preventing the immigration of persons without visible means of support or likely to become paupers.

Will my right hon. Friend inquire whether these French Syrians are not taking money out of the country which might be kept in the country if the trade were in the hands of British or local traders?

This is rather too wide a question to discuss by means of question and answer. Different views have been expressed by the various Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposal to establish an airport at Lydda for use in Palestine and on the Empire services of Imperial Airways has now been abandoned; whether another site has been yet chosen; when it is expected that construction will commence; and whether, in view of the unsuitability of Gaza for an aerodrome, this work can be expedited?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative: the second part does not therefore arise. Close examination is being given to the best means of developing the Lydda site, which will be used by Imperial Airways, Limited, in place of the air-port at Gaza; and my hon. Friend may be assured that there will be no avoidable delay.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the information, may I ask him whether there is any proposal to establish another air port in the vicinity of Tel-Aviv?

No, I have already answered that question; about a week ago.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in view of the congestion which obtains in the poorer sections of Tel-Aviv there is an urgent need for the provision of more hospital beds for maternity cases and hospital accommodation generally; and whether he will suggest to the High Commissioner For Palestine that urgent consideration should be given to the proposals of the municipality of Tel-Aviv to be permitted to provide such additional and improved accommodation without delay?

I am not in a position to confirm the statement in the first part of the question, but I will bring the representations of my hon. and gallant Friend to the notice of the High Commissioner for Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Iraq Petroleum Company and the Palestine Potash Company held no official exploration permits under the Palestine mining laws to explore or survey in the region at the south end of the Dead Sea up to 6th October, 1934, when His Majesty's Government notified Dr. Homer and the British group that no further permits would be granted until after the Palestine mining laws had been amended, and that such permits as were granted to the Iraq Petroleum Company in 1933 applied to different areas; and are these companies still to be allowed to work while the British group is prevented from working?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to exploration permits for oil. So far as I am aware, the Palestine Potash Company hold no such permits either in Palestine or in Transjordan; but a small area of land immediately south of the Dead Sea has been made available to that company, not for oil exploration, but in connection with their potash works. One of the permits granted to the Iraq Petroleum Company is in respect of an area in Transjordan to the south of the Dead Sea, of approximately 500 square kilometres. This permit was granted by the Government of Transjordan in 1933. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies which I gave to him on the 19th March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these two companies have been in this district with boring machinery since the Government stated that no work was to be done, and that meanwhile British development is being held up?

I have answered that question three or four times. What I have said is that no new permits have been or would be granted pending a reconsideration and redrafting of the law, but that old permits would continue in force.

May I ask—

The hon. and gallant Member has already been answered three or four times.

What is it that we are getting in return from these companies or from Iraq?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been reached as to the establishment of a broadcasting station in Jamaica; whether it is proposed that such station should serve the whole of the West Indies; and whether he will give the scheme every encouragement, in order to diminish the reliance of the West Indies on programmes and radio apparatus from the United States of America?

My latest information in the matter is that, following upon a motion in the Jamaica Legislative Council, a local committee was to be appointed to examine the whole question of broadcasting in the colony. Pending the report of this committee and its consideration by the Government of Jamaica, no decision is being taken as to the establishment of a broadcasting station in Jamaica; but I can assure my hon. Friend that I am always anxious to encourage the establishment of such stations in the colonies where circumstances permit. I may add that I am informed that recent reports received by the British Broadcasting Corporation show that the direct reception in Jamaica of the daily transmissions from the Empire Station at Daventry is now excellent.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given consideration to the desirability of prohibiting the exhibition of red lights and signs on the roads other than those indicating danger or warning signals?

Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, already directs highway authorities to require the removal of any object which so closely resembles a traffic sign that it might reasonably be taken to be such a sign. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular lights or signs on roads in mind and will communicate with me, I will take up the matter immediately. There is, however, no power to remove lights or signs of any kind simply because they may be visible from a road.

Has the Minister of Transport in his own experience of the roads come across the difficulties which arise when these red lights in the distance appear to be danger signals?

Yes, Sir, and I am glad to do anything within the powers Parliament has conferred upon me. If there are any special lights that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, I will attend to them, but I cannot go outside my powers.

Does my hon. Friend realise the difficulty which rests on one individual Member in calling attention to special lights, when he must know the general case?

If there is any further legislation to be undertaken, that is certainly a point which will be borne in mind.

Is it not the case that these red lights are used for advertising purposes by tradesmen on main roads, and will the hon. Gentleman make a statement as to the undesirability of using lights of this kind which confuse the public?

It is undesirable that any lights should be used in such a position as to cause confusion to motorists, and I hope that those who are inclined to use them will desist.

Is the Minister aware that in sonic municipalities tram stop lights cause great confusion to motorists and will he take steps to see that they are taken away?

Is it not the case that anybody can call attention to lights that are confusing, and that it is not necessary for Members of Parliament to call attention to them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there are intermediate restriction signs in restricted areas on main roads which, in the general absence of derestriction signs, appear to be terminating a restricted area, particularly when located so that on one side there are practically no habitations, and where, although the roads are lighted, the lamp posts are of such a nature and so located as to be easily overlooked, particularly in the daytime when not lighted; and what steps are being taken to avoid the promiscuous erection of restriction signs and to see that these are erected so as to be easily visible by the motorist, which many are not to-day?

I am aware of one case where intermediate restriction signs have been erected in this manner, and I have asked the local authority to remove them. I will at once take similar action in any other case which is brought to my notice and will also draw the attention of the local authority concerned to any restriction sign which is alleged to be insufficiently visible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, in view of the introduction of the 30-milesan-hour speed limit in built-up areas, there is no further need for the construction of traffic roundabouts within such areas; and whether he will see that no more work of this kind is carried out except in special circumstances?

I do not share my hon. Friend's view that traffic roundabouts are unnecessary in areas where the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit is in force.

Would it not be a very dangerous thing to do what is suggested in the question?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware that, as a result of the introduction of the 30-miles-per-hour limit so soon as the 18th of March last, many miles of road, including by-pass roads, are still without any de-restriction signs; and whether, in view of the confusion which is resulting therefrom, he can state when a sufficient supply of these signs will be available;

Local authorities had ample notice of the coming into force of the speed limit. The Act imposing it was passed in July last, and on 31st October local authorities were formally asked to make their preparations. Again on 14th January, they were asked to have all signs in position by 18th March. I have undertaken to pay the whole cost of certain temporary signs supplied to local authorities before that date. An estimate of the amount involved is £700. If my hon. and gallant Friend will indicate any particular road or roads he has in mind, I will at once take up the matter with the responsible local authority.

Why should I have to point out these roads? There are roads all over the country where de-restriction signs are not up. Could not the Minister use his own commissioners, who are all over the country, to see whether these de-restriction and restriction signs are in proper order?

Yes, Sir; I have been using my road engineers, but I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that I am dealing with 200,000 miles of road and 2,000 local authorities. Most of them have complied very readily with my requests, and, if there are any delays or inconveniences, I have made it my business, whenever my attention has been called to them, to persuade the local authorities to act more promptly. I will certainly do anything in my power to hasten the provision of any signs that may be missing.

On the experience that he has had since the 30-miles limit came into operation, is there not, on the whole, general satisfaction throughout the country with it?

asked the Minister of Transport what action he intends to take in view of the case of a lorry driver who was charged at Cardiff Police Court on 27th March with driving more than five-and-a-half hours at a time and more than 11 hours in 24 hours, and failing to take 10 hours' rest in 24 hours; whether he is aware that his log book showed that he had worked for 16½ hours with only half an hour for lunch and many other similar offences; that this man, when he complained to his employers, a Liverpool firm, was told that if he did not like the conditions he could get out, and when charged with the present offence he was discharged by his employers; and whether he will take steps to ensure that enough time is allowed for long-distance journeys so that drivers are not compelled to exceed the speed limit or to work such long hours at a stretch?

I am of course not empowered to take any action in a case heard in the ordinary course before magistrates. Employers who fail to observe the law in this respect are liable to prosecution, and I understand that in this particular case steps have been taken with a view to instituting further proceedings.

Will the Minister consider suspending the service in cases of repeated offences by the same employers?

I do not know that I have power to do that. The law has endeavoured to protect the driver by limiting his hours, and it is most undesirable that any employer should abuse his authority.

Has the Minister power to call for the time-table of running, say, between Birmingham and Liverpool? If so, he will see with his own eyes that drivers are compelled to exceed the 20 miles speed limit to do the journey.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost per standard and per beacon in use at pedestrian crossings, and the cost per standard and per disc of the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit; and whether all these are of British production and manufacture?

The cost of standards for beacons and speed limit signs is about 17s. 6d. each. The cost of globes is approximately 5s. and the cost of the discs of the speed limit signs varies from about 5s. for a plain sign to 20s. for the best type of reflecting sign. These signs are purchased and erected by highway authorities and I make it a condition of grant towards their cost that they should be of British manufacture. I have, however, been compelled to make an exception with regard to reflecting lenses used on these signs, which are not at present satisfactorily made in this country. On being informed of this I immediately took the matter up with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, with a view to a satisfactory article being produced.

Is it not the fact that the reflectors used in this country are still of foreign manufacture; have the resources of British production been exhausted, and what reason exists for the non-use of British reflectors?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us approximately the cost price to the manufacturers concerned of the articles he has mentioned?

asked the Minister of Transport what number of beacons are being scrapped, what amount of expenditure has been incurred in the erection of these redundant indicators, upon whom the cost of their erection and dismantlement falls; and what steps he is taking to prevent for the future the erection of unnecessary beacons?

Naturally, from time to time the position of pedestrian crossings is reviewed in the light of experience, and there is always opportunity for moving beacons, not necessary in one place, to another.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the indecision shown on the part of pedestrians and drivers of vehicles at crossings equipped with beacons, and also a policeman directing vehicular traffic; and whether he will adopt measures to obviate this difficulty?

The regulations provide that any driver approaching a crossing where traffic is for the time being controlled by a police constable shall allow uninterrupted passage to any foot passenger who has started to cross before the driver receives a signal that he may proceed. It should be clear to any pedestrian that he should not attempt to cross while the main stream of traffic is passing in accordance with a signal given by a police constable.

Is it not the case that a motor driver might pass behind a pedestrian after he has crossed the road?

Is there not good reason for the fear of pedestrians using these crossings as the truth is that the majority of motorists are still ignoring these Belisha beacons?

I hope that the present increasingly courteous manner in which motorists are observing these crossings will prevail.

Will the hon. Gentleman keep his attention on this matter with a view to seeing whether the regulations made are adequate for the purpose?

Yes, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the great difficulty of seeing a policeman on duty when he is controlling more than one passage-way in the traffic?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet completed his examination into the desirability and practicability of prescribing that the rear identification plates of motor vehicles must be discernible at night by the illuminant showing through white letters and numbers?

Further practical experiments have been carried out within the last few weeks, and I expect shortly to receive a report upon the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Mitre Bridge, Burnley, is in a very defective condition; and whether, in view of this, he is prepared to make a grant towards its reconstruction?

Yes, Sir, and I am to-day issuing a grant towards the cost of its reconstruction.

asked the Minister of Transport why residents in Bolton and district who must undergo the new driving test are compelled to visit Manchester for that purpose; and will he make arrangements for such tests to be held in Bolton, seeing that it is the centre of a population of about a quarter of a million people and offers better facilities for such tests?

There must be a radius for each particular examiner and Bolton, which is only ten miles distant and where there are comparatively few applicants, falls within the Manchester radius. Everything possible will be done to arrange times and dates suitable to applicants.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the proposed merger of capital and administration of certain electricity companies operating in the West of London; and whether he is satisfied that the proposal is not detrimental to the interests of the consumers of electricity and does not infringe any of the provisions of the London Electricity (No. 2) Act, 1925?

I am not aware of any infringement of the provisions of the Act referred to; the results to the consumers will depend on the efficiency of the future management as compared with that of the separate companies.

Can the Minister say whether the physical assets of these companies as well as their finances are to be amalgamated? And does he consider that in this amalgamation the consumers' interests will be safeguarded?

I can only do what I am empowered to do. I have said in my answer that I am not aware of any infringement of the provisions of the law.

Will the Minister answer my question; whether the physical as well as the financial assets of these companies are to be amalgamated?

I do not think that I am called upon to answer that question. It is not within my jurisdiction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ascertain the views of the London County Council and the London and Home Counties Joint Electricity Authority on the proposed merger of West London electricity companies, having regard to the provisions of the London Electricity (No. 2) Act, 1925, under which these undertakings are to be transferred in 1971 to the Joint Electricity Authority and to the control which, in certain circumstances, the London County Council and the Joint Electricity Authority have over the operations of these companies?

If the London County Council or the London Joint Electricity Authority find it necessary to make any representations on any matters which are within my jurisdiction I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Minister of Transport the total sums set aside on 1st January, 1934, by all authorised electricity undertakings for superannuation and pension schemes what were the sums paid in premiums and the policy values for the same date, if any; and the number of employesé covered by these superannuation and pension schemes?

asked the Minister of Transport the total value of any insurance funds for plant, machinery, etc., established by authorised electricity undertakings, the total value of insurance policies, and the total value of the annual premiums paid on those policies up to 1st January, 1934?

I regret that the information desired is not available, and I am not aware of any returns from which it could be compiled.

Will the Minister consider asking for a return from these semi-statutory organisations?

I think it would be difficult to get the information, but I shall be happy to give what assistance I can.

asked the Minister of Transport the total rates paid for the years 1923 and 1933 by all authorised electricity supply undertakings, and what did these sums represent per kilowatt of connected load and

asked the Minister of Transport, what were the values on 1st january1934, as respects municipal authorised electricity undertakings, of the total outstanding loan capital, average interest rate, and average loan period, and for the same date, as respects company authorised undertakings, of the loan capital (mortgage debentures, etc.), preference capital, and ordinary capital, and the average dividend rate in each of the years 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934?

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

I will with pleasure circulate such figures as I have in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will intervene to prevent the erection by the Surrey County Council of a secondary school in the ancient Royal Park of Nonsuch?

Nonsuch Park is not under the jurisdiction of my Department, and I have no power to take any action in the matter.

Has my right hon. Friend any power to recommend that such historical sites in the neighbourhood of London be scheduled, with a view to saving them from so-called development?

My power under the Ancient Monuments Act is limited to actual buildings or erections.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Milk Marketing Board are prepared to accept payment by a system of instalments of the amounts due by registered producers in respect of unpaid levies?

I understand that all registered producers concerned have been informed that, in cases where payment in full will involve undue hardship, the board will be prepared to accept payment of the amounts due by instalments spread over a period. Nearly 50 per cent. of those who are in arrears have arranged to take advantage of the offer to pay by instalments. The board's officers have authority to make arrangements with producers for payment by instalments over a period of not more than six months. Cases in which producers state that they are, unable to make payment over this period are referred to the executive committee of the board for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Chief Constable Keith, of the Lanarkshire Constabulary, asked Mr. Lachlan McDonald, a pensioned and retired police officer of the Glasgow Police Force, to visit the hon. Member for Gorbals at his home and at the Central Station, Glasgow, with a view to demanding that the hon. Member for Shettleston should stop asking questions in Parliament concerning the administration of the Lanarkshire force; and what action he intends to take in this matter?

As regards the first part of the question, I am informed that the Chief Constable of the Lanarkshire Police Force made no request and gave no instructions to Mr. McDonald to visit the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) for the purpose indicated. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will have inquiry made into the case of A. Kirkwood Brown and Sons, house factors, 180, West George Street, Glasgow, who have increased the rent of a house occupied by Mr. William Miller, 32, Carntyne Road, Glasgow, from 9s. 10d. per month to £1 15s. ld. because he was 19 days late in paying one month's forehanded rent; and will he take steps to put an end to actions of this nature?

The house being privately owned, I have no power to take action in a matter of this kind, which can only be determined, in the event of dispute, by a court of law.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is to be the approximate expenditure of the Australian Commonwealth on the improvements in the facilities for ciivl aircraft on the route from Port Darwin to Melbourne; and by what approximate date it is anticipated that the new directional wireless stations, beacons, and flood-lit aerodromes are to be available?

I understand that these questions are still under consideration by His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, and I am therefore not in a position to make any statement in regard to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs which Dominions at the present time impose a duty on advertising matter descriptive of British manufactures; and whether he anticipates the possibility of these Dominions following in the near future the decision of Canada in abandoning this duty in her recent budget?

Duties on advertising matter descriptive of United Kingdom manufactures are at the present time levied in Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State, though in each case free entry is accorded in certain circumstances. I fear that I am not in a position to express an opinion as regards the second part of the question, but the matter will be borne in mind for such action as is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has information showing how many foreign migrants have entered the Dominion of Canada during the last 10 years; and from what countries they have chiefly originated?

During the 10 years ending 31st March, 1933, 470,368 migrants entered the Dominion of Canada from the Continent of Europe. The chief countries of origin were Germany, Ruthenia, Scandinavia and Poland. In addition 210,899 came from the United States of America.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the number entering into Canada annually is increasing or decreasing at the present time?

I should think that at the moment it is decreasing, but, taking the period that my hon. and gallant Friend has referred to, 424,514 migrants from the United Kingdom entered Canada.

Is it the case that the population of Canada has not increased in the last 50 years?

I am sure, if we look at the geographical position of Canada, that if it had increased 50 times Canada could still do with it.

But that is not an answer to my question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether soldiers in the Reserve remain under contract of service to the War Office?

Yes, Sir. The reservist is under contract of service to His Majesty.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on one side of the River Tyne for the purpose of transitional payment it is acknowledged that men on the Reserve have a contract of service and their income from that source is not taken into account for transitional payment, but that on the North side, at Newcastle in particular, one week is deducted from single men and two weeks from married men during the course of each month because they are in the Reserve?

I am not aware of that, but the fact remains that the man is under a contract of service.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his decision to allow part of the 50-acre site at South Liberty Lane, Bedminster, Bristol, at present used for allotments for unemployed men and scheduled by the Bristol City Council as industrial land under the Town Planning Acts, to be used for the erection of dwelling-houses, in view of the hardship to unemployed men, the unsuitable nature of the site, and the strong representations of the Bristol City Council?

The circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers were fully considered in determining this appeal and my right hon. Friend was satisfied that the balance of argument was nevertheless in favour of allowing the proposed development. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to vary his opinion and he has no power to revise his decision.

Did my hon. Friend take into consideration, first of all, the fact that both the medical officer and the city engineer of Bristol emphatically said that this land was not suitable for housing development; and, secondly, the fact that the result of his decision has been to throw nearly 400 unemployed off their allotments?

All these facts were taken into consideration, but particularly the fact that it is very difficult to refuse leave to an owner to develop his property and build houses on it save under very exceptional circumstances.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this site is most unsuitable for building, being very marshy; and is it not the case that the decision of the Minister in this matter impairs the whole principle of town planning?

This area was scheduled for development purposes, and it is therefore not suitable for allotments.

Is that any reason for placing it in the hands of the speculative builder?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Manchester Corporation is recommended by the committees concerned not to use the slum-clearance areas in Collyhurst for rehousing; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the interests of those concerned who wish to live in the locality and also the non-provided schools and their loss of grant?

My right hon. Friend's information does not agree with that of my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend had just given general approval to the proposals of the town council for rehousing in blocks of flats on the Collyhurst site, and tenders for the erection of the first section of the work are about to be obtained. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the terms of reference of the shipping inquiry which he announced in the House last Tuesday and the membership of the court?

The inquiries will be held as provided in Part VI of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and the Shipping Casualties Rules, 1923. The questions which will be submitted to the court will cover the widest possible grounds. The court will consist of Lord Merrivale as Wreck Commissioner, assisted by nautical, marine-engineer and naval architect assessors.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of women working in the coal mines of India at the latest available date; and the number of fatal accidents to women for the latest 12 months

In the calendar year 1933, 23,835 women were employed in coal mines in India and there were 19 fatal accidents. There are no later figures available.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the number of women employed in the mines in India is being reduced in accordance with the Ordinance made some years ago?

I understand, Sir, that is so.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received any report from the Metropolitan Police with regard to the inquiries which have been made by them in this country concerning the disappearance of Herr Jakob at the request of the Swiss authorities?

I have received an interim report but it would clearly be undesirable to make any statement about inquiries which are still in progress.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expel from this country all known Nazi agents and spies?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will set up an inquiry into the existing laws which permit imprisonment for debt?

The question of imprisonment by courts of summary jurisdiction in default of payment of fines of rates and of sums due under maintenance and affiliation orders has already been the subject of inquiry by a Departmental Committee, whose report was presented to Parliament in July last.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether on the general question of imprisonment for debt, he is prepared to initiate an inquiry without having it restricted to the particular matters mentioned?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that all people who have anything to do with prison administration, such as governors, consider the existing state of the law to be profoundly unsatisfactory, as it leads to the prisons being filled with large numbers of short-term prisoners who come back again and again, often in respect of the same debt, being dealt with on a sort of cat and mouse principle.

All I can say is that the recommendations of the report are under consideration with a view to framing legislation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication of when the legislation is likely to be introduced.

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary how many British subjects have accepted foreign naturalisation during the last 10 years; how much has been paid in fees for the purpose; and to what countries they have chiefly gone?

No information is available as to the number of British subjects who become naturalised in foreign states. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind declarations of alienage under Section 14 of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, 54 such declarations have been registered in the United Kingdom during the last 10 years, and the total fees received in respect of such registrations has been £27.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount the revenue for the financial year ended 31st March, 1935, exceeded the ordinary expenditure for that year?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the review of the outturn of the past year which, as usual, will be included in the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the widespread desire that a restoration of Income Tax allowances to the levels in force before the second Budget of 1931 should be given prior consideration by him in preparing his Budget for the current year; and whether he will do his best to give effect to this desire in framing his Budget?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the Budget statement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average rate of interest on Treasury bills during the financial year ended 31st March, 1935?

My right hon. Friend thinks it will be more appropriate to give information of this nature as part of his Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the comparative annual cost per individual in different countries of those engaged on public works; and what special steps are taken in any country to prevent such a cost becoming uneconomically high?

As regards the first part of the question, my hon. Friend will find some information in a report on "Public Works Policy" recently published by the International Labour Office, and in a report on "National Public Works," issued by the League of Nations in 1934. As regards the point raised in the second part of the question, to which only brief references are made in these reports, I regret that I am not in possession of information which would enable me to supplement the particulars given.

Could not my hon. Friend have a resume… made of these returns in a tabular and condensed form to make them readily available.

I am afraid the figures are so lumped together that I could not extract the information for which the hon. Gentleman asks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether seeing that in 1931 the policy of the Nyasaland Government with regard to emigration was stated to be that native labourers should be free to go where they wished without let or hindrance and that recruiting should not be allowed for work outside the protectorate, he can state in what respects the policy has been changed, as announced in the legislative council on 28th December last?

The Governor's intention, as stated in the Legislative Council, is that, in place of the present system under which natives of Nyasaland leave the Protectorate on their own account and so become untraceable, arrangements shall be made whereby natives intending to take up work in Northern or Southern Rhodesia shall be engaged from a reputable and recognised organisation, and on a proper form of agreement. The Governor's proposal is actuated by the anticipation that in view of the contraction in the local demand for labour and of increased mining activity in neighbouring territories, Nyasaland natives will seek work abroad in greater numbers than formerly. The Governor therefore wishes to arrive at an arrangement, in collaboration with the Governments of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, under which natives who leave the country shall do so on a proper agreement providing for fair conditions of labour, for some portion of their pay being made available for their wives and families during their absence, and for their repatriation on the expiration of their agreements. Despatches on the subject have been received from the Governor and are at present under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it will now be possible for outside agents to recruit labour inside the territory for work outside the territory.

I should like notice of that question. The whole object which the Governor has in view is to see that natives who go out of the territory to take up work get the best possible conditions.

Does this mean that a native will not be able to leave the territory at all to seek work on his own initiative?

I do not think so, but I should like notice of any detailed questions when I have had an opportunity of fully considering the despatches.