asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now make a further statement as to the tests carried out recently at Nottingham to prevent broadcasting interference by electrically controlled trolley-omnibuses?

I have received a report on the further tests which were carried out on Sunday last in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and the Nottingham Corporation transport department. I am sending copies of the report to those authorities, in order that the results of the tests may be studied; but I am not at present in a position to make any further statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reductions have been made in the number of medical officers in Government service in Ceylon since the inauguration of the present constitution?

The Ceylon Estimates for 1930–31 made provision for 316 medical officers and 27 medical officers of health. Those for 1934–35 made provision for 312 medical officers and 25 medical officers of health. These figures are exclusive, in both cases, of staff and specialist appointments. They show a total reduction of less than 2 per cent. between the earlier and later period.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, before leaving Prague with the Lord Privy Seal, Imperial Airways ascertained the prevailing weather conditions between Prague and Cologne?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how the authorities of the Birmingham City Infectious Diseases Hospital are able to compare the incidence of infectious diseases in their nurses for former years with the incidence for the years 1932 and 1933 if the earlier records are not available;(2) whether any classified records are available for each of the years 1923 to 1932 regarding illnesses in nurses at the Birmingham City Infectious Diseases Hospital?

I understand from the local authority that, so far as general illness in nurses at the Birmingham City Infectious Diseases Hospital is concerned, classified records are not available for years earlier than 1932, but that full particulars are available as regards notifiable infectious diseases occurring among the nurses.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will sanction the cremation by local authorities of bodies for the disposal of which they are responsible?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the disposal of bodies not identified. Regulation 5 of the Cremation Regulations prohibits the cremation of human remains which have not been identified, and I regret that I cannot see my way to amend this provision.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the approximate net cost of granting pensions to all persons over 60, taking into consideration as an offset what is now being paid by way of benefit and allowances to unemployed persons over that age?

I estimate that the net cost of granting pensions of 10s. a week to all persons over 60, after allowing for offsets in respect of pensions already payable and unemployment benefit and allowances, would approximate to an additional annual charge of £70,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated cost of providing pensions for the wives of the men now in receipt of contributory old age pensions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given on 12th February last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many storehouse-men are at present on foreign service at Gibraltar dockyard; whether any reductions have recently been effected in their number; and whether volunteers are to be called for to fill the vacancies?

Four store-housemen from this country are at present serving at Gibraltar. Two store-housemen have recently been withdrawn, and their places have been filled by local entrants.

asked the Home Secretary what policy his Department is adopting with regard to German subjects whose permits to reside in this country have expired, and who for political reasons are unable or unwilling to return to Germany?

Each case is considered on its merits, and, in accordance with the traditional policy of this country, sympathetic consideration is given to the case of any foreigner who, because of his political views, is exposed to difficulties in his own country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the claim made by Mr. Lenox-Simpson as a result of the action taken against him by the Japanese in Manchuria; and what action is being taken to arrive at a settlement?

A claim for compensation was lodged with the Manchurian authorities in November last on behalf of Mr. Lenox-Simpson, by His Majesty's Consul-General at Harbin. A reply was received refusing to recognise the validity of the claim. The possibility of further steps on Mr. Simpson's behalf is being examined in consultation with him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, owing to the difficulty in judging speed, he will make it compulsory for all motor cycles and all other motor vehicles to be equipped with reliable speedometers?

My hon. Friend has announced that he is asking the Transport Advisory Council to examine and report on the question of extending the requirements as to the carriage of speedometers which is at present limited to express carriages.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average valued net cost on current or recent schemes of settling a qualified applicant, respectively, on a family farm of about 50 acres, on a market garden of about 10 acres, on a pig and poultry farm of about 10 acres, on a market garden of about five acres, and on a poultry farm of about five acres; and what rate of interest is used in calculating the average valued net cost?

Figures compiled from current or recent completed schemes show that the average valued net cost to the State of settling qualified applicants on family farms (average 47⅓acres) and on holdings of the intensive type (average seven acres) suitable for development as market gardens or for poultry, pigs, or fruit, is £688 and £237 respectively. The use to which holdings of the intensive type are put does not affect the valued net cost. The rate of interest assumed in calculating the average valued net cost is 5 per cent per annum.