asked the Home Secretary what progress has been made with the establishment of regional police wireless schemes, and whether it is proposed to introduce such a scheme for the entire country in the near future?

In the Metropolitan Police District a complete service of rapid wireless communication with police officers patrolling in motor vehicles has been developed, and is proving of great value for the detection of crime and the apprehension of criminals. A similar system is in operation in a few forces in other areas. There is no doubt that a comprehensive scheme of regional wireless would constitute a very important development in the police communication system of the country, and the experimental work which has been carried out has demonstrated that a regional police wireless scheme should be a technical possibility. I cannot say when such a scheme may be in operation, or precisely what form it may take, but I hope that, with the co-operation of the police authorities and chief officers of police, it may be possible to make a considerable advance at no distant date.

asked the Home Secretary the total number of motor cars in use by the Metropolitan police?

The Metropolitan police have in use 447 motor cars, 162 vans and other four-wheeled motor vehicles and 29 motor cycles.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to request the London County Council to take similar steps to ban all-in wrestling on Sundays, as he has requested them to take with regard to boxing on Sundays?

The action as regards boxing on Sunday was taken under the London County Council's statutory powers. The position as regards all-in wrestling is being examined.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the fact that Irish sweepstake tickets are coming into this country via France, he is making arrangements for the examination of all letters coming from France?

No, Sir: no such large scale operation is in contemplation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Second Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation has been a charge upon the Consolidated Fund?

I must refer the hon. Member to the first part of my reply to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Mallalieu) on 20th June, 1935.

asked the Minister of Mines how many of the 1,354 men who were thrown out of employment by the closing down of the Hetton Lyons Colliery and the Hazard Colliery, in the county of Durham, have been absorbed by neighbouring collieries belonging to the same owners?

I have made inquiry, and I am informed that 301 of these workmen have been re-employed at other collieries belonging to the same owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at least six blocks of the officers' quarters at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, lack the most elementary sanitary conveniences; that two families in each block have to share the same lavatory and walk across a yard in inclement weather by night or day; that there are no bathrooms in these tenements; and what action, if any, he intends taking?

I am aware that the sanitary arrangements referred to in the question are not up to modern standards.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to introduce or give facilities for a Bill dealing with the disability of deafness; and whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of present arrangements for the care of such persons?

I am not at present satisfied that special legislation on this subject is necessary. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware of the report prepared by the late Dr. Eichholz on the condition of the deaf. That report did not recommend any further legislation, but advocated certain measures which were commended to local authorities in a circular issued by my Department in May, 1933. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular. The Ministry are continuing to impress on local authorities the importance of giving financial assistance, where necessary, to those voluntary

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the receipts from Excise on account of intoxicating liquors, weekly, during the months of April and May, 1934 and 1935?

The receipts from the Excise Duties on intoxicating liquors during the months of April and May for the years 1934 and 1935, respectively, were as follow:agencies which are doing valuable work in finding suitable employment for deaf and dumb persons.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government are accepting the report of the Ophthalmic Benefit Joint Committee as a basis for the registration of opticians; and, if so, when legislation on the subject is likely to be introduced?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline (Sir J. Wallace) on 6th June.

asked the Minister of Health the number of children under 10 years of age who, in England and Wales, have contracted diphtheria in the years 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1935?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much raw jute has been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last eight years respectively?

The total quantity of raw jute imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years 1927 to 1934 was as follows:

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the periods of service without home leave of the lower ranks in the Army at overseas stations in the Mediterranean; and whether leave to visit their homes can be given to these men every year?

Home leave is granted to soldiers, with free passages for themselves and their families, after they have served abroad for six years continuously. Commanding officers have discretion to grant home leave at other times provided that no cost falls on Army Funds. I regret that it would not be practicable to allow soldiers to come home each year.