asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the settled determination evinced by the German Government to eliminate the Jews from Germany and in view of the persecutions to which these people are now subject throughout the East of Europe, he will review the question of allowing Jews to enter freely into Palestine, Transjordan and Cyprus?

In accordance with the established policy of His Majesty's Government, immigration into Palestine must be governed by the economic absorptive capacity of the country. This is judged periodically by the High Commissioner, who, as the right hon. Member is aware, has shown every sympathy with the plight of German Jews consistently with the observance of this principle. As regards Transjordan, I cannot add anything to the reply given to the right hon. Member on 26th march. The policy of the Government of Cyprus regarding immigration is directed to safeguarding the livelihood of the inhabitants of the island, which would be prejudiced by allowing immigrants to enter freely into the island.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the improved prospects in business and a satisfactory budget in Malaya, the cuts made in the salaries of the Malayan civil service will now be restored?

In 1931 the financial situation made it necessary to withdraw the temporary cost of living allowances which had been payable to officers of the public service in Malaya at varying rates since the war in addition to substantive salaries. In 1933 a temporary levy on substantive salaries in addition had to be contemplated as an emergency measure of relief to the budget, but it proved possible to avoid a special step of that nature. I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend's question relates to a restoration of a cost of living allowance, and I shall be prepared to consider that matter in consultation with the Governor when the financial situation is sufficiently secured, having regard to conditions then existing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the legislative proposals now before the House to give local authorities power to create underground garages and parking places, he will state the attitude of his Department towards the erection by private owners of such garages under houses in the different towns of the country?

My Department is anxious to encourage in every way the provision of suitable garage accommodation, but I have, of course, no jurisdiction in regard to the particular point raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the aggregate yield of one penny Income Tax at the present time?

The latest year for which the information is available is the year 1933–34 when the net produce for each penny of the standard rate of Income Tax was £3,967,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has, since the introduction of the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Bill, received any representations on its proposals from the approved societies; and, if so, whether he can state their nature?

I have received from many approved societies of various types an expression of their views with regard to the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Bill. In some cases there has been criticism of some of the provisions of the Bill, but I am glad to say that the general reception of the Bill by approved societies has been most favourable.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is yet in a position to state whether the sixpenny telegram is a success or not?

The increase in traffic resulting from the re-introduction of the sixpenny telegram has been most encouraging.

asked the Home Secretary whether any information has been laid before his Department to show that accidents in the building trade are increasing; and whether insurance companies are now making exhaustive inquiries as to the cause?

If the figures for the last five years be compared, there would not appear to be any material change in the proportion of accidents in this trade, and I am advised that the increase in 1934 over 1933 may be fully accounted for by increased building activity, and by better reporting of accidents to the need for which the special attention of employers was recently drawn. It has, however, been recognised by my Department for some time past that the situation calls for further inquiry, and I have just appointed Mr. G. S. Taylor, Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, specially assisted by three other inspectors, to make a report, after consultation with bodies concerned and after any necessary inquiries, reviewing the accident risks in the building industry and the precautions already adopted, whether by way of regulations or otherwise, with a view to advising as to what further measures may be desirable.

asked the Home Secretary whether the information in his Department shows that there is any increase in infection of workers due to paint spraying?

I have no information indicating any increase of illness from this cause.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the ignorance which still prevails regarding the legal adoption of children and of the increasing number of cases in which persons who, at their own expense, have brought up deserted children are subsequently deprived of their control owing to the fact that they have not ensured the adoption of the children by legal means, he will take steps to ensure that persons intending to adopt children are made aware of the law?

During the three years, 1828, 1929 and 1930 (the latest years for which I have information), no less than 11,586 applications were made to the courts for adoption orders. These numbers do not seem to me to suggest that the facilities for legal adoption provided by the Adoption of Children Act, 1926, are not well known. If my hon. Friend has any information which tends to disprove this assumption and will send it to me, I will consider it.

asked the Home Secretary how many fatal accidents there were during 1934 from the use of electrical apparatus in private houses; and whether he is satisfied that existing legislation is sufficient to prevent the sale of articles which cannot be used with safety by inexperienced persons?

Accidents from the use of electrical apparatus in domestic premises are not reportable to the Home Office, but 15 fatal accidents of this kind came to the notice of the Department during 1934. The law does not prohibit the sale of electrical appliances on the ground that they may be dangerous to inexperienced persons, but only a few instances have come to the notice of the Department in which exception could reasonably be taken, on grounds of danger, to electrical apparatus placed on sale, and in such cases manufacturers generally have shown themselves ready to remedy the defects, when pointed out to them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what funds now exist in India for the purpose of famine relief; and what appropriations, if any, are made yearly for this purpose, and whether any of these funds are available and are used to assist the victims of earthquakes in India?

All the "Governors' Provinces," except Burma and Assam, are obliged under the Devolution Rules to make prescribed annual assignments from revenue for expenditure upon relief of famine, and any amounts so assigned but not actually expended in any year are set aside to form a famine relief fund. When that fund has reached a prescribed minimum, which varies for the different Provinces, such assignments cease to be compulsory. The annual assignments and the minima holdings in the fund up to which assignments are compulsory, as laid down in the Devolution Rules, together with the balances actually standing to the credit of the famine relief funds of the various Provinces at the end of 1933–34 (being the latest year for which closed accounts are available) are as follow: