asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to control the production of pickled pork under the bacon development scheme?

In accordance with Section 4 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933, the definition of "bacon" in the development scheme is identical with the definition in the bacon marketing scheme and includes "pickled pork." The question whether or not it is desirable to license premises for production of pickled pork will be one within the competence of the Development Board to consider.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of registered bacon producers and the number, respectively, who voted for and against the development scheme?

The number of registered bacon curers is 627. At the special general meeting on 16th July, at which the development scheme was considered, the result of voting on a show of hands was 53 in favour of the scheme and 45 against. A formal vote on the basis of output was demanded and taken in accordance with the bacon marketing scheme, and resulted in 2,242 votes being recorded in favour of the development scheme and 536 against.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the present number of registered pig producers and how many of these, respectively, voted for and against the development scheme?

The number of producers registered under the pigs marketing scheme is 145,185. At a general meeting of registered producers held on 16th July, at which the development scheme was considered, the result of voting on a show of hands was 63 in favour of the scheme and 16 against. A formal vote was not demanded, and I am therefore unable to say how many proxy votes were held for or against the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a recent case in the courts by which a widow unsuccessfully claimed from an insurance company in respect of her husband's death, owing to the wording on one of the company's proposal forms not being fully understood by the insured man previous to his death; and whether, owing to the obscure and ambiguous form of wording adopted by some insurance companies in these proposal forms, he will consider introducing legislation to ensure that all such farms shall be clearly worded so that no similar misunderstandings shall arise in future?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Crooke) on 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in what Scottish counties and burghs arrangements for the supply of milk to school children under approved Milk Marketing Board schemes at the beginning of the next school term in August have not yet been completed; and what steps he is taking in each case to overcome the difficulties?

Arrangements for the supply of milk to school children at the beginning of the next school term have not yet been completed in the following Scottish counties, including burghs, covered by milk marketing schemes.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the unfairness of the present system whereby the compulsorily insured person pays 52 contributions per annum when fully employed and the voluntary contributor only 50, he will so amend the payment of contribution regulations that the voluntary contributor in receipt of full salary for the year is likewise compelled to pay 52 contributions?

I do not see how a voluntary contributor could be compelled to pay contributions, but if I correctly understand the hon. Member to mean that a voluntary contributor should not be entitled to full benefits unless he pays 52 contributions in the year, I am not satisfied that there is sufficient justification for differentiating in this respect between voluntary contributors and employed contributors, in whose case the payment of 50 contributions in a contribution year gives title to full benefits.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state, separately, the number of Members of the House who now hold ministerial office, adding the office about to be established of Under-Secretary for League of Nations Affairs, who represent official commissions and who act as parliamentary private secretaries to Ministers, together with the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman of Committees, and the total; and how many of these are in receipt of salaries?

Fifty-two Members of this House hold ministerial office; three Members hold appointments as officers of His Majesty's Household and three represent official commissions, namely, the Forestry Commission, Charity Commission and Ecclesiastical Commission. With the addition of the Chairman of Ways and Means, and Deputy-Chairman, the total is 60, of whom 52 are in receipt of salaries by reason of their appointments. Twenty-seven Members act as Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Ministers. These appointments are unpaid, and rest with the Ministers concerned. The proposed appointment of a second Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is excluded from the above figures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to reconsider the whole of the circumstances under which the Public Works Loan Board granted loans to local education authorities for expenditure on school buildings and furniture, with a view to his making a reduction in the rate of interest of five per cent. now payable in respect of such loans during the remaining period thereof?

No, Sir; concessions of this kind, which could not reasonably be confined to loans made for the particular purposes mentioned by my hon. Friend, would involve the payment by the State of a direct subsidy to meet the interest on Local Loans Stock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the number of publicans' licences, retailers of spirits off, retailers of beer on and off, retailers of wine on and off, and dealers in beer, wine, and spirits, respectively, in England and Wales and Scotland for the year ended 31st March, 1935.

The following table gives the information desired: