asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the importance which many contributors attach to the question, he will invite the opinion of the Unemployment Advisory Committee regarding the possibility of granting a capital sum on an annuity from the Unemployment Insurance Fund to contributors whose claims have been small and who have ceased work on reaching an age of 65 or 70?

Proposals of this kind have been considered on various occasions. They were definitely rejected by the Blanesburgh Committee in 1927 and their adoption was not recommended by the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance in 1932. The objections to arrangements of this kind in an unemployment insurance scheme are summarised on pages 17 and 18 of the Royal Commission's Report. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that the question could usefully be re-opened.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the city of Liverpool the unemployment assistance board is taking into consideration the full amount of bounty money received by members of the Territorial Army; whether he will say by what authority this is done; and whether he will make representations to the board to stop this practice?

I am informed by the board that their intention is that proficiency grant received by members of the Territorial Army should invariably be ignored in the assessment of need under the regulations. The board is not aware that any action to the contrary has been taken in Liverpool, and they assure me that if the hon. Member will furnish them with particulars sufficient to identify individual cases, inquiry will be made and appropriate action taken.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new orders and regulations contemplated under Part II of the Unemployment Act will be circulated to the Members of the House before the summer adjournment?

No, Sir. Consideration of this matter is proceeding but has not yet reached the stage at which the text of amending regulations can be settled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is as yet in a position to make any statement as to the proposal to bring share fishermen within the scope of Part I of the Unemployment Insurance Act?

Certain changes have recently been made in the terms of remuneration in this industry. This may have an effect on the question of insurability and the Department is in communication with the Herring Industry Board on the subject. It is not possible to say more than this at present.

asked the First Commissioner of Works by what date offers had to be submitted to his Department for the freehold of the Holloway Employment Exchange site, 160–170, Seven Sisters Road, N.7; how many offers were submitted; what were the highest and lowest offers, respectively; on what date the property was finally disposed of and for what amount; and when the fact of its disposal was communicated to the unsuccessful bidders?

Offers had to be submitted by 22nd May, 1935; two offers were received, one for £10,300 and the other for £10,200; the former was accepted and the latter declined, on the 18th July.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the American chorus girls performing in London have not kept English girls out of work and of the reprisals threatened by America on the large number of British actors and actresses employed in that country, and of the amount of money circulated as a result of this form of entertainment, he will reconsider his decision not to renew the permits of these girls?

It has not been the ordinary practice to issue permits for the employment of foreign chorus girls in Cabaret Shows. Exception to this practice was allowed in the cases to which my hon. Friend refers. Although permission was given temporarily in the first instance, it has in fact been extended for a consinerable period, and I regret it is not possible to continue this indefinitely.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many inspections by His Majesty's inspectors have been made in the Nottinghamshire coalfield in the afternoon and night shifts during the last 12 months?

During the 12 months ended 30th June, 1935, His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines in the North Midland Division made 66 inspections on the afternoon shift and 103 on the night shift. Of these, 20 and 38 respectively were made at mines in Nottinghamshire.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has yet considered the report of the committee on overwinding prevention; and what action he proposes to take?

I have studied the report myself and I intend to consult the parties concerned on the action to be taken.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of coal mines being worked in Lancashire and Cheshire as at 31st March, 1926, and 31st March, 1931, respectively, and the numbers employed at the said mines on the dates stated?

At 31st March, 1926, the number of pits in Lancashire and Cheshire producing coal was about 260 and the number of wage-earners on colliery books was 93,100. The corresponding figures for 31st March, 1931, were 205 and 71,800.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the percentage of British coal exporting markets which are free of any restriction?

During the year 1934 the tonnage of coal exported to countries other than those with which Trade Agreements are in operation or those in which the importation or consumption of foreign fuel is regulated or restricted by State action, amounted to 8,628,570 tons, or 19.8 per cent. of total exports from this country.

asked the Secretary for Mines what quantity of coal, coke, and manufactured fuel was exported to Spain in 1929 and 1934; whether any coal was exported from South Wales; and whether there is any prospect of a trade agreement with Spain which will benefit the coal trade of South Wales?

During the year 1929, 1,782,649 tons of coal, 199,602 tons of coke and 22,371 tons of manufactured fuel were exported from the United Kingdom to Spain. The corresponding figures for 1934 were 1,341,186, 49,977 and 20,915, respectively. The quantity of coal exported from the Bristol Channel ports to Spain in 1929 was 1,163,805 tons and in 1934, 852,814 tons. As regards the last part of the question, negotiations for a commercial agreement are at present in progress with representatives of the Spanish Government and I must ask the hon. Member to await the result of those discussions.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in giving permission for boring for oil at Worth, in Sussex, he made any conditions for the preservation of the amenities of the district?

Drilling for oil at Worth has been in progress since September, 1931. The work is being done under a licence granted in July, 1931, under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1918. Provision is made in the licence requiring the licensee to carry out operations in a proper and workmanlike manner and inspections made from time to time by a representative of the Department show that this provision is being observed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state why the figures showing the percentage of births vaccinated in the various counties are not available, in view of the fact that the Rolleston Committee on Vaccination published the figures for 31 counties, taken at random, on pages 76 and 79 of their report and when, in the Ministry's own review, published in 1931, a selection of the figures is given?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on this subject of the 23rd instant, which is, of course, quite consistent with the fact that, for the purposes of the two reports mentioned by him, some sample county figures were specially extracted and compiled.

asked the Minister of Health under what authority his Department imposes the obligation upon food manufacturers to test their products on animals?

I am unaware of any obligation imposed by the Ministry of Health upon food manufacturers to test their products on animals.

asked the Minister of Health whether any samples of milk were taken at either the Denham or the new Denham school when the scarlet fever outbreak was discovered in March?

So far as I am aware no samples of milk were taken at either of these schools after the outbreak was discovered but I am informed that a sample was taken at the Denham school on the 4th March.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Charles George Apps, of 270, Romford Road, Stratford, was awarded the full scale of pension after careful consideration by the West Ham Pensions Committee; that the documentary evidence goes to show that the 1871 Census form was badly filled in by the parent, as it gave Charles as being two years of age whereas he was really two months; and whether, as such discrepancy makes the applicant older and therefore more entitled to claim the pension, he will state the grounds upon which his Department has appealed against the decision of the West Ham Committee?

In the case of Mr. Apps the West Ham Pension Committee recently decided that he was entitled to a full pension; and the local pension officer, who is an officer appointed by the Treasury and acts under the direction of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise has appealed to me, as the appellate authority, on the grounds that Mr. Apps has not yet attained the age of 70 and that the amount of his yearly means has not yet been investigated. The appeal is being considered and the hon. Member will appreciate that, while it is sub judice, it would not be proper for me to comment upon the merits of the case. He may rest assured that before my decision on the appeal is given all relevant evidence will be fully examined.

—	Present Duty.	Proposed Duties.
Raw Cotton	5 per cent.	Preferential Free, General 5 per cent.
Hoop Iron and Strapping Wire	10 per cent.	Preferential Free, General 10 per cent.
Printing Type	15 per cent.	Preferential 5 per cent., General 15 per cent.
Cotton Piece Goods	10 per cent.	Preferential 5 percent., General 10 per cent.
Silk and Artificial Silk	Preferential 20 per cent., General 25 per cent.	Preferential 15 per cent., General 25 per cent.
Umbrellas	15 per cent.	Preferential 10 per cent., General 15 per cent.
Wax and Tallow for Candles	15 per cent.	Preferential Free, General 10 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of houses under construction in Scotland, with the assistance of a State subsidy, at the end of each of the months January to June, 1935, inclusive;

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many munition factories there are, respectively, in Italy and Abyssinia; and whether any embargo is being placed on the export of raw materials for the manufacture of arms to these countries?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. There is no embargo on the export of raw materials to these countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can furnish full particulars of the new preferences in respect of British goods introduced by the Government of Ceylon?

The Board of Ministers proposes to introduce into the State Council a resolution to take effect from the 1st October next involving besides a number of reductions of duty which maintain existing preferential margins changes also, of advantage to Empire countries, in the margins of preference in the case of raw cotton, hoop iron and strapping wire, printing type, cotton piece goods, silk and artificial silk goods, umbrellas and wax and tallow for candles.and the number approved, but not begun, in each of the same months, distinguishing between the figures for slum clearance and other State-assisted houses?

The following statement contains the information asked for:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of houses built in Scotland in the last two quarters of 1934 and the first two quarters of 1935, distinguishing between State-assisted houses, unassisted houses, and houses unassisted except for State guarantee under the 1933 Act; whether any of the houses built with the guarantee under the 1933 Act have

—	Quarter beginning
	1st July, 1934.	1st October, 1934.	1st January, 1935.	1st April, 1935.
With State assistance	2,375	4,065	3,928	4,947
Without State Assistance (excluding 1933 Act guarantee houses).	1,535	1,934	973	2,752
Guarantee (1933 Act) houses	144	96	—	—
Total	4,054	6,095	4,901	7,699
Note: Of the houses built without assistance 97, 147, 76 and 165 in each quarter respectively were of six apartments and over.

None of the 240 houses erected under 1933 Act guarantee has been sold.Information is not available as to the rents charged in all cases for the unassisted houses. In cases where information has been obtained it shows that the rents range from £8 10s. to £40 per

The number of houses completed in Scotland during the quarters beginning 1st July and 1st October, 1934, and 1st January, and 1st April, 1935, respectively, were as follows:annum for three apartments and under, £16 to £40 per annum for four apartments, £25 to £48 per annum for five apartments, exclusive of occupiers' rates. The rent of the "guarantee" houses, which are all of three apartments, is £27 per annum, exclusive of occupiers' rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of houses the construction of which was approved in each of the months January to June, inclusive,

Statement showing the numbers of State-assisted houses in tenders approved under various Acts in the months of January to June, 1935, inclusive.
1935.		Slum clearance.			Others.
		Housing, etc., Act, 1923 (50 per cent. grant).	Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930.	Total for slum clearance.	Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1933 (£3 subsidy).	Unallocated at date of tender to any particular Act.*	Grand total.
January	…	—	1,343	1,343		51	1,394
February	…	—	990	990		160	1,150
March	…	—	1,607	1,607	4	257	1,868
April	…	—	1,370	1,370		—	1,370
May	…	—	1,118	1,118		155	1,273
June	…	—	999	999		508	1,507
* Some of these houses may yet be subsidised under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of diphtheria have been notified and deaths from that disease recorded in the city of Edinburgh in each of the years 1919 to 1934?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member are contained in the following statement:

Diphtheria.
Year.			Edinburgh.
			Notifications.	Deaths.
1919	…	…	734	118
1920	…	…	1,014	80
1921	…	…	991	74
1922	…	…	800	58
1923	…	…	770	70
1924	…	…	720	72
1925	…	…	870	84
1926	…	…	552	43
1927	…	…	599	43
1928	…	…	629	30
1929	…	…	1,171	56
1930	…	…	1,102	71
1931	…	…	901	26
1932	…	…	662	29
1933	…	…	606	19
1934	…	…	546	26

The following statement contains the information asked for:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases of diphtheria and deaths from that disease notified in Glasgow for each year from 1919 to 1934?

The figures asked for by the hon. Member are contained in the following statement:

Diphtheria.
Year.				Glasgow.
				Notifications.	Deaths.
1919	…	…	…	1,812	164
1920	…	…	…	2,017	164
1921	…	…	…	1,856	128
1922	…	…	…	1,689	139
1923	…	…	…	1,767	144
1924	…	…	…	1,899	138
1925	…	…	…	1,736	117
1926	…	…	…	2,323	134
1927	…	…	…	3,036	115
1928	…	…	…	2,630	139
1929	…	…	…	2,118	137
1930	…	…	…	2,621	145
1931	…	…	…	2,108	115
1932	…	…	…	2,153	120
1933	…	…	…	2,370	92
1934	…	…	…	2,648	161

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the ill effects of police supervision on discharged prisoners, many of whom have only served a short term of imprisonment for a first offence; and whether, in view of the fact that this practice makes it difficult for these men to seek honest employment and is therefore a direct incitement to further criminal activity, he will take the necessary steps to modify the practice and ensure on the part of the police a more sympathetic attitude towards cases of this kind?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension if he supposes that many prisoners serve a short term of imprisonment for a first offence; on the contrary, every endeavour is made to avoid sending a first offender to prison, and when this does occur no sort of police supervision would follow except in the very small number of cases in which a sentence of penal servitude has been imposed and the person has been released on licence. Even in the case of those persons there is no foundation for the suggestion that they are subjected to police supervision in such a way as to interfere with their prospects of obtaining honest employment. If my hon. Friend knows of any case in which he thinks an ex-prisoner has been hampered by the police and if he will send me particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the possibilities of distributing gas masks to the civilian population as well as to persons engaged in essential services, so that no one by reason of his economic position is unable to take measures suggested for his protection; and what would be the approximate cost of such distribution?

I sympathise with the purpose of the hon. Gentleman's inquiry. The question of the means by which respirators should be made available for the general public is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the estimated cost of making the rooms in an average sized dwelling-house gas proof again air raids?

The cost of protecting rooms against gas would vary according to the size and construction of each room, the number of windows and doors and the state of repair. It is not contemplated that in an ordinary house more than one room should be made fully gas-proof, but in addition a double gas-proof door, or air lock, should be provided at the outer door of the house. I am advised that the cost of materials needed to construct this air lock and to protect one room that was in reasonably good repair ought to be less than one pound, exclusive of blankets and rags which might be assumed to be available in the house. I am having special investigation made of the simplest methods of providing the necessary protection so that the cost of materials may be kept to a minimum, and that the ordinary householder may if he wishes do the work himself.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state how many chaplains, housemasters, assistant house-masters, and other of superior rank, of Camp Hill Borstal Institution, have resigned or had their engagements terminated or transferred to other establishments during the period of office of the present governor; and what were the reasons for the changes?

Since the appointment of the present governor at Camp Hill in March, 1932, five superior officers have been transferred in the ordinary course to fill vacancies in other establishments, five have resigned from the service for personal and other reasons, and the appointment of one was terminated by the Prison Commissioners because he was considered unsuitable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause investigation to be made into the recent accident at the junction of Belmont Road and Langham Road, Tottenham; and, in view of previous accidents at this spot, will he consider the necessity for erecting traffic control signals or, in the absence of this, will he consult the Home Secretary with a view to placing an officer on duty at this junction to ensure the safety of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give figures showing the number of deaths, respectively, of pedestrians and of persons in vehicles caused by accidents on the road in the years 1932, 1933 and 1934?

The figures show that the percentage increase in the period in the number of pedestrians killed is just over 4 per cent.; the increase in the number of pedal cyclists killed is nearly 50 per cent.; and in the number of persons in or on vehicles other than pedal cycles approximately 2 per cent.The numbers of pedestrians, of persons in or on vehicles (including motor cycles) and of pedal cyclists who died as a result of road accidents in Great Britain in each of the years 1932, 1933 and 1934 were as follow:

Year.	Pedestrians.	Persons in or on vehicles. (Other than pedal cycles).	Pedal Cyclists.
1932	3,385	2,220	1,046
1933	3,504	2,330	1,354
1934	3,529	2,258	1,536

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the Henley Fair Mile had no restriction sign for a period of about one week and was then restricted again, he can state the present position of the regulations with regard to this road, especially in view of the readiness of the Oxford-shire County Council and his department, a month ago, to agree to de-restriction?

I have already informed the county council that I am ready to consent to their proposal to de-restrict this length of road and am awaiting from them the order which, when confirmed, will make this decision effective.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the procedure to be adopted in securing the de-restriction of a road with lamps but without houses on either side; and what is the average time needed under such procedure before any definite result can be achieved?

The procedure to be followed in such cases is laid down in the Act, and the time taken varies with the circumstances of each individual case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there are one or more streets in London wholly occupied by nursing homes and institutions; and whether, in the case of such streets, he will consider controlling heavy traffic, at any rate during the hours of the night and early morning?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with the names of the streets he has in mind I will have the matter examined.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that motorists who, in accordance with the facilities offered by the Post Office, have surrendered current licences to obtain renewals thereof before the expiry date, are being threatened with prosecutions for not exhibiting current licences; under what authority the Post Office demands the surrender of a current licence as a conditions of issuing a renewal licence in advance; and if he will consult with the Departments concerned with a view either to the police refraining from stopping motorists who have renewed in advance or, alternatively, to the Post Office agreeing to date the commencing as well as the expiry date of such licences when issued in advance of a quarter day?

If my hon. Friend will send me detailed particulars of any case he has in mind I will gladly have immediate inquiries made. The authority to which he refers is contained in Regulation 19 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1924.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of new on-licences in respect of which monopoly value was collected in the year ended 31st March, 1935, and the sum collected?

I assume that the hon. Member desires to know the number of new on-licences granted during the year ended 31st March, 1935; if so, the number was 212. The sum collected on account of monopoly value during that year was £174,327.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the quantities of dutiable and non-dutiable spirits retained for consumption in the year ended 31st March, 1935?

The quantities of dutiable and non-dutiable spirits retained for consumption in the year ended 31st March, 1935, were as follow:

	Proof gallons.
Dutiable	9,436,250
Non-dutiable	34,369,967

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of British wines (sweets) retained for consumption in the year ended 31st March, 1935?

The quantity of British wines (sweets) retained for consumption in the year ended 31st March, 1935, was 4,177,528 gallons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the estimated profits of breweries as computed for Income Tax purposes for the Income Tax year 1934–35?

The profits of brewing concerns for accounting years ended in the Income Tax year 1933–34, which formed the basis for the 1934–35 assessments, are estimated at about £18,000,000, after allowance for wear and tear of plant and machinery and including all ancillary profits. Estimates of the profits made in the accounting years ended in 1934–35 which will come under Income Tax assessment for the year 1935–36 are not yet available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of female writing assistants who were unsuccessful candidates at the open competition held in September, 1934, who have been granted appointments to the general clerical class; whether, seeing that there are a large number of ex-service S-class clerks who have been recommended for promotion to that class, he will arrange that no further such appointments are made, and that an equal number of ex-service S-class clerks will be considered for promotion?

My hon. and gallant Friend would appear to be under a misapprehension on this matter. The list of sucessful candidates at the examination referred to had reference to the number of foreseeable vacancies when the result was announced. Further vacancies have since arisen and the list of successful candidates has accordingly been extended. It would not be correct to describe any candidates in the extended list as unsuccessful. The extension of the list in such circumstances follows the usual practice of the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have considered the advisability of instituting a five-day working week in all Government Departments; and if he can state whether there have been any negotiations going on between the Civil Service Whitley Council on the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 23rd July to the hon. Member for Edinburgh Central (Mr. Guy).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how the Bank Line, Limited, was able to borrow £1,165,200 at 2½ per cent. interest and the Tata Power Company, Limited, was able to borrow £765,600 at 2 per cent., guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act; and whether he can state how it is that there is a difference in some loans of 1 and more per cent?

Of the two securities named the first was issued at 99½ and the second at 98 and the issues were not made simultaneously but at an interval of three months. Any difference in the effective yield represents merely the change in the market conditions for gilt-edged securities of that type between the two dates of issue. In reply to the second part of the question differences between the effective yields of securities of equal standing depend upon a number of circumstances, for example, the period of the stock, its amount, and the market conditions at the date of issue.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the male servants tax is demanded by local taxation authorities in Great Britain from foreign tourists bringing their own chauffeurs solely for the purpose of touring; and whether, in order to encourage foreign tourists to come to this country, he will consider the removal of this tax?

The county councils and county boroughs in England and Wales are solely responsible for the administration of the Male Servants Duty in England and Wales, and I have no information as to their practice in this matter. In Scotland, where the Board of Customs administer the duty, a period of grace of three weeks is allowed. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Hitchin Division (Sir A. Wilson) on the 8th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present number of British missionaries in Abyssinia; how many of these live there with their wives and families; and what provisions will be made for their protection in the Addis Ababa district where they have been recommended to concentrate?

As regards the first and second parts of the question there are, according to my information, 163 British and British protected missionaries working in Abyssinia. The above figure is made up of 69 men, 72 women (independent workers and wives) and approximately 22 children. As regards the last part of the question I am still in consultation with His Majesty's Minister in Addis Ababa as well as with the French Government regarding the measures which can most appropriately be taken in co-operation with the Abyssinian Government and with the other foreign representatives in Addis Ababa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he will obtain information as to the total amount spent on public works by the Italian Government since the Fascist régime came into power; and the amount of the increase in the Italian national and local debt since the same date;(2) whether he will obtain information as to the amount of the increase in the federal debt of the United States of America, excluding budgetary deficits, the total amount of such budgetary deficits, the increase in federal taxation per head of the population, and the amount spent and contracted to be spent by the federal government on public works since the date of the last presidential inauguration?

The information requested is not readily available and would take a considerable amount of time and labour to collate. I regret that, in view of the present state of public business, I cannot undertake to supply it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information in his possession as to whether the peace conference between Bolivia and Paraguay, convened by the Argentine Government at Buenos Aires, is proceeding satisfactorily; whether the demobilisation and reduction of effectives provided for have been carried out; whether transit, commerce, and navigation facilities have been established; and whether any progress is being made in the drawing up of a treaty of peace?

I have not received any recent report on the progress which is being made at Buenos Aires towards settling the dispute, but I have no reason to doubt that the provisions of the Peace Protocol of the 12th June are being loyally observed by the Contracting Parties.