asked the Minister of Transport whether he will publish a Return showing all the weak bridges contained in the priority lists prepared following upon the bridge conferences, with an indication of the steps being taken in each case and the dates by which it is anticipated the work will be completed?

I should not feel justified in incurring the expense of publishing a return giving the detailed information asked for by the hon. Member, especially as the position changes. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wallasey (Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon) yesterday, provision is made in the Five-year Programmes already submitted by highway authorities for the reconstruction of 357 weak bridges to be put in hand during the current financial year. The priority lists include about 1,200 such bridges.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the total expenditure on roads and bridges in Wales and Monmouthshire during 1934 and the total estimated cost of schemes submitted by local authorities for which sanction was refused by his department?

Particulars of the total expenditure on roads and bridges in Wales and Monmouthshire during the year 1933–34 will be published in the next Road Fund Report. No record is kept of the cost of schemes submitted but not accepted for grant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of level crossings there are in Wales and Monmouthshire; and also the number in respect of which proposals to abolish them have been submitted to his department?

There are 513 level crossings in Wales and Monmouthshire of which 230 are on classified roads. One crossing will be abolished when the new Carmarthen Town Bridge is completed and it is proposed to deal with two others, also in Carmarthenshire. No other proposals are before me at present.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of examiners and the places of examination for drivers residing in the Metropolitan police district who wish to obtain driving licences; whether any congestion has yet occurred at these centres; and, if so, whether he intends to appoint temporarily a number of extra examiners in any special areas?

in pursuance of his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st Aug., 1935; Col. 2830; Vol. 304] circulated the following information:The number of examiners in the various areas is adjusted from time to time according to the number of tests to be carried out. There are six examination centres in the Metropolitan Police District, the names of which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The routes for driving tests are varied frequently in order to avoid annoyance to residents and traffic congestion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state in what circumstances during the past two years his department has approached the principal users of horse-drawn vehicles with the object of achieving the more rapid substitution of motor- for horse-drawn vehicles; whether he is aware of the resentment which this action has caused to British horse - breeding interests; and whether he will instruct his officials in future not to advocate any one means of transport as preferable to any other and to endeavour to hold a fair balance in such matters?

My officials have entered into no advocacy in the matter. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on the matter, which I made in answer to a question by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. Logan) on the 1st August. I am sending him a copy of the statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his announcements regarding inquiries as to the possible restriction of horse-drawn vehicles will be restricted to the city of London or what other centres of industry are to be included in the inquiry; and will he ensure that all relevant interests are given an opportunity of stating their views before a decision is reached?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on the 1st August in answer to a question by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. Logan). I am sending him a copy of the statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the route for a new tube through East London to Ilford is finally chosen; and have the Stepney borough council been consulted by his department in this matter?

The route of the proposed new tube railway to which my hon. Friend refers has not yet been finally decided. It will be necessary for the London Passenger Transport Board to obtain the authority of Parliament for the construction of the railway.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any applications have been received for licences to bore for oil in Wales; and, if so, will he give particulars?

I regret that, as stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Dorset East (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 27th June, 1935, I am unable, for reasons which were very fully dealt with during the debates in Parliament on the Petroleum (Production) Bill, to disclose the areas in respect of which applications for licences have been received.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of coal mines abandoned during 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire, and the number of men who were employed in each case?

The information is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the State grant to education, his department is kept in touch with the policy of school managers in teaching propagandist doctrines in the schools; whether, in that case, his attention has been called to the recommendations of the education committee of the Bermondsey borough council concerning the removal of pictures such as the Charge of the Light Brigade and the Death of Nelson from the wails of the schools; the refusal of holidays on the occasions of such public functions as the Aldershot tattoo, the Hendon air display, and similar undertakings as well as the celebration of May Day on political lines; and what steps does he propose to take in this matter?

The Board have always resisted any attempt to use the schools for political propaganda; and any case where propaganda was alleged would be at once investigated. As regards the second part of the question, I must point out that the Bermondsey Borough Council, although they appoint a proportion of managers of schools in their district, are not the responsible educational authority for those schools. I understand that the Borough Council has circulated privately to managers appointed by them a list of certain recommendations, but no copy of their recommendations has been sent to the Board. If the hon. Lady is in possession of a copy and will send it to me, I will look into the matter to see whether any action on it is desirable or possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the grant of 50 per cent. of the expenditure incurred by the Anglesey Education Committee for Grade A (T.T.) milk supplied to school children is to be withdrawn; and will he state the reasons for this change of policy and why an education authority wishing to avoid the danger of the children becoming infected with tubercular and other germs should be penalised?

It is not proposed to withdraw grant on the whole of the expenditure incurred by the Anglesey Education Authority in supplying Grade A (T.T.) milk to school children. It appears, however, that the authority have been purchasing such milk outside the Milk Marketing Board's Scheme, whereas it could probably be obtained at a considerably lower price under the Scheme. The facts are not altogether clear, and I am in communication with the authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the total number of His Majesty's inspectors for secondary schools; how many of such inspectors have had at least five years' experience of actual teaching in grant-aided secondary schools; and whether any and, if so, how many have had no such experience?

The total number of His Majesty's Inspectors of secondary schools is at present 39. Of these 20 have had five or more years' previous teaching experience in grant-aided secondary schools; 3 less than five years, and 16 no such experience. It will be appreciated, however, that those Inspectors who have not previously taught in grant-aided schools have had considerable experience of teaching in public schools or secondary schools not in receipt of grants from the Board. The average teaching experience in all types of schools in this branch of the Board's Inspectorate is 11½ years.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state, giving figures for the elementary and secondary branches separately, the numbers of His Majesty's Inspectors who are graduates of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, graduates of other universities, and non-graduates, respectively?

The number of His Majesty's Inspectors employed in the elementary branch is 126, of whom 74 are graduates of Oxford or Cambridge, 31 graduates of other universities, and 21

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make inquiries and inform the House what was the output of sheets and tinplates during the years 1924, 1931, and 1934 in India, Australia, Japan, Italy, Spain, and Germany?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the quantities and values of British exports of tinplates to the countries of the Empire in 1924, 1931, and 1934; and will he give the same facts in respect of exports to Japan, Italy, Belgium, and Spain?

The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of the exports of tinned plates of United Kingdom manufacture consigned to the undermentioned countries during the years 1924, 1931 and 1934.

The following table shows such information as is available in respect of the output of sheets and tinplates in India, Japan and Germany in the years specified. No similar information is available in the case of Australia, Italy or Spain:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of planning schemes and the acreage approved by him, not including amendment schemes, and the number of amendment schemes that have been approved since 1931; and how many schemes deal with rural areas?

Twenty-seven planning schemes, other than amendment schemes, covering a total area of 85,216 acres, have been approved since the 31st December, 1931; seven of these schemes include land in rural districts. Five amendment schemes, none of which relate to land in a rural district, have been approved since that date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the cost of the town planning department since its inception, the number of the staff, and the present annual cost?

The staff now engaged on town planning work numbers 62 and

asked the Minister of Health what were the number of births in Bradford, Yorks, and the number of deaths of puerperal sepsis, of puerperal pepexia, and still births attended by midwives, by doctors, and in institutions, respectively?

The number of live births in Bradford (Yorks) registered in 1933 was 3,901. The number of deaths

asked the Minister of Health, what was the diphtheria incidence rate per 1,000 of the population for Birmingham, Coventry, Warrington, and Wigan; and what percentage of the cases were sent to the isolation hospital for the five years 1909 to 1913 and for the five years 1925 to 1929?

The following table gives the particulars asked for, so far as they are available:certified as due to puerperal sepsis was 8, of which 7 took place in an institution. No death was certified as due to puerperal pyrexia. The total number of still births registered in the same year was 186; according to the returns made by the Local Authority 80 occurred in maternity institutions and 30 are stated by the Medical Officer of Health to have been attended by midwives. The remainder of the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what diseases, in addition to diphtheria, are common to the false membrane in the throat; and whether they are of bacterial origin?

I am advised that a false membrane is a local manifestation of disease commonly met with in diphtheria, but it may also occur in Vincent's angina, agranulocytosis, staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, thrush and occasionally in typhus fever and other diseases. For the most part the diseases are of bacterial origin.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of persons in receipt of public assistance in June, 1931, and at the latest date at which figures are available, giving separate figures for Lancashire?

The number of persons in receipt of poor relief (excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, casuals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only) in England and Wales at the end of June, 1931, was 966,930, and on 13th July, 1935, was 1,271,783. The corresponding figures for the administrative county of Lancaster and the 17 associated county boroughs are 138,628 and 246,038 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that large numbers of men and women on reaching the age of 65 become a charge on local authorities; and if he will consider bearing this extra cost from the national Exchequer?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a reply given by the then Minister of Health on the 23rd May, 1935, to a question asked by the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) from which he will see that the total numbers of persons over 65 in receipt of public assistance appear to be less than 8 per cent. of the total numbers of persons above that age. I am not prepared to contemplate a grant from the Exchequer for the purpose suggested.

asked the Prime Minister, whether His Majesty's Government will inform the German Government that in their view the Franco-Russian agreement does not conflict with the provisions of the Treaty of Locarno?

His Majesty's Government have already done this.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the fact that it has been reported in America, he will state the object of the official visit of Mr. J. P. Morgan, of New York, to 10, Downing Street on Tuesday?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that Mr. J. P. Morgan paid an official visit to 10, Downing Street. Mr. Morgan is an old personal friend of mine with whom I have stayed in New York, and who always comes to see me when he is in this country. I hope he will continue to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the total amount of expenses incurred by Greenock corporation in the recent inquiry into the alleged overpayments by the Greenock public assistance committee; and the names of the particular individuals to whom the sums are due and the amounts in each case?

As regards the cost of the inquiry payable by the Corporation under Section 93 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question on this subject on Wednesday last. I have no information as to other expenditure which may have been incurred by parties to the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total amount received by the Department of Agriculture since 1919 as rent from smallholders; the present total amount of arrears of rent; and the total amount of rent payable for the current year?

The total amount received by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland since 1st April, 1919, as rent from smallholders is £466,000; the total amount of arrears of rent due by smallholders at 31st March, 1935, was £17,300; and the total amount due as rent from smallholders for the year 1934–35 was £51,900.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total number of smallholders settled in the Highlands and Islands by the Department since 1919, and the total number of such smallholders who have been charged rent only, rent and interest and/or instalments on sheep stock loans, rent and building annuities, and rent, building annuities, and interest and/or instalments on sheep stock loans, respectively?

The total number of smallholders settled on new holdings and enlargements in the Highlands and Islands by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland since 1919 is 3,032. In addition 395 holders have been settled on holdings which have fallen vacant since 1919.The apportionment of these holders as desired in the question is as follows:—Holders paying

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total amount expended by the Department of Agriculture under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919; the total amount expended by the Department of Agriculture in settling smallholders in the Highlands and Islands since 1919; the total amount advanced to such smallholders as sheep stock loans, building loans; the total amount actually paid by smallholders to the Department for sheep stock as initial payments, as instalments on loans, as interest on loans; the total amount outstanding of instalments on sheep stock loans, interest on sheep stock loans; the total amount of annuities on building loans paid to the Department by smallholders; and the total amount outstanding of annuities on building loans?

The nett capital expenditure incurred by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in the settlemet of smallholders between 1st April, 1919, and 31st March, 1935, was £3,466,600; the expenditure in settling smallholders in the Highlands and Islands was £1,356,000; the total amount advanced to smallholders in the Highlands and Islands (a) by way of loan for the acquisition of sheep stocks was £120,000, and (b) as loans for buildings was £330,600. The amount paid by smallholders in the Highlands and Islands to the Department (a) as initial payments for sheep stocks was £41,000; (b) as instalments of sheep stock loans was £73,500; (c) as interest on sheep stock loans was £29,800. The total amounts outstanding on these sheep stock loans for principal and interest respectively are £28,300 and £3,400. The total amount of annuities on building loans paid to the Department by smallholders in the same areas was £63,100 and the total amount of annuities outstanding is £3,100.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he can state the number of clubs in Wales and Mon-mouthshire paying duty in the year 1921, and also the number doing so in the last financial year?

The administrative areas of the Customs and Excise Department do not coincide with the geographical boundaries, and the special compilation of figures would therefore involve an amount of labour which I should not feel justified in authorising, particularly as detailed statistics of numbers of registered clubs are published in the Licensing Statistics.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give any information with regard to the £16,000 fraud charges brought against a Willesden Green licensee of a public house; and if he can state how the mistakes were made and the reason why the case was withdrawn?

The case to which the hon. Member refers was heard in the Central Criminal Court. At the trial it became clear during the cross-examination of one of the witnesses that many of the items which were relied on to prove the charges and which had not been previously challenged, were capable of a different construction from that put upon them by the Crown. In view of the explanations of these items which were accepted by the witness, the Board of Inland Revenue who were responsible for the prosecution decided that in the altered circumstances it would be right to withdraw the prosecution.

asked the Secretary of state for Dominion Affairs, whether the Dominions were consulted prior to the signature of the Anglo-German naval agreement?

The terms of the proposed agreement were explained to His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions in advance in order that they might have an opportunity to comment thereon if they so desired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he can state the pig population in the three counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan at the last agricultural census?

The number of pigs returned on the 4th June, 1934, in the counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke and Cardigan were 26,476, 36,740 and 20,206 respectively. Particulars of the pig population on the 4th June, 1935, are not yet available.

asked the Home Secretary whether in the factory department, women inspectors Classes II, IB, and IA, superintending inspectors, and deputy chief inspectors, are required to possess the same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, whether he can state its nature?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in the Patent Office, women assistant examiners, examiners, senior examiners, and superintending examiners are required to possess the same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, whether he can state its nature?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether in the Department for Agriculture the women surveyors and inspectors are required to possess the same qualifications, and perform the same duties, as the men; and if there is any differentiation in their pay, can he state its nature?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in the legal and scientific branches, respectively of Government departments generally, women professional legal clerks, junior scientific officers, technical officers, scientific officers, senior scientific or technical officers, senior chemists, principal scientific or technical officers, or principal chemists are required to possess the same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, whether he can state its nature?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in the Inland Revenue department, the women third-class valuers, assistant examiners, senior examiners, and the chief examiners are required to possess the same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, whether he can state its nature?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether in the education and research (agricultural and horticultural) division, women inspectors, general inspectors, senior inspectors, assistant botanists, assistant entomologists and mycologists, are required to possess he same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, can he state its nature?

asked the Home Secretary, whether, in the Science, British, Natural History, and Victoria and Albert museums, the women assistants, assistant keepers, deputy keepers, and keepers are required to possess the same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, whether he can state its nature?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether, in the signals experimental establishment, women technical assistants, assistant experimental officers, experimental officers, junior assistants, and second assistants are required to possess the same qualifications and perform the same duties as the men; and, if there is any differentiation in their pay, whether he can state its nature?

In common entry grades in the Civil Service, i.e. grades to which women are admitted under the same regulations as men, the qualifications of women recruits (who secure appointments in competition with men) are naturally similar in the main to those of men recruits. Both men and women are required to perform the duties of the grade to which they are appointed. The relation between the pay of men and woman is fixed in accordance with normal Civil Service practice as described in paragraphs 450 and 451 of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service 1929–31 (Command Paper 3909).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, why His Majesty's ambassador in the United States of America was instructed to prevent evidence being given publicly to the munitions committee of the United States Senate regarding the relations during the war between the British Government and financial interests in the United States; and whether he will take steps to prevent such interference with the inquiry?

It is assumed that the honourable Member is referring to the formal discussions which His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington had with the United States Government at the beginning of April last, relative to a proposal to investigate the war-time correspondence of certain United States Banks in connexion with the financing of purchases of munitions by the Allied Governments. As was explained in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mender) on the 16th April, His Majesty's Government were only concerned with the possibility that the investigation might lead to a revival of long-since obsolete controversies which might have an undesirable effect on the international situation. Sir Ronald Lindsay was therefore instructed to express informally to the United States Secretary of State the hope that this consideration would be borne in mind if the investigation were undertaken.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give any information in connexion with the death of Captain Herbert Heffer, of the 9th Middlesex Regiment (Territorial Army), on duty; and if he can state the reason for the long delay before he was removed to hospital by ambulance?

I will call for a report on this case, and communicate with the hon. Member by letter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of premises in Wales and Mon-mouthshire in respect of which, since 1921, compensation has been paid under the Licensing Act, 1910?

The number of licences in Wales and Mon-mouthshire in respect of which compensation has been paid during the years 1922–1934 is 523.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of boys in detention homes, industrial schools, and similar institutions in England and Wales?

On the 27th July, the number of boys in approved schools (formerly known as industrial schools and reformatory schools) was 6,283. I regret that no information is available regarding the number of boys in remand homes (which were formerly known as places of detention).

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from the factory inspector in connection with the serious lift accident at Kent House, Regent Street, London, W.1; if he can state the number of persons injured; the cause of the accident; and whether the lift had an automatic safety device?

I will make inquiry and communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Home Secretary whether the drafting of police from one district to another for purposes of attendance at demonstrations, social functions, meetings, and the like involves the district visited in any additional expense; and whether constables stationed within a building at which a public meeting is to be held are giving service at the public expense or are such service payments chargeable to the promoters?

I presume that the hon. Member's question refers to the Metropolitan Police District. If police are moved from one area to another in that District, the cost (which would normally be restricted to small sums incurred in travelling expenses) falls upon the whole district and not upon any particular area of it and is defrayed from the Metropolitan Police Fund. As regards the second part of the Question, no charge is made to the promoters for the services of the police sent to a meeting in cases where they are sent by the direction of the Commissioner of Police but if the promoters ask for their attendance the Commissioner has discretion to require payment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information about a number of men who were sent from the Durham employment exchange to London to take the place of the Hornsey poster writers who are now on strike; and whether he can state that the men were told before they left Durham that there was a strike in progress?

My information is that no men have been sent forward either by the Durham Employment Exchange, or by any other Employment Exchange, for work with the Hornsey firm referred to.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in connection with the decision given by the Stockton-on-Tees court of referees which refused benefit to an applicant because she was dismissed by her employer for joining a trade union, the court of referees stated that it was misconduct for an employee to join a trade union against the wishes of an employer; and whether he will take steps to facilitate an appeal from the referees to the umpire in this case?

The case which the hon. Member has in mind was referred to the Umpire. He has decided that she did not lose her employment through misconduct.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of unemployed persons who have been passed out of the Ministry's camps in Wales, and the proportion thereof who have been provided with insurable occupations and the number at present resident at these camps?

The number of men who have completed a course of training at residential Instructional Centres and Camps in Wales or on the borders of Wales is 5,012, and the percentage of those who have obtained employment, which in the great majority of cases has been insurable is 21·5 per cent. The number of men at present resident in these Centres and Camps is 1,028.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the aggregate sum paid to unemployed persons at the Employment Exchanges in the Wales Division during 1934; and also the proportion thereof which fell on the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

The aggregate sum paid to unemployed persons at the Employment Exchanges in the Wales Division during 1934 was approximately £9,460,000; of this amount approximately £3,009,000 was in respect of Insurance Benefit. The figures are exclusive of administrative expenses, and, further, do not include payments made through Associations, for which separate figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are in the county of Carmarthen districts where economic depression is as deep and percentage of unemployed as high as in those places scheduled as special areas; and whether he will introduce the legislation necessary to bring them within the scope of the Commissioner's jurisdiction and activities?

I am aware that there are certain districts with heavy unemployment outside those which have been scheduled as "Special Areas." The reasons why these areas were selected for inclusion in the schedule have been fully explained to the House, and before proposing any extension, the Government would have to be satisfied that this step would be advantageous, having regard to all the considerations involved.

asked the Minister of Labour, What progress has been made towards settling Newcastle unemployed on the land since the 20th June last?

I am informed by the Commissioner for the Special Areas that negotiations with the Newcastle Corporation and other authorities concerned have made substantial progress and that a Conference is to take place next week to discuss the acquisition of suitable land and other details.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether he will state the number of boys between the ages of 16 and 17 on the books of the employment exchanges in London, in view of the fact that the London and surburban traders' association complain that, although they have advertised the fact that they are willing to pay £1 to £1 10s. per week for such employ·s, they have difficulty in obtaining from the employment exchanges boys between the ages of 16 and 17?

At 24th June, 1935, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 662 wholly unemployed boys aged 16 and 17 years on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the City and County of London.