asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons registered as wholly unemployed on the latest date available at Barnsley, Wakefield, Castleford, Normanton, Pontefract, and Goole, respectively,

Number of persons registered as wholly unemployed at the undermentioned Employment Exchanges.
Date.		Barnsley.	Wakefield.	Castleford.	Normanton.	Pontefract.	Goole.
22nd September, 1930	…	5,338	3,103	2,839	613	1,381	731
25th September, 1931	…	6,844	3,854	3,185	616	1,730	1,109
26th September, 1932	…	7,009	4,011	4,386	943	2,197	1,648
25th September, 1933	…	7,459	4,245	4,377	1,075	2,213	1,566
24th September, 1934	…	7,658	3,999	4,608	853	2,313	1,423
23rd September, 1935	…	8,443	3,448	4,045	904	2,477	1,715

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of registered unemployed persons in England and those registered at the Heaton and Walker Exchanges, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in about May, 1929, October, 1931, and October, 1935, and the numbers of persons registered in England and at the above Exchanges who were employed on the same dates?

Date.			Heaton Employment Exchange.	Walker Employment Exchange.	England.
27th May, 1929	…	…	4,744	1,049	885,343
26th October, 1931	…	…	9,466	2,769	2,150,864
23rd September, 1935	…	…	6,848	2,926	1,447,445

The estimated numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64, in employment in Great Britain at these dates were:—

27th May, 1929	…	…	…	…	10,271,100
26th October, 1931	…	…	…	…	9,448,000
23rd September, 1935	…	…	…	…	10,435,000

Corresponding figures are not available in respect of areas smaller than Great Britain as a whole.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money spent in wages and salaries, including the chairman, of the Unemployment Assistance Board; the amount paid to persons deemed to be in need; and the number of applications refused on the ground that they were not in need of assistance for the latest date available?

The rate of expenditure in wages and salaries including the chairman and other members of the board, out of the Vote for the Unemployment Assistance Board, in respect of staff,

The following table gives the information desired:

The following table shows the numbers of persons, aged 14 and over, insured and uninsured, registered as unemployed at the Heaton and Walker Employment Exchanges and in England at 27th May, 1929, 26th October, 1931, and 23rd September, 1935, the latest date for which figures are at present available:and out of the Consolidated Fund, in respect of members of the board, is £1,275,000 per annum; the amount paid to persons deemed to be in need is at the rate of £42,500,000 per annum; the number of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges on 23rd September, 1935, whose needs were held to be such as not to justify any payment was 33,633.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of juveniles, aged 14 to 16, employed or unemployed on the latest date in 1935 for which figures are available, and on the corresponding date in 1934, 1933, 1932, 1931, and 1930?

Statistics are not available of the total numbers of juveniles in employment at any recent date. Some estimates of the numbers of boys and girls aged 14, 15, 16 and 17 years, respectively, likely to be available for employment at the end of 1931 and subsequent years were published on pages 348 and 349 of the October, 1934, issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," a copy of which I am sending to the Noble Lady. The numbers of juveniles aged 14 and under 16 years registered as unemployed in Great Britain at 23rd September, 1935, and 24th September, 1934, were 75,064 and 63,225 respectively. Similar figures are not available for earlier years.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase since 1931 in the numbers of able-bodied persons in receipt of out-relief, coinciding with a decrease in unemployment figures, he will supply figures and statistics to show that the improvement in the employment situation is real and is in no sense due merely to a transfer from the unemployment registers to the relief lists?

No, Sir. Any such suggestion is fallacious; all but a small proportion, probably less than 10,000 able-bodied men in England and Wales, are included in both lists.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the delays on long-distance telephone calls in the evening have been reduced; and what steps he is taking to improve the service?

Long-distance telephoning in this country has developed considerably since the reduced rates introduced last year. Day calls have increased from 325,000 a week to about 365,000 a week now—a growth of 12 per cent.; while night calls have shown a remarkable increase from 64,000 a week to about 180,000 a week now—a growth of 180 per cent. So great a growth at night has naturally taxed the service severely and the difficulties became specially acute during the recent summer months, particularly in connection with calls from holiday resorts in distant parts of the country. These conditions have now largely disappeared and the position is steadily improving as new lines and equipment, which are being rapidly provided to meet the exceptional growth, are brought into use. We are taking every step to improve the quality of the service and a large programme of new main trunk lines in many parts of the country is well in hand. I should like to pay a tribute to the way in which the operating and engineering staff of the Post Office responded to the severe demands upon them and carried on the service in the abnormal conditions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the numbers of non-industrial workers and industrial workers, respectively, employed in the Civil Service in receipt of less than 35s. per week, less than 40s. per week, less than 50s. per week, less than 60s. per week, and less than 70s. per week consolidated remuneration, giving in each case the type of worker receiving this remuneration?

Information in the form desired is not immediately available. I have, however, arranged for the necessary enquiries to be made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether women assistant architects, Grades I and II, architects, and senior architects, 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?

Women are eligible for admission to architectural posts in my Department under the same regulations as men, and, this being so, I think I cannot do better than refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him and other hon. Members by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 2nd August last.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the names of the districts where the coal owners persist in their refusal to meet the miners on the question of minimum wage?

I am not aware of any district in which the coal-owners have refused to meet the miners on wage questions.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the number of pits at work, with the number of miners employed in the Aberdare Valley in July, 1930 and 1935?

In July, 1930, 20 pits, employing 11,000 wage-earners, were at work in the Aberdare Valley. The corresponding figures for July, 1935, were 13 and 6,100.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the average pit-head price of coal for each of the years 1928 to 1934, inclusive, and for the first three quarters of 1935?

The information is as follows:Period and Average Pit-head Proceeds per ton of coal disposable commercially in Great Britain.

	s.	d.
1928	13	3¼
1929	13	11
1930	14	1
1931	14	0¼
1932	13	10
1933	13	6½
1934	13	4½
1935:
March quarter	13	6½
June quarter	13	2¾
September quarter—Not yet available

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps have been taken by the Government to prevent evasion of mini- mum prices fixed under the Coal Mines Act, 1930?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the administration of the schemes in force under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, is vested in the coal owners and not in the Government. Amendments of the schemes designed to facilitate the prevention of minimum price evasions became operative on 1st January last and the coal owners are still considering what are the best means to give effect to the provisions of these amended schemes.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the total amount of money paid to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from royalty rents and wayleaves in the county of Durham since the year 1926?

During the eight years ended 31st March, 1934, the latest date for which figures are at present available, the gross rents, etc., received by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from their estates in the county of Durham in respect of minerals (including mineral wayleaves) was £2,311,300. This figure is subject to the payment of Mineral Rights Duty and Royalties Welfare Levy, and all other outgoings.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any part of the Fleet has been sent to sea without its proper complement as officially authorised from time to time?

No part of the Fleet has been sent to sea without its proper complement as officially authorised from time to time.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the number of trees that are to be planted during the present season, the number of men that are to be employed, and the estimated cost?

Some 50 million tree plants will be used by the Forestry Commissioners during the present season. The average number of persons who will be employed on the Commissioners' forestry operations during the year is 3,200 and the cost of labour and local supervision £300,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can report on the present position of the application of St. Edward's, Blue Bell Hill, Nottingham, for permission to build a new non-provided all-age school in place of the present schools?

I understand that the managers of St. Edward's School are willing that consideration of this proposal should be deferred for the present.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children who have left school aged 14 plus during the years 1933 and 1934, and the numbers of children of that age expected to leave school during the years 1935 to 1945?

The number of children aged 14 and over who left public elementary schools maintained by local education authorities for reasons other than further education was as follows:

Year ended.			No. of leavers.
31st March, 1933	…	…	331,901
31st March, 1934	…	…	473,671
31st March, 1935	…	…	491,755

The corresponding figures for the years 1935–45 are estimated to be as follows:

Year ended.			No. of leavers.
31st March,1936	…	…	456,400
31st March, 1937	…	…	434,900
31st March,1938	…	…	420,200
31st March, 1939	…	…	411,400
31st March, 1940	…	…	402,600
31st March, 1941	…	…	391,000
31st March, 1942	…	…	382,500
31st March,1943	…	…	377,000
31st March,1944	…	…	375,700
31st March, 1945	…	…	370,600

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the present position in Newfoundland?

Progress has been made this summer by the Commission of Government on the lines foreshadowed in the two Command Papers, Nos. 4788 and 4910, issued earlier in the year. Further reductions in the tariff, designed to ease the burden of the cost of living, were introduced on the 1st July, and special arrangements were made to lower the cost of petrol to the fishermen. The fishing season began well but I am sorry to say that the latest reports indicate that the results have not come up to expectations.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs Whether he has any statement to make as to our relations with the Irish Free State?

There have been no developments in the general situation since my hon. Friend last put a question to me on this subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that one Thomas Ferran received notice terminating his contract as garrison barber at Victoria Barracks, Belfast; that no reason has yet been given for such termination; whether such termination was effected on the grounds of this man's religious beliefs; and, if not, on what other ground?

Mr. Thomas Ferran was employed under a contract made by the officer commanding the troops, which was terminable by one month's notice on either side. The officer commanding, in his discretion, terminated the contract by due notice in the early part of 1933. I am not aware that either party to a contract is under any obligation to give a reason for exercising his rights of termination. I have satisfied myself that there is no ground for the suggestion that the contract was terminated on account of the man's religious beliefs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons now drawing Poor Law relief, and the number of their dependants in Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, respectively, and in the whole of Scotland, and also the figures for the corresponding dates in 1934, 1933, 1932, and 1931?

The information asked for is contained in the following statement:

Authority.	Poor.	Dependants.	Total.
At 15th September, 1935.
Burghs—
Aberdeen	4,121	5,776	9,897
Dundee	4,649	4,088	8,737
Edinburgh	10,509	10,856	21,365
Glasgow	71,509	87,625	159,134
Whole of Scotland	160,748	180,906	341,654
At 15th September, 1934.
Burghs—
Aberdeen	3,790	5,332	9,122
Dundee	4,195	3,898	8,093
Edinburgh	9,509	11,169	20,678
Glasgow	76,633	114,122	190,755
Whole of Scotland	162,142	209,535	371,677
At 15th September, 1933.
Burghs—
Aberdeen	3,085	3,891	6,976
Dundee	3,854	3,261	7,115
Edinburgh	9,040	10,412	19,452
Glasgow	56,262	66,141	122,403
Whole of Scotland	134,901	152,762	287,663
At 15th September, 1932.
Burghs—
Aberdeen	2,576	3,097	5,673
Dundee	3,266	2,293	5,559
Edinburgh	8,111	8,930	17,041
Glasgow	48,137	55,287	103,424
Whole of Scotland	118,276	130,091	248,367
At 15th September, 1931.
Burghs—
Aberdeen	1,734	1,435	3,169
Dundee	2,763	1,395	4,158
Edinburgh	7,611	8,641	16,252
Glasgow	36,501	38,786	75,287
Whole of Scotland	94,410	95,251	189,661

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children left the State-aided schools in Scotland before the age of 14 during each of the last three years; and whether he will take steps to level up the school-leaving age regulations to those in force in England and Wales?

The number of children under the age of 14 exempted from the obligation to attend school during each of the school years 1933, 1934 and 1935 was 2,923, 3,790 and 3,238 respectively. The provisions for exemption are being carefully examined in connection with the consideration of the question of raising the school-leaving age; but I regret I am not in a position to make any statement at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the proved usefulness of Ben Nevis as a meteorological station in the past, he will endeavour to have the observatory at the top re-opened and efficiently staffed?

The proposal to re-open this observatory has been very carefully considered, but I regret that the value of the meteorological observations would not justify the substantial expenditure that this course would entail.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement in regard to the situation at Memel; and whether His Majesty's Government, as a co-signatory to the Statute of Memel, is satisfied that the recent elections in that territory have been carried out with justice to the Memellanders?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to a question which the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) put to me by Private Notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Ambassador in China on the decision of the German Government to transfer the German Embassy from Peking to Nanking?

His Majesty's Ambassador recently reported that according to the local Press the German Ambassador when presenting his credentials at Nanking on 14th September informed the Chairman of the National Government that the German Embassy was transferred to Nanking as from that day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made towards obtaining payment of arrears of interest and amortisation due to British bondholders in the Tientsin-Pukow Railway?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, an arrangement was made whereby the Railway Administration was to make payments into a Special Reserve Account in order to liquidate arrears of interest and amortisation. Payments under this arrangement are considerably in arrear, but the funds so far transferred have permitted the payment of three interest coupons. His Majesty's Ambassador in China has lost no opportunity of pressing the Chinese Government in the matter. Similar action has recently been taken by Sir F. Leith Ross, and I am informed that the Chinese Government have the question under serious consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information his department has received relative to the advice given by Sir Frederick Leith Ross, the Government economic adviser, now in the Far East, to the Chinese Government on the question of recognising the status quo of Manchuria with a view to the improvement of relations with Japan; and whether any such advice was given with the knowledge and approval of the British Government?

The hon. Member's question is doubtless prompted by somewhat misleading Press reports. The question of Sino-Japanese relations, which His Majesty's Government desire should be good, has been discussed by Sir F. Leith Ross in connection with their bearing on his mission and the attitude of the Chinese Government towards the Manchurian question has naturally been explored in this connection. But the recognition of the existing regime in Manchuria has not been urged upon the Chinese Government either by His Majesty's Government or by Sir F. Leith Ross personally.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in connection with the representations made by His Majesty's Government to Japan in regard to the oil monopoly established in Manchukuo; and whether any compensation has yet been paid to British interests which have suffered thereby?

There have been no developments in regard to this matter since the date of the answer which I gave on 3rd July in reply to a somewhat similar question put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain Macdonald). The question of compensation is still under discussion between the Manchurian authorities and the companies affected. No compensation has, however, so far as I am aware, yet been paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reports from His Majesty's Ambassador in China since his appointment on the constitution of the Shanghai international settlement; and, if not, whether he will invite his views on the desirability of introducing the reforms recommended in the Report of Mr. Justice Feetham?

Several reports have been received from His Majesty's Ambassador bearing upon this question. I am advised that to call for a special report of the nature indicated would not at present serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions and for what periods His Majesty's Ambassador in China has visited Shanghai since his appointment?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that His Majesty's Ambassador visits Shanghai and other centres of British trade in China whenever such visits seem required and circumstances permit of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state approximately how much of the year is spent in Peking and Nanking respectively, by His Majesty's Ambassador in China, and by the chief diplomatic representatives of Japan, United States of America, France, and Italy; and whether any of these nations have their diplomatic headquarters in China at Nanking?

I have no exact particulars, but broadly speaking Peking having been until now the headquarters of His Majesty's representatives, more of his time is spent there than in Nanking. The tendency is, however, for his visits to Nanking to increase in frequency and length, and the accommodation available there should soon be such as to enable him to spend a larger part of the year there. I have no detailed information regarding the movements of the representatives in China of the other Powers mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. None of these representatives, so far as I am aware, maintain their headquarters at Nanking.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any protest has yet been made to the Spanish Government with regard to the prison sentence imposed on Captain Kane?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his representations to the Spanish Government regarding the release of Captain Kane?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is making any representations to the Spanish Government concerning the sentence of six months' imprisonment upon Captain Kane?

I am in consultation with His Majesty's Ambassador as to whether any further legal remedy is open to Captain Kane or whether an application could be made for a free pardon by the President of the Spanish Republic. I am not at present in a position to make any further statement, but the position will be kept under the closest review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the supply of aeroplane engines to the Italian army by France after the embargo on the supply of munitions to both parties; and whether he will make representations, through the League of Nations, to the French government on the subject?

I have received no information on this subject which could be made the basis of representation to the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has made or will make any approach to the governments of Jugo-Slavia, Turkey, and Russia similar to that made to the French Government with reference to the use of ports and naval assistance in case of atttack by the League aggressor?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what nations in the League are prepared to stop the supply of petrol to Italy or to Eritrea; and whether the League has made any approach to the government of the United States of America on the same question?

I am not in a position to state the attitude of other Governments as regards exports to Italy which are not included in the recent recommendation of the Committee of Co-ordination at Geneva for the prohibition of the supply of certain materials. This recommendation did not include petrol. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of licences for the export of arms and munitions of war granted during 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935, respectively, to each of the following countries who have resorted to war in circumstances which conflict with their obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations, namely, Japan, Bolivia, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, and Italy; and if

—					1931.	1932.	1933.	1934.	January-September, 1935.
Japan	…	…	…	…	31	40	17	9	3
Bolivia	…	…	…	…	4	10	9	7	4
Paraguay	…	…	…	…	—	3	13	2	—
Colombia	…	…	…	…	—	2	6	3	3
Peru	…	…	…	…	—	1	19	7	1
Italy	…	…	…	…	19*	12	6	7*	2
* In the year 1931, 30 licences, and in the year 1934, 5 licences were issued for the export to Italy of war material which was required for the equipment of warships and military aircraft being built in that country for other Governments.

(2) The following statement shows the total declared value of exports of "Arms, ammunition and military and naval

Country to which consigned.	1931.	1932.	1933.	1934.	January-September, 1935.
	£	£	£	£	£
Japan (inc. Formosa and Kwantung Peninsula)	229,489	321,701	248,981	16,810	37,036
Bolivia	26,466	27,209	331,666	87,083	3,851
Paraguay	—	14,000	87,486	27,838	27
Colombia	12,931	10,094	12,910	20,820	25,336
Peru	8,530	577	37,618	53,503	9,722
Italy	218,348	28,177	12,250	5,293	4,679
NOTE.—The above figures include the value of exports of sporting arms and ammunition and of explosives for industrial purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which members of the League of Nations are now in debt to the League, and to what amount?

I should like to call attention to the fact that very considerable progress has been made in the last year with the question of contributions in arrears.A sub-committee was set up by the 1934 Assembly to conclude arrangements with States in arrears. As a result of this sub-committee's efforts cash payments have been received in certain cases and in nine other cases, namely:

(1) The following statement shows the number of licences issued for the export of war material to the undermentioned countries during the periods specified.stores" of United Kingdom manufacture consigned to the undermentioned countries during the periods specified.

			Gold francs.
Bolivia	…	…	167,246.77
Bulgaria	…	…	234,358.15
China	…	…	5,695,898.21
Cuba	…	…	339,321.67
Honduras	…	…	90,338.95
Hungary	…	…	431,885.77
Liberia	…	…	37,095.45
Peru	…	…	1,004,757.52
Uruguay	…	…	209,268.76

Arrangements have been made for the liquidation of outstanding arrears by annual instalments over a period of years.The only countries with arrears dating back as far as 1932 with which no settlement has as yet been effected are:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the Anglo-Rumanian payments agreement is being faithfully carried out?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to similar questions by the hon. Members for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley) and Sowerby (Mr. McCorquodale).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any successful conclusion has yet been reached in the negotiations with the Scandinavian countries sending bacon to this country, with regard to the imposition of a levy; and whether he can make a statement with regard to this matter?

The negotiations are still in progress and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has considered the recent experiments in the use of mechanical stokers on board ship; and if he proposes to take any steps to encourage experiments in this connection, with a view to the consumption of British coal instead of imported oil for the propulsion of ships?

I am aware that certain ships fitted with water tube boilers and engaged on voyages on which regular supplies of coal of the required grade and quality are available have been equipped with mechanical stokers with satisfactory results. I shall continue to watch developments with interest, but I understand that the use of mechanical stokers is practicable in only a very small number of ships.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can furnish information as to the number of houses built in the six months ended 30th September, 1935?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to furnish the desired information. The housing return for the half year ended 30th September, 1935, will be published as early as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution from the Aspull Urban District Council urging the introduction of legislation to bring all houses within the provisions of the rent restriction law or, alternatively, to fix a maximum rental to be charged in respect of decontrolled houses; and, if so, will he state what reply has been returned?

I have received the resolution referred to by the hon. Member from the Aspull Urban District Council and other local authorities. The receipt of the resolution has been acknowledged. The matters with which the resolution deals were fully discussed during the progress of the Rent Restrictions Bill in 1933.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider taking action to safeguard the health of those people living in property included in compulsory purchase orders, slum clearance, between the dates of such orders and the demolition of the property, particularly in regard to drainage and water supplies?

In addition to their general powers under the Public Health Acts, a local authority can enter on the property mentioned after the expiration of 28 days from the service of "notice to treat" and I have no reason to think that the existing provisions are inadequate to secure the object desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many occupiers of condemned houses have been paying for years to their landlords that proportion of rent which places a liability on landlords for certain repairs but which have not been carried out; and will he consider the introduction at an early date of legislation to amend this?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to houses to which the Rent Restrictions Acts apply. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that these Acts already contain provisions enabling a tenant to withhold so much of his rent as represents the permitted increase, if his premises are not in a reasonable state of repair. Under these circumstances I do not consider that further legislation is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that great hardship has been caused among numbers of households where the father has been out of work for some time and he has not a certain insurance record and, as a result, has lost his title to maternity benefit; and will he take steps to have this benefit granted to all, despite the period of unemployment?

I am aware that cases have arisen in which title to maternity benefit has been lost by reason of prolonged unemployment, but the hon. Member will recall that in the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Act of the present Session provision was made under which the title to maternity benefit will no longer cease with the expiration of the free insurance period but will be retained so long as insurance is continued on proof of prolonged unemployment. Further, the provision in the Act under which arrears due to unemployment are in future to be completely excused will prevent any reduction of maternity benefit by reason of unemployment.

asked the Minister of Transport when the next Report on fatal road accidents, in continuation of the Report for the year 1933, dated 14th May, 1934, will be available on sale to the public; and whether this Report will include the figures of which an analysis was issued to the Press by his Department at the beginning of August, 1935?

A report on fatal road accidents occurring during the year 1935, including those covered by the analysis referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, will be issued and placed on sale as soon as possible after the close of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware of the urgent need for a toll-free bridge at Selby; and whether his Department can take any action to accelerate the construction of a new bridge;(2) whether he is satisfied that no unavoidable delay is being experienced in connection with the approval of a scheme to provide a toll-free bridge at Selby?

This project presents many difficulties. The County Councils of East and West Riding are at present considering a report by consulting engineers on alternative schemes for the location, design and construction of a new bridge and a new road to by-pass Selby. No time will be lost by my Department in dealing with any proposals submitted by the County Councils.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that the illuminated number plates now provided in compliance with the existing regulations are sufficient for identifying motor vehicles at night; and whether he will take steps to require the use of a type of number plate which would be more effective in the identification of motor vehicles?

The question of improving the illumination of number plates during the hours of darkness is at present receiving my attention.

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take, in view of the persistent disregard by many motorists of the 30-mile per hour speed limit restriction in built-up areas throughout the country?

It is the responsibility of chief officers of Police to enforce the law and I have no doubt that they are fully aware of their responsibility and, so far as their available resources will permit, are taking energetic measures to ensure that the law is observed. But this is a matter in which much depends upon the co-operation of all drivers of motor vehicles, if full effect is to be given to the measures which Parliament has enacted for the purpose of securing greater safety on the roads. I hope this co-operation will be forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the letter, dated 25th June last, from the Parliamentary Science Committee concerning traffic problems in large cities and with particular reference to what is known as the Sydney Rule; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

The letter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers forwarded a copy of an address delivered by a Member of the Parliamentary Science Committee to the London branch of the Association of Scientific. Workers on certain traffic problems, and the suggestions contained therein were examined in my Department. I understand that the "Sydney Rule" is "give way to traffic on the right." In 1928, a conference of the Departments concerned, the local authorities, the police and organisations of road users reported that "such a rule is in many respects undesirable."

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a statement giving information with respect to each highway authority of the schemes for new roads and major road improvements which have been approved by the Minister under the five year plan referred to in the Debate in Supply on the Ministry of Transport Vote, with particulars in the case of each scheme of the estimated cost, the amount or percentage of the Government grant, and the proposed date of commencement and completion of the work?

I regret that it is not possible to prepare the complete and detailed statement for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks before Parliament is prorogued.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to local residents by the discontinuance of passenger trains on the Firth of Clyde railway; and if he can give an assurance that a passenger-carrying service will be re-instituted in the near future?

I understand that the passenger service on this line was discontinued a year ago owing to the poor support given to the service locally, following on the establishment of omnibus services, and the loss incurred in working. I have no jurisdiction in the matter and I cannot hold out any hope that the service is likely to be reinstituted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with a view to reducing the rabbit pest and assisting British farmers, he has considered the effects of limiting the importation of dead rabbits, with a view to improving the price for this commodity and thus providing increased recompense for those who put down and market rabbits in this country?

I have been asked to reply. During the first nine months of this year the imports of rabbits have declined by about 45 per cent. compared with the corresponding period in the two previous years. My right hon. Friend does not think, therefore, that the lower prices of English rabbits this year compared with last year can be attributed to the volume of imports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present position with regard to the negotiations with Dominion and foreign Governments on the subject of meat imports into this country?

These negotiations were adjourned at the end of July pending a visit of one of the Argentine representatives to Buenos Aires for consultation with his Government. This representative is expected to arrive back in this country next month. It is then hoped to resume the negotiations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Milk Reorganisation Commission is expected to report before the latter half of 1936; and can he state more precisely when this report, may be expected?

I anticipate that the Commission will report before the latter half of 1936. I hope that the report will be presented at a reasonably early date in 1936.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the report of the Royal Commission on Tithe Rent-charge has been completed; and, if so, when it will be published?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the Commission are approaching the completion of their task, but he cannot predict the date when their report will be available.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain Canadian life insurance companies are soliciting new moneys in this country by representing that they have assets of a, certain amount without disclosing to the investor that the assets advertised are authorised assets not representing market values; and, as the non-disclosure of this fact apparently constitutes a breach of Section 84 of the Larceny Act, 1861, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. If the hon. Member will send me particulars, I will consider them.