asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information as to how many British subjects are serving Red Cross units in Abyssinia; what attacks have been made on these units by the Italian air force; and whether any undertaking has been asked for or obtained from the Italian Government that no further attacks will be made on Red Cross units?

According to such information as is available, I understand that 19 British subjects are serving in the British Red Cross hospital and other ambulance units, foreign and national, in Ethiopia. This figure does not include native dressers, transport drivers and other junior non-European personnel recruited in Kenya or British Somaliland, for service with these units. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Monday to a question asked by the hon. Member for Hackney, Central. As regards the last part, the Italian Government have been officially notified, through His Majesty's Embassy in Rome, of the sphere of action of the British Red Cross unit now operating with the Ethiopian forces on the northern front.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the menace to British aviation by speculators who are obstructing plans for air-port construction by buying up useless adjoining land when airport plans become known, and demanding exorbitant prices; and whether he will consider the advisability of checking this practice by the acquisition of powers similar to those exercised by the Distressed Areas Commission?

I am not aware that there is any general practice such as is suggested by my hon. Friend. Perhaps he would communicate with me if he has specific cases in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether in drawing up regulations with regard to the operation of municipal airports in this country, regard has been had by his Department to the desirability of preventing any municipality from awarding monopoly rights with regard to the sale of fuel?

My Noble Friend recognises that, generally speaking, there are objections to local authorities granting monopoly rights in this matter. His view is, however, that legislative restrictions are neither necessary nor desirable, and that, as far as possible, the authorities should be left free to conduct their aerodrome undertakings in the manner which they find is best suited to local and general requirements.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of recent accidents caused by the working of long hours by motor-lorry drivers, he can state what steps are being taken to enforce the provisions in the Road Traffic Act, which were designed to safeguard lorry drivers and other road users in this respect?

During the past year many convictions have been obtained in proceedings instituted by the police and the licensing authorities and I am hopeful that the public attention drawn to the matter will help to impress upon all concerned the importance of observing provisions directed by Parliament in the interests of public safety.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the law permitting drivers of heavy lorries to make long journeys alone will be revised; and if, in any such revision, it will be clearly laid down that not only should drivers be accompanied, but that there should be adequate periods of rest throughout long-distance work?

A proposal to require that an attendant should be carried on heavy goods vehicles was considered by Parliament in 1934 and rejected. In view of this recent decision I should not feel justified in suggesting fresh legislation at the present time. The periods of rest for drivers of these vehicles are laid down in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and in the Orders for which that Section provides.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will investigate the working of Sub-section (2) of Section 11 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act of 1933, with the object of establishing whether the railway companies are adopting a fair policy towards road hauliers with regard to the submission of objections to the provision of new transport facilities, and with a view to ascertaining whether the resultant decisions of the Traffic Commissioners are always in the public interest?

The licensing system has been in full operation for little more than a year and was based on principles fully considered in Parliament.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of having all traffic beacons at pedestrian crossings illuminated at night, in order that, after dark, drivers of fast-moving vehicles may know they are approaching pedestrian or dangerous crossings?

Where this question has arisen I have advised authorities that if a beacon is not sufficiently conspicuous at night, the street lighting should be improved so that not only the beacon, but the crossing and the pedestrians who may be using it, may be clearly visible to drivers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange to affix to all traffic light-standards a signal or signals to indicate to pedestrians when to cross the roadway where the ordinary traffic lights cannot be easily seen when the people are standing on the footpaths?

Yes, Sir. I have for some time past arranged that whenever circumstances warrant all new traffic signals should carry a third face for the guidance of pedestrians, and I am instructing my divisional road engineers throughout the country to continue to pursue this policy.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether cycle tracks have yet been provided for the use of bicyclists on any roads in Scotland;

(2) whether cycle tracks have yet been constructed for the benefit of bicyclists on any Scottish roads?

The only cycle track at present in existence in Scotland is on Riverside Drive, Dundee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience arising from the closing for lengthy periods of the level crossing at Enfield Lock; and whether he will make representations to the railway company concerned to the effect that this is one of the crossings which should be superseded by a bridge?

Yes, Sir, and I am prepared to consider a grant of 75 per cent. of the net cost of any approved scheme submitted by the highway authority for the elimination of this crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of uncontrolled level crossings used by heavy lorries over main railway lines; and whether he is taking any immediate steps to lessen their danger?

A special committee has been appointed by the railway general managers to consider recommendations touching upon this subject which have been made in the reports of my Inspecting Officers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to state the number of uncontrolled railway crossings used by heavy lorry traffic which intersect the main line from Cambridge to London on the London and North Eastern Railway; and what steps are being taken to lessen their danger, having regard to the serious accident at Wormley level crossing on 27th November, 1934?

I understand from the railway company that the number is six. The whole problem of dealing with these uncontrolled crossings is receiving the special consideration of the companies, and I am glad to inform my right hon. Friend that at Wormley crossing, which carries the heaviest road traffic of these six, the railway company have agreed to provide the necessary equipment to control the gates from the signal-box.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for portable island crossings similar, for instance, to those used in the Mall, to be placed at suitable intervals throughout the length of Old Palace Yard?

I will go further into this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport the comparative figures of persons killed or injured by road accidents in the Maryhill Division of Glasgow for the years 1934 and 1935?

As a result of road accidents in the Maryhill Division of Glasgow in 1935, seven persons were killed and 369 injured. The comparative figures for 1934 were five killed and 409 injured.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to say when work will be commenced on the new road from Church Road, Litherland, to the junction with the Liverpool-Preston Road, near Dunnings Bridge, which is urgently needed to provide an outlet for heavy traffic from the Liverpool Docks?

Yes, Sir. A grant has been made and the work should be commenced immediately.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the congestion and the inconveninece caused by omnibuses having to wait at the traffic lights before entering Duncannon Street from Trafalgar Square; and, to avoid this difficulty, will he arrange to have erected a suitable platform in the centre of Duncannon Street and arrange for suitable indication signs showing where different omnibuses will stop?

I am advised that an island platform would reduce the width of carriageway, and thus be likely to increase the traffic difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any of the hydroelectric power schemes in Scotland have yet succeeded in supplying power and light more cheaply than they can be developed from coal; and, if not, will he prevent yet further disfigurement of the countryside and displacement of miners by further schemes until existing schemes shall have proved economic?

From returns made to the Electricity Commissioners it appears that the prices at which Scottish hydro-electric undertakings are selling in bulk compare favourably with the costs of production from coal-fired stations. If Parliamentary powers are sought for any further hydro-electric schemes, it will fall to the promoters to satisfy a Committee of the House as to the prospects of economic production.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangements have been made to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission of 1931, regarding pensions, with regard to Government industrial employés?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 12th December last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in framing the regulations for the examination for the clerical classes of the Civil Service limited to members of the minor and manipulative grades of the Civil Service, he will waive the age limit in the case of those ex-service men of such grades at present serving in the Civil Service who are desirous of competing at this examination?

The age limits for the examinations to which my hon. Friend refers were fixed following upon the recommendations contained in an agreed report of a committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council. I regret that I am not prepared to extend the maximum age limit.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the cost to the Exchequer of the Income Tax deduction for children over 16 who are receiving full-time instruction at a university, college, school, or other educational establishment?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, seeing that the temporary trade agreement with Russia has the same result as a permanent agreement if renewed from time to time, he will consider taking steps to see that temporary trade agreements with the Soviet government are not renewed unless satisfaction is forthcoming to British creditors;

(2) how long the temporary trade agreements with Russia are to continue in view of the sums of money still owing by the Soviet government to creditors in this country?

The temporary commercial agreement with the government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not require renewal but continues in force unless denounced. The position as regards debts due from Russia to British creditors remains as explained in the statement made by my right hon. Friend to the House on 1st March, 1934.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to open commercial negotiations with Denmark, having regard to the fact that the present trade agreement with Denmark expires on 20th June, 1936?

It is hoped that the negotiations will begin early in March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to open commercial negotiations with the Argentine Republic, having regard to the fact that the present trade agreement with the Argentine Republic expires on 7th November, 1936?

There is nothing further that I can add at present to the reply which was given to my hon. Friend on the 6th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention to provide any systematic methods of training in the launching of lifeboats from ships, having regard to the recommendations in the reports of the advisory committee which reported in 1913 and 1922, respectively?

Substantial effect has been given to the recommendations in the reports in question. All foreign-going and home trade passenger ships are required to carry a minimum number of certificated lifeboatmen—that is, men who have passed a Board of Trade examination in the launching and handling of lifeboats—and to hold a muster of the crew and a boat drill each week. Standard regulations as to musters and drills on passenger and cargo ships have also been issued. The existing facilities for the training of crews in the handling of lifeboats appear to be adequate and the number of certificated lifeboatmen available is more than sufficient to meet all present needs. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the Statutory Rules and of the other published documents on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and nationality of vessels registered under foreign flags which, in the last 12 months, have been engaged in carrying coals from South Wales to Canada?

No official information is available, but according to particulars furnished by the dock authorities at Cardiff, Penarth, Barry Dock, Newport, Swansea and Port Talbot, the number of cargoes of coal shipped from these ports to Canada during the year 1935 in vessels registered under foreign flags and the nationalities of such vessels were as follow:

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, in view of the variety of interpretations given to it, state what is the precise meaning to be attached to the word manufacture as used in Rule 29 of the Poisons Board Rules issued in December, 1935; and whether that word covers the processes of compounding and dispensing medicines containing poisons and used for the treatment of internal human ailments?

Rule 29 of the Poisons Rules has been made under Section 23 (1) (i) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, which gives power for Rules to be made "for requiring persons in control of the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations containing poisons to be registered pharmacists or persons possessing the prescribed qualifications in chemistry." It seems to me clear that the word "manufacture," both in the Act and in the Rule denotes only the operations carried on in factories by manufacturers, and does not cover such operations as the compounding and dispensing of their own medicines by medical practitioners.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the great shortage of water in dry summers in the area in North Leicestershire known as the Vale of Belvoir; and what steps are being taken to remedy this shortage?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the rural district council, who have now submitted a scheme of water supply for eight parishes in the district. My right hon. Friend has provisionally allocated a grant of £1,500 towards the cost of this scheme, the details of which were submitted at the public inquiry held on the 5th instant, and are now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the conditions of labour at the Benwell Dene training centre for the blind where a number of fully-trained blind journeymen are now working an eight-hour day at their craft for board and lodging plus a money wage of 2s. 6d. per month; and what steps are taken to see that all persons after training at this and similar blind centres are found suitable remunerative occupation?

My right hon. Friend will cause inquiries to be made into the conditions mentioned in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, it is the policy of my Department to impress on Local Authorities both by general circulars and by special communications the importance of securing that suitable employment is available for blind persons on the completion of their training.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the total income of the Miners' Welfare Fund for the years 1924, 1929 and 1934 respectively?

The total income of the Miners' Welfare Fund for the years mentioned was as follows:

I should explain that the year 1934–35 was exceptional owing to the operation of adjustments consequent upon the reduction in the rate of the levy, and also to the recovery of arrears. I understand that the annual income of the fund is now more or less stabilised in the neighbourhood of £700,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the number of staff employed by the Miners' Welfare Committee in the years 1924, 1929 and 1934?

The numbers employed on the 1st April in 1929 and 1934 were 55 and 79 respectively. No figure can be given for 1924 as, at that early stage of the committee's activities, their secretarial work was performed by staff of the Mines Department, while such technical work as was necessary was performed for the committee by the Industrial Welfare Society.

asked the Postmaster-General what increase has taken place in the handling of parcels since the parcels rate was reduced?

In the first six months, from 1st July to 31st December last, during which the new parcel post rates have been in operation, the number of parcels carried has increased by over eight millions as compared with the corresponding period in 1934, an increase of about 10 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give the total amount of moneys paid out from the Post Offices in the City of Leicester for the year 1935, or for the year ending at the most recent convenient date, in respect of war pensions, contributory widows', orphans' and old age pensions, non-contributory pensions, and other issues under his Department, including payments to blind persons?

The following amounts (approximately) were paid out in the year ended 31st December, 1935, from Post Offices in the City of Leicester in respect of:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he can state the total estimated cost for the year 1935–36, excluding cost of maintenance and personnel of road-patrol vehicles, to be incurred by Scottish police authorities, burgh and county, respectively, under the Road Traffic Acts, 1930 to 1934, giving the grants to be paid from the Police Fund and the costs to be borne by the local authorities, burghs, and counties, respectively;

(2) the total number of road-patrol vehicles, with the total personnel of the same, being used by the burghs and counties police forces, respectively, under the Road Traffic Acts, 1930 to 1934; the total estimated cost for 1935–36, with the total grant paid from the Road Fund; and the costs borne by the respective burghs and counties police authorities?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that representations have been made by the Glasgow Corporation to the Department of Health for Scotland for permission to reduce the rents of certain houses, and that in some schemes reductions have taken place in a proportion of these houses, thereby creating anomalies in some cases; and will he undertake to grant the permission asked by the Glasgow Corporation?

No application for a reduction of rents has been received from the corporation since the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935, became law. The position with regard to rents is now regulated by Section 47 (5) of that Act which provides that in fixing rents local authorities shall take into consideration the rents ordinarily payable by persons of the working classes in the locality. Subject to that provision, the matter is entirely within the discretion of the local authorities themselves, and my approval is not required.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction at the non-secrecy of the vote during the recent Scottish Universities by-election; and will steps be taken to ensure secrecy during future elections?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If the hon. Member has any representations to make on, the subject, I will be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received any report regarding the mental condition of the 17-year old boy who was recently sentenced in Glasgow to two years' hard labour in the recent Glasgow art galleries case?

I understand that an application for leave to appeal against sentence has been lodged in this case and in the circumstances it would not be proper for me to make any statement about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recent appeal of the Scottish Herring Producers' Association for State assistance to the herring drifter fleet in the form of guaranteed wages to the deck crew; if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the extent to which this demand is shared by herring fishermen in Scotland; and if he will issue a statement showing whether the suggestion is practicable?

The communication from the Scottish Herring Producers' Association which reached me last week is at present being examined. The proposal involves considerable difficulty but I am not yet in a position to make a statement. An inquiry of the nature indicated in the question is not practicable, but I will of course be prepared to receive any general information which may be sent to me on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give the names of the local education authorities which give maintenance allowances under Section 24 of the Education Act, 1921; and from and up to what age allowances are made by each local education authority?

The following list contains the names of those local education authorities who provide in their estimates for maintenance allowances for children in public elementary schools under Section 24 of the Education Act, 1921. These authorities award allowances to children over 14 years of age under arrangements approved by the Board, which include an undertaking to remain at school for a definite period, generally up to the end of the term in which the pupil becomes 15. Those local education authorities which are marked with an asterisk also make provision for allowances to pupils below the age of 14, but such allowances are not recognised for grant.

LIST of Local Education Authorities which provide Maintenance Allowances for children in Public Elementary Schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education for how many hours in the week children of 13 years and over in public elementary schools are required to attend school; and what are the weekly compulsory hours of attendance for children of that age in other countries in which the school-leaving age has been raised to 15?

The general practice in this country is that children attending public elementary schools above the infant school stage are required to attend school for 27½ hours a week. In other countries where the leaving age has been raised to 15 and for children of the same age the practice varies from at least 20 hours a week in New Zealand, to 30 hours a week, or over, in certain parts of Switzerland. On the average, children would appear to be required to attend school for about 25 hours a week at least. These figures are exclusive of the midday interval.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the proportion of public elementary schools in which the classes for the children of 13 to 14 have been reorganised, in accordance with the Hadow Committee's proposals; and what proportion of the total number of such children are included in this reorganisation?

My hon. Friend will find the information she desires in the following table which relates to the position on the 31st March, 1935. I am, however, sending her a copy of List 49 which gives a detailed analysis of the position on the 31st March, 1934.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many women His Majesty's inspectors were in the service of the Board in February, 1933, when, following the Report of the Royal Commission, the policy of aggregation was adopted by the Board; how many have since been aggregated and at what date is it intended that their aggregation will be completed; how many men and women, respectively, have been recruited to the inspector grade since February, 1933; how many men and women, respectively, there are at the present date in the following grades: chief inspector, divisional inspector, staff inspector, inspector; and how many un-aggregated women His Majesty's inspectors?

The policy of aggregation was first put into effect in the Board's inspectorate in September, 1933, at which time the inspectorate included, in addition to the Chief Woman Inspector, 12 women staff inspectors and 65 His Majesty's (women) inspectors. Since that date, apart from the Chief Woman Inspector, who continues to hold her post of special responsibility as chief adviser to the Board on questions affecting the education of young children, girls and women, 37 of these women officers have been placed on aggregated scales of pay. Of these, five have subsequently retired from the Board's service.

At no time has it been contemplated that all women officers graded as His Majesty's (Women) Inspector in 1933, prior to the introduction of aggregation, should necessarily be aggregated as His Majesty's Inspector. They were not originally recruited with a view to undertaking the duties normally assigned to that grade.

Since September, 1933, the Board have recruited from outside to the grade of His Majesty's Inspector 24 men, and 14 further vacancies have been filled by the promotion of assistant inspectors (men). No recruitment from outside has during the same period been effected of women to the grade of His Majesty's Inspector, but, as already indicated, all vacancies available for the purpose, to the number of 37, have been utilised for the aggregation of women officers already on the staff.

At the present date there are five chief inspectors, of whom one is the Chief Woman Inspector; nine divisional inspectors (men); 20 staff inspectors of whom two are women; 187 His Majesty's inspectors of whom 30 are women, leaving 26 women officers of the old grade of His Majesty's (Woman) Inspector, whose places, as they fall vacant, will, in accordance with the revised establishment introduced in April, 1935, be filled by assistant inspectors. These women officers according to their qualifications are, of course, eligible for consideration to be aggregated to the grade of His Majesty's Inspector as vacancies in that grade occur.

Women staff inspectors who have been aggregated on the scale of His Majesty's Inspector but not to the grade of Staff Inspector, retain their titles as personal to themselves.

asked the President of the Board of Education in what areas the school-leaving age has already been raised to 15; how many children there are in these areas between the ages of 14 to 15; and what number were exempted in each area at the latest date for which figures are available?

I regret that the statistics at my disposal do not enable me to give figures for the average number of children between 14 and 15 on the registers of the public elementary schools

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the result of the inquiry by the procurator fiscal, Mr. Strathern, into the alleged illegal poindings and threats made by Mr. Turkington, a debt recovery agent, of Gallowgate, Glasgow, against a Tollcross family; and if he is prepared to take power to bring about compulsory registration of debt collectors?

in an area throughout the year. To the following table, which will, I hope, give my hon. Friend a fairly clear picture of the operation of the by-law, I have added a column showing the number of children between 13 and 14 years on the registers of public elementary schools in each area on 31st March, 1934. This figure, although it is not strictly comparable with any of the other figures in the table, should give a rough approximation to the average number of children between 14 and 15 on the registers during the year 31st March, 1934, to 31st March, 1935.

Inquiry by the Procurator Fiscal into the matter complained of has, so far, failed to disclose any grounds for action by the criminal authorities. I am not in a position to say whether it is practicable or necessary to deal generally with the operations of debt recovery agents in the position of Mr. Turkington, but I am further investigating this matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to establish the port of Mombasa as a defended port; and, if so, the date by which it is intended to give effect to this decision?

The Port of Mombasa has been classified as a defended port. Gun equipments are now in transit to East Africa but the date upon which installation will be completed cannot be forecast with accuracy.

asked the Minister of Labour what industries and what number of persons in such industries are affected by the Unemployment Insurance (Inconsiderable Employments) Regulations and what steps he proposes to take to deal with any large-scale transference of persons to the Unemployment Assistance Board from the labour exchanges, which would bring them within the scope of the means test, owing to the operation of these regulations?

There is no precise information available with regard to the first part of the question, but I would refer the hon. Member to the Reports of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee (Stationery Office Publications 36–117, and 36–9999) in which the whole matter is discussed. The effect of the Regulations is to increase rather than to reduce the number of cases in which Unemployment Insurance contributions are paid, so that there is no ground for the apprehension indicated in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the recent memorandum addressed by the Scottish Herring Producers Association to the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee urging the inclusion of herring fishermen within the scope of the unemployment insurance scheme; and if he has any further progress to report on the matter?

My right hon. Friend has seen the memorandum to which my hon. Friend refers, and I understand that the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee are at present considering it. The committee have informed my right hon. Friend that they propose to make a full investigation and further that in their opinion, with which my right hon. Friend agrees, the position of outworkers and others who do not work under a contract of service must be reviewed at the same time in order to enable them to give a reasoned judgment on the case of the share fishermen. Some time must therefore elapse before their report on the matter is available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what assistance has been or is being given by his Department to the production of any British films?

Assistance has been given on various occasions to British film companies engaged on the production of films of a naval character and also to News Reel Companies. Such assistance has included permission to photograph ships at sea and alongside and also to take photographs on board. All facilities are given subject to their not interfering unduly with naval routine and training and to the payment of actual expenses. In addition, a general charge is made, half of which goes to the Royal Naval and Royal Marine Sports Control Board. The finished film is normally subject to censorship by the Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the investigation into the recent damage to the electrical equipment of His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak" is yet complete; and whether any steps have been taken to prevent further recurrence of such troubles?

Consideration of this matter is still proceeding.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he can state the total number of casualties on both sides due to the fighting on the North-West Frontier?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the operations against the Mohmands last year. The total casualties sustained by the Mohmand force were:—

The hon. Member will appreciate that it is not possible to obtain exact figures of the casualties sustained by the tribesmen, but from reports received it is estimated that these amounted to approximately 250 killed and wounded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make with regard to the future status of the British islands of Jarvis, Baker and Howland, in view of their occupational ownership by the United States of America, and what steps, if any, he intends to take in regard to the matter?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply made by me yesterday to the question on this subject put by the Noble Lord the Member for Bristol, Central (Lord Apsley).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can specify the reasons why the Kenya colonial secretary has recently held up press messages from Nairobi for local and overseas newspapers?

I have seen a report in the press to that effect, and I have already asked the Governor whether there is any foundation for it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement on the personnel of the commission which is to be set up by the Kenya government to inquire into the conditions of the collection of taxation in the native reserves: whether the commission will be authorised to make recommendations as to the amount of taxation imposed on the natives and as to the payment of a proportion of the direct taxation contributed by the natives into a native betterment fund; and whether a native representative has been appointed on the commission?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to Questions No. 44 and No. 48 by the hon. Members for Birkenhead East (Mr. White) and Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on Wednesday the 12th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the result of any negotiations that have passed during the last 12 months between His Majesty's Government and the Netherlands Government for the restriction of the production or shipment of rubber from the British and Dutch possessions?

No such negotiations have taken place between the two Governments during the past 12 months. The present position is shown in a statement published last December by the International Rubber Regulation Committee, of which I shall be happy to send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the total export and import figures of trade between this country and Palestine for the year 1935 up to the latest convenient date?

The following are the figures of trade between the United Kingdom and Palestine for the nine months ended the 30th September, 1935, as shown by the trade returns of Palestine:—

asked the Attorney-General whether, in the case of the Public Prosecutor against several co-operative Labour members of the Stockton-on-Tees Public Assistance Committee for alleged offences under Section 76 of the Local Government Act, 1933, he can state why similar action was not taken against another co-operative member who admitted his guilt in respect of the same offences?

The member of the co-operative society to whom I understand the hon. Member refers was called on subpoena- by the prosecution to give necessary evidence as to the voting of the persons charged. He, moreover, had disclosed his interest and persistently voted against the acceptance of the tenders of the society to which he belonged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in launching any new type of land settlement scheme for emigration, sufficient financial inducement and support will be offered that will not only make the scheme attractive to emigrants leaving this country, but will ensure that those emigrants would be welcomed by authorities overseas?

The points referred to by my hon. Friend would be matters for consideration, in the first instance, by the proposed new Oversea Settlement Board, and they would, I am sure, have the careful attention of the board.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has considered the representations from Canada against the film quota operating between this country and Canada; and what reply, if any, has been returned?

I have no knowledge of representations having been received from the Canadian Government in regard to the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1927, regarding a quota of British films.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain purchases of service rifles have been made from Germany during the past six months, and why these purchases were not made in this country?

I cannot trace that any such purchases have been made by the War Office.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the complaints from various angling associations respecting the pollution of our inland waters; and what action he proposes to take?

Complaints are received from time to time from angling associations and others respecting pollution of inland waters. The Ministry has no power to take legal action to prevent pollution but, so far as possible, it keeps the condition of the rivers under observation by periodical surveys. It also investigates the circumstances of any cases brought to its notice and draws them to the attention of the authorities responsible for the control of pollution. If the hon. Member has any specific case of pollution in mind and will let me have particulars of it I shall be glad to institute inquiries.