asked the Minister of Health whether he can provide an estimate of the number of patients in mental hospitals who are suffering from dementia praecox?

I regret that no separate statistics are available.

asked the Minister of Health how many temporary and voluntary patients received treatment in mental hospitals in 1935?

According to the returns 1,532 temporary patients and 9,744 voluntary patients received treatment in mental hospitals in 1935. The latter figure is, however, subject to a small deduction to allow for persons who may have been admitted to treatment on more than one occasion during the year.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increased use of cyanide gas for the purpose of killing rabbits in this country, he will investigate at an early date whether rabbits killed by such means can be eaten without danger to public health?

Yes, Sir. I will have an investigation made into this matter.

asked the Minister of Health the percentage of primary abdominal tuberculosis amongst all the cases of tuberculosis notified during the past five years?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether the maternal mortality returns from his Ministry include those caused by abortions; and what percentage of those figures are due to illegal abortions?

The published statistics of maternal mortality in England and Wales (deaths classified to pregnancy and child-bearing) include deaths due to abortion or miscarriage with the exception of those classified to criminal abortion on a coroner's certificate, which are separately shown. Full analyses of all forms of maternal mortality and fatal abortion are annually included in the Text Volume of the Registrar-General's Statistical Review.

asked the Minister of Health the amount of the balance in the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pension Fund at the latest available date?

I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the report by the Government Actuary on the Financial Provisions of the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Bill, 1935 (Cmd. 4906). Paragraph 7 of that report gives the amount of the balance in the pensions' account at that time and an estimate of the future position.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an estimate of the yearly increase to the National Health Insurance Fund from the recent advance in contributions?

The recent increase in contributions was an increase in the pensions contributions only and, therefore, does not affect in any way the National Health Insurance Fund. It is estimated that at the present level of unemployment the increase will produce approximately £5,400,000 in the first complete year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can say, of the 66,400 cattle under two years in Pembroke and Carmarthen in June, 1935, how many were bred in those counties and how many were imported from Ireland?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of old and decrepit horses exported from this country in each of the last four periods of six months, and the countries of destination?

Under the Exportation and Transit of Horses, Asses and Mules Order of 1921 made in pursuance of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, and the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, no old and decrepit horses would be passed for shipment by the Ministry's inspector at the ports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the successful operation of the Wheat Act, he will consider introducing amending legislation at an early date to increase the present limit of six million quarters as the basis on which the deficiency payments are made?

The answer is in the negative. The limit of six million quarters must be considered in relation to the standard price of 45s. per quarter. The standard price was recently reviewed by a Statutory Committee and a decision was reached that it should remain unchanged, on the assumption that there would be no change in the basis on which deficiency payments are made.

asked the Minister of Apiculture whether the general scheme for extinguishing tithe rentcharge is intended to include the extinction of corn rents and any other payments in lieu of tithes?

I regret I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, on the passing of the annuity of £5,000 to the holder of the title Earl Nelson, the annuity is capitalised for the purpose of the assessment of estate duties?

Estate Duty is not chargeable in respect of this annuity in view of the terms of the original grant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to certain cases of hardship which arise where couples in receipt of old age pensions who are allowed while living together half their income for assessment, but where one or other is removed to a hospital or nursing home the remaining husband or wife is assessed on the full income and becomes ineligible for old age pension; and if he will take steps to secure that cases of this kind shall be treated on the same basis as now operates in the case of a separation order?

No such cases have been brought to my notice, and I am afraid that my hon. Friend's proposal could not be put into effect without legislation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons appointed to established rank in the Civil Service during the years 1915 to 1920; and how much previous temporary service was allowed to count as reckonable service for pension purposes on establishment?

The number of certificates issued by the Civil Service Commissioners for established appointments during the six years 1915–1920 was 77,095. The information asked for in the last part of the question could not be obtained without undue labour and expense.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost per head at the present time of the essential public services and the similar cost in 1913?

I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind when he speaks of "essential public services." Perhaps he will put down a further question indicating more precisely the services he regards as covered by this description.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the annual immigration of workers from the Irish Free State to Great Britain; and how many of these remain here permanently?

Figures are not available on which a reliable estimate of the numbers in either of the classes of persons referred to can be made; but the Census reports show that there were fewer Irish born persons in Great Britain in 1931 than in 1921.

asked the Minister of Labour after what period of residence and following compliance with what necessary conditions an immigrant from the Irish Free State becomes qualified for the receipt of unemployment benefit?

To obtain unemployment benefit an immigrant from the Irish Free State must satisfy the ordinary conditions for the receipt of benefit. No period of residence in this country is specifically required, but an immigrant cannot generally become entitled to benefit until he has been here long enough to satisfy the First Statutory Condition, namely, that 30 contributions have been paid in respect of him as an insured contributor in the two years before the date of his claim.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a protest from the Lennox-town District Council, in Stirlingshire, protesting against the way in which special areas have been delimited; and whether, seeing that places like Lennox-town, which have suffered from prolonged and extensive unemployment, are prejudiced if they are situated within the confines of a county which has not been scheduled as a special area, he can arrange that applications from Lennox-town, and similarly afflicted areas, will be considered by the Special Commissioner?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the Commissioner can only assist the Special Areas as defined in the First Schedule to the Special Areas (Development and Improvement) Act, 1934, and any extension of these areas would require legislation. Certain other matters dealt with in the representation of the district council have been referred to the Service Departments for their consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increasingly unsatisfied demand for juvenile labour in Central London, he will cause an investigation to be made into the extent to which this shortage is due to the fact that a large number of juveniles are available in the Outer London area but cannot accept work in Central London owing to the high cost of travel?

The London Regional Advisory Council has drawn my attention to this problem and consideration is being given to it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists amongst ex-service men who have completed 21 years' service owing to the fact that when unemployed and on transitional benefit payments the whole of these men's pensions are taken into account when assessing means; and will he take steps to abolish this practice?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor) on 27th February, 1936.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether nystagmus is on the increase amongst coal miners, having regard to the numbers employed having fallen by upwards of 300,000 since the War; and whether he will refer the matter to the medical research committee, with regard to a higher standard of illumination, and undertake to make any ascertained improvement compulsory throughout mining industries?

The number of new cases of nystagmus per thousand persons employed underground at coal mines has decreased in recent years. The matter has already been fully investigated by committees of the Medical Research Council and in other ways. A higher standard of illumination at coal mines was made compulsory by the Coal Mines General Regulations (Lighting) of 1934.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the total expenditure by the miners' welfare committee on pit-head baths;

(2) how many pit-head baths have been installed in South Yorkshire; and how many are in course of construction;

(3) how many pit-head baths have been installed and how many are in course of construction?

Apart from certain sums paid out of the Districts Fund for pit-head baths, the total amount expended by the Central Welfare Committee on pit-head baths up to the end of 1935 was £2,655,952.The following table shows the total number of baths completed, or for which money had been allocated, and the accommodation provided thereby, up to end of 1935:

	Accommodation.
	Number.	Men.	Women.
Great Britain—
Baths completed	188	238,634	366
Baths under construction.	26	39,846	172
Baths planned and money allocated.	17	20,966	54
Total	231	299,446	592

The total estimated cost of this programme to the Central and Districts Miners' Welfare Funds is £3,700,553. In addition, 13 baths have been erected at the expense of colliery owners.As regards South Yorkshire, the number of baths completed or under construction, and the accommodation provided, at the end of 1935 were:

	Accommodation.
	Number.	Men.	Women.
South Yorkshire—
Baths completed*	24	40,860	—
Baths under construction.	4	10,576	—
Total	28	51,436	—
* Including two baths accommodating 4,578 men which are in the Welfare District of South Yorkshire, although in the County of Nottingham.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to the number of firms that have established a five-day week and the total number of employés affected?

Some information on this subject was published on pages 82–85 of the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for the year 1934 (Cmd. 4931). I understand that no later statistics are available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information on the labour conference of the American States recently held at Santiago; whether any report has been drawn up by the member of his Department who represented the Government group of the governing body of the International Labour Office; whether such report, if any, was submitted to him or to the International Labour Office; and whether it will be laid upon the Table?

As in the case of other International Labour Conferences, a report will be prepared and published by the International Labour Office on the regional conference at Santiago. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative and the remaining parts of the question do not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office Advisory Committee still functions; and how many times this committee has met during the three previous years?

I am glad to say that the Post Office Advisory Council continues to afford valuable assistance. During the last three years there have been 11 full meetings of the Council in addition to numerous meetings of its committees which advise me on specific aspects of Post Office policy.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many horses will be carried on the establishment of the recently mechanised cavalry regiments?

Forty horses will be retained provisionally on the establishment of each Cavalry Motor Regiment and Cavalry Light Tank Regiment at home, and 44 by the Cavalry Motor Regiment in Egypt.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the inauguration of a scheme whereby employers are entitled to use a recognised emblem on their stationery if an agreed proportion of their male employés undergo training with the Territorial Army?

This, with other suggestions to improve recruiting, is at the moment under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give details of the production of cotton in Nyasaland over the past three years?

The Nyasaland figures since 1933 are approximately as follow:

• In 1933, 2½ million lbs;
• In 1934, 4¾ million lbs., and
• In 1935, 8¾ million lbs.

Nyasaland production, my hon. Friend will observe, has more than trebled itself over the period in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give statistical information to show the progress of cotton growing in Nigeria since 1933?

Exports of cotton from Nigeria have increased almost two and a-half times since the 1933 crop. The following figures show the progressive increase over the past three crop-years:

• In 1932–33, 9¾ million lbs.;
• In 1933–34, 11¼ million lbs., and
• In 1934–35, 23½ million lbs.

I may add that it is anticipated that exports for the year 1935–36 will reach a still higher figure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give figures to show the production of cotton in Tanganyika territory during 1935 as compared with the two previous years?

The Tanganyika figures since 1933 are approximately as follows:

• In 1933, 11½ million lbs.,
• In 1934, 12½ million lbs., and
• In 1935, 22½ million lbs.

I am glad to be able to say that the 1935 figure constitutes a new record for cotton production in Tanganyika.

asked the President of the Board of Education the extent to which domestic science is taught in the State-operated schools of the country; and whether his reports show that ignorance of this science is often a cause of underfeeding amongst children?

On the 31st March, 1935, over 90 per cent. of the senior girls were in attendance at departments of public elementary schools where instruction in domestic science was provided. I regret that I cannot answer the second part of the question, but I have no doubt that the instruction given in the schools has a beneficial effect in spreading a knowledge of the principles of nutrition.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the allegation submitted to him from representatives of the teachers concerned that they are being harshly penalised in regard to both salaries and working conditions, he is satisfied with the conditions under which Uncertificated or Supplementary Teachers are employed in State-aided schools?

I presume the allegation to which my hon. Friend refers is that contained in a newspaper article of which he has sent me a copy. The writer of the article does not appear to realise the difference between Uncertificated and Supplementary Teachers, or the fact that the former, who are much more numerous than the latter, are pensionable under the School Teachers (Superannuation) Acts and have their salaries regulated by the Burnham Committee. I do not think that the article would justify me in expressing disapproval of the treatment which these teachers, whether Uncertificated or Supplementary. receive from their employers.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many schools have been provided with an attached playing field since the issue of the Hadow Report?

I regret, that I have no particulars for the period before 1st April, 1930. Between that date and 31st December, 1935, the Board approved 301 sites for new public elementary schools which included provision for playing fields in addition to the usual playgrounds?

asked the President of the Board of Education how many schools have been provided with a common playing field; and the number of the latter?

I regret that I have no particulars for the period before 1st April, 1930. Between a at date and 31st December, 1935, the Board approved 108 sites for playing fields le use by more than one public elementary school. I have no figures about the total number of schools which use laying fields in common.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the launch of the British steamer "Matua," at Hebburn, was recorded in the British official wireless service and, if this was not the case, whether it is possible for the British official wireless service to deal to a greater extent with news intended to promote British trade?

On 25th March, the day on which the launch of this vessel took place, a paragraph was included in the evening bulletin of the British official wireless at eight 'o'clock, announcing the launch and giving particulars of the size and other features of the vessel, with special reference to its equipment for the carriage of New Zealand fruit to England.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the Italo-Austro-Hungarian conversations now taking place in Rome, envisaging any economic reprisals upon countries concerned in the application of sanctions to Italy?

The text of the Protocols signed at Rome on 23rd March between the Italian, Austrian and Hungarian Governments has been forwarded to my right hon. Friend by His Majesty's Ambassador at Rome, and has been published in the Press. There is nothing in these documents to suggest that the subject mentioned in the hon.

and gallant Member's question was raised in the course of the conversations to which he alludes.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in engaging additional staff for the anti-gas department recently inaugurated under his control, he will arrange that special preference is given to ex-service men who suffered from gas warfare in the late War?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Civilian Anti-Gas School. The staff of the school has been recruited from ex-service men with experience in chemical defence.