asked the Minister of Health whether he has been in touch with the British Medical Association with regard to maternity services; and, in view of their contention that a unified public health service is the most sure means of reducing maternal and infant mortality; what action he proposes to take in this matter?

Yes, Sir. I have recently received a deputation from the Association on this subject. I stated that I should give further consideration to their proposals after I had received the report of my medical officers who are making special investigations in the areas in which the maternal mortality rate is high.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to sanction the Mid-Glamorganshire sewerage scheme as one of urgency and advise a grant up to 100 per cent. of expenditure as a contribution in work and health to this distressed area?

The report of the Inspector who held the public Inquiry into this scheme is under consideration. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to give a decision in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether the evidence on which his medical officials rely for their opinion that spontaneous encephalitis in rabbits has no affinity with post-vaccinal encephalitis has been published and, if so, where; or, if it has not been published, will he consider giving it publicity?

The answer is in the affirmative so far as the effects of the causal agents of these diseases on the nervous tissues of the rabbit and of man, respectively, are concerned. The characteristics of spontaneous encephalitis in rabbits are set out on page 180 of volume VII of "A System of Bacteriology in relation to Medicine" issued by the Medical Research Council in 1930, and those of post-vaccinal encephalitis were published in the Report of the Committee on Vaccination issued in 1928 and in the further Report of the Committee issued in 1930.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make inquiries into the circumstances that have led the Twickenham Borough Council to suspend the operation of its fair wages clause as applied to the council's printing contracts; and whether he will state the result of such inquiries and the action he purposes taking in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I will make inquiries and communicate with the hon. Member, but I ought to say at once that the matter does not appear to be one in which I have any jurisdiction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many of the stations where public assistance is administered in the county of Derby comprise only one room for the use of the officer in the administrations of his duty and applicants are expected to wait in the open street, exposed both to inclement weather and the public gaze; and will he take steps to have the grievance adjusted?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether approved societies without any surplus for women for additional benefits on the third valuation have been able to maintain dental grants of 75 per cent. to women throughout the third valuation period, and how this has been accomplished within the scheme; why only 14 per cent. of the women's surplus in one society has been declared disposable on the fourth valuation; and whether the proportion over 50 per cent. as set forth in Article 19 of Part IV of S.R. & O. 644 must be on a uniform percentage basis?

A few approved societies which had no disposable surplus on the third valuation had fairly substantial balances remaining unspent from the sums set aside for the provision of treatment additional benefits as a result of the previous valuation, and out of these balances were able to provide additional benefits during the ensuing valuation period. In reply to the second part of the question, I should explain that the determination of the amount of surplus which can be declared to be disposable is a matter for the professional judgment of the valuer, and that the disposable surplus does not represent any fixed proportion of the gross surplus. In regard to the last part of the question, the proportion of the cost of dental treatment to be paid by a society as additional benefit must be uniform throughout the society.

asked the Minister of Health how many schemes of water supply in rural areas in the county of Cumberland have been assisted by him out of the authorised grant of £1,000,000; and what is the total of the sums granted by him for such schemes in Cumberland?

Grants totalling £17,095 have been allocated in aid of 13 schemes covering 40 parishes in Cumberland.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to tie large number of widows of disabled ex-service men who, because their husbands died from causes other than those for which disability pensions had been granted, are disallowed widows' pensions alder the Royal Warrant, and who, as their husbands were unable to follow an insurable occupation owing to their disability, are denied widows' pensions and under the Act, and who consequently have to be maintained by the Public Assistance Board; and will he take steps to adjust his hardship?

There is provision in the contributory pensions scheme for enabling insurance to be maintained during periods of incapacity and genuine unemployment. Where incapacity or genuine unemployment cannot be established, the position can be safeguarded by voluntary insurance and the Contributory Pensions Act of 1925 provided that the contributions due from a pensioned ex-service man who became a voluntary contributor might, with his consent, be paid by the Minister of Pensions and deducted from his pension.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give a list of the members of the Consumers' Committees for Great Britain and England?

The members of the Consumers' Committee for England are:

• Geoffrey K. Peto, Esq., C.B.E. (Chairman).
• F. W. Birchenough, Esq., J.P.
• Sir Charles H. Bird, C.B.E., J.P.
• Austin Chadwick, Esq.
• A. E. Cutforth, Esq., C.B.E.
• Mrs. Beatrice M. Drapper, J.P.
• Sir William E. Dudley, O.B.E., J.P.
• F. W. Mackinney, Esq., C.B.E.
• The Hon. Mrs. Anthony Methuen.
• A. Towle, Esq., C.B.E.
• Mrs. A. Wilson.

The Consumers' Committee for Great Britain consists of the above-named, together with the following:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state, for the years 1934 to 1935, the total production of milk in Great Britain; and the percentage disposed of for purposes of, manufacture?

The estimated total production of milk in Great Britain in the two years 1933–34 and 1934–35 was approximately:

Year (June to May).	Million gallons.
1933–34	1,550
1934–35	1,570

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence if the financial assistance for laying down new plant, referred to in the White Paper, applies to construction of new workshops or only to laying down new plant in existing workshops; if building to meet Government requirements in this direction will be given priority over non-Government building; and, if so, what organisation will be set up to effect this priority?

The answer to the first part of the question is that, where necessary, financial assistance will be made available under suitable safeguards for the construction of new workshops and for the laying down of new plant in existing workshops. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that, as stated in the White Paper, the Government programme is to be carried out without impeding the course of normal trade. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer him to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 31st ultimo.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what industries he has yet approached in connection with the White Paper proposals?

I have made no formal approach to any industry. In addition to informal conversations which I have had with various persons, I have had interviews with representatives of the Federation of British Industries and of the Machine Tool Trades Association.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men in Chatham dockyard are represented by the trades unions which have representation in the various local Whitley councils?

As it is not the policy of the Admiralty to inquire to which trade unions, if any, their employés belong, I regret that I am unable to say how many men are represented by the unions in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the departmental attitude that the Admiralty is not free to depart from the present system of membership of the various Whitley councils dealing with dockyard matters, he can state if this arrangement can be modified by giving notice to those concerned that the system of membership merits alteration?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member wishes to modify the rule under which Admiralty workpeople are represented on the various Whitley industrial councils and committees solely by representatives of the trade unions having members employed in the industrial establishments of the Department. This rule is based on an agreement between His Majesty's Government and the trade unions for the application of the Whitley Report to Government industrial establishments, and the Board of Admiralty is not in a position to take any action inconsistent with this agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of county and burgh authorities, respectively, who are supplying meals to necessitous children, other than milk; and how many are given free milk only?

During the year ended 31st July, 1935, free meals, other than milk, were supplied to necessitous children in the areas of the four Burgh Education Authorities and in 23 out of the 31 county education areas. During the same period about 64,400 children were given free milk, but no statistics as to the number of suet children receiving milk only are available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the firm of J. Burns, Limited, Wangye Works, Chadwell Heath, are contractors to His Majesty's Stationery Office?

Messrs. J. Burns, Limited, Chadwell Heath, hold no period contracts with His Majesty's Stationery Office, but during the last four years the firm have executed three small ad hoc contracts for the Department in respect of special items.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence if any decision has been formed as to whether it is practicable to cut a canal through the Isthmus of Kra, observing the importance of the effect of such a canal upon the strategical questions involved in the Singapore base?

My information is that no such scheme is under consideration by the Siamese Government, and I would draw the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the statement of the Siamese Foreign Office, which was reproduced in the "Bangkok Times" of 28th March, 1936, the operative part of which is as follows:

"There have been no tales from the Straits about any progress in cutting that canal across the Isthmus of Kra for quite a considerable time. But once set agoing such a story and it is difficult to kill it. The latest form it has taken in Europe is that there are now 200 Japanese engineers and 20,000 workmen busy on the job!

A representative of this paper went to the Foreign Office yesterday and saw the Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about this, for it is sometimes well to get even an absurd statement officially contradicted. The Secretary pointed out that Siamese and foreigners alike are constantly travelling up and down the peninsula by rail, and know for themselves that no canal is being cut. There is absolutely no foundation, he added, for the statement that such a canal is contemplated. It is not desirable economically or strategically. But the tale has found wide circulation, he said, since a German engineer had written to the Minister, expressing his willingness to undertake the job."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether facilities will be granted to Members of Parliament to visit and inspect the "Queen Mary"?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 12th March last to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne). I understand, however, that an invitation has been received from the chairman of the Cunard White Star Company for a limited number of Members of both Houses of Parliament to inspect the "Queen Mary" at Southampton on Saturday, 16th May. Arrangements will be made for details to be given to Members in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the figures for the years ended 5th April, 1933 and 1934, showing under each Schedule A, B, C, D and E the gross amount of Income Tax brought under review for Income Tax purposes?

The hon. Member will find particulars of the income brought under review for the years in question under the different Schedules in Tables 41 and 42 of the recently published 78th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper No. 5015).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount paid for transport of forces, nurses, munitions, and all impedimenta of war to railway companies of this country by the British Government during the Great War, 1914 to 1919?

The railways were in the possession of the Government throughout the War and under the Railway Agreements no charge was made for the conveyance of Government traffic, but the railways were guaranteed for the period of the War the equivalent of their net receipts for the year 1913.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total monetary gold reserves held by France and the United States of America at the most recent date; and what are these proportions to the total monetary gold reserve of the world at par; and can he state to what extent these reserves have increased or decreased during the last 12 months?

The information is as follows:

Gold Reserves (March, 1936).
		Equivalent in gold pounds at par.
	Millions.	Millions.
France (francs)	65,587	£528·0
Decrease since March, 1935.	17,048	£137·2
United States of America (dollars).	10,177	£1,235·1
Increase since March, 1935.	1,609	£195·3

The total monetary reserves of 50 countries, according to the estimates of the United States Federal Reserve Bulletin, were 22,472 millions of dollars at the end of 1935. The French gold reserve would represent on the basis of that calculation about 19 per cent. of the total and the American about 45 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of money, if any, paid to owners of land in France by the British Government for consideration, rent, or allowance for land used as cemeteries and other burial places for British soldiers killed in the Great War, 1914 to 1919?

The French Government presented to the Imperial War Graves Commission as a free gift all the land used for the burial of British soldiers killed in action and accordingly no payments were made for the purchase of land for the purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount paid for transport of forces, nurses, munitions, and all impedimenta of war to shipping interests by the British Government during the Great War, 1914 to 1919?

This information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange to make the reports of the Food Council available to Members of the House?

I am arranging for copies of all the published reports of the Food Council to be placed in the Library.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any action has been taken to prevent the inadequate manning of foreign coasting ships since the sinking of the Dutch motor vessel on the 10th March?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the crews of foreign ships engaged in the British coasting trade that have been the subject of inquiry as to manning; and whether he can state the extent to which juvenile members of the captain's family have counted as part of the ship's crew?

By Article 48 of the International Safety Convention, contracting Governments undertake to ensure that, from the point of view of safety of life at sea, their ships shall be sufficiently and efficiently manned. The Board of Trade can intervene in regard to the manning of a foreign ship sailing from a United Kingdom port only if by reason of undermanning the ship is unfit to proceed to sea without serious danger to human life. No such cases have come to the board's notice in recent years. I have no information as to the extent to which juveniles have been counted as part of the crew on foreign ships.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the tonnage and percentage by which foreign shipping engaged in the inter-port trade on the British coast increased in 1935 compared with 1934 and 1933; also in the first two months of this year compared with the first two months of 1935 and 1934; and whether he can state the number and tonnage of motor coasters up to 750 tons net built, respectively, in Holland and the United Kingdom during the past three years?

The tonnage of the foreign vessels, including their repeated voyages, that arrived and departed with cargo in the coasting trade of Great Britain in 1935 was 125,658 tons net (29 per cent.) greater than in 1934 and 148,477 tons net (36 per cent.) greater than in 1933; the tonnage in the first two months of 1936 was 102,493 tons net (109 per cent.) and 93,761 tons net (91 per cent.) more than in the corresponding periods of 1935 and 1934.Particulars are not available of the number and tonnage of motor vessels built exclusively for the coasting trade in Holland or the United Kingdom. Motor vessels up to 750 tons net launched at ports in the United Kingdom in 1932 numbered 126 (3,510 tons net), in 1933, 200 (6,114 tons net) and in 1934, the latest year for which information is available, 284 (9,212 tons act). Similar particulars of vessels built in Holland are not available but according to the Annual Summary of Lloyd's Register of Shipping, motor ships between 100 and 999 tons gross launched in Holland during 1932, 1933 and 1934 numbered 27, 18, and 23; all these were below 500 tons gross except one of those launched in 1933. The actual tonnage of these vessels is not stated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give particulars of all ships built under the Scrap-and-Build Act, stating whether they are of a coal, oil, or Diesel burning type?

Of the three vessels so far built under the Scrap-and-Build Scheme two are coal burning steamers of 5,267 and 4,270 tons gross respectively and the third a motor ship of 4,985 tons gross of the Diesel burning type. Orders have been placed with builders in respect of 36 of the remaining 47 vessels which are being or will be constructed as a result of proposals so far approved under the scheme. These orders cover the building of 12 coal burning steamers of approximately 39,000 tons gross, six steamers of approximately 28,000 tons gross burning coal or oil fuel alternatively, 12 motor ships of approximately 60,000 tons gross and six small motor vessels of approximately 2,600 tons gross.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the large number of ex-service men who are unemployed, whether His Majesty's Government will consider raising the King's Roll percentage from two and a-half to five which it was originally, and including a clause in all Government contracts that a certain percentage of men engaged on such contracts must, all other things being equal, be ex-service men without pensions?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to disabled ex-service men. The normal basis of enrolment on the King's National Roll is still the employment of disabled ex-service men to the extent of not less than 5 per cent. of total staff, though local committees have discretion to grant membership on a lower basis if the circumstances so warrant. As regards the latter part of the question, under a resolution of Parliament, Government contracts are confined, save in exceptional circumstances, to employers enrolled on the King's National Roll.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that local unemployment assistance boards are refusing to operate the pots and pans clause of the unemployment assistance regulations, in some cases denying that the clause is any longer operative and referring the applicants to charitable organisations for the renewal of household appliances; and whether, in view of the clear interpretation of the clause in a memorandum issued by the Ministry (Cmd. 4791), he will take steps to ensure that the provisions of the clause are observed throughout the country?

I am not aware of the facts as stated by the hon. Member. On the contrary I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that there are no grounds for believing that The provisions of the regulations with respect to needs of an exceptional character are not being properly observed. Perhaps the hon. Member will be so good as to supply me with the information upon which his question is based.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons registered as unemployed in all grades of the building industry on the latest available date?

The total number of insured persons, aged 14 to 64 years, in the building industry, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 23rd March, 1936, was 140,236, of whom 132,691 were men aged 21 to 64 years, 7,132 were youths and boys under 21 years, and 413 were women and girls. The occupations of the unemployed men, aged 21 to 64 years, were as follow:

Occupation.	Number.
Carpenters	10,795
Bricklayers	3,591
Masons	2,081
Slaters and Tilers	925
Plasterers	2,206
Painters	16,503
Plumbers	3,381
Labourers to above and Builders' Labourers	35,242
Navvies, etc., and General Labourers	29,017
All other occupations	28,950
Total, aged 21–64 years	132,691

asked the Minister of Labour whether, owing to the hardships caused by the six waiting days before coming into benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the Government intends, in the near future, to shorten the waiting period to not more than three days?

The Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee dealt with this matter when they examined the financial condition of the Unemployment Fund at the end of 1935. They reported to me that it appeared to most of them that there was no ground for regarding the abolition or reduction of the waiting time as a change for which any urgency can be claimed. They recommended rather that the disposable surplus of the fund should be used to reduce contributions, and this course was approved yesterday by the House.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of schemes for water supply that have been assisted by the Commissioner for the Special Areas in Wales; and whether he is prepared to make similar grants for water supply schemes in the Special Area within the County of Cumberland if properly devised schemes are submitted to him?

Up to the 31st March, 1936, 22 water supply schemes submitted by nine local authorities and water boards in the Special Areas in South Wales and Monmouthshire have been approved by the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) for assistance from the fund administered by him. The total estimated cost of these schemes is £94,326. Assistance is also available from the fund for approved schemes submitted by authorities in the Special Area in West Cumberland. The Commissioner has approved a grant from the fund in respect of one water supply scheme estimated to cost £26,700. Rural water schemes for which Exchequer grants are available are not eligible for grant from the Special Areas Fund.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information about the attitude of the Indian Government or Indian manufacturers to participation in the Leipzig Fair and to the completion of contracts entered into with German firms, such as the contract for the construction of the Howrah Bridge, in view of the resentment aroused in India by the references of the Chancellor of the German Reich to the coloured races?

The Indian Government did not take part in the Leipzig Fair this year and I understand that their decision, which was taken last year, was based on financial and economic considerations. I have heard no suggestion of any special action by Government or manufacturers with regard to contracts with German firms. As far as I am aware, the Howrah Bridge contract has not yet been allotted.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a member of the special branch of the criminal investigation department has been visiting houses in Ash Grove, Southall, making inquiries as to the place of work of a man suspected of being a Communist, and that lie waylaid the man in the early morning on his way to work and tried to-follow him to his place of employment; whether the authorities wished to secure the dismissal of this man for his political beliefs; whether such espionage and intimidation are sanctioned by the Home Office against individuals against whom no criminal charge is projected; and will he cause inquiry to be made into this case with a view to the punishment of those authorising such practices?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that no police officer has been visiting houses in Ash Grove, Southall, although police inquiries have been made in that neighbourhood during the course of which a man was followed. Care was taken by the police to make sure that the employers knew nothing of the matter, and there is no ground for the suggestion that the race action was in any way intimidating or liable to bring about the man's dismissal. The police, in the course of their duty to make inquiries, take every care to avoid prejudicing the interests of the person concerned. There is, of course, no foundation for the suggestion that the police attempt to affect a man's livelihood because of his political views.

asked the Home Secretary the number of accidents that have occurred in the building industry during the last three months?

Accidents occurring on certain classes of buildings only are reportable under the Factory Acts. I regret that the figures for the last three months are not yet available, but in 1935 109 fatal and 3,884 non-fatal accidents were reported.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to waive the Crown privilege and so enable Burt and Lloyd to take action in the courts for wrongful dismissal in connection with the escape of a red-band prisoner at Oxford about two years ago?

I think the hon. Member is under some misapprehension as to the position. The terms of service of these officers, as of all other servants of the Crown, are such as to preclude them from suing the Crown for wrongful dismissal, since, in law, every Crown servant holds his office at the pleasure of the Crown, and accordingly his employment can be terminated at any time without notice.

asked the Home Secretary how many cases in the juvenile courts in the last year have been dealt with by dismissal and by being bound over, respectively?

The figures for Juvenile Courts cannot be given separately but during 1934—the figures for last year are not yet available—in all Summary Courts in England and Wales 13,068 juveniles under the age of 17 were dealt with by dismissal, 12,520 were placed on probation and 2,449 were bound over without supervision.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 13th March the magistrate at Lambeth Juvenile Court, in dealing with six young shopbreakers aged 12 to 14 years, remanded them on bail for three months, stating that they all ought to be remanded in custody but that he was unable to do so because there was no room for them; how many children and young persons were detained in the remand home for over a month while waiting for admittance to the Home Office schools in the last 12 months; and whether he will take steps to establish observation centres, in accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the Departmental Committee on the Treatment of Young Offenders in 1927?

I believe that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. According to information supplied by the London County Council 228 is the number detained in their remand home for over a month while awaiting admission to approved schools during the year ended 31st March last. The Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, does not empower my right hon. Friend to establish observation centres, but progress is being made by local authorities in developing observation facilities in the principal remand homes.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in connection with the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Bill, he has taken steps to consult the local authorities and seaside and health resorts as to their views on aspects of the measure which especially affect them?

No such steps have been taken by me, but I understand that the attention of the Associations representing the local authorities has been directed to this Bill, and if there are any points on which they wish to make representations, they will no doubt communicate with me or with the promoters of the Bill. I propose to make some special inquiries in regard to the application of the Bill in the case of the seaside resorts and certain other areas likely to be specially affected.

asked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions made under the Shops Act in so far as they relate to the sale of goods after the permitted hour; and the amount of fines inflicted for such offences during the calendar years 1933, 1934, and 1935?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 5th March, which gives all the available information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish an estimate of the number of persons aged 16 to 64 years in the middle of each of the years 1920, 1931, and 1935, in Northern Ireland?

By the courtesy of the Government of Northern Ireland, I am enabled to state that on the best available estimate, the figures are approximately:

1929	768,000
1931	775,000
1934	799,000

No figures can be given for 1535.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the existing legislation in Great Britain dealing with procuration of women for immoral purposes does, in fact, adequately fulfil the obligations His Majesty's Government has entered into by ratification of the 1910 International Agreement and the 1921 International Convention against traffic in women; and, now that His Majesty's Government has, by signing the 1933 Convention on the same subject, agreed in principle to abolish the age limit of 21 years in procuration offences, will he examine Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885, since this Sub-section not only excludes common prostitutes and women of known immoral character from its operation but also excludes any women over 21 years of age?

His Majesty's Government was advised some years ago that the provisions of the existing law in the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885, enabled it to fulfil the obligations which it accepted in respect of the International Conventions of 1910 and 1921 to which the hon. Member refers. The question whether any amendment of the law is required to enable His Majesty's Government to ratify the International Convention of 1933 is now under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General how many licences have been granted for wireless relay services in this country and how many separate companies are concerned; and whether he is satisfied that proper facilities are being provided?

Licences to operate wireless relay services have been granted to 295 companies or individuals in respect of 343 exchanges; and, so far as I am aware, the conditions laid down. in the Post Office licence, have, generally speaking, been observed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider abolishing the regulations whereby Post Office workers are partially prohibited from taking part in Parliamentary and municipal elections?

I do not consider it advisable to modify the existing regulations. Post Office servants are permitted to become candidates for and to serve on municipal councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of children under 14 years in each of the counties of Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, Caithness, Sutherland and Argyll, and in each of the islands of Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra and Eriskay, in each of the years 1914, 1920, 1925, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1935

The following table gives the desired figures, as ascertained by the Census in 1921 and 1931, for the counties and islands specified:

	Census	Census
County.	1921.	1931.
Inverness	21,845	20,166
Ross and Cromarty	19,210	15,739
Caithness	8,288	6,712
Sutherland	4,440	3,641
Argyll	19,366	13,962
Islands.
Lewis	7,381	6,244
Harris	1,038	866
North Uist	618	524
Benbecula	248	213
South Uist	884	715
Barra	541	511
Etiskay	123	136

Similar figures are not available for the other years mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the firm of lymph manufacturers from whom his Department obtains supplies of lymph for vaccination purposes make any use of rabbits in the course of the preparation of the lymph in question?

I am informed that the firm of lymph manufacturers from whom the Department obtain supplies of lymph for vaccination purposes makes use of rabbits in the preparation of Seed Lymph and for testing the lymph for potency before issue. The procedure is carried out in strict accordance with the provisions of the Therapeutic Substances Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give a list of the members of the Consumers' Committee for Scotland?

Following is the list of members of the Consumers' Committee for Scotland:

• Sir John Lorne MacLeod, G.B.E. (Chairman).
• Mr. Henry Alexander.
• Mr. Thomas Bishop.
• Mrs. J. H. Buist.
• Professor Alexander Gray.
• Miss J. B. Montgomery.
• Mr. William B. Small.
• Mr. D. Cameron Thompson.
• The Hon. J. K. Weir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any report to make upon his recent meeting with the County Councils Association of Scotland, when the case was presented to him for special State aid to make possible the provision of adequate water supplies in different counties in Scotland?

I am considering the representations made by the Association of County Councils, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the excessive illumination of buildings on main roads, causing confusion to motorists, either by glare or the danger of a motorist not observing a traffic signal, which may be difficult to see with a background of light of the same colour; and whether he will take action to deal with this?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on 26th February, of which I am sending him a copy.