asked the Minister of Labour the total amount paid in unemployment assistance annually since 1931 and the average numbers relieved for each year?

The following table shows approximately the annual expenditure (excluding cost of administration) out of the Unemployment Fund to 31st March, 1936, on transitional payments under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, and on unemployment allowances, and the average weekly number of payments:

asked the Minister of Labour what steps the Government propose to take to deal with the recent exceptional increase in unemployment in the north-eastern district; and whether he will confer with other Departments with a view to more Government contracts being placed in the area?

The net increase at 27th April, 1936, as compared with 23rd March, 1936, of 9,572 persons on the registers of the North-Eastern Division was mainly due to a seasonal increase of 16,621 in the numbers unemployed in the coal mining industry (of whom approximately 16,000 were temporarily stopped) and to an increase of 3,205 in the number of unemployed boys and girls, following the registration of juveniles who left school at Easter. In the majority of the principal industries in the Division the numbers recorded as unemployed decreased between these dates and the total number recorded as unemployed at April, 1936, was 51,812 less than a year ago, and was the lowest April figures recorded since 1930. My hon. Friend will, therefore, see that the increase in the figures is primarily seasonal in character and also temporarily affected by the influx of school leavers. Though this is the case I shall continue to use every effort within the powers of my Department, either alone or in consultation with the other Departments concerned, to increase employment generally in the area.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many licences have been granted enabling wholesale wine and spirit merchants to trade as retailers in shops, during the last 12 months, without application to the magistrates?

The number of retailers' spirit and wine off-licences held in conjunction with dealers' licences, with out a Justices' Certificate, granted during the year ended 31st March, 1936, is as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give consideration to a general denouncement of the most-favoured-nation clause in our treaties with foreign countries before any further trade agreements are signed?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to his question of 3rd March, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Postmaster-General the approximate times taken by the British air-mail, the sea-mail, the trans-Siberian mail, and the trans-Canadian mail in reaching Shanghai from this country?

The normal time of transmission to Shanghai by the weekly British air service to Hong Kong, and from Canton to Shanghai by the Chinese internal air service, is 12 days; by surface route via Suez, 32 or 33 days; via Siberia 16 or 17 days, and via Canada between 29 and 34 days.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the practice of charging recipients of telegrams residing far from the nearest post office has been modified during the last 12 months?

No alteration has been made in the rule under which telegrams are delivered without special charge within a radius of three miles from the delivery office but are subject to a delivery charge beyond that distance.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is intended to institute an automatic telephone service in the Chiswick area; and, if so, when this is likely to take place?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the present exchange at Chiswick has a considerable unexpired effective life and has ample capacity for additional subscribers. In these circumstances, it is not due to be converted to the automatic system for some years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the widespread demand for such a step locally, he will restore the date-stamp impressions for letters posted at Oldham-stocks, East Lothian?

I am not aware of a widespread demand. The present date-stamp is similar to that used at comparable places throughout the country, and I am afraid I should not be justified in making an exception at Oldhamstocks.

asked the Postmaster-General the average weekly weight of parcels despatched by air mail to India and the reverse for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, and how these figures compare with the two previous years?

The average weekly weights of parcels despatched from this country by air mail to India during the years ended the 31st of March, 1934, 1935 and 1936, were 142 lb. 200 lb. and 233 lb. respectively. The corresponding weights in the reverse direction were 58 lb., 61 lb. and 107 lb.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of ascertaining how many cottages of historical interest are being destroyed each month under various demolition orders of local authorities, although in many cases financial offers have been made to acquire these houses for preservation; and will he consider the introduction of legislation to revise the existing Housing Acts, so that a grant will be available towards the cost of a new dwelling-house without of necessity requiring the demolition of an ancient building which is condemned for habitation?

I have no information to suggest that cottages of historical interest are being destroyed in the circumstances indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend. I should be glad to receive particulars of any such case which may be within his knowledge. The Exchequer contribution under the Housing Act, 1930, is already payable in respect of accommodation rendered necessary by the acceptance of undertakings from owners under Section 19 of the Act that unfit property shall not be used for human habitation until it has been rendered fit for the purpose and is not in such cases contingent upon the demolition of the property.

asked the Minister of Health when the inter-departmental committee which is considering warmth and comfort in buildings is expected to produce its report; and whether he will require the committee to include in the report specific reference to humidity as a factor in comfort and fitness?

I have been asked to reply. Investigations are promoted by the Medical Research Council and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the advice of the Joint Committee on Research in Heating and Ventilation, and reports on such investigations are published from time to time. A report dealing with the warmth factor in comfort at work will shortly be issued. The Joint Committee already has the humidity factor under consideration in its general programme.

asked the Lord President of the Council the conditions under which the charter of the Royal Albert Hall is held and on which it can be withdrawn?

The charter relating to the Royal Albert Hall was not granted subject to any condition such as the hon. Member appears to have in mind. In the absence of any express provision for its revocation, and no such provision exists in the case in question, a Royal Charter can only be revoked by Act of Parliament or in certain exceptional circumstances by the Courts, or with the consent of the grantees or their successors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any new statistics are available to indicate the general immigration into Kenya since 1932?

Migration statistics for 1933 and 1934 have now been received. In 1933, 12,862 persons of all races entered Kenya at the port of Mombasa and 14,485 left. The figures for 1934 were: arrivals 15,004, departures 13,963. These figures relate to the Port of Mombasa only and are not, therefore, a complete record of all arrival, in and departures from Kenya.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the recently published annual report of the Commissioner of Police in London it is stated that bottle parties are causing special trouble to the police; and if he contemplates bringing these parties under stricter regulation in his promised club legislation or in any other way?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the statement to which the hon. Member refers, but he cannot say more at present than that the position is being watched.