asked the Minister of Transport when the street widening at the western end of the Strand is likely to be completed, in view of the congestion in that thoroughfare?

Pending a decision on the Charing Cross Bridge question, I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the lack of uniformity in the duration of the exposure of the amber light at points controlled by traffic lights; and whether, in view of the dangers arising from this lack of uniformity, he is prepared to circularise the highway authorities on the matter?

Lack of uniformity in the duration of the amber light is imposed by lack of uniformity in width and circumstances of junctions. I cannot see that danger can arise to anyone obeying the signals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the total value of the orders placed in the Special Area of South Wales and Monmouthshire in connection with the railway development scheme?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on the 20th February last, the railway companies are seeking in their Bills of this Session the necessary powers to enable them to implement the agreement made last year, but I have now ascertained that orders have already been placed in the Special Area of South Wales and Monmouthshire to the amount of £26,000, including orders placed with sub-contractors. Orders to the value of £24,000 have also been placed by sub-contractors in places contiguous to the Special Area referred to.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will state the places on the London Midland and Scottish Railway where reconstruction was made a condition of the financial arrangements of 1935, and the places where such work has commenced;(2) the places on the London and North Eastern Railway at which reconstruction was made a condition of the financial arrangements made in 1935, and the places where such work has commenced?

As regards the first part of each question I would refer my hon. Friend to the First Schedule to the Railways (Agreement) Act, 1935, and also, so far as the London and North Eastern Railway is concerned, to the First Schedule to the London Passenger Transport (Agreement) Act, 1935. As regards the second part of each question, arrangements have been made for periodical returns to be furnished by the companies of work begun and labour employed on these schemes as soon as the Parliamentary powers which are necessary for many of them have been obtained under the Bills now before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the standing committee on mineral transport is still in being; what action has been taken following this committee's first report, dated 21st October, 1929; and whether the further reports promised therein have yet been submitted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In accordance with the committee's report of October, 1929, financial assistance was offered, under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act of that year, for conversion of terminal facilities to accommodate 20-ton wagons. The committee were asked further to consider standardisation and pooling of mineral wagons, but eventually came to the conclusion that for the time being they could not usefully carry these matters further and no subsequent report has been submitted.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress, if any, has been made in supplying the village of Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire, with electricity?

I am informed that estimates of the cost of extending a supply to Sheepscombe have now been prepared and are under consideration by the West Gloucestershire Power Company. I have asked the Electricity Commissioners to keep in touch with the company.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the copy of the resolutions passed by the Welsh National Council of the League of Nations Union at their annual meeting held at Barry, Glamorgan, on 13th June; whether he will give a reply to each of the questions sent to him; and what is the decision of his Government on the points raised?

The main subject-matter of the resolutions will be covered during the Debate later in the afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to bring to the notice of the Council of the League of Nations at its forthcoming meeting the infraction of the Treaty of St. Germain committed by Austria in introducing conscription?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Austrian Government, through its organ, the Reichspost, has pronounced in favour of a Hapsburg restoration; and what is his attitude to the violation of the peace treaties which, by arousing the opposition of the Little Entente, will create a dangerous tension in Central Europe?

My right hon. Friend has not received the full text of the article to which the hon. Member refers, and I am not in a position to express any views regarding it. As regards the second part of the question, I would point out that the Treaty of St. Germain contains no provision regarding the form of government in Austria beyond the stipulation that the independence of Austria is inalienable otherwise than with the consent of the Council of the League of Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Argentine Congress has yet passed an amended traffic consolidation law of which the provisions are acceptable to the representatives of the Anglo-Argentine railways?

My hon. Friend is doubtless referring to the Transport Co-ordination Bill which was passed by the Argentine Chamber of Deputies last Session and was to come before the Senate when Congress reassembled in May. My right hon. Friend has received no further information with regard to the progress of the Bill, but His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires is being requested to report by telegraph whether the measure has yet come before the Senate and, if so, with what result.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider installing a training centre at Newport, Monmouthshire, for the purposes of instruction in bricklaying, carpentering, and engineering in order to avoid the disadvantages to a number of unemployed in the area of going to the nearest such training centre, which is located at Bristol?

Experience shows that the balance of advantage is to have the training centres in districts affording good prospects of employment where the men are readily placed in employment from the centres, and I do not in present circumstances contemplate setting up a Government Training Centre at Newport.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the total amount paid out in unemployment benefit in Linlithgowshire during the year ended 1st May, 1936, or the nearest convenient date, and similar information for each of the preceding five years?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th June, 1936; col. 364, Vol. 313) supplied the following statement:The total amounts paid in unemployment benefit and transitional payments or unemployment allowances direct through Employment Exchanges in Linlithgowshire during the year ended 8th May, 1936, and each of the preceding five years were as shown below.

Period.	Unemployment Benefit.	Transitional Payments or Unemployment Allowances.
	£	£
11th May, 1935—8th May, 1936 (52 weeks).	108,696	69,766
5th May, 1934—10th May, 1935 (53 weeks).	110,573	73,674
6th May, 1933—4th May, 1934 (52 weeks).	91,086	82,354
7th May, 1932—5th May, 1933 (52 weeks).	87,636	100,961
2nd May, 1931—6th May, 1932 (53 weeks).	173,936	39,219
3rd May, 1930—1st May, 1931 (52 weeks).	155,731	—

The figures are exclusive of payments made through Associations, for which a geographical analysis is not available.The comparability of the figures is affected by the introduction of the transitional payments scheme in November, 1931, and by legislation in 1934 and 1935

Period.	Edinburgh Employment Exchange.		Leith Employment Exchange.		Portobello Employment Exchange.
	Unemployment Benefit.	Transitional Payments or Uuemployment Allowances.	Unemployment Benefit.	Transitional Payments or Unemployment Allowances.	Unemployment Benefit.	Transitional Payments or Unemployment Allowances.
	£	£	£	£	£	£
11th May, 1935—8th May, 1936 (52 weeks).	255,236	263,325	119,715	101,346	18,975	19,132
5th May, 1934—10th May, 1935 (53 weeks).	254,179	241,932	137,889	100,246	18,899	18,959
6th May, 1933—4th May, 1934 (52 weeks).	202,507	224,041	107,417	93,005	16,235	15,020
7th May, 1932—5th May, 1933 (52 weeks).	217,854	222,200	120,052	96,403	15,757	13,468
2nd May. 1931—6th May, 1932 (53 weeks).	410,892	101,028	212,663	37,295	30,262	6,345
3rd May, 1930—1st May, 1931 (52 weeks).	494,727	—	249,093	—	31,681	—

The figures are exclusive of payments made through Associations, for which a geographical analysis is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any further particulars with reference to the proposed erection of the new Employment Exchange for the Borough, Walworth Road; and when it is expected that work will commence?

I regret that I am unable to add to the information given on 29th May.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the total amount paid out in unemployment benefit in Edinburgh and Leith, respectively, during the year ended 1st May, 1936, or the nearest convenient date, and similar particulars for each of the preceding five years?

The total amounts paid in unemployment benefit and transitional payments or unemployment allowances direct through Employment Exchanges in Edinburgh and Leith (including Portobello) during the year ended 8th May, 1936, and each of the preceding five years were as shown below:The comparability of the figures is affected by the introduction of the transitional payments scheme in November, 1931, and by legislation in 1934 and 1935 relating to unemployment insurance and unemployment assistance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants employed in Government Departments, and the cost to the Treasury in salaries and wages, in the years 1914, 1930, and 1935, respectively?

The approximate numbers and annual cost of the staffs employed in Government Departments (including industrial staffs) for the years in question are set out below:

Year.	Numbers.	Annual Cost.
		£
1914	353,200	31,129,500
1930	445,900	86,055,900
1935	471,700	87,057,300

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons employed in the Departments of State who are in receipt of wages or salary in addition to pension apart from War pension?

This information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate labour and expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to prevent the speculators in the City of London indulging in such speculations as will lead to financial embarrassment for the new French Government?

As the House will remember, steps were taken in the proper quarter some time ago to limit undesirable speculation, and I have no reason to believe that the new French Government have been or will be embarrassed by operations in the City of London.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the sub-committee of the Safety in Mines Research Board have yet completed their inquiries into the question of simultaneous shot firing; and whether an early report is contemplated?

No, Sir, and I do not expect that the further report which has been promised will be ready for publication until the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, he is taking to reimburse the local authorities in the loss of rates and rateable value they have suffered and will suffer as a consequence of the court's decision in the matter of the Southern Railway action on valuation?

I understand that the whole question of railway assessments is at present the subject of discussion between representatives of the railway companies and the local authorities; and I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Postmaster-General why all postal parcels sent by air from Burma to England go by steamer and rail to Karachi before being despatched by air from there; and whether he will endeavour to arrange for them to go all the way by air?

I regret that the demands made on the capacity available by the continually increasing letter air mail and passenger traffic on the Empire air services rule out the possibility of arranging for any extension of the existing air parcel services. The question of the future of air parcel services will come under review in connection with the introduction of the Empire Air Mail scheme next year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of women killed in or about the coal mines of India for the years 1933, 1934, and 1935, respectively?

The number of women killed in or about coal mines in India during the calendar year 1933 was 19, and during the calendar year 1934, 13. Figures for 1935 are not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement on the working of the Factories Act, 1934, during the year 1935 in the matter of hours of work, in particular as regards children?

I am afraid that my Noble Friend has not yet received the report of the Government of India on the working of the Factories Act during 1935 and in the meantime it is impossible to make any statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information to give on the resolution of the legislative assembly in favour of denunciation of the Ottawa Agreement; what position is being taken by His Majesty's Government in India; and whether the proposal to appoint a committee to examine the working of the Ottawa Agreement has been abandoned?

The Government of India have given notice to terminate their Ottawa Agreement with this country with effect from the 13th November next. The question of opening negotiations for a new agreement is under discussion between the two Governments. I am not aware that there is any present intention of appointing a, committee on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether there has been any alteration in the previously announced policy of His Majesty's Government regarding the South African Protectorates?

As my Noble Friend made clear in a reply given yesterday, there has been no alteration in policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the alleged perpetrators of the recent crimes of incendiarism, murder, and rioting in Palestine have been promptly tried; and what sentences have been delivered?

The authorities in Palestine may be relied on to do all that is possible to ensure expeditious trials and emergency legislation has been enacted to facilitate the speedy trial of cases arising out of the present disturbances. Details of sentences are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the approximate percentage of Jews and Arabs in the police forces of Palestine?

The approximate percentages on the 31st December, 1935, were Jews 20 and Arabs 80.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to the permission he has given for raising a loan of £625,000 for Kenya, of which £500,000 is to be earmarked for the Land Bank and £100,000 to provide short-term finance for coffee and maize planters, he will state whether any measures will be taken to help native producers from this loan or from some other source?

So far; authority has only been given for the raising of a loan of £375,000, though the necessary power is being taken to raise a further £250,000 if required. Of this £375,000, £112,000 is to be re-lent to the Nairobi Municipality to carry out a water supply scheme, and the remainder is for the Land Bank, including the £100,000 which is intended to provide for short-term advances to farmers of any crop. The object of these last named advances is to afford assistance in respect of certain kinds of financial difficulties which do not arise in the case of native producers in Kenya.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will issue a circular to education authorities advising them to make clear to teachers and parents of children attending schools that parents have a right to withdraw their children from religious instruction in the schools without obtaining any permission and without incurring any penalty?

I have no reason to suppose that the provisions of Section 27 of the Education Act, 1921, which include a provision for their publicity, are not generally known to the local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the present position of the British barley grower; and, in view of the Import Duties Advisory Committee's refusal to impose additional duties on imported barley, will he state what action he proposes to take before this year's harvest?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. De Chair) on the 21st day May, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total amount of British capital invested in Canada, Australia, the Union of South Africa and India, respectively; and what were the total dividends paid on these investments in 1935 or the latest year for which information is obtainable?

The latest information at present available regarding the geographical distribution of British capital overseas relates to the year 1930. For that year Sir Robert Kindersley estimated that the figures were approximately as follow:

	Nominal Capital.	Income.
	£ mill.	£ mill.
Canada and Newfound land	490	23.3
Australia	524	27.3
South Africa	244	16.4
India and Ceylon	538	31.9

Sundry qualifications attach to these figures, and for these I would refer my hon. Friend to the Economic Journal for June, 1933. It is understood that estimates for a later year are in course of preparation and will probably be published in the autumn.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what was the number of promotions in the departmental clerical class of his Department, from Grade III to Grade II and from Grade II to Grade I, during the last 10 years?

The number of promotions in the Air Ministry departmental clerical class (including Meteorological Office clerks) during the period of 10 years ended 31st May, 1936, was:

Grade III to Grade II	97
Grade II to Grade I	20